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B1 adverb 9 min read

به مقدار کم

be meghdār-e kam
Examples Notes & Tips به مقدار کم in 30 Seconds
Explanation به مقدار کم in your Level:
At the A1 level, you usually learn the word 'کم' (kam) which means 'little' or 'small'. You might say 'آب کم' (little water). 'به مقدار کم' is a bit more advanced because it uses a preposition 'به' (to/in) and a noun 'مقدار' (amount). Think of it as 'in a small amount'. It's like when you ask for 'just a little' sugar in your tea. At this level, don't worry too much about the grammar; just remember that if you see these three words together, it means 'a small amount'. You might see it on a food package or a simple recipe. It's a useful phrase to recognize so you don't add too much of something! Just remember: 'be' + 'meghdar' + 'kam'.
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At the A2 level, you are starting to form more complete sentences. You can use 'به مقدار کم' to give simple instructions. For example, 'نمک را به مقدار کم اضافه کن' (Add salt in a small amount). You are moving away from just saying 'کم نمک' (little salt) to using the phrase as an adverb to describe *how* you should do something. You should also notice the 'e' sound (ezafe) between 'meqdar' and 'kam'. This is a key part of Persian grammar. This phrase is very common in health tips, like 'Eat sugar in a small amount' (شکر را به مقدار کم بخورید). It helps you sound more polite and specific than just using basic adjectives.
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As a B1 learner, you should use 'به مقدار کم' to express precision. This level is about being able to handle everyday tasks and explain things in more detail. You use this phrase in professional or semi-formal contexts. For instance, if you're explaining a recipe or a medical instruction. It's an adverbial phrase that modifies the verb. You should also be able to distinguish it from its antonym 'به مقدار زیاد' (in a large amount). At this stage, you understand that 'مقدار' refers to uncountable mass nouns. You wouldn't use it for counting people or cars. It's for things like energy, oil, spices, or time (in a technical sense). It adds a layer of 'measured' quality to your speech.
At the B2 level, you use 'به مقدار کم' with confidence in complex sentences and passive voice. For example, 'این ماده باید به مقدار کم در ترکیب استفاده شود' (This substance must be used in a small amount in the mixture). You understand the nuance between this phrase and synonyms like 'اندکی' (literary) or 'جزئی' (minor). You can use it in business or academic settings to describe data or trends, such as 'The price increased by a small amount.' You also recognize that 'مقدار' is an Arabic loanword and that using it provides a certain level of formality ('register') compared to the purely Persian 'کمی'. You are able to use it fluently in discussions about health, science, and the environment.
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At the C1 level, you are sensitive to the stylistic implications of using 'به مقدار کم'. You might choose it specifically to sound objective, clinical, or technical. You can use it in complex argumentative essays or professional reports. You understand its place in the broader 'quantity' vocabulary of Persian, including technical terms like 'دوز' (dose) or 'غلظت' (concentration). You might use it to describe abstract phenomena with precision, such as 'the catalyst affected the reaction in a small amount'. You are also aware of how it functions in formal Persian media (news, documentaries). Your usage is perfectly integrated with complex grammatical structures like subjunctive clauses and relative pronouns.
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At the C2 level, 'به مقدار کم' is just one tool in a vast arsenal of expressions. You use it with native-like precision, often contrasting it with more poetic or archaic terms for rhetorical effect. You understand the historical development of the word 'مقدار' and how it relates to concepts of 'destiny' (qadr) in classical literature, even if the modern usage is purely quantitative. You can use it in legal, medical, or highly specialized scientific discourse without hesitation. You also know when *not* to use it—avoiding it in favor of more evocative language in creative writing, or more succinct language in rapid-fire colloquial speech. Your mastery is total, encompassing both the literal meaning and the social weight of the phrase.
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Examples Notes & Tips

