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B2 noun 7 min read

مانع

mane'
Examples Notes & Tips مانع in 30 Seconds
Explanation مانع in your Level:
At the A1 level, you can think of 'مانع' (māne) as a 'stop' or 'block'. Imagine you are playing with blocks and you put one in the middle of a toy car's path. That block is a 'māne'. In simple Persian, we use it to say 'No' to an action. For example, if your mom says you can't go out because of the rain, the rain is the 'māne'. You don't need to worry about the hard grammar yet; just remember it means something that says 'you cannot pass'. You might see it on signs in a park or on the road. It is a very important word because it helps you understand what is allowed and what is not. Even at this basic level, knowing 'māne' helps you navigate physical spaces in Iran safely.
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For A2 learners, 'مانع' starts to appear in compound verbs. The most common one is 'māne shodan', which means 'to prevent' or 'to stop'. You can use it in simple sentences like 'The snow stopped us' (Barf māne-ye mā shod). At this level, you should also learn the word 'bi-māne', which means 'without obstacle' or 'it's okay'. If you ask 'Can I sit here?' and someone says 'Bi-māne ast', they are giving you permission. You are moving from just seeing physical blocks to understanding how people use the word to give or deny permission in daily life. Start practicing by identifying things in your day that 'prevent' you from doing your homework, like your phone!
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At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using 'مانع' in both physical and slightly more abstract contexts. You will notice it in news headlines or more detailed stories. You should understand the 'ezafe' construction: 'māne-ye [something]'. For example, 'māne-ye pishraft' (obstacle to progress). You are also ready to learn the plural form 'mavan-e' (موانع). Instead of saying 'many obstacles' as 'māne-hā-ye ziād', try saying 'mavan-e-ye ziād'. This makes your Persian sound much more natural. You can also start using it to describe feelings, like 'Fear is an obstacle to learning'. This level is about expanding the word from the 'outside world' to your 'inside world' of thoughts and feelings.
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At B2, you are expected to use 'مانع' with precision in professional and academic settings. You should understand its nuances compared to synonyms like 'sadd' (barrier) or 'moshkel' (problem). You will encounter 'māne' in discussions about economics, social issues, and law. For instance, 'mavan-e-ye kasb-o-kār' (barriers to business) is a common phrase in Iranian newspapers. You should also be able to use compound verbs like 'māne-tarāshi kardan' (to create artificial obstacles/to stonewall). Your sentences should be more complex, using 'māne' as a way to explain cause and effect in social dynamics. You are not just describing a block; you are analyzing why it exists and how to remove it.
C1 learners should appreciate the metaphorical and literary depth of 'مانع'. In classical Persian poetry, a 'māne' is often the 'Raqib' (the rival) or the social norms that prevent the lover from reaching the beloved. You should be able to discuss these themes using the word. Furthermore, in legal and philosophical texts, 'māne' has a specific technical meaning (an impediment). You should be able to read a contract or a formal decree and understand exactly what constitutes a 'māne' to a legal action. Your vocabulary should also include related terms like 'māne'at' (prevention/hindrance as a concept). At this stage, the word is a tool for deep analysis of structure, law, and literature.
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At the C2 level, 'مانع' is a word you manipulate with stylistic flair. You understand its etymological roots in Arabic and how that influences its usage in high-level Persian prose. You can use it in complex idiomatic expressions and understand the subtle difference between 'māne' and 'rāde' (deterrent) or 'hāyel' (a screen/partition). You can write essays on 'the psychological obstacles to national development' using 'māne' and its derivatives with perfect accuracy. You also recognize the word in the most obscure Sufi texts, where it might represent the 'self' or 'ego' as the ultimate 'māne' between the human and the Divine. Mastery at this level means the word is no longer just a vocabulary item, but a conceptual building block for complex thought.
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Examples Notes & Tips

مانع in 30 Seconds

  • Māne means obstacle or barrier.
  • Used for both physical and abstract blocks.
  • Often pairs with 'shodan' to mean 'to prevent'.
  • The plural form is the irregular 'mavan-e'.

The Persian word مانع (pronounced 'māne') is a versatile noun that primarily translates to 'obstacle,' 'barrier,' or 'hindrance' in English. It originates from the Arabic root 'm-n-a,' which conveys the idea of preventing, forbidding, or withholding. In modern Persian, its usage spans from the physical world—like a hurdle on a racetrack—to the abstract realms of psychology, law, and social progress. When you encounter this word, think of something that stands in the way of an action or a flow.

Physical Barrier
In a literal sense, it refers to any object that blocks a path. For example, a fallen tree on a road is a 'māne' for cars.

