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B1 noun 10 Min. Lesezeit

دوجین

Dozen; a group or set of twelve.

dojin
At the A1 level, you are just starting to learn numbers and basic shopping terms. Think of 'dojin' as a special number that means twelve. Just like you learned 'yek' (1) and 'do' (2), 'dojin' is a word used when you want to buy twelve of something at once. In Iran, people use this word a lot for things like eggs or pencils. A key rule for A1 students: even though 'dojin' means twelve, the word that comes after it is always singular. For example, 'dojin sib' (dozen apple). Don't worry about the history yet; just remember it as a 'big pack of twelve'. You might see it in simple grocery lists or basic conversations about buying school supplies. It is a very useful word because it helps you buy things in groups without having to count every single one. If you go to a shop and want twelve eggs, you can just say 'yek dojin tokhme-morgh'. It makes you sound very natural! Practice saying it with common objects like pens (khodkar) or flowers (gol). Remember, it's pronounced 'do-jeen'.
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At the A2 level, you are becoming more comfortable with daily transactions and describing quantities. 'Dojin' is an essential part of your shopping vocabulary. You should now understand that 'dojin' functions as a unit of measure. You can combine it with other numbers, such as 'nim dojin' for half a dozen (six) or 'do dojin' for two dozen (twenty-four). At this level, you should also notice that 'dojin' is mostly used for physical objects that are identical, like socks, plates, or fruits. You will hear it in the market (bazaar). A typical A2 sentence would be: 'Man nim dojin joorab kharidam' (I bought half a dozen socks). You should also start to distinguish between 'dojin' and 'dast'. While 'dast' is a set of six (usually for dishes), 'dojin' is always twelve. Using 'dojin' correctly shows that you are moving beyond simple counting and starting to use the collective nouns that native speakers use every day. It's also a good time to practice the 'ezāfe' construction if you add adjectives, like 'yek dojin gole ghermez' (a dozen red roses).
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At the B1 level, you are expected to handle more complex social and commercial interactions. 'Dojin' is no longer just a vocabulary word; it's a tool for effective communication in trade. You should understand that 'dojin' is a loanword from French, which explains why it doesn't follow the typical Persian root patterns. At this level, you should be able to use 'dojin' in more complex sentences, such as 'Agar do dojin bekharid, takhfif migirid' (If you buy two dozen, you get a discount). You should also be aware of the colloquial shortening to 'jin' in certain wholesale contexts, but remain cautious of the double meaning with 'jeans'. B1 learners should also be able to use 'dojin' in a slightly more abstract way, such as describing a small crowd or a collection of items in a story. You are now expected to maintain the singular noun after 'dojin' perfectly, as this is a hallmark of intermediate grammatical accuracy. You might also encounter 'dojin' in recipes or instruction manuals for household products.
At the B2 level, you should have a firm grasp of the nuances of 'dojin'. You understand its role in the Iranian economy, particularly in the wholesale districts of the bazaar. You can use it fluently in bargaining (chaneh-zani). For instance, 'Gheimat-e dojin-e in livanha chand ast?' (What is the price for a dozen of these glasses?). You also begin to see the word in more formal writing, such as business reports or newspaper articles discussing commodity prices. B2 learners should be able to use the pluralized form 'dojin-ha' to mean 'dozens' in a figurative sense, such as 'Dojin-ha nafar dar saf boodand' (Dozens of people were in line). This shows a higher level of linguistic flexibility. You should also be able to compare 'dojin' with other traditional units like 'shaneh' (for eggs) or 'ghavareh' (for fabric) and explain why one is used over the other. Your pronunciation should be natural, and you should be able to identify the word even in fast, idiomatic speech in a noisy market environment.
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At the C1 level, you are exploring the sociolinguistic aspects of the Persian language. You can discuss the historical influence of French on Persian commerce and how 'dojin' is a remnant of that era. You understand that while 'dojin' is a common word, its usage can vary slightly between different guilds in the bazaar. You can use the word in literary contexts, perhaps in a poem or a high-level essay, to create a specific atmosphere of trade or domestic life. C1 learners should also be aware of the rhythmic use of the word in 'bazaari' speech, such as 'dojin-dojin' to emphasize a large, repetitive quantity. You can analyze the grammatical structure of phrases like 'yek dojin-o nim' (a dozen and a half) and use them effortlessly. At this level, you are also expected to know the historical equivalents or the lack thereof in classical Persian before the French influence. Your use of the word should be indistinguishable from a native speaker, reflecting not just the meaning, but the cultural weight of the term in Iranian society.
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At the C2 level, you possess a near-native or native-like mastery of Persian, including its most subtle lexical choices. You can discuss the etymology of 'dojin' in depth, comparing it to its French ancestor 'douzaine' and its counterparts in other languages influenced by French. You are aware of how the duodecimal (base-12) system, though not native to Iran, found a niche through this word in specific sectors of the economy. You can use 'dojin' in highly sophisticated discourse, perhaps in a lecture on Iranian economic history or a deep literary analysis of a modern Persian novel where the bazaar plays a central role. You understand the most obscure idiomatic uses and can play with the word's sounds and meanings in creative writing. A C2 learner can also identify regional variations in how 'dojin' might be used or replaced by local dialectal terms for sets and quantities. Your command of the word is absolute, encompassing its grammatical, social, historical, and metaphorical dimensions.
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Beispiele

