Phrase in 30 Seconds
Use 'Dir vaqt ast' to politely point out that the hour is advanced and it's time to finish or leave.
- Means: It is a late hour (literally 'late time is').
- Used in: Ending social visits, checking the clock, or expressing tiredness.
- Don't confuse: Being 'tardy' (late for an appointment) with this phrase.
Explanation at your level:
Meaning
Used to indicate that the current time is advanced.
Cultural Background
Iranians are night owls. 'Dir vaqt' for a party might not be until after midnight. However, saying 'Dir vaqt ast' is a mandatory polite gesture for guests. In Dari Persian, the phrase is also common, but social hours might be earlier due to security or local customs in certain regions. Tajik speakers use 'Vaqt der ast' (Вақт дер аст). The word order is slightly different but the roots are the same. In the capital, traffic can make 'dir vaqt' feel even later. People often use the lateness of the hour to justify taking a Snapp (Iranian Uber) instead of the metro.
The Ta'arof Exit
Always say 'Dir vaqt ast' twice before actually leaving. It shows you are polite and not in a rush to leave the host.
Don't say 'In'!
English speakers often say 'In dir vaqt ast' (This is late). In Persian, the 'it' is built into the verb. Just say 'Dir vaqt ast'.
The Ta'arof Exit
Always say 'Dir vaqt ast' twice before actually leaving. It shows you are polite and not in a rush to leave the host.
Don't say 'In'!
English speakers often say 'In dir vaqt ast' (This is late). In Persian, the 'it' is built into the verb. Just say 'Dir vaqt ast'.
Nightlife
In Tehran, 'dir vaqt' usually means after midnight. Don't be surprised if people are still out at 1 AM!
Test Yourself
Which phrase is the most polite way to say 'It's late' to a host?
ببخشید، ________. من باید بروم.
'Dir vaqt ast' is the standard polite way to acknowledge the hour.
Fill in the missing word for the informal version: 'It's late.'
دیر _______.
In spoken Persian, 'vaqt ast' becomes 'vaqteh'.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Situation: You are calling your mother at 1:00 AM.
You are apologizing for the late hour of the call.
Complete the dialogue.
A: ساعت چند است؟ B: ساعت ۱۲ شب است. خیلی ________.
12:00 AM is considered very late.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Clock Late vs. Person Late
When to say 'Dir vaqt ast'
Social
- • Leaving a party
- • Ending a visit
Communication
- • Late phone call
- • Late text
Personal
- • Bedtime
- • Tiredness
Practice Bank
5 exercisesببخشید، ________. من باید بروم.
'Dir vaqt ast' is the standard polite way to acknowledge the hour.
دیر _______.
In spoken Persian, 'vaqt ast' becomes 'vaqteh'.
Situation: You are calling your mother at 1:00 AM.
You are apologizing for the late hour of the call.
A: ساعت چند است؟ B: ساعت ۱۲ شب است. خیلی ________.
12:00 AM is considered very late.
🎉 Score: /5
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, 'Dir vaqt ast' only describes the time. To say a person is late, use 'Oo dir kard' (He made late).
'Dir' is the adjective 'late'. 'Dir vaqt' is the phrase 'late time'. They are often used interchangeably in 'Direh' vs 'Dir vaqteh'.
No, it is actually very polite! It shows you care about their sleep and schedule.
Use 'Dir vaqt mishavad' (دیر وقت میشود).
In informal speech, people often drop it and just say 'Direh'.
Only if you mean 'it's late in the morning' (like 11 AM), but usually it implies nighttime.
The opposite is 'Zood ast' (It is early).
Usually 'Dir vaght ast' or 'Dir vaghte'.
In writing, yes. In speaking, it becomes '-eh'.
Yes, but 'ast' is much more common for this specific idiom.
Related Phrases
دیر کردن
similarTo be late (personally)
زود است
contrastIt is early
آخر شب
similarLate at night
وقت خواب
builds onBedtime
دیرهنگام
specialized formLate-hour (adj)
Where to Use It
Leaving a Dinner Party
Guest: ببخشید، دیگر دیر وقت است. ما باید برویم.
Host: خیلی زود است! بمانید.
Late Night Phone Call
Sara: سلام، ببخشید دیر وقت زنگ زدم.
Ali: اشکالی ندارد، بیدارم.
Parent to Child
Mother: پسرم، دیره! برو بخواب.
Son: پنج دقیقه دیگه، لطفا!
At the Office
Manager: آقای احمدی، دیر وقت است. بقیه کار را فردا انجام دهید.
Employee: چشم، الان تمام میکنم.
Ordering Food Late
Customer: هنوز پیتزا دارید؟
Shop: بله، ولی دیر وقت است، فقط بیرونبر داریم.
Dating
Person A: خیلی خوش گذشت.
Person B: بله، ولی حیف که دیر وقت است و باید برگردم.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'Dir' as 'Deer' running late at night, and 'Vaqt' as 'Watch' (time). A Deer looking at its Watch because it's late.
