At the A1 level, you don't need to use the word 'کناره‌گیری' (kenāre-giri) yet, as it is quite formal. Instead, you focus on the simple verb 'رفتن' (raftan - to go) or 'کار نکردن' (kār nakardan - to not work). However, it is good to recognize that this word means 'leaving a job.' Think of it as a big 'Goodbye' to a position. In very simple terms, if a teacher leaves a school forever, they might 'kenāre-giri' from that school. At this stage, just remember that 'kenār' means 'side.' Imagine someone moving to the 'side' of the room so they are no longer in the middle of the activity. That is the basic idea. You will mostly see this word in news pictures or big headlines which you might not fully understand yet, but knowing it relates to 'leaving' is enough for now.
At the A2 level, you can start to understand 'کناره‌گیری' as a formal way to say someone stopped doing their job. You might see it in simple news stories. For example, 'مدیر کناره‌گیری کرد' (The manager resigned). You should know that it is often used with 'کردن' (kardan). You are learning about compound verbs, and this is a great example. It is more formal than 'استعفا' (estefā), which you might also learn at this level. When you see this word, think of a professional situation. You wouldn't use it if you are leaving a party or a friend's house. It is for 'big' things like a job or a sports team. You might also hear it in the context of 'retirement' for famous people.
At the B1 level, you should be able to use 'کناره‌گیری' in your own sentences, especially when writing about news or work. You should understand the preposition 'از' (az) that always follows it. For example: 'او از تیم ملی کناره‌گیری کرد' (He retired from the national team). You are now moving beyond just 'leaving' and understanding the nuance of 'stepping down.' You can compare it with 'استعفا' and know that 'کناره‌گیری' sounds more voluntary and sometimes more dignified. You might also encounter it in historical texts about kings or leaders who 'stepped aside' for their children. It's a key word for intermediate learners who want to sound more natural in formal Persian discussions.
At the B2 level, 'کناره‌گیری' is a core vocabulary word for you. You should be comfortable using it in debates about politics, business, and social issues. You understand that it implies a significant transition. You can use it as a noun in complex sentences: 'کناره‌گیری او از قدرت، راه را برای اصلاحات باز کرد' (His resignation from power paved the way for reforms). You should also recognize its use in sports (withdrawing from a tournament) and its psychological meaning (social withdrawal). At this level, you distinguish it clearly from 'برکناری' (dismissal) and 'انصراف' (withdrawal from a future plan). You are expected to use the correct register; this is a 'formal' word, and using it correctly shows you have a high level of Persian proficiency.
At the C1 level, you explore the deeper connotations of 'کناره‌گیری.' You understand its use in literary and philosophical contexts, such as 'کناره‌گیری از هیاهوی دنیا' (withdrawing from the world's clamor). You can analyze why a writer chose 'کناره‌گیری' over 'استعفا' to imply a moral or strategic choice. You are familiar with related idiomatic expressions like 'کنار کشیدن' and 'عطایش را به لقایش بخشیدن' (an idiom sometimes related to giving up a difficult position). You can use the word in academic writing to describe historical shifts or sociological phenomena, such as 'کناره‌گیری طبقه متوسط از مشارکت سیاسی' (the withdrawal of the middle class from political participation). Your mastery of the word includes its collocations with adjectives like 'مصلحت‌آمیز' (expedient) or 'اعتراض‌آمیز' (protest-related).
At the C2 level, 'کناره‌گیری' is a tool for nuanced expression. You understand the subtle political theater often associated with this word in Iranian history—how a 'kenāre-giri' might be a forced resignation disguised as a voluntary one for the sake of 'saving face.' You can engage in high-level discourse about the 'philosophy of withdrawal' in Persian mysticism (Sufism), where 'kenāre-giri' from the ego is a central theme. You can use the word in legal, diplomatic, and highly technical contexts without error. You understand its rhythmic and rhetorical value in formal speeches. For a C2 learner, this word is not just a vocabulary item; it is a window into the cultural and political psychology of the Persian-speaking world, representing the delicate balance between power, duty, and the choice to step into the shadows.

کناره‌گیری in 30 Seconds

  • Formal Persian noun for 'resignation' or 'withdrawal'.
  • Used in politics, sports, and professional contexts.
  • Literally means 'taking to the side' (stepping down).
  • Commonly paired with the verb 'kardan' (to do).

