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A2 noun 7 min read

استکان

estekān
Examples استکان in 30 Seconds
Explanation استکان in your Level:
At the A1 level, you only need to know that 'estakān' means a small glass for tea. It is one of the first household objects you will learn. You will use it in very simple sentences like 'I have a glass' (Man yek estakān dāram) or 'This is a glass' (In yek estakān ast). You will mostly hear it when someone offers you tea. Focus on the pronunciation and the fact that it is different from 'livān' (water glass). You don't need to worry about complex grammar; just treat it as a basic noun for an object you see every day in an Iranian home. It is a vital word for survival Persian because tea is offered everywhere.
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At the A2 level, you should be able to use 'estakān' with numbers and basic adjectives. For example, 'do estakān chāy' (two glasses of tea). Remember that in Persian, the noun stays singular after a number. You should also be able to use it with simple verbs like 'shostan' (to wash) or 'āvardan' (to bring). You might say 'Estakān-hā ro biār' (Bring the glasses). At this level, you start to understand the cultural difference between an 'estakān' and a 'fenjān' (cup). You can describe the glass simply, such as 'estakān-e dāgh' (hot glass) or 'estakān-e khāli' (empty glass).
At the B1 level, you can use 'estakān' in more descriptive contexts and understand its role in hospitality. You might talk about the 'estakān-e kamar-barik' (thin-waisted glass) and why it is traditional. You can use it in sentences involving 'Ezafe' constructions more fluently, such as 'estakān-e chāy-e mādar-bozorg' (grandmother's tea glass). You should also be comfortable using it in the plural and with different prepositions, such as 'dar estakān chāy rikhtan' (pouring tea into the glass). You begin to notice the word in social settings and can participate in basic conversations about tea culture.
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At the B2 level, you understand the nuances of the word 'estakān' in various registers. You can use it in idiomatic expressions or understand when it is used metaphorically in literature to represent home and warmth. You are aware of the Russian etymology and how it reflects Iran's history. You can discuss the aesthetics of the glass, such as its 'shaffāfiyat' (transparency) and how it affects the tea-drinking experience. You can also handle more complex grammatical structures, like 'estakāni ke ruye miz bud shekast' (the glass that was on the table broke).
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At the C1 level, your use of 'estakān' is indistinguishable from a native speaker. You understand its place in the broader 'ta'ārof' (Persian etiquette) system. You know that offering a 'stakan-e chay' is a subtle way to start or end a social interaction. You can read literature or watch films where the 'estakān' is used as a symbol and discuss its significance. You are also aware of regional variations in the word or its usage and can use it in formal, informal, and even poetic registers with ease. You might use it in complex sentences about the sensory experience of tea culture.
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At the C2 level, you have a deep mastery of the word 'estakān' and its cultural baggage. You can provide detailed etymological explanations, discuss the history of glassmaking in Iran in relation to tea culture, and analyze the word's appearance in classical or modern Persian poetry. You understand the most obscure idioms and can use the word with perfect precision in any context, whether you are writing a technical piece on Persian crafts or a sentimental essay about childhood. The word is no longer just a vocabulary item but a part of your cultural intuition.
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Examples

استکان in 30 Seconds

  • Estakān is the Persian word for a small tea glass, essential for Iranian hospitality and daily tea rituals.
  • It differs from 'livān' (large glass) and 'fenjān' (cup) by its size and specific use for tea.
  • The word is a Russian loanword, reflecting historical trade and cultural exchange between the two regions.
  • Traditional versions are 'kamar-barik' (thin-waisted) to showcase the tea's color and maintain temperature.

The word استکان (estakān) is a quintessential term in the Iranian culinary and social landscape, referring specifically to a small, usually hourglass-shaped glass used for drinking tea. Unlike a standard Western mug or a large drinking glass, the estakān is designed to be held by the rim or the base, and its transparency is vital for appreciating the clarity and deep amber hue of high-quality Persian tea. The term is ubiquitous in daily life, appearing in homes, traditional tea houses (chāykhāneh), and formal receptions. To understand this word is to understand the rhythm of Iranian hospitality, where the offering of a tea-filled estakān is the universal symbol of welcome and friendship.

