زباله
zobâle/zu.baː.ˈla/
The English word "trash" can be translated into Persian as زباله (zobâle) or خاکروبه.
Meaning: things to be discarded (noun)
Ways to say it
| Persian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| زباله | zobâle | /zu.baː.ˈla/ (Classical Persian) |
| خاکروبه | xâkrube | /xaːk.roː.ˈba/ (Classical Persian) |
زباله is used to refer to general household waste or garbage. To talk about a trash can, you can add the suffix -dân to this word to form زباله‌دان or use the phrase سطل زباله to refer to a trash bin or bucket.
Which one should you use?
زباله refers to general trash or garbage, whereas خاکروبه refers specifically to dust or fine dirt.
How do you pronounce it?
The word زباله is pronounced /zu.baː.ˈla/. It has three syllables and the stress is on the third syllable.
Did you know?
- In certain Persian literature, the concept of 'dust' or 'dirt' from which words like خاکروبه derive is often a metaphor for the transitory and humble nature of the physical world.
- The suffix -دان in زباله‌دان is used for many containers, such as قنددان for a sugar bowl or سرمه‌دان for a kohl pot.
- While English speakers often use 'trash' to describe a low-quality person, in Persian, calling someone زباله is an extremely harsh and aggressive insult rather than just a casual slur.
Examples in context
- لطفاً، زباله را در سطل مخصوص آن دور بریزید.Please, throw the trash in the designated bin.
- این زباله را در سطل بینداز.in zobale ra dar sotel biandaz.Throw this trash in the bin.
- زباله را بیرون بگذار.zobale ra birun bogzar.Put the trash outside.
- بوی زباله در خانه می‌آید.buye zobale dar khane mi-ayad.The smell of trash is coming into the house.
Example conversation
Reza and Maryam are cleaning the kitchen together.
- رضا Rezaمریم، این زباله کجاست؟Maryam, in zobāle kojāst?Maryam, where is this trash?
- مریم Maryamرضا، آن را در سطل بریز.Reza, ān rā dar sotal beriz.Reza, put it in the bin.
- رضا Rezaاما سطل زباله پر است.ammā sotal-e zobāle por ast.But the trash can is full.
- مریم Maryamپس کیسه جدید بگذار.pas kise-ye jadid bogzār.Then put in a new bag.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “trash” translations and entries زباله, خاکروبه, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
