At the A1 level, 'nāzok' (نازک) is a very useful word for describing everyday objects. You will use it to talk about things you can see and touch. For example, you might describe a piece of paper, a slice of bread, or a book that isn't thick. It's one of the first adjectives you learn to describe the physical properties of things. At this stage, just focus on the basic meaning: 'thin'. Think of it as the opposite of 'thick'. You will mostly see it in simple sentences like 'This paper is thin' or 'I like thin bread'. It's important to remember to put it after the noun using the '-e' sound (Ezafe), like 'nān-e nāzok'.
As an A2 learner, you can start using 'nāzok' to describe clothing and weather-related items. You might say 'I need a thin jacket' for the spring or describe the thin fabric of a shirt. You will also encounter it in the kitchen, perhaps when following a simple recipe that asks you to cut something 'nāzok'. At this level, you should also learn the comparative form 'nāzok-tar' (thinner). For example, 'This fabric is thinner than that one'. You are moving beyond just naming objects to comparing their qualities. You might also hear it used to describe a high-pitched voice in a simple way.
At the B1 level, you begin to use 'nāzok' in more descriptive and slightly abstract ways. You can use it to describe physical features more accurately, like 'thin hair' (moo-ye nāzok) or 'thin skin'. You will also start hearing it in common idioms. A very important one is 'del-nāzok', which describes someone who is emotionally sensitive or tender-hearted. Instead of just describing a piece of paper, you are now describing a person's character. You should also be able to distinguish between 'nāzok' and 'bārik' (narrow) in most common contexts, understanding that 'nāzok' refers to the thickness of a surface.
At the B2 level, you should be comfortable with the metaphorical uses of 'nāzok'. You might use it to describe a 'thin' situation or someone's 'thin' patience (hoseleh-ye nāzok). You will encounter the word in news reports or articles describing technical details, like a 'thin layer' of ozone or a 'thin' margin of error. Your understanding of the word family expands to include nouns like 'nāzoki' (thinness/delicacy) and compound verbs like 'nāzok-kāri' (finishing work in construction). You can use the word to add nuance to your descriptions, choosing it over more generic words to show a better grasp of Persian texture and quality.
By C1, you are exploring the literary and poetic depths of 'nāzok'. In Persian literature, this word is used to describe 'nāzok-khayāl' (delicate/subtle imagination) or 'nokte-ye nāzok' (a subtle point). You understand that in poetry, 'nāzok' can imply a high degree of sophistication and intellectual beauty. You can use the word in academic or professional settings to describe fine distinctions or delicate processes. You are also aware of the social nuances—how calling something 'nāzok' might imply it is high-quality in one context but perhaps too fragile or insufficient in another. Your usage is now precise and context-aware.
At the C2 level, 'nāzok' is a tool for ultimate precision. You can use it to discuss the finest points of philosophy, art criticism, or classical poetry. You understand the historical evolution of the word and its role in the 'Sabk-e Hendi' (Indian Style) of Persian poetry, which is famous for its 'nāzok-khayāli' (extremely subtle and complex metaphors). You can use the word and its derivatives to express the most minute differences in texture, sound, emotion, and thought. You are also a master of the word's register, knowing exactly when to use 'nāzok' versus its synonyms like 'latif' or 'zarif' to achieve a specific rhetorical effect.

نازک 30초 만에

  • Nāzok means thin or delicate, used for physical objects like paper, bread, and fabric.
  • It also describes high-pitched voices and emotional sensitivity (being tender-hearted).
  • Commonly used in Iranian daily life for bread, summer clothes, and artistic details.
  • Important: Do not use it for a person's weight; use 'lāghar' instead.

The Persian word نازک (nāzok) is a multifaceted adjective that primarily translates to "thin," "delicate," or "fine." While its most basic application describes physical dimensions—like a thin sheet of paper or a delicate fabric—its semantic range extends deeply into the emotional and sensory realms of the Persian language. In the physical sense, it is the opposite of ضخیم (zakhim, thick) or کلفت (koloft, coarse/thick). When you walk through a bazaar in Tehran, you might hear a merchant describing the quality of a silk scarf as نازک و لطیف (thin and soft), highlighting the premium nature of the material. Unlike the English word "thin," which can sometimes carry a negative connotation regarding body weight (where لاغر is preferred in Persian), نازک often implies a sense of refinement, fragility, or precision.

