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Dialect comparison

Sorani vs Zaza

Compare two dialects of Kurdish side by side — where they're spoken, what they're called, and how they relate.

Sorani

Spoken across Iraqi Kurdistan and western Iran. The main written language in Iraqi Kurdistan.

Spoken in
Speakers (approx.)
7,000,000
Approximate centre
36.19°, 44.01°
Zaza

Spoken in eastern Turkey. Closely related to Kurdish varieties, with its own grammar and vocabulary.

Spoken in
Approximate centre
38.70°, 39.50°

How to read this comparison

Which one to learn

Start with Sorani or Zaza based on the community, country, or media you expect to use most.

Mutual understanding

Shared language labels do not guarantee identical speech. Compare country coverage, aliases, and audio where available.

Where to go next

Open each dialect page for sources, nearby varieties, atlas context, and app availability.

Keep exploring

Read the full picture of Kurdish and the dialects within it.

Open Kurdish →Sorani →Zaza →Explore the atlas →

More comparisons

Bahdini vs Sorani →Bahdini vs Zaza →Hawrami vs Sorani →Hawrami vs Zaza →Kurmanji vs Sorani →Kurmanji vs Zaza →

Continue exploring

DialectSoraniSpoken across Iraqi Kurdistan and western Iran. The main written language in Iraqi Kurdistan.DialectZazaSpoken in eastern Turkey. Closely related to Kurdish varieties, with its own grammar and vocabulary.CompareBahdini vs SoraniAtlasExplore the atlasRead the full picture of Kurdish and the dialects within it.