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بنا به

B2 preposition 9 min read

بنا به

bana be

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips بنا به in 30 Seconds

Explanation بنا به in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't need to use 'بنا به' actively. It is a very formal word. Instead, you would use simple phrases like 'Teacher says' (معلم می‌گوید). However, you might see it in very simple signs or news titles. Just remember that 'بنا به' means 'because of' or 'according to' a source. Think of it as a signpost that tells you where information is coming from. If you see 'بنا به گزارش' on a TV screen, it just means 'The report says'. Don't worry about the grammar yet; just recognize it as a formal way to say 'according to'. At this stage, stick to 'طبق' if you want to sound a bit more advanced, but even that is usually A2/B1 material. Focus on the word 'بنا' which means building, and 'به' which means to. Together they build a bridge to a reason.

At the A2 level, you are starting to read simple news and formal announcements. You will encounter 'بنا به' in phrases like 'بنا به دلایلی' (for some reasons) or 'بنا به درخواست' (at the request of). You should understand that it is a formal preposition. It is used when someone wants to explain why something happened or who said something in a polite or official way. For example, if a class is canceled, the notice might say 'بنا به دلایل فنی' (due to technical reasons). You don't need to use it in your daily speaking with friends, but you should recognize it in written notices. It always comes before a noun. It does not use the 'e' sound (Ezafe) at the end of 'بنا'. This is a common point of confusion for A2 learners who are just learning about Ezafe.

At the B1 level, you should begin to use 'بنا به' in your formal writing, such as emails to a professor or a boss. It makes your Persian sound more professional. You should be able to distinguish it from 'بنابراین' (therefore). 'بنا به' introduces a reason or source, while 'بنابراین' introduces a result. You should also learn common collocations like 'بنا به گزارش' (according to the report) and 'بنا به گفته' (according to what was said). At this level, you should be comfortable using it to attribute information. For instance, instead of saying 'In the news they said,' you can say 'بنا به اخبار' (According to the news). This transition from simple subject-verb structures to prepositional phrases is a key marker of the B1 level. You should also notice that 'بنا به' is often used in the passive voice or impersonal sentences.

At the B2 level, 'بنا به' should be a regular part of your vocabulary. You are expected to use it fluently in academic discussions, formal essays, and professional debates. You should understand the subtle difference between 'بنا به' and 'بر اساس' (based on). While 'بر اساس' is often used for data and logic, 'بنا به' is frequently used for official requests, legal requirements, or external circumstances. You should also be able to nominalize verbs to use with this preposition, such as 'بنا به مصلحت' (based on expediency) or 'بنا به تشخیص' (according to the diagnosis/judgment). At this level, you should also be aware of the register: using 'بنا به' in a very casual text message might seem ironic or overly formal. You should be able to read complex news articles where 'بنا به' is used to attribute quotes to unnamed sources, a common journalistic practice in Persian media.

At the C1 level, you should have a nuanced command of 'بنا به' and its variations like 'بنا بر'. You should understand that 'بنا به' is often preferred when the following noun is a 'cause' or 'reason,' whereas 'بنا بر' is slightly more common for 'rules' or 'principles,' though they are often interchangeable. You should be able to use it in complex legal and philosophical contexts. For example, 'بنا به ماهیت موضوع' (according to the nature of the subject). You should also be able to identify when a writer uses 'بنا به' to subtly distance themselves from a controversial claim. Your usage should be precise, choosing 'بنا به' over 'طبق' when you want to emphasize the foundational necessity of the source. You should also be familiar with literary or archaic uses of 'بنا' in classical poetry to understand the etymological evolution of the word into a modern preposition.

At the C2 level, you use 'بنا به' with the precision of a native professional. You are aware of the stylistic weight it carries in different genres of literature, from legal codes to high-end journalism and academic discourse. You can manipulate the structure for rhetorical effect, perhaps placing the 'بنا به' clause at the end of a long, complex sentence for emphasis. You understand its role in the 'Administrative Persian' (فارسی اداری) and can navigate the subtle shifts in meaning when it is paired with abstract nouns like 'اقتضا' (exigency) or 'تکلیف' (duty). You are also capable of critiquing its usage in others' writing, identifying when it is used redundantly or when a different preposition like 'بموجبِ' (by virtue of) would be legally more accurate. Your mastery allows you to blend it seamlessly into a discourse that reflects a deep understanding of Persian syntax and sociolinguistics.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

