با توجه به

The Persian phrase با توجه به (pronounced 'bā tavajjoh be') is a cornerstone of formal and semi-formal Persian communication. At its most basic level, it functions as a compound preposition that translates to 'considering,' 'taking into account,' 'in light of,' or 'given.' To understand its depth, one must look at its constituent parts: با (with), توجه (attention/notice), and به (to). Literally, it means 'with attention to.' This linguistic structure suggests a cognitive process where the speaker is directing the listener's focus toward a specific fact, condition, or observation before drawing a conclusion or making a statement. In the landscape of Persian grammar, it serves as a logical bridge, connecting a premise to its consequence. It is not merely a filler; it is a signal of analytical reasoning. When a speaker uses this phrase, they are framing their subsequent words within the context of a specific reality. For instance, in a sentence like 'Considering the weather, we stayed home,' the phrase 'با توجه به' establishes the weather as the primary factor influencing the decision. This phrase is ubiquitous in academic writing, legal documents, news broadcasts, and professional correspondence because it provides a precise way to cite evidence or reasons. It elevates the register of the conversation from simple cause-and-effect (like using 'because') to a more sophisticated, evidence-based assertion. Linguistically, 'توجه' is an Arabic loanword (root W-J-H, meaning face or direction), implying a turning of one's face or mind toward something. Therefore, 'با توجه به' is an act of mental orientation. It requires a noun or a noun phrase to follow it, creating a prepositional object that serves as the basis for the rest of the sentence. In modern Persian, its usage has expanded from purely formal contexts to everyday professional life, such as in office emails or news summaries. It is essential for B1 learners to master this phrase because it allows them to move beyond simple sentences and begin constructing complex logical arguments. It is the difference between saying 'It is raining, so I am wet' and 'Considering the heavy rain, the streets are flooded.' The latter shows a higher level of cognitive and linguistic processing.

Grammatical Category

Compound Preposition / Prepositional Phrase

Semantic Function

Establishes a logical basis or context for a statement.

Register

Formal to Semi-formal; highly common in journalism and academia.

Using با توجه به correctly requires an understanding of Persian sentence structure and the specific requirements of compound prepositions. The formula is straightforward: [با توجه به] + [Noun Phrase] + [Comma (optional but recommended)] + [Main Clause]. For example, 'با توجه به محدودیت زمان، باید سریع تصمیم بگیریم' (Considering the time limit, we must decide quickly). One of the most critical aspects of using this phrase is the mandatory presence of the preposition 'به' at the end. Learners often mistakenly drop 'به' or replace it with 'از' or 'در', which renders the phrase ungrammatical. The 'به' (to) acts as the directional marker, pointing the 'attention' (توجه) toward the object. Furthermore, while the phrase often appears at the beginning of a sentence to set the stage, it can also be placed in the middle to provide justification for a specific part of the sentence. For instance, 'دولت، با توجه به بحران اقتصادی، بودجه را کاهش داد' (The government, considering the economic crisis, reduced the budget). In this case, the phrase acts as a parenthetical insertion, adding depth to the subject's action. Another advanced usage involves the construction با توجه به اینکه (Considering that...). This allows the speaker to follow the phrase with a full clause (subject + verb) instead of just a noun. For example, 'با توجه به اینکه هوا بارانی است، مسابقه لغو شد' (Considering that it is raining, the match was canceled). This 'اینکه' acts as a bridge to a subordinate clause. In academic and legal Persian, 'با توجه به' is used to cite specific articles, laws, or research findings. It provides a formal 'anchor' for arguments. It is also important to distinguish it from 'بر اساس' (based on) and 'طبق' (according to). While they are often interchangeable, 'با توجه به' carries a stronger nuance of 'observation' and 'reflection' rather than just 'compliance.' When you use 'طبق,' you are following a rule; when you use 'با توجه به,' you are analyzing a situation. To master its use, practice substituting it for simpler conjunctions like 'چون' (because) in formal writing to see how it changes the tone. It adds a layer of objectivity and professionalism. Remember that in spoken Persian, this phrase is often shortened or replaced by 'بخاطرِ' (because of) or 'واسه' (for), but in any written or official context, 'با توجه به' is the gold standard for expressing circumstantial reasoning.

Sentence Position

Usually at the beginning of a sentence or immediately after the subject.

Required Element

Must be followed by a noun or the conjunction 'اینکه' for clauses.

