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کارت پستال

A2 noun #7,000 most common 8 min read

کارت پستال

Q: What is the plural of 'کارت پستال'?

The plural is 'کارت پستالها' (kārt postāl-hā).

kart postāl Top 7,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips کارت پستال in 30 Seconds

Explanation کارت پستال in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know that 'کارت پستال' (kārt postāl) means 'postcard'. It is a very easy word because it sounds almost exactly like the English word. You can use it in very simple sentences like 'This is a postcard' (In yek kārt postāl ast) or 'I like this postcard' (Man in kārt postāl rā dust dāram). Focus on the fact that it is an object you buy and send. You might see it in a lesson about travel or hobbies. Just remember that it is a 'thing' (noun) and it is usually colorful and has a picture on it. Don't worry about complex grammar yet; just recognize the word when you hear it.

At the A2 level, you should be able to use 'کارت پستال' in basic daily situations. You should know how to buy one at a shop ('In kārt postāl chand ast?' - How much is this postcard?) and how to say you are sending it to someone ('Man barāye dustam kārt postāl miferestam'). You should also start using simple adjectives with it, like 'zibā' (beautiful) or 'ghadimi' (old). You should understand that it doesn't need an envelope. This is also the stage where you learn the plural form 'کارت پستال‌ها' (kārt postāl-hā). You might also learn related words like 'tambr' (stamp) and 'post-khāne' (post office).

At the B1 level, you can describe the purpose and feeling behind sending a 'کارت پستال'. You can talk about traditions, such as sending cards for Nowruz. You should be able to use more complex sentence structures, like 'When I went to Isfahan, I bought many postcards to give to my friends as souvenirs' (Vaghti be Isfahan raftam, kārt postāl-hā-ye ziādi kharidam tā be عنوان soghāt be dustānam bedaham). You should also be comfortable using the word in different tenses, such as the past continuous ('Dāshtam kārt postāl mineveshtam' - I was writing a postcard) or the future tense. You start to see the postcard as more than just a piece of paper, but as a cultural object.

At the B2 level, you can engage in discussions about the decline of physical mail and the rise of digital communication, using 'کارت پستال' as a point of reference. You can compare 'کارت پستال' with 'email' or 'social media'. You should be able to use the word in idiomatic or more formal contexts, such as 'ersāl-e kārt postāl' (sending a postcard - formal). You might discuss the aesthetics of postcard design or the history of the Iranian postal system. Your vocabulary should include terms like 'cliché' (kilishe-i) or 'nostalgic' (nostālzhik) when describing the images on the cards. You can also handle more complex grammar, like relative clauses involving the word.

At the C1 level, 'کارت پستال' becomes a subject for nuanced cultural analysis. You might analyze the imagery on vintage Iranian postcards as a reflection of 20th-century social changes. You can use the word in academic or literary contexts, perhaps discussing the 'postcard-perfect' (mesle kārt postāl) nature of a landscape in a descriptive essay. You should understand the subtle differences between various types of cards (invitation, greeting, postal) without hesitation. You can also discuss the linguistics of loanwords in Persian, using 'کارت پستال' as a prime example of French influence on the Persian language during the Qajar and Pahlavi eras.

At the C2 level, you have complete mastery over the word and its various connotations. You can use it metaphorically or in highly sophisticated literary critiques. You might write a poem or a short story where a 'کارت پستال' serves as a central symbol of an era or a lost connection. You are aware of the most obscure historical facts related to postcards in Iran and can discuss them fluently. You can also navigate the most formal bureaucratic language involving postal regulations. At this level, the word is just one small tool in a vast, highly sophisticated linguistic toolkit, used with precision and stylistic flair.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

کارت پستال in 30 Seconds

A postcard used for mailing messages without an envelope, usually featuring an image.
Commonly sent during travels or holidays like Nowruz in Persian culture.
A French loanword widely used and understood in modern Persian.
Requires a stamp and is usually bought in gift shops or post offices.

