What it means
کامیاب (kamyab) means successful, accomplished, or triumphant. It is a purely Persian compound: کام (kam) means desire, wish, or aspiration, from Middle Persian, and یاب (yab) is the present stem of یافتن (yaftan), meaning to find. Together the word means something like “one who has found what they desired,” that is, someone who has achieved their goals. It is more formal and literary than موفق (movafaq), the Arabic-origin synonym that dominates everyday speech, and carries a slightly warmer, more celebratory tone. Its natural opposite uses the same root: ناکام (nakam), meaning unsuccessful or unfulfilled.
How to use it
- امیدوارم در امتحانات کامیاب بشی. (omidvaram dar emtehana kamyab beshi.) “I hope you succeed in your exams.”
- او در کارش کاملا کامیاب بود. (u dar karash kamalan kamyab bud.) “He was completely successful in his work.”
- تیم ما از مسابقه کامیاب برگشت. (tim-e ma az mosabeghe kamyab bargasht.) “Our team returned from the competition triumphant.”
- کامیاب بمونی. (kamyab bemuni.) “May you remain successful.”
Cultural note
کامیاب has a distinctly classical feel and is favored in formal writing, poetry, and celebratory wishes. The formula “کامیاب باشی” (kamyab bashi) or “کامیاب بمونی” is a heartfelt way to wish someone success, common in written messages, speeches, and formal farewells. The root کام itself appears in classical Persian poetry with rich connotations of desire and fulfillment. In everyday conversational Persian, موفق (movafaq) is more common, but choosing کامیاب signals warmth and a slightly elevated register.