су
suw/sʊw/
The English word "water" is су (suw) in Kazakh.
су refers to the inorganic compound H₂O.
Meaning: inorganic compound H₂O (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The form of су changes depending on its role in a sentence. Use the suffix –ды to create the accusative case (суды) when the water is the direct object of a transitive verb, such as in the phrase суды ішу (to drink the water). To indicate being "in" or "at" the water, use the locative case suffix –да (суда). To indicate possession or a relationship, add the genitive case suffix –дың (судың), as seen in the phrase судың үстінде (on top of the water).
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced as /sʊw/.
Did you know?
- In Kazakh culture, су is often mentioned alongside 'bread' in the phrase нан мен су, which symbolizes the most basic and sacred necessities of life.
- The word су shares a common ancestral root with the Turkish word su and the Uzbek word suv, reflecting their shared Central Asian heritage.
- While English uses 'water' as a verb to mean 'to pour liquid onto plants', Kazakh uses the specific verb суару which is built directly upon the noun су.
Examples in context
- Біз тым аз су ішеміз.We drink too little water.This sentence is useful for describing the amount of су one drinks.Tatoeba #13915262 by ninefi, translation #4385786 by Adelpa
- Шағалалар судың үстінде ұшып жүреді.Seagulls fly over the water.This sentence is useful for describing seagulls flying over the су.Tatoeba #10474097 by koala, translation #9944289 by ddnktr
- Қант суда еритін.Sugar is soluble in water.This sentence is useful for describing how sugar dissolves in су.Tatoeba #2226005 by sjwknc, translation #2225415 by gone2bacolod
Example conversation
Madina and Berik are at a dinner table.
- Мадина MadinaБерик, маған су берші.Berik, mağan su berşi.Berik, please give me some water.
- Берик BerikӘрине, міне су.Ärine, mine su.Of course, here is the water.
- Мадина MadinaРақмет, су өте салқындаған.Raqmet, su öte salqyndağan.Thank you, the water is very cold.
- Берик BerikИә, ол тоңазытқышта тұрды.Iä, ol toñazytqışta turdy.Yes, it was in the refrigerator.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “water” translations and entries су, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
