At the A1 level, you only need to know 'Jonbidan' in its simplest imperative form: 'Bejonb!' (بجنب). This means 'Hurry up!' or 'Move!' It is very useful when you are with friends or in a shop. You might also see it in very simple stories about animals, like 'The cat moves' (گربه می‌جنبد). At this stage, don't worry about complex grammar. Just remember that 'Bejonb' is what you say when someone is being slow. It is a 'doing' word that shows something is not still. You can use it to talk about basic things like a hand moving or a ball stirring. It is the opposite of 'staying still.'
At the A2 level, you start to use 'Jonbidan' to describe nature and simple physical actions. You can conjugate it in the present and past simple tenses. For example, 'Baad mi-vazad va barg-ha mi-jonband' (The wind blows and the leaves stir). You also learn that it is an intransitive verb, meaning you are the one moving, or the object is moving itself. You can't 'jonbidan' a chair; the chair 'mi-jonbad' because of an earthquake. You should also recognize the negative form 'Najonbid' (didn't move/budge), often used to describe someone who is very brave or very stubborn and refuses to leave their place.
At the B1 level (your current level), you explore the nuance between 'Jonbidan' and 'Harekat kardan.' You understand that 'Jonbidan' is for slight movements, vibrations, or the act of 'getting a move on.' You can use it in conditional sentences like 'Agar najonbi, dir mi-shavad' (If you don't hurry/move, it will be late). You also start to see the word in more idiomatic expressions like 'Ta be khodat bejonbi' (Before you know it). This level requires you to distinguish between 'Jonbidan' (to stir) and 'Jonbandan' (to cause to stir). You use it to describe more complex scenarios, like a person stirring in their sleep or a shadow shifting on a wall.
At the B2 level, you use 'Jonbidan' in more abstract and literary contexts. You understand the noun 'Jonbesh' (movement) and how it relates to social and political changes. You can discuss the 'movement' of history or the 'stirring' of an economy. You also become comfortable with its use in classical poetry, where it might describe the 'stirring' of the soul or the heavens. Your vocabulary expands to include related words like 'Jonbandeh' (living creature). You can use the verb to describe subtle changes in market trends or public opinion, where things are 'stirring' but haven't fully shifted yet. You also master the causative 'Jonbandan' in various tenses.
At the C1 level, you recognize the deep philosophical implications of 'Jonbidan' in Persian thought. It is the verb of 'becoming' and 'vitality.' You can analyze texts where the 'stirring' of the universe is a central theme. You use the word with precision, choosing it over 'Harekat' to imply a specific type of organic, internal, or rhythmic motion. You are familiar with rare idiomatic uses, such as 'del-ash jonbid' (his heart stirred/he felt a desire). You can write sophisticated essays comparing different 'Jonbesh-ha' (movements) and use the verb to describe the most minute details of a scene, such as the 'stirring' of dust in a sunbeam.
At the C2 level, 'Jonbidan' is a tool for poetic and technical mastery. You understand its etymological roots in Middle Persian and how its meaning has evolved. You can use it to describe the infinitesimal vibrations of subatomic particles or the grand, slow 'stirring' of tectonic plates over millennia. In creative writing, you use it to create atmosphere—the barely perceptible movement that creates tension. You can navigate all registers, from the most vulgar 'Bejonb' in a street fight to the most sublime 'Jonbesh' in a mystical treatise. You understand the word not just as a verb, but as a fundamental concept of Persian physics and metaphysics.

جنبیدن in 30 Seconds

  • Jonbidan means to stir, twitch, or move slightly in place.
  • The imperative 'Bejonb' is the most common way to say 'Hurry up!'
  • It is intransitive; you use 'Jonbandan' to make something else move.
  • It is the root of 'Jonbesh' (social movement) and 'Jonbandeh' (living creature).
The Persian verb جنبیدن (Jonbidan) is a multifaceted word that primarily describes a slight, subtle, or rhythmic movement. At its core, it refers to the act of stirring, twitching, or shifting position without necessarily traveling from point A to point B. In the physical world, it captures the delicate flutter of a leaf in a gentle breeze or the involuntary twitch of an eyelid. However, its linguistic reach extends far beyond mere physical mechanics. In Persian culture and daily conversation, 'Jonbidan' carries a significant secondary meaning: the act of hurrying or taking action. When someone says 'Bejonb!' (بجنب), they aren't asking you to vibrate in place; they are telling you to 'get a move on' or 'hurry up.' This duality makes it an essential verb for learners reaching the B1 level, as it bridges the gap between literal description and idiomatic urgency.
Physical Motion
Refers to small-scale movements such as swaying, vibrating, or stirring. It is the movement of life, often associated with things that are animate or affected by external forces like wind.

