ازدواج کرده

The Persian term ازدواج کرده (ezdevāj karde) is a fundamental adjective in the Persian language used to describe a person's marital status. Linguistically, it is a compound adjective formed from the noun ازدواج (ezdevāj), meaning 'marriage,' and the past participle کرده (karde), which comes from the verb کردن (kardan), meaning 'to do' or 'to make.' When combined, they literally translate to 'having done marriage' or 'married.' In everyday conversation, this is the standard way to inform someone that a person is no longer single. It is essential for learners at the A2 level because it appears frequently in personal introductions, social inquiries, and official documentation. Understanding this term requires more than just knowing a translation; it involves understanding the cultural weight of marriage in Iranian society, where marital status often dictates social circles, legal rights, and even living arrangements. While English uses the word 'married' as both a past tense verb and an adjective, Persian distinguishes between the act of getting married and the state of being married. ازدواج کرده focuses specifically on the state. It is the answer to the question 'Are you married?' or 'Is she married?' In a society that values family structures deeply, being described as ازدواج کرده signals a transition into adulthood and social responsibility. It is used across all registers, from the most informal family gatherings to formal interviews, although in very formal legal contexts, you might encounter the synonym متأهل (mota'ahel). However, for a student of Persian, mastering ازدواج کرده is the first step toward discussing family life and social connections accurately.

Grammatical Classification

Compound Adjective (Past Participle form used as a stative adjective).

The use of this term is not limited to just stating a fact; it often carries a sense of permanence. When you say someone is ازدواج کرده, you are defining their current social identity. In Iran, marriage is often viewed as a communal event rather than just a private contract between two individuals. Therefore, using this word often leads to follow-up questions about the spouse, the wedding, or children. It is also important to note that this adjective is gender-neutral. Unlike some languages where the form might change based on whether a man or a woman is being described, in Persian, both a man and a woman are simply ازدواج کرده. This simplicity makes it a versatile tool for learners. Furthermore, the term is frequently used in the present perfect tense structure (e.g., ازدواج کرده است) to indicate that the state of being married started in the past and continues into the present. This grammatical nuance is vital for expressing duration. If you want to say 'He is married,' you say او ازدواج کرده است. If you were to say او ازدواج کرد, you would be saying 'He got married' (past simple), which focuses on the event rather than the state. This distinction is a common hurdle for English speakers who are used to 'married' serving multiple functions.

Social Context

Used in social introductions to clarify one's family status, which is a common topic of conversation in Persian culture.

In summary, ازدواج کرده is the quintessential A2 vocabulary word for describing marital status. It bridges the gap between basic identification and more complex social descriptions. It is rooted in a combination of Arabic (ezdevāj) and Persian (karde) elements, reflecting the linguistic history of Iran. Whether you are filling out a form at a bank in Tehran or chatting with a new friend in a cafe, this word will be your primary way to navigate the important social landscape of family status. Its predictable structure and wide applicability make it a high-frequency term that every learner should memorize and practice in various tenses to ensure they can describe both their own lives and the lives of others with accuracy and cultural sensitivity.

Using ازدواج کرده correctly in a sentence involves understanding its role as a stative adjective, often paired with the auxiliary verb است (ast - is) or other forms of the verb بودن (boodan - to be). At the A2 level, the most common structure you will encounter is the present perfect: [Subject] + [ازدواج کرده] + [Present form of 'to be']. For example, من ازدواج کرده‌ام (Man ezdevāj karde-am) means 'I am married.' Note how the 'am' suffix is attached to the word 'karde' or follows it as a separate verb. This structure is used to describe the current state of a person. It is distinct from the past simple ازدواج کرد (ezdevāj kard), which means 'he/she got married' at a specific point in time. When you use ازدواج کرده, the focus is on the result of that action—the fact that they are currently in a marriage. This is a crucial distinction for learners to grasp. If you are asked وضعیت تاهل شما چیست؟ (What is your marital status?), the most natural response is من ازدواج کرده‌ام. You can also use it to describe others: آن‌ها ازدواج کرده‌اند (They are married). The flexibility of this term allows it to be used in negative sentences as well, although it is more common to simply use the word مجرد (mojarad) for 'single.' However, saying او هنوز ازدواج نکرده است (He has not married yet) is a very common way to express that someone is still single but perhaps expected to marry in the future.

