At the A1 beginner level, the verb برداشتن (bardāshtan) is introduced primarily in its most literal and physical sense: to pick up an object. When you are just starting to learn Persian, you need vocabulary to describe your immediate surroundings and basic daily actions. This verb is essential for that. You will use it to talk about picking up a book, taking your keys before leaving the house, or lifting a pen from a desk. The grammar focus at this level is on the simple present and simple past tenses. You learn that 'I pick up' is برمی‌دارم (bar-mi-dāram) and 'I picked up' is برداشتم (bardāshtam). Teachers often use this verb in classroom instructions, telling students to 'pick up your pencils' (مدادهایتان را بردارید). It is crucial to understand that this verb requires a direct object, usually followed by the marker 'را' (rā) if the object is specific. For example, 'کتاب را بردار' (Pick up the book). At this stage, the focus is entirely on physical, tangible actions, laying the groundwork for the more complex and abstract meanings that will be introduced in higher levels. Mastering the pronunciation and the basic conjugation, especially the placement of the 'می' prefix, is the primary goal for A1 learners.
As you progress to the A2 elementary level, your usage of برداشتن expands beyond simple classroom objects to encompass a wider range of daily routines and practical situations. You start using it in the context of shopping, where you might 'pick up' an item from a shelf in a supermarket. You also learn its crucial application in telecommunications: 'گوشی را برداشتن' (to pick up the phone/to answer). This is a vital phrase for everyday communication. Furthermore, you begin to encounter the verb in slightly more complex grammatical structures, such as using it with modal verbs. You learn to say 'I must pick up' (باید بردارم) or 'I want to pick up' (می‌خواهم بردارم), which introduces the subjunctive mood where the 'می' prefix is dropped. The concept of removing something physically is also introduced, such as taking a lid off a pot or removing a coat from a hook. At this level, learners are encouraged to form longer sentences using prepositions, specifically 'از' (from), to describe where an object is being taken from, for example, 'من کیفم را از روی صندلی برداشتم' (I picked up my bag from the chair). This builds a more comprehensive understanding of spatial relationships in Persian.
At the B1 intermediate level, the semantic range of برداشتن broadens significantly to include essential non-physical and figurative meanings. A major milestone at this level is learning its application in banking and finance. You will use it to say 'withdrawing money' (پول برداشتن), which is indispensable for living or traveling in a Persian-speaking environment. Additionally, you begin to learn common compound phrases and idioms. For instance, 'قدم برداشتن' (to take a step) is used both literally and metaphorically to describe progress. You also encounter the phrase 'دست برداشتن' (to give up or to stop bothering someone), which is highly frequent in social interactions and emotional contexts. The grammar becomes more sophisticated; you practice using the verb in the present perfect (برداشته‌ام) and past perfect (برداشته بودم) tenses to describe completed actions with ongoing relevance. At B1, you are expected to understand the difference between picking something up (برداشتن) and taking it somewhere else (بردن), a common pitfall for learners. The focus shifts from merely describing physical actions to expressing intentions, financial transactions, and social dynamics, making your Persian sound much more natural and conversational.
Reaching the B2 upper-intermediate level means you are now dealing with abstract concepts, news, and more formal registers of the Persian language. Here, برداشتن is frequently used in political, medical, and academic contexts. You will read and hear about 'برداشتن تحریم‌ها' (lifting sanctions) or 'برداشتن موانع' (removing obstacles) in news reports and analytical articles. In medical contexts, it is the standard verb for surgical removal, such as 'برداشتن تومور' (removing a tumor). You also learn the noun derivative 'برداشت' (bardāsht), meaning 'interpretation' or 'understanding', and use the verb 'برداشت کردن' (to infer/interpret) in academic discussions. At this level, you are expected to master the subtle nuances of the verb in various idiomatic expressions, such as 'فاصله برداشتن' (to distance oneself or to crack). The grammatical focus includes passive voice constructions, although this verb is less commonly passivized in everyday speech, understanding forms like 'برداشته شد' (it was removed) is crucial for reading comprehension. Your vocabulary is rich enough that you can choose between synonyms based on context, knowing exactly when to use برداشتن versus حذف کردن (to delete) or رفع کردن (to resolve), demonstrating a high level of linguistic precision.
At the C1 advanced level, your command of برداشتن is near-native, allowing you to navigate complex literary texts, poetry, and highly nuanced conversations. You encounter the verb in classical and modern Persian literature, where it often carries deep metaphorical weight. For example, 'پرده برداشتن' (to unveil/to reveal a secret) is a sophisticated phrase used in journalism and literature. You understand regional variations and colloquial shortenings that native speakers use in rapid speech. The verb is used in complex psychological and sociological discussions, such as 'برداشتن فشار روانی' (removing psychological pressure). At this stage, you are fully comfortable with the most intricate grammatical structures, including the past subjunctive (برداشته باشم) used in hypothetical scenarios and conditional sentences. You can effortlessly play with the language, using idioms like 'کلاه خود را قاضی کردن و کلاه برداشتن' (to take off one's hat in respect/admiration) with perfect timing. Your understanding of the verb's etymology—the combination of 'bar' (up) and 'dāshtan' (to hold)—informs your comprehension of newly encountered compound verbs. You use the verb not just to communicate, but to express subtle shades of meaning, emotion, and intellectual analysis.
At the C2 mastery level, your understanding and usage of برداشتن are indistinguishable from a highly educated native speaker. You possess an intuitive grasp of the verb's historical evolution and its usage in the most archaic and poetic forms of Persian. You can analyze texts from Rumi or Hafez where the verb might be used in mystical contexts, such as removing the veil of the ego (پرده پندار برداشتن). You are adept at creating your own metaphors and rhetorical devices using this verb in academic writing or public speaking. You understand the subtle socio-linguistic cues associated with different pronunciations and usages across various Persian-speaking regions (Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan). At this level, you are not learning new meanings of the verb; rather, you are utilizing it as a powerful rhetorical tool to persuade, entertain, and analyze. You can effortlessly navigate highly specialized jargon—whether in advanced economics (capital withdrawal strategies), complex legal documents (lifting of injunctions), or intricate philosophical debates. Your mastery is evident in your ability to instantly recognize and produce the most obscure idioms and collocations, demonstrating a profound and comprehensive internalization of the Persian language's depth and beauty.

