جلوی
جلوی en 30 segundos
- Joloye means 'in front of' and is used for physical locations, like parking a car in front of a house.
- It requires the Ezafe (-ye) to connect to the following noun, which is why it ends in 'ye'.
- It can be used figuratively to mean 'stopping' or 'preventing' something (joloye chizi ra gereftan).
- In spoken Persian, it often combines with pronouns to become 'jolóm' (in front of me) or 'jolót' (in front of you).
The Persian word جلوی (Jolo-ye) is a fundamental preposition that every learner must master early in their journey. At its core, it signifies spatial orientation, specifically indicating that one object or person is positioned in the space directly preceding another. In English, we translate this most frequently as 'in front of' or 'before.' However, the linguistic mechanics of Persian involve the 'Ezafe' construction, where the base noun 'جلو' (front) is linked to the following noun via the short vowel sound '-ye' or '-e', creating a relational bond that functions as a prepositional phrase.
- Physical Placement
- The most common use is describing the location of an object. If you park your car at the entrance of a building, you are 'joloye' that building. It implies a direct line of sight or a primary orientation toward the front face of the reference point.
- Social and Figurative Presence
- Beyond physical space, it is used to describe actions performed in the presence of others. For example, 'speaking in front of a crowd' or 'embarrassing someone in front of their friends' utilizes this word to define the social theater of the action.
- Obstruction and Resistance
- In more advanced contexts, it can imply standing in the way of something or preventing progress. To 'stand in front of a problem' often means to face it or, conversely, to block a path.
ماشین را جلوی خانه پارک کردم.
— I parked the car in front of the house.
In everyday Persian, you will hear this word constantly. Whether you are giving directions to a taxi driver ('جلوی بانک نگه دارید' - Stop in front of the bank) or looking for your keys ('جلوی تلویزیون است' - It's in front of the TV), it is an indispensable part of the basic vocabulary. It is also used to compare positions in a queue or a race. If someone is ahead of you, they are 'joloye shoma'.
او جلوی همه ایستاد.
— He stood in front of everyone.
Using جلوی (Jolo-ye) correctly requires an understanding of the Persian Ezafe system. The Ezafe is the invisible (or sometimes written as 'ی' or a small zig-zag) link that connects a noun to its modifiers or to another noun to show possession or location. In the case of 'جلوی', the 'ی' at the end is the Ezafe itself, because the word 'جلو' ends in a vowel.
- Sentence Structure
- The typical pattern is: [Subject] + [Verb] + [جلوی] + [Object]. For example: 'گربه جلوی در نشست' (The cat sat in front of the door). Note how 'جلوی' directly precedes the object it is referencing.
- With Pronouns
- When using pronouns, you can either use the full pronoun (e.g., جلوی من - in front of me) or the pronominal suffix in colloquial speech (e.g., جلوم - jolóm). The suffix version is extremely common in spoken Tehran dialect.
بیا جلوی آینه موهایت را شانه کن.
— Come in front of the mirror and comb your hair.
It is also important to distinguish between 'جلوی' and 'روبروی'. While 'جلوی' means 'in front of' (like one car behind another), 'روبروی' (ru-be-ru-ye) often implies 'opposite' or 'face-to-face'. If two people are sitting at a dinner table facing each other, they are 'روبروی' each other. If one is standing behind the other's back, the one in front is 'جلوی' the other.
چرا جلوی تلویزیون ایستادهای؟
— Why are you standing in front of the TV?
If you walk through the streets of Tehran, Isfahan, or Shiraz, جلوی (Jolo-ye) will be one of the most frequent sounds hitting your ears. Its utility in navigating physical space makes it a cornerstone of urban life. From traffic interactions to social etiquette, it defines the boundaries of interaction.
- In Traffic and Transport
- Taxi passengers often say 'جلوی آن ساختمان نگه دارید' (Stop in front of that building). Drivers might complain about someone 'جلوی من پیچید' (cut in front of me). It is essential for giving and receiving directions.
- In Social Gatherings
- Persian culture places heavy emphasis on 'Ta'arof' (etiquette). You might hear someone say 'بفرمایید جلو' (Please, go ahead/front) when entering a room. Doing something 'جلوی مهمان' (in front of the guest) carries specific social weight and rules of politeness.
