Greetings
As in any other nation, greetings are an important part of the Uzbek culture. In the Uzbek culture, it is necessary to ask about someone’s well-being, work, and family. The following is the standard greeting between an older and a younger person:
Assalomu-alaykum!
Vaalaykum assalom! |
Hello (younger to older)
Hello (older to younger) |
“Assalomu-alaykum!” means “I wish you peace!” It is one’s duty to greet people. Returning a response is also important part of greeting. Children also greet their parents in the morning after they wash their faces. If they forget to do so, older people remind them by saying to them “Assalomu-alaykum!” politely.
Close friends and relatives:
Yaxshimisiz?
Sog'liklaringiz yaxshimi? Uy ichinglar tinchmi? Uydagilar yaxshimi? Bolalar yaxshi yurishibdimi? Charchamasdan yuribsizmi? Ishlar yaxshimi? Rahmat, yaxshi. O'zingiz yaxshimisiz? |
How are you?
How are you? How is your health? How is your family? How is your family? How are the kids? Are you fine? How is your work going? Thank you, I am doing fine. How about you? |
Compare and Contrast
Uzbek
There is a word "Marhabo!" in Uzbek that sounds similar with the Turkish "Merhaba!" However, their meanings are different:
Uzbek "Marhabo!" means "Welcome!" and Turkish "Merhaba!" means "Hello!" |
Turkish
Similarly, there is a phrase "Selamün aleykum!" in Turkish, which has a similar meaning with the greeting in Uzbek: "Assalomu-alaykum!" However, when "Selamün aleykum!" is used in Turkish, you can guess that the person is religious and stating his status.
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