Honorific Verbs
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use the 'siz' pronoun and specific verb endings to show respect to elders, strangers, or superiors in Kazakh.
- Use the pronoun 'siz' instead of 'sen' for respect.
- Add the plural/polite suffix '-iz/-izder' to the verb stem.
- Always match the verb ending with the polite pronoun 'siz'.
Meanings
Honorific verbs are used to express social distance, respect, or formality when addressing individuals who are older, hold a higher status, or are strangers.
Formal Address
Addressing a single person with respect.
“Siz oqisiz.”
“Siz barasiz.”
Plural Respect
Addressing a group of people formally.
“Sizder kelesizder.”
“Sizder oqisizdar.”
Honorific Verb Conjugation (Present Tense)
| Pronoun | Verb Stem | Suffix | Full Form |
|---|---|---|---|
| Siz | kel | -esiz | kelesiz |
| Siz | oq | -isiz | oqisiz |
| Siz | jaz | -asiz | jazasiz |
| Sizder | kel | -esizder | kelesizder |
| Sizder | oq | -isizder | oqisizdar |
| Sizder | jaz | -asizdar | jazasizdar |
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Affirmative | Siz + Stem + Suffix | Siz barasiz |
| Negative | Siz + Stem + Neg + Suffix | Siz barmaysiz |
| Question | Siz + Stem + Suffix + be/ba | Siz barasiz ba? |
| Plural Affirmative | Sizder + Stem + Suffix-der | Sizder barasizdar |
| Plural Negative | Sizder + Stem + Neg + Suffix-der | Sizder barmaysizdar |
| Plural Question | Sizder + Stem + Suffix-der + be/ba | Sizder barasizdar ma? |
طیف رسمیت
Siz kelesiz be? (Asking someone to join.)
Kelesiz be? (Asking someone to join.)
Kelesin be? (Asking someone to join.)
Kelesin ba? (Asking someone to join.)
The Honorific Hierarchy
People
- Ağa Older brother
- Apa Older sister/mother
Settings
- Jumis Work
- Qonaq Guest
Examples by Level
Siz kimsiz?
Who are you?
Siz jaxsisiz be?
Are you well?
Siz oqisiz.
You are reading.
Siz barasiz.
You are going.
Siz qaidan kelesiz?
Where are you coming from?
Siz ne jep jatisiz?
What are you eating?
Siz magan komegtesesiz be?
Can you help me?
Sizder qashan kelesizder?
When are you all coming?
Siz meni tüsinesiz dep oylaimin.
I think you understand me.
Sizder bul jerde ne istep jatisizdar?
What are you all doing here?
Sizge kömektese alamin ba?
Can I help you?
Siz aita almaytinsiz.
You cannot say that.
Siz bizben birge jürgiz kelmey me?
Don't you want to come with us?
Sizderdi jinaalysqa shaqiramiz.
We invite you all to the meeting.
Siz aytqan aqparat duris emes.
The information you provided is incorrect.
Sizderge qanday qyzmet körsetemin?
What service can I provide for you?
Siz osi mäseleni sheshu üshin ne jasaysiz?
What will you do to solve this issue?
Sizderdin pikirleriñiz biz üshin mañizdi.
Your opinions are important to us.
Siz buni burin estigen be ediñiz?
Had you heard this before?
Sizderdi osi jerde körgenime quanishtimin.
I am glad to see you all here.
Siz oziñizdi qalay sezinesiz?
How do you feel yourself?
Sizderdin osi qadamdaryñizdi joğari bağalaymiz.
We highly appreciate these steps you have taken.
Sizge degen qurmetimiz sheksiz.
Our respect for you is limitless.
Sizderden osi mäseleni qayta qaraudy suraymiz.
We request that you reconsider this matter.
Easily Confused
Learners often use 'sen' because it's shorter.
Both are plural, but one is formal.
Mixing up -siz and -sin.
اشتباهات رایج
Siz barasin
Siz barasiz
Sen barasiz
Sen barasin
Sizder barasiz
Sizder barasizdar
Siz keldi
Siz keldiniz
Siz jazasiz ba?
Siz jazasiz ba?
Sizder kelesiz
Sizder kelesizder
Siz oqiysiz
Siz oqisiz
Siz aytqan edim
Siz aytqan ediniz
Sizderge baramiz
Sizderge baramiz (Wait, this is correct, but check context)
Siz jürisiz
Siz jürsiz
Sizler
Sizder
Siz aytasizdar
Siz aytasiz
Siz barasin ba
Siz barasiz ba
Sizder barasiz
Sizder barasizdar
Sentence Patterns
Siz ___ isteysiz?
Sizder ___ barasizdar?
Siz ___ dep oylaysiz?
Siz ___ körgen ba ediñiz?
Real World Usage
Siz qanday jumis isteysiz?
Sizge xat jazdim.
Siz mağan as äkelesiz be?
Siz qaidan barasiz?
Sizdin pikirleriñiz keremet.
Siz qalay turasiz?
When in doubt, use Siz
Don't mix registers
Listen to the speaker
Respect is key
Smart Tips
Always start with 'siz'.
Use 'sizder' for respect.
Use 'siz' throughout.
Use the polite form.
تلفظ
Siz
The 'z' is soft, like the 'z' in 'zoo'.
Question
Siz kelesiz be? ↑
Rising intonation at the end for questions.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Siz is for the Wise (S-iz = S-enior).
Visual Association
Imagine a person bowing slightly when saying 'Siz'. The 'z' sound at the end is like a gentle closing of a door to show respect.
Rhyme
Use 'siz' for the wise, to keep the respect in your eyes.
Story
A young student meets a professor. He says 'Sen' by mistake. The professor looks stern. The student corrects to 'Siz'. The professor smiles and invites him in.
Word Web
چالش
Write 5 sentences using 'Siz' to describe things you would say to a teacher.
نکات فرهنگی
Respect for elders (ağa/apa) is paramount. Always use 'siz' until invited to use 'sen'.
The 'siz' form originates from the need to show respect in nomadic society.
Conversation Starters
Siz qaidan kelesiz?
Sizder qashan jinaalasizdar?
Siz osi jerde uzaq turasiz ba?
Sizdin oyiñizsha, bul duris pa?
Journal Prompts
Test Yourself
Siz qalağa ___ (bar).
___ kelesiz be?
Find and fix the mistake:
Siz barasin.
be / Siz / kelesiz / ?
Siz ___.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
A: Siz kelesiz be? B: ___.
Siz is only for groups.
Score: /8
تمرینهای عملی
8 exercisesSiz qalağa ___ (bar).
___ kelesiz be?
Find and fix the mistake:
Siz barasin.
be / Siz / kelesiz / ?
Siz ___.
Sizder -> ?
A: Siz kelesiz be? B: ___.
Siz is only for groups.
Score: /8
سوالات متداول (8)
Use it for elders, strangers, and in professional settings.
No, 'sizder' is for a group of people you are addressing formally.
Only if they explicitly ask you to. Otherwise, stick to 'siz'.
It sounds informal and potentially rude. Try to practice the patterns.
Yes, but it carries a formal register.
Add 'be' or 'ba' at the end of the verb.
It might sound distant or sarcastic. Use 'sen' for friends.
It shows you respect Kazakh culture and social norms.
In Other Languages
Sie
German 'Sie' is capitalized in writing.
Vous
French 'vous' is also used for plural informal.
Usted
Kazakh uses second-person honorific forms.
Keigo
Kazakh honorifics are suffix-based.
Antum
Arabic has gendered honorifics.
Nin
Kazakh changes the verb.