به مقدار کم in 30 Seconds

  • Means 'in a small amount' or 'sparingly'.
  • Used for uncountable substances like liquids or powders.
  • Common in formal instructions, recipes, and medicine.
  • More professional sounding than the basic word 'kami'.
The Persian phrase به مقدار کم (pronounced 'be meqdār-e kam') is a versatile adverbial phrase that translates literally to 'to a small amount' or 'in a slight quantity.' In the landscape of the Persian language, this expression serves as a precise way to describe the volume, degree, or intensity of an action or the presence of a substance. It is composed of three distinct parts: the preposition به (to/in), the noun مقدار (amount/quantity), and the adjective کم (small/little). While simple in its construction, its application ranges from the culinary arts to medical prescriptions and scientific observations.
Formal Usage
In formal writing, reports, or academic papers, this phrase is preferred over more colloquial equivalents like 'کمی' (kami) because it sounds more objective and measurable. It implies a conscious measurement rather than a vague feeling.
Daily Life
In daily life, you might hear this when discussing dietary restrictions or when someone is being cautious about adding an ingredient to a dish. It suggests a level of care and precision.

لطفاً نمک را به مقدار کم به غذا اضافه کنید تا طعم آن خراب نشود.

This phrase is particularly important for B1 learners because it marks the transition from basic adjectives to more complex adverbial structures. Understanding how to use 'meqdār' (an Arabic loanword meaning measure/value) alongside 'kam' allows the speaker to articulate specific instructions. Historically, the word 'مقدار' is derived from the Arabic root 'q-d-r', which relates to power, destiny, and measurement. In Persian, it has become the standard word for 'quantity' in both physical and abstract senses. Furthermore, the use of this phrase often implies a boundary. It isn't just 'a little'; it is 'in a small amount,' suggesting that exceeding this amount might have consequences. For example, in a medical context, taking a potent medicine 'به مقدار کم' is a vital instruction for safety. In environmental discussions, even a 'small amount' of pollution can be critical.
Culinary Context
Persian recipes often use this for potent spices like saffron or black pepper, where the intensity is high and only a fraction is needed.

زعفران را به مقدار کم دم کنید تا عطر آن حفظ شود.

In summary, this phrase is the bridge between simple descriptive language and the nuanced, precise communication required in adult social and professional spheres in Iran.
Using به مقدار کم correctly involves understanding its placement and the grammatical role of the 'ezafe'. As an adverbial phrase, it usually follows the object of the sentence or appears at the end of the clause to modify the verb. It functions similarly to the English 'in small quantities' or 'sparingly'.
Placement Rule
It typically comes after the noun it refers to. For example, 'Sugar (object) + in small amount + add (verb)'.

او شکر را به مقدار کم مصرف می‌کند.

This sentence translates to 'He/She consumes sugar in a small amount.' Note how 'sugar' (shakar) is the direct object, followed by our target phrase. Another common structure is using it with the verb 'وجود داشتن' (to exist/be present).

در این منطقه، طلا به مقدار کم یافت می‌شود.

This means 'In this region, gold is found in small amounts.' Here, the phrase describes the scarcity of the resource. For B1 learners, it is essential to distinguish between 'کم' (little - adjective) and 'به مقدار کم' (in a small amount - adverbial phrase). While you can say 'آب کم' (little water), using 'به مقدار کم' adds a layer of formality and indicates a specific portion of a larger whole.
Instructional Tone
When giving instructions, this phrase is often used with imperative verbs. 'Add this sparingly' becomes 'این را به مقدار کم اضافه کن'.
In more complex sentences, you can use it to describe abstract concepts like time or attention, though it is most frequent with physical substances. For example, 'He paid attention to the details in a small amount' (او به جزئیات به مقدار کم توجه کرد). However, for abstract things, 'کمی' or 'اندکی' are often more natural. Stick to physical quantities, substances, and measurable actions to use 'به مقدار کم' like a native.

این دارو باید به مقدار کم و تحت نظر پزشک مصرف شود.

