Lak phrasebook Voyage Tips and guide

Contents

The Lak language(lakku maz) is spoken in Dagestan, North Caucasus, Russia. It is the language of the Lak people. It is an endangered language that has about 100,000 native speakers^[1] and is in danger of dying out. It belongs to the Nakh-Dagestan language family, which is isolated, with no relatives beyond the North Eastern Caucasus. The Lak language was written using the Arabic alphabet until 1928. From 1928 to 1938, it was written using the Latin alphabet. Since 1938, it has been written using the Cyrillic alphabet. It is one of the indigenous written mountain languages of Dagestan.

Map of where Dagestan is today

Hello (in the morning).

Израв - to men (IZ-rov)

Дизрав - to women (DIZ-rov)

Бизрав - to girls (BIZ-rov)

Бизрув - to multiple people (BIZ-roov)

Hello. (other times of the day)

салам алейкум (sa-LAM a-LEI-koom)

Hello. (in response to the previous)

ва алейкум ассалам (va a-LEI-koom a-sa-LAM )

How are you?

Цукун урав? - to men (tsoo-KOON oo-RAV)

Цукун дурав? - to women (tsoo-KOON doo-RAV)

Цукун бурав? - to girls (tsoo-KOON boo-RAV)

Цукун бурув? - to multiple people (tsoo-KOON boo-ROOV)

What is your name?

Вил цIа цири? (VIL TSA tsi-RI)

My name is ______ .

Ттул цIa __. (too-ll ts ahh)

Nice to meet you.

КIулширия Ххарира (khool-shi-ri-ah khwa-ri-ra)

Please.

Миннатри (min-na-tri)

Thank you.

Барчаллагь (bar-cha-lagkhh)

You're welcome.

За бакъар (ZA bak-gkarr)

Yes.

Да (DA)

No.

Акъар - to men (ak-GKAR)

Дакъар - to women (dak-GKAR)

Бакъар - to girls (bak-GKAR)

I'm sorry.

Багьишла ити - to men (ba-GHI-shla ih-TI)

Багьишла дити - to women (ba-GHI-shla dih-TI)

Багьишла бити - to girls (ba-GHI-shla bih-TI)

Goodbye

Цалсса (TSAL-ssa)

See you later

Хьуна бакьиннин (KHOO-na bakh-IN-nin)

left

Хъюччайнмай (gkhuh-CHA-in-maai)

right

УрчIайнмай (oor-CHA-in-maai)

Help!

Кумаг барa (KOO-mag BAA-ra)

Look out!

Мугъаятну (moo-GHA-yeth-noo)

Good

Ххуйну (khooi-NOO)

Bad

Оьккину (ou-ki-noo)

Good night.

Хьхьу хъинну (KHOO gki-NOO)

I don't understand.

Ттун къабучIлай бур (DTOON ga-BOO-ch-lai BOOR)

Where is the toilet?

Туалет чу бури (tua-LYEHT CHOO boo-RI)

Leave me alone.

На паракьатну итира/битира/дитира. [to men/to women/to girls] (NA pa-RAkhh-tnoo ee-TEE-ra / bee-TEE-ra / dee-TEEra)

Don't touch me!

ттуйн ка мащару. (TOO-in ka ma-SHAA-roo)

I'll call the police.

на полициялийн оьв чинна. (NA po-li-tsi-ya-LIN eurv chin-NA)

Police!

Полиция! (po-LI-tsi-ya)

Stop! Thief!

ацIу! цуркуй! (ATTS-oo! tsoor-KOOIY)

I need your help.

Ттун кумаг аьркинни. (dtoon KOO-mag arkh-IN-eh)

It's an emergency.

Ва анаварну аьркинссар. (VA ah-na-VAR-noo ar-KIN-sarr)

I'm lost.

на аьйкьура/бяйкьура/дяйкьура. [to men/to women/to girls] (NA aik-OO-ra / baik-OO-ra / daik-OO-ra)

I lost my bag.

Ттул сумка бакъа хьунни. (dtool SOOM-ka BAK-ka KHOO-ni)

I lost my wallet.

Ттул кошелек бакъа хьунни. (dtool ka-sheh-LYOK BAK-ka KHOO-ni)

I'm sick.

На къашабай ура. (NA ka-sha-BAI OO-ra)

I've been injured.

Ттуйн щабу динни. (DTOOIN SCHA-boo DINN-nee)

I need a doctor.

Ттун доктор аьркинни. (DTOON DOHK-tohr ar-KINN-nee)

Can I use your phone?

