فیل
fil/ˈfiːl/
The English word elephant is translated into Persian as فیل (fil). Wiktionary also lists فِیل (fīl) and پِیل (pīl).
Meaning: mammal (noun)
Ways to say it
| Persian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| فیل | fil | /ˈfiːl/ (Classical Persian) |
| فِیل | fīl | |
| پِیل | pīl | |
| پیل | pil | /ˈpiːl/ (Classical Persian) |
| کنجر | kenjar |
Which one should you use?
فیل is the standard modern term. پِیل is an older, literary variant often found in classical Persian poetry and texts. کنجر is an archaic or highly specialized term that is not used in everyday modern Persian.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /ˈfiːl/ (fil).
Did you know?
- In Persian culture, the elephant is often associated with memory and wisdom, appearing in Sufi poetry as a symbol of the divine truth that is too large to be seen all at once.
- The modern Persian word فیل has its roots deep in ancient Mesopotamia, originating from the Akkadian word pīru.
- There is a famous Persian parable about the 'blind men and the elephant' where each person touches a different part of the فیل and describes it as a rope or a wall.
Examples in context
- آن فیل به باغ وحش برده شد.The elephant was brought to the zoo.This sentence shows the use of فیل in a sentence about a zoo.Tatoeba #639998 by mahdiye, translation #46252 by CK
- خداوند یک فیل است.God is an elephant.This sentence shows the use of فیل in a religious or philosophical context.Tatoeba #12311776 by Adelpa, translation #12311450 by Adelpa
- امروز روز جهانی فیل است.Today is World Elephant Day.This sentence shows the use of فیل when referring to an international observance.Tatoeba #13348751 by Adelpa, translation #6195859 by maaster
- آیا تا به حال فیل زنده‌ای دیدی؟Have you ever seen a live elephant?
Example conversation
Reza and Zahra are looking at animals at the zoo.
- رضا Rezaزهرا، آن فیل را ببین!Zahra, ān fil rā bebin!Zahra, look at that elephant!
- زهرا Zahraوای، چقدر فیل بزرگ است.Vāy, cheqadr fil bozorg ast.Wow, the elephant is so big.
- رضا Rezaمن عاشق فیل‌ها هستم.Man āšeq-e fil-hā hastam.I love elephants.
- زهرا Zahraمن هم همین‌طور، رضا.Man ham hamintor, Reza.Me too, Reza.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “elephant” translations and entries فیل, پیل, کنجر, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries فیل, پیل, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
