In case you have problems learning and using the correct words for family members and relations in real-life situations, the following article is precisely what you need. Although some family words are similar to other languages, some family attributes only exist in this language due to cultural reasons. To get into the depth of this matter, stay tuned!
How to talk about my family in Farsi
That’s a repetitive question among Persian language learners, and the reason for that is that family is a significant part of Persian culture. Consequently, it’s a subject that comes up quite often in various daily conversations. How do you say “aunt” in Farsi? What about “my brother” in Farsi? What do you call the “paternal uncle” in Farsi? However, you don’t need to worry because it looks complicated in the beginning. Once you get the hang of it, understanding these words and expressions will not be as complex. Continue reading the article to uncover everything you should know about family words in Persian.
Persian family vocabulary
First things first, let’s learn the basic family words in the Persian language.
Persian Word | Persian Spelling | English word |
خانواده | Khanevade | Family |
پدربزرگ | Pedarbozorg | Grandfather |
مادربزرگ | Madarbozorg | Grandmother |
نوه | Nave | Grandchild |
نتیجه | Natije | Great grandchild |
نبیره | Nabire | Great great grandchild |
ندیده | Nadide | Great great great grandchild |
پدر | Pedar | Father |
مادر | Madar | Mother |
دختر | Dokhtar | Daughter |
پسر | Pesar | Son |
زن | Zan | Wife |
خواهر | Khahar | Sister |
برادر | Baradar | Brother |
شوهر | Shohar | Husband |
همسر | Hamsar | Spouse |
Although many of these words are used in both formal and informal language, some are mostly used for formal language and have other words for informal situations.
بابا | Baba | Dad |
مامان | Maman | Mom |
بابابزرگ | Bababozorg | Granddad |
مامانبزرگ | Mamanbozorg | Grandmom |
آبجی | Abji | Sis |
داداش | Dadash | Bro |
Remember that these words are only used in informal conversational usage and cannot be used in written language.
Were you shocked to find out that there are four words to address the grandchildren? In Persian culture, individuality is very important. It is believed that if you address a member correctly, you have paid your respect to that individual as a singular person. So, don’t be surprised by the long list of words to address your relations! We are only getting started!
Maternal family words in Persian
Now, to address a family member, you should also know that there are different words used for the members on the maternal and paternal sides. Let’s start with the maternal family words:
Persian Word | Persian Spelling | English word | Relation |
خاله | Khale | Aunt | The sister of your mother |
شوهرخاله | Shohar Khale | Uncle | The husband of your Khale |
دخترخاله | Dokhtar Khale | Cousin | The daughter of your Khale |
پسرخاله | Pesar Khale | Cousin | The son of your Khale |
دایی | Daiee | Uncle | The brother of your mother |
زندایی | Zan Daiee | Aunt | The wife of your Daiee |
دختردایی | Dokhtar Daiee | Cousin | The daughter of your Daiee |
پسردایی | Pesar Daiee | Cousin | The son of your Daiee |
Paternal family words in Persin
Now, here’s the list of paternal family words:
Persian Word | Persian Spelling | English word | Relation |
عمو | Amoo | Uncle | The brother of your father |
زن عمو | Zan Amoo | Aunt | The wife of your Amoo |
دختر عمو | Dokhtar Amoo | Cousin | The daughter of your Amoo |
پسر عمو | Pesar Amoo | Cousin | The son of Your Amoo |
عمه | Amme | Aunt | The sister of your father |
شوهرعمه | Shohar Amme | Uncle | The husband of your Amme |
دخترعمه | Dokhtar Amme | Cousin | The daughter of your Amme |
پسرعمه | Pesar Amme | Cousin | The son of your Amme |
Step into the world of “in-laws”
In addition to the above mentioned, there are various words to address your in-laws:
Persian Word | Persian Spelling | English word | Relation |
پدرشوهر | Pedar Shohar | Father in law | The father of your husband |
مادرشوهر | Madar Shohar | Mother in law | The mother of your husband |
برادرشوهر | Baradar Shohar | Brother in law | The brother of your husband |
خواهرشوهر | Khahar Shohar | Sister in law | The sister of your husband |
پدرزن | Pedar Zan | Father in law | The father of your wife |
مادرزن | Madar Zan | Mother in law | The mother of your wife |
برادرزن | Baradar Zan | Brother in law | The brother of your wife |
خواهرزن | Khahar Zan | Sister in law | The sister of your wife |
باجناق | Bajenagh | Brother in law | The husband of your wife’s sister |
جاری | Jari | Sister in law | The wife of your husband’s brother |
داماد | Damad | Son in law | Your daughter’s husband |
عروس | Aroos | Daughter in law | Your son’s wife |
How should you address your siblings’ children
We’re almost done! The following is how to address your siblings’ children:
Persian Word | Persian Spelling | English word | Relation |
برادرزاده | Baradarzade | Nephew, niece | The child of your brother |
پسربرادر | Pesar Baradar | Nephew | Your brother’s son |
دختربرادر | Dokhtar Baradar | Niece | Your brother’s daughter |
خواهرزاده | Khahar zade | Nephew, niece | The child of your sister |
پسرخواهر | Pesar Khahar | Nephew | Your sister’s son |
دخترخواهر | Dokhtar Khahar | Niece | Your sister’s daughter |
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