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A1 verb 8 min read

demoq

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips demoq in 30 Seconds

Explanation demoq in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'demoq' is simply 'to say'. You use it to tell people what someone else said or to ask for the name of an object. It's usually found in the past tense 'dedi' (he/she said) or 'dedim' (I said). You will learn it alongside basic greetings. For example, 'U salom dedi' (He said hello). It is one of the first ten verbs you should learn because it allows you to repeat information and ask questions about the language itself, like 'Bu nima degani?' (What does this mean?).

At the A2 level, you start using 'demoq' to form more complex sentences using the word 'deb'. You'll learn that 'deb' acts like a quotation mark. You also start using the future form 'deyman' (I will say) and the present continuous 'deyapti' (he is saying). You use it to express simple intentions, like 'Men ketmoqchiman dedim' (I said I want to leave). You also begin to recognize 'demak' as a way to say 'so' or 'therefore' in simple logical sentences.

At the B1 level, 'demoq' becomes a tool for nuanced reporting. You use it with other verbs of cognition like 'o'ylamoq' (to think) or 'ishonmoq' (to believe). For example, 'U keladi deb o'ylayman' (I think [saying 'he will come'] that he will come). You also use the passive form 'deyiladi' to explain cultural concepts or technical terms. You understand the difference between 'demoq' and 'aytmoq' and can choose the correct one depending on whether you are quoting words or reporting a fact.

At the B2 level, you use 'demoq' in idiomatic expressions and more formal contexts. You can use the perfect tense 'degan' to describe people or things (e.g., 'Alisher degan bola' - a boy named Alisher). You use 'demoqchi bo'lmoq' to express complex intentions or 'what one was about to say'. You also start to see how 'demoq' is used in proverbs and literature to convey traditional wisdom. Your control over the irregular forms (deyapti, deydi) is now automatic.

At the C1 level, you recognize the subtle rhetorical uses of 'demoq'. You can follow complex narratives where 'deb' is used multiple times to nest thoughts within thoughts. You understand how 'demoq' can be used to distance oneself from a statement (e.g., 'Shunday deylik' - Let's say so/Let's assume). You use it in academic writing to cite authors and in formal debates to clarify your position ('Men nima demoqchiman, ...'). You are also familiar with archaic or dialectal variants found in classical Uzbek poetry.

At the C2 level, 'demoq' is used with complete mastery of its philosophical and linguistic implications. You can analyze the use of 'demoq' in the works of Alisher Navoi or modern philosophers. You use it to express deep irony, sarcasm, or profound truth. You understand the etymological roots and how it connects to other Turkic languages. You can manipulate the verb to create specific stylistic effects in creative writing, using it to control the pacing and 'voice' of a text with absolute precision.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

demoq in 30 Seconds

Demoq is the core Uzbek verb for 'to say', used for direct quotes and naming things.
It is irregular, with the root 'de-', and commonly appears as 'deb' in reported speech.
Distinguish it from 'aytmoq' (to tell) and 'gapirmoq' (to talk) for natural usage.
Essential for asking 'What is this called?' (Bu nima deyiladi?) and expressing meaning.

The Uzbek verb demoq is one of the most fundamental building blocks of the Uzbek language, serving as the primary way to express the act of saying, naming, or intending. At its core, it translates to 'to say' in English, but its utility extends far beyond simple vocalization. In everyday conversation, demoq is used to report speech, define terms, and even express thoughts. Unlike the verb aytmoq, which often implies telling something to someone or delivering a message, demoq focuses on the specific words uttered or the identity of a thing.

Direct Speech: When you want to quote someone exactly, you use the gerund form 'deb' followed by 'dedi' (he/she said). This structure is ubiquitous in Uzbek literature and daily gossip alike.

U menga 'Kel' dedi.

Naming Convention: In Uzbek, if you want to ask what something is called, you use 'nima deyiladi' (what is it said/called). It is the standard way to learn new vocabulary in context.

Buni o'zbekchada nima deysiz?

Intent and Meaning: The phrase 'nima demoqchisiz?' means 'what do you mean?' or 'what are you trying to say?'. This uses the future-intent suffix '-moqchi' to probe the speaker's underlying purpose.

