بیکار
When someone is بیکار (bikâr), it means they don't have a job.
It's important to know this word is used for people who are actively looking for work but haven't found it yet.
You might hear someone say, 'He is بیکار (bikâr) right now,' meaning he's unemployed.
This word is different from someone who chooses not to work or is retired.
When you're learning Persian at the B1 level, you're moving beyond basic survival phrases and starting to talk about more nuanced situations. The word بیکار (bikâr) is a great example of this.
It specifically describes someone who is unemployed but actively looking for work, not just someone who chooses not to work. This distinction is important for expressing yourself clearly in real-world conversations.
Understanding words like this helps you discuss social situations and economic topics, which are common at the B1 level. It allows for more precise and natural communication.
When we encounter the Persian adjective "بیکار" (bikār) at the C2 CEFR level, it's important to understand its nuances beyond a simple translation of "unemployed." While it certainly means without a job, its C2 usage often implies a state of being involuntarily out of work despite actively seeking employment, highlighting a societal or personal challenge rather than a chosen leisure.
It can also extend metaphorically to objects or processes that are idle or not functioning as intended, indicating a sophisticated understanding of its applicability beyond human employment. Furthermore, in idiomatic expressions, "بیکار" can convey a sense of uselessness or being unproductive in a broader context, requiring careful consideration of the surrounding discourse to fully grasp its intended meaning.
§ Understanding 'Bikar' vs. 'Tanbal' (Lazy)
Many Persian learners get confused between 'bikar' (بیکار) and 'tanbal' (تنبل), which means lazy. While both describe a state of not working, the nuance is very important. 'Bikar' specifically refers to someone who is unemployed but wants to work and is actively looking for a job. It carries a sense of misfortune or circumstance, not a character flaw. 'Tanbal', on the other hand, implies a lack of motivation or a disinclination to work. Using 'tanbal' when you mean 'bikar' can be offensive because it mischaracterizes someone's situation.
§ Not Using 'Bikar' for Temporary Downtime
Another common mistake is using 'bikar' to describe a temporary period of not working or having free time. For example, if you're on vacation or you have a day off, you wouldn't say 'man bikar hastam' (من بیکار هستم). This implies you're unemployed. Instead, you would use phrases like 'man vaght-e azad daram' (من وقت آزاد دارم) meaning 'I have free time', or 'man emrooz kar nadaram' (من امروز کار ندارم) meaning 'I don't have work today'. 'Bikar' is a more permanent or significant state of being without employment.
او بعد از فارغالتحصیلی بیکار بود و دنبال کار میگشت. (He was unemployed after graduation and was looking for a job.)
امروز بیکار نیستم، ولی وقت آزاد دارم. (I am not unemployed today, but I have free time.)
The key is to remember that 'bikar' suggests an involuntary lack of employment, often with an implication of seeking work. If someone is just relaxing or has a day off, they are not 'bikar' in the Persian sense.
§ Incorrectly Using 'Bikar Kardan' (To Make Unemployed)
You might be tempted to use 'bikar kardan' (بیکار کردن) to mean 'to make someone unemployed'. While grammatically possible, it's not the most natural or common way to express this in Persian. More often, you'd use verbs like 'az kar axraj kardan' (از کار اخراج کردن) meaning 'to fire someone', or ' تعدیل نیرو کردن' (ta'dil-e niru kardan) meaning 'to lay off staff'. 'Bikar kardan' can sound a bit clunky or overly literal.
مدیر او را از کار اخراج کرد. (The manager fired him from work.)
Focus on using the more idiomatic phrases when talking about firing or laying off employees.
§ Overusing 'Bikar' in Formal Contexts
While 'bikar' is a widely understood and used word, in very formal or official contexts, you might encounter more formal terms for 'unemployment' or 'joblessness', such as 'bikar-i' (بیکاری) for the noun 'unemployment'. As an adjective, 'bikar' is generally fine, but be aware that formal reports or government documents might prefer more elaborate phrasing when discussing the unemployment rate or issues related to joblessness. For everyday conversation, 'bikar' is perfectly appropriate.
