How to Say "Yes" in Kurdish - How To Say Guide

ئەرێ

erê

The English word "yes" can be translated into Kurdish using several forms, most commonly ئەرێ (erê). Wiktionary also lists بەڵێ (bellê) and ئا (a).

Meaning: word used to indicate agreement or acceptance (particle)

Ways to say it

These words are particles used to indicate agreement or acceptance.

ئەرێ is a more colloquial or informal way to say "yes" compared to بەڵێ.

ئەرێ is commonly used in the Sorani dialect of Kurdish.

erê

In some Kurdish dialects, nodding your head up and down can actually signify 'no' rather than 'yes', which might confuse English speakers.
In some dialects, بەڵێ can be used to express a polite 'Excuse me' or to get someone's attention when they call your name.
Depending on the region, using ئەرێ at the start of a sentence can act as a question marker to seek confirmation, similar to 'Right?' or 'Isn't it?'

بەڵێ، ئەوم ماچ کرد.
Yes, I kissed him.
This sentence demonstrates the use of بەڵێ to confirm an action.
Tatoeba #9798533 by Sarchia, translation #2260408 by Hybrid
بەڵێ، ئەوەندەی من بزانم.
Yes, as far as I know.
This sentence shows how to use بەڵێ to express the extent of one's knowledge.
Tatoeba #10310742 by Sarchia, translation #774268 by FeuDRenais2
بەڵێ، چەندین ساڵ لەوێ ژیام.
Yes, I lived there for many years.
This sentence uses بەڵێ to confirm a past duration of living somewhere.
Tatoeba #10611428 by Sarchia, translation #2093390 by gleki
5 more sentences on Tatoeba

Soran and Layla are deciding what to eat for lunch.

Sources

Wiktionary, “yes” translations and entries ئا, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.

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