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Vocabulary
از جنس

B1 noun #3,500 most common 8 min read

از جنس

az jens Top 3,500

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips از جنس in 30 Seconds

Explanation از جنس in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know that 'az jens' means 'made of'. You can use it for very simple things. For example, 'این میز از جنس چوب است' (This table is made of wood). You should learn the names of basic materials like 'chub' (wood), 'shishe' (glass), and 'pelastik' (plastic). Think of it as a way to give more information about an object. Don't worry about the complex grammar; just remember the pattern: [Thing] + [az jens-e] + [Material]. This will help you when you go shopping or when you are describing your room to a friend. It's a very useful phrase for basic communication.

At the A2 level, you can start using 'az jens' to ask questions and compare items. You should be able to ask 'این از چه جنسی است؟' (What is this made of?) when you see something new. You can also use it to describe clothes, which is very common. For example, 'این لباس از جنس کتان است' (This dress is made of cotton). You are beginning to understand the 'Ezafe' (-e) that connects 'jens' to the material. You can also start using negative sentences, like 'این از جنس فلز نیست' (This is not made of metal). This level is about building your vocabulary of materials and using the phrase in daily conversations.

As a B1 learner, you should use 'az jens' comfortably in various contexts. You understand that it can describe both physical materials and the 'type' or 'quality' of a product. You can use it to talk about quality: 'این کفش از جنس خیلی خوبی است' (This shoe is of very good material). You are also starting to see it in more abstract ways, like describing the 'feel' of a place or a person's character in a simple way. You can distinguish between 'az jens' and simple adjectives (like 'chubi' vs 'az jens-e chub'). This phrase helps you provide more detailed descriptions in your writing and speaking, making your Persian sound more natural and less like a beginner.

At the B2 level, you can use 'az jens' metaphorically and in more complex sentence structures. You might say 'عشق او از جنس فداکاری بود' (His love was of the nature of sacrifice). You understand the nuances between 'jens' (material/essence) and 'no' (type/kind). You can use the phrase in formal debates or when discussing the properties of materials in a professional or academic setting. You are also aware of how 'jens' can mean 'commodity' in business contexts and can navigate those meanings. Your use of the phrase is fluid, and you rarely make mistakes with the Ezafe or the preposition 'az'.

At the C1 level, you appreciate the stylistic and rhetorical uses of 'az jens'. You encounter it in classical and modern poetry where it describes the essence of the soul or the universe. You can use it to express subtle differences in philosophical concepts. For example, discussing whether a problem is 'az jens-e' a structural issue or a human error. You use the phrase to add weight and precision to your arguments. You are also familiar with idiomatic expressions and can recognize when 'jens' is being used as slang. Your mastery allows you to use the phrase to create specific atmospheres in your creative writing.

At the C2 level, 'az jens' is a tool for precision and artistic expression. You use it to navigate the highest levels of Persian literature, philosophy, and technical discourse. You understand its etymological roots and how its meaning has shifted over centuries. You can use it to discuss the 'ontological nature' of things in academic Persian. You are also fully aware of the socio-linguistic implications of using 'jens' in different registers, from the bazaar to the university. The phrase is no longer just a vocabulary item but a flexible conceptual tool that you use with native-like intuition and sophistication.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

از جنس in 30 Seconds

Used to identify the material of an object (e.g., gold, wood).
Requires the preposition 'az' and the noun 'jens' with an Ezafe.
Can be used metaphorically to describe a person's nature or the essence of an idea.
Essential for shopping, describing items, and understanding Persian literature.

The Persian phrase از جنس (pronounced 'az jens') is a foundational expression used to identify the composition, material, or inherent nature of an object or person. At its most literal level, it translates to 'made of' or 'consisting of' a specific material. In the bustling bazaars of Tehran or Isfahan, you will constantly hear this phrase as customers inquire about the quality of fabrics, metals, or wood. It is the go-to construction for describing physical properties in a way that is both precise and conversational. However, the beauty of Persian lies in its metaphorical depth, and az jens is no exception. Beyond the physical, it is used to describe the essence of a feeling, the character of a person, or the quality of an abstract concept. For example, one might say a poem is 'made of light' or a person is 'made of the same cloth' as another, using this exact phrase. Understanding this term is crucial for B1 learners because it marks the transition from simple noun-adjective pairs to more descriptive, relational sentence structures. It allows you to move beyond saying 'the wooden table' (miz-e chubi) to 'the table is made of wood' (miz az jens-e chub ast), which is often more emphatic and descriptive in Persian discourse.

