بر علیه
بر علیه في 30 ثانية
- A formal preposition meaning 'against'.
- Commonly used in news, law, and sports.
- Technically redundant but standard in modern Persian.
- Indicates active opposition or conflict.
The Persian preposition بر علیه (bar alayhe) is a high-frequency term used to express opposition, hostility, or legal action against someone or something. While technically considered a redundant construction by Persian language purists—since alayhe already contains the meaning of 'against'—it has become the standard form in modern journalism, legal documents, and daily speech. It functions similarly to the English word 'against' in contexts of conflict, competition, or disagreement.
- Core Meaning
- To be in a state of opposition or to take action to counter an entity.
- Grammatical Note
- It consists of the Persian prefix 'bar' (on/upon) and the Arabic 'alayh' (upon him/it). In Persian, it is treated as a fixed prepositional phrase.
مردم بر علیه گرانی تظاهرات کردند.
In historical context, Persian has several ways to say 'against'. You might encounter zed-de (against/anti) or dar barābar-e (in front of/against). However, بر علیه carries a specific weight often associated with official resistance or legal standing. If a lawyer is filing a lawsuit, they use this term. If a nation declares war, this is the term used in the headlines. It is formal yet ubiquitous enough that B1 learners will hear it in every news broadcast.
او بر علیه رقیب خود شکایت کرد.
Understanding the nuance between 'against' as physical contact and 'against' as opposition is key. بر علیه is strictly for opposition. You wouldn't use it to say 'He leaned against the wall' (for that, you'd use be or tekye dādan be). This word is about conflict, contrast, and confrontation. It sets up a binary relationship: A is positioned in a way that challenges or harms B. Whether it is a virus attacking the body or a politician attacking a policy, this is your go-to phrase.
- Register
- Formal to Semi-formal. Common in media, law, and academic writing.
Using بر علیه effectively requires understanding its placement. It usually precedes the noun or pronoun it is opposing. In Persian grammar, it acts as a compound preposition. One interesting feature is that while it originated from Arabic, it has been fully Persianized in its usage patterns. You will see it followed by nouns representing people, organizations, abstract concepts like 'injustice', or even biological entities like 'bacteria'.
سیستم ایمنی بر علیه بیماری مبارزه میکند.
When using it with pronouns, it is common to see it as بر علیه من (against me), بر علیه تو (against you), etc. Note that the 'ezafe' (the short 'e' sound linking words) is often omitted in speech but implied. In written Persian, it is distinct. Let's look at how it contrasts with 'for' (barāye). While barāye implies benefit or purpose, bar alayhe implies detriment or hostility.
- Common Verbs Used With It
- مبارزه کردن (to fight), قیام کردن (to rise up), شهادت دادن (to testify), توطئه کردن (to conspire).
In more complex sentences, بر علیه can be used to set up a clause of opposition. For instance, 'The evidence against him was not sufficient.' Here, madārek bar alayhe ou provides the necessary link. It is also important to recognize its role in political slogans. During many historical movements in Iran, slogans starting with 'Marg bar...' (Death to...) are common, but when describing the movement itself, the phrase 'Ghiyām bar alayhe...' (Uprising against...) is the standard descriptive tool.
آنها بر علیه ظلم ایستادگی کردند.
Finally, consider the emotional weight. Unlike the neutral 'opposite' (mokhālef), بر علیه often implies an active struggle. It is not just being different; it is being in conflict. This is why it is the preferred term in sports commentary when one team is playing 'against' a historically difficult rival in a high-stakes match.
If you turn on a Persian news channel like BBC Persian, Iran International, or IRIB, you will hear بر علیه within the first five minutes. It is the backbone of political reporting. 'The UN voted bar alayhe the resolution,' or 'Sanctions were imposed bar alayhe the sector.' Its presence in the news makes it a critical word for anyone wanting to understand current events in the Middle East.
شورای امنیت بر علیه این کشور قطعنامه صادر کرد.
Another major arena is the legal system. In Iranian courts, the prosecution brings a case bar alayhe the defendant. Witness testimonies are categorized as being 'for' or 'against' the accused. If you are watching a Persian legal drama or reading a detective novel, pay attention to how the evidence is framed using this preposition. It carries a sense of accusation and burden of proof.
