Bedeutung
To put off a task or responsibility, often carelessly.
Kultureller Hintergrund
In Iran, punctuality can be fluid in social settings, but 'posht-e goosh andākhtan' is still seen as a negative trait in professional or serious matters. It's often used by parents to instill discipline in children. In the fast-paced life of Tehran, this phrase is often used to complain about government bureaucracy or slow service in shops. While the idiom is common today, classical poets often used the concept of 'neglect' (ghaflat) to describe a spiritual failing. Modern writers use this specific idiom to ground their characters in realistic, everyday speech. The phrase is also understood and used in Afghanistan, though sometimes 'pas-e gosh' is used instead of 'posht-e goosh'. The meaning remains identical.
Use it for tasks
Remember this is best for tasks, chores, and advice. It's less common for people or feelings.
Don't be too rude
Telling a superior they 'threw something behind their ear' can be seen as an insult to their competence.
Bedeutung
To put off a task or responsibility, often carelessly.
Use it for tasks
Remember this is best for tasks, chores, and advice. It's less common for people or feelings.
Don't be too rude
Telling a superior they 'threw something behind their ear' can be seen as an insult to their competence.
The Passive Form
Use 'posht-e goosh oftādan' (to fall behind the ear) if you want to sound like it wasn't your fault! 'Oftād' means 'it happened/it fell'.
The 'Taarof' connection
If an Iranian friend seems to be 'throwing your request behind their ear', they might be trying to say 'no' politely. Don't push too hard.
Teste dich selbst
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the verb.
او همیشه کارهایش را پشت گوش __________. (Present simple, 3rd person singular)
The subject is 'او' (He/She) and the context 'always' (همیشه) requires the present simple tense.
Which sentence is the most natural way to tell someone not to procrastinate?
Choose the correct option:
The verb 'andākhtan' is the only one that forms this specific idiom.
Match the situation to the correct use of the idiom.
Situation: You forgot to pay your phone bill for two months.
You neglect the 'bill' (قبض), not the phone itself.
Fill in the missing part of the dialogue.
A: چرا به مریم زنگ نزدی؟ B: ببخشید، ________.
The speaker (B) is talking about their own action, so the 1st person singular is needed.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Formal vs Informal
Aufgabensammlung
4 Aufgabenاو همیشه کارهایش را پشت گوش __________. (Present simple, 3rd person singular)
The subject is 'او' (He/She) and the context 'always' (همیشه) requires the present simple tense.
Choose the correct option:
The verb 'andākhtan' is the only one that forms this specific idiom.
Situation: You forgot to pay your phone bill for two months.
You neglect the 'bill' (قبض), not the phone itself.
A: چرا به مریم زنگ نزدی؟ B: ببخشید، ________.
The speaker (B) is talking about their own action, so the 1st person singular is needed.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
14 FragenIt is neutral to informal. It's not a swear word, but it is a criticism. Use it with people you know well.
No, it's too informal. Use 'ehmāl kardan' or 'be ta'khir andākhtan' instead.
There isn't a single idiom, but you can say 'dar asra-e vaght' (in the shortest time) or 'be moghe' (on time).
Not exactly. It means you neglected it. You might still remember it, but you aren't doing it.
Posh-e goosh andākhtim (Past) or Posht-e goosh mi-andāzim (Present).
Yes, in stories, blogs, and informal emails, but not in formal contracts.
Rarely. It usually refers to the person's words or a task related to them.
It means 'to throw'.
Yes, 'pichāndan' (to twist) is a common slang for avoiding something.
Extremely common. You will hear it almost every day.
Yes, but usually they hear it from their parents!
No, it is almost always negative or self-deprecating.
Yes, it's the Ezafe construction linking 'behind' and 'ear'.
Yes, adding the 'am' (my) to 'goosh' makes it 'I threw it behind *my* ear'. It's very natural.
Verwandte Redewendungen
امروز و فردا کردن
similarTo procrastinate by saying 'I'll do it tomorrow'.
وقتکشی کردن
similarTo kill time / waste time.
از زیر کار در رفتن
similarTo shirk work / avoid work.
اهمال کردن
synonymTo neglect or be negligent.
پشت گوش فراخ بودن
builds onTo be extremely slow or lazy in doing things.
