طفل
طفل em 30 segundos
- Tefl means infant or toddler.
- It is more formal and emotive than 'Bache'.
- The plural is 'Atfal', used in legal contexts.
- It is frequently found in Persian literature and poetry.
The word طفل (Tefl) is a cornerstone of Persian vocabulary, deeply rooted in Arabic but seamlessly integrated into the Persian linguistic fabric for centuries. At its core, it refers to a human being in the earliest stages of life. While often translated simply as 'child,' its nuance leans heavily toward infancy and early childhood—the period of life characterized by dependency, innocence, and rapid growth. In the Persian mind, 'Tefl' evokes an image of a being that requires protection and nurturing. It is more formal than 'Bache' (بچه) but more emotive than 'Koodak' (کودک). When you use 'Tefl,' you are often highlighting the vulnerability or the pure nature of the child.
- Etymological Root
- Derived from the Arabic root T-F-L, which relates to something small, tender, or emerging. In Persian, it retains this sense of 'early emergence' into the world.
- Semantic Range
- Spans from a newborn (نوزاد) to a toddler (نوپا). It is rarely used for teenagers or older children unless used metaphorically to imply immaturity.
مادر با مهربانی به طفل خود نگریست.
(The mother looked at her infant with kindness.)
In literature, 'Tefl' is frequently used to represent the soul's journey or the beginning of wisdom. For instance, the 'Tefl-e-Abjad-Khan' (the child learning the alphabet) is a common trope for a beginner in any field. This versatility makes it a vital word for B1 learners to master, as it bridges the gap between everyday conversation and literary appreciation. Understanding 'Tefl' requires recognizing its plural form, 'Atfal' (اطفال), which is the standard term used in legal and administrative contexts, such as 'Hoghugh-e-Atfal' (Children's Rights).
صدای گریه طفل در شب پیچید.
(The sound of the infant's cry echoed in the night.)
- Pluralization
- While 'Tefl-ha' is grammatically possible, the Arabic broken plural 'Atfal' (اطفال) is significantly more common in written Persian.
او هنوز در این کار یک طفل است.
(He is still a novice/child in this work.)
Using طفل correctly involves understanding its register and collocations. Unlike 'Bache,' which is the go-to word for 'kid' in a casual setting, 'Tefl' carries a weight of empathy or formality. It is often paired with adjectives that emphasize innocence or vulnerability. For example, 'Tefl-e-Ma'soom' (innocent child) is a very common phrase used to describe a child who has been caught in a difficult situation. In Persian grammar, 'Tefl' functions as a standard noun, taking the Ezafe construction when followed by an adjective or possessor.
- Common Collocations
- طفل شیرخوار (Nursing infant), طفل گریزپا (The elusive/running child), حقوق اطفال (Children's rights).
این طفل نیاز به مراقبت ویژه دارد.
(This infant needs special care.)
When speaking about children in a general, societal sense, the plural 'Atfal' is preferred. You will see this on signs in hospitals (بخش اطفال - Pediatrics Department) or in news reports about education. However, in personal storytelling, 'Tefl' is used to evoke a sense of 'little one.' There is also the diminutive-derived adjective 'Teflaki' (طفلکی), which translates to 'poor thing' or 'the poor little one,' used for anyone (even adults) for whom you feel pity.
کتابهای مخصوص اطفال در قفسه دوم است.
(The books specifically for children are on the second shelf.)
- Metaphorical Use
- In Persian poetry, the 'Tefl-e-Ashk' (the child of tears) refers to a teardrop falling from the eye, personifying the tear as a small, vulnerable entity.
You will encounter طفل in several distinct environments. First and foremost is in classical and modern literature. Persian poets like Saadi and Rumi frequently used 'Tefl' to describe the human condition or the stages of spiritual development. If you are reading a Persian short story or a classic poem, 'Tefl' will appear much more frequently than 'Bache.' Secondly, in medical and legal contexts, the plural 'Atfal' is the standard. If you visit a hospital in Iran or Tajikistan, you will see signs for 'Motakhases-e-Atfal' (Pediatrician).
او متخصص اطفال است.
(He is a pediatrician.)
Thirdly, you will hear it in news broadcasts and formal speeches. When discussing social issues, such as 'Koodakan-e-Kar' (working children), the term 'Atfal' is often used to provide a more serious, objective tone. In religious contexts, 'Tefl' is used to describe the young martyrs or historical figures in religious narratives, emphasizing their innocence. Finally, in daily idioms, you might hear 'Teflaki' used by a grandmother or a sympathetic friend when someone suffers a minor misfortune.
