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Vocabulary
شگفت انگیز

B1 noun 6 min read

شگفت انگیز

shegeft angiz

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips شگفت انگیز in 30 Seconds

Explanation شگفت انگیز in your Level:

At the A1 level, you can think of 'شگفت‌انگیز' (shegeft-angiz) as a big 'WOW' word. It is like saying 'very, very good.' You might use it to describe a beautiful park, a tasty meal (though it's a bit strong), or a nice person. Even though it's a long word, you can remember it by breaking it into two parts: 'shegeft' (wonder) and 'angiz' (maker). In A1, you will mostly use it in simple sentences like 'In shegeft-angiz ast' (This is amazing). It's a great way to show you are happy or impressed without needing many other words. Just point at something you like and say 'Shegeft-angiz!'

At the A2 level, you start using 'شگفت‌انگیز' to describe more specific things like movies, books, or a friend's new car. You are learning the Ezafe construction (the '-e' sound that connects words), so you can say 'film-e shegeft-angiz' (amazing movie). You can also use it to respond to good news. If someone says they passed a test, you can say 'Shegeft-angiz ast!' (That's amazing!). At this level, you should focus on the pronunciation: she-geft-an-giz. It has four syllables. It's a step up from just saying 'khub' (good) and shows you have a better vocabulary.

At the B1 level, you understand that 'شگفت‌انگیز' is more than just 'good.' It implies a sense of wonder. You can use it to describe abstract concepts like 'the progress of technology' or 'the beauty of art.' You also begin to see it in marketing, like 'pishnahad-e shegeft-angiz' (amazing offer/deal). You can use it with adverbs like 'vāghe'an' (truly) to add emphasis. At this level, you should be able to explain *why* something is shegeft-angiz using simple conjunctions like 'chon' (because). For example: 'This city is amazing because it has very old buildings.'

At the B2 level, you can distinguish 'شگفت‌انگیز' from similar words like 'ajib' (strange) or 'heyrat-āvar' (astonishing). You use it in more complex sentence structures, such as 'It is amazing that...' (Shegeft-angiz ast ke...). You are also more aware of the register; you know it's appropriate for a formal presentation or a heartfelt letter. You can use it to describe complex human emotions or historical events. Your usage should feel natural, appearing in the right places to provide emphasis without being repetitive. You might also encounter the word in Persian literature or news broadcasts.

At the C1 level, you appreciate the morphological structure of 'شگفت‌انگیز.' You understand the root 'angiz' and how it functions in other words like 'gham-angiz' (sad) or 'valvale-angiz' (tumultuous). You can use the word in academic or professional contexts to describe significant findings or extraordinary circumstances. You might use it to discuss the 'sublime' in art or the 'incredulous' in philosophy. You are also aware of its use in the title of 'The Incredibles' and how pop culture influences the word's modern nuances. Your usage is precise, using it to denote something that truly challenges the observer's expectations.

At the C2 level, 'شگفت‌انگیز' is just one of many tools in your vast vocabulary. You use it with perfect nuance, perhaps even using it ironically or in highly specific poetic contexts. You can discuss the etymological journey from Middle Persian 'shkift' to the modern form. You can compare its usage in classical Persian poetry (like Rumi or Hafez) to modern journalism. You understand the subtle difference between 'shegeft-angiz' and 'shogoft-āvar.' You can use it to construct highly sophisticated arguments about aesthetics, science, or sociology, where the 'wonder' being described is multi-layered and profound.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

شگفت انگیز in 30 Seconds

A strong adjective meaning 'amazing' or 'wonderful'.
Formed from 'shegeft' (wonder) and 'angiz' (causing).
Used for nature, talents, and big surprises.
Common in marketing and formal speech alike.

