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A2 noun #3,500 most common 10 min read

بها

Q: How do I say 'priceless'?

You can use 'بیبها' (in a literary sense) or 'بسیار گرانبها' (very precious). In modern Persian, 'گرانقدر' or 'نفیس' are also used.

Q: Is 'بها' used in accounting?

Yes, it is a key term. 'بهای تمامشده' (Cost of Goods Sold) is a standard accounting phrase.

baha Top 3,500

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips بها in 30 Seconds

Explanation بها in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should focus on the most basic meaning of 'بها' (bahā) as 'price'. While you will mostly use 'قیمت' (gheymat) for shopping, you might see 'بها' on signs or in simple books. Think of it as a synonym for 'price'. At this stage, you don't need to worry about the complex literary uses. Just remember that if you see 'بهای بلیط' (baha-ye belit), it means 'the price of the ticket'. It is a noun, and in Persian, we usually put it at the beginning of the sentence when asking about it, or use it with 'چقدر است' (how much is it). For example: 'بهای این چقدر است؟' (How much is the price of this?). You might also see it in very simple compound words like 'گران‌بها' which means 'expensive' or 'precious'. Even at A1, recognizing this word will help you read basic labels and signs in a Persian-speaking environment. Focus on the sound 'ba-hā' and try to associate it with money and exchange.

At the A2 level, you begin to distinguish between formal and informal Persian. You will notice that 'بها' (bahā) appears more in written texts, news headlines, and official announcements. You should start using it in your writing when you want to sound more formal. For instance, in a class assignment about your city, you might write 'بهای اجاره در تهران بالا است' (The price of rent in Tehran is high). You should also learn the basic compound adjectives like 'گران‌بها' (precious) and 'کم‌بها' (cheap/low-value). At this level, you are expected to understand that 'بها' can be used for both physical items (like a book) and services (like a bus ride). You will also encounter the Ezafe construction 'بهایِ...' (the price of...) frequently. Practice using it in sentences related to travel, such as 'بهای هتل' (hotel price) or 'بهای غذا' (food price). Understanding 'بها' at this level helps you transition from basic survival Persian to a more structured and literate understanding of the language.

At the B1 level, you should start exploring the metaphorical and idiomatic uses of 'بها' (bahā). This is where the word becomes more than just a price tag. You will encounter the phrase 'بها دادن' (bahā dādan), which means 'to value' or 'to give importance to'. For example, 'جامعه باید به جوانان بها بدهد' (Society must value/give importance to the youth). This is a very common expression in social and political discourse. You will also see 'بها' used in the context of personal sacrifice, such as 'بهای موفقیت' (the price of success). At B1, you should be comfortable reading news articles where 'بها' is used for economic trends, like 'بهای نفت' (oil prices) or 'بهای طلا' (gold prices). You should also be able to compare 'بها' with 'ارزش' (value) and 'هزینه' (cost/expense). For example, you can explain that 'بها' is what you pay, while 'ارزش' is what something is worth to you. Your vocabulary should now include 'پربها' (valuable) and 'بی‌بها' (worthless/priceless depending on context, though usually worthless).

At the B2 level, your use of 'بها' (bahā) should reflect a sophisticated understanding of Persian register. You should use 'بها' consistently in formal essays, presentations, and debates. You will encounter more complex economic terms like 'بهای تمام‌شده' (cost of goods sold) or 'بهای مصرف‌کننده' (consumer price). You should also be able to understand and use the word in the context of historical and political analysis. For example, discussing 'بهای سنگینی که ملت برای استقلال پرداخت' (the heavy price the nation paid for independence). At this level, you will also see 'بها' in classical and modern literature. You should be able to analyze how a poet uses 'بها' to discuss the worth of love or the soul. Your grammar should be flawless when using 'بها' in complex sentences, including those with relative clauses. You should also be aware of the stylistic choice between 'بها' and its synonyms, choosing 'بها' when you want to emphasize the significance or the formal nature of the cost. You can now use the word to discuss abstract concepts like 'بهای آزادی بیان' (the price of freedom of speech).

At the C1 level, you are exploring the deep etymological and stylistic nuances of 'بها' (bahā). You should be aware of its Pahlavi (Middle Persian) roots and how it differs from the Arabic-derived 'قیمت'. In your academic or professional writing, you can use 'بها' to create a specific tone—one that is rooted in the Persian linguistic tradition. You will encounter 'بها' in high-level legal documents, where it might be used in technical terms like 'بهای عادله' (fair price/market value). You should also be able to appreciate the word's use in the 'Persian-e Sareh' (Pure Persian) movement, where writers prefer it over foreign loanwords. At this level, you can engage in deep literary analysis of classical poetry, understanding how the word 'بها' interacts with themes of mysticism (Sufism), where the 'price' of enlightenment is often the ego itself. You should also be able to use the word in subtle rhetorical ways, such as 'بی‌بها' to mean something so valuable it cannot be priced, though this is often context-dependent. Your understanding of the word is now near-native, allowing you to use it in all its financial, social, and philosophical dimensions.

