مهریه in 30 Seconds
- A mandatory gift from the groom to the bride in Iranian marriage.
- Legally recognized as a debt that can be claimed at any time.
- Usually consists of gold coins (Sekke) or property.
- Crucial for financial security and a major point of pre-marital negotiation.
The term مهریه (Mehriyeh) is a cornerstone of Persian marital and legal culture. At its most basic level, it refers to a mandatory gift or a sum of money that the groom pledges to give to the bride at the time of marriage. Unlike the Western concept of a 'dowry' (which often refers to wealth brought by the bride to the groom), Mehriyeh is strictly the property of the bride. It serves as a financial safeguard, a symbol of commitment, and a legal debt that the husband owes his wife. In the context of Iranian law, which is heavily influenced by Islamic jurisprudence, the Mehriyeh is stipulated in the marriage contract (Aqdnama). It can be anything of value: gold coins (the most common today), property, a specific sum of money, or even spiritual acts like teaching a skill.
- Legal Obligation
- The Mehriyeh is considered a debt. The wife can technically demand it at any time after the marriage ceremony, though in practice, it is often only claimed in the event of a divorce or the husband's death.
- Social Status
- In many Iranian families, the size of the Mehriyeh is seen as a reflection of the bride's social standing or the groom's financial capability, leading to complex negotiations between families before the wedding.
خانواده عروس و داماد ساعتها درباره مقدار مهریه با هم بحث کردند.
Historically, Mehriyeh was meant to provide the woman with independence. Since divorce laws traditionally favored men, having a substantial Mehriyeh ensured that a woman would not be left destitute if the marriage ended. However, in modern times, the inflation of Mehriyeh amounts—often reaching hundreds of 'Bahar Azadi' gold coins—has created significant social tension. Many young men find it impossible to pay, leading to legal disputes and even 'Mehriyeh prisoners' who are jailed because they cannot fulfill the debt after a divorce. Consequently, the Iranian government has introduced caps and new regulations to manage these financial obligations.
او تصمیم گرفت مهریه خود را ببخشد تا طلاق بگیرد.
- Types of Mehriyeh
- 'Ind-al-mutalaba' means it must be paid whenever she asks. 'Ind-al-istita'a' means it is only paid if the husband has the financial means.
تعیین یک مهریه معقول میتواند از مشکلات آینده جلوگیری کند.
Using the word مهریه requires understanding the specific verbs that accompany it. It is not just a noun; it is a legal object that is 'set,' 'given,' 'waived,' or 'claimed.' The most common verb is تعیین کردن (to determine/set). During the 'Baleh Boron' (the pre-wedding negotiation), the primary goal is to determine the Mehriyeh. Another crucial verb is بخشیدن (to forgive or waive). This often occurs in 'Khul' divorce, where a woman agrees to waive her financial rights in exchange for the husband's consent to end the marriage.
- Common Verb Pairings
- 'Be اجرا گذاشتن' (To put into execution/to legally claim), 'Pardakht kardan' (To pay), 'Zamen shodan' (To guarantee).
زن برای دریافت مهریه به دادگاه مراجعه کرد.
When discussing the amount, Persians use adjectives like سنگین (heavy/high) or سبک (light/low). A 'heavy' Mehriyeh is often criticized in media as a cause of social decay, while a 'light' one is praised as a sign of true love and lack of materialism. You will also encounter the phrase مهریه السنه, which refers to the traditional dowry amount based on the practice of the Prophet Muhammad, often used by very religious families as a symbolic gesture.
او تمام مهریهاش را به خیریه بخشید.
In a sentence, if you want to say someone 'has' a dowry of a certain amount, you use the verb بودن (to be). For example: 'Mehriyeh-ye u sad sekke ast' (Her dowry is one hundred coins). If you are talking about the act of recording it in the contract, you use ثبت کردن (to register). Understanding these nuances allows you to navigate conversations about marriage and law in Iran with precision.
You will encounter the word مهریه in four primary settings in Iran. First and foremost is the Family Court (Dadgah-e Khanevadeh). Here, the word is stripped of its romantic or traditional sentiment and treated as a cold, hard legal debt. Lawyers argue over the valuation of property or the number of coins to be paid. Second is the Marriage Registry (Mahzar). During the signing of the 'Aqd,' the notary public reads the Mehriyeh aloud, and both parties must sign their agreement. This is often a moment of high tension or great celebration.
