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A1 verb #2,000 most common 7 min read

انتقاد کردن

enteqad kardan
At the A1 level, 'انتقاد کردن' (enteghād kardan) is a bit advanced, but it's useful to know as 'to say something is bad'. You can think of it as the opposite of 'praising'. At this stage, just remember the basic structure: 'Subject + az + Object + enteghād mikonad'. For example, 'He criticizes the food'. You don't need to worry about complex tenses. Just focus on the fact that 'enteghād' is the 'criticism' and 'kardan' is the 'doing'. It's a compound verb, which is very common in Persian. Even at A1, knowing this word helps you express your opinion beyond just saying 'I don't like this'. It shows you are evaluating something. Remember to always use 'az' before the thing you are criticizing. If you forget 'az', the sentence won't make sense to a native speaker. Think of 'az' as 'about' in this specific context, even though it usually means 'from'.
At the A2 level, you should start using 'انتقاد کردن' in different simple tenses like the past (enteghād kardam) and the present continuous (dāram enteghād mikonam). You should also learn the noun 'enteghād' (criticism) on its own. For instance, 'In enteghād khub ast' (This criticism is good). You can start using simple adjectives with it, like 'enteghād-e sakht' (harsh criticism) or 'enteghād-e kuchak' (small criticism). At this level, you might hear it in school or at work. It's important to distinguish it from 'bad goftan' (saying bad things). 'Enteghād kardan' is more formal and polite. If you want to tell a friend you are giving them feedback, this is the word to use. You should also be aware that the 'kardan' part changes for different people (mikonam, mikoni, mikonad, etc.), while the 'enteghād' part stays the same.
By B1, you should be comfortable using 'انتقاد کردن' in more complex sentences, including those with conjunctions like 'chon' (because) or 'agar' (if). You should understand the difference between this verb and 'irād gereftan' (to nitpick). A B1 learner should be able to say: 'I criticized him because he was late'. You should also start recognizing the word 'monatghed' (critic). If you read a movie review, the person writing it is a 'monatghed'. You can also use the word in the negative: 'nabāyad enteghād koni' (you shouldn't criticize). This level involves understanding the social context—knowing that 'enteghād' is a tool for improvement. You might also encounter the phrase 'enteghād-e sāzande' (constructive criticism) and should be able to use it in a sentence about your studies or work projects.
At the B2 level, you are expected to use 'انتقاد کردن' with nuance. This includes using adverbs like 'shadidan' (severely), 'monsefāne' (fairly), or 'bi-rahmāne' (mercilessly). You should also be familiar with the passive structure 'mored-e enteghād gharār gereftan' (to be criticized). For example, 'The new law was criticized by the media'. You should be able to participate in a debate and say 'Man az in nazariye enteghād mikonam' (I criticize this theory). At this stage, you understand that 'enteghād' is not just about being negative; it's about analysis. You should also know the word 'enteghād-pazir' (open to criticism) and be able to describe someone's personality using it. Your sentences should be longer and include more specific details about *why* the criticism is being made, using advanced connectors like 'ba in hāl' (however) or 'dar natije' (as a result).
At the C1 level, 'انتقاد کردن' becomes a tool for sophisticated discourse. You should be able to discuss the role of 'enteghād' in democracy, literature, and art. You will use the verb in the subjunctive mood (e.g., 'mohem ast ke enteghād konim') and in complex conditional sentences. You should also be familiar with literary synonyms like 'nokuhesh kardan' or 'malāmat kardan' and know when to use them instead of 'enteghād kardan'. A C1 learner can write an essay analyzing a book and use 'enteghād' to describe the author's critique of society. You should also understand the cultural sensitivity around criticism in Iran and be able to use 'softening' language (ehaam or kenāye) when expressing a critique. You should be able to distinguish between 'enteghād-e dātheli' (internal criticism) and 'enteghād-e khāreji' (external criticism) in a political or organizational context.
At the C2 level, you have a masterly command of 'انتقاد کردن' and its entire word family. You can use it in highly formal, academic, or poetic contexts. You understand the deep etymological roots of the word 'Naqd' and how it relates to 'Nagh-e Adabi' (Literary Criticism). You can engage in high-level intellectual debates, using the verb to deconstruct complex arguments. You are aware of the subtle differences between 'enteghād', 'e'terāz' (protest), and 'vākonesh' (reaction). You can use the verb in archaic or highly literary forms if necessary (e.g., using 'nemudan' instead of 'kardan'). You also understand the use of 'enteghād' in classical Persian philosophy and how it has been used by modern Iranian intellectuals to shape social discourse. Your usage is indistinguishable from that of an educated native speaker, characterized by perfect prepositional use, appropriate register, and the ability to use the word metaphorically.
Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

