Your Mongolian Language Cheat Sheet
Key Mongolian phrases for your visit. Ask for directions, introduce yourself, and more using this free printable cheat sheet.
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Mongolian language is… not easy. It’s not a language you can look at (or hear) and deduce with some degree of certainty what it means. In other words, good luck!
Just kidding. (Kind of.)
Mongolian language is full of phonetics that most Americans and foreigners aren’t used to hearing, let alone saying.
And while Mongolian language is mostly written in Cyrillic, there is a traditional (and beautiful) Mongol Script that sometimes adds another confusing element to the equation. Fortunately with globalization, Mongolian language is now often written using the Latin alphabet, making the language more accessible (and understandable) to a degree.
Since you may never master the Mongolian language, simply use the cheat sheet below for getting around – even the humblest attempt to speak the language will be recognized and deeply appreciated by locals during your travels.
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Quick Mongolian Phrase Guide for Travelers
Hello, how are you?
Sain baina uu?
Phonetically: “san-ban-OO”
To which you will reply:
Good! How are you?
Sain. Sain baina uu?
Are you okay?
Ta (formal) / Chi (informal) zugeer uu?
To which you will reply:
I’m okay / I’m not okay.
Bi zugeer / Bi bish sain.
I need help.
Nadad tuslamj kheregtei.
Please help!
Tuslaaraai!
What is your name?
Taani / Chiini ner hiin be?
Where is your home?
Tanai / Chinai ger haan baidag be?
I’m cold.
Bi daarch baina.
I’m hot.
Bi khaluun baina.
I’m tired.
Bi yadarch baina.
Let’s go.
Yawaii.
Good morning!
Olglonii mend.
Good night!
Saikhan amraarai.
Phonetically: kh makes a “h” sound”
I am American.
Bi Amerikaas irsen.
How much is this?
Ene hiid ve?
Where is… ?
Haana ___ baidag ve?
Where’s the bathroom?
Noil haana ve?
Can I sleep/stay here?
Bi end honoj boloh uu?
Please slow down a little. (When driving with someone.)
Jaahan udaan yawaarai.
What time is it?
Tsag hed bolj baina?
Thank you
Bayarlaa
You’re welcome.
Zugeeree
Excuse me.
Uuchlaaraai
I am very hungry.
Bi mash ikh ulsuj baina.
Have a nice meal! (Let’s eat!)
Saikhan hoolooroi!
Delicious!
Amttai!
I’m done.
Bi bolson.
Cheers!
Toloo!
Where are you going?
Khaashaa yawj uu?
I’m going to State Department store.
Bi ikh delguur yawj baina.
Black Market
Naraantuul
Straight
Chigere
Right
Barun
Left
Zuun
Please stop
Zogsooraai
Cash or card?
Belneer uu, kartaar uu?
Cash or card?
Belneer uu, kartaar uu?
Personal or company? (Asked at checkout from stores.)
Khuvi khun uu, baiguullaga uu?
Personal
Khun
See you tomorrow.
Magraash ulzii.
Yes
Teem
No
Uugui
Okay
Za
It’s big.
Tom bain.
It’s small.
Jijick bain.
I would like a coffee.
Neg coffee awii.
Horse
Muur
Camel
Temee
Sheep
Yama
Goat
Hun
One
Neg
Two
Hoyor
Three
Guraw
Four
Dorow
Five
Tov
Ten
Araw
One Hundred
Zuu
One Thousand
Myang
Facts About the Mongolian Language
The Mongolian language is a language spoken by about 5.65 million native speakers across Mongolia and China.
The language belongs to the Altaic family of languages, which includes Turkic, Tungusic and Korean languages.
Mongolian has many dialects depending on region and ethnicity, but the two main branches are Khalkha Mongolian, which is spoken in Mongolia proper, and Oirat, which is spoken in Inner Mongolia.
Learn Mongolian Language
Learning to speak the Mongolian language is no easy task. It has its own unique writing system and grammar that can be difficult to master, even for native speakers of other Altaic languages.
However, if you are planning a trip to Mongolia it is important to learn a few key Mongolian phrases as many Mongolians in the country do not speak English. Knowing some Mongolian will help you communicate with locals and make your travels much more enjoyable.
If you want to a more in depth phrase book for learning Mongolian, I highly recommend this Colloquial Mongolian: The Complete Course for Beginners book available on Amazon. It’s on the pricier side, but completely worth the cost for what you get. It’s helped me tremendously over the last few years!
Author: Breanna Wilson
Hi! Sain uu! I’m Breanna, an American travel writer and adventurer living in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia for more than 5 years. I’ve written for and been featured in Condé Nast Traveler, CNN, Forbes, and the New York Times, among others. Read more of my Mongolia travel articles here.
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The main branches of the Mongolic Linguistic Family is Central Mongolian, spoken in Mongolia, and Inner Mongolia, Western (Oirat) Mongolian, spoken in Western Mongolia, Xinjiang, and Kalmykia. Buryat is linguistically considered a dialect/related language of Central Mongolian.
Additionally, the Altaic Language hypothesis has been disproven.