حیوان (Heyvān)
What does حیوان (Heyvān) mean? حیوان (Heyvān) is a Farsi (Persian) moderate that translates to “animal, beast, brute” in English.
Literal Translation
animal
Meaning & Usage
"animal, beast, brute"
Calling someone an 'animal' — implying they lack the rationality and civility that separates humans from beasts. Unlike specific animal insults (khar, sag, khuk), 'heyvān' is the generic: you're not even worth specifying which animal you resemble. It implies brutish, uncivilized behavior across the board.
Examples in the Wild
'Heyvān, dast nazan behesh!' — animal, don't touch her! Used when someone's behavior becomes threatening or brutish.
When to Use It
Context
- Casual conversations with friends
- Informal settings where profanity is accepted
- Direct confrontation (use with caution)
Avoid
- Professional or formal settings
- Job interviews, meetings, or customer-facing situations
Cultural Context
Persian philosophy, influenced by both Zoroastrian and Islamic thought, places humans distinctly above animals through the capacity for reason ('aghl'). Calling someone 'heyvān' says they've forfeited this divine gift. It's used for violent behavior, sexual impropriety, and general loss of self-control — anything that makes someone seem more beast than human.
More in Farsi (Persian) 🇮🇷
View all →کس (Kos)
“cunt, pussy”
The vulgar Persian word for vagina — the root of an enormous profanity family. 'Kos' by itself is crude but it's the derivatives that make it devastating: koskesh (pimp), kos-e naneh (mother's cunt), kos nagu (don't talk shit), kos khol (vagina-brained/idiot). Understanding 'kos' unlocks half of Persian profanity.
بیناموس (Bi nāmus)
“dishonorable, scumbag”
'Nāmus' is one of Persian's most loaded concepts — it means honor, specifically family honor tied to female relatives' chastity and reputation. 'Bi nāmus' (without nāmus) is therefore one of the worst things you can call someone: a man who has failed to protect his family's honor, or worse, doesn't care about it.
کیری (Kiri)
“shitty, dickish, crappy”
The all-purpose adjective form of 'kir' (penis). Anything terrible, worthless, or pathetic can be 'kiri' — a kiri car, a kiri movie, a kiri day. It transforms the penis from a body part into a quality rating system where everything associated with it is garbage. One of the most frequently used adjectives in vulgar Persian.
بیشرف (Bi sharaf)
“dishonorable, lowlife, scum”
Literally 'without sharaf' (nobility/honor). While similar to 'bi nāmus,' this targets general moral character rather than specifically family-sexual honor. A 'bi sharaf' person is a liar, a cheat, someone who breaks promises — dishonorable in the broader sense. It's a serious insult but less explosive than 'bi nāmus.'
شاشیدن (Shāshidan)
“to piss, to pee”
The vulgar verb for urination. Figuratively, 'shāshidam be X' (I pissed on X) means extreme contempt or disrespect. Less harsh than 'ridan' (shitting) but in the same contempt family. 'Shāsh' (piss) as a noun also means something worthless.
عوضی (Avazi)
“bastard, asshole, wrong'un”
From 'avaz' (exchange/substitute), implying someone who shouldn't exist — a 'replacement' child, a mistake. In modern usage it's simply 'bastard' or 'asshole' without the literal illegitimacy implication. It's one of Persian's most versatile general-purpose insults for someone you despise.
خسیس (Khasis)
“cheapskate, miser, tightwad”
Stingy, miserly — someone who hoards money and refuses to share. In Iranian hospitality culture, being 'khasis' is a character flaw that borders on moral failure. The Arabic-origin word carries weight: it's not just 'careful with money,' it's a fundamental deficiency of generosity that makes someone socially repugnant.
دیوث (Dayoos)
“pimp / scumbag / bastard”
A strong insult implying a man is a pimp, specifically one who pimps his own wife, characterizing him as utterly without honor.