Signification
Switching on electricity.
Contexte culturel
In a traditional ger, the fire in the center (zuukh) was the primary light source. 'Асаах' was a sacred daily act of starting the fire, which was believed to house the family spirit. Lighting a 'zul' (butter lamp) is a common ritual. It is always done with the right hand as a sign of respect and to accumulate merit. Ulaanbaatar residents often use 'Тог' (electricity) instead of 'Гэрэл'. During winter, when power loads are high, 'гэрэл асаах' is sometimes restricted to save energy. It is considered bad luck to whistle in a house after you 'гэрэл асаах' (turn on the lights) at night, as it might attract unwanted spirits.
Politeness counts
Always use 'асаагаарай' instead of 'асаа' when asking someone you don't know well.
No 'Open'!
Never say 'Гэрэл нээх'. It's the most common beginner mistake.
Signification
Switching on electricity.
Politeness counts
Always use 'асаагаарай' instead of 'асаа' when asking someone you don't know well.
No 'Open'!
Never say 'Гэрэл нээх'. It's the most common beginner mistake.
The 'Tog' shortcut
Use 'Тог асаах' to sound more like a local in Ulaanbaatar.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'асаах'.
Би өрөөнд ороод гэрэл ______.
'Асаасан' is the past tense of 'to turn on'. 'Нээсэн' means opened, and 'унтраасан' means turned off.
Which sentence is the most polite way to ask someone to turn on the light?
Choose the best option:
The suffix '-аарай' makes a command polite and respectful.
Match the Mongolian phrase with its English translation.
Match the following:
These are essential household vocabulary pairs.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Энд маш харанхуй байна. B: За, би ________.
'Гэрэл асаая' means 'Let me turn on the light', which is the logical response to it being dark.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesБи өрөөнд ороод гэрэл ______.
'Асаасан' is the past tense of 'to turn on'. 'Нээсэн' means opened, and 'унтраасан' means turned off.
Choose the best option:
The suffix '-аарай' makes a command polite and respectful.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
These are essential household vocabulary pairs.
A: Энд маш харанхуй байна. B: За, би ________.
'Гэрэл асаая' means 'Let me turn on the light', which is the logical response to it being dark.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
4 questionsYes, you can say 'Утас асаах' to turn on your phone.
'Асах' is 'to be lit' (passive/state), 'асаах' is 'to light' (active action).
No, for the sun we say 'Нар гарах' (Sun coming out).
You would say 'Гэрэл бүдгэрүүлэх'.
Expressions liées
Гэрэл унтраах
contrastTo turn off the light.
Гэрэлтүүлэх
builds onTo illuminate or brighten.
Гал асаах
similarTo light a fire.
Тог тасрах
specialized formPower outage.
