Proverbs are the distilled wisdom of generations, often passed down from one person to another. They are short, common sayings or phrases that offer advice or express a universal truth. For anyone interested in learning Persian language and literature, Persian proverbs are an essential part of the journey. They not only enhance your understanding of the language but also provide insights into the culture and mindset of Persian-speaking societies.
Whether you’re diving into Persian literature, engaging in conversation, or just exploring the language, these proverbs will provide you with a wealth of knowledge and understanding. In this blog post, we’ll explore 101 Persian proverbs, each with its own unique lesson. To enhance accessibility for Persian learners, we’ve provided English translations and equivalent English proverbs for each Persian proverb. Additionally, we’ve included literary sources where applicable.
But before we dive into the list, let’s first understand why learning Persian proverbs is so beneficial.
Why Learn Persian Proverbs?
Cultural Insight and Understanding
Proverbs offer a glimpse into the values, beliefs, and priorities of Persian-speaking cultures. By learning them, you can gain a deeper understanding of how people think, what they value, and how they approach various aspects of life. For example, the proverb “دو صد گفته چون نیم کردار نیست” emphasizes the importance of deeds over promises, reflecting a culture that values practical results.
Improving Language Fluency
Integrating proverbs into your vocabulary can make your spoken and written Persian more natural and fluent. They allow you to express complex ideas in a concise and relatable way, making your communication more effective. For instance, instead of explaining the importance of taking advantage of an opportunity as soon as it arises, you could simply say, “تا تنور داغه نون رو بچسبون”
Enriching Your Vocabulary
Proverbs introduce you to new words and phrases, often in contexts you might not encounter in standard textbooks. This expands your vocabulary and helps you understand how words can be used in different situations. For example, the proverb “علاج واقعه قبل از وقوع باید کرد” teaches not only the value of prompt action but also the meaning of the word “علاج” outside of a medicine/healthcare context.
Enhancing Reading Comprehension
Many Persian literature works, including classic poems, and modern novels frequently reference or use proverbs. Understanding these proverbs can enhance your comprehension of these texts, allowing you to appreciate the layers of meaning and the author’s intentions. For example, recognizing the proverb ” هر گردی گردو نیست ” can help you understand a character’s skepticism about appearances in a story.
Developing Critical Thinking
Proverbs often encapsulate complex ideas in a few words, encouraging you to think critically about their meaning and application. They provoke thought, prompting you to consider different perspectives and apply the wisdom to real-life situations. For example, the proverb “همهٔ تخم مرغ هایت را در یک سبد نذار” encourages reflection on risk management and diversification.
How to Use Proverbs in Everyday Persian
Learning proverbs is one thing, but using them correctly in conversation or writing is another. Here are a few tips to help you integrate proverbs into your Persian usage:
- Context is key: Make sure the proverb you choose fits the situation. For example, ” همهٔ تخم مرغ هایت را در یک سبد نذار ” is great advice for financial planning, but it might not be relevant in a conversation about relationships.
- Practice regularly: Try to use one or two proverbs a day in your conversations or writing. This will help you remember them and understand their meanings more deeply.
- Understand the nuances: Some proverbs may have a more literal meaning, while others might be more metaphorical. Understanding these nuances will help you use them more effectively. To deepen your understanding, we recommend participating in our workshops and 1-one-1 classes or referring to the book 1001 Persian-English Proverbs by Simin K. Habibian.
In our Persian language courses, such as Selections from the Golestan of Sa’di (1) and The Little Black Fish, you will encounter a rich variety of proverbs, proverbial phrases, and idioms, where such expressions are deeply woven into the curriculum.
Note on Selection Criteria
The proverbs selected in this post are chosen based on two primary criteria:
- Most Used Persian Proverbs: These are the proverbs you are most likely to encounter in everyday Persian conversation and literature.
- Near Equivalence in English: Each Persian proverb is paired with an English equivalent to help you draw parallels between the two languages and cultures.
We will update this post in the future to include additional proverbs that meet these criteria. Be sure to visit again for new additions and insights!