بنا به in 30 Seconds

A formal compound preposition meaning 'according to' or 'based on,' widely used in Persian journalism, law, and academic writing to cite sources or justify actions.
Composed of 'بنا' (foundation) and 'به' (to), it requires a following noun or nominalized verb and does not use the Persian Ezafe (-e).
Essential for B2 learners to elevate their register from simple speech to professional or academic discourse, providing a logical link between cause and effect.
Commonly paired with words like 'reports,' 'requests,' 'laws,' 'evidence,' and 'reasons,' acting as a marker of reliability and authority in communication.

The Persian preposition بنا به (Bana be) is a sophisticated and essential tool in the Persian language, primarily used to indicate the source, reason, or foundation of an action or a statement. Translated most commonly as 'according to,' 'based on,' or 'in accordance with,' it serves as a bridge between a consequence and its underlying justification. In the hierarchy of Persian prepositions, بنا به sits firmly in the formal and semi-formal registers. While a beginner might use the simpler طبق (tebaq), an intermediate or advanced learner will use بنا به to convey a sense of authority, official documentation, or logical derivation. The word بنا itself originates from the Arabic root for 'building' or 'foundation,' which provides a beautiful mental image for learners: you are 'building' your current statement upon the 'foundation' of the following noun. When you say بنا به گزارش (according to the report), you are literally saying the information is constructed upon that report.

Grammatical Structure: This is a compound preposition consisting of the noun 'بنا' and the preposition 'به'. Unlike many Persian prepositions that require an Ezafe (the -e sound), 'بنا' is followed directly by 'به'. It is never 'بنایِ به'. It always precedes the noun it qualifies.
Register and Tone: It is heavily utilized in journalism, legal documents, academic writing, and formal correspondence. In a casual conversation at a bazaar, it might sound overly stiff, but in a business meeting or a news broadcast, it is the standard choice for attributing information.

بنا به گفته‌های شاهدان عینی، حادثه در ساعت ده رخ داد.
— Translation: According to eyewitness accounts, the accident occurred at ten o'clock.

Understanding the nuance of بنا به requires looking at its alternatives. While بر اساس (bar asaas) focuses on the 'basis' or 'logic,' and طبق (tebaq) focuses on 'compliance' or 'matching,' بنا به often carries a weight of external necessity or external reporting. For instance, when a flight is canceled بنا به دلایل فنی (due to/according to technical reasons), the phrase implies that the decision was a direct result of those specific conditions. It is a phrase that demands a noun or a noun phrase to follow it, creating a logical chain of causality that is highly valued in Persian rhetoric.

In contemporary Iran, you will encounter this phrase daily in the news. Headlines frequently begin with بنا به گزارش خبرگزاری... (According to the report of the news agency...). It sets a tone of objectivity. It detaches the speaker from the claim, placing the responsibility of the truth on the 'foundation' (بنا) mentioned. This makes it a crucial tool for journalists and researchers who wish to maintain a professional distance from the data they are presenting. Furthermore, its use in legal contexts, such as بنا به ماده فلان قانون (According to article X of the law), underscores its role as a pillar of formal Iranian society.

Using بنا به correctly involves understanding its syntactic placement and its relationship with the following noun phrase. In Persian grammar, this is a fixed prepositional phrase that functions as an adverbial modifier. It usually appears at the beginning of a sentence or a clause to set the context, though it can also be embedded within the sentence to provide specific reasoning for a verb. The beauty of بنا به lies in its flexibility to handle both abstract concepts (like 'reasons' or 'necessity') and concrete sources (like 'reports' or 'contracts').

Sentence Initial Placement: When placed at the start, it acts as a frame for the entire sentence. Example: بنا به آمار رسمی، جمعیت در حال رشد است (According to official statistics, the population is growing). Here, the statistics provide the framework for the claim.
Mid-Sentence Causality: It can justify an action within the flow. Example: او بنا به مصلحت سکوت کرد (He kept silent according to/for the sake of expediency). This usage often translates closer to 'due to' or 'out of'.

مدیر عامل بنا به تقاضای کارکنان، با افزایش حقوق موافقت کرد.
— Translation: The CEO agreed to the salary increase according to/based on the employees' request.

