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B1 adjective #4,000 الأكثر شيوعاً 9 دقيقة للقراءة

ناتوان

na-tavan الأكثر شيوعاً #4,000

تدرّب عليها أمثلة ملاحظات ونصائح ناتوان في 30 ثانية

الشرح ناتوان in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't need to use 'nātavān' often, but you should recognize it as the opposite of 'tavānā' (powerful/able). Think of it as 'not can.' At this stage, you mostly use the word 'not able' by saying 'nemitoonam' (I cannot). However, if you see 'nātavān' in a simple story, just remember it means someone is very, very weak or cannot do a simple task like walking or carrying something. It is like saying 'no power.' You might see it in a picture book describing an old animal or a tired person. It is a good word to know to understand the concept of 'inability' before you learn more complex grammar. Just remember: nā (not) + tavān (power). If you have no 'tavān', you are 'nātavān'. It is a simple way to describe someone who needs help.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

For A2 learners, 'nātavān' starts appearing in short reading passages about health or social issues. You should know that it's a formal way to say 'weak' or 'unable.' You might use it to describe why someone didn't come to work: 'He was nātavān (unable) to come because he was very sick.' At this level, you should notice that it follows the noun it describes. For example, 'mard-e nātavān' (the weak man). You are moving beyond just saying 'I can't' and starting to describe the *state* of being unable. It's also useful for describing physical conditions in a basic way. If you see a news headline about 'people who are nātavān,' you should know it refers to those who need support from the government or their community.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

At B1, you are expected to use 'nātavān' in your writing and understand its nuances. This is the level where you learn the preposition 'az' (from/of) that usually goes with it. For example, 'Dolat az hall-e moshkelāt nātavān ast' (The government is unable to solve the problems). You should be able to distinguish 'nātavān' from 'za'if' (weak). You use 'nātavān' for more serious or permanent situations. You will also encounter it in more formal contexts, like school textbooks or news reports. You should start using it to express abstract inabilities, not just physical ones. For instance, being 'nātavān' in expressing your feelings or 'nātavān' in understanding a difficult lesson. It adds a level of sophistication to your Persian that 'nemitoonam' doesn't provide.

By B2, you should be comfortable with the word's role in complex sentence structures and its various registers. You will notice 'nātavān' in literature and more advanced social commentary. You should understand the plural form 'nātavānān' (the weak/disabled) and how it’s used in humanitarian contexts. You will also see it in compound words and phrases like 'nātavāni-ye jesmi' (physical disability). At this level, you should be able to argue why a certain policy makes a group of people 'nātavān' or how a hero in a story became 'nātavān' due to a tragic flaw. You are also expected to recognize it in classical poetry, where it often signifies a humble spiritual state. Your usage should reflect an understanding that 'nātavān' is a formal and somewhat heavy word.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

At the C1 level, 'nātavān' is a tool for precise expression. You will use it in academic writing or professional reports to describe systemic failures or biological limitations. You should understand the philosophical implications of 'human nātavāni' as discussed in Persian philosophy and theology. You will encounter the word in legal documents (e.g., financial inability) and psychological texts (e.g., learned helplessness). You should be able to use it metaphorically and understand when a writer is using it to evoke a specific emotional response, such as pity or a sense of injustice. You should also be aware of modern debates about terminology, such as the shift from 'nātavān' to 'kam-tavān' in social services to avoid stigma, and be able to discuss these nuances in fluent Persian.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

For C2 mastery, you understand the entire historical and literary trajectory of the word 'nātavān.' You can identify its use in 10th-century texts like the Shahnameh and compare it to modern usage. You are aware of the subtle rhythmic and melodic qualities it brings to a sentence in high-style prose (Nathr-e Mosajja). You can use the word to construct complex allegories or to critique deep-seated social power structures. You understand the word not just as a descriptor of lack, but as a concept that has shaped Persian ethics—the duty of the 'tavānā' (powerful) toward the 'nātavān' (weak). Your usage is flawless, and you can switch between its clinical, poetic, and legal meanings with complete ease, recognizing the exact 'weight' the word carries in any given sentence.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

تدرّب عليها أمثلة ملاحظات ونصائح

ناتوان في 30 ثانية

Nātavān means 'unable' or 'weak,' formed from 'nā' (not) and 'tavān' (power).
It is used for physical disability, social powerlessness, or failing to complete a task.
Commonly used in formal Persian, news, and classical poetry rather than casual street slang.
Usually followed by the preposition 'az' when describing a specific inability (e.g., unable to walk).

