در خارج
در خارج in 30 Seconds
- The phrase 'dar khārej' literally means 'in the outside' and is the standard Persian way to say 'abroad' or 'overseas' in most contexts.
- It is used for living, working, or studying in foreign countries, and is a key term in the context of the large Iranian diaspora.
- Grammatically, it acts as an adverb of place. It is often shortened from the more formal 'dar khārej az keshvar' (outside of the country).
- Culturally, 'khārej' often refers to Western nations, but technically it applies to any location beyond the current country's borders.
The Persian phrase در خارج (dar khārej) is a fundamental adverbial construction used to describe a state of being or an action occurring outside a specific boundary, most commonly referring to being 'abroad' or 'outside the country.' In its literal sense, dar means 'in' and khārej means 'outside' or 'exterior.' When combined, they function as a locative adverb that signals a position beyond the domestic borders of Iran or the speaker's current national context. This term is ubiquitous in Iranian discourse due to the large Persian diaspora and the historical significance of international relations, education, and commerce. While it primarily denotes geographical location, it can also be used in organizational or technical contexts to mean 'externally' or 'outside the scope' of a particular system.
- Geographical Context
- Used to refer to any country other than Iran. If an Iranian says they have a relative dar khārej, they mean living in Europe, North America, or any other foreign nation.
بسیاری از دانشجویان ایرانی قصد دارند در خارج تحصیل کنند. (Many Iranian students intend to study abroad.)
The term carries a specific cultural weight. For many, dar khārej represents a world of different opportunities, challenges, and cultural norms. It is often contrasted with dar dākhel (inside/domestically). In business, it refers to international markets or external stakeholders. For example, a company might seek investment dar khārej to expand its operations. In technical language, it might describe a component situated outside a main housing or a process occurring outside a primary circuit.
- Sociological Nuance
- In social circles, 'khārej' is often used as a shorthand for 'The West' (Europe/North America), though technically it applies to any foreign land.
زندگی در خارج چالشهای خاص خود را دارد. (Living abroad has its own specific challenges.)
Historically, Persians used the word 'Farang' to refer to Europe, but in modern Persian, khārej has largely replaced it as the standard, neutral term. It is used in formal news reports (e.g., 'sarmāye-gozāri dar khārej' - investment abroad) and informal conversations alike. Understanding this phrase is key to navigating conversations about travel, migration, and international affairs. It is less about a specific 'outside' and more about the concept of 'the world beyond our borders.'
او سالها در خارج از کشور کار کرده است. (He has worked abroad for years.)
- Formal vs. Informal
- In formal writing, you might see 'dar khārej az keshvar' (outside of the country), while in speech, 'dar khārej' is sufficient.
نمایشگاه محصولات ما در خارج با استقبال خوبی روبرو شد. (Our product exhibition abroad was well-received.)
Using در خارج correctly requires understanding its role as a prepositional phrase acting as an adverb of place. It usually follows the verb or appears at the end of a clause to specify where an action is taking place. Unlike English, where 'abroad' is a single word, Persian uses the combination of the preposition 'dar' and the noun 'khārej.' It is important to distinguish this from be khārej (to abroad), which indicates movement or direction. Dar khārej describes a state of being already there.
- State of Being
- Use it with verbs like 'budan' (to be) or 'zendegi kardan' (to live) to describe residency. Example: 'Man dar khārej hastam' (I am abroad).
برادرم ده سال است که در خارج زندگی میکند. (My brother has been living abroad for ten years.)
When you want to be more specific, you can add az keshvar (from/of the country). Thus, dar khārej az keshvar is the full, formal version of 'abroad.' However, in 90% of conversations, az keshvar is dropped because it is understood. Another common construction is using it with nouns to create compound concepts, like tahsil dar khārej (studying abroad) or kār dar khārej (working abroad). These are treated as gerund-like phrases in English but are simple noun-preposition-noun clusters in Persian.
- Action/Event Location
- Use it to describe where an event occurs. Example: 'Konferāns dar khārej bargozār shod' (The conference was held abroad).
