This page in your language

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

Français

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

Home
Learn
Persian
Vocabulary
آتش زدن

B2 verb 8 min read

آتش زدن

Q: How do I say 'arson' in Persian?

The act is 'آتشسوزی عمدی' (intentional fire-burning). The verb used is 'آتش زدن'.

atash zadan

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips آتش زدن in 30 Seconds

Explanation آتش زدن in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should learn 'آتش زدن' as a basic action: 'to set on fire'. You might use it in very simple sentences about daily life, like burning paper or wood. Even though it is a B2 word in terms of its full range of meanings, the literal act is easy to grasp. Focus on the present tense 'آتش می‌زنم' and the past tense 'آتش زدم'. Remember that 'آتش' means fire and 'زدن' means to hit. Combined, they mean to strike a match or start a fire on something. Don't worry about the metaphors yet; just focus on the action of someone starting a fire. For example: 'I set the paper on fire' (من کاغذ را آتش زدم). This level is about identifying the subject (who), the object (what), and the action (igniting). Avoid confusing it with 'cooking' verbs like 'پختن'.

At the A2 level, you begin to use 'آتش زدن' in slightly more complex scenarios, such as describing chores or basic news. You should be able to conjugate the verb in the negative form ('آتش نزدم') and the question form ('آیا آتش زدی؟'). You might encounter this word when talking about environmental issues, like 'Setting fire to trash' (آتش زدن زباله). You also start to differentiate between 'آتش زدن' (setting fire) and 'آتش روشن کردن' (lighting a fire for a purpose). At this stage, you should understand that 'آتش زدن' usually implies that the thing being burned is being destroyed. For instance, 'او نامه‌اش را آتش زد' (He set his letter on fire) implies he destroyed it because he was upset. You are also learning to use the direct object marker 'ra' correctly with this verb.

At the B1 level, you should be comfortable with the literal use of 'آتش زدن' in various tenses, including the future and the present perfect. You also start to see the word in news reports and short stories. You should understand the difference between 'آتش زدن' (transitive) and 'آتش گرفتن' (intransitive). If you read 'The forest caught fire,' you know it is 'جنگل آتش گرفت.' If you read 'The man set the forest on fire,' you know it is 'مرد جنگل را آتش زد.' You might also start to encounter basic idioms, like 'آتش زدن به مال' (selling things very cheaply), though you may not use them yourself yet. Your focus should be on accuracy in sentence structure and understanding the intent behind the action—whether it is accidental, criminal, or metaphorical.

At the B2 level, which is the official level for this word, you are expected to master the nuances of 'آتش زدن'. You should be able to use it in metaphorical contexts fluently. For example, describing how a political speech 'set fire' to the public's emotions or how a bad business deal 'set fire' to someone's savings. You should also be familiar with literary synonyms like 'آتش افروختن' or 'مشتعل کردن'. You can discuss the social and legal consequences of 'آتش زدن' (arson) and use the verb in complex conditional sentences (e.g., 'If he hadn't set fire to those documents, the police wouldn't have caught him'). You should also recognize the word in various registers, from the slang of the bazaar to the high language of classical poetry, and understand the cultural weight of fire in Iranian history.

At the C1 level, you use 'آتش زدن' with stylistic precision. You can analyze its use in classical Persian literature, such as the works of Rumi or Hafez, where fire is a central motif for divine love and the destruction of the ego. You understand the subtle differences between 'آتش زدن', 'آتش کشیدن', and 'آتش انداختن' and can choose the one that best fits the tone of your writing or speech. You are comfortable using the word in abstract discussions about history (e.g., the burning of libraries) and can use it to create vivid imagery in your own creative writing. Your understanding extends to the passive forms and compound structures that involve this verb, and you can explain the etymological roots of the phrase to others.

At the C2 level, your mastery of 'آتش زدن' is indistinguishable from that of an educated native speaker. You can use the verb to express the finest shades of meaning, whether in a legal brief about property damage, a philosophical essay about the destructive nature of time, or a high-level political analysis. You are familiar with rare and archaic uses of the word found in ancient texts like the Shahnameh. You can effortlessly navigate the idiomatic landscape, using phrases like 'آتش به اختیار' (fire at will/acting on one's own initiative) in modern political discourse. You understand the phonetic shifts the word has undergone over centuries and can use it to evoke specific emotional responses in an audience. For you, the word is not just a verb, but a versatile tool for rhetoric and expression.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

آتش زدن in 30 Seconds

A transitive compound verb meaning to set something on fire or ignite it.
Used literally for arson or burning trash, and metaphorically for destruction or passion.
Commonly confused with 'آتش گرفتن' (to catch fire), which is intransitive.
Frequent in news, literature, and bazaar idioms (meaning a huge sale).

