At the A1 level, you should learn 'جشن گرفتن' as a fixed phrase meaning 'to celebrate.' Focus on the present tense for birthdays: 'Man tavalod jashn mi-giram' (I celebrate a birthday). You don't need to worry about complex grammar yet; just remember that 'jashn' is the noun and 'gereftan' is the verb part. Think of it as 'holding a party.' You can use it to talk about simple things like holidays or family events. It is a great word to help you describe your personal life and basic routines during festive seasons.
At the A2 level, you begin to see how this word functions as a compound verb. You should be able to use it in the past tense ('jashn gereftim') and the future tense ('jashn khahim gereft'). You should also start using the object marker 'ra' correctly, such as 'Norooz ra jashn migirim.' This level is about expanding your ability to describe social events. You can now explain *why* you are celebrating, using words like 'chon' (because) or 'baraye' (for). You might also start using simple adverbs like 'khosh-hal' (happy) alongside the verb.
By B1, you should be comfortable using 'جشن گرفتن' in various moods, including the subjunctive ('mi-khaham jashn begiram' - I want to celebrate). You can describe more complex social scenarios and understand the difference between this verb and its synonyms like 'mehmāni dādan.' You should be able to talk about cultural traditions in Iran and compare them with your own. Your sentences should become more descriptive, including details about who was there, where it was held, and what the atmosphere was like. You also start to recognize the word in news headlines and more formal speech.
At the B2 level, you can use 'جشن گرفتن' to discuss abstract concepts like 'celebrating success' or 'celebrating diversity.' You understand the stylistic difference between 'jashn gereftan' and more formal terms like 'tajlil kardan.' You can follow a conversation about the history of Persian festivals and use the verb in complex sentence structures, such as conditional sentences ('If we win, we will celebrate'). You are also aware of how the verb is used in literature and can appreciate the metaphorical uses of celebration in Persian prose.
At the C1 level, you possess a nuanced understanding of 'جشن گرفتن' within the broader context of Persian sociolinguistics. You can use it to discuss the socio-political implications of certain public celebrations and understand how the choice of this verb versus others can signal the speaker's register or intent. You can write detailed essays about the evolution of Iranian festivals and use the verb with sophisticated idiomatic expressions. You are also capable of using the passive voice or other advanced grammatical constructions involving this compound verb without hesitation.
At the C2 level, your mastery of 'جشن گرفتن' is indistinguishable from that of a native speaker. You can use the verb in high-level academic discourse, classical poetic analysis, and complex legal or official documents. You understand the deep etymological roots of the word and can discuss its relationship to ancient Indo-Iranian rituals. You can use the verb to create subtle irony or humor in your speech and writing. You are also fully aware of regional variations in how the verb is used across the Persian-speaking world, including Iran, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan.

جشن گرفتن in 30 Seconds

  • A compound verb meaning 'to celebrate'.
  • Formed from 'jashn' (feast) and 'gereftan' (to hold).
  • Used for birthdays, holidays, and victories.
  • Essential for discussing Iranian culture and social life.

The Persian compound verb جشن گرفتن (jashn gereftan) is the primary way to express the act of celebrating or holding a formal event to mark a special occasion. In Persian linguistics, this is classified as a 'compound verb' because it consists of a noun, جشن (jashn), meaning 'celebration' or 'feast,' and a light verb, گرفتن (gereftan), which literally means 'to take' or 'to hold.' When combined, they function as a single semantic unit. Understanding this word requires more than just knowing a translation; it involves understanding the Iranian culture of hospitality and communal joy. Iranians use this term for everything from small family birthdays to massive national festivals like Nowruz. The term implies an active participation—you aren't just 'having' a celebration; you are 'holding' or 'taking' it, suggesting a sense of organization and hosting.

Cultural Nuance
While 'celebrate' in English can sometimes be internal or abstract, جشن گرفتن almost always implies an outward, social event involving guests, food, and music.
Grammatical Structure
The noun part remains static, while the verb part gereftan conjugates for person, tense, and mood. For example, 'I celebrate' is جشن می‌گیرم (jashn mi-giram).

ما هر سال نوروز را با تمام خانواده جشن می‌گیریم.
(We celebrate Nowruz with the whole family every year.)

Historically, the word jashn traces back to the Avestan word yasna, which referred to religious ceremonies and acts of worship. In ancient Zoroastrian traditions, celebrations were deeply tied to the cycles of nature and the elements. Today, the word has lost its strictly religious connotation but retains a sense of importance and communal gathering. You will hear it used in media when discussing national achievements, in schools for graduation ceremonies, and in homes for personal milestones. It is a versatile verb that bridges the gap between the ancient past and modern social life. Whether it is a victory in a football match or the arrival of spring, Iranians find reasons to jashn gereftan. In a modern context, it can also be used for corporate events or 'holding' a gala. It is different from shadi kardan (to be happy/rejoice), which is an emotion, whereas jashn gereftan is the physical manifestation of that happiness through an event.

