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A2 adjective #2,500 más común 5 min de lectura

گرفتار

Caught, trapped, or busy with something difficult.

gereftar
At the A1 level, think of 'گرفتار' (Gereftār) as a synonym for 'busy.' Imagine you are at a party and someone asks you to play a game, but you are eating. You might say 'Gereftār hastam' (I am busy). At this stage, you don't need to worry about complex grammar. Just remember that it means you cannot do something right now because something else is 'holding' you. It is a very useful word for basic social interactions in Iran. You might see it in simple sentences like 'Man gereftār-e kār hastam' (I am busy with work). Focus on the 'busy' meaning first, as it is the most common way you will use it when talking to friends or teachers.
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At the A2 level, you should start using 'گرفتار' to describe simple problems. You are no longer just 'busy'; you might be 'caught' in a situation. For example, 'Gereftār-e terāfik shodam' (I got caught in traffic). Notice the change from 'hastam' (I am) to 'shodam' (I became/got). This shows a change in state. You should also practice the Ezafe (the -e sound) correctly. You say 'Gereftār-e' followed by the noun. This level is about moving from simple descriptions to explaining why you are late or why you can't help a friend. It's a key word for 'polite excuses' in Persian culture.
By B1, you should understand the emotional and situational nuances of 'گرفتار.' It’s not just about traffic or work anymore; it’s about being 'involved' or 'entangled' in something more complex. You might describe someone as 'Gereftār-e moshkelāt-e māli' (Caught up in financial problems). You should also recognize the word in news reports, such as people being 'Gereftār' in natural disasters. At this level, you start to see the difference between 'Mashghul' (neutral busy) and 'Gereftār' (burdened busy). You should be able to use it to express sympathy for someone who is going through a hard time.
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At the B2 level, you can use 'گرفتار' in more abstract and literary contexts. You might discuss being 'Gereftār-e afkār-e khish' (Trapped in one's own thoughts) or 'Gereftār-e sarnevesht' (Caught by fate). You should be comfortable using the word in professional writing and formal debates. You will also notice the word appearing in classical and modern Persian poetry, where it often refers to the 'captivity' of the lover by the beloved. Your usage should reflect an understanding of the word's weight—it implies a lack of agency or a struggle against an overwhelming force.
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For C1 learners, 'گرفتار' becomes a tool for sophisticated social and philosophical commentary. You might analyze how a society is 'Gereftār-e borūk rāsī' (Entrapped in bureaucracy) or how a political figure is 'Gereftār-e tasmīmāt-e eshtebāh' (Caught by wrong decisions). You should understand the etymological link to 'Gereftan' and how this affects the word's resonance in legal and historical texts. At this level, you can use the word to describe complex systemic issues where individuals are 'caught' in structures beyond their control. Your vocabulary should include related forms like 'Gereftāri' (trouble/entanglement).
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At the C2 level, you master the ultimate subtleties of 'گرفتار.' You can distinguish between its use in a mundane context and its profound use in Sufi literature, where the soul is 'Gereftār' in the material world. You use the word with perfect precision in high-level academic writing, legal documents, or poetic analysis. You understand the historical evolution of the word from Middle Persian to the modern day. You can use it to describe the human condition, existential traps, or the intricate 'Gereftāri-hā' (complications) of modern life with the nuance of a native speaker who has a deep literary background.
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Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos

گرفتار en 30 segundos

  • Core meaning: Being 'held' or 'caught' by something (work, traffic, problems).
  • Common usage: Polite way to say 'I am busy' (Gereftāram).
  • Grammar: Often used with the Ezafe (-e) to link to the cause of the entrapment.
  • Tone: Can range from casual (busy) to very serious (trapped in a disaster).

The Persian word گرفتار (Gereftār) is a multifaceted adjective that fundamentally describes a state of being 'held' or 'bound' by a circumstance, a person, or an obligation. At its simplest level, for an A2 learner, it translates to being 'busy' or 'occupied.' However, its semantic range extends far beyond a simple schedule conflict. It originates from the verb گرفتن (Gereftan), meaning 'to take' or 'to catch,' and the suffix -ār, which often denotes a state or a result. Therefore, to be گرفتار is to have been 'caught' by something that prevents free movement or action.