Physical Thickness
Used to describe objects with a small distance between opposite surfaces, such as glass, paper, or bread. For example, نان نازک (thin bread) is a staple in Iranian cuisine.

این کاغذ خیلی نازک است و زود پاره می‌شود.

(This paper is very thin and tears easily.)

Beyond the physical, نازک is used to describe sounds. A high-pitched or "thin" voice is called صدای نازک. This isn't necessarily a critique; it simply describes the frequency and texture of the sound. Furthermore, the word enters the realm of personality and emotion. Someone who is easily offended or highly sensitive is often described using compounds of this word, suggesting that their emotional "skin" is not thick enough to withstand harshness. This metaphorical use is deeply rooted in Persian poetry and daily idioms, where the heart (دل) is often described as نازک when it is prone to sadness or empathy.

Sensory Texture
Describes things that are fine-grained or delicate to the touch. A لایه نازک (thin layer) of dust or a پوست نازک (thin skin) of a fruit are common examples.

In technical contexts, such as woodworking or construction, نازک‌کاری refers to the "finishing work"—the delicate details that happen after the heavy structural work is done. This highlights the word's association with precision and the final, visible layer of a craft. Whether you are talking about the thinness of a lens in an eye clinic or the delicate petals of a flower in a garden, نازک is your go-to word for anything that lacks bulk but possesses a certain degree of fineness.

او صدای نازک و بچه‌گانه‌ای دارد.

(She has a thin and childish voice.)
Emotional Sensitivity
Used in phrases like دل‌نازک (tender-hearted) to describe someone who cries easily or feels deep compassion quickly.

Using نازک (nāzok) correctly requires understanding its placement as an adjective following the noun it modifies, connected by the Ezafe construction (-e). For example, "thin book" becomes کتابِ نازک (ketāb-e nāzok). This section explores the grammatical patterns and contextual nuances of the word across various sentence structures, from simple descriptions to complex comparisons.

Describing Materials
When discussing fabrics or building materials, نازک is essential. پارچه نازک (thin fabric) is preferred for summer clothing. In a sentence: در تابستان باید لباس‌های نازک بپوشیم (In summer, we should wear thin clothes).

این شیشه خیلی نازک است؛ مواظب باش نشکند.

(This glass is very thin; be careful it doesn't break.)

Comparison is another vital area. To say something is "thinner," you add the suffix -tar to get نازک‌تر (nāzok-tar). For the superlative "thinnest," use نازک‌ترین (nāzok-tarin). For instance, این نازک‌ترین نانی است که تا به حال خورده‌ام (This is the thinnest bread I have ever eaten). This comparative form is frequently used when choosing between different grades of products, like wires or phone screens.

Describing Natural Phenomena
You can use the word to describe a thin crescent moon (هلال نازک ماه) or a thin layer of ice on a pond. It evokes a sense of fragility in nature.

لایه نازکی از برف روی زمین نشسته بود.

(A thin layer of snow had settled on the ground.)

In more advanced usage, نازک can be part of a compound verb like نازک کردن (to make thin/to thin out). A chef might "thin" a sauce, or a gardener might "thin" the branches of a tree. Additionally, it appears in adverbial phrases. If someone speaks with a thin, high voice, you might say با صدای نازک حرف می‌زد. Notice how the word maintains its core meaning of "lacking thickness" while adapting to the specific qualities of the noun it accompanies.

Metaphorical Human Traits
When applied to humans, it often refers to patience or nerves. حوصله‌اش نازک شده (His patience has become thin) implies he is easily irritated.