The Persian word کناره‌گیری (pronounced /kenāre-gīrī/) is a sophisticated compound noun that primarily translates to 'resignation,' 'withdrawal,' or 'stepping down.' Understanding this word requires looking at its morphological roots: کنار (kenār), meaning 'side' or 'edge,' and گیری (gīrī), the gerund form of 'taking.' Literally, it means 'taking to the side' or 'placing oneself on the margin.' In the socio-political landscape of Iran and Persian-speaking communities, this word carries a weight that spans from formal political exits to personal philosophical retreats. Unlike the more bureaucratic term استعفا (estefā), which refers specifically to the administrative act of quitting a job, کناره‌گیری encompasses a broader spectrum of disengagement. It is used when a king abdicates, when a candidate withdraws from an election, or when a socialite decides to live a life of seclusion. It is a word of dignity and often implies a voluntary choice to preserve one's reputation or to allow for a transition of power. In modern journalism, you will encounter this word daily in headlines regarding cabinet reshuffles, corporate leadership changes, and international treaties where a party might 'withdraw' from an agreement.

Etymological Root
The term stems from the Middle Persian 'kanārag,' signifying a boundary or limit. By 'taking the boundary,' the individual signifies they are no longer at the center of the action.
Political Register
Used in high-level diplomatic discourse to describe the act of a nation stepping back from a regional conflict or a specific policy stance.
Psychological Nuance
In psychology, it refers to social withdrawal or 'goosh-e-giri,' where an individual retreats from social interactions for mental health or spiritual reasons.

وزیر به دلیل مشکلات جسمانی از سمت خود کناره‌گیری کرد.

Translation: The minister resigned from his position due to physical health problems.

او پس از سال‌ها فعالیت هنری، تصمیم به کناره‌گیری از دنیای سینما گرفت.

Translation: After years of artistic activity, he decided to withdraw from the world of cinema.

تیم ملی از شرکت در مسابقات جهانی کناره‌گیری کرد.

Translation: The national team withdrew from participating in the world championships.

این کناره‌گیری ناگهانی باعث تعجب همگان شد.

Translation: This sudden resignation surprised everyone.

آن‌ها خواستار کناره‌گیری فوری مدیرعامل شدند.

Translation: They demanded the immediate resignation of the CEO.

Using 'کناره‌گیری' correctly involves understanding its role as a verbal noun and how it integrates with light verbs. Most commonly, it functions with the verb کردن (to do/make) to form the compound verb کناره‌گیری کردن. In a sentence, the subject is the person or entity leaving, and the object (the position or place being left) is introduced by the preposition از (az). For example, 'او از مقام خود کناره‌گیری کرد' (He resigned from his position). It is important to distinguish between the noun form and the active verb form. When used as a noun, it can be modified by adjectives like 'ناگهانی' (sudden), 'اجباری' (forced), or 'داوطلبانه' (voluntary). In formal writing, especially in news reports, 'کناره‌گیری' is preferred over 'استعفا' when the exit is seen as a strategic 'stepping aside' rather than a simple termination of employment. It is also used in the passive sense or as a gerund to describe a trend, such as 'کناره‌گیری جوانان از سیاست' (The withdrawal of youth from politics). When discussing sports, it is the standard term for a player retiring or pulling out of a match due to injury. Unlike English, where 'retirement' and 'resignation' are distinct, Persian uses 'کناره‌گیری' to bridge these concepts when the emphasis is on the act of leaving the arena of activity.

Grammatical Pattern
Subject + az + [Position/Activity] + kenāre-gīrī kard. (e.g., He from politics resigned.)
Modification
Adjectives follow the noun with an Ezafe: 'kenāre-gīrī-ye rasmi' (official resignation).
Transitive Usage
While usually intransitive (someone resigns), the noun can be the object of 'paziraf-tan' (to accept): 'They accepted his resignation.'

دولت با کناره‌گیری او مخالفت کرد.

Translation: The government opposed his resignation.

علت اصلی کناره‌گیری او هنوز مشخص نیست.

Translation: The main reason for his resignation is not yet clear.

او به نفع رقیب خود از انتخابات کناره‌گیری کرد.

Translation: He withdrew from the election in favor of his rival.

You are most likely to encounter 'کناره‌گیری' in formal and semi-formal settings. In the Iranian media landscape (such as IRIB, BBC Persian, or Iran International), this word is a staple of political reporting. When a world leader or a local official decides to leave office, the headline will almost certainly use this term. It is also extremely common in sports journalism. If a famous football player retires from the national team, the phrase 'کناره‌گیری از تیم ملی' will be used. Beyond the news, you might hear it in intellectual or academic discussions regarding social trends, such as 'کناره‌گیری از جامعه' (social withdrawal) or 'کناره‌گیری از مادیات' (detachment from material things). In corporate environments, during a board meeting, a director might announce their 'کناره‌گیری' to signal a transition. In literature, it is used to describe a protagonist's journey away from the chaos of the city to the solitude of nature. It is not a word you would typically use in a casual conversation about quitting a part-time job at a cafe; for that, 'biroon amadan' (coming out) or 'estefā' would be more appropriate. Therefore, 'کناره‌گیری' carries a certain gravitas and formality that suggests the position being left was of significant importance or that the act of leaving is a major life event.

