Azerbaijan- Language, Culture, Customs and

Etiquette

Facts and Statistics

Location: Southwestern Asia, bordering the Caspian Sea, between Iran and
Russia, with a small European portion north of the Caucasus range
Capital: Baku
Borders: Armenia (with Azerbaijan-proper) 566 km, Armenia (with AzerbaijanNaxcivan exclave) 221 km, Georgia 322 km, Iran (with Azerbaijan-proper) 432
km, Iran (with Azerbaijan-Naxcivan exclave) 179 km, Russia 284 km, Turkey 9
km
Population: 7,911,974 (July 2005 est.)
Ethnic Makeup: Azeri 90.6%, Dagestani 2.2%, Russian 1.8%, Armenian
1.5%, other 3.9% (1999 census)
Religions: Muslim 93.4%, Russian Orthodox 2.5%, Armenian Orthodox 2.3%,
other 1.8%
Language in Azerbaijan
The official language is Azerbaijani or "Azeri", a Turkic language. In 1994 it
was estimated that some 82% of Azerbaijan's citizens speak Azerbaijani as
their first language. In addition, 38% of Azerbaijanis speak Russian fluently to
accommodate Russian domination of the economy and politics.
The Azerbaijani language is part of the 'Oghuz', or 'Western Turkic', group of
Turkic languages, together with Anatolian Turkish (spoken in Turkey) and
Turkmen (spoken in Turkmenistan). Dialectical differences between
Azerbaijani and Anatolian Turkish have been attributed to Mongolian and
Turkic influences. Despite these differences, Anatolian Turkish speakers and
Azerbaijanis can often understand one another if they speak carefully. Spoken
Azerbaijani includes several dialects. Since the nineteenth century, Russian

loanwords (particularly technical terms) and grammatical and lexical

structures have entered the Azerbaijani language in Russian-controlled
Azerbaijan, as have Persian words in Iranian Azerbaijan. The resulting
variants remain mutually intelligible, however.
Azeri Society & Culture

The Family
o The family forms the basic social structure in Azerbaijan.
o This goes back to many Azeris' history as rural dwellers where a clan (hoj)
would share land and work together to form a tight circle.
o A hoj would sometimes consist of up to 40 members.
o Nowadays the family is a lot smaller - usually a married couple with children
and possibly grandparents.
o Families still work as an interdependent unit andexpect to receive both
financial and emotional support from others.
o Gender roles are still fairly traditional in much of Azerbaijan with the man
being the bread-winner and woman taking care of the domestic side of
things.
Hierarchal Society
o Azeris are still a very hierarchical society.
o Culture, traditions, family and religious affiliation often take precedence over
official laws.
o When the government has trouble resolving an issue, the president often
appeals to the "agh sakkal" (prominent and respected people) to help find a
solution. "Agh sakkal" means "white beard".

Folklore and Superstition

o Azeri culture, due to its rural roots and culturally rich tapestry, has many
superstitions. Examples include:
- A cat crossing your path means bad luck in business.
- Salt accidentally spilled means you are about to quarrel. Sprinkle sugar on
the salt to counter this.
- Leaving scissors with opened blades brings misfortune and even death.
- If you meet a person with empty buckets, you are bound for misfortune.
- If you meet a person with bread and full bags, you will have good luck.
- Never hurry to a funeral ceremony.
- Do not cross the way the funeral train goes.
- If the first person you meet on your way to work is male, you will have good
luck.
- Do not lend money or bread at night.
- Throwing a bowl of water in the wake of a person who sets off for a business
trip or long journey brings the person luck and helps them to return home safe
and sound.

Azeri Customs and Etiquette

Meeting and Greeting
o Like most cultures in the area, Azeris like warm and friendly greetings.
o Men greet each other with a handshake, a kiss on the cheek and "salaam"
(literally 'peace' but meaning 'hello').
o Women hug and kiss each other once on the left cheek. Azeri women do not
generally shake hands among themselves, although many will shake hands
with a foreigner.
o Males should wait and see if a woman extends her hand (although most will
the more religious may not) - if they do shake it lightly.
o Always take a moment to ask about family, health and business.
o First names are generally used in social situations if the speakers are of
similar ages.
o If you do not know the person well, use their first name followed by an
appropriate title. For women, use "hanum" ("woman"). For men, use "bey"
("Mr").
o Younger people always initiate greetings with older people.
Gift Giving Etiquette
o Azeris mainly exchange gifts for birthdays, weddings and anniversaries.
o In Azeri culture it is the thought behind the gift, rather than the price, that
matters.

o It is customary to refuse a gift at least twice before reluctantly accepting it.

