At the A1 level, you just need to know that 'Ab' means water and 'Paz' is about cooking. 'Ab paz' means boiled. You can use it for very simple foods. For example, 'Tokhm-e morgh-e ab paz' is a boiled egg. It is a very useful word when you go to a restaurant or a supermarket and want to describe how you want your food. Persian words are often like Lego blocks. You put 'Ab' (water) and 'Paz' (cook) together to make 'boiled'. It is very easy to remember once you know the basic words for water and cooking. You will see this on many basic menus in Iran. Don't worry about the 'shodeh' part too much yet; just focus on 'Ab paz'. It is one of the first cooking words you should learn because it is used every day for breakfast and simple meals.
At the A2 level, you should start using the full form 'Ab paz shodeh'. This shows you understand how to describe the state of an object. You will use this word when talking about your daily routine, like what you eat for lunch. You should also be able to distinguish it from 'sorkh shodeh' (fried). If you are visiting an Iranian home, your host might ask if you want your potatoes boiled or fried. Knowing this word helps you express your preference. It is also important for basic health conversations. If you are at a pharmacy or a doctor's office and they tell you to eat light food, they will use this word. You can also start to use it with different nouns like 'morgh' (chicken) or 'gosht' (meat). Remember the Ezafe sound (the 'e' at the end of the noun) when you add 'Ab paz shodeh' after it.
At the B1 level, you are becoming more comfortable with compound adjectives like 'Ab paz shodeh'. You should understand that this is a passive construction. The word 'shodeh' comes from 'shodan' (to become), so it literally means 'having become water-cooked'. You can use this in more complex sentences, such as explaining a recipe or discussing the nutritional value of foods. You should also be aware of the register; this is a standard term used in both conversation and writing. You might encounter it in newspaper articles about health or in cooking shows. At this level, you should be able to use it fluently in the middle of sentences without pausing to think about the components. You should also be able to contrast it with 'bokhar-paz' (steamed) and explain why one might be better than the other in a specific context.
At the B2 level, you should have a nuanced understanding of 'Ab paz shodeh'. You can use it to describe various stages of cooking, perhaps by adding adverbs like 'kam' (little) for soft-boiled or 'kaamelan' (completely) for well-done. You should also be familiar with how this term is used in professional contexts, such as in a restaurant kitchen or in a formal dietary plan. You can discuss the cultural implications of 'Ab paz' food in Iran—how it is often seen as 'diet food' or 'patient food' (ghaza-ye bimari). You should also be able to use the term in metaphorical or more abstract culinary discussions, such as comparing traditional Iranian boiling methods with Western techniques. Your pronunciation should be natural, correctly handling the compound nature of the word and the Ezafe connection.
At the C1 level, 'Ab paz shodeh' is a word you use with complete precision. You understand its place within the broader system of Persian verbal adjectives. You can analyze the morphology of the word and perhaps even discuss its etymological roots in Middle Persian. You are aware of regional variations or more poetic synonyms that might be used in literature, although 'Ab paz shodeh' remains the standard technical term. You can use it in formal academic writing about food science, history, or sociology in an Iranian context. You should be able to explain the subtle difference between 'Ab paz shodeh' and other related terms like 'joushandeh' or 'ab-paz-e nimeh-pokht' (par-boiled) to a lower-level student. Your usage is indistinguishable from that of a native speaker, including the correct rhythmic stress on the compound.
At the C2 level, you possess a masterly command of the term 'Ab paz shodeh'. You can use it effortlessly in any register, from the most technical culinary manual to the most informal street slang (where it might be shortened or modified). You understand the historical evolution of the word and how it fits into the Persian linguistic landscape. You can write sophisticated essays on the philosophy of Iranian cuisine, using 'Ab paz shodeh' as a starting point to discuss simplicity, health, and tradition. You are also aware of any rare or archaic terms that might have preceded it. Your ability to use the word is perfect, including its interaction with complex grammatical structures and its placement within high-level rhetorical devices. You can also identify and correct the subtlest misuses of the term by others.