سنگ‌های بزرگ مانع حرکت رودخانه شدند.

Translation: Large rocks became an obstacle to the river's movement.
Abstract Hindrance
It is frequently used to describe things like lack of money, lack of education, or fear, which prevent success or progress.

The word is also deeply embedded in legal and religious terminology. In Islamic jurisprudence (Fiqh), a 'māne' refers to a condition that prevents the application of a rule or the validity of a contract. For instance, being an heir but having murdered the deceased is a 'māne' (impediment) to receiving an inheritance. This demonstrates the word's strength; it isn't just a minor inconvenience, but often a definitive block.

ترس بزرگترین مانع برای رسیدن به آرزوهاست.

Translation: Fear is the biggest obstacle to reaching one's dreams.
Grammatical Usage
It often pairs with the verb 'shodan' (to become) or 'ijād kardan' (to create) to form compound expressions meaning 'to prevent' or 'to obstruct'.

هیچ چیز مانع تلاش او نشد.

Translation: Nothing prevented (hindered) his efforts.

پلیس در خیابان مانع گذاشته است.

Translation: The police have placed barriers in the street.

In summary, whether you are talking about a physical wall, a legal restriction, or a mental block, 'māne' is your go-to word. It carries a sense of resistance and the need for effort to overcome or bypass it.

Using 'مانع' correctly requires understanding its role as a noun that often initiates a compound verb or functions as the object of a preposition. In Persian syntax, when you want to say 'to prevent someone from doing something,' you typically use the structure māne-ye [something] shodan.

The 'Ezafe' Construction
When 'māne' is followed by what it is blocking, it takes the ezafe (the short 'e' sound). Example: 'māne-ye pishraft' (obstacle to progress).

ترافیک سنگین مانع رسیدن به موقع ما شد.

Heavy traffic prevented us from arriving on time.

Another common pattern is using the verb 'ijād kardan' (to create). This is used when someone or something actively puts an obstacle in place. It's very common in political or technical discussions.

دولت برای واردات مانع ایجاد کرد.

The government created obstacles for imports.

When 'māne' is used as a predicate, it can stand alone to mean 'forbidden' or 'prevented' in some contexts, though 'mamnu' is more common for 'forbidden'. However, in daily speech, you might hear 'bi-māne' (no obstacle/okay).

استفاده از این دستگاه برای عموم بی‌مانع است.

Use of this device is free of obstacles (permitted) for the public.
Removing Obstacles
The verbs 'raf' kardan' (to resolve) or 'bardāshtan' (to pick up/remove) are used when talking about getting rid of hindrances.

ما باید موانع تولید را برطرف کنیم.

We must eliminate the obstacles to production.

Finally, in literature and poetry, 'māne' is often used metaphorically to describe the distance between the lover and the beloved, or the worldly attachments that prevent spiritual enlightenment. In these contexts, the word carries a more heavy, emotional weight.

You will encounter 'مانع' in a variety of real-world scenarios in Iran and other Persian-speaking regions. From the evening news to the sports stadium, it is a high-frequency word that learners should recognize immediately.

The News and Politics
Broadcasters frequently use 'māne' when discussing diplomatic negotiations or economic sanctions. Phrases like 'māne-tarāshi' (creating artificial obstacles) are common in political rhetoric.

تحریم‌ها مانع اصلی تجارت هستند.

Sanctions are the main obstacle to trade.
Sports Commentary
In athletics, specifically 'dav-e bā māne' (hurdles/steeplechase), you'll hear the word constantly. It also appears in football (soccer) when a defender blocks a shot.

In the business world, 'māne' is used during project management meetings. Managers might ask, 'What are the barriers to completing this project on time?' (Che mavan-ei barāye etmām-e in proje darim?). It is a standard term for bottlenecks in a process.

کمبود بودجه مانع اجرای طرح شد.

Lack of budget prevented the execution of the plan.
Everyday Conversations
If you are trying to walk through a crowded bazaar, someone might say 'māne nasho!' (Don't be an obstacle! / Get out of the way!). While slightly blunt, it shows the word's physical application.

Furthermore, in Persian cinema and literature, 'māne' often symbolizes the social or familial barriers that prevent lovers from being together. It is a central theme in many traditional and modern stories, where the 'māne' must be overcome for a happy ending.

Learners of Persian often encounter a few pitfalls when using the word 'مانع'. Understanding these will help you sound more like a native speaker and avoid confusion.