انتقاد کردن in 30 Seconds

  • A compound verb meaning 'to criticize' or 'to review'.
  • Requires the preposition 'az' (از) for the object.
  • Can be constructive (sāzande) or harsh (shadid).
  • Essential for academic, professional, and political discussions.

The Persian verb انتقاد کردن (enteghād kardan) is a compound verb that serves as the primary way to express the act of criticizing, reviewing, or providing feedback. Rooted in the Arabic triliteral root n-q-d (نقد), which originally referred to the act of testing coins to distinguish genuine gold from counterfeit, the word has evolved in Persian to encompass the intellectual and social act of evaluating something's merits and faults. Unlike some languages where 'criticism' might carry a purely negative connotation, in Persian, انتقاد کردن can range from constructive feedback in a professional setting to harsh disapproval in a political or personal context.

Core Concept
To analyze and point out the flaws or strengths of a person, a work of art, a policy, or an idea.
Grammatical Structure
It is a compound verb consisting of the noun 'enteghād' and the light verb 'kardan'. It always takes the preposition 'az' (from/of) to indicate the object of criticism.
Social Nuance
In Iranian culture, direct criticism can sometimes be seen as impolite; therefore, this verb is often used in formal or intellectual debates, while 'irād gereftan' might be used for nitpicking in casual settings.

"او همیشه از تصمیمات مدیر انتقاد می‌کند." (He always criticizes the manager's decisions.)

— Example of professional usage

To understand this word fully, one must look at its role in the 'Public Sphere' (Faza-ye Omumi). In Persian literature and modern journalism, enteghād is the cornerstone of progress. When a teacher evaluates a student's essay, they are 'enteghād kardan'. When a film critic writes a column, they are performing an 'enteghād'. It is a word that implies a level of intellectual engagement. It is not merely 'shouting' or 'hating'; it is the act of bringing a subject under the lens of scrutiny.

"ما باید یاد بگیریم چگونه بدون توهین، انتقاد کنیم." (We must learn how to criticize without insulting.)

Etymological Link
The word 'Naqd' (cash/critique) shares the same root. Just as cash is 'tangible and real', a critique is supposed to reveal the 'real' value of something.

In modern Persian, the word has also taken on a political dimension. Newspapers often have an 'Enteghād' section where policies are debated. If you are 'enteghād-pazir' (criticism-accepting), you are considered a mature and open-minded person. Conversely, 'enteghād-goriz' (criticism-fleeing) describes someone who cannot handle feedback.

Using انتقاد کردن correctly requires attention to its syntactic requirements, specifically the preposition از (az). In Persian, you do not 'criticize someone' directly; you 'perform criticism *from* someone'. This is a vital distinction for English speakers.

Sentence Formula
[Subject] + از + [Object] + انتقاد کردن
Tense Variations
Past: انتقاد کردم (I criticized) | Present: انتقاد می‌کنم (I criticize) | Future: انتقاد خواهم کرد (I will criticize).

"استاد از مقاله من انتقاد کرد."
(The professor criticized my article.)

When using this verb in a formal context, such as a business meeting or a university seminar, it is often paired with adverbs to soften the blow or specify the nature of the critique. For example, using shadidan (severely) or be-shiddat (strongly) indicates a harsh critique, while mosefane (fairly) indicates a balanced view.

