At the A1 level, you learn that 'مقداری' (meqdāri) means 'some' or 'a little bit' of something you can't count one by one, like water or sugar. Think of it as a way to talk about things in a bottle or a pile. You use it before the word. For example, 'مقداری آب' (some water). It's a very helpful word when you are hungry or thirsty and want to ask for something without knowing the exact amount. It helps you move past just saying the name of the object to describing how much of it you want.
For A2 learners, 'مقداری' is a key tool for describing daily activities and needs. You should recognize that it is used for 'uncountable' things. If you can count it (like 1, 2, 3 apples), you usually use other words, but for things like 'time' (زمان), 'money' (پول), or 'salt' (نمک), 'مقداری' is perfect. You will also start to see it in recipes and simple instructions. It doesn't need any special connectors (like Ezafe) to the noun that follows it. It just sits right in front, like a helpful signpost.
At the B1 level, you begin to use 'مقداری' in more abstract contexts. It's not just for food anymore; it's for 'مقداری صبر' (some patience) or 'مقداری تلاش' (some effort). You also learn the difference between 'مقداری' and 'تعدادی' (used for countable items). You might notice that 'مقداری' can also act like an adverb to mean 'somewhat,' such as 'مقداری نگران' (somewhat worried). This level is about using the word to add nuance to your feelings and descriptions in both speaking and writing.
B2 learners should master the 'partitive' use of 'مقداری از' (some of). This allows you to talk about a specific portion of a known whole, which is vital for detailed reporting or storytelling. You should also be able to distinguish 'مقداری' from more formal synonyms like 'قدری' or 'میزانی' and choose the right one based on the setting. Your usage should be fluid, appearing naturally in complex sentences without confusing it with the noun 'مقدار' (amount/value).
At the C1 level, you explore the stylistic choices involving 'مقداری'. You understand how using it instead of 'کمی' can change the tone of a sentence from simple description to a more objective or formal observation. You recognize its use in classical and modern literature to create atmosphere. You are also aware of how it functions in technical or legal Persian to denote an unspecified but non-zero quantity, and you can use it to hedge your statements effectively in academic discussions.
For C2 mastery, 'مقداری' is used with precision in high-level discourse. You understand its etymological roots and how it interacts with the indefinite 'ی' to create specific rhetorical effects. You can analyze its use in complex philosophical or scientific texts where 'quantity' itself is a subject of debate. You use it instinctively to manage the flow of information, knowing exactly when a vague quantifier is more powerful than a specific number to maintain the 'Ta'arof' or the professional distance required in elite Persian circles.

مقداری en 30 segundos

  • Meqdari means 'some' or 'a certain amount' of uncountable things.
  • It is placed before the noun and does not use an Ezafe.
  • Commonly used for food, money, time, and abstract feelings.
  • More formal than 'ye kam' but less literary than 'qadri'.

The Persian word مقداری (meqdāri) is a fundamental determiner and quantifier used to describe an unspecified amount or quantity of something. It is derived from the noun 'مقدار' (meqdār), meaning amount or quantity, combined with the indefinite 'ی' (ya-ye vahdat/nekareh). In English, it most closely translates to 'some,' 'a certain amount of,' or 'a quantity of.' This word is essential for daily communication because it allows speakers to discuss things without needing to provide precise measurements. Whether you are talking about food, time, money, or abstract concepts like patience, مقداری is your go-to word for expressing 'not all, but not none either.'

Core Concept
Indefiniteness regarding volume or mass.
Grammatical Role
Determiner or Adjective of quantity.
Nuance
Often implies a moderate amount, neither too much nor too little.

لطفاً مقداری نمک به غذا اضافه کنید.

— Please add some salt to the food.

Understanding the scope of مقداری involves recognizing its versatility. It can be used with both concrete, uncountable nouns (like water, sugar, or sand) and abstract nouns (like courage, time, or information). Unlike 'تعدادی' (te'dādi), which is specifically used for countable items (like 'a number of people'), مقداری focuses on the bulk or the essence of the subject. In modern Persian, it is slightly more formal than 'یه کم' (ye kam), making it suitable for both polite conversation and written texts. When you use this word, you are signaling that the exact measurement is either unknown or irrelevant to the context of the conversation.

