Meaning
Describing high price.
Cultural Background
In Uzbek bazaars, the first price quoted is almost always 'qimmat' on purpose. It is expected that you will negotiate. If you pay the first price, you are seen as either very rich or very naive. When hosting guests, Uzbeks avoid using the word 'qimmat' regarding the food served. It is considered rude to imply that the hospitality was a financial burden. Uzbek weddings are notoriously 'qimmat.' Families often save for decades to afford the 'eng qimmat' hall and food to maintain social standing. In modern supermarkets like Korzinka or Makro, prices are fixed. Saying 'qimmat' to a cashier won't change the price, but people still say it to each other in the aisles.
The 'Ie' Factor
Always start your complaint with 'Ie' (pronounced like 'ee-yeh') to sound like a local when saying something is expensive.
Don't be rude
In a friend's house, never call their belongings 'qimmat' as it might seem like you are counting their money.
Meaning
Describing high price.
The 'Ie' Factor
Always start your complaint with 'Ie' (pronounced like 'ee-yeh') to sound like a local when saying something is expensive.
Don't be rude
In a friend's house, never call their belongings 'qimmat' as it might seem like you are counting their money.
Bargaining is expected
If you don't say 'qimmat' at least once at a bazaar, you are probably overpaying by 30%.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'qimmat'.
Bu non 5000 so'm, lekin anavi non 7000 so'm. Anavi non ______.
Since you are comparing two items, you use the comparative suffix '-roq'.
Which sentence is the most natural way to say 'It's too expensive' at a bazaar?
Bozorda qaysi gapni aytish kerak?
Adding '-ku' adds emphasis and is very common in spoken Uzbek bargaining.
Match the Uzbek phrase with its English translation.
Match the following:
Basic vocabulary matching.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Bu telefon necha pul? B: 10 million so'm. A: Voy, buncha ______!
10 million is a high price, so 'qimmat' is the logical reaction.
In which situation would you use 'qimmatbaho'?
Qaysi holatda 'qimmatbaho' so'zi ishlatiladi?
'Qimmatbaho' is used for high-value luxury items.
🎉 Score: /5
Visual Learning Aids
Price Spectrum in Uzbek
Price Levels
- • Tekin (Free)
- • Arzon (Cheap)
- • O'rtacha (Average)
- • Qimmat (Expensive)
- • Daxshat (Outrageous)
Practice Bank
5 exercisesBu non 5000 so'm, lekin anavi non 7000 so'm. Anavi non ______.
Since you are comparing two items, you use the comparative suffix '-roq'.
Bozorda qaysi gapni aytish kerak?
Adding '-ku' adds emphasis and is very common in spoken Uzbek bargaining.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Basic vocabulary matching.
A: Bu telefon necha pul? B: 10 million so'm. A: Voy, buncha ______!
10 million is a high price, so 'qimmat' is the logical reaction.
Qaysi holatda 'qimmatbaho' so'zi ishlatiladi?
'Qimmatbaho' is used for high-value luxury items.
🎉 Score: /5
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsOnly in a poetic or very formal sense meaning 'precious.' In daily life, it sounds like you are putting a price tag on them. Use 'aziz' instead.
The opposite is 'arzon' (cheap).
You can say 'juda qimmat' or 'haddan tashqari qimmat'.
It is neutral. It can be used in both formal and informal settings.
It can, but 'qimmatbaho' or 'qimmatli' are more specific for 'valuable'.
Say 'Qimmat-ku! Arzonroq qilib bering' (It's expensive! Give it to me cheaper).
Yes, for English speakers. It's a uvular stop. Practice by making a 'k' sound deep in your throat.
No, for that use 'yuqori' or 'issiq'.
It is a noun meaning 'a time of high prices' or 'inflationary period'.
Yes, it's 'kıymetli' in Turkish and 'qimbat' in Kazakh.
Related Phrases
Arzon
contrastCheap
Qimmatbaho
specialized formPrecious/High-value
Qimmatli
similarValuable/Dear
Narxi baland
synonymHigh price
Tekin
contrastFree
