راهنمایی کردن
راهنمایی کردن in 30 Seconds
- To guide
- To direct
- To advise
- To show the way
The Persian compound verb راهنمایی کردن (rahnamayi kardan) is a fundamental vocabulary item that translates to 'to guide', 'to direct', 'to advise', or 'to show the way'. It is composed of two parts: the noun 'راهنمایی' (guidance/direction) and the light verb 'کردن' (to do/to make). Understanding this verb is crucial for learners at the B1 level, as it bridges the gap between basic survival Persian and more nuanced, interactive communication. When you break down the noun 'راهنمایی', it comes from 'راهنما' (guide), which itself is a compound of 'راه' (way/path) and 'نما' (showing, from the verb نمودن). Therefore, the literal translation is 'to do the showing of the way'. This verb is highly versatile and can be used in both physical contexts, such as giving someone directions to a location, and abstract contexts, such as offering advice, mentoring a student, or providing professional consultation. In Persian culture, offering guidance is often seen as a sign of hospitality and care, making this verb frequently used in daily interactions.
- Literal Meaning
- To do the showing of the way.
میتوانید مرا راهنمایی کنید؟
When using this verb, the direct object is usually marked by the postposition 'را' (ra) if it is definite. For example, 'او من را راهنمایی کرد' (He/She guided me). It is important to note that the guidance provided can be formal, such as a teacher guiding a student, or informal, such as a local helping a tourist. The concept of guidance in Iranian society is deeply intertwined with respect for elders and professionals, who are often expected to 'راهنمایی کردن' the younger or less experienced individuals. This cultural nuance adds depth to the word, elevating it from a mere directional tool to a social function.
- Abstract Usage
- Used for mentoring, advising, and counseling.
معلم دانشآموزان را راهنمایی کرد.
Furthermore, the noun form 'راهنمایی' is famously used in the Iranian education system. 'مدرسه راهنمایی' (Madrese-ye Rahnamayi) used to refer to middle school (literally: guidance school), highlighting the educational aspect of the word. Although the educational system's terminology has evolved, the association remains strong. In professional settings, a 'راهنما' is a guide or a manual, and 'راهنمایی کردن' is the act of walking someone through a process. Whether you are lost in the bustling streets of Tehran or navigating a complex bureaucratic process, asking someone to 'راهنمایی کردن' you is the most natural and polite way to seek assistance.
- Physical Usage
- Used for giving directions on the street or in a building.
پلیس توریستها را راهنمایی میکند.
لطفاً برای رسیدن به مترو مرا راهنمایی کنید.
او همیشه دوستانش را درست راهنمایی میکند.
Using راهنمایی کردن correctly involves understanding Persian compound verb syntax. As a transitive verb, it requires a direct object, which is the person being guided. The object is typically followed by the definite object marker 'را' (ra). The structure is generally: [Subject] + [Object] + را + راهنمایی + [Conjugated form of کردن]. For instance, 'من شما را راهنمایی میکنم' (I guide you). In spoken Persian, 'را' often reduces to 'رو' (ro) or 'و' (o), making the sentence sound like 'من شما رو راهنمایی میکنم'. The verb 'کردن' is highly irregular in its present stem (کن - kon) but regular in its past stem (کرد - kard). Therefore, mastering the conjugation of 'کردن' is the key to using this verb across all tenses.
- Present Tense
- راهنمایی میکنم (I guide), راهنمایی میکنی (You guide), etc.
من شما را به سمت خروجی راهنمایی میکنم.
In the past tense, the structure remains the same, but the light verb changes: 'راهنمایی کردم' (I guided). The negative is formed by adding the prefix 'ن' (na/ne) to the light verb: 'راهنمایی نکردم' (I did not guide). When using modal verbs like 'توانستن' (to be able to) or 'خواستن' (to want), the main verb 'راهنمایی کردن' goes into the subjunctive mood. For example, 'میخواهم شما را راهنمایی کنم' (I want to guide you) or 'میتوانید مرا راهنمایی کنید؟' (Can you guide me?). The subjunctive prefix 'ب' (be) is usually omitted with compound verbs formed with 'کردن', so it becomes 'کنم' instead of 'بکنم', though both are grammatically acceptable.