Cultural Context
In Iran, tea is not just a beverage; it is a ritual. The استکان is the vessel that facilitates this ritual, often accompanied by a saucer (na'lbaki) and sugar cubes (ghand).
Physical Characteristics
A traditional استکان is 'kamar-barik' (thin-waisted), which helps trap the tea leaves at the bottom if brewed traditionally and keeps the tea hot while allowing the rim to cool slightly for sipping.

"مادر برای مهمان‌ها چای را در استکان‌های کمر‌باریک ریخت."

(Mother poured tea into the thin-waisted glasses for the guests.)

When you are invited to an Iranian home, you will almost certainly be offered an estakān of tea. It is polite to accept the first one, even if you only take a few sips. The glass is usually filled nearly to the top, leaving just enough room (about a finger's width) called 'sar-khāli' so you can pick it up without burning your fingers. The sound of a metal spoon stirring sugar in a glass estakān is a nostalgic sound for many Iranians, evoking memories of family gatherings and afternoon breaks. In modern times, while larger mugs are becoming more common for personal use, the estakān remains the standard for formal service and traditional settings.

"یک استکان چای داغ در هوای سرد خیلی می‌چسبد."

(A glass of hot tea is very enjoyable in cold weather.)
Etiquette Tip
Never fill an estakān to the very brim. It makes it impossible to pick up and is considered poor hospitality.

Using the word استکان in a sentence is relatively straightforward as it functions as a standard countable noun. However, there are specific linguistic patterns and classifiers that learners should master to sound more natural. In Persian, when specifying a quantity of tea, the word estakān often acts as a unit of measurement, similar to 'cup' in English. For example, 'two glasses of tea' is expressed as 'do estakān chāy'. Note that the noun following the number and the unit remains singular.

Grammatical Placement
The word استکان usually precedes the liquid it contains, linked by an 'Ezafe' (the short 'e' sound) in formal speech, though in colloquial speech, the Ezafe is often dropped or the structure is simplified.

"لطفاً سه استکان چای بیاورید."

(Please bring three glasses of tea.)

When describing the glass itself, you might use adjectives like 'shishei' (glass/made of glass), 'kamar-barik' (thin-waisted), or 'por' (full). If you are talking about the plural form, it is estakānhā. In a sentence where you are washing dishes, you might say, 'I am washing the glasses' (dāram estakānhā ro mishoram). It is also common to use the word with verbs like 'shekastan' (to break), as these thin glasses are quite fragile.

"این استکان خیلی داغ است، مراقب باش!"

(This glass is very hot, be careful!)
Common Verb Pairings
Common verbs used with estakān include 'por kardan' (to fill), 'khāli kardan' (to empty), 'shostan' (to wash), and 'chidan' (to arrange on a tray).

You will encounter the word استکان most frequently in domestic environments and hospitality sectors. In an Iranian household, the question 'Do you want a glass of tea?' (yek estakān chāy mikhāy?) is perhaps the most common phrase you will hear. It is the background noise of Iranian life. In the bazaar, you will hear the clinking of these glasses as 'Chāy-chi' (tea sellers) move through the crowds with large trays balanced on one hand, delivering tea to shopkeepers.

"در قهوه‌خانه، پیرمردها دور هم نشسته بودند و با استکان‌هایشان چای می‌خوردند."

(In the coffeehouse, the old men were sitting together drinking tea with their glasses.)

Another common place to hear the word is in the kitchen. 'Bring the glasses' (estakānhā ro biār) or 'Where are the glasses?' (estakānhā kojān?) are daily utterances. In restaurants, especially traditional ones that serve 'Dizi' or 'Kebab', the meal is almost always concluded with a tea service, and the waiter will ask how many glasses (chand tā estakān) you need. You might also hear it in literature and cinema, where the estakān often symbolizes the warmth of home or the passage of time during long conversations.

"صدای جینگ‌جینگ استکان‌ها از آشپزخانه می‌آمد."

(The clinking sound of the glasses was coming from the kitchen.)
Atmospheric Usage
In Iranian movies, a close-up of a steaming estakān of tea often signifies a moment of reflection, a deep conversation, or the beginning of a hospitality scene.

The most frequent mistake for English speakers is using the word استکان interchangeably with other vessels like livān or fenjān. While they all hold liquids, their cultural and physical boundaries are quite distinct in Persian. Using 'livān' (a large glass or mug) when you mean a tea glass can sound clumsy or even suggest you want a very large amount of tea, which might be seen as unusual in a formal setting.

