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A1 noun #4,000 most common 7 min read

قاشق

Top 4,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips قاشق in 30 Seconds

Explanation قاشق in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'قاشق' (qâšoq) is simply the word for 'spoon'. You need to know it to identify basic kitchen items and to ask for one at a dining table. It is usually paired with the verb 'dâštan' (to have) or 'be dehid' (give). Example: 'Man ye qâšoq mikham' (I want a spoon). Focus on the pronunciation: the 'q' is a deep sound in the throat, and the 'sh' is like 'shoe'. It is a basic building block for surviving a meal in a Persian-speaking environment.

At A2, you start distinguishing between different types of spoons. You should learn 'qâšoq-e chây-khory' (teaspoon) and 'qâšoq-e ghazâ-khory' (tablespoon). You also learn to use it with the preposition 'bâ' (with) to describe actions: 'Bâ qâšoq mâst mikhoram' (I eat yogurt with a spoon). You should be able to pluralize it correctly as 'qâšoq-hâ' or colloquially as 'qâšoq-â'.

By B1, you use 'قاشق' in more complex instructions and recipes. You understand it as a unit of measurement in cooking. You also encounter it in domestic chores, such as 'qâšoq-hâ ro bechin' (arrange the spoons). You begin to notice the word in compound nouns and more varied materials like 'qâšoq-e chubi' (wooden spoon) or 'qâšoq-e yekbârmasraf' (disposable spoon).

At the B2 level, you move into idiomatic and metaphorical territory. While 'قاشق' is literal, you might hear it in expressions about being 'spoon-fed' information or in cultural stories. You also understand the nuances of table etiquette—where the spoon sits in a formal 'Sorf-e Shâm' (dinner setting) and how it differentiates from a 'kafgir' (skimmer). You can describe the material properties, such as 'qâšoq-e zang-nazan' (stainless spoon).

At C1, you explore the etymology and literary presence of the word. You know it's a Turkic loanword and can discuss how it replaced older Persian terms. You might encounter it in modern Persian poetry or prose where mundane objects are used for symbolism. You are comfortable with all technical variations and can use the word in professional culinary or manufacturing contexts.

At the C2 level, you have a masterly grasp of 'قاشق' in all its forms, including rare archaic uses or highly specific regional dialects. You can participate in deep cultural discussions about the evolution of Persian dining habits—from eating with hands/bread to the adoption of the spoon and fork. You understand the socio-economic implications of 'silver spoons' in a Persian context and can use the word with perfect native-like nuance in any register.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

قاشق in 30 Seconds

قاشق (qâšoq) means 'spoon' in Persian. It is a basic noun used for eating and cooking.
It is a Turkic loanword that is now a core part of the Persian language and kitchen vocabulary.
In Iran, people usually eat rice with a spoon and a fork, making the spoon a primary utensil.
Common types include the tablespoon (ghazâ-khory) and the teaspoon (chây-khory).

The word قاشق (qâšoq) is the fundamental Persian term for a spoon. While it might seem like a simple utilitarian object, the spoon holds a significant place in the Iranian culinary landscape. Unlike many Western cultures where the knife and fork are the primary protagonists of the dinner table, in Iran, the قاشق and چنگال (fork) are the inseparable duo used for consuming the national staple: rice. Understanding this word is one of the first steps for any learner, as it appears in every meal from breakfast to late-night tea.

Culinary Context: In a typical Persian household, the قاشق is held in the right hand. It is used not just for liquids like soup (سوپ) or ash (آش), but as the primary tool to scoop up fluffy grains of saffron-infused basmati rice. The fork in the left hand acts as a stabilizer or a pusher. This cultural nuance means you will hear the word 'spoon' far more often in an Iranian dining room than you might in a French or American one.
Material and Variety: Spoons come in various materials in Iran. You have the قاشق استیل (stainless steel spoon) for daily use, قاشق چوبی (wooden spoon) for stirring heavy pots of stew (خورشت), and even قاشق‌های مسی (copper spoons) which are prized for their traditional aesthetic and perceived health benefits in folk medicine.

