Kurmanji Kurdish For The Beginners PDF

Kurmanji Kurdish, Lesson 1 1
LESSON 1
INTRODUCTION
In this unit you will learn the Kurdish alphabet – small letters, capital letters, vowels and
consonants – country names and some cities in Kurdistan.
By the end of this lesson;
− you will produce Kurdish sounds correctly.
− you will learn new words.
− you will gain certain skills so that you can pronounce new words correctly.
− you will learn basic greeting phrases.
− you will be able to introduce yourself and ask about personal information.
Elfabe / Alphabet
The Kurdish language uses three different alphabets: The Kurdish latin alphabet based on the
Roman script; the alphabet based on the Arabic script and the alphabet on the basis of the
Cyrillic alphabet. The Kurdish Latin alphabet is the most frequently used alphabet for
Kurmanji. It is used in the parts of Kurdistan that are situated within the borders of Turkey
and Syria, and by the large Kurdish diaspora community in Europe and North America from
these two countries. The alphabet based on Arabic script is used in Iraqi and Iranian
Kurdistan, while Cyrillic is used only in ex-Soviet countries. In this course we will be using
the Roman-based alphabet.
There are 8 vowels and 23 consonants in the standard Kurdish Roman-based alphabet. In the
chart below the Kurdish letters are listed and you can listen to their pronunciation by clicking
on the sound file image next to each letter.
Roman Example English example IPA

Script
A,a agir (fire), xanî (house) father [a]
B,b baş (good), bira (brother) bell [b]

C,c cil (clothes), civak (society) jungle [ʤ]
Ç,ç çar (four), keçik (girl) butcher [ʧ]
D,d dîwar (wall), beden (body) door [d]
E,e enî (forehead), dest (hand) bat (British English [æ]
pronunciation)
Ê,ê êş (grief), stêr (star) bait [e:]
F,f ferheng (dictionary), farmer [f]
berf (snow)
G,g genim (wheat), seg (dog) get [g]
H,h heyv (moon), duhî (yesterday) head [h]
I,i ciwan (young), bit [ɨ],
zivistan (winter) [ɯ]
Î,î îro (today), havîn (summer) meet [i:]
J,j jan (grief), bajar (city) beige [ʒ]
K,k kur (boy), dayik (mother) book [k]
L,l leymûn (lemon), mil (arm) light [l]
M,m mamoste (teacher), dem (time) mother [m]
N,n nav (name), nan (bread, food) name [n]
O,o ode (room), roj (sun, day) odour [o]
P,p pişt (back), party [p]

dapîr (grandmother)
Q,q qelem (pen), aqil (reason) (Arabic Qaf) [q]
R,r rûbar (river), bihar (spring) Two pronunciations, like [ɾ]
in Spanish (pero-perro) [r]
One with a single tap, one
rolled front r.
S,s ser (head), mast (yoghurt) sun [s]
Ş,ş şekir (sugar), aştî (peace) share [ʃ]
T,t tirs (fear), kitêb (book) table [t]
U,u kurd (Kurd), du (two) bull [ʊ]
Û,û ûd (laud), birû (eyebrow) foot [u:]
V,v vala (empty), çav (eye) violet [v]
W,w welat (country), bawerî (belief) wine [w]
X,x xewn (dream), baxçe (garden) cf. Scottish: loch [x]
Y,y yek (one), giya (grass) yellow [j]
Z,z zengil (bell), azadî (freedom) breeze [z]
Table 1. The Vowels in Kurmanji (approximate phonetic values)
Front Central Back
Closed î û
i u
Half-closed ê o
Open a
The vowels represented in the writing by <i> and <u> are quite close and may be difficult to
distinguish in some varieties of Kurmanji.
Table 2. The Consonants in Kurmanji

Bilabial Labio- Dental/ Post- Palatal Velar Uvular Glottal
dental Alveolar alveolar
Plosive p b t d kg q
Fricative f v s z ş j x h
Affricate ç c
Nasal m n
Approximant w y
Tap / Trill r
Lateral l
Note: In addition to the consonants shown in chart, some Kurmanji words contain sounds that
are not usually noted in the standard orthography, though often noted in dictionaries. They
are some special forms of the plosives and affricates. Native speakers are aware of these
sounds, and can hear and produce them readily. For learners, however, they are difficult to
perceive and at this stage need not be introduced. You will still be understood even if you do
not produce them correctly; we will discuss them in a later lesson with some examples.
Text: Rojbaş!
Two students sit next to each other in the first lesson at their university. They introduce
themselves to each other, saying their names and where they are from.
Zeyneb : Rojbaş. Navê min Zeyneb e. Navê te çi ye?

Good day, my name is Zeyneb. What is your name?
Ehmed : Rojbaş. Navê min Ehmed e.
Good day, my name is Ehmed.
Zeyneb : Tu ji ku derê yî Ehmed?
Where are you from, Ehmed?
Ehmed : Ez ji Diyarbekirê me; lê tu?
I am from Diyarbekir. (And) you?
Zeyneb : Bi rastî! Ez jî ji Diyarbekirê me.
Really! I am from Diyarbekir too.
Ehmed : Ser çavan, gelekî kêfxweş bûm.
How nice. I am (lit. was) very happy.
Zeyneb : Ez jî pir kêfxweş bûm. Tu kurd î?
I, too, am very happy. Are you a Kurd?
Ehmed : Erê, ez kurd im, lê tu?
Yes, I am a Kurd, (and ) you?
Zeyneb : Ez jî kurd im. Ha, mamoste tê.
I am a Kurd too. Oh, the teacher is coming.
Ehmed : Baş e. Em dê paşê biaxivin.
OK (lit. it is good). We will talk later.
Zeyneb : Baş e.
OK.
Greetings (Silav)
Merheba/Silav/Silamun eleykum Hello

Beyanîbaş/ spêde bi xêr/Sibeha te bi xêr Good morning (to one person)
Beyanîbaş/ spêde bi xêr/Sibeha we bi xêr Good morning
(to more than one person)
Rojbaş Good day
Êvarbaş/Êvara te bi xêr Good evening (to one person)
Êvarbaş/Êvara we bi xêr Good evening
Şevbaş /Şeva te bi xêr Good night (to one person)
Şevbaş /Şeva we bi xêr Good night
Çawa yî? How are you sg.?
Çawa nin? How are you pl.?
Good bye (Xatirxwestin)
Bi xatirê te Good bye (to one person)

Bi xatirê we Good bye (to more than one person)
Response to bi xatirê te/we
Oxir be/Oxira te ya xêrê be/Bi xêr û silametî Good bye

Grammar / Rêziman 1
A The personal pronouns
The pronouns of Kurmanji corresponding to English I, you etc. have two forms, which we will call Direct and
Oblique. Their uses will be explained below. The forms are the following:
Person Direct Oblique
I ez min
you tu te
he/she ew wî (him), wê (her)
we em me
you hûn we
they ew (e)wan
Usage
The Direct forms are used for all subjects in the present tenses, for example:
Ez kurd im ‘I am a Kurd’
and for the subjects of intransitive verbs in the past tenses.

(Intransitive verbs are verbs which cannot take a direct object, e.g. go, climb, die, laugh.)
The Oblique forms are used everywhere else, for example, to express the possessor of something:
Navê min Ehmed e. ‘My name is Ehmed’
We will discuss the use of the Direct and Oblique forms in more detail later.
B Expressing ‘to be’ in the present tense

In the simple present tense, there is no independent word for is, are, am in Kurdish. Instead, endings are added to
the last word of the sentence that indicate the person involved. For example, to say ‘I am a Kurd’ in Kurdish we
say literally ‘I Kurd-am’. These endings are actually written separately as though they were independent words,
but they are really unstressed short forms pronounced as though they were part of the preceding word. They
have slightly different forms depending on whether the preceding word ends in a vowel or consonant. The forms
of these endings are as follows:
After consonant: After vowel:

Ez kurd im ‘I am a Kurd’ Ez ji Diyarbekirê me ‘I am from D.’
Tu kurd î ‘You are a Kurd’ ... yî ‘You are ...’
Ew kurd e ‘He / She is a Kurd’ ... ye ‘He / she ...’
Em kurd in ‘We are Kurds’ ... ne ‘We are ...’
Hûn kurd in ‘You are Kurds’ ... ne ‘You are ...’
Ew kurd in ‘They are Kurds’ ... ne ‘They are ...’
Ez ne kurd im ‘I am not a Kurd’ Ez ne ji Diyarbekirê me ‘I am not from D.’

Tu ne kurd î ‘You are not a Kurd’ ... yî ‘You are ...’
Ew ne kurd e ‘He / She is not a Kurd’ ... ye ‘He / she ...’
Em ne kurd in ‘We are not Kurds’ ... ne ‘We are ...’
Hûn ne kurd in ‘You are not Kurds’ ... ne ‘You are ...’
Ew ne kurd in ‘They are Kurds’ ... ne ‘They are ...’
Wordlist
baş good
be may it be (a form of the verb bûn ‘be, become’)
biaxivin ‘let’s talk’ (a form of the verb axaftin ‘talk, speak’, see future
lessons
bimîne may it remain (a form of the verb man ‘stay, remain’)
bi rastî really!
bi xêr good
bûm (I) have become / was (1st pers. sg. past tense form of the
verb bûn ‘be, become’)
çi what
dê indicates future tense of the verb
ders lesson
diçim I go, I am going (a form of the verb çûn ‘to go’)
em we, 2nd pers. pl. pronoun
erê yes
êvar evening
ez I, 1st pers. sg. pronoun
gelek very, many
ha oh
ji from
jî too, also, as well (used after the word it refers to: ez jî ‘I too
...’)
kêfxweş happy
kek an address form for males
kû der where
mamoste teacher
merheba hello
min 1st pers. sg. object pronoun (see Grammar 1)
na/ne no
nav name
ne not (negation)
niha now
paşî later on
pir very, many
piştî after
rojbaş good‐day; have a good day
ser çavan you are welcome (literally: on eyes)
şev night
sibeh, beyanî morning
silav greeting
te 2nd pers. sg. oblique pronoun (see Grammar 1)
tê (he/she) comes, is coming (present tense of the verb hatin
‘come’)
tu you, 2nd pers. sg. pronoun
xatirxwestin to take farewell, to say goodbye
xwendekar student
xweş good, enjoyable
Exercise 1.
Two students are meeting in the school canteen. Fill in the blanks from their conversation
with the forms presented above.
Dara : Beyanîbaş! Navê .... Dara ye. Navê .... çi ye?
Daner : ...............! Navê min Daner e.
Dara : .... ji ku derê yî Dara?
Daner : Ez ji Qamişloyê me; lê tu?
Dara : .... jî ji Duhokê me.
Daner : Kêfxweş bûm kekê Dara.
Dara : Ez jî kêfxweş bûm.
Daner : Ez niha diçime dersê. Bi ............ te.
Dara : Oxir be!
Exercise 2.
Fill in the blanks according to the information given in the dialogue above.
Daner
Navê …. Daner e. Ez ji Diyarbekirê …..
…. xwendekar im. Ez kurd ….
Exercise 3.
Below, there are questions for you! Please write true answers for the questions.
a. Navê te çi ye? b. Tu ji ku derê yî?
…………………………………………… …………………………………………
…………………………………………… …………………………………………
c. Tu kurd î? d. Tu xwendekar î?
…………………………………………… …………………………………………
…………………………………………… …………………………………………
Country names
Franse France Çîn China
Almanya Germany Rusya Russia
Ingilîstan England Hindistan India
Îtalya Italy Iraq Iraq
Espanya Spain Amerîka USA
Swêd Sweden Îran Iran
Siwîs Switzserland Sûriye Syria
Tirkiye Turkey Norwêc Norway
Çend bajarên Kurdistanê / Some cities of Kurdistan
Navên din /other

Bajar/city Dewlet/state
names
Afrîn Afrin Sûriye
Agirî Ağrı Tirkiye
Amed Diyarbakır Tirkiye
Amûdê Amuda Sûriye
Bedlîs Bitlis Tirkiye
Bokan Bokan Îran
Cizîr Cizre Tirkiye
Culemêrg Hakkari Tirkiye
Dêrsim Tunceli Tirkiye
Dihok Dohuk Iraq
Dîlok Antep Tirkiye
Efrîn Afrin Sûriye
Erzingan Erzincan Tirkiye
Erzirom Erzurum Tirkiye
Gurgum Maraş Tirkiye
Helebçe Halepçe Iraq
Hewlêr Erbil Iraq
Îdir Iğdır Tirkiye
Îlam İlam Îran
Kerkuk Kerkük Iraq
Kirmaşan Kermanşah Îran
Mehebad Mahabad Îran
Meletî Malatya Tirkiye
Mexmûr Mahmur Iraq
Mezra Elazığ Tirkiye
Mêrdîn Mardin Tirkiye
Midyad Midyat Tirkiye
Mûsil Musul Iraq
Mûş Muş Tirkiye
Qamişlo Kamişli Sûriye
Qers Kars Tirkiye
Riha Urfa Tirkiye
Semsûr Adıyaman Tirkiye
Seqiz Sakız Îran
Sêrt Siirt Tirkiye
Silêmanî Süleymaniye Iraq
Sîne Sanandaj Îran
Urmiye Urmiye, Wirmiye Îran
Wan Van Tirkiye

Çewlik Bingöl Tirkiye
Êlih Batman Tirkiye
Şirnex Şırnak Tirkiye
Xarpêt Elezîz, Elazığ Tirkiye
Zaxo Zaho Iraq
LESSON 2

INTRODUCTION
In this unit you will learn numbers, colors, asking about age, describing people, kinship
terminology, more about pronouns, copula, interrogatives and do some exercises.
By the end of this lesson;
you will learn:
• the ezafe construction
• certain structures you can see in daily life
• gender
• the copula in the present tense: how to negate it

Text: Gulçîn û Malbata Wê
Navê min Gulçîn e. Ez 20 salî me. Ez diçime Zanîngeha Stenbolê. Ez li vir, li Stenbolê dijîm.
Lê mala me li Mêrdînê ye. Dayik û bavê min li wir dijîn. Navê bavê min Hekîm e. Ew 45 salî
ye. Navê dayika min Gulcan e û ew 43 salî ye. Bavê min firoşkar e. Firoşgeha wî pir ne mezin
e. Dayika min naxebite. Ew bermalî ye. Dayika min her sal tê vir. Xwişkeke min heye. Navê
wê Zilêxa ye û ew 10 salî ye. Çavên wê reş in û porê wê dirêj e. Ew diçe dibistana seretayî.
Ez di betlaneyan de diçime cem wan.

Wordlist
ap uncle
baş good, well
bav father
be (bibe) may you be (present subjunctive 2 person singular of bûn ‘to be’)
bermalî housewife
bike may he/she do (present subjunctive 3 person singular of kirin ‘to do, to
make’)
bira brother
birçî hungry
cem at, to, by used in connection with people and their homes, cf. French
chez, Persian piše.
çav eye
çawa/çawan how
cotkar farmer
dayik mother
di…de in (circumposition)
dibistan school
diçe he / she goes (3rd person singular present for the verb çûn ‘to go’)
diçime (I) go’ (1st pers. sg. present progressive of çûn ‘to go’)
dijîm (I) live (1st pers. sg. present progressive of jîn / jiyan ‘to live’)
dijîn (they) live (3rd pers. pl. present progressive of jîn / jiyan ‘to live’)
dirêj tall, long
bijîjk doctor
firoşgeh shop
firoşkar shop‐owner
emr life, age
gelek many
her every
heye there is, exists (also used in expressions of possession, see below)
jin woman
kar work, job
kêm few
kurt short
lê but
li in (preposition)
li vir here
li wir there
mal house, home
mam/ap uncle
mamoste teacher
mêr man
mezin big
naxebite does not work (3rd person singular neg. present for the verb xebitîn ‘to
work’)
nav name
nexweş ill, sick
pir many, much
pirs question
por hair
reş black
sal year
salî literally ‘yeared’, that is, with years, of age
sax healthy
seretayî elementary, primary
betlaneyan holidays, vacations
tê he/she comes (3rd person singular present for the verb hatin ‘to come’)
tenê only
têhnî/ tî thirsty
vir here (location)
xerab bad
Xwedê God
xwişkek a sister (from xwişk ‘sister’ with an indefinite singular ending ‐ek). The
word xweh is also used for ‘sister’
yên te yours
zanîngeh university
zarok child

Translation:

My name is Gulchin. I am 20 years old. I go to university in Istanbul. I live here, in Istanbul.
But my home is in Merdin. My mother and father live there. My father’s name is Hekim. He
is 45 years old. My mother’s name is Guldjan and she is 43 years old. My father is a
shopkeeper. His shop is not very big. My mother does not work. She is a housewife. My
mother comes here every year. I have a sister. Her name is Zelikha and she is 10 years old.
Her eyes are black and her hair is long. She goes to primary school. During the holidays I go
to them.

1 Hejmar / Numbers

The cardinal numbers are as follow:
1 yek 11 yanzdeh 21 bîst û yek 40 çil
2 du/didu 12 dozdeh 22 bîst û du 50 pêncî
3 sê/sisê 13 sêzdeh 23 bîst û sê 60 şêst
4 çar 14 çardeh 24 bîst û çar 70 heftê
5 pênc 15 panzdeh 25 bîst û pênc 80 heştê
6 şeş 16 şanzdeh 26 bîst û şeş 90 nod
7 heft 17 hevdeh 27 bîst û heft 100 sed
8 heşt 18 hejdeh 28 bîst û heşt 101 sed û yek
9 neh 19 nozdeh 29 bîst û neh 200 du sed
10 deh 20 bîst 30 sî/sih 300 sê sed
1000 hezar 2000 du hezar 0 net/sifir 2008 du hezar û heşt

Compound numbers are formed with the conjuction û, as in
bîst û yek (21) çil û şeş (46) nod û neh (99) sed û yek (101)

1.1 Exercise
Write the numbers in letter.
4 ______ 9 ______ 33 ______ 49 ______
23 ______ 121 ______ 65 ______ 51 ______
35 ______ 139 ______ 54 ______ 69 ______
47 ______ 142 ______ 78 ______ 91 ______
The ordinal numbers are as follows:
yekem(în) 1st heftem(în) 7th sêzdem(în) 13th nozdem(în) 19th
duyem(în) 2nd heştem(în) 8th çardem(în) 14th bîstem(în) 20th
sêyem(în) 3rd nehem(în) 9th panzdem(în) 15th bîstûyekem(în) 21st
çarem(în) 4th dehem(în) 10th şanzdem(în) 16th bîstûduyem(în) 22nd
pêncem(în) 5th yanzdem(în) 11th hevdem(în) 17th bîstûsêyem(în) 23rd
şeşem(în) 6th dozdem(în) 12th hejdem(în) 18th sihem(în) 30th

Some expressions with ordinals are: “şerê cîhanê yê yekemîn” (the fırst world war), “cara
duyem” (the second time)

2 Asking about age (temen ‘age’)

Tu çend salî yî? How old are you?
Ew çend salî ye? How old is he/she?

Tu çend salî yî?
Gulçîn and her roommate Asli talk about their families. They ask each others’ age.

Gulçîn: Asli, tu çend salî yî?
Asli: 21. Lê tu?
Gulçîn: Ez 20 salî me. Dayik û bavê te çend salî ne?
Asli: Dayika min 48 salî ye û bavê min jî 51 salî ye. Yên te?
Gulçîn: Dayika min 43 salî ye û bavê min jî 45 salî ye.
Asli: Xwişk û birayên te çend salî ne?
Gulçîn: Xwişka min 14 salî ye û birayê min jî 22 salî ye. Yên te?
Asli: Min tenê xwişkek heye. Navê wê Şeyda ye û 10 salî ye.
Gulçîn: Baş e. Xwedê emrê wê dirêj bike!
Asli: Sax bibî.
Gulçîn: Tu saxtir.

Gulçîn: Asli, how old are you?
Asli: 21. (And) you?
Gulçîn: I am 20. How old are your mother and father?
Asli: My mother is 48 and my father is 51. (What about) yours?
Gulçîn: My mother is 43 and my father is 45.
Asli: How old are your sisters and brothers?
Gulçîn: My sister is 14 and my brother is 22. 1 (What about) yours?
Asli: I have only one sister. Her name is Sheyda and she is 10 years old.
Gulçîn: OK. May God grant them a long life!
Asli: Thank you (lit. May you be healthy, may God give you a long life).
Gulçîn: You are welcome (lit. You more healthy).

1
In Kurdish: is also 22.

2.1 Exercise
Read the dialogue and answer the questions.

1. Asli çend salî ye? ……………………………………...
2. Gulçîn çend salî ye? ……………………………………...
3. Dayik û bavê Asliyê çend salî ne? ……………………………………...
4. Dayik û bavê Gulçînê çend salî ne? ……………………………………...
5. Xwişka Asliyê çend salî ye? ……………………………………...
6. Xwişk û birayên Gulçînê çend salî ne? ……………………………………...

3 Kinship Terminology (nonobligatory material)

bapîr grandfather bûk û zava bride and groom
dapîr grandmother jin û mêr wife and husband
bav, bab father xizim, nas relative
dayik mother malbat family
xwişk sister mam, ap father’s brother
bira brother met father’s sister
keç daughter xalet, xaltî mother’s sister
kur son xal mother’s brother
nevî grandchild xwişk û bira sister and brother

3.1. Some examples for the usage of kinship words:
a) Hekîm bavê Gulçînê ye.

b) Zilêxa keça Gulcanê ye.
c) Gulçîn keça Gulcanê ye.
d) Gulcan û Hekîm jin û mêrên hev in.

A The verb ‘to be’ in the present tense again: negated forms
You will remember from lesson 1 that to express ‘to be’ in the present tense, a set of endings is used, as in the
following examples:
ez nexweş im ‘I am ill’ (nexweş = ‘ill, sick’)
tu tî yî ‘You are thirsty’ (têhnî/tî = ‘thirsty’)
To make the negative form of such sentences, the negation particle ne is positioned before the complement
(whatever is negated), and stressed. The negation marker ne can not come right before or after the copula. For
example:
Ez ne nexweş im. (I am not sick) Em ne nexweş in. (We are not sick)
Tu ne tî yî. (You are not thirsty) Hûn ne têhnî ne. (You are not thirsty)
B Gender
All nouns in Kurmanji have gender, either masculine or feminine. It is important to know the gender of a noun
because it affects the form of the case marker, and of the Ezafe marker (see D below).
Nouns that denote persons, or higher animals, have the gender corresponding to their meaning. For example, the
nouns ap ‘uncle’, bav ‘father’ and mêr ‘man’ are all masculine because they denote male beings. Xwişk ‘sister’
and bûk ‘bride’ on the other hand are feminine, because they refer to feminine beings. But for nouns denoting
objects, you just have to learn the gender with the noun. For example, çav ‘eye’ is masculine, but mal ‘house’ is
feminine. There is not a general rule organizing gender for these nouns; however some rules can be
formulated, for example:
− the names of cities, countries and towns are feminine
− abstract nouns ending in –î are feminine
− infinitives used as nouns are feminine
− the infinitives from verbs are feminine
− geographical names are feminine
− Numbers and colors are masculine etc.
− The names of items of women’s clothing are generally feminine, items of men’s clothing are
generally masculine

Words borrowed from other languages are most commonly assigned feminine gender when they denote
objects rather than living beings.
C The indefiniteness suffix

A bare noun in Kurmanji can have a definite reading, or a very general reading, depending on the context. For
example, hesp can mean either ‘the horse’, or perhaps ‘horses in general’. There is no definite article in
Kurmanji corresponding to English the. But if we want to talk about ‘a horse’, we add the suffix -ek to the noun:
hesp-ek ‘a horse’, jinek ‘a woman’, gundek ‘a village’, mamosteyek ‘a teacher’ etc.
Grammar / Rêziman 2 (continued)
D The Ezafe construction

The Ezafe is a vowel that links all kinds of attributes to a noun, for example adjectives, possessors or
prepositional phrases. In standard orthography it is written as part of the noun. Kurdish is like French or Spanish
in that the noun comes first, and then it is followed by the attribute. We refer to the initial noun as the head
noun. A typical Ezafe construction from the texts is the following:
navê min
Head noun Ezafe particle Possessive modifier
The bare form of the head noun is nav ‘name’, and the Ezafe here is ê. The modifier can also be an adjective, as
in zarokê nexweş ‘the sick child’.
The Ezafe particle takes different forms according to the gender and the number of the head noun. In the
example above, the head noun is masculine and singular. If the head noun is feminine, then the ezafe has the
form -a: xwişka min ‘my sister’
If it is plural, the ezafe is -ên hevalên me ‘our friends’ (me=Oblique form of 1st pers. pl pronoun)
If the noun ends in a vowel, a -y- is put before the Ezafe:

birayên min ‘my brothers’
The Ezafe also takes a different form after the indefiniteness suffix (see C above). This gives us four different
possibilities for the Ezafe in the singular:
1. FEMININE, NO INDEFINITENESS SUFFIX: FORM OF SUFFIX

mala me (our house) behra Wanê (Lake Van) -(y)a
2. FEMİNİNE, WİTH İNDEFİNİTENESS SUFFİX:
sêveke sor (a red apple) jineke bedew (a beautiful woman) -e
3. MASCULINE, NO INDEFINITENESS SUFFIX:
Çemê Feratê (the Euphrate River) deriyê darîn (the wooden door) -(y)ê
4. MASCULINE, WITH INDEFINITENESS SUFFIX:
mêrekî bilind (a tall man) kevirekî belek (a colorful stone) -î
Three further points about the Ezafe:
D1 The free or demonstrative Ezafe

First, the Ezafe can also be used without a head noun. In this case, it always takes an initial -y. It means
something like English ‘one ...’ as in my one, or the red one. Consider the following example:
birayê min 12 salî ye. Lê yê te? ‘My brother is 12 years old. And your one? (i.e. and your
brother)?
D2 Multiple Ezafes
One noun can be modified by several modifiers, and in that case, each modifier will require its own Ezafe:
Pirtûka birayê min ‘My brother’s book’
Pirtûka hevalê birayê min ‘The book of my brother’s friend’
Pirtûka xwişka hevalê birayê min ‘The book of the sister of my brother’s friend’
D3 Possessors in the Oblique case

The Possessor in an Ezafe construction always goes into the Oblique case (see next lesson for more details on
this). You have already learned the Oblique case of the personal pronouns (see Lesson 1). This means that
whenever a pronoun is a possessor in an Ezafe, it takes the Oblique form (bavê min ‘my father’, bavê wê ‘her
father’ etc.). We will learn about the Oblique case of nouns in later lessons.
LESSON 3
INTRODUCTION
In this unit you will learn new grammatical structures in the present tense and use them in
meaningful contexts, certain names for occupations, expressions of frequency and terminology
for month and the days of the week.
By the end of this lesson you will be able to:
• Ask about jobs

• Tell the time
• Ask about and describe habits and routines
• Use existensial expressions such as heye/hene
1. Text: Rojeke Min / My Day (literally: one day (roj-ek) of me)

Ez xwendekar im. Navê min Salih e û ez 22 salî me. Ez li Stenbolê dijîm, li mala mamê xwe
dimînim, lê malbata min li Diyarbekirê dijî. Ez sibehan zû radibim, di saet 8an de. Piştî ku ser û
çavên xwe dişom, ez taştê dixwim û diçim zanîngehê. 5 dersên min hene. Ez gelekî ji dersên xwe
hez dikim; ji ber ku em di dersan de pirtûkên gelekî balkêş dixwînin û nîqaşên baş dikin. Ez di
saet 1ê de li gel hevalên xwe firavînê dixwim û çayê vedixwim. Di zanîngehê de gelek hevalên
min hene. Hindek hevalên min tirk in û hindek jî kurd in. Ez bi hevalên xwe yên kurd re bi kurdî
diaxivim, lê mixabin hindek hevalên min ên kurd kurdî nizanin. Piştî firavîn û çayê, em dîsa
diçin dersê. Piştî nîvro tenê du dersên min hene. Yek ji van dersan edebiyat e. Di dersa edebiyatê
de em tekstên edebiyata amerikî dixwînin. Ez taybetî ji helbestên T. S. Eliotê hez dikim. Di kurdî
de jî helbestên Eliotê hene. Ez jî carînan helbestan dinivîsim. Dersên min di saet 5an de xelas
dibin. Paşê têm malê û di saet 7an de li gel mam, jinmam û zarokên wan em şîvê dixwin û çayê
vedixwin. Mamê min mamoste ye û jinmama min jî parêzer e. Ez piranî heta 11an dersên xwe
dixebitim û paşê jî bo saetekê pirtûkekê dixwînim û di seat 12an de dinivim.
Translation:
I am a student. My name is Salih and I am 22 years old. I live in Istanbul, I am staying at my
uncle’s home, but my family lives (in Kurdish plural since there are many members) in
Diyarbekir. I wake up early in the morning (in Kurdish: in the mornings) at eight 8 o’clock. After
washing my face (lit. head and eye), I have (lit. eat) breakfast and go to the univerisity. I have
five courses. I like my courses very much because we read very interesting books in the courses
and have good discussions. At one o’clock, I have lunch and drink tea with my friends. I have
many friends at the unversity. Some of my friends are Turks and some are Kurds. I speak
Kurmanji (Kurdish) with my Kurdish friends, but unfortunately some of Kurdish friends do not
know Kurdish. After lunch and tea we go back to the courses. In the afternoon I have only two
lessons. One of these lessons is literature. In literature class we read texts of English literature. I
particularly like the poems of T. S. Eliot. Eliot’s poems are also (to be found) in Kurdish
(translation). I, too, sometimes write poetry. My courses are finished at 5 o’clock. Then I go
home and at 7 o’clock I have (lit. eat) dinner and tea with my uncle, his wife and their
children.My uncle is a teacher and his wife is a lawyer. I generally study (lit. work on my
lessons) until 11 o’clock and then I read ( a book) for one hour and at midnight I go to sleep.
1.1 Exercise
Answer the questions according to the passege.
1. Navê wî çi ye? ................................................................

2. Ew çi karî dike? ................................................................
3. Ew li ku dijî? ................................................................
4. Ew di saet çendan de radibe? ................................................................
5. Çend dersên wî hene? ................................................................
6. Ew ji kîjan dersên xwe hez dike? ...............................................................
7. Ew kengî şîvê dixwin? ................................................................
8. Mam û jinmama wî çi karî dikin? ...............................................................
2. Asking About Jobs
Tu çi karî dikî? What is your job?
Tu bi çi mijûl î? What are you busy with?
Ew çi karî dike? What is her/his job?
Bavê te çi karî dike? What is your father’s job?
Ez endazyar im. I am (an) engineer.
Ew mamoste ye. S/he is (a) teacher.
Dayika wî şêwirmend e. His mother is (a) consultant.
3. Saet / Time
The basis of expression is saet ‘hour’
Saet çend e? What time is it?

Saet deh e. It is ten.
Saet nêzikê çaran e. It is close to 4 c’clock.
Ji diduyan re çarêkek heye It is a quarter to 2.
Çaran çarêkek dibore. It is a quarter past 4.
3.1. Exercise
Write the time according to the pictures below.
Saet çend e?
Saet ..................... ............................. ............................. .............................
........................... ............................. ............................. .............................

Wordlist
amûrên mitbaxê kitchen utensils

arvan flour
bajar city
balkêş interesting
baş good, well
bazar bazar
bi qasî saetekê for one hour
carinan somtimes
cil û berg clothes
çarêk quarter
çay tea
danûstandin shopping
ders lesson, course, work
diaxivim I speak, I am speaking (1st person singular form of simple present tense
for the verb axavtin ‘to speak’)
dibore he/she/it passes, is passing (3rd person singular form of sîmple present
tense for the verb bihurîn ‘to pass’)
diçim I go, I am going (1st person singular form of simple present tense for
the verb çûn ‘to go’)
diçin we/you/they go/are going (1st, 2nd and 3rd person plural form of
simple present tense for the verb çûn ‘to go’)
dikin we/you/they do/are doing (1st, 2nd and 3rd person plural form of
simple present tense for the verb kirin ‘to do’)
dijîm I live (1st person singular form of simple present tense for the verb
jiyan ‘to live’)
dimînim I stay/am staying (1st person singular form of simple present tense for
the verb man ‘to stay’)
dişom I wash/am washing (1st person singular form of simple present tense
for the verb şûştin ‘to wash’)
dixwînim I read/am reading, I study/am studying (1st person singular form of
simple present tense for the verb xwendin ‘to read, to study’)
dixebitim I work/am working (1st person singular form of simple present tense
for the verb xebitîn to work)
dixwim I eat/am eating (1st person singular form of simple present tense for the
verb xwarin ‘to eat’)
dîsa again, once more
edebiyat literature
edebiyata amerikî American literature
endazyar engineer
erzanî cheapness, low prices
fêkî fruit
firavîn lunch
gelek/gelekî very much
girîng important
hefteyê carekê once in a week
helbest poetry, poem
hemû tişt everything
heta till/until
heval friend
heye/hene there is / there are, exists/exist (also used in expressions of possession,
see below)
hêk egg
hindek some
ji from
ji ber ku because, since
Jinmam/jinap uncle’s wife
kar work, job, task, duty
kengî when
kîjan which
kuçe street
kurd Kurdish
lê but, however
li aliyekê din on the other side/ part
ligel with, together with
malbat family
mam/ap paternal uncle
mamoste teacher
mast yoghurt
mijûl busy
mixabin unfortunately
navçe region
nêzik close
nizanin we/you/they do not know (negative form of 1st, 2nd and 3rd person
plural of simple present tense for the verb zanîn ‘to know’)
niqaş discussion
nivîşk butter
nîvro noon
parêzer lawyer
pêlav / sol shoes
piranî majority; usually, generally, often
radibim I wake up (1st person singular form of simple present tense for the
verb rabûn ‘to wake up)
paşê later, then
piştî ku after
rûkenî cheer, being cheerful
sarinc refrigerator
sebze vegetable
ser û çav literary head and eye, face
sibehan in the morning(s)
şekir sugar
şêwirmend consultant
şîr milk
şîv dinner
taştê breakfast
taybetî especially, specifically
tax quarter (Swedish kvarter), neighbourhood
tekst text
tenê alone, only
têm I come/am coming (1st person singular form of simple present tense for
the verb hatin ‘to come’)
tirk Turkish
vedixwim I drink/am drinkng (1st person singular form of simple present tense for
the verb vexwarin ‘to drink’)
xelas dibin they finish (3rd person plural form of simple present tense for the verb
xelas bûn ‘to finish’)
xelk/xelq the folk, people
xwarin food
ya baştir what is more, moreover
ya rastî indeed, In fact
yek ji wan one of them
zanîngeh university
zarok child
zû quickly, early
A Expressions of existence (‘there is / there are’)
To say that something exists, or is, Kurmanji uses the existential verb hebûn. In fact, it is
really a combination of a particle he- plus the verb bûn (‘to be’), but most descriptions of
Kurdish treat it as a verb in its own right, and we will follow that tradition here. But it is
useful to remember that it is based on the verb bûn, because this makes it easier to understand
the conjugation. In the present tense, the familiar forms of the copula endings (see Grammar
in lesson 1) are simply added to the particle he-, yielding:
Ez he-me ‘I am, exist’ Em he-ne

Tu he-yî ‘you are, exist’ Hûn he-ne
Ew he-ye etc. Ew he-ne
In practice, only the third person forms heye and hene are used frequently. They generally
mean ‘there is’ and ‘there are’ respectively:
Li bazarê gelek tişt hene. ‘At the market there are many things.’
Li vir jinek heye. ‘There is a woman here.’
The negative form is tune/nîne:
Li vir jinek tuneye / nîn e ‘there is no woman here’
B Expressions of possession
Kurdish, unlike Persian, does not have a verb corresponding to English have. To say ‘I have
two brothers’, or something similar, different constructions are used in Kurmanji. They are
based on the existential verb hebûn discussed above. To say ‘I have two brothers’, two
possibilities are available:
Possibility 1 (with Izafe):

Du birayên min hene literally: ‘two brothers of me exist’
Possibility 2 (without Izafe, the possessor comes at the beginning of the sentence and
is in the Oblique case):
Min du bira hene literally: ‘for me two brothers exist’
Both of these constructions can be found in Kurmanji; different books and descriptions prefer
different ones. We have chosen the second one here, which is more commonly used in the
south of the Kurmanji speech area, particularly in North Iraq around Zakho and Dohuk. But
the other possibility is absolutely acceptable, and in many textbooks it is preferred.
Some further examples of the second possibility:

Min xwişkek heye. I have a sister.
Du pisîkên te hene./Te du pisîk hene. You have two cats.

Ezmûneke wê heye./Wê ezmûnek heye. She has an exam.
Pereyên wî hene./Wî pere nîne. He does not have money.
Pirsek ete heye./Te pirsek heye? Do you have a question?
Li bazarê penîr tuneye/nîn e. There is not cheese at the bazar.
C The Reflexive Xwe

The reflexive pronoun xwe has different meanings and usages. It always has the same form,
regardless of how it is used.
1. It can be used as possessive pronoun in an Izafe construction:
Ew ji dersên xwe hez dike She likes her courses.

Ez li gel malbata xwe dimînim. I stay with my family.
Tu li kilîda xwe digerî? Are you looking for your keys?
2. It can be used as reflexive pronoun as in:

Xelk ji xwe re li bazaran danûstandinê dikin. The people do shopping for themselves
in bazaars.
Ez xwe li rûyê te dibînim. I see myself in your face.
Dayika min bi xwe mamoste ye My mother is (a) teacher herself.
3. The reflexive xwe can only be used when it refers to the subject of the sentence it occurs in,
and in this context, it must be used. Compare the following:
Ez ji dayika xwe hez dikim I love my mother (xwe refers back to the subject Ez)
Tu ji dayika min hez dikî You love my mother (xwe cannot be used here, because
the subject of the sentence is Tu ‘you’, not the same
person as the possessor in dayika min ‘my mother’
In contexts like this, a form of the Oblique
personal pronoun (see Lesson 2) is used.
C Dema Niha / The Simple Present Tense (Part 1)
1. Verbs in general: stems and infinitive

Each verb in Kurdish has two stems, or basic forms: a present stem, and a past stem. Each
stem is used as the basis for different tenses, moods etc., by adding various prefixes and
suffixes, which will be explained during the course. In this lesson we look at the simple
present tense.
The usual way of referring to a verb is by its infinitive, which is based on the past stem of the
verb. The infinitive is the form that a verb is listed under in the dictionary. It is formed very
simply by adding -n to the past stem. If the stem ends in a consonsant, then a short buffer
vowel -i is inserted before the -n. The formation of the present stem, on the other hand, is
often irregular (see below).
Here are examples of the basic forms of some verbs from this lesson:
MEANİNG INFİNİTİVE PAST STEM PRESENT STEM

speak, talk axaft-in axaft- axiv-
eat xwar-in xwar- xw-

read, study xwend-in xwend- xwîn-
work xebitî-n xebitî- xebit-
see dît-in dît- bîn-
wash şûşt-in şûşt- şo-
do, make, put kir-in kir- k-
give da-n da- d-
know zanî-n zanî- zan-
2. The simple present tense

The simple present tense is used for all actions performed in the present, whether continuous
or regularly recurring. It is formed from the present stem (see previous point), to which a
prefix di- is attached. Then the personal endings are added according to each person.
Examples of conjugations are as follow:
Ez di – xebit – im ‘I work / am working’
present tense prefix present stem personal ending
kirin (to do) xwendin (to read, study)

Ez di – k – im Em di – k – in Ez di – xwîn – im Em di – xwîn – in
Tu di – k – î Hûn di – k – in Tu di – xwîn – î Hûn di – xwîn – in
Ew di – k – e Ew di – k – in Ew di – xwîn – e Ew di – xwîn – in
If the verb stem ends in a vowel, the personal endings are as below:
şûştin (to wash)

Ez di –şo – m Em di – şo – n
Tu di – şo – yî Hûn di – şo – n
Ew di – şo Ew di – şo – n
3. The negative form of the simple present tense is derived by replacing di- with the na-
negation marker:
xwarin (to eat) xebitîn (to work)

Ez na – xw – im Em na – xw – in Ez na-xebit-im etc.
Tu na – xw – î Hûn na – xw – in
Ew na – xw – e Ew na – xw – in
However, there are two exceptions to the negation marker. The negative form of the present
tense prefix for the verb zanîn (to know) and karîn (to be able) is formed by replacing di-
with ni- instead of na-:
zanîn (to know) karîn (to know)

Ez ni – zan – im Em ni – zan – in Ez ni – kar – im Em ni – kar – in
Tu ni – zan – î Hûn ni – zan – in Tu ni – kar – î Hûn ni – kar – in
Ew ni – zan – e Ew ni – zan – in Ew ni – kar – e Ew ni – kar – in
3. Common irregular verbs in the present tense:

There are two irregular verbs conjugated differently both in affirmative and negative
sentences in present tense. These are hatin (to come) and anîn (to bring).
Hatin (to come)

Affirmative Negative
Ez têm Em tên Ez nayêm Em nayên
Tu tê Hûn tên Tu nayê Hûn nayên
Ew tê Ew tên Ew naye Ew nayên
Anîn (to bring)

Ez tînim Em tînin Ez naynim Em naynin
Tu tînî Hûn tînin Tu naynî Hûn naynin
Ew tîne Ew tînin Ew nayne Ew naynin
5. Compound verbs
The verb vexwarin (to drink) which was previously used in the text is a compound verb,
based on a particle ve- plus the verb xwarin ‘eat’. We will deal with these verbs in a different
lesson, but for the time being it is important to note that the present tense prefix comes
between the preverbal particle and the present stem:
from vexwarin the first person singular present is: ve-di-xw-im

from rabûn ‘get up’ the first person singular present is: ra-di-b-im
6. Exercises
6.1 Translate the following phrases into Kurdish:
1. At seven O'clock I come home.

