At the A1 level, 'قفل' (qofl) is taught as a basic concrete noun. Students learn that it means 'a lock' and is used to describe securing doors, bags, or bicycles. The focus is on the simple compound verb 'qofl kardan' (to lock). Learners should be able to identify a lock in a picture and use it in short, present-tense sentences like 'I lock the door.' The pronunciation of the 'q' sound is introduced here, though perfect mastery isn't expected. Understanding the relationship between 'qofl' (lock) and 'kelid' (key) is a primary goal at this stage.
At A2, learners expand their use of 'qofl' to include past and future tenses. They start using it in the context of daily routines and travel, such as 'I locked the suitcase' or 'Will you lock the car?'. The concept of 'qofl shodam' (I am locked out/it is locked) is introduced. Students also learn to describe different types of locks using simple adjectives, like 'qofl-e bozorg' (big lock) or 'qofl-e ghadimi' (old lock). They begin to recognize the word in public signs or simple instructions regarding security.
At the B1 level, the word 'qofl' starts to be used in more varied contexts, including technology. Learners discuss 'locking' their phone screens or social media accounts. They also encounter the word in common idiomatic expressions, such as 'qofl kardan' meaning to freeze or get stuck. A B1 student should be able to explain a problem with a lock to a locksmith and understand basic metaphors in stories where a 'lock' represents a secret or a challenge to be solved. They also learn the word 'qofl-sâz' (locksmith).
At B2, students use 'qofl' in complex grammatical structures and more abstract discussions. They might talk about 'breaking the lock' (qofl shekastan) of a difficult problem or a legal restriction. The word appears in discussions about cybersecurity, urban planning (traffic gridlock), and mechanical engineering. B2 learners should be comfortable with the passive voice ('The lock was opened by...') and using the word in formal writing, such as an email reporting a security issue at work. They understand the nuance between 'qofl' and its synonyms like 'bast' or 'chaft'.
At the C1 level, 'qofl' is used with high precision and stylistic variety. Students explore its use in Persian literature and poetry, where 'locks' often symbolize spiritual barriers or the hidden aspects of the heart. They can participate in sophisticated debates about 'locking' international borders or economic 'deadlocks'. C1 learners are expected to understand the etymological roots of the word and use it in specialized fields like law (locked contracts) or psychology (mental blocks). Their pronunciation is near-native, handling the uvular 'q' and the 'fl' cluster perfectly.
At the C2 level, a learner has total mastery of 'qofl'. They can appreciate the subtle wordplay in classical Persian poetry (like that of Hafez or Rumi) where 'locks' and 'keys' serve as profound allegories. They can write technical manuals about complex locking mechanisms or legal treatises on security protocols using the most formal registers. A C2 speaker understands archaic forms of the word and its derivatives across different Persian dialects. They can use 'qofl' in high-level irony, sarcasm, or complex metaphors that require deep cultural knowledge of Iranian history and society.

قفل en 30 secondes

  • Qofl (قفل) means 'lock' in Persian, used for physical and digital security.
  • The most common verb phrase is 'qofl kardan' (to lock something).
  • It is an A1 level word but has many idiomatic uses in advanced levels.
  • It can metaphorically mean 'stuck', 'frozen', or 'deadlocked' in conversation.

The Persian word قفل (pronounced 'qofl') is a fundamental noun that every learner must master early in their journey. At its most basic level, it refers to a mechanical or electronic device designed to keep something secure, typically requiring a key, a code, or a biometric scan to open. In the context of Iranian daily life, security is a concept deeply embedded in both physical architecture and social etiquette, making this word extremely frequent in conversation. Whether you are talking about the front door of a traditional house in Yazd, a modern apartment in Tehran, or even the digital security of a banking application, qofl is the term you will encounter.

Physical Security
In a physical sense, it describes padlocks (قفل آویز), door locks (قفل در), and car locks. Iranians often use high-quality locks for their homes, and the act of checking the lock multiple times before leaving is a common relatable habit.
Digital Context
In the modern era, this word has seamlessly transitioned into the digital world. It refers to screen locks on smartphones, password protections on files, and encryption protocols. When your phone screen goes dark and requires a passcode, it is said to be 'qofl'.
Metaphorical Usage
Beyond the physical, 'qofl' is used to describe a state of being stuck or frozen. If a person's mind goes blank during an exam, they might say their brain has 'locked'. Similarly, in a negotiation where no progress is being made, the situation is described as having reached a lock or a deadlock.