"لطفاً یک قاشق تمیز به من بدهید."
— Translation: Please give me a clean spoon.

Beyond the physical object, the word carries weight in specific social rituals. For instance, the size of the spoon dictates its name: the قاشق غذاخوری is the large tablespoon used for the main course, while the قاشق چای‌خوری is the tiny teaspoon essential for the ubiquitous Iranian tea culture. Even the act of medicine intake is measured in 'spoons', making it a vital word for health and pharmacy contexts.

"آیا برای خوردن این دسر به قاشق نیاز دارید؟"

Do you need a spoon to eat this dessert?

Social Etiquette: In high-end Persian dining, the placement of the قاشق is precise. It is usually placed to the right of the plate. If you are a guest in an Iranian home, you might notice that the host provides an extra-large spoon for serving dishes like Tahchin or Ghormeh Sabzi. This serving spoon is often referred to as قاشق بزرگ or کفگیر depending on its shape.

Mastering the word قاشق involves understanding its role as a countable noun and how it interacts with verbs of action like 'taking,' 'using,' and 'washing.' In Persian grammar, the spoon is an inanimate object, so it follows standard pluralization and object marking rules.

As a Direct Object: When you are doing something to the spoon, you use the object marker را (râ) in formal Persian, or the suffix -o/-ro in colloquial speech. For example: قاشق را بردار (Pick up the spoon).

"او با قاشق نقره‌ای غذا می‌خورد."

He eats with a silver spoon. (Note the use of 'with' - با).

In compound sentences, قاشق often appears with adjectives describing its size or purpose. This is where the Persian Ezafe construction (the short 'e' sound linking words) becomes crucial. You don't just say 'spoon tea,' you say قاشقِ چای (qâšoq-e chây).

Common Verb Pairings

شستن (Shostan): To wash the spoon.
گذاشتن (Gozâštan): To put/place the spoon.
گم کردن (Gom kardan): To lose the spoon.
هم زدن (Ham zadan): To stir (with) the spoon.

"مادر با قاشق چوبی غذا را هم می‌زند."

Mother is stirring the food with a wooden spoon.

Whether you are describing a kitchen inventory or asking for a tool to eat your soup, these patterns remain consistent. The spoon is always the instrument of the action, usually preceded by the preposition با (with).

The word قاشق is ubiquitous. You will encounter it in diverse environments, from high-pressure restaurant kitchens to the quiet domesticity of a morning breakfast table. Its frequency in daily life makes it a high-yield vocabulary word.

At the Restaurant (رستوران): When a waiter sets the table, they might ask, "چند تا قاشق نیاز دارید؟" (How many spoons do you need?). If your table is missing one, you would signal the staff and say, "ببخشید، ما یک قاشق کم داریم" (Excuse me, we are short one spoon).
In the Kitchen (آشپزخانه): Recipes are the most common place to see the word in writing. Iranian cookbooks frequently use قاشق غذاخوری (tablespoon) and قاشق مرباخوری (dessert spoon/jam spoon) as units of measurement. You'll hear a chef say, "دو قاشق نمک اضافه کنید" (Add two spoons of salt).

"توی کشوی اول، فقط قاشق و چنگال است."

In the first drawer, there are only spoons and forks.

You will also hear it in medical settings. Pediatricians often prescribe liquid medicine by the 'spoonful'. A mother might say, "باید یک قاشق از این شربت را بخوری" (You must drink one spoon of this syrup).

Finally, in traditional marketplaces (Bazaars), you'll hear vendors shouting about سرویس قاشق و چنگال (spoon and fork sets), which are a major part of a bride's dowry (Jahiziye) in Iranian culture.

While قاشق is a straightforward noun, learners often stumble on its pronunciation, its compound forms, and its cultural usage. Here are the most frequent pitfalls to avoid.