Always insist it is too much and the giver should not have gone to any
trouble.
o If you are invited to an Azeri's home for dinner, bring flowers or pastries to
the hostess. Ask the shop where you buy them to wrap them for you. It is
considered polite to reciprocate hospitality with a small gift.
o Always give an odd number of flowers. Even numbers are reserved for
funerals.
o Avoid giving alcohol unless you are certain your host partakes.
o Gifts are generally not opened when received.
Dining Etiquette
If you are invited to a Azeri home for food:
o Remove your shoes before entering the house. You may be offered slippers
to wear.
o Punctuality is not paramount. Arriving within 30 minutes of the stipulated
time is socially acceptable,
o Dress casually but smartly. Never wear tight or revealing clothing.
o If there are many people present shake hands with everyone.
o Table manners are fairly formal. If in doubt watch what others do.
o Remain standing until invited to sit down. You may be shown to a particular
seat.
o Keep your elbows off the table and your hands above the table when eating.
o The hostess generally serves the food. The elderly are served first, then the
guests, and finally the children.
o Use your right hand only to eat and to pass things.

English

Azerbaijani Phrases

Greeting

salamlama

Hi!

salam

Good morning!

sabahnz xeyir

Good afternoon!

Gnortanz xeyir!

Good evening!

axamnz xeyir

Welcome! (to greet someone)

xo glmisiniz!

Hello my friend!

salam dostum

How are you? (friendly)

necesn

How are you? (polite)

necsiniz

I'm fine, thank you!

saolun yaxyam

And you? (friendly)

bs sn

And you? (polite)

bs siz

Good

yaxyam

Not so good

el d yax deyilm

Long time no see

coxdandr grnmrsn

I missed you

sninn darxmam

What's new?

tz n xbr var?

Nothing new

yeni he n yoxdur

Thank you (very much)!

(cox )saol

You're welcome! (for "thank you")

dymz

My pleasure

Xodur!

Come in! (or: enter!)

girin

Make yourself at home!

znz evinizdki kimi hiss edin!

Farewell Expressions

English

Azerbaijani Phrases

Have a nice day!

yax bir gn keirtmniz dilyi il!

Good night!

Gecniz xeyr!

Good night and sweet dreams!

Gecniz xeyr v irin yuxular!

See you later!

Sonra grrik!

See you soon!

tezlikl grndk!

See you tomorrow!

Sabaha qdr!

Good bye!

Hllik!

Have a good trip!

Yax yol!

I have to go

Mn getmliym

I will be right back!

Mn indic qaydacam

Holidays and Wishes

Good luck!

Uurlar!

Happy birthday!

Ad gnn mbarK!

Happy new year!

Yeni iliniz mbark!

Merry Christmas!

Milad bayramnz mbark!

Happy Ramadan

Ramazan bayramnz mbark

Happy Nawruz

Novruz bayramnz mbark

Congratulations!

Tbriklr

Enjoy! (or: bon appetit)

Nu olsun!

Bless you (when sneezing)

Salam ol

Best wishes!

n xo arzularla!

Cheers! (or: to your health)

Sizin salnza!

Accept my best wishes

n xo arzularm qbul edin!

How to Introduce Yourself

What's your name?

sizin adnz ndir

English

Azerbaijani Phrases

My name is (John Doe)

mnim adm Condur

Nice to meet you!

Mmnun oldum

Where are you from?

Sz haradansnz?

I'm from (the U.S/ Azerbaijan)

Mn ABdan/Azrbaycandanam

I'm (American/ Azerbaijani)

Mn Amerikanam, azrbaycanlyam

Where do you live?

Sz harada yaayrsnz?

I live in (the U.S/ Azerbaijan)

Mn Abda/Azrbaycanda yaayram

Do you like it here?

Siz buran xoladnz?

Azerbaijan is a beautiful country

Azrbaycan gzl lkdir

What do you do for a living?

Siz nyl mulsunuz?

I'm a (teacher/ student/ engineer)

Mn mllimym/tlbym/mhndism

Do you speak (English/ Azeri)?

Siz ingilisc/azrbaycanca danrsnz?

Just a little

Biraz

I like Azeri

Mnim Azrbaycan dilindn xoum glir

I'm trying to learn Azeri

Mn azrbaycanca yrnmy alram

It's a hard language

Bu tin dildir

It's an easy language

Bu asan dildir

Oh! That's good!