This sentence demonstrates a passive construction: 'This medicine must be consumed in a small amount and under a doctor's supervision.' The phrase fits perfectly into these structured, serious contexts.
Comparative Use
You can contrast it with 'به مقدار زیاد' (in large amounts) to show a clear difference in proportion.
By mastering these patterns, you move beyond basic survival Persian into the realm of precise, adult communication.
In the real world, به مقدار کم is a staple of specific environments. If you are watching an Iranian cooking show, perhaps featuring the famous chef 'Saman Golriz', you will hear this phrase constantly. Chefs use it to describe the delicate balance of spices.

فلفل سیاه را به مقدار کم بپاشید تا تندی آن غالب نشود.

(Sprinkle black pepper in a small amount so its spiciness doesn't dominate.) This highlights the 'sparingly' aspect of the phrase. Another common location is the pharmacy or doctor's office. Medical professionals use it to ensure patients don't overdose on topical creams or specific oral medications.
Medical Context
'این پماد را به مقدار کم روی پوست بمالید.' (Apply this ointment in a small amount on the skin.)
You will also encounter this in the news, particularly when discussing economic resources or environmental issues. A news anchor might report on the scarcity of water in a particular province: 'آب در این سد به مقدار کم باقی مانده است' (Water remains in this dam in a small amount). In the world of Iranian laboratory science or engineering, this phrase is technical. If a chemist says they added a reagent 'به مقدار کم', they mean a controlled, measured slight quantity.

اسید را به مقدار کم به محلول اضافه کردیم.

This precision is what separates it from 'ye zareh' (a tiny bit), which is much more informal and vague. In literature or formal speeches, it might be used metaphorically, such as having 'a small amount of hope' remaining, though 'اندکی' is more poetic for those situations.
Business/Finance
In stock market reports: 'ارزش سهام به مقدار کم کاهش یافت.' (Stock values decreased by a small amount.)
Finally, in educational settings, teachers use it to guide students. 'این تمرین را به مقدار کم انجام دهید' might mean 'do a small portion of this exercise' (though 'بخشی از' is more common for portions of work). Overall, whenever there is a need for measured, deliberate communication about quantity, this is the phrase you will hear.
One of the most frequent mistakes learners make with به مقدار کم is forgetting the 'ezafe' (-e) between 'مقدار' and 'کم'. Without the ezafe, the phrase sounds disjointed and grammatically incorrect. It must be pronounced 'meqdār-e kam'.
Mistake 1: Omitting the Ezafe
Saying 'be meqdār kam' instead of 'be meqdār-e kam'. The ezafe links the noun 'amount' to its modifier 'small'.
Another common error is using it in highly informal settings where it might sound too 'stiff'. For example, if you are at a friend's house and they ask how much tea you want, saying 'به مقدار کم' might sound like you are a scientist in a lab. In that case, 'کمی' (kami) or 'یک ذره' (ye zareh) is much more natural.

Incorrect: من به مقدار کم چای می‌خواهم. (Too formal for friends)
Correct: من کمی چای می‌خواهم.

A third mistake involves confusion with 'تعداد' (te'dād). 'مقدار' is for uncountable things (like water, sugar, salt, hope, gold), while 'تعداد' is for countable things (like people, books, cars). You should not say 'به مقدار کمِ کتاب' if you mean 'a small number of books'; instead, use 'به تعداد کم'.
Mistake 2: Confusing Amount vs. Number
'مقدار' = Uncountable (Mass). 'تعداد' = Countable (Items). Using 'مقدار' for people is a common slip-up for beginners.
Additionally, some learners try to pluralize it unnecessarily. While 'مقادیر کم' (small amounts) exists, it is used for multiple different batches or types of quantities. For a single instance, always use the singular 'مقدار'.

Incorrect: او مقادیر کم نمک اضافه کرد. (Unless he added different types of salt in different batches).
Correct: او به مقدار کم نمک اضافه کرد.

