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

At the raucous Shahzada Market in Kabul, hundreds of money exchangers clutch stacks of the local currency, the afghani, and noisily hawk their wares.

From Seattle Times

The World Bank said last month that the local currency, the afghani, gained value against major currencies.

From Seattle Times

The price, at 200 afghanis — more than $2 — a pop, isn’t cheap these days, but it’s worth it, customers say.

From Los Angeles Times

It took 77 afghanis to buy $1 in early 2021, but now it takes about 88 — a smaller depreciation of the afghani than expected.

From Los Angeles Times

A person holds a bundle of Afghan afghani banknotes at a money exchange market, following banks and markets reopening after the Taliban took over in Kabul, Afghanistan, September 4, 2021.

From Reuters