At the A1 level, you are just starting to learn family members like 'mother', 'father', and 'brother'. 'Barādar-zan' might seem a bit long, but it's just two words put together: 'barādar' (brother) and 'zan' (wife). Think of it as a label in a family tree. You don't need to use it in complex sentences yet. Just remember that if you are a man, your wife's brother is your 'barādar-zan'. You might hear it in very simple introductions like 'He is my barādar-zan'. Focus on recognizing the two parts of the word. Persian family words are like Lego bricks; you snap them together to make new meanings. This is a great introduction to how Persian builds vocabulary through compounds.
At the A2 level, you can begin using 'barādar-zan' in simple descriptive sentences. You might talk about where he lives or what his job is. You should also learn how to add the possessive suffix '-am' to make it 'barādar-zanam' (my brother-in-law). At this stage, it's important to distinguish it from 'barādar' (your own brother). You can practice by drawing a simple family tree and labeling the connections. You are also learning to use 'and' (va), so you can say things like 'My wife and my barādar-zan are in the kitchen'. This helps you build the habit of using specific kinship terms instead of generic ones.
As a B1 learner, you are expected to understand the cultural context of this word. You should know that 'barādar-zan' is specifically for a man's wife's brother and cannot be used by a woman. You can now use the word in more complex stories, such as describing a family trip or a holiday celebration like Nowruz. You should be comfortable using the Ezafe to connect the word to names (e.g., 'barādar-zan-e man, Hassan'). You're also starting to see how this word fits into the wider system of in-law terms like 'barādar-shohar' and 'shohar-khāhar'. Your sentences should be more fluid, and you can begin to use the word with different tenses and prepositions.
At the B2 level, you should be able to discuss the nuances of the relationship. For example, you might talk about the social expectations of a 'barādar-zan' in Iranian society or compare the Persian kinship system with the English one. You can use the word in more abstract or formal contexts, such as writing a letter or discussing a movie plot. You should also be aware of the plural forms and how they interact with verbs. Your pronunciation should be natural, without a break between the two parts of the compound. You can also handle situations where you need to clarify a relationship to avoid confusion in more detailed conversations.
At the C1 level, you have a deep understanding of the word's place in the language. You can recognize it in classical literature or complex legal texts. You understand the historical development of these kinship terms and can use them in sophisticated debates about social structures. You might explore how the term is used in different Persian dialects or how it appears in idioms and proverbs. Your use of the word is perfectly natural, and you can navigate the subtle shifts in register—from very formal introductions to informal, joking contexts with ease. You can also explain the linguistic logic behind the compound to others.
At the C2 level, you possess a native-like command of the term. You understand the etymological roots dating back to Old Persian and Avestan. You can appreciate the word's use in high-level poetry or philosophical texts where family relationships might be used metaphorically. You are sensitive to the micro-nuances of how the word is used in different regions of the Persian-speaking world (Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan). You can use the word in any context, from a Supreme Court legal argument to a fast-paced street slang conversation, with perfect accuracy and cultural appropriateness. You are a master of the intricate web of Persian kinship.

برادرزن 30秒で

  • Barādar-zan specifically means 'wife's brother' in Persian.
  • It is used only by men referring to their male in-laws.
  • The word is a compound of 'brother' and 'wife'.
  • It helps avoid the ambiguity of the English 'brother-in-law'.

The Persian word برادرزن (pronounced /barādar-zan/) is a compound noun that translates literally to "brother of wife." In the intricate web of Persian kinship terminology, this word is used exclusively by a man to refer to his wife's brother. Unlike the English term "brother-in-law," which is a broad umbrella covering several distinct relationships, Persian is highly specific. If you are a man and your wife has a brother, he is your barādar-zan. This linguistic precision reflects the deep importance of family structure and specific social roles within Iranian culture. Understanding this term is essential for navigating family gatherings, or mehmānis, where knowing the exact relationship between individuals dictates the level of formality and the type of social interaction expected.

Semantic Composition
The word is formed by joining 'barādar' (brother) and 'zan' (wife). In Persian grammar, this is a restrictive compound where the second element specifies the relationship of the first.
Social Context
In Iran, the relationship between a man and his brother-in-law can range from formal respect to a deep, brotherly friendship. Often, the barādar-zan is a key ally in the family dynamic.

