Meaning
To meddle or intrude in another person's affairs.
Cultural Background
The concept of 'Delsuzi' often blurs the line between help and meddling. People feel they have a right to interfere if they care about you. In modern Tehran, privacy (Harim-e Shakhsi) is becoming a major value, leading to more frequent use of this phrase to push back against traditional communal interference. The phrase is also used in Afghanistan, but 'mudākhela' is often preferred in slightly more contexts than in Iran. Tajik Persian uses 'dekhalat' but also 'dast-andāzi' (throwing hands) to mean interference.
Softening the blow
If you need to tell someone to stop meddling but want to stay polite, start with 'میدونم نیتت خیره، اما...' (I know your intention is good, but...).
Avoid 'Fozuli' with elders
Never use the word 'fozuli' with parents or grandparents; it's considered a major sign of disrespect.
Meaning
To meddle or intrude in another person's affairs.
Softening the blow
If you need to tell someone to stop meddling but want to stay polite, start with 'میدونم نیتت خیره، اما...' (I know your intention is good, but...).
Avoid 'Fozuli' with elders
Never use the word 'fozuli' with parents or grandparents; it's considered a major sign of disrespect.
Use in Writing
In formal essays, use 'مداخله' instead of 'دخالت' to sound more academic.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct preposition.
او همیشه ___ کار من دخالت میکند.
The verb 'dekhalat kardan' always takes the preposition 'dar'.
Which sentence is the most polite way to tell a colleague to stop meddling?
کدام جمله مؤدبانهتر است؟
'Lotfan' and the plural verb form 'nakonid' make it neutral and professional.
Complete the dialogue.
مادر: 'چرا اینقدر پول خرج میکنی؟' فرزند: 'مامان، لطفاً __________________.'
The child is asking for privacy regarding their spending habits.
Match the phrase to the context.
Match 'مداخله در امور داخلی کشورها' to its context.
'Modākhele' and 'omur-e dākheli' are formal terms used in political science.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesاو همیشه ___ کار من دخالت میکند.
The verb 'dekhalat kardan' always takes the preposition 'dar'.
کدام جمله مؤدبانهتر است؟
'Lotfan' and the plural verb form 'nakonid' make it neutral and professional.
مادر: 'چرا اینقدر پول خرج میکنی؟' فرزند: 'مامان، لطفاً __________________.'
The child is asking for privacy regarding their spending habits.
Match 'مداخله در امور داخلی کشورها' to its context.
'Modākhele' and 'omur-e dākheli' are formal terms used in political science.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, in 99% of cases, it implies the involvement is unwanted or inappropriate.
No, for positive intervention, use 'میانجیگری' (mediation) or 'کمک' (help).
'Dekhalat' is for people and daily life; 'modākhele' is for politics, law, and formal systems.
You can say 'فضولی موقوف!' (Nosiness stopped!) or 'سرت به کار خودت باشه!' (Mind your own business!).
Yes, 'دخالت دولت در اقتصاد' is a very common phrase in news.
Yes, 'دخالتکننده' (formal) or 'آدمِ فضول' (informal).
It's often seen as a form of social support or 'delsuzi', where people feel responsible for their community's well-being.
Yes, many Persian compound verbs use 'dar' to indicate the field of action.
'پا تو کفش کسی کردن' is the most common idiomatic slang version.
Usually it's about affairs/decisions, but it can be used if someone physically messes with your project.
Related Phrases
فضولی کردن
synonymTo be nosy
پا توی کفش کسی کردن
idiomTo step into someone's shoes/business
سرک کشیدن
similarTo peek or pry
مداخله کردن
formal formTo intervene
بیتفاوت بودن
contrastTo be indifferent
