اشتباه
اشتباه em 30 segundos
- Eshtebāh means 'mistake' or 'error' in Persian.
- It is a polite and versatile word used in all social registers.
- Commonly used with the verb 'kardan' (to make a mistake).
- Derived from an Arabic root meaning 'resemblance' or 'confusion'.
The Persian word اشتباه (pronounced 'eshtebāh') is a fundamental noun in the Persian language, primarily translating to 'mistake' or 'error' in English. At its core, it refers to an action, judgment, or statement that is incorrect, misguided, or based on a misunderstanding. Unlike some other terms for 'wrongness' in Persian, eshtebāh carries a broad range of nuances, from a simple slip of the tongue to a significant life error. It is derived from the Arabic root 'sh-b-h', which relates to resemblance or similarity; thus, the etymological essence of the word suggests a situation where one thing is confused with another because they look alike. This nuance is vital for learners to understand: an 'eshtebāh' is often a 'confusion' or a 'misidentification' rather than a malicious act.
- Daily Usage
- In everyday Persian, you will hear this word constantly. Whether someone is apologizing for a minor bump on the street or a professional is acknowledging a calculation error in a report, 'eshtebāh' is the go-to term. It is polite and objective.
- Social Nuance
- In the context of Iranian 'Taarof' (social etiquette), admitting a mistake using 'eshtebāh' is seen as a sign of humility and self-awareness. It is less harsh than 'ghalat', which can sometimes sound accusatory or overly blunt.
ببخشید، من اشتباه کردم که دیر آمدم.
(Bebakhshid, man eshtebāh kardam ke dir āmadam.)
Sorry, I made a mistake by coming late.
The word is versatile. It can function as a noun ('This is a mistake') or as part of a compound verb with 'kardan' (to do/make). Interestingly, it can also be used as an adjective in certain informal contexts to mean 'wrong' or 'incorrect', such as 'rāh-e eshtebāh' (the wrong path). When you are learning Persian, mastering 'eshtebāh' allows you to navigate social friction with grace. It provides a way to acknowledge errors without necessarily taking on heavy moral guilt, focusing instead on the factual inaccuracy of the situation.
این آدرس اشتباه است.
(In ādres eshtebāh ast.)
This address is wrong.
Furthermore, 'eshtebāh' is used in academic and legal settings to describe procedural errors. In these contexts, it might be paired with modifiers like 'fāhesh' (blatant) or 'jozi' (minor). For instance, an 'eshtebāh-e fāhesh' in a court case could lead to a retrial. This demonstrates the word's range from the mundane to the highly consequential. Understanding the breadth of 'eshtebāh' is a key step in moving from basic Persian to a more nuanced, intermediate level of fluency.
او اشتباه بزرگی مرتکب شد.
(U eshtebāh-e bozorgi mortakeb shod.)
He committed a big mistake.
- Compound Verbs
- The most common verb form is 'eshtebāh kardan'. However, 'eshtebāh gereftan' (to mistake one thing for another) is also very frequent in daily speech.
من شما را با برادرتان اشتباه گرفتم.
(Man shomā rā bā barādar-etān eshtebāh gereftam.)
I mistook you for your brother.
فکر میکنم اینجا یک اشتباه شده است.
(Fekr mikonam injā yek eshtebāh shode ast.)
I think a mistake has occurred here.
Using اشتباه correctly requires understanding its grammatical roles. It primarily functions as a noun, but its interaction with verbs like 'kardan' (to do), 'shodan' (to become), and 'gereftan' (to take) defines its meaning in context. In its simplest form, 'eshtebāh' is the subject or object of a sentence. For example, 'Eshtebāh-e man bud' (It was my mistake). Here, the 'e' (ezāfe) connects 'eshtebāh' to 'man' (me), showing possession of the error.
- Active vs. Passive
- When you say 'Man eshtebāh kardam', you are taking active responsibility. When you say 'Eshtebāh shod', you are describing the occurrence of a mistake more impersonally, which can be useful in professional settings to avoid direct blame.
من در محاسباتم اشتباه کردم.
(Man dar mohāsebātam eshtebāh kardam.)
I made a mistake in my calculations.
Another crucial construction is 'eshtebāh gereftan'. This is used when you confuse one person or thing for another. The structure is usually '[Object A] rā bā [Object B] eshtebāh gereftan'. This is a common source of humor or confusion in daily life, such as calling someone by the wrong name or picking up the wrong bag at the airport. Mastering this specific phrasal construction is a sign of advancing proficiency.
نمک را با شکر اشتباه گرفتم.
(Namak rā bā shekar eshtebāh gereftam.)