او مقداری پول در بانک دارد.

— He has some money in the bank.

In a broader linguistic context, مقداری serves as a bridge between the specific and the general. It provides a comfortable middle ground. For example, saying 'من پول دارم' (I have money) is a general statement of fact, whereas 'من مقداری پول دارم' (I have some money) specifies that there is a tangible, though undefined, amount available. This distinction is crucial in negotiations, recipes, and social interactions where clarity regarding availability is needed without the burden of exact figures.

Synonym Check
اندکی (Andaki) - Very small amount; کمی (Kami) - A little; برخی (Barkhi) - Some (usually for people/groups).

ما برای انجام این پروژه به مقداری زمان نیاز داریم.

— We need some time to complete this project.

مقداری از میوه‌ها خراب شده‌اند.

— Some of the fruits have gone bad.

Finally, the placement of مقداری is typically before the noun it modifies. However, it can also be followed by the preposition 'از' (az - of) to specify a portion of a whole. This flexibility allows for complex sentence structures where the speaker can narrow down exactly what portion of a larger entity they are referring to. Mastering this word is a significant milestone for A2 learners as it moves them beyond binary 'yes/no' or 'all/nothing' descriptions into the nuanced world of Persian quantifiers.

Using مقداری correctly requires an understanding of Persian noun-adjective and determiner-noun relationships. Unlike standard adjectives that follow the noun with an Ezafe (e.g., 'آبِ گرم' - hot water), مقداری acts as a pre-nominal determiner. This means it sits directly before the noun it is quantifying, and you do not use an Ezafe between it and the noun. For example, 'مقداری آب' (some water) is correct, while 'مقدارِ آبی' is a different grammatical structure entirely. This makes it relatively easy for English speakers to learn, as it mirrors the placement of 'some' or 'a little'.

Rule 1: Pre-nominal Position
Place it directly before the noun: [مقداری] + [Noun].
Rule 2: No Ezafe
Do not add the short 'e' sound after 'مقداری'.
Rule 3: Uncountable Focus
Primarily used with mass nouns (water, sand, love).

او مقداری شکر در چای ریخت.

— He poured some sugar into the tea.

Another common pattern is the use of 'مقداری از' (some of). This is used when referring to a portion of a specific, defined group or mass. For instance, 'مقداری از این نان' (some of this bread). Here, the 'از' acts as a partitive, isolating a piece of the whole. This is particularly useful in shopping or dining scenarios. It is also important to note that while مقداری is versatile, using it with plural countable nouns (like 'some books') is less common than using 'تعدادی' or 'برخی'. If you say 'مقداری کتاب', it sounds as if you are treating the books as a bulk mass rather than individual units.

مقداری بنزین در باک مانده است.

— Some gasoline is left in the tank.

In spoken Persian, you might hear the 'ی' at the end dropped or emphasized depending on the dialect, but in standard Tehrani Persian, the pronunciation 'meqdāri' is consistent. It's also worth noting that مقداری can function as an adverb in certain contexts, modifying adjectives to mean 'somewhat' or 'a bit'. For example, 'مقداری گران' (somewhat expensive). This usage is slightly more formal; in casual speech, people would say 'یه کمی گرونه'. Understanding these shifts in register is key to sounding natural.

Pattern: [مقداری] + [Adjective]
Meaning 'somewhat' (e.g., مقداری دشوار - somewhat difficult).
Pattern: [مقداری] + [از] + [Noun]
Meaning 'some of' (e.g., مقداری از وقت - some of the time).

این کار مقداری سخت به نظر می‌رسد.

— This task seems somewhat difficult.

The word مقداری is ubiquitous in Iranian life, appearing in diverse settings from the domestic to the professional. One of the most common places you will encounter it is in the kitchen. Persian recipes (دستور پخت) are filled with this word. Since Iranian cooking often relies on 'چشمی' (eyeballing) measurements rather than strict metric units, 'مقداری نمک' or 'مقداری زعفران' are standard instructions. It reflects a culinary culture that values intuition and personal taste over rigid formulas.

