This page in your language

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

Français

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

A2 noun #4,000 most common 9 min read

تعهد

Q: How do I say 'uncommitted'?

You can say 'بیتعهد' (bi-ta'ahod). It is a negative adjective used to describe someone who is unreliable or doesn't take their responsibilities seriously.

ta'ahhod Top 4,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips تعهد in 30 Seconds

Explanation تعهد in your Level:

At the A1 level, you can think of 'ta'ahod' as a very serious 'promise.' While you might not use it often yourself, you will see it in simple forms like 'I have a commitment' (Man ta'ahod daram). It is a noun used to show that you must do something because you said you would. It's like a 'super-promise' for school or work. At this level, focus on the fact that it is a formal word for being a good, reliable person who keeps their word.

At the A2 level, you should start using 'ta'ahod' in the context of work and simple relationships. You should know that it often goes with the verb 'dashtan' (to have). For example, 'I have a commitment to my job' (Man be kar-am ta'ahod daram). You can also use the adjective 'mota'ahed' to describe a person, like 'a committed student' (yek shagerd-e mota'ahed). This is the level where you distinguish between a casual promise (qol) and a formal commitment (ta'ahod).

At the B1 level, you can use 'ta'ahod' in more complex sentences involving prepositions like 'be' (to) or 'nesbat be' (towards). You should be able to discuss 'social commitment' (ta'ahod-e ejtema'i) and 'moral commitment' (ta'ahod-e akhlaghi). You will also encounter the plural form 'ta'ahodat' in news or simple contracts. You should understand that this word implies a sense of duty and integrity that is highly valued in Iranian culture.

At the B2 level, you should be comfortable using 'ta'ahod' in professional and legal discussions. You can explain the 'undertakings' in a contract or discuss the 'commitment of an artist' to their society. You should understand the nuances between 'ta'ahod' and synonyms like 'paybandi' (adherence). You can use it to talk about complex psychological states, such as 'fear of commitment' (tars az ta'ahod) in modern dating contexts.

At the C1 level, 'ta'ahod' becomes a philosophical and literary term. You can analyze the 'literature of commitment' (adabiyat-e mota'ahed) in 20th-century Iran. You should be able to use the word in formal debates regarding international law, treaty obligations, and ethical dilemmas. You understand the historical roots of the word in the concept of 'Ahd' and can use it in highly formal writing to convey a sense of gravitas and solemnity.

At the C2 level, you have a masterly grasp of 'ta'ahod' and all its related forms. You can use it to discuss the ontological nature of covenants in Persian mysticism or the intricate details of constitutional obligations. You can switch between 'ta'ahod', 'misaq', and 'eltezaam' with perfect precision based on the register. You understand the subtle play of this word in political rhetoric and can use it to construct persuasive, high-level arguments in both written and spoken Persian.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

تعهد in 30 Seconds

Taa'hod means commitment or obligation in Persian.
It is a formal word used in legal, professional, and serious personal contexts.
It is stronger than 'qol' (promise) and implies a deep sense of responsibility.
Commonly used with verbs like 'dashtan' (to have) and 'dadan' (to give).

The Persian word تعهد (ta'ahod) is a cornerstone of both legal and interpersonal relationships in Iranian culture. Derived from the Arabic root 'A-H-D', which relates to a covenant or a sacred promise, it signifies a deep sense of responsibility and obligation. When an English speaker thinks of 'commitment,' they might think of a long-term relationship or a project. In Persian, تعهد carries a weight that spans from the mundane—like a signed contract—to the existential—like one's duty to society or a divine power. It is a formal noun that describes the act of binding oneself to a course of action or a person.

Legal and Formal Context: In legal documents, تعهد refers to an undertaking or a pledge. If you sign a document in Iran, you are often providing a تعهدنامه (written commitment). This isn't just a promise; it is an enforceable obligation. For example, a contractor has a تعهد to finish a building by a certain date. In this realm, the word is stark, professional, and carries consequences for failure.
Moral and Social Context: Socially, تعهد is seen as a virtue. A person who is متعهد (committed/responsible) is highly respected. This applies to marriage (تعهد زناشویی), where it implies fidelity and the shared burden of life. It also applies to 'Social Commitment' (تعهد اجتماعی), a term often used in literature and political discourse to describe an artist's or citizen's duty to speak truth to power or serve the community. This usage is more abstract but deeply emotional.

