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A1 noun #4,000 most common 9 min read

مدرک

madrak Top 4,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips مدرک in 30 Seconds

Explanation مدرک in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should learn 'madrak' as a simple noun meaning 'certificate' or 'document'. You will mostly use it in the context of school or basic identity. For example, 'I have a certificate' (Man madrak dāram). It is a basic building block for talking about your background. You don't need to worry about complex legal meanings yet; just focus on it as a physical piece of paper that proves you finished a class or who you are.

At A2, you begin to use 'madrak' with common verbs like 'gereftan' (to get) and 'dādan' (to give/present). You should be able to specify what kind of document it is using a simple ezafe construction, such as 'madrak-e zabān' (language certificate) or 'madrak-e dāneshgāh' (university degree). You might also encounter the plural form 'madārek' when someone asks you for 'your documents' at an office. You should understand that this word is essential for basic professional and academic introductions.

At the B1 level, you should understand the distinction between 'madrak' and 'sanad'. You will use 'madrak' in more complex sentences involving purpose and necessity, such as 'To get a job, you need a degree'. You will also start to hear 'madrak' used in the sense of 'evidence' in news stories or stories. You should be comfortable using compound verbs like 'erā'eh dādan' (to present) in formal contexts, like at an embassy or during an interview.

At B2, you should be familiar with the cultural nuances of 'madrak' in Iran, such as 'madrak-gerayi' (the culture of degree-seeking). you will use the word in abstract discussions about education and the job market. You should also understand its use in legal contexts, such as 'madrak-e jorm' (evidence of crime) or 'adam-e vojud-e madrak' (lack of evidence). Your vocabulary should include collocations like 'madārek-e mostadal' (convincing evidence) and 'jam'-āvari-ye madārek' (collecting evidence).

At the C1 level, you use 'madrak' with precision in academic and professional writing. You understand the etymological roots (d-r-k) and how it relates to 'idrāk' (perception). You can discuss the validity, authenticity, and legal weight of different 'madārek'. You are able to use the word in nuanced ways, such as discussing the 'documentary' nature of a film (film-e mostanad) or the 'evidentiary' value of a witness's statement vs a physical 'madrak'. You can also navigate complex bureaucratic language involving 'madārek-e taba'eh' (citizenship documents) and other specialized terms.

At the C2 level, 'madrak' is a tool for sophisticated discourse. You can use it in philosophical contexts regarding the nature of proof and certainty. You understand its historical evolution in Persian literature and how it compares to classical terms like 'hujjat' or 'burhān'. You can analyze the socio-political implications of 'madrak-sāzi' (forging documents/evidence) in political scandals. Your usage is indistinguishable from a highly educated native speaker, employing the word in perfect idiomatic and formal structures.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

مدرک in 30 Seconds

Madrak primarily means document, certificate, or evidence in Persian.
It is the standard word for academic degrees like a BA or PhD.
In legal contexts, it refers to proof or evidence used in a case.
The most common plural form is 'madārek', following the Arabic pattern.

The Persian word مدرک (pronounced 'madrak') is a versatile noun that primarily translates to 'document', 'certificate', or 'evidence'. At its core, it refers to any tangible or intangible piece of information that serves to prove a fact, validate a qualification, or support a claim. In the context of education, it is the standard word for a diploma or degree. In a legal or investigative context, it refers to the proof or evidence required to establish the truth of a situation. The word is derived from the Arabic root 'd-r-k' (د-ر-ک), which is associated with 'idrāk' meaning perception, understanding, or reaching a certain level of comprehension. Thus, a madrak is essentially something that allows one to 'reach' or 'attain' the truth or a specific status.

Academic Context: In Iranian society, the term is frequently used to discuss educational achievements. Whether it is a high school diploma or a PhD, the physical certificate is called a 'madrak'. There is even a sociological term in Iran known as 'madrak-gerayi', which refers to a cultural obsession with obtaining academic degrees rather than actual knowledge or skills.

آیا شما مدرک تحصیلی خود را دریافت کرده‌اید؟ (Have you received your educational certificate?)

