قصه
قصه 30秒で
- A versatile Persian noun meaning 'story' or 'tale', deeply rooted in tradition.
- Commonly used for bedtime stories, folklore, and metaphorical 'life stories'.
- Often paired with the verb 'goftan' (to tell) to describe the act of storytelling.
- Carries a warmer, more traditional feel compared to the modern word 'dastan'.
The Persian word قصه (pronounced 'ghesseh') is a fundamental noun in the Persian language, primarily translated as 'story' or 'tale' in English. While it shares some semantic space with the word 'داستان' (dāstān), قصه often carries a more traditional, oral, or folkloric connotation. It is the word used when a grandmother gathers her grandchildren to tell them a bedtime story, or when a narrator recounts the ancient myths of heroes and mythical creatures. In a more modern or colloquial sense, it can also refer to a 'tale' in the sense of an excuse or a long, drawn-out explanation that might not be entirely true. Understanding this word requires looking beyond a simple dictionary definition and into the heart of Persian literary culture, where storytelling is not just entertainment but a primary method of preserving history, morality, and identity.
- Literal Meaning
- A narrative of events, typically one that is told for entertainment or moral instruction, often with roots in oral tradition.
مادربزرگ هر شب برای ما یک قصه قشنگ میگوید.
Beyond the nursery, the word permeates Persian music and poetry. You will find it in the lyrics of classical and pop songs alike, often representing the 'story of my life' or 'the tale of our love.' It suggests a narrative that has a beginning, a middle, and an end, often with a sense of destiny or fate attached to it. When someone says 'این هم یک قصهای است' (This too is a story), they are often expressing a sense of resignation or acknowledging the complexity of a situation. The word is deeply rooted in the Arabic root Q-S-S, which relates to following tracks or narrating, implying that a story is a way of following the path of events as they unfolded.
- Emotional Resonance
- The word evokes nostalgia, warmth, and the tradition of 'Shab-e Yalda' (the longest night of the year) where families gather to tell tales.
In everyday conversation, if someone is talking too much or making up excuses, you might hear the phrase 'قصه نباف' (don't weave stories/don't lie). This highlights the dual nature of the word: it can represent the highest form of literary art or the simplest form of deception. It is a versatile tool in the Persian speaker's arsenal, used to describe everything from a child's picture book to the tragic narrative of a historical figure. When learning this word, focus on the verb 'گفتن' (to tell) which is its most common companion, forming the compound verb 'قصه گفتن' (to tell a story).
زندگی هر انسان یک قصه منحصر به فرد است.
Using قصه correctly involves understanding its grammatical role as a noun and its typical collocations. In Persian, nouns don't change based on their role in the sentence (subject or object) in the way they do in some languages, but their position and the use of the object marker 'ra' (را) are crucial. When قصه is the direct object of a sentence, you will often see it followed by 'ra'. For example, 'من قصه را شنیدم' (I heard the story). However, in many common expressions, 'ra' is dropped, especially in informal speech.
- Standard Usage
- The most common verb paired with قصه is 'گفتن' (to tell). This forms the standard way to say 'to tell a story'.
او همیشه برای بچهها قصه میگوید.
Another important aspect is the plural form. While the regular Persian plural is 'قصهها' (ghesseh-hā), you might occasionally encounter the Arabic broken plural 'قصص' (ghesas) in very formal or religious contexts, such as 'قصص الانبیاء' (Stories of the Prophets). For learners, sticking to 'قصهها' is always safe and natural. When describing the type of story, adjectives follow the noun using the 'Ezafe' construction (a short 'e' sound linking the two). For instance, 'قصه کوتاه' (short story) or 'قصه قدیمی' (old story).
In more complex sentences, قصه can be the subject. 'این قصه خیلی غمانگیز است' (This story is very sad). Notice how the adjective 'غمانگیز' (sad/sorrowful) provides the quality of the story. You can also use it with verbs like 'خواندن' (to read) or 'نوشتن' (to write). 'نویسنده قصه جدیدی نوشت' (The writer wrote a new story). In this context, it is interchangeable with 'داستان', but 'قصه' might imply a shorter, more fable-like narrative.
قصه عشق آنها در تمام شهر پیچیده است.
- Colloquial Shortening
- In very informal Tehran dialect, the word is pronounced almost the same, but the 'h' at the end is completely silent, focusing on the double 's' sound.
