About Badini: The Kurdish Dialect of Northern Iraq
Badini is a dialect of Kurdish spoken primarily in the Badinan region of northern Iraq. It's the everyday language of millions of people living in and around Duhok, Zakho, Aqrah, Amedi, and the surrounding countryside. If you've heard someone say "Badini" and wondered what it means, you're in the right place.
Where Is Badini Spoken?
The Badinan region stretches across the northern part of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. The main cities are Duhok and Zakho, but Badini is also spoken in Aqrah, Bardarash, Sheikhan, and many rural areas in between. Outside of Iraq, you'll find Badini speakers in diaspora communities across Europe, North America, and Australia. Many families who left Iraq during periods of conflict still speak Badini at home.
Badini and Kurmanji
Linguistically, Badini is a variety of Kurmanji, the largest Kurdish dialect group. Kurmanji is spoken across a wide area, from Turkey through Syria and into northern Iraq. Badini speakers can generally understand other Kurmanji speakers, though there are differences in vocabulary, pronunciation, and some grammar. Think of it like the difference between American and British English. The core language is the same, but the local flavor is distinct.
Two Writing Systems
One thing that makes Badini unique is that it uses two scripts. In Iraq, Badini is typically written in a modified Arabic script. This is the version used in schools, government documents, and local media. In Turkey and among many diaspora communities, a Latin-based alphabet is more common. Both scripts represent the same language, just written differently. Our translator supports both, so you can read and write Badini in whichever script you prefer.
How Many People Speak Badini?
Exact numbers are hard to pin down, but estimates suggest several million people speak Badini as their first language. The population of Duhok Governorate alone is over 1.5 million. When you add surrounding areas and the global diaspora, the number of speakers grows significantly.
Why Badini Is Underserved by Technology
Despite millions of speakers, Badini has very little representation in translation tools, language apps, or digital services. Most Kurdish language tools focus on Sorani, the other major Kurdish dialect used in Iraq. Badini speakers have been left without reliable translation options, until now. Google Translate doesn't support Badini. Neither do most other translation platforms. That gap is exactly why we built Badini Translator.
Try the Translator
Badini Translator is a free tool that translates between Badini and 11 languages, with support for both Arabic and Latin scripts. Whether you're learning Badini, staying connected with family, or just curious about the language, give it a try.