persian
persian — adjective
1. connected with Iran or old Persia, including its people, culture, history, or la
connected with Iran or old Persia, including its people, culture, history, or language
The chef served Persian rice with fish and fresh herbs.
attributive adjective: Persian + food noun
Blue Persian letters ran around the edge of the bowl.
attributive adjective: Persian + writing noun
Our class watched a film about Persian kings and city walls.
Nadia brought a Persian carpet home from her trip to Shiraz.
- Iranian
more usual for the modern country and its citizens; Persian often stresses culture, language, or historical background
- Iran-related
a broader modern description, but much less natural in ordinary language
文法句型
Persian + noun
用法筆記
In modern news writing, Iranian is often preferred for the present-day state and its citizens. Persian is especially common for language, art, food, literature, and history.
常見錯誤
persian — noun
1. a person from the Persian people, especially in history, or someone in modern Ir
a person from the Persian people, especially in history, or someone in modern Iran with Persian family roots
The young Persian greeted us in English and offered sweet tea.
countable noun: a Persian
Several Persians in the audience nodded when the guide mentioned Shiraz.
plural form: Persians
In the film, a Persian guides the traders across the desert.
Sara's grandfather was Persian, but her grandmother came from Turkey.
- Iranian
broader modern national term; not every Iranian is ethnically Persian
- member of the Persian people
a fuller and more formal phrase for the ethnic meaning
文法句型
a Persian
Persians
用法筆記
Often replaced by Iranian in present-day national contexts. Persian can point more specifically to ethnic or cultural background, and it is common in writing about the ancient empire.
常見錯誤
2. the language known today as Farsi, spoken mainly in Iran and used in a closely r
the language known today as Farsi, spoken mainly in Iran and used in a closely related form in nearby countries
Leila writes short poems in Persian and reads them to friends.
pattern: in Persian
The guide translated the old sign from Persian into English.
pattern: translate from Persian into English
At home, the twins speak Persian with their grandparents.
Our library bought a Persian dictionary for the new language class.
- Farsi
a common everyday name for the modern Iranian standard of Persian
- Modern Persian
a more technical label used when older historical stages are being compared
文法句型
speak Persian
in Persian
translate from Persian
用法筆記
Usually uncountable, with no article: speak Persian, learn Persian, write in Persian. In everyday English, many speakers also use Farsi for the modern language of Iran.
常見錯誤
3. a breed of cat with very long fur and a broad, flat face
a breed of cat with very long fur and a broad, flat face
Mina brushed her Persian every night to keep its coat clean.
countable noun: a Persian
The vet said the Persian needed daily eye care.
common care context for the breed
A white Persian slept on the sofa beside the kitchen door.
Tom wanted a Persian, but his sister chose a short-haired cat.
- Persian cat
the full and more explicit name of the breed
- longhair
an informal cat-breeding term that can be broader than this single breed
文法句型
a Persian
Persian cat
用法筆記
Usually countable and often shortened from Persian cat. It commonly appears in pet-care contexts because the breed needs regular brushing and face cleaning.