This page in your language
فارسی العربية Deutsch Español Français 日本語 한국어 Português 中文 हिन्दी
A2 noun 8 min read

بعد از ظهر

Examples Notes & Tips بعد از ظهر in 30 Seconds
Explanation بعد از ظهر in your Level:
At the A1 level, you learn 'بعد از ظهر' (ba'd az zohr) as a basic time of day, similar to 'morning' or 'night'. You use it to describe simple activities. For example, 'من بعد از ظهر می‌خوابم' (I sleep in the afternoon). At this stage, you don't need to worry about complex grammar; just remember it means 'afternoon' and usually comes at the start of your sentence. It helps you talk about your daily schedule in a simple way. You should focus on the fact that 'ba'd' means after and 'zohr' means noon. This is one of the first 500 words you should learn because it is essential for telling time and making plans. You will often see it paired with 'ghabl az zohr' (morning).
Sign up free to read full explanation
At the A2 level, you begin to use 'بعد از ظهر' in more structured sentences with specific days. You learn to use the Ezafe (the -e link) to say things like 'بعد از ظهرِ شنبه' (Saturday afternoon). You also start to recognize the difference between 'بعد از ظهر' and 'عصر' (late afternoon). You can describe your routine more accurately, using verbs like 'کار کردن' (to work) or 'درس خواندن' (to study). You should also be able to understand simple questions like 'بعد از ظهر چه کار می‌کنی؟' (What are you doing in the afternoon?). At this level, you should also be comfortable using the plural 'بعد از ظهرها' to talk about things you do every day.
At the B1 level, you use 'بعد از ظهر' to discuss more complex schedules and social arrangements. You understand the cultural context of the afternoon in Iran, such as the closing of shops and the importance of tea time. You can use the term in the past and future tenses more fluidly. For example, 'قرار بود بعد از ظهر همدیگر را ببینیم' (We were supposed to see each other in the afternoon). You also start to encounter the more formal 'پس از ظهر' in reading materials. You can write short paragraphs about your typical afternoon and compare it to the afternoons in other cultures. You are also more aware of the correct pronunciation of the 'zohr' part, ensuring the 'h' is audible.
Sign up free to read full explanation
At the B2 level, you are expected to use 'بعد از ظهر' with nuance. You can distinguish between formal and informal registers. You might use 'بعد از ظهر' in a work report and 'عصر' in a casual text to a friend. You understand more complex sentence structures, such as using the phrase as a subject: 'بعد از ظهرِ امروز بسیار گرم بود' (Today's afternoon was very hot). You can also use it in conditional sentences: 'اگر بعد از ظهر وقت داشتی، به من زنگ بزن' (If you had time in the afternoon, call me). Your vocabulary is broad enough to use related idioms and collocations effortlessly. You can follow news broadcasts that use this term in the context of events or scheduling.
Sign up free to read full explanation
At the C1 level, 'بعد از ظهر' is a word you use with total precision and stylistic variation. You might use the literary 'پس از ظهر' in creative writing or formal speeches to add a specific tone. You understand the historical and etymological roots of the word. You can discuss the sociological aspects of the 'afternoon' in Persian-speaking societies, such as the impact of climate on work hours. You are able to interpret the word in classical and modern poetry where it might carry symbolic weight, representing a transition or a certain mood. You can also handle the word in fast-paced, complex debates or high-level professional environments without hesitation.
Sign up free to read full explanation
At the C2 level, you have a masterly command of 'بعد از ظهر' and all its synonyms and related concepts. You can use the term to discuss philosophical concepts of time or in deep literary analysis. You are aware of regional variations in how the afternoon is perceived and discussed across the Persian-speaking world (Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan). You can write sophisticated essays where the concept of the afternoon is used as a setting or a metaphor. Your use of the word is indistinguishable from a highly educated native speaker, incorporating it into complex rhetorical structures and using it to convey subtle shades of meaning that only an advanced user would grasp.
Sign up free to read full explanation
Examples Notes & Tips

بعد از ظهر in 30 Seconds

  • بعد از ظهر means 'afternoon' in Persian, literally translating to 'after noon'.
  • It covers the time from roughly 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM in daily usage.
  • Commonly used without a preposition ('dar') in everyday spoken Persian conversation.
  • Essential for scheduling and distinguishing between the first and second halves of the day.

