Phrase in 30 Seconds
Use this phrase to tell someone that their argument is logical, fair, and impossible to disagree with.
- Means: Your words are logical and 'add up' like a correct math equation.
- Used in: Arguments, negotiations, or when receiving good advice from a friend.
- Don't confuse: With 'Harf-e moft' (nonsense), which is the exact opposite.
Explanation at your level:
Meaning
What you are saying makes sense and is reasonable; it holds weight.
Cultural Background
In the bazaar, a person's word was their bond. 'Harf-e Hesab' was the currency of trust between merchants. Classical poets like Saadi often emphasize that a wise man only speaks 'Harf-e Hesab' and remains silent otherwise. Iranians use the hashtag #حرف_حساب to share quotes from famous thinkers or to highlight social truths. Using this phrase is a way to show you are not 'Yek-dandeh' (stubborn). It's a sign of good breeding to admit someone else's point is sound.
The 'E' Ending
In Tehran, people almost never say 'Ast'. Just say 'Harfat Hesabe' to sound like a local.
Don't be Sarcastic
If you say this with a mean tone, it sounds like you are mocking the person's 'fake' logic.
The 'E' Ending
In Tehran, people almost never say 'Ast'. Just say 'Harfat Hesabe' to sound like a local.
Don't be Sarcastic
If you say this with a mean tone, it sounds like you are mocking the person's 'fake' logic.
The Power of Concession
Using this phrase in an argument actually makes people like you more in Iran; it shows you are fair.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct possessive suffix for 'You' (informal).
حرف... حساب است.
The suffix '-at' (ت) means 'your' in an informal context.
Which phrase is the opposite of 'Harf-e Hesab'?
کدام گزینه مخالف 'حرف حساب' است؟
'Harf-e moft' means nonsense or cheap talk, the opposite of logical speech.
Complete the dialogue.
A: هوا بارانی است، چتر بردار. B: _________، ممنون.
B is agreeing with A's logical advice.
Match the phrase to the correct situation.
When would you say 'Harf-e shoma hesab ast'?
The 'shoma' version is formal and appropriate for professional settings.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
5 exercisesحرف... حساب است.
The suffix '-at' (ت) means 'your' in an informal context.
کدام گزینه مخالف 'حرف حساب' است؟
'Harf-e moft' means nonsense or cheap talk, the opposite of logical speech.
A: هوا بارانی است، چتر بردار. B: _________، ممنون.
B is agreeing with A's logical advice.
When would you say 'Harf-e shoma hesab ast'?
The 'shoma' version is formal and appropriate for professional settings.
🎉 Score: /5
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsUse 'Harf-e shoma hesab ast' to be respectful.
No, you can use it to agree with good advice or a wise quote.
It means math, account, or calculation.
Yes, young people just say 'Hagh' (Truth).
Yes, it means 'What I'm saying is logical/I'm right.'
It's neutral-informal, but can be made formal with 'Shoma'.
You can say 'Harfat hesab nist' or 'Eshtebah mikoni'.
The words are Arabic, but the idiom is uniquely Persian.
Yes, it's very common in blogs and articles.
Usually 'Mamnun' (Thanks) or 'Khoshhalam ghabul kardi' (I'm glad you accepted).
Related Phrases
حق با توست
synonymYou are right
حرف مفت
contrastNonsense / Cheap talk
منطقی است
similarIt is logical
گل گفتی
similarYou spoke like a flower (You said something great)
Where to Use It
Negotiating at a Bazaar
Seller: این فرش دستباف است، قیمتش بالاست.
Buyer: اما رنگش کمی رفته است.
Seller: حرفت حساب است، تخفیف میدهم.
Office Meeting
Manager: باید پروژه را تا فردا تمام کنیم.
Employee: اگر عجله کنیم، کیفیت پایین میآید.
Manager: حرف شما حساب است، تا دوشنبه وقت دارید.
Family Dinner
Brother: بیا امشب پیتزا سفارش بدیم.
Sister: دیروز هم پیتزا خوردیم، بیا غذای خانگی بخوریم.
Brother: حرفت حساب است، پیتزا زیاد خوب نیست.
Tech Support / Troubleshooting
User: کامپیوترم روشن نمیشود.
Support: شاید کابلش وصل نیست؟
User: ای وای، حرفت حساب است! وصل نبود.
Dating / Relationships
Partner A: تو خیلی کار میکنی، باید کمی استراحت کنی.
Partner B: حرفت حساب است، بیا بریم پیادهروی.
Social Media Debate
User 1: این فیلم خیلی طولانی بود.
User 2: ولی داستانش خیلی قوی بود.
User 1: حرفت حساب است، داستانش عالی بود.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'Hesab' as 'Math'. If your words are 'Hesab', they add up like 2+2=4.
Visual Association
Imagine a person speaking, and instead of bubbles coming out of their mouth, perfectly balanced golden scales or calculator buttons appear.
