Meaning
To grow older; to advance in age.
Cultural Background
Respect for elders is a cornerstone of Iranian society. Using 'pa be sen gozashtan' instead of 'pir shodan' is a sign of good upbringing (adab). Poets like Saadi often discuss the transition to old age as a time for spiritual reflection. The 'step' into age is seen as a step away from worldly vanity. In cities like Tehran, there is a growing 'anti-aging' culture, but the polite idioms remain the standard in family and professional settings. The phrase is also widely understood and used in Afghanistan with the same respectful connotation.
The Respect Factor
Always use this phrase when talking about your in-laws or teachers to show high level of respect.
Not for Objects
Never say your phone is 'pa be sen gozashte' unless you want to make a joke that your phone is a person.
Meaning
To grow older; to advance in age.
The Respect Factor
Always use this phrase when talking about your in-laws or teachers to show high level of respect.
Not for Objects
Never say your phone is 'pa be sen gozashte' unless you want to make a joke that your phone is a person.
Conjugation Trick
Focus on mastering the verb 'gozashtan' separately, as it is used in many other Persian idioms.
Birthday Etiquette
On birthdays, it's more common to say '100 years to these years' (sad sal be in sal-ha) than to mention 'stepping into age'.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'gozashtan'.
مادربزرگم سال گذشته پا به سن ________.
The sentence refers to 'last year' (سال گذشته), so the past simple 'gozasht' is required.
Which sentence is correct?
Which of these is a polite way to say someone is old?
Option B is the polite idiom. Option A is too blunt, and Option C is for objects.
Match the Persian phrase with its English equivalent.
Match the following:
All pairs are correctly matched to show the register differences.
Complete the dialogue politely.
A: چرا پدرت دیگر فوتبال بازی نمیکند؟ B: چون او دیگر ________.
Aging is the logical and polite reason for stopping a physical sport.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesمادربزرگم سال گذشته پا به سن ________.
The sentence refers to 'last year' (سال گذشته), so the past simple 'gozasht' is required.
Which of these is a polite way to say someone is old?
Option B is the polite idiom. Option A is too blunt, and Option C is for objects.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
All pairs are correctly matched to show the register differences.
A: چرا پدرت دیگر فوتبال بازی نمیکند؟ B: چون او دیگر ________.
Aging is the logical and polite reason for stopping a physical sport.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, it is actually the most polite way to say someone is getting older.
Yes, it sounds humble and realistic when used for oneself.
'Pir shodan' is blunt and literal; 'pa be sen gozashtan' is metaphorical and respectful.
Usually for people over 50, though it can be used for anyone past their youth.
Yes, frequently, to describe the passage of time and the arrival of wisdom.
You say 'Daram pa be sen mizaram' (دارم پا به سن میذارم).
Generally no, it's neutral to positive, focusing on the natural cycle of life.
Yes, it is very appropriate for formal professional settings.
Yes, 'pa be sen' is a fixed prepositional phrase.
Yes, especially when talking to or about their elders.
Related Phrases
پیر شدن
synonymTo get old
بزرگ شدن
similarTo grow up
جوان ماندن
contrastTo stay young
دود از کنده بلند میشود
builds onOld wood burns best
