دوست دختر
doost dokhtar/ˈdoːst dux.ˈtar/word by word
The Persian word for girlfriend is دوست دختر (doost dokhtar).
دوست دختر refers to a female partner in a romantic relationship. While it is the literal translation for girlfriend, it is often used in more modern or Westernized contexts. In traditional or formal settings, speakers may prefer more indirect terms to describe a romantic partner.
Meaning: a female partner in a romantic relationship (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is a compound of doost, meaning friend and dokhtar, meaning girl or daughter.
How do you pronounce it?
The stress is on the first of the two syllables.
Did you know?
- The Persian word دختر is a distant relative of the English word 'daughter'. They both trace their origins back to the same Proto-Indo-European root.
- While دوست دختر is the modern term, older generations or very formal speakers might use terms relating to 'heart' or 'soul' to describe a romantic partner rather than a 'friend'.
- In traditional Persian culture, using the term دوست دختر can be seen as too explicit. Many people use the word دوست, meaning 'friend', to discreetly refer to a romantic partner.
Examples in context
- او عشقم است.She is my love.
- او دوست دختر من است.u dūst-dokhtar-e man ast.She is my girlfriend.
- دوست دختر او مهربان است.dūst-dokhtar-e u mehrabān ast.His girlfriend is kind.
Example conversation
Maryam and Reza are talking about Reza's personal life.
- مریم Maryamرضا، آیا تو دوست دختر داری؟Reza, āyā to dust-e dokhtar dāri?Reza, do you have a girlfriend?
- رضا Rezaبله، من یک دوست دختر دارم.bale, man yek dust-e dokhtar dāram.Yes, I have a girlfriend.
- مریم Maryamاو کجا زندگی میکند؟u kojā zendegi mikonad?Where does she live?
- رضا Rezaاو در تهران زندگی میکند.u dar Tehrān zendegi mikonad.She lives in Tehran.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (دوست, دختر) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries دختر, دوست, CC BY-SA 4.0.