In the Kitchen
Recipes, cooking shows, and grocery lists.
In the News
Economic reports (e.g., 'مقداری تورم' - some inflation).
In Medicine
Doctor's advice (e.g., 'مقداری استراحت' - some rest).

دکتر گفت باید مقداری بیشتر ورزش کنم.

— The doctor said I should exercise some more.

In the world of commerce and finance, مقداری is used to describe market fluctuations or stock changes when the exact percentage isn't the primary focus. You'll hear news anchors say, 'امروز قیمت طلا مقداری کاهش یافت' (Today, the price of gold decreased somewhat). This usage highlights the word's role in providing a general sense of direction or magnitude. Similarly, in academic or professional presentations, it is used to introduce data or findings that indicate a trend without getting bogged down in every decimal point immediately.

آیا می‌توانید مقداری در مورد سوابق خود توضیح دهید؟

— Can you explain some about your background?

Socially, مقداری is a tool for politeness and 'Ta'arof'. If someone asks for help, you might reply, 'مقداری سرم شلوغ است' (I'm somewhat busy), which is a softer, more indirect way of declining or managing expectations than a blunt 'I am busy.' It provides a linguistic buffer that is highly valued in Persian culture. You will also hear it in weather reports ('مقداری بارش در ارتفاعات' - some precipitation in the highlands) and in literature, where it describes the subtle presence of emotions or atmosphere.

Weather Reports
Describing light rain or wind.
Business Meetings
Softening requests or feedback.

هوا مقداری سرد شده است، لباس گرم بپوش.

— The weather has become somewhat cold, wear warm clothes.

One of the most frequent errors for learners is confusing مقداری with تعدادی. While both can translate to 'some' in English, their usage in Persian is strictly divided by the countability of the noun. مقداری is for mass/uncountable nouns (water, time, money), whereas تعدادی is for countable nouns (people, cars, books). Saying 'مقداری دانشجو' (some students) is grammatically incorrect and sounds very strange to a native speaker; the correct form is 'تعدادی دانشجو'.

Mistake 1
Using 'مقداری' for countable items (e.g., *مقداری سیب).
Mistake 2
Adding an Ezafe after it (e.g., *مقداریِ آب).
Mistake 3
Confusing it with 'مقدار' (the noun 'amount').

غلط: مقداری کتاب روی میز است.

درست: تعدادی کتاب روی میز است.

Another common pitfall is the incorrect application of the indefinite 'ی'. Some learners try to add another 'ی' to the noun following مقداری, such as 'مقداری آبی'. This is redundant. The word مقداری already carries the indefinite marker. Therefore, the noun should remain in its simple form. Additionally, learners often struggle with the register. While مقداری is perfect for writing and polite speech, using it in a very casual setting with close friends might sound a bit stiff. In those cases, 'یه کم' (ye kam) or 'یه ذره' (ye zarre) is much more natural.

غلط: من یک مقداری پول می‌خواهم.

درست: من مقداری پول می‌خواهم.

Lastly, be careful with the word order. In English, we might say 'a some amount of,' but in Persian, مقداری is self-contained. You don't need to add 'میزان' or 'عدد' next to it. Also, ensure you don't confuse it with 'مقدار' (without the 'ی'). 'مقدار' is a noun meaning 'the amount' and usually requires an Ezafe and a specific context, like 'مقدارِ مصرف' (the amount of consumption). مقداری is the indefinite version used to mean 'some'.

Confusing Pair
مقدار (Amount) vs. مقداری (Some/An amount of).

Persian has a rich vocabulary for expressing quantities, and knowing the subtle differences between مقداری and its synonyms can greatly enhance your fluency. The most direct synonym is کمی (kami), which means 'a little.' While مقداری is neutral regarding the size of the amount (it just means 'some'), کمی explicitly suggests a small quantity. If you want to say 'I have some experience,' use مقداری. If you want to say 'I have a little experience (and maybe not enough),' use کمی.

