اتهام زدن
اتهام زدن 30 सेकंड में
- A formal Persian verb for 'accusing' or 'charging' someone.
- Used extensively in legal, political, and journalistic contexts.
- Requires the preposition 'be' before the person being accused.
- Combines 'etehām' (accusation) with the auxiliary verb 'zadan' (to strike).
The Persian compound verb اتهام زدن (etehām zadan) is a cornerstone of formal, legal, and political discourse in the Persian-speaking world. At its heart, it combines the noun 'etehām' (accusation or charge) with the auxiliary verb 'zadan' (to hit or strike). This combination suggests a forceful delivery of a claim. Unlike casual blaming, this term carries the weight of formality. When you use this word, you aren't just saying someone did something wrong; you are framing it within a system of accountability, whether that be a court of law, a political debate, or a serious organizational investigation. It is most frequently encountered in news broadcasts, legal documents, and high-stakes social discussions where the integrity of an individual or an entity is being questioned.
- Legal Context
- In a judicial setting, this refers to the official act of a prosecutor or a plaintiff leveling a specific criminal charge against a defendant. It implies the beginning of a formal process where evidence will be required to sustain the 'etehām'.
- Political Context
- Politicians often use this verb to discredit opponents. It refers to public claims of corruption, mismanagement, or betrayal of public trust. In this realm, the 'strike' (zadan) is often rhetorical, aimed at damaging a reputation.
- Social Context
- While less common in daily family life than 'sarzanesh' (blaming), it appears when serious social norms are broken, such as accusing someone of theft or a grave breach of contract within a community.
دادستان به او اتهام زد که در اختلاس دست داشته است.
— Translation: The prosecutor charged him with being involved in the embezzlement.
The verb is transitive and typically follows the pattern: [Subject] + [Preposition 'be'] + [Object/Person] + [Accusation Noun] + [zadan]. For example, 'Man be u etehām zadām' (I accused him). It is important to note that 'zadan' here doesn't mean physical hitting, but rather the 'launching' of a charge. This reflects a broader Persian linguistic trend where 'zadan' creates verbs of action or communication. Understanding this word requires an appreciation of the Persian sense of 'āberu' (reputation/honor). To level an 'etehām' is to directly challenge someone's 'āberu', which is why the word is treated with such gravity in Iranian culture.
او بدون مدرک به رقیب خود اتهام زد.
— Translation: He accused his rival without any evidence.
رسانهها به دولت اتهام زدند که در مورد آمار دروغ گفته است.
— Translation: The media accused the government of lying about the statistics.
- Nuance: Charge vs. Blame
- While 'moghasser dānestan' means to consider someone at fault, 'etehām zadan' is the externalized act of stating that fault as a formal charge. It is the difference between thinking someone is guilty and publicly naming them as a suspect.
پلیس به راننده اتهام زد که تحت تأثیر الکل بوده است.
— Translation: The police charged the driver with being under the influence of alcohol.
چرا به من این اتهام را میزنید؟
— Translation: Why are you leveling this accusation against me?
In summary, 'etehām zadan' is an essential verb for anyone wanting to understand Persian news or engage in serious discussions. It bridges the gap between daily language and the specialized vocabulary of law and politics, making it a key B1-level acquisition.
Using 'etehām zadan' correctly involves mastering its specific prepositional structure and understanding its register. Because it is a compound verb, the conjugation happens with the auxiliary 'zadan', while 'etehām' remains relatively static unless it takes a direct object marker 'rā' for emphasis. The most common structure is: [Accuser] + be + [Accused] + [Accusation details] + etehām zadan.
- Direct Accusation
- When you want to say 'X accused Y of Z', you use 'be' before Y. Example: 'Sāzmān be modir etehāme fesād zad' (The organization accused the manager of corruption).
- Passive Voice
- In news, we often hear 'to be accused'. In Persian, this usually shifts to 'mottaham shodan'. While 'etehām zadan' is active, the passive equivalent 'mottaham shodan' is more common when the focus is on the person receiving the charge.
او به همکارش اتهام دزدی زد.
— He accused his colleague of theft.
