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Vocabulary
مناقصه

B2 noun 9 min read

مناقصه

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips مناقصه in 30 Seconds

Explanation مناقصه in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't need to use the word 'مناقصه' (monāqeseh) yourself, as it is a very professional and complex word. However, it's helpful to know that it means 'a big business competition for a job'. Imagine a school wanting to buy 100 chairs. They ask three shops: 'Who can give us the best chairs for the least money?' This process is a 'monāqeseh'. At this level, just remember it's related to 'shopping for a company' and 'low prices'. It is a formal word you might see in a newspaper or on a big office building.

At the A2 level, you can start to recognize 'مناقصه' as a noun used in formal situations. It means 'tender' or 'bidding'. You might see it in a simple news headline like 'Tender for a new park'. You should know that it is different from a normal 'sale' because it involves many rules and documents. It is a word used by bosses and government officials. If you see this word, it means someone is looking for a company to do a big job, like building a road or fixing a school, and they want the best price.

At the B1 level, you should understand that 'مناقصه' (monāqeseh) is a formal business process. You should be able to identify it in news reports about the economy. You know that it involves 'bidding'. A key thing to learn at this level is the difference between 'مناقصه' (where the lowest price wins) and 'مزایده' (auction, where the highest price wins). You can use it in simple sentences like 'The company wants to participate in the tender'. You are beginning to see how it fits into the professional world of contracts and services.

At the B2 level, you should be comfortable using 'مناقصه' in professional and academic discussions. You should know common collocations like 'شرکت در مناقصه' (participating in a tender), 'برنده شدن در مناقصه' (winning a tender), and 'آگهی مناقصه' (tender notice). You understand that this is a legal process governed by specific laws. You can explain the process: an organization announces a project, companies submit their prices, and the organization chooses the best one. You also understand the cultural context of transparency and competition associated with this word in Iran.

At the C1 level, you have a nuanced understanding of 'مناقصه'. You can discuss different types, such as 'مناقصه عمومی' (public tender) versus 'مناقصه محدود' (limited tender). You are familiar with the legal and bureaucratic language surrounding it, such as 'ضمانت‌نامه بانکی' (bank guarantee) and 'ارزیابی کیفی' (qualitative evaluation). You can read complex articles about economic policy or legal disputes regarding tenders. You can use the word in formal writing to argue for or against certain procurement methods and understand the implications of 'ترک تشریفات' (waiving formalities).

At the C2 level, you possess a native-like grasp of 'مناقصه'. You can navigate the most complex legal documents and 'Conditions of Tender' (شرایط مناقصه) with ease. You understand the historical and etymological roots of the word and can use it in high-level debates about public administration, corruption, and international trade law. You can distinguish between the subtle shades of meaning in synonyms like 'استعلام بها' and 'فراخوان'. Your usage is precise, and you can handle technical discussions involving 'تجدید' (re-tendering) or 'ابطال' (cancellation) of tenders in a legal or corporate setting.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

مناقصه in 30 Seconds

A formal business process where companies bid for a contract by offering their lowest price for a specific project or service.
Commonly used in government and corporate sectors to ensure fair competition and cost-effectiveness in large-scale procurement and infrastructure projects.
The direct opposite of an auction (Mazayedeh); in a tender, the buyer seeks the lowest price, while in an auction, the seller seeks the highest.
A key term for B2-level learners, often associated with legal documents, news reports, and professional contracting environments in the Persian-speaking world.

The word مناقصه (pronounced monāqeseh) is a fundamental term in the world of Persian business, law, and government administration. At its core, it refers to a formal 'tender' or a 'competitive bidding process' where an organization—most often a government entity or a large private corporation—publicly invites various contractors or suppliers to submit their best price for a specific project, service, or goods procurement. Unlike a typical retail purchase where the price is fixed, a monāqeseh is designed to ensure that the buyer receives the most cost-effective and highest-quality offer through open competition.

Economic Context: In the Iranian economic system, the Law of Tenders (قانون برگزاری مناقصات) dictates how public funds are spent. When a ministry wants to build a highway or buy thousands of computers, they must hold a مناقصه. This process is the opposite of an auction (مزایده). In an auction, the price goes up as buyers compete; in a tender, the price usually goes down as sellers compete to offer the lowest bid that still meets the technical requirements.

دولت برای ساخت سد جدید یک مناقصه بین‌المللی برگزار کرد.
(The government held an international tender for the construction of the new dam.)

Understanding this word is crucial for anyone looking to work in Iran's engineering, oil and gas, or infrastructure sectors. It carries a heavy weight of formality. You won't hear this word when buying groceries; you hear it in boardrooms, on the news, and in the legal sections of newspapers where 'Tender Notices' (آگهی مناقصه) are published daily. The process involves several stages: the announcement, the submission of sealed envelopes (پاکت‌های پیشنهاد), the opening of the bids, and finally, the selection of the winner based on the 'lowest price' (کمترین قیمت) or 'best value'.

