At the A1 level, learners should focus on the basic meaning of 'bad-ghiyafeh' as 'ugly' or 'not pretty.' It is helpful to learn it alongside its opposite, 'khosh-ghiyafeh' (handsome/pretty). At this stage, you don't need to worry about complex nuances. Just remember that it is an adjective used to describe how something or someone looks. You can use it in simple sentences like 'He is ugly' or 'The dog is ugly.' It's a great way to practice the 'Ezafe' construction (the '-e' sound that connects nouns and adjectives). For example, 'sag-e bad-ghiyafeh' means 'ugly dog.' Focus on recognizing the word when you hear it and using it to describe objects or animals in your immediate environment. Avoid using it for people until you understand the social implications better, as it can be quite strong.
At the A2 level, you should start using 'bad-ghiyafeh' to provide more detailed descriptions. You are now expected to talk about physical appearances in more depth. This word is perfect for describing characters in a story or people in a photo. You should also learn how to use it with intensifiers like 'kheyli' (very) and 'vaghe'an' (really). For example, 'In film kheyli bad-ghiyafeh ast' (This movie is very ugly - referring to its visual style). You should also be comfortable using it in the comparative form by adding '-tar' (bad-ghiyafe-tar). At this level, you should also begin to understand that 'ghiyafeh' refers to the 'face' or 'look,' which distinguishes it from 'zesht' (general ugliness). Practice using it in sentences that describe your preferences or dislikes regarding fashion, architecture, or art.
At the B1 level, you should have a firm grasp of the social context of 'bad-ghiyafeh.' You understand that while it's a common word, it carries a certain bluntness. You should be able to choose between 'bad-ghiyafeh' and more polite alternatives like 'nāzibā' (not beautiful) depending on who you are talking to. You can use the word in more complex sentence structures, such as 'Harchand ān mard bad-ghiyafeh bud, vali sadā-ye besiyār zibā-yi dāsht' (Although that man was ugly-looking, he had a very beautiful voice). You should also start recognizing idiomatic uses of 'ghiyafeh' and how 'bad-ghiyafeh' fits into the broader vocabulary of appearance. At this stage, you can use it to describe more abstract visual things, like the 'look' of a website or the 'aesthetic' of a city street.
At the B2 level, you can use 'bad-ghiyafeh' with precision to convey specific shades of meaning. You understand the difference between 'bad-ghiyafeh' (ugly face/look), 'bad-tarkib' (badly proportioned), and 'bad-heykal' (bad physique). You can use these words to provide nuanced critiques. You are also aware of the cultural implications of physical appearance in Iranian society and how using such a direct word might affect the tone of your conversation. You can use the word in debates about art, media, or urban development. For example, 'Memāri-ye in dāneshgāh be-shaddat bad-ghiyafeh ast' (The architecture of this university is intensely ugly). You should also be able to understand the word when used in fast-paced colloquial speech, where the final 'h' is often dropped.
At the C1 level, 'bad-ghiyafeh' becomes a tool for stylistic expression. You can use it in creative writing to evoke a specific image of a character or a setting. You understand its place in the history of Persian descriptive language and can compare it to more archaic or literary terms for ugliness like 'karih' or 'mazmum.' You can also use the word in a self-reflective or philosophical context, discussing the subjectivity of beauty and what it means for something to be 'bad-ghiyafeh' in different cultures. You are comfortable using it in sophisticated sentence structures, including those with subjunctive or conditional moods. For instance, 'Agar in sakhtemān in-ghadr bad-ghiyafeh nabud, shāyad mardom bishtar be ān tavajoh mi-kardand' (If this building weren't so ugly-looking, perhaps people would pay more attention to it).
At the C2 level, you have a masterly command of 'bad-ghiyafeh' and its entire semantic field. You can use it with subtle irony, sarcasm, or profound descriptive power. You understand the deep psychological and social layers associated with 'ghiyafeh' in Persian culture—how it relates to identity, class, and social standing. You can analyze how the use of this word has evolved in Persian literature and media over the decades. You are also able to navigate the most delicate social situations, knowing exactly when 'bad-ghiyafeh' is appropriate and when a more veiled or poetic term is required. You can use the word in academic discussions about aesthetics, sociology, or linguistics, providing a comprehensive analysis of its usage and impact in the Persian-speaking world.

بدقیافه 30초 만에

  • Bad-ghiyafeh is a Persian adjective meaning 'ugly-looking' or 'unattractive.'
  • It is a compound of 'bad' (bad) and 'ghiyafeh' (face/appearance).
  • Used primarily for visual descriptions of people, animals, and objects.
  • It is common in daily speech but can be offensive if used for people directly.

The Persian word بدقیافه (bad-ghiyafeh) is a compound adjective that translates literally to 'bad-faced' or 'bad-featured.' In everyday Persian, it is the primary way to describe someone or something that is physically unattractive, ugly, or aesthetically displeasing. Unlike some abstract terms for ugliness, this word specifically targets the 'ghiyafeh' (appearance or countenance), making it very visual in nature. It is a fundamental part of the A2-level vocabulary because it allows learners to move beyond basic descriptions like 'good' or 'bad' and start describing physical traits with more specificity. While it can be used for people, it is equally common to hear it applied to objects, buildings, or even animals that lack grace or beauty.