One of the complexities of this verb is how it interacts with different tenses. In the past continuous, it describes an ongoing period of public accusations: 'Anhā dāshtand be ham etehām mīzadand' (They were accusing each other). In the subjunctive, it often follows verbs of doubt or necessity: 'Nabāyad bedune madrak be kasi etehām bezanim' (We should not accuse anyone without evidence).
اگر به او اتهام بزنی، باید آن را ثابت کنی.
— If you accuse him, you must prove it.
آنها به من اتهام جاسوسی زدهاند.
— They have accused me of espionage.
- Formal Writing
- In formal writing, you might see 'etehāmātī rā alayhe kasi matrah kardan' (to raise accusations against someone), but 'etehām zadan' remains the most direct way to express the action of charging.
دولتهای غربی به این کشور اتهام میزنند.
— Western governments are leveling accusations against this country.
When using this verb in the negative, it often carries a defensive tone: 'Man be hichkas etehām nazade-am' (I haven't accused anyone). It is a powerful way to clear one's name or deny having started a rumor. Furthermore, the word 'etehām' can be pluralized to 'etehāmāt' when multiple charges are involved, and the verb remains 'zadan'.
او تمام اتهاماتی را که به او زده شده بود، رد کرد.
— He denied all the accusations that had been leveled against him.
To master this verb, practice linking it with common crimes: 'ghatl' (murder), 'dozdi' (theft), 'fesād' (corruption), and 'khiānat' (treason). This will help you navigate the serious side of Persian conversation and media consumption.
If you turn on a Persian news channel like BBC Persian, Iran International, or the IRIB, you will likely hear 'etehām zadan' within the first ten minutes. It is the language of conflict, law, and accountability. But its presence isn't limited to the evening news; it permeates several specific domains of Iranian life.
- The Courtroom and Judicial Reports
- In reports of trials, journalists use this verb to describe the prosecutor's opening statement. You'll hear phrases like 'Dādsetān be motaham etehāme qatl zad' (The prosecutor charged the defendant with murder). It signifies the formal start of a legal battle.
- International Relations
- In the world of diplomacy, countries often 'etehām mizanand' regarding treaty violations, human rights issues, or cyberattacks. It is a key word in the 'war of words' between nations.
- Investigative Journalism
- Articles exposing corruption will use this verb to describe the claims made by whistleblowers or auditors. It frames the narrative as a serious allegation rather than mere gossip.
در اخبار شنیدم که به آن شرکت اتهام فرار مالیاتی زدهاند.
— I heard in the news that they have accused that company of tax evasion.
Beyond the media, you'll find this word in historical documentaries and political memoirs. When figures from the 1979 Revolution or the Iran-Iraq War discuss their experiences, they often use 'etehām zadan' to describe how they were targeted by rivals or authorities. It is a word that carries the scars of history.
او در کتاب خود به بسیاری از مقامات اتهام زد.
— In his book, he leveled accusations against many officials.
وزارت خارجه این اتهامات را بیاساس خواند.
— The Ministry of Foreign Affairs called these accusations baseless.
In social media debates (Persian Twitter/X), you'll see users 'etehām zadan' regarding social justice, cancel culture, or ideological purity. Here, the word is used to elevate a personal grievance into a public, formal-sounding charge to garner attention or action.
کاربران به این سلبریتی اتهام نژادپرستی زدند.
— Users accused this celebrity of racism.
- Cinematic Use
- In Iranian cinema, particularly social dramas (like those of Asghar Farhadi), the plot often revolves around a false 'etehām'. Characters spend the movie trying to prove their innocence against a 'zadan' that has ruined their social standing.
Understanding where this word appears helps you recognize the tone of a situation. If someone uses 'etehām zadan', the 'gloves are off'—it is no longer a friendly chat, but a formal confrontation.
For English speakers learning Persian, 'etehām zadan' presents several pitfalls ranging from grammatical errors to subtle misapplications of register. Avoiding these will make your Persian sound much more natural and precise.
- Confusing with 'Sarzanesh Kardan'
- English uses 'blame' for both 'You broke the vase' and 'You committed a crime'. Persian distinguishes these. Use 'sarzanesh kardan' or 'moghasser dānestan' for blaming someone for a mistake. Use 'etehām zadan' only for serious, often legal or formal, charges.
