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B1 adjective #7,000 الأكثر شيوعاً 10 دقيقة للقراءة

بی کفایت

Q: How do I write it? With a space or without?

In modern Persian, it is written as 'بیکفایت' with a half-space (Z-V-N-J) between 'bi' and 'kefāyat'. Some older texts might write it as one word 'بیکفایت' or with a full space 'بی کفایت'.

Q: How do I say 'incompetence'?

The noun form is 'bi-kefāyati' (بیکفایتی). Example: 'Bi-kefāyati-ye u' (His incompetence).

bi kefaayat الأكثر شيوعاً #7,000

تدرّب عليها أمثلة ملاحظات ونصائح بی کفایت في 30 ثانية

الشرح بی کفایت in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't need to use 'bi-kefāyat' often, but you might recognize the prefix 'bi-' which means 'without'. Think of it like 'without skill'. At this stage, you usually say 'bad' (bad) or 'na-khub' (not good). For example, if a cook is not good, you say 'ashpaz-e khubi nist'. 'Bi-kefāyat' is a big word for A1, but it is good to know that 'bi' makes words negative. It is like 'un-' or 'in-' in English. You can remember it as 'without ability'.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

At the A2 level, you are starting to describe people more specifically. Instead of just saying someone is 'bad' at their job, you can use 'bi-kefāyat' to mean they are incompetent. This is useful for describing characters in stories or complaining about a service. You should know that it follows the noun with an 'e' sound, like 'karmand-e bi-kefāyat'. It is a strong word, so use it carefully. You might hear it in simple news stories or when people are very unhappy with a leader.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

At the B1 level, you should be able to use 'bi-kefāyat' comfortably in discussions about work, politics, or history. You understand that it implies a lack of necessary skills for a specific responsibility. You can use it to compare different people's abilities. For example, 'This manager is bi-kefāyat, but the other one is bā-kefāyat (competent)'. You also begin to see the noun form 'bi-kefāyati' (incompetence) in articles and should be able to use it as a subject in a sentence, like 'Bi-kefāyati-ye u moshkel-sāz shod' (His incompetence became problematic).

At the B2 level, you understand the nuances between 'bi-kefāyat' and its synonyms like 'nā-lāyeq' (unworthy) or 'nā-kār-āmad' (inefficient). You can use it in formal essays or debates to critique policies or leadership. You are aware that 'bi-kefāyat' carries a social weight and can be used to hold people accountable. You can also use it with intensifiers like 'be-shoddat' (severely) or 'kāmelan' (completely) to express strong opinions. You understand its role in historical and political contexts in Iran.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

At the C1 level, you use 'bi-kefāyat' with precision, recognizing its rhetorical power. You might use it in literary analysis or complex political commentary. You understand how the word functions in the broader 'ezāfe' system and how it can be used metaphorically. You can also identify it in classical poetry or high-level academic texts where it might describe a failing state or an inadequate theory. You are capable of discussing the social implications of labeling someone as 'bi-kefāyat' and the legal ramifications of 'bi-kefāyati' in professional malpractice.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

At the C2 level, you have a masterly grasp of 'bi-kefāyat'. You can use it in sophisticated wordplay, irony, or subtle sarcasm. You understand the historical evolution of the word and its Arabic roots. You can switch between 'bi-kefāyat' and even more specialized terms like 'fāghed-e salahiyat' or 'adam-e kifāyat' depending on the exact legal or philosophical register required. You can use the term to construct complex arguments about meritocracy, governance, and institutional failure in Persian-speaking societies, using it as a cornerstone for deep cultural critique.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

تدرّب عليها أمثلة ملاحظات ونصائح

بی کفایت في 30 ثانية

Used to describe someone who lacks the necessary skills or ability to perform a task or role effectively.
Commonly applied to leaders, managers, or officials who fail in their duties, often carrying a strong critical tone.
Formed from the prefix 'bi-' (without) and 'kefāyat' (sufficiency/competence), translating directly to 'incompetent'.
Essential for discussing professional failures, political critiques, and historical analysis in Persian-speaking contexts.

The Persian word بی کفایت (pronounced as 'bi-kefāyat') is a powerful and often sharp adjective used to describe a lack of competence, skill, or the necessary ability to perform a task or fulfill a responsibility. It is fundamentally composed of two parts: the privative prefix bi- (meaning 'without') and the noun kefāyat (meaning 'sufficiency' or 'competence'). When combined, they create a term that translates directly to 'without sufficiency,' but in practical usage, it carries the weight of 'incompetent' or 'inefficient.' This word is not merely a neutral observation of a skill gap; it often carries a judgmental or critical tone, especially when applied to public figures, leaders, or professionals who have failed to meet the expectations of their roles. In the landscape of Persian social and political discourse, this term is frequently employed to criticize management, governance, or individual performance in high-stakes environments.

