Meaning
Arriving or happening exactly at the scheduled or appropriate time.
Cultural Background
In cities like Tehran, 'be moghe' is a battle against traffic. If you arrive on time, it's considered a major achievement and a sign of great planning. For weddings and large parties, 'be moghe' is often interpreted as 1-2 hours after the time on the invitation. This is to allow the host to finish preparations. In Dari, 'be moqe' is also used, but 'ba waqt' (به وقت) is equally common and sounds very natural in Kabul. Tajik speakers use 'ba mavqe' (ба мавқеъ), which is the Cyrillic equivalent. The usage is very similar to Iranian Persian.
The Traffic Excuse
If you are not 'be moghe', always blame 'terafik'. It is the most culturally accepted excuse in Iran.
Preposition Trap
Never say 'dar moghe'. It's a common mistake for English speakers. Stick to 'be moghe'.
Meaning
Arriving or happening exactly at the scheduled or appropriate time.
The Traffic Excuse
If you are not 'be moghe', always blame 'terafik'. It is the most culturally accepted excuse in Iran.
Preposition Trap
Never say 'dar moghe'. It's a common mistake for English speakers. Stick to 'be moghe'.
Adjective Use
In formal writing, you can use it as an adjective: 'کمکِ بهموقع' (timely help). Note the ezāfe (short e) connecting them.
Ta'arof and Time
If someone says 'be moghe bia', they usually mean it. If they say 'har vaght khasti bia' (come whenever you want), they are being polite but don't expect you to be strictly on time.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct phrase to say 'The teacher arrived on time.'
معلم ________ به کلاس آمد.
'Be moghe' is the standard phrase for 'on time'.
Which sentence is the most professional way to say 'I will be there on time'?
کدام جمله درست است؟
This uses the correct preposition 'be' and the future tense for a professional commitment.
Match the Persian phrase with its English meaning.
Match the following:
Basic time-related adverbs in Persian.
Complete the dialogue.
علی: چرا ناراحتی؟ سارا: چون دوستم ________ به قرار نیامد.
The context of being upset (narahati) suggests someone missed an appointment time.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Time Adverbs in Persian
Where to use 'Be moghe'
Professional
- • Meetings
- • Emails
- • Deadlines
Personal
- • Dinner
- • Medicine
- • Friends
Practice Bank
4 exercisesمعلم ________ به کلاس آمد.
'Be moghe' is the standard phrase for 'on time'.
کدام جمله درست است؟
This uses the correct preposition 'be' and the future tense for a professional commitment.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Basic time-related adverbs in Persian.
علی: چرا ناراحتی؟ سارا: چون دوستم ________ به قرار نیامد.
The context of being upset (narahati) suggests someone missed an appointment time.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal settings.
Yes, 'be moghe' covers both 'on time' (schedule) and 'in time' (opportune).
The opposite is 'dir' (late) or 'na-be-hangam' (untimely).
Say 'Man be moghe rasidam' (I arrived on time) or 'Man khosh-ghol hastam' (I am punctual).
In casual conversation with friends, 'sar-e vaqt' sounds slightly more natural, but 'be moghe' is never wrong.
Yes, in this context it means time/occasion, but it can also mean 'position' in other contexts.
Absolutely. 'Otobus be moghe amad' is perfect.
It's a humorous way to refer to the cultural tendency to be flexible with start times for social events.
Young people might say 'on-time' (using the English word) or 'sar-e-sa'at'.
Usually 'be moghe' or 'be moqe'.
Related Phrases
سر وقت
synonymOn time (casual)
بههنگام
synonymTimely / At the right time
دیر
contrastLate
زود
contrastEarly
خوشقول
builds onA person who is always 'be moghe' is called 'khosh-ghol'.