دیروز با برادرزنم به بازار رفتیم تا برای خانه جدیدش مبل بخریم.

— "Yesterday, I went to the bazaar with my brother-in-law to buy furniture for his new house."

In the hierarchy of Iranian families, the relationship between a man and his wife's family is culturally termed as being part of the khānevāde-ye hamsar. The barādar-zan often plays a role in family negotiations or celebrations. For example, during a wedding, the brothers of the bride are expected to be active participants in welcoming the groom's family. Using the term correctly shows that you respect the specific boundaries and identities within the family tree, which is highly valued in Persian-speaking societies.

برادرزن من مهندس است و در شیراز زندگی می‌کند.

— "My brother-in-law is an engineer and lives in Shiraz."

Historically, the term reflects the patriarchal but deeply interconnected nature of Indo-Iranian kinship. The clarity provided by words like barādar-zan prevents the ambiguity found in Western languages. If a Persian speaker says "my brother-in-law," an English speaker doesn't know if it's the wife's brother, the husband's brother, or the sister's husband. In Persian, there is no such confusion. This specificity helps in legal contexts, such as inheritance laws or family law, where the exact degree and type of relation are paramount.

Linguistic Root
'Barādar' shares the same Proto-Indo-European root as the English 'brother' and Latin 'frater'. 'Zan' comes from the Old Persian 'gayanā', meaning woman or wife.

Using برادرزن in a sentence requires an understanding of Persian possessive constructions and the Ezafe. Most commonly, you will use it with a possessive suffix or followed by a name using the Ezafe particle (-e). For example, to say "my brother-in-law," you add the suffix "-am" to get barādar-zanam. If you are identifying him by name, you would say barādar-zan-e man, Ali. Because it is a compound noun, the Ezafe is usually placed at the end of the entire compound when connecting it to other words.

او با برادرزنش رابطه بسیار نزدیکی دارد.

— "He has a very close relationship with his brother-in-law."

In formal writing, you might see the word used in descriptions of family trees or legal proceedings. In colloquial speech, the pronunciation might soften slightly, but the structure remains the same. It is important to note that the word is gender-specific regarding the speaker's spouse. A woman would never use barādar-zan to refer to her husband's brother; she would use barādar-shohar. This distinction is one of the first hurdles for English speakers, who are used to the generic "brother-in-law."

Possessive Forms
برادرزنم (My brother-in-law), برادرزنت (Your brother-in-law), برادرزنش (His brother-in-law).
Pluralization
برادرزن‌ها (Wife's brothers). Used when the wife has multiple brothers.

آیا برادرزن شما هم در این مهمانی حضور دارد؟

— "Is your brother-in-law also present at this party?"

When constructing more complex sentences, barādar-zan acts as a standard noun. It can be the subject, object, or part of a prepositional phrase. For instance, "I bought a gift for my brother-in-law" becomes Man barāye barādar-zanam hediye kharidam. In this case, 'barāye' (for) is the preposition. Because family is a frequent topic of conversation in Iran, mastering these specific terms allows you to engage in small talk more naturally and accurately describe your social circle.

من و برادرزنم هر هفته با هم فوتبال بازی می‌کنیم.

— "My brother-in-law and I play football together every week."

You will encounter the word برادرزن most frequently in domestic and social settings. Iranian culture is deeply family-oriented, and conversations often revolve around the well-being, achievements, or activities of relatives. If you are visiting an Iranian home, you might hear the host explaining who is who in a family photo: "This is my barādar-zan, he lives in Canada." It is also a common term in storytelling, movies, and TV dramas, where family conflicts or alliances are central themes.

Daily Conversation
Used when discussing weekend plans or family news. "Barādar-zanam be tāze-gi bāche-dār shode" (My brother-in-law recently had a child).
Formal Events
During weddings (aroosi) or engagement parties (khāstegāri), the role of the wife's brother is significant, and he will be introduced as such.

در مراسم عروسی، برادرزن داماد نقش مهمی در پذیرایی از مهمانان داشت.

