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A2 adjective 9 min read

بیرونی

biruni
Examples بیرونی in 30 Seconds
Explanation بیرونی in your Level:
At the A1 level, you should learn 'biruni' as a basic word for 'outside' or 'outer.' Imagine you are pointing at a house. The door you see from the street is the 'dar-e biruni' (outer door). You might hear it in very simple instructions like 'In dāru biruni ast' (This medicine is external). Focus on the physical meaning: things you can touch on the outside of a box, a house, or a car. It is the opposite of 'dākheli' (internal) or 'daruni' (inner). At this stage, just remember that it describes a location that is not inside. You will mostly use it with nouns like door, wall, or space. It is a helpful word for basic navigation and identifying parts of a building.
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At the A2 level, you begin to use 'biruni' to describe more specific physical attributes. You can talk about the 'lāye-ye biruni' (outer layer) of fruit or the 'fazā-ye biruni' (outdoor space) of a cafe. You should also start to notice the difference between 'biruni' and 'khāreji' (foreign). At A2, you can use 'biruni' in the context of health and safety, such as understanding that a cream is for 'masraf-e biruni' (external use). You are also becoming more comfortable with the Ezafe construction, so you should be able to link 'biruni' to various nouns correctly (e.g., divār-e biruni, rang-e biruni). This level is about expanding the physical applications of the word.
At the B1 level, you start using 'biruni' in more abstract and figurative ways. You might discuss 'avāmel-e biruni' (external factors) that affect your mood or your studies. You can participate in conversations about 'angize-ye biruni' (extrinsic motivation), like getting a good grade, versus intrinsic motivation. You will also encounter 'biruni' in more formal descriptions, such as 'namā-ye biruni-ye sākhtemān' (the external facade of the building). At this stage, you should be able to distinguish between 'biruni' (physical/logical external) and 'zāheri' (outward appearance). Your vocabulary is becoming more nuanced, allowing you to describe not just where things are, but how external forces impact systems.
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At the B2 level, 'biruni' becomes a tool for professional and academic discussion. You might use it in a business context to talk about 'feshārhā-ye biruni' (external pressures) on a company, such as market trends or regulations. In science or medicine, you will use it with precision, discussing 'guš-e biruni' (outer ear) or 'moharekhā-ye biruni' (external stimuli). You should be able to write essays comparing 'jahān-e biruni' (the external world) with the 'doniyā-ye daruni' (inner world) of a character in literature. Your understanding of the word now includes its historical and architectural connotations, such as the 'Biruni' section of a traditional Persian house, and how that reflects social boundaries.
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At the C1 level, you use 'biruni' with a high degree of sophistication in literary and philosophical contexts. You can analyze the works of Rumi or Hafez and discuss the tension between 'biruni' (the exoteric, the manifest) and 'daruni' (the esoteric, the hidden). You are capable of using the word in complex socio-political analyses, such as the 'tāthirāt-e biruni' (external influences) on a nation's culture or language. You understand the etymological roots and can identify how 'biruni' functions in compound words and technical terminology across various fields like psychology, physics, and architecture. Your usage is indistinguishable from that of an educated native speaker, employing the word to draw fine distinctions between different layers of reality.
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At the C2 level, you have a complete mastery of 'biruni' and its place in the Persian linguistic landscape. You can engage in deep philosophical debates about 'vaghe'iyat-e biruni' (external reality) versus idealism. You understand the most subtle puns and double meanings involving the word in classical and modern poetry. You can use 'biruni' to describe complex systemic 'externalities' in economic theory or intricate 'external interfaces' in advanced engineering. You are also aware of the historical legacy of scholars like Al-Biruni and how their names reflect the spatial logic of the Persian language. At this level, 'biruni' is not just a word, but a concept that you can manipulate to express the most abstract and refined thoughts.
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Examples

بیرونی in 30 Seconds

  • Biruni means 'external' or 'outer' in Persian.
  • It is used for physical exteriors, medicine, and abstract factors.
  • It is the opposite of 'daruni' (internal/inner).
  • It is a key architectural and cultural concept in Iran.

