خواهران
khāharān
The Persian word for sisters is خواهران (khāharān).
The term refers to female siblings or girls who share the same parents.
Which one should you use?
There are two ways to express the plural. خواهران is the standard plural form, whereas خواهرها is more common in everyday spoken Persian.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form خواهران is derived from the singular form خواهر. Alternatively, the plural can be formed by adding the suffix -hā to the singular form to create خواهرها.
How do you pronounce it?
khāharān
Did you know?
- Persian lacks a gendered pronoun system, so when referring to خواهران, the pronoun used for 'they' is the same one used for brothers or mixed groups.
- While خواهر means 'sister', in many parts of Iran, it is used as a respectful way to address a female stranger, similar to 'miss' or 'ma'am'.
- The term خواهر is used in the phrase خواهرزاده to mean 'sister's child', highlighting that Persian describes relatives by the parent's relationship rather than a unique word for 'niece' or 'nephew'.
Examples in context
- من دو خواهر دارمI have two sisters
- آن‌ها خواهران همدیگر هستند.ānhā khāhārān-e hamdigar hastand.They are sisters (each other's sisters).
Example conversation
Sara and Ali are looking at a family photo.
- سارا Saraاین عکس خواهران من است.in aks-e khaharan-e man ast.This is a photo of my sisters.
- علی Aliآن‌ها خیلی شبیه تو هستند.anha kheyli shabih-e to hastand.They look a lot like you.
- سارا Saraبله، ما خواهران نزدیکی هستیم.bale, ma khaharan-e nazdiki hastim.Yes, we are close sisters.
- علی Aliخیلی خوشحالم که آن‌ها را دیدم.kheyli khoshhalam ke anha ra didam.I am very glad to see them.
