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امتحان شفاهی

B2 noun 7 min read

امتحان شفاهی

emtehan-e shefahi

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips امتحان شفاهی in 30 Seconds

Explanation امتحان شفاهی in your Level:

At the A1 level, you just need to know that 'امتحان' (emtehān) means 'test' and 'شفاهی' (shafāhī) means 'speaking' or 'oral'. In a beginner's class, your teacher might say, 'Today we have an oral exam.' You should be able to recognize this word and understand that you need to speak rather than write. It is usually used in simple sentences like 'I have a test' (Man emtehān dāram). The word 'shafahi' might be new, but you can remember it by thinking of 'speaking'. This is a basic noun phrase you will hear in any school or language center. Don't worry about complex grammar yet; just focus on the fact that 'shafahi' relates to your mouth and talking.

At the A2 level, you start to use 'امتحان شفاهی' in more complete sentences. You should know the difference between 'emtehān dādan' (to take a test) and 'emtehān gereftan' (to give a test). For example, 'Fardā emtehān-e shafāhī dārim' (We have an oral exam tomorrow). You might also start to describe the exam, like 'emtehān-e shafāhī-ye āsān' (an easy oral exam). At this level, you are expected to understand that this is a specific type of test where the teacher asks you questions and you answer out loud. It is common in language classes where you have to practice your speaking skills. You might also hear it in the context of a driving test or a simple classroom quiz.

At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using 'امتحان شفاهی' in various tenses and contexts. You understand that this term is formal and used in educational settings. You can describe your feelings about the exam, such as 'Man az emtehān-e shafāhī mitarsam' (I am afraid of the oral exam). You also begin to see it as part of a larger assessment system, often paired with 'emtehān-e katbi' (written exam). You should be able to talk about the process: 'Ostād az mā emtehān-e shafāhī gereft' (The professor took an oral exam from us). At this stage, your vocabulary is expanding to include related words like 'porsesh' (questioning) and 'pasokh' (answer) in a more structured way.

At the B2 level (your current level), you understand the nuances of 'امتحان شفاهی'. You know it's not just a 'speaking test' but a formal 'oral examination'. You can use it to discuss academic requirements, such as 'Barāye daryāft-e madrak, gozārandan-e emtehān-e shafāhī elzāmī ast' (To receive the degree, passing the oral exam is mandatory). You are aware of the cultural weight it carries in Iran—the stress it causes and the eloquence it requires. You can distinguish it from 'mosahebe' (interview) and use it in complex sentences involving subordinate clauses. You also recognize it in professional settings, like medical or legal boards, and can discuss the pros and cons of oral vs. written testing in Persian.

At the C1 level, you use 'امتحان شفاهی' with academic precision. You might discuss the 'ravāyī' (validity) and 'pāyāyī' (reliability) of oral examinations. You can use the term in high-level discussions about pedagogy, such as 'Erzyābī-ye shafāhī dar dars-hā-ye ensānī mo'asser-tar ast' (Oral assessment is more effective in humanities). You are familiar with the term 'Āzmun-e Jāme' (Comprehensive Exam) for PhD students, which always includes a significant 'shafāhī' component. Your use of the word is natural, and you can employ synonyms like 'moshāfeheh' in very formal or literary contexts. You understand the historical context of oral traditions in Persian education and how they influence modern oral exams.

At the C2 level, you have mastered the term and its place in the Persian linguistic and cultural tapestry. You can analyze the 'emtehān-e shafāhī' as a socio-linguistic phenomenon. You might write or speak about the 'estress-e nāsī az emtehān-e shafāhī' (stress arising from oral exams) in a psychological context. You use the term effortlessly in complex legal, academic, or philosophical debates. You understand that in some traditional contexts, the 'shafāhī' aspect is a test of 'adab' (etiquette) and 'bayān' (rhetoric) as much as knowledge. You can navigate the most formal registers, using 'امتحان شفاهی' as a springboard for discussing broader themes of assessment, meritocracy, and educational philosophy in Iran.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

امتحان شفاهی in 30 Seconds

امتحان شفاهی means an oral exam or speaking test used in formal academic settings.
It is the opposite of 'emtehan-e katbi' (written exam) and requires verbal fluency.
Commonly used with verbs like 'dadan' (to take) and 'gereftan' (to give/administer).
It is a key part of Iranian education, from primary school to doctoral defenses.

