Typing in Kazakh requires adding a specific keyboard layout to your device.

The Kazakh language uses a modified Cyrillic alphabet with nine special letters that don’t exist in Russian.

Because of these extra letters, the standard Russian keyboard isn’t enough to write proper Kazakh.

This guide will show you exactly how to install the Kazakh keyboard on your computer and phone.

You’ll also learn where to find the special Kazakh characters on your keyboard.

The Kazakh keyboard layout

The modern Kazakh Cyrillic alphabet consists of 42 letters.

This includes 33 standard Russian Cyrillic letters and 9 specific Kazakh letters.

These nine special letters are: Ә, І, Ң, Ғ, Ү, Ұ, Қ, Ө, and Һ.

When you install the Kazakh keyboard on a computer, the standard Cyrillic letters remain in their usual places.

The nine special Kazakh letters replace the number keys at the very top of your keyboard.

To type numbers while using the Kazakh keyboard, you must hold the Shift key or use the numeric keypad on the right side of your keyboard.

Here’s a simple table showing which number key types which special Kazakh letter on a desktop keyboard:

Adding the Kazakh keyboard on Windows

Adding a new language layout on a Windows PC is a quick process.

First, click on the Start menu and open your Settings.

Select “Time & Language” from the main settings menu.

Click on “Language” or “Language & region” in the left sidebar.

Under the “Preferred languages” section, click the button that says “Add a language”.

Type “Kazakh” into the search bar and select it from the list.

Click “Next” and then “Install” to add the language pack to your computer.

You can now switch between English and Kazakh by pressing the Windows key and the Spacebar at the same time.

Setting up the Kazakh keyboard on Mac

Apple computers also have built-in support for the Kazakh language.

Open your System Settings by clicking the Apple logo in the top left corner of your screen.

Scroll down and click on “Keyboard” in the left sidebar.

Look for the “Text Input” section and click the “Edit” button next to Input Sources.

Click the small plus (+) button at the bottom left of the new window.

Type “Kazakh” into the search bar, select it, and click “Add”.

You can now switch between keyboards by clicking the language icon in your top menu bar or by pressing Control and the Spacebar.

Typing in Kazakh on iPhone and iPad

Typing in Kazakh on your iPhone is very convenient because the special letters are integrated directly into the layout.

Open your Settings app and tap on “General”.

Scroll down and select “Keyboard”, then tap “Keyboards” at the top of the screen.

Tap “Add New Keyboard” and search for “Kazakh”.

Select Kazakh from the list to add it to your active keyboards.

To use it, open any app where you can type and tap the globe icon on your keyboard.

The special Kazakh characters will be visible on the main screen so you don’t have to memorize any special key combinations.

Adding the Kazakh keyboard on Android

Android devices use Gboard as the default keyboard, which supports Kazakh perfectly.

Open your Settings app and scroll down to “System”.

Tap on “Languages & input” and then select “On-screen keyboard”.

Tap on Gboard, then select “Languages”.

Tap the “Add keyboard” button at the bottom of the screen.

Search for “Kazakh”, select it, and tap “Done”.

When you’re typing a message, simply long-press the spacebar or tap the globe icon to switch to your new Kazakh layout.

Typing your target language is an effective way to memorize new vocabulary and grammar rules when you study on Talk In Kazakh.