Signification
Can mean 'What's new?' or 'How interesting!'.
Contexte culturel
In Ulaanbaatar, 'Yamar sonin?' is often used as a 'filler' greeting. People might say it even if they don't expect a long answer, similar to 'How's it going?' in English. In the countryside, asking for 'sonin' is a serious matter. It is the way people learn about weather patterns, livestock health, and regional events. Be prepared to give a real answer! On Facebook and WeChat, 'Yamar sonin?' is a common way to 'ping' someone. If you see a weird meme, you might just comment 'Sonin yum aa' (Strange thing). Sometimes, if something is described as 'too sonin' (too strange), it might be considered bad luck or a 'sholmo' (demon/spirit) related event. Use it carefully with very traditional people.
The 'Nothing' Answer
If you have no news, the standard answer is 'Тайван даа' (Peaceful/Quiet) or 'Юу ч алга' (Nothing).
Intonation Matters
A rising tone at the end makes it a question. A falling, heavy tone makes it an exclamation of 'That's weird'.
Signification
Can mean 'What's new?' or 'How interesting!'.
The 'Nothing' Answer
If you have no news, the standard answer is 'Тайван даа' (Peaceful/Quiet) or 'Юу ч алга' (Nothing).
Intonation Matters
A rising tone at the end makes it a question. A falling, heavy tone makes it an exclamation of 'That's weird'.
Double it up
Saying 'Sonin sonin' (doubling the adjective) emphasizes that there are *many* strange or interesting things happening.
Don't be too brief
If a Mongolian asks you 'Yamar sonin?', they usually actually want to hear a small update, not just 'Fine'.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank to ask a friend what's new.
Сайн уу? ______ сонин байна?
'Ямар' is the correct question word to use with 'сонин' in this context.
Which phrase expresses 'How strange!' as a reaction?
Choose the best reaction to seeing a fish fly.
The particle 'юм бэ' turns the phrase into an exclamation of surprise.
Complete the dialogue between two friends.
A: Сайн уу? Ойрд уулзсангүй. B: Тийм ээ. A: ________?
'Ямар сонин?' is the most natural follow-up to 'I haven't seen you lately.'
Match the phrase to the situation.
Situation: You are meeting your grandmother for the first time in a year.
This is the most respectful and appropriate version for an elder.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesСайн уу? ______ сонин байна?
'Ямар' is the correct question word to use with 'сонин' in this context.
Choose the best reaction to seeing a fish fly.
The particle 'юм бэ' turns the phrase into an exclamation of surprise.
A: Сайн уу? Ойрд уулзсангүй. B: Тийм ээ. A: ________?
'Ямар сонин?' is the most natural follow-up to 'I haven't seen you lately.'
Situation: You are meeting your grandmother for the first time in a year.
This is the most respectful and appropriate version for an elder.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNo, it only means newspaper when used as a noun. As an adjective or in this phrase, it means news or strange/interesting.
It's better to use 'Сонин сайхан юу байна?' to be safe, but if you have a friendly relationship, 'Yamar sonin?' is okay.
'Yuu baina?' is 'What's up?' (very casual). 'Yamar sonin?' is 'What's new?' (invites more detail).
You would say 'Сонирхолгүй байна' (It is not interesting).
Not at all, it's a very friendly and standard part of Mongolian social life.
Yes, 'Ямар сонин хүн бэ!' can mean 'What a weird person!'
The 'yum be' adds emotional weight and turns it into a complete exclamatory sentence.
You can say 'Ямар сонин сонин юм бэ!' to refer to multiple strange things.
Indirectly, yes. It's a way of asking how your life is going.
Avoid it. Use 'Танд энэ өдрийн мэнд хүргэе' (Greetings of the day to you) instead.
Expressions liées
Юу байна?
similarWhat's up?
Сонин сайхан юу байна?
specialized formWhat is the good news?
Сонирхолтой юм!
similarThat's interesting!
Хачин юм аа
similarHow weird
Юу ч алга
contrastNothing at all