- Media Usage
- News reports often use 'Atfal-e-Bipanah' (homeless children) to evoke public sympathy and emphasize the gravity of the situation.
One of the most common mistakes for learners is overusing 'Tefl' in casual conversation. If you are at a park and want to say 'Look at that kid,' saying 'An Tefl ra bebin' sounds unnaturally formal or even slightly strange. In that context, 'An Bache' or 'An Koodak' is much better. Another mistake is incorrect pluralization. While 'Tefl-ha' is technically understood, using 'Atfal' is the mark of a more advanced speaker. Learners often forget that 'Atfal' is an irregular (broken) plural and try to apply Persian plural suffixes to it.
- Confusion with 'Nowzad'
- A 'Nowzad' is strictly a newborn (0-1 month). A 'Tefl' can be a 'Nowzad,' but a 'Tefl' can also be a one-year-old. Don't use 'Nowzad' for a toddler.
Mistake: من سه طفل دارم.
(Correction: من سه بچه/فرزند دارم. 'Tefl' is rarely used to count one's own children in speech.)
Another nuance is the emotional weight. Using 'Tefl' for a child who is misbehaving feels sarcastic or odd, as 'Tefl' usually implies innocence. If a child is being naughty, 'Bache' is the appropriate term. Lastly, ensure you don't confuse 'Tefl' with 'Tofl' (which isn't a word) or 'Tofoliyat' (childhood), which is the abstract noun form. Mastering the distinction between 'Tefl' (the person) and 'Koodaki' (the stage of life) is crucial for B1 level proficiency.
Persian has several words for 'child,' each with its own flavor. Understanding the difference between طفل, کودک, and بچه is key to sounding like a native. 'Bache' is the most versatile and common; it can mean 'child,' 'son/daughter,' or even 'guy/fellow' in slang. 'Koodak' is the standard formal word used in psychology, education, and formal writing. 'Tefl' sits in a unique spot: it is more emotional and literary than 'Koodak' and more formal than 'Bache.'
- Tefl vs. Koodak
- 'Koodak' is objective. 'Tefl' is subjective and often carries a sense of pity or tenderness.
- Tefl vs. Nowzad
- 'Nowzad' is a medical/biological term for a newborn. 'Tefl' is a more general term for early childhood.
- Tefl vs. Farzand
- 'Farzand' means 'offspring' and is used to define relationship, regardless of age. An 80-year-old is still the 'Farzand' of their parents, but they are certainly not a 'Tefl.'
کودک (Formal/General) | بچه (Informal/Relationship) | طفل (Literary/Emotive)
How Formal Is It?
Nível de dificuldade
Gramática essencial
Ezafe construction
Arabic broken plurals in Persian
Diminutive suffix '-aki'
Subjunctive mood with 'bayad'
Direct object marker 'ra'
Exemplos por nível
این طفل زیبا است.
This infant is beautiful.
Simple subject-adjective sentence.
طفل خواب است.
The child is asleep.
Noun + adjective (state).
مادر طفل را بوسید.
The mother kissed the child.
Direct object with 'ra'.
یک طفل در پارک است.
A child is in the park.
Indefinite 'yek' + noun.
نام این طفل چیست؟
What is this child's name?
Possessive Ezafe.
طفل شیر میخورد.
The infant is drinking milk.
Present continuous sense.
او یک طفل کوچک دارد.
She has a small infant.
Verb 'dashtan' (to have).
طفل گریه میکند.
The child is crying.
Compound verb 'gerye kardan'.
اطفال در حیاط بازی میکنند.
The children are playing in the yard.
Use of plural 'Atfal'.
این کتاب برای اطفال است.
This book is for children.
Preposition 'baraye'.
او به طفل خود غذا میدهد.
She is feeding her child.
Indirect object with 'be'.
لباسهای اطفال گران است.
Children's clothes are expensive.
Plural possessive.
طفل معصوم ترسیده بود.
The innocent child was scared.
Past participle as adjective.
ما باید به اطفال کمک کنیم.
We must help children.
Modal 'bayad' + subjunctive.
صدای طفل را شنیدی؟
Did you hear the child's voice?
Simple past question.
آن طفل خیلی باهوش است.
That child is very smart.
Adverb 'kheyli' modifying adjective.
حقوق اطفال در تمام جهان مهم است.
Children's rights are important all over the world.
Abstract noun phrase.
او مانند یک طفل بیپناه بود.
He was like a helpless child.
