اقلیت
aqalleyat/ʔa.qal.lij.ˈjat/
The English phrase "minority" is translated into Persian as اقلیت (aqalleyat).
The term refers to a subgroup that does not form a numerical majority.
Meaning: subgroup that does not form a numerical majority (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is derived from the Arabic root 'q-l-l' (ق–ل–ل), which relates to smallness or scarcity.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is aqalleyat. It has 4 syllables, with the stress on the 4th syllable: /ʔa.qal.lij.ˈjat/.
Did you know?
- Unlike English, where 'minority' can refer to an underage person, اقلیت is exclusively used for groups and cannot describe a child.
- In Persian calligraphy, the letters of اقلیت can be easily stretched or connected in ways that make the word look much longer than it is, a technique called 'kashide'.
- The term is actually a 'loanword' that traveled through multiple languages, moving from Arabic into Turkish and then into Persian, rather than being a direct import.
Examples in context
- من در اقلیت هستم.I'm in the minority.This sentence is useful for stating that you are in the minority using اقلیت.Tatoeba #12740831 by manelie, translation #11642366 by sundown
- آیا ما در اقلیت هستیم.Are we in the minority?This sentence is useful for asking if the subject is in the minority using اقلیت.Tatoeba #12891090 by manelie, translation #5747812 by CM
- آنها یک اقلیت آوازی هستند.They are a loud minority.This sentence is useful for describing a loud minority using اقلیت.Tatoeba #12740830 by manelie, translation #6046944 by mailohilohi
- در طول جلسه، در مورد وضعیت اقلیت های فرهنگی بحث شد.During the meeting, the situation of minority cultural groups was discussed.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ali and Nilufer are discussing a social study in a cafe.
- علی Aliآیا این گروه یک اقلیت بزرگ است؟āyā in goruh yek aqaliyat-e bozorg ast?Is this group a large minority?
- نیلوفر Niloufarخیر، آنها یک اقلیت بسیار کوچک هستند.khayr, ānhā yek aqaliyat-e beshyār koochak hastand.No, they are a very small minority.
- علی Aliدر مورد وضعیت او چه فکر می‌کنی؟dar mowread-e vaziyat-e u che fekr mikoni?What do you think about her situation?
- نیلوفر Niloufarمن فکر می‌کنم باید بیشتر حمایت شود.man fekr mikonam bayad bishtar hemāyat shavad.I think she should be supported more.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “minority” translations and entries اقلیت, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries اقلیت, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