- Incorrect Prepositions
- Learners often try to use 'rā' (the direct object marker) for the person being accused. Incorrect: 'Man u rā etehām zadam'. Correct: 'Man be u etehām zadam'. The 'hit' (zadan) is directed *to* (be) the person.
Mistake: او را اتهام زدند.
— Remember: Accusations are 'hit to' someone in Persian grammar.
Correct: به او اتهام زدند.
Another common error is confusing 'etehām zadan' (to accuse) with 'tuhmat zadan' (to slander). While they are similar, 'tuhmat' specifically implies that the accusation is false and malicious. If you say 'u be man tuhmat zad', you are explicitly claiming the charge is a lie. 'Etehām zadan' is more neutral regarding the truth of the charge.
فرق است بین اتهام زدن و تهمت زدن.
— There is a difference between accusing and slandering.
Finally, watch out for the auxiliary verb. Some learners mistakenly use 'kardan' (to do) because many Persian compound verbs use it. While 'mottaham kardan' is a valid alternative, 'etehām kardan' is not a standard phrase. Stick to 'etehām zadan' or 'mottaham kardan'.
Mistake: او اتهام کرد که...
Correct: او اتهام زد که... یا او متهم کرد که...
- Word Order
- In complex sentences, keep 'etehām' and 'zadan' together at the end if possible, unless 'etehām' is taking a long descriptive clause. Breaking them up too much can make the sentence hard to follow for native speakers.
By being mindful of these distinctions—especially the preposition 'be' and the formal register—you will avoid the most common traps and use this powerful verb with the precision of a native speaker.
Persian is rich with synonyms for 'accusing' and 'charging', each carrying a slightly different weight or context. Knowing when to use 'etehām zadan' versus its alternatives will greatly enhance your fluency.
- متهم کردن (mottaham kardan)
- This is the most direct synonym. While 'etehām zadan' focuses on the act of 'striking' with a charge, 'mottaham kardan' focuses on the result: making someone 'mottaham' (accused). It uses 'rā' instead of 'be'. Example: 'Man u rā mottaham kardam'. It is equally formal.
- تهمت زدن (tuhmat zadan)
- As discussed, this means 'to slander' or 'to falsely accuse'. Use this when you want to emphasize that the accusation is a lie. It is a very strong, emotionally charged word.
- نسبت دادن (nesbat dādan)
- Literally 'to attribute to'. This is more neutral and academic. 'Anhā in eshtebāh rā be man nesbat dādand' (They attributed this mistake to me). It lacks the 'criminal' weight of 'etehām'.
- مقصر دانستن (moghasser dānestan)
- To consider someone at fault. This is more of an internal judgment or a general statement of blame. 'Hameh u rā moghasser mīdānand' (Everyone considers him at fault).
او به جای اتهام زدن، فقط انتقاد کرد.
— Instead of accusing, he only criticized.
In a legal context, you might also encounter کیفرخواست صادر کردن (keyfar-khāst sāder kardan), which means 'to issue an indictment'. This is the most technical and formal level of 'etehām zadan', used only by the judiciary.
نباید به کسی تهمت زد، اما میتوان اتهام را بررسی کرد.
— One shouldn't slander anyone, but an accusation can be investigated.
For informal situations, Iranians might use گردن کسی انداختن (gardan-e kasi andākhtan), which means 'to throw [the blame] on someone's neck'. This is the equivalent of 'pinning it on someone' and is very common in everyday speech.
او تقصیر را گردن من انداخت.
— He pinned the fault on me.
By learning these alternatives, you can tailor your speech to the specific situation, whether you are in a courtroom, a business meeting, or a casual dinner with friends.
स्तर के अनुसार उदाहरण
او به من اتهام زد.
He accused me.
Uses 'be' before the person.
چرا به او اتهام میزنی؟
Why are you accusing him?
Present continuous form 'mī-zanī'.
پلیس به دزد اتهام زد.
The police accused the thief.
Simple past tense.
مادرم به من اتهام نزد.
My mother did not accuse me.
Negative past tense 'na-zad'.
آنها به ما اتهام زدند.
They accused us.
Plural subject and object.
او اتهام دزدی زد.
He accused of theft.
Specific crime mentioned without 'ezafe' here for simplicity.
من به هیچکس اتهام نمیزنم.