News Headlines
'Resignation of the Prime Minister' is usually 'Kenāre-gīrī-ye Nokhost-vazir'.
Sports Commentary
'Withdrawal due to injury' is 'Kenāre-gīrī be dalil-e masdoomiat'.
Business Meetings
Used when discussing succession planning and 'stepping aside' for new leadership.

اخبار ساعت نه شب درباره کناره‌گیری رئیس‌جمهور بود.

Translation: The 9 PM news was about the President's resignation.

او به دلیل اعتراض به سیاست‌های جدید، از مقام خود کناره‌گیری کرد.

Translation: He resigned from his position as a protest against the new policies.

The most frequent mistake English speakers make is using 'کناره‌گیری' (kenāre-giri) and 'استعفا' (estefā) interchangeably in all contexts. While they both translate to 'resignation,' 'estefā' is strictly administrative. You 'estefā' from a job at a company by handing in a letter. You 'kenāre-giri' from a race, from public life, or from a political role where you are 'stepping aside' rather than just quitting. Another common error is the incorrect use of prepositions. Students often forget to use 'از' (az - from) and instead try to use the Ezafe or other prepositions. For example, saying 'کناره‌گیری مقام' (resignation position) is incorrect; it must be 'کناره‌گیری از مقام' (resignation from the position). Additionally, learners sometimes confuse 'کناره‌گیری' with 'برکناری' (barkenāri). 'Barkenāri' means 'dismissal' or 'firing'—it is the act of being removed by someone else, whereas 'kenāre-giri' is the act of removing oneself. Using 'barkenāri' when you mean 'kenāre-giri' completely changes the meaning from a voluntary act to a forced one. Finally, avoid using this word for minor daily actions like leaving a room or a party; it is too heavy and formal for such contexts. Using it casually can sound overly dramatic or even sarcastic.

vs. Estefā
Estefā = Administrative/Job. Kenāre-gīrī = General/Political/Strategic.
vs. Barkenāri
Barkenāri = Being fired. Kenāre-gīrī = Stepping down voluntarily.
Preposition Error
Always use 'az' (from) to specify what you are withdrawing from.

اشتباه: او را از کار کناره‌گیری کردند. (غلط)

Correction: You cannot 'kenāre-gīrī' someone else. Use 'barkenār' (dismissed) instead.

Persian is a language rich in synonyms, and 'کناره‌گیری' is no exception. Depending on the nuance you wish to convey, you might choose several other words. استعفا (estefā) is the most common alternative for job-related resignations. انصراف (enserāf) is used when someone withdraws their candidacy or changes their mind about a previously made decision (e.g., 'انصراف از خرید' - withdrawing from a purchase). ترک (tark) simply means 'leaving' or 'abandoning' and is more general. اعتزال (etezāl) is a literary and religious term meaning 'seclusion' or 'retirement from the world,' often used in historical contexts (like the Mu'tazilite school of thought). خلوت‌گزینی (khalvat-gozini) is a poetic way to describe choosing solitude. In a more active sense, کنار کشیدن (kenār keshidan) is the colloquial version of 'kenāre-giri,' used in everyday speech to mean 'to back off' or 'to pull out.' Understanding these distinctions allows you to choose the word that fits the register of your conversation or writing perfectly.

Kenāre-gīrī vs. Enserāf
Kenāre-gīrī is leaving a current position; Enserāf is withdrawing from a future potential (like an application).
Kenāre-gīrī vs. Tark
Tark is broad (leaving a house, a habit); Kenāre-gīrī is formal (leaving a role, a society).
Kenāre-gīrī vs. Estefā
Estefā is the paperwork; Kenāre-gīrī is the act of stepping away.

او از کاندیداتوری خود انصراف داد.

Translation: He withdrew his candidacy (before the election).

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"جناب وزیر، کناره‌گیری شما ضایعه‌ای برای دولت است."

Neutral

"او از مدیریت شرکت کناره‌گیری کرد."

Informal

"دیگه وقتشه کنار بکشی."

Child friendly

"فوتبالیست معروف دیگه بازی نمی‌کنه و کناره‌گیری کرده."

Slang

"بی‌خیال شو، بکش کنار!"

