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B1 adjective 10 min read

عفونی

Examples عفونی in 30 Seconds
Explanation عفونی in your Level:
At the A1 level, you only need to know that 'ofuni' (عفونی) means 'infected' or 'very dirty' in a way that makes you sick. You might hear it when a doctor looks at a cut on your hand. It's a word that helps you understand why you need medicine. Think of it as 'bad germs.' You can use it in very simple sentences like 'The wound is infected' (Zakhm ofuni ast). It is important for basic health safety. If someone says something is 'ofuni,' do not touch it! It is a basic warning word for your health and safety in a Persian-speaking environment.
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At the A2 level, you can start using 'ofuni' to describe common illnesses. You might say 'I have an infectious disease' (Man bimari-ye ofuni daram) when explaining why you can't go to work or school. You also learn the opposite concept: 'zed-e-ofuni' (disinfectant). This is very useful for shopping. You can ask for 'disinfectant gel' in a pharmacy. You understand that this word is different from just 'dirty' (kasif). 'Ofuni' means there are microbes that can cause a fever or pain. You can use it to describe a sore throat or a red, swollen finger.
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At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using 'ofuni' in various medical and social contexts. You understand the grammar of the 'Ezafe' construction (e.g., 'bakhsh-e ofuni'). You can differentiate between an infection (ofunat) and being infected (ofuni). You might use it to discuss public health issues or to understand news reports about outbreaks. You know that 'ofuni' is a formal word and use it when talking to professionals like doctors or teachers. You also start to see it in compound words like 'ofuni-shodan' (to become infected) and can use them in the past and future tenses.
At the B2 level, you understand the nuances between 'ofuni' and similar words like 'mosri' (contagious) or 'cherki' (purulent). You can read medical brochures or health news with ease. You use 'ofuni' to describe environmental issues, like 'infectious waste' (zobale-haye ofuni) or 'contaminated water.' You can engage in a detailed conversation with a doctor about symptoms and the nature of an infection. You also recognize the word in more abstract settings, such as a 'corrupt or infected' social environment, though you primarily use it in its literal, biological sense.
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At the C1 level, you use 'ofuni' with precision in academic or professional discussions. You understand its metaphorical power in literature and political commentary to describe things that 'poison' or 'infect' a society's mind or culture. You are familiar with technical terms like 'shock-e ofuni' (septic shock) and 'bare ofuni' (infectious load). You can write reports or essays using the word to describe complex biological processes. You also understand the historical and etymological roots of the word and how it has evolved in the Persian language over centuries, especially in the context of classical Persian medicine.
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At the C2 level, 'ofuni' is a tool for sophisticated expression. You can use it to create vivid imagery in creative writing, comparing emotional states or ideological movements to infectious diseases. You have a deep understanding of its usage in classical texts and how modern medical Persian has standardized its meaning. You can debate public health policy, using the term to discuss epidemiology and the socio-economic impacts of infectious diseases. You use the word and its derivatives with native-level fluency, perfectly matching the register to the audience, whether in a high-level medical symposium or a poetic critique of society.
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Examples

عفونی in 30 Seconds

  • عفونی (ofuni) is a Persian adjective meaning 'infected' or 'infectious,' primarily used in medical, hygiene, and public health contexts to describe septic conditions.
  • It is derived from 'ofunat' (infection) and is used to distinguish between simple dirtiness and biological contamination that requires medical attention or disinfection.
  • Commonly found in phrases like 'bimari-ye ofuni' (infectious disease) and 'bakhsh-e ofuni' (infectious ward), it is a vital word for health-related communication.
  • While mostly literal, it can be used metaphorically in formal Persian to describe corruptive influences or 'infected' social and political environments.

