خوشمزه
xoš-maze
The Persian word for "delicious" is خوشمزه (xoš-maze).
خوشمزه is primarily used to describe food and drinks rather than abstract things that are 'delicious' in English.
Meaning: pleasing to taste (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is a compound of خوش (xoš), meaning good and مزه (maze), meaning taste.
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, خوشمزه is indeclinable and does not change based on the gender or number of the noun it describes.
How do you pronounce it?
xoš-maze
Did you know?
- In Persian culture, if a guest says a meal is خوشمزه, the host may modestly deny the compliment. This is part of ta'arof, a complex system of etiquette involving ritual politeness.
- While خوشمزه describes taste, Iranians often use the word به‌به (ba-beh) as an exclamation when tasting something delicious. This sound is an emotional reaction of pleasure rather than a formal adjective.
- In many Persian-speaking households, a common way to express that a meal is delicious is to use the phrase خیلی چسبید (xeyli časbid), which colloquially means 'it really stuck' or 'it really hit the spot'.
Examples in context
- فردا صبح، پدرم غذای خوشمزه ای برایم می پزد.My father will cook me a delicious meal tomorrow morning.This sentence shows how to use خوشمزه to describe a meal being prepared.Tatoeba #1056681 by mahdiye, translation #928311 by fliegster
- خوشمزه نیست؟Isn't it delicious?This sentence shows how to ask a question using خوشمزه.Tatoeba #3738603 by AsliAbbasi, translation #3738573 by CK
- نان شما بسیار خوشمزه بود!Your bread was very delicious!
- نوشیدنی اینجا طعم بسیار خوبی دارد.The drink here has a very good taste.
- غذای شما خوشمزه بود!Your food was delicious!
- جوجه کباب اینجا واقعاً لذیذه!The grilled chicken here is really delicious!
- این سوپ خیلی خوشمزه است.in sup kheyli khoshmaze ast.This soup is very delicious.
Example conversation
Maryam has cooked a meal for Mohammad.
- محمد Mohammadمریم، این غذا خیلی خوشمزه است!Maryam, in ghaza kheyli khoshmaze ast!Maryam, this food is very delicious!
- مریم Maryamواقعاً؟ خوشحالم که دوست داری.Vaghe'an? Khoshhalam ke doost dari.Really? I'm glad you like it.
- محمد Mohammadبله، واقعاً عالی بود.Bale, vaghe'an ali bood.Yes, it was truly excellent.
- مریم Maryamنوش جانت، محمد.Nooshe janet, Mohammad.Enjoy your meal, Mohammad.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry خوشمزه, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