The Persian verb آتش زدن (Âtaš Zadan) is a compound verb that translates literally to "to strike fire." In practical usage, it means to set something on fire, to ignite, or to cause something to burn. It is a transitive verb, meaning it always requires a direct object—the thing that is being set ablaze. This word is fundamental in both literal contexts, such as starting a campfire or an unfortunate case of arson, and in metaphorical contexts, such as 'setting fire' to one's past or reputation.

Literal Application: In everyday life, you use this to describe the act of intentionally starting a fire. Whether it is lighting a pile of dry leaves in the yard or a criminal act of setting a building on fire, the action is described as 'آتش زدن'. It implies an external agent performing the action.

او تمام نامه‌های قدیمی را آتش زد تا گذشته را فراموش کند.

Translation: He set all the old letters on fire to forget the past.

Figurative Nuance: Metaphorically, 'آتش زدن' can mean to destroy something completely or to cause great emotional pain. For instance, 'آتش زدن به مال' (setting fire to one's property) is an idiom for selling things at an incredibly low price, essentially 'burning' the potential profit. Similarly, setting fire to someone's heart implies causing them intense grief or passion.

با این تصمیم، او به تمام آرزوهایش آتش زد.

Translation: With this decision, he set fire to all his dreams (destroyed them).

The historical weight of fire in Persian culture, stemming from Zoroastrian traditions where fire is a symbol of purity, adds a layer of intensity to this verb. While 'آتش زدن' is often destructive, the act of 'striking fire' was once a sacred or necessary survival skill. In modern Persian, however, the destructive connotation is more prevalent. You will encounter this word in news reports about wildfires, in literature describing war, and in colloquialisms about financial loss.

Syntactic Structure: The verb is composed of 'آتش' (noun: fire) and 'زدن' (verb: to hit/strike). When conjugated, only 'زدن' changes. For example, 'آتش می‌زنم' (I am setting fire) or 'آتش زدند' (They set fire). The object usually takes the 'ra' (را) marker if it is specific.

آن‌ها خیمه‌ها را آتش زدند.

Translation: They set the tents on fire.

کشاورزان علف‌های هرز را آتش می‌زنند.

Translation: The farmers are setting the weeds on fire.

مراقب باش! ممکن است انبار را آتش بزنی.

Translation: Be careful! You might set the warehouse on fire.

Using 'آتش زدن' correctly requires understanding its position as a compound verb. In Persian, the direct object usually precedes the verb. When you want to say 'I set the wood on fire,' you would say 'من چوب را آتش زدم'. Note the use of the post-position 'ra' (را) which marks the definite object 'the wood'. Without 'ra', the sentence becomes more general, though 'آتش زدن' almost always targets something specific.

Past Tense Conjugation: The root for the past tense is 'زد'. To conjugate: 'آتش زدم' (I set fire), 'آتش زدی' (You set fire), 'آتش زد' (He/She set fire), 'آتش زدیم' (We set fire), 'آتش زدید' (You all set fire), 'آتش زدند' (They set fire).

سربازان شهر را آتش زدند و عقب‌نشینی کردند.

Translation: The soldiers set the city on fire and retreated.

Present Continuous Tense: The present root of 'زدن' is 'زن'. To form the present continuous: 'دارم آتش می‌زنم' (I am setting fire), 'داری آتش می‌زنی' (You are setting fire), etc. This is used for actions happening right now.

چرا داری عکس‌های قدیمی را آتش می‌زنی؟

Translation: Why are you setting the old photos on fire?

Subjunctive Usage: When expressing desire, necessity, or doubt, the subjunctive 'be-' prefix is used with the present root: 'باید آتش بزنم' (I must set fire). 'شاید آتش بزند' (Perhaps he will set fire).

او می‌خواست تمام پل‌های پشت سرش را آتش بزند.

Translation: He wanted to set fire to (burn) all the bridges behind him.