Common Sentence Pattern

[Noun/Pronoun] + [ازدواج کرده] + [Auxiliary Verb 'to be']

Another important aspect of using ازدواج کرده is its placement in relative clauses. For example, 'The married woman' would be زنِ ازدواج کرده (zan-e ezdevāj karde), using the ezafe construction to link the noun and the adjective. While this is grammatically correct, in spoken Persian, people often prefer more descriptive phrases or different adjectives like متاهل (mota'ahel). However, ازدواج کرده remains the most intuitive and widely understood term for learners. You will also see it used in questions. When asking someone about their status, the intonation rises at the end of the sentence: شما ازدواج کرده‌اید؟ (Are you married?). In colloquial Persian, the 'st' in 'ast' is often dropped, so you might hear اون ازدواج کرده (un ezdevāj karde) instead of او ازدواج کرده است (u ezdevāj karde ast). This shortening is a hallmark of natural speech and something learners should aim to recognize. Furthermore, the word can be modified by adverbs of time. For instance, به تازگی ازدواج کرده (He/she has recently married) is a common way to announce a new union. The word 'recently' (به تازگی) perfectly complements the present perfect nature of ازدواج کرده.

Finally, let's look at how ازدواج کرده interacts with complex sentences. You might say, فکر می‌کردم او ازدواج کرده است (I thought he was married). Here, the term functions as the predicate of a subordinate clause. Because it is a compound adjective, it remains stable; you only conjugate the 'to be' verb at the end. This stability makes it easier for students to build longer sentences without worrying about complex internal changes to the word itself. Whether you are describing a photograph of a couple, discussing a character in a movie, or answering questions on a visa application, the sentence patterns involving ازدواج کرده are repetitive and predictable, allowing for rapid fluency in this specific area of conversation. By practicing these patterns—Subject + Status + Duration—you will be able to handle one of the most common social interactions in the Persian-speaking world with confidence and grammatical precision.

In the real world, you will encounter ازدواج کرده in a variety of settings, ranging from the highly personal to the strictly administrative. One of the first places a visitor to Iran or a student of Persian might hear this word is during a 'Mehmāni' (social gathering). Iranians are known for their hospitality and their interest in the lives of their guests. It is very common for an older relative or a new acquaintance to ask, ازدواج کردی؟ (Did you get married? / Are you married?). In this informal context, the 'ast' is dropped, and the word acts as a quick descriptor. You will also hear it in the workplace. When colleagues are getting to know each other, discussing family is a standard way to build rapport. A colleague might say, همکار جدیدمان ازدواج کرده و دو فرزند دارد (Our new colleague is married and has two children). This use of the word helps establish a person's social context and responsibilities. Beyond social circles, ازدواج کرده is a staple of Persian media. In 'Serial-hā' (TV soap operas), the plot often revolves around who is ازدواج کرده, who is getting divorced, and the family dynamics involved. Hearing the word in these emotional contexts helps learners understand its weight and the expectations associated with it.

Setting: Family Gatherings

Commonly used by elders when inquiring about the status of younger family members or guests.

In administrative and legal contexts, while the formal word متاهل (mota'ahel) is often written on forms, the phrase ازدواج کرده is frequently used in spoken explanations. For example, if you are at a government office and a clerk is verifying your 'Shenasnameh' (identity booklet), they might ask for clarification by saying, یعنی شما ازدواج کرده‌اید؟ (So, you are married?). This confirms the status recorded in the document. Furthermore, in the news, you might hear reports about social trends, such as تعداد افرادی که در سن پایین ازدواج کرده‌اند (The number of people who have married at a young age). Here, it is used to describe a demographic group. The word also appears in religious or cultural lectures where the virtues or challenges of being married are discussed. Because the term is so descriptive, it is favored by speakers who want to be clear and direct. You won't just hear it in Iran; in Afghanistan (Dari) and Tajikistan (Tajiki), similar forms are used, though the pronunciation and auxiliary verbs might vary slightly. In Dari, for instance, you might hear عروسی کده (arosi kada) more often in casual speech, but ازدواج کرده remains the standard literary and formal choice across the Persian-speaking world.

Another place you will frequently hear this word is in songs and poetry. While classical poetry might use more archaic terms for love and union, modern Persian pop music often uses ازدواج کرده to describe the reality of a lost love who has moved on and married someone else. This adds a layer of emotional depth to the word, moving it from a simple check-box on a form to a significant life event that changes the course of a person's story. For a learner, listening to these songs can provide a great way to hear the word in a rhythmic, memorable context. Ultimately, whether it's whispered in a gossip-filled kitchen, stated firmly in a courtroom, or sung on the radio, ازدواج کرده is a word that resonates through every level of Persian society. By paying attention to these different contexts, you will not only learn the word but also the social nuances that come with it, allowing you to use it appropriately whether you are being formal, friendly, or empathetic.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make when using ازدواج کرده is confusing the adjective with the simple past verb. In English, 'married' can be both ('He married her' vs. 'He is married'). In Persian, ازدواج کرد (ezdevāj kard) is the verb 'he/she married,' while ازدواج کرده (ezdevāj karde) is the adjective/past participle 'married.' A common error is saying من ازدواج کرد (Man ezdevāj kard), which is grammatically incorrect because the verb doesn't match the subject 'I.' Another mistake is forgetting the 'e' sound at the end of karde. Without that 'e' (the silent 'heh' in Persian script), the word becomes the root of the verb, which doesn't function as a description of a state. Learners also often struggle with the auxiliary verb. They might say من ازدواج کرده هستم (Man ezdevāj karde hastam), which is technically understandable but sounds slightly unnatural compared to the more common من ازدواج کرده‌ام (Man ezdevāj karde-am). The latter uses the short form of 'to be' attached directly to the adjective, which is the standard way to express 'I am married.'

