Meaning
To perform duties or tasks for a job or purpose.
Cultural Background
The phrase 'Khaste Nabashid' is essential. If you see a street sweeper, a waiter, or your boss, saying this shows you recognize their 'kar kardan'. In Dari Persian, 'kar kardan' is also the standard, but you might hear 'masroof-e kar' (busy with work) more frequently in social settings. In Tajik (Cyrillic script: кор кардан), the usage is identical, but the pronunciation of 'kar' is slightly more like 'kor'. Tea (Chay) is the fuel of 'kar kardan' in Iran. It is common to stop work multiple times a day for a tea break with colleagues.
The 'Mi' Rule
Always put 'mi-' right before 'konam'. Never say 'mi-kar konam'.
Machine vs. Human
Remember that 'kar kardan' is perfectly fine for your fridge, your car, and your computer.
Meaning
To perform duties or tasks for a job or purpose.
The 'Mi' Rule
Always put 'mi-' right before 'konam'. Never say 'mi-kar konam'.
Machine vs. Human
Remember that 'kar kardan' is perfectly fine for your fridge, your car, and your computer.
Subjunctive Mood
When you say 'I want to work', it becomes 'mikham kar bokonam'. The 'mi' changes to 'bo'.
Khaste Nabashid
Use this phrase every time you leave a shop or finish a meeting. It's the social lubricant of Iranian work life.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'kar kardan' in the present tense.
من در کتابخانه ________.
The subject is 'Man' (I), so the verb must end in '-am'.
Which sentence means 'The car doesn't work'?
ماشین...
'Nemikonad' is the negative present form for 'it'.
Match the Persian phrase with its English meaning.
Match the following:
These are common collocations with 'kar kardan'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: گوشی تو کار میکند؟ B: نه، ________.
The response should match the subject (the phone).
Match the sentence to the situation.
Sentence: 'باید روی این پروژه بیشتر کار کنیم.'
'Project' (prozhe) implies a professional or academic setting.
🎉 Score: /5
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
5 exercisesمن در کتابخانه ________.
The subject is 'Man' (I), so the verb must end in '-am'.
ماشین...
'Nemikonad' is the negative present form for 'it'.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are common collocations with 'kar kardan'.
A: گوشی تو کار میکند؟ B: نه، ________.
The response should match the subject (the phone).
Sentence: 'باید روی این پروژه بیشتر کار کنیم.'
'Project' (prozhe) implies a professional or academic setting.
🎉 Score: /5
Frequently Asked Questions
12 questionsUsually no. Use 'dars khandan' for studying. However, you can say 'working on a project' (rooye prozhe kar kardan).
Use the auxiliary 'dashtan': 'Daram kar mikonam'.
It is neutral. It's appropriate for almost any situation.
'Kar' is the activity (work); 'shoghl' is the position or profession (job).
You can say 'in naghshe kar mikonad' or more commonly 'in naghshe javab mideh' (this plan gives an answer).
No, for that use 'bazee kardan' (to play).
It is 'kar kardam'.
Man jome-ha kar nemikonam.
People might say 'mashghoolam' (I'm busy/occupied) instead of 'kar mikonam'.
Vay-fay kar mikonad?
No, use 'hal kardan' (to solve).
It's an adjective meaning 'hard-working' or 'prolific'.
Related Phrases
کارآفرین
specialized formEntrepreneur
همکاری کردن
builds onTo collaborate
بیکار
contrastUnemployed
کارمند
similarOffice worker / Employee
کارگاه
similarWorkshop