The Persian word ناتوان (nātavān) is a multifaceted adjective that primarily translates to 'unable,' 'weak,' 'powerless,' or 'impotent.' Etymologically, it is a compound of the negative prefix nā- (meaning 'not' or 'un-') and the noun/root tavān (meaning 'power,' 'strength,' or 'ability'). When you use this word, you are describing a state where the necessary resources—be they physical, mental, financial, or political—are absent to perform a specific action or to maintain a state of being.

Physical Context: In a medical or biological sense, it refers to someone who lacks physical strength due to age, illness, or disability. It is often used respectfully to describe the elderly who can no longer perform daily tasks independently.

پیرمرد برای راه رفتن بسیار ناتوان شده بود.
(The old man had become very weak for walking.)

Beyond the physical, nātavān carries a heavy weight in social and political discourse. It describes marginalized groups or individuals who lack the agency to change their circumstances. In classical Persian poetry, such as the works of Saadi or Hafez, the word is frequently used to evoke a sense of humility before the Divine or the overwhelming power of Love. In these contexts, being 'nātavān' is not necessarily a flaw but a recognized human condition of limitation.

Metaphorical Usage: It can describe a government 'unable' to control inflation, or a student 'unable' to grasp a complex mathematical concept. It highlights the gap between the requirement of a task and the existing capability of the subject.

او از درک این موضوع پیچیده ناتوان است.
(He is unable to understand this complex subject.)

In modern legal and formal Persian, nātavān is used in terms like 'nātavāni-ye jesmi' (physical disability) or 'nātavāni-ye zehni' (mental disability). It is a formal, standard term that avoids some of the harsher connotations of slang words for disability, maintaining a level of clinical or respectful distance. Understanding this word is crucial for B1 learners as it transitions from basic descriptions of strength to complex descriptions of human capacity and systemic limitations.

Grammatically, ناتوان (nātavān) functions primarily as an adjective. It can be used attributively (placing it after a noun with an ezafe) or predicatively (at the end of a sentence with a linking verb). Because it is a compound word, it does not change its form based on gender (as Persian lacks grammatical gender), but it can take plural markers if it is acting as a substantive noun meaning 'the weak ones' (nātavānān).

Attributive Use: When describing a person directly, you use the ezafe construction: 'ensān-e nātavān' (the weak human). This is common in literature and formal descriptions.

ما باید به افراد ناتوان کمک کنیم.
(We must help powerless/disabled individuals.)

One of the most common sentence patterns involves the preposition از (az). When you want to say someone is 'unable to do something,' the structure is: [Subject] + [az] + [Noun/Infinitive] + [nātavān] + [Verb]. This 'az' acts like the English 'of' or 'from,' indicating the source of the inability.

Predicative Use: In the predicative position, 'nātavān' often describes a state resulting from an event. 'The army became unable to defend the city.'

دولت از حل مشکلات اقتصادی ناتوان است.
(The government is unable to solve economic problems.)

When comparing abilities, you can use 'nātavāntar' (more unable/weaker). Although 'nātavāntarin' (most unable) is grammatically possible, it is rare; usually, writers prefer 'za'iftarin' for 'weakest.' When using the word in the plural to refer to a group, as in 'the disabled,' the term 'nātavānān' is used in humanitarian contexts, though 'ma'loolin' is more common for physical disability specifically.

You will encounter ناتوان (nātavān) in a variety of settings, ranging from the evening news to classical poetry recitals. In the context of **Iranian News and Media**, the word is frequently used to criticize policies or administrative failures. Journalists might describe a department as 'nātavān' in managing a crisis, such as a flood or an earthquake. Here, the word carries a tone of professional incompetence or systemic failure.

In Literature and Poetry: Persian culture is deeply rooted in poetry. In the works of Rumi, 'nātavān' is often used to describe the soul's helplessness in the face of Divine Love. It’s a word of spiritual surrender.

من در پیشگاه تو ناتوانم.
(I am powerless before you.)