Types of Tenders: There are 'Open Tenders' (مناقصه عمومی) where any qualified company can participate, and 'Limited Tenders' (مناقصه محدود) where only specific pre-approved firms are invited to bid. Understanding these distinctions is vital for B2-level learners who are navigating formal Persian documents.

شرکت ما در مناقصه تامین تجهیزات بیمارستانی برنده شد.
(Our company won the tender for providing hospital equipment.)

The cultural significance of monāqeseh in Iran cannot be overstated, as it is often at the center of discussions regarding transparency and economic health. When people talk about 'corruption' or 'fairness' in business, they often point to how tenders are handled. If a tender is 'rigged' or 'not transparent', it becomes a major public concern. Therefore, the word is often associated with terms like 'transparency' (شفافیت) and 'fair competition' (رقابت عادلانه).

Legal Weight: A tender is a legally binding process. Once a company submits a bid in a مناقصه, they are usually required to provide a 'bid bond' (ضمانت‌نامه شرکت در مناقصه) to prove they are serious. If they win and then back out, they lose that money. This formal structure is why the word is strictly reserved for high-stakes environments.

Using مناقصه correctly requires an understanding of its typical verbal pairings and its role as a noun in complex sentences. In Persian, you don't just 'do' a tender; you 'hold' it, 'participate' in it, or 'win' it. These specific verbs are essential for sounding natural and professional.

Common Verb Pairings: 1. برگزار کردن (To hold/conduct): Used for the organization initiating the process. 'The ministry held a tender.'
2. شرکت کردن (To participate): Used for the bidders. 'Three companies participated in the tender.'
3. برنده شدن (To win): 'We won the tender.'
4. باختن (To lose): 'They lost the tender because their price was too high.'

شهرداری برای بازسازی پارک‌های شهر مناقصه عمومی اعلام کرد.
(The municipality announced a public tender for the renovation of city parks.)

When writing about monāqeseh, you will often need to specify what the tender is for. This is usually done using the preposition 'برای' (for) or 'به منظور' (for the purpose of). For example: 'مناقصه برای خرید اتوبوس' (Tender for buying buses). In more formal writing, you might see the 'Ezafe' construction: 'مناقصهٔ خرید تجهیزات' (The tender of equipment purchase).

به دلیل نقص در مدارک، ما از جریان مناقصه حذف شدیم.
(Due to a defect in the documents, we were disqualified from the tender process.)

In business reports, you might encounter the term 'تجدید مناقصه' (Re-tendering). This happens when the first round of bidding fails to produce a suitable winner, perhaps because all the prices were too high or not enough companies participated. Another important phrase is 'ابطال مناقصه' (Cancellation of the tender), which occurs if the organization decides not to go through with the project at all.

Advanced Sentence Structure: At the B2 and C1 levels, you should be able to use the word in complex passive or conditional sentences. For example: 'اگر مناقصه به صورت شفاف برگزار نشود، اعتماد عمومی سلب خواهد شد.' (If the tender is not held transparently, public trust will be eroded.)

شرایط شرکت در این مناقصه بسیار دشوار و پیچیده است.
(The conditions for participating in this tender are very difficult and complex.)

The word مناقصه is ubiquitous in specific professional and media environments in Iran. If you are watching the evening news (اخبار شبانگاهی) on IRIB, you will frequently hear it during segments concerning national development, oil contracts, or infrastructure projects. It is a 'high-register' word that signals institutional activity.

In the News: News anchors often use phrases like 'فراخوان مناقصه' (Call for tender). You might hear: 'وزارت راه و شهرسازی فراخوان مناقصهٔ آزادراه تهران-شمال را منتشر کرد.' This context implies a large-scale national effort. When journalists report on economic corruption, they often investigate 'تبانی در مناقصات' (Collusion in tenders), which is a major talking point in Iranian political discourse.

اخبار اعلام کرد که مناقصه خرید واگن‌های مترو هفته آینده برگزار می‌شود.
(The news announced that the tender for buying subway cars will be held next week.)

In the corporate world, specifically in the 'Procurement Department' (واحد تدارکات) or 'Contracting Department' (واحد امور قراردادها), the word monāqeseh is spoken dozens of times a day. Employees discuss the 'deadline' (مهلت) for submitting bids, the 'guarantee' (ضمانت‌نامه), and the 'technical evaluation' (ارزیابی فنی) that precedes the final price comparison. If you visit the website of any large Iranian organization like NITC (National Iranian Tanker Company) or MAPNA Group, you will see a dedicated section labeled 'مناقصات و مزایدات' (Tenders and Auctions).