Core Concept: Entrapment
In a physical sense, it refers to being trapped. A bird in a cage is گرفتار در قفس. A person caught in a storm is گرفتار در طوفان. This sense of physical restriction is the root of all other metaphorical uses.
Metaphorical Concept: Busy-ness
In daily Persian conversation, if someone asks 'Can you talk?', and you are swamped with work, you say ببخشید، الان خیلی گرفتارم (Sorry, I'm very busy right now). Here, the 'trap' is your workload.
Emotional/Legal Concept: Affliction
One can be گرفتارِ بیماری (afflicted with illness) or گرفتارِ قانون (in trouble with the law). It implies a struggle against a difficult force.
«من گرفتارِ ترافیک شدم و به جلسه نرسیدم.»
— Common excuse: "I got caught in traffic and didn't make it to the meeting."
«دلِ من گرفتارِ توست.»
— Romantic usage: "My heart is captured/bound by you."

To truly master this word, one must understand that it requires the preposition ِ (Ezafe) or در (dar) depending on the context. If you are busy 'with' something, you use the Ezafe: گرفتارِ کار. If you are trapped 'in' a place, you use در.

Using گرفتار correctly depends on the register (formal vs. informal) and the specific 'trap' you are discussing. In modern Persian, it functions primarily as a predicate adjective with the verb بودن (to be) or شدن (to become).

  • 1
    The 'Busy' Construction

    Structure: [Subject] + [Gereftār] + [Budan]. Example: او امروز خیلی گرفتار است (He is very busy today). This is the most common A2-level usage.

  • 2
    The 'Afflicted' Construction

    Structure: [Subject] + [Gereftār-e] + [Noun]. Example: آن‌ها گرفتارِ مشکلات مالی هستند (They are caught up in/afflicted by financial problems).

  • 3
    The 'Trapped' Construction

    Structure: [Subject] + [در / Dar] + [Noun] + [Gereftār Shodan]. Example: ما در برف گرفتار شدیم (We got trapped in the snow).

Grammar Alert: The Ezafe

When 'گرفتار' is followed by the thing that is holding you, you MUST use the Ezafe (the short 'e' sound at the end).
Correct: Gereftār-e dars (Busy with studies).
Incorrect: Gereftār dars.

In literary Persian, گرفتار can also act as a noun meaning 'prisoner' or 'captive,' though in modern speech, زندانی (Zindāni) or اسیر (Asir) is more common for actual prisoners of war or jail.

You will encounter گرفتار in a variety of social and professional settings. Its versatility makes it a high-frequency word in the Iranian linguistic landscape.

In the Office

"مدیر الان گرفتارِ یک جلسه است، لطفاً منتظر بمانید."

(The manager is currently caught up in a meeting, please wait.)

In the Hospital

"متأسفانه او گرفتارِ یک بیماریِ سخت شده است."

(Unfortunately, he has been afflicted with a difficult illness.)

In Daily Gossip

"شنیدی؟ علی باز هم گرفتارِ پلیس شد!"

(Did you hear? Ali got in trouble with the police again!)

In Poetry/Songs

"گرفتارم به دامِ زلفِ یاری..."

(I am caught in the trap of a beloved's tresses...)

News broadcasts often use the word when discussing people trapped by natural disasters like floods (سیل) or earthquakes (زلزله). In these contexts, the word carries a heavy, serious tone.

Even intermediate learners often stumble when using گرفتار. Here are the most frequent pitfalls to avoid:

  • Mistake 1: Confusing with 'Mashghul' (مشغول)

    While both can mean 'busy,' Mashghul is neutral or positive (busy doing something you enjoy or a standard task). Gereftār implies a burden or something you'd rather not be doing.
    Correct: 'I'm busy (Mashghul) reading.'
    Incorrect: 'I'm caught (Gereftār) reading' (unless the book is a trap!).

  • Mistake 2: Missing the Preposition

    Learners often say 'Gereftār dars' without the Ezafe. In Persian, the relationship between the state and the cause must be linked. Always say گرفتارِ (Gereftār-e).

  • Mistake 3: Overusing for 'Prisoner'

    If you want to say someone is in jail, use زندانی (Zindāni). Using Gereftār sounds like they are 'caught up' in the legal system, which is more abstract.