In **Medical and Social Work** settings, 'nātavāni' is the standard term for 'disability.' If you visit a hospital or a government office (like the Behzisti Organization in Iran), you will see signs and forms using this word to categorize services for those with physical or mental challenges. It is considered a formal and polite term in these professional environments.

Legal and Academic Contexts: In law, 'nātavāni-ye mali' (financial inability) is used to describe someone who cannot pay their debts or court fees. In psychology, it might describe 'māndeghi-ye nātavān-shodeh' (learned helplessness).

او به دلیل ناتوانی مالی نتوانست جریمه را بپردازد.
(He couldn't pay the fine due to financial inability.)

Finally, in **Religious Sermons**, the word is used to remind the congregation of human frailty compared to the omnipotence of God. You will hear phrases like 'bandeh-ye nātavān' (the weak servant), which is a common way for a speaker to refer to themselves or humans in general as a sign of modesty.

One of the most frequent errors English speakers make when using ناتوان (nātavān) is confusing it with the simple negative verb 'cannot' (nemitoonam). While they share a root, 'nātavān' is a descriptive state, whereas 'nemitoonam' is a functional inability. If you say 'Man nātavānam be madrese beravam,' it sounds like you are physically or existentially incapable of the act of going, rather than just having a scheduling conflict.

Confusion with 'Za'if' (ضعیف): Learners often use 'za'if' and 'nātavān' interchangeably. However, 'za'if' refers to low strength (like a weak signal or a weak cup of tea), while 'nātavān' refers to a complete lack of power to achieve a goal. You wouldn't call a weak tea 'nātavān'.

Incorrect: این چای ناتوان است.
Correct: این چای ضعیف است.

Another mistake is the incorrect use of the preposition. Remember that 'nātavān' almost always requires the preposition از (az) when followed by an action. Using 'dar' (in) or 'be' (to) is a common transfer error from English ('unable in' or 'unable to').

Register Errors: Using 'nātavān' in a very casual conversation with friends might sound overly dramatic or poetic. If you just want to say you're tired and can't lift a box, 'joon nadāram' (I have no soul/energy) is more natural.

Formal: او از انجام وظایفش ناتوان بود.
Informal: حال نداشت کارهاشو انجام بده.

Lastly, be careful with the plural. While 'nātavānān' is the correct plural for 'the weak,' using it to describe a group of friends who are just 'tired' is incorrect and would be seen as a misunderstanding of the word's gravity.

To truly master Persian, you need to know the nuances between ناتوان (nātavān) and its synonyms. Each word carries a different 'flavor' and is used in specific contexts. Understanding these differences will help you move from B1 to B2 level proficiency.

ناتوان (Nātavān) vs. ضعیف (Za'if): Nātavān: Total lack of ability or power for a specific task. Often permanent or serious.
Za'if: Low strength or intensity. Can be temporary (like a weak body after a cold) or relative (a weak argument).
ناتوان (Nātavān) vs. عاجز ('Ājiz): Nātavān: Focuses on the lack of 'tavān' (power).
'Ājiz: Focuses on being 'helpless' or 'desperate.' It has a stronger emotional connotation of being stuck with no way out. Often used in the phrase 'ājiz māndan' (to be at a loss).

او در برابر مشکلات زندگی عاجز شده است.
(He has become helpless/desperate in the face of life's problems.)

Another important alternative is درمانده (darmānde). This word literally means 'left behind' or 'stranded.' It is used for someone who has exhausted all options and doesn't know what to do next. While a 'nātavān' person lacks power, a 'darmānde' person lacks a solution.

Formal Alternatives: In very formal or archaic Persian, you might see بی‌توان (bi-tavān) or کم‌توان (kam-tavān). 'Kam-tavān' (low-ability) is the modern preferred term in Iran for people with special needs (e.g., 'kam-tavān-e zehni' for intellectually disabled), as it is considered more sensitive than 'nātavān'.

آموزش برای کودکان کم‌توان ذهنی بسیار مهم است.
(Education for children with intellectual disabilities is very important.)

In summary, choose 'nātavān' when you want to emphasize a categorical lack of power or ability, especially in formal, literary, or clinical contexts. Use 'za'if' for general weakness, 'ājiz' for emotional helplessness, and 'kam-tavān' for modern social sensitivity.

How Formal Is It?

