Daily Greetings
Here we show the plural, more polite form of greetings. For the informal, singular version, eliminate the syllable "-in-". For example, becomes becomes ; becomes etc.


Good morning.
[Morning your (plural) + good]

Azerbaijanis in Iran usually say

Good morning.
[Morning your (pl.) + good]


Good evening.
[Evening your (pl.) + good]


How are you?
[You + how are you (pl.)]

Informal Greetings

How are you?
[You + how are you (singular)]


How's it going?
[What is there-what is not?]


I'm fine.
[Good + I am]

Thank you very much.
[Very much, thank you (pl.)]

Note: is the singular form and is the plural, more respectful form.

However, Azerbaijanis in Iran express thanks as:

Thank you.
[Thanks + I am doing/making]


How's it going (referring to one's work)?

[Work your (pl.) + how is it?]
*Note: the spoken form of dir is pronounced without the final "r" as "di." Example: How is it? is pronounced "neh-JA-di."

In Iran, Azerbaijanis frequently use two other greetings.


How is your well-being?
[Well-being your (pl.) + how is it?]


How is your health?
[Health your (pl.) + how is it?]

However in the Republic, the phrase is reserved for occasions when someone is ill and not used in the generic sense of "How are you?" Nevertheless, all Azerbaijanis consider it very appropriate to ask about the health and welfare of the other person's family members if you know them.


How's your mother?
[mother your (pl.) + how is she?]


How's your father?
[father your (pl.) + how is he?]


How's your brother?
[brother your (pl.) + how is he?]


How's your sister?
[sister your (pl.) + how is she?]


How are the kids?
[Kids + how are they?]
Note: In the spoken form, you could use the singular form of the verb,

How's your son?
[Son your (pl.) + how is he?]


How's your daughter?
[daughter your (pl.) + how is she?]


She's fine or he's fine.


So-so.
[so-so + it is]

Not bad.

[bad + negative]
Note: In Iran, the negative is expressed deyir; while in the Republic, it is deyil.


He / She is not so well.
[That one + so much + empahsis + good + she / he is not]

Or you can substitute the name directly.

How's Farid?
[Farid + How is he?]

In the Republic, Azerbaijanis typically use first names followed by a title. For women, the title (KHAH-nim) is used. It means "woman" and does not indicate if the woman is married or single, much like the Western term, "Ms." The term is first used when a girl reaches her late teens or early 20s. Example:

The most frequently used titles for men in the Republic are (Mr.) and (teacher) (moh-al-LIM) for a person related to academics or intellectual life.

Example:, [Hasan Mr.], [Ali Teacher]
In Iran, the most frequent titles are (Ms.) and (Mr.) (ah-GHA). However, there is a greater tendency in Iran to use last names rather than first names, and titles usually precede the name, a pattern influenced by Persian.
Ex: [Mr. Khanlou], [Mrs. Tabrizi].

It's especially important to ask about the health of a family member who is, or who has been, ill. If you don't know anybody in the family, you can use a general phrase such as "How's it going at home?" If you don't ask personal questions, Azerbaijanis will think you don't care about their personal life.


(How's it going at home?)
[At home + what + is there-what + is not?]

How are those at home?
[Those at home + how are they?]

Telephone
When people call each other on the telephone, naturally, the conversation starts with a greeting. Phrases are generally the same as when meeting someone face to face. When another person in the household answers the phone, it is not considered polite to immediately ask for the person you wish to speak with. Instead, it is expected that you will develop a short conversation with whoever picks up the phone regarding his health, well-being and / or work. Also you could ask about important events in the family, such as weddings, the birth of a child, acceptance into a university or a trip. When you finally get around to asking for the person to whom you really wish to speak, perhaps as much as five minutes may have elapsed. Note the obliqueness or indirectness of the request. You can ask for that person in the following way:


Is (name) at home?
[Name + at home + she / he is?]


What is (name) doing?
[Name + what + she / he is doing?]


How is (name)?

After dispensing with the formalities of greeting, don't be surprised if Azerbaijanis start back again on the same question, "How are you?"-this time, with the intention of developing the topic to find out how life is really going for their friends.