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تخمین زدن

B1 verb #2,000 most common 11 min read

تخمین زدن

takhmin zadan Top 2,000

At the A1 beginner level, the verb تخمین زدن (takhmin zadan) is generally considered too advanced and complex for active production. Beginners are primarily focused on basic survival vocabulary, simple present and past tenses, and highly concrete concepts like greetings, numbers, colors, and basic daily routines. The concept of 'estimating' involves a level of abstraction and mathematical reasoning that is usually bypassed in early language acquisition in favor of simpler, more direct verbs. For instance, an A1 learner wanting to express uncertainty about a number or a cost would more likely rely on the verb فکر کردن (fekr kardan - to think) combined with basic adverbs. Instead of saying 'I estimate the cost is 100 dollars', an A1 student would say 'I think it is 100 dollars' (Fekr mikonam sad dolar ast). They might also use the word حدود (hodud - about/around) to convey approximation, such as 'hodud-e sad dolar' (about 100 dollars). However, it is beneficial for A1 learners to have passive recognition of the word تخمین (takhmin) if they encounter it in public spaces, basic news headlines, or when listening to native speakers discussing prices or times. Recognizing that 'takhmin' relates to numbers and guessing can help beginners deduce the context of a conversation even if they cannot parse the entire sentence. Teachers at this level should introduce the word merely as a vocabulary item related to 'math' or 'money', without expecting students to conjugate the compound verb تخمین زدن across different persons and tenses. The focus remains on building a foundation where words like 'takhmin' will eventually fit naturally.

As learners progress to the A2 elementary level, they begin to construct more complex sentences and expand their vocabulary to include daily logistics, shopping, travel, and basic descriptions of past and future events. At this stage, introducing تخمین زدن (takhmin zadan) becomes highly relevant and practical. A2 students are learning to navigate situations where exact numbers are not always available, such as planning a trip or budgeting for groceries. They are taught how to conjugate the light verb زدن (zadan) in the simple present (می‌زنم - mizanam) and simple past (زدم - zadam), allowing them to form basic sentences like 'I estimate the time' (Zaman ra takhmin mizanam) or 'He estimated the price' (Gheymat ra takhmin zad). The grammatical focus at this level is on understanding that تخمین is a noun that does not change, and that all the grammatical heavy lifting is done by زدن. Furthermore, A2 learners practice using the direct object marker را (ra) with this verb, learning to say 'hazineh ra takhmin zadam' (I estimated the cost). They also begin to differentiate it from simpler verbs like فکر کردن (to think) and start using it alongside adverbs of approximation like تقریباً (taghriban - approximately). While their usage might still be slightly rigid and confined to highly predictable contexts like asking about travel duration ('Can you estimate how long it takes?'), mastering this verb at the A2 level provides a crucial stepping stone toward the more nuanced and abstract discussions expected at the B1 intermediate level.

At the B1 intermediate level, تخمین زدن (takhmin zadan) becomes a core component of the learner's active vocabulary. B1 students are expected to handle a wide variety of conversational topics, express opinions, describe experiences, and deal with situations that arise while traveling or living in a Persian-speaking environment. The ability to estimate costs, times, distances, and quantities is essential for these tasks. Grammatically, B1 learners master the use of this verb in the subjunctive mood, which is a major hurdle in Persian grammar. They learn to say things like 'I want to estimate' (Mikhaham takhmin bezanam) or 'I must estimate' (Bayad takhmin bezanam), correctly changing the prefix 'mi' to 'be'. They also become comfortable using تخمین زدن with clausal objects introduced by که (ke - that), allowing for complex sentences such as 'I estimate that we will arrive late' (Takhmin mizanam ke dir miresim). At this level, semantic differentiation becomes important. B1 students learn to distinguish تخمین زدن (educated estimation) from حدس زدن (random guess) and حساب کردن (exact calculation). They use the verb in professional and academic role-plays, such as discussing a project budget or a travel itinerary. The passive voice is also introduced at this stage, so learners begin to recognize and occasionally produce forms like تخمین زده می‌شود (it is estimated), particularly when summarizing news articles or discussing general facts. Overall, at B1, تخمین زدن transitions from a simple vocabulary word to a versatile linguistic tool used to navigate uncertainty and express probability with confidence.

At the B2 upper-intermediate level, learners possess a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party. The use of تخمین زدن (takhmin zadan) at this stage becomes highly sophisticated, reflecting a deeper understanding of register, context, and complex grammatical structures. B2 students frequently employ the passive voice of this verb, تخمین زده شدن (takhmin zade shodan), in both spoken and written Persian. They can comfortably read and discuss news reports, economic analyses, and scientific articles where phrases like 'It is estimated that the population will grow' (Takhmin zade mishavad ke jameeyat roshd konad) are commonplace. Furthermore, B2 learners expand their morphological use of the root, actively utilizing derived forms such as the adjective تخمینی (takhmini - estimated/approximate) in phrases like 'hazineh-ye takhmini' (estimated cost) or the adverbial phrase 'be tor-e takhmini' (approximately/by estimation). They also master the use of this verb in conditional sentences (e.g., 'If we had estimated correctly, we wouldn't have lost money'). At this level, vocabulary enrichment involves learning near-synonyms and formal equivalents like برآورد کردن (baravord kardan) and knowing exactly when to use which based on the formality of the situation. A B2 learner knows that while تخمین زدن is perfectly fine for a casual office meeting, a formal written report might favor برآورد. Their command of the verb allows them to engage in debates, defend their estimations with supporting arguments, and critique the estimations of others, demonstrating a high level of communicative competence.

