Lexical differences between Kazakh and Kyrgyz

The orthography used to represent Turkic languages on this page is a phonemic system based on Turkish orthography. This is done to avoid focusing on the phonetic differences between different languages used. The IPA is used when describing the phonetics of Turkic languages.

This is here mainly to quantify lexical differences between Kazakh and Kyrgyz.

For further information on sound correspondence issues, see Turkic sound changes and Turkic words that shouldn't be as they are.

False friends A

(Words that look/sound similar, but meaning different - probably unrelated)

Kyrgyz		Kazakh
word	gloss	word	gloss
tamaşa	a joke	tamaşa	perfect
zaŋ	shit	zaŋ	law
saz	swamp	saz	melody
ıya	huh?	iyä	yes
say-	to plug in, stab, inject, stick in, fuck	sayıs-	to compete
ıyıq	holy	ıyıq	shoulder
ayna	powder	ayna	mirror

False friends B

(Words that are mostly cognates but with at least slightly different meanings)

Kyrgyz		Kazakh
word	gloss	word	gloss
arman	a regret, a sorrow	arman	dream / a wish for something to come
eje	older sister / female relative	äje	grandmother
apa	mother	apa	older female [relative]
bayke (<*bay ake), ağa (dial.)	older brother	äke; ağa	father; older brother
juma	friday, week	juma	friday (, dial. week)
jönököy	simple	jönekey	?
jön	simply	jön	normal?, correct?
jay	slow	jay	slow, simple, quiet
tamga	letter (of alphabet)	taŋba	~sign, tamga
jığaç	wood	ağaş	tree, wood
baq	tree, garden	baq	garden
tuura	correct, straight	tuwra	straight
durus	?	durıs	correct
aruu	~pure (adj.)	arıw	beautiful girl (n.)
qalta	~cloth/sack for carrying something	qalta	pocket
uq-	listen	uq-	~understand
şaş-	hurry	sas-	be panicked (about)
oromo	a wrapped steamed ~dumpling	oralma	headscarf
orol-	to be wrapped	oral-	return (v.i.), come back, ..?
qarma-	hold	qarma-	catch
ata	father	ata	grandfather
qabırğa	rib(s)	qabırğa	wall, rib(s)
qalempir	pepper	qalampır	clove(s)
qaalağan	any	qalağan	[something] that's wanted
kez kelgen	that's turn/time has come (?)	kez kelgen	any
tuu-	to bear child (animal)	tuw-	to bear child (general/human)
alp	big, strong; giant (adj.), huge	alıp	hero, giant (n.); big, strong
döö	cyclops, monster	däw	huge (slang)
min-	to ride an animal	min-	to ride an animal; climb up, to get on (a bus)
qayra	back (p.i.), again; (returning herd animals to corral?)	qayıra	returning herd animals to corral
beldik	[woman's] backband, girth?, girdle?	beldik	backband, girth, girdle, belt
köktöm (archaic)	early spring	köktem	spring, early spring
jaz	spring	jaz	summer
el	nation, people	el	nation, people, state, country
ölkö	country, state	ölke	area of land (specific? general?)
aqırın	quietly, slowly, (deliberately?)	aqırın	quietly, slowly, carefully, (deliberately?)
bat-	to fit (in somewhere), to set (heavenly body), ...	bat-	to set (heavenly body), to drown, to get bogged down (in)
qomuz	plucked string instrument	qobız	(Kyrgyz sıbızğı) - stringed instrument played with bow
qunduz	otter	qundız	beaver
kemçet	beaver / Kamchatkan [sea] otter?	qamşat	otter
sarımay	ghee / clarified butter	sarımay	butter
sarımsaq	wild onion?	sarımsaq	garlic
suraq	investigation	suraq	question
jetigen	the Big Dipper	jetigen	a zither-like instrument
üşü-	be cold	üsi-	freeze
toŋ-	freeze	toŋ-	be cold
daroo	immediately	derew	quickly
monçoq	bead, necklace	monşaq	string of beads
qaljıŋ(da-)	tease (?)	qaljıŋ(da-)	joke
irenji-	be disgusted	renji-	be offended
çıqanaq	elbow	şığanaq	inlet/bay (?)
eskertkiç	reminder	eskertkiş	memorial/statue
estelik	memorial/statue	estelik	reminder
çoçoq	penis	şoşaq	pointy-shaped
kön-	get used to	kön-	agree with (?)
sıylıq	award	sıylıq	gift
jıljı-	move slowly and creepily	jıljı-	move
çelek	barrel	şelek	bucket
baypaq	sock	baypaq	legging
çulok	legging	şulıq	sock