برداشتن in 30 Seconds

  • To pick up
  • To withdraw money
  • To remove
  • To answer the phone
The Persian verb برداشتن (bardāshtan) is one of the most fundamental and versatile compound verbs in the Persian language, primarily meaning 'to pick up', 'to take', 'to lift', or 'to remove'. Understanding its morphological structure is the first step to mastering its use. It is composed of the prefix بر (bar), which historically means 'up', 'upon', or 'on', and the simple verb داشتن (dāshtan), which translates to 'to have' or 'to hold'. When combined, the literal translation 'to hold up' perfectly encapsulates its primary physical meaning: lifting an object from a surface. However, the semantic range of this verb extends far beyond simple physical actions. It is deeply embedded in both everyday colloquial speech and formal literary contexts, taking on numerous figurative meanings depending on the nouns it pairs with and the prepositions that accompany it.
Literal Meaning
The most direct translation is to physically lift an object from a lower position to a higher one, such as picking up a book from a table or lifting a bag from the floor.

او کتاب را از روی میز برداشت.

Beyond the physical realm, برداشتن is frequently used to denote the act of removing something, such as taking off a lid, clearing an obstacle, or even surgically removing an organ like an appendix. In financial contexts, it is the standard verb for withdrawing money from a bank account.
Figurative Usage
It is used metaphorically in phrases like 'taking a step' (قدم برداشتن) or 'removing a barrier' (مانع را برداشتن), showing its critical role in expressing progress or resolution.

باید برای موفقیت قدم‌های بزرگی برداریم.

Furthermore, the verb plays a crucial role in idiomatic expressions. For instance, 'دست برداشتن' (dast bardāshtan) literally means 'to lift the hand', but idiomatically it translates to 'to give up', 'to cease', or 'to leave someone alone'. This demonstrates how the core concept of removal is applied to actions and intentions.
Idiomatic Context
Idioms using this verb often relate to cessation or initiation of an action, relying heavily on the noun it is paired with to dictate the specific meaning.

لطفاً از این کار دست بردار.

او تمام پول‌هایش را از بانک برداشت.