The Persian word عفونی (pronounced 'ofuni') is a fundamental adjective in the Persian language, primarily used to describe something that is infected, septic, or related to an infection. Derived from the noun عفونت ('ofunat'), which means 'infection' or 'decay,' this adjective bridges the gap between everyday health concerns and specialized medical terminology. In a literal sense, it characterizes wounds, organs, or substances that have been invaded by pathogenic microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, or fungi. However, its utility extends far beyond the doctor's office. Understanding عفونی is crucial for any learner because it appears constantly in news reports regarding public health, in discussions about hygiene, and even in metaphorical contexts describing corruptive influences.

Medical Context
In healthcare settings, you will hear terms like بیماری‌های عفونی (infectious diseases) or بخش عفونی (infectious disease ward). It describes the nature of a condition rather than just the presence of a germ.
Sanitation and Hygiene
It is used to warn people about زباله‌های عفونی (infectious waste), such as used needles or bandages in a hospital, which require special disposal methods.

پزشک معالج نگران است که زخم بیمار عفونی شده باشد.
The treating physician is concerned that the patient's wound might have become infected.

Historically, the root of this word in Arabic signifies rot and stench. In Persian, while the 'stench' aspect is less emphasized in common speech, the 'decay' or 'pathological' element remains central. When you describe a situation as عفونی, you are implying a state of biological impurity that requires intervention. It is a word that carries a sense of urgency and caution. For instance, during the global pandemic, the phrase عوامل عفونی (infectious agents) was ubiquitous in Iranian media, helping the public understand the invisible threats in the environment.

باید از تماس با مواد عفونی خودداری کنید.
You must avoid contact with infectious materials.

Environmental Usage
It can describe 'infected' water or soil, particularly in the context of biological contamination from sewage or industrial runoff.

In literature or high-level journalism, عفونی can take on a metaphorical meaning. One might speak of an 'infected atmosphere' in a political sense, where corruption or hatred has spread like a disease through a community. This usage emphasizes the destructive and self-replicating nature of the problem, much like a bacterial infection spreading through tissue. Understanding this word allows you to navigate both the physical world of health and the abstract world of societal issues in Persian-speaking cultures.

این منطقه به دلیل فاضلاب، محیطی عفونی پیدا کرده است.
This area has developed an infected environment due to sewage.

Mastering the usage of عفونی requires understanding its grammatical placement and its common pairings. As an adjective, its most frequent role is as an attributive modifier following a noun. In Persian, this is achieved through the Ezafe construction. For example, if you want to say 'infected wound,' you take the word for wound (zakhm) and add the word for infected (ofuni), resulting in زخمِ عفونی (zakhm-e ofuni). This structure is the backbone of medical and descriptive Persian.

Predicative Use
When using the word as a complement to a verb (like 'to be' or 'to become'), it appears at the end of the phrase. Example: In zakhm ofuni ast (This wound is infected). Common verbs used with it include شدن (to become) and بودن (to be).

چشم‌های کودک به دلیل گرد و غبار عفونی شده‌اند.
The child's eyes have become infected due to dust.

Another important aspect is the pluralization and formal vs. informal registers. In formal writing, such as a medical report or a newspaper article, عفونی is strictly used for biological contexts. In informal speech, however, people might use it more loosely to describe anything that looks 'gross' or 'dirty' in a way that suggests germs. For instance, a child might be warned not to touch a 'dirty' (ofuni) toy found in the street. While 'kasif' (dirty) is more common, 'ofuni' adds a layer of 'dangerously dirty.'

متخصص بیماری‌های عفونی داروهای جدیدی تجویز کرد.
The infectious disease specialist prescribed new medications.

Compound Phrases
You will often see it in compounds like ضدعفونی (disinfection/disinfectant). The prefix zed- means 'anti-'. So, zed-e-ofuni kardan means 'to disinfect'. This is a vital verb for daily life, especially in the kitchen or hospital.

When describing symptoms, Persian speakers use عفونی to specify the nature of a discharge or a pain. A 'septoc sore throat' would be galu-dard-e ofuni. This distinguishes it from a simple sore throat caused by dryness or shouting. By adding this adjective, you provide a diagnosis-level detail to your speech. It also appears in scientific discussions about چرخه عفونی (infectious cycle) or بار عفونی (infectious load), showing its versatility from the street to the lab.