101 Essential Persian Proverbs
| فارسی | English |
|---|---|
| آب رفته به جو برنمیگرده. صائب تبریزی: درحفظ آبرو ز گهر باش سختتر | کاین آب رفته باز نیاید به جوی خویش | Trans. The water that has gone will not return to the stream. Equiv. What is done cannot be undone (Shakespeare, Macbeth). |
| آشپز كه دو تا شد، آش يا شور میشه یا بينمک. | Trans. When there are two cooks, the soup becomes either too salty or bland. Equiv. Too many cooks spoil the broth. |
| از آب گلآلود ماهی گرفتن. | Trans. Fishing in muddy waters. Equiv. Fish in troubled waters. |
| از تو به یک اشاره، از من به سر دویدن. همام تبریزی: موقوف التفاتم تا کی رسد اجازت | از دوست یک اشارت از ما به سر دویدن | Trans. With just a gesture from you, I’ll run to you by my head (I’ll run headlong). Equiv. Your wish is my command. |
| از تو حرکت از خدا برکت. | Trans. You make the move, God will bless it. Equiv. God helps those who help themselves |
| از چاله درآمدن و توی چاه افتادن. | Trans. Getting out of a pit and falling into a well. Equiv. To fall from the frying pan into the fire. |
| از دل برود هر آنکه از دیده رود. جامی، رباعیات: از دل برود هر آنچه از دیده برفت | Trans. Out of sight, out of mind. Equiv. Long absent, soon forgotten. |
| از هر دست بدی، از همون دست میگیری. | Trans. Whatever you give, you’ll get back the same. Equiv. What goes around comes around. |
| اندکی جمال به از بسیاری مال. گلستان سعدی، باب سوم، حکایت 27 | Trans. A little beauty is better than a lot of wealth. Equiv. Beauty opens locked doors. |
| این گوری که سرش گریه میکنی، مرده نداره. | Trans. The grave you’re mourning at has no corpse. Equiv. Barking up the wrong tree. |
| با دم شیر بازی نکن. | Trans. Don’t play with the lion’s tail. Equiv. If you play with fire, you’ll get burned. |
| با یک تیر دو نشان زدن. | Trans. Hitting two targets with one arrow. Equiv. Kill two birds with one stone. |
| با یک دست نمیشه دو تا هندوانه برداشت. | Trans. You can’t carry two watermelons with one hand. Equiv. You can’t dance at two weddings. |
| با یه گل بهار نمیشه! | Trans. One flower doesn’t make spring. Equiv. One swallow does not make summer. |
| باد آورده رو باد میبره. | Trans. What the wind brings, the wind will take away. Equiv. Easy come, easy go. |
| برو این دام بر مرغی دگر نه … حافظ: برو این دام بر مرغی دگر نه | که عنقا را بلند است آشیانه | Trans. Set this trap for another bird, for the phoenix has a lofty nest. Equiv. You can not catch old birds with chaff |
| به مرگ میگیره تا به تب راضی بشه. | Trans. Threatening with death to make someone accept a fever. Equiv. Ask much to have a little. |
| بى خبرى، خوش خبرى. | Trans. No news is good news. Equiv. No news is good news “ |
| پسر کو ندارد نشان از پدر | تو بیگانه خوان و مخوانش پسر ابوالحسن فراهانی (از شاعران سدهٔ یازدهم) | Trans. A son who doesn’t resemble his father, consider him a stranger, not a son. Equiv. Like father, like son |
| پول علف خرس نیست. | Trans. Money is not bear’s grass. Equiv. Money doesn’t grow on trees. |
| تا تنور داغه نون رو بچسبون. | Trans. While the oven is hot, stick the bread to the oven (bake it). Equiv. Strike while the iron is hot |
| تا نباشد چوب تر، فرمان نبرد گاو و خر. | Trans. Without a stick, the cow and donkey won’t obey. Equiv. Spare the rod and spoil the child |
| تا نباشد چیزکی مردم نگویند چیزها. | Trans. Unless there is a little something, people do not say things. Equiv. There is no smoke without fire |
| تر و خشک با هم میسوزن. | Trans. Both the wet and the dry burn together. Equiv. Everyone is in the same boat. |
| تربیت نا اهل را چون گردکان بر گنبد است. گلستان سعدی، باب اول، حکایت 4: پرتوِ نیکان نگیرد هر که بنیادش بد است | تربیت نااهل را چون گِردِکان بر گنبد است | Trans. The upbringing of an unworthy one is like a walnut on a dome. Equiv. You can’t teach an old dog new tricks. |
