Asking for directions in Kyrgyz
Finding your way means understanding the answer as well as asking the question. These phrases cover walking directions, bus stops, buses and taxis.
Save the place name and its map pin. Ask a short question and show the address so the other person can see which entrance, stop or guesthouse you mean.
First establish whether you can walk or need transport. Listen for direction words, distances and stops. If you lose track, ask the person to show you the way.
How to read the phrases
The Latin line is an approximate reading aid. u sounds like oo in food; ı is an unrounded back vowel. y sounds like y in yes, j like j in jam, ng like ng in sing, ch like ch in chair and sh like sh in shop. For ö and ü, round your lips while trying to say eh and ee. Double vowels are held longer. Bold type in the reading aid marks the stressed syllable. One-syllable words and words whose stress has not been confirmed are left unmarked.
Asking the way
- You say Excuse me.
- Кечиресиз. [Kechiresiz.]
- You say Where is the bus station?
- Автобекет кайда? [Avtobeket kayda?]
- You say Where is the bus stop?
- Аялдама кайда? [Ayaldama kayda?]
- You say How can I get there?
- Кантип барсам болот? [Kantip barsam bolot?]
- You say What street is this?
- Бул кайсы көчө? [Bul kaysı köchö?]
- You say Can I walk there?
- Жөө барса болобу? [Jöö barsa bolobu?]
- You say Is it far?
- Ал алыспы? [Al alıspı?]
- You may hear No, not very far.
- Жок, анча эмес. [Jok, ancha emes.]
- You say I am lost.
- Мен адашып калдым. [Men adashıp kaldım.]
Understanding directions
Learn сол / оң: left / right. Жакта describes a location; жакка indicates a direction.
- You may hear Go straight ahead.
- Түз барыңыз. [Tüz barıngız.]
- You may hear Turn left.
- Сол жакка бурулуңуз. [Sol jakka burulunguz.]
- You may hear Turn right.
- Оң жакка бурулуңуз. [Ong jakka burulunguz.]
- You may hear On the left.
- Сол жакта. [Sol jakta.]
- You may hear On the right.
- Оң жакта. [Ong jakta.]
- You may hear It takes ten minutes on foot.
- Жөө барсаңыз, он мүнөт болот. [Jöö barsangız, on münöt bolot.]
Buses and taxis
- You say Does this bus go to Bishkek?
- Бул автобус Бишкекке барабы? [Bul avtobus Bishkekke barabı?]
- You say Which bus should I take?
- Кайсы автобуска түшүш керек? [Kaysı avtobuska tüshüsh kerek?]
- You say What is the next stop?
- Кийинки аялдама кайсы? [Kiyinki ayaldama kaysı?]
- You say Where should I get off?
- Кайдан түшөм? [Kaydan tüshöm?]
- You say Are you getting off now?
- Сиз азыр түшөсүзбү? [Siz azır tüshösüzbü?]
- You may hear No, I am not getting off.
- Жок, түшпөйм. [Jok, tüshpöym.]
- You say Is the taxi available?
- Такси бошпу? [Taksi boshpu?]
- You may hear Where are we going?
- Кайда барабыз? [Kayda barabız?]
- You say To this address, please.
- Бул дарекке чейин. [Bul darekke cheyin.]
- You say Please stop.
- Токтотуңузчу. [Toktotunguzchu.]
- You say How much is the fare?
- Жол акысы канча экен? [Jol akısı kancha eken?]
If you do not understand
- You say Sorry, I did not understand.
- Кечиресиз, түшүнгөн жокмун. [Kechiresiz, tüshüngön jokmun.]
- You say Please repeat that.
- Кайталаңызчы. [Kaytalangızchı.]
- You say Thank you.
- Рахмат. [Rakhmat.]
Sample conversations
Finding the bus stop
- You sayКечиресиз. [Kechiresiz.]
Excuse me.
- You sayАялдама кайда? [Ayaldama kayda?]
Where is the bus stop?
- You may hearОң жакта. [Ong jakta.]
On the right.
- You sayРахмат. [Rakhmat.]
Thank you.
Asking about walking there
Ten minutes is a practice example only.
- You sayЖөө барса болобу? [Jöö barsa bolobu?]
Can I walk there?
- You may hearЖөө барсаңыз, он мүнөт болот. [Jöö barsangız, on münöt bolot.]
It takes ten minutes on foot.
- You sayРахмат. [Rakhmat.]
Thank you.
Giving a taxi driver an address
The driver asks for the destination; the passenger shows an address. Ask about the fare separately.
- You sayТакси бошпу? [Taksi boshpu?]
Is the taxi available?
- You may hearКайда барабыз? [Kayda barabız?]
Where are we going?
- You sayБул дарекке чейин. [Bul darekke cheyin.]
To this address, please.
Before you get in
Check the direction and where to get off before boarding. In a taxi, show the exact address and agree on the amount before setting off. The question about Bishkek is a language example, not confirmation of a current service.
When the reply is too much to follow
Ask in stages: first which way to go, then about the turn or stop. Show the map pin and ask the person to point out the direction.
The transport guide helps you choose how to travel. Use the numbers and money phrasebook to understand the fare you are quoted.
All phrasebooks. How to use the reading aid.
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