The term امتحان شفاهی (emtehān-e shafāhī) is a compound noun phrase in Persian that refers to an 'oral examination' or a 'viva voce.' In the Iranian educational landscape, this is a critical component of assessment, ranging from simple classroom recitations in primary school to rigorous doctoral defenses at the university level. The word امتحان (emtehān) is borrowed from Arabic, meaning 'test' or 'trial,' while شفاهی (shafāhī) is derived from the Arabic root for 'lips' (shafah), indicating that the test is conducted through spoken words rather than writing.

Academic Context: In schools, teachers often conduct 'porsesh-e shafāhī' (oral questioning) at the beginning of each class to ensure students have studied the previous lesson. This builds up to the formal end-of-term oral exams.

Culturally, the امتحان شفاهی is often viewed with more anxiety than written exams because it requires immediate recall, clear articulation, and the ability to handle follow-up questions from an examiner. It is not just about what you know, but how confidently you can express that knowledge in a face-to-face setting. This term is also used in professional certifications, such as the oral portion of a bar exam or a medical board certification.

استاد اعلام کرد که امتحان شفاهی درس ادبیات هفته آینده برگزار می‌شود.

Example: The professor announced that the oral exam for the literature course will be held next week.

Furthermore, the concept of an oral exam in Iran is deeply tied to the tradition of 'moshā'ereh' (poetry recitation competitions) and 'naqqāli' (storytelling), where oral proficiency was a mark of high education. Today, while standardized testing (Konkur) is largely written, the oral exam remains the gold standard for assessing language fluency and rhetorical skills in higher education.

برای قبولی در مقطع دکتری، باید در امتحان شفاهی نمره بالایی کسب کنید.

Social Nuance: Using this term implies a formal setting. For informal verbal testing, one might use 'porsesh-o-pasokh' (Q&A).

To succeed in an امتحان شفاهی, students are often advised to practice 'bayān' (eloquence) and 'e'temād be nafs' (self-confidence). It is a test of character as much as a test of curriculum. In religious seminaries (Hawza), the oral exam is the primary method of assessing a student's mastery of complex theological texts, where they must debate their points with senior clerics.

من از امتحان شفاهی بیشتر از امتحان کتبی می‌ترسم.

Using امتحان شفاهی correctly involves understanding its role as a compound noun. It usually functions as the object of verbs like 'dāshtan' (to have), 'dādan' (to give/take an exam), or 'gereftan' (to take/administer an exam). Note that in Persian, 'emtehān dādan' is used by the student (to take the test), while 'emtehān gereftan' is used by the teacher (to administer the test).

Verb Pairing: Student: 'Emtehān-e shafāhī dādam' (I took an oral exam). Teacher: 'Emtehān-e shafāhī gereftam' (I gave/proctored an oral exam).

دیروز در امتحان شفاهی فرانسه شرکت کردم و نمره خوبی گرفتم.

When describing the difficulty or nature of the exam, you can add adjectives. For example, 'emtehān-e shafāhī-ye sakht' (a hard oral exam) or 'emtehān-e shafāhī-ye naha'i' (a final oral exam). It is also common to specify the subject matter using the preposition 'dar' (in) or by making an Ezafe construction.

آیا می‌دانید امتحان شفاهی رانندگی چه زمانی برگزار می‌شود؟

In formal writing, you might see it used with the verb 'bargozār kardan' (to hold/conduct). For example, 'Dāneshgāh emtehān-e shafāhī-ye dāneshjuyān rā bargozār kard.' This elevates the register from everyday conversation to official reporting.

Common Prepositions: 'Dar' (In) is the most common: 'Dar emtehān-e shafāhī' (In the oral exam).

او به دلیل استرس زیاد در امتحان شفاهی نتوانست به درستی پاسخ دهد.

Finally, remember that 'shafāhī' can describe other things too, like 'dastur-e shafāhī' (oral command) or 'tavāfoq-e shafāhī' (oral agreement), but its most frequent partner in an educational context is 'emtehān'.

You will encounter امتحان شفاهی most frequently in academic environments. If you are a student in Iran or studying Persian, your teachers will use this term to describe the speaking portion of your language assessment. It's a staple of the 'Payān-term' (final exams) season.

صدای ناظم در راهرو پیچید: دانش‌آموزان برای امتحان شفاهی آماده شوند.

Beyond schools, you'll hear it in government offices regarding certifications. For instance, when applying for a specialized work permit or a high-level government position, candidates often go through an 'emtehān-e shafāhī-ye aqā'ed' (an oral exam on beliefs/ideology) or a technical oral board.

