The Persian word از (az) corresponds to the English preposition "of" and is one of the most frequently used prepositions in the Persian language. Understanding its usage is crucial for English speakers learning Persian, as it appears in numerous everyday expressions and grammatical constructions.
Definition: از (az) primarily translates to "of" in English, but also carries meanings of "from," "about," "than," and "since," depending on the context. This multifaceted preposition is essential for expressing possession, origin, comparison, and various other relationships between words.
Question: What does "of" mean in Persian? Answer: The word "of" in Persian is از (az). It is a versatile preposition used to indicate possession, origin, material composition, and various other relationships. For example, "the book of Ahmad" would be کتاب احمد (ketāb-e Ahmad) or کتاب از احمد (ketāb az Ahmad) in certain contexts.
In this lesson, we will explore از (az) through 15 carefully constructed examples that demonstrate its various uses in natural Persian sentences. The examples will show how از functions differently from English "of" in many contexts, helping learners understand when to use it and when Persian employs alternative constructions.
Type: Language Learning Material Subject: Persian Language Level: Beginner to Intermediate Focus: Preposition Usage - از (az) Target Audience: English-speaking autodidacts
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از (az) is more versatile than English "of" and often translates to "from," "about," or "than" -
Persian often uses the ezāfe construction (ـِ) where English would use "of" -
از appears in many idiomatic expressions that don't directly correspond to English -
Understanding از is essential for expressing comparison, origin, and possession -
The preposition از is crucial for forming questions about preferences and choices
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5.1 The این (in) color رنگ (rang) of از (az) sky آسمان (āsemān) is است (ast) blue آبی (ābi)
5.2 A یک (yek) piece تکه (tekke) of از (az) bread نان (nān) fell افتاد (oftād) on روی (ru-ye) the آن (ān) ground زمین (zamin)
5.3 Most بیشتر (bishtar) of از (az) students دانشآموزان (dānesh-āmuzān) came آمدند (āmadand) early زود (zud)
5.4 She او (u) is است (ast) afraid میترسد (mi-tarsad) of از (az) darkness تاریکی (tāriki)
5.5 One یکی (yeki) of از (az) my من (man) friends دوستان (dustān) lives زندگی میکند (zendegi mi-konad) here اینجا (injā)
5.6 The آن (ān) smell بوی (bu-ye) of از (az) roses گلهای سرخ (gol-hā-ye sorkh) filled پر کرد (por kard) the آن (ān) garden باغ (bāgh)
5.7 Three سه (se) of از (az) them آنها (ānhā) didn't نیامدند (nayāmadand) come -- yesterday دیروز (diruz)
5.8 News خبر (khabar) of از (az) his او (u) arrival آمدن (āmadan) reached رسید (resid) us ما (mā) quickly زود (zud)
5.9 Because به خاطر (be khāter) of از (az) rain باران (bārān) we ما (mā) stayed ماندیم (māndim) home خانه (khāne)
5.10 Which کدام (kodām) of از (az) these این (in) books کتابها (ketāb-hā) do you تو (to) want میخواهی (mi-khāhi)?
5.11 Many بسیاری (besyāri) of از (az) people مردم (mardom) think فکر میکنند (fekr mi-konand) that که (ke) way اینطور (intor)
5.12 The آن (ān) taste طعم (ta'm) of از (az) honey عسل (asal) is است (ast) sweet شیرین (shirin)
5.13 Half نیمی (nimi) of از (az) the آن (ān) work کار (kār) remains باقی مانده (bāqi mānde) unfinished ناتمام (nātamām)
5.14 Stories داستانهای (dāstān-hā-ye) of از (az) old قدیم (qadim) times زمانها (zamān-hā) fascinate جذب میکنند (jazb mi-konand) children بچهها (bache-hā)
5.15 None هیچکدام (hichkodām) of از (az) us ما (mā) knew نمیدانستیم (nemi-dānestim) the آن (ān) answer جواب (javāb)
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5.1 رنگ آسمان آبی است. The color of the sky is blue.
5.2 یک تکه از نان روی زمین افتاد. A piece of bread fell on the ground.
5.3 بیشتر دانشآموزان زود آمدند. Most of the students came early.
5.4 او از تاریکی میترسد. She is afraid of darkness.
5.5 یکی از دوستان من اینجا زندگی میکند. One of my friends lives here.
5.6 بوی گلهای سرخ باغ را پر کرد. The smell of roses filled the garden.
