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پس وقت

B1 phrase #4,500 most common 9 min read

پس وقت

pas-vaght Top 4,500

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips پس وقت in 30 Seconds

Explanation پس وقت in your Level:

At the A1 level, learners are just beginning to understand basic time expressions. While 'pas vaght' might be a bit advanced, students can understand it as a combination of 'pas' (after) and 'vaght' (time). At this stage, the focus is on recognizing that the speaker is talking about something happening 'after' it was supposed to. A1 students should primarily use 'dir' for late, but recognizing 'pas vaght' in simple sentences helps them build a foundation for compound words. They learn that in Persian, words can be put together to create new meanings, much like 'afternoon' in English. Simple examples like 'I am late' (Man dir kardam) are the priority, but hearing 'pas vaght' helps them understand the logic of the Persian language's temporal structure. They might see it in very simple signs or hear it in slow, clear speech regarding a late bus or a late friend.

A2 learners are more comfortable with daily routines and schedules. They can start to distinguish between general lateness and being late for a specific event. At this level, 'pas vaght' is introduced as a way to describe missing a bus or being late for a class. Students learn to use it in basic past and present tense sentences. They begin to see the difference between 'It is late' (Dir ast) and 'It is past the time' (Pas vaght ast). A2 students are encouraged to use the phrase to explain why they missed an appointment. They also learn the cultural context that being 'pas vaght' in a social setting might be more acceptable than in a professional one, though the word itself remains a useful descriptive tool for their growing vocabulary.

At the B1 level, the learner is expected to handle more complex social and professional interactions. 'Pas vaght' becomes a key term for discussing deadlines, work schedules, and formal appointments. B1 learners should be able to use the phrase to describe delays in projects or reports. They understand the nuance that 'pas vaght' implies a specific missed window of opportunity. This is the stage where they also learn to avoid common mistakes, such as confusing it with 'afternoon' or 'the day after tomorrow.' They can use it in more complex sentence structures, including conditional sentences (e.g., 'If we arrive pas vaght, we will miss the beginning'). They also start to recognize the phrase in media, such as news reports about delayed government actions or infrastructure projects.

B2 learners possess a higher degree of fluency and can understand the subtle differences between various synonyms for 'late.' They use 'pas vaght' with confidence in professional environments and can explain the reasons for lateness using sophisticated grammar. At this level, they also begin to appreciate the metaphorical uses of the phrase in literature and more elevated conversation. They understand how 'pas' functions as a prefix in other words and can draw parallels between 'pas vaght' and other temporal compounds. B2 students can engage in debates about punctuality and cultural differences in time perception, using 'pas vaght' to describe the consequences of missing deadlines in different societies. They also become adept at using the formal version 'pas az vaght' in written reports.

C1 learners have a deep understanding of Persian idioms and nuanced expressions. They can use 'pas vaght' in academic or literary contexts to describe historical delays or philosophical concepts of time. They are aware of the regional variations in the usage of the phrase and can identify when a speaker is using it to sound more formal or more traditional. At this level, the learner can use 'pas vaght' to express regret or to describe a situation that is 'too late' in a profound sense. They are also capable of using the phrase in legal or technical writing, understanding its specific implications for contracts and agreements. Their mastery allows them to play with the language, perhaps using 'pas vaght' in a humorous or ironic way to comment on social norms.

At the C2 level, the learner has near-native proficiency and understands the full historical and etymological weight of 'pas vaght.' They can trace the word back to its Middle Persian roots and understand its evolution within the language. They can appreciate the use of 'pas vaght' in classical and modern poetry, where it might symbolize the passage of time or the tragedy of a life lived out of sync with the world. C2 learners can use the phrase in the most formal settings, such as diplomatic or high-level academic discourse, with perfect accuracy. They are also aware of how the phrase might be used in various Persian-speaking regions (Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan) and the slight differences in connotation it might carry in each.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

پس وقت in 30 Seconds

Means 'late' or 'past the time'.
Used for missed deadlines and appointments.
Formal and descriptive compared to 'dir'.
Essential for discussing schedules and delays.