Morphological Breakdown
The word is composed of two parts: bad (meaning 'bad' or 'evil') and ghiyafeh (meaning 'appearance,' 'face,' or 'look'). In Persian, combining 'bad' with a noun is a productive way to create negative adjectives. For example, bad-akhlāgh (bad-tempered) or bad-shāns (unlucky). Understanding this pattern helps learners decode dozens of other Persian words instantly.
Social Nuance and Politeness
It is important to note that بدقیافه is quite direct. While it is not a 'curse word' or vulgar, calling someone bad-ghiyafeh to their face is considered very rude and insulting in Iranian culture, which places a high value on politeness (ta'arof) and saving face. It is more frequently used in the third person to describe someone else, or colloquially among close friends when joking about an object or a fictional character. In formal settings, one might use more euphemistic terms like nāzibā (not beautiful).

آن ساختمان قدیمی و بدقیافه دیروز تخریب شد.

Translation: That old and ugly-looking building was demolished yesterday.

When using this word, you will often encounter it with the 'Ezafe' construction. For example, sag-e bad-ghiyafeh (the ugly dog). It functions exactly like any other adjective in Persian grammar, following the noun it modifies. In spoken Persian, the 'h' at the end of ghiyafeh is often silent or very soft, sounding like 'bad-ghiyafe'. This word is a staple in descriptions of villains in Persian folklore or when complaining about poor design in modern technology. It provides a visceral sense of dislike that 'zesht' (ugly) sometimes lacks because it focuses specifically on the visual structure of the face or object.

چرا اینقدر لباس‌های بدقیافه می‌پوشی؟

Translation: Why do you wear such unattractive/ugly clothes?
Comparison with 'Zesht'
While zesht is the general word for 'ugly,' bad-ghiyafeh is specifically about the 'look' or 'face.' You can have a 'zesht' behavior (ugly behavior), but you cannot have a 'bad-ghiyafeh' behavior. Bad-ghiyafeh is strictly for physical, visual entities.

In summary, بدقیافه is an essential adjective for any learner wishing to describe the world around them. It carries a heavy descriptive weight and is used across all registers of speech, though its impact varies based on the target. From describing a 'bad-ghiyafeh' monster in a story to a 'bad-ghiyafeh' car on the street, it is a versatile tool for expressing aesthetic disapproval.

Using بدقیافه correctly involves understanding Persian sentence structure and the 'Ezafe' connector. As an adjective, its most common position is immediately after the noun it describes, linked by the short vowel '-e'. For instance, to say 'the ugly cat,' you say gorbe-ye bad-ghiyafeh. Notice the 'y' sound added because 'gorbe' ends in a vowel. If the noun ends in a consonant, like mard (man), it becomes mard-e bad-ghiyafeh.

As a Predicate Adjective
You can also use the word as the main description in a sentence with the verb 'to be' (budan). For example: In mashin bad-ghiyafeh ast (This car is ugly). In conversational Persian, 'ast' usually shortens to '-e', so it becomes In mashin bad-ghiyafe-st. This is the most common way to express your opinion about something's appearance.

او در فیلم نقش یک جادوگر بدقیافه را بازی می‌کرد.

Translation: She played the role of an ugly-looking witch in the movie.

To intensify the word, you can add kheyli (very) or vaghe'an (really) before it. In heyvān kheyli bad-ghiyafeh ast (This animal is very ugly). If you want to compare two things, you add the suffix -tar. In kafsh bad-ghiyafe-tar az ān yeki ast (This shoe is uglier than that one). The superlative form is bad-ghiyafe-tarin (the ugliest), which usually comes before the noun: bad-ghiyafe-tarin mard-e donyā (the ugliest man in the world).

Common Sentence Frames
1. [Noun] + -e + bad-ghiyafeh (e.g., عروسک بدقیافه - ugly doll)
2. [Noun] + bad-ghiyafeh + ast (e.g., این نقاشی بدقیافه است - This painting is ugly)
3. Be nazar-e man [Noun] bad-ghiyafeh miyād (In my opinion, [Noun] looks ugly).

In literary or more poetic contexts, you might find bad-ghiyafeh used to describe monsters (div) or demons. However, in modern Iranian blogs or social media, you'll see it used to critique everything from fashion choices to the design of a new smartphone app. The versatility of the word lies in its ability to be both a simple descriptive adjective and a powerful tool for subjective criticism.

هیچ‌کس دوست ندارد با یک آدم بدقیافه و بدجنس همکار باشد.

Translation: Nobody likes to be colleagues with an ugly and mean person.

You will hear بدقیافه in a variety of real-life settings in Iran and among Persian speakers worldwide. From the bustling bazaars of Tehran to the commentary sections of Instagram, this word is the go-to for expressing visual dislike. It is particularly common in casual conversations among friends when discussing movies, celebrities, or shopping. For instance, if a friend tries on a coat that doesn't fit well or has a strange design, you might hear: In kot kheyli bad-ghiyafe-st, nakharish! (This coat is very ugly, don't buy it!).

In Media and Entertainment
In Persian cinema and TV dramas, bad-ghiyafeh is often used to describe the 'villain' or the 'antagonist's sidekick.' It helps establish a character's role through their physical appearance. In children's cartoons, it is used to describe monsters or 'scary' things. If you watch Iranian reality shows or talk shows, you might hear it used in a self-deprecating way: Man dar in aks kheyli bad-ghiyafeh oftādam (I came out looking very ugly in this photo).

