Kurdish Phrase · Polite Expressions
Yes and No in Kurdish
Answer
Erê / Na
(Yes and no)
"Yes" in Kurmanji Kurdish is Erê, and "no" is Na. A more emphatic or formal "yes" is Belê.
Formal, informal & dialect variants
| When to use | Kurdish | English |
|---|---|---|
| Yes (common) | Erê | Yes |
| Yes (formal/emphatic) | Belê | Yes (formal) |
| No | Na | No |
| Sorani — yes / noCentral Kurdish, Arabic script | Belê / Na — بەڵێ / نا | Yes / No |
Which "yes" should I use?
In everyday speech Erê is the default "yes". Belê is a touch more formal or emphatic — handy with elders, in interviews, or when you want to sound polite. Both are widely understood.
To say "no", Na is used everywhere. To politely decline something you can pair it with thanks: Na, spas ("No, thank you").
Frequently asked questions
How do you say "yes" in Kurdish?
"Erê" is the everyday "yes" in Kurmanji; "Belê" is a more formal/emphatic yes.
How do you say "no" in Kurdish?
"Na" means "no" in Kurmanji Kurdish. "Na, spas" is a polite "No, thank you".
Kurdish: Erê / Na