The Persian word بیرونی (biruni) is a versatile adjective primarily meaning 'external,' 'outer,' or 'extrinsic.' At its core, it describes anything situated on the outside of a boundary, whether that boundary is physical, like a wall, or conceptual, like the human mind. Understanding this word requires a journey into the Persian worldview, where the distinction between the 'inside' (daruni) and the 'outside' (biruni) is a fundamental pillar of philosophy, architecture, and social interaction. Historically, Persian homes were divided into two distinct sections: the Andaruni (the private, inner sanctum for family) and the Biruni (the public, outer area for guests and business). Therefore, when a Persian speaker uses this word, they are often invoking centuries of cultural logic regarding what is visible to the world versus what is kept private. In modern contexts, it is used in medicine to describe external treatments, in physics to describe external forces, and in daily life to describe the outer layer of clothing or the exterior of a building.

Physical Space
Refers to the exterior part of an object or building. For example, the outer wall of a house is called 'divār-e biruni'.
Medical Context
Used for medications applied to the skin rather than ingested. 'Dāru-ye biruni' refers to topical ointments or external sprays.
Philosophical/Psychological
Refers to factors outside of the self. 'Avāmel-e biruni' are external factors that influence a person's behavior or a system's state.

لایه بیرونی این میوه بسیار تلخ است اما داخلش شیرین است.

Translation: The outer layer of this fruit is very bitter, but its inside is sweet.

ما باید از فشارهای بیرونی دوری کنیم.

Translation: We must avoid external pressures.

فضای بیرونی رستوران خیلی زیبا طراحی شده است.

Translation: The outdoor space of the restaurant is designed very beautifully.

Furthermore, 'biruni' is deeply linked to the concept of 'zāher' (appearance). In Persian poetry and Sufi literature, the 'biruni' aspect of a human is their physical body and worldly actions, which are often contrasted with the 'daruni' or 'bāten' (the inner soul and hidden truth). This duality suggests that what is 'biruni' is only a shell, and the true essence lies within. This linguistic nuance makes the word essential for anyone wishing to discuss not just architecture or science, but also the intricacies of human nature in the Persian language. In the context of technology, 'biruni' might describe external hardware, like an external hard drive (hārd-e biruni), highlighting its continued relevance in the 21st century.

Using بیرونی correctly involves mastering the Persian 'Ezafe' construction. Since 'biruni' is an adjective, it almost always follows the noun it modifies, connected by a short 'e' sound (the Ezafe). For example, to say 'external world,' you say jahān-e biruni. The word does not change based on the gender of the noun (as Persian has no grammatical gender) nor does it typically change for plurality when acting as a simple modifier. However, its placement is crucial for clarity. In complex sentences, 'biruni' can act as a predicate adjective, though this is less common than its attributive use.

Attributive Usage
Noun + Ezafe + biruni. Example: 'Dar-e biruni' (The outer door).
Scientific Precision
In biology, 'guš-e biruni' refers specifically to the outer ear. It is used as a technical term to distinguish from the middle or inner ear.

پوسته بیرونی زمین از سنگ‌های سخت تشکیل شده است.

Translation: The Earth's outer crust is composed of hard rocks.

او همیشه به نظرات بیرونی بیش از حد اهمیت می‌دهد.

Translation: He always gives too much importance to external opinions.

One of the most frequent uses in urban life is related to architecture. If you are looking for the 'outer' gate of a complex, you ask for the 'dar-e biruni'. If you are discussing the 'external appearance' of a person, you might use 'chehre-ye biruni'. In formal writing, particularly in sociology or economics, you will encounter phrases like 'tahrānhā-ye biruni' (external stimuli) or 'avāmel-e biruni-ye eqtesādi' (external economic factors). The word carries a sense of objectivity; it describes what is observable and quantifiable from a distance. By contrast, its antonym 'daruni' is subjective and hidden. Mastering the use of 'biruni' allows a learner to navigate between these two poles of existence—the public and the private, the surface and the depth.