توی کارتون‌ها، همیشه غول‌ها بدقیافه هستند اما قلب مهربانی دارند.

Translation: In cartoons, giants are always ugly-looking but have kind hearts.

Another common place to hear this word is in the context of urban planning or architecture. Iranians are very proud of their aesthetic heritage, and modern buildings that look out of place or are poorly designed are frequently labeled bad-ghiyafeh by locals. You might hear a taxi driver pointing at a new skyscraper and saying, Che sakhtemān-e bad-ghiyafe-yi! (What an ugly building!).

Social Media Usage
On Persian Twitter (X) or Instagram, users use the hashtag #بدقیافه to talk about bad UI/UX in apps, terrible fashion trends, or even to mock certain political figures' public appearances. It has a 'punchy' feel that makes it perfect for short, critical comments.

عکس‌های پاسپورت معمولاً خیلی بدقیافه می‌شوند.

Translation: Passport photos usually turn out very ugly.

For English speakers learning Persian, the word بدقیافه presents a few common pitfalls. The most frequent mistake is using it to describe things that aren't visual. In English, 'ugly' can describe a situation ('an ugly situation') or a sound ('an ugly noise'). In Persian, bad-ghiyafeh is strictly visual. You cannot have a sedā-ye bad-ghiyafeh (ugly sound); instead, you would use nā-hanjar or simply bad.

Mistake 1: Confusing with 'Zesht'
While they are synonyms, zesht is broader. You can say kār-e zesht (ugly/bad deed), but saying kār-e bad-ghiyafeh is nonsensical. Remember: bad-ghiyafeh = physical appearance only. Use zesht for abstract concepts like behavior, morals, or situations.

رفتار او بدقیافه بود. (Wrong)
رفتار او زشت بود. (Correct)

Explanation: 'Behavior' is abstract, so 'zesht' must be used instead of 'bad-ghiyafeh'.

Another mistake is forgetting the 'Ezafe' when using the word as an adjective. Beginners often say mard bad-ghiyafeh instead of mard-e bad-ghiyafeh. The '-e' is the glue that holds the noun and the adjective together. Without it, the phrase sounds like two disconnected words.

Mistake 2: Overusing it for People
As mentioned in the cultural section, Iranians are sensitive. Using bad-ghiyafeh for a person is a strong insult. If you just mean someone isn't particularly handsome, it's better to use ma'muli (ordinary) or khosh-ghiyafeh nist (is not handsome). Save bad-ghiyafeh for things you truly find hideous or for fictional monsters.

او آدم بدقیافه‌ای است. (Too harsh in person)
او چندان خوش‌قیافه نیست. (Politer way to say the same thing)

Tip: Use negation of positive traits to be more polite in Persian society.

Persian is a rich language with many ways to describe appearance. While بدقیافه is the most common A2-level word, knowing its synonyms and alternatives will help you sound more natural and precise. Depending on the intensity and the context, you might choose a different word.

Synonyms
زشت (Zesht): The most direct translation of 'ugly.' It is universal and can be used for looks, behavior, or things. It is slightly more formal than bad-ghiyafeh when used in writing.
نازیبا (Nāzibā): Literally 'not beautiful.' This is a polite, literary euphemism. Use this in formal writing or when you want to be less blunt.
بدترکیب (Bad-tarkib): This means 'badly composed' or 'ill-proportioned.' It's often used for objects or people with awkward body shapes or features that don't fit together well.

این مبل جدید خیلی بدترکیب است و فضای اتاق را زشت کرده است.

Translation: This new sofa is very ill-proportioned and has made the room look ugly.
Comparison Table
WordNuanceBest For
بدقیافهFocus on face/lookPeople, Animals
زشتGeneral uglinessEverything
کریهHideous/RepulsiveMonsters, Horrors
بدهیکلBad physiqueBody shape

By mastering these nuances, you can avoid sounding repetitive. Instead of always saying bad-ghiyafeh, you can use bad-tarkib for a weirdly shaped car or nāzibā when giving constructive criticism on a piece of art. This variety is what makes a learner sound truly proficient in Persian.

How Formal Is It?

재미있는 사실

In old Arabic, 'qiyāfah' was a respected skill used to identify tribal lineages by looking at people's feet or facial features. In modern Persian, it has simply become the word for 'look' or 'face'.

발음 가이드

UK /bæd.ɡi.jɒː.fe/
US /bæd.ɡi.jɑː.fe/
The primary stress is on the last syllable of the first part 'bad' and the second syllable of 'ghiyafeh'.
라임이 맞는 단어
ملحفه (malhafeh) فلسفه (falsafeh) عاطفه (ātefeh) طایفه (tāyefeh) صاعقه (sā'egheh) سابقه (sābegheh) واقعه (vāghe'eh) ناصیه (nāsiyeh)
자주 하는 실수
  • Pronouncing 'gh' as a hard 'g' like 'goat'.
  • Making the final 'e' sound like 'ee'.
  • Stressing the first syllable only.
  • Merging the two words without a slight break.
  • Pronouncing 'bad' like the English 'bad' with a very wide 'a'.

난이도

독해 2/5

Easy to recognize once you know 'bad' and 'ghiyafeh'.

쓰기 3/5

The spelling of 'ghiyafeh' with 'gh' and 'f' requires practice.

말하기 4/5

The 'gh' sound is challenging for English speakers.

듣기 2/5

Very distinct sound, easy to pick out in conversation.

