شاپرک
šāparakmasculine
The Pashto word for butterfly is شاپرک (šāparak). Wiktionary also lists پروانه (parwāna).
Meaning: insect (noun)
Ways to say it
| Pashto | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| شاپرک | šāparak | masculine |
| پروانه | parwāna | feminine |
The term refers to the insect known as a butterfly.
Which one should you use?
While شاپرک specifically means butterfly, the word پروانه is often used more broadly to refer to both butterflies and moths.
How does it change in a sentence?
شاپرک is a masculine noun, whereas پروانه is a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
šāparak
Did you know?
- The feminine noun پروانه can also refer to a formal permit or a legal warrant in official Afghan administrative contexts.
- In Pashto poetry, a پروانه (moth/butterfly) is often used as a metaphor for a lover who is hopelessly devoted to a 'flame', representing someone who seeks destruction through passion.
- The word پروانه is derived from the root for 'wing' or 'flying' and is shared with Persian, where it also refers to butterflies and moths.
Examples in context
- دا یو کوچنی شاپرک دی.da yo kuchani shaparak de.This is a small butterfly.
- شاپرک په ګل باندې ناسته ده.shaparak pe gul bande nasta da.The butterfly is sitting on the flower.
Example conversation
Ahmed and Zala are walking in a garden.
- احمد Ahmedزالا، هلته وګوره!Zala, halta wagora!Zala, look over there!
- زالا Zalaڅه شته، احمد؟Tse shata, Ahmed?What is there, Ahmed?
- احمد Ahmedیو کوچنی شاپرک شته.Yo kochani shaparak shata.There is a small butterfly.
- زالا Zalaهو، دا ډېر ښکلی دی.Ho, da der khkuli day.Yes, it is very beautiful.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “butterfly” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