| ترک عادت موجب مرض است. | Trans. Breaking a habit brings illness. Equiv. Old habits die hard. |
| تره به تخمش میره، حسنی به باباش. | Trans. The leek follows its seed, and Hasan (A name for boys) follows his father. Equiv. The apple never falls far from the tree. |
| تفرقه بنداز و حکومت کن. | Trans. Divide and govern (Latin: divide et impera). Equiv. Divide and conquer. |
| تو را که خانه نیین است، بازی نه این است. گلستان سعدی، باب هفتم، حکایت ۱۳ | Trans. This game is not suitable for you whose house is made of straw. Equiv. People who live in glass houses should not throw stones. |
| توانا بود هر که دانا بود. | Trans. Every who is wise, becomes capable/mighty. Equiv. Knowledge is power. |
| توبهٔ گرگ مرگه. | Trans. The wolf’s repentance is death. Equiv. You may end him but you’ll not mend him. |
| جانا سخن از زبان ما می گویی. | Trans. Oh dear, you speak from my tongue. Equiv. You took the words out of my mouth. |
| جلوی ضرر رو هر موقع بگیری سوده. | Trans. Anytime you stop a loss, it’s a gain. Equiv. Better lose the saddle than the horse. |
| جنگ اول به از صلح آخر. | Trans. If all conditions are determined at the beginning of a task (even with extensive discussion and debate), it is much better than ending up in conflicts and reconciliation due to the lack of clear rules. Equiv. A word before is worth two after. |
| جوجه رو آخر پاییز میشمرن. | Trans. They count the chick at the end of autumn. Equiv. Don’t count your chickens before they hatch. |
| چراغی که به منزل رواست به مسجد حرام است. | Trans. A lamp needed at home is forbidden for the mosque. Equiv. Charity begins at home. |
| چون بد آید هر چه آید بد شود. وثوقالدوله، قصیده لامیه: چون بد آید هر چه آید بد شود | یک بلا ده گردد و ده صد شود | Trans. When bad luck comes, everything becomes bad. Equiv. When it rains, it pours. |
| حساب حسابه، كاكا برادر. | Trans. A deal is a deal, brother (informal, often used affectionately) is a brother. (But we separate these two matters of business and friendship.) Equiv. Bargain is bargain. |
| حقیقت مثل ته خیار تلخه. | Trans. The truth is bitter, like the end of a cucumber. Equiv. Nothing hurts like the truth. |
| خنده بهترین درمان است. | Trans. Laughter is the best medicine. Equiv. Laughter is the best medicine. |
| خواستن توانستن است. | Trans. Wanting is being able (to do it). Equiv. When there is a will, there is a way. |
| خواهی نشوی رسوا، همرنگ جماعت شو. | Trans. If you don’t want to become disgraced, become the same color as the group. Equiv. When in Rome, do as the Romans do. |
| خود کرده را تدبیر نیست. انوری: انوری خود کرده را تدبیر چیست | زهرخند و خونگری خود کردهای | Trans. There is no remedy for what one has done to oneself. Equiv. You must lie on the bed you have made. |
| در نا امیدی بسی امید است … نظامی: لیلی و مجنون: در نا امیدی بسی امید است | پایان شب سیه سفید است | Trans. In despair, there is much hope. Equiv. Every cloud has a silver lining. |
| دندون اسب پیشکشی را نمیشمرند. | Trans. They do not count the gift horse’s teeth. Equiv. Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth. |
| دو صد گفته چون نیم کردار نیست. اسدی توسی، گرشاسپنامه: هنرها سراسر به گفتار نیست | دو صد گفت چون نیم کردار نیست | Trans. Two hundred words are not worth half a deed. Equiv. Actions speak louder than words. |
| دوست آن باشد که گیرد دست دوست | در پریشان حالی و درماندگی گلستان سعدی، باب اول، حکایت 16: دوست آن دانم که گیرد دستِ دوست | در پریشانحالی و درماندگی | Trans. A friend is one who takes the hand of a friend in distress and helplessness. Equiv. A friend in need, is a friend indeed. |
| دیر رسیدن بهتر از هرگز نرسیدن است. | Trans. Better late than never. Equiv. Better late than never. |