— "At the wedding ceremony, the groom's brother-in-law had an important role in hosting the guests."

In literature and classic Persian cinema, the character of the barādar-zan is often portrayed as a protector of his sister's honor or a close confidant to the husband. In more modern contexts, you might hear the word in legal discussions regarding property or family disputes. Because the term is so specific, it immediately clarifies the lineage and connection, which is vital in a society where tribal and extended family ties still hold significant weight in many regions.

او همیشه از برادرزنش مشورت‌های اقتصادی می‌گیرد.

— "He always takes economic advice from his brother-in-law."

Another place you will hear this is in the context of humor. There are many Iranian jokes and anecdotes involving the relationships between men and their in-laws. The barādar-zan is often part of these humorous tales, sometimes as a foil to the husband or as a partner-in-crime. Understanding the term allows you to follow the narrative of these cultural stories. Whether in a bustling Tehran cafe or a quiet family dinner in Isfahan, this word is a staple of the linguistic landscape.

The most common mistake for English speakers is using برادرزن as a generic term for any "brother-in-law." Remember, Persian has three different words for this relationship depending on whose brother it is and who is speaking. If you are a woman, you cannot have a barādar-zan; your husband's brother is your barādar-shohar. Similarly, if you are talking about your sister's husband, that is your shohar-khāhar. Using the wrong one can lead to confusion about your gender or your wife's gender in the conversation.

Mistake 1: Gender Confusion
A woman saying "my barādar-zan." This implies the woman has a wife, which is grammatically and culturally confusing in traditional Persian contexts.
Mistake 2: Relationship Swap
Using 'barādar-zan' to mean your sister's husband. The correct term is 'shohar-khāhar'.

Incorrect: من (زن) با برادرزنم حرف زدم.

Correct: من با برادرشوهرم حرف زدم.

— Avoid this mistake by remembering who the 'zan' (wife) belongs to.

Another frequent error involves the Ezafe. Sometimes learners try to put an Ezafe between 'barādar' and 'zan' (making it barādar-e zan). While this is technically grammatically correct to mean "the brother of the woman," it is not the standard compound noun used for the family title. The title is a fixed compound: barādar-zan. When you add a possessive, it goes at the very end: barādar-zanam, not barādar-e zanam (though the latter is understandable, it sounds less like a title and more like a description).

اشتباه متداول: استفاده از برادرزن به جای شوهرخواهر.

— "Common mistake: Using 'barādar-zan' instead of 'shohar-khāhar' (sister's husband)."

To fully master the concept of برادرزن, you must compare it with other kinship terms that English lumps together as "brother-in-law." The Persian system is much more descriptive. By learning the alternatives, you gain a clearer picture of the family map. There are no direct synonyms for barādar-zan because it is a specific technical title, but there are related terms you will use in similar contexts.

برادرشوهر (Barādar-shohar)
The husband's brother. Used only by the wife. This is the direct counterpart to 'barādar-zan'.
شوهرخواهر (Shohar-khāhar)
The sister's husband. Used by both men and women to refer to the man their sister married.
باجناق (Bājenāgh)
This refers to the relationship between two men who are married to sisters. There is no single word for this in English!

تفاوت اصلی بین برادرزن و باجناق در نوع نسبت فامیلی است.

— "The main difference between 'barādar-zan' and 'bājenāgh' is the type of family relation."

In informal settings, you might avoid the technical term altogether. If you are close with your brother-in-law, you might just call him dāsh (slang for brother) or by his name. However, when explaining the relationship to a third party, barādar-zan is the only accurate choice. In some dialects or older literature, you might find variations, but the standard Modern Persian remains consistent. Understanding these distinctions is a hallmark of a B1-level learner who is moving beyond basic vocabulary into cultural and linguistic nuance.

در فارسی، ما برای هر نوع برادرزن یک واژه خاص داریم.

— "In Persian, we have a specific word for every type of brother-in-law."

豆知識

The word 'barādar' is a cognate with 'brother' in English, showing the shared ancient roots of both languages.