Physical Composition: Used to specify materials like gold, silver, plastic, or silk. It answers the question 'What is this made of?'
Metaphorical Essence: Used to describe shared characteristics or the 'vibe' of something, such as 'of the same kind' or 'of a different nature'.

این پیراهن از جنس ابریشم خالص است.

Translation: This shirt is made of pure silk.

When you use از جنس, you are essentially categorizing the object. The word jens itself has roots in Arabic (meaning genus or type), but in Persian, it has evolved to encompass 'gender', 'sex', 'material', and 'commodity'. Therefore, when you say something is az jens-e..., you are literally saying it is 'from the category/material of...'. This phrase is more formal than simply using an adjective but less clinical than technical scientific terms. It strikes a perfect balance for daily communication, shopping, and even literary analysis. In modern Iranian society, where craftsmanship and material quality are highly valued (especially in carpets and jewelry), being able to use and understand this phrase is a sign of linguistic maturity. It shows that you aren't just identifying objects, but you are analyzing their makeup and worth. Furthermore, it is often paired with the Ezafe construction (the short -e sound) to link jens to the specific material, making it a great exercise for practicing Persian grammar in context.

Using از جنس requires a basic understanding of the Persian sentence structure, particularly the use of the preposition 'az' (from/of) and the noun 'jens' (material/type). The most common pattern is: [Subject] + [az jens-e] + [Material] + [Verb]. For example, 'این قاشق از جنس نقره است' (This spoon is made of silver). Note how the 'e' (Ezafe) connects 'jens' to 'noghre' (silver). This structure is incredibly versatile. You can use it in questions to ask about the material of an item: 'این مبل از چه جنسی است؟' (What material is this sofa made of?). Notice that in questions, we often use 'che jensi' (what material) or 'az che jens' to inquire about the composition.

دیوارهای این خانه از جنس سنگ هستند.

Translation: The walls of this house are made of stone.

Another common usage is in the negative, to clarify what something is NOT made of. 'این لیوان از جنس شیشه نیست، از پلاستیک است' (This glass is not made of glass, it's made of plastic). In conversational Persian, the verb 'ast' (is) might be shortened to '-e', so you might hear 'az jens-e chube' instead of 'az jens-e chub ast'. This nuance is important for listening comprehension. When describing people or abstract ideas, the structure remains the same but the meaning shifts to 'nature' or 'kind'. For instance, 'حرف‌های او از جنس امید بود' (His words were of the nature of hope). This shows how the phrase elevates the language from simple description to poetic expression.

Comparative Use: You can compare two things by their material: 'این کیف از جنس بهتری نسبت به آن یکی است' (This bag is of better material compared to that one).
Inquiry Pattern: Ask 'Az che jensi...?' to find out the composition of any object you encounter.

The phrase از جنس is ubiquitous in Iranian daily life, particularly in commerce and trade. If you visit a traditional Persian Bazaar, such as the Grand Bazaar in Tehran or the Vakil Bazaar in Shiraz, you will hear this phrase every few minutes. Shopkeepers use it to justify the price of their goods: 'خانم، این فرش از جنس ابریشم اصل است، برای همین گران است' (Ma'am, this carpet is made of genuine silk, that's why it's expensive). It is a marker of quality and authenticity. In jewelry stores, it's essential for distinguishing between 'tala' (gold), 'noghre' (silver), and 'badal' (costume jewelry). You'll hear: 'این انگشتر از جنس طلای ۱۸ عیار است' (This ring is made of 18-karat gold).

آیا این مجسمه از جنس برنز است؟

Translation: Is this statue made of bronze?

Beyond the market, you will encounter az jens in media and literature. News reports discussing manufacturing or construction will use it to describe building materials. In Persian cinema and soap operas, characters might use it metaphorically during emotional scenes to describe a deep connection or a fundamental difference between people: 'من و تو از یک جنس نیستیم' (You and I are not of the same kind/nature). This implies a clash of values or social backgrounds. Furthermore, in the world of Persian fashion and interior design, influencers and designers use it to discuss textures and the 'feel' of a room. Whether it's a documentary about ancient Persian architecture describing the 'jens' of the bricks or a mother telling her child that a toy is 'az jens-e pelastik' (made of plastic) so it won't break easily, the phrase is a vital thread in the fabric of Persian communication.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make when using از جنس is forgetting the Ezafe (-e) after 'jens'. In English, we say 'made of gold', but in Persian, you must say 'az jens-e tala'. Omitting the 'e' makes the sentence sound broken and grammatically incorrect. Another common error is confusing az jens with the simple adjective form. For example, 'miz-e chubi' (wooden table) vs 'miz az jens-e chub ast' (the table is made of wood). While both are correct, 'az jens' is used more when the focus is specifically on the material itself or when the material is a noun that doesn't have a common adjective form.