If you walk through the streets of Tehran or Isfahan, you might not hear 'قصه' as often as 'سلام' (hello), but it is omnipresent in the media and home life. One of the most common places to hear this word is in children's television programming. Programs like 'قصه شب' (Night Story) have been a staple of Iranian radio and TV for decades, where a narrator with a soothing voice reads tales to children before they go to sleep. In this context, the word carries a sense of safety, tradition, and education.
- In Music and Pop Culture
- Listen to any 'Persian Pop' or 'Classical' playlist. Songs by artists like Googoosh or Hayedeh often mention 'قصه' to describe the narrative of a broken heart or a long-lost love.
این قصه سری دراز دارد.
You will also hear it in news and political discourse, though often metaphorically. A politician might say 'این قصه تکراری است' (This is a repetitive story/same old story) to dismiss an opponent's claims. In this usage, it implies that the situation is predictable or lacks substance. In the world of cinema, movie titles frequently use the word, such as the famous film 'قصه عشق' (Love Story). When Iranians discuss their personal history, they might say 'قصه زندگی من' (The story of my life), which sounds more poetic and evocative than using more clinical terms.
In literary circles, 'قصه' is distinguished from 'داستان کوتاه' (short story in a modern literary sense). While a 'داستان' might be a complex, modern psychological narrative, a 'قصه' is often seen as more traditional, perhaps involving elements of the supernatural or clear moral lessons. However, in common parlance, people use them interchangeably. If you attend a 'Shab-e Sher' (Poetry Night), you will likely hear poets referring to their poems as the 'قصه' of their soul or their nation. It is a word that bridges the gap between the high art of the elite and the everyday language of the common people.
- Podcasts and Modern Media
- Modern Persian podcasts often feature 'Ghesseh' in their titles, focusing on true crime, history, or personal memoirs, showing the word's evolution into the digital age.
One of the most frequent errors for English speakers learning Persian is the over-reliance on قصه when 'داستان' (dāstān) might be more appropriate. While they both mean story, 'داستان' is the standard word for modern fiction, novels, and literature. If you are talking about a novel you read, saying 'قصه' might make it sound like you are talking about a children's fable. Another mistake is the pronunciation. The double 's' (tashdid) is important; it should be 'ghes-seh', not just 'ghese'. The short 'e' sound at the end is also crucial for clarity.
- Confusion with 'Hekāyat'
- Learners often confuse 'قصه' with 'حکایت' (hekāyat). While both can be stories, a 'hekāyat' is specifically an anecdote or a short tale with a very specific moral lesson, often found in classical texts like Saadi's Gulistan.
Incorrect: من این قصه را در روزنامه خواندم. (Better: داستان/خبر)
Grammatically, a common error is failing to use the correct compound verb. English speakers might try to 'make' a story (ساختن), but in Persian, you 'tell' (گفتن) or 'weave' (بافتن) a story. 'قصه ساختن' can be used, but it often implies making up a lie or a false excuse. If you want to say 'I have a story for you,' the literal translation 'من یک قصه برای تو دارم' is correct, but 'میخواهم برایت یک قصه بگویم' (I want to tell you a story) is much more natural.
Finally, be careful with the pluralization. As mentioned, 'قصص' is the Arabic plural. If you use it in a casual conversation, you might sound overly formal or even slightly pretentious. Stick to 'قصهها' for 99% of situations. Also, remember that 'قصه' is a noun; don't try to use it as a verb without an auxiliary. You cannot say 'من قصه میم' (I storying); you must say 'من قصه میگویم'.
- Spelling Tip
- The letter 'ق' (ghaf) and 'ص' (sad) are specific to the Arabic origin of the word. Make sure to use 'ص' and not 'س' (sin).
To truly master Persian, you need to know when to use قصه and when to choose one of its many synonyms. Each word for 'story' in Persian carries a slightly different flavor and belongs to a different register of speech. Understanding these nuances will make your Persian sound much more authentic and precise.
- داستان (Dāstān)
- This is the most common and versatile word for 'story'. It is used for modern fiction, novels, and general narratives. If you are unsure which word to use, 'داستان' is usually the safest bet.
- حکایت (Hekāyat)
- This refers to an anecdote, a parable, or a short tale that usually ends with a moral lesson. It feels more classical and is often associated with the works of famous Persian poets.
- ماجرا (Mājarā)
- This means 'adventure' or 'event'. It is used when referring to a specific incident or a sequence of exciting events that actually happened. 'ماجرای عجیبی بود' (It was a strange adventure/incident).