Core Concept: The word signifies a failure to meet the standards of a specific office or duty. It suggests that the person does not possess the mental, physical, or professional resources to handle their situation.
Social Context: Using this word in a professional setting is considered a serious accusation. It implies a fundamental flaw in the person's capability rather than a simple mistake.

همه می‌دانستند که او یک مدیر بی کفایت است که فقط با پارتی‌بازی به این مقام رسیده است.

(Everyone knew he was an incompetent manager who only reached this position through nepotism.)

In historical contexts, you might find this word used in literature to describe weak rulers or failing administrations. It is a word that demands accountability. If a system is described as bi-kefāyat, it implies that the system is broken not because of bad luck, but because the people running it lack the requisite talent or effort. In modern Iranian media, you will see this word appearing in headlines discussing economic mismanagement or bureaucratic failures. It is a word that resonates with frustration. When a citizen feels that their needs are not being met by an institution, the first word that often comes to mind is بی‌کفایتی (incompetence - the noun form).

دولت به دلیل سیاست‌های بی کفایت خود مورد انتقاد شدید قرار گرفت.

(The government was severely criticized for its incompetent policies.)

Emotional Resonance: The word evokes a sense of wasted potential and administrative neglect. It is often paired with feelings of anger and disillusionment.

Understanding this word is crucial for B1 learners because it bridges the gap between basic descriptions of people and more sophisticated sociopolitical commentary. It allows you to express dissatisfaction with services or leadership in a way that sounds articulate and firm. Whether you are discussing a character in a movie who ruins everything or a historical figure who lost a war, bi-kefāyat provides the precise descriptive power needed to explain 'why' they failed: they simply weren't up to the task.

Using بی کفایت correctly requires an understanding of Persian syntax and the specific contexts where such a strong adjective is appropriate. As an adjective, its most common position is immediately following a noun, linked by the ezāfe. However, it can also function as a predicate adjective at the end of a sentence following the verb 'to be' (budan). Because it is a compound word (bi + kefāyat), it is usually written with a half-space (z-v-n-j) or as a single unit, though modern orthography prefers the half-space for clarity.

Attributive Usage: When modifying a noun directly: 'Kār-mand-e bi-kefāyat' (The incompetent employee). Here, the focus is on the quality of the person as a permanent or defining trait within that context.
Predicative Usage: When making a statement about someone: 'In rāhandāz bi-kefāyat ast' (This operator is incompetent). This is a direct declaration of their lack of skill.

هیچ‌کس نمی‌خواهد زیر نظر یک رهبر بی کفایت کار کند.

(No one wants to work under an incompetent leader.)

It is important to note that bi-kefāyat can be intensified using adverbs like besyār (very) or kāmelan (completely). For instance, 'kāmelan bi-kefāyat' translates to 'utterly incompetent.' This is common in heated debates or critical reviews. Furthermore, the word can be applied to inanimate objects or abstract concepts like 'systems,' 'plans,' or 'management styles,' though it is most frequently used for people in positions of power.

سیستم اداری قدیمی و بی کفایت مانع پیشرفت پروژه شد.

(The old and incompetent administrative system hindered the project's progress.)

In formal writing, such as a letter of complaint or a political analysis, bi-kefāyat is the standard term. In contrast, in very informal slang, you might hear 'shol-o-vel' (limp/loose) or 'bi-khāseye' (useless/without property), but these lack the professional weight of bi-kefāyat. When you use this word, you are appealing to a standard of 'kefāyat' (sufficiency) that has not been met. Therefore, it is often useful to follow up the adjective with a reason, using 'chon' (because) or 'be dalil-e' (due to).

او به عنوان یک مربی بی کفایت شناخته شد چون تیمش تمام بازی‌ها را باخت.

(He was known as an incompetent coach because his team lost all the games.)

In daily life in Iran or among Persian speakers, بی کفایت is a staple of news broadcasts, social media commentary, and workplace gossip. If you are watching a news segment about a train accident or an environmental disaster, you will likely hear activists or victims calling the responsible officials bi-kefāyat. It is the go-to word for expressing that a tragedy was avoidable if the people in charge had simply known how to do their jobs. It carries a sense of civic duty to call out such incompetence.

The News & Media: Headlines often use the noun form 'bi-kefāyati' to describe systemic failures. 'Bi-kefāyati-ye mas'ulān' (The incompetence of officials) is a very common phrase in critical journalism.
Workplace & Office: In the 'āshpazkhāne' (kitchen) or breakroom, employees might whisper about a 'modir-e bi-kefāyat' who makes poor decisions that affect everyone's workload.

مردم در شبکه‌های اجتماعی علیه شهردار بی کفایت شعار می‌دادند.

(People were chanting on social media against the incompetent mayor.)

Another place you will encounter this word is in historical dramas or 'Serial-hā'. Persian history is full of tales of kings and ministers, and the conflict often revolves around the 'bi-kefāyat' heir who loses the empire versus the 'lāyeq' (worthy/competent) hero. Listening for this word in period pieces like 'Jeyran' or 'Shahrzad' can help you understand the gravity it holds when discussing leadership and legacy. It’s also common in sports commentary when a referee makes a series of questionable calls or a manager fails to make obvious tactical changes.

