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Vocabulary
ناپایدار

B1 adjective 7 min read

ناپایدار

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips ناپایدار in 30 Seconds

Explanation ناپایدار in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't need to use 'nāpāydār' often, but you might hear it in basic weather reports. Think of it as 'not stable'. If you know 'pāydār' means 'standing' or 'staying', adding 'nā-' makes it 'not staying'. You can use it for a chair that wobbles or a simple sentence about the sky. It's a bit advanced for A1, but recognizing the 'nā-' prefix is a great skill to learn early on.

For A2 learners, 'nāpāydār' becomes useful when talking about feelings or the weather in more detail. You can say 'Emruz havā nāpāydār ast' (Today the weather is unstable). You are starting to see how Persian adjectives are formed. You should practice using it with the verb 'budan' (to be). It helps you describe situations that are not 'khub' (good) or 'bad' (bad) but are simply 'unpredictable'.

At B1, you are expected to use 'nāpāydār' in various contexts. You should be able to discuss the economy or a person's character using this word. You'll encounter it in news articles. This is the level where you distinguish between 'nāpāydār' and 'movaghat' (temporary). You can explain *why* something is unstable, using 'chon' (because). It's a key word for moving beyond simple descriptions into more nuanced observations of the world.

B2 learners should use 'nāpāydār' in formal writing and debates. You might use it to describe the 'nāpāydāri' (instability) of a political system or a chemical reaction. You should be comfortable with its abstract meanings, such as 'unstable peace' or 'unstable market'. You will also start to notice it in literature and more complex media reports. Your pronunciation should be clear, emphasizing the 'nā-' and the 'pāy'.

At C1, you understand the philosophical weight of 'nāpāydār'. You can discuss its use in Sufi poetry and how it relates to the concept of 'fānā' (impermanence). You use it with sophisticated collocations like 'vaz'iyat-e bohrāni va nāpāydār' (a critical and unstable situation). You can analyze the nuances between 'nāpāydār', 'motazalzel', and 'bi-sabāt' in a professional or academic setting without hesitation.

For C2 mastery, 'nāpāydār' is a tool for precise expression. You use it to describe complex systems, from quantum mechanics to intricate geopolitical shifts. You can effortlessly switch between its literal, metaphorical, and technical meanings. You might use it in a lecture or a high-level publication to describe the 'inherent instability' of a certain theory. You also recognize its rhythmic value in classical Persian prose.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

ناپایدار in 30 Seconds

ناپایدار means 'unstable' or 'volatile'.
It is a compound of 'nā' (not) and 'pāydār' (stable).
Commonly used for weather, emotions, and economics.
It is the opposite of 'pāydār' (lasting/stable).

The Persian word ناپایدار (nāpāydār) is a versatile adjective that describes something lacking stability, permanence, or reliability. In its most literal sense, it refers to physical objects that are likely to fall or collapse because they aren't firmly grounded. However, in modern Persian, its most frequent usage occurs in two specific domains: meteorology and socio-economics. When you listen to a weather report in Tehran, you will almost certainly hear the forecaster describe the atmosphere as 'nāpāydār' when a storm system is moving in. This implies that the current clear skies are about to be replaced by wind, rain, or snow. The word captures that precarious moment before a shift occurs.

Etymological Roots: The word is composed of the prefix 'nā-' (meaning 'not' or 'un-') and the root 'pāydār' (meaning 'stable' or 'enduring'). 'Pāydār' itself comes from 'pāy' (foot) and the suffix '-dār' (having/holding). Literally, it means 'not having a foot' or 'not standing firmly'.

وضعیت جوی در شمال کشور بسیار ناپایدار است.
(Vaz'iyat-e javi dar shomāl-e keshvar besyār nāpāydār ast.)
The atmospheric condition in the north of the country is very unstable.

Beyond the weather, this term is essential for discussing human emotions and relationships. If someone's mood fluctuates wildly between happiness and anger, a Persian speaker might describe their emotional state as 'nāpāydār'. This isn't necessarily a clinical diagnosis but rather a descriptive way to say their behavior is unpredictable. In political science or economics, it describes a 'volatile' market or a 'shaky' government coalition. If a price index is jumping up and down without a clear trend, it is 'nāpāydār'.