Confusing 'Māne' with 'Mamnu'
While both words relate to prevention, 'mamnu' means 'forbidden' or 'prohibited' by law or rule. 'Māne' is the 'obstacle' itself. You wouldn't say 'Smoking is a māne'; you would say 'Smoking is mamnu'.

اشتباه: سیگار کشیدن اینجا مانع است. (غلط)

Correct: سیگار کشیدن اینجا ممنوع است.

Another mistake involves the plural form. Many learners try to pluralize it as 'māne-hā'. While understandable, the correct and more formal plural is 'mavan-e' (موانع). Using 'mavan-e' will significantly improve the quality of your formal writing and speech.

Preposition Errors
When saying 'an obstacle TO something,' learners often use the wrong preposition. In Persian, the ezafe ('-e') is usually sufficient, or you use 'barāye' (for).

او مانعِ پیشرفت من شد. (Correct ezafe usage)

Finally, don't confuse 'māne' (obstacle) with 'man' (me/I). While they look similar in script if you aren't paying attention to the 'alef' and 'ayn', their sounds and meanings are completely different. Always ensure you pronounce the 'ā' clearly to distinguish it.

To truly master Persian, you need to know which 'obstacle' word fits each situation. 'مانع' is the most general, but here are its cousins:

Sadd (سد)
Literally a 'dam' or 'barrier'. Use this when the obstacle is solid and completely stops the flow of something, like a wall or a dam in a river.
Moshkel (مشکل)
Meaning 'problem'. While a 'māne' is something that blocks you, a 'moshkel' is a difficulty you need to solve. They are often used together.

این مانع یک مشکل بزرگ ایجاد کرده است.

This obstacle has created a big problem.
Gir (گیر)
Informal term for a 'hitch' or 'snag'. If something is 'gir' has, it's stuck or facing a minor obstruction.

In legal contexts, you might see 'Rāde' (رادع), which means a deterrent. While 'māne' stops something, 'rāde' is intended to discourage it from happening in the first place through fear of consequences.

Choosing the right word depends on the intensity and the nature of the blockage. For general 'obstacles' in life, 'māne' remains the most reliable and sophisticated choice.

Fun Fact

The word 'Māne' is an active participle in Arabic grammar, meaning 'the one who prevents'. In Persian, it transitioned into a general noun for the obstacle itself.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /mɒːneʔ/
US /mɑːneʔ/
The stress is typically on the first syllable in modern Persian speech.
Rhymes With
قاطع (Qāte') صانع (Sāne') جامع (Jāme') طامع (Tāme') واقع (Vāqe') مانع (Māne') دافع (Dāfe') رافع (Rāfe')
Common Errors
  • Pronouncing it like 'man' (me) without the long 'ā'.
  • Ignoring the final glottal stop (though often skipped in fast speech, it's important for clarity).
  • Confusing the 'ā' sound with 'a' as in 'cat'.
  • Over-emphasizing the 'e' sound.
  • Merging the two syllables into one.
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Examples by Level

1

باران مانع بازی شد.

The rain prevented the game.

Simple past tense with 'shod' (became/was).

2

این یک مانع است.

This is an obstacle.

Basic 'A is B' structure.

3

مانع نشو!

Don't be an obstacle! (Don't block me!)

Imperative negative form.

4

او مانع من است.

He is my obstacle.

Possessive ezafe used here.

5

راه مانع ندارد.

The road has no obstacles.

Using 'nadārad' (does not have).

6

آن سنگ مانع است.

That stone is an obstacle.

Demonstrative 'ān' (that).

7

مانع کجاست؟

Where is the obstacle?

Interrogative 'kojāst' (where is).

8

من مانع نیستم.

I am not an obstacle.

Negative 'nistam' (I am not).

1

ترافیک مانع رسیدن ما شد.

Traffic prevented us from arriving.

Compound verb 'māne shodan'.

2

ورود بی‌مانع است.

Entry is free of obstacles (permitted).

Compound word 'bi-māne'.

3

او مانع کار من می‌شود.

He prevents my work (He's getting in the way).

Present continuous sense.

4

چرا مانع می‌شوی؟

Why are you preventing (it)?

Question form of compound verb.

5

دیوار مانع دید است.

The wall blocks the view.

Māne followed by a noun.

6

ما باید مانع را برداریم.

We must remove the obstacle.

Modal 'bāyad' (must).

7

این یک مانع بزرگ است.

This is a big obstacle.

Adjective 'bozorg' modifying 'māne'.

8

پول مانع نیست.

Money is not an obstacle.

Abstract usage.

1

موانع زیادی در راه موفقیت وجود دارد.

