Essential Mongolian Phrases

Sometimes you don't have time to learn long lists of words and phrases. All you want to know are the bare essentials for communicating to get what you need, or where you need to go.

Here are the bare minimum of Mongolian words and phrases you need to know to survive.

Learn the Top 10 Phrases if you only have time for the barest minimum. If you need or want more, then take a look at the Top 20 Phrases, Top 30 Phrases and the Extra Phrases.

If you need help with pronunciation,
please see the Pronunciation Guide below.

Here are ten easy phrases to get you started ...

The Top 10 ...

Sain bainüü.

Hello.
Bayartai.
Goodbye.
Ta angilar yairdagüü?
Do you speak English?
Bi oilgokhgui bain.
I don't understand.
Jakhaan.
A little.
Tiim. Ugui.
Yes. No.
En yamar untei ve?

How much is it?
Kheterkhii untei bain. Za.
Too expensive. OK.
Tanaas neg yüm khuse.
Please.
(Tand ikh) bayarlalaa.
Thank you (very much).

Here are ten more phrases that will help you make new friends and ask for directions ... The Top 20 ...
	Tany ner khen be? What is your name? Minii ner ... My name is ... Ta sain bainüü? How are you? Sain. Tanaar yüü bain? Fine. And you? ... khaan bain ve? Where is ...? Jorlong khaan bain ve? Khun/Emegtei Where is the toilet? Men/Women Üüchlaarai. Sorry. Excuse me. Zugeer zugeer. No problem. Nadad ... kheregtei. I want ... Nadad ... khereggüi. I don't want ...

Here are another ten phrases to help you make a little more conversation and to get around ...

The Top 30 ...

Ta yamar ülsaas irsen be?
Where are you from?
Bi Avstrali ülsaas irsen.*
I am from Australia.
Tootsoogoo bodüüli.
The bill, please.
Bi zamaasaa töörchikhlöö.
I'm lost.
Zogs! Khuleej bai!
Stop! Wait!
End, tend.
Here, there.
Taksi. Zochid büüdal. Nisekh ongotsny büüdal. Büüdal.
Taxi. Hotel. Airport. Station.
Bi ... dürtai.
I like ...
Bi ... dürgui.
I don't like ...

neg, khoyor, gürav, döröv, tav.
one, two, three, four, five.
zürgaa, doloo, naim, yös, arav.
six, seven, eight, nine, ten.

*Or choose your country:
Amerikiin Negdsen - America
Kanad - Canada
Angil - England
Irland - Ireland
Shin Zeland - New Zealand

Here are some extra words and phrases you might find useful, especially if you have dietary needs or allergies ...

Useful Extras ...

Eruul mendiin tölöö!
Cheers!

sain / müü
good / bad
tom / jijig
big / small
derged / khol
near / far
bag / iluu
less / more
dakhiad neg / khangalttai
another / enough

Bi tsagaan khoolton.
I am vegetarian.
Bi makh idekhgui.
I don't eat meat.
... takhiany makh.
... chicken.
... zagas.
... fish.

Minii bied samar harshdag.
I am allergic to nuts.
... gazryn samar ...
... peanuts.
... zagas ...
... fish.
... dalain khool ...
... seafood.
... öndög ...
... eggs.

Pronunciation Guide

Vowels:
Doubled vowels indicate long vowels.
ai is pronounced as ai as in aisle
ö is pronounced as ir in bird in Australian English (ɵ)
u is pronounced as oo in hook (ʊ)
ü is pronounced as oo in pool (IPA u)
y is pronounced as ɨ (a high schwa ə or New Zealand i)

Consonants:
b is pronounced as p as in spar (without a puff of air)
c is pronounced as a breathy ts (tsʰ)
ch is pronounced as breathy ch as in church (tʃʰ)
d is pronounced as t as in star (without a puff of air)
g is pronounced as g as in gate or as a uvular g, far back in the throat (IPA ɢ)
j is pronounced as ch as in church (tʃ) but without a puff of air
k is pronounced as breathy k as in kid (IPA kʰ)
kh is pronounced as kh as in loch or Bach (x)
l is pronounced as a fricative l (ɮ), held and breathy, a voiced Welsh ll
n at the end of a word is pronounced as ng as in singer (ŋ), eg. Khan = xa:ŋ
p is pronounced as breathy p as in pin (IPA pʰ)
sh is pronounced as sh as in shop (ʃ)
t is pronounced as breathy t as in tin (IPA tʰ)
v is pronounced as ʋ (midway between w and v)
z is pronounced as ts without a puff of air