ما باید تا پایان وقت اداری، پیشنهاد خود را برای مناقصه ارسال کنیم.
(We must send our proposal for the tender by the end of office hours.)

Even in movies or TV dramas that involve business rivalry or legal battles (like the popular series 'Ghand-e Pahlou' or various crime dramas), the 'winning of a tender' is often used as a plot device to show a character's success or their use of illicit influence. It represents the ultimate prize in the competitive world of Iranian industry.

Academic and Legal Contexts: Law students in Iran study the 'Tender Law' as a core part of administrative law. In universities, professors lecture on the 'Principles of Tenders' (اصول برگزاری مناقصات), focusing on the legal requirements for a tender to be considered valid and the rights of the bidders to protest the results.

The most frequent and significant mistake learners make with مناقصه is confusing it with its economic twin, مزایده (mazāyedeh). While they both involve a competitive bidding process, their directions and goals are diametrically opposed.

The Monāqeseh vs. Mazāyedeh Confusion

مناقصه (Tender): The buyer wants to spend money. They look for the lowest price from sellers. Think of it as 'downward' bidding. (Root: N-Q-S = decrease).

مزایده (Auction): The seller wants to receive money. They look for the highest price from buyers. Think of it as 'upward' bidding. (Root: Z-Y-D = increase).

اشتباه: دولت برای فروش ساختمان‌های قدیمی مناقصه برگزار کرد.
(Wrong: The government held a tender to sell old buildings. Correct would be 'مزایده' because they are selling.)

Another mistake involves the incorrect use of verbs. Learners often use 'انجام دادن' (to do) as a generic verb for everything. While 'انجام دادن مناقصه' is understandable, it is much more professional to use 'برگزاری' (holding/conducting) or 'اجرا' (execution). Using the wrong verb can make a business proposal look amateurish.

A subtle mistake is the mispronunciation or misspelling of the word. Some learners confuse the 'q' (ق) with 'gh' (غ) sounds, though in modern Tehrani Persian they are often pronounced similarly. However, in writing, using the wrong letter is a major error. It is always 'مناقصه' with a 'Qaf' (ق) and a 'Sad' (ص), not 'مناغسه' or 'مناقضه'.

درست: او متخصص در امور مناقصات است.
(Correct: He is an expert in tender affairs. Note the plural 'monāqesāt'.)

Finally, learners sometimes forget that monāqeseh is a formal noun. In very informal speech, someone might say 'bid' or 'gheymat dadan' (giving a price), but in any context where the word monāqeseh is appropriate, the surrounding language must also be formal. Mixing slang with this word creates a stylistic clash.

While مناقصه is the standard term for a formal tender, there are several related words that cover similar ground or describe specific parts of the process. Understanding these nuances will help you choose the right word for the right situation.

Comparison of Related Terms

استعلام بها (Price Inquiry/Quotation): This is a simpler, less formal version of a tender. It's used for smaller purchases where the organization just asks three or more suppliers for their prices without a massive legal ceremony.

فراخوان (Call/Invitation): This is the 'announcement' part of the tender. You 'publish a call' (فراخوان دادن) to start the monāqeseh.

پیشنهاد قیمت (Price Proposal/Bid): This is what the company submits into the tender. The monāqeseh is the whole event; the pishnahād is the document.

برای خریدهای کوچک، نیازی به مناقصه نیست و استعلام بها کافی است.
(For small purchases, there is no need for a tender; a price inquiry is sufficient.)

Another term often heard in international business is 'پروپوزال' (Proposal), which has been borrowed into Persian. However, 'پروپوزال' usually refers to the technical and creative part of the bid, whereas monāقصه focuses heavily on the financial and legal competition. If you are in a tech startup, you might use 'پروپوزال', but if you are dealing with the Ministry of Petroleum, you must use monāqeseh.

رقابت در مناقصات دولتی بسیار فشرده است.
(Competition in government tenders is very intense.)

In legal documents, you might also see 'پیمان‌سپاری' (Contracting out), which is the broader process of giving a job to a contractor. Monāqeseh is simply the method used to choose that contractor. If the selection is made without a tender, it is called 'ترک تشریفات مناقصه' (Waiving tender formalities), a term often scrutinized by auditors.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

Even though the root means 'decrease', in modern Persian, the word describes the entire complex legal process of bidding, not just the lowering of the price.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /mo.nɒː.ɢe.se/

US /moʊ.nɑː.ɡe.se/

The primary stress is on the last syllable 'se'.