The verb can also be used in the passive voice: mored-e enteghād gharār gereftan (to be the subject of criticism). This is very common in news reports: "The government was criticized for its new policy" would be "دولت مورد انتقاد قرار گرفت". This structure shifts the focus from who is criticizing to who is being criticized.

"این فیلم توسط بسیاری از منتقدان مورد انتقاد قرار گرفت."
(This film was criticized by many critics.)

Common Adverbs
1. تند (Tond) - Sharply | 2. آشکارا (Āshkārā) - Openly | 3. به‌حق (Be-hagh) - Justly.

The word انتقاد کردن is ubiquitous in Iranian society, appearing in diverse settings from the dinner table to the parliament floor. Understanding the context helps in choosing the right tone.

1. The News and Media
You will hear this daily on news channels like IRIB or BBC Persian. News anchors often report on how one political faction 'criticizes' another. Phrases like "نمایندگان مجلس از طرح جدید انتقاد کردند" (MPs criticized the new plan) are standard.
2. Academic and Educational Settings
In universities, 'enteghād' is part of the 'Nagh-e Adabi' (Literary Criticism) or 'Nagh-e Falsafi' (Philosophical Criticism) curriculum. Professors encourage students to criticize theories to develop critical thinking (tafakkor-e enteghādi).
"تفکر انتقادی یکی از مهارت‌های مهم زندگی است."
(Critical thinking is one of the important life skills.)

In the workplace, managers might use the term during performance reviews. However, because of the Iranian cultural concept of Ta'arof and the desire to maintain 'face' (aberu), criticism is often wrapped in layers of praise first. You might hear: "Your work is excellent, but I must criticize one small point..." (کار شما عالی است، اما باید از یک نکته کوچک انتقاد کنم...).

"مردم از کیفیت پایین خودروها انتقاد می‌کنند."
(People criticize the low quality of cars.)

3. Social Media
On platforms like Twitter (X) or Instagram, 'enteghād' is used in hashtags to debate social issues. It is the verb of the digital activist.

Learning to use انتقاد کردن involves avoiding several common pitfalls that even intermediate learners face. These mistakes usually stem from direct translation from English or confusing the verb with similar-sounding words.

1. Missing the Preposition 'Az'
The most common error is saying "من او را انتقاد کردم" (I criticized him - using the direct object marker 'rā'). This is incorrect. You must say "من از او انتقاد کردم".
2. Confusing with 'Irād Gereftan'
While both mean to find fault, 'Irād gereftan' is often used for petty, annoying, or constant fault-finding (nitpicking). 'Enteghād kardan' is more formal and substantial. Don't use 'enteghād kardan' if you're just complaining that your tea is too cold.

❌ Wrong: من کتاب را انتقاد کردم.
✅ Right: من از کتاب انتقاد کردم.

Another mistake is the confusion between the noun enteghād and the noun e'teghād (belief). They sound similar to a non-native ear but have completely different meanings. Criticizing someone's belief would be "انتقاد از اعتقاد کسی". Be careful with the 'n' and 'e' sounds!

"او همیشه ایراد می‌گیرد (nitpicks) ولی هیچ‌وقت انتقاد سازنده (constructive criticism) نمی‌کند."

3. Incorrect Light Verb
Never use 'dāshtan' or 'shodan' as the primary active form. It is always 'kardan' for the act of criticizing. 'Shodan' is only for the passive (being criticized).

Persian is rich with synonyms for 'criticizing', each carrying a specific weight and emotional tone. Choosing the right one is key to sounding like a native speaker.

1. ایراد گرفتن (Irād Gereftan)
To find fault or nitpick. Usually used in informal contexts or when the criticism is perceived as annoying or unnecessary.
Example: "مادرم همیشه از دستپخت من ایراد می‌گیرد."
2. سرزنش کردن (Sarzanesh Kardan)
To blame or reproach. This is more emotional than 'enteghād'. It implies that someone did something wrong and you are scolding them for it.
3. ملامت کردن (Malāmat Kardan)
A literary and formal version of 'sarzanesh kardan'. You find this often in classical poetry (like Hafez or Rumi) regarding the 'blamers' of love.
"منتقد (Critic) با ملامت‌گر (Blamer) تفاوت دارد."
(A critic is different from a blamer.)