برگ‌های درخت در باد ملایم می‌جنبیدند. (The leaves of the tree were stirring in the gentle wind.) می‌جنبیدند.

Metaphorical Action
Used to urge someone to start a task or move faster. It implies that the person has been stagnant or slow and needs to 'stir' into action.

دیرمان شد، زودتر بجنب! (We are late, hurry up faster!) بجنب.

Biological Context
The related noun 'Jonbandeh' (جنبنده) refers to any living creature or 'mover,' emphasizing that movement is the defining characteristic of life.

هیچ جنبنده‌ای در بیابان دیده نمی‌شد. (No living creature/mover was seen in the desert.) جنبنده‌ای.

لب‌هایش لرزید اما از جایش نجنبید. (His lips trembled, but he didn't budge from his place.) نجنبید.

گهواره با تکان ملایمی می‌جنبید. (The cradle was rocking with a gentle motion.) می‌جنبید.

Understanding 'Jonbidan' requires recognizing its shift from the physical to the temporal. In modern Tehran, you will hear the imperative form 'Bejonb' constantly in traffic, at work, or when meeting friends. It captures the Persian sense of time—sometimes leisurely, but requiring a sudden 'jolt' to get things moving. Historically, the word is rooted in Middle Persian 'jumbidan,' maintaining its core sense of agitation and motion for over a millennium. For a language learner, mastering this word means being able to describe the wind in the trees and also being able to tell a slow-moving friend to pick up the pace, all with a single root.
Using جنبیدن correctly involves understanding its conjugation patterns and the specific contexts where it outshines other verbs of motion. It is an intransitive verb in its primary form, meaning it doesn't take a direct object (you don't 'jonbidan' something; something 'jonbidan's on its own). To make it transitive—to make something else move—you would use the causative form 'Jonbandan' (جنباندن).
The Imperative (The 'Hurry' Command)
In daily speech, 'Bebonb' (singular) and 'Bejonbid' (plural/formal) are the most common uses. They function exactly like 'Hurry up!' or 'Move it!'

بجنبید! فیلم الان شروع می‌شود. (Hurry up! The movie is starting now.) بجنبید.

Negation (The 'Stillness' Context)
When negated, it often means 'not budging' or 'staying perfectly still,' often due to fear, shock, or stubbornness.

از ترس حتی نجنبیدم. (I didn't even stir out of fear.) نجنبیدم.

Descriptive Prose
In literature, it describes the subtle movements of nature, like the surface of water or the tail of an animal.

دم سگ با خوشحالی می‌جنبید. (The dog's tail was wagging/stirring with happiness.) می‌جنبید.

تا به خودت بجنبی، فرصت از دست رفته است. (By the time you get yourself moving, the opportunity is gone.) بجنبی.

زمین زیر پایمان کمی جنبید. (The ground beneath our feet stirred/shook a little.) جنبید.

When using 'Jonbidan' in the context of 'hurrying,' it is often paired with 'zood' (fast) or 'ta' (until). The expression 'ta be khodat bejonbi' is a very common idiomatic way to say 'before you know it' or 'in the blink of an eye,' implying that the time taken to even start moving was enough for something else to happen. This highlights the verb's role in describing the very initiation of motion. Whether you are describing a small insect moving on a leaf or a person needing to rush to an appointment, 'Jonbidan' provides the necessary nuance of vibration and promptness.
You will encounter جنبیدن in a diverse array of settings, from the high-brow halls of Persian literature to the chaotic streets of modern Iran. In a formal or literary setting, the word is used to describe the majestic yet subtle movements of the heavens, the earth, or the soul. Poets like Rumi or Hafez might use it to describe the stirring of the heart or the vibration of the divine spirit. In these contexts, it carries a weight of existential significance—the idea that the entire universe is in a constant state of 'Jonbesh' (movement/agitation).
In the Kitchen/Home
Mothers often say 'Bebonb' to children who are dawdling over their food or getting ready for school. It's a gentle but firm push toward productivity.

بجنب غذایت سرد شد! (Hurry up, your food got cold!) بجنب.

Political and Social Discourse
The noun form 'Jonbesh' (جنبش) is the standard word for a 'movement' (e.g., the Green Movement, the Feminist Movement). This stems from the idea of a collective 'stirring' of the people.

