Signification
Casual way to agree or end.
Contexte culturel
The 'Za' loop: It is culturally rude to hang up the phone abruptly. Mongolians use a series of 'Za's to slowly wind down the energy of the call. Historically, 'Za' was a verbal contract. In the countryside, if a host says 'Za' to your request for shelter, it is a sacred commitment. In Ulaanbaatar, 'Zaza' has become a lifestyle word, often used to show a 'cool' or 'relaxed' attitude toward problems. Foreigners often mistake 'Za' for 'Yes, I will do it.' In Mongolian business, it often just means 'I hear you.'
The Triple Za
If you want to sound really enthusiastic, say 'За за за!' quickly.
Avoid the 'Yeah, whatever' tone
If you say it too slowly with a falling pitch, it sounds like you are bored.
Signification
Casual way to agree or end.
The Triple Za
If you want to sound really enthusiastic, say 'За за за!' quickly.
Avoid the 'Yeah, whatever' tone
If you say it too slowly with a falling pitch, it sounds like you are bored.
Phone Etiquette
Always wait for the other person to say their 'Za' before you hang up.
Texting
Use 'zz' to save time when chatting with close Mongolian friends.
Teste-toi
Complete the text message exchange between two friends.
Friend A: 5 цагт талбай дээр уулзах уу? Friend B: ________, тэгье.
'За за' is the most natural way for friends to agree to a plan.
Match the 'Za' variation to the correct situation.
1. Ending a phone call politely. 2. Asking 'Is that okay?' 3. Reluctantly agreeing.
Vowel length and particles change the pragmatic meaning.
Which response is most appropriate for a student talking to a professor?
Professor: Маргааш гэхэд даалгавраа дуусгаарай.
'За за' is too informal for a teacher-student relationship.
Fill in the blank to show you are hanging up the phone.
А: За, маргааш ярья. Б: За за, ________.
'За за, баяртай' is the standard closing phrase.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
The Many Faces of 'Za'
Agreement
- • За за, тэгье
- • За за, ойлголоо
Ending
- • За за, баяртай
- • За за, маргааш ярья
Dismissal
- • За за, мэдлээ
- • За за, болно
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesFriend A: 5 цагт талбай дээр уулзах уу? Friend B: ________, тэгье.
'За за' is the most natural way for friends to agree to a plan.
1. Ending a phone call politely. 2. Asking 'Is that okay?' 3. Reluctantly agreeing.
Vowel length and particles change the pragmatic meaning.
Professor: Маргааш гэхэд даалгавраа дуусгаарай.
'За за' is too informal for a teacher-student relationship.
А: За, маргааш ярья. Б: За за, ________.
'За за, баяртай' is the standard closing phrase.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
12 questionsOnly if used with elders or superiors. Between friends, it is perfectly polite and very natural.
Twice ('За за') is standard. Three or more times shows excitement or that you are in a hurry.
No, it is too informal for emails. Use 'Ойлголоо' or 'Тийм' instead.
'За' is a direct 'OK'. 'За за' is softer and often used to conclude a thought.
Yes, but only in the sense of agreement, not as a factual 'yes' (which is 'Тийм').
It acts as a 'verbal nod' to show they are still listening since they can't see your face.
Yes, it is appropriate when they confirm your order or bring the bill.
It is informal speech, bordering on slang when shortened to 'zaza' or 'zz'.
It is actually a 'TS' sound in Mongolian, like the end of 'cats'.
Then it becomes 'Zaaa', which means you are thinking or hesitating.
Yes, 'За, ойлголоо' (Okay, I understood) is the formal equivalent.
Indirectly, yes. If someone says 'Za za' and changes the subject, they might be avoiding saying 'No'.
Expressions liées
За юу
similarOkay?
Заа
specialized formWell... / Let me see
Тэгье
synonymLet's do that
Ойлголоо
builds onUnderstood
За яахав
contrastOh well / Nevermind
Задаа
specialized formCome on, okay?