او ترجیح میدهد تعطیلات خود را در خارج سپری کند. (He prefers to spend his holidays abroad.)
In more complex sentences, dar khārej can be followed by az to specify 'outside of' something else, like 'dar khārej az in mahdude' (outside of this area/limit). This demonstrates the versatility of the phrase beyond just international travel. It functions as a spatial anchor. If you are discussing software, dar khārej az barname means 'outside the program.' If you are discussing a building, dar khārej az sākhtemān means 'outside the building.' The core meaning remains 'in the exterior space of X.'
بسیاری از قطعات این دستگاه در خارج تولید میشوند. (Many parts of this device are manufactured abroad.)
- Professional Usage
- In economic reports: 'Sarmāye-gozāri-ye mostaghim dar khārej' (Foreign Direct Investment - literally, direct investment in the outside).
ما به دنبال بازارهای جدید در خارج هستیم. (We are looking for new markets abroad.)
You will encounter در خارج in a wide variety of settings, ranging from intimate family gatherings to high-level diplomatic briefings. In the Iranian context, the concept of 'the outside' is a constant theme of discussion. In family settings, it is very common to hear people talk about relatives who live dar khārej. This often involves discussions about the cost of living, the quality of education, or the difficulty of being away from home. You might hear: 'Dokhtaram dar khārej dars mikhune' (My daughter studies abroad).
- News and Media
- Broadcasters frequently use this term when discussing international news, foreign exchange rates (arz-e khāreji), or the Iranian diaspora's activities. It is the standard term for 'overseas.'
اخبار مربوط به ایرانیان مقیم در خارج را دنبال میکنید؟ (Do you follow news regarding Iranians residing abroad?)
In the business world, especially in Tehran's commercial districts, dar khārej is used to discuss import-export logistics. Businessmen might talk about opening a branch dar khārej or attending a trade fair dar khārej. Here, the word carries a sense of professionalism and global reach. Furthermore, in the travel industry, agencies advertise 'tur-hā-ye khārej' (overseas tours), and you will hear travelers at Imam Khomeini International Airport saying they are going be khārej or have just arrived from dar khārej.
- Academic and Scientific Circles
- Professors often discuss research published dar khārej or collaborations with universities located dar khārej. It signifies a benchmark of international standards.
این مقاله در یکی از مجلات معتبر در خارج چاپ شده است. (This article has been published in a reputable journal abroad.)
Social media (Instagram, Telegram, X) is another place where this phrase is rampant. Users often post about their lives dar khārej, comparing it to life in Iran. Phrases like 'vaze-e mā dar khārej' (our situation abroad) are common in captions. In movies and TV series, characters often dream of going be khārej to find a better life, making 'khārej' a symbol of hope or escape in the Persian cinematic narrative. It is a word that bridges the gap between the local and the global.
بسیاری از هنرمندان آثار خود را در خارج به نمایش میگذارند. (Many artists exhibit their works abroad.)
One of the most frequent errors for English speakers learning Persian is the confusion between در خارج (dar khārej) and بیرون (birun). While both can be translated as 'outside,' they are not interchangeable. Birun is used for physical proximity, like being outside a room, a house, or a car. You would say 'man birun hastam' if you are standing in the garden. You would not say 'man dar khārej hastam' to mean you are just outside the front door; that would imply you are in another country!
- Mistake 1: Confusing Static Location with Direction
- Learners often say 'Man dar khārej miravam' (I am going in abroad). The correct preposition for movement is 'be'. Correct: 'Man be khārej miravam' (I am going abroad).
اشتباه: او در خارج رفت. درست: او به خارج رفت. (Wrong: He went in abroad. Right: He went abroad.)
Another common mistake is the misuse of the adjective khāreji. Beginners often say 'ghazā-ye dar khārej' when they mean 'foreign food.' The correct way to say foreign food is 'ghazā-ye khāreji.' Dar khārej is an adverbial phrase describing where something is, not an adjective describing what kind of thing it is. Similarly, a 'foreigner' is a 'khāreji,' not a 'dar khārej.' Always check if you are describing a location or a quality.
