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A2 noun 7 min read

حکومت

hokumat
Examples حکومت in 30 Seconds
Explanation حکومت in your Level:
At the A1 level, you just need to know that 'hokumat' means 'government'. It is a big word that you might see on signs or in simple news headlines. Think of it as the people who make the laws. You can use it in very simple sentences like 'The government is good' or 'The government is in Tehran.' You don't need to worry about complex political types yet. Just remember that it is a noun and it sounds like 'ho-koo-mat'.
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At the A2 level, you should start using 'hokumat' in more descriptive sentences. You will learn to use the 'Ezāfe' to describe the government, such as 'hokumat-e Irān' (Iran's government) or 'hokumat-e jadid' (the new government). You should also learn the compound verb 'hokumat kardan', which means 'to rule'. For example, 'The king rules over the land.' You are beginning to understand the difference between a person (hâkem) and the institution (hokumat).
At the B1 level, you are expected to understand 'hokumat' in the context of news and social studies. You should be able to discuss 'tashkil-e hokumat' (forming a government) and 'soghoot-e hokumat' (the fall of a government). You will start to see the difference between 'hokumat' and 'dowlat' (administration). You can also use it in some common phrases like 'hokumat-e nezāmi' (martial law). Your sentences will become more complex, involving reasons why a government might change.
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At the B2 level, you should have a firm grasp of the political nuances of 'hokumat'. You can distinguish between 'hokumat' (the state system), 'nezām' (the regime/order), and 'hākemiyat' (sovereignty). You can read newspaper editorials that critique the 'hokumat' and understand the formal register used in these texts. You should also be comfortable using it in more abstract ways, such as 'the rule of law' (hokumat-e qānun).
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At the C1 level, you use 'hokumat' with precision in academic and professional contexts. You understand the historical evolution of the word from its Arabic roots to its modern Persian application. You can discuss different forms of government in detail, such as 'hokumat-e molaq' (absolute monarchy) or 'hokumat-e dēmokrāt' (democratic rule). You are also aware of the poetic and literary uses of the word in classical Persian poetry, where it might represent the dominance of fate or love.
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At the C2 level, 'hokumat' is a word you can manipulate to express subtle shades of meaning. You understand its legal implications in constitutional law and its sociopolitical weight in revolutionary discourse. You can engage in high-level debates about the legitimacy of a 'hokumat' and use the word fluently in complex compound structures. You recognize the word's presence in nearly every facet of Iranian historical and modern identity.
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Examples

حکومت in 30 Seconds

  • Hokumat means 'government' or 'rule'.
  • It comes from Arabic and is used in formal contexts.
  • It differs from 'dowlat' (the executive administration).
  • Commonly used with 'kardan' to mean 'to rule/govern'.

The Persian word حکومت (hokumat) is a foundational noun in the Persian language, primarily used to describe the system by which a nation or community is governed. It encompasses the concepts of 'government,' 'rule,' 'reign,' and 'administration.' While its roots are Arabic, it has been deeply integrated into Persian for centuries, appearing in classical literature and modern political discourse alike. Understanding this word requires looking at both its institutional meaning and its more abstract sense of authority or dominance.

Institutional Context
In modern usage, it refers to the state apparatus, including the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. When people discuss the 'Hokumat-e Irān' (Government of Iran), they are referring to the entire political structure.

مردم خواستار تغییر در حکومت هستند. (People are demanding a change in the government.)

Historical Context
In historical texts, 'hokumat' often refers to the 'reign' or 'period of rule' of a specific king or dynasty, such as 'Hokumat-e Safaviyeh' (The Safavid Rule).

حکومت نظامی در شهر اعلام شد. (Martial law/rule was declared in the city.)

The word is versatile. You will find it in the news (political analysis), in history books (describing empires), and even in philosophical discussions regarding the nature of power. It is a formal word, yet essential for anyone reaching an A2 level or higher, as it appears frequently in daily news broadcasts. In a broader sense, it can also mean 'sovereignty' or 'jurisdiction.' For instance, in legal contexts, it might refer to the authority a specific body has over a territory.

او سال‌ها بر این منطقه حکومت کرد. (He ruled over this region for years.)

Abstract Power
Hokumat can describe the dominance of an idea or a person's will over others, though this is more poetic or literary.

