Persian's lyrical vocabulary transforms ordinary landscapes into vivid poetry. These words don't just describe - they evoke.
Mountains and highlands
کوهستان
[koː.his.ˈtɑːn]“Mountain range”
A chain of mountains, often evoking epic Persian landscapes in classical poetry.
برف
[baɾf]“Snow”
Not just frozen precipitation - in Persian poetry, snow symbolises purity and temporary beauty.
یخچال
[jax.t͡ʃɑːl]“Glacier”
Literally 'ice place', these ancient ice flows feature in many alpine Persian landscapes.
Water and wetlands
چشمه
[t͡ʃaʃ.ˈma]“Spring”
A natural water source, often appearing in Persian gardens and desert oases.
رودخانه
[ɾoːð.xɑː.ˈna]“River”
The lifeblood of Persian civilisation, with many cities built along historic waterways.
دریاچه
[daɾ.jɑː.ˈt͡ʃa]“Lake”
Often used metaphorically in poetry to represent stillness and reflection.
Deserts and plains
کویر
[kʲæˈviːɾ]“Salt desert”
Iran's vast central deserts, home to unique ecosystems and star-filled night skies.
تپه
[ta.pa]“Hill”
Smaller than mountains but equally prominent in Persian pastoral poetry.
ریگزار
/ɾiːɡˈzɑːɾ/“Sandy desert”
Dunescapes that shift like waves, featuring in many Sufi metaphors about impermanence.
Flora and seasons
بهار
[ba.ˈhɑːɾ]“Spring”
Celebrated in Nowruz traditions, when Persian landscapes burst into temporary bloom.
سرو
[saɾw]“Cypress”
An evergreen symbolising resilience in Persian poetry, often planted in cemeteries.
لاله
[lɑː.ˈla]“Tulip”
Wild tulips colour Persian hillsides in spring, representing delicate beauty.
Sky and elements
آسمان
[ʔɑːs.(i).mɑːn]“Sky”
In Persian cosmology, the celestial dome separating earth from paradise.
باد
[bɑːð]“Wind”
The 'bad-e-saba' morning breeze appears constantly in classical Persian poetry.
Many Persian nature words appear in the works of Hafez, Rumi, and other classical poets. Recognising them unlocks deeper appreciation of Persian literature.
For those interested in how languages shape perception of the natural world, our guide to Norwegian compound words shows another fascinating approach to landscape vocabulary.