The Persian word کارت پستال (pronounced 'kārt postāl') is a direct loanword from the French 'carte postale'. In the Persian-speaking world, particularly in Iran, this term refers to a rectangular piece of thick paper or thin cardboard intended for writing and mailing without an envelope. Typically, one side features a photograph or an artistic illustration—often of a landmark, a landscape, or a cultural motif—while the other side provides space for a short message, the recipient's address, and a postage stamp. While digital communication has largely superseded traditional mail, the کارت پستال remains a cherished medium for expressing sentiment, especially during holidays like Nowruz (the Persian New Year) or when traveling to historic cities like Isfahan or Shiraz.

Cultural Significance: In Iranian culture, sending a physical card is seen as a sign of high respect and 'ehteram'. It suggests that the sender took the time to select a beautiful image and manually write a message, which carries more emotional weight than a simple text message or email.

من برای دوستم یک کارت پستال از پاریس فرستادم.

Translation: I sent a postcard from Paris to my friend.

Historically, the introduction of the postcard in Iran dates back to the late Qajar era, coinciding with the modernization of the Iranian postal service. These early cards often featured portraits of royalty or scenes of daily life in Tehran. Today, you will find them in bookstores, museum gift shops, and kiosks near major tourist attractions. Using the word کارت پستال is appropriate in all social settings, from formal business correspondence (though rare for postcards) to intimate family greetings. It is a neutral, standard term that every Persian speaker understands immediately.

آیا شما کارت پستال با طرح‌های سنتی دارید؟

Translation: Do you have postcards with traditional designs?

Modern Usage: Nowadays, the term is also used for 'e-postcards' or digital greeting cards, although 'کارت پستال دیجیتال' is the more specific term for those. However, if you say 'kārt postāl', most people will assume you mean the physical card.

To truly master the use of this word, one should understand the context of 'souvenirs' (soghāt). In Iran, giving a postcard is often a secondary gesture to accompany a gift or to let someone know they were missed during a journey. It is not just about the message; it is about the aesthetic beauty of the card itself, which many Iranians keep as bookmarks or wall decorations.

این کارت پستال یادگاری سفر من به اصفهان است.

Using کارت پستال in a sentence is straightforward because it functions as a standard noun. It can be the subject, the direct object, or the object of a preposition. Because it is a loanword, it does not have a complex root structure in Persian, making it very accessible for beginners. However, the verbs you pair it with are crucial for sounding natural.

Common Verbs: The most common verbs used are 'ferestādan' (to send), 'neveshtan' (to write), 'kharidan' (to buy), and 'daryāft kardan' (to receive).

او همیشه برای تولد مادرش کارت پستال می‌خرد.

Translation: He always buys a postcard for his mother's birthday.

When describing the postcard, you can use adjectives like 'zibā' (beautiful), 'ghadimi' (old/vintage), or 'rangi' (colorful). In Persian, adjectives follow the noun and are connected by the 'ezafe' (the short -e sound). For example, 'kārt postāl-e zibā' means 'beautiful postcard'.

یک کارت پستال قدیمی در صندوقچه پیدا کردم.

In more advanced contexts, you might discuss the 'collection' of postcards. The word for collection is 'majmu'e'. So, 'majmu'e-ye kārt postāl' refers to a postcard collection. This is a common hobby among older generations in Iran who lived through the peak of the postal era.

فراموش نکن که پشت کارت پستال را امضا کنی.

Translation: Don't forget to sign the back of the postcard.

Furthermore, postcards are often categorized by their purpose. A Christmas card is 'kārt postāl-e kerismas', and a Nowruz card is 'kārt postāl-e Nowruz'. Notice how the 'ezafe' links the noun to its specific type. This pattern is consistent across all types of cards in Persian.

Formal vs Informal: In formal writing, you would use 'ersāl kardan' instead of 'ferestādan' for 'to send'. Example: 'Lotfan kārt postāl rā ersāl konid' (Please send the postcard).

