Bedeutung
The act of dying or ceasing to live.
Kultureller Hintergrund
When someone 'goes from the world', it is customary to print 'Aghahi-ye Terhim' (mourning notices) with a photo of the deceased and post them on walls in the neighborhood. In Dari Persian, 'az donya raftan' is equally common and respectful, often followed by the phrase 'Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un' (We belong to God and to Him we return). Tajik speakers also use this phrase, though they may also use 'vafot kard' frequently due to Soviet-era linguistic influences on formal registers. Even among non-religious Iranians in the West, this phrase remains the preferred way to announce death on social media to maintain cultural dignity.
Use the Plural
Even if only one person died, say 'raftand' (they went) to sound like a native speaker showing high respect.
Avoid 'Mordan'
Never use 'mordan' when talking to a grieving person about their loved one. It sounds very harsh.
Bedeutung
The act of dying or ceasing to live.
Use the Plural
Even if only one person died, say 'raftand' (they went) to sound like a native speaker showing high respect.
Avoid 'Mordan'
Never use 'mordan' when talking to a grieving person about their loved one. It sounds very harsh.
The Response
When someone tells you someone 'az donya raft', the standard response is 'Khoda rahmatshan konad' (May God have mercy on them).
Teste dich selbst
Complete the sentence with the correct form of 'az donya raftan'.
پدربزرگ من ده سال پیش ______.
We need the past tense because it happened 'ten years ago'.
Which sentence is the most polite way to say someone died?
Select the best option:
'Az donya raftan' is the standard polite euphemism for humans.
Match the phrase to the correct context.
Context: A news anchor announcing the death of a famous scientist.
The plural form 'raftand' adds extra respect for a public figure.
Fill in the missing part of the dialogue.
A: شنیدم همسایهتان بیمار بود. حالش چطور است؟ B: متأسفانه دیروز ______.
The context of being sick and 'unfortunately' implies the person passed away.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Ways to say 'To Die' in Persian
Aufgabensammlung
4 Aufgabenپدربزرگ من ده سال پیش ______.
We need the past tense because it happened 'ten years ago'.
Select the best option:
'Az donya raftan' is the standard polite euphemism for humans.
Context: A news anchor announcing the death of a famous scientist.
The plural form 'raftand' adds extra respect for a public figure.
A: شنیدم همسایهتان بیمار بود. حالش چطور است؟ B: متأسفانه دیروز ______.
The context of being sick and 'unfortunately' implies the person passed away.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenIt has spiritual roots but is used by everyone in Iran, regardless of their level of religiosity, as a polite social convention.
No, it's better to use 'mord' or 'tamum kard' for animals. 'Az donya raftan' is specifically for humans.
'Dargozashtan' or 'Dar fani ra veda goftan' are more formal than 'az donya raftan'.
You would say 'Man az donya raftam', but you would only say this in a poem or a hypothetical story about your own death!
Yes, it is very common in news reports, especially for celebrities and politicians.
It means 'world' or 'this life'.
Yes, 'Righ-e rahmat ro sar keshidan' is a very rude slang version, similar to 'kicking the bucket'.
Yes, it's perfectly fine for texting a friend about a passing.
Literally yes (going *from* here implies going *somewhere*), but it's often used just as a polite idiom without thinking of the theology.
'Fout kardan' is slightly more clinical/official, while 'az donya raftan' is more poetic/warm.
Verwandte Redewendungen
فوت کردن
synonymTo pass away
درگذشتن
synonymTo pass away
به رحمت خدا رفتن
similarTo go to God's mercy
شهید شدن
specialized formTo become a martyr
مردن
contrastTo die
