#tt_beginner
Before / after

For today’s lesson I’ve tried to compile all the ways of saying before and after, first and then in Tatar. Let me know if there are other ways of expressing these in the comments 👇🏼

⏮️ To say first in Tatar, the most common word used is başta. Other, more formal, ways of saying that are iñ elek or iñ əwwəl.

Xəlim anı başta poçmaqqa xətle, annarı məçetkə qədər, şunnan soñ hiçber sıltawsız öylərenə tikle ozattı. (İbrahim Ğəzi, “Onıtılmas yıllar”)
Xəlim accompanied her first to the corner, then to the mosque, and after that, without any pretext, up to their house.

⏪️ -ğa qədər / çaqlı / xətle / tikle – before, until (prep.)

Torataw tübəsendə cəy urtasına qədər qar erep betməgən yıllar yış qına bula. (Mirsəy Əmir, “Bez bələkəy çaqlarda”)
Years in which the snow on top of Torataw (mountain) does not melt completely before the middle of summer occur rather frequent.

⏪️ aldınnan – before (prep.)

Tañ aldınnan yoqlap kitte, tik yoqısı tınıç bulmadı. (Barlas Kamalov, “Ömeteñ özelməsen”)
He fell asleep before dawn, but his sleep was not quiet.

Kiçləren, yoqlarğa yatar aldınnan, qayçağında basqıçqa çığıp utırabız, kitap uqıybız. (Nurixan Fəttax, “Mödir Səcidə”)
In the evenings, before going to bed, we sometimes go outside and sit on the staircase (and) read a book.

⏪️ -ğançı / -gənçe / -qançı / -kənçe – before / until + verb
The main meaning of this form is to determine the boundary of the action expressed by the second verb in terms of time.

Küzlərem talğançı kürsəm, miña bit şul da citə. (Xəsən Tufan, “Qayınnar sarı ide”)
If I see you until my eyes are tired, that is enough for me.

⏪️ -dan / -dən / -tan / -tən / -nan / -nən elek – before (prep.)

Kerüweñnən elek çığuwıñnı uyla. (Proverb.)
Before you enter, think of your way out.

⏪️ elek – before, in the past (adv.)

Elek aniñ tömsə yöze oşamıy ide bit, ... xəzer menə sağınam üzen. (Marsel Ğaliev, “Nigez”)
Before, I didn't like his somber face ... but now I miss him.

Elek is also used as ... ago:
öç kön elek – three days ago

⏭️ Mentioned in the very first example, şunnan (soñ), annan (soñ) or just annarı is a very common way to say after that. Berazdan (soñ) means after a little while. More literary soñınnan is also used to express after that.

⏩️ -dan / -dən / -tan / -tən / -nan / -nən soñ – after (prep.)

Aşap-eçkənnən soñ bar da tamaşa zalına kitte. (Batulla, “Alıp batır macaraları”)
After eating and drinking, everyone went into the auditorium.

Same construction is also used as ... later:
öç atnadan (soñ) – three weeks later

⏩️ -ğaç / -gəç / -qaç / -kəç
The main meaning of this form is to express an action that has just been completed before the process expressed by the main verb.

Su alğançı, yulğa ber qarıysıñ, çiləkləreñ tulğaç, tağın ber. (Sibğat Xəkim, “Ənkəy”)
Before you get water, take a look at the road. After your buckets are full, do it once again.

💬 You’re welcome to try using these constructions to create sentences in the comment section!

#tt_intermediate
Cooking and baking

Let’s go to the kitchen today and learn some useful vocabulary for cooking and baking.

peşerü – to cook
qızdıru – to fry
qaynatu – to boil
kisü – to cut (in half, a slice, etc.)
kisep alu – to cut sth for oneself, to cut and take
kisep birü – to cut sth for sb, to cut and give
turaw – to chop, to cut (into small pieces)
qıru – to grate
qırğıç – grater
sözü – to filter/sift (a liquid)
sözgeç – filter/sieve
iləw – to sift (e.g. flour)
ilək – sieve
çistartu – to clean
ərçü – to peel
töyü – to pound
tozlaw – to salt
borıçlaw – to pepper
maylaw – to butter/oil (e.g. a baking form)
yuwu – to wash
sawıt-saba yuwu maşınası – dishwasher
plitə – stove
miç – oven

Let's see how these verbs are used in context, taking an öçpoçmaq recipe as an example.
I changed the recipe slightly as I'm used to making the öçpoçmaq dough without yeast, and this recipe is not only full of great vocabulary but also makes amazing dough for 12 öçpoçmaq!

