والدین
valedayn
In Persian, the phrase for parents is والدین (valedayn).
والدین refers to the father and mother of a person.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is a combination of valed (meaning parent or progenitor) and the dual suffix -ayn, which indicates a pair.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
While والدین is the standard term, in everyday spoken Persian, people often use the colloquial phrase پدر و مادر (father and mother). The most common informal way to refer to them is mâmân va bâbâ (mom and dad).
How does it change in a sentence?
You can modify this word with suffixes to show possession. To say 'my parents', add the suffix -am to get والدینم. To say 'your parents' to one person informally, add the suffix -et to get والدینت. To say 'their parents', add the suffix -shan to get والدینشان.
How do you pronounce it?
valedayn
Did you know?
- The suffix -ayn in والدین is a remnant of the Arabic dual number, a grammatical feature that allows a speaker to specify exactly two of something, which does not exist in native Persian grammar.
- In Persian culture, when speaking about someone else's parents, people often add 'honorific' adjectives to show respect, making the phrase much longer than just 'parents'.
- In the poetic tradition of Persian literature, the relationship with والدین is often framed through metaphors of a 'root' and 'branch' to emphasize the source of life.
Examples in context
- والدینم مرا درک نمی کنند.My parents don't understand me.This sentence shows how to use the possessive form والدین to say 'my parents'.Tatoeba #640105 by mahdiye, translation #456467 by lukaszpp
- والدین بچه هایشان را دوست دارند.Parents love their children.This sentence uses the form والدین to describe parents in a general sense.Tatoeba #888479 by mahdiye, translation #269726 by CK
- والدینم برایم کارت پستال فرستادند.My parents sent me a postcard.This sentence demonstrates the use of the possessive form والدین to mean 'my parents'.Tatoeba #813128 by mahdiye, translation #325651 by CK
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mohammad and Maryam are discussing their family plans.
- محمد Mohammadوالدین تو کجا زندگی می‌کنند؟Valedīn-e to kojā zendegī mīkonand?Where do your parents live?
- مریم Maryamوالدین من در شیراز هستند.Valedīn-e man dar Shīrāz hastand.My parents are in Shiraz.
- محمد Mohammadآیا آن‌ها به تهران می‌آیند؟Āyā ānhā be Tehrān mīāyand?Are they coming to Tehran?
- مریم Maryamبله، آن‌ها هفته بعد می‌رسند.Bale, ānhā hafte-ye ba'd mīrasand.Yes, they arrive next week.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries والدین, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