قانون باید بر جامعه حکومت کند. (Law must rule over the society.)

پایان حکومت استبدادی نزدیک است. (The end of the despotic rule is near.)

Using حکومت in a sentence follows standard Persian grammar rules for nouns. It often acts as the subject or object of a sentence, and is frequently paired with verbs like 'kardan' (to do/make) to form the compound verb 'hokumat kardan' (to rule/govern). Understanding how to link it to other words via the 'Ezāfe' construction is key to sounding natural.

The Compound Verb
To say 'to rule', you use 'hokumat kardan'. The preposition 'bar' (on/over) is typically used to indicate what is being ruled.

پادشاه بر تمام سرزمین حکومت می‌کرد. (The king was ruling over the entire land.)

Ezāfe Construction
When describing a specific type of government, add a short '-e' sound (Ezāfe) to the end of 'hokumat'. For example: 'hokumat-e mardomsālār' (democratic government).

حکومتِ جدید برنامه‌های اقتصادی خوبی دارد. (The new government has good economic plans.)

تغییر حکومت باعث ثبات شد. (The change of government caused stability.)

You can also use 'hokumat' as an adjective in specific phrases like 'hokumat-e nezāmi' (military government/martial law). In this case, it modifies the state of the society. Another common usage is 'tashkil-e hokumat' (forming a government), often heard after elections. Note that in Persian, the word order is Subject-Object-Verb, so 'hokumat' will often appear in the middle of the sentence.

آن‌ها در حال تلاش برای تشکیل حکومت ائتلافی هستند. (They are trying to form a coalition government.)

Negative Usage
To describe an absence of government, you use 'bi-hokumati' (anarchy/statelessness).

کشور دچار بی‌حکومتی شده است. (The country has fallen into anarchy/lack of government.)

If you turn on a Persian news channel like BBC Persian, Iran International, or IRIB, you will hear حکومت multiple times within the first ten minutes. It is the standard term for referring to political regimes and state structures. Beyond the news, it is a staple of history classes, academic lectures, and formal debates. However, its usage isn't limited to high-brow environments; it also appears in everyday conversations when people discuss the state of their country or local administration.

News and Media
Journalists use it to report on policy changes, international relations, and internal conflicts. Phrases like 'hokumat-e markazi' (central government) are very common.

حکومت مرکزی کنترل اوضاع را در دست گرفت. (The central government took control of the situation.)

Academic and Historical Texts
Scholars use it to categorize different eras. 'Hokumat-e molaq' (absolute rule) or 'hokumat-e mashruteh' (constitutional government) are terms you'll find in history books.

در کتاب تاریخ، درباره حکومت هخامنشیان خواندیم. (We read about the Achaemenid rule in the history book.)

In literature, 'hokumat' can take on a more metaphorical tone. Poets might speak of the 'hokumat-e eshq' (the rule of love) or the 'hokumat-e aql' (the rule of reason). This shows the word's flexibility—it isn't just about politicians and buildings; it's about what governs the heart or the mind. In movies or TV dramas set in historical periods, you will hear characters plotting against the 'hokumat' or swearing loyalty to it.

او علیه حکومت قیام کرد. (He rose up against the government/rule.)

Daily Conversation
Even in casual talk, people might say 'Hokumat bayad in moshkel ro hal kone' (The government must solve this problem), though 'dowlat' is slightly more common in this specific context.

این حکومت به نظرات مردم اهمیت می‌دهد. (This government values the people's opinions.)

Learning to use حکومت correctly involves distinguishing it from several closely related terms. The most frequent error for English speakers is using 'hokumat' when they specifically mean the executive cabinet, or using it as a verb without the helper 'kardan'.

Hokumat vs. Dowlat
This is the most nuanced distinction. In English, 'government' covers everything. In Persian, 'Hokumat' is the entire system (the State), while 'Dowlat' is the administration/cabinet currently in power. Mistake: Calling a specific minister's office 'hokumat'.

❌ غلط: حکومت روحانی (Referring to Rouhani's administration).
✅ درست: دولت روحانی (Rouhani's government/administration).

Missing the Helper Verb
English speakers often try to use 'hokumat' as a verb directly because 'govern' is a single word. In Persian, you must use 'hokumat kardan'.