5.7 سه نفر از آنها دیروز نیامدند. Three of them didn't come yesterday.
5.8 خبر آمدن او زود به ما رسید. News of his arrival reached us quickly.
5.9 به خاطر باران در خانه ماندیم. Because of rain, we stayed home.
5.10 کدام یک از این کتابها را میخواهی؟ Which of these books do you want?
5.11 بسیاری از مردم اینطور فکر میکنند. Many of people think that way.
5.12 طعم عسل شیرین است. The taste of honey is sweet.
5.13 نیمی از کار ناتمام باقی مانده. Half of the work remains unfinished.
5.14 داستانهای زمانهای قدیم بچهها را جذب میکنند. Stories of old times fascinate children.
5.15 هیچکدام از ما جواب را نمیدانستیم. None of us knew the answer.
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5.1 رنگ آسمان آبی است.
5.2 یک تکه از نان روی زمین افتاد.
5.3 بیشتر دانشآموزان زود آمدند.
5.4 او از تاریکی میترسد.
5.5 یکی از دوستان من اینجا زندگی میکند.
5.6 بوی گلهای سرخ باغ را پر کرد.
5.7 سه نفر از آنها دیروز نیامدند.
5.8 خبر آمدن او زود به ما رسید.
5.9 به خاطر باران در خانه ماندیم.
5.10 کدام یک از این کتابها را میخواهی؟
5.11 بسیاری از مردم اینطور فکر میکنند.
5.12 طعم عسل شیرین است.
5.13 نیمی از کار ناتمام باقی مانده.
5.14 داستانهای زمانهای قدیم بچهها را جذب میکنند.
5.15 هیچکدام از ما جواب را نمیدانستیم.
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The Persian preposition از (az) is considerably more versatile than the English "of" and requires careful attention from English-speaking learners. Here are the essential grammar rules:
1. Primary Uses of از
Unlike English "of," Persian از serves multiple functions: -
Indicating origin or source: از تهران آمدم (az Tehrān āmadam) - "I came from Tehran" -
Expressing fear or emotion: از عنکبوت میترسم (az ankabut mi-tarsam) - "I'm afraid of spiders" -
Making comparisons: او از من بلندتر است (u az man bolandtar ast) - "He is taller than me" -
Indicating material: میز از چوب است (miz az chub ast) - "The table is (made) of wood" -
Expressing cause: از خستگی خوابیدم (az khastegi khābidam) - "I slept from tiredness"
2. The Ezāfe Construction vs. از
Persian often uses the ezāfe (ـِ) where English uses "of": -
English: "the book of Ahmad" → Persian: کتاب احمد (ketāb-e Ahmad) -
NOT: کتاب از احمد (ketāb az Ahmad)
The ezāfe is used for: -
Possession: خانهی علی (khāne-ye Ali) - "Ali's house" -
Description: مرد پیر (mard-e pir) - "old man" -
Material (sometimes): انگشتر طلا (angoshtar-e talā) - "gold ring"
3. Common Mistakes
English speakers often make these errors: -
Overusing از: Not every English "of" translates to از -
Wrong: رنگ از آسمان (rang az āsemān) -
Correct: رنگ آسمان (rang-e āsemān) - "color of sky" -
Confusing partitive uses: -
English: "some of the students" -
Persian: بعضی از دانشآموزان (ba'zi az dānesh-āmuzān) -
Note: از is used here for partitive meaning -
Forgetting از in comparisons: -
Wrong: او من بهتر است (u man behtar ast) -
Correct: او از من بهتر است (u az man behtar ast) - "He is better than me"
4. Step-by-Step Guide for Using از
Step 1: Identify the relationship between words Step 2: If it's possession or description → use ezāfe (ـِ) Step 3: If it's origin, comparison, or cause → use از Step 4: For partitive expressions (some of, many of) → use از Step 5: Check for idiomatic expressions that require از
5. Grammatical Summary
Position: از always comes before the noun it governs Combining: Can combine with other prepositions: از روی (az ru-ye) - "from on" Questions: Often appears in questions with کدام (kodām) - "which" Pronouns: Attaches to pronouns: از من (az man), از تو (az to), از او (az u)
Comparison with English: -
English "of" is more limited in scope -
Persian از covers "of," "from," "than," "about," and more -
English possessive 's often equals Persian ezāfe, not از -
Persian uses different constructions for many English "of" phrases
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Understanding از in Persian requires appreciating its cultural significance. In Persian literature and everyday speech, از appears in numerous idiomatic expressions that reflect Persian cultural values and worldview.
