کمیاب
kamyâb/kam.ˈjaːb/
The English word 'rare' is translated into Persian as کمیاب (kamyâb). Wiktionary also lists نایاب (nâyâb).
Meaning: very uncommon (adj)
Ways to say it
| Persian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| کمیاب | kamyâb | /kam.ˈjaːb/ (Classical Persian) |
| نایاب | nâyâb | /naː.ˈjaːb/ (Classical Persian) |
Both کمیاب and نایاب are used to describe something that is very uncommon.
Which one should you use?
While both terms mean rare, نایاب (nâyâb) often carries a stronger, more poetic or more formal connotation of being extremely precious or hard to find than کمیاب (kamyâb).
How do you pronounce it?
The word کمیاب is pronounced /kam.ˈjaːb/. It has 2 syllables and the stress is on the second syllable.
Did you know?
- When describing a 'rare' steak in a restaurant, a Persian speaker would not use کمیاب. Instead, they use terms related to being 'undercooked' or 'half-raw'.
- Persian distinguishes between things that are 'rare' because they are scarce and things that are 'rare' because they are unusual. کمیاب refers to scarcity, whereas other terms are used for oddities.
- While کمیاب describes rarity in quantity, نایاب uses the prefix نا to denote a complete negation. It implies that the object is not just uncommon but effectively 'unfindable'.
Examples in context
- کتاب کمیابRare bookThis sentence is useful for the phrase 'rare book' using کمیاب.
- برخی افراد، حیوانات کمیاب را بعنوان حیوان خانگی نگه می دارند.Some people keep rare animals as pets.This sentence is useful for the word کمیاب in the context of animals.Tatoeba #915310 by AsliAbbasi, translation #33979 by CK
- این یک سنگ کمیاب است.in yek sang-e kamyab ast.This is a rare stone.
Example conversation
Ali and Zahra are looking at a collection of antique items.
- زهرا Zahraاین سکه خیلی کمیاب است، علی.in sekke kheili kamyab ast, Ali.This coin is very rare, Ali.
- علی Aliواقعاً؟ قیمت آن چقدر است؟vaqe'an? gheymat-e an cheghadr ast?Really? How much is it?
- زهرا Zahraبسیار گران است.besyar geran ast.It is very expensive.
- علی Aliباید برای خریدنش برنامه بریزم.bayad baraye kharidash barname berizam.I should make a plan to buy it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “rare” translations and entries کمیاب, نایاب, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0, Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
