حرامی
harami
The English word "bastard" is translated into Persian as حرامی (harami).
While حرامی can literally refer to a person born out of wedlock, it is most commonly used as a general insult for a person who is dishonest, contemptible or untrustworthy.
Meaning: contemptible etc. person (noun)
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
حرامی is an informal and offensive term used in casual or heated speech.
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the noun plural, add the suffix -hā to the end of the word to form حرامیها (the bastards).
How do you pronounce it?
harami
Did you know?
- In certain colloquial contexts, حرامی can be used with a touch of reluctant admiration to describe someone who is cunning or street-smart in a way that gets results.
- Using حرامی in a formal setting or toward an elder is considered far more egregious than in English, as it attacks the honor of the person's entire family lineage.
- In some contexts, the term can be applied to 'bad luck' or something that is 'ill-gotten', such as 'ill-gotten gains' (mal-e harami).
Example conversation
Reza tells Sara about a rude driver on the road.
- رضا Rezaیک حرامی راه را روی من بست.Yek harami rah ra ruye man bast.Some bastard blocked the road for me.
- سارا Saraواقعاً؟ او چه گفت؟Vaghe'an? Oo che goft?Really? What did he say?
- رضا Rezaهیچ، فقط با من دعوا کرد.Hich, faghat ba man da'va kard.Nothing, he just picked a fight with me.
- سارا Saraخیلی بدشانس بودی رضا.Kheyli bad-shans budi Reza.You were very unlucky, Reza.
