پایایی
پایایی in 30 Seconds
- Pāyāyī means reliability and consistency in formal Persian.
- It is widely used in academic, technical, and professional settings.
- The word comes from the root 'pāy' (foot/stand).
- It is often confused with 'pāydārī' (sustainability) or 'ravāyī' (validity).
The Persian word پایایی (Pāyāyī) is a sophisticated noun that primarily translates to reliability, consistency, or dependability. It is derived from the root پای (pāy), meaning 'foot' or 'stand,' suggesting something that stands firm and does not waver. In everyday Persian, while words like اعتماد (trust) are common, پایایی is the preferred term when discussing the technical or systematic consistency of a process, a machine, or a scientific measurement.
- Technical Context
- In statistics and psychometrics, this word is the standard translation for 'reliability.' It refers to the degree to which an assessment tool produces stable and consistent results.
برای اطمینان از نتایج تحقیق، باید پایایی پرسشنامه را بررسی کنیم.
Beyond the laboratory, you will encounter this word in business and engineering. When a company speaks about the pāyāyī of their supply chain, they are emphasizing that the system works the same way every time, without unexpected failures. It conveys a sense of endurance and structural integrity. It is not just about being 'good'; it is about being 'predictably good.'
- Social Context
- While less common in casual street slang, it is frequently used in political discourse to describe the stability of a government or a peace treaty.
این توافقنامه از پایایی لازم برخوردار نیست.
In summary, use this word when you want to sound professional and precise. It moves the conversation from simple 'trust' to 'verifiable consistency.' Whether you are talking about a car's engine, a friend's punctuality in a professional setting, or the results of a blood test, this word provides the necessary weight to your description of consistency.
Using پایایی correctly requires understanding its role as a noun that often functions as the subject or object of a sentence involving measurement, evaluation, or durability. It is frequently paired with verbs like داشتن (to have), سنجیدن (to measure), or تضمین کردن (to guarantee).
- As a Subject
- When 'pāyāyī' is the subject, it usually describes an inherent quality of a system.
پایایی این خودرو در شرایط سخت به اثبات رسیده است.
One of the most common grammatical structures involves the Ezafe construction (the short 'e' sound linking nouns). You will often see it as pāyāyī-ye... (the reliability of...). For example, pāyāyī-ye dadeh-hā (the reliability of the data).
- In Academic Writing
- Researchers use it to describe the 'test-retest' consistency of their experiments.
ضریب پایایی این آزمون بسیار بالا است.
In a more general sense, you can use it to talk about character or institutional strength. If a bank is known for never failing, you can speak of its pāyāyī. If a friend always shows up exactly at 8:00 AM, their punctuality has high pāyāyī.
ما به دنبال راهی برای افزایش پایایی سیستمهای توزیع برق هستیم.
You are most likely to encounter پایایی in formal, educational, or professional environments. It is a staple of Persian academic discourse, particularly in the social sciences, engineering, and medicine. If you are watching a news report about the economy or infrastructure, the reporter might use it to describe the stability of the national grid or the banking system.
- Academic Lectures
- Professors in Tehran or Shiraz universities will use this word constantly when teaching research methodology.
بدون پایایی، هیچ پژوهشی اعتبار علمی نخواهد داشت.
In the tech industry, Persian-speaking software engineers use it when discussing 'system reliability' or 'uptime.' While they might use the English loanword 'reliability' in casual office chatter, official documentation and presentations will almost always use pāyāyī.
- Corporate Meetings
- Project managers use it to evaluate the performance of subcontractors or technical tools.
پایایی این نرمافزار برای عملیاتهای بانکی حیاتی است.
Interestingly, the word is also appearing more in environmental discussions. 'Sustainability' is often translated as pāydārī, but pāyāyī is sometimes used to describe the consistent yield of a natural resource over time. It is a word that signals the speaker is educated and focused on long-term outcomes rather than temporary fixes.
The most frequent mistake learners (and even some native speakers) make is confusing پایایی (Reliability) with روایی (Validity). These two are the 'twin pillars' of research, but they mean very different things.
- Pāyāyī vs. Ravāyī
- Pāyāyī is about consistency (getting the same result every time). Ravāyī is about accuracy (getting the *right* result).
