امتیاز
امتیاز (emtiaz) means score or points. The word is Arabic in origin, from the root m-y-z meaning to distinguish or stand out, and in Persian it covers sports scores, ratings, and privileges alike.
Glossary
قهرمان
قهرمان (qahreaman) means champion or hero. The word is a Persian formation combining qahr (force or subjugation, ultimately from Arabic) with the Persian suffix -mân, and is used for sports champions and legendary heroes alike.
مسابقه
مسابقه (mosabeqeh) means competition or match. The word comes from Arabic, from the root s-b-q meaning to race or get ahead, and is used for any contest, from a sports match to a TV quiz show.
ورزشگاه
ورزشگاه (varzeshgah) is the Persian word for a stadium or sports ground. Built from the native roots varzesh (exercise/sport) and the place-suffix gah, it is used for any venue where sport takes place.
ماراتن
ماراتن (mârâton) is a loanword from Greek via European languages, referring to the long-distance running race of 42.195 km. The name comes from the Battle of Marathon in ancient Greece.
دوچرخهسواری
دوچرخهسواری (do-charkheh-savâri) means cycling. It is a native Persian compound: do (two), charkheh (wheel), and savâri (riding) all trace back to Old Iranian roots.
بدمینتون
بدمینتون (badminton) is a direct borrowing from English into Persian. The sport is named after Badminton House in England, where it was popularized in the 1870s.
شطرنج
شطرنج (shatranj) means chess. The word entered Persian through Arabic, which had borrowed it from the Sanskrit chaturanga. Chess itself is believed to have originated in ancient India.
تختهنرد
تختهنرد (takhte-nard) is the Persian word for backgammon, one of the oldest board games in the world. Both parts of the word come from native Persian roots.
شنا کردن
شنا کردن (shenâ kardan) means to swim. Both parts are native Persian: shenâ (swimming) and kardan (to do). Used for pools, rivers, and the sea alike.