اگر زباله‌ها را آتش بزنی، جریمه می‌شوی.

Translation: If you set the trash on fire, you will be fined.

آن‌ها قصد داشتند جنگل را آتش بزنند.

Translation: They intended to set the forest on fire.

'آتش زدن' is a common phrase in various domains of Iranian life, from formal news broadcasts to informal market talk. In the news, you often hear it in reports about environmental disasters or civil unrest. In literature, it is a powerful image of destruction or passion. In the bazaar, it takes on a surprisingly commercial meaning. Understanding these contexts will help you grasp the word's versatility beyond a simple dictionary definition.

The News and Legal Context: Journalists use 'آتش زدن' to describe arson or accidental fires. You might hear: 'افراد ناشناس ساختمان را آتش زدند' (Unknown individuals set the building on fire). In legal terms, 'آتش‌سوزی عمدی' (intentional fire-burning/arson) is the crime associated with this verb.

گزارش‌ها حاکی از آن است که معترضان لاستیک‌ها را در خیابان آتش زدند.

Translation: Reports indicate that protesters set tires on fire in the street.

The Marketplace (Bazaar): In a commercial context, if a merchant says 'به مالم آتش زدم' (I set fire to my property), they don't mean they are burning their shop. It means they are having a massive clearance sale, selling items at such a loss that it's like burning money. This is a very common idiom during end-of-season sales.

فروشنده فریاد می‌زد: «به مالم آتش زدم، بیایید بخرید!»

Translation: The seller was shouting: 'I've set fire to my goods (selling cheap), come and buy!'

Literature and Poetry: Classical Persian poetry often uses 'آتش زدن' to describe the effect of a lover's beauty or a harsh separation. A lover might say the beloved's glance 'set fire to my soul' (به جانم آتش زد). It represents an all-consuming transformation.

عشق تو به خرمن هستی من آتش زد.

Translation: Your love set fire to the harvest of my existence.

مراقب باشید که با سیگار جنگل را آتش نزنید.

Translation: Be careful not to set the forest on fire with a cigarette.

او از شدت خشم، تمام مدارک را آتش زد.

Translation: Out of intense anger, he set all the documents on fire.

One of the most frequent errors for learners is confusing 'آتش زدن' (transitive) with 'آتش گرفتن' (intransitive). Because both involve 'fire' and a common verb root, students often swap them, leading to sentences that mean the opposite of what was intended. Additionally, using 'کردن' instead of 'زدن' is a common mistake for those trying to translate 'to do/make fire' literally from English.

Mistake 1: Zadan vs. Gereftan: If you say 'خانه آتش زد', it sounds like the house itself performed the act of setting fire to something else. To say 'The house caught fire', you must use 'خانه آتش گرفت'. Use 'آتش زدن' only when there is an agent (someone or something) doing the burning.

اشتباه: جنگل آتش زد. (غلط) | درست: جنگل آتش گرفت.

Note: The forest caught fire (correct) vs. The forest set fire (incorrect).

Mistake 2: Preposition Use: Learners often forget that 'آتش زدن' can take the preposition 'be' (به) when referring to setting fire *to* something in a more figurative or poetic sense. However, for literal objects, the direct object marker 'ra' (را) is more common. Using both simultaneously (e.g., 'کتاب را به آتش زد') is usually redundant and incorrect.

اشتباه: او برای پختن غذا هیزم را آتش زد. | درست: او برای پختن غذا آتش روشن کرد.

Note: Lighting a fire for cooking vs. Setting the wood on fire (destructive).

Mistake 3: Arson vs. Accidental: In English, we might say 'he burned the house down' whether it was an accident or on purpose. In Persian, 'آتش زد' strongly implies intent. If it was an accident, you might say 'باعث آتش‌سوزی شد' (he caused a fire-burning).

او تصادفاً پرده را آتش زد. (Grammatically okay, but implies he struck it like a match).

او با بی‌احتیاطی باعث شد خانه آتش بگیرد.

Translation: Through carelessness, he caused the house to catch fire.

هیچ‌وقت به خاطراتت آتش نزن.

Translation: Never set fire to (destroy) your memories.

Persian has a rich vocabulary for fire and burning, reflecting its historical and cultural importance. Depending on the register (formal vs. informal) and the specific nuance (kindling, incinerating, or glowing), you might choose a different verb than 'آتش زدن'. Here we compare the most common alternatives to help you sound more like a native speaker.

