Farsi+words+and+their+meanings

List Farsi words used in The Kite Runner and their meanings.

Khaled Hosseini uses well-placed Farsi words through out The Kite Runner; the words not only provide insight into the Afghani culture and the lives of the characters being chronicled, but it serves as a constant reminder of the setting that is so vital to the telling of the story.

Allah-u-akbar - Allah is the greatest! (pg.6) Insha'alah/inshalla - God willing (pg. sthg) Babalu - Boogeyman (pg.8) laaf - exaggeration (pg.12) Toophan - hurricane (pg.12) agha - mister (pg.12) saratan - cancer (pg.14) zakat - purification, growth (pg.15) hadj - a pilgrimage to Mecca during Dhu'l Hijja (pg.15) namaz - a prayer performed five times each day (pg. 15) Qiyamat - judgment day (pg. 16) naan - a type of bread (pg. 17)

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