Mistake: estakān vs. livān
An estakān is small and specifically for tea. A livān is larger, used for water, juice, or large amounts of milk.
Mistake: estakān vs. fenjān
A fenjān is a cup (usually ceramic with a handle), often used for coffee or in more Westernized tea services. Using estakān for a ceramic coffee cup is incorrect.

"اشتباه: من یک لیوان چای می‌خواهم (اگر منظورتان استکان کوچک است)."

(Mistake: I want a 'livan' of tea - if you mean a small tea glass.)

Another mistake involves the pluralization. While estakānhā is correct, learners often forget that when a number is used (e.g., 'panj estakān'), the noun must remain in the singular form. Saying 'panj estakānhā' is a common grammatical error for beginners. Additionally, pay attention to the pronunciation of the 'e' at the beginning. It's not 'istakan' or 'astakan', but a clear 'e' as in 'egg'.

"درست: دو استکان چای روی میز است."

(Correct: Two glasses of tea are on the table.)

While استکان is the most common word for a tea glass, there are several related terms and alternatives depending on the context, material, and regional dialects. Understanding these nuances will help you navigate different social settings in Iran. For instance, in very traditional or poetic contexts, you might encounter words that describe vessels of a similar nature but with different connotations.

فنجان (Fenjān)
Meaning 'cup', usually made of porcelain or ceramic and featuring a handle. Used for Turkish coffee or Western-style tea.
لیوان (Livān)
A larger glass or mug. While some people drink tea in a 'livān' at home for convenience, it is not the traditional way.
پیاله (Piāleh)
A small bowl or cup without a handle, often used in older literature or for specific types of traditional drinks and soups.

"او چای را در فنجان چینی نوشید."

(He drank the tea in a porcelain cup.)

In some regions, the word 'glass' (borrowed from English) might be used, but it's much less common than estakān. There is also the term 'kamar-barik' which, although an adjective meaning 'thin-waisted', is so closely associated with the estakān that it is often used as a shorthand for the most traditional type of tea glass. When buying a set, you might look for 'dast-e estakān' (a set of six glasses). Understanding these variations allows you to be more precise: use estakān for the classic glass tea experience, fenjān for a more formal ceramic setting, and livān for your morning glass of water.

"من ترجیح می‌دهم چای را در استکان شیشه‌ای بخورم تا رنگش را ببینم."

(I prefer to drink tea in a glass 'estakan' so I can see its color.)

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ɛstæˈkɑːn/
US /ɛstəˈkɑːn/
The stress is typically on the final syllable: es-ta-KĀN.
Common Errors
  • Pronouncing it as 'is-ta-kan' (using an 'i' sound instead of 'e').
  • Stres
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Examples by Level

1

این یک استکان است.

This is a glass.

Simple demonstrative sentence.

2

استکان کجاست؟

Where is the glass?

Question with 'kojāst'.

3

من استکان دارم.

I have a glass.

Verb 'dāshtan' (to have).

4

استکان چای.

A glass of tea.

Basic noun phrase with Ezafe.

5

استکان تمیز است.

The glass is clean.

Adjective 'tamiz'.

6

یک استکان چای، لطفاً.

One glass of tea, please.

Request with 'lotfan'.

7

استکان کوچک است.

The glass is small.

Adjective 'kuchek'.

8

چای در استکان است.

The tea is in the glass.

Preposition 'dar'.

1

دو استکان چای بیاور.

Bring two glasses of tea.

Imperative 'biāvar'.

2

استکان‌ها را بشور.

Wash the glasses.

Plural 'estakānhā' with object marker 'rā'.

3

استکان روی نعلبکی است.

The glass is on the saucer.

Preposition 'ruye'.

4

من استکان را شکستم.

I broke the glass.

Past tense 'shekastam'.

5

استکان خیلی داغ است.

The glass is very hot.

Adverb 'kheyli'.

6

این استکان مال من است.

This glass is mine.

Possessive 'māl-e man'.

7

استکان را پر کن.

Fill the glass.

Compound verb 'por kardan'.

8

استکان‌های زیبا بخریم.

Let's buy beautiful glasses.

Subjunctive 'bekharim'.

1

چای را در استکان‌های کمر‌باریک می‌خورند.

