At the A1 level, the word 'وجهه' (vajheh) might be a bit advanced, but you can think of it as a 'social face.' Imagine you have a face everyone sees. If you are kind, your 'social face' looks good. If you are mean, your 'social face' looks bad. In Persian, we use this word to talk about how people see us. You can say 'good vajheh' (vajheh-ye khub) or 'bad vajheh' (vajheh-ye bad). It is like your 'score' in the eyes of your friends or teacher. Just remember: it's not the face you wash in the morning; it's the face people think of when they hear your name. Even at this level, you can understand that being a 'good student' gives you a 'good vajheh' in school. Don't worry about the complex grammar yet, just remember it means 'how people see you.'
At the A2 level, you can start using 'وجهه' in simple sentences about people you know. You might say 'My teacher has a good reputation' (Mo'allem-e man vajheh-ye khubi darad). This word is useful because it helps you describe people beyond just 'good' or 'bad.' It describes their standing. You will notice that we often use the word 'darad' (has) with it. For example, 'Ahmad has a good reputation in the neighborhood.' You are learning that in Persian culture, what people think of you is important. 'Vajheh' is the word for that public thought. You might also hear it in simple news stories about famous people. Remember, it's a noun, so you can describe it with adjectives like 'mosbat' (positive) or 'manfi' (negative).
At the B1 level, you should begin to distinguish 'وجهه' from 'aberu' and 'shohrat.' You are now moving into more professional and social topics. You can use 'vajheh' to talk about companies, brands, or jobs. For instance, 'This company has a good reputation for its products.' You also start to see how it's used in phrases like 'saving face' or 'protecting one's image.' You can use verbs like 'hefz kardan' (to protect). A B1 learner should be able to explain why someone might be worried about their 'vajheh'—perhaps they made a mistake at work, and now their 'vajheh' is damaged. This word is essential for discussing social situations and professional environments in a more nuanced way than a beginner.
At the B2 level, 'وجهه' is a key vocabulary item for discussing business, politics, and sociology. You should be comfortable using it in complex sentences with collocations like 'khadshedar kardan' (to mar/damage) or 'takhrib kardan' (to destroy). At this level, you understand that 'vajheh' is a form of social capital. You can discuss how a government's 'international image' (vajheh-ye beyn-ol-melali) affects its foreign policy. You should also be able to use it to describe the 'aspect' of a situation in formal or legal contexts, though the 'reputation' meaning is more common. Your usage should reflect an understanding of the ezafe construction and the subtle difference between 'vajheh' (external image) and 'shakhsiat' (internal character).
At the C1 level, your use of 'وجهه' should be sophisticated and precise. You can use it to analyze media portrayals, corporate branding strategies, and political rhetoric. You might discuss the 'reconstruction of a brand's reputation' (baz-sazi-ye vajheh-ye yek bernad) or the 'sociological implications of public prestige.' At this level, you are aware of the word's Arabic roots and how it interacts with other high-level Persian concepts like 'heysiat' (dignity) and 'shon' (status). You can write essays about how social media has changed the way individuals manage their 'vajheh.' You also recognize the word in classical-style modern prose where it might carry a more abstract 'aspect' or 'dimension' meaning (e.g., 'the legal aspect of the matter').
At the C2 level, 'وجهه' is a tool for philosophical and high-level academic discourse. You can use it to discuss the 'phenomenology of public image' or the 'duality of private self and public vajheh.' You are capable of using the word in all its nuances, including its rarer technical uses in law or philosophy. You can appreciate the word's use in high literature where it might be used to critique the 'facade' of society. Your mastery allows you to use it with a wide array of sophisticated verbs and in complex grammatical structures without hesitation. You understand the historical evolution of the term and can compare its usage in Persian with its usage in other Persianate or Arabic-influenced languages, noting the specific cultural weight it carries in the Iranian world.

وجهه in 30 Sekunden

  • Vajheh (وجهه) is a formal Persian noun meaning reputation, prestige, or public image.
  • It is primarily used in professional, political, and social contexts to describe standing.
  • Commonly paired with verbs like 'hefz kardan' (preserve) and 'takhrib kardan' (destroy).
  • It differs from 'shohrat' (fame) by focusing on the quality of one's image.

