سگ خوب
sag-e khub/ˈsaɡ ˈxuːb/word by word
The English phrase "good dog" is translated into Persian as سگ خوب (sag-e khub).
This phrase is used to praise a dog for behaving well or following a command.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the noun sag (dog) and the adjective khub (good).
How do you pronounce it?
sag-e khub
Did you know?
- While you might say سگ خوب to a pet, using the word sag toward a human is a severe insult that implies they are lowly or shameless.
- The Persian word سگ (dog) shares a common ancient root with the English word 'hound' and the Latin 'canis' through the Proto-Indo-European ancestor *ḱwṓ.
- Even though the word sag is very common, in some formal or poetic contexts, Iranians might use different terms to avoid the bluntness of the everyday word for dog.
Example conversation
Sara and Ali are training their puppy in the park.
- سارا Saraببین، حالا دست بده.Bebin, hala dast bede.Look, now give your paw.
- علی Aliآفرین، سگ خوب!Afarin, sag-e khoob!Well done, good dog!
- سارا Saraخیلی سریع یاد گرفت.Kheyli sari yād gereft.He learned it very quickly.
- علی Aliبله، واقعاً باهوش است.Bale, vāghe'an bāhoosh ast.Yes, he is really smart.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (سگ, خوب) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries خوب, سگ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