بدون تعهد، هیچ رابطه‌ای پایدار نمی‌ماند.
(Without commitment, no relationship remains stable.)

Historically, the concept of Ahd (the root of ta'ahod) is found in classical Persian poetry. Poets like Hafez often speak of the 'Covenant of Alast' (a primordial promise between humanity and the Divine). Thus, for a Persian speaker, the word resonates with a sense of ancient, unbreakable bond. It is not a word used lightly in casual conversation; if you say you have a تعهد, people expect you to follow through with the gravity of someone who has given their word of honor. In modern professional settings, it is the standard term for 'professionalism' or 'work ethic'—having a sense of تعهد کاری means you are dedicated and reliable.

او به تمامی تعهدات خود عمل کرد.
(He fulfilled all of his commitments/obligations.)

In the 21st century, the word has also entered the psychological domain. Therapists in Iran talk about تعهد به خود (commitment to oneself) as a form of self-care and personal growth. This reflects a shift from purely external, social obligations to internal, personal integrity. Whether it is a student's تعهد to their studies or a citizen's تعهد to environmental protection, the word serves as a bridge between the individual's will and the external world's expectations. It implies a conscious choice; one 'accepts' a commitment (تعهد پذیرفتن) rather than just having it forced upon them.

Using تعهد correctly requires understanding its common verb pairings. In Persian, nouns often become active through specific 'helper' verbs. For تعهد, the most common verbs are داشتن (to have), دادن (to give), and پذیرفتن (to accept/undertake). Understanding these combinations is key to sounding like a native speaker at the A2 and B1 levels.

تعهد داشتن (To have commitment): This describes a state of being. 'I have a commitment to my family' would be من به خانواده‌ام تعهد دارم. It suggests an ongoing state of responsibility. You can use this for jobs, relationships, or even religious duties.
تعهد دادن (To give a commitment/pledge): This is an action. It often refers to the moment of making a promise or signing a contract. In a legal context, if someone breaks a law, they might have to 'give a commitment' (تعهد کتبی دادن) to the authorities that they won't repeat the offense.

شرکت ما به حفظ محیط زیست تعهد دارد.
(Our company has a commitment to protecting the environment.)

Grammatically, تعهد is often followed by the preposition به (to). For example, تعهد به کار (commitment to work). When you want to describe a person who possesses this quality, you use the adjective form متعهد (mota'ahed). A 'committed teacher' is یک معلم متعهد. This adjective is very common in job advertisements and performance reviews.

آیا شما این تعهد را می‌پذیرید؟
(Do you accept this commitment?)

In more advanced usage, you might encounter عدم تعهد (lack of commitment). This is a strong criticism. If an employee is fired for 'lack of commitment,' it suggests they were not just lazy, but fundamentally unreliable. Another common phrase is پایبندی به تعهد (adherence to commitment), which emphasizes the act of staying true to one's word over a long period. In poetry and high literature, تعهد is often contrasted with بی‌قیدی (carefreeness/lack of ties), representing the eternal struggle between the human desire for freedom and the necessity of social and moral bonds.

If you walk through the streets of Tehran or watch Iranian television, you will encounter تعهد in several specific environments. It is a word that bridges the gap between the courtroom, the office, and the family living room. Understanding these contexts will help you grasp the 'flavor' of the word beyond its dictionary definition.

In the Workplace: During a job interview, an employer might ask: "میزان تعهد شما به این شرکت چقدر است؟" (How much is your commitment to this company?). Here, they are looking for loyalty. In office meetings, you'll hear about تعهدات مالی (financial commitments/obligations), referring to budgets and debts that must be honored.
In News and Politics: News anchors frequently use تعهد when discussing international treaties. For instance, 'The country must remain committed to its nuclear تعهدات.' It is the standard word for 'obligations' in the context of diplomacy and international law.

او به تعهدات اخلاقی خود بسیار پایبند است.
(He is very committed to his moral obligations.)