(note: destinations in Kurdish are usually put after theverb)
2. I don’t know.
3. What does your father do (what is his job)?
4. They are not coming.
5. Rojbin (girl’s name) doesn’t like her (own) teacher.
(‘like’: hez kirin, the object is introduced with the preposition ji)
6. We are drinking water (av).
7. They are not drinking milk.
8. She studies American literature.
9. We don’t work at the bazar.
10. Who is reading my book? (book is feminine - see Izafe in Lesson 2!)
11. We have a large house.
12. He has two sisters.
13. I don’t have yoghurt.
14. When is your brother coming?
6.2 Translate the following into English:
1. Ez îro nayêm. (îro=today)

2. Hûn kengî diçin dersê?
3. Navê hevalê te çi ye?
4. Em li gel malbata xwe dimînin.
5. Min xwişkek heye.
6. Min pere nîn e.
7. Tu ji dayika min hez dikî
8. Tu ji dayika xwe hez dikî
9. Ez destê xwe dişom.
List the infinitives from all the verbs you used exercise 6.1 and 6.2. If you used a form of ‘to
be’, write the infinitive bûn.
(for example: in the first sentence in 6.1 you used a form of the verb hatin ‘come’)
LESSON 4
INTRODUCTION
In this unit you will continue to discover more about the simple present tense,
prepositions, postpositions and circumpositions and different time expressions.
By the end of this lesson you will:

• have learned about prepositions, postpositions and circumpositions and contracted
prepositions
• have learned a number of expressions for describing times
• deepened your knowledge of the present tense of a variety of different verbs, both
simple and complex
1. Tekst: Mala Nêrgizê

Nêrgiz hesabgir e û ew li Amedê dijî. Maleke Nêrgizê heye. Mala wê biçûk e; lê belê pir
şirîn e. Di mala wê de du ode, mitbexek, serşokek û daşirek hene. Nêrgiz ne zengîn e; lê
belê mala wê pir rengîn e. Tê de her tişt heye: televîzyon, palgeh, mase û kursî, tabloyên
wêneyan, dolab û sêpî, xalîçeyeke sor, gul û guldank, û gelek tiştên din. Mala wê li
derveyî bajarî ye. Cihê mala wê pir xweş e û bi dar û hêşînahî ye. Li rex mala wê,
parkeke lîstin û seyranê heye. Park pir nêzikî mala wê ye; di navbera mala wê û parkê de
bi tenê kolanek heye. Park ne mezin e; lê belê paqij û fireh e. Di wê parkê de her cure dar
û giya hene.
Nêrgiz di mala xwe de bi tenê nîn e; pisîkeke wê heye. Navê pisîka wê Kuncî ye. Kuncî
pir şirîn e; lê hinekî şûm e. Her gav derdikeve ser mase û nivînan. Di cihê xwe de
nasekine. Nêrgiz di dawiya hefteyê de naxebite. Rojên şemî, sibehê mala xwe paqij dike
û êvarê jî diçe cem hevalên xwe. Jiyaneke Nêrgizê ya aram û rihet heye. Ew ji mal û halê
xwe pir razî ye.
Translation: The House of Nêrgiz

Nêrgiz is an accountant and she lives in Amed. Nêrgiz has a house. Her house is small
but very sweet. In her house, there are two rooms, a kitchen, a bathroom and a restroom
(toilet). Nêrgiz is not rich but her house is quite colorful. There is everything in it: TV,
armchair, table, chair, paintings, cupboard and coffee table, a red carpet, a vase with
flowers, and many other things. Her house is outside of the city. The neighbourhood of
her house is green and there are trees around (lit. with trees and greenness). Next to her
house there is a park for playing and jogging. The park is very close to her house; there is
only one street between her house and the park. The park is not large (lit. big) yet it is
clean and airy. In that park, there are all kinds of tree and plants (dar û giya tree and
plants are in sngl. form, the plurality is observed on the verb hene).
Nêrgiz is not alone in her house; she has a cat. The name of her cat is Kuncî. Kuncî is
very sweet but she is little bit naughty. Always goes on the table and bedding (nivînan is
the plural form in K.) She (Kuncî) does not stay in her place. Nêrgiz does not work on the
weekend. On Saturdays, in the morning (sibehê) she cleans her house and in the evening
goes to her friends. Nêrgiz has a calm and comfortable life. She is very content with her
situation.
Exercise
Read the text and answer the questions as accurately as possible:
1. Nêrgiz li kû derê dijî?
2. Maleke Nêrgizê ya çawa heye?
3. Di mala Nêrgizê de çend ode hene?
4. Mala Nêrgizê li ku derê ye? Li nav bajarî ye an li derveyî bajarî ye? (li derveyî
=‘outside of’)
5. Park li ku derê ye?
6. Di parkê de çi û çi hene?
7. Nêrgiz di mala xwe de bi kê re dijî?
8. Nêrgiz kîjan rojan naxebite?
9. Nêrgiz kengî diçe cem hevalên xwe?
10. Gelo Nêrgiz ji mal û halê xwe bêzar e?
1.2 Exercise
The sentences below are taken from the text above. Fill in the blanks paying attention to
the usages of the prepositions and postpositions. It is suggested that you work on this
exercise after studying the related part in the Grammar section.
Nêrgiz …. Amedê dijî. Di mala wê …. du ode hene. Mala Nêrgizê li ……….. bajarî ye.
…......... mala wê parkek heye. Di ………….. mala wê û parkê de bi tenê kolanek heye.
Kuncî pir şûm e. Her gav derdikeve …… maseyê. Nêrgiz ….. halê xwe pir razî ye.
2. Vocabulary
2.1 Danên Rojê/Times of a day
sibeh morning danê sibehê the morning time

nîvro noon danê nîvro noon
şev night danê şevê night time
• berbang /şefeq dawn

• sibeh /beyanî morning
• nîvro noon
• piştî nîvro afternoon
• esr /berêvar late afternoon, early evening
• êvar evening
• şev night
• nîvşev midnight
Elî berbanga sibehê diçe ser karê xwe. Elî sets out to his work at dawn.
Nêrgiz her sibeh gulên xwe av dide. Nêrgiz waters her flowers every morning.
Li vira, nîvro pir germ dibe. Her, it is very hot at noon.
Zarok piştî nîvro diçine melevaniyê. The children go swimming in the afternoon.
Salih êvarê zû vedigere mala xwe. Salih returns home early in the evening.
Bi şev zû razin da ku sibehê zû rabin. Sleep early at night to wake up early in the
morning.
Nîvê şevê li gundê me tu kes dernakeve. At midnight nobody in our village goes out.
2.2 Days of the week/Rojên hefteyê

Duşem Monday Îro çi roj e? What day is it today?
Sêşem Tuesday Îro pêncşem e. It is Thursday.
Çarşem Wednesday
Pêncşem Thursday Nêrgiz roja şemiyê naxebite.
În Friday Nêrgiz does not work on Sunday.
Şemî Saturday
Yekşem Sunday Ez roja sêşemê diçime cem malbata xwe.
I am going to my family on Tuesday.
2.3 Hindek Hokerên Demê /Some Time Adverbs
Duhî yesterday →îro today →sibe tomorrow

Par last year →îsal this year →sala tê next year
Berê before →niha now → paşê later
niha now
paşê later
pişt re later on
dû re afterwards
berê/berî before
duhî yesterday
îro/ ev roj today
sibe tomorrow
par last year
îsal/ev sal this year
sala tê next year
berî deh salan ten years ago
piştî deh salan after ten years
her roj every day
her gav/her tim always
her meh every month
her sal every year
tu/çu caran never
hindek caran sometimes
carinan sometimes
kêm caran rarely
gelek caran usually
3. Exercises
a. In the previous lesson we had explained the present tense in Kurmanji. Turn back to
the related section, if needed, and try to place the right verb in the blanks. Note that in
this exercise the verbs are already conjugated.
hez dike /dixwe /radibe /diaxive /temaşe dike /dijî /vedigere /diçe
Salih xwendekarekî bîst û du salî ye. Ew li Stenbolê (1)………….. Salih sibehan pir zû
(2)………….., taştiyê dixwe û (3)…………… zanîngehê. Firavînê li zanîngehê, ligel
hevalên xwe (4)…………... Salih li zanîngehê bi kurdî (5)…………. Salih ji dersên xwe
pir (6)……….. Salih bi şev zû (7)…………. malê. Piştî şîvê, li televîzyonê
(8)………………... û di saet 11an de radizê.
b. Conjugate the verbs in the table in the present tense.
Infinitive English Ez Tu Ew Em/Hûn/Ew

birin bring dibim
çûn go
kirin do
lîstin play
meşîn walk, take a walk
rabûn get up radibe
rûniştin sit
têgihiştin understand têdigihin
xebitîn work
xwendin read, study
xwestin request, want
vexwarin drink vedixwe
winda kirin lose
zivirîn turn (back), rotate
Wordlist
av water
av dide he/she waters (3rd person singular form of simple present tense
for the verb av dan ‘to water’)
bajar (syn. şehr) city
baran rain
bi dar bi: with; dar: tree. Somewhere where there are trees.
bi roj in the daytime, during daytime
bi şev at night
bi tenê alone, only
biçûk small
bikarî if you can (the present subjunctive form of the verb karîn ‘to be
able to’)
kolan street
çawa/çawan how
çay tea
çend how many
çente (syn. kîf) bag
çi what
cih/cî place
çima (syn. bo çi) why

çîmen lawn
ciwan (ant. pîr) young
dan time of the day
dawiya hefteyê weekend (dawî: end; hefte: week)
delal beatiful, lovely
dereng (ant. zû) late
derî door
dernakeve he/she/it does not go out (negative form of 3rd person singular
form of simple present tense for the verb derketin ‘to go out’)
derve outside; abroad
zengîn (ant. feqîr, wealthy
xizan, hejar,
dewlemend)
di ……. re Through; ex: Kûçik di nav daran re çûn
di bin …… de Under (in locative case)
diaxive he/she/it speaks (3rd person singular form of simple present
tense for the verb axaftin ‘to speak’)
dibare it rains (3rd person singular form of simple present tense for the
verb barîn ‘to rain’)
diçe he/she/it goes (3rd person singular form of simple present tense
for the verb çûn ‘to go’)
dijî he/she/it lives (3rd person singular form of simple present tense
for the verb jiyan ‘to live’)
dil; dilan dil: heart; dilan: the plural of the noun dil.
dinive he/she/it sleeps (3rd person singular form of simple present
tense for the verb nivistin ‘to sleep’)
dirêj (ant. kurt, kin) long
dîsa jî again, still
dixwe he/she/it eats (3rd person singular form of simple present tense
for the verb xwarin ‘to eat’)
dolab cupboard
dûr (ant. nêzik) far
ev jiyan this life (ev: this; life: jiyan)
êvarê in the evening
fireh wide
fîncan cup
seyran infinitive form of the verb ‘to travel; to wander’
gîtar guitar
giya grass
gul rose; flower
guldank vase (gul: flower; dank: a suffix giving the sense of containing)
havîn summer (payîz: autumn; zivistan: winter; bihar: spring)
heftî/hefte week
hêlekan swing
serşok bath
her cure every kind (her: every, each; cure: kind (syn. tixm, babet)
her gav (syn. Her tim) always
hesabgir accounter
hêşînahî green
heval friend
hevalên xwe friend’s of self (Salih bi şev diçe cem hevalên xwe. Salih goes to
his friends at night)
hez dike he/she/it likes, loves (3rd person singular form of simple present
tense for the verb hez kirin ‘to like, love’)
hirçok teddy bear
îskan cup for tea
ji bo for
jîn life
jîr clever, smart, wise
jiyaneke aram a peaceful life (jiyan+eke aram)
kal old
kar work
kê who (in oblique case)
kengî when
kî who
kîjan which
kû derê where
kulîlk flower; bud
kuncî oleaster, sesame; here the name of the cat
kursî chair
kurt short
lê belê but; however
lîstin the infinitive form of the verb ‘to play’
li derveyî out of ….. (in oblique case)
li jêr below (in oblique case, by itself jêr would not be in oblique)
li jor above (in obl. case)
li rex next (in obl. case)
li ser on (in obl. case)
li vira here (in obl. case)
ligel together with
xalîçe carpet
mal home
mal û hal general material and psychological situation of someone
mam (syn. ap) uncle
mase table
melevanî (syn. sobanî) swimming
mitbex kitchen
mezin (ant. biçûk) big
şûm naughty
mûzîsyen musicien
nasekine he/she/it does not stop, stand (negative 3rd person singular,
simple present tense of sekinîn ‘to stop, to stand’)
nav name
navber interval, between
nazik fragile
nexweş ill, fatigue
nêzik (ant. dûr) near, close
nivîn bedding
ode room
palgeh armchair
paqij; paqij kirin (syn. clean; to clean up
temîz, pak, xawên)
park park
pênûs (syn. qelem) pen
pere money
pîr (syn. kal; ant. old
ciwan, cahil)
pirtûk (syn. kitêb) book
pisîk (also kitik) cat
piyal glass
por hair
qehwe coffe
radibe he/she/it wakes up (3rd person singular form of simple present
tense for the verb rabûn ‘to wake up, to stand up’)
rengîn colorful
roj day; sun
rûdine he/she/it sits down, lives (3rd person singular form of simple
present tense for the verb rûniştin ‘to sit down; to live’)
şeng charm
sêpî coffe table
serbest free; freely
şirîn sweet; lovely
sibehê in the morning
sil kirin (syn. tûre Infinitive of the verb ‘to offend, to make angry’
kirin; xeyidandin)
tablo tableau
tê de in it (This usage requires a preceding context)
tebeq floor (du tebeq: double floor)
televîzyon television
temaşe kirin infinitive of the verb ‘to watch’
temîz clean
tenha/tenê alone; solitary place
terxan satisfied; comfortable
tev cîhan the whole world (tev: all; cîhan: the world)
tiral, tembel lazy
tiştên din other things (tişt: thing; din: other)
tu kes nobody
daşir/tuwalet toilet
vedigere he/she/it returns (3rd person singular form of simple present
tense for the verb vegeriyan ‘to return’)
vedihese (syn. bêhna he/she/it rests (3rd person singular form of simple present tense
xwe dan) for the verb vehesiyan ‘to rest’)
vî tiştî this thing; this
wêne painting
xanî house
zext/xişmî violence; violent act (in oblique case, see next lesson)
xurt (ant. zeîf; lawaz) strong, powerful
xwendekar student
zarok child; children
zeîf (syn. lawaz) weak
zû early; fast
A) Prepositions, Postpositions, Circumpositions and Contracted Prepositions
In Kurmanji there are prepositions, postpositions and circumpositions. The topic is quite complex, and in
this introductory course we will only be showing you the most important features of these structures.
Furthermore, there is quite a lot of variation among the different varieties of Kurmanji. However, the most
important words are constant across the different varieties. There are three basic prepositions, found in all
varieties of Kurmanji:
li ‘at, in’;
ji ‘from’;
bi ‘through, by’
In addition, there are prepositions like ser ‘on’; bin ‘under’, which may be combined with the basic three
prepositions (li ser ‘on, about’, as in li ser zimanê kurdî ‘about/on the Kurdish language’) or used alone, as
in ser çavan ‘on eyes’, meaning ‘at your disposal’, an expression of friendly respect and agreement.
One difficult feature of Kurmanji is the widespread use of circumpositions: these are made up of a
preposition plus one of three particles which follow the relevant word (or phrase). The three particles are:
ve, de, re (in some varieties pronounced: va, da, ra). For example:
bi te re ‘with you’
ji te re ‘for you, to you’
ji îro ve ‘from today onwards’
In addition, there are circumpositions with a first element di. Unlike the basic prepositions discussed above,
this element can not occur by itself, but only in combination with a final particle:
di mala wê de ‘in her house’

di ... re ‘through’
The final particles have a vague meaning, approximately as follows: de usually adds a meaning of
stationary position; while re adds some sense of togetherness; and finally ve adds some sense of getting
away from.
Note that the nouns and pronouns following the prepositions are in Oblique case. We have already
discussed the Oblique case for pronouns, and in the next lesson we look at the Oblique case for nouns.
Grammar / Rêziman 4 (continued)

Some common prepositions and circumpositions with examples are the following:
ba/nik/cem ‘to, towards’ Ew her roj diçe cem hevalên xwe. (used mostly with persons)
Every day he goes to his friends.
bi ‘with, by means of’ Ez bi bisîkletê diçim dibistanê.
I go to school by bicycle.
bi …re ‘with’ Bisekine! Ez jî bi te re têm bazarê.
Stop! (=imperative of sekinîn ‘wait, stop), I too will come to the market
with you.
bo ‘for; to’ Ji kerema xwe bo min çayekî dagire.
If you would be so kind, pour a tea for me.
di nav …de ‘inside of, among’ Tu çi dikî di nav avê de?
What are you putting into the water?
di navbera …de ‘between’ Welatê me di navbera Ferat û Dîcleyê de ye.
Our homeland is between the Euphrates and the Tigris (rivers)
heta ‘until’ Ez heta saet nehê şevê kar dikim.
I am working until nine O’clock in the evening.
ji ‘from, of’ Derya ji Qoserê ye.
Derya is from Qoser.
Mast ji şîr çêdibe.
Yoghurt is made of milk.
ji …re ‘to’ Ez ji te re dibêjim lê tu ji çu kesî re nebêje (=imperative of gotin).
I tell you but don’t you tell it to anyone (lit. no-one).
ji…ve ‘from; since’ Ji saet heftê sibehê ve kar dikim.
I have been working since 7 in morning.
ji bilî ‘except for; other than’ Di malbata wan de ji bilî wî tu kes kar nake.
In their family no-one works except for him.
ji bo ‘for’ Hemî hewla min ji bo wî ye.
All my effort is for him.
li ber ‘in front of’ Zû were! (imperative of hatin ‘come’) Li ber bankê li hêviya te me.
Come quickly! I am waiting for you in front of the bank.
li dijî ‘against’ Em li dijî neheqiyê têdikoşin.
We struggle against injustice.
ligel ‘with; along with’ Kuncî jî ligel zarokan dileyîze.
Kuncî too plays with the children.
li gorî ‘according to’ Li gorî wî em neheq in.
According to him, we are wrong.
li pêş ‘in front of’ Demhat di sinifê de li pêş Rûkenê rûdine.
Demhat sits in front of Rûken in the classroom.
li rex ‘beside’ Malên wan li rex hev in.
Their houses are next to each other.
li ser ‘on, over’ Bîne, deyne (imperatives of anîn ‘bring’ and danîn ‘put’) li ser vê maseyê.
Bring (it) and put (it) on this table!
wekî/mîna ‘like; as’ Rast e, ez jî wekî te difikirim.
That’s right, I too think like you / think the same way as you.
piştî ‘after’ Piştî saet heftê êvarî vedigere malê.
After seven O’clock in the evening (he / she) returns home.
Contracted prepositions
When the three basic prepositions mentioned above (bi, ji and li) are used with the third person pronoun
ew, this pronoun must go into the Oblique case, either wê (feminine), or wî (masculine). In such
combinations, what usually happens is that the preposition blends together with the pronoun, yielding the
following forms:
bi +wê/wî >pê ‘through him/her/it’
ji+wê/wî >jê ‘from him/her/it’
li+wê/wî >lê ‘at/in him/her/it’
The same thing happens to the particle di (recall from above that this particle does not occur by itself as a
preposition, but only together with a final particle as a circumposition):
di + wî/wê > tê, for example: di wê de > tê de ‘in it’
Some examples are the following:

Bavê wî her roj jê re (=ji wî re) pere dişîne. His father sends him money every day.
Mala ku ez tê de (=di wê de) dimînim gelek fireh e. The house which I stay at is very large.
Ez pê (=bi wê) penêr hûr dikim. I am slicing the cheese with it.
Keçik lê (=li wê) dinihêre. The girl is looking at (smb/smth).
B Conjugation of Verbs in Simple Present Tense (Continuation from previous lessons)

1. Recall that in Kurdish, each verb has two stems. The simple present tense is based o the present stem of
the verb and is created by adding the prefix di- to it. The present stem itself is extremely important, because
it also forms the basis of the subjunctive mood, the imperative, (see next lesson), and the future tense!
The main difficulty with the present stem is that for most of the common verbs in the language, it cannot
easily be predicted from the infinitive. For these verbs, then, you just have to learn the form of the present
stem off by heart. There are, however, two rules which are helpful for some verbs:
Rule i: For verbs with an infinitive ending in –în, the present stem can readily be formed simply by
dropping–în. For example:
Infinitive Present stem
karîn ‘can, be able’ kar-
kirîn ‘buy’ kir-
kenîn ‘laugh, smile’ ken-
pirsîn ‘ask’ pirs-
xebitîn ‘to work’ xebit-
zanîn ‘know’ zan-
zewicîn ‘marry’ zewic-
zivirîn ‘turn (back)’ zivir-
Rule ii: Verbs which end in -andin (or -endin) in the infinitive replace this with -în in to make the present
stem:
xwendin ‘read, study’ xwîn-
şandin ‘send’ şîn-
şikandin ‘break’ şikîn-
kişandin ‘pull’ kişîn-
standin ‘receive’ stîn-
For most of the other common verbs, the present stem must be learnt together with the infinitive. Here is a
list of the commonest verbs together with their present stems, and the first person singular present (‘I am
driving / drive’ etc.)
Infinitive Present stem First Person Singular Present

ajotin (to drive) ajo- dajom
anîn (to bring) în- tînim (di-înim becomes tînim)
axaftin (to speak) axiv- diaxivim
avêtin (to throw away) avêj- davêjim
birin (to take away) b- dibim
bûn (to become) b- dibim
bûn (to be) - -im
çûn (to go) ç- diçim
dan (to give) d- didim
danîn (to place) da-în datînim (see anîn above; this verb is actually
from da-anîn, i.e. it has a preverb da-)
dîtin (to see) bîn- dibînim
firotin (to sell) firoş- difiroşim
gihiştin (to reach, to arrive) gih- digihim
girtin (to catch) gir- digirim
hatin (to come) ê têm
hêlan (to allow, to leave) hêl- dihêlim
jiyan (to live) jî- dijîm
ketin (to fall) kev- dikevim
kirin (to do) k- dikim
kolan (to dig) kol- dikolim
lîstin (to play) leyîz- dileyîze
mayîn (to remain) mîn- dimînim
mirin (to die) mir- dimirim
nivistin (to sleep) niv- dinivim
nivîsîn (to write) nivîs- dinivîsim
nêrîn (to look) nêr- dinêrim
xistin (to drop, strike) x- dixim/dixînim
xwarin (to eat) xw- dixwim
xwestin (to want) xwaz- dixwazim
şûştin (to wash) şo- dişom
Note that generally, the -i of the present tense prefix is dropped when the present stem of the verb begins
with a vowel: dajom (not di-ajom) ‘I drive’. Note also that the present tense of anîn is tînim, rather than the
expected dînim, and from hatin ‘come’ we have têm (actually a contraction of di-hê-m)
LESSON 5
INTRODUCTION
In this unit you will learn and be exposed to new grammatical structures in the present tense and
use them in meaningful contexts, and see the usages of the nouns in oblique case, certain names for
occupations, expressions of frequency and terminology for month and the days of the week.
• Use the modal verbs for expressing the wishes, abilities and requirements,
• Conjugate the verbs in present tenses and also in subjunctive form,
• Detect and use the nouns in oblique case.
1. Text: Şîva Pîrozbahiyê The Celebration Dinner
Listen to the conversation the first time without reading the text and try to answer the questions in
Exercise 1.
In a café in Uppsala, Naz, Serdar, Selîm and Helîn are sitting down talking. Naz is telling the
others a piece of news, and she also makes an offer to the others:
Diyalog/Dialog
Garson: Qehwe ya kê ye?

Serdar: Qehwe ya min e. Kola ya wê, bîra ya xanimê ye û av jî bo hevalî ye.
Garson: Kerem bikin.
….
Naz: Ha, ez dixwazim xeberekê bidime we.
Helîn: Xebera xêrê ye înşellah. De bibêje Nazê.
Naz: Roja înê birayê min î Rênas ji Kurdistanê tê.
Serdar: Rastî! Welleh divê em vê yekê pîroz bikin.
Naz: Ê baş e vê gavê! Ez dixwazim we bikim mêvan. Şeva şemiyê, li mala min.
Hûn dikarin bên?
Serdar: Pir baş dibe! Ez dikarim bêm. Ez dixwazim Rênasî bibînim.
Selîm: Nazê tu xwarinên xweş çêdikî?
Naz: Zêde ne xerab im bo xwarinçêkirinê. Ez dikarim tirşik û qelîsêlkê çêkim ji
we re. Tu dixwazî bêyî an ne?
Selîm: Mixabin ez nikarim bêm. Ji ber ku şeva şemiyê civîna min heye. Divê
beşdarî wê civînê bibim.
Helîn: Ê min, ez gelek dixwazim xwarinên destê te bixwim; lê belê ez niha nizanim ka
dikarim bêm an nikarim (but now I do not know whether I can come or not).
Naz: Em jî gelek dixwazin tu bêyî. Heta sibe xeberekê bide me.
Helîn: Baş e, spas.
Translation:
Waiter: For whom (whose) is the coffee?

Serdar: The coffee is mine. The Cola is hers, the beer is for the lady and the water
is for the (this) friend.
Waiter: Here you are!
---
Naz: Look! I want to tell you (give you) a piece of news.
Helîn: Hopefully it is good news. Say it Naz.
Naz: On (the day of) Friday my brother Rênas will come from Kurdistan.
Serdar: Really! By God, we have to celebrate this (event).
Naz: Sure (lit. it is good)! I want to host you. At Saturday night, in our home.
Can you come?
Serdar: It will be very good. I can come. I want to see (meet) Rênas.
Selîm: Naz, do you cook good food (lit. meal) ?
Naz: I am not too bad at cooking. I can cook (prepare) tirşik and qelîsêlik for
you. Do you want to come or not?
Selîm: Unfortunately I can’t come. Because on Saturday night I have a meeting. I
must (have to) participate in that meeting.
Helîn: As for me, I very much want to eat (taste) a meal cooked (prepared) by
you (your hand), but at the moment (lit. now) I do not know whether I can come or
not.
Naz: We also very much want you to come (lit. that you come). Tell us (give us
news) whether you come or not by tomorrow.
Helîn: Well (it is good), thanks.
1.1 Exercise
Answer the questions below according to the text.
1. Çend kes li maseyê rûdinin?
2. Kî ji Kurdistanê vedigere?
3. Kî hevalan vedixwîne şîvê?
4. Şîv kîjan rojê ye? Kengî ye?
1.2 Rast an Xelet Right or Wrong

Read the dialogue again and decide whether the sentences are right (R) or wrong (X).
a. …. Birayê ji Kurdistanê Serdarî tê.
b. …. Naz dixwaze hevalên xwe bike mêvan.
c. …. Serdar nikare biçe şîvê.
d. …. Şîv şeva yekşemê ye.
e. …. Serdar dixwaze Rênasî bibîne.
f. …. Selîm dikare biçe şîvê.
g. …. Selîm nikare biçe şîvê. Ji ber ku divê beşdarî civînekê bibe.
h. …. Naz dikare tirşikê çêke.
i. …. Naz naxwaze Helîn biçe şîvê.
j. …. Helîn naxwaze xwarinên destê Nazê bixwe.
Navên Mehan/Names of the Months

There are a couple sets of month names in use in Kurdish; the names presented below comprise the
more widespread ones:
1. Rêbendan January 7. Tîrmeh July
2. Reşemî February 8. Tebax August
3. Adar March 9. Rezber Septembre
4. Avrêl April 10. Kewçêr October
5. Gulan May 11. Sermawez November

6. Pûşper June 12. Berfanbar December
Çar demsalên salê The four seasons of the year

Bihar: Spring Havîn: Summer
Payîz: Autumn Zivistan: Winter
Adar, Nîsan û Gulan mehên demsala biharê ne.

March, April and May are the months of the spring season.
Pûşper, Tîrmeh û Tebax havîn e.
June, July and August are (the months of the) summer.
Rezber, Kewçêr û Sermawez mehên payîzê ne.
September, October and November are the months of the autumn.
Mehên demsala zivistanê Berfanbar, Rêbendan û Reşemî ne.
The months of winter season are December, January and February.
Celadet Alî Bedirxan di 26ê nîsana 1893an de hatiye dinyayê.

Celadet Alî Bedir-Xan was born in April 26, 1893 (lit. 26 of the April of 1893)
Havîn bi meha pûşperê dest pê dike.
Summer starts with (month of) June.
Zivistanê, bi taybetî meha rêbendanê, Kurdistan pir sar e.
In winter, especially in (the month of) January, Kurdistan is very cold.
Di salekê de duwanzdah meh hene.
There are twelve months in a year. (Lit. In one year, twelve months exist.)
A) The modal verbs: expressing ‘can’, ‘want’ and ‘must’
The two modal verbs xwestin and karîn behave just like other verbs in the present tense (see last lesson); they take the
xwestin (xwaz-) karîn (kar-) viyan (vê-)
Ez dixwazim bêm Ez dikarim bilîzim Divê ez bixebitim
‘I want to come’ ‘I can play’ ‘I must work’
Tu dixwazî bêyî Tu dikarî bilîzî Divê tu bixebitî

Ew dixwaze bê Ew dikare bilîze Divê ew bixebite
Em/hûn/ew dixwazin bên Em/hûn/ew dikarin bilîzin Divê em/hûn/ew bixebitin
Negative
nexwestin nikarîn divê ne-
Ez naxwazim bêm Ez nikarim bilîzim Divê ez nexebitim
Tu naxwazî bêyî Tu nikarî bilîzî Divê tu nexebitî
Ew naxwaze bê Ew nikare bilîze Divê ew nexebite
Examples
Em naxwazin bên Hûn nikarin bilîzin Divê ew nexebitin
‘We don’t want to come’ ‘You can not play’ ‘They must not work’
Tu dixwazî bêyî sînemayê? Tu dikarî li bisîkletê siwar bibî? Divê tu ji bo îmtîhanê çi bikî?
‘Do you want to come to the ‘Can you (=do you know how to) ‘What do you have to do for the
cinema?’ ride a bike?’ examination?’
present tense prefix di-, which is replaced by the negation prefix when the verb is negated. However, the present tense
negation of karîn is irregular: it is ni-kar- (not the expected na-kar-).
The modal construction
In Kurmanji, instead of saying I want to go, we say literally I want I go, and the second verb (go) takes the ending for
the first person singular, just like the first verb does. The second pronoun (here: ez) is, however, normally ommitted.
The second verb in a modal construction is in a special form, the subjunctive. This form is also used to express
commands and orders, i.e. in the imperative, but with the endings -e (sg.) and -in (pl.): bide min! ‘give me!’
The Subjunctive
¾ The subjunctive form of the verb is based on the present stem, but it takes a special bi- subjunctive prefix.
Otherwise, the verbs are conjugated just as in normal present tenses, i.e. the same set of person endings is
added to the present stems. However, the negation of the subjunctive verb is not with na-, but with ne-. This
also replaces the subjunctive prefix bi-.
¾ In compound verbs written as one word like wergirtin (wer+girtin), vekirin (ve+kirin), derketin (der+ketin),
the subjunctive prefix bi- is often omitted:
• Ez dixwazim pencereyê vekim. I want to open the window.
• Ez dikarim wê kitêbê bo çend rojan wergirim? Can I take that book for a few days?
• Divê ez derkevim. I need to leave.
2.1 Exercise
Listen to the dialogue above and fill in the blanks in the text of the dialogue below.
Garson: Qehwe … kê ye?

Serdar: Qehwe ya min e. Kola … wê, bîra ya xanimê ye û av jî bo hevalî ye.
Garson: Kerem bikin.
….
Naz: Ha, ez dixwazim xeberekê ………. we.
Helîn: Xebera xêrê ye înşellah. De …… Nazê.
Naz: Roja înê birayê min î Rênas ji Kurdistanê tê.
Serdar: Rastî! Welleh divê em vê pîroz ……..
Naz: Ê baş e vêga! Ez dixwazim we bikim mêvan. Şeva şemiyê, li mala min. Hûn
……… bên?
Serdar: Pir baş dibe! Ez dikarim bêm. Ez dixwazim Rênasî ……….
Selîm: Nazê tu xwarinên xweş çêdikî?
Naz: Zêde ne xerab im bo xwarinçêkirinê. Ez dikarim tirşik û qelîsêlkê …….. ji we
re. Tu dixwazî bêyî an ne?
Selîm: Mixabin ez nikarim bêm. Ji ber ku şeva şemiyê civîna min heye. …… ez beşdarî
wê civînê bibim.
Helîn: Ê min, ez gelek dixwazim xwarinên destê te bixwim; lê belê ez niha nizanim
ka dikarim bêm an ………..
Naz: Em jî gelek dixwazin tu bêyî. Heta sibehê xeberekê …….. me.
Helîn: Baş e, spas.
2.2 Hîndarî/Exercise
Complete the sentences below using the modal verbs karîn and xwestin.
1. Elîşêr …dikare... (karîn) bi kurdî ..binivîse.. (nivîsandin).
2. Serdar ……… (karîn) ………. (çûn) şîvê.
3. Helîn ………. (xwestin) xwarinên Nazê ……… (xwarin).
4. Em ……….. (xwestin) li fîlmê Nîwey Mang …………. (temaşe kirin).
5. Ew ………... (karîn) li hespî ………….. (siwar bûn).
6. Xwîşka min ……….. (ne/karîn) trimbêlê ………. (ajotin).
7. Birayê hevalê min ………… (xwestin) ………. (bûn) pîlot.
8. Cindî …………. (xwestin) pirtûkên bi kurdî ………… (xwendin).
9. Arjîn û Ciwan ………… (ne/xwestin) sibehê zû ……….. (rabûn).
Grammar / Rêziman 5 (Continue)

B) The Oblique case of nouns and pronouns
In previous lessons we had worked on two sets of pronouns in Kurdish, namely pronouns in the direct case
and pronouns in oblique case. Oblique pronouns, min, te, wî/wê, me, we, wan, are used (a) as subjects in
sentences with past transitive verbs; (b) as objects in all present tense verbs; (c) as possessors in an izafe
construction (as the second or following element of an izafe construction); (d) when they follow a
preposition or used in a circumposition (e) as possessors in a sentential possessive construction.
In Kurmanji the oblique case is, in addition to pronouns, also a feature of nouns as well. It is called tewang
in the grammar of Kurmanji and the nouns in the oblique case receive oblique endings. The endings which a
name receives depend on its gender, and its number. The oblique case of feminine nouns and plural nouns is
very regular, but with masculine nouns there are quite a lot of complications. Here are the feminine and
plural forms first:
–ê in feminine nouns: Ez jinikê dibînim ‘I see the woman’

–an in plural nouns: Dara hespan difiroşe ‘Dara is selling the horses’
With masculine nouns, the oblique ending is, in some varieties of Kurmanji, -î, and this has become fairly
standard in the written language, though not all speakers produce this ending:
Masc.: -î Dara karkerî dinase. Dara knows the worker.

When the noun has an indefinite ending -ek (recall previous lessons), the endings are the same, and in these
cases, the masculine ending is perfectly regularly and consistently used:
Ez dixwazim hespekî bifiroşim ‘I want to sell a horse’

Em li gundekî dijîn ‘We live in a village’
The demonstrative pronouns ev, ew ‘this, that’ also have oblique forms. The oblique form varies according
to the intended gender and number: Vî, wî for masculine singular, vê, wê for feminine singular and van, wan
for plurals regardless of gender.
Vê kitêbê bide min. Give me this book. Wê kitêbê bide min. Give me that book.
Vî lawikî dibînî? Do you see this lad? Wî lawikî dibînî? Do you see that lad?
Van kaxezan nedirînin. Do not tear these papers.Wan nedirînin. Do not tear those.
Note 1: There is an alternative oblique form for the masculine singular nouns, if they have either ‘a’ or ‘e’
in their final syllable. In the oblique case, this a or e, is changed into an ‘ê’ vowel (technically speaking, the
vowel is raised through umlaut). Some examples with this form:
Eyşan nên dipêje. Eyşan is baking bread (absolute form: nan ‘bread’)
Serdêr gotar nivîsî. Serdar wrote the article. (absolute form: nan ‘Serdar’)
Some uses of the Oblique case

The noun or pronoun is in the oblique case when:
(a) they are objects in all present tense verbs:
Xecê Mirazî dinivîne. Xecê is making Miraz sleep.
Xecê wî dinivîne. Xecê is making him sleep.
Kerîm hevalan li çarsiyê dibîne. Kerîm sees the friends in the bazaar.
Kerîm wan li çarsiyê dibîne. Kerîm sees them in the bazaar.
(b) they are possessors in an izafe construction (As the second or following element in an izafe
construction);
Trimbêla Darayî sor e. Dara’s car is red.
Trimbêla bavê Darayî sor e. Dara’s father’s car is red (note: only the final possessor
in an Izafe construction takes the oblique case; the ending -ê in bavê is an Izafe, not an
oblique ending)
Navê min Gulçîn e. My name is Gulçîn.
Dayika te kar dike? Does your mother work?
Note that when the second or following element is an adjective, it does not take the oblique case. In this
sense, in an izafe construction like kompûtera erzan ‘the cheap computer’, the second element of the
construction is not in oblique form as (1) it is not a possessor and (2) also as it is not a noun or pronoun.
(c) when they follow a preposition or used in a circumposition;

Pirtûk li ser maseyê ne. The books are on the table.
Hîwa pereyê xwe ji Kendalî dixwaze. Hîwa demands her money from Kendal.
Dara ligel wî dilîze. Dara plays with him.
Kerîm hevalan li sûkê dibîne. Kerîm sees the friends in the bazaar.
(d) as sentence-initial possessors in a possessive (have-type) construction:

Du keçên Gulsîmayê hene. Gulsîma has two daughters.

Kazimî du cotên pêlavan hene. Kazim has two pairs of shoes.
We du otomobîl hene? Do you have two cars?
Important note: The oblique case cannot occur on a noun that is already marked with an Izafe vowel! For
example:
Ez xwarinan çêdikim ‘I am making food’ (xwarin-an has the plural Oblique ending)
Ez xwarinên xweş çêdikim ‘I am making nice food’ (-ên is the plural Izafe ending, not an oblique ending;
there is no oblique marking on the object here)
3. Exercise
3.1 We saw above and in the previous lessons that there are two sets of pronouns in Kurmanji,
those in nominative and those in oblique cases. Now, try to fill in the blanks with the appropriate
pronouns, and correct conjugation of the verb “bûn” (to be).
a. Navê ..wê.. Dûrya ye. Ew kurd ..e..

b. Gîtareke ....... heye. Ew mûzîsyen ….
c. Navê ….. Eriş e. ….. ji Îdirê me.
d. ….. bîst û pênc xwendekar hene. ….. mamoste ne.
e. Çenteyên ….. sor in. ….. zarok in.
f. Eyşan tevnker ….. Wê deh xalîçe …...
g. Rizgînî gelek pênûs….. hene. Ew xwendekar …..
h. Beyanîbaş Elîf. …. çawan î? ….. îro çend ders hene?
i. Dayik û bavê ….. li Şemzînanê dijîn. ….. ji Şemzînanê ….
3.2 Find the right pronoun in the examples below.

a. Xaniyê hûn/we heye?
b. Ew/wan ji Amedê ne.
c. Çend pirtûkên tu/te hene?
d. Xaniyê mamê ez/min duqatî ye.
e. Ew/wê her heftî sêvan dikire. Ew/wê her roj sêvan dixwe.
f. Em/me her roj du fîncan qehwe vedixwin.
g. Li baxçeyê ew/wî kulîlk hene
h. Çar hirçokên Danerî hene. Ew/wî zarok e.
i. Şevbaş Ehmedo. Ez/min diçim malê.
j. Porê bavê min spî ye. Ew/wî pêncî salî ye.
k. Tu/te zengîn î? Pereyên tu/te gelek in?
3.3 Fill in the blanks with one of the three oblique endings, -ê and –î and -an. Do not forget to
insert the ‘y’ consonant before the ending if the word is a vowel-final word.
1. Çavên keçik… reş in.
2. Porê kurik… zer e.
3. Rengîn dîwar… direngîne.
4. Van sêv… berhev bike.
5. Xwendekar li ser kursî… rûdinin.
6. Nêrgiz li Swêd… dijî.
7. Bêrîvan guh dide mamoste….
8. Kuncî ji ger… hez dike.
9. Pişîk çûk… (pl.) digire.
10. Teymûr her heftî pirtûkek… dikire.