دانشجویان فارغ‌التحصیلی خود را در پارک جشن گرفتند.
(The students celebrated their graduation in the park.)

Using جشن گرفتن correctly requires a basic understanding of Persian sentence structure, which is Subject-Object-Verb (SOV). Because this is a compound verb, the object of the celebration usually precedes the entire verb complex. For example, if you want to say 'We celebrated the birthday,' 'Birthday' (tavalod) is the object. In Persian, you would say: Ma tavalod ra jashn gereftim. The addition of the post-position ra (را) marks the definite object. However, in many casual contexts, ra might be dropped or replaced with a possessive construction like 'His birthday' (tavalod-ash).

Present Tense
Uses the present stem gir. Example: Man jashn mi-giram (I celebrate).
Past Tense
Uses the past stem gereft. Example: Anha jashn gereftand (They celebrated).

One of the most common ways to use this verb is with specific holidays. Iranians celebrate 'Yalda' (the longest night of the year), 'Chaharshanbe Suri' (the festival of fire), and 'Mehregan' (the festival of autumn). In each case, the structure remains consistent. You name the event, add 'ra' if it is specific, and then use the conjugated form of jashn gereftan. It is also important to note that this verb is formal enough for writing but common enough for everyday speech. In very informal speech, you might hear people say jashn gereftim to mean 'we had a party,' though mehmāni gereftim (we had a gathering) is more precise for casual parties.

آیا شما پیروزی تیم ملی را جشن می‌گیرید؟
(Are you going to celebrate the national team's victory?)

When describing *how* someone celebrates, you can add adverbs before the verb. Common adverbs include ba shokuh (magnificently), sadeh (simply), or dovordore ham (together/around each other). This adds layer and color to your descriptions. For example, Ma kheili sadeh jashn gereftim means 'We celebrated very simply.' This flexibility allows the speaker to convey not just the action but the atmosphere of the event. Furthermore, the verb can be used in the imperative mood to invite or command someone to celebrate: Jashn begir! (Celebrate!). This is often seen in poetry or motivational speech, encouraging people to find joy in the moment.

In the real world, جشن گرفتن is heard in a variety of settings, ranging from the intimate to the grand. If you are walking through a park in Tehran during the spring, you might hear families discussing how they plan to jashn gereftan for the upcoming Sizdah Bedar (the 13th day of the New Year). In this context, the word carries a sense of excitement and planning. On Iranian television, news anchors use the word when reporting on national holidays or religious festivals like Eid al-Fitr. They might say, 'The people of Iran celebrated this auspicious day,' using the formal version jashn gereftand. This demonstrates the word's high frequency in both colloquial and formal registers.

In the Media
Used in headlines: 'مردم پیروزی را در خیابان‌ها جشن گرفتند' (People celebrated the victory in the streets).
In Literature
Classical and modern poets often use the word to symbolize the triumph of light over darkness or the arrival of the beloved.

همه مردم شهر برای پایان جنگ جشن گرفتند.
(All the people of the city celebrated for the end of the war.)

In the workplace, you might hear a manager say they want to jashn gereftan a successful quarter or the completion of a major project. In this professional setting, it might involve a shared lunch or a small ceremony. Furthermore, in the world of social media, Persian speakers often post photos of their gatherings with captions like 'Emshab tavalod-e maman ro jashn gereftim' (Tonight we celebrated Mom's birthday). The word is deeply embedded in the social fabric. It is also used in sports commentary; when a player scores a goal, the commentator might describe how the fans are 'celebrating' in the stands. This wide range of usage—from ancient festivals to modern football matches—makes it one of the most essential verbs for any learner to master. It encapsulates the Iranian spirit of 'Shadi' (joy) and 'Mehmannavazi' (hospitality).

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make when learning جشن گرفتن is trying to use the verb 'to do' (kardan) instead of 'to take/hold' (gereftan). While many Persian compound verbs use kardan, jashn is almost exclusively paired with gereftan. Saying jashn kardan sounds unnatural and is immediately recognizable as a non-native error. Another common error is failing to conjugate the light verb correctly. Because gereftan is an irregular verb (present stem gir, past stem gereft), learners often mix up the stems or forget the necessary prefixes like mi- for the continuous present.