The Persian term بعد از ظهر (ba'd az zohr) is a foundational temporal expression in the Persian language, literally translating to "after noon." In the rhythmic flow of Iranian daily life, this period represents a significant transition from the peak intensity of the midday sun to the cooling approach of the evening. It is not merely a clock-based designation but a cultural marker that dictates social behavior, business hours, and personal routines. To understand this word, one must look at its components: بعد (ba'd) meaning 'after', از (az) meaning 'from' or 'since', and ظهر (zohr) meaning 'noon'. Together, they form a compound noun that covers the span of time roughly between 12:30 PM and 5:00 PM, though its boundaries are fluid depending on the season.

Literal Decomposition
Ba'd (After) + Az (From) + Zohr (Noon). It specifically identifies the period following the midday prayer (Adhan al-Zuhr) in Islamic tradition, which historically anchored the Persian concept of time.
Temporal Scope
Typically refers to the hours when the sun begins its descent. In Iran, this is often the time for a post-lunch rest or 'siesta' in traditional settings, followed by a return to work or social gatherings in the late afternoon.

When using this term, speakers are often setting appointments or describing their daily schedule. It is slightly more formal than the word عصر (asr), which specifically targets the 'late afternoon' or 'early evening'. If you say you will meet someone بعد از ظهر, you are being broad, whereas 'asr' implies the heat has broken and tea is likely being served. In modern urban centers like Tehran, this period is characterized by a second rush hour as schools let out and the afternoon shift for government offices concludes.

ما معمولاً بعد از ظهرها چای می‌نوشیم.
(We usually drink tea in the afternoons.)

Historically, the division of the day in Persian culture was closely tied to the position of the sun. Ba'd az zohr served as the bridge between the productivity of the morning and the domesticity of the night. In literature, this time of day is often portrayed with a sense of stillness or lethargy, especially during the hot summer months when the streets of many Iranian cities become quiet as people seek shade. Understanding this word requires an appreciation for the 'Qaylulah' or the midday nap, which makes the 'afternoon' a time of rebirth and second energy for the evening festivities.

او تمام بعد از ظهر را مطالعه کرد.
(He studied the whole afternoon.)

Using بعد از ظهر in a sentence requires an understanding of Persian prepositions and time-marking structures. Unlike English, where we often say "in the afternoon," Persian speakers frequently use the phrase as an adverbial of time without a preceding preposition, or they might use در (dar - in) in more formal or written contexts. However, the most natural way to express 'in the afternoon' is simply to state the phrase followed by the action.

As a Time Marker
Placed at the beginning of the sentence for emphasis: "بعد از ظهر، من به بازار می‌روم" (Afternoon, I am going to the bazaar).
Pluralization for Habits
Adding 'ha' (ها) makes it "بعد از ظهرها" (afternoons), indicating a recurring habit or schedule: "بعد از ظهرها ورزش می‌کنم" (I exercise in the afternoons).

Grammatically, it functions as a compound noun. When you want to specify a particular day's afternoon, you use the Ezafe construction (the short 'e' sound linking words). For example, "بعد از ظهرِ دوشنبه" (ba'd az zohr-e doshanbe) means "Monday afternoon." This is a critical structure for learners to master as it allows for precise scheduling. Note that the Ezafe is attached to the final word 'zohr'.

جلسه بعد از ظهرِ امروز لغو شد.
(This afternoon's meeting was cancelled.)

In terms of verb tense, ba'd az zohr is versatile. It can be used with the present continuous to describe current plans, the past for completed actions, or the future for upcoming events. Interestingly, in colloquial Persian, if someone says "می‌بینمت بعد از ظهر" (I'll see you afternoon), the absence of 'in' or 'at' is perfectly standard. It acts as a temporal anchor for the entire clause.

هوا در بعد از ظهر گرم‌تر می‌شود.
(The weather gets warmer in the afternoon.)

