Learning a few basic phrases in someone's language goes a long way. Whether you're visiting the Badinan region, connecting with Kurdish friends, or just curious about Badini Kurdish, these 50 phrases will give you a solid starting point. Each phrase is shown in Latin script with a pronunciation guide and English translation.
Greetings and Farewells
Greetings matter in Kurdish culture. A warm hello sets the tone for any interaction, and there are different greetings for different times of day.
1. Silav (sih-LAHV) — Hello
2. Rojbaş (rohzh-BAHSH) — Good morning / Good day
3. Êvarbaş (ay-vahr-BAHSH) — Good evening
4. Şevbaş (shehv-BAHSH) — Good night
5. Oxir be (oh-KHEER beh) — Goodbye
6. Xatira te (khah-tih-rah teh) — Farewell (to one person)
7. Bi xêr hatî (bih KHAYR hah-TEE) — Welcome
8. Çawanî? (chah-wah-NEE) — How are you?
9. Baş im, spas(bahsh im, spahs) — I'm fine, thanks
10. Tu çawanî? (too chah-wah-NEE) — How are you? (informal)
Polite Expressions
Politeness is valued highly. These phrases will help you in shops, restaurants, and when meeting people for the first time.
11. Spas (spahs) — Thank you
12. Spas dikim (spahs dih-KIM) — I thank you
13. Bibore (bih-BOH-reh) — Excuse me / Sorry
14. Kerem ke (keh-REHM keh) — Please / Go ahead
15. Ser çavan(sehr chah-VAHN) — With pleasure (literally "on my eyes")
16. Tiştek nine(tish-TEHK nih-NEH) — You're welcome / It's nothing
17. Ji kerema xwe (zhih keh-reh-MAH khweh) — Please (formal)
Essential Questions
Asking questions is how you learn and navigate. These cover the basics you will need in almost any situation.
18. Navê te çi ye? (nah-VAY teh chee yeh) — What is your name?
19. Navê min ... e (nah-VAY min ... eh) — My name is ...
20. Ev çi ye? (ehv chee yeh) — What is this?
21. Kîjan? (kee-ZHAHN) — Which one?
22. Çend e? (chehnd eh) — How much is it?
23. Kêşe çi ye? (KAY-sheh chee yeh) — What is the problem?
24. Tu ji ku yî? (too zhih koo yee) — Where are you from?
25. Saet çend e? (SAH-eht chehnd eh) — What time is it?
Numbers
Numbers come up constantly, from shopping to telling time. Here are the first ten to get you started.
26. Yek (yehk) — One
27. Du (doo) — Two
28. Sê (say) — Three
29. Çar (chahr) — Four
30. Pênc (paynch) — Five
31. Şeş (shehsh) — Six
32. Heft (hehft) — Seven
33. Heşt (hehsht) — Eight
34. Neh (neh) — Nine
35. Deh (deh) — Ten
Food and Drink
Food is central to Kurdish hospitality. Knowing a few food-related words will serve you well at any table.
36. Nan (nahn) — Bread
37. Av (ahv) — Water
38. Çay (chai) — Tea
39. Xwarin (khwah-RIN) — Food
40. Birçî me(bir-CHEE meh) — I'm hungry
41. Tî me(tee meh) — I'm thirsty
Directions
Getting around is easier when you can understand basic directions. These words are useful whether you are walking through Duhok or asking for help at a bus station.
42. Rast (rahst) — Right
43. Çep (chehp) — Left
44. Rast herre (rahst hehr-REH) — Go straight
Family
Family is at the heart of Kurdish life. You will hear these words often in conversation.
45. Bav (bahv) — Father
46. Dê / Dayik (day / dah-YIHK) — Mother
47. Bira (bih-RAH) — Brother
48. Xwişk (khwishk) — Sister
Everyday Essentials
These are the words and phrases you will use constantly. They are short, simple, and worth memorizing first.
49. Erê (eh-RAY) — Yes
50. Na (nah) — No
Bonus Phrases
Baş e(bahsh eh) — Okay / That's fine
Ez dizanim (ehz dih-ZAH-nim) — I know
Ez nizanim(ehz nih-ZAH-nim) — I don't know
Ez bi kurdî na-axivim(ehz bih kur-DEE nah-ah-khih-VIM) — I don't speak Kurdish
Hinek kurdî dizanim (hih-NEHK kur-DEE dih-ZAH-nim) — I know a little Kurdish
Tu îngilîzî dizanî? (too in-gih-LEE-zee dih-ZAH-nee) — Do you speak English?
A Note on Regional Variation
Badini, like any living language, varies from place to place. A speaker from Zakho might pronounce things slightly differently than someone from Amedi. Some words have alternative spellings depending on the community. The phrases listed here follow common conventions, but don't be surprised if you hear slight variations in practice.
The differences between Badini and Sorani are much larger than the differences between regional varieties of Badini. If you learn these phrases, you will be understood across the Badinan region.
See These Phrases in Arabic Script
All the phrases above are shown in Latin script, which is common in Turkey and the diaspora. If you want to see how they look in the Arabic script used in Iraq, try typing them into the Badini Translator. It displays both scripts side by side, so you can learn to recognize the same phrases in either writing system. This is especially helpful if you are learning Badini and want to become comfortable with both scripts.
Want to try translating Badini yourself? Open the Badini Translator and start translating between English and Badini Kurdish for free.