YariKurdish greetings and everyday phrases for beginners (Kurmanji)
A few words go a long way. These Kurmanji phrases will get you through a first conversation, a family visit or the start of a game night. They are written in the Kurmanji alphabet, so each letter is pronounced as written.
Saying hello
| Kurmanji | English | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Silav | Hello | Any time, with anyone. The safest all-purpose greeting. |
| Rojbaş | Good day / good morning | During the day. Literally “good day” (roj = day, baş = good). |
| Êvarbaş | Good evening | In the evening (êvar = evening). |
| Şevbaş | Good night | When going to bed or leaving late (şev = night). |
| Bi xêr hatî | Welcome | To one person arriving. It is the first thing you see when you open Yari. |
Asking how someone is
| Kurmanji | English |
|---|---|
| Tu çawa yî? | How are you? (to one person) |
| Ez baş im, spas. | I’m fine, thanks. |
| Û tu? | And you? |
| Navê te çi ye? | What’s your name? |
| Navê min … e. | My name is … |
Notice the small words in these sentences. Tu is the informal “you” for one person, and im, yî and e are forms of “to be” that attach to the end of a sentence: ez baş im is literally “I good am”.
Politeness
- Spas (also written sipas): thank you.
- Ji kerema xwe: please.
- Erê: yes. Na: no.
Saying goodbye
The person leaving usually says Bi xatirê te or simply Xatirê te (to one person). The person staying replies with a wish for a good journey, such as Bi xêr herî (“go well”) or Oxir be.
Regional variation
Kurmanji is spoken across a wide area, so you will hear different forms: some speakers say sipas, others spas; greetings borrowed from neighbouring languages are also common. If someone greets you differently, simply reply in kind. Sorani speakers use different forms for several of these phrases; see our Kurmanji and Sorani guide.
Keep going
Next, learn to count with our Kurmanji numbers guide, or build your vocabulary with the word list.