Common Contexts: 1. Meteorology (Unstable air masses)
2. Psychology (Emotional volatility)
3. Economics (Market instability)
4. Physics (Radioactive isotopes or unstable structures)

او خلق و خوی ناپایداری دارد.
(U kholq-o khuy-e nāpāydāri dārad.)
He has an unstable temperament.

Using ناپایدار correctly requires understanding its role as an adjective. In Persian grammar, adjectives typically follow the noun they modify, connected by the 'Ezafe' (the short -e sound). For example, to say 'unstable weather,' you say 'havā-ye nāpāydār'. It functions similarly to English, but you must be careful with the register. While 'nāpāydār' is common in news and formal writing, in very casual street slang, people might use simpler words like 'kharāb' (broken/bad) to describe a situation, though 'nāpāydār' remains perfectly understood and used by all levels of society.

Grammar: The Ezafe Connection: When using 'ناپایدار' as an attribute: [Noun] + -e + ناپایدار. Example: 'Eqtesād-e nāpāydār' (Unstable economy).

پل به دلیل طوفان ناپایدار شده است.
(Pol be dalil-e tufān nāpāydār shode ast.)
The bridge has become unstable due to the storm.

One interesting grammatical feature is how 'nāpāydār' can be turned into a noun: 'nāpāydāri' (instability). You can say 'nāpāydāri-ye siyāsi' (political instability). This is a very high-frequency word in Iranian news broadcasts. If you are describing a person's behavior that changes every minute, you can use it as a predicate adjective: 'Raftārash nāpāydār ast' (His behavior is unstable). Note that in spoken Persian, the 'ast' (is) often shortens to a simple '-e' sound attached to the word: 'nāpāydāre'.

این صندلی کمی ناپایدار است، مواظب باش.
(In sandali kami nāpāydār ast, movāzeb bāsh.)
This chair is a bit unstable, be careful.

If you turn on the Iranian national news (IRIB) or listen to BBC Persian, 'ناپایدار' is a constant presence. It is the 'bread and butter' word for analysts. You will hear it in the 'Gozāresh-e Havā-shenāsi' (Weather Report) daily. The phrase 'tude-ye havā-ye nāpāydār' (unstable air mass) is a technical term that every Iranian adult knows. It signals that rain is coming to the plateau. You will also hear it in political talk shows where pundits discuss the 'sharāyet-e nāpāydār-e mantaghe' (the unstable conditions of the region). It conveys a sense of tension and imminent change.

کارشناسان از وضعیت ناپایدار بازار بورس نگران هستند.
(Kārshenāsān az vaz'iyat-e nāpāydār-e bāzār-e burs negarān hastand.)
Experts are worried about the unstable state of the stock market.

In a more philosophical or literary setting, such as a university lecture on classic Persian literature, 'nāpāydār' is used to describe the nature of 'donyā' (the world). Persian culture has a deep-seated belief in the fickleness of fate. Poets like Omar Khayyam often remind their readers that life is 'nāpāydār', so one should enjoy the present moment. Therefore, while it is a technical word for a meteorologist, it is also a deeply emotional word for a philosopher. You might also hear it in a hospital setting where a doctor describes a patient's 'vaz'iyat-e nāpāydār' (unstable condition/vitals), which is a serious medical update.

The most common mistake for English speakers is confusing 'ناپایدار' (unstable) with 'موقت' (movaghat - temporary). While something unstable is often temporary, 'nāpāydār' specifically implies a lack of balance or a risk of collapse, whereas 'movaghat' simply means it has a set end time. For example, a temporary job is 'shoghl-e movaghat', not 'shoghl-e nāpāydār' (unless the job is literally about to disappear because the company is failing). Another mistake is using it for 'shaky' hands. If your hands are shaking from cold or nerves, Persians use the verb 'larzidan' (to shake), not the adjective 'nāpāydār'.

Mistake: Using it for 'Temporary': Don't say 'safari nāpāydār' for a short trip. Use 'safari kutāh' or 'movaghat'. Use 'nāpāydār' for things that *should* be stable but aren't.

❌ اشتباه: این یک کار ناپایدار است (به معنی موقت).
✅ درست: این یک کار موقت است.
(Correct: This is a temporary job.)

Another nuance is the difference between 'nāpāydār' and 'motazalzel' (shaky/wavering). 'Motazalzel' is often used for faith or decisions, whereas 'nāpāydār' is more general and common for physical and environmental states. If you say someone's 'imān' (faith) is 'nāpāydār', it's okay, but 'motazalzel' is more precise. Finally, ensure you don't confuse the pronunciation with 'nā-padidār' (invisible/disappearing), which sounds similar but comes from a completely different root ('didār' - sight).