The Persian phrase پس وقت (pas vaght) is a compound construction that literally translates to 'after time' or 'back time,' but in a functional linguistic context, it signifies being late, overdue, or occurring after the expected or appointed moment. To understand this phrase, one must delve into the Persian perception of temporality. The word pas carries the dual meaning of 'behind' and 'after,' suggesting that something occurring pas vaght has fallen behind the moving target of the schedule. Unlike the more common word دیر (dir), which is a general adjective for 'late,' پس وقت is often used to describe a specific state of being past a deadline or a formal appointment. It carries a slightly more formal or descriptive weight, often found in literature or specific regional dialects to emphasize the displacement from the correct temporal slot. In contemporary Tehrani Persian, you might more frequently hear diz-vaght or dir, but پس وقت remains a vital part of the broader Persian lexicon, especially when discussing administrative delays or the 'after-hours' nature of an event.

Temporal Displacement: The phrase indicates that an action has missed its primary window and is now occurring in a secondary, less ideal timeframe.

آمدن شما در این ساعت پس وقت است و ما دیگر نمی‌توانیم پذیرای شما باشیم.

Translation: Your arrival at this hour is late (past the time), and we can no longer host you.

When people use this phrase, they are often pointing out a breach of chronological expectation. It is not just about the passage of time, but about the *appropriateness* of that time. For instance, in legal or religious contexts, performing a duty pas vaght might imply that the window for the primary obligation has closed, and one is now acting in a 'compensatory' or 'belated' capacity. This nuance is crucial for B1 learners who are moving beyond simple adjectives like 'hot' or 'cold' and into the realm of conceptual timing. Furthermore, the phrase can be used to describe people who are chronically behind schedule. In a social setting, calling someone pas vaght might be a polite yet firm way to address their lack of punctuality. It suggests that they are consistently 'behind the clock.' Understanding the cultural weight of time in Iran is also essential; while social time can be flexible (often jokingly referred to as 'Persian time'), professional and formal contexts demand a strict adherence to be-moqe (on time), making پس وقت a significant term of criticism or observation.

Etymological Root: Derived from Middle Persian 'pas' (after) and Arabic 'waqt' (time), showing the linguistic synthesis of the Persian language.

او همیشه کارهایش را پس وقت انجام می‌دهد.

Translation: He always does his tasks late (past the time).

Using پس وقت correctly requires an understanding of its role as an adverbial phrase or a descriptive state. It typically follows the subject or the action it modifies. In many cases, it functions similarly to the English word 'belatedly' or the phrase 'past the deadline.' For example, if you are submitting a report after the deadline, you are submitting it pas vaght. The structure often involves the verb 'to be' (budan) or 'to become' (shodan) to describe a situation.

The Predicative Use: When used with 'ast' (is), it defines the status of an event. 'In jalase pas vaght ast' means 'This meeting is [happening] late.'

چرا اینقدر پس وقت به خانه آمدی؟

Translation: Why did you come home so late (past the expected time)?

It is also important to distinguish between پس وقت and dir. While dir is a simple adjective ('I am late'), پس وقت often emphasizes the *moment* that has been missed. It is more about the 'after-ness' of the time itself. In formal writing, you might see it as pas az vaght (after the time), but the compound pas vaght is a more idiomatic way to encapsulate the concept. Consider the sentence: 'The train arrived late.' In Persian, this could be 'Ghatar dir resid.' However, if you want to say 'The train arrived past its scheduled time,' you might use 'Ghatar pas vaght resid.' The latter adds a layer of 'missing the slot.' This is particularly useful in logistics, travel, and project management.

Comparative Usage: Use 'dir' for general tardiness; use 'pas vaght' when referring to a specific missed appointment or deadline.

نامه شما پس وقت به دست ما رسید.

Translation: Your letter reached us past the time (belatedly).

Another interesting use is in the context of age or life stages. One might say someone started a career pas vaght, meaning they started later in life than is typical. This metaphorical extension shows the flexibility of the phrase.

Formal Correspondence: In emails, use 'pas az vaght-e moqarrar' for a very formal way to say 'after the appointed time'.

او در سنین پس وقت به تحصیل پرداخت.

Translation: He pursued education at a later (past the usual) age.

