B1 Honorifics & Register 1 min read Mittel

Politeness Strategies

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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Kazakh uses 'sen' for friends and 'siz' for respect; always match your verb endings to the pronoun you choose.

  • Use 'sen' for friends, family, and children: 'Sen keldiñ' (You came).
  • Use 'siz' for elders, strangers, and professional settings: 'Siz keldiñiz' (You came).
  • Plural 'sender' or 'sizder' is used for groups; 'sizder' is the polite plural.
Pronoun (Sen/Siz) + Verb Stem + Suffix (-ñ/-ñiz)

Pronoun and Verb Agreement

Pronoun Meaning Verb Suffix (Example) Register
Men
I
-min
Neutral
Sen
You (sg)
-sın
Informal
Ol
He/She
-
Neutral
Biz
We
-miz
Neutral
Sender
You (pl)
-sıñdar
Informal
Siz
You (formal)
-sız
Formal
Sizder
You (pl formal)
-sızdar
Formal

Meanings

The system of using specific pronouns and verb suffixes to indicate social distance, respect, and age hierarchy.

1

Informal (Sen)

Used for peers, close friends, and children.

“Sen qayda barasın?”

“Sen keldin be?”

2

Formal (Siz)

Used for elders, superiors, and strangers to show respect.

“Siz qayda barasız?”

“Siz keldiniz be?”

3

Plural Respect (Sizder)

Used to address a group or a single person with extreme deference.

“Sizder qalay tūrasızdar?”

“Sizderge kömek kerek pe?”

Reference Table

Reference table for Politeness Strategies
Form Structure Example
Affirmative (Inf)
Sen + Verb-sın
Sen kelesin
Affirmative (Form)
Siz + Verb-sız
Siz kelesiz
Negative (Inf)
Sen + Verb-ma-ysın
Sen kelmeysin
Negative (Form)
Siz + Verb-ma-ysız
Siz kelmeysiz
Question (Inf)
Sen + Verb-sın ba?
Sen kelesin be?
Question (Form)
Siz + Verb-sız ba?
Siz kelesiz be?
Plural (Inf)
Sender + Verb-sıñdar
Sender kelesiñder
Plural (Form)
Sizder + Verb-sızdar
Sizder kelesizder

Formalitätsspektrum

Formell
Siz qalay sız?

Siz qalay sız? (Greeting)

Neutral
Qalay sız?

Qalay sız? (Greeting)

Informell
Qalay?

Qalay? (Greeting)

Umgangssprache
Qalay, dostym?

Qalay, dostym? (Greeting)

The Honorific Hierarchy

Kazakh Address

Informal

  • Sen You (sg)
  • Sender You (pl)

Formal

  • Siz You (formal)
  • Sizder You (pl formal)
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Beispiele nach Niveau

1

Sen kimsın?

Who are you? (informal)

2

Siz kimsiz?

Who are you? (formal)

3

Sen barasın.

You go.

4

Siz barasız.

You go.

1

Siz qalay sız?

How are you?

2

Senin atyn kim?

What is your name?

3

Sizdin atynyz kim?

What is your name?

4

Sizderge kömek kerek pe?

Do you (plural) need help?

1

Siz mağan kömektese alasız ba?

Can you help me?

2

Senin aytqanyn durys.

What you said is correct.

3

Sizderdiñ pikirleriñiz qanday?

What are your opinions?

4

Siz kelgeninizge quanyshtymyn.

I am glad you came.

1

Sizge osy masele boyynsha suraq qoysam bolady ma?

May I ask you a question regarding this issue?

2

Senin osy jerde boluyn manyzdy.

Your presence here is important.

3

Sizderdi osy jerde körgenime quanyshtymyn.

I am glad to see you all here.

4

Siz özinizdi qalay sezinesiz?

How do you feel yourself?

1

Sizdin osy iske qosqan ülesiniz zor.

Your contribution to this work is great.

2

Senin bul qylyğyn meni tañ qaldyrdy.

This behavior of yours surprised me.

3

Sizderdiñ kelisimderinizsiz biz bastay almaymyz.

Without your agreement, we cannot start.

