At the A1 level, you only need to know that 'pishkhān' means a counter. Think of it as a special table in a shop. When you go to buy bread or milk, you put your items on the 'pishkhān'. It is a noun. Example: 'The book is on the counter.' In Persian: 'Ketāb ruye pishkhān ast.' You will see this word often in shops and banks. It is pronounced like 'peesh-khān'. Don't worry about complex grammar yet; just remember it as the place where you pay for things.
At A2, you should understand that 'pishkhān' is used in service environments. You can use it with simple prepositions like 'ruye' (on) and 'poshte' (behind). You might hear a shopkeeper say, 'Guzārid ruye pishkhān' (Put it on the counter). You should also recognize it in common places like the 'dāru-khāneh' (pharmacy) or 'post-khāneh' (post office). It's a useful word for basic daily tasks in a Persian-speaking country. You are starting to see it as more than just a table, but a place of interaction.
As a B1 learner, you should be comfortable using 'pishkhān' in various contexts. You should know the phrase 'Pishkhān-e Dowlat' (Government Service Counter) as it is a major part of life in Iran. You should be able to describe interactions: 'The clerk was standing behind the counter.' You can also use it in the plural form 'pishkhān-hā'. At this level, you distinguish between 'pishkhān' and 'miz' (table) or 'bājeh' (booth). You understand that it is the formal and standard word for a counter in business and administration.
At the B2 level, you can use 'pishkhān' in more abstract or compound forms. You understand its use in media, such as 'pishkhān-e ruznāmeh-hā' (newspaper stands/headlines). You can use it to describe more complex scenarios, such as the design of a store or the efficiency of a service counter. You are aware of the Ezafe construction used with this word to create specific meanings like 'pishkhān-e paziraresh' (reception desk). Your usage is precise, and you don't confuse it with colloquial alternatives unless intended.
At C1, you have a deep understanding of the word's nuances. You might use it metaphorically or in professional discussions about urban planning or service design. You understand the etymological roots ('Pish' + 'Khān') and how that affects its meaning in classical versus modern Persian. You can discuss the social dynamics of the 'pishkhān'—how it acts as a barrier or a point of connection. You are also familiar with the technical use of the word in digital contexts (dashboards/interfaces) if applicable to your field.
At the C2 level, 'pishkhān' is a tool for sophisticated expression. You can use it in literary analysis, discussing how the 'pishkhān' represents the interface between the state and the citizen in Iranian literature. You can navigate the most formal bureaucratic language involving this word without hesitation. You understand its rhythmic role in poetry or prose. Your command of the word includes all its historical, cultural, and technical layers, allowing you to use it with perfect register and tone in any situation.

پیشخوان في 30 ثانية

  • Pishkhān means a counter or service desk in Persian.
  • It is used in shops, banks, and government offices.
  • The word comes from 'front' (pish) and 'table' (khān).
  • It is a formal word, distinct from a common dining table.

The Persian word پیشخوان (pronounced pish-khān) is a quintessential term in Persian commerce and administration. At its core, it refers to a physical counter—the boundary between a service provider and a customer. Whether you are ordering a saffron latte in a chic Tehran cafe or submitting paperwork at a government office, the pishkhān is where the action happens. Historically, the word is a compound of 'pish' (meaning 'front' or 'before') and 'khān' (a word with roots meaning table, tray, or even a lord's spread). In modern usage, it has evolved from a simple wooden surface to a symbol of public service and transaction.

The Physicality
It describes the long, flat surface in a shop, bank, or post office where transactions are conducted. It separates the staff from the public.

بسته‌ی خود را روی پیشخوان بگذارید تا وزن شود.

Translation: Put your package on the counter so it can be weighed.
The Institutional Context
In Iran, the term is famously used in 'Pishkhān-e Dowlat' (Government Service Counters), which are private offices authorized to handle public administrative tasks like bill payments and license renewals.

The word is versatile. It is not just for shops; it can also refer to a bar counter or a reception desk. However, it is distinct from a 'miz' (table), which is usually for sitting around. The pishkhān implies a standing interaction or a formal exchange. In a digital age, you might even hear it used metaphorically to describe a 'dashboard' or a 'front-end' interface where a user interacts with a system, though this is more specialized. For a B1 learner, mastering this word is essential because it is one of the most common nouns you will encounter in any service-oriented environment in an Iranian city.