At the C1 advanced level, the learner's command of Persian is highly proficient, allowing them to use the language flexibly and effectively for social, academic, and professional purposes. The use of تخمین زدن (takhmin zadan) is seamless and native-like. C1 learners do not merely use the verb to state numbers; they use it rhetorically to build arguments, analyze data, and express nuanced degrees of probability. They are comfortable with complex, multi-clause sentences involving estimations, such as 'Although initial reports estimated the damage to be minimal, subsequent evaluations proved otherwise.' They effortlessly navigate the passive voice in various tenses, including the present perfect passive (تخمین زده شده است - it has been estimated) and past perfect passive (تخمین زده شده بود - it had been estimated). At this stage, learners are deeply familiar with the collocations and idiomatic usages surrounding the concept of estimation. They can discuss abstract concepts, such as estimating the cultural impact of a policy or the psychological toll of an event, moving far beyond simple physical quantities like time and money. They also possess a comprehensive understanding of the etymological roots of the word (Arabic خ-م-ن) and how it fits into the broader landscape of Persian vocabulary. A C1 speaker can easily switch between تخمین زدن, برآورد کردن, ارزیابی کردن, and سنجیدن, instinctively selecting the word that provides the exact semantic shade required by the context, whether they are writing an academic dissertation, giving a formal presentation, or engaging in a high-level intellectual debate.

At the C2 mastery level, the learner's proficiency is virtually indistinguishable from that of an educated native speaker. The verb تخمین زدن (takhmin zadan) is utilized with absolute precision, elegance, and an intuitive grasp of its sociolinguistic implications. C2 speakers can comprehend and produce highly complex, specialized texts where estimation plays a critical role, such as advanced macroeconomic forecasts, detailed engineering specifications, or intricate statistical analyses. They are attuned to the subtlest nuances of register and tone, knowing exactly how to frame an estimation to sound authoritative, cautious, optimistic, or skeptical. At this level, the focus is not on the grammar or basic meaning of the verb—which have been fully internalized—but on its stylistic application. A C2 user might employ literary or historical references related to calculation and estimation, or play with the word in rhetorical devices. They can effortlessly deconstruct and critique the methodology behind an estimation, using phrases like 'تخمینی خوش‌بینانه' (an optimistic estimate) or 'تخمینی محافظه‌کارانه' (a conservative estimate). Furthermore, they understand the cultural context of how uncertainty and approximation are communicated in Iranian society, navigating the delicate balance between directness and politeness when discussing financial estimates or project timelines. For a C2 speaker, تخمین زدن is not just a vocabulary item; it is a conceptual tool wielded with the finesse of a master craftsman, allowing them to articulate the most complex and abstract realities of a world defined by probabilities and approximations.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

تخمین زدن in 30 Seconds

Means 'to estimate' or 'approximate'.
Compound verb: تخمین (noun) + زدن (verb).
Used for numbers, time, cost, distance.
Often used in passive: تخمین زده می‌شود.

The Persian compound verb تخمین زدن (takhmin zadan) is a fundamental lexical item in the Persian language, primarily used to convey the act of estimating, approximating, or making an educated guess about a particular quantity, value, distance, time, or extent. To fully grasp the depth and utility of this verb, one must break it down into its constituent morphological parts. The first component, تخمین (takhmin), is an Arabic loanword derived from the root خ-م-ن (kh-m-n), which historically relates to conjecture, surmise, or an assessment based on intuition rather than exact measurement. In contemporary Persian, it functions as a noun meaning 'estimation' or 'approximation'. The second component, زدن (zadan), is one of the most versatile and frequently used light verbs (also known as auxiliary or support verbs) in the Persian language. While its literal translation is 'to hit' or 'to strike', in the context of compound verbs, it loses its literal physical meaning and instead serves to verbalize the preceding noun, transforming the static concept of 'estimation' into the dynamic action of 'estimating'.

Morphological Breakdown: تخمین (Noun: Estimation) + زدن (Light Verb: To hit/strike) = To make an estimation.

Understanding this structure is crucial for Persian learners because it dictates how the verb is conjugated. In Persian compound verbs, only the light verb (زدن) changes according to tense, mood, and person, while the non-verbal element (تخمین) remains entirely static and unchanged.

من هزینه سفر را تخمین زدم.