The Persian word وجهه (pronounced 'vaj-heh') is a sophisticated noun that translates primarily to 'reputation,' 'prestige,' or 'public image.' While the English word 'reputation' can be used in almost any context, vajheh is specifically tied to the social or professional standing an individual, organization, or country holds in the eyes of others. It originates from the Arabic root meaning 'face' or 'aspect,' which provides a beautiful metaphor: it is the 'face' you present to the world. In the Iranian cultural context, which places a high value on social standing and the concept of 'saving face,' this word carries significant weight. It is not merely about being known (which would be shohrat or fame), but about the quality and dignity of that recognition.

Professional Context
In business, a company might spend millions to improve its vajheh after a scandal. It refers to the brand's integrity and how trustworthy it appears to the public.
Political Context
Diplomats often talk about the vajheh-ye beyn-ol-melali (international image) of a nation, referring to its standing and influence in global affairs.

این رسوایی بزرگ، وجهه شرکت را به شدت تخریب کرد.

Translation: This big scandal severely destroyed the company's reputation.

Understanding vajheh requires understanding that it is something built over years but can be lost in a moment. Unlike 'prestige' which can sometimes feel elitist, vajheh is a necessity for anyone operating in a social sphere. Whether you are a teacher, a doctor, or a local shopkeeper, your vajheh determines how much people trust your word and your work. It is often paired with verbs like 'built' (sakhtan), 'protected' (hefz kardan), or 'damaged' (khadshedar kardan).

او به عنوان یک استاد دانشگاه، وجهه بسیار خوبی در میان دانشجویان دارد.

Translation: As a university professor, he has a very good reputation among the students.
Social Nuance
In Iranian culture, maintaining one's vajheh is often linked to the concept of 'aberu' (honor/credit). However, vajheh is more formal and public-facing, whereas 'aberu' is more personal and family-oriented.

دولت تلاش می‌کند وجهه خود را در عرصه بین‌المللی بهبود بخشد.

Translation: The government is trying to improve its image in the international arena.

Using وجهه correctly involves understanding its grammatical role as a noun and the common verbs it associates with. In Persian, nouns like vajheh often form the core of a sentence's meaning regarding social perception. You will frequently find it used with the 'ezafe' construction (the short 'e' sound) to link it to a possessor, such as vajheh-ye man (my reputation) or vajheh-ye sherkat (the company's reputation).

Building Reputation
To say someone has built a reputation, use 'kasb kardan' (to acquire) or 'sakhtan' (to build). Example: 'He acquired a good reputation.' (او وجهه خوبی کسب کرد.)

صداقت او باعث شد که وجهه مثبتی در جامعه داشته باشد.

Translation: His honesty caused him to have a positive image in society.

When discussing the loss or damage of a reputation, Persian speakers use powerful verbs like 'takhrib kardan' (to destroy/demolish) or 'khadshedar kardan' (to scratch/mar). These words emphasize the fragility of one's public standing. If you do something that 'looks bad,' you might say 'in kar vajheh-ye khubi nadarad' (this action doesn't have a good image/looks bad).

Maintaining/Saving Face
The verb 'hefz kardan' (to protect/preserve) is the standard partner for vajheh when discussing the effort to keep one's status intact.

مدیر عامل برای حفظ وجهه سازمان، تمام مسئولیت را بر عهده گرفت.

Translation: The CEO took all responsibility to preserve the organization's reputation.

In formal writing, you might encounter vajheh in the context of 'vajheh-ye ghanuni' (legal standing or legal aspect). However, in everyday B2-level Persian, the focus remains on social and professional prestige. It is a word that helps you discuss complex social dynamics, making it essential for professional conversations and news comprehension.

رفتار غیرحرفه‌ای او به وجهه کل تیم آسیب زد.

Translation: His unprofessional behavior damaged the reputation of the whole team.
Formal vs. Informal
While 'vajheh' is formal, it is used in neutral daily speech when discussing careers or social standing. In very slang contexts, people might use 'shakhsiat' (personality) or 'aberu', but 'vajheh' remains the most precise term for 'image'.

You are most likely to encounter وجهه in professional environments, news broadcasts, and serious social discussions. It is a staple of Persian media. When a journalist discusses a politician's standing or a company's market position, vajheh is the go-to term. For example, during an election cycle, analysts frequently discuss the vajheh-ye mardomi (popular image) of the candidates.

