Newroz pîroz be
In Kurdish, "happy nowruz" is said as Newroz pîroz be.
The phrase Newroz pîroz be is a standard greeting used during the Nowruz spring festival to wish others well.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of Newroz (Nowruz), pîroz (blessed, celebrated or congratulated) and be (may it be).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Kurmanji dialect, you may use Nowrozê pîroz be or Nowrozê pîroz be ji bo te. The phrase ji bo means "for" in Kurdish.
How does it change in a sentence?
If you want to direct the wish specifically to the person you are speaking to, you can change be to bî to use the second person singular form, creating Newroz pîroz bî (May you have a happy Nowruz).
When do people say it?
A common response to this greeting is Spas, tu jî pîroz be, which means "Thanks, happy [Nowruz] to you too".
Did you know?
- While Newroz is a general spring greeting, for many Kurds it is specifically linked to the legend of Kawa the Blacksmith, who overthrew a tyrannical king.
- Kurdish speakers often use the greeting Newroz pîroz be while lighting large bonfires, a custom symbolizing the fire of freedom and rebirth.
- The word pîroz used in this greeting is a linguistic relative of the Persian word piruz, which means 'victorious'.
Examples in context
- Newroz pîroz be.Happy Nowruz!This sentence is useful for practicing the greeting Newroz pîroz be.Tatoeba #7820464 by soliloquist, translation #10542761 by Sarchia
- Newroz pîroz be ji bo te.Happy Nowruz to you.
- Ji bo hemû malbatê Newroz pîroz be.Happy Nowruz to the whole family.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends meet during the spring festival.
- HevalNewroz pîroz be, Sarya!Happy Nowruz, Sarya!
- SaryaSpas, Heval, Newroz pîroz be ji te jî.Thanks, Heval, happy Nowruz to you too.
- HevalTu îro çawa yî?How are you today?
- SaryaEz gelek baş im, spas.I am very well, thanks.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries pîroz, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