다음에 무엇을 배울까

선수 학습

بد خوب صورت زشت زیبا

다음에 배울 것

خوش‌قیافه بدترکیب هیکل جذاب معمولی

고급

کریه منزجرکننده ناهنجار زیبایی‌شناسی فیزیونومی

알아야 할 문법

Ezafe Construction

ماشینِ بدقیافه (māshin-e bad-ghiyafeh)

Comparative Adjectives

بدقیافه‌تر (bad-ghiyafe-tar)

Superlative Adjectives

بدقیافه‌ترین (bad-ghiyafe-tarin)

Adjective Placement

Always after the noun in Persian.

Negative 'to be'

او بدقیافه نیست (He is not ugly).

수준별 예문

1

آن سگ بدقیافه است.

That dog is ugly-looking.

Simple subject + adjective + verb 'to be'.

2

او یک گربه بدقیافه دارد.

He has an ugly cat.

Use of Ezafe (-e) to link 'gorbe' and 'bad-ghiyafeh'.

3

این عروسک بدقیافه است؟

Is this doll ugly?

Question form using intonation.

4

من این ماشین بدقیافه را دوست ندارم.

I don't like this ugly car.

Direct object marker 'rā' after the noun-adjective phrase.

5

کتاب بدقیافه روی میز است.

The ugly book is on the table.

Adjective modifying the subject.

6

آن مرد بدقیافه نیست.

That man is not ugly.

Negative form of the verb 'to be' (nist).

7

گل‌های بدقیافه را دور بریز.

Throw away the ugly flowers.

Plural noun with a singular adjective.

8

چرا این سیب بدقیافه است؟

Why is this apple ugly?

Question word 'cherā' (why) at the beginning.

1

او در نقاشی‌اش یک دیو بدقیافه کشید.

He drew an ugly demon in his painting.

Indefinite 'yek' and 'e' marker.

2

این لباس برای من خیلی بدقیافه است.

This dress is very ugly for me.

Use of 'kheyli' as an intensifier.

3

خانه قدیمی آن‌ها خیلی بدقیافه شده است.

Their old house has become very ugly.

Compound verb 'shodan' (to become).

4

من هرگز چنین موجود بدقیافه‌ای ندیده بودم.

I had never seen such an ugly creature.

Use of 'chanin' (such) and past perfect tense.

5

او همیشه عینک‌های بدقیافه می‌زند.

He always wears ugly glasses.

Present habitual tense with 'mi-'.

6

این میوه بدقیافه اما شیرین است.

This fruit is ugly but sweet.

Contrastive conjunction 'ammā' (but).

7

کدام یک بدقیافه‌تر است؟ این یا آن؟

Which one is uglier? This or that?

Comparative form with '-tar'.

8

او از آن گدای بدقیافه ترسید.

She was scared of that ugly beggar.

Preposition 'az' (from/of) used with 'tarsidan'.

1

اگرچه بدقیافه بود، اما همه او را دوست داشتند.

Although he was ugly-looking, everyone liked him.

Concessive clause with 'agarche' (although).

2

این ساختمان جدید نمای شهر را بدقیافه کرده است.

This new building has made the city's view ugly.

Causative sense using 'kardan'.

3

او سعی می‌کرد با آرایش، صورت بدقیافه‌اش را بپوشاند.

She tried to cover her ugly face with makeup.

Infinitive 'pushāndan' (to cover).

4

در داستان‌های قدیمی، جادوگران همیشه بدقیافه توصیف می‌شوند.

In old stories, witches are always described as ugly.

Passive construction 'tousif mishavand'.

5

به نظر من، این مجسمه اصلاً بدقیافه نیست، بلکه هنری است.

In my opinion, this statue isn't ugly at all, but rather artistic.

Contrast using 'balkeh' (but rather).

6

او از اینکه در عکس‌ها بدقیافه بیفتد متنفر است.

She hates looking ugly in photos.

Subjunctive mood after 'az inke'.

7

چرا اینقدر وسایل بدقیافه در اتاقت جمع کرده‌ای؟

Why have you collected so many ugly things in your room?

Present perfect tense 'jam' karde-i'.

8

آن حیوان بدقیافه در واقع یک گونه کمیاب است.

That ugly animal is actually a rare species.

Use of 'dar vāghe' (in fact).

1

منتقدان معتقدند که این خودرو یکی از بدقیافه‌ترین طراحی‌های دهه اخیر است.

Critics believe this car is one of the ugliest designs of the last decade.

Superlative form 'bad-ghiyafe-tarin'.

2

او با آن کلاه بزرگ، واقعاً بدقیافه و خنده‌دار شده بود.

With that big hat, he had become really ugly and funny.

Adjective pairing for descriptive effect.

3

نباید اجازه دهیم این بیلبوردهای بدقیافه فضای سبز شهر را خراب کنند.

We shouldn't let these ugly billboards ruin the city's green spaces.

Modal verb 'nabāyad' (shouldn't) with subjunctive.

4

او همیشه از شخصیت‌های بدقیافه در فیلم‌های ترسناک می‌ترسید.

He was always afraid of the ugly characters in horror movies.

Plurality and prepositional usage.

5

با وجود قیافه بدش، او قلبی از طلا داشت.

Despite his ugly appearance, he had a heart of gold.

Use of 'ghiyafe-ye bad' as a noun phrase instead of the adjective.

6

این نرم‌افزار رابط کاربری بسیار بدقیافه و پیچیده‌ای دارد.

