Meaning
To start driving a vehicle.
Cultural Background
Driving is a major social activity. 'Sitting behind the wheel' is often discussed in terms of 'dast-farmān' (driving skill). A person with 'good hand-wheel' is highly respected. In the chaotic traffic of the capital, sitting behind the wheel is likened to going into battle. It requires high alertness and aggressive-defensive skills. Getting to 'sit behind the wheel' of the family car is a major milestone and a sign of trust from parents. Metaphorically, the person 'behind the wheel' is the one who takes the blame or credit for a project's direction.
Use for Responsibility
When you want to sound like you are taking responsibility, use this phrase instead of just 'driving'.
Preposition Alert
Never use 'ru-ye' (on) or 'tu-ye' (in). It's always 'posht-e' (behind).
Meaning
To start driving a vehicle.
Use for Responsibility
When you want to sound like you are taking responsibility, use this phrase instead of just 'driving'.
Preposition Alert
Never use 'ru-ye' (on) or 'tu-ye' (in). It's always 'posht-e' (behind).
The 'Rol' Variation
Use 'posht-e rol' if you want to sound like a cool local in Tehran, but stick to 'farman' for exams or formal settings.
Taarof
If someone offers you to 'sit behind the wheel' of their new car, it's a high compliment. You should usually decline once before accepting.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the phrase.
دیروز علی برای اولین بار ______ نشست.
The correct preposition is 'پشت' (behind).
Which sentence is more natural for a driver taking over?
You are tired and want your friend to drive. What do you say?
This specifically asks them to take the driver's seat.
Match the Persian phrase to its English equivalent.
Match the following:
These are the three main actions related to entering/operating a car.
Complete the dialogue.
سارا: چرا رانندگی نمیکنی؟ مریم: چون هنوز میترسم ______.
The context of 'fear' and 'driving' (rānandegi) points to the act of sitting behind the wheel.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Driver vs. Passenger
Practice Bank
4 exercisesدیروز علی برای اولین بار ______ نشست.
The correct preposition is 'پشت' (behind).
You are tired and want your friend to drive. What do you say?
This specifically asks them to take the driver's seat.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are the three main actions related to entering/operating a car.
سارا: چرا رانندگی نمیکنی؟ مریم: چون هنوز میترسم ______.
The context of 'fear' and 'driving' (rānandegi) points to the act of sitting behind the wheel.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, for a bicycle you use 'ترک دوچرخه نشستن' or just 'دوچرخهسواری کردن'. 'Farman' is specifically for steering wheels.
Not at all. It's just informal. It's very common among friends.
You say 'پشت فرمان هستم' (Posht-e farman hastam).
No, pilots use 'در کابین خلبان' or 'هدایت هواپیما'.
Yes, if the boat has a steering wheel, it is acceptable, though 'هدایت قایق' is more common.
Mostly, yes. You can also use 'raftan' (to go) as in 'raftan posht-e farman' to describe the movement toward the seat.
There isn't a direct single idiom, but 'فرمان را تحویل دادن' (handing over the wheel) is used.
Yes, especially when reporting accidents: 'The person behind the wheel was not the owner.'
Yes! 'پشت فرمان زندگی نشستن' is a very common poetic/motivational expression.
Yes, it means 'command' or 'order' in a general sense.
Related Phrases
رانندگی کردن
similarTo drive
گاز دادن
builds onTo accelerate
ترمز گرفتن
builds onTo brake
دست به فرمان
specialized formSkilled at driving
فرمان را رها کردن
contrastTo let go of the wheel