This means that whether you are speaking in the past, present, or future, you will always say 'takhmin', followed by the appropriate form of 'zadan'. For example, 'I estimate' is 'takhmin mizanam', 'I estimated' is 'takhmin zadam', and 'I will estimate' is 'takhmin khaham zad'. The concept of estimation is vital in everyday communication, business, science, and casual conversation. Unlike precise calculation (محاسبه کردن), which implies mathematical exactness, تخمین زدن carries an inherent acknowledgment of uncertainty or approximation. It is the perfect verb to use when you are providing a ballpark figure, assessing a situation without all the facts, or predicting an outcome based on available but incomplete data.

Semantic Nuance: Implies an educated guess rather than a random assumption (حدس زدن).

For instance, a civil engineer might estimate the amount of concrete needed for a building, a traveler might estimate the time it takes to reach a destination, or a shopper might estimate the total cost of groceries before reaching the checkout counter.

پلیس تعداد جمعیت را ده هزار نفر تخمین زد.

In all these scenarios, the speaker is using their judgment, experience, or preliminary calculations to arrive at a figure that is close to the truth, even if not perfectly accurate. Furthermore, the verb can be used in both active and passive voices. The passive form, تخمین زده شدن (takhmin zade shodan), is exceptionally common in news reports, academic papers, and formal writing.

خسارت زلزله میلیون‌ها دلار تخمین زده شد.

When you hear phrases like 'It is estimated that...', the Persian equivalent almost always employs this passive construction: 'تخمین زده می‌شود که...' (takhmin zade mishavad ke...).

Passive Usage: Very frequent in journalistic and formal contexts to maintain objectivity.

This highlights the verb's flexibility across different registers of the language, from the most casual street conversations to the most elevated academic discourse.

نمی‌توانم زمان رسیدن را دقیق تخمین بزنم.

As a B1 level learner, mastering this verb will significantly enhance your ability to discuss plans, budgets, schedules, and probabilities, moving you away from simple statements of fact into more nuanced expressions of likelihood and approximation.

آنها سود سال آینده را تخمین می‌زنند.

By incorporating تخمین زدن into your active vocabulary, you unlock a critical tool for navigating the uncertainties of daily life and professional environments in Persian-speaking cultures.

Using the verb تخمین زدن correctly requires a solid understanding of Persian sentence structure, specifically regarding compound verbs, transitivity, and object marking. As a transitive verb, تخمین زدن requires a direct object to complete its meaning. You cannot simply 'estimate'; you must estimate *something*. In Persian, definite direct objects are marked with the postposition را (ra). Therefore, when you are estimating a specific, known quantity, cost, or time, you must place 'ra' immediately after the object and before the verb.

Direct Object Marker: Use 'ra' when the thing being estimated is definite and specific.

For example, 'I estimated the cost' translates to 'Man hazineh ra takhmin zadam'. Here, 'hazineh' (cost) is the definite direct object, so it takes 'ra'.

من قیمت ماشین را تخمین زدم.

If the object is indefinite (e.g., 'I estimated a cost'), the 'ra' is omitted: 'Man hazineh-i takhmin zadam'. Understanding this distinction is a hallmark of B1 proficiency. Furthermore, the verb can take a clausal object introduced by the conjunction که (ke), meaning 'that'. This is used when you are estimating a situation or a complex fact rather than a simple noun.

Clausal Object: Use 'ke' to introduce a full clause detailing the estimation.

For instance, 'I estimate that he will arrive tomorrow' becomes 'Takhmin mizanam ke u farda miresad'.

کارشناسان تخمین می‌زنند که تورم کاهش یابد.

Conjugating تخمین زدن follows the standard rules for the light verb زدن. Let us review the most common tenses. In the simple present (indicative), it is formed with the prefix می (mi) + present stem زن (zan) + personal endings: تخمین می‌زنم (I estimate), تخمین می‌زنی (you estimate), تخمین می‌زند (he/she estimates), etc.

ما هر روز میزان فروش را تخمین می‌زنیم.

In the simple past, it uses the past stem زد (zad): تخمین زدم (I estimated), تخمین زدی (you estimated), تخمین زد (he/she estimated). For the present subjunctive, which is heavily used in Persian after verbs of wanting, needing, or modal verbs (like 'must' or 'can'), the prefix می is replaced by ب (be): تخمین بزنم (that I estimate). For example, 'I must estimate the budget' is 'Bayad budjeh ra takhmin bezanam'.

Subjunctive Mood: Crucial for expressing necessity, possibility, or desire regarding an estimation.

می‌خواهم فاصله تا شهر را تخمین بزنم.