To enrich your Persian vocabulary, it is helpful to look at words that occupy the same semantic space as ناپایدار. Depending on the context, you might want to use a more specific term. For instance, if you are talking about something that is 'changing' rather than just 'unstable', you could use 'moteghayyer'. If you are talking about something 'fragile' or 'weak', 'shokanandeh' is the word. Understanding these nuances allows you to sound more like a native speaker and less like a textbook.

Comparison: ناپایدار vs. متغیر: 'Nāpāydār' means unstable (at risk of change). 'Moteghayyer' means variable (actually changing). Weather is 'nāpāydār' when it *might* rain; it is 'moteghayyer' when it is currently switching between sun and rain.

قیمت‌ها در بازار بسیار متغیر هستند.
(Gheymat-hā dar bāzār besyār moteghayyer hastand.)
Prices in the market are very variable/fluctuating.

Other alternatives include 'sust' (loose/weak), often used for physical objects or resolve, and 'bi-sabāt' (unstable/without consistency), which is almost a direct synonym for 'nāpāydār' but is used more in political and character descriptions. If you describe a government as 'bi-sabāt', you are emphasizing its lack of internal consistency and firm foundation. 'Nāpāydār' remains the most common term for general instability, especially in scientific and natural contexts.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The root 'pāy' (foot) is cognate with the English word 'foot' and the Latin 'pes/pedis'. So 'nāpāydār' is distantly related to 'un-pedestaled'!

Pronunciation Guide

UK /nɒːpɒːjˈdɒːr/

US /nɑːpɑːjˈdɑːr/

The primary stress falls on the last syllable: 'dār'.

Rhymes With

پایدار (pāydār) هوشیار (hushyār) بیدار (bidār) دیوار (divār) ماندگار (māndegār) روزگار (ruzegār) آشکار (āshkār) طلبکار (talabkār)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'nā' as a short 'a' like 'nap'. It must be long.
Merging the 'y' and 'd' too quickly. Ensure 'pāy' and 'dār' are distinct.
Confusing it with 'nā-padidār' (invisible).
Stress on the first syllable 'nā'.
Forgetting the 'y' sound in the middle.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to recognize once you know 'pāydār'.

Writing 4/5

Requires correct spelling of 'pāy' and 'dār'.

Speaking 3/5

Pronunciation is straightforward but requires long vowels.

Listening 3/5

Common in news; easy to pick out.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

پایدار هوا وضعیت میز ساختمان

Learn Next

ثبات متغیر پیش‌بینی جوی اقتصاد

Advanced

تذبذب تزلزل بی‌ثباتی استمرار تداوم

Grammar to Know

Prefix 'nā-' for negation

نا + خوش = ناخوش (unwell)

Ezafe Construction

هوایِ ناپایدار

Abstract Noun Formation with '-i'

ناپایدار + ی = ناپایداری

Predicate Adjective Agreement

آن‌ها ناپایدار هستند

Adverbial use with 'be-towr-e'

به‌طور ناپایدار عمل می‌کند

Examples by Level

هوا ناپایدار است.

The weather is unstable.

Simple Subject + Adjective + Verb

این میز ناپایدار است.

This table is unstable.

Demonstrative pronoun 'in' + Noun

او ناپایدار نیست.

He is not unstable.

Negative form of 'to be' (nist)

آیا هوا ناپایدار است؟

Is the weather unstable?

Question form using 'āyā'

آسمان ناپایدار به نظر می‌رسد.

The sky looks unstable.

Verb 'be nazar residan' (to look/seem)

میزِ ناپایدار را نخر.

Don't buy the unstable table.

Imperative negative + Ezafe

کوهستان ناپایدار است.

The mountain (weather) is unstable.

Locational subject

یک صندلیِ ناپایدار.

An unstable chair.

Indefinite 'ye' + Noun + Ezafe

شرایطِ جوی فردا ناپایدار خواهد بود.

Tomorrow's atmospheric conditions will be unstable.

Future tense 'khāhad bud'

او امروز کمی ناپایدار است.

He is a bit unstable today.

Adverb 'kami' (a bit)

ساختمان‌های قدیمی ناپایدار هستند.

Old buildings are unstable.

Plural subject and verb

چرا این نردبان ناپایدار است؟

Why is this ladder unstable?

