At the Beginner level, 'Kam-hoosh' is taught as a basic adjective to describe people, similar to 'tall' or 'short'. Students learn that 'Kam' means 'little' and 'Hoosh' means 'intelligence'. They use it in very simple sentences like 'He is unintelligent' (او کم‌هوش است). The focus is on basic word order and the 'Ezafe' construction. Students are taught to recognize the word in simple stories where characters might be described by their traits. It is one of the early compound adjectives they encounter, helping them understand how Persian builds complex meanings from simple building blocks. Teachers emphasize that it is the opposite of 'Bahoosh' (smart).
Elementary learners expand their use of 'Kam-hoosh' by adding adverbs. They learn to say 'very unintelligent' (خیلی کم‌هوش) or 'not very unintelligent' (زیاد کم‌هوش نیست). At this level, they start to see the word in the context of school and hobbies. For example, 'The unintelligent boy cannot play chess well'. They also begin to learn the comparative form 'Kam-hoosh-tar' (less intelligent). The cultural lesson at this stage involves understanding that calling a friend 'Kam-hoosh' is not a nice thing to do, introducing the concept of social appropriateness and politeness in Persian culture.
Intermediate learners reach the Common European Framework level where they understand the nuances between 'Kam-hoosh' and synonyms like 'Kand-zehn' (slow-minded) or 'Nadan' (ignorant). They can use the word in complex sentences with conjunctions, such as 'Although he is considered unintelligent, he is very kind'. They also learn to use it in the context of discussing characters in movies or books. At B1, students are expected to use the word in written paragraphs to describe personality traits or to argue why a certain character made a mistake in a story. They also learn about the 'Nim-fasele' (half-space) used in modern Persian orthography for this word.
Upper-Intermediate learners use 'Kam-hoosh' in more abstract discussions. They might debate the fairness of labeling children as 'Kam-hoosh' in the educational system. They explore the word's presence in psychological texts and its impact on self-esteem. Learners at this level can distinguish between the literal meaning and the metaphorical use of the word. They can also handle more complex grammar, such as using the word within relative clauses: 'The person whom they called unintelligent ended up becoming a successful artist'. They are also introduced to more literary and formal synonyms used in Persian media.
Advanced learners explore the etymological roots and historical usage of 'Kam-hoosh' in classical literature. They analyze how the concept of intelligence has changed in Iranian society and how this word reflects those changes. They can use 'Kam-hoosh' in academic writing, perhaps in a thesis about educational psychology or sociology. They understand the subtle shifts in meaning when the word is used in different Iranian dialects. C1 students can also use the word in sophisticated irony or sarcasm, a common feature of advanced Persian conversation, and they can explain the socio-linguistic implications of using such a label in different social classes.
At the Proficiency level, the learner has a masterly command of 'Kam-hoosh'. They can discuss the word's relationship with the Indo-European roots of 'Hoosh'. They can critique literary works where the 'Kam-hoosh' archetype is used to subvert expectations. They are fully aware of the legal and ethical considerations of using this term in professional reports. C2 learners can also provide deep cultural insights into why Persian has so many synonyms for 'unintelligent' and how each one carries a specific emotional weight. They can switch registers seamlessly, using 'Kam-hoosh' in a formal lecture and 'Kheng' in a casual setting with perfect accuracy.

کم هوش in 30 Sekunden

  • Kam-hoosh means 'unintelligent' or 'dull-witted' in Persian.
  • It is a compound of 'Kam' (low) and 'Hoosh' (intelligence).
  • It is used formally to describe cognitive traits but can be offensive.
  • It follows the noun with an Ezafe (e.g., fard-e kam-hoosh).

The Persian adjective کم هوش (pronounced as kam-hoosh) is a compound word derived from two distinct Persian elements: kam meaning 'little' or 'low', and hoosh meaning 'intelligence' or 'wit'. When combined, the term literally translates to 'low intelligence'. In a pedagogical or clinical context, it refers to an individual who may have a slower cognitive processing speed or a limited capacity for complex reasoning compared to their peers. Unlike more aggressive insults in the Persian language, this term often carries a descriptive, albeit somewhat negative, connotation. It is frequently used in educational settings to describe students who struggle with academic concepts or in literature to characterize a protagonist who lacks the foresight or mental sharpness required to navigate complex social situations. Understanding the nuance of this word requires recognizing that while it identifies a lack of mental prowess, it is often used in a more formal or observational manner than slang terms like kheng (dim-witted) or gij (clueless).

Literal Meaning
Low-witted or possessing small amounts of intelligence.
Social Connotation
Often perceived as a polite but firm way to describe someone's lack of mental agility.
Usage in Media
Frequently used in psychological articles or classic Persian storytelling to define character archetypes.

