This page in your language

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

Français

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

Home
Learn
Persian
Vocabulary
پیش دستی

A2 noun #8,000 most common 11 min read

پیش دستی

pishdasti Top 8,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips پیش دستی in 30 Seconds

Explanation پیش دستی in your Level:

At the A1 level, you just need to know that 'pish-dasti' is a small plate. Think of it as the plate you use for a snack or a piece of fruit. In an Iranian home, when someone gives you fruit, they will always give you a 'pish-dasti' too. It is smaller than the plate you use for dinner. You can use it in simple sentences like 'This is a pish-dasti' or 'I want a pish-dasti.' It's a very useful word because you will see these plates every time you visit an Iranian family. Just remember: small plate = pish-dasti.

At the A2 level, you should be able to use 'pish-dasti' in more complex sentences and understand its role in hospitality. You should know that 'pish-dasti' is used for 'miveh' (fruit) and 'shirini' (sweets). You can start using adjectives with it, like 'pish-dasti-ye tamiz' (clean small plate) or 'pish-dasti-ye kuchi' (little small plate). You should also be aware of the plural form 'pish-dasti-hā'. At this level, you might also hear the phrase 'pish-dasti kardan' but you mainly focus on the noun meaning 'saucer' or 'small plate' for dining.

By B1, you understand that 'pish-dasti' is an essential part of the Persian table setting. You can distinguish it from 'boshghab' (dinner plate) and 'nalbaki' (tea saucer). You are comfortable using it in the context of hosting guests, such as 'Lotfan pish-dasti-hā ro ruye miz bechin' (Please arrange the small plates on the table). You also start to recognize the idiomatic verb 'pish-dasti kardan' (to take the initiative or forestall), which is very common in social interactions. You understand that this word is neutral and used in both formal and informal settings.

At the B2 level, you have a deeper grasp of the nuances. You know that 'pish-dasti' is more than just an object; it represents a level of etiquette. You can use it in discussions about culture and traditions. You understand the etymology (pish + dast) and how it relates to accessibility. You can use the idiomatic 'pish-dasti kardan' fluently in conversations about social dynamics, for example, 'Ghabl az inke u bekhāhad e'terāz konad, man pish-dasti kardam va tozih dādam' (Before he could object, I took the initiative and explained).

At the C1 level, you use 'pish-dasti' and its related forms with precision and stylistic flair. You might use it in writing to describe a scene of Iranian life with detail. You understand the historical evolution of tableware in Iran and can discuss the difference between various types of 'zarf' (containers). You are aware of the subtle social signals involved in which 'pish-dasti' is used for which guest. You can also use the idiomatic form in professional or literary contexts to describe strategic moves or preemptive actions.

At the C2 level, you have near-native mastery. You understand the word's place in the broader Persian linguistic history. You might know of older synonyms or regional variations. You can use the word in complex metaphors. You understand the cultural 'semiotics' of the pish-dasti—how its material, design, and placement reflect the host's social status and their relationship with the guest. You can effortlessly switch between the literal noun and the metaphorical verb in high-level debates or literary analysis.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

پیش دستی in 30 Seconds

A small plate for fruits and snacks.
Essential for Iranian hospitality and 'Mehmāni'.
Smaller than a dinner plate (boshghab).
Also used in an idiom meaning 'to take the initiative'.

The Persian word پیش دستی (pronounced as pish-dasti) is a fundamental noun in the Iranian culinary and social landscape. At its most literal level, it refers to a small plate or a saucer, typically used for serving fruits, sweets, appetizers, or as a base for a teacup. However, the significance of the pish-dasti extends far beyond its physical dimensions. In the context of Iranian hospitality, which is world-renowned for its warmth and complexity, the pish-dasti is the silent workhorse of the 'Mehmāni' (gathering). When you enter an Iranian home, you are almost immediately presented with a small plate. This plate is your personal canvas for the evening, where hosts will place seasonal fruits like cucumbers, apples, and pomegranates, or perhaps a slice of 'Shirini' (pastry).

Etymological Breakdown: The word is a compound of 'pish' (meaning 'before' or 'in front') and 'dast' (meaning 'hand'), followed by the nominalizing suffix 'i'. Historically, it suggests something that is placed 'before the hand' or easily accessible for immediate use during a meal or snack.
Cultural Significance: In Persian culture, serving someone without a pish-dasti is often considered impolite or 'bi-adabi'. It provides a designated space for the guest to manage their food, reflecting the host's attention to detail and care for the guest's comfort.

مادرم همیشه زیباترین پیش دستی‌ها را برای مهمان‌ها کنار می‌گذارد.
Translation: My mother always sets aside the most beautiful small plates for the guests.