I mistook the salt for sugar.
In more formal or literary Persian, you might encounter 'eshtebāh' paired with the verb 'mortakeb shodan' (to commit). This is used for more serious errors or transgressions. While 'eshtebāh kardan' is fine for a typo, 'mortakeb-e eshtebāh shodan' might be used in a political analysis or a historical text discussing a general's failed strategy. This distinction helps you adjust your register according to the situation.
او مرتکب یک اشتباه استراتژیک شد.
(U mortakeb-e yek eshtebāh-e esterātezhik shod.)
He committed a strategic mistake.
- Negative Sentences
- To say 'It's not a mistake', you use 'eshtebāh nist'. To say 'I didn't make a mistake', you use 'eshtebāh nakardam'.
این یک اشتباه نیست، یک انتخاب است.
(In yek eshtebāh nist, yek entekhāb ast.)
This is not a mistake, it is a choice.
آیا من اشتباه شنیدم؟
(Āyā man eshtebāh shenidam?)
Did I hear incorrectly? (Literally: Did I hear a mistake?)
You will encounter اشتباه in almost every facet of Iranian life. In the classroom, a teacher might point out an 'eshtebāh-e nevegāri' (writing mistake) or an 'eshtebāh-e dikte' (spelling mistake). In the workplace, colleagues might discuss an 'eshtebāh-e fanni' (technical error) that caused a system delay. The word is pervasive because it is the standard, polite way to address inaccuracy without being unnecessarily harsh.
- In the Media
- News anchors often use 'eshtebāh' when reporting on diplomatic misunderstandings or economic miscalculations. You might hear 'eshtebāh-e mohāsebāti' (calculative error) in financial news.
- Customer Service
- If you receive the wrong order at a restaurant, you might say 'Eshtebāh shode' (A mistake has happened). This is a very common and non-confrontational way to ask for a correction.
ببخشید، فکر کنم در صورتحساب اشتباه شده است.
(Bebakhshid, fekr konam dar surat-hesāb eshtebāh shode ast.)
Excuse me, I think there has been a mistake in the bill.
In movies and TV dramas, 'eshtebāh' is a central theme in plots involving mistaken identities or tragic misunderstandings. A character might lament, 'In bozorgtarin eshtebāh-e zendegi-ye man bud' (This was the biggest mistake of my life). This emotional weight shows that while the word is used for typos, it also carries the gravity of life-altering decisions. In the realm of technology, Persian software interfaces use 'eshtebāh' for error messages, such as 'Eshtebāh dar ettesāl' (Error in connection).
شماره را اشتباه گرفتهاید.
(Shomāre rā eshtebāh gerefte-id.)
You have dialed the wrong number.
On the street, you might hear 'rāh rā eshtebāh raftim' (we went the wrong way) while navigating. In sports, commentators frequently mention 'eshtebāh-e dāvari' (refereeing error) or 'eshtebāh-e fardi' (individual mistake by a player). The word is so deeply integrated into the fabric of the language that it feels natural in every register, from the most formal legal decree to the most casual conversation between friends. Its frequency makes it one of the most important 'survival' words for any learner of Persian.
همه ما گاهی اشتباه میکنیم.
(Hame-ye mā gāhi eshtebāh mikonim.)
We all make mistakes sometimes.
- Literature
- In Persian poetry and prose, 'eshtebāh' is often contrasted with 'haqiqat' (truth) or 'dorosti' (correctness), serving as a metaphor for the human condition and our tendency to lose our way.
این یک اشتباه تاریخی است.
(In yek eshtebāh-e tārikhi ast.)
This is a historical mistake.
One of the most common mistakes for English speakers learning Persian is confusing اشتباه (eshtebāh) with غلط (ghalat). While both can mean 'mistake' or 'wrong', they are not always interchangeable. 'Ghalat' often refers to something that is objectively incorrect, like a math answer or a spelling error. It can also carry a harsher, more judgmental tone. Saying 'Ghalat kardi' to someone is a very strong insult (meaning 'You did something very wrong/bad' or 'How dare you'), whereas 'Eshtebāh kardi' is a neutral statement that they made a mistake.
- Ghalat vs. Eshtebāh
- Use 'ghalat' for technical errors or objective falsity. Use 'eshtebāh' for general mistakes, misunderstandings, or when you want to be polite.
این کلمه را غلط نوشتی.
(In kalame rā ghalat neveshti.)
You wrote this word incorrectly (objective error).
