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B1 verb #4,500 most common 10 min read

تخم گذاشتن

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips تخم گذاشتن in 30 Seconds
Explanation تخم گذاشتن in your Level:
At the A1 level, you only need to know that 'tokhm gozāshtan' means 'to lay eggs'. You can use it in very simple sentences like 'The chicken lays an egg' (Morgh tokhm migozārad). It is helpful to associate 'tokhm' with the food you eat for breakfast and 'gozāshtan' with the action of putting something down. At this stage, don't worry about complex tenses. Just remember that birds and chickens 'tokhm migozārand'. You might see this in basic picture books about farm animals. It is a 'doing' word (verb) that describes what animals like chickens, ducks, and birds do. If you go to a market in Iran, you will see 'tokhm-e morgh' (chicken eggs), and this verb explains where they come from.
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At the A2 level, you should be able to use 'tokhm gozāshtan' in the past and present tenses. You can talk about different animals, like 'The turtle laid eggs in the sand' (Lāk-posht dar raml tokhm gozāsht). You should also know the negative form: 'This bird does not lay eggs' (In parande tokhm nemigozārad). You can start to use numbers with the verb, such as 'The bird laid two eggs' (Parande do tā tokhm gozāsht). At this level, you are becoming more familiar with compound verbs in Persian, and 'tokhm gozāshtan' is a perfect example of how a noun and a verb work together to create a new meaning. You might use this when describing a trip to a park or a farm.
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At the B1 level, you can use 'tokhm gozāshtan' in more complex sentence structures, including the use of conjunctions and the subjunctive mood. For example, 'If the weather is warm, the birds will lay eggs' (Agar havā garm bāshad, parandegān tokhm migozārand). You understand that this is the standard biological term and can distinguish it from colloquial versions like 'tokhm kardan'. You are also aware of the spelling of 'gozāshtan' with the letter 'Zāl' (ذ). At this level, you can describe life cycles in a basic way and participate in conversations about nature or pets. You might also encounter the noun form 'tokhm-gozāri' (egg-laying) in simple articles or documentaries.
At the B2 level, you are comfortable using 'tokhm gozāshtan' in various moods and tenses, including the passive voice or perfect tenses. You can discuss environmental issues, such as how pollution affects the egg-laying habits of fish. You understand the nuances between 'tokhm gozāshtan' (laying eggs) and 'tokhm-rizi' (spawning), and you can use them appropriately in context. You can read news reports about wildlife conservation in Iran, such as the protection of sea turtle nesting sites. Your vocabulary is rich enough to use related terms like 'lāne-sāzi' (nest-building) alongside 'tokhm gozāshtan' to provide a detailed description of animal behavior.
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At the C1 level, you use 'tokhm gozāshtan' with the precision of a native speaker. You can use it in academic or professional contexts, such as biology or veterinary science. You are aware of the etymology of the word 'tokhm' and its connection to other Indo-European languages. You can analyze literary texts or fables where egg-laying is used as a metaphor for productivity or greed (like the goose with the golden eggs). You understand the social registers of the word and know exactly when to use the formal 'tokhm-gozāri' versus the verbal 'tokhm gozāshtan'. You can also engage in complex debates about the evolutionary advantages of different reproductive strategies.
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At the C2 level, you have a masterly command of 'tokhm gozāshtan' and all its related forms. You can discuss the word's place in Persian linguistics as a classic light verb construction. You are familiar with rare or archaic terms for egg-laying in classical Persian poetry and can compare them to modern usage. You can write sophisticated scientific articles or give lectures on zoology in Persian, using 'tokhm gozāshtan' as a foundational term while effortlessly weaving in highly technical terminology. You understand the deepest cultural associations of the word, from its role in Nowruz traditions (where eggs symbolize fertility) to its use in complex idioms and proverbs.
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Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

تخم گذاشتن in 30 Seconds

  • A common Persian verb meaning 'to lay eggs'.
  • Used for birds, reptiles, fish, and insects.
  • A compound verb made of 'tokhm' (egg) and 'gozāshtan' (to put).
  • Essential for biology, farming, and nature discussions.

The Persian compound verb تخم گذاشتن (tokhm gozāshtan) is a fundamental biological term that translates directly to 'to lay eggs' in English. It is composed of two parts: the noun تخم (tokhm), which means 'egg' or 'seed', and the light verb گذاشتن (gozāshtan), which means 'to put' or 'to place'. Together, they describe the action performed by birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and insects when they produce and deposit eggs. This term is essential for anyone discussing nature, biology, farming, or even simple childhood observations of animals. In a literal sense, it is the beginning of the life cycle for oviparous animals. Beyond the farm, you will encounter this word in documentaries, science textbooks, and casual conversations about pets or wildlife. While 'tokhm' can also mean 'seed' in botanical contexts, when paired with 'gozāshtan', it exclusively refers to the act of egg-laying. Understanding this verb requires a grasp of Persian compound verb conjugation, where the first part remains static and the second part (the light verb) changes according to tense, person, and number. For example, in the present continuous, one would say دارد تخم می‌گذارد (is laying eggs).

Biological Context
This verb is used to describe the reproductive process of oviparous species, ranging from the domestic chicken to the prehistoric dinosaur.
Agricultural Usage
Farmers use this term daily to track the productivity of their poultry, often asking if the hens have laid eggs yet.