11. Ez êdî ligel Hesen…(masc.) naaxivim. I do not speak with Hesen anymore.
12. Destê Mistefa…(masc.) şikest.
13. Alan mîna Zerya…(fem.) dinivîse.
14. Ji kerema xwe vê piyal… dagire.
15. Zînet kulîlk… berhev dike.
16. Xwendekar di nav baxçeyê dibistan… de gul… diçînin.
3.4 Choose the correct sentence. Pay attention to the usage of prepositions as well as the case of
the noun (oblique or nominal) following the preposition.
1.
a. Mala Nêrgizê li rex park e.
b. Mala Nêrgizê li rex parkê ye.
2.
a. Dilşa ji pirtûkan hez dike.
b. Dilşa ji pirtûk hez dike.
3.
a. Erdewan li ser kursiyê rûdine.
b. Erdewan li ser kursî rûdine.
4.
a. Sorgul ji Muşê tê.
b. Sorgul di Muşê tê.
5.
a. Ev kar ji bo Xezalê hêsan e.
b. Ev kar ji Xezalê hêsan e.
6.
a. Gotar di nav dosyayê de ye.
b. Gotar di nav dosya ye.
Wordlist
an, yan or (Ex: Tu qelemê sor dixwazî an yê reş? Do you want the red
pencil or the black one?)
av f. water
bêm ‘to come’ e.g. ez jî diwazim bêm. ‘I also want to come.’ (1sg.
pres. subjunctive form for the verb hatin ‘to come’)
bên ‘to come’ e.g. lê em nikarin bên. ‘But we can’t come.’ (1pl.
pres. subjunctive form for the verb hatin ‘to come’)
berhev bike ‘to collect’ (1) 3sg. pres. subjunctive form for the verb berhev
kirin ‘to collect’.
‘collect!’ (2) Sing. imperative form of the same verb.
beşdar bûn to participate; to join
bibînim ‘to see’ e.g. divê ez îşev Eyşanê bibînim. ‘I need to see Eyşan
tonight.’ (1sg. pres. subjunctive form for the verb dîtin ‘to see’)
bidime ‘to give’ e.g. ez dixwazim vê defterê bidime te. (1sg. pres.
subjunctive form for the verb dan ‘to give’); bidim+e (e:
directionality)
bîra f. beer
bo/ji bo (1) for (also ‘ji bo’ with this meaning);

(2) to
(3) at
e.g. ez ne xirab im bo xwarinçêkirinê. ‘I am not bad at cooking.’
carinan sometimes
çend (1) how many, how much;
(2) some
civîn f. meeting
cixare f. cigarette
cixare kêşan smoking
çûk f. syn. çivîk bird
vedixwîne ‘he/she invites’ (3sg. pres. indicative of the present tense form for the
verb dawet kirin ‘to invite’)
derman m. medicine
zengîn/dewlemend rich
ant. xizan/feqîr
çandin to plant (present tense stem: çîn; ex: Zarok gulan diçînin)
dikare ‘he/she can’ (3sg. pres. indicative of the verb karîn ‘can; to be
able to’)
dîwar m. wall
dosya f. file
ê min, me, as for me
êdî anymore
fîncan f. cup
gerîn to wander
germ ant. sar warm, hot
gîtar f. guitar
gotar f. article, discourse
guh dan to listen to (present stem: guh -d-; ex: ew guh dide)
heftî f. week
her roj/ her ro everyday
hêsan ant. easy
dijwar/zehmet
heval friend
hewa m. weather
hirçok f. teddy bear
hişyar be to wake up, to be careful, to be alert (Ex: Li xwe hişyar be.
‘Take care of yourself’)
înşellah God willing, I hope that
ji ber ku syn. çinku because
ji bo ku syn. da ku so that, for
ka hay (dried grass); (2) where (Ex: Ka pişîka spî? ‘Where is the
white cat’)
kar kirin to work
kerem bikin here you are, please come in
kulîlk f. flower
li mala min in my house
li rex next to
li xwe kirin to put on
xalîçe/mafûr m. carpet
kirin mêvan to host
mêweyên taze fresh fruits
nexweş ketin to get sick
nikare ‘he/she can’t’ (3sg. pres. indicative negative form of the verb
karîn ‘can; to be able to’)
park f. park
pênûs m.syn. qelem pen, pencil
pere m. Money
pîroz bikin ‘to celebrate, celebrate!’ e.g. Em dê newrozê pîroz bikin. ‘We
will celebrate newroz’ ( 1,2,3 pl. pres. subjunctive form for the
verb pîroz kirin ‘to celebrate’ & also the plural imperative form
for the same verb);
pirtûk f. syn. kitêb book
pişîk f. syn. kitik cat
piyal f. syn. qedeh glass, cup
qehwe f. coffee
qelîsêlk f. a local meal of Diyarbekir
şikest Duhî cama malê şikest. ‘Yesterday the window of the house
broke’(3sg. simple past tense of the intransitive verb şikestin ‘to
break’)
şîv f. dinner
stûr ant. tenik thick
tenik syn. zirav thin (zirav: slim)
tevnker weaver
tirşik f. a local meal of Diyarbekir region
xanim lady, (2) an address form for the women
xeber news, word
xwarin f. meal, to eat
xwarinçêkirin cooking
ya min mine (predicative) (Ex: Wê kilîlê nebe! Ew ya min e. ‘Do not
take away that key, it’s mine’); (also: ya te yours; ya wî his; ya
me ours; ya we yours(pl); ya wan theirs)
yên min mine (predicative) (Ex: Wan kitêban nebe! Ew yên min in. ‘Do
not take away those books, they are mine’); (also: yên te yours;
yên wî his; yên me ours; yên we yours(pl); yên wan theirs)
zêde too much (French: trop)
LESSON 6
INTRODUCTION
In this unit you will learn new grammatical structures in the simple future tense and
comparision and contrast together with the present tense conditional in Kurmanji.
By the end of this lesson students will be able to:
• make predictions and talk about future
• use present tense conditional clauses
• comparative and superlative forms of adjectives.
Text: Em dê biçin Wanê

Navê min Zerî ye. Ez xwendekar im. Dersên me heta heftiyekê xelas dibin û betlane dest pê
dike. Ji bo betlaneyê em dê biçin Wanê. Em dê heftiyekê li Wanê bimînin. Li Wanê gelek
xizmên me hene. Em dê biçin serdana wan. Yek ji wan xizman, mamê min e. Em dê li mala
mamê min bimînin. Kurek û du keçên mamê min hene. Navên wan Ferhad, Asya û Meyrem
in. Meyrem ji Ferhad û Asyayê mezintir e. Ew li Enqereyê dixwîne û dê bibe bijîjk. Meyrem
jî dê di betlaneyê de bê Wanê û em dê bi hev re biçin Behra Wanê û em dê li wir avjeniyê
bikin. Her çend ji behrekê biçûktir be jî, kurd ji wê golê re dibêjin Behra Wanê. Li wir dêra
Axtamarê heye û em dê wê dêrê jî bibînin. Dêra Axtamarê yek ji kevintirîn cihên Wanê ye. Ji
bilî behr û dêrê, ez û zarokên mamê min, em dê Keleha Wanê jî bibînin. Ev keleh ji dêra
Axtamarê kevintir e. Ez dê li wan deran gelek wêneyan bigirim; ji ber ku ez gelek ji cihên
dîrokî hez dikim. Mixabin em naçin cihên din. Her wiha, ez ê ji bazarên Wanê cil û bergên
kurdewarî jî bikirim. Ev cil û berg ji yên modern bihatir in, lê dîsa jî ez ê bistînim; ji ber ku li
gorî min ew cil li ser rûyê dinyayê cilên herî xweşik in. Havînan, şevên Wanê gelekî xweş
dibin. Ez bawer dikim ku her şev xizmên me yên li wir dê bên mêvantiyê û em dê suhbetên
gelekî germ bikin di wan şevên havînê de.
Translation
Text: We will go to Wan
My name is Zerî. I am a student. Our classes are finishing in a week and the holidays begin.
For the holiday we will go to Wan. We will stay in Wan for one week. We have lots of
relatives in Wan. We will visit them. One of these relatives is my uncle. We will stay at my
uncle’s house. My uncle has a son and two daughters. Their names are Ferhad, Asya and
Meyrem. Meyrem is older than Ferhad and Asya. She studies in Ankara and she will be a
doctor. Meyrem will also come to Wan for the holidays, and we will go to lake Wan together
and we will swim. Although it is smaller than a sea, Kurds call this lake the Wan Sea. The
Axtamar Church is there and we will visit it as well. The Axtamar Church is one of the oldest
places of Wan. Apart from the lake and the church, I and my uncle’s children will visit the
Wan Fortress as well. This place is older than the Axtamar Church. I will take a lot of photos
in these places because I love historical (lit. old) places very much. Unfortunately we will not
go to any other places. However, I will buy Kurdish clothes from the bazaar. These clothes
are more expensive than the modern ones but still I will buy them because I think they are the
most attractive clothes in the world. The nights in summer become very pleasant. I believe
that our relatives there will come to visit every night and we will have very lively discussions
on those summer nights.
1.1. Exercise
A) Answer the questions according to the text.
a) Zerî û malbata wê dê biçin ku?

b) Ew dê li ku derê bimînin?
c) Meyrem dê bibe çi?
d) Ew dê li Wanê çi bikin?
e) Kîjan cih kevintir e li Wanê?
f) Ew dê li Wanê çi bikirin?
g) Kîjan cil û berg erzantir in? Cilên kurdewarî an yên modern?
B) Form sentences in the future tense with the words given below.
Ex: Sibe / kar bike / deh saetan/ dê / Alan
Alan dê sibe deh saetan kar bike.
1. Zerya / dê / bixwîne / pirtûka xwe

.…………………………………….
2. Serhad / biçe / havinê / Franseyê / dê
……………………………………….
3. dê /Ez / heftiya tê / hevalên xwe / bibînim.
……………………………………….
4. Bavê min/ dê / pere / bişîne/ / ji bo min
……………………………………….
5. Elîşêr / sala tê / erebeyekê / dê / bikire
……………………………………….
2. Comparatives and Superlatives (Read the grammar section below before doing these
exercises.)
2.1 Use the adjectives in brackets in the comparative form.
Amed ji Wanê .................... e (mezin). Lê ji bo min Wan ji Amedê ................. e (xweş).

Hewaya Amedê ji yê Wanê................... e (germ). Cil û berg, mêwe û sebze li Wanê ...............
in (erzan) lê li Amedê .............. in (zêde).
2.2 Write the comparative and superlative forms of the adjectives

Adjective comparative superlative
kurt ..................... .....................

xweş ..................... .....................
dûr ..................... .....................
girîng ..................... .....................
teng ..................... .....................
bedew ..................... .....................
zehmet ..................... .....................
biçûk ..................... .....................
xerab ..................... .....................
dereng ..................... .....................
rehet ..................... .....................
erzan ..................... .....................

qelew ..................... .....................
bilind ..................... .....................
ciwan ..................... .....................
zirav ..................... .....................
dirêj ..................... .....................
3.1 Li Kurdistanê Bazar
Li Kurdistanê bazar gelekî girîng in. Li hemû bajar, navçe û taxan bazar hene. Bazar heftiyê
carekê hene. Hûn dikarin hemû pêdiviyên xwe ji bazarê bikirin. Heke hûn biçin bazarê, hûn
dikarin tiştên gelek erzan peyda bikin. Her wiha heke hûn fêkî û sebzeyên xwe ji bazarê
bikirin dê baştir be; ji ber ku ew tezetir in. Heke pereyê we têra we neke, hûn dikarin bi deyn
jî tiştan bistînin ji ber ku baweriya bazarvan û muşteriyan bi hev tê. Heke hûn bi xeletî zêde
pere bidin, bazarvan dê pereyê we li we vegerînin. Wekî din, heke hûn danûstandina bazarê
bibînin, hûn dê têkiliyên mirovan baştir fahm bikin.
Bazaars in Kurdistan
Bazaars are very important in Kurdistan. There are bazaars in all city, town and quarters.
They are once a week. You can buy all your necessities from bazaars. If you go to the bazaar,
you can find the things for very cheap. Moreover, it is better for you to buy your fruits and
vegetables (from the bazaar) because they are more fresh. If your money does not suffice, you
can buy things as a loan because the bazaar people and customers rely on each other. If you
pay more money by mistake, they will return your money. Furthermore, if you see the
shopping in the bazaars, you will understand the relationship of people better.
3.2. For the following sentences mark (R) (Rast) if correct and (Ç) (Çewt) if false.
1. Bazar her roj hene. ..... .....

2. Heke hûn biçin bazarê, hûn ê jê sûdê wergirin. ..... .....
3. Heke hûn biçin bazarê, hûn ê kêmtir pere bidin. ..... .....
4. Heke pereyê we têrê neke hûn nikarin danûstandinê bikin. ..... .....
5. Bazar ji bo famkirina têkiliyên mirovan girîng e. ..... .....
3.3 Put the words in right order to form sentences of the present conditionals.
1. ew / çêbikin / heke / mala me/ em/ ê / şîvê / bên

2. bimirim/ heke / ez/ bike / dê / çavdêriya baxê min/ kî
3. bim / ez / ne şaş / were / ew / ê / sibehê / Heke
A) Dema Bê / Future Tense
We use future tense when we talk about an action to take place in the future. It can be something arranged or a
prediction about the future. In Kurmanji we form simple future tense by using the future marker dê after the
subject, and before the verb, and conjugating the verb with the subjunctive bi-. Remember from the lesson 5 we
learned how to use subjuntive by adding bi- prefix to the verb and conjugating the verb as in normal present
tenses, i.e. the person endings are added to the present stems of the verbs. The logic is the same in the future
tense except that we add a special particle dê, which comes after the subject:
Affirmative
Ez dê bixwînim. I will read
Tu dê bixwînî. you will read
Ew dê bixwîne. He/she/it will read
Em dê bixwînin. We will read
Hûn dê bixwînin. You will read
Ew dê bixwînin. They will read
The above rule for the position of dê applies when the subject is in first position in the sentence, which it usually
is. However, when the first position in the sentence is not occupied by the subject, different rules may apply, but
they need not concern us here.
Negative
As for their negative forms, it can be done in two fashions.
1) Either, exactly in the way the negation works in present tenses: the future marker dê dropped, and na-
replaces the subjunctive bi-. As is seen from the sample text, this form is used more frequently.
Ez naxwînim. I will not read

Tu naxwînî. You will not read
Ew naxwîne. He/she/it will not read
Em naxwînin. We will not read
Hûn naxwînin. You will not read
Ew naxwînin. They will not read
2) Or ne- replaces the subjunctive bi-, and the future marker dê remains.
Ez dê nexwînim. I will not read
Tu dê nexwînî. You will not read
Ew dê nexwîne. He/she/it will not read
Em dê nexwînin. We will not read
Hûn dê nexwînin. You will not read
Ew dê nexwînin. They will not read
Examples
Ez dê sibehê biçim nexweşxaneyê I will go the hospital tomorrow.

Tu dê kengî bêyî mala me? When will you come to our home?
Em ê êdî tu car wê nebînin We will never see her again.
Ew dê çawa we nas bikin? How will they know you?
Note
a) There are alternative forms of the future tense auxilary verb dê, namely ê, wê. When the auxilary verb follows
a consonant-final subject it may take the form of ê.
b) "Tu dê" is sometimes contracted as tê (Tu dê biçî ‘You will go’ becomes Tê biçî).
c) The future marker in the form of ê can be attached to the subject pronouns ez, em and ew in writing. (Ezê
biçim sînemayê ‘I will go to cinema’)
B) Comparatives
To yield the comparative form of adjectives we (1) add the –tir suffix to the positive form (the first form) of the
adjective and (2) use the preposition ji ‘from’ before the compared noun. However, if the last letter of the
adjective is already t, then we drop the t of the comparative suffix.
Examples:
Meyrem ji birayê xwe mezintir e. Meyrem is older than her brother.
Ev cil û berg ji yên modern bihatir in These clothes are more expensive than the modern ones.
Hevokên min ji yên te dirêjtir in. My sentences are longer than yours.
Tu ji min baştir dixebitî. You work better than me.
Ew ji me hemûyan bileztir dibezin. They run faster than all of us.
However, some adjectives also have irregular comparative forms as well as the regular one discussed above:
pir >pirtir or bêtir much > more

baş > baştir or çêtir good > better
mezin >mezintir or meztir big > bigger
C) Superlatives
There are two ways of forming superlatives in Kurmanji.
1) It is formed by adding –tirîn to the adjective.
Examples:
Navdartirîn nivîskarê kurd Mehmed Uzun e. Mehmed Uzun is the most famous Kurdish author.
Diya min xweştirîn xwarinên cîhanê çêdike. My mother cooks the best meals (lit. the tastiest) of the
world.
Note that superlative adjectives formed with –tirîn have a different syntax to normal adjectives: they do not
follow the noun they describe in an Izafe-construction, but are placed in front of that noun.
2) It is formed by using the word herî before the adjective.

Mehmed Uzun nivîskarê kurd ê herî navdar e. Mehmed Uzun is the most famous Kurdish author.
Diya min xwarinên herî xweş ên cîhanê çêdike. My mother cooks the best meals of the world.
Zekî di nav xwendekaran de yê herî jîr e. Zekî is the most clever among the students.
D) Conditionals
The conditional is formed by using one of the words heke, ku, ger, eger, heger (all meaning if ) at the beginning
of the sentence and conjugating the verb in the present subjuntive form, as in future tense. For the present lesson
we will focus only on the conditionals in the present tense. We will prefer heke conditional word as it is the most
frequent word for forming conditional sentences. As for the negative form of the present conditional, we simply
replace the subjunctive bi- with the negation marker ne- and keep the rest untouched.
Heke, ku, ger, eger, heger: if
Present
Heke ez biçim. If I go Heke ez neçim If I do not go
Heke tu biçî. If you go Heke tu neçî If you do not go
Heke ew biçe. If he/she/it goes Heke ew neçe If she/he/it does not go
Heke em biçin. If we go Heke em neçin If we do not g
Heke hûn biçin. If you go Heke hûn neçin If you do not go
Heke ew biçin. If they go Heke ew neçin If they do not go
We do not use conditional sentences on their own, but in relation to a following sentence. We usually use simple
future tense, the modal karîn (can), or simple present tense in the second sentence. Some examples are as
follows:
- Heke zarokên me kurdî fêr nebin, dê xetereke mezin çêbe.

If our children do not learn Kurdish, there will be a big danger.
- Heke hûn biçin bazarê, hûn dikarin tiştên gelek erzan peyda bikin.
If you go to bazaar, you can find very cheap things.
- Heke ez ne xelet bim, ew li Stenbolê dixwîne.

If I am not wrong, he studies in Istanbul.
Not: Other uses of conditionals and wishes will be dealt with in lesson 9.
Wordlist
dema bê future tense
dê also ê, wê will (see grammar section for details of the future tense)
xelas dibin ‘we, you, they finish’ dersên me heta heftiyekê xelas dibin
‘my lessons will finish within a week’ (pl. form of the simple
present tense for the verb xelas bûn ‘to finish’ )
biçin ‘we, you, they will go’ ji bo tatîlê em ê biçin Wanê ‘we will
go to Van for the holidays’ (pl. form of the future tense for the
verb çûn ‘to go’)
xizm relative
serdan visit
mezin big, old
behr f. syn. derya, zerya sea
avjenî m. swimming
her çend also her çiqas although
biçûk ant. mezin small, little
dêr f. church
cil û berg m. dress, costume
yek ji.... one of the... - yek ji kevîntirîn cihê Wanê ‘one of the oldest
places in Van’. This phrase is productively used with the
superlative phrases.
ji bilî also ji xeynî other than - ji bilî behr û dêrê ‘Other than the sea and the
church’
zarok child
kevin also kevn old, historical, ancient

keleh f. fortress
wêne m. syn. resm photo, picture
der syn. cih, cî place
wekî din syn. her wiha moreover, furthermore
biha expensive
modern syn. nûjen modern
lê dîsa jî but still - ev cil û berg ji yên modern bihatir in lê dîsa jî ez ê
bistînim ‘these clothes are more expensive than the modern
ones but still I will buy them’
li gorî min syn. bi ya for me, in my opinion - li gorî min şirîntirîn cilên cîhanê ne
min (In my opinion, they are the prettiest clothes of the world.)
şirîn sweet, cute, pretty, pleasant
cîhan f. syn. dunya f. world, globe, earth
havîn f. summer
ez bawer dikim I suppose, I think, I believe
şev f. night
mêvantî being a guest
suhbet chat, talk, conversation
germ warm, here: nice
pere syn. dirav money
erebe syn. seyare, car, vehicle
tirimbêl
hewa m. weather
fêkî fruit
sebze vegetables
zêde abundant, much
kurt short
xweş good, fine
xweşik pretty, pleasant, cute
dûr far
girîng important, essential
teng narrow
bedew syn. ciwan, spehî beautiful
zehmet syn. zor difficult
xerab bad, evil, defective, broken
dereng late
rehet comfortable, easy
erzan cheap
qelew fat, big, large
bilind tall
ciwan young
zirav thin, slim, delicate
heke syn. ku, ger, eger, if (see grammar section for details of the present conditional)
heger
helbest syn. şiîr poem
bajar m. syn. şehr town, city
kurdewarî Kurdish, according to Kurdish tradition
mîna syn. wekî like – ez jî mîna te xwendekar im ‘I am a student like you, too’
rûbar m. syn. çem river
bêdeng silent
rû m. face
dev m. mouth
av f. water
berf m. snow
bêdengî silence
dever region, place
eşq f. syn. evîn love
şîv f. dinner
bimirim (if) I die (1 sg. form of conjuctive for the verb mirin ‘to die’)
çavdêrî f. observation
yek one, unite
cîran neighbour
ji nîvê riyê from the half way
şaş wrong, mistaken
betlane holiday, vacation
man to stay (mîn-)
xwendin to study (xwîn-)
avjenî kirin to swim (avjenî k-)
dîtin to see (bîn-)
hez kirin to love, to like (hez k-)
kêşan (1) to pull (2) to last (3) to smoke (cixare kêşan)
kirîn to buy (kir-)
standin to take (stîn-)
şandin to send (şîn-)
av dan to water (av d-)
vegerîn to return (veger-). The causative form of this verb is
vegerandin (vegerîn-)
mirin to die (mir-)
LESSON 7
INTRODUCTION
In this unit you will learn about the simple past tense and the past continuous tense. At the
same time you will get to know how to express past habits.
• Express past events,
• Conjugate the verbs in simple past and past continuous tense,
• Detect and use the nouns in oblique case in different positions.
1. Text: Dawiya Heftiyê The Weekend

Zelal and Cindî are speaking about the weekend in school canteen at a break-time.
Zelal: Cindî, dawiya heftiyê çawa derbas bû?

Cindî: Baş derbas bû. Roja şemiyê sibehê hinek dereng rabûm.
Zelal: Di saet çendan de rabûyî?
Cindî: Welleh, ez di dora saet neh û nîvan de hişyar bûm. Hewa pir xweş bû. Lewma ez û
dayika xwe em çûn derve ji bo taştê.
Zelal: Çiqaşî xweş! Xweziya we! We taştê çi xwar?
Cindî: Min zeytûn, penêr û hêkên kelandî xwarin. Dayika min jî to û hingivê Wanê yê
navdar xwar.
Zelal: We piştî taştê çi kir?
Cindî: Em bêhnekê li nav sûkê geriyan. Paşê em çûne bazarê û me ji min re cotek
pêlavên sporê kirîn. Paşê dayika min çû malê û ez jî çûm cem hevalên xwe. Te
çi kir di dawiya heftiyê de?
Zelal: Roja şemiyê ez her li malê bûm. Min odeya xwe da hev. Piştî nîvro min li
bernameyeke muzîkê temaşe kir. Bi şev jî min pirtûk xwend.
Cindî: Ango tu hîç derneketî derve?
Zelal: Mixabin! Lêbelê yekşemê ber bi êvarê ez ligel hevalekî xwe çûm sînemayê. Me li
fîlmê dawî yê Behmen Qobadî temaşe kir.
Cindî: Fîlmekî çawa bû? Te jê hez kir?
Zelal: Fîlmekî pir xweş bû. Ji bîr neke, tu jî temaşe bike.
Cindî: Baş e, ez dê şemiya tê temaşe bikim.
……………….
Translation
Zelal: Cindî, how did you spend the weekend?

Cindî: It was good (lit. I spent it well). On Saturday morning I woke up a bit late.
Zelal: At what time did you wake up?
Cindî: Well, I woke up at about 9.30. The weather was very good. Therefore I and my
mother went out to have breakfast.
Zelal: How nice! I am jealous! What did you eat for breakfast?
Cindî: I ate olives, cheese and boiled eggs. My mother ate cream and the famous honey
fromWan.
Zelal: What did you do after breakfast?
Cindî: For a while we walked around in the market. Then we went to the bazar and
bought a pair of sport shoes for me. Then my mother went home and I went to my
friends. What did you do at the weekend?
Zelal: On Saturday I was just at home. I tidied my room. In the afternoon I watched a
music program (TV – understood by the verb watch). In the evening I read a
book/books.
Cindî: That means that you did not go out (at all)?
Zelal: Unfortunately not! But on Sunday evening I went to the cinema with a friend of
mine. We saw the last film by Behmen Ghobadî.
Cindî: How was the film? Did you like it?
Zelal: The film was very good. Don’t forget to see it, you too!
Cindî: OK, I will watch it next Saturday.
1.1. Exercise
The sentences below are taken from the text above. Find the sentence of each verb and
fill in the blanks paying attention to the form of the verbs.
Rabûm/ çû/ bû/ geriyan/ kir/ xwarin

a) Em bîstekê li nav sûkê ……………
b) Ez roja şemiyê hinekî dereng ………….
c) Te çi ………… di dawiya heftiyê de?
d) Min zeytûn, penîr û hêkên kelandî ………….
e) Paşê dayika min ……….. malê.
f) Hewa pir xweş ………..
1.3. Complete the conjugation of the verbs in simple past tense.

(in some sentences you should not add anything)
a) Ez roja şemiyê, sibehê hinek dereng rabû….

b) Ez û dayika xwe em çû…. derve ji bo taştê.
c) Te di taştiyê de çi ….
d) Me ji bo min cotek pêlav kirî….
e) Tu hîç derneket ….?
f) Ez roja şemiyê li malê ma….
g) Ez li malê bû….?
h) Hûn kengî vegeriya…. malê?
Grammar 7
A) Dema Borî / Simple Past Tense
With intransitive verbs:
Consider first the simple past tense forms of the intransitive verbs çûn ‘go’ and rabûn ‘get up’:
:
Sibehê In the morning Ez çûm Wanê Ez zû rabûm.
Duhî Yesterday Tu çûyî Wanê Tu zû rabûyî.
Pêr The day before yesterday Ew çû__ Wanê Ew zû rabû__.
Par payîzê Last year in autumn Em çûn Wanê Em zû rabûn.
Hûn çûn Wanê Hûn zû rabûn.
Ew çûn Wanê Ew zû rabûn.
As it is seen in the examples above, for conjugating the intransitive verbs in the simple past tense in
Kurmanji, we add a set of personal endings to the past tense stems of the verbs. The past stem of the verbs
is very simply found by deleting the ending -(i)n from the infinitive:
Infinitive Past stem
çûn çû Em çûn bazarê. We went to the market.
axaftin axaft Elî pir baş axaft. Elî spoke very well.
nivistin nivist Tu di saet çendan de nivistî? What time did you sleep?
hatin hat Em berî du saetan hatin. We came two hours ago.
ketin ket Pirtûkên min ketin. My books fell down.
kenîn kenî Ez li ber fîlmî pir kenîm. I laughed too much at the film.
As for the personal endings, the personal endings are the same as they were in the present tenses except for
the third person ending. There is no ending for the third person in simple past tense; so, the past stem of the
verb functions as the third person conjugation of the verb. Below there is a chart of the endings:
After a vowel After a consonant

Ez –m Em ––n Ez –im Em –in
Tu – yî Hûn –n Tu –î Hûn –in
Ew -- Ew –n Ew -- Ew –in
Pirs / Question form: Tu duhî çûyî cem hevalê xwe? Did you go to your friend yesterday?
Hûn sibehê di saet çendan de rabûn? What time did you get up in the morning?
Tu têgihiştî? Did you understand?
With transitive verbs:

The way we make sentences with the past tense forms of transitive verbs is quite different from the way we
make sentences with other verb forms. Therefore, you will need to pay careful attention to this section.
First of all, note that the past stem of the verb itself is made in just the same as it is for intransitive verbs,
i.e. deletion of -(i)n:
Infinitive Past stem Infinitive Past stem
xwendin ‘read, study’ xwend dîtin ‘see’ dît
There are three major changes in the past tense transitive sentences that must be learned:
First, the same set of personal endings is added to the past stem as we learned above. But the personal
endings do NOT refer to the subject, but the OBJECT.
Second, the SUBJECT goes into the Oblique case.
Consider the following examples, noting these two differences: the oblique case of the subject pronouns,
and the ending of the verb:
Min helbestek xwend I read a poem Min ew dît I saw him/her.
Te helbestek xwend Te ew dît You saw him/her.
Wî helbestek xwend Wî/wê ew dît He/she saw him/her.
Me helbestek xwend Me ew dît We saw him/her.
We helbestek xwend We ew dît You saw him/her.

Wan helbestek xwend Wan ew dît They saw him/her.
As you can see, the verb forms are in the form for the third person singular (which is the same as the bare
stem), because the object in all sentences is third person singular (a poem, or him/her).
Third, the OBJECT is in the absolute or unmarked case.
Compare now the first of the above sentences with the corresponding present tenses forms:
Ez helbestek-ê dixwîn-im Ez wî dibînim
I read/am reading a poem I see him
The differences between sentences with past and present transitive verbs are summed up below:
Simple present Simple past
Case of subject Absolute Oblique
Case of object Oblique Absolute
Person endings on verb Agrees with subject Agrees with object
Now observe how the three principles mentioned above apply to the examples below:
Min tu dîtî. I saw you. Şîlanê cil şûştin. Şîlan washed the clothes.
Min ew dît. I saw hîm/her. Mesûdî xwarin çêkir. Mesud cooked (the meal).
Min hûn dîtin. I saw you Tu duhî li malê bûyî? Were you at home yesterday?
Min ew dîtin. I saw them Wî çîrok xwendin. He read (the) stories.
Min çivîkek dît. I saw a bird. Te çend pirtûk kirîn? How many books did you buy?
Min du çivîk dîtin. I saw two birds. Hostayan du xanî ava kirin. The masters built two houses.
Note that when the object is plural, the verb gets plural ending –in. In this case, the plural conjugation of
the past tense transitive verb is in the same form of the infinitive form of the verb. For example, when the
plural ending is added to the past stem dît-, it becomes dîtin which is at the same time the infinitive form of
the verb. So, as a practical way, in the past tense plural verbs take the infinitive form of the verb as it is.
Negative, transitive and intransitive verbs:

For yielding the negative form, all other rules being the same, we prefix the negative marker ne-, as in:
Min helbest nexwend. I did not read the poem.
Min helbest nexwendin. I did not read (the) poems.
Gundiyan zeviyên xwe av nedan. The villagers did not water their fields.
Elîxanî dersa xwe çênekir. Elîxan did not study his lesson.
Ez zû ranebûm. I did not get up early.
Grammar 7 (Continue)
B) Past Continuous
For conjugating a verb in past continuous tense, either transitive or intransitive verb, we prefix di- to the
past stem of the verb. In this sense, the only difference from simple past tense is prefixing the di-, all other
processes being the same.
Gava ew gihişte malê ez dinivistim. When s/he arrived at home I was sleeping.
Rûbarê gundî mîna lehiyê diherikî. The village river was flowing like a flood.
Dema ji dukanê derket, dinya êdî tarî dibû. When he got out of the shop it was getting dark.
Gava min ew dît, wî cil û berg dikirîn. When I saw him, he was buying clothes.
Note that the same construction is also used for expressing past habits. See the examples below:
Dema ez zarok bûm, ez tim hildikişiyam ser daran. When I was a child, I used to climb trees.
Hingê, em her gav bi hev re digeriyan. Then, we always used to hang out together.
Min stran digotin te jî guhdarî dikir. I used to sing and you used to listen.
Li ber mala me darek hebû û her gav çivîk dihatine ser. There used to be a tree in front of our
house and the birds would go on it all the time.
As for the negative form of the past continuous and past habitual, the negative marker ne- is prefixed to the
verb. Note that, unlike the present tense negation, the past continuous prefix di- remains intact; it is not
replaced by the negation marker. Check the examples below:
Dema ez li hundir bûm, baran nedibarî. When I was inside, it was not raining.
Çaxa ku ez li Wanê bûm, min çu kes nas nedikir? When I wan in Wan, I did not know anybody.
Hindî min jê re digot, fam nedikir. No matter how much I was telling to him, s/he would not
understand.
Wexta ez hatim vira, min ji bilî Kurdî bi çu zimanan nedizanî. When I came here, I did not
know any language other than Kurdish
Compound verbs in the past tenses

Note that as it was the case with the compound verbs in present tense, all the grammatical processes are
applied to the verbal part of the compound verb. See the examples below:
Min sê lîre ji wî wergirtin. (wer+girt+in) ‘I received three liras from him’
Min her roj sê lîre ji wî werdigirtin. (wer+di+girt+in) ‘Every day I used to ...’
Me behsa edebiyata kurdî ya nûjen kir. (behs … kir) ‘We discussed modern Kurdish literature’
Me behsa edebiyata kurdî ya nûjen dikir. (behs … di+kir) ‘We used to discuss ...’
Me behsa edebiyata kurdî ya nûjen nedikir. (behs … ne+di+kir)
2. Exercise
Below there is the folk story that we worked on for conjugating the verbs in present tense
in the fourth lesson. Now, read the story and then rewrite it in the simple past tense. The
first two sentences are already done and the words that you will need to change are
shown in italics.
Text: Kêr û Kevçik
In present tense:
Rojekê, mirovek li malekê dibe mêvan. Dema xwarinê ye. Kebaniya malê sifreyê radixe,
xwarinan li ser rêz dike. Dû re, mêvan gelek li benda kevçikan dimîne, lê kebaniya malê
kevçikan nayîne. Mêrik ji kebaniya malê re dibêje:
“Sitiya kebanî, ji kerema xwe ji min re kêrekê bîne.” Kebanî li ser sifreyê dinihêre, tu
tiştê ku bi kêrê bê qut kirin nîn e û dibêje:
“Mêvanê birêz, tu dê bi kêrê çi bikî?” Mêvan dibêje:
“Ez dê guhê xwe jê bikim, bikim kevçik da ku pê xwarinê bixwim.”
In simple past tense:

Rojekê, mirovek li malekê bû mêvan. Dema xwarinê bû. Kebaniya malê sifre
raxist,…………………………………………….……………………………………….
…………………………………………………………………………………………..…
…………………………………………………………………………………………..…
…………………………………………………………………………………………….
…………………………………………………………………………………………….
3. Rast (R) an Çewt (Ç) /Right (R) or Wrong (Ç)

Choose the correct conjugation of the verb, simple past or past continuous/habitual.
1. R Ez duhî çûm melevaniyê.
Ç Ez duhî diçûm melevaniyê.
2. Min her roj serê xwe dişûşt.
Min her roj serê xwe şûşt.
3. Dema ez zarok bûm min şîr vexwar.
Dema ez zarok bûm min şîr vedixwar.
4. Duh êvarê ez li sûkê rast wî hatim.
Duh êvarê ez li sûkê rast wî dihatim.
5. Me her sibeh bi hev re taştê dixwar.
Me her sibeh bi hev re taştê xwar.
4. Below there are questions about your Saturday. Try to provide real answers.
1. Tu roja şemiyê sibehê li ku derê bûyî?
………………………………………..
2. Tu roja şemiyê di saet çendan de rabûyî?
………………………………………..
3. Tu kengî ji malê derketî?
………………………………………..
4. Te firavîn li ku xwar?
………………………………………..
5. Piştî nîvro te çi kir?
………………………………………..
6. Tu di saet çendan de hatî malê?
………………………………………..
7. Te piştî şîvê çi kir?
………………………………………..
8. Tu di saet çendan de nivistî?
………………………………………..
5. In each of the sentences below the pronoun is wrong. Rewrite the sentences with the
correct form of the pronoun.
1. Min sibehê zû rabûm.
Ez sibehê zû rabûm.
2. Tu min dît.
…………………….
3. Wî duhî li sûkê geriya.
…………………….
4. Ew li zarokî dinihêrî.
…………………….
5. Em her sibeh bi hev re çay vedixwar.
………………………………………
6. Min pênc salan li dukana wî xebitîm.
………………………………………
6. Conjugate the verbs in brackets in the correct tense and form.
25 Rezber / Çarşem
Hevala delal Şagul,
Ez duhî êvarî …………. (gihiştin) vir, Kirmaşanê. Bi rastî şansê min hebû, min otêleke
pir rehet û erzan …………… (peyda kir). Îro sibehê zû ………… (rabûn) û min di
kafeteryaya otêlê de taştêyeke edetî ………… (xwar). Bi rastî pir xweş …………(bû).
Min pir jê ………… (hez kirin). Dû re ………….(derketin) da ku di nav bajar de
bigerim.. Li trimbêlekê siwar bûm û ………… (çûn) Taqê Bostanê. Taqê Bostan hem
parkeke pir mezin e û hem jî ciheke pir kevnare …….. (bûn). Paşî dîsa li trimbêlekê
……….. (siwar bûn) û çûm Bîstûnê. Li wir min fîgûrên kevnare yên li ser zinaran
………(dîtin). Ya Rebî! Çiqasî seyr û delal bûn! Min li wir gelek …………… (wêne
girtin). Îro pir westiyam û niha li odeya xwe ………….. (bêhn vedan) û sibehê jî ez dê
…………. (çûn) Ciwanroyê. Li Ciwanroyê Xorî Qela ………… (hebûn). Keleheke pir
mezin e. Ez dê li wir jî wêneyan bigirim û ji te re ………… (şandin). Ez dê heta sê
heftiyan …………. (vegeriyan) Wanê. Wê hingê ez dê bi dûr û dirêjî ji te re behsa sefera
xwe bikim. Niha bi xatirê te…
Bi xêr û xweşî.
Aram
baran f. rain
bêhna xwe veda ‘he/she took a rest’ Selîmî bîstekê bêhna xwe veda ‘Salim
rested for a while’ (3 sg. of the simple past tense for the verb
bêhna xwe vedan ‘to rest’)
bername f. syn. program program
bi dûr û dirêjî in detail, at length
bi hev re together
birêz dear, worthy
bîstekê syn. bêhnekê for a while
çend how many/how much (It has also a usage for surprise:
çiyayekî çend bilind e! ‘What a high mountain’)
cil li xwe kirin ant. cil ji to put on ant. to take off one’s clothes
ber xwe kirin
cil f. syn. kinc clothes
cil û berg m. dress, costume
cîran f.m. neighbour (çû mala cîranan. ‘(S/he) went to neighbours.’)
çîrok f. story
çivîk f. bird
cotek pêlav a pair of shoes (cot: pair; cot+ek: a pair)
çu kes also tu kes anybody, nobody
çûn ‘we, you, they went’ zarok çûn dibistanê ‘the children went to
school’ (pl. of the simple past tense for the verb çûn ‘to go’)
da ku syn. da, ji bo ku so that (cilên germ li xwe bike da ku nesax nebî ‘wear warm
clothes so that you do not get sick’ )

daran (dar f.) the plural oblique form of the noun dar: tree, stick (min jê re
got wan daran nebire ‘I told him not to cut those trees.’)
dawî last, end (cara dawî ‘last time’)
dema syn. wextê, gava, when, while, at the time (dema em li gundî bûn, halê me baş
çaxa bû ‘When we were in the village, our situation was good’)
derbas bû ‘he/she passed’ Ciwan zû derbas bû ‘Jiwan passed quickly’ (3
sg. of the simple past tense for the verb derbas bûn ‘to pass’)
dereng ant. zû late
dibîne ‘he/she sees’ Şerîf bi berçavkan baştir dibîne ‘Sharif sees
better with glasses’ (3 sg. of the simple present tense for the
verb dîtin ‘to see’)
dihatine ser daran ‘We, you, they used to climb trees’ (pl. form of the past
contiunous tense for the verb çûn ‘to go’; -e: directionality
suffix; ser: on)
diherikî ‘it was flowing’ ava rûbarî bi aramî diherikî ‘the water of the
river was flowing quietly’ (3rd pers. sg. form of the past
continuous tense for the verb herikîn ‘to flow’)
dîtim ‘…saw me’ Xezalê ez dîtim ‘Khazal saw me’ (1sg. form of the
simple past tense for the verb dîtin ‘to see’)
dor f. turn (dora min e. ‘It is my turn.’)
dû re syn. paşî, piştre then, afterwards
edetî traditional, customary
erzan ant. biha cheap
fîlmê dawî last film
gava syn. wextê, dema, when, while, at the time (gava min mar dît, dest û piyên min
çaxa lerizîn ‘When I saw the snake, I shuddered’)
geriyan to wander, to travel
gihişte ‘he/she arrived’ Zelal duh êvarê dereng gihişte malê ‘Zalal
arrived home late yesterday’ (3 sg. form of the simple past
tense of the verb gihiştin ‘to arrive, to reach’)
guh ear
guhdarî kirin to listen to
hêkên kelandî boiled eggs
her each; (2) all through ez duhî her li malê bûm ‘yesterday I was
at home the whole day’
her gav syn. tim, her always
dem
çax syn. heyam period, term
hîç none, never
hindî syn. bi qasî as much as
hinek also hindek some
hingê syn. wê demê then
hingiv m.also hingivîn honey
hosta m. master
hundir syn. jûr inside

jê a contracted preposition meaning from (him/her/somebody)
Ex: min duhî Elî dît û min pirtûka xwe jê xwest ‘yesterday I
saw Ali and I wanted my book from him’ see Lesson 4
ji bîr neke do not forget
kebanî f. housewife
keleh m. castle
kêr f. knife
kevçik m. spoon
kir ‘he/she did’ wî bi qasî deh salan li wir kar kir ‘he worked
some ten years there’ (3 sg. of the simple past tense of the
verb kirin ‘to do, to make’)
kirîn to buy
lewma hence, therefore
li benda (somebody) to wait for somebody; Ex: em du saetan li benda otobûsê man
man ‘we waited for the bus for two hours’
navdar syn. meşhûr famous
mêvan m. guest
nayîne ‘he/she does not bring’ jinik kevçikan naîne ‘the woman does
not bring spoons’ (3 sg. of the simple present tense of the
verb anîn ‘to bring’)
nedibarî ‘it was not raining/snowing’ hewa hinekî sar û bi ewr bû lê
belê berf nedibarî ‘the weather was a little bit cold and cloudy
but it was not snowing’ (3 sg. of the past continuous tense of
the verb barîn ‘to rain, to snow’)
nîgar f. figure
penêr m. cheese
peyda kir ‘…found it’ Zelalê duhî kêrek peyda kir ‘Zalal found a knife
yesterday’ (3rd prs. sngl. form of the simple past tense of the
verb peyda kirin ‘to find’)
kevnare syn qedîm ancient
to f.. tomast cream
rastî yekî hatin to run into somebody
rehet ant. nerihet comfortable
rêz dike ’he/she puts in order’ garson piyalan li ser maseyê rêz dike
’the waiter puts the glasses in order on the table’ (3 sg. simple
present tense of the verb rêz kirin ‘to put (orderly)’, ‘to
arrange’)
şandin to send
şans m. luck
sefer f. voyage
ser m. head
dan hev / serûber kirin To put in order, to arrange
seyr syn. balkêş, ecêb interesting
şîr m. milk
sitî lady, an address form for women.
siwar bûn to get on
stran gotin to sing
tim syn. her gav always
vegeriyan to return
wêne m. picture
wêne girtin to take picture
wexta when, while, at the time
xwar ‘…ate it’ 3 sg. simple past tense of the verb xwarin ‘to eat’
xweziya we! I wish I were in your (pl.) shoes.
ya Rebî! oh my God!
ango/yanî that is to say, I mean, namely
zeytûn f. olives
zinar m. rock
LESSON 8
INTRODUCTION
In this unit you will discover about the present perfect tense and past perfect tense; and at
the same time you will continue to discover more about the usages of the simple past
tense.
By the end of this lesson you will:
• have learned how to narrate an event or story by present perfect tense and past
perfect tense.
• have learned how to express an event in the past following a previous event in
past perfect tense.
• have practiced and deepened your knowledge of all the basic verb forms and also
vocabulary related to vegetables and fruits as well as animals.
1. Text: Çîroka Ker û Guran / The story of the donkey and the wolves
Hebû û tunebû, carekê ji caran, li dora gundekî kerekî bêxwedî hebû. Pir rezîl bibû. Ji ber ku her kesekî ku
tiştekî wî hebûye bi wî kerî kiriye û her kesekî ku barekî wî hebûye li wî bar kiriye. Ker êdî ji xelkê bêzar
bûye, û bi ber çiyê ve çûye. Di rê de rastî roviyekî hatiye. Rovî gotiye:
-Ho kero, tu diçî ku?
Kerî gotiye:
- Ez ji gundiyan bêzar bûme, ber bi çiyê ve diçim.
Rovî gotiye:
- Tu min bi xwe re nabî?
Kerî gotiye:
- Ma çima nebim?
Her du bi hev re çûne, çûne rastî beranekî hatine. Beranî gotiye:
- Ho kero, tu diçî ku?
Kerî gotiye:
Beranî gotiye:
- Tu min jî bi xwe re nabî?
Kerî gotiye:
- Ma çima nebim?
Ker, rovî û beran bi hev re çûne, çûne rastî dîkekî hatine. Dîkî gotiye:
Kerî gotiye:
Dîkî gotiye:
Kerî gotiye:
- Ma çima nebim?
Ker, rovî, beran û dîk bi hev re çûne, çûne rastî kêvrîşkekê hatine. Kêvrîşkê gotiye:
Kerî gotiye:
Kêvrîşkê gotiye:
Kerî gotiye:
- Ma çima nebim?
Ker, rovî, beran, dîk û kêvrîşk bi hev re çûne, çûne di rê de kerî gotiye:
- Gelî hevalan, zirra min hat, divê ez bizirrim.
Hevalên wî jê re gotine:
- Mal ava, tu dê çawa bizirrî. Em di nav vî çiyayî de ne, gur dê me seh bikin, û dê me hemûyan bixwin.
Kerî gotiye:
- Nabe, divê ez bizirrim.