Social Hierarchy and Respect: The use of از in phrases like از شما ممنونم (az shomā mamnunam - "I'm grateful to you") reflects the Persian emphasis on politeness and formal expression of gratitude. The preposition creates a sense of distance and respect.
Poetic Usage: Classical Persian poetry frequently employs از in metaphorical expressions. Poets like Hafez and Rumi use constructions like از عشق (az eshq - "from/of love") to explore spiritual and romantic themes. This usage has influenced modern Persian, where از retains poetic connotations.
Regional Variations: Different Persian-speaking regions may use از differently. In Afghanistan and Tajikistan, some uses of از differ from Iranian Persian, reflecting historical linguistic evolution and contact with other languages.
Modern Usage: In contemporary Persian, especially in informal speech, some uses of از are being simplified or replaced with other constructions. However, formal and written Persian maintains traditional usage patterns.
Emotional Expression: Persian uses از extensively to express emotions and states of being. Phrases like از دست تو (az dast-e to - "because of you" in a complaining sense) show how از helps convey subtle emotional nuances that might require longer explanations in English.
For English speakers, mastering از means understanding not just its grammatical functions but also its role in expressing Persian cultural concepts of relationship, emotion, and social interaction.
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Source: From "The Conference of the Birds" (منطق الطیر - Manteq at-Tayr) by Farid ud-Din Attar, 12th century
We ما (mā) came آمدیم (āmadim) from از (az) the آن (ān) sea دریا (daryā) of از (az) soul جان (jān), and و (va) again باز (bāz) we ما (mā) will خواهیم (khāhim) return برگشت (bargasht) to به (be) it آن (ān). Our ما (mā) origin اصل (asl) is است (ast) from از (az) that آن (ān) ocean اقیانوس (oqyānus) of از (az) light نور (nur), and و (va) our ما (mā) end پایان (pāyān) also هم (ham) is است (ast) there آنجا (ānjā).
از دریای جان آمدیم و باز به آن برخواهیم گشت. اصل ما از آن اقیانوس نور است و پایان ما هم آنجاست.
We came from the sea of soul, and we shall return to it again. Our origin is from that ocean of light, and our end is also there.
از دریای جان آمدیم و باز به آن برخواهیم گشت. اصل ما از آن اقیانوس نور است و پایان ما هم آنجاست.
This passage beautifully demonstrates the spiritual use of از in classical Persian literature. Notice: -
از دریای جان (az daryā-ye jān) - "from the sea of soul" uses از to indicate origin, while the ezāfe connects "sea" and "soul" -
اصل ما از (asl-e mā az) - "our origin (is) from" shows how Persian uses از to express source or origin in philosophical contexts -
The repetition of از emphasizes the theme of spiritual origin and return, a central concept in Sufi poetry -
Note how Persian uses both از and ezāfe (ـِ) to create complex possessive and descriptive relationships: دریای جان (daryā-ye jān) uses ezāfe, while movement from this sea requires از -
The parallel structure (آمدیم/برخواهیم گشت) with از creates a poetic symmetry typical of Persian mystical literature
This excerpt exemplifies how از functions not merely as a grammatical tool but as a carrier of deep spiritual meaning in Persian literary tradition.