گزارشگر بازی، داور را بی کفایت خواند و به شدت از او انتقاد کرد.

(The match commentator called the referee incompetent and criticized him heavily.)

In academic or legal settings, bi-kefāyat might be replaced by more technical terms like 'adam-e salahiyat' (lack of jurisdiction/qualification), but bi-kefāyat remains the most expressive word for the general public. If you are reading a Persian translation of a book on management or psychology, this word will frequently appear to describe 'incompetence' in the workplace. It is a word that bridges the gap between everyday frustration and formal critique.

While بی کفایت is a straightforward adjective, learners often make a few key mistakes regarding its intensity, its noun form, and its placement. One common error is confusing it with bi-savād (illiterate/uneducated). While an incompetent person might be uneducated, bi-kefāyat specifically refers to their inability to perform a task, regardless of their degrees. A highly educated person can still be a 'modir-e bi-kefāyat' if they lack leadership skills.

Mistake 1: Overusing it for minor errors: Using 'bi-kefāyat' for a small, one-time mistake is often too harsh. For minor errors, use 'bi-deghat' (careless) instead. 'Bi-kefāyat' implies a fundamental lack of ability.
Mistake 2: Incorrect Noun Formation: Learners sometimes say 'bi-kefāyat-i' when they mean the adjective. Remember: 'bi-kefāyat' is the person (adjective), while 'bi-kefāyati' is the quality of incompetence (noun).

اشتباه: او یک بی کفایتی است. درست: او بی کفایت است.

(Wrong: He is an incompetence. Right: He is incompetent.)

Another mistake involves the 'ezāfe' construction. Since bi-kefāyat ends in a consonant ('t'), you must clearly pronounce the short 'e' sound on the preceding noun. For example, in 'kārmand-e bi-kefāyat,' failing to pronounce the '-e' makes the phrase sound disjointed and grammatically incorrect. Additionally, learners sometimes forget that bi-kefāyat is a formal-to-neutral word. Using it in a very casual setting with friends might sound a bit too 'dramatically serious' unless you are being intentionally hyperbolic.

نباید هر کسی را که اشتباه می‌کند، بی کفایت خطاب کرد.

(One should not call everyone who makes a mistake incompetent.)

Finally, be careful with the prefix 'bi-'. While it is very productive in Persian, you cannot attach it to every noun to mean 'in-'. Bi-kefāyat is a set compound. Trying to invent words like 'bi-mahārat' is possible and understood, but 'bi-kefāyat' is the established, more common term for incompetence in a professional or official capacity. Stick to the established vocabulary to sound more natural.

Persian has a rich vocabulary for describing various types of inability or lack of skill. Understanding the differences between بی کفایت and its synonyms will help you choose the right word for the right situation. The most common synonym is nā-lāyeq, which translates to 'unworthy' or 'unfit.' While bi-kefāyat focuses on the lack of practical skill, nā-lāyeq often has a moral or existential undertone—implying the person doesn't deserve the position they hold.

بی کفایت (Bi-kefāyat) vs. نالایق (Nā-lāyeq): Bi-kefāyat: Focuses on performance and results. 'The manager failed to meet the budget.'
Nā-lāyeq: Focuses on merit and character. 'The prince is unworthy of the throne.'
بی کفایت (Bi-kefāyat) vs. بی‌عرضه (Bi-orzeh): Bi-kefāyat: Formal/Neutral. Used in news and professional settings.
Bi-orzeh: Very Informal/Insulting. Used in arguments or to belittle someone's general life skills.

تفاوت بین یک فرد بی کفایت و یک فرد ناتوان در تجربه آن‌هاست.

(The difference between an incompetent person and an incapable person lies in their experience.)

Other alternatives include nā-tavān (incapable/weak) and nā-kār-āmad (inefficient). Nā-kār-āmad is particularly useful when talking about systems, machines, or processes rather than people. For example, an 'inefficient engine' is 'moteur-e nā-kār-āmad,' whereas a person who can't fix it might be 'bi-kefāyat.' If someone is simply 'unskilled' because they haven't learned yet, you might use nā-shāstedan or simply say they lack 'mahārat' (skill).

او نه تنها بی کفایت است، بلکه بسیار لجباز هم هست.

(He is not only incompetent, but also very stubborn.)

In legal or official documents, you might see adam-e salahiyat (lack of competence/authority). This is the most formal way to state that someone is not qualified for a role. However, for 90% of situations where you want to say 'incompetent' in a serious way, bi-kefāyat is your best choice. It hits the perfect balance between being descriptive and being a strong critique.

How Formal Is It?

حقيقة ممتعة

In the Safavid and Qajar eras, 'Kefāyat' was sometimes used in titles for officials who were responsible for managing the royal household's resources, implying they were 'sufficient' for the king's needs.