§ Mixing with 'Bikhodi' (Uselessly)
The word 'bikhodi' (بیخودی) means 'for no reason' or 'uselessly', and its pronunciation is somewhat similar to 'bikar'. This can sometimes lead to confusion for new learners. Remember that 'bikar' refers to a state of employment, while 'bikhodi' describes the lack of purpose or reason behind an action. Keep their meanings distinct.
- بیکار (bikar)
- Unemployed; without a job, despite actively seeking employment.
- بیخودی (bikhodi)
- For no reason; uselessly; without purpose.
او بیخودی نگران بود. (He was worried for no reason.)
By being mindful of these common pitfalls, you can use 'bikar' more accurately and naturally in your Persian conversations. The key is to remember its specific meaning: actively seeking employment but currently without a job, and not to confuse it with laziness, free time, or other similar-sounding words.
- Always consider the context of employment when using 'bikar'.
- Do not use it to describe leisure time or temporary breaks from work.
- Be careful not to confuse it with 'tanbal' (lazy).
- Use more common phrases like 'az kar axraj kardan' for 'to fire someone'.
- Distinguish it clearly from 'bikhodi' (for no reason).
حقيقة ممتعة
The prefix 'بی-' is very common in Persian and is used to negate many words, similar to 'un-' or '-less' in English.
أمثلة حسب المستوى
او چند ماه است که بیکار است.
He has been jobless for several months.
است (ast) means 'is'.
بیکار ماندن در این شهر سخت است.
It is difficult to remain unemployed in this city.
ماندن (mândân) means 'to remain'.
آنها به دنبال کار هستند اما فعلاً بیکارند.
They are looking for work but are currently jobless.
بیکارند (bikâr-and) is the plural form of 'jobless'.
چرا بیکار نشستی؟ برو یک کاری پیدا کن!
Why are you sitting idle? Go find a job!
نشستن (neshastan) means 'to sit'. This implies being idle rather than just jobless.
بعد از فارغ التحصیلی، یک سال بیکار بودم.
After graduation, I was unemployed for a year.
بودم (budam) means 'I was'.
بیکاری میتواند باعث ناامیدی شود.
Unemployment can cause despair.
بیکاری (bikâri) is the noun form, 'unemployment'.
دولت باید برای کاهش بیکاری تلاش کند.
The government should try to reduce unemployment.
کاهش (kâhesh) means 'reduction'.
او دوست ندارد بیکار بماند.
He doesn't like to remain jobless.
دوست داشتن (dust dâshtan) means 'to like'.
بعد از فارغالتحصیلی، او برای مدت کوتاهی بیکار بود، اما سریعاً شغل مناسبی پیدا کرد.
After graduation, he was unemployed for a short time, but quickly found a suitable job.
با وجود تلاشهای زیاد، بسیاری از جوانان در این شهر بیکار هستند.
Despite many efforts, many young people in this city are unemployed.
او از بیکار بودن خسته شده بود و تصمیم گرفت کسبوکار خودش را راهاندازی کند.
He was tired of being jobless and decided to start his own business.
در دوران بحران اقتصادی، تعداد افراد بیکار به طور چشمگیری افزایش یافت.
During the economic crisis, the number of unemployed people significantly increased.
دولت برای کاهش نرخ بیکاری، برنامههای جدیدی را معرفی کرده است.
The government has introduced new programs to reduce the unemployment rate.
پیدا کردن کار در رشتهی او دشوار بود و او برای ماهها بیکار ماند.
Finding work in his field was difficult, and he remained unemployed for months.
وقتی همسایهام بیکار شد، همهی ما سعی کردیم به او کمک کنیم تا کار پیدا کند.
When my neighbor became unemployed, all of us tried to help him find a job.
او نگران بود که اگر شرکت تعطیل شود، بیکار خواهد شد.
He was worried that if the company closed, he would become jobless.
نصائح
بیکار vs. تنبل
It's important to distinguish between «بیکار» (bikar) and «تنبل» (tanbal). «بیکار» means unemployed, actively looking for work, while «تنبل» means lazy. Don't confuse them!
Common use: to be unemployed
You'll often hear «بیکار بودن» (bikar budan) which means to be unemployed. For example, «من بیکار هستم» (man bikar hastam) means I am unemployed.