The negative is formed simply by adding the negative prefix ن (na/ne) to the light verb. In the present tense, it becomes تخمین نمی‌زنم (takhmin nemizanam - I do not estimate). In the past, تخمین نزدم (takhmin nazadam - I did not estimate). Another important grammatical feature is the creation of the agent noun (the person who estimates). By adding the suffix گر (gar) to the noun, we get تخمین‌گر (takhmin-gar), meaning 'estimator'. This is highly useful in professional contexts. Similarly, the adjective form تخمینی (takhmini) means 'estimated' or 'approximate', as in 'hazineh-ye takhmini' (estimated cost).

این فقط یک زمان تخمینی است.

Mastering these variations allows you to deploy the concept of estimation fluidly across different parts of speech, making your Persian sound much more natural and sophisticated. Practice combining تخمین زدن with different adverbs of degree, such as دقیقاً (exactly) or تقریباً (approximately), to fine-tune the precision of your statements.

The verb تخمین زدن permeates various facets of Iranian life, appearing in contexts ranging from casual daily conversations to highly specialized professional environments. Its ubiquity stems from the universal human need to navigate uncertainty and plan for the future without having access to absolute facts. One of the most common domains where you will encounter this word is in the realm of business, finance, and economics. In corporate meetings in Tehran, managers frequently ask their teams to estimate quarterly profits, project costs, or market growth.

Business Context: Used extensively for budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning.

مدیر از ما خواست بودجه پروژه را تخمین بزنیم.

Financial analysts on Iranian news channels constantly use the passive form, تخمین زده می‌شود (it is estimated), when discussing inflation rates, GDP growth, or the price of oil. Another major area of usage is construction and engineering. Before building a house or repairing a road, contractors must estimate the materials needed and the time required for completion.

مهندس مقدار سیمان لازم را تخمین زد.

Beyond the professional sphere, تخمین زدن is a staple of everyday logistics. When planning a road trip from Tehran to Isfahan, a family will estimate the travel time to decide when to leave.

Daily Logistics: Essential for discussing travel times, distances, and daily schedules.

من تخمین می‌زنم که دو ساعت دیگر می‌رسیم.

When cooking a large meal for guests, an Iranian host might estimate the amount of rice needed per person. In the context of shopping, particularly in traditional bazaars where haggling is common, a buyer might mentally estimate the true value of a Persian carpet before making an offer. Furthermore, the verb is frequently heard in news reports concerning natural disasters or accidents. Journalists and government officials use it to provide preliminary figures on casualties or financial damages before official counts are finalized.

News & Media: Standard vocabulary for reporting preliminary statistics and damages.

خسارت سیل بسیار بالا تخمین زده می‌شود.

In the realm of science and academia, researchers use تخمین زدن when discussing statistical models, population growth, or historical timelines. For example, archaeologists might estimate the age of a newly discovered artifact in Persepolis.

دانشمندان عمر این فسیل را یک میلیون سال تخمین زدند.

As you immerse yourself in Persian media—whether watching movies, reading newspapers like Hamshahri, or listening to podcasts—you will notice that تخمین زدن is an indispensable tool for expressing any form of quantitative approximation. Recognizing its varied contexts will greatly improve your listening comprehension and cultural fluency.

When learning the verb تخمین زدن, Persian students frequently encounter several stumbling blocks, primarily related to semantic confusion with similar verbs, incorrect preposition usage, and errors in compound verb conjugation. One of the most prevalent mistakes is confusing تخمین زدن (to estimate) with حدس زدن (to guess). While both involve a degree of uncertainty, they are not perfectly interchangeable.

Semantic Error 1: Using تخمین زدن for random guesses instead of educated approximations.

'Hads zadan' (حدس زدن) is used for blind guesses or assumptions without data, such as guessing someone's favorite color or guessing what is inside a wrapped gift. 'Takhmin zadan', on the other hand, implies a calculation or an assessment based on some evidence, like estimating the cost of a repair based on parts and labor.

Incorrect: من تخمین می‌زنم که او فردا لباس آبی بپوشد.

In the sentence above, 'hads mizanam' should be used because predicting clothing is a guess, not a mathematical estimation. Another common semantic error is confusing it with حساب کردن (to calculate).

Semantic Error 2: Using تخمین زدن when exact, precise calculation is meant.

If an accountant is doing taxes down to the exact rial, they are calculating (hesab kardan), not estimating.

Correct: من هزینه را تخمین زدم، اما هنوز دقیق حساب نکرده‌ام.

Grammatically, learners often struggle with the separation of the compound verb. In Persian, compound verbs can sometimes be separated by words like 'ra' (the object marker) or adverbs, but this is a delicate process. A frequent mistake is placing the object marker 'ra' *after* the noun part of the verb instead of after the actual object.

Incorrect: زمان تخمین را زدم.

The correct form is 'Zaman ra takhmin zadam' (I estimated the time). Furthermore, learners sometimes incorrectly conjugate the non-verbal part. Because 'takhmin' is a noun, it never takes verbal prefixes like 'mi' or 'be'.

Conjugation Error: Adding verbal prefixes to the noun 'takhmin'.

Incorrect: می‌تخمین زنم.