Question word 'cherā' (why)

من از پله‌های ناپایدار می‌ترسم.

I am afraid of unstable stairs.

Verb 'tarsidan' + preposition 'az'

هوا در بهار ناپایدار می‌شود.

The weather becomes unstable in spring.

Verb 'shodan' (to become)

یک سیستمِ ناپایدار در راه است.

An unstable system is on the way.

Phrase 'dar rāh ast'

این قایق در آب ناپایدار است.

This boat is unstable in the water.

Prepositional phrase 'dar āb'

وضعیت اقتصادی کشور هنوز ناپایدار است.

The country's economic situation is still unstable.

Adverb 'hanuz' (still)

او به دلیل بیماری، وضعیت جسمانیِ ناپایداری دارد.

Due to illness, he has an unstable physical condition.

Compound sentence with 'be dalil-e'

ما نباید روی این زمینِ ناپایدار خانه بسازیم.

We should not build a house on this unstable ground.

Modal 'nabāyad' (should not)

رابطه آن‌ها بسیار ناپایدار به نظر می‌رسد.

Their relationship seems very unstable.

Abstract usage of the adjective

دولت با ائتلافی ناپایدار تشکیل شد.

The government was formed with an unstable coalition.

Preposition 'bā' (with)

قیمت طلا در هفته گذشته ناپایدار بود.

The price of gold was unstable last week.

Past tense 'bud'

این دارو ممکن است باعث ضربان قلبِ ناپایدار شود.

This medicine might cause an unstable heartbeat.

Verb 'bā'es shodan' (to cause)

او همیشه تصمیماتِ ناپایداری می‌گیرد.

He always makes unstable (fickle) decisions.

Verb 'tasmim gereftan'

تغییرات اقلیمی باعث ایجاد الگوهای جوی ناپایدار شده است.

Climate change has caused the creation of unstable atmospheric patterns.

Present perfect 'shode ast'

سیاست‌های ناپایدار مانع رشد سرمایه‌گذاری می‌شوند.

Unstable policies prevent the growth of investment.

Verb 'māne' shodan' (to prevent)

ساختارِ اتم‌های سنگین اغلب ناپایدار است.

The structure of heavy atoms is often unstable.

Scientific register

او از یک اختلالِ شخصیتیِ ناپایدار رنج می‌برد.

He suffers from an unstable personality disorder.

Medical/Psychological terminology

صلح در این منطقه بسیار ناپایدار و شکننده است.

Peace in this region is very unstable and fragile.

Adjective pairing (nāpāydār va shekanandeh)

بازارِ کار برای جوانان بسیار ناپایدار شده است.

The job market has become very unstable for young people.

Targeted social context

او با لحنی ناپایدار و لرزان صحبت می‌کرد.

He was speaking with an unstable and trembling tone.

Adverbial usage with 'bā'

این فرضیه بر پایه‌های ناپایداری بنا شده است.

This hypothesis is built on unstable foundations.

Metaphorical usage

نوساناتِ ناپایدارِ ارزی، برنامه‌ریزیِ بلندمدت را غیرممکن می‌کند.

Unstable currency fluctuations make long-term planning impossible.

Complex noun phrase

جهانِ مادی در فلسفه خیام، امری ناپایدار و گذراست.

In Khayyam's philosophy, the material world is something unstable and transient.

Literary/Philosophical register

تحلیلگران بر این باورند که این توازنِ قدرت ناپایدار است.

Analysts believe that this balance of power is unstable.

Reporting clause 'bar in bāvarand'

واکنش‌های شیمیایی در این دما بسیار ناپایدار می‌شوند.

Chemical reactions become very unstable at this temperature.

Academic context

او با وجود موفقیت، همیشه احساسِ ناپایداری در زندگی داشت.

Despite success, he always had a sense of instability in life.

Preposition 'bā vojud-e'

معماریِ این بنا به دلیلِ خاکِ ناپایدار دچار مشکل شده است.

The architecture of this building has faced problems due to unstable soil.

Technical cause and effect

این رژیمِ سیاسی به دلیلِ مشروعیتِ ناپایدارش سقوط کرد.

This political regime collapsed due to its unstable legitimacy.

Political science terminology

هنرمند سعی داشت زیباییِ ناپایدارِ طبیعت را ثبت کند.

The artist tried to capture the unstable (fleeting) beauty of nature.

