Meaning
To feel pity or compassion for someone's situation.
Cultural Background
In Iran, showing empathy is a sign of a 'good heart'. People who don't show empathy are often called 'سنگدل' (stone-hearted). The phrase is used identically in Dari, reflecting the shared Persian linguistic and cultural heritage. In Tajikistan, the phrase is also understood, though 'дилсӯзӣ' (dilsūzī) is the noun form often used for 'compassion'. Persian speakers living abroad often use this phrase to maintain a connection to their emotional roots, even when speaking English.
Context is key
Always use 'برای' (for) after the phrase to specify who you are talking about.
Don't be patronizing
Be careful when saying this to someone directly; it can sound like you are pitying them, which might be offensive.
Meaning
To feel pity or compassion for someone's situation.
Context is key
Always use 'برای' (for) after the phrase to specify who you are talking about.
Don't be patronizing
Be careful when saying this to someone directly; it can sound like you are pitying them, which might be offensive.
Use it to build bonds
Sharing your empathy is a great way to show you are a kind and trustworthy person in Persian culture.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the idiom.
وقتی آن بچه را تنها دیدم، ________ برایش سوخت.
The idiom is 'دلم میسوزه', so 'دلم' is the correct part.
Which sentence is correct?
Choose the most natural way to express pity.
Only 'دلم' (my heart) is used in this idiom.
Complete the dialogue.
A: من در امتحان رد شدم. B: ________.
The appropriate response to bad news is to express empathy.
Match the situation to the feeling.
You see a sad movie. What do you say?
Sad movies evoke empathy, which is expressed with this idiom.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesوقتی آن بچه را تنها دیدم، ________ برایش سوخت.
The idiom is 'دلم میسوزه', so 'دلم' is the correct part.
Choose the most natural way to express pity.
Only 'دلم' (my heart) is used in this idiom.
A: من در امتحان رد شدم. B: ________.
The appropriate response to bad news is to express empathy.
You see a sad movie. What do you say?
Sad movies evoke empathy, which is expressed with this idiom.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, you can say 'دلم برای خودم میسوزه' (I feel sorry for myself).
No, it is informal and emotional.
Use 'دستم سوخت' (My hand burned).
No, you can use it for animals or even sad situations.
Use 'دلم سوخت'.
Probably not, it is too informal.
Yes, it is very common in daily life.
No, it means you feel pity/empathy for them.
Yes, it is very common in texts.
دلسوزی (compassion).
Related Phrases
دلم کباب شد
similarMy heart became charred/kebab.
دلم به درد آمد
similarMy heart started to ache.
سنگدل
contrastStone-hearted.
دلسوز
builds onCompassionate/caring.