In the Office
During a meeting about branding or public relations (PR), you will hear: 'We need to work on our public image.' (ما باید روی وجهه عمومی خود کار کنیم.)

اخبار دیشب درباره وجهه اقتصادی کشور در جهان بود.

Translation: Last night's news was about the country's economic image in the world.

In academic settings, professors might use it to discuss the 'standing' of a particular theory or the 'prestige' of an institution. In the legal world, it refers to the 'aspect' or 'standing' of a case. However, its most frequent 'real-world' use among Persian speakers is in the context of social etiquette and professional ethics. If someone acts in a way that is beneath their station, a bystander might whisper, 'In baraye vajheh-ye un khub nist' (This isn't good for their image).

In Literature and Opinion Pieces
Modern Persian literature and editorials often use vajheh to critique social hypocrisy or to praise someone's unwavering integrity.

این جایزه بین‌المللی، وجهه علمی دانشگاه ما را ارتقا داد.

Translation: This international award elevated our university's scientific prestige.

Finally, in the world of social media, 'vajheh' is used when discussing influencers and their 'personal brand.' While the word 'brand' has been borrowed into Persian, vajheh is still used to describe the underlying reputation that the brand represents. If an influencer is caught in a lie, people will say their vajheh is ruined.

One of the most frequent errors English speakers make when using وجهه is confusing it with other words for 'face' or 'reputation.' Because vajheh is derived from the Arabic word for 'face,' learners sometimes try to use it literally. You cannot say 'I washed my وجهه' or 'Your وجهه is beautiful' (referring to physical features). For physical face, use soorat or chehreh.

Confusing with 'Shohrat'
Mistake: Using 'vajheh' to mean 'fame.' If someone is just famous but has a bad reputation, they have high 'shohrat' but low 'vajheh.' They are not interchangeable.

غلط: او وجهه زیادی در اینستاگرام دارد (به معنی مشهور بودن).

Correct: او شهرت زیادی دارد. (Vajheh refers to quality, not quantity of followers.)

Another common pitfall is the pronunciation. The final 'h' (ه) in vajheh is a 'silent h' or 'he-ye maktuub,' which in modern Persian functions as a vowel 'e.' However, because it is spelled with a 'h,' some learners try to pronounce a heavy 'h' sound at the end. It should sound like 'vaj-he,' ending in a short 'e' sound, similar to the end of the English word 'cafe' but shorter.

The Ezafe Trap
When adding a possessive, you must add a 'ye' sound: 'vajheh-ye man.' Many beginners forget this and say 'vajheh man,' which is grammatically incorrect.

اشتباه: او برای شستن وجهه خود به حمام رفت.

Correct: او برای شستن صورت خود به حمام رفت. (Vajheh is metaphorical!)

Lastly, remember that vajheh is a noun of 'standing.' It is passive. You don't 'do' a vajheh; you 'have' one, 'build' one, or 'lose' one. Avoid using it as a verb. Some learners try to force it into a verb construction where it doesn't belong. Stick to the collocations mentioned in the previous sections to sound natural.

To truly master وجهه, you must understand where it sits in the cluster of Persian words related to reputation and character. Persian has a rich vocabulary for social standing, and choosing the right word depends entirely on the context—whether it's legal, social, personal, or professional.

Vajheh vs. Aberu
Vajheh: Public image, prestige, professional standing. (More formal).
Aberu: Personal honor, dignity, 'face' in a moral sense. (More personal/intense).
Vajheh vs. Shohrat
Vajheh: Quality of reputation (Good/Bad).
Shohrat: Level of fame (How many people know you).

او هنرمند مشهوری است (شهرت)، اما وجهه خوبی در بین همکارانش ندارد.

Translation: He is a famous artist (shohrat), but he doesn't have a good reputation (vajheh) among his colleagues.

Other alternatives include e'tebar (credit/credibility) and shakhsiat (personality/character). E'tebar is often used in financial or academic contexts (like 'credit' in a bank or 'credibility' of a source). Shakhsiat refers to the internal character, though it can sometimes be used to mean 'status' (e.g., 'a high-ranking personality').

Vajheh vs. Heysiat
Heysiat: Prestige or dignity, often used in legal or very formal social contexts. It is very close to vajheh but feels slightly more old-fashioned or heavy.

