Meaning
The part of the economy run by private individuals and companies.
Cultural Background
In Iran, the term 'Khosoulati' (خصولتی) is a sarcastic blend of 'Khosousi' (Private) and 'Dolati' (Government). It refers to companies that are technically private but are actually controlled by government-linked entities. In Dari Persian, 'Bakhsh-e Khosousi' is also used, but there is a heavy emphasis on international NGOs and aid-funded private enterprises within this sector. In Tajikistan, due to the Soviet past, the 'Bakhsh-e Khosousi' is still developing and often faces heavy state regulation compared to Iran. Iranians in the West often use this term to explain their career success to relatives back home, emphasizing that they work for 'Google' or 'Amazon' as part of the global private sector.
The Ezafe is Key
Always remember the short 'e' sound between the two words. Without it, it sounds like two random words.
Don't use for 'Private Life'
If you want to say 'my private life', use 'زندگی خصوصی' (Zendegi-ye Khosousi), not 'بخش خصوصی'.
Meaning
The part of the economy run by private individuals and companies.
The Ezafe is Key
Always remember the short 'e' sound between the two words. Without it, it sounds like two random words.
Don't use for 'Private Life'
If you want to say 'my private life', use 'زندگی خصوصی' (Zendegi-ye Khosousi), not 'بخش خصوصی'.
Use in Interviews
Using this term instead of just 'private company' makes you sound much more professional and educated.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct word.
دولت قصد دارد برخی از کارخانهها را به بخش _______ واگذار کند.
The context of 'واگذار کردن' (ceding/transferring) usually implies moving from government to private sector.
Which sentence is more natural for a news report?
Which one describes the growth of non-government businesses?
'Bakhsh-e Khosousi' is the standard term for the private sector.
Match the opposites.
Match the terms with their antonyms.
The public sector (Dolati) is the direct opposite of the private sector (Khosousi).
Complete the dialogue.
شخص الف: کجا کار میکنی؟ شخص ب: در یک شرکتِ _______.
You can say 'Sherkat-e Bakhsh-e Khosousi' or simply 'Sherkat-e Khosousi'.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Public vs Private Sector
Practice Bank
4 exercisesدولت قصد دارد برخی از کارخانهها را به بخش _______ واگذار کند.
The context of 'واگذار کردن' (ceding/transferring) usually implies moving from government to private sector.
Which one describes the growth of non-government businesses?
'Bakhsh-e Khosousi' is the standard term for the private sector.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
The public sector (Dolati) is the direct opposite of the private sector (Khosousi).
شخص الف: کجا کار میکنی؟ شخص ب: در یک شرکتِ _______.
You can say 'Sherkat-e Bakhsh-e Khosousi' or simply 'Sherkat-e Khosousi'.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, it includes everything from a small corner shop to a massive tech giant like Snapp.
Yes, but it's more common when discussing jobs or news. In very casual talk, people might just say 'شرکت خصوصی'.
The opposite is 'بخش دولتی' (Bakhsh-e Dolati), meaning the public or government sector.
Technically 'بخشهای خصوصی' exists, but it's rarely used because the sector is seen as one collective entity.
No, 'private property' is 'ملک خصوصی' or 'مالکیت خصوصی'.
Because it requires an understanding of economic concepts and formal Persian register.
Yes, it's like the 'ch' in 'Loch Ness'. Practice by clearing your throat gently.
Usually, NGOs are called 'سازمانهای مردمنهاد' (Saman), but they are technically part of the non-governmental sector.
It's a slang/political term for companies that pretend to be private but are government-controlled.
In Persian, the stress is usually on the final syllable of the adjective in an Ezafe construction: khosouSI.
Related Phrases
بخش دولتی
contrastPublic sector
خصوصیسازی
builds onPrivatization
کارآفرینی
similarEntrepreneurship
اقتصاد آزاد
similarFree economy
