Meaning
To establish an objective to be achieved.
Cultural Background
The 'Konkur' exam is the ultimate goal-setting event for Iranian teenagers. Many students spend 2-3 years 'setting goals' specifically for this one exam, which determines their entire career path. In modern Tehran startups, English terms like 'KPI' and 'OKRs' are common, but they are always discussed using the phrase 'hadaf ta'yin kardan' or 'hadaf-gozari'. In Persian mystical poetry (like Rumi or Hafez), the 'Hadaf' is often the Divine. While the modern phrase is secular, the concept of having a single-minded focus on a target is a recurring spiritual theme. Similar to Western New Year's resolutions, Iranians use the spring equinox to reset. It is culturally expected to share your 'ahdaf' (goals) with family during the holidays.
Use 'Moshakhas'
Add the word 'moshakhas' (specific) to sound more professional: 'Hadaf-e moshakhas ta'yin kardan'.
Don't use 'Sakhtan'
Never say 'Hadaf sakhtan'. It's a dead giveaway that you are translating from English.
Meaning
To establish an objective to be achieved.
Use 'Moshakhas'
Add the word 'moshakhas' (specific) to sound more professional: 'Hadaf-e moshakhas ta'yin kardan'.
Don't use 'Sakhtan'
Never say 'Hadaf sakhtan'. It's a dead giveaway that you are translating from English.
Fate vs. Goals
If someone says 'Har che khoda bekhad' (Whatever God wants), you can respond with 'Bale, vali bayad hadaf ham ta'yin kard' (Yes, but one must also set goals).
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the verb 'ta'yin kardan'.
من دیروز برای سال جدید چند هدف ________.
The sentence starts with 'Dirooz' (yesterday), so we need the past tense first-person singular.
Which sentence is the most natural for a job interview?
سوال: برنامهتان برای آینده چیست؟
This option uses the correct collocation and a formal, professional tone.
Match the Persian phrase with its English equivalent.
Match the following:
These are the four primary variations of 'goal' related actions in Persian.
Complete the dialogue between two friends.
سارا: چرا اینقدر درس میخونی؟ علی: چون ________ که در دانشگاه تهران قبول بشم.
Ali is talking about himself, so he needs the first-person singular past tense.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesمن دیروز برای سال جدید چند هدف ________.
The sentence starts with 'Dirooz' (yesterday), so we need the past tense first-person singular.
سوال: برنامهتان برای آینده چیست؟
This option uses the correct collocation and a formal, professional tone.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are the four primary variations of 'goal' related actions in Persian.
سارا: چرا اینقدر درس میخونی؟ علی: چون ________ که در دانشگاه تهران قبول بشم.
Ali is talking about himself, so he needs the first-person singular past tense.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, it's perfectly fine. It just sounds like you are being serious about your plans.
Yes, but 'hadaf-gozari' is a noun. You would say 'hadaf-gozari kardam'. It sounds more like a business process.
Usually 'baraye' (for). Example: 'Baraye dars-ham hadaf ta'yin kardam.'
Use 'be hadaf residan' (to reach the goal).
No, for soccer goals, use the word 'gol' (گل). 'Hadaf' is for objectives.
Yes, 'hadaf gozashtan' is a more informal, slightly more 'Tehrani' way to say it.
The plural is 'ahdaf' (اهداف) or 'hadaf-ha' (هدفها). 'Ahdaf' is more formal.
Not necessarily, but in a professional context, it often implies a documented objective.
It's better for significant things. For small things, use 'tasmim gereftan' (to decide).
Yes, for training objectives, but not for the score in the game.
Related Phrases
هدفگذاری کردن
specialized formTo perform goal-setting
به هدف رسیدن
builds onTo reach the goal
هدف داشتن
similarTo have a goal
بیهدف
contrastAimless / without a goal
نشانه گرفتن
similarTo take aim