معلم متوجه شد که برخی از تمرینات برای دانش‌آموزان کم هوش بسیار دشوار است.

Translation: The teacher noticed that some of the exercises were very difficult for the unintelligent students.

او فردی کم هوش نیست، بلکه فقط کمی تنبل است.

Translation: He is not an unintelligent person, but rather just a bit lazy.

در داستان‌های قدیمی، گرگ معمولاً موجودی کم هوش تصویر می‌شود که فریب روباه را می‌خورد.

Translation: In old stories, the wolf is usually depicted as an unintelligent creature that gets tricked by the fox.

آیا فکر می‌کنی او واقعاً کم هوش است یا فقط تظاهر می‌کند؟

Translation: Do you think he is truly unintelligent or is he just pretending?

نباید با افراد کم هوش با بی‌احترامی رفتار کرد.

Translation: One should not treat unintelligent people with disrespect.

Using کم هوش effectively requires an understanding of Persian sentence structure, particularly the use of adjectives. In Persian, adjectives typically follow the noun they modify, connected by an 'Ezafe' (a short 'e' or 'ye' sound). For example, 'an unintelligent child' becomes kudak-e kam-hoosh. However, when used as a predicate (e.g., 'The child is unintelligent'), the adjective stands alone followed by the verb 'to be'. It is important to remember that this word can be perceived as harsh if directed toward a person in their presence. In professional or medical settings, it is often replaced by more clinical terms, but in everyday storytelling or when discussing general traits, it remains common. It can also be modified by adverbs like kheyli (very) or nesbatan (relatively) to refine the degree of the trait being described. For instance, nesbatan kam-hoosh suggests someone is only slightly dull-witted, whereas besyar kam-hoosh emphasizes a significant lack of intelligence.

Attributive Usage
Modified Noun + Ezafe + کم‌هوش (e.g., مردِ کم‌هوش)
Predicative Usage
Subject + کم‌هوش + Verb 'to be' (e.g., او کم‌هوش است)
Comparative Form
کم‌هوش‌تر (Less intelligent/Duller)

برادرش برخلاف او، کمی کم هوش به نظر می‌رسد.

Translation: His brother, unlike him, seems a bit unintelligent.

هیچ‌کس دوست ندارد به عنوان یک فرد کم هوش شناخته شود.

Translation: Nobody likes to be known as an unintelligent person.

In contemporary Iranian society, you are likely to encounter the word کم هوش in various contexts ranging from academic debates to casual storytelling. In schools, teachers might use it when discussing student performance with colleagues, though they would likely use more supportive language when speaking directly to parents. In the world of Persian cinema and television, 'Kam-hoosh' characters are often used for comedic relief, portrayed as the sidekick who fails to understand the protagonist's plan. Furthermore, in psychological and sociological texts written in Persian, the word serves as a standard adjective to describe lower-than-average IQ or cognitive impairment. It is also found in classical Persian poetry and fables, such as those by Saadi or Rumi, where characters are often divided into the 'Aghil' (wise) and the 'Kam-hoosh' or 'Nadan' (ignorant/dull) to illustrate moral lessons about the importance of seeking knowledge and wisdom.

Educational Context
Discussing learning disabilities or slow development.
Literature
Describing the 'fool' archetype in traditional tales.

در این فیلم، نقش اصلی یک مرد کم هوش است که ثروتمند می‌شود.

Translation: In this movie, the main role is an unintelligent man who becomes wealthy.

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make when using کم هوش is confusing it with the word nadan. While both relate to a lack of mental capacity, nadan specifically refers to 'ignorance' or 'not knowing', which can be corrected through education. Kam-hoosh, on the other hand, implies an innate lack of intelligence or cognitive ability. Another common error is the misplacement of the adjective in a sentence. Because Persian is an SOV (Subject-Object-Verb) language, learners often try to place the adjective before the noun as they do in English. Remember, it is fard-e kam-hoosh, not kam-hoosh fard. Additionally, learners should be cautious about the intensity of the word. Calling someone 'Kam-hoosh' to their face is considered quite offensive in Persian culture, as Iranians place a high value on perceived intelligence and social 'zerangi' (cleverness). Using it in the wrong register—such as calling a boss or an elder 'Kam-hoosh'—could lead to serious social repercussions.

Confused with 'Nadan'
Nadan is 'ignorant' (lacking knowledge), while Kam-hoosh is 'unintelligent' (lacking capacity).
Word Order Error
Incorrect: کم‌هوش دانش‌آموز. Correct: دانش‌آموزِ کم‌هوش.