Legal and Forensic Use: When the police or lawyers talk about 'madrak', they are referring to evidence. This could be fingerprints, a recorded conversation, or a signed contract. In this sense, 'madrak' is synonymous with 'proof'. If someone makes an accusation, the immediate response in Persian is often 'What is your evidence?' (Madraket chist?).

Furthermore, the word is used in professional settings when applying for jobs. An employer might ask for 'madrak-e sabeghe-ye kar' (proof of work experience). In the digital age, 'madrak' also extends to digital certificates or PDF versions of official documents. It is a word that bridges the gap between the physical world of paper and the abstract world of truth and validation.

پلیس به دنبال مدرک جرم در صحنه بود. (The police were looking for evidence of the crime at the scene.)

Pluralization: The word follows the Arabic broken plural pattern: 'madārek' (مدارک). While you can say 'madrak-hā', using 'madārek' is much more common and sounds more natural in both formal and informal Persian.

لطفاً تمام مدارک خود را برای ما بفرستید. (Please send all your documents to us.)

In summary, 'madrak' is an essential word for anyone navigating the educational, professional, or legal landscape of the Persian-speaking world. It signifies the validation of one's efforts and the substantiation of one's words. Without a 'madrak', claims are often seen as mere 'harf' (talk).

Using 'madrak' correctly involves understanding its common collocations and the verbs that typically accompany it. Because it is a noun, it often functions as the direct object of a sentence. The most frequent verbs used with 'madrak' are 'dāshtan' (to have), 'gereftan' (to get/receive), 'erā'eh dādan' (to present/provide), and 'jam' āvari kardan' (to collect).

Obtaining a Document: When talking about graduating, we use 'gereftan'. For example, 'I got my master's degree' would be 'Man madrak-e kārshenāsi-ye arshad-am rā gereftam'. This implies the completion of a process.

او بالاخره مدرک دکتری خود را گرفت. (He finally got his PhD degree.)

Presenting Evidence: In formal situations, such as at an embassy or a court, you 'present' documents using 'erā'eh dādan'. This is a compound verb. You might be told: 'You must present your identity documents'.

شما باید برای اثبات ادعای خود مدرک ارائه دهید. (You must present evidence to prove your claim.)

Another important usage is in the phrase 'madrak-e jorm', which specifically means 'evidence of a crime'. This is common in detective novels, news reports, and crime dramas. If someone is 'caught with evidence', the phrase used is 'bā madrak dastgir shod'.

بدون مدرک کافی نمی‌توان کسی را متهم کرد. (Without sufficient evidence, one cannot accuse anyone.)

Educational Degrees: When specifying the type of degree, 'madrak' is followed by an ezafe and the field or level. 'Madrak-e zabān' (Language certificate), 'Madrak-e mohandesi' (Engineering degree), 'Madrak-e pezeshki' (Medical degree).

In everyday conversation, if you want to ask someone for their credentials, you might say 'Madraket chie?' (What is your degree/qualification?). This can sometimes sound a bit challenging or skeptical depending on the tone, as if asking 'What makes you an expert?'.

The word 'madrak' is ubiquitous in Persian-speaking environments, appearing in several distinct spheres of life. Understanding these contexts helps in grasping the weight the word carries. In Iran, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan, the 'madrak' is often seen as the ultimate gatekeeper to social mobility and legal safety.

At the University and School: This is perhaps the most common place to hear the word. Students are constantly talking about 'gereftan-e madrak' (getting the degree). You will see signs for 'tarjome-ye rasmi-ye madārek' (official translation of documents) near universities, as students prepare to apply abroad. The 'madrak-e movaghat' (temporary certificate) is also a common term students hear before their official diploma is issued.

او برای ترجمه مدارک خود به دارالترجمه رفت. (He went to the translation office to translate his documents.)

In Government Offices (Edāreh): If you go to a 'pishkhān-e dowlat' (government service office) or an embassy, the first thing the clerk will ask for is your 'madārek-e shenāsāyi' (identification documents). This includes your birth certificate (shenāsnāmeh) and national ID card (kārt-e melli). Here, 'madrak' is a matter of bureaucracy and identity.

In the media, especially in news related to the judiciary or police, 'madrak' is used to discuss evidence. You might hear 'madārek-e mostadal' (convincing evidence) or 'adam-e vojud-e madrak' (lack of evidence). Crime dramas often revolve around the search for a 'madrak-e sarnaveht-sāz' (a fate-deciding piece of evidence).

