کیلو en 30 segundos
- Kilo (کیلو) is the standard Persian word for kilogram, used universally in daily shopping and weight measurement across all Persian-speaking regions.
- Grammatically, it follows the pattern: [Number] + [Kilo] + [Singular Noun], with no 'of' or Ezafe connector needed between the unit and the object.
- The term 'kiloyi' (کیلویی) means 'per kilo' and is the most common way to ask for prices at fruit stands and butcher shops.
- It is a loanword from European languages, making it phonetically similar to English and very easy for beginners to learn and use immediately.
The word کیلو (pronounced 'kilo') is a fundamental unit of measurement in the Persian-speaking world, specifically within the borders of Iran, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan. Derived from the Greek word 'khilioi' meaning 'thousand,' it serves as the standard shorthand for 'kilogram' (کیلوگرم). In daily life, Iranians almost never use the full word 'kilogram' unless they are in a strictly scientific or formal administrative setting. Whether you are at a bustling bazaar in Tehran or a modern supermarket in Mashhad, this word is your primary tool for quantifying solids, fruits, vegetables, and even some liquids like bulk oil or yogurt.
- Quantity
- In Persian, the word 'کیلو' acts as a measure word. Unlike English where we say 'two kilos of apples,' the Persian structure is more direct: [Number] + [Kilo] + [Noun]. For example, 'دو کیلو سیب' (do kilo sib).
Understanding 'کیلو' is essential because the metric system is the absolute standard in Iran. Unlike the United States, where pounds and ounces are common, an Iranian shopper thinks exclusively in grams and kilos. If you ask for a 'pound' of meat, the butcher might look at you with confusion. Therefore, mastering this word is the first step toward successful navigation of Iranian markets and kitchens. It is used not just for food, but also for measuring body weight, shipping parcels, and industrial materials.
ببخشید، این هندوانه چند کیلو است؟ (Excuse me, how many kilos is this watermelon?)
In a social context, 'کیلو' is also used when discussing health and fitness. When someone says 'من پنج کیلو کم کردم' (I lost five kilos), they are sharing a significant life update. The word carries weight—literally and figuratively. In the culinary world, recipes are strictly measured in kilos and grams, making 'کیلو' the backbone of Persian gastronomy. Without it, you couldn't accurately bake a cake or prepare a large pot of Ghormeh Sabzi for a family gathering.
Furthermore, the word is used in price inquiries. You will often hear 'کیلویی چند؟' (How much per kilo?). This is the standard way to ask for the price of any produce. The suffix '-i' (ی) attached to 'kilo' turns it into 'per kilo' or 'by the kilo.' This grammatical nuance is vital for anyone wanting to shop like a local. It shows that you understand the pricing structure of the market.
قیمت هر کیلو پسته خیلی بالا رفته است. (The price of each kilo of pistachios has gone up a lot.)
In conclusion, 'کیلو' is more than just a unit; it is a cultural bridge. It represents the modernization of Iranian trade, moving away from ancient units like the 'Man' or 'Seer' to a global standard. While older generations might still occasionally reference traditional units, 'کیلو' is the undisputed king of contemporary Persian measurement.
Using 'کیلو' in a sentence requires an understanding of Persian syntax regarding numbers. In Persian, when you use a number and a unit of measurement, the noun that follows remains in the singular form. This is a common point of confusion for English speakers who are used to pluralizing 'kilos' or the items being weighed. For example, 'five kilos of oranges' becomes 'پنج کیلو پرتقال' (panj kilo porteghal), where 'porteghal' (orange) is singular.
- The 'Ezafe' Exception
- Notice that there is no 'Ezafe' (the short -e sound) between 'کیلو' and the noun. You do not say 'kilo-ye porteghal'; you simply say 'kilo porteghal'. This makes the word very easy to use once you get the hang of the rhythm.