Вил телефонналиба оьв чин бучIирив? (VILL teh-leh-FOHN-na-lee-ba EUV CHIN boo-chi-RIV)

1

Ца (TSA)

2

кIий (KHEE)

3

шан (SHEN)

4

мукь (MOOKH)

5

ххюв (KHHOOE)

6

рях (RAEKH)

7

арул (AER-ool)

8

мяй (MAE-ee)

9

урчl (OORCH)

10

ацI (AETS)

11

ацIния ца (aets-NI-ya TSA)

12

ацIния кIий (aets-NI-ya KHEE)

13

ацIния шан (aets-NI-ya SHEN)

14

ацIния мукь (aets-NI-ya MOOKH)

15

ацIния ххюв (aets-NI-ya KHHOOE)

16

ацIния рях (aets-NI-ya RAEKH)

17

ацIния арул (aets-NI-ya AER-ool)

18

ацIния мяй (aets-NI-ya MAE-ee)

19

ацIния урчI (aets-NI-ya OORCH)

20

кьу (KHOO)

21

кьуния ца (khoo-NI-ya TSA)

22

кьуния кIий (khoo-NI-ya KHEE)

23

кьуния шан (khoo-NI-ya SHEN)

30

зуби (ZOO-bi)

31

зубилли ца (zoo-bee-LEE TSA)

40

мукьчIал (MOOKH-chel)

41

мукьчIалли ца (mookh-chel-LEE TSA)

50

ххюцIал (KHOE-tsaell)

51

ххюцIалли ца (khow-tsaell-LEE TSA)

60

ряхцIал (RAEKH-tsaell)

61

ряхцIалли ца (raekh-tsaell-LEE TSA)

70

арулцIал (AER-ool-tsaell)

80

мяйцIал (MAE-ee-tsaell)

90

урчIал (OORCH-aell)

100

ттурш (TOORSH)

101

ттуршли ца (toorsh-LEE tsa)

200

кIиттурш (kheet-TOORSH)

300

шанттурш (shen-TOORSH)

400

мукьттурш (mookh-TOORSH)

1000

азар (AH-zar)

1001

азарлий ца (ah-zar-LEE TSA)

half

дачIи (ххячча) (da-TCHI [GKHAE-cha])

less

чIибиму (tchee-bee-MOO)

more

хъунму (kho-noo-MOO)

now

цIана (TSEH-na)

later

махъ (MAUKH)

before

хьхьичI (KHXEECH)

morning

кIюрх (GKYOORX)

afternoon

ахттая махъ (AKH-taa-ya MAUKH)

evening

гьанттайнмай (GHHAN-tai-yin-mai

night

хьхьу (GKHOO)

one o'clock AM

хьхьунил ссят (GKHOO-neel SIAT)

two o'clock AM

хьхьунил кIира ссят (GKHOO-neel KGHEE-ra SIAT)

noon

ахттайн чIун (AKH-tay-in TCHOON)

one o'clock PM

кьинилул ссят (kghee-nee-LOOL SIAT)

two o'clock PM

кьинилул кIира ссят (kghee-nee-LOOL KGHEE-ra SIAT)

midnight

хьхьудяризу (khoo-DAE-ree-zoo)

_____ minute(s)

минута(минутIру) (mee-NOO-ta [mee-NOO-troo])

_____ hour(s)

ссят (ссятру) (SIAT [SAIT-troo])

_____ day(s)

кьини(кьинирду) (KHEE-nee [KHEE-neer-doo])

_____ week(s)

нюжмар (нюжмарду) (nyoozh-MAR [nyoozh-MAR-doo])

_____ month(s)

барз (барзру) (BARZ [BARZ-roo])

_____ year(s)

шин (шинну) (SHEEN [SHEEN-noo])

today

хIакьину (khgakh-EE-noo)

yesterday

лахьхьу (laekhgh-KHOO)

tomorrow

гьун тий (GOON TEEY)

this week

ва нюжмардий (VA nyoozh-MAER-diiy)

last week

лавгумур нюжмардий (lav-GOO-moor nyoozh-MAER-diiy)

next week

хъиримур нюжмардий (khee-REE-moor nyoozh-MAER-diiy)

Sunday

ххуллун (kkhoo-LOON)

Monday

иттни (EET-nee)

Tuesday

тталат (dtaa-LATT)

Wednesday

аьрвяхI (aer-VYAHGH)

Thursday

ххамисс (KHAA-miss)

Friday

нюжмар (nyoozh-MAER)

Saturday

аьлхIат (ael-KHAET)

The months in Lak are said the same way as months are said in Russian.

black

люхIисса (lyoo-HEE-sa)

white

кIяласса (gk-a-LAA-sa)

gray

оьрусса (oe-ROO-sa)

red

ятIулсса (ya-TTOOL-sa)

blue

някIсса (NYAGK-sa)

yellow

хъахъисса (khka-KHKEE-sa)

green

щюллисса (schyoo-LEE-sa)

orange

наранжийсса (na-ran-ZHEE-sa)

purple

банавшасса (ba-NAV-sha-sa)

brown

михакIсса (mee-XAGKH-sa)

How do I get to _____ ?

Цукун гьабав? (TSOO-koon gha-BAV)

house

Къатлубун (gkat-LOO-boon)

bathroom

Туалетрайн (too-a-LET-ra-een)

shop

Тучанналийн (too-CHA-na-lee-in)

Can you show me on the map?