کمی (Kami)
Focuses on the smallness of the amount. (A little bit).
اندکی (Andaki)
More formal/literary version of 'کمی'. (A tiny bit).
برخی (Barkhi)
Used for 'some' among a group of people or things. (Some of...).

او کمی خسته است. (He is a little tired.)

او مقداری خسته است. (He is somewhat tired - slightly more formal.)

Another word often confused is تعدادی (te'dādi). As mentioned before, this is the 'some' for countable items. If you are counting pens, people, or days, تعدادی is your word. Then there is قدری (qadri), which is a very close synonym to مقداری but leans towards the literary and formal side. You will find قدری in classical poetry and high-level journalism. It carries a sense of 'a certain measure.'

لطفاً قدری صبر کنید. (Please wait a while - very formal/polite.)

For very small, almost negligible amounts, Persian uses ناچیزی (nāchizi) or جزئی (joz'i). These are used when the quantity is so small it's almost not worth mentioning, such as 'مبلغ ناچیزی' (a negligible amount of money). On the other end of the spectrum, if 'some' implies a 'significant portion,' you might use بخش قابل توجهی (bakhsh-e qābel-e tavajohi). Understanding this spectrum allows you to choose the exact 'flavor' of quantity you wish to convey.

یه ذره (Ye Zarre)
Colloquial: 'A tiny bit' or 'A smidge'.
میزانی (Mizāni)
Technical/Scientific: 'A certain level/amount'.

How Formal Is It?

Nivel de dificultad

Gramática que debes saber

Indefinite 'i' usage

Quantifiers vs Adjectives

Countable vs Uncountable nouns

Partitive 'az'

Adverbial modification

Ejemplos por nivel

1

من مقداری آب می‌خورم.

I drink some water.

Simple Subject + Quantifier + Noun + Verb.

2

مقداری نان در سفره است.

There is some bread on the table spread.

Using 'مقداری' with a mass noun 'نان'.

3

لطفاً مقداری شیر بخرید.

Please buy some milk.

Imperative sentence with a quantifier.

4

مقداری پول داری؟

Do you have some money?

Question form using 'مقداری'.

5

مقداری شکر لازم دارم.

I need some sugar.

Expressing need with an uncountable noun.

6

هوا مقداری گرم است.

The weather is somewhat warm.

Adverbial use modifying an adjective.

7

مقداری چای بنوش.

Drink some tea.

Informal imperative.

8

مقداری برنج در بشقاب است.

There is some rice in the plate.

Describing location and quantity.

1

او مقداری میوه از بازار خرید.

He bought some fruit from the bazaar.

'میوه' is treated as a collective mass here.

2

مقداری از این کیک بخور.

Eat some of this cake.

Partitive use with 'از'.

3

من مقداری وقت دارم که به تو کمک کنم.

I have some time to help you.

Using 'مقداری' with abstract noun 'وقت'.

4

مقداری نمک به سوپ اضافه کن.

Add some salt to the soup.

Common cooking instruction.

5

او مقداری نگران امتحان است.

He is somewhat worried about the exam.

Modifying the adjective 'نگران'.

6

مقداری برف روی زمین نشسته است.

Some snow has settled on the ground.

Describing natural phenomena.

7

ما مقداری بنزین نیاز داریم.

We need some gasoline.

Essential daily vocabulary.

8

مقداری صابون در حمام هست.

There is some soap in the bathroom.

Simple existence sentence.

1

برای حل این مشکل، مقداری صبر لازم است.

Some patience is required to solve this problem.

Abstract noun as subject.

2

مقداری از پولم را پس‌انداز کردم.

I saved some of my money.

Partitive 'از' with a possessive noun.

3

او مقداری در مورد سفرش توضیح داد.

He explained some about his trip.

Used as an adverbial phrase.

4

مقداری تغییر در برنامه ایجاد شده است.

Some changes have been made to the schedule.

Formal passive-like structure.

5

این لباس مقداری برای من بزرگ است.

This dress is somewhat big for me.

Qualifying an adjective of size.

6

مقداری از میوه‌ها در یخچال خراب شده‌اند.

Some of the fruits in the fridge have gone bad.

Plural verb agreeing with the logical subject.