I don't accuse anyone.
Negative present tense.
آیا تو به من اتهام زدی؟
Did you accuse me?
Question form.
مدیر به کارمند اتهام اشتباه زد.
The manager accused the employee of a mistake.
Formal workplace context.
او در اخبار به رقیبش اتهام زد.
He accused his rival in the news.
Use of 'dar akhbār' (in the news).
نباید بدون دلیل به کسی اتهام زد.
One should not accuse someone without a reason.
Impersonal 'nabāyad' structure.
آنها به او اتهام دروغگویی زدند.
They accused him of lying.
Noun 'dorogh-gouyi' (lying) used as the accusation.
پلیس به راننده اتهام سرعت زیاد زد.
The police charged the driver with speeding.
Compound noun 'sor'at-e ziād' (high speed).
او به دوستش اتهام خیانت زد.
He accused his friend of betrayal.
Serious social accusation.
چرا به این شرکت اتهام میزنند؟
Why are they accusing this company?
Accusing an entity/company.
من هرگز به تو اتهام نزدهام.
I have never accused you.
Present perfect tense 'nazade-am'.
دادستان به متهم اتهام قتل زد.
The prosecutor charged the defendant with murder.
Legal terminology: 'dādsetān' and 'motaham'.
رسانهها به دولت اتهام فساد مالی زدند.
The media accused the government of financial corruption.
Political context.
او مدعی است که به او اتهام ناحق زدهاند.
He claims that they have accused him unjustly.
Use of 'nā-hagh' (unjust).
بسیاری به این نویسنده اتهام سرقت ادبی زدند.
Many accused this writer of plagiarism.
Cultural/literary context: 'serghat-e adabi'.
او سعی کرد به من اتهام بزند تا خودش را تبرئه کند.
He tried to accuse me to exonerate himself.
Complex sentence with 'tā' (so that).
دولتهای خارجی به این کشور اتهام جاسوسی زدند.
Foreign governments accused this country of espionage.
International relations context.
او به همکارانش اتهام عدم همکاری زد.
He accused his colleagues of lack of cooperation.
Formal office 'etehām'.
باید ثابت کنی که چرا به او اتهام میزنی.
You must prove why you are accusing him.
Subjunctive 'bezani' after 'bāyad'.
وی در بیانیهای تند به مخالفان خود اتهام کارشکنی زد.
In a sharp statement, he accused his opponents of sabotage.
Advanced vocabulary: 'bayāniye' (statement), 'kār-shekani' (sabotage).
اتهاماتی که به او زده شده است، بسیار سنگین هستند.
The accusations that have been leveled against him are very serious.
Passive-like structure with relative clause.
او از کسانی که به او اتهام زده بودند شکایت کرد.
He sued those who had accused him.
Past perfect 'zade budand'.
پلیس بدون داشتن مدرک کافی نمیتواند به کسی اتهام بزند.
The police cannot accuse anyone without having sufficient evidence.
Modal 'nemītavānad' with subjunctive.
او اتهام زد که انتخابات با تقلب همراه بوده است.
He accused that the election was accompanied by fraud.
Clause introduced by 'ke'.
برخی به این فیلم اتهام سیاهنمایی زدهاند.
Some have accused this film of 'siah-namayi' (portraying a dark/bleak image).
Cultural term: 'siāh-namāyi'.
او با اتهام زدن به دیگران میخواهد از مسئولیت فرار کند.
By accusing others, he wants to escape responsibility.
Gerund-like use of 'etehām zadan'.
سازمانهای حقوق بشری به این نهاد اتهام شکنجه زدند.
Human rights organizations accused this institution of torture.
Formal institutional context.
در این پرونده پیچیده، وکیل به شاهد اتهام شهادت دروغ زد.
In this complex case, the lawyer accused the witness of perjury.
Technical term: 'shahādat-e dorogh' (perjury).
او با اتهام زدنهای بیپی در پی سعی در تخریب شخصیت رقیب داشت.
With continuous accusations, he tried to assassinate his rival's character.
Advanced phrase: 'takhrib-e shakhsiyat'.
اتهاماتی که به طور مرتب به این نهاد زده میشود، بیپایه است.
The accusations regularly leveled against this institution are baseless.