- Past Tense
- راهنمایی کردم (I guided), راهنمایی کردی (You guided), etc.
او دیروز مرا برای خرید ماشین راهنمایی کرد.
It is also common to use this verb with prepositions. If you are guiding someone *to* a place, you use 'به' (be) or 'به سمت' (be samt-e - toward). For example, 'او را به سمت در راهنمایی کردم' (I guided him toward the door). If you are guiding someone *in* or *about* a matter, you use 'در' (dar) or 'در مورد' (dar mored-e - about). For example, 'در مورد این پروژه مرا راهنمایی کنید' (Guide me regarding this project). This flexibility makes the verb indispensable for both everyday navigation and complex professional or academic discussions.
- Subjunctive Mood
- راهنمایی کنم (that I guide), راهنمایی کنی (that you guide), etc.
باید او را راهنمایی کنیم.
لطفاً مرا به دفتر مدیر راهنمایی کنید.
هیچکس مرا راهنمایی نکرد.
The verb راهنمایی کردن is ubiquitous in Persian-speaking environments, heard in a wide array of contexts ranging from the streets of Tehran to formal academic settings. One of the most common places you will hear this phrase is when someone is lost. A pedestrian might approach a shopkeeper and say, 'ببخشید، میتوانید مرا راهنمایی کنید؟' (Excuse me, can you guide me?). In this context, it is a polite and culturally appropriate way to ask for directions without sounding demanding. You will also hear it frequently in customer service. When you call a bank, an internet provider, or a government office, the representative will often say, 'چطور میتوانم شما را راهنمایی کنم؟' (How can I guide/assist you?). Here, it functions similarly to 'How can I help you?' in English, but with a specific connotation of providing information or walking the customer through a process.
- Customer Service
- Used by staff to offer assistance or troubleshooting.
پشتیبانی فنی مرا برای حل مشکل راهنمایی کرد.
In educational and professional environments, the verb takes on the meaning of mentoring or advising. A university professor might be asked to 'راهنمایی کردن' a student's thesis. In fact, a thesis advisor is called 'استاد راهنما' (ostad-e rahnama). In the workplace, a senior employee might be tasked with guiding a new hire. The concept of mentorship is deeply respected in Iranian culture, and asking an elder or a more experienced colleague for their 'راهنمایی' is a sign of humility and respect. You will often hear phrases like 'از راهنمایی شما متشکرم' (Thank you for your guidance) at the end of meetings or consultations.
- Academic Context
- Used for thesis advising and academic counseling.
استاد راهنما دانشجویان را در نوشتن پایاننامه راهنمایی میکند.
Furthermore, in the realm of tourism, tour guides (راهنمای تور) are literally 'tour guiders'. When visiting historical sites like Persepolis or the bazaars of Isfahan, a guide will 'راهنمایی کردن' the group, explaining the history and significance of the locations. The verb is also prevalent in digital spaces; software applications often have a 'راهنما' (Help/Guide) section, and tutorials are designed to 'راهنمایی کردن' users. Thus, whether in physical navigation, intellectual mentorship, or digital troubleshooting, this verb is an essential part of the Persian linguistic landscape.
- Tourism
- Used by tour guides showing tourists around.
راهنمای تور ما را در موزه راهنمایی کرد.
نرمافزار کاربران را قدم به قدم راهنمایی میکند.
مادرش همیشه او را در زندگی راهنمایی میکرد.
When learning the verb راهنمایی کردن, non-native speakers often encounter a few specific pitfalls, primarily related to syntax, prepositions, and the conjugation of compound verbs. The most frequent mistake is the omission or incorrect placement of the object marker 'را' (ra). Because 'راهنمایی کردن' is a transitive verb, the person being guided is the direct object. Learners sometimes try to translate directly from English and use prepositions like 'به' (to) for the person, saying 'به من راهنمایی کن' (Guide to me), which is grammatically incorrect in Persian. The correct form is 'من را راهنمایی کن' (Guide me). Understanding that the person is the direct object is crucial for natural-sounding Persian.