In Persian cinema and literature, the امتحان شفاهی is often a trope for a high-pressure moment. A protagonist might be shown sweating in front of a panel of stern professors, symbolizing their transition into adulthood or their struggle against authority. In religious contexts, such as a 'Hawza' (seminary), the 'emtehān-e shafāhī' is a public event where a student's logic and memory are tested before their peers.

Daily Life: Parents asking their children: 'Emtehān-e shafāhī-to chekār kardī?' (How did you do on your oral exam?)

برنامه‌ی امتحانات شفاهی روی تابلوی اعلانات نصب شده است.

Lastly, in the context of international exams like IELTS or TOEFL, Persian speakers will refer to the 'Speaking' section as the 'qesmat-e shafāhī' or 'emtehān-e shafāhī'. It is the standard way to translate 'oral' in any formal testing scenario.

One of the most common mistakes learners make is confusing امتحان شفاهی with مصاحبه (mosahebe). While both involve talking, a 'mosahebe' is an interview (like for a job), whereas an 'emtehān shafāhī' is specifically a test based on a curriculum. Don't say 'emtehān-e shafāhī' for a job interview unless there's a formal technical test involved.

Mistake: Confusing Exam with Interview: Incorrect: 'Barāye kār emtehān-e shafāhī dāram.' Correct: 'Barāye kār mosahebe dāram.'

Another error is the pronunciation of 'shafāhī'. Some learners mistakenly say 'shafā'ī' (omitting the 'h'). The 'h' is vital as it connects to the root for 'lip'. Omitting it can make the word sound like 'shafā' (healing), which completely changes the meaning.

اشتباه: امتحان شفایی (Oral Exam - Wrong spelling/pronunciation). درست: امتحان شفاهی.

Grammatically, learners sometimes forget the Ezafe (the short 'e' sound) between 'emtehān' and 'shafāhī'. In Persian, you must say 'emtehān-e shafāhī'. Without the Ezafe, the two words are disconnected and grammatically incorrect.

Mistake: Missing Ezafe: Incorrect: 'Emtehān shafāhī'. Correct: 'Emtehān-e shafāhī'.

Finally, using the wrong verb is a classic pitfall. English speakers often want to say 'tāke an exam' and use 'gereftan'. But in Persian, if you are the student, you 'give' (dādan) the exam. If you say 'emtehān gereftam', people will think you are the teacher who administered the test.

There are several terms related to oral assessment that you should know to sound more like a native speaker. While امتحان شفاهی is the standard formal term, others offer more specific nuances.

پرسش کلاسی (Porsesh-e Kelāsī): Literally 'class questioning'. This is less formal than an exam and usually happens during a regular lesson to check homework or understanding.
دفاعیه (Defā'iyeh): Specifically refers to a thesis defense. While it is an oral exam, it is always called a 'defā'iyeh' in academic circles.

تفاوت بین امتحان شفاهی و مصاحبه در هدف آن‌هاست؛ یکی برای سنجش دانش و دیگری برای سنجش مهارت‌های شغلی.

Another alternative is آزمون شفاهی (āzmun-e shafāhī). 'Āzmun' is more formal and academic than 'emtehān'. You will see 'āzmun' on official documents, national entrance exams, and high-level certifications. 'Emtehān' is more common in daily school talk.

For informal situations, you might hear سین‌جیم (sīn-jīm), which is slang for 'interrogation' or 'intense questioning' (derived from the letters S and J, meaning 'So'āl' and 'Javāb' - Question and Answer). Use this when your parents are grilling you about where you were last night!

Comparison: Oral vs. Written: امتحان شفاهی: Oral, face-to-face, focus on speaking.
امتحان کتبی: Written, paper-based, focus on writing.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The word 'shafahi' is literally 'of the lips'. In old Persian texts, oral transmission was the primary way of keeping poetry and history alive before widespread literacy.

Pronunciation Guide

UK emteˈhɒːne ʃæfɒːˈhiː

US emteˈhɑːne ʃæfɑːˈhiː

The primary stress is on the last syllable of each word: emteHĀN-e shafāHĪ.

Rhymes With

دانایی (dānāyī - knowledge) توانایی (tavānāyī - ability) رهایی (rahāyī - liberation) زیبایی (zībāyī - beauty) تنهایی (tanhāyī - loneliness) تماشایی (tamāshāyī - spectacular) پذیرایی (pazīrāyī - reception) شناسایی (shenāsāyī - identification)

Common Errors

Omitting the 'h' in shafahi, making it sound like 'shafai'.
Mispronouncing the 'e' in 'emtehan' as 'amtehan'.
Forgetting the Ezafe (the connecting 'e' sound).
Stressing the first syllable instead of the last.
Pronouncing 'sh' as 's'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to read if you know the two base words.

