How to Say Hello in Kazakh: Complete Guide to Greetings

Kazakhstan is the world's largest landlocked country , nine times the size of the UK , and one of the most fascinating destinations in Central Asia. Born from the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, this country of vast steppes, sand and clay deserts, the Altai and Tian Shan mountains, is experiencing remarkable economic growth driven by its energy resources.

Kazakh is a Turkic language spoken by around 13 million people as a mother tongue in Kazakhstan and in Kazakh communities in China, Russia and Mongolia. Its kinship with Turkish, Uzbek or Kyrgyz opens the door to an entire language family.

Browse our Kazakh vocabulary guide and our Kazakh language page to continue learning after these greetings.

1. Salam / Sälem , The Universal Greeting
2. Kazakh Alphabets: Cyrillic, Latin and Arabic
3. Formal Greetings and Customs
4. Qalyńyz qalai , How Are You?
5. Essential Expressions
6. Kazakh Culture and Nomadic Traditions

Salam / Sälem , The Universal Greeting

Salam (in Cyrillic: Салем, pronounced SA-lam or SÄ-lem) is the most common Kazakh greeting. Borrowed from the Arabic as-salam via Islam, it is perfectly integrated into the Kazakh language and culture.

Two Pronunciations

• Salam (SA-lam) , Russian-influenced variant, very common in urban settings
• Sälem (SÄ-lem) , Kazakh-influenced variant, the "ä" is a vowel between "a" and "e"

Use

Salam works for all informal and semi-formal situations:

• Between friends and colleagues of the same age
• In a café or restaurant
• Meeting someone for the first time in a relaxed context

Repetition: Salam salam!

Repeating the greeting Salam salam! is very natural in Kazakh and all Turkic languages , it expresses extra warmth.

Kazakh Alphabets: Cyrillic, Latin and Arabic

Kazakh is going through a historically unique linguistic period , it currently uses three alphabets depending on the region and community:

1. Cyrillic Alphabet (dominant in current Kazakhstan)

Adopted under the USSR in the 1940s, it remains the official alphabet until the ongoing transition. Салем = Sälem.

2. Latin Alphabet (official transition)

In 2017, Kazakhstan announced a transition to the Latin alphabet, to be completed progressively by 2031. The new spelling is still evolving. Sälem = Latin.

3. Modified Arabic Alphabet (Chinese Kazakhstan)

Kazakhs in Xinjiang (China) write in Arabic-Kazakh script. سالام = Salam.

Some Kazakh Cyrillic Letters

Formal Greetings and Customs

In Kazakh, formal greeting is much more elaborate than a simple "Salam." The nomadic Kazakh tradition places profound value on respect for elders.

Assalaumu aleykum

Ассалаумағалейкум (Assalaumu aleykum) , the complete Arabic Islamic greeting, used in formal, religious contexts and with elderly people. Response: Wa aleykum assalam.

The Health Enquiry Ritual

In traditional Kazakh, greeting someone involves asking about their health, their family and their livestock (a nomadic heritage). Not asking these questions would be considered impolite.

The ritual sequence is called hal-ahval (borrowed from Arabic):

1. Greeting
2. "How are you?"
3. "How is your family?"
4. "How are your relatives?"
5. Only then: the reason for the visit

The Two-Handed Handshake

In Central Asia and Kazakhstan, handshakes are often performed with both hands , the right hand grips, the left hand supports the other person's elbow or forearm. It is a sign of respect and sincere warmth.

Qalyńyz qalai , How Are You?

Responses

Rakhmet (rakh-MET) = thank you , the most useful word to remember in Kazakh. The "kh" is a guttural sound like the "ch" in Scottish "loch" or German "Bach."

Essential Expressions

Kazakh Culture and Nomadic Traditions

The Yurt: Nomadic Home and National Symbol The yurt (Kazakh: kiiz üy, felt house) is the symbol of Kazakh identity. An ancient demountable and transportable nomadic dwelling, it features on the Kazakh national emblem. Sleeping in a yurt on the steppe is an unforgettable experience.

Koumiss Qymyz (fermented mare's milk) is the traditional Kazakh drink. Slightly alcoholic, with a tangy taste, it is offered to guests as a sign of welcome. Refusing is impolite , taste at least symbolically.

Nauryz , The Kazakh New Year Nauryz (21 March, spring equinox) is the most important Kazakh national festival, shared with all of Central Asia and the Turkic world. Festivities, traditional food (nauryz köje), music and national sports (Kazakh wrestling qazaqsha küres, horseback polo kökhpar).

Nur-Sultan or Almaty? Kazakhstan's capital has changed names several times , Akmola, Astana, Nur-Sultan (honouring former president Nazarbaev), and potentially reverting to Astana. Almaty remains the largest city and cultural economic centre. Both cities are worth visiting.

The Silk Road Kazakhstan lay at the heart of the ancient Silk Roads linking China to Europe. This geographical position has shaped a culture of hospitality towards travellers that remains deeply embedded to this day.

Conclusion

Kazakh opens to you with Salam, Rakhmet and Saw bolyńyz. In a country rapidly developing its tourist infrastructure while preserving millennia-old nomadic traditions, these few words will immediately mark you as someone worthy of respect and warmth. Kazakhstan is one of the most exciting frontiers of contemporary travel , a country still little known to English speakers but offering experiences unique in the world.

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Curious to learn Kazakh or explore Turkic languages? Discover our courses with native teachers from Almaty and Astana.

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Sources and References

• Targumi — Learn Kazakh: courses with certified native teachers.
• Wikipedia — Kazakh: encyclopedic information on the language.
• Ethnologue — Kazakh: approximately 13 million native speakers worldwide.

Further Reading

• Learn Kazakh on Targumi — courses with native teachers
• Kazakh vocabulary essentials — key words and phrases
• All languages on Targumi — 106 languages taught