- Social Media & Activism
- Hashtags often use 'zed-de' (anti), but descriptive posts about movements use 'bar alayhe'.
In academic circles, especially in history and sociology, بر علیه is used to describe revolutions and social shifts. 'The revolution bar alayhe the monarchy' is a standard phrase in Iranian history textbooks. It provides a clear directional flow of power and resistance. Even in religious contexts, the term is used to describe the struggle between good and evil, or the actions of historical figures against tyranny.
Lastly, sports! While 'ba' (with/against) is common for simple matchups, 'bar alayhe' is used when discussing historical records or 'breaking a curse' against a specific team. 'The team's record against their rival' is often discussed using this term in analytical sports programs.
The most common mistake learners make is using بر علیه when they should use a physical preposition. Remember, this word is for abstract or intentional opposition, not physical location. If you want to say 'The chair is against the wall,' do not use bar alayhe. Use kenār-e (beside) or chasbide be (stuck to).
- Mistake: Physical Contact
- Incorrect: کتاب بر علیه دیوار است. (The book is against the wall.)
Correct: کتاب به دیوار تکیه داده شده است.
Another mistake involves the 'Ezafe'. Because alayhe ends in a 'he' (which is actually an Arabic pronoun meaning 'him/it'), adding a Persian 'ezafe' (the 'e' sound) is technically incorrect but very common in spoken Persian. Purists will tell you to say alayh-e but write alayh. For a B1 learner, the safest bet is to treat the whole phrase bar alayhe as one unit and follow it directly with the noun.
اشتباه: او بر علیه به من حرف زد.
Confusing bar alayhe with bar khelaf-e is also common. While both mean 'against' or 'contrary to', bar khelaf-e is used for expectations or rules (e.g., 'Contrary to the rules'). Bar alayhe is used for people or entities you are fighting. If you say 'Contrary to my father' (bar khelaf-e pedaram), you mean you are different from him. If you say 'Against my father' (bar alayhe pedaram), you mean you are in a conflict or lawsuit with him!
Persian offers several shades of 'against'. Choosing the right one depends on the level of formality and the nature of the opposition. The most direct synonym is علیه (alayhe) itself, without the 'bar'. This is actually preferred in very formal literary writing.
- ضد (Zed-de)
- Meaning 'anti' or 'against'. It's more common in compound words like 'anti-war' (zed-de jang) or 'anti-inflammatory' (zed-de eltehāb).
- در برابر (Dar barābar-e)
- Meaning 'in front of' or 'against'. It's used when emphasizing resistance or standing up to something. 'Resistance against the enemy' (moqāvemat dar barābar-e doshman).
- برخلاف (Bar khelaf-e)
- Meaning 'contrary to'. Used for laws, expectations, or opinions. 'Contrary to my opinion' (bar khelaf-e nazar-e man).
Comparison:
1. او بر علیه من است (He is against me - Hostility).
2. او مخالف من است (He disagrees with me - Opinion).
When you want to express 'against' in a competitive sense (like in sports), you can also use ba (with). For example, 'Iran played against Germany' (Irān bā Ālmān bāzi kard). This is more neutral than 'bar alayhe'. If you use 'bar alayhe' in sports, it implies a bitter rivalry or a grudge match.
How Formal Is It?
حقيقة ممتعة
Persian purists like Ahmad Kasravi hated this word because it combines a Persian preposition with an Arabic one that already contains a pronoun, making it 'doubly redundant'.
دليل النطق
- Pronouncing 'Ayn' as a hard 'G'.
- Confusing the 'he' at the end with a 'ha' sound.
- Merging 'bar' and 'alayhe' into one word without a slight pause.
- Using 'Alef' instead of 'Ayn' in the mind while speaking.
- Over-emphasizing the 'r' in 'bar'.
مستوى الصعوبة
Easy to recognize in text due to the unique 'Ayn' and 'He' combination.
Spelling 'Alayhe' with an 'Ayn' is a common hurdle.
Pronunciation is straightforward once the 'Ayn' is mastered.
Very easy to hear in news and formal speech.
ماذا تتعلّم بعد ذلك
المتطلبات الأساسية
تعلّم لاحقاً
متقدم
قواعد يجب معرفتها
Compound Prepositions
Words like 'bar alayhe' or 'dar barābar-e' function as single units.
