خانم
xānum/xaː.ˈnum/
The English word 'miss' (in the sense of feeling the absence of someone or something) translates to خانم (xānum) in Persian.
Meaning: to feel the absence of someone or something, to feel the want or need of (verb)
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /xaː.ˈnum/. It has two syllables, with the stress on the second syllable.
Did you know?
- The word خانم shares a root with the title 'Khan', which historically denoted a ruler or leader in Central Asia.
- While 'Miss' in English can be a title for an unmarried woman, خانم is used in Persian as a respectful term for any woman regardless of her marital status.
- In Persian, you can use خانم as a polite way to get a stranger's attention, similar to saying 'Excuse me, Madam' in English.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry خانم, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