برای یک تاجر، وجهه و اعتبار از پول مهم‌تر است.

Translation: For a businessman, reputation and credibility are more important than money.

In summary, use vajheh when you want to sound professional and focus on the 'image' or 'standing' of someone in a larger group. Use aberu for personal honor, shohrat for fame, and e'tebar for trust/credibility. Mastering these distinctions will make your Persian sound much more nuanced and native-like.

Aussprachehilfe

UK /vædʒ.he/
US /vædʒ.he/
The stress is on the first syllable: VAJ-heh.
Reimt sich auf
جلوه (Jelveh) میوه (Miveh) قهوه (Ghahveh) شیوه (Shiveh) تکیه (Tekyeh) هدیه (Hedyeh) گریه (Geryeh) سایه (Sayeh)
Häufige Fehler
  • Pronouncing the final 'h' heavily like a breathy sound.
  • Making the final 'e' sound like 'ay' as in 'stay'.
  • Confusing the 'j' (ج) sound with 'zh' (ژ).
  • Lengthening the first 'a' vowel too much.
  • Forgetting to link it with the 'ezafe' (ye) when followed by another word.

Beispiele nach Niveau

1

او وجهه خوبی دارد.

He has a good reputation.

Simple subject + noun + adjective + verb.

2

این وجهه بد است.

This image is bad.

Demonstrative pronoun usage.

3

آیا او وجهه خوبی در مدرسه دارد؟

Does he have a good reputation in school?

Interrogative sentence structure.

4

وجهه من مهم است.

My reputation is important.

Possessive ezafe: وجهه من.

5

او وجهه مهربانی دارد.

He has a kind image.

Adjective 'kind' modifying 'reputation'.

6

وجهه این رستوران عالی است.

The reputation of this restaurant is excellent.

Ezafe connecting noun to noun.

7

نام او وجهه خوبی دارد.

His name has a good reputation.

Subject is 'his name'.

8

ما وجهه خوبی می‌خواهیم.

We want a good reputation.

First person plural subject.

1

او در محله وجهه خوبی کسب کرده است.

He has acquired a good reputation in the neighborhood.

Present perfect tense: کسب کرده است.

2

این کار برای وجهه شما خوب نیست.

This action is not good for your reputation.

Preposition 'baraye' (for).

3

همه به وجهه او احترام می‌گذارند.

Everyone respects his reputation.

Compound verb: احترام گذاشتن.

4

وجهه شرکت ما در خطر است.

Our company's reputation is in danger.

Prepositional phrase 'dar khatar' (in danger).

5

او سعی می‌کند وجهه خود را حفظ کند.

He tries to preserve his reputation.

Infinitive construction: سعی می‌کند ... حفظ کند.

6

دروغ گفتن وجهه را خراب می‌کند.

Lying ruins the reputation.

Gerund as subject: دروغ گفتن.

7

او وجهه یک معلم دلسوز را دارد.

She has the image of a compassionate teacher.

Noun-noun ezafe: وجهه یک معلم.

8

آیا وجهه عمومی او مثبت است؟

Is his public image positive?

Adjective 'omumi' (public).

1

مدیر جدید وجهه سازمان را تغییر داد.

The new manager changed the organization's image.

Simple past tense.

2

او برای حفظ وجهه حرفه‌ای خود، سخت تلاش می‌کند.

He works hard to maintain his professional reputation.

Purpose clause with 'baraye'.

3

این شایعات به وجهه او آسیب زد.

These rumors damaged his reputation.

Compound verb: آسیب زدن.

4

وجهه بین‌المللی این کشور در حال بهبود است.

The international image of this country is improving.

Continuous tense: در حال بهبود است.

5

او همیشه نگران وجهه خود در میان دوستانش است.

He is always worried about his image among his friends.

Adjective 'negaran' (worried) + preposition 'az/darbareh'.

6

یک اشتباه کوچک می‌تواند وجهه شما را تخریب کند.

A small mistake can destroy your reputation.

Modal verb: می‌تواند.

7

او وجهه بسیار مذهبی در جامعه دارد.

He has a very religious image in society.

Adjective 'mazhabi' (religious).

8

ما باید روی وجهه تجاری خود بیشتر کار کنیم.

