In Persian culture, a 'خواستگاری' (khāstegāri) is a significant and traditional event. While the direct translation is 'marriage proposal,' it encompasses much more than just one person asking another to marry them. It's a formal family-to-family occasion, often involving several stages, where families meet to discuss a potential union between their children.
§ What 'خواستگاری' Means in Real Life
When you hear 'خواستگاری' in Iran or among Persian speakers, it almost always refers to this formal, family-centric meeting. It's not typically a spontaneous, romantic gesture in the Western sense, though the personal proposal might happen separately. Understanding this cultural nuance is key to grasping the word's full meaning.
- DEFINITION
- The act of asking someone to marry you; a marriage proposal. In Persian culture, this often refers to a formal family meeting where the families discuss a potential marriage.
§ Examples in Conversation
Let's look at how 'خواستگاری' is used in everyday Persian conversations. You'll often hear it in discussions about relationships, future plans, and family matters.
دیروز برای خواستگاری دختر عموم رفتیم.
(Yesterday we went for my cousin's marriage proposal/khāstegāri.) This implies the family visit, not just the individual asking.
خبر خوب! قرار خواستگاری گذاشته شد.
(Good news! The khāstegāri appointment has been set.) Here, 'appointment' refers to the formal meeting.
مادرش گفت که خانوادهای برای خواستگاری آمده بودند.
(Her mother said that a family had come for the khāstegāri.) This highlights the family-centric nature.
§ Related Vocabulary and Phrases
To fully understand 'خواستگاری,' it's helpful to know some related terms:
- خواستگار (khāstegār): The suitor, the person proposing (or whose family is proposing). This is often a noun referring to the man.
- بلهبرون (baleh-borūn): An event that often follows a successful خواستگاری, where the families formally agree to the marriage. It literally means 'yes-cutting' (referring to the final 'yes').
- شیرینیخوران (shirini-khorān): Another step, often combined with baleh-borūn, where sweets are shared to celebrate the engagement.
- حلقه نشان (halghe neshān): The engagement ring, often exchanged during or after the baleh-borūn.
Understanding these terms together will give you a much clearer picture of the marriage process in Persian culture and where 'خواستگاری' fits in.
§ Context in Media and Daily Life
You'll frequently encounter 'خواستگاری' in Persian TV shows, movies, and even news reports about social customs. It's a common topic of conversation among friends and family, especially when someone reaches marriageable age.
در سریال جدید، صحنه خواستگاری خیلی قشنگ بود.
(In the new series, the khāstegāri scene was very beautiful.)
By familiarizing yourself with 'خواستگاری' and its cultural implications, you're not just learning a word; you're gaining insight into a fundamental aspect of Persian social life.
Dato curioso
The root 'خواستن' (khāstan) is also used in many other common Persian words like درخواست (darkhāst - request) or خواهش (khāhesh - plea).
Gramática que debes saber
In Persian, nouns can be made plural by adding the suffix ها (-hā) or ین (-in) depending on the noun's ending. However, 'خواستگاری' (khāstegāri) is typically used in its singular form even when referring to multiple proposals, or you might say 'مراسم خواستگاری' (marasem-e khāstegāri) for 'proposal ceremony' and make 'مراسم' plural if referring to multiple ceremonies.
چندین مراسم خواستگاری داشتیم. (We had several proposal ceremonies.)
To express 'to propose to someone', you often use the verb 'کردن' (kardan - to do) with 'خواستگاری'. So it becomes 'خواستگاری کردن' (khāstegāri kardan).
او از من خواستگاری کرد. (He proposed to me.)
You can specify 'from whom' the proposal happened using 'از' (az - from) and 'به' (be - to) for 'to whom'.
او از دوست دخترش خواستگاری کرد. (He proposed to his girlfriend.)
When talking about the event itself, 'خواستگاری' can be used as a standalone noun.
خواستگاری خیلی خوبی بود. (It was a very good proposal.)
To describe the proposal using adjectives, they usually come after the noun 'خواستگاری'.