In marriage and romantic relationships, تعهد is the defining factor that separates a casual 'friendship' (دوستی) from a serious 'relationship' (رابطه). Iranians value the concept of تعهد عاطفی (emotional commitment) deeply. You might hear a friend complaining about a partner who is 'afraid of commitment' (از تعهد می‌ترسد), a sentiment that is universal but expressed with this specific formal word in Persian.

این قرارداد شامل چندین تعهد جدید است.
(This contract includes several new commitments/obligations.)

Lastly, in educational settings, teachers speak of تعهد به تحصیل (commitment to education). If a student is failing, a teacher might say they lack تعهد. It implies a lack of seriousness and focus. Interestingly, in the world of art and cinema, 'committed cinema' (سینمای متعهد) refers to films that have a social or political message, aiming to improve society rather than just provide entertainment. This shows how the word permeates every layer of Persian life, from the most practical to the most idealistic.

For English speakers learning Persian, the most common mistake with تعهد is confusing it with other words for 'promise' or 'duty.' While they overlap, their registers and nuances are distinct. Another common error is using the wrong preposition or helper verb.

تعهد vs. قول (Qol): Mistake: Using تعهد for small things. If you say, "I have a تعهد to bring tea," it sounds overly dramatic. Use قول for casual promises. Use تعهد for serious, formal, or long-term obligations.
تعهد vs. وظیفه (Vazifeh): Mistake: Using them interchangeably. وظیفه means 'duty' or 'task'—something you *must* do, often assigned by others. تعهد is a 'commitment'—something you have *accepted* or pledged to do. وظیفه is often external; تعهد is more internal or contractual.

اشتباه: من به او تعهد دادم که نان بخرم.
(Incorrect: I gave him a 'commitment' to buy bread. Too formal!)

Preposition errors are also frequent. Learners often forget that تعهد usually takes the preposition به (to). Saying تعهد برای کار (commitment for work) is understandable but less native than تعهد به کار. Additionally, learners sometimes confuse the noun تعهد with the adjective متعهد. Remember: او تعهد دارد (He has commitment) vs. او متعهد است (He is committed).

درست: او نسبت به وظایفش تعهد دارد.
(Correct: He has commitment toward/to his duties.)

Finally, avoid overusing the plural تعهدات when talking about a single feeling of commitment. Use the plural only when referring to specific, countable items in a contract or a list of promises. If you are talking about someone's general character, the singular تعهد is much more natural and powerful. By avoiding these pitfalls, your Persian will sound more nuanced and culturally attuned.

Persian is a language rich in synonyms, each with a slightly different shade of meaning. To truly master تعهد, you should know its neighbors. Depending on whether you are in a legal, poetic, or everyday setting, you might choose a different word to express the idea of 'commitment' or 'promise.'

پایبندی (Paybandi): This literally means 'having one's feet tied' to something. It is the best word for 'adherence' or 'loyalty.' While تعهد is the obligation itself, پایبندی is the act of sticking to it. Example: پایبندی به اصول (Adherence to principles).
التزام (Eltezaam): This is a very formal, often religious or legal term. It means 'necessity' or 'binding obligation.' You hear this in academic or theological debates. It’s more clinical and less emotional than تعهد.
میثاق (Misaq): A 'covenant.' This is a high-register, poetic, and solemn word. It is used for national pacts or sacred vows. If تعهد is a contract, میثاق is a sacred bond.

ما با هم میثاق بستیم که هرگز یکدیگر را رها نکنیم.
(We made a 'covenant' never to leave each other.)

In everyday speech, قول (qol) remains the king of informal promises. If you want to say 'I promise,' you say قول می‌دهم. Using تعهد می‌دهم in a casual setting would make you sound like a lawyer. Another interesting alternative is پیمان (Peymaan), which is more epic and often used in history and mythology (like the 'Peymaan' between kings or heroes). Understanding these synonyms allows you to adjust your 'volume' and 'formality' based on who you are talking to.

او نسبت به این پروژه هیچ پایبندی اخلاقی ندارد.
(He has no moral adherence/loyalty to this project.)