Fun Fact

The root 'kenār' is related to the concept of a shoreline (kenār-e daryā), implying that 'kenāre-giri' is like moving from the water back to the safe, dry edge.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /kɛnɒːre-ɡiːriː/
US /kenɑːre-ɡiːriː/
The primary stress is on the final syllable '-ri'.
Rhymes With
پیگیری (pey-giri) دستگیری (dast-giri) سخت‌گیری (sakht-giri) پیشگیری (pish-giri) یادگیری (yād-giri) تصمیم‌گیری (tasmim-giri) اندازه‌گیری (andāze-giri) ماهیگیری (māhi-giri)
Common Errors
  • Pronouncing the 'e' in 'kenāre' as a long 'ee'. It should be a short 'e' like in 'pen'.
  • Ignoring the 'h' sound if written with 'h' (though it is usually silent in this compound).

Difficulty Rating

Reading 4/5

Common in newspapers but looks complex due to the compound structure.

Writing 5/5

Requires correct use of prepositions and Ezafe.

Speaking 4/5

Longer word to pronounce, but very useful for formal topics.

Listening 3/5

Distinctive sound, usually easy to pick out in news broadcasts.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

کنار گرفتن کردن از مقام

Learn Next

استعفا انصراف برکناری مسئولیت

Advanced

اعتزال انزوا گوشه‌نشینی

Grammar to Know

Compound Nouns

Kenāre + Giri = Kenāre-giri

Preposition 'Az'

Kenāre-giri az siyāsat

Light Verb 'Kardan'

Kenāre-giri kard

Ezafe Construction

Kenāre-giri-ye ooo (His resignation)

Nominalization

Using the gerund 'giri' to turn a verb into a noun.

Examples by Level

1

او از کار کناره‌گیری کرد.

He left the job.

Simple past tense of 'kenāre-giri kardan'.

2

مدیر امروز کناره‌گیری کرد.

The manager resigned today.

Subject + time + verb.

3

چرا او کناره‌گیری کرد؟

Why did he resign?

Question form.

4

من از تیم کناره‌گیری می‌کنم.

I am withdrawing from the team.

Present continuous sense.

5

آن‌ها کناره‌گیری کردند.

They resigned.

Plural subject.

6

کناره‌گیری سخت است.

Resigning is hard.

Noun used as a subject.

7

او زود کناره‌گیری کرد.

He resigned early.

Use of adverb 'zood'.

8

او نمی‌خواهد کناره‌گیری کند.

He doesn't want to resign.

Negative modal 'nemikhāhad'.

1

او به دلیل بیماری از ورزش کناره‌گیری کرد.

He retired from sports due to illness.

Use of 'be dalil-e' (due to).

2

نامه کناره‌گیری او روی میز است.

His resignation letter is on the table.

Ezafe construction 'nāme-ye kenāre-giri'.

3

آیا شما خبر کناره‌گیری وزیر را شنیدید؟

Did you hear the news of the minister's resignation?

Compound noun object.

4

او پس از ده سال کناره‌گیری کرد.

He resigned after ten years.

Use of 'pas az' (after).

5

این کناره‌گیری برای همه عجیب بود.

This resignation was strange for everyone.

Adjective 'ajib' modifying the situation.

6

او از سیاست کناره‌گیری نخواهد کرد.

He will not withdraw from politics.

Future negative tense.

7

ما از کناره‌گیری او متأسف هستیم.

We are sorry about his resignation.

Expression of emotion.

8

او برای خانواده‌اش کناره‌گیری کرد.

He resigned for his family.

Use of 'barāye' (for).

1

او رسماً از سمت خود کناره‌گیری کرد تا فضا برای جوانان باز شود.

He officially resigned from his position to make room for the youth.

Use of 'tā' (so that) for purpose.

2

شایعاتی درباره کناره‌گیری احتمالی او وجود دارد.

There are rumors about his possible resignation.

Adjective 'ehtemāli' (possible).

3

او بدون هیچ توضیحی از مقام خود کناره‌گیری کرد.

He resigned from his post without any explanation.

Prepositional phrase 'bedoon-e hich tozih'.

4

کناره‌گیری او از مسابقات به دلیل مصدومیت شدید بود.

His withdrawal from the competition was due to a severe injury.

Noun clause as a subject.

5

او تحت فشار افکار عمومی مجبور به کناره‌گیری شد.

He was forced to resign under public pressure.

Passive construction 'majboor be... shod'.

6

دولت باید دلایل کناره‌گیری وزیر را اعلام کند.

The government must announce the reasons for the minister's resignation.

Modal 'bāyad' + infinitive.

7

او از تمام فعالیت‌های اجتماعی کناره‌گیری کرده است.

He has withdrawn from all social activities.

