شَمْشیر
šamšēr
The Persian word for sword is شَمْشیر (šamšēr). Wiktionary also lists سَیْف (sayf) and سِیْف (seyf).
Meaning: weapon (noun)
Ways to say it
| Persian | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| شَمْشیر | šamšēr |
| سَیْف | sayf |
| سِیْف | seyf |
The term refers to a sword as a weapon.
Which one should you use?
شَمْشیر is the standard Persian term for sword, whereas سَیْف is an Arabic loanword often used in more poetic or classical contexts.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The formal way to say sword in Farsi is شَمْشیر. The form سَیْف is more common in classical literature, poetry and formal religious contexts than the everyday word شَمْشیر.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of شَمْشیر is شمشیرها (šamšīrhā), created by adding the suffix -hā.
How do you pronounce it?
šamšēr
Did you know?
- While شَمْشیر is the common word, the word تیغ is often used as a synonym for 'blade' and is frequently used in poetry to describe the 'sword' of a lover's glance.
- Persian mythology features legendary swords with names that grant the wielder supernatural powers, often appearing in the 'Shahnameh' epic.
- In Persian poetry, the سَیْف is often paired with the 'pen' (قلم) to symbolize the tension between military power and intellectual wisdom.
Examples in context
- او یک شمشیر تاریخی خرید.He bought a historical sword.
- آن شَمْشیر بسیار قدیمی است.ān shamshir besyār ghadimi ast.That sword is very old.
- او یک شَمْشیر در دست داشت.u yek shamshir dar dast dāsht.He had a sword in his hand.
- این شَمْشیر از جنس فولاد است.in shamshir az jens-e fulād ast.This sword is made of steel.
Example conversation
Ali and Sara are visiting a museum of historical weapons.
- علی Aliسارا، به این شَمْشیر نگاه کن!Sārā, be in shamshir negāh kon!Sara, look at this sword!
- سارا Saraواقعاً زیباست، علی.vāghe'an zibāst, Ali.It is truly beautiful, Ali.
- علی Aliفکر می‌کنی از چه فلزی ساخته شده؟fekr mikoni az che felsi sākhte shode?What metal do you think it is made of?
- سارا Saraاحتمالاً از آهن یا فولاد است.ehtemālan az āhan yā fulād ast.It is probably made of iron or steel.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sword” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