Let's look at several contexts. In a grocery store, you might say: 'لطفاً دو کیلو خیار بدهید' (Please give [me] two kilos of cucumbers). Here, the word 'کیلو' sits between the number 'دو' (two) and the object 'خیار' (cucumber). This structure is rigid and reliable. You can replace the number or the object, and the grammar remains identical.
من برای مهمانی ده کیلو برنج خریدم. (I bought ten kilos of rice for the party.)
Another common use is in describing weight loss or gain. Iranians are often very direct about physical changes. A friend might say: 'چقدر لاغر شدی! چند کیلو کم کردی؟' (How thin you've become! How many kilos did you lose?). In this context, 'کیلو' stands alone as the object of the verb 'کم کردن' (to reduce/lose). You don't need to specify 'kilograms of body weight' because the context makes it clear.
In formal writing, such as a lab report or a shipping invoice, you might see 'کیلوگرم' (kilogram), but even there, 'کیلو' is often accepted as a standard abbreviation. For instance, 'وزن خالص: ۵ کیلو' (Net weight: 5 kilos). In recipes, you will see it used for flour, sugar, and meat. 'یک کیلو آرد را الک کنید' (Sift one kilo of flour). Note again that 'آرد' (flour) is singular.
این چمدان بیش از بیست کیلو وزن دارد. (This suitcase weighs more than twenty kilos.)
Finally, let's discuss the 'per kilo' construction. If you add the 'i' suffix, it becomes 'کیلویی' (kiloyi). 'این سیبها کیلویی چند هستند؟' (How much are these apples per kilo?). This is an adjectival form that describes the pricing method. It is one of the most useful phrases for a traveler to learn.
If you step into any 'Miveh-forushi' (fruit shop) in Iran, the word 'کیلو' will be the most frequent noun you hear. The interaction usually goes like this: the customer points to a pile of tomatoes and asks 'کیلویی چند؟' (How much per kilo?), and the shopkeeper responds with a price like 'سی هزار تومان' (30,000 Tomans). The customer then says 'دو کیلو بده' (Give [me] two kilos). This rhythmic exchange is the heartbeat of local commerce.
- At the Butcher
- Butchers (Ghasabi) deal almost exclusively in kilos. You might ask for 'نیم کیلو گوشت چرخکرده' (half a kilo of minced meat). 'Nim kilo' is the standard way to say 500 grams.
You will also hear this word at the airport. At the check-in counter, the agent will tell you: 'بار شما دو کیلو اضافه است' (Your luggage is two kilos over [the limit]). This is a stressful but common place to encounter the word. In this context, 'کیلو' is used to measure the 'Ezafe-bar' (excess baggage), a term every international traveler should know.
ببخشید، من فقط سه کیلو بار دارم. (Excuse me, I only have three kilos of luggage.)
In the world of fitness and health, trainers and doctors use it constantly. During a check-up, a doctor might say 'وزن شما هفتاد کیلو است' (Your weight is 70 kilos). Iranians are generally very aware of their weight in kilos, and fitness apps in Persian use this unit exclusively. You will hear people at the gym discussing their progress: 'امروز تونستم وزنه صد کیلویی بزنم' (Today I was able to lift a 100-kilo weight).
On television, specifically during news reports about agriculture or the economy, 'کیلو' is used to discuss crop yields or export volumes. 'تولید گندم امسال به میلیونها کیلو رسید' (Wheat production reached millions of kilos this year). Even in high-level economic discussions, the 'kilo' remains the base unit before moving into tons (tann).
هر کیلو زعفران قیمت بسیار بالایی دارد. (Every kilo of saffron has a very high price.)
Lastly, you hear it in the kitchen. Persian mothers and grandmothers, who often cook by 'feeling' rather than strict recipes, will still use 'کیلو' as a general guide. 'دو کیلو سبزی پاک کردم' (I cleaned two kilos of herbs). This implies a significant amount of labor, as cleaning herbs is a time-consuming task in Persian culture.