متصدی پشت پیشخوان بسیار خوش‌برخورد بود.

Translation: The clerk behind the counter was very polite.
Linguistic Nuance
The word is formal and standard. While people might colloquially say 'miz' for a counter, using 'pishkhān' shows a higher level of vocabulary and precision.

Using پیشخوان correctly requires understanding its role as a location for interaction. It is almost always used with prepositions like 'روی' (on), 'پشت' (behind), or 'جلوی' (in front of). For instance, if you are the customer, you stand 'جلوی پیشخوان' (in front of the counter). If you are the employee, you are 'پشت پیشخوان' (behind the counter).

او کلیدها را روی پیشخوان گذاشت و رفت.

Translation: He put the keys on the counter and left.

In administrative contexts, you will often see the phrase 'پیشخوان خدمات' (Service Counter). This is where you go to submit documents. In a sentence, you might say: 'باید برای تمدید گذرنامه به پیشخوان دولت بروم' (I must go to the government service counter to renew my passport). Note how the word acts as a destination in this context.

Common Verbs
Common verbs associated with this word include: 'گذاشتن' (to put), 'مراجعه کردن' (to refer/visit), and 'ایستادن' (to stand).

چند نفر در صف جلوی پیشخوان ایستاده بودند.

Translation: Several people were standing in line in front of the counter.

Grammatically, pishkhān is a regular noun. Its plural is 'پیشخوان‌ها' (pishkhān-hā). In compound forms, like 'پیشخوانِ پذیرش' (reception counter), the Ezafe (the short 'e' sound connecting words) is crucial. It defines the specific type of counter you are discussing. In a hotel, you would ask for the 'پیشخوان پذیرش' (reception desk).

لطفاً کارت شناسایی خود را به متصدی پیشخوان تحویل دهید.

Translation: Please hand over your ID card to the counter attendant.

In everyday Iranian life, پیشخوان is ubiquitous. You will hear it most frequently in bureaucratic and commercial settings. If you are at a bank, the teller sits behind a glass-protected pishkhān. In a post office, you are directed to a specific pishkhān based on your ticket number. The word carries a sense of formality and order.

The Post Office (Post-khāneh)
"لطفاً به پیشخوان شماره چهار مراجعه کنید" (Please proceed to counter number four). This is a standard announcement you will hear in large service centers.

در بانک، شیشه‌ی پیشخوان بین مشتری و کارمند فاصله می‌اندازد.

Translation: In the bank, the counter glass creates a distance between the customer and the employee.

Another common place is the airport. The 'Check-in counter' is referred to as 'پیشخوان پذیرش بار و مسافر'. Here, the word is part of a longer, more technical phrase. In retail, especially in pharmacies (dāru-khāneh), the pishkhān is where you hand over your prescription. The pharmacist will often lean over the pishkhān to explain how to take the medicine.

In literature or news, pishkhān can also refer to the front page or the 'headlines' of a newspaper, though this is a more figurative use of the word (like a display counter for news). For example, 'پیشخوان روزنامه‌ها' refers to the newspaper stands where the front pages are displayed to the public. This highlights the word's connection to 'visibility' and 'presentation'.

تیترهای جنجالی امروز روی پیشخوان روزنامه‌ها دیده می‌شد.

Translation: Today's controversial headlines were seen on the newspaper stands.

Learners often confuse پیشخوان with other furniture-related terms. The most common mistake is using 'میز' (miz - table) when they specifically mean a service counter. While a counter is technically a type of table, 'miz' is too generic. Using 'miz' in a bank sounds slightly childish or imprecise.

Pishkhān vs. Bājeh
Another confusion arises with 'باجه' (bājeh - booth/window). A bājeh is the entire small booth or window area, whereas pishkhān is specifically the flat surface. In a bank, you go to 'Bājeh 1', but you put your money on the 'Pishkhān'.

اشتباه: کتاب را روی میز کتابدار گذاشتم. (درست: پیشخوان)

Explanation: While 'miz' is okay, 'pishkhān' is more accurate for a library desk.