There is also نکوهش کردن (Nokuhesh Kardan), which is highly formal and means to decry or strongly condemn. This is used in high-level political speeches or classical literature. If a government 'nokuhesh' another government's actions, it is a very serious diplomatic statement.

"او به جای سرزنش کردن فرزندش، سعی کرد از رفتار او انتقاد سازنده کند."
(Instead of blaming his child, he tried to provide constructive criticism of his behavior.)

How Formal Is It?

Formal

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Informal

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Difficulty Rating

Grammar to Know

Examples by Level

1

من از این غذا انتقاد می‌کنم.

I criticize this food.

Simple present tense with 'az'.

2

او از برادرش انتقاد کرد.

He criticized his brother.

Simple past tense.

3

آیا تو از من انتقاد می‌کنی؟

Are you criticizing me?

Question form in present tense.

4

ما از هتل انتقاد کردیم.

We criticized the hotel.

Plural subject 'mā'.

5

آن‌ها از فیلم انتقاد می‌کنند.

They criticize the movie.

Present tense plural.

6

دوستم از لباسم انتقاد کرد.

My friend criticized my clothes.

Possessive 'am' on 'lebās'.

7

باید از او انتقاد کنی.

You should criticize him.

Modal 'bāyad' with subjunctive.

8

چرا از من انتقاد کردی؟

Why did you criticize me?

Interrogative 'cherā'.

1

معلم از اشتباهات من انتقاد کرد.

The teacher criticized my mistakes.

Plural 'eshtebāhāt'.

2

او همیشه از همه چیز انتقاد می‌کند.

He always criticizes everything.

Use of 'hamishe' (always).

3

ما نباید از دیگران انتقاد کنیم.

We shouldn't criticize others.

Negative modal 'nabāyad'.

4

پدرم از رانندگی من انتقاد کرد.

My father criticized my driving.

Gerund-like noun 'rānandegi'.

5

او از کتاب جدید انتقاد می‌کند.

She is criticizing the new book.

Present tense.

6

آن‌ها از قیمت‌ها انتقاد کردند.

They criticized the prices.

Plural noun 'gheymat-hā'.

7

من از رفتار او انتقاد کردم.

I criticized his behavior.

Abstract noun 'raftār'.

8

او از نحوه کار من انتقاد کرد.

He criticized the way I work.

Phrase 'nahve-ye kār' (way of work).

1

منتقد از کارگردان فیلم انتقاد کرد.

The critic criticized the film's director.

Subject 'monatghed' (critic).

2

او به جای انتقاد کردن، باید کمک کند.

Instead of criticizing, he should help.

Phrase 'be jāye' (instead of).

3

اگر از من انتقاد کنی، ناراحت نمی‌شوم.

If you criticize me, I won't get upset.

Conditional sentence.

4

او از سیاست‌های دولت انتقاد کرد.

He criticized the government's policies.

Formal noun 'siyāsat-hā'.

5

ما باید یاد بگیریم چگونه انتقاد سازنده کنیم.

We must learn how to provide constructive criticism.

Adjective 'sāzande' (constructive).

6

او از کیفیت پایین محصولات انتقاد کرد.

He criticized the low quality of the products.

Compound noun 'keyfiyat-e pāyin'.

7

بسیاری از مردم از این تصمیم انتقاد کردند.

Many people criticized this decision.

Quantifier 'basyāri az'.

8

او از طرز برخورد مدیر انتقاد کرد.

He criticized the manager's manner of treatment.

Phrase 'tarz-e barkhord'.

1

روزنامه‌ها شدیداً از وزیر انتقاد کردند.

The newspapers severely criticized the minister.

Adverb 'shadidan' (severely).

2

او مورد انتقاد شدید قرار گرفت.

He was subject to severe criticism.

Passive structure 'mored-e... gharār gereftan'.

3

منصفانه نیست که فقط از او انتقاد کنیم.

It's not fair to only criticize him.