The Persian word شگفت‌انگیز (pronounced shegeft-angiz) is a powerful adjective used to describe things that evoke a sense of wonder, awe, or profound surprise. It is the linguistic equivalent of 'amazing,' 'wonderful,' or 'astonishing' in English. Structurally, it is a compound word derived from shegeft (wonder/astonishment) and the suffix -angiz (causing/inciting), literally meaning 'wonder-inciting.' This word is ubiquitous in both written literature and daily conversation, though it carries a slightly more elegant tone than the simpler word khayli khub (very good).

Emotional Resonance: It captures the feeling of being momentarily stopped in one's tracks by something unexpected and beautiful. Whether describing a sunset, a scientific discovery, or an athlete's performance, it conveys a high level of appreciation.
Grammatical Versatility: While primarily an adjective, it can function as a noun in poetic or abstract contexts to refer to 'the amazing' or 'the wondrous.' It follows standard Persian adjective rules, typically appearing after the noun it modifies with an Ezafe construction (e.g., film-e shegeft-angiz).

دیدن اهرام مصر یک تجربه شگفت‌انگیز بود.
— "Seeing the pyramids of Egypt was an amazing experience."

In contemporary Iran, you will hear this word in diverse settings. A tech enthusiast might use it to describe a new smartphone feature, while a grandmother might use it to describe the rapid growth of her grandchild. It is a 'safe' word—it is never offensive and always adds a layer of positive intensity to the conversation. It is more formal than bah-bah (an exclamation of delight) but less archaic than badi' (novel/extraordinary).

پیشرفت تکنولوژی در قرن اخیر واقعاً شگفت‌انگیز است.
— "The progress of technology in the last century is truly amazing."

Register and Context: In academic writing, it is used to describe significant data or breakthroughs. In marketing, it is used to grab attention for 'amazing offers' (pishnahad-haye shegeft-angiz).

When you encounter this word, think of the 'wow' factor. It is the feeling of your breath being taken away by the scale, beauty, or complexity of something. It is not just 'good'; it is 'wonder-inducing.'

او توانایی شگفت‌انگیزی در نواختن پیانو دارد.
— "He has an amazing ability in playing the piano."

Using شگفت‌انگیز correctly requires understanding the Ezafe construction. In Persian, adjectives usually follow the noun they describe, connected by a short 'e' sound. For example, 'an amazing book' becomes ketāb-e shegeft-angiz. If the word ends the sentence as a predicate, the Ezafe is not used: 'This book is amazing' becomes in ketāb shegeft-angiz ast.

Describing Nature: Persian speakers frequently use this word to describe the natural world. 'The view of the mountains is amazing' (manzare-ye kuh-hā shegeft-angiz ast). It emphasizes the grandeur of the scenery.

غروب خورشید در ساحل واقعاً شگفت‌انگیز بود.
— "The sunset on the beach was truly amazing."

Describing People's Talents: When a person performs a feat of strength, intelligence, or creativity, this word is the go-to adjective. 'Her memory is amazing' (hāfeze-ye u shegeft-angiz ast).

او داستان‌های شگفت‌انگیزی درباره سفرهایش می‌گوید.
— "He tells amazing stories about his travels."

You can also use adverbs to intensify it. Vāghe'an shegeft-angiz (truly amazing) or besiyār shegeft-angiz (very amazing). In colloquial speech, people might say khayli shegeft-angize (it's very amazing), where the 'ast' (is) is shortened to 'e'.

معماری این مسجد قدیمی بسیار شگفت‌انگیز است.
— "The architecture of this old mosque is very amazing."

Understanding the context of شگفت‌انگیز helps you sound more natural. While it is a common word, it isn't used for 'small' things. You wouldn't usually call a sandwich 'shegeft-angiz' unless it was truly life-changing; for food, khoshmazeh (delicious) is better. Reserved for the grand, the rare, and the impactful.

In Digital Marketing: If you visit Iranian e-commerce sites like Digikala, you will see 'Pishnahad-e Shegeft-angiz' (Amazing Offer). This is their version of 'Deal of the Day' or 'Lightning Deal.' It’s the most common commercial use of the word.