The versatility of برداشتن makes it an indispensable tool for learners. Whether you are describing a simple morning routine of picking up your keys, discussing complex financial transactions, or reading classical Persian poetry where barriers of the heart are removed, this verb will appear constantly. Its conjugation follows a regular pattern for compound verbs, but special attention must be paid to the placement of the present tense prefix 'می' (mi), which inserts itself between the prefix 'بر' and the root 'دار', resulting in forms like برمی‌دارم (bar-mi-dāram). This infixation is a hallmark of older Persian verb structures that have survived into modern usage, adding a layer of historical richness to every sentence in which it is employed.

من هر روز صبح کلیدم را برمی‌دارم.

Using the verb برداشتن correctly requires a solid grasp of Persian syntax, particularly concerning compound verbs and prepositions. Because it is a transitive verb, it requires a direct object, which is often followed by the definite object marker را (rā) if the object is specific. The most common preposition associated with this verb is از (az), meaning 'from'. This logically follows the verb's core meaning: you pick up or remove something *from* somewhere.
Syntax Structure
Subject + Object + را (if definite) + از (from) + Location + Verb (برداشتن).

علی لیوان را از روی زمین برداشت.

Conjugating this verb can be slightly tricky for beginners due to its compound nature. The present stem is دار (dār) and the past stem is داشت (dāsht). In the present indicative tense, the prefix می‌ (mi) is placed between the verbal prefix بر (bar) and the stem. Therefore, 'I pick up' is برمی‌دارم (bar-mi-dāram). In the negative form, the 'ن' (na) prefix replaces the 'می' in the subjunctive or attaches before it in the indicative, resulting in برنمی‌دارم (bar-nemi-dāram).
Imperative Form
The imperative is simply بردار (bardār) for singular informal, and بردارید (bardārid) for plural or formal. Notice that the usual 'ب' (be) prefix for imperatives is omitted because the verb already has the prefix 'بر'.

لطفاً کیف خود را بردارید.

In compound expressions, the usage expands significantly. For example, 'فاصله برداشتن' (fāsele bardāshtan) means to distance oneself or to crack/split, while 'قدم برداشتن' (qadam bardāshtan) means to take a step. In these cases, the noun preceding the verb dictates the entire meaning of the phrase, and the verb itself acts as a dynamic engine driving the action.
Medical Usage
In medical contexts, it translates to 'to remove' surgically, such as removing a tumor or an organ.

دکترها تومور را با موفقیت برداشتند.

او کلاهش را به نشانه احترام برداشت.

Another vital grammatical point is the use of the subjunctive mood. When expressing desire, necessity, or possibility, the verb transforms. 'I must pick up' becomes باید بردارم (bāyad bardāram). The 'می' is dropped, and the verb reverts to its simpler prefix+stem form. Mastering these conjugational nuances is essential for achieving fluency and sounding natural when speaking Persian.

من باید وسایلم را بردارم و بروم.

The verb برداشتن is ubiquitous in Persian, echoing through various facets of daily life, professional environments, and cultural expressions. You will hear it from the moment you wake up until you go to sleep. In a domestic setting, parents frequently use it to instruct children to tidy up. Phrases like 'اسباب‌بازی‌هایت را بردار' (pick up your toys) are standard household commands. It is the go-to verb for interacting with physical objects in your immediate environment.
Everyday Conversations
Used constantly for picking up keys, phones, bags, and clothes. It represents the physical interaction with the world.

یادت نرود کلیدهایت را برداری.

In the realm of telecommunications, despite the advent of smartphones, the phrase 'گوشی را برداشتن' (to pick up the phone) remains the standard way to say 'answer the phone'. If someone is ignoring your calls, you might complain, 'چرا گوشیو برنمی‌داری؟' (Why aren't you picking up the phone?). This usage highlights how traditional physical actions have seamlessly transitioned into modern technological contexts.
Banking and Finance
In banking, it is the absolute standard term for withdrawing money from an ATM or a bank account.

رفتم از عابربانک پول بردارم.

In educational and academic settings, the verb takes on an intellectual flavor. 'برداشت کردن' (bardāsht kardan), a derivative, means to infer, deduce, or interpret. A teacher might ask a student, 'برداشت شما از این شعر چیست؟' (What is your interpretation of this poem?). This shows the evolution of the word from physically taking an object to mentally taking a concept or meaning from a text.
Social and Idiomatic Contexts
You will hear it in emotional or conflict resolution scenarios, such as 'دست برداشتن' (to give up/stop bothering).