You will encounter بعد از ظهر in almost every facet of Iranian life. In media, news anchors use it to report events: "بعد از ظهر امروز انفجاری رخ داد" (An explosion occurred this afternoon). In the professional world, it defines the second half of the workday. Many Iranian businesses close for a few hours in the middle of the day and reopen ba'd az zohr, making this phrase essential for understanding business hours.

Public Announcements
At train stations or airports, departures are often categorized into 'ghabl az zohr' (morning) and 'ba'd az zohr' (afternoon) blocks.
Daily Social Life
Friends arranging to meet for coffee or tea will almost always use this term to narrow down the window of time after the work day's first half ends.

In television and radio, programs are often introduced as "برنامه بعد از ظهر" (Afternoon program). If you are listening to a weather forecast, the meteorologist will distinguish between the temperature in the morning and the ba'd az zohr. It is also a common greeting or part of a greeting in slightly more formal settings, though 'Ruz bekheyr' (Good day) is more common, one might say 'Ba'd az zohretun bekheyr' (Good afternoon to you) in a professional email or broadcast.

اخبار بعد از ظهر ساعت دو پخش می‌شود.
(The afternoon news is broadcast at two o'clock.)

Furthermore, in the education system, many schools in Iran operate in two shifts due to high student populations. A student might be in the "shift-e ba'd az zohr" (afternoon shift), meaning their classes start around 1:00 PM. This is a very common context for parents and students discussing their daily logistics. Hearing this phrase in a school context immediately tells you about the student's entire daily rhythm.

One of the most frequent errors for English speakers is the over-reliance on the preposition 'dar' (in). While "در بعد از ظهر" is grammatically correct, it often sounds stiff or overly formal. Native speakers usually omit the preposition. Another major confusion arises between بعد از ظهر and عصر (asr). While both can translate to 'afternoon', 'asr' usually refers to the time after 4:00 PM until sunset, whereas 'ba'd az zohr' starts right after 12:00 PM.

Misplacing the Ezafe
Learners often forget to add the 'e' sound when linking the phrase to a day. It's "ba'd az zohr-e Jom'e" (Friday afternoon), not "ba'd az zohr Jom'e".
Confusing with 'Ghabl az zohr'
Sometimes learners mix up 'after' (ba'd) and 'before' (ghabl). Remembering 'ba'd' sounds slightly like 'back' (as in further back in the day) or linking it to 'subsequent' can help.

Another mistake is pronunciation, specifically the Arabic letter 'ظ' (Zah) in 'Zohr'. While in Persian it is pronounced like a plain 'z', the following 'h' (He) and 'r' (Re) create a cluster that can be difficult. Learners often drop the 'h', pronouncing it as 'zor', which is incorrect. The 'h' should be a slight breathy sound before the 'r'.

اشتباه: من در بعد از ظهر می‌آیم.
درست: من بعد از ظهر می‌آیم.
(Correct usage usually omits 'dar'.)

Finally, watch out for the pluralization. If you want to say "every afternoon," you don't necessarily need the plural 'ha' if you use the word هر (har - every). You say "هر بعد از ظهر" (every afternoon). Using both "هر" and "ها" (هر بعد از ظهرها) is redundant and incorrect. This is a nuance that separates intermediate learners from beginners.

While بعد از ظهر is the standard term, Persian offers several alternatives depending on the level of formality and the specific time of day being discussed. Understanding these synonyms helps in sounding more like a native speaker and interpreting different literary or social contexts.

عصر (Asr)
The most common alternative. It refers to the 'late afternoon'. While 'ba'd az zohr' starts at 12:01 PM, 'asr' usually starts around 3:30 or 4:00 PM. It is the time for social visits.
پس از ظهر (Pas az zohr)
A more formal, literary version of 'ba'd az zohr'. 'Pas' is the pure Persian (Pahlavi) word for 'after', whereas 'ba'd' is Arabic-derived. You will see this in formal documents or high literature.
نیم‌روز (Nim-ruz)
Literally 'half-day' or 'midday'. While it specifically means noon, it is sometimes used to describe the period around the middle of the day.