Öçpoçmaq peşerü öçen kirəkle əyberlər:

Qamır öçen:
500 g. on
200 ml. söt
4 aş qaşığı qaymaq
2 yomırqa
4 aş qaşığı aq may
2 bal qaşığı toz
2 bal qaşığı şikər qomı
2 bal qaşığı qamır köpşəklәgeç (baking powder)

Eçlege öçen:
400 g. tawıq ite (tawıq itennən tış başqa törle it alırğa mömkin, barı duñğız ite genə bulmasın)
450 g. bərəñge
1 baş suğan (100-120 g.)
50 ml. tawıq şulpası
4 aş qaşığı sıyıq may
toz
borıç

1. Qamır əzerləw:
Camayaqqa cılımsa söt salıp, aq may östəgez, qaymaq quşıp cibəregez, şikər qomı, toz salığız həm on iləgez, barısın bergə quşıp bolğatığız da qamır basa başlağız. Qamırnıñ östen qaplağız da cılı urınğa quyığız.

camayaq – bowl
östəw – to add
quşu – to mix (together), add
bolğatu – to mix sth, stir
qamır basu – to knead dough

2. Eçlek əzerləw:
Suğan həm bərəñge ərçegez, alarnı həm itne waq kisəklərgə şaqmaqlap turağız. Tabağa dürt aş qaşığı sıyıq may, 50 millilitr tawıq şulpası salığız, şunda eçlekne bergə quşığız, kirəgençə toz belən borıç sibegez həm barısın bergə bolğatığız. Plitəne urtaça qızulıqqa quyığız da, 20-25 minut totığız, peşep betkənçe tormasın. Şunnan camayaqqa buşatığız həm suwınırğa quyığız.

sibü – to sprinkle
suwınu – to cool down

3. Qamırığıznı on sipkən quna taqtasına alıp quyığız da, ozınça təgərətegez, annan 70-75 gramm külәmendә keçkenə qabartmalar kisegez həm beraz qabarıp kitkənnəren kötegez.

quna taqtası – cutting board
təgərətü – to roll

4. Qabartma kisəklərennən diametrı 15-16 santimetrlı cəymələr təgərətep yasağız. Cəymələr urtasına 80-82 gramm awırlığında aldan eşləngən eçlekne salıp çığığız.

cəymə – rolled out dough

5. Eçlek salğan cəyməne öç yağınnan totıp, bergə kiterep quşığız da qırıyların bökləp çığığız, urtasında keçkenə tişek qalsın. Öçpoçmaqlı waq bəleşlər kilep çığarğa tiyeş.

bökləw – to fold

6. Tabanı sıyıq may belən maylağız da, şuña öçpoçmaqlarnı tezep çığığız. İke yomırqa sarısın bolğatıp, şunı öçpoçmaq öslərenə sörtep çığığız. Öçpoçmaqlı tabanı 150 gradusqa qədər qızdırılğan miçkə quyığız da, 30-35 minut totığız.

7. Tabanı miçtən alığız həm 5-10 minut suwınğanın kötegez. Öçpoçmaqlarnı təlinkələrgə tezep çığığız. Təmle bulsın!

#tt_advanced
Çəy yolaları

☕️ Törle yolalarğa bəyle çəy eçülər küp tatarda:

👧🏻 Kilen çəye

Tuynıñ ikençe könendə xucabikə bulası kilenne çəy arqılı sınıylar. Məsələn, mişərlərdə ul yola “zapun bəyləw” dip atala. "Zapun” alyapqıç digənne añlata. Ul könne kilen qaynanağa “əni” dip dәşergә öyrənə. “Alyapqıçnı kem bəyləde?” — digən sorawğa kilen: “Əni bəyləde,” — dip cawap qaytara. Ul üze əzerləgən qoymaq belən kürşe-tirədəge əbilərne çəy eçertə. Hər əbi kilenneñ ni dərəcədə xucabikə buluwın, itağətlelegen, çəyne döres yasawın, çəyne döres təqdim itüwen, qıstıy belüwen küzətep tora.

yola – rite, ritual
sınaw – to test
alyapqıç – apron
itağətlelek – humility, obedience
qıstaw – to persuade


