Signification
To spoil something or make a mistake, often severely.
Contexte culturel
In Tehran, young people often shorten the pronunciation. Instead of 'Kharāb kardam', you might hear 'Kharāb kardan' (dropping the 'm' sound in fast speech) or 'Kharāb-esh kardam'. In Iran, where the 'Konkur' (national university entrance exam) is a massive life event, 'Kharāb kardan' is the most feared phrase for students. If you ruin something belonging to someone else, you must follow 'Kharāb kardan' with intense apologies and offers to replace it, even if they say it's fine. Many Iranian sitcoms (like 'Pavarchin' or 'Ghande Pahlou') rely on characters 'Kharāb kardan' in social situations for comedic effect.
Self-Deprecation
Using 'Kharāb kardam' about yourself is a good way to show humility and humor in Persian social circles.
Don't use for people
Saying 'فلانی را خراب کردم' (I ruined so-and-so) means you destroyed their reputation or humiliated them publicly. Be careful!
Signification
To spoil something or make a mistake, often severely.
Self-Deprecation
Using 'Kharāb kardam' about yourself is a good way to show humility and humor in Persian social circles.
Don't use for people
Saying 'فلانی را خراب کردم' (I ruined so-and-so) means you destroyed their reputation or humiliated them publicly. Be careful!
The 'O' Connection
In spoken Persian, always use the 'o' sound for 'rā'. Say 'Kār-o kharāb kardam' instead of 'Kār rā kharāb kardam'.
The 'Zaye' Alternative
If you messed up and feel embarrassed, 'Zaye' kardam' is often a more accurate reflection of the feeling of 'losing face'.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'Kharāb kardan' in the past tense.
من دیشب کیک تولد را _________.
The subject is 'Man' (I), so the verb must end in '-am'.
Which sentence is the most natural way to say 'I blew the interview'?
کدام جمله درست است؟
You are the active agent ruining the interview.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Match: 1. خراب کردن امتحان, 2. خراب کردن ساختمان, 3. خراب کردن رابطه
The verb applies to performance, physical objects, and social bonds.
Complete the dialogue.
A: چرا ناراحتی؟ B: چون کل پروژه رو _________.
The context of being 'nārāhat' (sad/upset) implies a failure.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Active vs Passive
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesمن دیشب کیک تولد را _________.
The subject is 'Man' (I), so the verb must end in '-am'.
کدام جمله درست است؟
You are the active agent ruining the interview.
Match: 1. خراب کردن امتحان, 2. خراب کردن ساختمان, 3. خراب کردن رابطه
The verb applies to performance, physical objects, and social bonds.
A: چرا ناراحتی؟ B: چون کل پروژه رو _________.
The context of being 'nārāhat' (sad/upset) implies a failure.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNo, it's not rude, but it is informal. It's safe to use with friends, family, and colleagues you know well.
Usually, we say 'Del shekastan' (breaking a heart), but you can say 'Rābete-ro kharāb kardam' (I ruined the relationship).
The opposite is 'Dorost kardan' (to fix/make right) or 'Abād kardan' (to flourish/build up).
Yes! If you burn it or make it taste bad, you 'Kharāb kardi'.
Use the present continuous: 'Dāram kharāb mikonam'.
No, for laws we use 'Naqz kardan'. 'Kharāb kardan' is for objects or performances.
Yes, you can say 'Virous computero kharāb kard' (The virus ruined the computer).
'Gand zadan' is much more vulgar (like 'to screw up' vs 'to shit the bed').
Perfect usage! 'Emtehān-e ranandegi-ro kharāb kardam'.
Yes, 'Lous kardan' is more common, but 'Kharāb kardan' can imply ruining their character by over-indulging them.
Expressions liées
گند زدن
synonymTo screw up (stronger/vulgar)
ضایع کردن
similarTo waste or embarrass
آبروریزی کردن
builds onTo cause a public scandal
دسته گل به آب دادن
similarTo make a blunder
خراب شدن
contrastTo break down (passive)
افتضاح به بار آوردن
specialized formTo create a disaster