یک خواستگاری سنتی. (A traditional proposal.)
Origen de la palabra
خواستن (khāstan, "to want, to ask for") + گار (-gār, a suffix indicating a doer or agent)
Significado original: asking for a spouse or a marriage partner
Indo-European, Iranian branchContexto cultural
In traditional Persian culture, <i>khāstegāri</i> is a formal process where the man's family visits the woman's family to officially ask for her hand in marriage. This often involves several meetings, discussions, and gift-giving before a final agreement is reached.
Ponte a prueba 24 preguntas
This sentence means 'Yesterday, we went to propose to his sister.' The order follows a typical Persian sentence structure: Time + Subject (implied) + Verb + Preposition + Object.
This sentence means 'He came to our house for a marriage proposal.' The structure places the subject first, then the reason, then the verb, and finally the destination.
This sentence means 'Their marriage proposal ceremony was very simple.' The order is Subject (ceremony) + 'of them' + Adverb + Adjective + Verb.
Imagine you are writing a diary entry about a friend's marriage proposal. Describe the event, including who proposed, where it happened, and the immediate reactions. Use the word 'خواستگاری' at least once.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
امروز دوستم سارا خبر خواستگاریاش را داد. در یک رستوران زیبا، دوستپسرش با یک حلقه سورپرایزش کرد. او خیلی خوشحال بود و همه ما هم برایش هیجانزده شدیم.
Write a short email to a Persian-speaking friend, sharing news about a mutual acquaintance's engagement. Explain how you heard about the 'خواستگاری' and express your congratulations. Keep it informal but polite.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
سلام [نام دوست]، حالت چطوره؟ شنیدی [نام آشنا] خواستگاری کرده؟ [نام شخص دیگر] امروز صبح بهم گفت. خیلی خوشحال شدم و خواستم بهش تبریک بگم. تو هم شنیدی؟
You are writing a short social media post about a popular TV show where a character just made a dramatic marriage proposal. Comment on the 'خواستگاری' and the audience's reaction. Use emojis if appropriate.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
واو! قسمت دیشب سریال عالی بود! اون خواستگاریِ دراماتیک واقعا قلب آدم رو به لرزه درآورد. واکنش بینندهها هم خیلی جالب بود. 💍❤️ #خواستگاری #سریال_ایرانی
محمود کجا از لیلا خواستگاری کرد؟ (Where did Mahmoud propose to Leila?)
Read this passage:
داستان از آنجا شروع شد که محمود تصمیم گرفت به لیلا خواستگاری کند. او مدتها بود که این لحظه را برنامهریزی میکرد. یک شب زیبا در کنار دریا، محمود زانو زد و حلقه را به لیلا نشان داد. لیلا از شدت خوشحالی نمیتوانست حرف بزند و با چشمانی پر از اشک سر تکان داد.
محمود کجا از لیلا خواستگاری کرد؟ (Where did Mahmoud propose to Leila?)
The passage explicitly states 'یک شب زیبا در کنار دریا' (a beautiful night by the sea) as the location of the proposal.
The passage explicitly states 'یک شب زیبا در کنار دریا' (a beautiful night by the sea) as the location of the proposal.
بر اساس متن، کدام جمله در مورد خواستگاری صحیح است؟ (Based on the text, which statement about proposals is correct?)
Read this passage:
آیین خواستگاری در فرهنگهای مختلف، آداب و رسوم متفاوتی دارد. در برخی فرهنگها، این مراسم با حضور خانوادهها انجام میشود و رسمیت بیشتری دارد، در حالی که در برخی دیگر، خواستگاری میتواند یک اتفاق کاملاً شخصی و عاشقانه باشد. مهم این است که دو نفر با هم به توافق برسند.
بر اساس متن، کدام جمله در مورد خواستگاری صحیح است؟ (Based on the text, which statement about proposals is correct?)
The passage mentions that proposals can be formal with families in some cultures, and completely personal and romantic in others, indicating both possibilities.