Visual Association
Imagine a large grandfather clock in a dark room with a crescent moon visible through the window. The clock hands are at 11:30 PM.
Rhyme
Dir vaqteh, khab vaqteh (It's late, it's sleep time).
Story
You are at a Persian dinner. You've eaten three plates of rice. You look at the clock—it's midnight! You stand up, point to the clock, and say 'Dir vaqt ast' to escape the fourth plate of rice.
In Other Languages
Similar to the English 'It's late' or Spanish 'Es tarde'. Unlike German 'Es ist spät', Persian uses the noun 'time' (vaqt) explicitly.
Word Web
Challenge
Next time you are texting a friend late at night, end the conversation by typing 'Dir vaqteh, farda harf mizanim.'
Review this phrase every time you check the clock after 10:00 PM for the next week.
Pronunciation
Long 'ee' sound like 'deer'.
The 'q' is a deep back-of-the-throat sound.
Short 'a' as in 'cat'.
Formality Spectrum
دیر وقت است، من باید بروم. (Leaving a place)
دیر وقته، من باید برم. (Leaving a place)
دیره، باید برم. (Leaving a place)
دیره دیگه، جیم بشم. (Leaving a place)
A combination of the Persian adjective 'Dir' (from Middle Persian 'dēr') and the Arabic noun 'Vaqt' (time).
Fun Fact
The word 'Dir' is related to the English word 'Durable'—both imply something that lasts a long time!
Cultural Notes
Iranians are night owls. 'Dir vaqt' for a party might not be until after midnight. However, saying 'Dir vaqt ast' is a mandatory polite gesture for guests.
“مهمانیهای ایرانی معمولاً تا دیر وقت ادامه دارد. (Iranian parties usually continue until late.)”
In Dari Persian, the phrase is also common, but social hours might be earlier due to security or local customs in certain regions.
“در کابل، دیر وقت است، به خانه برو. (In Kabul, it's late, go home.)”
Tajik speakers use 'Vaqt der ast' (Вақт дер аст). The word order is slightly different but the roots are the same.
“Ҳоло вақт дер аст. (Now it is late.)”
In the capital, traffic can make 'dir vaqt' feel even later. People often use the lateness of the hour to justify taking a Snapp (Iranian Uber) instead of the metro.
“دیر وقت است، اسنپ بگیر. (It's late, take a Snapp.)”
Conversation Starters
ساعت چند است؟ آیا دیر وقت است؟
معمولاً تا چه ساعتی بیدار میمانی؟ آیا تا دیر وقت کار میکنی؟
اگر در یک مهمانی دیر وقت باشد، چطور خداحافظی میکنی؟
Common Mistakes
من دیر وقت هستم.
من دیر کردم.
L1 Interference
این دیر وقت است.
دیر وقت است.
L1 Interference
دیر وقت شد.
دیر وقت است.
L1 Interference
دیر ساعت است.
دیر وقت است.
L1 Interference
In Other Languages
Es tarde
Spanish doesn't usually say 'It is late time'.
Il est tard
Persian is pro-drop (omits 'it').
Es ist spät
German requires the 'Es' (it).
もう遅いです (Mou osoi desu)
Japanese often adds 'mou' (already) for emphasis.
الوقت متأخر (Al-waqt muta'akhkhir)
Arabic uses the definite article 'Al-' (The).
很晚了 (Hěn wǎn le)
Chinese focuses on the change of state.
늦었어요 (Neujeosseoyo)
Korean 'late' is a descriptive verb.
Está tarde
Portuguese distinguishes between 'ser' and 'estar'.
Spotted in the Real World
“دیر وقت است، باید برگردم خونه.”
Nader talking about the time while dealing with his father's care.
“دیر شد...”
A song about it being 'too late' for love.
“آقا، دیر وقت است. بفرمایید.”
A servant telling a guest it is late in a formal, historical setting.
Easily Confused
Learners use 'Dir vaqt ast' to say they are late for a meeting.
Use 'Dir vaqt ast' for the clock. Use 'Dir kardan' for yourself.
'Shod' implies it *became* late just now.
Use 'ast' for a simple statement of fact.
Frequently Asked Questions (10)
No, 'Dir vaqt ast' only describes the time. To say a person is late, use 'Oo dir kard' (He made late).
usage contexts'Dir' is the adjective 'late'. 'Dir vaqt' is the phrase 'late time'. They are often used interchangeably in 'Direh' vs 'Dir vaqteh'.
basic understandingNo, it is actually very polite! It shows you care about their sleep and schedule.
cultural usageUse 'Dir vaqt mishavad' (دیر وقت میشود).
grammar mechanicsIn informal speech, people often drop it and just say 'Direh'.
practical tipsOnly if you mean 'it's late in the morning' (like 11 AM), but usually it implies nighttime.
usage contextsThe opposite is 'Zood ast' (It is early).
basic understandingUsually 'Dir vaght ast' or 'Dir vaghte'.
practical tipsIn writing, yes. In speaking, it becomes '-eh'.
grammar mechanicsYes, but 'ast' is much more common for this specific idiom.
grammar mechanics