آب پز شده in 30 Seconds

  • Means 'boiled' in Persian.
  • Used for eggs, potatoes, and meat.
  • Formed from 'Water' + 'Cook' + 'Become'.
  • Essential for health and diet contexts.
The Persian term آب پز شده (āb paz shodeh) is a compound adjective used to describe food that has been cooked by immersion in boiling water. In the culinary world of Iran, this method is fundamental, especially for preparing staples like eggs, potatoes, and certain vegetables. Linguistically, the term is a perfect example of Persian's agglutinative tendencies, combining 'Ab' (water), 'Paz' (the present stem of 'pokhtan', meaning to cook), and 'shodeh' (the past participle of 'shodan', meaning to become). When you use this word, you are essentially saying something has 'become water-cooked'. This term is ubiquitous in both home kitchens and professional culinary settings. It carries a connotation of health and simplicity, often contrasted with 'sorkh shodeh' (fried).
Grammatical Category
It functions as a passive participle used as an adjective, typically following the noun it modifies in an Ezafe construction.

من معمولاً برای صبحانه تخم‌مرغ آب پز شده می‌خورم.

Translation: I usually eat a boiled egg for breakfast.
Register
Standard Persian; used in cookbooks, menus, and daily conversation.

این سبزیجات آب پز شده بسیار مغذی هستند.

Using آب پز شده requires an understanding of the Ezafe system. In Persian, adjectives usually come after the noun they describe, connected by a short 'e' or 'ye' sound. For example, 'Boiled potato' becomes 'Sib-zamini-ye ab paz shodeh'. This structure is very consistent. You can use it to describe a wide variety of ingredients. It is particularly common when discussing diets, medical advice, or specific cooking instructions.
Sentence Structure
[Noun] + [Ezafe] + آب پز شده. Example: گوشت آب پز شده (Boiled meat).

دکتر به او پیشنهاد کرد که فقط مرغ آب پز شده بخورد.

Formal vs Informal
In formal writing (like a medical report), 'shodeh' is mandatory. In a busy kitchen, a chef might just yell 'Ab paz!'

آیا این ذرت‌ها آب پز شده هستند یا بخارپز؟

You will encounter آب پز شده in several distinct environments. Firstly, in the domestic sphere, parents often use it when preparing meals for children or the elderly. Secondly, in the restaurant industry, particularly in 'ashpazkhaneh' (kitchens) and on menus for health-conscious diners. Thirdly, it is a staple term in health and fitness circles in Iran. Personal trainers and nutritionists frequently use this term when prescribing meal plans that avoid oils and fats.
Context: Healthcare
Nurses and doctors use it to describe 'diet food' for patients recovering from surgery.

غذای بیمارستان معمولاً شامل گوشت و هویج آب پز شده است.

Context: Cooking Shows
TV chefs use the term to explain preparatory steps, such as par-boiling rice or vegetables.

ابتدا سیب‌زمینی‌های آب پز شده را رنده کنید.

Learners often make a few specific errors with آب پز شده. The most common is confusing it with 'joushandeh'. While 'joushandeh' also involves boiling, it specifically refers to a decoction—usually herbal tea or medicine where the water itself is the desired product. Another mistake is using the wrong word for 'steamed' (bokhar-paz). Steaming is different from boiling in Persian culinary terminology. Some learners also forget the 'shodeh' suffix, which makes the phrase sound incomplete or like a command rather than a description.
Mistake: Confusing with 'Joushandeh'
Don't say 'Tokhm-e morgh-e joushandeh'. Use 'Ab paz' for solid foods.

اشتباه: من هویج جوشانده می‌خواهم. (غلط)

Mistake: Word Order
English speakers often try to put 'Ab paz' before the noun. In Persian, it must follow the noun.

درست: تخم‌مرغ آب پز شده. (صحیح)

Persian has several words related to cooking methods that are often grouped with آب پز شده. Understanding the nuances between them is key to advanced fluency. 'Bokhar-paz' (steamed) is the closest alternative for health-conscious cooking. 'Sorkh-shodeh' (fried) is the opposite. 'Kabab-shodeh' (grilled/roasted) implies direct heat or flame. 'Pokhteh' is a generic term for 'cooked' and can be used if you don't want to specify the method, though it often implies boiling in common parlance.
Comparison: Ab-paz vs. Bokhar-paz
Ab-paz means submerged in water. Bokhar-paz means cooked by steam. Persians distinguish these clearly in recipes.