We need to work more on our commercial reputation.

Subjunctive mood: کار کنیم.

1

رسوایی مالی اخیر، وجهه بانک را به شدت خدشه‌دار کرد.

The recent financial scandal severely marred the bank's reputation.

Advanced verb: خدشه‌دار کردن.

2

او با رفتارش وجهه کل خانواده را زیر سوال برد.

With his behavior, he brought the whole family's reputation into question.

Idiomatic phrase: زیر سوال بردن.

3

وجهه دموکراتیک این نهاد باید تقویت شود.

The democratic image of this institution must be strengthened.

Passive voice: تقویت شود.

4

او وجهه خود را فدای حقیقت کرد.

He sacrificed his reputation for the truth.

Compound verb: فدا کردن.

5

این سیاستمدار وجهه بسیار کاریزماتیکی دارد.

This politician has a very charismatic image.

Loanword: کاریزماتیک.

6

تلاش‌های او برای بازسازی وجهه‌اش بی‌نتیجه بود.

His efforts to rebuild his reputation were fruitless.

Noun 'baz-sazi' (reconstruction).

7

وجهه علمی او در سطح جهانی شناخته شده است.

His scientific reputation is recognized globally.

Passive participle: شناخته شده.

8

او نگران بود که این خبر وجهه او را نزد مردم خراب کند.

He was worried that this news would ruin his reputation with the people.

Subordinate clause with 'ke'.

1

وجهه حقوقی این پرونده هنوز ابهاماتی دارد.

The legal aspect of this case still has ambiguities.

Technical use of 'vajheh' as 'aspect'.

2

تخریب وجهه رقیب، استراتژی اصلی آن‌ها در انتخابات بود.

Destroying the rival's reputation was their main strategy in the election.

Gerund construction: تخریب وجهه.

3

او با ظرافت خاصی وجهه خود را در محافل روشنفکری حفظ کرده است.

He has maintained his reputation in intellectual circles with a particular elegance.

Adverbial phrase: با ظرافت خاصی.

4

این بحران، وجهه اخلاقی جامعه را به چالش کشیده است.

This crisis has challenged the moral image of society.

Idiom: به چالش کشیدن.

5

وجهه نمادین این بنا برای تاریخ ما بسیار حیاتی است.

The symbolic aspect of this building is vital for our history.

Adjective 'namadin' (symbolic).

6

او تلاش کرد تا از وجهه خود به عنوان یک مصلح اجتماعی دفاع کند.

He tried to defend his reputation as a social reformer.

Prepositional phrase: به عنوان یک...

7

وجهه عمومی او پس از انتشار کتابش به کلی تغییر کرد.

His public image completely changed after the publication of his book.

Adverbial phrase: به کلی (completely).

8

سیاست‌های ریاضتی به وجهه دولت در میان طبقه کارگر لطمه زد.

Austerity policies hurt the government's image among the working class.

Verb: لطمه زدن (to damage/hurt).

1

وجهه هستی‌شناسانه این نظریه در فلسفه معاصر مورد بحث است.

The ontological aspect of this theory is debated in contemporary philosophy.

Highly technical adjective: هستی‌شناسانه (ontological).

2

او در پی آن است که وجهه‌ای قدسی به اقدامات خود ببخشد.

He seeks to give a sacred image to his actions.

Subjunctive with 'bakhshidan'.

3

تقلیل مفاهیم اخلاقی به وجهه و پرستیژ، از ویژگی‌های دنیای مدرن است.

The reduction of moral concepts to reputation and prestige is a characteristic of the modern world.

Complex noun phrase as subject.

4

او وجهه‌ای متناقض از خود در تاریخ به جای گذاشته است.

He has left a contradictory image of himself in history.

Adjective 'motenaghez' (contradictory).

5

وجهه زیبایی‌شناختی این اثر بر جنبه‌های فنی آن غلبه دارد.

The aesthetic aspect of this work prevails over its technical aspects.

Verb: غلبه داشتن (to prevail/overcome).

6

او مدعی است که وجهه عمومی، تنها برداشتی سطحی از حقیقت است.

He claims that public image is only a superficial perception of truth.

Noun 'bardasht' (perception/interpretation).

7

تحکیم وجهه سیاسی در گرو تعاملات سازنده با نهادهای مدنی است.