اشتباه: او یک کم هوش پسر است. (Incorrect word order)

If you find کم هوش too blunt or inappropriate for a specific context, several alternatives exist in Persian. For a more clinical or respectful tone, one might use daraye ekhtelal-e zehni (having mental impairment) or kand-zehn (slow-minded). On the other hand, if you are looking for more informal or slang terms, kheng or shol-maghz (loose-brained) are common among friends, though they are still derogatory. Understanding the spectrum of intelligence-related words in Persian is crucial for achieving fluency. At the opposite end of the spectrum, you have words like bahoosh (intelligent), tiz-hoosh (sharp-witted), and nabeghe (genius). Choosing the right word depends entirely on the level of formality and the relationship between the speaker and the subject.

Kand-zehn (کندذهن)
Literally 'slow-minded'; often used for those who take longer to process information.
Kheng (خنگ)
A common slang term for 'dumb' or 'silly'.
Bi-estedad (بی‌استعداد)
Untalented; often used when someone lacks the natural ability for a specific task.

به جای گفتن کم هوش، می‌توان از واژه «دیرفهم» استفاده کرد که مودبانه‌تر است.

Translation: Instead of saying 'unintelligent', one can use the word 'dir-fahm' (slow to understand), which is more polite.

How Formal Is It?

Formell

""

Neutral

""

Informell

""

Child friendly

""

Umgangssprache

""

Wusstest du?

The root 'Hoosh' is also found in the word 'Bahoosh' (with intelligence) and 'Houshmand' (intelligent/smart device). In ancient Persian, 'Hoosh' also referred to consciousness and life force.

Aussprachehilfe

UK /kæm huːʃ/
US /kæm huʃ/
The stress is typically on the second syllable 'hoosh'.
Reimt sich auf
موش (Moosh - Mouse) گوش (Goosh - Ear) نوش (Noosh - Drink/Sweet) جوش (Joosh - Boil/Pimple) کوش (Koosh - Effort/Strive) دوش (Doosh - Shoulder/Shower) هوش (Hoosh - Intelligence) خاموش (Khamoosh - Silent/Off)
Häufige Fehler
  • Pronouncing 'Kam' as 'Kame' (adding an extra vowel).
  • Shortening the 'oo' in 'Hoosh' so it sounds like 'hush'.
  • Failing to pronounce the 'h' in 'Hoosh' clearly.
  • Merging the two words without a slight pause or clear articulation.
  • Pronouncing 'sh' as 's' at the end.

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 3/5

Easy to recognize as a compound of two common words.

Schreiben 4/5

Requires correct use of Ezafe and Nim-fasele.

Sprechen 3/5

Pronunciation is straightforward but social context is tricky.

Hören 2/5

Clearly audible in most contexts.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

کم (Little) هوش (Intelligence) است (Is) دانش‌آموز (Student) فرد (Person)

Als Nächstes lernen

نادان (Ignorant) باهوش (Smart) تیزهوش (Sharp) کندذهن (Slow-minded) بلاهت (Idiocy)

Fortgeschritten

فراست (Sagacity) درایت (Wisdom) فطانت (Acuteness) کودنی (Dullness) خرفتی (Senility/Dullness)

Wichtige Grammatik

Adjective Placement

مردِ کم‌هوش (Noun + Ezafe + Adjective)

Compound Adjective Formation

کم (Low) + هوش (Intelligence) = کم‌هوش

Comparative Suffix

کم‌هوش + تر = کم‌هوش‌تر

Superlative Suffix

کم‌هوش + ترین = کم‌هوش‌ترین

Subjunctive after 'Fekr kardan'

فکر نمی‌کنم او کم‌هوش باشد.

Beispiele nach Niveau

1

او یک پسر کم هوش است.

He is an unintelligent boy.

Adjective follows the noun with an Ezafe.

2

آیا آن مرد کم هوش است؟

Is that man unintelligent?

Question form using the verb 'to be'.

3

سگ من کم هوش نیست.

My dog is not unintelligent.

Negative form using 'nist'.

4

کتاب برای دانش‌آموز کم هوش سخت است.

The book is hard for the unintelligent student.

Preposition 'baraye' (for) used with the noun phrase.

5

او خیلی کم هوش است.

He is very unintelligent.

Adverb 'kheyli' (very) modifies the adjective.

6

آن گربه کم هوش به نظر می‌رسد.

That cat looks unintelligent.

Verb 'be nazar residan' (to seem).

7

ما نباید بگوییم او کم هوش است.

We should not say he is unintelligent.

Modal verb 'nabayad' (should not).

8

نام این شخصیت کم هوش چیست؟

What is the name of this unintelligent character?

Possessive Ezafe construction.

1

او از برادرش کم هوش‌تر است.

