Kyrgyz vocabulary · Family

Family members in Kyrgyz: 35 essential words

Kyrgyz family vocabulary is precise: words for siblings and grandparents can reflect age, the speaker, and the maternal or paternal side. Start with ата (father), апа or эне (mother), уул (son), кыз (daughter), and үй-бүлө (family).

Prepared and reviewed by the Söz team · Reviewed August 9, 2026

01

Immediate family

үй-бүлө
üy-bülöfamily
ата
atafather
апа / эне
apa / enemom / mother
ата-эне
ata-eneparents
бала
balachild
бөбөк
böbökbaby / infant
уул
uulson
кыз
kyzdaughter; girl
аял
ayalwife; woman
күйөө
küyööhusband
жубай
jubayspouse
02

Brothers and sisters

Kyrgyz often names the relationship instead of using one generic word for brother or sister. The speaker’s gender matters for some younger-sibling terms.

ага
agaolder brother or respected older man
эже
ejeolder sister or respected older woman
ини
iniyounger brother
карындаш
karyndasha man’s younger sister
сиңди
singdia woman’s younger sister
бир тууган
bir tuugansibling; literally, born together
03

Grandparents and relatives

чоң ата
chong atagrandfather
чоң эне / чоң апа
chong ene / chong apagrandmother
таята
tayatamaternal grandfather
таене
taenematernal grandmother
тууган
tuuganrelative
таяке
tayakematernal uncle
жээн
jeenniece, nephew, or a descendant through the maternal line
небере
neberegrandchild
чебере
cheberegreat-grandchild
бөлө
bölömaternal cousin
04

Family by marriage

келин
kelindaughter-in-law; young married woman in the family
күйөө бала
küyöö balason-in-law
жеңе
jengeolder brother’s wife; respectful term for a young older woman
кайнене
kaynenemother-in-law
кайната
kaynatafather-in-law
кайни
kayniyounger brother-in-law
балдыз
baldyzwife’s younger sister
жезде
jezdeolder sister’s husband
05

Talk about your family

Менин үй-бүлөм чоң.
Menin üy-bülöm chong.My family is large.
Менин атам мугалим.
Menin atam mugalim.My father is a teacher.
Менин агам шаарда иштейт.
Menin agam shaarda ishteyt.My older brother works in the city.
Сиздин балаңыз барбы?
Sizdin balangyz barby?Do you have children?Polite.
Апа, мен сени жакшы көрөм.
Apa, men seni jakshy köröm.Mom, I love you.

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