Simile with 'manand-e'.
بیمارستان اطفال در مرکز شهر است.
The children's hospital is in the city center.
Compound noun for institution.
طفلکی، تمام شب بیدار بود.
Poor thing, he was awake all night.
Use of 'Teflaki' as an interjection.
او هنوز در سیاست یک طفل است.
He is still a child (novice) in politics.
Metaphorical usage.
مادر، طفل شیرخوارش را در آغوش گرفت.
The mother took her nursing infant in her arms.
Specific collocation 'Tefl-e-shirkhar'.
ادبیات اطفال بخش مهمی از فرهنگ ماست.
Children's literature is an important part of our culture.
Formal subject phrase.
آنها برای اطفال بیسرپرست پول جمع کردند.
They collected money for orphaned children.
Adjective 'bi-sarparast'.
روانشناسی اطفال به بررسی رشد ذهنی آنها میپردازد.
Child psychology deals with the study of their mental development.
Academic register.
طفل گریزپای خیال به هر سو میدود.
The elusive child of imagination runs in every direction.
Literary personification.
کنوانسیون حقوق اطفال توسط بسیاری از کشورها امضا شده است.
The Convention on the Rights of the Child has been signed by many countries.
Passive voice in formal context.
او با نگاهی طفلانه به جهان مینگریست.
He looked at the world with a childlike gaze.
Adverbial form 'teflane'.
در این داستان، طفل نماد معصومیت از دست رفته است.
In this story, the child is a symbol of lost innocence.
Literary analysis.
متخصص اطفال توصیه کرد که رژیم غذایی کودک تغییر کند.
The pediatrician recommended that the child's diet be changed.
Subjunctive mood in reported speech.
اشعار او پر از تصاویر طفل و گهواره است.
His poems are full of images of the child and the cradle.
Plural noun 'ash'ar'.
او از دوران طفولیت به موسیقی علاقه داشت.
He had an interest in music since childhood.
Use of 'tofoliyat' (childhood).
در فلسفه او، هر انسان طفلی است در پیشگاه حقیقت.
In his philosophy, every human is a child before the presence of truth.
Philosophical metaphor.
قانون مجازات اسلامی برای اطفال بزهکار شرایط خاصی قائل شده است.
The Islamic Penal Code has established specific conditions for juvenile delinquents.
Legal terminology 'atfal-e-bezehkar'.
این اثر هنری، تجسمی از طفل درون هنرمند است.
This artwork is an embodiment of the artist's inner child.
Psychological concept 'tefl-e-darun'.
او با مهارتی شگرف، روحیات یک طفل را به تصویر کشیده است.
With wonderful skill, he has portrayed the moods of an infant.
Complex sentence structure.
بررسی تطبیقی حقوق اطفال در فقه و حقوق مدرن ضروری است.
A comparative study of children's rights in jurisprudence and modern law is necessary.
High academic register.
شاعر در این بیت، اشک را به طفلی یتیم تشبیه کرده است.
In this verse, the poet has likened the tear to an orphaned child.
Literary criticism.
سیاستهای کلان کشور باید در جهت حمایت از اطفال آسیبپذیر باشد.
The country's macro policies should be aimed at supporting vulnerable children.
Political/Social discourse.
او از منظر یک طفل به پیچیدگیهای دنیای بزرگسالان مینگرد.
He looks at the complexities of the adult world from the perspective of a child.
Complex prepositional phrase.
دیالکتیک میان طفل و پیر در آثار عطار، بازنمایی سیر و سلوک است.
The dialectic between the child and the elder in Attar's works represents the spiritual journey.
Advanced literary theory.
صغیر و طفل در متون فقهی دارای تعاریف متمایز و آثار حقوقی متفاوتی هستند.
The 'minor' and the 'child' have distinct definitions and different legal consequences in jurisprudential texts.
Legal/Theological nuance.
او در رسالهاش به تبیین جایگاه طفل در نظام معرفتشناسی پرداخته است.
In his treatise, he has explained the position of the child in the epistemological system.
Epistemological discourse.
زبان طفلانه او در حقیقت نقابی است بر طنز گزنده اجتماعیاش.
His childlike language is actually a mask for his biting social satire.
Sophisticated literary analysis.
استحاله طفل به انسان کامل، درونمایه اصلی این منظومه عرفانی است.
The transformation of the child into the 'Perfect Man' is the main theme of this mystical poem.
Mystical terminology.
او با استناد به کنوانسیونهای بینالمللی، از حقوق اطفال در مناطق جنگزده دفاع کرد.