In contrast to these, you have قبل از ظهر (ghabl az zohr), which means 'morning' or 'before noon'. Interestingly, Persian doesn't use 'good afternoon' as a primary greeting like English does. Instead, people use 'Ruz Bekheyr' (Good day) or simply 'Salam'. If you want to be very specific about the 'early afternoon' (right after lunch), you might say ظهر (zohr) even if it's 1:30 PM, but ba'd az zohr remains the most accurate catch-all term.

مقایسه: «عصر» صمیمانه‌تر است، اما «بعد از ظهر» دقیق‌تر است.
(Comparison: 'Asr' is more intimate/social, but 'ba'd az zohr' is more precise.)

When writing formally, such as in an academic paper or a legal contract, prefer پس از ظهر. However, in 95% of daily conversations, stick to بعد از ظهر. If you are invited to someone's house for tea, they will likely say "عصر بیا" (Come in the late afternoon/evening), but if you are making a doctor's appointment, the receptionist will say "بعد از ظهر ساعت چهار" (Afternoon at four o'clock).

Fun Fact

The word 'Zohr' is also the name of the second mandatory daily prayer in Islam, which takes place at noon. Thus, the time 'afternoon' is historically defined by the completion of this prayer.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /bæd æz zohɾ/
US /bæd æz zɔːr/
The primary stress is on the last syllable: 'zohr'.
Rhymes With
مهر (Mehr) سپهر (Sepehr) قهر (Ghar) شهر (Shahr) دهر (Dahr) نهر (Nahr) بهر (Bahr) زهر (Zahr)
Common Errors
  • Pronouncing 'zohr' as 'zor' (missing the 'h').
  • Pronouncing 'ba'd' as 'bad' (like the English word), missing the slight glottal stop or vowel quality.
  • Merging 'az' and 'zohr' too much without the distinct 'z' sounds.
  • Stress on 'ba'd' instead of 'zohr'.
  • Over-pronouncing the 'h' in 'zohr' making it sound like a cough.
Sign up free to read full explanation

Examples by Level

1

من بعد از ظهر چای می‌خورم.

I drink tea in the afternoon.

Basic SOV structure. No preposition needed for 'afternoon'.

2

بعد از ظهر هوا خوب است.

The weather is good in the afternoon.

Time marker at the start for emphasis.

3

او بعد از ظهر می‌خوابد.

He/She sleeps in the afternoon.

Simple present tense indicating a habit.

4

ما بعد از ظهر به پارک می‌رویم.

We go to the park in the afternoon.

Plural subject with a destination.

5

کتابخانه بعد از ظهر باز است.

The library is open in the afternoon.

Adjective 'baz' (open) following the time phrase.

6

بعد از ظهر درس می‌خوانم.

I study in the afternoon.

Subject is implied by the verb ending.

7

ساعت سه بعد از ظهر است.

It is three o'clock in the afternoon.

Using the phrase to specify PM time.

8

آنها بعد از ظهر کار می‌کنند.

They work in the afternoon.

Third person plural verb ending.

1

بعد از ظهرِ جمعه به سینما می‌رویم.

We go to the cinema on Friday afternoon.

Ezafe (-e) linking 'afternoon' and 'Friday'.

2

من معمولاً بعد از ظهرها ورزش می‌کنم.

I usually exercise in the afternoons.

Plural 'ha' on 'afternoon' to show regularity.

3

او بعد از ظهرِ امروز وقت ندارد.

He doesn't have time this afternoon.

Negative form of 'to have'.

4

کلاس من بعد از ظهر ساعت چهار است.

My class is in the afternoon at four o'clock.

Specifying time within the afternoon.

5

بعد از ظهرِ دیروز باران بارید.

It rained yesterday afternoon.

Past tense 'barid' (rained).

6

می‌توانی بعد از ظهر به من زنگ بزنی؟

Can you call me in the afternoon?

Question form with modal verb 'can'.

7

او تمام بعد از ظهر را در خانه بود.

He was at home the whole afternoon.