Another mistake is pronunciation. Some learners confuse 'pishkhān' with 'pish-khāneh' (front of the house). Remember that 'khān' here is a single syllable ending in 'n'. Also, avoid using it for a kitchen counter in a private home; for that, Iranians usually use the English loanword 'اپن' (open) or 'میز آشپزخانه'. Pishkhān is primarily for public or commercial spaces.

Finally, don't confuse it with 'ویترین' (vitrin - showcase). A showcase is for looking at items behind glass, while a pishkhān is for the actual exchange. If you want to see something, it's in the 'vitrin'; if you want to buy it, the shopkeeper brings it to the 'pishkhān'.

To truly master پیشخوان, you should understand how it relates to similar Persian terms. The Persian language has several words for surfaces and service points, each with a specific nuance.

Pishkhān vs. Bājeh
Pishkhān: The physical counter surface. Focus on the transaction spot.
Bājeh: The teller window or booth. Focus on the service station as a whole.
Pishkhān vs. Miz
Pishkhān: High, usually for standing or stool-height interaction.
Miz: Standard table, usually for sitting (desk, dining table).

در کافی‌شاپ، قهوه‌ام را از روی پیشخوان برداشتم و به سمت میز رفتم.

Translation: At the coffee shop, I picked up my coffee from the counter and went towards the table.

In modern settings, you might also hear the loanword Kānter (کانتر). This is very common in modern interior design and high-end cafes. However, pishkhān remains the standard and more formal Persian term. If you are writing a formal letter or speaking in a professional setting, pishkhān is always the better choice. Another related word is Dakh (دخل), which specifically refers to the cash register or the place where money is kept, often located behind or under the pishkhān.

How Formal Is It?

حقيقة ممتعة

The 'khān' part of the word is the same root found in 'khān-e karam' (the table of generosity). It implies a surface where things are offered.

دليل النطق

UK /piːʃˈxɑːn/
US /piːʃˈxɑːn/
The stress is on the second syllable: pish-KHĀN.
يتقافى مع
میزبان (mizbān) آستان (āstān) داستان (dāstān) بوستان (bustān) گلستان (golestān) مهربان (mehrabān) ارمغان (armaghān) رایگان (rāyegān)
أخطاء شائعة
  • Pronouncing 'kh' as a hard 'k' (pish-kan).
  • Shortening the 'ā' sound to a short 'a' as in 'cat'.
  • Adding an extra vowel between 'pish' and 'khān' (pishi-khān).
  • Confusing with 'pish-khāneh' (front house).
  • Stress on the first syllable.

مستوى الصعوبة

القراءة 3/5

Easy to recognize in signs and documents.

الكتابة 4/5

Requires remembering the 'kh' (خ) and 'ān' (ان) spelling.

التحدث 5/5

Mastering the 'kh' sound is the main challenge for English speakers.

الاستماع 3/5

Distinctive sound makes it easy to pick out in announcements.

ماذا تتعلّم بعد ذلك

المتطلبات الأساسية

میز (table) مغازه (shop) بانک (bank) روی (on) پشت (behind)

تعلّم لاحقاً

متصدی (attendant) مراجعه کردن (to refer/visit) قبض (bill) خدمات (services)

متقدم

بوروکراسی (bureaucracy) تراکنش (transaction) ارباب رجوع (client/visitor)

قواعد يجب معرفتها

Ezafe Construction

پیشخوانِ بانک (The bank's counter)

Pluralization with -hā

پیشخوان‌ها (Counters)

Compound Nouns

پیشخوان‌دار (Counter-keeper)

Prepositional Phrases

از روی پیشخوان (From on the counter)

Subjunctive with Modal 'Bāyad'

باید به پیشخوان بروید. (You must go to the counter.)

أمثلة حسب المستوى

1

این پیشخوان است.

This is a counter.

Simple demonstrative sentence.

2

کتاب روی پیشخوان است.

The book is on the counter.

Use of 'ruye' (on).

3

پیشخوان بزرگ است.

The counter is big.

Adjective following the noun.

4

پول را روی پیشخوان بگذار.

Put the money on the counter.

Imperative verb 'bogzār'.

5

او پشت پیشخوان است.

He is behind the counter.

