About the Badini Dialect: Speakers, Region, and Scripts
Badini is the Kurdish dialect of the Badinan region in northern Iraq, the first language of millions of people in and around Duhok, Zakho, Aqrah, and Amedi. This page looks at who speaks Badini, where they live, and the two scripts they write it in. For a plain-language explainer of the dialect itself, read what is Badini Kurdish.
Where Is Badini Spoken?
The Badinan region stretches across the northern part of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. The main cities are Duhok and Zakho, but Badini is also spoken in Aqrah, Bardarash, Sheikhan, and many rural areas in between. Outside of Iraq, you'll find Badini speakers in diaspora communities across Europe, North America, and Australia. Many families who left Iraq during periods of conflict still speak Badini at home.
Badini and Kurmanji
Linguistically, Badini is a variety of Kurmanji, the largest of the Kurdish dialects. Kurmanji is spoken across a wide area, from Turkey through Syria and into northern Iraq. Badini speakers can generally understand other Kurmanji speakers, though there are differences in vocabulary, pronunciation, and some grammar. Think of it like the difference between American and British English. The core language is the same, but the local flavor is distinct.
Two Writing Systems
One thing that makes Badini unique is that it uses two scripts. In Iraq, Badini is typically written in a modified Arabic script. This is the version used in schools, government documents, and local media. In Turkey and among many diaspora communities, a Latin-based alphabet is more common. Both scripts represent the same language, just written differently. You can see the full Badini alphabet in both scripts, letter by letter, and our translator supports both so you can read and write Badini in whichever script you prefer.
How Many People Speak Badini?
Exact numbers are hard to pin down, but estimates suggest several million people speak Badini as their first language. The population of Duhok Governorate alone is over 1.5 million. When you add surrounding areas and the global diaspora, the number of speakers grows significantly.
Why Badini Is Underserved by Technology
Despite millions of speakers, Badini has very little representation in translation tools, language apps, or digital services. Most Kurdish language tools focus on Sorani, the other major Kurdish dialect used in Iraq. Badini speakers have been left without reliable translation options, until now. Google Translate doesn't support Badini. Neither do most other translation platforms. That gap is exactly why we built Badini Translator.
Try the Translator
Badini Translator is a free tool that translates between Badini and 24 languages, with support for both Arabic and Latin scripts. You can translate English into Badini or go the other way and turn Badini into English. Whether you're learning Badini, staying connected with family, or just curious about the language, give it a try.