حقيقة ممتعة

The root 'tavān' is also found in the word 'tavānestan' (to be able to), which is one of the most common verbs in Persian. So 'nātavān' literally means 'un-able-ing'.

دليل النطق

UK /nɒːtævɒːn/

US /nɑːtævɑːn/

The stress is typically on the last syllable: nā-ta-VĀN.

يتقافى مع

javān (young) kārvān (caravan) bāghbān (gardener) mizbān (host) mehrabān (kind) rāvān (flowing) zabān (tongue/language) zamān (time)

أخطاء شائعة

Pronouncing 'nā' like 'nay' (it should be 'naw').
Shortening the final 'vān' too much.
Misplacing the stress on the first syllable.
Pronouncing the 'v' like a 'w' (Persian 'v' is closer to English 'v').
Confusing the short 'a' in 'ta' with a long 'ā'.

مستوى الصعوبة

القراءة 3/5

Easy to recognize due to common roots 'nā' and 'tavān'.

الكتابة 4/5

Requires correct use of the preposition 'az'.

التحدث 3/5

Pronunciation is straightforward, but register choice is key.

الاستماع 3/5

Clearly articulated in formal speech and news.

ماذا تتعلّم بعد ذلك

المتطلبات الأساسية

توانستن (to be able) توان (power) نا (negative prefix) ضعیف (weak)

تعلّم لاحقاً

عاجز (helpless) درمانده (stranded) معلول (disabled) مقتدر (powerful)

متقدم

استطاعت (financial capacity) عدم کفایت (inadequacy) فسادپذیری (vulnerability)

قواعد يجب معرفتها

Ezafe Construction

فردِ ناتوان (The weak person)

Prepositional Complements

ناتوان از [اسم/مصدر]

Negative Prefixes (Nā-)

نابینا (blind), ناشنوا (deaf)

Comparative Adjectives

او از من ناتوان‌تر است.

Pluralizing Adjectives as Nouns

کمک به ناتوانان

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

أمثلة حسب المستوى

این مرد ناتوان است.

This man is weak/unable.

Simple Subject + Adjective + Verb structure.

گربه ناتوان بود و نمی‌توانست بدود.

The cat was weak and couldn't run.

Using 'nātavān' with 'budan' (to be) in the past tense.

من ناتوان هستم.

I am weak/unable.

First person singular present tense.

او ناتوان نیست.

He/She is not weak.

Negative form of 'budan'.

آیا تو ناتوان هستی؟

Are you weak?

Interrogative sentence.

آن‌ها ناتوان بودند.

They were weak.

Third person plural past tense.

این سگ ناتوان است.

This dog is weak.

Demonstrative pronoun 'in' (this).

ما ناتوان نیستیم.

We are not weak.

First person plural negative.

پیرمرد ناتوان به کمک نیاز دارد.

The weak old man needs help.

Attributive adjective following the noun with ezafe.

او به دلیل بیماری ناتوان شده است.

He has become weak because of illness.

Using 'shodeh ast' (has become) to show change of state.

بچه‌ها نباید به افراد ناتوان بخندند.

Children should not laugh at weak/disabled people.

Modal verb 'nabāyad' (should not).

او ناتوان از راه رفتن بود.

He was unable to walk.

Using 'nātavān az' + infinitive.

این حیوان ناتوان است و باید به آن غذا بدهیم.

This animal is weak and we must give it food.

Compound sentence with 'va' (and).

مادربزرگ من کمی ناتوان شده است.

My grandmother has become a bit weak.

Using 'kami' (a bit) as an adverb of degree.

آیا این دارو برای افراد ناتوان خوب است؟

Is this medicine good for weak people?

Prepositional phrase 'barāye' (for).

او ناتوان بود اما تلاش کرد.

He was weak but he tried.

Contrastive conjunction 'ammā' (but).

دولت از مهار تورم ناتوان است.

The government is unable to control inflation.

Abstract usage of 'nātavān az'.

او از بیان احساسات خود ناتوان بود.

He was unable to express his feelings.

Using 'nātavān' for emotional/mental states.

ما نباید اجازه دهیم فقر مردم را ناتوان کند.

We shouldn't let poverty make people powerless.

Causative structure: 'nātavān kardan' (to make weak).

او ناتوان‌تر از آن است که بتواند کار کند.