You will encounter پس وقت in a variety of settings, ranging from the mundane to the specialized. In everyday life, it is most common in the context of appointments. If you arrive at a doctor's office after your slot, the receptionist might note that you are pas vaght. It is also heard in the context of public transportation and logistics. News broadcasts often use the phrase when discussing delayed government projects or late legislative submissions. For example, 'The budget was submitted pas vaght.' This gives the delay a sense of official missed-timing.

Professional Contexts: Found in contract law to describe 'late performance' or 'delayed delivery'.

پروژه به دلیل مشکلات مالی پس وقت تمام شد.

Translation: The project was completed late due to financial problems.

In religious contexts, specifically regarding Islamic prayer times (Salat), the concept of 'Qada' (making up a missed prayer) is inherently linked to being pas vaght. If a prayer is performed after its prescribed window, it is considered 'outside the time.' While the specific theological term is used, the general concept of pas vaght explains the temporal state to a layperson. Furthermore, in the world of sports, especially in Iran's popular football culture, commentators might use similar terms to describe goals scored in 'injury time' or 'extra time,' though vaght-e ezafe is more standard. However, pas vaght can describe the general feeling of playing 'after the clock should have stopped.' In literature and poetry, پس وقت takes on a more melancholic tone. It can refer to a love that arrived too late in life or a realization that came after the opportunity had passed. This metaphorical usage is common in modern Persian prose.

Literary Nuance: Used to evoke regret or the tragedy of missed opportunities.

افسوس که این عشق پس وقت شکوفه داد.

Translation: Alas, this love blossomed late (past its time).

One of the most frequent errors learners make is confusing پس وقت with پس‌فردا (pas-farda), which means 'the day after tomorrow.' While both use the prefix pas (meaning 'after'), they function very differently. Pas-farda is a specific point on the calendar, whereas pas vaght is a qualitative state of being late. Another common mistake is using it as a direct translation for 'afternoon.' Learners often see 'after' and 'time' and assume it means the time after noon. Remember, 'afternoon' is ba'd az zohr.

The Afternoon Trap: Never use 'pas vaght' to mean 'the afternoon'. It strictly means 'late' or 'overdue'.

Incorrect: من پس وقت به بازار می‌روم. (Meaning 'I go to the market in the afternoon')

Correct: من بعد از ظهر به بازار می‌روم.

Additionally, learners sometimes struggle with the prepositional structure. In formal Persian, 'after the time' is pas az vaght. Beginners often drop the az in places where it is grammatically required in formal prose, though in colloquial speech, pas vaght is often treated as a single compound unit. Another nuance is the difference between pas vaght and dir-vaght. Dir-vaght usually refers to 'late at night' (e.g., 'He came home late at night'), while pas vaght refers to 'past the scheduled time.' Using them interchangeably can lead to confusion about whether you mean the hour of the day or the lateness relative to a schedule.

Preposition Errors: In formal writing, don't forget the 'az' (pas az vaght) when it's functioning as a prepositional phrase.

جلسه پس از وقت مقرر شروع شد.

Translation: The meeting started after the appointed time.

Finally, ensure you don't confuse it with vaght-e pas (rarely used, but could imply 'the remaining time' in some contexts). The order of 'pas' and 'vaght' is vital to the meaning of 'late'.

There are several ways to express the concept of lateness in Persian, each with its own register and nuance. The most common alternative is دیر (dir). This is the standard word for 'late.' It is versatile and can be used in almost any context. However, it lacks the specific 'past the deadline' nuance that pas vaght provides. Another alternative is دیرهنگام (dir-hangam), which is more formal and often used to describe something occurring late in the day or late in a historical period.

Comparison: Dir vs. Pas Vaght: 'Dir' is general; 'Pas Vaght' is specific to a missed window or schedule.

او دیر کرد. (He was late.) vs. او پس وقت رسید. (He arrived after the scheduled time.)

For very formal or bureaucratic contexts, you might use با تأخیر (ba ta'khir), meaning 'with delay.' This is the standard term used in airports and train stations. If a flight is delayed, the announcement will say 'ba ta'khir.' While pas vaght describes the state of being late, ba ta'khir describes the process of the delay itself. In legal terms, خارج از موعد (kharej az mo'ed) is used to mean 'outside the deadline' or 'overdue.' This is perhaps the closest formal equivalent to the functional meaning of pas vaght in professional settings. In poetic or literary Persian, you might find نابهنگام (nabehangam), which means 'untimely' or 'ill-timed.' This is used when something happens at a time that is not just late, but fundamentally wrong or inappropriate.

