Ways to say it
| Persian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| دلارام | delârâm | |
| دلبر | delbar | /dil.ˈbar/ (Classical Persian) |
| دلدار | deldâr | /dil.ˈdaːr/ (Classical Persian) |
| یار | yâr | /ˈjaːr/ (Classical Persian) |
In Persian, these terms are used to refer to a person who is very dear. For example, دلربا is more commonly used as an adjective to describe someone's captivating or charming appearance rather than as a direct noun of address. Other related adjectives include دلفریب, دلربا, فریبا for someone very cute or lovable and دلنواز, نازنین for someone very dear.
What does it mean word for word?
The word دلبر is a compound of دل (heart) and بر (from بردن, to take), literally meaning 'heart-taker'. The word دلدار is a compound of دل (heart) and دار (from داشتن, to have/hold), literally meaning 'one who possesses the heart'.
Which one should you use?
While دلبر and دلدار are more poetic and romantic, یار is a more general term for a beloved, companion or close friend.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
دلارام is a highly poetic and literary term, often used in classical Persian poetry rather than in everyday modern speech.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
delârâm
Did you know?
- Persian poetry often uses these 'darling' terms to refer to the Divine or a spiritual guide rather than a romantic partner.
- The word دل meaning 'heart' is a very distant relative of the English word 'cardiac' because both come from the same Proto-Indo-European root.
- The word یار is actually a shortened form of the Middle Persian word یاور, which means 'helper'.
Example sentences for Persian are not verified yet.
Example conversation
Zahra and Mohammad are relaxing at home.
- زهرا Zahraدلارام، قهوه می‌خوری؟Delaram, ghahve mikhori?Darling, do you want some coffee?
- محمد Mohammadبله، خیلی ممنونم زهرا.Bale, kheyli mamnoonam Zahra.Yes, thank you very much, Zahra.
- زهرا Zahraپس من برای هر دو نفر می‌ریزم.Pas man baraye har do nafar mirizam.Then I will pour for both of us.
- محمد Mohammadتو همیشه مهربانی، دلارام.To hamishe mehrabani, Delaram.You are always kind, darling.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “darling” translations and entries دلبر, دلدار, یار, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries دلبر, دلدار, یار, CC BY-SA 4.0.
