What it means
مدیر (modir) means manager or director. The word comes from Arabic, from the root د-و-ر (d-w-r), related to the idea of running or administering something. In Persian it covers a wide range: a school principal, a department head, a company CEO, or even the manager of a small shop. A close synonym in formal contexts is رئیس (ra’is), which leans more toward head or chief, while مدیر implies day-to-day operational responsibility.
How to use it
- مدیر مدرسه خیلی سختگیره. (modir-e madrese kheyli sakhtgire.) “The school principal is very strict.”
- باید با مدیر صحبت کنم. (bâyad bâ modir sohbat konam.) “I need to talk to the manager.”
- اون مدیر کل شرکته. (un modir-e kol-e sherkate.) “He is the general director of the company.”
- مدیر جدید خیلی فرق داره با قبلی. (modir-e jadid kheyli farq dâre bâ qabli.) “The new manager is very different from the previous one.”
Cultural note
In Iran, the word مدیر carries real social weight. Even a modest office position with a managerial title earns noticeable respect in everyday interactions. It is common for people to address someone simply as آقای مدیر (âqâye modir, meaning Mr. Manager) as a sign of deference, even in casual conversation. The hierarchical nature of Iranian workplaces means the مدیر is typically the final decision-maker, and going around them is considered inappropriate.