Writing 4/5

Requires correct spelling of 'shafahi' with the 'h'.

Speaking 5/5

The 'h' and 'i' sounds at the end can be tricky for beginners.

Listening 3/5

Distinctive enough to recognize in academic contexts.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

امتحان زبان صحبت سوال جواب

Learn Next

کتبی نمره موفقیت استرس دانشگاه

Advanced

ارزیابی صلاحیت دفاعیه جامع آزمون

Grammar to Know

Ezafe Construction

امتحانِ شفاهی (The 'e' connects noun and adjective).

Compound Verbs

امتحان دادن (To take an exam) vs. امتحان گرفتن (To give an exam).

Subjunctive Mood

باید امتحان بدهم (I must take an exam).

Passive Voice

امتحان برگزار شد (The exam was held).

Pluralizing Arabic Loanwords

امتحان -> امتحانات (Adding -at).

Examples by Level

من امروز امتحان شفاهی دارم.

I have an oral exam today.

Simple present tense with 'dāshtan'.

امتحان شفاهی سخت است؟

Is the oral exam hard?

Simple question structure.

او در امتحان شفاهی بیست گرفت.

He got a twenty (perfect score) in the oral exam.

Past tense 'gereftan'.

معلم امتحان شفاهی می‌گیرد.

The teacher is taking/giving an oral exam.

Present continuous sense.

امتحان شفاهی فارسی کجاست؟

Where is the Persian oral exam?

Locative question.

ساعت ده امتحان شفاهی داریم.

We have an oral exam at ten o'clock.

Time expression.

کتاب را برای امتحان شفاهی بخوان.

Read the book for the oral exam.

Imperative mood.

امتحان شفاهی ما تمام شد.

Our oral exam finished.

Past tense 'tamām shodan'.

آیا شما برای امتحان شفاهی آماده هستید؟

Are you ready for the oral exam?

Use of 'āmādeh' (ready).

امتحان شفاهی زبان انگلیسی خیلی āsān بود.

The English oral exam was very easy.

Adjective 'āsān' modifying the noun phrase.

من باید برای امتحان شفاهی زیاد تمرین کنم.

I must practice a lot for the oral exam.

Modal verb 'bāyad' with subjunctive.

استاد در امتحان شفاهی سوالات زیادی پرسید.

The professor asked many questions in the oral exam.

Past tense of 'porsidan'.

امتحان شفاهی معمولاً در کلاس برگزار می‌شود.

The oral exam is usually held in the classroom.

Passive construction 'bargozār mishavad'.

دوست من در امتحان شفاهی غایب بود.

My friend was absent for the oral exam.

Adjective 'ghāyeb' (absent).

نمره امتحان شفاهی من خیلی خوب شد.

My oral exam grade became very good.

Linking verb 'shodan'.

لطفاً برای امتحان شفاهی نوبت بگیرید.

Please take a turn for the oral exam.

Compound verb 'nobat gereftan'.

اگر در امتحان شفاهی قبول نشوی، باید دوباره امتحان بدهی.

If you don't pass the oral exam, you must take it again.

Conditional sentence type 1.

امتحان شفاهی فرصت خوبی برای نشان دادن مهارت‌های کلامی است.

The oral exam is a good opportunity to show verbal skills.

Gerund 'neshān dādan' as part of a phrase.

من ترجیح می‌دهم امتحان کتبی بدهم تا امتحان شفاهی.

I prefer to take a written exam rather than an oral one.

Comparison using 'tarjīh dādan'.

قبل از امتحان شفاهی، کمی آب بخور تا آرام شوی.

Before the oral exam, drink some water to calm down.

Subjunctive 'ārām shavī' for purpose.

او تمام شب را برای امتحان شفاهی درس خوانده بود.

He had studied all night for the oral exam.

Past perfect tense.

امتحان شفاهی شامل ده سوال درباره تاریخ معاصر بود.

The oral exam included ten questions about contemporary history.

Verb 'shāmel budan' (to include).

والدینم از نتیجه امتحان شفاهی من راضی بودند.

My parents were satisfied with my oral exam result.

Adjective 'rāzī' (satisfied).

ما نباید در طول امتحان شفاهی با هم صحبت کنیم.

