دریا

What it means

دریا (daryâ) means “sea.” In Iran the word usually points to two specific bodies of water: دریای کاسپین (the Caspian) to the north and خلیج فارس (the Persian Gulf) to the south. Foundation A1 noun.

How to use it

• دریا آرام است (daryâ ârâm ast) “the sea is calm”
• کنار دریا (kenâr-e daryâ) “by the sea, seaside”
• به دریا می‌رویم (be daryâ miravim) “we are going to the sea”

Common pairings

• دریانورد (daryâ-navard) “sailor” (sea-traveler)
• دریاچه (daryâche) “lake” (little sea)
• کنار دریا (kenâr-e daryâ) “seaside” (a beloved Iranian summer destination)

Cultural note

For Tehranis, شمال (the north, meaning the Caspian coast) is the default summer escape: a five-hour drive to دریا for cooler air, fresh fish, and rainforest mountains. The word دریا carries that getaway feeling. It is also a popular girl’s name.

References

• Dehkhoda
• Vajehyab