Meaning
To use time unproductively or unnecessarily.
Cultural Background
In Iranian business culture, 'etlaf-e vaqt' is a serious accusation. If a project is delayed, managers will look for where 'etlaf' occurred to improve efficiency. Despite the phrase, social gatherings in Iran are often long and slow. Calling a long dinner 'etlaf-e vaqt' would be considered very rude to the host. In Dari, 'vaqt zāye kardan' (وقت ضایع کردن) is also very common alongside 'etlaf-e vaqt'. The meaning remains identical. Tajik speakers might use 'vaqt-ghazronī' for spending time, but 'isrof' (waste) is often used for the negative sense, similar to 'etlaf'.
Use the short version
In 99% of conversations, just say 'vaqt talaf kardan'. It sounds much more natural and less like a textbook.
Don't use 'rā'
Avoid saying 'vaqt rā etlaf kardan'. Compound verbs in Persian usually don't take the object marker 'rā' between their parts.
Meaning
To use time unproductively or unnecessarily.
Use the short version
In 99% of conversations, just say 'vaqt talaf kardan'. It sounds much more natural and less like a textbook.
Don't use 'rā'
Avoid saying 'vaqt rā etlaf kardan'. Compound verbs in Persian usually don't take the object marker 'rā' between their parts.
The 'Etlaf' Noun
You can use 'Etlaf-e vaqt' as a subject. Example: 'Etlaf-e vaqt gonaah ast' (Wasting time is a sin).
Ta'arof vs. Time
If someone is being too polite and taking too much of your time, don't tell them they are 'etlaf-e vaqt kardan'—it's too aggressive. Instead, say 'Vaqtetoon ro nemigiram' (I won't take more of your time).
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the verb.
دیروز در ترافیک خیلی وقت ________. (Past tense)
The sentence starts with 'دیروز' (yesterday), so we need the past tense 'talaf kardim'.
Which sentence is the most appropriate for a formal office report?
Reporting on a slow project:
'Etlaf-e vaqt' is the formal and professional way to describe time loss.
Match the Persian phrase to its English equivalent.
Phrases: 1. اتلاف وقت، 2. وقتکشی، 3. وقت گذراندن
Etlaf-e vaqt is wasting, Vaqt-koshi is killing (intentional), and Vaqt gozarandan is spending (neutral).
What would Reza say to stop the unproductivity?
Ali: 'Let's watch one more video.' Reza: 'No, stop ________! We have an exam.'
In the context of an exam, watching videos is a waste of time.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Time Verbs Comparison
Practice Bank
4 exercisesدیروز در ترافیک خیلی وقت ________. (Past tense)
The sentence starts with 'دیروز' (yesterday), so we need the past tense 'talaf kardim'.
Reporting on a slow project:
'Etlaf-e vaqt' is the formal and professional way to describe time loss.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Etlaf-e vaqt is wasting, Vaqt-koshi is killing (intentional), and Vaqt gozarandan is spending (neutral).
Ali: 'Let's watch one more video.' Reza: 'No, stop ________! We have an exam.'
In the context of an exam, watching videos is a waste of time.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt can be. If you say it to someone else, you are criticizing them. If you say it about a situation (like traffic), it's just a complaint.
Yes! 'Etlaf-e mal' (اتلاف مال) means wasting money or resources, though 'pool-khard kardan' is more common.
'Etlaf' is the formal noun. 'Talaf' is the root used in the common verb 'vaqt talaf kardan'. They mean the same thing.
You can say 'Vaqt-e man ro talaf nakon' (وقت من رو تلف نکن).
The root 't-l-f' is Arabic, but the specific phrase 'etlaf-e vaqt' is a later Persian construction.
No, for that use 'vaqt-koshi'. 'Etlaf' is always negative.
Yes, 'alaaf shodan' (علاف شدن) means to be kept waiting or to loiter uselessly.
Vaqt talaf kardam, kardee, kard, kardim, kardid, kardand.
Very common. You'll see headlines like 'Etlaf-e vaqt dar majles' (Wasting time in parliament).
The opposite is 'estefade-ye behine az vaqt' (optimal use of time).
Related Phrases
وقتکشی
similarKilling time
هدر دادن
synonymTo squander
فرصتسوزی
specialized formBurning opportunities
وقتشناسی
contrastPunctuality/Time-awareness
بطالت
builds onIdleness/Futility