Lastly, ensure you don't confuse the preposition. It is always 'به' (be), never 'در' (dar) or 'با' (bā) in this specific fixed expression. Saying 'در مقدار کم' is technically understandable but not the standard idiomatic way to express 'in a small amount' in Persian. By avoiding these pitfalls, your Persian will sound much more authentic and precise.
Persian is rich with synonyms for 'a little', and choosing the right one depends entirely on the context and register.
کمی (Kami)
The most common and neutral alternative. It can be used in almost any situation, from 'a little water' to 'a little tired'. It is less formal than 'به مقدار کم'.
اندکی (Andaki)
More literary and poetic. You'll find this in classical poetry or high-end literature. It sounds very elegant. 'اندکی صبر سحر نزدیک است' (A little patience, dawn is near).
یک ذره (Ye Zareh)
Highly informal/colloquial. Literally means 'a speck' or 'an atom'. Used when talking to friends or family. 'یه ذره نمک بده' (Give me a tiny bit of salt).

Comparison:
1. به مقدار کم (Formal/Instructional)
2. کمی (Neutral/Daily)
3. اندکی (Literary/Elegant)
4. یک ذره (Informal/Slang)

Another interesting alternative is جزئی (joz'i), which means 'minor' or 'insignificant'. This is used when the small amount is so small it almost doesn't matter. 'تغییر جزئی' means a 'slight change'. In contrast, if you want to say 'rarely' (a small amount of time/frequency), you would use به ندرت (be nodrat). While 'به مقدار کم' refers to volume, 'به ندرت' refers to frequency.
مختصری (Mokhtasari)
Used for information or time. 'توضیح مختصری' means a 'brief/short explanation'. You wouldn't use 'به مقدار کم' for an explanation.

Context Matters:
- Cooking: به مقدار کم
- Friendship: یه ذره
- Poetry: اندکی
- Time: مدتی کوتاه

Understanding these nuances helps you sound like a native speaker who understands the 'social flavor' of Persian. Choosing 'به مقدار کم' in a recipe or a formal request for medicine shows you have reached a B1 level of linguistic sophistication, moving beyond the 'one size fits all' approach of using 'kami' for everything.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The root of 'meqdār' (Q-D-R) is the same as 'Qadr' (as in Laylat al-Qadr), implying that even a 'small amount' has a specific, destined measure.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /be meɡ.dɒː.ɾe kæm/
US /be meɡ.dɑː.ɾe kæm/
The primary stress is on the last syllable of the phrase: 'kam'. Secondary stress is on the 'dār' of 'meqdār'.
Rhymes With
غم (gham - sadness) دم (dam - breath/moment) نم (nam - moisture) خم (kham - bend) سم (sam - poison) بم (bam - bass/the city Bam) چم (cham - curve) رم (ram - shy/scared)
Common Errors
  • Pronouncing 'meqdār' as 'mekdār' (using 'k' instead of the guttural 'q').
  • Forgetting the ezafe (-e) between 'meqdār' and 'kam'.
  • Making the 'e' in 'be' too long (it should be short).
  • Pronouncing 'kam' like 'calm' (it should be 'k-æ-m' like 'cat').
  • Putting the stress on 'be' instead of the end of the phrase.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to recognize the individual words, but requires understanding the ezafe.

Writing 4/5

Need to remember the 'q' in meqdār and the correct preposition 'be'.

Speaking 5/5

The 'q' sound can be tricky for English speakers, as can the ezafe flow.

Listening 3/5

Clearly audible in formal speech and recipes.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

کم (kam) زیاد (ziyād) به (be) مقدار (meqdār) غذا (ghazā)

Learn Next

به مقدار زیاد (be meqdār-e ziyād) به طور کلی (generally) به تدریج (gradually) به ندرت (rarely) به وفور (abundantly)

Advanced

حداقل (minimum) حداکثر (maximum) تناسب (proportion) غلظت (concentration) توزیع (distribution)
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Examples by Level

1

من شکر را به مقدار کم می‌خورم.

I eat sugar in a small amount.

Simple present tense.

2

آب را به مقدار کم بنوش.

Drink water in a small amount.

Imperative mood.

3

این گل به مقدار کم آب نیاز دارد.

This flower needs a small amount of water.

Subject-Object-Verb order.

4

او نمک را به مقدار کم دوست دارد.

He likes salt in a small amount.

Direct object with 'rā'.

5

به مقدار کم چای بریز.