The word نازک is ubiquitous in Iranian life, appearing in settings ranging from the mundane to the highly artistic. One of the most common places you will hear it is in a traditional bakery (نانوایی). Iranians are very particular about their bread. Whether it is Lavash or Taftoon, customers often request their bread to be نازک و برشته (thin and crispy). If the bread is too thick, it might be considered doughy or poorly made. In this context, نازک is a mark of quality and skill on the part of the baker.

In the Kitchen
Cooks use it to describe how to slice ingredients. "Slice the potatoes thin" translates to سیب‌زمینی‌ها را نازک ورقه کن. It’s a standard instruction in Persian recipes for salads and stews.

نانوا نان‌ها را خیلی نازک پهن کرد.

(The baker spread the dough very thin.)

Another frequent setting is the clothing store or tailor shop. Iran has hot summers, and the demand for پارچه‌های نازک تابستانی (thin summer fabrics) is high. You will hear shoppers asking, آیا این پیراهن خیلی نازک است؟ (Is this shirt too thin/sheer?). Here, the word can sometimes imply a concern about transparency, as modesty is a consideration in Iranian fashion. A fabric that is too نازک might require an undershirt.

Beauty and Grooming
In hair salons, clients might complain about تارهای نازک مو (thin strands of hair), seeking treatments to add volume. Similarly, ابروی نازک (thin eyebrows) was a major beauty trend in Iran for decades before thicker brows became popular.

این پیراهن برای هوای گرم عالی است چون خیلی نازک است.

(This shirt is great for hot weather because it is very thin.)

In the arts, specifically Persian calligraphy and miniature painting, نازک describes the fine lines that define the work. A master calligrapher is praised for their خطوط نازک و ظریف (thin and delicate lines). In literature and film, you might hear the term خیال نازک (delicate imagination), referring to a poet's ability to perceive subtle beauties. Even in daily social interactions, if someone is acting overly sensitive to a joke, a friend might jokingly say, چقدر دل‌نازک شدی! (How tender-hearted/sensitive you've become!). This shows the word's transition from a physical description to a social observation.

For English speakers, the primary challenge with نازک (nāzok) is its overlap with other words for "thin" or "narrow." In English, we use "thin" for a person, a book, and a wire. In Persian, these are distinct concepts. Using نازک for a person's physique is one of the most common errors. While it literally means thin, calling a person نازک sounds like you are saying they are made of a thin material, which is nonsensical. Instead, you must use لاغر (lāghar) for a person who is thin or slim.

Nāzok vs. Bārik
This is the most frequent confusion. Bārik (باریک) means "narrow" or "slender" (like a road or a waist), while nāzok means "thin" (like a sheet of paper). A wire can be both, but a wall is usually نازک (thin) not باریک.

اشتباه: دوستم خیلی نازک است.
درست: دوستم خیلی لاغر است.

(Mistake: My friend is very 'nāzok'. Correct: My friend is very 'lāghar'.)

Another mistake involves the word ظریف (zarif). While both can mean "delicate," ظریف usually implies elegance, craftsmanship, or beauty. نازک is more neutral and structural. If you want to praise a piece of jewelry, ظریف is a compliment, whereas نازک might just describe its physical thickness without necessarily praising its artistry. Confusing these two can lead to a loss of nuance in your descriptions.

Overusing for 'Sheer'
While نازک can mean sheer, if you specifically mean "transparent," the word شفاف (shaffāf) or توری (turi, like lace/mesh) might be more accurate depending on the context.

کوچه باریک است (نه نازک).

(The alley is narrow [bārik], not thin [nāzok].)

Finally, watch out for the pronunciation of the vowel 'o'. English speakers often turn it into an 'ah' or 'aw' sound. It should be a short, rounded 'o' as in "born" but shorter. Also, ensure the 'z' is a clean voiced alveolar fricative, and the 'k' is a crisp voiceless velar plosive. Mispronouncing it as "nazak" changes the word entirely and makes it unrecognizable to native speakers.

To truly master Persian, you need to know when to reach for نازک and when a synonym would be more precise. The Persian language is rich in adjectives that describe physical and abstract qualities of "thinness" and "delicacy." Understanding the subtle differences between these words will elevate your fluency from basic to advanced.

