Dari Words and Their Iranian Counterparts
The words that change name vehicles, shops, school, the hospital and some foods.
How It Works
Dari and Iranian Persian share one written standard, and many words are the same: کتاب، آب، نان، چای، خانه، دوست. A short list of everyday words is different, and Afghans expect the Dari one. Here are ten pairs.
| Dari | Iranian Persian | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| موتر | ماشین | car |
| بس | اتوبوس | bus |
| سرک | خیابان | street, road |
| دکان | مغازه | shop |
| مکتب | مدرسه | school |
| شفاخانه | بیمارستان | hospital |
| داکتر | دکتر | doctor |
| کچالو | سیب‌زمینی | potato |
| تشکر | ممنون | thanks |
| کاکا | عمو | father's brother |
The same happens in the family. A father's brother is کاکا and a mother's brother is ماما in Dari. In Iran they are عمو and دایی.
Use the Dari word when you speak and write Dari. When you read an Iranian book or watch an Iranian film, you will meet the right-hand column, and now you will know it.
Examples (5)
- موتر کاکایم نو است.
My uncle's car is new.
Dari says موتر for a car. Iranian Persian says ماشین. کاکا is a father's brother, and Iranian Persian says عمو.
- خواهرم در شفاخانه کار می‌کند.
My sister works at the hospital.
Dari says شفاخانه for a hospital. Iranian Persian says بیمارستان.
- برادرم از بازار کچالو و بادنجان رومی خرید.
My brother bought potatoes and tomatoes at the market.
Dari says کچالو and بادنجان رومی. Iranian Persian says سیب‌زمینی and گوجه‌فرنگی.
- ما هر روز با بس به مکتب می‌رویم.
We go to school by bus every day.
Dari says بس and مکتب. Iranian Persian says اتوبوس and مدرسه.
- تشکر، چای بسیار خوش‌مزه بود.
Thanks, the tea was very tasty.
Dari says تشکر for thanks. Iranian Persian says ممنون or مرسی.
Common Mistakes
Using the Iranian word for car in Dari.
ماشین ما نو است.موتر ما نو است.ماشین is the Iranian word. Afghans say موتر.
Using the Iranian word for tomato in Dari.
گوجه‌فرنگی و کچالو بخر.بادنجان رومی و کچالو بخر.گوجه‌فرنگی is the Iranian word. Afghans say بادنجان رومی.
How It Connects
Learn This First
This row names Dari and Iranian words that differ.
Related Patterns
- Written Dari and Everyday Kabul Speech
Everyday talk in Kabul changes some small words, and that is a different list.
Foundations - تشکر و ببخشیدThank You and Excuse Me
تشکر is the Dari word for thanks.
Level 1 - زیادتر و کمترMore and Less with زیادتر and کمتر
زیادتر is another Dari word where Iranian Persian says بیشتر.
Level 3
Words in This Pattern
Practice Dari Words and Their Iranian Counterparts in Bubblegum
Poppy, your AI tutor, writes Dari lessons at your level. Tap any grammar point in a lesson to see its full explanation.