- Mistake 2: Overusing 'Az Keshvar'
- While 'dar khārej az keshvar' is correct, using it every time makes your speech sound robotic and overly formal. In natural Persian, 'dar khārej' is almost always sufficient.
او در خارج از کشور زندگی میکند. (Correct but formal. Usually just 'در خارج' is used.)
Finally, watch out for the Ezafe construction. You cannot say 'khārej-e keshvar' without a preposition if you want to say 'abroad.' You must say dar khārej-e keshvar or khārej az keshvar. Omitting the 'dar' or 'az' changes the grammatical structure and can make the sentence incomprehensible. For example, 'Man khārej miravam' is colloquial and acceptable, but 'Man khārej hastam' without the 'dar' sounds incomplete in formal contexts.
اشتباه: من خارج هستم. درست: من در خارج هستم. (Wrong: I am outside. Right: I am abroad.)
While در خارج is the most common way to say 'abroad,' Persian offers several alternatives depending on the register and the specific nuance you wish to convey. Understanding these synonyms will help you move from a B2 to a C1 level of proficiency. Some words emphasize the distance, others the foreignness, and some are more poetic or archaic.
- خارج از کشور (Khārej az Keshvar)
- This is the direct and more formal equivalent. It literally means 'outside of the country.' Use this in official documents, news reports, or when you want to be very precise.
- فرنگ (Farang)
- An older term derived from 'Frank.' It historically referred to Europe or the West. Today, it is used mostly in a nostalgic, humorous, or colloquial way (e.g., 'rafti Farang?' - Did you go to the West?).
- دیار غربت (Diyār-e Ghorbat)
- A poetic and emotional term meaning 'the land of exile' or 'the land of strangers.' It is often used in literature and songs to describe the loneliness of living abroad.
او سالها در دیار غربت زندگی کرد. (He lived for years in the land of exile/abroad.)
Another useful distinction is birun az marzhā (outside the borders). This is used in political or nationalistic contexts to discuss things happening beyond Iran's sovereignty. If you are talking about international waters or space, you might use fazā-ye khāreji (outer space), though this is a technical term. In business, beynolmelali (international) is often used as an adjective instead of the adverbial phrase 'dar khārej.'
- آنسوی مرزها (Ān-suye Marzhā)
- Literally 'beyond the borders.' This is a more literary and dramatic way to say abroad, often used in journalism to describe external influences or events.
اتفاقاتی که آنسوی مرزها میافتد بر ما تأثیر دارد. (Events happening beyond the borders/abroad affect us.)
In summary, choose dar khārej for everyday use, khārej az keshvar for formality, and diyār-e ghorbat for emotional or poetic contexts. Avoid using birun unless you are talking about being literally outside a specific building or room.
How Formal Is It?
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Fun Fact
The word 'Makhraj' (where sounds are produced in the throat) and 'Sāderāt' (exports) all come from the same root as 'khārej'.
Pronunciation Guide
- Pronouncing 'kh' as a simple 'k'.
- Stress on the first syllable 'dar'.
- Making the 'ā' sound too short (it should be long like 'father').
- Pronouncing 'j' as 'zh' (like in pleasure).
- Merging the two words without a slight break.
Difficulty Rating
Easy to recognize once the two components are learned.
Requires remembering the long 'ā' and the 'kh' sound spelling.
The 'kh' and 'j' sounds need practice for English speakers.
Very common, so it's easy to pick up in conversation.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Prepositional Phrases as Adverbs
در خارج (dar khārej) functions as an adverbial of place.
Movement vs. Location Prepositions
Use 'be' for movement (be khārej raftan) and 'dar' for location (dar khārej budan).
Ezafe Construction with 'Khārej'
خارجِ کشور (khārej-e keshvar) is a noun-noun compound often used with prepositions.