همیشه جلوی بزرگترها مودب باش.
— Always be polite in front of your elders.
In the marketplace, you'll hear it when people are arranging goods. 'اینها را بگذار جلوی ویترین' (Put these in front of the display window). In schools, teachers tell students not to talk 'جلوی کلاس' (at the front of the class). It is a word that organizes the Persian world into 'front' and 'back' (posht).
While جلوی (Jolo-ye) seems straightforward, English speakers often stumble on its specific Persian mechanics. The most common errors involve the Ezafe, confusion with time, and mixing it up with similar-sounding or similar-meaning words.
- Dropping the Ezafe
- New learners often say 'جلو در' instead of 'جلوی در'. Without the '-ye' sound, the sentence becomes grammatically unlinked. In Persian, 'jolo' is a noun; to make it a preposition, the Ezafe is mandatory. It's like saying 'front door' when you mean 'in front of the door'.
- Temporal Confusion
- In English, 'before' can mean both 'in front of' (space) and 'earlier than' (time). In Persian, 'جلوی' is strictly spatial. For time, you must use 'قبل از' (ghabl az) or 'پیش از' (pish az). Saying 'جلوی شام' for 'before dinner' is a major mistake; it would literally mean you are physically standing in front of your food.
اشتباه: جلو کتابخانه میبینمت. (غلط)
درست: جلوی کتابخانه میبینمت. (صحیح)
Another mistake is confusing 'جلو' (front) with 'جلوتر' (further ahead). If you want to tell someone to move a bit more to the front, you use the comparative 'jolo-tar'. If you just say 'jolo', they might just stand there looking at the front.
Persian has a rich set of words to describe spatial relationships. While جلوی (Jolo-ye) is the 'workhorse' preposition for 'in front of', knowing its alternatives will make your Persian sound more natural and sophisticated.
- روبروی (Ru-be-ru-ye)
- This means 'opposite' or 'facing'. Use this when two things are looking at each other. Example: 'The bank is opposite the park.' 'جلوی' would mean the bank is directly in front of the park's entrance, possibly blocking it.
- مقابل (Moghabel-e)
- A more formal version of 'in front of' or 'opposite'. It is often used in literature or news reports. It can also mean 'against' in a competitive sense (e.g., Team A vs Team B).
- پیشِ (Pish-e)
- While 'pish' can mean 'before' or 'front', as a preposition 'pish-e' usually means 'next to' or 'at the place of'. Example: 'کتاب پیش من است' (The book is with me). However, in compounds like 'پیشرو' (pish-ru), it means 'ahead'.
ایستگاه اتوبوس درست روبروی خانه ماست.
— The bus station is exactly opposite our house.
When choosing between these, consider the formality. 'Jolo-ye' is perfect for 90% of daily life. 'Moghabel' is for your university essay. 'Ru-be-ru' is for when you are specifically talking about things facing each other like mirrors or buildings on opposite sides of a street.
How Formal Is It?
"وی در جلوی صفوف نمازگزاران ایستاد."
"لطفاً جلوی در را باز بگذارید."
"بیا جلوم بشین."
"پیشی کوچولو جلوی مامانش میدوه."
"یارو اومد جلوم شاخ شد."
Dato curioso
The word 'Jolo' is also used in the context of 'bridle' ( افسار) in some dialects, emphasizing the idea of leading from the front.
Guía de pronunciación
- Pronouncing it as 'jolo' without the '-ye' Ezafe.
- Mispronouncing the 'j' as a soft 'zh' (like 'measure').
- Over-emphasizing the 'ye' so it sounds like a separate word.
- Using a long 'u' sound instead of 'o'.
- Stress on the first syllable.
Nivel de dificultad
Easy to recognize, but must notice the Ezafe 'y'.
Spelling 'jolo' is easy, but remembering the Ezafe in sentences is key.
Very common, but colloquial suffixes like 'jolóm' take practice.
Clear sound, but can be confused with 'jolo' (forward) if the Ezafe is subtle.
Qué aprender después
Requisitos previos
Aprende después
Avanzado
Gramática que debes saber
Ezafe Construction
کتابِ علی (Ali's book), جلویِ در (In front of the door).
