What it means
مؤدب (mo’addab) describes a person who is polite, well-mannered, and courteous. It comes directly from Arabic, where it is the Form II passive participle of the verb derived from ادب (adab), a rich Arabic concept covering culture, etiquette, and literary refinement. In Persian, the word is used plainly to mean someone who behaves respectfully and knows the social rules. Its natural opposite is بیادب (bi-adab), meaning rude or ill-mannered, which shares the same Arabic root.
How to use it
- بچههاش خیلی مؤدبن. (bache-hash kheyli mo’addab-an.) “His kids are very polite.”
- مؤدبانه ازش تشکر کردم. (mo’addabane azash tashakkor kardam.) “I thanked him politely.”
- یه آدم مؤدب باش. (ye adam-e mo’addab bash.) “Be a well-mannered person.”
- توی جلسه خیلی مؤدب رفتار کرد. (tu-ye jalase kheyli mo’addab raftar kard.) “She behaved very politely in the meeting.”
Cultural note
Politeness, or ادب (adab), is a core social value in Iranian culture, deeply tied to the elaborate system of ta’arof (تعارف), the Persian art of formal courtesy and social ritual. Being called مؤدب is a genuine compliment, especially for children and young people. Parents often coach children with the phrase “مؤدب باش” (mo’addab bash), “be polite,” before entering formal settings. The concept of adab itself stretches back through classical Persian and Arabic literature, where it also meant the cultivation of the mind through proper learning and conduct.