Historically, Persian locks were works of art. In ancient bazaars, locksmiths (قفل‌ساز) would forge intricate iron and steel locks, some shaped like animals or geometric patterns. These were not just functional items but symbols of status and protection. When you use this word today, you are tapping into a long history of craftsmanship and the universal human need for safety. You will hear it when someone asks if the car is secure, when a child is told not to touch the cabinet lock, or when a technician explains why a computer system isn't responding. It is a versatile, high-frequency word that bridges the gap between the ancient bazaar and the modern silicon chip.

همیشه قبل از خواب، قفل در را چک کن.

(Always check the door lock before sleeping.)

The word is also essential for travelers. When staying at a hotel or a rental, knowing how to ask about the 'qofl' of the safe or the main entrance is crucial for peace of mind. It is one of those words that, while simple, carries significant weight in ensuring a smooth and secure daily life in any Persian-speaking environment.

Using قفل correctly involves understanding how it interacts with different verbs to form compound actions. In Persian, nouns often combine with 'light verbs' to create meaning. The most common partner for this word is kardan (to do/make), forming 'qofl kardan' (to lock). Conversely, to unlock something, you use the verb bâz kardan (to open), as in 'qofl râ bâz kardan'. This distinction is vital for clear communication.

Active Usage
When you are the one performing the action, use 'qofl kardan'. For example: 'I locked the suitcase' (من چمدان را قفل کردم). Note the use of the object marker 'râ' after the noun being locked.
Passive/State Usage
To describe the state of an object, use 'qofl budan' (to be locked) or 'qofl shodan' (to become locked). For example: 'The door is locked' (در قفل است) or 'The window got locked' (پنجره قفل شد).

او کلید را گم کرد و نتوانست قفل را باز کند.

(He lost the key and couldn't open the lock.)

Grammatically, 'qofl' is a simple noun and follows standard Persian pluralization rules. Adding 'hâ' (قفل‌ها) makes it plural. When used as an adjective in compound words, it can describe things that are meant to be locked or are related to locking mechanisms. It's also important to differentiate between the lock itself and the 'locksmith' (qofl-sâz) or the 'key' (kelid), which is its inseparable companion in most contexts.

In more advanced usage, you might encounter 'qofl' in bureaucratic or technical language. For instance, 'qofl-e shekastan' (breaking a lock) is used both for physical burglary and for 'cracking' software. Similarly, 'qofl-e dâkhali' (internal lock) might refer to a mechanism inside a machine. By mastering these patterns, you can move from simple A1 sentences to complex C1 discussions about security systems or metaphorical barriers.

The word قفل is ubiquitous in Iranian society, echoing through various environments from the domestic to the professional. If you spend a day in a busy Persian-speaking city like Tehran or Shiraz, you will hear this word in several distinct contexts. Understanding these 'real-world' scenarios will help you recognize the word even when spoken quickly or in a thick accent.

In the Home
Every morning and evening, the sound of the word 'qofl' punctuates family life. 'Did you lock the door?' (در رو قفل کردی؟) is perhaps the most common question heard before a family leaves the house or goes to bed. It’s also heard when parents tell children to stay away from certain 'locked' cabinets.
In Traffic and Urban Life
Tehran is famous for its traffic. When a junction is so congested that no car can move in any direction, drivers and radio announcers will say 'The intersection is locked' (تقاطع قفل شده). This use of the word to describe total gridlock is incredibly common in urban centers.
At the Repair Shop
If your car door is stuck or your house key isn't turning, you'll head to a 'qofl-sâzi' (locksmith shop). You'll hear the word as the locksmith diagnoses the problem: 'The lock is broken' (قفل خرابه) or 'The lock needs oiling' (قفل نیاز به روغن داره).

ترافیک در بزرگراه همت کاملاً قفل است.