در محضر، عاقد مقدار مهریه را با صدای بلند خواند.
Third, you will hear it in Social Media and News. Because of the economic crises in Iran, the price of gold coins fluctuates wildly. The news frequently reports on how the rising price of gold makes it impossible for men to pay their Mehriyeh, leading to debates about 'Saghf-e Mehriyeh' (the ceiling or cap on dowries). Fourth, it is a staple of Iranian Cinema and TV Dramas. Almost every family drama involves a plot point where a character uses their Mehriyeh as leverage or faces the consequences of an unpaid debt.
سریالهای ایرانی همیشه داستانی درباره مهریه و طلاق دارند.
Finally, you might hear it in casual gossip (Gheybat). Friends often discuss how much Mehriyeh a cousin or acquaintance received, using it as a metric for the 'success' of the match. While this is increasingly seen as outdated by the younger generation, it remains a pervasive part of the social fabric.
The most frequent mistake learners make is confusing مهریه (Mehriyeh) with جهیزیه (Jahiziyeh). While both are related to marriage, they are opposites in terms of who provides them. Jahiziyeh is the dowry in the Western sense—the household goods, furniture, and appliances that the bride's family provides to set up the new home. Mehriyeh is the gift from the groom to the bride. Confusing these two in a conversation about marriage can lead to significant misunderstandings about financial responsibilities.
- Mehriyeh vs. Jahiziyeh
- Mehriyeh: Groom to Bride (Legal debt). Jahiziyeh: Bride's family to the couple (Household items).
اشتباه نکنید؛ مهریه با جهیزیه فرق دارد.
Another mistake is assuming that Mehriyeh is only paid upon divorce. Legally, it is 'Ind-al-mutalaba' (payable upon request). A wife can ask for her Mehriyeh the day after the wedding while still happily married, and the husband is legally obligated to pay it. However, socially, this is considered a sign of a failing marriage, so it rarely happens unless there is a conflict. Learners should also be careful with the pronunciation; it is 'Meh-ri-yeh,' not 'Ma-ha-ri-yeh.'
بسیاری فکر میکنند مهریه فقط برای زمان طلاق است.
Lastly, learners often forget that Mehriyeh is a debt that follows the husband even after death. It is taken from his estate before any inheritance is distributed. Forgetting the legal weight of this word and treating it as a simple 'gift' is a mistake in cultural understanding.
While مهریه is the standard legal and conversational term, there are several synonyms and related terms used in different registers. In classical Persian literature and very formal legal documents, you might see the word صداق (Sadaq). This word comes from the Arabic root for 'truth' or 'sincerity,' implying that the gift is a proof of the groom's sincere intentions. Another archaic term is کابین (Kabin), which you will mostly find in old poetry or historical texts.
- Sadaq (صداق)
- More formal/religious. Emphasizes the sincerity of the groom. Used in the Quran.
- Kabin (کابین)
- Archaic/Literary. Often used in the phrase 'Kabin-e zan' (the woman's dowry) in historical novels.
در متون قدیمی، به جای مهریه از واژه «کابین» استفاده میشد.
In a broader sense, هدیه ازدواج (Marriage Gift) could be used, but it lacks the legal specificity of Mehriyeh. If you are talking about the 'price' paid for something (metaphorically), you might use خونبها (Blood money) or فدیه (Ransom), but these are starkly different in meaning and only used in very specific literary metaphors. For learners, sticking to 'Mehriyeh' is always the safest and most accurate choice for modern life.
واژه «صداق» در عقدنامههای رسمی به وفور دیده میشود.
How Formal Is It?
"زوجه حق مطالبه مهریه خود را به صورت کامل دارا میباشد."
"آنها برای تعیین مهریه به توافق نرسیدند."
"مهریهاش رو گذاشت اجرا تا حال شوهرش رو بگیره."
"مهریه یک هدیه قشنگ است که آقای داماد به عروس خانم میدهد."
"مهریه سنگین یعنی بدبختی ابدی!"
Fun Fact
While 'Mehr' in Arabic means dowry, 'Mehr' in Persian also means 'love', 'sun', and the name of the 7th month. This creates a beautiful linguistic overlap where the gift is associated with love.
Pronunciation Guide
- Pronouncing the 'h' too strongly like a 'kh' sound.