من ماهی بخارپز شده را به ماهی آب پز ترجیح می‌دهم.

Comparison: Ab-paz vs. Sorkh-shodeh
Ab-paz is 'boiled' (healthy/plain). Sorkh-shodeh is 'fried' (savory/heavy).

سیب‌زمینی سرخ‌ شده خوشمزه‌تر است اما آب پز سالم‌تر است.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

""

Neutral

""

Informal

""

Child friendly

""

Slang

""

Fun Fact

The root 'paz' is also found in the word 'Ashpaz' (chef), which literally means 'soup-cooker', as 'Ash' is a traditional thick soup.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ɒːb pæz ʃoʊde/
US /ɑːb pæz ʃoʊde/
The primary stress is on the 'paz' and the first syllable of 'shodeh'.
Rhymes With
Baz (open) Raz (secret) Saz (instrument) Naz (charm) Ghaz (goose) Faz (phase) Taze (fresh - partial rhyme with shodeh) Jade (road - partial rhyme with shodeh)
Common Errors
  • Pronouncing 'Ab' with a short 'a' like 'apple' (it should be long).
  • Missing the 'e' sound at the end of 'shodeh'.
  • Putting too much stress on the 'sh' sound.
  • Confusing the 'z' in 'paz' with an 's'.
  • Merging 'Ab' and 'paz' into one syllable.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to recognize once you know 'Ab' and 'Paz'.

Writing 4/5

Requires remembering the 'shodeh' suffix and correct spelling.

Speaking 3/5

Flows well in speech, but Ezafe connection is key.

Listening 3/5

Distinct sounds make it easy to hear in context.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

آب (Water)

Examples by Level

1

تخم‌مرغ آب پز.

Boiled egg.

Simple noun + adjective.

2

من سیب‌زمینی آب پز دوست دارم.

I like boiled potatoes.

Subject + Object + Verb.

3

آیا این هویج آب پز است؟

Is this carrot boiled?

Question form.

4

او گوشت آب پز می‌خورد.

He/She eats boiled meat.

Present continuous sense.

5

ذرت آب پز خوشمزه است.

Boiled corn is delicious.

Adjective 'khoshmazeh' describes the subject.

6

لطفاً یک تخم‌مرغ آب پز بدهید.

Please give me a boiled egg.

Imperative/Request form.

7

این ماهی آب پز است.

This fish is boiled.

Demonstrative 'in' + noun.

8

ما سبزیجات آب پز می‌پزیم.

We cook boiled vegetables.

First person plural.

1

من برای شام مرغ آب پز شده خوردم.

I ate boiled chicken for dinner.

Past tense 'khordam'.

2

سیب‌زمینی‌های آب پز شده را پوست بکنید.

Peel the boiled potatoes.

Plural noun + imperative.

3

مادرم همیشه سبزیجات آب پز شده درست می‌کند.

My mother always makes boiled vegetables.

Adverb 'hamisheh' (always).

4

آیا تخم‌مرغ آب پز شده سالم است؟

Is a boiled egg healthy?

Adjective 'salem' (healthy).

5

من گوشت سرخ شده نمی‌خورم، فقط آب پز شده.

I don't eat fried meat, only boiled.

Contrast between two adjectives.

6

این هویج‌ها خیلی خوب آب پز شده‌اند.

These carrots are very well boiled.

Present perfect passive form.

7

او لوبیاهای آب پز شده را به سالاد اضافه کرد.

He added the boiled beans to the salad.

Past tense 'ezafeh kard'.

8

بچه‌ها ذرت آب پز شده را دوست دارند.

Children like boiled corn.

Plural subject.

1

برای تهیه این سالاد، باید از سیب‌زمینی آب پز شده استفاده کنید.

To prepare this salad, you must use boiled potatoes.

Modal verb 'bayad' + infinitive.

2

گوشت آب پز شده معمولاً برای بیماران مناسب‌تر است.

Boiled meat is usually more suitable for patients.

Comparative 'monaseb-tar'.