Pronunciation of 'Q' and 'Gh'

The letter ق (Ghaf) and ش (Shin) followed by ق again can be tricky. Many English speakers pronounce the 'Q' as a 'K' (kâšok). In Persian, it is a voiced uvular stop/fricative, similar to the French 'r' but further back. Ensure you don't say 'Kashok'; it's Ghashogh.

Confusing the Sizes

Learners often use قاشق کوچک (small spoon) for everything. However, Persian has specific names:

قاشق چای‌خوری: Teaspoon (for tea/stirring).
قاشق مرباخوری: Dessert/Jam spoon (slightly larger).
قاشق غذاخوری: Tablespoon (for eating main meals).

Using the wrong one in a recipe can ruin the dish!

"اشتباه: من با کفگیر سوپ می‌خورم."

Mistake: I eat soup with a spatula. (Confusion between 'spoon' and 'skimmer/spatula').

Another mistake is the word order in compound nouns. Remember the Ezafe. It's not 'Chay Ghashogh', it's Ghashogh-e Chay. The object comes first, then the purpose.

While قاشق is the general term, Persian has a rich vocabulary for various types of scoops and utensils. Knowing these will make you sound more like a native speaker.

ملاقه (Malâghe): Ladle. Used for serving soup or stew from a large pot. You wouldn't eat with a malâghe; you use it to fill your bowl so you can then use your qâšoq.
کفگیر (Kafgir): Skimmer / Large Serving Spoon. This is usually flat with holes or a very wide, shallow bowl. It is essential for serving Persian rice (Polow) to keep the grains intact and fluffy.
چمچه (Chamcheh): Small Ladle / Scoop. A more traditional or dialectal word often used in villages or for specific traditional cooking tools.

🥄قاشقGeneral Spoon

🥣ملاقهServing Ladle

In terms of verbs, instead of just 'eating' (خوردن), you might use کشیدن (Kashidan) when using a large spoon to serve food. For example: "با این قاشق بزرگ برنج بکش" (Serve the rice with this large spoon).

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

Before 'قاشق' became the standard word, Iranians used various Middle Persian words for scoops, but the Turkic word became so dominant that the original Persian words are now mostly forgotten or relegated to obscure dialects.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ɡɒːˈʃɒk/

US /ɡɑːˈʃɑːk/

The stress is typically on the second syllable: qâ-ŠOQ.

Rhymes With

عاشق (Âšoq - Lover) ناطق (Nâtoq - Speaker) فایق (Fâyeq - Superior) لایق (Lâyeq - Worthy) سابق (Sâbeq - Former) قایق (Qâyeq - Boat) خالق (Khâleq - Creator) صادق (Sâdeq - Honest)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'Q' as a hard 'K' (Kashok).
Making the 'â' sound too short like 'cat'.
Confusing the voiced 'gh' with a voiceless 'kh' sound.
Softening the 'sh' into an 's' sound.
Ignoring the final 'q' sound entirely.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 1/5

The word is short and uses common letters. Very easy to recognize.

Writing 2/5

The letter 'Ghaf' (ق) and 'Shin' (ش) require attention to dots, but the structure is simple.

Speaking 3/5

The uvular 'Q' sound can be difficult for native English speakers to master correctly.

Listening 2/5

Distinctive sounds make it easy to hear once you know the 'Q' sound.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

غذا (Food) خوردن (To eat) میز (Table) آشپزخانه (Kitchen) آب (Water)

Learn Next

چنگال (Fork) کارد (Knife) بشقاب (Plate) لیوان (Glass) دستمال (Napkin)

Advanced

ملاقه (Ladle) کفگیر (Skimmer) سرویس پذیرایی (Serving set) ظروف چینی (Chinaware) نقره‌جات (Silverware)

Grammar to Know

Ezafe Construction

قاشقِ نقره (Spoon of silver)

Pluralization with -ha

قاشق‌ها (Spoons)

Object marker 'râ'

قاشق را بردار (Pick up the spoon)

Preposition 'bâ' for instruments

با قاشق خوردن (Eating with a spoon)

Compound Nouns for measurement

قاشقِ غذاخوری (Tablespoon)

Examples by Level

این یک قاشق است.