He is less intelligent than his brother.

Comparative form with '-tar'.

2

چرا فکر می‌کنی او کم هوش است؟

Why do you think he is unintelligent?

Interrogative 'chera' (why).

3

این دانش‌آموز کم هوش نیاز به کمک دارد.

This unintelligent student needs help.

Present simple verb 'niyaz darad'.

4

در این بازی، بازیکنان کم هوش می‌بازند.

In this game, unintelligent players lose.

Plural subject and verb agreement.

5

او یک نویسنده کم هوش را توصیف کرد.

He described an unintelligent writer.

Past tense verb 'towsif kard'.

6

آیا این حیوان واقعاً کم هوش است؟

Is this animal really unintelligent?

Adverb 'vaghe'an' (really).

7

او به خاطر کم هوش بودن ناراحت بود.

He was sad because of being unintelligent.

Gerund form 'boodan' used with 'be khatere'.

8

من فکر نمی‌کنم او کم هوش باشد.

I don't think he is unintelligent.

Subjunctive mood 'bashad' after 'fekr nemikonam'.

1

بسیاری از مردم او را کم هوش تلقی می‌کنند، اما او در واقع یک هنرمند است.

Many people consider him unintelligent, but he is actually an artist.

Complex sentence with 'اما' (but).

2

او همیشه نگران بود که دیگران او را فردی کم هوش بدانند.

He was always worried that others would consider him an unintelligent person.

Past continuous 'negarn bood' and subjunctive 'bedanand'.

3

اگر او کم هوش نبود، این اشتباه بزرگ را مرتکب نمی‌شد.

If he weren't unintelligent, he wouldn't have made this big mistake.

Conditional type 2 sentence.

4

در این داستان، پادشاهی کم هوش بر سرزمین حکومت می‌کرد.

In this story, an unintelligent king ruled over the land.

Past continuous 'hokoomat mikard' for setting a scene.

5

او با وجود اینکه کم هوش است، بسیار مهربان و دلسوز به نظر می‌رسد.

Despite being unintelligent, he seems very kind and compassionate.

Conjunction 'ba vojoode inke' (despite).

6

جامعه نباید به افراد کم هوش برچسب بزند.

Society should not label unintelligent people.

Compound verb 'barchasb zadan' (to label).

7

پزشک توضیح داد که او کم هوش نیست، بلکه فقط مشکل تمرکز دارد.

The doctor explained that he is not unintelligent, but rather just has a concentration problem.

Contrastive 'balke' (but rather).

8

او سعی کرد به برادر کم هوش خود ریاضی یاد بدهد.

He tried to teach math to his unintelligent brother.

Simple past 'say kard' followed by infinitive.

1

برخی منتقدان معتقدند که این فیلم شخصیت‌های خود را بیش از حد کم هوش جلوه داده است.

Some critics believe that this movie has portrayed its characters as overly unintelligent.

Present perfect 'jelve dade ast' in a subordinate clause.

2

آیا هوش یک ویژگی ذاتی است یا می‌توان فردی کم هوش را با آموزش تغییر داد؟

Is intelligence an innate trait or can an unintelligent person be changed through education?

Passive voice 'taghyir dad' in a question.

3

او با تظاهر به کم هوش بودن، توانست از مهلکه فرار کند.

By pretending to be unintelligent, he managed to escape the predicament.

Gerund construction 'ba tazoher be...'.

4

در روانشناسی مدرن، واژه کم هوش دیگر به عنوان یک تشخیص علمی به کار نمی‌رود.

In modern psychology, the term 'unintelligent' is no longer used as a scientific diagnosis.

Passive 'be kar nemiravad'.

5

او از اینکه او را کم هوش خطاب کرده بودند، به شدت رنجیده بود.

He was deeply offended because they had called him unintelligent.

Past perfect 'khitab karde boodand'.

6

این نظریه که افراد فقیر لزوماً کم هوش هستند، کاملاً رد شده است.

The theory that poor people are necessarily unintelligent has been completely rejected.

Relative clause 'ke...' and passive 'rad shode ast'.

7

او به جای استفاده از کلمات تند، او را فردی کم هوش اما خوش‌قلب توصیف کرد.

Instead of using harsh words, he described him as an unintelligent but kind-hearted person.

Contrastive adjectives 'kam-hoosh' and 'khosh-ghalb'.

8

تحقیقات نشان می‌دهد که تغذیه نامناسب می‌تواند باعث شود کودکان کم هوش به نظر برسند.

Research shows that poor nutrition can cause children to seem unintelligent.

Causal construction 'ba'es shavad ke...'.