The Persian word دوجین (transliterated as dojin) is a fascinating linguistic artifact that represents the number twelve. Specifically, it refers to a set or a group of twelve items, exactly like the English word 'dozen'. While Persian has its own native numbering system based on the decimal (base-10) structure, the word دوجین is a loanword from the French word douzaine. This reflects a historical period in Iran, particularly during the late Qajar and early Pahlavi eras, when French culture, administration, and commerce heavily influenced the Persian language. Today, it remains the standard way to refer to twelve units of a specific commodity, especially in wholesale and retail trade environments.

Commercial Context
In the Grand Bazaar of Tehran or any local market, you will hear shopkeepers use this word to sell items like socks, handkerchiefs, or cutlery. It is the unit of choice for small-scale wholesale.

من یک دوجین جوراب از بازار خریدم.

Translation: I bought a dozen socks from the bazaar.

Using دوجین implies a level of bulk purchasing that is more than just a few items but less than a 'crate' or 'box'. It provides a convenient middle ground for shoppers. For example, if you are hosting a large dinner party, you might buy a dozen spoons. In Persian culture, hospitality often involves large groups, making the dozen a very practical unit for household supplies and kitchenware. It is also used in agricultural contexts, such as buying a dozen eggs, although the term 'shaneh' (tray) is more common for larger quantities of eggs.

Linguistic Origin
The word entered Persian through French influence in the 19th century. It replaced older, more cumbersome ways of saying 'twelve pieces' in commercial transactions.

قیمت هر دوجین مداد چقدر است؟

Translation: How much is the price for each dozen pencils?

Beyond simple commerce, the word can sometimes be used metaphorically to describe a large but countable number of people or things. However, its primary home is in the world of physical goods. When you use this word, you sound like a savvy shopper who understands the traditional units of Iranian trade. It bridges the gap between formal Persian and the practical, everyday language of the street and the shop.

Mathematical Property
It specifically denotes 12. Unlike 'a few' (chand-ta) or 'many' (ziyad), 'dojin' is mathematically precise.

او نیم دوجین لیوان خرید.

Translation: He bought half a dozen glasses.

ما به دو دوجین صندلی نیاز داریم.

Translation: We need two dozen chairs.

The grammatical application of دوجین is straightforward but requires attention to the rules of Persian counting. In Persian, when any number or unit of measurement precedes a noun, that noun must remain in its singular form. This is a common point of confusion for English speakers who are used to saying 'dozen eggs' (plural). In Persian, you say دوجین تخم‌مرغ (dozen egg). This rule applies whether you are using one dozen, two dozen, or half a dozen.

