مداد
medad
The Persian word for pencil is مداد (medad).
مداد refers specifically to a graphite writing instrument. If you need a more generic term that covers both a pen and a pencil, you can use قلم.
Meaning: graphite writing-instrument (noun)
Which one should you use?
مداد is the specific term for a pencil. If you are referring specifically to a ballpoint pen, use the word خودکار.
How does it change in a sentence?
To form the plural of مداد, add the suffix '-ها' (-hā) to the end of the word to get مدادها, meaning pencils.
How do you pronounce it?
medad
Did you know?
- The Persian word مداد was originally borrowed from Arabic to mean 'ink'. Over time, the meaning shifted from the liquid ink used in pens to the graphite core of a pencil.
- While مداد is the specific word for a pencil, the word قلم is used for a wider category of writing tools and can even refer to a reed pen used in traditional calligraphy.
- Long ago, Persians used the native word زکاب to refer to writing instruments, but it has since been almost entirely replaced by the Arabic-derived مداد.
Examples in context
- باید مداد را تیز کنم.I need to make the pencil sharp.This sentence shows how to express the need to sharpen a مداد.Tatoeba #11022726 by Amirreza_Farid, translation #9701792 by Taam
- قرارداد را با مداد امضا نکن.Don't sign the contract with a pencil.This sentence provides an example of using مداد in the context of signing a document.Tatoeba #3894378 by kuarash, translation #3893932 by CK
- نتراشیده‌ترین مداد بهتر از هوشیارترین حافظه است.The dullest pencil is better than the sharpest memory.This sentence uses مداد within a metaphorical proverb.Tatoeba #7527089 by cojiluc, translation #667934 by CK
- آن قلم مشکی را به من بدهید.Give me that black pencil.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Zahra and Mohammad are preparing for a drawing class.
- زهرا Zahraمحمد، تو مداد داری؟Mohammad, to medād dāri?Mohammad, do you have a pencil?
- محمد Mohammadبله، یکی در کیفم هست.Bale, yeki dar kifam hast.Yes, there is one in my bag.
- زهرا Zahraمی‌شود یک مداد به من بدهی؟Mishavad yek medād be man bedahi?Could you give me a pencil?
- محمد Mohammadبفرما، این بگیر.Befarmā, in begir.Here you go, take this.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries مداد, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