3

اگر رژیم دارید، بهتر است سبزیجات آب پز شده بخورید.

If you are on a diet, it's better to eat boiled vegetables.

Conditional 'agar' sentence.

4

او ترجیح می‌دهد مرغ را به صورت آب پز شده مصرف کند.

He prefers to consume chicken in a boiled way.

Verb 'tarjih dadan' (to prefer).

5

آیا این نخودفرنگی‌ها قبلاً آب پز شده‌اند؟

Have these peas been boiled before?

Adverb 'ghablan' (before) with perfect tense.

6

شما می‌توانید تخم‌مرغ آب پز شده را با نمک و فلفل بخورید.

You can eat the boiled egg with salt and pepper.

Modal 'mitavanid' (you can).

7

بسیاری از ورزشکاران از سینه مرغ آب پز شده استفاده می‌کنند.

Many athletes use boiled chicken breast.

Subject 'besyari az varzeshkaran'.

8

این برنج باید کمی بیشتر آب پز شود تا نرم شود.

This rice needs to be boiled a bit more to become soft.

Subjunctive 'shavad' for requirement.

1

در طب سنتی، مصرف میوه‌های آب پز شده برای درمان سرفه توصیه می‌شود.

In traditional medicine, consuming boiled fruits is recommended for treating coughs.

Passive voice 'tousiyeh mishavad'.

2

تفاوت طعم بین سبزیجات بخارپز و آب پز شده کاملاً مشهود است.

The difference in taste between steamed and boiled vegetables is quite evident.

Complex subject with 'tafavot' (difference).

3

او همیشه دقت می‌کند که سبزیجات بیش از حد آب پز شده نباشند.

He always makes sure that the vegetables are not over-boiled.

Phrase 'bish az had' (more than limit/overly).

4

برای کاهش وزن، جایگزین کردن غذاهای سرخ شده با آب پز شده ضروری است.

To lose weight, replacing fried foods with boiled ones is essential.

Gerund-like construction 'jaygozin kardan'.

5

این روش پخت باعث می‌شود که مواد مغذی در غذای آب پز شده حفظ شوند.

This cooking method causes nutrients to be preserved in the boiled food.

Causative 'ba'es shodan'.

6

بسیاری از دستورهای پخت قدیمی بر استفاده از گوشت آب پز شده تأکید دارند.

Many old recipes emphasize the use of boiled meat.

Prepositional phrase 'bar... takid dashtan'.

7

آیا می‌دانستید که پوست کندن گوجه‌فرنگی آب پز شده بسیار آسان‌تر است؟

Did you know that peeling a boiled tomato is much easier?

Interrogative 'aya midanestid'.

8

او به دلیل مشکلات گوارشی، مجبور است فقط از رژیم آب پز شده پیروی کند.

Due to digestive problems, he is forced to follow only a boiled diet.

Phrase 'be dalil-e' (due to).

1

تحقیقات نشان می‌دهد که هضم پروتئین در تخم‌مرغ آب پز شده برای بدن آسان‌تر است.

Research shows that digesting protein in a boiled egg is easier for the body.

Academic register with 'tahghighat' (research).

2

در این مقاله، به بررسی خواص درمانی حبوبات آب پز شده پرداخته شده است.

In this article, the therapeutic properties of boiled legumes have been examined.

Passive perfect 'pardakhteh shodeh ast'.

3

علیرغم سادگی، تهیه یک سیب‌زمینی آب پز شده با بافت مناسب نیازمند مهارت است.

Despite its simplicity, preparing a boiled potato with the right texture requires skill.

Concession 'alireghm-e' (despite).

4

استفاده از آب پز شده به جای سرخ شده، گامی بزرگ در جهت بهبود سلامت عمومی است.

Using boiled instead of fried is a big step towards improving public health.

Abstract noun phrase as subject.

5

بافت گوشت آب پز شده در این خورشت باید به گونه‌ای باشد که زیر دندان له شود.

The texture of the boiled meat in this stew should be such that it melts in the mouth.

Subjunctive 'shavad' in a result clause.

6

برخی معتقدند که طعم طبیعی مواد غذایی در حالت آب پز شده بهتر حفظ می‌شود.

