How Do You Spell SHAHRAZAD?

Pronunciation: [ʃˈɑːɹɐzˌad] (IPA)

The spelling of "Shahrazad" may seem intimidating to some, but it can be easily understood with the help of IPA phonetic transcription. The word is pronounced as "shah-rah-zahd," with stress on the second syllable. The "sh" sound is produced by the combination of "s" and "h". The following "a" is pronounced as in "father," whereas the next "r" is rolled. The final "ad" is pronounced as in the word "had." With this guide, one can confidently spell and pronounce "Shahrazad."

SHAHRAZAD Meaning and Definition

1. Shahrazad, also spelled Scheherazade, is a name of Persian origin that has become synonymous with storytelling, particularly in the context of Arabian and Persian literature. In Arabian folklore, Shahrazad is the fictional female protagonist and storyteller in the collection of stories known as "One Thousand and One Nights," also called "Arabian Nights."

   Shahrazad is depicted as a clever and resourceful young woman who saves herself and countless others through the power of her storytelling. According to the narrative, the king, Shahryar, has a history of marrying and executing a new bride every night. However, Shahrazad devises a plan to save her life and eventually win the king's heart. She narrates captivating stories to him each night, deliberately stopping at a cliffhanger to pique his interest and leave him wanting more. With this ingenious strategy, Shahrazad manages to survive for One Thousand and One Nights, during which the king falls in love with her and ultimately abandons his cruel ways.

   The character of Shahrazad represents the transformative power of storytelling, its ability to captivate, entertain, and impart wisdom. Through her tales, she not only saves her own life but also impacts the king's understanding of justice, love, and morality. Consequently, Shahrazad has become an emblem of storytelling resilience, emphasizing the importance of creativity, imagination, and the art of narration, not only in Arabian literature but also in the wider cultural sphere.

Common Misspellings for SHAHRAZAD

• shahraazd
• Shah2azad
• Shahsazad

Etymology of SHAHRAZAD

The name "Shahrazad" is derived from Persian and Arabic origins. In Persian, "Shah" means "king" or "emperor", while "razad" is derived from the Persian word "raz", meaning "secret" or "message". In Arabic, "Sahra" means "night" and "zad" refers to "feeding" or "providing". Therefore, the name "Shahrazad" can be interpreted as "the one who reveals secrets to the king", or "the one who provides stories in the night". The name gained significant prominence and recognition through the legendary character of Shahrazad in "One Thousand and One Nights" (also known as "Arabian Nights"), the collection of folk tales and stories from the Arab and Persian cultures.