What it means
وسایل (vasâyel) is the plural of وسیله (vasile), an Arabic-origin word meaning a means, a tool, or an instrument. In Persian, however, the plural vasâyel has become the dominant everyday form and it simply means things, stuff, or belongings. The singular vasile survives mainly in the set phrase وسیله نقلیه (vasile-ye naghlie), meaning a vehicle or means of transport, but for physical objects in general, Iranians say vasâyel. The range is wide: وسایل خانه (vasâyel-e khâne) means household items or furniture, وسایل کار (vasâyel-e kâr) means work tools or equipment, and وسایلم (vasâyel-am) means simply my stuff. The word is completely naturalized and neutral across all registers.
How to use it
- وسایلت رو جمع کن (vasâyel-et ro jam’ kon) “Pack up your things.”
- وسایلم کجاست؟ (vasâyel-am kojâst?) “Where is my stuff?”
- وسایل خونه رو خریدیم (vasâyel-e khune ro kharidim) “We bought household items.”
- وسایل بازی رو آوردی؟ (vasâyel-e bâzi ro âvordi?) “Did you bring the game equipment?”
Cultural note
The phrase وسایلت رو جمع کن (vasâyel-et ro jam’ kon), literally pack up your things, is one of those sentences that carries emotional weight beyond its literal meaning. Said by a parent it can mean tidy your room; said in a tense domestic or workplace situation it can signal you are being dismissed. Iranian learners of Persian quickly encounter vasâyel because it appears constantly in practical, daily conversation about movement, packing, and ownership.
References
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