Adjective 'monsefāne' (fair).

4

او از عدم مدیریت صحیح انتقاد کرد.

He criticized the lack of proper management.

Noun 'adam' (lack/non-existence).

5

نویسنده از ساختار جامعه انتقاد می‌کند.

The author criticizes the structure of society.

Sociological context.

6

او آشکارا از رقیب خود انتقاد کرد.

He openly criticized his rival.

Adverb 'āshkārā' (openly).

7

باید از جنبه‌های مختلف یک اثر انتقاد کرد.

One should criticize different aspects of a work.

Phrase 'janbe-hāye mokhtalef'.

8

او از بی‌توجهی مسئولین انتقاد کرد.

He criticized the officials' inattention.

Abstract noun 'bi-tavajohi'.

1

او با لحنی تند از عملکرد تیم انتقاد کرد.

He criticized the team's performance with a sharp tone.

Phrase 'ba lahni tond' (with a sharp tone).

2

روشنفکران از وضعیت موجود انتقاد می‌کنند.

Intellectuals criticize the current situation.

Subject 'roshanfekrān' (intellectuals).

3

او از مبانی نظری این تحقیق انتقاد کرد.

He criticized the theoretical foundations of this research.

Academic term 'mabāni-ye nazari'.

4

این مقاله از دیدگاه‌های سنتی انتقاد می‌کند.

This article criticizes traditional viewpoints.

Phrase 'didgāh-hāye sonnati'.

5

او از نحوه توزیع منابع انتقاد کرد.

He criticized the way resources are distributed.

Economic context.

6

منتقدان از ناهماهنگی در اجرای پروژه انتقاد کردند.

Critics criticized the lack of coordination in the project's execution.

Noun 'nā-hamāhangi'.

7

او از رویکرد تک‌بعدی به مسائل انتقاد کرد.

He criticized the one-dimensional approach to issues.

Adjective 'tak-ba'di' (one-dimensional).

8

بسیاری از فیلسوفان از عقل‌گرایی محض انتقاد کرده‌اند.

Many philosophers have criticized pure rationalism.

Present perfect tense.

1

او در رساله خود از پارادایم‌های حاکم انتقاد نمود.

In his treatise, he criticized the dominant paradigms.

Formal verb 'nemudan' and term 'parādāym'.

2

منتقد از تقلیل‌گرایی در علوم انسانی انتقاد کرد.

The critic criticized reductionism in the humanities.

Technical term 'taghlil-garāyi'.

3

او از هژمونی فرهنگی غرب انتقاد می‌کند.

He criticizes Western cultural hegemony.

Political term 'hezhmoni'.

4

این اثر از پوچ‌گرایی مدرن انتقاد کرده است.

This work has criticized modern nihilism.

Philosophical term 'puch-garāyi'.

5

او از عدم شفافیت در فرآیندهای دموکراتیک انتقاد کرد.

He criticized the lack of transparency in democratic processes.

Phrase 'adam-e shaffāfiyat'.

6

نویسنده از ازخودبیگانگی انسان در عصر تکنولوژی انتقاد می‌کند.

The author criticizes human alienation in the age of technology.

Term 'az-khod-bigānegi'.

7

او از برخورد ابزاری با طبیعت انتقاد کرد.

He criticized the instrumental treatment of nature.

Phrase 'barkhord-e abzāri'.

8

منتقد از سطحی‌نگری در تحلیل‌های سیاسی انتقاد نمود.

The critic criticized the superficiality in political analyses.

Noun 'sathi-negari'.