Pronominal Suffixes
جلوی من -> جلوم (jolóm).
Prepositional Nouns
Words like 'jolo', 'posht', 'ru' act as nouns but function as prepositions with Ezafe.
Word Order
The prepositional phrase usually comes before the verb.
Comparative Adjectives
جلو -> جلوتر (Further ahead).
Ejemplos por nivel
توپ جلوی در است.
The ball is in front of the door.
Simple Ezafe connection between 'jolo' and 'dar'.
من جلوی میز هستم.
I am in front of the table.
Subject + Prepositional Phrase + Verb 'to be'.
ماشین جلوی خانه است.
The car is in front of the house.
Common spatial use of 'joloye'.
گربه جلوی تلویزیون نشست.
The cat sat in front of the TV.
Past tense verb 'neshast' with 'joloye'.
کتاب جلوی توست.
The book is in front of you.
Using 'joloye' with a pronoun 'to'.
مداد جلوی دفتر است.
The pencil is in front of the notebook.
Basic object placement.
گلها جلوی پنجره هستند.
The flowers are in front of the window.
Plural subject with 'hastand'.
سگ جلوی باغ است.
The dog is in front of the garden.
Basic location.
ما جلوی رستوران منتظر هستیم.
We are waiting in front of the restaurant.
Present continuous sense with 'montazer hastim'.
لطفاً جلوی بانک نگه دارید.
Please stop in front of the bank.
Imperative 'negah darid' used for directions.
ایستگاه اتوبوس جلوی پارک است.
The bus stop is in front of the park.
Describing city infrastructure.
او جلوی آینه ایستاد.
She stood in front of the mirror.
Reflexive spatial context.
ماشینت را جلوی پارکینگ نگذار.
Don't put (park) your car in front of the garage.
Negative imperative.
بچهها جلوی مدرسه بازی میکنند.
The children are playing in front of the school.
Present continuous action.
میتوانیم جلوی گیشه همدیگر را ببینیم؟
Can we see each other in front of the ticket counter?
Question form with 'mitavanim'.
کفشهایت را جلوی در در بیاور.
Take off your shoes in front of the door.
Cultural instruction.
او جلوی همه از من معذرتخواهی کرد.
He apologized to me in front of everyone.
Social context of 'in front of'.
یک درخت بزرگ جلوی دید ما را گرفته است.
A large tree has blocked our view.
Figurative use: blocking/taking the view.
جلوی گریهاش را نتوانست بگیرد.
She couldn't stop herself from crying.
Idiomatic: 'joloye chizi ra gereftan' (to stop/prevent).
همیشه جلوی مهمانها مودب باش.
Always be polite in front of guests.
Social etiquette instruction.
او جلوی پای من بلند شد.
He stood up in front of me (as a sign of respect).
Cultural idiom of respect.
جلوی ضرر را هر وقت بگیری منفعت است.
Whenever you stop a loss, it's a profit.
Famous Persian proverb.
او جلوی آینه داشت موهایش را درست میکرد.
She was fixing her hair in front of the mirror.
Past continuous tense.
ترافیک سنگینی جلوی پل وجود دارد.
There is heavy traffic in front of the bridge.
Describing traffic conditions.
دولت باید جلوی تورم را بگیرد.
The government must stop inflation.
Abstract usage: stopping a process.
او جلوی پیشرفت پروژه را گرفت.
He hindered the progress of the project.
Figurative: blocking progress.
نباید جلوی دیگران به او توهین میکردی.
You shouldn't have insulted him in front of others.
Modal verb 'nabayad' with social context.
جلوی در ورودی، صف طولانی تشکیل شده بود.
A long queue had formed in front of the entrance.
Past perfect tense.
او جلوی آینه با خودش حرف میزد.
He was talking to himself in front of the mirror.
Reflexive action.
این دیوار جلوی نور خورشید را میگیرد.
This wall blocks the sunlight.
Physical obstruction.
او جلوی قاضی ایستاد و حقیقت را گفت.
He stood before the judge and told the truth.
Formal/Legal context.
هیچکس نمیتواند جلوی اراده او را بگیرد.
No one can stop his will.
Highly abstract/metaphorical.
او در جلوی صف معترضان حرکت میکرد.