The 'mi' must go on the light verb: تخمین می‌زنم. Lastly, pronunciation errors occur when learners place the stress on the wrong syllable. In Persian compound verbs, the primary stress usually falls on the last syllable of the non-verbal element.

Correct Stress: takh-MIN mi-za-nam.

By being mindful of these semantic boundaries, syntactic rules, and phonological patterns, learners can avoid the most common pitfalls associated with this essential verb and communicate their estimations with native-like accuracy.

The Persian language boasts a rich vocabulary for expressing nuances of thought, calculation, and prediction. While تخمین زدن is the standard term for 'to estimate', several other verbs occupy similar semantic territory. Understanding the subtle differences between these synonyms is key to advancing from a B1 to a B2 or C1 level of proficiency. Let us explore the most common alternatives and related terms.

برآورد کردن (Baravord Kardan): To estimate, to assess, to evaluate. This is the closest synonym to تخمین زدن. However, برآورد کردن is slightly more formal and is heavily favored in official, financial, and engineering contexts. When a government releases a budget estimate, they usually use برآورد.

دولت بودجه سال آینده را برآورد کرد.

Another highly relevant term is ارزیابی کردن (arzyabi kardan).

ارزیابی کردن (Arzyabi Kardan): To evaluate, to assess. While تخمین زدن focuses on numbers, quantities, or time, ارزیابی کردن focuses on value, quality, or performance. You estimate (تخمین) the cost of a car, but you evaluate (ارزیابی) the performance of an employee.

معلم پیشرفت دانش‌آموزان را ارزیابی می‌کند.

As discussed in the common mistakes section, حدس زدن (hads zadan) is also a related concept.

حدس زدن (Hads Zadan): To guess. This implies a lack of concrete data. It relies on intuition or random chance rather than calculation.

می‌توانی حدس بزنی در دستم چیست؟

We must also consider پیش‌بینی کردن (pish-bini kardan), which means to predict or forecast. While estimation often involves looking at current or past data to figure out a present unknown, prediction is strictly forward-looking.

هواشناسی باران را پیش‌بینی کرد.

Lastly, there is the verb سنجیدن (sanjidan), a beautiful, more literary Persian verb meaning to weigh, measure, or ponder. It is often used metaphorically, such as 'weighing one's words' or 'measuring a situation'.

او قبل از حرف زدن، کلماتش را می‌سنجد.

By categorizing these verbs—تخمین زدن for numerical approximation, برآورد کردن for formal assessment, ارزیابی کردن for qualitative evaluation, حدس زدن for intuition, پیش‌بینی کردن for future events, and سنجیدن for careful measurement—you can express your thoughts with pinpoint accuracy and demonstrate a deep, nuanced command of Persian vocabulary.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

Neutral

Informal

Slang

Difficulty Rating

Grammar to Know

Examples by Level

من فکر می‌کنم صد دلار است.

I think it is one hundred dollars. (Using 'think' instead of 'estimate' at A1)

A1 learners use فکر کردن (to think) for simple guesses.

ساعت حدود پنج است.

It is about five o'clock.

Using حدود (about) to express approximation.

قیمت ماشین چقدر است؟

How much is the price of the car?

Basic question structure for asking about value.

من نمی‌دانم.

I do not know.

Expressing lack of knowledge instead of estimating.

شاید دو ساعت طول بکشد.

Maybe it takes two hours.

Using شاید (maybe) for uncertainty.

این خیلی گران است.

This is very expensive.

Basic adjectives for value.

فاصله زیاد است.

The distance is a lot.

Describing distance simply.

من پول کمی دارم.

I have a little money.

Basic quantity description.

من زمان را تخمین می‌زنم.

I estimate the time.

Simple present tense of تخمین زدن with direct object marker 'ra'.

او هزینه را تخمین زد.

He estimated the cost.

Simple past tense.

ما باید قیمت را تخمین بزنیم.

We must estimate the price.

Introduction of the subjunctive mood after باید (must).

آیا می‌توانی فاصله را تخمین بزنی؟

Can you estimate the distance?

Question form with modal verb توانستن (can).

من نمی‌توانم دقیق تخمین بزنم.

I cannot estimate exactly.

Negative subjunctive form.

تخمین من دو روز است.

My estimate is two days.

Using تخمین as a noun.

آنها خسارت را تخمین زدند.

They estimated the damage.

Past tense, third person plural.

لطفاً هزینه را تخمین بزنید.

Please estimate the cost.

Imperative/polite request form.

کارشناسان تخمین می‌زنند که قیمت‌ها افزایش یابد.

Experts estimate that prices will increase.

Using clausal object with که (that) followed by subjunctive.

من تخمین زدم که حدود پنجاه نفر در مهمانی بودند.

I estimated that about fifty people were at the party.

Past tense with a 'ke' clause.

هزینه ساخت این خانه چقدر تخمین زده می‌شود؟

How much is the cost of building this house estimated?

Introduction of the passive voice (تخمین زده می‌شود).