This is a spoon.

Simple identification sentence using 'ast' (is).

قاشق کجاست؟

Where is the spoon?

Question word 'kojâst' (where is).

من قاشق دارم.

I have a spoon.

Subject + Object + Verb (Dâštan).

یک قاشق لطفا.

One spoon please.

Polite request without a verb.

قاشق کوچک است.

The spoon is small.

Adjective following the noun.

این قاشق من است.

This is my spoon.

Possessive Ezafe (qâšoq-e man).

قاشق روی میز است.

The spoon is on the table.

Prepositional phrase 'ru-ye' (on).

قاشق تمیز است.

The spoon is clean.

Basic descriptive sentence.

من با قاشق سوپ می‌خورم.

I eat soup with a spoon.

Present continuous/habitual verb 'mikhoram'.

قاشق چای‌خوری کجاست؟

Where is the teaspoon?

Compound noun 'qâšoq-e chây-khory'.

لطفاً دو تا قاشق بیاور.

Please bring two spoons.

Imperative verb 'biâvar' (bring).

قاشق‌ها کثیف هستند.

The spoons are dirty.

Plural noun with plural verb.

او قاشق را شست.

He washed the spoon.

Past tense verb 'shost' with object marker 'râ'.

این قاشق برای برنج است.

This spoon is for rice.

Preposition 'barâye' (for).

قاشق را در بشقاب بگذار.

Put the spoon in the plate.

Imperative 'bogzâr' (put).

من قاشق چوبی را ترجیح می‌دهم.

I prefer the wooden spoon.

Adjective 'chubi' (wooden).

یک قاشق شکر به چای اضافه کن.

Add one spoon of sugar to the tea.

Using the spoon as a unit of measure.

آیا قاشق‌های نقره را جلا دادی؟

Did you polish the silver spoons?

Adjective 'noghre' (silver).

او با قاشق غذا را هم زد.

She stirred the food with a spoon.

Compound verb 'ham zadan' (to stir).

قاشق از دستش افتاد و شکست.

The spoon fell from his hand and broke.

Sequential actions in the past.

بچه‌ها نباید با قاشق بازی کنند.

Children shouldn't play with spoons.

Modal verb 'nabâyad' (shouldn't).

قاشق چای‌خوری برای این فنجان خیلی بزرگ است.

The teaspoon is too big for this cup.

Comparative logic with 'kheyli' (very/too).

او قاشق را در دهانش گذاشت.

He put the spoon in his mouth.

Locative phrase 'dar dahânaš'.

همه قاشق‌ها را در کشو چیدم.

I arranged all the spoons in the drawer.

Verb 'chidan' (to arrange/set).

او با قاشق نقره در دهانش متولد شده است.

He was born with a silver spoon in his mouth.

Idiomatic expression for wealth.

برای پختن این حلوا، باید مدام با قاشق چوبی آن را هم بزنید.

To cook this Halva, you must constantly stir it with a wooden spoon.

Adverb 'modâm' (constantly).

قاشق‌های پلاستیکی برای محیط زیست مضر هستند.

Plastic spoons are harmful to the environment.

Scientific/Environmental context.

او قاشق داغ را به دستش زد.

He touched the hot spoon to his hand.

Adjective 'dâgh' (hot).

در این رستوران، قاشق و چنگال‌ها بسیار تمیز و براق هستند.

In this restaurant, the spoons and forks are very clean and shiny.

Adjectives 'tamiz' and 'barâgh'.

او سعی کرد با قاشق درِ قوطی را باز کند.

He tried to open the can lid with a spoon.

Verb 'sa'y kardan' (to try).

قاشق‌های مخصوص نوزادان از سیلیکون نرم ساخته شده‌اند.

Special spoons for infants are made of soft silicone.

Passive construction 'sâkhte šode-and'.

او یک قاشق عسل برای درمان گلو‌دردش خورد.

He ate a spoonful of honey to treat his sore throat.