He was moving at the front of the line of protesters.
Formal usage with 'dar joloye'.
جلوی چشمانش همه چیز تیره و تار شد.
Everything went dark before his eyes.
Idiomatic expression for fainting or shock.
او جلوی وسوسه خریدن آن ماشین را گرفت.
He resisted the temptation to buy that car.
Resisting abstract desires.
این ساختمان جلوی دید دریا را از بین برده است.
This building has ruined the sea view.
Complex impact on environment.
او جلوی جمع با اعتماد به نفس سخنرانی کرد.
He gave a speech before the assembly with confidence.
Formal public speaking.
جلوی پایش فرش قرمز پهن کردند.
They rolled out the red carpet in front of him (metaphorically or literally).
Idiom for high honor.
او جلوی آینه تاریخ، خودش را بازیافت.
He rediscovered himself in the mirror of history.
Poetic/Literary metaphor.
باید جلوی گسترش این شایعه را گرفت.
One must stop the spread of this rumor.
Passive/Impersonal 'bayad' with abstract object.
او در برابر عظمت کوهستان، جلوی خود را کوچک میدید.
In the face of the mountain's grandeur, he saw himself as small.
Existential spatial relationship.
او جلوی آینه وجدانش به قضاوت نشست.
He sat in judgment before the mirror of his conscience.
Highly philosophical metaphor.
این تدابیر نتوانست جلوی سیل بنیانکن را بگیرد.
These measures could not stop the devastating flood.
Formal/Technical vocabulary ('tadabir', 'bonyan-kan').
او جلوی پای حقیقت، مصلحت را قربانی کرد.
He sacrificed expediency at the feet of truth.
Sophisticated literary construction.
جلوی چشمان حیرتزده تماشاگران، شعبدهباز غیب شد.
Before the astonished eyes of the spectators, the magician vanished.
Descriptive narrative style.
او جلوی طوفان حوادث، همچون کوهی ایستادگی کرد.
He stood like a mountain against the storm of events.
Epic simile.
باید جلوی نفوذ افکار بیگانه را در فرهنگ بومی گرفت.
One must prevent the infiltration of foreign thoughts into the native culture.
Sociopolitical discourse.
او جلوی آینه زمان، چروکهای صورتش را میشمرد.
Before the mirror of time, he counted the wrinkles on his face.
Poetic meditation on aging.
Colocaciones comunes
Frases Comunes
— A military command for 'Eyes front' or 'Align from the front'.
سربازها با دستور از جلو نظام ایستادند.
Modismos y expresiones
— Better late than never to stop a failing venture.
بیا این کار را رها کنیم، جلوی ضرر را از هر جا بگیری منفعت است.
Proverb— To admit defeat or acknowledge someone's superiority.
در شطرنج جلوی او لنگ انداختم.
Informal— To blind someone (metaphorically) with something, like greed.
پول جلوی چشمش را گرفته است.
Neutral— To be so preoccupied or arrogant that one misses obvious things.
آنقدر مغرور است که جلوی پایش را نمیبیند.
Neutral— To become very quiet and timid in someone's presence.
او جلوی پدرش موش میشود.
Slang— To pace back and forth in front of someone to annoy them.
چرا جلوی من رژه میروی؟
Informal— To pour out one's heart to someone.
جلوی او سفره دلم را باز کردم.
Informal— To protect someone by putting oneself in harm's way.
او جلوی گلوله سینه سپر کرد.
FormalPatrones de oraciones
[Subject] جلوی [Object] [Verb].
کتاب جلوی میز است.
لطفاً جلوی [Place] نگه دارید.
لطفاً جلوی بانک نگه دارید.
[Subject] جلوی [Person] [Action].
او جلوی من خندید.
[Subject] جلوی [Abstract Noun] را گرفت.
دولت جلوی تورم را گرفت.
در جلوی [Noun], [Clause].
در جلوی ساختمان، باغی بزرگ قرار داشت.
جلوی [Metaphor], [Action].
جلوی آینه حقیقت، همه چیز آشکار شد.
[Pronoun] [Jolo + Suffix] [Verb].
او جلوم ایستاد.
نباید جلوی [Person] [Action].
نباید جلوی بچه دعوا کنید.
