Meaning
To miss an opportunity or to lose something irrevocably.
Cultural Background
In Iranian culture, death is rarely mentioned directly. 'Az dast raftan' is used in obituary notices and formal speeches to show deep sorrow and respect for the deceased. Tehranis often use this phrase to express the frustration of losing their lives to traffic. It highlights a collective sense of wasted potential. Classical poets like Hafez use the 'hand' metaphor to describe the fleeting nature of the world. It's a central theme in Sufi mysticism. In Iranian business, using 'az dast raftan' can be a way to save face. It implies the loss was due to external factors rather than personal incompetence.
The 'Subject' Rule
Always make the thing you lost the subject of the sentence. Never say 'I az dast raftan'.
Death Context
Be careful using this for death; it's polite, but make sure the context is clear so people don't think you just lost a wallet.
Meaning
To miss an opportunity or to lose something irrevocably.
The 'Subject' Rule
Always make the thing you lost the subject of the sentence. Never say 'I az dast raftan'.
Death Context
Be careful using this for death; it's polite, but make sure the context is clear so people don't think you just lost a wallet.
Regret with 'Hayf'
Pair this phrase with 'Hayf' (What a pity) to sound like a native speaker when expressing regret.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'az dast raftan'.
خیلی دیر رسیدیم و متأسفانه قطار ______.
Since the 'train' is the subject, we use the passive 'az dast raft'.
Which sentence is a polite way to say someone died?
کدام جمله برای تسلیت گفتن مناسبتر است؟
'Az dast raftan' is a respectful euphemism for death.
Complete the dialogue.
آیا توانستی بلیت کنسرت را بخری؟ نه، تا آمدم بخرم، همه بلیتها ______.
The tickets are the subject and they are 'gone'.
Match the situation to the phrase.
Wasting 3 hours in a boring meeting.
'Vaght' means time, which is what was lost here.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesخیلی دیر رسیدیم و متأسفانه قطار ______.
Since the 'train' is the subject, we use the passive 'az dast raft'.
کدام جمله برای تسلیت گفتن مناسبتر است؟
'Az dast raftan' is a respectful euphemism for death.
آیا توانستی بلیت کنسرت را بخری؟ نه، تا آمدم بخرم، همه بلیتها ______.
The tickets are the subject and they are 'gone'.
Wasting 3 hours in a boring meeting.
'Vaght' means time, which is what was lost here.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, you can say 'Bazi az dast raft' if you were winning and then lost at the last minute.
Yes, it's very professional to describe past challenges or missed targets using this phrase.
'Talaf shodan' is harsher and implies a total, often shameful waste. 'Az dast raftan' is more neutral.
Say 'Autobus az dastam raft'.
Yes, it is equally common and understood in Dari Persian.
It's better to use 'Tamoom shodan' (to end) or 'Joda shodan' (to separate), but you can say 'Eshgham az dast raft' for a more poetic feel.
It is neutral and can be used in almost any setting, from a street market to a palace.
Yes, it almost always refers to the loss of something valuable or desirable.
No, for losing weight use 'Vazn kam kardan'.
'Be dast avardan' (to obtain/gain).
Related Phrases
از دست دادن
similarTo lose (active)
تلف شدن
synonymTo be wasted/perished
فوت کردن
specialized formTo pass away
بر باد رفتن
similarTo go to the wind