Artistic context

ذاتِ ناپایدارِ پدیده‌های فیزیکی در مقیاسِ کوانتومی مشهود است.

The unstable nature of physical phenomena is evident at the quantum scale.

High-level scientific discourse

تاریخ گواهی می‌دهد که امپراتوری‌های بزرگ بر بنیان‌های ناپایدار استوار بودند.

History bears witness that great empires were built on unstable foundations.

Formal historical narrative

او در اشعارش به نکوهشِ دلبستگی به این دنیای ناپایدار می‌پردازد.

In his poems, he reproaches attachment to this unstable world.

Literary analysis

پیوندهای مولکولی در این ترکیب به شدت ناپایدار و مستعدِ فروپاشی هستند.

Molecular bonds in this compound are highly unstable and prone to collapse.

Technical adjective pairing

تذبذبِ ناپایدارِ آراء عمومی، پیش‌بینیِ نتایجِ انتخابات را دشوار کرده است.

The unstable oscillation of public opinion has made predicting election results difficult.

Advanced political vocabulary

این نظریه به دلیلِ شواهدِ ناپایدار و متناقض رد شد.

This theory was rejected due to unstable and contradictory evidence.

Academic critique

نفسِ انسان در کشاکشِ تمایلاتِ ناپایدار، همواره در جستجوی آرامش است.

The human soul, in the struggle of unstable desires, is always searching for peace.

Spiritual/Mystical register

اعتبارِ او به عنوانِ یک محقق به دلیلِ فرضیاتِ ناپایدارش زیر سوال رفت.

His credibility as a researcher was questioned due to his unstable hypotheses.

Professional consequence

Common Collocations

وضعیت ناپایدار

شرایط جوی ناپایدار

تعادل ناپایدار

اقتصاد ناپایدار

خلق و خوی ناپایدار

صلح ناپایدار

بازار ناپایدار

ساختار ناپایدار

امنیت ناپایدار

عشق ناپایدار

Common Phrases

دنیای ناپایدار

— The transient world. Used to express that life is short.

دل به این دنیای ناپایدار نبند.

توده هوای ناپایدار

— An unstable air mass. A standard weather forecasting term.

یک توده هوای ناپایدار وارد کشور شد.

وضعیت جسمانی ناپایدار

— Unstable physical condition. Used in medical reports.

بیمار در وضعیت جسمانی ناپایداری است.

شخصیت ناپایدار

— Unstable personality. Often used in psychology.

او شخصیت ناپایداری دارد.

نرخ ارز ناپایدار

— Unstable exchange rate. Common in Iranian economic news.

نرخ ارز ناپایدار به تولید ضربه می‌زند.

خانواده ناپایدار

— Unstable family environment.

کودک در یک خانواده ناپایدار بزرگ شد.

ائتلاف ناپایدار

— Unstable political coalition.

ائتلاف ناپایدار دولت سقوط کرد.

خاک ناپایدار

— Unstable soil. Used in construction.

ساخت و ساز روی خاک ناپایدار ممنوع است.

روند ناپایدار

— An unstable trend.

روند ناپایدار بورس نگران‌کننده است.

پیمان ناپایدار

— An unstable/fragile treaty.

این یک پیمان ناپایدار بین دو کشور است.

Often Confused With

ناپایدار vs موقت (movaghat)

Means temporary. Something unstable might be temporary, but 'nāpāydār' means shaky/volatile.

ناپایدار vs ناپدیدار (nāpadidār)

Means invisible or disappearing. Sounds similar but unrelated.

ناپایدار vs متغیر (moteghayyer)

Means variable/changing. Weather is 'nāpāydār' (unstable/risky) and then becomes 'moteghayyer' (actually changing).

Idioms & Expressions

"روی شن خانه ساختن"

— To build a house on sand. Refers to creating something on an unstable foundation.

برنامه‌ریزی بدون بودجه، مثل ساختن خانه روی شن است.

Metaphorical

"بند را آب دادن"

— To give the rope to water (to mess up). Often leads to an unstable situation.

او با اشتباهش بند را آب داد.

Informal

"مثل هوای بهار"

— Like spring weather. Used for someone with an unstable/changing mood.

اخلاقش مثل هوای بهار ناپایدار است.

Colloquial

"پای لرزان"

— Trembling foot. Used for someone who is hesitant or unstable in their stance.

او با پای لرزان وارد معامله شد.