One of the most common mistakes is trying to use it with a verb phrase directly. بنا به must be followed by a noun or a noun phrase. If you want to say 'According to what he said,' you cannot say 'بنا به او گفت'. Instead, you must nominalize the verb: بنا به گفته او (According to his saying/statement). This nominalization is a key feature of higher-level Persian. Common nominalized verbs used with this preposition include گفته (saying), نوشته (writing), and خواسته (request/wish).

To master this, think of the sentence as a building. The 'بنا' is the foundation stone. If the foundation is 'the law,' the rest of the sentence is the house built on that law. This logical flow is why بنا به is so frequent in scientific papers and legal rulings. It provides a clear, undeniable link between evidence and conclusion. For example, بنا به شواهد موجود، متهم بی‌گناه است (Based on the existing evidence, the accused is innocent). The evidence is the foundation, the innocence is the structure built upon it. This structural clarity is what makes the preposition so powerful in persuasive writing.

In the real world, بنا به is the soundtrack of Iranian public life. If you turn on the evening news on IRIB (Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting) or listen to BBC Persian, you will hear this phrase within the first five minutes. It is the 'standard' way to cite sources. Journalists use it to maintain neutrality. Instead of saying 'The government said,' they often say بنا به اعلام سخنگوی دولت... (According to the announcement by the government spokesperson...). This phrasing shifts the focus from the act of speaking to the content of the announcement itself.

The Legal Arena: In a courtroom or a legal document, 'بنا به' is used to cite articles of the constitution or civil code. A judge might say, 'بنا به ماده ۲۲ قانون مدنی...' (According to Article 22 of the Civil Code...). It establishes the legal basis for a verdict.
The Corporate World: In emails and internal memos, it is used to justify policy changes. 'بنا به تصمیم هیئت مدیره' (According to the decision of the board of directors) is a common way to introduce new office rules.

بنا به پیش‌بینی سازمان هواشناسی، جاده‌ها لغزنده خواهند بود.
— Translation: According to the Meteorological Organization's forecast, the roads will be slippery.

Beyond formal news, you will hear it in academic lectures at universities like Tehran University or Sharif University. Professors use it to attribute theories to their authors: بنا به نظریه نسبیت انیشتین... (According to Einstein's theory of relativity...). It is also prevalent in historical documentaries where narrators use it to cite historical texts or chronicles. For a learner, hearing بنا به is a signal that 'important, sourced information is coming next.' It is a linguistic marker of reliability.

Even in the digital age, Persian social media influencers and 'citizen journalists' use بنا به when they want to sound more credible or 'official.' When a Telegram channel reports a rumor, they might prefix it with بنا به شنیده‌ها (According to what has been heard/rumors) to protect themselves while still sharing the news. This demonstrates how the word carries a psychological weight of 'reporting' rather than 'originating' an idea. It is the language of transmission.

While بنا به is a stable phrase, learners often stumble over its specific requirements. The most frequent error is the 'Ezafe confusion.' Many Persian prepositions like رویِ (on) or تویِ (inside) require the Ezafe. Because بنا ends in a long 'a' sound, some learners try to add a 'ye' Ezafe, saying بنایِ به. This is incorrect. The construction is a fixed compound where 'بنا' is already linked to 'به'.

Mistake 1: The Extra Ezafe: Incorrect: بنایِ به گزارش. Correct: بنا به گزارش. Remember, 'Bana' and 'Be' are inseparable partners here.
Mistake 2: Confusing 'Bana be' with 'Bana-bar-in': Learners often confuse بنا به (according to) with بنابراین (therefore). While they share a root, بنابراین is a conjunction that concludes, while بنا به is a preposition that introduces a source.

Incorrect: بنا به او گفت، فردا تعطیل است.
Correct: بنا به گفته او، فردا تعطیل است.

Another subtle mistake is using بنا به in an overly casual setting. If you are telling a friend what your mom said about dinner, using بنا به گفته مادرم might sound like you are making a mock-official announcement. In casual speech, most Iranians would simply say مامانم گفت که... (My mom said that...) or به قولِ مامانم (In the words of my mom). Using high-level vocabulary in the wrong social context is a common 'fluency trap' for B2 learners.