Adjective Formation with '-i'
Adding '-i' to 'khārej' makes it an adjective: خارجی (khāreji).
Formal vs. Informal Deletion
In speech, 'az keshvar' is often deleted from 'dar khārej az keshvar'.
Examples by Level
من در خارج هستم.
I am abroad.
Simple subject + prepositional phrase + verb 'to be'.
برادرم در خارج زندگی میکند.
My brother lives abroad.
Present continuous tense for a habitual action.
آیا شما در خارج هستید؟
Are you abroad?
Interrogative sentence structure.
او به خارج میرود.
He is going abroad.
Note the use of 'be' for direction.
دوستم در خارج کار میکند.
My friend works abroad.
Subject + location + verb.
ما در خارج غذا خوردیم.
We ate food abroad.
Simple past tense.
او در خارج خوشحال است.
He is happy abroad.
Adjective describing the state of the subject.
کتاب در خارج چاپ شد.
The book was printed abroad.
Passive voice construction.
من میخواهم در خارج درس بخوانم.
I want to study abroad.
Compound verb 'dars khāndan' with 'mikharam'.
او پارسال در خارج بود.
He was abroad last year.
Past tense of 'budan'.
آنها در خارج خانه خریدند.
They bought a house abroad.
Object 'khāne' + verb 'kharidan'.
آیا در خارج هوا سرد است؟
Is the weather cold abroad?
Impersonal weather construction.
خواهرم در خارج ازدواج کرد.
My sister got married abroad.
Compound verb 'ezdevāj kardan'.
این ماشین در خارج ساخته شده است.
This car is made abroad.
Present perfect passive.
بسیاری از ایرانیان در خارج هستند.
Many Iranians are abroad.
Quantifier 'basiyāri az'.
او هر سال به خارج سفر میکند.
He travels abroad every year.
Adverb of frequency 'har sāl'.
زندگی در خارج همیشه آسان نیست.
Living abroad is not always easy.
Gerund-like use of 'zendegi' as a subject.
او به دلیل کارش در خارج زندگی میکند.
He lives abroad because of his job.
Use of 'be dalil-e' (because of).
ما قصد داریم شعبهای در خارج افتتاح کنیم.
We intend to open a branch abroad.
Use of 'ghasd dāshtan' (to intend).
او تجربیات زیادی در خارج به دست آورد.
He gained a lot of experience abroad.
Compound verb 'be dast āvardan'.
آیا شما در خارج از کشور حساب بانکی دارید؟
Do you have a bank account outside the country?
Full formal phrase 'khārej az keshvar'.
او در خارج با فرهنگهای مختلف آشنا شد.
He became familiar with different cultures abroad.
Verb 'āshnā shodan' with preposition 'bā'.
بسیاری از کالاها در خارج ارزانتر هستند.
Many goods are cheaper abroad.
Comparative adjective 'arzāntar'.
او تمام سرمایهاش را در خارج از دست داد.
He lost all his capital abroad.
Compound verb 'az dast dādan'.
سرمایهگذاری در خارج ریسکهای خاص خود را دارد.
Investing abroad has its own specific risks.
Use of 'khās-e khod' (its own specific).
او به عنوان نماینده شرکت در خارج فعالیت میکند.
He works as the company's representative abroad.
Use of 'be onvān-e' (as / in the capacity of).
دولت باید از ایرانیان مقیم در خارج حمایت کند.
The government must support Iranians residing abroad.
Modal verb 'bāyad' with subjunctive.
او در خارج با چالشهای حقوقی مواجه شد.
He faced legal challenges abroad.
Verb 'movājeh shodan' with 'bā'.
برند ما در خارج به خوبی شناخته شده است.
Our brand is well known abroad.
Passive construction 'shenākhte shode ast'.
او برای درمان بیماریاش به خارج رفت.
He went abroad for the treatment of his illness.
Prepositional phrase 'barāye darmān-e'.
او در خارج از چارچوبهای معمول عمل میکند.
He acts outside of the usual frameworks.