発音ガイド

UK /bæ.rɑː.dær.zæn/
US /bə.rɑ.dər.zæn/
The primary stress is on the last syllable: zan.
韻が合う語
زن (Zan) چمن (Chaman) دهن (Dahan) وطن (Vatan) بدن (Badan) سخن (Sokhan) لجن (Lajan) ثمن (Saman)
よくある間違い
  • Pronouncing 'zan' like 'sun' (should be a short 'a' as in 'apple').
  • Putting too much stress on 'barādar'.
  • Adding an extra vowel between 'r' and 'z'.
  • Forgetting to tap the 'r' sounds.
  • Mispronouncing the 'kh' sound if they confuse it with other words.

レベル別の例文

1

این برادرزن من است.

This is my brother-in-law.

Simple 'this is' structure.

2

برادرزن او کجاست؟

Where is his brother-in-law?

Question with 'kojas' (where is).

3

او یک برادرزن دارد.

He has one brother-in-law.

Using the verb 'dāshtan' (to have).

4

برادرزن من مهربان است.

My brother-in-law is kind.

Adjective 'mehrabān' with 'ast'.

5

نام برادرزن من علی است.

My brother-in-law's name is Ali.

Possessive Ezafe construction.

6

برادرزن تو اینجاست.

Your brother-in-law is here.

Location 'injā' (here).

7

آیا او برادرزن شماست؟

Is he your brother-in-law?

Formal 'shomā' (you).

8

برادرزن من نان می‌خرد.

My brother-in-law buys bread.

Present continuous 'mi-kharad'.

1

برادرزنم در تهران زندگی می‌کند.

My brother-in-law lives in Tehran.

Using possessive suffix '-am'.

2

من با برادرزنم به سینما رفتم.

I went to the cinema with my brother-in-law.

Past tense 'raftam' (I went).

3

برادرزن او دکتر است.

His brother-in-law is a doctor.

Simple occupation sentence.

4

ما برای برادرزنم کادو خریدیم.

We bought a gift for my brother-in-law.

Preposition 'barāye' (for).

5

برادرزن شما چند سال دارد؟

How old is your brother-in-law?

Asking for age.

6

برادرزنم ماشین جدید دارد.

My brother-in-law has a new car.

Adjective 'jadid' (new).

7

او با برادرزنش تلفنی حرف زد.

He spoke with his brother-in-law on the phone.

Adverb 'telefoni' (by phone).

8

برادرزن من خیلی قدبلند است.

My brother-in-law is very tall.

Adjective 'ghad-boland' (tall).

1

برادرزنم فردا از سفر برمی‌گردد.

My brother-in-law returns from his trip tomorrow.

Future meaning with present tense.

2

من و برادرزنم درباره سیاست بحث کردیم.

My brother-in-law and I discussed politics.

Compound verb 'bahs kardan'.

3

او از برادرزنش برای تعمیر ماشین کمک خواست.

He asked his brother-in-law for help fixing the car.

Verb 'komak khāstan'.

4

برادرزن من همیشه در کارهای خیر شرکت می‌کند.

My brother-in-law always participates in charitable works.

Frequency adverb 'hamishe'.

5

آیا تا به حال برادرزن مرا دیده‌ای؟

Have you seen my brother-in-law yet?

Present perfect 'dide-i'.

6

برادرزنم به من قول داد که به مهمانی بیاید.

My brother-in-law promised me that he would come to the party.

Subjunctive 'bi-āyad'.

7

رابطه من با برادرزنم مثل دو برادر واقعی است.

My relationship with my brother-in-law is like two real brothers.

Comparison 'mesl-e' (like).

8

برادرزن او در شرکت نفت کار می‌کند.

His brother-in-law works in the oil company.

Prepositional phrase 'dar sherkat-e naft'.

1

برادرزنم با وجود مشغله زیاد، همیشه به ما سر می‌زند.

My brother-in-law always visits us despite being very busy.

Conjunction 'bā vojud-e' (despite).

2

او ترجیح می‌دهد با برادرزنش به تجارت بپردازد.

He prefers to engage in business with his brother-in-law.

Verb 'tarjih dādan' (to prefer).

3

برادرزن من در نواختن سنتور مهارت زیادی دارد.