You are most likely to encounter the word کارت پستال in three primary locations: tourist hubs, post offices, and gift shops. If you are walking through the Grand Bazaar of Tehran or the Vakil Bazaar in Shiraz, vendors will often call out to tourists, mentioning their 'kārt postāl-hā-ye zibā' (beautiful postcards) featuring local architecture.

ببخشید، قیمت این کارت پستال چقدر است؟

Translation: Excuse me, how much is this postcard?

In Iranian households, especially during the weeks leading up to Nowruz, the word is frequently heard as families discuss which relatives they should send cards to. While 'tabrik' (congratulations/greetings) is the main focus, the physical کارت پستال is the vessel. You might hear a parent say to a child, 'Biyā barāye madar-bozorg kārt postāl benevisim' (Come, let's write a postcard for grandma).

Another place you'll hear it is in the context of 'Postcrossing', a popular global hobby in Iran where people exchange postcards with strangers worldwide. Iranian participants often talk about their 'kārt postāl-hā-ye daryāfti' (received postcards) in online forums and social media groups. They might use terms like 'kārt-e khām' (blank card) or 'kārt-e neveshte-shode' (written card).

من عاشق جمع کردن کارت پستال از کشورهای مختلف هستم.

Finally, in literature and cinema, postcards are often used as plot devices—symbols of distance, longing, or nostalgia. A character might find an old کارت پستال in a book, sparking a flashback. In these artistic contexts, the word carries a weight of 'yādegāri' (souvenir/memento), representing a tangible link to a person or place from the past.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make is confusing کارت پستال with a regular 'letter' (nāme). While both are sent by mail, a postcard is specifically the card without an envelope. If you tell an Iranian 'Man barāye to nāme ferestādam' (I sent you a letter), they will expect an envelope with multiple pages, not a single card.

Pronunciation Error: English speakers often pronounce the 'o' in 'postāl' like the 'o' in 'post' (English). In Persian, the 'o' is a short, rounded vowel like in 'boat' but shorter, and the 'ā' is a long back vowel like 'a' in 'father'.

Another mistake involves the pluralization. Learners sometimes try to apply English plural rules or irregular Persian plurals. Always remember that for loanwords like this, the suffix '-hā' is the safest and most correct choice. Avoid using Arabic-style plurals which do not apply here.

Incorrect: کارت پستالات (kārt postāl-āt - colloquial/misapplied)
Correct: کارت پستال‌ها (kārt postāl-hā)

Wait, there's also the 'Ezafe' mistake. When saying 'my postcard', you must include the 'ezafe' sound: 'kārt postāl-e man'. Many beginners forget this and say 'kārt postāl man', which sounds fragmented and incorrect to a native speaker's ear.

Lastly, pay attention to the verb 'to post'. In English, you 'post a postcard'. In Persian, you 'send' it (miferestid). Using 'post kardan' (to mail) is acceptable for letters and packages, but for postcards, 'ferestādan' sounds more natural in a personal context.

While کارت پستال is the most specific term, there are several related words that you might use depending on what you are actually sending or referring to. Understanding these nuances will help you sound more like a native speaker.

کارت تبریک (Kārt-e Tabrik): This means 'Greeting Card'. While a postcard can be a greeting card, a 'kārt-e tabrik' usually comes inside an envelope and is used for birthdays, weddings, or Eid. If the card folds in half, it is definitely a 'kārt-e tabrik', not a 'kārt postāl'.

من یک کارت تبریک برای عروسی برادرم خریدم.

Another alternative is نامه (nāme), meaning 'letter'. As discussed before, this is for longer, more private correspondence. If you have a lot to say, you write a 'nāme'. If you just want to say 'wish you were here', you send a 'kārt postāl'.