Some believe that the natural flavor of food is better preserved when boiled.

Reporting verb 'mo'taghedand' (they believe).

7

در رژیم‌های سخت‌گیرانه ورزشی، کربوهیدرات‌ها عمدتاً به صورت آب پز شده مصرف می‌شوند.

In strict athletic diets, carbohydrates are mainly consumed in boiled form.

Adverb 'omdatan' (mainly).

8

تحلیل شیمیایی نشان می‌دهد که ویتامین‌های محلول در آب ممکن است در غذای آب پز شده کاهش یابند.

Chemical analysis shows that water-soluble vitamins may decrease in boiled food.

Modal 'momken ast' (may).

1

تجزیه و تحلیل دقیق فرآیندهای ترمودینامیکی در مواد غذایی آب پز شده، افق‌های جدیدی در علم تغذیه گشوده است.

The detailed analysis of thermodynamic processes in boiled food materials has opened new horizons in nutritional science.

Highly formal academic Persian.

2

در متون کهن پزشکی، از واژه 'مطبوخ' به جای آب پز شده برای توصیف این روش پخت استفاده می‌شد.

In ancient medical texts, the word 'matbukh' was used instead of 'ab paz shodeh' to describe this cooking method.

Historical linguistic reference.

3

تقابل میان غذاهای آب پز شده و بریان شده در فرهنگ‌های مختلف، بازتاب‌دهنده دیدگاه‌های متفاوت به مقوله سلامت است.

The contrast between boiled and roasted foods in different cultures reflects varying perspectives on health.

Sociological register.

4

حفظ یکپارچگی ساختاری بافت‌های گیاهی در سبزیجات آب پز شده، نشان‌دهنده کنترل دقیق دما و زمان پخت است.

Maintaining the structural integrity of plant tissues in boiled vegetables indicates precise control of temperature and cooking time.

Technical scientific description.

5

بررسی تطبیقی ترجیحات ذائقه نشان می‌دهد که تمایل به مصرف غذاهای آب پز شده با افزایش سن و آگاهی بهداشتی رابطه مستقیم دارد.

A comparative study of taste preferences shows that the inclination to consume boiled foods is directly related to aging and health awareness.

Statistical/Research register.

6

در فلسفه خوراک، سادگیِ یک خوراک آب پز شده می‌تواند به عنوان بیانی از اصالت و بازگشت به طبیعت تلقی گردد.

In the philosophy of food, the simplicity of a boiled dish can be seen as an expression of authenticity and a return to nature.

Philosophical/Abstract register.

7

تأثیرات روان‌شناختی مصرف غذاهای آب پز شده در دوران نقاهت، موضوعی است که نیازمند واکاوی بیشتری در روان‌شناسی سلامت است.

The psychological effects of consuming boiled foods during convalescence is a subject that requires further exploration in health psychology.

Psychological academic register.

8

ماهیت بنیادینِ پخت به روش آب پز شده، آن را به یکی از پایدارترین و در عین حال چالش‌برانگیزترین فنون در هنر آشپزی بدل کرده است.

The fundamental nature of boiling has made it one of the most sustainable yet challenging techniques in the culinary arts.

Rhetorical and sophisticated construction.

Common Collocations

تخم‌مرغ آب پز شده
سیب‌زمینی آب پز شده
مرغ آب پز شده
گوشت آب پز شده
سبزیجات آب پز شده
هویج آب پز شده
ذرت آب پز شده
نخودفرنگی آب پز شده
ماهی آب پز شده
رژیم آب پز شده

Common Phrases

آب پز کردن

— The verb form: to boil something.

باید هویج‌ها را آب پز کنید.

به صورت آب پز شده

— In a boiled manner/form.

غذا را به صورت آب پز شده سرو کنید.

کاملاً آب پز شده

— Thoroughly boiled.

این گوشت باید کاملاً آب پز شده باشد.

کمی آب پز شده

— Slightly boiled / par-boiled.

کلم‌ها را فقط کمی آب پز شده می‌خواهم.

فقط آب پز شده

— Only boiled (usually for diets).

دکتر گفت فقط آب پز شده بخور.

