What it means
پخش (pakhsh) means broadcast, distribution, or spread. It is a pure Persian noun whose root conveys the idea of scattering or spreading outward in multiple directions. The compound verb پخش کردن (pakhsh kardan) means to broadcast, to distribute, or to spread something, and پخش شدن (pakhsh shodan) means to be broadcast, to be distributed, or to spread (intransitively). In media contexts, پخش refers to going on air: برنامه پخش شد means the program went out on air. In a commercial context, a پخش company is a distribution company moving goods from producer to retailer. The word covers both senses fluidly and context distinguishes them.
How to use it
- برنامه ساعت هشت پخش میشه (barnâme sâat-e hasht pakhsh mishe) “The program airs at eight.”
- اخبار رو پخش کردن (akhbâr ro pakhsh kardan) “They broadcast the news.”
- ویروس پخش شد (virus pakhsh shod) “The virus spread.”
- شرکت پخش مواد غذاییه (sherkat-e pakhsh-e mavâd-e ghazâyiye) “It’s a food distribution company.”
Cultural note
صدا و سیما (Sedâ va Simâ), Iran’s state broadcasting organization, is the institution Iranians most associate with پخش in the sense of going on air. Before satellite dishes became widespread, the scheduled پخش of a popular serial or a football match was a national event that emptied the streets. The word also appears in the phrase پخش زنده (pakhsh-e zende, live broadcast), which became especially charged during politically significant moments like election nights and protest coverage.
References
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