آیا این صابون خاصیت ضدعفونی‌کنندگی دارد؟
Does this soap have disinfectant properties?

بسیاری از مرگ‌ومیرها ناشی از شوک عفونی هستند.
Many deaths are caused by septic shock.

The word عفونی is ubiquitous in Iranian society, appearing in a variety of settings from high-stakes medical environments to everyday household conversations. If you walk into any hospital in Tehran or Shiraz, you will see signs pointing toward the Bakhsh-e Ofuni (Infectious Diseases Ward). This is one of the most common places the word is physically displayed. Medical professionals use it constantly when discussing patient charts, specifically when differentiating between viral, bacterial, and non-infectious conditions.

News and Media
During health crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic or seasonal flu outbreaks, news anchors on IRIB (Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting) frequently use the term بیماری‌های عفونی to describe the spread of the virus. It is also used in health segments of newspapers like 'Ettela'at' or 'Shargh'.

گزارش‌ها حاکی از افزایش موارد عفونی در مناطق سیل‌زده است.
Reports indicate an increase in infectious cases in flood-affected areas.

In schools and parenting circles, the word is a staple. Parents often discuss whether a child's fever is ofuni (bacterial/infected) or just a simple cold. This distinction is vital in Iran, as it often determines whether a trip to the pharmacy for antibiotics is necessary. Pharmacists themselves use the word when explaining how to use topical ointments for zakhm-haye ofuni (infected wounds).

بخش عفونی بیمارستان در طبقه دوم قرار دارد.
The infectious ward of the hospital is located on the second floor.

Public Service Announcements
In public toilets or transit hubs, you might see posters about پیشگیری از بیماری‌های عفونی (prevention of infectious diseases), emphasizing handwashing and sanitation. The word acts as a serious warning in these contexts.

Finally, in the realm of environmental science and urban planning, عفونی is used to discuss water quality. If a river is contaminated with biological waste, experts will call it ab-e ofuni. This carries a much heavier weight than just 'polluted' (aludeh), as it implies a direct risk of disease outbreak. Hearing this word in a public announcement usually means one should boil water or avoid a specific area entirely.

آلودگی‌های عفونی می‌توانند به سرعت در آب پخش شوند.
Infectious pollutants can spread rapidly in water.

دندان‌پزشک گفت که ریشه دندان شما عفونی شده است.
The dentist said that the root of your tooth has become infected.

One of the most frequent errors English speakers make when using عفونی is confusing it with its related noun or other similar adjectives. Because English uses 'infection' (noun) and 'infected' (adjective) which sound quite different, learners often mix up ofunat (noun) and ofuni (adjective). Saying 'I have an infected' (Man ofuni daram) is incorrect; you must say 'I have an infection' (Man ofunat daram) or 'My wound is infected' (Zakhm-am ofuni ast).

Ofuni vs. Mosri
As mentioned before, عفونی means infected/septic, while مسری (mosri) means contagious. A common mistake is using 'ofuni' to describe a cold just because it's catching. While a cold is an infection, if you want to emphasize that others can catch it, 'mosri' is the correct term. 'Ofuni' focuses on the state of the patient's body, not the transmission.
Ofuni vs. Aludeh
آلوده (aludeh) means 'contaminated' or 'polluted.' While all 'ofuni' things are 'aludeh,' not all 'aludeh' things are 'ofuni.' For example, air pollution (aludegi-ye hava) is not 'ofuni' because it's usually chemical, not biological. Use 'ofuni' only when germs or rot are involved.

اشتباه: این هوا عفونی است. (درست: آلوده است)
Mistake: This air is infected. (Correct: This air is polluted).