امروز چند پیشنهاد شگفت‌انگیز در سایت دیدم.
— "Today I saw several amazing offers on the website."

In News and Science: Documentaries about space, the deep sea, or history frequently use this word. 'The amazing world of insects' (donyā-ye shegeft-angiz-e hasharāt) is a classic title format.

In social gatherings, it is used to compliment someone's achievements. If a friend tells you they learned Persian in three months, you would respond: Vāghe'an shegeft-angize! (It's truly amazing!). It shows you are genuinely impressed.

این کشف علمی واقعاً شگفت‌انگیز است.
— "This scientific discovery is truly amazing."

Even though شگفت‌انگیز is straightforward, learners often make a few subtle errors in its application and pronunciation.

Confusing with 'Ajib': 'Ajib' means 'strange' or 'weird.' While something amazing can be strange, 'shegeft-angiz' is almost always positive, whereas 'ajib' can be neutral or negative. Don't say 'ajib' when you mean to give a high compliment.
Overusing it for Mundane things: If you use it for a tasty apple or a clean room, it sounds sarcastic or like you're trying too hard. Use 'khub' (good) or 'āli' (excellent) for everyday excellence.

اشتباه: این سیب شگفت‌انگیز است. (خیلی اغراق‌آمیز)
— "Mistake: This apple is amazing. (Too hyperbolic)"

Another mistake is pronunciation. Ensure you don't drop the 't' in 'shegeft.' It is not 'shegef-angiz.' The 't' provides the necessary stop that gives the word its rhythmic punch. Also, remember that the 'angiz' part comes from the verb angikhtan, meaning to incite. It's an active word—it is actively causing you to feel wonder.

درست: او یک نقاش شگفت‌انگیز است.
— "Correct: He is an amazing painter."

Persian is a language rich in synonyms. Depending on the nuance you want to convey, you might choose a different word than شگفت‌انگیز.

Heyrat-āvar (حیرت‌آور): Very similar, meaning 'astonishing.' It comes from 'heyrat' (astonishment). It's often used for things that are logically hard to believe.
Foghol-ādeh (فوق‌العاده): Meaning 'extraordinary' or 'superb.' This is more common in everyday speech and can be used for a wider range of things, from a good grade to a great concert.
Khireh-konandeh (خیره‌کننده): Meaning 'dazzling' or 'stunning.' Use this specifically for visual beauty that makes you stare (khireh shodan).

صدای او فوق‌العاده است.
— "Her voice is extraordinary."

Comparison Table:

Word	Nuance	Best for...
Shegeft-angiz	Wonder-inducing	Nature, breakthroughs
Foghol-ādeh	Beyond normal	Daily high quality
Mabhut-konandeh	Dumbfounding	Shocking beauty/skill

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The 'angiz' suffix is very old and has survived for over a millennium as a way to turn nouns into adjectives of 'incitement.'

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ʃeɡæft ænɡiːz/

US /ʃeɡæft ænɡiːz/

The primary stress is on the last syllable '-giz'.

Rhymes With

Gham-angiz (Sad) Fetne-angiz (Mischievous) Valvale-angiz (Tumultuous) Heyrat-angiz (Astonishing) Ebrat-angiz (Instructive/Warning) Sho'le-angiz (Flame-inducing) Velvele-angiz (Rousing) Khatar-angiz (Dangerous)

Common Errors

Omitting the 't': Saying 'shegef-angiz' instead of 'shegeft-angiz'.
Shortening the 'ee': Saying 'angiz' like 'ang-is' with a short 'i'.
Merging into one word: Pronouncing it too fast so the two parts aren't distinct.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to recognize once the root is learned.

Writing 4/5

Requires correct use of the nim-fāsele (half-space).

Speaking 3/5

Multi-syllabic but rhythmic and easy to pronounce.