Mistake: Omitting 'Az': Incorrect: 'In jens-e tala ast'. Correct: 'In az jens-e tala ast'. You need the 'az' to indicate 'of' or 'from'.
Mistake: Literal Translation: Learners sometimes try to say 'sakhte shode az' (constructed from) for everything. While technically correct, 'az jens' is much more natural for simple material descriptions.

Additionally, learners sometimes confuse 'jens' with 'no' (type/kind). While they overlap, 'jens' specifically refers to the substance or material, whereas 'no' refers to the category or variety. For instance, you would use 'jens' for wood, but 'no' for a type of car. Confusing these can lead to awkward sentences like asking about the 'material' of a movie instead of the 'type' of movie. Finally, be careful with the word 'jens' on its own in slang; it can sometimes refer to 'goods' or even 'drugs' in specific illicit contexts, but when used with 'az', it remains perfectly standard and safe for all situations.

While از جنس is the most common way to describe material, there are several alternatives depending on the level of formality and the specific context. Understanding these helps you sound more like a native speaker and allows for greater variety in your speech. The most direct alternative is the Ezafe construction with an adjective. For many materials, Persian has specific adjectives: 'tala' (gold) becomes 'talayi' (golden), 'chub' (wood) becomes 'chubi' (wooden). 'Miz-e chubi' is often more concise than 'miz az jens-e chub'.

ساخته شده از (Sākhte shode az): Meaning 'made/built from'. This is more formal and used for complex objects or architecture. Example: 'این بنا از سنگ ساخته شده است' (This building is constructed from stone).
تماماً (Tamāman): Used to say 'entirely' of a material. 'تماماً از طلا' (Entirely made of gold). It adds emphasis to the purity of the material.
به رنگِ (Be rang-e): Sometimes confused with 'az jens', but it only refers to the color. Use this if something looks like a material but isn't. 'به رنگ طلا' (Gold-colored).

In poetic or highly formal Persian, you might encounter the word gowhar (essence/gem) or māhhiyat (nature/essence) to describe the makeup of something abstract. However, for 95% of daily interactions involving physical objects, az jens remains the gold standard. It is helpful to learn common material nouns to pair with it: shishe (glass), felez (metal), charm (leather), and parche (fabric). By mastering these pairings, you can describe almost anything in your environment accurately.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The word 'jens' is the root for the English word 'genus' and 'gender', showing the deep connection between Indo-European and classical languages.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /æz dʒens/

US /æz dʒɛns/

The stress is typically on the word 'jens'.

Rhymes With

hens lens pens tens dense sense fence hence

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'jens' as 'jeans'. It should be a short 'e' like 'pen'.
Merging 'az' and 'jens' into one word. They are distinct.
Forgetting the Ezafe (-e) after 'jens' when a material follows.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize in text once you know the two words.

Writing 3/5

Requires remembering the Ezafe and correct spelling of materials.

Speaking 3/5

Natural usage requires practice with the 'az ... ast' structure.

Listening 3/5

Can be hard to hear the Ezafe in fast speech.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

از (from) این (this) است (is) چوب (wood) طلا (gold)

Learn Next

ساخته شده از (made of) نوع (type) کیفیت (quality) اصل (original) تقلبی (fake)

Advanced

ماهیت (nature) ذات (essence) ماده (matter) عنصر (element)

Grammar to Know

Ezafe Construction

jens-e tala (material of gold)

Prepositional Phrases

az jens-e... (made of...)

Subject-Verb Agreement

Miz-hā az jens-e chub hastand (Tables are made of wood).

Adjectival Phrases

In miz-e az jens-e chub (This table [which is] made of wood).

Negation with 'nist'

Az jens-e shishe nist (It is not made of glass).

Examples by Level

این میز از جنس چوب است.

This table is made of wood.

Simple [Subject] + [az jens-e] + [Material] + [ast] structure.

لیوان از جنس شیشه است.

