Nobody expects you to speak Mongolian. Everyone notices when you try. Twenty phrases, with rough phonetic spelling, that will materially improve your trip.
Greetings
1. Sain baina uu? (sayn bayn oo). Hello / How are you?
2. Bayarlalaa (bayar-lah-lah). Thank you.
3. Bayartai (bayar-tai). Goodbye.
4. Tiim (teem). Yes.
5. Uguy (oo-gway). No.
At the Ger
6. Suutei tsai au-waa (soo-tay chai ow-wah). Milk tea, please.
7. Ikh amttai (ikh am-tay). Very delicious.
8. Ta naihan (ta naykhan). You are kind.
9. Khonog (kho-nog). One night's stay.
10. Nokhoin khatan (nokhoin khatan). Hold the dog (bring it up if you are approaching a ger; herder dogs are serious).
On the Road
11. Khaashaa? (khah-shah). Which way?
12. Khol uu? (khol oo). Is it far?
13. Tsagaan kholog (tsa-gaan kho-log). White road (a toast or well-wish for a journey).
14. Mash sain (mash sayn). Very good.
Essential
15. Bi ... hus-ai na (bee ... khoos-eye na). I want ... (+ noun).
16. Khed ve? (khed vay). How much?
17. Jorlong khaana ve? (jor-long khah-na vay). Where is the toilet?
18. Uuchlaarai (ooch-la-rai). Excuse me, sorry.
19. Bi ... orchuulagchtai (bee or-chu-lagchtai). I have a translator.
20. Chi Mongol uu? (chee mongol oo). Are you Mongolian? (Opens more conversations than you expect.)