Axir, kirine û nekirine, ker qayil nebûye. Kerî serê xwe bilind kiriye û dest bi zirrînê kiriye:
- Ahîîî, ahîîî, ahîîî!
Li deverekê nêzîkî wan heft gur hebûne. Wan dengê kerî bihîstiye. Her heftan ji hev re gotine:
- Gelo ev çi deng e?
Yekî ji wan gotiye:
- Ka ez biçim, bizanim ev çi deng e.
Hevalên wî gotine:
- De here!
Gur hatiye dîtiye ku ker û hevalên wî di nava mêrgê de ne, bêxwedî ne, hema kêfa wî hatiye û nêzîkî wan
ve çûye. Ji nişkê ve çûye, xwe avêtiye ser kerî. Kerî jî sitûyê gurî şidandiye û ew zeft kiriye. Beran, Dîk,
Rovî û Kêvrîşk bazdane ser gurî û bi vî awayî gur bêbêhn hiştine û paşê berdane.
Gur nîvmirî çûye cem hevalên xwe. Hevalên wî jê pirsîne:
- Birayo, te çi dît?
Gurê nîvmirî gotiye:
- Birano, qet deng nekin. Ez çûm, min qewmek li wê derê dît, kes nebîne. Wan meraq kirine û gotine:
- Çawa?
Wî gotiye:
- Gava ku ez çûm, hema serê min kirin nava du keviran, û bi du çakûçan li min dan. Yekî ji wan yasîn li ser
min xwend, yekî çermê min dirand. Yekî jî gora min kola.
Gava guran ev xeber bihîstine, tirs ketiye dilê wan û hemû bi hev re ji wî cihî revîne, û gotine:
- Şikir ji Xwedê re ku em ji ber lepên wan xelas bûne.
Werger / Translation
Once upon a time there was a donkey without an owner. He was in a terrible state, because anyone who had
some work would do it with the donkey, and anyone who had a load would load it up on to the donkey. The
donkey was tired of the people and headed off towards the mountain. On the way, he met a fox. The fox
said:
- Hey Donkey, where are you going?
The donkey said:
- I have become tired of the villagers, I am going towards the mountain.
The fox said:
- Would you take me with you? (literally: you don’t take me with you)
The donkey said:
- Why not? (literally: Why do not I take? meaning: yes, ok!)
Both of them set off together, and then they met a ram. The ram said:
The donkey said:
The ram said:
- Would you take me with you?
The donkey said:
- Why not?
The donkey, the fox and the ram went on together, and met a rooster. The rooster said:
The donkey said:
The rooster said:
The donkey said:
- Why not?
The donkey, the fox, the ram and the rooster continued on together, then they met a rabbit. The rabbit said:
The donkey said:

The rabbit said:
The donkey said:
- Why not?
The donkey, the fox, the ram, the rooster and the rabbit went on together, on the way the donkey said:
- Oh friends, I feel the urge to bray (literally: my braying came), I must bray.
His friends said to him:
- Hey, what do you mean, bray! (lit. how will you bray). We are in the middle of this mountainous
region (lit. within this mountain), the wolves will become aware of us and they will eat us all.
The donkey said:
- There is no other way, I must bray.
Finally, no matter what they did (lit. they did, they did not), the donkey refused to agree. The donkey raised
his head and began to bray:
- Ahîîî, ahîîî, ahîîî!
At a place near to them there were seven wolves. They heard the voice of the donkey, all seven said to each
other:
- What could that noise be?
One of them said:
- Let me go and find out (literally: know) what that noise is?
His friends said:
- Yes, go.
The wolf went and saw that the donkey and his friends were in the middle of the pasture, without an owner,
immediately he was pleased and approached them. Suddenly he ran and threw himself at the donkey. But
the donkey squeezed the wolf’s neck and held him tight. The ram, the rooster, the fox and the rabbit got on
top of the wolf and in this manner knocked the breath out of him (literally: left him without breath), then let
him go. The wolf, half dead, went back to his friends. His friends asked him:
- Oh brother, what did you see?
The half-dead wolf said:
- Oh brothers, how could I tell you (lit. don’t make a sound). I went and saw a kind/sort (of creatures),
that I hope nobody will ever meet (lit. such that may no one see).
The other wolves were curious, saying:
- What were they like?
- When I went they immediately put my head between two stones, and beat me with two hammers. One
of them read a Sura of the Koran over me, one of them skinned me (tore my skin). And one of them dug my
grave.
When the wolves heard this news, fear came into their hearts and they all fled together from that place,
saying:
- Thanks to God that we have been saved from their paws!
1.1 Exercise
a) Read the folk story above once and answer the questions below.
1. Di çîrokê de kîjan ajal (heywan) hene?
2. Kî ji xelkê bêzar bûye?
3. Ker diçe ku?
4. Ker di rê de cara pêşîn rastî kîjan ajalî tê?
b) The sentences below are taken from the text above. Fill in the blanks paying attention to the form of the
verbs.
1. Her kesekî ku barekî wî hebûye li wî bar ……….. (kirin)
2. Di rê de rastî roviyekî ……….. (hatin)
3. Ez ji gundiyan ……………. (bêzar bûn), ber bi çiyê ve diçim.
4. Ker û rovî bi hev re ……… (çûn), çûne rastî beranekî ………. (hatin)
5. Kirine û nekirine, ker qayil ............. (ne/bûn)
6. Li deverekê nêzîkî wan heft gur ............... (hebûn)
7. Kerî jî stûyê gurî ………… (şidandin) û ew zeft kiriye.
8. Beran, Dîk, Rovî û Kêvrîşk bazdane ser gurî û bi vî awayî gur bêbêhn hiştine û paşê ew .……..
(berdan)
9. Wan …….……(meraq kirin) û …………(gotin)
10. Gava guran ev xeber ………….. (bihîstin), tirs ketiye dilê wan û hemû bi hev re ji wî cihî
………. (revîn), û gotine:
- Şikir ji Xwedê re ku em ji ber lepên wan ……………… (xelas bûn).
c) Answer the questions according to the fable. Note that the questions are proposing something
wrong according to the fable. Try to write the correct answer.
1. Ker di gundê xwe de xweşhal (happy) e?

Ne, Ker di gundê xwe de ne xweşhal e. Ker êdî ji xelkê bêzar bûye.
2. Gelo ker di rê de cara pêşîn rastî kûçikekî hatiye?
……………………………………………………………………….
3. Gelo ker bi tenê ber bi çiyê ve çûye?
……………………………………………………………………….
4. Gelo di rê de dîkî bang daye (sing out), lewma gur bi wan hesiyane?
……………………………………………………………………….
5. Dema gur nêzîkî ker û heywanên din bûye gelo heywan revîne?
……………………………………………………………………….
6. Gelo gurî her pênc heywan xwarine?
……………………………………………………………………….
7. Gelo gur sax û peyt vegeriyaye cem hevalên xwe?
……………………………………………………………………….
8. Dawiyê, hemû gur kêfxweş bûne û hemû bi hev re çûne ser heywanan?
……………………………………………………………………….
2. Peyv / Vocabulary
beran m. ram alûçe f. plum

bizin f. goat bihok f. quince
çêlek f. cow tûfirengî f. strawberry
çûçik/cûcik m. bird findiq f. hazelnut
dîk m. cockerel, rooster gêlaz f. cherry
ga m. ox gûz f. walnut
gur m. wolf hêjîr f. fig
hesp m. horse hinar f. pomegranate
hirç m. bear hirmî f. pear
ker m. donkey lîmon f. lemon
kêvrîşk/kêrguh f. rabbit mûz f. banana
kew partridge porteqal f. orange
kûsî/kîso m. turtle sêv f. apple
mar m. snake tirî m. grape
masî fish tû f. mulberry
mêş m. bee xox m. peach
meymûn monkey zebeş m. watermelon
mî f. sheep pamîdor/bacan/firingî tomato
mirîşk f. chicken gizêr f. carrot
mişk mouse bîber f. pepper
pisîk cat kartol f. potato
rovî m. fox pîvaz f. onion
se/kûçik m. dog xiyar f. cucumber
şêr m. lion
Hesp û çêlek heywanên kedî ne. Lavînê heta hingî qet tû nexwaribûn.
Horse and cows are domestic animals. Lavîn had not eaten mulberries up to then.
Kew di nav kurdan de pir girîng e. Ez nikarim bîberên tûj bixwim.

The partridge is very important among the I can not eat hot peppers.
Kurds.
Alanî wê rojê li nav rêlê hirçek dîtibû. Li Kurdistanê ji gûzê bigire heta hêjîrê gelek cure
Alan had seen a bear that day in the forest. mêwe digihêjin.
In Kurdistan from walnut to figs many kinds of fruits
Gur ketibûn nava keriyê wan û deh mî û bizinên are grown.
wan xwaribûn. Zebeşê Diyarbekirê li hemû Kurdistanê navdar e.
The wolves had raided in their herd and had The watermelon of Diyarbekir is famous all around
eaten ten sheeps and goats. Kurdistan.
Navên Ajalan (Heywanan)/Animals Mêwe û Sebze/Fruits and Vegetables
Grammar 8
A) Present Perfect Tense
In Kurmanji present perfect tense is used to express an event that has taken place in the past and its effect is
related to the present situation. In this sense it can be compared to the present perfect tense in English. But
it is also often used for the narration of the traditional tales, fables etc. as in the above text. As for the
formation of the verbs in the present perfect tense, it changes in intransitive and transitive verbs.

Consider first the present perfect tense forms of the intransitive verbs ketin ‘fall’ and nivistin ‘to sleep’:
Ez ji darê ketime. I have fallen from the tree. Ez duh şev zû nivistime.I fell asleep early last night.
Tu ji darê ketiyî. Tu duh şev zû nivistiyî.
Ew ji darê ketiye. Ew duh şev zû nivistiye.
Em ji darê ketine. Em duh şev zû nivistine.
Hûn ji darê ketine. Hûn duh şev zû nivistine.
Ew ji darê ketine. Ew duh şev zû nivistine.
The above sentences can be expressed in simple past tense as well but when they are expressed in present
perfect tense either:
(a) the event is related to present as in:

A- Ekrem çima îro pir westiyayî xuya dike? “Why does Ekrem seem very tired today?”
B- Ew duh şev dereng nivistiye. “He has slept late last night?”
(b) an event or story is narrated as in:

Rojekê kûsî û rovî li ser riyekê rastî hev hatine. Roviyî ji kûsiyî re gotiye…
“One day the turtle and the fox ran into each other on the way. The fox told the turtle that…”
(c) the speaker is not the witness of the event; s/he narrates a hearsay as in:
A- Mîrza çima îro nehatiye dibistanê? “Why has not Mîrza come to school today?”
B- Dayika wî got ku ew duh ji darê ketiye. “His mother said that he has fallen from the tree yesterday?”
As for the form of present perfect tense, we had learned how to derive the past stems of the verbs to
conjugate them in the simple past tense in the previous lesson; for present perfect tense of intransitive
verbs, as it is seen above, we again add a set of personal endings to the past tense stems of the verbs. The
personal endings, in bold type in the examples above, are shown in the chart below:
After a vowel After a consonant

Ez –me Em –ne Ez –ime Em –ine
Tu –ye Hûn –ne Tu –iye Hûn –ine
Ew --ye Ew –ne Ew –iye Ew –ine
Some examples of present perfect tense of some intransitive verbs:

çûn çû Ez heta niha sê caran çûme Mehabadê. I have been to Mehabad three times.
axaftin axaft Mamoste di civînê de baş axaftiye. The teacher has spoken well in the meeting.
nivistin nivist Di wê navberê de du saetan nivistine. They slept two hours during that while.
hatin hat Ker di rê de rastî roviyekê hatiye. The donkey has run into a fox on the way.
ketin ket Te dizanibû ku kurê wan ji darê ketiye xwarê? Have you known that their son has
fallen from the tree?
kenîn kenî Wê şevê heta sibehê ji xwe re suhbet kirine û kenîne. That night they have
chatted and laughed until morning.
bûn bû Li van bajarên mezin em winda bûne. We have been lost in these big cities.

The present perfect tense of transitive verbs in Kurmanji works exactly in the same way as it is with their
simple past tense forms, except for the personal endings. In this sense, keeping stable all other rules related
to simple past tense, we should simply replace the simple past tense personal endings with the present
perfect tense personal endings. Thus, there are three major changes in the present perfect tense transitive
sentences that must be learned:
First, the same set of personal endings is added to the past stem as we learned above. But the personal
endings do NOT refer to the subject, but the OBJECT.
Second, the SUBJECT goes into the Oblique case.
Consider the following examples, noting these two differences: the oblique case of the subject pronouns,
and the ending of the verb:
Min helbestek xwendiye. I have read a poem Min ew dîtiye. I have seen him/her
Te helbestek xwendiye. Te ew dîtiye. You have seen him/her.
Wî helbestek xwendiye. Wî/wê ew dîtiye. He/she has seen him/her.
Me helbestek xwendiye. Me ew dîtiye. We have seen him/her.
We helbestek xwendiye. We ew dîtiye. You have seen him/her.
Wan helbestek xwendiye. Wan ew dîtiye. They have seen him/her.
As it is seen, the verb forms are in the form for the third person singular (which is past stem+iye), because
the object in all sentences is third person singular (a poem, or him/her).
The differences between present perfect tense of intransitive and transitive verbs are summed up below:
Intransitive Transitive
Case of subject Absolute Oblique
Case of object - Absolute
Person endings on verb Agrees with subject Agrees with object
Check the below examples with different objects and pay attention to the application of the above
principles.
a) Wê ez dîtime. She has seen me. Wê em dîtine. She has seen us.
Wê tu dîtiyî. She has seen you. Wê hûn dîtine. She has seen you (pl.).
Wê ew dîtiye. She has seen him/her. Wê ew dîtine. She has seen them.
b) Min îro sê piyalên avê vexwarine. I have drunk three glasses of water today.
Te çend pirtûkên kurdî xwendine heta niha? How many books in Kurdish have you read up to now?
Avestayê gelek pirtûkên kurdî çap kirine. Avesta has published many books in Kurdish.
Xanzadê em duhî di konserê de dîtine. Xanzad has seen us in the concert yesterday.
Her wiha wî gelek nivîs di kovara … Also, he has published a lot of articles in…
Hawarê de weşandine. the Hawar magazine.

For yielding the negative form, all other rules being the same, the negative marker ne- is prefixed, as in:
Min îro nan nexwariye. I have not eaten today.
Ew hat lê zarok bi xwe re neanîne. He came but he has not brought the children with him.
Xezalê hêj ez ferq nekirime. Xezal has not noticed me yet.
Ev mehek e gundiyan zeviyên xwe av nedane. It is one month that the villagers have not watered
their fields.
Dersê dest pê kiriye, lê şagirt hêj neketine sinifên xwe. The lesson has started but the students have
not entered into their classes yet.
B) Past Perfect Tense (or Pluperfect)

Past perfect tense in Kurmanji functions just as the past perfect tense in English. In this sense, it is used to
express an event or situation in the past preceding another past event or situation. Thus, for expressions
such as ‘we had eaten’ (me xwaribû) ‘they had left’ (ew derketibûn) past perfect tense is used in Kurmanji.
Moreover, past perfect tense works, as all other tenses in Kurmanji, in different ways with intransitive and
transitive verbs.
Consider first the simple past tense forms of the intransitive verbs axaftin ‘speak’ and man ‘stay’:
Ez ligel wî axaftibûm. I had talked to him. Ez li wir mabûm. I had stayed there.
Tu ligel wî axaftibûyî. Tu li wir mabûyî.
Ew ligel wî axaftibû. Ew li wir mabû.
Em ligel wî axaftibûn. Em li wir mabûn.
Hûn ligel wî axaftibûn. Hûn li wir mabûn.
Ew ligel wî axaftibûn. Ew li wir mabûn.
The past perfect tense is formed by (1) the past stem+(2) past tense form of bûn ‘to be’. In the past stems
ending with a consonant, such as axaftin-axaft in the above examples, ‘i’ is inserted between the past stem
and the past tense form of bûn.
Some examples to past perfect tense of some intransitive verbs:

Ez wê rojê bi qasî neh saetan nivistibûm. That day I had slept more or less nine hours.
Ma tu par çûbûyî Lalişê? Had you been to Laliş last year?
Xelîl bi halekî xerab vegeriyabû malê. Xelîl had returned home in a bad situation.
Di qezayê de bi tenê tiliyeke wî şikestibû. In the accident only one of his fingers had broken.
Em hêj nû ji malê derketibûn ku telefona min lê da. We had just gone out of the house that my phone rang.

Past perfect tense of the transitive verbs are formed in the same way with the intransitive verbs, that is past
stem+past tense form of the bûn; however, as it is with the other past tenses, the subject goes into oblique
case and the verb agrees with the object. Note that in the below examples the verb is conjugated according
to the same object (nan) so regardless of the different subjects the verb is in the same form.
Min nan xwaribû. I had eaten. Me nan xwaribû. We had eaten.
Te nan xwaribû. You had eaten. We nan xwaribû. You had eaten.
Wê nan xwaribû. She had eaten. Wan nan xwaribû. They had eaten
Note the changes in the conjugation of the verbs according to different objects in the below examples:
Di qada Newrozê de gelek mirov kom bibûn. A lot of people had gathered in Newroz field.
Dema ez gihiştime malê wan çay vexwaribû. When I arrived at home they had (already) drank tea.
We ew pirtûk bi hev re kirîbûn? Had you bought those books together?
Zîlanê Kerem li dibistanê nas kiribû. Zîlan had got acquianted with Kerem in the school.
Xurşîdî duhî tu li bazarê dîtibûyî. Xurşîd had seen you in the market place yesterday.
Babê min em ligel xwe nebiribûn dukanê. My father had not taken us to the shop (together with himself).

For the negative forms of the verbs the negative marker ne- is prefixed as in:
Min marekî ewqasî mezin qet nedîtibû. I had not seen a snake as big as that.
Wê şevê wî em venexwendibûn şîvê. He had not invited us to dinner that night.
Wê rojê tu kesî sparteya xwe çênekiribû lê mamoste hîç hêrs nebibû.
Nobody had done his homework but the teacher was not annoyed at all.
Wordlist
avêtibû ‘he had thrown’ Beydayê kilîla malê avêtibû nav deryayê ‘Beyda had
thrown the key of the house into the sea’ (3 sg. past perfect tense for
the verb avêtin ‘to throw’)
axaftin f. speech, talk
axir in conclusion, at the end
bal f. attention (bal kişandin: to attract attention)
bar m. load (bar kirin: to load)
bavo father (vocative case, which means direct address) (it has also a
general usage for a specific father similar to bavê min “my father”)
bêbêhn out of breath (bê: without, out; bêhn: breath)
bêhn dikirin ‘they were smelling’ gurên birçî hestiyên li ser berfê bêhn dikirin ‘the
hungry wolves were smelling the bones on the snow’ (3 pl. past
continuous tense for the verb bêhn kirin ‘to smell’)
beran m. ram
berdan to leave, to release, to set free
berî şîvê before dinner (berî: before; şîv f.: dinner)
bêxwedî ownerless (bê: without, less; xwedî also xwedan: owner)

bêzar bûn to get fed up with, to be tired of
ber bi çiyê ve towards the mountain (ber bi …… ve: towards somewhere)
bi carekê de at once
bi hev re together
bihîstin syn. seh kirin to hear, to perceive
bilind kirin to raise
birayo brother (vocative case, direct address) (“o and yo” are the vocative
case markers for masculine nouns as in bav+o; xal+o; heyran+o)
bizanim ‘that I know, I should know etc.’ ez dixwazim rastiya meseleyê
bizanim ‘I want to know the truth about (lit. of) the issue’ (1sg.
subjunctive form for the verb zanîn ‘to know’)
bizirrim ‘that I bray, I should bray etc.’ ker dibêje divê ez bizirrim ‘The donkey
says that I need to bray’ (1 sg. subjunctive form for the verb zirrîn ‘to
bray’)
çakûç m. Hammer
çîrok f. Story
civandin ‘...gathered them’ dapîrê zarok li dora xwe civandin da ku ji wan re
çîrokekê bêje ‘The grandmother gathered the children around herself
to tell them a story’. (3 pl. of the simple past tense for the verb
civandin ‘to gather’)
çiyâ m. mountain, (also çiyayî; in oblique case)
da ku so that, so as to
danîbûn ‘...had put them’ Elî kitêbên xwe danîbûn ser maseyê ‘Ali had put his
books on the table’. (3 pl. of the past perfect tense for the verb danîn
‘to put, to leave’)
dayê Mother ( vocative case) (“ê and yê” are the vocative case markers for
feminine nouns as in yar+ê; xuşk+ê; dayik+ê)
de here let you go
delaliyên min my dears
dendik the seed
dest pê kirin to begin, start; they began (saet heştê dest bi leyîstinê kirin “They
started playing at eight” )
dev m. mouth
dever f. syn. cih region
di rê de on the way
dîk m. cock
domandin to continue
alûçe plum
gelî hevalan oh friends (gelî is a plural adress form (vocative) with the same
function with –(i)no as in heval-ino, bira-no)
gor f. grave
gotin to say; word, saying
gur m. wolf
hebû û tunebû once upon a time (lit. there was (and) there was not)
hejmartin to count
helbet of course
hema thus
hemûyan all of them (in the oblique case)
her du both
herî xirab the worst (herî + adj is the superlative form of the adjectives as in
pirsa herî zehmet, dersa herî hêsan, xaniyê herî mezin ‘the most
difficult question, the easiest lesson, the biggest house’)
heta until
hew no longer
hiştin to leave
ho kero oh donkey
jê from him/her
ji ber because of
ji hev re to each other
ji nişkê ve suddenly
ka attention-getting particle (ka ez lê binêrim çawa ye ‘now let me have
a look at it to see how it is’)
kêf f. enjoy, joy (kêf hatin: to be happy)
kefen m. shroud
kêm few; little; lacking
kenîbûn ’we, you, they had laughed’ em bi henekên wî pir kenîbûn ‘We had
laughed a lot at his jokes’ (pl. of the past perfect tense for the verb
kenîn ‘to laugh’)
ker m. Donkey
kes m.f. person (when used with a negative predicate it means ‘anybody’)
(bila) kes wî nebîne lit. may anybody do not see him
kêvrîşk/kêvroşk f. Rabbit
kirîbûn ’we, you, they had bought’ Xezalê du kîlo bacan û du kîlo jî porteqal
kirîbûn ‘Xezal had bought two kilos of tomatoes and two of oranges.’
(pl. of the past perfect tense for the verb kirîn ‘to buy’)
kirin nava tiştekî to put into something
kirine û nekirine whatever they have done; no matter what they have done
kola ’…dug it’ Ev baxçe hemî min bi tenê kola ‘I dug the whole garden on
myself.’ (3 sg. of the simple past tense for the verb kolan ‘to dig’)
law m. syn. kur lad, son
lawir/rawir m. syn. animal
heywan
lep claw
li dora around (smt.) (li dora malê ‘around the house’)
loma also lewma therefore, for this reason
ma interrogative particle (ma tu nayê bi me re? ‘are not you coming with
us?’)
mal ava (1) thank you; (2) hey! (an expression used at the beginning of a
contrasting statement)
maye ‘it remains, it is left’ di sarincê de bi tenê hinek penêr maye. ‘There is
only some cheese left in the fridge.’ (3 sg. of the present perfect tense
for the verb man ‘to remain’)
mêr m. husband, man
meraq kirin to wonder
mêrg f. meadow
mêrik m. man
mêwe f.syn. fêkî fruit
mezin ant. biçûk big
nebaş syn. xerab bad (ne‘not’ +baş ‘good’)
nebiriye ‘…has not taken it’ Sîdarî sêwana xwe bi xwe re nebiriye îro ‘Sîdar
has not taken his umbrella today.’ (3 sg. negative of the present
perfect tense for the verb birin ‘to take’)
nêzik ant. dûr close
nîvmirî half-dead
parve kirin to share
pencere window
qayil bûn to be content, to be convinced
qet syn. hîç never
qewm race, people
qîriyan to scream
rahiştin to pick
rastî yekî hatin to come across smb., encounter, meet
revîne ’they have escaped’ dema gur dîtine hemû bi hev re revîne.. ‘Upon
seeing the wolf they all have escaped.’ (3 pl. of the present perfect
tense for the verb revîn ‘to escape, to flee’)
rezîl bûn to get into a desperate situation
rovî m. fox
rû m. face
sebze m. vegetable
seh kirin to hear, to realize
şidandin to press
şikir thank (God)
stû m. neck
şîv m. dinner
sor bibû ’he had blushed’ ji ber nexweşiyê rengê wî sor bûbû. ‘He had blushed
because of the illness’ (3 sg. of the past perfect tense for the verb sor
bûn ‘to blush, to redden’)
tas bowl
tirs fear (tirsîn: to fear)
tiştek something (anything when used with a negative predicate)
wiha thus, such, like this
weke like, as
xal m. (1) uncle (mother’s brother); (2) dot, point
xeber m. news
(ji tiştekî/kesekî) xelas to get rid of something or somebody
bûn
xirabtir worse (xirab+tir: ‘tir’ is the comparision particle as in mezin+tir
‘bigger’; baş+tir ‘better’; reş+tir ‘darker’
xistin to drop, to beat
xwîn f. blood
yasîn f. the name of a sura in the Koran recited when somebody is about to
die
yekî ji wan one of them (one is masculine and in oblique)
zeft kirin to capture
zer bûn to become yellow
LESSON 9
INTRODUCTION
In this unit you will repeat some of the verb forms you have learned, and find a brief introduction to
two new verb forms: the past perfect (or pluperfect) tense, and the passive voice. At the end of this
lesson you will:
• be more fluent in the use of different verb forms
• be able to formulate passive sentences in the commonest tenses
• practice the pluperfect tense
• be able to use some common expressions related to the preparation of foods
1. Text: A short excerpt from the novel Siyabend û Xecê

This novel was written by Zeynelabidîn Zinar and published in 1992 by Pencînar publishers
in Stockholm. It is an attempt to adapt one of the most famous Kurdish legends, that of
Siyabend û Xecê, into the form of a novel. This short passage has been slightly modified
compared to the original work. The main character, Siyabend, is spending the night in a
bleak and lonely place alone. He has crawled into a thicket (bushes, in Kurdish devî (f.) and
is trying to sleep, but he cannot fall sleep. He keeps hearing a voice (deng), but cannot see
where it is coming from.
Siyabend ji nava wê deviyê rabû çû kete nava deviyeke din û xwe dirêj kir ku rakeve, lê kir û
nekir êdi xewa wî nehat. Erê hêj di xew re neçûbû, dîsa ew dengê berê hat guhên wî; mîna ku
yek bangî wî bike. Rabû ser lingan li der û dora xwe nihêrî; lê tu tişt nedît, dîsa xwe li erdê
dirêj kir. Dîsa ew deng bihîst; gava kir ku rabe ser lingan, dît ku zilamek li ber lingên wî
sekiniye. Dema Siyabendî ew dît, hinekî tirsiya. Paşê li zilamî nihêrî; lê şev tarî bû, ji ber vê
hindê tiştek jê dernexist. Di wê navberê de qederek bihurî, zilamê şevê got:
-Siyabendê min. Metirse! Ez Xoceyê Xizir im û qasidê Xwedê me, ji bo alîkariya te hatime
vir. Xwedê sozek daye te ku tu bi destên mirovan neyêyî kuştin.
Zilamê şevê tîrek û kevanek dan Siyabendî, dîsa li axaftina xwe domand:
-Ha ji te re! Xwedê ev tîr û kevan ji bo te wekî diyarî hinartine. Lê rabe, ji vî welatî here! Ev
welat êdî ji te re nabe war! [...]
Werger / Translation
Siyabend stood up from that bush, went into another bush and lay down so that he could
sleep but whatever he did, he could not sleep. No (lit. yes), he had not fallen asleep yet, when
he heard the same voice (lit. that former voice came to his ears) as if it called him. He stood
up (on his legs), wandered around but did not see anything, (and then) he lay down again. He
heard that voice again; when he was about (lit. when he did) to stand up, he saw that a man
was standing in front of his feet (lit. legs). When Siyabend saw him, he got a bit afraid. Then
he looked at the man, but the night was dark so he could not notice anything. Meanwhile,
some time passed and the man of the night said:
-Dear Siyabend (lit. My Siyabend). Do not be afraid! I am Hodja Xizir and I am a
messenger of God and I came to help you. God gave a promise to you that you will not be
killed by a human being.
The man of the night gave a bow and arrow and then continued his speech again:
- Here you are. God sent this bow and arrow for you as a gift but get up and leave this
country!
This country can’t be home for you anymore! [...]
1.1. Exercise
a) Read the text above and answer the questions below.
1. Siyabendî çi bihîst?
2. Zilamê şevê çima hatiye?
3. Zilamê şevê çi dan Siyabendî?
4. Xwedê çi soz da Siyabendî?

5. Li gorî we, Zilamê şevê çima ji Siyabend xwest ku ew biçe welatekî din?
b) The following verb forms are taken from the text. Identify the infinitive form of these verb
forms, and write which form they are in (check back to the preceding lessons if you are not
sure!). The first ones are done for you:
Conjugated Infinitive Meaning
rabû rabûn simple past verb form ‘get up’

çû çûn simple past verb form ‘go’
ket(e) ketin this is the simple past verb form plus a suffix -e often used with
verbs
denoting direction, here therefore: go into, enter (literally ‘fall’)
kir kirin simple past verb form ‘do’
rakeve raketin present subjunctive verb form ‘fall asleep’
nehat hatin negative form of simple past verb 'come'
bike kirin
geriya gerîn
nedît dîtin negative form of simple past verb 'see'
bihîst bihîstin
rabe rabûn
sekiniye sekinîn
hatiye hatin
dernexist derxistin negative form of simple past verb ' '
Metirse! /this tirsîn
could also be:
netirse!/
hatime hatin
neyêyî kuştin hatin kuştin
(go to the
grammar part
below)
domand domandin
here/biçe çûyîn
rabe rabûn
A) The Passive Voice
• When we use transitive verbs, we can express events and activities involving two things or people.
The simplest way of using such verbs is called the ‘active’ voice: the doer of the action is the subject,
and the thing that is done, or that is affected, is the object:
Ez xwarinekê çêdikim. ‘I (subject) am making a meal (object).’
Siyabend pirtûkekê dixwîne. ‘Siyabend (subject) is reading a book (object)’
• However, we can also make sentences using the so-called passive voice, a particular sentence type
using a special form of the verb. In the passive voice, we are only interested in hearing about the
person or thing that has been affected, or had something done to it (for example, the meal, or the
book in the above sentences).
• To make the passive voice in Kurmanji, we take a form of the verb hatin ‘come’ and combine it
with the infinitive of the verb we wish to use:
ACTİVE PASSİVE
Ez xwarinekê çêdikim Xwarinek tê çêkirin. ‘A meal is being made’
Siyabend pirtûkekê dixwîne Pirtûkek tê xwendin. ‘A book is being read’
• In the passive voice, the old object of the active sentence becomes the subject of the passive one.
That means that the oblique case marker (-ê in the above examples) is not needed. The old subject,
on the other hand, is normally simply dropped from the sentence.
• The auxiliary verb hatin can be conjugated in all persons and tenses. In the above examples, it is
the third person of the present tense. The infinitive form of the main verb, on the other hand,
always stays the same. The above examples in the simple past tense would be:
PASSİVE, PRESENT TENSE PASSİVE, SİMPLE PAST TENSE

Xwarinek tê çêkirin. Xwarinek hat çêkirin.
Pirtûkek tê xwendin. Pirtûkek hat xwendin.
• As for the negative form of passive construction, we simply negate the helping verb hatin in the
same way as it is normally negated. But recall the negative form of hatin in the present tense.
Some examples in all persons in the most familiar tenses and moods are given below:
Simple Present Tense

(I am/will be known= recognised) (I am not/will not be known=recognised)
Ez têm nasîn Em tên nasîn Ez nayêm nasîn Em nayên nasîn
Tu têyî nasîn Hûn tên nasîn Tu nayêyî nasîn Hûn nayên nasîn
Ew tê nasîn Ew tên nasîn Ew nayê nasîn Ew nayên nasîn
Present Subjunctive
(that I be known= recognised) (that I be not known)
Ez bêm nasîn Em bên nasîn Ez neyêm nasîn Em neyên nasîn
Tu bêyî nasîn Hûn bên nasîn Tu neyêyî nasîn Hûn neyên nasîn
Ew bê nasîn Ew bên nasîn Ew neyê nasîn Ew neyên nasîn
Simple Past Tense

(I was known= recognised) (I was not known= recognised)
Ez hatim nasîn Em hatin nasîn Ez nehatim nasîn Em nehatin nasîn
Tu hatî nasîn Hûn hatin nasîn Tu nehatî nasîn Hûn nehatin nasîn
Ew hat nasîn Ew hatin nasîn Ew nehat nasîn Ew nehatin nasîn
Present Perfect Tense
(I have been known= recognised) (I have not been known= recognised)
Ez hatime nasîn Em hatine nasîn Ez nehatime nasîn Em nehatine nasîn
Tu hatiyî nasîn Hûn hatine nasîn Tu nehatiyî nasîn Hûn nehatine nasîn
Ew hatiye nasîn Ew hatine nasîn Ew nehatiye nasîn Ew nehatine nasîn
Past Perfect Tense

(I had been known= recognised) (I had not been known= recognised)
Ez hatibûm nasîn Em hatibûn nasîn Ez nehatibûm nasîn Em nehatibûn nasîn
Tu hatibûyî nasîn Hûn hatibûn nasîn Tu nehatibûyî nasîn Hûn nehatibûn nasîn
Ew hatibû nasîn Ew hatibûn nasîn Ew nehatibû nasîn Ew nehatibûn nasîn
It is possible to express the doer of the action by using a complex circumposition ji aliyê............ve in
front of the helping verb. This is really only used in more formal styles of written Kurdish; it is not part
of normal everyday speech.
Du romanên nû ji aliyê Enstîtuya Kurdî ya Stenbolê ve hatin wergerandin û weşandin.

Two new novels have been translated and published by Istanbul Kurdish Institute.
Lîstika bi navê ”Rojnivîska Dînekî” ji aliyê Gogol ve hatiye nivîsandin.

The play named Diary of a Madman was written by Gogol.
Divê mirov bibêje ku di destpêkê de îthamên wiha ji aliyê piraniya mirovan ve jî dihatin
qebûlkirin.
It should be said that in the begining such claims were being accepted by most of the people.
Exercise
Change the active sentences below into passive sentences.
a) Mirov bi şev biryanê naxwin. Biryan bi şev nayê xwarin.

b) Êdî mirov cil û bergan bi cilşoyan dişon. ............................................
c) Heval nameyan ji hev re dişînin. ............................................
d) Kurd piranî çayê vedixwin. ............................................
e) Li Tirkiyeyê mirov zêde kovaran naxwînin. ............................................
f) Em her roj li malê xwarinê çêdikin. ............................................
Wordlist
alîkarî f. also arîkarî help

an / yan or
ango in another term, namely
axaftin to speak
bang (-î yekî) kirin to call (smb.), (bang: message)
bêbextî f. treachery, mercilessness
berê before
bi with, by, (bi is a preposition which functions as the initial particle of
many circumpositions. Ex. Ez bi te re me. ‘I am with you.’)
bihîst ‘…heard it’ Siyabendî dengek bihîst. ‘Siyabend heard a voice’ (3rd prs.
sng. past simple form for the verb bihîstin ‘to hear’)
bihurî ‘he/she passed’ Siyabend di ber mala me re bihurî. ‘Siyabend passed
by our house’ (3rd prs. sng. past simple form for the verb bihurîn ‘to
pass by’)
bike ‘do!’ Wan kartol û balîcanan sor bike ji bo şîvê. ‘Fry those potatoes
and aubergines for dinner’ (imperative form for the verb kirin ‘to do’)
biryan f. a traditional kurdish dish with meat
çilo also çawa, çito how
dan to give
daye ‘…have/has given it’ Siyabendî hespê xwe daye qaçaxçiyan. ‘Siyabend
has given his horse to smugglers.’ (3rd prs. sng. present perfect of the
verb dan ‘to give’)
di…………….de in, at (di is a preposition used together with the postposition de ) di
çîrokê de ‘in the story’
dema when
deng m. voice
dernexist ‘did not take it out’ Siyabendî şûrê xwe dernexist. ‘Siyabend didn’t
take out his sword’ (3rd prs. sng. past simple form for the verb
derxistin ‘to take out’) (tê derxistin (as in the text): to understand, to
notice)
dest m. hand
devî f. bush
dew m. airan (a cold drink made of youghurt, in India called lassi, in Iran
dugh)
dike ‘he/she does’ Evîn çi karî dike. ‘What does Evîn do?’ (3rd prs. sng.
form of the simple present tense for the verb kirin ‘to do’)
din other
dirêj long, tall
dîsa again
dît ‘…saw it’ Siyabendî zilamek dît. ‘Siyabend saw a man’ (3rd prs. sng.
past simple form for the verb dîtin ‘to see’)
diyarî f. gift
domand ‘continued it’ Siyabendî meşa xwe domand. ‘Siyabend continued his
walk’ (3rd prs. sng. past simple form for the verb domandin ‘to
continue’)
êdî anymore, no longer
erd m. land
erê yes
ev this
fikar f. concern
firotin to sell
gava when
geriya ‘he/she wandered’ Siyabend li ber mala wê geriya. ‘Siyabend
wandered around her home’ (3rd prs. sng. past simple form for the
verb gerîn/geriyan ‘to wander around’)
giran heavy, expensive
girtin to grasp, to take, to hold
goşt m. meat
got ‘…said it’ Zilamê şevê got. ‘The man of the nigh said’ (3rd prs. sng. past
simple form for the verb gotin ‘to say’)
gram gram
guh ear
hat ‘he/she came’ Zilam hate nik Siyabend. ‘The man came near
Siyabend’ (3rd prs. sng. past simple form for the verb hatin ‘to come’)
hatime ‘I have come’ Ez hatime suhbeta we. ‘I have come to your talk’ (1st prs.
sng. present perfect form for the verb hatin ‘to come’)
hatiye ‘he/she has come’ Zilam hatiye nik Siyabend. ‘The man has come
near Siyabend’ (3rd prs. sng. present perfect form for the verb hatin ‘to
come’)
hawîrdor syn. der û dor environment, aroundhood
f.
hêj still
here ‘go’ Here mala birayê min.’Go to my brother’s home’ (imperative

form for the verb çûn ‘to go’)
hev also hevdu or hev û each other (Ex: Herdu hevalan bi hesret hev hembêz kirin. ‘The two
din friends embraced each other passionately.’
hinartine ‘…have/has sent them’ Wan çend diyarî hinartine bo me. ‘They have
sent some gifts for us’ (3rd prs. pl. present perfect form for the verb
hinartin ‘to send’)
hinek also hindek some
îsot f. hot pepper
jê from him/her
ji from
kete ‘he/she fell down’ Siyabend kete nav bîrekê. ‘Siyabend fell down in a
well’ (3rd prs. sng. past simple form for the verb ketin ‘to fall down)
kevan f. bow
kevanek a bow
kîlo f. kilo
kir ‘…made it’ Siyabendî daxwazek kir. ‘Siyabend made a wish’ (3rd prs.
sng. past simple form for the verb kirin ‘to do/ make’)
kir nekir whatever he/she did.
ku ku has many different functions in Kurdish, which cannot all be
covered here. An easy way to begin to underestand ku is to translate it
with English that, which also has many different functions. The most
important uses of ku are the following: (1) It introduces a relative
clause, as in jinika ku hat li vir ‘the woman who/that came here’, (2)
It introduces complement clauses, as in: gava dît ku zilamek li ber

lingên wî sekiniye ‘(he) he saw that a man was standing in front of
his feet’; (3) It introduces purpose clauses: kir ku rabe ser lingan ‘(he)
intended (lit. did) so that he would get up / he was about to get up’.
kuştin to kill
lê but, however
li in
metirse! don’t be afraid!
mîna like, as
mirov person, human being
mirovan plural onlique form of mirov
nabe ‘it does not become’ Ev welat êdî ji te re nabe war! This country can’t
be home for you anymore! (3rd. pr. sng. form of the simple present
tense for the verb bûn ‘to be’)
nav inside
nayê ‘he/she does not come’ Siyabend nayê daweta me. ‘Siyabend is not
coming to our invitation’ (3rd prs. sng. simple present tense form for
the verb hatin ‘to come’)
neçûbû ‘he/she had not gone’ Siyabend neçûbû daweta wan. ‘Siyabend had
not gone to their invitation’ (3rd prs. sng. past perfect tense form for
the verb çûn ‘to go’)
nedît ‘…did not see him/her/it’ Siyabendî tu tişt nedît. ‘Siyabend didn’t see
anything’ (3rd prs. sng. past simple form for the verb dîtin ‘to see’)
nehat ‘he/she did not come’ Siyabend nehat daweta me. ‘Siyabend didn’t
come to our invitation’ (3rd prs. sng. simple past tense form for the
verb hatin ‘to come’)
nekir ‘…did not do it’ Siyabend tu tişt nekir. ‘Siyabend didn’t do anything’
(3rd prs. sng. past simple form for the verb kirin ‘to do/ make’)
nihêrî also nêrî ‘looked at him/her/it’ Siyabendî li zilamî nihêrî. ‘Siyabend looked at
the man’ (3rd prs. sng. past simple form for the verb nihêrîn ‘to look
at’)
neyêyî also neyê ‘if etc. you don’t come’ Divê tu li vir pir hişyar bî da ku neyêyî
xapandin. ‘You should be very careful here not to be deceived.’ (2nd
pr. sngl. form of the present subjunctive form for the verb hatin ‘to
come’; the same verb is used in forming passive forms as in the
example above.)
ling m. leg, foot
nîvro f. noon
pê with her/him or smth/smb (it is a contracted form of ‘bi wê/wî’)
paşî also pişt re then, later on
qasid envoy
qederek f. for a time
rabû ‘he/she stood up’ Siyabend rabû ser piyan. ‘Siyabend stood up’ (3rd
prs. sng. past simple form for the verb rabûn ‘to stand up’)
rakeve ‘sleep!’ Bi şev zû rakeve da ku sibehê zû rabî. ‘Sleep early in the night
so that you get up early in the morning.’ (2nd pr. sngl. imperative form
for the verb raketin ‘to sleep’)
rehet comfortable, easy
salete f. salad
sed hundred
sekiniye ‘he/she has stopped’ Siyabend li ber derî sekiniye. ‘Siyabend has
stoopped in front of the door’ (3rd prs. sng. present perfect form for
the verb sekinîn ‘to stop, to stay’)
ser on, over
şev f. night
sêv f. apple
şevan at nights
sibeh also sibê f. morning, in the morning
sozek a promise
tarî f. dark, darkness
te you (in oblique case)
tê ‘he/she comes’ Siyabend ji gund tê. ‘Siyabend is coming from the
village’ (3rd prs. sng. simple present form for the verb hatin ‘to come’)
tên ‘they come’ Gundî ji mizgeftê tên. ‘The villagers are coming from the
mosque’ (3rd prs. pl. simple present form for the verb hatin ‘to come’)
tenê also bi tenê alone, only
têr kirin yo be enough (Ew xwarin têra min dike ‘This food will be enough for
me’)
tîr f. arrow
tîrek an arrow
tirşî m. pickles
tirsiya ‘he/she was afraid’ Siyabend ji zilamî tirsiya. ‘Siyabend was afraid of
the man’ (3rd prs. sng. past simple form for the verb tirsîn/tirsiyan ‘to
be afraid of’)
vê oblique form of ev ‘this’ (feminine)
vî oblique form of ev ‘this’ (masculine)
vira here
wa here
war m. place, land
welat m. country
welatî citizen
wî oblique form of ew ‘he’
wisa also wesa like that, in that way
xwarin to eat, food
Xwedê God
yekê one of them (one is feminine and in oblique)
yekî one of them (one is masculine and in oblique)
zilam m. man
zilamek a man
Extra material for all interested (not included in the examination)
Lêkerên têkildarî xwarin û xwarin-çêkirinê /

