طی
طی in 30 Seconds
- طی is a formal way to say 'during' or 'throughout' in Persian.
- It is used for time periods (weeks, years) and processes (negotiations, journeys).
- It requires an Ezafe (-e) to connect to the following noun.
- It is common in news, academic writing, and formal speech.
The Persian word طی (pronounced 'Tay') is a versatile and sophisticated preposition primarily used to indicate the passage of time or the traversing of a path. In its most common usage, it translates to 'during,' 'throughout,' or 'over the course of.' It is a hallmark of formal and semi-formal Persian, frequently appearing in news broadcasts, academic writing, and official documents. Unlike the simpler preposition در (in), which can denote a static point in time, طی emphasizes the duration and the progression of an event. When you use this word, you are drawing attention to the span of time in which something occurs.
- Temporal Usage
- Used to describe events happening within a specific timeframe, such as 'during the year' or 'over the past few days.'
- Spatial Usage
- Used in more formal or poetic contexts to mean 'traversing' or 'via,' often seen in the phrase 'طیِ طریق' (traversing the path).
طیِ ده سال گذشته، تکنولوژی پیشرفت زیادی کرده است.
For a B1 learner, mastering طی is a significant step toward achieving a more natural and professional-sounding Persian. It allows you to move away from repetitive sentence structures and express time-related concepts with greater precision. It is also important to note that grammatically, it functions as an Ezafe construction, meaning it is usually followed by the short 'e' sound (طیِ...) when linked to the following noun. This word is rarely used in very casual, 'street' Persian, where people might prefer توی or در عرض, but it remains essential for anyone wishing to read Persian media or participate in professional environments.
او طیِ سفر خود با افراد زیادی آشنا شد.
Using طی correctly requires an understanding of the Ezafe construction. In Persian, prepositions like this often require a linking vowel to connect to the noun that follows. Therefore, you will almost always say Tay-e.... The structure is: طی + [Time Period/Process]. It is commonly used with nouns representing durations like 'week,' 'month,' 'year,' 'session,' or 'process.'
- With Time Periods
- طیِ هفته (During the week), طیِ قرنها (Throughout the centuries).
- With Processes
- طیِ مراحلِ قانونی (Through the legal stages), طیِ عملیات (During the operation).
طیِ این مدت، ما سخت کار کردیم.
One unique aspect of طی is its ability to appear in compound verbs, most notably طی کردن. While as a preposition it means 'during,' as a verb it means 'to traverse' or 'to pass through.' For example, 'مسافت را طی کرد' means 'He traveled the distance.' This dual nature reinforces the core concept of the word: movement through a span, whether that span is physical space or intangible time. In formal writing, طی is often preferred over در because it sounds more dynamic. While در تابستان (in summer) is perfectly correct, طیِ تابستان (during the summer) implies a series of events unfolding throughout those months.
بیمار طیِ شب چند بار بیدار شد.
If you turn on the Persian news (like BBC Persian, Iran International, or VOA Persian), you will hear طی within the first five minutes. It is the backbone of reporting. News anchors use it to summarize events over a period: 'طی حملات اخیر' (during recent attacks) or 'طی بیست و چهار ساعت گذشته' (during the last 24 hours). This formal register makes it indispensable for anyone following current events in the Persian-speaking world. In addition to news, you will find it in legal contracts, where it defines the duration of an agreement, and in historical texts describing the reigns of kings or the duration of wars.
- News Reports
- 'طیِ تظاهرات دیروز...' (During yesterday's protests...)
- Academic Lectures
- 'طیِ این تحقیق، ما دریافتیم که...' (During this research, we found that...)
طیِ روزهای آتی، هوا سردتر خواهد شد.