4

Sizge degen qurmetim sheksiz.

My respect for you is infinite.

1

Sizderdiñ osy bastamany qoldap jatqandaryңызğa alğıs bildiremin.

I express my gratitude for your support of this initiative.

2

Senin bul jerdegi rölin erekshe.

Your role here is unique.

3

Sizge degen izgi tilegimdi jetkizgim keledi.

I want to convey my best wishes to you.

4

Sizderdiñ aralaryñyzda kim bar?

Who is among you?

Leicht verwechselbar

Politeness Strategies vs. Sen vs Sender

Learners mix up the singular and plural informal.

Politeness Strategies vs. Siz vs Sizder

Learners use 'siz' for groups.

Politeness Strategies vs. Possessive suffixes

Mixing 'senin' with formal suffixes.

Häufige Fehler

✗

Sen kelesiz

✓

Sen kelesin

Mixing informal pronoun with formal verb.
✗

Siz kelesin

✓

Siz kelesiz

Mixing formal pronoun with informal verb.
✗

Siz keldi

✓

Siz keldiniz

Missing the formal suffix.
✗

Senler

✓

Sender

Incorrect plural formation.
✗

Sizder barasız

✓

Sizder barasızdar

Missing plural formal suffix.
✗

Sen barasız ba?

✓

Sen barasın ba?

Question suffix must match pronoun.
✗

Siz barasın ba?

✓

Siz barasız ba?

Question suffix must match pronoun.
✗

Siz barasızlar

✓

Sizder barasızdar

Confusion between singular and plural formal.
✗

Senin atynyz kim?

✓

Senin atyn kim?

Mixing formal possessive with informal pronoun.
✗

Sizdin atyn kim?

✓

Sizdin atynyz kim?

Mixing informal possessive with formal pronoun.
✗

Sizder keldi

✓

Sizder keldinizder

Failure to use honorific plural.
✗

Sen keldiniz

✓

Sen keldin

Inconsistent register usage.
✗

Siz keldin

✓

Siz keldiniz

Inconsistent register usage.

Satzmuster

Siz ___ barasız ba?

Sen ___ isteysin?

Sizder ___ kelesizder?

Siz ___ dep oylaysız?

Real World Usage

Job Interview constant

Siz qanday tajiribege iesiz?

Texting a friend very common

Sen qaydasın?

Ordering food common

Siz mağan kofe bere alasız ba?

Social Media common

Senin suretin keremet!

Talking to an elder very common

Siz qalay tūrasız, ata?

Public speaking occasional

Sizderdiñ nazarlaryñyzğa rahmet.

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💡

Default to Siz

When meeting someone new, always use 'siz'. You can switch to 'sen' later if they invite you.
⚠️

Don't mix registers

Ensure your pronoun and verb suffix match. 'Sen' goes with '-sın', 'Siz' goes with '-sız'.
🎯

Use titles

Combine 'siz' with 'ağa' or 'apke' to sound even more respectful.
💬

Plural respect

Always use 'sizder' when addressing a group, even if they are your friends.

Smart Tips

Always start with 'Siz' and add 'ağa' or 'apke'.

Sen keldin be? → Siz keldiniz be, ağa?

Use 'siz' for everyone, even if you know them.

Sen ne deysin? → Siz ne deysiz?

Use 'sizder' to be safe.

Siz qaydasızdar? → Sizder qaydasızdar?

Always use 'siz' and formal endings.

Senin hatyn keldi. → Sizdin hatynyz keldi.

Aussprache

Siz: /siz/, Sen: /sen/

Siz vs Sen

The 'z' in 'Siz' is voiced, while 'n' in 'Sen' is nasal.

Formal Question

Siz keldiniz be? ↑

Rising intonation at the end shows politeness.

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Sen is for a friend, Siz is for a wise elder.

Visuelle Assoziation

Imagine a 'S' for 'Siz' standing tall like a respectful elder, and a 'S' for 'Sen' being small and friendly like a peer.

Rhyme

Sen is for a friend you know, Siz is for the one you show respect to as you go.

