What it means
عقب (aqab) means back, rear, or behind. The word entered Persian from Arabic, where the root ع-ق-ب relates to the heel and the back of something. In everyday spoken Persian it covers both physical position, as in standing behind someone, and the sense of being delayed or lagging. Its natural opposite is جلو (jolo), meaning front or forward. You will hear it constantly in traffic, in queues, and when giving directions.
How to use it
- عقب وایسا (aqab vaysa) “Stand back.”
- ماشین عقبِ خونهست (mâshin aqab-e khunaste) “The car is behind the house.”
- کارم عقب افتاده (kâram aqab oftâde) “My work has fallen behind.”
- برو عقبتر (boro aqab-tar) “Move further back.”
Cultural note
In Tehran traffic, عقب (aqab) is one of the most common words a parking attendant or a pedestrian will shout at a driver. The phrase عقب عقب (aqab aqab), meaning reverse slowly, is almost a ritual chant in tight alleyways. Beyond directions, Iranians use عقب افتادن (aqab oftâdan) to describe falling behind on work, payments, or studies, carrying a mild sense of anxiety rather than neutral delay.