The glass is made of glass.

Note the word 'shishe' means both the object and the material.

آن توپ از جنس پلاستیک است.

That ball is made of plastic.

Use 'ān' for 'that'.

قاشق از جنس فلز است.

The spoon is made of metal.

Felez is the general word for metal.

این کیف از جنس چرم است.

This bag is made of leather.

Charm is a common material for bags.

آیا این از جنس کاغذ است؟

Is this made of paper?

Question form using 'āyā'.

مداد از جنس چوب است.

The pencil is made of wood.

Basic identification.

این اسباب‌بازی از جنس پارچه است.

This toy is made of fabric.

Pārche means fabric or cloth.

این مبل از چه جنسی است؟

What material is this sofa made of?

Using 'che jensi' for inquiries.

کت من از جنس کتان است.

My coat is made of cotton.

Katān is cotton.

پنجره‌ها از جنس آهن هستند.

The windows are made of iron.

Plural subject requires 'hastand'.

این بشقاب از جنس چینی نیست.

This plate is not made of porcelain.

Negative form using 'nist'.

گردنبند او از جنس طلا است.

Her necklace is made of gold.

Possessive 'u' (her/his).

کفش‌هایم از جنس چرم طبیعی هستند.

My shoes are made of natural leather.

Adding an adjective 'tabi'i' to the material.

این بطری از جنس شیشه نشکن است.

This bottle is made of unbreakable glass.

Compound material description.

همه این لباس‌ها از جنس پشم هستند.

All these clothes are made of wool.

Using 'hame' (all).

این پارچه از جنس بسیار لطیفی است.

This fabric is of a very soft material.

Using 'latif' (soft/delicate) to describe the material's quality.

آیا این مجسمه از جنس برنز است یا مس؟

Is this statue made of bronze or copper?

Alternative question using 'yā' (or).

کابینت‌های آشپزخانه از جنس ام‌دی‌اف هستند.

The kitchen cabinets are made of MDF.

Using technical loanwords like MDF.

او همیشه لباس‌هایی از جنس نخ می‌پوشد.

He always wears clothes made of cotton thread/fiber.

Nakh refers to cotton fiber/thread.

جنس این پرده از چیست؟

What is the material of this curtain made of?

Common conversational shortcut 'az chist' (from what is it).

این انگشتر از جنس نقره با روکش طلا است.

This ring is made of silver with gold plating.

Complex material description.

بدنه هواپیما از جنس آلومینیوم است.

The body of the airplane is made of aluminum.

Technical context.

این ظرف‌ها از جنس سفال هستند.

These dishes are made of pottery/clay.

Sofāl is pottery.

غم او از جنس تنهایی بود.

His sadness was of the nature of loneliness.

Metaphorical use of 'az jens'.

این دو برادر اصلاً از یک جنس نیستند.

These two brothers are not of the same kind/nature at all.

Describing character essence.

موفقیت او از جنس تلاش و پشتکار است.

His success is made of effort and perseverance.

Abstract nouns as materials.

پارچه‌هایی از جنس نانو در صنعت استفاده می‌شوند.

Fabrics made of nano-materials are used in industry.

Scientific context.

او به دنبال رابطه‌ای از جنس اعتماد است.

He is looking for a relationship based on (made of) trust.

Describing the foundation of a relationship.

این فیلم از جنس سینمای مستند است.

This film is of the documentary cinema genre.

Categorizing art/media.

صدای او از جنس آرامش بود.

Her voice was of the nature of peace.

Describing sensory experience metaphorically.

مشکلات ما از جنس اقتصادی هستند، نه سیاسی.

Our problems are of an economic nature, not political.

Categorizing types of problems.

شعر او از جنس نور و آینه است.

His poetry is made of light and mirrors.

Highly literary/poetic usage.

این انقلاب از جنس حرکت‌های مردمی بود.

This revolution was of the nature of popular movements.

Political/historical analysis.

او معتقد است که روح از جنس ماده نیست.

He believes that the soul is not of the nature of matter.

Philosophical/metaphysical context.

نگاه او از جنس ملامت و سرزنش بود.

His gaze was of the nature of reproach and blame.

Describing subtle emotional cues.

این اثر هنری از جنس تجربیات شخصی هنرمند است.

This artwork is made of the artist's personal experiences.

Artistic interpretation.

بحران فعلی از جنس بحران‌های قرن گذشته نیست.