The 'Kardan' Trap
Avoid: جشن کردن. Correct: جشن گرفتن.
Object Marking
Learners often forget the 'ra' (را) after the specific event being celebrated, which can make the sentence feel incomplete.

اشتباه: ما تولد را جشن کردیم.
درست: ما تولد را جشن گرفتیم.

Another nuance involves the word 'party.' In English, we 'have a party.' In Persian, if you say jashn gereftim, it implies a certain level of formality or a specific reason (like an anniversary). If you just had a casual get-together with friends, using mehmāni gereftim or dowre-ham-neshini dashtim is more appropriate. Using jashn for a very small, casual hangout might sound slightly exaggerated. Additionally, be careful with the word order. In English, we say 'celebrate the holiday.' In Persian, the 'holiday' must come before the 'celebrate.' Placing the verb before the object is a common mistake for those used to English SVO structure. Lastly, remember that gereftan also means 'to catch' or 'to take,' so context is key, though 'jashn' almost always clarifies the meaning immediately.

While جشن گرفتن is the most common term, Persian offers several synonyms and alternatives depending on the level of formality and the specific nature of the event. For highly formal or official occasions, you might encounter the verb تجلیل کردن (tajlil kardan). This word means 'to honor' or 'to pay tribute to' and is often used for commemorating a famous person or a historical event. Another formal alternative is بزرگداشت گرفتن (bozorgdasht gereftan), which literally means 'to hold a commemoration.' This is common in academic and cultural circles, such as celebrating the works of a poet like Rumi or Ferdowsi.

Tajlil Kardan (تجلیل کردن)
Used for honoring individuals or achievements. 'They honored the teacher' (Az mo'allem tajlil kardand).
Mehmāni Dādan (مهمانی دادن)
Literally 'to give a party.' This is used when the focus is on the act of hosting and providing food.

برای یادبود حافظ، مراسم بزرگداشتی گرفتند.
(They held a commemoration ceremony for the memory of Hafez.)

For religious or traditional holidays, the phrase عید گرفتن (eid gereftan) is also used. While jashn is general, eid specifically refers to 'festivals' or 'holidays' like Eid al-Adha or Nowruz. In more poetic or literary contexts, you might see شادمانی کردن (shādmāni kardan), which focuses on the feeling of joy and rejoicing rather than the event itself. If you are talking about a rowdy or very lively party, slang terms like pārti gereftan (using the English loanword) are increasingly common among the youth in urban areas. However, jashn گرفتن remains the 'gold standard' for learners because it is appropriate in almost every situation. Knowing these alternatives allows you to fine-tune your speech and understand the subtle differences between a state-sponsored ceremony and a casual Friday night gathering.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"مراسم تجلیل از نخبگان با شکوه فراوان جشن گرفته شد."

Neutral

"ما قصد داریم فردا شب جشن بگیریم."

Informal

"بیا برای پایان امتحانا یه جشن بگیریم."

Child friendly

"تولدت مبارک! بیا با کیک و بادکنک جشن بگیریم."

Slang

"عجب جشنی گرفتیم دیشب، ترکوندیم!"

Fun Fact

In the Avesta, the holy book of Zoroastrianism, a whole section is called the 'Yasna,' which consists of liturgical texts used during celebrations.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /dʒæʃn ɡereftæn/
US /dʒæʃn ɡəreftæn/
The primary stress in the present tense is on the first syllable of the noun 'JASHN'. In the past tense, the stress is on the last syllable of the verb 'gerefTAN'.
Rhymes With
Dashn (rare) Khashn (rough) Tashn (not a word, but phonetically similar to Tashneh - thirsty) Raftan (to go) Goftan (to say) Shostan (to wash) Khostan (to want) Pazof-tan (to accept)
Common Errors
  • Pronouncing 'jashn' as 'jash-en' (adding an extra vowel).
  • Using a soft 'g' like 'j' in 'gereftan'.
  • Stress on the 'mi-' prefix instead of the noun in present tense.
  • Mixing up 'gereftan' with 'goftan' (to say).
  • Muffling the final 'n' in 'jashn'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize in text due to the distinct 'jashn' noun.

Writing 3/5

Requires knowledge of compound verb conjugation.

Speaking 3/5

Must remember to use 'gereftan' instead of 'kardan'.

Listening 2/5

Clearly audible, though light verbs can be spoken quickly.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

جشن (jashn) گرفتن (gereftan) تولد (tavalod) مهمانی (mehmāni) شاد (shād)

Learn Next

تجلیل کردن (tajlil kardan) برگزار کردن (bargozar kardan) مناسبت (monasebat) سالگرد (salgard) دعوت (davat)

Advanced

پیشکش (pishkesh) پذیرایی (pazirayi) سور و سات (sur-o-sat) میزبانی (mizbani) شادمانه (shadmaneh)

Grammar to Know

Compound Verb Conjugation

Only the second part (gereftan) changes. Jashn remains the same.

