Uzbek compliments are warm and simple, and most of them are one short phrase. The grammar idea on this page is the ending -siz: put it on an adjective and you have “you are …”, as in Aqllisiz (you are smart). For something you notice has turned out well, Uzbek uses the past ending -ibdi, as in Sizga yarashibdi (it suits you).
Looks, clothes and the home
| Uzbek | Sounds like | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Chiroylisiz | chi-roy-li-SIZ | You look lovely; you are beautiful (to a friend or relative) |
| Juda chiroyli | ju-DA chi-roy-LI | Very beautiful, very nice |
| Kiyimingiz chiroyli | ki-yi-min-GIZ chi-roy-LI | Your clothes are beautiful |
| Sizga yarashibdi | siz-GA ya-ra-shib-DI | It suits you |
| Sizga juda yarashibdi | siz-GA ju-DA ya-ra-shib-DI | It suits you very well |
| Uyingiz juda shinam | u-yin-GIZ ju-DA shi-NAM | Your home is very cosy |
| Uyingiz juda chiroyli | u-yin-GIZ ju-DA chi-roy-LI | Your home is very beautiful |
Food, skills and character
| Uzbek | Sounds like | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Ovqatingiz juda mazali | ov-qa-tin-GIZ ju-DA ma-za-LI | Your food is very tasty |
| Mazali boʻlibdi | ma-za-LI boh-lib-DI | It has turned out delicious |
| Qoʻlingiz dard koʻrmasin | qoh-lin-GIZ DARD koʻr-ma-SIN | Thank you for the meal (to the cook; literally “may your hands never ache”) |
| Aqllisiz | aql-li-SIZ | You are smart |
| Mehribonsiz | meh-ri-bon-SIZ | You are kind |
| Yaxshi gapirasiz | yakh-SHI ga-pi-ra-SIZ | You speak well |
| Juda yaxshi gapiryapsiz | ju-DA yakh-SHI ga-pir-yap-SIZ | You are speaking very well (to a learner) |
| Oʻzbekchangiz zoʻr | oʻz-bek-chan-GIZ ZOʻR | Your Uzbek is great |
| Barakalla | ba-ra-kal-LA | Well done (warm praise, often to a child) |
| Ofarin | o-fa-RIN | Bravo, well done |
Accepting a compliment
| Uzbek | Sounds like | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Rahmat | rah-MAT | Thank you |
| Katta rahmat | kat-TA rah-MAT | Thank you very much |
| Rahmat, siz ham | rah-MAT SIZ HAM | Thank you, you too |
| Rahmat, mehribonsiz | rah-MAT meh-ri-bon-SIZ | Thank you, you are kind |
| Rahmat, sizga yoqqanidan xursandman | rah-MAT siz-GA yoq-qa-ni-DAN khur-sand-MAN | Thank you, I’m glad you like it |
Patterns to reuse
- -siz means “you are …”. Aqllisiz (you are smart), Mehribonsiz (you are kind), Chiroylisiz (you look lovely). It is the polite siz form, so it is safe with adults.
- -ibdi reports something you have just noticed. Sizga yarashibdi (it suits you; literally “it has suited you”), Mazali boʻlibdi (it has turned out delicious). Learn these as fixed phrases first.
- Juda makes it stronger. Juda chiroyli is “very beautiful”, Juda mazali is “very tasty”.
- Kids get Barakalla. For a child who did something well, Barakalla! is the warm word; Ofarin! is the “bravo” version.
A short conversation
A: Assalomu alaykum! Uyingiz juda shinam.
Hello! Your home is very cosy.
B: Rahmat, mehribonsiz. Marhamat, oʻtiring.
Thank you, you are kind. Please, sit down.
A: Ovqatingiz juda mazali! Qoʻlingiz dard koʻrmasin.
Your food is very tasty! Thank you for the meal.
B: Rahmat! Yana oling.
Thank you! Have some more.
A: Rahmat, toʻydim.
Thank you, I’m full.
Looking for one word? See how to say beautiful, delicious, well done and dear. For more kind words, see blessings in Uzbek and visiting an Uzbek home.
Uzbekcha is an app for learning Uzbek, with lessons in English and audio on every word. It is on Android now and coming soon to iPhone. Get the app.