❌ غلط: او کشور را حکومت می‌کند.
✅ درست: او بر کشور حکومت می‌کند.

Another mistake is confusing 'hokumat' with 'hākemiyat'. 'Hākemiyat' refers more specifically to 'sovereignty' or the 'act of ruling' as a concept, while 'hokumat' is usually the entity or the period. Using 'hokumat' to mean 'the ruler' (the person) is also a mistake; the person is a 'hākem'.

❌ غلط: او حکومتِ عادلی است.
✅ درست: او حاکمِ عادلی است. (He is a just ruler.)

Pronunciation Pitfall
Some learners mispronounce the first vowel as 'ha' (like hat). It is a short 'o' sound: 'ho' (like home, but shorter).

صحیح: Ho-koo-mat

Persian has a rich vocabulary for politics and power. Depending on whether you want to sound formal, legal, or poetic, you might choose a different word than حکومت. Here is a breakdown of the most common alternatives and how they differ.

دولت (Dowlat)
Meaning: Government/Administration/Cabinet. Use this when referring to the executive branch or the current leadership under a president or prime minister.

دولت جدید قول داده است تورم را کاهش دهد. (The new administration has promised to reduce inflation.)

نظام (Nezām)
Meaning: System/Regime. This is a very formal and often political term. It refers to the entire political system or the 'order' of the state.

او به حفظ نظام معتقد است. (He believes in preserving the system/regime.)

فرمانروایی (Farmānravāyi)
Meaning: Reign/Dominion. This word is more literary and historical. It emphasizes the 'command' (farmān) aspect of ruling.

فرمانروایی او بر دریاها زبانزد بود. (His dominion over the seas was legendary.)

Other words include 'riyāsat' (presidency/leadership), 'saltanat' (monarchy/kingship), and 'modiriyat' (management/administration). If you are talking about the management of a company, 'hokumat' would be too strong; use 'modiriyat' instead. If you are talking about the leadership of a group, 'rahbari' (leadership) is better.

مدیریت شرکت تغییر کرد. (The company management changed.)

حاکمیت (Hākemiyat)
Meaning: Sovereignty. Used in international law to describe a nation's right to rule itself without outside interference.

احترام به حاکمیت ملی کشورها ضروری است. (Respecting the national sovereignty of countries is necessary.)

Pronunciation Guide

UK /hɒkuːmæt/
US /hoʊkuːmæt/
The stress is on the last syllable: ho-koo-MAT.
Rhymes With
Malamat Salamat Karamat Ghamat Alamat Eqamat Zahamat Ghiyamat
Common Errors
  • Pronouncing 'ho' as 'ha' (like hat).
  • Making the 'oo' sound too short.
  • Stress on the first syllable.
  • Ignoring the 'h' sound at the beginning.
  • Confusing the 't' with a 'd' at the end.
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Examples by Level

1

حکومت بزرگ است.

The government is big.

Simple subject + adjective + verb 'ast'.

2

حکومت در تهران است.

The government is in Tehran.

Location using the preposition 'dar'.

3

این حکومت قدیمی است.

This government is old.

Using 'in' (this) as a demonstrative adjective.

4

حکومت پول دارد.

The government has money.

Using the verb 'dāshtan' (to have).

5

او در حکومت کار می‌کند.

He works in the government.

Using the preposition 'dar' and verb 'kar kardan'.

6

نام این حکومت چیست؟

What is the name of this government?

Interrogative sentence with 'chist'.

7

حکومت قانون دارد.

The government has laws.

Simple noun + noun + verb.

8

من حکومت را می‌شناسم.

I know the government.

Using 'rā' as a direct object marker.

1

حکومت جدید قوانین را تغییر داد.

The new government changed the laws.

Past tense of 'tashir dādan'.

2

پادشاه بر مردم حکومت می‌کرد.

The king ruled over the people.

Past continuous of 'hokumat kardan' with 'bar'.

3

ما به یک حکومت قوی نیاز داریم.

We need a strong government.

Using 'niyāz dāshtan' (to need).

4

حکومت از شهر محافظت می‌کند.

The government protects the city.

Present continuous sense of protection.

5

آیا حکومت به شما کمک کرد؟

Did the government help you?

Simple past question.

6

حکومتِ ایران بسیار قدیمی است.

Iran's government is very old.

Ezāfe construction linking 'hokumat' and 'Irān'.