Words where cognate doesn't exist

(bold = word doesn't exist as cognate; every line should have at least one bolded word)

Kyrgyz		Kazakh
word	gloss	word	gloss
üy bülö	family	otbası	family
ooba	yes	iyä	yes
ıya?	huh?
tataal	complicated/complex	keşendi	complicated/complex
qotor-	translate, convert	awdar-	translate, convert
emerek	furniture	jıyhaz	furniture
je (emese)	or (if so)	nemese	or
daroo	immediately	birden	"
qoqus(tan)	suddenly	kenetten	unexpectedly
ayant	[city] square	alaŋ	"
(suuğa) tüş-		şomalda-	to bathe
(suuğa) süz-	swim	jüz-	swim
qooz	pleasant to look at (not person)	?
mıyzam	law	zaŋ	"
unaa	means of transportation	kölik	"
ele	(many uses)	—
da	(mood marker)	—
elek	(tense marker - "not yet")	—
jomoq	fairy tale	ertek	"
obon	melody	saz	"
ır	song	än	"
ırda-	sing	än ayt-	"
manja	finger	sawsaq	"
uy	cow	sıyır	"
çaqa (dial. çelek)	bucket	şelek	bucket
apta (dial.)	week	apta	week
çöntök	pocket	qalta	pocket
uq-	listen, hear	esit-	hear
uq-	listen, hear	tıŋda-	listen
başqaruuçu	boss	bastıq	boss
izilde-	research	zerte-	research
kiyinki	next, following	kelesi	next, following
jooluq	scarf	oralma	headscarf
toqoy	forest	orman	forest
qarma-	hold, grab	usta-, tut-	hold, grab
dubal	wall	qabırğa	wall
çağılğan	lightning	nayzağay	lightning
çoŋ	big	ülken	big
çoğuu	together	birge	together
törö-	to bear child (human)	tuw-	to bear child
jaşılça/köksaq	vegetable(s)/greens	kökinis	vegetable(s)/greens
belek	gift	sıylıq	gift
şüüdürüm	dew	şıq	dew
tilekke qarşı	unfortunately	ökinişke oray	unfortunately
ün alğı	radio
sın alğı	television	teledıydar	television
qaarman (sometimes keyipker)	hero, character	keyipker	character
		munay	[earth] oil
köp	often	jiyi, ılğıy	often
(tap-)taqır	completely	mülde, tipten	completely
mayram (maarake)	celebration, holiday	mereke, mayram	celebration, holiday
qılım	century	ğasır	century
boz üy (kiyiz üy)	yurt	kiyiz üy	yurt
tepkiç, basqıç	stairs, ladder	baspaldaq, şatı	stairs, ladder
jürgürtmö	schedule	keste	schedule
tootpo-, etibar qılba-, köŋül salba-	ignore / not pay attention to	eleme-	ignore (not pay attention to)
		täwir	decent
urmat, sıy, ızaat, qoşamat	respect	qurmet, sıy, qoşemet, izet	respect
qayra, qayta	back (p.i.), again	qayta	back (p.i.), again
çeyin, deyre	before, until	şeyin, deyin
qur	belt	beldik, belbew, taspa?	belt
topçu, tüymö	button (on clothing)	tüyme
kir, ıplas	dirty, morally dirty	kir, las	dirty
jay	summer	jaz	summer
tübölük(kö)	forever, eternal(ly), everlasting(ly)	mäŋgi	forever, eternal(ly), everlasting(ly)
taarın-	to get offended	ökpele-	to get offended
zarıl, qajet?	necessary/necessarily	qajet	necessary/necessarily
küzgü	mirror	ayna	mirror
qoşuna	neighbour	körşi	neighbour
böbök, nariste, böpö, (lit. aldey)	baby	säbiy, närestey, böpe, äldiy?, böbek?	baby
ulaan, ula(n(t))-	continuing (adj.); continue (v.i.), keep doing, continue (?)	uzar(t)-	to continue (v.i., v.t.)
(aylana)-(çöyrö)	environs	(aynala)-(qorşaw)	environs
jooker, (sarboz, sarbaz (archaic))	soldier	sarbaz	soldier
atayın	on purpose	qasaqana	on purpose
atayı(n) emes, qoqustan	by accident	abaysızdan	by accident
ırğıt-	throw, chuck	laqtır-	throw, chuck
paymandas, er jürök, taymanbas	brave	batıl, betti, jalaŋ tös	brave
muştum	fist	judırıq	fist
borbor	center	oşaq	center
soy-, moozda-	slaughter [livestock] (and cutting other things open, like watermelons)	bawızda-	slaughter [livestock]
tosqool, bögöt	hindrance, obstacle	böget	hindrance, obstacle
