Meaning
To acquire knowledge or skill through study or experience.
Cultural Background
Iranians often use the phrase 'Dastet dard nakone' (May your hand not hurt) after someone teaches them something, showing that learning is a gift received from another. In Dari, 'yād giriftan' is used identically, but the pronunciation of 'gereftan' is often 'giriftan' with a clearer 'i' sound. Tajik speakers use the same compound but write it in Cyrillic: ёд گرفتن. The cultural emphasis on classical Persian poetry as a tool for learning is very strong here. In the Persian diaspora, 'yād gereftan' is a key phrase for second-generation children attending 'Saturday Schools' to maintain their heritage.
The 'Get' Rule
Whenever you 'get' knowledge, use 'gereftan' (which means to get/take).
Don't forget the 'mi-'
In the present tense, always include the 'mi-' prefix (mi-giram), otherwise it sounds like a command.
Meaning
To acquire knowledge or skill through study or experience.
The 'Get' Rule
Whenever you 'get' knowledge, use 'gereftan' (which means to get/take).
Don't forget the 'mi-'
In the present tense, always include the 'mi-' prefix (mi-giram), otherwise it sounds like a command.
Use with 'Balad būdan'
After you 'yād gerefti' (learned) something, you 'baladi' (know how to do) it. Use them together to sound natural.
Humility
Saying 'Dāram yād migiram' (I'm learning) is a very polite way to respond if someone praises your Persian.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'yād gereftan' in the present tense.
من هر روز کلمات جدید ________.
The sentence says 'every day' (har ruz), which requires the present continuous/habitual form 'mi-gir-am'.
Which sentence means 'I want to learn Persian'?
Choose the correct translation:
The verb 'want' (mi-khāham) requires the subjunctive form 'be-giram'.
Match the Persian sentence to its English translation.
Match the following:
These are common phrases using different subjects and tenses.
Complete the dialogue.
سارا: آیا میتوانی پیانو بزنی؟ علی: نه، اما دارم ________.
Ali is saying 'No, but I am [currently] learning.'
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Learning vs. Teaching
Practice Bank
4 exercisesمن هر روز کلمات جدید ________.
The sentence says 'every day' (har ruz), which requires the present continuous/habitual form 'mi-gir-am'.
Choose the correct translation:
The verb 'want' (mi-khāham) requires the subjunctive form 'be-giram'.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are common phrases using different subjects and tenses.
سارا: آیا میتوانی پیانو بزنی؟ علی: نه، اما دارم ________.
Ali is saying 'No, but I am [currently] learning.'
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt is neutral and used in both formal and informal contexts. It's the most common way to say 'to learn'.
Yes, but 'hefz kardan' is more specific for word-for-word memorization.
The present stem is 'gir'. So, 'I learn' is 'yād mi-giram'.
Use the past stem 'gereft': 'yād gereftam'.
No, for that use 'yād gereftan' is not used; use 'be khāter sepordan' (to commit to memory) or just 'yādam mānd' (it stayed in my memory).
'Āmūkhtan' is very formal and literary. You'll see it in books, but rarely hear it in conversation.
There is no 'e' (ezāfe) between them. It is 'yād gereftan'.
Man mi-khāham yād be-giram.
Yes, 'az in ettefāgh yād gereftam...' (I learned from this event...).
Usually not. You just say 'Subject + Object + yād gereftan'.
Related Phrases
یاد دادن
contrastTo teach
یاد آمدن
similarTo remember (suddenly)
یادآوری کردن
builds onTo remind
حفظ کردن
specialized formTo memorize
درس خواندن
similarTo study