دادگاه به دلیل نبود مدرک، او را تبرئه کرد. (The court acquitted him due to lack of evidence.)

The Business World: When a company is being audited or when a deal is being made, 'madārek-e māli' (financial documents) and 'madārek-e mālekiyat' (ownership documents) are the focus. Professionals might also talk about 'madrak-e doreh' (course certificate) to show they have been trained in a specific skill like Python or Project Management.

Finally, in casual debates, you might hear someone say 'Madraket kojāst?' (Where is your proof?) when they don't believe a rumor or a claim. It is the Persian way of saying 'Source?' or 'Prove it!'.

While 'madrak' is a straightforward word, English speakers and learners of Persian often make specific errors regarding its scope and its distinction from similar-sounding or similar-meaning words. Understanding these pitfalls will make your Persian sound much more authentic and precise.

Confusing 'Madrak' with 'Sanad': This is the most common mistake. While both can mean 'document', 'sanad' is specifically a legal deed or a formal title (like a house deed or a car title). You wouldn't call your university degree a 'sanad', and you wouldn't call a property deed a 'madrak' in a formal context. 'Madrak' is for qualifications and evidence; 'Sanad' is for legal rights and ownership.

اشتباه: من سند لیسانس دارم. (Wrong: I have a bachelor's deed.)
درست: من مدرک لیسانس دارم. (Correct: I have a bachelor's degree.)

Using 'Madrak' for 'Testimony': In English, 'evidence' can include what a witness says. In Persian, 'madrak' almost always implies something objective or physical (a document, a video, a fingerprint). A witness's statement is called 'shahādat'. If you say 'madrak-e man in āghāst' (This gentleman is my evidence), it sounds like you are using him as a physical object. Instead, say 'shāhed-e man' (my witness).

Another mistake is using 'madrak' to mean 'reason' (dalil). While evidence is a reason to believe something, they are not interchangeable. 'Dalil' is the 'why' behind an action, whereas 'madrak' is the 'what' that proves it. For instance, 'The reason I was late' is 'dalil-e dir amadan-e man', not 'madrak-e dir amadan-e man'.

اشتباه: مدرک خوشحالی من پیروزی شماست.
درست: دلیل خوشحالی من پیروزی شماست. (The reason for my happiness is your victory.)

Pronunciation Pitfalls: Learners sometimes misplace the stress. In 'madrak', the stress is on the first syllable: **MAD**-rak. If you put it on the second, it might sound like you are trying to conjugate a verb that doesn't exist.

Lastly, be careful with the word 'govāhi'. While 'govāhi' also means certificate (like 'govāhināmeh' for a driver's license), 'madrak' is the broader term for academic and legal proof. Use 'madrak' for degrees and general evidence, and 'govāhi' for specific certifications or licenses.

Persian is rich with synonyms that vary based on the level of formality and the specific context. Understanding the nuances between 'madrak' and its alternatives will help you choose the right word for the right situation. Below is a comparison of common terms used for proof and documentation.

Madrak vs. Sanad: Madrak: General evidence, educational degree, or any document used as proof.
Sanad: A formal, legal document, usually related to property, contracts, or historical records. You have a 'sanad' for your house, but a 'madrak' for your English course.

او سند خانه را به بانک برد، اما مدرک شغلی‌اش را فراموش کرد. (He took the house deed to the bank, but forgot his employment document.)

Madrak vs. Govāhi: Madrak: Often implies a long-term achievement (like a 4-year degree).
Govāhi: Often refers to a short-term certification or a specific attestation (like a health certificate or a workshop attendance slip). 'Govāhināmeh' is specifically a license (driver's license).

Madrak vs. Shāhed: Madrak: Physical proof.
Shāhed: A human witness. If you say 'I have proof', you use 'madrak'. If you say 'I have a witness', you use 'shāhed'.

Other formal alternatives include 'mostanad' (documented/supporting evidence) and 'hujjat' (a conclusive proof or argument, often used in religious or philosophical contexts). In very casual settings, people might use 'neshāne' (sign) if they are talking about a clue rather than a formal document.

