Meaning
Indicating a large amount.
Cultural Background
When visiting a nomadic family, they will often offer 'Их цай' (much tea) and 'Их идээ' (much food). Declining 'too much' can be tricky; it's better to accept a little than to say you've had 'их' already. The term 'Их' was used to denote the highest level of authority. 'Их Засаг' was the legal code of the Mongol Empire, emphasizing that these were the 'Great Laws' above all others. While 'Их' is used for praise, some elders believe that saying a child is 'их ухаантай' (very smart) too often might attract negative spirits. They might use more modest language instead. Many geographical landmarks use 'Их'. 'Их Тэнгэр' (Great Sky) is a sacred mountain and also the name of the President's residence area in Ulaanbaatar.
The 'Thank You' Rule
Always use 'Их баярлалаа' instead of just 'Баярлалаа' to sound more polite and natural to native speakers.
Word Order
Never put 'Их' after the noun. It's always 'Их ажил', never 'Ажил их' (unless it's a specific poetic sentence structure).
Meaning
Indicating a large amount.
The 'Thank You' Rule
Always use 'Их баярлалаа' instead of just 'Баярлалаа' to sound more polite and natural to native speakers.
Word Order
Never put 'Их' after the noun. It's always 'Их ажил', never 'Ажил их' (unless it's a specific poetic sentence structure).
Big is Good
In Mongolia, 'Greatness' is a compliment. Don't be afraid to use 'Их' to show enthusiasm!
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with 'Их' to say 'Thank you very much'.
_____ баярлалаа.
'Их баярлалаа' is the standard expression for 'Thank you very much'.
Which sentence correctly says 'I have a lot of work'?
Choose the correct sentence:
The word 'Их' must precede the noun 'ажил' (work).
Match the Mongolian phrase with its English translation.
Match the following:
These are all common compound uses of 'Их'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Энэ цай халуун байна уу? B: Тийм ээ, _____ халуун байна.
'Их' is used here as an intensifier meaning 'very'.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
The Many Faces of 'Их'
Size
- • Их сургууль
- • Их дэлгүүр
Quantity
- • Их ус
- • Их ажил
Intensity
- • Их халуун
- • Их сайн
Practice Bank
4 exercises_____ баярлалаа.
'Их баярлалаа' is the standard expression for 'Thank you very much'.
Choose the correct sentence:
The word 'Их' must precede the noun 'ажил' (work).
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are all common compound uses of 'Их'.
A: Энэ цай халуун байна уу? B: Тийм ээ, _____ халуун байна.
'Их' is used here as an intensifier meaning 'very'.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsUsually no. Use 'Олон' for 'many people'. 'Их хүн' means a 'Great person' (like a hero).
It is neutral. It's used in both street slang and official government titles.
'Их' is for quantity/degree (much/very), while 'Том' is for physical size (big).
Use 'Хэтэрхий их' (Kheterkhii ikh).
It's better to use 'Маш сайн' in formal writing.
No, Mongolian adjectives like 'Их' never change for number or gender.
It literally means 'Great School', following the tradition of naming high-status institutions 'Great'.
Yes, 'Ихэр' (twins) comes from the same root, meaning a doubling or increase.
The form 'Ихэвчлэн' means mostly, but 'Их' alone does not.
You can say 'Их гоё' or 'Их үзэсгэлэнтэй'.
Related Phrases
Маш
similarVery
Олон
similarMany
Том
similarBig
Ихэр
builds onTwins
Ихэвчлэн
specialized formMostly / Usually