| دیگ به دیگ میگه روت سیاه. | Trans. The pot says to the pot, ‘Your face is black.’ Equiv. The pot calling the kettle black. |
| … رهرو آن است که آهسته و پیوسته رود. بیت کامل: رهرو آن نیست که گه تند و گهی خسته رود | رهرو آن است که آهسته و پیوسته رود | Trans. A wayfarer is not one who sometimes goes fast and sometimes tired; a wayfarer is one who goes slowly and steadily. Equiv. Slow and steady wins the race. |
| روز از نو، روزی از نو. | Trans. A new day, a new beginning. Equiv. Another day, another dollar. |
| روزهٔ شکدار نگیر. | Trans. If you doubt your intention for fasting, don’t fast. Equiv. When in doubt, do nothing. |
| زیره به کرمان بردن. | Trans. Bringing cumin to Kerman (a city in Iran that has long been known as one of the main centers for the production and trade of cumin). Equiv. To carry coals to Newcastle. |
| سالی که نکوست از بهارش پیداست. شیخ بهایی، رباعی شمارهٔ 15 | Trans. You can tell a good year from its spring. Equiv. A good beginning makes a good end. |
| سحر خیز باش تا کامروا شوی. | Trans. Be an early riser to be successful. Equiv. The early bird catches the worm. |
| سرکه نقد به از حلوای نسیه است. | Trans. vinegar in cash is better than sweet on credit. Equiv. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. |
| سرنا را از ته گشاد آن زدن. | Trans. Blowing the trumpet from the wrong end. Equiv. To put the cart before the horse. |
| سری که درد نمیکند دستمال نمیبندند. | Trans. Don’t bandage a head that doesn’t hurt. Equiv. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. |
| سنگ بزرگ علامت نزدنه. | Trans. A big stone is a sign it won’t be thrown. Equiv. Barking dogs, seldom bite. |
| شانس یکبار در خونه آدم رو میزنه. | Trans. Luck knocks on your door only once. Equiv. Take a chance while it is available. |
| شاهنامه آخرش خوشه. | Trans. The ending of the Shahnameh is happy. Equiv. All is well that ends well. |
| شتر دیدی، ندیدی. | Trans. You haven’t seen the camel that you saw. Equiv. See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil. |
| عاقبت تخم مرغ دزد شتردزد میشه. | Trans. A thief of eggs will become a thief of camels. Equiv. He that will steal an egg will steal an ox. |
| عجله كار شيطونه. | Trans. Hurry is the devil’s craft. Equiv. All Haste Comes from the Devil (haste makes waste). |
| عروس نمیتونه برقصه، میگه زمین کجه. | Trans. The bride can’t dance, she blames the floor. Equiv. A poor workman blames his tools. |
| علاج واقعه قبل از وقوع باید کرد. | Trans. Prevention is better than cure. Equiv. a stitch in time saves nine. |
| علف باید به دهن بزی شرینی بیاد. | Trans. The grass must taste sweet to the goat. Equiv. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. |
| قطره قطره جمع گردد وانگهی دریا شود. فیض کاشانی: قطره قطره جمع گردد عاقبت دریا شود | Trans. Drop by drop, the sea is made. Equiv. Many a little make a mickle. |
| كس نخارد پشت من جز ناخن انگشت من. | Trans. No one scratches my back like my own nails. Equiv. you want a thing done, do it yourself. |
| کاچى به از هيچى. | Trans. Porridge is better than nothing. Equiv. Half a loaf is better than no bread. |
| کار از محکمکاری عیب نمیکنه. | Trans. Reinforcement does not spoil the work. Equiv. Always have two strings to your bow. |
| کار امروز را به فردا نینداز. | Trans. Don’t put off till tomorrow what you can do today. Equiv. Never put off until tomorrow what you can do today. |
| کار نيکو کردن از پر کردن است. نظامی، هفت پیکر: گفت پُر کرده شهریار این کار | کار پُر کرده کی بود دشوار؟! | Trans. Doing a good job comes from doing it often. Equiv. Practice makes perfect. |
| کبوتر با کبوتر باز با باز … نظامی، خسرو و شیرین: کند با جنس خود هر جنس پرواز | کبوتر با کبوتر، باز با باز | Trans. Every kind flies with its own kind. A pigeon flies with a pigeon, a hawk flies with a hawk. Equiv. Birds of a feather flock together. |