Listening 2/5

Very distinct sound, hard to confuse with other words.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

خوب زیبا خیلی است بود

Learn Next

حیرت فوق‌العاده عجیب باورنکردنی جالب

Advanced

بدیع شگرف مبهوت خیره‌کننده اعجاب

Grammar to Know

Ezafe Construction

کتابِ (e) شگفت‌انگیز

Superlative Adjectives

شگفت‌انگیزترین

Comparative Adjectives

شگفت‌انگیزتر

Adjective Placement

Usually follows the noun.

Compound Word Formation

Noun + Present Stem = Adjective

Examples by Level

این گل شگفت‌انگیز است.

This flower is amazing.

Simple subject + adjective + verb 'to be'.

تهران شهر شگفت‌انگیزی است.

Tehran is an amazing city.

Use of Ezafe (-i) for 'an amazing city'.

او یک دوست شگفت‌انگیز است.

He/She is an amazing friend.

Describing a person with the adjective.

غذای مادرم شگفت‌انگیز است.

My mother's food is amazing.

Possessive construction + adjective.

این کتاب شگفت‌انگیز است.

This book is amazing.

Simple demonstrative 'in' (this).

آسمان امروز شگفت‌انگیز است.

The sky is amazing today.

Time adverb 'emruz' (today).

باغ وحش شگفت‌انگیز بود.

The zoo was amazing.

Past tense 'bud' (was).

لباس تو شگفت‌انگیز است.

Your dress is amazing.

Possessive suffix '-at' (your).

من یک فیلم شگفت‌انگیز دیدم.

I saw an amazing movie.

Past simple tense 'didam' (I saw).

سفر ما به شیراز شگفت‌انگیز بود.

Our trip to Shiraz was amazing.

Compound subject 'safar-e mā' (our trip).

او صدای شگفت‌انگیزی دارد.

He/She has an amazing voice.

Verb 'dāshtan' (to have) in present tense.

این هدیه واقعاً شگفت‌انگیز است.

This gift is truly amazing.

Use of adverb 'vāghe'an' (truly).

کوهستان در زمستان شگفت‌انگیز است.

The mountains are amazing in winter.

Prepositional phrase 'dar zemestān' (in winter).

نقاشی‌های او شگفت‌انگیز هستند.

His/Her paintings are amazing.

Plural subject and plural verb 'hastand'.

ما یک روز شگفت‌انگیز داشتیم.

We had an amazing day.

Past tense 'dāshtim' (we had).

موسیقی ایرانی شگفت‌انگیز است.

Persian music is amazing.

Adjective modifying a noun with Ezafe.

پیشرفت او در زبان فارسی شگفت‌انگیز است.

His progress in the Persian language is amazing.

Abstract noun 'pishraft' (progress).

طبیعت شمال ایران بسیار شگفت‌انگیز است.

The nature of Northern Iran is very amazing.

Intensifier 'besiyār' (very).

او توانایی شگفت‌انگیزی در حل مسائل دارد.

He has an amazing ability in solving problems.

Noun 'tavānāyi' (ability) + Ezafe.

این یک فرصت شگفت‌انگیز برای یادگیری است.

This is an amazing opportunity for learning.

Noun 'forsat' (opportunity).

معماری اصفهان برای توریست‌ها شگفت‌انگیز است.

Isfahan's architecture is amazing for tourists.

Prepositional phrase 'barāye' (for).

داستان زندگی او واقعاً شگفت‌انگیز است.

The story of his life is truly amazing.

Compound noun 'dāstān-e zendegi' (life story).

تکنولوژی جدید موبایل شگفت‌انگیز به نظر می‌رسد.

The new mobile technology seems amazing.

Verb phrase 'be nazar mi-resad' (seems).

دیدن دوباره تو بعد از سال‌ها شگفت‌انگیز است.

Seeing you again after years is amazing.

Gerund phrase as subject.

