نهنگ
nahang/na.ˈhanɡ/
The Persian word for whale is نهنگ (nahang).
نهنگ is a noun used to refer to a large sea mammal.
Meaning: large sea mammal (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /na.ˈhanɡ/. It has two syllables, with the stress on the second syllable.
Did you know?
- The word for 'whale' in Persian, نهنگ, is historically the same word used for 'crocodile'.
- In traditional Persian literature and mythology, the نهنگ was often depicted as a monstrous sea creature that could swallow ships whole.
- The word نهنگ is sometimes used metaphorically in poetry to describe an all-consuming greed or a destructive force.
Examples in context
- من یک نهنگ بزرگ دیدم.man yek nehang-e bozorg didam.I saw a large whale.
- نهنگها در اقیانوس زندگی میکنند.nehang-ha dar oghyanos zendegi mikonand.Whales live in the ocean.
- او درباره نهنگ صحبت کرد.u darbareye nehang sohbat kard.He talked about the whale.
Example conversation
Ali and Zahra are at an aquarium.
- علی Aliزهرا، آن نهنگ را ببین!Zahra, an nahang ra bebin!Zahra, look at that whale!
- زهرا Zahraوای، چقدر بزرگ است!Vay, cheghadr bozorg ast!Wow, how big it is!
- علی Aliفکر کنم این یک نهنگ است.Fekr konam in yek nahang ast.I think this is a whale.
- زهرا Zahraبله، واقعاً شگفتانگیز است.Bale, vaghean shegeft-angiz ast.Yes, it is truly amazing.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry نهنگ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries نهنگ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
