What it means
پیادهروی (piyâde-ravi) means walking, specifically walking as a form of exercise or deliberate movement rather than incidental travel. It is a pure Persian compound: پیاده (piyâde, on foot) combined with the noun form of رفتن (raftan, to go). The word sits comfortably at the A2 level and is heard in every gym, clinic, and morning park across Iran. A close contrast is دویدن (davidan, running), which implies higher intensity, while پیادهروی stays in the gentle, accessible register.
How to use it
- هر روز صبح نیم ساعت پیادهروی میکنم. (har ruz sob nim sâat piyâde-ravi mikonam.) “I go for a half-hour walk every morning.”
- دکتر گفت پیادهروی برات خوبه. (doktor goft piyâde-ravi barât khube.) “The doctor said walking is good for you.”
- بریم یه پیادهروی کوتاه بزنیم؟ (berim ye piyâde-ravi kutâh bezanim?) “Shall we go for a short walk?”
- پیادهروی روزانه به سلامت قلب کمک میکنه. (piyâde-ravi ruzâne be salâmat-e qalb komak mikone.) “Daily walking helps heart health.”
Cultural note
In Iran, morning walks in local parks (بوستان, bustân) are a deeply embedded social ritual, especially among older generations and families. Many urban parks open specifically for early walkers from around 6 a.m. Doctors and health campaigns on state television frequently promote پیادهروی as a free, accessible remedy for a wide range of conditions, from blood pressure to low mood. The activity carries no stigma and is considered equally appropriate for all ages and genders.