Literary

"روی لبه تیغ"

— On the edge of a blade. To be in an extremely unstable and dangerous position.

اقتصاد کشور روی لبه تیغ است.

Neutral

"خانه بر آب"

— House on water. Something very unstable and temporary.

همه آرزوهایش خانه‌ای بر آب بود.

Literary

"دمدمی مزاج"

— Capricious/Fickle. A person whose mood is 'nāpāydār'.

او خیلی دمدمی مزاج است.

Informal

"بی‌گدار به آب زدن"

— To dive into water without knowing the depth. Acting in an unstable/risky way.

بی‌گدار به آب نزن، شرایط ناپایدار است.

Proverb

"لنگ در هوا"

— One leg in the air. Being in a state of suspense or instability.

پروژه هنوز لنگ در هواست.

Slang

"بادی به هر جهت"

— Wind in every direction. Someone who changes their mind constantly.

او آدم بادی به هر جهتی است.

Informal

Easily Confused

ناپایدار vs سست (sust)

Both mean weak.

'Sust' is usually for physical strength or loose screws. 'Nāpāydār' is for systems and stability.

طناب سست است / وضعیت ناپایدار است.

ناپایدار vs بی‌ثبات (bi-sobāt)

Direct synonyms.

'Bi-sobāt' is more often used for human character or governments. 'Nāpāydār' is better for nature/science.

او فردی بی‌ثبات است.

ناپایدار vs لرزان (larzān)

Both imply movement.

'Larzān' is literally shaking (like a hand). 'Nāpāydār' is the state of being likely to fall.

صدای لرزان / پل ناپایدار.

ناپایدار vs شکننده (shekanandeh)

Often used together.

'Shekanandeh' means fragile (likely to break). 'Nāpāydār' means likely to change/fall.

آتش‌بس شکننده است.

ناپایدار vs گذرا (gozarā)

Both imply not lasting.

'Gozarā' is used for time and events passing by. 'Nāpāydār' is for the lack of stability during that time.

لحظات گذرا.

Sentence Patterns

[Noun] [Adjective] ast.

هوا ناپایدار است.

[Noun] [Adverb] [Adjective] ast.

میز خیلی ناپایدار است.

Be dalil-e [Noun], [Subject] [Adjective] ast.

به دلیل طوفان، دریا ناپایدار است.

[Subject] dar vaz'iyat-e [Adjective] gharār dārad.

بیمار در وضعیت ناپایداری قرار دارد.

[Abstract Noun] be dalil-e [Adjective] budan-e [Noun] ast.

بحران به دلیل ناپایدار بودن بازار است.

Zāt-e [Adjective]-e [Noun] [Verb].

ذات ناپایدار دنیا همواره مورد بحث بوده است.

Agar [Subject] [Adjective] bāshad, [Result].

اگر نردبان ناپایدار باشد، می‌افتی.

[Noun]-e [Adjective] māne'-e [Noun] mishavad.

سیاست ناپایدار مانع پیشرفت می‌شود.

Word Family

Nouns

ناپایداری (nāpāydāri) - instability

پایداری (pāydāri) - stability/resistance

Verbs

ناپایدار کردن (nāpāydār kardan) - to make unstable

ناپایدار شدن (nāpāydār shodan) - to become unstable

Adjectives

پایدار (pāydār) - stable

ناپایدار (nāpāydār) - unstable

ایستادن (istādan) - to stand

پایه (pāye) - base/foundation

پا (pā) - foot

برقرار (bargharār) - established

ثبات (sobāt) - stability

How to Use It

frequency

High (especially in news and science).

Common Mistakes

Using 'nāpāydār' for 'short' (time). → Kutāh / Movaghat
'Nāpāydār' implies instability, not just short duration.
Pronouncing it as 'nā-padidār'. → Nāpāydār
'Nāpadidār' means invisible. Don't confuse the two!
Forgetting the Ezafe. → Havā-ye nāpāydār
In Persian, adjectives need the Ezafe link to the noun.
Using it for 'shaking hands'. → Larzān
'Nāpāydār' is a state; 'larzān' is the physical act of trembling.
Stress on the first syllable. → nāpāyDĀR
Persian adjectives usually have stress on the final syllable.

Tips

The No-Foot Rule

Remember 'nā' (no) + 'pāy' (foot). If it has no foot, it's unstable!