Verbs related to foods and preparing meals
qelaştin to slice
sor kirin to fry
qijilandin to fry
biraştin to grill
pehtin to cook
qelandin to roast
kelandin to boil
qewartin to hollow out
sar kirin to cool
xwê pê werkirin to salt
sotin/şewitandin to burn
Xwarinên Taştê
penîr cheese
mast yoghurt
hingivîn honey
şîr milk
xoşav compote
jajî a kind of soft cheese
xiyar cucumber
tamates/bacan tomates
zeytûn olives
rîçal jam
nivîşk butter
hêkên kelandî boiled egg
Hindek xwarin û vexwarinên sereke / some essential food and

beverages
salete salad
goşt meat
nîsk lentil
birinc rice
fasûliye bean
savar dried crushed wheat
masî fish
çay tea
qehwe coffe
dew airan (a drink consisting of yoghurt and water, Indian: lassi)
LESSON 10
INTRODUCTION
In this unit you will have an opportunity to practice the things you have learned by working on a
selection of genuine Kurdish texts. We have attempted to select texts from fairly typical genres,
and provide translations and notes to the texts as well as complementary exercises for each of
them. The texts we have chosen include a contemporary short story from Firat Cewerî, a poem
from Berken Bereh and a folk tale.
In addition, we would like to draw your attention to the website:

http://www.dibistanakurdi.com/index.php
a Swedish-based website with a lot of very useful resources for learning Kurdish. Under the menu
‘çîrok’ (story) you will find some short traditional texts which can also be listened to (you will
need Flash player on your computer). For this lesson you will need to listen to the the story Pîrê û
Rovî first (‘The old lady and the fox’) on the following link:
http://www.dibistanakurdi.com/cirok2004/pire_rovi.htm
Text 1: Çîrok / Short story
Çend agahî li ser nivîskar û çîrokê
Nivîskarê vê çîrokê, Firat Cewerî, di sala 1959an de li gundekî Mêrdînê hatiye dinyayê. Ji serê
salên 1980î ve li Swêdê dijî ku li wê derê wekî nivîskar, wergêr û weşangerekî kurd pir navdar bûye. Heta
niha romanek û çend pirtûkên çîrokan nivîsandine û her wiha berhemin ji Dostoevsky, Steinbeck, Chechov
û Yaşar Kemal wergerandine kurdî. Bi qasî deh salan kovareke edebî ya bi navê Nûdem derxistiye. Ji bilî
karê xwe yê nivîskariyê, wî weşanxaneyeke bi navê Nûdem jî ava kiriye ku bûye yek ji girîngtirîn û
serkeftîtirîn weşanxaneyên kurdî. Nûdemê, di sala 1998an de bi edîtoriya Firat Cewerî, koleksiyoneke du
cildî ya hemû hejmarên kovara Hawarê (ya ku di navbera salên 1932 û 1943an de çap bibû) belav kirin. Di
wê kovarê de birayên Bedirxanî û rewşenbîrên din ên kurd, bingehên kurmanciya nivîskî ya standard
danîbûn. Berhemeke din a pir girîng a Firat Cewerî jî, amadekirina Antolojiya Çîrokên Kurdî (2003, du
cild) ye; ku bêguman, firehtirîn koleksiyona berdest a edebiyata kurdî ye.
Çîroka ku me ji bo vê dersê bijartiye, li ser adeta kurdan a razana ser banan, ku havînan li
Kurdistanê pir berbelav e, hatiye hûnandin. Qehremanê çîrokê, mirovekî ji bajarê Kurdistanê yî Mêrdînê
ye, ku demeke dirêj li Ewrûpayê jiyaye. Gava ku di nav xeyalên rabirdûyê de li ser banê xanî li esman û
stêrkên ronak temaşe dike, dingedingek tê ji mala cînaran. Nivîskar, vê rûdanê bi xuricîna stêrkekê ve
girêdide.
Çîrok ji pirtûka nivîskarî ya bi navê Kevoka Spî hatiye wergirtin (Swêd, Nûdem, 1996).
Some information on the writer and the story

The author of this short story, Firat Cewerî, was born in 1959 near Mêrdîn in southeastern
Turkey, quite near the Syrian border. He has been living in Sweden since the early 1980’s, where
he has become extremely well known as a Kurdish writer, translator and publisher. He has
written a novel and several collections of short stories and has also translated works of
Dostoevsky, Steinbeck, Chechov and Yaşar Kemal into Kurdish. He directed a litarary magazine
called Nûdem for about ten years. Apart from his work as a writer, he has also established the
publishing company Nûdem as one of the most important and successful Kurdish publishers
world-wide. In 1998 Nûdem published a two-volume collection of all the issues of the journal
Hawar (originally published between 1932 and 1943), edited by Firat Cewerî. In that journal, the
Bedirxan (Bedirkhan) brothers and other Kurdish intellectuals had laid the foundations for
modern standard written Kurmanji. Another extremely important work of Firat Cewerî is the
recent publication of an anthology of Kurdish short stories (Antolojiya Çîrokên Kurdî, 2003, two
volumes), undoubtedly the most comprehensive collection of Kurdish literature currently
available.
The story that we have chosen, picks up a culturally very widespread custom in Kurdistan, namely
sleeping on the rooves of houses during the summer. The protagonist of the story is a man from
Mêrdîn, a city of Kurdistan, who has lived in Europe for a long time and returned home. While he
is deep into the retrospect on the roof of the house looking at the luminious sky and stars, there
comes a noise from the neighbour’s which the author relates to the slide of a star on the sky. The
story is taken from his collection of short stories titled as Kevoka Spî (Sweden, Nûdem, 1996).
Stêrkek ji ezmanê me xuricî /A star slid (down) from our sky
(1) Piştî bernameyeke televîzyonê, ez bi After (watching) a TV programme, I climbed the

cangiranî ji pêlekanê re derketim jor û stairs sluggishly [can=body, soul, spirit;
çûm ser xênî. giranî ‘heaviness’, lit. ‘with body-
heaviness’] and went up on (to the roof of) the
house.
(2) Yek ji tiştên ku min deh salan li One of the things that I had longed for [lit.
Ewrûpayê hesreta wê kişandibû jî, ‘longing of-it draw’] for ten years in Europe,
razana li ser banan bû. was sleeping on the roof [razan-a, razan is the
infinitive from ‘to sleep’, the -a is an Izafe]
[ban-a, is the colloqual plural form of ban
‘roof’, whose written standard would be
banan ‘rooves’].
(3) Min gelekî ji razana li ser bên hez I liked sleeping on the roof very much [bên is
dikir û her êvar hetanî nîvê şevê min xwe one of the two singular oblique forms for
li ser nivînên xwe dirêj dikir, destên xwe ban; the other and most commonly used
dixistin bin serê xwe û min li stêrkên one being banî] and every evening until mid-
ezmanê welêt dinihêrî. night I would lie down on my bed, put my hands
under my head and stare at stars of the sky of the
country. [this sentence uses the past
progressive to express past habits, often
translatable as ‘used to ...’]
(4) Wê şevê jî min wilo kir. That night also I did like that. [wilo ‘so, in this
manner’ There are many regional variants
of this word, for example wesa, wisa,
wusa...]
(5) Bêyî ku ez kincên xwe ji xwe bikim, Not having taken my clothes off, I lay down on my
min xwe li ser nivînên xwe dirêj kir, bed, put my hands under my head and looked at
destên xwe xistin bin serê xwe û di bin the stars in the sky under the soft and cool
bayê payizê yê sivik û hênik de li stêrkên autumn wind.
ezmên nihêrî.
(6) Gelo berê jî ezmanê welêt ewçend Were there so many stars in the sky of the
bistêrk bû? homeland before as well? [lit. was the sky of
the homeland (welêt: oblique singular of
welat) with so many stars before also].
(7) Çiqas stêrkine xweşik in, çiqas How lovely stars, how much they were sparking.
diçirisîn.
(8) Ez di wê navê de li Leyla û Mecnûnî At that moment I thought of Leyla û Mecnûn [a
fikirîm, min ew jî dîtin. constellation named after the beloved couple
Laila and Majnun], I saw them as well.
(9) Min çavên xwe li riya Kadizê gerand, I glanced at the Milky Way, I saw it as well.
min ew jî dît.
(10) Min demeke dirêj bala xwe berda For a long time I paid attention [the idiomatic
Leyla û Mecnûnî ez li benda expression is bala xwe berdan ‘pay one’s
hevramûsana wan rawestiyam. attention to’; the basic verb is dan ‘give’
with a preverb ber-] to Leyla û Mecnûn and I
waited for them to kiss [lit. ‘rested in the
expectation of ...’].
(11) Min hevramûsana wan bidîta, min ê If I had seen them kissing, I would have wished,
ji xwe re tiştin bixwestana, tiştin hêvî hoped some things [tişt+indefinite plural
bikirana. ending] for myself.
(11) Qet nebe me di zaroktiyê de wilo At least we used to believe it like this in
bawer dikir. childhood.
(12) Em heta derengiya şevê li benda We would wait until late at night for them to kiss
hevramûsana wan diman û em wilo di [see (10) above) stay in the expectation of
xew re diçûn. their kiss] and we would fall asleep in that way.
(13) Tiştê ecêb, gava ez li wan rojên xwe The interesting thing (was that), when I was
yên zaroktiyê difikirîm, min xwe mîna thinking of my childhood days [lit. ‘days of own
zarokan hîs dikir. childhood’], I would feel like a child [lit. I
would feel myself like the children].
(14) Şewqa stêrkên ezmên ez dibirim The luminosity of the stars of the sky [ezmên is
salên min yên zaroktiyê. the Oblique singular of ezman] would take
me to my childhood years.
(15) Di salên xwe yên zaroktiyê de ez In my childhood days I admired the luminosity of
heyrana şewqa elektrîka bajarê Mêrdînê the electricity (lights) of the city of Mêrdîn.
bûm.
(16) Nizanim gelo we tu carî bi şev di I wonder, have you ever travelled close to Mêrdîn
nêzîkî Mêrdînê re rêwîtî kiriye? in the night time? [lit. I do not know whether
you have ever travelled close to Mêrdîn in
the night time?].
(17) Şewqa elektrîkên bajêr wilo germ, The luminosity of the city lights is so warm, so
wilo dostane ye, bajar ewçend bilind e ku friendly, the city is so high that you [lit. man]
mirov dibêje qey ew bi stêrkên li ezmên might think that it challenges the stars in the sky.
re qayişê dikişîne.
(18) Ez di xeyalan de kûr çûbûm. I was deep in imagination [lit. I had gone (past
perfect tense, see Lesson 8) deep in
imagination].
(19) Ez li ezmanê ewqas bilind û bêstûn I was [past perfect of man] surprised at the so
ecêbmayî mabûm. high and columnless sky.
(20) Di wê navê de ne ji dengê diya min At that moment, if it was not for my mother’s
nebûya, belkî ez ê bi saetan ji xeyalên voice, perhaps I would not return from my
xwe venegeriyama jiyana rastî. imagination to the real life for hours.
(21) --- Ma tu firek çeqilmast venaxwî Would you not like to drink a sip of buttermilk,
lawê min? my son?
(22) Ez bi dengê diya xwe veciniqîbûm, [this sentence is in the past perfect
min ew tasa çeqilmêst a ko hîn qeşaya throughout] I was startled by my mother’s
wê neheliyabû ji destê wê girtibû, çend voice, I had taken that bowl of buttermilk whose
gulp jê vexwaribûn, min paşê ew tas glace had not melted from her hand, I had taken
danîbû ser pirêketekî li ber serê xwe, min several gulps (sips) from it, than I had put that
dîsa xwe li ser piştê dirêj kiribû û li bowl on a briquet next to my head, I had lied
ezmanê bê ser û bin û li stêrkên bi şewq û down on my back again and I had looked at the
ronî nihêrîbû. endless [lit. without top or bottom] sky and
the luminous and shiny stars.
(23) Û ez wilo di xew re çûbûm. And I had thus fallen asleep.
(24) Lê ez nizanim çiqas tê de çûbû, ez bi However I do not know how much (time) had
dengê teqîneke ku bêdengî û kerritiya passed through [lit. ‘in-it had gone’, see
şevê çirand ve şiyar bûm. prepositions in Lesson 4], I woke up by the
sound of a blast which tore apart the silence and
stillness of the night.
(25) Bi şiyarbûnê re min dît ku ew stêrka Upon waking up I saw that the star next to Leyla û
li nêzîkî Leyla û Mecnûnî rijiya erdê. Mecnûn slid to the Earth.
[...] [section omitted here]
(26) Sibehê zû li mala cîranê me dengên Early in the morning, at our neighbour’s house,
lîlandin û çepikan dihat. there was coming the sound of cheering and
applauses.
(27) Min ji diya xwe pirsî, wê got: I asked my mother and she said: “A star slid from
“Stêrkek ji ezmanê me xuricî, keçika our sky, our neighbour’s daughter who was at the
cîrana me ya berzewacê şehîd ket”. age of marriage has fallen as a martyr” [the verb
is şehid ketin, used generally for people
who die in heroic struggles].
[...] [section omitted here]
(28) Her ku roj bilindtir dibû, dengên As the sun was getting higher, the sound of
lîlandin û çepikan zêdetir dibûn. cheering and applauses was getting more and
more.
Key expressions from the story.
ji tiştekî/kesekî hez kirin: like, love something/someone

bala xwe berdan: pay attention to
li tiştekî ecebmayî bûn: be amazed at something
xwe dirêj kirin: lie down, lit. make oneself long
di xew re çûn: fall asleep, lit. go through sleep
şiyar bûn: wake up
ji kesekî pirsîn: ask someone ((question)/whether ….) (ex: Min ji Zelalê
pirsî ka îmtihana wê çawa derbas bûye.)
li benda kesekî/tiştekî man/bûn: to wait for somebody or something
Text 2: Helbest / Poem

Hindek agahî li ser helbestvan û helbestê
Berken Bereh
Berken Bereh di sala 1954an de li Şirnexê hatiye dinyayê. Di sala 1978an de dest bi nivîsandina bi zimanê
kurdî kir. Helbestên wî yekem car di Tîrêjê de, yekem kovara bi kurdî li bakurê Kurdistanê, belav bûn. Dû
re di gelek kovarên kurdî de helbest û nivîsarên wî hatine belavkirin. Heta niha sê dîwanên (collection of
poems) wî derçûne: Êş (2001), Şagirtên Evînê (2003) û Pandomîm (2006).
Ev helbest ji yekem dîwana wî hatiye wergirtin û di vê helbestê de taybetiyên girîng ên welatê helbestvanî
li pêş in.
Berken Bereh
Berken Bereh was born in Shirnakh (Şirnex) in 1954. He started to write in Kurdish in 1978. Initially, his
poems appeared in Tîrêj, the first magazine in Kurdish in the north Kurdistan. Afterwards, his poems and
writings were published in many Kurdish magazines. Up to now three poem collections by him have
appeared: Êş (2003), Şagirtên Evînê (2003) and Pandomîm (2006).
This poem has been taken from the first poem collections and in this poem some important features of the
poet’s country are thematized.
Ger hûn bixwazin

If you want
(1) Ger hûn bixwazin If you want [ger=if, also. heke, eger. In each stanza the
Binasin êş û jan û kovaniyê present conditional form is used (See lesson 6); in
Şevekê li welatê min bibin mêvan this sense the first three sentences actually form one
single sentence)]
To get to know pain, sorrow and grief
Be guest one night in my country [bibin mêvan, is in imperative
form (see lesson 5)]
(2) Ger hûn bixwazin If you want

Binasin mirinê To get to know the death
Li baskên qulingên koçber binihêrin Look at the wings of the emigrant cranes
Bêhna şewatê tê ji wan. They smell burnt [lit. the smell of burning comes from them]

Evînê binasin To get to know the love
Taldeya rojhilata dilê xwe bipelînin Look into the nook of the east of your heart
Bê çawa diteyisin bi ken stêrk. How the stars glare merrily. [bê is a particle giving some
emphasis to the word çawa; it cannot be readily
translated into English]
Welatê min binasin To get to know my country
Vekin deriyê agir û rojê Open [imperative plural of vekirin] the door of fire and sun
Kevoka mirovhez a heftreng The human-lover pigeon with seven colors [mirov (human being)-
Dê bifire bi we. hez (the verbal element of the complex verb hez kirin ‘to like, to
love’); a very frequent way of word formation in Kurdish. Also
in similar forms, welat-parêz (patriot), kitêb-firoş (book-seller),
kef-gîr (colander) etc.]
Dê bifire bi we: ‘Will fly to you’. [dê is th future particle,

see lesson 6; bi we is used to give the meaning of an
action towards a certain direction; in this sense, it is
more common to use it with a postposition, namely
in the form of bi we de (towards you). (see lesson 4)]
Key expressions from the poem.
xwestin: to want (the verb following xwestin is always in subjuntcive form as in

bixwazin binasin/ biçin/bikirin)
mêvan bûn: to be a guest (As in the poem the verb can be in the form of bûn mêvan
also especially in imperative form. Ex: Min jê re got were bibe mêvanê
min.)
bê çawa: how (bê functions more like an attention getting particle here, it does
not add substantially to the meaning)
teyisîn: to glare
mirovhez: human-lover; human-friendly (mirov-hez)
heftreng: seven-coloured (heft-reng)
bêhna tiştekî hatin ji
tiştekî/kesekî: to smell (lit. the smell of something comes from smt./smb.)
KURDISH–ENGLISH VOCABULARY
Abbreviations: adj. = adjective; Ar. = Arabic; ccmp. = circumposition; const. =