This software has a very ugly and complex user interface.

Complex noun phrase with multiple adjectives.

7

او ترجیح می‌دهد تنها بماند تا اینکه با یک فرد بدقیافه ازدواج کند.

He prefers to stay alone rather than marry an ugly person.

Comparison 'tā inke' (rather than).

8

نقاب بدقیافه را از صورتش برداشت و چهره واقعی‌اش نمایان شد.

He took the ugly mask off his face, and his real face appeared.

Past tense narrative style.

1

نویسنده با ظرافت، تضاد میان روح زیبا و کالبد بدقیافه قهرمان داستان را ترسیم می‌کند.

The author delicately portrays the contrast between the hero's beautiful soul and ugly body.

Literary vocabulary like 'zarāfat' and 'tarsim kardan'.

2

در این نقاشی اکسپرسیونیستی، چهره‌ها به عمد بدقیافه و دفرمه شده‌اند.

In this expressionist painting, the faces are intentionally made ugly and deformed.

Adverbial phrase 'be amd' (intentionally).

3

او چنان از آن هیولای بدقیافه وحشت داشت که حتی در خواب هم آن را می‌دید.

He was so terrified of that ugly monster that he even saw it in his dreams.

Result clause 'chonān... ke'.

4

برخی معتقدند که استانداردهای زیبایی امروزی، هر چیزی را که کمی متفاوت باشد، بدقیافه می‌نامند.

Some believe that today's beauty standards label anything slightly different as ugly.

Relative clause 'har chizi ke...'.

5

او با لحنی تحقیرآمیز، به کفش‌های بدقیافه رقیبش اشاره کرد.

With a scornful tone, he pointed to his rival's ugly shoes.

Adverbial phrase 'bā lahni tahghir-āmiz'.

6

معماری این منطقه ترکیبی از ساختمان‌های مدرن و سازه‌های بدقیافه قدیمی است.

The architecture of this area is a mix of modern buildings and ugly old structures.

Noun phrase 'tarkibi az...'.

7

هرچند او بدقیافه به نظر می‌رسید، اما جذبه‌ای خاص در حرکاتش نهفته بود.

Although he seemed ugly, a special charisma was hidden in his movements.

Passive participle 'nahofte' (hidden).

8

او از اینکه جامعه او را به خاطر ظاهر بدقیافه‌اش قضاوت می‌کرد، خسته شده بود.

He was tired of society judging him for his ugly appearance.

Gerund-like structure 'az inke... ghazāvat mi-kard'.

1

در فلسفه زیبایی‌شناسی، گاهی امر 'بدقیافه' به عنوان ابزاری برای به چالش کشیدن هنجارهای بصری به کار می‌رود.

In the philosophy of aesthetics, the 'ugly' is sometimes used as a tool to challenge visual norms.

Academic register with terms like 'zibāyi-shenāsi'.

2

او در یادداشت‌هایش، شهر را به مثابه موجودی بدقیافه و رو به زوال توصیف کرده است.

In his notes, he described the city as an ugly and decaying creature.

Simile 'be masābe-ye' (as a/like a).

3

تجسم هنری شرارت در ادبیات کلاسیک، غالباً در قالب موجوداتی بدقیافه و کریه صورت می‌گرفت.

The artistic embodiment of evil in classical literature often took the form of ugly and hideous creatures.

Formal phrasing 'dar ghāleb-e' (in the form of).

4

او مدعی بود که زیبایی حقیقی فراتر از قیافه است و حتی یک فرد بدقیافه می‌تواند روحی متعالی داشته باشد.

He claimed that true beauty is beyond appearance and even an ugly person can have a sublime soul.

Complex reported speech.

5

تلاقی مدرنیته و سنت در این محله، مناظری بدقیافه و ناهنجار پدید آورده است.

The intersection of modernity and tradition in this neighborhood has created ugly and discordant views.

Abstract noun 'talāghi' (intersection/clash).

6

او با مهارتی شگرف، زشتی‌های جامعه را در قالب شخصیت‌هایی بدقیافه به تصویر می‌کشید.

With remarkable skill, he depicted the ugliness of society through ugly characters.

Idiomatic 'be tasvir keshidan' (to depict).

7

این فیلم، روایتگر جدال درونی مردی است که خود را بدقیافه می‌پندارد و از جهان گریزان است.

This film tells the story of the internal struggle of a man who perceives himself as ugly and shuns the world.

Formal verb 'pendāshtan' (to perceive/think).

8

منتقد هنری، استفاده از رنگ‌های تند را در این اثر، عاملی برای بدقیافه شدن آن دانست.

The art critic considered the use of bold colors in this work a factor in its becoming ugly.

Causative structure with 'āmel' (factor).

자주 쓰는 조합

آدم بدقیافه
ساختمان بدقیافه
حیوان بدقیافه
لباس بدقیافه
ماشین بدقیافه
عروسک بدقیافه
نقاشی بدقیافه
غول بدقیافه
کفش بدقیافه
عکس بدقیافه

자주 쓰는 구문

چقدر بدقیافه!

— How ugly! Used as a direct exclamation of dislike.

به آن مجسمه نگاه کن، چقدر بدقیافه!

بدقیافه شدن

— To become or turn out ugly.

این کیک بعد از پختن خیلی بدقیافه شد.

یک ذره بدقیافه

— A little bit ugly. Used to soften the blow.

