Meaning
To feel a sense of anxiety or apprehension about something.
Cultural Background
Expressing 'del-shoor-eh' is a way to show you are 'ba-atefeh' (full of emotion/affection). A person who never feels this for their family might be seen as cold. In some regions, a sudden 'del-shoor-eh' is believed to be a sign that a loved one is thinking of you or is in trouble. Traditional Persian medicine links the 'del' (stomach/heart) to the 'brain.' Agitation in the stomach is seen as a direct reflection of mental state. If a guest is late, an Iranian host will often say 'Delaman shoor zad' to show how much they valued the guest's presence and safety.
Use the suffix
Always remember to change the suffix on 'del' to match who is feeling the worry (delam, delat, delash).
Not for physical pain
If your heart actually hurts, go to a doctor and say 'ghalbam dard mikonad.' Don't use this idiom!
Meaning
To feel a sense of anxiety or apprehension about something.
Use the suffix
Always remember to change the suffix on 'del' to match who is feeling the worry (delam, delat, delash).
Not for physical pain
If your heart actually hurts, go to a doctor and say 'ghalbam dard mikonad.' Don't use this idiom!
The 'Hazar Rah' combo
Pair it with 'Delam hazar rah raft' (My heart went a thousand ways) to sound like a native speaker describing extreme anxiety.
Empathy
Saying 'delam barat shoor mizaneh' is a very warm way to show someone you care about them.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the idiom.
ساعت دیر شده و برادرم هنوز نیامده، دلم خیلی ______ میزند.
The idiom is 'del shoor zadan.'
Which sentence correctly expresses that 'They are worried'?
Which one is correct?
The suffix '-shan' matches 'they' and the verb 'mi-zanad' stays in the 3rd person singular for the heart.
Match the situation to the feeling.
You are waiting for a doctor to call with important news.
Anxiety about news is the perfect context for this idiom.
Complete the dialogue.
A: چرا اینقدر راه میروی؟ B: منتظر نتایج هستم، ________.
Walking back and forth (pacing) is a physical sign of 'del-shoor-eh.'
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesساعت دیر شده و برادرم هنوز نیامده، دلم خیلی ______ میزند.
The idiom is 'del shoor zadan.'
Which one is correct?
The suffix '-shan' matches 'they' and the verb 'mi-zanad' stays in the 3rd person singular for the heart.
You are waiting for a doctor to call with important news.
Anxiety about news is the perfect context for this idiom.
A: چرا اینقدر راه میروی؟ B: منتظر نتایج هستم، ________.
Walking back and forth (pacing) is a physical sign of 'del-shoor-eh.'
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, this is strictly for negative anxiety or apprehension.
It's a bit informal. In a formal meeting, use 'Negaran hastam' (I am concerned).
'Negarani' is the general word for worry. 'Del-shoor-eh' is the physical, restless feeling of that worry.
In modern Persian, yes. But in this idiom, it retains its old meaning of 'agitation.'
No, the idiom only works with 'Del' (heart/chest).
Yes, but with slight dialectal variations. 'Dil-shura' is understood in Dari.
You usually don't. You would just say 'Negaran nistam.'
Because salt agitates water and stings wounds, mirroring the feeling of anxiety.
Stereotypically associated with mothers, but used by everyone.
Yes, if the object is very important (like a passport).
Related Phrases
نگران بودن
synonymTo be worried
دلواپس بودن
similarTo be apprehensive
تپش قلب داشتن
builds onTo have heart palpitations
آرامش داشتن
contrastTo have peace/calm
دل به دریا زدن
specialized formTo strike the heart to the sea (to take a risk)