Formal Alternatives: 'Ba ta'khir' (with delay), 'Kharej az mo'ed' (past deadline), 'Mo'akhar' (delayed/later).

این تصمیم بسیار نابهنگام بود.

Translation: This decision was very untimely (ill-timed).

Finally, for 'late at night,' the phrase آخر شب (akhar-e shab) or dir-vaght is preferred over pas vaght. Understanding these distinctions helps a B1 learner sound more natural and precise.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

Neutral

Informal

Child friendly

Slang

Fun Fact

The word 'pas' is a cognate of the English word 'post-' (as in post-script), both tracing back to Proto-Indo-European roots for 'behind' or 'after'.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /pæs væxt/

US /pæs væxt/

The stress is typically on the second syllable of each word: pas VAGHT.

Rhymes With

تخت (takht - bed) بخت (bakht - luck) سخت (sakht - hard) لخت (lakht - piece/clot) رخت (rakht - clothes) درخت (derakht - tree) پخت (pokht - cooked) سوخت (sokht - burnt)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'pas' like 'pause'. It should be a short 'a'.
Missing the 'kh' sound in 'vaght' and saying 'vagt'.
Stress on the first word 'PAS vaght' instead of the second.
Merging the two words into one without a clear break.
Confusing the 'v' sound with a 'w' sound.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to recognize the components 'pas' and 'vaght'.

Writing 4/5

Requires understanding of where to place the phrase in a sentence.

Speaking 4/5

Pronouncing the 'kh' in vaght can be tricky for English speakers.

Listening 3/5

Common enough to hear frequently in news and daily life.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

وقت (time) پس (after) دیر (late) ساعت (hour) آمدن (to come)

Learn Next

تأخیر (delay) موعد (deadline) به‌موقع (on time) شتاب (haste) فرصت (opportunity)

Advanced

نابهنگام (untimely) ماوقع (event) وقایع (events) توالی (sequence) انقضا (expiration)

Grammar to Know

Compound Adverbs

Words like 'pas vaght' function as units to modify verbs.

Ezafe Construction

In formal 'pas az vaght', the 'az' acts as a connector.

Habitual Present

Using 'mi-' with 'pas vaght' for chronic lateness.

Word Order

Adverbs of time usually come before the verb.

Loanword Integration

How 'waqt' (Arabic) integrates with 'pas' (Persian).

Examples by Level

من امروز پس وقت رسیدم.

I arrived late today.

Simple past tense usage.

اتوبوس پس وقت آمد.

The bus came late.

Subject + adverbial phrase + verb.

آیا شما پس وقت هستید؟

Are you late?

Question form with 'to be'.

او پس وقت به مدرسه رفت.

He went to school late.

Prepositional phrase 'be madrese'.

غذا پس وقت آماده شد.

The food was ready late.

Passive-like construction with 'shodan'.

چرا پس وقت آمدی؟

Why did you come late?

Interrogative 'chera'.

کلاس پس وقت شروع شد.

The class started late.

Verb 'shoru' shodan'.

ما پس وقت ناهار خوردیم.

We ate lunch late.

Simple past tense.

او همیشه پس وقت به جلسات می‌آید.

He always comes to meetings late.

Present habitual tense.

نامه من پس وقت به دستت رسید؟

Did my letter reach you late?

Compound verb 'be dast residan'.

ما نباید پس وقت به فرودگاه برویم.

We shouldn't go to the airport late.

Modal verb 'nabayad'.

قطار معمولاً پس وقت حرکت می‌کند.

The train usually departs late.

Adverb 'ma'mulan'.

اگر پس وقت بیایی، در بسته است.

If you come late, the door will be closed.

Conditional sentence type 1.

آنها پس وقت برای امتحان مطالعه کردند.

They studied late for the exam.

Prepositional phrase 'baraye emtehan'.

او به خاطر ترافیک پس وقت رسید.