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5.16 Reports گزارشها (gozāresh-hā) of از (az) earthquake زلزله (zelzele) arrived رسیدند (residand) from از (az) southern جنوب (jonub) provinces استانها (ostān-hā) this این (in) morning صبح (sobh)
5.17 The آن (ān) minister وزیر (vazir) of [ezāfe] health بهداشت (behdāsht) spoke صحبت کرد (sohbat kard) of از (az) new جدید (jadid) medical پزشکی (pezeshki) facilities امکانات (emkānāt) yesterday دیروز (diruz)
5.18 Thousands هزاران (hezārān) of از (az) citizens شهروندان (shahrvandān) participated شرکت کردند (sherkat kardand) in در (dar) the آن (ān) ceremony مراسم (marāsem)
5.19 Because به دلیل (be dalil) of از (az) heavy سنگین (sangin) traffic ترافیک (terāfik), many بسیاری (besyāri) of از (az) students دانشجویان (dāneshjuyān) arrived رسیدند (residand) late دیر (dir)
5.20 The آن (ān) price قیمت (qeymat) of [ezāfe] gold طلا (talā) increased افزایش یافت (afzāyesh yāft) ten ده (dah) percent درصد (darsad) because به خاطر (be khāter) of از (az) global جهانی (jahāni) changes تغییرات (taghyirāt)
5.21 Representatives نمایندگان (namāyandegān) of از (az) several چندین (chandin) countries کشورها (keshvar-hā) met ملاقات کردند (molāqāt kardand) in در (dar) Tehran تهران (Tehrān) today امروز (emruz)
5.22 Most اکثر (aksar) of از (az) the آن (ān) factories کارخانهها (kārkhāne-hā) north شمال (shomāl) of از (az) the آن (ān) city شهر (shahr) resumed از سر گرفتند (az sar gereftand) work کار (kār)
5.23 The آن (ān) results نتایج (natāyej) of [ezāfe] investigation تحقیقات (tahqiqāt) will خواهند (khāhand) be بود (bud) announced اعلام (e'lām) at در (dar) the آن (ān) end پایان (pāyān) of [ezāfe] week هفته (hafte)
5.24 Hundreds صدها (sad-hā) of از (az) protesters معترضان (mo'tarezān) gathered جمع شدند (jam' shodand) in front جلوی (jolo-ye) of [ezāfe] parliament مجلس (majles) building ساختمان (sākhtomān)
5.25 Export صادرات (sāderāt) of [ezāfe] oil نفت (naft) increased افزایش یافت (afzāyesh yāft) because به علت (be ellat) of از (az) rise افزایش (afzāyesh) in در (dar) demand تقاضا (taqāzā)
5.26 Members اعضای (a'zā-ye) of از (az) opposition مخالف (mokhālef) criticized انتقاد کردند (enteqād kardand) policies سیاستهای (siyāsat-hā-ye) of [ezāfe] government دولت (dowlat)
5.27 The آن (ān) number تعداد (te'dād) of [ezāfe] tourists گردشگران (gardeshgarān) decreased کاهش یافت (kāhesh yāft) fifty پنجاه (panjāh) percent درصد (darsad) because به دلیل (be dalil) of از (az) pandemic همهگیری (hame-giri)
5.28 Officials مقامات (maqāmāt) of از (az) ministry وزارت (vezārat) of [ezāfe] education آموزش (āmuzesh) announced اعلام کردند (e'lām kardand) new جدید (jadid) programs برنامهها (barnāme-hā)
5.29 Many بسیاری (besyāri) of از (az) analysts تحلیلگران (tahlilgarān) predict پیشبینی میکنند (pish-bini mi-konand) improvement بهبود (behbud) of [ezāfe] economic اقتصادی (eqtesādi) situation وضعیت (vaz'iyat)
5.30 The آن (ān) conference کنفرانس (konferāns) of [ezāfe] leaders رهبران (rahbarān) of از (az) region منطقه (mantaqe) ended پایان یافت (pāyān yāft) with با (bā) signing امضای (emzā-ye) of [ezāfe] agreement توافقنامه (tavāfoq-nāme)
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5.16 گزارشهایی از زلزله از استانهای جنوبی امروز صبح رسیدند. Reports of earthquake arrived from southern provinces this morning.
5.17 وزیر بهداشت دیروز از امکانات پزشکی جدید صحبت کرد. The minister of health spoke of new medical facilities yesterday.
5.18 هزاران نفر از شهروندان در مراسم شرکت کردند. Thousands of citizens participated in the ceremony.
5.19 به دلیل ترافیک سنگین، بسیاری از دانشجویان دیر رسیدند. Because of heavy traffic, many of the students arrived late.
5.20 قیمت طلا به خاطر تغییرات جهانی ده درصد افزایش یافت. The price of gold increased ten percent because of global changes.
5.21 نمایندگانی از چندین کشور امروز در تهران ملاقات کردند. Representatives of several countries met in Tehran today.
5.22 اکثر کارخانههای شمال شهر کار را از سر گرفتند. Most of the factories north of the city resumed work.
5.23 نتایج تحقیقات در پایان هفته اعلام خواهد شد. The results of investigation will be announced at the end of week.
5.24 صدها نفر از معترضان جلوی ساختمان مجلس جمع شدند. Hundreds of protesters gathered in front of parliament building.
5.25 صادرات نفت به علت افزایش تقاضا افزایش یافت. Export of oil increased because of rise in demand.
5.26 اعضایی از مخالفان از سیاستهای دولت انتقاد کردند. Members of opposition criticized policies of government.