Pour tea in a small amount.

Instructional use.

6

پنیر را به مقدار کم بخور.

Eat cheese in a small amount.

Imperative.

7

نان به مقدار کم در سفره است.

There is a small amount of bread on the table.

Locative 'dar'.

8

او به مقدار کم حرف می‌زند.

He talks a small amount (quiet person).

Adverbial usage.

1

دکتر گفت نمک را به مقدار کم مصرف کنید.

The doctor said consume salt in a small amount.

Reported speech structure.

2

لطفاً روغن را به مقدار کم در غذا بریزید.

Please pour oil in a small amount into the food.

Polite imperative.

3

در این فصل باران به مقدار کم می‌بارد.

In this season, rain falls in a small amount.

Impersonal verb 'mibārad'.

4

او همیشه به مقدار کم آرایش می‌کند.

She always wears makeup in a small amount.

Frequency adverb 'hamishe'.

5

ما به مقدار کم پول نیاز داریم.

We need a small amount of money.

Compound verb 'niyāz dāshtan'.

6

این دارو را به مقدار کم به کودک بدهید.

Give this medicine in a small amount to the child.

Dative 'be'.

7

من قهوه را به مقدار کم تلخ می‌پسندم.

I prefer coffee a little bitter.

Preference verb 'pasandidan'.

8

او به مقدار کم ورزش می‌کند.

He exercises a small amount.

Adverbial phrase.

1

زعفران را به مقدار کم دم کنید تا خوش‌رنگ شود.

Brew saffron in a small amount so it becomes colorful.

Subjunctive 'shavad'.

2

این گیاه دارویی باید به مقدار کم استفاده شود.

This medicinal plant must be used in a small amount.

Passive voice 'estefāde shavad'.

3

او به مقدار کم از تجربیاتش صحبت کرد.

He spoke a small amount about his experiences.

Prepositional phrase 'az tajrobiyātash'.

4

در این آزمایش، اسید به مقدار کم اضافه شد.

In this experiment, acid was added in a small amount.

Past passive.

5

باید به مقدار کم به دیگران اعتماد کرد.

One must trust others in a small amount (cautiously).

Modal 'bāyad'.

6

او به مقدار کم در جلسات شرکت می‌کند.

He participates in meetings in a small amount (rarely).

Compound verb 'sherkat kardan'.

7

این ادویه را به مقدار کم به خورشت اضافه کنید.

Add this spice in a small amount to the stew.

Direct object with 'rā'.

8

نور خورشید به مقدار کم به این اتاق می‌رسد.

Sunlight reaches this room in a small amount.

Subject-Verb agreement.

1

منابع انرژی در این منطقه به مقدار کم یافت می‌شوند.

Energy resources are found in small amounts in this region.

Passive 'yāft shodan'.

2

او به مقدار کم از بودجه برای تبلیغات استفاده کرد.

He used a small amount of the budget for advertising.

Complex noun phrase.

3

تاثیر این دارو بر بیماران به مقدار کم مشاهده شد.

The effect of this drug on patients was observed in a small amount.

Formal passive.

4

او به مقدار کم در امور دیگران دخالت می‌کند.

He interferes in others' affairs in a small amount.

Compound verb 'dekhalat kardan'.

5

گازهای گلخانه‌ای به مقدار کم هم خطرناک هستند.

Greenhouse gases are dangerous even in small amounts.

Emphasis with 'ham'.

6

این نویسنده به مقدار کم از کلمات پیچیده استفاده می‌کند.

This author uses complex words in a small amount.

Agentive noun 'nevisande'.

7

او به مقدار کم به شایعات توجه نشان داد.

He showed attention to rumors in a small amount.

Compound verb 'tavajoh neshān dādan'.

8

رطوبت هوا به مقدار کم افزایش یافته است.

Air humidity has increased by a small amount.

Present perfect 'afzāyesh yāfte ast'.

1

عناصر کمیاب به مقدار کم در پوسته زمین وجود دارند.

Rare elements exist in small amounts in the Earth's crust.