tekst	text	mätin	text
eşikte	outside	dalada	outside
çurqa-, jügür-	run	jügir-	run
ACC/ABL ooz tiy-, daam sız-	taste (v.t.)	GEN däm◌+ACC tat-	taste (v.t.)
tamaşa, azil	joke, (liter.)	äzil	joke
şakek	ring (jewelry)	jüzik, saqıyna	ring
qayırçılıq, tilemçilik	alms	qayırşılıq	alms
—	beer	sıra	beer
qoqo	adam's apple	jutqınşaq	adam's apple
bat-	fit (be enough space to fit)	sıy-	"
çükö	ankle bone shooting	asıq	"
daalı	top of back / back of shoulders	?
?		jawırın	shoulder blades
qumursqanın uyası/uyuğu/iyin	ant hill	qumursqanıŋ ini
ıyıq	holy	kiyeli, äwliye	holy
dülöy, kereŋ	deaf	saŋıraw, kereŋ?	deaf
badıraŋ	cucumber	qıyar (dial. bädriŋ)	cucumber
ilgeri-ilgeri zamanda	long long ago	erte-ertede	long long ago
çıqanaq	elbow	şıntaq (cognate??)	elbow
jöndömö	noun case	septik	noun case
möŋgü	glacier	muzart	glacier
-ABL taja-	be fed up with	-ABL erğaştı bol-	be fed up with
jan◌+LOC	next to	qas◌+LOC, jan◌+LOC	next to
kirgiz-	enter (information)	engiz-, kirgiz-	enter (information)
bülö	gum (in mouth)	tistiŋ eti	gum (in mouth)
çalqan	nettle	qalaqay	nettle
sıbızğı	bowed string instrument	qobız	bowed string instrument
kiş, bulğun (lit.)	sable	bulğın	sable
şeyşep	sheet	aqjayma	sheet?
juurqan	blanket	körpe	blanket?
töşök	sleeping mat	körpeşe	sleeping mat
qaalğa	door to a yurt	?
tema	topic	taqırıp	topic
qalp, jalğan	lie (falsehood)	ötirik, jalğan	lie (falsehood)
qalpıçı	liar	ötirkşi	liar
şaş-	be in a hurry	asığ-	be in a hurry
toqoy	forest	urman	forest
çırmooq	vine	?
jön ele	simply, just because	jay ğana	"
topoz	yak	qodas	"
jörgömüş	spider	örmekşi"	spider
toburçaq	pinecone/etc.	bürşik	pinecone/etc.
mamalaq	bear cub	qonjıq	bear cub
mıymıy	kitten	marğaw, mäwlen	kitten
çekit	dot/period	nükte	dot/period
oroy	rude	döreki	rude
üşü-	be cold	jawra-/toŋ-	be cold
toŋ-	freeze	üsi-	freeze
daroo	immediately/suddenly	birdesten	suddenly
mala çay	watery tea	asıq şay	watery tea
jıt	smell/scent	iyis	smell/scent
tuura	immitate	elekte-	immitate
ibelik	rolling pin	dembel?, oqtaw	rolling pin
proyekt	project	joba	project
plan, maqsat	plan	jospar	plan
badal	bush	buta	bush
şuru	bead, necklace	monşaq	bead
monçoq, şuru	necklace	alqa	necklace
daana	piece	tüyir	piece
oturğuç	chair	orındıq	chair
vʲílka	fork	şanışqı	fork
şım	pants	şalbar	pants
qorot-	waste	?
oŋdo-	fix	jönde-	fix
çoy-	stretch (vt.)	soz-	stretch
türt-	push	türt-, iyter-	push
telefon çal-	call (by phone)	zvonda-	call (by phone)
kön-	get used to	qatıstır-	get used to (?)
basım	(phonological) stress/accent	ekpin	(phonological) stress/accent
çek sana-	doubt	şek qoy-	doubt (?)
ulan-(t-)	last (continue)	jalğas-(tır-)	last (continue)
almaştır-	change/switch	awıstır-/ayırbasta-/almastır-	change/switch
iygilik	good luck, fortune	sättilik	good luck, fortune
salt	tradition	dästür	tradition
jıl-	move	jıljı-	move
—		äsem	pretty (people or things)
		äserese	especially
çeke, maŋday	forehead	maŋday	forehead
seyilde-	stroll, go for a walk	seriwende-	stroll, go for a walk
		sayabaq	park
tarmal	curly (hair)	buyra	curly (hair)
tuura emes	wrong, incorrect	burıs	wrong, incorrect
öçür-	put out (a fire), turn off, erase	söndir-, öşir-	put out (a fire), turn off
çoğul-, jıyna-l-	get together (i.v.)	jıyna-l-	get together (i.v.)
		eden	floor
qаaqım	dandelion	baqbaq	dandelion
juuru-	knead	iyle-	knead
ibelik/übölük	rolling pin	oqtaw, bilik	rolling pin
soq-	blow (of wind)	es-، soq-	blow (of wind)