There are many obstacles on the way to success.

Plural 'mavan-e'.

2

ترس مانع پیشرفت او شده است.

Fear has become an obstacle to his progress.

Present perfect 'shode ast'.

3

پلیس مانع عبور خودروها شد.

The police prevented cars from passing.

Formal compound verb usage.

4

او همیشه مانع‌تراشی می‌کند.

He is always creating obstacles (stonewalling).

Idiomatic 'māne-tarāshi'.

5

این قانون مانع آزادی است.

This law is an obstacle to freedom.

Abstract social context.

6

باید تمام موانع را برطرف کنیم.

We must resolve (remove) all obstacles.

Verb 'bartaraf kardan'.

7

هیچ مانعی برای ازدواج آنها نیست.

There are no obstacles to their marriage.

Indefinite 'māne-i'.

8

او از موانع به راحتی پرید.

He jumped over the hurdles easily.

Literal sports usage.

1

دولت موانع صادرات را کاهش داد.

The government reduced export barriers.

Economic terminology.

2

غرور می‌تواند مانع بزرگی برای یادگیری باشد.

Pride can be a major obstacle to learning.

Modal 'mitavānad' (can).

3

آنها برای اجرای پروژه مانع ایجاد کردند.

They created obstacles for the project's execution.

Verb 'ijād kardan'.

4

موانع فرهنگی مانع از تغییر سریع می‌شوند.

Cultural barriers prevent rapid change.

Subject-verb agreement with plural.

5

او با وجود موانع فراوان، به هدفش رسید.

Despite numerous obstacles, he reached his goal.

Prepositional phrase 'bā vojud-e'.

6

موانع قانونی باید به دقت بررسی شوند.

Legal obstacles must be carefully examined.

Passive voice 'barresi shavand'.

7

این تحریم‌ها مانع رشد اقتصادی هستند.

These sanctions are obstacles to economic growth.

Political context.

8

نباید اجازه دهیم مشکلات مانع ما شوند.

We shouldn't let problems stop us.

Subjunctive mood 'shavand'.

1

تبعیض جنسیتی مانعی جدی در مسیر عدالت است.

Gender discrimination is a serious obstacle on the path to justice.

High-level social commentary.

2

شاعر جهان مادی را مانعی برای وصال می‌داند.

The poet considers the material world an obstacle to union.

Literary analysis structure.

3

موانع تعرفه‌ای تجارت جهانی را مختل کرده است.

Tariff barriers have disrupted global trade.

Technical economic vocabulary.

4

او با ذکاوت خود تمام موانع را پشت سر گذاشت.

With his wit, he left all obstacles behind.

Idiomatic 'posht-e sar gozāshtan'.

5

فقدان زیرساخت‌ها مانع توسعه روستایی است.

Lack of infrastructure is a hindrance to rural development.

Academic 'faqdān' (lack of).

6

موانع روانی گاهی سخت‌تر از موانع فیزیکی هستند.

Psychological obstacles are sometimes harder than physical ones.

Comparative structure.

7

در این معامله، هیچ مانع شرعی وجود ندارد.

In this transaction, there is no religious impediment.

Religious/Legal terminology.

8

بوروکراسی اداری بزرگترین مانع برای کارآفرینان است.

Administrative bureaucracy is the biggest obstacle for entrepreneurs.

Specific professional context.

1

تعارض منافع می‌تواند مانعی بنیادین در راه شفافیت باشد.

Conflict of interest can be a fundamental obstacle to transparency.

Advanced political philosophy.

2

او موانع معرفت‌شناختی را در رساله‌اش تحلیل کرد.

He analyzed epistemological obstacles in his dissertation.

Highly academic 'ma'refat-shenākhti'.

3

ساختارهای سنتی مانعی در برابر مدرنیته تلقی می‌شوند.

Traditional structures are regarded as obstacles against modernity.

Passive 'talaqqi mishavand'.

4

حجابِ تن مانعِ شهودِ حقیقت است.

The veil of the body is the obstacle to the intuition of truth.

Sufi/Mystical metaphor.

5

موانع بازدارنده باید متناسب با جرم باشند.

Deterrent obstacles (measures) must be proportionate to the crime.

Legal jurisprudence.

6

او از هر مانعی به عنوان پله‌ای برای صعود استفاده کرد.

He used every obstacle as a stepping stone for ascent.

Sophisticated metaphor.

7

تصلب فکری مانع از پذیرش ایده‌های نو می‌شود.

Intellectual rigidity prevents the acceptance of new ideas.

Advanced psychological term 'tasallob'.