Basic Structure
[Number] + دوجین + [Singular Noun]. Example: 'Se dojin kashogh' (Three dozen spoons).

نانوا یک دوجین پیراشکی پخت.

Translation: The baker baked a dozen donuts.

Another important aspect is the use of 'half a dozen', which in Persian is نیم دوجین (nim dojin). This is very common when shopping for smaller quantities of items that are usually packaged in twelves. For instance, if you don't need twelve plates, you might ask for نیم دوجین بشقاب. This shows a sophisticated command of the language beyond just using the number six (shish). It implies you are aware of the standard packaging of the item.

With Adjectives
If you add an adjective, it follows the noun. Example: 'Yek dojin gol-e roz' (A dozen roses).

او چندین دوجین نامه قدیمی پیدا کرد.

Translation: He found several dozen old letters.

In more formal or literary writing, you might see دوجین used to emphasize the sheer volume of items. For example, 'dojin-ha' (dozens) can be used to mean 'many'. While 'dojin' itself is a unit, adding the plural suffix '-ha' turns it into an indefinite large number, similar to how we say 'dozens of people' in English. This is one of the few cases where the word itself is pluralized to convey a sense of abundance.

Quantifying People
While less common than for objects, you can use it for groups of people in a descriptive sense. 'Dojin-ha nafar' means 'dozens of people'.

ما دوجین مهمان داریم.

Translation: We have a dozen guests.

آیا می‌توانید نیم دوجین تخم‌مرغ به من بدهید؟

Translation: Can you give me half a dozen eggs?

To hear دوجین in its natural habitat, you should visit a traditional Iranian bazaar. Specifically, head to the sections selling household goods, textiles, or wholesale groceries. In the 'Bazaar-e Mesgarha' (Coppersmiths' Bazaar) or the areas selling 'Chini-alat' (Chinaware/Ceramics), you will hear merchants shouting prices for a دوجین of glasses or plates. It is a word of the marketplace, deeply tied to the physical act of counting and bundling goods for sale. It carries a certain rhythmic quality in the fast-paced environment of trade.

Textile Industry
Socks and undergarments are almost exclusively sold by the dozen in wholesale markets. You will see bundles tied together, each being one 'dojin'.

عمده‌فروش گفت: فقط به صورت دوجین می‌فروشیم.

Translation: The wholesaler said: We only sell by the dozen.

You will also encounter this word in the context of kitchen supplies. Iranian families traditionally buy 'dast' (sets of six) for things like tea glasses (estakan) or spoons. Since دوجین is exactly two 'dast', it is the next logical step up. If a family is expecting many relatives for a holiday like Nowruz, they will go to the store and ask for a دوجین of new glasses to ensure everyone has a matching set. Here, the word represents preparation and hospitality.

Stationery Stores
When students prepare for the new school year, parents often buy a 'dojin' of pencils or notebooks to last the semester.

یک دوجین خودکار آبی لازم دارم.

Translation: I need a dozen blue pens.

Interestingly, you might also hear it in the world of fashion, but with a twist. The word 'jin' (short for dojin) is used by clothing wholesalers. However, as mentioned before, 'jin' is also the word for 'jeans'. If you are in the clothing district and someone says 'yek jin shalvar', they might mean 'one dozen pants' or 'one pair of jeans'. Usually, the context of the shop (wholesale vs. retail) makes it clear. If you are in a wholesale shop, they definitely mean twelve!

Baking and Food
While not as common as in the West for donuts, it is used for purchasing specific traditional sweets like 'Sohan' or 'Kulucheh' when they are individually wrapped.

او دو دوجین تخم‌مرغ خرید تا کیک بپزد.

Translation: She bought two dozen eggs to bake a cake.

فروشنده دوجین را با تخفیف داد.