Rhymes With

مقایسه (moqāyeseh - comparison) محاصره (mohāsereh - siege) مشاعره (moshā'ereh - poetry contest) مباشره (mobāshereh - management) مناظره (monāzereh - debate) مخامره (mokhāmereh - conspiracy) مذاکره (mozākereh - negotiation) مصادره (mosādereh - confiscation)

Common Errors

Pronouncing the final 'h' as a hard 'H' sound (it should be a silent 'e' sound).
Confusing the 'q' (ق) sound with a soft 'k' sound.
Placing the stress on the first syllable.
Mispronouncing 'ā' as a short 'a' like in 'cat'.
Mixing it up with 'monāzereh' (debate).

Difficulty Rating

Reading 4/5

Requires knowledge of formal business Persian and legal vocabulary.

Writing 4/5

Must use correct collocations and formal verb forms to be effective.

Speaking 3/5

The pronunciation of 'Qaf' and the final 'e' sound is key.

Listening 4/5

Often spoken quickly in news reports with other technical terms.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

شرکت قیمت خرید فروش قانون

Learn Next

مزایده قرارداد پیمانکار کارفرما ضمانت‌نامه

Advanced

ترک تشریفات حد نصاب ارزیابی کیفی پیشنهاد فنی تعدیل آحاد بها

Grammar to Know

Ezafe with silent 'h'

مناقصهٔ بزرگ (The big tender) - Notice the small 'ye' on top of the 'h'.

Arabic Plurals in Persian

مناقصات (Tenders) - Using the '-āt' suffix for formal nouns.

Passive Voice in Formal Writing

مناقصه برگزار شد (The tender was held).

Compound Verbs with 'Shodan'

برنده شدن (To win/To become a winner).

Preposition 'Dar' for Participation

شرکت در مناقصه (Participation in the tender).

Examples by Level

این یک مناقصه است.

This is a tender.

Simple noun phrase with 'this is'.

او در مناقصه شرکت کرد.

He participated in the tender.

Past tense of 'participate'.

مناقصه برای ساخت مدرسه است.

The tender is for building a school.

Using 'for' (برای) to show purpose.

قیمت در مناقصه مهم است.

Price is important in a tender.

Simple subject-adjective sentence.

آن‌ها برنده مناقصه شدند.

They won the tender.

Plural subject with 'became winners'.

آیا این مناقصه بزرگ است؟

Is this tender big?

Simple question form.

من درباره مناقصه خواندم.

I read about the tender.

First person past tense.

پدرم در مناقصه کار می‌کند.

My father works in the tender (department).

Present continuous sense of 'works'.

شرکت ما می‌خواهد در این مناقصه شرکت کند.

Our company wants to participate in this tender.

Compound verb 'wants to participate'.

آگهی مناقصه در روزنامه چاپ شد.

The tender notice was printed in the newspaper.

Passive voice 'was printed'.

ما باید بهترین قیمت را برای مناقصه بدهیم.

We must give the best price for the tender.

Modal verb 'must' (باید).

این مناقصه عمومی است یا محدود؟

Is this tender public or limited?

Alternative question.

او مسئول بخش مناقصات است.

He is responsible for the tenders section.

Plural form of the noun.

زمان مناقصه تمام شده است.

The tender time has finished.

Present perfect tense.

آن‌ها مدارک مناقصه را فرستادند.

They sent the tender documents.

Direct object with 'ra' (را).

برنده مناقصه فردا مشخص می‌شود.

The winner of the tender will be determined tomorrow.

Future/Present passive sense.

دولت برای خرید گندم مناقصه بین‌المللی برگزار کرد.

The government held an international tender for buying wheat.

Complex sentence with purpose and adjective.

به دلیل قیمت بالا، ما در مناقصه شکست خوردیم.

Due to the high price, we failed in the tender.

Causal phrase 'due to' (به دلیل).

شرایط شرکت در این مناقصه بسیار سخت‌گیرانه است.

The conditions for participating in this tender are very strict.

Compound adjective 'hard-taking/strict'.

آیا شما قبلاً در مناقصات دولتی شرکت کرده‌اید؟

Have you participated in government tenders before?

Present perfect question.

او تمام جزئیات مناقصه را به دقت بررسی کرد.

He examined all the details of the tender carefully.

Adverbial phrase 'with care'.

این پروژه از طریق مناقصه به شرکت ما واگذار شد.

This project was assigned to our company through a tender.

Passive construction 'was assigned'.

ما باید ضمانت‌نامه بانکی برای مناقصه تهیه کنیم.

We must prepare a bank guarantee for the tender.

Technical terminology.

نتایج مناقصه در وب‌سایت سازمان منتشر شده است.

The tender results have been published on the organization's website.

Present perfect passive.

شفافیت در برگزاری مناقصه باعث افزایش اعتماد عمومی می‌شود.