| کفگیرش به ته دیگ خورده. | Trans. His ladle has hit the bottom of the pot. Equiv. He is scraping the bottom of the barrel. |
| کل اگر طبیب بودی، سر خود دوا نمودی. | Trans. If the bald man was a doctor, he would have cured his own head. Equiv. Physician, heal thyself. |
| کنار گود نشستی میگی لنگش کن. | Trans. You are sitting beside the wrestling mat and you are saying “make him limp”. Equiv. You are a backseat driver. |
| کوری عصاکش کور دگر شود. | Trans. The blind leads the blind. Equiv. The blind leading the blind. |
| کوزه گر از کوزه شکسته آب می خوره. | Trans. The potter drinks from a broken pot. Equiv. The shoemaker’s wife goes the worst shod. |
| گر صبر کنی ز غوره حلوا سازی. | Trans. If you are patient, you can make halva from sour grapes. Equiv. Good things come to those who wait = Rome was not built in a day. |
| گنج بی مار و گل بی خار نیست. | Trans. There’s no treasure without a snake, no rose without a thorn. Equiv. You buy land, you buy stones, you buy meat, and you buy bones. |
| لقمهٔ بزرگتر از دهان برداشتن. | Trans. Biting off more than you can chew. Equiv. To bite off more than you can chew. |
| مارگزیده از ریسمان سیاه و سفید می ترسه. | Trans. The snake-bitten one is afraid of a black and white rope. Equiv. A burnt child dreads the fire. |
| ماهی را هر وقت از آب بگیری تازه است. | Trans. The fish is fresh whenever you catch it. Equiv. It’s never too late to mend. #NeverTooLate #SecondChance |
| مرغ همسایه غازه. | Trans. The neighbor’s chicken is a goose. Equiv. The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. |
| مشت نمونهی خرواره. | Trans. A handful is a sample of the pile. Equiv. You may know by a handful the whole sack. |
| نابرده رنج گنج میسر نمیشود … سعدی،قصیده شمارهٔ 12: نابرده رنج گنج میسر نمی شود | مزد آن گرفت جان برادر که کار کرد | Trans. No hardship, no treasure | Oh brother, the reward (wages) is dedicated to whom who worked. Equiv. No pain, no gain. |
| نانش در روغن است. | Trans. His bread is buttered. Equiv. His bread is buttered on both sides / He’s living on Easy Street. |
| نه خود خورد نه کس دهد، گنده کند به سگ دهد. | Trans. He doesn’t eat it, doesn’t give it to others, lets it rot to feed the dog. Equiv. He is a dog in the manger. |
| نوشدارو بعد از مرگ سهراب. | Trans. Medicine after the death of Sohrab. Equiv. After death, the doctor. |
| نوکه اومد به بازار، كهنه میشه دل آزار. | Trans. When something new comes to the market, the old becomes bothersome. Equiv. Out with the old, in with the new. |
| هر جا بری آسمون همین رنگه. | Trans. Wherever you go, the sky is the same color. Equiv. All roads lead to Rome. |
| هر چقدر پول بدی، همونقدر آش میخوری. | Trans. The amount of soup you eat is proportional to the amount of money you pay. Equiv. You get what you pay for. |
| هر چه پیش آید خوش آید. | Trans. Whatever happens, happens for the best. Equiv. Whatever comes up is welcomed. |
| هر کاری راهی دارد. | Trans. Everything has a way. Equiv. You can catch more flies with honey than you can with vinegar. |
| هر که بامش بیش، برفش بیشتر. “ | Trans. The more your roof, the more snow it catches. Equiv. Much coin, much care. |
| هر گردی گردو نیست. | Trans. Not everything round is a walnut. Equiv. All that glitters isn’t gold. |
| هم خدا رو میخواد، هم خرما رو. ~ هم خر رو میخواد، هم خرما رو. | Trans. He wants both God and the dates. ~ He wants both the donkey and the dates. Equiv. You can not burn the candle at both ends = You can not sell the cow and drink the milk = You can’t have your cake and eat it too. |
| همهٔ تخم مرغ هات را در یک سبد نذار. | Trans. Don’t put all of your eggs in one basket. Equiv. Don’t put all of your eggs in one basket. |