Understanding the difference between a pish-dasti and a standard boshghab (plate) is crucial for learners. While a boshghab is for the main course—rice, stews, or kebabs—the pish-dasti is reserved for everything else. It is the vessel for the 'pish-ghaza' (appetizer) or the 'asrāneh' (afternoon snack). If you are at a Persian dinner party and you use a large dinner plate for your fruit, it might look slightly out of place, as the delicate nature of fruit consumption in Iran favors the smaller, more manageable pish-dasti.

In modern Iranian households, you will find pish-dasti sets made of various materials, from fine bone china and crystal to more contemporary ceramic designs. They are often sold in sets of six (a 'dast'), matching the larger dinner service but maintaining that specific small diameter. When setting a table for a formal 'Mehmāni', the pish-dasti is often placed on top of the larger dinner plate or to the upper left, ready for the first course of salad or bread and cheese (nān-o-panir).

برای خوردن شیرینی، لطفاً یک پیش دستی بردارید.
Translation: Please take a small plate to eat the sweets.

Historically, the concept of the pish-dasti aligns with the Persian tradition of 'Sofreh', where many small dishes are spread out. Instead of one large portion, guests sample various items, making the small plate essential for variety without waste. It encourages a slower, more social style of eating, where one might peel a cucumber or slice an orange over the course of a long conversation, all within the confines of their trusty pish-dasti.

Using the word پیش دستی in sentences requires an understanding of its grammatical role as a common noun. In Persian, it follows standard noun rules regarding pluralization, definiteness, and its role in the Ezafe construction. Because it is a concrete object, it is most often the object of verbs like 'gozāshtan' (to put), 'āvardan' (to bring), or 'shostan' (to wash). However, it can also act as the subject in descriptive sentences.

Pluralization: The plural form is 'pish-dasti-hā' (پیش‌دستی‌ها). In spoken Persian, this often becomes 'pish-dasti-yā'. For example: 'Pish-dasti-hā ro ruye miz bechin' (Arrange the small plates on the table).
Ezafe Construction: When describing the plate, we use the Ezafe (the '-e' or '-ye' connector). 'Pish-dasti-ye kuchi' (small plate), 'Pish-dasti-ye ghermez' (red plate), or 'Pish-dasti-ye māmān' (Mom's small plate).

آیا این پیش دستی تمیز است یا باید آن را بشویم؟
Translation: Is this small plate clean, or should I wash it?

When you are a guest, you might hear the host say: 'Befarmāid pish-dasti' (Please, help yourself to a small plate). This is an invitation to begin eating the fruit or snacks provided. In a more formal setting, a waiter might ask: 'Bish-tar pish-dasti lāzem dārid?' (Do you need more small plates?). Note that in some dialects or older styles, people might use 'nalbaki' specifically for teacup saucers, but 'pish-dasti' is the broader term for any small plate used for food.

Interestingly, the word can also appear in kitchen-related verbs. 'Pish-dasti chidan' (to set the small plates) is a common task given to children before a party. 'Pish-dasti-ye kaveh' (a chipped small plate) is something you'd want to avoid giving to a guest. Because the word is compound, learners sometimes struggle with where to put the stress. The primary stress is usually on the last syllable: pish-das-TI.

تعدادی پیش دستی بلور برای سفره‌ی عقد خریدم.
Translation: I bought a number of crystal small plates for the wedding spread.

In a restaurant context, if you are sharing appetizers, you might say: 'Lotfan chand tā pish-dasti-ye ezāfe biyāvarid' (Please bring a few extra small plates). This indicates you intend to share the food, a very common practice in Iranian dining culture where 'sharing is caring' is the unspoken rule of the table.

If you spend any time in an Iranian household, the word پیش دستی will become part of your daily auditory landscape. It is not a 'bookish' word; it is a living, breathing part of the vernacular. You will hear it in the kitchen, in the dining room, and even in the bazaar. When you go shopping for home goods in places like Tehran's Grand Bazaar or the Shoosh district, merchants will shout about their 'dast-e pish-dasti' (set of small plates) to attract customers.

In the Home: The most common place is during 'Pazirāyi' (reception). A host might say to a child: 'Boro az tu kābinet shish tā pish-dasti biyār' (Go get six small plates from the cabinet).
In Restaurants: While high-end restaurants might use more formal terms, the average waiter will understand and use 'pish-dasti' when you ask for a plate for your salad or shared appetizers.

فروشنده گفت: این پیش دستی‌ها نشکن هستند.
Translation: The seller said: These small plates are unbreakable.

You will also hear it in television dramas and movies, specifically during scenes of domestic life. It’s a word that evokes a sense of home and preparation. If a character is getting ready for a suitor to come over (a 'khāstegāri'), there will almost certainly be a mention of polishing the pish-dasti or choosing the best ones. It symbolizes readiness and respect for the guest.