ما نتوانستیم زمان رسیدن قطار را به درستی تخمین بزنیم.

We could not correctly estimate the train's arrival time.

Negative past with modal verb and adverb.

تخمین زدن این پروژه کار آسانی نیست.

Estimating this project is not an easy job.

Using the infinitive as a noun subject.

اگر بخواهم تخمین بزنم، می‌گویم فردا باران می‌بارد.

If I want to estimate, I say it will rain tomorrow.

Conditional sentence structure.

او همیشه هزینه‌ها را کمتر از واقعیت تخمین می‌زند.

He always estimates costs less than reality.

Using adverbs of frequency and comparison.

برای تخمین زدن دقیق، به اطلاعات بیشتری نیاز داریم.

To estimate accurately, we need more information.

Using برای (for) + infinitive to express purpose.

خسارات ناشی از زلزله بیش از ده میلیون دلار تخمین زده شده است.

Damages caused by the earthquake have been estimated at over ten million dollars.

Present perfect passive voice (تخمین زده شده است).

بر اساس داده‌های فعلی، رشد اقتصادی سال آینده سه درصد تخمین زده می‌شود.

Based on current data, next year's economic growth is estimated at three percent.

Formal phrasing (بر اساس - based on) with passive voice.

مهندسان زمان اتمام پل را شش ماه تخمین زدند، اما یک سال طول کشید.

Engineers estimated the bridge's completion time at six months, but it took a year.

Contrasting clauses showing expectation vs. reality.

تخمین زده می‌شد که جمعیت شهر تا سال ۲۰۲۰ دو برابر شود.

It was estimated that the city's population would double by 2020.

Past continuous passive (تخمین زده می‌شد).

ارائه یک تخمین دقیق بدون بررسی کامل محل غیرممکن است.

Providing an accurate estimate without a complete inspection of the site is impossible.

Using تخمین as a noun modified by an adjective in a formal structure.

شرکت‌های بیمه ریسک تصادف را برای رانندگان جوان بالاتر تخمین می‌زنند.

Insurance companies estimate the risk of accidents higher for young drivers.

Complex sentence with multiple objects and comparative adjectives.

ما باید یک حاشیه خطا برای تخمین‌های خود در نظر بگیریم.

We must consider a margin of error for our estimates.

Using the plural noun form (تخمین‌ها).

تخمین او از وضعیت بازار کاملاً اشتباه از آب درآمد.

His estimate of the market situation turned out to be completely wrong.

Idiomatic expression (از آب درآمدن - to turn out).

با توجه به نوسانات ارزی، تخمین زدن هزینه‌های واردات با ضریب اطمینان بالا، امری چالش‌برانگیز است.

Given currency fluctuations, estimating import costs with a high confidence interval is a challenging matter.

Highly formal vocabulary (نوسانات، ضریب اطمینان) and complex syntax.

پژوهشگران قدمت این کتیبه باستانی را به اواخر دوره هخامنشی تخمین زده‌اند.

Researchers have estimated the antiquity of this ancient inscription to the late Achaemenid period.

Academic context using present perfect active.

اگرچه تخمین‌های اولیه حاکی از موفقیت طرح بود، اما در عمل با موانع جدی روبرو شدیم.

Although initial estimates indicated the project's success, in practice we faced serious obstacles.

Concessive clause (اگرچه) and formal phrasing (حاکی از).

تخمین زده می‌شود که ذخایر نفتی این میدان تا پنجاه سال آینده پاسخگوی نیازها باشد.

It is estimated that the oil reserves of this field will meet demands for the next fifty years.

Impersonal passive construction with a future-oriented subjunctive clause.

ارزیاب‌ها خسارت وارده به تاسیسات زیربنایی را در مقیاسی نجومی تخمین زدند.

Assessors estimated the damage inflicted on the infrastructure on an astronomical scale.

Advanced vocabulary (تاسیسات زیربنایی، مقیاس نجومی).

تخمین بدبینانه حاکی از کاهش ده درصدی فروش در سه ماهه سوم است.

The pessimistic estimate indicates a ten percent decrease in sales in the third quarter.

Using adjectives of attitude (بدبینانه - pessimistic) modifying the noun.

عدم قطعیت در متغیرهای کلان اقتصادی، هرگونه تخمینی را بی‌اعتبار می‌سازد.

Uncertainty in macroeconomic variables renders any estimation invalid.

Abstract philosophical/economic statement.

آنها با استفاده از مدل‌های شبیه‌سازی پیشرفته، تاثیرات تغییرات اقلیمی را تخمین می‌زنند.

Using advanced simulation models, they estimate the impacts of climate change.

Technical/scientific context with instrumental prepositional phrase (با استفاده از).

فقدان داده‌های متقن تاریخی، تخمین دقیق جمعیت امپراتوری ساسانی را در هاله‌ای از ابهام فرو برده است.

