Meaning
Stating that one is unwell.
Cultural Background
When you say you are sick, Iranians will often respond with 'Salamat bashid' (Be healthy) or 'Kheirollah' (May it be good). It is common to receive advice on drinking hot liquids. The concept of 'Garm' (Hot) and 'Sard' (Cold) foods is vital. A sick person might be told to avoid 'Sard' foods like yogurt and eat 'Garm' foods like honey. Being sick is one of the few universally accepted excuses to skip a Ta'arof-heavy social obligation without appearing rude. Some may burn 'Esfand' (wild rue seeds) when someone is sick to drive away the 'Evil Eye' that might have caused the illness.
Drop the 'Man'
You don't need to say 'Man' (I). Just saying 'Mariz hastam' or 'Marizam' is perfectly clear and more natural.
The 'Crazy' Trap
Be careful using 'Mariz' to describe people's behavior; it's a strong word for 'mentally ill' or 'perverted' in slang.
Meaning
Stating that one is unwell.
Drop the 'Man'
You don't need to say 'Man' (I). Just saying 'Mariz hastam' or 'Marizam' is perfectly clear and more natural.
The 'Crazy' Trap
Be careful using 'Mariz' to describe people's behavior; it's a strong word for 'mentally ill' or 'perverted' in slang.
Expect Advice
When you say this, be prepared for people to tell you to drink 'Chay-e Nabat' (Rock candy tea). It's the universal Iranian cure-all.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing verb for 'I am sick'.
من مریض ____.
'Hastam' is the first-person singular form of 'to be'.
Which sentence is the most natural spoken form?
How would you tell a friend you are sick?
In spoken Persian, the contraction 'Marizam' is preferred.
Match the Persian phrase to its English translation.
Match the following:
These are the standard conjugations.
Complete the dialogue.
A: چرا به مهمانی نیامدی؟ (Why didn't you come to the party?) B: ببخشید، ____.
Since the party was in the past, the past tense 'boodam' (was) is required.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesمن مریض ____.
'Hastam' is the first-person singular form of 'to be'.
How would you tell a friend you are sick?
In spoken Persian, the contraction 'Marizam' is preferred.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are the standard conjugations.
A: چرا به مهمانی نیامدی؟ (Why didn't you come to the party?) B: ببخشید، ____.
Since the party was in the past, the past tense 'boodam' (was) is required.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt is neutral. You can use it with friends or doctors. For very formal situations, use 'Kesalat daram'.
Yes, but it's less common. People usually say 'Halam khoob nist' for mental or emotional distress.
'Bimar' is more formal/literary. 'Mariz' is the standard everyday word.
You say 'Daram mariz misham'.
No, Persian has no grammatical gender. It's the same for everyone.
'Hastam' is the full word; '-am' is the suffix. Both are correct, but '-am' is more common in speech.
No, you must include the verb 'hastam' or the suffix '-am'.
Man mariz nistam.
It's the short, spoken version of 'Man mariz hastam'.
Yes, it covers all types of physical illness.
Related Phrases
حالم بد است
similarI feel bad / My state is bad
ناخوشم
synonymI am unwell
کسالت دارم
specialized formI have an indisposition
سرما خوردهام
specialized formI have a cold
خوب شدم
contrastI got better
