Several generations of writing systems
The year and place of issue determine whether the document uses Latin, Cyrillic or Arabic script.
Oghuz Turkic language
Request an Azerbaijani translation
Azərbaycan dili
Azerbaijani is ABBA-Sprachendienste's particularly well-documented core competence. Saiga Abbasova is an authorised translator and generally sworn court interpreter for this language.
Depending on the definition used, approximately 25 to 30 million people worldwide speak Azerbaijani.
Geographical distribution of Azerbaijani
- Main areas of use
- Other regional use
- Selected diaspora communities
Azerbaijan
Iran
Türkiye
Germany
Schematic selection of key areas where the language is used. Language use does not always follow national borders; the map is not a comprehensive population statistic.
Language profile
Azerbaijani at a glance
- Native name
- Azərbaycan dili
- Language family
- Oghuz Turkic language
- Script
- Usually Latin script today; older documents may use Cyrillic or Arabic script
- Language code
- az
Documents and uses
Common uses for this language combination
The language alone is not decisive. ABBA-Sprachendienste also considers the document type, recipient, subject area, certification requirements and requested language direction.
Request a document review- Birth and marriage certificates
- Powers of attorney and apostilles
- Court and notarial documents
- Certificates and diplomas
- Civil-status and residence documents
Origin and development
How the language developed
Azerbaijani belongs to the Oghuz branch of the Turkic language family and is closely related to Turkish. The modern standard language developed from regional Oghuz varieties in the Caucasus and northern Iran.
The history of the writing system is particularly relevant to documents: alongside Arabic script, Latin and Cyrillic alphabets were used in the 20th century. The Republic of Azerbaijan uses a Latin alphabet today, but older certificates may look markedly different.
Good to know
What makes this language distinctive
Match names exactly
A name may be transliterated differently in older and newer documents. Existing passports and previous translations can help ensure consistency.
Formally documented specialist expertise
Saiga Abbasova's court oath and authorisation to produce certified translations make this language combination ABBA-Sprachendienste's strongest area of professional expertise.
A brief introduction to the language
Three introductory expressions
The transliteration is intended only as an initial guide. Pronunciation and regional forms may vary.
| Original | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Salam | — | Hello |
| Təşəkkür edirəm | — | Thank you very much |
| Zəhmət olmasa | — | Please |
Sources and classification
Further information
Speaker numbers are rounded estimates and may vary depending on the definition, survey year and whether second-language speakers are included.
- Azerbaijani language
Wikipedia · language-specific overview
- Codes for the Representation of Names of Languages
Library of Congress / ISO 639-2 Registration Authority · Language codes and standardised language names
- Language and Locale Names
Unicode Common Locale Data Repository · Language, script and territory names and variants
- Glottolog 5.3
Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology · Language families, classification and linguistic literature
Editorial sources current as at 14 July 2026. The information will undergo a specialist review before the production launch.
Azerbaijani FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Azerbaijani
Can I have documents translated from Azerbaijani into German and from German into Azerbaijani?
Both directions can be requested. Binding confirmation is provided after the document type, subject area, certification requirements, appointment and intended use have been assessed.
Which documents are commonly relevant for Azerbaijani?
Birth and marriage certificates, powers of attorney and apostilles, court and notarial documents, certificates and diplomas are common examples. Other types of documents can also be assessed from a clear photo or PDF.
What does ABBA-Sprachendienste check in Azerbaijani documents?
The review covers the language direction, document type, script—usually Latin today, but Cyrillic or Arabic in older documents—names, stamps, subject area, intended use and any potential need for certification.
Do I need a certified translation of my Azerbaijani document?
The receiving authority, court, notary or other requesting body decides this. Tell ABBA-Sprachendienste where the document will be submitted so that the requirements can be assessed appropriately.
Is a photo sufficient for the initial review?
Yes. A complete, sharp and clearly legible photo or PDF is usually sufficient for an initial quotation review. Depending on the assignment, the original may also be required later.
Request a specific review of Azerbaijani ↔ German
Send a clear photo or PDF. ABBA-Sprachendienste will personally assess the language direction, document, intended use and certification requirements.
