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
A schematic selection of the main areas where the language is used. Language use does not always follow national borders, and the map does not show complete population statistics.
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 areas of use
Common uses for this language combination
It is not just about the language. ABBA-Sprachendienste also takes into account the document type, recipient, subject area, certification requirements and the language combination you need.
Have your document checked- 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 glimpse of the language
Three phrases to start with
The transliteration is only a rough guide. Pronunciation and regional forms may differ.
| Original | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Salam | — | Hello |
| Təşəkkür edirəm | — | Thank you very much |
| Zəhmət olmasa | — | Please |
Sources and classification
Further information
Speaker numbers are rounded guide figures and may vary depending on the definition, the year of the survey 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 as of 14 July 2026. The information will be cross-checked by subject experts before the website goes live.
Azerbaijani FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Azerbaijani
Can I have documents translated from Azerbaijani into German and from German into Azerbaijani?
You can request either direction. We give a binding commitment once we have checked the document type, subject area, certification, appointment and intended use.
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?
That is decided by the authority, court or notary receiving the document, or by whichever other office has requested it. Tell ABBA-Sprachendienste where the document will be submitted, so that your requirements can be assessed properly.
Is a photo enough for the initial check?
Yes. A complete, sharp and clearly legible photo or PDF is usually enough for us to check your request and prepare a quote. Depending on the job, the original may also be needed later, when the work is carried out.
Request a specific review of Azerbaijani ↔ German
Send a clear photo or PDF. ABBA-Sprachendienste will personally check the language combination, document, intended use and whether certification is needed.
