Ghazal 475 of Hafez (7 couplets), in the original Persian as on Ganjoor, with a transliteration, a plain English translation, the meanings of key words and the traditional fâl-e Hâfez reading.
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What this fâl tells you
This fal praises a beauty and a promise that seem greater than words, but it also asks you to notice the difference between sweet talk and real action. Tradition reads it as a sign that something you hope for is truly valuable; ask gently and clearly for what was promised to you. Keep yourself in good favor and do not take kind attention for granted.
A traditional-style reading for reflection and enjoyment.
How this ghazal is built
radif: none. qâfiye: -âni (sâni, âni, zamâni, dahâni, zabâni, bestâni, kamâni, berâni). Many lines play on the story of Khosrow and Shirin, and on Joseph's beauty.
Key words
| Word | Say it | Meaning (modern Persian) |
|---|---|---|
| گفتند | goftand | they said dictionary |
| khalâyegh | people, all creatures (مردم) dictionary | |
| toyi | you are the one (to + -i "you are") dictionary | |
| sâni | second; âsef-e sâni = "a second Asaf", a praised vizier dictionary | |
| چون | chon | since, when; like dictionary |
| نیک | nik | well, closely dictionary |
| bedidam | I saw, I looked dictionary | |
| be | to; for; with; in, by dictionary | |
| haghighat | truth dictionary | |
| âni | you are (more) than that one (az ân + -i "you are") dictionary | |
| گویم | guyam | I say dictionary |
| ey | O (vocative) dictionary | |
| khubân | the beautiful ones (زیبارویان) | |
| to | you dictionary | |
| zamâni | of the age, of the time dictionary | |
| tashbih | comparison, likening dictionary | |
| dahânat | your mouth dictionary | |
| کرد | kard | do (with tavân: can do) dictionary |
| ghonche | bud, rosebud dictionary | |
| هرگز | hargez | never dictionary |
| نبود | nabvad | is not (old form) (نیست / نباشد) dictionary |
| bedin | with this, in this (= be in) (با این) | |
| dahâni | mouth; tang-dahâni = having so small a mouth dictionary | |
| sad | hundred dictionary | |
| bâr | time (sad bâr = a hundred times) dictionary | |
| begofti | you said dictionary | |
| daham | I give dictionary | |
| z-ân | from that (= az ân) (از آن) | |
| کام | kâm | wish, desire; be kâm = as one wishes dictionary |
| âzâde | free, noble; susan-e âzâde = the "free" lily, whose petals look like tongues dictionary | |
| چرا | cherâ | why dictionary |
| jomle | all (همه) dictionary | |
| zabâni | a tongue dictionary | |
| gu'i | you say dictionary | |
| bedaham | I will give dictionary | |
| کامت | kâmat | your wish dictionary |
| و | va / o | and dictionary |
| jânat | your life (as an oath: "by your life") dictionary | |
| bestânam | I will take dictionary | |
| tarsam | I fear (میترسم) dictionary | |
| nadahi | you (may) not give dictionary | |
| کامم | kâmam | my wish dictionary |
| jânam | my soul dictionary | |
| bestâni | you take dictionary | |
| چشم | cheshm | eye dictionary |
| khadang | arrow (of poplar wood) (تیر) | |
| separ | shield dictionary | |
| jân | life, soul dictionary | |
| گذراند | gozarânad | passes, drives through dictionary |
| bimâr | ill dictionary | |
| dide-st | has seen (= dide ast) dictionary | |
| sakht | very; hard dictionary | |
| ashk | tear dictionary | |
| biyandâzi-ash | you cast him down dictionary | |
| dide | eye (چشم) | |
| مردم | mardom | pupil (mardom-e cheshm); also "people" dictionary |
| ân | that dictionary | |
| dami | a moment dictionary | |
| نظر | nazar | sight; ahl-e nazar = people of insight, connoisseurs of beauty dictionary |
| khish | one's own (خود) dictionary | |
| berâni | you drive away dictionary |
Persian text: Ganjoor (ganjoor.net), Hafez, ghazal 475. Transliteration, translation, glosses and reading: Learn Persian Online.
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