بر حسب

The Persian phrase بر حسب (bar hasbe) is a sophisticated compound preposition that translates most accurately to 'according to,' 'based on,' or 'in accordance with' in English. While it shares semantic space with phrases like bar asase or tebghe, it carries a specific nuance related to criteria, categories, or calculations. The word hasb itself originates from the Arabic root H-S-B, which pertains to counting, calculating, or accounting. Therefore, when you use this phrase, you are essentially saying that something is being done or categorized 'on the account of' or 'by the measure of' a certain standard. In modern Persian, it is indispensable for formal communication, scientific descriptions, and bureaucratic procedures.

Categorization

It is frequently used when sorting objects or data. For example, sorting books 'by' subject or students 'by' grade level.

Beyond simple sorting, this phrase is used in mathematical and scientific contexts to denote a unit of measurement. If you are measuring speed 'in terms of' kilometers per hour, or expressing a value 'based on' a specific currency, this is your go-to phrase. It establishes a logical link between the action and the governing principle. In legal contexts, it implies that a judgment or action is being taken in strict conformity with a specific article of law or a particular circumstance. It is less about personal opinion and more about an external, objective standard. Understanding this word helps a learner transition from basic 'A is like B' sentences to complex 'A is determined by the criteria of B' sentences.

Legal and Formal Usage

In official documents, it introduces the rule or regulation that justifies a decision, providing a sense of authority and objectivity.

In everyday speech, while slightly formal, it is used when people want to be precise. If someone asks how you organized a party, you might say you invited people 'based on' their relationship to the host. It provides a structured explanation for one's actions. It is also used in the common idiom 'bar hasbe ettefagh' which means 'by chance' or 'as it happened,' where the 'criterion' is simply the occurrence of an event itself. This versatility makes it a cornerstone of B2-level proficiency, where the speaker begins to move beyond simple descriptions and into the realm of systemic logic and objective reasoning. By mastering this phrase, you demonstrate a command over Persian logic and the ability to articulate complex relationships between variables.

Scientific Precision

Used to define units of measurement, such as expressing weight 'in' kilograms or distance 'in' meters.

Using بر حسب correctly requires understanding its role as a linker between an action and a criterion. Unlike some prepositions that can stand alone, bar hasbe always precedes a noun or a noun phrase that acts as the standard. It functions as a complex preposition. One of the most common sentence structures involves a verb of categorization or determination. For instance, verbs like ta'yin kardan (to determine), daste-bandi kardan (to categorize), and andaze-giri kardan (to measure) are natural partners for this phrase. In these sentences, 'bar hasbe' clarifies the 'how' or the 'by what' of the verb's action.

The 'Criterion' Pattern

[Action] + [بر حسب] + [Criterion]. This is the most basic and frequent structure used to explain the logic of a choice.

Another frequent usage is in the phrase bar hasbe zarurat (as needed/according to necessity). Here, the criterion is not a physical measurement but a situational requirement. This is common in professional emails or instructions. For example, 'We will change the plan as needed.' In this case, 'bar hasbe' takes on a more flexible, adverbial role in the sentence, modifying the timing or condition of an event. It's important to note the pronunciation: the 'e' at the end of 'hasbe' is the Ezafe, which links it to the following noun. Without this Ezafe, the phrase loses its prepositional power and becomes a disconnected noun.

The 'Per Unit' Pattern

In technical writing, it translates to 'per' or 'in terms of'. Example: 'Speed in (bar hasbe) kilometers'.

When using bar hasbe in the middle of a sentence, it often functions as a parenthetical explanation. For instance, 'The students, according to their scores, were divided into two groups.' In Persian, this would be: Danesh-amuzan, bar hasbe emtiazat-shan, be do guruh tagsim shodand. Notice how the phrase sits between the subject and the predicate, providing the rationale for the action. This positioning is common in analytical writing. It allows the writer to maintain a formal tone while clearly identifying the variables involved in the process. It is also worth noting that in very formal or legalistic Persian, you might see hasbal-ershad or similar Arabic-style constructions, but bar hasbe remains the standard and most versatile form for modern learners.

Conditional Logic

It creates a conditional relationship where the result depends entirely on the value of the following noun.

You are most likely to encounter بر حسب in environments where precision, order, and rules are paramount. It is not a slang word, nor is it typically used in very casual, abbreviated speech between close friends unless the topic is somewhat serious. Instead, think of it as the language of the news, the classroom, the office, and the laboratory. If you listen to a Persian news broadcast discussing economic data, you will hear it constantly: 'Inflation was calculated bar hasbe the new fiscal year' or 'The budget was allocated bar hasbe regional needs.'

The News and Media

Journalists use it to cite the basis of their reports, ensuring they sound objective and well-sourced.

In academic settings, especially in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields, 'bar hasbe' is used to define variables and units. A physics professor might say, 'Calculate the force bar hasbe Newtons.' Here, it is purely technical. In humanities, a sociology professor might discuss social stratification 'bar hasbe' income levels. It helps academics define the parameters of their research. If you are reading a Persian textbook or a research paper, this phrase will appear in almost every chapter to explain the methodology and the criteria for the findings.