At the C2 level, you have mastered 'بها' (bahā) as a tool of precision and elegance. You can use it to navigate the most complex linguistic landscapes, from intricate legal contracts to the most abstract philosophical treatises. You understand the historical evolution of the word and its cognates in other Indo-European languages. In your speech and writing, you use 'بها' to convey authority, cultural depth, and precise meaning. You can distinguish between 'بها', 'ثمن', 'ارزش', 'فی', and 'نرخ' with absolute clarity, choosing the exact word that fits the legal, economic, or poetic context. You are capable of writing critiques of Persian literature that explore the semiotics of 'value' and 'price' using 'بها' as a central concept. You can also participate in high-level economic policy discussions in Persian, using terms like 'بهای تعادلی' (equilibrium price) with ease. For you, 'بها' is no longer just a vocabulary word; it is a key that unlocks a vast treasury of Persian thought, history, and culture. You use it with the effortless grace of a highly educated native speaker, aware of every subtle connotation and historical echo it carries.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

بها in 30 Seconds

Baha is the formal Persian word for price or value.
It is used in official, economic, and literary contexts.
It differs from 'gheymat' which is more common and casual.
It can mean both monetary cost and metaphorical worth.

The Persian word بها (bahā) is a fundamental noun in the Persian language that encapsulates the concept of price, value, or cost. While often used interchangeably with the more common word قیمت (gheymat) in modern daily speech, بها carries a slightly more formal, literary, and intrinsic weight. It refers to the monetary amount required to acquire an object or service, but it also extends into the realm of abstract worth. Understanding this word is crucial for any learner moving beyond the basics, as it appears in everything from official government documents and financial news to the sublime verses of classical Persian poetry. In the context of a marketplace, بها represents the equilibrium of trade; in the context of philosophy, it represents the sacrifice one makes to achieve a goal. The word is deeply rooted in the history of the Iranian plateau, tracing its origins back through Middle Persian to ancient Indo-Iranian roots, signifying a historical continuity of trade and valuation. When you use بها, you are not just asking how many Tomans something costs; you are often discussing the established 'value' of an item in a more structured or formal sense. For example, in the phrase 'بهای تمام‌شده' (finished cost), it is used as a technical accounting term. Conversely, in literature, one might speak of the 'بهای آزادی' (the price of freedom), illustrating its versatility. This dual nature—being both a cold financial term and a warm metaphorical concept—makes it one of the most interesting nouns in the Persian lexicon. For an English speaker, it is helpful to think of it as a bridge between 'price' and 'value'. While 'gheymat' is almost always 'price', بها can comfortably inhabit the space of both 'price' and 'worth'.

Formal Usage: In official settings, بها is used to denote the fixed price of commodities, such as 'بهای بلیط' (ticket price) or 'بهای خدمات' (cost of services). It avoids the colloquialism of 'gheymat'.
Metaphorical Usage: It is used to describe the non-monetary cost of an action. For instance, 'بهای سنگینی برای این اشتباه پرداخت' means 'He paid a heavy price for this mistake'.
Etymological Depth: Derived from the Pahlavi word 'pahā', it has been used for over a millennium to describe the exchange value of goods in the Silk Road economy.

بهای این کالا در بازار جهانی افزایش یافته است. (The بها [price] of this commodity has increased in the global market.)

او برای رسیدن به موفقیت، بهای زیادی پرداخت. (He paid a great بها [price/cost] to achieve success.)

کالاهای گران‌بها باید با دقت حمل شوند. (Precious [high-بها] goods must be carried with care.)

بهای بلیط هواپیما چقدر است؟ (How much is the بها [price] of the airplane ticket?)

این انگشتر قدیمی بسیار پربها است. (This old ring is very valuable [full of بها].)

