Farsi uses diminutive suffixes to describe small things or express affection. These are perfect for talking about miniatures, dioramas, and tiny details.
The Suffix -چه
To indicate a smaller version of an object, attach the suffix -چه to the end of a noun. For example, adding it to درخت (tree) creates درختچه (small tree or shrub).
| I bought these small trees to build a miniature house. | برای ساختن یک خانهی مینیاتوری، این درختچهها را خریدم.barâye sâkhtan yek khâne-ye miniyâturi, in derakhtche-hâ râ kharidam. |
| Every small tree in this diorama is very beautiful. | هر درختچه در این ماکت خیلی زیبا است.har derakhtche dar in mâket kheyli zibâ ast. |
The Suffix -ک
Another common diminutive suffix is -ک. While it also indicates small size—like turning اتاق (room) into اتاقک (small room or cabin)—it is frequently used to show affection, such as turning دختر (girl) into دخترک (little girl).
| This small room is darker than the other rooms. | این اتاقک از اتاقهای دیگر تاریکتر است.in otâghak az otâgh-hâye digar târik-tar ast |
Now let's see both suffixes used together:
| The little girl puts a small rug inside the room. | دخترک یک قالیچه داخل اتاق میگذارد.dokhtarak yek qâlicheh dâkhel otâgh migozârad. |
Common Diminutive Nouns
These suffixes are very productive in Farsi. Sometimes an extra letter bridges the noun and suffix, as when در (door) becomes دریچه (small hatch). Other everyday miniature words include قالیچه (small rug) and دفترچه (booklet or notepad).
| He opens this small hatch so that he can see the small room. | او این دریچه را باز میکند تا اتاقک را ببیند.u in daricheh râ bâz mikonad tâ otâghak râ bebinad. |
| The little girl put a miniature notebook on the shelf. | دخترک یک دفترچهی مینیاتوری روی طاقچه گذاشت.dokhtarak yek daftarche-ye miniâtouri rooye tâghche gozâsht. |
