Meaning
Used to express strong disapproval or dissatisfaction.
Cultural Background
Directly saying 'خیلی بد' to a host is a major social faux pas. Use 'جالب نیست' (It's not interesting) to be polite. On platforms like Instagram and Twitter, 'خیلی بد' is used bluntly to criticize government services, internet speed, or celebrity drama. Younger generations often replace 'خیلی بد' with 'افتضاح' or 'سم' (poison - meaning something is so bad it's toxic/cringe). When someone says 'حالم خیلی بد است', it often triggers a flurry of advice about 'hot' and 'cold' foods (Tab'e Garm o Sard).
The 'E' sound
When describing a noun, remember to add the 'e' sound: 'ghazaye (e) kheyli bad'.
Don't be too direct
In Iranian homes, avoid this phrase to describe anything provided by the host.
Meaning
Used to express strong disapproval or dissatisfaction.
The 'E' sound
When describing a noun, remember to add the 'e' sound: 'ghazaye (e) kheyli bad'.
Don't be too direct
In Iranian homes, avoid this phrase to describe anything provided by the host.
Use 'Eftezah'
If you want to sound like a native speaker who is really annoyed, use 'Eftezah' instead.
Health check
If someone says 'halam bad ast', they usually mean they are nauseous or sick, not just unhappy.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank to say 'The weather is very bad today'.
امروز هوا _______ است.
'خیلی بد' is the correct phrase to describe bad weather.
Which sentence means 'It turned out very bad that you didn't come'?
Select the correct translation:
'خیلی بد شد' is used to express regret about a situation.
Match the Persian phrase with its English meaning.
Match the following:
All pairs are correctly matched in the prompt.
Complete the dialogue.
A: ناهار چطور بود؟ B: _________، اصلا دوست نداشتم.
The second part 'اصلا دوست نداشتم' (I didn't like it at all) implies the food was 'خیلی بد'.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
When to use 'خیلی بد'
Situations
- • Bad Weather
- • Bad Food
- • Feeling Sick
- • Rude Behavior
Practice Bank
4 exercisesامروز هوا _______ است.
'خیلی بد' is the correct phrase to describe bad weather.
Select the correct translation:
'خیلی بد شد' is used to express regret about a situation.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
All pairs are correctly matched in the prompt.
A: ناهار چطور بود؟ B: _________، اصلا دوست نداشتم.
The second part 'اصلا دوست نداشتم' (I didn't like it at all) implies the food was 'خیلی بد'.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt's not a swear word, but it is very direct. Use it with friends, but be careful with strangers or elders.
Yes, 'او خیلی بد است' means 'He/She is a bad person', but it's quite a strong judgment.
'بسیار' is more formal and used in books; 'خیلی' is what people actually say.
Use 'حیف شد' (Hayf shod) for 'What a pity'.
Mostly, but in 'bad nist', it's part of a phrase meaning 'good'.
You can repeat 'خیلی': 'خیلی خیلی بد'.
Yes, to describe market conditions or poor performance, but 'ضعیف' (weak) is more professional.
Yes, 'بوی خیلی بدی میدهد' (It gives a very bad smell).
'خیلی خوب' (Very good).
Yes, it's very common in texting. You can write 'خیلی بده'.
Related Phrases
بد نیست
contrastNot bad (often means good)
افتضاح
specialized formTerrible / Disastrous
خیلی خوب
contrastVery good
بدجور
similarBadly / In a bad way
ناخوشایند
synonymUnpleasant