Another mistake is using the wrong verb. Beginners often try to translate 'make a mistake' literally. In Persian, you 'do' a mistake (eshtebāh kardan). Using 'sākhtan' (to make/build) or other verbs would be incorrect. Additionally, learners sometimes forget the ezāfe when using 'eshtebāh' as an adjective. It must be 'javāb-e eshtebāh' (the wrong answer), not just 'javāb eshtebāh'.
او راه اشتباه را انتخاب کرد.
(U rāh-e eshtebāh rā entekhāb kard.)
He chose the wrong path.
Confusion also arises with the word 'khatā'. While 'khatā' also means error, it is more commonly used in sports (like a 'foul' in football) or in very formal, almost religious or legal contexts (like a 'sin' or a 'transgression'). Using 'khatā' for a simple typo in a text message would sound overly dramatic or archaic. Stick to 'eshtebāh' for 90% of daily situations.
داور خطا گرفت.
(Dāvar khatā gereft.)
The referee called a foul (khatā is specific here).
- Pronunciation Pitfall
- Ensure you don't confuse 'eshtebāh' with 'eshtehā' (appetite). The 'b' sound is crucial!
من اشتها ندارم.
(Man eshtehā nadāram.)
I have no appetite (Don't confuse with eshtebāh!).
While اشتباه is the most common word for mistake, Persian offers a rich palette of alternatives depending on the context and the 'flavor' of the error. Understanding these synonyms will significantly elevate your Persian from basic to advanced. The most direct synonym is غلط (ghalat), which we've discussed as being more objective and sometimes harsher. Another common word is خطا (khatā), which is often used in technical, sporting, or formal contexts.
- Sahv (سهو)
- This refers to an inadvertent error, an oversight, or a slip. It is very useful for apologizing for something you simply forgot or didn't notice. It's softer than 'eshtebāh'.
- Laghzesh (لغزش)
- Literally meaning 'slip' or 'stumble', this is used metaphorically for a moral lapse or a temporary error in judgment.
این یک سهو قلم بود.
(In yek sahv-e ghalam bud.)
This was a slip of the pen (a typo).
In formal writing, you might see نادرستی (nādorosti), which simply means 'incorrectness'. For a 'shortcoming' or 'negligence', the word قصور (ghosur) is used, often in legal or professional accountability contexts. If you want to describe a 'misunderstanding', you can use سوءتفاهم (su-e-tafāhom). This is particularly useful in interpersonal relationships to clarify that no malice was intended.
یک سوءتفاهم کوچک پیش آمد.
(Yek su-e-tafāhom-e kuchek pish āmad.)
A small misunderstanding occurred.
For literary or poetic contexts, کژتابی (kazhtābi) refers to a linguistic ambiguity that leads to a 'wrong' interpretation. This is a very sophisticated word. On the other hand, ناصواب (nāsavāb) is an archaic or highly formal way to say 'improper' or 'incorrect'. By choosing the right word from this list, you can convey exactly how the 'mistake' happened and what its nature was.
او در انجام وظایفش قصور کرد.
(U dar anjām-e vazāyef-ash ghosur kard.)
He was negligent in performing his duties.
- Summary Table
-
- Eshtebāh: General mistake (Standard).
- Ghalat: Factually wrong (Blunt).
- Khatā: Error/Foul (Technical).
- Sahv: Oversight (Soft).
این کار ناصواب است.
(In kār nāsavāb ast.)
This action is improper/wrong.
How Formal Is It?
Curiosidade
Because the root means 'resemblance', the word 'eshtebāh' literally implies that you did something wrong because you confused it with something else that looked similar. It's a very 'visual' way of thinking about errors.
Guia de pronúncia
- Pronouncing the final 'h' too strongly like a 'kh' sound.
- Confusing it with 'eshtehā' (appetite) by dropping the 'b'.
- Pronouncing the 'e' as a long 'ee' sound.
- Putting the stress on the first syllable.
- Missing the 'sh' sound and saying 'estebāh'.
Nível de dificuldade
The word is easy to recognize and common in all texts.
Remembering the 'sh' and 'b' and the final 'h' is important.
Very easy to pronounce and essential for daily talk.
Can sometimes be confused with 'eshtehā' if the 'b' is swallowed.
O que aprender depois
Pré-requisitos
Aprenda a seguir
Avançado
Gramática essencial
Compound Verbs with 'Kardan'
اشتباه + کردن = اشتباه کردن (To make a mistake)
Ezāfe Construction for Possession
اشتباهِ من (My mistake)
Ezāfe Construction for Adjectives
اشتباهِ بزرگ (Big mistake)
Passive with 'Shodan'
اشتباه شد (A mistake happened)
Object Marker 'Rā' with 'Gereftan'
او را اشتباه گرفتم (I mistook him)
Exemplos por nível
ببخشید، اشتباه کردم.