Карталий ккаккан баннав? (kar-ta-LEE ka-KAN ba-NAV)

street

КIичIира (gkh-ee-CHEE-ra)

Turn

КIура аю (to men)(GKOO-ra a-YOO) КIура баю (to women)(GKOO-ra ba-YOO) КIура даю (to girls)(GKOO-ra da-YOO)

left

Куяйнай (koo-YAI-naiy)

right

УрчIайнай (oorch-AIY-naiy)

straight ahead

ТIайлану (TAIY-la-noo)

towards the _____

____ танил чулинмай (__ ta-NEEL choo-LEEN-maiy)

past the _____

ЧIарах (tcha-RAHH)

before the _____

Махъ (MAGKH)

north

Ух ссав (OOH SAVV)

south

Кьибла (KEEB-la)

east

Баргъ буккай чул (BARGKH boo-KAI CHOOL)

west

Баргъ лагай чул (BARGKH la-KAI CHOOL)

uphill

Ялун лахъан (YA-loon LAH-han)

downhill

Лув учIан (LOOV oo-CHAEN)

Note: Russian rubles are used in Dagestan.

How much?

Багьа цирив? (BA-gha tsi-REEV)

cheap

Кьювкьюну (khoev-KHOE-noo)

expensive

Ххирану (KHEE-ra-noo)

I'm a vegetarian.

На дикI къадукара (NA DIGK gka-doo-KA-ra)

I don't eat ___

На къадукара/къадукайссар (na gka-doo-KA-ra/ na gka-doo-dka-EE-sar)

pork

Дунгъузрал дикI (doon-GOOS-ral DIGK)

beef

Жакьлул дикI (zhakh-LOOL DIGK)

I only eat kosher food.

На хIалалсса дакъа дукра къадукара (NA kha-LAL-sa DAK-ga DOOK-ra kad-oo-KAR-a)

breakfast

КIюрххилсса (kyoor-HEEL-sa)

lunch

Ахттайнсса (ah-ta-YIN-sa)

supper

Гьанттайнсса (gan-tai-YIN-sa)

I want _____.

Ттун ___ ччай дур. (TOON ___ CHAI DOOR)

I want chicken.

Ттун аьнакIи ччай бур (TOON an-na-KEE CHAI DOOR)

I want meat.

Ттун дикI ччай дур (TOON DIGK CHAI DOOR)

I want fish.

Ттун хIава ччай бур (TOON GKHA-va CHAI DOOR)

ham

Ветчина (bet-chin-NA)

sausage

Сосискарду (soh-sis-kar-DOO)

cheese

Нис (NEES)

eggs

Ккунукру (koon-noo-KROO)

salad

Салат (sa-LAT)

vegetables

Ахънилсса (agk-NEEL-sa)

fruit

Ахъулсса (agk-KOOL-sa)

bread

ЧчатI (chatt)

noodles

Лапша (lap-SHA)

rice

Ппиринж (pee-REENZH)

beans

Хъюру (heu-ROO)

bottle of water

Щинал шюша (SCHI-nal SHYOO-sha0

tea (drink)

Чяйрал чашка (chae-RAL CHASH-ka)

salt

цIу (ch-OO)

black pepper

Перец (pey-RETS)

butter

Нагь (NAGHH)

I'm finished.

На дукав (NA DOO-kav

It was delicious.

НяхIусса дия (na-HOO-sa di-YA)

Can I have a bag?

Сумка бучIирив? (SOOM-ka boo-chi-REEV)

I need...

Ттун аьркинни (TOON ar-ki-NEE)

...toothpaste.

Ккарччал паста (kar-CHAL PAS-ta)

...a toothbrush.

Ккарччал щётка (kar-CHAL SCHYOT-ka)

...soap.

СсяхIбан (SAEH-ban)

...shampoo.

Шампунь (sham-POON-yh)

...pain reliever. (e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen)

ЦIуцIаву паракьат дайсса (TSOO-tsa-voo pa-RA-kat DAI-ee-sa)

...cold medicine.

Дякъил цIуцIаврия (DYA-kil TSOO-tsa-vree-ya)

medicine

Дарув (da-ROOV)

...a razor.

Бритва (BREET-va)

...an umbrella.

Ххют/зонт (KHOET/ZONT)

...writing paper.

Чагъар (CHA-ghar)

...a pen.

Ручка (ROOCH-ka)

The Lak Language - Лакку маз. A Quick Reference

The Oxford Handbook of Languages of the Caucasus^{[dead link]}

Peoples and Languages of the Caucasus. A Synopsis.^{[dead link]}

Introduction to the Study of the Languages of the Caucasus^{[dead link]}

Endangered Languages of the Caucasus and Beyond^{[dead link]}

The Semantics of Verbal Categories in Nakh-Daghestanian Languages^{[dead link]}

When Languages Die: The Extinction of the World's Languages and the Erosion of Human Knowledge (Oxford Studies in Sociolinguistics)^{[dead link]}

Vulnerable Languages Project