Men seni yaxshi ko'raman dedim.

U nima deyapti? Men tushunmayapman.

Buni olma deydilar.

Understanding 'demoq' is essential because it acts as a grammatical glue. Without it, reported speech becomes impossible to navigate. Whether you are reading a classic novel by Abdulla Qodiriy or ordering 'osh' in a local teahouse, you will encounter this verb constantly. It captures the essence of human communication—the transfer of specific words from one mind to another. As you progress, you will see it paired with 'deb' to create complex sentences that describe motivations, fears, and hopes.

Using demoq correctly requires an understanding of Uzbek's unique approach to reported speech. Unlike English, which uses 'that' (e.g., He said that...), Uzbek uses the word 'deb' (the gerund form of demoq) as a quote closer. This means you state the exact words, then add 'deb', then add the main verb of saying.

The 'Deb' Construction: This is the most common pattern. 'Ertaga kelaman deb aytdi' (He said, 'I will come tomorrow'). Here, 'deb' marks the end of the quote.

Onam 'Ovqat tayyor' dedilar.

Conjugation of Demoq: The root is 'de-'. Past: dedim, deding, dedi, dedik, dedingiz, dedilar. Present: deyman, deysan, deydi... Note that in the present continuous, it becomes 'deyapman'.

Siz nima demoqchisiz? Men tushunmadim.

Idiomatic 'Demak': The word 'demak' (meaning 'it means' or 'so') is actually a form of 'demoq'. It is used to draw conclusions: 'Yomg'ir yog'yapti, demak, ko'chaga chiqmaymiz' (It is raining, so we won't go out).

Bu so'z nima degani?

Ular bizni keladi deb o'ylashdi.

Hamma uni aqlli deydi.

When using demoq in the first person past tense (dedim), it often sounds more definitive than aytdim. If you say 'Men shunday dedim', it implies 'That is what I said (and I stand by it)'. In contrast, 'Men shunday aytdim' is more of a report of a past event. Mastering these nuances allows a speaker to sound more native and convey subtle shades of meaning. Remember that 'demoq' is almost always used when the actual quoted words are present in the sentence, whereas other verbs like 'so'zlamoq' (to speak) or 'gapirmoq' (to talk) describe the action of speaking without necessarily quoting the content.

You will hear demoq everywhere in Uzbekistan, from the bustling Chorsu Bazaar to the quietest mountain villages. It is the lifeblood of narrative. In the bazaar, you might hear a merchant say, 'Buni besh ming so'm dedim!' (I said this is five thousand som!), emphasizing a price that won't be lowered. In family settings, elders often use 'deydilar' (they say) to introduce proverbs or traditional wisdom, lending the authority of the collective past to their advice.

Gossip and News: When people share news, they frequently use 'falonchi bunday dedi' (so-and-so said this). It is the standard way to attribute information.

Qo'shnim 'Yangi do'kon ochildi' dedi.

Academic Contexts: In schools, teachers ask 'Bu nima degani?' to check comprehension. Students respond with definitions, often starting with 'Bu ... degani'.

Usta 'Ertaga bitadi' dedi.

Sizni bu yerda kutishadi degan edim.

Nima dedingiz? Qaytarib yuboring.

Xalqimizda 'O'ynab gapirsang ham, o'ylab gapir' deydilar.

If you travel to the Fergana Valley, you might notice slight variations in the speed and intonation of 'demoq', but the grammatical structure remains the same. It is also used in songs—lyrics often feature lovers saying sweet things to one another or expressing regret with 'dedim'. In sports, commentators use 'gol deymiz!' (we say goal!) when a point is scored. Because it is so versatile, demoq is often the first verb children master after basic nouns. It allows them to participate in the social world by reporting what they want or what others have told them. For a learner, hearing the distinction between 'dedi' (he said) and 'deydi' (he says/will say) is a key milestone in listening comprehension.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make is trying to use demoq exactly like the English 'to say' or 'to tell'. In English, you can 'tell a story' or 'say a prayer', but in Uzbek, these require different verbs like so'zlamoq or o'qimoq.