Arabic Loanwords
'Alayhe' retains its Arabic structure but follows Persian syntax.
Ezafe Omission
After 'alayhe', the ezafe is technically not written but often spoken.
Word Order
The preposition always comes before the noun it modifies.
Redundancy in Persian
Purists prefer 'alayhe', but common usage adds 'bar'.
أمثلة حسب المستوى
او بر علیه من است.
He is against me.
Simple subject + prepositional phrase + verb.
تیم ما بر علیه تیم آنها بازی کرد.
Our team played against their team.
Used in a sports context.
من بر علیه جنگ هستم.
I am against war.
Expressing a simple opinion.
این دارو بر علیه درد است.
This medicine is against pain.
Abstract opposition (fighting pain).
همه بر علیه او حرف میزنند.
Everyone is talking against him.
Using 'harf zadan' (to talk) with the preposition.
او بر علیه گربه من است.
He is against my cat.
Simple noun object.
ما بر علیه آنها بودیم.
We were against them.
Past tense of 'to be'.
چرا بر علیه من هستی؟
Why are you against me?
Interrogative sentence.
مردم بر علیه پادشاه قیام کردند.
The people rose up against the king.
Historical context with 'ghiyām kardan'.
او بر علیه برادرش در دادگاه شهادت داد.
He testified against his brother in court.
Legal context.
این قانون بر علیه آزادی است.
This law is against freedom.
Abstract concept 'freedom'.
سربازان بر علیه دشمن جنگیدند.
The soldiers fought against the enemy.
Military context.
او بر علیه تصمیم مدیر اعتراض کرد.
He protested against the manager's decision.
Using 'e'terāz kardan' (to protest).
پلیس بر علیه جرم مبارزه میکند.
The police fight against crime.
Social context.
این کتاب بر علیه خرافات است.
This book is against superstitions.
Intellectual opposition.
آنها بر علیه ما توطئه کردند.
They conspired against us.
Using 'tote'eh kardan' (to conspire).
دولت بر علیه تورم اقداماتی انجام داد.
The government took actions against inflation.
Economic context.
دانشجویان بر علیه نژادپرستی تظاهرات کردند.
Students demonstrated against racism.
Social justice context.
او شواهد زیادی بر علیه متهم دارد.
He has a lot of evidence against the accused.
Legal evidence.
این واکسن بدن را بر علیه ویروس مقاوم میکند.
This vaccine makes the body resistant against the virus.
Medical/Biological context.
نویسنده در این مقاله بر علیه سانسور نوشت.
The author wrote against censorship in this article.
Journalistic context.
او بر علیه ظلم سکوت نکرد.
He did not stay silent against oppression.
Ethical context.
تیم ملی بر علیه تمام پیشبینیها پیروز شد.
The national team won against all predictions.
Idiomatic use with 'predictions'.
او بر علیه منافع شرکت عمل کرد.
He acted against the company's interests.
Professional context.
شکایت رسمی بر علیه شهرداری تنظیم شد.
A formal complaint was filed against the municipality.
Passive construction.
او تمام عمرش بر علیه تبعیض مبارزه کرد.
He fought against discrimination his whole life.
Durable action.
تبلیغات منفی بر علیه کاندیداها افزایش یافته است.
Negative propaganda against the candidates has increased.
Political context.
این نظریه بر علیه باورهای سنتی است.
This theory is against traditional beliefs.
Philosophical context.
او بر علیه خودش اعتراف کرد.
He confessed against himself.
Reflexive use.
تحریمهای جدیدی بر علیه صادرات نفت وضع شد.
New sanctions were imposed against oil exports.
International relations.
او بر علیه جریان آب شنا میکند.
He is swimming against the current (metaphorically).
Metaphorical use.
این اقدام بر علیه امنیت ملی تلقی میشود.
This action is considered against national security.
Official terminology.
فیلسوف استدلالهای محکمی بر علیه ماتریالیسم ارائه داد.
The philosopher presented strong arguments against materialism.
Academic/Philosophical.
او بر علیه قراردادهای ناعادلانه شورش کرد.
He rebelled against unfair contracts.
Professional/Legal.
جنگ روانی بر علیه افکار عمومی آغاز شده است.
Psychological warfare against public opinion has begun.
Sociological context.
این مستند بر علیه تخریب محیط زیست است.