You will encounter بیرونی in a variety of real-world scenarios. In a typical Iranian household, if someone is knocking at the very first gate leading from the street into the yard, someone might say, 'Kasi dam-e dar-e biruni-st' (Someone is at the outer door). In a pharmacy, a pharmacist might hand you a cream and warn, 'In faghat barāye masraf-e biruni ast' (This is only for external use/consumption), meaning you should not swallow it. This is a life-saving distinction to recognize. In the realm of sports and fitness, a coach might talk about 'azalāt-e biruni' (outer muscles) during a training session. The word is ubiquitous because the concept of 'outside' is central to organizing physical and social space.

Real Estate and Construction
Architects use 'namā-ye biruni' to refer to the exterior facade of a building. It's a key term in design discussions.
News and Media
Journalists discuss 'siyāsat-e biruni' (external policy), though 'khāreji' is more common, 'biruni' emphasizes the boundary of the institution or state.

این کرم مخصوص استفاده بیرونی است و نباید خورده شود.

Translation: This cream is for external use and should not be eaten.

صدای بیرونی نمی‌گذارد من بخوابم.

Translation: The outside noise won't let me sleep.

In academic settings, such as a psychology lecture, you might hear about 'angize-ye biruni' (extrinsic motivation), such as rewards or fame, as opposed to 'angize-ye daruni' (intrinsic motivation). In computer science, 'biruni' is used to describe peripheral devices or external connections. If you are at a tech market in Tehran, you might ask for a 'hard-e biruni' (external hard drive). The word is functional, descriptive, and carries a clear spatial logic. It helps speakers categorize the world into what is 'here' (internal) and what is 'there' (external). Whether you are buying medicine, renting an apartment, or discussing philosophy, 'biruni' is a foundational adjective that provides essential clarity to your Persian communication.

The most frequent mistake learners make with بیرونی is confusing it with khāreji. While both can be translated as 'external' or 'outside,' they are not interchangeable in most contexts. Khāreji specifically refers to things that are 'foreign' or 'international.' For example, you would say 'zabān-e khāreji' (foreign language), never 'zabān-e biruni.' Conversely, you would say 'lāye-ye biruni' (outer layer), and using 'lāye-ye khāreji' would sound awkward or imply the layer is from another country. Another common error is forgetting the Ezafe when connecting 'biruni' to a noun. Without the Ezafe, the words remain disconnected and the meaning is lost.

Biruni vs. Khāreji
Biruni = Physical location (outer). Khāreji = Origin (foreign). Use 'biruni' for the skin of an apple, but 'khāreji' for an imported apple.
Biruni vs. Birun
'Birun' is an adverb or noun (outside/the outside), while 'biruni' is the adjective (external). Don't say 'dar-e birun'; say 'dar-e biruni'.

غلط: او یک زبان بیرونی بلد است.

Correction: Use 'khāreji' for languages.

غلط: لایه خارجی پوست حساس است.

Correction: Use 'biruni' for physical layers of the body.

A subtle mistake involves the word 'Biruni' as a proper noun. Abu Rayhan al-Biruni was a famous Persian scholar. If you see the word capitalized or in a historical context, it might refer to the person rather than the adjective. Furthermore, in colloquial Persian, people often shorten phrases. Instead of saying 'fazā-ye biruni' (outdoor space), they might just say 'birun.' However, in writing, you must distinguish between the adverb 'birun' (e.g., 'boro birun' - go outside) and the adjective 'biruni' (e.g., 'dar-e biruni' - the outer door). Mixing these up can make your Persian sound 'broken.' Always check if you are describing a noun (use biruni) or describing an action/location (use birun).

