Agir bi mala te keve

aˈgɪɾ bɪ ˈma.la tɛ ˈkɛ.vɛcurse, familial, kurmanji

What does Agir bi mala te keve mean? Agir bi mala te keve is a Kurdish severe that translates to “burn in hell / I curse your whole family” in English.

may fire fall upon your house

01

"burn in hell / I curse your whole family"

A traditional curse wishing absolute destruction (fire) upon the listener's home and family lineage.

Muttered by a woman who has been deeply wronged or cheated out of money.

Kurmanji

Context

  • Expressing strong frustration or emphasis
  • Only among very close friends who share this register

Avoid

  • Professional or formal settings
  • Around elders or authority figures
  • Public spaces — will cause genuine offense
  • Job interviews, meetings, or customer-facing situations

Cultural Context

Kurdish swearing heavily relies on 'Nifir' (curses). Wishing fire upon a house is wishing the eradication of the family line, their wealth, and their physical safety. Older Kurdish women are famously adept at weaving these complex, devastating curses rather than using modern sexual swear words. It invokes a fear of divine or cosmic retribution.

More in Kurdish 🇮🇶

View all →