8

موانع زیست‌محیطی باید در اولویت قرار گیرند.

Environmental obstacles must be prioritized.

Policy-making language.

Synonyms

سد رادع حائل مشکل دشوار عایق گیر مزاحم

Antonyms

تسهیل کمک راهگشا مشوق

Common Collocations

مانع شدن
رفع مانع
مانع تراشی
بدون مانع
موانع قانونی
مانع فیزیکی
مانع تراشیدن
ایجاد مانع
برخورد با مانع
مانع اصلی

Common Phrases

بی‌مانع است

— It is permitted or there are no objections.

استفاده از کتابخانه بی‌مانع است.

سد و مانع

— Barriers and obstacles (used for emphasis).

او از تمام سد و موانع گذشت.

مانع از آن شد که...

— It prevented that... (formal structure).

بیماری مانع از آن شد که او به سفر برود.

موانع تولید

— Barriers to production (economic term).

رهبر بر رفع موانع تولید تاکید کرد.

مانع‌تراشی اداری

— Bureaucratic red tape/stonewalling.

از مانع‌تراشی‌های اداری خسته شدم.

دو با مانع

— Hurdle race (sports).

او قهرمان دو با مانع است.

هیچ مانعی ندارد

— There is no problem / It's fine.

اگر فردا بیایی، هیچ مانعی ندارد.

برطرف کردن موانع

— To eliminate obstacles.

باید برای برطرف کردن موانع تلاش کنیم.

مانع تراش

— Someone who creates obstacles.

او یک فرد مانع تراش است.

مانع دید

— Obstructing the view.

درختان بزرگ مانع دید هستند.

Idioms & Expressions

"مانع تراشی کردن"

— To intentionally create difficulties or delays.

آنها برای قرارداد جدید مانع‌تراشی می‌کنند.

Professional/Journalistic
"سنگ انداختن"

— To throw stones (metaphorically) to stop someone's progress.

او همیشه جلوی پای من سنگ می‌اندازد.

Informal/Idiomatic
"چوب لای چرخ گذاشتن"

— To put a stick in the wheels (to sabotage).

رقیبان ما چوب لای چرخمان می‌گذارند.

Informal
"مانع‌الجمع"

— Mutually exclusive (cannot exist together).

این دو ایده مانع‌الجمع هستند.

Academic/Philosophical
"بی‌مانع و رادع"

— Without any hindrance or deterrent (completely free).

او بی‌مانع و رادع به کارش ادامه داد.

Formal/Literary
"مانع شدن از خیر"

— To prevent a good deed from happening.

مانع از خیر دیگران نشو.

Moral/Religious
"مانعِ راه"

— Being a block in the path (metaphorical).

او مانع راه موفقیت من است.

Neutral
"از میان برداشتن موانع"

— To clear all obstacles from the path.

او تمام موانع را از میان برداشت.

Formal
"مانع ظهور"

— Preventing the appearance or manifestation of something.

ابرها مانع ظهور ماه شدند.

Literary
"مانع تراشی بیهوده"

— Pointless obstructionism.

او فقط مانع تراشی بیهوده می‌کند.

Neutral

Word Family

Nouns

ممانعت (Prevention)
موانع (Obstacles - Plural)
مانعیت (Preventiveness)

Verbs

منع کردن (To forbid/prohibit)
ممانعت کردن (To prevent/hinder)

Adjectives

ممنوع (Forbidden)
ممتنع (Impossible/Refrained)
مانع (Preventing)

Related

منع (Prohibition)
امتناع (Refusal)
موانع‌تراشی (Stonewalling)
ضد‌مانع (Anti-barrier)
مانع‌زدایی (De-blocking/Removing obstacles)
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Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'Man' who is 'Nay' (saying no). A 'Mā-ne' says 'Nay' to your progress. He stands in the middle of the road and stops you.

Visual Association

Imagine a hurdle on a running track. The hurdle is a 'Māne'. Visualize yourself jumping over it to reach the finish line.

Word Web

Sadd (Barrier) Moshkel (Problem) Pishraft (Progress) Rah (Way) Jologiri (Prevention) Ghanun (Law) Taraf (Side/Resolve) Mavan-e (Plural)

Challenge

Write three sentences: one about a physical 'māne', one about a mental 'māne', and one about a 'māne' in your studies.

Word Origin

Derived from the Arabic root 'M-N-A' (م ن ع). This root is central to Semitic languages for the concept of holding back or refusing.

Original meaning: The act of preventing or withholding something from someone.

Afroasiatic (Arabic) borrowed into Indo-European (Persian).
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