مرغ‌ها معمولاً در صبح تخم می‌گذارند.

لاک‌پشت‌های دریایی در ساحل رمل تخم می‌گذارند.

The frequency of this word is quite high in educational materials for children. When children learn about the life cycle of a butterfly or a frog, 'tokhm gozāshtan' is one of the first verbs they master. It carries no negative connotations and is a purely descriptive, functional part of the vocabulary. However, in slang or very informal Persian, 'tokhm' can be used in vulgar ways (referring to anatomy), so it is important to keep the verb 'gozāshtan' attached to maintain the biological meaning. In formal scientific writing, you might see 'تخم‌گذاری' (tokhm-gozāri) as a noun meaning 'oviposition' or 'egg-laying', but the verb form remains the primary way to describe the action itself. If you are visiting a village in Iran or talking to someone about their canary, this is the exact phrase you need.

مارها در مکان‌های گرم و خشک تخم می‌گذارند.

Metaphorical Nuance
While rare, it can sometimes imply the start of a problematic situation, similar to 'laying the seeds' of trouble, though 'kāshtan' is more common for that metaphor.

Using تخم گذاشتن correctly involves understanding the mechanics of Persian compound verbs. The noun 'tokhm' acts as the direct object but is fused with the verb 'gozāshtan'. In simple present tense, you use the present stem of 'gozāshtan', which is 'gozār'. To say 'it lays eggs', you say تخم می‌گذارد. In the past tense, you use the past stem 'gozāsht', resulting in تخم گذاشت. Because this is a biological process, the subject is almost always an animal. You can modify the sentence by adding the number of eggs or the location. For example, 'The bird laid three eggs in the nest' becomes پرنده سه تا تخم در لانه گذاشت. Notice how the number 'three' (سه تا) comes before 'tokhm'. This flexibility allows you to be specific about the quantity. When asking a question, you might ask, 'Does this snake lay eggs?' which is آیا این مار تخم می‌گذارد؟.

قورباغه‌ها در آب تخم می‌گذارند تا بچه‌هایشان در محیط مرطوب رشد کنند.

Present Tense
Used for general facts: پنگوئن‌ها روی یخ تخم می‌گذارند (Penguins lay eggs on ice).
Past Tense
Used for specific events: دیروز مرغ من دو تا تخم گذاشت (Yesterday my hen laid two eggs).

In more complex sentences, you might use the subjunctive mood. For instance, 'The turtle must lay eggs soon' would be لاک‌پشت باید به زودی تخم بگذارد. The prefix 'be-' is attached to the present stem 'gozār'. If you want to describe a continuous action in the past, you would use تخم می‌گذاشت. It is also important to note that 'tokhm' is usually used in the singular form in this compound verb, even if multiple eggs are being laid, unless you are specifying a count. Saying 'تخم‌ها را گذاشت' (She laid the eggs) is possible but implies a specific set of eggs previously mentioned. In most cases, 'tokhm gozāshtan' functions as a single lexical unit. This verb is also central to discussions about evolution and biology in Persian academic settings, where researchers might discuss the 'egg-laying habits' (عادات تخم‌گذاری) of different species.

اگر شرایط محیطی مناسب نباشد، پرنده تخم نمی‌گذارد.

Negation
To negate, add 'na-' to the verb part: تخم نمی‌گذارد (Does not lay eggs).

You will encounter تخم گذاشتن in several distinct environments. The most common is in educational settings. Iranian schoolbooks for elementary science (Oloum) use this verb extensively to teach students about the classification of animals into mammals (pestāndārān) and egg-layers (tokhm-gozārān). If you watch Persian-language nature documentaries, such as those narrated in the style of David Attenborough, you will hear this verb frequently as the narrator describes the nesting habits of birds or the migration of salmon to lay eggs in upstream rivers. Another common place is in the agricultural sector. In Iran's many poultry farms (morgh-dāri), workers and owners discuss the 'egg-laying rate' of their chickens using variations of this verb. In a domestic setting, if a family keeps a pet bird, like a 'morgh-e eshgh' (lovebird) or a 'ghanāri' (canary), the moment the bird lays an egg is a significant event discussed using this phrase.

در مستند حیات وحش، گوینده توضیح داد که چگونه ماهی‌ها در رودخانه تخم می‌گذارند.

News & Environment
Environmental news often reports on endangered species, such as the Hawksbill sea turtles in the Persian Gulf, mentioning their egg-laying seasons.
Rural Life
In Iranian villages, children are often tasked with checking the 'lāne' (nest) to see if the hens have laid eggs.

Furthermore, in the context of Persian cuisine, while the verb itself isn't used to cook, the result of the action—the egg—is central. However, the verb is used when discussing the quality of the eggs. A 'tokhm-e morgh-e mahalli' (local village egg) is highly prized because it comes from a hen that 'laid eggs' in a natural environment. In children's stories and fables, such as those by Samad Behrangi or in translations of Aesop's Fables, the 'goose that laid the golden eggs' is a classic trope. The Persian translation would be غازی که تخم طلا می‌گذاشت. This shows how the verb transcends literal biology and enters the realm of folklore and moral storytelling. Whether you are reading a scientific paper about entomology or a fairy tale to a child, 'tokhm gozāshtan' remains the standard, indispensable term for this life-giving act.