Sorry, I made a mistake.
Simple past tense of 'eshtebāh kardan'.
این اشتباه است.
This is a mistake.
Using 'eshtebāh' as a predicate noun.
شماره اشتباه است.
The number is wrong.
Adjectival use of 'eshtebāh'.
نام من را اشتباه نوشتی.
You wrote my name wrong.
Adverbial use in a simple sentence.
او اشتباه کرد.
He/She made a mistake.
Third person singular past tense.
اشتباه من بود.
It was my mistake.
Possessive ezāfe construction.
یک اشتباه کوچک.
A small mistake.
Noun with an adjective.
ما اشتباه کردیم.
We made a mistake.
First person plural past tense.
من شما را با برادرم اشتباه گرفتم.
I mistook you for my brother.
Using 'eshtebāh gereftan' construction.
فکر کنم آدرس را اشتباه آمدیم.
I think we came to the wrong address.
Compound verb 'eshtebāh āmadan' (to come the wrong way).
او همیشه اشتباهاتش را قبول میکند.
He always accepts his mistakes.
Plural noun 'eshtebāhāt'.
این یک اشتباه بزرگ در امتحان بود.
This was a big mistake in the exam.
Noun phrase with adjective and prepositional phrase.
نباید این اشتباه را دوباره تکرار کنی.
You shouldn't repeat this mistake again.
Modal verb 'nabāyad' with 'eshtebāh'.
آیا در صورتحساب اشتباهی شده است؟
Is there a mistake in the bill?
Passive/Impersonal 'eshtebāhi shodan'.
من کلیدها را اشتباه برداشتم.
I took the wrong keys.
Adverbial use with 'bardāshtan'.
او راه اشتباه را به من نشان داد.
He showed me the wrong way.
Ezāfe construction 'rāh-e eshtebāh'.
اگر اشتباه نکنم، فردا تعطیل است.
If I'm not mistaken, tomorrow is a holiday.
Conditional phrase 'agar eshtebāh nakonam'.
اشتباهات بخشی از فرآیند یادگیری هستند.
Mistakes are part of the learning process.
Abstract plural subject.
او از اشتباهات گذشتهاش درس گرفته است.
He has learned from his past mistakes.
Prepositional phrase 'az eshtebāhāt'.
این تصمیم یک اشتباه محض بود.
This decision was a pure mistake.
Intensifier 'mahz' (pure/absolute).
من متوجه اشتباه خودم شدم.
I realized my own mistake.
Reflexive 'khod-am' with 'eshtebāh'.
او سعی کرد اشتباهش را جبران کند.
He tried to make up for his mistake.
Infinitive 'jobrān kardan' with 'eshtebāh'.
ممکن است در ترجمه اشتباهی رخ داده باشد.
A mistake might have occurred in the translation.
Formal verb 'rokh dādan' (to occur).
نباید دیگران را به خاطر اشتباهاتشان قضاوت کنیم.
We shouldn't judge others for their mistakes.
Complex sentence with 'ghazāvat kardan'.
این یک اشتباه فاحش در گزارش مالی بود.
This was a blatant mistake in the financial report.
Advanced adjective 'fāhesh' (blatant).
او به اشتباه خود اعتراف کرد.
He confessed to his mistake.
Formal verb 'e'terāf kardan' (to confess).
یک اشتباه لپی باعث خنده همه شد.
A slip of the tongue made everyone laugh.
Idiomatic expression 'eshtebāh-e lapi'.
دولت باید از اشتباهات اقتصادی خود جلوگیری کند.
The government must prevent its economic mistakes.
Political/Economic context.
او به دلیل یک اشتباه اداری اخراج شد.
He was fired due to an administrative mistake.
Compound adjective 'edāri' (administrative).
این فرضیه بر پایه یک اشتباه علمی استوار است.
This hypothesis is based on a scientific mistake.
Academic context 'bar pāye-ye' (based on).
او مدام در محاسباتش دچار اشتباه میشود.
He constantly makes mistakes in his calculations.
Verb 'dochār-e ... shodan' (to suffer/incur).
اشتباهات استراتژیک میتوانند عواقب سنگینی داشته باشند.
Strategic mistakes can have heavy consequences.
Formal plural with 'avāgheb-e sangin'.
نویسنده در تحلیل وقایع تاریخی مرتکب اشتباه شده است.
The author has committed a mistake in analyzing historical events.
Formal verb 'mortakeb shodan'.
این یک اشتباه رایج در درک مفاهیم فلسفی است.
This is a common mistake in understanding philosophical concepts.
Academic adjective 'rāyej' (common).