- Mistake: Wrong Preposition
- Using 'به' instead of 'را' for the person being guided.
Incorrect: به من راهنمایی کن. | Correct: من را راهنمایی کن.
Another common error involves separating the compound verb incorrectly. In Persian, the non-verbal part ('راهنمایی') and the verbal part ('کردن') should generally stay together, especially in simple sentences. While advanced speakers might insert words between them for emphasis or stylistic reasons, beginners should keep them adjacent. For example, saying 'راهنمایی من را کرد' is highly unnatural; it should be 'من را راهنمایی کرد'. Additionally, learners sometimes confuse 'راهنمایی کردن' with 'نصیحت کردن' (to advise/to preach). While both involve giving direction, 'نصیحت کردن' has a moralistic or paternalistic tone, whereas 'راهنمایی کردن' is neutral, practical, and informational. Using 'نصیحت کردن' when someone just wants directions to the post office would sound very strange!
- Mistake: Word Order
- Placing the object between the noun and the light verb.
Incorrect: راهنمایی او را کردم. | Correct: او را راهنمایی کردم.
Finally, learners often struggle with the pronunciation of the word itself. The sequence of letters 'ه' (h) and 'ن' (n) in 'راهنما' can be tricky. The 'h' should be softly aspirated, not dropped entirely, and the stress falls on the final syllable of the noun part: rah-na-ma-YI. Dropping the 'h' makes it sound like 'ranamayi', which is a common colloquial reduction but should be avoided in formal speech or writing. Paying attention to these subtle phonetic details, along with mastering the syntax and semantic boundaries of the word, will significantly improve your fluency and confidence in using this essential Persian verb.
- Mistake: Semantic Confusion
- Confusing it with 'نصیحت کردن' (to give moral advice).
برای پیدا کردن آدرس، از پلیس خواستم مرا راهنمایی کند (نه نصیحت کند).
دانشآموزان به راهنمایی نیاز دارند.
لطفاً در این مورد مرا راهنمایی کنید.
The Persian language is rich in vocabulary related to guidance, advice, and direction. While راهنمایی کردن is the most general and versatile term, several other verbs and phrases share similar meanings but are used in slightly different contexts. Understanding these nuances is key to advancing from a B1 to a B2 or C1 level. One closely related verb is 'هدایت کردن' (hedayat kardan). While 'راهنمایی کردن' implies showing the way or offering advice, 'هدایت کردن' carries a stronger sense of leading, steering, or conducting. For example, you 'هدایت کردن' a ship, a vehicle, or a large organization. It has a more formal, sometimes spiritual or technical connotation. You would use 'راهنمایی کردن' for a tourist, but 'هدایت کردن' for a pilot steering an airplane.
- هدایت کردن (Hedayat Kardan)
- To lead, steer, or conduct. More formal and authoritative than rahnamayi kardan.
کاپیتان کشتی را به بندر هدایت کرد.
Another similar word is 'مشورت دادن' (mashverat dadan) or 'مشاوره دادن' (moshavere dadan), which means to give consultation or advice. This is specifically used in professional contexts, such as legal, medical, or psychological counseling. If you go to a therapist, they give you 'مشاوره'; if you ask a friend which phone to buy, they might 'راهنمایی کردن' you. Then there is 'نصیحت کردن' (nasihat kardan), which means to give moral advice or to preach. This is usually done by an older, wiser person to a younger one, often regarding life choices or behavior. It can sometimes have a condescending tone if used inappropriately, whereas 'راهنمایی کردن' is always neutral and helpful.
- مشاوره دادن (Moshavere Dadan)
- To consult or give professional advice.
وکیل به موکل خود مشاوره داد.
Lastly, there is 'آدرس دادن' (adres dadan), which literally means 'to give an address' or 'to give directions'. This is the most specific alternative when you are strictly talking about physical navigation. If someone asks you how to get to the hospital, you are 'آدرس دادن' (giving directions). While 'راهنمایی کردن' can encompass 'آدرس دادن', it is much broader. You can 'راهنمایی کردن' someone on how to bake a cake, but you cannot 'آدرس دادن' them on how to bake a cake. By mastering these distinctions, you can express yourself with much greater precision and cultural accuracy in Persian.