Another nuance involves the word cherki (pus-filled). While عفونی is the clinical and polite term, cherki is more descriptive of what you actually see. Using ofuni in a casual context might sound a bit too formal, like saying 'I have a septic laceration' instead of 'my cut is nasty.' However, in any serious discussion about health, عفونی is the safer, more respectful choice. Avoid using it for simple dirt like mud on a shoe; for that, stick to kasif.

اشتباه: کفش‌هایم عفونی هستند. (درست: کثیف هستند)
Mistake: My shoes are infected. (Correct: My shoes are dirty).

Finally, watch out for the pronunciation. The first vowel is a short 'o' (like in 'old'), and the 'u' is a long 'oo' sound. Mispronouncing it as 'afuni' or 'efuni' might make it hard for locals to understand, as Persian is very sensitive to vowel quality. Practice the transition from the glottal stop (the 'ayn) to the 'o' sound to sound like a native speaker.

او به بیماری عفونی مبتلا شده است.
He has contracted an infectious disease. (Correct use of 'ofuni' with 'bimari').

To truly master Persian, you need to know the spectrum of words related to 'infection' and 'dirtiness.' While عفونی is the standard adjective for 'infected,' several other words occupy nearby semantic space. Understanding the differences between them will allow you to be more precise in your descriptions and better understand the nuances of native speech.

چرکی (Cherki)
چرکی specifically means 'purulent' or 'pus-filled.' While an infected wound is often purulent, 'ofuni' is the medical condition, and 'cherki' is the physical appearance. You might say galu-ye cherki for a strep throat where you can see white spots.
میکروبی (Mikrobi)
میکروبی means 'microbial.' It is used when you want to emphasize the biological cause. For example, aludegi-ye mikrobi (microbial contamination). It is more scientific and less about the state of the wound than 'ofuni'.
فاسد (Fased)
فاسد means 'rotten' or 'spoiled,' usually applied to food or morals. While a rotten piece of meat is technically 'ofuni' (infected with bacteria), we almost always use 'fased' for food. Using 'ofuni' for food would sound very strange, like you're performing an autopsy on a sandwich.

مقایسه: گوشت فاسد (غذا) vs زخم عفونی (بدن).
Comparison: Rotten meat (food) vs. Infected wound (body).

Another interesting alternative is واگیردار (vagirdar), which is the more common, colloquial word for 'contagious' (as opposed to the formal 'mosri'). If you are sick and want to tell a friend to stay away, you say mariz-iam vagirdar-e. You wouldn't usually say 'my disease is ofuni' in that context because it doesn't clearly communicate the risk to the other person.

ناپاک (Napak)
ناپاک means 'unclean' or 'impure.' It is often used in a religious or spiritual sense. While an infected wound is physically 'napak,' using the word 'ofuni' grounds the conversation in science and medicine rather than religion.

In formal writing, you might also encounter سپتیک (septic), which is a direct loanword from English/French used in highly technical medical contexts. However, عفونی remains the standard for 99% of situations. By knowing these alternatives, you can choose the word that best fits the formality of the situation and the specific type of 'infection' you are describing.

او به دلیل یک گلو‌درد چرکی نتوانست صحبت کند.
He couldn't speak because of a purulent (pus-filled) sore throat.

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Examples by Level

1

دست من عفونی است.

My hand is infected.

Simple subject + adjective + 'ast' (is).

2

این آب عفونی است؟

Is this water infected/contaminated?

Question formed by intonation.

3

زخم او عفونی نیست.

His/her wound is not infected.

Negative form using 'nist' (is not).

4

غذا نباید عفونی باشد.

Food should not be infected/spoiled.

Use of 'nabayad' (should not).

5

بیمارستان بخش عفونی دارد.

The hospital has an infectious ward.

Verb 'dashtan' (to have) at the end.

6

صابون ضدعفونی بخرید.

Buy disinfectant soap.

Imperative verb 'bekharid' (buy).

7

این محیط عفونی است.

This environment is infected.

Demonstrative 'in' (this).

