30 Essential Uzbek (and Russian) Phrases Every Traveler Should Know

2026-05-29 · 6 min read · Language

Learn these 30 phrases and Uzbeks will treat you like family. Half are Uzbek, half are Russian — the practical split for getting around in 2026.

English is growing fast but most older locals, taxi drivers and bazaar vendors speak Uzbek or Russian only. These 30 phrases will get you 95% of the way.

Greetings (Uzbek)

• Assalomu alaykum — hello (formal, universal).
• Salom — hi (casual).
• Rahmat — thank you.
• Iltimos — please.
• Xayr — goodbye.
• Ha / Yo'q — yes / no.

Essentials (Russian — used everywhere)

• Spasibo — thank you.
• Pozhaluysta — please / you're welcome.
• Skolko stoit? — how much?
• Dorogo! — expensive! (start of every bargain).
• Davayte — let's go / OK.
• Ya ne ponimayu — I don't understand.

Food

• Osh / Plov — pilaf.
• Non — bread.
• Choy — tea.
• Suv — water.
• Mazali! — delicious!
• Hisob, iltimos — the bill, please.

Taxi & transport

• Skolko do …? — how much to …?
• Pryamo / nalevo / napravo — straight / left / right.
• Ostanovite zdes — stop here.
• Aeroport / Vokzal — airport / train station.

Bazaar bargaining

• Dorogo, skidku! — expensive, give a discount!
• Posledniya tsena? — final price?
• Beru — I'll take it.

Emergencies

• Pomogite! — help!
• Vrach / Bolnitsa — doctor / hospital.
• Militsiya / Politsiya — police.

Bonus: the magic phrase

'Men O'zbekistonni yaxshi ko'raman' — 'I love Uzbekistan'. Say it once, watch the room change. Works every time.