Adverbial phrase 'be tour-e morattab'.
او در مصاحبهای جنجالی به سردبیر اتهام سانسور زد.
In a controversial interview, he accused the editor of censorship.
Journalistic context: 'sansur' (censorship).
دادگاه به دلیل نبود مدرک، اتهامات زده شده را رد کرد.
The court rejected the leveled accusations due to lack of evidence.
Formal judicial action.
او با زیرکی به رقبای خود اتهام بیکفایتی زد.
He cleverly accused his rivals of incompetence.
Nuanced adverb 'bā ziraki' (cleverly).
این اتهام زدنها تنها باعث تفرقه در جامعه میشود.
These accusations only cause division in society.
Social analysis context.
او از اینکه به او اتهام دزدی زده بودند، به شدت برآشفت.
He was deeply enraged that they had accused him of theft.
Emotional reaction: 'bar-āshoftan'.
وی با استناد به اسناد محرمانه، به وزیر اتهام خیانت به وطن زد.
Citing confidential documents, he accused the minister of high treason.
High-level political/legal 'khiānat be vatan'.
اتهام زدن بدون ادله کافی در نظام قضایی ما جرم تلقی میشود.
Accusing without sufficient evidence is considered a crime in our judicial system.
Legal principle: 'jorm talaghi shodan'.
او با وقاحت تمام به قربانی اتهام تحریک زدن زد.
With utter audacity, he accused the victim of provocation.
Strong adverb 'bā vaghāhat' (with audacity).
این اتهام زدنهای متقابل تنها به نفع دشمنان مشترک است.
These mutual accusations only benefit common enemies.
Political strategy: 'etehām-zadan-hāye motaghābel'.
او در نطق خود به ساختار قدرت اتهام تمامیتخواهی زد.
In his speech, he accused the power structure of totalitarianism.
Political theory: 'tamāmiyat-khāhi'.
اتهاماتی که به وی زده شد، مسیر زندگی حرفهای او را تغییر داد.
The accusations leveled against him changed the course of his professional life.
Narrative impact.
او با اتهام زدن به مبانی اخلاقی جامعه، جنجال بزرگی به پا کرد.
By accusing the moral foundations of society, he sparked a great controversy.
Abstract 'mabāni-ye akhlāghi'.
دادستان کل به چندین بانک اتهام پولشویی زد.
The Attorney General charged several banks with money laundering.
Economic crime: 'poul-shouyi'.
सामान्य शब्द संयोजन
Summary
The verb 'etehām zadan' is the standard formal way to say 'to accuse' in Persian. Remember to use 'be' (e.g., 'be u etehām zad') and keep it for serious matters like 'etehām-e dozdi' (accusation of theft).
- A formal Persian verb for 'accusing' or 'charging' someone.
- Used extensively in legal, political, and journalistic contexts.
- Requires the preposition 'be' before the person being accused.
- Combines 'etehām' (accusation) with the auxiliary verb 'zadan' (to strike).
उदाहरण
به او اتهام سرقت زدند.
संबंधित सामग्री
politics के और शब्द
عاقلانه
B1समझदारी या बुद्धिमानी से; बुद्धिमानी से।
اعتراف
B1इक़बालिया बयान; अपराध स्वीकार करने का औपचारिक कथन।
اعتصاب
B1हड़ताल काम का सामूहिक बहिष्कार है जो विरोध के रूप में किया जाता है।
عملاً
B1व्यावहारिक रूप से ; असल में। 'यह व्यावहारिक रूप से असंभव है।'
ادعا کردن
B1उसने दावा किया कि वह निर्दोष है, लेकिन किसी ने उस पर विश्वास नहीं किया।
افراطی
B1चरमपंथी: जो चरम राजनीतिक या धार्मिक विचार रखता हो।
اجباراً
B1अनिवार्य रूप से; मजबूरी में। 'उसे اجباراً जाना पड़ा।'
اجرایی
B1कार्यान्वयन या निष्पादन से संबंधित। 'कार्यकारी निदेशक ने अनुबंध पर हस्ताक्षर किए।'
اختیاراً
B1Of one's own free will; voluntarily.
الزامی
B1अनिवार्य; किसी कानून या नियम द्वारा आवश्यक।