Translation: The seller gave the dozen with a discount.

One of the most frequent errors English speakers make when using دوجین is pluralizing the noun that follows it. In English, we say 'three dozen eggs'. Because 'eggs' is plural, learners often want to say se dojin tokhme-morgh-ha. This is incorrect in Persian. The rule is absolute: after any number or unit of quantity, the noun stays singular. Therefore, it must be se dojin tokhme-morgh. This applies to everything from pencils to people.

Pluralization Error
Wrong: دوجین کتاب‌ها (Dojin ketabha). Correct: دوجین کتاب (Dojin ketab).

اشتباه: من یک دوجین سیب‌ها خریدم.

Correct: من یک دوجین سیب خریدم.

Another common mistake is confusing دوجین (dojin) with جین (jin). While جین can be a shorthand for dozen, it is also the word for 'jeans'. If you are in a clothing store and say 'man yek jin mikham', the clerk will likely bring you a pair of denim pants, not twelve items. To avoid this ambiguity, especially as a learner, it is safer to use the full word دوجین unless you are clearly in a wholesale environment where buying single items is not an option.

Confusion with 'Dast'
A 'dast' is 6. A 'dojin' is 12. Sometimes learners confuse these sets. In Iran, tea sets are usually 6, so don't ask for a 'dojin' if you only want the standard box of 6 glasses.

اشتباه: این دوجین شش عدد است.

Correction: دوجین دوازده عدد است، نه شش عدد.

Lastly, learners sometimes struggle with the placement of the word. In English, we can say 'dozens of people'. In Persian, you can say دوجین‌ها نفر or دوجین‌دوجین آدم (dozens and dozens of people). However, using it for people is much more stylistic and less common than using it for objects. Using it for people in a casual conversation might sound a bit overly dramatic or literary unless you are specifically talking about people being 'bundled' or 'grouped' together.

The 'Yek' Rule
New learners often forget that 'dojin' can stand alone. You don't always need to say 'yek dojin'. Just 'dojin' works as 'a dozen'.

اشتباه: من دوازده دوجین تخم‌مرغ می‌خواهم (When you only want 12).

Correction: Just say 'yek dojin' or 'dojin'. Saying 'davazdah dojin' means 144!

او دوجین را اشتباه شمرد.

Translation: He miscounted the dozen.

While دوجین is the most precise word for twelve, there are several other words in Persian that deal with sets and quantities. Understanding these will help you navigate Iranian shops and social situations more effectively. The most important alternative is دست (dast). A 'dast' literally means 'hand', but in commerce, it refers to a set of six. This is the standard unit for tea glasses, plates, and cutlery. If you want twelve, you could say 'do dast' (two sets) or 'yek dojin' (one dozen).

Dast (دست)
Meaning: A set of 6. Usage: 'Yek dast estakan' (A set of 6 tea glasses). Comparison: 2 Dast = 1 Dojin.

به جای یک دوجین، دو دست خریدم.

Translation: Instead of one dozen, I bought two sets of six.

Another related term is جین (jin). As mentioned, this is often just a shortened version of 'dojin'. In the clothing trade, if you buy a 'jin' of t-shirts, you are getting twelve. However, be careful not to confuse it with 'jean' (the fabric). Another word you might encounter is قواره (ghavareh), which is used for sets of fabric or specific sizes of items, but it doesn't have a fixed number like twelve. For general 'packs', the word بسته (basteh) is used.

Basteh (بسته)
Meaning: Pack or package. Usage: A 'basteh' can contain any number, whereas a 'dojin' is always twelve.

این دوجین در دو بسته جداگانه است.

Translation: This dozen is in two separate packs.

For eggs specifically, the word شانه (shaneh) is very common. A 'shaneh' is a tray of eggs, which in Iran usually contains 30 eggs. So, while you can buy a 'dojin' of eggs (12), if you are buying in bulk for a large family, you would ask for a 'shaneh'. This highlights how 'dojin' is a specific unit of twelve, while other words are units of packaging. Lastly, simply using the number دوازده (davazdah) is always an option, though it lacks the 'set' connotation of دوجین.

