Chahar

Chahar (Persian: چار) is the Persian word for the number four. It is used as a cardinal numeral and functions as a productive morpheme in Persian-language toponyms, architectural terms, and cultural expressions. In transliteration, it is commonly rendered as Char-, Chahar-, or Chehar- depending on the system.

One of the best-known formations is Charbagh, a garden design organized into four quadrants separated by waterways. The fourfold layout is a hallmark of Persianate garden tradition and appears in sites across Iran, Central Asia, and Mughal Delhi, influencing landscape design and architecture.

Geographic usage of the root appears in various place names and administrative terms in Persian-speaking regions. An example is the name of the province Chahār Mâhāl and Bakhtiyārī (often rendered Chahar Mahal and Bakhtiari in English), which reflects the incorporation of the root into modern toponyms. The word similarly appears in other localities and districts, illustrating how four is a common structural motif in naming.

Chahar also functions as a given name or surname in Iran, Afghanistan, and among Persian-speaking communities, reflecting a broader naming practice that uses cardinal numbers as identifiers.

In summary, Chahar is a fundamental Persian term linked to numerals, toponymy, garden heritage, and personal naming, underscoring the cultural and linguistic reach of the word in Persian-speaking areas.