Direct Object Marker 'ra'

Used when the thing being celebrated is specific: 'In jashn ra...'

Present Continuous with 'Dar-am'

Man daram jashn mi-giram (I am currently celebrating).

Subjunctive Mood

Bayad jashn begirim (We must celebrate).

Past Participle for Passive

Jashn gerefte shod (It was celebrated).

Examples by Level

1

من تولدم را جشن می‌گیرم.

I celebrate my birthday.

Simple present tense.

2

ما امروز جشن می‌گیریم.

We are celebrating today.

Use of 'ma' (we).

3

آیا تو جشن می‌گیری؟

Do you celebrate?

Question form.

4

او جشن نمی‌گیرد.

He/She does not celebrate.

Negative form with 'ne-'.

5

آن‌ها برای عید جشن می‌گیرند.

They celebrate for the holiday.

Use of 'baraye' (for).

6

بیا جشن بگیریم!

Let's celebrate!

Imperative/Exhortative.

7

جشن گرفتن خوب است.

Celebrating is good.

Infinitive as subject.

8

کجا جشن می‌گیرید؟

Where do you celebrate?

Interrogative 'koja'.

1

دیروز تولد برادرم را جشن گرفتیم.

Yesterday we celebrated my brother's birthday.

Simple past tense.

2

آن‌ها می‌خواهند سال نو را جشن بگیرند.

They want to celebrate the New Year.

Subjunctive with 'mikhavand'.

3

ما در خانه جشن گرفتیم.

We celebrated at home.

Preposition 'dar' (in).

4

چرا جشن نمی‌گیرید؟

Why aren't you celebrating?

Interrogative 'chera'.

5

او با دوستانش جشن گرفت.

He celebrated with his friends.

Preposition 'ba' (with).

6

من فردا جشن خواهم گرفت.

I will celebrate tomorrow.

Future tense.

7

جشن گرفتن با خانواده لذت‌بخش است.

Celebrating with family is enjoyable.

Adjective 'lezzat-bakhsh'.

8

ما پیروزی را جشن گرفتیم.

We celebrated the victory.

Object marker 'ra'.

1

وقتی به خانه رسیدم، آن‌ها داشتند جشن می‌گرفتند.

When I arrived home, they were celebrating.

Past progressive tense.

2

امیدوارم که همه مردم دنیا صلح را جشن بگیرند.

I hope that all people of the world celebrate peace.

Complex sentence with 'omidvaram'.

3

او همیشه موفقیت‌های کوچک را هم جشن می‌گیرد.

She always celebrates even small successes.

Adverb 'ham' (also/even).

4

ما به جای پارتی، یک مراسم مذهبی جشن گرفتیم.

Instead of a party, we celebrated a religious ceremony.

Phrase 'be jaye' (instead of).

5

آیا فکر می‌کنی باید این اتفاق را جشن بگیریم؟

Do you think we should celebrate this event?

Use of 'bayad' (should).

6

آن‌ها بدون هیچ دلیلی جشن گرفتند.

They celebrated without any reason.

Phrase 'bedune hich dalili'.

7

جشن گرفتن در فرهنگ ایرانی بسیار مهم است.

Celebrating is very important in Iranian culture.

Gerundial usage.

8

اگر امتحان را قبول شوم، جشن می‌گیرم.

If I pass the exam, I will celebrate.

First conditional.

1

دولت پیروزی دیپلماتیک را به طور رسمی جشن گرفت.

The government officially celebrated the diplomatic victory.

Formal register.

2

آن‌ها سالگرد ازدواجشان را در پاریس جشن گرفتند.

They celebrated their wedding anniversary in Paris.

Specific noun 'salgard-e ezdevaj'.

3

نویسنده انتشار کتاب جدیدش را جشن گرفت.

The author celebrated the publication of his new book.

Noun 'enteshar' (publication).

4

ما باید تفاوت‌های فرهنگی خود را جشن بگیریم.

We must celebrate our cultural differences.

Abstract object.

5

او ترجیح می‌دهد تنهایی جشن بگیرد.

He prefers to celebrate alone.

Verb 'tarjih dadan' (to prefer).

6

مراسمی که دیشب جشن گرفتیم، بسیار با شکوه بود.

The ceremony we celebrated last night was very magnificent.

Relative clause.