The current crisis is not of the same nature as the crises of the last century.

Comparative historical analysis.

کلامش از جنس آتش بود و دل‌ها را می‌سوزاند.

His words were made of fire and burned hearts.

Intense metaphorical language.

این تمدن از جنس پایداری و استقامت است.

This civilization is made of (built on) stability and endurance.

Describing the essence of a culture.

هستی در نگاه عارفان از جنس تجلی الهی است.

Existence, in the view of mystics, is of the nature of divine manifestation.

Theology and Sufi philosophy.

زمان در این رمان از جنس سیالیت و ابهام است.

Time in this novel is of the nature of fluidity and ambiguity.

Literary criticism.

ارتباطات مدرن از جنس کدهای دیجیتال و امواج هستند.

Modern communications are of the nature of digital codes and waves.

Technological philosophy.

عدالت در این نظام از جنس برابری فرصت‌هاست.

Justice in this system is of the nature of equality of opportunity.

Legal and political philosophy.

درد او از جنس دردهای مشترک بشری است.

His pain is of the nature of common human suffering.

Universal human experience.

این معماری از جنس پیوند میان سنت و مدرنیته است.

This architecture is of the nature of a link between tradition and modernity.

Architectural theory.

سکوتش از جنس فریادهای فروخورده بود.

His silence was made of suppressed screams.

Deep psychological metaphor.

واقعیت مجازی از جنس توهمات کنترل‌شده است.

Virtual reality is of the nature of controlled illusions.

Cybernetic philosophy.

Synonyms

ساخته شده از از نوعِ به رنگِ دارایِ جنسش ... است ماهیتِ ترکیب شده از مشتمل بر

Antonyms

بدونِ خارج از متفاوت از عاری از

Common Collocations

از جنس طلا

از جنس چوب

از جنس شیشه

از جنس چرم

از جنس پلاستیک

از جنس فولاد

از جنس ابریشم

از جنس نور

از یک جنس

از جنس مخالف

Common Phrases

از چه جنسی؟

— Used to ask about the material of something.

این پیرهن از چه جنسی است؟

جنسش خوب است

— Used to say the quality of the material is good.

این پارچه را بخر، جنسش خیلی خوب است.

از جنس هم بودن

— To be of the same nature or 'made of the same cloth'.

آن‌ها واقعاً از یک جنس هستند.

تغییر جنس دادن

— To change the material or, in modern contexts, gender.

او می‌خواهد جنسیت خود را تغییر دهد.

جنس بنجل

— Refers to low-quality or junk goods.

این مغازه فقط جنس بنجل می‌فروشد.

جنس اصل

— Genuine or original material/product.

مطمئن باش که این کیف از جنس اصل است.

از جنس سنگ

— Metaphorically used for someone heartless.

دل او از جنس سنگ است.

جنسِ جور

— A complete set of goods or materials.

در این انبار جنسمان جور است.

از جنس مرغوب

— Of high-quality material.

این کفش از جنس مرغوبی تهیه شده است.

جنسِ دست دوم

— Second-hand goods/materials.

او همیشه جنس دست دوم می‌خرد.

Often Confused With

از جنس vs نوع (no')

No' means 'type' or 'kind' in a categorical sense, while 'jens' is about material or essence.

از جنس vs ساخته شده (sakhte shode)

This means 'constructed' and is more formal than 'az jens'.

از جنس vs جنسیت (jensiyat)

This specifically means 'gender' or 'sexuality', though it comes from the same root.

Idioms & Expressions

"دلش از سنگ است"

— He/she is heartless or very tough emotionally.

گریه نکن، دل او از جنس سنگ است.

informal

"از یک قماش بودن"

— To be of the same 'fabric' or kind (often negative).

همه سیاستمدارها از یک قماش (جنس) هستند.

informal

"جنسش خرده شیشه دارد"

— Said of someone who is dishonest or tricky.

مواظب باش، جنس این آدم خرده شیشه دارد.

slang

"از جنس خاک بودن"

— To be humble or modest.

او با اینکه ثروتمند است، از جنس خاک است.

poetic

"جنسش خراب است"

— Said of someone with a bad character.

با او دوست نشو، جنسش خراب است.

slang

"حرفش از جنس طلاست"

— His/her words are very valuable.

به نصیحت‌هایش گوش کن، حرفش از جنس طلاست.

neutral

"از جنس ما نیست"

— He/she doesn't belong to our group/social class.

