با یک گل بهار نمیشود
Bâ yek gol bahâr nemishavad means “one flower doesn’t make spring.” A proverb saying one good sign isn’t enough proof; wait for more before trusting a change of fortune.
Glossary
هرچه بیشتر بدانی کمتر میگویی
Harche bishtar bedâni, kamtar miguyi means “the more you know, the less you say.” A proverb praising humility and the quiet confidence of true expertise.
پشت کوه سفید قله است
Poshte kuhe sefid qolle ast means “behind the white mountain is the peak.” A proverb about persistence: just past the hardest stretch, the summit is closer than you think.
یک دست صدا ندارد
Yek dast sedâ nadârad means “one hand makes no sound.” The Persian version of “it takes two to tango,” used to mean nothing important is achieved alone, and conflicts always have two sides.
هرکه بامش بیش برفش بیشتر
Har keh bâmash bish, barfash bishtar means “whoever has a bigger roof has more snow.” A proverb about how wealth, fame, and power bring proportionally bigger problems and burdens.
کبوتر با کبوتر باز با باز
Kabutar bâ kabutar, bâz bâ bâz means “doves with doves, hawks with hawks.” The Persian version of “birds of a feather flock together,” used to comment on social pairings and friendships.
به هر کجا که روی آسمان همین رنگ است
Be har kojâ ke ravi âsemân hamin rang ast means “wherever you go, the sky is the same color.” A proverb saying running away rarely solves the problem; people and trouble are everywhere.
نوش جان
Nush-e jân literally means “may it nourish your soul.” Iranians say it before, during, and after meals as a blessing for the eater. The closest English equivalent is “enjoy” or “bon appétit.”
کوه به کوه نمیرسد آدم به آدم میرسد
Kuh be kuh nemiresad, âdam be âdam miresad means “mountain doesn’t meet mountain, but person meets person.” A proverb about how the world is small and you will see people again, so behave accordingly.
از این ستون به آن ستون فرج است
Az in sotun be ân sotun faraj ast means “between this pillar and that one, there is relief.” A proverb about hope: even small movement, even a step sideways, can change your fortune.