We shouldn't talk to each other during the oral exam.

Negative modal 'nabāyad'.

موفقیت در امتحان شفاهی مستلزم تسلط کامل بر موضوع درس است.

Success in the oral exam requires complete mastery of the subject matter.

Formal verb 'mostalzem budan'.

بسیاری از دانشجویان از اضطراب ناشی از امتحان شفاهی رنج می‌برند.

Many students suffer from anxiety resulting from the oral exam.

Participial phrase 'nāshī az'.

امتحان شفاهی نهایی در حضور هیئت داوران برگزار خواهد شد.

The final oral exam will be held in the presence of a jury.

Future tense 'bargozār khāhad shod'.

او توانست با اعتماد به نفس بالا، امتحان شفاهی را پشت سر بگذارد.

He was able to pass the oral exam with high self-confidence.

Idiomatic verb 'posht-e sar gozārandan'.

ساختار امتحان شفاهی به گونه‌ای طراحی شده که تفکر انتقادی را بسنجد.

The structure of the oral exam is designed to assess critical thinking.

Passive voice with 'be gūne-ī'.

در برخی رشته‌ها، امتحان شفاهی وزن بیشتری نسبت به امتحان کتبی دارد.

In some fields, the oral exam carries more weight than the written exam.

Comparative 'bishtar az'.

داوطلبان باید نیم ساعت قبل از شروع امتحان شفاهی در محل حضور یابند.

Candidates must be present at the location half an hour before the oral exam starts.

Formal verb 'hozūr yāftan'.

شیوه نمره‌دهی در امتحان شفاهی گاهی اوقات سلیقه‌ای به نظر می‌رسد.

The grading method in the oral exam sometimes seems subjective.

Adjective 'salīqe-ī' (subjective/taste-based).

ارزیابی‌های شفاهی به مثابه ابزاری برای سنجش عمق درک مفاهیم انتزاعی تلقی می‌شوند.

Oral assessments are considered a tool for measuring the depth of understanding of abstract concepts.

Formal construction 'be masābe-ye' (as/like).

چالش اصلی در امتحان شفاهی، حفظ تمرکز در شرایط فشار روانی است.

The main challenge in an oral exam is maintaining focus under psychological pressure.

Noun phrase as the subject.

برخی منتقدان معتقدند که امتحان شفاهی می‌تواند تحت تأثیر سوگیری‌های ناخودآگاه ممتحن قرار گیرد.

Some critics believe that the oral exam can be influenced by the examiner's unconscious biases.

Complex clause with 'mo'taqedand ke'.

امتحان شفاهی دکتری، جامع‌ترین آزمون برای ارزیابی صلاحیت علمی پژوهشگران است.

The doctoral oral exam is the most comprehensive test for assessing the academic competence of researchers.

Superlative 'jāme'-tarīn'.

در این امتحان شفاهی، داوطلب باید از فرضیات رساله خود به صورت مستدل دفاع کند.

In this oral exam, the candidate must defend their thesis hypotheses in a reasoned manner.

Adverbial phrase 'be sūrat-e mostadal'.

پروتکل‌های بهداشتی در جریان برگزاری امتحانات شفاهی به دقت رعایت شد.

Health protocols were strictly observed during the oral exams.

Passive past 're'āyat shod'.

توانایی بداهه‌پردازی یکی از شاخص‌های کلیدی موفقیت در امتحان شفاهی است.

The ability to improvise is one of the key indicators of success in an oral exam.

Compound noun 'bedāhe-pardāzī'.

نتایج امتحان شفاهی بلافاصله پس از شور هیئت ممتحنه اعلام می‌گردد.

The oral exam results are announced immediately after the deliberation of the board of examiners.

Formal present passive 'e'lām migardad'.

تجلی فصاحت و بلاغت در امتحان شفاهی، بازتابی از غنای فرهنگی و زبانی آزمون‌دهنده است.

The manifestation of eloquence and rhetoric in an oral exam is a reflection of the cultural and linguistic richness of the examinee.

Highly formal vocabulary (tajallī, fasāhat, balāghat).

پارادوکس موجود در امتحان شفاهی، تقابل میان دانش محض و توانش ارتباطی است.

The paradox inherent in the oral exam is the confrontation between pure knowledge and communicative competence.

Philosophical phrasing.

امتحان شفاهی در سنت حوزوی، نه تنها یک آزمون علمی، بلکه یک سلوک تربیتی محسوب می‌شود.