Use of 'tamam' (whole/all) + object marker 'ra'.

8

بعد از ظهرِ شنبه بازار شلوغ است.

The bazaar is crowded on Saturday afternoon.

Adjective 'sholugh' (crowded) at the end.

1

برنامه‌ی بعد از ظهر شامل بازدید از موزه است.

The afternoon program includes a visit to the museum.

Compound noun used as a subject with Ezafe.

2

اگر بعد از ظهر باران ببارد، در خانه می‌مانیم.

If it rains in the afternoon, we will stay home.

Conditional 'agar' sentence.

3

او قول داد که بعد از ظهر به من کمک کند.

He promised to help me in the afternoon.

Subjunctive mood 'komak konad' after 'ghol dad'.

4

من ترجیح می‌دهم بعد از ظهرها به پیاده‌روی بروم.

I prefer to go for a walk in the afternoons.

Verb 'tarjih dadan' (to prefer).

5

بعد از ظهرِ گرمی بود و خیابان‌ها خلوت بودند.

It was a hot afternoon and the streets were empty.

Descriptive past tense with adjectives.

6

آیا شما در بعد از ظهرِ روز دوشنبه جلسه دارید؟

Do you have a meeting on Monday afternoon?

Formal question structure with 'dar'.

7

بچه‌ها بعد از ظهر در حیاط بازی می‌کردند.

The children were playing in the yard in the afternoon.

Past continuous tense 'bazi mikardand'.

8

فروشگاه از ساعت دو بعد از ظهر باز می‌شود.

The store opens from two o'clock in the afternoon.

Preposition 'az' (from) indicating start time.

1

گزارش نهایی باید تا بعد از ظهرِ فردا آماده شود.

The final report must be ready by tomorrow afternoon.

Passive voice 'amade shavad' and deadline 'ta'.

2

ترافیکِ بعد از ظهر در تهران بسیار سنگین است.

Afternoon traffic in Tehran is very heavy.

Complex noun phrase as subject.

3

او تمامِ بعد از ظهر را صرفِ مطالعه‌ی تاریخ کرد.

He spent the entire afternoon studying history.

Verb 'sarf kardan' (to spend/consume).

4

نورِ بعد از ظهر برای عکاسی بسیار مناسب است.

The afternoon light is very suitable for photography.

Abstract noun 'nur' (light) linked by Ezafe.

5

ما قصد داریم بعد از ظهرِ امروز به عیادتِ او برویم.

We intend to visit him this afternoon.

Verb 'ghasd dashtan' (to intend).

6

بعد از ظهرِ دلگیری بود و آسمان ابری به نظر می‌رسید.

It was a gloomy afternoon and the sky looked cloudy.

Advanced adjective 'delgir' (gloomy/melancholy).

7

کنفرانس در دو بخشِ قبل و بعد از ظهر برگزار شد.

The conference was held in two parts: morning and afternoon.

Parallel structure 'ghabl va ba'd'.

8

او معمولاً بعد از ظهرها را به باغبانی اختصاص می‌دهد.

He usually dedicates his afternoons to gardening.

Verb 'ekhtesas dadan' (to dedicate).

1

سکوتِ بعد از ظهرِ روستا با صدای پرندگان شکسته شد.

The silence of the village afternoon was broken by the sound of birds.

Passive construction with complex Ezafe chain.

2

او در نوشته‌هایش به توصیفِ دقیقِ فضای بعد از ظهر می‌پردازد.

In his writings, he deals with the precise description of the afternoon atmosphere.

Verb 'be ... pardakhtan' (to engage in/deal with).

3

سایه‌های بلندِ بعد از ظهر نشان از نزدیکیِ غروب داشتند.

The long afternoon shadows signaled the approach of sunset.

Metaphorical use of 'neshan dashtan'.

4

بعد از ظهرِ آن روزِ کذایی، زندگیِ او برای همیشه تغییر کرد.

On the afternoon of that fateful day, his life changed forever.

Use of 'kazayi' (fateful/infamous) for emphasis.

5

تجربه‌ی یک بعد از ظهرِ آرام در کنارِ دریا بی‌نظیر است.