In religious or communal gatherings like 'Nazri' (charitable food distribution), while large disposable containers are common now, traditional settings still rely on the pish-dasti for serving dates or 'halvā'. In these contexts, the word carries a communal weight—it’s the vessel through which food is shared among neighbors and the poor.

در کافه، گارسون یک پیش دستی کوچک برای کیک من آورد.
Translation: In the cafe, the waiter brought a small plate for my cake.

Finally, you might hear it in antique shops. 'Pish-dasti-ye ghajari' (Qajar-era small plates) are highly collectible. These are often hand-painted and represent the artistic history of Iran. Hearing the word in this context shifts it from a mundane kitchen object to a piece of national heritage, showing just how deeply embedded this 'small plate' is in the Persian identity.

For English speakers learning Persian, the most common mistake with پیش دستی is confusing it with other types of plates or using it in the wrong social context. Because English often just uses the word 'plate' for everything from a tiny saucer to a giant platter, the specificity of Persian vocabulary can be a hurdle. Another major pitfall is the confusion between the noun 'pish-dasti' and the idiomatic verb 'pish-dasti kardan'.

Pish-dasti vs. Boshghab: Never use 'pish-dasti' to refer to the plate you eat your main meal (like Chelo Kebab) from. That is always a 'boshghab'. Calling a dinner plate a 'pish-dasti' will sound like you are calling it tiny or insufficient.
Pish-dasti vs. Nalbaki: A 'nalbaki' is specifically the saucer for a teacup. While a 'pish-dasti' can be used for tea in a pinch, a 'nalbaki' is never used for serving fruit or appetizers. Using 'pish-dasti' for a tea saucer is acceptable, but using 'nalbaki' for a fruit plate is a mistake.

اشتباه: من برنجم را در پیش دستی خوردم.
Correction: برنج باید در «بشقاب» خورده شود. (Rice should be eaten in a 'boshghab'.)

The idiomatic mistake is also frequent. If you want to say 'I anticipated the move,' you use the verb 'pish-dasti kardan'. However, some learners mistakenly try to use the noun as a verb without the helper verb 'kardan'. You cannot say 'Man pish-dasti dāram' to mean 'I am taking the initiative'—that would literally mean 'I have a small plate'!

Another mistake involves the plural. Since 'pish-dasti' ends in the letter 'ye' (ی), adding the plural 'hā' requires a connector in formal writing (پیش‌دستی‌ها), but many learners forget the silent 'ye' sound in speech. Also, be careful with the word 'dis'. A 'dis' is a large serving platter. If you ask for a 'dis' when you want a small plate for your cake, the host will be very confused when they bring out a giant tray!

اشتباه: لطفاً برای میوه یک «دیس» بیاورید.
Correction: برای میوه باید «پیش دستی» خواست. (For fruit, one should ask for a 'pish-dasti'.)

Lastly, pay attention to the 'dast' part of the word. Some learners assume it has something to do with washing hands because 'dast' means hand. While the etymology is related to the hand's reach, 'pish-dasti' has nothing to do with a washbasin or towel. Keep it strictly in the realm of tableware to avoid confusion.

To truly master Persian, you need to know where پیش دستی sits in the family of tableware. Persian has a very specific hierarchy of plates and containers, each with its own name and purpose. Knowing these alternatives will help you navigate a dinner table with the grace of a native speaker.

بشقاب (Boshghab): The general word for 'plate'. It usually refers to the standard dinner plate (boshghab-e ghazā-khori). It is larger than a pish-dasti.
نعلبکی (Nalbaki): Specifically a saucer for a teacup. It is usually smaller and more concave than a pish-dasti, designed to catch drips or hold the cup securely.
دیس (Dis): A large serving platter. This is what the rice or kebab is served on for the whole table to share before it is moved to individual plates.

تفاوت اصلی بین پیش دستی و بشقاب در اندازه و کاربرد آن‌هاست.
Translation: The main difference between a small plate and a dinner plate is in their size and application.

In some regions or more archaic Persian, you might encounter the word tabaghcheh, which refers to a very small tray or plate, but this is rare in modern conversation. Another word is zarf, which is the generic word for 'dish' or 'container'. If you forget the word for pish-dasti, you can say 'zarf-e kuchi' (small dish), and people will understand you, though it’s less precise.

For those interested in the idiomatic side, the alternative to the verb 'pish-dasti kardan' (to forestall) would be 'ezteghā' or 'sabaghat gereftan' (to overtake/precede), though these are much more formal and usually used in literature or news. In daily life, 'pish-dasti kardan' is the go-to phrase. It’s fascinating how a word for a small plate evolved to also represent the act of being 'quick on the draw' in social situations!