- آدرس دادن (Adres Dadan)
- To give physical directions to a location.
مرد مغازهدار به من آدرس داد.
پدربزرگم همیشه مرا نصیحت میکرد.
او تیم را به سوی پیروزی هدایت کرد.
How Formal Is It?
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Difficulty Rating
Grammar to Know
Examples by Level
پلیس مرا راهنمایی کرد.
The police guided me.
Simple past tense of a compound verb.
لطفاً مرا راهنمایی کنید.
Please guide me.
Formal imperative form.
من شما را راهنمایی میکنم.
I will guide you.
Simple present tense used for future intent.
او راهنمای تور است.
He/She is a tour guide.
Using the noun form 'rahnama'.
آیا میتوانید راهنمایی کنید؟
Can you guide?
Using 'tavanestan' (can) with the verb.
ما به راهنمایی نیاز داریم.
We need guidance.
Using the noun form with 'niyaz dashtan' (to need).
او مرا راهنمایی میکند.
He/She guides me.
Third person singular present tense.
راهنمای موزه کجاست؟
Where is the museum guide?
Noun phrase 'rahnama-ye muze'.
دیروز یک مرد مهربان مرا تا ایستگاه راهنمایی کرد.
Yesterday, a kind man guided me to the station.
Past tense with time marker 'dirooz'.
من نمیتوانم شما را راهنمایی کنم، چون اینجا را نمیشناسم.
I cannot guide you because I don't know this place.
Negative present tense with a reason clause.
معلم همیشه دانشآموزان را به خوبی راهنمایی میکند.
The teacher always guides the students well.
Present tense with adverb 'hamishe' (always).
لطفاً برای خرید بلیت مرا راهنمایی کنید.
Please guide me for buying a ticket.
Imperative with preposition 'baraye' (for).
او دوستش را برای پیدا کردن کار راهنمایی کرد.
He guided his friend to find a job.
Past tense with a specific purpose clause.
ما باید توریستها را درست راهنمایی کنیم.
We must guide the tourists correctly.
Subjunctive mood after 'bayad' (must).
آیا کسی شما را راهنمایی کرد؟
Did anyone guide you?
Past tense question with indefinite pronoun 'kasi'.
من از راهنمایی شما خیلی ممنونم.
I am very thankful for your guidance.
Using the noun form to express gratitude.
استاد راهنما به من گفت که چگونه پایاننامهام را بنویسم.
The advisor told me how to write my thesis.
Using 'ostad-e rahnama' (advisor).
نرمافزار جدید کاربران را قدم به قدم راهنمایی میکند.
The new software guides users step by step.
Using the adverbial phrase 'ghadam be ghadam'.
اگر گم شدید، از پلیس بخواهید شما را راهنمایی کند.
If you get lost, ask the police to guide you.
Conditional sentence with subjunctive mood.
پشتیبانی فنی مرا برای حل مشکل اینترنت راهنمایی کرد.
Technical support guided me to solve the internet problem.
Professional context usage.
والدین باید فرزندان خود را در مسیر زندگی راهنمایی کنند.
Parents must guide their children on the path of life.
Abstract usage of guidance in life.
من به کسی نیاز دارم که مرا در زمینه سرمایهگذاری راهنمایی کند.
I need someone to guide me in the field of investment.
Relative clause with subjunctive.
بدون راهنمایی شما، من نمیتوانستم این کار را تمام کنم.
Without your guidance, I couldn't have finished this work.
Using 'bedoon-e' (without) + noun form.
او با صبر و حوصله همه مشتریان را راهنمایی میکرد.
He/She would guide all customers with patience.
Past continuous tense (habitual past).
نقش یک مدیر موفق این است که تیمش را به سوی اهداف سازمان راهنمایی کند.
The role of a successful manager is to guide their team toward the organization's goals.
Complex sentence structure defining a role.
