Meaning
Describes something or someone that is beneficial or serves a purpose.
Cultural Background
In the traditional bazaar, merchants use 'be dard bokhor' to distinguish high-quality, functional goods from cheap 'be dard nakhor' imports. It's a mark of authenticity. Parents often encourage their children to learn 'be dard bokhor' skills (like engineering or medicine) rather than 'useless' hobbies, reflecting a deep-seated cultural pragmatism. Modern Iranian developers use 'be dard bokhor' to describe lean, functional code or MVPs (Minimum Viable Products) that solve real user problems. When bringing a gift to a host, Iranians often worry if it will be 'be dard bokhor.' A gift that can be used in the household is often more appreciated than a purely symbolic one.
Use it for people!
Don't be afraid to call a helpful friend 'adam-e be dard bokhor.' It's a great compliment in informal Persian.
Avoid for Art
Calling a painting or a poem 'be dard bokhor' can sound a bit insulting, as if you only value it for its price or utility.
Meaning
Describes something or someone that is beneficial or serves a purpose.
Use it for people!
Don't be afraid to call a helpful friend 'adam-e be dard bokhor.' It's a great compliment in informal Persian.
Avoid for Art
Calling a painting or a poem 'be dard bokhor' can sound a bit insulting, as if you only value it for its price or utility.
The Negative is Powerful
Calling something 'be dard nakhor' is a very common way to express frustration with poor quality products.
Ta'arof Context
If someone gives you something and says 'it's not worthy,' replying 'it's very be dard bokhor' is a perfect way to break the Ta'arof and show real thanks.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'be dard bokhor'.
این چاقو برای بریدن طناب خیلی ________ است.
The sentence implies the knife is good for cutting rope, so it is 'useful' (be dard bokhor).
Which sentence is the most natural way to praise a helpful colleague?
How would you describe a colleague who always solves problems?
This is the standard way to describe a capable and helpful person.
Match the Persian phrase with its English equivalent.
Match the following:
These are the core variations and related words.
Complete the dialogue.
A: این کتاب قدیمی را دور بریزم؟ B: نه، صبر کن! شاید یک روزی ________.
The verb form 'be dard bokhorad' (might be useful) is needed here.
Match the situation to the correct phrase.
You found a great app that helps you organize your schedule.
A useful app is 'be dard bokhor'.
🎉 Score: /5
Visual Learning Aids
Useful vs Useless
Practice Bank
5 exercisesاین چاقو برای بریدن طناب خیلی ________ است.
The sentence implies the knife is good for cutting rope, so it is 'useful' (be dard bokhor).
How would you describe a colleague who always solves problems?
This is the standard way to describe a capable and helpful person.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are the core variations and related words.
A: این کتاب قدیمی را دور بریزم؟ B: نه، صبر کن! شاید یک روزی ________.
The verb form 'be dard bokhorad' (might be useful) is needed here.
You found a great app that helps you organize your schedule.
A useful app is 'be dard bokhor'.
🎉 Score: /5
Frequently Asked Questions
14 questionsNot usually. For food, use 'khoshmazeh' (delicious) or 'moghavi' (nutritious). You only use 'be dard bokhor' for food if you are talking about an ingredient that is useful for a specific recipe.
In a casual or work setting, it's a compliment. In a very formal setting, it might sound a bit too transactional. Use 'karamad' (efficient) instead.
'Mofid' is 'beneficial' (like a book or vitamin). 'Be dard bokhor' is 'practical/handy' (like a tool or a specific tip).
Add 'tarin' to the end: 'be dard bokhor-tarin'.
Only if the movie is educational. If it's for fun, use 'ghashang' (beautiful) or 'jaleb' (interesting).
It's written as three words (به درد بخور) but functions as a single adjective.
Yes, to describe your skills as 'practical' and 'useful for the company.' It shows you are a problem-solver.
The opposite is 'be dard nakhor' (به درد نخور).
No, in this idiom, 'dard' means 'need' or 'problem.'
Yes, if the house has a good layout and is practical for living.
It's informal/neutral, but not quite slang. Everyone from kids to grandparents uses it.
It's like the 'ch' in 'Loch Ness' or the Spanish 'j' in 'Jose'.
Yes! 'Persian is a be dard bokhor language for traveling to Iran.'
If you say 'u be dard nemikhore' (he's not useful), it's a way of saying he's incompetent.
Related Phrases
به درد نخور
contrastUseless / Junk
کاربردی
synonymPractical / Applied
به کار آمدن
similarTo come in handy
گرهگشا
specialized formProblem-solver
مفید
synonymUseful / Beneficial