این رنگ یک ذره بدقیافه است.

از بس بدقیافه است...

— Because it is so ugly... used to start an explanation.

از بس بدقیافه است، کسی آن را نمی‌خرد.

بدقیافه اما مهربان

— Ugly but kind. A common trope in stories.

او مردی بدقیافه اما مهربان بود.

بدقیافه‌ترین آدم دنیا

— The ugliest person in the world. (Exaggeration).

فکر می‌کند بدقیافه‌ترین آدم دنیاست.

اصلاً بدقیافه نیست

— It's not ugly at all. Used for reassurance.

نگران نباش، عکست اصلاً بدقیافه نیست.

بدقیافه به نظر رسیدن

— To seem or look ugly.

در این نور، همه چیز بدقیافه به نظر می‌رسد.

بدقیافه و بدترکیب

— Ugly and ill-proportioned. A common double adjective.

یک هیولای بدقیافه و بدترکیب.

به خاطر بدقیافه بودنش

— Because of its ugliness.

به خاطر بدقیافه بودنش، او را مسخره کردند.

자주 혼동되는 단어

بدقیافه vs بدترکیب

Bad-tarkib is more about the shape/build, while bad-ghiyafeh is about the face/look.

بدقیافه vs زشت

Zesht is general; bad-ghiyafeh is specifically visual/facial.

بدقیافه vs بدجنس

Bad-jens means 'mean' or 'evil-natured,' which is about personality, not looks.

관용어 및 표현

"قیافه گرفتن"

— To put on airs or act snobbishly. Related to the root 'ghiyafeh'.

برای من قیافه نگیر!

Informal
"قیافه‌اش به این کارها نمی‌خورد"

— He doesn't look like the type to do such things.

قیافه‌اش به دزدی نمی‌خورد.

Neutral
"از قیافه افتادن"

— To lose one's good looks or become worn out/ugly.

این مبل قدیمی دیگر از قیافه افتاده است.

Colloquial
"قیافه حق‌به‌جانب گرفتن"

— To take a self-righteous look.

همیشه قیافه حق‌به‌جانب می‌گیرد.

Neutral
"قیافه تابلو"

— A very obvious or suspicious look.

با آن قیافه تابلو، پلیس او را گرفت.

Slang
"عین جن بدقیافه"

— As ugly as a jinn/goblin. Used for extreme ugliness.

صبح‌ها عین جن بدقیافه می‌شود.

Informal
"قیافه یبوست گرفتن"

— To look grumpy or constipated (metaphorically).

چرا قیافه یبوست گرفتی؟

Slang/Vulgar
"قیافه مظلومانه"

— An innocent or victimized look.

قیافه مظلومانه به خودش گرفت.

Neutral
"قیافه نحس"

— An ominous or unlucky face.

نمی‌خواهم آن قیافه نحس را ببینم.

Informal
"با قیافه درهم"

— With a distorted or upset face.

با قیافه درهم به خانه آمد.

Neutral

혼동하기 쉬운

بدقیافه vs بدجنس

Both start with 'bad'.

Bad-jens is about character (mean), bad-ghiyafeh is about looks (ugly).

او آدم بدجنسی است ولی خوش‌قیافه است.

بدقیافه vs بدحال

Both start with 'bad'.

Bad-hāl means feeling unwell or sick.

امروز خیلی بدحالم.

بدقیافه vs بدنام

Both start with 'bad'.

Bad-nām means infamous or having a bad reputation.

او یک نویسنده بدنام است.

بدقیافه vs بدسلیقه

Often used together in criticism.

Bad-salighe means having bad taste.

آدم بدسلیقه لباس‌های بدقیافه می‌پوشد.

بدقیافه vs بدشانس

Common 'bad-' compound.

Bad-shāns means unlucky.

او خیلی آدم بدشانسی است.

문장 패턴

A1

[Noun] + bad-ghiyafeh + ast.

این سگ بدقیافه است.

A2

[Noun]-e + bad-ghiyafeh

گربه بدقیافه

B1

Kheyli + bad-ghiyafeh + shodan

او خیلی بدقیافه شده است.

B1

Bad-ghiyafe-tar + az

این از آن بدقیافه‌تر است.

B2

Be nazar + [Noun] + bad-ghiyafeh + miyāyad

این نقاشی بدقیافه به نظر می‌آید.

B2

Bad-ghiyafe-tarin + [Noun]

بدقیافه‌ترین ساختمان شهر

C1

Harchand + [Adj]... ammā...

هرچند بدقیافه بود، اما مهربان بود.

C2

Be masābe-ye + [Noun]-e + bad-ghiyafeh

به مثابه موجودی بدقیافه

어휘 가족

명사

قیافه (ghiyafeh) - appearance/face
بدقیافگی (bad-ghiyafegi) - ugliness/unattractiveness

동사

قیافه گرفتن (ghiyafeh ghardan) - to pose/act snobbish
بدقیافه کردن (bad-ghiyafeh kardan) - to make ugly

형용사

خوش‌قیافه (khosh-ghiyafeh) - handsome/pretty
بی‌قیافه (bi-ghiyafeh) - featureless/plain

관련

زشت
بدترکیب
صورت
ظاهر
هیکل

사용법

frequency

Very high in colloquial Persian.

자주 하는 실수
  • Using 'bad-ghiyafeh' for bad behavior. Using 'zesht' or 'bad'.