او در جواب دادن پیش دستی کرد تا زودتر از همه صحبت کند.
Translation: He took the initiative in answering so he could speak before everyone else. (Idiomatic use)

When shopping, you might also see the word 'Miveh-khori' (fruit-eating [dish]). Often, a set of 'pish-dasti' is sold as part of a 'service-e miveh-khori'. This includes the small plates and sometimes a larger matching bowl for the fruit itself. Understanding these compound words helps you see the logic of the Persian language: words are often built based on their specific function in the home.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The word perfectly encapsulates the Persian philosophy of hospitality: things should be placed 'before the hand' of the guest so they never have to reach or wait for what they need.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /piːʃ dæstiː/

US /piːʃ dæstiː/

The primary stress is on the final syllable: pish-das-TI.

Rhymes With

Dasti (Handy) Masti (Drunkenness) Hasti (Existence) Parasti (Worshiping) Rasti (Truth) Gasti (You became) Shasti (Thumb/Sixty) Pasti (Lowness)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'pish' as 'pesh'. It should be a clear 'ee' sound.
Putting the stress on the first syllable 'PISH-dasti'.
Confusing the 'a' in 'dast' with an 'o' sound.
Omitting the final 'i' sound.
Merging the two words into 'pishdasti' without the slight internal boundary.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to read as it is phonetic and common.

Writing 3/5

Requires remembering the 'ye' at the end and the compound structure.

Speaking 2/5

Simple pronunciation, though stress is important.

Listening 2/5

Very common in daily speech, easy to pick out.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

دست (Hand) پیش (Front) بشقاب (Plate) میوه (Fruit)

Learn Next

نعلبکی (Saucer) کارد (Knife) چنگال (Fork) پذیرایی (Hosting)

Advanced

تعارف (Ta'arof) اشرافی (Aristocratic) ظروف (Dishes/Vessels)

Grammar to Know

Ezafe Construction

پیش دستیِ من (pish-dasti-ye man) - My small plate.

Pluralization with -hā

پیش دستی‌ها (pish-dasti-hā) - Small plates.

Compound Noun Stress

Stress is on the last syllable: pish-das-TI.

Object Marker 'rā'

پیش دستی را بیاور (Bring the small plate).

Silent 'Ye' in speech

Pish-dasti-yā (Spoken plural).

Examples by Level

این یک پیش دستی است.

This is a small plate.

Simple 'Subject + Verb' structure.

پیش دستی کجاست؟

Where is the small plate?

Question word 'kojāst' (where is).

من یک پیش دستی می‌خواهم.

I want a small plate.

Present tense of 'khāstan' (to want).

پیش دستی تمیز است.

The small plate is clean.

Adjective 'tamiz' (clean) following the noun.

سیب را در پیش دستی بگذار.

Put the apple in the small plate.

Imperative verb 'bogzār' (put).

پیش دستی کوچک است.

The small plate is small.

Adjective 'kuchak' (small).

دو پیش دستی روی میز است.

There are two small plates on the table.

Use of numbers with nouns (no plural suffix needed with numbers).

این پیش دستی مال من است.

This small plate is mine.

Possessive 'māl-e man' (mine).

لطفاً برای من یک پیش دستی بیاورید.

Please bring a small plate for me.

Polite imperative 'biyāvarid'.

مادر پیش دستی‌ها را شست.

Mother washed the small plates.

Plural noun 'pish-dasti-hā'.

ما برای میوه به پیش دستی نیاز داریم.

We need small plates for the fruit.

Verb 'niyāz dāshtan' (to need).

این پیش دستی‌ها خیلی زیبا هستند.

These small plates are very beautiful.

Plural demonstrative 'in...hā'.

آیا پیش دستی دیگری دارید؟

Do you have another small plate?

Adjective 'digari' (another).

پیش دستی را کنار فنجان بگذار.

Put the small plate next to the cup.

Preposition 'kenār-e' (beside/next to).

من پیش دستی قرمز را دوست دارم.

I like the red small plate.

Definite object marker 'rā'.

شیرینی‌ها را در پیش دستی چیدم.

I arranged the sweets in the small plate.

Past tense 'chidam' (I arranged).

او برای هر مهمان یک پیش دستی و کارد و چنگال گذاشت.

She put a small plate, knife, and fork for each guest.

List of objects in a sentence.

پیش دستی‌های گل‌سرخی قدیمی ارزش زیادی دارند.

Old 'Gol-sorkhi' (rose pattern) small plates are very valuable.

Compound adjective 'Gol-sorkhi'.

قبل از خوردن کیک، حتماً پیش دستی بردارید.

Before eating the cake, make sure to take a small plate.

Subordinate clause with 'ghabl az'.

در رستوران، گارسون پیش دستی‌های کثیف را جمع کرد.

