Persian Loanwords in English
1 / 15From paradise to pajamas, uncover the Persian origins of many beautiful English words!
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The word 'paradise' comes from the Old Persian 'pairidaeza.' What did it originally describe?
About Persian Loanwords in English
Give your memory a workout with Persian Loanwords in English: 15 multiple-choice questions aimed at mixed difficulty, free to play right in your browser. From paradise to pajamas, uncover the Persian origins of many beautiful English words! Expect to spend about 7 minutes; every question comes with an explanation, so you learn something even when you miss.
A few sample questions
1. The word 'paradise' comes from the Old Persian 'pairidaeza.' What did it originally describe?
Answer: An enclosed garden or park
2. Which English word for a type of checkered board game comes from the Persian 'shah mat,' meaning 'the king is dead'?
Answer: Checkmate
3. The word 'bazaar' comes from Persian. What does it mean?
Answer: A market or marketplace
4. Which English word for a type of candy or sweet comes from the Persian 'qand' (cane sugar)?
Answer: Candy
5. The word 'khaki' passed through Hindi but originates from the Persian 'khak.' What does 'khak' mean?
Answer: Dust or earth
Frequently asked questions
How long does Persian Loanwords in English take?
Most players finish Persian Loanwords in English in about 7 minutes. You can pause between questions, replay it as often as you like, and there is no penalty for taking your time — answers are explained after you submit them.
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Yes — use the Print button at the top of the page for a clean question sheet, or "Print with Answers" to make an answer key. Printed sheets work well for group play at home, in a classroom, or at a senior center.
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