The lack of solid historical data has shrouded the accurate estimation of the Sassanid Empire's population in an aura of ambiguity.

Literary and highly academic phrasing (در هاله‌ای از ابهام فرو بردن).

هرچند مدل‌سازی‌های تصادفی تخمینی از ریسک سیستماتیک ارائه می‌دهند، اما در برابر رویدادهای قوی سیاه ناکارآمدند.

Although stochastic modeling provides an estimate of systematic risk, it is ineffective against black swan events.

Specialized economic/statistical jargon (مدل‌سازی‌های تصادفی، قوی سیاه).

سیاست‌گذاران با اتکا به تخمین‌های محافظه‌کارانه، سعی در تعدیل انتظارات تورمی جامعه دارند.

Policymakers, relying on conservative estimates, attempt to moderate the society's inflationary expectations.

Advanced political/economic discourse.

تخمین ابعاد فاجعه زیست‌محیطی رخ داده، نیازمند یک کارگروه میان‌رشته‌ای و سال‌ها مطالعه میدانی است.

Estimating the dimensions of the occurred environmental catastrophe requires an interdisciplinary task force and years of field study.

Complex noun phrase acting as the subject of the sentence.

منتقدان بر این باورند که دولت درآمدهای مالیاتی سال آتی را به شکلی غیرواقع‌بینانه بالا تخمین زده است.

Critics believe that the government has unrealistically estimated next year's tax revenues too high.

Complex adverbial modification (به شکلی غیرواقع‌بینانه بالا).

در غیاب شفافیت مالی، هرگونه تخمینی از ارزش واقعی سهام شرکت، صرفاً یک گمانه‌زنی بی‌اساس تلقی می‌شود.

In the absence of financial transparency, any estimation of the company's true stock value is considered merely a baseless speculation.

Sophisticated vocabulary (شفافیت، گمانه‌زنی، تلقی شدن).

تخمین‌های استقرایی، اگرچه در علوم تجربی راهگشا هستند، در تحلیل پدیده‌های پیچیده اجتماعی با محدودیت‌های معرفت‌شناختی مواجه‌اند.

Inductive estimates, although pioneering in empirical sciences, face epistemological limitations in analyzing complex social phenomena.

Deeply academic and philosophical terminology (استقرایی، معرفت‌شناختی).

هنر یک مدیر بحران در این است که در شرایط فقدان اطلاعات، بتواند با تقریب مناسبی تبعات تصمیماتش را تخمین بزند.

The art of a crisis manager lies in being able to estimate the consequences of their decisions with a suitable approximation in conditions of information deficit.

Elegant syntactic structure expressing a complex abstract thought.

Common Collocations

تخمین زدن هزینه

تخمین زدن زمان

تخمین زدن خسارت

تخمین زدن فاصله

تخمین زدن بودجه

تخمین زدن جمعیت

تخمین زدن قیمت

تخمین زدن سن

تخمین زدن وزن

تخمین زدن مسافت

Common Phrases

تخمین زده می‌شود که

یک تخمین سرانگشتی

قابل تخمین نیست

تخمین دقیق

تخمین تقریبی

بالاتر از حد تخمین

پایین‌تر از حد تخمین

بر اساس تخمین‌ها

تخمین اولیه

تخمین نهایی

Often Confused With

تخمین زدن vs حدس زدن (to guess)

تخمین زدن vs حساب کردن (to calculate)

تخمین زدن vs تضمین کردن (to guarantee - due to phonetic similarity)

Idioms & Expressions

Easily Confused

تخمین زدن vs

Sentence Patterns

How to Use It

note

While 'تخمین زدن' is the standard verb, in highly formal government documents, 'برآورد کردن' is preferred. In everyday street slang, people might just say 'حساب کردن' (to calculate) even when they mean estimate.

Common Mistakes

Confusing 'تخمین زدن' (educated estimate) with 'حدس زدن' (random guess).
Placing the object marker 'را' after the word تخمین instead of after the actual object (e.g., saying زمان تخمین را زدم instead of زمان را تخمین زدم).
Adding verbal prefixes like 'می' to the noun part (e.g., می‌تخمین زنم instead of تخمین می‌زنم).
Using 'تخمین زدن' when exact, precise mathematical calculation (حساب کردن) is required.
Pronouncing the word with the stress on the first syllable (TAKH-min) instead of the correct second syllable (takh-MIN).

Tips

Conjugate Only the Verb

Always remember that in compound verbs like تخمین زدن, the first part (تخمین) never changes. You only conjugate the second part (زدن). Never say 'می‌تخمینم'.

Takhmin vs. Hads

Use تخمین زدن for math, numbers, time, and money. Use حدس زدن for guessing games, secrets, or random assumptions. They are not interchangeable.

Stress the 'Min'

To sound like a native speaker, place the emphasis on the second syllable of the noun. Pronounce it as takh-MIN, not TAKH-min.

Passive Voice for News

If you want to read Persian news, memorize the phrase 'تخمین زده می‌شود' (it is estimated). You will see this daily in economic and political reports.