Words where cognate's form is different

(or where only part of cognate is the same; cognate pieces underlined)

Kyrgyz		Kazakh
word	gloss	word	gloss
ayıl	village	awıl	village
içke	narrow	jiŋişke	narrow
iş/jumuş qıl-	to work	jumıs iste-	to work
tiyeşelüü	concerning	tiyisti	concerning
		qatıstı	related to
(bir) tuulğan	relative	tuwıs	relative
erteŋ menen	morning	taŋ-erteŋ	morning
etiş	verb	etistik	verb
zat atooç	noun	zat esim	noun
kiçinekey	little	kişkentay	little
teskeriçe	backwards, other way around	kerisinşe	backwards, other way around
tıyın çıçqan	squirrel	tiyin	squirrel
naqta	real	nağız	real
suroo	question	suraq	question
qız quumay	girl chasing	qız quwıw	girl chasing
amerikalıq	American	amerikandıq	American
abayla!	be careful!	abay bol!	be careful!
jarnama, jarnaq	advertisement	jarnaq	advertisement
köçmön	nomad, nomadic	köşpendi	nomad, nomadic
balalıq	childhood	balawsa	childhood
oynooq	playful	oynaqı	playful
şırdaq	felt rug	sırmaq	felt rug
jetigen	the big dipper	jetiqaraqşı	the big dipper
qandaydır bir	some kind of	älde qanday	some kind of
suranıç	demand	suranıs	demand
üçburçtuq	triangle	üşburış	triangle
eerçi-	follow	er-	follow
jıl-	move	jıljı-	move
zamanbap	modern	zamanawıy	modern
süröt tart-	draw/paint, take a picture	süwret sal-	draw/paint
tuulğan kün	birthday	tuwğan kün	birthday
közaynek	glasses	közildirik, közäynek	glasses
qıçış-	itch	qışı-	itch