او بالاخره از لجاجت دست برداشت.

باید موانع را از سر راه برداریم.

او یک قدم به جلو برداشت.

Furthermore, in beauty and grooming contexts, it means to pluck or remove hair, specifically eyebrows (ابرو برداشتن). This specific usage is very common in salons and everyday conversations about personal care. The sheer variety of contexts—from picking up a pen, withdrawing cash, interpreting poetry, lifting international sanctions, to grooming—proves that mastering برداشتن is absolutely essential for anyone looking to achieve fluency in Persian. It is a linguistic chameleon, adapting its core meaning of 'lifting/removing' to fit almost any scenario imaginable.
While برداشتن is a highly frequent verb, it is also a source of several common mistakes for Persian learners, primarily due to its compound structure, its similarity to other verbs, and its specific conjugational rules. One of the most frequent errors occurs during conjugation, specifically with the placement of the present tense marker 'می' (mi). Because the verb is composed of the prefix 'بر' and the root 'داشتن', learners often mistakenly place the 'می' at the very beginning, saying 'می‌بردارم' (mi-bardāram) instead of the correct form, 'برمی‌دارم' (bar-mi-dāram). This infixation rule is strict in modern Persian for this specific verb.
Conjugation Error
Incorrect placement of the 'mi' prefix. It must go between 'bar' and the verb stem.

غلط: می‌بردارم. درست: برمی‌دارم.

Another major area of confusion is distinguishing برداشتن from similar verbs like گرفتن (gereftan - to get/catch) and بردن (bordan - to take away). English speakers often use 'take' for both picking something up and transporting it. In Persian, if you pick up a book from a table, you use برداشتن. If you take that book to the library, you use بردن. Confusing these two changes the entire meaning of the sentence.
Semantic Confusion
Using برداشتن (to pick up) when you actually mean بردن (to transport/take away).

من کتاب را به خانه بردم. (Not برداشتم)

Additionally, learners often make mistakes with the imperative form. The standard rule for forming imperatives in Persian is adding the prefix 'ب' (be). However, verbs that already have a prefix like 'بر' do not take this additional 'ب'. Therefore, saying 'ببردار' (be-bardār) is grammatically incorrect and sounds very unnatural to native speakers. The correct form is simply 'بردار' (bardār).
Imperative Error
Adding the 'be' prefix to an already prefixed verb.

لطفاً این را بردار. (Not ببردار)

او پول را از روی میز برداشت.

چرا گوشی را برنمی‌داری؟

Finally, prepositions can be tricky. When picking something up *from* a surface, the preposition از (az) must be used. Saying 'کتاب را روی میز برداشتم' is incorrect; it must be 'کتاب را از روی میز برداشتم' (I picked up the book *from on* the table). Paying attention to these subtle conjugational and syntactical rules will vastly improve the natural flow of your Persian.
In Persian, several verbs share semantic overlap with برداشتن, and understanding the nuances between them is key to precise communication. The most closely related verb is بلند کردن (boland kardan), which literally translates to 'to make tall' or 'to lift'. While both can mean 'to lift', بلند کردن emphasizes the physical exertion of raising something heavy or raising something high into the air, whereas برداشتن focuses more on the act of taking possession of an object by picking it up.
بلند کردن vs برداشتن
Use بلند کردن for heavy lifting (e.g., a heavy box). Use برداشتن for simply picking something up to take it (e.g., a pen).

او جعبه سنگین را بلند کرد، اما خودکار را برداشت.

Another similar verb is گرفتن (gereftan), meaning 'to get', 'to catch', or 'to take'. The distinction here lies in the source of the action. You use گرفتن when receiving something from someone else's hand or catching something in motion. You use برداشتن when the object is stationary on a surface and you initiate the action of picking it up yourself.
گرفتن vs برداشتن
گرفتن implies receiving or catching. برداشتن implies picking up a stationary object independently.

من هدیه را از او گرفتم، و کلیدم را از روی میز برداشتم.