Transparency in holding the tender leads to an increase in public trust.

Abstract noun subject.

شرکت‌های رقیب در جریان مناقصه سعی در کاهش قیمت داشتند.

Competing companies tried to lower the price during the tender process.

Continuous past attempt.

قانون برگزاری مناقصات باید به طور کامل رعایت شود.

The law of holding tenders must be fully observed.

Passive modal construction.

او به اتهام تبانی در مناقصه مورد بازجویی قرار گرفت.

He was interrogated on charges of collusion in the tender.

Complex legal passive.

پیشنهاد ما به دلیل نقص فنی در مرحله اول مناقصه رد شد.

Our proposal was rejected in the first stage of the tender due to a technical defect.

Multi-clause explanation.

تجدید مناقصه به دلیل عدم رسیدن به حد نصاب شرکت‌کنندگان بود.

The re-tendering was due to the number of participants not reaching a quorum.

Formal academic 'due to' construction.

این مناقصه شامل تامین قطعات یدکی برای نیروگاه است.

This tender includes the supply of spare parts for the power plant.

Verb 'includes' (شامل بودن).

اعتراض به نتیجه مناقصه باید ظرف ده روز ثبت شود.

The protest against the tender result must be registered within ten days.

Time-bound obligation.

اصول حاکم بر مناقصات دولتی بر پایه عدالت و برابری فرصت‌هاست.

The principles governing government tenders are based on justice and equality of opportunities.

High-level political philosophy.

برخی از سازمان‌ها با ترک تشریفات مناقصه، قوانین را دور می‌زنند.

Some organizations bypass the laws by waiving tender formalities.

Idiomatic 'bypass/round-trip' (دور زدن).

ارزیابی کیفی مناقصه‌گران یکی از مراحل حیاتی در این فرایند است.

Qualitative evaluation of bidders is one of the vital stages in this process.

Technical term 'monāqeseh-gar' (bidder).

ابهامات موجود در اسناد مناقصه باعث سردرگمی پیمانکاران شده است.

Ambiguities in the tender documents have caused confusion among contractors.

Abstract cause-effect.

مناقصه دومرحله‌ای برای پروژه‌های پیچیده مهندسی ترجیح داده می‌شود.

Two-stage tendering is preferred for complex engineering projects.

Passive preference.

در صورت بروز اختلاف، هیئت رسیدگی به شکایات مناقصات مرجع نهایی است.

In case of dispute, the tender complaints handling board is the final authority.

Conditional legal phrase.

بهینه‌سازی هزینه‌ها از طریق برگزاری مناقصات رقابتی میسر می‌شود.

Cost optimization is made possible through holding competitive tenders.

Formal 'made possible' (میسر شدن).

او مقاله‌ای در مورد چالش‌های حقوقی مناقصات بین‌المللی منتشر کرد.

He published an article about the legal challenges of international tenders.

Academic context.

عدم تقارن اطلاعاتی می‌تواند منجر به ناکارآمدی در مناقصات عمومی گردد.

Information asymmetry can lead to inefficiency in public tenders.

High-level economic terminology.

تبانی در مناقصات به مثابه خیانت در امانت و اتلاف منابع ملی تلقی می‌شود.

Collusion in tenders is regarded as a breach of trust and waste of national resources.

Philosophical and legal comparison.

سازوکار تعیین برنده در مناقصات باید از هرگونه شائبه فساد مبرا باشد.

The mechanism for determining the winner in tenders must be free from any suspicion of corruption.

Sublime and formal 'free from' (مبرا بودن).

تحلیل نظریه بازی‌ها در استراتژی‌های شرکت در مناقصات بسیار کاربردی است.

Game theory analysis is very applicable in strategies for participating in tenders.

Scientific/Mathematical context.

ابطال مناقصه به دلیل تغییر در اولویت‌های استراتژیک سازمان صورت گرفت.

The cancellation of the tender took place due to a change in the strategic priorities of the organization.

Formal 'took place' (صورت گرفتن).

تطبیق قوانین داخلی با استانداردهای بین‌المللی مناقصات ضرورتی انکارناپذیر است.

Aligning domestic laws with international tender standards is an undeniable necessity.

Complex noun-adjective string.

نظارت مستمر نهادهای ذی‌ربط بر فرایند مناقصه، ضامن سلامت اقتصادی است.

Continuous supervision by relevant institutions over the tender process guarantees economic health.

Formal 'guarantor' (ضامن) usage.

پیچیدگی‌های فنی پروژه ایجاب می‌کند که مناقصه به صورت محدود برگزار شود.

The technical complexities of the project necessitate that the tender be held in a limited manner.

Formal 'necessitate' (ایجاب کردن).