This documentary is against environmental destruction.
Media context.
او بر علیه محدودیتهای جنسیتی قد علم کرد.
She stood up (rose tall) against gender restrictions.
Idiomatic 'qad alam kardan'.
شواهد دیانآ بر علیه او در پرونده استفاده شد.
DNA evidence was used against him in the case.
Forensic context.
او بر علیه استعمار مقالات تندی نوشت.
He wrote sharp articles against colonialism.
Historical/Literary.
این حرکت بر علیه منافع جمعی بود.
This move was against collective interests.
Social ethics.
در ادبیات کلاسیک، عقل غالباً بر علیه عشق شورش میکند.
In classical literature, reason often rebels against love.
Literary analysis.
او بر علیه هرگونه جزماندیشی موضع گرفت.
He took a stand against any kind of dogmatism.
High-level vocabulary.
این رساله بر علیه مبانی مدرنیته نگاشته شده است.
This treatise was written against the foundations of modernity.
Formal/Archaic verb 'negāshte shodan'.
او بر علیه سرنوشت محتوم خود جنگید.
He fought against his predestined fate.
Existential context.
سیاستهای تقابلی بر علیه کشورهای همسایه به بنبست رسید.
Confrontational policies against neighboring countries reached a dead end.
Geopolitical analysis.
او بر علیه خودکامگی حاکمان زمانه افشاگری کرد.
He exposed the despotism of the rulers of the time.
Political critique.
این اثر هنری بر علیه معیارهای زیباییشناسی سنتی است.
This artwork is against traditional aesthetic standards.
Art criticism.
او بر علیه فراموشی تاریخی مبارزه میکند.
He fights against historical amnesia.
Metaphorical/Sociological.
تلازمات شائعة
العبارات الشائعة
يُخلط عادةً مع
Means 'for'. Beginners often mix up 'for' and 'against' because they both start with 'B'.
Means 'to' or 'at'. Used for physical leaning, unlike 'bar alayhe'.
Means 'with'. In sports, both 'ba' and 'bar alayhe' can mean against, but 'ba' is neutral.
تعبيرات اصطلاحية
— To stand up or rise against someone powerful.
او بر علیه دیکتاتور قد علم کرد.
Literary— To openly show hostility/war against someone.
او بر علیه من شمشیر را از رو بسته است.
Informal/Idiomatic— To take a side/position against someone.
خانوادهاش بر علیه او جبهه گرفتند.
Neutral— To get ready to fight against something.
باید برای مبارزه بر علیه فقر آستین بالا زد.
Informal— To be determined to act against someone.
آنها کمر بستهاند بر علیه او توطئه کنند.
Literary— To draw a sword against; to attack.
او بر علیه سنتهای قدیمی تیغ کشید.
Literary— To struggle or grapple against someone.
او بر علیه سرنوشت پنجه در پنجه افکند.
Poeticسهل الخلط
Both mean 'against'.
'Bar khelaf-e' is for rules or expectations. 'Bar alayhe' is for people or entities.
برخلاف قانون (Against the law) vs بر علیه دشمن (Against the enemy).
Both express opposition.
'Mokhālef' is usually an adjective or noun (opponent/disagreeing). 'Bar alayhe' is a preposition.
او مخالف است (He is an opponent) vs او بر علیه من است (He is against me).
Both mean 'against/facing'.
'Dar barābar-e' often implies standing up to or resisting. 'Bar alayhe' implies a
أنماط الجُمل
S + بر علیه + N + است
او بر علیه من است.
S + بر علیه + N + V
آنها بر علیه دشمن جنگیدند.
N + بر علیه + N + V
دولت بر علیه فساد مبارزه میکند.
شکایت/حکم + بر علیه + N
شکایت بر علیه او ثبت شد.
استدلال/نظریه + بر علیه + N
استدلال بر علیه این فرضیه ضعیف است.
قیام/شورش + بر علیه + Concept
شورش بر علیه سنتهای پوسیده.
همه + بر علیه + Pronoun
همه بر علیه ما هستند.
اقدام + بر علیه + N
اقدام بر علیه امنیت ملی.
عائلة الكلمة
الأسماء
الأفعال
الصفات
مرتبط
كيفية الاستخدام
High in news and law; Moderate in daily life.
