Meaning
Costing little money; inexpensive.
Cultural Background
In the bazaar, 'arzān' is a relative term. A price is only 'arzān' after you have negotiated it down from the initial 'gherān' (expensive) price. Younger generations often use 'moft' (free) to describe anything that is a great deal, even if it costs money. The proverb 'Hich arzāni bi-ellat nist' warns that if something is too cheap, there is likely a hidden defect. When a seller says 'Ghābel nadāre' (It's not worthy of you), they are not saying it's 'arzān.' It's a polite way to start the payment process.
The 'U' Rule
If you want to sound like a local in Tehran, change 'arzān' to 'arzūn.'
Quality vs. Price
Remember the proverb: if it's too cheap, ask why!
Meaning
Costing little money; inexpensive.
The 'U' Rule
If you want to sound like a local in Tehran, change 'arzān' to 'arzūn.'
Quality vs. Price
Remember the proverb: if it's too cheap, ask why!
Bargaining Tool
Use 'Arzāntar konid' (Make it cheaper) as your primary phrase in the bazaar.
Politeness
Even if something is cheap, call it 'monāseb' (appropriate) when talking to the person who bought it.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'arzān'.
این کفشها ۱۰۰ تومان هستند، آنها خیلی _______ هستند.
Since the price is low (100 tomans), the correct word is 'arzān' (cheap).
Which sentence means 'This is the cheapest book'?
Choose the correct superlative form:
The suffix '-tarin' is used for superlatives (the most...).
Complete the dialogue in the bazaar.
فروشنده: این فرش یک میلیون تومان است. مشتری: خیلی گران است! لطفاً آن را _______ کنید.
The customer is asking for a lower price, so 'arzāntar' (cheaper) is the correct choice.
Match the Persian word to its English equivalent.
Match the following:
These are the primary price-related adjectives in Persian.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Price Levels in Persian
Practice Bank
4 exercisesاین کفشها ۱۰۰ تومان هستند، آنها خیلی _______ هستند.
Since the price is low (100 tomans), the correct word is 'arzān' (cheap).
Choose the correct superlative form:
The suffix '-tarin' is used for superlatives (the most...).
فروشنده: این فرش یک میلیون تومان است. مشتری: خیلی گران است! لطفاً آن را _______ کنید.
The customer is asking for a lower price, so 'arzāntar' (cheaper) is the correct choice.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are the primary price-related adjectives in Persian.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
12 questionsNo, it's considered an insult. It implies the person has no value or dignity.
'Arzān' means inexpensive. 'Moft' is slang for 'dirt cheap' or 'free.'
Add '-tarin' to get 'arzāntarin'.
Yes, like 'internet-e arzān' (cheap internet).
No, 'arzūn' is the informal, spoken version. Use 'arzān' in writing.
The opposite is 'gherān' (گران), meaning expensive.
No, Persian adjectives remain the same for singular and plural nouns.
Yes, 'monāseb' (appropriate) or 'be-sarfeh' (economical) are more polite.
In some poetic or archaic contexts, yes, but not in modern daily speech.
It is a long vowel, like the 'a' in 'ball' or 'father.'
Yes, to describe low-cost production or budget products.
Bargaining is a social interaction and a way to ensure the price is truly fair.
Related Phrases
گران
contrastExpensive
مفت
specialized formFree or extremely cheap
بهصرفه
similarEconomical
قیمت مناسب
similarFair price
حراج
builds onSale/Auction
تخفیف
builds onDiscount