You will encounter با توجه به in a variety of professional and public settings in Iran and other Persian-speaking regions. One of the most common places is the evening news (Akhbar). News anchors frequently use it to link current events to their causes: 'با توجه به بارش برف، مدارس تعطیل شدند' (Considering the snowfall, schools were closed). It is the language of reporting—objective, structured, and clear. In the world of academia, from university lectures to published research papers, this phrase is indispensable. It is used to introduce the data or the theoretical framework that supports a hypothesis. If you are reading a Persian journal article, you will see it in almost every paragraph of the 'Discussion' section. In the workplace, during meetings or in formal emails, it is used to justify business decisions. A manager might say, 'با توجه به بودجه سال آینده، استخدام جدید نداریم' (Considering next year's budget, we have no new hiring). It conveys a sense of responsibility and logic, showing that the decision isn't arbitrary but based on facts. Legal contexts also rely heavily on this phrase. Lawyers and judges use it to refer to specific evidence or articles of the law: 'با توجه به ماده ۵ قانون...' (In accordance with/Considering Article 5 of the law...). Furthermore, you will hear it in weather forecasts, traffic reports, and official government announcements. Even in high-level literature or philosophical essays, it is used to build complex arguments. While it is less common in casual, intimate conversations between friends (where 'بخاطر' or 'چون' are preferred), it is still used when the topic becomes serious or analytical. For example, if friends are discussing a complicated life choice, one might say, 'با توجه به همه چیز، فکر می‌کنم این کار بهتره' (Considering everything, I think this is better). Understanding this phrase is like having a key to the formal 'adult' world of Persian, allowing you to understand the logic behind public discourse and professional communication.

Despite its frequency, با توجه به is often a source of errors for Persian learners. The most frequent mistake is the omission of the preposition به. Many learners say 'با توجه ترافیک' instead of 'با توجه به ترافیک.' Without the 'به,' the phrase is grammatically incomplete and sounds jarring to a native speaker. Another common error is using the wrong preposition, such as 'با توجه از' or 'با توجه در.' In Persian, 'توجه' (attention) is almost always paired with 'به' (to), just as in English we pay attention *to* something. A second major pitfall is the confusion between 'با توجه به' and 'به دلیلِ' (because of). While they are related, they are not always interchangeable. 'به دلیلِ' focuses purely on the cause, whereas 'با توجه به' focuses on the *consideration* of a fact. Use 'به دلیلِ' for direct physical causes ('The road is closed because of the flood') and 'با توجه به' for analytical or contextual reasons ('Considering the flood, we should take the train'). A third mistake involves word order. Learners sometimes place the phrase at the very end of the sentence, which is rare in Persian. It should ideally precede the clause it justifies. For example, saying 'دیر رسیدیم با توجه به ترافیک' is understandable but sounds like an afterthought; 'با توجه به ترافیک دیر رسیدیم' is much more natural. Additionally, learners often forget to use 'اینکه' when they want to follow the phrase with a full sentence. You cannot say 'با توجه به او مریض است' (Considering he is sick); you must say 'با توجه به اینکه او مریض است.' Finally, overusing the phrase in very casual settings can make you sound overly stiff or robotic. If you are telling a friend why you didn't call, 'چون خواب بودم' (Because I was asleep) is better than 'با توجه به اینکه خواب بودم' (Considering that I was asleep), which sounds like a formal police report.

To truly master با توجه به, it is helpful to compare it with its synonyms and near-synonyms. The most common alternative is بر اساسِ (bar asās-e), which means 'based on.' While 'با توجه به' implies looking at a situation, 'بر اساسِ' implies that the situation is the literal foundation or 'base' of the conclusion. For example, 'بر اساس آمار' (based on statistics) is slightly more clinical than 'با توجه به آمار' (considering the statistics). Another similar phrase is طبقِ (tebq-e), meaning 'according to.' 'طبق' is usually used for rules, regulations, or schedules: 'طبق قانون' (according to the law). Use 'طبق' when there is a strict standard to follow, and 'با توجه به' when there is a situation to weigh. بنا بر (banā bar) is another formal synonym, often used in news: 'بنا بر گزارش‌ها' (according to reports). It is very similar to 'با توجه به' but often implies a source of information rather than a circumstance. For expressing simple causality, به علتِ (be ellat-e) or به دلیلِ (be dalil-e) are used. These are more direct. If you say 'به دلیل باران,' you are highlighting the rain as the cause. If you say 'با توجه به باران,' you are highlighting your own consideration of the rain as a factor in your decision. In more literary or archaic Persian, you might encounter نظر به (nazar be), which is a direct equivalent of 'considering' or 'in view of.' It is highly formal and mostly found in legal or classical texts. Understanding these nuances allows you to choose the exact 'flavor' of logic you want to convey, moving from simple cause (به دلیل) to formal consideration (با توجه به) to strict adherence (طبق).