They drink tea in thin-waisted glasses.

Passive-style general statement.

2

مادر استکان‌ها را در سینی چید.

Mother arranged the glasses on the tray.

Verb 'chidan' (to arrange).

3

همیشه یک استکان چای بعد از غذا می‌چسبد.

A glass of tea always hits the spot after a meal.

Idiomatic use of 'chasbidan'.

4

استکان چای از دستم افتاد.

The tea glass fell from my hand.

Compound verb 'oftādan'.

5

او با دقت استکان را پر از چای کرد.

He carefully filled the glass with tea.

Adverbial phrase 'bā deghat'.

6

استکان‌های قدیمی نقش‌های زیبایی دارند.

The old glasses have beautiful patterns.

Adjective 'ghadimi'.

7

چرا استکان چایت را نمی‌خوری؟

Why aren't you drinking your tea glass?

Negative question.

8

او استکان را با یک حبه قند خورد.

He drank the (tea in the) glass with a sugar cube.

Metonymy: using 'estakān' for its contents.

1

صدای جینگ‌جینگ استکان‌ها فضای خانه را پر کرده بود.

The clinking sound of the glasses had filled the house.

Onomatopoeia 'jing-jing'.

2

او با هر استکان چای، داستانی تازه تعریف می‌کرد.

With every glass of tea, he would tell a new story.

Prepositional phrase 'bā har'.

3

استکان‌های کریستال در نور آفتاب می‌درخشیدند.

The crystal glasses were shining in the sunlight.

Verb 'derakhshidan'.

4

در فرهنگ ما، استکان چای نماد دوستی است.

In our culture, a glass of tea is a symbol of friendship.

Abstract noun 'namād'.

5

او استکان خالی را روی میز گذاشت و آهی کشید.

He put the empty glass on the table and sighed.

Sequential actions.

6

برای دم کردن چای خوب، باید استکان‌ها را اول گرم کرد.

To brew good tea, one must first warm the glasses.

Infinitive as 'must'.

7

تعداد استکان‌ها برای تعداد مهمان‌ها کافی نبود.

The number of glasses was not enough for the number of guests.

Noun 'te'dād'.

8

او همیشه چای را در استکان لب‌طلایی می‌نوشید.

She always drank tea in the gold-rimmed glass.

Compound adjective 'lab-talāyi'.

1

لرزش خفیف استکان در سینی، نشان از اضطرابش داشت.

The slight trembling of the glass on the tray showed his anxiety.

Complex subject phrase.

2

خاطرات کودکی‌ام با عطر چای و استکان‌های کمر‌باریک گره خورده است.

My childhood memories are tied to the scent of tea and thin-waisted glasses.

Passive compound verb 'gereh khordan'.

3

او با ظرافت تمام، استکان را از لبه‌اش گرفت.

With total elegance, he picked up the glass by its rim.

Noun 'zarāfat' (elegance).

4

در اشعار معاصر، استکان چای گاهی استعاره‌ای از تنهایی است.

In contemporary poetry, a glass of tea is sometimes a metaphor for loneliness.

Literary terminology 'este'āreh'.

5

بخار ملایمی که از استکان برمی‌خاست، صورتش را پوشانده بود.

The gentle steam rising from the glass had covered her face.

Relative clause.

6

او استکان را تا نیمه پر کرد تا جا برای قند باشد.

He filled the glass halfway to leave room for the sugar.

Purpose clause 'tā'.

7

شفافیت استکان اجازه می‌داد رنگ یاقوتی چای خودنمایی کند.

The transparency of the glass allowed the ruby color of the tea to show off.

Verb 'khod-namāyi kardan'.

8

او استکان‌های چای را به نشانه‌ی صلح روی میز چید.

He arranged the tea glasses on the table as a sign of peace.

Prepositional phrase 'be neshāneye'.

1

واژه‌ی استکان، وام‌واژه‌ای است که از مسیر تعاملات تجاری با روسیه به زبان ما راه یافته است.

The word 'estakan' is a loanword that found its way into our language through trade interactions with Russia.

Linguistic terminology 'vām-vāzheh'.

2

تقابل میان استکان‌های سنتی و لیوان‌های مدرن، گویای تغییر در سبک زندگی است.

The contrast between traditional glasses and modern mugs speaks of a change in lifestyle.

Abstract noun 'taghābol'.

