جاش (Cehş / Jash)
What does جاش (Cehş / Jash) mean? جاش (Cehş / Jash) is a Kurdish nuclear that translates to “traitor / collaborator / Judas” in English.
Literal Translation
donkey foal / young mule
Meaning & Usage
"traitor / collaborator / Judas"
Literally a baby donkey, but culturally one of the most toxic words in modern Kurdish history: a traitor to the Kurdish people.
Examples in the Wild
Screamed at politicians who are perceived as selling out Kurdish autonomy for personal wealth.
Regional Variations
When to Use It
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
- Almost any situation — this is as offensive as it gets
- Job interviews, meetings, or customer-facing situations
Cultural Context
DURING the brutal Ba'athist regimes and various conflicts, Kurds who took money from the state to fight against Kurdish rebels were termed 'Jash' (Donkey foals). They were seen as carrying the master's burden. Today, calling a Kurd a 'Jash' is an unforgivable political and moral slur. It accuses them of having the blood of their own people on their hands. It is vastly heavier than just calling someone a donkey.
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.