Dersine Kurmancî
Resources for learning Kurmanji Kurdish
Last Updated: 31 May 2022
When I first decided I wanted to learn Kurdish, it was really difficult to find the resources I needed. By now, I've found quite a few – so I thought I'd share them.
Legend
? – These are resources I'm saving for later, but I haven't tried them yet $ – These resources may cost money × – These are general language-learning resources and not specific to one language ^ – Resources that are targeted at native speakers, but great for practice
Recent addition to the list are underlined
Books
$ “Learn Kurdish – A multi-level course in Kurmanji” by Baran Rizgar (PDF on academia) My personal favorite. Includes vocabulary, grammar, and exercises. Great for beginners
$ The “HÎNKER”-series A 3-book series with lots of exercises. 100% Kurmanji with no translations. Great for practicing/ internalizing learned grammar.
? “Fêrkera Kurdî-Asta Destpêkê” (PDF) Another book for beginners. Lots of texts and exercises
“Kurmanji Kurdish For The Beginners” (PDF) More fast-paced, good in combination with other resources
$ “Milet Picture Dictionary: English – Kurdish” If the title doesn't tell you as much, it's a picture dictionary
^ Pirtûkên Ji Bo Zarokan – Kurdish Children's Books (eBooks)
$ “Reise Know-How Sprachführer Kurdisch – Wort für Wort” (German) – A compact overview over the most essential grammar rules
Websites
× Tatoeba Kurmancî – A collection of kurmanji sentences with translations
× Journaly – A blogging platform for language learners. Post in your target language and let others correct you.
Medium: Kurdish Lessons – Phrases for beginners
× Verbix Kurdish – Verb Conjugations
Mamosteyê Zimanê Kurdî – Various Kurdish language resources for people who already understand a bit
University of Manchester: Kurdish Dialects – Written and spoken example sentences in different dialects. The link is leading to Qamişlo, Syria, but if you scroll down, you can find the others
nasname2020 (Instagram | Bibliogram) – Beginners' Vocabulary
Fêrbûn Kurmancî (Instagram | Bibliogram) – More beginners' vocabulary
Kurdî Aforîzma (Instagram | Bibliogram) – Aphorisms and quotes translated into Kurdish
Videos
Dersa Kurdî (kurd1) (Youtube | Invidious) – A 60-part video course
? Learn Kurdish Youtube Channel (Youtube | Invidious)
Apps
Learn Kurdish App (Play Store) – Well-organized list of basic vocabulary, with pictures and pronunciation
Beginner Kurdish (Play Store) – Learn Kurdish Words
WQ Ferheng (UpToDown APK | Play Store | AppStore) – Detailed dictionary app with synonyms, origin, translations, and more
Kurdish Learning (Play Store) – Kurdish words and phrases
Learn Kurdish With Pictures (Play Store) – Image-based vocab quiz
^ Lîstika Peyvan (Play Store) – Hangman game in Kurmanji
× uTalk (Website) – a language-learning app with a focus on listening and pronunciation
Memrise courses
Note: None of these are created by me
Kurmancî – Hînker-based course Based on the books listed above
? Kurmanji 200 hr familiarization course
? Learn Kurdish- A multi-level course in Kurmanji Based on the book listed above
? Kurmanji Kurdish for the beginners Based on the book listed above
Podcasts
^ Podcast Kurdî – Podcast focused on culture and news
^? Keskesor Podcast – Short stories