Dost

Dost is a term that means "friend" in several languages of the Turkic and Iranic language families, including Turkish, Persian, Urdu, and Azerbaijani. In everyday use it denotes a companion, ally, or close confidant, and it appears widely in literature, poetry, and conversation across these linguistic communities.

The word is generally traced to the Persian دوست, often transliterated as dost or dust, with related forms in related languages. Through historical contact and cultural exchange, the term was borrowed and adapted into Turkish and other languages, where it remains a common basic noun for friendship and connection.

In Turkish, dost functions as a straightforward noun meaning friend. It also appears in related forms such as dostum for “my friend,” dostlar for “friends,” and dostluk for “friendship.” In Urdu and Hindi, دوست (dost) is the standard word for a friend, with dosti and dostana as related terms for friendship and a friendly manner. In Persian, دوست (dost) carries the same core meaning, with دوستى (dosti) as the noun for friendship. Azerbaijani uses dost with the same sense as well.

Culturally, dost is embedded in poetry, song, and everyday speech as a compact expression of social bonds and loyalty. The term is also encountered in names and titles in some regions and languages influenced by Persian and Turkish literary traditions. Across its uses, dost remains a neutral, widely understood reference to friendship and companionship.