Meaning
To provide a response to a question.
Cultural Background
In Iran, if you don't want to answer a question directly because it's uncomfortable, it's common to use 'Ta'arof' to deflect. You might 'answer' with a compliment instead. In Dari (Persian spoken in Afghanistan), 'Javāb dādan' is also the standard, but you might hear 'Pasokh' more frequently in formal media than in Tehran. Tajik Persian uses the same root, but because it was written in Cyrillic for decades, the visual representation is 'Ҷавоб додан'. On Iranian social media, 'Javāb dādan' is often shortened in slang. 'J-bede' is sometimes used in very casual texting.
The 'Be' Rule
Always remember to put 'be' before the person you are answering. 'Be man javāb bede' (Answer me).
Don't be too formal
If you use 'Pāsokh dahid' with your siblings, they will think you are joking or being sarcastic.
Meaning
To provide a response to a question.
The 'Be' Rule
Always remember to put 'be' before the person you are answering. 'Be man javāb bede' (Answer me).
Don't be too formal
If you use 'Pāsokh dahid' with your siblings, they will think you are joking or being sarcastic.
Silence is an answer
In Iran, sometimes not answering is a polite way of saying 'no' without being confrontational.
Phone Etiquette
When answering the phone, you say 'Allo?' but the action of doing so is 'Javāb dādan'.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'to give' (dādan) to say 'Please answer' (formal).
لطفاً جواب ______.
The formal imperative of 'dādan' is 'bedahid'.
Which sentence means 'Why didn't you answer the phone?'
Which one is correct?
We use 'Javāb dādan' for phones, and 'nadādi' is the negative past informal.
Complete the dialogue.
معلم: علی، سوال سخت است؟ علی: بله، نمیتوانم ______.
Ali is speaking about himself, so he uses the first person singular 'bedaham'.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Situation: Your boss asks you to reply to an important client.
This is the formal and appropriate way to ask for a professional response.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Javāb vs Pāsokh
Practice Bank
4 exercisesلطفاً جواب ______.
The formal imperative of 'dādan' is 'bedahid'.
Which one is correct?
We use 'Javāb dādan' for phones, and 'nadādi' is the negative past informal.
معلم: علی، سوال سخت است؟ علی: بله، نمیتوانم ______.
Ali is speaking about himself, so he uses the first person singular 'bedaham'.
Situation: Your boss asks you to reply to an important client.
This is the formal and appropriate way to ask for a professional response.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
14 questionsYes, it is the most common way to say 'reply to an email'.
No, it is an Arabic loanword that is fully integrated into Persian.
You can say 'Javāb-e man-o bede!' with a sharp tone.
'Javāb' is everyday and versatile; 'Pāsokh' is formal, literary, and 'pure' Persian.
Yes, 'dar rā javāb dādan' means to go and see who is at the door.
It follows 'dādan': dādam, dādi, dād, dādim, dādid, dādand.
In slang, people often say 'bedid' instead of 'bedahid'.
Yes, like a key in a lock or a medicine working on a disease.
It means a 'tooth-breaking answer'—a very strong and crushing comeback.
Javāb nade (informal) or Javāb nadahid (formal).
Yes, it's perfectly fine, though 'Pāsokh' might make you sound more educated.
It means a 'negative answer' or a refusal.
It usually means someone replied to them, or in some contexts, gave them a piece of their mind.
Yes, 'Javāb-e payām' is the standard way to say 'reply to a text'.
Related Phrases
پاسخ دادن
synonymTo answer (formal)
سوال کردن
contrastTo ask a question
تلفن را برداشتن
similarTo pick up the phone
جوابگو بودن
builds onTo be accountable
رد کردن
contrastTo reject/refuse