👶🏻 Bəbi çəye

Bəbi tuğannan soñ, ğailəne qotlap, kürşe-külən, tuğannar bəbi çəyenə kilələr. Bəbigə həm çəy tabınına küçtənəçlər alıp kilələr. Mul tabın əzerlənə. Bezdə çəy tabınına küçtənəç alıp kilü yortqa bərəkət həm iminlek teləwne añlata. Şul uq waqıtta əzrək kenə bulsa da, tatarğa xas masayıp quyu da çağıla.

mul – abundant, rich
iminlek – prosperity
masayıp quyu – to brag, to take pride in sth.
çağılu – to reflect


💁🏻‍♀️ Awlaq çəy

Awlaq çəy digəndə xatın-qızlarnıñ üzara cıyılıp çəy eçüwe küz aldında totıla. Xucabikəneñ ire berər eş buyınça çığıp kitkən waqıtta, ul üzeneñ dus xatınnarın çəygə cıyğan.

awlaq – xucasız


❓Sezneñ bu yolalar turında işetkənegez barmı? Alar turında ni uylıysız? Tağın çəygə bəyle yolalar beləsezme?
________________
https://intertat.tatar/news/echs-ch-y-anda-y-ni-chen-tatarda-ch-y-populyar-5736786

Painting by F. Ziyazov, 1975

#tt_culture
The Tatar tea culture

The history of Tatar tea is deeply rooted in the cultural fabric of Tatarstan, where it has become a traditional and familiar beverage. The study of Tatar tea history has been ongoing, with ethnographer Ruslan Bushkov being a key specialist in traditional beverages in Tatarstan.

Kazan played a crucial role in introducing tea to Russia and Europe, acting as the gateway for this beloved beverage. The Great Silk Road is often discussed by scholars, but it turns out there was also a Great Tea Road. This route, established in the 17th-18th centuries, passed through Kazan. Tatars were among the first in Russia to become acquainted with this drink, often brought by Tatar merchants from East Turkestan and Bukhara, where it came from China and India. Tatar families held a special reverence for tea, and the quality of tea symbolized the hospitality of the hostess.

In Tatarstan, tea is brewed in a separate teapot, and the infusion is poured into the cup (over herbs, if preferred so), then diluted with boiling water. Tatar tea ceremonies are sometimes confused with English ones, as both traditions involve drinking tea with milk. However, this is incorrect, as the addition of milk in England initially aimed to protect porcelain from cracking, while in Tatarstan, it was solely for taste since porcelain was not widespread.

Tea was initially an elitist beverage. Loose-leaf tea was a luxury affordable only to the wealthy—nobility, clergy, and merchants. This type of tea was served to Empress Catherine the Great when she visited Kazan. The common people, on the other hand, consumed what was known as taqta çəy – black tea pressed into bricks. It was transported in large quantities along the "Tea Route". This type of tea had a rather bitter and intense taste, so it was often diluted with milk. Tatar tea-drinking culture involved freshly brewed boiling hot tea, the milk being added last, in a warmed form, to avoid reducing the temperature in the cup.

To "prolong the taste" of the tea, it began to be blended with herbs. The most traditional tea herbs in Tatarstan are considered to be mәtrüşkә (type of oregano), currant leaves, lemon balm, and mint. Sage and lavender are also added. These herbs didn't naturally grow in Tatarstan, but during the 17th-18th centuries, merchants, covering vast distances to bring tea to the region, traversed many lands and acquired various herbs along the way, introducing many plants to Tatarstan.

Nowadays, it is important not to drink tea brewed the day before, and, of course, no tea bags. Modern Tatars tend to prefer black teas, but Ruslan Bushkov notes the diversity of choices. He recounts an encounter with a woman in a Tatar village who brewed tea using only leaves from medicinal herbs that grew in her village. She insisted on using water from local springs, reinforcing the idea that good tea loves good water, enhancing both the health benefits and taste of the drink.

It's worth noting that this historical context adds layers of cultural exchange and adaptation, showcasing how Tatars incorporated different traditions into their own, creating a unique blend of tea culture with influences from both Asia and Europe.
__________________________________
R. Bushkov "A Bouquet of Beverages from Tatarstan"

Support the project and listen to the podcast version of The Tatar tea culture!

#tt_newbie
Dishes and cutlery

Wrapping up our food topic, here is a short vocabulary of everything you need for cooking and eating:

sawıt-saba – dishware
təlinkə – plate
camayaq / tabaq – bowl
çümeç – ladle
qaşıq / qalaq – spoon
bal qaşığı – teaspoon
aş qaşığı – tablespoon
çəneçke – fork
pıçaq – knife
stakan – glass
çınayaq – cup
kəstrül – cooking pot
taba – frying pan
çəynek – teapot
sözgeç – sieve
uğıç – grater
tastımal – napkin

Do you use any other words in different regions of Tatarstan or Bashkortostan? Let us know!