این یک جنبش بزرگ اجتماعی است. (This is a great social movement.) جنبش.

Sports and Games
Coaches use 'Bejonbid' to encourage players to be more active on the field, emphasizing agility and quick reactions.

باید بیشتر بجنبیم تا گل بزنیم. (We need to move/hustle more to score a goal.) بجنبیم.

سایه روی دیوار می‌جنبید. (The shadow was shifting/stirring on the wall.) می‌جنبید.

تا بجنبی، اتوبوس رفته است. (By the time you move, the bus will be gone.) بجنبی.

In the bazaar, 'Bejonb' is the sound of commerce—merchants telling their helpers to bring goods faster, or porters asking crowds to make way. It is a word of the 'now,' demanding presence and speed. Conversely, in a quiet garden, it is the word of the 'almost-still,' describing the minimal motion of nature. This range—from the frantic pace of the city to the stillness of a garden—makes 'Jonbidan' a quintessential Persian verb.
Learners often struggle with جنبیدن because they confuse it with more general or more intense verbs of motion. The most common error is using 'Jonbidan' when 'Harekat kardan' (to move/travel) is required. If you are driving a car from Tehran to Isfahan, you are 'harekat'ing, not 'jonbidan'ing. 'Jonbidan' implies you are staying roughly in the same spot but stirring or vibrating.
Confusion with 'Tekan Khordan'
'Tekan khordan' means to shake or move. While similar, 'Jonbidan' is often more rhythmic or subtle. You 'tekan' a rug to clean it, but a leaf 'mi-jonbad' in the wind.

Incorrect: ماشین در جاده می‌جنبید. (The car was 'stirring' on the road.)
Correct: ماشین در جاده حرکت می‌کرد. (The car was moving on the road.)

The 'Hurry' Trap
Learners sometimes think 'Bejonb' is the only way to say 'hurry.' While common, 'Ajaleh kon' (عجله کن) is more formal and specifically means 'be in a hurry.' 'Bejonb' is more like 'get moving.'
Confusion with 'Larzidan'
'Larzidan' is specifically 'to shiver' or 'to tremble' (from cold or fear). 'Jonbidan' is more neutral. If you say you are 'jonbidan' from cold, it sounds like you are dancing rather than shivering.

Incorrect: از سرما می‌جنبیدم. (I was stirring from cold.)
Correct: از سرما می‌لرزیدم. (I was shivering from cold.)

اشتباه: او میز را جنبید. (He stirred the table - grammatically wrong.)
درست: او میز را تکان داد. (He moved/shook the table.)

اشتباه: بجنب تا دیر نشود! (Correct usage, but often overused by learners in formal writing.)

Another nuance is the 'twitch.' If your eye twitches, you use 'paridan' (to jump) or 'jonbidan.' Using 'harekat' for an eye twitch would imply your eyeball is moving across your face. Understanding the scale of the movement is key to avoiding these lexical errors.
To truly master جنبیدن, one must compare it with its linguistic cousins. Persian is rich in verbs of motion, each carrying a specific 'flavor' of movement.
حرکت کردن (Harekat Kardan)
The most general term for moving. Use this for cars, people walking, or objects changing location. It lacks the 'stirring' quality of Jonbidan.
تکان خوردن (Tekan Khordan)
Literally 'to eat a shake.' This is very common and covers both 'stirring' and 'moving slightly.' It is the closest synonym to Jonbidan in many contexts.

Comparison: 'برگ جنبید' (The leaf stirred - poetic/natural) vs 'برگ تکان خورد' (The leaf moved - literal).

لرزیدن (Larzidan)
To tremble, shiver, or vibrate intensely. Use this for earthquakes, cold, or fear. It implies a higher frequency of movement than Jonbidan.
وول خوردن (Vool Khordan)
Informal. To squirm or fidget. Used for children who can't sit still or worms crawling. It is more chaotic than the rhythmic Jonbidan.

بچه در خواب می‌جنبید. (The baby was stirring in sleep - gentle.)
بچه در جایش وول می‌خورد. (The child was fidgeting in his seat - restless.)

نوسان کردن (Navasan Kardan)
Academic/Scientific. To oscillate or fluctuate. Used for pendulums, prices, or waves. Jonbidan is the everyday version of this.

قیمت‌ها مدام می‌جنبند. (Prices are constantly shifting - informal.)
قیمت‌ها نوسان دارند. (Prices have fluctuations - formal.)