Related phrase: job searching
A related phrase is «دنبال کار گشتن» (donbal-e kar gashtan) which means to look for a job. Someone who is «بیکار» is usually «دنبال کار» (donbal-e kar) – looking for work.
Formal vs. informal
«بیکار» is a common word used in both formal and informal contexts. You can use it freely in conversations and written texts.
Antonym: employed
The antonym for «بیکار» is «شاغل» (shāghel), which means employed or working. So, «من شاغل هستم» means I am employed.
Don't use for 'idle'
While «بیکار» literally means 'without work', don't use it to describe someone who is simply idle or not busy but doesn't necessarily need a job. For that, you might use «بیکار» (bikar) in a different context, but it's less common and can be confusing.
Sentence example 1
Example: «او دو ماه است که بیکار است.» (ou do māh ast ke bikar ast.) This means He has been unemployed for two months.
Sentence example 2
Example: «نرخ بیکاری در این شهر بالاست.» (nerkh-e bikāri dar in shahr bālāst.) This means The unemployment rate in this city is high.
Social implications
In Persian culture, being «بیکار» can carry some social stigma, similar to many other cultures. It's often a topic of serious discussion.
Derived noun: unemployment
The noun form of «بیکار» is «بیکاری» (bikāri), meaning unemployment. You'll encounter this word in news and economic discussions.
أصل الكلمة
From 'بی-' (bi-, a privative prefix meaning 'without') + 'کار' (kār, meaning 'work' or 'job').
المعنى الأصلي: The combination literally means 'without work'.
Indo-European, Iranian branch.السياق الثقافي
The term 'بیکار' often carries a social stigma in Iranian culture, as employment is highly valued. It can also imply a sense of idleness or being unproductive, even if the person is actively looking for work.
الأسئلة الشائعة
10 أسئلة'Bikâr' (بیکار) means someone is unemployed, often actively looking for work, and it carries a sense of misfortune rather than laziness. On the other hand, 'tanbal' (تنبل) means lazy. A 'tanbal' person chooses not to work or exert effort, while a 'bikâr' person might desperately want to work but can't find a job. So, 'bikâr' is about circumstance, and 'tanbal' is about a personal trait.
You can use 'bikâr' just like you'd use 'unemployed' in English. For example, 'او بیکار است' (He is unemployed). Or, 'آنها بیکار شدند' (They became unemployed).
It's a common and neutral word. You can use it in both formal and informal contexts. It's not considered slang, nor is it overly formal.
The primary meaning implies a desire to work but an inability to find a job. While it doesn't explicitly state 'actively looking,' that's the strong implication. If someone is just not working by choice, 'tanbal' or other terms might be more appropriate.
A common phrase is 'بیکار ماندن' (bikâr mândan), which means 'to remain unemployed' or 'to be left jobless.' Another related idea is 'بیکار ننشستن' (bikâr naneshastan), meaning 'not sitting idle' or 'staying busy,' which implies not being unemployed and being productive.
The most direct opposite would be 'شاغل' (shâghel), which means 'employed' or 'working.' You could also use 'کارمند' (kârmand) for an employee, or simply 'کسی که کار دارد' (kasi ke kâr dârad) - 'someone who has a job.'
Not really in the sense of being 'unemployed.' 'Bikâr' specifically refers to people who are without a job. If you mean something is idle or not in use, you'd use different words, like 'غیر فعال' (gheir-e fa'âl) for inactive, or 'بلااستفاده' (belaestefâdeh) for unused.
It's pronounced bee-kahr. The 'i' is like the 'ee' in 'bee,' and the 'â' is like the 'a' in 'car.' Stress is typically on the second syllable: bi-KÂR.
It's a compound word. 'Bi-' (بی) is a common Persian prefix meaning 'without' or 'lack of.' 'Kâr' (کار) means 'work' or 'job.' So, literally, it means 'without work'.
Yes, 'bikâr' is commonly used in economic contexts to refer to the unemployed population. You'll hear phrases like 'نرخ بیکاری' (nerkh-e bikâri), which means 'unemployment rate,' in news and economic reports.