One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make when using 'کیلو' is pluralizing the noun that follows it. In English, we say 'two kilos of apples.' Naturally, a learner might want to say 'دو کیلو سیبها' (do kilo sib-ha). This is grammatically incorrect in Persian. After any number or unit of measure, the noun must be singular. Correct: 'دو کیلو سیب'.
- The 'Of' Trap
- Another mistake is trying to translate the 'of' in 'kilo of...'. In Persian, there is no preposition like 'az' or 'ye' (Ezafe) used here. You do not say 'kilo az sib' or 'kilo-ye sib'. It is a direct juxtaposition: Kilo + Noun.
Confusion between 'کیلو' (kilo) and 'کیلومتر' (kilometer) is another pitfall. In some English dialects, people might say 'I ran five kilos' to mean kilometers. In Persian, this never happens. 'کیلو' refers strictly to mass/weight. If you are talking about distance, you must use the full word 'کیلومتر' (kilometr). Saying 'پنج کیلو دویدم' would sound like you ran five kilograms, which makes no sense.
اشتباه: من ده کیلو پیادهروی کردم. (Wrong: I walked ten kilos.)
Pronunciation can also be a minor hurdle. Some learners pronounce it like the English 'kilo' with a very round 'o' at the end. In Persian, the 'o' is a bit shorter and flatter. Also, ensure the 'k' is a soft Persian 'k', not overly aspirated. However, since it is a loanword, Iranians are very forgiving of different accents on this specific word.
Using 'کیلو' for liquids can sometimes be a mistake, though not always. In the West, we measure liquids in liters. In Iran, while liters (لیتر) are used for milk or gasoline, some bulk liquids like heavy oils or large containers of yogurt are actually sold by the 'کیلو'. However, as a learner, it is safer to stick to 'لیتر' for liquids and 'کیلو' for solids until you hear locals doing otherwise.
درست: یک لیتر شیر. (Correct: One liter of milk.)
Finally, remember that 'نیم کیلو' (nim kilo) is the standard for half a kilo. Avoid saying 'نصف کیلو' (nesf kilo) in most shopping contexts, although it is technically correct. 'Nim' is the preferred term for measurements.
While 'کیلو' is the most common unit, there are several related words you should know to be fully proficient in Persian measurements. The most obvious is 'گرم' (gram). There are 1,000 grams in a kilo. In shops, if you want less than a half-kilo, you specify the grams: 'سیصد گرم پنیر' (300 grams of cheese).
- کیلوگرم (Kilogram)
- This is the formal version of 'کیلو'. You will see this on food packaging, in science textbooks, and on official documents. It is never wrong to use it, but it sounds a bit 'stiff' in a casual conversation at the market.
- مثقال (Mesghal)
- This is a traditional unit used almost exclusively for precious items like saffron or gold. One 'mesghal' is about 4.6 grams. You will never buy a 'kilo' of saffron unless you are a wholesaler; you buy it by the 'mesghal'.
Then there are the larger units. 'تُن' (ton) is used for very large weights, just like the English 'ton'. One ton is 1,000 kilos. This is used in construction, shipping, and wholesale agriculture. If a truck is carrying fruit, the driver might talk in 'ton' rather than 'kilo'.
این کامیون ده تُن بار دارد. (This truck has ten tons of load.)
Historically, Iran used the 'من' (Man). There were different types of 'Man', but the most common was the 'Man-e Tabriz', which is roughly 3 kilograms. While the government officially moved to the metric system decades ago, you might still hear an old shopkeeper in a traditional bazaar say 'دو من برنج' (two 'man' of rice). As a modern learner, you don't need to use these, but recognizing them is a sign of high-level cultural knowledge.
In terms of verbs, 'وزن کردن' (vazn kardan) means 'to weigh'. If you want someone to weigh something for you, you say 'لطفاً این را وزن کنید' (Please weigh this). The result of that action will be given in 'کیلو'. Another related word is 'ترازو' (tarazu), which means 'scale'. You will see scales everywhere from the street corner to the high-end jewelry shop.