He is too weak to be able to work.

Comparative structure 'nātavāntar az ān ke'.

این نویسنده از خلق شخصیت‌های جدید ناتوان است.

This writer is unable to create new characters.

Usage in artistic/creative contexts.

ناتوانی او در یادگیری زبان مایه تعجب بود.

His inability to learn the language was surprising.

Noun form 'nātavāni' (inability).

او در برابر وسوسه ناتوان بود.

He was powerless against temptation.

Prepositional phrase 'dar barābar-e' (against/in the face of).

تیم ما از شکست دادن حریف ناتوان ماند.

Our team remained unable to defeat the opponent.

Using 'māndan' (to remain) to show a persistent state.

برخی از فیلسوفان معتقدند انسان در برابر تقدیر ناتوان است.

Some philosophers believe man is powerless against fate.

Complex sentence with 'mo'taqedand' (believe).

او به دلیل ناتوانی جسمی از خدمت سربازی معاف شد.

He was exempted from military service due to physical disability.

Formal/Legal term 'nātavāni-ye jesmi'.

این سیاست‌ها باعث ناتوان شدن طبقه متوسط شده است.

These policies have caused the weakening of the middle class.

Gerund construction 'nātavān shodan'.

او از درک پیامدهای عمل خود ناتوان به نظر می‌رسید.

He seemed unable to understand the consequences of his action.

Verb 'be nazar residan' (to seem).

کمک به ناتوانان یکی از وظایف اصلی جامعه است.

Helping the weak/disabled is one of the main duties of society.

Plural noun 'nātavānān'.

صدای او از شدت گریه ناتوان شده بود.

His voice had become weak from the intensity of crying.

Describing a physical attribute (voice).

او ناتوان از پاسخگویی به سوالات خبرنگاران بود.

He was unable to answer the reporters' questions.

Formal usage in media context.

این دارو ممکن است بیمار را ناتوان کند.

This medicine might make the patient weak.

Modal 'momken ast' (it is possible).

ساختار سیاسی فعلی از اصلاحات بنیادین ناتوان است.

The current political structure is incapable of fundamental reforms.

Academic/Political analysis usage.

او در نوشته‌هایش بر ناتوانی عقل در شناخت خدا تاکید می‌کند.

In his writings, he emphasizes the inability of reason to know God.

Theological/Philosophical context.

درماندگی آموخته شده حالتی است که فرد خود را ناتوان می‌پندارد.

Learned helplessness is a state where the individual perceives themselves as powerless.

Psychological terminology.

او با وجود ناتوانی ظاهری، اراده‌ای پولادین داشت.

Despite his apparent weakness, he had an iron will.

Contrast using 'bā vojud-e' (despite).

بستانکار باید ناتوانی مالی بدهکار را در دادگاه ثابت کند.

The creditor must prove the debtor's financial inability in court.

Legal terminology 'nātavāni-ye māli'.

شاعر در این بیت، خود را ناتوان‌ترین موجود جهان می‌خواند.

In this verse, the poet calls himself the weakest being in the world.

Superlative 'nātavāntarin'.

او از تحمل این همه فشار روانی ناتوان گشته بود.

He had become unable to bear all this psychological pressure.

Literary verb 'gashtan' instead of 'shodan'.

جامعه نباید ناتوانان را به حاشیه براند.

Society should not marginalize the weak.

Social justice context.

تقابل میان اراده قاهر و بشریت ناتوان، تم اصلی این تراژدی است.

The confrontation between an overriding will and powerless humanity is the main theme of this tragedy.

High-level literary criticism.

او در این رساله به نقد ناتوانی پارادایم‌های علمی موجود می‌پردازد.

In this treatise, he critiques the inability of existing scientific paradigms.

Academic/Epistemological context.

عدم شفافیت، سیستم را از شناسایی فساد ناتوان ساخته است.

Lack of transparency has rendered the system unable to identify corruption.

Formal causative 'nātavān sākhtan'.

او با زبانی شاعرانه، ناتوانی کلمات را در توصیف عشق بیان کرد.

With poetic language, he expressed the inability of words to describe love.

Metalinguistic usage.

این ناتوانی ساختاری، ریشه در تاریخ استعمار دارد.

This structural inability is rooted in the history of colonialism.

Sociological/Historical analysis.