Present perfect tense.

8

این کناره‌گیری می‌تواند پیامدهای بزرگی داشته باشد.

This resignation could have major consequences.

Modal 'tavānestan' (can).

1

کناره‌گیری داوطلبانه او از قدرت، تحسین بسیاری را برانگیخت.

His voluntary resignation from power drew much praise.

Use of 'tahsin barangikhtan' (to draw praise).

2

او در اعتراض به فساد اداری، از سمت خود کناره‌گیری کرد.

He resigned from his position in protest against administrative corruption.

Reasoning phrase 'dar eterāz be'.

3

بسیاری معتقدند که این کناره‌گیری صرفاً یک نمایش سیاسی است.

Many believe this resignation is merely a political show.

Complex sentence with 'mo'taghedand ke'.

4

او پس از شکست در انتخابات، از رهبری حزب کناره‌گیری کرد.

After losing the election, he resigned from the party leadership.

Temporal clause 'pas az shekast'.

5

کناره‌گیری از پیمان‌های بین‌المللی می‌تواند منجر به انزوای کشور شود.

Withdrawing from international treaties can lead to the country's isolation.

Gerund as subject + 'monjar be' (lead to).

6

او به نفع رقیب انتخاباتی‌اش از ادامه مبارزه کناره‌گیری کرد.

He withdrew from the ongoing struggle in favor of his electoral rival.

Phrase 'be naf-e' (in favor of).

7

آیا کناره‌گیری او به معنای پایان دوران سیاسی‌اش است؟

Does his resignation mean the end of his political era?

Question about meaning 'be ma'nā-ye'.

8

او با کناره‌گیری از دنیای مادی، به خودشناسی روی آورد.

By withdrawing from the material world, he turned to self-knowledge.

Instrumental 'bā' (with/by).

1

کناره‌گیری نخبگان از مشارکت در امور جاری، زنگ خطری برای جامعه است.

The withdrawal of elites from participating in current affairs is a warning sign for society.

Metaphorical 'zang-e khatar' (alarm bell).

2

او با یک بیانیه تند و انتقادی، کناره‌گیری خود را اعلام نمود.

He announced his resignation with a sharp and critical statement.

Formal verb 'elām namood'.

3

این کناره‌گیری ناگهانی، توازن قوا را در منطقه به هم زد.

This sudden withdrawal upset the balance of power in the region.

Idiomatic 'tavāzon... be ham zad'.

4

او ترجیح داد به جای سازش با شرایط موجود، کناره‌گیری کند.

He preferred to resign instead of compromising with the existing conditions.

Comparative 'be jā-ye' (instead of).

5

کناره‌گیری او از این پروژه، ضربه بزرگی به پیشرفت آن وارد کرد.

His withdrawal from this project dealt a major blow to its progress.

Collocation 'zarbe vāred kardan'.

6

او سال‌هاست که در کناره‌گیری و انزوا زندگی می‌کند.

He has been living in withdrawal and isolation for years.

Noun used to describe a state of being.

7

کناره‌گیری از مسئولیت‌های سنگین، آرامش را به زندگی او بازگرداند.

Withdrawing from heavy responsibilities brought peace back to his life.

Causative sense.

8

او هیچ‌گاه حاضر نشد تحت هیچ شرایطی از آرمان‌هایش کناره‌گیری کند.

He was never willing to withdraw from his ideals under any circumstances.

Double negative emphasis.

1

کناره‌گیری وی از صحنه رقابت، گمانه‌زنی‌های فراوانی را در محافل سیاسی برانگیخت.

His withdrawal from the competitive scene sparked extensive speculation in political circles.

High-level vocabulary 'gomāne-zani' (speculation).

2

این کناره‌گیری، در واقع نوعی اعتراض مدنی به ساختارهای قدرت تلقی می‌گردد.

This resignation is, in fact, considered a form of civil protest against power structures.

Passive formal 'talaghi migardad'.

3

او با کناره‌گیری از مقام خویش، از بروز یک بحران ملی جلوگیری کرد.

By resigning from his position, he prevented the emergence of a national crisis.

Gerund phrase indicating prevention.

4

فلسفه کناره‌گیری در اندیشه او، نه به معنای فرار، بلکه به معنای بازگشت به خویشتن است.

The philosophy of withdrawal in his thought is not a means of escape, but a means of returning to oneself.

Contrastive 'na... balke' (not... but).

5

کناره‌گیری از تعهدات اخلاقی، سقوط تدریجی یک تمدن را رقم می‌زند.

Withdrawal from moral commitments marks the gradual fall of a civilization.

Abstract subject-verb agreement.