Purpose clause 'barâye darmân'.

در متون قدیمی، واژه‌ی قاشق به ندرت دیده می‌شود و بیشتر از کلمات دیگر استفاده می‌شد.

In old texts, the word 'qâšoq' is rarely seen, and other words were used more.

Passive voice and historical analysis.

ظرافتِ طراحی این قاشق‌های عتیقه نشان‌دهنده هنر دوره صفوی است.

The delicacy of the design of these antique spoons indicates Safavid era art.

Complex Ezafe chains.

او با مهارتی خاص، قاشق را برای تزیین دسر به کار برد.

With specific skill, he used the spoon to decorate the dessert.

Prepositional phrase 'bâ mahârati khâs'.

استفاده از قاشق و چنگال در ایران از دوره قاجار رواج بیشتری یافت.

The use of spoons and forks in Iran became more common during the Qajar era.

Noun phrase 'estefâde az...'.

نویسنده از استعاره‌ی قاشق خالی برای توصیف فقر استفاده کرده است.

The author used the metaphor of an empty spoon to describe poverty.

Literary analysis vocabulary.

قاشق‌های مسی به دلیل واکنش‌های شیمیایی با برخی غذاها، نیاز به قلع‌اندود کردن دارند.

Copper spoons need tin-plating due to chemical reactions with certain foods.

Technical/Scientific register.

او با هر قاشق از این غذا، خاطرات کودکی‌اش را مرور می‌کرد.

With every spoonful of this food, he reviewed his childhood memories.

Evocative, literary language.

تولید انبوه قاشق‌های استیل، قیمت آن‌ها را در بازار به شدت کاهش داد.

Mass production of stainless steel spoons drastically reduced their price in the market.

Economic/Formal register.

تحول واژگانی از ابزارهای سنتی به 'قاشق' مدرن، بازتابی از تغییرات بنیادین در فرهنگ سفره‌ی ایرانی است.

The lexical transformation from traditional tools to the modern 'spoon' reflects fundamental changes in Iranian dining culture.

High-level academic Persian.

در برخی گویش‌های محلی، هنوز واژگانی جایگزین برای قاشق وجود دارد که ریشه در پهلوی دارند.

In some local dialects, there are still alternative words for spoon that have roots in Pahlavi.

Linguistic and dialectal analysis.

او چنان با جزئیات از کلکسیون قاشق‌های نایابش سخن می‌گفت که گویی هر یک روایتی تاریخی هستند.

He spoke about his collection of rare spoons with such detail as if each were a historical narrative.

Subjunctive and hypothetical constructions.

بررسی باستان‌شناختی قاشق‌های مفرغی، ابعاد تازه‌ای از زندگی روزمره در عصر آهن را روشن می‌سازد.

Archaeological examination of bronze spoons illuminates new dimensions of daily life in the Iron Age.

Scientific/Archaeological register.

این قاشق، فراتر از یک ابزار، نمادی از گذار از سنت به مدرنیته در اواخر قرن نوزدهم ایران است.

This spoon, beyond a tool, is a symbol of the transition from tradition to modernity in late 19th-century Iran.

Philosophical/Sociological register.

تطبیق ویژگی‌های ارگونومیک قاشق با آناتومی دست، موضوع پژوهش‌های صنعتی اخیر بوده است.

Adapting the ergonomic features of the spoon to hand anatomy has been the subject of recent industrial research.

Highly technical/Academic terms.

او با ظرافتی وسواس‌گونه، قاشق‌ها را به گونه‌ای می‌چید که بازتاب نور در آن‌ها کاملاً متقارن باشد.

With obsessive delicacy, he arranged the spoons so that the reflection of light in them was perfectly symmetrical.

Complex adverbial phrases.

در ادبیات عرفانی، گاهی حتی اشیاء بی‌جانی چون قاشق نیز می‌توانند حامل مفاهیم عمیق معرفتی باشند.

In mystical literature, sometimes even inanimate objects like a spoon can carry deep epistemological concepts.

Abstract philosophical discourse.