Metaphorical use of 'khārej az'.
بسیاری از دانشمندان در خارج به تحقیق مشغولند.
Many scientists are busy with research abroad.
Adjective 'mashghul' followed by 'be'.
تأثیرات فرهنگی زندگی در خارج غیرقابل انکار است.
The cultural impacts of living abroad are undeniable.
Complex noun phrase as subject.
او در خارج به تبیین مواضع سیاسی خود پرداخت.
He proceeded to explain his political positions abroad.
Formal auxiliary verb 'be ... pardākhtan'.
مدیریت بحران در خارج از سازمان بسیار حیاتی است.
Crisis management outside the organization is vital.
Organizational context of 'khārej az'.
او در خارج از کشور به چهرهای شناخته شده تبدیل شد.
He became a well-known figure outside the country.
Verb 'tabdil shodan' with preposition 'be'.
ارتباط با متخصصان در خارج میتواند به رشد ما کمک کند.
Connecting with experts abroad can help our growth.
Subject clause with 'tavānestan'.
او در خارج از مرزهای دانش حرکت میکند.
He moves beyond the borders of knowledge.
Metaphorical/Academic usage.
شرایط اقتصادی در خارج بر بازار داخلی تأثیر دارد.
Economic conditions abroad affect the domestic market.
Preposition 'bar' used for 'on/affecting'.
او در خارج به دنبال هویت گمشدهاش میگشت.
He was searching for his lost identity abroad.
Past progressive tense.
واکاوی پدیده مهاجرت و اقامت در خارج نیازمند دقت است.
Analyzing the phenomenon of migration and residing abroad requires precision.
Gerund 'vākāvi' (analysis/probing).
او در خارج از حیطه وظایف خود دخالت میکند.
He interferes outside the scope of his duties.
Technical/Legal term 'heyte-ye vazāyef'.
سیاستهای ما در خارج از کشور باید بازنگری شود.
Our policies outside the country must be reviewed.
Passive voice 'bāznegari shavad'.
او در خارج از منظومه فکری ما قرار دارد.
He is outside our intellectual framework/system.
Sophisticated metaphor 'manzume-ye fekri'.
بسط نفوذ فرهنگی در خارج از اولویتهای ماست.
Expanding cultural influence abroad is among our priorities.
Noun 'bast' (expansion/extension).
او در خارج از هرگونه تعصب به مسائل مینگرد.
He looks at issues outside of any prejudice.
Prepositional phrase 'khārej az hargune'.
تحولات در خارج از جو زمین بر مخابرات اثر میگذارد.
Developments outside the Earth's atmosphere affect telecommunications.
Scientific usage 'khārej az javv'.
او در خارج از وطن خویش به آرامش نرسید.
He did not find peace outside his homeland.
Literary use of 'vatan-e khish'.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
— The formal way to say 'abroad' or 'outside the country.'
او در خارج از کشور تحصیل کرد.
Often Confused With
Used for physical proximity (outside a room), whereas 'dar khārej' is for foreign countries.
An adjective meaning 'foreign' or a noun meaning 'foreigner,' not a location.
Means 'to abroad' (movement), while 'dar khārej' means 'in abroad' (location).
Idioms & Expressions
— To sit outside the ring; to observe without taking part or taking risks.
او خارج از گود نشسته و فقط انتقاد میکند.
Informal/Idiomatic— Obsolete; out of service; no longer useful.
این ماشینها دیگر خارج از رده هستند.
Neutral— It wouldn't be without merit; it's worth doing/seeing.
دیدن این فیلم خارج از لطف نیست.
Polite/Formal— Boring; beyond one's patience/interest.
توضیحات طولانی او خارج از حوصله بود.
PoliteEasily Confused
It can be a noun, adjective, or part of an adverb.
As a noun it means 'exterior'; with 'dar' it becomes the adverb 'abroad'.
خارجِ ساختمان (The exterior of the building) vs. در خارج (Abroad).
Both relate to things outside the country.
