Phrases
Ajaj, Nār, Huwaya: How Iraqis Talk About the Weather
عجاج
'ajaaj
Dust storm (Iraqi-specific)
Dust storms and extreme heat
Iraq is famous for its dust storms, called عجاج ('ajaaj) — a distinctly Iraqi term. When it's unbearably hot, Iraqis say نار (nar) — 'fire' — to describe the intensity. The word كلش حار (kulish harr) means 'very hot' and you'll use it constantly in summer.
عجاج
'ajaaj
Dust storm
Common and distinct Iraqi term
نار
nar
Fire (used for extreme heat)
اليوم كلش حار
al-youm kulish harr
Today is very hot
Rain, cold, and nice weather
For 'it will rain', say راح تمطر (rah tamtur). When it's cold, say باردة (barda). Iraqis love a good breeze, or هوا طيب (hawa tayyib) — 'nice air.' To ask about the weather, say شلون الجو؟ (shlon al-jow?) — 'how's the weather?'
شلون الجو
shlon al-jow
How is the weather?
راح تمطر
rah tamtur
It will rain
هوا طيب
hawa tayyib
Nice breeze / Good air
رطوبة
rutoobah
Humidity
Especially in Basra
Practice these phrases in the app
Hachi teaches you real Iraqi Arabic through interactive lessons, audio, and conversation practice.
Download Hachi