Persian · Culture & Society
مهماننوازی
mehmān-navāzi
Hospitality
Advancednoun
Definition
The famed Persian hospitality — guests are honored, fed and never let go hungry.
Example
مهماننوازی ایرانیها زبانزد است.
Iranian hospitality is legendary.
Etymology
The word 'مهماننوازی' (mehmān-navāzi) combines 'مهمان' (mehmān), meaning 'guest', with 'نوازی' (navāzi), derived from 'نوازش' (navāzesh) meaning 'to treat kindly'. This term reflects a deep-seated cultural tradition of hospitality, indicating how guests are cherished.
How & Where It’s Used
'مهماننوازی' is used in both formal and informal contexts, often in discussions about culture, ethics, and social norms. It appears in literature and is particularly emphasized in holiday and festive traditions across all regions of Iran.