Scientific terminology.

2

او به مقدار کم از حق خود در دادگاه گذشت کرد.

He waived a small amount of his right in court.

Legal context.

3

تغییرات ساختاری به مقدار کم در سازمان اعمال شد.

Structural changes were applied in a small amount in the organization.

Formal passive voice.

4

او به مقدار کم از ثروت خود را به خیریه بخشید.

He donated a small amount of his wealth to charity.

Partitive construction.

5

حتی به مقدار کم، این آلودگی می‌تواند اکوسیستم را نابود کند.

Even in a small amount, this pollution can destroy the ecosystem.

Conditional implication.

6

او به مقدار کم در سیاست‌های کلان کشور نقش دارد.

He plays a role in the country's macro-policies in a small amount.

Abstract usage.

7

نوسانات بازار به مقدار کم بر قیمت‌ها تاثیر گذاشت.

Market fluctuations affected prices in a small amount.

Technical terminology.

8

او به مقدار کم به انتقادات پاسخ داد.

He responded to the criticisms in a small amount (briefly).

Formal response.

1

ذرات بنیادی به مقدار کم در این واکنش آزاد می‌شوند.

Fundamental particles are released in small amounts in this reaction.

Advanced physics context.

2

او به مقدار کم از آرمان‌های جوانی‌اش فاصله گرفته است.

He has distanced himself from his youthful ideals in a small amount.

Metaphorical/Philosophical.

3

این تفاوت‌ها، هرچند به مقدار کم، بسیار حائز اهمیت هستند.

These differences, although in a small amount, are very significant.

Concessive clause 'harchand'.

4

او به مقدار کم از نفوذ سیاسی خود بهره جست.

He made use of his political influence in a small amount.

Literary verb 'bahre jostan'.

5

تعدیل نیرو به مقدار کم در شرکت صورت گرفت.

Downsizing took place in a small amount in the company.

Euphemistic formal Persian.

6

او به مقدار کم به جزئیات فنی پروژه اشراف دارد.

He has mastery over the project's technical details in a small amount.

Formal verb 'eshrāf dāshtan'.

7

این پدیده به مقدار کم در متون تاریخی ذکر شده است.

This phenomenon has been mentioned in small amounts in historical texts.

Academic passive.

8

او به مقدار کم از رنج‌های درونی‌اش پرده برداشت.

He revealed a small amount of his inner sufferings.

Idiomatic 'parde bardāshtan'.

Common Collocations

مصرف کردن به مقدار کم
اضافه کردن به مقدار کم
یافت شدن به مقدار کم
استفاده کردن به مقدار کم
تولید کردن به مقدار کم
برداشت کردن به مقدار کم
نیاز داشتن به مقدار کم
باقی ماندن به مقدار کم
ترشح کردن به مقدار کم
حل کردن به مقدار کم

Common Phrases

نمک به مقدار کم

— Low salt. Often seen on food labels.

این نان نمک به مقدار کم دارد.

چربی به مقدار کم

— Low fat. Standard dietary term.

ماست با چربی به مقدار کم.

به مقدار کم و دفعات زیاد

— In small amounts but many times. Common medical advice for eating.

غذا را به مقدار کم و دفعات زیاد بخورید.

حتی به مقدار کم

— Even in a small amount. Used for emphasis.

حتی به مقدار کم هم تاثیر دارد.

به مقدار کم موجود است

— Available in small quantities. Used in stores.

این کالا به مقدار کم موجود است.

به مقدار بسیار کم

— In a very small amount. Adds emphasis.

سم به مقدار بسیار کم در آب بود.

به مقدار نسبتاً کم

— In a relatively small amount.

بارندگی به مقدار نسبتاً کم بود.

به مقدار لازم و کم

— In necessary and small amounts.

ادویه را به مقدار لازم و کم بزنید.

به مقدار ناچیزی کم

— In a negligibly small amount.

دقت دستگاه به مقدار ناچیزی کم است.

به مقدار کم اما با کیفیت

— In small amounts but with quality.