(Traffic on the Hemmat Highway is completely locked/gridlocked.)

In the digital age, you'll hear it in tech support calls or among friends discussing their gadgets. 'My phone is locked' (گوشیم قفل شده) or 'I forgot the lock pattern' (الگوی قفل رو یادم رفته) are phrases used by the younger generation daily. Even in sports, a commentator might say a team's defense has 'locked' the opponent's strikers, meaning they have completely neutralized them. By listening for 'qofl' in these diverse settings, you'll start to appreciate how a single noun serves as a vital building block for describing security, frustration, and total stillness in the Persian language.

While قفل is a simple word, English speakers often stumble on its pronunciation and its interaction with verbs. Avoiding these common pitfalls will make your Persian sound much more natural and precise. The most frequent errors involve confusing it with related objects or using English-influenced sentence structures that don't translate well into Persian.

Pronunciation Pitfalls
The 'q' (ق) sound is a voiced uvular plosive, which doesn't exist in English. Beginners often pronounce it like a 'k' or a 'g'. To say 'qofl' correctly, the sound should come from deep in the throat. Additionally, the 'fl' cluster at the end can be tricky; ensure you don't add an extra vowel sound between the 'f' and 'l'.
Confusing 'Lock' and 'Key'
It is very common for learners to mix up 'qofl' (lock) and 'kelid' (key). In English, we sometimes use 'lock' as a verb, but in Persian, you must use the noun 'qofl' with an auxiliary verb. Never say 'I key the door' or 'I lock the key'. Keep the objects distinct: you use the 'kelid' to open the 'qofl'.
Wrong Auxiliary Verb
Learners often try to use 'bastan' (to close/tie) with 'qofl'. While 'dar râ bastan' means to close the door, 'dar râ qofl bastan' is incorrect. You must use 'qofl kardan'. Using the wrong verb can lead to confusion or make you sound like you are 'tying' the lock rather than engaging it.

اشتباه: من در را قفل بستم.
درست: من در را قفل کردم.

(Wrong: I 'closed' the lock. Correct: I locked the door.)

Finally, be careful with the metaphorical use. In English, we might say 'The computer is frozen'. In Persian, you can say 'The computer is locked' (کامپیوتر قفل کرده), but don't over-apply this to every situation. For instance, you wouldn't use 'qofl' for a person who is literally cold (frozen). Stick to the 'stuck' or 'unresponsive' meaning for metaphorical 'qofl' to avoid being misunderstood.

While قفل is the standard term for a lock, Persian offers several other words depending on the level of formality or the specific type of closure you are referring to. Understanding these synonyms and related terms will help you choose the right word for the right situation, whether you are writing a formal report or chatting with a neighbor.

بست (Bast)
This refers to a fastener, clamp, or a latch. While a 'qofl' usually requires a key, a 'bast' might just be a mechanical clip. It is used more in technical or construction contexts.
انسداد (Ensedâd)
A more formal, Arabic-root word meaning 'blockage' or 'obstruction'. You might hear this in medical contexts (blocked artery) or formal traffic reports, where 'qofl' would be too colloquial.
چفت (Chaft)
This refers to a simple door latch or a sliding bolt. It doesn't offer the security of a 'qofl', but it's what you'd use for a bathroom door or a garden gate.

برای امنیت بیشتر، هم از قفل و هم از چفت استفاده کنید.

(For more security, use both a lock and a latch.)

When choosing between these, consider the level of security and the mechanism involved. If it involves a key or a complex mechanism, 'qofl' is always correct. If it's a simple physical barrier, 'bast' or 'chaft' might be more descriptive. In literary Persian, you might also encounter 'band' (bond/tie), which is used metaphorically for things that 'lock' or 'bind' a person, like the 'bonds of love' or the 'locks of fate'. However, in 99% of daily interactions, 'qofl' is your go-to word for anything meant to stay shut and secure.

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

Ancient Persian locks were often made in the shape of lions, representing power and protection. Some of these are now in major world museums.

