silav
/sɪˈlɑːv/
Hello in Kurdish is silav. It is also spelled selam. Wiktionary also lists merheba.
Meaning: greeting (intj)
Ways to say it
| Kurdish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| silav | /sɪˈlɑːv/ | |
| merheba | ||
| selam | /sæɫaːm/ | alternative form |
For a more polite and common expression, you can say Silav dikim, which translates to "I greet you."
What does it mean word for word?
The word silav literally means 'peace' or 'greeting'.
Which one should you use?
selam is an alternative spelling of silav.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
merheba is a more formal or standard way to say hello, often used when greeting someone you do not know well. For a very polite way to greet someone, you can use the phrase Silav dikim.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Sorani dialect, Slaw is a common greeting used in the same way as Silav dikim is used in Kurmanji.
How do you pronounce it?
/sɪˈlɑːv/
When do people say it?
When greeting someone, you might also use the phrase Roja baş to say "Good morning".
Did you know?
- In some Kurdish traditions, a greeting is not considered complete without asking about the health and well-being of the other person's entire family.
- In many Kurdish social contexts, a greeting like silav is often accompanied by placing a hand over the heart as a sign of respect and sincerity.
- The Kurdish greeting silav shares the same linguistic roots as the Arabic word 'salām', which is the foundation for the 'Salaam' used in many Islamic cultures.
Examples in context
- Silav!Hello!This example shows the use of silav as a standalone greeting.Tatoeba #9156258 by Gavbigav, translation #373330 by CK
- Silav, Tom.Hello, Tom.This example shows how to use silav when addressing a specific person.Tatoeba #9167174 by Gavbigav, translation #54604 by Zifre
Example conversation
Layla sees her neighbor Dijwar on the street.
- LaylaSilav, Dijwar!Hello, Dijwar!
- DijwarSilav, Layla, tu çawa yî?Hello, Layla, how are you?
- LaylaEz baş im, spas dikim.I am fine, thank you.
- DijwarEz jî baş im.I am also fine.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hello” translations and entries silav, selam, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries silav, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
