Want to greet someone in Kurmanji like a real Kurd from Diyarbakır or Erbil? Here are all the ways to say hello in the language of around 20 million speakers across Kurdistan, Turkey, Syria, Iraq, and the global diaspora.

Kurmanji (or Northern Kurdish) is the most widely spoken variant of Kurdish. It is written in a modern Latin alphabet, making it more accessible to English speakers than its Arabic or Persian cousins.

The 4 main greetings in Kurmanji

Kurmanji has more than one way to say "hello": three words coexist, and all are correct.

Silav , Hi

Silav (pronounced see-lav) is the most common, neutral, and frequently used greeting. It comes from the Arabic word salam (peace), a legacy of centuries of cultural exchange.

🎧 Listen to "Silav / Merheba / Roj baş"

Merheba , Hello

Merheba (pronounced mer-he-ba) is a warmer variant, especially common in the Kurdish regions of Turkey. Etymologically related to Arabic marhaba.

Roj baş , Good day

Roj baş (pronounced roj bash) literally means "good day". It is a universal greeting that can be used at any time.

  • roj = day
  • baş = good

Beyanî baş , Good morning

Beyanî baş (pronounced beh-ya-nee bash) is the equivalent of "good morning": save it for the morning hours (before noon).

🎧 Listen to "Beyanî baş"

Greetings by time of day

Like English, Kurmanji distinguishes between times of day:

Time Greeting Pronunciation
Morning Beyanî baş beh-ya-nee bash
Afternoon Roj baş roj bash
Evening Êvar baş eh-var bash
Night Şev baş shev bash

These 4 greetings form the foundation of Kurmanji politeness. If you walk into a cafe in Diyarbakır at 8am, Beyanî baş will be appreciated. In the evening at a restaurant in Erbil, it is Êvar baş.

How to respond to "How are you?"

After "hello", the standard follow-up is:

Tu çawa yî? , How are you?

Tu çawa yî? (pronounced too cha-wa yee) is the informal version.

For formal or plural: Hûn çawa nin? (hoon cha-wa nin).

🎧 Listen to "Tu çawa yî ?"

Common responses

  • Ez baş im (ez bash im) = "I am fine"
  • Ez baş dikim (ez bash di-kim) = "I am doing well"

Followed by the return question: Tu çawa yî?

Essential politeness expressions

Greeting is not enough. In Kurdish culture, politeness also requires these words:

Spas , Thank you

Spas (pronounced spass) is the most common thank-you. A more formal variant: Spas dikim (spass di-kim).

For stronger gratitude: Gelek spas (geh-lek spass) or Zor spas (zor spass) = "Thank you very much".

🎧 Listen to "Spas / Spas dikim"

Ji kerema xwe , Please

Ji kerema xwe (pronounced ji keh-reh-ma khwe), literally "of your grace". Use it for any polite request:

  • Ji kerema xwe, hûn dikarin hêdî biaxivin? = "Could you speak slowly, please?"
  • Menu, ji kerema xwe! = "The menu, please!"

Bibore , Sorry / Excuse me

Bibore (bi-bo-reh) is the equivalent of "sorry". More respectful: Li min bibore (li min bi-bo-reh) = "I'm really sorry".

Ser çavan , You're welcome

Ser çavan (sehr cha-van), literally "on the eyes", is a warm expression to respond to a thank-you. Synonym: Rica dikim (ri-ja di-kim).

A genuine mini-dialogue between friends

Here is a typical exchange between two Kurmanji-speaking friends, recorded by a native teacher:

Friend 1: Roj baş! Tu çawa yî ?
Hello! How are you?
Friend 2: Ez baş im, spas. Û tu ?
I'm fine, thanks. And you?
Friend 1: Ez jî baş im. Ji kerema xwe, hûn dikarin hêdî biaxivin ?
I'm fine too. Please, could you speak slowly?
Friend 2: Erê, bê guman. Bibore !
Yes, of course. Sorry!
Friend 1: Gelek spas.
Thanks a lot.
Friend 2: Ser çavan. Bi hêviya hev dîtinê !
You're welcome. Goodbye!

Kurmanji vs Sorani: different greetings

Kurdish is not a single language: there are two main variants.

Kurmanji (North)

Spoken in southeastern Turkey, northern Syria, far-northern Iraq. Around 20 million speakers. Written in a modern Latin alphabet.

  • Hello: Silav, Merheba, Roj baş
  • Thank you: Spas

Sorani (Central)

Spoken in Iraqi Kurdistan (Erbil, Sulaymaniyah) and Iran. Around 10 million speakers. Written in the Arabo-Persian alphabet.

  • Hello: Slaw, Rojbaş (in Arabic script)
  • Thank you: Supas

The two variants are partially mutually intelligible, but speakers usually speak Kurmanji or Sorani, rarely both.

Cultural context: greetings in Kurdish culture

Greeting in Kurmanji is not just a formality. A few codes to know:

  • Firm handshake between men, sometimes followed by placing a hand on the heart (a sign of respect).
  • Light hug or hand on the heart between close women friends.
  • Always greet elders first: an absolute rule in traditional Kurdish culture.
  • Asking about the family is expected after the greeting: Mal çawa ne? ("How is the household/family?").
  • Religion: in Muslim-majority areas, Selamûnalîkum (from Arabic as-salamu alaykum) remains common among men. Response: Alîkumeselam.

Note: the Kurdish diaspora in Europe and the US is significant, particularly in Germany, France, and the UK. If you interact with Kurdish speakers in London, Berlin, or New York, Silav will land well.

Community: join the free support group

🟢 Kurmanji (Kurdish) WhatsApp Group

Chat with other Kurmanji learners, ask Kurdish native speakers, share your progress. Moderated group, welcoming vibe.

Join the free group →

Further reading

Sources and references