دفترچه راهنمای دستگاه بسیار پیچیده بود و نتوانست مرا به درستی راهنمایی کند.
The device's instruction manual was very complicated and failed to guide me properly.
Using 'daftarche-ye rahnama' (manual) as the subject.
دولت برنامههای جدیدی برای راهنمایی جوانان در زمینه کارآفرینی ارائه داده است.
The government has presented new programs for guiding the youth in the field of entrepreneurship.
Formal vocabulary and gerund usage.
من توسط یکی از همکاران با تجربهام در این پروژه راهنمایی شدم.
I was guided by one of my experienced colleagues in this project.
Passive voice structure (rahnamayi shodam).
مشاور تحصیلی دانشآموزان را بر اساس استعدادهایشان راهنمایی میکند.
The academic counselor guides students based on their talents.
Using 'bar asas-e' (based on).
علیرغم راهنماییهای مکرر، او باز هم همان اشتباه را تکرار کرد.
Despite repeated guidance, he repeated the same mistake again.
Using 'aliraghm-e' (despite) with plural noun.
سیستم ناوبری خودرو ما را از طریق کوتاهترین مسیر راهنمایی کرد.
The car's navigation system guided us through the shortest route.
Technical context usage.
او به عنوان یک منتور، وظیفه راهنمایی کارمندان تازهوارد را بر عهده دارد.
As a mentor, he is responsible for guiding the newly arrived employees.
Using 'be onvan-e' (as) and complex noun phrases.
فقدان راهنماییهای اصولی در دوران نوجوانی میتواند پیامدهای جبرانناپذیری در پی داشته باشد.
The lack of principled guidance during adolescence can have irreparable consequences.
Highly formal academic vocabulary (foghdan, payamad).
استاد با سعه صدر و دانش فراوان، دانشجویان را در مسیر پرپیچ و خم پژوهش راهنمایی میکرد.
The professor, with immense patience and vast knowledge, guided the students through the winding path of research.
Literary and descriptive phrasing (sa'e sadr, por-pich o kham).
سیاستگذاریهای کلان باید به گونهای باشد که سرمایهگذاران را به سمت تولید داخلی راهنمایی کند.
Macro-policies should be such that they guide investors toward domestic production.
Economic and political register.
در متون عرفانی، پیر طریقت وظیفه راهنمایی سالک را به سوی حقیقت مطلق بر عهده دارد.
In mystical texts, the spiritual master is responsible for guiding the seeker toward absolute truth.
Mystical/literary context (pir-e tarighat, salek).
دستورالعملهای صادر شده نتوانستند مدیران اجرایی را در شرایط بحرانی به درستی راهنمایی کنند.
The issued directives failed to properly guide the executive managers during the crisis.
Bureaucratic and corporate terminology.
او با ارائه مستندات دقیق، هیئت منصفه را برای رسیدن به یک حکم عادلانه راهنمایی کرد.
By presenting precise documentation, he guided the jury to reach a fair verdict.
Legal context usage.
راهنماییهای دلسوزانه او همچون چراغی روشن، مسیر تاریک زندگیام را روشن ساخت.
His compassionate guidance, like a bright lamp, illuminated the dark path of my life.
Metaphorical and poetic structure.
توسعه زیرساختهای اطلاعاتی میتواند شهروندان را در استفاده بهینه از خدمات شهری راهنمایی کند.
The development of information infrastructure can guide citizens in the optimal use of urban services.
Urban planning and technological register.
رسالت غایی نظام آموزشی صرفاً انتقال دانش نیست، بلکه راهنمایی نسل جوان به سوی تفکر انتقادی است.
The ultimate mission of the educational system is not merely the transfer of knowledge, but guiding the younger generation toward critical thinking.
Philosophical and highly formal syntax (resalat-e ghayi, serfan).
در غیاب یک استراتژی مدون، هیچ نهادی قادر نخواهد بود افکار عمومی را در مواجهه با شایعات راهنمایی کند.
In the absence of a codified strategy, no institution will be able to guide public opinion in the face of rumors.
Sociopolitical discourse.