اختبر نفسك 54 أسئلة
Choose the correct translation for 'بیکار'.
'بیکار' means someone without a job, or unemployed.
Which word describes someone who does not have a job?
A 'بیکار' person is someone who is without a job.
If someone is 'بیکار', what are they doing?
The definition of 'بیکار' implies actively seeking employment.
A 'بیکار' person has a job.
'بیکار' means without a job, so this statement is false.
If you are 'بیکار', you are looking for work.
The term 'بیکار' suggests that the person is actively seeking employment.
The word 'بیکار' means 'very busy'.
'بیکار' means the opposite of busy; it means without a job.
Choose the correct translation for 'بیکار' when someone is looking for a job.
'بیکار' specifically refers to someone without a job but actively seeking one.
Which sentence correctly uses 'بیکار'?
The correct use of 'بیکار' implies actively seeking employment.
If your friend is 'بیکار', what are they most likely doing?
Being 'بیکار' means actively looking for work.
If someone is 'بیکار', it means they choose not to work.
No, 'بیکار' means they are without a job despite actively seeking one.
A person who is 'بیکار' is usually trying to find a new job.
Yes, 'بیکار' implies that the person is actively looking for employment.
You can use 'بیکار' to describe someone who is very busy.
'بیکار' means without a job, which is the opposite of being busy with work.
He is unemployed and looking for a job.
Why are so many young people unemployed?
I have been unemployed for a year.
Read this aloud:
او بیکار نیست، هر روز کار میکند.
Focus: بیکار (bikar)
قلت:
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Read this aloud:
آیا شما هم بیکار هستید؟
Focus: آیا (āyā)
قلت:
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Read this aloud:
خیلی از دوستان من بیکارند.
Focus: دوستان (dustān)
قلت:
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او یک سال است که ___ است و به دنبال کار میگردد. (He has been ___ for a year and is looking for a job.)
The sentence indicates he is looking for a job, meaning he is unemployed. 'بیکار' means without a job.
بسیاری از جوانان تحصیل کرده در ایران ___ هستند. (Many educated young people in Iran are ___.)
This sentence describes a common issue of unemployment among educated youth. 'بیکار' fits this context.
بعد از فارغ التحصیلی، او برای مدت کوتاهی ___ بود. (After graduation, he was ___ for a short time.)
It's common for graduates to be unemployed for a period while seeking their first job. 'بیکار' means without a job.
اگر شما ___ هستید، میتوانید از اداره کار کمک بگیرید. (If you are ___, you can get help from the labor office.)
Labor offices provide assistance to those who are unemployed. 'بیکار' is the correct term.
او نگران آینده فرزندش بود، چون او هنوز ___ بود. (She was worried about her son's future because he was still ___.)
A common concern for parents is their adult child being unemployed. 'بیکار' means without a job.
افزایش نرخ ___ میتواند به مشکلات اقتصادی منجر شود. (An increase in the ___ rate can lead to economic problems.)
The term for the state of being unemployed is 'بیکاری' (unemployment). An increase in this rate causes economic issues.
This sentence means 'My brother is unemployed.' The order is 'My brother' (برادرم), 'unemployed' (بیکار), 'is' (است).
This question asks 'How many months has he been unemployed?' The structure begins with 'how many months' (چند ماه), followed by 'is it that' (است که), then 'he' (او), 'unemployed' (بیکار), and finally 'is' (است) for the question.
This sentence means 'After university, I was unemployed for a while.' The order is 'I' (من), 'after university' (بعد از دانشگاه), 'for a while' (مدتی), 'unemployed' (بیکار), 'was' (بودم).
Choose the sentence where "بیکار" is used correctly to describe someone actively looking for a job but unable to find one.
The word 'بیکار' specifically refers to someone who is without a job despite actively seeking employment, not someone who is idle by choice or on vacation.
Which sentence best expresses the meaning of "بیکار" in the context of economic challenges?
This sentence accurately reflects the economic implication of 'بیکار' as being unemployed due to larger economic factors.
Select the option that uses "بیکار" to describe a person's current employment status.
This sentence clearly shows 'بیکار' referring to someone's employment status despite their active job search.