Khāreji is a quality/person; Dar Khārej is a location.
ماشین خارجی (Foreign car) vs. کار در خارج (Working abroad).
Both translate to 'outside' in English.
Birun is local/physical; Khārej is national/systemic.
برو بیرون! (Go outside!) vs. او در خارج است (He is abroad).
Same root (kh-r-j).
Makhraj is an exit or a mathematical denominator.
مخرج کسر (Denominator of the fraction).
Similar sound and same root.
Khavārej refers to a specific early Islamic sect (the 'Seceders').
تاریخ خوارج (History of the Kharijites).
Sentence Patterns
[Subject] در خارج است.
او در خارج است.
[Subject] میخواهد به خارج برود.
من میخواهم به خارج بروم.
[Subject] در خارج [Verb] میکند.
برادرم در خارج کار میکند.
[Noun] در خارج از کشور [Verb-Passive].
این کالا در خارج از کشور تولید شده است.
با توجه به شرایط در خارج، [Clause].
با توجه به شرایط در خارج، ما باید صادرات را افزایش دهیم.
هرگونه فعالیت در خارج از چارچوب، [Clause].
هرگونه فعالیت در خارج از چارچوب قانونی ممنوع است.
آیا [Subject] در خارج زندگی کرده است؟
آیا او در خارج زندگی کرده است؟
او در خارج [Adjective] است.
او در خارج تنها است.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
Extremely high in both spoken and written Persian.
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Using 'birun' for abroad.
→
در خارج
'Birun' is for local physical space (outside the room). 'Dar khārej' is for foreign countries.
-
Saying 'Man dar khārej miravam'.
→
من به خارج میروم
Use 'be' for movement to a destination, not 'dar'.
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Using 'khārej' as an adjective (e.g., ghazā-ye khārej).
→
غذای خارجی
'Khārej' is a location/noun; 'khāreji' is the adjective form.
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Omitting 'dar' when saying 'I am abroad'.
→
من در خارج هستم
Without 'dar', the sentence 'Man khārej hastam' sounds incomplete or colloquial.
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Confusing 'khārej' with 'khāreje' in formal titles.
→
وزارت امور خارجه
'Khāreje' is a specific archaic/formal feminine form used in certain titles like Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Tips
Preposition Choice
Always pair 'khārej' with 'dar' for location and 'be' for movement. This is the most common mistake for beginners.
Formal vs. Informal
In speech, just say 'dar khārej'. In writing, 'dar khārej az keshvar' adds a nice touch of professionalism.
The Diaspora Context
When an Iranian talks about 'khārej', they are often thinking about the millions of Iranians living in the US, Canada, and Europe.
The Long A
Make sure the 'ā' in 'khārej' is long and deep. If it's too short, it might be confused with other words.
Metaphorical Use
Don't be afraid to use 'khārej az' for non-physical things like 'khārej az mozu' (off-topic).
Compound Recognition
In news, listen for 'omur-e khāreje' which means 'foreign affairs'. It's a very common set phrase.
Spelling Tip
The letter 'Jim' (ج) at the end of 'khārej' is often written very clearly in calligraphy. Practice its curved tail.
Avoiding Redundancy
You don't need to say 'dar keshvar-e khārej'. Just 'dar khārej' is the natural way.
The 'Exit' Connection
Link 'khārej' to the English word 'exit' in your mind; they both mean going out.
Taarof and Khārej
If someone from 'khārej' visits Iran, they are often treated with extra Taarof (Persian etiquette).
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'Dar' as a door (it sounds like it) and 'Kharej' as 'Garage'. If you go through the door to the garage, you are now 'outside' the main house. 'Dar Kharej' = Through the door to the outside world (abroad).
Visual Association
Visualize a giant map of Iran with a person standing outside the border lines, waving back. The space they are standing in is labeled 'Khārej'.
Word Web
Challenge
Try to describe three things you would do if you were 'dar khārej' right now, using the phrase in every sentence.