آتش زدن vs. سوزاندن: 'سوزاندن' (Sozāndan) is the general verb 'to burn'. While 'آتش زدن' focuses on the act of starting the fire (igniting), 'سوزاندن' focuses on the process of the object being consumed by heat. You 'آتش می‌زنی' a candle to light it, but you 'می‌سوزانی' a piece of meat on the grill.

آتش زدن vs. آتش افروختن: 'آتش افروختن' (Âtaš Afruxtan) is a more literary and formal term. It usually refers to kindling a fire, often with a positive or constructive connotation, such as lighting a fire for a celebration or to provide light. 'آتش زدن' is more neutral or destructive.

او شمع‌ها را روشن کرد (Neutral) vs. او شمع‌ها را آتش زد (Sounds like he's destroying them).

حریق (Hariq): This is an Arabic-rooted noun meaning 'conflagration' or 'fire'. It is used in very formal or technical contexts, like 'اعلام حریق' (fire alarm). You don't 'حریق می‌زنید', but you might say 'حریق عمدی' for arson.

خورشید به کوهستان آتش کشید.

Note: 'آتش کشیدن' is a poetic variant meaning to set ablaze or to color something like fire (e.g., a sunset).

او با حرف‌هایش به جان من آتش انداخت.

Note: 'آتش انداختن' (to cast fire) is often used for causing turmoil or emotional distress.

برق ساختمان باعث شد همه جا آتش بگیرد.

Translation: The building's electricity caused everywhere to catch fire.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

In ancient Zoroastrianism, fire was so sacred that 'setting fire' to something unnecessarily or polluting a fire was considered a grave sin. This cultural reverence still echoes in the intensity of the word today.

Pronunciation Guide

UK ɒːtæʃ zædæn

US ɑtæʃ zædæn

In compound verbs like 'آتش زدن', the primary stress is usually on the first syllable of the non-verbal part: **Â**-tash zadan.

Rhymes With

باد دادن (Bād dādan) یاد دادن (Yād dādan) فریاد زدن (Faryād zadan) تیپ زدن (Tip zadan) دل دادن (Del dādan) سر زدن (Sar zadan) پر زدن (Par zadan) دم زدن (Dam zadan)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'Atash' as 'A-tash' with a short 'A' (it should be long).
Stressing the end of 'zadan' instead of the beginning of 'Atash'.
Merging the two words into one without a slight pause.
Mispronouncing the 'sh' as a 's'.
Using a 'v' sound for 'z' in 'zadan'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to recognize in texts due to 'Atash'.

Writing 4/5

Requires correct conjugation and object markers.

Speaking 4/5

Must distinguish from 'Atash gereftan' in real-time.

Listening 3/5

Clear pronunciation in most dialects.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

آتش زدن کردن گرفتن چوب

Learn Next

سوزاندن خاموش کردن حریق مشتعل جرقه

Advanced

احتراق تطهیر فنا خرمن شراره

Grammar to Know

Compound Verbs

In 'آتش زدن', only 'زدن' is conjugated.

Direct Object Marker 'ra'

نامه را آتش زدم (I burned the letter).

Transitivity

'آتش زدن' is transitive, 'آتش گرفتن' is intransitive.

Subjunctive with Compound Verbs

باید آتش بزنم (I must set fire).

Negative Prefix 'na-'

آتش نزدم (I did not set fire).

Examples by Level

من کاغذ را آتش زدم.

I set the paper on fire.

Simple past tense: Subject + Object + ra + Verb.

او چوب را آتش زد.

He set the wood on fire.

Third person singular past tense.

آیا تو عکس را آتش زدی؟

Did you set the photo on fire?

Question form in the past tense.

آن‌ها نامه را آتش نزدند.

They did not set the letter on fire.

Negative past tense with 'na-' prefix.

ما زباله را آتش می‌زنیم.

We set the trash on fire.

Present simple/habitual tense.

بچه، دفتر را آتش نزن!

Child, don't set the notebook on fire!

Imperative negative form.

خورشید کوه را آتش زد.

The sun set the mountain on fire (metaphor for sunset).

Literal verb used metaphorically for color.

او می‌خواهد شمع را آتش بزند.

He wants to set the candle on fire.

