What it means
روانشناس (ravânshenâs) means psychologist. Both parts of the word are native Persian: روان (ravân) means soul or mind, and شناس (shenâs) comes from the verb شناختن (shenâkhtan), to know or to recognize. The compound is a calque, built to mirror the concept of psychologist (Greek psyche plus logos) using entirely Persian material. It refers to a trained professional in psychological practice or research. The related noun روانشناسی (ravânshenâsi) means psychology as a field of study.
How to use it
- روانشناسم گفت استرس زیاد دارم. (ravânshenâsam goft estres ziâd dâram.) “My psychologist said I have a lot of stress.”
- دارم پیش یه روانشناس میرم. (dâram pish-e ye ravânshenâs miram.) “I am seeing a psychologist.”
- اون روانشناس بچههاست. (un ravânshenâs-e bachehâste.) “She is a child psychologist.”
- روانشناسی خوندن تو ایران سخته. (ravânshenâsi khundan to irân sakhte.) “Studying psychology in Iran is difficult.”
Cultural note
Attitudes toward psychology in Iran have shifted noticeably in the past two decades. While older generations often avoided professional mental health support due to stigma, younger Iranians in urban centers increasingly seek therapy and speak openly about رفتن پیش روانشناس (raftan pish-e ravânshenâs, going to a psychologist). Private clinics in Tehran have long waiting lists. Social media, particularly Instagram, has played a role in normalizing mental health conversations in Persian-speaking communities both inside Iran and in the diaspora.