Persian has several words that overlap with گرفتار. Understanding the nuances will elevate your vocabulary from A2 to B1/B2.

مشغول

Mashghul (Busy/Occupied)

Neutral. Used for activities: 'I am busy studying.'

اسیر

Asir (Captive/Slave)

Stronger. Used for prisoners of war or being a 'slave' to one's passions.

پابند

Pāband (Bound/Tied down)

Literally 'foot-bound.' Used for family ties or moral obligations.

دچار

Dochār (Stricken/Afflicted)

Specifically for negative events like illness or bad luck. 'Dochār-e sar-dard' (Stricken with a headache).

While گرفتار is the most versatile, Dochār is its closest cousin when talking about problems, and Mashghul is its closest cousin when talking about time.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

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Informal

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Jerga

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Nivel de dificultad

Gramática que debes saber

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Ejemplos por nivel

1

من امروز گرفتار هستم.

I am busy today.

Simple subject + adjective + verb.

2

آیا تو گرفتار هستی؟

Are you busy?

Question form of the 'to be' verb.

3

او گرفتارِ کار است.

He is busy with work.

Use of Ezafe (-e) to link adjective and noun.

4

ما گرفتار هستیم.

We are busy.

Plural subject 'mā'.

5

مادرم گرفتار است.

My mother is busy.

Third person singular.

6

آن‌ها گرفتار نیستند.

They are not busy.

Negative form 'nistand'.

7

من کمی گرفتار هستم.

I am a little busy.

Adverb 'kami' (a little).

8

ببخشید، من گرفتارم.

Sorry, I'm busy.

Informal contraction 'gereftāram'.

1

من در ترافیک گرفتار شدم.

I got caught in traffic.

Use of 'shodan' (to become) for a change of state.

2

او گرفتارِ یک مشکلِ بزرگ شد.

He got caught in a big problem.

Adjective 'bozorg' modifying 'moshkel'.

3

ما در باران گرفتار شدیم.

We got caught in the rain.

Preposition 'dar' (in).

4

آیا علی گرفتارِ درس است؟

Is Ali busy with his studies?

Ezafe connecting state and cause.

5

آن‌ها در آسانسور گرفتار شدند.

They got trapped in the elevator.

Physical entrapment.

6

من گرفتارِ خرید بودم.

I was busy with shopping.

Past tense 'budam'.

7

چرا اینقدر گرفتاری؟

Why are you so busy?

Adverb 'inghadr' (this much/so).

8

او گرفتارِ بچه‌ها است.

She is busy with the children.

Plural noun 'bachche-hā'.

1

بسیاری از مردم گرفتارِ فقر هستند.

Many people are caught in poverty.

Abstract noun 'faqr' (poverty).

2

او ناخواسته گرفتارِ این ماجرا شد.

He unintentionally got involved in this affair.

Adverb 'nākhāste' (unintentionally).

3

ما نباید گرفتارِ شایعات شویم.

We should not get caught up in rumors.

Modal 'nabāyad' (should not).

4

کشور گرفتارِ بحرانِ اقتصادی است.

The country is caught in an economic crisis.

Formal/Political context.

5

او سال‌ها گرفتارِ آن بیماری بود.

He was afflicted with that illness for years.

Duration 'sāl-hā' (years).

6

گرفتارِ وسوسه نشو!

Don't get caught by temptation!

Imperative negative.

7

او همیشه گرفتارِ کارهای دیگران است.

He is always busy with other people's business.

Possessive 'digarān'.

8

حیوان در تله گرفتار شده بود.

The animal had been caught in the trap.

Past perfect 'shode bud'.

1

او گرفتارِ یک رابطه‌ی سمی شده است.

She has become trapped in a toxic relationship.

Modern psychological term 'rābete-ye sammi'.

2

نویسنده گرفتارِ کلیشه‌ها شده بود.

The writer had become trapped in clichés.

Literary criticism context.

3

ما نباید گرفتارِ تعصباتِ کورکورانه شویم.

We must not get caught in blind prejudices.

Compound adjective 'kurkurāne'.

4

او گرفتارِ چنگالِ قانون شد.

He fell into the clutches of the law.

Idiomatic expression 'changāl-e ghānun'.