Common Collocations

برگزاری مناقصه

شرکت در مناقصه

برنده مناقصه

آگهی مناقصه

اسناد مناقصه

مناقصه عمومی

مناقصه محدود

ابطال مناقصه

تجدید مناقصه

پاکت مناقصه

Common Phrases

فراخوان مناقصه

— The official invitation or call for companies to submit bids.

فراخوان مناقصه در وب‌سایت قرار گرفت.

ترک تشریفات مناقصه

— Waiving the formal tender process, usually to award a contract directly.

این قرارداد با ترک تشریفات مناقصه بسته شد.

ضمانت‌نامه شرکت در مناقصه

— A bank guarantee required to ensure the bidder stays in the process.

بدون ضمانت‌نامه نمی‌توانید در مناقصه شرکت کنید.

کمیسیون مناقصه

— The committee responsible for evaluating bids and choosing a winner.

کمیسیون مناقصه امروز تشکیل جلسه می‌دهد.

حد نصاب مناقصه

— The minimum number of bidders required for the tender to be valid.

مناقصه به حد نصاب نرسید.

مناقصه بین‌المللی

— A tender open to companies from all over the world.

این یک مناقصه بین‌المللی برای استخراج نفت است.

شرایط عمومی مناقصه

— The general terms and conditions that apply to the bidding process.

لطفاً شرایط عمومی مناقصه را مطالعه کنید.

بازگشایی پاکت‌ها

— The formal opening of the sealed bid envelopes.

زمان بازگشایی پاکت‌های مناقصه فردا است.

ارزیابی فنی مناقصه

— The stage where the technical quality of the bids is checked.

ما در مرحله ارزیابی فنی مناقصه قبول شدیم.

قانون مناقصات

— The body of law that regulates how tenders are conducted.

طبق قانون مناقصات، این کار ممنوع است.

Often Confused With

مناقصه vs مزایده

The opposite. Mazāyedeh is an auction where you sell to the highest bidder.

مناقصه vs مناظره

A debate or discussion between two people. Sounds similar but unrelated.

مناقصه vs مقایسه

Comparison. While tenders involve comparison, this word is general.

Idioms & Expressions

"مناقصه گذاشتن"

— To put something up for tender or to invite competition for a task.

آن‌ها پروژه را به مناقصه گذاشتند.

Formal

"برنده شدن در مناقصه"

— To win the contract after a bidding process.

او با خوشحالی گفت که در مناقصه برنده شده است.

Neutral

"بازی در مناقصه"

— Informal way to suggest someone is manipulating the bidding process.

فکر می‌کنم در این مناقصه بازی‌هایی در جریان است.

Colloquial

"زیر قیمت زدن"

— To bid significantly lower than others to win a tender.

او برای بردن مناقصه، زیر قیمت زد.

Informal

"خواباندن مناقصه"

— Slang for successfully securing or 'locking down' a tender.

بالاخره مناقصه را خواباندیم.

Slang

"قیمت شکستن"

— To offer a price so low that competitors cannot match it.

در مناقصه دیروز، یکی از شرکت‌ها قیمت را شکست.

Neutral

"پشت پرده مناقصه"

— Refers to the secret deals or corruption happening outside the formal process.

پشت پرده این مناقصه اتفاقات عجیبی افتاده است.

Informal

"مناقصه صوری"

— A fake or 'pro-forma' tender where the winner is already chosen.

همه می‌دانستند که این یک مناقصه صوری است.

Critical/Formal

"روی میز گذاشتن"

— To present a bid or proposal formally in a tender.

ما پیشنهاد نهایی را روی میز گذاشتیم.

Neutral

"دست بردن در مناقصه"

— To tamper with the results or documents of a tender.

او سعی کرد در مدارک مناقصه دست ببرد.

Informal

Easily Confused

مناقصه vs مزایده

Both involve bidding and competition.

In a tender (monāqeseh), the buyer wants the lowest price. In an auction (mazāyedeh), the seller wants the highest price.

دولت برای خرید گندم مناقصه و برای فروش ماشین‌های قدیمی مزایده برگزار کرد.

مناقصه vs استعلام بها

Both involve asking for prices.

Estelām is informal and for small amounts. Monāqeseh is formal, legal, and for large projects.

برای خرید خودکار استعلام بها گرفتیم، اما برای ساخت پل مناقصه برگزار کردیم.

مناقصه vs فراخوان

They both appear at the start of a project.

Farākhvān is the 'invitation' or 'call', while monāqeseh is the 'process' itself.

فراخوان مناقصه امروز چاپ شد.

مناقصه vs داوطلبی

Both involve offering to do a job.

Davtalabi is general volunteering. Monāqeseh is a specific commercial process.