He arrived late because of traffic.

Reasoning with 'be khater-e'.

چرا این کار را پس وقت انجام دادی؟

Why did you do this task late?

Compound verb 'anjam dadan'.

گزارش شما پس وقت ارسال شده است و نمره منفی دارد.

Your report was sent late and has a negative mark.

Present perfect tense.

او اعتراف کرد که پس وقت به قرار رسیده است.

He admitted that he reached the appointment late.

Subordinate clause with 'ke'.

پروژه به دلیل کمبود بودجه پس وقت تکمیل شد.

The project was completed late due to a budget shortage.

Passive construction.

ما باید از ارسال پس وقت مدارک جلوگیری کنیم.

We must prevent the late submission of documents.

Gerund-like use of 'ersal'.

او در سنین پس وقت به فکر ازدواج افتاد.

He thought about marriage at a later age.

Idiomatic 'be fekr-e ... oftadan'.

بانک جریمه‌ای برای پرداخت‌های پس وقت در نظر گرفته است.

The bank has considered a penalty for late payments.

Plural noun 'pardakht-ha'.

اگر بلیت را پس وقت بخری، گران‌تر است.

If you buy the ticket late, it is more expensive.

Conditional sentence.

او همیشه عذرخواهی می‌کند که پس وقت جواب می‌دهد.

He always apologizes for replying late.

Present habitual.

تحویل پس وقت کالاها باعث نارضایتی مشتریان شده است.

Late delivery of goods has caused customer dissatisfaction.

Noun phrase as subject.

او با وجود تلاش زیاد، باز هم پس وقت به خط پایان رسید.

Despite much effort, he still reached the finish line late.

Concession with 'ba vojud-e'.

در بسیاری از فرهنگ‌ها، حضور پس وقت بی‌ادبی تلقی می‌شود.

In many cultures, late attendance is considered rude.

Passive verb 'talaqqi shodan'.

نویسنده در آثار پس وقت خود به مفاهیم عمیق‌تری می‌پردازد.

The author deals with deeper concepts in his later works.

Adjective modifying 'asar'.

دولت باید برای جبران خدمات پس وقت راهکاری بیندیشد.

The government must think of a solution to compensate for late services.

Infinitive phrase 'baraye jobran-e'.

او به دلیل ارسال پس وقت درخواست، از مسابقه حذف شد.

He was disqualified from the competition due to the late submission of the application.

Compound preposition 'be dalil-e'.

این دارو اگر پس وقت مصرف شود، تاثیری نخواهد داشت.

If this medicine is consumed late, it will have no effect.

Future negative 'tahsir nakhahad dasht'.

او در یادگیری زبان پس وقت عمل کرد اما موفق شد.

He acted late in learning the language but succeeded.

Adverbial usage.

دریافت پس وقت اطلاعات می‌تواند منجر به تصمیم‌گیری‌های اشتباه شود.

Late receipt of information can lead to wrong decision-making.

Complex subject phrase.

او در یک اقدام پس وقت، سعی کرد اشتباهات گذشته را جبران کند.

In a belated action, he tried to compensate for past mistakes.

Attributive use of 'pas vaght'.

تحلیل‌های پس وقت معمولاً دقت بیشتری دارند اما کاربرد کمتری.

Late analyses are usually more accurate but less useful.

Comparative adjectives.

او به عنوان یک هنرمند پس وقت، در دهه شصت زندگی‌اش مشهور شد.

As a late-blooming artist, he became famous in his sixties.

Appositive phrase.

شکوفایی پس وقت تمدن‌ها موضوعی جذاب برای تاریخ‌نگاران است.

The late blooming of civilizations is a fascinating subject for historians.

Abstract noun phrase.

او همواره از اینکه پس وقت به حقیقت پی برده بود، متاسف بود.

He was always sorry that he had realized the truth late.

Subordinate clause with 'az inke'.

ارائه پس وقت لایحه توسط دولت با انتقاد شدید مجلس روبرو شد.

The late presentation of the bill by the government met with severe criticism from parliament.

Formal administrative language.

او در نوشته‌های پس وقت خود، لحنی فیلسوفانه به خود گرفته است.