Confusing Demoq and Aytmoq: New learners often use 'demoq' when they should use 'aytmoq'. Use 'demoq' for the literal words quoted. Use 'aytmoq' for the act of informing or telling a fact.

Wrong: Menga hikoya de. (Tell me a story - Incorrect)
Correct: Menga hikoya aytib ber.

Forgetting 'Deb': When reporting speech with other verbs like 'so'radi' (asked) or 'o'yladi' (thought), learners often forget to include 'deb'. It is the necessary bridge.

Wrong: U kelaman aytdi.
Correct: U kelaman deb aytdi.

Mistake: Buni nima aytadi? (What is this called? - Incorrect)
Correct: Buni nima deydi / deyiladi?

Mistake: Men 'yo'q' gapirdim. (I said 'no' - Incorrect)
Correct: Men 'yo'q' dedim.

Another common issue is conjugation. Because the root is so short ('de'), learners sometimes struggle with the vowel harmony in suffixes. In the present tense, 'deydi' is correct, not 'deadi'. In the past, 'dedim' is correct, not 'deydim' (which would mean 'I was saying' or 'I would say' in certain contexts). Finally, avoid using 'demoq' for long speeches or lectures. If someone is giving a presentation, use 'ma'ruza qildi' or 'so'zladi'. 'Demoq' is for specific utterances. By paying attention to these distinctions, you will avoid the 'foreigner's syntax' and speak more like a local.

While demoq is the go-to verb for saying, Uzbek offers a rich palette of alternatives depending on the context and the 'weight' of the speech.

Aytmoq vs. Demoq: Aytmoq is 'to tell'. It focuses on the communication of information. Demoq is 'to say'. It focuses on the words themselves. If you are giving a command, you 'aytasiz'. If you are quoting that command, you use 'dedi'.

Haqiqatni ayt! (Tell the truth!)

Gapirmoq: This means 'to speak' or 'to talk'. It refers to the physical or social act of speaking. 'U ko'p gapiradi' means 'He talks a lot'. You wouldn't use 'demoq' here.

U o'zbekcha yaxshi gapiradi.

So'zlamoq: A more formal or literary version of 'to speak'. You find this in poetry or high-level oratory. It suggests a more structured or beautiful way of talking.

U tushuntirib berdi. (He explained - lit: saying-gave)

Menga buyruq berdi. (He gave me an order)

U maqtanib qo'ydi. (He boasted/bragged)

Other verbs include bayon qilmoq (to state/describe formally) and izohlamoq (to comment/explain). When you want to say someone yelled, you use baqirmoq. If they whispered, pichirlamoq. However, even with these specific verbs, you will often find 'deb' being used as a linker. For example: ''Ket!' deb baqirdi' (He yelled, 'Go!'). This shows that 'demoq' is the foundation upon which all other verbs of communication are built in Uzbek.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"Ushbu tushuncha fanda 'entropiya' deyiladi."

Neutral

"U ertaga kelaman dedi."

Informal

"Nima deding? Qaytar."

Child friendly

"Kuchukcha 'vov-vov' deydi."

Slang

"U 'paka' dediyu, survordi."

Fun Fact

The root 'de-' is one of the shortest verb roots in Uzbek, consisting of just two letters, yet it carries the most grammatical weight.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /de.mɒq/

US /de.mɑk/

The stress is on the second syllable: de-MOQ.

Rhymes With

yemoq (to eat) kiymoq (to wear) suymoq (to love) to'ymoq (to be full) qiymoq (to cut) quymoq (to pour) tuymoq (to feel) suyamoq (to lean)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'q' as a standard 'k'.
Making the 'e' sound too long like 'ee'.
Failing to drop the 'q' in rapid speech forms like 'deyapman'.
Confusing the vowel harmony in past tense (dedim vs. dadim).
Stressing the first syllable.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 1/5

Very easy to recognize in text.

Writing 2/5

Requires understanding of the 'deb' construction.

Speaking 2/5

Irregular forms in present continuous can be tricky.