اگر کسی 'بیکار' باشد، به این معنی است که او به دنبال کار میگردد اما هنوز پیدا نکرده است. (If someone is 'بیکار', it means they are looking for a job but haven't found one yet.)
This statement accurately defines 'بیکار' as someone actively seeking employment but currently without a job.
شما میتوانید از واژه 'بیکار' برای توصیف کسی که از روی عمد کار نمیکند استفاده کنید. (You can use the word 'بیکار' to describe someone who intentionally does not work.)
'بیکار' specifically implies a lack of employment despite the desire and effort to find work, not an intentional choice to not work.
در جمله 'او بیکار نشسته بود و به سقف نگاه میکرد'، کلمه 'بیکار' به معنای بیکار بودن و نداشتن شغل است. (In the sentence 'He sat idly and looked at the ceiling', the word 'بیکار' means being unemployed and jobless.)
In this context, 'بیکار' means 'idle' or 'doing nothing', not 'unemployed' in the sense of actively seeking work.
Despite many efforts, he is still unemployed.
The unemployment rate in this region has sharply increased.
Youth unemployment is one of the biggest economic challenges of the country.
Read this aloud:
وضعیت بیکاری در جامعه ما نیازمند راه حلهای اساسی است.
Focus: بیکاری (bīkārī), راه حلهای اساسی (rāh-hall-hā-ye asāsī)
قلت:
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Read this aloud:
آیا بیکاری میتواند بر سلامت روان افراد تأثیر بگذارد؟
Focus: تأثیر بگذارد (ta'sīr begzārad)
قلت:
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Read this aloud:
دولت باید برنامههای جامعتری برای کاهش بیکاری ارائه دهد.
Focus: جامعتری (jāme'tarī), ارائه دهد (erā'e dahad)
قلت:
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Imagine you are an employment counselor. Write a short email (3-4 sentences) to a recent graduate who is feeling 'بیکار' (unemployed) and discouraged. Offer words of encouragement and practical advice. Focus on empathy and proactive steps.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
سلام [نام دانشجو], میدانم که در حال حاضر احساس بیکاری و ناامیدی دارید، اما مطمئن باشید که این وضعیت موقتی است. بسیاری از فارغالتحصیلان همین تجربه را دارند. توصیه میکنم روی بهبود مهارتهای خود تمرکز کنید و رزومهتان را برای فرصتهای مرتبط آماده کنید. تلاشهای شما بینتیجه نخواهد ماند.
Describe a hypothetical scenario where someone becomes 'بیکار' (unemployed) due to unforeseen economic changes in their industry. How do they adapt, and what challenges do they face in finding new employment? (4-5 sentences)
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
با تغییرات ناگهانی در صنعت، آقای احمدی بیکار شد. او که سالها در یک کارخانه تولیدی مشغول بود، با چالشهای جدیدی روبرو شد. احمدی تصمیم گرفت مهارتهای جدیدی در زمینه تکنولوژی بیاموزد و به دنبال فرصتهای شغلی در بخشهای دیگر بازار کار بگردد. این مسیر با دشواریهای فراوانی همراه بود، اما او با اراده قوی به تلاش خود ادامه داد.
Write a short personal reflection (3-4 sentences) on the societal impact of widespread 'بیکاری' (unemployment) in a community. Consider both economic and psychological effects.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
بیکاری گسترده میتواند تأثیرات مخربی بر جامعه داشته باشد. از نظر اقتصادی، قدرت خرید کاهش یافته و رکود ایجاد میشود. از نظر روانی، افراد بیکار دچار افسردگی و اضطراب میشوند که به فروپاشی اجتماعی منجر میشود. این وضعیت نیازمند راهکارهای جامع و پایدار است تا امید به آینده از بین نرود.
چه عاملی باعث افزایش افراد بیکار در جامعه میشود؟
Read this passage:
در شرایط رکود اقتصادی، بسیاری از کارخانهها مجبور به تعدیل نیرو میشوند. این امر باعث افزایش تعداد افراد بیکار در جامعه میگردد. دولتها تلاش میکنند با ارائه طرحهای حمایتی و ایجاد فرصتهای شغلی جدید، این معضل را کاهش دهند. اما حل کامل این مشکل نیازمند همکاری بخش خصوصی و عمومی است.