While it is less common in very casual conversation between friends at a café—where they might say تو این چند روز instead of طیِ این چند روز—it is not considered overly 'stiff' to use in polite, educated conversation. If you are speaking to a teacher, a boss, or an elder, using طی shows a high level of linguistic competence and respect for the language's formal structure. In literature, especially classical poetry, the verbal form طی کردن is used to describe the soul's journey or the traveler's path, adding a layer of depth to the word that goes beyond simple time-keeping.
The most frequent mistake learners make with طی is forgetting the Ezafe. Because it ends in a 'ye' (ی) character, some learners are unsure how to pronounce the link. It is Tay-e. Another common error is using طی when a specific point in time is intended, rather than a duration. For example, you wouldn't say 'طیِ ساعت ۵' (during 5 o'clock) because 5 o'clock is a point, not a span. In that case, در ساعت ۵ or simply ساعت ۵ is correct.
- Mistake: Point vs. Duration
- Incorrect: طیِ لحظهی رسیدن (During the moment of arrival). Correct: در لحظهی رسیدن (At the moment of arrival).
- Mistake: Confusion with 'Through'
- While 'طی' can mean 'through' in a temporal sense, it doesn't mean 'through' as in 'by means of' (which is 'توسط' or 'از طریق').
اشتباه: من طیِ ایمیل به او خبر دادم.
Learners also sometimes confuse طی with تا (until). While تا marks the end point, طی covers the whole middle. If you say 'طیِ جلسه' (during the meeting), you are talking about what happened while the meeting was going on. If you say 'تا جلسه' (until the meeting), you are talking about the time leading up to it. Finally, be careful not to confuse the preposition طی with the word تی (Tee), which is a mop! Pronunciation is key; 'طی' starts with the 't' sound (ط) and rhymes with 'stay' in English (though shorter), while 'تی' sounds like the 'tea' you drink.
Persian has several ways to express 'during' or 'throughout,' and choosing the right one depends on the register and the specific nuance you want to convey. طی is excellent for formal durations. Let's look at how it compares to its synonyms.
- در طولِ (Dar tule)
- Very common, slightly more literal ('in the length of'). Used interchangeably with 'طی' in most cases.
- هنگامِ (Hengame)
- Specifically means 'at the time of' or 'while.' Often used with actions (e.g., هنگامِ رانندگی - while driving).
- در مدتِ (Dar moddate)
- Literally 'in the period of.' Very formal, often used in legal or medical contexts.
در طولِ سفر vs طیِ سفر
If you are speaking informally, you might just use توی (in) or وسطِ (in the middle of). For example, 'وسطِ فیلم خوابم برد' (I fell asleep in the middle of/during the movie). However, using طی in that sentence ('طیِ فیلم') would sound like you are writing a film review or a formal report. Understanding these levels of formality is key to sounding like a native speaker. Another alternative is در اثنایِ, which is extremely formal and almost exclusively used in high literature or very old legal documents. For B1 students, sticking to طی and در طول will cover 90% of your needs for expressing 'during.'
How Formal Is It?
"طیِ ابلاغیهای، ضوابط جدید اعلام شد."
"طیِ سفر با هم حرف زدیم."
"تو این چند روز (preferred over طی)"
"طیِ بازی نباید دعوا کرد."
"N/A"
Fun Fact
The concept of 'Tay al-Ard' (folding the earth) in Islamic mysticism refers to instant travel, based on the root of this word.
Pronunciation Guide
- Pronouncing it as 'Tee' (like the letter T).
- Forgetting the Ezafe 'e' when followed by a noun.
Difficulty Rating
Easy to recognize in texts.
Requires understanding of the Ezafe and formal context.
Native speakers use it less in casual talk, so it feels 'heavy' for learners.
Very common in news; easy to pick out.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Ezafe Construction
Tay-e ruz (طیِ روز)
Prepositional Phrases
Tay used as a head of a phrase.
Formal vs Informal Register
Tay (Formal) vs Tu (Informal)
Compound Verbs with 'Kardan'
Tay kardan (To traverse)
Noun-Preposition Agreement
Tay must be followed by a noun phrase.