Familia de palabras
Sustantivos
Verbos
Adjetivos
Relacionado
Cómo usarlo
Extremely frequent in both spoken and written Persian.
Memorízalo
Mnemotecnia
Think of a 'Jolly' person standing 'Jolo' (in front of) a crowd to make them laugh.
Asociación visual
Imagine a giant letter 'J' standing right in front of a door (Dar). J-in-front-of-Dar.
Word Web
Desafío
Try to find 5 things in your room and say their location using 'joloye' out loud.
Origen de la palabra
Derived from the Middle Persian 'jilaw' or 'yulaw', originally referring to the bridle of a horse or the front part of a harness.
Significado original: The part that leads or is in the front, specifically related to guiding animals.
Indo-European -> Indo-Iranian -> Iranian -> Persian.Contexto cultural
Be careful not to stand 'joloye' (blocking) someone's view in a mosque or during prayer.
English speakers often use 'before' for time, but 'joloye' is only for space. This is a major point of interference.
Practica en la vida real
Contextos reales
Giving directions
- جلوی بانک
- جلوی چراغ قرمز
- جلوی کوچه
- جلوی ایستگاه
Household items
- جلوی تلویزیون
- جلوی یخچال
- جلوی آینه
- جلوی پنجره
Social etiquette
- جلوی مهمان
- جلوی بزرگترها
- جلوی معلم
- جلوی همه
Traffic/Driving
- جلوی من پیچید
- جلوی پارکینگ
- جلوی ماشین
- جلوی ترافیک
Abstract/Idiomatic
- جلوی گریه
- جلوی ضرر
- جلوی پیشرفت
- جلوی خشم
Inicios de conversación
"ببخشید، جلوی این ساختمان ایستگاه اتوبوس هست؟"
"چرا جلوی آینه اینقدر وقت میگذرانی؟"
"میتوانیم جلوی سینما همدیگر را ببینیم؟"
"آیا جلوی خانه شما جای پارک هست؟"
"چطور میتوانیم جلوی آلودگی هوا را بگیریم؟"
Temas para diario
امروز چه چیزی را جلوی آینه درباره خودت کشف کردی؟
یک خاطره بنویس که در آن جلوی جمع صحبت کردی.
اگر میتوانستی جلوی یک اتفاق تاریخی را بگیری، آن چه بود؟
توصیف کن که جلوی خانه رویایی تو چه شکلی است.
چرا بعضیها نمیتوانند جلوی زبانشان را بگیرند؟
Summary
The word 'جلوی' (Jolo-ye) is your essential tool for describing 'where' things are in relation to the front of something else. Whether you're telling a taxi driver to stop or describing a cat sitting in front of a TV, this word is unavoidable. Example: 'جلوی آینه' (In front of the mirror).
- Joloye means 'in front of' and is used for physical locations, like parking a car in front of a house.
- It requires the Ezafe (-ye) to connect to the following noun, which is why it ends in 'ye'.
- It can be used figuratively to mean 'stopping' or 'preventing' something (joloye chizi ra gereftan).
- In spoken Persian, it often combines with pronouns to become 'jolóm' (in front of me) or 'jolót' (in front of you).
Contenido relacionado
Frases relacionadas
Más palabras de general
عادتوار
C1As a matter of habit; habitually.
عادی
A1La palabra 'عادی' significa normal u ordinario. Por ejemplo: 'Es un día normal' (این یک روز عادی است).
عافیت
B2Bienestar; estado de salud, seguridad y felicidad. Se usa comúnmente como '¡Salud!' después de un estornudo.
عاجل
B2Urgente; que requiere atención o acción inmediata. Por ejemplo: 'Noticia urgente' o 'Pronta recuperación'.
عاقبت
C1El resultado o desenlace de un evento. 'عاقبتِ این کار خطرناک است.' (El desenlace de este trabajo es peligroso.)
عاقل
A1Sensato, juicioso. Alguien que actúa con razón y prudencia.
عالمگیر
C1Universal o mundial; algo que afecta a todo el mundo.
عالی
A1La palabra 'Aali' significa excelente o magnífico en persa.
عام
B1La palabra 'Am' significa general o público.
اعم از
B2Incluyendo; ya sea... o... (usado para introducir opciones).