In summary, choose 'Jonbidan' when you want to emphasize the *start* of a motion, the *lightness* of a motion, or the *urgency* of a person. It is the middle ground between the stillness of a statue and the full flight of a bird.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The word is related to the concept of 'life' because ancient Persians defined living things as 'movers' (Jonbandeh).

Pronunciation Guide

UK /dʒonbiːˈdæn/
US /dʒʌnbiːˈdæn/
The stress is on the final syllable '-dán'.
Rhymes With
خندیدن (Khandidan) ترسیدن (Tarsidan) بلعیدن (Bal'idan) پوشیدن (Pooshidan) کوشیدن (Kooshidan) نوشیدن (Nooshidan) چرخیدن (Charkhidan) پرسیدن (Porsidan)
Common Errors
  • Pronouncing the 'j' as a 'zh' (French j). It should be a hard 'J' like 'Jump'.
  • Stress on the first syllable. In Persian verbs, the stress is usually at the end of the infinitive.
  • Mispronouncing the 'o' as 'oo'. It is 'Jon', not 'Joon'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to recognize in texts, though literary forms can be poetic.

Writing 4/5

Requires understanding the difference between intransitive and causative.

Speaking 2/5

The imperative 'Bejonb' is very easy and common to use.

Listening 3/5

Common in fast speech, might sound like 'be-jomb'.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

حرکت تکان باد زود دیر

Learn Next

جنباندن جنبش شتاب عجله لرزش

Advanced

نوسان تموج تزلزل ارتعاش تحرک

Grammar to Know

Intransitive vs Causative

برگ می‌جنبد (Intransitive) vs من برگ را می‌جنبانم (Causative).

Imperative Formation

ب + جنب = بجنب (Bejonb).

Present Continuous

می + جنب + شناسه = می‌جنبم (I am stirring).

Subjunctive with 'Ta'

تا بجنبی... (Until you stir/By the time you stir).

Negative Past

ن + جنبید = نجنبید (Did not stir).

Examples by Level

1

بجنب! دیر شد.

Hurry up! It's late.

Imperative singular

2

او می‌جنبد.

He/she moves/stirs.

Present continuous (simple)

3

سگ نجنبید.

The dog didn't move.

Past negative

4

بجنبید، بیایید اینجا.

Hurry up (plural), come here.

Imperative plural

5

دستت می‌جنبد.

Your hand is stirring/shaking.

Present tense

6

آیا می‌جنبی؟

Are you moving/hurrying?

Question form

7

گربه جنبید.

The cat stirred.

Past simple

8

بجنب، غذا بخور.

Hurry up, eat food.

Imperative

1

برگ‌ها در باد می‌جنبند.

The leaves stir in the wind.

Present continuous

2

بچه در خواب جنبید.

The baby stirred in sleep.

Past simple

3

او از جایش نجنبید.

He didn't budge from his place.

Past negative

4

بجنب تا به اتوبوس برسی.

Hurry up so you reach the bus.

Subjunctive with 'ta'

5

دم ماهی می‌جنبید.

The fish's tail was stirring/moving.

Past continuous

6

زمین کمی جنبید.

The ground stirred/shook a little.

Past simple

7

چرا نمی‌جنبی؟

Why aren't you moving/hurrying?

Present negative question

8

لب‌هایش می‌جنبید اما حرف نمی‌زد.

His lips were stirring but he wasn't speaking.

Past continuous

1

تا به خودت بجنبی، زمستان تمام شده است.

Before you know it, winter will be over.

Idiomatic future-present

2

سایه درخت روی دیوار می‌جنبید.

The tree's shadow was shifting on the wall.

Past continuous

3

او حتی یک انگشتش را هم نجنباند.

He didn't even move a finger (causative).

Causative past negative

4

باید بجنبیم وگرنه بلیت‌ها تمام می‌شوند.

We must hurry or else the tickets will be finished.

Modal 'bayad' + subjunctive

5

پرده با نسیم ملایمی می‌جنبید.

The curtain was stirring with a gentle breeze.

Past continuous

6

او از ترس نجنبید تا دیده نشود.

He didn't move out of fear so he wouldn't be seen.

Past negative + purpose clause

7

بجنب، وقت طلاست!

Hurry up, time is gold!

Imperative + proverb

8

آب دریا آرام می‌جنبید.

The sea water was stirring calmly.

Past continuous

1

هیچ جنبنده‌ای در آن کویر خشک وجود نداشت.