Başqortstan rayonnarı | Bashkortostan's districts

Have you already seen our Tatarstan map? It's time to add the map of Bashkortostan in Tatar, as I know many of you are from there 😊

We also have a post about the Bashkortostan Tatar dialect, check it out if you haven’t yet!

And thank you @bababashqort for double-checking the names of the districts 🥰

#tt_beginner
I can do it… can’t I?

💪🏼 To express that you can or cannot do something in Tatar, the verbal adverb ending in -a, -ə, -ıy, -i is used with the verb alu (to take, to receive).

Bəlki, çınnan da, nider eşləp bulır? Barısın da añlata almasa da, nərsəder əytə ala bit ul. (Foat Sadriev, “Şahzamanov eşe”)
Perhaps it will really be possible to do something. Even though he can not explain everything, there is, after all, something he could say.

Alu in its negative (almaw) is, especially in the vernacular, sometimes contracted with verbal adverbs ending in -a, -ə (not with verbal adverbs ending in -ıy, -i). When contracted, the final -a, -ə of the verbal adverb and the initial a- of almaw merge into one.

Küralmıym min sine! ... Tuydım! (Xəy Waxit, “Soñğı xat”)
I hate you! ... I’ve had enough!

💪🏼 The construction with belü (to know) indicates that the agent has the knowledge, the skill, ability to carry out the action expressed by the verbal adverb.

Min bu waqıtta ... yəş yarımlıq sabıy ğına bulğanmın. ... min əle hiç nərsə belmim – min barı aşıy beləm, yoqlıy beləm, kölə beləm, yılıy beləm. (Əmirxan Yeniki, “Soñğı kitap”)
At this time ... I was only a baby of a year and a half. ... I don't yet know anything; I know only how to eat, sleep, laugh and cry.

💛 To sum up:
kilə alam – I can come
kilə almıym (kilalmıym) – I can’t come
cırlıy beləm – I know how to sing
cırlıy belmim – I don’t know how to sing

❔Ə sez bu konstruksiyə belən cömlə tözi alasızmı? Try using “I can (not)” in your comment below!

#tt_intermediate
Confusing words

In Tatar, just like in English with its tricky "though/through/thorough," learners face their own set of oxşağan words – or are they oşağan?
Let’s dive into the words that always leave learners scratching their heads and sort them out once and for all!

🔵 oşaw – to please, to be liked
oxşaw – to be alike, to resemble

Ul üzeneñ yaratqan cırçısına oxşarğa teli, çönki aña anıñ muzıkası həm stile oşıy. – She wants to be like her favorite singer because she likes her music and style.

🔵 töş – dream / noon / core / go down, fall
teş – tooth

Kiçə teşləremneñ töşüwe turında töş kürdem. – Yesterday, I had a dream about my teeth falling out.

🔵 biyek – high
böyek – great

Baqçasaray – böyek xannar, kükkə aşqan biyek manaralar ile. – Baqçasaray – a land of great khans and tall minarets reaching towards the sky.

🔵 tıyu – to forbid, restrict
toyu – to feel

Dəwlət xalıqnıñ fiker belderü xoquqın tıyğanda, xalıq üzen ireksez toya. – When the government restricts the people’s right to express their opinion, the people feel unfree.

🔵 taba – frying pan / towards
taban – sole, foot
tabın – a set table (for guests)
tübə – peak / roof
tübən – low

Tübən bolıtlardan yañğır tübəgә yawa başlağanda min tabanı inde tabınğa quyğan idem. – When the rain started pouring down from the low-hanging clouds onto the roof, I had already put the frying pan onto the set table.

🔵 məqələ – article
məqəl – proverb

Jurnalda ber borınğı məqəlneñ zirəklege turında qızıqlı məqələ çıqtı. – The magazine featured an interesting article discussing the wisdom of an ancient proverb.

🔵 iyələnü – to get used to sth.
öylənü – to get married (a male)
əylənü – to spin, rotate / to turn (into sth.)

Öyləngənnən soñ aña üzeneñ urının büleşügə həm tərtipkə kiterügə iyələner öçen beraz waqıt kirək buldı, əmma axır çiktә ul yort ğailәlәre öçen matur ber öygә әylәnde. – After getting married, it took him some time to get used to sharing and rearranging his space, but eventually, the house turned into a beautiful home for their family.

