Useful Phrases

1. Эпӗ япон.

   Epĕ yapon.

   I am Japanese

   Usage

   Tells someone that you are Japanese.

   Grammar Note

   A nominal sentence needs no word for "am". япон names a Japanese person; the Japanese language is япон чӗлхи. Composed sentence — native-speaker review recommended.

2. Эпӗ ҫулҫӳревҫӗ.

   Epĕ çulçÿrevçĕ.

   I am a traveler

   Usage

   Introduces yourself as a traveler.

   Grammar Note

   ҫулҫӳревҫӗ is a noun for a person who travels (from ҫул ҫӳре- "to travel"). A nominal sentence needs no word for "am". Composed sentence — native-speaker review recommended.

3. Эпӗ пӗччен ҫул ҫӳретӗп.

   Epĕ pĕchchen çul çÿretĕp.

   I am traveling alone

   Usage

   Says that you are traveling alone.

   Grammar Note

   ҫул ҫӳре- (lit. "go about the road") means to travel. -тӗп is the present first-person singular, also covering "I am on the road". Composed sentence — native-speaker review recommended.

4. Эпӗ кунта пӗрремӗш хут килтӗм.

   Epĕ kunta pĕrremĕsh khut kiltĕm.

   It is my first time here

   Usage

   Says that this is your first time here.

   Grammar Note

   пӗрремӗш хут means "the first time". The past -тӗм says "I came", i.e. I am here now.

5. Сӑн ӳкерме юрать-и?

   Săn ÿkerme yurat-i?

   May I take a photo?

   Usage

   Asks whether you may take a photo.

   Grammar Note

   сӑн ӳкер- (lit. "draw the image") is the set expression for taking a photo. Verb + -ма/-ме + юрать-и? asks for permission. Composed sentence — native-speaker review recommended.

6. Пӗрле ӳкерӗнер-и?

   Pĕrle ÿkerĕner-i?

   Shall we take a photo together?

   Usage

   Invites someone to be photographed together.

   Grammar Note

   ӳкерӗн- means "to have one's photo taken". The ending -ер is the hortative "let us", and adding -и gives "shall we?". Composed sentence — native-speaker review recommended.

7. Мана ан улталӑр.

   Mana an ultalăr.

   Do not cheat me

   Usage

   Asks someone not to deceive or cheat you.

   Grammar Note

   ан + imperative expresses a prohibition. The ending -ӑр is the plural/polite imperative, suitable for strangers. ултала- means "to deceive". Composed sentence — native-speaker review recommended.

Browse all TravelPhrases languages