In his later writings, he has adopted a philosophical tone.

Present perfect 'be khod gerefte ast'.

تقابل میان نظم و آشفتگی در ظهور پس وقت پدیده‌ها نهفته است.

The contrast between order and chaos lies in the late emergence of phenomena.

Philosophical register.

او در یک بازنگری پس وقت، تمام فرضیات علمی خود را زیر سوال برد.

In a belated review, he questioned all his scientific hypotheses.

Complex prepositional phrase.

عدالت پس وقت، در واقع نوعی بی‌عدالتی است.

Belated justice is, in fact, a form of injustice.

Aphoristic structure.

او با رویکردی پس وقت به مدرنیته، سعی در تلفیق سنت و نوآوری داشت.

With a belated approach to modernity, he tried to combine tradition and innovation.

Highly formal vocabulary.

تاریخ همواره قضاوت‌های پس وقت خود را بر گذشتگان تحمیل می‌کند.

History always imposes its belated judgments on those who came before.

Personification of 'Tarikh'.

ادراک پس وقت واقعیت، بن‌مایه بسیاری از تراژدی‌های کلاسیک است.

The late perception of reality is the theme of many classic tragedies.

Academic literary analysis.

او در اعترافات پس وقت خود، پرده از اسرار مگوی بسیاری برداشت.

In his belated confessions, he unveiled many unspoken secrets.

Idiomatic 'parde bardashtan'.

پشیمانی پس وقت سودی برای از دست رفتگان ندارد.

Belated regret has no benefit for those who are gone.

Existential tone.

Common Collocations

رسیدن پس وقت

ارسال پس وقت

پرداخت پس وقت

حضور پس وقت

اقدام پس وقت

تحویل پس وقت

پاسخ پس وقت

شروع پس وقت

مطالعه پس وقت

ثبت‌نام پس وقت

Common Phrases

خیلی پس وقت

— Very late or way past the deadline.

خیلی پس وقت آمدی، دیگر دیر شده.

کمی پس وقت

— A bit late; slightly overdue.

او کمی پس وقت رسید اما بخشیده شد.

همیشه پس وقت

— Chronically late.

او همیشه پس وقت است و نظم ندارد.

پس وقت مقرر

— After the appointed or set time.

او پس وقت مقرر به دفتر آمد.

دلیل پس وقت

— The reason for being late.

دلیل پس وقت رسیدن شما چیست؟

جبران پس وقت

— Compensating for being late.

او سعی کرد با کار بیشتر، پس وقت را جبران کند.

عادت پس وقت

— The habit of being late.

باید این عادت پس وقت را ترک کنی.

حالت پس وقت

— The state of being late.

در حالت پس وقت، استرس بیشتر می‌شود.

گزارش پس وقت

— A late report.

گزارش پس وقت شما پذیرفته نمی‌شود.

ملاقات پس وقت

— A meeting happening after the intended time.

ملاقات پس وقت ما کوتاه بود.

Often Confused With

پس وقت vs پس‌فردا

Means 'day after tomorrow', not 'late'.

پس وقت vs بعد از ظهر

Means 'afternoon', not 'late/overdue'.

پس وقت vs پیش‌وقتی

Not a standard term, but could be confused with 'early'.

Idioms & Expressions

"نوشدارو پس از مرگ سهراب"

— Giving a remedy when it's too late (after the person has died).

کمک تو الان مثل نوشدارو پس از مرگ سهراب است.

Literary/Common

"وقت‌کشی کردن"

— To waste time or stall.

او داشت با حرف‌هایش وقت‌کشی می‌کرد.

Informal

"از وقت گذشته"

— It's past the time; too late.

دیگر از وقت گذشته و نمی‌توان کاری کرد.

Neutral

"دیر و زود دارد اما سوخت و سوز ندارد"

— It might be late, but it will definitely happen.

نگران نباش، پولت را می‌دهند؛ دیر و زود دارد اما سوخت و سوز ندارد.

Informal/Proverb

"وقت طلاست"

— Time is gold (Time is money).

سریع‌تر کار کن، وقت طلاست.

Common

"در آخرین لحظه"

— At the last moment.

او در آخرین لحظه رسید.

