Significado
To cause someone to lose their source of livelihood or income.
Contexto cultural
In the old bazaar, merchants would often direct customers to a neighbor's shop if they hadn't made a sale yet that day, to avoid 'cutting their bread.' The concept of 'Rizq' (sustenance) is central. It is believed that only God provides, and trying to stop someone's Rizq is a challenge to God's will. In modern Iran, 'Zir-āb zani' (under-water hitting/sabotage) is the common way people 'cut each other's bread' in offices. The 'Sufreh' (tablecloth) is sacred. Inviting someone to eat is 'Nān-dādan' (giving bread), the opposite of 'Nān-boridan'.
Use it for empathy
When you want to show you care about someone's financial struggle, use this phrase to sound more native and compassionate.
Avoid literal use
If you are at a dinner table and want someone to cut the bread, say 'نان را تکه کن' (teke kon) instead.
Significado
To cause someone to lose their source of livelihood or income.
Use it for empathy
When you want to show you care about someone's financial struggle, use this phrase to sound more native and compassionate.
Avoid literal use
If you are at a dinner table and want someone to cut the bread, say 'نان را تکه کن' (teke kon) instead.
The 'Rā' is key
Always remember the 'rā' after the person whose bread is being cut. It's 'Nān-e MAN rā borid'.
Ponte a prueba
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the idiom.
مدیر با اخراج علی، ________ او را برید.
The idiom is 'نان کسی را بریدن'.
Which sentence uses the idiom correctly?
Which one means 'He ruined his competitor's business'?
Option A uses the idiom 'to cut someone's bread' which means to ruin their livelihood.
Match the situation to the phrase.
A person reports a coworker for a small mistake to get them fired.
The act of getting someone fired is called 'Nān-bori'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: چرا گریه میکنی؟ B: چون رئیس ________.
Crying suggests a negative event like losing a job.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosمدیر با اخراج علی، ________ او را برید.
The idiom is 'نان کسی را بریدن'.
Which one means 'He ruined his competitor's business'?
Option A uses the idiom 'to cut someone's bread' which means to ruin their livelihood.
A person reports a coworker for a small mistake to get them fired.
The act of getting someone fired is called 'Nān-bori'.
A: چرا گریه میکنی؟ B: چون رئیس ________.
Crying suggests a negative event like losing a job.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
4 preguntasNo, but it is a serious accusation. Use it when you are genuinely upset about someone losing their job.
Yes! You can say 'نانم را بریدند' (They cut my bread) to mean 'I was fired' or 'I lost my income'.
There isn't a single idiom, but 'نان رساندن' (bringing bread) means to help someone find a job.
Yes, it's very common in business ethics discussions and labor union meetings.
Frases relacionadas
نانبر
specialized formA person who causes others to lose their jobs.
نانخور
similarA dependent; someone who eats from your bread.
نانجیب
contrastEarning one's own bread/money.
آجر کردن نان
synonymTo turn someone's bread into a brick (make it inedible/useless).