Lastly, learners sometimes confuse بنا به with با توجه به (Considering/With regard to). While similar, بنا به implies a stricter adherence or a direct source, whereas با توجه به is more about taking something into consideration before making a judgment. If a rule says you must leave, it's بنا به قانون. If you decide to leave because it's raining, it's با توجه به باران. Distinguishing these nuances is what separates a B2 learner from a C1 speaker.

Persian is rich with ways to attribute information or provide a basis for an action. While بنا به is a powerhouse, knowing its synonyms allows for stylistic variety and precision. Depending on whether you are citing a law, a person, or a logical premise, you might choose a different word. Below is a comparison of the most common alternatives.

طبق (Tebaq): This is the most direct synonym. It means 'according to' or 'in conformity with.' It is slightly less formal than 'بنا به' but very common in all levels of speech. Use 'طبق' for schedules, rules, and simple citations.
بر اساس (Bar Asaas): Meaning 'on the basis of.' This is used when there is a logical or scientific foundation. 'بر اساس تحقیقات' (Based on research) is more common than 'بنا به تحقیقات'.
حسبِ (Hasb-e): A very formal, Arabic-rooted word meaning 'according to' or 'as per.' You will mostly find this in legal or highly bureaucratic Persian, such as 'حسبِ دستور' (as per the order).

ما بر پایه اطلاعات موجود تصمیم گرفتیم.
— Note: 'بر پایه' (Bar paye) is a more 'Persianized' (pure Persian) alternative to 'بر اساس'.

When comparing بنا به to به گفته‌یِ (according to the words of), the latter is specifically for people. You can say بنا به گفته‌یِ علی or simply به گفته‌یِ علی. However, you cannot use به گفته‌یِ for a law or a reason. You wouldn't say 'according to the words of the reason.' This makes بنا به more versatile than many of its counterparts because it can handle both human and non-human sources.

Finally, consider مطابقِ (Motaabeq-e), which means 'consistent with' or 'in accordance with.' This is often used when comparing two things to see if they match. For example, 'مطابق با استاندارد' (In accordance with the standard). While بنا به points to the source, مطابق با emphasizes the alignment between the action and the source. Choosing between them depends on whether you want to emphasize the 'foundation' (بنا) or the 'matching' (مطابق).

How Formal Is It?

Formal

Neutral

Informal

Child friendly

Slang

Fun Fact

While 'Bana' means building in Persian, the prepositional use 'Bana be' is a uniquely Persian construction that treats the concept of a 'building' as a logical 'foundation' for an argument.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /bæˈnɒː be/

US /bɑːˈnɑː beɪ/

The stress is typically on the second syllable of 'Bana'.

Rhymes With

رها به فنا به سزا به دعا به قوا به جدا به غذا به ندا به

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'Bana' as 'Banna' (doubling the 'n').
Pronouncing 'be' as 'bi' (like the English letter B).
Adding a stress on 'be', which should be unstressed.
Merging the two words into one sound without a slight break.
Mispronouncing the long 'a' (ا) as a short 'a'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to recognize in texts once learned.

Writing 4/5

Requires knowledge of nominalization (e.g., 'گفته' instead of 'گفت').

Speaking 4/5

Can feel unnatural in casual speech for learners.

Listening 3/5

Very common in news, making it easy to spot.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

طبق به گزارش دلیل قانون

Learn Next

بنابراین با توجه به به موجبِ بر اساس منوط به

Advanced

حسبِ مقتضیات استناد اظهارات مفاد

Grammar to Know

Nominalization

Use 'بنا به گفته' (saying) instead of 'بنا به گفت' (said).

No Ezafe

It is 'بنا به' not 'بنای به'.

Prepositional Placement

Always precedes the noun phrase: 'بنا به [Noun]'.

Use 'طبق' in casual settings and 'بنا به' in formal ones.

Compound Prepositions

Like 'با توجه به', 'بنا به' is a fixed unit.

Examples by Level

بنا به گفته معلم، کتاب را بخوان.

According to the teacher, read the book.

Uses 'بنا به' + 'گفته' (saying) + noun.

بنا به اخبار، امروز هوا خوب است.

According to the news, the weather is good today.

Simple source attribution.

بنا به نامه، کلاس ساعت ده است.

According to the letter, the class is at ten.

Noun following the preposition.

بنا به دستور، اینجا ننشینید.

According to the order, do not sit here.

Formal instruction.

بنا به قول او، علی می‌آید.

According to his promise, Ali is coming.