Cognates where default variant is different

Kyrgyz		Kazakh
word	gloss	word	gloss
aqısız, tegin	free (of cost)	tegin, aqısız	"
jardam, kömök	help, aid, assistance	kömek, jardam	"
jönöt-, jiber-	send	jiber-, jönet-, jolda-	"
jaqında	near	jaqında, juwıqta	"
jaq-	to be pleasing to	jaq-, una-	"
joluq-, kezdeş-	to meet (with)	kezdes-	"
daraq, baq	tree	ağaş, daraq	"
şaar	city	qala, şahar (dial.)	"
jılmay-	smile	kül-, jımıy-	"
muzdaq	cold (beverage)	muzdaq, muzday (dial.), salqın	"
bat, tez, ıldam, baçım, qatuu	"fast"	tez, jıldam	"
taqır	completely, bald	taqır	bald
(tap-)taqır, müldö, tipti	completely, totally	mülde, tipti, tipten	"
töş, kökürök	chest (anat.)	tös, kewde, omıraw, kökirek	"
bürsügünü, ((n)arı künü?)	day after tomorrow	arı küni, bürsigüni	"
ajatqana, daaratqana, töölöt	bathroom/toilet	däretxana, äjetxana, tüwälet	"
dayar, dayın (dial.)	ready	dayın, dayar, saylawlı	"
keleçek, (boloçoq)	future	bolaşaq, keleşek	"
şamal, jel	wind, breeze	jel, samal	"
jolu, iret	times	ret	"
jalqoo, erin-	lazy, be lazy	jalqaw, erin-	"
suuğa tüş	bathe, swim	şomılıw	"
köbünçö, köbünese	mostly	köbinese, köbinşe	mostly
sülgü (maylıq?)	towel	oramal, sülgi (suwlıq?)	towel

Cognates with different vowel harmony

front/back differences

Kyrgyz		Kazakh
word	gloss	word	gloss
maalımat	information	mälimet, mağlumat	official information, information
aalam	~world	ğalam, älem	globe, world
aba	air	awa, äwe	air
baarı	all	bäri	all
daarat	excrement	däret	excrement
salam	a greeting	sälem	a greeting
jana	and	jäne	and
ayal	woman, wife	äyel	woman, wife
qana	~"let me see"	käne	~"let me see"
natıyja	result	nätiyje	result
adabiyat	literature	ädebiyet	literature
adabiy	literary	ädebiy	literary
parda	curtain	perde	curtain
daroo	immediately	derew	quickly
dart	illness	dert	illness
obon	melody/tune	äwen	melody/tune
kemçet	beaver	qamşat	otter
eŋse-	desire (v.t.)	aŋsa-	desire (v.t.)
mee	brain	mıy	brain
miŋ	1000	mıŋ	1000
idiş	dish	ıdıs	plate
tıyın çıçqan	squirrel	tiyin	squirrel
ısım	name	esim	name
qadır	reputation	kädir	reputation
araŋ	barely	äreŋ	barely
alsız	weak	älsiz	weak
ösiyet		osuyat
adat	custom	ädet	custom

disharmonic

Kyrgyz		Kazakh
word	gloss	word	gloss
maani	meaning	mağına, män	meaning
ajatqana	toilet/bathroom	äjetxana; qajet	toilet/bathroom; necessary
raqmat	thanks	raqmet	thanks
qızmat	service	qızmet	service
urmat	respect	qurmet	respect
qata	mistake	qate	mistake
mayram	celebration	meyram	celebration
qalempir	pepper	qalampır	clove(s)
misal	example	mısal	example
kitep	book	kitap	book
araket	attempt, try (~n.)	äreket	attempt, try (~n.)
azır	now	qazir, äzir	now
darek	address	derek	address
tameki	cigarette, tobacco	temeki	cigarette, tobacco
adabiy	literary	ädebiy	literary
qadimki	usual	kädimgi	usual

rounding

Kyrgyz		Kazakh
jıldız	star	juldız	star
jıpar	perfume	jupar	perfume
mın-	this (oblique forms)	mun-	this (oblique forms)
büt-	to finish (v.i.)	bit-	to finish (v.i.)
münöz	person's character	minez	person's character
ötük	boot(s)	etik	boot(s)
sülöösün	lynx	silewsin	lynx
kökül	bangs	kekil	bangs
şökülö	unmarried woman's tall hat	säwkele	unmarried woman's tall hat
tumaq	fur hat	tımaq	fur hat