Using 'Ke' for Clauses

If you want to estimate that an event will happen, use the conjunction 'که' (that). Example: تخمین می‌زنم که فردا باران ببارد (I estimate that it will rain tomorrow).

Common Pairings

Learn the most common collocations as single units: تخمین هزینه (cost estimate), تخمین زمان (time estimate), and تخمین خسارت (damage estimate).

Softening the Blow

In Iranian culture, giving a direct high price can be jarring. Using 'takhmin' softens the statement, making it sound like an ongoing negotiation rather than a final demand.

Formal Alternative

If you are writing a formal business email or an academic paper, consider using 'برآورد کردن' (baravord kardan) instead of takhmin zadan to elevate your register.

The 'Ra' Marker

Don't forget the 'ra' when estimating a specific thing. 'زمان را تخمین زدم' (I estimated the time). Placing 'ra' correctly is a sign of a strong B1 level.

Rule of Thumb

If you want to sound very natural, use the phrase 'تخمین سرانگشتی' (takhmin-e sar-angoshti), which literally means 'fingertip estimate' and translates perfectly to 'rule of thumb'.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a TAX MAN (takh-min) who comes to your house to ESTIMATE the value of your property. The TAX MAN is ESTIMATING.

Word Origin

Arabic loanword into Persian.

Cultural Context

Crucial in Iranian business culture where initial quotes are often estimates subject to negotiation.

Using estimation softens statements about money, making them sound less aggressive or demanding.

Iranians often use the phrase 'تخمین سرانگشتی' (a finger-tip estimate) which is the exact equivalent of 'rule of thumb'.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Conversation Starters

"هزینه سفر به ایران را چقدر تخمین می‌زنید؟ (How much do you estimate the cost of a trip to Iran?)"

"می‌توانی تخمین بزنی این کار چقدر طول می‌کشد؟ (Can you estimate how long this work will take?)"

"به نظر شما، جمعیت تهران چقدر تخمین زده می‌شود؟ (In your opinion, how much is the population of Tehran estimated?)"

"آیا می‌توانی خسارت تصادف را تخمین بزنی؟ (Can you estimate the damage of the accident?)"

"تخمین شما از وضعیت بازار در سال آینده چیست؟ (What is your estimate of the market situation next year?)"

Journal Prompts

Write a paragraph estimating your monthly expenses and how you plan to manage them.

Describe a time when you estimated something incorrectly (like travel time) and what happened as a result.

Imagine you are an engineer. Write a short report estimating the materials needed to build a small bridge.

Write about your future goals and estimate how many years it will take to achieve them.

Listen to a news report about the economy and summarize their estimates for the next year.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, 'takhmin zadan' is used for numerical or quantitative estimations, like cost, time, or distance. For guessing a name, a color, or a secret, you must use 'حدس زدن' (hads zadan). Using takhmin for a name sounds very unnatural, as if you are mathematically calculating their name.

No, 'takhmin' is a noun and remains completely static. Only the light verb 'زدن' (zadan) changes according to tense, person, and mood. For example, 'takhmin mizanam' (present), 'takhmin zadam' (past), 'takhmin khaham zad' (future).

You use the passive voice of the verb. The phrase is 'تخمین زده می‌شود که' (takhmin zade mishavad ke). This is an extremely common phrase in news, academic writing, and formal presentations.

They are very close synonyms. However, 'baravord kardan' is slightly more formal and is heavily used in official, financial, and engineering contexts (like a government budget estimate). 'Takhmin zadan' is more common in general daily use, though it is still perfectly acceptable in formal contexts.

In Persian compound verbs, the primary stress usually falls on the last syllable of the non-verbal element. Therefore, you should stress the 'min' in 'takhmin'. Say takh-MIN mi-za-nam.

You use the direct object marker 'ra' only if the thing you are estimating is definite and specific. For example, 'hazineh ra takhmin zadam' (I estimated THE cost). If it is indefinite, you drop the 'ra': 'hazineh-i takhmin zadam' (I estimated A cost).

Generally, no. It is a transitive verb. You must estimate *something*. If the object is understood from context, it might be dropped in casual speech, but grammatically, it expects an object or a 'ke' clause explaining what is being estimated.

The adjective form is 'تخمینی' (takhmini), which means 'estimated' or 'approximate'. For example, 'hazineh-ye takhmini' means 'estimated cost', and 'zaman-e takhmini' means 'estimated time'.

You add the negative prefix 'na' or 'ne' to the light verb 'zadan'. In the present tense, it is 'تخمین نمی‌زنم' (takhmin nemizanam). In the past tense, it is 'تخمین نزدم' (takhmin nazadam).

Yes, 'takhmin' is an Arabic loanword derived from the root خ-م-ن (kh-m-n), meaning conjecture or estimation. Like many Arabic nouns in Persian, it is paired with a Persian light verb to create an action.