باریک (Bārik)
Focuses on 'narrowness'. Use this for a narrow street, a slender waist, or a thin beam of light. While نازک is about the thickness of the material itself, باریک is about the width of the object's path or shape.
ظریف (Zarif)
Meaning 'delicate' or 'elegant'. Use this for art, jewelry, or a person's refined features. It carries a positive aesthetic value that نازک lacks. A 'zarif' hand is elegant; a 'nāzok' hand just has thin skin.
لطیف (Latif)
Meaning 'soft', 'gentle', or 'subtle'. This is used for skin, silk, or even a gentle breeze. It describes the pleasant tactile sensation of something thin and smooth.

مقایسه:
- کاغذ نازک (Thin paper - structural)
- هنر ظریف (Delicate art - aesthetic)
- صدای باریک (Narrow/thin sound - often used for high-pitched strings)

When you want to express the opposite of نازک, you have two main choices. ضخیم (zakhim) is the standard technical word for "thick" (like a thick book or a thick layer of insulation). کلفت (koloft) is more common in daily speech and can sometimes imply coarseness. For example, a thick voice is صدای کلفت, and a thick rope is طناب کلفت. Choosing the right antonym is just as important as choosing the right synonym for maintaining the correct register of speech.

رقیق (Raghigh)
This is the word for "thin" when referring to liquids (diluted). You wouldn't call a watery soup نازک; you would call it رقیق. This is a crucial distinction for culinary contexts.

수준별 예문

1

این کاغذ نازک است.

This paper is thin.

Simple predicate adjective usage.

2

من نان نازک دوست دارم.

I like thin bread.

Adjective modifying a noun with Ezafe.

3

کتاب نازک کجاست؟

Where is the thin book?

Using the adjective to identify a specific object.

4

او یک مداد نازک دارد.

He has a thin pencil.

Adjective in an 'indefinite noun' phrase.

5

این لایه خیلی نازک است.

This layer is very thin.

Use of 'kheyli' (very) to modify the adjective.

6

جوراب نازک بپوش.

Wear thin socks.

Imperative sentence with an adjective.

7

سیب را نازک ببر.

Cut the apple thin.

Adjective used as an adverbial description.

8

یک خط نازک بکش.

Draw a thin line.

Simple descriptive phrase.

1

این پارچه از آن پارچه نازک‌تر است.

This fabric is thinner than that fabric.

Comparative form 'nāzok-tar'.

2

او با صدای نازک صحبت می‌کند.

She speaks with a thin (high-pitched) voice.

Describing sound quality.

3

در تابستان لباس نازک می‌پوشیم.

In summer, we wear thin clothes.

Habitual action with descriptive adjective.

4

این نان خیلی نازک و خوشمزه است.

This bread is very thin and delicious.

Multiple adjectives modifying one noun.

5

پوست این میوه خیلی نازک است.

The skin of this fruit is very thin.

Describing natural textures.

6

باید یک لایه نازک رنگ بزنی.

You should apply a thin layer of paint.

Instruction with a noun phrase.

7

این نازک‌ترین گوشی دنیاست.

This is the thinnest phone in the world.

Superlative form 'nāzok-tarin'.

8

او ابروهایش را نازک کرد.

She made her eyebrows thin.

Resultative use of the adjective.

1

خواهرم خیلی دل‌نازک است و زود گریه می‌کند.

My sister is very tender-hearted and cries easily.

Compound adjective 'del-nāzok' (tender-hearted).

2

تارهای موی او خیلی نازک و حساس هستند.

The strands of her hair are very thin and sensitive.

Describing physical characteristics.

3

او از این حرف ناراحت شد، خیلی نازک‌نارنجی است.

He got upset by this comment; he is very oversensitive.

Idiomatic compound 'nāzok-nārenji'.

4

برای این کار به یک مفتول نازک نیاز داریم.

We need a thin wire for this task.

Technical/functional description.

5

لایه نازکی از یخ روی دریاچه را پوشانده بود.

A thin layer of ice had covered the lake.

Describing natural phenomena.

6

این شیشه نازک تحمل فشار زیاد را ندارد.