Listening 1/5

Distinct sound and very frequent.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

men sen nima ha yo'q

Learn Next

aytmoq gapirmoq deb o'ylamoq bilmoq

Advanced

ta'kidlamoq uqtirmoq shama qilmoq izhor qilmoq e'tirof etmoq

Grammar to Know

Reported Speech with 'deb'

U 'Kelaman' deb aytdi.

Passive with -il

Bu yerda 'to'xtash taqiqlanadi' deyilgan.

Intentional with -moqchi

Men ketmoqchiman dedim.

Adjectival with -gan

Ali degan bola.

Conjunction 'demak'

Quyosh chiqdi, demak tong otdi.

Examples by Level

U 'Salom' dedi.

He said 'Hello'.

Past tense third person singular.

Men 'Rahmat' dedim.

I said 'Thank you'.

Past tense first person singular.

Bu nima degani?

What does this mean?

Interrogative form with 'degani'.

Ular 'Xayr' dedilar.

They said 'Goodbye'.

Past tense third person plural.

Siz nima dedingiz?

What did you say?

Interrogative past tense second person.

Onam 'Kel' dedi.

My mother said 'Come'.

Simple direct quote.

Men 'Yo'q' deyman.

I say 'No'.

Present/Future tense.

U 'Ha' deydi.

He says 'Yes'.

Present tense third person.

U kelaman deb aytdi.

He said that he will come.

Reported speech using 'deb'.

Buni olma deymiz.

We call this an apple.

First person plural present.

Nima demoqchisiz?

What do you mean? (What are you trying to say?)

Intentional suffix -moqchi.

U nima deyapti?

What is he saying?

Present continuous form.

Men buni bilaman dedim.

I said I know this.

Past tense reporting a thought.

Ular 'Biz tayyormiz' dedilar.

They said 'We are ready'.

Plural quote.

Demak, biz ketyapmiz.

So, we are leaving.

Use of 'demak' as a conjunction.

U menga 'To'xta' dedi.

He told me 'Stop'.

Direct command quote.

Yomg'ir yog'adi deb o'yladim.

I thought it would rain.

Using 'deb' with 'o'ylamoq'.

Bu yerda nima deyilgan?

What is said/written here?

Passive past participle.

U sizni yaxshi odam deydi.

He says you are a good person.

Third person present habit.

Men sizga keling degan edim.

I had told you to come.

Pluperfect construction.

U 'Men charchadim' deb shikoyat qildi.

He complained, saying 'I am tired'.

Using 'deb' with a specific verb of action.

Buni o'zbekcha nima deyiladi?

What is this called in Uzbek?

Passive present 'deyiladi'.

U 'Yordam bering' deb baqirdi.

He shouted, 'Help me'.

Using 'deb' with 'baqirmoq'.

Hamma narsa tayyor deb hisoblayman.

I consider everything to be ready.

Using 'deb' with 'hisoblamoq'.

U nima demoqchi ekanini tushunmadim.

I didn't understand what he meant to say.

Indirect question with 'ekanini'.

Alisher degan bola keldi.

A boy named Alisher came.

Using 'degan' as an adjective for naming.

U go'yo hamma narsani bilaman deydi.

He talks as if he knows everything.

Use of 'go'yo' (as if).

Demak, xulosa shuki, biz yutdik.

So, the conclusion is that we won.

Formal use of 'demak'.

U 'Men aybdor emasman' deb turib oldi.

He insisted, saying 'I am not guilty'.

Compound verb 'turib olmoq' (to insist).

Sizni kutmoqdalar deb eshitdim.

I heard that they are waiting for you.

Reporting hearsay.

Nima desangiz ham, men rozi emasman.

Whatever you say, I don't agree.

Conditional 'desangiz'.

U o'zini aqlli deb ko'rsatmoqchi.

He wants to show himself as smart.

Reflexive use with 'deb'.

Uning 'men kelmayman' degani shunchaki bahona.

His saying 'I won't come' is just an excuse.

Substantivized verb phrase.

Shunday deylik, bu reja amalga oshmadi.

Let's say this plan didn't work out.

Hortative mood 'deylik'.

Muallif o'z asarida nima demoqchi?

What is the author trying to say in his work?

Literary analysis context.

U 'mening aybim' deb tan oldi.

