What The App Teaches
Both branches of the Circassian language
The term "Adyghe" is used in two ways. Narrowly, it means Western Circassian (spoken in the Republic of Adygea). Broadly, it is what Circassians call themselves and their language in general. The app teaches both: Adyghe (Western Circassian) and Kabardian (Eastern Circassian). Whichever branch your family speaks, you are in the right place.
Native audio for both dialects
Recorded with native speakers of both Adyghe and Kabardian. Every word, every lesson, the real pronunciation.
10 minutes a day
Short structured lessons that fit in a coffee break. Discipline beats intensity.
Built around Xabze
The Adyghe way of life, hospitality, respect for elders, Nart traditions, woven into every unit.
Built for the diaspora
Whether your family left in 1864 or 2014, the app meets you where you are. English, Russian, or Turkish interface.
Adyghe & Kabardian, Step by Step
A real curriculum, not a phrasebook
Every lesson builds on the last. Nothing skipped, nothing rushed.
The Circassian alphabet
Learn the letters of both the Kabardian and Adyghe alphabets, with audio. Including the consonants that scare linguists. You will actually find them kind of fun.
Family and daily life
Mother, father, grandmother, hospitality phrases, how to welcome a guest into your home the Circassian way.
Geography and identity
Rivers, mountains, villages, the sea. The landscape your ancestors named, finally in its own language.
Xabze in practice
Xabze is not abstract. It is how you greet an elder, sit at a table, pass through a doorway. The app shows you when each phrase is used.
The Plan
From download to conversation in four weeks
This is the path most users follow. You can go faster or slower, the app adapts.
Week 1: the alphabet
Recognize every letter by sight and sound. Five minutes morning, five minutes evening.
Week 2: first words
100 of the most common words. Family, food, numbers, greetings. Practiced until they stick.
Week 3: first sentences
Combine words. "Where is my mother?" "Please sit down." "Thank you for the meal." Real sentences, usable today.
Week 4: first conversation
Reply to a voice note from your aunt. Read a post in Адыгэ Макъ. Feel the language come alive.
Real Stories
From heritage learners and the diaspora
Adyghe FAQ
Common questions about learning Adyghe
Does the app teach Western Adyghe (Adygea Republic)?
Yes. The app teaches both Adyghe (Western Circassian) and Kabardian (Eastern Circassian). Both dialects have their own courses with native speaker audio.
What does "Adyghe" actually mean?
Adyghe (Адыгэ) is the native self-name of the Circassian people. In common usage it covers all Circassians. In linguistic classification it is sometimes used narrowly for Western Circassian only. The app covers both branches: Adyghe (Western) and Kabardian (Eastern).
What alphabet does it use?
Kabardian uses a 59-letter Cyrillic alphabet. It looks like Russian at first glance but includes special letters for uniquely Circassian sounds. The app teaches every one of them with audio.
How many people speak Kabardian?
About 1.6 million worldwide. Heaviest populations are in Kabardino-Balkaria, Karachay-Cherkessia, Türkiye, Jordan, and Syria, with smaller diaspora communities across Europe, Russia, and the Americas.
How is learning from the app different from a textbook?
Textbooks assume you can pronounce Kabardian just by reading it, which is impossible without audio. The app is audio-first. You hear every word before you see it spelled.
Is Circassian really endangered?
UNESCO classifies both Circassian languages as vulnerable. They are still spoken by families and in schools in the homeland, but transmission to the next generation is weakening, especially in the diaspora. That is exactly why this app exists.
Is the app really free?
Yes. The core course is free on iOS and Android. Premium content is available for learners who want to go deeper.