دليل النطق

UK /biː kefɑːˈjæt/

US /biː kefɑːˈjæt/

The primary stress is on the final syllable '-yæt'.

يتقافى مع

حمایت (hemāyat) هدایت (hedāyat) شکایت (shekāyat) روایت (revāyat) نهایت (nehāyat) عنایت (enāyat) ولایت (velāyat) سرایت (serāyat)

أخطاء شائعة

Pronouncing 'bi' as a short 'i' like 'bit'. It should be long.
Stressing the first syllable 'BI-kefāyat'. Correct stress is at the end.
Failing to pronounce the 't' clearly at the end.
Mixing up 'fā' with 'fa' (short a). It should be long 'ā'.
Forgetting the ezāfe when used as an adjective (e.g., saying 'modir bi-kefāyat' instead of 'modir-e bi-kefāyat').

مستوى الصعوبة

القراءة 3/5

Easy to recognize due to the 'bi-' prefix.

الكتابة 4/5

Requires correct spelling of 'kefāyat' (with 't' at the end).

التحدث 3/5

Straightforward pronunciation, but watch the stress.

الاستماع 3/5

Common in news and movies.

ماذا تتعلّم بعد ذلك

المتطلبات الأساسية

مدیر (manager) کار (work) بی (without) بد (bad) توانستن (to be able)

تعلّم لاحقاً

شایستگی (eligibility) مسئولیت (responsibility) مدیریت (management) برکناری (dismissal) استعفا (resignation)

متقدم

عدم صلاحیت (lack of qualification) اهمال (negligence) سوءمدیریت (mismanagement) تخطی (transgression) شایسته‌سالاری (meritocracy)

قواعد يجب معرفتها

Ezāfe Construction

مدیرِ بی کفایت (modir-e bi-kefāyat)

Negative Prefix 'bi-'

بی‌ادب (rude), بی‌سواد (uneducated)

Noun Formation with '-i'

بی‌کفایتی (incompetence)

Adjective Position

Follows the noun in 99% of cases.

Intensifying Adjectives

بسیار بی کفایت (very incompetent)

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

أمثلة حسب المستوى

او یک کارگر بی کفایت است.

He is an incompetent worker.

Simple adjective following the noun with ezāfe.

این مدیر بی کفایت است.

This manager is incompetent.

Predicative usage with the verb 'ast'.

من نان بی کفایت نمی‌خرم.

I don't buy incompetent bread. (Note: Unusual usage, usually for people).

Showing that it's an adjective.

او بی کفایت بود.

He was incompetent.

Past tense 'bud'.

آنها بی کفایت هستند.

They are incompetent.

Plural subject with singular adjective.

آیا او بی کفایت است؟

Is he incompetent?

Question form.

معلم بی کفایت رفت.

The incompetent teacher left.

Adjective modifying the subject.

پدرم گفت او بی کفایت است.

My father said he is incompetent.

Reported speech.

ما به یک دکتر بی کفایت مراجعه کردیم.

We visited an incompetent doctor.

Used in a simple past sentence.

او به خاطر بی کفایت بودن اخراج شد.

He was fired for being incompetent.

Gerund-like 'budan' with adjective.

این آشپز خیلی بی کفایت است.

This cook is very incompetent.

Using 'kheyli' as an intensifier.

دولت بی کفایت نتوانست مشکل را حل کند.

The incompetent government couldn't solve the problem.

Compound subject with negative verb.

چرا این راننده اینقدر بی کفایت است؟

Why is this driver so incompetent?

Using 'inghadr' (this much).

او یک نویسنده بی کفایت است که کتاب‌های بدی می‌نویسد.

He is an incompetent writer who writes bad books.

Relative clause 'ke'.

من با یک همکار بی کفایت کار می‌کنم.

I work with an incompetent colleague.

Preposition 'bā'.

او همیشه بی کفایت بوده است.

He has always been incompetent.

Present perfect tense.

مدیریت بی کفایت باعث شکست شرکت شد.

Incompetent management caused the company's failure.

Abstract noun modified by the adjective.

او با وجود بی کفایت بودن، هنوز سر کار است.

Despite being incompetent, he is still at work.

Conjunction 'bā vojud-e'.

من هرگز ندیده‌ام کسی اینقدر بی کفایت باشد.

I have never seen anyone be this incompetent.

Subjunctive 'bāshad'.

او به دلیل بی کفایتی‌اش تنبیه شد.

He was punished because of his incompetence.

Noun form 'bi-kefāyati' with possessive suffix.

یک رهبر بی کفایت می‌تواند یک کشور را نابود کند.

An incompetent leader can destroy a country.

Modal 'mitavānad'.

او ادعا کرد که رئیسش بی کفایت است.

He claimed that his boss is incompetent.

Indirect speech.

ما باید از شر این کارمند بی کفایت خلاص شویم.

We must get rid of this incompetent employee.