He admitted, saying 'it's my fault'.

Using 'deb' with 'tan olmoq'.

Bu gapni kim deganini aniqlash kerak.

It's necessary to determine who said this.

Relative clause with 'deganini'.

U 'yashasin ozodlik' deb hayqirdi.

He cried out, 'long live freedom'.

Formal verb 'hayqirmoq'.

Hamma narsa o'z-o'zidan bo'ldi deysizmi?

Do you say (think) that everything happened by itself?

Rhetorical question.

U 'men tayyorman' deb qat'iy javob berdi.

He answered firmly, saying 'I am ready'.

Adverbial modifier with 'deb'.

Bu tushunchani 'borliq' deb atash mumkin.

This concept can be called 'being'.

Philosophical terminology.

Uning har bir so'zi 'men haqman' degandek jaranglaydi.

Every word of his sounds as if saying 'I am right'.

Simile with 'degandek'.

Tarixchilar bu davrni 'oltin asr' deb hisoblaydilar.

Historians consider this period the 'golden age'.

Academic consensus.

U 'men ketdim' dediyu, ortiga qaytmadi.

He said 'I'm gone' and did not return.

Enclitic '-yu' for sudden action.

Nima deganingizni tushunish uchun chuqur bilim kerak.

Deep knowledge is needed to understand what you said.

Abstract noun usage.

U 'taqdir' deb hamma narsaga ko'ndi.

He accepted everything, saying it was 'fate'.

Cultural fatalism context.

Bu hodisani qanday izohlashni bilmayman, deysiz.

You say that you don't know how to explain this phenomenon.

Complex nested reporting.

U 'ozodman' deb butun dunyoga jar soldi.

He proclaimed to the whole world, 'I am free'.

Idiomatic 'jar solmoq'.

Common Collocations

nima degani

deb o'ylamoq

deb aytmoq

shunday dedi

nima deysiz

deb ataladi

deb hisoblamoq

yo'q demoq

ha demoq

nima demoqchisiz

Common Phrases

Nima dedingiz?

— What did you say? Used for clarification.

Kechirasiz, nima dedingiz?

Shunday deylik.

— Let's say so. Used to agree or set a premise.

Mayli, shunday deylik.

Demak shunaqa.

— So that's how it is. Used when realizing something.

Demak shunaqa, u kelmadi.

Nima deysiz?

— What do you say? / What is your opinion?

Yangi rejaga nima deysiz?

Nima degani bu?

— What does this mean? Used for translation or logic.

Bu harakat nima degani bu?

Dedi-dedi gaplar

— Gossip or rumors (lit: said-said talks).

Dedi-dedi gaplarga ishonma.

Ushbu so'z ... deganidir.

— This word means ... (formal definition).

Vatan degani muqaddasdir.

Nima desangiz ham...

— Whatever you say... (concessive).

Nima desangiz ham, men ketaman.

O'zingiz bilasiz deyman.

— I say you know best (often sarcastic).

Mayli, o'zingiz bilasiz deyman.

Hech narsa demadi.

— He/she didn't say anything.

U savolimga hech narsa demadi.

Often Confused With

demoq vs aytmoq

Aytmoq is to tell/inform; demoq is to say/quote.

demoq vs gapirmoq

Gapirmoq is the act of talking; demoq is the content of speech.

demoq vs demak

Demak is a conjunction (so/therefore), though derived from demoq.

Idioms & Expressions

"Og'zi bor deydi-da"

— People will say anything (just because they have a mouth).

E'tibor berma, og'zi bor deydi-da.

informal

"Nima desang de"

— Say whatever you want (I don't care).

Nima desang de, baribir qilaman.

informal

"Dedi-dediga qolmoq"

— To become the subject of gossip.

Bechora qiz dedi-dediga qoldi.

neutral

"Gapning qisqasi deganda"

— To put it briefly / In short.

Gapning qisqasi deganda, ish bitdi.

neutral

"Siz nima desangiz shu"

— Whatever you say goes (total agreement).

Siz kattasiz, siz nima desangiz shu.

respectful

"O'zim deyman, o'zim eshitaman"

— I'm talking to myself (no one is listening).