Using بها correctly requires an understanding of its grammatical role as a noun and its common appearance in compound structures. In a simple sentence, it functions as the subject or object related to financial transactions. For example, 'بهای نفت کاهش یافت' (The price of oil decreased). Here, 'بها' is the head of an Ezafe construction with 'نفت' (oil). This structure (Noun + -e + Noun) is the most common way to specify what the price refers to. Beyond simple pricing, بها is often paired with verbs like 'دادن' (to give) or 'پرداختن' (to pay). The phrase 'بها دادن' is particularly nuanced; while it can literally mean to pay a price, it is frequently used idiomatically to mean 'to value' or 'to give importance to' something or someone. For instance, 'او به نظرات دیگران بها می‌دهد' means 'He values/gives importance to others' opinions'. This shift from monetary to social value is a key feature of the word. Another common use is in the adjective 'گران‌بها' (precious), which literally translates to 'heavy-price'. You will find this used for jewelry, historical artifacts, or metaphorical concepts like 'time' (وقت گران‌بها). On the opposite end, 'کم‌بها' refers to things of little value. When writing, remember that بها is preferred in journalistic and academic Persian over 'gheymat'. If you are writing a report on economics or a formal letter to a company, بها will make your Persian sound more professional and sophisticated. Furthermore, in the plural form 'بهاها' (prices/values), it is less common than 'قیمت‌ها', but still used in specific economic contexts to discuss various price points. In classical poetry, بها often rhymes with words like 'رها' (free) or 'خدا' (God), adding to its rhythmic utility. For an English speaker, mastering the transition from 'gheymat' to بها marks the transition from 'tourist Persian' to 'literate Persian'.

The Ezafe Construction: Always connect بها to the object using the -e sound. Example: 'بهایِ کتاب' (Baha-ye ketab).
Compound Adjectives: Combine with 'گران' (expensive) or 'کم' (little) to create 'گران‌بها' (precious) and 'کم‌بها' (cheap).
Verbal Pairings: Commonly used with 'پرداختن' (to pay) and 'تعیین کردن' (to determine/set).

ما باید برای حفظ محیط زیست بها بپردازیم. (We must pay a price to protect the environment.)

این کتاب‌های قدیمی بسیار گران‌بها هستند. (These old books are very precious/valuable.)

دولت بهای نان را ثابت نگه داشت. (The government kept the price of bread fixed.)

If you walk into a local fruit market (Meydan-e Tar-o-Bar) in Tehran, you will likely hear the word 'قیمت' (gheymat) a thousand times. However, as soon as you turn on the evening news on IRIB or open a financial newspaper like 'Donya-e-Eqtesad', the word بها takes center stage. You will hear news anchors discussing 'بهای ارز' (the price of foreign currency) or 'بهای تمام‌شده کالا' (the cost of goods sold). In the corporate world, during board meetings or when reviewing contracts, بها is the standard term for valuation. It is also a staple in the educational system; textbooks on history or social studies often discuss the 'بهای سنگین' (heavy price) of wars or political shifts. Beyond the modern world, بها is a ghost that haunts the halls of classical Persian literature. In the works of Saadi or Hafez, the word is used to discuss the 'worth' of a soul or the 'price' of a kiss from the beloved. This gives the word a romantic and timeless quality that 'gheymat' lacks. You will also encounter it in legal settings; a judge might speak of the 'بهای خسارت' (the value of damages) to be paid. In the digital age, Iranian e-commerce websites often use 'بها' in their terms of service or detailed product specifications to sound more authoritative. If you are listening to a podcast about self-improvement in Persian, the host might ask, 'آیا حاضرید بهای موفقیت را بپردازید؟' (Are you ready to pay the price of success?). This illustrates that while بها might not be the word for buying a kilo of tomatoes, it is the word for discussing the significant, the official, and the profound costs of life. For a learner, hearing بها is a signal that the conversation has moved from the mundane to the meaningful. It is a word of substance, carrying the legacy of Persian trade and the depth of Persian thought.

News & Media: Used for economic indicators: 'بهای طلا' (gold price), 'بهای نفت' (oil price).
Literature & Poetry: Used to discuss spiritual or emotional worth, often in contrast with worldly goods.
Legal & Official: The standard term in contracts and courtrooms for monetary value or compensation.

بهای بلیت مترو افزایش یافت. (The price of the metro ticket increased.)