My brother-in-law is very skilled in playing the santur.

Noun 'mahārat' (skill).

4

اگر برادرزنم نبود، نمی‌توانستم این خانه را بخرم.

If it weren't for my brother-in-law, I couldn't have bought this house.

Conditional sentence.

5

برادرزن او یکی از نویسندگان مشهور معاصر است.

His brother-in-law is one of the famous contemporary writers.

Superlative structure.

6

من و برادرزنم بر سر مسائل مالی اختلاف نظر داریم.

My brother-in-law and I have a disagreement over financial issues.

Idiom 'ekhtelāf-e nazar' (disagreement).

7

برادرزنم به عنوان وکیل در دادگاه فعالیت می‌کند.

My brother-in-law works as a lawyer in the court.

Phrase 'be onvān-e' (as/in the capacity of).

8

او به برادرزنش بابت موفقیت جدیدش تبریک گفت.

He congratulated his brother-in-law on his new success.

Verb 'tabrik goftan'.

1

برادرزنم با درایت خود توانست بحران خانوادگی را حل کند.

My brother-in-law was able to resolve the family crisis with his wisdom.

Abstract noun 'derāyat' (wisdom/tact).

2

نقش برادرزن در ساختار سنتی خانواده‌های ایرانی بسیار کلیدی است.

The role of the brother-in-law is very key in the traditional structure of Iranian families.

Academic tone.

3

او همواره از برادرزنش به عنوان الگوی اخلاقی یاد می‌کند.

He always mentions his brother-in-law as a moral role model.

Verb 'yād kardan' (to mention/remember).

4

برادرزن من با تسلط بر چندین زبان، در سازمان ملل کار می‌کند.

My brother-in-law works at the UN, having mastery over several languages.

Participle 'tasallot' (mastery).

5

برخورد سرد برادرزنش در آن شب، همه را شگفت‌زده کرد.

His brother-in-law's cold behavior that night surprised everyone.

Compound adjective 'shegeft-zade'.

6

برادرزنم معتقد است که ریشه‌های فرهنگی ما در حال تغییر است.

My brother-in-law believes that our cultural roots are changing.

Verb 'mo'taghed budan' (to believe).

7

او به دلیل نفوذ برادرزنش توانست آن پروژه را به دست آورد.

He was able to get that project due to his brother-in-law's influence.

Noun 'nofuz' (influence).

8

برادرزن او در اشعار خود به مفاهیم عمیق انسانی می‌پردازد.

His brother-in-law addresses deep human concepts in his poems.

Verb 'pardākhtan' (to address/deal with).

1

پیچیدگی‌های حقوقی ارثیه، برادرزن او را به چالش کشید.

The legal complexities of the inheritance challenged his brother-in-law.

Complex subject-verb agreement.

2

برادرزنم با رویکردی پدیدارشناسانه به تحلیل متون کلاسیک می‌پردازد.

My brother-in-law analyzes classical texts with a phenomenological approach.

Technical academic vocabulary.

3

او در خاطراتش از برادرزنش به عنوان 'رفیق شفیق' نام برده است.

In his memoirs, he named his brother-in-law as a 'bosom friend'.

Literary idiom 'rafigh-e shafigh'.

4

مناسبات میان او و برادرزنش دستمایه نگارش یک رمان روان‌شناختی شد.

The relations between him and his brother-in-law became the basis for writing a psychological novel.

Advanced noun 'monāsebāt' (relations).

5

برادرزن او با نگاهی نقادانه، سیاست‌های اقتصادی دولت را زیر سوال برد.

His brother-in-law questioned the government's economic policies with a critical eye.

Idiom 'zir-e so'āl bordan' (to question).

6

تعهد برادرزنم به اصول اخلاقی در تمام مراحل زندگی‌اش مشهود است.

My brother-in-law's commitment to moral principles is evident in all stages of his life.

Adjective 'mashhud' (evident).

7

او همواره در سایه حمایت‌های بی‌دریغ برادرزنش گام برداشته است.

He has always walked in the shadow of his brother-in-law's unsparing support.

Metaphorical language.

