Uzbek is a Turkic language with regular grammar, and most words are pronounced roughly as written, making it relatively approachable for a short-term traveler compared to other languages. On top of that, Bukhara specifically has historically been a Persian-speaking city too — many residents speak the Tajik dialect (a form of Persian) alongside Uzbek, so don't be surprised to hear Persian-sounding words in the old bazaars.

Here are 30 essential words and phrases you'll need daily, with simplified pronunciation in parentheses:

Greetings and courtesies

  1. Salom (sah-LOHM) - hello, general informal greeting.
  2. Assalomu alaykum (ah-sah-LOH-moo ah-lay-KOOM) - formal, polite greeting, "peace be upon you."
  3. Rahmat (rah-MAHT) - thank you.
  4. Yaxshi, rahmat (yakh-SHEE, rah-MAHT) - good, thank you (reply to "how are you?").
  5. Xayr (KHAYR) - goodbye.
  6. Kechirasiz (keh-chee-rah-SEEZ) - excuse me / sorry.
  7. Marhamat (mar-hah-MAHT) - please / here you go (when offering something).
  8. Xush kelibsiz (khoosh keh-leeb-SEEZ) - welcome.

Basics

  1. Ha (HAH) - yes.
  2. Yo'q (YOHK) - no.
  3. Yaxshi (yakh-SHEE) - good / okay.
  4. Yomon (yoh-MOHN) - bad.
  5. Men tushunmayapman (men too-shoon-mai-YAP-mahn) - I don't understand.
  6. Inglizcha bilasizmi? (een-gleez-chah bee-lah-seez-MEE) - do you speak English?

Directions and getting around

  1. Qayerda? (kah-yer-DAH) - where?
  2. Bu qayerda? (boo kah-yer-DAH) - where is this (place)?
  3. To'g'ri (TOH-gree) - straight ahead.
  4. O'ngga (ONG-gah) - to the right.
  5. Chapga (CHAHP-gah) - to the left.
  6. Taksi (tahk-SEE) - taxi.
  7. Bekat (beh-KAHT) - station (train or bus).

Shopping and food

  1. Narxi qancha? (nar-KHEE kahn-CHAH) - how much does it cost?
  2. Qimmat (kim-MAHT) - expensive.
  3. Arzon (ar-ZOHN) - cheap.
  4. Men buni xohlayman (men boo-NEE khoh-lai-MAHN) - I want this.
  5. Ovqat (ohv-KAHT) - food.
  6. Suv (SOOV) - water.
  7. Choy (CHOY) - tea.
  8. Hisob, marhamat (hee-SOHB mar-hah-MAHT) - the bill, please.

One last useful phrase

  1. Yordam bering (yor-DAHM beh-REENG) - please help me.

A small tip: even if your pronunciation is off, simply attempting a few Uzbek words changes how you're received — hospitality in Bukhara is always met with double the hospitality.