mehr

Mehr is a term with several distinct meanings in different languages and contexts.

In German, mehr means “more.” It functions as an adverb or determiner and is used to express a greater quantity or degree, such as in phrases like mehr Geld (more money) or mehr darüber (more about it). It derives from older Germanic forms and is a common everyday word in German-speaking regions.

In Islamic law, mahr (also transliterated mehr or meher) refers to the obligatory payment or gift promised by the groom to the bride at the time of marriage. It is considered the wife’s property and serves as financial security. The mahr must be specified in the marriage contract and may be payable on the wedding day or deferred to a later time, including conditions that apply in case of divorce or the husband’s death. Practices and requirements vary across different schools of Islamic jurisprudence and national laws.

Mehr is also a personal name element in Persian-speaking and related cultures. As a given name or surname, it often conveys meanings such as affection, kindness, or warmth, and is used in many compound names (for example, Mehrdad, Mehran). The term is widespread in Iran, Afghanistan, and parts of South Asia, reflecting cultural expressions of love or light.

Additionally, Mehr News Agency is the name of a Tehran-based Iranian news agency that provides coverage on national and international events. It is one of several media outlets operating in Iran and known for distributing news in Persian and other languages.