Guide de prononciation

UK /qofl/
US /kofl/
The stress is on the single syllable of the word.
Rime avec
طبل (tabl) ثبل (sabl) نقل (noghl) عقل (aghl) فصل (fasl) وصل (vasl) عدل (adl) بذل (bazl)
Erreurs fréquentes
  • Pronouncing 'q' as 'g' (Go-fl).
  • Adding a vowel: 'Qof-el'.
  • Pronouncing 'o' as 'u': 'Qufl' (common in some dialects but not standard Tehrani).
  • Confusing it with 'Ghofl' (which is not a word).
  • Swapping 'f' and 'l' by mistake.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 1/5

Very easy to read; only three letters.

Écriture 2/5

Simple, but the 'q' and 'f' connection requires some practice in cursive.

Expression orale 3/5

The 'q' sound and 'fl' cluster can be challenging for English natives.

Écoute 1/5

Distinctive sound, easy to pick out in a sentence.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

در (door) کلید (key) خانه (house) بستن (to close) کردن (to do)

Apprends ensuite

امنیت (security) دزد (thief) حفاظت (protection) رمز (code/password) گاوصندوق (safe)

Avancé

انسداد (obstruction) محصور (enclosed) مفتوح (opened - formal) صیانت (safeguarding) انحصار (monopoly)

Exemples par niveau

1

این یک قفل است.

This is a lock.

Simple 'Subject + Verb' structure.

2

من در را قفل می‌کنم.

I lock the door.

Present continuous tense using 'kardan'.

3

قفل کجاست؟

Where is the lock?

Interrogative sentence.

4

کلید برای قفل است.

The key is for the lock.

Using the preposition 'barâye'.

5

قفل کوچک است.

The lock is small.

Adjective following the noun.

6

او قفل را دید.

He/She saw the lock.

Simple past tense.

7

ما قفل نداریم.

We don't have a lock.

Negative form of 'dâshtan'.

8

این قفل نو است.

This lock is new.

Demonstrative pronoun 'in'.

1

آیا ماشین را قفل کردی؟

Did you lock the car?

Simple past question.

2

من باید یک قفل جدید بخرم.

I must buy a new lock.

Using the modal verb 'bâyad'.

3

قفلِ چمدان شکسته است.

The suitcase lock is broken.

Ezâfe construction: qofl-e chamedân.

4

او همیشه در را قفل می‌کند.

He always locks the door.

Use of the adverb 'hamishe'.

5

قفلِ این کیف خیلی سفت است.

This bag's lock is very tight.

Adjective 'seft' (tight/hard).

6

چرا قفل را باز نکردی؟

Why didn't you open the lock?

Negative past question.

7

او قفل را با کلید باز کرد.

She opened the lock with a key.

Using the preposition 'bâ' (with).

8

ما به دو قفل نیاز داریم.

We need two locks.

Plurality and the verb 'niyâz dâshtan'.

1

صفحه گوشی من قفل شده است.

My phone screen is locked.

Passive state using 'shode ast'.

2

او روی این مسئله قفل کرده است.

He is stuck (locked) on this problem.

Idiomatic use of 'qofl kardan'.

3

قفل‌ساز می‌تواند این در را باز کند.

The locksmith can open this door.

Occupation noun: qofl-sâz.

4

رمز قفل را فراموش کرده‌ام.

I have forgotten the lock code.

Present perfect tense.

5

این قفلِ هوشمند با اثر انگشت باز می‌شود.

This smart lock opens with a fingerprint.

Passive voice in present tense.

6

باید برای دوچرخه‌ات قفل بخری.

You should buy a lock for your bicycle.

Subjunctive mood 'bekhari'.

7

قفلِ مرکزی ماشین کار نمی‌کند.

The car's central locking isn't working.

Technical term: qofl-e markazi.

8

او قفلِ صندوقچه قدیمی را پیدا کرد.

He found the lock of the old chest.

Complex noun phrase.

1

ترافیک در مرکز شهر کاملاً قفل شده است.

Traffic in the city center is completely gridlocked.

Metaphorical use for traffic.

2

سیستم امنیتی اجازه نمی‌دهد قفل را بشکنید.

The security system doesn't allow you to break the lock.

Using 'ejâze dâdan' (to allow).

3

او با مهارت قفلِ گاوصندوق را باز کرد.

