Meaning
To clean one's teeth with a toothbrush.
Cultural Background
Iranians are very conscious of dental aesthetics. Tehran is often called the 'nose job capital,' but dental veneers and bleaching are equally popular among the youth. The use of the 'Miswak' (the traditional twig) is still seen in some religious circles in Iran, though modern toothbrushes have largely replaced it. Having bad breath is considered very rude in Iranian social gatherings. Brushing before meeting friends or going to a party is a must. Iranian schools have 'Hygiene Day' where health workers visit to teach children the correct way to 'mesvāk zadan'.
Drop the 'Dandān'
In daily life, just say 'Mesvāk mizanam'. Everyone knows you aren't brushing your shoes!
Verb Choice
Never use 'shostan' (wash) for teeth unless you want to sound like a robot or a non-native speaker.
Meaning
To clean one's teeth with a toothbrush.
Drop the 'Dandān'
In daily life, just say 'Mesvāk mizanam'. Everyone knows you aren't brushing your shoes!
Verb Choice
Never use 'shostan' (wash) for teeth unless you want to sound like a robot or a non-native speaker.
Compound Verb Logic
Learning 'zadan' as a light verb will help you learn 50+ other Persian verbs easily.
The Miswak
If you see someone using a wooden stick in a mosque, that's the original 'Mesvāk'!
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'zadan' in the present tense.
من هر شب دندانهایم را مسواک ________.
The subject is 'Man' (I), so the present tense ending is '-am'.
Which sentence is the most natural way to say 'I am brushing my teeth'?
کدام جمله درست است؟
'Dāram ... mizanam' is the present continuous form for 'I am doing'.
Match the Persian word to its English meaning.
Match the following:
These are the core components of dental hygiene vocabulary.
Complete the dialogue.
مادر: علی، دندانهایت را مسواک زدی؟ علی: نه مامان، الان ________.
Ali is saying he will do it 'now' (present/future intent).
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Daily Routine Actions
Morning
- • بیدار شدن
- • مسواک زدن
- • صبحانه خوردن
Practice Bank
4 exercisesمن هر شب دندانهایم را مسواک ________.
The subject is 'Man' (I), so the present tense ending is '-am'.
کدام جمله درست است؟
'Dāram ... mizanam' is the present continuous form for 'I am doing'.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are the core components of dental hygiene vocabulary.
مادر: علی، دندانهایت را مسواک زدی؟ علی: نه مامان، الان ________.
Ali is saying he will do it 'now' (present/future intent).
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, it's understood, but 'Mesvāk zadan' is much more common and natural.
In the phrase 'Dandān mesvāk zadan', it's singular but refers to the whole set. If you say 'Dandānhāyam', it's plural (my teeth).
It's a light verb used for actions involving tools. Think of it as 'applying' the brush to the teeth.
Yādam raft mesvāk bezanam.
Khamir-e dandān (literally: tooth paste).
Yes, they are very common in cities and are called 'Mesvāk-e barghi'.
In Persian, it is pronounced 'Mesvāk' (with an 'e' sound).
Yes, you would say 'Dandān-e sagam rā mesvāk mizanam'.
Nakh-e dandān.
Rarely in classical poetry, which prefers metaphors, but often in modern literature and health-related prose.
Related Phrases
خمیر دندان
builds onToothpaste
نخ دندان
similarDental floss
دندانپزشک
specialized formDentist
دهانشویه
similarMouthwash