Strengthening political standing depends on constructive interactions with civil institutions.

Idiom: در گروِ (dependent on).

8

وجهه تراژیک زندگی او در آثار متأخرش به خوبی نمایان است.

The tragic aspect of his life is well-apparent in his later works.

Adjective 'namayan' (apparent).

Häufige Kollokationen

وجهه عمومی
حفظ وجهه
تخریب وجهه
وجهه بین‌المللی
وجهه حرفه‌ای
کسب وجهه
وجهه علمی
خدشه‌دار کردن وجهه
وجهه اجتماعی
بازسازی وجهه

Häufige Phrasen

وجهه خوبی ندارد

— It doesn't look good; it's socially unacceptable.

تنهایی رفتن به آنجا وجهه خوبی ندارد.

به وجهه کسی لطمه زدن

— To damage someone's reputation.

این حرف‌ها به وجهه من لطمه می‌زند.

از وجهه خود مایه گذاشتن

— To use one's reputation to achieve something.

او از وجهه خود مایه گذاشت تا وام بگیرد.

وجهه همت خود قرار دادن

— To focus all efforts on something (formal).

او خدمت به خلق را وجهه همت خود قرار داد.

در وجهه اول

— At first glance / In the first aspect (formal).

در وجهه اول، طرح خوبی به نظر می‌رسد.

وجهه قانونی پیدا کردن

— To gain legal standing.

این قرارداد هنوز وجهه قانونی پیدا نکرده است.

وجهه مردمی

— Popular image / Appeal to the masses.

او وجهه مردمی بسیار قوی‌ای دارد.

بدون وجهه

— Without reputation or standing.

او یک فرد بدون وجهه در این صنف است.

وجهه اخلاقی

— Moral image.

ما باید وجهه اخلاقی خود را حفظ کنیم.

وجهه سیاسی

— Political standing.

او وجهه سیاسی خود را از دست داد.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"صورت خود را با سیلی سرخ نگه داشتن"

— To keep up appearances or maintain one's 'vajheh' despite poverty or hardship.

او با وجود فقر، صورت خود را با سیلی سرخ نگه می‌دارد تا وجهه‌اش حفظ شود.

Informal/Idiomatic
"آبروریزی کردن"

— To cause a public scandal that ruins 'vajheh'.

او با آن رفتار، آبروریزی بزرگی کرد.

General
"وجهه همت"

— The main goal or focus of one's efforts.

او پیشرفت علمی را وجهه همت خود قرار داد.

Formal
"از سکه افتادن"

— To lose value or reputation (like a coin losing its currency).

پس از آن ماجرا، او دیگر از سکه افتاد و وجهه‌اش را از دست داد.

Informal
"نام و ننگ"

— Reputation and disgrace.

او دیگر پروای نام و ننگ ندارد و به وجهه‌اش اهمیت نمی‌دهد.

Literary
"سفیدرویی"

— Honorable reputation (literally 'white-facedness').

او با موفقیت در این کار، باعث سفیدرویی و افزایش وجهه خانواده شد.

Literary
"انگشت‌نما شدن"

— To become notoriously famous (bad reputation).

او به خاطر کارهای عجیبش در شهر انگشت‌نما شده و وجهه‌اش خراب گشته است.

General
"پرده‌دری کردن"

— To act shamelessly, destroying the 'vajheh' of a situation.

او در جلسه پرده‌دری کرد و وجهه همه را برد.

Formal
"خاک بر سر کردن"

— To ruin oneself or one's reputation (very informal).

با این کار خاک بر سر وجهه خودت کردی!

Slang
"روی کسی را زمین انداختن"

— To reject someone's request, potentially hurting their 'vajheh'.

او خواهش من را رد کرد و روی من را زمین انداخت.

General

Wortfamilie

Substantive

وجاهت (Vajaahat - beauty/handsomeness/dignity)
وجه (Vajh - aspect/face/sum of money)

Verben

موجه کردن (Movajjeh kardan - to justify)
توجیه کردن (Towjih kardan - to explain/justify)

Adjektive

موجه (Movajjeh - justified/respectable)
وجیه (Vajih - handsome/respected)

Verwandt

آبرو
حیثیت
اعتبار
شخصیت
صورت
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