Meaning
To deprive someone of their livelihood or means of earning money.
Cultural Background
The word 'Ruzi' is often paired with 'Barakat' (blessing). Iranians believe that if you help others keep their Ruzi, your own wealth will have more Barakat. In the traditional market, 'Dasht' (the first sale of the day) is sacred. Interfering with a neighbor's Dasht is seen as a form of cutting their Ruzi. In Islamic tradition, 'Al-Razzaq' (The Provider) is one of the names of God. Cutting Ruzi is seen as trying to override God's provision. Despite modern labor laws, this idiom is still the primary way Iranians express the emotional and moral weight of being fired.
Use with Empathy
This phrase is very emotional. Use it when you want to show you care about someone's struggle.
Not for Quitting
Don't use this if you quit your job. It's only for when someone *else* takes your income away.
Meaning
To deprive someone of their livelihood or means of earning money.
Use with Empathy
This phrase is very emotional. Use it when you want to show you care about someone's struggle.
Not for Quitting
Don't use this if you quit your job. It's only for when someone *else* takes your income away.
The 'Nan' Alternative
If you want to sound like a local in a coffee shop, say 'Nun-esho boridan' instead of the formal version.
Religious Nuance
Remember that 'Ruzi' implies God gave the money. Using this phrase suggests the person doing the firing is acting against God's will.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing word to complete the idiom.
مدیر نباید به خاطر یک اشتباه، _______ کارگر را قطع کند.
'Ruzi' is the correct term for livelihood in this idiom.
Which sentence uses the idiom correctly?
Select the correct usage:
The idiom must apply to a person (or animal) who earns or receives sustenance.
Complete the dialogue with the appropriate phrase.
A: چرا ناراحتی؟ B: چون رئیسم منو اخراج کرد و ...
The speaker is talking about their own livelihood being cut by the boss.
Match the situation to the idiom's meaning.
A company closes its local branch, leaving 50 people without jobs.
Closing a branch and leaving people jobless is the definition of cutting their livelihood.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Formal vs Informal
Practice Bank
4 exercisesمدیر نباید به خاطر یک اشتباه، _______ کارگر را قطع کند.
'Ruzi' is the correct term for livelihood in this idiom.
Select the correct usage:
The idiom must apply to a person (or animal) who earns or receives sustenance.
A: چرا ناراحتی؟ B: چون رئیسم منو اخراج کرد و ...
The speaker is talking about their own livelihood being cut by the boss.
A company closes its local branch, leaving 50 people without jobs.
Closing a branch and leaving people jobless is the definition of cutting their livelihood.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, it's not rude, but it is very serious and accusatory if directed at a boss.
Yes, if you stop feeding a street cat, you could say you cut its Ruzi.
They are synonyms. Rezq is the Arabic word, Ruzi is Persian. Rezq sounds even more formal/religious.
It might be too emotional for a standard business email. Stick to 'تعدیل نیرو' (downsizing) for professional contexts.
Usually, but it can also mean closing a shop or stealing a client.
Say 'روزیام قطع شد' (Ruzi-yam ghat shod).
Yes, 'Ruzi' is understood across the Persian-speaking world, though local variations exist.
Yes, 'روزی کسی را رساندن' (to bring someone their livelihood/to help them earn).
Very common in Iranian dramas, especially when a 'villain' fires a 'hero'.
It's usually for a total loss of income, but you could use it for a severe pay cut that makes living impossible.
Related Phrases
نان کسی را بریدن
synonymTo cut someone's bread
از نان خوردن افتادن
similarTo lose one's ability to earn bread
نانبر
builds onA person who cuts others' livelihoods
روزیرسان
contrastThe provider of sustenance
کاسه گدایی به دست گرفتن
builds onTo hold a begging bowl