تنوع فرهنگی در ایران شگفت‌انگیز است.

The cultural diversity in Iran is amazing.

Complex subject 'tanavvo-e farhangi' (cultural diversity).

او با سرعت شگفت‌انگیزی در کارش ارتقا یافت.

He was promoted with amazing speed in his job.

Prepositional phrase with 'bā' (with).

شگفت‌انگیز است که او هنوز به قولش وفادار است.

It is amazing that he is still loyal to his promise.

Impersonal construction 'Shegeft-angiz ast ke...'.

این اثر هنری جزئیات شگفت‌انگیزی دارد.

This artwork has amazing details.

Plural noun 'joziyāt' (details).

قدرت ذهن انسان واقعاً شگفت‌انگیز است.

The power of the human mind is truly amazing.

Abstract concept 'ghodrat-e zehn' (power of mind).

او در شرایط سخت، شجاعت شگفت‌انگیزی نشان داد.

He showed amazing courage in difficult conditions.

Direct object with 'rā' (implied).

تغییرات اقلیمی با سرعتی شگفت‌انگیز رخ می‌دهد.

Climate changes are occurring at an amazing speed.

Adverbial usage with 'bā'.

این کشف باستان‌شناسی شگفت‌انگیزترین خبر سال بود.

This archaeological discovery was the most amazing news of the year.

Superlative form 'shegeft-angiz-tarin'.

ظرافت‌های شگفت‌انگیز شعر حافظ مفسران را مبهوت می‌کند.

The amazing subtleties of Hafez's poetry baffle interpreters.

Literary subject with complex plural.

او به طرزی شگفت‌انگیز توانست بحران را مدیریت کند.

He managed the crisis in an amazing manner.

Adverbial phrase 'be tarzi...' (in a manner...).

شگفت‌انگیز است که چگونه تمدن‌ها از میان می‌روند.

It is amazing how civilizations perish.

Subordinate clause starting with 'chegoune' (how).

این نظریه علمی، ابعاد شگفت‌انگیزی از جهان را فاش کرد.

This scientific theory revealed amazing dimensions of the universe.

Verb 'fāsh kardan' (to reveal).

هماهنگی بین اعضای گروه شگفت‌انگیز به نظر می‌رسید.

The coordination between group members seemed amazing.

Noun 'hamāhangi' (coordination).

او با دقتی شگفت‌انگیز به بررسی جزئیات پرداخت.

He proceeded to examine the details with amazing precision.

Compound verb 'barresi kardan' split by 'be... pardākht'.

تداوم این سنت قدیمی در دنیای مدرن شگفت‌انگیز است.

The continuity of this old tradition in the modern world is amazing.

Abstract noun 'tadāvom' (continuity).

پیچیدگی‌های شگفت‌انگیز مغز هنوز کاملاً شناخته نشده است.

The amazing complexities of the brain are not yet fully known.

Passive voice 'shenākhte nashode ast'.

در پس آن چهره آرام، دنیایی شگفت‌انگیز و پر تلاطم نهفته بود.

Behind that calm face lay an amazing and turbulent world.

Literary preposition 'dar pas-e' (behind).

نویسنده با مهارتی شگفت‌انگیز، مرز بین واقعیت و خیال را محو کرده است.

The author, with amazing skill, has blurred the line between reality and fantasy.

Present perfect tense 'mahv karde ast'.

شگفت‌انگیز است که چگونه کلمات می‌توانند سرنوشت یک ملت را تغییر دهند.

It is amazing how words can change the destiny of a nation.

Modal verb 'tavānestan' (can).

این پدیده فیزیکی، شگفت‌انگیزترین چالش برای دانشمندان معاصر است.

This physical phenomenon is the most amazing challenge for contemporary scientists.

Superlative adjective with 'tarin'.

او با صبری شگفت‌انگیز، سال‌ها بر روی این پروژه تحقیق کرد.

With amazing patience, he researched this project for years.