کودکان در روستا با هیجان به دنبال جایی می‌گردند که مرغ تخم گذاشته است.

Children's Literature
Stories about 'the hen and her chicks' always start with the hen laying eggs and sitting on them (korg shodan).

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make with تخم گذاشتن is confusing it with other verbs that mean 'to put' or 'to plant'. Persian has several verbs for 'putting', but for egg-laying, only گذاشتن (gozāshtan) is correct. Some learners might accidentally use قرار دادن (gharār dādan), which is a more formal 'to place', but it sounds unnatural in a biological context. Another common error is spelling. The light verb is 'gozāshtan' with a 'Zāl' (ذ). Many people, including native speakers, confuse it with 'gozhashtan' (to pass/cross) which is spelled with a 'Ze' (ز). While they sound almost identical in many dialects, they are semantically and orthographically distinct. Using the wrong 'Z' can completely change the meaning or simply mark the writer as uneducated. Additionally, learners often forget that 'tokhm' is part of a compound verb and try to pluralize it as 'tokhm-hā' unnecessarily.

اشتباه: مرغ تخم گزارد. درست: مرغ تخم می‌گذارد.

Spelling Confusion
گذاشتن (to place/lay) vs. گذشتن (to pass). Always use the one with 'Zāl' for eggs.
Wrong Light Verb
Avoid using 'kardān' (to do) or 'dādan' (to give) with 'tokhm'. 'Tokhm dādan' would mean 'to give an egg to someone'.

Another mistake involves the distinction between 'tokhm' and 'tokhm-e morgh'. 'Tokhm-e morgh' specifically means 'chicken egg'. If you say 'The bird laid a chicken egg' (پرنده تخم مرغ گذاشت), it only makes sense if the bird is a chicken. If it's a sparrow, you should just say 'tokhm'. Furthermore, some learners confuse 'tokhm gozāshtan' with 'tokhm-e chashm'. 'Tokhm-e chashm' means 'eyeball'. While unrelated, the shared word 'tokhm' can lead to bizarre literal translations if one is not careful. Finally, ensure you do not confuse 'gozār' (the present stem) with 'gozār' as a suffix meaning 'performer' (like 'namāz-gozār'). In the context of 'tokhm gozāshtan', it is always the act of placing. Keeping these distinctions in mind will help you sound more like a native speaker and avoid embarrassing or confusing errors in both writing and speech.

اشتباه: لاک‌پشت در حال کاشتن تخم است. درست: لاک‌پشت در حال تخم گذاشتن است.

Pluralization Error
Don't say 'tokhm-hā gozāshtan' unless you are emphasizing the individual eggs. The compound verb usually stays singular.

While تخم گذاشتن is the most common way to say 'to lay eggs', there are other words related to reproduction and egg production that are worth knowing. For instance, تولید مثل کردن (tolid-e mesl kardan) is the general term for 'to reproduce' and applies to all living things. If you want to talk about the entire process of a bird sitting on eggs until they hatch, you might use جوجه کشی کردن (juje-keshi kardan) or mention that the bird is کرچ شده (korch shode - broody). Another related term is خاویار ریختن (khāviyār rikhtan), which specifically refers to sturgeon 'spawning' or releasing caviar. In scientific contexts, as mentioned before, the noun تخم‌گذاری (tokhm-gozāri) is used to describe the phenomenon of oviposition. Comparing these terms helps to define the boundaries of 'tokhm gozāshtan'.

تولید مثل کردن
General reproduction. 'Laying eggs' is just one method of 'tolid-e mesl'.
زاییدن
To give birth to live young. Used for mammals. A cat 'mizāyad', but a bird 'tokhm migozārad'.

برخلاف پستانداران که می‌زایند، خزندگان تخم می‌گذارند.

ماهی‌ها برای تخم‌ریزی به آب‌های کم‌عمق می‌روند.

There is also the term تخم کردن (tokhm kardan), which is a more informal or colloquial version of 'tokhm gozāshtan'. You might hear this in villages or from older people, but 'gozāshtan' is more standard and polite. In the realm of insects, you might hear تخم ریختن (tokhm rikhtan) as well. For birds, once the eggs are laid, the next step is خوابیدن روی تخم‌ها (khābidan ruye tokhm-hā), which means 'sitting on the eggs' to incubate them. Understanding these nuances allows you to describe the entire lifecycle of an animal accurately. For example, you can say, 'The bird laid eggs, sat on them, and then the chicks hatched.' (پرنده تخم گذاشت، روی آن‌ها خوابید و سپس جوجه‌ها از تخم بیرون آمدند). This progression uses 'tokhm gozāshtan' as the critical starting point.