In the restaurant, the waiter collected the dirty small plates.

Past tense verb 'jam' kard' (collected).

او با پیش دستی کردن در پرداخت قبض، ما را غافلگیر کرد.

He surprised us by taking the initiative in paying the bill.

Idiomatic use of 'pish-dasti kardan' as a gerund.

همیشه چند پیش دستی اضافه در کابینت داریم.

We always have a few extra small plates in the cabinet.

Adjective 'ezāfe' (extra).

پیش دستی نباید لب‌پَر باشد چون بی‌احترامی به مهمان است.

A small plate shouldn't be chipped because it's disrespectful to the guest.

Modal verb 'nabāyad' (should not).

این پیش دستی‌های کریستال با لیوان‌ها ست هستند.

These crystal small plates match the glasses.

Use of 'set hastand' (to match/be a set).

در فرهنگ ایرانی، تعارف کردن میوه بدون پیش دستی مرسوم نیست.

In Iranian culture, offering fruit without a small plate is not customary.

Complex subject with 'dar farhang-e...'

او سعی کرد با پیش دستی کردن در گفتگو، مدیریت جلسه را به دست بگیرد.

He tried to take control of the meeting by taking the initiative in the conversation.

Idiomatic usage in a professional context.

اگر پیش دستی‌ها را با دقت نشویید، لکه‌های آب روی آن‌ها باقی می‌ماند.

If you don't wash the small plates carefully, water spots will remain on them.

Conditional 'if' sentence (agar).

این پیش دستی‌های سفالی کار دست هنرمندان لالجین است.

These pottery small plates are the handiwork of Lalejin artists.

Passive-like construction 'kār-e dast-e...'.

او به جای بشقاب بزرگ، ترجیح داد شامش را در یک پیش دستی بخورد.

Instead of a large plate, he preferred to eat his dinner in a small plate.

Prepositional phrase 'be jā-ye' (instead of).

تعداد پیش دستی‌ها برای این همه مهمان کافی نبود.

The number of small plates was not enough for all these guests.

Subject-verb agreement with 'te'dād' (number).

پیش دستی‌های ملامین قدیمی مرا به یاد دوران کودکی‌ام می‌اندازد.

The old melamine small plates remind me of my childhood.

Verbal idiom 'be yād andākhtan' (to remind).

او با مهارتی خاص، پیش دستی‌ها را روی هم چید تا نیفتند.

With a special skill, he stacked the small plates so they wouldn't fall.

Purpose clause with 'tā' (so that).

ظرافت نقش و نگارهای روی این پیش دستی نشان‌دهنده هنر اصیل ایرانی است.

The delicacy of the patterns on this small plate indicates authentic Iranian art.

Complex noun phrase as subject.

دولت در ارائه لایحه جدید پیش دستی کرد تا از اعتراضات احتمالی جلوگیری کند.

The government took the initiative in presenting the new bill to prevent potential protests.

Political/Metaphorical use of the idiom.

در چیدمان سفره‌های اشرافی، جایگاه پیش دستی بسیار دقیق و حساب‌شده است.

In aristocratic table settings, the placement of the small plate is very precise and calculated.

Academic vocabulary like 'ashrāfi' and 'hesāb-shodeh'.

او با یک حرکت هوشمندانه، در بازار رقابتی پیش دستی کرد و سهم بیشتری گرفت.

With a clever move, he took the initiative in the competitive market and gained a larger share.

Business context for the idiom.

استفاده از پیش دستی‌های نقره در مراسم‌های خاص، نمادی از تجمل و شکوه بود.

The use of silver small plates in special ceremonies was a symbol of luxury and grandeur.

Historical description using 'namādi az'.

تحلیل‌گران معتقدند که ارتش با پیش دستی کردن در حمله، نقشه دشمن را بر هم زد.

Analysts believe the army disrupted the enemy's plan by taking the initiative in the attack.

Military/Strategic context.

تنوع متریال در ساخت پیش دستی، از چینی و بلور تا سنگ و چوب، شگفت‌انگیز است.

The variety of materials in making small plates, from porcelain and crystal to stone and wood, is amazing.

List of materials using 'az... tā...'.

او همیشه در مهربانی کردن پیش دستی می‌کند و منتظر جبران نمی‌ماند.

He always takes the initiative in being kind and doesn't wait for reciprocation.

Moral/Ethical use of the idiom.

در متون کهن، ردپای استفاده از پیش دستی به عنوان ابزاری برای پذیرایی از صاحب‌منصبان دیده می‌شود.

In ancient texts, traces of using small plates as a tool for receiving dignitaries can be seen.

Formal academic Persian.

پیش دستی کردن در خیرات، از توصیه‌های اکید در اخلاق اسلامی و ایرانی است.