Common Collocations

قاشق و چنگال

قاشق چای‌خوری

قاشق غذاخوری

قاشق چوبی

قاشق نقره

قاشق یکبارمصرف

قاشق مرباخوری

دسته قاشق

دهانه قاشق

قاشق سوپ‌خوری

Common Phrases

قاشق زنی

— A traditional ritual during Chaharshanbe Suri where people bang spoons on bowls.

شب چهارشنبه‌سوری مراسم قاشق‌زنی داریم.

با قاشق ریختن

— To pour something using a spoon carefully.

شربت را با قاشق توی دهانش ریخت.

قاشق قاشق خوردن

— To eat something slowly, spoonful by spoonful.

او با آرامش قاشق قاشق سوپش را خورد.

یک قاشق پر

— A full spoonful.

یک قاشق پر عسل بخور.

نوک قاشق

— The tip of the spoon (used for very small amounts).

فقط نوک قاشق نمک بزن.

قاشق دهنی

— A spoon that has been in someone's mouth (often used regarding hygiene).

قاشق دهنی را توی ظرف اصلی نزن.

قاشق تمیز

— A clean spoon.

لطفاً یک قاشق تمیز به من بدهید.

قاشق بزرگ

— A large spoon.

قاشق بزرگ برای کشیدن برنج است.

قاشق کوچک

— A small spoon.

با قاشق کوچک چای را هم بزن.

قاشق لیس زدن

— To lick the spoon (usually after making something sweet).

بچه‌ها دوست دارند قاشق شکلاتی را لیس بزنند.

Often Confused With

قاشق vs کفگیر

Kafgir is for serving rice; Qashoq is for eating it.

قاشق vs ملاقه

Malaghe is a ladle for soup; Qashoq is for the individual diner.

قاشق vs قایق

Qâyeq means boat. They look similar in writing but 'qâšoq' has a 'shin' (ش) in the middle.

Idioms & Expressions

"قاشق داغ کردن"

— An old, harsh method of discipline or punishment involving a hot spoon.

قدیما برای تنبیه بچه‌ها قاشق داغ می‌کردند.

Archaic/Historical

"با قاشق چای‌خوری به کسی چیزی دادن"

— To give information or help in very small, frustrating increments (spoon-feeding).

رئیس اطلاعات را با قاشق چای‌خوری به ما می‌دهد.

Informal

"قاشقِ نشسته"

— Someone who interferes in a conversation without being asked (similar to 'butt in').

وسط حرف ما نپر، قاشقِ نشسته نباش!

Slang/Idiomatic

"با قاشق نقره متولد شدن"

— To be born into a very wealthy family.

او هیچ غمی ندارد، با قاشق نقره متولد شده.

Formal/Translation of English idiom

"قاشق خالی به دهان گذاشتن"

— To make empty promises or show off without substance.

او فقط قاشق خالی به دهان ما می‌گذارد.

Literary

"قاشق زدن"

— To participate in the ritual of Chaharshanbe Suri.

امشب برویم قاشق‌زنی؟

Cultural

"قاشق و چنگال شدن"

— To be very close or inseparable (rare).

آن دو مثل قاشق و چنگال همیشه با هم هستند.

Informal

"قاشق را کج گرفتن"

— To do something the wrong or difficult way.

چرا قاشق را کج می‌گیری؟ راه ساده‌تری هم هست.

Metaphorical

"قاشق به قابلمه خوردن"

— A sign that food is ready or that a meal is happening.

صدای قاشق به قابلمه می‌آید، شام حاضر است.

Informal

"قاشق انداختن"

— To give up or stop trying (very rare, specific dialects).

او در میانه کار قاشق انداخت.

Dialectal

Easily Confused

قاشق vs قایق

Visual similarity in script.

Qâyeq (boat) has a 'y' (ی) while Qâšoq (spoon) has a 'š' (ش).

من با قایق به دریا رفتم.

قاشق vs چنگال

They are always used together.

Changal is a fork (sharp tines); Qashoq is a spoon (scoop).