This thin glass cannot withstand a lot of pressure.

Scientific/descriptive context.

7

او همیشه با یک قلم نازک طراحی می‌کند.

He always sketches with a thin pen.

Describing tools of a trade.

8

صدای نازک او از پشت در شنیده می‌شد.

Her thin voice could be heard from behind the door.

Sensory description in a narrative.

1

حوصله‌اش نازک شده و با کوچکترین چیزی عصبانی می‌شود.

His patience has worn thin and he gets angry at the slightest thing.

Metaphorical use for patience/temper.

2

نازک‌کاری ساختمان هنوز تمام نشده است.

The finishing work of the building is not finished yet.

Professional term 'nāzok-kāri'.

3

او به جزئیات نازک و ظریف خیلی اهمیت می‌دهد.

He pays a lot of attention to thin and delicate details.

Combining synonyms for emphasis.

4

این لنز نازک‌ترین تکنولوژی روز را دارد.

This lens features the thinnest technology of the day.

Superlative in a technical context.

5

دیوارهای این آپارتمان خیلی نازک هستند و صدا را رد می‌کنند.

The walls of this apartment are very thin and let sound through.

Describing structural flaws.

6

او با ظرافت، لایه نازکی از طلا روی ظرف کشید.

With elegance, he applied a thin layer of gold onto the vessel.

Describing a delicate process.

7

رابطه آن‌ها به مویی نازک بند است.

Their relationship is hanging by a thin hair (thread).

Idiomatic expression for fragility.

8

او سعی کرد با صدای نازک خودش را جای دیگری جا بزند.

He tried to disguise himself as someone else using a thin voice.

Describing intentional behavior.

1

شاعر با نازک‌خیالی، زیبایی‌های پنهان طبیعت را توصیف می‌کند.

The poet describes the hidden beauties of nature with delicate imagination.

Literary term 'nāzok-khayāli'.

2

درک این نکته نازک، نیاز به دقت فراوان دارد.

Understanding this subtle point requires great precision.

Abstract use of 'nāzok' as 'subtle'.

3

او در نقد خود به تفاوت‌های نازک میان این دو سبک اشاره کرد.

In his critique, he pointed out the thin (subtle) differences between these two styles.

Describing minute distinctions.

4

این غزل پر از تعبیرات نازک و استعاره‌های پیچیده است.

This sonnet is full of delicate expressions and complex metaphors.

Literary analysis.

5

نازکیِ طبع او باعث شده که از هر ناملایمتی برنجد.

The delicacy of his nature has caused him to be offended by any unpleasantness.

Noun form 'nāzoki' (delicacy/thinness).

6

او با نگاهی نازک‌بین، به بررسی مسائل اجتماعی پرداخت.

With a keen (thin-seeing) eye, he proceeded to examine social issues.

Compound adjective 'nāzok-bin' (keen/perceptive).

7

هنر مینیاتور بر پایه خطوط بسیار نازک بنا شده است.

The art of miniature is built upon very thin lines.

Describing artistic technique.

8

او در سخنانش از طنزی نازک و گزنده استفاده می‌کرد.

He used a subtle (thin) and biting irony in his speeches.

Describing the quality of wit.

1

در سبک هندی، نازک‌خیالی به اوج خود می‌رسد.

In the Indian style (of Persian poetry), delicate-imagination reaches its peak.

Historical/Literary reference.

2

فیلسوف به تبیین مرز نازک میان هستی و نیستی پرداخت.

The philosopher proceeded to explain the thin boundary between being and non-being.

Metaphysical application.

3

او با مهارتی بی‌نظیر، نازک‌کاری‌های معرق را به اتمام رساند.

With unparalleled skill, he completed the fine finishing works of the marquetry.

Technical mastery in crafts.

4

این تحلیل، پرده از لایه‌های نازک و پنهان قدرت برمی‌دارد.

This analysis unveils the thin and hidden layers of power.

Sociopolitical metaphor.

5

او توانست با ظرافتی خاص، نازک‌بینی‌های عرفانی را در اشعارش بگنجاند.