Use of 'want to' + subjunctive.

کشاورز علف‌های خشک را آتش زد.

The farmer set the dry grass on fire.

Plural object with 'ra'.

چرا این کارتن‌ها را آتش زدید؟

Why did you (plural) set these boxes on fire?

Interrogative with plural second person.

او همیشه برگ‌ها را آتش می‌زند.

He always sets the leaves on fire.

Habitual present tense.

نباید در جنگل درختان را آتش بزنیم.

We must not set trees on fire in the forest.

Modal 'must not' + subjunctive.

سربازان دشمن انبار گندم را آتش زدند.

The enemy soldiers set the wheat warehouse on fire.

Compound noun as an object.

او عکس‌های قدیمی‌اش را آتش می‌زد و گریه می‌کرد.

He was setting his old photos on fire and crying.

Past continuous/habitual action.

آتش زدن زباله در شهر ممنوع است.

Setting fire to trash in the city is forbidden.

Gerund/Infinitive used as a subject.

او با یک کبریت تمام انبار را آتش زد.

He set the whole warehouse on fire with one match.

Using 'ba' (with) to indicate the instrument.

اگر مراقب نباشی، ممکن است پرده را آتش بزنی.

If you aren't careful, you might set the curtain on fire.

Conditional sentence with 'momken ast'.

او قصد داشت تمام مدارک جرم را آتش بزند.

He intended to set all the evidence of the crime on fire.

Complex object 'madarek-e jorm'.

فروشنده به تمام اجناس مغازه‌اش آتش زده است.

The seller has 'set fire' to all his shop's goods (selling very cheap).

Idiomatic use in present perfect.

آن‌ها برای اعتراض، پرچم را آتش زدند.

They set the flag on fire to protest.

Purpose clause with 'baraye'.

او می‌ترسید که کسی خانه‌اش را آتش بزند.

He was afraid that someone would set his house on fire.

Subordinate clause after 'fear'.

پلیس مردی را که ماشین‌ها را آتش می‌زد دستگیر کرد.

The police arrested the man who was setting cars on fire.

Relative clause with 'ke'.

آتش زدن جنگل‌ها باعث نابودی محیط زیست می‌شود.

Setting fire to forests causes the destruction of the environment.

Cause and effect sentence structure.

او با این کار به تمام آرزوهای پدرش آتش زد.

With this act, he set fire to (destroyed) all his father's dreams.

Metaphorical usage.

او با یک حرکت اشتباه، به تمام پل‌های پشت سرش آتش زد.

With one wrong move, he burned (set fire to) all the bridges behind him.

Common idiom for making a decision irreversible.

معترضان در چندین نقطه از شهر سطل‌های زباله را آتش زدند.

Protesters set trash cans on fire in several parts of the city.

Specific locational phrases.

او ادعا کرد که رقیبش عمداً انبار را آتش زده است.

He claimed that his rival intentionally set the warehouse on fire.

Reported speech with 'ke'.

آتش زدن منابع طبیعی جرمی نابخشودنی است.

Setting fire to natural resources is an unforgivable crime.

Formal academic tone.

او با سخنان تندش به جان جمعیت آتش زد.

He set fire to the souls of the crowd with his sharp words.

Metaphorical use for inciting passion.

در این حراجی، صاحب مغازه واقعاً به مالش آتش زده است.

In this auction, the shop owner has truly 'set fire' to his property (offering huge discounts).

Idiomatic usage in a commercial context.

آن‌ها مجبور شدند برای جلوگیری از پیشروی دشمن، پل را آتش بزنند.

They were forced to set the bridge on fire to prevent the enemy's advance.

Necessity and purpose construction.

او هرگز فکر نمی‌کرد که یک سیگار کوچک بتواند کل خانه را آتش بزند.

He never thought a small cigarette could set the whole house on fire.

Complex mental state verb + modal 'tavanestan'.

نویسنده در این فصل، تمام باورهای قهرمان داستان را آتش می‌زند.

In this chapter, the author sets fire to (destroys) all the protagonist's beliefs.

Literary analysis usage.

او با افشای حقیقت، به خرمن اعتبار آن‌ها آتش زد.

By revealing the truth, he set fire to the harvest of their credibility.

Advanced metaphor: 'harvest of credibility'.

آتش زدن کتابخانه‌ها در طول تاریخ، بزرگترین ضربه به تمدن بشری بوده است.