او با زیرکی تمام اشتباهات رقیبش را آشکار کرد.
He cleverly revealed all of his rival's mistakes.
Adverbial phrase 'bā ziraki-ye tamām'.
اشتباهات سیستماتیک در ساختار سازمان دیده میشود.
Systematic mistakes are seen in the organization's structure.
Advanced adjective 'sistemātik'.
او هرگز اجازه نمیدهد یک اشتباه دو بار تکرار شود.
He never allows a mistake to be repeated twice.
Complex causative-like structure.
این اشتباه ناشی از عدم تمرکز کافی بود.
This mistake resulted from a lack of sufficient focus.
Formal phrase 'nāshi az' (resulting from).
او در میان اشتباهاتش به دنبال راهی برای رستگاری بود.
Among his mistakes, he was looking for a way to redemption.
Literary context.
تصحیح این اشتباه زمان و هزینه زیادی میطلبد.
Correcting this mistake requires a lot of time and cost.
Formal verb 'talabidan' (to require).
اشتباهات هستیشناختی در این نظریه به وضوح قابل مشاهده است.
Ontological mistakes in this theory are clearly observable.
Highly academic term 'hasti-shenākhti'.
او با ظرافتی بینظیر، اشتباهات منطقی استدلال را به چالش کشید.
With unique subtlety, he challenged the logical mistakes of the argument.
Formal phrase 'be chālesh keshidan' (to challenge).
این اشتباه تاریخی، سرنوشت یک ملت را تغییر داد.
This historical mistake changed the fate of a nation.
Grand, epic register.
در متون کلاسیک، اشتباه اغلب به عنوان حجابی بر حقیقت توصیف میشود.
In classical texts, mistake is often described as a veil over the truth.
Metaphorical/Literary use.
او در گرداب اشتباهات خود غرق شده بود.
He was drowned in the whirlpool of his own mistakes.
Idiomatic/Literary metaphor.
بررسی اشتباهات گذشتگان، چراغ راه آیندگان است.
Examining the mistakes of predecessors is a lamp for the path of successors.
Proverbial/Philosophical style.
او با پذیرش اشتباهاتش، به بلوغ فکری دست یافت.
By accepting his mistakes, he achieved intellectual maturity.
Formal verb 'dast yāftan' (to achieve).
این اشتباه، پیامد ناگزیر یک ساختار معیوب بود.
This mistake was the inevitable consequence of a flawed structure.
Formal adjective 'nāgozir' (inevitable).
Colocações comuns
Frases Comuns
— Let there be no mistake. Used to clarify something.
اشتباه نشود، من با این طرح مخالفم.
Frequentemente confundido com
Ghalat is for objective wrongness; Eshtebāh is for general mistakes.
Eshtehā means appetite; don't drop the 'b' in Eshtebāh.
Khatā is more technical (sports/errors) or religious (sin).
Expressões idiomáticas
— A slip of the tongue. Literally 'a mistake of the lip'.
ببخشید، یک اشتباه لپی بود.
Informal/Neutral— One mistake after another; a series of errors.
همه کارهایش اشتباه در اشتباه است.
Informal— To mislead someone or cause them to make a mistake.
ظاهر او مرا به اشتباه انداخت.
Neutral— One mistake and a thousand regrets. Used to warn about serious errors.
مواظب باش، یک اشتباه و هزار پشیمانی.
Proverbial— Miscalculation (often used metaphorically for life decisions).
او دچار اشتباه محاسباتی شد.
Neutral/Formal— To mistake (someone/something) for (someone/something else).
او را با سایه اشتباه گرفتم.
Neutral— A strategic mistake (often used in politics or business).
این یک اشتباه استراتژیک بود.
Formal— To err is human. (Equivalent to the English proverb).
اشتباه کردن انسانی است، نگران نباش.
NeutralFácil de confundir
Both mean wrong/mistake.
Ghalat is harsher and refers to factual errors. Eshtebāh is more about judgment or confusion.
جواب امتحان غلط است، اما تصمیم او اشتباه بود.
Both mean mistake.
Sahv is specifically an unintentional oversight. Eshtebāh is broader.
ببخشید، این فقط یک سهو بود.
Both mean error.
Khatā is used in sports (foul) or formal/technical contexts.
داور خطا گرفت.
Both mean mistake.
Laghzesh is a metaphorical 'slip' in conduct or judgment.
او در جوانی دچار لغزش شد.
Both mean mistake.
Ghosur implies negligence or failure to do one's duty.
قصور پزشکی در این پرونده مشهود است.
Padrões de frases
[Subject] [Eshtebāh] [Kardan].
من اشتباه کردم.
