Ways to say it
| Uzbek | Pronunciation | Meaning | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oʻzbekcha bilmayman | oʻz-bek-CHA bil-may-MAN | I don't know Uzbek | Plain and clear. |
| Oʻzbekchani yaxshi bilmayman | oʻz-bek-cha-NI yakh-SHI bil-may-MAN | I don't know Uzbek well | With yaxshi in between, -ni is usual. |
| Ozgina bilaman | oz-gi-NA bi-la-MAN | I know a little | The positive way to say it. |
| Oʻzbekcha gapira olmayman | oʻz-bek-CHA ga-pi-RA ol-may-MAN | I can't speak Uzbek | Olmoq adds “can”; olmayman is “I can't”. |
Capital letters mark the stressed syllable. Uzbek stress usually falls on the last syllable.
What it literally means
Uzbek-ly not-know-I. Bil- is “know”, -ma- is the negative and -man is “I”.
In a real exchange
- Seller: Oʻzbekcha gapirasizmi?
Do you speak Uzbek? - You: Kechirasiz, oʻzbekchani yaxshi bilmayman.
Sorry, I don't know Uzbek well. - Seller: Ruscha yoki inglizcha bilasizmi?
Do you know Russian or English? - You: Inglizcha bilaman. Oʻzbekchani oʻrganyapman.
I know English. I'm learning Uzbek.
Good to know
- Bilmoq is “to know”, so oʻzbekcha bilmayman is literally “I don't know Uzbek”; gapira olmayman says “I can't speak”.
- Oʻzbekcha can take -ni when another word comes between it and the verb: oʻzbekchani yaxshi bilmayman.
- Ozgina bilaman and Men oʻzbekcha oʻrganyapman, “I'm learning Uzbek”, tell the other person you are a learner.
Common mistakes
- Saying Men oʻzbek bilmayman. For the language, add -cha: oʻzbekcha.
This phrase is part of My name is… in Uzbek: introducing yourself in the free phrasebook, with the grammar behind it.