Preposition 'poshte' (behind).

6

پیشخوان کجاست؟

Where is the counter?

Interrogative 'kojāst'.

7

من پیشخوان را می‌بینم.

I see the counter.

Direct object with 'rā'.

8

یک پیشخوان در مغازه هست.

There is a counter in the shop.

Indefinite 'yek' and 'hast'.

1

لطفاً به آن پیشخوان بروید.

Please go to that counter.

Polite imperative.

2

نانوا پشت پیشخوان ایستاده است.

The baker is standing behind the counter.

Present perfect for state.

3

پیشخوان تمیز است.

The counter is clean.

Simple predicate.

4

بسته‌ی من روی پیشخوان بود.

My package was on the counter.

Past tense 'bud'.

5

او پیشخوان را تمیز می‌کند.

She is cleaning the counter.

Present continuous sense.

6

چرا روی پیشخوان نشستی؟

Why did you sit on the counter?

Informal past tense.

7

این پیشخوان خیلی بلند است.

This counter is very tall.

Adverb 'kheyli'.

8

باید جلوی پیشخوان منتظر بمانید.

You must wait in front of the counter.

Modal 'bāyad' with subjunctive.

1

برای پرداخت قبض به پیشخوان دولت رفتم.

I went to the government service counter to pay the bill.

Compound noun 'Pishkhān-e Dowlat'.

2

متصدی پیشخوان مدارک مرا بررسی کرد.

The counter attendant checked my documents.

Ezafe connecting attendant and counter.

3

پیشخوان بانک با شیشه محافظت شده است.

The bank counter is protected by glass.

Passive construction.

4

می‌توانید کلید اتاق را از پیشخوان پذیرش بگیرید.

You can get the room key from the reception counter.

Specific compound 'pishkhān-e paziraresh'.

5

او تمام روز را پشت پیشخوان مغازه می‌گذراند.

He spends the whole day behind the shop counter.

Habitual action.

6

لطفاً فرم را روی پیشخوان بگذارید و امضا کنید.

Please put the form on the counter and sign it.

Compound imperative.

7

تعداد پیشخوان‌های این اداره کافی نیست.

The number of counters in this office is not enough.

Plural 'pishkhān-hā'.

8

او با عصبانیت روی پیشخوان کوبید.

He banged on the counter angrily.

Adverbial phrase 'bā asabāniyat'.

1

طراحی پیشخوان باید به گونه‌ای باشد که دسترسی مشتری آسان شود.

The counter design should be such that customer access becomes easy.

Complex sentence with 'be gune-i ke'.

2

تیتر اول روزنامه‌ها روی پیشخوان خودنمایی می‌کرد.

The main headlines of the newspapers were showing off on the stand.

Literary verb 'khod-namāyi kardan'.

3

او به عنوان متصدی پیشخوان، مسئول پاسخگویی به مراجعات است.

As a counter attendant, he is responsible for responding to inquiries.

Use of 'be onvān-e'.

4

فاصله‌ی بین دو پیشخوان برای عبور و مرور کم است.

The distance between the two counters is small for traffic.

Ezafe chain.

5

پیشخوان‌های خدمات الکترونیک باعث کاهش صف‌ها شده‌اند.

Electronic service counters have caused a reduction in lines.

Present perfect 'shodeh-and'.

6

او با تکیه بر پیشخوان، به حرف‌های من گوش می‌داد.

Leaning on the counter, he was listening to my words.

Participle phrase 'bā tekyeh bar'.

7

نورپردازی بالای پیشخوان فضا را جذاب‌تر کرده است.

The lighting above the counter has made the space more attractive.

Comparative 'jazzāb-tar'.

8

در این داروخانه، پیشخوان مخصوص تحویل دارو جدا شده است.

In this pharmacy, the specific counter for medicine delivery is separated.

Specific adjective 'makhsus-e'.

1

پیشخوان مطبوعات بازتاب‌دهنده‌ی فضای سیاسی جامعه است.

The press stand (counter) is a reflector of the society's political atmosphere.

Metaphorical usage.

2

تحول در ساختار پیشخوان‌های دولتی گامی به سوی دولت الکترونیک است.

Evolution in the structure of government counters is a step towards e-government.