منتقد ادبی با تحلیل موشکافانه خود، خواننده را در درک لایههای پنهان متن راهنمایی میکند.
The literary critic, with their meticulous analysis, guides the reader in understanding the hidden layers of the text.
Literary criticism vocabulary (mooshkafane, laye-haye penhan).
دیپلماسی فعال مستلزم آن است که سفرا بتوانند دولت متبوع خود را در هزارتوی روابط بینالملل راهنمایی کنند.
Active diplomacy requires that ambassadors be able to guide their respective governments through the labyrinth of international relations.
Diplomatic and international relations register.
تعبیه سیستمهای هوش مصنوعی در پلتفرمها، کاربران را با دقتی بینظیر در اتخاذ تصمیمات مالی راهنمایی مینماید.
The embedding of AI systems in platforms guides users with unparalleled precision in making financial decisions.
Advanced technological and formal verb 'minamayad' instead of 'mikonad'.
راهنماییهای خردمندانه او در برهههای حساس تاریخی، مانع از فروپاشی شیرازه امور گردید.
His wise guidance during sensitive historical junctures prevented the collapse of the fabric of affairs.
Historiographical terminology (borhe-haye hassas, shiraze-ye omoor).
پزشک حاذق نه تنها بیماری را درمان میکند، بلکه بیمار را در مسیر اصلاح سبک زندگی راهنمایی میسازد.
A proficient physician not only treats the disease but also guides the patient on the path of lifestyle modification.
Medical ethics context, using 'rahnamayi misazad' for stylistic variation.
تجلی اراده ملی زمانی محقق میشود که نخبگان جامعه، تودهها را به سوی آرمانهای مشترک راهنمایی کنند.
The manifestation of national will is realized when the elites of society guide the masses toward common ideals.
Political philosophy and sociological phrasing.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
مرا راهنمایی کنید
لطفاً راهنمایی کنید
نیاز به راهنمایی دارم
از راهنمایی شما متشکرم
چطور میتوانم راهنمایی کنم؟
راهنمایی و رانندگی
مدرسه راهنمایی
راهنمای تور
بدون راهنمایی
راهنمایی خواستن
Often Confused With
Idioms & Expressions
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Easily Confused
Sentence Patterns
How to Use It
Implies a helpful, non-condescending attitude, unlike 'nasihat kardan' (preaching).
Neutral. Can be used in both highly formal and very informal situations depending on the conjugation of 'kardan' (e.g., kardan vs. farmoodan).
Universally understood across Iran, Afghanistan (Dari), and Tajikistan (Tajik), though Dari might use 'rahnamayi kardan' slightly less frequently than 'rah neshon dadan'.
- Using 'به' (to) instead of 'را' (ra) for the person being guided (e.g., saying 'به من راهنمایی کن' instead of 'من را راهنمایی کن').
- Separating 'راهنمایی' and 'کردن' with the object (e.g., saying 'راهنمایی من را کرد' instead of 'من را راهنمایی کرد').
- Confusing it with 'نصیحت کردن' (nasihat kardan) when asking for physical directions.
- Dropping the 'h' sound completely, making it sound like 'ranamayi', which is considered sloppy in formal speech.
- Using 'راهنما کردن' instead of 'راهنمایی کردن'. 'راهنما' is the noun (guide), 'راهنمایی' is the act of guiding. You must use 'راهنمایی' with 'کردن'.
Tips
Don't forget 'را'
Always remember that the person receiving the guidance is the direct object. Use 'را' (ra) after the person's name or pronoun.
Pronounce the 'H'
Try not to drop the 'h' in 'rahnamayi'. Pronouncing it clearly makes your Persian sound much more educated and natural.
Polite Requests
When lost, starting your sentence with 'Bebakhshid' (Excuse me) and ending with 'mara rahnamayi konid' is the golden standard for politeness in Iran.
Noun vs. Verb
Remember that 'rahnama' is the person or book doing the guiding, while 'rahnamayi' is the abstract concept of guidance.
Colloquial Shortening
In casual conversations, 'mara' becomes 'mano'. 'Mano rahnamayi kon' is what you will hear on the streets.