While بیرونی is the standard word for 'external,' several other terms can be used depending on the register and specific nuance you want to convey. Understanding these alternatives will help you sound more like a native speaker and allow you to understand more complex texts. For example, zāheri refers to the 'outward appearance' or 'apparent' nature of something, often implying that the surface might be deceptive. Sat-hi means 'superficial' or 'surface-level,' which is a more specific type of 'external.' In formal or literary Persian, you might encounter khārej-az (outside of), which functions more as a prepositional phrase.

Biruni vs. Zāheri
'Biruni' is objective (the literal outside). 'Zāheri' is often subjective (how it looks on the outside). Example: 'Lāye-ye biruni' (outer layer) vs. 'Ārāmesh-e zāheri' (apparent/outward calm).
Biruni vs. Khāreji
As discussed, 'Khāreji' is for foreign/international contexts. 'Siyāsat-e khāreji' is 'Foreign Policy.' 'Siyāsat-e biruni' is rarely used unless referring to the external policy of a small organization.

تغییرات ظاهری همیشه نشان‌دهنده تغییرات درونی نیستند.

Translation: Outward changes do not always indicate internal changes.

او فقط به مسائل سطحی توجه می‌کند.

Translation: He only pays attention to superficial issues.

Another related term is janbi, which means 'peripheral' or 'side.' While 'biruni' means external, 'janbi' means something that is on the side or secondary. For instance, 'avārez-e janbi' means 'side effects' of a medicine. Choosing the right word depends on whether you are emphasizing location (biruni), appearance (zāheri), origin (khāreji), or importance (janbi). In the context of the famous scholar Al-Biruni, his name literally means 'the one from the outskirts' (of Khwarazm), showing how the word has historically been used to define identity based on spatial relationship to a center. By learning these distinctions, you gain a deeper appreciation for how Persian speakers categorize their reality.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /biːruːˈniː/
US /biːruːˈni/
Final syllable (ni).
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Examples by Level

1

دیوار بیرونی سفید است.

The outer wall is white.

Simple Noun + Ezafe + Adjective.

2

در بیرونی را ببند.

Close the outer door.

Imperative verb with 'biruni' as an adjective.

3

فضای بیرونی بزرگ است.

The outdoor space is big.

Subject + Adjective + Verb 'to be'.

4

این یک باغ بیرونی است.

This is an outdoor garden.

Demonstrative pronoun + Noun + Ezafe + Adjective.

5

او در حیاط بیرونی است.

He is in the outer courtyard.

Prepositional phrase with adjective.

6

رنگ بیرونی خانه آبی است.

The exterior color of the house is blue.

Compound Ezafe chain: Color-e biruni-ye khāne.

7

کفش‌های بیرونی را اینجا بگذار.

Put the outdoor shoes here.

Plural noun + Ezafe + Adjective.

8

پنجره بیرونی کثیف است.

The outer window is dirty.

Simple descriptive sentence.

1

لایه بیرونی پرتقال نارنجی است.

The outer layer of the orange is orange.

Use of 'lāye' (layer) with 'biruni'.

2

این دارو برای استفاده بیرونی است.

This medicine is for external use.

Preposition 'barāye' + Noun + Adjective.

3

صدای بیرونی خیلی بلند است.

The outside noise is very loud.

Adjective modifying an abstract noun 'sedā' (sound).

4

ما در قسمت بیرونی نشستیم.

We sat in the outer section.

Past tense verb with location phrase.

5

پوسته بیرونی نان ترد است.

The outer crust of the bread is crunchy.

Describing textures.

6

نور بیرونی کافی نیست.

The outside light is not enough.

Negative form of the verb 'to be'.

7

او لباس بیرونی‌اش را پوشید.

He put on his outdoor clothes.

Possessive suffix attached to the adjective.

8

نمای بیرونی ساختمان مدرن است.

The exterior facade of the building is modern.

Use of 'namā' (facade/view).

1

عوامل بیرونی بر تصمیم او اثر گذاشتند.

External factors influenced his decision.

Plural subject with 'biruni'.

2

انگیزه بیرونی برای یادگیری کافی نیست.

Extrinsic motivation is not enough for learning.

