Term | Definition |
Allah-u-Akbar | "Allah (God) is the Greatest" |
Hazara | Derives from the Persian word hazar meaning "thousand" |
Babalu | Meaning "Boogeyman" |
Pashtuns | Eastern Iranian group residing in eastern and southern Afghanistan, they speak the Pashto language and practice Pastunwali "code of conduct and honor" |
Sunni Muslims | Derives from the Arabic word Sunnah, meaning word and action of Islamic prophet Muhammad. Largest denomination of Islam |
Laaf | Afghan tendency to exaggerate |
Baba | Meaning "Father" |
Saratan | Cancer |
Sherjangi | A "Battle of the Poems" game |
Buzkashi | Afgan sport similar to Polo |
Chapandaz | Highly skilled Buzkashi horseman |
Mard | Huge man |
Sultan | An Islamic title of Muslim ruler. |
Kaka | Uncle |
Shahnamah or Shahnameh | (The Epic of Kings) tells hero tales of ancient Persia. |
Watan | Native country, home |
Kasseef | Filthy, very dirty |
Eid | Muslim holiday that marks the end of Ramadan |
Salaam alaykum | Peace |
Agha Sahib | Agha meaning "Great lord; Nobleman; Commander" and Sahib meaning "Friend, Sir" |
Kabul | Capital and largest city of Afghanistan; Over 3,000 years old |
Qurma | Meaning "Chicken" usually found in stew |
Agha | grandfather |
Jan | Word of endearment; dear (formal). Joon is the informal form of it that literally means “life.” |
Panjpar | Card game |
Sahib | sir, master, lord |
Inshallah | God Willing |
Bazaar | Marketplace |
Namaz | Prayer, especially those enforced by the law |
Bas | Enough |
Allah | God |
Bachem | “my child” or “my baby” |
Balay | Yes |
Bismillah | In the name of God! |
Dil | The heart, mind, and soul |
Hijab | Veiling |
Iftikhar | Honour |
Kaka | Uncle |
Khala | Maternal aunt (Ameh is a paternal aunt.) Calling an unrelated woman khala indicates that she is very close to the family or to the child. |
Khoda hafez | Good bye, or in Farsi the language used it means "God keep you safe" |
Komak | Help |
Lafz | Tone of voice |
Lochak | Small Scarf |
Maghbool | Beautiful |
Moalem | Teacher |
Moftakhir | Proud |
Mohtaram | Respected |
Namoos | Reputation; fame; renown; esteem; honor; dignity |
Nang | Honor; reputation; estimation |
Nika | Swearing ceremony of a wedding |
Raka’t | Section of a prayer |
Roussi | The word for Russian |
Shorawi | The former U.S.S.R. |
Wah wah | Bravo, Admirable |
Watan | Native home/country |
Yelda | The first night of winter and the longest night of the year |
Zendagi migzara | Life goes on |
Bia | come |
Biwa | widow |
Burqa | a women’s outer garment that covers them from head to toe including the face. This garment is worn in public. |
Farsi | the language spoken by Persians and is spoken in Iran, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan by certain ethnic groups. |
Ghamkhori | depression, feeling sorry for oneself |
Hadia | gift |
Khanum | lady, Mrs. |
Lotfan | please |
Nazar | the evil eye; sight, view, idea |
Rupia | unit of currency in India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan |
Salaam alaykum | Hello to you/ Peace |
Tashakor | Thank you |
Watani | Belonging to one’s country |
Yar | familiar or affectionate form of address, especially among young people |
Yateem | orphan |