One of the most common mistakes for English speakers learning Persian is using بها in overly casual settings. While it is grammatically correct to ask 'بهای این سیب چقدر است؟' (What is the price of this apple?), it sounds strangely formal, almost as if you are reading from a 19th-century novel or a government report. In a real-world bazaar, you should use 'قیمت' (gheymat). Another frequent error is confusing بها with 'بهار' (bahār), which means 'spring'. Because they share the first two letters and a similar vowel sound, beginners often mix them up in listening or spelling. Remember: بها ends with a silent 'h' (Alef + He), while 'بهار' ends with 'r'. A third mistake involves the idiom 'بها دادن'. Many learners try to use it like the English 'to give a price' (meaning to quote a price), but in Persian, 'بها دادن' almost always means 'to value' or 'to respect'. If you want to say 'He gave me a price for the car', you should use 'قیمت داد'. Furthermore, learners sometimes forget the 'ye' connector in the Ezafe construction when the word ends in an 'alef'. It should be 'بها-یِ' (bahā-ye), not 'بهاِ'. Finally, there is a nuance between بها and 'ارزش' (arzesh). While both can mean 'value', بها is more tied to the *cost* or *price* paid, whereas 'ارزش' is the *intrinsic merit* or *quality*. You pay a 'بها' for something that has 'ارزش'. Confusing these two can lead to sentences that sound slightly 'off' to a native ear. For example, 'این ساعت بهای زیادی دارد' sounds like it costs a lot, while 'این ساعت ارزش زیادی دارد' sounds like it is a precious heirloom, regardless of its market price.

Over-Formality: Avoid using بها in the street; use 'قیمت' for daily shopping.
Confusing with 'Arzesh': 'Baha' is the price tag; 'Arzesh' is the worth.
Spelling & Pronunciation: Don't confuse 'Bahā' (Price) with 'Bahār' (Spring) or 'Beh' (Better/Quince).

Persian is rich with synonyms for 'price' and 'value', and choosing the right one depends entirely on the register and context. The most common alternative is قیمت (gheymat). This is the workhorse of the language, used for everything from shopping to casual conversation. If you are a beginner, 'gheymat' is your safest bet. Another important word is ارزش (arzesh), which means 'worth' or 'value'. While بها is what you pay, 'arzesh' is what you get. For example, a diamond has a high 'arzesh' (intrinsic value) and therefore a high بها (market price). Then there is نرخ (nerkh), which specifically means 'rate' or 'tariff'. You hear this in 'نرخ ارز' (exchange rate) or 'نرخ تورم' (inflation rate). It implies a standardized or official price. In more technical or accounting contexts, you might encounter هزینه (hazineh), which means 'expense' or 'cost' in terms of money spent to produce something. For example, 'هزینه تولید' (production cost). In very formal or legal Persian, the word ثمن (saman) is used, particularly in the context of sale contracts (ثمن معامله). Finally, in the world of labor, 'دستمزد' (dastmozd) refers to the 'price' of work, i.e., wages. Understanding these distinctions allows you to move from a basic level of Persian to a nuanced, professional level. Using بها in a poem or a formal essay shows that you appreciate the classical roots of the language, whereas using 'gheymat' shows you are practical and ready for the modern world.

بها vs. قیمت: بها: Formal/Literary, Persian origin. قیمت: Common/Everyday, Arabic origin.
بها vs. ارزش: بها: The cost/price (outward). ارزش: The worth/merit (inward).
بها vs. نرخ: بها: Specific price of an item. نرخ: General rate or tariff (e.g., interest rate).

ارزش این دوستی بالاتر از هر بهایی است. (The value of this friendship is higher than any price.)

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

Despite the heavy influence of Arabic on Persian (which brought the word 'gheymat'), 'baha' has remained a preferred word for poets and formalists who wish to maintain the 'pure' Persian character of their speech.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /bæˈhɑː/

US /bəˈhɑ/

The stress is on the second syllable: ba-HĀ.

Rhymes With

رها (rahā - free) خدا (khodā - God) جدا (jodā - separate) صدا (sedā - sound) غذا (ghazā - food) فضا (fazā - space) قبا (ghabā - cloak) دعا (do'ā - prayer)

Common Errors

Pronouncing it as 'bahar' (spring) by adding an 'r' sound.
Pronouncing the 'h' too harshly like the English 'h' in 'hat'; in Persian, it is a softer glottal sound or silent at the end.
Stressing the first syllable instead of the second.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize in texts, but can be confused with similar-looking words.

Writing 3/5

Requires knowledge of the Ezafe construction and formal register.

Speaking 2/5

Simple pronunciation, but knowing when to use it over 'gheymat' takes practice.

Listening 3/5

Can be easily confused with 'bahar' or 'beh' in fast speech.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

پول (money) خریدن (to buy) فروختن (to sell) ارزان (cheap) گران (expensive)

Learn Next

ارزش (value) هزینه (cost) نرخ (rate) تورم (inflation) سرمایه (capital)

Advanced

ثمن (legal price) مظنه (market rate) تعدیل (adjustment) نقدینگی (liquidity) بهره (interest)

Grammar to Know

Ezafe with words ending in Alef

بها + یِ = بهایِ (bahā-ye)

Compound Adjective Formation

Adjective (گران) + Noun (بها) = گران‌بها

Idiomatic Verb Pairing

Noun (بها) + دادن = بها دادن (to value)

Pluralization with -ha

بها + ها = بهاها (prices)

Suffix usage

Using -baha as a suffix to indicate value class.