میتوانید این سیبها را روی ترازو بگذارید؟ (Can you put these apples on the scale?)
Guía de pronunciación
- Pronouncing the 'o' as a long 'oo' like 'kiloo'.
- Over-aspirating the 'k' sound.
- Adding an extra vowel sound at the end.
- Confusing it with the Spanish pronunciation which has a more dental 't' (if applicable).
- Stress on the second syllable.
Ejemplos por nivel
یک کیلو سیب، لطفاً.
One kilo of apples, please.
Basic [Number] + [Unit] + [Noun] structure.
این چند کیلو است؟
How many kilos is this?
Using 'chand' (how many) with 'kilo'.
من دو کیلو موز میخواهم.
I want two kilos of bananas.
Note that 'moz' (banana) is singular.
نیم کیلو پنیر بدهید.
Give [me] half a kilo of cheese.
'Nim' means half.
وزن من هشتاد کیلو است.
My weight is eighty kilos.
Stating weight using 'kilo'.
سه کیلو پرتقال خریدم.
I bought three kilos of oranges.
Past tense verb 'kharidam' (I bought).
این هندوانه ده کیلو است.
This watermelon is ten kilos.
Simple descriptive sentence.
پنج کیلو برنج در آشپزخانه است.
There are five kilos of rice in the kitchen.
Using 'dar' (in) for location.
خیار کیلویی چند است؟
How much is cucumber per kilo?
The '-i' suffix in 'kiloyi' means 'per kilo'.
چمدان شما چند کیلو وزن دارد؟
How many kilos does your suitcase weigh?
'Vazn darad' means 'it has weight'.
من باید ده کیلو وزن کم کنم.
I must lose ten kilos of weight.
'Vazn kam kardan' means to lose weight.
لطفاً این سیبزمینیها را وزن کنید.
Please weigh these potatoes.
Imperative form 'vazn konid'.
قیمت هر کیلو گوشت زیاد شده است.
The price of every kilo of meat has increased.
Using 'har' (every/each).
این بسته سنگین است، تقریباً پنج کیلو است.
This package is heavy; it's almost five kilos.
Using 'taghriban' (almost/approximately).
آیا شما نیم کیلو گردو دارید؟
Do you have half a kilo of walnuts?
Question form using 'aya'.
من هر هفته دو کیلو میوه میخورم.
I eat two kilos of fruit every week.
Habitual action in present tense.
برای پختن این کیک، به نیم کیلو آرد نیاز داریم.
To bake this cake, we need half a kilo of flour.
Using 'be... niyaz dashtan' (to need).
او در عرض دو ماه، پنج کیلو عضله ساخت.
He built five kilos of muscle within two months.
Using 'dar arze' (within the span of).
بستههای پستی نباید بیشتر از سی کیلو باشند.
Postal packages must not be more than thirty kilos.
Negative modal 'nabayad' (must not).
این ترازو تا صد و پنجاه کیلو را نشان میدهد.
This scale shows up to 150 kilos.
Using 'ta' (up to).
فروشنده گفت که این گونی برنج دقیقاً ده کیلو است.
The seller said that this sack of rice is exactly ten kilos.
Indirect speech using 'ke'.
آیا وزن این نوزاد سه کیلو و نیم است؟
Is this baby's weight three and a half kilos?
Adding 'o nim' (and a half) after the number.
ما باید برای زمستان چند کیلو ترشی درست کنیم.
We should make a few kilos of pickles for the winter.
Using 'chand' as 'a few'.
قیمت کیلویی پسته در بازار تهران متفاوت است.
The price per kilo of pistachios varies in the Tehran market.
Adjectival use of 'kiloyi'.
تولیدات کشاورزی امسال به هزاران کیلو رسید.
This year's agricultural production reached thousands of kilos.
Pluralizing 'kilo' to 'kiloha' (thousands of kilos).
وزن خالص کالا روی بستهبندی بر حسب کیلو درج شده است.
