یک ذره
yek zarreh
The English phrase "a little bit" is translated into Persian as یک ذره (yek zarreh).
The phrase یک ذره is used to describe a small amount or quantity of something.
What does it mean word for word?
یک ذره is composed of yek (one) and zarreh (particle, speck or atom), literally meaning "one speck".
How do you pronounce it?
yek zarreh
Did you know?
- In Persian, یک ذره is often used as a polite way to minimize a request, making it sound less demanding to the listener.
- The word یک shares an ancient ancestor with the English word 'one', making them distant linguistic cousins.
- Persian speakers may use یک ذره ironically to describe something that is actually quite large, similar to how English speakers use 'a tad' sarcastically.
Examples in context
- من کمی فارسی صحبت می‌کنم.I speak a little bit of Farsi.
- من فقط یه کم فارسی می‌تونم صحبت کنم.I can only speak a little bit of Farsi.
- این نظریه یکم سخته.This theory is a little bit difficult.
- یک ذره نمک اضافه کن.yek zarre namak ezafe kon.Add a little bit of salt.
- فقط یک ذره از این کیک می‌خواهم.faghat yek zarre az in keyk mikhaham.I want only a little bit of this cake.
- یک ذره صبر کن.yek zarre sabr kon.Wait a little bit.
Example conversation
Niloufar is offering Ali some cake.
- نیلوفر Niloufarکیک می‌خوری، علی؟Kik mikhori, Ali?Do you want some cake, Ali?
- علی Aliبله، یک ذره می‌خورم.Bale, yek zarre mikhoram.Yes, I'll have a little bit.
- نیلوفر Niloufarمی‌خواهی بیشتر بردارم؟Mikhahi bishtar bardaram?Do you want me to take more?
- علی Aliنه، همین مقدار کافی است.Nah, hamin meghdar kafi ast.No, this amount is enough.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ذره, یک, CC BY-SA 4.0.