5

ذهنِ من گرفتارِ یک سوالِ بی‌پاسخ است.

My mind is caught on an unanswered question.

Metaphorical use of 'zehn' (mind).

6

او گرفتارِ عذابِ وجدان است.

He is caught in the pangs of conscience.

Abstract emotional state.

7

شرکت گرفتارِ بوروکراسیِ اداری است.

The company is caught in administrative bureaucracy.

Professional/Organizational context.

8

او در دامِ فریبِ آن‌ها گرفتار شد.

He got caught in the trap of their deception.

Noun 'dām' (trap/snare).

1

بشریت گرفتارِ چرخه‌ی خشونت شده است.

Humanity has become caught in a cycle of violence.

Philosophical/Global context.

2

او گرفتارِ پارادوکس‌های مدرنیته است.

He is caught in the paradoxes of modernity.

Academic terminology.

3

سیاستمداران گرفتارِ مصلحت‌اندیشی‌های زودگذر هستند.

Politicians are caught in fleeting expediencies.

Complex compound noun.

4

او در گردابِ افکارِ منفی گرفتار شده بود.

He was caught in the whirlpool of negative thoughts.

Metaphor 'gerdāb' (whirlpool).

5

جامعه گرفتارِ انحطاطِ اخلاقی گشته است.

Society has become caught in moral decay.

Formal verb 'gashte ast' instead of 'shode ast'.

6

او گرفتارِ جبرِ جغرافیایی است.

He is caught in geographical determinism.

Sociological concept.

7

هنرمند نباید گرفتارِ شهرتِ کاذب شود.

The artist should not get caught in false fame.

Ethical advice.

8

او گرفتارِ تارهای عنکبوتیِ دروغ‌های خویش گشت.

He became caught in the spider webs of his own lies.

Highly descriptive literary style.

1

عارف در کمندِ عشقِ الهی گرفتار است.

The mystic is caught in the lasso of divine love.

Sufi/Mystical terminology 'kamand'.

2

او گرفتارِ تنگناهای هستی‌شناختی شده است.

He has become caught in ontological straits.

High-level philosophical vocabulary.

3

متن گرفتارِ هرمنوتیکِ سوءظن است.

The text is caught in the hermeneutics of suspicion.

Literary theory context.

4

او گرفتارِ دیالکتیکِ ارباب و بنده گشت.

He became caught in the master-slave dialectic.

Hegelian philosophical reference.

5

روح در قفسِ تن گرفتار آمده است.

The soul has come to be trapped in the cage of the body.

Classical poetic trope 'gereftār āmadan'.

6

او گرفتارِ نوستالژیِ ویرانگرِ گذشته است.

He is caught in the destructive nostalgia of the past.

Psychological nuance.

7

ساختارِ قدرت گرفتارِ تصلبِ سیستماتیک شده است.

The power structure has become caught in systemic sclerosis.

Political science terminology.

8

او در پیچ و خم‌های تاریخ گرفتار ماند.

He remained caught in the twists and turns of history.

Metaphorical permanence 'gereftār mānd'.

Colocaciones comunes

گرفتارِ ترافیک (Caught in traffic)
گرفتارِ کار (Busy with work)
گرفتارِ مشکل (Caught in a problem)
گرفتارِ بیماری (Afflicted with illness)
گرفتارِ قانون (In trouble with the law)
سخت گرفتار (Very busy/trapped)
گرفتار شدن (To become caught)
گرفتار کردن (To trap someone)
گرفتارِ عشق (Caught in love)
گرفتارِ قرض (Caught in debt)

Frases Comunes

خیلی گرفتارم (I'm very busy)

گرفتار شدیم رفت! (We're in for it now! / We're stuck!)

خودت را گرفتار نکن (Don't get yourself involved/trapped)

گرفتارِ بلا شدن (To be hit by a calamity)

گرفتارِ قفس (Trapped in a cage)

گرفتارِ روزمرگی (Caught in the daily grind)

گرفتارِ دستِ کسی (In someone's clutches)

گرفتارِ طوفان (Caught in a storm)

گرفتارِ اعتیاد (Caught in addiction)

گرفتارِ وسواس (Caught in obsession)

Se confunde a menudo con

گرفتار vs مشغول

گرفتار vs دچار

گرفتار vs اسیر

Modismos y expresiones

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Fácil de confundir

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Patrones de oraciones

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Cómo usarlo

nuance

Gereftār implies a loss of freedom, whereas Mashghul implies a focus of attention.

colloquialism

The phrase 'Gereftār شدیم' is often used sarcastically when a new problem arises.