construct case; demon. = demonstrative; dial. var. = dialectal variant; f = feminine;
impt. = imperative; m = masculine; mil. = military; n.p. = narrative present
(couched in the present tense; past-tense translational value); obl. = oblique; Pers. =
Persian; pl = plural; pron. = pronoun; pres. = present; subj. = subjunctive; Syr. Ar.
= Syrian Arabic; Tk. = Turkish; v.i. = verb intransitive; v.t. = verb transitive (here
transitive means that the past tense is formed on the ergative model, not that the verb
necessarily takes a direct object either in Kurdish or in English); voc. = vocative
*
a = ya; bi ~ in the opinion of: bi a min al1 red
in my opinion ala = al
abadîn eternal al’al tulip
aborî economic, financial; f economy; alandin v.t. to twist
~zan economist alastin alês- v.t. to lick
‘aciz helpless, unable to cope (ji with): alaş thatch; ~kirî thatched
ez ji kêzikan zehf aciz im I am utterly alav f flame
incapable of coping with bugs alayî f troop, regiment
Adar f March alet m instrument, tool
‘adet f custom; ~î ordinary alês- → alastin
aferîde m creature alfabe f alphabet
aferîn bravo; ~ ji … re good for … ‘alim m scholar
afirandin v.t. to create alî1 m side, part; bi her ~yê ve in every
afîş f poster direction; dan ~yekî v.t. to put aside,
aga aware (li of) to draw to one side; ji ~yekî / ji ~kî
agadarî f information, announcement; on the one hand; ji ~yê din on the
awareness other hand; ji ~yê … ve by (passive
agah = aga agent), on the part of
agahdarî = agadarî alî2, arî f help; ~kar helping, helpful;
agir m (obl. êgir) fire; ~ danîn bi to set ~karî f help, support; ~karî kirin v.t.
fire to to help: min alîkariya wî dikir I used
Agirî f Ağrı, in extreme eastern Turkey to help him
aheng f tune, tone ‘alî3 supreme
ajotin ajo- v.t. to drive (vehicle); to alîkar partisan; ~î kirin v.t. to take
pass, last (of time): pir neajotibû ku… s.o.’s part, be partisan
not much time had passed before…, alînegir neutral
vê bêdangiya han heta sala 1980 ajot Alman German; ~ya f Germany
this silence lasted until the year 1980; aloz scattered, random
~ ser to attack amade ready; ~ kirin v.t. to make
al1 f flag, banner ready; xwe ~ kirin f to get oneself
196
KURDISH-ENGLISH VOCABULARY
ready ava1 built up, prosperous, developed; ~
ambelaj f wrapping, packing kirin v.t. to develop; ~ker m devel-
Amerîka/Amerîqa f America; ~yî oper, founder
American ava2 çûn v.i. to set (of the sun)
Amûda f ‘Amūdā, a town in Syria near avahî f building, edifice
Qāmishlī avayî = avahî
an or; ~ na or not; an…an either…or avdayî tempered (steel)
ancax so much avêj- → avêtin
anîn v.t. (pres. ind. tînim, neg. naynim; avêş f balm
subj. bînim, neg. subj. neynim) to avêtin avêj- v.t. to throw, throw away,
bring throw out; lay (foundation); ~a ji text
anîzazî f cleverness de dethronement; dest ~ … to touch
Anteqye f Antakya, Antioch s.th.
anuha = niha awa f manner, means; bi ~yekî some-
ap, apo m paternal uncle how; bi wî ~yî by this means; bi
‘aqil1 m mind, intelligence hemû ~yî by all/any means
‘aqil2 intelligent awaz m voice, sound, singing
‘aqûbet f end awir f glance, backward look
ardû m fuel awur (dial. var.) = awir
arî (dial. var.) = alî2 ax1 sigh, ouch; ~ avêtin v.t. to say ouch
armanc f aim, goal ax2 f land, earth, dirt; ~a welat home-
armûş m a sheaf of grain land; ~a Sûriyê the land of Syria
armûxan m gift axa m (obl axê) agha, feudal lord, mas-
arnawid Albanian ter
arşîv f archive axaftin axiv- v.i. to speak
artêş f army axar ???
arûk m ceiling axil corral
arxayîn confident axiftin (dial. var.) = axaftin
asê rugged, steep; ~geh f fortification axiret f the other world: mirovê axiretê
asê kirin v.t. to catch an other-worldly person
asêwarî untimely axîn v.i. to cry, to cry out
asiman, asîman m heaven; ~î heavenly axpîne f patch of ground, field
asîmîlasiyon f assimilation AY = Ameriqayê Yekbûyî USA
asîmîle assimilated azad free; ~ kirin v.t. to set free; ~î f
aso f horizon liberty
asteng m difficult road, rough terrain, azar f anguish; ~ dan v.t. to torment,
obstacle vex
asin m (dial. var.) = hesin azman m sky
‘aşiq in love; ~ê … bûn to be in love
with b- → birin, bûn
aşitî f peace, truce; ease, comfort ba1 m (obl bê) wind
aşî = aşitî ba2 m turn
‘atifî emotional ba3 (prep.) with, in front of, in the pres-
av f water; ~ û hewa f climate ence of; li ~ with, chez
197
KURMANJI KURDISH
4
ba m rheumatism; ~wî rheumatic barîk slender, thin
babet f regard: di vê babetê de in this barîn/~iyan v.i. to rain down
regard bask m arm, wing: baskê çepê partiya
babo daddy sosyal-demokrat the leftist wing of
ba-dan v.t. to turn, twist, wring the Social-Democrat Party; ~ên xwe
badayî turned, twisted li hev xistin to flap one’s wings
bager f snowstorm baş good; ~ kirin v.t. to improve;
bahar = bihar ~kirin f improvement
bahlif f pillow başok(e) falcon
bajar m (obl bajêr) city; ~î m merchant, başûr m south
citified; ~van citizen, city dweller; bav m (voc. bavo) father; ~îtî f father-
~vanî urban: jiyana bajarvaniyê ur- hood, paternality
ban life bawer believing: ez ~ im ku… I believe
Baku f Baku that …; ~ kirin v.t. to believe: gelek
bakurofe f gust of wind kes bawer dikin ku… many people be-
bakûr m north lieve that…; ~î f belief, trust; ~mend
bal1 f wing, arm m believer
bal2 f attention, mind, thought; ~ kişan- bawî1 m father
din to attract the attention: wêneyên bawî2 → ba4
min bala rojname û hunermendan bawîşk f yawn
kişandin my pictures attracted the baxçe m garden, yard
attention of newspapers and artists; baz jump, leap; ~ dan v.t. to dance; to
~dar attentive, discerning; ~drêj pa- run away in fear, to flee in haste
tient, careful; ~fireh patient, calm; bazar f market; ~a reş black market
~kêş attractive, interesting beden m body
balaxane f balcony bedew beautiful, splendid
balefir m airplane; ~geh airport bedyûm ill-omened
balgî m pillow befr f (dial. var.) = berf
balîf = bahlîf behr f sea
ban m roof behs f discussion; ~kirin v.t. to discuss
ban ban kirin v.t. to shout, to yell bejin f height, stature; ~bilind tall; ~ û
bandev f summit bala tall stature
bandor f influence bel straight; ~ kirin v.t. to straighten,
bang f call, cry; ~ dan v.t. to give out a prick up (ears, &c.)
cry, to herald; ~ kirin v.t. to shout bela f catastrophe
banz = baz belaş for free, gratis
bar m load; ~ bûn to be loaded; to bear belav widespread, scattered; ~ bûn v.i.
up: çavên wan bar nebûbû they to be scattered; ~ kirin v.t. to spread,
hadn’t been able to bear the sight; ~ broadcast, disseminate; ~ok f publica-
kirin v.t. to load up, move (house- tion
hold); ~kêş m porter belayê nav … bûn v.i. to spread out
baran f rain; ~din v.t. to rain down through
bare: di ~ya … de (prep.) about, con- belediye f municipality
cerning belek speckled, spotted
198
belekî f water spring berberî f comparison
belengaz poor, destitute; ~î f poverty, berbêjî f prediction
destitution berbiçav conspicuous
bélê yes berbihevhatin f cooperation
belg m leaf berbînî f imaginary image, vision
belgih m suit, clothing; ~ girtin v.t. to bercênîk ???
garb oneself berçav visible, clear, before the eyes; ~
belkî maybe, perhaps anin v.t. to pay attention
ben = bend ber-dan v.t. to release, let go; to put on
bend f bond; li ~a for the sake of, (clothes); to close, stop, give up: dev
chained to, waiting for: divê em êdî li ~ ji to close the mouth to, stop, give
benda sibehê ranewestin we should- up; ~ ser to direct toward; tiving ~ to
n’t stand around waiting for tomor- fire a rifle at: xulamê wî ew da ber
row; ~ kirin v.t. to fetter, arrest; man tifingê his servant fired the rifle at
di ~a to wait for him; xwe ~ ser to turn oneself to-
benderuh creature ward, direct oneself to
bendewar bûn bi to love, be in love berdest servant
with berdewam continual(ly), constant(ly); ~
benzîn f gasoline kirin v.t. to continue
beq m frog berdêl f equivalent; ji ~a instead of
ber1 m breast, fore; ber-dan see alpha- berdêlk = berdêl; bi ~ equivalent in
betically; ~ bi hev hatin v.i. to coop- value
erate; ~ê (ve) (adv.) before; ~î ku berebere more and more, ever more;
(conj.) before; ji ~ kirin v.t. to mem- gradually, little by little
orize; ji ~ jmartin v.t. to reel off from bereket m blessing; bi ~ luckily
memory; ji ~ ku because (conj.); ji ~ berev = berhev
… ve (ccmp.) before; ji ~ zanîn v.t. berf f snow
to memorize; li ~ (prep.) before, on berferih spacious; ~ kirin v.t. to open,
account of; li ~ (+ inf.) on the verge initiate
of: ew hêviya ku li ber geşbûnê bû bergeh f view, vista
çilmisî that hope, which was on the berhem m product, literary work; ~bar
verge of blossoming, withered; productive
wek(e) ~ê as before berhev gathered, collected; ~ kirin v.t.
ber2 m yield, fruit; ~ wergirtin ji to de- to prepare, gather; xwe ~ kirin v.t. to
rive a yield from pull oneself together
beramber equal, equivalent; ~î f equal- berhevok f collection
ity; ~î … kirin v.t. to compare to: wî berik f bullet
ew beramberî Anton Çexov dikir he beriqîn v.i. to glisten
used to compare him to Anton Che- berizîn bi v.i. to fight with, do battle
khov with
beran m ram berî f pocket
ber-anîn (ber-în) v.t. to imagine berîde perplexed, lost
berate f carcass berîk f pocket
berban m ceiling ber-ketin v.i. to feel sad
199
KURMANJI KURDISH
bermil f load bêbawer disbelieving, unsure; ~î f dis-
bername f program belief
beroş f pot, pan bêbest uncontrollable
berovajî to the contrary bêbext unlucky, unfortunate; ~î f un-
berpêş kirin v.t. to suggest, to propose luckiness, misfortune
berpirsiyar responsible; m manager; ~î bêçare helpless, poor; ~tî f helplessness
f responsibility, management bêçine useless
berq f lightning bêçiqasî inordinately
bersîv f answer, reply; ~ dan bi to reply bêdar treeless, barren
to, answer; ~a … dan to satisfy the bêdeng silent; ~î f silence, obscurity
needs of; ~andin v.t. to respond, bêdil halfhearted, unwilling
reply bêfedî lack of embarrassment
berten f trousers bêgav impossible, helpless
bervajî f opposite side; ji ~yê contrari- bêgoşt skinny
wise, conversely bêguman doubtless(ly)
bervê prep. toward bêhamd reluctantly, unwillingly
berwar m slope bêhawe unparalleled, extraordinary
berx lamb bêhay unconscious, unaware; dinyayê ~
berxwedan f resistance the subconscious world
bes much, many a; enough bêhejiyan û livat without movement or
best f plain motion
best m joy, glee, relish bêhejmar innumerable
beş m part; ~dar participant; ~dar bûn bêhempa unparalleled, peerless
v.i. to take part, participate bêhêvî without hope, in despair; ~ kirin
beşavend f rhyme v.t. to make s.o. despair
beşer f flesh bêhêzî f weakness, debility
betalî f unemployment, uselessness, bêhişiyarî without feeling, numb
idleness bêhn1 f breath; ~a min teng bû I was
bexçe = baxçe bored; ~a xwe teng kirin to bore one-
Bexda f Baghdad self, let oneself get bored; ~a …
bext m luck; ~iyar fortunate, happy; çikandin v.t. to suffocate; ~tengî f
~iyarî f good fortune, happiness; bê~ boredom
unfortunate bêhn2 f smell, odor; ~ berdan to leave
beybûn f camomile an odor behind; ~ dan to give off an
bez1 f speed: bi lez û ~ quickly, with all odor; ketin ser ~ê to pick up a scent;
speed; bayê ~ê the racing wind; ~în ~çikîn dry-smelling
bez- v.i. to run bêhtengî = bêhntengî
bez2 m kind, sort bêî prep. without; ~ ku (conj., + subj.)
beza fast-running, galloping without: îro jî bêî ku mirov tu zehme-
bezir lost tiyan bikişîne, mirov bi hêsanî ji wan
bê1 → ba tê digihê even today one easily under-
bê-2 (prefix) without; see compounds al- stands them without going to any
phabetically trouble
bêaqil stupid bêîmkanî f impossibility
200
bêj- → gotin poor, lonely
bêje f word: ~ bi ~ word by word; ~r bêyî = bêî
speaker bêzarî f nuisance, headache
bêjing f sieve bêzaro childless
bêkar unemployed; ~î f unemployment bi- subjunctive prefix
bêkes lonely, alone, unprotected bi … re (ccmp.; bi + wî/wê > pê) by,
bê li prep. without with, upon: bi tirên re by train; bi min
bêmane fearful, dreadful re with me; bi bihîstina deng re upon
bêmecalî f lack of opportunity hearing the sound
bêminet relentless(ly) bi … ve (ccmp.; bi + wî/wê > pê)
bênamus dishonorable through, up to: ji wê rojê pê ve from
bênav nameless, unnamed that day to this
bênavbirî incessant bi- subjunctive verbal prefix
bênihtin v.i. to freeze biaqil intelligent, smart; ~î f intelligence
bênîşan spotless biçûk little; ~anî f childhood, youth
bêpar deprived bidardakirin → dar
bêpejnî f tranquility biha bûn v.i. to be valuable
bêpîvan immeasurable bihar f spring, springtime; ~î pertaining
bêr. See xêr. to spring
bêrî f longing; ~ kirin v.t. to long for, bihin = bêhn; bi ~ with odor, with fra-
miss grance; ~dar fragrant
bêrik = bêrîk bihişmet magnificent
bêrîk f pocket; wek hundirê bêrika bihişt f paradise; ~în paradisiacal, heav-
şalê xwe nasîn to know something enly
“like the back of one’s hand” bihîstin bihîs-/bihîz- v.t. to hear, listen
Bêrûd f Beirut bihn = bêhn1
bêsedem without reason, unprovoked bihorîn v.i. to pass
bê serûbin endless bihostin v.t. ???
bêşerm shameless; ~î f shamelessness bihuk insect
bêşik doubtless bihurandîn bihurîn- v.t. to spend
bêtar storm (time): ew zaroktiya xwe li Kurdis-
bêtaw impatient, restless tana Bakûr bihurandiye he spent his
bêtir more childhood in North Kurdistan
bêtîn powerless, weak bihurtin bihur- v.i. to pass, be spent
bêvil, bêvîl f nose, nostril bihuşt f span. See also bihişt.
bêxanî homeless bihûr- = bihur-
bê xayî limitless bijarte choice, select
bêxeber unaware (ji of); ji her derî ~ bijartin bijêr- v.t. to choose
totally oblivious bijiqandin v.t. to tear to shreds
bêxew sleepless, suffering from insom- bijîjk m physician
nia; ~î f sleeplessness, lack of sleep bijîn lively
bêxudan = bêxwedî bijîv f sustenance
bêxweda godless, damned bikaranîn → kar
bêxwedî godless, ownerless, orphaned, bikêr useful
201
KURMANJI KURDISH
bíla (+ subj.) let: çi dibe bila bibe what- bivir m ax
ever happens, let it happen biwa (alternative past conditional of
bilbil nightingale bûn) = bûya
bilez quick, hasty bixêrhatinî dan v.t. to welcome
bilind high; ~ kirin v.t. to raise, to bixwe by oneself, personally
elevate; ~cih m height, high place biyanî m foreign(er), stranger, alien;
biliyan v.i. to arise (sound) ~stan f any foreign place, “foreign
bilî other than, aside from; ~ ji ditto parts”; ~tî f strangeness, alienation:
bilûr f shepherd’s pipe, flute jiyana biyanîtiyê life of alienation
bin m bottom; di ~ under; ~dest under- bizin f goat
ling, oppressed; ~geh m foundation, bizir m seed
basis; ~gehê … avetin to lay the bizivîn v.i. to budge
foundation of …; ~gehîn basic; ~xet f bîhin = bêhn
south of the Turkish border, i.e. Syria bîn = bêhn
and Iraq bîn- → dîtin, anîn
binûr luminous bîna (dial. var.) = mîna
bipêşdexistin f advancement, improve- bînahî f sight
ment bînanî prep. like
biqedr worthwhile, valuable bînber m sight
bir m part bîr1 f memory; bi ~ anîn v.t. to remem-
bira1 m (obl. pl biran) brother ber: baş bîne bîra xwe ku… remember
bira2 = bila well that…; ~a … birin to take into
bira3 really consideration; ~ hatin v.i. to remem-
birc f tower ber: tê bîra min I remember; ji ~(a)
birçî hungry; ~n f hunger; ~tî f hunger kirin v.t. to forget; ~anîn f memory,
birêvebir m leader reminiscence
birh m eyebrow bîr2 f well
birin b- v.t. to carry, take; ~ jêr to bîranî f memory
bring/take down/away; ~ jor to bring/ bîst1 twenty; ~salî twenty-year-old
take up bîst2 f moment, a short period of time:
birisqîn v.i. to sparkle, shimmer bîstek neborî it didn’t take long be-
birîn1 f wound; ~ kirin v.t. to wound; fore
~dar m wounded bîstin bîs- v.t. to hear
birîn2 = birrîn bîşeng f weeping willow
birrîn v.t. to cut, to cross: wî sînor birrî bîz- = bihîz → bihîstin
he crossed the border bîzbîzî matted
birsî hungry bo (prep.) for; (conj.) so that, in order
birsîn f hunger that
birûsk f lightning; ~e f telegram boç f tail
biryar f decision; ~ dan v.t. to decide boçik f tail
biserketin f success bombe f bomb; ~yên destan hand
bişkul m goat and sheep droppings grenades
biv m buzz bona prep. for: ~ vê yekê for this reason
bivê nevê willy-nilly, like it or not borandin v.t. to spend (time), make
202
(time) pass yên baş û yên nebaş there are two
borî f pipe kinds of people, good and evil
borîn v.i. to last, pass (time): çend meh celx m/f slit, crack
naborin not many months passed cem m group; side; a large basket; li ~
(n.p.); v.t. to excuse: min bibore ex- beside, with: li cem wan beside them,
cuse me with them
bostan m garden cendek m body, corpse
boş wide, widespread, abundant ceng f battle
boxçe f bundle cerg f liver
braştî roasted ceribandin v.t. to try, test
brûsk = birûsk cewr m pup; ~ik m puppy
buhar = bihar ceza f fine, penalty; ~ wergirtin v.t. to
buhirîn v.t. to take away, clear off receive a penalty, to be fined
buhurandin buhurîn- v.t. to spend cidî serious
(time); ~în v.i. to pass, pass away cigar(e) f cigarette
buhurtin buhur- v.i. to pass, pass cih m place; pl bed; ~ bi ~ from place to
away, go out place; ~ girtin v.t. to take place; ~
buhurî last, past: sala ~ last year kirin v.t. to put, place; ~ li xwe xweş
bulbul nightingale kirin v.t. to make oneself comfort-
bûk f bride, daughter-in-law; ~anî f able; ~ê … girtin v.t. to take the place
wedding of; ~ê local; ~ê ~ê various, sundry;
bûn b- v.i. to be, become ~gir occupant; bi ~ anîn to bring
bûsî f ambush about, bring to fruition; bi ~ bûn li to
bûyer f incident, event settle in, take up residence in; di nav
bûz ice ~an de in bed
BZ = berê zayînê B.C. cihan f the world
cil m clothing; ~ û berg (pl) clothes
ca (used with imperatives): ~ were come cin djinn, demon; ~anlêxistî possessed
on!; ca bifikire ku just think what it by demons
would be like if … cinewir monster
cam f glass cirecir f talk, chit-chat
camêr courageous, gallant, gentlemanly civandin civîn- v.t. to move, set in
casûs m spy motion
car f time; ~ ~an often, many times; civak society; community; ~î social,
~din again, once again; ~inan from societal; ~nas sociologist; ~nasî f
time to time; ~kê = carekê once; ~na sociology
sometimes civat f society, group
cax protective fencing civîn v.i. to move; ~în f movement
cazîbedar interesting ciwan young, beautiful; ~tî f youth
cebhe f front (mil.) cixar(e) (dial. var.) = cigar
ceger f liver (poetic); ~ şîrîn darling, cixiz kirin v.t. to mark, to leave marks
beloved in
cejin f celebration, festival cî = cih
celeb m sort, kind: du celeb kes hene: cîhan f world
203
KURMANJI KURDISH
cîhêlkirin f surveillance expectantly
cîran neighbor çawa(n) how?: çawan bibe bila bibe be
cografî geographical that as it may; ~ heba somehow or
col m pack (of wolves, &c.) other; ~ ku as; çawahî f quality
core core various çax f time: wê çaxê at that time
coş enthusiasm, excited çay f tea; ~dan f teapot; ~xane f tea-
cot1 m pair house
cot2 m plow; ~kârî f agriculture çe = çê
cube m robe çefî = kefî
cumhûriyet f republic çek f weapon; ~dar armed
cunta f junta çeleng cute, attractive, good-looking
cure cure (dial. var.) = core core çem m river
curet kirin v.t. to dare çen f armpit
cûda separate; ~ kirin v.t. to separate çend (following word construed as pl.)
cûm bûn v.i. to be obscured how many?; several: di çend cihan de
in several places; çend hevalên min
ç- → çûn several of my friends; ~ik û çend (+
çak good sing.) several: çendik û çend roj e…
çakêt m jacket it’s been several days since…; û ~ -
çalak active; ~î f activity odd: bi pêncih û çend salên xwe ve in
çand f culture; ~î cultural his fifty-odd years; ~ê for a while
çandin çîn- v.t. to plant çeng f claw; ~ê li … de cih kirin v.t. to
çap f printing; ~ kirin v.t. to print, sink the claw into
publish; ~emanî f printed matter, the çengel m hook
press; ne~kirî unpublished; ~xane f çeng kirin v.t. to throw, hurl
printshop çente m suitcase
çar four çep left; wrong: ew min çep fahm dike
çarçove f framework he misunderstands me
çare f remedy; bê~ helpless, poor; ~nûs çeper f shield, barricade
f remedy; bi ~nûsa … ve in the in- çepik xistin li v.t. to applaud for
terests of; ~ser f solution; ~ser kirin çer what?
v.t. to solve, resolve çer ku (conj.) as soon as
çarmergî cross-legged çerçî m peddler
çarşef, çarşev f sheet, woman’s cov- çerkez Circassian
ering; ~ kişandin v.t. to put a sheet çerm m skin, leather; ~în leathern
(on a bed); ~ li xwe kirin v.t. to put çerx f wheel
on a veil, cover oneself çetel m fork, forked
çav m eye; ~ girtin v.t. to close the eyes; çewsandin v.t. to exploit
~erênî f expectation; ~ên … xistin çewt crooked, awry, wrong
v.t. to attract the attention of; bi ~ekî çê right, okay; ~-bûn v.i. to be born; to
nebaş nêrîn to have a low opinion of; be right: çê nabe tu wisa bikî it’s not
~êş f eye ailment; ~kanî f source, right for you to act thus; çê dibe ku ez
wellspring; ~şin blue-eyed biçim? is it okay for me to go?; ~-
çavnihêrî bûn v.i. to expect, to look kirin v.t. to give birth to, to make, fix,
204
repair, keep: wî çê dikine binê zin- çiriya pêşê/pêşîn f October
danê they keep him in the dungeon, çirisîn = çirûsîn
min di serê xwe e plana ku … çêdikir çirûsîn v.i. to sparkle, shine, glow
I was making a plan in my head to … çirûsk f spark
çêlik the young of any animal, puppy, çiv trick, game; ~ dan xwe v.t. to zigzag
kitten, cub, etc. çivanok f a formula used in storytelling
çêl f subject, topic; ~î kirin v.t. to talk çivik, çivîk bird, sparrow
about çiwal m sack
çêre f grazing, pasturage çiya m mountain; ~yî mountaineer, hill-
çêrîn v.i. to graze billy
çêtir better çîçek f flower
çi1 what?; ~ bigire practically speaking, çîl bright
pretty much çîmen m grassy meadow
çi2 no; ~ tiştî nothing çîp f calf (of the leg)
çiçek = çîçek çîrîn v.i. to creak
çiftexas m cotton batiste çîrok f story; ~van storyteller
çik exhausted; ~ bûn v.i. to become ex- çîya = çiya
hausted, to sink down (into snow) çîzçîzik f buzz
çikandin v.t. to drip; to plant (tree); to ço m stick
push s.th. in as far as it will go çog = çok2
çikîn v.t. to plant; to crackle; to dry up çok1 m stream
(mother’s milk): şîrê berê wê çikî her çok2 f knee
breast milk dried up çol f desert, wilderness
çiko, çiku because çong = çok2
çil1 forty çûçik f bird
çil2 greedy çûk f bird
çil3 only in çil û çiya hills and moun- çûn ç- (subj. stem ç-/her-) v.i. to go
tains çûr a type of sheep
çile f the coldest period of winter; ~ya çûyîn v.i. to go
paşîn January; ~ya pêşîn December
çilmisandin v.t. to make wither da1 a dialectal variant of de1
çilmîsîn v.i. to wither da2 a preverb that forms compounds,
çilvilîn = çilwilîn generally indicating ‘down’
çilwilîn v.i. to gleam da-anîn v.t. to set down, establish: Mam
çima why? Reşîd satil danî û li dora xwe mêze
çimkî because kir Uncle Rashid set the bucket down
çiqas how much and looked around himself; ~ li xwe
çiqçiqî kirin v.t. to rip to shreds (+ subj.) to lower oneself, deign,
çir, çira why? bring oneself to do s.th.: gelek ji wan
çira f lamp, stove jî li xwe danaynin bi vî zimanê xweş û
çirandin çirîn- v.t. to tear, tear up şêrîn bipeyivin many of them can’t
çirav f muck even bring themselves to speak this
çire why nice, sweet language
çiriya paşê/paşîn f November da-avêtin v.t. to put together, throw
205
KURMANJI KURDISH
together davêtin = da-avêtin
da-çikandin v.t. to set up, plant (tree, da‘we f legal case
flag, &c.) da‘wet f festive occasion
dad f justice; ~geh f court; ~gêr m judge dawî f end; ~ anîn v.t. to put an end to;
da-dan v.t. to place, put in, install; to ~ hatin v.i. to end, come to an end;
light (fire) ~n (adj) last, final
da-gerandin v.t. to turn, send back dax f brand; sorrow
dagirker m occupier da-xistin v.t. to take down: polîsan
da-girtin v.t. to occupy, take over, to tabeleya me daxist the police took
take down; guhên xwe ~ v.t. to prick down our sign
up one’s ears daxwaz f request; ~ kirin v.t. to request,
dagirtî well-built beseech; ~î f desire
dagîr kirin v.t. to occupy dayik m mother; ji ~ê bûn v.i. to be
dahl f grove born; ~tî f motherhood, maternity
dahn m season, period of time dayin = dan
da-hûrandin v.t. to research, investigate dayîn = dan
daîre f office de1 postposition forms the second part
da-ketin v.i. to fall down, come down, of a number of circumpositions, gen-
swoop down, subside; to be lowered erally indicating stationary position in
(gaze); ~ bi to take up, involve one- or at; see the prepositional element
self with de2 (precedes an imperative): de were
da ku (+ subj.) in order that come on!
da-kutan v.t. to shake defter f register, roll, notebook
da-liqandin v.t. to string up, hang deh ten
da-liqiyan v.i. to hang, dangle dehl f valley; orchard
da-mezran v.i. to be set up, established; dehol f drum
~din da-mezrîn- v.t. to set up, estab- dek f trick
lish delal dear, beloved
dan1 = dahn delîve f opportunity, occasion
dan2 d- v.t. to give dem1 f time, season; ~a ku (conj.)
da-nan da-nê- v.t. to lay, put down when; ~dirêj long-term; ~kurt short-
da-niştin da-niş- v.i. to sit down, alight term; ~ û dewran f olden times
danîn = da-anîn dem2 steeped; ~ girtin to steep (of tea)
danûstendin f transaction, exchange; demançe f pistol
relation deng m voice, sound, noise; ~bêj m
da-qurtandin qurtên- v.t. to swallow singer
dar f tree, stick, gallows; bi ~ ve kirin dengiz sea
v.t. to hang; bi ~ da-kirin v.t. to depdepe wooden
hang; ~istan f forest deq1 f part, region, place: di vê deqê de
dar m wood in this place
darbe f blow; ~ xwarin v.t. to suffer a deq2 m tattoo; ~ bi ~ exactly alike
blow deqe = deqîqe
darik m stick deqîqe f minute
darîn wooden der1 f place; ~ek(ê) somewhere; ev ~
206
here; li vê ~ê here; li ku ~ê where? ji ~ from outside
der2 outside; ~eke foreign: welatên der-xistin v.t. to bring out (publication),
dereke foreign countries to issue (an order), to cast out; ji hev
der3 f door ~ to to tell apart, to discern
der-anîn v.t. to take out der-xwendin -xwîn- v.t. to take to task
derb f blow derya f sea; ~ya Sipî the Mediterranean
derbas passing, passsage; ~ bûn v.i. to Sea
pass, to pass by (ji); ~ kirin v.t. to derzî f crack, split; see also şûjin û
spend (time); ~î hundur bûn to enter derzî
derbaz = derbas dest1 m hand; ~ bi ~ continuously; ~
derbeder bûn v.i. to be driven from bûn ji to lose, to be left without:
pillar to post destên me ji te bûne we have been left
der-bûn di to burst out on without you; ~ dan hevdu v.t. to join
derd m pain, trouble: her yekî derdekî hands; ~ kêşan ji v.t. to let go of; ~
wan hebû everyone had some trouble kirin bi (+ inf.) v.t. to start; ~ê xwe
derece f degree: di çi dereceyê de to kişandin ji to give up, abandon; bi ~
what degree? xistin to attain, obtain; di ~ên … for
dereng late, long time; ~ man v.i. to lag … to do: di destên min de bi tenê
behind, be late razan mabû the only thing I could do
derewîn lying, false was go to sleep; ji ~ kirin v.t. to lose;
derêxistin = derxistin ji bin destê … by, by means of …;
derfend f opportunity xwe avêtin ~ û lingên kesekî to
derheq: di ~(ê) … de about, concerning throw oneself at someone’s feet, to
deriya = derya beg; xwe dan ~ to let oneself be cap-
derizî cracked tured
derî1 m door; ~yê xwe girtin li ber to dest2 f group, set
close one’s door to; li ~ dan v.t. to destan f story
knock at a door; ~ girtin v.t. to shut a destbirak m blood brother
door; ~ li ser xwe girtin to shut one- deste f group, set
self up destenan loaf of bread
derî2 (prep) outside of destik m oar
der-ketin v.i. to go in/out, to turn out to destmal f handkerchief
be; ~ li dijî … v.i. to oppose; ji gîra destpêk f beginning
… ~ to fail to catch destteng poor
derman m (obl dermên) remedy, treat- destûr f order, command; ~a ziman
ment, medicine; ~geh pharmacy; ~ grammar
kirin v.t. to treat destvala empty-handed
derpê m underpants; longjohns destve-înan v.t. to catch
ders f lesson; ~ dan v.t. to give lessons deşt f plain
der û dor environs; ~a (prep.) around dev m mouth; entrance; ~ berdan ji to
derve outside; ~karî external: wezîrê leave, to give up, to stop: te dev ji
dervekarî minister of foreign affairs; kêşana cixarê berdaye? have you
~yî (prep.) outside of: derveyî welêt stopped smoking cigarettes?; dev ji
outside of the country; (adj.) foreign; min berde, ez bêxew im leave me
207
KURMANJI KURDISH
alone—I’m sleepy; ~ di … da cî dí- habitual and progressive verbal
kirin to bite down on; (li) ~ (û) dora prefix
prep. all around dia = dua
devendeştî f brush, brambles di bareya … de ccmp. about, concern-
deverû face down ing
devî f bush dibistan f school: dibistana destpêk ele-
devken f smile mentary school
devkî oral: edebiyata devkî oral litera- Dicle f the Tigris River
ture didan m tooth
devojenî hev bûn li ser to squabble didu two; ~yan second
with each other over difin nostril
devok f accent digel with; ~ ku although
dewam kirin v.t. to continue dihanî = dianî (see anîn)
dewar m domestic animal, cattle dijî, li (prep.) against
dewir = dewr; f circle; ~ dan v.t. to dijmin m enemy; ~atî f enmity
circle dijûn kirin v.t. to curse
dewlemend rich, wealthy dijwar difficult; ~î f difficulty
dewlet f state: ~a Frensayê the state of dikan f shop
France dike nake no matter what s/he did
dewr f age, time, epoch; role; ~ leyistin dil m heart; hope: min dil heye (+ subj.)
to play a role; ~an f age, time I hope to; ~ girtin bi to be offended
dews f place, spot, trace by: bi çûyîna min ya hotêlê dilê xwe
dexisîn v.i. to be jealous (ji of) girtin they were offended by my
deyn m debt; ~ dan to pay a debt; ~dar going to a hotel; ~ şewitîn bi to feel
indebted; ~ê indebted to sorry for: dilê midûr bi vî xortê
dê1 f (const diya) mother çeleng û evîndarê xwendinê dişewite
dê2 future auxiliary + subj. for future the principal feels sorry for this at-
tense tractive young man so avid to study;
dê3 3rd-person sing. present indicative ~êşî f heartache; ~germ warm, hearty,
of hatin kind; ~geş happy; ~nexweş sorry,
dêl1 f tail upset, ill at ease; ~pak pure of heart;
dêl2 f female animal; ~egur f female ~qayim confident; ~qayimî f confi-
wolf; ~ik f female wolf or dog, bitch dence; ~soz sympathetic; ~şa happy,
dêrîn ancient, of long standing glad; ~şewat heart-rending; ~şikestî f
dêv1 m demon disappointment; ~şikestî kirin v.t. to
dêv2 = dev disappoint, to dishearten; ~tengî f
dêw = dêv1 sadness, loneliness; ~xwaz fond of;
di … de ccmp. in: di salên 70’î de in the bêî ~ê against the wishes of; ne bi ~ê
’70s; di destên min de in my hands min bû it did not appeal to me
di … re ccmp. by, via, upon: bi bihîs- dilêr intrepid
tina deng re upon hearing the noise; dilnîya assured, confident
av di tifingên wan re dihate xwar dilop m drop
water ran down their rifles dilovan kind, affectionate, dear; ~î f
di … ve ccmp. through affection; death (euphemism): berî
208
dilovaniya nivîskarê dilovan bi salekê dîmen f view, sight, aspect
a year before the dear writer passed dîn1 m religion; ~itî f religiosity; ~î,
away ~dar religious; ~perwer religious
diltezîn ??? dîn2 crazy, mad; ~ bûn li ser to go crazy
din other over; ~ kirin to drive s.o. crazy; ~ik
di nav … de ccmp. in the midst of: di slightly crazy, “screw loose”; ~itî f
nav wî erdî de in the midst of that madness
land dîn3 f gaze, attention
dinê = dinyayê (see dinya) dîrok f story, history; ~î historical
dinya f (obl. dinyayê, dinê) the world, dîsa(n) again, (+ neg) still…not
the weather: dinya pirr sar bû the dîtin bîn- v.t. to see
weather was very cold; bi ~yê hatin dîwan f reception room; collected works
v.i. to be born; ~dîtî worldly, sophis- of a poet; ~çe f (obl ~çê) small recep-
ticated tion room
diran (dial. var.) = didan dîwar f (obl dîwêr) wall
dirb track, path dîz knee
dirêj long, lengthy; ~ ajotin to last a dîzik f pan
long time; ~ kirin to lengthen; ~î f do = dû
length; ~î … kirin to hand to …; dol valley
dest ~ … kirin to stretch the hand out dom kirin v.t. to continue
to doman v.i. to continue
diriyan v.i. to be ripped domandin domîn- v.t. to continue
divabû, diviyabû (impersonal + pres. dor1 f environs; li ~a (prep.) around;
subj.) had to: diviyabû ku tiştekî bikin ~hêl f environs, parts, region; ~a …
they had to do something; (imperson- girtin v.t. to surround
al + past cond.) ought to have …, was dor2 m turn; ~alî f circumference
supposed to have …, would have to dorandor m circumference; li ~ê (prep.)
…: diviyabû Sovyet ji Îranê derketa all around
the Soviet ought to (was supposed to) dost friend; ~ane friendly; ~ayetî f
have withdrawn from Iran, divabû ku friendship
ew kêzik bihata kuştin that bug would doş- → dotin
have to be killed doşab m/f grape molasses ???
divê (impersonal + pres. subj.) ought to doşeg f mattress
dixan f smoke doşik = doşeg
diyar clear; ~î f clarity dot f daughter; ~mam f cousin
diyarî f gift dotin doş- v.t. to milk
Diyarbekir f Diyarbekir doz f cause, reason; aim, ideal; revenge;
diz m thief ~a … kirin to aim for; ~ger vengeful,
dizî secret, concealed; bi ~ secretly, litigant
stealthily; ~tî f secret du two
dî other; yê ~ the other one du‘a f prayer; ~ kirin, ~ xwendin v.t. to
dîl m prisoner; ~ girtin v.t. to take pris- pray
oner; ~î f imprisonment ducar kirin v.t. to repeat
dîlan f dance, dancing dudil hesitant, of two minds; ~î f hesita-
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KURMANJI KURDISH
tion ekol f school
duduyan (dial. var.) = diduyan ekonomîk economic
duh(î) yesterday elbik f wooden bucket
dunya = dinya elektrîk f flashlight
durû hypocritical; ~tî f hypocrisy elem pain
duşemb f Monday ‘eleqedar kirin v.t. to concern
duv = dû ‘eleyh: di ‘eleyhê … da ccmp. against;
duwemîn second: şerê dinyayê yê ~dar m supporter; ~darî kirin v.t. to
duwemîn World War II support
duyem(în) second elman German; ~î German (language)
dû1 behind; ~dirêj of long standing; ~re em (obl. me) we
then, afterwards; li ~ hev re one after emanet m deposit, anything held on
the other; li ~ xwe behind oneself; bi loan or for safekeeping
~ … ketin v.i. to pursue emir1 f order, command
dû2 m smoke ‘emir2 m age
dûkel f smoke emperyalîsm f imperialism
dûman f smoke ‘en‘anetî traditional
dûpişk f scorpion endam m member
dûr far; ~ xistin v.t. to throw away, ex- enerjî f energy
ile; bi ~ ketin to go/get away; ~ nêzîk ‘enî f forehead; front (mil.)
sooner or later; ~ahî f remoteness, enstîtu f institute
distance; ~bîn farsighted ‘eql m mind, reason
dûre → dû1 ‘erd f earth; li erdê dan to throw to the
dûrebîn f binoculars ground
dûv m tail, end erdim f region
dûvre = dûre ‘erdhêj f earthquake
‘ereb Arab; ~î Arabic
ebeden (+ neg.) never, not at all ‘erebe f cart, carriage, any wheeled
‘ecem Persian vehicle
‘ecêb strange; ~mayî dumbfounded, stu- ‘Erebistan f Arabia
pified erê yea, yes
edebiyat f literature; ~van literateur erk f responsibility
edebî literary ermen Armenian
‘edilandin v.t. to ameliorate, make bet- ermîşim silk
ter Ernewid Albanian
edîb m litérateur erz f hope; ~a … şikandin v.t. to dash
efendî m westernized gentleman; ~tî f s.o.’s hopes
gentlemanliness erzan cheap
efraz up ‘erzihal f description, report, petition
‘efû f amnesty; ~ya giştî general am- Erzerom f Erzurum
nesty esas m foundation, basis; ~î basic, es-
‘egal f headband sential, original
eger if eser f work, monument: esereke edebî a
ekîb f team literary work
210
esil m origin; bi ~ê xwe originally ê1 = yê
esilzade aristocratic ê2 future auxiliary + subj. for future
‘esker m soldier; ~î f the military; (adj) tense
military êdî now; still, yet
‘esman = azman êgir → agir
esmer olive complected êh: gewro êh berçavara nedihat
‘eşîr f tribe; ~tî tribal “Whitey” didn’t notice it
eşkere clear, obvious ên = yên
eşk û teşk tangled (hair) êrîş = hêriş
ev (obl. masc. sing. vî, obl. fem. sing. êş f pain, ache; ~andin êşîn- v.t. to hurt,
vê, obl. pl. van) he, she, it, they, this, cause pain, trouble; ~iyan êş- v.i. to
these hurt, suffer pain: ser û çavê te neêşe
evîn f love, affection; ~dar desirous, in “may your head and eye not suffer
love: ew evîndarê xwendinê bû he pain,” thank you
was desirous of studying êvar f evening
evqasî so much êxur m stable
ew (obl. masc. sing. wî, obl. fem. sing. êzing m firewood
wê, obl. pl. wan, pl. const. ewên) he,
she, it, they, that, those
fahm (dial. var.) = fehim
‘ewd m revenge
fal f augury, omen, fate; ~ vekirin to
ewel, ewelî first
predict: ev fala ko herkesî ji min re
ewên pl. const. of ew; ~ din the others
vedikir, wusan derneket the predic-
ewir = ewr
tion everyone was making for me did
ewle security, reliance, assurance; ~ bûn
not turn out like that
to be secure
fam (dial. var.) = fehim
‘ewr m cloud
faqa under (prep.); ketin ~ to fall be-
ewraq (pl) papers
neath
Ewrûpa f Europe; ~yî European
faris pl Persians; ~î f Persian (language)
Ewrûpî European
faşîst fascist
‘ewt f bark; ~e ~ constant or repeated
fedakar, fedekar self-sacrificing, de-
barking; ~în v.i. to bark
voted; ~î f self-sacrifice
‘eynî the same: di eynî salê de in the
fedî f embarrassment; ~ kirin to be em-
same year
barrassed
ey O (vocative)
fed-kirin v.t. to look, watch
‘Eyndîwer ‘Ayn Dīwār, a small place in
fehim kirin v.t. to understand
Syria south of Cizre
felat f freedom, liberation
Eyûb Job; ~î Job-like
felsefe f philosophy;
eywan f salon, sitting room
felsefî philosophical
ez (obl. min) I
fen f trick; bi ~ û fîtan by hook or by
ezbenî sir (mode of polite address)
crook
‘ezman m sky, heaven
fener f lamp
‘ezîz dear
feodalî feudal
‘Ezrayîl Azrael, the angel of death
feqeh m theology student
feqî Muslim cleric; ~tî f the clerical pro-
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KURMANJI KURDISH
fession firiyan v.i. to fly away
feqîr poor; ~tî f poverty firîn fir- v.i. to jump, fly: Mûsa ji kêfan
fer one, single item (of a pair) difire Musa is jumping for joy
ferheng f culture: wezareta ferhengê firîşte m angel
ministry of culture; dictionary firk a rapid motion
ferman f order, command; ~a … der- firne f bakery
xistin v.t. to issue an order for … firotin froş- v.t. to sell
fermî formal firq = ferq
fermo please (said when offering s.th.) firtone f storm, gale
ferq f difference: çi ferqa me û cîranên fitil dan v.t. to twist and turn
me dimîne? what difference is left be- fîstan m dress
tween us and our neighbors?; ~iyet f fort m boast
distinction fransiz m/f French (person)
ferz kirin v.t. to assume frensî f French (language)
fetwa legal opinion frensizî French (language)
fex f trap; xistin fexê to put in a trap froş- → firotin
feyde f benefit, profit; bi ~ beneficial fursend f opportunity
fêde f (const. fêda) benefit: ji bo fêda fûrîn v.i. to bubble, gurgle, boil
xwe for one’s one benefit, in one’s
own interests galegal f conversation
fêhm = fehim galon m gallon
fêlbazî f cunning gamêş ox
fêre bûn v.i. to learn; fêreyî … bûn to garan f herd of cattle
learn s.th., to become accustomed to garis m millet; ~ê misrî corn
s.th. garsîn f village square
fêrî … bûn v.i. to learn: ew di demeke gav1 f time; moment, instant; ~a (ku)
kurt de fêrî tirkî bû he learned Turk- when (sub. conj.); ~ û saet at all
ish in a short time times; di ~ê da in an instant; li ~ê de
fihêt kirin v.t. to assess, to price at that moment
fikar(e) f worry gav2 m step, pace; ~ kirin v.t. to step,
fikir f idea, thought; ~în v.i. to think, cross; ~ avetin to take steps: edebi-
contemplate yata kurdî di van salên dawî de
filitîn ji v.i. to get rid of gavine baş avetiye Kurdish literature
filosof m philosopher has taken some good steps in these
find f candle recent years
fir- → firîn gavan cowherd; ~tî f herding
firaq m dishes gazin = gazind
firar kirin to escape, to flee gazind m rebuke, complaint; ~ kirin v.t.
firavîn f lunch, midday meal to rebuke, reproach; ~ok rebuking,
firax (pl) dishes, pots and pans; ~ şustin complaining
v.t. to wash the dishes gazî1 m warrior
fireh open, wide, spacious; ~ kirin v.t. gazî2 f call, shout; ~ kirin v.t. to call,
to open; dil ~ kirin to gladden the speak to
heart geh when; geh … geh sometimes …
212
sometimes gêj dizzy, spinning; ~ bûn v.i. to be
-geh suffix of place dizzy; ~ kirin v.t. to make dizzy,
gehandin (dial. var.) = gihandin make lightheaded: germa havînê tu
gehîştin (dial. var.) = gihîştin gêj kiribûyî the heat of summer had
gel much, many, most; ~ejmar plural; made you dizzy
~ek(î) very, a lot, many: ~ek ji wan gêr crooked, uneven
many of them; ~êrî popular gêrik ant
gelemper general, public; bi ~î mostly, gêrt lethargic
generally ghêj- → gihîştin
gelî m mountain pass, canyon giha = giya
gelo whether; interrogative particle, “I gihan gihê- v.i. to reach; ~din -gihîn-
wonder if” v.t. to deliver; xwe gihandine ser to
gemar f filth get oneself to
gemî f ship gihaştin gehîj- v.i. to reach, arrive; to
genim m wheat mature
ger if; ~çi even if, although gihîştin gihîj-/gîj-/gihêj-/ghêj- v.i. to
gerandin gerîn- v.t. to turn, rotate; to reach, arrive
take for a walk; to produce gihîj- → gihîştin
gerden f neck gijgijîn v.i. to be knit (brow)
gerdenî f necklace gincir ???
gerdûnî universal gir m hill
gerek necessary, should, must, ought to; gir m rancorous, grudging; ~-girtin v.t.
~ bûn to be necessary to have a grudge
geremol f complexity, confusion gir- → girtin
gerihan (dial. var.) = geriyan giramgîr respectful
geriyan v.i. to go around, roam around; giramî f respect
~ li (pey) to look for giran heavy, deep (voice); serious,
germ warm, hot: ~a havînê the heat of grave, plodding; ~î f gravity, weighti-
summer; ~a, ~ayî f warmth; ~î f ness; ~biha precious, expensive; ~
warmth firotin v.t. to sell at a high price,
Germanya f Germany overcharge
gerş dirty girav f island
geş red, blossoming, flaming, happy; ~ gircî gircî frozen solid
bûn to blossom, flame up (fire), be girê f knot, tumor; ~-dan v.t. to tie, to
happy; ~î f happiness, flourishment connect: navê bajêr li cem min bi
gevde f mange; bi ~ mangy navê nanê firnê, şekir û helawê hatibû
gevez crimson girêdan for me the word ‘city’ was
gevizandin v.t. to make writhe; xwe ~ to connected to the words ‘bakery
roll oneself around bread,’ ‘sugar,’ and ‘halvah’; pişta
gevizîn v.i. to writhe xwe ~ dan bi to turn one’s back on,
gewde m body; ~ê xwe dan hev to curl to be unmindful of
up; ~ê xwe girtin to hug oneself girêkî Greek
gewr light grey, whitish; ~o “whitey” girik f conundrum; hillock
gewre large, big giriyan v.i. to weep
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KURMANJI KURDISH
girî m weeping, crying guçik m/f ??? ear
girîn v.i. to weep; f weeping guh m ear; ~ dan v.t. to listen; bi ~
girîng important; ~î f importance girtin v.t. to grab by the ear; ~dar m
girs great; bi ~î greatly listener; ~darî kirin v.t. to listen; ber
girtin gir- v.t. to catch, seize guhan ketin v.i. to be heard
girtîgeh f prison guhan m udder
girtîxane f prison, place of detention guhar m/f pearl ??? earring???
giştî general, public; totally guharîn v.i. to change
givaştin givêş- v.t. to press, squeeze guhartin guhêr- v.t. to change
givegiv f gentle blowing of the wind guhastin = guhaztin
givîn v.i. to roar (wind) guhaztin guhêz- v.t. to transport, carry,
giya f grass, greenery move; mala xwe ~ to move one’s
giyan m soul home
gîj- = gihîj- guhdar m listener; ~î kirin v.t. to listen
gîr f grasp; xistin ~ û helboqê v.t. to en- guherandin guherîn- v.t. to change
snare guhertin (dial. var.) = guhartin
gîrodarî f struggle guj fierce (storm)
gîr û helboq f trap, entrapment gujîn v.i. to howl
gîya = giya gul f flower
gol f lake: ~a Wanê Lake Van gulan f May
golik m calf gule f bullet; ~baran kirin v.t. to fire,
gopal m stick; ~ das sickle open fire on
gor1 f method, manner, way; li ~(a) … gulik f flower
according to, in the opinion of gulî m braid, tress
gor2 f grave; ~istan f cemetery gulle = gule
gorî f sacrifice; ez bi ~ please gulte f clump
gorn f tomb gund m village; ~î m/f villager; ~îtî f
goşt m meat rusticity
gotar f article guneh m sin, fault; ~karî f crime, of-
gotin bêj- v.t. to say: tu bêjî nebêjî no fense, fault; avêtina ~ên xwe expia-
matter what you say; f word: bi ~eke tion for one’s sins
din in other words; ji X re Y ~ to call gungilî thick, matted
X Y: gelo mirov kane ji berhemên ku gunîçin ??? a thick protective mat
bi zimanên din têne nivîsandin re against thorns, etc.
bibêje berhemên kurdî? I wonder if gupe gup kirin v.t. to pound (heart)
can one call works that are written in gur1 m wolf
other languages Kurdish works?; gur2 strong, powerful; ~ kirin to fill
~xweş well-spoken gurdarî f attention; ~ kirin to pay rapt
gotûbêj f talk, conversation attention
gov f barn gurg = gur1
govend f Kurdish line dance; ~ê girtin gurî bald, scabby
v.t. to dance a line dance gurîn f clamor, noise
goya you’d think gurmîn gurm- v.i. to make a loud noise
gr- = gir- (girtin) gurz m hank of hair
214
guvahî f testimony hecûm f attack, assault
guvaştin (dial. var.) = givaştin heçê whatever, whoever
guveguv (dial. var.) = givegiv hedam sense ???
hedef f goal
ha = han heft seven; ~e f week: bi ~yekê within a
hakim m ruler, governor week; ~eyî weekly; ~ê seventy
hal m condition, state; ji ~ ketin to be heger if
exhausted, worn out hej movement; li ~ û liv û weş ketin v.i.
halan f yell, shout to toss and turn
halhalk (dial. var.) = al’al hej = hez
han (in constr. w/ word it modifies) this hejandin v.t. to shake: wî serê xwe he-
very, that very: wê roja han on that jand he shook his head; min destê wî
very day; ev tirsa han bi serpêhatiya hejand I shook his hand
te girêdayî bû this very fear was con- hejar poor: ~ên kurdan the poor Kurds
nected to your experience hejiyan v.i. to move, shake
hatin yê-/wer- (v.i., pres. ind. têm, neg. hejîk love, affection
nayêm, pres. subj. bêm/werim) to hejîn = hejiyan
come; (+ inf.) passive hejmar f number, issue (of a journal)
hatî f future hejmartin hejmêr- v.t. to count, enu-
havêtin (dial. var.) = avêtin merate: dihatin hijmartin le ser her
havîn f summer deh tiliyên destan they could be
havîtin (dial. var.) = avîtin counted on all ten fingers of the hands
hawîrdor f surroundings, environment; hejmêr- → hejmartin
~ên wê those around him hek m right; di ~ê prep. concerning,
hawurdor (dial. var.) = hawîrdor about
hay f feeling, awareness (ji of), atten- heke if
tion: ~a min jê tune bû I had no hel m protected place
awareness of it; ~dar aware helaw f halvah
hazir ready, present; ~î f preparation; ~î helbest f poetry, verse: ~a serbest free
kirin to make preparations verse; ~kar m poet; ~van m poet
heb1 m grain, bit; pill: ~ekî aqil a grain helbet of course
of sense; ~ek(î) a little, a bit, slightly hel-bijartin v.t. to select, choose
heb2 f a single thing, item, individual, hel-dirandin v.t. to tear apart
one Heleb f Aleppo
hebandin v.t. to love heliyan v.i. to melt, disappear
hebe nebe one way or another heliz an herb
hebkî = hebekî (see heb) helk û bêhn breath
hebûn v.i. to exist: di zimanê me de pir hel-pekandin li xew v.t. to rouse from
gotinên kurdî hene ku me nebihîstine sleep
there are many Kurdish words in our helqe f ring
language we haven’t heard; (with hem…hem both…and
subject + possessive) to have; hebû hema thus
tunebû once upon a time heman that very
hechecik martin, swallow hember equal; ~î f equality; li ~î
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KURMANJI KURDISH
towards, vis-à-vis, across from bînin they don’t count themselves as
hembêz = hemêz Kurds
hemd m will, volition; bê ~ reluctantly, hesin m iron; ~gêr m blacksmith; ~î
involuntarily; hatin ser ~ê xwe to made of iron; ~ker m blacksmith
come to one’s senses hesiyan/hesîn v.i. to feel; ~ bi to per-
hemdemî contemporary ceive, be aware of
hemêşe always hesp m horse
hemêz, hembêz f bosom, embrace; ~ hesret f pining, longing, regret; li ~a
kirin v.t. to embrace longing for
hemî = hemû hest f feeling
hemmanê scarcely, barely heste f lighter
hemû all, every; ~ya(n) all of them hestik m bone
hengam time: di ~ekê de at one and the hestî m bone
same time, at once heşî = êşîn
heps f prison, imprisonment; ~xane f heşîn green; ~ahî f greenness
prison heşt eight; ~ê eighty
her every; ~ û ~ always and ever; ~ku heta even; (prep.) up to, until; ~ (ku)
… -tir the more … the more: dengê ji (conj. + neg. subj.) until: heta neyê
ezmên herku diçû bêtir dibû the sound guhartin jî dê wiha bidome until it is
from the sky kept getting louder; ~ changed it will remain like that
tenê at least: her tenê çend heftiyan hetanî = heta
carekê at least once every few weeks hev each other, together, co-, same; ba
her- → çûn ~ hatin to get together, cooperate; bi
herbî f war department ~du re together; bi ~ re with each
herd valley ??? other, together; ji ~ ketin to fall apart;
herehereyî worldly strife, turmoil li ~ together; li ser ~ altogether; ~
herejor steep dan v.t. to collect, put together
herê = erê heval m/f friend; ~bend m proponent;
herêm f district, region ~tî f friendship
herf f letter of the alphabet hevedudanîn v.t. to put together, to
herikîn v.i. to move, to flow compound
herimandin v.t. to ruin, make a mess of: hevdû each other
wî jiyan li wan herimandiye it has hevgirtî assembled
ruined their lives hevîr m dough
herî1 very, exceedingly, most (superla- hevkar m/f co-worker; ~î f cooperation
tive prefix) hevok f sentence; ~sazî syntax
herî2 f mud hevpeyvîn f conversation
hertim always; ~î usual hevraz (dial. var.) = efraz
herweha thus, so also hevrîşim m silk
herwiha (dial. var.) = herweha hevwelatî m/f compatriot
hes f feeling, emotion; ~asiyet f sensi- hew no more, not any more: hew dixwim
tivity I can’t eat any more
hesibandin v.t. to count, take into con- hewa f air, weather; ~ guhastin v.t. to
sideration: ew xwe weke kurd nahesi- have a change of climate
216
hewale m air ously, aloud
hewandin -hewîn- v.t. to give shelter to, hêl3 trace, track
protect hêl- → hiştin
hewcedar needy, in need; ~î f need, hêlan v.t. to leave
necessity hêlûn f bird’s nest; ~ kirin v.t. to nest,
hewe (dial. var.) = we to settle in
hewes f passion hênik cool; ~ayî f coolness
hewg f throat hêre kirin v.t. to look
hewil f attempt; ~-dan v.t. to attempt hêriş f attack; ~ kirin/anîn/birdin v.t. to
hewk = hewg make an attack: cendirme hêrişî ser
hewqas that much, so much malê dikin the gendarmes are attack-
hewranî m a type of cloak; ~yekî reş a ing the house
black cloak, a sign of mourning hêrişker attacking
hewş f courtyard hêrs f anger; ~ kirin v.t. to anger; ~ê
hey continuously, (+ verb) to keep on ketin v.i. to get angry
heya = heta for, up to, until: heya hêsan easy; ~ kirin v.t. to facilitate,
demeke dirêj for a long time; ~ ku make easy; ~î easy
(conj.) while, as long as hêsir m tear
heybet m fearfulness; ~girtî fearful hêsîr captive, prisoner
heyecan m excitement hêstir1 f mule
heyf f pity; ~a … it’s too bad about …; hêstir2 = hêsir
~a … hatin bi to feel sorry for: heyfa hêşîn green (of plants), bluish (of ani-
min bi te tê I feel sorry for you mals); ~ayî f greenery, verdure; ~î f
heyhat alas! greenery
heyîn v.i. to live hêştir f camel
heyran amazing!, incredible! hêt f thigh
heyşt eight hêvar = êvar
heyştê eighty hêvî f hope; ~dar hopeful; bê~ hope-
heyv f moon, month; ~a çarde şevê the less; li ~ya … bûn to wait for, be in
full moon expectation of …; (li) ~ya … man to
heyran … çi? what do you mean …? lie in wait for …
heywan f animal hêwan f porch
hez kirin ji v.t. to like, enjoy: min jê hez hêwir at rest, calm
kir I liked it hêz f strength, power
hezar thousand hicûm f attack
hê still, yet hijmartin hijmêr- (dial. var.) = hej-
hêç furious, quick-tempered martin
hêdî hêdî little by little hikim m sovereignty, power; verdict,
hêdîka slowly, softly judgment; hatine ser ~ to come to
hêj still, (with comparative) even power; ~ dayîn to make a judgment
hêja valuable, worthy; ne ~ worthless hilanî kept, preserved
hêk f egg hil-anîn (hil-în-) v.t. to take away; to
hêl1 f side, direction keep, preserve
hêl2 vigor, strength, power; bi ~ vigor- hil-avîtin v.t. to go, stick (li … ra
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KURMANJI KURDISH
through something) out
hil-bijartin v.t. to choose hiş m awareness, sense; ~ be be quiet!;
hil-dan v.t. to lift, raise bi ~ intelligent, smart
hil-dirandin (dial. var.) = hel-dirandin hişin = hêşîn
hil-girtin v.t. to bear, endure; to shoul- hişk dry, solid, frozen; ~ bûn v.i. to
der (a responsibility, burden) freeze; ~ahî f solidity, rigidity; ~asayî
hil-ketin v.i. to come about by chance f dry, cold air
hil-kêşan v.i. to climb up, out hiştin hêl- v.t. to let go, leave, allow;
hil-kutan v.t. to knock, rattle Xwedê te bihêle may God preserve
hilmis poke; ~ dan bi to poke you!
hil-pekandin (dial. var.) = hel- hişyar awake, sober; ~ bûn v.i. to
pekandin awaken; ~ kirin v.t. to wake
hil-qedimîn v.i. to stand up hizandin (dial. var.) = hejandin
hil-şandin li ser v.t. to bring down on hizib f political party
hil-weşandin v.t. to break up, split hizir f thought, idea; li hizra … da bûn
apart: piştî hilweşandina sîstema Sov- to be thinking about …
yetê after the break-up of the Soviet hîm1 m foundation, basis; ~avêj m
system founder
hil-weşîn v.i. to break up, split apart hîm2 = hîn2
him…him both…and hîn1 still, yet: ew ~ nehatiye he hasn’t
himber (dial. var.) = hember come yet; ~ bêtir even more
himbêz kirin v.t. to embrace hîn2: ~ bûn v.i. to learn; ~î kirin v.t. to
himêz armful; ~ kirin = himbêz kirin teach: wê ez hînî pir tiştan kirim she
hin some, a few, several: hin rûpel a taught me many things; ~î … bûn to
few pages, several pages; hin ji wan a learn how to (+ inf.)\
few of them; ~ên wan some of them; hîna = hîn1
~ekan … ~ekan some … others hînga = hingê
hinarok cheek hîs f feeling, emotion; ~ kirin v.t. to feel
hind1 = hin; hinde cara hindek every hîştin = hiştin
once in a while hîv (dial. var.) = heyv
hind2 f measure, extent: ji ber hindê jî to hîvî (dial. var.) = hêvî
a certain extent; ~ik slight, few, little hîz m/f skin sack
bit; ~ikahî f minority hogiç m mountain ram
hinda prep. until hogir accustomed, intimate friend; m
hindav f direction; ~a …da toward environment
hindir = hundur hol f environment, surroundings; xwe
hiner = huner gihandin ~ê to come forth, come
hingê then, at that time; therefore, for about, arrive
that reason holê thus, in this manner; in view
hingiv m honey holik f hut
hingî then, at that time hon (dial. var.) = hun
hingûr f twilight honik cool; ~ kirin v.t. to cool down;
hirî f wool dilê xwe ~ kirin bi to console oneself
hirşiyan v.i. to fall down, spill over or with
218
hov wild; ~îtî f wildness Îlon f September
hovan over there imkan m possibility
hoy m condition, circumstance: di hoyên împaratorî f empire
teng de in narrow straits, in a tight imtihan f examination
spot imtiyaz f concession: imtiyaza neftê oil
hozantî f poetry concession
h.p. = heta paşî etc., et al. înca then, in that case
hukum m order; ~darî f rule; ~darî Îngilîstan f England
kirin v.t. to rule Îngilîz m/f English; ~î f English lan-
hukûmet f government guage
humanîst m humanist; ~î humanistic inkar kirin v.t. to deny
hun (obl. we) you (pl.) insan human being, one; pl people
hundir (dial. var.) = hundur inşa m composition
hundur m inside; ~ê prep. inside of; di iptidaî elementary
~ê … de within: di ~ê deh salan de îrad f objection
within ten years Îran f Iran
huner, hiner f art, skill; ~mend m artist Iraq f Iraq
hur free, at liberty îro, îroj today
hurmetgir respectful îrû (dial. var.) = îro
hustu m neck îsal this year
huzûr f presence îsfehanî wrought silver
hûn = hun Îskenderûn f İskenderun, Alexandretta
hûr1 small, little; ~ ~ in little bits, in Islamiyet f the religion and traditional
small pieces; ~ ~(î) bûn v.i. to be learning of Islam
smashed to bits; ~ kirin v.t. to crum- ispat kirin v.t. to prove, establish
ble; ~ mûr small items, little things israf f expenditure: israfeke enerjiyê an
hûr2 m paunch expenditure of energy
hûrik m small piece, bit, sliver; ~ ~ israr kirin v.t. to insist
slight(ly) istifade kirin ji v.t. to make use of
hwd (her wekî din) etc. îstgah f station
‘îsyan f rebellion
(because the distinction between initial i îş m work, affair, job: çi îşê min bi
and î is not consistently maintained, tirkan re heye? What do I have to do
the two letters are alphabetized to- with the Turks?
gether) îşellah God willing, I hope
î‘dam f execution, death sentence îşev tonight
idare kirin v.t. to direct, manage işk dry
îdeolojî f ideology işkence f torture; ~ kirin bi v.t. to tor-
ifade f testimony ture, torment
iflas f bankruptcy; çûne ~ v.i. to go işkestin (dial. var.) = şikestin
broke îtiraz f objection
î‘lan kirin v.t. to announce ‘iyar m skin, pelt
ilham f inspiration
‘ilmî scientific jahr (dial. var.) = jehr
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KURMANJI KURDISH
jan f pain, ache; ~ dan v.t. to pain mêr m elderly gentleman
jar poor; ~î f poverty kalîte m good quality
jehr f poison kalkabûs m nightmare demon
jendirme f gendarmerie kalo m old man
jengorî rusty kambax ruined, devastated; devastating;
jê = ji + wî/wê ~ kirin v.t. to ruin, devastate
jêhatî worthy kanê = kanî2
jê-kirin v.t. to excise, cut out, cut off kanî1 f spring, source
jêr down kanî2 where is/are?
jêrbar heavy laden; ~î f being heavy kanîn (dial. var.) = karîn
laden kanun pl winter months
ji prep. from, to, for, with kapan a narrow, steep mountain road
ji … re ccmp. with kapik f bran
ji … ve ccmp. from kar1 m job, work; ~bidest m authority;
ji ber … ve ccmp. before ~ker m/f worker; ~ûbar m work, bus-
jibîrkirin → bîr iness, everything entailed by s.th.; ~
jihevdeketî fragmented, fallen apart: kirin to work, to penetrate; bi~ anîn
civateke ~ a fragmented society v.t. to use
jimar f number kar2 kid (goat, deer, &c.)
jin f woman, wife; ~ik f woman karik kid goat
jinûvezayin f rebirth, renaissance karîn (v.i., neg. pres. níkarim, past
ji weşdaketî scattered about (dí)karibûm, neg. past. níkaribûm,
jiyan1 f life subj. (bi)karibim) to be able (+ subj.
jiyan2 jî- v.i. to live to)
jiyin = jiyan2 karneval f carneval
jî enclitic also, even, emphasizes pre- karto stale
ceding word karxezal baby deer, fawn
jî- → jiyan2, jîn karzan expert
jîn jî- v.i. to live kasik m globe
jîndar alive, living; dinya ~ the world kastîn f howl
of the living kaş m slope, hill; ~ bûn to fall back-
jîr talented, skillful; ~î f diligence, talent wards
jmartin jmêr- v.t. to count, to enumer- kat kirin v.t. to divulge
ate kaxet = kaxez
jor above, up kaxez f paper
kaxiz = kaxez
k- → kirin kazkaz f wail
ka (attention-getting particle): ka mêze kebanî f lady: kebaniya malê the lady of
ke come, look!; ka li ku ye? now the house
where is it? keç f girl; ~ik f little girl
ka f straw, hay ked f stick; ~a kesekî xwarin to get
kabûs f nightmare beaten by s.o.
kafiye (dial. var.) = qafiye kef1 f foam: ~a sawûnê soapsuds; ~ dan
kal aged; m old man, grandfather; ~e- v.t. to foam
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2
kef f palm (of the hand) kerpîç m sun-baked mud brick
kefen m burial shroud; ~ kirin v.t. to kerwan m caravan
shroud keser f sorrow, grief; ~vedan f sorrow-
kefî f kefiya, Arab headdress ing
kefteleft f activity, work, enterprise kesk green
kej f fur; ~ da-bûn v.i. to get long fur keşf kirin v.t. to discover
kek m elder brother keştî f boat
kel1 boiling; ~ û gerî crying and weep- ketin kev- v.i. to fall; ~ li ber … to ob-
ing ject to, oppose; bi ser ~ to come up,
kel2 m bull to surface
kelandin kelîn- v.t. to boil kev- → ketin
kelaş m corpse, body kevanî = kebanî
kelberû wild kevçî m spoon
kel f an outcropping of rock kever spotlessly white
kelem1 oak kevin ancient
kelem2 m thorn; obstacle, difficulty, kevir m stone, rock
trick kevnar ancient
kelem3 m cabbage; ~ê Brukselê Brussel kevnebajar f ancient seat
sprout kevneperest conservative
kelemçe f handcuff; ~ kirin v.t. to hand- kevnesovyet f the ex-Soviet Union
cuff kew partridge
kelên f opportunity, chance kewanî = kebanî
kemîn f ambush; ~ girtin to lie in am- kewtîn v.i. to bark
bush keys f opportunity, advantage
ken m laughter; ~iyan v.i. to laugh kezeb f liver; womb; ~ şewitan to feel
ken- → kenîn sorry, be distressed
kendal f side, slope, bank kezî f braid of hair
kengê, kengî when? kezk f strand of hair
kenîn v.i. to laugh kez kirin v.t. to bite
ker1 donkey; ne ker ketiye, ne hîz kê → kî
diriyaye, û ne doşab rijiyaye (prov.) kêf f pleasure, joy: li ~a wî nedihat she
“no donkey has fallen, no skein has wasn’t enjoying it; ~xweş happy;
been ripped, and no molasses has ~xweşî f happiness, pleasure, rejoic-
been spilled,” i.e. nothing at all has ing; ~ û sefa pleasure
happened kêl m grave
ker2 deaf kêlek f side, edge
ker3 quiet, silent kêm few, little bit; ~ kirin v.t. to lessen;
keramet f miracle ~ mabû ku (+ subj.) almost: kêm
kerb f sorrow, grief; bi ~a … çûn v.i. to mabû ku dila te ji kêfa ji sînga te
empathize with … derkeve your heart almost leapt out of
kerem generosity, benefit; ji ~a xwe your breast from joy; ~anî f defi-
please, if you would be so kind ciency, inadequacy; ~asî f paucity; ~
kerî f herd; piece û zêde more or less; bê~asî flaw-
kermî f snout less(ly); bi ~anî f at least
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KURMANJI KURDISH
1
kêr f knife kîn f revenge, feud: kîna xwe bi hev re
kêr2 f benefit, profit, effect; bi ~î … hene they are having a feud; ~ girtin
hatin to be of benefit to …: bi kêrî çi v.t. to take revenge
tê? what’s the use of it?; bi~ useful kînga ever; when
kêrûşk rabbit kîs m sack, bag; ji ~ê xwe out of one’s
kês = keys own pocket
kêşan v.t. to pull, draw; cixar ~ to kîso f tortoise
smoke cigarettes klasifikasyon f classification
kêz f bug, insect; ~ik f bug klaşnîkov f Klashnikov rifle
kibrît match; ~firoş matchseller ko = ku2
kifş clear, apparent koç kirin v.t. to decamp, move; ~î …
kil1 f collyrium; ~ kirin to paint the eyes kirin to move to
with collyrium kok1 f stitch
kil2 kirin v.t. to wave; dest ~ ji … re to kok2 f root, stub
wave the hand at kolan f street
kim m corner kolan kol- v.t. to dig, dig out, research;
kin short; ~î f shortness; bi ~î shortly, ~din kolîn- v.t. to dig
slightly kole1 trick, deceit; ~ kirin v.t. to
kinc pl clothes deceive; ~dar tricky, deceitful
kincik m rag kole2 captive, slave
kir → kirin kolonyalîst colonialist
kiras m shirt kom f pile, group; ~ bûn to gather, as-
kirêt ugly, shameful; ~î f ugliness, de- semble; ~a san pack of dogs
filement, shame komar f republic: Komara Mehabadê
kirêwe m blizzard the Republic of Mahabad
kirin k- v.t. to do; ~ ku (+ pres. subj.) to komel f society, organization: Komela
make (as if to do s.th.), almost to do Karkerên Kurd Kurdish Workers
s.th.: wî kir ku tiştekî bibêje, lê ne got Society; ~ayetî social
he almost said something, but he komik f small group
didn’t; ji xwe ~ to take off (clothes), kon m tent
disrobe: min kincên xwe ji xwe kir I kongre f congress
took off my clothes; te dikir û nedi- kor, kûr blind; ~ ~ fikirîn to be lost in
kir do what you might; min kir û thought
nekir no matter what I did kor û kend m depression
kirîn kir- v.t. to buy koşik f pavilion
kirûmat in stony silence kovar f journal
kişandin kişîn- v.t. to pull, draw; dest ~ kovî wild, ferocious
ji to withdraw from kox f coop: koxa mirîşkan chicken coop
kişkişandin v.t. to drag koxik f hut, shack
kitêb f book; ~xane f library ku1 where?; ji ~ where from?, li ~
kitkit f detail where, where at?