Examples by Level

بهای این کتاب چقدر است؟

How much is the price of this book?

Simple Ezafe construction: baha-ye ketab.

بهای بلیط ده تومان است.

The price of the ticket is ten Tomans.

Subject (Baha) + Complement (ten tomans) + Verb (is).

بهای سیب کم است.

The price of the apple is low.

Adjective 'kam' (low/little) modifying 'baha'.

این یک هدیه گران‌بها است.

This is a precious gift.

Compound adjective: geran (heavy/expensive) + baha (price).

بهای شیر افزایش یافت.

The price of milk increased.

Past tense verb 'afzayesh yaft' (increased).

بهای نان در ایران ارزان است.

The price of bread in Iran is cheap.

Prepositional phrase 'dar Iran' (in Iran).

من بهای بلیط را دادم.

I gave (paid) the price of the ticket.

Direct object with 'ra'.

بهای این کفش زیاد است.

The price of these shoes is much (high).

Adjective 'ziad' (much/high).

بهای اجاره خانه در این شهر بالاست.

The price of house rent in this city is high.

Compound noun: ejare-ye khane (house rent).

او یک ساعت گران‌بها خرید.

He bought a precious watch.

Indefinite 'yek' + noun + adjective.

بهای بنزین در همه جا یکسان نیست.

The price of gasoline is not the same everywhere.

Negative verb 'nist' (is not).

آیا بهای هتل شامل صبحانه می‌شود؟

Does the hotel price include breakfast?

Question form with 'aya'.

بهای بلیت قطار را آنلاین چک کنید.

Check the train ticket price online.

Imperative verb 'chek konid'.

این کالا بهای واقعی ندارد.

This item doesn't have a real price (it's fake/arbitrary).

Adjective 'vaghe'i' (real).

بهای خدمات دولتی تغییر کرد.

The price of government services changed.

Plural noun 'khadamat' (services).

او بهای کمی برای این فرش پرداخت.

He paid a small price for this carpet.

Verb 'pardakhtan' (to pay).

باید به نظرات جوانان بها بدهیم.

We must give value (importance) to the opinions of young people.

Idiom 'baha dadan' meaning to value.

بهای آزادی، هوشیاری همیشگی است.

The price of freedom is eternal vigilance.

Metaphorical use of 'baha'.

او برای رسیدن به این مقام، بهای سنگینی پرداخت.

He paid a heavy price to reach this position.

Idiom 'baha-ye sangin pardakhtan'.

بهای تمام‌شده کالا را محاسبه کنید.

Calculate the finished cost (COGS) of the goods.

Technical term 'baha-ye tamam-shodeh'.

این اثر هنری بسیار پربها و منحصر به فرد است.

This artwork is very valuable and unique.

Adjective 'por-baha' (valuable).

دولت سعی دارد بهای ارز را کنترل کند.

The government is trying to control the price of foreign currency.

Infinitive 'kontrol kardan'.

او به وقت خود بهای زیادی می‌دهد.

He gives a lot of value to his time.

Use of 'be' with 'baha dadan'.

بهای بلیط سینما در روزهای سه‌شنبه نیم‌بها است.

The price of cinema tickets on Tuesdays is half-price.

Compound 'nim-baha' (half-price).

نوسانات بهای نفت بر اقتصاد جهانی تأثیر می‌گذارد.

Fluctuations in oil prices affect the global economy.

Plural 'nosanat' (fluctuations).

او معتقد است که هر انتخابی بهایی دارد.

He believes that every choice has a price.

Relative clause starting with 'ke'.

بهای سهام در بازار بورس به شدت سقوط کرد.

Stock prices in the stock market fell sharply.

Adverbial phrase 'be sheddat' (sharply).

کتاب‌های خطی قدیمی از اشیاء گران‌بهای موزه هستند.

Old manuscripts are among the precious objects of the museum.

Superlative sense of 'geran-baha'.

او بدون توجه به بها، بهترین کیفیت را انتخاب می‌کند.

Regardless of the price, he chooses the best quality.

Phrase 'bedun-e tavajoh be' (regardless of).

بهای واقعی این ملک بسیار بیشتر از این است.

The real value of this property is much more than this.

Comparative 'bishtar az'.

مدیر به پیشنهادات کارمندان بها نمی‌دهد.

The manager does not value the employees' suggestions.

Negative form of 'baha dadan'.

بهای بلیط هواپیما بر اساس زمان رزرو متفاوت است.

