Significado
To cause someone to be humiliated or to spoil something badly.
Contexto cultural
In Tehran's cafe scene, 'Zāye' is often used as an adjective to mean 'uncool' or 'cringe.' If someone wears something very outdated, friends might whisper 'Che zāye!' While 'Zāye kardan' is common, it's the antithesis of Ta'arof (polite etiquette). Using it marks a shift from formal politeness to 'refighāneh' (intimate friendship) or open hostility. The term is used frequently to describe 'ratioing' someone or when a public figure makes a blunder that goes viral. In these circles, 'Zāye kardan' is used behind people's backs to gossip about a colleague's failure, but rarely to their face.
The 'Awkward' Adjective
Remember that 'Zāye' alone is an adjective. If you see something cringe-worthy, just say 'Zāye-st!' (It's awkward/obvious).
Don't Overuse
If you use this with people you don't know well, you will come across as rude or 'bi-adab' (unmannerly).
Significado
To cause someone to be humiliated or to spoil something badly.
The 'Awkward' Adjective
Remember that 'Zāye' alone is an adjective. If you see something cringe-worthy, just say 'Zāye-st!' (It's awkward/obvious).
Don't Overuse
If you use this with people you don't know well, you will come across as rude or 'bi-adab' (unmannerly).
The Smile Factor
When 'Zāye'ing a friend, always do it with a smile to show it's 'shookhi' (a joke).
Ponte a prueba
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'Zāye kardan' or 'Zāye shodan'.
وقتی جلوی همه زمین خوردم، خیلی ________. (When I fell in front of everyone, I was very humiliated.)
Since the speaker is the one experiencing the humiliation, the passive 'shodan' is required.
Which situation is NOT appropriate for 'Zāye kardan'?
In which context should you avoid this phrase?
The phrase is too informal and lighthearted/slangy for a somber occasion like a funeral.
Complete the dialogue.
A: چرا به سارا گفتی که علی براش کادو خریده؟ B: ای وای! ببخشید، کلاً ________.
B is admitting to ruining the surprise (ghāfelgiri).
Match the sentence to the meaning of 'Zāye'.
1. شیر ضایع شده. 2. چقدر ضایع دروغ میگه! 3. ضایعش کردم.
Zāye changes meaning based on the noun it's paired with.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
The Three Faces of Zāye
Social
- • Roasting friends
- • Public blunders
- • Exposing lies
Physical
- • Spoiled food
- • Ruined photos
- • Tacky clothes
Abstract
- • Ruined plans
- • Leaked surprises
- • Wasted chances
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosوقتی جلوی همه زمین خوردم، خیلی ________. (When I fell in front of everyone, I was very humiliated.)
Since the speaker is the one experiencing the humiliation, the passive 'shodan' is required.
In which context should you avoid this phrase?
The phrase is too informal and lighthearted/slangy for a somber occasion like a funeral.
A: چرا به سارا گفتی که علی براش کادو خریده؟ B: ای وای! ببخشید، کلاً ________.
B is admitting to ruining the surprise (ghāfelgiri).
1. شیر ضایع شده. 2. چقدر ضایع دروغ میگه! 3. ضایعش کردم.
Zāye changes meaning based on the noun it's paired with.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasNo, it's not a swear word, but it is very informal slang. It's safe for TV but not for a sermon.
Yes! 'Sheer zāye shode' (The milk has spoiled) is perfectly correct.
'Kharāb' is for things that are broken/not working. 'Zāye' is for things that have lost their social or organic quality.
Only if you have a very close, joking relationship. Otherwise, no.
You can say 'Zāye shodam' (I was humiliated) or 'Khejalat keshidam' (I felt shy/embarrassed).
It's most common in Iran. In Afghanistan (Dari), they might use 'sharmāndan' or 'be-āberoo kardan'.
It refers to acting in a way that makes a situation awkward or ruins a plan.
Yes! 'Zāye-st dāri dorough migi' means 'It's obvious you're lying.'
Yes, 'Tahghir kardan' (to humiliate) or 'Az beyn bordan' (to destroy/waste).
There isn't a single slang word, but 'Ezzat gozāshtan' (to give honor) is the formal opposite.
Frases relacionadas
کنف کردن
synonymTo embarrass or deflate someone.
خیط کردن
synonymTo make someone look foolish.
سوسک کردن
specialized formTo crush someone in an argument.
سوتی دادن
builds onTo make a blunder.
آبروریزی
similarA big public scandal.