Abstract nouns and complex syntax.

3

او با مهارتی خاص، اشیاء را روی پیشخوان جابجا می‌کرد.

With a special skill, he was moving objects on the counter.

Adverbial 'bā mahārati khās'.

4

ابهت پیشخوان‌های سنگی در بانک‌های قدیمی حس امنیت می‌داد.

The grandeur of stone counters in old banks used to give a sense of security.

Subject 'abehat' (grandeur).

5

تعاملات انسانی در پشت پیشخوان، بخش مهمی از مردم‌شناسی شهری است.

Human interactions behind the counter are an important part of urban anthropology.

Academic register.

6

پیشخوان به مثابه مرزی میان حریم خصوصی و عمومی عمل می‌کند.

The counter acts as a boundary between the private and public spheres.

Philosophical 'be masābeh-ye' (as/like).

7

از منظر طراحی داخلی، پیشخوان نقطه‌ی کانونی هر فروشگاهی است.

From an interior design perspective, the counter is the focal point of any store.

Professional jargon 'noghteh-ye kānuni'.

8

سیاست‌های جدید، نقش پیشخوان‌های فیزیکی را کمرنگ کرده است.

New policies have diminished the role of physical counters.

Figurative 'kam-rang kardan' (to fade/diminish).

1

پیشخوان، این آستانه‌ی مواجهه، در ادبیات داستانی نمادی از انتظار است.

The counter, this threshold of encounter, is a symbol of waiting in fictional literature.

Appositive phrase 'in āstāneh-ye movājeheh'.

2

در پسِ هر پیشخوان، داستانی از معیشت و تکاپوی روزمره نهفته است.

Behind every counter lies a story of livelihood and daily struggle.

Poetic 'dar pas-e' and 'nahofteh'.

3

تقلیل مفاهیم خدماتی به یک پیشخوان سرد، نقد جدی به بوروکراسی مدرن است.

Reducing service concepts to a cold counter is a serious critique of modern bureaucracy.

Gerund 'taghlil' (reduction).

4

او سال‌ها عمر خود را در مجاورت این پیشخوان فرسوده سپری کرد.

He spent years of his life in the vicinity of this worn-out counter.

Evocative vocabulary 'mojāverat' and 'farsudeh'.

5

پیشخوان روزنامه‌ها در آن دوران، یگانه دریچه‌ی آگاهی توده‌ها بود.

The newspaper stand in that era was the sole window of awareness for the masses.

Archaic/Formal 'yegāneh' (sole).

6

تلاقی منافع و تضاد آراء، غالباً در برابر پیشخوان‌های قدرت شکل می‌گیرد.

The intersection of interests and conflict of opinions often take shape before the counters of power.

Metaphorical 'pishkhān-hā-ye ghodrat'.

7

معماری پیشخوان باید تبلور شفافیت و تکریم ارباب رجوع باشد.

The architecture of the counter must be the crystallization of transparency and respect for the client.

High-level vocabulary 'taballor' and 'takrim'.

8

هرگونه اخلال در عملکرد پیشخوان‌های بانکی، پیامدهای اقتصادی گسترده‌ای دارد.

Any disruption in the functioning of bank counters has widespread economic consequences.

Formal conditional structure.

تلازمات شائعة

پیشخوان دولت
پشت پیشخوان
روی پیشخوان
پیشخوان پذیرش
پیشخوان بانکی
پیشخوان روزنامه
متصدی پیشخوان
پیشخوان آشپزخانه
جلوی پیشخوان
پیشخوان فروش

العبارات الشائعة

مراجعه به پیشخوان

— To visit or refer to the counter for a service.

مراجعه به پیشخوان برای ثبت‌نام الزامی است.

تحویل در پیشخوان

— Delivery or handing over something at the counter.

تحویل مدارک فقط در پیشخوان صورت می‌گیرد.

پشت پیشخوان ایستادن

— To work as a clerk or attendant.

او سال‌هاست پشت پیشخوان می‌ایستد.

خالی بودن پیشخوان

— When no clerk is present or no customers are waiting.

پیشخوان شماره سه فعلاً خالی است.

شلوغی پیشخوان

— High traffic or a long line at the counter.