چه عاملی باعث افزایش افراد بیکار در جامعه میشود؟
متن به وضوح بیان میکند که رکود اقتصادی منجر به تعدیل نیرو و افزایش بیکاری میشود.
متن به وضوح بیان میکند که رکود اقتصادی منجر به تعدیل نیرو و افزایش بیکاری میشود.
کدام یک از موارد زیر به فرد بیکار در بازگشت به بازار کار کمک میکند؟
Read this passage:
فردی که بیکار است، تنها با چالشهای مالی روبرو نیست، بلکه ممکن است با مسائل روحی و روانی مانند کاهش اعتماد به نفس و احساس پوچی نیز دست و پنجه نرم کند. حمایت خانواده و دوستان در این دوران بسیار حیاتی است. همچنین، شرکت در دورههای آموزشی برای کسب مهارتهای جدید میتواند به او کمک کند تا دوباره به بازار کار بازگردد.
کدام یک از موارد زیر به فرد بیکار در بازگشت به بازار کار کمک میکند؟
بر اساس متن، شرکت در دورههای آموزشی برای کسب مهارتهای جدید میتواند به فرد بیکار کمک کند.
بر اساس متن، شرکت در دورههای آموزشی برای کسب مهارتهای جدید میتواند به فرد بیکار کمک کند.
یکی از نتایج بیکاری جوانان تحصیلکرده چیست؟
Read this passage:
آمار بیکاری در میان جوانان تحصیلکرده، یکی از نگرانیهای اصلی در بسیاری از کشورهاست. این پدیده میتواند به مهاجرت نخبگان و کاهش پتانسیل رشد اقتصادی منجر شود. برای مقابله با این چالش، لازم است سیستم آموزشی با نیازهای بازار کار هماهنگ شود و کارآفرینی مورد حمایت قرار گیرد.
یکی از نتایج بیکاری جوانان تحصیلکرده چیست؟
متن بیان میکند که بیکاری جوانان تحصیلکرده میتواند به کاهش پتانسیل رشد اقتصادی منجر شود.
متن بیان میکند که بیکاری جوانان تحصیلکرده میتواند به کاهش پتانسیل رشد اقتصادی منجر شود.
This sentence describes someone actively seeking work but remaining unemployed, which is the precise nuance of 'بیکار' (bikâr) at this level.
This sentence correctly orders the words to form a statement about rising unemployment rates, reflecting complex economic issues.
This sentence structure correctly conveys the government's efforts to address unemployment by creating new job opportunities.
/ 54 correct
Perfect score!
بیکار vs. تنبل
It's important to distinguish between «بیکار» (bikar) and «تنبل» (tanbal). «بیکار» means unemployed, actively looking for work, while «تنبل» means lazy. Don't confuse them!
Common use: to be unemployed
You'll often hear «بیکار بودن» (bikar budan) which means to be unemployed. For example, «من بیکار هستم» (man bikar hastam) means I am unemployed.
Related phrase: job searching
A related phrase is «دنبال کار گشتن» (donbal-e kar gashtan) which means to look for a job. Someone who is «بیکار» is usually «دنبال کار» (donbal-e kar) – looking for work.
Formal vs. informal
«بیکار» is a common word used in both formal and informal contexts. You can use it freely in conversations and written texts.
محتوى ذو صلة
عبارات ذات صلة
مزيد من كلمات business
عادتأ
B2As is the custom or habit; customarily.
عامیانه
B2Characteristic of ordinary conversation rather than formal speech or writing; informal.
اعطا کردن
B2To grant or bestow (a right, power, or honor).
اعتبار
A2Credit; the ability of a customer to obtain goods or services before payment.
اعتبار دادن
B1To grant credit or give credibility to someone or something.
اعتبار مالی
B1Financial standing or reputation; available funds.
اعتباراً
B2On credit; by means of credibility.
اعتباردهنده
B2An entity that lends money or provides credit to another party.
اعتبارنامه
B1A qualification, achievement, or personal quality; credential.
اعتباری
B1Relating to credit, especially financial credit; based on trust or reputation.