Using 'قول' (promise) as a source.

بنا به نقشه، بانک اینجاست.

According to the map, the bank is here.

Spatial source attribution.

بنا به قانون مدرسه، وقت تمام است.

According to school rules, time is up.

Simple rule citation.

بنا به لیست، نام شما نیست.

According to the list, your name is not there.

Checking a physical source.

بنا به درخواست او، پنجره را بستم.

At his request, I closed the window.

Action based on a request.

بنا به دلایل شخصی، او به مهمانی نیامد.

For personal reasons, he didn't come to the party.

Explaining absence with a reason.

بنا به گزارش رادیو، ترافیک سنگین است.

According to the radio report, traffic is heavy.

Common journalistic use.

بنا به دعوت مدیر، به دفتر رفتم.

At the manager's invitation, I went to the office.

Action triggered by an invitation.

بنا به پیشنهاد سارا، به رستوران رفتیم.

Based on Sara's suggestion, we went to a restaurant.

Decision based on a suggestion.

بنا به تمرینات زیاد، او برنده شد.

Due to much practice, he won.

Causality (though 'به دلیل' is also common).

بنا به قرارداد، کار فرما باید پول بدهد.

According to the contract, the employer must pay.

Legal/formal obligation.

بنا به تجربه من، این کار سخت است.

According to my experience, this work is hard.

Personal source attribution.

بنا به پیش‌بینی‌ها، قیمت طلا بالا می‌رود.

According to forecasts, the price of gold will rise.

Economic context.

بنا به شواهد، او در خانه نبود.

According to the evidence, he was not at home.

Logical deduction from evidence.

بنا به مصلحت خانواده، ما مهاجرت کردیم.

For the sake of the family's best interest, we immigrated.

Using 'مصلحت' (expediency/interest).

بنا به اطلاعات واصله، جلسه لغو شده است.

According to received information, the meeting is canceled.

Formal administrative language.

بنا به گفته‌های شاهدان، سارق فرار کرد.

According to witness accounts, the thief escaped.

Journalistic reporting.

بنا به نیاز بازار، تولید افزایش یافت.

According to market needs, production increased.

Economic causality.

بنا به تشخیص پزشک، او باید استراحت کند.

According to the doctor's diagnosis, he must rest.

Professional judgment.

بنا به برنامه زمانی، قطار ساعت هشت حرکت می‌کند.

According to the schedule, the train leaves at eight.

Formal schedule citation.

بنا به ملاحظات امنیتی، ورود به این منطقه ممنوع است.

Due to security considerations, entry to this area is prohibited.

Formal security context.

بنا به توافقات صورت گرفته، همکاری ما ادامه دارد.

Based on the agreements made, our cooperation continues.

Business/Diplomatic context.

بنا به ماهیت پیچیده پروژه، زمان بیشتری لازم است.

Due to the complex nature of the project, more time is needed.

Abstract justification.

بنا به ادعای شاکی، ضرر مالی زیادی وارد شده است.

According to the plaintiff's claim, significant financial loss occurred.

Legal terminology ('شاکی').

بنا به آمار منتشر شده، نرخ بیکاری کاهش یافته است.

According to published statistics, the unemployment rate has decreased.

Data-driven reporting.

بنا به ضرورت، دولت تصمیم به جیره‌بندی آب گرفت.

Due to necessity, the government decided to ration water.

State-level decision making.

بنا به سنت‌های قدیمی، این مراسم هر سال برگزار می‌شود.

According to old traditions, this ceremony is held every year.

Cultural justification.

بنا به تحقیقات اخیر، رژیم غذایی در سلامت نقش دارد.

According to recent research, diet plays a role in health.

Scientific attribution.

بنا به مفاد صریح قرارداد، هرگونه تخلف پیگرد قانونی دارد.

According to the explicit terms of the contract, any violation is subject to legal action.

High-level legal register.

بنا به استدلال‌های منطقی، این نظریه قابل دفاع نیست.

Based on logical arguments, this theory is not defensible.

Academic/Philosophical debate.

بنا به قرائن و شواهد موجود، احتمال وقوع بحران وجود دارد.

According to existing signs and evidence, there is a possibility of a crisis.

Sophisticated analytical language.

بنا به اقتضای زمان، باید در سیاست‌های خود تجدیدنظر کنیم.

According to the exigencies of the time, we must revise our policies.