Examples by Level
طیِ روز کار میکنم.
I work during the day.
طی is followed by an Ezafe (-e).
طیِ هفته باران آمد.
It rained during the week.
Used here for a general duration.
طیِ سفر خوش گذشت.
We had fun during the trip.
Safar (trip) is the duration.
طیِ درس ساکت باش.
Be quiet during the lesson.
Imperative sentence with طی.
طیِ فیلم خوابیدم.
I slept during the movie.
Indicates something happened throughout the movie.
طیِ زمستان برف میبارد.
During winter, it snows.
General fact about a season.
طیِ ناهار صحبت کردیم.
We talked during lunch.
Lunch is the time span.
طیِ بازی خسته شدم.
I got tired during the game.
Game is the duration.
طیِ این ماه دو کتاب خواندم.
I read two books during this month.
Specific duration 'this month'.
طیِ تعطیلات به شمال رفتیم.
We went to the north during the holidays.
Holidays as a time block.
طیِ کلاس سوال پرسیدم.
I asked a question during class.
Action within a duration.
طیِ شب باران شدیدی بارید.
Heavy rain fell during the night.
Formal way to say 'at night'.
طیِ تمرین نباید آب بخوری.
You shouldn't drink water during practice.
Negative advice using طی.
طیِ پرواز فیلم دیدم.
I watched a movie during the flight.
Flight as a span of time.
طیِ جلسه همه یادداشت برداشتند.
Everyone took notes during the meeting.
Formal setting usage.
طیِ بهار گلها باز میشوند.
During spring, flowers bloom.
Seasonal duration.
طیِ ده سال گذشته، شهر خیلی تغییر کرده است.
During the past ten years, the city has changed a lot.
Classic news-style sentence.
او طیِ یک سخنرانی برنامههایش را توضیح داد.
He explained his plans during a speech.
Formal event duration.
طیِ بررسیها، هیچ مشکلی پیدا نشد.
During the investigations, no problem was found.
Process-based duration.
بیمار باید طیِ روزهای آینده استراحت کند.
The patient must rest during the coming days.
Future duration.
طیِ این مدت، من با خانوادهام در تماس بودم.
During this period, I was in touch with my family.
Continuous action.
او طیِ نامهای استعفای خود را اعلام کرد.
He announced his resignation via a letter.
Formal 'via/through' usage.
طیِ عملیات نجات، دو نفر پیدا شدند.
During the rescue operation, two people were found.
Action-oriented duration.
طیِ قرن نوزدهم، صنعت رشد کرد.
During the 19th century, industry grew.
Historical duration.
طیِ مراحلِ قانونی، وکیل با ما همراه بود.
Throughout the legal stages, the lawyer was with us.
Describes a multi-step process.
طیِ مذاکراتِ هستهای، توافقاتی حاصل شد.
During the nuclear negotiations, agreements were reached.
High-level political context.
او طیِ سالهای متمادی به تحقیق پرداخت.
He engaged in research over many consecutive years.
Emphasizes long duration.
طیِ حکمی از سوی رئیسجمهور، وزیر جدید منصوب شد.
Via a decree from the president, the new minister was appointed.
Formal bureaucratic usage.
طیِ مسیر، با چالشهای زیادی روبرو شدیم.
Throughout the path, we faced many challenges.
Spatial/process duration.
طیِ بیست و چهار ساعتِ گذشته، آمار تغییر نکرده است.
During the past twenty-four hours, the statistics haven't changed.
Standard news phrasing.
او طیِ بیانیهای، اتهامات را رد کرد.
He rejected the accusations via a statement.
Formal communication.
طیِ دورانِ دانشجویی، او در کتابخانه کار میکرد.
During his student years, he worked in the library.
Life stage duration.
طیِ فرایندِ جهانیشدن، فرهنگها با هم ادغام شدند.
During the process of globalization, cultures merged.
Academic/Sociological context.