Phrasal verb 'khalās shodan'.

او به خاطر سیاست‌های بی کفایتش مشهور است.

He is famous for his incompetent policies.

Prepositional phrase 'be khāter-e'.

او را یک مهندس بی کفایت می‌دانند که استانداردهای ایمنی را نادیده می‌گیرد.

They consider him an incompetent engineer who ignores safety standards.

Passive-like construction 'mi-dānand'.

بی کفایتی سیستماتیک در سازمان موج می‌زند.

Systemic incompetence is rampant in the organization.

Metaphorical verb 'mowj zadan'.

او با لحنی تند، وزیر را بی کفایت خطاب کرد.

In a sharp tone, he addressed the minister as incompetent.

Adverbial phrase 'bā lahni tond'.

هیچ توجیهی برای این عملکرد بی کفایت وجود ندارد.

There is no justification for this incompetent performance.

Negative existential 'vojud nadārad'.

او ثابت کرد که برای این مقام بی کفایت است.

He proved that he is incompetent for this position.

Verb 'sābet kardan'.

گزارش‌ها نشان‌دهنده بی کفایتی شدید در بخش مالی است.

Reports indicate severe incompetence in the financial department.

Participle 'neshān-dahandeh'.

او به جای اعتراف به اشتباه، دیگران را بی کفایت می‌نامد.

Instead of admitting his mistake, he calls others incompetent.

Construction 'be jāye'.

این پروژه به دلیل مدیریت بی کفایت به بن‌بست رسید.

This project reached a dead end due to incompetent management.

Idiom 'be bon-bast residan'.

تاریخ مملو از پادشاهان بی کفایتی است که امپراتوری‌های بزرگ را به باد دادند.

History is full of incompetent kings who squandered great empires.

Literary word 'mamlov' (full).

او با زیرکی تمام، رقیب خود را بی کفایت جلوه داد.

With complete cunning, he made his rival appear incompetent.

Causative-like 'jelveh dādan'.

بی کفایتی مفرط در توزیع منابع، منجر به بحران شد.

Excessive incompetence in resource distribution led to a crisis.

Adjective 'mofrat' (excessive).

او در نطق خود، ساختار بی کفایت اداری را به چالش کشید.

In his speech, he challenged the incompetent administrative structure.

Idiom 'be chālesh keshidan'.

این بی کفایتی محض است که ما هنوز راه حلی پیدا نکرده‌ایم.

It is pure incompetence that we still haven't found a solution.

Emphatic 'mahz' (pure).

او متهم به بی کفایتی حرفه‌ای و اهمال در وظایف شد.

He was accused of professional incompetence and negligence of duties.

Formal legal terminology.

سلسله مراتب بی کفایت، مانع از شنیده شدن صدای نخبگان می‌شود.

The incompetent hierarchy prevents the voices of the elite from being heard.

Passive construction with 'shodan'.

او با یک استراتژی بی کفایت، تمام سرمایه شرکت را به خطر انداخت.

With an incompetent strategy, he endangered all the company's capital.

Verb 'be khatar andākhtan'.

ظهور چنین مسئولین بی کفایتی، معلولِ فقدانِ نظارتِ دقیق است.

The emergence of such incompetent officials is the result of a lack of precise oversight.

Complex causal construction 'ma'lul-e'.

او با قلمی تند، بی کفایتیِ موروثیِ طبقه حاکم را نقد کرد.

With a sharp pen, he criticized the hereditary incompetence of the ruling class.

Metaphorical 'ghalam-e tond'.

این نه یک اشتباه، بلکه تجلیِ بی کفایتیِ نهادینه شده است.

This is not a mistake, but a manifestation of institutionalized incompetence.

Contrasting 'na... balke' construction.

او در خاطراتش، از بی کفایتیِ فاجعه‌بارِ فرماندهان جنگ سخن می‌گوید.

In his memoirs, he speaks of the catastrophic incompetence of war commanders.

Adjective 'fāje'eh-bār'.

چگونه می‌توان این حجم از بی کفایتی را نادیده گرفت؟

How can one ignore this volume of incompetence?

Rhetorical question.

بی کفایتیِ او در مدیریتِ بحران، عواقبِ جبران‌ناپذیری داشت.

His incompetence in crisis management had irreparable consequences.

Adjective 'jobrān-nā-pazir'.

او با رویکردی بی کفایت، فرصت‌های طلاییِ توسعه را سوزاند.

With an incompetent approach, he burned the golden opportunities for development.

Metaphorical verb 'suzāndan'.

فقدانِ شایسته‌سالاری به بی کفایتیِ مزمن در ادارات دامن زده است.

The lack of meritocracy has fueled chronic incompetence in offices.

Idiom 'dāman zadan'.

تلازمات شائعة

مدیر بی کفایت

دولت بی کفایت

رهبری بی کفایت

سیستم بی کفایت

کاملان بی کفایت

مسئولین بی کفایت

فرمانده بی کفایت

مربی بی کفایت

سیاست‌های بی کفایت

فرد بی کفایت

العبارات الشائعة

اوج بی کفایتی

— The peak or height of incompetence. Used to describe a catastrophic failure.