To summarize, while تعهد is the most versatile and standard term for commitment, use قول for friends, التزام for law, میثاق for sacred bonds, and پایبندی to describe the quality of staying committed. Mixing these up is a sign of a beginner; choosing the right one is a sign of a master.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"جناب عالی باید به تعهدات مندرج در قرارداد عمل نمایید."

Neutral

"من به این کار تعهد دارم و تا آخرش هستم."

Informal

"واقعاً به حرفت تعهد داری یا فقط داری می‌گی؟"

Child friendly

"وقتی قولی می‌دی، باید بهش تعهد داشته باشی، یعنی حتماً انجامش بدی."

Slang

"داداش، تعهد ما از سنگ هم سخت‌تره."

Fun Fact

The root word 'Ahd' is used in the Quran to describe the covenant between God and humanity, giving 'ta'ahod' a very spiritual weight in historical Persian literature.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /tæ.æ.ˈhod/

US /tæ.æ.ˈhoʊd/

On the final syllable: ta-ah-HOD.

Rhymes With

مقصد (Maqsad) مرقد (Marqad) معبد (Ma'bad) مستند (Mostanad) ارجمند (Arjmand) پایبند (Payband) خردمند (Kheradmand) سودمند (Soodmand)

Common Errors

Pronouncing it as 'tahod' (skipping the glottal stop).
Putting stress on the first syllable.
Mispronouncing the 'h' as a 'kh' sound.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to recognize in texts but can be confused with other 'A-H-D' roots.

Writing 4/5

Requires knowledge of formal spelling and helper verbs.

Speaking 4/5

Using the right register is tricky for beginners.

Listening 3/5

Clear pronunciation but often used in fast-paced news or legal speech.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

قول (Promise) کار (Work) باید (Must) دادن (To give) داشتن (To have)

Learn Next

مسئولیت (Responsibility) قرارداد (Contract) وفاداری (Loyalty) اخلاق (Ethics) قانون (Law)

Advanced

التزام (Obligation) میثاق (Covenant) منعقد کردن (To conclude a treaty) ذمه (Responsibility/Liability)

Grammar to Know

Compound Verbs with 'Dadan'

تعهد دادن (To pledge) follows the conjugation of 'Dadan'.

Preposition 'Be'

Always use 'be' before the object of commitment: تعهد به وطن.

Adjective formation with 'Mo-'

Mota'ahed (متعهد) is the active participle (committed).

Ezāfe in formal titles

تعهدنامهٔ رسمی (Official commitment letter).

Plural '-aat'

Ta'ahodat (تعهدات) is the Arabic feminine plural used in Persian.

Examples by Level

من به تو تعهد دارم.

I have a commitment to you.

Simple subject + preposition + noun + verb.

تعهد او خیلی زیاد است.

His commitment is very high.

Possessive pronoun + noun.

آیا تو تعهد می‌دهی؟

Do you give a commitment?

Question form with 'dadan'.

این یک تعهد بزرگ است.

This is a big commitment.

Noun + adjective.

تعهد برای من مهم است.

Commitment is important for me.

Subject + preposition + verb.

او تعهد کاری ندارد.

He doesn't have work commitment.

Negative verb form.

ما به این قول تعهد داریم.

We have a commitment to this promise.

Plural subject.

تعهد یعنی انجام دادن کار.

Commitment means doing the work.

Definition-style sentence.

شما باید به قرارداد تعهد داشته باشید.

You must have commitment to the contract.

Modal verb 'bayad' + subjunctive.

او یک معلم متعهد است.

She is a committed teacher.

Use of the adjective 'mota'ahed'.

من این تعهد را می‌پذیرم.

I accept this commitment.

Verb 'pazirftan' in present tense.

تعهد اخلاقی در ورزش مهم است.

Moral commitment is important in sports.

Compound noun 'ta'ahod-e akhlaghi'.

او به خانواده‌اش تعهد زیادی دارد.

He has a lot of commitment to his family.

Preposition 'be' for target of commitment.

بدون تعهد نمی‌توان موفق شد.

Without commitment, one cannot be successful.

Conditional sense with 'bedun'.

آیا شما تعهد کتبی می‌دهید؟

Do you give a written commitment?