❓Is it easier for you now to use the correct word in a sentence? Give this post a like if you want more of these confusing words sorted out!

#tt_advanced
The Habitual Past in -a, -ə, -ıy, -i (neg. -mıy, -mi) torğan ide

This past tense is formed by combining the present tense stem with the past participle of the verb toru followed by idem, ideñ, ide, etc. The English equivalent is “used to do sth.”

min yaza torğan idem – I used to write
sin yaza torğan ideñ – you used to write
ul yaza torğan ide – he (she, it) used to write
bez yaza torğan idek – we used to write
sez yaza torğan idegez – you (pl.) used to write
alar yaza torğan ide(lər) – they used to write

✍🏼 This tense indicates an action habitually repeated at some point in the past time.

Əniyem miña gel xikəyələr söyli torğan ide. (Mirxəydər Fəyzi, “Asılyar”)
My mother always used to tell me stories.

Bez üzebezneñ tel, xisap şikellelərne yaratıp uqıdıq. Xisap digəne qızıq qına uqıtıla torğan ide. (Ğömər Bəşirov, “Tuğan yağım – yəşel bişek”)
We liked studying subjects like our language, arithmetic. Arithmetic was being taught in a rather interesting way.

📖 There is also a less used (more literary) form of a Habitual Past in -r, -ar, -ər, -ır, -er (neg. -mas, -məs) ide which also indicates an action in the past, repeated from time to time. The English equivalent is “would do sth.”

Ul hərwaqıt şulay buldı. Bala waqıtınnan uq. Tabiğət qoçağına çığıp kitər ide də, anda çəçəklər cıyıp, kübələklər quwıp, qoşlar sayrawın, urman şawlawın tıñlap cırlar da cırlar ide. (Səyet Şəkürov, “Səxnəneñ qıl urtasında”)
He was always like that. From childhood. He would go out into the lap of nature and there, gathering flowers, chasing butterflies and listening to the twittering of the birds and the rustle of the forest, he would sing and sing.

#tt_newbie
At a restaurant

Uraza ğəyete möbarək bulsın to those celebrating! Our topic today is quite fitting: a phrasebook for you to use when eating out.

🍽 If you’d like to book a table or find one spontaneously, you’ll need these phrases:

Sezdə buş östəllər barmı? – Do you have any free tables?
İke / öç / dürt keşe öçen östəl, zinhar. – A table for two / three / four, please.
Rezervasiyә yasarğa telim. – I'd like to make a reservation
Östəlne alıp/terkəp quyarğa telim. – I'd like to book a table, please
Bu östəl buşmı? – Is this table free?
Tışta buş urınnar barmı? – Are there seats available outside?

🍝 After you get seated, you can start choosing the dishes and giving your order:

Menünı qarap alırğa mömkinme? – Could I see the menu, please?
Sez berər nərsə eçərgə telisezme? – Can I get you any drinks?
Sez zakaz birergə əzerme? – Are you ready to order?
Bügenge kön aşı nindi? – What's the soup of the day?
Nərsə təqdim itə alasız? – What do you recommend?
Miña laktozalı rizıq yaramıy. – I am lactose intolerant.
Minem … alergiyə. – I'm allergic …
bodayğa – to wheat
laktozağa – to lactose
çikləwekkə – to nuts
Bu rizıqta cilemçə barmı? – Does this dish have gluten?
Min vegetarian. – I'm a vegetarian.
Min … aşamıym. – I don't eat …
it – meat
duñğız ite – pork
balıq – fish
Miña … belən rizıq kirək. – I'd like a dish with …

💁🏻 The waiter or waitress might have the following to say:

Ğafu, ul bütən qalmadı. – I'm sorry, we're out of that.
Şul ğınamı? – Is that all?
Tağın berər nərsə telisezme? – Would you like anything else?

🙋🏻‍♀️ If you'd like to get the waiter's or waitress’s attention, the most polite way is simply to say:

Ğafu/ğafu itegez – Excuse me

🍲 Here are some other phrases you may hear or wish to use during your meal:

(Aşığız) təmle bulsın! – Enjoy your meal! Bon appétit!
Zinhar, … biregezçe. – Could we have …?
ber şeşə … – a bottle of …
tağın beraz ipi/ikmək – some more bread
Gazlımı, gazsızmı? – Sparkling or still?
Sezdə tatlılar barmı? – Do you have any desserts?
Rəxmət, bik təmle buldı. – Thanks, that was delicious.
Qalğan rizıqnı üzem belən ala alammı? – Could I take away the leftovers, please?