7

او مقداری اعتماد به نفس پیدا کرده است.

He has gained some self-confidence.

Abstract compound noun.

8

مقداری گرد و غبار روی میز نشسته بود.

Some dust had settled on the table.

Describing state in the past.

1

مقداری از وقت ما صرف بحث‌های بیهوده شد.

Some of our time was spent on useless discussions.

Passive construction with partitive.

2

او مقداری از ثروتش را به خیریه بخشید.

He donated some of his wealth to charity.

Formal verb 'بخشیدن'.

3

گزارش‌ها نشان می‌دهند که مقداری تورم در بازار وجود دارد.

Reports show that there is some inflation in the market.

Complex sentence with noun clause.

4

مقداری از این ادعاها هنوز ثابت نشده است.

Some of these claims have not yet been proven.

Formal academic/legal context.

5

او مقداری با احتیاط با غریبه‌ها صحبت می‌کند.

He speaks somewhat cautiously with strangers.

Adverbial usage with a prepositional phrase.

6

مقداری از انرژی خورشیدی در باتری‌ها ذخیره می‌شود.

Some of the solar energy is stored in batteries.

Scientific/Technical context.

7

او مقداری از اشتباهاتش را پذیرفت.

He accepted some of his mistakes.

Psychological/Relational context.

8

مقداری از آب دریاچه به دلیل گرما تبخیر شده است.

Some of the lake water has evaporated due to the heat.

Causal relationship in a complex sentence.

1

مقداری از ابهامات موجود در متن برطرف گردید.

Some of the ambiguities in the text were resolved.

High-level formal Persian (گردید instead of شد).

2

نویسنده مقداری از تجربیات شخصی خود را در داستان گنجانده است.

The author has incorporated some of his personal experiences into the story.

Literary analysis context.

3

مقداری از سرمایه‌گذاری‌ها به دلیل نوسانات ارزی با ریسک مواجه شده‌اند.

Some of the investments have faced risk due to currency fluctuations.

Economic/Financial terminology.

4

او مقداری از مواضع تند خود عقب‌نشینی کرد.

He retreated somewhat from his harsh positions.

Political idiom/metaphor.

5

مقداری از تاریخ این سرزمین در غبار فراموشی گم شده است.

Some of the history of this land is lost in the mists of oblivion.

Poetic/Rhetorical style.

6

این نظریه مقداری از واقعیت‌های فیزیکی را نادیده می‌گیرد.

This theory ignores some of the physical realities.

Scientific critique.

7

مقداری از مسئولیت این شکست بر عهده مدیریت است.

Some of the responsibility for this failure lies with the management.

Corporate/Professional accountability.

8

او مقداری از وقت خود را صرف مطالعه متون کهن می‌کند.

He spends some of his time studying ancient texts.

Describing scholarly habits.

1

مقداری از تشتت آرا در این مجمع ناشی از فقدان رهبری واحد است.

Some of the divergence of opinions in this assembly stems from the lack of a unified leadership.

Highly sophisticated vocabulary (تشتت آرا).

2

در این پژوهش، مقداری از داده‌های پرت حذف شده‌اند تا نتایج دقیق‌تر باشند.

In this research, some of the outlier data have been removed to ensure more accurate results.

Statistical/Academic terminology.

3

مقداری از اصالت فرهنگی ما در مواجهه با مدرنیته دستخوش تغییر شده است.

Some of our cultural authenticity has undergone change in the face of modernity.

Sociological/Philosophical discourse.

4

او مقداری از نفوذ خود را برای پیشبرد اهداف بشردوستانه به کار گرفت.

He utilized some of his influence to advance humanitarian goals.

Nuanced description of power dynamics.

5

مقداری از این اشعار به اشتباه به حافظ نسبت داده شده است.

Some of these poems have been erroneously attributed to Hafez.

Literary criticism/Philology.

6

مقداری از سرمایه نمادین این نهاد در پی رسوایی اخیر از دست رفت.

Some of the symbolic capital of this institution was lost following the recent scandal.

Advanced sociological concepts (Symbolic Capital).