Neutral

"عجله کار شیطان است"

— Haste is the devil's work (better late than sorry).

آرام‌تر رانندگی کن، عجله کار شیطان است.

Proverb

"کلاهش پسِ معرکه است"

— He is far behind or in a bad position (metaphorically late).

اگر نجنبی، کلاهت پسِ معرکه است.

Idiomatic

"وقت را غنیمت شمردن"

— To seize the moment.

باید وقت را غنیمت شمرد و درس خواند.

Literary

"به وقتش"

— In its own time; when the time is right.

همه چیز به وقتش درست می‌شود.

Common

Easily Confused

پس وقت vs دیر

Both mean late.

'Dir' is a general adjective; 'pas vaght' is specific to a missed window.

من دیر کردم (I am late) vs. نامه پس وقت رسید (The letter arrived past the time).

پس وقت vs تأخیر

Both involve lateness.

'Ta'khir' is the noun 'delay'; 'pas vaght' is the state of being late.

پرواز تأخیر دارد (The flight has a delay).

پس وقت vs پس‌فردا

Both start with 'pas'.

'Pas-farda' is a day; 'pas vaght' is a state of timing.

پس‌فردا می‌بینمت (See you the day after tomorrow).

پس وقت vs دیروز

Both relate to time in the past.

'Diruz' is 'yesterday'; 'pas vaght' is 'late'.

دیروز باران آمد (It rained yesterday).

پس وقت vs وقت‌گیر

Both use the word 'vaght'.

'Vaght-gir' means 'time-consuming'; 'pas vaght' means 'late'.

این کار وقت‌گیر است (This task is time-consuming).

Sentence Patterns

Man [pas vaght] amadam.

من پس وقت آمدم.

[Noun] [pas vaght] shod.

غذا پس وقت شد.

Be dalil-e [pas vaght] budan, [consequence].

به دلیل پس وقت بودن، جریمه شدم.

Hameshe [pas vaght] be [place] mi-ayad.

همیشه پس وقت به دفتر می‌آید.

[Gerund] [pas vaght] ba'es-e [noun] shod.

ارسال پس وقت باعث مشکل شد.

In [noun] dar vaghti [pas vaght] rokh dad.

این واقعه در وقتی پس وقت رخ داد.

Chara [pas vaght] anjam dadi?

چرا پس وقت انجام دادی؟

Ghatar [pas vaght] resid.

قطار پس وقت رسید.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Common in administrative and descriptive contexts.

Common Mistakes

Using 'pas vaght' for 'afternoon'. → بعد از ظهر (ba'd az zohr)
Learners confuse 'after' + 'time' with the specific time of day after noon.
Confusing 'pas vaght' with 'pas-farda'. → پس‌فردا (pas-farda)
'Pas-farda' is the day after tomorrow; 'pas vaght' is being late.
Saying 'vaght pas' instead of 'pas vaght'. → پس وقت (pas vaght)
The order of words in Persian compound phrases is crucial for meaning.
Using 'pas vaght' for 'late at night'. → دیر وقت (dir vaght)
'Dir vaght' refers to the late hour; 'pas vaght' refers to being late for something.
Omitting 'az' in formal 'pas az vaght'. → پس از وقت (pas az vaght)
In formal writing, the preposition 'az' is usually required between 'pas' and the noun.

Tips

The Post-Time Rule

Think of the 'post-' prefix in English. 'Pas' is its Persian cousin. Pas Vaght = Post Time.

Deadlines Matter

Use this phrase specifically when a deadline or appointment has been missed for maximum impact.

Persian Time

While social time is flexible, using 'pas vaght' shows you are aware of the 'official' time that was missed.

Verb Pairing

It pairs well with verbs like 'amadan' (to come), 'residan' (to arrive), and 'shodan' (to become).

The Guttural 'Kh'

Practice the 'kh' in 'vaght' by making a sound like you are clearing your throat gently.

Formal vs Informal

In very formal writing, add 'az' to make it 'pas az vaght'.

Context Clues

If you hear 'pas' and then a time word, it usually means 'after' or 'late'.

Word Family

Connect it to 'pas-farda' to remember that 'pas' means 'after'.