تخم کردن
Colloquial alternative to 'tokhm gozāshtan'. Use 'gozāshtan' for better formal and neutral speech.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The word 'tokhm' is a cognate with the English word 'token' and the Latin 'textus', sharing ancient roots related to 'weaving' or 'creating'.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /toxm ɡozɒːʃtan/
US /toʊxm ɡoʊzɑːʃtæn/
The primary stress is on the last syllable of the verb: gozāsh-TAN. In the present tense (migozārad), the stress is on the 'mi-' prefix.
Rhymes With
برداشتن (bardāshtan) گذاشتن (gozāshtan - self) پنداشتن (pendāshtan) نگاشتن (negāshtan) کاشتن (kāshtan) داشتن (dāshtan) انباشتن (anbāshtan) گماشتن (gomāshtan)
Common Errors
  • Pronouncing 'kh' as a simple 'k'. It must be a fricative.
  • Confusion between 'z' and 'zh' sounds in 'gozāshtan'.
  • Shortening the long 'ā' in the middle of 'gozāshtan'.
  • Stress on the 'tokhm' instead of the verb part.
  • Failing to pronounce the 'n' at the end of the infinitive.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to recognize once you know 'tokhm' and 'gozāshtan'.

Writing 4/5

Tricky spelling of 'gozāshtan' with 'Zāl'.

Speaking 3/5

Compound verb conjugation is standard but requires practice.

Listening 2/5

Very clear and distinct sounds.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

تخم گذاشتن مرغ پرنده لانه

Learn Next

جوجه باروری زاییدن تولید مثل پستاندار

Advanced

تخم‌گذاری خاویار دوزیست خزنده تکامل

Grammar to Know

Compound Verb Conjugation

Only 'gozāshtan' changes: تخم گذاشتم، تخم گذاشتی...

Present Stem

The present stem of 'gozāshtan' is 'gozār': تخم می‌گذارم.

Future Tense

تخم خواهد گذاشت (It will lay eggs).

Subjunctive Mood

باید تخم بگذارد (It must lay eggs).

Present Perfect

تخم گذاشته است (It has laid eggs).

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Examples by Level

1

مرغ تخم می‌گذارد.

The hen lays eggs.

Simple present tense with 'mi-' prefix.

2

پرنده در لانه تخم گذاشت.

The bird laid an egg in the nest.

Simple past tense.

3

آیا این مرغ تخم می‌گذارد؟

Does this hen lay eggs?

Question form using 'āyā'.

4

اردک در کنار آب تخم می‌گذارد.

The duck lays eggs by the water.

Present tense describing a habit.

5

امروز مرغ من یک تخم گذاشت.

Today my hen laid one egg.

Past tense with a time adverb.

6

ما تخم می‌خواهیم؛ مرغ باید تخم بگذارد.

We want eggs; the hen must lay eggs.

Use of 'bāyad' with subjunctive.

7

گنجشک روی درخت تخم می‌گذارد.

The sparrow lays eggs on the tree.

Present tense.

8

لاک‌پشت بزرگ تخم گذاشت.

The big turtle laid eggs.

Subject + adjective + verb.

1

لاک‌پشت‌ها در ساحل تخم می‌گذارند.

Turtles lay eggs on the beach.

Plural subject with plural verb.

2

مارها همیشه تخم نمی‌گذارند؛ بعضی‌ها بچه می‌زایند.

Snakes don't always lay eggs; some give birth to live young.

Contrast between egg-laying and live birth.

3

کبوتر دو تا تخم در لانه گذاشته است.

The pigeon has laid two eggs in the nest.

Present perfect tense (gozāshte ast).

4

چرا این پرنده تخم نمی‌گذارد؟

Why doesn't this bird lay eggs?

Negative question with 'cherā'.

5

ماهی‌ها در بهار تخم می‌گذارند.

Fish lay eggs in the spring.

Present tense for seasonal facts.

6

پنگوئن نر از تخمی که ماده گذاشته است مراقبت می‌کند.

The male penguin takes care of the egg the female has laid.

Relative clause using 'ke'.

7

تمساح‌ها در خاک چاله‌ای برای تخم گذاشتن می‌کنند.

Crocodiles dig a hole in the soil for laying eggs.

Infinitive form 'tokhm gozāshtan' used as a purpose.

8

مرغ‌های این مزرعه هر روز تخم می‌گذارند.

The hens of this farm lay eggs every day.

Genitive construction 'morgh-hā-ye in mazra'e'.

1

بسیاری از حشرات در زیر برگ‌ها تخم می‌گذارند.

Many insects lay eggs under leaves.

Use of 'basyāri az' (many of).

2

اگر مرغ‌ها استرس داشته باشند، تخم نمی‌گذارند.

If hens are stressed, they won't lay eggs.

Conditional sentence Type 1.

3

او می‌خواست بداند که کدام حیوانات تخم می‌گذارند.

He wanted to know which animals lay eggs.

Indirect question.

4

قورباغه هزاران تخم در آب گذاشت تا شانس بقا بیشتر شود.

The frog laid thousands of eggs in the water to increase the chance of survival.

Past tense with a purpose clause.

5

لاک‌پشت دریایی پس از تخم گذاشتن به اقیانوس بازگشت.

The sea turtle returned to the ocean after laying eggs.

Gerund-like use of the infinitive after 'pas az'.

6

مرغ عشق من بالاخره اولین تخمش را گذاشت.

My lovebird finally laid her first egg.

Use of 'bālākhare' (finally) and possessive suffix.

7

دانشمندان در حال بررسی مکان‌هایی هستند که پرندگان در آنجا تخم می‌گذارند.

Scientists are investigating the places where birds lay eggs.