6

او در اوج قدرت، با کناره‌گیری‌اش همگان را در بهت و حیرت فرو برد.

At the height of power, he plunged everyone into shock and amazement with his resignation.

Idiomatic 'dar boht o heyrat foroo bord'.

7

این کناره‌گیری مصلحت‌آمیز، به منظور حفظ وحدت ملی صورت پذیرفت.

This expedient resignation was carried out for the purpose of maintaining national unity.

Formal 'soorat paziroft' (took place).

8

او با کناره‌گیری از هیاهوی رسانه‌ای، به تألیف آثار فلسفی خود پرداخت.

By withdrawing from the media clamor, he turned to the composition of his philosophical works.

Use of 'be... pardākht' (engaged in).

Common Collocations

کناره‌گیری رسمی
کناره‌گیری ناگهانی
کناره‌گیری داوطلبانه
کناره‌گیری اجباری
کناره‌گیری از قدرت
کناره‌گیری از سیاست
کناره‌گیری از تیم ملی
اعلام کناره‌گیری
درخواست کناره‌گیری
متن کناره‌گیری

Common Phrases

قصد کناره‌گیری داشتن

— To intend to resign or withdraw.

او قصد کناره‌گیری ندارد.

به دلیل ... کناره‌گیری کردن

— To resign because of a specific reason.

او به دلیل خستگی کناره‌گیری کرد.

فشار برای کناره‌گیری

— Pressure to resign.

فشارها برای کناره‌گیری او افزایش یافته است.

پس از کناره‌گیری

— After the resignation/withdrawal.

پس از کناره‌گیری او، اوضاع آرام شد.

مخالفت با کناره‌گیری

— Opposing a resignation.

رهبر حزب با کناره‌گیری او مخالفت کرد.

شایعه کناره‌گیری

— Rumor of resignation.

شایعه کناره‌گیری او تکذیب شد.

کناره‌گیری به نفعِ

— Withdrawing in favor of someone else.

او به نفع برادرش کناره‌گیری کرد.

کناره‌گیری از دنیای حرفه‌ای

— Retiring from professional life.

او از دنیای حرفه‌ای بوکس کناره‌گیری کرد.

کناره‌گیری موقت

— Temporary withdrawal.

این یک کناره‌گیری موقت برای استراحت است.

شرایط کناره‌گیری

— The conditions of resignation.

او شرایط کناره‌گیری خود را اعلام کرد.

Often Confused With

کناره‌گیری vs برکناری

This means dismissal (being fired), while kenāre-giri is voluntary.

کناره‌گیری vs کنار گذاشتن

This means to put something aside or to exclude someone.

کناره‌گیری vs استعفا

This is specifically for jobs/employment.

Idioms & Expressions

"عطایش را به لقایش بخشیدن"

— To give up on something because the trouble isn't worth the benefit.

او عطای این شغل را به لقایش بخشید و کناره‌گیری کرد.

Literary/Idiomatic
"کنار کشیدن"

— To pull out or back off from a situation.

وقتی اوضاع خطرناک شد، او کنار کشید.

Informal
"از گود خارج شدن"

— To leave the arena (to stop competing or being active).

او سال‌هاست که از گود سیاست خارج شده است.

Colloquial
"بوسیدن و کنار گذاشتن"

— To kiss something and put it aside (to give up a habit or career forever).

او فوتبال را بوسید و کنار گذاشت.

Popular
"جا خالی کردن"

— To vacate a spot (often implying leaving others in a lurch).

او در سخت‌ترین لحظه جا خالی کرد.

Informal
"دست شستن از"

— To wash one's hands of something (to give up or abandon).

او از قدرت دست شست.

Literary
"صحنه را خالی کردن"

— To leave the stage/scene empty for others.

او با کناره‌گیری‌اش صحنه را برای رقبا خالی کرد.

Journalistic
"عقب‌نشینی کردن"

— To retreat (often used in military or strategic contexts).

او از مواضع خود عقب‌نشینی کرد.

Formal
"انزوا گزیدن"

— To choose isolation.

او پس از شکست، انزوا گزید.

Literary
"خود را کنار کشیدن"

— To distance oneself from a group or event.

او خود را از این ماجرا کنار کشید.

Neutral

Easily Confused

کناره‌گیری vs برکناری

Both contain 'kenār'.

Barkenāri is passive (fired); Kenāre-giri is active (resigned).

برکناری او توسط رئیس انجام شد.

کناره‌گیری vs انصراف

Both mean stopping something.

Enserāf is usually before starting (withdrawing a bid); Kenāre-giri is during/after holding a post.

او از مسابقه انصراف داد.

کناره‌گیری vs ترک

Both mean leaving.

