Meaning
To cause someone to lose their source of income or job.
Cultural Background
Bread is considered 'Barakat' (blessing). Dropping bread on the floor is a sign of disrespect to God's gifts. This makes the idiom 'bricking bread' particularly offensive and emotionally charged. In the traditional Bazaar, there is an unwritten code of 'Javanmardi' (chivalry). Ruining a neighbor's business ('ajor kardan-e nan') is seen as the ultimate betrayal of this code. Many social realist films (like those of Asghar Farhadi) revolve around the fear of losing one's 'Aberoo' (reputation) and 'Nan' (livelihood). The concept of 'Ruzi-ye Halal' (rightfully earned sustenance) is central. Interfering with someone's 'Halal' income is considered a 'Hagh-on-nas' (violation of people's rights), which is a grave sin.
The Power of Bread
Remember that using this phrase is a serious accusation. It implies the other person is heartless.
Tehran Dialect
In Tehran, say 'Noon' instead of 'Nan' to sound more like a local: 'Noonamo ajor kard'.
Meaning
To cause someone to lose their source of income or job.
The Power of Bread
Remember that using this phrase is a serious accusation. It implies the other person is heartless.
Tehran Dialect
In Tehran, say 'Noon' instead of 'Nan' to sound more like a local: 'Noonamo ajor kard'.
Don't use with 'be'
It's always 'Nan RA ajor kardan', never 'Nan BE ajor kardan'.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence with the correct words.
او با این گزارش دروغین، نان همکارش را ______ کرد.
The idiom specifically uses 'ajor' (brick).
Which situation best fits the idiom?
When would you say 'نان کسی را آجر کردن'?
The idiom means to ruin someone's source of income.
Complete the dialogue.
A: چرا ناراحتی؟ B: مدیر نونم رو ______ کرد. اخراجم کرد.
The phrase 'نونم رو آجر کرد' means 'he ruined my livelihood/fired me'.
Match the action to the idiom.
Which of these is an example of 'nan-bori' (bread-cutting)?
Nan-bori is a synonym for ruining a livelihood.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesاو با این گزارش دروغین، نان همکارش را ______ کرد.
The idiom specifically uses 'ajor' (brick).
When would you say 'نان کسی را آجر کردن'?
The idiom means to ruin someone's source of income.
A: چرا ناراحتی؟ B: مدیر نونم رو ______ کرد. اخراجم کرد.
The phrase 'نونم رو آجر کرد' means 'he ruined my livelihood/fired me'.
Which of these is an example of 'nan-bori' (bread-cutting)?
Nan-bori is a synonym for ruining a livelihood.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt is not 'vulgar', but it is very confrontational. Use it when you are genuinely upset about a job loss.
Yes! 'Nanam ajor shod' (My bread was bricked) is a common way to say 'I lost my job'.
There isn't a direct single idiom, but 'Nan-resani' (delivering bread) means helping someone find work.
Mostly, but it can apply to any steady source of income, like a rental property or a pension.
Yes, especially in opinion pieces or social commentary in newspapers.
Because a brick is the ultimate 'non-food'. It's hard, dry, and impossible to eat.
Yes, that is the infinitive form of the idiom.
Yes, 'Nan-bori' is a very common synonym, often used as a noun.
Yes, it's a timeless idiom that hasn't gone out of style.
Yes, you can say a new law 'bricked the bread' of a whole industry.
Related Phrases
نانبری کردن
synonymTo cut someone's bread/income.
از نان خوردن افتادن
similarTo lose one's source of income.
نانخور
builds onA dependent; someone who eats your bread.
نان آور
contrastBreadwinner.
کاسه و کوزه کسی را به هم زدن
similarTo mess up someone's business/plans.