- افسانه (Afsāneh)
- This means 'legend' or 'myth'. It is used for stories involving mythical creatures, heroes with superhuman powers, or ancient lore that may not be historically accurate.
فرق بین قصه و افسانه در واقعی بودن آنهاست.
When choosing between these, consider the context. If you are talking about a bedtime story for a child, قصه is perfect. If you are discussing a literary masterpiece like 'The Blind Owl', use 'داستان' or 'رمان' (novel). If you are telling a friend about a crazy thing that happened at the airport, use 'ماجرا'. If you are referring to a story that everyone knows but might be a myth, like the story of a haunted house, 'افسانه' or 'قصه' both work, but 'افسانه' adds a layer of mystery.
In summary, while 'قصه' is a great all-purpose word for story, expanding your vocabulary to include these alternatives will help you navigate different social and literary situations in Iran with much more ease. Each word is a tool that allows you to paint a more specific picture of the narrative you are describing.
How Formal Is It?
豆知識
The word is related to the idea of 'tracking' because a good story follows the path of a character just as a hunter follows tracks in the sand. This root is also found in the Quranic surah 'Al-Qasas'.
発音ガイド
- Pronouncing 'gh' as a simple English 'g'.
- Failing to double the 's' sound (tashdid).
- Pronouncing the final 'e' as 'ay' or 'ee'.
- Confusing it with 'ghosseh' (sorrow) which has a different first letter.
- Making the 'h' at the end audible (it is silent).
難易度
Easy to recognize due to common usage.
Requires remembering the specific 'sad' (ص) and 'ghaf' (ق).
レベル別の例文
این یک قصه است.
This is a story.
Simple subject-verb-complement structure.
مادر قصه میگوید.
Mother tells a story.
Present continuous sense of the compound verb.
قصه خوب است.
The story is good.
Noun + adjective.
من قصه دوست دارم.
I like stories.
Direct object without 'ra' in a general sense.
یک قصه بگو.
Tell a story.
Imperative form of 'goftan'.
قصه کوتاه است.
The story is short.
Use of 'kootāh' (short) as an adjective.
بابا قصه میخواند.
Dad reads a story.
Present tense of 'khāndan' (to read).
این قصه قشنگ است.
This story is beautiful.
Demonstrative pronoun 'in' (this).
من دیشب یک قصه شنیدم.
I heard a story last night.
Simple past tense of 'shenidan' (to hear).
او برای ما قصههای زیادی گفت.
He told us many stories.
Plural form 'ghesseh-hā' with an adjective.
آیا این قصه قدیمی است؟
Is this an old story?
Question form with 'āyā'.
من میخواهم یک قصه بنویسم.
I want to write a story.
Use of 'mikhāham' (I want) + subjunctive.
کدام قصه را بیشتر دوست داری؟
Which story do you like more?
Interrogative 'kodām' and object marker 'ra'.
این قصه درباره یک شیر است.
This story is about a lion.
Preposition 'darbāre-ye' (about).
ما در مدرسه قصه میخوانیم.
We read stories in school.
Present tense, first person plural.
او قصه را تمام کرد.
He finished the story.
Compound verb 'tamām kardan' (to finish).
او قصه زندگیاش را برای من تعریف کرد.
He narrated his life story to me.
Use of 'ta'rif kardan' for narrating.
این قصه برای بچهها خیلی آموزنده است.
This story is very instructive for children.
Adjective 'āmuzandeh' (educational/instructive).
همیشه فکر میکردم این فقط یک قصه است.
I always thought this was just a story.
Imperfect tense 'fekr mikardam'.
او شروع کرد به قصه گفتن.
He started to tell a story.
Infinitive construction 'shoru kardan be'.
قصهای که گفتی خیلی عجیب بود.
The story that you told was very strange.
Relative clause with 'ke'.
نباید به این قصهها گوش بدهی.
You shouldn't listen to these stories.
Modal verb 'nabāyad' (shouldn't).
این فیلم بر اساس یک قصه واقعی است.
This movie is based on a true story.
Phrase 'bar asās-e' (based on).
او همیشه قصه میبافد تا دیر آمدنش را توجیه کند.
He always weaves stories (lies) to justify his lateness.
Idiomatic use of 'ghesseh bāftan'.
ادبیات ایران پر از قصههای کهن و زیباست.