7

آن‌ها می‌خواهند حکومت تشکیل دهند.

They want to form a government.

Using 'tashkil dādan' (to form).

8

حکومت نظامی در خیابان‌ها بود.

There was martial law in the streets.

Compound noun 'hokumat-e nezāmi'.

1

سقوط حکومت باعث هرج و مرج شد.

The fall of the government caused chaos.

Noun 'soghoot' (fall) linked by Ezāfe.

2

حکومت مرکزی باید با استان‌ها همکاری کند.

The central government must cooperate with the provinces.

Modal verb 'bāyad' + subjunctive.

3

مردم از عملکرد حکومت راضی نیستند.

People are not satisfied with the government's performance.

Noun 'amalkard' (performance) linked by Ezāfe.

4

این نوع حکومت در تاریخ بی‌سابقه است.

This type of government is unprecedented in history.

Adjective 'bi-sābeqe' (unprecedented).

5

حکومت موقت برای برگزاری انتخابات تلاش می‌کند.

The interim government is trying to hold elections.

Adjective 'movaqqat' (temporary/interim).

6

او درباره ساختار حکومت تحقیق می‌کند.

He is researching the structure of the government.

Noun 'sākhtār' (structure).

7

حکومت باید به حقوق بشر احترام بگذارد.

The government must respect human rights.

Compound verb 'ehterām gozāshtan'.

8

تغییر حکومت به صورت مسالمت‌آمیز انجام شد.

The change of government was carried out peacefully.

Adverbial phrase 'be soorat-e mosālemat-āmiz'.

1

مشروعیت حکومت مورد تردید قرار گرفت.

The legitimacy of the government was questioned.

Noun 'mashroo'iyat' (legitimacy).

2

حکومت‌های دموکراتیک بر پایه آرای مردم هستند.

Democratic governments are based on the people's votes.

Plural 'hokumat-hā'.

3

تفکیک قوا در این حکومت رعایت می‌شود.

Separation of powers is observed in this government.

Political term 'tafkik-e qovā'.

4

حکومت سعی در سرکوب مخالفان داشت.

The government tried to suppress the opponents.

Gerund 'sarkoub' (suppression).

5

فساد اداری ریشه‌های حکومت را سست کرده است.

Administrative corruption has weakened the roots of the government.

Metaphorical use of 'risheh' (root).

6

حکومت مذهبی قوانین خاص خود را دارد.

A religious government has its own specific laws.

Adjective 'mazhabi' (religious).

7

او سال‌ها در تبعید علیه حکومت فعالیت کرد.

He worked against the government in exile for years.

Noun 'tab'id' (exile).

8

حکومت ائتلافی پس از ماه‌ها مذاکره تشکیل شد.

The coalition government was formed after months of negotiations.

Adjective 'e'telāfi' (coalition).

1

فلسفه سیاسی او بر نقد حکومت استوار بود.

His political philosophy was based on the critique of government.

Phrase 'ostovār boodan' (to be based/founded).

2

حکومت‌های توتالیتر آزادی فردی را سلب می‌کنند.

Totalitarian governments deprive individual freedom.

Adjective 'totaliter'.

3

گذار به حکومت قانون فرآیندی پیچیده است.

Transition to the rule of law is a complex process.

Noun 'gozār' (transition).

4

حکومت در برابر خواسته‌های جامعه مدنی مقاومت می‌کند.

The government resists the demands of civil society.

Term 'jāme'e-ye madani' (civil society).

5

بحران اقتصادی کارآمدی حکومت را به چالش کشیده است.

The economic crisis has challenged the efficiency of the government.

Noun 'kār-āmad-i' (efficiency).

6

حکومت‌های مطلقه معمولاً با انقلاب سرنگون می‌شوند.

Absolute governments are usually overthrown by revolution.

Adjective 'motlaqe' (absolute).

7

او به بررسی تطبیقی انواع حکومت پرداخت.

He engaged in a comparative study of types of government.

Term 'barrasi-ye tatbiqi' (comparative study).

8

حکومت سایه نظرات خود را درباره بودجه اعلام کرد.

The shadow government announced its views on the budget.

Term 'hokumat-e sāyeh' (shadow government).

1

پارادایم‌های حاکم بر حکومت در حال تغییر بنیادین هستند.