Political/Strategic register.

بنا به اظهارات صریح وزیر، بودجه کافی تخصیص یافته است.

According to the minister's explicit statements, sufficient budget has been allocated.

Official administrative reporting.

بنا به روایات تاریخی، این بنا در دوره صفویه ساخته شد.

According to historical accounts, this building was constructed in the Safavid era.

Historical/Academic register.

بنا به فرضیه پژوهشگران، این دارو می‌تواند موثر باشد.

According to the researchers' hypothesis, this drug could be effective.

Scientific methodology.

بنا به حکم صادره از سوی دادگاه، وی تبرئه شد.

According to the verdict issued by the court, he was acquitted.

Formal judicial procedure.

بنا به نص صریح قانون اساسی، تفکیک قوا الزامی است.

According to the explicit text of the constitution, the separation of powers is mandatory.

Constitutional legal register.

بنا به خوانش‌های پسا‌ساختارگرایانه، متن دارای معانی متعددی است.

According to post-structuralist readings, the text has multiple meanings.

Literary theory/Critical discourse.

بنا به مصالح عالیه نظام، این تصمیم اتخاذ گردیده است.

According to the supreme interests of the system, this decision has been taken.

Statecraft and political jargon.

بنا به مستندات متقن تاریخی، این ادعا فاقد اعتبار است.

Based on solid historical documentation, this claim lacks validity.

Academic rigor and validation.

بنا به الزامات ژئوپلیتیک، منطقه شاهد تحولات بنیادین خواهد بود.

According to geopolitical requirements, the region will witness fundamental developments.

International relations discourse.

بنا به رویکرد پدیدارشناختی، تجربه زیسته مبنای شناخت است.

According to the phenomenological approach, lived experience is the basis of knowledge.

High-level philosophical theory.

بنا به صلاحدید مراجع ذی‌صلاح، پروژه متوقف شد.

According to the discretion of the competent authorities, the project was halted.

Formal bureaucratic procedure.

بنا به تبیین‌های جامعه‌شناختی، فقر ریشه در ساختارها دارد.

According to sociological explanations, poverty is rooted in structures.

Sociological academic register.

Common Collocations

بنا به گزارش

بنا به درخواست

بنا به دلایلی

بنا به گفته

بنا به تشخیص

بنا به ضرورت

بنا به مصلحت

بنا به پیشنهاد

بنا به آمار

بنا به دستور

Common Phrases

بنا به احتیاط

— As a precaution. Used when taking a safe course of action.

بنا به احتیاط، چتر برداشتم.

بنا به شنیده‌ها

— According to rumors or what has been heard.

بنا به شنیده‌ها، او استعفا داده است.

بنا به عادت

— Out of habit. According to one's routine.

او بنا به عادت، هر روز صبح می‌دود.

بنا به مقتضیات

— As circumstances require.

بنا به مقتضیات، تصمیم عوض شد.

بنا به شواهد

— Based on the evidence.

بنا به شواهد، او بی‌گناه است.

بنا به فرضیه

— According to the hypothesis.

بنا به فرضیه ما، آزمایش موفق بود.

بنا به نص قانون

— According to the literal text of the law.

بنا به نص قانون، او جریمه شد.

بنا به ادعای

— According to the claim of...

بنا به ادعای وی، پول پرداخت شده است.

بنا به وظیفه

— Out of duty / According to duty.

او بنا به وظیفه، حقیقت را گفت.

بنا به میل خود

— According to one's own will/desire.

او بنا به میل خود، شغلش را ترک کرد.

Often Confused With

بنا به vs بنابراین

Means 'therefore'. Introduces a result, not a source.

بنا به vs بنیاد

Means 'foundation' (noun), but not used as a preposition.

بنا به vs به نامِ

Means 'in the name of'. Often confused due to the 'be' and 'na' sounds.

Idioms & Expressions

"بنا را بر این گذاشتن"

— To assume something; to base one's actions on a premise.

ما بنا را بر این گذاشتیم که او می‌آید.

Formal/Idiomatic

"خشت اول چون نهد معمار کج / تا ثریا می‌رود دیوار کج"

— If the foundation (بنا) is laid wrong, the whole structure will be crooked. (Related to the root 'بنا').

در آموزش باید دقیق بود، چون خشت اول...

Literary

"بنا کردن"

— To build or establish (the verb form).