عکس (Aks): Sometimes people refer to the image on the postcard simply as 'aks' (photo). You might hear someone say, 'In aks-e Shiraz ast' (This is a photo of Shiraz) while pointing at a postcard.

In a more formal or administrative sense, a postcard might be called a مرسوله پستی (marsule-ye posti), which means 'postal item'. This is the term a post office worker might use when tracking your mail. However, you would never use this in a casual conversation with a friend.

Finally, there is کارت دعوت (kārt-e da'vat), which is an 'invitation card'. While it might look like a postcard, its function is strictly to invite someone to an event. If you receive a card for a party, call it a 'kārt-e da'vat'.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The first postcards in Iran were introduced during the Qajar dynasty and were initially used by European residents and the royal elite before becoming popular with the general public.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /kɑːt ˈpəʊst(ə)l/

US /kɑːrt ˈpoʊstəl/

The stress is typically on the last syllable: pos-TĀL.

Rhymes With

دیجیتال (digital) کانال (kānāl) مدال (medāl) خیال (khiyāl) نهال (nahāl) شمال (shomāl) کمال (kamāl) جمال (jamāl)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'postāl' like 'pastel' (the art medium).
Using a short 'a' instead of the long 'ā' at the end.
Dropping the 't' in the middle of 'kārt'.
Putting the stress on 'kārt' instead of 'postāl'.
Confusing the 'o' sound with 'u'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to read due to its phonetic similarity to English.

Writing 3/5

Requires remembering the 'ā' and 's'/'t' sequence.

Speaking 2/5

Very easy to pronounce for English speakers.

Listening 2/5

Easily recognizable in conversation.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

کارت پست نامه عکس نوشتن

Learn Next

تمبر صندوق پست آدرس فرستادن تبریک

Advanced

مکاتبه مرسوله نوشت‌افزار کلکسیون نوستالژی

Grammar to Know

Ezafe Construction

کارت پستالِ من (My postcard)

Loanword Pluralization

کارت پستال‌ها (Postcards)

Compound Nouns

کارت + پستال

Adjective Placement

کارت پستالِ بزرگ (Large postcard)

Direct Object Marker 'rā'

کارت پستال را فرستادم (I sent the postcard)

Examples by Level

این یک کارت پستال است.

This is a postcard.

Subject + Verb 'to be'

کارت پستال زیبا است.

The postcard is beautiful.

Adjective usage

من کارت پستال دارم.

I have a postcard.

Verb 'to have'

آن کارت پستال آبی است.

That postcard is blue.

Demonstrative pronoun 'ān'

کارت پستال کجاست؟

Where is the postcard?

Interrogative 'kojāst'

این کارت پستال من است.

This is my postcard.

Possessive Ezafe '-e man'

او کارت پستال می‌خرد.

He/She buys a postcard.

Present simple tense

کارت پستال کوچک است.

The postcard is small.

Opposite of 'bozorg'

من برای مادرم کارت پستال فرستادم.

I sent a postcard to my mother.

Past simple tense

آیا شما کارت پستال می‌خواهید؟

Do you want a postcard?

Question with 'āyā'

او دو کارت پستال خریده است.

He has bought two postcards.

Present perfect tense

ما در مغازه کارت پستال دیدیم.

We saw postcards in the shop.

Preposition 'dar'

این کارت پستال خیلی گران است.

This postcard is very expensive.

Adverb 'kheyli'

لطفاً یک کارت پستال به من بدهید.

Please give me a postcard.

Imperative form

کارت پستال‌های اصفهان بسیار قشنگ هستند.

Isfahan's postcards are very pretty.

Plural '-hā'

من پشت کارت پستال نوشتم.

I wrote on the back of the postcard.

Preposition 'posht-e'

وقتی به سفر می‌روم، همیشه کارت پستال می‌فرستم.

When I go on a trip, I always send postcards.

Time clause with 'vaghti'

او ترجیح می‌دهد به جای نامه، کارت پستال بنویسد.