Mistake: Verb vs. Adjective

Using 'ezdevāj kard' (he married) when you mean 'ezdevāj karde' (he is married).

Another subtle mistake involves the preposition used with the word. In English, we say 'married to someone.' In Persian, the preposition used is often با (bā), which means 'with.' Learners might try to use به (be), which means 'to,' leading to the incorrect او به سارا ازدواج کرده است. The correct way to say 'He is married to Sara' is او با سارا ازدواج کرده است. Using the wrong preposition is a classic sign of a 'translation-heavy' approach to learning. Additionally, learners sometimes confuse ازدواج کرده with عروسی کرده (arosi karde). While عروسی refers to the wedding ceremony itself, ازدواج refers to the legal and social institution of marriage. Saying someone is عروسی کرده sounds more like saying 'they have had a wedding,' whereas ازدواج کرده is the proper way to describe their legal status. Another common error is using the word to describe things other than people. You cannot use ازدواج کرده to describe a 'married life' or a 'married couple' in the same way English does. For 'married couple,' you would say زوجِ متاهل (zowj-e mota'ahel).

Mistake: Word Choice

Using 'ezdevāj karde' to describe a noun like 'life' instead of a person.

Lastly, learners often forget that Persian doesn't use the word 'married' to mean 'involved' or 'dedicated' in a metaphorical sense, as English might ('He is married to his work'). In Persian, ازدواج کرده is strictly literal. If you try to use it metaphorically, it will cause confusion. To express dedication to work, you would use words like وقف کردن (vaghf kardan - to dedicate). By avoiding these common pitfalls—confusing verbs with adjectives, using the wrong preposition, and applying the word metaphorically—learners can speak more naturally and avoid the 'foreign' sounding structures that often plague beginners. Paying close attention to how native speakers use the auxiliary 'to be' with ازدواج کرده is the best way to internalize the correct usage and avoid these frequent errors.

While ازدواج کرده is the most common and versatile way to say 'married' at the A2 level, Persian offers several other words that carry similar meanings but differ in register, formality, or specific nuance. The most prominent alternative is متاهل (mota'ahel). This word is borrowed from Arabic and is the standard formal term for 'married.' You will see متاهل on almost every official form, from job applications to census surveys. While ازدواج کرده sounds like a description of an action that led to a state, متاهل sounds like a formal category. In a professional interview, it is better to say من متاهل هستم than من ازدواج کرده‌ام, although both are correct. Another term you might encounter is عیال‌وار (ayāl-vār). This is a more traditional and slightly colloquial term that implies not just being married, but having a family to support (a 'family man'). It carries a sense of responsibility and is often used when discussing financial matters or household duties. For example, او مردی عیال‌وار است (He is a man with a family to provide for).

Comparison: Informal vs. Formal

'ezdevāj karde' is standard and conversational; 'mota'ahel' is formal and administrative.

On the flip side, if you want to emphasize the partnership, you might hear the phrase همسردار (hamsar-dār), which literally means 'having a spouse.' This is often used in social contexts to clarify that someone is 'taken' or unavailable for romantic pursuits. It is less about the legal status and more about the presence of a partner. For instance, او زنی همسردار است (She is a woman with a husband/spouse). Another interesting alternative is خانه و زندگی‌دار (khāne o zendegi-dār), which literally means 'having a house and a life.' This is a very colloquial way to say someone is settled down and married, usually implying they have a stable domestic life. It is often used by elders to describe a young person who has finally 'settled.' Understanding these alternatives helps a learner navigate different social circles. While ازدواج کرده is your 'safe' bet, knowing when to use متاهل or همسردار shows a higher level of linguistic and cultural competence.

Synonym Table

• متاهل (mota'ahel): Formal/Legal
• همسردار (hamsar-dār): Having a spouse (Socially unavailable)
• عیال‌وار (ayāl-vār): Having a family to support (Traditional)

In some poetic or old-fashioned contexts, you might even find the word منکوحه (mankoohe) for a married woman, but this is extremely rare in modern speech and is mostly found in historical legal documents or classical literature. For the modern learner, the focus should remain on the transition from ازدواج کرده to متاهل. As you progress to B1 and B2 levels, you will start to notice how native speakers switch between these based on who they are talking to. Using ازدواج کرده in a casual chat is perfect, but switching to متاهل during a business meeting or when filling out a visa application will make your Persian sound much more polished. By learning these synonyms and their specific contexts, you expand your ability to express the same concept with different 'flavors,' which is a key step in moving from a basic learner to a proficient speaker.