من با چنگال سالاد می‌خورم.

قاشق vs کارد

Part of the cutlery set.

Kard is a knife; Qashoq is a spoon.

با کارد نان را ببر.

قاشق vs ملاقه

Malaghe is much larger and used for serving.

ملاقه را در ظرف سوپ بگذار.

قاشق vs کفگیر

Kafgir is flat and for serving; Qashoq is for eating.

کفگیر برای کشیدن پلو است.

Sentence Patterns

این [اسم] است.

این قاشق است.

[اسم] کجاست؟

قاشق کجاست؟

من با [اسم] [غذا] می‌خورم.

من با قاشق سوپ می‌خورم.

لطفاً [عدد] [اسم] بیاورید.

لطفاً دو قاشق بیاورید.

[عدد] [اسم] [ماده] اضافه کنید.

دو قاشق شکر اضافه کنید.

[اسم] را با [اسم] هم بزنید.

غذا را با قاشق هم بزنید.

[اسم] از [جنس] ساخته شده است.

قاشق از نقره ساخته شده است.

استفاده از [اسم] در [دوره تاریخی] رایج شد.

استفاده از قاشق در دوره قاجار رایج شد.

Word Family

Nouns

قاشق‌زنی (ritual)

قاشقک (small spoon/valve)

قاشق‌تراش (spoon-carver)

Verbs

قاشق زدن (to bang spoons)

Adjectives

قاشقی (spoon-shaped)

چنگال (fork)

کارد (knife)

بشقاب (plate)

ملاقه (ladle)

کفگیر (skimmer)

How to Use It

frequency

Very High - Top 500 essential Persian words.

Common Mistakes

Using 'Kashok' → Qâšoq
The 'Q' sound is uvular, not a simple 'K'.
Eating soup with a 'Changâl' → Eating soup with a 'Qâšoq'
Logic error: you cannot eat liquid with a fork.
Saying 'Chay Qâšoq' → Qâšoq-e Chay
In Persian, the noun comes before the modifier (Ezafe).
Confusing 'Qâšoq' with 'Qâyeq' → Qâšoq
One is a spoon, the other is a boat. Check the middle letter.
Using a 'Qâšoq' to serve rice from a big pot → Use a 'Kafgir'
Culturally, a small spoon is for eating, a 'Kafgir' is for serving.

Tips

Master the 'Q'

The first and last letters are the same 'Q' (ق). Practice making a voiced sound at the back of your throat to sound more authentic.

Table Manners

In Iran, never use your spoon to serve yourself from a communal dish; always use the provided serving spoon (Kafgir or Malaghe).

Compound Names

Remember to use the Ezafe (-e) when specifying the type of spoon, like 'qâšoq-e chubi'.

Sizes Matter

Learn the three main sizes (tea, jam, and food) to follow Persian recipes accurately.

Asking Politely

Use 'lotfan' (please) when asking for a spoon to be polite in social settings.

Dot Placement

Be careful with the three dots on the 'Shin' (ش). Without them, the word becomes unrecognizable.

Clinking Sounds

In Persian movies, the sound of a spoon hitting a glass often signals tea time.

Don't be a Meddler

If someone calls you a 'qâšoq-e nashoste' (unwashed spoon), it means you are sticking your nose where it doesn't belong!

Buying Sets

When buying cutlery, ask for 'servis-e qâšoq changâl'.

Wooden is Better

Persian grandmothers always recommend a 'qâšoq-e chubi' for stirring stews to keep the flavor pure.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'Gosh' (ear) - you use a 'Qâšoq' to feed your mouth, which is near your 'Gosh'. Or, it sounds like 'Gosh-hawk'—a bird scooping up prey like a spoon scoops food.

Visual Association

Visualize the letter 'ق' (Ghaf) with its two dots looking like two small spoonfuls of food sitting on top of the spoon's bowl.

Word Web

Spoon Fork Knife Plate Soup Rice Kitchen Eat

Challenge

Try to name three different sizes of spoons in Persian while you are setting your dinner table tonight.