Present continuous with a relative locative clause.

8

ممکن است این خزنده در زمستان تخم نگذارد.

This reptile might not lay eggs in winter.

Modal 'momken ast' with negative subjunctive.

1

تغییرات اقلیمی باعث شده است که برخی پرندگان زودتر تخم بگذارند.

Climate change has caused some birds to lay eggs earlier.

Complex sentence with 'bā'es shodan'.

2

تخم گذاشتن در محیط‌های خشک برای دوزیستان دشوار است.

Laying eggs in dry environments is difficult for amphibians.

Infinitive as the subject of the sentence.

3

این نوع خاص از ماهی فقط در آب‌های شیرین تخم می‌گذارد.

This specific type of fish only lays eggs in fresh water.

Adverb 'faghat' (only) for specificity.

4

پرنده ماده قبل از تخم گذاشتن شروع به ساختن لانه کرد.

The female bird started building a nest before laying eggs.

Sequence of events with 'ghabl az'.

5

مرغ‌هایی که به روش صنعتی نگهداری می‌شوند، بیشتر تخم می‌گذارند.

Hens kept in industrial ways lay more eggs.

Passive relative clause.

6

دوران تخم‌گذاری این حیوان معمولاً دو هفته طول می‌کشد.

The egg-laying period of this animal usually lasts two weeks.

Using the noun form 'tokhm-gozāri'.

7

او با دقت مشاهده کرد که چگونه حشره روی ساقه گیاه تخم می‌گذارد.

He carefully observed how the insect lays eggs on the plant stem.

Adverbial phrase 'bā deghat'.

8

اگر محیط امن نباشد، لاک‌پشت از تخم گذاشتن خودداری می‌کند.

If the environment is not safe, the turtle refrains from laying eggs.

Verb 'khoddāri kardan' with preposition 'az'.

1

استراتژی تخم گذاشتن در تعداد بالا، راهکاری برای مقابله با شکارچیان است.

The strategy of laying eggs in high numbers is a way to deal with predators.

Formal academic structure.

2

برخی گونه‌های منقرض شده احتمالاً در لانه‌های جمعی تخم می‌گذاشته‌اند.

Some extinct species likely used to lay eggs in communal nests.

Past habitual/speculative tense.

3

تخریب زیست‌گاه‌ها مانع از تخم گذاشتن لاک‌پشت‌های پوزه‌عقابی شده است.

Habitat destruction has prevented Hawksbill turtles from laying eggs.

Verb 'māne' shodan' (to prevent).

4

فرآیند تخم گذاشتن در خزندگان تحت تأثیر دمای محیط قرار دارد.

The process of egg-laying in reptiles is influenced by environmental temperature.

Passive construction 'tahte tasir gharār dārad'.

5

پستانداران تخم‌گذار مانند پلاتی‌پوس، حلقه‌ی گمشده‌ی تکامل محسوب می‌شوند.

Egg-laying mammals like the platypus are considered the missing link of evolution.

Compound adjective 'tokhm-gozār'.

6

این پرنده ترجیح می‌دهد در شکاف صخره‌های مرتفع تخم بگذارد تا از دسترسی دشمنان دور بماند.

This bird prefers to lay eggs in high cliff crevices to stay away from enemies.

Subjunctive with 'tarjih dādan'.

7

میزان کلسیم در رژیم غذایی پرنده مستقیماً بر کیفیت تخم گذاشتن تأثیر دارد.

The amount of calcium in the bird's diet directly affects the quality of egg-laying.

Scientific causal relationship.

8

در بسیاری از فرهنگ‌ها، عمل تخم گذاشتن نمادی از آفرینش و باروری است.

In many cultures, the act of laying eggs is a symbol of creation and fertility.

Abstract noun usage.

1

تحلیل فیزیولوژیک هورمون‌های دخیل در تخم گذاشتن، پیچیدگی‌های بسیاری را آشکار می‌کند.

Physiological analysis of hormones involved in egg-laying reveals many complexities.

Highly formal/scientific register.

2

برخی حشرات با تخم گذاشتن درون بدن میزبان، چرخه‌ی زندگی پارازیتی خود را تکمیل می‌کنند.

Some insects complete their parasitic life cycle by laying eggs inside the host's body.

Gerund-like usage with 'bā' (by).

3

تطابق زمانی تخم گذاشتن با اوج وفور منابع غذایی، مزیتی انتخاباتی در سیر تکامل است.

The synchronization of egg-laying with the peak of food resource abundance is an evolutionary advantage.

Sophisticated vocabulary (tatābugh-e zamāni).

4

در متون کهن، از غازی یاد شده که با تخم گذاشتن زرین، طمع صاحبش را برانگیخت.

In ancient texts, a goose is mentioned that, by laying golden eggs, aroused its owner's greed.

Literary style with 'yād shode'.

5

نوسانات شدید دمایی می‌تواند منجر به توقف کامل فرآیند تخم گذاشتن در جمعیت‌های وحشی شود.

Severe temperature fluctuations can lead to a complete halt in the egg-laying process in wild populations.

Use of 'monjar be' (lead to).

6

ریخت‌شناسی تخم‌های گذاشته شده، اطلاعات ارزشمندی در مورد تبارشناسی گونه فراهم می‌آورد.