- Misplacing the stress on the first syllable.
- Adding an extra vowel between 'm' and 'h'.
- Merging 'ri' and 'yeh' into one syllable.
- Confusing it with the name 'Mehr-ieh' (though they are related).
Difficulty Rating
The word itself is easy, but legal contexts can be complex.
Requires knowledge of specific compound verbs.
Commonly used, but pronunciation of the 'h' needs care.
Frequently heard in media and family discussions.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Examples by Level
مهریه او چیست؟
What is her dowry?
Simple question with 'chist' (what is).
مهریه ده سکه است.
The dowry is ten coins.
Subject + Number + Noun + Verb.
او مهریه میخواهد.
She wants the dowry.
Present simple tense of 'khastan'.
این مهریه بزرگ است.
This dowry is big.
Adjective 'bozorg' modifying the noun.
من مهریه ندارم.
I don't have a dowry.
Negative form of 'dashtan'.
مهریه یک هدیه است.
Dowry is a gift.
Simple definition sentence.
نامزد من مهریه داد.
My fiancé gave the dowry.
Past tense of 'dadan'.
آیا مهریه لازم است؟
Is a dowry necessary?
Question using 'aya'.
آنها درباره مهریه صحبت میکنند.
They are talking about the dowry.
Present continuous sense of 'sohbat kardan'.
او مهریهاش را گرفت.
She took her dowry.
Possessive suffix '-ash' and past tense.
مهریه سنگین خوب نیست.
A heavy dowry is not good.
Adjective 'sangin' (heavy).
ما باید مهریه را تعیین کنیم.
We must determine the dowry.
Modal verb 'bayad' + subjunctive.
او مهریه را پرداخت کرد.
He paid the dowry.
Compound verb 'pardakht kardan'.
مهریه در عقدنامه نوشته شده است.
The dowry is written in the marriage contract.
Passive construction 'neveshte shode ast'.
چرا مهریه او کم است؟
Why is her dowry low?
Adverb 'chera' (why) and 'kam' (little/low).
پدرم مهریه را قبول کرد.
My father accepted the dowry.
Past tense of 'ghabul kardan'.
او مهریهاش را برای خرید خانه بخشید.
She waived her dowry to buy a house.
Use of 'bakhshidan' in a sacrifice context.
قانون جدیدی برای سقف مهریه وضع شده است.
A new law has been enacted for the dowry ceiling.
Passive voice 'vaz'e shode ast'.
خانوادهها بر سر مقدار مهریه توافق کردند.
The families agreed on the amount of the dowry.
Prepositional phrase 'bar sar-e'.
او به دلیل عدم پرداخت مهریه به زندان رفت.
He went to prison for failing to pay the dowry.
Reasoning clause with 'be dalil-e'.
مهریه میتواند ضامن امنیت مالی زن باشد.
Dowry can be a guarantee of a woman's financial security.
Modal 'tavanestan' + infinitive.
آیا مهریه در فرهنگ شما وجود دارد؟
Does dowry exist in your culture?
General inquiry about cultural existence.
او مهریه خود را به اجرا گذاشت.
She legally claimed her dowry.
Idiomatic legal phrase 'be ejra gozashtan'.
مقدار مهریه بر اساس نرخ روز طلا محاسبه میشود.
The dowry amount is calculated based on the daily gold rate.
Passive 'mohasebe mishavad'.
تورم باعث شده است که پرداخت مهریه برای بسیاری غیرممکن شود.
Inflation has made paying the dowry impossible for many.
Complex sentence with 'ba'es shode ast ke'.
برخی معتقدند مهریه یک سنت دست و پاگیر است.
Some believe that dowry is a cumbersome tradition.
Adjective 'dast o pa gir' (cumbersome).
او مهریهاش را در ازای حق طلاق بخشید.
She waived her dowry in exchange for the right to divorce.
Phrase 'dar ezay-e' (in exchange for).
دادگاه حکم به تقسیط مهریه داد.
The court ordered the installment of the dowry.
Legal term 'taghsit' (installments).
مهریه «عندالاستطاعه» با «عندالمطالبه» متفاوت است.
Dowry 'on ability' is different from 'on demand'.
Comparative structure.
او تمام دارایی خود را بابت مهریه از دست داد.
He lost all his assets for the dowry.
Preposition 'babat-e' (for/on account of).
