In Persian, every word feels like a tiny story.
One of my favorite examples is the word مِهربان (mehrbān, pronounced /mehraboon/ in informal speech), which means "kind" or "compassionate." But when you take a closer look, it carries even deeper beauty.
Let’s break it down:
◼ مهر (mehr) means "love" or "kindness."
◼ بان (bān) is an old Persian suffix that means "keeper," "guardian," or "protector."
So, مهربان (mehrabān) literally means "the keeper or bearer of love and kindness"—someone who carries love inside and protects it like a precious treasure. Isn't that beautiful?
🧡 Mehr + Bān = Mehrbān 🧡
| Persian Word | Meaning | Breakdown |
|---|---|---|
| مهر (mehr) | Love, kindness | (root word) |
| بان (bān) | Keeper, protector | (suffix) |
| مهربان (mehrabān) | One who keeps or carries love and kindness | مهر + بان |
Other Examples with "-bān"
This lovely suffix -bān appears in many Persian words, creating images of people who protect or guard something important:
⚫ نگهبان (negahbān) — "guardian" (someone who keeps watch and protects)
⚫ بادبان (bādbān) — "sail" (literally, "keeper of the wind"! bād = wind, bān = keeper. The sail captures and guards the wind to move the boat.)
| Persian Word | Meaning | Breakdown |
|---|---|---|
| نگهبان (negahbān) | Guardian | نگاه (negāh = look/watch) + بان (keeper) |
| بادبان (bādbān) | Sail (keeper of the wind) | باد (bād = wind) + بان (keeper) |
| دروازهبان (darvāzehbān) | Goalkeeper (gatekeeper) | دروازه (darvāzeh = gate) + بان (keeper) |
Now, imagine this:
In Persian, the word دَروازه (darvāzeh) means "gate."
So if you think about a Goalkeeper in soccer — literally the keeper of the gate — what would we call them in Persian?
.
.
.
.
.
.
You guessed it:
⚫ دروازهبان (darvāzehbān)
(دروازه "gate" + بان "keeper") = "gatekeeper," the one who guards the goal!
This kind of natural, poetic construction shows how Persian combines concepts with heart and logic at the same time.
✨ Little Grammar Station:
This beautiful exploration is actually part of one of the mini "grammar stations" in my Persian Alphabet e-book, which I use to teach Persian diaspora learners how to read and write Persian.
If you find the hidden poetry of Persian fascinating, you’ll love the e-book and course!
👉 Join the Course Here
بامهر و سپاس،
شیرین