The price of airplane tickets varies based on the booking time.

Phrase 'bar asase' (based on).

در متون کلاسیک، بها اغلب به معنای ارزش معنوی است.

In classical texts, 'baha' often means spiritual value.

Adverb 'aglab' (often).

بهای عادله روز برای جبران خسارت تعیین شد.

The fair market price of the day was determined for compensation.

Legal term 'baha-ye adeleh'.

او با قلمی گران‌بها، تاریخ معاصر را نگاشت.

With a precious pen (metaphorically, a valuable style), he wrote contemporary history.

Metaphorical adjective usage.

بهای سنگین جنگ تا نسل‌ها احساس خواهد شد.

The heavy price of war will be felt for generations.

Future passive 'ehsas khahad shod'.

نویسنده به جزئیات تاریخی در رمان خود بها داده است.

The author has given importance/value to historical details in his novel.

Present perfect 'baha dadeh ast'.

شاخص بهای کالا و خدمات مصرفی نشان‌دهنده تورم است.

The consumer price index (CPI) indicates inflation.

Complex technical subject.

این انگشتر بی‌بها، میراث خانوادگی ماست.

This priceless (extremely valuable) ring is our family heritage.

Contextual meaning of 'bi-baha' as priceless.

او در راه وطن، بهای جان خود را پرداخت.

In the path of his country, he paid the price of his life.

Literary/Patriotic context.

تحلیل هستی‌شناسانه بها در اشعار عطار، نیازمند تعمق است.

The ontological analysis of 'value' in Attar's poems requires deep reflection.

Highly academic terminology.

بهای تمام‌شده در نظام‌های حسابداری نوین، متغیر است.

Finished cost in modern accounting systems is variable.

Abstract professional context.

او بهای گزافی برای نادیده گرفتن اصول اخلاقی پرداخت.

He paid an exorbitant price for ignoring ethical principles.

Adjective 'gozaf' (exorbitant/huge).

تعیین بهای کالا باید بر اساس مکانیزم عرضه و تقاضا باشد.

Determining the price of goods must be based on the supply and demand mechanism.

Economic theory terminology.

در این معامله، ثمن و بها به طور دقیق ذکر شده است.

In this transaction, the price and value are precisely mentioned.

Synonym pairing for legal emphasis.

بهای آزادی در گرو آگاهی آحاد جامعه است.

The price of freedom depends on the awareness of the individuals in society.

Complex philosophical structure.

او با دیدگاهی گران‌بها به مسائل فلسفی می‌نگرد.

He looks at philosophical issues with a valuable (profound) perspective.

Abstract metaphorical adjective.

بهای مسکوکات قدیمی در حراجی به اوج خود رسید.

The price of ancient coins reached its peak at the auction.

Specific noun 'maskukat' (coins).

Common Collocations

بهای تمام‌شده

بهای عادله

بهای سنگین

بهای بلیط

بهای ارز

بهای نفت

پرداخت بها

تعیین بها

گران‌بها

کم‌بها

Common Phrases

به هر بها

— At any cost or price.

او می‌خواست به هر بها پیروز شود.

بهای جان

— The price of one's life; a very high cost.

او بهای جان خود را داد.

نیم‌بها

— Half-price.

بلیت برای کودکان نیم‌بها است.

پربها

— Very valuable or expensive.

او سخنان پربهایی گفت.

بی‌بها

— Worthless (sometimes used for priceless in poetry).

این کاغذهای بی‌بها را دور بریز.

بهای روز

— The current market price.

کالا به بهای روز فروخته می‌شود.

بهای اسمی

— Nominal value (face value).

بهای اسمی سهام مشخص است.

بهای واقعی

— Real/Intrinsic value.

بهای واقعی این خانه بیشتر است.

بهای گزاف

— An exorbitant or huge price.

او بهای گزافی برای اشتباهش داد.

بهای کالا

— Price of the goods.

بهای کالا در فاکتور آمده است.

Often Confused With

بها vs بهار (bahār)

Means 'spring'. Often confused due to similar spelling.

بها vs به (beh)

Means 'better' or 'quince'. Confused in fast speech.

بها vs بها (Baha'i)

Can refer to the Baha'i faith in certain contexts, though usually capitalized or used as an adjective (بهایی).

Idioms & Expressions

"بها دادن"

— To value, respect, or give importance to someone or something.

مدیر به کارمندان خلاق بها می‌دهد.

Neutral

"بهای سنگینی پرداختن"

— To suffer a great loss or face severe consequences for an action.

او برای تنبلی‌اش بهای سنگینی پرداخت.