Ah bu ox yaxdr

Can I practice with you?

Mn sizinl mq ed bilrm?

I will try my best to learn

Mn yrnmk n limdn glni

edcm

How old are you?

Sizin ne yanz var?

I'm (twenty one, thirty two) years old

Mnim (iyirmi bir, otuz iki) yam var.

It was nice talking to you!

Sizinl danmaq ox xo oldu

It was nice meeting you!

Sizi grmk ox xo oldu

English

Azerbaijani Phrases

Mr.../ Mrs. .../ Miss...

Cnab.../Xanm.../xanm

This is my wife

Bu mnim hyat yoldamdr

This is my husband

Bu mnim hyat yoldamdr

Say hi to Thomas for me

Thomasa mndn salam de(yin)

Romance and Love Phrases

Are you free tomorrow evening?
I would like to invite you to dinner

Sabah axam bekarsnz?

Mn sizi am yemyin dvt etmk
istyrdim

You look beautiful! (to a woman)

Siz gzl grnrsz

You have a beautiful name

Sizin gzl adnz var

Can you tell me more about you?

Mn znz haqda biraz dana bilrsiniz7

Are you married?

Siz evlisiniz?

I'm single

mn subayam

I'm married

mn evliym

Can I have your phone number?

Mn telefon nmrnizi ver bilrsiniz?

Can I have your email?

Mn email unvannz ver bilrsiniz?

Do you have any pictures of you?

Sizin kliniz var?

Do you have children?

Sizin uaqlarnz var?

Would you like to go for a walk?

Mniml piyada gzintiy xarsnz?

I like you

Mnim sizdn xoum glir

I love you

Mn sizi sevirm

You're very special!

Siz ox zlsiniz

You're very kind!

siz ox xeyirxahsnz

I'm very happy

mn ox xobxtm

Would you marry me?

Mniml evlnrsiniz?

I'm just kidding

Sadc zarafat edirm

English

Azerbaijani Phrases

I'm serious

Mn ciddiym

My heart speaks the language of love

Mnim ryim sevginin dilind danr!

Solving a Misunderstanding
Sorry! (or: I beg your pardon!)

zr istyirm!

Sorry (for a mistake)

Balayn!

No problem!

problem yoxdur

Can you repeat please?

Tkrarlaya bilrsiniz?

Can you speak slowly?

Siz biraz yava dana bilrsiniz?

Can you write it down?

Siz bunu yaza bilrsiniz?

Did you understand what I said?

Sn mnim dediyimi baa ddn?

I don't understand!

Mn baa dmrm!

I don't know!

Mn bilmirm!

What's that called in Azeri?

Bu azrbaycan dilind nec adlanr?

What does that word mean in English?

Bu szn ingilis dilind mnas ndir?

How do you say "thanks" in Azeri?

Azrbaycan dilind "thank you" nec

deyilir?

What is this?

Bu ndir?

My Azeri is bad

Mn azrbayanca pis danram

Don't worry!

Narahat olmayn

I agree with you

Mn sizinl razyam

Is that right?

Bu dzdr?

Is that wrong?

Bu shvdir?

What should I say?

Mn n dey bilrm?

I just need to practice

Mn sadc mq etmliym

Your Azeri is good

siz azrbaycanca yax danrsnz

I have an accent

Mnim lhcm var

English
You don't have an accent

Azerbaijani Phrases
Sizd lhc yoxdur

Asking for Directions

Excuse me! (before asking someone)

Bala(yn)

I'm lost

Mn azmam

Can you help me?

Mn kmk ed bilrsiz?

Can I help you?

Mn siz kmk ed bilrm?

I'm not from here

Mn bural deyilm

How can I get to (this place, this city)?

Mn (bu yer, bu hr) nec ged

bilrm?

Go straight

dz gedin

Then

sonra

Turn left

sola dn(n)

Turn right

saa dn(n)

Can you show me?

Siz mn gstr bilrsiz?

I can show you!

Mn sn(siz) gstr bilrm

Come with me!

Mniml gl(in)

How long does it take to get there?

Buradan oraya n qdr vaxta getmk olar?

Downtown (city center)

hr mrkzi

Historic center (old city)

tarixi yer

It's near here

Bura yaxndr

It's far from here

Bura uzaqdr

Is it within walking distance?

Bura piyadadr?

