چون
čun/ˈt͡ʃuːn/
The Persian word for 'because' is چون (čun).
چون is a conjunction used to express the reason for something, meaning 'by or for the cause that', 'on this account that' or 'for the reason that'. Depending on the context, it can also function as a relative pronoun meaning 'who' or 'which'.
Meaning: by or for the cause that, on this account that, for the reason that (conj)
Which one should you use?
While چون is common in speech, زیرا is the more formal equivalent used in writing and literature. For a more informal version, you can use چونکه, which is a version of چون که.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced [ˈtʃuːn].
Did you know?
- The word چون is built from two parts meaning 'what' and 'color'. In ancient Persian, asking for the 'color' of something was a way to ask about its 'type' or 'nature'.
- In classical Persian poetry, چون is often used not to mean 'because' but as a temporal marker meaning 'when'. This can lead modern learners to misinterpret the sequence of events in old texts.
- The word چون can also mean 'like' or 'as', making it a double agent that functions as both a conjunction for 'because' and a preposition for comparison.
Examples in context
- تی شرتم آب رفت چون شستمش.My T-shirt shrank because I washed it.This sentence shows how to use چون to explain a reason.Tatoeba #6152243 by mat, translation #6151702 by CK
- وضع این طور است چون نمی خواهی تنها باشی.It's because you don't want to be alone.This sentence uses چون to explain a situation.Tatoeba #3840038 by kuarash, translation #1301 by djinni74
- هر که تنهاست، تنهاست چون از دیگران می ترسد.Every person who is alone is alone because they are afraid of others.This sentence uses چون to explain the reason for someone being alone.Tatoeba #3840497 by kuarash, translation #1367 by Zifre
- آنجا نبودم چونکه خیلی مشغول بودم.I wasn't there because I was very busy.
- نیامدم چونکه خسته بودم.I didn't come because I was tired.
- او نیامد بدلیلِ ترافیک شدید.He didn't come because of heavy traffic.
- 13 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Niloufar and Ali are talking at a cafe about why Ali is late.
- نیلوفر Niloufarچرا دیر رسیدی علی؟cherā dir residi ali?Why were you late, Ali?
- علی Aliچون ترافیک خیلی سنگین بود.chon terāfik kheyli sangin bud.Because the traffic was very heavy.
- نیلوفر Niloufarآهان، پس برای همین دیر کردی.āhān, pas barāye hamin dir kardi.Ah, so that is why you were late.
- علی Aliبله، دقیقا.bale, daghighan.Yes, exactly.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry چون, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries چون, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
