Kurdish is divided into two main variants: Kurmanji (Northern, Turkey, Syria, Iraq, Iran) and Sorani (Central-South, mainly Iraq and Iran). The two are only partially mutually intelligible, like Portuguese and Spanish, they share structures but differ significantly in grammar and vocabulary. Kurmanji is written in the Latin alphabet, Sorani in a modified Arabic script. The diaspora in France and Germany is predominantly Kurmanji-speaking.

Is Kurmanji taught in Kurdistan?

The situation varies by country. In Iraq (Iraqi Kurdistan), Kurdish is an official language and Kurmanji is taught in schools. In Turkey, Kurdish-language teaching was banned for decades and has been partially permitted since 2012 in some regions. In northern Syria (Rojava), Kurmanji has been an official language of instruction since 2012. In Iran, teaching is very limited. This history of linguistic repression explains the passionate attachment of the diaspora to its language.

Why learn Kurmanji to work with the Kurdish diaspora in Europe?

The Kurdish community in France (150,000 to 200,000 people) is frequently in contact with social services, the courts and the healthcare system. In many families, women and elderly relatives speak little or no French. For social workers, doctors, immigration lawyers and FLE (French as a foreign language) teachers, a few basics of Kurmanji radically improve the quality of the service they provide. It is also a sign of deep respect for a community whose language has long been suppressed.

Is Kurmanji an Indo-European language?

Yes, Kurdish belongs to the Indo-Iranian family of Indo-European languages, within the North-Western Iranian branch, alongside Persian, Dari and Pashto. It shares basic vocabulary and similar structures with Persian. This Indo-European kinship means that some Kurmanji words have distant cousins in English, French or Latin, which slightly eases vocabulary acquisition for European learners.

How long does it take to speak Kurmanji?

Kurmanji presents a unique grammatical challenge: ergativity (in past tenses, the subject is marked differently depending on whether the verb is transitive or intransitive). This construction does not exist in English or French. For a European speaker, expect 10 to 14 months with regular lessons to reach B1. The Latin alphabet is an advantage, no new script to master, though certain sounds (the guttural 'x', the 'ê') take practice.

How much do Kurmanji courses cost on Targumi?

Targumi offers 3 plans: monthly, quarterly, and lifetime access. All plans include live small-group classes with native teachers, interactive lessons, and the community. See full pricing on the pricing page.

Are the Kurmanji courses online or in person?

100% online. Live classes happen in small groups via Google Meet. You can join from anywhere in the world. The mobile and web app stay accessible 24/7 for interactive lessons.

Is there a money-back guarantee?

Yes. Targumi offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on all plans. If you are not satisfied, just email [email protected] for a full refund.

How do I cancel my subscription?

You can cancel anytime from your profile (“My subscriptions” section) with no hidden fees. Your access stays active until the end of your paid period.

Resources

All Kurmanji resources

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Kurmanji level test

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Kurmanji survival kit

A hundred words and thirty key phrases as a printable PDF, free.

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Kurmanji cultural quiz

How well do you know Kurmanji culture? Films, music, traditions.

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Kurmanji articles

Guides and articles to learn Kurmanji.

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Kurmanji vocabulary

Essential words and phrases organized by theme.

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Cultural resources

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Guides & articles

Guides to learn Kurmanji

Expression

How to Say Hello in Kurmanji: 8 Kurdish Greetings with Pronunciation

Learn how to say hello in Kurmanji: Silav, Roj baş, Êvar baş and all Kurdish greetings from Diyarbakır to Erbil. Native audio from a Kurdish teacher included.

7 min read→Complete Guide

Learn Kurmanji (Kurdish): A Complete Beginner's Guide

Complete guide to learning Kurmanji, the most spoken variant of Kurdish. Alphabet, grammar, essential vocabulary and learning method for English speakers.

15 min read→

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Reviews

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“Been on Targumi for 3 months. The small group format is exactly what I needed. My teacher takes time to correct accent, it's precious. Made more progress in 3 months than in 2 years of regular apps.”

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“What sold me is you actually speak from class one. No 10 hours of theory before opening your mouth. And the platform between classes is well-built, I revise on the morning commute.”

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“Honestly I had doubts at first because I'd tried plenty of methods without sticking. This is different, the teacher knows their stuff, adapts to your level, and we have fun on top of it. 6 months in and still motivated.”

SorayaVerified purchase

“Really good experience overall, the rhythm between live classes and independent practice is well-balanced. Small note: the mobile app lags sometimes, but the teaching content is well worth the price.”

AntoineVerified purchase

“The thing that makes a real difference compared to other platforms: teachers are native and trained. You feel it, especially on accent and everyday expressions you don't learn in textbooks.”

EmilyVerified purchase

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