vowel length

Kyrgyz		Kazakh
jelee	web
keçee/keçöö	yesterday	keşe	yesterday
talaa	field	dala	field, outside
baatır	~hero	batır	~hero
taanı-	know	tanı-	know
araa	saw	ara	saw
uul	son	ul	son
eer	saddle	er	saddle
iyin	(ant)hole	in	(ant)hole
it	dog	iyt	dog
bit	louse	biyt	louse
tarıx	history	tarıyx	history
sıpat	character, quality	sıypat	character, quality
insan	person	ıynsan	person
süröt	picture	süwret	picture
-(I)rAAK	-er	-(I)rAK	-er
-(A)(ː)r/-BAAs	future indefinite	-(A)r/-MAs	future indefinite

..everything..

Kyrgyz		Kazakh
tobokel	risk (n.)	täwekel	risk (n.)
şoola	ray of light	säwle, şağula	ray of light

Other unexpected segmental differences

mysterious consonantal differences

Kyrgyz		Kazakh
tanda-	choose	taŋda-	choose
kölökö	shadow/shade	köleŋke	shadow/shade
çalıq-	be tired of	jalıq-	be tired of
bermet	pearl	meriwert	pearl
tegirmen	mill	diyirmen	mill
içke	thin	jiŋişke	thin
uqta-	sleep	uyıqta-	sleep
ıyla-	cry	jıla-	cry
ır	song	jır	song
ıldam	fast	jıldam	fast
oquya	event	oqıyğa	event
oygot-	wake up (t.v.)	oyat-	wake up (t.v.)
çüçkür-	sneeze	tüşkir-	sneeze
çıçqan	mouse	tışqan	mouse
çıç-	poop	tış-	poop

mysterious vowel differences

Kyrgyz		Kazakh
köpürö	bridge	köpir	bridge
oqşo-	be similar	uqsa-	be similar
ökmöt	government	ükimet	government
böyrök	kidney	büyrek	kidney
süylö-	speak	söyle-	speak

Kazakh words some people don't know

Maybe they're from a different dialect, or literary, but they're in the dictionary and have cognates in Kyrgyz.

• mıq - nail (n.)
• öp- - kiss (v.t.)
• jıljıtpa amal - cunning plan
• jasa- - live (v.i.)
• kör - blind (adj)
• suwır - marmot

Uncategorised

• Kazakh jüye - system
• basqı, başqı
• Kazakh mülde
• Kyrgyz ayabay
• Kazakh saw bol-
• Kazakh abay bol-, Kyrgyz etiyet bol-
• Kyrgyz qamsız qıl-
• Kyrgyz jaşoo
• qarın/qursaq
• Kyrgyz adis 'specialty, specialist', Kazakh mamandıq 'specialty', maman 'specialist', ädis ?'specialty'
• Kazakh mätin
• Kazakh amal joq, Kyrgyz ayla joq
• mıq/jügir??/şege
• Kyrgyz mint-/mıntⁱ-, antⁱ- (antkeni), oşent-, qantⁱ-, tigint-; Kazakh öyt- (öytkeni), söyt-, qaytⁱ-
• Kyrgyz tigi
• Kazakh/Kyrgyz jolı/jolu, ret/iret
• Kazakh lıpıl
• Kyrgyz qıtığıla- / Kazakh qıtıqta-
• Kyrgyz küü / Kazakh küy
• Kyrgyz ölöŋ / Kazakh öleŋ
• Kyrgyz taandıq / Kazakh tän
• Kazakh jarlıq
• qarapayım/kademki(/kädemgi)
• Kazakh jappay?
• juduruq/judırıq, muştum
• jubaylar?
• soqur/soqır
• Kyrgyz atayı / Kazakh arnayı, ädeyi
• Kazakh sopaq (oval?)
• Kazakh puşıq (murındı)
• Kazakh alasa (boylı)
• Kazakh qaratorı
• Kazakh aqquba
• Kazakh eden
• Kazakh juwırda
• Kazakh mekenjay

• Turkic sound changes#Scratch
• Kazakh a~ɯ problem
• Turkic words that shouldn't be as they are