Meaning
An imperative to move quickly or act without delay.
Cultural Background
In the Iranian Bazaar, the word is used to break the 'Ta'arof' cycle. It signals that a deal is urgent and the usual long-winded politeness should be skipped. Persian poetry often uses 'shetāb' to describe the fleeting nature of life. Poets urge readers to 'hasten' toward spiritual enlightenment before death. TV commercials in Iran are known for being very dramatic. 'Beshtābid' is often shouted by announcers with deep, booming voices to sound more authoritative. In Dari, 'Beshtābid' is also used in formal contexts, though 'Zood shawid' is more common in Kabul's daily speech.
Spotting it in the wild
Look for red text on white backgrounds in Iranian shop windows. 90% of the time, it's this word.
Don't use it at home
If you tell your spouse 'بشتابید' to finish dinner, they will think you are being incredibly bossy or weirdly formal.
Meaning
An imperative to move quickly or act without delay.
Spotting it in the wild
Look for red text on white backgrounds in Iranian shop windows. 90% of the time, it's this word.
Don't use it at home
If you tell your spouse 'بشتابید' to finish dinner, they will think you are being incredibly bossy or weirdly formal.
The Power of the Imperative
Iranians respond well to authoritative language in commerce. This word is designed to bypass the 'polite refusal' culture.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct formal word for 'Hurry up'.
بشتابید! فقط دو ساعت تا پایان ________ باقی مانده است.
'Hurry up! Only two hours left until the end of the sale.'
Which situation is most appropriate for using 'بشتابید'?
In which of these places would you likely see the word 'بشتابید'?
'Beshtābid' is a formal/commercial call to action.
Complete the dialogue.
گوینده رادیو: برای کمک به سیلزدگان ________. شنونده: حتماً، همین الان کمک میکنم.
The radio announcer is asking people to 'hasten' to help flood victims.
Match the Persian phrase to its English equivalent.
1. بشتابید! 2. عجله کن! 3. زود باش!
Matching the registers of different ways to say 'hurry'.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Where you will see 'بشتابید'
Shopping
- • Sales
- • New Arrivals
- • Limited Stock
Events
- • Concerts
- • Exhibitions
- • Festivals
Public
- • Charity
- • Voting
- • Safety
Practice Bank
4 exercisesبشتابید! فقط دو ساعت تا پایان ________ باقی مانده است.
'Hurry up! Only two hours left until the end of the sale.'
In which of these places would you likely see the word 'بشتابید'?
'Beshtābid' is a formal/commercial call to action.
گوینده رادیو: برای کمک به سیلزدگان ________. شنونده: حتماً، همین الان کمک میکنم.
The radio announcer is asking people to 'hasten' to help flood victims.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Matching the registers of different ways to say 'hurry'.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, it's for any urgent formal call, like charity appeals, emergency exits, or literary calls to action.
Yes, as a formal/polite way to say 'hurry', but it still sounds very dramatic.
The opposite is 'درنگ نکنید' (don't hesitate) or more simply 'صبر کنید' (wait).
'عجله کنید' is perfectly fine, but 'بشتابید' has more 'punch' and sounds more professional in writing.
Yes, every single day in marketing and news media.
It's a deep 'aw' sound, like in the word 'law'.
It is used in religious calls (e.g., 'Hasten to prayer'), but it is not exclusively religious.
Yes, if you are announcing a deadline for a group of people.
Not literally, but it implies moving with the speed of running.
Yes, 'تیز باش' (Tiz bāsh) is the cool, street-style equivalent.
Related Phrases
عجله کردن
similarTo hurry
شتابزده
specialized formHasty/Rash
درنگ کردن
contrastTo hesitate/delay
زود باش
informalBe quick
فرصت را غنیمت شمردن
builds onTo seize the opportunity