Another mistake is using pāyāyī where pāydārī (stability/sustainability) is more appropriate. While they share the same root, pāydārī usually refers to the ability to last a long time or resist change, whereas pāyāyī refers to the consistency of performance.
Incorrect: پایایی محیط زیست (The reliability of the environment)
Correct: پایداری محیط زیست (Environmental sustainability)
Grammatically, learners sometimes forget the 'ye' Ezafe when connecting it to another noun. Because the word ends in a 'yī' sound, the Ezafe is often written as a separate 'ye' or indicated by a small hamza, which can be confusing for beginners.
- Pronunciation Pitfall
- Be careful not to confuse it with 'pāyāni' (final/terminal). The difference is just one letter, but the meaning changes completely.
Persian has several words that touch upon the concept of reliability, but each has its own 'flavor' and register. Understanding these nuances will help you choose the right word for the right situation.
- اعتمادپذیری (Etemād-pazīrī)
- Literally 'trust-acceptingness.' This is the closest synonym for 'reliability' in a general sense. It is often used in engineering (Reliability Engineering = Mohandesi-ye Etemād-pazīrī).
- ثبات (Sobāt)
- Meaning 'stability' or 'steadfastness.' Use this when talking about prices, emotions, or political situations that don't fluctuate.
- استواری (Ostovārī)
- Meaning 'firmness' or 'solidity.' This is more poetic and physical. You might describe a mountain or a person's resolve as having 'ostovārī.'
Comparison:
- Pāyāyī: Consistency of a test result.
- Sobāt: Stability of the currency.
- Etemād-pazīrī: Reliability of a hard drive.
When you want to emphasize the permanent nature of something, you might use دوام (davām - durability). If a pair of shoes lasts for ten years, they have high davām, but we wouldn't necessarily say they have high pāyāyī unless we were talking about their consistent performance in different terrains.
How Formal Is It?
Fun Fact
The root 'Pā' is a cognate with English 'Foot', Latin 'Pes', and Greek 'Pous'. So, 'Pāyāyī' is etymologically related to the idea of a 'footing' or 'foundation'.
Pronunciation Guide
- Pronouncing it as 'pāyānī' (final).
- Shortening the long 'ā' sounds.
- Missing the 'y' sound between the vowels.
- Putting stress on the first syllable.
- Confusing the end 'yī' with 'ye' (Ezafe).
Difficulty Rating
Requires knowledge of formal academic vocabulary.
Spelling the 'yī' ending correctly with Ezafe can be tricky.
Pronunciation is rhythmic but requires clear long vowels.
Can be confused with 'pāyānī' or 'pāydārī' in fast speech.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Ezafe with words ending in 'ī'
پایاییِ سیستم (Pāyāyī-ye system)
Abstract noun formation with '-ī'
پای + ایی = پایایی
Compound nouns in Persian
پایاییسنجی (Reliability + measuring)
Subjunctive after 'bāyad' (must)
باید پایایی را بسنجیم.
Passive voice with 'shodan'
پایایی تایید شد.
Examples by Level
این ساعت پایایی دارد.
This clock has reliability (it's consistent).
Simple subject-noun-verb structure.
پایایی خوب است.
Reliability is good.
Adjective 'khūb' modifying the noun 'pāyāyī'.
آیا این ماشین پایایی دارد؟
Does this car have reliability?
Question form using 'āyā'.
من پایایی را دوست دارم.
I like reliability.
Direct object with 'rā'.
پایایی یعنی تکرار.
Reliability means repetition (consistency).
Defining a term using 'ya'nī'.
این تست پایایی ندارد.
This test does not have reliability.
Negative verb 'nadārad'.
پایایی مهم است.
Reliability is important.
Simple predicate adjective.
پایایی در کار.
Reliability in work.
Prepositional phrase 'dar kār'.
پایایی این ابزار عالی است.
The reliability of this tool is excellent.
Ezafe construction 'pāyāyī-ye in abzār'.
ما به پایایی نیاز داریم.
We need reliability.
Verb 'niyāz dāshtan' with preposition 'be'.
این گوشی پایایی کمی دارد.