Taking the initiative in charity is one of the strict recommendations in Islamic and Iranian ethics.

Abstract noun usage.

تطور فرمی پیش دستی در طول تاریخ، بازتابی از تغییر ذائقه زیباشناختی جامعه است.

The formal evolution of the small plate throughout history is a reflection of the change in the aesthetic taste of society.

Sociological/Artistic terminology.

او چنان در سیاست‌ورزی پیش دستی کرد که رقبایش حتی فرصت واکنش نیافتند.

He took such initiative in politics that his rivals didn't even find the opportunity to react.

High-level metaphorical usage.

ارزش هر دست پیش دستی عتیقه، گاه با قیمت کل سرویس‌های مدرن برابری می‌کند.

The value of each set of antique small plates sometimes equals the price of entire modern sets.

Comparison of value.

در دیپلماسی، پیش دستی کردن در مذاکرات می‌تواند برگ برنده‌ای برای هر کشوری باشد.

In diplomacy, taking the initiative in negotiations can be a winning card for any country.

Diplomatic idiom 'barg-e barandeh'.

او با پیش دستی در ابراز ندامت، توانست از شدت مجازات خود بکاهد.

By taking the initiative in expressing remorse, he was able to reduce the severity of his punishment.

Legal context.

چیدمان پیش دستی‌ها بر اساس اصول فنگ‌شویی، انرژی مثبتی به فضای ناهارخوری می‌بخشد.

Arranging small plates based on Feng Shui principles gives positive energy to the dining space.

Modern lifestyle context.

Common Collocations

یک دست پیش دستی

پیش دستی چیدن

پیش دستی بلور

پیش دستی چینی

پیش دستی لب‌پر

پیش دستی و کارد

پیش دستی کثیف

پیش دستی تمیز

پیش دستی یک‌بار مصرف

پیش دستی کردن در کاری

Common Phrases

بفرمایید پیش دستی

— An invitation to take a plate and start eating snacks or fruit.

میوه روی میز است، بفرمایید پیش دستی.

پیش دستی‌ها را جمع کردن

— To clear the small plates from the table.

بعد از میوه، پیش دستی‌ها را جمع کردیم.

یک دست پیش دستی چند است؟

— Asking for the price of a set of six small plates.

آقا، این یک دست پیش دستی چند است؟

پیش دستی دمِ دست

— A plate that is easily accessible for daily use.

پیش دستی‌های دمِ دست را در قفسه اول بگذار.

پیش دستیِ مهمان

— The special, better-quality plates reserved for guests.

این‌ها پیش دستیِ مهمان هستند، با احتیاط بشور.

پیش دستیِ میوه‌خوری

— A small plate specifically designated for eating fruit.

کارد و پیش دستی میوه‌خوری را بیاور.

پیش دستیِ شیرینی‌خوری

— A small plate specifically for eating sweets or pastries.

برای کیک تولد، پیش دستی شیرینی‌خوری لازم داریم.

پیش دستیِ گلسرخی

— A specific, very popular traditional rose-patterned plate in Iran.

مادربزرگم یک سری پیش دستی گلسرخی قدیمی دارد.

پیش دستی کردن برای صلح

— Taking the first step/initiative towards peace.

او برای صلح با برادرش پیش دستی کرد.

پیش دستیِ ست

— A plate that is part of a matching set.

این پیش دستی با بقیه ست نیست.

Often Confused With

پیش دستی vs بشقاب (Boshghab)

Boshghab is for dinner; pish-dasti is for snacks.

پیش دستی vs نعلبکی (Nalbaki)

Nalbaki is only for teacups; pish-dasti is for food.

پیش دستی vs دیس (Dis)

Dis is a giant platter for the whole table; pish-dasti is for one person.

Idioms & Expressions

"پیش دستی کردن"

— To take the initiative, to do something before someone else has a chance, or to forestall.

او در عذرخواهی پیش دستی کرد.

General

"در سلام پیش دستی کردن"

— To be the first one to say hello (considered a sign of humility and good manners).

مومن در سلام کردن پیش دستی می‌کند.

Social/Religious

"پیش دستی کردن در پرداخت"

— To rush to pay the bill before others can.

باز هم در پرداخت صورت‌حساب پیش دستی کردی!

Social

"پیش دستی در حمله"

— To launch a preemptive strike or attack.

تیم حریف در حمله پیش دستی کرد.

Sports/Military

"پیش دستی در سخن"

— To speak before others have a chance, sometimes to control the narrative.

او در سخن گفتن پیش دستی کرد تا حرفش را به کرسی بنشاند.

Formal

"پیش دستی در احسان"

— To be the first to do a good deed.

او در احسان و نیکی به همسایگان پیش دستی می‌کند.

Ethical

"پیش دستی در رقابت"

— To get ahead of competitors by acting faster.