He prefers to write a postcard instead of a letter.

Compound verb 'tarjih dādan'

این کارت پستال یادگاری از دوران کودکی من است.

This postcard is a memento from my childhood.

Noun 'yādegāri'

باید برای این کارت پستال تمبر بخرم.

I must buy a stamp for this postcard.

Modal verb 'bāyad'

کارت پستال را در صندوق پست انداختم.

I dropped the postcard in the mailbox.

Compound verb 'andākhtan'

آیا کارت پستالی که فرستادم به دستت رسید؟

Did the postcard I sent reach you?

Relative clause with 'ke'

او مجموعه‌ای از کارت پستال‌های قدیمی دارد.

He has a collection of old postcards.

Noun 'majmu'e'

نوشتن کارت پستال حس خوبی به من می‌دهد.

Writing a postcard gives me a good feeling.

Gerund as subject

امروزه با وجود اینترنت، کمتر کسی کارت پستال می‌خرد.

Nowadays, with the internet, fewer people buy postcards.

Contrastive phrase 'bā vojud-e'

تصویر روی این کارت پستال، معماری اصیل ایرانی را نشان می‌دهد.

The image on this postcard shows authentic Iranian architecture.

Formal verb 'neshān dādan'

او با دقت تمام کارت پستال را برای دوستش انتخاب کرد.

He chose the postcard for his friend with great care.

Adverbial phrase 'bā deghat'

کارت پستال‌های تبلیغاتی معمولاً رایگان هستند.

Advertising postcards are usually free.

Adjective 'tablighāti'

فرستادن کارت پستال در ایام عید نوروز یک سنت قدیمی است.

Sending postcards during Nowruz is an old tradition.

Infinitive as subject

من تمام کارت پستال‌هایی را که دریافت کرده‌ام، نگه داشته‌ام.

I have kept all the postcards I have received.

Perfect tense in relative clause

این کارت پستال به دلیل طراحی خاصش، بسیار ارزشمند است.

This postcard is very valuable due to its special design.

Reasoning with 'be dalil-e'

او در حال طراحی یک کارت پستال برای خیریه است.

He is designing a postcard for charity.

Progressive tense 'dar hāl-e'

کارت پستال‌ها دریچه‌ای به سوی تاریخ و فرهنگ جوامع هستند.

Postcards are a window into the history and culture of societies.

Metaphorical usage

تحلیل محتوای کارت پستال‌های دوره قاجار اطلاعات مفیدی به ما می‌دهد.

Analyzing the content of Qajar-era postcards provides us with useful information.

Academic subject 'tahlil-e mohtavā'

برخی معتقدند که کارت پستال فیزیکی هرگز جایگاه خود را کاملاً از دست نخواهد داد.

Some believe that the physical postcard will never completely lose its place.

Future negative tense

او در نوشته‌هایش، شهر را به یک کارت پستال بی‌روح تشبیه کرده است.

In his writings, he has likened the city to a lifeless postcard.

Literary device 'tashbih'

گردآوری کارت پستال‌های کمیاب به یک صنعت پرسود تبدیل شده است.

Collecting rare postcards has turned into a lucrative industry.

Passive-like construction 'tabdil shodan'

این کارت پستال نمادی از پیوند عمیق میان دو ملت است.

This postcard is a symbol of the deep bond between two nations.

Abstract noun 'namād'

او با ظرافت خاصی، خاطراتش را روی یک کارت پستال قدیمی بازگو کرد.

With a specific elegance, he recounted his memories on an old postcard.

Adverbial phrase 'bā zarāfat'

کارت پستال‌های دست‌ساز ارزش هنری بسیار بالاتری دارند.

Handmade postcards have a much higher artistic value.

Compound adjective 'dast-sāz'

کارت پستال به مثابه یک رسانه، حامل پیام‌های پنهان سیاسی در قرن بیستم بود.

The postcard as a medium was a carrier of hidden political messages in the 20th century.

