چاو پیس (Çaw pîs)
What does چاو پیس (Çaw pîs) mean? چاو پیس (Çaw pîs) is a Kurdish moderate that translates to “bearer of the evil eye / jinx” in English.
Literal Translation
dirty eye
Meaning & Usage
"bearer of the evil eye / jinx"
Someone whose envious gaze causes misfortune, illness, or destruction.
Examples in the Wild
Blaming a neighbor when a glass mysteriously shatters after they walked by.
Regional Variations
When to Use It
Context
- Casual conversations with friends
- Informal settings where profanity is accepted
- Direct confrontation (use with caution)
Avoid
- Professional or formal settings
- Job interviews, meetings, or customer-facing situations
Cultural Context
The Sorani equivalent to the concept of the evil eye. This is not to be taken lightly. If someone is labeled 'Çaw pîs', people will actively hide their pregnant wives, new cars, and healthy children from them to avoid bringing curses upon their households. It ostracizes a person socially.
More in Kurdish 🇮🇶
View all →خوشک حیز (Xwîşk hîz)
“sister-fucker / your sister is a whore”
An insult implying the listener's sister is profoundly promiscuous or a prostitute.
Kero / Kerê
“jackass / idiot / stubborn fool”
Calling someone a donkey to highlight their stupidity or immense stubbornness.
کوڕی سەگ (Kurrî seg)
“son of a bitch / bastard”
The Sorani equivalent of 'son of a dog', carrying identical cultural weight.
Qûnek
“faggot / passive gay”
The Kurmanji equivalent to Sorani's 'Qûneder', signifying a passive homosexual male.
سۆزانی (sozani)
“bitch / whore”
Severe insult targeting women's sexual morality.
قووزی دایکت (Qûzî daykit)
“motherfucker”
The exact Sorani parallel to 'Kûzê diya te'.
خوێڕی (Xwêrî)
“useless scum / vagabond / lowlife”
A person completely lacking in value, productivity, or social standing; a vagrant or rascal.
Pîç / پێچ (Pîç)
“bastard / little shit”
A bastard. Depending on context, a severe insult regarding illegitimacy or a playful term for a mischievous kid.