Formal Emails
In business emails, use 'lotfan mara dar in zamine rahnamayi konid' (please guide me in this field) to ask for instructions.
Customer Service
Get used to hearing this word on the phone. Support agents will almost always use 'rahnamayi' when offering help.
Subjunctive Mood
When using 'bayad' (must) or 'mikham' (I want), use 'rahnamayi konam'. The 'be' prefix is usually dropped for compound verbs.
Collocations
Pair it with 'dorost' (correctly) or 'ghalat' (wrongly). 'Dorost rahnamayi kardan' means to guide well.
Academic Respect
Always refer to your thesis advisor as 'Ostad-e Rahnama'. It shows deep respect for their guiding role.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Imagine a 'RAH' (road) where a 'NAMA' (name) sign is showing you the way. 'Rah-nama-yi kardan' is doing the action of showing the road.
Word Origin
Cultural Context
The traffic police in Iran are called 'Rahnamayi va Rannandegi' (Guidance and Driving).
The term 'rahnamayi' is deeply nostalgic for Iranians who attended 'Madrese-ye Rahnamayi' (Middle School) in the older education system.
Asking for guidance ('Lotfan mara rahnamayi konid') is considered very polite and humble.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Conversation Starters
"ببخشید، من اینجا غریبهام. میتوانید مرا راهنمایی کنید؟ (Excuse me, I am a stranger here. Can you guide me?)"
"برای یادگیری زبان فارسی، چه کتابی را برای راهنمایی پیشنهاد میکنید؟ (For learning Persian, what book do you suggest for guidance?)"
"بهترین کسی که در زندگی شما را راهنمایی کرده چه کسی بوده است؟ (Who is the best person who has guided you in life?)"
"آیا تا به حال توریستها را در شهر خود راهنمایی کردهاید؟ (Have you ever guided tourists in your city?)"
"چطور میتوانم شما را راهنمایی کنم؟ (How can I assist/guide you?)"
Journal Prompts
Write about a time someone guided you when you were completely lost.
Describe the role of a mentor (ostad-e rahnama) in your life.
Explain how you would guide a tourist visiting your hometown for the first time.
Write a short dialogue between a customer and a support agent asking for guidance.
Discuss the difference between giving directions and giving life advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYou must use 'را' (ra) for the person you are guiding. For example, 'من را راهنمایی کن' (Guide me). You use 'به' (to) for the destination, e.g., 'مرا به هتل راهنمایی کن' (Guide me to the hotel).
Yes, absolutely. While it is used for physical directions, it is also very commonly used for mentoring, academic advising, and professional consultation.
'راهنمایی کردن' is practical, neutral guidance or directions. 'نصیحت کردن' is moral advice or preaching, usually from an older person to a younger one, and can sometimes feel condescending.
A tour guide is called 'راهنمای تور' (rahnama-ye tour). The word 'راهنما' is the noun form meaning 'guide'.
It is neutral. You can use it with friends ('منو راهنمایی کن') or in formal settings ('لطفاً مرا راهنمایی فرمایید'). The level of formality changes based on the pronouns and the auxiliary verb used.
'مدرسه راهنمایی' (Guidance School) was the official term for Middle School in the Iranian education system for decades. It was seen as the stage that 'guided' students from primary to high school.
You can use the noun form and say 'از راهنمایی شما متشکرم' (Az rahnamayi-e shoma moteshakeram), which means 'Thank you for your guidance'.
Yes. An instruction manual or a guidebook is called 'دفترچه راهنما' (daftarche-ye rahnama) or 'کتاب راهنما' (ketab-e rahnama).
It translates to 'Guidance and Driving' and is the official name for the Traffic Police in Iran. You will see this written on police cars.
You add the negative prefix 'ن' (na) to the 'کرد' part. So, 'راهنمایی نکردم' (rahnamayi nakardam) means 'I did not guide'.
Test Yourself 200 questions
Write a sentence asking someone to guide you.
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Translate: 'The police guided me.'
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Write a sentence saying 'I need guidance.'
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Translate: 'Thank you for your guidance.'
