عقاب
'oqâb/ʔu.ˈqaːb/
The English word "eagle" is translated into Persian as عقاب ('oqâb). Wiktionary also lists شهباز (šahbâz) and دال (dâl).
Meaning: any of several large carnivorous birds in the family Accipitridae (noun)
Ways to say it
| Persian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| عقاب | 'oqâb | /ʔu.ˈqaːb/ (Classical Persian) /ʔi.ˈqaːb/ (Classical Persian) |
| شهباز | šahbâz | /ʃah.ˈbaːz/ (Classical Persian) |
| دال | dâl | /ˈdaːl/ (Classical Persian) |
| آله | âloh | /ʔaː.ˈluh/ (Classical Persian) /ʔaː.ˈla/ (Classical Persian) |
The term refers to any of several large carnivorous birds in the family Accipitridae.
Which one should you use?
عقاب is the general term for an eagle. In contrast, شهباز is a poetic or literary term often used to refer to a noble falcon or a specific type of large bird of prey.
How do you pronounce it?
The word عقاب is pronounced /ʔu.ˈqaːb/. It has two syllables, with the stress on the second syllable.
Did you know?
- In Persian culture, the eagle is often used as a symbol of spiritual ascent and the soul's journey toward the divine in Sufi mysticism.
- The modern Persian word عقاب is actually a loanword from Arabic, which eventually replaced the original native Persian terms in standard usage.
Examples in context
- ببین چه قشنگه! شاهینی که می‌ره بالا توی آسمون.Look, how beautiful! The eagle/falcon soaring high in the sky.
- یک عقاب در آسمان پرواز می‌کند.yek oghab dar āsemān parvāz mikonad.An eagle is flying in the sky.
- آن عقاب بسیار بزرگ است.ān oghab besyār bozorg ast.That eagle is very large.
Example conversation
Mohammad and Niloufar are looking at a bird book.
- محمد Mohammadنیلوفر، این عکس چیست؟Niloufar, in aks chist?Niloufar, what is this picture?
- نیلوفر Niloufarاین یک عقاب است.In yek oghāb ast.This is an eagle.
- محمد Mohammadچقدر چشم‌های تیز و زیبایی دارد.Cheghadr cheshm-hā-ye tiz o zibā-yi dārad.What sharp and beautiful eyes it has.
- نیلوفر Niloufarبله، عقاب‌ها بینایی خیلی خوبی دارند.Bale, oghāb-hā binā-yi kheyli khubi dārand.Yes, eagles have very good vision.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “eagle” translations and entries عقاب, شهباز, دال, آله, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries آله, دال, شهباز, عقاب, CC BY-SA 4.0.