    'Bad-ghiyafeh' is only for visual appearance. Behavior cannot have a 'face'.

  • Saying 'mard bad-ghiyafeh' without the Ezafe. Saying 'mard-e bad-ghiyafeh'.

    The '-e' connector is mandatory when an adjective follows a noun.

  • Pronouncing 'gh' as 'g'. Pronouncing 'gh' as a uvular sound.

    Using a hard 'g' makes the word sound incorrect and hard to understand.

  • Using it for bad smells or tastes. Using 'bad-bu' or 'bad-mazeh'.

    'Bad-ghiyafeh' is strictly for the sense of sight.

  • Thinking it is a very vulgar swear word. Understanding it is just a blunt adjective.

    It is rude but not a 'bad word' in the linguistic sense. It's just impolite to use for people.

Use with Objects

If you want to practice the word without being rude, use it to describe old cars, strange furniture, or messy drawings. It's a safe way to get used to the 'Ezafe' construction.

The Ezafe Connection

Always remember the '-e' sound between the noun and 'bad-ghiyafeh'. Without it, your sentence will sound broken to a native speaker.

Soften the Blow

If you must describe someone's appearance negatively, use 'yek kam' (a little) or 'chandān khosh-ghiyafeh nist' (is not that handsome) to be more polite.

ID Photos

A common joke in Iran is how 'bad-ghiyafeh' everyone looks in their 'aks-e shenāsnāmeh' (ID card photo). This is a great conversation topic!

Compound Power

Notice how 'bad-' combines with many nouns. Learning 'bad-ghiyafeh' helps you understand the logic behind 'bad-akhlagh' (bad-tempered) and 'bad-shans' (unlucky).

Spelling Check

The word 'ghiyafeh' is spelled with 'ق' (ghaf) and 'ی' (ye) and 'ا' (alef) and 'ف' (fe) and 'ه' (he). Don't confuse 'ق' with 'گ' (gaf).

Contractions

Listen for 'bad-ghiyafe-st' in movies. The 'ast' (is) often blends into the adjective in spoken Persian.

Arabic Roots

Knowing that 'ghiyafeh' comes from an Arabic word for tracking can help you remember that it's all about 'looking' closely at something.

Bad-tarkib

Use 'bad-tarkib' when something isn't just ugly but also weirdly shaped or out of proportion. It's a more specific critique.

Comparative Form

Adding '-tar' is the easiest way to compare. 'In sag bad-ghiyafe-tar ast' (This dog is uglier).

암기하기

기억법

Think of a 'BAD' 'GUY' with a weird 'FACE'. 'Bad-Ghiya-Feh'. It sounds a bit like 'Bad Guy Face'.

시각적 연상

Imagine a very ugly, grumpy-looking monster with a big 'BAD' sign on its forehead.

Word Web

Face Ugly Appearance Bad Monster Building Clothes Photo

챌린지

Try to find three objects in your room that you think are 'bad-ghiyafeh' and describe them using the word in a full sentence.

어원

A compound of the Persian word 'bad' and the Arabic-derived word 'ghiyafeh'. 'Bad' comes from Middle Persian 'wad'. 'Ghiyafeh' comes from the Arabic 'qiyāfah', which originally referred to the art of tracking or physiognomy (judging character from faces).

원래 의미: Bad appearance or bad physiognomy.

Indo-European (Persian) + Afro-Asiatic (Arabic loanword).

문화적 맥락

Avoid using this for real people in their presence. It is considered a personal attack on their dignity.

Similar to 'ugly-looking' or 'homely' but slightly more focused on the face.

The 'Div-e Sepid' (White Demon) in the Shahnameh is often depicted as bad-ghiyafeh. The 'Hunchback of Notre Dame' would be described as bad-ghiyafeh in Persian translations. Iranian comedy films often feature a 'bad-ghiyafeh' character for comic relief.

실생활에서 연습하기

실제 사용 상황

Describing People

  • مرد بدقیافه
  • زن بدقیافه
  • آدم بدقیافه
  • بچه بدقیافه

Describing Objects

  • ماشین بدقیافه
  • مبل بدقیافه
  • کفش بدقیافه
  • لباس بدقیافه

Describing Animals

  • سگ بدقیافه
  • گربه بدقیافه
  • حیوان بدقیافه
  • حشره بدقیافه

In Stories

  • غول بدقیافه
  • جادوگر بدقیافه
  • دیو بدقیافه
  • هیولای بدقیافه

Criticizing Design

  • ساختمان بدقیافه
  • نقاشی بدقیافه
  • طراحی بدقیافه
  • رنگ بدقیافه

대화 시작하기

"به نظر تو این ساختمان بدقیافه نیست؟"

"چرا بعضی از سگ‌ها اینقدر بدقیافه هستند؟"

"آیا تا به حال یک فیلم با شخصیت‌های خیلی بدقیافه دیده‌ای؟"

"فکر می‌کنی بدقیافه‌ترین ماشین دنیا کدام است؟"

"چرا عکس‌های پاسپورت همیشه بدقیافه می‌شوند؟"

일기 주제

درباره زمانی بنویسید که چیزی را دیدید که به نظرتان خیلی بدقیافه بود اما بعداً نظرتان عوض شد.

توصیف کنید که یک هیولای بدقیافه در یک داستان تخیلی چه شکلی است.