The oral exam in the seminary tradition is considered not just an academic test, but an educational journey/conduct.

Correlative conjunction 'na tanhā... balke'.

واکاوی روان‌شناختی اضطراب در امتحان شفاهی، راهگشای تدوین استراتژی‌های مقابله‌ای نوین است.

Psychological analysis of anxiety in oral exams paves the way for formulating modern coping strategies.

Verbal noun 'vākāvi' (analysis).

عدم تقارن اطلاعاتی میان ممتحن و دانشجو در امتحان شفاهی، می‌تواند به پویایی گفتگو لطمه بزند.

Information asymmetry between the examiner and the student in an oral exam can damage the dynamics of the conversation.

Technical term 'adam-e taqāmon-e ettelā'ātī'.

صراحت لهجه و ایجاز در کلام، از مؤلفه‌های حیاتی برای نیل به درجات عالی در امتحان شفاهی هستند.

Directness of speech and brevity in words are vital components for achieving high grades in an oral exam.

Plural subject with 'az mo'allefe-hā-ye... hastand'.

امتحان شفاهی به مثابه یک کنش متقابل اجتماعی، ابعاد پنهان شخصیت فرد را هویدا می‌سازد.

The oral exam, as a social interaction, reveals the hidden dimensions of an individual's personality.

Literary verb 'hoveydā sākhtan'.

بازنگری در ساختار امتحانات شفاهی با رویکردی هرمنوتیک، می‌تواند افق‌های جدیدی در سنجش آموزشی بگشاید.

Revising the structure of oral exams with a hermeneutic approach can open new horizons in educational assessment.

Complex prepositional phrase 'bā rūykard-e'.

Common Collocations

برگزاری امتحان شفاهی

آمادگی برای امتحان شفاهی

نمره امتحان شفاهی

سوالات امتحان شفاهی

استرس امتحان شفاهی

قبولی در امتحان شفاهی

امتحان شفاهی نهایی

امتحان شفاهی حضوری

امتحان شفاهی آنلاین

ضریب امتحان شفاهی

Common Phrases

امتحان شفاهی دادن

— To take an oral exam (as a student).

من فردا باید امتحان شفاهی بدهم.

امتحان شفاهی گرفتن

— To administer an oral exam (as a teacher).

استاد از همه دانشجویان امتحان شفاهی گرفت.

در امتحان شفاهی رد شدن

— To fail an oral exam.

متأسفانه او در امتحان شفاهی رد شد.

لیست امتحان شفاهی

— The sign-up list or schedule for oral exams.

نام من در لیست امتحان شفاهی نیست.

نوبت امتحان شفاهی

— One's turn to take the oral exam.

نوبت امتحان شفاهی من ساعت ۳ است.

موضوع امتحان شفاهی

— The topic of the oral exam.

موضوع امتحان شفاهی درباره ادبیات کلاسیک است.

داور امتحان شفاهی

— The judge or examiner of an oral exam.

داور امتحان شفاهی بسیار سخت‌گیر بود.

کارت ورود به امتحان شفاهی

— Entry card/permit for the oral exam.

فراموش نکنید کارت ورود به امتحان شفاهی را بیاورید.

امتحان شفاهی متمرکز

— A centralized oral exam held by a main authority.

امتحان شفاهی متمرکز در تهران برگزار می‌شود.

نتیجه امتحان شفاهی

— The result or grade of the oral exam.

نتیجه امتحان شفاهی هفته آینده اعلام می‌شود.

Often Confused With

امتحان شفاهی vs مصاحبه

Interview. Use for jobs; 'emtehan shafahi' is for academic tests.

امتحان شفاهی vs کنفرانس

Presentation. A student speaking to a class, not necessarily a one-on-one test.

امتحان شفاهی vs گفتگو

Conversation. Informal and lacks the 'grading' aspect of an exam.

Idioms & Expressions

"تپق زدن در امتحان"

— To stumble or slip up while speaking during a test.

از شدت استرس در امتحان شفاهی تپق زدم.

Informal

"زبانش بند آمدن"

— To become tongue-tied (often during an oral exam).

وقتی سوال را پرسید، زبانم بند آمد.

Neutral

"مثل بلبل جواب دادن"

— To answer fluently and beautifully (like a nightingale).

او در امتحان شفاهی مثل بلبل جواب می‌داد.

Informal

"از هفت‌خوان رستم گذشتن"

— To pass a very difficult series of tests (like an oral board).

قبولی در این امتحان شفاهی مثل گذشتن از هفت‌خوان رستم است.

