Meaning
To work to provide for one's basic needs and sustenance.
Cultural Background
Bread is considered 'Barakat' (blessing). Wasting it is seen as a lack of gratitude toward God. This makes the idiom 'earning bread' feel more like a spiritual duty than just a financial one. In the fast-paced life of Tehran, 'nun dar āvordan' is often used with a sigh, acknowledging the high cost of living and the 'hustle' required to survive. In the traditional bazaar, your 'Nan' is tied to your reputation. An honest merchant earns 'Nan-e Halal' (pure bread). The phrase is equally common in Afghanistan, where bread (often Naan-e-Uzbeki or Naan-e-Tanoori) is the absolute staple of every meal.
Use the 'Nun' version
If you want to sound like a local in Tehran, always say 'Nun' instead of 'Nan.'
Don't use for hobbies
Never use this for something you do for fun. It implies the necessity of survival.
Meaning
To work to provide for one's basic needs and sustenance.
Use the 'Nun' version
If you want to sound like a local in Tehran, always say 'Nun' instead of 'Nan.'
Don't use for hobbies
Never use this for something you do for fun. It implies the necessity of survival.
The 'Halal' connection
Adding 'Halal' before 'Nan' is a great way to express that someone is an honest, hardworking person.
Compound Verb Rule
Remember that 'dar' is part of the verb. Don't separate it from 'āvardan' in most tenses.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the verb.
او سالهاست که با رانندگی نان ________.
The idiom is 'nan dar āvardan.' 'Dar mi-ārad' is the correct present tense form.
Which sentence uses the idiom correctly to mean 'earning a living'?
کدام جمله درست است؟
Sentence B uses the idiom figuratively to mean working abroad to earn a living. The others use it literally or incorrectly.
Complete the dialogue.
علی: چرا اینقدر زیاد کار میکنی؟ رضا: خب، بالاخره باید یک جوری ________.
Reza is explaining why he works so much—to earn a living.
Match the phrase to the most likely situation.
عبارت 'نانآور خانواده' برای چه کسی مناسب است؟
'Nan-āvar' is the breadwinner who supports the family financially.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesاو سالهاست که با رانندگی نان ________.
The idiom is 'nan dar āvardan.' 'Dar mi-ārad' is the correct present tense form.
کدام جمله درست است؟
Sentence B uses the idiom figuratively to mean working abroad to earn a living. The others use it literally or incorrectly.
علی: چرا اینقدر زیاد کار میکنی؟ رضا: خب، بالاخره باید یک جوری ________.
Reza is explaining why he works so much—to earn a living.
عبارت 'نانآور خانواده' برای چه کسی مناسب است؟
'Nan-āvar' is the breadwinner who supports the family financially.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes! Whether you are a CEO or a street cleaner, you are still 'nan dar āvardan.' However, it sounds more humble for a CEO to say it.
It's not rude, but it's very direct. In a first meeting, it's better to ask 'What is your job?' (Shoghletun chiye?).
'Pool' is about the money itself. 'Nan' is about the life and sustenance the money provides.
Absolutely. While historically it was associated with men, today anyone who works uses it.
The word is 'Nan-āvar' (نانآور).
Yes: 'Nan dar āvardam' (I earned a living).
No, that's not 'earning.' Use 'Pool bordan' (winning money) instead.
No, it refers to all expenses: rent, clothes, bills, etc.
Yes, it's very common in realistic fiction and memoirs.
It means 'night's bread,' often used to describe the most basic level of survival. 'Mohtaj-e nan-e shab' means being so poor you can't afford dinner.
Related Phrases
پول در آوردن
similarTo make money
کسب معاش
specialized formTo earn a livelihood
نانخور
contrastDependent
نانبر
contrastSomeone who takes away another's livelihood
نانکور
similarUngrateful
یک لقمه نان
builds onA bite of bread