8

پزشک بخش عفونی کجاست؟

Where is the infectious ward doctor?

Question word 'koja' (where).

1

چشم‌هایش به خاطر میکروب عفونی شد.

His eyes became infected because of microbes.

Past tense 'shod' (became).

2

آیا شما بیماری عفونی دارید؟

Do you have an infectious disease?

Formal 'shoma' (you).

3

باید دست‌ها را ضدعفونی کنیم.

We must disinfect our hands.

Modal 'bayad' + subjunctive.

4

این دارو برای زخم‌های عفونی خوب است.

This medicine is good for infected wounds.

Preposition 'baraye' (for).

5

او در بخش عفونی بستری است.

He is hospitalized in the infectious ward.

Compound verb 'bastari budan'.

6

گوش من خیلی درد می‌کند و عفونی شده است.

My ear hurts a lot and has become infected.

Present perfect 'shodeh ast'.

7

آشغال‌های عفونی را اینجا نریزید.

Do not throw infectious trash here.

Negative imperative.

8

دکتر گفت این یک گلو‌درد عفونی است.

The doctor said this is an infectious sore throat.

Reported speech structure.

1

بیماری‌های عفونی معمولاً با تب همراه هستند.

Infectious diseases are usually accompanied by fever.

Plural noun + plural verb.

2

اگر زخم را تمیز نکنی، عفونی می‌شود.

If you don't clean the wound, it will become infected.

Conditional sentence Type 1.

3

متخصص بیماری‌های عفونی باید شما را ببیند.

An infectious disease specialist must see you.

Compound noun with Ezafe.

4

این منطقه به دلیل سیل، محیطی عفونی پیدا کرده است.

This area has developed an infected environment due to the flood.

Perfect tense 'peyda kardeh ast'.

5

استفاده از سرنگ‌های آلوده باعث بیماری‌های عفونی می‌شود.

Using contaminated syringes causes infectious diseases.

Gerund-like subject 'estefadeh az...'.

6

آیا این صابون خاصیت ضدعفونی‌کنندگی دارد؟

Does this soap have disinfectant properties?

Complex noun phrase 'khasiat-e zed-e-ofuni-konandegi'.

7

او به دلیل عفونی شدن ریه‌هایش در بیمارستان است.

He is in the hospital because of his lungs becoming infected.

Infinitive as a noun 'ofuni shodan'.

8

باید از تماس با وسایل عفونی خودداری کرد.

One must avoid contact with infectious equipment.

Impersonal 'bayad... kard'.

1

کنترل بیماری‌های عفونی در جوامع پرجمعیت دشوار است.

Controlling infectious diseases in populated societies is difficult.

Complex subject phrase.

2

پزشکان نگران گسترش عوامل عفونی در بیمارستان هستند.

Doctors are concerned about the spread of infectious agents in the hospital.

Noun 'gostaresh' (spread).

3

این آزمایش نشان می‌دهد که خون شما عفونی نیست.

This test shows that your blood is not infected.

Subordinate clause starting with 'ke'.

4

زباله‌های عفونی باید طبق استانداردهای خاصی دفع شوند.

Infectious waste must be disposed of according to specific standards.

Passive voice 'daf' shavand'.

5

بسیاری از مرگ‌ومیرها ناشی از شوک عفونی هستند.

Many deaths are caused by septic shock.

Phrase 'nashi az' (resulting from).

6

او مقاله‌ای درباره تاریخچه بیماری‌های عفونی نوشت.

He wrote an article about the history of infectious diseases.

Prepositional phrase 'darbare-ye'.

7

تشخیص زودهنگام وضعیت عفونی می‌تواند جان بیمار را نجات دهد.

Early diagnosis of an infected state can save the patient's life.

Compound subject with adjective.

8

آب‌های زیرزمینی در معرض آلودگی‌های عفونی قرار دارند.

Groundwater is exposed to infectious pollutants.

Idiom 'dar maraz-e... gharar dashtan'.

