Meaning
A polite request to do something at a slower pace.
Cultural Background
Iranians value 'ārāmesh' (peace/calm). In a busy city like Tehran, asking for things to be 'ārum-tar' is a common way to seek a moment of relief. In Tajikistan, the formal 'āhestetar' is used more frequently in daily speech than in Iran, reflecting a slightly different linguistic evolution. In Dari, 'āhesta' is the standard word for slow. 'Lotfan āhestatar' would be the equivalent there. In the diaspora (USA, Europe), 'ārum-tar' is often used by parents to keep their children's noise levels down in public.
Use your hands
Pairing 'Lotfan ārum-tar' with a 'slow down' hand gesture (palm down, moving up and down) is very effective in Iran.
Don't forget the 'Tar'
Just saying 'ārum' can sound like a command to 'be quiet' rather than 'go slower'.
Meaning
A polite request to do something at a slower pace.
Use your hands
Pairing 'Lotfan ārum-tar' with a 'slow down' hand gesture (palm down, moving up and down) is very effective in Iran.
Don't forget the 'Tar'
Just saying 'ārum' can sound like a command to 'be quiet' rather than 'go slower'.
The 'Yekam' trick
Add 'yekam' (a little) to sound even more natural: 'Lotfan yekam ārum-tar'.
Smile
Since you are asking someone to change their behavior, a smile makes 'Lotfan ārum-tar' sound friendly rather than critical.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence to ask the driver to slow down.
آقا، لطفاً _______ برید.
'ārum-tar' is the correct adverb for 'slower'.
Which phrase is the most polite way to ask a teacher to speak slower?
Choose the best option:
This uses 'Lotfan' and the polite plural verb form 'konid'.
Match the Persian phrase with its English meaning.
Match them:
Direct translation practice.
Fill in the missing part of the dialogue.
A: [Speaks fast Persian] B: ببخشید، من متوجه نمیشم. _______؟
The context of 'not understanding' requires a request to slow down.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Formal vs Informal
Practice Bank
4 exercisesآقا، لطفاً _______ برید.
'ārum-tar' is the correct adverb for 'slower'.
Choose the best option:
This uses 'Lotfan' and the polite plural verb form 'konid'.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Direct translation practice.
A: [Speaks fast Persian] B: ببخشید، من متوجه نمیشم. _______؟
The context of 'not understanding' requires a request to slow down.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
12 questionsYes! It works for both. If someone is shouting, it means 'quieter'. If they are running, it means 'slower'.
Neither is 'better'. 'Yavāsh-tar' is very common in the street, while 'ārum-tar' sounds slightly softer and more polite.
Add 'kheyli' (very): 'Kheyli ārum-tar'.
Yes, as long as you include 'Lotfan' and use the polite verb form 'begid' or 'tashrif bebared'.
The opposite is 'Tond-tar' (faster).
In an email, it's better to use the formal 'ārāmtar' or 'āhestetar'.
Not exactly. 'Ārum bāsh' means calm down. 'Ārum-tar' is a request for a change in pace.
It's the comparative suffix, like '-er' in English (slow -> slower).
It's the colloquial pronunciation of 'ārām'. It's not slang, just standard spoken Persian.
Yes, 'Lotfan ārum-tar' can mean 'lower the volume'.
Use '-tarin': 'ārum-tarin'.
In Dari, 'āhesta' is more common, but 'ārām' is understood.
Related Phrases
یواشتر
synonymSlower
آهستهتر
specialized formMore slowly (formal)
یکم یواش
informalA bit slow
تند تر
contrastFaster
آرامش
builds onPeace/Tranquility