شرکت ما در معرفی تکنولوژی جدید پیش دستی کرد.

Business

"پیش دستی در ازدواج"

— To propose or take steps towards marriage before a rival.

او برای خواستگاری از دختر مورد علاقه‌اش پیش دستی کرد.

Social

"پیش دستی در قضاوت"

— To judge someone before knowing the full facts.

در قضاوت کردن پیش دستی نکن، بگذار حرفش را بزند.

Moral

"پیش دستی در دوستی"

— To be the first to offer friendship or reconciliation.

او برای آشتی با دوست قدیمی‌اش پیش دستی کرد.

Personal

Easily Confused

پیش دستی vs پیش‌غذا

Both start with 'pish'.

Pish-ghazā is the food (appetizer); Pish-dasti is the plate it goes on.

پیش‌غذا را در پیش‌دستی بکش.

پیش دستی vs پیش‌بند

Both start with 'pish'.

Pish-band is an apron worn while cooking.

پیش‌بند را ببند و پیش‌دستی‌ها را بشور.

پیش دستی vs دست‌مال

Both contain 'dast'.

Dast-māl is a napkin or towel.

با دست‌مال پیش‌دستی را خشک کن.

پیش دستی vs پیش‌خوان

Both start with 'pish'.

Pish-khān is a counter or desk.

پیش‌دستی را روی پیش‌خوان بگذار.

پیش دستی vs دستی

It is the second half of the word.

Dasti means 'manual' or 'hand-held'.

این یک جاروی دستی است.

Sentence Patterns

این [Noun] است.

این پیش دستی است.

لطفاً [Noun] بیاورید.

لطفاً پیش دستی بیاورید.

[Noun] برای [Activity] است.

پیش دستی برای میوه است.

او در [Activity] پیش دستی کرد.

او در سلام کردن پیش دستی کرد.

[Noun] نشان‌دهنده [Concept] است.

پیش دستی بلور نشان‌دهنده تجمل است.

تطور [Noun] بازتابی از [Concept] است.

تطور پیش دستی بازتابی از تغییر ذائقه است.

[Noun] [Adjective] است.

پیش دستی تمیز است.

من [Number] [Noun] دارم.

من شش پیش دستی دارم.

Word Family

Nouns

پیش دستی (Small plate)

دست (Hand)

پیش (Front/Before)

Verbs

پیش دستی کردن (To take initiative)

دست زدن (To touch)

پیش رفتن (To advance)

Adjectives

پیش‌دستانه (Preemptive)

دستی (Hand-made/Manual)

بشقاب (Plate)

نعلبکی (Saucer)

دیس (Platter)

کارد (Knife)

چنگال (Fork)

How to Use It

frequency

Very high in daily life and domestic settings.

Common Mistakes

Using pish-dasti for a main meal. → Using 'boshghab'.
A pish-dasti is too small for a full meal like Chelo Kebab.
Saying 'Man pish-dasti dāram' to mean 'I take the initiative'. → Man pish-dasti mikonam.
The idiom requires the verb 'kardan'.
Confusing 'nalbaki' with 'pish-dasti'. → Use 'nalbaki' for tea saucers specifically.
They are different sizes and purposes.
Pronouncing it 'Pesh-dasti'. → Pish-dasti.
The first syllable is 'pish' (like 'peace').
Forgetting the 'ye' in Ezafe. → Pish-dasti-ye man.
Nouns ending in 'i' need a 'ye' connector.

Tips

The Fruit Rule

In Iran, never serve fruit without a pish-dasti and a small knife (kard-e miveh-khori).

Spoken Plural

In Tehran, you'll hear 'pish-dastiyā' instead of 'pish-dasti-hā'.

Initiative

Use 'pish-dasti kardan' to impress Iranians with your knowledge of social nuances.

Ezafe

Always add a 'ye' sound after pish-dasti before an adjective: pish-dasti-ye zibā.

Stacking

When clearing the table, it's polite to stack the pish-dastis neatly.

Buying Sets

Look for 'yek dast' (a set of six) when shopping for pish-dasti.

Don't confuse

Remember: Pish-dasti (plate) vs. Pish-ghazā (food).

Long EE

Make sure the 'i' at the end is a long 'ee' sound, not a short 'i'.

Antiques

Ask for 'pish-dasti-ye antique' in bazaars to see beautiful old designs.

Formal Hosting

In formal settings, pish-dastis are often placed on top of dinner plates.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine you are at a party and you want to be 'pish' (in front) of the 'dast' (hand) of the person reaching for the last cookie. You put it on your 'pish-dasti' (small plate) first!

Visual Association

Visualize a small, beautiful plate sitting directly 'in front' (pish) of your 'hand' (dast) on a table, ready for a delicious piece of Persian baklava.