Softening the Blow

If you are late, saying 'Bebakhshid, pas vaght shod' sounds more descriptive than just 'Dir shod'.

Daily Practice

Identify one thing every day that happened 'pas vaght' and say it out loud in Persian.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'PAS' as 'PAST' and 'VAGHT' as 'WATCH'. If it's 'PAS VAGHT', it's 'PAST the WATCH' time.

Visual Association

Imagine a person running after a clock that is floating away. They are 'behind' (pas) the 'time' (vaght).

Word Web

Time Late After Deadline Schedule Clock Delay Overdue

Challenge

Try to use 'pas vaght' three times today: once for a meal, once for a task, and once for a friend's arrival.

Word Origin

The phrase is a combination of the Persian word 'pas' and the Arabic loanword 'waqt'. 'Pas' comes from Middle Persian 'pas', meaning 'after' or 'behind'. 'Waqt' was borrowed from Arabic into Persian centuries ago and has become the standard word for time.

Original meaning: Literally 'after the time'.

Indo-European (Persian) + Afro-Asiatic (Arabic).

Cultural Context

Be careful not to sound too accusatory when telling an elder they are 'pas vaght'. Use softer terms like 'dir tashrif avardid'.

Similar to 'fashionably late' in social contexts, but in professional ones, it's just 'late'.

The story of Rostam and Sohrab (Noshdaroo pas az marg-e Sohrab) Modern Persian poems about the 'belated' arrival of spring. Persian cinema often portrays characters struggling with the 'past-time' of their lives.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Work/Office

جلسه پس وقت شروع شد.
گزارش پس وقت است.
او همیشه پس وقت می‌آید.
لطفاً پس وقت نباشید.

Travel

قطار پس وقت رسید.
پرواز پس وقت است.
ما پس وقت به ایستگاه رسیدیم.
چرا اتوبوس پس وقت آمد؟

Social

مهمانی پس وقت تمام شد.
شام پس وقت آماده بود.
دوستم پس وقت آمد.
ببخشید که پس وقت زنگ زدم.

School

امتحان پس وقت شروع شد.
تکالیف را پس وقت ندهید.
او پس وقت به کلاس آمد.
ثبت‌نام پس وقت تمام شد.

Daily Life

امروز پس وقت بیدار شدم.
نانوایی پس وقت باز کرد.
پستچی پس وقت آمد.
فیلم پس وقت پخش شد.

Conversation Starters

"آیا تا به حال شده که برای یک قرار مهم پس وقت برسید؟"

"فکر می‌کنید چرا بعضی از مردم همیشه پس وقت هستند؟"

"در کشور شما، اگر کسی پس وقت به جلسه بیاید چه اتفاقی می‌افتد؟"

"بهترین راه برای جبران یک کار پس وقت چیست؟"

"آیا ترجیح می‌دهید خیلی زود برسید یا کمی پس وقت؟"

Journal Prompts

درباره زمانی بنویسید که یک اتفاق مهم را به خاطر پس وقت رسیدن از دست دادید.

آیا در زندگی شما چیزی وجود دارد که فکر می‌کنید برای آن پس وقت شده است؟

تفاوت بین 'دیر' و 'پس وقت' را با مثال‌هایی از زندگی خود توضیح دهید.

چگونه می‌توانیم مدیریت زمان بهتری داشته باشیم تا هیچ‌وقت پس وقت نباشیم؟

یک داستان کوتاه درباره ساعتی بنویسید که همیشه پس وقت کار می‌کرد.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, in almost all contexts, it refers to something happening after the intended or expected time.

No, that is a common mistake. Use 'ba'd az zohr' for afternoon.

It is more descriptive and slightly more formal than the basic word 'dir'.

You would say 'Man pas vaght amadam' (I came late) or 'Man pas vaght hastam' (I am past the time).

The most direct opposite is 'be-moqe' (on time) or 'zood' (early).

Yes, to describe someone who is chronically late or who arrived late to a specific event.

Yes, but some regions might prefer 'dir' or other local variations.

It is two words, but often functions as a single compound phrase.

Yes, it is appropriate for describing late submissions or arrivals.

As a phrase, no. But 'vaght' can be pluralized to 'owghat' in other contexts.