Language for Uzbekistan


What language do they speak in Uzbekistan?

There are two main answers: Uzbek and of course, Russian, and it can be hard to know when to use each one. As a general rule everyone does speak Russian, but most people do appreciate the effort if you’re able to throw in some Uzbek, even just as a gesture. This is a common theme throughout Central Asia, though it has manifested slightly differently in each country.

The first official language of Uzbekistan is Uzbek, which is officially and usually written using a modified Latin alphabet, though there are still some remnants of the modified Cyrillic script that was in use until 1992. However, unlike in Turkmenistan, there are still a lot of people that are just more comfortable with Cyrillic and still choose to use that. Although Uzbek is officially written in Latin, and for the most-part it is, there are plenty of signs, menus, publications and much more that are still written in the Cyrillic alphabet.

Uzbek is a Turkic language, very similar to Turkmen, and with a lot of cross-over with Kyrgyz and Kazakh as well. This is the language that is encouraged by the government and society in general, and to try and use a few basic words or phrases of Uzbek is a nod to their heritage and separate identity to that of their recent Soviet past.

Here are a few basic words that will get for sure get you a few smiles and might even come in handy:

Hello Salom
Shop Dokon
Road/street Kocha
Restaurant Restoran
Toilet Hojaxona
Beer Pivo (taken from the Russian)


Numbers

One Bitta
Two Ikki
Three Uch
Four Tort
Five Besh
Six Olti
Seven Etti
Eight Sakkiz
Nine Toqqiz
Ten On


What is the English level in Uzbekistan?

You’ll actually probably be surprised at the level of English spoke, considering how few of the locals will have been to an English speaking country before. Especially in Tashkent and the other main cities, you’ll find plenty of people that speak at least a little bit of English. This is certainly not to say that it’s everyone, but in most situations you’ll be able to get by using English.





Example Tours

5 Stans Summer Tour
This is the tour for anyone who wants to get a great snapshot of what Central Asia has to offer. Can be done all in one whack, or in smaller sections, whatever you like!

June 19, 2025
18 days
US$2680.00
5 Stans Summer Tour
Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan Comprehensive Carpet Day Tour
From the ever-so Turkmen Carpet Day festivities, to the flaming Gates of Hell, the desolation of the Aral Sea, to the beauty of the Registan, this tour is for those who really want to delve into these two countries.

May 20, 2024
17 days
US$2795.00
Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan Comprehensive Carpet Day Tour
Completed
Uzbekistan Comprehensive Tour
There's more to Uzbekistan than the Registan, and we're going to show you all of it.

May 27, 2024
10 days
US$1395.00
Uzbekistan Comprehensive Tour
Completed
5 Stans Summer Tour
Designed to be done in either one big tour, or in smaller sections, this tour is for anyone who wants to experience all the variety that Central Asia has to offer.

June 19, 2024
18 days
US$2680.00
5 Stans Summer Tour
Completed
4 Stans Autumn Tour
Lakes, canyons and gorges, cosmpolitan and ancient cities, Soviet relics, odd architecture, yurts and way more. This tour of Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan covers a huge variety of what Central Asia has to offer.

Sept. 7, 2024
19 days
US$2830.00
4 Stans Autumn Tour
Completed
5 Stans Autumn Whirlwind Tour
A great snapshot into 5 amazing countries.

Sept. 7, 2024
23 days
US$3825.00
5 Stans Autumn Whirlwind Tour
Completed
5 Stans Autumn Original Tour
Taking the scenic route from Astana to Ashgabat, this tour covers everything that makes Central Asia so special, including the World Nomad Games and Turkmenistan Independence Day.

Sept. 7, 2024
27 days
US$4325.00
5 Stans Autumn Original Tour
Completed
5 Stans Autumn Mega Tour
Bishkek to Bukhara, Astana to Ashgabat, and everything in between. This epic tour will take you right across Central Asia through canyons and gorges, cosmopolitan cities, across land borders, and even to a fiery crater.

Sept. 7, 2024
32 days
US$4945.00
5 Stans Autumn Mega Tour
Completed

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