Iranian literature is full of ancient and beautiful stories.
Use of literary adjective 'kohan' (ancient).
او با مهارت خاصی قصه را به اوج رساند.
He brought the story to a climax with special skill.
Abstract noun 'ouj' (climax/peak).
این قصه نمادی از مبارزه با ظلم است.
This story is a symbol of the struggle against oppression.
Use of 'namād' (symbol).
نویسنده در این قصه به مسائل اجتماعی میپردازد.
The writer deals with social issues in this story.
Verb 'pardākhtan be' (to deal with/address).
قصه عشق آنها در تاریخ ماندگار شد.
Their love story became eternal in history.
Adjective 'māndegār' (lasting/eternal).
او سعی کرد قصه را از زاویهای جدید روایت کند.
He tried to narrate the story from a new angle.
Phrase 'zāviye-ye jadid' (new perspective).
این قصه سری دراز دارد و به این راحتی تمام نمیشود.
This story is long and won't end so easily.
Idiomatic expression for complexity.
بسیاری از قصههای عامیانه ریشه در واقعیت دارند.
Many folk tales have roots in reality.
Term 'ghesseh-hā-ye āmiyāneh' (folktales).
تحلیل ساختاری این قصه نشاندهنده لایههای عمیق روانشناختی است.
The structural analysis of this story indicates deep psychological layers.
Academic register, complex compound nouns.
قصه در اینجا به عنوان ابزاری برای نقد قدرت به کار رفته است.
The story is used here as a tool for criticizing power.
Passive construction 'be kār rafte ast'.
او در کتاب خود به بررسی تطبیقی قصههای ملل پرداخته است.
In his book, he has engaged in a comparative study of the stories of nations.
Formal phrase 'barresi-ye tatbiqi' (comparative study).
این قصه بازتابی از ناخودآگاه جمعی یک ملت است.
This story is a reflection of the collective unconscious of a nation.
Philosophical term 'nākhodāgāh-e jam'i'.
نویسنده با آشناییزدایی از این قصه، مخاطب را به چالش میکشد.
By defamiliarizing this story, the writer challenges the audience.
Literary term 'āshnāyi-zadāyi' (defamiliarization).
قصه و اسطوره در فرهنگهای باستانی پیوندی ناگسستنی دارند.
Story and myth have an unbreakable bond in ancient cultures.
Adjective 'nāgosastani' (unbreakable/inseparable).
او روایتی مدرن از یک قصه کلاسیک ارائه داده است.
He has presented a modern narration of a classical story.
Use of 'revāyat' as a noun.
درونمایه اصلی این قصه، تقابل میان خیر و شر است.
The main theme of this story is the confrontation between good and evil.
Literary term 'darun-māye' (theme).
تار و پود این قصه با مفاهیم عرفانی گره خورده است.
The warp and woof of this story are intertwined with mystical concepts.
Metaphorical use of weaving terminology.
او در این اثر، مرز میان واقعیت و قصه را به کلی محو کرده است.
In this work, he has completely blurred the boundary between reality and story.
Advanced verb 'mahv kardan' (to blur/erase).
واکاوی هرمنوتیک این قصه، تفاسیر متعددی را پیش رو میگذارد.
The hermeneutic analysis of this story presents numerous interpretations.
Highly academic 'vākāvi-ye hermenutik'.
این قصه در بطن خود، تراژدی انسانی را به تصویر میکشد.
At its core, this story depicts human tragedy.
Phrase 'dar batn-e khod' (at its core).
شاعر با بهرهگیری از این قصه، به بازآفرینی هویت ملی دست یازیده است.
The poet, by utilizing this story, has reached out to recreate national identity.
Archaic/Formal verb 'dast yāzidan'.
استحاله شخصیتها در طول قصه، نشان از پختگی قلم نویسنده دارد.
The transformation of the characters throughout the story shows the maturity of the writer's pen.
Advanced term 'estehāle' (transformation).
این قصه، واگویهای است از دردهای فروخورده یک نسل.
This story is a whisper/recitation of the suppressed pains of a generation.
Poetic noun 'vāguyeh'.
او با ظرافتی بینظیر، خردهقصهها را در دل روایت اصلی گنجانده است.
With unique delicacy, he has embedded sub-stories within the heart of the main narrative.
Compound noun 'khordeh-ghesseh' (sub-story).
よく使う組み合わせ
よく使うフレーズ
— Used to start explaining a situation. 'The story goes like this...'