شلوغی پیشخوان باعث کلافگی مردم شد.

زیر پیشخوان

— Under the counter (often implying something hidden).

او چیزی را زیر پیشخوان پنهان کرد.

لبه پیشخوان

— The edge of the counter.

لیوان را لبه پیشخوان نگذار.

پیشخوان شیشه‌ای

— A counter with glass, common in banks.

پیشخوان شیشه‌ای مانع شنیدن صدا می‌شد.

نزدیک شدن به پیشخوان

— Approaching the counter.

با لبخند به پیشخوان نزدیک شد.

ترک کردن پیشخوان

— Leaving the counter after a transaction.

پس از گرفتن رسید، پیشخوان را ترک کرد.

يُخلط عادةً مع

پیشخوان vs میز (Miz)

Miz is a general table for sitting; Pishkhān is a counter for standing/service.

پیشخوان vs باجه (Bājeh)

Bājeh is the whole booth; Pishkhān is just the counter surface.

پیشخوان vs ویترین (Vitrin)

Vitrin is for display; Pishkhān is for interaction/payment.

تعبيرات اصطلاحية

"زیر پیشخوان"

— Selling something illegally or secretly (similar to 'under the counter' in English).

او داروهای کمیاب را زیر پیشخوان می‌فروخت.

informal
"پیشخوانِ خبر"

— Referring to the most important or trending news.

این موضوع امروز در پیشخوان خبرهاست.

journalistic
"پشت پیشخوانِ قدرت"

— Being in a position of administrative or political control.

او سال‌ها پشت پیشخوان قدرت بوده است.

literary
"روی پیشخوان ریختن"

— To reveal everything or display options clearly.

او تمام ورق‌هایش را روی پیشخوان ریخت.

metaphorical
"از پیشخوان گذشتن"

— To pass the initial stage of a process.

طرح ما هنوز از پیشخوان اول نگذشته است.

formal
"پیشخوانِ چشم"

— What is immediately visible or in front of one's eyes.

زیبایی طبیعت در پیشخوان چشم او بود.

poetic
"بر پیشخوان نشستن"

— To be the center of attention or the main topic.

نام او بر پیشخوان محافل نشست.

literary
"پیشخوانِ بازار"

— The general state or 'front' of the market.

پیشخوان بازار امروز کساد است.

economic
"دست روی پیشخوان زدن"

— To demand attention or service firmly.

با عصبانیت دست روی پیشخوان زد و اعتراض کرد.

neutral
"پیشخوانِ اندیشه"

— The initial ideas or surface thoughts.

این‌ها فقط پیشخوانِ اندیشه‌های او هستند.

philosophical

سهل الخلط

پیشخوان vs پیش‌غذا

Sounds similar (Pish-ghazā).

Pish-ghazā means appetizer; Pishkhān means counter.

پیش‌غذا را روی پیشخوان گذاشتند.

پیشخوان vs پیش‌خانه

Similar structure.

Pish-khāneh means antechamber or front of a house; Pishkhān is a counter.

او در پیش‌خانه‌ی عمارت منتظر ماند.

پیشخوان vs خوان

It's the root word.

Khān alone can mean a table or a tray, but is less common in modern speech than Pishkhān.

خوانِ نعمت گسترده بود.

پیشخوان vs پیشواز

Starts with 'Pish'.

Pishvāz means going to welcome someone; Pishkhān is an object.

به پیشواز او رفتم.

پیشخوان vs پیش‌نویس

Starts with 'Pish'.

Pish-nevis means a draft of a document.

پیش‌نویس را روی پیشخوان گذاشتم.

أنماط الجُمل

A1

این [noun] است.

این پیشخوان است.

A2

[noun] روی [noun] است.

کتاب روی پیشخوان است.

B1

لطفاً به [noun] مراجعه کنید.

لطفاً به پیشخوان مراجعه کنید.

B1

[person] پشت [noun] ایستاده است.

متصدی پشت پیشخوان ایستاده است.

B2

برای [action] باید به [noun] بروم.

برای پرداخت قبض باید به پیشخوان بروم.

B2

[noun] مجهز به [noun] است.

پیشخوان مجهز به سیستم نوبت‌دهی است.

