Shopping

1. Энэ хэд вэ?

   Ene khed ve?

   How much is this?

   Usage

   The most basic phrase for asking the price

   Grammar Note

   "Хэд вэ?" is the standard price/quantity question. "Энэ" (this), "тэр" (that), "тэдгээр" (those) are basic demonstratives.

2. Хямдралтай байна уу?

   Khyamdraltai baina uu?

   Is there a discount?

   Usage

   Asking for a discount or price reduction

   Grammar Note

   "Хямдралтай" = "хямдрал" (discount) + "-тай" (having). Bargaining is often possible in Mongolian markets and Narantuul Market.

3. Өөр өнгө байна уу?

   Öör öngö baina uu?

   Do you have another color?

   Usage

   Asking if a product comes in a different color

   Grammar Note

   Mongolian color words: цагаан (white), хар (black), улаан (red), цэнхэр (blue), ногоон (green), шар (yellow).

4. Уламжлалт гар урлалын дэлгүүр хаана байна вэ?

   Ulamjlalt gar urlalyn delgüür khaana baina ve?

   Where is the traditional handicraft shop?

   Usage

   Looking for shops selling Mongolian cashmere, leather, woodwork, and other crafts

   Grammar Note

   Mongolia's cashmere (кашмир) is world-renowned. "Гар урлал" = "гар" (hand) + "урлал" (art/craft), a compound word.

5. Хэмжээ тохирохгүй байна

   Khemjee tokhirokhgüi baina

   The size does not fit

   Usage

   When clothing or shoes do not fit properly

   Grammar Note

   "Тохирохгүй" = "тохирох" (to fit) + "-güi" (negation). Mongolian verbal negation commonly uses the "-güi" suffix.

6. Кашмир пальто байна уу?

   Kashmir palto baina uu?

   Do you have a cashmere coat?

   Usage

   Searching for cashmere products. Mongolia is one of the world's largest cashmere producers

   Grammar Note

   Mongolian cashmere is world-famous. "Пальто" is the Russian-derived word for a coat; the traditional Mongolian robe is "дээл". Cashmere shops in Ulaanbaatar are popular souvenir spots.

7. Буцааж авах боломж байна уу?

   Butsaaj avakh bolomj baina uu?

   Is it possible to return this?

   Usage

   Asking whether a purchased item can be returned

   Grammar Note

   "Буцааж авах" means "take back" = to return/refund. Mongolian chains actions using converbs ("-аж/-эж").

8. Картаар төлж болох уу?

   Kartaar tölj bolokh uu?

   Can I pay by card?

   Usage

   Checking whether card payment is accepted

   Grammar Note

   Instrumental "-аар/-ээр" indicates means/method. "Болох уу?" asks permission or possibility. Cash may be required in rural areas.

9. Баглаж өгнө үү

   Baglaj ögnö üü

   Please wrap it

   Usage

   Asking for the item to be wrapped, usually as a gift

   Grammar Note

   "Баглаж өгнө үү" is a benefactive request "wrap for me." The auxiliary "өгнө" indicates doing something for someone's benefit.

10. Наадмын бэлэг байна уу?

    Naadmyn beleg baina uu?

    Do you have Naadam festival souvenirs?

    Usage

    Looking for souvenirs related to the Naadam festival, Mongolia's national sports celebration

    Grammar Note

    Naadam is held July 11-13, featuring the "Three Games of Men": archery, horse racing, and wrestling. Traditional deel robes and wrestling souvenirs are popular.

11. Жинхэнэ үү?

    Jinkhene üü?

    Is it genuine / authentic?

    Usage

    Checking whether a product is authentic or genuine

    Grammar Note

    "Жинхэнэ" (genuine) is important when checking cashmere or craft quality. Question particle "уу/үү" varies by vowel harmony with the preceding word.

12. Надад баримт хэрэггүй

    Nadad barimt khereggüi

    I don't need a receipt

    Usage

    Declining when the cashier asks "Barimt kheregtei yuu?" (do you need the receipt?)

    Grammar Note

    "Khereg" (need) plus the caritive suffix -güi gives "khereggüi" (not needed); the affirmative is "kheregtei". "Barimt" is the document proving a payment was made

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