The net weight of the goods is recorded on the packaging in kilos.
Formal phrase 'bar hasbe' (in terms of).
او با پشتکار توانست ده کیلو از وزن خود را کاهش دهد.
With perseverance, he was able to reduce ten kilos of his weight.
Formal verb 'kahesh dadan' (to reduce).
در این آزمایش، از دو کیلو ماده شیمیایی استفاده شد.
In this experiment, two kilos of chemical material were used.
Passive voice 'estefade shod'.
تفاوت وزن این دو دستگاه تنها نیم کیلو است.
The difference in weight between these two devices is only half a kilo.
Using 'tafavot' (difference).
صادرات فرش ایران سالانه به چندین هزار کیلو میرسد.
Iran's carpet exports reach several thousand kilos annually.
Using 'chandinha' (several).
هر کیلوگرم از این آلیاژ ارزش بسیار زیادی دارد.
Every kilogram of this alloy has a very high value.
Using the formal 'kilogram'.
او باری به وزن بیست کیلو را به تنهایی حمل کرد.
He carried a load weighing twenty kilos by himself.
Using 'be vazne' (weighing).
نوسانات قیمت هر کیلو نهاده دامی بر بازار گوشت تأثیر میگذارد.
Fluctuations in the price of each kilo of livestock feed affect the meat market.
Advanced vocabulary like 'nosanat' (fluctuations) and 'nahade' (input/feed).
دقت این ترازو در حد چند صدم کیلو است.
The accuracy of this scale is in the range of a few hundredths of a kilo.
Using 'sadom' (hundredth).
توزیع کیلویی اقلام اساسی در زمان بحران رایج است.
Distribution of essential items by the kilo is common during times of crisis.
Using 'kiloyi' as a method of distribution.
او مدعی است که این قطعه طلا چندین کیلو وزن دارد.
He claims that this piece of gold weighs several kilos.
Using 'modda'i ast' (claims).
استانداردهای بینالمللی برای تعریف دقیق کیلوگرم تغییر کردهاند.
International standards for the precise definition of the kilogram have changed.
Formal plural verb 'taghyir karde-and'.
حمل بیش از بیست کیلوگرم بار مجاز نمیباشد.
Carrying more than twenty kilograms of luggage is not permitted.
Formal negative 'mojaz nemibashad'.
قیمتهای عمدهفروشی بر اساس هر صد کیلو تعیین میشوند.
Wholesale prices are determined based on every hundred kilos.
Passive voice 'ta'yin mishavand'.
این رژیم غذایی کاهش پنج کیلو در ماه را تضمین میکند.
This diet guarantees a loss of five kilos per month.
Using 'tazmin kardan' (to guarantee).
تحلیل آماری نشاندهنده کاهش وزن میانگین محصولات به میزان دو کیلو است.
Statistical analysis shows a reduction in the average weight of products by two kilos.
Complex noun phrases and 'be mizane' (by the amount of).
تثبیت قیمت هر کیلو گندم از اولویتهای استراتژیک دولت است.
Stabilizing the price of each kilo of wheat is among the government's strategic priorities.
Political and economic terminology.
در متون قدیمی، معادلهای سنتی کیلو با دقت بررسی شدهاند.
In ancient texts, traditional equivalents of the kilo have been examined with precision.
Using 'mo'adel' (equivalent).
هر کیلو از این ماده رادیواکتیو میتواند انرژی عظیمی تولید کند.
Every kilo of this radioactive material can produce enormous energy.
Scientific context.
سیاستهای ارزی بر قیمت تمامشده هر کیلو کالای وارداتی اثرگذار است.
Currency policies affect the final price of every kilo of imported goods.
Advanced economic structure.
ترازوهای دیجیتال امروزی تا یک هزارم کیلو را با دقت میسنجند.
Today's digital scales measure up to one-thousandth of a kilo with precision.
Using 'sanjidan' (to measure/weigh).