Literary

"روسفید شدن"

— To pass with flying colors/be successful.

امیدوارم در امتحان شفاهی روسفید شوی.

Neutral

"آب پاکی را روی دست کسی ریختن"

— To give a final, negative answer (e.g., failing a student).

استاد با نمره امتحان شفاهی، آب پاکی را روی دستم ریخت.

Informal

"با اعتماد به نفس کوه را جابجا کردن"

— To be so confident one can do anything (often said before exams).

با این آمادگی، در امتحان شفاهی کوه را جابجا می‌کنی.

Informal

"عرق ریختن"

— To sweat (metaphorically working hard or literally from stress).

برای این امتحان شفاهی خیلی عرق ریختم.

Neutral

"موش خوردن زبان"

— To be silent when one should speak (Has the cat got your tongue?).

چرا در امتحان شفاهی زبانت را موش خورده بود؟

Informal

"گل کاشته"

— To have done something wonderful (e.g., acing an exam).

در امتحان شفاهی واقعاً گل کاشتی!

Informal

Easily Confused

امتحان شفاهی vs شفایی

Sounds similar to shafahi.

Shafai (شفایی) means 'healing' or 'curative'.

قدرت شفایی این دارو زیاد است.

امتحان شفاهی vs شفعی

Similar root appearance.

Refers to a specific type of prayer or legal right.

حق شفعی در قانون مدنی مطرح است.

امتحان شفاهی vs کتبی

It is the opposite partner.

Katbi means written; Shafahi means oral.

امتحان کتبی در سالن بزرگ برگزار شد.

امتحان شفاهی vs عملی

Both are 'non-written'.

Amali is practical/hands-on; Shafahi is just speaking.

امتحان عملی رانندگی دشوارتر از امتحان شفاهی است.

امتحان شفاهی vs تستی

Common exam type.

Testi is multiple-choice; Shafahi is open speaking.

کنکور یک آزمون تستی است.

Sentence Patterns

من [Subject] امتحان شفاهی دارم.

من فردا امتحان شفاهی دارم.

امتحان شفاهی [Subject] [Adjective] بود.

امتحان شفاهی من خیلی خوب بود.

باید برای امتحان شفاهی [Verb] کنم.

باید برای امتحان شفاهی تمرین کنم.

به دلیل [Reason]، در امتحان شفاهی [Result].

به دلیل استرس، در امتحان شفاهی تپق زدم.

امتحان شفاهی فرصتی است برای [Action].

امتحان شفاهی فرصتی است برای اثبات توانمندی‌ها.

پیچیدگی‌های امتحان شفاهی ناشی از [Cause] است.

پیچیدگی‌های امتحان شفاهی ناشی از تعامل انسانی است.

آیا امتحان شفاهی [Preposition] [Noun] است؟

آیا امتحان شفاهی درباره تاریخ است؟

[Time] امتحان شفاهی داریم.

هفته آینده امتحان شفاهی داریم.

Word Family

Nouns

امتحان (Exam)

ممتحن (Examiner)

امتحان‌گیرنده (Test-taker/Admin)

شفاهی (Orality/Oral nature)

Verbs

امتحان کردن (To test)

امتحان دادن (To take an exam)

امتحان گرفتن (To give an exam)

Adjectives

امتحانی (Experimental/Testing)

شفاهی (Oral)

امتحان‌پس‌داده (Proven/Tested)

مدرسه (School)

دانشگاه (University)

نمره (Grade)

سوال (Question)

پاسخ (Answer)

How to Use It

frequency

High in academic and professional certification contexts.

Common Mistakes

Emtehan shafahi gereftam (as a student) → Emtehan shafahi dadam
In Persian, students 'give' exams and teachers 'take' them.
Emtehan shafai → Emtehan shafahi
The 'h' is missing, which changes the meaning or sounds uneducated.
Mosahebe-ye darsi → Emtehan-e shafahi
Academic tests are 'emtehan', not 'mosahebe' (interview).
Emtehan shafahi-ye katbi → Emtehan-e shafahi
These are opposites; you cannot have a 'written oral exam'.
Missing the Ezafe → Emtehan-e shafahi
The two words must be linked by the 'e' sound.

Tips

The Ezafe

Don't forget the 'e' sound between emtehan and shafahi. It's crucial for correct Persian grammar.

The 'h' sound

Ensure the 'h' in shafahi is audible. It's not 'shafai', but 'shafa-hi'.

