Learning Persian can be an enriching experience, especially when it comes to understanding the nuances of different words that may seem similar to a novice but have distinct meanings and uses. Two such words are قرار (qarār) and قرارداد (qarārdād). Both words are commonly used in Persian, but they serve different purposes. In this article, we will delve into the meanings of these words, their usage, and how to differentiate between them.

قرار (qarār)

قرار (qarār) primarily means “appointment” or “arrangement.” It refers to a planned meeting or an agreement to meet at a specific time and place. This word is often used in daily conversations when talking about setting up meetings or appointments.

For example, you might use قرار when you want to arrange a meeting with a friend, a doctor, or a colleague. The word can also imply a less formal agreement compared to a contract.

قرار is a noun and can be used in various contexts. Here are some examples:

قرار – appointment, arrangement
فردا با دوست قدیمی‌ام قرار دارم.
Tomorrow, I have an appointment with my old friend.

قرار گذاشتن – to make an appointment
ما برای هفته بعد قرار گذاشتیم.
We made an appointment for next week.

قرار ملاقات – a meeting appointment
من یک قرار ملاقات با دکتر دارم.
I have a meeting appointment with the doctor.

قرار گرفتن – to be situated, to be located
خانه من در مرکز شهر قرار گرفته است.
My house is located in the city center.

As you can see, قرار can be used in different ways to indicate various types of appointments and arrangements.

قرارداد (qarārdād)

On the other hand, قرارداد (qarārdād) means “contract.” It refers to a formal agreement between two or more parties, often legally binding. This word is used in more formal and legal contexts compared to قرار.

For example, you might use قرارداد when discussing business deals, employment agreements, or any other formal contracts.

قرارداد is also a noun and can be used in various contexts related to formal agreements. Here are some examples:

قرارداد – contract
ما یک قرارداد برای خرید خانه امضا کردیم.
We signed a contract to buy a house.

قرارداد بستن – to sign a contract
بعد از مذاکرات طولانی، ما بالاخره قرارداد بستیم.
After long negotiations, we finally signed the contract.

قرارداد اجاره – rental agreement
من یک قرارداد اجاره برای آپارتمانم دارم.
I have a rental agreement for my apartment.

قرارداد کاری – employment contract
او یک قرارداد کاری با شرکت جدیدش امضا کرد.
He signed an employment contract with his new company.

As demonstrated, قرارداد is used in contexts that involve more formal and legally binding agreements compared to قرار.

Distinguishing Between قرار (qarār) and قرارداد (qarārdād)

While both قرار and قرارداد involve some form of agreement, the contexts in which they are used are quite different. Here are some key points to help you distinguish between the two:

1. **Formality**: قرار is less formal and is used for casual appointments and arrangements. In contrast, قرارداد is used for formal, often legally binding agreements.
2. **Context**: قرار is common in everyday conversations and social contexts, while قرارداد is prevalent in business, legal, and formal contexts.
3. **Verb Forms**: The verbs associated with قرار are more about making or setting appointments (e.g., قرار گذاشتن), whereas those with قرارداد are about signing and formalizing contracts (e.g., قرارداد بستن).
4. **Usage**: Use قرار when talking about meeting someone or arranging a get-together. Use قرارداد when discussing business deals, legal agreements, or formal commitments.

Examples in Sentences

To further illustrate the differences, let’s look at some more examples:

قرار:
ما امروز یک قرار در کافی‌شاپ داریم.
We have an appointment at the café today.

قرارداد:
ما یک قرارداد برای پروژه جدید امضا کردیم.
We signed a contract for the new project.

قرار گذاشتن:
بیا برای شنبه قرار بگذاریم.
Let’s make an appointment for Saturday.

قرارداد بستن:
آنها تصمیم گرفتند که قرارداد ببندند.
They decided to sign a contract.

By practicing these sentences and understanding the contexts in which these words are used, you will be better equipped to use them correctly in your conversations.

Other Related Vocabulary

To enrich your understanding further, here are some additional related words:

جلسه – meeting
ما یک جلسه هفتگی داریم.
We have a weekly meeting.

توافق – agreement
آنها به یک توافق رسیدند.
They reached an agreement.

مذاکره – negotiation
مذاکرات آنها هنوز ادامه دارد.
Their negotiations are still ongoing.

امضا کردن – to sign
او سند را امضا کرد.
He signed the document.

دستور کار – agenda
این جلسه یک دستور کار مشخص دارد.
This meeting has a specific agenda.

Conclusion

Understanding the difference between قرار (qarār) and قرارداد (qarārdād) is crucial for anyone learning Persian, especially if you plan to use the language in both social and professional settings. Remember that قرار is for appointments and informal arrangements, while قرارداد is for formal, legally binding contracts. By recognizing the contexts in which each word is used, you will be able to communicate more effectively and accurately in Persian.

Keep practicing, and don’t hesitate to incorporate these words into your daily conversations and writing. Happy learning!