I'm looking for Mr. Smith

Mn cnab Smiti axtarram

One moment please!

bir dqiq gzlyin zhmt olmasa

Hold on please! (when on the phone)

xtd gzlyin zhmt olmasa

He is not here

O burada deyil

English

Azerbaijani Phrases

Airport

hava liman

Bus station

avtobus dayanaca

Train station

qatar vazal

Taxi

taksi

Near

yaxn

Far

uzaq

Emergency Survival Phrases

Help!

kmk et/edin!

Stop!

dayan

Fire!

yann

Thief!

oru

Run!

qa

Watch out! (or: be alert!)

Diqqtli ol!

Call the police!

polis ar(n)

Call a doctor!

hkim ar(n)

Call the ambulance!

tcili yardim xidmtin zng vur(un)

Are you okay?

yaxsan/snz?

I feel sick

ryim bulanr

I need a doctor

Mn hkim lazmdr

Accident

hadis

Food poisoning

qida zhrlnmsi

Where is the closest pharmacy?

n yaxn aptek haradadir?

It hurts here

Bura aryr.

It's urgent!

Bu vacibdir!

Calm down!

Sakitlin

English

Azerbaijani Phrases

You will be okay!

hr ey yax olacaq

Can you help me?

Mn kmk ed bilrsiz?

Can I help you?

siz kmk ed bilrm?

Hotel Restaurant Travel Phrases

I have a reservation (for a room)

Mn vvlcdn otaq sifari etmidim

Do you have rooms available?

Bo otanz var?

With shower / With bathroom

dulu/ hamaml

I would like a non-smoking room

Mn siqaret kilmyn otaq istyrdim

What is the charge per night?

Bir geclik qiymt n qdrdir?

I'm here on business /on vacation

Mn il bal/ttiln buradayam.

Dirty

irkli

Clean

tmiz

Do you accept credit cards?

Kredit kart qbul edirsiz?

I'd like to rent a car

Mn man icarlmk istyirm

How much will it cost?

Bu ney baa glck?

A table for (one / two) please!

1 nfrlik( 2nfrlik) stol zhmt olmasa!

Is this seat taken?

Bu oturacaq doludur?

I'm vegetarian

mn vegeteryanam

I don't eat pork

mn donuz ti yemirm

I don't drink alcohol

Mn spirtli iki imirm

What's the name of this dish?

Bu yemyin ad ndir

Waiter / waitress!

ofisiant/ ofisiant qz

Can we have the check please?

Hesab gtir bilrsiz zhmt olmasa?

It is very delicious!

Bu ox dadldr

I don't like it

Mn bunu xolamram

English

Azerbaijani Phrases

Shopping Expressions
How much is this?

Bu neydir?

I'm just looking

Sadc baxram

I don't have change

Xrda pulum yoxdur

This is too expensive

Bu ox bahadr

Expensive

baha

Cheap

ucuz

Daily Expressions
What time is it?

saat nedir?

It's 3 o'clock

Saat dr

Give me this!

Bunu mn ver(in)

Are you sure?

minsn?

Take this! (when giving something)

Gtr(n)

It's freezing (weather)

Hava buz kimidir

It's cold (weather)

soyuqdur

It's hot (weather)

stidir.

Do you like it?

Bu xouna gldi?

I really like it!

Bu dourdan xouma gldi

I'm hungry

acmam

I'm thirsty

susamam

He is funny

o glmlidi

In The Morning

shr

In the evening

axsam

At Night

gec

Hurry up!

cld ol(un)

English

Azerbaijani Phrases

Cuss Words (polite)

This is nonsense! (or: this is craziness)

Bu cfngiyyatdr

My God! (to show amazement)

Aman Allahm

Oh gosh! (when making a mistake)

Ay Allah

It sucks! (or: this is not good)

Bu brbaddr

What's wrong with you?

sn ne olub?

Are you crazy?

Dlisn

Get lost! (or: go away!)

Get burdan

Leave me alone!

Mni trk burax(n)

I'm not interested!

Maraqlanmram

Writing a Letter
Dear John

ziz John

My trip was very nice

syahtim cox yax kedi

The culture and people were very

interesting

mdniyyt v xalq cox maraql idi

I had a good time with you

mn sizinl yax vaxt keirdim.

I would love to visit your country again

Mn sizin lky bir daha glmk istrdim.

Don't forget to write me back from time

to time

Arada mn yazma unutma(yn)

Short Expressions and words

Good

yax

Bad

pis

So-so (or: not bad not good)

bel d

Big

byk

Small

balaca

Today

bu gn

English

Azerbaijani Phrases

Now

indi

Tomorrow

sabah

Yesterday

dnn

Yes

bli

No

xeyr