Adverbial usage showing duration.

تلاقی هنر و صنعت در این بنا، جلوه‌ای شگفت‌انگیز ایجاد کرده است.

The convergence of art and industry in this building has created an amazing manifestation.

Noun 'talāghi' (convergence/intersection).

درک این حقیقت شگفت‌انگیز، نیازمند ذهنی باز و بدون تعصب است.

Understanding this amazing truth requires an open and unbiased mind.

Gerund 'dark' (understanding) as subject.

شگفت‌انگیز است که در میان این همه آشوب، او هنوز آرامش خود را حفظ کرده است.

It is amazing that amidst all this chaos, he has still maintained his calm.

Complex sentence with 'dar miyān-e' (amidst).

Common Collocations

پیشنهاد شگفت‌انگیز

دنیای شگفت‌انگیز

قدرت شگفت‌انگیز

داستان شگفت‌انگیز

تغییر شگفت‌انگیز

معماری شگفت‌انگیز

سرعت شگفت‌انگیز

نتایج شگفت‌انگیز

منظره شگفت‌انگیز

توانایی شگفت‌انگیز

Common Phrases

واقعاً شگفت‌انگیز است!

— It is truly amazing! Used to express genuine surprise.

خبر موفقیت تو واقعاً شگفت‌انگیز است!

چیز شگفت‌انگیزی نیست.

— It's nothing amazing. Used to downplay something.

این کار برای او چیز شگفت‌انگیزی نیست.

به طرز شگفت‌انگیزی

— Amazingly; in an amazing way.

او به طرز شگفت‌انگیزی پیانو می‌نوازد.

یک اتفاق شگفت‌انگیز

— An amazing event/occurrence.

امروز یک اتفاق شگفت‌انگیز افتاد.

بسیار شگفت‌انگیز

— Very amazing.

این منظره بسیار شگفت‌انگیز است.

شگفت‌انگیز به نظر رسیدن

— To look/seem amazing.

این لباس بر تن تو شگفت‌انگیز به نظر می‌رسد.

شگفت‌انگیزترین تجربه

— The most amazing experience.

این شگفت‌انگیزترین تجربه زندگی من بود.

شگفت‌انگیز بودن

— To be amazing.

او همیشه شگفت‌انگیز است.

چقدر شگفت‌انگیز!

— How amazing!

چقدر شگفت‌انگیز که تو را اینجا می‌بینم!

فراتر از شگفت‌انگیز

— Beyond amazing.

مهربانی او فراتر از شگفت‌انگیز است.

Often Confused With

شگفت انگیز vs عجیب (Ajib)

Ajib means strange/weird. Shegeft-angiz is amazing/wonderful. Use shegeft-angiz for positive wonders.

شگفت انگیز vs جالب (Jāleb)

Jāleb means interesting. Shegeft-angiz is much stronger than just interesting.

شگفت انگیز vs خوب (Khub)

Khub is just good. Shegeft-angiz is exceptional.

Idioms & Expressions

"انگشت به دهان ماندن"

— To be left with one's finger in one's mouth; to be totally amazed.

همه از دیدن مهارت او انگشت به دهان ماندند.

Informal/Idiom

"شگفت‌زده شدن"

— To become struck with wonder.

من از دیدن هدیه شگفت‌زده شدم.

Neutral

"مات و مبهوت شدن"

— To be completely stunned/amazed.

او از این خبر مات و مبهوت شد.

Literary

"برق از سر پریدن"

— To be shocked/amazed (like electricity jumping from the head).

وقتی قیمت را شنیدم، برق از سرم پرید.

Slang

"دود از کله بلند شدن"

— To be so amazed/shocked that smoke comes from the head.

از تعجب دود از کله‌اش بلند شد.

Slang

"چشم‌ها را گرد کردن"

— To widen one's eyes in amazement.

بچه‌ها با دیدن شعبده‌باز چشم‌هایشان را گرد کردند.

