Meaning
To state that the opposite of what was said is true.
Cultural Background
In Iranian social etiquette (Ta'arof), 'bar'aks' is often used to humbly decline a compliment. If someone says you are a master, you might say 'Bar'aks, I am a student.' In Dari, 'bar'aks' is also used, but 'be-aks' is slightly more common in formal speech. The meaning remains identical. Tajik speakers use 'bar'aks' but often write it in Cyrillic (баръакс). It is a key Persianate word that links all three major Persian-speaking regions. Filmmakers like Asghar Farhadi use 'bar'aks' in dialogue to highlight the gap between what characters say and the reality of their situations.
The Vice Versa Shortcut
End your sentences with 'va bar'aks' (و برعکس) to sound like a native speaker when describing mutual relationships.
Don't forget the Ezafe
If you follow 'bar'aks' with a noun or pronoun, you MUST add the 'e' sound (bar'aks-e).
Meaning
To state that the opposite of what was said is true.
The Vice Versa Shortcut
End your sentences with 'va bar'aks' (و برعکس) to sound like a native speaker when describing mutual relationships.
Don't forget the Ezafe
If you follow 'bar'aks' with a noun or pronoun, you MUST add the 'e' sound (bar'aks-e).
Polite Disagreement
Use 'bar'aks' instead of 'na' (no) to disagree more softly and intellectually.
Physical vs Logical
Remember it works for both an upside-down book and a contrary opinion!
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'bar'aks'.
من فکر کردم او ناراحت است، اما _______، او خیلی میخندید.
We use 'برعکس' as a sentence connector here to show contrast.
Which sentence describes someone wearing a shirt the wrong way?
کدام جمله درست است؟
'Bar'aks' is the correct term for physical reversal like wearing clothes backwards or inside out.
Complete the dialogue.
علی: 'فیلم خیلی طولانی بود.' رضا: 'نه _______، به نظر من خیلی زود تموم شد.'
Reza is contradicting Ali's statement, so 'bar'aks' is the perfect fit.
Match the use of 'bar'aks' to the situation.
Match: 1. برعکسِ من 2. و برعکس 3. برعکس پوشیدن
These are the three primary grammatical patterns of the phrase.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Bar'aks vs. Ama
Practice Bank
4 exercisesمن فکر کردم او ناراحت است، اما _______، او خیلی میخندید.
We use 'برعکس' as a sentence connector here to show contrast.
کدام جمله درست است؟
'Bar'aks' is the correct term for physical reversal like wearing clothes backwards or inside out.
علی: 'فیلم خیلی طولانی بود.' رضا: 'نه _______، به نظر من خیلی زود تموم شد.'
Reza is contradicting Ali's statement, so 'bar'aks' is the perfect fit.
Match: 1. برعکسِ من 2. و برعکس 3. برعکس پوشیدن
These are the three primary grammatical patterns of the phrase.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsMostly, but it can also mean 'upside down' or 'backwards' in a physical sense.
Yes, it's very common to start a sentence with 'Bar'aks,' to contrast with the previous thought.
Yes, 'be-aks' is a more formal variant often used in writing.
You say 'Bar'aks-e to' (برعکسِ تو).
Yes, 'bar'aks pooshidan' is the standard way to say wearing clothes the wrong way.
No, it's actually quite professional as long as your tone is respectful.
'Ama' is a general 'but,' while 'bar'aks' specifically means the *opposite* is true.
It's better to use 'bar-khallaf-e ghanun' for legal contexts.
It sounds exactly like the English word 'axe'.
You can use 'chapaki' for physical things, but 'bar'aks' is used by everyone.
Related Phrases
برخلافِ
similarContrary to / Against
وارونه
synonymUpside down / Inverted
در عوض
similarIn exchange / Instead
متقابلاً
similarMutually / Reciprocally
تضاد
builds onContradiction / Contrast