Davazdah (دوازده)
Meaning: Twelve. Difference: 'Davazdah' is the number; 'Dojin' is the unit/set.

من دوازده عدد مداد خریدم، یعنی یک دوجین.

Translation: I bought twelve pencils, which means one dozen.

فروشنده گفت: دوجین بصرفه‌تر است.

Translation: The seller said: A dozen is more economical.
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Beispiele nach Niveau

1

من یک دوجین سیب می‌خواهم.

I want a dozen apples.

Notice 'sib' is singular.

2

این یک دوجین مداد است.

This is a dozen pencils.

The word 'yek' is used for 'one'.

3

او دوجین تخم‌مرغ خرید.

He bought a dozen eggs.

Common grocery usage.

4

قیمت دوجین چقدر است؟

How much is the dozen?

Asking for price.

5

ما دوجین قاشق داریم.

We have a dozen spoons.

Expressing possession.

6

یک دوجین گل برای تو.

A dozen flowers for you.

Gifting context.

7

او دوجین جوراب دارد.

She has a dozen socks.

Simple sentence structure.

8

نیم دوجین یعنی شش عدد.

Half a dozen means six pieces.

Explaining quantity.

1

من نیم دوجین لیوان خریدم.

I bought half a dozen glasses.

'Nim' means half.

2

او دو دوجین صندلی برای مهمانی لازم دارد.

He needs two dozen chairs for the party.

Multiples of a dozen.

3

آیا دوجین تخم‌مرغ در یخچال است؟

Is there a dozen eggs in the fridge?

Interrogative form.

4

فروشنده یک دوجین خودکار به من داد.

The seller gave me a dozen pens.

Subject-Object-Verb.

5

مادرم سه دوجین بشقاب چینی خرید.

My mother bought three dozen china plates.

Adjective follows the noun.

6

ما نیم دوجین بستنی خوردیم.

We ate half a dozen ice creams.

Past tense verb.

7

یک دوجین نامه در صندوق پستی بود.

A dozen letters were in the mailbox.

Locative phrase.

8

او دوجین لباس را شست.

She washed a dozen clothes.

Direct object marker 'ra'.

1

اگر یک دوجین بخرید، قیمت کمتر می‌شود.

If you buy a dozen, the price becomes lower.

Conditional sentence.

2

او دوجین‌ها عکس قدیمی در آلبوم داشت.

He had dozens of old photos in the album.

Plural 'dojin-ha' for 'dozens'.

3

فقط نیم دوجین صندلی خالی باقی مانده است.

Only half a dozen empty chairs remain.

Adjective 'khali' (empty).

4

او یک دوجین رز قرمز برای همسرش سفارش داد.

He ordered a dozen red roses for his wife.

Compound verb 'sefaresh dad'.

5

هر دوجین جوراب در یک بسته پلاستیکی است.

Each dozen socks is in a plastic pack.

Distributive 'har' (each).

6

ما به سه دوجین آجر برای تعمیر دیوار نیاز داریم.

We need three dozen bricks to repair the wall.

Purpose clause with 'baraye'.

7

او دوجین قاشق نقره را از گاوصندوق درآورد.

He took the dozen silver spoons out of the safe.

Prepositional phrase 'az... dar-avard'.

8

آیا می‌توانی نیم دوجین نان تازه بخری؟

Can you buy half a dozen fresh breads?

Modal verb 'mitavani'.

1

او دوجین‌دوجین کتاب در کتابخانه‌اش داشت.

He had dozens and dozens of books in his library.

Reduplication for emphasis.

2

فروشنده ادعا کرد که دوجین جوراب‌ها با کیفیت عالی هستند.

The seller claimed that the dozen socks are of excellent quality.

Reported speech.