There was no living creature in that dry desert.

Noun 'jonbandeh'

2

او با هر سخن، دل شنوندگان را می‌جنباند.

With every word, he moved (stirred) the hearts of the listeners.

Causative past continuous

3

جنبش مشروطه تاریخ ایران را تغییر داد.

The Constitutional Movement changed Iran's history.

Noun 'jonbesh'

4

او در تصمیم خود نجنبید و استوار ماند.

He didn't waver (stir) in his decision and remained firm.

Metaphorical use

5

ذرات غبار در نور خورشید می‌جنبیدند.

Dust particles were stirring in the sunlight.

Past continuous

6

باید برای اصلاحات اقتصادی سریع‌تر بجنبیم.

We must move faster for economic reforms.

Abstract usage

7

گهواره به آرامی می‌جنبید و کودک خوابید.

The cradle stirred/rocked slowly and the child slept.

Past continuous

8

تا بجنبی، رقیبان بازار را گرفته‌اند.

By the time you move, competitors have taken the market.

Future perfect sense

1

در آن سکوت مطلق، حتی نفس‌ها هم نمی‌جنبیدند.

In that absolute silence, even breaths didn't stir.

Literary past negative

2

او با مهارتی خاص، افکار عمومی را به جنبش واداشت.

With special skill, he forced public opinion into movement.

Noun phrase

3

ارکان حکومت از این خبر لرزید و جنبید.

The pillars of government shook and stirred from this news.

Metaphorical/Political

4

طبیعت با آمدن بهار دوباره می‌جنبد.

Nature stirs again with the arrival of spring.

Animate nature

5

او از جایگاه خود نجنبید، گویی به زمین دوخته شده بود.

He didn't stir from his spot, as if he were sewn to the ground.

Simile + past negative

6

هر جنبنده‌ای در این جهان تسبیح‌گوی اوست.

Every living creature in this world praises Him.

Religious/Mystical context

7

بجنب و از این فرصت طلایی بهره ببر.

Stir yourself/Hurry and take advantage of this golden opportunity.

Imperative

8

آب دریاچه از افتادن سنگی کوچک جنبید.

The lake water stirred from the falling of a small stone.

Cause and effect

1

در فلسفه او، ماده همواره در حال جنبیدن است.

In his philosophy, matter is always in the state of stirring/moving.

Gerund form

2

او چنان بی‌حرکت بود که گویی روح در بدنش نمی‌جنبد.

He was so motionless as if the soul does not stir in his body.

Hyperbole

3

جنبیدن رگ‌های گردنش نشان از خشم پنهان داشت.

The stirring/twitching of his neck veins indicated hidden anger.

Involuntary movement

4

تا به خود بجنبیم، تکنولوژی جهان را دگرگون کرده است.

By the time we stir ourselves, technology has transformed the world.

Complex time structure

5

او در برابر وسوسه‌ها نجنبید و پارسا ماند.

He did not waver (stir) against temptations and remained pious.

Moral metaphor

6

ذره‌ای نجنبید تا شکارش متوجه حضور او نشود.

He didn't stir a bit so his prey wouldn't notice his presence.

Stealth context

7

عشق، نخستین چیزی بود که در جهان جنبید.

Love was the first thing that stirred in the universe.

Poetic creationism

8

بجنبید ای خفتگان، که صبح نزدیک است.

Stir/Awaken, O sleepers, for the morning is near.

Archaic/Poetic imperative

Common Collocations

از جا نجنبیدن
بجنب که دیر شد
برگ می‌جنبد
دل جنبیدن
لب جنبیدن
زمین جنبیدن
بجنب و ببر
سایه می‌جنبد
دم جنباندن
به خود جنبیدن

Common Phrases

بجنب دیگه!

— Hurry up already! Expresses impatience.

بجنب دیگه! همه منتظر تو هستند.

از جاش تکون نمی‌خوره

— He doesn't budge (synonym phrase).

هر چه می‌گویم، از جایش نمی‌جنبد.

بجنب تا نرفته

— Hurry before it/he/she is gone.

بجنب تا اتوبوس نرفته.

یک ذره هم نجنبید

— Didn't move even a tiny bit.

او از ترس یک ذره هم نجنبید.

باید زودتر می‌جنبیدی

— You should have moved/acted sooner.

فرصت رفت، باید زودتر می‌جنبیدی.

دست و پاش می‌جنبه

— His hands and feet are moving (fidgeting).

بچه مدام دست و پایش می‌جنبد.