او را دعوت نکن، از جنس ما نیست.

informal

"جنسِ ناب"

— Pure, high-quality material or person.

این عسل از جنس ناب است.

neutral

"جنسیت داشتن"

— To have a specific gender or material nature.

این بحث اصلاً جنسیت ندارد.

formal

"از جنس رؤیا"

— Something dream-like or ethereal.

آن شب از جنس رؤیا بود.

poetic

Easily Confused

از جنس vs جنس (Jens)

Can mean material, gender, or commodity.

Context determines meaning. With 'az', it almost always means material or nature.

جنس این پارچه خوب است (The material of this fabric is good).

از جنس vs قماش (Ghomash)

Also means fabric or kind.

Ghomash is more literary or used in the idiom 'of the same cloth'.

آن‌ها از یک قماش هستند.

از جنس vs ماده (Maddeh)

Means matter or substance.

Maddeh is more scientific; 'jens' is more conversational.

ماده اصلی این دارو گیاهی است.

از جنس vs بافت (Baft)

Means texture or weave.

Baft refers to how it's made, 'jens' refers to what it's made of.

بافت این فرش بسیار ظریف است.

از جنس vs رنگ (Rang)

Sometimes people describe color when they mean material.

Rang is visual, 'jens' is structural.

رنگش طلایی است ولی جنسش پلاستیک است.

Sentence Patterns

[Object] az jens-e [Material] ast.

In miz az jens-e chub ast.

[Object] az jens-e [Material] nist.

In az jens-e shishe nist.

Āyā in az jens-e [Material] ast?

Āyā in az jens-e tala ast?

[Abstract] az jens-e [Abstract] ast.

Gham-e u az jens-e tanhāyi ast.

[Noun] az jens-e [Material 1] va [Material 2] ast.

In asar az jens-e nur va āyene ast.

[Concept] az jens-e [Philosophical Term] ast.

Zaman az jens-e sayāliyat ast.

All

Az che jensi...?

In az che jensi ast?

[Object] az jens-e [Adjective] [Material] ast.

In az jens-e charm-e tabi'i ast.

Word Family

Nouns

جنس (Material/Gender)

جنسیت (Gender/Sexuality)

تجانس (Homogeneity)

هم‌جنس (Same-sex/Same-kind)

Verbs

تجانس داشتن (To be homogeneous)

جنسیت‌زدگی (To be gendered/sexist - noun form)

Adjectives

جنس مخالف (Opposite sex)

هم‌جنس‌گرا (Homosexual)

نامتجانس (Heterogeneous)

ماده (Matter)

کالا (Commodity)

نوع (Type)

قماش (Fabric/Kind)

ذات (Essence)

How to Use It

frequency

Very high in commerce, daily descriptions, and literature.

Common Mistakes

In jens-e chub ast. → In az jens-e chub ast.
You must include the preposition 'az' (of/from).
In az jens chub ast. → In az jens-e chub ast.
The Ezafe (-e) is required to link 'jens' to the material.
In az jens-e jeans ast. → In az jens-e li (denim) ast.
Don't confuse the pronunciation of 'jens' with the English word 'jeans'.
In az jens-e ghazā ast. → In ghazā az ... dorost shode.
We don't usually use 'az jens' for food ingredients.
In az jens-e ghermez ast. → In be rang-e ghermez ast.
Don't use 'jens' for colors; use 'rang'.

Tips

The Ezafe Rule

Always remember the short 'e' sound after 'jens' when a material follows. It's the glue of the phrase.

Material List

Learn 5 basic materials (wood, gold, leather, glass, plastic) to use with this phrase immediately.

Bazaar Etiquette

Use this phrase to show you care about quality when shopping in Iran. It makes you look like a savvy buyer.

Ask Questions

Practice asking 'Az che jensi ast?' for everything you see. It's a great conversation starter.

Descriptive Writing

Use 'az jens' to add texture to your Persian essays. It sounds more sophisticated than simple adjectives.

Listen for 'Az'

The preposition 'az' is a signal that a description of origin or material is coming.

Abstract Use

Don't be afraid to use it for feelings like 'sadness made of light'. It's very Persian!

Short E

Ensure the 'e' in 'jens' is short, like 'bet', not long like 'beet'.

Compare Materials

Use it to compare: 'In az jens-e behtari ast' (This is of better material).

