Meaning
To adhere to a promise or decision one has made; to be reliable.
Cultural Background
In the traditional bazaar, a person's word is more important than a written contract. 'Ruye harf istādan' is the basis of the entire credit system (Nasiyeh). The 'Pahlavan' (hero/wrestler) is a symbol of integrity. Standing on one's word is a core requirement for being considered a true Pahlavan. On Persian Twitter, the hashtag #روی_حرفش_ایستاد is often used to praise activists or public figures who don't change their stance under pressure. Parents use this phrase to teach children about 'Ghol' (promises). It is one of the first moral idioms an Iranian child learns.
Use it as a compliment
If you want to make an Iranian friend feel respected, tell them 'To hamishe ruye harfat mi-isti.' It's a high honor.
Watch the Suffixes
The most common mistake is using 'harfash' for everyone. Remember: harfam (my), harfat (your), harfash (his/her).
Meaning
To adhere to a promise or decision one has made; to be reliable.
Use it as a compliment
If you want to make an Iranian friend feel respected, tell them 'To hamishe ruye harfat mi-isti.' It's a high honor.
Watch the Suffixes
The most common mistake is using 'harfash' for everyone. Remember: harfam (my), harfat (your), harfash (his/her).
Ta'arof vs. Reality
If someone says 'I'll do it' during Ta'arof, they might not mean it. But if they say 'Ruye harfam mi-istam,' they are serious.
Past Tense is King
This phrase is most powerful in the past tense (istād) because it proves the person already succeeded in being reliable.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'harf' and the suffix.
من قول دادم و روی ______ ایستادم.
Since the subject is 'من' (I), the suffix must be '-am'.
Which sentence means 'He didn't keep his word'?
کدام جمله درست است؟
Adding 'na-' to the verb 'istād' makes it negative.
Complete the dialogue.
علی: 'قول میدهی فردا بیایی؟' رضا: 'بله، حتماً ______.'
Reza is making the promise, so he uses 'my word'.
Match the situation to the phrase.
A politician fulfills all his campaign promises.
Fulfilling promises is the definition of 'standing on one's word'.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Formal vs. Informal Reliability
Practice Bank
4 exercisesمن قول دادم و روی ______ ایستادم.
Since the subject is 'من' (I), the suffix must be '-am'.
کدام جمله درست است؟
Adding 'na-' to the verb 'istād' makes it negative.
علی: 'قول میدهی فردا بیایی؟' رضا: 'بله، حتماً ______.'
Reza is making the promise, so he uses 'my word'.
A politician fulfills all his campaign promises.
Fulfilling promises is the definition of 'standing on one's word'.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
14 questionsIt is neutral. You can use it with your boss or your best friend.
Yes, Persian has no gender. 'Harfash' works for both 'his word' and 'her word'.
Yes, but it sounds slightly more emphatic and focused on character.
The opposite is 'Zir-e ghol-e khod zadan' (to break one's promise).
Yes, but it might sound a bit serious. For small things, 'khosh-ghol' is better.
Usually no, it's positive. But in a fight, it can mean 'he won't budge'.
Say 'Man ruye harfam mi-istam'.
Yes, but say 'Sar-e gholam mi-istam' instead of 'ruye'.
Very much so. It's the hallmark of a good business partner in Iran.
Yes, 'Vā-isādan' is the casual pronunciation of 'istādan'.
Yes: 'Mā ruye harfemān istādim' (We stood by our word).
Yes, many classical poems talk about the virtue of standing by one's word.
Not at all. It's used every day in modern Tehran.
Then you 'az harfat bar-gashti' (returned from your word), which is usually seen as a weakness unless explained well.
Related Phrases
خوشقول
synonymA person who keeps their promises
زیر قول خود زدن
contrastTo break a promise
حرفش حرف است
similarHis word is final/reliable
یکدنده بودن
specialized formTo be stubborn
وفای به عهد
synonymFulfillment of a covenant