1

نویسنده با ظرافتی خاص، تضاد میان اشراف‌زادگان متکبر و نوکران به ظاهر کم هوش را به تصویر می‌کشد.

The author, with a specific subtlety, depicts the contrast between arrogant aristocrats and seemingly unintelligent servants.

Complex noun phrases and literary verb 'be tasvir keshidan'.

2

او در یادداشت‌های خود به این موضوع اشاره کرد که جامعه چگونه افراد کم هوش را به حاشیه می‌راند.

In his notes, he mentioned how society marginalizes unintelligent individuals.

Indirect speech and compound verb 'be hashiye randan'.

3

این اتهام که او فردی کم هوش است، تنها تلاشی برای تخریب شخصیت سیاسی او بود.

The accusation that he is an unintelligent person was merely an attempt to destroy his political character.

Noun clause 'in etteham ke...'.

4

فلاسفه قرن‌هاست که درباره ماهیت هوش و تفاوت آن با آنچه ما کم هوش می‌نامیم، بحث می‌کنند.

Philosophers have been debating the nature of intelligence and its difference from what we call 'unintelligent' for centuries.

Present perfect continuous 'bahs mikonand' (implied duration).

5

او با استفاده از طنز سیاه، دنیایی را توصیف می‌کند که در آن افراد کم هوش بر خردمندان حکومت می‌کنند.

Using dark humor, he describes a world in which the unintelligent rule over the wise.

Prepositional phrase 'ba estefade az...'.

6

اگرچه او در ظاهر کم هوش می‌نمود، اما درایت او در لحظات بحرانی همه را شگفت‌زده می‌کرد.

Although he appeared unintelligent on the surface, his wisdom in moments of crisis surprised everyone.

Concessive clause 'agarche...'.

7

عدم دسترسی به آموزش باکیفیت نباید با کم هوش بودنِ ذاتی اشتباه گرفته شود.

Lack of access to quality education should not be mistaken for innate lack of intelligence.

Passive modal 'nabayad... eshtebah gerefte shavad'.

8

او در کتاب خود به نقد سیستم‌های آموزشی پرداخته که برچسب کم هوش را به دانش‌آموزان خلاق می‌زنند.

In his book, he criticized educational systems that label creative students as unintelligent.

Relative clause modifying 'system-haye amoozeshi'.

1

تقلیل دادن پیچیدگی‌های ذهنی یک انسان به صفت ساده‌ای چون کم هوش، نشان از فقدان درک عمیق روان‌شناختی دارد.

Reducing the mental complexities of a human being to a simple adjective like 'unintelligent' indicates a lack of deep psychological understanding.

Gerund subject 'taghlil dadan' and formal 'neshan az... darad'.

2

در متون کلاسیک، گاهی واژه کم هوش برای اشاره به کسانی به کار می‌رفت که از بصیرت معنوی بی‌بهره بودند.

In classical texts, the term 'unintelligent' was sometimes used to refer to those who lacked spiritual insight.

Passive voice 'be kar miraft' for habitual past action.

3

او مدعی است که ساختارهای قدرت همواره از برچسب کم هوش برای سرکوب طبقات فرودست بهره جسته‌اند.

He claims that power structures have always utilized the label 'unintelligent' to suppress lower classes.

Present perfect 'bahre joste-and' (literary form).

4

واکاوی ریشه‌شناختی واژه کم هوش ما را به درک بهتری از تلقی گذار از مفهوم عقل در فرهنگ ایرانی می‌رساند.

An etymological analysis of the word 'unintelligent' leads us to a better understanding of the transition in the concept of intellect in Iranian culture.

Formal noun phrase as subject.

5

او با ظرافتی فیلسوفانه، مرز میان بلاهت و آنچه ما کم هوش می‌پنداریم را به چالش می‌کشد.

With a philosophical subtlety, he challenges the boundary between idiocy and what we perceive as 'unintelligent'.

Compound verb 'be chalesh keshidan'.

6

آیا می‌توان مدعی شد که در عصر هوش مصنوعی، تعریف ما از انسان کم هوش دستخوش تغییری بنیادین شده است؟

Can it be claimed that in the age of artificial intelligence, our definition of an 'unintelligent' human has undergone a fundamental change?

Passive 'modda'i shod' and 'dastkhosh-e taghyir shodan'.

7

او در رساله خود تبیین می‌کند که چگونه برچسب کم هوش می‌تواند به یک پیش‌گویی خودشکوفا تبدیل شود.

In his treatise, he explains how the label 'unintelligent' can turn into a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Formal verb 'tabyin mikonad' and noun 'pish-gooyi'.

8

برخورد تقابلی میان شخصیت‌های تیزهوش و کم هوش در درام‌های مدرن، بستری برای نقد نابرابری‌های اجتماعی فراهم می‌آورد.