7

مقداری از پیچیدگی‌های این پرونده حقوقی هنوز لاینحل باقی مانده است.

Some of the complexities of this legal case still remain unresolved.

Legal/Judicial terminology.

8

او مقداری از تلخی گزنده کلامش را با لبخندی مهار کرد.

He restrained some of the biting bitterness of his words with a smile.

Intricate psychological description.

Colocaciones comunes

مقداری پول
مقداری وقت
مقداری آب
مقداری نمک
مقداری صبر
مقداری تجربه
مقداری شکر
مقداری روغن
مقداری اطلاعات
مقداری بنزین

Se confunde a menudo con

مقداری vs تعدادی (for countable)

مقداری vs مقدار (the noun)

مقداری vs کمی (smaller amount)

Fácil de confundir

مقداری vs تعدادی

Used for countable items like people or cars.

مقداری vs برخی

Used for 'some' in a group, often people.

مقداری vs قدری

More formal and literary.

مقداری vs میزانی

More technical/scientific.

مقداری vs اندکی

Emphasizes a very small amount.

Patrones de oraciones

Cómo usarlo

nuance

It is more objective than 'kami'.

frequency

Very high in both written and spoken Persian.

Errores comunes
  • Using 'مقداری' with countable nouns like 'students'.
  • Adding an Ezafe (short 'e') after 'مقداری'.
  • Using 'یک مقداری' in formal writing.
  • Confusing 'مقداری' with 'تعدادی'.
  • Using 'مقداری' when you mean 'the total amount' (which is 'مقدار').

Consejos

Avoid Ezafe

Never say 'meqdari-ye'. It's always 'meqdari' followed immediately by the noun.

Countability

Check if you can count the items. If yes, use 'te'dadi'. If no, use 'meqdari'.

Politeness

Use 'meqdari' when asking for things to sound more polite and less demanding.

Formal Reports

In reports, 'مقداری' is better than 'کمی' as it sounds more objective.

Adverbial Use

Use it to soften adjectives, like 'مقداری دشوار' (somewhat difficult).

Suffix Focus

Listen for the 'i' at the end to distinguish it from the noun 'meqdar'.

Recipes

When you see 'مقداری' in a recipe, it usually means 'to taste'.

Ta'arof

Use it to be vague about your availability or resources in social settings.

Measure

Associate it with the English word 'Measure' since they share the same root meaning.

Partitive

Remember 'مقداری از' for specific portions of a whole.

Memorízalo

Origen de la palabra

Arabic root 'q-d-r' (to measure/decree) + Persian indefinite suffix '-i'.

Contexto cultural

Used to soften requests or refusals.

Recipes rarely use grams; they use 'meqdari' for spices.

Practica en la vida real

Contextos reales

Inicios de conversación

"آیا مقداری وقت دارید با هم صحبت کنیم؟"

"مقداری در مورد شهر خود توضیح می‌دهید؟"

"آیا مقداری پول خرد دارید؟"

"مقداری چای میل دارید؟"

"مقداری در مورد این پروژه نگران هستم، نظر شما چیست؟"

Temas para diario

امروز مقداری از وقتم را صرف چه کاری کردم؟

چه چیزی در زندگی من مقداری تغییر کرده است؟

اگر مقداری پول زیاد داشتم، چه می‌خریدم؟

مقداری از خاطرات کودکی‌ام را بنویسم.

امروز مقداری احساس ... داشتم چون ...

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

No, for people you should use 'تعدادی' or 'برخی'. 'مقداری' is for things you can't count individually.

It is used colloquially, but in standard Persian, 'مقداری' alone is sufficient and more correct.

'کمی' specifically means a small amount, while 'مقداری' is a neutral 'some'.

No, it is a determiner that comes before the noun without an Ezafe.

Generally no, unless the plural noun is being treated as a collective mass.

It is neutral to formal. In very informal speech, 'یه کم' is preferred.

Use 'مقداری از' followed by the noun.

Yes, it can modify adjectives to mean 'somewhat' (e.g., مقداری گران).

It comes from the Arabic root 'q-d-r' meaning measure.

Yes, 'مقداری وقت' is a very common phrase.

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