طیِ بازرسیهایِ دورهای، نقصهای فنی شناسایی شدند.
During periodic inspections, technical flaws were identified.
Technical/Formal usage.
او طیِ یک حرکتِ نمادین، مدال خود را اهدا کرد.
In a symbolic move, he donated his medal.
Abstract duration/manner.
طیِ قرونِ وسطی، علم در شرق شکوفا شد.
During the Middle Ages, science flourished in the East.
Historical analysis.
طیِ تماسی که با او داشتم، متوجه نگرانیاش شدم.
During the call I had with him, I noticed his concern.
Nuanced interpersonal context.
طیِ تحولاتِ اخیر منطقه، توازن قدرت تغییر کرده است.
During the recent developments in the region, the balance of power has changed.
Geopolitical analysis.
او طیِ یک مصاحبهیِ جنجالی، حقایق را فاش کرد.
During a controversial interview, he revealed the truths.
Media context.
طیِ پیمودنِ این مسیر، او به خودشناسی رسید.
While traversing this path, he reached self-knowledge.
Philosophical/Literary usage.
طیِ استقرایِ منطقی، به این نتیجهگیری نائل آمدیم.
Through logical induction, we arrived at this conclusion.
Highly academic/philosophical.
طیِ سیر و سلوکِ عرفانی، سالک از خود رها میشود.
During the mystical journey, the seeker is freed from the self.
Sufi/Mystical terminology.
طیِ مراوداتِ دیپلماتیک، پروتکلها باید رعایت شوند.
During diplomatic interactions, protocols must be observed.
Formal international relations.
طیِ تکوینِ نطفه، مراحلِ پیچیدهای سپری میشود.
During the formation of the embryo, complex stages are passed.
Scientific/Biological context.
او طیِ یک اقدامِ متهورانه، جان همکارانش را نجات داد.
Through a daring act, he saved his colleagues' lives.
Literary/Heroic register.
طیِ مداقه در متونِ کهن، به یافتههای جدیدی دست یافتیم.
During careful scrutiny of ancient texts, we reached new findings.
Scholarly language.
طیِ سنواتِ متمادی، این سنت پابرجا مانده است.
Throughout consecutive years, this tradition has remained steadfast.
High-level temporal phrase.
طیِ مکاتباتِ فیمابین، توافق نهایی حاصل گردید.
During the correspondence between us, the final agreement was reached.
Archaic/Legalistic formal Persian.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
— During the inspections carried out.
طیِ بازرسیهایِ بهعملآمده تخلفی مشاهده نشد.
Often Confused With
Means 'mop'. Sounds similar but starts with a different 'T'.
Means 'until'. 'Tay' covers the duration; 'Ta' marks the end.
Means 'by/via'. Use 'Tay' fo
Idioms & Expressions
— To traverse a path, often used for spiritual or long physical journeys.
سالک در حال طیِ طریق است.
Literary/Mystical— To pass through the seven stages of love (Attar's reference).
او هفت شهر عشق را طی کرد.
Poetic— The supernatural ability to traverse vast distances in an instant.
میگویند او قدرت طیِ ارض داشت.
Folklore/Religious— To go through the necessary steps or stages.
او تمام مراحل قانونی را طی کرد.
Neutral— To pass the night until morning (often implies hardship).
او شب را با گریه به صبح طی کرد.
Literary— To climb the ladder of success.
او به سرعت پلههای ترقی را طی کرد.
Metaphorical— To finalize or agree on a price/deal.
ما قیمت را با هم طی کردیم.
Informal/MarketSentence Patterns
طیِ + [Time Noun] + [Verb]
طیِ روز کار میکنم.
طیِ + [Adjective] + [Time Noun]
طیِ این هفته...
طیِ + [Noun Phrase] + [Comma] + [Clause]
طیِ سفر، من کتاب خواندم.
طیِ + [Process Noun] + [Verb]
طیِ مراحل قانونی حل شد.