این حادثه اوج بی کفایتی مسئولین را نشان داد.

به دلیل بی کفایتی

— Due to incompetence. A common reason given for failures or firings.

او به دلیل بی کفایتی از کار برکنار شد.

نشان‌دهنده بی کفایتی

— Indicative of incompetence. Used in analysis.

این تاخیر نشان‌دهنده بی کفایتی تیم است.

متهم به بی کفایتی

— Accused of incompetence. Common in legal or political news.

وزیر متهم به بی کفایتی در مدیریت منابع آب شد.

بی کفایتی محض

— Pure/sheer incompetence. Used for emphasis.

این تصمیم بی کفایتی محض بود.

قربانی بی کفایتی

— Victim of incompetence. Used for people hurt by others' failures.

بیماران قربانی بی کفایتی کادر درمان شدند.

اعتراف به بی کفایتی

— Admitting to incompetence. Rare but significant.

او در نهایت به بی کفایتی خود اعتراف کرد.

بی کفایتی اداری

— Administrative incompetence. Refers to bureaucracy.

بی کفایتی اداری مانع سرمایه‌گذاری می‌شود.

برکناری به خاطر بی کفایتی

— Dismissal due to incompetence.

برکناری او به خاطر بی کفایتی‌اش بود.

نماد بی کفایتی

— Symbol of incompetence.

این ساختمان نیمه‌کاره نماد بی کفایتی شهرداری است.

يُخلط عادةً مع

بی کفایت vs بی‌سواد

Bi-savād means uneducated/illiterate. You can be educated but still bi-kefāyat (incompetent).

بی کفایت vs بی‌عرضه

Bi-orzeh is more of a personal insult about character, while bi-kefāyat is about professional skill.

بی کفایت vs ناتوان

Nā-tavān is 'unable' (maybe due to health), whereas bi-kefāyat is 'incompetent' (due to lack of skill/effort).

تعبيرات اصطلاحية

"آشپز که دو تا شد، آش یا شور می‌شود یا بی‌نمک"

— Too many cooks spoil the broth. Often used when multiple incompetent people try to lead.

با این همه مدیر بی کفایت، آش یا شور می‌شود یا بی‌نمک.

Informal/Proverb

"کارد به استخوان رسیدن"

— To reach the breaking point, often due to 'bi-kefāyati' of others.

از بی کفایتی دولت، کارد به استخوان مردم رسیده است.

Informal

"دسته گل به آب دادن"

— To make a big blunder. Common for 'bi-kefāyat' people.

باز هم آن کارمند بی کفایت دسته گل به آب داد.

Informal

"خر بیار و باقالی بار کن"

— A chaotic mess resulted from incompetence.

با این مدیریت بی کفایت، حالا خر بیار و باقالی بار کن.

Slang

"کلاهش پسِ معرکه است"

— He is falling behind or failing due to lack of skill.

اگر بی کفایت باشد، کلاهش پسِ معرکه است.

Informal

"آب از سر گذشتن"

— It's too late; the damage from incompetence is done.

بی کفایتی او باعث شد آب از سر شرکت بگذرد.

Neutral

"یک دست صدا ندارد"

— One hand makes no sound. Used when a competent person is stuck with incompetent ones.

او باکفایت است اما با این تیم بی کفایت، یک دست صدا ندارد.

Proverb

"فیلش یاد هندوستان کرده"

— Nostalgic for a time before the current incompetence.

با دیدن این مدیر بی کفایت، فیل مردم یاد هندوستان کرده.

Informal

"نخود هر آش بودن"

— Being a busybody without having the skills (bi-kefāyat).

او بی کفایت است اما نخود هر آش می‌شود.

Informal

"تبر به ریشه زدن"

— To destroy something from the roots, usually through incompetence.

سیاست‌های بی کفایت او تبر به ریشه اقتصاد زد.

Neutral

سهل الخلط

بی کفایت vs ناشی

Both imply doing a job poorly.

Nāshi is for beginners/novices who are clumsy. Bi-kefāyat is for anyone who lacks the required ability, often implying they should know better.

راننده ناشی (New driver) vs. راننده بی کفایت (Professional driver who fails).

بی کفایت vs نالایق

Both are used for bad leaders.

Nā-lāyeq is 'unworthy' (moral/merit). Bi-kefāyat is 'incompetent' (functional/skill).

پادشاه نالایق (Unworthy king) vs. پادشاه بی کفایت (King who can't manage the state).

بی کفایت vs بی‌لیاقت

Very similar in meaning.

Bi-liyāghat focuses on the lack of merit, while bi-kefāyat focuses on the lack of results/efficiency.

او بی‌لیاقت است (He doesn't deserve this) vs. او بی کفایت است (He can't do this).