When it comes to the meaning of 'removing', verbs like حذف کردن (hazf kardan - to delete/eliminate) and پاک کردن (pāk kardan - to erase/clean) come into play. برداشتن is used for physical removal (like a tumor or an obstacle) or lifting sanctions (تحریم‌ها را برداشتن). حذف کردن is more abstract, used for deleting files, eliminating candidates, or omitting words.
حذف کردن vs برداشتن
حذف کردن is for digital or abstract elimination. برداشتن is for physical or systemic removal.

او فایل را حذف کرد و لپ‌تاپ را برداشت.

دولت تصمیم گرفت محدودیت‌ها را بردارد.

لطفاً دست از سرم بردار.

Finally, the verb بردن (bordan - to take away) is often confused with برداشتن by beginners. As mentioned earlier, برداشتن is the initial act of picking up, while بردن is the subsequent act of transporting the object to another location. By carefully distinguishing between these related verbs, learners can achieve a much higher level of accuracy and naturalness in their Persian communication.

How Formal Is It?

Difficulty Rating

Grammar to Know

Compound verb conjugation (placement of 'می')

Use of the object marker 'را'

Preposition 'از' for origin/source

Subjunctive mood formation without 'می'

Negative prefix 'ن' placement in compound verbs

Examples by Level

1

من کتاب را برمی‌دارم.

I pick up the book.

Present indicative: بر + می‌ + دارم

2

او سیب را برداشت.

He/She picked up the apple.

Simple past: بر + داشت

3

لطفاً کیف را بردار.

Please pick up the bag.

Imperative singular: بردار

4

آنها قلم‌ها را برداشتند.

They picked up the pens.

Simple past plural: برداشتند

5

من کلیدم را برداشتم.

I picked up my key.

Use of possessive pronoun 'م' with object marker 'را'

6

تو لیوان را برمی‌داری.

You pick up the glass.

Present indicative second person singular.

7

ما پول را برداشتیم.

We picked up the money.

Simple past first person plural.

8

بچه‌ها اسباب‌بازی را برداشتند.

The children picked up the toy.

Plural subject with plural verb.

1

من باید گوشی را بردارم.

I must answer the phone.

Subjunctive mood after 'باید': بردارم (no 'می')

2

او کلاهش را از سرش برداشت.

He took his hat off his head.

Using preposition 'از' for removal.

3

می‌خواهم این لباس را بردارم.

I want to take this dress (buy/pick it).

Subjunctive after 'می‌خواهم'.

4

چرا تلفن را برنمی‌داری؟

Why aren't you picking up the phone?

Negative present: بر + نمی‌ + داری

5

لطفاً بشقاب‌ها را از روی میز بردارید.

Please clear the plates from the table.

Formal imperative: بردارید

6

من هر روز صبح روزنامه را برمی‌دارم.

I pick up the newspaper every morning.

Habitual action in present tense.

7

او عینک خود را برداشت.

She took off her glasses.

Using 'خود' for reflexive possession.

8

ما وسایلمان را برداشتیم و رفتیم.

We picked up our things and left.

Compound sentence with two past tense verbs.

1

دیروز از بانک پول برداشتم.

I withdrew money from the bank yesterday.

Idiomatic use for withdrawing money.

2

باید برای حل این مشکل قدم برداریم.

We must take a step to solve this problem.

Compound phrase: قدم برداشتن (to take a step).

3

او بالاخره از این کار دست برداشت.

He finally gave up on this action.

Idiom: دست برداشتن (to give up/stop).

4

دکتر گفت باید آپاندیس را بردارند.

The doctor said they must remove the appendix.

Medical usage for surgical removal.

5

من اینطور برداشت کردم که او ناراحت است.

I interpreted it this way, that he is upset.

Derivative verb: برداشت کردن (to interpret).

6

لطفاً موانع را از سر راه بردارید.

Please remove the obstacles from the path.

Metaphorical and physical removal.

7

او تمام پس‌اندازش را برداشت.

She withdrew all her savings.

Financial context.

8

هنوز گوشی را برنداشته است.

He hasn't picked up the phone yet.

Present perfect negative: بر + نداشته است

1

دولت تصمیم گرفت تحریم‌ها را بردارد.

The government decided to lift the sanctions.

Political context: lifting sanctions.