Adjective 'katbi' (written).

او از تعهد می‌ترسد.

He is afraid of commitment.

Verb 'tarsidan' + preposition 'az'.

پایبندی به تعهدات نشانه شخصیت است.

Adherence to commitments is a sign of character.

Gerund 'paybandi' as subject.

شرکت ما به حفظ محیط زیست تعهد دارد.

Our company has a commitment to environmental protection.

Infinitive 'hefz' used as an object.

او تمام تعهدات مالی خود را انجام داد.

He fulfilled all his financial commitments.

Plural 'ta'ahodat'.

تعهد اجتماعی هنرمندان بسیار مهم است.

The social commitment of artists is very important.

Ezāfe construction for possession.

ما باید به تعهدی که دادیم عمل کنیم.

We must act on the commitment we gave.

Relative clause with 'ke'.

عدم تعهد باعث شکست پروژه شد.

Lack of commitment caused the project's failure.

Noun 'adam' (non/lack) + 'ta'ahod'.

او نسبت به حرف‌هایش تعهد دارد.

He is committed to his words.

Prepositional phrase 'nesbat be'.

این کار نیاز به تعهد طولانی‌مدت دارد.

This work needs a long-term commitment.

Compound adjective 'tulani-moddat'.

تعهدات بین‌المللی باید محترم شمرده شوند.

International commitments must be respected.

Passive voice 'shomorde shodan'.

او با تعهد کامل به وظایفش رسیدگی می‌کند.

He handles his duties with full commitment.

Adverbial phrase 'ba ta'ahod-e kamel'.

این قرارداد شامل تعهدات متقابل است.

This contract includes mutual commitments.

Adjective 'motaqabel' (mutual).

تعهد به حقیقت، پایه و اساس روزنامه‌نگاری است.

Commitment to truth is the foundation of journalism.

Abstract noun as subject.

او از پذیرش هرگونه تعهدی خودداری کرد.

He refused to accept any kind of commitment.

Verb 'khoddari kardan' (to refrain).

میزان تعهد کارکنان با بهره‌وری رابطه مستقیم دارد.

The level of employee commitment is directly related to productivity.

Complex sentence with 'rabte-ye mostaqim'.

او به خاطر تعهدش به عدالت شناخته شده است.

He is known for his commitment to justice.

Preposition 'be khater-e' (because of).

تعهدات ازدواج فراتر از یک تکه کاغذ است.

Marriage commitments are beyond a piece of paper.

Adverb 'faratar az' (beyond).

ادبیات متعهد در پی تغییرات بنیادین در جامعه است.

Committed literature seeks fundamental changes in society.

Specific literary terminology.

نقض تعهدات می‌تواند عواقب حقوقی سنگینی داشته باشد.

Breach of commitments can have heavy legal consequences.

Noun 'naghz' (violation/breach).

تعهد اخلاقی فرد را از منافع شخصی فراتر می‌برد.

Moral commitment takes an individual beyond personal interests.

Philosophical subject-verb agreement.

دولت در اجرای تعهدات خود کوتاهی کرده است.

The government has fallen short in implementing its commitments.

Verb 'kutahi kardan' (to neglect/fall short).

تعهد به دموکراسی نیازمند صبر و مداومت است.

Commitment to democracy requires patience and persistence.

Abstract concept as subject.

او در میانه تعهدات متضاد گرفتار شده بود.

He was caught in the middle of conflicting commitments.

Adjective 'motazzad' (conflicting).

تعهد به ارزش‌های انسانی مرز نمی‌شناسد.

Commitment to human values knows no borders.

Idiomatic 'marz nemishenasad'.

او با نگاهی متعهدانه به مسائل اجتماعی می‌نگرد.

He looks at social issues with a committed perspective.

Adverbial form 'mota'ahedane'.

تعهد، در ساحت اندیشه، پیوندی میان اراده و ضرورت است.

Commitment, in the realm of thought, is a link between will and necessity.

High-level philosophical register.

ایفای تعهدات قراردادی از ارکان ثبات اقتصادی است.

Fulfillment of contractual obligations is one of the pillars of economic stability.