Rhyme
Harf-e Hesab / Javab Nadarad (Logic has no rebuttal)
Story
A merchant in the bazaar is arguing about the price of silk. A young boy points out a small tear in the fabric. The merchant stops, looks at the tear, and says 'Harfat Hesab Ast.' He lowers the price because the boy's logic was as clear as a ledger.
In Other Languages
Similar to 'You've got a point' in English or 'C'est logique' in French. It shares the same 'accounting' root as the English 'That adds up.'
Word Web
Challenge
Try to use this phrase today whenever a friend suggests something reasonable, like 'Let's drink water, it's hot.'
Review this phrase 1 day, 3 days, and 1 week after learning to cement the 'Hesab' connection.
Pronunciation
The 'h' is soft, 'ar' as in 'car', 'fat' as in 'cat'.
The 'e' is short, 'sab' has a long 'a' like 'Bob'.
Formality Spectrum
فرمایش شما متین است، باید در هزینهها صرفهجویی کنیم. (Financial planning)
حرف شما حساب است، باید پول پسانداز کنیم. (Financial planning)
حرفت حساب است، باید پول جمع کنیم. (Financial planning)
خدایی حق گفتی، باید جیبمون رو سفت بچسبیم. (Financial planning)
Derived from the Arabic root H-S-B (to calculate/count). It entered Persian through trade and Islamic jurisprudence, where 'Hesab' (accountability) is a central concept both in this life and the afterlife.
Fun Fact
The word 'Hesab' is also the root for 'Calculator' (Mashin-hesab) in Persian!
Cultural Notes
In the bazaar, a person's word was their bond. 'Harf-e Hesab' was the currency of trust between merchants.
“حرف این کاسب حساب است (This shopkeeper's word is reliable).”
Classical poets like Saadi often emphasize that a wise man only speaks 'Harf-e Hesab' and remains silent otherwise.
“سخن مگوی جز به حساب (Speak not except by calculation/logic).”
Iranians use the hashtag #حرف_حساب to share quotes from famous thinkers or to highlight social truths.
“A tweet saying: 'We should care for the environment' followed by #حرف_حساب.”
Using this phrase is a way to show you are not 'Yek-dandeh' (stubborn). It's a sign of good breeding to admit someone else's point is sound.
“In a family dispute, the younger person might say this to an elder to show respect.”
Conversation Starters
به نظر شما، بهترین راه برای یادگیری زبان چیست؟
آیا موافقی که زندگی در شهر سختتر از روستاست؟
Common Mistakes
حرفت ریاضی است (Harfat riyazi ast)
حرفت حساب است (Harfat hesab ast)
L1 Interference
حرفت حساب هست (Harfat hesab hast)
حرفت حساب است (Harfat hesab ast)
L1 Interference
Using 'Harfat' with a teacher.
حرف شما حساب است (Harf-e shoma hesab ast)
L1 Interference
حرف حساب داری؟ (Do you have a logical word?)
حرف حساب میزنی (You are speaking logically)
L1 Interference
In Other Languages
Tienes razón
Spanish uses 'having' reason, Persian uses 'being' an account.
Tu as raison
French is more about the person, Persian is more about the 'word' (harf).
Du hast recht
German is more legalistic/moral, Persian is more logical/mathematical.
一理ある (Ichiri aru)
Japanese is more humble and understated ('there is some logic'), while Persian is more definitive.
كلامك صحيح (Kalamak sahh)
Arabic is more direct about 'truth', Persian adds the 'accounting' nuance.
有道理 (Yǒu dàolǐ)
Chinese refers to the 'Way' (Tao), Persian refers to the 'Ledger' (Hesab).
말이 되네요 (Mari doeneyo)
Korean focuses on the words 'becoming' sense, Persian on them 'being' a calculation.
Você tem razão
Persian is more idiomatic by using the specific noun 'Hesab'.
Spotted in the Real World
“حرف حساب بزن ببینم چی میگی.”
During a tense argument, asking for a logical explanation.
“حرف حساب من اینه که دوست دارم.”
Using 'Harf-e Hesab' to introduce a heartfelt truth.
Easily Confused
Learners might think it means 'to say a logical word'.
This means 'to pay' or 'to calculate'. Don't confuse the verb with the idiom.
Might be thought to mean 'illogical'.
It usually means 'countless' or 'excessive'.
Frequently Asked Questions (10)
Use 'Harf-e shoma hesab ast' to be respectful.
usage contextsNo, you can use it to agree with good advice or a wise quote.
usage contextsIt means math, account, or calculation.
basic understandingYes, young people just say 'Hagh' (Truth).
practical tipsYes, it means 'What I'm saying is logical/I'm right.'
grammar mechanicsIt's neutral-informal, but can be made formal with 'Shoma'.
usage contextsYou can say 'Harfat hesab nist' or 'Eshtebah mikoni'.
comparisonsThe words are Arabic, but the idiom is uniquely Persian.
cultural usageYes, it's very common in blogs and articles.
usage contextsUsually 'Mamnun' (Thanks) or 'Khoshhalam ghabul kardi' (I'm glad you accepted).
practical tips