Neutral

"دهان باز ماندن"

— To have one's mouth hang open in awe.

دهان همه از دیدن آن ساختمان باز ماند.

Informal

"خواب و خیال بودن"

— To be like a dream (so amazing it feels unreal).

این سفر مثل خواب و خیال بود.

Informal

"باورنکردنی بودن"

— To be unbelievable/amazing.

این سرعت باورنکردنی است.

Neutral

"شاهکار کردن"

— To create a masterpiece; to do something amazing.

او با این نقاشی شاهکار کرده است.

Neutral

Easily Confused

شگفت انگیز vs شگفت‌زده

Looks similar.

Shegeft-zade is the feeling (amazed), shegeft-angiz is the quality (amazing).

من شگفت‌زده شدم چون فیلم شگفت‌انگیز بود.

شگفت انگیز vs شگفتی

Same root.

Shegefti is the noun (wonder/surprise).

این یک شگفتی بزرگ است.

شگفت انگیز vs حیرت‌آور

Synonym.

Heyrat-āvar is more about being shocked/astonished.

خبر مرگ او حیرت‌آور بود.

شگفت انگیز vs فوق‌العاده

Synonym.

Foghol-ādeh is more versatile for everyday excellence.

او یک معلم فوق‌العاده است.

شگفت انگیز vs اعجاب‌انگیز

Synonym.

Almost identical, but shegeft-angiz is more common in modern speech.

دنیای اعجاب‌انگیز زیر آب.

Sentence Patterns

[Noun] [Adjective] ast.

این گل شگفت‌انگیز است.

Man yek [Noun]-e [Adjective] didam.

من یک فیلم شگفت‌انگیز دیدم.

[Noun]-e [Noun] [Adjective] ast.

صدای این خواننده شگفت‌انگیز است.

[Adjective] ast ke [Clause].

شگفت‌انگیز است که او آمد.

Bā [Noun]-i [Adjective] ...

با مهارتی شگفت‌انگیز کار کرد.

Dar pas-e [Noun], [Noun]-i [Adjective] bud.

در پس آن، دنیایی شگفت‌انگیز بود.

All

Vāghe'an [Adjective]!

واقعاً شگفت‌انگیز!

All

Che [Noun]-e [Adjective]-i!

چه منظره شگفت‌انگیزی!

Word Family

Nouns

شگفتی (Shegefti) - Wonder

شگفت (Shegeft) - Amazement (Archaic)

Verbs

شگفت‌زده کردن (Shegeft-zade kardan) - To amaze someone

شگفت‌زده شدن (Shegeft-zade shodan) - To be amazed

Adjectives

شگفت‌انگیز (Shegeft-angiz) - Amazing

شگفت‌زده (Shegeft-zade) - Amazed

حیرت (Heyrat) - Astonishment

تعجب (Ta'ajjob) - Surprise

اعجاب (E'jāb) - Wonder

نادر (Nāder) - Rare

عجیب (Ajib) - Strange

How to Use It

frequency

High (Top 2000 words)

Common Mistakes

شگفت انگیز (with a full space) → شگفت‌انگیز (with half-space)
In modern Persian, compound adjectives use a half-space.
این نان شگفت‌انگیز است. → این نان خیلی خوب است.
Don't use such a strong word for simple things like bread.
او شگفت‌انگیز شد. → او شگفت‌زده شد.
Use 'shegeft-zade' for the person's feeling of being amazed.
Shegef-angiz → Shegeft-angiz
Don't drop the 't' sound.
شگفت‌انگیزتر از همه است. → شگفت‌انگیزترین است.
Use the superlative form for 'most amazing'.

Tips

Memory Hack

Imagine an 'Engine' (Angiz) that makes 'Wonder' (Shegeft).

When to use

Use it when you want to sound more sophisticated than just saying 'khub'.