Citing international conventions, he defended the rights of children in war-torn areas.
International relations register.
در این جستار، نویسنده به واکاوی مفهوم طفل در ناخودآگاه جمعی ایرانیان میپردازد.
In this essay, the author explores the concept of the child in the collective unconscious of Iranians.
Psychoanalytic register.
طفلِ ابجدخوانِ عشق از همه دانایان فراتر میرود.
The novice child of love surpasses all the wise ones.
Classical poetic idiom.
Colocações comuns
Frases Comuns
Frequentemente confundido com
Expressões idiomáticas
Fácil de confundir
Padrões de frases
Como usar
Tefl is more 'innocent' than Bache.
High in literature, medium in speech.
- Using 'Tefl' for older children (10+ years old).
- Using 'Tefl' in very casual slang.
- Forgetting the irregular plural 'Atfal'.
- Confusing 'Tefl' with 'Farzand' (which means offspring of any age).
- Mispronouncing the final 'l' as a 'u' sound.
Dicas
Learn the Plural
Always learn 'Atfal' alongside 'Tefl'. You will see 'Atfal' in 90% of formal written contexts.
Emotional Register
Use 'Tefl' when you want to emphasize the innocence of a child in your writing.
Religious Context
Be aware that 'Tefl' is a very powerful word in Iranian religious ceremonies.
Ezafe Usage
Remember that 'Tefl-e-Ma'soom' requires the Ezafe (the short 'e' sound) to connect the noun and adjective.
News Keywords
If you hear 'Atfal,' the news is likely about social issues, health, or education.
Sympathy
Practice saying 'Teflaki' with a sympathetic tone to sound more like a native speaker.
Poetry Clues
In poetry, 'Tefl' often symbolizes the human soul or the start of a journey.
Avoid Overuse
Don't use 'Tefl' for your own children when talking to friends; it sounds too distant.
Beginner Tip
Call yourself a 'Tefl-e-Abjad-Khan' in Persian to humbly say you are a beginner.
Formal Signs
If you are designing a sign for a children's area, 'Bakhsh-e-Atfal' is the most professional choice.
Memorize
Origem da palavra
Arabic
Contexto cultural
Common in the 'Shahnameh' and 'Masnavi'.
Used in NGO names and government departments.
Pratique na vida real
Contextos reais
Iniciadores de conversa
"به نظر شما بهترین راه برای تربیت اطفال چیست؟"
"آیا در کشور شما بیمارستانهای مخصوص اطفال زیاد است؟"
"کدام کتاب اطفال را در کودکی دوست داشتید؟"
"نظر شما درباره حقوق اطفال در جهان امروز چیست؟"
"آیا طفلکی را میشناسید که نیاز به کمک داشته باشد؟"
Temas para diário
خاطرهای از دوران طفولیت خود بنویسید.
درباره اهمیت آموزش به اطفال فکر کنید و بنویسید.
یک داستان کوتاه درباره یک طفل گریزپا بنویسید.
تفاوتهای بین 'بچه' و 'طفل' را در جملات مختلف نشان دهید.
چرا معصومیت اطفال برای هنرمندان جذاب است؟
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntasRarely. Usually, 'Bache' or specific terms like 'Tuleh' or 'Jujeh' are used for animal offspring. 'Tefl' is almost exclusively for humans.
A 'Nowzad' is a newborn (first month). 'Tefl' is a broader term covering the whole period of infancy and toddlerhood.
Yes, it is grammatically correct, but 'Atfal' sounds much more natural and educated to native speakers.
It means 'poor little thing.' It's used to express pity or sympathy for someone who has suffered a misfortune.
It's less common than 'Bache' but still used, especially when people want to sound more polite or emotional.
You say 'Motakhases-e-Atfal' (متخصص اطفال).
Only metaphorically, to suggest they are acting immaturely or are very inexperienced.
Yes, it is an Arabic loanword that has been used in Persian for over a thousand years.
It's an idiom for a beginner or a novice who is just starting to learn the basics of something.
Persian has no grammatical gender, so 'Tefl' can refer to a boy or a girl.
Teste-se 185 perguntas
Write a sentence using 'طفل معصوم'.
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Write a sentence using the plural 'اطفال'.
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Describe a baby sleeping using the word 'طفل'.
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Use 'طفلکی' in a short dialogue.
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Write a formal sentence about children's rights.
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Translate: 'The pediatrician is in the hospital.'
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Use 'دوران طفولیت' in a sentence about your past.
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Write a metaphorical sentence using 'طفل'.