این عکس یک مدرک محکم است. (This photo is a solid piece of evidence.)

Academic Degrees specifically: While 'madrak' is the general word, specific levels have names: 'Diplom' (High school), 'Līsāns' (Bachelor's), 'Fogh-e Līsāns' (Master's), 'Doktorā' (PhD). You would say 'I have a Master's madrak'.

Choosing between these depends on how 'official' you want to sound. 'Madrak' is the safest, most common choice for 90% of situations involving proof or certificates.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

Neutral

Informal

Child friendly

Slang

Fun Fact

The root D-R-K also gives us the word 'Tadārok', which means preparation. The idea is that you 'reach' for what you need to prepare.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /mæd.ræk/

US /mæd.ræk/

The stress is on the first syllable: **MAD**-rak.

Rhymes With

بدرک (be-darak) تدارک (tadārok - related root) مبارک (mobārak) مشترک (moshtarak) محرک (moharrek) مترک (motarak) مستدرک (mostadrak) متبرک (motabarrek)

Common Errors

Pronouncing it as 'ma-DRAK' (stress on the end).
Stretching the first 'a' to sound like 'aa' (maadrak). It should be a short 'a'.
Ignoring the trilled 'r'.
Confusing the 'k' at the end with a 'gh' sound.
Pronouncing the plural 'madārek' with a hard 'a' like 'apple' instead of a long 'ā' like 'father'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 1/5

The word is short and common in all texts.

Writing 2/5

The plural form 'madārek' requires memorization of the broken plural pattern.

Speaking 1/5

Pronunciation is simple and follows standard rules.

Listening 1/5

Very distinct sound, unlikely to be confused with other common words.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

دانشگاه پلیس کاغذ داشتن گرفتن

Learn Next

سند گواهی اثبات جرم تحصیل

Advanced

مستندات ادله بینه استناد کردن

Grammar to Know

Ezafe Construction

مدرکِ علی (Ali's certificate) - The 'e' sound links the noun to its owner.

Arabic Broken Plurals

مدرک -> مدارک (Madrak -> Madārek) - A common pattern for loanwords.

Compound Verbs with 'Dādan'

ارائه دادن (To present) - Used frequently with 'madrak'.

Indefinite 'i'

مدرکی (A document/Some evidence) - Adding 'i' to the end.

Postposition 'rā'

مدرک را گرفتم (I took the document) - Marks the definite direct object.

Examples by Level

این مدرک من است.

This is my certificate.

Simple sentence with 'in' (this) and 'ast' (is).

من مدرک ندارم.

I don't have a document.

Negative form of the verb 'dāshtan'.

مدرک کجاست؟

Where is the document?

Question using 'kojāst' (where is).

او یک مدرک دارد.

He has a certificate.

Third person singular 'dārad'.

مدرک زبان لازم است.

A language certificate is necessary.

'Lāzem' means necessary.

این مدرک مهم است.

This document is important.

'Mohem' is the adjective for important.

نام شما روی مدرک است.

Your name is on the certificate.

Preposition 'ru-ye' (on).

مدرک را به من بده.

Give me the document.

Imperative form of 'dādan'.

من مدرک دانشگاهی گرفتم.

I got a university degree.

Past tense of 'gereftan'.

لطفاً مدارک خود را بیاورید.

Please bring your documents.

Plural 'madārek' and formal imperative 'biāvarid'.

او مدرک رانندگی ندارد.

He doesn't have a driving license (certificate).

Compound noun 'madrak-e rānandegi'.

آیا شما مدرک شناسایی دارید؟

Do you have an ID document?

Polite question form.

این مدرک معتبر نیست.

This certificate is not valid.

'Mo'tabar' means valid.

من برای کار به مدرک نیاز دارم.

I need a degree for work.

'Niyāz dāshtan' (to need).

مدارک را در کیف بگذار.

Put the documents in the bag.

Prepositional phrase 'dar kif'.

او مدرک خود را گم کرد.

He lost his certificate.

Past tense of 'gom kardan'.

برای ثبت‌نام، ارائه مدرک تحصیلی الزامی است.

For registration, presenting an educational document is mandatory.

Formal word 'elzāmi' (mandatory).

پلیس هیچ مدرکی علیه او پیدا نکرد.

