الهام‌بخش
elhām-bakhsh
The Persian word for muse is الهام‌بخش (elhām-bakhsh).
الهام‌بخش can refer to a person who acts as a muse, but it is very frequently used as an adjective to describe objects such as a book, a movie or a speech.
Meaning: a source of inspiration (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is a compound consisting of elhām (inspiration) and the suffix -bakhsh (giving or bestowing), literally meaning "inspiration-giving".
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective-based noun, الهام‌بخش remains the same regardless of the gender or number of the person being described.
How do you pronounce it?
elhām-bakhsh
Did you know?
- The suffix -bakhsh is shared with bakhshish, the word for a tip or a charitable gift, as both root from the verb 'to give'.
- In Persian poetry, the role of a muse is often merged with the 'beloved', meaning the same person is described as both the source of romantic longing and the الهام‌بخش for the art.
- The word elhām is used as a common female given name in Iran, effectively naming a child 'inspiration'.
Examples in context
- او الهام‌بخش اشعار من است.u elhāmbakhsh-e ash'ār-e man ast.She is the muse of my poems.
- طبیعت همیشه الهام‌بخش هنرمندان است.tabi'at hamishe elhāmbakhsh-e honarmandan ast.Nature is always a muse for artists.
- این شهر برای من الهام‌بخش است.in shahr barāye man elhāmbakhsh ast.This city is an inspiration to me.
Example conversation
Niloufar and Amir are discussing a new painting.
- نیلوفر Niloufarامیر، این تابلوی زیبا را ببین.Amir, in tablo-ye ziba ra bebin.Amir, look at this beautiful painting.
- امیر Amirواقعاً عالی است. الهام‌بخش او کی بود؟Vaghe'an ali ast. Elham-bakhsh-e oo ki bood?It's really great. Who was their muse?
- نیلوفر Niloufarاو می‌گوید همسرش الهام‌بخش اوست.Oo miguyad hamsarash elham-bakhsh-e oost.He says his wife is his muse.
- امیر Amirعشق واقعاً نیرویی قوی است.Eshgh vaghe'an nirou-yi ghavi ast.Love really is a powerful force.
