Etymological Exchange
The transmission of knowledge and materials between the two cultures during ancient times can still be seen in the Persian roots in Chinese loan words. These words typically come from the dialects of the Elamites:
| Term | Chinese | Pinyin | Persian root | Persian Romanization |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lion | 獅/狮 | shī | شیر | Shir |
| Alfalfa | 苜蓿 | mù-xǖ | buksuk | |
| Grapes | 葡萄/蒲桃 | pú táo | budāwa or buda | |
| Pomegranate | (安)石榴 | (ān) shí líu | آرتساخ | Arsak |
| Amber | 琥珀 | hǔpò | کهربا | keherba |
| Wolfberry | 枸杞 | gǒuqǐ | گوجه | gojeh |
| Suona | 嗩吶 | suǒnà | سورنا | sornā |
Read more about this topic: Sino-Persian Relations
Famous quotes containing the word exchange:
“So long as the law considers all these human beings, with beating hearts and living affections, only as so many things belonging to the master—so long as the failure, or misfortune, or imprudence, or death of the kindest owner, may cause them any day to exchange a life of kind protection and indulgence for one of hopeless misery and toil—so long it is impossible to make anything beautiful or desirable in the best-regulated administration of slavery.”
—Harriet Beecher Stowe (1811–1896)