Story

A young student meets a professor. He says 'Sen' by mistake, and the professor looks surprised. He quickly corrects himself to 'Siz', and the professor smiles, accepting the respect.

Word Web

SenSizSenderSizderQurmetSıylastyq

Herausforderung

Write 5 sentences: 3 using 'sen' for imaginary friends and 2 using 'siz' for imaginary elders.

Kulturelle Hinweise

Respect for elders is paramount. Always use 'siz' until invited otherwise.

The 'siz' form is a historical plural used for respect, similar to the French 'vous'.

Gesprächseinstiege

“

Siz qaysy qalada tūrasız?

“

Senin bos uaqytynda ne istegendi unatasın?

“

Sizderdiñ otbasylaryñyz qalay?

“

Siz osy maselege qalay qaraysız?

Tagebuch-Impulse

Write about a meeting with a new person using 'siz'.
Write a letter to a friend using 'sen'.
Describe a professional situation using formal language.
Discuss the importance of respect in Kazakh culture.

Häufige Fehler

Incorrect

Richtig

Incorrect

Richtig

Incorrect

Richtig

Incorrect

Richtig

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Test Yourself

Choose the correct pronoun.

___ keldiniz be? (formal)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Siz
Siz is the formal pronoun.
Select the correct verb suffix. Multiple Choice

Siz barasız ___?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ba
Vowel harmony requires 'ba'.
Fix the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Sen kelesiz.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Sen kelesin
Match pronoun with verb.
Change to formal. Sentence Transformation

Sen qayda barasın?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Siz qayda barasız?
Change pronoun and verb.
Is this true? True False Rule

You can use 'sen' with your boss.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: False
It is disrespectful.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: Siz qalay sız? B: ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Men jaqsymin.
Respond with 'I'.
Build the sentence. Sentence Building

Siz / keldiniz / ba / ?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Siz keldiniz ba?
Correct word order.
Sort by register. Grammar Sorting

Which is formal?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Siz
Siz is the formal pronoun.

Score: /8

Ubungsaufgaben

8 exercises
Choose the correct pronoun.

___ keldiniz be? (formal)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Siz
Siz is the formal pronoun.
Select the correct verb suffix. Multiple Choice

Siz barasız ___?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ba
Vowel harmony requires 'ba'.
Fix the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Sen kelesiz.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Sen kelesin
Match pronoun with verb.
Change to formal. Sentence Transformation

Sen qayda barasın?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Siz qayda barasız?
Change pronoun and verb.
Is this true? True False Rule

You can use 'sen' with your boss.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: False
It is disrespectful.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: Siz qalay sız? B: ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Men jaqsymin.
Respond with 'I'.
Build the sentence. Sentence Building

Siz / keldiniz / ba / ?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Siz keldiniz ba?
Correct word order.
Sort by register. Grammar Sorting

Which is formal?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Siz
Siz is the formal pronoun.

Score: /8

FAQ (8)

No, always use 'siz' with teachers to show respect.

Use 'siz' until you know for sure.

Yes, it is the formal plural.

Kazakh grammar requires agreement between the subject and the verb.

Only if they are children.

If you use 'sen' with an elder, it is rude.

The 'sen/siz' system is standard across all Kazakh regions.

Apologize and switch to 'siz'.

Scaffolded Practice

1

1

2

2

3

3

4

4

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

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In Other Languages

Spanish high

Tú vs Usted

Spanish also has gendered adjectives, while Kazakh does not.

French high

Tu vs Vous

French 'vous' is also the plural 'you', whereas Kazakh has 'sizder' for plural formal.

German high

Du vs Sie

German 'Sie' is always capitalized in writing, unlike 'siz'.

Japanese moderate

Keigo

Japanese changes the verb itself, not just the suffix.

Arabic partial

Anta vs Antum

Arabic has gendered pronouns for both singular and plural.

Chinese moderate

Ni vs Nin

Chinese does not have verb conjugation for person.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
Register Selection

Related Grammar Rules

B2

Formal Tone
A1

Formal Introductions
A2

Polite Imperatives
B1

Honorific Pronouns
B1

Honorific Verbs
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