kivş = kifş ku2 that (subordinating conj.); unless
kî (obl. kê) who? kuç f large rock
kîjan which? kuderê where?
222
kufuk m snot; kufkê poz snot; kufkê kuştin kuj- v.t. to kill
guh earwax; ~girtî snotty kut xistin li v.t. to take a puff on (a
kuj m corner cigarette)
kuj- → kuştin kut peck, (dog’s) bark; ~ kirin v.t. to
kul f wound, pain, suffering; adj. in- clack, clatter, rattle
fected, inflamed, suffering kutan v.t. to strike; çavên xwe jê ~ to
kulav m felt mat blink the eyes
kulek f smoke hole kutatirîn least
kulfet f job, duty: xudê kulfet employed, kuxîn v.i. to cough
holding down a job; maid, female ser- kuxuyan v.i. to cough
vant; wife kûç call to a dog
kulik m finger; ~ekî dan ser to put a kûçe f (obl kûçê) lane
finger on, point to kûçik m dog
kulî f flake of snow kûd lame
kulîlk f wild flower kûl f ???
kullî cotton kûlîlk = kulîlk
kulm f fist; ~ik f fist kûr1 (dial. var.) = kor
kulmoz m beehive kûr2 deep; ~ nêrîn to look closely; ~ahî
kultur f culture f depth; ~anî f depth
kum m cap; keça ~sor Little Red kûşke small, tiny
Riding Hood kûvî (dial. var.) = kovî
kun f hole; kun kun kirin v.t. to poke kwîr blind
holes in kwêsî, kwîsî (dial. var.) = kîso
kundkî rûniştin v.i. to hunker down
kunkunî pitted, pockmarked labîrent f labyrinth
kur m boy, son lablabik m marsh: kwêsiyê lablabik
kur kirin v.t. to cut (the hair) marsh turtle
kurd m/f Kurd; ~andin v.t. to Kurdi- laîk secular
cize; ~istan f Kurdistan; ~ayetî f lal mute, speechless
Kurdishness; ~hiz Kurdophile; ~iyetî lampe f lamp, light
f Kurdishness; ~î Kurdish land f belly
kurdmancî Kurmanji Kurdish landik f cradle
kurm m worm; ~ik m little worm; ~î laş m body, corpse
wormy, mangy, maggoty lat f boulder
kursî f chair, seat: kursiya şerefê the latînî Latin
seat of honor lava kirin v.t. to plead; ~yî f pleading
kurş f frozen snow; ~enegirtî not frozen lavan = lava
solid law m/f youth, child; ~ik m infant
kurt short, brief; ~ayî f shortness: bi lawur m wild animal
kurtayî briefly; ~eçîrok f short story; layiq worthy
~edem f moment lazim necessary
kuruf f mound of snow lebitîn v.i. to move about
kusan how leheng m champion, hero
kuskusandin v.t. to squint lehî f flood, torrent
223
KURMANJI KURDISH
lekim m/f tentacle ??? instrument), to ring (telephone)
lenger f tray li prep. in, at, to; also forms the first ele-
lep m paw ment of a number of compound prep-
leplepî twinkling ??? ositions; see the second element
lerizîn = lerzîn lib m copy (of a book), flake (of snow),
lerizîner trembling drop (tear); unit, single item
lerizok trembling liberxwe free, unhindered
lerz m trembling Libnan f Lebanon
lerzandin lerzîn- v.t. to shake lihêf f quilt
lerzîn v.i. to tremble, shake lihîstin (dial. var.) = lîstin
leş m body; ~bizdîn ??? likumîn v.i. to trip
leşker m soldier ling m foot, leg; li ser ~an standing, on
lev aimless ???; ~ ketin v.i. to chatter foot
(of the teeth) lipaşmayî backward; ~n f backwardness
lewaş thin flat bread liq f branch
lewhe f sign liqandin v.t. to hang; xwe ~ to hang
lewma for this reason, therefore (int.)
lewra, ji lewra because liser vebûn v.t. to diagnose
leyistin leyiz-, lîz- v.t. to play, play (a liv f motion, movement; ~ lê dan, ~ lê
part); to play around (bi with): wî bi xistin v.t. to put in motion
nivîsên min dileyist he used to play livandin livîn- v.t. to move, put in mo-
around with my writings tion: destikên keştiyê zû dilivandin he
leyiztin (dial. var.) = leyistin was moving the oars of the boat
leylan f mirage quickly
Leypiçig f Leipzig liviyan = livîn1
lez m haste; ~ kirin v.t. to make haste; livîn1 v.i. to move, be in motion, stir
bi ~ in haste, hastily; bi ~ û bez in all livîn2 m bed, bedding
haste, as fast as possible livok unstable
lezandin lezîn- v.t. to hasten, to accel- lixwekirin f manner of dress
erate lîlandin v.t. to ululate
lezet f pleasure lîsê f high school; ~ xwendin to attend
lê1 but; ~belê on the other hand high school
lê2 = li + wî/wê lîstik f game, play, sport
lê bûn bi to be afflicted with lîstin lîz- v.i. to play
lê-dan lê-d- v.t. to strike, play (instru- lîz- → lîstin
ment); cut off: bila mîr serê min lê- lojman f lodging
bidit let the prince cut my head off loma for that reason, therefore
lê-gerîn v.t. collect luht naked, bare
lêh: di lêhê … de ccmp. for, in support luks deluxe
of lûle f pipe, barrel (of a rifle)
lêkolîn f research; ~er m researcher lûrîn v.i. to bay
lêv f lip, seashore lûsîn v.i. to perch
lêvişkestî with a broken lid
lê-xistin v.t. to beat, to play (musical ma interrogative particle: with affirma-
224
tive questions a negative answer is mandî exhausted; ~bûn f exhaustion
expected: ma rast e? that’s not right, ma‘ne (const ma‘na) f meaning; ~wî
is it?; with negative questions an af- moral, spiritual
firmative answer is expected: ma ne mange f cow
rast e? isn’t that right?; with other manî constraint, obstacle
interrogatives ma gives the sense of mantiq m logic
“ever”: ma tu yê çi bikî bi kêrê? What ma‘qûl reasonable; ~ dîtin to consider
ever are you going to do with a knife? reasonable: wî pêşniyaza min maqûl
maç kirin v.t. to kiss dît he considered my proposal reason-
Maden f Maden, also known as Paxir- able
maden, city northwest of Diyarbekir mar m (obl mêr) snake
maf m share, portion; right; ~nas appre- mar kirin v.t. to marry (li to)
ciative marş f march, anthem
makîne f machine, car mase f (obl masê) table
mal1 f house, home: mala min mala te mast m yogurt
my house is your house; ~bat f fam- maşellah goodness! (said to ward off
ily; ~mezin belonging to a great fami- the evil eye when something is ad-
ly; ~xwê paterfamilias mired or praised)
mal2 m goods, possessions, wealth: ~ê mat silent
ticaretê commercial goods matmayîn f astonishment
mal- → maliştin, miştin mayî(n) other
malava (vocative particle) hey!, see mazlûm tyrannized; ~iyet f tyranniza-
here! tion
maliştin mal- v.t. to rub, rub out mazot f kerosene
maliye f tax office me → em
ma‘lûmat (pl) information me- alternative negative subjunctive
mam m paternal uncle and imperative prefix = ne-
mamostatî/etî f pedagogy; ~atî/etî mebest f intent
kirin v.t. to teach: wî mamostetiya mebin (archaic negative 3rd pl subjunc-
zimanê erebî dikir he used to teach tive of bûn) they may not be: gelek
the Arabic language mebin jî even though they may not be
mamostayî kirin v.t. to teach: wî many
mamostayiya rewşenbîrî ya gelek mecal f opportunity: ta niha mecal tune
rewşenbîrên kurd kir he taught many bû until now there has been no oppor-
Kurdish intellectuals how to be intel- tunity; ~ birrîn v.t. to take an oppor-
lectuals tunity away
mamoste m teacher; mecbûr obliged; ~ kirin v.t. to oblige,
man mîn- v.i. to remain, stay, dwell; force
ne~ to cease to exist, to be no more: meclis parliament
nema xweya kir he never appeared medeniyet f civilization
again; hindik ~ (+ subj.) to be about medinî civil
to, to be on the verge of: hindik dima medrese f religious school
fener bitemire the lamp was on the mefhûm f concept
verge of going out meh f month
225
KURMANJI KURDISH
Mehabad f Mahabad metleb ???
mehkeme f court mewlûd f a poem celebrating the birth
mehkûm condemned; ~ kirin v.t. to of the Prophet Muhammad, tradition-
condemn ally recited on festive occasions
mehlûl dissolved; ~ bûn to be dissolved mexsed f intent, intention
mehr f marriage contract; ~ birîn to meydan f field; anîn ~ê v.t. to bring to
conclude a marriage contract the fore
mehrûm ji deprived of meyeldar, meyildar = meyldar
mehû kirin v.t. to wipe out meyîn v.i. to remain
mejî m marrow meyl f inclination; ~dar predisposed (ji
mejûl occupied; ~ bûn li ser v.i. to be …re to); ~darî f bias, predisposition
occupied, busy with mezel1 m grave, tomb
mekan stance, position mezel2 f room
mekteb f school mezheb m sect
mela m (obl. melê) mulla mezin big, large, great; ~ bûn v.i. to
mele (dial. var.) = mela grow up; ~ kirin v.t. to raise, bring
melevan m swimmer; ~î f swimming up; ~ahî f greatness; bi ~bûna … as
melkemot the angel of death vast as
me’mûr government official mê f female
mencel a copper pot mêj long ago; ji ~ ve from long ago
mendik an herb mêjî f brain, mind
meqale f article mêjîn v.i. to suck, suckle
merasîm f ceremony mêjvemayî remnant, relic
merbend f bond, fetter mêr1 m man, husband; ~anî f manliness;
mereqdarî f interest, inquisitiveness, ~ik m fellow, guy; ~xas m gentleman
curiosity mêr2 → mar
mereq kirin v.t. to wonder mêrg f meadow
merg f death mêrxas brave
merhele f stage: di merhela ewel de in mêş f bee; ~a hingivî honeybee
the first stage mêtro f metro, subway
meriv m person, one (impersonal): gava mêvan m/f guest; ~darî f visit; ~per-
meriv li cihekî dimîne when one stays werî f hospitality; ~xane f reception
in a place room
merîd m disciple, devotee mêze kirin li v.t. to look at, see
merkez f center; ~î central: hukûmeta miç shut, closed; ~ kirin v.t. to shut,
merkezî central government cover
mesaj f message mideh m period of time
mesel f example; ~en for example midûr m director, principal
mesele f matter mihî ???
mestir larger, bigger mihrican f celebration, festival
mes’ûliyet f responsibility mij m mist
meş f walking: meşa xwe domand he mijîn (dial. var.) = mêjîn
continued walking; ~andin v.t. to put mijûl bi … ve occupied, involved with;
into practice; ~iyan/-în v.i. to walk ~î f occupation, activity
226
mikan = mekan moz(e) flying insect
mil m neck, shoulder; support, aid; side, mr- → mirin.
direction; bi ~ê yekî girtin v.t. to mudet m period
come to s.o.’s aid, to lessen s.o.’s bur- mudîr m school principal
den; ji ~ê din on the other hand muesese f institution
milet m nation; ~perwer nationalistic muhlet f grace period, respite
milî national munaqeşe f debate; ~ kirin v.t. to de-
min → ez bate
mindal m child munasebet f occasion; bi ~a on the oc-
minet f obligation; bê ~ generous casion of
minnet = minet muxtar m village chief, elder
miqam m musical mode muzîk f music
miraz ??? wish mû m hair, strand of hair; iota: ne mû-
mircan coral, coral bead wek not an iota
mirin mir-/mr- (dimire, dimre) v.i. to mûrî f ant
die
miriyan = mirin na- (negative prefix for present indic-
mirî dead ative verbs) not
mirîd m devotee nalîn v.i. to wail, cry out
mirîşk f chicken name f letter
mirov m man; f woman; m/f person; namûs f honor; womenfolk
~atî f humanity, humaneness, chival- nan m bread; ~pêjî f bakery
ry nar m pomegranate
mirwarîd m/f ??? pearl narîn delicate
misilman Moslem nas acquainted, known, familiar; ~ kirin
Misir f Egypt; misrî Egyptian v.t. to know, be acquainted with, rec-
mişt ji full of, filled to the brim with ognize; ~andin v.t. to introduce,
miştin mal- v.t. to sweep make known; dan naskirin v.t. to in-
mit man v.i. not to make a sound troduce
mit û mat utterly silent nasiyar familiar
mixabin unfortunately nasnav m identity
mizgîn m good news; ~î f present given nav1 f middle; di ~a … de in the midst
to a person bearing good news of; li ~ hev de girtin to surround; ~în
mî f sheep middle (adj.), central: Rojhilata Navîn
mîh = mî the Middle East
mîn- → man nav2 m name; ~ kirin v.t. to name;
mîna (prep.) like; ~ ku (conj.) as, while ~andin v.t. to name; ~dar famous, re-
mînak equal, similar; m example: weke nowned; ~no notorious; ~notî f noto-
mînak for example; ~î f similarity riety
mîr m prince; f princess; ~ek princeling navbera prep. between, among
mohr f seal, stamp; ~ xistin v.t. to seal, naverok f contents
put a stamp on navik f waist
mor = mohr navneteweyî international
more cracked (as a mud wall) navnîşan f address
227
KURMANJI KURDISH
navteng f girth ment
naxêr no nerindî evil
naxir f herd nerm soft, gentle, fine; ~ahî f softness,
naxwe this being so gentleness; ~ik softly, gently
naylon f plastic: tûrikên ~ plastic bags nesir f prose
naynik = neynik neşên unhappy
nazik fine, delicate netewe f nation; ~yên Yekbûyî the
ne not; ~ … ~ neither … nor; ~ … lê not United Nations; ~yî national; ~yîtî f
… but; ne- (negative prefix for sub- nationalism
junctive, imperative, and past-tense nevî m/f grandchild, offspring
verbs) not Nevroz f Persian New Year’s day
nebeled uninformed, unknowing newal f valley
neçar helpless; ~ man to have no alter- nexş miracle; ~în miraculous
native; ~î f helplessness; ji ~î with no nexşe f map
alternative nexwe otherwise
nedarî f poverty nexweş sick, ill; unpleasant; ~î f sick-
nedî ve, ji suddenly ness, disease; ~xane f hospital
nefel f clover nexuyayî invisible
nefes dan v.t. to huff and puff; to be out neyar m enemy, opponent, foe
of breath neyînî f destitution
nefret f hatred; ~ kirin ji v.t. to hate, neynik f mirror
abhor neynok f fingernail, toenail
nefs f self; ~a xwe karîn to control one- neynûk = neynok
self; ~piçûk humble; ~piçûkî, ~piçû- nezanî f ignorance
kahî f humility nêçirvan m hunter
neft f oil nêçîr f game, prey; çûn ~ê v.i. to go
neh nine after game
neheqî f injustice nêçîrvan m hunter
nehy prohibition nêrevan m scout
nejihevûdurebûyîn f indivisibility and nêrîn v.i. to look; f view, speculation
inseparability nêşan f target, mark; ~ kirin v.t. to take
nema not…again aim at, to focus on
nemaze especially nêv (dial. var.) = nîv
nemir undying, immortal: dibe xwediyê nêvî (dial. var.) = nîvî
navekî nemir he possesses an immor- nêzîk near; ~ahî f proximity; ~î near to,
tal name nearly
nemirovane unmanly, cowardly nêzîkatî kirin bi v.t. to approach
nenas unacquainted, unfamiliar, un- nifirîn f malediction, curse
known; ~ê unacquainted with nifş m generation
nepixandin nepixîn- v.t. to blow up, in- nifûs f identity card
flate nig m foot; ~ên xwe zêdeyî xwe avêtin
nepixîn v.i. to swell to overstep one’s bounds
neqandin v.t. to select, choose nigardar beautiful
nerazî discontent; ~bûn f discontent- niha now; berî ~ before now, ago
228
nihe = niha nizar m mountain side (where the sun
nihêran expectant, apprehensive never shines)
nihêrîn li v.i. to look at, to notice; to nizim low
look upon, regard (wek as) nîjad = nijad
nihêrtin (dial. var.) = nihêrîn nîn none, nothing
niho (dial. var.) = niha nîsan f April
nijad m race; ~perest racist nîşan f sign, mark, military decoration;
nijde f brigandage ~ dan v.t. to show; ~ kirin v.t. to indi-
nik f side, direction; toward, to; prep. cate
next to, with, to, for nîv half; ~ saetê half an hour; ~cî half
nikil m beak done; ~ê şevê midnight; ~roj f noon;
nikilandin nikilên- v.t. to peck ~sedsal f midpoint of a century
nimêj f prayer; ~ kirin v.t. to pray nîvek f half
nimûne f example: ji bo nimûne as an nîveruh half-dead
example, for example; ~nde f exam- nîvişkestî cracked
ple nîvî f middle, midpoint, half
niqutandin v.t. to drip nîzing (dial. var.) = nêzîk
niqutîn v.i. to drip nod ninety
nisbet bi relative to nojdarû f panacea
nisxe = nusxe nok f chickpea; ~a tahtê pebble
nişan = nîşan nola (prep.) like: nola hev like each
nişk: ji ~ê (~a) ve suddenly other
niştin nê-/niş- v.i. to sit noqim bûn v.i. ???
nitilandin v.t. to draw, to mark not = nod
nivistin -niv- v.i. to sleep nozdeh nineteen
niviz ??? nu new; ji ~ ve all over again
nivîn1 m (usually pl) bed; ~ê nexweşiyê nuçêbûyî new-born
sick bed; destek ~ a set of sheets and nudem modern
bedding material nuh = nu
nivîn2 -niv- v.i. to lie down, sleep nuha (dial. var.) = niha
nivîsandin v.t. to write nuhatî new, newly come about: nivşê
nivîsar f writing, text nu the new generation
nivîsevan m writer nuhîtî f newness, novelty
nivîsîn v.t. to write nujen newly invented, new-fangled,
nivîskar m/f writer; ~î kirin to write, modern
engage in writing nuka (dial. var.) = nuha
nivîskî written nusxe f copy
nivş = nifş nuvejîn f renaissance
nivz half nuxumandin v.t. to cover, veil
niwal f small valley nuxumîn v.i. to be covered, veiled
niyet f intention nuyîtî f novelty
nixabtin = nuxumandin nuzewicî newly-wed
nixamtin = nuxumandin nû = nu
nixumandin = nuxumandin nûh = nu
229
KURMANJI KURDISH
nûjen = nujen paseport f passport
nûner representative paş m the back; li ~ serê prep. behind;
NY = Neteweyên Yekbûyî the United ~ê xwe avetin bi v.t. to throw oneself
Nations into s.th.; ~eroj f past, the past; ~îngê
later; ~verû backward; ~verûtî f
oda, ode f (obl odê) room backwardness
okyanûs f ocean paşil f bosom
ol f religion; ~dar religious; ~î religious; paşî f end; heta paşiyê until the end
~perwer religious patik f back of the head
ordî f army: Ordiya Sor the Red Army paye f high rank, place of honor; ~tî f
ordu = ordî honor
‘orre ‘or f roar payîz f autumn
orte f middle pejirandin v.t. to accept
Osmanî Ottoman pekiyan = pekîn
otorîte f authority pekîn pek- v.i. to splash, splatter, rise
up suddenly
pag stable pekok: stêrka pekok shooting star
pak pure, clean; ~hilanîn ji v.t. to get pel m leaf, page
rid of pelikan stairs, stairway
pakêt package pelk leaf
pal1 f mountainside pembo m cotton
pal2 dan v.t. to push pena f refuge, asylum; ~ber m/f refugee;
palas ??? ~berî f refugee status
pale m worker pencere f window
pan wide, broad peng ???
panatî f expanse, breadth pengizandin pengizîn- v.t. to make
pansiman kirin v.t. to bandage jump, spurt
papor f stove pengizîn v.i. to spray, spurt
paqij pure, clean; ~ kirin v.t. to clean; penîr m (obl. penêr) cheese
~î f cleanliness per1 m side
paqiş (dial. var.) = paqij per2 m feather
par1 f part, share per3 f piece
par2 last year peran heavy: cezayê peran heavy penal-
par3 f back; ji ~ re from behind ty
parçe, perçe m piece: du sê perçên perçe = parçe
kaxizên two or three pieces of paper; perçîn rivet; bi hev ~ kirin to rivet
~ bûn v.i. to be fragmented; ~ kirin together, to patch together
v.t. to fragment perde f (const. perda) curtain
parastin parêz- v.t. to protect, guard perdî f ceiling beam
Parîs f Paris pere m money
parsî Persian language pergal m compass; bi ~ derketin to be
partî f political party: partiyên kurd yên encompassed
siyasî Kurdish political parties pergî (+ construct) hatin v.i. to come
parve kirin v.t. to distribute across, find; çûn ~ to go to find
230
perpitîn v.i. to flutter: dilê min diperpite collect, arrange; ~-hatin v.i. to come
I get sick at my stomach about, come to be; ~-hatin ji v.i. to
perwaz f flight consist of
perwerdî f education pê-ketin v.i. to catch (fire)
pesin m praise; ~andin v.t. to praise, to pêkol kirin v.t. to stick together (snow)
approve of; wesf û pesnê … dan to pêkva together
praise and extol pê-xistin v.t. to light (fire), to switch on
pesnê m trace pêl f wave; ~ bûn v.i. to spread out
petrol f petrolium pêlpêlî wavy, undulating
pevgirêdan f connection pênc five; ~ih, ~î fifty
pexşan f prose; ~nivîskar m prose- pêra along with him (see pê)
writer pêrgî → pergî
pey: li ~ (prep.) behind, after; di ~ … de pêsîr f collar; windpipe; forefront; area
(prep.) after just below the summit of a mountain
peya m man pêş forward: mirov ê bi pêş de biçe one
peya bûn v.i. to get out, off, down (from will go forward; ~-ketin to advance;
vehicle) bi ~ derketin to come out to the fore;
peyda bûn v.i. to be found: min zanîbû ~eroj f the future; ~de xistin to pro-
wê saetê ava germ peyda nabe I knew mote; ~ketî advanced
there was no warm water to be found pêşayîk f forefront
at that time; ~ kirin v.t. to find pêşber m guide, leader; ketin ~ê to be
peyitandin v.t. to prove faced with; ~î in the lead, leadership,
peyivîn v.i. to talk, speak: ez zêde pê re (prep.) in front of; ~î … derketin to
nepeyivîm I didn’t speak to him long lead, go out ahead of
peyî hev one after the other pêşdexistin f promotion, advancement
peyman f pact, agreement; ~ê girêdan pêşeng m leader, vanguard
ligel to conclude a pact with pêşepêşa, li prep. out in front of
peyv f conversation, talk, words: me pêşeroj f future
peyv dagerand ser huner û edebiyatê pêşevan m leader
we turned the conversation to art and pêşgotin f foreword
literature; ~ik f expression pêşiya prep. before, in front of
peywendî f relation: peywendiyên nav- pêşî adj. first: cara pêşî the first time, di
neteweyî international relations du-sê salên pêşî de during the first
pez f sheep two or three years; f advance: ~ya …
pezkîvî (dial. var.) = pezkûvî girtin v.t. to prevent
pezkûvî mountain sheep pêşîk avant-garde, forerunner
pê1 = bi + wî/wê pêşîn first
pê2 m foot pêşkeş f present, gift, tribute; ~ kirin v.t.
pêçandin pêçîn- v.t. to wrap, roll to offer (as a gift), to present
pêçîn pêç- v.t. to roll, wrap; pêşmerge m guerrilla
pêjin f feeling pêşniyaz f proposal, suggestion
pêjîn pêj- v.i. to be cooked; v.t. to light pêşveketin f advancement, progress
(cigarette) pêt f flame
pêk together; ~-anîn v.t. to get together, pêtgiran lazy, indolent
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KURMANJI KURDISH
pêwendî bi f connection to ~gir m supporter; ~girî f support; ~re
pêwîst necessary; ~î f necessity, require- then, later, afterward; ~xwar
ment hunched-over
pêxember m prophet piyale f glass, goblet
pê-xistin -xê- v.t. to light, turn on (light) piyes f play
pêxwas barefooted pizot m torch: çavên wê wek du pizotên
piç small, little; ~ek a little bit, for a êgir bûn his eyes were like two fiery
moment; a little thing torches
pife pif f huff and puff pîjame m pyjamas
pif kirin v.t. to blow, puff pîn f kick; ~-avêtin v.t. to kick
pifinî kirin v.t. to hiss pîne ???
pij scattered pîpoq f glass
pijandin v.t. to cook pîr old; m/f old man, old woman; ~ik f
pijîn v.i. to be cooked grandmother
pijiqandin v.t. to make (blood) gush pîratî f old age
pijiqîn v.i. to explode, to blow up pîrhepok m monster ???
piling m tiger pîroz sacred, holy; ~ kirin v.t. to cele-
pilot m/f spark ??? brate; to congratulate: ew wê roja han
pilpilî ??? mîna karnevalekê pîroz dikin they
piqpiqok f bubble celebrate that day like a carneval;
pir1 very, many, much; ~anî f most, ~bahî f congratulations; ~wer holy
majority: piraniya wan most of them; pîs bad, dirty; ~ik nasty, awful; ~itî f
pirraniya caran most of the time obscenity
pir2 f bridge pîsîr (dial. var.) = pêsîr
pirç f body hair pîvan f measurement, criterion; ~din
piroze kirin v.t. to tear to shreds pîvên- v.t. to measure
pirs f question; ~ek ji… kirin v.t. to ask PKK = Partiya Karkerên Kurdistanê
a question of s.o.; ~gir skeptic; Kurdish Workers’ Party
~girêk f question: pirsgirêka kurdî plan f plan; ~çêker m planner; ~ çê-
the Kurdish question kirin to make a plan
pirsan v.t. to ask (a question) pola m steel
pirtepirt f sputtering ??? polîtîka f politics; policy
pirtik f sheet (glass, paper) ponijîn v.i. to be engrossed in thought
pirtûk f paper, sheet of paper por m hair (on the head); ~reş black-
pirtve kirin v.t. to tear to pieces haired; ~zer blonde
pisîk f cat poşman regretful; ~ bûn li to regret
pismam m cousin s.th./doing s.th.
pispor, pispûr m expert; ~î f expertise poxsîde sad
pişaftin v.t. to assimilate poz m nose, snout
pişirîn to ruminate (?) prensîp m principle
pişt f back, hill; ~a prep. behind, on the proje f project
other side of; ~a xwe dan v.t. to turn protesto kirin v.t. to protest, go on
one’s back; ~î prep. after; ~î ku conj. strike, boycott
after; ~germ supported, protected; PTT = Post Telefon Telexraf Post, Tel-
232
ephone, and Telegraph qeder2 f fate, destiny
pûç useless, unuseable qedexe f prohibition; (adj) prohibited; ~
pûk f snowstorm, blizzard kirin to prohibit, to ban
pûrt f hair, fur, pelt; ~ û per feathery qedir m worth; qedrê … zanîn to ap-
coat preciate; qedrê xwe girtin to esteem
pûtperest idolator; ~î f idolatry oneself; ~gir appreciative, estimable
PZ = piştî zayînê anno domini (AD) qediyan v.i. to end, be finished
qefilandin v.t. to tire
qaçaxçî m smuggler qefilîn v.i. to get tired
qad f field, place; ~a şer field of battle Qefqasya f the Caucasus
qaf f head qefsing f breastbone
qahf m cave, cavern qehbik f harlot
qail bûn to accept (bi) qehbîtî = qehpetî
qal f statement; ~ kirin v.t. to state; ~ û qeherîn (dial. var.) = qehirîn
ceng f fight qehir f wrath, rage;
qalçikdayî frostbitten ??? qehirîn v.i. to get angry (ji at)
qalik m shell, husk qehpe f prostitute; ~tî f prostitution
qalind thick, fat qehwe f coffee
qam f stature, height; measurement for qelaş split open, wounded
the height of the sun in the sky qelaştin -qelêş- v.t. to split, split open;
qamçî m whip qelaştina cerahî surgical incision
qamiş reed qelaw fat
qanser f cancer qelem f pen
qanûn f law qelemrew m realm
qarîn v.i. to cry bitterly qelew (dial. var.) = qelaw
qasid m messenger, envoy qelêş- → qelaştin
qasî ku as much as qelişandin qelişîn- v.t. to split, cleave
qatil m murderer qelişîn v.i. to be split
qayiş, qayîş f strap, thong, belt; rivalry, qelizandin v.t. to make disappear; xwe
competition; bi … re ketin ~ê to ~ to slip away
compete against: te digot qey ew bi qelîşt f crack
min re ketibû qayîşê you’d think he qels weak: kultura devkî ya Kurdî xurt e
was in competition with me lê kultura nivîskî qels e Kurdish oral
qaymeqam m provincial governor culture is strong, but the written cul-
qaz m goose ture is weak; ~î f weakness
qazaxî f butane qelş = qelîşt
qe no, none, at all: ez qe naxwênim I qelşqelşî cracked
don’t read at all qenc good, pretty, nice; ~î beauty, chari-
qebûl kirin v.t. to accept; wek … hatin table act, good deed
qebûlkirin to be accepted as qerar decision
qedandin v.t. to finish, to complete qerax f edge, shore
qedeh f cup, goblet qerçimî wrinkled
qeder1 m amount; ~ê … for the length qerebalix f crowd, confusion; ~ kirin
of … v.t. to act up, to flail around
233
KURMANJI KURDISH
qereqol m police station qirçeqirç creak, splintering sound
qerisîn v.i. to freeze solid qirdik m clown
qermiç f wrinkle; ~î wrinkled qirik1 f crow
qerpeçe kirin v.t. to hold tightly in qirik2 f throat; ~talî f bitter aftertaste
one’s embrace qirş f stem, branch; ~ik f twig
qesir f palace qise f conversation, talk
qest f intention, purpose; ~a … kirin qismet m fate
v.t. to head toward qiyamet f resurrection; roja ~ê dooms-
qeşa f ice day
qet (+ neg.) never, not at all qizwan terebinth, a small tree
qetan v.i. to be finished; be cut qîjeqîj f loud cry, scream
qetandin qetîn- v.t. to finish; break, cut: qîjiyan v.i. to scream
kurdên li derveyî welêt ev zincîra qîl m fang, canine tooth; ber ~an dan to
kirêt qetandine Kurds outside the sink the fangs into
country have broken this shameful qîm f contentment, satisfaction; ~a xwe
chain; ji hev ~ to part from one anîn bi to consent to
another qîmet f worth, value
qeter m scales, balance; ~ kirin v.t. to qîr f cry, shout; ~ kirin v.t. to shout;
spy (something in the distance) ~ewîr f cry, shout; ~în v.i. to cry out,
qetiyan = qetan screech
qewimîn v.i. to happen qîrçîn v.i. to scream, screech
qewirandin v.t. to drive away qîz f daughter
qewîn strong qoç m horn (of an animal)
qewl f promise; ji ~ên xwe vekişiyan to qonax f inn; a one-day’s distance on a
reneg on one’s promises, go back on journey
one’s word qontrol f check
qey hey; why?; te digot qey you’d qufulîn v.i. to feel very cold
think, it was as though qul f hole, opening: qula rêviyan fox
qeyd f bond, fetter hole; ~ kirin to pierce
qeyde f rule qulibîn v.i. to fall down, collapse,
qeytankêş kirin v.t. ??? scramble down
qeza1 f district quling crane
qeza2 f accident; fate; ~ û bela misfor- quloç m league (measure of distance)
tune, calamity quloz bûn v.i. to rise up
qezenc f profit, earnings, advantage: bi qulqulî full of holes
qezenca … to the advantage of …; ~ qulubîn = qulibîn
kirin v.t. to earn, gain, win qumandan m commandant
qêrîn v.i. to scream qunc f corner; xistine ~ekî asê to corner
qijak raven quncik f little bit
qijik f crow quntar f foot of a mountain
qilêr(în) filthy quran f the Koran
qir kirin v.t. to eliminate, exterminate qurane f hinge
qiral m king qurban f sacrifice, victim; qurbana
qirax (dial. var.) = qerax armanca xwe a martyr to one’s cause
234
qurm m tree stump: mîna qurmê dara ra-xistin v.t. to spread
mirî like a dead tree stump ray f opinion
qut cut, cut off; ~ bûn v.i. to get cut off ra-zan -zê- v.i. to lie down, sleep
qutî f box razdar mysterious
quwet power; bi ~ powerful razî contented (li with)
qûç f cliff, height, summit re postposition forms the second part of
qûn f back; ~a çiyê mountain skirt; li a number of circumpositions, general-
ser ~ê xistin to topple ly indicating accompaniment; see the
qûntar = quntar prepositional element
qutîk f small box ref m row; flock (of birds)
reh f way, road; artery, vein; root; ~ û
ra = re penc roots
ra-bûn v.i. to rise, arise, get up; to rehet easy, comfortable, quiet; ~î f
abandon, give up (li s.th.) comfort, ease
ra-girtin v.t. to pick up; xwe ~ to recov- rehm f mercy; ~ kirin li to have mercy
er on; ~etî the late
rahetî f ease, comfort rehmet f God’s mercy; çûn ~ê to pass
ra-hiştin v.t. to put down away
ra-ketin v.i. to sleep reîs m head, chief; ~î cumhûrê presi-
ra-kirin v.t. to take away, pick up; to dent of the republic
wake up (trs.); to cancel, abolish; ji rencberî f hardship, trouble
navê ~ to eliminate reng m color; bi ~ colored, multi-
raman f stance colored; bi çi ~î how?; ~e~ of all
ra-man -mîn- v.i. to stand, stay, remain colors; ~dêr f description, quality, ad-
standing; to be perplexed jective; ~în varied, colorful
ra-medandin v.t. to lay down renî f avalanche
ra-mûsan -mûs- v.t. to kiss req1 m turtle
ran m thigh req2 stiff; ~ û rût stiff as a board
ra-pelikîn v.i. to crawl, creep reqem f number
ra-pîvan v.t. to pick up; gav ~ to tread reqisîn v.i. to dance
rapor f report resim m picture
raser superior resmî official
rast right, correct; ~ hatin li to come reş black; ~ girêdan v.t. to go into
across; ~ kirin v.t. to correct; bi ~î mourning; ~ kirin v.t. to blacken
really; ~e prep. straight toward; reş û reşatî f anything black or blackish
~erast really and truly; ~erê correct; in color
~nivîsîn f orthography reşatî f blackness, darkness
rav f hunting rev f flight, retreat
ra-westan v.i. to stand up, stop, stand revan rev- v.i. to run away
still; li ser … ~ to dwell on, stand up revandin v.t. to let escape, to take away
against revde m herd, pack; ~ girtin v.t. to form
ra-westandin v.t. to make stop a pack
ra-westiyan = ra-westan revîn = revan
rawir wild animal rewneq brightness, brilliance
235
KURMANJI KURDISH
rewrewik f mirage rih f beard
rewş f style, manner rihet (dial. var.) = rehet
rewşenbîr intellectual rihm (dial. var.) = rehm
rex m side, edge, shore; (prep.) next to, rijandin rijîn- v.t. to pour out
beside rijiyan v.i. to flow, to spill
rexne f criticism; ~ girtin li v.t. to criti- rijî f scorched part at the bottom of a pot
cise; ~gir m critic rik stubbornness, relentlessness, ner-
rext m cartridge belt vousness
reyan v.i. to bark rikrikîn v.i. to chatter (of the teeth)
rez m vineyard, orchard rind good, beautiful; well: ew bi zimanê
rê f (const. riya) road, way: bi wê riyê îngilîzî rind dizanibû he knew Eng-
in that way; bi riya via; ~ girtin v.t. lish well
to block the road, stop, prevent: kê rê risk = rizq
li ber wan girtiye? who’s stopped rivî (dial. var.) = rêvî
them?; (bi) ~ ketin to set off, start rivîn f flame
out; ~ kirin to dispatch, send; bi ~ riyê → rû
kirin to see off rizan v.i. to rot
rêbendan f February rizandin v.t. to let rot
rêber m leader; ~î f leadership; ~î kirin rizgar saved, rescued; ~ bûn v.i. to
to lead escape, be rescued; ~ kirin v.t. to
rêbwar m wayfarer save, rescue; ~kirî saved, liberated
rêçe f trace, track; ~ hildan v.t. to pick rizî rotten
up a trail rizîn di … de v.t. to be thrown into
rêj kirin v.t. to wash rizq m sustenance
rêk-xistin v.t. to arrange, put in order rîş f beard
rêkxistin f coalition rîtm m rhythm
rêl f forest, wood ro f sun: di bin ro(ye)ka havînê de under
rêncberî kirin v.t. to struggle, suffer a hot summer sun
hardship roava m west, dusk; ~yî western
rêveçûn f gait, walk rohilat m dawn, east
rêvebir = birêvebir rohnî bright
rêvî m fox roj f day; ew ~ ev ~ e from that day to
rêvîng m traveler this: ew roj ev roj e malbata min li vî
rêwitî f journey bajarî rûdinê my family has lived in
rêwî m/f traveler; ~tî f journey, trip this city from that day to this; ~ane
rêz f line; ~ bûn v.i. to line up; ~kirin daily; ~ava west; ~hilat f east: Roj-
v.t. to line up, arrange hilata Navîn the Middle East; ~name
rêz-girtin ji v.t. to respect, have respect f newspaper; ~namegerî f journalism
for rokrol f role
rêzik f law, rule rom m the Ottoman Empire; Ottoman,
rêziman f system, arrangement, gram- Turk
mar roman f novel; ~nivîs novelist
ricaf f shaking, trembling ronahî f light, brightness; bi ~yê der-
ricifîn v.i. to tremble ketin to come to light
236
ronakbîr intellectual sayî bûn v.i. to clear up (weather)
ronayî = ronahî saz kirin v.t. to establish
rondik f tear se m (obl. pl san) dog
ronesans f renaissance sebeb m reason
ruh m spirit, soul; ~iyet f morale, spirit sebir f patience; ~ neman to be impa-
ruhnî f brightness; ruhniya çavan light tient: êdî sebra min nemaye now I’ve
of the eyes, favorite lost my patience
rutbe m rank sed hundred; ~sal f century; ~salî f cen-
ruvî (dial. var.) = rêvî tennary; ji ~î per cent; bo ~î per cent
rû m (const riyê, rûwê) face seda m/f sound ???
rûbar m river sedem f reason, cause
rûhşêrîn convivial, amusing, light- seff f classroom
hearted seg m dog
rûj (dial. var.) = roj; ~kê = rojekê one seh f intuition, feeling; ~ kirin v.t. to
day, some day understand intuitively
rûkenî f smile, smiling sehol f ice
rûmet f honor, respect Seirt f Siirt; ~î native of Siirt
rûn m oil sekinan/-în v.i. to settle down, to be
rûniştevan m inhabitant quiet, to dwell; to tarry; to light
rû-niştin -nê- v.i. to sit, dwell (the (gaze) (li ser upon): ez dixwazim li
present tense is used only for habitual ser pirsekê bisekinim I want to dwell
action; the pres. perf. tense rûniştiye on a question
means ‘s/he is sitting,’ and the past. selik f basket
perf. tense rûniştibû means ‘s/he was semax f endurance; ~ kirin v.t. to bear,
sitting’); odeya rûniştinê sitting to endure
room Sen m the River Seine
rûpel f page, sheet seqem f dry cold
rûs Russian; ~î Russian (language) seqer f Saqar, a poison that drips from a
rût naked, bare tree in hell
rûxan v.i. to collapse ser m head; (prep.) to, toward, on, over;
rûxandin v.t. to destroy bi ~ ketin v.i. to get ahead, succeed;
çûn ser v.i. to attack; ~ê xwe bi … re
sa f (const. siya) shadow; ser siya … êşandin v.t. to trouble oneself with,
ketin v.i. to get anywhere near … bother with: serê xwe bi kultura kurdî
sa‘et f hour re naêşînin they don’t bother with
sal f year; ~mezin aged Kurdish culture; ~ û bin m the “ins
salon f reception room and outs,” everything: ser û binê vî
san → se gundî ez ê bikanibim ji vî pîremêrî
sar cold hîn bibim I could learn all there is to
satil f bucket know about this village from this old
saw terror, fear man; bê ~ û bin endless
sawar f bulghur wheat, cracked wheat seranser: li ~î (prep.) all over: li seran-
sax healthy, well, whole serê dinyayê all over the world
saxik honest serbajar m capital
237
KURMANJI KURDISH
serberdayî stray, wandering serve bûn v.i. to be attached
serbest free; ~î f freedom serwer m leader
serbilind bi proud of; ~ahî/~î f pride serwext informed, knowledgeable
serbixwe free; ~bûn f liberation sewî f level: rojnameyên me yên roja
serdar m leader; ~î f leadership, com- îroyîn negihîştine sewiya wan our
mand newspapers of today have not reached
serdest m overlord; ~î f mastery, rule; ~î their level
kirin v.t. to rule: yên ku îro serdestiya sewsen lily
kurdan dikin those who rule over the seyda m savant
Kurds today seyr f view; adj strange
sereke main seyran f outing; ~ çê-kirin v.t. to ar-
serencam f end, outcome range an outing; ~geh f park, prome-
serêşî f headache nade, place for an outing
serfirazî f distinction sê1 three
sergerdan perplexed sê2 f (constr. siya) shadow; di bin siya
sergevez pride … de under the aegis of
sergiran important sêpî f tripod
sergîn m dung sêwî m orphan
sergovend f dance line; bi serê ~ê gir- sêwlek m sole (of a shoe)
tin to lead a dance line sibat f February
serhed f frontier, border sibeh f morn, dawn: sibeh heta êvarê
serî m head; ear (of grain); ~ birdin to from morning till night; ~ê tomorrow;
complete; ~ hil-dan to rebel; ~ xistin vê ~ê this morning
li to visit; to apply to; çûn serî to sibetir f the next morning; ~a wê şevê
come to fruition the morning after that night
serîhildan f uprising sibê = sibeh
serjorek û serjêrek ups and downs sih1 angry, irritated; ~itî f irritation
serkarî f direction, leadership sih2 = sî2
serketin f success sijî f puss, filth; ~n v.i. to ooze
serma f cold, coldness sik û sar very sad (heart) ???
sermawêj Libra silav f greeting
sermîyan m capital silawat (pl) benedictions; ~an kêşandin
sernivîs f fate v.t. to give benedictions
sernuxumandî veiled simbêl m mustache
serok m leader; ~atî f leadership; ~cum- simsimîn v.i. to leave tracks, to make a
hûrê m president; ~eşîr m chieftain; trail
~wezîr m prime minister sincirî flaming, burning
serpêhatî f adventure sindoq f box, trunk
serqot bare-headed sing f breast
serraf m jeweler sinif f class, grade
sersal f new year’s day sipartin sipêr- = spartin
serserî careless sipî = spî
ser-şuştin v.t. to take a bath sipîndar f poplar
sertûj towering sipîta f whiteness
238
sir f cold wind; ~ û seqem, ~ û serma f spehî good-looking, pretty, attractive
biting cold weather spêda, spêde f dawn
sirf only, purely spêr- → sparin
sirgûn f exile; ~ bûn to be exiled spî white; ~tî f whiteness
siruşt f nature standin (dial. var.) = stendin
sisê three stasyon f railway station
sist weak; ~ kirin v.t. to weaken, make stelih ordinary, common
weak stemkarî f oppression
sitar f protection Stenbol f Istanbul
sitêrk = stêrk stendin stîn- v.t. to take, get; bi paş de
sitirî m thorn ~ to take back
sitran = stran steyr = stêr
siwarî mounted, on horseback stêr f star; ~k f star; ~nas m astronomer;
siya → sa ~nasî f astronomy
siyaset f politics; ~van m politician stiran stirê- v.t. to sing
siyasî political stîn- → stendin
sivik light, not heavy sto = stû
sî1 thirty stran f song; ~bêj singer
sî2 f shadow; ~ dan to cast a shadow stû m neck; ~xwar obedient, cowed
sîleh (pl) arms, armament: sîlehên sivik stûn f column
light arms stûr thick, stout
sîng f breast sufrik m tablecloth
sînor m border, boundary sur f breeze
sîstem m system sur‘et f speed
sîtil f (dial. var.) = satil surgûn = sirgûn
Sîwas f Sivas suwar on horseback; ~ bûn to mount
sîwaxnekirî unpenetrated sûç m crime, fault
sobe f heating stove; ~ vêxistin to light sûd m profit; ~ wergirtin ji v.t. to profit
a stove from
sofî Sufi, respectful term of address for sûl m waterfall
an old man; ~tî f Sufism, mysticism Sûriya f (obl Sûriyayê, Sûriyê) Syria
sohbet f conversation, talk sûxte m theological student
sol f shoe; ~çêker m shoemaker Swêd f Sweden
sond f oath; ~ xwarin to swear an oath
sor red; threshed (wheat); ~ahî f redness şa happy, glad; ~ bûn bi v.i. to be happy
sorav red grape; ~î(n) dark red with, rejoice over s.th.; ~ kirin v.t. to
sorgul rose gladden: wê pirtûkê dilê min şa kiribû
sosin f iris that book had gladdened my heart;
sosret unusualness; bi ~ unusual ~hî f gladness, happiness
soz dan v.t. to promise şafiî Shafiite (school of Islamic jurispru-
sparin spêr- v.t. to entrust dence)
spartin = sparin şagirt m pupil, apprentice
spas thank you; ~ kirin v.t. to thank; şah m king
~darî f gratitude şahîd m witness
239
KURMANJI KURDISH
şahîk shining, brilliant şervan m warrior
şaîr m poet şeş six
şal m traditional baggy Kurdish trousers şeşt sixty
şalûl m magpie şev f night; ~reş f dark night
şandin şîn- v.t. to send şewat f fire
şanî kirin, ~ dan v.t. to show şewitandin v.t. to burn
şano f stage şewitîn v.i. to burn
şans m chance şexs person; ~î personal; ~iyet f person-
şareza competent; ~yî f competence, ex- ality
pertise şewq f light; ~a elektrîkê flashlight
şaş wrong; ~ bûn v.i. to be wrong: ez ne şê- → şiyan
şaş bim I wouldn’t be wrong; ~ kirin şêlandin şêlîn- v.t. to exploit
v.t. to mistake; reya xwe ~ kirin v.t. şêlî turbid, murky
to lose one’s way; ~î f mistake, fault şêlû (dial. var.) = şêlî
şaşfêhmkirin f misunderstanding şênî m inhabitant, (pl) people
şaşik f turban; ~ spî white-turbaned şêrîn sweet
şax m branch şêx m sheikh
şe = şeh şidet violence, strength
şeh m comb; ~ kirin v.t. to comb şifêr m driver
şehîd m martyr şiîr f poetry
şehsiwar m expert horseman şidandin şidîn- v.t. to strike (a match)
şekal f old shoe şik f doubt; bê ~ doubtless(ly)
şekir m sugar şikandin şikîn- v.t. to break
şemitandin v.t. to make slide şikeft f cave
şemitîn v.i. to slip, to slide şikêr m rock, mountain crag
şeng tuft of hair şikestin şikê- v.i. to break, be defeated
şep f blow, slap in the face şikir thanks: şikir ji Xweda re thank
şepe f snowdrift God
şepîn v.i. to sink down (into snow) şikil form, symbol
şeqeşeq noisy sound, chatter şil damp, wet; ~ kirin v.t. to wet, damp-
şequdeq “hard knocks” en
şer m war: şerê cîhanê yê yekemîn şilfûtazî buck naked
World War I; ~ kirin, ~ dan (dayîn) şipê on foot
v.t. to fight war şiqitîn v.i. to slip
şeref f honor şirket f company
şerît f the Sharia, Islamic law şirove f interpretation; ~ kirin v.t. to
şerm f shame; ~dar modest; ~darî f interpret
modesty; ~ kirin ji v.t. to be ashamed şistin şo- v.t. to wash
of: min ji xwe şerm kir I was ashamed şivan m (obl. şivên) shepherd
of myself şivantî f shepherding; ~ kirin v.t. to
şerpeze destitute; ~ bûn v.i. to be desti- shepherd, to be a sheep herder
tute; ~ kirin v.t. to put s.o. in a bad şivên → şivan
situation, to best şivir m mountain goat
şert f condition, qualification şixul m work; ~în v.i. to work, occupy
240
oneself ku (conj.) instead of
şiyan şê- v.i. to be able şûş quick, nimble, sleek; mirina ~ sud-
şiyar awake; ~ bûn v.i. to wake up; ~ den death
kirin v.t. to wake s.o. up şûşaşûş pieces of glass
şîn1 blue, green şûşe f glass
şîn2 = şwîn şûştin (dial. var.) = şistin
şîn- → şandin şwîn f mourning; ~dar in mourning
şîndar = şwîndar
şîr m milk ta1 prep. & conj. until: ta niha up till
şîret f advice; ~ kirin li v.t. to advise now
şîrîn sweet, pretty, nice ta2 m fever
şît aware, sober tab m illumination; ~ anîn v.t. to illumi-
şîv f sunset; ~a êvarê nightfall nate
şkandin şkîn- = şikandin tabî‘et f nature
şkev f cupboard tacir m merchant; ~î f commerce
şo- → şistin taht f rock; noka ~ê pebble
şop f footprint, trace; ~ê ji ser xwe tal bitter, sharp
winda kirin to throw a pursuer off talde f shelter
track; ~gerên scout, tracker; ~ hiştin talyanî Italian
v.t. to leave a trace tam f taste
şor1 salty, brackish (water); ~ayî f salti- tamar = temar
ness tanq f tank (mil.)
şor2 talk, words; ~ kirin v.t. to talk, chat taqet endurance
şorbe f soup ta‘qîb f surveillance: di bin taqîba
şoreş f rebellion, uprising; ~ger m rebel, polîsan de under police surveillance;
revolutionary: şoreşgerekî bolşevîk a ~ kirin to keep under surveillance
Bolshevik revolutionary tar f a path through snow
şorezar f desert, wasteland Taran f Tehran
şun = şûn tarî dark; ~tî f darkness
şuştin (dial. var.) = şistin tarîx f history
şuxul m work, occupation; ~ kirin v.t. tas f bowl
to work; ~andin v.t. to put to work; taşt m breakfast
~în v.i. to work tat m rise, hill
şû spouse tav1 f light, sunlight
şûjin û derzî bûn v.i. to stand on end tav2 f rainshower
(the hair) tavik f sunlight
şûlikîn v.i. to move stealthily tavilê quickly, soon; immediately
şûm gloomy, inauspicious taybetî special; bi ~ especially
şûn f place; track, wake: divê ew têkeve tayek kişandin ji v.t. to shake
şûna bavê xwe he must follow in his ta‘yîn kirin v.t. to determine, assign,
father’s footsteps; ~a … girtin v.t. to appoint
follow in the wake of, take the place tazî naked; ~ kirin v.t. to strip naked
of; ~da after: ji wê salê şûnda after te → tu
this year; nuha ~da henceforth; di ~a tebî‘î natural
241
KURMANJI KURDISH
Tebrîz f Tabriz straits
tecrube f experience tenha alone; bi ~ xwe by him/her/itself,
tedrîcen gradually alone
tefandin -tefîn- v.t. to put out (light, tenîşta next to
candle) teorî f theory
tefeş f face, countenance tep f tap
tefîn v.i. to go out (light, candle) tepan mallet
tefsîr Koranic commentary tepandin v.t. to pat, to tap
tehlûke f danger tepe m summit, mountain top
tehqîr f deprecation teperep kirin v.t. to rap
tehsîldar m tax collector teq f a sharp sound; ~-û-req loud sound
teht m mountain range teqandin teqîn- v.t. to burst, explode, to
tejî (dial. var.) = tijî fire, shoot (gun)
tek single, alone, by oneself; ~ û tenê teqîn v.i. to burst, explode
alone, all by oneself ter fresh, verdant; ~î f freshness
tekane lone tercîh kirin v.t. to prefer
teko alone, singly tercuman m translator
telaş commotion teres pimp
telefon f telephone terikî chapped
teletel on tiptoes te‘rîf kirin v.t. to describe (ji … re for,
televizyon f television to)
telte f sheet (of ice), crust terîqet m dervish order
tem m fog terk f leaving; ~ dan/kirin v.t. to leave,
temam perfect, complete abandon: gava terka mala xwe da
temar f artery, vein when s/he left home
temaşa kirin v.t. to watch, to look at term m corpse
temaşe = temaşa terorîzm f terrorism
temaşevan spectator, watcher terpilîn v.i. to roll
tembel lazy; ~î f laziness terrî f tail
temen m life, lifespan, age terş livestock
temene respect; bi ~ respectfully tesewif Sufism; ~î Sufistic
temirîn v.i. to die ??? te’sîr f influence
temiz kirin v.t. to clean teslîm kirin v.t. to turn in, to turn over,
temsîlkar m representative to submit
tena = tenha teşkîl f organization, formation
tendûr f oven, pit; ~a zik the pit of the teşt f trough
belly teşwîq encouragement; ~ kirin v.t. to
tenê alone, only, except for; bi ~ only: encourage
em ferz bikin ku tu bi tenê bikaribî teşxele f trouble, turmoil
Kurdistanekê çêbikî let’s assume that tetik, tetîk f trigger
you could only create one Kurdistan; tev all, entire, altogether; together with;
ne bi ~ … lê jî not only… but also; ~a all, entirely, totally; ~ahî/~ayî f
~tî f misery, loneliness entirety: di tevayiya Ewrûpa all over
teng narrow, tight; ~asî f difficulty, Europe; ~da, ~ de altogether, entire-
242
ly; bi ~ayî entirely, in toto; xwe têkoşîn dan v.t. to strive, make an effort
~girê-dan v.t. to get oneself together têkûz (dial. var.) = tekûz
tevdîr f plan têr1 full, satisfied; ~ bûn v.i. to be sat-
tevger f industry, activity, movement: isfied (hunger), to be slaked (thirst); ~
Tevgera Rizgariya Kurdistanê Kurd- kirin v.t. to satisfy, make full, to be
ish Liberation Movement sufficient: emrê wî têr nekir he didn’t
tevizî numb live long enough
tevizîn f numbness; ~ok f numb feeling têr2 = teyr
tevî (prep.) along with; ~hev altogether; têvel various, different
~ ku (conj.) although tê-xistin v.t. to include; xwe ~ to put
tevlihev confused, mixed up; ~î f confu- oneself
sion tif f spit
tevlî f awareness tifik f bellows, hearth
tewqif kirin v.t. to arrest tifing f rifle
texçik f shelf tije brimful
texlît sort, kind: her du texlît nivîsar tijî full; ~ kirin v.t. to fill
both sorts of writers tilî f finger
texmîn f guess, thought; ~ kirin v.t. to tilik, tilîk = tilî
guess, estimate tim1 always; her~ always
text m throne tim2 f desire
texte m board timobîl f automobile
teyan a large basin used in bathhouses tinê (dial. var.) = tenê
teyr, têr m bird; ~ û tûy birds and fowl tiral lazy
teze new(ly), fresh(ly); ~ kirin to re- tirb f grave, tomb
fresh tirên f train; ~a di binê erdê de sub-
tê1 = di + wî/wê way; ji ~ê by train
tê2 = tu + ê tirimpêl f automobile
tê3 coming, next: meha ~ the coming tirk Turk; ~î Turkish (language); ~nijad
month racially Turkish
tê-gihîştin v.i. to understand, realize Tirkiye f (obl Tirkiyeyê, Tirkiyê) Tur-
têk çûn v.i. to break up, split apart key
têkelî prep. along with tirs f fear; ~an va out of fear
tê-ketin v.i. to go to, wind up (some- tirsandin v.t. to scare; to fear
where): ew dixwaze têkeve cepheyan tirsêner frightful, frightening
he wants to go to the fronts; ~ şûna to tirsiyan/tirsîn ji v.i. to be afraid of, fear
take the place of: kengê azadî û tirş bitter; rûyê xwe ~ kirin to scowl
serbestî ê têkevin şûna sitemkarî û tişt m thing: tiştekî din something else
zordariyê? when will freedom and in- titûn f tobacco
dependence take the place of injustice tiving f (dial. var.) = tufing
and oppression? tiwê = tu wê
têkil connected; ~bûn f connectedness; tixtor m doctor
~î f connection tî thirsty
tê-kirin v.t. to put on tîfal ???
têkoşer m activist, combatant tîj (dial. var.) = tûj; ~ û hûr nêrîn li to
243
KURMANJI KURDISH
look closely and carefully at, to
scrutinize ûzeûz f rumble
tîn1 f thirst
tîn2 → bêtîn va = ve
tîn- → anîn vala empty; ~ kirin v.t. to empty; ~hî f
tîp f letter of the alphabet; m type, sort void; vikû~ totally empty
tîr thick, dense, dark vazo f vase
tîraj f print run; kêm ~ of a small print ve (postposition) forms the second part
run, printed in small numbers of a number of circumpositions, gen-
tîrêj f sunlight, ray: tîrêjên hêviyê rays erally indicating motion away from;
of hope see the prepositional element
tîş piece, group ve-bûn v.i. to open
tol f revenge; ~ wergirtin v.t. to extract ve-ceniqîn (dial. var.) = ve-ciniqîn
revenge ve-ciniqandin v.t. to make tremble with
top f cannon, cannonball fear, to make shudder, to startle
topik f pile ve-ciniqîn v.i. to be seized by fright, to
torbe sack be startled
torin m person of name, person of re- ve-dan v.t. to give off; deng ~ to echo
nown; descendant, offspring veger f return
toz f dust; ~ û telaz dust ve-gerandin -gerîn- v.t. to turn, to turn
trimbêl f automobile back
tu1 (obl. te) you (sing.) ve-geriyan/gerîn v.i. to return; ~ ser to
tu2 no, not any, none, nothing; ~ caran turn to
never; ~ kes nobody; ~ tişt nothing ve-gevizîn v.i. to flounder, wallow
tucar never ve-hêrandin v.t. to grind up, crunch
tuf f spit; ~ kirin v.t. to spit vehûnayî spread out
tufing f rifle, gun; ~ ber-dan to fire a ve-jandin -jîn- v.t. to revivify
rifle at ve-jenîn v.i. to rustle
tukesî (+ neg.) nobody ve-jinîn (dial. var.) = ve-jenîn
tûj sharp ve-kirin v.t. to open
tûk f hair, fur ve-kişandin ji v.t. to pull out of, pull
tûle m pup, cub back from, withdraw from
tûlik m cub ve-kişîn v.i. to withdraw
tûr m bag; ~ik m sack ve-maltin v.t. to roll up the sleeves
tûrt = turt ve-man v.i. to bog down
tûtin f tobacco ve-miran (ve-mirîn) v.i. to go out (fire,
&c.); ~din v.t. to put out, extinguish,
ummet f religious community quell, quench: min lampa xwe ve-
‘umr m life mirand I put out my light
unda (dial. var.) = wenda ve-poşandin v.t. to cover
unîversîte f university ve-qetandin v.t. to distinguish, separate
urisî Russian ve-qetiyan v.i. to get separated: ji ber
usa (dial. var.) = wisa perçebûna welêt riyên zaravayên kur-
ustu = stû mancî û soranî ji hevûdu vediqetin
244
after the division of the country the wekhev alike, equal; ~î f equality: li ser
paths of the Kurmanji and Sorani dia- esasên wekhev on a basis of equality
lects part from each other; ~ bi to be wekîl advocate, lawyer; ~darî f advo-
distinguished by cacy
ve-qetîn = ve-qetiyan welat m (obl. welêt) country, homeland;
verê-kirin to send off, dispatch ~hez lover of the homeland, patriot;
ve-şartin -şêr- v.t. to hide, bury ~parêz defender of the homeland, pa-
ve-texirîn v.i. to taper off triot(ic); ~perwer patriot
ve-xistin v.t. to throw down wele = welle
ve-xwarin v.t. to drink weleh = welê
ve-zelan v.i. to lie down and roll welê thus, like that
around; xwe ve-zelandin to throw welle by God
oneself down and roll around wenda lost; ~ bûn v.i. to be lost; ~ kirin
ve-ziliandin = ve-zelandin v.t. to lose
vê → ev wer bûn di v.i. to fall into
vêca therefore wer- → hatin
vêcar then, so werger m translator; ~van m translator
vê-geriyan = ve-geriyan wer-gerandin v.t. to transform, translate
vêk re together wer-girtin v.t. to take up (see ber wer-
vên f wish, desire girtin, sûd wergirtin, tol wergirtin)
vê-xistin v.t. to light werimandin v.t. to cause to swell
vikûvala → vala. werimîn v.i. to swell
vir here wer-kirin li v.t. to wrap around
vizîn v.i. to buzz, to hum wesiyetname f will, testament
vizvizkî tangled, knotted werîs m rope
vî → ev wesf m attribute, quality; ~ dan to de-
vîrus f virus scribe
vîzevîz f blowing, rustling (of wind) westan west- v.i. to stand, stop; to be
exhausted
waqewaq squeal of an animal westiyan = westan
war1 m = bar westiyayî exhausted
war2 m regard, respect; di ~ê … de con- weşandin weşîn- v.t. to publish
cerning; di vî ~î de in this regard, in weşanxane f publishing house
this respect wext f time: di eynî wextê de at the same
war3 m camp, camping ground; ~geh m time; di wexteke kurt de within a
camp site short time; ~ê ku (conj.) when
warkor çûn to disappear without a trace wezin f poetic meter
we → hun wezîfe f duty
wefakar faithful wezaret f ministry: Wezareta Ferhengê
wefat f death the Ministry of Culture
weha thus, such wezîr m minister; ~tî f ministry
wek (prep.) like; ~e (prep.) like; ~e ku wê1 → ew
(conj.) as: weke ku min got as I said; wê2 future auxiliary + subj. for future
~î din anything else tense
245
KURMANJI KURDISH
wêje f speech, literature xazî m ghazi, holy warrior
wêne m picture, painting; ~ger m artist, xazîk ???
painter xebat f work, struggle
wêran destroyed, ruined; ~ kirin v.t. to xeber f words, speech: xebera wî ye
destroy, ruin that’s what he says
wêrîn v.i. (+ subj.) to dare xeberdan f talk, speech
winda (dial. var.) = wenda xebitan li ser v.i. to work on, strive for
wir there xebitîn = xebitan
wirîn (dial. var.) = wêrîn xedar pitiless, cruel
wisa(n) thus, such, so xefk f trap
wî → ew xelas kirin (v.t. to finish
wîjdan m conscience xelasî f liberation; şerê xelasiyê war of
wucûd f existence; hatin ~ê to come liberation
into existence xelat f prize, reward; ~ kirin v.t. to re-
wusan (dial. var.) = wisa ward
xelk m (construed as sing. for case but
x- → xistin pl. by sense) people
xak f earth, ground xem f grief, sadness; ~ xwarin ji v.t. to
xal f mole sympathize with; ~gîn sorrowful;
xalxalî in spots, spotted ~gînî f sorrow: ez bi xemgînî dibêjim
xanim f lady, mistress ku… I say with sorrow that…
xanî m house xemilandin v.t. to adorn
xapandin xapîn- v.t. to deceive, to fool, xencer f dagger
to play a trick on: mîna ku hatibe xerab ruined; ~-bûn to be ruined; ~e
xapandin as though a trick had been ruined; ~î f harm, ruination
played on him xerez f rancor, grudge; ~karî f holding a
xapîn v.i. to be deceived, to be fooled grudge
xapok deceptive xerîfî senile
xapxapok deceitful xerc kirin v.t. to spend
xar1 crooked, bent xerîb stranger, foreigner, exiled, away
xar2 (dial. var.) = xwar from one’s homeland; ~î f estrange-
xarin (dial. var.) = xwarin ment, foreignness, the state of being
xastin (dial. var.) = xwestin away from one’s homeland; welatê
xasûk cunning, shrewd ~yê foreign country
xatir m mind, heart; ~gir considerate, xerîte f map
obliging; ~ girtin to be considerate xertel f eagle
of, respect: biçûk û mezinan xatirê wî xesandin xesîn- v.t. to twist, wring
digirtin young and old were consid- xesar f damage, loss; ~ dîtin v.t. to suf-
erate of him; ~xwestin f affection; bi fer loss, be damaged; ~nedîtî undam-
xatirê re wî ji min re got he said to aged
me with affection; dan ~ê … to be xet f line
considerate of … xew m sleep; ketin ~ê to fall asleep; ji ~
xav raw, immature ra-kirin to rouse from sleep
xayin traitor xewle lonely, desolate
246
xewlî f desolation, isolation xîret f zeal, bravery, courage; ~ kirin
xewn f dream; ~ dîtin v.t. to dream, v.t. to try hard
have a dream; ~erojik daydream xîze-xîze grating sound
xeyal f imagination, fantasy, dream xo f (dial. var.) = xwe; ~a xwe his own
xeyidîn ji v.i. to get angry at self
xeyn other; ji ~î (prep.) other than, aside xoce m master, teacher
from: ji xeynî van tiştan other than xof f fear; ~ û tirs f fear and trembling
these things xort young, young man/woman; ~anî f
xeyo (Syr. Ar. khayyo, voc. only) fel- youth
low, guy, friend xoşdivî beloved
xezal gazelle xu (dial. var.) = xwe
xezeb f rage, wrath xuda m (obl. xudê) God; ~ hefiz good-
xezîne f treasury bye
xezûr m father-in-law; f mother-in-law xudan m owner; bê~ godless, God-
xêr f goodness; ~xweşî f chitchat; forsaken, poor, pitiable
bi~hatinî dan v.t. to welcome: jinekê xuh f sister
bixêrhatinî da min a woman wel- xulam m slave; manservant
comed me; bi ~a … re thanks to; bi ~ xunav f sprinkle, light rain
û bêr very good; ji ~a … re because xur f itch
of, on account of; ~hatinê kirin li v.t. xure xur f snoring
to welcome; hatin ~ê to be a wel- xurên on an empty stomach
come guest xurîn = xurên
xêz f line; ~ik ditto xurme f date
xidmet f service xurt strong, powerful; ~ û gur strong,
xilas kirin to be saved puissant
xilmamş = xilmaş xurû natural
xilmaş half asleep, sleepy xusûsiyet f characteristic, distinguishing
xirab bad, evil feature
xisar f loss xuşîn v.i. to rustle, to gurgle
xistin x- v.t. to cast, throw, put in, make xuşk f sister
fall; ji hev de ~ to break up; ~ li to xuya clear, obvious; ~ bûn v.i. to be ob-
beat vious, appear, show up; ~ kirin v.t. to
xisûsiyet = xusûsiyet seem, appear: hotel gelekî xweş û luks
xişikîn v.i. to drag along, scrape across xuya dikir the hotel looked very nice
xişr m/f ornament ??? and deluxe
xişxiş f rustling, scratching sound xuyan v.i. to seem, to appear
xitab m address; ~ kirin v.t. to address; xuyanî familiar; ~ kirin v.t. to famili-
~ê kesekî kirin to address, speak to arize
s.o. xûn f blood; ~a cegerê liver’s blood,
xitimandin v.t. to close, seal: rê hatine metaphor for tears of agony and suf-
xitimandin the roads have been closed fering
xiyal f dream, imagination xûs f snowdrift ???
xizmet f service; ~ kirin v.t. to serve xûyan = xuyan
xînji (dial. var.) = xeyn ji xwar down; ser … da ~ bûn to lean
247
KURMANJI KURDISH
over s.th.; ~ bûn v.i. to descend; ~ xweyî = xwedî; ~ kirin v.t. to raise
kirin v.t. to lower, take down; hatin (animals)
~ to come down xwezî would that, I wish (+ past con-
xwarin f food ditional); ~tî f desire, wish
xwarin xw- v.t. to eat xwê f salt; sweat
xwaroviçko coiled up xwêdan v.t. to sweat
xwaz- → xwestin xwişk f sister
xwe oneself, -self (refers to the subject xwî m habit, disposition
of the clause in which it occurs); ~ xwîn f blood; ~egoşt flesh and blood;
girtin li ber to defend oneself ~dar bloody; ~germ fervent; ~germî
against; ji ~ in and of itself; bi~ him- f fervor; ~şêrîn likeable
self, herself, itself; li ~ kirin to put xwîsgirtî damp
on, wear (clothes) xwîzî f spit, saliva
xwebiçûkdîtin f inferiority: kompleksa xwûşk (dial. var.) = xwişk
xwebiçûkdîtinê inferiority complex
xwedan m chief, head, leader ya fem. sing. construct extender; bi ~ te
xwedê m God in your opinion
xwedî m possessor, owner: xwediyê yadê (voc. only) mother
paseporteke Swêdî bûm I possessed a yan or; ~ … ~ either … or
Swedish passport ya‘nî that is, i.e.
xwehesîn f self-awareness yar m friend
xweîfadekirin f self-expression ya rebî O Lord!
xwelî f dust, ash; ~ li serê xwe kirin to yek one; ~ bûn v.i. to be united; ~bûyî
pour dust on one’s head, to mourn; united; ~dengî f unanimity; ~dest of
~dan f ashtray one piece; ~ejmar singular; ~emîn
xwen f dream, vision first; ~îtî f unity; ~îtiya Neteweyan
xwenas self-respecting the League of Nations; ~netewetî f
xwenav = xunav uninationalism, monoethnicity; ~ser
xwendin xwîn-/xwên- v.t. to read, study direct; ~ta peerless, without equal
xwende/a learned, literate; ~geh f yekser right away, immediately
school, university; ~kar student; yê masc. sing. construct extender
~van m reader, scholar yên pl. construct extender
xwerû independent; pure(ly), exclu- YNK = Yekîtîya Nîştîmanperwerên
sive(ly): ev kovar ne xwerû bi kurdî Kurdistanê Patriotic Union of Kur-
ne these journals are not exclusively distan (PUK)
in Kurdish yunan Greek
xweser unbridled
xwestin xwaz- v.t. to want, to ask for zabit m (obl zêbit) m officer
xweş nice, pleasant, good; ~bûn f suc- zaf (dial. var.) = zehf
cess; ~hal pleased, happy; ~haliya zalim m tyrant, unjust
xwe gotin to express one’s pleasure; zang sheer (cliff) ???
~ik nice, pretty; ~î f pleasure zanîn v.t. to know (neg. present níza-
xwey = xwe nim, past (dí)zanibûm, subj. bízani-
xweya = xuya bim); ~ bi to know about: xelk bi
248
siyasetê nizanin the people don’t zêc hide ???
know anything about politics zêde much, a lot; ~ bûn v.i. to increase;
zana = zane ~ kirin v.t. to increase
zane learned, wise; ~bûn f wisdom; zêr m gold; ~în golden
zanyarî f knowledge zêrbenî ???
zar m language; ~ava m dialect; ~şêrîn zêrekî f cleverness, intelligence
well-spoken, articulate zihniyet f mentality
zaro small, young, m/f youngster; ~k zik m belly; ~ekî têr xwarin v.t. to eat
child; ~katî, ~ktî, ~tî f youth, to one’s fill; ~makî native, inborn
childhood zilam m man, guy, fellow
zarîn v.i. to wail, lament ziliandin → ve-ziliandin
zar û zêç (pl) kids zilik straw
zava m bridegroom zilim f injustice, tyranny
zayin f birth ziman m (obl zimên) language, tongue;
zehf many, lots of, very, very much bi ~ anîn v.t. to give voice to, ex-
zehmet f trouble; ~ kişandin v.t. to have press; ~van linguist; ~vanî f linguis-
difficulty, go to trouble, be bothered; tics
~î f ditto; ~kêş worker, laborer zinar m (obl. zinêr) rock
ze‘îf weak, skinny zing ???
zelal clear, limpid; ~ kirin v.t. to make zingar f rust; ~girtî rusty, rusted; ~ gir-
clear, clarify tin v.t. to rust, get rusty
zelam = zilam zincîr f chain, bond
zeliqandin v.t. to stick zindan f prison
zeliqîn v.i. to stick zindî alive, energetic, lively
zelûl m despondent ziving f cave
zeman m time, era zivistan f winter
zemzelîlk f icicle ??? zirav slender, slight
zend f forearm zivir twisted, knotted
zengal m/f legging ??? zivirandin zivirîn- v.t. to turn around,
zengil m bell; ~ê telefonê telephone turn back; çavên xwe ~ ji … de to
call; li ~ê dêrî xistin to ring the door- turn one’s eyes away from …, avert
bell one’s gaze from …
zengîn rich; ~î f wealth zivirîn zivir- v.i. to turn, go/come back,
zer yellow; ~atî f yellowness; ~bûyî turn around, wander
yellowed; ~ û zinar “nooks and cran- ziwa dry
nies” zixim (dial. var.) = zexim
zerar f detriment, loss zîn zê- v.i. to live, come to life
Zerdeşt Zoroaster zîre cumin
zevî f land, field zîrek clever
zewac f marriage zîtbûyî ???
zewicîn bi … re v.i. to get married to zîv m silver
zewq m delight zîvalzîvalî ???
zexim strong, sound; zexmî f strength zîving = ziving
zêbit → zabit zîvironekî sandy, dusty
249
KURMANJI KURDISH
zman = ziman zû quick, fast, soon, early; ~ an dereng
zolilk blossom, bloom sooner or later; ~ be ~ very quickly; ~
zor f force; ~ dan v.t. to force, compel; de (+ pres. perf.) for a long time: zû
~ kirin v.t. to use force; bi (destê) ~ê de ye me hev û du neditiye we haven’t
by force; ~betî f oppressiveness; ~dar seen each other for a long time;
forceful, oppressive; ~darî f oppres- ~bîrbirî f quick thinking; ~ka, ~~ka
sion; ~destî f force, pressure; ~kirin f hurriedly, hastily, quickly; ~kanî f
violence haste: zûkaniya te çi ye? what’s your
zozan m summer pasture, meadow hurry?; ~ ve for a long time, since
zuha (dial. var.) = ziwa long; ji ~ de from early on
zuk f prominent, obvious zûrezûr f howling
zulf m/f tress, lock (of hair) ??? zûrîn v.i. to howl
zulum = zilim zûr man v.i. to be lost
zurne f clarion; ~van m clarion player
250