آیا زیبایی مهم‌تر است یا قیافه؟ نظر خود را درباره آدم‌های بدقیافه اما موفق بنویسید.

درباره یک ساختمان بدقیافه در شهرتان بنویسید و بگویید چرا آن را دوست ندارید.

اگر می‌توانستید یک چیز بدقیافه را در دنیا تغییر دهید، آن چه بود؟

자주 묻는 질문

10 질문

No, it is not a swear word, but it is a blunt and potentially offensive adjective when used to describe a person. It is similar to calling someone 'ugly' in English. It is perfectly fine to use for objects or animals, but use caution with people.

No, 'bad-ghiyafeh' is strictly for visual appearance. For a bad or 'ugly' situation, use the word 'zesht' or 'bad'. For example, 'yek vaz'iyat-e bad' (a bad situation).

'Zesht' is a general word for ugly that can apply to looks, behavior, or ideas. 'Bad-ghiyafeh' specifically refers to the visual appearance or the 'face' of something. You can have 'zesht' behavior, but not 'bad-ghiyafeh' behavior.

As an adjective, it doesn't change for plural nouns (e.g., 'mard-hā-ye bad-ghiyafeh'). If you use it as a noun to mean 'the ugly ones,' you add '-hā' to get 'bad-ghiyafeh-hā'.

It is very common in speech. In formal writing, authors often prefer 'nāzibā' or 'zesht' unless they are writing dialogue or descriptive fiction.

Yes, it is gender-neutral. It can be used for men, women, children, or any object.

The most direct opposite is 'khosh-ghiyafeh,' which means handsome, pretty, or good-looking.

Mostly, yes. It can also mean 'countenance,' 'look,' or the general 'vibe' someone's appearance gives off.

It is a voiced uvular sound. Imagine the sound you make when gargling water or the French 'r'. It is produced in the back of the throat.

Yes, it is very common to describe poorly designed or ugly buildings as 'sakhtemān-e bad-ghiyafeh'.

셀프 테스트 200 질문

writing

Write a sentence describing an ugly car.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Describe a fictional monster using 'bad-ghiyafeh'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Compare two objects using 'bad-ghiyafe-tar'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Write a polite way to say someone isn't handsome.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Use 'bad-ghiyafeh' to describe an old building.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Write a sentence about a bad photo.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Translate: 'The ugly cat is on the table.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Describe an ugly dress you saw in a shop.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Write a sentence using 'vaghe'an' (really) and 'bad-ghiyafeh'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Use 'bad-ghiyafeh' in a sentence about a witch.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Write a sentence about an ugly animal.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Explain why you don't like a certain building.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Use 'bad-ghiyafe-tarin' in a sentence.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Describe an ugly toy.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Write a sentence about a 'bad-ghiyafeh' giant with a 'ziba' heart.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Describe an ugly pair of shoes.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Write a sentence about a bad drawing.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Use 'bad-ghiyafeh' to describe a character in a movie.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Write a sentence about an ugly fruit.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Describe how you look in the morning.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Pronounce: بدقیافه

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Say 'The dog is ugly' in Persian.

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Say 'I have an ugly photo' in Persian.

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Say 'This building is very ugly' in Persian.

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Say 'Which one is uglier?' in Persian.

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Say 'I don't like this ugly dress' in Persian.

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Say 'He is a handsome man' (opposite) in Persian.

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Say 'The giant was ugly but kind' in Persian.

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Say 'Why are you so ugly today?' (to a friend) in Persian.

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Say 'This is the ugliest car' in Persian.

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Say 'Don't buy that ugly sofa' in Persian.

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Say 'My passport photo is ugly' in Persian.

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Say 'The ugly witch' in Persian.

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Say 'It is not ugly at all' in Persian.

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Say 'An ugly monster' in Persian.

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Say 'The architecture is ugly' in Persian.

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Say 'He wears ugly glasses' in Persian.

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Say 'The fruit is ugly but sweet' in Persian.

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Say 'What an ugly building!' in Persian.

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Say 'I hate looking ugly in photos' in Persian.

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen and write the adjective: 'یک گربه بدقیافه روی دیوار است.'

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen and identify the noun modified by 'bad-ghiyafeh': 'آن ماشین بدقیافه مال کیست؟'

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Is the speaker describing a person or an object? 'این مبل خیلی بدقیافه است.'

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

What intensifier is used? 'او واقعاً بدقیافه شده است.'

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen for the comparison: 'این سگ از آن یکی بدقیافه‌تر است.'

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

What is the subject? 'غول بدقیافه در غار زندگی می‌کند.'

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Does the speaker like the item? 'این لباس خیلی بدقیافه است، آن را نپوش.'

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen for the superlative: 'او بدقیافه‌ترین آدم شهر است.'

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

What is the tone? 'چقدر این ساختمان بدقیافه است!'

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Identify the antonym mentioned: 'او بدقیافه نیست، اتفاقاً خوش‌قیافه است.'

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen and write the whole sentence: 'گربه بدقیافه فرار کرد.'

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

What is the fruit like? 'این سیب بدقیافه ولی شیرین است.'

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Who is ugly? 'جادوگر بدقیافه به خانه آمد.'

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

What is the speaker complaining about? 'عکس پاسپورت من خیلی بدقیافه شده.'

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Is it 'bad-ghiyafeh' or 'khosh-ghiyafeh'? 'آن پسر خیلی خوش‌قیافه است.'

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:

/ 200 correct

Perfect score!

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