The confrontational encounter between sharp-witted and unintelligent characters in modern dramas provides a platform for criticizing social inequalities.

Complex subject with 'barkhord-e taghaboli'.

Häufige Kollokationen

فرد کم هوش
دانش‌آموز کم هوش
بسیار کم هوش
نسبتاً کم هوش
کم هوش و نادان
شخصیت کم هوش
فرزند کم هوش
کم هوش پنداشتن
کمی کم هوش
موجود کم هوش

Häufige Phrasen

مگر کم هوشی؟

— Are you stupid? (Used in frustration).

چرا این کار را کردی؟ مگر کم هوشی؟

آدم کم هوش

— An unintelligent person.

آدم کم هوش زود فریب می‌خورد.

کم هوش جلوه دادن

— To make someone look unintelligent.

او سعی کرد مرا کم هوش جلوه دهد.

از بس کم هوش است

— Because he is so unintelligent.

از بس کم هوش است، هیچ چیز یاد نمی‌گیرد.

کم هوش به نظر رسیدن

— To appear unintelligent.

او در نگاه اول کم هوش به نظر می‌رسد.

تظاهر به کم هوش بودن

— Pretending to be unintelligent.

او با تظاهر به کم هوش بودن همه را فریب داد.

ذاتاً کم هوش

— Innate lack of intelligence.

او ذاتاً کم هوش نیست، فقط تنبل است.

برچسب کم هوش

— The label of being unintelligent.

برچسب کم هوش برای کودکان مضر است.

کم هوش تلقی کردن

— To consider someone unintelligent.

جامعه او را کم هوش تلقی می‌کرد.

کم هوش‌ترین فرد

— The least intelligent person.

او کم هوش‌ترین فرد در گروه است.

Wird oft verwechselt mit

کم هوش vs نادان

Nadan means 'ignorant' (lacking knowledge), while Kam-hoosh means 'unintelligent' (lacking capacity).

کم هوش vs بیهوش

Bi-hoosh means 'unconscious' (medical state), though it shares the same root 'Hoosh'.

کم هوش vs گیج

Gij means 'confused' or 'dizzy', which is a temporary state, unlike Kam-hoosh.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"مغز خر خوردن"

— To have eaten a donkey's brain (acting very stupidly).

مگر مغز خر خورده‌ای که این حرف را می‌زنی؟

Informal
"آی‌کیوی جلبک"

— Having the IQ of seaweed (very unintelligent).

او آی‌کیوی جلبک هم ندارد!

Slang
"عقلش به چشمش است"

— His intellect is in his eyes (only believes what he sees, lacks depth).

او آدم کم هوشی است و عقلش به چشمش است.

Neutral
"یک تخته‌اش کم است"

— He is missing a plank (not all there mentally).

فکر کنم یک تخته‌اش کم است که این کار را کرد.

Informal
"مغز فندقی"

— Hazelnut-brained (very small brain/intelligence).

آن مرد مغز فندقی باز هم اشتباه کرد.

Informal
"مخ تعطیل"

— Brain is on vacation/closed.

امروز کلاً مخم تعطیل است.

Slang
"هفت‌خط"

— The opposite of kam-hoosh; someone very cunning (often used to contrast).

او برخلاف ظاهرش، یک آدم هفت‌خط است.

Informal
"کله‌پوک"

— Hollow-headed.

با این کله‌پوک‌ها نمی‌توان بحث کرد.

Informal
"نادان را به از خاموشی نیست"

— There is nothing better for an ignorant person than silence.

چون کم هوش بود، سکوت کرد چون نادان را به از خاموشی نیست.

Literary
"عقل کل"

— Used sarcastically for someone who thinks they are smart but isn't.

آقای عقل کل دوباره خرابکاری کرد.

Sarcastic

Leicht verwechselbar

کم هوش vs خنگ

Both mean 'unintelligent'.

Kheng is informal and often used jokingly among friends, whereas Kam-hoosh is more descriptive and formal.

دوستم خیلی خنگه! (My friend is so silly/dumb!)

کم هوش vs نادان

Both describe a lack of mental prowess.

Nadan refers to a lack of learning or experience. A Nadan person can become wise, but a Kam-hoosh person has a natural limit.

او نادان است چون هرگز به مدرسه نرفته است.

کم هوش vs کودن

Both are adjectives for low intelligence.

Kodan is much more offensive and implies a heavy, immovable dullness.

او یک مرد کودن و بی‌مصرف است.

کم هوش vs دیرفهم

Both relate to slow learning.

Dir-fahm is a polite euphemism. It focuses on the speed of understanding rather than the overall level of intelligence.