1

اپیدمیولوژیست‌ها در حال بررسی منشأ این کانون عفونی هستند.

Epidemiologists are investigating the origin of this infectious focal point.

Continuous present 'dar hal-e barresi'.

2

نویسنده از استعاره‌ای عفونی برای توصیف فساد سیاسی استفاده کرد.

The author used an infectious metaphor to describe political corruption.

Metaphorical use of 'ofuni'.

3

مقاومت آنتی‌بیوتیکی درمان بیماری‌های عفونی را با چالش مواجه کرده است.

Antibiotic resistance has challenged the treatment of infectious diseases.

Complex object phrase.

4

بار عفونی محیط پس از گندزدایی به شدت کاهش یافت.

The infectious load of the environment decreased sharply after disinfection.

Technical term 'bare ofuni'.

5

تداخلات دارویی در بیماران عفونی با وضعیت وخیم بسیار شایع است.

Drug interactions are very common in infectious patients with critical conditions.

Adjective 'vakhim' (critical).

6

این پژوهش به بررسی سازوکارهای دفاعی در برابر حملات عفونی می‌پردازد.

This research examines defense mechanisms against infectious attacks.

Formal verb 'mi-pardazad'.

7

توسعه واکسن‌ها انقلابی در پیشگیری از بیماری‌های عفونی ایجاد کرد.

The development of vaccines created a revolution in the prevention of infectious diseases.

Noun 'enghelab' (revolution).

8

سیستم ایمنی ضعیف، بدن را در برابر هرگونه عامل عفونی آسیب‌پذیر می‌کند.

A weak immune system makes the body vulnerable to any infectious agent.

Adjective 'asib-pazir' (vulnerable).

1

در متون طب سنتی، مفاهیم عفونی با واژگانی متفاوت توصیف شده‌اند.

In traditional medicine texts, infectious concepts are described with different vocabulary.

Passive present perfect.

2

پدیده 'سرایت روانی' را می‌توان نوعی ابتلای عفونی در ساحت اندیشه دانست.

The phenomenon of 'psychological contagion' can be considered a type of infectious affliction in the realm of thought.

Philosophical/Abstract use.

3

پیچیدگی‌های ژنتیکی پاتوژن‌های عفونی مانع از دستیابی به درمانی قطعی می‌شود.

The genetic complexities of infectious pathogens prevent achieving a definitive cure.

Formal 'mane' az... shodan'.

4

مدیریت بحران در مواجهه با شیوع گسترده بیماری‌های نوپدید عفونی الزامی است.

Crisis management is mandatory when facing widespread outbreaks of emerging infectious diseases.

Formal adjective 'elzami'.

5

تخریب زیرساخت‌های بهداشتی، بستری عفونی برای بازگشت بیماری‌های ریشه‌کن شده فراهم آورد.

The destruction of health infrastructure provided an infectious bed for the return of eradicated diseases.

Metaphorical 'bastar' (bed/context).

6

واکاوی اپیدمی‌های تاریخی نشان‌دهنده تاثیر عمیق بیماری‌های عفونی بر سرنوشت تمدن‌هاست.

Analyzing historical epidemics shows the profound impact of infectious diseases on the fate of civilizations.

Formal noun 'vakavi' (analysis).

7

توازن میان میزبان و عامل عفونی، موضوعی کلیدی در زیست‌شناسی تکاملی است.

The balance between the host and the infectious agent is a key topic in evolutionary biology.

Technical 'zist-shenasi-ye takamoli'.

8

گفتمان‌های نفرت‌پراکن چونان زخمی عفونی پیکره جامعه را می‌آزارند.

Hate-mongering discourses harass the body of society like an infected wound.

Poetic simile using 'chonan'.

Common Collocations

بیماری عفونی
بخش عفونی
زخم عفونی
زباله عفونی
عامل عفونی
شوک عفونی
مواد عفونی
محیط عفونی
آلودگی عفونی
کانون عفونی
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