بی کفایت vs ناکارآمد

Both mean 'not working well'.

Nā-kār-āmad is mostly for systems/machines/methods. Bi-kefāyat is mostly for people.

سیستم ناکارآمد (Inefficient system) vs. مدیر بی کفایت (Incompetent manager).

بی کفایت vs بی‌دقت

Both lead to mistakes.

Bi-deghat means 'careless'. A competent person can be bi-deghat. A bi-kefāyat person lacks the skill entirely.

اشتباه بی‌دقت (Careless mistake) vs. عملکرد بی کفایت (Incompetent performance).

أنماط الجُمل

[Noun] + e + بی کفایت

راننده بی کفایت

[Noun] + به دلیل بی کفایتی + [Verb]

او به دلیل بی کفایتی اخراج شد.

نشان‌دهنده [Noun] + یِ + بی کفایت

این گزارش نشان‌دهنده مدیریت بی کفایت است.

متهم کردن [Person] به بی کفایتی

او را به بی کفایتی متهم کردند.

او بی کفایت است.

هیچ‌کس [Adjective] را دوست ندارد.

هیچ‌کس مدیر بی کفایت را دوست ندارد.

تجلیِ بی کفایتیِ [Adjective]

این حادثه تجلی بی کفایتی نهادینه شده بود.

اگر [Subject] بی کفایت باشد، ...

اگر رهبر بی کفایت باشد، کشور سقوط می‌کند.

عائلة الكلمة

الأسماء

کفایت (kefāyat) - sufficiency/competence

بی‌کفایتی (bi-kefāyati) - incompetence

الأفعال

کفایت کردن (kefāyat kardan) - to be sufficient/enough

الصفات

باکفایت (bā-kefāyat) - competent

بی‌کفایت (bi-kefāyat) - incompetent

مرتبط

لیاقت (liyāghat) - merit/worthiness

شایستگی (shāyestegi) - eligibility/competence

مهارت (mahārat) - skill

توانایی (tavānāyi) - ability

صلاحیت (salāhiyat) - qualification/authority

سجّل مجاناً لرؤية جميع الأمثلة

كيفية الاستخدام

frequency

Common in professional and political contexts.

أخطاء شائعة

Using 'bi-kefāyati' as an adjective. → He is bi-kefāyat.
You cannot say 'u bi-kefāyati ast'. You must use the adjective form 'bi-kefāyat'.
Confusing it with 'bi-savād'. → The manager is bi-kefāyat.
Even a person with a PhD can be 'bi-kefāyat' if they can't manage people. 'Bi-savād' means they can't read or write.
Forgetting the Ezāfe. → Modir-e bi-kefāyat.
In Persian, the link between the noun and adjective is the 'e' sound. Don't skip it!
Using it for a broken car. → Māshin-e kharāb.
'Bi-kefāyat' is primarily for people or systems with agency. For objects, use 'kharāb' or 'nā-kār-āmad'.
Pluralizing the adjective. → Modirān-e bi-kefāyat.
Adjectives in Persian do not take the plural suffix '-hā' when they modify a noun.

نصائح

Professional Complaints

If you are writing a formal complaint about a service, 'bi-kefāyat' is the perfect word to describe a staff member who was completely unable to help you. It sounds serious and justified.

The Ezāfe Connection

Don't forget the 'e' sound! It's 'kārmand-E bi-kefāyat'. Without that 'e', the sentence falls apart grammatically.

Noun vs Adjective

Remember that 'bi-kefāyat' is the person, and 'bi-kefāyati' is the abstract concept. 'He is bi-kefāyat' but 'I saw his bi-kefāyati'.

Context Matters

In Iran, calling a government official 'bi-kefāyat' is a common form of political expression. It's one of the most used words in social media critiques of the state.

Emphasis

To sound more like a native, put extra stress on the 'yæt' at the end when you are expressing frustration. 'Vāghe'an bi-kefāYÆT-e!'

Memory Hook

Kefāyat sounds like 'capacity'. Bi-kefāyat = Without capacity. This makes it very easy to link to the English meaning.

Half-Space

When typing on a Persian keyboard, use Shift+Space for the half-space in 'bi-kefāyat'. It's the mark of a high-quality writer.

Word Pairs

Always learn 'bi-kefāyat' and 'bā-kefāyat' together. They are a perfect pair of opposites that you will use frequently.

Harshness Level

On a scale of 1-10, 'bi-kefāyat' is a 7 in terms of harshness. It's not a swear word (10), but it's much stronger than 'bad' (2).

News Keywords

If you hear 'bi-kefāyati' in a news headline, you know the story is about a scandal, a failure, or a protest.

احفظها

وسيلة تذكّر

Think of 'BI' as 'Bye-bye' and 'KEFAYAT' as 'Capabilities'. If someone is 'bi-kefāyat', you say 'Bye-bye' to their 'Capabilities' because they have none!