The experience of a peaceful afternoon by the sea is unique.

Gerund 'tajrobe' as subject.

6

او تمام بعد از ظهر را در فکرِ حلِ این مسئله‌ی پیچیده بود.

He was thinking about solving this complex problem all afternoon.

Prepositional phrase 'dar fekr-e' (thinking about).

7

بعد از ظهرِ پاییزی با بوی برگ‌های سوخته همراه بود.

The autumn afternoon was accompanied by the smell of burning leaves.

Descriptive Ezafe with seasonal noun.

8

نشستِ تخصصی بعد از ظهر به بررسیِ ابعادِ اقتصادی طرح پرداخت.

The afternoon's specialized meeting examined the economic dimensions of the plan.

Formal academic/business register.

1

در پس‌زمینه‌ی آن بعد از ظهرِ مه‌آلود، خاطراتِ قدیمی جان گرفتند.

Against the backdrop of that misty afternoon, old memories came to life.

Highly literary 'pas-zamineh' and 'jan gereftan'.

2

کششِ بی‌پایانِ بعد از ظهر در اشعارِ او نمادی از انتظار است.

The endless stretch of the afternoon in his poems is a symbol of waiting.

Symbolic and abstract usage.

3

او با ظرافتی خاص، نورِ گذرای بعد از ظهر را بر بومِ نقاشی ثبت کرد.

With a particular delicacy, he captured the fleeting afternoon light on the canvas.

Adverbial phrase 'ba zarafati khass'.

4

بعد از ظهرِ آن واقعه، شهر در بهتی عظیم فرو رفته بود.

After the afternoon of that event, the city had sunk into a massive stupor.

Pluperfect tense 'foru rafte bud'.

5

تلاقیِ کار و تفریح در بعد از ظهر، ویژگیِ بارزِ این سبکِ زندگی است.

The intersection of work and leisure in the afternoon is a prominent feature of this lifestyle.

Abstract noun 'talaghi' (intersection/confluence).

6

او از آن بعد از ظهرِ سرنوشت‌ساز به عنوانِ نقطه‌ی عطفِ زندگی‌اش یاد می‌کند.

He recalls that fateful afternoon as the turning point of his life.

Verb 'yad kardan' (to recall/mention).

7

ملالِ بعد از ظهر در آثارِ داستانیِ مدرن به کرات دیده می‌شود.

Afternoon boredom/ennui is frequently seen in modern fictional works.

Use of 'malal' (ennui) and 'be karrat' (frequently).

8

هر بعد از ظهر، گویی زمان در این کوچه‌های قدیمی متوقف می‌شود.

Every afternoon, it's as if time stands still in these old alleys.

Conjunction 'gu'i' (as if).

Common Collocations

تمامِ بعد از ظهر
یک بعد از ظهرِ آرام
بعد از ظهرِ گرم
خوابِ بعد از ظهر
چایِ بعد از ظهر
بعد از ظهرِ امروز
بعد از ظهرِ جمعه
شیفتِ بعد از ظهر
برنامه‌ی بعد از ظهر
نورِ بعد از ظهر

Common Phrases

بعد از ظهر بخیر

— Good afternoon. Used in formal greetings or broadcasts.

بعد از ظهر بخیر شنوندگان عزیز.

تا بعد از ظهر

— Until the afternoon. Setting a deadline.

تا بعد از ظهر صبر کن.

از بعد از ظهر

— Since the afternoon. Indicating a starting point.

از بعد از ظهر باران می‌بارد.

هر بعد از ظهر

— Every afternoon. Indicating frequency.

هر بعد از ظهر پیاده‌روی می‌کنم.

دیروز بعد از ظهر

— Yesterday afternoon.

دیروز بعد از ظهر کجا بودی؟

فردا بعد از ظهر

— Tomorrow afternoon.

فردا بعد از ظهر می‌بینمت.

یک بعد از ظهرِ زیبا

— A beautiful afternoon.

یک بعد از ظهرِ زیبا را سپری کردیم.

بعد از ظهرِ تعطیل

— A holiday/day-off afternoon.