7

آن‌ها با وجود مشکلات فراوان، باز هم جشن گرفتند.

Despite many problems, they still celebrated.

Phrase 'ba vojud-e' (despite).

8

جشن گرفتن این مناسبت تاریخی برای ما اهمیت دارد.

Celebrating this historical occasion is important to us.

Formal structure.

1

این ملت قرن‌هاست که نوروز را به عنوان نماد نوزایی جشن می‌گیرند.

This nation has been celebrating Nowruz as a symbol of rebirth for centuries.

Present perfect continuous sense.

2

برخی منتقدان معتقدند که نباید هر موفقیتی را با هیاهو جشن گرفت.

Some critics believe that not every success should be celebrated with fanfare.

Passive-like structure with 'nabayad'.

3

آن‌ها پایان دوره استبداد را در میادین شهر جشن گرفتند.

They celebrated the end of the era of tyranny in the city squares.

Political terminology.

4

جشن گرفتن پیروزی‌های علمی نشان‌دهنده پیشرفت یک جامعه است.

Celebrating scientific victories indicates a society's progress.

Abstract complex subject.

5

او با نگارش این مقاله، در واقع میراث پدرش را جشن گرفت.

By writing this article, he actually celebrated his father's legacy.

Metaphorical usage.

6

مراسمی که برای تجلیل از هنرمندان جشن گرفته شد، بی‌نظیر بود.

The ceremony held to honor the artists was unique.

Passive voice 'jashn gerefte shod'.

7

ما باید ارزش‌های انسانی را فراتر از مرزها جشن بگیریم.

We must celebrate human values beyond borders.

Philosophical context.

8

او تمام شب را به خاطر بازگشت برادرش جشن گرفت.

He celebrated all night because of his brother's return.

Temporal phrase 'tamam-e shab'.

1

در متون کهن، جشن گرفتن پیوندی ناگسستنی با آیین‌های ایزدی داشت.

In ancient texts, celebrating had an unbreakable link with divine rituals.

Archaic/Academic register.

2

این که چگونه یک ملت تراژدی‌های خود را جشن می‌گیرد، گویای روح جمعی آن‌هاست.

How a nation celebrates its tragedies speaks to their collective soul.

Sophisticated philosophical inquiry.

3

او با ظرافتی خاص، تضادهای درونی‌اش را در قالب هنر جشن می‌گرفت.

With a specific delicacy, he celebrated his inner contradictions through art.

Literary metaphor.

4

برپایی چنین محافلی برای جشن گرفتن آزادی، هزینه‌های گزافی داشته است.

Setting up such gatherings to celebrate freedom has had exorbitant costs.

Complex nominalization.

5

فلاسفه بر این باورند که هستی را باید در هر لحظه جشن گرفت.

Philosophers believe that existence should be celebrated in every moment.

Existential context.

6

جشن گرفتن به مثابه یک کنش اجتماعی، می‌تواند به انسجام ملی کمک کند.

Celebrating as a social action can contribute to national cohesion.

Sociological terminology.

7

او در سکوت، پیروزی بر نفس خویش را جشن گرفت.

In silence, he celebrated the victory over his own ego.

Internalized celebration.

8

هر بار که بهار می‌آید، زمین حیات دوباره خود را جشن می‌گیرد.

Every time spring arrives, the earth celebrates its own rebirth.

Personification.

Common Collocations

تولد گرفتن
عروسی گرفتن
جشن ملی
با شکوه جشن گرفتن
ساده جشن گرفتن
مراسم جشن
سالگرد گرفتن
جشن فارغ‌التحصیلی
بهانه برای جشن گرفتن
جشن گرفتن پیروزی

Common Phrases

جای شما خالی بود

— Used when you celebrated something and a friend wasn't there. It means 'your place was empty'.

دیشب جشن گرفتیم، جای شما خالی بود.

به سلامتی

— A toast used during celebrations, meaning 'to health'.

همه لیوان‌ها را بالا بردند و گفتند: به سلامتی!

مبارک باشد

— Congratulations. Used whenever someone is celebrating a milestone.

تولدتان مبارک باشد!

شیرینی دادن

— To give sweets to others to celebrate a good news.

او برای ماشین جدیدش شیرینی داد.

دعوت کردن

— To invite someone to a celebration.

همه دوستانم را دعوت کردم.

کادو گرفتن

— To receive or give gifts during a celebration.

او کادوهای زیادی گرفت.

دور هم جمع شدن

— To gather around each other for a celebration.

برای جشن، همه دور هم جمع شدیم.

بزن و بکوب

— Slang for a very lively party with lots of music and dancing.

دیشب بزن و بکوب داشتیم.