بجنب و بیا

— Hurry up and come.

بجنب و بیا، شام حاضر است.

تا بجنبی...

— By the time you move/act...

تا بجنبی، همه چیز تمام شده.

جنبیدن رگ غیرت

— To have one's sense of honor/zeal stirred.

رگ غیرتش جنبید و دفاع کرد.

بجنبیم که عقب نمونیم

— Let's hurry so we don't fall behind.

باید بجنبیم که از بقیه عقب نمانیم.

Often Confused With

جنبیدن vs حرکت کردن

Jonbidan is for small stirring; Harekat is for traveling/moving distance.

جنبیدن vs لرزیدن

Jonbidan is gentle stirring; Larzidan is shivering or intense shaking.

جنبیدن vs تکان خوردن

Very similar, but Jonbidan is more natural/poetic; Tekan khordan is more mechanical.

Idioms & Expressions

"تا به خود بجنبی"

— Before you know it / In the blink of an eye.

تا به خود بجنبی، پیر شده‌ای.

Neutral
"رگ غیرتش جنبید"

— To be provoked into defending honor.

وقتی به وطنش توهین کردند، رگ غیرتش جنبید.

Neutral
"از جای نجنبیدن"

— To be stubborn or refuse to cooperate.

هر چه اصرار کردم، از جایش نجنبید.

Informal
"دلش جنبید"

— To feel a sudden desire or attraction.

با دیدن آن ماشین زیبا، دلش جنبید.

Informal
"بجنب که وقت تنگه"

— Hurry up, time is short.

بجنب که وقت تنگه و کار زیاد.

Neutral
"دم جنباندن برای کسی"

— To wag one's tail for someone (to flatter).

او برای رئیس جدید دم می‌جنباند.

Informal/Negative
"جنبنده پرنده"

— Every single living thing (creatures and birds).

در آن دشت هیچ جنبنده و پرنده‌ای نبود.

Literary
"بجنب و واجنب"

— Hurry and scurry (general activity).

در بازار جنب و واجنب زیادی بود.

Informal
"یک تکان نجنبیدن"

— To not move at all.

او حتی یک تکان هم نجنبید.

Neutral
"تا بجنبی شب شده"

— By the time you act, it's already night (too late).

زود باش، تا بجنبی شب شده.

Informal

Easily Confused

جنبیدن vs جنباندن

Looks similar.

Jonbandan is causative (making something move), Jonbidan is intransitive (moving yourself).

او گهواره را می‌جنباند. (He rocks the cradle.)

جنبیدن vs چسبیدن

Ends in -idan.

Chasbidan means to stick/cling, the opposite of moving away.

به صندلی چسبیده بود و نمی‌جنبید.

جنبیدن vs خندیدن

Rhymes.

Khandidan means to laugh.

او می‌خندید و می‌جنبید.

جنبیدن vs جنگیدن

Sounds similar.

Jangidan means to fight.

آن‌ها برای آزادی می‌جنگیدند.

جنبیدن vs جهیدن

Starts with J.

Jahidan means to leap or jump suddenly.

قورباغه جهید.

Sentence Patterns

A1

[Subject] [می‌جنبد/می‌جنبند]

آب می‌جنبد.

A2

بجنب تا [Subjunctive Verb]

بجنب تا نهار تمام نشود.

B1

از جا نجنبیدن

او از جایش نجنبید.

B1

تا به خود [Subject Pronoun] بجنبی/بجنبید...

تا به خودت بجنبی، صبح شده.

B2

هیچ جنبنده‌ای [Negative Verb]

هیچ جنبنده‌ای در خیابان نبود.

C1

[Noun] به جنبش درآمدن

دریای افکارش به جنبش درآمد.

C1

[Body Part] به دعا/ذکر جنبیدن

لب‌هایش به ذکر می‌جنبید.

C2

ارکانِ [Noun] جنبیدن

ارکان ایمانش جنبید.

Word Family

Nouns

جنبش (Movement/Revolution)
جنبنده (Living creature)
جنب‌وجوش (Hustle and bustle)

Verbs

جنبیدن (To stir)
جنباندن (To cause to stir/move)
جنبیده شدن (To be stirred)

Adjectives

جنبان (Moving/Stirring)
متحرک (Mobile/Moving)
بی‌جنب‌وجوش (Lethargic)

Related

حرکت
تکان
لرزش
شتاب
سرعت

How to Use It

frequency

Very high in imperative, medium in descriptive prose.