Eloquence

In Iran, using 'Adabi' (literary) words in an oral exam can help you get a better grade.

Record yourself

Record your answers on your phone to prepare for the oral format.

Synonyms

Use 'Azmun-e shafahi' in very formal writing instead of 'emtehan'.

Eye Contact

During the exam, maintain polite eye contact with the examiner.

Breathing

Take deep breaths. Oral exams are as much about composure as they are about knowledge.

Structure

Start your answers with a clear 'Yes' or 'No' or a summary sentence.

Root Knowledge

Knowing that 'shafah' means lip helps you remember the word means oral.

Study Groups

Quiz your friends orally. This is the best way to simulate the 'emtehan shafahi' environment.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'EM-TE-HAN' as 'I'M-TO-HAND' (the test is in your hand) and 'SHA-FA-HI' as 'SHE-FA-HE' (She spoke to He). Oral exam is when she speaks to him.

Visual Association

Visualize a pair of lips (shafahi) next to a question mark (?) and a nervous student.

Word Web

Sokhan (Speech) Dahan (Mouth) Ostad (Professor) Dars (Lesson) Stress (Stress) Nomre (Grade) Goftan (To say) Shenidan (To hear)

Challenge

Try to explain your favorite hobby in Persian for 2 minutes. This is your own mini 'emtehan shafahi'!

Word Origin

Borrowed from Arabic. 'Emtehan' comes from the root M-H-N (trial/test). 'Shafahi' comes from the root Sh-F-H (lip).

Original meaning: A trial conducted via the lips.

Semitic (roots) adapted into Indo-European (Persian) grammar.

Cultural Context

Be aware that oral exams can be very stressful for students with social anxiety or speech impediments. In Iran, these are formal and often rigid.

Similar to a 'Viva Voce' in the UK or an 'Oral Defense' in the US.

The movie 'The Salesman' (Forushande) features scenes of academic and social 'questioning'. Iranian poetry often mentions the 'test of love' using the word 'emtehan'. The 'Hafteh-ye Emtehanat' (Exams Week) is a culturally recognized period of high stress.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

University

دفاع از پایان‌نامه
استاد راهنما
نمره قبولی
واحد درسی

School

کارنامه
معلم
همکلاسی
زنگ تفریح

Job Application

مصاحبه فنی
رزومه
استخدام
مهارت

Driving School

آیین‌نامه
افسر
گواهینامه
فرمان

Language School

مکالمه
گرامر
لهجه
فلوئنسی

Conversation Starters

"امتحان شفاهی تو چطور بود؟ (How was your oral exam?)"

"فکر می‌کنی امتحان شفاهی سخت‌تره یا کتبی؟ (Do you think oral exams are harder or written ones?)"

"استاد در امتحان شفاهی چه سوالاتی پرسید؟ (What questions did the professor ask in the oral exam?)"

"چطور برای امتحان شفاهی آماده می‌شی؟ (How do you prepare for an oral exam?)"

"آیا از امتحان شفاهی می‌ترسی؟ (Are you afraid of oral exams?)"

Journal Prompts

تجربه خود را از سخت‌ترین امتحان شفاهی که تا به حال داده‌اید بنویسید. (Write about your experience of the hardest oral exam you've ever taken.)

چرا برخی افراد در امتحان شفاهی اضطراب بیشتری دارند؟ (Why do some people have more anxiety in oral exams?)

مزایا و معایب امتحان شفاهی را با امتحان کتبی مقایسه کنید. (Compare the pros and cons of oral and written exams.)

اگر معلم بودید، چگونه یک امتحان شفاهی عادلانه برگزار می‌کردید؟ (If you were a teacher, how would you conduct a fair oral exam?)

نقش اعتماد به نفس در موفقیت در امتحانات شفاهی چیست؟ (What is the role of self-confidence in success in oral exams?)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

It is an oral exam where you answer questions verbally to an examiner.

Yes, an interview (mosahebe) is for a job, while an emtehan shafahi is for a grade in school.

You say: 'Man emtehan-e shafahi daram'.

No, it can describe anything oral, like 'dastur-e shafahi' (oral order).

The opposite is 'emtehan-e katbi' (written exam).

Very common, especially in language classes and higher education.

No, students 'give' (dadan) the exam. Teachers 'take' (gereftan) it from students.

Practice speaking out loud and summarizing your lessons verbally.

Many find them harder because of the immediate pressure and face-to-face interaction.

It is the Arabic word for 'lip', which is the root of 'shafahi'.