I can say my name, ask someone's name informally and formally, introduce a friend, and say “nice to meet you”.
Менің атым …: my name, your name
Менің атым …: my name, your name
Why: to say your name, ask someone's name, and introduce another person.
“My name” in Kazakh is two words, and both change. Learn four phrases as a whole:
• Менің атым — … “My name is …”
• Сенің атың кім? “What's your name?” (to a friend)
• Сіздің атыңыз кім? “What's your name?” (formal)
• Оның аты — … “His (her) name is …”
A name is asked with кім “who” — not “what”. It stands where the name will be in the answer, not at the start of the question.
To point someone out: Бұл — … “This is …”. After that the person is ол — “he” or “she”: Kazakh has no gender.
• Бұл кім? — Бұл — Анна. Ол — қонақ.
A friend is introduced with a set phrase: Бұл — менің досым “This is my friend”.
When you meet: Таныс болайық “Let's get acquainted” and Танысқаныма қуаныштымын “Nice to meet you”.
On a form: аты — first name, тегі — last name, аты-жөні — full name.
Watch out:
• ат — “name” (the word also means “horse”);
• қыз — both “girl” and “daughter”.
Common mistakes:
• ×Кім сіздің атыңыз? → Сіздің атыңыз кім?
• ×Менің ат → Менің атым.
Four forms of the word ат
Both words change: learn them as a pair.
| Whose | name | in English |
|---|---|---|
| менің | атым | my name |
| сенің | атың | your name (informal) |
| сіздің | атыңыз | your name (formal) |
| оның | аты | his, her name |
Lesson notes
Менің атым …: my name, your name
Why: to say your name, ask someone's name, and introduce another person.
“My name” in Kazakh is two words, and both change. Learn four phrases as a whole:
• Менің атым — … “My name is …”
• Сенің атың кім? “What's your name?” (to a friend)
• Сіздің атыңыз кім? “What's your name?” (formal)
• Оның аты — … “His (her) name is …”
A name is asked with кім “who” — not “what”. It stands where the name will be in the answer, not at the start of the question.
To point someone out: Бұл — … “This is …”. After that the person is ол — “he” or “she”: Kazakh has no gender.
• Бұл кім? — Бұл — Анна. Ол — қонақ.
A friend is introduced with a set phrase: Бұл — менің досым “This is my friend”.
When you meet: Таныс болайық “Let's get acquainted” and Танысқаныма қуаныштымын “Nice to meet you”.
On a form: аты — first name, тегі — last name, аты-жөні — full name.
Watch out:
• ат — “name” (the word also means “horse”);
• қыз — both “girl” and “daughter”.
Common mistakes:
• ×Кім сіздің атыңыз? → Сіздің атыңыз кім?
• ×Менің ат → Менің атым.