Farsi (also called Persian and Iranian) is an Indo-European language spoken in Iran and Afghanistan.
Many of the words from this language came into English via India or Arabia.
There are several food terms ("biryani", "lime", "spinach"), some colours ("azure", "lilac"), and clothing terms ("pyjama", "shawl"). Chess terms (including "checkmate") are also present.
The unit of weight that many English speakers in the UK and USA consider part of their culture (the "ounce") is also from this language.
| Word | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| aubergine | Known as "egg plant" in the USA. One of many food words from Farsi. | |
| azure | Blue - one of many colour words from Farsi. | |
| bazaar | A market place. | |
| biryani | fried | A rice dish from India and Pakistani. |
| caravan | The original meaning is a caravan of pack animals (like camels) carrying goods. | |
| checkmate | from "shah-k-mate", the king is dead |
A chess term. |
| dervish | poor | Muslim holy man vowed to austerity. |
| divan | One of many furniture or clothing items from Farsi. | |
| jackal | A dog-like animal. | |
| jasmine | Fragrant shrub. | |
| julep | rose water | |
| khaki | dusty | Dull fabric used by the military. |
| kiosk | ||
| lemon | A citrus fruit. | |
| lilac | A bluish colour. | |
| lime | A citrus fruit. | |
| ounce | A unit of weight (= 2.835 × 10-2 kg). | |
| pagoda | temple of idols | |
| pistachio | A type of nut. | |
| pyjama | Item of clothing worn in Asia (and in Europe while sleeping). | |
| rhubarb | A plant used as a sweet. | |
| rice | Grass used as a food. | |
| rook | castle | A chess term. |
| sash | turban | Item of clothing worn across the body. |
| scarlet | Red. | |
| serendipity | Finding something by sheer luck. | |
| shawl | Item of clothing named after its town of origin in India. | |
| spinach | Green leaf vegetable - a delicacy in Asia. | |
| -stan | land of | Examples: Afghanistan, Uzbekistan. |
| taffeta | twist | Fine silk. |
| talc | ||
| tambourine | ||
| tiara | ||
| tiger | Large carnivorous cat. | |
| turban | Item of clothing worn on the head. |