Formal verb 'ifa' (fulfillment).

او در جستجوی معنای متعالی تعهد در متون کهن بود.

He was in search of the transcendent meaning of commitment in ancient texts.

Advanced vocabulary 'mota'ali' (transcendent).

تعهدات اخلاقی بر هرگونه مصلحت‌اندیشی سیاسی مقدم است.

Moral commitments take precedence over any political expediency.

Adjective 'moqaddam' (precedent/prior).

فقدان تعهد به آرمان‌ها منجر به انحطاط فرهنگی می‌شود.

Lack of commitment to ideals leads to cultural decay.

Formal noun 'faqdan' (absence/lack).

او تمام هستی خود را در گرو این تعهد نهاد.

He staked his entire existence on this commitment.

Idiomatic 'dar gerow nahadan'.

تعهد به آزادی، جوهر اصلی مبارزات مدنی است.

Commitment to freedom is the main essence of civil struggles.

Abstract noun 'jowhar' (essence).

بازخوانی تعهدات تاریخی می‌تواند راهگشای آینده باشد.

Re-reading historical commitments can be a guide for the future.

Compound noun 'rahgosha' (pathfinder).

Common Collocations

تعهد اخلاقی

تعهد کاری

تعهد مالی

تعهد کتبی

تعهد عاطفی

تعهد اجتماعی

تعهد دوجانبه

تعهد سپردن

پایبندی به تعهد

نقض تعهد

Common Phrases

تعهد دادن

— To make a formal promise or pledge.

او تعهد داد که به موقع برگردد.

تعهد پذیرفتن

— To accept a responsibility or obligation.

من این تعهد را با کمال میل می‌پذیرم.

عمل به تعهد

— Fulfilling or acting upon a commitment.

عمل به تعهد از حرف زدن سخت‌تر است.

تعهدنامه

— A written document of commitment.

تعهدنامه را امضا کن.

بدون تعهد

— With no strings attached or no obligations.

این پیشنهاد بدون هیچ تعهدی است.

تعهد محضری

— A commitment made officially in a notary office.

آنها تعهد محضری دادند.

پای تعهد ایستادن

— To stand by one's commitment.

او همیشه پای تعهداتش می‌ایستد.

ایجاد تعهد

— Creating an obligation or commitment.

این کار برای ما تعهد ایجاد می‌کند.

تعهدات بین‌المللی

— International obligations of a state.

تعهدات بین‌المللی باید رعایت شوند.

تعهد به خدمت

— Commitment to serve (often in military or government).

او تعهد به خدمت دارد.

Often Confused With

تعهد vs وظیفه (Vazifeh)

Vazifeh is a duty assigned to you; Ta'ahod is a commitment you accept.

تعهد vs قول (Qol)

Qol is a casual promise; Ta'ahod is a serious, often formal commitment.

تعهد vs اجبار (Ejbar)

Ejbar is force/compulsion; Ta'ahod is a voluntary obligation.

Idioms & Expressions

"سر قول خود ایستادن"

— To stand by one's word (related to commitment).

او همیشه سر قولش می‌ایستد.

Informal

"حرفش حرف است"

— Someone whose word is as good as a contract.

نگران نباش، حرف او حرف است.

Informal

"زیر قول خود زدن"

— To break a promise or back out of a commitment.

او زیر قولش زد و نیامد.

Informal

"پیمان بستن"

— To make a solemn pact or alliance.

آنها با هم پیمان بستند.

Formal/Literary

"گردن نهادن به تعهد"

— To submit to or accept a heavy obligation.

او به این تعهد گردن نهاد.

Literary

"وفای به عهد"

— Fidelity to one's covenant or promise.

وفای به عهد از فضایل اخلاقی است.

Formal

"عهدی که با تو بستم"

— The covenant I made with you (common in songs/poetry).

عهدی که با تو بستم را هرگز نمی‌شکنم.

Poetic

"تعهد قلبی"

— A commitment from the heart (sincere).

من به این راه تعهد قلبی دارم.

Neutral

"به زنجیر تعهد کشیدن"

— To bind someone by a commitment (metaphorical).

او خودش را به زنجیر تعهد کشید.