Abstract concept usage.

3

ساختار بیرونی این سازمان پیچیده است.

The external structure of this organization is complex.

Describing systems.

4

او به ظاهر بیرونی خود اهمیت می‌دهد.

He cares about his outward appearance.

Reflexive pronoun 'khod'.

5

فشار بیرونی باعث شد او استعفا دهد.

External pressure caused him to resign.

Causal sentence structure.

6

گوش بیرونی وظیفه جمع‌آوری صدا را دارد.

The outer ear has the task of collecting sound.

Technical/Biological term.

7

ارتباط بیرونی شرکت قطع شده است.

The company's external communication has been cut off.

Passive voice construction.

8

دنیای بیرونی پر از ماجراست.

The external world is full of adventure.

Metaphorical usage.

1

محرک‌های بیرونی می‌توانند واکنش‌های متفاوتی ایجاد کنند.

External stimuli can create different reactions.

Scientific plural 'moharekhā'.

2

او میان دنیای درونی و بیرونی خود تعادل برقرار کرد.

He established a balance between his inner and outer worlds.

Contrast between 'daruni' and 'biruni'.

3

لایه بیرونی جو زمین بسیار نازک است.

The outer layer of Earth's atmosphere is very thin.

Geological/Atmospheric context.

4

این تئوری بر اساس شواهد بیرونی بنا شده است.

This theory is built on external evidence.

Academic usage of 'shavāhed' (evidence).

5

بخش بیرونی کاخ برای بازدید عموم باز است.

The outer part of the palace is open for public visit.

Historical/Architectural context.

6

تاثیرات بیرونی بر فرهنگ ما غیرقابل انکار است.

External influences on our culture are undeniable.

Sociological context.

7

هارد بیرونی من دیگر کار نمی‌کند.

My external hard drive no longer works.

Modern technological usage.

8

او از زیبایی بیرونی برای پنهان کردن غم درونی‌اش استفاده می‌کند.

She uses outer beauty to hide her inner sadness.

Literary contrast.

1

فیلسوفان همواره درباره ماهیت واقعیت بیرونی بحث کرده‌اند.

Philosophers have always debated the nature of external reality.

High-level philosophical discourse.

2

تجلی بیرونی این هنر در معماری مساجد دیده می‌شود.

The external manifestation of this art is seen in the architecture of mosques.

Using 'tajalli' (manifestation).

3

سیاست بیرونی کشور نیازمند بازنگری جدی است.

The country's external policy requires a serious review.

Political/Formal register.

4

در متون عرفانی، ساحت بیرونی انسان 'تن' نامیده می‌شود.

In mystical texts, the external dimension of man is called 'the body'.

Sufi/Mystical terminology.

5

نیروهای بیرونی می‌توانند پایداری یک سیستم اقتصادی را برهم بزنند.

External forces can disrupt the stability of an economic system.

Complex economic context.

6

او معتقد است که اخلاق نباید تابع پاداش‌های بیرونی باشد.

He believes that morality should not be subject to external rewards.

Ethical/Philosophical context.

7

تمایز میان فضای اندرونی و بیرونی در تاریخ ایران بسیار حیاتی است.

The distinction between inner and outer space is very vital in Iranian history.

Historical analysis.

8

این پدیده نتیجه تداخل موج‌های درونی و بیرونی است.

This phenomenon is the result of the interference of internal and external waves.

Scientific/Technical register.

1

تقابل میان بودِ درونی و نمودِ بیرونی، بن‌مایه بسیاری از اشعار حافظ است.

The contrast between inner being and outer appearance is the motif of many of Hafez's poems.

Literary criticism terminology.

2

او در جستجوی حقیقتی بود که فراتر از ادراکات بیرونی قرار داشت.

He was in search of a truth that lay beyond external perceptions.

Epistemological context.

3

ساختار بیرونی زبان تنها پوسته‌ای برای معانی عمیق‌تر است.

The external structure of language is only a shell for deeper meanings.