خوش گذراندن

— To have a good time during a celebration.

خیلی خوش گذشت!

کیک بریدن

— To cut the cake, a central part of many celebrations.

وقت بریدن کیک است.

Often Confused With

جشن گرفتن vs گرفتن (Gereftan)

Gereftan alone means to take or catch. Without 'jashn', it doesn't mean celebrate.

جشن گرفتن vs برگزار کردن (Bargozar kardan)

This means 'to hold' or 'to execute' an event. It is more formal and less emotional than 'jashn گرفتن'.

جشن گرفتن vs شادی کردن (Shadi kardan)

This is the act of being happy or rejoicing, while 'jashn گرفتن' is the specific act of holding an event.

Idioms & Expressions

"جشن گرفتن روی ویرانه‌ها"

— To celebrate or be happy in the midst of a disaster or failure.

آن‌ها روی ویرانه‌های اقتصاد، جشن گرفتند.

Literary/Political
"دنیا را جشن گرفتن"

— To live life to the fullest or enjoy every aspect of the world.

او هر روز دنیا را جشن می‌گیرد.

Poetic
"جشن گرفتن برای هیچ"

— To celebrate without a real reason or for something insignificant.

چرا برای هیچ جشن می‌گیرید؟

Colloquial
"در دل جشن گرفتن"

— To be happy internally without showing it outwardly.

او در دلش پیروزی را جشن گرفت.

Neutral
"جشن خون"

— A dark idiom referring to a massacre or a violent event described ironically as a celebration.

دشمن جشن خون به راه انداخت.

Literary
"جشن و سرور"

— A common pairing meaning 'celebration and joy'.

شهر غرق در جشن و سرور بود.

Formal
"هفت شب و هفت روز جشن گرفتن"

— To celebrate for a very long time (traditional folk expression).

برای عروسی، هفت شب و هفت روز جشن گرفتند.

Traditional
"جشن گرفتن پایان یک کابوس"

— To celebrate the end of a very difficult period.

ما پایان این بیماری را جشن می‌گیریم.

Neutral
"جای سوزن انداختن نبود"

— Used to describe a celebration so crowded that there was no room to drop a needle.

در جشن دیشب، جای سوزن انداختن نبود.

Colloquial
"نور علی نور شدن"

— When one celebration or good thing is followed by another, making it even better.

هم تولد بود و هم عید، نور علی نور شد.

Idiomatic

Easily Confused

جشن گرفتن vs عید (Eid)

Both refer to celebrations.

Eid is a noun for a holiday; Jashn is a general noun for a celebration or part of the verb.

عید نوروز را جشن می‌گیریم.

جشن گرفتن vs مهمانی (Mehmāni)

Both involve people gathering.

Mehmāni is a party/gathering; Jashn is a celebration of a specific event.

یک مهمانی برای جشن تولد گرفتیم.

جشن گرفتن vs مراسم (Marasem)

Both involve events.

Marasem is a 'ceremony' and can be somber (like a funeral); Jashn is always happy.

مراسم ازدواج را جشن گرفتند.

جشن گرفتن vs پارتی (Pārti)

Loanword from English.

Pārti is very informal/Western; Jashn is more traditional/general.

آن‌ها در ویلا پارتی گرفتند.

جشن گرفتن vs تجلیل (Tajlil)

Both mean honoring something.

Tajlil is much more formal and usually involves speeches and awards.

تجلیل از مقام معلم.

Sentence Patterns

A1

[Subject] [Object] jashn mi-gir-am.

Man tavalod jashn mi-giram.

A2

[Subject] [Object] ra jashn gereft-im.

Ma Norooz ra jashn gereftim.

B1

Mi-khaham [Object] ra jashn begir-am.

Mixaham movaffaghiyat-am ra jashn begiram.

B2

[Object] be tore rasmi jashn gerefte shod.

In ruz be tore rasmi jashn gerefte shod.

C1

Ba jashn gereftan-e [Object], ma ...

Ba jashn gereftan-e in ruz, ma etehad-eman ra neshan dadim.

C2

An-che ra ke jashn mi-girim, [Noun] ast.

An-che ra ke jashn mi-girim, azadi ast.

Mixed

Chera [Object] ra jashn ne-mi-giri?

Chera tavalodat ra jashn nemigiri?

Mixed

Bayad baraye [Reason] jashn begirim.

Bayad baraye in khabar-e khosh jashn begirim.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

Related

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high in social contexts.

Common Mistakes
  • Man tavalod jashn kardam. Man tavalod jashn gereftam.

    The light verb for 'jashn' is 'gereftan', not 'kardan'.