Word Origin
Derived from the Arabic root 'kh-r-j' (خ ر ج) which means to go out, emerge, or depart. It entered Persian through the extensive Arabic influence on the language after the Islamic conquest.
Original meaning: The root meaning refers to the act of exiting or the space outside a container or boundary.
Semitic root (Arabic) integrated into Indo-European (Persian) syntax.Cultural Context
Be careful not to imply that 'khārej' is always better than 'dākhel', as this can be a sensitive political or nationalistic topic.
English speakers use 'abroad' as a single adverb, whereas Persian requires the preposition 'dar'. We say 'I am abroad', they say 'I am in abroad'.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Travel
- بلیط به خارج
- سفر در خارج
- ویزای خارج
- تور خارج
Education
- بورسیه در خارج
- دانشگاههای خارج
- پذیرش از خارج
- مدرک خارج
Business
- صادرات به خارج
- شرکت در خارج
- حساب در خارج
- بازار خارج
Family
- فامیل در خارج
- ارسال پول به خارج
- تماس با خارج
- مهمان از خارج
Politics
- سیاست خارجه
- روابط در خارج
- ایرانیان خارج
- فشار از خارج
Conversation Starters
"آیا تا به حال در خارج زندگی کردهاید؟ (Have you ever lived abroad?)"
"دوست دارید در کدام کشور در خارج درس بخوانید؟ (In which country abroad would you like to study?)"
"به نظر شما بزرگترین چالش زندگی در خارج چیست؟ (In your opinion, what is the biggest challenge of living abroad?)"
"آیا فامیلی در خارج دارید که دلتان برایش تنگ شده باشد؟ (Do you have a relative abroad whom you miss?)"
"ترجیح میدهید در ایران کار کنید یا در خارج؟ (Do you prefer to work in Iran or abroad?)"
Journal Prompts
تصور کنید یک سال در خارج زندگی میکنید. چه چیزهایی را از خانه با خود میبرید؟ (Imagine you live abroad for a year. What things would you take from home?)
مزایا و معایب تحصیل در خارج را بنویسید. (Write the advantages and disadvantages of studying abroad.)
اگر میتوانستید در خارج یک شغل داشته باشید، چه شغلی را انتخاب میکردید؟ (If you could have a job abroad, what job would you choose?)
تفاوتهای فرهنگی که ممکن است در خارج با آنها روبرو شوید را توصیف کنید. (Describe the cultural differences you might face abroad.)
چرا برخی افراد پس از سالها زندگی در خارج به وطن بازمیگردند؟ (Why do some people return to their homeland after years of living abroad?)
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsTechnically, no. It means any country outside Iran. However, in casual conversation, Iranians often use it to imply Europe, North America, or Australia unless specified otherwise. For example, if someone says 'He went abroad,' people usually assume a Western nation.
No, that would be incorrect. 'Birun' refers to being outside a small space like a room or a house. Using 'birun' for 'abroad' sounds very strange to native speakers. Always use 'dar khārej' or 'khārej az keshvar'.
'Be khārej' indicates direction or movement (going to abroad), while 'dar khārej' indicates a static location (being in abroad). Example: 'Man be khārej miravam' (I am going abroad) vs 'Man dar khārej hastam' (I am abroad).
Yes, it is a neutral and polite word. It is the standard term used in all levels of society, from news anchors to children.
You should say 'Man khāreji hastam.' Do not say 'Man dar khārej hastam,' as that would mean 'I am abroad' (which is impossible if you are currently in Iran talking to someone).
Yes, it can be used for organizations or systems. For example, 'khārej az dāneshgāh' (outside the university) or 'khārej az barname' (outside the program/unscheduled).
'Farang' is an old word for Europe. You might still hear older people use it, or see it in old books, but 'khārej' is the modern word you should use.
The most common way is 'tahsil dar khārej.' You can also say 'dars khāndan dar khārej'.
Yes, but they might have other preferred terms. In Dari (Afghanistan), 'khārej' is common, but you might also hear 'berun az keshvar'.