ربط بصري

Imagine a manager trying to put a square peg in a round hole while wearing a hat that says 'BI'. This represents the lack of skill and the prefix.

Word Web

Manager Failure Skills Politics Criticism Workplace Leader Mistake

تحدٍّ

Try to find three news articles in Persian today that use the word 'bi-kefāyat' or 'bi-kefāyati'. Write down the context for each.

أصل الكلمة

The word is a hybrid Persian-Arabic construction. 'Bi' is a native Persian prefix of Indo-European origin, while 'Kefāyat' comes from the Arabic root 'k-f-y' (كفي), meaning to be enough or sufficient.

المعنى الأصلي: The original sense of 'kefāyat' in Arabic-Persian literature was 'sufficiency' in resources. Combined with 'bi', it meant 'lacking the resources' to complete a task.

Persian (Indo-European) + Arabic (Semitic) loanword.

السياق الثقافي

This is a strong word. Avoid using it directly to someone's face unless you intend to start a serious conflict or are in a position to formally evaluate them.

Translates best as 'incompetent', but in some contexts, 'inept' or 'unfit' might capture the nuance better.

Used in historical accounts of the fall of the Qajar dynasty to describe the last kings. Frequently used in modern Iranian protest songs and poetry. A key term in the Persian translation of 'The Peter Principle' (Principle of Incompetence).

تدرّب في الحياة الواقعية

سياقات واقعية

Workplace Failure

مدیر بی کفایت
اخراج به دلیل بی کفایتی
عملکرد بی کفایت
همکار بی کفایت

Political Critique

دولت بی کفایت
وزیر بی کفایت
بی کفایتی سیستماتیک
اعتراض به بی کفایتی

Sports

مربی بی کفایت
داور بی کفایت
بازی بی کفایت
فدراسیون بی کفایت

History/Literature

شاه بی کفایت
فرمانده بی کفایت
سلسله بی کفایت
حاکم بی کفایت

Services/Customer Support

کارمند بی کفایت
خدمات بی کفایت
پشتیبانی بی کفایت
شرکت بی کفایت

بدايات محادثة

"به نظر تو چرا بعضی از مدیرها اینقدر بی کفایت هستند؟"

"آیا تا به حال با یک همکار بی کفایت کار کرده‌ای؟"

"چگونه می‌توان جلوی بی کفایتی در سازمان‌ها را گرفت؟"

"در تاریخ کشور تو، کدام پادشاه یا رهبر بی کفایت بود؟"

"اگر رئیس یک فرد بی کفایت باشی، چه کار می‌کنی؟"

مواضيع للكتابة اليومية

درباره زمانی بنویسید که با یک سیستم بی کفایت روبرو شدید و چه احساسی داشتید.

تفاوت بین یک فرد ناشی و یک فرد بی کفایت از نظر شما چیست؟

آیا بی کفایتی همیشه تقصیر فرد است یا سیستم هم مقصر است؟

چگونه می‌توانیم مهارت‌های خود را تقویت کنیم تا بی کفایت نباشیم؟

یک داستان کوتاه درباره کشوری بنویسید که توسط یک حاکم بی کفایت اداره می‌شود.

الأسئلة الشائعة

10 أسئلة

It is not a 'curse word', but it is a very strong professional and social insult. Calling someone 'bi-kefāyat' directly is a major confrontation. In news or analysis, it is a standard critical term.

It sounds very self-deprecating. It's better to say 'اشتباه کردم' (I made a mistake) or 'در این کار ناشی هستم' (I am a novice at this). Using 'bi-kefāyat' for yourself sounds like you have zero self-esteem.

The direct opposite is 'bā-kefāyat' (با کفایت). You can also use 'لایق' (lāyeq) or 'شایسته' (shāyesteh) for someone competent and worthy.

Yes, but it's less common. You can say 'سیستم بی کفایت' (incompetent system), but for machines or tools, 'ناکارآمد' (inefficient) or 'خراب' (broken) is better.

In modern Persian, it is written as 'بی‌کفایت' with a half-space (Z-V-N-J) between 'bi' and 'kefāyat'. Some older texts might write it as one word 'بیکفایت' or with a full space 'بی کفایت'.

As an adjective, it doesn't change for plural nouns (e.g., مدیران بی کفایت). If used as a noun, you can say 'بی‌کفایت‌ها' (the incompetent ones).

Yes, 'kefāyat' is the Persianized version of the Arabic word 'kifāyah'. However, 'bi-' is a pure Persian prefix.

It is more common in prose, history, and modern literature. Classical poetry often uses 'nā-lāyeq' or 'nā-kas'.

The noun form is 'bi-kefāyati' (بی‌کفایتی). Example: 'Bi-kefāyati-ye u' (His incompetence).

It's a bit harsh for a student. Better to say 'ضعیف' (weak) or 'تنبل' (lazy). 'Bi-kefāyat' implies a failure to handle a responsibility they are supposed to be qualified for.

سجّل مجاناً للنصائح والملاحظات