The morphology of the laid eggs provides valuable information about the species' genealogy.

Past participle 'gozāshte shode' used as an adjective.

7

سازوکارهای دفاعی پرندگان هنگام تخم گذاشتن شامل استتار و فریب شکارچیان است.

Defensive mechanisms of birds during egg-laying include camouflage and deceiving predators.

Complex subject phrase.

8

تداوم نسل در این گونه‌ی نادر منوط به فراهم آوردن شرایط بهینه برای تخم گذاشتن است.

The continuity of the generation in this rare species depends on providing optimal conditions for egg-laying.

Formal phrase 'munut be' (contingent upon).

Common Collocations

تخم طلا گذاشتن
تخم گذاشتن در لانه
فصل تخم‌گذاری
تعداد تخم‌های گذاشته شده
محل تخم‌گذاری
توقف تخم‌گذاری
تخم گذاشتن مداوم
تخم گذاشتن در آب
آماده شدن برای تخم گذاشتن
تخم گذاشتن در خاک

Common Phrases

مرغی که تخم نمی‌گذارد

— A hen that doesn't lay eggs; used for someone unproductive.

این شرکت مثل مرغی است که تخم نمی‌گذارد.

تخم گذاشتن و بزرگ کردن

— The full process of laying and raising young.

او تمام وقتش را صرف تخم گذاشتن و بزرگ کردن جوجه‌ها کرد.

زمان تخم گذاشتن

— The specific time an animal lays eggs.

زمان تخم گذاشتن ماهی‌ها رسیده است.

عادت تخم گذاشتن

— The behavioral pattern of egg-laying.

عادت تخم گذاشتن این پرنده عجیب است.

تخم گذاشتن در اسارت

— Laying eggs while in a zoo or cage.

بسیاری از حیوانات در اسارت تخم نمی‌گذارند.

تخم گذاشتن دسته‌جمعی

— Laying eggs in groups.

لاک‌پشت‌ها به صورت دسته‌جمعی تخم می‌گذارند.

اولین بار تخم گذاشتن

— The first instance of egg-laying.

این مرغ اولین بار است که تخم می‌گذارد.

تخم گذاشتن در جای امن

— Laying eggs in a safe place.

حیوانات همیشه به دنبال جایی امن برای تخم گذاشتن هستند.

تخم گذاشتن سالیانه

— Annual egg-laying.

این گونه فقط سالی یک بار تخم می‌گذارد.

تخم گذاشتن موفقیت‌آمیز

— Successful egg-laying.

تخم گذاشتن موفقیت‌آمیز برای بقای گونه ضروری است.

Often Confused With

تخم گذاشتن vs گذشتن

Means 'to pass' or 'to cross'. Spelled with 'Ze' (ز).

تخم گذاشتن vs کاشتن

Means 'to plant' seeds. You don't 'plant' eggs.

تخم گذاشتن vs قرار دادن

Means 'to place' formally. Not used for biological egg-laying.

Idioms & Expressions

"مرغی که تخم طلا می‌گذارد را سر بریدن"

— To destroy something that is very profitable out of greed.

با فروختن سهام شرکت، او مرغی که تخم طلا می‌گذاشت را سر برید.

Literary/Common
"تخم دو زرده گذاشتن"

— To do something extraordinary or to boast about a minor achievement as if it's huge.

حالا انگار تخم دو زرده گذاشته که اینقدر پز می‌دهد!

Informal/Sarcastic
"تا تخم بگذارد"

— Waiting a very long time for something to happen.

نشسته‌ای تا مرغ تخم بگذارد؟ (Are you just sitting there waiting for a miracle?)

Informal
"تخم گذاشتن در سر کسی"

— To put an idea (usually bad) in someone's head.

او این فکر را در سر من تخم گذاشت.

Rare/Metaphorical
"مثل مرغ پرکنده تخم گذاشتن"

— To do something in a state of extreme agitation.

با استرس زیاد تخم گذاشت (بسیار عامیانه).

Slang
"تخم لق در دهان کسی شکستن"

— To start a bad tradition or give someone a bad habit.

او تخم لق را در دهان بچه شکست.

Informal
"مرغ همسایه غاز است و تخم طلا می‌گذارد"

— What others have always seems better.

همیشه فکر می‌کند مرغ همسایه تخم طلا می‌گذارد.

Common
"تخم گذاشتن روی حرف کسی"

— To add to what someone said, usually to make it worse.

او روی حرف من تخم گذاشت.

Rare
"جایی تخم گذاشتن که نشود برداشت"

— To make a mistake that cannot be fixed.

یک جایی تخم گذاشته که هیچکس نمی‌تواند جمعش کند.

Informal
"تخم کردن از ترس"

— To be extremely scared (Vulgar).

از ترس تخم کرد.

Slang/Vulgar

Easily Confused

تخم گذاشتن vs تخم‌ریزی

Both involve eggs.

Tokhm-rizi is specifically for fish and insects spawning in water.

ماهی‌ها تخم‌ریزی می‌کنند.

تخم گذاشتن vs تولید مثل

Both refer to babies.

Tolid-e mesl is the general category of reproduction.

همه موجودات تولید مثل می‌کنند.

