Iranian, Persian

The term Iranian refers to the group of languages spoken in Iran, Afghanistan and neighbouring countries.

  • The language group known as Iranian includes Balochi, Farsi, Kurdish and Pashto.

A native or inhabitant of Iran is called an Iranian, although some prefer to be called Persian.

  • Most Iranians who immigrated to Canada have arrived since World War II.
  • Xerxes was king of the Persians in the fifth century.

Both Iranian and Persian are also used as adjectives.

  • Travellers to Afghanistan and Tajikistan should learn a few phrases in one of the Iranian languages.
  • The floors of the mansion were covered in Persian carpets.

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