بعد از ظهرِ تعطیل در پارک بودیم.

وسطِ بعد از ظهر

— In the middle of the afternoon.

وسطِ بعد از ظهر خسته شدم.

آخرِ بعد از ظهر

— Late afternoon (approaching evening).

آخرِ بعد از ظهر به خانه می‌رسم.

Idioms & Expressions

"بعد از ظهرِ جمعه"

— Metaphor for a feeling of sadness, loneliness, or stagnation (since Friday is the weekend in Iran).

دلم مثل بعد از ظهرِ جمعه گرفته است.

Colloquial/Poetic
"خوابِ بعد از ظهر"

— Can imply laziness if used in certain contexts, but usually just refers to the nap culture.

باز هم که در خوابِ بعد از ظهر هستی!

Informal
"آفتابِ بعد از ظهر"

— Referring to something that is still intense even when it's supposed to be ending.

عشقش مثل آفتابِ بعد از ظهر سوزان است.

Poetic
"کارِ بعد از ظهر"

— Often refers to a second job or extra work.

دنبالِ یک کارِ بعد از ظهر می‌گردم.

Neutral
"نشستِ بعد از ظهر"

— Often implies a less productive or sleepier meeting.

نشستِ بعد از ظهر همیشه کسل‌کننده است.

Informal
"سایه‌ی بعد از ظهر"

— Refers to the end of a period or getting older.

در سایه‌ی بعد از ظهرِ زندگی‌اش است.

Literary
"هوای بعد از ظهر"

— Can refer to a change in mood or atmosphere.

هوای بعد از ظهرِ اینجا فرق دارد.

Neutral
"چای و بعد از ظهر"

— The quintessential pairing of leisure.

بعد از ظهر بدون چای نمی‌شود.

Informal
"بعد از ظهرِ کش‌دار"

— A very long, boring afternoon.

چه بعد از ظهرِ کش‌داری بود!

Informal
"وقتِ بعد از ظهر"

— Refers to free time after work.

وقتِ بعد از ظهر را به خودم اختصاص می‌دهم.

Neutral

Word Family

Nouns

ظهر (Noon)
ظهرانه (Noon-related/Lunch)
پس‌ازظهر (Afternoon - formal)

Adjectives

ظهرگاهی (Noontime/Afternoon-ish)

Related

صبح (Morning)
عصر (Late afternoon)
غروب (Sunset)
شب (Night)
نیم‌روز (Midday)
Sign up free to see all examples

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Bad' (ba'd) as 'Back'—it's the time when you are 'back' from lunch, and 'Zohr' sounds like 'Solar' (noon sun). So, 'Back from Solar' = Afternoon.

Visual Association

Imagine a clock at 1:00 PM with a steaming cup of Persian tea next to it. The steam forms the letters 'بعد از ظهر'.

Word Web

Time Noon Tea Nap Schedule Sun PM Work

Challenge

Try to describe three things you do every 'بعد از ظهر' using the plural form 'بعد از ظهرها'.

Word Origin

The phrase is a combination of Arabic and Persian elements. 'Ba'd' (بعد) is Arabic for 'after'. 'Az' (از) is a Middle Persian preposition meaning 'from/than'. 'Zohr' (ظهر) is Arabic for 'noon/back'.

Original meaning: Literally 'after the noon'. The word 'Zohr' in Arabic also relates to the 'back' or 'midday' when the sun is at its peak.

Indo-European (Persian) with Semitic (Arabic) loanwords.

Cultural Context

None. This is a neutral temporal term.

Unlike the English 'Good afternoon' which is a standard greeting, Iranians use it less frequently as a greeting, preferring 'Salam' or 'Ruz Bekheyr'.

The song 'Jom'eh' by Farhad, which captures the 'Friday Afternoon' mood. Modern Persian poetry often uses the afternoon sun as a metaphor for fading glory. Iranian cinema often uses the quiet afternoon streets to depict suspense or loneliness.
Sign up free for tips & notes

Related Content

Was this helpful?

Comments (0)

Login to Comment
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!