Key takeaway
一本实用的巴库短语手册，涵盖问候语、方向、食物和金钱——让你在阿塞拜疆自信地交流所需的一切。
Greetings and Basic Polite Expressions
Azerbaijan rewards visitors who try the local language. Even a single word spoken with care signals respect, and people notice. Before you pick up your luggage at Heydar Aliyev International Airport, tuck these essentials into your pocket — mentally or on a notes app — and use them from the moment you step outside.
- Salam — hello (neutral, works in most settings)
- Səninlə tanış olmağımdan şadam — pleased to meet you
- Necəsiniz? — how are you? (formal)
- Yaxşıyam, təşəkkür edirəm — I'm fine, thank you
- Sağ ol — thanks (informal) / Çox sağ olun — thank you very much (formal)
- Buyurun — please / you're welcome / here you go
- Üzr istəyirəm — excuse me / I'm sorry
- Bağışlayın — pardon me (useful when getting someone's attention)
- Xudahafiz — goodbye (standard)
- Hörmətlə — respectfully / with respect (a polite sign-off in emails and formal notes)
Apply for your Azerbaijan visa at azerbaijan-visa.com/order-now before you pack your bags. Processing takes a few days for standard applications, and a valid visa is the first phrase you need — the one that gets you through the border.
Numbers, Time, and Money
Prices, timetables, and taxi fares all run on numbers. Memorise these before you leave your hotel.
Numbers 1–10
| Azerbaijani | Number |
|---|---|
| bir | 1 |
| iki | 2 |
| üç | 3 |
| dörd | 4 |
| beş | 5 |
| altı | 6 |
| yeddi | 7 |
| səkkiz | 8 |
| doqquz | 9 |
| on | 10 |
Higher numbers you will use often:
- iyirmi — 20
- otuz — 30
- əlli — 50
- yüz — 100
- min — 1,000
Money and shopping phrases
- Bu neçəyədir? — how much does this cost?
- Qiymət — price
- Mən bunu almaq istəyirəm — I want to buy this
- Endirim varmı? — is there a discount?
- Manat — Azerbaijani currency (AZN). Written as "₼" on prices.
- Dəyişmək olar? — can you give me change?
Getting Around Baku
Baku's metro, buses, and taxis are easy to use once you know a handful of directional words. The metro signs display both Azerbaijani and English, but drivers, conductors, and helpful passersby respond faster when you use the local terms.
Transport basics
- Mən ... getmək istəyirəm — I want to go to ...
- ** metro stansiyası** — metro station
- avtobus dayanacağı — bus stop
- Dəmiryol vağzalı — train station
- Hava limanı — airport
- Bələdiyyə — city centre / municipality (useful when asking for directions to the main square)
Asking for directions
... haradadır? — where is ...?
Sol tərəf — left side
Sağ tərəf — right side
Düz — straight
Yaxın — near
Uzaq — far
Bura ...-ə nə qədərdir? — how far is it from here to ...?
... dəqiqəyə — ... minutes (reply you might hear: beş dəqiqəyə — five minutes)
Taxi tip: Baku taxi apps display routes and prices digitally, but confirming verbally prevents confusion. Say Mən ...-ə getmək istəyirəm (I want to go to ...) and confirm the fare with Neçə manat? (How many manat?) before you start the trip.
For longer routes — say, a day trip to Gobustan or the Fire Temple — consider arranging transport through your accommodation or a licensed tour operator. The phrase Bunu sifariş etmək olar? (Can this be arranged?) works in most travel contexts.
Food, Drink, and Ordering at Restaurants
Azerbaijani cuisine is rich, spiced, and worth exploring deeply. Knowing a few food words transforms your experience from pointing at pictures to reading the menu with genuine understanding.
Essential food vocabulary
- Plov — the national rice pilaf, often with saffron, dried fruits, and chestnuts
- Lobya — green bean stew, a staple side dish
- Düşbərə — soup dumplings, often served with sumac and sour cream
- Kuşta — dried cured meat, traditional and flavourful
- Şor qatma — a type of Azerbaijani yogurt drink, refreshing in summer
- Ayran — salted yogurt drink, widely available
- Çay — tea (almost always offered first when you sit down anywhere)
- Nar — pomegranate (you will see it on menus, in markets, and as decoration)
- Badımcan — eggplant (present in many dishes)
- Şəkər çörəyi — sugar bread, a sweet bakery staple
Restaurant phrases
- Mən ... sifariş etmək istəyirəm — I want to order ...
- Menyunu, xahiş edirəm — the menu, please
- Qəlyanaltı — appetiser
- Əsas yemək — main course
- Desert — dessert (the English word is commonly used in Baku restaurants)
- Sular — waters (ask for still or sparkling: minaltsiz sular / qazlı sular)
- Hesab, xahiş edirəm — the bill, please
- Yemək çox ləzzətli idi — the food was very delicious
Emergency Phrases and Medical Help
No one plans to need these phrases, but every traveller benefits from knowing them. Locate the nearest pharmacy (aptek) on your neighbourhood map on arrival.
- Mən köməyə ehtiyac duyuram — I need help
- Zəhmət olmasa, həkimə müraciət edin — please call a doctor
- Aptek haradadır? — where is the pharmacy?
- Mənim ... ağrıyır — my ... hurts (e.g., başım ağrıyır — my head hurts)
- Mən alergicayam — I am allergic
- Bu dərmanı almaq istəyirəm — I want to buy this medicine
- Təcili yardım — emergency services
FAQ
Is Azerbaijani the only language spoken in Baku?
Russian is still widely understood, especially among older residents and in formal settings. English is common in central Baku hotels, tourist restaurants, and metro stations. However, knowing even a few Azerbaijani phrases improves interactions significantly outside tourist-heavy areas.
Will locals appreciate me speaking Azerbaijani?
Yes. Azerbaijani people are generally warm toward visitors who attempt the language. A simple Salam and bir neçə sadə söz (a few simple words) earns genuine goodwill and often a more helpful, relaxed response.
Do I need to learn the Cyrillic script?
No. Azerbaijani has used the Latin alphabet since 1991, and it matches the pronunciation closely. Street signs, menus, and transport displays use the Latin script alongside English in tourist areas.
What is the best way to practise pronunciation?
Repeat phrases after Azerbaijani speakers you meet — at markets, cafes, or your hotel. Download a free audio phrasebook app before your trip. Watching Azerbaijani television or listening to local radio in your accommodation also trains your ear.
Are there gender differences in how phrases are used?
The phrases in this guide use the standard neutral form appropriate for both men and women in everyday travel contexts. Formal register (sizin) is safest in business or official situations.
Should I tip in Azerbaijan?
Tipping is appreciated at restaurants and for personal services like taxi rides. Round up the bill or leave 5–10 %. At upscale Baku venues, a 10 % tip is normal. It is not expected in fast-food or self-service settings.
Key takeaways
- Start with Salam and a smile — Azerbaijani greetings open doors and set a positive tone for every interaction.
- Numbers 1–20 cover nearly every shopping, dining, and transport price you will encounter.
- Money phrases like Bu neçəyədir? and the word manat help you handle costs with clarity.
- Food vocabulary turns menu-reading into genuine discovery — try to name at least five dishes before you dine.
- A short emergency phrase sheet stored on your phone or in your wallet provides security without requiring fluency.
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