He skillfully opened the safe's lock.

Adverbial phrase 'bâ mahârat'.

4

مذاکرات به قفلِ کامل رسیده است.

The negotiations have reached a total deadlock.

Abstract noun usage.

5

این نرم‌افزار قفلِ سخت‌افزاری دارد.

This software has a hardware lock (dongle).

Technical compound: qofl-e sakht-afzâri.

6

قفلِ در بر اثر زنگ‌زدگی باز نمی‌شد.

The door lock wouldn't open due to rust.

Using 'bar asar-e' (due to).

7

او سعی کرد قفلِ ذهنِ دانش‌آموزان را باز کند.

He tried to unlock the students' minds.

Literary metaphor.

8

قفلِ فرمان را حتماً ببندید.

Be sure to put on the steering wheel lock.

Imperative mood.

1

نویسنده در این فصل، قفلِ معمای داستان را می‌گشاید.

In this chapter, the author unlocks the mystery of the story.

Formal verb 'goshâdan' instead of 'bâz kardan'.

2

قفلِ سکوتِ او پس از سال‌ها شکست.

Her lock of silence broke after years.

Poetic/Literary metaphor.

3

این توافق‌نامه قفلِ روابط دو کشور را باز کرد.

This agreement unlocked the relations between the two countries.

Political context.

4

او به چنان مرحله‌ای از اضطراب رسید که فکش قفل شد.

He reached such a level of anxiety that his jaw locked.

Medical/Physical description.

5

قفلِ این در با هیچ کلیدی باز نمی‌شود؛ رمزی است.

This door's lock doesn't open with any key; it's coded.

Complex negative structure.

6

برای باز کردنِ قفلِ این پرونده حقوقی، به زمان نیاز داریم.

To unlock (resolve) this legal case, we need time.

Metaphorical use in law.

7

او قفلِ نگاهش را از دریا برنمی‌داشت.

He wouldn't take the lock of his gaze off the sea (He was staring intently).

Advanced poetic imagery.

8

تکنولوژی بلاک‌چین قفلِ امنیتِ داده‌ها را تقویت کرده است.

Blockchain technology has strengthened the lock of data security.

Modern technical context.

1

در متون کهن، 'قفل' نمادی از موانعِ معرفتی است.

In ancient texts, 'lock' is a symbol of epistemological barriers.

Academic/Philosophical register.

2

او با نگاهی نافذ، قفلِ اسرارِ مگو را گشود.

With a piercing gaze, he unlocked the secrets that shouldn't be told.

Archaic and highly formal vocabulary.

3

قفلِ تقدیر را نمی‌توان با تدبیرِ بشری باز کرد.

The lock of destiny cannot be opened by human planning.

Philosophical/Fatalistic expression.

4

او در قفلِ مفاهیمِ انتزاعیِ فلسفه گرفتار شده است.

He is trapped in the lock (gridlock) of abstract philosophical concepts.

High-level abstract metaphor.

5

این قفلِ زرین، یادگاری از دورانِ سلجوقیان است.

This golden lock is a memento from the Seljuk era.

Historical/Archaeological context.

6

سیاستمداران در قفلِ منافعِ جناحی خود درمانده‌اند.

Politicians are helpless in the lock of their factional interests.

Political critique register.

7

او چنان در خود فرو رفته که گویی قفلی بر روحش زده‌اند.

He is so withdrawn into himself as if they have put a lock on his soul.

Deep psychological metaphor.

8

شکستنِ قفلِ انحصاراتِ اقتصادی، گامی حیاتی است.

Breaking the lock of economic monopolies is a vital step.

Economic/Formal register.

Collocations courantes

قفل کردن
قفل آویز
قفلِ فرمان
قفلِ مرکزی
شکستنِ قفل
قفلِ دیجیتال
قفلِ کودک
قفلِ کتابی
قفلِ صفحه
باز کردنِ قفل

Phrases Courantes

قفل و کلید

— Used to describe things that belong together perfectly.

آن‌ها مثل قفل و کلید هستند.

قفلِ در

— The standard phrase for a door lock.

قفلِ در خراب شده است.