2

این دیوار به دلیل زلزله ترک برداشته است.

This wall has cracked due to the earthquake.

Idiom: ترک برداشتن (to crack).

3

او مسئولیت بزرگی را بر دوش برداشت.

He took on a great responsibility.

Idiom: مسئولیت برداشتن (to take responsibility).

4

برداشت شما از این مقاله علمی چیست؟

What is your interpretation of this scientific article?

Noun usage: برداشت (interpretation).

5

آنها پرده از این راز بزرگ برداشتند.

They unveiled this great secret.

Idiom: پرده برداشتن (to unveil/reveal).

6

اگر موانع برداشته شوند، اقتصاد رشد می‌کند.

If obstacles are removed, the economy will grow.

Passive voice subjunctive: برداشته شوند.

7

رابطه آنها اخیراً فاصله برداشته است.

Their relationship has grown distant recently.

Idiom: فاصله برداشتن (to distance).

8

او با این حرف، نقاب از چهره‌اش برداشت.

With this statement, he took the mask off his face (revealed his true self).

Metaphorical usage.

1

نویسنده در این کتاب، پرده از حقایق تلخی برداشته است.

In this book, the author has unveiled bitter truths.

Advanced literary idiom in present perfect.

2

دولت با برداشتن یارانه‌ها، موجی از تورم را ایجاد کرد.

By removing subsidies, the government created a wave of inflation.

Gerund usage: برداشتن (the act of removing).

3

او چنان قدم‌های استواری برمی‌داشت که همه مجذوبش شدند.

He was taking such firm steps that everyone was fascinated by him.

Past continuous context with descriptive adjectives.

4

باید کلاه خود را به نشانه احترام برای این قهرمان برداشت.

One must take off one's hat in respect for this hero.

Cultural idiom for showing deep respect.

5

تا زمانی که دست از لجاجت برنداری، موفق نخواهی شد.

As long as you don't give up your stubbornness, you won't succeed.

Negative subjunctive in a conditional clause.

6

برداشت بی‌رویه از آب‌های زیرزمینی، بحران‌ساز شده است.

Excessive extraction of groundwater has caused a crisis.

Environmental terminology: برداشت آب (water extraction).

7

من از صحبت‌های او این‌گونه برداشت کردم که قصد استعفا دارد.

I inferred from his remarks that he intends to resign.

Complex sentence with 'این‌گونه برداشت کردم'.

8

زخم‌های قدیمی دوباره سر باز کرده و عفونت برداشته‌اند.

Old wounds have opened up again and become infected.

Medical idiom: عفونت برداشتن (to become infected).

1

عارف با ریاضت، پرده پندار از چشم دل برداشت.

Through asceticism, the mystic removed the veil of illusion from the eye of the heart.

Classical poetic and mystical context.

2

سیاست‌گذاران باید گام‌های بلندی در جهت برداشتن موانع تولید بردارند.

Policymakers must take giant leaps toward removing barriers to production.

Formal bureaucratic and economic register.

3

این بنای تاریخی در اثر بی‌توجهی، آسیب‌های جدی برداشته است.

This historical monument has sustained serious damage due to neglect.

Idiom: آسیب برداشتن (to sustain damage).

4

او با ظرافتی بی‌نظیر، موانع حقوقی را از پیش پای موکلش برداشت.

With unparalleled finesse, he removed the legal obstacles from his client's path.

Advanced legal context.

5

برداشت‌های متفاوت از این متن قانونی، منجر به تفاسیر متناقضی شده است.

Differing interpretations of this legal text have led to contradictory rulings.

Plural noun usage in a formal academic setting.

6

تا کی می‌خواهی از زیر بار مسئولیت شانه خالی کنی و باری برنداری؟

How long do you want to shirk responsibility and not carry any burden?

Rhetorical question with idiomatic pairing.

7

خسارت وارده به حدی بود که شرکت نتوانست قد راست کند و ورشکستگی برداشت.

The damage was so severe that the company couldn't recover and went bankrupt.

Rare, highly idiomatic business usage.

8

شاعر با مهارت تمام، نقاب از چهره تزویر جامعه برداشته است.

The poet, with utmost skill, has unmasked the hypocrisy of society.

Literary critique terminology.