او برای کمک داوطلب شد، اما شرکت برای قرارداد در مناقصه شرکت کرد.

مناقصه vs پیمانکاری

Related to contracts.

Peymānkāri is the act of contracting/working, while monāqeseh is how the contractor is chosen.

او در حوزه پیمانکاری فعال است و در مناقصات زیادی شرکت می‌کند.

Sentence Patterns

[Subject] در مناقصه شرکت کرد.

او در مناقصه شرکت کرد.

این مناقصه برای [Purpose] است.

این مناقصه برای خرید خودرو است.

آگهی مناقصه در [Media] منتشر شد.

آگهی مناقصه در روزنامه منتشر شد.

شرکت ما برنده مناقصه [Project Name] شد.

شرکت ما برنده مناقصه سدسازی شد.

به دلیل [Reason]، مناقصه ابطال گردید.

به دلیل نبود بودجه، مناقصه ابطال گردید.

رعایت [Law/Rule] در مناقصات الزامی است.

رعایت قانون در مناقصات الزامی است.

فرایند مناقصه باید مبتنی بر [Principle] باشد.

فرایند مناقصه باید مبتنی بر شفافیت باشد.

هرگونه تبانی در مناقصه منجر به [Consequence] خواهد شد.

هرگونه تبانی در مناقصه منجر به پیگرد قانونی خواهد شد.

Word Family

Nouns

مناقصه (Tender)

مناقصه‌گر (Bidder/Tenderer)

مناقصات (Tenders - plural)

مناقصه‌گزار (Tenderer/Entity holding the tender)

Verbs

به مناقصه گذاشتن (To put to tender)

مناقصه برگزار کردن (To hold a tender)

Adjectives

مناقصه‌ای (Related to a tender)

قابل مناقصه (Tenderable)

مزایده (Auction)

قرارداد (Contract)

پیمانکار (Contractor)

کارفرما (Employer/Client)

پیشنهاد (Proposal)

How to Use It

frequency

High in business and news; low in daily casual conversation.

Common Mistakes

Using 'monāqeseh' for selling an item. → Use 'mazāyedeh' (مزایده).
Monāqeseh is for buying/procuring. If you are selling your car to the highest bidder, that is a mazāyedeh.
Saying 'انجام مناقصه' in a formal report. → Say 'برگزاری مناقصه'.
'Anjām' is a bit too generic. 'Bargozāri' is the standard professional verb for holding an event or process.
Spelling it as 'مناقضه'. → مناقصه
The letter 'ص' (Sad) is correct. 'ض' (Zad) would change the root and meaning entirely.
Forgetting the Ezafe in 'مناقصه خرید'. → مناقصه‌ی خرید (monāqese-ye kharid)
Since the word ends in a silent 'h', you must add the 'ye' sound to link it to the next noun.
Confusing it with 'monāzereh'. → مناقصه
Monāzereh means 'debate'. They sound similar but have nothing to do with each other.

Tips

Learn the Root

Remember the root N-Q-S (نقص) meaning 'less'. A tender is about paying 'less' money. This helps you distinguish it from 'mazāyedeh' (increase).

Use Formal Verbs

Pair 'monāqeseh' with 'برگزار کردن' (to hold) or 'اعلام کردن' (to announce). Avoid using just 'کردن' as it sounds too simple for such a formal concept.

News Watching

Watch the economic news on Iranian TV. You will hear 'monāqeseh' almost every day. It's the best way to hear it in a natural, high-register context.

Business Writing

If you are writing a business proposal in Persian, always refer to the 'tender notice' as 'آگهی مناقصه' and the bid as 'پیشنهاد قیمت'.

Check the Plural

Use 'مناقصات' (monāqesāt) when talking about the industry or multiple tenders. It is the preferred plural in legal and professional settings.

The Minus Sign

Think of the 'M' in Monāqeseh as standing for 'Minus'. You want to minus the cost as much as possible.

The Letter Qaf

Always write it with 'ق' (Qaf). Writing it with 'غ' (Ghayn) is a common spelling mistake for beginners but looks very unprofessional.

Public vs. Private

While private companies use tenders, the word 'monāqeseh' almost always brings to mind government contracts in an Iranian context.

Newspaper Sections

Look for the 'مناقصات' section in the back of Iranian newspapers. It's a goldmine for seeing how the word is used with technical adjectives.

Arabic Influence

Understanding that this is an Arabic loanword explains its formal 'feel' and its specific plural form '-āt'.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Money' (monā) and 'Decrease' (qeseh). You want the company to spend less 'Money' by making the price 'Decrease' through a tender.

Visual Association

Imagine a group of business people in suits, each holding an envelope and trying to step down a staircase (representing lower prices) to reach the buyer at the bottom.

