Meaning
Referring to a downward direction or lower position.
Cultural Background
In Tehran, 'Pāyin-e Shahr' (South Tehran) is geographically lower in elevation but also historically associated with lower-income families. Conversely, 'Bālā-ye Shahr' (North Tehran) is in the mountains and is the affluent area. When entering a room, the 'pāyin' area (near the door) is for younger or less senior people. Guests of honor are invited to sit 'bālā' (at the top/head of the room). Traditional Iranian houses often have a 'Zir-zamin' (under-ground/basement) which is the 'pāyin' part of the house used to keep cool during hot summers.
The Opposite Rule
Always learn 'pāyin' with 'bālā'. They are a pair in 90% of conversations.
Don't say 'Pāyin-e Bed'
If you mean under the bed, use 'Zir-e takht'. 'Pāyin-e takht' means the foot-end of the bed.
Meaning
Referring to a downward direction or lower position.
The Opposite Rule
Always learn 'pāyin' with 'bālā'. They are a pair in 90% of conversations.
Don't say 'Pāyin-e Bed'
If you mean under the bed, use 'Zir-e takht'. 'Pāyin-e takht' means the foot-end of the bed.
South = Down
In Iran, 'pāyin' is often used as a synonym for 'South' on a map.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct word to complete the sentence: 'The cat is downstairs.'
گربه ....... است.
Pāyin means 'down' or 'downstairs'.
Fill in the blank with the word for 'lower'.
این اتاق از آن اتاق ....... است.
Adding '-tar' makes the word comparative (lower).
Match the opposites.
1. بالا (Bālā), 2. سلام (Salām), 3. بزرگ (Bozorg)
Bālā (up) is the opposite of Pāyin (down).
In which situation would you say 'Pāyin'?
You are on the 5th floor and want to go to the 1st floor.
Moving to a lower floor is 'pāyin raftan'.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Pāyin vs. Zir
Common Uses of Pāyin
Directions
- • Go down
- • Downstairs
- • South
Numbers
- • Low price
- • Low temp
- • Low volume
Practice Bank
4 exercisesگربه ....... است.
Pāyin means 'down' or 'downstairs'.
این اتاق از آن اتاق ....... است.
Adding '-tar' makes the word comparative (lower).
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Bālā (up) is the opposite of Pāyin (down).
You are on the 5th floor and want to go to the 1st floor.
Moving to a lower floor is 'pāyin raftan'.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
6 questionsIndirectly, yes. You say 'gheymat pāyin' (low price), but the word for cheap is 'arzān'.
It is neutral. It is used in both formal books and casual street slang.
The opposite is 'bālā' (up/above).
Use 'pāyin-tar'.
In many Iranian cities, especially Tehran, 'pāyin' colloquially refers to the southern districts.
Yes, 'sedā-ye pāyin' means low volume, though 'sedā-ye kam' is more common.
Related Phrases
بالا
contrastUp / Above
زیر
similarUnder
پایین آمدن
builds onTo descend / To decrease
کف
specialized formFloor / Bottom