Philosophical 'be masābe-ye'

تقلیل مفاهیم عمیق به تصاویر کارت پستالی، یکی از چالش‌های گردشگری مدرن است.

Reducing deep concepts to postcard-like images is one of the challenges of modern tourism.

Abstract gerund 'taghlil'

در این نمایشگاه، سیر تحول کارت پستال در ایران به دقت بررسی شده است.

In this exhibition, the evolution of the postcard in Iran has been carefully examined.

Passive perfect 'barresi shode ast'

او با رویکردی پدیدارشناسانه به مطالعه کارت پستال‌های دوران جنگ پرداخت.

He studied war-era postcards with a phenomenological approach.

Complex academic terminology

کارت پستال، فراتر از یک ابزار ارتباطی، یک سند تاریخی زنده محسوب می‌شود.

A postcard, beyond a communication tool, is considered a living historical document.

Structure 'farātar az... محسوب می‌شود'

نوستالژی موجود در کارت پستال‌های سیاه و سفید، مخاطب را به سفری در زمان می‌برد.

The nostalgia present in black and white postcards takes the audience on a journey through time.

Complex subject-verb agreement

او در رساله دکتری خود به بررسی نقش کارت پستال در شکل‌گیری هویت ملی پرداخت.

In his doctoral thesis, he examined the role of the postcard in the formation of national identity.

Formal research context

ظهور کارت پستال‌های دیجیتال، پارادایم ارتباطات مکتوب را به کلی دگرگون ساخت.

The emergence of digital postcards completely transformed the paradigm of written communication.

Sophisticated verb 'degargun sākht'

Common Collocations

نوشتن کارت پستال

فرستادن کارت پستال

خریدن کارت پستال

کارت پستال قدیمی

کارت پستال رنگی

پشت کارت پستال

تمبر کارت پستال

کارت پستال تبریک

مجموعه کارت پستال

دریافت کارت پستال

Common Phrases

کارت پستال فرستادن

— To send a postcard. This is the standard way to express the action.

یادت نره برای من کارت پستال بفرستی.

کارت پستال تبریک عید

— A holiday greeting postcard, specifically for Nowruz or other Eids.

بازار پر از کارت پستال‌های تبریک عید است.

یک دست کارت پستال

— A set or pack of postcards.

یک دست کارت پستال از مناظر ایران خریدم.

کارت پستال یادگاری

— A souvenir postcard kept to remember a place.

این کارت پستال یادگاری سفر شیراز است.

پشت‌نویسی کارت پستال

— The act of writing on the back of a postcard.

پشت‌نویسی کارت پستال وقت زیادی می‌برد.

کارت پستال صوتی

— A rare type of card that plays a sound (musical card).

او یک کارت پستال صوتی برایم فرستاد.

کارت پستال دیجیتال

— An e-card sent via email or social media.

امسال فقط کارت پستال دیجیتال فرستادم.

نمایشگاه کارت پستال

— A postcard exhibition.

به نمایشگاه کارت پستال‌های تاریخی رفتیم.

کارت پستال بدون تمبر

— A postcard without a stamp.

کارت پستال بدون تمبر ارسال نمی‌شود.

طراحی کارت پستال

— Postcard design.

طراحی کارت پستال‌های او منحصر به فرد است.

Often Confused With

کارت پستال vs کارت ویزیت

Business card. Don't use this for postcards!

کارت پستال vs کارت اعتباری

Credit card. Used for banking.

کارت پستال vs نامه

Letter. Postcards are shorter and have no envelope.

Idioms & Expressions

"مثل کارت پستال"

— Picture-perfect; very beautiful and ideal, usually referring to a landscape.

این منظره واقعاً مثل کارت پستال است.

Informal/Neutral

"زندگی کارت پستالی"

— A life that looks perfect on the outside but might lack depth.

او یک زندگی کارت پستالی دارد اما خوشحال نیست.