قصه از این قراره که ما فردا میرویم.
— Used for complex situations that won't end soon. 'It's a long story.'
مشکلات ما زیاد است، این قصه سر دراز دارد.
— Traditional ending for Persian stories, similar to 'The end.'
قصه ما به سر رسید، کلاغه به خونش نرسید.
— Wait! This is actually 'Ghosseh' (sorrow), but often confused. Don't be sad.
قصه نخور، همه چیز درست میشود.
— Asking for news or updates in a casual way. 'What's the new story?'
سلام! قصه جدید چی داری؟
— Referring to something that only happens in fairy tales/is impossible.
این جور عشقها فقط توی قصههاست.
— His/her story is over (can imply death or end of an era).
بعد از آن حادثه، قصهاش تمام شد.
慣用句と表現
— To make up lies or excuses. Literally 'to weave a story'.
دروغ نگو و قصه نباف!
Informal— This is a long and complicated matter.
بحث درباره سیاست؟ این قصه سر دراز دارد.
Neutral— Traditional closing phrase of a story. 'Our story ended, but the crow didn't reach home.'
...و آنها خوشبخت شدند. قصه ما به سر رسید، کلاغه به خونش نرسید.
Traditional— Something that has happened many times before; boringly predictable.
شکست خوردن او یک قصه تکراری است.
Neutral— It's impossible to find; it doesn't exist in reality.
عدالت؟ توی قصهها دنبالش بگرد.
Informal— Refers to a very long, tedious, and rambling story.
حرفهایش مثل قصه حسین کرد شبستری است.
Informal/Cultural— To move past the talk/story and get to action.
دیگر از قصه گذشته، باید کاری کنیم.
Formal— Storytelling or fantasizing, sometimes in a negative way.
او در قصه پردازی مهارت دارد.
Neutral— One story but a thousand sorrows (rhyming wordplay).
زندگی من یک قصه و هزار غصه است.
Poetic語族
名詞
動詞
形容詞
関連
暗記しよう
記憶術
Think of a 'GUEST' (sounds slightly like 'ghes-') who tells a 'SAY' (sounds like '-seh'). A Guest-Say is a Story.
視覚的連想
Imagine a grandmother sitting in a GUEST house, telling a story that makes everyone 'SAY' wow.
Word Web
チャレンジ
Try to tell a one-sentence 'ghesseh' to a friend using the word itself.
語源
Derived from the Arabic root Q-S-S (ق-ص-ص), which primarily means 'to follow tracks' or 'to cut'. In a narrative sense, it implies following the traces of past events.
元の意味: To relate, to narrate, or to follow a trail.
Semitic (Arabic) borrowed into Indo-European (Persian).文化的な背景
No specific sensitivities; the word is universally positive and safe to use.
Unlike the English 'story' which is very broad, 'ghesseh' feels more like 'tale' or 'fable'. You wouldn't call a complex 800-page modern thriller a 'ghesseh' in a formal review.
Summary
The word 'قصه' is your go-to term for traditional tales and oral narratives. Remember that while it means 'story', it often implies a sense of warmth, nostalgia, or even a creative excuse. Example: 'قصه بگو' (Tell a story).
- A versatile Persian noun meaning 'story' or 'tale', deeply rooted in tradition.
- Commonly used for bedtime stories, folklore, and metaphorical 'life stories'.
- Often paired with the verb 'goftan' (to tell) to describe the act of storytelling.
- Carries a warmer, more traditional feel compared to the modern word 'dastan'.
関連コンテンツ
artsの関連語
عاطفی
B1感情的な、情緒的な。愛情や感情に関連すること。
عکاس
A2写真家(アッカース)は写真を撮る人のことです。その写真家は美しい風景を撮りました。
عکاسی
A1写真は光で画像を記録する技術です。ペルシア語では「Akasi」と言います。
عکاسی کردن
A2To take photographs with a camera.
عکس
A1写真(しゃしん)。カメラで撮った画像のこと。ペルシア語では「反射」という意味もあります。
عکس گرفتن
A2写真を撮る。 彼は公園で花の写真を撮るのが好きです。
ادبی
B1文学的な;文学に関する。
ادبیات
A2Written works, especially those considered of superior artistic merit; literature.
اجرا
A2The action of performing a task or function; a public presentation; a performance.
اجرا کردن
A2計画や命令を実行すること、または遂行すること。