خیریه

What it means

خیریه (kheyriye) is a noun and attributive adjective meaning charity or charitable. It derives from Arabic خَيْر (kheyr), meaning goodness or benefit, via the adjectival form خَيْرِيَّة. In Persian the word functions both as a standalone noun (یه خیریه, ye kheyriye, a charity) and as a modifier (سازمان خیریه, sâzemân-e kheyriye, a charitable organization; کار خیریه, kâr-e kheyriye, charitable work). Islamic almsgiving traditions, combined with strong neighborhood and mosque-based aid networks, make خیریه organizations a visible part of Iranian civil society.

How to use it

• اون سازمان یه خیریه‌ست (un sâzemân ye kheyriyast) “That organization is a charity.”
• پول رو به خیریه داد (pul ro be kheyriye dâd) “He donated the money to charity.”
• کار خیریه می‌کنه (kâr-e kheyriye mikone) “She does charitable work.”
• خیریه‌های زیادی تو ایران فعاله (kheyriye-hâye ziâdi tu Irân fa’âle) “Many charities are active in Iran.”

Cultural note

In Iran, charitable giving is intertwined with Islamic concepts of زکات (zakât, obligatory almsgiving) and خمس (khoms, a religious tax). Many خیریه organizations operate through mosques or are affiliated with religious foundations. They provide food, medical support, school supplies, and housing assistance. The word carries a positive social valence: saying someone کار خیریه می‌کنه is straightforwardly praiseworthy with no ironic edge.

References

• Dehkhoda
• Vajehyab