🆘 In case of a problem, you may use the following:

Min monı zakaz itmədem. – This isn't what I ordered
İnde ozaq kötəbez. – We've been waiting a long time
Rizığıbız kiləme inde? – Is our meal on its way?

💵 To pay the bill:

Xisapnı/Çeknı biregezçe (kiteregezçe), zinhar. – Could we have the bill, please?
Karta belən tüləp bulamı? – Can I pay by card?
Küpme tülərgə tiyeşmen? – What do I owe?
Ayırım tüli alabızmı? – Can we pay separately?
Min tülim. – I'll get this.
Xisapnı büleşikme? – Should we split the bill?

👩🏻‍🍳 Some useful words:

peşekçe – chef
ofisiant – waiter/waitress
çəygə birü – to tip

#tt_beginner
Imperative

The imperative includes both singular and plural forms, as well as second and third person variations. The second person singular matches the verb stem itself. Other forms require the following suffixes:

🙏🏼 To form the second person plural, -ğız or -gez is added to verb stems ending in a vowel (except for -i, -u). Meanwhile, the third person singular adds -sın or -sen, and the plural adds -sınnar or -sennər.

(sin) başla / eşlə / biye
(sez) başlağız / eşləgez / biyegez
(ul) başlasın / eşləsen / biyesen
(alar) başlasınnar / eşləsennər / biyesennər

🙏🏼 To form the second person plural, -yığız/-yegez or (w)-ığız/-egez is added to verb stems ending in the vowels -i, -u or a consonant:

(sin) yu / ki / cəy
(sez) yuwığız / kiyegez / cəyegez
(ul) yusın / kisen / cəysen
(alar) yusınnar / kisennər / cəysennər

🙏🏼 The second person plural and the third person singular and plural forms of diyü (to say) follow the standard formation rules for verbs with stems ending in -i:

(sez) diyegez
(ul) disen
(alar) disennər
BUT:
(sin) digen (neg. dimə)

🙏🏼 Requests are usually conveyed through imperative mood verbs, to which particles such as -çı/-çe, -sana/-sənə are added to soften the request (like “would you…”, “please,…”), as well as the word zinhar meaning "please":

birçe – (would you) give
qalsana – (would you) stay
əyt, zinhar – please, tell

🙏🏼 Additionally, particles like əle and inde are used:

açulanmağız inde – please, don’t be mad
biregez əle – give, please

🙏🏼 A more refined request is expressed in the form of:
əytməssezme ikən – would you mind telling
qarap çıqmassızmı ikən – would you mind taking a look
awırsınmasağız, kilegezçe – if it’s not too hard, could you please come

🙏🏼 The highest degree of request is:
ütenəm, yalwaram – I’m begging you

That’s it for today. Komment yazığız əle! Sorawlarığıznı yazmassızmı ikən? Ütenəm sezdən!

#tt_beginner
At a restaurant / Imperative – Audio Lesson

We’re trying out a new format. There was a suggestion on the this channel to add some listening comprehension. Of course, that takes a lot of planning, scripting, recording, editing, and so on, so we won’t be able to make a lot of it, but I’ve thought of a format I liked of a Turkish podcast I used to listen to, and wanted to try out something similar.

The AUDIO is now on Patreon ✨FREE✨ for everyone!

With your support, we will try making more of these in the future related to the big vocabulary and grammar topics covered on this channel. So maybe someday it can turn into a series!

All you have to do is check it out, tell us if you like it, and share! If you want to support this initiative, consider becoming a paid member of our Patreon and get some perks like the transcripts of the dialogs and some grammar exercises.

A reminder for you to check out our free audio lesson 👇🏼
We put a long of effort into it and would be happy to get some feedback to know if you’re interested in more lessons like that 🙏🏼

Also, tomorrow we have a lesson on lyrics + translation of a Tatar song 🎧🎶 Can you guess which band’s?
A hint: it was suggested in the comments on this channel some time ago 😉

🌷Subscribe to Learn Tatar for more Tatar content like this!

#tt_intermediate
It’s been a long time coming: the lyrics and translation of a song by Gauga! You know what to do: listen on Youtube, Spotify or Apple Music, read the translation here and sing along wherever you are!