[Noun] [Ezāfe] [Eshtebāh] [Verb].
آدرس اشتباه بود.
اگر [Eshtebāh] [Nakonam]...
اگر اشتباه نکنم، او رفت.
[Object] [Rā] bā [Object] [Eshtebāh] [Gereftan].
او را با برادرم اشتباه گرفتم.
[Subject] [Mortakeb-e] [Eshtebāh] [Shodan].
نویسنده مرتکب اشتباه شد.
[Eshtebāh] [Nāshi az] [Noun] [Bud].
این اشتباه ناشی از جهل بود.
این [Eshtebāh] [Ast].
این اشتباه است.
[Eshtebāh-e] [Pronoun] [Bud].
اشتباه من بود.
Família de palavras
Substantivos
Verbos
Adjetivos
Relacionado
Como usar
Extremely high; one of the top 500 words in Persian.
-
Using 'ghalat' for a polite apology.
→
Using 'eshtebāh'.
'Ghalat' can be rude or too blunt. 'Eshtebāh' is the safer, more polite choice for personal errors.
-
Saying 'Man yek eshtebāh sākhtam'.
→
Saying 'Man eshtebāh kardam'.
Persian uses 'kardan' (to do) for making mistakes, not 'sākhtan' (to build/make).
-
Forgetting the ezāfe in 'rāh-e eshtebāh'.
→
Always include the ezāfe when 'eshtebāh' modifies a noun.
In Persian, adjectives follow the noun and are connected by the ezāfe vowel.
-
Confusing 'eshtebāh' with 'eshtehā'.
→
Pronouncing the 'b' clearly.
'Eshtehā' means appetite. This is a common phonetic slip for beginners.
-
Using 'khatā' for a simple typo.
→
Using 'eshtebāh' or 'sahv'.
'Khatā' is too formal or technical for a minor everyday error like a typo.
Dicas
Use 'Kardan'
Always pair 'eshtebāh' with 'kardan' to mean 'to make a mistake'. Never use 'sākhtan' (to build/make).
Be Indirect
When pointing out someone's error, say 'Eshtebāh shode' (A mistake happened) to be more polite.
Learn 'Sahv'
Use 'sahv' for small, accidental oversights. It makes you sound very fluent and polite.
Don't Drop the 'B'
If you say 'eshtehā', people will think you are talking about your appetite, not your mistake!
Slip of the Tongue
Use 'eshtebāh-e lapi' whenever you mispronounce a Persian word. It's a great way to handle errors.
Ezāfe is Key
Remember the ezāfe when using 'eshtebāh' as an adjective: 'shomāre-ye eshtebāh'.
Humility
Admitting 'eshtebāh kardam' is highly respected in Iranian culture as a sign of honesty.
Context Matters
If you hear 'eshtebāh' in a sports game, it almost always refers to a referee's call.
Plural Forms
Learn 'eshtebāhāt' early, as it appears frequently in news and books.
Hedge Your Words
Use 'agar eshtebāh nakonam' (if I'm not mistaken) to sound more natural in conversation.
Memorize
Mnemônico
Think of 'ESH-TE-BAH'. 'ESH' like 'shhh' (quiet, I made a mistake), 'TE' like 'test' (I failed the test), and 'BAH' like 'bah!' (frustration at the mistake).
Associação visual
Imagine two identical keys. You pick the wrong one. That 'confusion' of two similar things is the root of 'eshtebāh'.
Word Web
Desafio
Try to use 'eshtebāh kardan' three times today: once for a typo, once for a small misunderstanding, and once when you take the wrong item by accident.
Origem da palavra
The word 'eshtebāh' is a loanword from Arabic. It is the verbal noun (Masdar) of the eighth form (Ifti'āl) of the root 'sh-b-h' (ش-ب-ه).
Significado original: In Arabic, the root relates to 'resemblance', 'similarity', or 'doubt'. The eighth form 'ishtibāh' originally meant 'being confused' or 'being ambiguous' because things look alike.
Semitic (Arabic) root integrated into Indo-European (Persian) grammar.Contexto cultural
Avoid using 'ghalat' (wrong) when 'eshtebāh' (mistake) is more polite, especially when talking to elders or superiors.
In English, 'mistake' is very direct. In Persian, 'eshtebāh' is similarly common but often used with more 'softening' language around it to maintain social harmony.