احفظها
وسيلة تذكّر
Think of a 'Bar' (the Persian part) being placed 'Alayhe' (on top of) someone to trap them. You are 'Bar Alayhe' (against) them.
ربط بصري
Imagine a person pushing against a large stone. The stone has the word 'Alayhe' written on it.
Word Web
تحدٍّ
Try to find three news headlines today that use 'bar alayhe' and translate them.
أصل الكلمة
A hybrid construction. 'Bar' is a native Persian preposition meaning 'on' or 'upon'. 'Alayh' is Arabic, meaning 'upon him' (the 'h' is the third-person singular pronoun).
المعنى الأصلي: Literally 'Upon him/it'. In Persian, it evolved to mean 'Against'.
Indo-European (Persian) + Afro-Asiatic (Arabic).السياق الثقافي
Be careful when using it in social settings, as it implies a strong, potentially hostile opposition.
In English, 'against' covers both physical and abstract opposition. In Persian, 'bar alayhe' is strictly for abstract/intentional opposition.
تدرّب في الحياة الواقعية
سياقات واقعية
In a Courtroom
- شهادت بر علیه
- شکایت بر علیه
- حکم بر علیه
- ادعا بر علیه
At a Protest
- شعار بر علیه
- قیام بر علیه
- تظاهرات بر علیه
- ایستادگی بر علیه
In Sports
- بازی بر علیه
- پیروزی بر علیه
- رکورد بر علیه
- رقابت بر علیه
In Medicine
- دارو بر علیه
- واکسن بر علیه
- مبارزه بر علیه بیماری
- مقاومت بر علیه
In Politics
- تحریم بر علیه
- توطئه بر علیه
- بیانیه بر علیه
- قطعنامه بر علیه
بدايات محادثة
"آیا تا به حال بر علیه کسی در دادگاه شهادت دادهاید؟"
"نظر شما بر علیه این قانون جدید چیست؟"
"چرا مردم بر علیه این تصمیم تظاهرات میکنند؟"
"آیا این دارو بر علیه حساسیت هم خوب است؟"
"تیم شما بر علیه کدام تیم بازی دارد؟"
مواضيع للكتابة اليومية
درباره زمانی بنویسید که مجبور شدید بر علیه یک بیعدالتی ایستادگی کنید.
آیا فکر میکنید تظاهرات بر علیه تغییرات اقلیمی موثر است؟ چرا؟
یک داستان کوتاه درباره کسی بنویسید که همه بر علیه او بودند اما موفق شد.
اگر میتوانستید قانونی بر علیه آلودگی هوا وضع کنید، آن قانون چه بود؟
درباره یک رقابت ورزشی تاریخی بر علیه یک رقیب سرسخت بنویسید.
Summary
Use 'bar alayhe' whenever you need to express formal opposition, like a legal case, a protest, or a serious rivalry. Example: 'The people are against the new law' (Mardom bar alayhe qānun-e jadid hastand).
- A formal preposition meaning 'against'.
- Commonly used in news, law, and sports.
- Technically redundant but standard in modern Persian.
- Indicates active opposition or conflict.
محتوى ذو صلة
مزيد من كلمات society
اعضا
A2أعضاء مجموعة أو أطراف الجسم.
عادالانه
B1بشكل عادل؛ بطريقة منصفة. 'تم تقسيم الميراث بشكل عادلانه.'
عادل
B1قائم على ما هو صحيح أو معقول؛ عادل ومنصف.
عادلانه
A2معاملة الناس بالتساوي وفقاً للقواعد أو القانون. التوزيع العادل للثروة يحقق الاستقرار في المجتمع.
اعتماد به نفس
B1Self-confident; feeling trust in one's abilities, qualities, and judgment.
اعتراض
B1اعتراض أو احتجاج.
اعتراض کردن
A1الإعراب عن عدم الموافقة أو الخلاف؛ الاحتجاج على قرار ما.
اعتیاد
B1الإدمان هو حالة من الاعتماد على مادة أو نشاط معين.
اعتیاد پیدا کردن
B1يصبح مدمناً؛ تطوير الاعتماد على مادة أو نشاط. 'لقد أصبح مدمناً على القهوة.'
عدالت
A1العدالة هي مفهوم يعني عدم الانحياز في الحكم والتعامل مع الجميع بمساواة.