What it means
موتورسیکلت (motorsiklet) is the Persian word for motorcycle. It was borrowed directly from the French word motocyclette, and the Persian pronunciation closely follows the French original rather than the English “motorcycle.” In everyday speech Iranians often shorten it to موتور (motor). A close related term is دوچرخه (do-charkheh), which means bicycle, a human-powered two-wheeler without an engine.
How to use it
- یه موتورسیکلت دارم که هر روز باهاش میرم سرکار. (ye motorsiklet dâram ke har ruz bâhâsh miram sar-e kâr.) “I have a motorcycle that I ride to work every day.”
- موتورسیکلتا تو این خیابون خیلی تند میرن. (motorsikletâ tu in khiyâbun kheyli tond miran.) “The motorcycles go very fast on this street.”
- موتور پارک کردی یا نه؟ (motor pârk kardi yâ na?) “Did you park the motorcycle or not?”
- بهتره با موتورسیکلت بری، زودتر میرسی. (behtar-e bâ motorsiklet beri, zudtar miresi.) “Better to go by motorcycle, you will get there faster.”
Cultural note
Motorcycles are extremely common in Iranian cities and are used heavily for both personal transport and delivery services. Motorcycle couriers, known as پیک (peyk), are a central part of the urban economy in Tehran and other cities. Traffic laws regarding motorcycles have historically been loosely enforced, and sidewalk riding is a common sight. The word موتور alone, without the full form, is what most Iranians say in daily conversation.