Meaning
Negative and undesirable outcomes or results from a particular action or event.
Cultural Background
In Iranian political discourse, 'عواقب ناگوار' is a 'red line' phrase. When a spokesperson uses it, it's a signal that a situation has reached a critical point. In Dari Persian, the phrase is equally common in formal speeches and news, often used to describe the humanitarian situation. Tajik Persian (using Cyrillic script: оқибатҳои ногувор) uses this phrase in official documents, though Russian loanwords sometimes compete in casual speech. Classical poets like Saadi often talk about the 'Aghibat' (end). While they might not use this exact modern collocation, the concept of a 'bitter end' for the wicked is a central theme.
Use with 'هشدار'
If you want to sound like a native expert, use the verb 'هشدار دادن' (to warn). 'او درباره عواقب ناگوار این کار هشدار داد.'
Don't use for small things
Spilling coffee is not an 'عواقب ناگوار'. It's just an 'اتفاق بد'.
Meaning
Negative and undesirable outcomes or results from a particular action or event.
Use with 'هشدار'
If you want to sound like a native expert, use the verb 'هشدار دادن' (to warn). 'او درباره عواقب ناگوار این کار هشدار داد.'
Don't use for small things
Spilling coffee is not an 'عواقب ناگوار'. It's just an 'اتفاق بد'.
The 'Fate' nuance
Remember that using this phrase often implies that the person *should have known better*.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the phrase.
بیتوجهی به گرمایش زمین میتواند __________ برای بشریت داشته باشد.
Global warming is a serious issue, so 'dire consequences' is the only logical fit.
Which sentence uses the phrase correctly in a formal context?
Choose the best sentence:
The phrase refers to results of policies, not food or people's traits.
Match the Persian phrase with its English equivalent.
Match the following:
Self-explanatory translation match.
Complete the dialogue.
شخص الف: چرا نباید این قرارداد را امضا کنیم؟ شخص ب: چون این کار __________ مالی زیادی برای شرکت دارد.
Financial risks are described as 'dire consequences'.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Results: Good vs Bad
Practice Bank
4 exercisesبیتوجهی به گرمایش زمین میتواند __________ برای بشریت داشته باشد.
Global warming is a serious issue, so 'dire consequences' is the only logical fit.
Choose the best sentence:
The phrase refers to results of policies, not food or people's traits.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Self-explanatory translation match.
شخص الف: چرا نباید این قرارداد را امضا کنیم؟ شخص ب: چون این کار __________ مالی زیادی برای شرکت دارد.
Financial risks are described as 'dire consequences'.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, in 99% of cases. Even if there is only one bad result, we use the plural form to indicate the general fallout.
No, it sounds very strange. Use 'نتایج درخشان' or 'پیامدهای مثبت' for good things.
'پیامد' is more neutral and academic. 'عواقب' is more traditional, formal, and almost always negative.
The individual words are, but this specific collocation is more common in modern prose and journalism.
It starts with 'Ayn' (ع) and has a 'Qaf' (ق). Don't confuse it with 'Aghibat' (singular).
Only if you are being very serious or slightly dramatic/sarcastic with a friend.
It specifically means 'unpleasant' or 'bitter'. You can have a 'خاطره ناگوار' (unpleasant memory) too.
The opposite is 'گوارا' (pleasant/easy to digest), usually used for water: 'آب گوارا'.
When followed by 'nagovar', it must have the 'e' sound (Ezafe): 'avagheb-e nagovar'.
Extremely. You will hear it every day on the news.
Related Phrases
پیامد منفی
synonymNegative consequence
خسارات جبرانناپذیر
similarIrreparable damages
عاقبت به خیری
contrastA good/blessed end
در پی داشتن
builds onTo entail/result in