تخم گذاشتن vs زاییدن

Both refer to giving birth.

Zāyidan is for live young (mammals).

گاو گوساله می‌زاید.

تخم گذاشتن vs نشستن روی تخم

Related process.

This means incubating the eggs after they are laid.

مرغ روی تخم‌ها نشسته است.

تخم گذاشتن vs تخم مرغ

Contains the word 'tokhm'.

This is specifically the noun for a chicken egg.

من تخم مرغ خوردم.

Sentence Patterns

A1

[Animal] تخم می‌گذارد.

مرغ تخم می‌گذارد.

A2

[Animal] در [Place] تخم گذاشت.

لاک‌پشت در ساحل تخم گذاشت.

B1

اگر [Condition]، [Animal] تخم می‌گذارد.

اگر هوا گرم باشد، پرنده تخم می‌گذارد.

B2

[Animal] برای تخم گذاشتن به [Place] می‌رود.

ماهی برای تخم گذاشتن به رودخانه می‌رود.

C1

فرآیند تخم گذاشتن در [Animal] بسیار پیچیده است.

فرآیند تخم گذاشتن در زنبورها بسیار پیچیده است.

C2

تداوم نسل منوط به تخم گذاشتن در شرایط بهینه است.

تداوم نسل منوط به تخم گذاشتن در شرایط بهینه است.

B1

آیا [Animal] تا به حال تخم گذاشته است؟

آیا این طوطی تا به حال تخم گذاشته است؟

A2

[Animal] [Number] تا تخم گذاشت.

مرغ سه تا تخم گذاشت.

Word Family

Nouns

تخم (egg/seed)
تخم‌گذاری (egg-laying)
تخم‌دان (ovary)
تخم‌مرغ (chicken egg)

Verbs

تخم گذاشتن (to lay eggs)
تخم‌ریزی کردن (to spawn)

Adjectives

تخم‌گذار (egg-laying/oviparous)
تخم‌مرغی (egg-shaped)

Related

لانه (nest)
جوجه (chick)
باروری (fertility)
جنین (embryo)
خزنده (reptile)
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How to Use It

frequency

Highly frequent in nature, farming, and educational contexts.

Common Mistakes
  • مرغ تخم کرد → مرغ تخم گذاشت

    'Tokhm kardan' is colloquial and less formal than 'gozāshtan'.

  • مرغ تخم گزارد → مرغ تخم می‌گذارد

    Spelling error: 'gozār' is the stem of 'gozāshtan' (to place), not 'gozārdan'.

  • ماهی تخم گذاشت → ماهی تخم‌ریزی کرد

    While not wrong, 'tokhm-rizi' is more accurate for fish spawning.

  • او تخم گذاشت (for a person) → او بچه به دنیا آورد

    Humans do not lay eggs. This is a major semantic error.

  • پرنده تخم‌ها را گذاشت → پرنده تخم گذاشت

    Adding '-hā' and 'rā' is usually unnecessary for the general action.

Tips

Compound Verb Rule

Remember that only the second part 'gozāshtan' changes its form. 'Tokhm' stays the same.

The Letter Zāl

Don't confuse 'گذاشتن' (to put) with 'گذشتن' (to pass). Use 'Zāl' for eggs.

Bird Context

When talking about birds, this is the most natural verb to use.

Avoid Slang

In cities, be careful using 'tokhm' alone as it can be vulgar. Use the full verb.

Nowruz Connection

Eggs are symbols of life in Iran. This verb represents that beginning.

Technical Term

Use 'tokhm-gozāri' in your biology presentations for a professional sound.

Easy Memory

Think: 'Tokhm' sounds like the 'Tock' of a clock, and 'Gozar' is 'Go-Store' the egg.

Natural Flow

Say 'tokhm migozārad' quickly as one unit for a native-like rhythm.

Past Participle

Use 'tokhm-e gozāshte shode' to describe 'the laid egg'.

Context Clues

If you hear 'morgh' (chicken), the next word is likely 'tokhm' and a verb.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'Tok' sound like a chicken makes, and 'Gozar' as 'Go-Store'. The chicken makes a 'Tok' and 'Go-Stores' the egg in the nest.

Visual Association

Imagine a giant golden egg (tokhm) being placed (gozāshtan) onto a velvet cushion by a royal bird.

Word Web

Animal Bird Chicken Egg Nest Nature Birth Farmer

Challenge

Try to list five different animals and write a sentence for each using 'tokhm gozāshtan' in a different tense.

Word Origin

The word 'tokhm' comes from Middle Persian 'tōhm' and ultimately from Proto-Indo-European '*tek-', meaning 'to beget' or 'to bring forth'. 'Gozāshtan' comes from Middle Persian 'widāštan', meaning 'to place' or 'to let'.

Original meaning: The original meaning was literally 'to place a seed' or 'to deposit a germ of life'.

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

Cultural Context

Be careful with the word 'tokhm' in urban slang, as it can be used vulgarly to refer to testicles. Always use the full verb 'tokhm gozāshtan' to stay safe.

The idiom 'to lay a golden egg' exists in both cultures with nearly identical meanings.