This phone has little reliability.
Adjective 'kam' (little/low) modifying 'pāyāyī'.
پایایی نتایج را چک کنید.
Check the reliability of the results.
Imperative verb 'chek konīd'.
چرا پایایی مهم است؟
Why is reliability important?
Question word 'cherā'.
پایایی این سیستم کم است.
The reliability of this system is low.
Subject-predicate structure.
او به پایایی کارش فکر میکند.
He thinks about the reliability of his work.
Present continuous 'fekr mī-konad'.
بدون پایایی، کار سخت است.
Without reliability, work is hard.
Preposition 'bedūn-e' (without).
پایایی پرسشنامه در این تحقیق تایید شد.
The reliability of the questionnaire was confirmed in this research.
Passive voice 'ta'yīd shod'.
شرکت ما بر پایایی محصولاتش تاکید دارد.
Our company emphasizes the reliability of its products.
Verb 'ta'kīd dāshtan' (to emphasize).
برای افزایش پایایی، باید تستها را تکرار کنیم.
To increase reliability, we must repeat the tests.
Infinitive 'barāye afzāyesh-e...' (for increasing...).
پایایی شبکه برق در زمستان کاهش مییابد.
The reliability of the power grid decreases in winter.
Intransitive verb 'kāhesh mī-yābad'.
این روش پایایی بیشتری نسبت به روش قبلی دارد.
This method has more reliability than the previous method.
Comparative 'bishtar nesbat be...'.
دانشمندان در حال بررسی پایایی این واکسن هستند.
Scientists are currently investigating the reliability of this vaccine.
Continuous present 'dar hāl-e barrasī hastand'.
پایایی یکی از ویژگیهای اصلی یک کارمند خوب است.
Reliability is one of the main characteristics of a good employee.
Noun phrase as subject.
آیا این دادهها پایایی لازم را دارند؟
Do these data have the necessary reliability?
Adjective 'lāzem' (necessary).
ضریب پایایی آلفای کرونباخ برای این آزمون ۰.۸۵ است.
The Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficient for this test is 0.85.
Technical academic terminology.
پایایی و روایی دو مفهوم کلیدی در روش تحقیق هستند.
Reliability and validity are two key concepts in research methodology.
Compound subject.
عدم پایایی در سیستمهای بانکی منجر به بحران میشود.
Lack of reliability in banking systems leads to a crisis.
Negation prefix 'adam-e' (lack of).
ما باید پایایی ابزارهای اندازهگیری خود را تضمین کنیم.
We must guarantee the reliability of our measuring tools.
Modal verb 'bāyad' with subjunctive.
پایایی منابع اطلاعاتی در عصر دیجیتال بسیار مهم است.
The reliability of information sources is very important in the digital age.
Abstract noun phrase.
این گزارش بر پایایی بلندمدت اقتصاد کشور تمرکز دارد.
This report focuses on the long-term reliability of the country's economy.
Compound adjective 'boland-moddat'.
تغییرات مداوم در قوانین، پایایی سرمایهگذاری را کاهش میدهد.
Constant changes in laws reduce the reliability of investment.
Causal sentence structure.
پایایی فنی این پروژه توسط کارشناسان تایید شده است.
The technical reliability of this project has been confirmed by experts.
Passive perfect tense 'ta'yīd shodeh ast'.
پایایی درونی سوالات پرسشنامه با استفاده از نرمافزار تحلیل شد.
The internal reliability of the questionnaire items was analyzed using software.
Technical term 'pāyāyī-ye darūnī'.
فقدان پایایی در ساختارهای سیاسی میتواند به بیثباتی منجر شود.
The lack of reliability in political structures can lead to instability.
Formal word 'faghdān' (lack/absence).
پایایی روایتهای تاریخی اغلب مورد تردید قرار میگیرد.
The reliability of historical narratives is often called into question.
Passive idiom 'mored-e tardīd gharār gīraftan'.
در مهندسی نرمافزار، پایایی به معنای تداوم عملکرد صحیح است.
In software engineering, reliability means the continuity of correct performance.
Definitional structure in a formal register.
پایایی این نظریه در بوته آزمایشهای مکرر به اثبات رسید.