عارفان بر این باورند که ناتوانی، عین توانایی در محضر حق است.

Mystics believe that powerlessness is the very essence of power in the presence of Truth.

Paradoxical mystical usage.

او از بازخوانی متون کهن به دلیل ضعف بینایی ناتوان بود.

He was unable to re-read ancient texts due to poor vision.

Specific medical reason for inability.

ناتوانی در تطبیق با شرایط جدید، منجر به زوال این تمدن شد.

Inability to adapt to new conditions led to the decline of this civilization.

Historical determinism context.

تلازمات شائعة

ناتوانی جسمی

ناتوانی مالی

ناتوان از درک

ناتوان ساختن

بسیار ناتوان

ناتوان از حرکت

ناتوانی ذهنی

احساس ناتوانی

ناتوان ماندن

بشریت ناتوان

العبارات الشائعة

از انجام کاری ناتوان بودن

— To be unable to do something.

من از حل این معما ناتوانم.

فرد ناتوان

— A weak or disabled person.

کمک به فرد ناتوان ثواب دارد.

ناتوان شدن

— To become weak or incapacitated.

او بعد از عمل جراحی ناتوان شده است.

ناتوانی یادگیری

— Learning disability.

او دچار ناتوانی یادگیری است.

در برابر قدرت ناتوان بودن

— To be powerless against a force.

ما در برابر طوفان ناتوان بودیم.

ناتوان از تکلم

— Unable to speak.

بیمار ناتوان از تکلم بود.

ناتوان از تصمیم‌گیری

— Incapable of making a decision.

مدیر ناتوان از تصمیم‌گیری درست بود.

ناتوانی مطلق

— Absolute inability.

او در ناتوانی مطلق به سر می‌برد.

ناتوان جلوه دادن

— To make someone appear weak.

او سعی کرد رقیبش را ناتوان جلوه دهد.

ناتوان از تغییر

— Unable to change.

او ناتوان از تغییر عادات بد خود است.

يُخلط عادةً مع

ناتوان vs ناتوانا (nātavānā)

This is just an archaic variant, rarely used today except in old poetry.

ناتوان vs ناتوانی (nātavāni)

This is the noun (inability), while nātavān is the adjective (unable).

ناتوان vs ناخوانا (nākhvānā)

Means 'illegible' (handwriting). Sounds similar but completely different meaning.

تعبيرات اصطلاحية

"دست و پا بسته و ناتوان"

— Completely helpless (like having hands and feet tied).

در برابر قانون، او خود را دست و پا بسته و ناتوان می‌دید.

Literary

"ناتوان از پسِ کاری برآمدن"

— To be unable to handle or manage a task.

او از پسِ این مسئولیت سنگین ناتوان بود.

Neutral

"چون موری ناتوان"

— As weak as an ant (used to show extreme humility).

من در پیشگاه تو چون موری ناتوانم.

Poetic

"ناتوانِ زار"

— Pitifully weak or miserable.

گدای ناتوان زار در کوچه بود.

Archaic

"ناتوانی مایه رسوایی است"

— Inability leads to disgrace (proverbial sense).

در این جنگ، ناتوانی مایه رسوایی ما شد.

Formal

"زیر بار ناتوانی رفتن"

— To succumb to weakness or inability.

او هرگز زیر بار ناتوانی نرفت.

Literary

"ناتوان از پل گذشتن"

— Metaphor for failing at a crucial moment.

او در امتحان نهایی ناتوان از پل گذشت.

Informal

"درمانده و ناتوان"

— Standard pairing meaning totally helpless.

سیل‌زدگان درمانده و ناتوان بودند.

Neutral

"ناتوان از دیدن حقیقت"

— Being blinded to the truth.

او به خاطر تعصب، ناتوان از دیدن حقیقت بود.

Formal

"ناتوان از نه گفتن"

— Unable to say no (people-pleasing).

او همیشه ناتوان از نه گفتن به دیگران است.

Neutral

سهل الخلط

ناتوان vs ضعیف (za'if)

Both mean weak.

Za'if is general/low intensity; Nātavān is total lack of power/ability.

چای ضعیف است (Correct) / چای ناتوان است (Incorrect).

ناتوان vs عاجز ('ājiz)

Both mean unable.

'Ājiz implies being helpless, stuck, or desperate.

