In English we often use "can" and "know how to" interchangeably. "I can drive a car" and "I know how to drive a car" mean almost the same thing.
In Kyrgyz these are two completely different concepts, each with its own construction. When talking about a skill you have learned, the verb билүү (to know) is used.
🧠 The Logic and Literal Translation
The Kyrgyz logic is beautifully simple: if you know how to do something, you "know" that process.
You need to turn the action into a participle and put it in the accusative case (Табыш жөндөмө), because you're directing your knowledge toward it.
Literal translation: "I know driving," "I know swimming."
🧮 The Formula
Verb root + participle -ган-ген-гон-гөн + accusative case -ды-ди-ду-дү + билем
The participle suffix — chosen according to vowel harmony:
| Vowel group | After voiced | After voiceless | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| а, я, ы, у, ю | -ган | -кан | бар → барган, ук → уккан |
| э, е, и | -ген | -кен | кел → келген |
| о, ё | -гон | -кон | бол → болгон, тап → тапкан |
| ө, ү | -гөн | -көн | көр → көргөн |
The accusative case ending — added to the participle:
| Vowel group | Suffix | Example |
|---|---|---|
| а, я, ы, у, ю | -ды | барганды |
| э, е, и | -ди | келгенди |
| о, ё | -ду | болгонду |
| ө, ү | -дү | көргөндү |
The verb билем conjugates by person:
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| Мен | билем |
| Сен | билесиң |
| Сиз | билесиз |
| Ал | билет |
| Биз | билебиз |
| Силер | билесиңер |
| Сиздер | билесиздер |
| Алар | билишет |
Negative Form
The negation falls on the verb билүү. Add the suffix -бе → билбейм:
| Person | Affirmative | Negative |
|---|---|---|
| Мен | сүзгөндү билем | сүзгөндү билбейм |
| Сен | сүзгөндү билесиң | сүзгөндү билбейсиң |
| Ал | сүзгөндү билет | сүзгөндү билбейт |
Question Form
The question suffix -бы/-би goes at the very end:
| Person | Affirmative | Question |
|---|---|---|
| Сен | билесиң | билесиңби? |
| Сиз | билесиз | билесизби? |
| Ал | билет | билетпи? |
сүзгөндү билемсүзrootгөнparticipleдүaccusative caseбилемI know→ I know how to swim
💡 Examples
Boasting about skills:
| Root | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| айда- (drive) | Унаа айдаганды билем. | I know how to drive a car. |
| сүз- (swim) | Сүзгөндү билем. | I know how to swim. |
| оку- (read) | Ал окуганды билет. | He knows how to read. |
| бышыр- (cook) | Тамак бышырганды билесиң. | You know how to cook. |
| сүйлө- (speak) | Кыргызча сүйлөгөндү билесизби? | Do you know how to speak Kyrgyz? |
Mini-dialogues
— Сүзгөндү билесиңби? — Do you know how to swim?
— Ооба, билем. Балачагымда үйрөнгөм. — Yes, I do. I learned as a kid.
— Кыргызча сүйлөгөндү билесизби? — Do you know how to speak Kyrgyz?
— Бир аз билем, үйрөнүп жатам. — A little, I'm learning.
— Ат мингенди билесиңби? — Do you know how to ride a horse?
— Жок, билбейм. Корком! — No, I don't. I'm scared!
⚠️ Important Nuances
БИЛЕМ vs. АЛАМ — what's the difference?
| -ганды билем | -й алам | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Know how to / Have the skill | Can / Am able to |
| What it is | A permanent, learned skill | Physical possibility right now |
| Example | Сүзгөндү билем (I know how to swim) | Бүгүн сүзө алам (I can swim today) |
Compare two swimming situations:
- Мен сүзгөндү билем. — I know how to swim (I've had lessons, I won't drown).
- Мен бүгүн сүзө алам. — I can swim today (I have free time, the water's warm).
Or with driving:
Мен унаа айдаганды билем, бирок азыр айдай албайм, ичип алдым. — I know how to drive, but I can't right now — I've been drinking.
See also:
- Introduction to Verbs — basic principles of working with verbs
- Vowel Harmony — choosing the right suffix variant
- Accusative Case — the case used for the participle in this construction
- Modality "can" — physical ability (-й алам)
- Modality "want" — expressing desire