او یک مدرسه بنا کرد.

General

"بنیان‌گذار"

— Founder (Related to the same root).

او بنیان‌گذار این شرکت است.

Formal

"بنای مخالفت گذاشتن"

— To start opposing something systematically.

او بنای مخالفت با طرح را گذاشت.

Formal/Idiomatic

"بنای دوستی"

— The foundation of friendship.

آن‌ها بنای دوستی ریختند.

Literary

"از بن"

— From the root/completely (Related root).

این مشکل از بن حل شد.

Literary

"بی‌بنا"

— Groundless / Without foundation.

این حرف‌ها بی‌بنا است.

Formal

"بنا به دلایل واهی"

— For baseless/flimsy reasons.

او بنا به دلایل واهی اخراج شد.

Formal

"بنا به مصلحت اندیشی"

— Acting based on what is prudent/expedient.

او بنا به مصلحت اندیشی سکوت کرد.

Formal

Easily Confused

بنا به vs طبق

Both mean 'according to'.

'طبق' is more common and slightly less formal. 'بنا به' feels more authoritative.

طبق برنامه (According to the schedule) vs بنا به قانون (According to the law).

بنا به vs بر اساس

Both mean 'based on'.

'بر اساس' is usually for logical or data-driven bases. 'بنا به' is for reasons or sources.

بر اساس آمار (Based on stats).

بنا به vs حسب

Both are formal prepositions.

'حسب' is extremely formal/Arabic and usually limited to orders or duties.

حسب الامر (As per order).

بنا به vs بموجب

Legal usage overlap.

'بموجب' is strictly legal, citing an article that grants power.

بموجب این حکم (By virtue of this decree).

بنا به vs مطابق

Used for 'in accordance with'.

'مطابق' emphasizes the match between two things.

مطابق با واقعیت (Consistent with reality).

Sentence Patterns

بنا به [Noun], [Simple Sentence]

بنا به اخبار، هوا خوب است.

بنا به [Noun] او, [Sentence]

بنا به درخواست او، من رفتم.

بنا به [Nominalized Verb], [Sentence]

بنا به گفته شاهدان، او فرار کرد.

بنا به [Abstract Noun], [Sentence]

بنا به مصلحت، سکوت کردیم.

بنا به [Legal/Technical Noun], [Sentence]

بنا به مفاد قرارداد، جریمه پرداخت شد.

بنا به [Philosophical Concept], [Sentence]

بنا به اقتضای زمان، تغییر لازم است.

Formal

بنا به اظهارات [Person], [Sentence]

بنا به اظهارات وزیر، طرح اجرا می‌شود.

Journalistic

بنا به گزارش‌های رسیده، [News Event]

بنا به گزارش‌های رسیده، زلزله رخ داد.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

High in written/formal Persian; Moderate in spoken Persian.

Common Mistakes

بنای به گزارش → بنا به گزارش
Adding an Ezafe to 'بنا' is incorrect.
بنا به او گفت → بنا به گفته او
You must use a noun or nominalized verb after the preposition.
بنا به اینکه → از آنجایی که
'بنا به' cannot be followed by a 'ke' clause easily.
بنا به بنابراین → بنابراین
Confusing the preposition with the conjunction.
بنا به از → بنا به
Adding extra prepositions is redundant and wrong.

Tips

Citing Sources

Always use 'بنا به' when quoting a newspaper or a news agency to sound like a native speaker.

The 'Be' Connection

Remember that 'be' is part of the preposition. Don't drop it or replace it with 'az' or 'dar'.

Nominalize!

If you want to use a verb after it, turn it into a noun first (e.g., 'go' becomes 'going' or 'departure').

Elevate Your Writing

Replace 'چون' (because) with 'بنا به [Reason]' in your essays to get a higher score.

News Marker

When you hear 'Bana be', get ready to hear the name of an organization or a person.

Formal Requests

Use 'بنا به درخواست من' when asking for something in a professional email.

The Building Block

Visualize a brick labeled 'Bana' at the bottom of your sentence.

Officialdom

Understand that 'بنا به' is the language of the 'Nezam' (the system/government).

No therefore

Don't use 'بنا به' when you mean 'so' or 'as a result'; that is 'بنابراین'.