Errores comunes
  • Using 'Gereftār' for 'happy' busy activities.
  • Forgetting the Ezafe in 'Gereftār-e...'
  • Using 'Gereftār' as a verb (it's an adjective).
  • Confusing it with 'Gerefte' (which means sad or taken).
  • Using it for literal prisoners in a formal report (use Zindāni).

Consejos

Ezafe Mastery

Always add the short 'e' sound when followed by a noun. It's the glue of the sentence.

Polite Refusal

If you can't go to a party, just say 'Gereftāram.' You don't need to explain why.

Root Learning

Remember 'Gereftan' (to take). 'Gereftār' is someone who has been 'taken' by a situation.

Social Bonding

Iranians love to complain about being 'Gereftār.' It's a way to show you are a hardworking person.

News Keywords

When you hear 'Gereftār' on the news, look for words like 'Seil' (flood) or 'Barf' (snow).

Formal Tone

Use 'Gereftār' in emails to explain why a project is taking longer than expected.

Romantic Context

In songs, if you hear 'Gereftār,' it's almost always about being in love.

Burden vs. Task

If the task feels like a weight, use 'Gereftār.' If it's just a task, use 'Mashghul'.

The 'R' Sound

The final 'r' in Persian is tapped. Make sure it's crisp and clear.

Visual Association

Picture a person with ten arms trying to do ten things at once. That is 'Gereftār'.

Memorízalo

Mnemotecnia

Think of 'Gereftār' as 'Grabbed-ar'. You have been grabbed by work or a problem, so you are trapped/busy.

Origen de la palabra

Middle Persian (Pahlavi)

Contexto cultural

Use 'Gereftāram' to politely decline an invitation. It's less blunt than saying 'I don't want to come.'

In poetry, the 'Gereftār' is often the lover, and the 'Trap' (Dām) is the beauty of the beloved.

Practica en la vida real

Contextos reales

Inicios de conversación

"امروز خیلی گرفتاری؟ (Are you very busy today?)"

"آخرین باری که در ترافیک گرفتار شدی کی بود؟ (When was the last time you got caught in traffic?)"

"چطور با گرفتاری‌های زندگی کنار می‌آیی؟ (How do you deal with life's entanglements?)"

"آیا تا به حال در آسانسور گرفتار شده‌ای؟ (Have you ever been trapped in an elevator?)"

"فکر می‌کنی چرا مردم اینقدر گرفتارِ گوشی‌هایشان هستند؟ (Why do you think people are so caught up in their phones?)"

Temas para diario

Write about a time you were 'Gereftār' in a difficult situation and how you escaped.

List three things that make you feel 'Gereftār' in your daily routine.

Describe a character in a book who is 'Gereftār' by a secret.

How does the word 'Gereftār' change meaning when applied to love versus work?

Reflect on a moment you were 'Gereftār' in nature (storm, snow, etc.).

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

Usually no. Use 'Mashghul' for hobbies. 'Gereftār' sounds like the hobby is a problem or a chore.

Yes, it is very polite. It's the standard way to decline invitations in a formal or semi-formal setting.

Zindāni is a person in a physical prison cell. Gereftār is a general state of being caught or busy.

No, that sounds strange. You would say 'Khabam miyād' or 'Mashghul-e esterāhat hastam'.

You say: 'Man dar otāgham gereftār shode-am'.

The root is Arabic, but 'Gereftār' itself is Persian. The Arabic equivalent used in religious texts is 'Asir' or 'Mubtalā'.

Yes, in literature it can mean 'the captive,' but in modern Persian, we use 'Gereftāri' for the noun 'trouble'.

Mostly yes, or at least something burdensome. The only 'positive' use is in romantic poetry (caught in love).

You say: 'Khodet ro gereftār nakon'.

The best opposite is 'Āzād' (Free) or 'Fāregh' (Free from tasks).

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