آب پز شده و له شده

— Boiled and mashed.

سیب‌زمینی آب پز شده و له شده برای نوزاد خوب است.

آب پز شده بدون نمک

— Boiled without salt.

او برنج آب پز شده بدون نمک می‌خورد.

تخم‌مرغ سفت آب پز شده

— Hard-boiled egg.

من تخم‌مرغ سفت آب پز شده دوست دارم.

مرغ آب پز شده با پیاز

— Chicken boiled with onions (standard prep).

مرغ آب پز شده با پیاز بوی بد نمی‌دهد.

آب پز شده در شیر

— Boiled in milk (rare/specialty).

ماهی آب پز شده در شیر بسیار نرم است.

Idioms & Expressions

"مثل سیب‌زمینی آب پز"

— To be like a boiled potato; used to describe someone who is dull, soft, or lacks energy.

چرا مثل سیب‌زمینی آب پز نشستی؟

Informal/Slang
"مغزش آب پز شده"

— His/her brain is boiled; used when someone is exhausted from heat or overthinking.

از بس درس خواندم مغزم آب پز شده.

Informal
"آب پز شدن در گرما"

— To be 'boiled' in the heat; used when the weather is extremely hot.

توی این آفتاب آب پز شدیم!

Informal
"تخم‌مرغ دزد شتر دزد می‌شود"

— Someone who steals a boiled egg will eventually steal a camel (starts small, ends big).

مراقب باش، تخم‌مرغ دزد شتر دزد می‌شود.

Proverb
"آب در هاون کوبیدن"

— To pound water in a mortar (futile effort), related to the 'water' theme.

نصیحت کردن او مثل آب در هاون کوبیدن است.

Idiomatic
"آب پز شده در روغن خودش"

— To be boiled in one's own oil (suffering from one's own actions).

او دارد در روغن خودش آب پز می‌شود.

Literary
"مثل تخم‌مرغ آب پز پوست کندن"

— To peel someone like a boiled egg (to expose or defeat easily).

در مسابقه او را مثل تخم‌مرغ آب پز پوست کندم.

Slang
"آب پز کردن وقت"

— To 'boil' time (to waste time or wait for a long time).

ما را اینجا آب پز کردی!

Informal
"دلش آب پز شد"

— His/her heart was boiled (felt great pity).

با دیدن آن بچه دلم آب پز شد.

Informal
"آب پز شده در بدبختی"

— Boiled in misery (deeply involved in trouble).

او در بدبختی‌هایش آب پز شده است.

Metaphorical

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

Related

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine an 'Ab' (A Big) pot of water where you 'Paz' (Pass) the food to make it 'Shodeh' (Show-ready/Finished).

Visual Association

Picture a blue 'Ab' (water) splashing onto a 'Paz' (pizza - just for the sound) that is 'Shodeh' (shining) because it's clean and boiled.

Word Web

Ab (Water) Paz (Cook) Shodeh (Become) Tokhm-e morgh (Egg) Sib-zamini (Potato) Salemat (Health) Rejim (Diet) Ashpazkhaneh (Kitchen)

Challenge

Try to name three things in your kitchen right now that could be 'Ab paz shodeh' and say them out loud using the Ezafe.

Word Origin

The term is a modern Persian compound. 'Ab' comes from Old Persian 'ap', meaning water. 'Paz' is the present stem of 'pokhtan', which traces back to Proto-Indo-European roots related to cooking. 'Shodeh' is the past participle of 'shodan', which originally meant 'to go' but evolved to mean 'to become'.

Original meaning: Literally 'having become water-cooked'.

Indo-European -> Indo-Iranian -> Iranian -> Western Iranian -> Modern Persian.

Cultural Context

No specific sensitivities; it is a neutral culinary term.

English speakers use 'boiled' broadly, but Persian distinguishes between 'boiling a liquid' (joushandan) and 'boiling a solid food' (ab paz kardan).

Traditional 'Labi' street vendors in Tehran. The use of boiled eggs in 'Salad Olivieh' (Iranian Potato Salad). Medical advice in Avicenna's 'Canon of Medicine' regarding boiled meats.
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