Bedeutung
Asking about someone's current activity.
Kultureller Hintergrund
Greetings are lengthy. Asking 'What are you doing?' immediately can seem rushed. Always ask about health first. Speech tends to be more traditional and polite. The formal 'Сіз' is used more strictly even with slightly older siblings. Frequent use of contractions like 'жатсың' and mixing with Russian ('Что істеп жатсың?'). The use of 'jatyr' (lying) reflects a worldview where state and position are central to describing action.
Use the contraction
To sound more like a native, use 'Не істеп жатсың?' when texting friends.
Respect the elders
Never use 'Сен' with someone older than you; always use 'Сіз'.
Bedeutung
Asking about someone's current activity.
Use the contraction
To sound more like a native, use 'Не істеп жатсың?' when texting friends.
Respect the elders
Never use 'Сен' with someone older than you; always use 'Сіз'.
Auxiliary choice
If someone is clearly sitting, use 'Не істеп отырсың?' to impress them with your grammar.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the missing auxiliary verb for the informal 'you'.
Сен не істеп _______?
The subject 'Сен' requires the ending '-сың'.
Which sentence is the most polite way to ask an elder what they are doing?
Choose the correct formal version:
'Сіз' and the ending '-сыз' are used for formal respect.
Complete the dialogue.
А: Сәлем! Не істеп жатырсың? Б: Сәлем! Мен кітап _______ жатырмын.
The present continuous requires the verb stem + '-п' (оқы + п).
Match the phrase to the situation.
Which phrase would you use if you see a friend walking in the park?
'Жүрсің' is used for actions involving movement or being 'around'.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Formal vs Informal
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenСен не істеп _______?
The subject 'Сен' requires the ending '-сың'.
Choose the correct formal version:
'Сіз' and the ending '-сыз' are used for formal respect.
А: Сәлем! Не істеп жатырсың? Б: Сәлем! Мен кітап _______ жатырмын.
The present continuous requires the verb stem + '-п' (оқы + п).
Which phrase would you use if you see a friend walking in the park?
'Жүрсің' is used for actions involving movement or being 'around'.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenNo, in this context it is a grammatical auxiliary and doesn't imply physical posture.
Only in the formal version 'Сіз не істеп жатырсыз?', and even then, it might be too casual. Better to ask about specific tasks.
'Жатырсың' is for right now; 'жүрсің' is for a general period of time or if you are moving.
Use the formula: [Verb stem] + -п/-ып/-іп + жатырмын. E.g., 'Шай ішіп жатырмын' (I am drinking tea).
No, it sounds incomplete and ungrammatical. Always include the auxiliary.
Yes, it is used everywhere in Kazakhstan, though the Almaty accent might make it sound faster.
No, for that use 'Қайда жұмыс істейсің?' (Where do you work?).
Kazakh word order is flexible, but the interrogative often sits right before the verb.
Yes, 'Не істеп жат?' is very casual slang among close male friends.
Use 'Ертең не істейсің?'.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Не хабар?
similarWhat news? / What's up?
Қалайсың?
similarHow are you?
Не істемексің?
builds onWhat do you intend to do?
Ештеңе істеп жатқан жоқпын.
contrastI am not doing anything.