Common Collocations

پول برداشتن
گوشی را برداشتن
قدم برداشتن
دست برداشتن
تحریم‌ها را برداشتن
فاصله برداشتن
ترک برداشتن
پرده برداشتن
ابرو برداشتن
موانع را برداشتن

Often Confused With

برداشتن vs بردن

برداشتن vs گرفتن

برداشتن vs بلند کردن

Easily Confused

برداشتن vs

برداشتن vs

برداشتن vs

برداشتن vs

برداشتن vs

Sentence Patterns

How to Use It

formality

Appropriate for all levels of formality.

regional differences

Universally understood across Iran, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan.

literal vs figurative

Literal: picking up a pen. Figurative: picking up a habit, withdrawing money, interpreting.

Common Mistakes
  • Saying 'می‌بردارم' instead of 'برمی‌دارم'.
  • Using 'برداشتن' when 'بردن' (to take away) is needed.
  • Saying 'ببردار' for the imperative instead of 'بردار'.
  • Forgetting the preposition 'از' when picking something up from a surface.
  • Using 'برداشتن' to mean 'to buy' in formal contexts (though used informally, 'خریدن' is better).

Tips

Mind the 'Mi'

Always place 'می' between 'بر' and 'دار' in the present tense: برمی‌دارم.

Banking Essential

Remember this verb when going to the ATM. 'پول برداشتن' is withdrawing cash.

Leave Me Alone

Use 'دست از سرم بردار' when you want someone to stop bothering you.

Stress the Stem

In the imperative 'بردار', place the stress on the second syllable 'dār'.

No 'Be' Prefix

Never say 'ببردار'. The imperative is just 'بردار'.

Phone Calls

If someone isn't answering, say 'چرا برنمی‌داری؟'.

Interpretation

Use the noun 'برداشت' to ask for someone's opinion or interpretation of a text.

Use 'Az'

When picking something up from a surface, use the preposition 'از' (from).

Bardāshtan vs Bordan

Pick up = Bardāshtan. Take away = Bordan. Don't mix them up!

Taking Steps

'قدم برداشتن' is a great phrase for expressing progress or taking action.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine a BAR tender holding up (DĀSHTAN) a glass to PICK IT UP.

Word Origin

Middle Persian

Cultural Context

Used in all registers. 'برداشتن' is neutral. 'برداشت فرمودن' is highly formal/polite.

In Afghanistan (Dari), the pronunciation of the 'a' in 'bar' might be slightly more rounded.

The verb has remained remarkably stable since Middle Persian, though its figurative uses (like withdrawing money) are modern adaptations.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Conversation Starters

"چرا گوشیتو برنمی‌داری؟ (Why aren't you answering your phone?)"

"میشه اینو برداری؟ (Can you pick this up?)"

"چقدر پول برداشتی؟ (How much money did you withdraw?)"

"برداشتت از این فیلم چی بود؟ (What was your interpretation of this movie?)"

"کی دست از این کار برمی‌داری؟ (When will you stop doing this?)"

Journal Prompts

Describe a time you had to 'take a big step' (قدم بزرگ برداشتن) in life.

Write about your 'interpretation' (برداشت) of a recent news event.

List 5 things you 'pick up' (برمی‌داری) every morning before leaving home.

Describe a situation where you had to 'give up' (دست برداشتن) on something.

Write a dialogue about someone refusing to 'answer the phone' (گوشی را برداشتن).

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

In compound verbs starting with 'bar', the 'mi' prefix is placed between the 'bar' and the verb stem. So, it is 'bar-mi-dāram', not 'mi-bardāram'. This is a strict rule in modern Persian.

The negative imperative is formed by adding 'na' between the prefix and the stem. So, 'don't pick up' is 'bar-na-dār' (برندار).

No. For transporting a person or an object to another location, you must use 'bordan' (بردن). 'Bardāshtan' is only for the initial act of picking up.

Literally 'to lift the hand', it is a very common idiom meaning 'to give up', 'to stop doing something', or 'to leave someone alone'. For example, 'dast az saram bardār' means 'leave me alone'.

Yes, 'gūshi rā bardāshtan' (to pick up the receiver) is the standard and most common way to say 'to answer the phone' in Persian.

