How to Get Started Learning Sorani

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posted on 17 years ago — updated on 1 second ago

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Kurdistan is a region currently divided into four parts, lying in Iraq, Iran, Syria and Turkey, with Iraqi Kurdistan being the most autonomous. The three main dialects of Kurdish people are Kurmanji (Northern Kurdish), Sorani (Middle Kurdish), and Kalhuri (Southern Kurdish). Sorani is spoken by a total of approximately 10 million people in Iraq and Iran. All of them are in the Iranian language family. It is the most widespread speech form of Iraqi Kurds, and is the language of a plurality of Kurds in Eastern Kurdistan. Soranî is usually written in the Arabic script, from right to left, but also has a Romanized form which we will address here.

Steps

There are very few online resources for learning Sorani. Here are a few expressions, words and phrases to get you started:

Learn the key words: Yes: Bale No: Na Thank you: Supas Please: Tkaya And: Woo

Learn some phrases. Good morning: Bayanit bash Good Afternoon: Niwarot bash Good Evening: Ewarat bash Good Night: Shaw Shad Good day: Roj Bash Goodbye: Xwahafiz (Xwa= God / hafiz= protect) Hello: Slaw

Learn some common questions and answers. How are you?: Choni? to choni? I am okay: Bashm(Turkish) chaakem (Iraq) I am very okay: Zor bashm I am not okay: Bash nim I am ill: Naxoshm Where are you? Lakwey? Where do you live? Lakwey azhit? I live in England: La Englestan azhim How old are you?: Tamant chanda? What is your name?: Nawt chya? Where are you going?: Bo kwe aroy? I go to work: Achm bo îsh When are you coming back?: Kay yatawa? I come back evening: Eawara demawa What is your job?: îsht chya? Did you arrive: Gayshti? I am going: Arom What?: Chi? How many?: Chand? How many brothers have you got?: Chand brat haya? I have one brother: Yak bram haya Have you got children?: Mnall't haya? How are you doing?: Bashee? Fine thanks, and you?: Bash'm supas ey to? Do you know what I mean?: Te agate?

Learn what to call people. You: to (pronounced 'tå') I:m: (A little bit complicated) My: Add "m" to noun ending ("My nose" becomes "lut[m]") Mum: Dayk Dad: Bawk Sister: Khoshk Brother: Bra Paternal uncle: Mam Maternal uncle: Khal Girl: Kch A girl: Kchek Boy: Kur (pronounced 'kooorr') A boy: Kurek Teacher: Mamosta

Learn the names of some foods. I eat: Khwarden axom Rice: Brnj Tea: Cha Coffee: Qawa Water: Aaw Soup: Shorba Okra: Bamya Yogurt: Mast

Learn a few other key words. Car: Sayara (Old Kurdi) Aotomobel (New Kurdi) Life: Zhyan Country: Walat City: Shar Village: Ladey House: mal / khano Nation/ tribe: Khell Place of first date: Shweny khwazbyeny yekem Child: Mnall Shirt: Kras Day: Roj Kiss: Mach

Learn some expressions You are beautiful: To Jwanit I am going: Min Arom Do not go: Marro Come on: De wera Come to me: Wara bo laymn I swear to God: Ba xwa For example: Bo nemoona Good luck: Baxtawar You are a very nice girl: To kcheki zor jwani You are a very nice boy: To kureki zor jwani I love you: Khoshm aweyt (xoshm aweyt) Life is nice: Zhyan khosha (Zhyan xosha)

Learn some descriptive words. Together: Pekawa In: la naw Above (on): sar Below (under): zher Beside: Tanisht Back: Psht Go: Bero Nice: Khosh OK: Bash Many/very: Zor Pain: zhan

Learn a few major body parts. Head: Sar Neck: Mel Eye/ eyes: Chaw Nose: Loot Mouth: Dam Eyebrow: Brä Ear/ ears: Gwe Hair: Qzh Cheek: Roomat Hand: Dast Shoulder: Shan Chest: Sng Breast: Mamk Abdomen: Sk Umbilicus: Nawk Foot/ feet/ lower limb: qach Fingers: Panja Back: Psht Knee: Azhnoo

Learn to count. 1: yiek 2: doo 3: ce 4: chwar 5: penj 6: shash 7: hawt 8: hasht 9: noh 10: de 11: yanza 12: dwanza 13: syanza 14: chwarda 15: panza 16: shanza 17: havda 18: hazhda 19: nozda 20: bist 21: bist u yak 30: ci 40: chl 50: penja 60: shast 70: hafta 80: hashta 90: nawa 100: saa 101: saa u yak 1000: hazar