ta'arof

تعارفtah-AW-rof[tæˈʔɒːɾof]

the ritual back-and-forth of polite offers and refusals — courtesy, Iranian-style

Closest in English: etiquette, politesse, courtesy. None of them covers it.

The story

An Iranian shopkeeper may wave your money away twice before taking it, and a guest refuses the fruit twice before eating; both sides know the rules. Getting it wrong marks you as an outsider faster than an accent does. Guidebooks file it under courtesy.

How it went in the game

Contains the answers. If you want to play the word yourself first, leave this closed.

Which language is it from?Persian
Where do you see it?In a taxi, the fare waved away at first
How does it sound to Iranians?Everyday ritual, learned young
What does it mean?The polite dance of offer and refusal

More words from Persian

noosh-e jan

All words from Persian ›