Meaning
Asking about time.
Cultural Background
Time is often perceived as flexible. 'Hozir' (now) can mean anything from 1 minute to 1 hour. Hospitality dictates that you should never rush a guest. Asking 'Qachon ketasiz?' (When are you leaving?) is considered very rude. In formal Uzbek business, punctuality is increasingly valued, especially in Tashkent, but 'Qachon' is still used to negotiate deadlines softly. The timing of daily prayers (Namaz) is a primary reference point for 'Qachon' in rural areas.
The 'N' Rule
If you forget the word, remember that 'When' and 'Qachon' both end in an 'n' sound.
Don't over-formalize
Avoid 'Qachonki' in casual speech; it sounds like you're reading a textbook.
Meaning
Asking about time.
The 'N' Rule
If you forget the word, remember that 'When' and 'Qachon' both end in an 'n' sound.
Don't over-formalize
Avoid 'Qachonki' in casual speech; it sounds like you're reading a textbook.
Suffix Power
Adding '-gacha' is the fastest way to sound like a more advanced speaker when asking about deadlines.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct word for 'When'.
Siz ___ kelasiz?
The sentence asks 'When will you come?'. 'Qachon' is the correct word for time.
Match the Uzbek phrase with its English translation.
Match the following:
Suffixes change the temporal focus of the word.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Kinoteatrga boramizmi? B: Mayli, ___?
The most natural follow-up to an invitation is asking for the time.
Which question fits the situation: You are at a bus stop.
Situation: Waiting for a bus.
Asking when the bus arrives is the most common time-related question at a stop.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesSiz ___ kelasiz?
The sentence asks 'When will you come?'. 'Qachon' is the correct word for time.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Suffixes change the temporal focus of the word.
A: Kinoteatrga boramizmi? B: Mayli, ___?
The most natural follow-up to an invitation is asking for the time.
Situation: Waiting for a bus.
Asking when the bus arrives is the most common time-related question at a stop.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
7 questionsYes, but usually in the form 'Qachon bo'lmasin' or 'Qachonki'.
It's rare. Uzbek is SOV (Subject-Object-Verb), so 'Qachon' usually sits before the verb.
'Qachon' is 'When', 'Soat necha' is 'What time is it right now?'.
Use 'Qachondan beri?'.
Yes, it is necessary for clarity, but use a polite verb form like 'shoshilmasak ham bo'ladimi?' if you're worried about pressure.
No, it remains 'Qachon' regardless of who you are talking about.
Usually 'Necha yoshda?' is used for age, but 'Qachon' can work for life stages (e.g., 'Qachon uylandingiz?' - When did you get married?).
Related Phrases
Soat nechada?
specialized formAt what hour?
Qaysi kuni?
similarWhich day?
Vaqti keldi
builds onThe time has come
Hozir
contrastNow
Hech qachon
specialized formNever