Pratique na vida real
Contextos reais
At School
- اشتباه در امتحان
- اشتباه نوشتن
- تصحیح اشتباه
- اشتباه لپی
At Work
- اشتباه محاسباتی
- اشتباه اداری
- گزارش پراشتباه
- مسئولیت اشتباه
On the Street
- راه را اشتباه رفتن
- شماره اشتباه
- آدرس اشتباه
- اشتباهی سوار شدن
In Relationships
- اشتباه کردم ببخشید
- سوءتفاهم شده
- اشتباه از من بود
- تکرار اشتباه
In Technology
- خطای سیستم
- اشتباه در ورود داده
- پیام اشتباه
- اشتباه فنی
Iniciadores de conversa
"آیا تا به حال اشتباه بزرگی در زندگیتان کردهاید؟ (Have you ever made a big mistake in your life?)"
"به نظر شما بهترین راه برای جبران یک اشتباه چیست؟ (What do you think is the best way to make up for a mistake?)"
"آیا از اشتباهاتتان درس میگیرید؟ (Do you learn from your mistakes?)"
"بدترین اشتباهی که در یادگیری زبان فارسی کردید چه بود؟ (What was the worst mistake you made in learning Persian?)"
"چگونه به کسی بگوییم که اشتباه کرده است بدون اینکه ناراحت شود؟ (How do we tell someone they made a mistake without them getting upset?)"
Temas para diário
درباره زمانی بنویسید که یک اشتباه کوچک باعث یک اتفاق جالب شد. (Write about a time a small mistake led to an interesting event.)
چرا بعضی از مردم از اعتراف به اشتباهاتشان میترسند؟ (Why do some people fear admitting their mistakes?)
یک اشتباه تاریخی را توصیف کنید و نتایج آن را بررسی کنید. (Describe a historical mistake and examine its results.)
چگونه اشتباهات به ما در یادگیری مهارتهای جدید کمک میکنند؟ (How do mistakes help us in learning new skills?)
نامهای به خودتان در گذشته بنویسید و درباره یکی از اشتباهاتتان توضیح دهید. (Write a letter to your past self and explain one of your mistakes.)
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntasYes, 'eshtebāh' is the standard polite word for mistake. It is much softer than 'ghalat', which can sound aggressive if used to correct someone directly.
Yes, you can. For example, 'rāh-e eshtebāh' means 'the wrong way'. It follows the noun with an ezāfe.
'Eshtebāh kardan' means 'to make a mistake' (active). 'Eshtebāh shodan' means 'a mistake happened' (passive/impersonal). Use the latter to be more indirect.
You can say 'eshtebāhi' or 'az ruye eshtebāh'. For example, 'Eshtebāhi آمدم' (I came by mistake).
It means to mistake one thing for another. For example, 'Man shomā rā bā dustam eshtebāh gereftam' (I mistook you for my friend).
Absolutely. In formal contexts, it is often paired with 'mortakeb shodan' (to commit) or used in phrases like 'eshtebāh-e fāhesh' (blatant error).
The most common plural is 'eshtebāhāt' (Arabic style), but 'eshtebāhhā' (Persian style) is also used, especially in informal speech.
It's an idiom meaning 'a slip of the tongue'. It's used when you say the wrong word by accident.
Not usually. 'Gonāh' is the word for sin. 'Eshtebāh' is more about errors in judgment or fact, though a big mistake can have moral implications.
In formal Persian, yes, it's a soft breathy sound. In casual speech, it's often silent, making the word sound like 'eshtebā'.
Teste-se 192 perguntas
Write a sentence in Persian saying 'I made a mistake in my homework'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write a short apology for being late using the word 'eshtebāh'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'If I'm not mistaken, the meeting is at 2 PM.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write a sentence using 'eshtebāh gereftan' (mistake for).
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Describe a 'big mistake' you once made in Persian.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'Mistakes are part of learning.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Use 'eshtebāh-e fāhesh' in a formal sentence.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write: 'I took the wrong bus by mistake.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'He confessed to his mistake.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write a sentence about a 'slip of the tongue'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'The address is wrong.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write: 'We all make mistakes sometimes.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Use 'mortakeb-e eshtebāh shodan' in a sentence about a politician.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'I realized my mistake too late.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write: 'Don't repeat your mistakes.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'This is a pure mistake.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write: 'I mistook the salt for sugar.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'There is a mistake in the bill.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write: 'He learned from his mistakes.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'Strategic mistakes have heavy consequences.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Say 'I made a mistake' in Persian.
Read this aloud:
Você disse:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say 'It was my mistake' in Persian.
Read this aloud:
Você disse:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say 'Wrong number' in Persian.
Read this aloud:
Você disse:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say 'I mistook you for my friend' in Persian.
Read this aloud:
Você disse:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say 'If I'm not mistaken' in Persian.
Read this aloud:
Você disse:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say 'I made a small mistake' in Persian.