  • Ma Norooz jashn mi-girim. Ma Norooz ra jashn mi-girim.

    Specific holidays require the object marker 'ra'.

  • Jashn gereftam baraye u. Baraye u jashn gereftam.

    The prepositional phrase usually comes before the verb in Persian.

  • Anha jashn mi-gereftand. Anha jashn mi-gereftand (Correct, but often confused with 'mi-girand').

    Learners often mix up present and past continuous forms.

  • Jashn-e gereftan. Jashn گرفتن (Infinitive)

    Do not put an ezafe between the noun and the verb in a compound infinitive.

Tips

Conjugation Rule

Remember that only 'gereftan' changes. If you learn the conjugation of 'gereftan', you can use it with many other nouns too!

Nowruz

Nowruz is the biggest 'jashn' in Iran. If you use the verb in this context, you will sound very culturally aware.

Using 'ra'

Always use 'ra' after a specific holiday name. E.g., 'Yalda ra jashn gereftim'.

Synonym Choice

Use 'jashn' for happy parties and 'tajlil' for official ceremonies where someone is being praised.

The 'mi-' Prefix

In the present tense, the 'mi-' tells you the action is happening now or habitually. Don't miss it!

Ancient Roots

Knowing that it comes from 'Yasna' (worship) helps you understand why it feels so significant in Persian culture.

Invitations

When you want to invite someone, say 'Mixaham tavalodam ra jashn begiram, shoma ham biyaid' (I want to celebrate my birthday, you come too).

Adverb Placement

Place adverbs like 'ba shokuh' (magnificently) right before the word 'jashn' or between 'jashn' and 'gereftan' for emphasis.

The 'Hold' Connection

Link the Persian 'gereftan' (to take/hold) with the English 'to hold a ceremony' to remember the light verb.

Jaye Shoma Khali

Always follow up a story about a celebration with 'Jaye shoma khali' to be extra polite to your listener.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Jashn' as 'Josh' (excitement) and 'Gereftan' as 'Getting'. You are 'Getting Excitement' when you celebrate.

Visual Association

Imagine holding (gereftan) a giant colorful banner that says 'JASHN' over a crowd of people dancing.

Word Web

Music Food Guests Happiness Tradition Cake Dance Gathering

Challenge

Try to conjugate 'jashn gereftan' in five different tenses today: Present, Past, Future, Subjunctive, and Imperative.

Word Origin

The word 'jashn' is derived from the Middle Persian 'yashn' and Old Persian 'yasna'. It is cognate with the Sanskrit 'yajna'.

Original meaning: In its earliest forms, it meant 'sacrifice,' 'worship,' or 'ritual ceremony' performed in honor of a deity.

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

Cultural Context

When celebrating in Iran, be mindful of religious mourning months like Muharram and Ramadan, where public 'jashn gereftan' is usually avoided out of respect.

In English, we often say 'throw a party.' In Persian, you 'take/hold' (gereftan) a celebration. The concept of 'hosting' is very central to the Persian word.

The 'Jashn-e Sadeh' is one of the oldest celebrated festivals in Iran, involving large bonfires. The Shahnameh of Ferdowsi describes many epic 'jashns' held by ancient kings. Modern Persian pop songs often feature the word 'jashn' in their choruses about love and life.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Birthdays

  • تولدت مبارک
  • کیک تولد
  • کادو دادن
  • شمع فوت کردن

Weddings

  • عروسی گرفتن
  • لباس عروس
  • سفره عقد
  • تالار پذیرایی

National Holidays

  • نوروز مبارک
  • سفره هفت سین
  • جشن ملی
  • تعطیلات

Academic Success

  • فارغ‌التحصیلی
  • مدرک گرفتن
  • جشن پایان سال
  • موفقیت

Sports Victories

  • برد تیم
  • قهرمانی
  • جشن در خیابان
  • پیروزی

Conversation Starters

"شما معمولاً تولدتان را چگونه جشن می‌گیرید؟"

"بهترین جشنی که تا به حال رفته‌اید چه بوده است؟"

"آیا در کشور شما نوروز را جشن می‌گیرند؟"

"برای جشن گرفتن پیروزی تیم مورد علاقه‌تان چه می‌کنید؟"

"آیا دوست دارید جشن‌های بزرگ بگیرید یا کوچک؟"

Journal Prompts

درباره آخرین باری که چیزی را جشن گرفتید بنویسید. چه حسی داشتید؟

اگر می‌توانستید یک جشن برای تمام دنیا بگیرید، آن جشن برای چه بود؟

تفاوت بین یک جشن رسمی و یک مهمانی دوستانه از نظر شما چیست؟

چرا انسان‌ها نیاز دارند که مناسبت‌های مختلف را جشن بگیرند؟

یک جشن سنتی در فرهنگ خودتان را توصیف کنید.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, 'jashn kardan' is incorrect. You must use 'jashn gereftan'. Compound verbs in Persian have specific light verbs that cannot be swapped.

