A distinct language
Similarities within the Oghuz language group are no substitute for a professional Turkmen translation.
Oghuz Turkic language
Have Turkmen translated
Türkmen dili
Turkmen is a distinct Oghuz Turkic language and must not be treated as Turkish. Before accepting a request, ABBA-Sprachendienste checks the document, script, language direction, subject area and availability.
Turkmen is the official language of Turkmenistan and is also spoken by communities in Afghanistan, Iran and the diaspora.
Geographical distribution of Turkmen
- Main areas of use
- Other regional use
- Selected diaspora communities
Turkmenistan
Afghanistan
Iran
Türkiye
Russia
Germany
Schematic selection of key areas where the language is used. Language use does not always follow national borders; the map is not a comprehensive population statistic.
Language profile
Turkmen at a glance
- Native name
- Türkmen dili
- Language family
- Oghuz Turkic language
- Script
- Latin alphabet; Cyrillic also appears in older documents
- Language code
- tk
Documents and uses
Common uses for this language combination
The language alone is not decisive. ABBA-Sprachendienste also considers the document type, recipient, subject area, certification requirements and requested language direction.
Request a document review- Birth and marriage certificates
- School and university certificates
- Residence and official documents
- Employment and pension records
- Powers of attorney and contracts
Origin and development
How the language developed
Alongside Turkish and Azerbaijani, Turkmen belongs to the Oghuz branch of the Turkic languages. Although these languages are related, they must still be treated as distinct language directions in any formal translation.
A Latin alphabet is used in Turkmenistan today. Older documents may be written in Cyrillic, while other writing traditions may also be relevant depending on the document's origin and context.
Good to know
What makes this language distinctive
Several generations of writing systems
The place and date of issue help determine whether the document uses Latin or the older Cyrillic script.
Reproduce special characters exactly
Letters such as ä, ň, ö, ş, ü, ý and ž are part of the modern Latin orthography and may be relevant in names.
A brief introduction to the language
Three introductory expressions
The transliteration is intended only as an initial guide. Pronunciation and regional forms may vary.
| Original | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Salam | — | Hello |
| Sag boluň | — | Thank you very much |
| Haýyş edýärin | — | Please |
Sources and classification
Further information
Speaker numbers are rounded estimates and may vary depending on the definition, survey year and whether second-language speakers are included.
- Turkmenistan: the country and its language
INALCO · language-specific overview
- Codes for the Representation of Names of Languages
Library of Congress / ISO 639-2 Registration Authority · Language codes and standardised language names
- Language and Locale Names
Unicode Common Locale Data Repository · Language, script and territory names and variants
- Glottolog 5.3
Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology · Language families, classification and linguistic literature
Editorial sources last reviewed: 4 August 2026. The information will undergo specialist verification before the production launch.
Other related service languages
Turkmen FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Turkmen
Can I have Turkmen translated into German and German into Turkmen?
Both directions can be requested. Binding confirmation is provided after the document type, subject area, certification requirements, appointment and intended use have been assessed.
Which documents are commonly relevant for Turkmen?
Birth and marriage certificates, school and university records, residence and official documents, and employment and pension records are common examples. Other types of document can also be assessed from a clear photo or PDF.
What does ABBA-Sprachendienste check in Turkmen documents?
The review covers the language direction, document type, Latin script or Cyrillic in older documents, names, stamps, subject area, intended use and any potential need for certification.
Do I need a certified translation for my Turkmen document?
The receiving authority, court, notary or other requesting body decides this. Tell ABBA-Sprachendienste where the document will be submitted so that the requirements can be assessed appropriately.
Is a photo sufficient for the initial review?
Yes. A complete, sharp and clearly legible photo or PDF is usually sufficient for an initial quotation review. Depending on the assignment, the original may also be required later.
Have a Turkmen ↔ German request assessed
Send a clear photo or PDF. ABBA-Sprachendienste will personally assess the language direction, document, intended use and certification requirements.