The reliability of this theory was proven in the crucible of repeated tests.
Literary idiom 'dar būteh-ye āzmāyesh'.
ارتقای پایایی زیرساختهای حیاتی، اولویت اول دولت است.
Improving the reliability of critical infrastructure is the government's top priority.
Gerund 'erteghā' (promotion/improvement).
پایایی سنجشهای روانشناختی تحت تاثیر عوامل محیطی قرار دارد.
The reliability of psychological assessments is influenced by environmental factors.
Complex passive structure.
تضمین پایایی زنجیره تامین برای صنایع بزرگ حیاتی است.
Guaranteeing the reliability of the supply chain is vital for major industries.
Infinitive phrase as subject.
واکاوی پایایی اپیستمولوژیک این فرضیه، نیازمند تاملات عمیقتری است.
Analyzing the epistemological reliability of this hypothesis requires deeper reflections.
Highly formal/academic vocabulary 'vākāvi', 'epīstemolozhīk'.
پایایی دیالکتیکی در متون کلاسیک، بستری برای خوانشهای نوین فراهم میکند.
Dialectical reliability in classical texts provides a ground for modern readings.
Abstract philosophical usage.
پارادایمهای علمی بر پایه پایایی مشاهدات تجربی بنا شدهاند.
Scientific paradigms are built upon the reliability of empirical observations.
Complex plural 'pārādāym-hā'.
تشکیک در پایایی حافظه جمعی، از محورهای اصلی نقد پستمدرن است.
Questioning the reliability of collective memory is one of the main axes of postmodern critique.
Formal Arabic-root word 'tashkīk' (doubting).
پایایی ساختاری این بنا، علیرغم قدمت آن، شگفتانگیز است.
The structural reliability of this building, despite its age, is amazing.
Concessive phrase 'alī-raghm-e'.
سنجش پایایی میانارزیاب در تحقیقات کیفی با چالشهای عدیدهای روبروست.
Measuring inter-rater reliability in qualitative research faces numerous challenges.
Specialized terminology 'pāyāyī-ye miyān-arzyāb'.
پایایی تعهدات بینالمللی، سنگ بنای دیپلماسی پایدار است.
The reliability of international commitments is the cornerstone of sustainable diplomacy.
Metaphorical 'sang-e banā' (cornerstone).
پایایی بازآزمایی در این پروتکل درمانی به دقت مستند شده است.
The test-retest reliability in this treatment protocol has been carefully documented.
Compound noun 'bāz-āzmāyī'.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
— To possess reliability. A formal way to say 'is reliable'.
این روش از پایایی لازم برخوردار است.
— For reliability to be endangered.
پایایی سیستم در معرض خطر قرار گرفته است.
— Reliability and validity (often paired in research).
پایایی و اعتبار این مدرک ثابت شده است.
Idioms & Expressions
— To have a solid foundation or substance. Related to the root 'pāy'.
حرفهای او پایه و مایه دارد.
Informal— To stand on one's own feet (to be independent/reliable).
او یاد گرفته روی پای خود بایستد.
Neutral— To be committed and consistently present at work.
تیم ما همیشه پای کار است.
Colloquial— To not fall down (to remain consistent/resilient).
او با وجود مشکلات از پا نیفتاد.
Neutral— His word has 'feet' (meaning it is reliable/will happen).
نگران نباش، حرف او پا دارد.
Old-fashioned— A 'lame foot' (something that is unreliable or has a flaw).
این نقشه یک پای لنگ دارد.
Informal— Until the end/death (absolute consistency in commitment).
او تا پای جان بر عهدش ماند.
Literary— To be bound to (consistent in following rules/promises).
او به اصول اخلاقی پایبند است.
FormalSentence Patterns
[Noun] [Adjective] [Pāyāyī] dārad.
این ماشین پایایی خوبی دارد.
Barāye [Verb-ing], bāyad [Pāyāyī] rā [Verb].
برای موفقیت، باید پایایی را حفظ کرد.
[Pāyāyī-ye] [Noun] dar [Context] [Adjective] ast.
پایایی نتایج در این تحقیق عالی است.
Bedūn-e [Pāyāyī], [Noun] [Negative Verb].
