What it does
Kalema is a word connect game: letters sit in a circle, and you swipe between them to form words that fill the puzzle board. It's the familiar, relaxing format you already know — except the words are in Dari, Hazaragi, Pashto, Farsi or English, whichever you choose.
For millions of Afghans living abroad, chances to actually use their mother tongue get rarer every year — especially for kids growing up in a new country. Kalema turns those languages into a game you can play on the bus, at home, or together as a family, so practicing vocabulary feels like fun instead of homework.
Languages you can play in
- Dari (دری) — the language the game was born in
- Hazaragi (هزارگی) — rarely supported anywhere, fully supported here
- Pashto (پښتو)
- Farsi (فارسی)
- English — for mixed-language families and learners
Why it exists
Most word games ignore Afghan languages entirely. If you grew up speaking Dari or Hazaragi at home but spend your whole day in English, German or Swedish, your vocabulary quietly shrinks. Kalema was built to push back on that — a small daily ritual that keeps hundreds of words fresh in your mind, and a way for parents to pass their language on to children who've never lived in Afghanistan.
Whether you're in Europe, North America, Australia or anywhere else, your language fits in your pocket.
Where to get it
Kalema is live now on the Apple App Store for iPhone and iPad. The Android version is live as well — it is live on Google Play.
Frequently asked questions
Which languages does Kalema support?
Dari, Hazaragi, Pashto, Farsi and English. You can switch languages any time and play in whichever one you want to practice.
Is Kalema available on Android?
Sure — the Android version is live in Google Play Store.
Is it free?
Yes. Kalema is free to download and play.
Do I need to know the language fluently to play?
No — that's the point. Kalema works great for heritage speakers who understand the language but want to strengthen their vocabulary, and for family members learning from scratch.
Who is it made for?
Afghans abroad first and foremost — but anyone who speaks or is learning Dari, Hazaragi, Pashto or Farsi will feel at home.