Common Mistakes
  • من میز را جنبیدم. من میز را تکان دادم.

    Jonbidan is intransitive; you can't 'jonbidan' an object.

  • از سرما می‌جنبم. از سرما می‌لرزم.

    Use 'Larzidan' for shivering from cold.

  • ماشین می‌جنبد. ماشین حرکت می‌کند.

    Use 'Harekat kardan' for a car driving on a road.

  • او خیلی عجله می‌جنبد. او خیلی عجله می‌کند.

    You can't combine 'Ajaleh' with 'Jonbidan' like this.

  • بجنبید! (speaking to one person) بجنب!

    Use the singular imperative for one person unless being very formal.

Tips

Use it for Urgency

When you want someone to hurry, 'Bejonb' is your best friend. It sounds more native than 'Ajaleh kon' in casual settings.

Check the Object

Never use a direct object (Ra) with Jonbidan. If you see 'Ra,' you probably need 'Jonbandan'.

Nature Descriptions

Use it to describe trees, water, and shadows to add a poetic touch to your Persian.

Master the 'Ta' phrase

Learn 'Ta be khodet bejonbi' as a fixed phrase for 'before you know it'.

Stress the End

Always stress the '-dan' or the ending suffix in conjugated forms (e.g., mi-jon-BAM).

Political Context

Recognize 'Jonbesh' in news headlines to understand social movements in Iran.

Pet Talk

Use it to describe your pet wagging its tail or stirring in its sleep.

Synonym Variety

Alternate between 'Jonbidan' and 'Tekan khordan' to avoid repetition in essays.

Honor Stirring

Understand 'Rage gheirat' as a cultural concept of defending one's values.

Fast Speech

In Tehran, 'Bejonb' might sound like 'B'jonb'—the 'e' is very short.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of the word 'JUMP'. 'Jonbidan' starts with a 'J' and it's about the first tiny movement before a jump—a stir or a twitch.

Visual Association

Imagine a leaf 'Jiggling' on a branch. 'Jiggle' and 'Jonbidan' both start with 'J' and describe that small movement.

Word Web

Hurry Stir Twitch Move Vibrate Wag Shift Budge

Challenge

Try to use 'Bejonb' three times today when you are waiting for something, and 'Jonbidan' once to describe the wind.

Word Origin

Derived from Middle Persian 'jumbidan' (to move, agitate). The root has remained remarkably stable over centuries.

Original meaning: To be in motion, to vibrate, or to be agitated.

Indo-European -> Indo-Iranian -> Iranian -> Persian

Cultural Context

Calling someone 'Jonbandeh' (creature) is usually neutral/scientific, but in some contexts, it can sound like you are reducing a person to an animal.

Similar to 'get a move on' or 'stirring.' English speakers often use 'move' for everything, but Persian is more specific about the *size* of the move.

Jonbesh-e Sabz (The Green Movement) Poetry of Saadi regarding 'Jonbandeh' Classical tales of earthquakes in the Shahnameh

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Nature

  • برگ‌ها می‌جنبند
  • آب می‌جنبد
  • زمین جنبید
  • باد می‌جنباند

Hurry

  • بجنب!
  • زودتر بجنب
  • باید بجنبیم
  • نمی‌جنبی؟

Fear/Stillness

  • از جا نجنبید
  • تکان نخورد
  • حتی نجنبید
  • بی‌حرکت ماند

Body Language

  • لب‌هایش جنبید
  • دمش می‌جنبید
  • دستش جنبید
  • چشمش می‌جنبد

Time

  • تا به خودت بجنبی
  • تا بجنبیم دیر شده
  • وقت جنبیدن است
  • دیر جنبیدی

Conversation Starters

"ببخشید، می‌توانید کمی بجنبید؟ ما عجله داریم."

"چرا این سگ مدام دمش را می‌جنباند؟"

"تا به حال حس کرده‌اید که زمین زیر پایتان می‌جنبد؟"

"اگر نجنبیم، به پرواز می‌رسیم؟"

"آیا در کشور شما هم جنبش‌های اجتماعی بزرگ وجود دارد؟"

Journal Prompts

امروز چه چیزی دیدی که در باد می‌جنبید؟ توصیف کن.

آخرین باری که کسی به تو گفت 'بجنب' چه زمانی بود؟ چرا؟

اگر زمان متوقف شود و هیچ چیز نجنبد، چه حسی خواهی داشت؟

درباره یک جنبش اجتماعی که برایت مهم است بنویس.