Bu uyda o'zim deyman, o'zim eshitaman.

informal

"Demasa ham bo'ladi"

— It goes without saying.

U aqlli, buni demasa ham bo'ladi.

neutral

"Nima degan gap bu?"

— What kind of talk is this? (Expressing shock/outrage).

Nima degan gap bu? Qanaqasiga?

informal

"Yaxshi niyat - yarim mol deydilar"

— They say a good intention is half the wealth.

Xafa bo'lma, yaxshi niyat - yarim mol deydilar.

proverbial

"Keling degan - kanda qilmas"

— One who is invited should not refuse.

To'yga boring, keling degan kanda qilmas.

proverbial

Easily Confused

demoq vs aytmoq

Both mean 'to say' in English.

Aytmoq focuses on the transmission of info to a listener. Demoq focuses on the utterance itself.

U siringni aytdi (He told your secret). U 'yo'q' dedi (He said 'no').

demoq vs gapirmoq

Both involve vocalizing.

Gapirmoq is the general activity. Demoq is specific words.

U o'zbekcha gapiradi (He speaks Uzbek). U 'salom' dedi (He said 'hello').

demoq vs so'zlamoq

Synonyms for speaking.

So'zlamoq is formal and narrative. Demoq is everyday and quotative.

Shoir so'zladi (The poet spoke). Bola 'suv' dedi (The boy said 'water').

demoq vs buyurmoq

Both involve speech.

Buyurmoq is specifically to order/command.

Podshoh buyurdi (The king ordered). U 'kel' dedi (He said 'come').

demoq vs so'ramoq

Asking involves saying.

So'ramoq is to ask a question. Demoq is the act of saying the words.

U 'qachon?' deb so'radi (He asked 'when?').

Sentence Patterns

[Subject] [Quote] dedi.

U 'Salom' dedi.

[Quote] deb aytdi.

Kelaman deb aytdi.

[Quote] deb o'ylayman.

Yaxshi deb o'ylayman.

[Name] degan [Noun].

Toshkent degan shahar.

[Phrase] degani [Meaning] degani.

Vatan degani uy degani.

Nima desangiz ham, [Result].

Nima desangiz ham, men roziman.

Bu [Language]da nima deyiladi?

Bu inglizchada nima deyiladi?

Nima demoqchisiz?

Siz nima demoqchisiz?

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high; top 5 most used verbs in Uzbek.

Common Mistakes

U kelaman aytdi. → U kelaman deb aytdi.
You need 'deb' to link the quote 'kelaman' to the verb 'aytdi'.
Buni nima aytadi? → Buni nima deydi?
For naming objects, 'demoq' is used, not 'aytmoq'.
Men unga 'salom' aytdim. → Men unga 'salom' dedim.
Direct greetings are usually paired with 'demoq'.
U ko'p deydi. → U ko'p gapiradi.
If you mean someone talks a lot, use 'gapirmoq'. 'Demoq' requires specific words.
U nima deadi? → U nima deydi?
Incorrect vowel harmony in the present tense suffix.

Tips

The Power of Deb

Always remember that 'deb' is the glue of Uzbek sentences. If you want to quote someone and then add another verb like 'shout' or 'ask', you MUST use 'deb'.

Naming Things

To learn Uzbek faster, point at things and ask 'Buni nima deydi?'. This is the most natural way to acquire new nouns.

The Soft E

The 'e' in 'de-' is soft like in the English word 'bed'. Don't make it too long or it might sound like a different word.

Respectful Dedi

When talking about elders or teachers, use 'dedilar' instead of 'dedi'. It shows you understand Uzbek social etiquette.

Intentionality

Use 'demoqchiman' when you want to clarify your point. It's a great way to restart a sentence if you get confused.

Detecting Quotes

When listening to a story, listen for the '... dedi' at the end of sentences. This tells you who is speaking.

Defining Terms

In essays, use '... deyilganda, ... tushuniladi' (When ... is said, ... is understood) to provide professional definitions.

Aytmoq vs Demoq

Never say 'Menga hikoya de'. Always say 'Menga hikoya ayt'. 'Demoq' is for short quotes, not long stories.

