How do you pronounce شیطان (Shaytan)?

شیطان (Shaytan) is pronounced /ʃeɪˈtɑːn/.

What is the English equivalent of شیطان (Shaytan)?

The closest English equivalent of شیطان (Shaytan) is "devil / little devil / evil".

شیطان (Shaytan)

/ʃeɪˈtɑːn/insult, religious

What does شیطان (Shaytan) mean? شیطان (Shaytan) is a Dari mild that translates to “devil / little devil / evil” in English.

Literal Translation

Satan / the devil

Meaning & Usage

"devil / little devil / evil"

Used exactly the way English speakers call a mischievous child 'a little devil.' In its serious form, it accuses someone of being inspired by or allied with Satan. In its casual form, it's almost affectionate — 'this kid is a shaytan' means they're cleverly naughty, always up to something.

Examples in the Wild

این بچه شیطان صفت است، همه چیز را خراب میکند. (In bacha shaytan sefat ast, hama cheez ra kharab mekunad. - This devil-natured kid destroys everything.) — Exasperated parent about an energetic child.

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Mild. Mild. Safe in most casual settings. Your grandma might use it.

Cultural Context

Shaytan (Iblis) is the most important adversary figure in Islam — the angel who refused to bow to Adam and was cast out of heaven. Despite this cosmic theological significance, Afghans use 'shaytan' more casually than you'd expect. A child who hides the TV remote is a shaytan. A friend who convinces you to eat another plate of food is a shaytan. The distance between the theological and the colloquial is vast. However, seriously calling an adult 'shaytan' — meaning they're genuinely evil, not playfully mischievous — is a heavy accusation.