C1

[noun] به عنوان [noun] عمل می‌کند.

پیشخوان به عنوان مرز عمل می‌کند.

C2

در پسِ [noun]، [abstract concept] نهفته است.

در پسِ هر پیشخوان، داستانی نهفته است.

عائلة الكلمة

الأسماء

پیشخوان (counter)
خوان (table/tray)
پیشخوان‌دار (counter attendant - rare)

الصفات

پیشخوانی (related to counters - rare)

مرتبط

میز (table)
باجه (booth)
گیشه (ticket window)
صندوق (cashier/box)
دفتر (office)

كيفية الاستخدام

frequency

Common in urban environments and administrative texts.

أخطاء شائعة
  • Using 'miz' for a bank counter. Using 'pishkhān'.

    'Miz' is too general and sounds less professional in a formal setting.

  • Pronouncing it 'pish-kan'. Pronouncing it 'pish-khān'.

    The 'kh' sound is essential; without it, the word is unrecognizable.

  • Confusing 'pishkhān' with 'bājeh'. Using 'pishkhān' for the surface and 'bājeh' for the station.

    They are related but not identical. You stand at a bājeh and put things on the pishkhān.

  • Using it for a dining table. Using 'miz-e ghazā-khori'.

    'Pishkhān' implies a service or standing interaction.

  • Forgetting the Ezafe in 'pishkhān-e bānk'. Adding the 'e' sound.

    The Ezafe is necessary to link the noun to its modifier.

نصائح

Identifying Service Points

Look for the 'Pishkhān' sign in Iran if you need to pay a fine or a bill. It's faster than going to a main government building.

The 'KH' Sound

Don't be afraid to make a raspy sound for the 'kh'. If it sounds like 'Bach', you're doing it right.

Formal vs Informal

Use 'pishkhān' in a bank or pharmacy. Use 'miz' if you're just talking about a table at home.

Ezafe Usage

Always connect 'pishkhān' to its location using the Ezafe: pishkhān-e bānk, pishkhān-e dārukhāneh.

Numbers

In offices, 'pishkhān' is almost always followed by a number. Practice your Persian numbers to know which counter to go to.

Spelling

The 'v' (و) in 'khān' is not pronounced as 'v'; it's part of the long 'ā' sound (khvān -> khān).

Ta'arof at the Counter

Expect some polite back-and-forth at the 'pishkhān' when paying. It's part of the experience.

Prepositions

Remember: 'Ruye' (on) for objects, 'Poshte' (behind) for staff, 'Jolo-ye' (in front) for customers.

News Stands

If someone says 'pishkhān-e ruznāmeh', they are talking about what's in the news today.

Roots

Knowing 'Pish' means 'front' helps you learn words like 'Pish-ghazā' (appetizer) and 'Pish-raft' (progress).

احفظها

وسيلة تذكّر

Imagine a 'PEACH' (Pish) sitting on a 'CAN' (Khān) on top of a store counter. The Peach is at the Front (Pish) of the Can (Khān).

ربط بصري

Visualize the bright orange sign of 'Pishkhān-e Dowlat' found on Iranian streets. Associate the word with the physical act of leaning on a counter to talk to someone.

Word Web

Shop Bank Transaction Service Clerk Table Queue Money

تحدٍّ

Try to identify every 'pishkhān' you see in a day. Even at home, call your kitchen island a 'pishkhān' to practice the word.

أصل الكلمة

The word is a Persian compound consisting of 'pish' and 'khān'. 'Pish' comes from Middle Persian 'pēš', meaning 'before' or 'in front'. 'Khān' has roots in Middle Persian 'khwān', referring to a table, tray, or a spread for food.

المعنى الأصلي: Originally, it likely referred to a table or tray placed in front of someone, especially for serving or displaying items.

Indo-European > Indo-Iranian > Iranian > Western Iranian > New Persian.

السياق الثقافي

No specific sensitivities; it is a neutral, functional noun.

In English-speaking countries, 'counter' is used similarly, but the 'Pishkhān-e Dowlat' concept is more akin to a 'Post Office' or a 'Service Center' like the DMV, but privately run.