8

برادرزن وی، به عنوان یکی از پیشگامان علم ژنتیک در جهان شناخته می‌شود.

His brother-in-law is recognized as one of the pioneers of genetic science in the world.

Formal pronoun 'vey'.

よく使う組み合わせ

برادرزن بزرگ
برادرزن کوچک
خانه برادرزن
کمک برادرزن
عروسی برادرزن
برادرزنِ عزیز
مشورت با برادرزن
هدایای برادرزن
دعوت از برادرزن
رابطه با برادرزن

よく使うフレーズ

برادرزن آدم

— One's brother-in-law (general sense).

برادرزن آدم باید مثل برادر خودش باشد.

به خاطر برادرزن

— For the sake of the brother-in-law.

به خاطر برادرزنم این کار را انجام دادم.

مثل برادرزن

— Like a brother-in-law.

او برای من مثل برادرزن است.

حق برادرزن

— The rights of a brother-in-law.

او حق برادرزنی را به جا آورد.

سلام به برادرزن

— Saying hello to the brother-in-law.

سلام مرا به برادرزنت برسان.

دیدار با برادرزن

— Meeting with the brother-in-law.

امروز دیدار کوتاهی با برادرزنم داشتم.

خانواده برادرزن

— The brother-in-law's family.

خانواده برادرزنم بسیار محترم هستند.

تولد برادرزن

— The brother-in-law's birthday.

امروز تولد برادرزن من است.

همراه با برادرزن

— Along with the brother-in-law.

همراه با برادرزنم به کوه رفتیم.

حمایت برادرزن

— The support of the brother-in-law.

من به حمایت برادرزنم نیاز دارم.

慣用句と表現

"برادرزن زیرک"

— A clever or cunning brother-in-law; often used in stories.

او مثل یک برادرزن زیرک عمل کرد.

Literary
"سایه برادرزن"

— The protection or influence of the brother-in-law.

او زیر سایه برادرزنش بزرگ شد.

Poetic
"دشمنی برادرزن"

— Refers to a deep-seated family rivalry.

دشمنی برادرزن‌ها گاهی خطرناک است.

Traditional
"برادرزنِ دست‌ودلباز"

— A generous brother-in-law.

او همیشه به برادرزن دست‌ودلبازش افتخار می‌کند.

Neutral
"چشم برادرزن"

— Being watched or judged by the wife's family.

او همیشه نگران چشم برادرزنش است.

Informal
"حرف برادرزن"

— Taking the brother-in-law's word as final or important.

در این خانه حرف برادرزن سند است.

Colloquial
"برادرزنِ ناتنی"

— Half-brother of the wife.

او برادرزن ناتنی من است اما او را دوست دارم.

Neutral
"جای برادر"

— Treating the brother-in-law exactly like a biological brother.

او برای من جای برادر است.

Common
"نور چشم برادرزن"

— Being the favorite of the brother-in-law.

پسرم نور چشم برادرزنم است.

Affectionate
"سنگر برادرزن"

— Relying on the brother-in-law for defense in family arguments.

او همیشه پشت سنگر برادرزنش قایم می‌شود.

Slang

語族

名詞

برادرزن
برادرزن‌ها
برادرزاده

形容詞

برادرزن‌وار

関連

زن
برادر
خواهرزن
مادرزن
پدرزن

暗記しよう

記憶術

Think of 'Barādar' (Brother) + 'Zan' (Wife). It's the Brother of your Zan.

視覚的連想

Imagine your wife standing next to her brother; he is the 'Barādar' of your 'Zan'.

Word Web

Family Wife Brother In-law Marriage Relative Man Sibling

チャレンジ

Try to identify all the 'barādar-zans' in a famous movie or book you know.

語源

From Middle Persian 'brādar' (brother) and 'zan' (woman/wife).

元の意味: The brother of the woman one is married to.

Indo-European (Indo-Iranian branch).

文化的な背景

Be careful to use the correct term; calling a husband's brother 'barādar-zan' is a major linguistic faux pas.

In English, we just say 'brother-in-law', which is much less specific.

Mentioned in many Persian family dramas like 'Shahrzad'. Common character in Iranian folk tales. Legal term in Iranian civil code.
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