Tajikistan, a little-known country in Central Asia, is the second-most mountainous nation on earth. This, along with its cultural environment, allows visitors to experience a unique experience alongside its breathtaking landscapes. Unlike the other countries of the region, where Turkic languages predominate, Tajiks speak a dialect of Persian as their mother tongue.
While visiting Tajikistan, you have the option to explore the stunning Pamir Mountains, visit the ever-changing capital city, Dushanbe, or experience the ancient settlements of the Silk Road. Whatever you do, though, speaking Tajik and knowing some basic phrases will enrich your experience and help you connect with locals. Here’s your guide to doing so – which should win you some new Tajik fans!
What do they speak in Tajikistan?
Tajik is the official language of Tajikistan and is closely related to Persian (Farsi) and Dari, spoken in Afghanistan. All of these are essentially dialects of standard Persian, and speakers of all can understand each other. However, Tajik has distinct features, influenced by Russian and other Central Asian languages.
Tajikistan’s history as part of the Soviet Union means that Russian is still widely spoken, especially in business and governmental settings. Many Tajiks are bilingual in Tajik and Russian, and you’ll get around just fine with a basic command of the latter!
However, the language you’ll hear most in the streets is Tajik. If you’re travelling to rural areas, it becomes even more important to learn some Tajik, as fewer people there speak Russian, let alone English. A little effort speaking Tajik will help you build rapport and showcase your respect for the local culture.
So, how do you say hello in Tajik?
Салом/Salom! It comes from the Arabic word for peace. However, there are a few different ways to say this, which we’ll explain below.
How much English is spoken in Tajikistan?
English is becoming more popular, especially among the younger generation in Dushanbe. However, it’s not widespread, and while you might meet a few in the tourism industry who speak English, proficiency is very rare outside of the capital.
If you speak neither Tajik nor Russian, learning Russian is probably your best bet, especially if you are visiting other countries in Central Asia. That said, though, a few simple Tajik phrases can go a long way in fostering positive interactions and putting a smile on people’s faces!
What is Tajik written in?
Unlike Persian and Dari, which are written in the Arabic script, Tajik is written in the Cyrillic alphabet—a legacy of its Soviet past. This is what distinguished Tajik the most from Dari and standard Persian.
In the early 20th century, the Soviets switched to writing Tajik in the Latin alphabet, using the example of Turkey who did the same to try and increase literacy. Then, in 1940, the Latin alphabet was switched to Cyrillic, along with most of the minority languages in the USSR, to make communications easier during WW2.
Tajik is written in Cyrillic across the former USSR. While a few have advocated for a return to the Persian-Arabic script, therefore strengthening ties to the Persian-speaking world, there is no public or political will for this. The Arabic script is taught as a classical subject in school, however.
Learning the Cyrillic alphabet – useful for travels across the former Soviet Union – is not as tricky for English speakers as you may think. It’s certainly worth the effort if you plan to travel around Tajikistan extensively.
The Tajik alphabet contains 35 letters, derived primarily from the standard Cyrillic set used for Russian, with the addition of 6 extra characters that represent specific Tajik sounds: Ғ, Қ, Ҳ, Ӯ, Ҷ, and Ӣ.
If you don’t speak either Tajik or Russian, you’ll notice the distinctiveness of written Tajik due to these special letters, such as Ғ (a guttural “g” sound), Қ (a hard “q”), and Ӯ (a long “u” sound), which are not present in the standard Russian Cyrillic alphabet.
Useful Phrases when speaking Tajik:
Here are a few phrases that will help you have your best trip to Tajikistan:
- Hello: Салом (Salom) – a simple and friendly greeting. However, it’s a bit informal. If you want to greet older or professional people, use the full greeting “As-salaam alaykum” (peace be with you). It’s used across the Islamic world.
- Goodbye: Худо ҳофиз (Khudo hofiz) – a phrase that is also commonly used in other Persian-speaking countries.
- Thank you: Ташаккур (Tashakkur) – an essential phrase to show gratitude, so use this phrase liberally!
- Yes: Ҳа (Ha) and No: Не (Ne) – these are basic responses for everyday conversation.
- How much does this cost? Ин чанд пул аст? (In chand pul ast?) Tajikistan has a strong market culture, so you’ll need to use this while haggling.
Tajikistan’s Multilingualism:
Like the rest of Central Asia, Tajikistan is one of the most linguistically diverse places in the world. Besides speaking Tajik and Russian, you’ll encounter speakers of Uzbek, Kyrgyz, and even Pamiri, the languages of the Pamir region.
Each of these languages represents the cultural mosaic of the country. Russian remains a vital language for trade and communication, but speaking Tajik will help you understand the country the most.
How do I count in Tajik?
Counting in Tajik follows a straightforward structure. Here are the numbers 1 to 10 in Tajik:
- Як (yak)
- Ду (du)
- Се (se)
- Чор (chor)
- Панҷ (panj)
- Шаш (shash)
- Ҳафт (haft)
- Ҳашт (hasht)
- Нӯҳ (nuh)
- Даҳ (dah)
What’s some Tajik Slang?
Чакки нест (Chakki nest) – This is a casual way of saying “No problem” or “It’s all good.”
Зӯр (Zur) – Means “cool” or “awesome,” this is commonly used by younger generations to express approval or excitement.
Хаёл накн (Khayo nakn) – This translates as “don’t imagine,” but is used to say “don’t worry” or “don’t stress.”
Дар кино (Dar kino) – Literally “in a movie.” It’s slang for being unaware or out of touch with reality. It’s used as English speaking like saying someone is “daydreaming” or “out of it.”
The expressions can vary slightly depending on the region within Tajikistan, but they are understood widely, especially by young people in Dushanbe.
Feel confident speaking Tajik now?
Like in any country, learning the local language and speaking Tajik will help you to build deeper connections with the people you meet. Tajiks are known for their warm hospitality, and making an effort to speak their language, even at a basic level, will be highly appreciated.
Tajikistan’s rich history and the fusion of Persian and Russian influences make the language both fascinating and rewarding to learn. By picking up a few Tajik phrases, you’ll not only make your travels easier but also gain insight into the country’s cultural fabric.
Unsure about how to start your Kazakhstan adventure? We offer regular trips to the country, so get in touch if you would like us to help you plan your visit, or have any questions!
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