GAUGA – AĞIL HƏM TÜGEL

Sində minem eş yuq!
Qısa tınnı buşlıq!
Tərəzə açıp oçırğa! – Yuq şul, yaramıy...
Ğәyep cıyğan cilkələr qanatlanmıy.

Siña yullar açıq!
Minem yulım – açlıq!
Küpme rizıq kiterəm – barısı ul tügel...
Betep, canım, dönyağa ağıl həm tügel!

Ənə oçalar ike qoş hawada!
Küzne yomamın, iyərəm alarğa...

Azatlığım
Çılbırlanğan.

Siña qızıq tışlıq
Eçe tulı taşlıq,
Miña kirək yəşlek –
Xislər tulı yəşlek!
Mölderəgən yəşlek!
Döberdəgən yəşlek!
Pır tuzdırğan yəşlek!
Qanatlanğan yəşlek!

Yılannar kebek uralıp yata minem yullarım,
Barısın da təmnəp qarıymın telgə tiderep ağuların!

Ənə oçalar ike qoş hawada!
Küzne yomamın, iyərəm alarğa...

________________

GAUGA – POUR OUT AND SPILL

You are none of my business
The void is suffocating
I’d open the window and fly! – But I can’t...
Shoulders carrying guilt can’t grow wings.

The roads are open for you!
But my road is hunger.
All the food I bring is not right...
Begone, my soul, pour out and spill onto the world!

Look, two birds are flying in the sky.
I close my eyes and follow them...

My freedom
Is enchained.

You're interested in the exterior,
Which from within is full of stones,
I need youth
Youth full of feelings!
Overflowing youth!
Thundering youth!
Raving youth!
Winged youth!

My roads lie before me like tangled snakes,
I'm tasting all of their poison with my tongue

Look, two birds are flying in the sky.
I close my eyes and follow them...

#tt_advanced
5 phrasal verbs: Advanced

⚡️ moxtac bulu – to be in need

Sezneñ aqıllı kiñəşləregezgə bez hərwaqıt moxtac bulaçaqbız. (Əxsən Bayanov, “Məñgelek bəxəs”)
We will always be in need of your wise advice.

⚡️ xezmət kürsətü – to serve, to provide service

Menə sin bezgə bik zur xezmət kürsətteñ, bez öçəwləp eşli almağan eşne sin ber üzeñ eşlədeñ. (Tatar xalıq əkiyətləre, “Öç kügərçen”)
There, you did us a great service. The work which we three together could not do, you did by yourself.

⚡️ işarə itü – to gesture, to hint

Hay, Xuca! (Qulı belən işarə itep asqa çaqıra.) (Nəqi İsənbət, “Xuca Nasretdin”)
Hey, Xuca! (Gesturing with his hand, he calls him down.)

⚡️ əhəmiyət birü – to pay attention, to attach importance

Xəkimcan abzıynıñ başı yaxşı uq awırta başlasa da, ul aña da əhəmiyət birməde... (K. Tinçurin, “Yöz meñ”)
Although Xəkimcan's head began to ache, he did not pay any attention to it…

⚡️ tənqit itü – to criticize

Şul rəttən ük minem cəməğət eşenə qatnaşıp yörüwemne də tənqit itə başladıñ. (Ğ. Qutuy, “Tapşırılmağan xatlar”)
At the same time, you began to criticize my involvement in public affairs.

Sabantuy, Başqortstan, 1982

#tt_culture
Saban tuyı

The spring festival Sabantuy became a summer event when the Tatar Communist Party Committee recommended merging it with the traditional gathering called Cıyın in 1925. The main goal was to suppress Cıyın, which served as a platform for discussing local matters and was seen as a source of dissent against Soviet authority. Cıyın, with its leisurely discussions and communal decision-making, was replaced by the one-day sports and entertainment-focused Sabantuy. This change also aimed to reduce the number of non-working days in June, reflecting the Soviet vision for collective farming. Cıyın, an ancient Tatar festival with strong Islamic roots, was thus destroyed, forgotten within just a few generations, using Sabantuy, which had pagan origins, as a tool.

Don’t worry, I’ll tell you all about Cıyın in summer when it used to be held. But Sabantuy now is also not exactly the way it used to be. In the traditional lifestyle of the Tatar people, they didn’t mark the seasons with calendars like we do today. Instead, they followed the rhythm of nature, particularly focusing on agricultural activities. When winter began to loosen its grip and signs of spring started to appear, it signaled a time of transition and celebration among the Tatars.

