کمان
kamân/ka.ˈmaːn/
The Persian word for bow is کمان (kamân).
Meaning: to bend oneself as a gesture of respect or deference (verb)
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ka.ˈmaːn/. It has two syllables, with the stress on the second syllable.
Did you know?
- The word کمان appears frequently in classical Persian poetry, such as in the works of Hafez, where it is often used as a metaphor for the curved shape of a beloved's eyebrows.
- The word کمان shares a deep ancestral root with the English word 'curve' through the Proto-Indo-European root for bending.
- The word کمان is used not only for weapons but also to describe the 'arc' of a rainbow, which is called کمان رنگی meaning 'colored bow'.
Examples in context
- نکتهای کان جست ناگه از زبان / همچو تیری دان که جست آن از کمان.A word that slips from the tongue so fast, Is like an arrow shot from the bow at last.This sentence compares a fast-moving word to an arrow being shot from a کمان.Tatoeba #13115508 by cojiluc, translation #9979901 by cojiluc
Example conversation
Ali and Zahra are visiting a traditional ceremony.
- علی Aliزهرا، اینجا باید کمان کنیم؟Zahra, inja bayad kaman konim?Zahra, should we bow here?
- زهرا Zahraبله، علی، این رسم اینجاست.Bale, Ali, in rasm-e injast.Yes, Ali, that is the custom here.
- علی Aliپس من اول کمان میکنم.Pas man avval kaman mikonam.Then I will bow first.
- زهرا Zahraخیلی خوب است، برو.Kheyli khoub ast, boro.That is very good, go ahead.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry کمان, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries کمان, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
