What it means
دوچرخه (docharkhe) means bicycle, a human-powered vehicle with two wheels. The word is a pure-Persian compound: دو (do) means “two” and چرخه (charkhe) means “wheel” or “cycle,” from چرخ (charkh, “wheel” or “rotation”). The compound is a deliberate native coinage that mirrors the structure of the French word bicyclette (from Latin bi + cyclus). In everyday speech دوچرخه is universally understood and used across all age groups. A close relative is موتور (motor) or موتورسیکلت (motorsiklet) for a motorized two-wheeler, which shares the two-wheel concept but not the pedal power.
How to use it
- دوچرخهام رو گم کردم. (docharkhe-am ro gom kardam.) “I lost my bicycle.”
- هر روز صبح با دوچرخه سر کار میرم. (har ruz sobh bâ docharkhe sar-e kâr miram.) “Every morning I go to work by bicycle.”
- میخوام دوچرخهسواری یاد بگیرم. (mikhâm docharkhe-savâri yâd begiram.) “I want to learn how to ride a bicycle.”
- دوچرخهها رو کنار پارک پارک کن. (docharkhehâ ro kenâr-e pârk pârk kon.) “Park the bicycles next to the park.”
Cultural note
Cycling has grown noticeably as both a recreational activity and a commuting choice in Iranian cities over the past decade. Several municipalities, including Isfahan and Mashhad, have developed dedicated cycling paths and public bicycle-sharing schemes. Isfahan in particular is well known among locals and tourists for its riverside cycling routes along the Zayandeh River. Women’s access to public cycling has been a debated topic in Iran, with restrictions varying by city and administration over the years.