The paradigms governing the government are undergoing fundamental change.

Complex noun phrase with 'pārādāym'.

2

حکومت به مثابه ابزاری برای بازتولید قدرت عمل می‌کند.

The government acts as a tool for the reproduction of power.

Phrase 'be masābe-ye' (as/in the capacity of).

3

دیالکتیک میان ملت و حکومت به اوج خود رسیده است.

The dialectic between the nation and the government has reached its peak.

Term 'diyālektik'.

4

مشروعیت کاریزماتیک در این نوع حکومت نقش کلیدی دارد.

Charismatic legitimacy plays a key role in this type of government.

Sociological term 'mashroo'iyat-e kārizmātik'.

5

حکومت در ساحت‌های مختلف زندگی شهروندان مداخله می‌کند.

The government intervenes in various spheres of citizens' lives.

Noun 'sāhat' (sphere/realm).

6

آنتروپی سیاسی منجر به فروپاشی تدریجی حکومت شد.

Political entropy led to the gradual collapse of the government.

Scientific metaphor 'āntropi'.

7

هژمونی حکومت بر رسانه‌ها غیرقابل انکار است.

The government's hegemony over the media is undeniable.

Term 'hezhmoni' (hegemony).

8

حکومت در پی تثبیت جایگاه خود در نظام بین‌الملل است.

The government seeks to stabilize its position in the international system.

Term 'tasbit' (stabilization).

Common Collocations

حکومت نظامی
تشکیل حکومت
سقوط حکومت
حکومت مرکزی
تغییر حکومت
حکومت دموکراتیک
حکومت استبدادی
نهادهای حکومتی
حکومت قانون
حکومت موقت

Common Phrases

حکومت کردن بر

— To rule over someone or something.

او بر قلب‌ها حکومت می‌کند.

چرخ حکومت

— The machinery or gears of government.

چرخ حکومت به آرامی می‌چرخد.

بدنه حکومت

— The main body/structure of the government.

فساد در بدنه حکومت نفوذ کرده است.

پایه‌های حکومت

— The foundations of the government/rule.

عدالت پایه‌های حکومت را محکم می‌کند.

سرنگونی حکومت

— Overthrowing the government.

نقشه سرنگونی حکومت لو رفت.

حکومت مطلقه

— Absolute rule/monarchy.

او به حکومت مطلقه پایان داد.

حکومت ائتلافی

— Coalition government.

حکومت ائتلافی شکست خورد.

حکومت سایه

— Shadow government.

حکومت سایه طرح جدیدی داد.

حکومت دینی

— Theocracy/Religious government.

ایران یک حکومت دینی است.

حکومت موروثی

— Hereditary rule.

آن‌ها با حکومت موروثی مخالفند.

Idioms & Expressions

"حکومتِ ری"

— Refers to a short-lived or elusive power (historical reference).

او برای رسیدن به حکومت ری هر کاری کرد.

Literary
"بر تخت حکومت نشستن"

— To take the throne or assume power.

او بالاخره بر تخت حکومت نشست.

Historical
"حکومتِ عشق"

— The dominance or rule of love in one's life.

در دل من فقط حکومت عشق است.

Poetic
"زیر بار حکومت نرفتن"

— To refuse to submit to a specific rule or authority.

این قبیله هرگز زیر بار حکومت نرفت.

Neutral
"حکومتِ عقل"

— Letting reason guide one's actions.

باید اجازه دهیم حکومت عقل برقرار شود.

Philosophical
"حکومتِ خودگردان"

— Autonomous or self-ruling government.

این منطقه دارای حکومت خودگردان است.

Political
"حکومتِ وحشت"

— Reign of terror.

دوران حکومت وحشت به پایان رسید.

Historical
"حکومتِ دست‌نشانده"

— Puppet government.

مردم علیه حکومت دست‌نشانده قیام کردند.

Political
"حکومتِ در سایه"

— Rule from behind the scenes.

او حکومت در سایه را هدایت می‌کند.

Neutral
"حکومتِ بلامنازع"

— Uncontested rule.

او حکومت بلامنازع خود را آغاز کرد.

Formal

Word Family

Nouns

حاکم (Ruler)
حکم (Command/Verdict)
محکمه (Court)
حاکمیت (Sovereignty)
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