The passage mentions that proposals can be formal with families in some cultures, and completely personal and romantic in others, indicating both possibilities.
چه کسی خبر خواستگاری سارا و علی را شنید؟ (Who heard the news of Sara and Ali's proposal?)
Read this passage:
خبر خواستگاری سارا و علی در محل کارشان پیچید. همه همکاران برایشان آرزوی خوشبختی کردند. سارا از اینکه علی در جمع دوستان نزدیکشان از او خواستگاری کرده بود، بسیار خوشحال بود. او گفت که این لحظه برایش فراموشنشدنی است و احساس میکند که خوشبختترین زن دنیاست.
چه کسی خبر خواستگاری سارا و علی را شنید؟ (Who heard the news of Sara and Ali's proposal?)
The passage states 'خبر خواستگاری سارا و علی در محل کارشان پیچید. همه همکاران برایشان آرزوی خوشبختی کردند.' (The news of Sara and Ali's proposal spread at their workplace. All their colleagues wished them happiness.)
The passage states 'خبر خواستگاری سارا و علی در محل کارشان پیچید. همه همکاران برایشان آرزوی خوشبختی کردند.' (The news of Sara and Ali's proposal spread at their workplace. All their colleagues wished them happiness.)
His father agreed to his marriage proposal.
The marriage proposal ceremony was held magnificently.
His sudden marriage proposal surprised everyone.
Read this aloud:
چرا خواستگاری از او را به تعویق انداختی؟
Focus: khaastegari
Dijiste:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
تصمیم گرفتیم بعد از عید، برای خواستگاری اقدام کنیم.
Focus: eghdam konim
Dijiste:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
جواب رد به خواستگاری او، قلبش را شکست.
Focus: javāb-e rad
Dijiste:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Choose the most appropriate response to someone who just announced they are going to 'خواستگاری'.
'تبریک میگویم! امیدوارم موفق باشید.' (Congratulations! I hope you are successful.) is the most fitting and common congratulatory phrase in this context, acknowledging the formal step of a proposal. 'مبارکه! ایشالا به پای هم پیر بشید.' is used AFTER a marriage or engagement, not before a proposal.
Which of these scenarios best describes a 'خواستگاری'?
The term 'خواستگاری' specifically refers to the formal act of asking for someone's hand in marriage, often involving the suitor and the family of the person being proposed to.
If someone says, 'ما رفتیم خواستگاری' (We went to the 'خواستگاری'), what do they likely mean?
'ما رفتیم خواستگاری' directly translates to 'we went for the proposal,' indicating the act of formally asking for someone's hand in marriage, typically involving a visit to the family.
The term 'خواستگاری' can refer to a casual question like 'Do you want to go to the movies with me?'
'خواستگاری' is a formal term exclusively used for a marriage proposal, not for casual invitations or dating requests. The context implies a serious intention of marriage.
In Persian culture, a 'خواستگاری' often involves the families of both individuals.
Historically and culturally, 'خواستگاری' in Persian tradition is a formal process that heavily involves both families, especially the suitor's family visiting the family of the person they wish to marry.
A successful 'خواستگاری' always immediately leads to a wedding ceremony.
A successful 'خواستگاری' typically leads to an engagement (نامزدی), which is a period of time before the wedding ceremony itself. It is not an immediate transition to marriage.
/ 24 correct
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Contenido relacionado
Más palabras de family
عاقد
B1Marriage officiant.
عضو بودن
B1To be a member (of a family).
عقد
B1Marriage contract; formal engagement ceremony.
عقد کردن
B1To get married; to formalize a marriage contract.
عمه
A1Paternal aunt; the sister of one's father.
عمه زاده
B1Paternal cousin (child of paternal aunt).
عمهزاده
B1Paternal aunt's child (cousin).
عمو
A1Paternal uncle; the brother of one's father.
عموزاده
A2A cousin (child of one's paternal uncle).
عنایت
B1Care; attention; favor; consideration.
