خسیس (Khasis)
What does خسیس (Khasis) mean? خسیس (Khasis) is a Farsi (Persian) moderate that translates to “cheapskate, miser, tightwad” in English.
Literal Translation
stingy, miserly
Meaning & Usage
"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.
Examples in the Wild
'Adam-e khasisi-e, hich vaght dast tush nemireh' — he's a miser, he never reaches into his pocket. A serious character critique in Iranian social life.
“واقعا خسیسه، یه پول نمیده به کسی.”
“He's a real cheapskate, he doesn't give money to anyone.”
“این دیگه آخر خسیس بازیه!”
“This is the height of stinginess!”
“گفتم یه چای مهمونم کن، گفت پول ندارم، یارو خسیسه!”
“I asked him to treat me to a tea, he said he had no money, the guy's a miser!”
“از این به بعد دیگه اسمشو میذاریم خسیس خان.”
“From now on, we'll call him 'Mr. Stingy'.”
“وای، چقدر خسیسه این پسر!”
“Wow, how stingy this guy is!”
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
Ta'arof demands performed generosity — you must offer, insist, and often provide. A 'khasis' person breaks this social contract and faces real consequences: fewer invitations, whispered criticism, social downgrade. In a culture where your reputation is your social currency, being known as 'khasis' is genuinely damaging.
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.
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.
کس ننه (Kos-e Naneh)
“motherfucker / fuck your mother”
A highly offensive term attacking a person's mother directly through crude sexual imagery.