طیِ + [Complex Noun Phrase] + [Passive Verb]
طیِ بازرسیها نقصها پیدا شدند.
طیِ + [Abstract Noun] + [Formal Verb]
طیِ تکوین نطفه...
طیِ + [Number] + [Time Unit] + گذشته
طیِ دو سال گذشته...
طیِ + [Noun] + [Ezafe] + [Noun]
طیِ دورانِ دانشجویی
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
Very frequent in written and media Persian.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'Tying' a period of time together. 'Tay' ties the beginning and end of a duration.
Visual Association
Imagine a road being 'folded' as you drive over it. You are traversing (Tay) the distance.
Word Web
Challenge
Try to use 'طی' in three sentences today: one about your day, one about a movie, and one about your life.
Word Origin
Derived from the Arabic root 'T-Y-Y' (ط-ی-ی) which relates to folding, rolling up, or traversing.
Original meaning: To fold a cloth or to traverse a distance (as if 'folding' the ground under one's feet).
Semitic root adopted into Persian.Cultural Context
No specific sensitivities; it is a neutral, formal word.
English speakers often just use 'in' or 'during'. Persian 'طی' is more like 'throughout the course of'.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
News Reporting
- طیِ بیست و چهار ساعت گذشته
- طیِ درگیریهای اخیر
- طیِ بیانیهای رسمی
- طیِ تماسی با مقامات
History/Academic
- طیِ قرن گذشته
- طیِ دورانِ سلطنت
- طیِ این تحقیق
- طیِ تکاملِ بشر
Legal/Bureaucratic
- طیِ مراحلِ قانونی
- طیِ حکمی از سوی
- طیِ قرارداد
- طیِ بازرسی
Travel
- طیِ مسیر
- طیِ پرواز
- طیِ مسافرت
- طیِ اقامت
Everyday Formal
- طیِ روز
- طیِ هفته
- طیِ جلسه
- طیِ کلاس
Conversation Starters
"طیِ سال گذشته، بزرگترین موفقیت شما چه بود؟"
"طیِ سفر به ایران، از کجاها دیدن کردید؟"
"طیِ روز معمولاً چه کارهایی انجام میدهید؟"
"طیِ دورانِ تحصیل، چه درسی را بیشتر دوست داشتید؟"
"طیِ تعطیلاتِ عید، چه برنامهای دارید؟"
Journal Prompts
اتفاقات مهمی را که طیِ هفته گذشته برایتان افتاده بنویسید.
طیِ ده سال آینده، خود را در چه جایگاهی میبینید؟
تغییراتی را که طیِ دورانِ کرونا در زندگیتان رخ داد توصیف کنید.
طیِ یک روز ایدهآل، چه کارهایی انجام میدهید؟
درباره تجربهای که طیِ یک سفر دشوار داشتید بنویسید.
Summary
Mastering 'طی' allows you to describe durations with precision and formality. It is the standard word for 'during' in professional Persian contexts. Example: طیِ سال (During the year).
- طی is a formal way to say 'during' or 'throughout' in Persian.
- It is used for time periods (weeks, years) and processes (negotiations, journeys).
- It requires an Ezafe (-e) to connect to the following noun.
- It is common in news, academic writing, and formal speech.
Related Content
Related Phrases
More travel words
عابر
A2A pedestrian, a person walking along a road or in a developed area.
عابر پیاده
A2A person walking rather than traveling in a vehicle.
عازم شدن
B1To set off, to depart; to begin a journey.
عبور کردن
A2To move past or across something.
عقب افتادن
B1To be delayed or to fall behind schedule.
عوارض
B1A tax or fee paid for the use of a road or service.
عزیمت کردن
A2To depart; to leave a place, especially to start a journey.
اقامت
A2Stay, residence, lodging.
اقامت کردن
A2To reside or stay somewhere.
اقامتگاه
A2Accommodation or a residence.