تفاوت 'جنبیدن' و 'حرکت کردن' را با مثال‌های خودت توضیح بده.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Usually no. Use 'Harekat kardan' for a car traveling. Use 'Jonbidan' only if the car is shaking slightly while idling.

'Bejonb' is 'get moving' (informal), while 'Ajaleh kon' is 'hurry up' (neutral/formal).

No, it can mean any movement, like 'Jonbesh-e zamin' (movement of the earth), but it is very common in politics.

No, you must use 'Jonbandam' or 'Tekan dadam' because 'Jonbidan' is intransitive.

Say 'Az jat najonb' (informal) or 'Az jay-e khod najonbid' (formal).

In ancient contexts, sometimes, but usually it refers to animals and humans (things that move themselves).

It means 'By the time you start to move/act,' implying something will happen very quickly.

Yes, 'del-ash jonbid' means he felt a spark of desire or interest.

Yes, very common to describe the wind, the soul, and the world.

Yes, 'Jonbideh shodan,' but it is rarely used.

Test Yourself 180 questions

writing

Write a sentence using 'Bejonb' to tell your friend to hurry for a movie.

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writing

Describe the movement of leaves in the wind using 'Jonbidan'.

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writing

Use the idiom 'Ta be khodet bejonbi' in a sentence about time.

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writing

Write a negative sentence about someone not moving because of fear.

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writing

Explain the difference between 'Jonbidan' and 'Harekat kardan' in Persian.

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writing

Write a sentence about a cat stirring in its sleep.

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writing

Use the word 'Jonbesh' in a political context.

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writing

Write a sentence using the causative 'Jonbandan'.

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writing

Describe a shadow moving on a wall.

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writing

Use 'Jonbandeh' to say there was no one in the desert.

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writing

Write a formal request for someone to hurry.

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writing

Describe the ground shaking slightly.

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writing

Write a sentence about fish moving in water.

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writing

Use the phrase 'az ja najonbidan' for a stubborn person.

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writing

Write about spring coming and nature stirring.

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writing

Describe a person's lips moving in prayer.

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writing

Write a sentence about a dog's tail.

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writing

Use 'Bejonb' in a kitchen context.

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writing

Explain 'Rage gheirat jonbidan' in your own words.

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writing

Write a sentence about dust in the sunlight.

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speaking

Pronounce 'Bejonb' correctly.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

How do you say 'Hurry up' to your brother?

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Say 'The leaves are stirring' in Persian.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

How do you say 'I didn't move'?

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Say 'By the time you move...' in Persian.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Ask 'Why aren't you moving?'

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speaking

Say 'The dog wags its tail' using the causative.

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speaking

Pronounce 'Jonbesh' correctly.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Tell a group of people to hurry up.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Say 'The earth stirred a little'.

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speaking

How do you say 'Not a single creature'?

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Say 'Hurry up, it's late' in a formal way.

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speaking

Say 'His lips were moving'.

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speaking

Say 'I didn't budge from my place'.

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speaking

Pronounce 'Jonbandeh'.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Say 'The shadow is shifting'.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say 'Hurry, the bus is going'.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say 'My heart stirred'.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say 'Don't move!' (command).

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Say 'We must move/hustle'.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

Listen and identify the verb: 'Bejonbid ke vaght tamame.'

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listening

Listen: 'Barg-ha dar baad mi-jonband.' What is moving?

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listening

Listen: 'Az jash najonbid.' Did the person move?

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Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

Listen: 'Ta be khodet bejonbi dir shode.' Is it too late now?

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Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

Listen: 'Zamin jonbid.' What happened?

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listening

Listen: 'Jonbesh-e mardomi.' What kind of movement is it?

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Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

Listen: 'Bejonb dige!' What is the emotion?

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listening

Listen: 'Hich jonbandeh-i nist.' Is the place crowded?

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listening

Listen: 'Lab-hayash mi-jonbid.' What was moving?

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listening

Listen: 'Sag domash ra mi-jonband.' What is the dog doing?

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listening

Listen: 'Bayad zoodtar mi-jonbidi.' Is this about the past or future?

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listening

Listen: 'Saye mi-jonbad.' What is shifting?

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listening

Listen: 'Gahvareh mi-jonbid.' What is moving?

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listening

Listen: 'Najonb!' Is this a command to move or stay still?

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listening

Listen: 'Ta bekhay bejonbi...' What is the speaker's tone?

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/ 180 correct

Perfect score!

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