The police found no evidence against him.

Negative 'hich... na-' construction.

شما باید تمام مدارک را ترجمه کنید.

You must translate all the documents.

Modal 'bāyad' (must).

این عکس می‌تواند یک مدرک خوب باشد.

This photo can be a good piece of evidence.

Modal 'tavānestan' (can).

او مدرک فنی و حرفه‌ای دارد.

He has a technical and vocational certificate.

Specific type of certificate.

آیا این مدرک برای سفارت کافی است؟

Is this document sufficient for the embassy?

'Kāfi' means sufficient.

مدارک پزشکی او کامل نیست.

His medical records/documents are not complete.

'Kāmel' means complete.

او سال گذشته مدرک خود را گرفت.

He got his degree last year.

Time adverb 'sāl-e gozashteh'.

او به دنبال جمع‌آوری مدارک برای دادگاه است.

He is looking to collect evidence for the court.

Progressive aspect 'be donbāl-e... ast'.

متاسفانه مدرک جرم در آتش سوخت.

Unfortunately, the evidence of the crime burned in the fire.

Past tense of 'sukhtan'.

داشتن مدرک به تنهایی کافی نیست، مهارت هم لازم است.

Having a degree alone is not enough; skill is also necessary.

Gerund-like use of 'dāshtan'.

او مدرک کارشناسی ارشد خود را با معدل بالا گرفت.

He got his Master's degree with a high GPA.

'Mo'addel' means GPA.

بدون مدارک مستدل نمی‌توانیم پروژه را تایید کنیم.

Without supporting documents, we cannot approve the project.

'Mostadal' means substantiated/supporting.

او متهم به جعل مدارک دولتی شده است.

He has been accused of forging government documents.

Passive voice 'mottaham shodeh ast'.

این مدارک نشان‌دهنده پیشرفت شرکت است.

These documents are indicative of the company's progress.

'Neshān-dahandeh' (indicative/showing).

او تمام مدارک لازم را برای مهاجرت آماده کرد.

He prepared all the necessary documents for immigration.

Verb 'āmādeh kardan'.

نظام آموزشی ما بیش از حد بر مدرک‌گرایی تمرکز دارد.

Our educational system focuses too much on degree-centrism.

Abstract noun 'madrak-gerāyi'.

وکیل مدافع مدارک جدیدی را به قاضی ارائه کرد.

The defense attorney presented new evidence to the judge.

Formal compound verb 'erā'eh kardan'.

صحت این مدارک هنوز توسط کارشناسان تایید نشده است.

The authenticity of these documents has not yet been confirmed by experts.

'Sehhat' (authenticity/correctness).

او با ارائه مدارک مستند، فرضیه خود را اثبات کرد.

He proved his hypothesis by presenting documented evidence.

'Mostanad' (documented).

بررسی مدارک تاریخی نشان می‌دهد که این بنا بسیار قدیمی است.

Examination of historical documents shows that this building is very old.

Noun 'barrasi' (examination/review).

او برای دریافت مدرک بین‌المللی در آزمون شرکت کرد.

He took the exam to receive an international certificate.

Adjective 'beynol-melali'.

فقدان مدرک کافی باعث شکست پرونده در دادگاه شد.

The lack of sufficient evidence caused the case to fail in court.

'Faghdān' (lack/absence).

او مدارک خود را به صورت دیجیتال بایگانی کرده است.

He has archived his documents digitally.

Adverbial phrase 'be surate dijitāl'.

در تحلیل نهایی، هیچ مدرک متقنی برای این ادعای گزاف وجود ندارد.

In the final analysis, there is no solid evidence for this extravagant claim.

'Motghan' (solid/reliable) and 'gazāf' (extravagant/excessive).

او با وسواس تمام، مدارک مربوط به تبارشناسی خانواده‌اش را گردآوری کرد.

With total obsession, he gathered the documents related to his family genealogy.

'Vasvās' (obsession/meticulousness) and 'tabār-shenāsi' (genealogy).

افشای مدارک محرمانه، لرزه بر اندام دولت انداخت.

The disclosure of confidential documents sent shivers through the government.

Metaphorical expression 'larzeh bar andām andākhtan'.

