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.
First recorded in 1820–30; Afghan ( def. ) + -ī a suffix indicating relationship or origin
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The World Bank said last month that the local currency, the afghani, gained value against major currencies.
From Seattle Times • Aug. 13, 2023
“Out of every 10,000 afghani bills here, maybe 1,000 of those bills are still OK to use,” he said, pointing to a 100-afghani note faded to the point that one side seemed plain.
From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 27, 2022
About $760 million has come from the international community, according to the Afghan central bank, which says it uses the money to support the local currency, the afghani.
From New York Times • Aug. 17, 2022
The central bank issued a statement saying that it had held a number of meetings with foreign exchange dealers, representatives of commercial banks and the business sector to halt the fall in the afghani.
From Reuters • Dec. 14, 2021
The local currency, the afghani, has depreciated since the Taliban took over Afghanistan in August.
From Washington Post • Nov. 3, 2021
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