De-Declare

Associate 'De-' with 'Declare'. When you 'demoq', you 'declare' your words.

Passive Voice

Mastering 'deyiladi' will make you sound much more academic and fluent in formal discussions.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Demoq' as a 'Demonstration' of words. When you say something, you demonstrate your thoughts.

Visual Association

Imagine a speech bubble coming out of a mouth with the letters 'D-E' inside it.

Word Web

aytmoq deb dedi deydi demak degan nima gap

Challenge

Try to use 'dedi' (he said) five times in a short story about your day.

Word Origin

Derived from the Old Turkic root 'te-' or 'ti-', meaning to say or speak.

Original meaning: To utter sounds or communicate words.

Turkic (Karluk branch).

Cultural Context

Be careful when quoting elders; use the respectful 'dedilar' instead of the simple 'dedi'.

English speakers often overuse 'say' where Uzbeks would use 'tell' (aytmoq).

Alisher Navoi's poetry The novel 'O'tkan Kunlar' Uzbek folk tales (Latifalar)

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At the market

Qancha dedingiz?
Arzonroq deysizmi?
Buni nima deydi?
Sotuvchi 'yo'q' dedi.

In the classroom

Bu nima degani?
O'qituvchi nima dedi?
Buni qaytaring deyman.
Lug'atda nima deyilgan?

Telling a story

U shunday dedi...
Keyin men aytdim...
Hamma 'voy' dedi.
U ketyapman deb chiqdi.

At home

Onam 'ovqat tayyor' dedilar.
Nima demoqchisan?
Hech narsa demadim.
Dadang nima deydi?

On the phone

Eshitmadim, nima dedingiz?
U 'alo' dedi.
Kim dedi buni?
Yana bir marta deng.

Conversation Starters

"Siz bu so'z nima degani ekanini bilasizmi?"

"Do'stingiz sizga nima dedi?"

"O'zbekistonda mehmondo'stlik haqida nima deydilar?"

"Sizga kimdir 'rahmat' desa, nima deysiz?"

"Bu kitobda muallif nima demoqchi?"

Journal Prompts

Bugun kim sizga eng qiziqarli gapni dedi? Nima uchun?

O'zingizga tez-tez 'hammasi yaxshi bo'ladi' deb turasizmi?

Agar dunyo sizni eshitsa, nima degan bo'lar edingiz?

O'zbek tili o'rganish qiyin deb o'ylaysizmi? Nega?

Sizning ismingiz nima degani?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

The main difference is that 'demoq' is used for direct quotes and naming things, while 'aytmoq' is used for telling someone something or providing information. For example, you 'aytmoq' a story, but you 'demoq' the word 'hello'.

The present tense is somewhat irregular: deyman (I say), deysan (you say), deydi (he/she says), deymiz (we say), deysiz (you say), deydilar (they say). In the continuous form, it becomes 'deyapman'.

'Deb' is the gerund form of 'demoq'. It is used as a linker in reported speech. It roughly translates to 'saying that...' or just 'that'. Example: 'Kelaman deb aytdi' (He said [saying] he will come).

Yes! The phrase 'nima degani' literally means 'what is said' but is used to ask 'what does it mean?'. Also, 'demoqchi' means 'intending to say' or 'meaning to say'.

It is neutral and used in all levels of speech. However, in formal writing, you often see the passive form 'deyiladi' (it is said/called).

Uzbek has a few very ancient, short verb roots like 'de-' (to say), 'ye-' (to eat), and 'be-' (to give). They are essential and often irregular because they have been used for thousands of years.

You say 'U menga ... dedi'. Unlike English 'tell', you don't need a different verb for 'say to someone'.

'Demak' is a conjunction meaning 'so', 'therefore', or 'it means'. It comes from 'demoq' but functions as a logical connector.

Use 'deyiladi' or 'deb ataladi'. For example: 'Bu o'zbekcha 'non' deyiladi' (This is called 'non' in Uzbek).

Yes, if you use 'deb' with 'o'ylamoq'. For example: 'Yaxshi bo'ladi deb o'ylayman' (I think [saying] it will be good).