Tark is general; Kenāre-giri is formal and role-specific.

او اعتیاد را ترک کرد.

کناره‌گیری vs گوشه‌نشینی

Both involve moving to the 'side'.

Gooshe-neshini is a lifestyle of isolation; Kenāre-giri is the act of leaving.

او گوشه‌نشینی را ترجیح می‌دهد.

کناره‌گیری vs بازنشستگی

Both involve stopping work.

Bāz-neshastegi is age-related; Kenāre-giri can happen at any age for any reason.

پدرم بازنشسته شد.

Sentence Patterns

A2

[Subject] az [Place] kenāre-giri kard.

او از مدرسه کناره‌گیری کرد.

B1

Be dalil-e [Reason], [Subject] kenāre-giri kard.

به دلیل خستگی، او کناره‌گیری کرد.

B2

[Subject] kenāre-giri-ye khod rā elām kard.

مدیر کناره‌گیری خود را اعلام کرد.

C1

Kenāre-giri az [Noun] monjar be [Result] shod.

کناره‌گیری از پیمان منجر به جنگ شد.

C2

Dar pay-e [Event], kenāre-giri-ye [Subject] hatmi be nazar mi-rasad.

در پی رسوایی، کناره‌گیری او حتمی به نظر می‌رسد.

B1

Āyā [Subject] قصد کناره‌گیری dārad?

آیا او قصد کناره‌گیری دارد؟

B2

Ba'd az [Time], [Subject] kenāre-giri khāhad kard.

بعد از ماه آینده، او کناره‌گیری خواهد کرد.

C1

Ba' بعید است که [Subject] کناره‌گیری konad.

بعید است که او کناره‌گیری کند.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

Related

How to Use It

frequency

Highly frequent in news and professional contexts.

Common Mistakes
  • Using 'kenāre-giri' as a verb without 'kardan'. او کناره‌گیری کرد.

    It is a noun and needs a light verb to function as an action.

  • Omitting the 'az' preposition. کناره‌گیری از مقام

    Without 'az', the sentence is grammatically incomplete.

  • Confusing 'kenāre-giri' with 'barkenāri'. Use 'kenāre-giri' for voluntary acts.

    'Barkenāri' means being fired, which is the opposite in terms of agency.

  • Using it for leaving a physical room. او اتاق را ترک کرد.

    'Kenāre-giri' is for roles and statuses, not physical spaces.

  • Misspelling as 'کنارگیری' (without the 'e'). کناره‌گیری

    The 'e' (represented by He-ye-jami) is essential for the spelling.

Tips

Preposition Mastery

Always remember to use 'از' (az) after 'کناره‌گیری'. It connects the act to the position being left.

Formal vs. Informal

Use 'کناره‌گیری' in writing and 'کنار کشیدن' when talking to friends.

News Reading

When you see this word in a headline, look for the name of the person and their title nearby.

The 'E' sound

The 'e' at the end of 'kenāre' is very short. Don't stretch it.

Visual Link

Visualize a 'Shoreline' (kenār) and someone stepping away from the water.

Ezafe Usage

When saying 'His resignation', use 'کناره‌گیریِ او' (kenāre-giri-ye oo).

Dignity

Remember that this word often implies a dignified exit.

Don't Overuse

If you are talking about a candidate who hasn't started yet, use 'انصراف' instead.

Compound Verbs

Listen for the 'kard' at the end of the sentence to confirm the action.

Passive Forms

You might hear 'مجبور به کناره‌گیری شد' (He was forced to resign).

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Ken' (a person) at a 'Bar' (kenār sounds like bar-ish). Ken is at the 'side' (kenār) and he is 'getting' (giri) his coat to leave. Ken-at-the-side-getting-out.

Visual Association

Imagine a king taking off his heavy crown and placing it on a side table (kenār) and walking away.

Word Web

Power Exit Side Leave Minister Athlete Voluntary Formal

Challenge

Try to use 'kenāre-giri' in a sentence about a famous person you know who recently retired.

Word Origin

A Persian compound noun composed of 'kenār' (side/edge) and 'giri' (the act of taking).

Original meaning: Taking to the edge; moving away from the center of focus.

Indo-European (Persian/Iranian branch).

Cultural Context

Be careful not to use it for someone being fired; it can sound like you are covering up for them.

Similar to 'stepping down' or 'tendering a resignation,' but often more formal.