به مقدار کم اما با کیفیت خرید کنید.

Idioms & Expressions

"به مقدار کم قانع بودن"

— To be satisfied with a little. Implies modesty or lack of greed.

او همیشه به مقدار کم قانع است.

Neutral
"به مقدار کم گره گشایی کردن"

— To solve a problem in a small way. Implies a minor help.

این پول به مقدار کم گره گشایی کرد.

Formal
"به مقدار کم از دماغ فیل افتادن"

— A play on the idiom 'az damāgh-e fil oftādan' (to be very arrogant), suggesting someone is only slightly arrogant.

او انگار به مقدار کم از دماغ فیل افتاده!

Informal/Humorous
"به مقدار کم نمک‌گیر شدن"

— To be slightly indebted to someone's hospitality.

ما به مقدار کم نمک‌گیر شما شدیم.

Polite
"به مقدار کم سر و گوش آب دادن"

— To snoop around just a little bit.

رفتم به مقدار کم سر و گوش آب بدم.

Informal
"به مقدار کم دل به دریا زدن"

— To take a small risk.

به مقدار کم دل به دریا زدیم و خریدیم.

Neutral
"به مقدار کم پایش لب بوم بودن"

— To be slightly near the end (usually of life or a job).

پای اعتبارش به مقدار کم لب بوم است.

Colloquial
"به مقدار کم دست و پا کردن"

— To manage to get a small amount of something with effort.

کمی هیزم به مقدار کم دست و پا کردیم.

Neutral
"به مقدار کم از کوره در رفتن"

— To get slightly angry.

او به مقدار کم از کوره در رفت.

Neutral
"به مقدار کم روی کسی حساب کردن"

— To count on someone only slightly.

من به مقدار کم روی او حساب می‌کنم.

Neutral

Word Family

Nouns

مقدار (amount)
کمی (scarcity/littleness)
کمبود (shortage)

Verbs

کم کردن (to decrease)
کاستن (to diminish)

Adjectives

کم (little)
کمیاب (rare)
کم‌حجم (low volume)

Related

تعداد (number)
میزان (rate/amount)
اندازه (size)
بسیار (much)
زیاد (a lot)
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Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'Meq-dār' as a 'Mega-Door' that only opens 'Kam' (a little bit). You only want to go through the Mega-Door in a small amount.

Visual Association

Imagine a giant measuring cup ('meqdār') that has only a tiny drop of water at the bottom ('kam').

Word Web

Water Salt Sugar Medicine Gold Hope Time Oil

Challenge

Try to find 3 items in your kitchen right now that you should only use 'be meqdār-e kam' and say the phrase out loud for each.

Word Origin

The phrase is a combination of Persian and Arabic elements. 'Be' is an ancient Indo-European preposition. 'Meqdār' comes from the Arabic root 'Q-D-R' (to measure/value). 'Kam' is a native Persian word with roots in Middle Persian 'kam'.

Original meaning: To a measured smallness.

Indo-European (Persian) + Afro-Asiatic (Arabic loanword).

Cultural Context

No specific sensitivities; it's a neutral quantitative phrase.

Equivalent to 'sparingly' or 'in moderation'.

Used in the 'Dastpokht' cooking competition. Common in Iranian Ministry of Health PSAs. Found in the poetry of Saadi when discussing moderation.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Cooking

  • نمک به مقدار کم
  • فلفل به مقدار کم
  • ادویه به مقدار کم
  • روغن به مقدار کم

Medicine

  • مصرف به مقدار کم
  • دوز به مقدار کم
  • عوارض به مقدار کم
  • تجدید به مقدار کم

Environment

  • آلودگی به مقدار کم
  • بارندگی به مقدار کم
  • ذخایر به مقدار کم
  • تغییرات به مقدار کم

Finance

  • سود به مقدار کم
  • ضرر به مقدار کم
  • سرمایه به مقدار کم
  • رشد به مقدار کم

Personality

  • صحبت به مقدار کم
  • اعتماد به مقدار کم
  • تلاش به مقدار کم
  • صبر به مقدار کم
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