Diving & Water Sports

1. Ez dixwazim xwe noq bikim binê avê.

   I'd like to go scuba diving.

   Usage

   Express desire to go scuba diving

   Grammar Note

   Kurmanji has no established term for scuba diving. The way to say it is "xwe noq kirin binê avê" (to submerge oneself under the water); "noq" is the adjective "submerged". "dalûv" is not a word

2. Ma ji bo noqbûna binê avê belgeyek hewce ye?

   Is a diving certification required?

   Usage

   Check if diving certification needed

   Grammar Note

   "hewce ye" = "is needed". "Diving" is the verbal noun "noqbûn" plus an ezafe: "noqbûna binê avê"

3. Ez li ku dikarim kincê şil bi kirê bigirim?

   Where can I rent a wetsuit?

   Usage

   Find wetsuit rental location

   Grammar Note

   "kincê şil" is the ezafe "wet suit"; an adjective after the ezafe takes no ending ("şilê" would be an oblique noun). The speaker is asking about themselves, so the verb must be 1sg: "Ez ... dikarim ... bigirim"

4. Ev cihê noqbûnê çiqas kûr e?

   How deep is this dive site?

   Usage

   Ask dive site depth

   Grammar Note

   "çiqas kûr" = "how deep". The phrase is the subject, so the demonstrative is nominative "Ev"; "Vî" is oblique

5. Ma li vir heywanên avî yên xeternak hene?

   Are there dangerous marine animals here?

   Usage

   Ask about dangerous marine life

   Grammar Note

   Location needs the preposition "li" ("li vir" = here). "masî" means only "fish", so marine life in general is "heywanên avî"; a second modifier is linked with "yên"

6. Ma rewşên îro ji bo noqbûnê baş in?

   Are conditions good for diving today?

   Usage

   Check diving conditions for today

   Grammar Note

   "in" = 3pl copula "are". "Diving" is "noqbûn"; "dalûv" is not a word

7. Ez dixwazim şnorkelê biceribînim.

   I'd like to try snorkeling.

   Usage

   Express interest in snorkeling

   Grammar Note

   "biceribînim" = 1sg subjunctive "try". Kurmanji has no native word for snorkeling, so the international term "şnorkel" is borrowed, as with snowboard, yoga, etc. "şilkêşî" was invented

8. Ma ez dikarim noqbûneke bi keştiyê rezerve bikim?

   Can I book a boat dive?

   Usage

   Book a boat dive

   Grammar Note

   "noqbûneke bi keştiyê" = "a dive by boat" (indefinite noun plus an instrumental phrase)

9. Cihê mercanan li ku ye?

   Where is the coral reef?

   Usage

   Ask where coral reef is located

   Grammar Note

   "li ku ye" = "where is it" (singular). Kurmanji has no fixed term for "coral reef", so the phrase asks for "the place of the corals"; using "kevir" (stone) would say "coral stones"

10. Belgeya min a noqbûna binê avê heye — PADI Open Water.

    I'm a certified diver — PADI Open Water.

    Usage

    State diving certification

    Grammar Note

    Kurmanji has no noun for "diver", so the sentence is recast as possession of a certificate. "dalûvan" was invented

11. Ez dixwazim dersên pelsiwariyê bigirim.

    I'd like surfing lessons.

    Usage

    Sign up for surfing lesson

    Grammar Note

    "bigirim" = 1sg subjunctive "take". "Surfing" is "pelsiwarî" (pêl "wave" + siwar "rider"); "serfsûarî" is a garbled version of it

12. Rewşa herika / lêdana pêlê çawa ye?

    What are the current / tide conditions?

    Usage

    Ask about current and tide conditions

    Grammar Note

    "rewşa" = "condition of" ezafe genitive

13. Nîşana awarte ya binê avê çi ye?

    What is the emergency signal underwater?

    Usage

    Learn underwater emergency signal

    Grammar Note

    "binê avê" = "under the water" locative

14. Ez dixwazim texteya pelsiwariyê bi kirê bigirim.

    I'd like to rent a surfboard.

    Usage

    Rent a surfboard

    Grammar Note

    "texteya pelsiwariyê" = ezafe "board of surfing"; "surfing" is "pelsiwarî"

15. Cihê herî baş ji bo destpêkêran kîjan e?

    What's the best spot for beginners?

    Usage

    Find best beginner spot

    Grammar Note

    "herî baş" = "best" superlative

16. Ma noqbûna şevê heye?

    Is night diving available?

    Usage

    Ask if night diving is available

    Grammar Note

    "şevê" is the oblique "of the night". "Diving" is "noqbûn"

Browse all TravelPhrases languages