'Dar' is the preposition 'in'. Persian grammar requires a preposition to show location. Think of it as 'in the exterior [of the country]'.
Test Yourself 226 questions
Write a sentence saying you want to study abroad.
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Describe one challenge of living abroad in Persian.
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Pronounce 'Dar khārej' correctly, focusing on the 'kh' and 'ā'.
Read this aloud:
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Listen to the sentence: 'Ali be khārej raft.' Did Ali stay home or leave?
Translate: 'Many people live abroad.'
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Write a question asking someone if they have been abroad.
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Translate: 'The conference was held abroad.'
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Translate: 'I have many friends abroad.'
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Write a sentence about a famous person who lives abroad.
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Translate: 'Do you like to go abroad?'
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Translate: 'He is coming from abroad tomorrow.'
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Translate: 'The weather is good abroad.'
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Write a sentence about someone working abroad.
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Translate: 'I was abroad last month.'
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Translate: 'He is a resident of abroad.'
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Translate: 'They are living abroad for two years.'
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Translate: 'I love traveling abroad.'
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Translate: 'My sister is studying medicine abroad.'
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Translate: 'Living abroad is a dream.'
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Translate: 'Many Iranians live in Los Angeles, which is abroad.'
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Translate: 'He has a house abroad.'
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Translate: 'I am going abroad for a holiday.'
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Translate: 'Working abroad is interesting.'
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Translate: 'He learned English abroad.'
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Translate: 'My family is abroad.'
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Translate: 'I am going abroad by plane.'
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Translate: 'He is a resident of abroad.'
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Translate: 'They are living abroad for two years.'
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Translate: 'I love traveling abroad.'
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Translate: 'My sister is studying medicine abroad.'
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Translate: 'Living abroad is a dream.'
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Translate: 'Many Iranians live in Los Angeles, which is abroad.'
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Translate: 'He has a house abroad.'
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Translate: 'I am going abroad for a holiday.'
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Translate: 'Working abroad is interesting.'
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Translate: 'He learned English abroad.'
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Translate: 'My family is abroad.'
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Translate: 'I am going abroad by plane.'
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/ 226 correct
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Summary
To say 'abroad' in Persian, use 'dar khārej.' It is a versatile phrase for location, but remember to use 'be khārej' if you are talking about moving or going there. Example: 'Man dar khārej zendegi mikonam' (I live abroad).
- The phrase 'dar khārej' literally means 'in the outside' and is the standard Persian way to say 'abroad' or 'overseas' in most contexts.
- It is used for living, working, or studying in foreign countries, and is a key term in the context of the large Iranian diaspora.
- Grammatically, it acts as an adverb of place. It is often shortened from the more formal 'dar khārej az keshvar' (outside of the country).
- Culturally, 'khārej' often refers to Western nations, but technically it applies to any location beyond the current country's borders.
Preposition Choice
Always pair 'khārej' with 'dar' for location and 'be' for movement. This is the most common mistake for beginners.
Formal vs. Informal
In speech, just say 'dar khārej'. In writing, 'dar khārej az keshvar' adds a nice touch of professionalism.
The Diaspora Context
When an Iranian talks about 'khārej', they are often thinking about the millions of Iranians living in the US, Canada, and Europe.
The Long A
Make sure the 'ā' in 'khārej' is long and deep. If it's too short, it might be confused with other words.
Related Content
More general words
عادتوار
C1As a matter of habit; habitually.
عادی
A1Conforming to the usual or standard type; normal or ordinary.
عافیت
B2Well-being; the state of being comfortable, healthy, or happy.
عاجل
B2Requiring immediate attention or action; urgent.
عاقبت
C1The outcome or result of an action or event.
عاقل
A1Having or showing experience, knowledge, and good judgment; wise.
عالمگیر
C1Universal, worldwide, or affecting all parts of the world.
عالی
A1Excellent; extremely good or outstanding.
عام
B1General, common, public.
اعم از
B2Including; whether (used to introduce options).