Literary

"تعهد نانوشته"

— An unwritten commitment or social contract.

بین ما یک تعهد نانوشته وجود دارد.

Neutral

Easily Confused

تعهد vs عهده (Ohdeh)

Same root.

'Ohdeh' refers to being in charge of something (e.g., bar ohdeh gereftan).

مسئولیت این کار بر عهده من است.

تعهد vs معاهده (Mo'ahadeh)

Same root.

Specifically refers to an international treaty or pact between nations.

معاهده صلح امضا شد.

تعهد vs عادت (Aadat)

Sounds slightly similar to beginners.

'Aadat' means habit, not commitment.

من به ورزش عادت دارم.

تعهد vs اعتماد (Etemaad)

Often used in the same context.

'Etemaad' means trust. Commitment builds trust.

من به تو اعتماد دارم.

تعهد vs اعتقاد (Eteghaad)

Sounds similar.

'Eteghaad' means belief or faith.

من به این راه اعتقاد دارم.

Sentence Patterns

من تعهد دارم.

من به [اسم] تعهد دارم.

من به کارم تعهد دارم.

[اسم] باید تعهد داشته باشد.

یک دوست خوب باید تعهد داشته باشد.

او به [اسم] تعهد [صفت] دارد.

او به خانواده‌اش تعهد عمیقی دارد.

بدون [اسم]، تعهد معنا ندارد.

بدون صداقت، تعهد معنا ندارد.

تعهد در ساحت [اسم]، تجلی [اسم] است.

تعهد در ساحت اخلاق، تجلی اراده است.

Any

آیا شما تعهد می‌دهید؟

آیا شما تعهد می‌دهید که فردا بیایید؟

Formal

اینجانب تعهد می‌نمایم که...

اینجانب تعهد می‌نمایم که قوانین را رعایت کنم.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Very high in professional, legal, and academic Persian.

Common Mistakes

تعهد کردن → تعهد دادن / متعهد شدن
In most contexts, 'ta'ahod kardan' is less common than 'ta'ahod dadan' (to give a pledge) or 'mota'ahed shodan' (to become committed).
تعهد برای کار → تعهد به کار
The correct preposition for 'commitment to' is 'be', not 'baraye' (for).
Using it for small promises → Using 'قول' (qol)
Don't use 'ta'ahod' for trivial things like meeting for lunch. It sounds unnaturally formal.
Misspelling with 'تحد' → تعهد
The 'a' sound comes from the letter 'ayn' (ع), which is essential for the correct spelling.
Confusing with 'vazifeh' → Using each in its context
Remember: Vazifeh is a task you MUST do; Ta'ahod is a commitment you CHOOSE to honor.

Tips

Root Recognition

Learn the root ع-ه-د (A-H-D). It will help you understand related words like عهد (covenant), معاهده (treaty), and عهده (charge).

Helper Verbs

Master 'تعهد دادن' and 'تعهد داشتن'. These two cover 90% of the word's usage in daily life.

Social Weight

Remember that in Iran, saying you have a 'ta'ahod' is a matter of honor. Don't say it if you don't mean it deeply.

Glottal Stop

Practice the 'a-a' sound. It's the difference between sounding like a beginner and sounding like a native speaker.

Job Interviews

Always use 'تعهد کاری' (work commitment) when talking about your strengths in an interview. It's a high-value phrase.

Formal Letters

When writing formally, the plural 'تعهدات' is almost always preferred over the singular.

Dating

If someone asks about your 'تعهد', they are asking if you are serious about the relationship.

Contracts

Look for 'تعهدات طرفین' (obligations of the parties) in any Persian contract you read.

Poetry

When you see 'Ahd' in poetry, think of 'ta'ahod'. It's the spiritual version of the same concept.

Consistency

Use this word to describe your commitment to learning Persian! 'تعهد به یادگیری زبان فارسی'.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Ta' as 'The' and 'Ahod' as 'Owed'. Commitment is 'The Owed' thing you must do because you gave your word.

Visual Association

Imagine a heavy golden chain linking two hands. The chain represents the 'ta'ahod'—it is strong, valuable, and binds the people together.