او از حل مسئله عاجز ماند (He was stuck/helpless).

ناتوان vs درمانده (darmānde)

Both mean powerless.

Darmānde implies being stranded or out of options.

بیچاره درمانده در برف ماند.

ناتوان vs کم‌توان (kam-tavān)

Both relate to disability.

Kam-tavān is the polite/sensitive modern term for special needs.

کودکان کم‌توان ذهنی.

ناتوان vs بی‌حال (bi-hāl)

Both mean lacking energy.

Bi-hāl is casual and means feeling 'under the weather' or lethargic.

امروز خیلی بی‌حالم.

أنماط الجُمل

[Subject] [Adjective] [Verb]

من ناتوان هستم.

[Noun] + e + [Adjective]

حیوان ناتوان

[Subject] از [Noun] ناتوان است

او از کار ناتوان است.

[Subject] به دلیل [Reason] ناتوان شده است

او به دلیل سن بالا ناتوان شده است.

ناتوانی در [Infinitive] باعث [Result] شد

ناتوانی در تصمیم‌گیری باعث شکست شد.

با وجود [Noun], [Subject] ناتوان بود

با وجود ثروت، او ناتوان بود.

ساختار [Noun] از [Action] ناتوان به نظر می‌رسد

ساختار اداری از تحول ناتوان به نظر می‌رسد.

پارادوکس میان [X] و [Y] ناتوان

پارادوکس میان عقل و دل ناتوان.

عائلة الكلمة

الأسماء

ناتوانی (nātavāni) - inability/disability

توان (tavān) - power/strength

الأفعال

ناتوان کردن (nātavān kardan) - to weaken/incapacitate

ناتوان شدن (nātavān shodan) - to become weak

الصفات

توانا (tavānā) - capable

کم‌توان (kam-tavān) - low-ability

مرتبط

ضعف (za'f) - weakness

قدرت (qodrat) - power

استطاعت (estetā'at) - financial ability

عجز ('ajz) - helplessness

معلولیت (ma'looliyat) - disability

سجّل مجاناً لرؤية جميع الأمثلة

كيفية الاستخدام

frequency

Common in media, literature, and formal writing; rare in casual street speech.

أخطاء شائعة

من ناتوانم که بروم. → من از رفتن ناتوانم.
Using 'ke' (that) instead of 'az' (from) is an English transfer error.
این قهوه ناتوان است. → این قهوه ضعیف است.
Nātavān is for living beings/entities, not for the strength of food or drink.
ماشین من ناتوان شده است. → ماشین من خراب شده است.
Machines are 'kharāb' (broken), not 'nātavān'.
او ناتوانِ است. → او ناتوان است.
Don't use ezafe (the short 'e' sound) before the verb 'ast' unless it's part of a compound title.
آن‌ها ناتوانان هستند. → آن‌ها ناتوان هستند.
Use the plural 'nātavānān' as a noun (The weak ones), but use the singular 'nātavān' as an adjective for a plural subject.

نصائح

The 'Az' Rule

Always remember to use 'az' when you want to say 'unable TO'. For example: 'nātavān az raftan'.

Root Recognition

If you know 'tavānestan' (to be able), you already know the root of 'nātavān'. Just add the 'nā-' for negative.

Humility Marker

In formal letters, calling yourself 'nātavān' is a sign of respect toward the recipient.

Avoid Slang

Don't use 'nātavān' in a fast-food restaurant or with close friends; it sounds like you're in a movie.

Medical Accuracy

Use 'nātavāni-ye jesmi' for physical disability in official forms.

Poetic Flair

Use 'nātavān' to add a touch of drama or literary depth to your Persian stories.

News Keywords

When you hear 'nātavān' on the news, pay attention—they are usually criticizing a policy.

Battery Analogy

Think of a battery with 0% charge. It is 'nātavān'.

Modern Terms

Be aware that 'kam-tavān' is often used in modern Iran to be more polite about disabilities.

Final Stress

Always stress the 'vān' at the end to sound like a native speaker.

احفظها

وسيلة تذكّر

Think of 'No-Tough-One'. Someone who is NOT tough is 'nātavān'. They lack the 'tavān' (toughness/power).

ربط بصري

Imagine a battery icon that is completely empty and red. That battery is 'nātavān'—it has no power left to run the device.