| هیچ جا خونه خود آدم نمیشه. | Trans. There’s no place like home. Equiv. East, west, home’s best. |
| وقت طلاست. | Trans. Time is gold. Equiv. Time is money. |
| یکی به میخ و یکی به نعل زدن. | Trans. Striking both the nail and the horseshoe. Equiv. To run with the hare and hunt with the hounds. |
| یه دست صدا نداره. | Trans. One hand does not clap. Equiv. It takes two to tango. |
Conclusion
Proverbs are a powerful tool in mastering Persian, offering insights into the language and the culture behind it. By learning these 101 proverbs, you can enrich your vocabulary, improve your communication skills, and gain a deeper appreciation of Persian literature.
Whether you’re a student, a traveler, or simply a language enthusiast, these proverbs are your gateway to becoming more fluent and culturally aware. So, the next time you’re reading a book, having a conversation, or even writing an essay, remember: “دو صد گفته چون نیم کردار نیست” and start using these proverbs to make your Persian truly shine!
Go Deeper with Sa’di’s Golestan
Enjoyed this glimpse into Persian wisdom? Many proverbs, like “تربیت نا اهل را…”, come directly from literary masterpieces.
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We invite you to join the conversation by leaving a comment below. Do you know other Persian proverbs that we haven’t included? Share them with us! If you have questions or thoughts on the proverbs listed, we’d love to hear your insights. Let’s make this a space for discussion and learning.
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What a fantastic collection of Persian proverbs! My partner, who is Iranian, often shares these with me, and it’s amazing to see how much wisdom is packed into just a few words. The English equivalents really help bridge the gap between the two cultures. I especially appreciate the inclusion of literary sources—it adds so much depth! Looking forward to learning more and incorporating these into my Persian conversations. Thank you for this wonderful resource!
Thank you so much for your kind words! It’s wonderful to hear that these Persian proverbs resonate with you and that they help bridge cultural connections. Persian proverbs are truly rich in wisdom, and knowing their literary roots adds even more depth to their meaning. We’re delighted that you find them useful for your Persian conversations! Stay tuned for more, and feel free to share your favorites with us. 😊
An ideal resource to continue my Persian studies.
Thank you for sharing.
Wow, this is such a fantastic resource—seeing all these proverbs with their translations has me super excited to dive in and understand the culture better!
That said, I’m a little concerned that without phonetic transliterations (or audio clips), it might be tricky for beginners like me to pronounce them correctly and actually use them in conversation.
Also, my italki teacher is based in Iran and their internet has been quite unstable lately, so I’ve been actively looking for extra resources to keep progressing on my own—and this collection of proverbs has honestly been incredibly helpful for that.
Still, huge thanks for putting this together.
Hi Aron,
Thanks for the fantastic feedback! You’re absolutely right about the pronunciation. We’re actually planning to turn this post into a YouTube video soon so you can hear the exact pronunciations.
Also, since we’re based in Istanbul, our site, YouTube channel (@joyofpersian), and full courses are 100% accessible without any internet disruptions. They are a perfect, stable resource to keep your Farsi sharp while your iTalki classes are on hold. Stay tuned!