Character Check

Be aware that 'jensesh kharabe' is a common slang for someone with a bad personality.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Az Jens' as 'As Jeans'. Just as jeans are made of denim, 'az jens' tells you what something is made of.

Visual Association

Imagine a label on a shirt that says 'AZ JENS' instead of 'MADE OF'. Visualize a wooden table with a big 'CHUB' label on it.

Word Web

Material Cloth Gold Wood Glass Plastic Nature Essence

Challenge

Go around your room and name five objects using the phrase 'In az jens-e ... ast'.

Word Origin

The word 'jens' is borrowed from Arabic 'jins', which itself comes from the Greek 'genos' (meaning race, kind, or genus). The Persian preposition 'az' is an Indo-European root meaning 'from' or 'of'.

Original meaning: Originally referred to the 'genus' or 'category' of something in a philosophical or biological sense.

Indo-European (az) + Afroasiatic/Greek (jens).

Cultural Context

Be careful when using 'jens' to refer to people, as it can sound dismissive or elitist depending on the tone.

English speakers often use 'made of' or 'it's [adjective]'. Persian 'az jens' is more explicit about the 'material' category.

Rumi's poetry often discusses the 'jens' of the soul. Hafez uses 'gowhar' (a synonym) to discuss essence. Modern Iranian cinema uses it to show class divides.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Shopping for clothes

این از جنس کتان است؟
جنسش پلاستیکی نیست؟
من جنس نخی می‌خواهم.
آیا این از جنس ابریشم است؟

Buying furniture

میز از جنس چوب گردو است.
پایه‌ها از جنس فلز هستند.
آیا این از جنس ام‌دی‌اف است؟
جنس رویه مبل چیست؟

Jewelry store

این از جنس طلای سفید است؟
آیا نگینش از جنس الماس است؟
این دستبند از جنس نقره است.
روکش این از جنس طلاست؟

Describing feelings

شادی او از جنس امید بود.
نگاهش از جنس مهربانی است.
حرف‌هایش از جنس صداقت بود.
دردش از جنس تنهایی است.

Construction

لوله‌ها از جنس پی‌وی‌سی هستند.
کف زمین از جنس سنگ مرمر است.
دیوارها از جنس آجر هستند.
سقف از جنس چوب است.

Conversation Starters

"ببخشید، این کیف از جنس چرم طبیعی است؟ (Excuse me, is this bag made of natural leather?)"

"به نظر شما این مبل از چه جنسی باشد بهتر است؟ (In your opinion, what material should this sofa be made of?)"

"من دنبال لباسی هستم که از جنس نخ باشد. (I'm looking for a dress made of cotton.)"

"آیا می‌دانستید که بدنه این ماشین از جنس فیبر کربن است؟ (Did you know the body of this car is made of carbon fiber?)"

"به نظر من، رفاقت باید از جنس اعتماد باشد. (In my opinion, friendship should be made of trust.)"

Journal Prompts

امروز وسیله‌ای دیدم که از جنس عجیبی بود. آن را توصیف کنید. (Today I saw an object made of a strange material. Describe it.)

دوست دارید خانه‌تان از چه جنس‌هایی ساخته شود؟ چرا؟ (What materials would you like your house to be made of? Why?)

در مورد کسی بنویسید که شخصیتش از جنس مهربانی است. (Write about someone whose character is made of kindness.)

تفاوت بین اجناس اصل و تقلبی در بازار چیست؟ (What is the difference between genuine and fake goods in the market?)

اگر می‌توانستید دنیایی از جنس دیگری بسازید، آن دنیا چگونه بود؟ (If you could build a world of a different material, what would it be like?)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, but it's metaphorical. Saying someone is 'az jens-e ma' means they are like us in character or background.

'Miz-e chubi' means 'wooden table'. 'Miz az jens-e chub' means 'the table is made of wood'. The latter is more descriptive of the material itself.

Yes, it is borrowed from Arabic, which borrowed it from Greek 'genos'.

You can say: 'In az che jensi ast?' or simply 'Jensesh chiye?'

Yes, 'jens' can mean sex or gender, but 'jensiyat' is the more common word for gender identity.

It is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal settings.

Usually not. For liquids, we use 'tashkil shode az' (composed of) or just name the liquid.

Chub (wood), Tala (gold), Noghre (silver), Charm (leather), Shishe (glass), Pelastik (plastic).

When followed by a material noun, yes (jens-e ...). When used alone, no.

Not typically. For food, we use 'dorost shode az' (made from).