چالشهای حقوقی مهریه در ایران بسیار پیچیده است.
The legal challenges of dowry in Iran are very complex.
Plural noun with complex adjective.
او خواستار افزایش مبلغ مهریه بود.
She was demanding an increase in the dowry amount.
Adjective 'khastar' (demanding/seeking).
کارکرد اجتماعی مهریه در طول دهههای اخیر تغییر کرده است.
The social function of dowry has changed over recent decades.
Abstract noun 'karkard' (function).
بسیاری از فعالان حقوق زنان به ساختار مهریه نقد دارند.
Many women's rights activists criticize the structure of the dowry.
Present simple with 'naghd dashtan' (to have criticism).
فلسفه وجودی مهریه، تکریم مقام زن در اسلام است.
The existential philosophy of dowry is to honor the status of women in Islam.
Genitive construction 'falsafe-ye vojud-i'.
او با استناد به شرع، از پرداخت مهریه امتناع کرد.
Citing Sharia, he refused to pay the dowry.
Participle 'ba estenad be' (citing/referring to).
تعدیل مهریه به دلیل اعسار زوج، یکی از پروندههای رایج است.
Adjustment of dowry due to the husband's insolvency is a common case.
Legal terms 'ta'dil' and 'e'sar'.
مهریه السنه به عنوان یک الگوی مذهبی پیشنهاد میشود.
The Sunnah dowry is proposed as a religious model.
Formal passive proposal.
او مهریه را ابزاری برای فشار بر همسرش قرار داد.
She used the dowry as a tool to pressure her husband.
Metaphorical use of 'abzar' (tool).
تعهدات مالی ناشی از مهریه، بار سنگینی بر دوش جوانان است.
Financial obligations arising from the dowry are a heavy burden on youth.
Complex noun phrase with 'nashi az' (arising from).
تحلیل فقهی مهریه نشاندهنده ظرافتهای حقوقی در نکاح است.
The jurisprudential analysis of dowry shows the legal subtleties in marriage.
Academic register.
تقابل میان سنت مهریه و مدرنیته، تنشهای فرهنگی عمیقی ایجاد کرده است.
The confrontation between the tradition of dowry and modernity has created deep cultural tensions.
Abstract dialectical structure.
قانونگذار در پی یافتن راهکاری برای مهار بحران مهریه است.
The legislator is seeking a solution to curb the dowry crisis.
Formal term 'ghanoon-gozar' (legislator).
او با نگاهی فمینیستی، مهریه را نوعی کالاانگاری زن میداند.
From a feminist perspective, she considers dowry a form of commodification of women.
Advanced sociological term 'kala-angari'.
اصالت صداق در نیت خالصانه زوج نهفته است، نه در ارقام نجومی.
The authenticity of the Sadaq lies in the husband's sincere intention, not in astronomical figures.
Literary/philosophical 'nahofte ast' (lies/is hidden).
مطالبه مهریه در خلال دعوای طلاق، پیچیدگیهای دادرسی را دوچندان میکند.
Claiming the dowry during a divorce lawsuit doubles the litigation complexities.
Formal phrase 'dar khelal-e' (during/in the midst of).
تغییرات پارادایمیک در نگاه نسل جدید به مهریه مشهود است.
Paradigmatic changes in the new generation's view of dowry are evident.
Use of 'paradigmatic' in Persian.
جامعهشناسان مهریه را به عنوان یک سوپاپ اطمینان اقتصادی بررسی میکنند.
Sociologists examine dowry as an economic safety valve.
Metaphorical 'supap-e etminan' (safety valve).
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
— A common proverb suggesting that since dowry is rarely paid immediately, its amount doesn't matter much (often used to justify high amounts).
نگران نباش، مهریه را کی داده کی گرفته؟
— To legally demand the payment of the dowry through the court system.
او مهریهاش را به اجرا گذاشت.
— A dowry that must be paid as soon as the wife asks for it.
در عقدنامه ذکر شد که مهریه عندالمطالبه است.
— A dowry that is only paid if the husband has the financial ability to do so.
خانواده داماد اصرار داشتند مهریه عندالاستطاعه باشد.
— The formal act of a woman waiving her right to the dowry, usually during divorce.
او با بذل مهریه توانست طلاق بگیرد.
— The standard gold coin used as the unit for calculating dowries in Iran.
مهریه او ۱۱۰ سکه بهار آزادی است.
