Meaning
To become ill or fall unwell.
Cultural Background
Visiting the sick (Eyādat) is a religious and social duty. Bringing fruit juice or compote is standard. Similar to Iran, but the word 'nā-jor' (un-well) is often used alongside 'bimār'. Tajik Persian uses 'kasal shudan' (from Arabic 'kasal') very frequently in place of 'bimār shodan'. Many Iranians believe illness (bimār shodan) is caused by an imbalance of 'hot' and 'cold' humors in the body.
Use 'Mariz' for friends
When talking to friends, 'mariz shodam' sounds more natural and less like a medical report.
Don't use for 'fed up'
Never say 'I'm sick of this' using 'bimār shodan'. Use 'khaste shodam' instead.
Meaning
To become ill or fall unwell.
Use 'Mariz' for friends
When talking to friends, 'mariz shodam' sounds more natural and less like a medical report.
Don't use for 'fed up'
Never say 'I'm sick of this' using 'bimār shodan'. Use 'khaste shodam' instead.
The 'Shodan' rule
Remember that 'shodan' is used for almost all changes of state in Persian (getting cold, getting dark, getting sick).
The 'Cold' food rule
If you tell an Iranian you got sick, they might tell you to stop eating 'cold' (sardi) foods like yogurt or cucumber.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'بیمار شدن' in the past tense for 'I'.
من دیروز در باران ماندم و ________.
The subject is 'من' (I), so the verb must end in '-am'.
Which sentence is the most formal way to say 'He got sick'?
کدام جمله رسمیتر است؟
'بیمار' is more formal than 'مریض' and 'حالش بد شد'.
Complete the dialogue.
دکتر: از چه زمانی ________؟ بیمار: از دو روز پیش.
The doctor is asking about the moment the illness started (change of state).
Match the phrase to the situation: 'بیمار شدن اقتصاد'
این عبارت در چه موردی استفاده میشود؟
This is a figurative use of the phrase to describe a failing economy.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Health Vocabulary
Verbs
- • بیمار شدن
- • خوب شدن
- • درد کردن
People
- • بیمار
- • دکتر
- • پرستار
Practice Bank
4 exercisesمن دیروز در باران ماندم و ________.
The subject is 'من' (I), so the verb must end in '-am'.
کدام جمله رسمیتر است؟
'بیمار' is more formal than 'مریض' and 'حالش بد شد'.
دکتر: از چه زمانی ________؟ بیمار: از دو روز پیش.
The doctor is asking about the moment the illness started (change of state).
این عبارت در چه موردی استفاده میشود؟
This is a figurative use of the phrase to describe a failing economy.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsTechnically yes, but usually 'شکستن' (breaking) is used. 'Bimār shodan' is for illnesses like flu or infections.
'Bimār' is Persian-rooted and formal; 'mariz' is Arabic-rooted and informal.
Use the present continuous: 'دارم بیمار میشوم'.
Yes, but usually you add 'roohi' (mental/spiritual) to clarify.
No, that's an English idiom. In Persian, you'd say the movie was 'bad' or 'disturbing'.
Ask 'Kasalat peydā kardid?' (Did you find a malaise?)
No, never use 'rā' with 'shodan' verbs.
Yes, you can say 'sag-am bimār shod' (my dog got sick).
نمیخواهم بیمار شوم.
Yes, 'chāyidan' (to catch a chill) is often used for getting a common cold.
Related Phrases
مریض شدن
synonymTo get sick
بیمار کردن
builds onTo make (someone) sick
بهبودی یافتن
contrastTo recover/get better
مبتلا شدن
specialized formTo be afflicted with/catch (a specific disease)
کسالت داشتن
similarTo feel unwell