خواهرش کمی دیرفهم است.

کم هوش vs بیهوش

They look similar.

Bi-hoosh is a physical state of being passed out. Kam-hoosh is a mental trait.

او بعد از تصادف بیهوش شد.

Satzmuster

A1

[Subject] [Adjective] [Verb 'to be'].

او کم‌هوش است.

A2

[Subject] [Adverb] [Adjective] [Verb 'to be'].

آنها خیلی کم‌هوش هستند.

B1

[Noun] + [Ezafe] + [Adjective] + [Rest of sentence].

دانش‌آموزِ کم‌هوش درس نمی‌خواند.

B2

اگرچه [Subject] [Adjective] است، اما [Positive trait].

اگرچه او کم‌هوش است، اما مهربان است.

C1

[Abstract Noun] + [Ezafe] + [Adjective] بودن...

احساسِ کم‌هوش بودن آزاردهنده است.

C2

[Formal construction with 'talaghi kardan'].

وی فردی کم‌هوش تلقی می‌گردد.

B1

به نظر رسیدن + [Adjective].

او کم‌هوش به نظر می‌رسد.

A2

[Subject] از [Subject] [Adjective]-tar است.

این سگ از آن سگ کم‌هوش‌تر است.

Wortfamilie

Substantive

Verben

Adjektive

Verwandt

So verwendest du es

frequency

Common in literature and storytelling; moderate in daily speech.

Häufige Fehler
  • کم هوش پسر پسرِ کم‌هوش

    Adjectives must follow the noun in Persian using the Ezafe construction.

  • او نادان است (when meaning low IQ) او کم‌هوش است

    Nadan means they don't know something, not that they aren't smart enough to learn it.

  • بیهوش (when meaning stupid) کم‌هوش

    Bi-hoosh means unconscious or fainted, not unintelligent.

  • کمهوش (without Nim-fasele) کم‌هوش

    While readable, modern orthography requires a half-space for compound adjectives.

  • Using 'Kam-hoosh' for a broken machine. خراب / ضعیف

    'Kam-hoosh' is reserved for sentient beings with a 'Hoosh' (mind).

Tipps

Avoid Direct Confrontation

Never tell an Iranian 'To kam-hoosh hasti' unless you want to end the friendship. It is very offensive.

Check the Ezafe

Remember the 'e' sound. It is 'fard-e kam-hoosh'. Without the Ezafe, the sentence won't make sense.

Learn the Antonym

Learning 'Bahoosh' alongside 'Kam-hoosh' will help you remember both faster through contrast.

Identify the Root

Recognizing 'Hoosh' will help you understand many other Persian words related to the mind.

Use Slang Carefully

While 'Kheng' is a synonym, only use it with very close friends in a joking manner.

Nim-fasele

Using the half-space (Ctrl+Shift+2 on most Persian keyboards) makes your writing look professional.

Story Archetypes

In Persian fables, the donkey is often the 'Kam-hoosh' character. Keep this in mind when reading folk tales.

Polite Alternatives

If you must discuss someone's low intelligence, 'Kand-zehn' or 'Dir-fahm' are much more socially acceptable.

Clear 'H'

Make sure the 'H' in 'Hoosh' is audible. If you drop it, it might sound like another word.

Character Analysis

Use 'Kam-hoosh' when analyzing characters in Persian literature classes; it's a standard term there.

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Think of 'Kam' as 'Minimal' and 'Hoosh' as 'Whoosh' (the sound of intelligence going past someone). Minimal-Whoosh = Kam-hoosh.

Visuelle Assoziation

Imagine a battery icon that is only 5% full. The battery represents 'Hoosh' (Intelligence), and the low level is 'Kam'.

Word Web

Low Slow Stupid Dull Kam Hoosh Brain Wit

Herausforderung

Try to describe a character from a movie who makes bad decisions using the word 'Kam-hoosh' in three different sentences.

Wortherkunft

The word is of Persian origin, combining the Middle Persian 'kam' (little) and 'hōš' (intelligence/consciousness).

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: Originally meant 'lacking in awareness' or 'having little wit'.

Indo-European -> Indo-Iranian -> Iranian -> Persian.

Kultureller Kontext

Avoid using this word to describe people with actual clinical disabilities; use 'Kam-tavan-e zehni' instead.

Equivalent to 'dim-witted' or 'slow'. English speakers might use 'not the sharpest tool in the shed'.

The character of 'Gholam-shash-loola' in some folk tales. Characters in Saadi's Gulistan who lack wisdom. Modern Iranian comedy tropes of the 'village idiot'.

