Kurdish Phrases (Kurmanji): Greetings, Farewells & Everyday Expressions

Kurdish phrases are short expressions used in everyday speech – to greet someone, show respect, introduce yourself, or simply have a conversation. For anyone learning Kurdish, getting these phrases right early on makes an enormous difference: real communication starts long before grammar is mastered.

All phrases on this page are in Kurmanji (Northern Kurdish), the dialect written in Latin script and spoken by the largest number of Kurdish speakers worldwide – primarily in Turkey, Syria, northern Iraq, and the Kurdish diaspora in Europe. If you’re not sure which dialect to learn, I cover the difference between Kurmanji and Sorani in detail in the Kurdish language guide.

From my own experience learning multiple languages: phrases are the fastest way to build real-world confidence. When I started Norwegian, I was having basic conversations within weeks – not because my grammar was solid, but because I had the right expressions at hand. Kurdish is no different.

OUR TIP: If you want to practise these Kurmanji phrases interactively, the free demo from 17-Minute-Languages lets you start today – with native speaker audio and spaced repetition built in.

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Kurmanji Kurdish greetings

Greetings are the first thing you’ll use in any real conversation. Kurmanji greetings follow clear patterns – once you know the structure, responding correctly becomes second nature. Note the IPA transcription next to each phrase: Kurmanji has sounds like the guttural x (similar to Scottish “loch”) that are worth getting right from the start.

How to greet someone in Kurmanji Kurdish

If you are greeted in Kurmanji Kurdish, respond with one of these:

How are you in Kurdish? (Tu çawa yî)

The phrase Tu çawa yî? is one of the most searched Kurmanji expressions – and one of the first you’ll hear in any real conversation. It literally means “how are you?” and is used in both formal and informal situations.

How to answer when someone asks how you are in Kurmanji:

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For a complete guide to learning Kurdish: Kurdish Language Course – Kurmanji & Sorani.

How to say goodbye in Kurdish (Kurmanji)

The standard Kurmanji farewell is Bi xatirê te! – literally “with your memory” or “in your care”, a phrase that reflects Kurdish cultural warmth. Several of these farewells rank well in search, which tells me people are genuinely looking for them: goodbye in Kurdish sits at position 14.8 in Google, meaning a well-structured answer here has a real shot at the top 10.

Introducing yourself in Kurmanji Kurdish

When travelling in areas where Kurdish is spoken – northern Syria, the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, or parts of Turkey – introducing yourself correctly makes a strong first impression. Kurdishspeakers genuinely appreciate the effort, even if your vocabulary is limited at first.

Useful phrases when your Kurdish isn’t yet strong enough:

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Everyday Kurmanji Kurdish phrases

Useful “I am…” expressions in Kurdish

These phrases cover a wide range of real situations – from travel emergencies to casual conversation. According to Ethnologue, Kurmanji is spoken by an estimated 15–20 million people, making it the most widely spoken Kurdish dialect. Getting these everyday expressions right gives you a strong foundation.

Apologising in Kurmanji Kurdish

Useful signs and notices in Kurdish

These are the Kurmanji words and signs you’ll encounter most often in public spaces in Kurdish-speaking regions.

Numbers 1–25 in Kurdish (Kurmanji)

Numbers are among the first things you’ll need in real situations – prices, addresses, phone numbers. The Kurmanji number system is regular and logical; once you know 1–10, the teens follow a consistent pattern.

Colours in Kurdish (Kurmanji)

Days, months and seasons in Kurdish (Kurmanji)

Kurmanji uses its own traditional month names alongside the international calendar – you’ll encounter both in everyday life. The days of the week follow a Persian-influenced pattern common across Kurdish dialects.

OUR TIP: If you want to practise these Kurmanji Kurdish phrases interactively with native speaker audio and spaced repetition, the free demo from 17-Minute-Languages is the best place to start.

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More language learning resources:

• Kurdish Language Course – complete guide to Kurmanji & Sorani
• The different ways of learning languages
• Learning vocabulary successfully
• Motivated language learning
• How to train your listening comprehension
• Learning languages quickly – is it possible?
• The different types of language learners