Word Web

Power Weak Sick Disability Unable Helpless Formal Poetry

تحدٍّ

Try to use 'nātavān' in a sentence describing a time you felt powerless against a situation, like a difficult exam or a rainy day.

أصل الكلمة

Derived from Middle Persian (Pahlavi). It consists of the negative prefix 'nā-' and the root 'tuvān' or 'tavān'.

المعنى الأصلي: Without power or strength.

Indo-European (Indo-Iranian branch).

السياق الثقافي

While 'nātavān' is formal, in modern social contexts, 'kam-tavān' or 'darā-ye niyāzhā-ye khās' (having special needs) is often preferred to be more inclusive and less focused on 'lack'.

English speakers might find 'nātavān' too formal for daily use compared to 'weak' or 'can't'. In English, 'disabled' is a common equivalent in specific contexts, but 'nātavān' covers a broader range of 'inability'.

The Shahnameh of Ferdowsi: Frequently uses 'nātavān' to describe fallen heroes. Saadi's Gulistan: Contains stories about the powerful helping the 'nātavān'. Modern Iranian Law: Uses 'nātavāni' for legal incapacity.

تدرّب في الحياة الواقعية

سياقات واقعية

Medical/Health

ناتوانی جسمی
بیمار ناتوان
ضعف و ناتوانی
ناتوانی در حرکت

Politics/News

دولت ناتوان
ناتوانی در مهار بحران
ساختار ناتوان
ناتوانی از پاسخگویی

Literature/Poetry

بنده ناتوان
مور ناتوان
ناتوان در برابر عشق
جسم ناتوان

Legal/Finance

ناتوانی مالی
اثبات ناتوانی
بدهکار ناتوان
ناتوانی از پرداخت

Psychology

احساس ناتوانی
ناتوانی یادگیری
درماندگی و ناتوانی
ناتوانی ذهنی

بدايات محادثة

"آیا تا به حال در برابر مشکلی احساس ناتوانی کرده‌اید؟"

"چگونه می‌توان به افراد ناتوان در جامعه بیشتر کمک کرد؟"

"فکر می‌کنید چرا برخی دولت‌ها از حل مشکلات ناتوان هستند؟"

"تفاوت بین ضعیف بودن و ناتوان بودن در چیست؟"

"آیا ناتوانی همیشه یک ویژگی منفی است یا می‌تواند مایه تواضع باشد؟"

مواضيع للكتابة اليومية

درباره زمانی بنویسید که از انجام کاری که خیلی دوست داشتید ناتوان بودید.

نقش تکنولوژی را در کاهش ناتوانی‌های جسمی انسان توصیف کنید.

اگر قدرت داشتید که یک ناتوانی را در جهان ریشه‌کن کنید، کدام را انتخاب می‌کردید؟

یک داستان کوتاه درباره قهرمانی بنویسید که ناگهان ناتوان می‌شود.

چگونه می‌توان از ناتوانی به عنوان فرصتی برای رشد استفاده کرد؟

الأسئلة الشائعة

10 أسئلة

No. For inanimate objects that don't work, use 'kharāb' or 'az kār oftādeh'. 'Nātavān' implies a living entity or an organization with agency.

In a medical context, it is formal. However, in social contexts, 'kam-tavān' is preferred to be more sensitive. Calling someone 'nātavān' can sound like you are pitying them.

The most direct opposite is 'tavānā' (able/powerful). Other opposites include 'qavi' (strong) and 'qodratmand' (powerful).

Formally: 'Man az āmadan nātavānam.' Casually: 'Nemitoonam biyām.'

No. Persian adjectives do not change for gender. 'He is nātavān' and 'She is nātavān' are the same.

The noun form is 'nātavāni' (ناتوانی), which means 'inability' or 'disability'.

The root 'tavān' is Persian, but the concept is often translated from Arabic words like 'Ajz' (عجز). You will hear it in Persian translations of religious texts.

Usually, 'za'if' is better for an argument. 'Nātavān' would imply the argument has absolutely no power to convince anyone, which is possible but very formal.

It means 'financial inability' or 'insolvency'—when someone cannot afford to pay something.

Yes, it is a very common B1-level word found in books, news, and formal speech.

سجّل مجاناً للنصائح والملاحظات