Informal

"خاطره کارت پستالی"

— A vivid, idealized memory of a place or time.

آن سفر برای من یک خاطره کارت پستالی شد.

Literary

"شهر کارت پستالی"

— A city that is very pretty and tourist-friendly.

یزد یک شهر کارت پستالی و تاریخی است.

Neutral

"نگاه کارت پستالی"

— A superficial or romanticized view of a culture or place.

او نگاهی کارت پستالی به فقر دارد.

Academic/Critical

"حرف‌های کارت پستالی"

— Cliché or empty words often found in pre-printed cards.

خسته شدم از این همه حرف‌های کارت پستالی.

Informal

"عشق کارت پستالی"

— A shallow or idealized romance.

رابطه آن‌ها فقط یک عشق کارت پستالی بود.

Informal

"ژست کارت پستالی"

— Posing in a very staged or artificial way for a photo.

همه در عکس ژست کارت پستالی گرفته بودند.

Informal

"رنگ و بوی کارت پستالی"

— Having a nostalgic or vintage feel.

این محله هنوز رنگ و بوی کارت پستالی دارد.

Literary

"دنیا را از پشت کارت پستال دیدن"

— To have a limited, idealized view of the world.

او دنیا را فقط از پشت کارت پستال دیده است.

Informal/Critical

Easily Confused

کارت پستال vs کارت

It's the first part of the word.

'Kārt' is general (card), 'Kārt postāl' is specific (postcard).

کارت ملی (National ID card)

کارت پستال vs پست

It's the second part.

'Post' is the service/mail, 'Kārt postāl' is the item.

اداره پست (Post office)

کارت پستال vs عکس

Postcards have photos.

'Aks' is just the photo, 'Kārt postāl' is the functional card.

این عکس قشنگ است.

کارت پستال vs پاکت

Related to mail.

'Pākat' is an envelope; postcards don't use them.

نامه را در پاکت بگذار.

کارت پستال vs تمبر

Always used together.

'Tambr' is the stamp you stick on the card.

تمبر را روی کارت چسباندم.

Sentence Patterns

In [Noun] ast.

این کارت پستال است.

Man [Noun] rā dust dāram.

من کارت پستال را دوست دارم.

Man barāye [Person] [Noun] miferestam.

من برای علی کارت پستال می‌فرستم.

Agar [Action], [Noun] mikharam.

اگر به پاریس بروم، کارت پستال می‌خرم.

[Noun] namādi az [Concept] ast.

کارت پستال نمادی از نوستالژی است.

Ba'id ast ke [Noun] az bein beravad.

بعید است که کارت پستال از بین برود.

In [Noun]-e [Adjective] ast.

این کارت پستالِ قدیمی است.

[Noun] kojāst?

کارت پستال کجاست؟

Word Family

Nouns

کارت (card)

پست (post)

پستچی (postman)

پستخانه (post office)

Verbs

پست کردن (to mail)

کارت زدن (to clock in/punch a card)

Adjectives

پستی (postal)

کارتی (card-like)

نامه

پاکت

تمبر

صندوق پستی

آدرس

How to Use It

frequency

Common in travel and holiday contexts, less common in daily digital life.

Common Mistakes

Using 'کارت ویزیت' for postcard. → کارت پستال
Kārt-e vizit is a business card.
Saying 'kārt postāl man' without ezafe. → کارت پستالِ من
The ezafe '-e' is mandatory for possession.
Pluralizing as 'kārt postāl-āt'. → کارت پستال‌ها
Loanwords use the Persian '-hā' plural.
Confusing with 'nāme'. → کارت پستال
A 'nāme' is a letter in an envelope.
Pronouncing 'postāl' like 'pastel'. → کارت پستال (/pos.tɒːl/)
The 'ā' sound is like 'father'.

Tips

Ezafe

Always use the -e sound when connecting 'کارت پستال' to another word like 'man' or 'zibā'.