Word Origin

Borrowed from Old Turkic 'kaşık'. It entered Persian during the period of Turkic migrations and dynasties (like the Seljuks or Ghaznavids).

Original meaning: A tool for scooping or eating.

Turkic (loanword in Indo-European Persian).

Cultural Context

No specific sensitivities; 'قاشق' is a neutral, everyday object.

In English-speaking cultures, the spoon is for soup or dessert. In Iran, it is for the main course (rice).

The ritual of Qashoq-zani in Persian folklore. Sadegh Hedayat's stories often mention mundane kitchen objects like spoons to ground the narrative. Traditional Persian 'Ash' (thick soup) is always served with a large 'Malaghe' (ladle) but eaten with a 'Qashoq'.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Dining at home

قاشق کجاست؟
قاشق تمیز می‌خواهم.
قاشق را روی میز بگذار.
با قاشق بخور.

In a restaurant

یک قاشق اضافه لطفاً.
این قاشق کثیف است.
قاشق و چنگال بیاورید.
قاشق چای‌خوری دارید؟

Cooking/Recipes

دو قاشق شکر.
با قاشق چوبی هم بزنید.
یک قاشق غذاخوری روغن.
نصف قاشق نمک.

Pharmacy/Medicine

یک قاشق قبل از غذا.
با قاشق مخصوص نوزاد.
شربت را با قاشق بخورید.
اندازه یک قاشق.

Shopping

سرویس قاشق و چنگال.
قاشق‌های استیل.
قیمت این قاشق چند است؟
قاشق‌های تکی.

Conversation Starters

"آیا شما ترجیح می‌دهید برنج را با قاشق بخورید یا چنگال؟"

"در کشور شما، برای خوردن چه غذاهایی از قاشق استفاده می‌شود؟"

"آیا تا به حال مراسم قاشق‌زنی را در ایران دیده‌اید؟"

"به نظر شما قاشق‌های چوبی برای آشپزی بهتر هستند یا فلزی؟"

"چند قاشق شکر در چای خود می‌ریزید؟"

Journal Prompts

درباره‌ی یک خاطره‌ی کودکی بنویسید که در آن از یک قاشق خاص استفاده می‌کردید.

تفاوت‌های آداب سفره در ایران و کشور خودتان را با تمرکز بر استفاده از قاشق بنویسید.

اگر می‌توانستید یک قاشق جادویی داشته باشید، آن قاشق چه قدرتی داشت؟

توصیف کنید که چگونه یک میز ناهارخوری رسمی را با قاشق و چنگال تزیین می‌کنید.

اهمیت وسایل ساده‌ای مثل قاشق در زندگی روزمره ما چیست؟

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

You can say 'Bebakhshid, ye qâšoq lotfan' (Excuse me, one spoon please). If you need more than one, say 'Bebakhshid, do tâ qâšoq lotfan'.

It is originally a Turkic loanword that has been used in Persian for centuries and is now considered a standard part of the language.

Iranians typically use both. The spoon is held in the right hand to scoop the rice, and the fork is in the left hand to help push the rice onto the spoon.

It is a traditional Persian custom during the festival of Chaharshanbe Suri where people bang spoons against bowls to ask for treats, similar to trick-or-treating.

A 'qâšoq-e chây-khory' is a small teaspoon, while a 'qâšoq-e مرباخوری' (jam spoon) is slightly larger, usually the size of a dessert spoon.

While 'qâšoq' can be used, the specific word 'eskoop' (scoop) is more common for ice cream in modern Persian.

In formal Persian, add '-hâ' to get 'qâšoq-hâ'. In casual conversation, you might hear 'qâšoq-â'.

Most modern spoons are stainless steel (estil), but traditional ones could be copper (mesi) or wood (chubi).

No, it is a deeper sound from the throat. If you say it like 'K', people will understand you, but it won't sound native.

Because rice is the staple food, and the spoon is the most efficient tool for eating it according to Persian dining etiquette.