The Workplace and Bureaucracy

In Iranian offices, regulations are king. You will hear HR managers discuss benefits 'bar hasbe' seniority or project managers assigning tasks 'bar hasbe' expertise.

Even in literature and cinema, 'bar hasbe' appears when a character is explaining their logic or when a narrator is setting the stage. However, there is a specific idiomatic use in storytelling: bar hasbe tasadof (by coincidence). This is perhaps the most 'casual' you will hear the phrase. A friend might tell you, 'Bar hasbe tasadof, I saw him at the mall.' Even here, it retains a slight air of narrative structure, as if the speaker is recounting a sequence of events where 'coincidence' was the governing rule of the meeting. In summary, if the conversation involves systems, rules, measurements, or structured narratives, you will hear 'bar hasbe'.

Legal Settings

Lawyers and judges use it to link a specific case to the broader legal code, ensuring every action has a legal 'account'.

For English speakers, the most frequent mistake when using بر حسب is confusing it with other 'according to' phrases like tebghe or be nazare. While they all translate similarly in some contexts, their usage is strictly delineated in Persian. The most glaring error is using 'bar hasbe' to express a personal opinion. You cannot say 'Bar hasbe man...' to mean 'According to me.' In Persian, personal perspective requires be nazare man (in my view) or az didgahe man (from my perspective). 'Bar hasbe' is reserved for external, objective standards or criteria.

Opinion vs. Criterion

Incorrect: بر حسب من، هوا سرد است. (According to me, the weather is cold.)
Correct: به نظر من، هوا سرد است.

Another common mistake is the omission of the Ezafe. Because 'hasb' ends in a consonant, the short 'e' sound (the Ezafe) must be pronounced and often written (as a small stroke or simply understood) to connect it to the following noun. Saying 'bar hasb' without the 'e' makes the sentence sound fragmented and ungrammatical. Furthermore, learners often confuse bar hasbe with bar asase. While very close, bar asase means 'based on' in the sense of a foundation or evidence, whereas bar hasbe is more about the metric or the category. If you are building an argument, use 'bar asase'. If you are sorting a list, use 'bar hasbe'.

Word Order Errors

Learners sometimes place the criterion before 'bar hasbe'. In Persian, the preposition always precedes the noun it governs. It should always be [بر حسب] + [اسم].

Lastly, be careful with the phrase hasbe vs hasab. In some archaic or extremely formal Arabic-influenced Persian, you might hear hasab-al. However, for a learner, trying to use these forms often leads to 'hyper-correction'—sounding too formal for the context or getting the Arabic grammar wrong. Stick to bar hasbe. Also, avoid using it when tebghe (according to a document/law) is more natural. While 'bar hasbe' works for laws, 'tebghe' is much more common for citing specific written rules or schedules. Mixing these up won't make you incomprehensible, but it will mark you as a non-native speaker who hasn't yet grasped the subtle 'flavor' of Persian prepositions.

Subject-Object Confusion

Ensure that 'bar hasbe' is modifying the action, not the subject itself, unless the subject is being measured.

Persian is rich with prepositions that translate to 'according to' or 'based on.' Choosing the right one depends entirely on the context—whether it's a law, an opinion, a foundation, or a metric. بر حسب is primarily the preposition of 'metrics and categories.' Let's compare it with its closest relatives to see where each shines. The most frequent alternative is طبق (tebghe), which is the standard for 'according to' when referring to a written text, a law, a schedule, or a plan. If you are following a recipe or a timetable, tebghe is more natural than bar hasbe.

بر حسب vs. طبق (Tebghe)

Bar hasbe: Used for metrics/sorting (e.g., by size).
Tebghe: Used for rules/documents (e.g., according to the contract).

Next is بر اساس (bar asase), which literally means 'on the basis of.' This is used when one thing is the logical foundation for another. If you are making a decision 'based on' evidence or building a house 'based on' a blueprint, bar asase is the strongest choice. It implies a deeper causal link than bar hasbe. Another synonym is مطابقِ (motabeghe), which means 'in conformity with.' This is often used when two things match or align perfectly, such as 'conformity with international standards.' It is slightly more formal and emphasizes the 'matching' aspect rather than the 'measuring' aspect.

بر حسب vs. به موجبِ (Be Mojebe)

Be mojebe is highly formal and legalistic, meaning 'by virtue of' or 'pursuant to.' It is used almost exclusively in legal verdicts or high-level government decrees.

Finally, there is بنا بر (bana bar), which is often used in news reporting to mean 'according to [a source].' For example, 'Bana bar gozaresh-ha' (According to reports). While bar hasbe could technically be used here, bana bar is the idiomatic standard for citing sources of information. In summary, use bar hasbe when you are dealing with categories, units, metrics, or sorting. Use tebghe for documents, bar asase for foundations, motabeghe for alignment, and bana bar for reporting. Mastering these distinctions is what separates an intermediate learner from an advanced speaker of Persian.

Summary Table

- بر حسب: Metrics, Categories, Units.
- طبق: Laws, Schedules, Plans.
- بر اساس: Foundations, Evidence.
- مطابق: Alignment, Standards.
- بنا بر: Information Sources.