Word Web

Plate Hospitality Fruit Small Initiative Tableware Snack Persian Kitchen

Challenge

Try to find three things in your house that would fit on a 'pish-dasti' but not a 'boshghab'. Say the word 'pish-dasti' every time you touch one.

Word Origin

A compound Persian word formed from 'pish' (meaning 'before' or 'in front') and 'dast' (meaning 'hand'), plus the suffix 'i'.

Original meaning: Literally 'before the hand', referring to an object kept close and accessible for immediate use.

Indo-European > Indo-Iranian > Iranian > Western Iranian > Persian.

Cultural Context

Never serve a guest a chipped (lab-par) pish-dasti; it is considered a sign of poor hospitality or lack of respect.

In English, we might call this a 'side plate', 'salad plate', or 'saucer', but 'pish-dasti' covers all these small-scale uses in one word.

Classic Persian movies often feature scenes of women sitting together, peeling fruit into pish-dastis while gossiping. Persian poetry sometimes uses the metaphor of a plate to represent the world or a heart. Modern Iranian artists sometimes use traditional pish-dasti patterns in their contemporary works to evoke nostalgia.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Visiting an Iranian home

بفرمایید پیش دستی
پیش دستی میل دارید؟
یک پیش دستی بدهید
پیش دستی کجاست؟

Shopping for kitchenware

یک دست پیش دستی چند؟
پیش دستی چینی دارید؟
این‌ها نشکن هستند؟
طرح گلسرخی دارید؟

At a restaurant

پیش دستی اضافه لطفاً
برای سالاد پیش دستی بیاورید
این پیش دستی تمیز نیست
بشقاب کوچک می‌خواهم

Setting the table

پیش دستی‌ها را بچین
کارد را کنار پیش دستی بگذار
تعداد پیش دستی‌ها کمه
پیش دستی‌ها را بشور

Social initiative (Idiom)

در سلام پیش دستی کن
در خیرات پیش دستی کنید
او همیشه پیش دستی می‌کند
نباید پیش دستی می‌کردی

Conversation Starters

"آیا این پیش دستی‌ها یادگار مادربزرگتان است؟ (Are these small plates your grandmother's heirloom?)"

"چقدر این پیش دستی‌های بلور زیبا هستند! از کجا خریده‌اید؟ (How beautiful these crystal small plates are! Where did you buy them?)"

"برای این میوه‌ها، پیش دستی لازم داریم یا همین‌طوری می‌خوریم؟ (Do we need small plates for these fruits or do we eat them as they are?)"

"می‌خواهی در چیدن پیش دستی‌ها به تو کمک کنم؟ (Do you want me to help you set the small plates?)"

"چرا همیشه در پرداخت صورت‌حساب پیش دستی می‌کنی؟ (Why do you always take the initiative in paying the bill?)"

Journal Prompts

یک خاطره از مهمانی‌های خانوادگی بنویسید که در آن از پیش دستی‌های خاصی استفاده می‌شد. (Write a memory of family gatherings where special small plates were used.)

تفاوت بین پذیرایی در فرهنگ خودتان و فرهنگ ایرانی را با تمرکز بر ظروف توصیف کنید. (Describe the difference between hosting in your culture and Iranian culture, focusing on dishes.)

آیا تا به حال در کاری پیش دستی کرده‌اید که نتیجه خوبی داشته باشد؟ توضیح دهید. (Have you ever taken the initiative in something that had a good result? Explain.)

اگر بخواهید یک ست پیش دستی برای خانه‌تان بخرید، چه طرح و رنگی را انتخاب می‌کنید؟ (If you wanted to buy a set of small plates for your home, what design and color would you choose?)

اهمیت جزئیات در مهمان‌نوازی ایرانی را با مثال زدن از پیش دستی بنویسید. (Write about the importance of details in Iranian hospitality by giving the example of the small plate.)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, 'pish-dasti' is usually shallow. For soup, you would use a 'kāseh' (bowl) or a 'boshghab-e gowd' (deep plate).

A 'dast' refers to a set of six. So, 'yek dast pish-dasti' means six small plates.

It is a neutral word. It is used in all registers, from casual family talks to formal dinner parties.

It means to take the initiative or to do something before someone else can, like paying the bill first.

Close, but a saucer (nalbaki) is specifically for a teacup. A pish-dasti is slightly larger and for food.

Yes, if it's a small side salad, a pish-dasti is perfect.

Usually ceramic, porcelain, or glass (crystal). Sometimes melamine or plastic for picnics.

Pish-dasti-hā-ye kasif.

The stress is on the very last syllable: pish-das-TI.

Yes, if it's the specific direct object: 'Pish-dasti rā biyāvar' (Bring THE small plate).