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Translate: 'The innocent child was crying.'
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Write a sentence about baby food using 'اطفال'.
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Describe a mother's love for her child using 'طفل'.
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Use 'طفل ابجدخوان' in a sentence about learning Persian.
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Write a sentence using 'بخش اطفال'.
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Translate: 'Children are the future of the country.'
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Use 'طفلانه' to describe someone's behavior.
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Write a sentence about a nursing infant.
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Translate: 'The child's voice was beautiful.'
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Use 'اطفال بیپناه' in a sentence about charity.
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Write a sentence about a child playing with a toy.
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Translate: 'He has been interested in music since childhood.'
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Describe a child you know using 'طفل'.
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Talk about children's rights in your country using 'اطفال'.
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How do you say 'Poor child' in Persian?
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Explain the difference between 'Bache' and 'Tefl'.
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Use 'طفل ابجدخوان' to describe yourself as a learner.
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Tell a short story about a baby using 'طفل'.
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Pronounce 'اطفال' correctly.
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What is the Persian word for 'Pediatrics'?
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Use 'طفلانه' in a sentence.
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Discuss the importance of baby food using 'اطفال'.
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How do you express sympathy for a child?
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Describe a mother and child using 'طفل'.
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Use 'دوران طفولیت' in a sentence.
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What is 'Hoghugh-e-Atfal'?
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Is 'Tefl' formal or informal?
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Say 'The child is sleeping' in Persian.
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What is the plural of 'Tefl'?
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Use 'طفل معصوم' in a sentence.
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Talk about a children's book using 'اطفال'.
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Pronounce 'طفولیت' correctly.
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Listen to: 'مادر طفل را در آغوش گرفت.' Who was in the arms?
Listen to: 'اطفال باید به مدرسه بروند.' Who should go to school?
Listen to: 'او متخصص اطفال است.' What is his job?
Listen to: 'طفلکی مریض شده است.' How is the child?
Listen to: 'حقوق اطفال مهم است.' What is important?
Listen to: 'دوران طفولیت من در شیراز بود.' Where was the childhood spent?
Listen to: 'صدای گریه طفل میآید.' What sound is heard?
Listen to: 'او طفلانه میخندید.' How was he laughing?
Listen to: 'بخش اطفال طبقه دوم است.' Which floor is pediatrics?
Listen to: 'این طفل معصوم گرسنه است.' What is wrong with the child?
Listen to: 'کتاب اطفال را بخر.' What should you buy?
Listen to: 'او طفل ابجدخوان است.' Is he an expert?
Listen to: 'مادر برای طفل لالایی خواند.' What did the mother sing?
Listen to: 'اطفال در پارک هستند.' Where are the children?
Listen to: 'او از طفولیت نقاش بود.' Since when was he a painter?
/ 185 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
Mastering 'Tefl' allows you to express empathy and handle formal Persian contexts. For example, 'Tefl-e-Ma'soom' (innocent child) is a powerful phrase for describing vulnerability.
- Tefl means infant or toddler.
- It is more formal and emotive than 'Bache'.
- The plural is 'Atfal', used in legal contexts.
- It is frequently found in Persian literature and poetry.
Learn the Plural
Always learn 'Atfal' alongside 'Tefl'. You will see 'Atfal' in 90% of formal written contexts.
Emotional Register
Use 'Tefl' when you want to emphasize the innocence of a child in your writing.
Religious Context
Be aware that 'Tefl' is a very powerful word in Iranian religious ceremonies.
Ezafe Usage
Remember that 'Tefl-e-Ma'soom' requires the Ezafe (the short 'e' sound) to connect the noun and adjective.
Conteúdo relacionado
Esta palavra em outros idiomas
Frases relacionadas
Mais palavras de family
عاقد
B1O celebrante de casamento que formaliza o contrato legal.
عضو بودن
B1Ser membro de uma família ou grupo.
عقد
B1Marriage contract; formal engagement ceremony.
عقد کردن
B1Casar-se oficialmente assinando um contrato de casamento.
عمه
A1A palavra 'عمه' refere-se à tia paterna, a irmã do pai.
عمه زاده
B1Primo paterno (filho da tia paterna).
عمهزاده
B1Paternal aunt's child (cousin).
عمو
A1Tio paterno; o irmão do pai. Meu tio paterno é muito engraçado.
عموزاده
A2Um primo paterno (o filho ou filha do irmão do pai). 'Meu amuzāde é muito inteligente.'
عنایت
B1Care; attention; favor; consideration.