Neutral

"به بهای..."

— At the cost of... (often suggesting a trade-off).

او به بهای سلامتی‌اش کار کرد.

Formal

"گوهر گران‌بها"

— A precious gem; often used for a very valuable person or piece of advice.

او برای من مثل یک گوهر گران‌بهاست.

Literary

"بهای اندک"

— A small price; used to mean something was easy or cheap.

او این پیروزی را به بهای اندکی به دست آورد.

Neutral

"بهای خون"

— Blood money (Diya) or the ultimate sacrifice.

این آزادی بهای خون شهیدان است.

Formal/Religious

"بی‌بها شدن"

— To become worthless or lose all value.

با تورم، پول ملی بی‌بها شد.

Neutral

"بها پیدا کردن"

— To gain value or importance.

این منطقه به تازگی بها پیدا کرده است.

Neutral

"بهای کاذب"

— False or inflated price.

دلالان بهای کاذبی برای خودرو ایجاد کردند.

Journalistic

"به هیچ بها"

— Not for any price; under no circumstances.

او به هیچ بها حاضر به فروش خانه نیست.

Formal

Easily Confused

بها vs قیمت

Both mean price.

Gheymat is Arabic-origin and common; Baha is Persian-origin and formal/literary.

قیمت سیب (Common) vs. بهای نفت (Formal).

بها vs ارزش

Both relate to worth.

Baha is the amount paid; Arzesh is the quality or merit of the thing.

بهای زیاد (High price) vs. ارزش معنوی (Spiritual value).

بها vs هزینه

Both involve money.

Hazineh is the total expense or cost incurred; Baha is the specific price tag.

هزینه سفر (Travel expenses) vs. بهای بلیط (Ticket price).

بها vs نرخ

Both are financial.

Nerkh is a standardized rate; Baha is the specific price for an item or service.

نرخ بهره (Interest rate) vs. بهای کالا (Price of goods).

بها vs دستمزد

Both are payments.

Dastmozd is specifically for labor/wages; Baha is for goods/services.

دستمزد بالا (High wages) vs. بهای خدمات (Price of services).

Sentence Patterns

بهای [Noun] چقدر است؟

بهای بلیط چقدر است؟

بهای [Noun] [Adjective] است.

بهای بنزین زیاد است.

باید به [Person/Concept] بها داد.

باید به هنر بها داد.

او بهای [Noun] را پرداخت.

او بهای اشتباهش را پرداخت.

به بهایِ [Noun]، [Clause].

به بهایِ وقت، پول به دست آورد.

مکانیزم [Noun] بر بها تأثیر دارد.

مکانیزم بازار بر بها تأثیر دارد.

[Noun] گران‌بهایی است.

این کتاب گران‌بهایی است.

بهای [Noun] کاهش/افزایش یافت.

بهای طلا افزایش یافت.

Word Family

Nouns

بها (price/value)

بهره (interest/profit)

بهبود (improvement)

Verbs

بها دادن (to value)

بها گذاشتن (to set a price)

Adjectives

گران‌بها (precious)

کم‌بها (cheap)

پربها (valuable)

بی‌بها (worthless/priceless)

قیمت

ارزش

نرخ

هزینه

مبلغ

How to Use It

frequency

Highly frequent in media and literature; moderately frequent in speech.

Common Mistakes

بهایِ این سیب چنده؟ (In a market) → قیمت این سیب چنده؟
'Baha' is too formal for buying fruit in a casual setting.
او بهای بهار را دوست دارد. → او فصل بهار را دوست دارد.
Confusing 'Baha' (price) with 'Bahar' (spring).
بهاِ کتاب → بهایِ کتاب
Forgetting the 'ye' connector for words ending in 'alef'.
او یک قیمت گران‌بها خرید. → او یک کالای گران‌بها خرید.
'Geran-baha' is an adjective; it should modify a noun like 'kala' (item), not 'price' itself.
من به او بها دادم برای ماشین. → من به او قیمت دادم برای ماشین.
'Baha dadan' means to value someone, not to quote a price.

Tips

Formalize Your Persian

Replace 'قیمت' with 'بها' in your writing to instantly elevate the formality and quality of your Persian essays.

The Ezafe Rule

Always add a 'ye' sound (بهایِ) when followed by another noun. It's a common mistake to omit it.

Baha Dadan

Use 'بها دادن' to express respect for someone's ideas. It's a very polite and sophisticated way to show appreciation.

Literature Link

When you see 'بها' in a poem, look for a deeper meaning. It's rarely just about money; it's usually about the soul or love.

News Keywords

In economic news, 'بها' is a keyword. If you hear it, get ready to hear numbers and currency names.