Word Web

Government Contract Lowest Price Bidding Sealed Envelope Competition Legal Law Project

Challenge

Try to find the 'Tenders' section on an Iranian news website like IRNA and see if you can find the word 'مناقصه' in the headlines.

Word Origin

Derived from the Arabic root 'N-Q-S' (نقص) which means to decrease, diminish, or lack. In the context of a tender, it refers to the competitive reduction of price.

Original meaning: The act of seeking a decrease (in price) or a reduction.

Semitic root, incorporated into Persian as a formal administrative term.

Cultural Context

None, but be aware that discussions about tenders can sometimes involve sensitive topics like political influence or economic sanctions.

In English-speaking countries, we use 'Tender' or 'Request for Proposal (RFP)'. The concept is identical, but the Iranian legal framework is very specific about the 'monāqeseh' stages.

The Law of Tenders (2004) - The definitive legal text in Iran. IRIB News - Daily segments on national tenders. The 'Setad' System - The official electronic portal for Iranian government tenders.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Government Infrastructure

ساخت بزرگراه از طریق مناقصه
بودجه اختصاص یافته به مناقصه
وزارتخانه مناقصه را برگزار کرد
تأیید صلاحیت شرکت‌ها

Corporate Procurement

تأمین مواد اولیه
ارسال پیشنهاد قیمت
واحد تدارکات
مقایسه قیمت‌های پیشنهادی

Legal & Compliance

شکایت از روند مناقصه
قانون برگزاری مناقصات
تخلف در مناقصه
بازرسی کل کشور

International Business

مناقصه بین‌المللی
ارز مورد نیاز
شرکت‌های خارجی
تحریم و مناقصات

Real Estate & Construction

نوسازی مدارس
مناقصه تخریب ساختمان
لیست متقاضیان
برنده نهایی پروژه

Conversation Starters

"آیا شرکت شما تا به حال در مناقصات دولتی برنده شده است؟"

"به نظر شما بهترین راه برای برنده شدن در یک مناقصه چیست؟"

"چرا شفافیت در برگزاری مناقصات برای اقتصاد یک کشور مهم است؟"

"تفاوت اصلی بین مناقصه و مزایده را چگونه توضیح می‌دهید؟"

"آیا در کشور شما هم مناقصات به همین صورت برگزار می‌شوند؟"

Journal Prompts

تجربه خود را از شرکت در یک رقابت کاری یا تحصیلی بنویسید (مانند یک مناقصه).

چگونه می‌توان از فساد در مناقصات بزرگ دولتی جلوگیری کرد؟ نظرات خود را بنویسید.

اگر شما مدیر یک شرکت بزرگ بودید، برای برنده شدن در یک مناقصه چه استراتژی‌ای داشتید؟

اهمیت قیمت در مقابل کیفیت در یک مناقصه را بررسی کنید.

یک آگهی مناقصه خیالی برای ساخت یک ایستگاه فضایی بنویسید.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

The main goal is to ensure the buyer (usually a government or large organization) gets the best quality of service or goods at the lowest possible market price through open competition. This process helps in saving public money and ensuring fairness among suppliers.

Ask yourself: Is the organization buying or selling? If they are buying something and want to pay the least, use 'monāqeseh' (Tender). If they are selling something and want the most money, use 'mazāyedeh' (Auction). For example, buying computers for a school is a 'monāqeseh'.

While small businesses can participate in them, the process itself is quite bureaucratic and expensive to hold. Therefore, small businesses usually use 'estelām-e bahā' (price inquiry) for minor purchases. 'Monāqeseh' is reserved for significant contracts and public works.

These are the papers provided by the buyer that describe exactly what is needed, the technical specifications, the deadline, and the legal terms. Bidders must buy or download these documents to prepare their proposals correctly.

Yes, it is called 'ابطال مناقصه' (ebtāl-e monāqeseh). This can happen if the budget is cut, the project is no longer needed, or if there is evidence of corruption or mistakes in the bidding process.

In a limited tender, the invitation to bid is not open to everyone. Only a few companies that have been pre-screened and found to be highly qualified are invited. This is common for very specialized or high-security projects.

Winning involves having the best combination of low price and high technical score. Once won, the company enters into a formal 'contract' (qarārdād) to perform the work according to their bid.

No, tenders are used for everything from buying food for the army and IT services for a bank to hiring consulting firms and purchasing medical equipment for hospitals.

Collusion is when companies secretly agree among themselves who will win, often by all bidding high prices except for one. This is illegal and defeats the purpose of the 'monāqeseh', which is to have honest competition.

It would sound very formal. Unless you are talking about your job or a news story, it might sound out of place. However, Iranians sometimes use it jokingly to describe a situation where they are looking for the cheapest option among friends.