The Ezafe

Don't forget the 'e' sound when putting it after a noun: 'shahr-e shegeft-angiz'.

Half-space

Use a half-space between the two parts of the word in digital writing.

Shopping

Look for this word on Iranian websites to find the best deals.

Rhythm

Say it like a song: Da-DUM-da-DUM.

Variety

Try 'heyrat-āvar' if you want to sound more academic.

Context

If you hear 'shegeft', expect something positive to follow.

Compliments

It's a perfect word to use when a friend shows you their art or hobby.

Roots

Learn other '-angiz' words to expand your vocabulary quickly.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'She-Gifts-An-Goose'. If a girl 'gifts' you an 'amazing' golden 'goose', you would be 'She-geft-angiz'!

Visual Association

Imagine a giant, glowing blue butterfly in a dark forest. The sight is 'shegeft-angiz.'

Word Web

Wonder Amazing Surprise Nature Art Skill Incite Rouse

Challenge

Try to find three things today that you can describe as 'shegeft-angiz' and say the word out loud each time.

Word Origin

Derived from Middle Persian 'shkift' (meaning strong, hard, or wonderful) and the present stem of 'angikhtan' (to rouse, incite, or stir up).

Original meaning: Something that rouses a feeling of being struck or hardened by wonder.

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

Cultural Context

No negative connotations. It is a purely positive and safe word to use.

Similar to 'awesome' in US English, but slightly more formal and less overused.

The Incredibles (movie title in Iran) Digikala's 'Amazing Offers' Persian poetry describing the heavens.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Travel

منظره شگفت‌انگیز
هتل شگفت‌انگیز
سفر شگفت‌انگیز
جای شگفت‌انگیز

Art

تابلوی شگفت‌انگیز
صدای شگفت‌انگیز
هنر شگفت‌انگیز
رنگ‌های شگفت‌انگیز

Science

کشف شگفت‌انگیز
نظریه شگفت‌انگیز
مغز شگفت‌انگیز
پیشرفت شگفت‌انگیز

Shopping

تخفیف شگفت‌انگیز
قیمت شگفت‌انگیز
کالای شگفت‌انگیز
پیشنهاد شگفت‌انگیز

Personal Success

کار شگفت‌انگیز
موفقیت شگفت‌انگیز
تغییر شگفت‌انگیز
اراده شگفت‌انگیز

Conversation Starters

"آیا تا به حال یک جای شگفت‌انگیز دیده‌ای؟"

"شگفت‌انگیزترین فیلمی که دیدی چیست؟"

"به نظر تو چه چیزی در دنیا شگفت‌انگیز است؟"

"آیا خبر شگفت‌انگیزی در مورد فضا شنیده‌ای؟"

"کدام شهر ایران برای تو شگفت‌انگیزتر است؟"

Journal Prompts

امروز چه اتفاق شگفت‌انگیزی برای تو افتاد؟ بنویس.

یک خاطره شگفت‌انگیز از دوران کودکی خود را توصیف کن.

اگر می‌توانستی یک قدرت شگفت‌انگیز داشته باشی، چه بود؟

درباره یک آدم شگفت‌انگیز که می‌شناسی بنویس.

چرا یادگیری زبان فارسی برای تو شگفت‌انگیز است؟

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, it usually means 'amazing' or 'wonderful.' For 'weird,' use 'ajib'.

Yes, but only if the food is truly extraordinary. Otherwise, use 'khoshmazeh' (delicious).

It is neutral. You can use it with friends or in a business presentation.

Say 'shegeft-angiz-tarin'.

The most common opposite is 'mamuli' (ordinary) or 'khaste-konande' (boring).

Yes, to mean they are an amazing person or have amazing talent.

Yes, clearly: she-geft-an-giz.

It comes from 'shegeft' (wonder) and 'angiz' (causing).

Yes, frequently, to describe the beauty of the beloved or the universe.

It means 'Amazing Offer' and is common in Iranian online shopping.