Common Collocations

انتقاد سازنده (Constructive criticism)
انتقاد شدید (Severe criticism)
انتقاد تند (Sharp criticism)
انتقاد منصفانه (Fair criticism)
مورد انتقاد قرار گرفتن (To be criticized)
انتقاد از خود (Self-criticism)
لحن انتقادی (Critical tone)
روحیه انتقادی (Critical spirit)
انتقاد بی‌جا (Inappropriate criticism)
انتقاد صریح (Explicit criticism)

Common Phrases

از کسی انتقاد کردن (To criticize someone)

انتقاد پذیر بودن (To be open to criticism)

بدون انتقاد (Without criticism)

فرصت انتقاد (Opportunity to criticize)

حق انتقاد (Right to criticize)

انتقاد به عملکرد (Criticism of performance)

انتقاد از سیاست‌ها (Criticism of policies)

انتقاد در رسانه‌ها (Criticism in media)

انتقاد علمی (Scientific criticism)

انتقاد تند و تیز (Sharp and biting criticism)

Often Confused With

انتقاد کردن vs اعتقاد داشتن (To have belief)

انتقاد کردن vs اعتراف کردن (To confess)

انتقاد کردن vs اعتراض کردن (To protest)

Idioms & Expressions

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Easily Confused

انتقاد کردن vs

انتقاد کردن vs

انتقاد کردن vs

انتقاد کردن vs

انتقاد کردن vs

Sentence Patterns

How to Use It

nuance

Use 'enteghād' for ideas, 'sarzanesh' for people's moral actions.

preposition warning

Never say 'Man to rā enteghād mikonam'.

Common Mistakes
  • Using 'rā' instead of 'az'.
  • Confusing 'enteghād' with 'e'teghād'.
  • Using 'enteghād kardan' for minor nitpicking (use 'irād gereftan' instead).
  • Forgetting to conjugate 'kardan' correctly.
  • Using 'enteghād' when you mean 'revenge' (enteghām).

Tips

Preposition Rule

Always remember 'az'. It's the most common mistake for learners.

Softening

In Iran, start with a compliment before you 'enteghād' someone.

Word Family

Learn 'monatghed' (critic) and 'enteghādi' (critical) together.

Tone

Your tone of voice changes the meaning from feedback to attack.

Formal Writing

Use 'nemudan' instead of 'kardan' in very formal essays.

News Keywords

Listen for 'mored-e enteghād' in political news reports.

Association

Associate 'Enteghād' with 'Evaluation'.

Self-Criticism

Use 'enteghād az khod' to talk about self-improvement.

Openness

Being 'enteghād-pazir' is a highly respected trait in Iran.

Art & Film

This is the primary verb used in art and film reviews.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Enter' + 'Guard'. You 'Enter' a room to 'Guard' against mistakes by 'Enteghād' (criticizing) them.

Word Origin

Arabic root ن-ق-د (n-q-d)

Cultural Context

Criticism is usually preceded by a compliment.

Political criticism is a major part of Iranian social media discourse.

Students are increasingly encouraged to use 'tafakkor-e enteghādi' (critical thinking).

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Conversation Starters

"نظر شما درباره این فیلم چیست؟ آیا می‌خواهید از آن انتقاد کنید؟"

"چگونه می‌توانیم از یک دوست انتقاد کنیم بدون اینکه او ناراحت شود؟"

"آیا شما فردی انتقادپذیر هستید؟"

"آخرین باری که کسی از شما انتقاد کرد چه زمانی بود؟"

"به نظر شما انتقاد سازنده چه ویژگی‌هایی دارد؟"

Journal Prompts

امروز از چه چیزی انتقاد کردی؟ چرا؟

یک نامه بنویس و از یک مشکل در شهرت انتقاد کن.

آیا انتقاد کردن همیشه خوب است؟ نظرت را بنویس.

اگر منتقد فیلم بودی، از کدام فیلم انتقاد می‌کردی؟

درباره زمانی بنویس که انتقاد کسی به تو کمک کرد.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, it can be constructive and helpful for improvement.

It always uses 'az' (از).

Yes, but it's more about their actions or ideas than their personhood.

A critic is called a 'monatghed' (منتقد).

Yes, it is more formal than 'irād gereftan'.

You say 'enteghād-e sāzande'.

Yes, using 'mored-e enteghād gharār gereftan'.

The Arabic root n-q-d, meaning to evaluate or test.

Yes, especially in professional or intellectual contexts.

'Enteghād' is analytical; 'sarzanesh' is emotional and about blame.

Test Yourself 180 questions

/ 180 correct

Perfect score!

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