Sabantuy, one of their most significant celebrations, was deeply rooted in the awakening of spring. A standout moment during Sabantuy was the “Boz Qaraw” or “Boz Bağu” festival, where communities came together to witness the sight of the ice breaking up on the rivers. This natural event symbolized the end of winter, and people added to the spectacle by placing burning straw on the floating ice, creating a mesmerizing display of torches during the twilight hours. In some villages, they even crafted straw effigies representing winter, which were ceremoniously burned or set on fire on the last ice floes, marking the symbolic departure of the cold season.

At this time, the Tatars engaged in egg-related games known as “kükəyle uyın” or “yomırqalı uyın.” These games brought people of all ages together, forming groups to compete in knocking down eggs placed in shallow pits using cloth or woolen balls. It was a fun way to celebrate the renewal of nature and the onset of spring, with winners getting the eggs as a token of victory.

While these springtime activities weren’t tied to a specific holiday, they were deeply connected to the emergence of dry patches of land, signaling the readiness for planting season.

In the early days of spring, as snow starts melting and the sun brightens, the earth prepares for plowing. Rooks, with their black wings, were believed by ancestors to carry the earth's soul away in autumn, bringing back warmth and sun in spring. Their arrival marks the start of a new agricultural cycle. Tatars had a special ritual called “dərə (or zərə) botqası,” also known as "qarğa botqası."

As spring unfolded across Tatar villages in the Middle Volga and Ural regions, there was another eagerly awaited tradition, based on an ancient pagan ritual: the local collection of dyed eggs. Using onion peel or birch tree leaf broth, people dyed eggs in various shades, a practice known as “ərəpə” among Kazan Tatars, coinciding with Sabantuy in some places. In other Kerəşen, Mişər, and Perm regions it was called “olı kön” and marked the first day of Easter. Children looked forward to this day, getting dressed up in new clothes and participating in festive activities, with mothers making special pouches for egg collection. Wishes exchanged during the ritual varied, reflecting hopes for prosperity or warding off misfortune, depending on local beliefs.

Among the Kazan Tatars, there was a recorded ritual called “sörən,” where young men rode decorated horses in groups, collecting eggs from homes. These eggs were then sold for communal feasts or other essential purchases, accompanied by lively singing and homemade drinks. Similarly, the Chuvash people had their own version of this ritual during Easter week, featuring house visits, noise-making, and lively festivities like music, dancing, and communal feasting. These springtime traditions were also observed among the Mari and Udmurt communities, highlighting shared elements in the celebrations of the Volga region.

Another ritual was “at ayağı qızdıru,” where young men rode horses in simulated races, serving as a warm-up for the horses and a thrilling spectacle for onlookers. Then there was the tradition of “bülək cıyu,” involving the collection of gifts for upcoming competitions. These gifts, often including embroidered items and towels, held special significance, especially those from young brides who had married since the last Sabantuy. Different villages had their own unique rituals for gift collection, but the overall principle remained the same: mandatory gifts from newlywed women and voluntary contributions from others. Whether it was horseback-riding youths accompanied by music or elderly men carrying gifts on a pole, the spirit of celebration was evident, with egg collection being a common theme across both variants.

The Sabantuy competitions were the highlight of the festival, bringing together strength, agility, and the thrill of horse racing. These events were a big deal, with standardized rules and inclusivity for all. Picture this: races, running, jumps, and even traditional wrestling matches called “körəş” kept everyone on the edge of their seats. Prizes, prearranged for winners, included prominently displayed towels. Horse races, a prestigious part of the event, featured young riders racing towards the village. Even the last horse received a towel prize! After the races, some villages took a break for lunch before returning for afternoon competitions, including more running and wrestling. Despite the large turnout, Sabantuy maintained order, with cultural competitions among folk musicians adding to the festive atmosphere.

But the fun didn’t stop there! Evening youth festivities were a key part of Sabantuy, lasting for several days. From egg collection to the day of competitions, these gatherings were filled with music, singing, and dancing. Young men and women joined in traditional games and formed choirs – “cırlı-biyüle uyınnar.”

And while there are claims of similarity between Tatar Sabantuy and festivities of other Volga-Ural ethnic groups, like the Mari “aga payrem,” Chuvash “akatuy,” Mordvin “keret’ ozks,” and Udmurt “akayaşka” or “gery potton,” a closer look reveals that each celebration has its unique details and rituals, reflecting the rich diversity of traditions across the region.