نسبت جرم به حجم در این قطعه، دو کیلو بر لیتر است.
The mass-to-volume ratio in this piece is two kilos per liter.
Technical ratio expression.
او با ظرافت، تفاوت چند گرمی در یک کیلو را تشخیص میدهد.
He delicately detects a difference of a few grams in a kilo.
Using 'zerafat' (delicacy/finesse).
Sinónimos
Antónimos
Colocaciones comunes
Frases Comunes
— To calculate the price based on weight in kilos.
این میوهها را کیلویی حساب کنید.
— To have two kilos of extra weight (body or luggage).
من دو کیلو اضافه وزن دارم.
— It's not even half a kilo (implies it's very light).
این بسته نیم کیلو هم نمیشود.
Modismos y expresiones
— To talk a lot without thinking or to talk nonsense in large quantities.
باز هم شروع کرد به کیلویی حرف زدن!
Informal/Slang— He has a massive mustache (exaggeration).
آن مرد صد کیلو سیبیل دارد!
Informal/Humorous— He is very smart (literally: his brain is two kilos).
واقعاً باهوش است، انگار مغزش دو کیلو است.
Colloquial— Used dismissively to ask 'What is it worth?' or 'Who cares?' about an idea or person.
این حرفها کیلویی چند؟ کار انجام بده!
Informal— Refers to things that don't match or an unfair trade (rare).
معاملهشان مثل یک کیلو خربزه و صد کیلو عسل بود.
Old/Literary— He gained a lot of weight/became healthy looking.
بعد از سفر، چند کیلو گوشت به تنش نشست.
Colloquial— He is very weak or insignificant.
او که وزنش به کیلو نمیرسد، چطور این را بلند کرد؟
Informal— To carry a heavy burden of responsibility.
او کیلو کیلو غصه میخورد.
Metaphorical— He is asking for an exorbitant price per kilo.
این میوهفروش قیمت خون باباش را کیلویی میگوید!
Slang— Too many people after one small thing.
وضعیت شرکت مثل یک کیلو پنیر و هزار تا کلاغ شده.
InformalFamilia de palabras
Sustantivos
Verbos
Adjetivos
Relacionado
Summary
Mastering 'کیلو' is essential for daily life in Iran; it is the primary unit for food, body weight, and shipping, always followed by a singular noun (e.g., 'دو کیلو سیب' for two kilos of apples).
- Kilo (کیلو) is the standard Persian word for kilogram, used universally in daily shopping and weight measurement across all Persian-speaking regions.
- Grammatically, it follows the pattern: [Number] + [Kilo] + [Singular Noun], with no 'of' or Ezafe connector needed between the unit and the object.
- The term 'kiloyi' (کیلویی) means 'per kilo' and is the most common way to ask for prices at fruit stands and butcher shops.
- It is a loanword from European languages, making it phonetically similar to English and very easy for beginners to learn and use immediately.
Contenido relacionado
Más palabras de general
عادتوار
C1As a matter of habit; habitually.
عادی
A1La palabra 'عادی' significa normal u ordinario. Por ejemplo: 'Es un día normal' (این یک روز عادی است).
عافیت
B2Bienestar; estado de salud, seguridad y felicidad. Se usa comúnmente como '¡Salud!' después de un estornudo.
عاجل
B2Urgente; que requiere atención o acción inmediata. Por ejemplo: 'Noticia urgente' o 'Pronta recuperación'.
عاقبت
C1El resultado o desenlace de un evento. 'عاقبتِ این کار خطرناک است.' (El desenlace de este trabajo es peligroso.)
عاقل
A1Sensato, juicioso. Alguien que actúa con razón y prudencia.
عالمگیر
C1Universal o mundial; algo que afecta a todo el mundo.
عالی
A1La palabra 'Aali' significa excelente o magnífico en persa.
عام
B1La palabra 'Am' significa general o público.
اعم از
B2Incluyendo; ya sea... o... (usado para introducir opciones).