3

با خرید یک دوجین، شما یک عدد اشانتیون می‌گیرید.

By buying a dozen, you get one free gift.

Gerund-like structure 'ba kharid-e'.

4

او دوجین تخم‌مرغ را با دقت در سبد گذاشت.

She carefully placed the dozen eggs in the basket.

Adverbial phrase 'ba deghat'.

5

چندین دوجین از این بشقاب‌ها در انبار موجود است.

Several dozen of these plates are available in the warehouse.

Passive-like construction 'mojud ast'.

6

او نیم دوجین از بهترین دوستانش را دعوت کرد.

He invited half a dozen of his best friends.

Superlative 'behtarin'.

7

قیمت عمده هر دوجین بسیار ارزان‌تر از تک‌فروشی است.

The wholesale price of each dozen is much cheaper than retail.

Comparative 'arzantah'.

8

او دوجین دستمال کاغذی را برای تمیز کردن میز استفاده کرد.

He used a dozen tissues to clean the table.

Instrumental usage 'baraye'.

1

در آن زمان، دوجین واحد اصلی معاملات در بازار تهران بود.

At that time, the dozen was the main unit of transactions in the Tehran bazaar.

Historical context.

2

او با دوجین‌ها مدرک و سند به دادگاه آمد.

He came to court with dozens of documents and certificates.

Figurative use for large quantities.

3

دوجین‌دوجین آدم در صف نانوایی ایستاده بودند.

Dozens and dozens of people were standing in the bakery line.

Vivid descriptive reduplication.

4

او دوجین مدال افتخار در طول دوران حرفه‌ای خود کسب کرد.

He earned a dozen medals of honor during his professional career.

Abstract noun with 'dojin'.

5

بررسی دوجین‌ها پرونده قدیمی نشان داد که فساد سیستماتیک بوده است.

The review of dozens of old files showed that corruption was systematic.

Complex subject phrase.

6

او دوجین از پیچیده‌ترین مسائل ریاضی را حل کرد.

He solved a dozen of the most complex mathematical problems.

Superlative and plural 'masayel'.

7

فروشنده با اصرار می‌خواست یک دوجین دیگر به من بفروشد.

The seller was insistently trying to sell me another dozen.

Adverbial 'ba esrar'.

8

او دوجین قفل مختلف را امتحان کرد تا در باز شود.

He tried a dozen different locks for the door to open.

Subjunctive 'baz shavad'.

1

استفاده از واژه دوجین نمادی از نفوذ فرهنگ تجاری فرانسه در ایران است.

The use of the word 'dojin' is a symbol of the influence of French commercial culture in Iran.

Sociolinguistic analysis.

2

او دوجین‌ها غزل ناتمام در کشوی میز خود رها کرده بود.

He had left dozens of unfinished sonnets in his desk drawer.

Poetic and literary context.

3

دوجین‌دوجین ستاره در آسمان کویر می‌درخشیدند.

Dozens and dozens of stars were shining in the desert sky.

Metaphorical use in nature description.

4

تحلیل دوجین‌ها متغیر اقتصادی برای پیش‌بینی بازار ضروری است.

Analyzing dozens of economic variables is essential for market prediction.

Technical/Academic context.

5

او دوجین از نادرترین تمبرهای جهان را در کلکسیون خود دارد.

He has a dozen of the world's rarest stamps in his collection.

Partitive construction 'dojin az'.

6

دوجین‌ها نظریه درباره علل سقوط سلسله‌های پادشاهی وجود دارد.

Dozens of theories exist regarding the causes of the fall of royal dynasties.

Abstract pluralization.

7

او دوجین از سنگین‌ترین وزنه‌های باشگاه را جابجا کرد.

He moved a dozen of the heaviest weights in the gym.

Physical intensity.

8

بررسی دوجین‌ها نمونه خاک نشان‌دهنده فرسایش شدید زمین بود.

The examination of dozens of soil samples indicated severe land erosion.

Scientific observation.

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