The resignation of Mohammad Mossadegh (historical) Athletes like Ali Daei retiring from the national team Sufi poets writing about 'kenāre-giri' from worldly desires

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Politics

  • کناره‌گیری از قدرت
  • فشار سیاسی
  • بیانیه رسمی
  • جانشین

Sports

  • خداحافظی از زمین
  • مصدومیت
  • تیم ملی
  • دوران حرفه‌ای

Business

  • هیئت مدیره
  • مدیرعامل
  • انتقال قدرت
  • استعفانامه

Social

  • انزوای اجتماعی
  • دوری از مردم
  • زندگی خصوصی
  • آرامش

Law

  • کناره‌گیری از پرونده
  • تضاد منافع
  • قاضی
  • وکالت

Conversation Starters

"نظر شما درباره کناره‌گیری ناگهانی وزیر چیست؟"

"آیا فکر می‌کنید او باید از این سمت کناره‌گیری کند؟"

"چرا ورزشکاران در اوج قدرت کناره‌گیری می‌کنند؟"

"اگر جای او بودید، آیا کناره‌گیری می‌کردید؟"

"پیامدهای کناره‌گیری او برای شرکت چه خواهد بود؟"

Journal Prompts

درباره زمانی بنویسید که مجبور شدید از یک فعالیت یا گروه کناره‌گیری کنید.

آیا کناره‌گیری از قدرت همیشه نشانه ضعف است یا می‌تواند نشانه قدرت باشد؟

تفاوت‌های بین کناره‌گیری و استعفا را در محیط کاری خود شرح دهید.

یک نامه رسمی کناره‌گیری برای یک مقام خیالی بنویسید.

تاثیر کناره‌گیری یک چهره مشهور بر جامعه را تحلیل کنید.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Not exactly. 'Estefā' is for formal job resignations. 'Kenāre-giri' is broader, used for stepping down from power, sports, or social life.

It sounds a bit too formal. For a small job, use 'estefā' or 'birun amadan'.

The most common verb is 'kardan' (to do/make).

Yes, linguistically it implies the subject is the one taking the action. If it's forced, 'barkenāri' is used.

You say: 'Man kenāre-giri kardam' (من کناره‌گیری کردم).

Yes, it is the standard term in sports for withdrawing or retiring.

Words like 'entesāb' (appointment) or 'vorood' (entry) are opposites.

It is a noun, but it forms a compound verb with 'kardan'.

Yes, in literary contexts, it refers to withdrawing from worldly affairs.

Yes, it is one of the most common words in Persian political journalism.

Test Yourself 177 questions

writing

Write a simple sentence: 'He resigned from the job.'

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writing

Translate: 'The minister's resignation was sudden.'

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writing

Use 'کناره‌گیری' in a sentence about sports.

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writing

Explain why someone might 'کناره‌گیری' in Persian.

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writing

Write a headline about a president resigning.

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speaking

Say 'I want to resign' in formal Persian.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Discuss the pros and cons of resigning from a high position.

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listening

Listen to the news snippet (simulated): '...کناره‌گیری وزیر اقتصاد...' What is the topic?

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writing

Translate: 'Voluntary withdrawal from the project.'

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writing

Write: 'Why did you resign?'

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speaking

Pronounce 'کناره‌گیری' correctly.

Read this aloud:

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writing

Translate: 'Resignation for personal reasons.'

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writing

Write a sentence with 'pressure' and 'resignation'.

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writing

Translate: 'He announced his withdrawal from the race.'

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speaking

Use 'کناره‌گیری' in a sentence about a teacher.

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writing

Translate: 'I am thinking about resigning.'

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writing

Write: 'The athlete retired from the team.'

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speaking

Say 'He resigned from power' in Persian.

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writing

Translate: 'His resignation was a protest.'

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writing

Translate: 'They are waiting for his resignation.'

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speaking

Pronounce 'کناره‌گیری رسمی'.

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writing

Translate: 'He resigned to focus on his family.'

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writing

Write: 'The resignation was accepted.'

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writing

Translate: 'Sudden withdrawal from the match.'

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speaking

Say 'I am resigning today'.

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writing

Translate: 'His resignation was expected.'

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writing

Translate: 'The CEO's resignation shocked the market.'

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speaking

Explain 'kenāre-giri' in one sentence.

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writing

Translate: 'The reasons for his resignation are unknown.'

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writing

Translate: 'I will never resign.'

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writing

Translate: 'His resignation was a mistake.'

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speaking

Use 'کناره‌گیری' in a sentence about a king.

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writing

Translate: 'The resignation of the prime minister.'

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writing

Translate: 'They accepted his resignation with regret.'

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speaking

Say 'I am not resigning'.

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writing

Translate: 'His resignation was a turning point.'

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writing

Translate: 'The manager resigned yesterday.'

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speaking

Say 'I heard about your resignation'.

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/ 177 correct

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