5.27 تعداد گردشگران به دلیل همهگیری پنجاه درصد کاهش یافت. The number of tourists decreased fifty percent because of pandemic.
5.28 مقامات وزارت آموزش برنامههای جدید را اعلام کردند. Officials of ministry of education announced new programs.
5.29 بسیاری از تحلیلگران بهبود وضعیت اقتصادی را پیشبینی میکنند. Many of analysts predict improvement of economic situation.
5.30 کنفرانس رهبران منطقه با امضای توافقنامه پایان یافت. The conference of leaders of region ended with signing of agreement.
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5.16 گزارشهایی از زلزله از استانهای جنوبی امروز صبح رسیدند.
5.17 وزیر بهداشت دیروز از امکانات پزشکی جدید صحبت کرد.
5.18 هزاران نفر از شهروندان در مراسم شرکت کردند.
5.19 به دلیل ترافیک سنگین، بسیاری از دانشجویان دیر رسیدند.
5.20 قیمت طلا به خاطر تغییرات جهانی ده درصد افزایش یافت.
5.21 نمایندگانی از چندین کشور امروز در تهران ملاقات کردند.
5.22 اکثر کارخانههای شمال شهر کار را از سر گرفتند.
5.23 نتایج تحقیقات در پایان هفته اعلام خواهد شد.
5.24 صدها نفر از معترضان جلوی ساختمان مجلس جمع شدند.
5.25 صادرات نفت به علت افزایش تقاضا افزایش یافت.
5.26 اعضایی از مخالفان از سیاستهای دولت انتقاد کردند.
5.27 تعداد گردشگران به دلیل همهگیری پنجاه درصد کاهش یافت.
5.28 مقامات وزارت آموزش برنامههای جدید را اعلام کردند.
5.29 بسیاری از تحلیلگران بهبود وضعیت اقتصادی را پیشبینی میکنند.
5.30 کنفرانس رهبران منطقه با امضای توافقنامه پایان یافت.
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1. Distinguishing از from Ezāfe in Headlines
News reporting demonstrates clearly when to use از versus ezāfe: -
Title + Organization: وزیر بهداشت (vazir-e behdāsht) - "minister of health" (ezāfe) -
Reports from a source: گزارش از تهران (gozāresh az Tehrān) - "report from Tehran" (از)
2. Common News Patterns with از
Reporting Sources: -
از ... گزارش شد (az ... gozāresh shod) - "it was reported from..." -
به نقل از (be naql az) - "according to" (literally: "quoted from") -
از قول (az qowl) - "quoting from"
Quantitative Expressions: -
... درصد از (... darsad az) - "... percent of" -
بسیاری از (besyāri az) - "many of" -
تعدادی از (te'dādi az) - "a number of"
3. Formal Register Requirements
In news Persian, certain constructions are preferred: -
Formal: به دلیل (be dalil) + noun rather than از + verb -
Example: به دلیل بارش باران not از باریدن باران
4. Common Mistakes in News Context -
Using از where ezāfe is required for official titles -
Forgetting از in percentage expressions -
Overusing از in place of other prepositions like در (dar) or به (be)
5. Stylistic Considerations
News Persian often: -
Places prepositional phrases with از at the beginning for emphasis -
Uses parallel structures with از for clarity -
Avoids multiple از phrases in one sentence to prevent confusion
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This lesson is part of a comprehensive language learning series developed according to the principles outlined at latinum.substack.com and latinum.org.uk. The method emphasizes detailed interlinear translation, allowing autodidacts to understand both the structure and meaning of the target language simultaneously.
The course curator, Evan der Millner BA MA (Cantab. NZ, London), has been creating innovative online language learning materials since 2006. His approach combines traditional philological methods with modern pedagogical insights, making complex languages accessible to self-directed learners.
These lessons are particularly useful for autodidacts because they: -
Provide word-by-word analysis with transliteration -
Include authentic literary texts with detailed explanations -
Offer cultural context essential for true language comprehension -
Present grammar in digestible, practical segments -
Use a variety of genres to expose learners to different registers
The Latinum Institute's approach has received positive recognition from learners worldwide, as evidenced by reviews at https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/latinum.org.uk.
Each lesson builds systematically on previous knowledge while introducing new concepts through authentic usage rather than artificial examples. This method has proven effective for independent learners who want to develop genuine reading competence in their target language.
For a complete index of available courses and languages, please visit: https://latinum.substack.com/p/index
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