پشتِ قفل و زنجیر

— Being imprisoned or heavily secured.

او سال‌ها پشت قفل و زنجیر بود.

قفلِ فرمان زدن

— The act of putting a steering wheel lock on.

فراموش نکن قفلِ فرمان بزنی.

قفلِ گوشی

— Smartphone lock.

قفلِ گوشیت چیه؟

قفلِ ضدِ سرقت

— Anti-theft lock.

این در قفلِ ضدِ سرقت دارد.

زیرِ قفل و کلید

— Keeping something very safe and hidden.

نامه‌ها را زیر قفل و کلید نگه دار.

قفلِ زاپاس

— Spare lock.

یک قفلِ زاپاس در کمد هست.

قفلِ هوشمند

— Smart lock.

قفلِ هوشمند خیلی راحت است.

دریای قفل

— Metaphor for a very difficult, 'locked' situation (rare/literary).

در این دریای قفل، راهی پیدا کن.

Expressions idiomatiques

"قفل کردن روی چیزی"

— To be obsessed with or fixated on something.

چرا روی این آهنگ قفل کردی؟

Informal
"زبانش قفل شد"

— To be unable to speak due to shock or fear.

وقتی او را دید، زبانش قفل شد.

Neutral
"قفل شدنِ فک"

— To have a locked jaw (literally or from stress).

از ترس فکش قفل شد.

Neutral
"قفلِ ذهن"

— A mental block.

باید قفلِ ذهنت را بشکنی.

Literary
"ترافیکِ قفل"

— Total gridlock where nothing moves.

اتوبان قفلِ قفل است.

Informal
"قفلِ دلم باز شد"

— To finally open up emotionally.

با حرف‌های تو، قفلِ دلم باز شد.

Poetic
"قفل بر دهان زدن"

— To force someone (or oneself) to be silent.

بر دهانش قفل زدند تا حرف نزند.

Formal
"قفلِ کار"

— A major obstacle in a project.

قفلِ کار ما اینجاست.

Neutral
"قفلِ زمان"

— Being stuck in the past.

او در قفلِ زمان مانده است.

Literary
"قفلِ شکسته"

— A symbol of lost security or a solved mystery.

این قفلِ شکسته نشانه ورود دزد است.

Neutral

Famille de mots

Noms

قفل‌ساز (locksmith)
قفل‌سازی (locksmithing)
قفل‌گشا (lock-opener/decoder)

Verbes

قفل کردن (to lock)
قفل شدن (to be locked)
قفل گشودن (to unlock - formal)

Adjectifs

قفل‌دار (having a lock)
قفل‌نشده (unlocked)
قفل‌شدنی (lockable)

Apparenté

کلید (key)
زنجیر (chain)
امنیت (security)
حفاظ (guard/shield)
گاوصندوق (safe)

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of a 'Q'uestion that remains 'Off-Limits' until you 'Lock' it with an 'L'. Q-O-F-L.

Association visuelle

Imagine a giant golden padlock (Qofl) shaped like the letter 'Q'.

Word Web

Security Key Door Safe Privacy Locksmith Chain Code

Défi

Try to count how many 'qofl' devices you touch in one day and name them in Persian.

Origine du mot

Borrowed from Arabic 'qufl' (قفل). It has been used in Persian for over a millennium.

Sens originel : A bolt or a fastening device.

Semitic (Arabic) origin, integrated into the Indo-European Persian language.

Contexte culturel

No specific sensitivities; the word is neutral and safe for all contexts.

In English, 'lock' is both a noun and a verb. In Persian, you must remember to add 'kardan' to make it a verb.

The 'Lock and Key' metaphor in Sufi poetry (Rumi). The 'Qofl-e Shekastan' scene in various Iranian noir films. Traditional 'Qofl-e Kumé' (old village locks).

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

At Home

  • در را قفل کن
  • کلید در قفل گیر کرده
  • قفل را عوض کن
  • قفلِ پنجره

At the Locksmith

  • قفل خراب است
  • یک قفل جدید می‌خواهم
  • کلید قفل را باز نمی‌کند
  • هزینه تعمیر قفل چقدر است؟

Technology

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