Global Persian

This word is used the same way in Iran, Afghanistan (Dari), and Tajikistan.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Bana' as 'Banner'. A banner 'hangs from' a pole. 'Bana be' means the information 'hangs from' or is 'based on' the source.

Visual Association

Imagine a skyscraper. The 'Bana' is the concrete foundation. The rest of your sentence is the skyscraper resting on that foundation.

Word Web

Source Foundation According to Law Report Reason Logic Structure

Challenge

Write three sentences about your daily routine using 'بنا به'. For example, 'According to my watch, it is time for lunch.'

Word Origin

Derived from the Arabic word 'بناء' (Binā’), which means a structure, building, or the act of building. In Persian, it was adopted and transformed into various grammatical functions.

Original meaning: A physical structure or foundation.

Semitic (Arabic root) integrated into Indo-European (Persian) syntax.

Cultural Context

Be careful when using it to attribute rumors (بنا به شنیده‌ها), as it can be seen as spreading unverified information.

Similar to 'According to' in English news reports (e.g., 'According to the BBC...').

Used in the opening of many Iranian Constitution articles. Frequent in the 'Golestan' of Saadi in various forms of 'Bana'. Standard in the 'Shahnameh' when describing the building of structures.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

News Reporting

بنا به گزارش‌های رسیده
بنا به گفته منابع آگاه
بنا به آمار نهایی
بنا به اعلام وزارتخانه

Legal Matters

بنا به ماده قانون
بنا به حکم دادگاه
بنا به شواهد موجود
بنا به نص صریح

Business/Office

بنا به درخواست مدیریت
بنا به پیشنهاد همکاران
بنا به مصلحت شرکت
بنا به قرارداد فیمابین

Medical

بنا به تشخیص پزشک
بنا به نتایج آزمایش
بنا به سوابق بیماری
بنا به توصیه‌های بهداشتی

Daily Life (Formal)

بنا به عادت همیشگی
بنا به قولی که دادم
بنا به دلایل شخصی
بنا به احتیاط

Conversation Starters

"بنا به تجربه شما، بهترین راه یادگیری فارسی چیست؟ (According to your experience...)"

"بنا به اخبار امروز، وضعیت اقتصادی چطور است؟ (According to today's news...)"

"بنا به گفته دوستان، این رستوران عالی است؛ نظر شما چیست؟ (According to friends...)"

"بنا به قانون جدید، آیا همه باید ماسک بزنند؟ (According to the new law...)"

"بنا به پیش‌بینی شما، چه کسی برنده مسابقه می‌شود؟ (According to your prediction...)"

Journal Prompts

بنا به چه دلایلی تصمیم گرفتید زبان فارسی را یاد بگیرید؟ (For what reasons...)

بنا به مشاهدات شما، بزرگترین تفاوت فرهنگی بین ایران و کشور شما چیست؟ (According to your observations...)

بنا به برنامه‌ریزی خودتان، در پنج سال آینده کجا خواهید بود؟ (According to your planning...)

بنا به مصلحت، چه زمانی بهتر است سکوت کنیم؟ (According to expediency...)

بنا به شواهدی که در زندگی دیده‌اید، آیا شانس مهم‌تر است یا تلاش؟ (Based on evidence...)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, 'بنا به' is a fixed phrase. You should never say 'بنایِ به'. It is a common mistake for learners who are used to adding '-e' to nouns.

Yes, but it's better to say 'بنا به گفته [Name]' (According to [Name]'s words) rather than just 'بنا به [Name]', which sounds incomplete in Persian.

Mostly, yes. They are interchangeable in 90% of cases. 'بنا به' is slightly more common for reasons/requests, and 'بنا بر' for rules/principles.

It might sound a bit too formal. For daily life, use 'طبقِ' or just 'به قولِ' (in the words of).

Yes, it is very common to start sentences with it to set the context or cite a source immediately.

It comes from the Arabic root B-N-Y, meaning to build or construct. This is why it implies a 'foundation'.

Yes, in contexts like 'بنا به دلایلی' (for/because of some reasons), it functions as a causal preposition.

You should say 'به نظر من' (In my opinion) or 'بنا به تجربه من' (According to my experience). 'بنا به من' is incorrect.

The word 'بنا' is used often, but the specific prepositional phrase 'بنا به' is more common in modern prose and journalism.

No, the preposition 'بنا به' remains the same regardless of the number or gender of the noun that follows.