اصالت مدارک ارائه شده در این کنفرانس زیر سوال رفته است.

The authenticity of the documents presented in this conference has been called into question.

'Zir-e so'āl raftan' (to be questioned).

او به عنوان یک پژوهشگر، همواره بر اهمیت مدارک دست اول تاکید می‌ورزد.

As a researcher, he always emphasizes the importance of primary documents.

'Dast-e avval' (primary/first-hand).

این مدارک، حلقه‌ی مفقوده در تحقیقات پلیس محسوب می‌شوند.

These documents are considered the missing link in the police investigation.

'Halgh-e-ye maghghudeh' (missing link).

او با چیره دستی، مدارک را به گونه‌ای چید که حقیقت پنهان بماند.

With mastery, he arranged the evidence in such a way that the truth remained hidden.

'Chireh-dasti' (mastery/dexterity).

تمامی مدارک دال بر حقانیت او در این مناقشه است.

All the evidence indicates his rightfulness in this dispute.

'Dāll bar' (indicating/proving).

Common Collocations

مدرک تحصیلی

مدرک جرم

ارائه مدرک

جعل مدرک

مدرک معتبر

مدرک شناسایی

ترجمه مدرک

مدرک فنی

مدرک زبان

مدرک دکتری

Common Phrases

مدرکت چیه؟

— What is your degree/qualification? Often used in casual or slightly challenging contexts.

تو که این‌قدر حرف می‌زنی، مدرکت چیه؟

بدون مدرک حرف نزن

— Don't speak without proof. Used to dismiss rumors or unverified claims.

وقتی چیزی نمی‌دانی، بدون مدرک حرف نزن.

دنبال مدرک بودن

— To be looking for evidence or a degree.

او فقط دنبال مدرک است و هیچی بلد نیست.

مدرک رو کردن

— To reveal or produce evidence suddenly.

او در آخرین لحظه یک مدرک جدید رو کرد.

مدرک جمع کردن

— To gather evidence or build a case.

دارم علیه او مدرک جمع می‌کنم.

مدرک‌گرایی

— The culture of valuing degrees over actual knowledge.

مدرک‌گرایی یکی از مشکلات بزرگ جامعه ماست.

مدرک مستدل

— Solid, well-reasoned evidence.

ما برای پیروزی در دادگاه به مدرک مستدل نیاز داریم.

ابطال مدرک

— Cancellation or invalidation of a certificate.

دانشگاه مدرک او را به دلیل تقلب ابطال کرد.

مدرک موقت

— A temporary certificate issued before the main one.

فعلاً فقط مدرک موقت به من داده‌اند.

تایید مدرک

— Verification or attestation of a document.

تایید مدارک در وزارت امور خارجه انجام می‌شود.

Often Confused With

مدرک vs سند (Sanad)

Sanad is for property/legal titles; Madrak is for qualifications/evidence.

مدرک vs دلیل (Dalil)

Dalil is a reason; Madrak is a physical proof.

مدرک vs گواهی (Govāhi)

Govāhi is often a short-term certificate or testimony; Madrak is broader.

Idioms & Expressions

"دست روی مدرک گذاشتن"

— To pinpoint the exact evidence or proof.

او دقیقاً دست روی مدرک اصلی گذاشت.

Colloquial

"مدرک از این بالاتر؟"

— What better proof could there be? Used when something is obvious.

خودش اعتراف کرد، مدرک از این بالاتر؟

Informal

"مدرک تراشی کردن"

— To manufacture or fabricate evidence.

آن‌ها برای متهم کردن او داشتند مدرک‌تراشی می‌کردند.

Neutral

"بی‌مدرک و سند"

— Without any proof or documentation; baseless.

او حرف‌های بی‌مدرک و سند می‌زند.

Neutral

"مدرک دست کسی دادن"

— To give someone leverage or ammunition against oneself.

مواظب باش مدرک دست دشمن ندهی.

Informal

"مدرک زنده"

— Living proof.

او مدرک زنده موفقیت این روش است.

Neutral

"مدرک محکمه‌پسند"

— Evidence that would hold up in court.

این فیلم یک مدرک محکمه‌پسند است.

Formal

"مدرک جرم را غیب کردن"

— To make the evidence of a crime disappear.