— An old term for assets (like a house) promised as part of the dowry.
سه دانگ خانه را پشت قباله او انداختند.
— A slang term for an incredibly high and unrealistic dowry amount.
مهریه نجومی باعث بدبختی جوانان شده است.
— Someone (usually the groom's father) who guarantees the payment of the dowry.
پدر داماد ضامن مهریه شد.
— A legal dispute or court case specifically about the payment of the dowry.
دعوای مهریه آنها سالها طول کشید.
Idioms & Expressions
— Used to downplay the seriousness of a debt or promise, though legally incorrect regarding dowry.
همه میگویند مهریه را کی داده کی گرفته، اما او واقعا پول را خواست.
Informal— To officially set a dowry or to marry someone with a specific dowry.
او را با کابینی سنگین به عقد خود درآورد.
Literary— To impose or set a dowry amount on someone.
چرا این همه سکه پشت قبالهاش انداختی؟
Informal— To spend money intended for the dowry or to use the dowry for something else.
او مهریهاش را خرج تحصیل کرد.
Neutral— A phrase used in divorce meaning 'I waive my dowry (halal) just to get my life back and be free (azad)'.
گفت مهریهام حلال و جانم آزاد، فقط طلاق میخواهم.
Informal/Idiomatic— Often used when someone sets a massive dowry that they clearly can't pay (A big stone is a sign of not throwing).
این مهریه سنگین یعنی سنگ بزرگ علامت نزدن است.
Proverbial— Calculating the dowry according to current market prices (essential for gold coins).
باید مهریه را به نرخ روز بپردازی.
Legal/Common— Often mentioned in discussions about why a dowry cannot be paid.
به خاطر دستتنگی داماد، مهریه را تقسیط کردند.
Neutral— Related but different: money given to the bride's mother (Milk money).
علاوه بر مهریه، شیربها هم گرفتند.
TraditionalWord Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'Mary' getting a 'Mehriyeh'. Mary (Mehri) needs her (yeh) gift to be happy at the wedding.
Visual Association
Imagine a gold coin (Sekke) placed inside a marriage contract. The coin represents the 'Mehriyeh'.
Word Web
Challenge
Try to explain the difference between 'Mehriyeh' and 'Jahiziyeh' to a friend using only Persian sentences.
Word Origin
Derived from the Arabic word 'Mahr' (مهر). In Islamic law, it refers to the money or property the husband pays the wife.
Original meaning: A gift, price, or dowry given to a bride.
Semitic (Arabic) root, integrated into Indo-European (Persian) grammar and culture.Cultural Context
Be careful when discussing this topic. It can be a sensitive financial or feminist issue for many Iranians.
In the West, 'dowry' usually means what the bride brings. In Iran, 'Mehriyeh' is the exact opposite (what the groom gives).
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Wedding Planning
- مهریه چقدر است؟
- خانوادهها توافق کردند.
- سکه بهتر است یا ملک؟
- مهریه را ثبت کنید.
Legal Dispute
- وکیل مهریه
- اجراییه صادر شد.
- توان مالی پرداخت را ندارم.
- مهریه را قسطبندی کنید.
Social Debate
- بحران مهریه
- زندانیان مهریه
- سنت قدیمی
- حقوق زنان
Summary
Mehriyeh is a vital legal and cultural concept in Iran representing the groom's financial commitment to the bride. Example: 'He pledged 110 gold coins as Mehriyeh.'
- A mandatory gift from the groom to the bride in Iranian marriage.
- Legally recognized as a debt that can be claimed at any time.
- Usually consists of gold coins (Sekke) or property.
- Crucial for financial security and a major point of pre-marital negotiation.
Example
تعیین مهریه یکی از سنتهای ازدواج در ایران است.
Related Content
More family words
عاقد
B1Marriage officiant.
عضو بودن
B1To be a member (of a family).
عقد
B1Marriage contract; formal engagement ceremony.
عقد کردن
B1To get married; to formalize a marriage contract.
عمه
A1Paternal aunt; the sister of one's father.
عمه زاده
B1Paternal cousin (child of paternal aunt).
عمهزاده
B1Paternal aunt's child (cousin).
عمو
A1Paternal uncle; the brother of one's father.
عموزاده
A2A cousin (child of one's paternal uncle).
عنایت
B1Care; attention; favor; consideration.
