دختر
duxtar/dux.ˈtar/
The English word 'girl' is translated into Dari as دختر (duxtar).
دختر is the standard term for a young female person. In casual or affectionate settings, you might hear the word Gul, which literally means 'flower' but is used as an endearment for a girl. You may also use the diminutive form Dokhtarek to refer specifically to a little girl.
Meaning: young female person (noun)
Which one should you use?
دختر is the standard form, while Dokhtarek is a diminutive used to specify a 'little girl'. Additionally, Gul is used figuratively as a term of endearment rather than as a literal descriptor for a girl's age.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the plural 'girls', you can use the suffix '-an' to form دختران, which is often found in more formal or literary contexts.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /dux.ˈtar/. It has two syllables, with the stress on the second syllable.
When do people say it?
While Gul literally means 'flower', it is used as a common endearment for a girl in Dari-speaking cultures.
Did you know?
- In Dari, the word دختر is used to mean both 'girl' and 'daughter'.
- The word دختر is actually a distant linguistic cousin to the English word 'daughter'.
Examples in context
- او یک دختر است.She is a girl.Tatoeba #11114162 by sinakd, translation #3768695 by vinuplkd
- من یک دختر هستم.I am a girl.Tatoeba #11114150 by sinakd, translation #2363944 by kerbear407
- تو یک دختر هستی.You are a girl.Tatoeba #11114157 by sinakd, translation #11114156 by sinakd
- 14 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ali and Maryam are looking at a photograph of a child.
- علی Aliاین دختر کیست؟In dokhtar kist?Who is this girl?
- مریم Maryamاو دختر خواهر من است.Oo dokhtar-e khahar-e man ast.She is my sister's daughter.
- علی Aliاو دختر باهوشی به نظر میرسد.Oo dokhtar-e bahosh-e ba nazar merasad.She looks like a smart girl.
- مریم Maryamبله، او واقعاً باهوش است.Bale, oo vaqean bahosh ast.Yes, she really is smart.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry دختر, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries دختر, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
