Meaning
To consume a meal or nourishment.
Cultural Background
When 'ghazā khordan' at an Iranian home, it is polite to leave a tiny bit of food on your plate to show you are absolutely full, otherwise, they will keep refilling it! During Ramadan, 'ghazā khordan' in public during daylight hours is generally avoided out of respect for those fasting. Traditional 'ghazā khordan' happens on a 'Sofreh' on the floor. The eldest person usually starts eating first as a sign of respect. In cities like Rasht (the food capital), 'ghazā khordan' in the street markets is a major social event late into the night.
The 'Drinking' Secret
Don't be afraid to use 'khordan' for liquids. Saying 'chāyi khordam' (I ate tea) is much more natural than using the formal verb for drinking.
Ta'arof Alert
If someone offers you food, they might say 'Befarmāyid'. You should decline once or twice before accepting—this is the dance of Persian politeness!
Meaning
To consume a meal or nourishment.
The 'Drinking' Secret
Don't be afraid to use 'khordan' for liquids. Saying 'chāyi khordam' (I ate tea) is much more natural than using the formal verb for drinking.
Ta'arof Alert
If someone offers you food, they might say 'Befarmāyid'. You should decline once or twice before accepting—this is the dance of Persian politeness!
Compliment the Cook
Always say 'Dastat dard nakone' after 'ghazā khordan' at someone's house. It's the ultimate 'thank you'.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'ghazā khordan' in the present tense for 'I'.
من هر روز ساعت دو ________.
'هر روز' (every day) indicates a habit, requiring the present simple/continuous form 'میخورم'.
Which sentence is the most polite way to invite a guest to eat?
کدام جمله مودبانهتر است؟
'Befarmāyid meyl konid' uses the polite verb 'meyl kardan' and the respectful 'befarmāyid'.
Complete the dialogue.
سارا: گرسنه هستی؟ علی: بله، بیا ________.
Ali is making a suggestion ('Let's eat'), which requires the subjunctive 'bokhorim'.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You are in a restaurant and want to tell the waiter you are ready to eat.
This translates to 'We want to eat', which is appropriate for starting a meal.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
What can you 'Khord' (Eat) in Persian?
Meals
- • Ghazā
- • Sobhāne
- • Shām
Liquids
- • Āb
- • Chāyi
- • Sharbat
Abstract
- • Ghosse (Grief)
- • Sar-mā (Cold)
- • Zamin (The ground/Falling)
Practice Bank
4 exercisesمن هر روز ساعت دو ________.
'هر روز' (every day) indicates a habit, requiring the present simple/continuous form 'میخورم'.
کدام جمله مودبانهتر است؟
'Befarmāyid meyl konid' uses the polite verb 'meyl kardan' and the respectful 'befarmāyid'.
سارا: گرسنه هستی؟ علی: بله، بیا ________.
Ali is making a suggestion ('Let's eat'), which requires the subjunctive 'bokhorim'.
You are in a restaurant and want to tell the waiter you are ready to eat.
This translates to 'We want to eat', which is appropriate for starting a meal.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, absolutely. In Persian, you 'eat' soup (soup khordan).
'Ghazā' is the general word for food/meal. 'Khorāk' often refers to a specific type of dish or 'feed'.
It is neutral. It's fine for 95% of situations.
Say 'Sir hastam' (I am full).
No, if the context is clear, you can just say 'khordam' (I ate).
'Meyl kardan' is the polite version used for others.
Yes, 'be divār khordam' means 'I hit the wall'. Context is key!
Say 'Biyā ghazā bokhorim'.
Use 'ghazā' for the act. Use 'ghazāye...' (e.g., ghazāye Irāni) when describing the food.
In Persian, 'khordan' is the universal verb for internalizing anything—food, drink, or pills.
Related Phrases
صبحانه خوردن
specialized formTo eat breakfast
شام خوردن
specialized formTo eat dinner
سیر شدن
contrastTo become full
گرسنه بودن
contrastTo be hungry
آشپزی کردن
builds onTo cook