او سعی کرد مدرک جرم را غیب کند.

Colloquial

"مدرک به دست داشتن"

— To have the proof ready in hand.

من تمام مدارک را به دست دارم.

Neutral

"مدرک نخواستن"

— To be obvious; not requiring proof.

زیبایی این منظره که مدرک نمی‌خواهد.

Informal

Easily Confused

مدرک vs سند

Both translate to 'document'.

Sanad is a legal deed (like for a house); Madrak is an educational degree or evidence.

سند خانه vs مدرک لیسانس

مدرک vs شاهد

Both relate to proving something.

Shahed is a person (witness); Madrak is an object (evidence).

شاهد عینی vs مدرک جرم

مدرک vs گواهینامه

Both are types of certificates.

Govāhināmeh is specifically a license (like driving); Madrak is a degree.

گواهینامه رانندگی vs مدرک مهندسی

مدرک vs نشانه

Both can imply proof.

Neshāne is a sign or clue; Madrak is a formal document or proof.

نشانه بیماری vs مدرک پزشکی

مدرک vs ادعا

They appear in the same contexts.

Edde'ā is the claim; Madrak is what supports the claim.

ادعای دروغ vs مدرک واقعی

Sentence Patterns

این [Noun] است.

این مدرک است.

من [Noun] دارم.

من مدرک زبان دارم.

باید [Noun] را [Verb].

باید مدرک را ترجمه کنید.

بدون [Noun] نمی‌توان [Verb].

بدون مدرک نمی‌توان ثبت‌نام کرد.

[Noun] نشان‌دهنده [Abstract Noun] است.

این مدرک نشان‌دهنده موفقیت شماست.

با استناد به [Noun]، می‌توان گفت...

با استناد به مدارک موجود، می‌توان گفت او بیگناه است.

[Noun] کجاست؟

مدارک من کجاست؟

او [Noun] گرفت.

او مدرک دکتری گرفت.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Very high; one of the top 1000 essential nouns in Persian.

Common Mistakes

Using 'sanad' for a university degree. → مدرک دانشگاهی
'Sanad' implies legal ownership like a house; 'madrak' is for educational achievements.
Using 'madrak' to mean 'reason'. → دلیل
'Madrak' is a physical proof; 'dalil' is the 'why' behind something.
Placing stress on the second syllable (mad-RAK). → MAD-rak
Persian nouns usually have stress on the last syllable, but 'madrak' is often heard with initial stress or balanced stress; however, 'mad-RAK' can sound like a verb.
Using 'madrak' for a person who witnessed a crime. → شاهد
A person is a 'shāhed'; a physical object or document is a 'madrak'.
Saying 'madrak-hā' in a formal letter. → مدارک
The broken plural 'madārek' is much more professional and common in written Persian.

Tips

Learn the Plural

Focus on 'madārek'. It is one of those Arabic broken plurals that appears everywhere in Persian.

Degrees vs. Licenses

Use 'madrak' for university degrees and 'govāhināmeh' for professional licenses like driving or piloting.

Legal Evidence

In a legal context, 'madrak' is something you 'present' (erā'eh dādan) or 'collect' (jam' āvari kardan).

Madrak-gerayi

Understand that in Iran, having a 'madrak' is often a social requirement, not just an educational one.

Ezafe Usage

Always use the ezafe: 'madrak-e [noun]'. Example: 'madrak-e āshpazi' (cooking certificate).

Avoid 'Dalil'

If you are talking about a physical piece of paper that proves something, don't use 'dalil'. Use 'madrak'.

Formal Verbs

Use 'akhz kardan' (to obtain) in very formal writing instead of 'gereftan' when talking about degrees.

Short 'A'

Keep the 'a' in 'madrak' short, like the 'a' in 'apple', not long like 'father'.

The 'D-R-K' Root

Connect it to 'dark kardan' (to understand). A 'madrak' helps people 'understand' the truth.

Madrak vs Sanad

Remember: Madrak = Degree/Evidence; Sanad = Property Deed/Formal Title.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'MAD-RAK'. If you don't have your **MAD**rak (degree), your parents will go **MAD** and you'll be on the wrong **RAK** (track).

