المعنى
To cause deep emotional pain or sadness to someone, usually a loved one.
خلفية ثقافية
Breaking a heart is often linked to the concept of 'Aah' (a sigh of the oppressed). It is believed that if you break someone's heart, their 'Aah' will bring you bad luck or divine justice. In Sufi poetry, the 'broken heart' is actually a positive state for the mystic, as it is only through breaking the ego (the heart) that one can truly find God. Iranian 'Sad Songs' (Ahang-e Ghamgin) are a massive industry. 90% of these songs revolve around the theme of 'Del shekastan' and 'Bi-vafayi' (unfaithfulness). Iranians use 'del shekastan' to politely pressure someone. If you don't eat more food, the host might say you are breaking their heart.
Use with 'ra'
Always remember the object marker 'ra' when you are the subject breaking someone's heart.
Not for objects
Never use 'del shekastan' for a broken phone or glass. Use just 'shekastan'.
المعنى
To cause deep emotional pain or sadness to someone, usually a loved one.
Use with 'ra'
Always remember the object marker 'ra' when you are the subject breaking someone's heart.
Not for objects
Never use 'del shekastan' for a broken phone or glass. Use just 'shekastan'.
The 'Ta'arof' trick
Use it playfully when a friend refuses a second helping of food to sound more like a native speaker.
Moral weight
Understand that in Iran, this phrase is often used to guilt-trip someone into doing the right thing.
اختبر نفسك
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'del' and 'shekastan'.
تو با دروغهایت ______ من را ______.
The sentence needs 'del' (heart) and the 2nd person singular past tense 'shekasti'.
Which sentence is the most natural way to say 'My heart broke'?
کدام جمله درست است؟
In Persian, we use the intransitive 'shekast' to describe our own heart breaking.
Match the phrase to the situation.
اگر کسی به شما خیانت کند، چه میگویید؟
'Delam ra shekasti' is used for betrayal. 'Delam khonak shod' means 'I feel vindicated/happy about someone's misfortune'.
Complete the dialogue.
مادر: چرا با برادرت دعوا کردی؟ پسر: ببخشید مامان، نمیخواستم ______ شما را ______.
The son is apologizing for his action, so he uses 'del' and the 1st person singular subjunctive 'beshkanam'.
🎉 النتيجة: /4
وسائل تعلم بصرية
Intensity of Hurt
بنك التمارين
4 تمارينتو با دروغهایت ______ من را ______.
The sentence needs 'del' (heart) and the 2nd person singular past tense 'shekasti'.
کدام جمله درست است؟
In Persian, we use the intransitive 'shekast' to describe our own heart breaking.
اگر کسی به شما خیانت کند، چه میگویید؟
'Delam ra shekasti' is used for betrayal. 'Delam khonak shod' means 'I feel vindicated/happy about someone's misfortune'.
مادر: چرا با برادرت دعوا کردی؟ پسر: ببخشید مامان، نمیخواستم ______ شما را ______.
The son is apologizing for his action, so he uses 'del' and the 1st person singular subjunctive 'beshkanam'.
🎉 النتيجة: /4
الأسئلة الشائعة
14 أسئلةYou can, but it sounds like a translation from English. 'Del' is the authentic idiomatic choice.
No, it's very common between parents and children, or even between a teacher and a student.
Say 'Del-am shekasteh' (adjective) or 'Del-am shekast' (verb).
Not at all. It's a very emotional and sincere phrase used in all levels of society.
'Del be dast avardan' (to win/soothe a heart).
Only if you have a very close, personal relationship with the person. Otherwise, it's too emotional.
No, it's strictly emotional, though Iranians often feel this pain in their 'gut' area.
Yes, 'Daghoon kardan' (to wreck) is often used by youth.
Persian culture is highly emotional and relationship-oriented, making this a frequent topic.
Yes, the present stem is 'shekan-', but the past stem is 'shekast-'.
Yes, if you feel you've disappointed your dog or cat, you can say it jokingly!
It means 'a heartbroken person.'
The concept is there, but the specific Persian idiom is from Persian literature and Sufism.
Say: 'Bebakhshid ke deletan ra shekastam. Mikhoham az del-etan dar-avaram.'
عبارات ذات صلة
دلشکسته
specialized formHeartbroken
دل به دست آوردن
contrastTo win someone's heart / to make amends
دلخور شدن
similarTo be annoyed/upset
دلسوزاندن
similarTo make someone feel pity
