Meaning
To cause deep sorrow, pain, or suffering to someone.
Cultural Background
The 'heart' (del) is considered the source of all emotions, not just love. When you say your heart is bleeding, you are appealing to the other person's sense of 'ensaniyat' (humanity). In classical poetry, the 'blood of the heart' is often what the lover 'drinks' instead of wine because of the pain of separation. Mothers often use this phrase as a form of 'guilt-tripping' (in a loving but firm way) to bring children back to the right path. The phrase is equally common in Afghanistan and carries the same heavy emotional weight in Dari.
Use with 'shodan'
If you want to say 'I am heartbroken/suffering,' say 'Khun be del shodam'.
Too Dramatic?
Be careful using this for small things. It's like saying 'You are killing me' in English—use it when you really mean it.
Meaning
To cause deep sorrow, pain, or suffering to someone.
Use with 'shodan'
If you want to say 'I am heartbroken/suffering,' say 'Khun be del shodam'.
Too Dramatic?
Be careful using this for small things. It's like saying 'You are killing me' in English—use it when you really mean it.
Poetic Soul
Iranians love poetry. Using this idiom shows you understand the 'soul' of the language, not just the grammar.
The 'Ezafe'
Don't forget the 'e' sound (ezafe) when connecting 'del' to the person: 'del-e man', 'del-e maman'.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing word to complete the idiom.
او با کارهایش خون به ___ من کرد.
The idiom is 'khun be del kardan'. 'Del' means heart.
Which sentence is the most natural use of the idiom?
Which one would a sad mother say to her son?
This correctly uses the idiom to express emotional distress caused by behavior.
Match the Persian phrase to its English equivalent.
Match the following:
Match based on the emotional meaning.
Complete the dialogue.
سارا: چرا گریه میکنی؟ مریم: علی دوباره دروغ گفت. واقعاً او مرا _______.
Ali's lying caused Maryam deep sorrow, which fits the idiom.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Heart Idioms Intensity
Practice Bank
4 exercisesاو با کارهایش خون به ___ من کرد.
The idiom is 'khun be del kardan'. 'Del' means heart.
Which one would a sad mother say to her son?
This correctly uses the idiom to express emotional distress caused by behavior.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Match based on the emotional meaning.
سارا: چرا گریه میکنی؟ مریم: علی دوباره دروغ گفت. واقعاً او مرا _______.
Ali's lying caused Maryam deep sorrow, which fits the idiom.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
12 questionsYes, it is very common in literature, journalism, and formal speeches to describe suffering.
Yes, 'khun be del shodam' (My heart bled) is a common way to express your own deep sadness.
No, but it is very strong. It's an accusation of causing pain, so use it carefully.
'Del-shekastan' is 'to break a heart' (often a single event). 'Khun be del kardan' is more like 'to torment' or 'to cause ongoing agony'.
Technically yes, if your dog runs away and you are devastated, you could say it, but it's usually for humans.
No, it is 100% figurative in modern usage.
You can say 'Man ra narahat kardi' (من را ناراحت کردی).
Constantly! It is one of the most common phrases in Persian pop and traditional music.
Only if you are very close to your colleagues and talking about personal life. Not in a professional report.
There isn't a direct 'blood' opposite, but 'del-shad kardan' (to make the heart happy) is the general opposite.
It is always 'be' (to). 'Dar' (in) is incorrect.
Not necessarily. It implies sorrow and pain, which might come from someone else's anger or neglect.
Related Phrases
خون جگر خوردن
similarTo suffer in silence / to endure great hardship.
دل شکستن
synonymTo break someone's heart.
جان به لب رسیدن
builds onTo be at the end of one's rope / life is at the lips.
اشک کسی را درآوردن
similarTo make someone cry.