The Fable of the Goose that Laid the Golden Eggs. The Persian story of the Simurgh. Modern Iranian nature documentaries by Mohammad-Ali Inanloo.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

On a farm

  • مرغ‌ها تخم گذاشتند؟
  • چند تا تخم گذاشته؟
  • مرغ تخم نمی‌گذارد.
  • غذای مرغ برای تخم گذاشتن.

Nature documentary

  • فصل تخم گذاشتن
  • محل تخم گذاشتن
  • تخم گذاشتن در ساحل
  • تعداد تخم‌ها

Biology class

  • حیوانات تخم‌گذار
  • فرآیند تخم‌گذاری
  • تخم گذاشتن حشرات
  • تخم گذاشتن و بقا

Pet store

  • این پرنده تخم می‌گذارد؟
  • لانه برای تخم گذاشتن
  • تخم گذاشتن در قفس
  • مراقبت از تخم‌ها

Folklore/Stories

  • مرغ تخم‌طلا
  • تخم گذاشتن غاز
  • داستان تخم مرغ
  • نماد تخم

Conversation Starters

"آیا می‌دانستی که بعضی از مارها تخم می‌گذارند؟"

"مرغ‌های شما هر روز تخم می‌گذارند یا نه؟"

"کدام حیوان عجیب‌ترین روش تخم گذاشتن را دارد؟"

"به نظر تو چرا لاک‌پشت‌ها در ساحل تخم می‌گذارند؟"

"آخرین باری که دیدی یک پرنده تخم می‌گذارد کی بود؟"

Journal Prompts

درباره‌ی اهمیت تخم گذاشتن در چرخه‌ی طبیعت بنویسید.

اگر یک مرغ داشتی که تخم طلا می‌گذاشت، با آن چه می‌کردی؟

تفاوت بین حیواناتی که تخم می‌گذارند و آن‌هایی که می‌زایند را توضیح دهید.

خاطره‌ای از پیدا کردن یک لانه که در آن پرنده‌ای تخم گذاشته بود بنویسید.

چرا در فرهنگ‌های مختلف تخم گذاشتن نماد زندگی است؟

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, it applies to any animal that lays eggs, including birds, reptiles, fish, and insects.

The infinitive is 'gozāshtan', but the present stem is 'gozār', so 'it lays' is 'migozārad'.

Absolutely not. It is biologically incorrect and would be considered a very rude or vulgar joke.

'Tokhm' is for eggs/animal seeds; 'dāne' is for plant seeds (though 'tokhm' is used for some edible seeds like 'tokhm-e aftāb-gardān').

You say 'juje az tokhm birun āmad' or 'tokhm shekast'.

Usually no. 'Tokhm gozāshtan' is a compound verb where 'tokhm' stays singular unless specified.

The formal noun is 'تخم‌گذاری' (tokhm-gozāri).

Yes, but 'tokhm-rizi' is more common for the act of spawning in water.

It means a double-yolk egg, often used idiomatically for something very special.

Always with 'Zāl' (ذ) when it means to put or place.

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Test Yourself 180 questions

writing

یک جمله درباره مرغ بنویسید.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
writing

تفاوت مرغ و گاو در تولید مثل چیست؟

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writing

درباره فصل تخم‌گذاری لاک‌پشت‌ها یک جمله بنویسید.

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speaking

بگو: 'My bird laid an egg.'

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speaking

بپرس: 'Do snakes lay eggs?'

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listening

صوت: 'مرغ هر روز یک تخم می‌گذارد.' (Identify the verb)

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writing

چرا پرندگان در لانه تخم می‌گذارند؟

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writing

یک جمله با 'تخم طلا' بنویسید.

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speaking

بگو: 'The turtle is laying eggs now.'

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writing

یک جمله درباره پنگوئن بنویسید.

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speaking

بپرس: 'How many eggs did it lay?'

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writing

یک جمله با 'تخم‌گذاری' بنویسید.

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speaking

بگو: 'The bird is building a nest to lay eggs.'

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writing

درباره اهمیت کلسیم برای تخم گذاشتن بنویسید.

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speaking

بگو: 'Hens lay eggs every morning.'

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writing

یک جمله درباره ماهی قزل‌آلا بنویسید.

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speaking

بگو: 'The goose laid a golden egg.'

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writing

یک جمله درباره تمساح بنویسید.

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speaking

بگو: 'Climate change affects egg-laying.'

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writing

درباره تخم مرغ دو زرده بنویسید.

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speaking

بگو: 'The snake laid eggs under the rock.'

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writing

یک جمله درباره غاز بنویسید.

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speaking

بگو: 'The bird is sitting on its eggs.'

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writing

یک جمله درباره لک‌لک بنویسید.

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speaking

بگو: 'The hen laid an egg yesterday.'

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writing

یک جمله درباره بلبل بنویسید.

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speaking

بگو: 'This bird lays blue eggs.'

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writing

یک جمله درباره عقاب بنویسید.

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speaking

بگو: 'The hen lays an egg every day.'

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writing

یک جمله درباره طاووس بنویسید.

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speaking

بگو: 'The bird laid three eggs.'

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writing

یک جمله درباره کبوتر بنویسید.

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speaking

بگو: 'The hen has laid an egg.'

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writing

یک جمله درباره مرغابی بنویسید.

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speaking

بگو: 'I found an egg in the garden.'

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/ 180 correct

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