Meaning
Stating that one is available or currently without a job.
Cultural Background
Being 'bikār' is often a prerequisite for 'Mehmun-navāzi' (hospitality). If you tell a guest you are 'bikār', you are showing them they are your priority. Younger generations use 'bikār' ironically on social media to describe 'doom-scrolling' or having nothing to do despite having many responsibilities. In Dari, 'bikār' is used similarly, but 'bēkār' (different pronunciation) is very common. The sense of 'unemployed' is often expressed as 'bē-rozgār'. Tajiki Persian uses 'be-kor'. Due to Soviet influence, the formal term for unemployment is often 'berokhat' or 'be-shughl'.
The 'Bikāri?' Question
If someone asks you 'Bikāri?', they are almost always about to ask for a favor or invite you somewhere. It's the Persian 'Are you busy?'.
Avoid 'Āzād'
Never use 'āzād' to mean you have time for a coffee. It sounds like you just escaped from somewhere!
Meaning
Stating that one is available or currently without a job.
The 'Bikāri?' Question
If someone asks you 'Bikāri?', they are almost always about to ask for a favor or invite you somewhere. It's the Persian 'Are you busy?'.
Avoid 'Āzād'
Never use 'āzād' to mean you have time for a coffee. It sounds like you just escaped from somewhere!
Use the Contraction
To sound like a native, always use 'Bikāram' instead of 'Bikār hastam' in conversation.
Ta'arof and Work
If someone asks about your job and you are unemployed, you can say 'فعلاً استراحت میکنم' (I'm resting for now) as a polite way to avoid the word 'bikār'.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct word to say 'I am free tomorrow'.
من فردا ________ هستم.
'Bikār' is used for having free time. 'Āzād' means liberated.
Complete the sentence with the correct informal contraction of 'bikār hastam'.
الان ________، بیا حرف بزنیم.
'Bikāram' is the first-person singular informal contraction.
Complete the dialogue.
علی: فردا ساعت ۵ وقت داری؟ رضا: آره، فردا کلاً ________.
Since Ali is asking for time, Reza's positive response should be 'Bikāram'.
Match the sentence to the context.
Sentence: 'متأسفانه شرکت ما بسته شد و من بیکار شدم.'
The mention of a company closing indicates the 'unemployed' sense of 'bikār'.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Bikār vs. Āzād
Practice Bank
4 exercisesمن فردا ________ هستم.
'Bikār' is used for having free time. 'Āzād' means liberated.
الان ________، بیا حرف بزنیم.
'Bikāram' is the first-person singular informal contraction.
علی: فردا ساعت ۵ وقت داری؟ رضا: آره، فردا کلاً ________.
Since Ali is asking for time, Reza's positive response should be 'Bikāram'.
Sentence: 'متأسفانه شرکت ما بسته شد و من بیکار شدم.'
The mention of a company closing indicates the 'unemployed' sense of 'bikār'.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, it's neutral. However, calling someone 'an idle person' (ādam-e bikār) can be slightly insulting.
Yes! 'Bikāram' is often used when you have nothing to do and feel bored.
'Bikār' is general; 'mo'attal' means you are delayed or kept waiting by someone else.
You say 'nerkh-e bikāri' (نرخ بیکاری).
No, for a machine that isn't working, use 'kharāb' (broken) or 'khāmush' (off).
Yes, 'fāregh' (free/disengaged) or 'juyā-ye kār' (seeking work).
In some old poetry, yes, but in modern Persian, it just means 'without work'.
Say 'Vaqt dārid?' (Do you have time?) or 'Sharāyet-e sohbat dārid?' (Are you in a position to talk?).
Yes, it's factual and fine, though 'juyā-ye kār' is slightly better.
The opposite is 'mashghul' (busy/occupied) or 'shāghal' (employed).
Related Phrases
وقت آزاد
similarFree time
جویای کار
specialized formJob seeker
سرش شلوغ است
contrastHe/She is busy
تعطیل
similarClosed/On holiday
علاف
slangLoitering/Wasting time
