Meaning
To exploit someone severely or make them suffer greatly.
Cultural Background
In Iranian schools, 'pust kandan' is often used by students to describe the 'Konkur' (National University Entrance Exam) experience. Bazaar merchants use this to describe high taxes or high rents that 'skin' their profits. Soldiers during their mandatory service (Sarbazi) frequently use this to describe the rigors of training. It's a common 'maternal threat' in Iran, usually delivered with a specific tone that implies discipline rather than actual violence.
Use the Passive for Self
When talking about your own struggle, use 'Pust-am kande shod' (My skin was peeled). It sounds more natural than 'Pust-am ra kandand'.
Too Aggressive?
Be careful using this with people you don't know well; it can sound like you are complaining too much or being too dramatic.
Meaning
To exploit someone severely or make them suffer greatly.
Use the Passive for Self
When talking about your own struggle, use 'Pust-am kande shod' (My skin was peeled). It sounds more natural than 'Pust-am ra kandand'.
Too Aggressive?
Be careful using this with people you don't know well; it can sound like you are complaining too much or being too dramatic.
The 'Pust-kandeh' Adjective
If you want to tell someone to be 'brutally honest', tell them: 'Pust-kandeh harf bezan' (Speak peeled).
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the idiom.
استاد با این تکالیف زیاد، واقعاً پوست ما را ______.
The verb for this idiom is always 'kandan' (to peel/dig).
Which sentence means 'I worked very hard'?
کدام جمله به معنی 'خیلی تلاش کردم' است؟
'Pust-am kande shod' is the standard way to express suffering through hard work.
Fill in the missing part of the dialogue.
علی: چرا نرفتی مهمانی؟ سارا: نتوانستم، رئیسم داشت ______.
The context implies the boss was overworking her.
Match the situation to the use of 'pust kandan'.
Match: 1. Strict Coach, 2. Expensive Shop, 3. Angry Parent
The idiom applies to anyone in a position to cause hardship or high cost.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesاستاد با این تکالیف زیاد، واقعاً پوست ما را ______.
The verb for this idiom is always 'kandan' (to peel/dig).
کدام جمله به معنی 'خیلی تلاش کردم' است؟
'Pust-am kande shod' is the standard way to express suffering through hard work.
علی: چرا نرفتی مهمانی؟ سارا: نتوانستم، رئیسم داشت ______.
The context implies the boss was overworking her.
Match: 1. Strict Coach, 2. Expensive Shop, 3. Angry Parent
The idiom applies to anyone in a position to cause hardship or high cost.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt's not 'rude' (vulgar), but it is very informal. It's safe to use with friends, but avoid it with your CEO.
Usually no. It implies suffering. However, 'pust-andakhtan' (shedding skin) can be positive growth.
'Pust kandan' is skinning, 'Pedar dar-avardan' is bringing out the father. They mean the same thing, but 'pust kandan' feels a bit more like 'hard work'.
Say 'Pust-am kande shod!' (پوستم کنده شد).
Yes! 'Pust-e moshtari ra kandan' means to overcharge a customer significantly.
In modern novels and dialogue, yes. In formal academic papers, no.
Not necessarily. You can say 'Pust-e khodam ra kandam' (I skinned myself) to mean I worked incredibly hard.
Forgetting the 'ra' or the possessive. It's always 'Pust-E [Person] ra kandan'.
Yes, 'Dahan-e kasi ra servis kardan' is the common slang equivalent.
Usually, it's for metaphorical pain (work/stress), but it can be used for a very painful physical experience like a marathon.
Related Phrases
پدر کسی را درآوردن
synonymTo make someone suffer greatly
پوست انداختن
similarTo undergo a major change
پوست کلفت
contrastThick-skinned
اشک کسی را درآوردن
similarTo make someone cry
سرویس کردن
slangTo 'service' (destroy) someone
