Politeness Markers (Sizlash)
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use 'Siz' for respect and 'Sen' for friends; 'Siz' is the golden key to Uzbek politeness.
- Use 'Siz' for elders, strangers, and in professional settings: 'Siz kimsiz?' (Who are you?)
- Use 'Sen' only for close friends, children, or family: 'Sen kimsan?' (Who are you?)
- Always use 'Siz' when in doubt to avoid sounding rude: 'Siz yaxshimisiz?' (Are you well?)
Pronoun and Verb Suffix Matching
| Pronoun | Meaning | Verb Suffix | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Men
|
I
|
-man
|
Boraman
|
|
Sen
|
You (inf)
|
-san
|
Borasan
|
|
U
|
He/She
|
-
|
Boradi
|
|
Biz
|
We
|
-miz
|
Boramiz
|
|
Siz
|
You (form)
|
-siz
|
Borasiz
|
|
Ular
|
They
|
-lar
|
Boradilar
|
Common Contractions
| Full | Short |
|---|---|
|
Sizlar
|
Siz
|
Meanings
The system of using formal pronouns and verb endings to show respect to the listener.
Formal Address
Addressing someone with respect due to age, status, or lack of familiarity.
“Siz qayerdansiz?”
“Sizga yordam bera olamanmi?”
Plural Address
Addressing a group of people regardless of their age or status.
“Sizlar qayerga ketyapsizlar?”
“Sizlar mening do'stlarimsiz.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Siz + Verb-siz
|
Siz kelasiz
|
|
Negative
|
Siz + Verb-ma-siz
|
Siz kelmaysiz
|
|
Question
|
Siz + Verb-siz + mi?
|
Siz kelasizmi?
|
|
Short Answer
|
Ha, boraman
|
Ha, boraman
|
|
Plural
|
Sizlar + Verb-sizlar
|
Sizlar kelasizlar
|
|
Polite Request
|
Sizga yordam beraymi?
|
Sizga yordam beraymi?
|
Spectre de formalité
Siz yaxshimisiz? (Greeting)
Yaxshimisiz? (Greeting)
Qalaysan? (Greeting)
Nima gaplar? (Greeting)
The Honorific Hierarchy
People
- O'qituvchi Teacher
- Katta Elder
Settings
- Ish Work
- Rasmiy Official
Exemples par niveau
Siz kimsiz?
Who are you?
Siz yaxshimisiz?
Are you well?
Siz o'qituvchimisiz?
Are you my teacher?
Siz kelyapsizmi?
Are you coming?
Siz qayerda ishlaysiz?
Where do you work?
Sizga yordam bera olamanmi?
Can I help you?
Sizlar qayerga ketyapsizlar?
Where are you (plural) going?
Siz bu yerda yashaysizmi?
Do you live here?
Siz bilan tanishganimdan xursandman.
I am glad to meet you.
Sizdan bir narsa so'rasam maylimi?
May I ask you something?
Sizning fikringiz qanday?
What is your opinion?
Sizni kutib qolamiz.
We will be waiting for you.
Siz aytganingizdek bo'lsin.
Let it be as you said.
Sizga murojaat qilishim mumkinmi?
May I address you?
Sizning yordamingiz juda muhim.
Your help is very important.
Sizni bezovta qilmayapmanmi?
Am I not bothering you?
Sizning tashrifingiz biz uchun sharaf.
Your visit is an honor for us.
Sizni hurmat qilaman.
I respect you.
Sizdan minnatdorman.
I am grateful to you.
Sizning qaroringizni kutamiz.
We await your decision.
Sizdek inson bilan suhbatlashish maroqli.
It is pleasant to converse with a person like you.
Sizning xizmatlaringiz beqiyos.
Your services are incomparable.
Sizni tushunishga harakat qilyapman.
I am trying to understand you.
Sizga bo'lgan hurmatim cheksiz.
My respect for you is infinite.
Facile à confondre
Learners think 'Siz' is only singular.
Learners use them interchangeably.
Mixing endings.
Erreurs courantes
Sen kimsiz?
Siz kimsiz?
Siz kimsan?
Siz kimsiz?
Sen borasiz?
Sen borasan?
Siz kelyapman.
Siz kelyapsiz.
Sizlar borasan.
Sizlar borasizlar.
Siz keldi.
Siz keldingiz.
Sen keldilar.
Sen kelding.
Sizni yordam bering.
Siz yordam bering.
Sizga ketyapman.
Sizning oldingizga ketyapman.
Sizlar keldi.
Sizlar keldingiz.
Sizni hurmat qilaman, sen yaxshisan.
Sizni hurmat qilaman, siz yaxshisiz.
Sizlar kelishdi.
Sizlar keldingiz.
Sizga aytmoqchiman, sen eshit.
Sizga aytmoqchiman, siz eshiting.
Structures de phrases
Siz ___ qilasiz?
Sizga ___ kerakmi?
Sizning ___ yaxshi.
Siz bilan ___ xursandman.
Real World Usage
Sizga rahmat!
Siz qayerdasiz?
Sizni ishga olamiz.
Siz qayerga borasiz?
Sizga nima kerak?
Siz darsni tushundingizmi?
Start with Siz
Don't rush to Sen
Use titles
Respect is key
Smart Tips
Always use 'Siz'.
Use 'Sizlar'.
Use 'Sizga'.
Use 'Sizning'.
Prononciation
Siz
Pronounced as 'Siz' with a soft 'z'.
Question
Siz kelasizmi? ↑
Rising intonation for questions.
Mémorise-le
Moyen mnémotechnique
Siz is for Superior/Stranger; Sen is for Sidekick/Sibling.
Association visuelle
Imagine a tall, respectful person wearing a crown (Siz) and a small, playful friend (Sen).
Rhyme
Use Siz to be polite, it makes everything feel right.
Story
Ali met a stranger on the bus. He said 'Siz qayerga ketyapsiz?' The stranger smiled. Ali felt good because he used the right word.
Word Web
Défi
Try to use 'Siz' in every sentence you speak for the next 5 minutes.
Notes culturelles
Using 'Siz' is a sign of good upbringing (tarbiya).
Derived from Old Turkic honorific systems.
Amorces de conversation
Siz qayerdansiz?
Sizga yordam bera olamanmi?
Sizning sevimli taomingiz nima?
Sizningcha, bu to'g'rimi?
Sujets d'écriture
Erreurs courantes
Test Yourself
Siz bor___?
___ kimsiz?
Find and fix the mistake:
Sen kimsiz?
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
Are you well?
Answer starts with: a...
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Which is formal?
Siz qayerda ___?
Score: /8
Exercices pratiques
8 exercisesSiz bor___?
___ kimsiz?
Find and fix the mistake:
Sen kimsiz?
siz / kimsiz / ?
Are you well?
Siz - ?
Which is formal?
Siz qayerda ___?
Score: /8
FAQ (8)
To show respect to elders and strangers.
Yes, but it might sound distant.
It is 'Sizlar'.
No, it is for friends.
When the other person invites you.
Yes, it adds '-siz'.
People will understand you are learning.
Yes, in all formal writing.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Usted
Uzbek is more strictly enforced.
Vous
Uzbek verb endings are more regular.
Sie
Uzbek uses it for plural too.
Anata
Japanese has more levels.
Antum
Uzbek is more pronoun-based.
Nin
Chinese 'nin' is only for singular.