Visual Association

Visualize a diploma with a huge magnifying glass over it. The diploma represents the 'certificate' and the magnifying glass represents 'evidence'.

Word Web

University Police Paper Evidence Degree Court Diploma Proof

Challenge

Try to find three items in your house that could be called a 'madrak' (e.g., your ID, a diploma, a receipt) and say their names in Persian.

Word Origin

The word is an Arabic loanword from the root D-R-K (د-ر-ک). In Arabic, 'madrak' is a noun of place or instrument related to reaching or perceiving.

Original meaning: A place of reaching or the attainment of knowledge.

Semitic (Arabic) root, incorporated into Indo-European (Persian).

Cultural Context

Be careful when asking 'Madraket chie?' as it can be taken as an insult to someone's intelligence or authority.

In English, we often distinguish between 'degree', 'certificate', and 'evidence'. Persian uses 'madrak' for all three, which can be confusing for learners.

The film 'Madrak-e Jorm' (Evidence of Crime) by Masoud Kimiai. The concept of 'Madrak-gerayi' discussed by Iranian sociologists. Commonly used in Persian detective novels like those by Sadegh Hedayat or modern crime writers.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

University Application

ترجمه مدارک تحصیلی
معدل کل مدرک
تاییدیه مدرک
ارسال مدارک

Police Investigation

مدرک جرم
اثر انگشت به عنوان مدرک
نبود مدرک کافی
کشف مدارک جدید

Job Interview

ارائه مدرک سابقه کار
مدرک مرتبط با شغل
مدرک مهارت فنی
اصل مدارک

Government Office

مدارک شناسایی
کپی مدارک
نقص مدارک
بررسی مدارک

Legal Court

مدرک محکمه‌پسند
ارائه مدارک به قاضی
جعل مدارک
استناد به مدارک

Conversation Starters

"آیا تا به حال مدرک بین‌المللی گرفته‌اید؟ (Have you ever gotten an international certificate?)"

"به نظر شما مدرک مهم‌تر است یا تجربه؟ (In your opinion, is a degree more important or experience?)"

"برای مهاجرت چه مدارکی لازم است؟ (What documents are needed for immigration?)"

"آیا در کشور شما مدرک‌گرایی وجود دارد؟ (Is there degree-centrism in your country?)"

"اگر مدرک تحصیلی‌تان را گم کنید، چه می‌کنید؟ (What would you do if you lost your educational certificate?)"

Journal Prompts

درباره مهم‌ترین مدرکی که تا به حال گرفته‌اید بنویسید. (Write about the most important certificate you have ever received.)

آیا فکر می‌کنید در آینده مدارک کاغذی حذف می‌شوند؟ (Do you think paper documents will be eliminated in the future?)

تفاوت بین دانش و مدرک از نظر شما چیست؟ (What is the difference between knowledge and a degree in your view?)

یک داستان کوتاه درباره کارآگاهی بنویسید که به دنبال یک مدرک مخفی است. (Write a short story about a detective looking for a secret piece of evidence.)

چرا برخی افراد مدارک خود را جعل می‌کنند؟ (Why do some people forge their documents?)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

While 'madrak' is a general word for document, the specific word for a driver's license is 'govāhināmeh-ye rānandegi'. Using 'madrak' would be understood but sounds slightly imprecise.

'Madrak' is singular (one document/degree), and 'madārek' is the plural (multiple documents/evidence). In Persian, we use the plural much more often when referring to a set of ID papers.

You say 'Man madrak-am rā gereftam' (I got my degree) or more formally 'Fāregh-ot-tahsil shodam'.

Yes, you can refer to a digital proof or a scanned document as 'madrak'. You might say 'madrak-e dijitāl'.

No, 'madrak' is physical proof. For a 'reason', use the word 'dalil'.

It is neutral. It is used in both formal courtrooms and casual conversations about school.

Yes, it is grammatically correct, but 'madārek' is much more common and sounds more natural to native speakers.

It means 'evidence of the crime'. It refers to any physical object that proves a crime was committed.

You can say: 'Momken ast madārek-e tahsili-ye khod rā erā'eh dādid?' (Is it possible to present your educational documents?)

Yes, medical records or certificates are called 'madārek-e pezeshki'.