You use 'bardāshtan'. 'Pūl bardāshtam' (پول برداشتم) means 'I withdrew money'. It is the standard banking term.

The noun form is 'bardāsht' (برداشت), which means 'withdrawal' (in banking), 'harvest' (in agriculture), or 'interpretation' (in literature/conversation).

Yes, if the object you are picking up is specific and definite, you must use 'rā'. For example, 'ketāb rā bardāshtam' (I picked up the book).

Verbs that already have a prefix like 'bar', 'dar', or 'farā' do not take the standard 'be' imperative prefix. The imperative is simply 'bardār'.

Yes, especially in medical contexts (removing an organ/tumor) or political contexts (removing sanctions/obstacles).

Test Yourself 200 questions

writing

Translate to Persian: 'I picked up the book.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

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writing

Translate to Persian: 'Pick up the pen.'

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writing

Translate to Persian: 'He picks up the apple.'

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writing

Translate to Persian: 'We picked up the keys.'

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writing

Translate to Persian: 'I must pick up the phone.'

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writing

Translate to Persian: 'Why aren't you picking up?'

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writing

Translate to Persian: 'Please pick up the plates (formal).'

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writing

Translate to Persian: 'She took off her hat.'

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writing

Translate to Persian: 'I withdrew money from the bank.'

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writing

Translate to Persian: 'Leave me alone (give up on me).'

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writing

Translate to Persian: 'We must take a step.'

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writing

Translate to Persian: 'They removed the tumor.'

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writing

Translate to Persian: 'The government lifted the sanctions.'

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writing

Translate to Persian: 'The wall has cracked.'

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writing

Translate to Persian: 'They unveiled the secret.'

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writing

Translate to Persian: 'What is your interpretation?'

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writing

Translate to Persian: 'He took off his hat in respect.'

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writing

Translate to Persian: 'Excessive extraction of water is dangerous.'

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writing

Translate to Persian: 'The mystic removed the veil of illusion.'

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writing

Translate to Persian: 'The company went bankrupt (idiom).'

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speaking

Say 'I pick up the book' in Persian.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Say 'Pick up the pen!' in Persian.

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speaking

Say 'He picked up the apple' in Persian.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Say 'We picked up the keys' in Persian.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Say 'I must answer the phone' in Persian.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say 'Why aren't you answering?' in Persian.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say 'Please pick up the plates' formally.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Say 'She took off her hat' in Persian.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say 'I withdrew money from the bank' in Persian.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say 'Leave me alone' using an idiom.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say 'We must take a step' in Persian.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say 'They removed the tumor' in Persian.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say 'The sanctions were lifted' in Persian.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say 'The wall has cracked' in Persian.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say 'They unveiled the secret' in Persian.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say 'What is your interpretation?' in Persian.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say 'He took off his hat in respect' in Persian.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say 'Excessive water extraction' in Persian.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say 'The mystic removed the veil of illusion' in Persian.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say 'The company went bankrupt' using an idiom.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

Listen to 'برمی‌دارم'. What tense is it?

Contains 'mi'.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

Listen to 'برداشت'. Who did the action?

Third person singular.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

Listen to 'بردار'. What is this?

Imperative.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

Listen to 'برنمی‌داری'. Is it positive or negative?

Contains 'ne'.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

Listen to 'باید بردارم'. What does it mean?

Subjunctive mood.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

Listen to 'گوشی را برداشت'. What did they do?

Common phone phrase.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

Listen to 'پول برداشتم'. Where might the speaker be?

Withdrawing money.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

Listen to 'دست بردار'. What is the speaker feeling?

Idiom for 'stop it'.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

Listen to 'قدم برداشتیم'. What did they do?

'Qadam' means step.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

Listen to 'تحریم‌ها برداشته شد'. What is the topic?

News terminology.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

Listen to 'ترک برداشته'. What object might they be talking about?

Means 'has cracked'.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

Listen to 'برداشت شما'. What are they asking for?

Noun usage.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
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listening

Listen to 'پرده برداشتند'. What did they do?

Idiomatic usage.

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listening

Listen to 'کلاه برداشت'. What is the sentiment?

Cultural idiom.

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listening

Listen to 'پرده پندار برداشت'. What kind of text is this from?

Advanced literary phrase.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

/ 200 correct

Perfect score!

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