3

او با نگاهی فیلسوفانه به استکان چایش، به گذر زمان می‌اندیشید.

With a philosophical look at his tea glass, he thought about the passage of time.

Adverbial 'bā negāhi...'

4

ظرافت ساخت استکان‌های شاه‌عباسی، اوج هنر شیشه‌گری آن دوران را نشان می‌دهد.

The delicacy of the Shah Abbasi glasses shows the peak of glassmaking art of that era.

Historical reference.

5

او هر استکان را با وسواسی خاص تمیز می‌کرد تا لکه‌ای بر آن نماند.

He cleaned each glass with a particular obsession so that no spot remained.

Noun 'vasvās' (obsession).

6

در این رمان، استکان شکسته نمادی از فروپاشی کانون خانواده است.

In this novel, the broken glass is a symbol of the collapse of the family unit.

Literary analysis.

7

او استکان را به گونه‌ای نگه می‌داشت که گویی گنجینه‌ای گرانبهاست.

He held the glass in a way as if it were a precious treasure.

Conditional 'guyi'.

8

تلالو نور در استکان چای، الهام‌بخش نقاش برای خلق اثر جدیدش شد.

The sparkle of light in the tea glass inspired the painter to create his new work.

Noun 'talālo' (sparkle).

Common Collocations

یک استکان چای
استکان کمر‌باریک
استکان نعلبکی
استکان لب‌پر
استکان شیشه‌ای
استکان کریستال
استکان خالی
استکان پر
دسته استکان
استکان داغ

Common Phrases

استکان را پر کن

— Fill the glass. Used when asking someone to pour more tea.

لطفاً استکانم را پر کن.

استکان را خالی کن

— Empty the glass. Used when cleaning or finishing.

استکان را خالی کن و بشور.

یک استکان چای داغ

— A glass of hot tea. A common comfort phrase.

هیچ چیز مثل یک استکان چای داغ نیست.

استکان نعلبکی چیدن

— To arrange the tea set. Refers to preparing for guests.

دارم استکان نعلبکی می‌چینم.

استکان لب‌طلایی

— Gold-rimmed glass. Refers to fancy or traditional sets.

استکان‌های لب‌طلایی را برای مهمان بگذار.

استکان کمر‌باریک

— Thin-waisted glass. The most traditional shape.

چای در استکان کمر‌باریک خوشمزه‌تر است.

صدای استکان

— The sound of the glass. Often used to describe a lively kitchen.

صدای استکان‌ها می‌آید.

استکان چای قند‌پهلو

— A glass of tea served with sugar cubes on the side.

یک استکان چای قند‌پهلو بیار.

استکان را سر کشیدن

— To drink the whole glass in one go.

استکان را سر کشید و رفت.

استکان شکستن

— To break a glass. Often followed by 'ghazā o balā bud' (it was bad luck leaving).

استکان شکست، فدای سرت.

Idioms & Expressions

"توی استکان آب خوردن"

— To do something very easily (like drinking water in a glass).

این کار مثل توی استکان آب خوردن است.

Informal
"استکان نعلبکی بودن"

— To be inseparable or a perfect pair (like a glass and its saucer).

این دو نفر مثل استکان نعلبکی هستند.

Informal
"یک استکان چای خوردن و رفتن"

— To stay for a very short time.

فقط آمد یک استکان چای خورد و رفت.

Neutral
"در استکان غرق شدن"

— To be overwhelmed by something small.

او در یک استکان آب غرق می‌شود.

Informal
"استکان را تا ته خوردن"

— To finish something completely.

او استکان زندگی را تا ته خورده است.

Poetic
"صدای استکان درآوردن"

— To make a fuss or start a conversation.

نمی‌خواست صدای استکان‌ها دربیاید.

Informal
"استکان گرداندن"

— To pass tea around in a circle.

در مجلس استکان می‌گرداندند.

Traditional
"لب استکان"

— The very edge of the glass. Used to describe something being very full.

چای تا لب استکان پر بود.

Neutral
"استکان شکستن و صدقه دادن"

— Breaking a glass and giving alms (a superstition to ward off evil).

استکان که شکست، صدقه داد.

Cultural
"چایِ استکان"

— Refers to the quality of tea that is best enjoyed in a glass.

این چای، چایِ استکان است.

Neutral
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