He managed to include mystical subtleties in his poems with a specific elegance.

Spiritual/Literary context.

6

تفاوت میان این دو نظریه چنان نازک است که به دشواری دیده می‌شود.

The difference between these two theories is so thin that it is hardly seen.

Describing extreme precision.

7

او در نوازندگی، به تولید صداهای نازک و اثیری شهرت دارد.

In playing music, he is famous for producing thin and ethereal sounds.

Aesthetic description of sound.

8

نقد او بر کتاب، بر پایه یک استدلال بسیار نازک و دقیق استوار بود.

His critique of the book was based on a very thin (subtle) and precise argument.

Describing logical structure.

자주 쓰는 조합

لایه نازک
صدای نازک
نان نازک
پوست نازک
پارچه نازک
خط نازک
شیشه نازک
ابروی نازک
رشته نازک
خیال نازک

자주 쓰는 구문

نازک‌تر از گل نگفتن

— To treat someone with extreme kindness and never say a harsh word.

او به همسرش نازک‌تر از گل نمی‌گوید.

دلش نازک است

— He/she is very sensitive or easily moved to tears.

با او مهربان باش، دلش نازک است.

نازک‌نارنجی بودن

— To be oversensitive, spoiled, or easily offended.

اینقدر نازک‌نارنجی نباش، فقط یک شوخی بود!

حوصله نازک

— Short temper or very little patience.

امروز حوصله‌اش نازک است، با او بحث نکن.

به مویی نازک بند بودن

— To be in a very precarious or fragile situation (hanging by a thread).

زندگی‌اش به مویی نازک بند است.

نازک‌کاری کردن

— To do the finishing touches or detailed work.

نقاش در حال نازک‌کاری اتاق است.

صدای نازک درآوردن

— To speak in a high-pitched, often fake or mocking voice.

او برای بچه‌ها صدای نازک درمی‌آورد.

نازک‌بینی

— Keenness, subtlety of perception, or being very observant.

نازک‌بینی او در حل معماها عالی است.

لایه نازک اوزون

— The thin ozone layer (scientific context).

باید از لایه نازک اوزون محافظت کنیم.

خیال نازک داشتن

— To have a delicate or poetic imagination.

نویسنده خیال نازکی دارد.

관용어 및 표현

"نازک‌تر از گل به کسی نگفتن"

— To never say anything even slightly unpleasant to someone; to treat with utmost care.

پدرم همیشه نازک‌تر از گل به مادرم نمی‌گفت.

Informal/Affective
"دل‌نازک"

— Someone who is very sympathetic, soft-hearted, or easily hurt.

او خیلی دل‌نازک است و با دیدن فقر گریه می‌کند.

Neutral
"نازک‌نارنجی"

— A person who is pampered, oversensitive, or can't handle any hardship.

بچه‌های امروزی خیلی نازک‌نارنجی شده‌اند.

Informal/Slightly Derogatory
"به مویی نازک بند بودن"

— To be on the verge of failure or death; extremely fragile.

اقتصاد کشور به مویی نازک بند است.

Neutral/Journalistic
"نازک‌خیال"

— A person with a very subtle and refined imagination, often used for poets.

صائب تبریزی شاعری نازک‌خیال بود.

Literary
"خواب نازک"

— A light sleeper; someone who wakes up at the slightest sound.

من خوابم نازک است، لطفا سر و صدا نکنید.

Neutral
"نازک کردن صدا"

— To purposely speak in a high-pitched or feminine voice.

او برای شوخی صدایش را نازک کرد.

Informal
"پوست‌نازک"

— Metaphorically, someone who cannot take criticism; literally, thin skin.

او پوست‌نازک است و طاقت انتقاد ندارد.

Neutral/Informal
"نازک‌بینی کردن"

— To look into things with extreme detail and subtlety.

در این تحقیق باید نازک‌بینی کرد.

Academic/Formal
"حرف نازک"

— A subtle, witty, or profound remark that requires thought.

او همیشه حرف‌های نازکی می‌زند.

Literary
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