Basic Words

1. Тийм

   Tiim

   Yes

   Usage

   The shortest affirmative reply; use it to confirm anything

2. Үгүй

   Ügüi

   No

   Usage

   The basic negative reply; also works to decline an offer

3. Гуйя

   Guiya

   Please

   Usage

   Add it to any request or order; it also stands alone

4. Баярлалаа

   Bayarlalaa

   Thank you

   Usage

   Use it everywhere: after paying, after getting directions

5. Уучлаарай

   Uuchlaarai

   Excuse me

   Usage

   The opening word when you need a stranger's attention

   Grammar Note

   "Уучлаарай" serves both to get attention and to apologise; "Намайг уучлаарай" is the stronger apology.

6. Намайг уучлаарай

   Namaig uuchlaarai

   Sorry

   Usage

   An apology after bumping into someone or making a mistake

7. Зүгээр

   Zügeer

   It's OK / I'm fine

   Usage

   Reply to an apology, or politely wave off offered help

8. Би ойлгохгүй байна

   Bi oilgokhgüi baina

   I don't understand

   Usage

   Say it as soon as you lose the thread; people will rephrase

9. Би ойлголоо

   Bi oilgoloo

   I understand

   Usage

   Confirms you followed an explanation

10. Боллоо

    Bolloo

    I'm finished / Done

    Usage

    Tell staff you have finished a meal or a procedure

11. Хүлээнэ үү

    Khüleene üü

    Please wait

    Usage

    Use it when you need the other person to hold on

12. Түр зуур

    Tür zuur

    Just a moment

    Usage

    A shorter, lighter version for a very brief pause

13. Том хүн нэг

    Tom khün neg

    One adult, please

    Usage

    Say it at a ticket window or an entrance gate

14. Би захиалга хийгээгүй

    Bi zakhialga khiigeegüi

    I don't have a reservation

    Usage

    Tell a restaurant or hotel that you are a walk-in

15. Би захиалга хийсэн

    Bi zakhialga khiisen

    I have a reservation

    Usage

    Say it first at reception, then give your name

16. Надад туслана уу

    Nadad tuslana uu

    Please help me

    Usage

    For trouble or emergencies; a strong call for help

17. Дахиад нэг удаа хэлнэ үү

    Dakhiad neg udaa khelne üü

    Once more, please

    Usage

    Ask someone to repeat what you missed

18. Аажуухан ярина уу

    Aajuukhan yarina uu

    Please speak slowly

    Usage

    When the speech is too fast; people almost always oblige

19. Би бага зэрэг ярьдаг

    Bi baga zereg yaridag

    I speak a little

    Usage

    Saying it early makes the other person slow down

20. Та англиар ярьдаг уу?

    Ta angliar yaridag uu?

    Do you speak English?

    Usage

    Your fallback when you get stuck; ask with the polite pronoun

    Grammar Note

    "Та" is the polite second person; do not use "чи" with strangers.

21. Энэ

    Ene

    This

    Usage

    Point at something near you to say "this one"

22. Тэр

    Ter

    That

    Usage

    For something further away; Mongolian has only a two-way "ene / ter" split, so it covers both "that" and "that over there"

23. Энд

    End

    Here

    Usage

    Point at a map or a spot to say "here"

24. Тэнд

    Tend

    There

    Usage

    For a place further away; the two-way "end / tend" split covers both "there" and "over there"

25. Би

    Bi

    I / me

    Usage

    Point at yourself to indicate who you mean

26. Та

    Ta

    You (polite)

    Usage

    Point at the other person; use the polite "ta" with strangers, never "chi"

27. Хамт

    Khamt

    Together

    Usage

    Point to show you are travelling or sitting together

28. Хангалттай

    Khangalttai

    That's enough

    Usage

    Point to stop someone serving or adding more

29. Яг одоо

    Yag odoo

    Right now

    Usage

    Point to convey urgency

30. Нэг хүн

    Neg khün

    One person

    Usage

    Point to give the head count at a restaurant or on a tour

31. Хоёр хүн

    Khoyor khün

    Two people

    Usage

    Point to give the head count at a restaurant or on a tour

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