Linguistic philosophy.

4

پیچیدگی‌های بیرونی جهان نباید ما را از سادگی درونی غافل کند.

The external complexities of the world should not make us neglect internal simplicity.

Moral/Ethical reflection.

5

در این مقاله، پیامدهای بیرونی توسعه شهری تحلیل شده است.

In this article, the external consequences (externalities) of urban development are analyzed.

Academic/Research register.

6

تجربه بیرونی بدون تامل درونی، فاقد ارزش معرفتی است.

External experience without internal reflection lacks epistemic value.

Advanced philosophical prose.

7

او با ظرافتی خاص، مرزهای بیرونی و درونی روایت را در هم می‌آمیزد.

With a specific delicacy, he blends the external and internal boundaries of the narrative.

Narratology/Literary analysis.

8

این اثر، بازتابی از تلاطم‌های بیرونی دوران نویسنده است.

This work is a reflection of the external turmoils of the author's era.

Historical/Literary context.

Common Collocations

لایه بیرونی
فضای بیرونی
عوامل بیرونی
در بیرونی
دیوار بیرونی
مصرف بیرونی
گوش بیرونی
انگیزه بیرونی
نمای بیرونی
دنیای بیرونی

Common Phrases

دم در بیرونی

— At the outer door. Used when someone is waiting at the main entrance.

مهمان دم در بیرونی است.

پوسته بیرونی

— The outer shell or crust. Used in geology or biology.

پوسته بیرونی زمین بسیار سخت است.

فشار بیرونی

— External pressure. Used for social or physical pressure.

او تحت فشار بیرونی است.

صدای بیرونی

— Ambient or outside noise.

صدای بیرونی مانع تمرکز من می‌شود.

بخش بیرونی

— The outer part or section.

بخش بیرونی موزه دیدنی است.

سطح بیرونی

— The external surface.

سطح بیرونی فلز زنگ زده است.

تاثیر بیرونی

— External influence or effect.

این اتفاق تاثیر بیرونی نداشت.

محیط بیرونی

— The external environment.

محیط بیرونی برای گیاه سرد است.

نور بیرونی

— Outdoor light/natural light.

نور بیرونی اتاق را روشن کرد.

ارتباط بیرونی

— External connection/communication.

ارتباط بیرونی ما قطع شده است.

Idioms & Expressions

"بیرونی و اندرونی کردن"

— To separate the public and private areas. Often used metaphorically about organizing one's life.

او زندگی‌اش را بیرونی و اندرونی کرده است.

Formal/Literary
"درِ بیرونی را باز گذاشتن"

— To be open to outside influences (literally or figuratively).

او همیشه در بیرونی قلبش را باز می‌گذارد.

Poetic
"از دنیای بیرونی بریدن"

— To cut oneself off from the outside world.

او از دنیای بیرونی بریده و به کوهستان رفته است.

Neutral
"نمای بیرونی داشتن"

— To have an outward appearance (often implying a facade).

او نمای بیرونی شادی دارد اما در واقع غمگین است.

Neutral
"چشم بیرونی"

— The physical eye (as opposed to the 'inner eye' of insight).

چشم بیرونی تنها ظاهر را می‌بیند.

Literary
"صدای بیرونی شنیدن"

— To listen to outside opinions rather than one's own heart.

فقط به صدای بیرونی گوش نده.

Colloquial
"پوسته‌ی بیرونی را شکافتن"

— To go beyond the surface of a matter.

ما باید پوسته‌ی بیرونی این مشکل را بشکافیم.

Formal
"مرز بیرونی"

— The absolute limit of something.

او به مرز بیرونی صبرش رسیده است.

Literary
"جلوه‌ی بیرونی"

— The external manifestation or display of something.

این رفتار جلوه‌ی بیرونی خشم اوست.

Formal
"سفر بیرونی"

— Physical travel (contrasted with 'inner journey').

سفر بیرونی بدون سفر درونی بی‌فایده است.

Literary/Sufi
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