yasht
Very low (expert-level religious/linguistic term)Specialist, academic, historical, religious
Definition
Meaning
A Zoroastrian hymn or liturgical poem.
One of a collection of 21 hymns in the Avestan language dedicated to individual deities (yazatas) in Zoroastrianism.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Used exclusively within the context of Zoroastrianism and the study of ancient Iranian religions. It refers to a specific text, not a general concept of prayer or song.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
None. This is a highly specialized term with identical application and spelling in both varieties.
Connotations
Scholarly, historical, religious.
Frequency
Virtually unknown in general language use in either region.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
the Yasht TO [deity name]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “N/A”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in religious studies, comparative mythology, and Iranian linguistics.
Everyday
Not used.
Technical
Used as a precise term in Zoroastrian theology and Avestan philology.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Examples
By CEFR Level
- N/A
- N/A
- The scholar studied an ancient Zoroastrian yasht.
- A yasht is a type of religious poem.
- The Yasht to Anahita provides key insights into pre-Islamic Persian water deities.
- Philologists analyze the metric structure of the Avestan yashts.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'YA SHout To' the gods – a Yasht is a hymn shouted/sung to Zoroastrian deities.
Conceptual Metaphor
N/A
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with Russian 'ящет' (yashchet) – meaning 'lizard'. There is no direct equivalent.
Common Mistakes
- Pronouncing it as 'yash-it' or 'yast'.
- Using it as a general term for any hymn.
Practice
Quiz
What is a 'yasht'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a loanword from Avestan used in English academic and religious discourse, but it is not part of general vocabulary.
It is pronounced /jæʃt/, rhyming with 'mashed' but starting with a 'y' sound.
No. It refers specifically to the 21 hymns in the Avestan canon of Zoroastrianism.
Primarily in academic texts on Zoroastrianism, Iranian studies, comparative religion, or the history of scripture.