Read this aloud:
Você disse:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say 'Sorry, it was a slip of the tongue' in Persian.
Read this aloud:
Você disse:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say 'We all make mistakes' in Persian.
Read this aloud:
Você disse:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say 'This is a big mistake' in Persian.
Read this aloud:
Você disse:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say 'I took the wrong path' in Persian.
Read this aloud:
Você disse:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say 'Don't repeat your mistake' in Persian.
Read this aloud:
Você disse:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say 'I realized my mistake' in Persian.
Read this aloud:
Você disse:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say 'It's a pure mistake' in Persian.
Read this aloud:
Você disse:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say 'He confessed to his mistake' in Persian.
Read this aloud:
Você disse:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say 'Correct your mistake' in Persian.
Read this aloud:
Você disse:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say 'I'm sorry, I was mistaken' in Persian.
Read this aloud:
Você disse:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say 'There is a mistake in the bill' in Persian.
Read this aloud:
Você disse:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say 'It was a technical error' in Persian.
Read this aloud:
Você disse:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say 'He made a strategic mistake' in Persian.
Read this aloud:
Você disse:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say 'Mistakes are for learning' in Persian.
Read this aloud:
Você disse:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Listen: 'Man eshtebāhi be injā āmadam.' Where did the person come?
Listen: 'In yek eshtebāh-e fāhesh bud.' Was the mistake small or big?
Listen: 'Bebakhshid, eshtebāh az man bud.' Who is taking responsibility?
Listen: 'Shomāre rā eshtebāh gerefte-id.' What should the listener do?
Listen: 'Agar eshtebāh nakonam, u raft.' Is the person sure?
Listen: 'Eshtebāhāt-e chāpi rā tas-hih kon.' What needs to be fixed?
Listen: 'U mortakeb-e eshtebāh-e bozorgi shod.' Did he do something right?
Listen: 'In rāh-e eshtebāh ast.' Should they continue on this path?
Listen: 'Eshtebāh-e lapi bud, bebakhshid.' Did the person mean what they said?
Listen: 'Hame-ye mā gāhi eshtebāh mikonim.' Is the speaker being critical?
Listen: 'In yek eshtebāh-e mohāsebāti ast.' What field is this about?
Listen: 'U az eshtebāhash dars gereft.' Is he likely to repeat it?
Listen: 'Eshtebāh-e mahz bud.' How serious was the error?
Listen: 'Shomā rā bā barādaram eshtebāh گرفتم.' Who did the speaker see?
Listen: 'In yek eshtebāh-e tārikhi ast.' Is this about a small event?
/ 192 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
The word 'eshtebāh' is the most essential term for 'mistake' in Persian. Whether you are apologizing for a small typo or a major life decision, this word is your primary tool. Remember to use 'eshtebāh kardan' for 'to make a mistake' and 'eshtebāh gereftan' for 'to mistake someone/something for another'.
- Eshtebāh means 'mistake' or 'error' in Persian.
- It is a polite and versatile word used in all social registers.
- Commonly used with the verb 'kardan' (to make a mistake).
- Derived from an Arabic root meaning 'resemblance' or 'confusion'.
Use 'Kardan'
Always pair 'eshtebāh' with 'kardan' to mean 'to make a mistake'. Never use 'sākhtan' (to build/make).
Be Indirect
When pointing out someone's error, say 'Eshtebāh shode' (A mistake happened) to be more polite.
Learn 'Sahv'
Use 'sahv' for small, accidental oversights. It makes you sound very fluent and polite.
Don't Drop the 'B'
If you say 'eshtehā', people will think you are talking about your appetite, not your mistake!
Conteúdo relacionado
Frases relacionadas
Mais palavras de general
عادتوار
C1As a matter of habit; habitually.
عادی
A1A palavra 'عادی' significa normal ou comum. Por exemplo: 'Um dia normal' (یک روز عادی).
عافیت
B2Bem-estar; estado de saúde e segurança. Frequentemente usado como uma bênção após um espirro.
عاجل
B2Urgente; que requer atenção ou ação imediata. Por exemplo: 'Notícia urgente' ou 'Recuperação imediata'.
عاقبت
C1O desfecho ou resultado de uma ação. 'عاقبتِ او بخیر شد.' (O fim dele foi bom.)
عاقل
A1Sensato, ajuizado. Alguém que age com razão e bom senso.
عالمگیر
C1Universal ou mundial; que abrange o mundo inteiro.
عالی
A1A palavra 'Aali' significa excelente ou soberbo em persa.
عام
B1A palavra 'Am' significa geral ou público.
اعم از
B2Incluindo; seja... ou... (usado para introduzir opções).