Pishkhān-e Dowlat (National Service Network) Pishkhān-e Matbu'āt (Newspaper Stand culture in Iran) Modern Iranian architecture often highlights the 'Pishkhān' in cafe designs.

تدرّب في الحياة الواقعية

سياقات واقعية

At the Bank

  • فیش را به پیشخوان بدهید.
  • کدام پیشخوان باز است؟
  • پشت پیشخوان شلوغ است.
  • شیشه‌ی پیشخوان کثیف است.

At a Cafe

  • سفارش را از پیشخوان بگیرید.
  • منار روی پیشخوان است.
  • می‌توانم پشت پیشخوان بنشینم؟
  • پیشخوان چوبی است.

Government Office

  • پیشخوان دولت کجاست؟
  • نوبت شما در پیشخوان ۴ است.
  • مدارک را روی پیشخوان بگذارید.
  • متصدی پیشخوان رفت.

Library

  • کتاب را به پیشخوان برگردانید.
  • کارت کتابخانه را روی پیشخوان بگذارید.
  • پیشخوان امانت کجاست؟
  • کسی پشت پیشخوان نیست.

Hotel

  • پیشخوان پذیرش در لابی است.
  • کلید را روی پیشخوان گذاشتم.
  • به پیشخوان پذیرش بروید.
  • پیشخوان هتل ۲۴ ساعته است.

بدايات محادثة

"ببخشید، کدام پیشخوان برای پرداخت قبض است؟"

"آیا متصدی این پیشخوان الان حضور دارد؟"

"می‌توانم کیفم را برای لحظه‌ای روی پیشخوان بگذارم؟"

"چرا اینقدر صف جلوی این پیشخوان طولانی است؟"

"آیا این پیشخوان خدمات تعویض پلاک هم انجام می‌دهد؟"

مواضيع للكتابة اليومية

امروز در پیشخوان دولت چه گذشت؟ تجربه‌ی خود را بنویسید.

اگر صاحب یک مغازه بودید، پیشخوان خود را چگونه طراحی می‌کردید؟

تفاوت رفتاری مردم در جلوی پیشخوان بانک و پیشخوان کافه را توصیف کنید.

یک داستان کوتاه درباره‌ی وسیله‌ای که روی پیشخوان جا مانده است بنویسید.

چرا پیشخوان‌ها در ادارات دولتی ایران اینقدر مهم هستند؟

الأسئلة الشائعة

10 أسئلة

Yes, but it's less common. Iranians usually say 'open' (اپن) or 'miz-e āshpazkhāneh'. 'Pishkhān' sounds a bit formal for a home.

It is a private office in Iran that provides government services like bill payments and ID renewals. You will see their yellow or orange signs everywhere.

Persian does not have grammatical gender, so it is neutral.

You say 'posht-e pishkhān' (پشت پیشخوان).

No, a car dashboard is called 'dāshbord' (داشبورد). 'Pishkhān' is for shops and offices.

Colloquially, people might just say 'miz' (table), but 'pishkhān' is the correct term for a counter.

The plural is 'pishkhān-hā' (پیشخوان‌ها).

No, the 'khān' in 'pishkhān' comes from the root for 'table/tray', not the Mongol/Turkic title for a leader.

It is spelled پ-ی-ش-خ-و-ا-ن.

A 'gāntri' (gantry) is a technical frame; 'pishkhān' is specifically a service counter.

اختبر نفسك 180 أسئلة

writing

Write a sentence using 'pishkhān' and 'bank'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Describe a 'pishkhān' you saw recently.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Translate: 'Put the keys on the counter.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

Say 'Pishkhān-e Dowlat' out loud.

Read this aloud:

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Write a sentence about a crowded counter.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Translate: 'The counter is high.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Translate: 'The clerk is behind the counter.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Write a sentence about a library counter.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Translate: 'I am waiting in front of the counter.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Write: 'Put your ID on the counter.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Translate: 'Go to counter four.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Write: 'The counter is wooden.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Translate: 'Put the book on the counter.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Write: 'I am at the counter.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Translate: 'Put it on the counter.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Write: 'The counter is long.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Translate: 'Where is the counter?'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Write: 'I see the counter.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Translate: 'Put it on the counter.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:

/ 180 correct

Perfect score!

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