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Kurmanji Kurdish, Lesson 1 1

Roman Example English example IPA

B,b baş (good), bira (brother) bell [b]

P,p pişt (back), party [p]

Table 1. The Vowels in Kurmanji (approximate phonetic values)

Front Central Back

Table 2. The Consonants in Kurmanji

Zeyneb : Rojbaş. Navê min Zeyneb e. Navê te çi ye?

Merheba/Silav/Silamun eleykum Hello

Good bye (Xatirxwestin)

Bi xatirê te Good bye (to one person)

Response to bi xatirê te/we

Oxir be/Oxira te ya xêrê be/Bi xêr û silametî Good bye

and for the subjects of intransitive verbs in the past tenses.

Navê min Ehmed e. ‘My name is Ehmed’

B Expressing ‘to be’ in the present tense

After consonant: After vowel:

Ez ne kurd im ‘I am not a Kurd’ Ez ne ji Diyarbekirê me ‘I am not from D.’

Çend bajarên Kurdistanê / Some cities of Kurdistan

Navên din /other

Wan Van Tirkiye

a) Hekîm bavê Gulçînê ye.

C The indefiniteness suffix

Grammar / Rêziman 2 (continued)

D The Ezafe construction

Head noun Ezafe particle Possessive modifier

If the noun ends in a vowel, a -y- is put before the Ezafe:

1. FEMININE, NO INDEFINITENESS SUFFIX: FORM OF SUFFIX

Three further points about the Ezafe:

D1 The free or demonstrative Ezafe

D3 Possessors in the Oblique case

By the end of this lesson you will be able to:

• Ask about jobs

1. Text: Rojeke Min / My Day (literally: one day (roj-ek) of me)

1. Navê wî çi ye? ................................................................

Saet çend e? What time is it?

Saet ..................... ............................. ............................. .............................

........................... ............................. ............................. .............................

amûrên mitbaxê kitchen utensils

Ez he-me ‘I am, exist’ Em he-ne

The negative form is tune/nîne:

Li vir jinek tuneye / nîn e ‘there is no woman here’

Possibility 1 (with Izafe):

Some further examples of the second possibility:

Du pisîkên te hene./Te du pisîk hene. You have two cats.

C The Reflexive Xwe

Ew ji dersên xwe hez dike She likes her courses.

2. It can be used as reflexive pronoun as in:

C Dema Niha / The Simple Present Tense (Part 1)

1. Verbs in general: stems and infinitive

MEANİNG INFİNİTİVE PAST STEM PRESENT STEM

eat xwar-in xwar- xw-

2. The simple present tense

Ez di – xebit – im ‘I work / am working’

present tense prefix present stem personal ending

kirin (to do) xwendin (to read, study)

şûştin (to wash)

xwarin (to eat) xebitîn (to work)

zanîn (to know) karîn (to know)

3. Common irregular verbs in the present tense:

Hatin (to come)

Anîn (to bring)

from vexwarin the first person singular present is: ve-di-xw-im