Nowruz

Sending a card for Nowruz is a very kind gesture that Iranians appreciate deeply.

Loanwords

Don't be afraid of this word! It's one of the easiest Persian words for English speakers.

Stress

Put the emphasis on the last syllable: pos-TĀL.

Address

Remember that addresses in Iran usually start with the province and city.

Context

If you hear 'kārt' at a tourist site, it almost always means 'کارت پستال'.

Postcrossing

Join Postcrossing to practice your Persian by writing cards to Iranians!

History

The French influence on Persian is why we have words like 'kārt postāl', 'merci', and 'shofaj'.

Bargaining

In bazaars, you can sometimes bargain if you are buying a large pack of postcards.

Miniatures

Look for postcards with 'Miniature' paintings; they are very famous in Iran.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine a 'Cart' carrying 'Post' to a 'Tall' building. Cart + Post + Tall = Kārt Postāl.

Visual Association

Visualize a colorful card with a picture of the Eiffel Tower or the Persepolis ruins sitting in a yellow mailbox.

Word Web

Mail Picture Stamp Travel Message Souvenir Paper Address

Challenge

Try to describe your favorite city using only three adjectives and the word 'کارت پستال' in one sentence.

Word Origin

Directly borrowed from the French 'carte postale'.

Original meaning: A card for the post.

Indo-European (via French loan)

Cultural Context

None. It is a completely neutral and safe word.

Postcards in the West are often associated with 'wish you were here' vacation messages, which is identical to the Iranian context.

Historical Qajar postcards in the National Museum of Iran. Postcrossing.com (very popular in Iran). The song 'Kārt Postāl' by various Iranian pop artists.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Traveling

کارت پستال از شیراز
خریدن سوغاتی
ارسال به خارج
منظره زیبا

Holidays

تبریک عید
سال نو مبارک
کارت پستال نوروزی
بهترین آرزوها

Post Office

تمبر زدن
هزینه پست
صندوق پستی
آدرس گیرنده

Hobbies

جمع‌آوری کارت
آلبوم قدیمی
تبادل کارت پستال
طراحی دستی

Photography

عکس با کیفیت
چاپ کارت پستال
کادر زیبا
زاویه دوربین

Conversation Starters

"آیا شما هنوز برای دوستانتان کارت پستال می‌فرستید؟"

"بهترین کارت پستالی که تا به حال دریافت کرده‌اید چه بود؟"

"کدام شهر ایران زیباترین کارت پستال‌ها را دارد؟"

"آیا ترجیح می‌دهید کارت پستال بخرید یا خودتان درست کنید؟"

"نظرتان درباره کارت پستال‌های دیجیتال چیست؟"

Journal Prompts

امروز یک کارت پستال خیالی برای خودت در ده سال آینده بنویس.

درباره آخرین باری که یک کارت پستال فیزیکی دریافت کردی توضیح بده.

اگر بخواهی برای شهر خودت یک کارت پستال طراحی کنی، چه تصویری روی آن می‌گذاری؟

چرا مردم هنوز با وجود اینترنت، به فرستادن کارت پستال علاقه دارند؟

تفاوت حس دریافت یک نامه با یک کارت پستال در چیست؟

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, if you are at a gift shop or talking about mail, but it's better to say 'کارت پستال' to be clear.

It is neutral. You can use it with your boss or your best friend.

You write 'Tavalodat Mobārak' (تولدت مبارک).

Yes, especially during Nowruz, though digital cards are becoming more popular.

The plural is 'کارت پستال‌ها' (kārt postāl-hā).

Bookstores, kiosks, and tourist sites like Persepolis or the Isfahan Bazaar.

Technically no, that's what makes it a postcard. If you use an envelope, it's more of a 'کارت تبریک'.

It means an e-card sent via the internet.

Yes, it comes from the French 'carte postale'.

You say 'kārt postāl ferestādan' (کارت پستال فرستادن).