Meaning
To give an answer or reaction to a question or statement.
Cultural Background
In Iranian academic culture, students often wait for a beat before 'پاسخ دادن' to show they are reflecting on the teacher's wisdom, rather than blurting out an answer. In Persian business, 'پاسخ دادن' is often delayed by polite inquiries about one's health and family, a practice known as 'ahvāl-porsi'. On Iranian social media, 'پاسخ دادن' is often used in the context of 'Direct Messages' (DMs). Influencers often promise to 'pāsokh' to all fans to maintain a polite image. The 'Pāsokh' is a genre in Persian poetry where one poet writes a poem in the same meter and rhyme as another poet's work as a form of 'response' or tribute.
The 'Be' Rule
Always put 'be' before the thing you are answering. It's the golden rule of this verb.
Don't 'Do' an Answer
Never use 'kardan' with 'pāsokh'. It's always 'dādan' (to give).
Meaning
To give an answer or reaction to a question or statement.
The 'Be' Rule
Always put 'be' before the thing you are answering. It's the golden rule of this verb.
Don't 'Do' an Answer
Never use 'kardan' with 'pāsokh'. It's always 'dādan' (to give).
Sound Smarter
Use 'pāsokh dādan' in your Persian writing exams to score higher on 'vocabulary range' than if you used 'javāb dādan'.
Indirect Answers
In Iran, if someone asks a question you don't want to answer, a polite 'pāsokh' might be 'باید فکر کنم' (I must think).
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct preposition.
من باید ..... این نامه پاسخ دهم.
The verb 'پاسخ دادن' always requires the preposition 'به' (to).
Which sentence is the most appropriate for a formal email?
How do you say 'I will answer you' formally?
'پاسخ دادن' and the formal 'shomā' (you) are the best fit for a formal context.
Complete the dialogue with the correct form of the verb.
معلم: چرا به سوال من ..... ؟ (Past tense, you singular)
The question asks 'Why did you (singular) answer/not answer?', so 'pāsokh dādi' is correct.
Match the phrase to the situation.
When would you say 'بدن به دارو پاسخ داد'?
This specific sense of 'pāsokh dādan' refers to medical reactions.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Pāsokh vs Javāb
Practice Bank
4 exercisesمن باید ..... این نامه پاسخ دهم.
The verb 'پاسخ دادن' always requires the preposition 'به' (to).
How do you say 'I will answer you' formally?
'پاسخ دادن' and the formal 'shomā' (you) are the best fit for a formal context.
معلم: چرا به سوال من ..... ؟ (Past tense, you singular)
The question asks 'Why did you (singular) answer/not answer?', so 'pāsokh dādi' is correct.
When would you say 'بدن به دارو پاسخ داد'?
This specific sense of 'pāsokh dādan' refers to medical reactions.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
12 questionsNo, it can also mean responding to a letter, an email, a call, or even a physical stimulus like medicine.
Yes, but it sounds a bit formal. 'Javāb dādan' is more natural for friends.
It is 'من پاسخ دادم' (man pāsokh dādam).
You can use the adjective 'بیپاسخ' (bi-pāsokh).
'Pāsokh' is Persian-rooted and formal; 'javāb' is Arabic-rooted and common/informal.
Both 'پاسخ دادن به تلفن' and 'جواب دادن به تلفن' work, but the latter is more common.
No, that is grammatically incorrect in Persian.
It means 'responsive' or 'accountable'.
Yes, very frequently, often to describe a lover's response or a philosophical answer.
Yes, in scientific or medical contexts, it is the standard word for 'to react'.
In formal Persian: 'پاسخ خواهم داد'. In neutral Persian: 'پاسخ میدهم'.
There isn't a single verb, but 'سکوت کردن' (to keep silent) or 'نادیده گرفتن' (to ignore) are often used.
Related Phrases
جواب دادن
synonymTo answer (informal)
واکنش نشان دادن
similarTo show a reaction
تکذیب کردن
contrastTo deny
پاسخگو بودن
builds onTo be accountable
لبیک گفتن
specialized formTo answer a call (religious/heroic)