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

School/Education

  • دانش‌آموز کم‌هوش
  • نمرات پایین
  • نیاز به کمک
  • دیر فهمیدن

Literature/Fables

  • شخصیت کم‌هوش
  • فریب خوردن
  • گرگ کم‌هوش
  • داستان‌های قدیمی

Social Criticism

  • برچسب زدن
  • قضاوت کردن
  • توهین‌آمیز
  • جامعه

Psychology

  • بهره هوشی پایین
  • توانایی ذهنی
  • رشد شناختی
  • تشخیص

Casual Gossip

  • خیلی کم‌هوشه
  • اصلاً نمی‌فهمه
  • بنده خدا
  • عقلش کمه

Gesprächseinstiege

"آیا فکر می‌کنی هوش می‌تواند با تمرین زیاد تغییر کند یا یک فرد کم‌هوش همیشه همان‌طور می‌ماند؟"

"در داستان‌های کودکانه کشور شما، چه حیوانی معمولاً کم‌هوش توصیف می‌شود؟"

"به نظر شما چرا برخی مردم دیگران را کم‌هوش خطاب می‌کنند؟"

"آیا تا به حال با کسی برخورد کرده‌اید که در ظاهر کم‌هوش به نظر برسد اما بسیار بااستعداد باشد؟"

"چگونه می‌توان به یک کودک که فکر می‌کند کم‌هوش است انگیزه داد؟"

Tagebuch-Impulse

درباره زمانی بنویسید که احساس کردید در یک موقعیت خاص کم‌هوش هستید. چه اتفاقی افتاد؟

تفاوت بین 'نادان' و 'کم‌هوش' را از دیدگاه خودتان توضیح دهید.

آیا سیستم آموزشی فعلی برای دانش‌آموزانی که کم‌هوش تلقی می‌شوند عادلانه است؟

شخصیتی را توصیف کنید که کم‌هوش است اما قلب مهربانی دارد.

چرا در جوامع مدرن، باهوش بودن اینقدر اهمیت پیدا کرده است؟

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

No, it is not a swear word, but it is an insult if used to belittle someone. It is a descriptive adjective that can be hurtful depending on the context.

In modern Persian, it is best written as 'کم‌هوش' with a Nim-fasele (half-space) between the two parts. Writing it as 'کمهوش' or 'کم هوش' is also common but less formal.

Yes, it is very common to describe animals that are difficult to train as 'Kam-hoosh'.

The most direct opposite is 'Bahoosh', which means intelligent or smart.

As a teacher, you might use it in private reports, but saying it to a student is generally discouraged in modern pedagogy.

No, it does not mean crazy. The word for crazy is 'Divooneh' or 'Majnun'.

Generally, no. It is used for living beings. However, you might hear 'system-e kam-hoosh' in a very specific technical sarcasm.

You would say 'او دارد کم‌هوش می‌شود', though this is a rare thing to say about someone unless referring to age-related decline.

Yes, classical poets often use it to contrast the 'Aghil' (wise) with those who lack understanding.

Yes, 'Kam-hooshi' is the noun meaning 'the state of being unintelligent' or 'low intelligence'.

Teste dich selbst 176 Fragen

writing

Write a sentence in Persian saying: 'The unintelligent wolf fell into the trap.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Describe a character who is 'Kam-hoosh' in two sentences.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'Is it fair to call someone unintelligent?'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a sentence using 'کم هوش' and 'اما'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'He seems a bit unintelligent at first glance.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'Are you pretending to be unintelligent?'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a short dialogue (2 lines) using 'کم هوش'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'The teacher helped the unintelligent student.'

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Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a sentence using the superlative form of 'کم هوش'.

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Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'I am not unintelligent, I am just tired.'

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Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'The unintelligent child was crying.'

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Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'Don't be unintelligent!'

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Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'The unintelligent man lost his way.'

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Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'Do you think animals are unintelligent?'

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Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'The unintelligent servant made a mistake.'

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Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'He is not as unintelligent as he looks.'

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Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'Why are you so unintelligent today?'

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Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'The unintelligent bird forgot its nest.'

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Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'Stop being so unintelligent!'

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Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'I don't like unintelligent movies.'

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Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'The unintelligent student failed the test.'

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Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'He is the most unintelligent person I know.'

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Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'Is he really that unintelligent?'

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Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'I am afraid of being called unintelligent.'

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Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'The unintelligent fox lost its dinner.'

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Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'Why do you think he is unintelligent?'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'He is not as unintelligent as you think.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'I felt unintelligent in that meeting.'

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Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'The unintelligent giant was defeated.'

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Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'Stop calling me unintelligent!'

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Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'Is the wolf unintelligent?'

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Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'He is not unintelligent.'

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Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'The cat is unintelligent.'

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Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'The unintelligent boy is here.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:

/ 176 correct

Perfect score!

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