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of a 'Pie' (pāy) that stays fresh for 'Years' (yī). Pāy-ā-yī. A pie that lasts for years is very reliable!
Visual Association
Visualize a heavy stone pillar (a 'foot' or 'pā') that doesn't move even in a storm. That pillar has pāyāyī.
Word Web
Challenge
Try to use 'pāyāyī' in a sentence about your favorite smartphone or car today.
Word Origin
Derived from Middle Persian 'pāy' (foot), which comes from Old Persian 'pāda-'. The suffix '-āyī' is used in New Persian to create abstract nouns from adjectives or roots.
Original meaning: The state of 'standing' or 'staying' in one place or condition.
Indo-European -> Indo-Iranian -> Iranian -> Persian.Cultural Context
This is a neutral, formal word. No special sensitivities apply.
English speakers often use 'reliability' for both people and things. Persian speakers use 'pāyāyī' mostly for things/systems and 'ghābel-e etemād' for people.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Academic Research
- ضریب پایایی
- پایایی پرسشنامه
- پایایی درونی
- روش بازآزمایی
Engineering
- پایایی سیستم
- تحلیل پایایی
- پایایی فنی
- تضمین عملکرد
Business/Economy
- پایایی بازار
- پایایی سرمایهگذاری
- پایایی زنجیره تامین
- ثبات و پایایی
Information Technology
- پایایی نرمافزار
- پایایی شبکه
- پایایی دادهها
- آپتایم و پایایی
Psychology
- پایایی آزمون
- پایایی میانارزیاب
- ثبات رفتاری
- سنجش پایایی
Conversation Starters
"به نظر شما پایایی این برند چطور است؟ (What do you think of this brand's reliability?)"
"چطور میتوانیم پایایی این سیستم را افزایش دهیم؟ (How can we increase this system's reliability?)"
"آیا از پایایی نتایج این آزمایش مطمئن هستید؟ (Are you sure about the reliability of this experiment's results?)"
"پایایی در کار برای شما چقدر اهمیت دارد؟ (How important is reliability in work for you?)"
"کدام خودرو در بازار ایران بیشترین پایایی را دارد؟ (Which car in the Iranian market has the most reliability?)"
Journal Prompts
درباره اهمیت پایایی در زندگی شخصی خود بنویسید. (Write about the importance of reliability in your personal life.)
یک تجربه را توصیف کنید که در آن فقدان پایایی باعث مشکل شد. (Describe an experience where a lack of reliability caused a problem.)
تفاوت بین پایایی و اعتماد از نظر شما چیست؟ (What is the difference between reliability and trust in your opinion?)
چگونه میتوان پایایی یک منبع خبری را سنجید؟ (How can one measure the reliability of a news source?)
آیا تکنولوژیهای جدید پایایی بیشتری نسبت به قدیم دارند؟ (Do new technologies have more reliability than old ones?)
Summary
Pāyāyī is the essential term for technical reliability. If you are describing a scientific test or a high-quality machine that never fails, this is the word you need. Example: 'Pāyāyī-ye in āzmāyesh kāmīl ast' (The reliability of this experiment is complete).
- Pāyāyī means reliability and consistency in formal Persian.
- It is widely used in academic, technical, and professional settings.
- The word comes from the root 'pāy' (foot/stand).
- It is often confused with 'pāydārī' (sustainability) or 'ravāyī' (validity).
Related Content
More academic words
اعمال کردن
B2To apply, to implement; to put into operation or effect.
عامل شدن
B2To cause; to make something happen.
اعتبار علمی
B2Academic credibility, academic reputation.
اعتبار بخشیدن
B2To validate, to confirm or give official approval to something.
اعتبار سنجی کردن
B2To check or prove the validity or accuracy of something.
اعتباربخشی
B2Accreditation; the official recognition that a person or institution is qualified.
اعتمادپذیر
B2Capable of being relied on; trustworthy and dependable.
اعتراف کردن
B2To confess or acknowledge; to admit that one has committed a crime or done something wrong.
عضو هیئت علمی
B2A faculty member; a professional academic engaged in teaching and research at a university.
عقلانی
B2Rational; based on or in accordance with reason or logic.