Rhyme Time

Rhyme 'Baha' with 'Khoda' (God). Everything comes from God, but everything has a 'Baha' (price) in this world.

Compound Power

Learn 'گران‌بها'. It's much more elegant than just saying 'خیلی گران' (very expensive).

Ticket Prices

Look for 'بها' on museum or cinema websites. It's the standard word for 'Admission Fee'.

Business Persian

In a contract, 'بها' refers to the valuation. Ensure you distinguish it from 'هزینه' (expenses).

Persian Roots

Appreciate that 'بها' is a survivor from ancient Persian times. Using it connects you to the history of the language.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Baha' as 'Buy-a'. When you 'Buy-a' something, you pay a 'Baha'.

Visual Association

Imagine a golden price tag attached to a crown. The tag says 'BAHA' in glowing letters, representing both the price and the high value.

Word Web

Money Trade Value Worth Precious Cost Formal Poetry

Challenge

Try to use 'بها دادن' in a sentence today to tell someone you value their work or opinion.

Word Origin

The word 'بها' originates from the Middle Persian (Pahlavi) word 'pahā', which itself comes from the Old Persian root related to 'value' or 'exchange'. It has survived through centuries of linguistic evolution in the Iranian plateau.

Original meaning: The original meaning was strictly related to the exchange value of goods in trade.

Indo-European -> Indo-Iranian -> Iranian -> Middle Persian.

Cultural Context

No specific sensitivities; it is a neutral financial and literary term.

English speakers often use 'price' for everything. In Persian, using 'baha' instead of 'gheymat' is like using 'valuation' or 'worth' instead of 'cost'.

Used frequently in the 'Shahnameh' of Ferdowsi to describe the value of heroes and kingdoms. Appears in Rumi's Masnavi to discuss the 'price' of divine love. A common term in modern Iranian economic news reports.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Economic News

بهای نفت
شاخص بها
افزایش بها
نوسان بها

Formal Shopping/Services

بهای بلیط
بهای خدمات
بهای اشتراک
پرداخت بها

Philosophy/Self-Help

بهای موفقیت
بهای آزادی
بها دادن به خود
بهای سنگین

Literature

گوهر گران‌بها
یار پربها
بهای جان
نقد بها

Legal/Business

بهای عادله
بهای تمام‌شده
تعیین بها
ثمن و بها

Conversation Starters

"بهای بلیط هواپیما به ایران این روزها چقدر است؟"

"آیا فکر می‌کنید ما به هنرمندان در جامعه بهای کافی می‌دهیم؟"

"بهای یک فنجان قهوه در شهر شما معمولاً چقدر است؟"

"به نظر شما، بهای واقعی خوشبختی در چیست؟"

"چرا بهای مسکن در سال‌های اخیر اینقدر افزایش یافته است؟"

Journal Prompts

درباره زمانی بنویسید که برای رسیدن به یک هدف، بهای سنگینی پرداختید.

آیا به نظرات دیگران بیش از حد بها می‌دهید؟ چرا؟

گران‌بها‌ترین چیزی که در زندگی دارید (غیر مادی) چیست؟

تفاوت بین بها و ارزش را از دیدگاه خود توضیح دهید.

اگر می‌توانستید بهای چیزی را در دنیا تغییر دهید، آن چه بود؟

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, in a bargaining situation in Iran, you would almost always use 'قیمت'. Using 'بها' would sound too academic or strange in a bazaar.

It most commonly means to value or give importance to something. For example, 'به جوانان بها بدهید' means 'Give importance/value to the youth'.

Only metaphorically. You don't put a price on a person, but you can say a person is 'گران‌بها' (precious/valuable) or that you 'بها می‌دهید' (value) them.

It is common in all Persian-speaking regions, but Tajikistan often uses 'narkh' or 'arzesh' in similar ways due to different linguistic influences.

The word 'Baha' (Glory/Splendor) is the root of the name of the Baha'i faith, but in general Persian usage, it simply means price or value.

You can use 'بی‌بها' (in a literary sense) or 'بسیار گران‌بها' (very precious). In modern Persian, 'گران‌قدر' or 'نفیس' are also used.

No, it is only a noun. It must be combined with a verb like 'دادن' or 'پرداختن' to form a verbal phrase.

Yes, it is a key term. 'بهای تمام‌شده' (Cost of Goods Sold) is a standard accounting phrase.

'Thaman' is specifically an Arabic loanword used in Islamic jurisprudence and Iranian civil law to refer to the price in a contract.

Yes, especially when referring to the 'cost' of an action or a metaphorical price (e.g., the cost of a mistake).