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Translate: 'The teacher must guide the students.'
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Write a sentence using 'استاد راهنما' (thesis advisor).
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Translate: 'I was guided by my colleague.'
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Write a sentence using 'دفترچه راهنما' (instruction manual).
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Translate: 'Without his guidance, we would have failed.'
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Write a formal sentence requesting guidance in a professional email.
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Translate: 'I will guide you.'
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Translate: 'He did not guide me.'
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Translate: 'Can you guide me to the hotel?'
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Translate: 'The software guides users step by step.'
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Translate: 'The ultimate mission of education is guiding the youth.'
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Translate: 'Tour guide'
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Translate: 'Middle school'
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Translate: 'Traffic police'
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Translate: 'In the field of investment'
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Translate: 'Lack of guidance'
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Say 'Please guide me' in Persian.
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Say 'I am a tour guide' in Persian.
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Say 'Thank you for your guidance' in Persian.
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Say 'I need guidance' in Persian.
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Say 'Can you guide me to the hotel?' in Persian.
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Say 'The teacher guided the students' in Persian.
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Say 'Read the instruction manual' in Persian.
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Say 'I was guided by my colleague' in Persian.
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Say 'Without your guidance, I would have failed' in Persian.
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Say 'Please guide me in this regard' formally.
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Pronounce 'راهنمایی'.
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Pronounce 'راهنما'.
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Say 'Traffic police' in Persian.
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Say 'Thesis advisor' in Persian.
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Say 'Lack of guidance' in Persian.
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Ask 'Where is the guide?' in Persian.
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Say 'He guided me' in Persian.
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Say 'I must guide him' in Persian.
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Say 'Step by step guidance' in Persian.
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Say 'To give professional advice' in Persian.
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Listen and translate: پلیس مرا راهنمایی کرد.
Listen and translate: لطفاً راهنمایی کنید.
Listen and translate: به راهنمایی نیاز دارم.
Listen and translate: از راهنمایی شما متشکرم.
Listen and translate: استاد راهنما کجاست؟
Listen and translate: باید او را راهنمایی کنم.
Listen and translate: دفترچه راهنما را بخوانید.
Listen and translate: من راهنمایی شدم.
Listen and translate: فقدان راهنمایی مشکلساز است.
Listen and translate: لطفاً مرا راهنمایی فرمایید.
Listen: راهنمای تور. What does it mean?
Listen: مدرسه راهنمایی. What does it mean?
Listen: راهنمایی و رانندگی. What does it mean?
Listen: در زمینه. What does it mean?
Listen: رسالت غایی. What does it mean?
/ 200 correct
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Summary
Use 'راهنمایی کردن' (rahnamayi kardan) when you want to give directions to a lost person or offer practical advice and mentorship. Always use 'را' (ra) for the person you are guiding.
- To guide
- To direct
- To advise
- To show the way
Don't forget 'را'
Always remember that the person receiving the guidance is the direct object. Use 'را' (ra) after the person's name or pronoun.
Pronounce the 'H'
Try not to drop the 'h' in 'rahnamayi'. Pronouncing it clearly makes your Persian sound much more educated and natural.
Polite Requests
When lost, starting your sentence with 'Bebakhshid' (Excuse me) and ending with 'mara rahnamayi konid' is the golden standard for politeness in Iran.
Noun vs. Verb
Remember that 'rahnama' is the person or book doing the guiding, while 'rahnamayi' is the abstract concept of guidance.
Related Content
Related Phrases
More travel words
عابر
A2A pedestrian, a person walking along a road or in a developed area.
عابر پیاده
A2A person walking rather than traveling in a vehicle.
عازم شدن
B1To set off, to depart; to begin a journey.
عبور کردن
A2To move past or across something.
عقب افتادن
B1To be delayed or to fall behind schedule.
عوارض
B1A tax or fee paid for the use of a road or service.
عزیمت کردن
A2To depart; to leave a place, especially to start a journey.
اقامت
A2Stay, residence, lodging.
اقامت کردن
A2To reside or stay somewhere.
اقامتگاه
A2Accommodation or a residence.