No, it is only for happy occasions. For funerals, use 'marasem-e khatm gereftan' or 'azadari kardan'.

A 'jashn' is a single celebration. A 'jashnvareh' is a festival, usually lasting several days and involving many events (like a film festival).

You can say 'Tanha'i jashn gereftam.' While it usually implies a group, it can be used for personal celebration.

Yes, its present stem is 'gir'. So 'I celebrate' is 'jashn mi-giram'.

Yes, it is very common for holidays like Eid al-Fitr or Mab'ath.

The closest opposite is 'azadari kardan' (to mourn).

Yes, it has ancient roots in the Persian language and Zoroastrian traditions.

You can say 'Ghasd darim jashn begirim' or 'Mixahim jashn begirim'.

Absolutely! It is perfect for any milestone, no matter how small.

Test Yourself 180 questions

writing

Write a sentence in Persian: 'I celebrate my birthday with my family.'

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

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writing

Write a sentence in Persian: 'They celebrated the victory yesterday.'

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writing

Translate to Persian: 'We want to celebrate the New Year.'

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writing

Describe your favorite celebration in three Persian sentences.

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writing

Write a formal sentence about honoring a teacher.

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writing

Translate: 'Why didn't you celebrate?'

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writing

Write an invitation sentence for a party.

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writing

Translate: 'Celebrating is good for the soul.'

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writing

Write a sentence using 'ba shokuh'.

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writing

Translate: 'We will celebrate tomorrow night.'

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writing

Write a sentence about celebrating a graduation.

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writing

Translate: 'Your place was empty at the party.'

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writing

Write a sentence using the subjunctive 'begirim'.

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writing

Translate: 'The city was full of joy.'

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writing

Write a sentence about a national holiday.

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writing

Translate: 'I hope you celebrate many more years.'

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writing

Write a sentence about celebrating simply.

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writing

Translate: 'They are celebrating in the garden.'

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writing

Write a sentence about a wedding anniversary.

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writing

Translate: 'Let's celebrate the end of the semester.'

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speaking

Say 'I celebrate' in Persian.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Say 'We celebrated' in Persian.

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speaking

Ask 'How do you celebrate?'

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speaking

Say 'Happy Birthday' and 'Let's celebrate'.

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speaking

Say 'We want to celebrate tonight.'

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speaking

Say 'I celebrated with my friends.'

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speaking

Say 'They are celebrating in the street.'

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speaking

Explain what you celebrate in your country (in Persian).

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speaking

Say 'It was a magnificent celebration.'

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speaking

Say 'I don't like big celebrations.'

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speaking

Invite a friend to celebrate your success.

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speaking

Say 'We will celebrate tomorrow.'

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speaking

Say 'To your health!' (Toast).

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speaking

Say 'Why are you celebrating?'

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speaking

Say 'Celebrating is fun.'

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speaking

Say 'We celebrated for three days.'

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speaking

Say 'I hope you celebrate your victory.'

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speaking

Say 'The whole family celebrated together.'

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speaking

Say 'Every year we celebrate Nowruz.'

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speaking

Say 'Don't celebrate yet!'

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listening

Listen for the verb: 'Ma tavalod-ash ra jashn gereftim.' What did they do?

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listening

Which tense is used? 'Anha jashn khahand gereft.'

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listening

Is it a question? 'Chera jashn nemigiri?'

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listening

Listen for the adverb: 'Ma kheili sadeh jashn gereftim.'

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What is the object? 'Azadi ra jashn migirim.'

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listening

Is it positive or negative? 'Hich-kas jashn nagereft.'

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listening

Who is celebrating? 'Koodakan jashn migirand.'

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listening

Where is the celebration? 'Dar madreseh jashn gereftand.'

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What is the reason? 'Baraye norooz jashn gereftim.'

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listening

How many days? 'Haft ruz jashn gereftand.'

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listening

Is it formal? 'Tajlil az ostad.'

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listening

What is the mood? 'Ba shadi jashn gereftand.'

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listening

Listen for the prefix: 'Mi-girand'. Is it present or past?

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listening

What is missing? 'Jaye shoma khali bud.'

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listening

What did they cut? 'Kik ra jashn gereftand va boridand.'

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/ 180 correct

Perfect score!

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