Ezafe is Key

Always use the Ezafe (-e) when putting 'nāpāydār' after a noun: 'havā-ye nāpāydār'.

Weather Reports

Listen to Iranian weather news; you will hear this word in almost every broadcast.

Prefix Power

Learn 'pāydār' (stable) and you get 'nāpāydār' for free!

Stress the End

The stress is on the 'dār'. Practice: nā-pāy-DĀR.

Poetic Depth

In poetry, this word refers to the 'unstable world'. It's a very deep concept.

Noun Form

Add '-i' to get 'nāpāydāri' (instability). Very useful for formal writing.

Listen for 'nā-'

The 'nā-' prefix is a common way to negate adjectives in Persian.

Physical vs. Abstract

It works for both a shaky ladder and a shaky economy.

vs. Movaghat

Don't say 'nāpāydār' for a temporary job; use 'movaghat'.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'No-Pie-Door'. If a door is made of pie, it is 'nāpāydār' (unstable)! It will collapse if you try to walk through it.

Visual Association

Imagine a chair with only two legs. It is definitely 'nāpāydār'.

Word Web

Weather Economy Emotions Unstable Precarious Changeable Shaky Fragile

Challenge

Try to find three things in your room right now that are 'nāpāydār' (maybe a stack of books or a loose rug).

Word Origin

Persian origin. Formed by the negative prefix 'nā-' + 'pāydār'.

Original meaning: Literally 'not having a firm footing'.

Indo-European (Indo-Iranian).

Cultural Context

When describing a person as 'nāpāydār', it can be seen as a critique of their reliability, so use it carefully in social settings.

In English, 'unstable' is often used for mental health. In Persian, 'nāpāydār' is used similarly but is more common for physical and environmental states.

Khayyam's Rubaiyat (on the instability of the world) Hafez's Ghazals (on the fleeting nature of youth) Modern Iranian news reports on currency.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Weather

هوا ناپایدار است
توده هوای ناپایدار
تغییرات ناپایدار
سامانه ناپایدار

Finance

بازار ناپایدار
قیمت‌های ناپایدار
ارز ناپایدار
سود ناپایدار

Psychology

خلق ناپایدار
رفتار ناپایدار
احساس ناپایدار
شخصیت ناپایدار

Construction

سازه ناپایدار
زمین ناپایدار
دیوار ناپایدار
پله ناپایدار

Politics

دولت ناپایدار
صلح ناپایدار
امنیت ناپایدار
ائتلاف ناپایدار

Conversation Starters

"به نظر تو چرا وضعیت اقتصادی اینقدر ناپایدار است؟"

"آیا تا به حال در یک خانه ناپایدار زندگی کرده‌ای؟"

"چگونه می‌توان در شرایط ناپایدار آرامش خود را حفظ کرد؟"

"آیا اخبار هواشناسی امروز گفت که هوا ناپایدار است؟"

"به نظر تو عشق‌های امروزی ناپایدارتر از گذشته هستند؟"

Journal Prompts

درباره زمانی بنویسید که در یک وضعیت ناپایدار قرار داشتید و چه احساسی داشتید.

آیا فکر می‌کنید دنیا ذاتا ناپایدار است؟ چرا؟

تأثیرات یک محیط خانوادگی ناپایدار بر کودکان چیست؟

چگونه می‌توان یک سازه ناپایدار را دوباره محکم کرد؟

توصیف کنید که چگونه یک هوای ناپایدار می‌تواند برنامه روزانه شما را تغییر دهد.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, but it usually refers to their mood or character (unpredictable) rather than their physical balance, though it can describe someone who is physically wobbly if they are ill.

Yes, especially when talking about the weather or the economy, which are frequent topics of conversation in Iran.

The most direct opposite is 'pāydār' (stable/lasting).

You say 'nāpāydāri-ye siyāsi' (ناپایداری سیاسی).

Indirectly, yes. An unstable building (sākhtemān-e nāpāydār) is inherently unsafe.

It is used in both formal and neutral registers. It is the standard word in science and news.

It is like the 'y' in 'layer'. Pāy-dār.

It's better to use 'moteghayyer' (variable) or 'nā-moshakhas' (uncertain), but 'nāpāydār' works if the prices are fluctuating wildly.

As an adjective, it doesn't change for plural nouns. 'Miz-hā-ye nāpāydār' (unstable tables).

Yes, 'pāy' is the root for foot/standing. So it literally means 'not-foot-having'.