afghani

[ af-gan-ee, -gah-nee ]

noun

1. a coin and monetary unit of Afghanistan, equal to 100 puls. : Agh.
2. Afghani. Literary. Pashto.
3. Afghani. Sometimes Offensive. Afghan ( def 1 ).

Afghani

¹

/ æfˈɡɑːnɪ /

noun

1. AfghaniJamal ad-Din al-18391897MIranianRELIGION: religious reformerPOLITICS: politician Jamal ad-Din al-. 1839–97, Iranian Muslim religious and political reformer; a proponent of Muslim unity, he resisted European interference in Muslim countries

afghani

²

/ æfˈɡɑːnɪ /

noun

1. the standard monetary unit of Afghanistan, divided into 100 puli

Usage Note

Afghan is the proper term for a native or inhabitant of Afghanistan. The use of Afghani in this meaning is considered to be incorrect and is sometimes perceived as offensive. The -i in Afghani is a suffix used in the names of certain peoples in southwest and central Asia: for example, an Israeli lives in Israel; a Pakistani lives in Pakistan. However, the bordering countries of Afghanistan and Pakistan have a history of strained diplomatic relations. Therefore, objection to the use of Afghani (to refer to a person) may be explained by the word’s similarity to Pakistani, and to Paki, a synonymous but highly offensive term.

Word History and Origins

Origin of afghani¹

First recorded in 1820–30; Afghan ( def ) + -ī a suffix indicating relationship or origin

Example Sentences

More than protecting Afghani women from Afghani men, the United States might support all Afghans negotiating a postcolonial future by helping to provide much needed resources—delivered through multilateral agencies to avoid colonial influence.

From Time

Definitely not an Afghani, because most people have never met one.

From The Daily Beast

A striking example of this effect is the iconic National Geographic cover of Afghani girl Sharbat Gula.

From The Daily Beast

Who are some great Afghani writers that your readers should know about, but who are not so well known abroad?

From The Daily Beast

One Afghani reporter asked a still more pointed question: How do you think the U.S. should rebuild the Afghanistan you destroyed?

From The Daily Beast