Word Web

Work Marriage Contract Duty Promise Loyalty Legal Moral

Challenge

Write three things you have a 'ta'ahod' to this week using the phrase 'Man be ... ta'ahod daram'.

Word Origin

From the Arabic root 'A-H-D' (ع-ه-د), which means to promise, to entrust, or to make a covenant. It entered Persian during the Islamic period and became a standard part of legal and moral vocabulary.

Original meaning: The act of taking responsibility or making a solemn pact.

Semitic (Arabic root) integrated into Indo-European (Persian).

Cultural Context

Be careful using it casually; it can sound like you are signing a contract when you just mean a small favor.

Similar to 'Commitment' but often feels more formal or legalistic than the English equivalent.

The 'Covenant of Alast' in Sufi poetry. Jalal Al-e Ahmad's essays on the commitment of intellectuals. The 'Charter of Cyrus' as an early historical commitment to human rights.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Marriage

تعهد زناشویی
پایبندی به همسر
خیانت به تعهد
تعهد عاطفی

Business

تعهدات مالی
امضای تعهدنامه
تعهد کاری
نقض قرارداد

Law

تعهد کتبی
تعهد محضری
اجرای تعهد
اسقاط تعهد

Social/Political

تعهد اجتماعی
هنر متعهد
تعهد به دموکراسی
مسئولیت مدنی

Personal Growth

تعهد به خود
تعهد به یادگیری
انضباط و تعهد
تغییر با تعهد

Conversation Starters

"به نظر شما مهم‌ترین تعهد در زندگی چیست؟ (What do you think is the most important commitment in life?)"

"آیا در شغل شما تعهد کاری خیلی مهم است؟ (Is work commitment very important in your job?)"

"چگونه می‌توانیم به تعهدات خود پایبند بمانیم؟ (How can we stay committed to our obligations?)"

"آیا از تعهد دادن در روابط می‌ترسید؟ (Are you afraid of making commitments in relationships?)"

"تفاوت قول و تعهد از نظر شما چیست؟ (What is the difference between a promise and a commitment in your view?)"

Journal Prompts

درباره زمانی بنویسید که به یک تعهد سخت عمل کردید. (Write about a time you fulfilled a difficult commitment.)

تعهد به خود در زندگی شما چه نقشی دارد؟ (What role does commitment to self play in your life?)

آیا جامعه امروز نسبت به گذشته متعهدتر شده است؟ (Has today's society become more committed compared to the past?)

سه تعهد مهمی که برای سال آینده دارید را لیست کنید. (List three important commitments you have for next year.)

چرا برخی افراد از تعهد فرار می‌کنند؟ (Why do some people run away from commitment?)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, it is widely used for moral, personal, and emotional commitments as well. While it has a formal tone, it is perfectly normal to use it when talking about your dedication to your family or your personal goals.

You can say 'بی‌تعهد' (bi-ta'ahod). It is a negative adjective used to describe someone who is unreliable or doesn't take their responsibilities seriously.

It's better to use 'قول' (qol) for simple things. Using 'ta'ahod' for 'I'll bring the pizza' sounds like you're signing a treaty. Keep 'ta'ahod' for big things like marriage, jobs, or life goals.

It is a 'letter of commitment.' It's a common document in Iran for everything from university applications to legal settlements where you formally write down and sign your promises.

'Mota'ahed' is the person who has the commitment. 'Payband' is an adjective describing someone who stays true to something. They are very similar, but 'mota'ahed' is more common in professional contexts.

Yes, it's a glottal stop (like the catch in the throat in 'uh-oh'). In fast speech, it might sound like a long 'a', but for clear Persian, you should try to pronounce the break.

Not necessarily. It can be for a specific task (short-term) or a lifelong bond (marriage/citizenship). The context usually clarifies the duration.

The phrase is 'ترس از تعهد' (tars az ta'ahod). It's a common term in modern Iranian psychology and dating talk.

These are 'financial obligations' or 'financial commitments,' such as debts, bills, or pledged investments.

No, it's a noun. You must pair it with a helper verb like 'dadan' (to give) or 'dashtan' (to have) to use it in an action-oriented way.