The burning of libraries throughout history has been the greatest blow to human civilization.

Historical and formal register.

او چنان با شور و حال می‌خواند که گویی به دل شنوندگان آتش می‌زند.

He sang with such passion as if he were setting fire to the hearts of the listeners.

Simile using 'guyi' (as if).

دولت کسانی را که به اموال عمومی آتش می‌زنند، به شدت مجازات می‌کند.

The government severely punishes those who set fire to public property.

Formal legal/political register.

او با یک امضا، به تمام زحمات چندین ساله‌اش آتش زد.

With one signature, he set fire to (wasted) all his years of hard work.

Metaphor for sudden loss or waste.

شاعر در این بیت، از آتشی سخن می‌گوید که معشوق به جهان زده است.

In this verse, the poet speaks of a fire that the beloved has set to the world.

Analysis of classical poetry.

بی‌احتیاطی در کمپینگ می‌تواند به راحتی هکتارها جنگل را آتش بزند.

Carelessness in camping can easily set hectares of forest on fire.

Technical/Environmental context.

این اقدام تحریک‌آمیز می‌تواند به کل منطقه آتش بزند.

This provocative action could set the entire region on fire (start a war).

Geopolitical metaphor.

عارف در مرحله‌ی فنا، هستی مجازی خود را آتش می‌زند.

The mystic, in the stage of annihilation, sets fire to his illusory existence.

Sufi/Philosophical terminology.

او با نبوغ خود، به سنت‌های پوسیده‌ی هنری آتش زد و راهی نو گشود.

With his genius, he set fire to (destroyed) decayed artistic traditions and opened a new path.

Intellectual/Artistic critique.

آتش زدن به ریشه‌ی فساد، تنها راه نجات این سازمان است.

Setting fire to the root of corruption is the only way to save this organization.

Political metaphor for radical reform.

او در خاطراتش می‌نویسد که چگونه فقر به خرمن جوانی‌اش آتش زد.

He writes in his memoirs how poverty set fire to the harvest of his youth.

High-level autobiographical style.

سیاست‌های غلط اقتصادی به سفره‌ی مردم آتش زده است.

Wrong economic policies have set fire to the people's table (caused extreme hardship).

Socio-political idiom.

او با وقاحت تمام، به اعتماد چندین ساله‌ی ما آتش زد.

With utter impudence, he set fire to (betrayed) our years of trust.

Expressing intense moral indignation.

در متون کهن، آتش زدن به معنای تطهیر از طریق نابودی نیز آمده است.

In ancient texts, setting fire is also mentioned as a means of purification through destruction.

Philological/Historical analysis.

Common Collocations

عمدی آتش زدن

آتش زدن به مال

آتش زدن به جان

آتش زدن لاستیک

آتش زدن زباله

آتش زدن پل‌ها

آتش زدن خرمن

آتش زدن خیمه

آتش زدن پرچم

آتش زدن سیگار

Common Phrases

آتش به پا کردن

— To start a big fire or cause a huge commotion.

او در مهمانی آتش به پا کرد.

آتش بیار معرکه

— Someone who fans the flames of a conflict.

او همیشه آتش بیار معرکه است.

آتش زیر خاکستر

— A hidden danger or a conflict that is not yet visible.

این آرامش، آتش زیر خاکستر است.

آتش زدن و سوختن

— To set fire and watch it burn (often used for total destruction).

او همه چیز را آتش زد و سوخت.

با دم شیر بازی کردن و آتش زدن

— To play with fire/danger.

با این کار، داری به زندگی‌ات آتش می‌زنی.

آتش به اختیار

— Acting on one's own initiative (military origin, now political).

او در این مورد آتش به اختیار عمل کرد.

آتش گرفتن و آتش زدن

— A chain reaction of fire/trouble.

یک جرقه باعث شد کل بازار آتش بگیرد.

آتش زدن و خاکستر کردن

— To burn something to ashes.

آتش تمام خانه را خاکستر کرد.

آتش زدن به ریشه

— To destroy something from the root.

این قانون به ریشه اقتصاد آتش می‌زند.

آتش زدن دل

— To break someone's heart or cause intense grief.

رفتنش به دل مادرش آتش زد.

Often Confused With

آتش زدن vs آتش گرفتن

This means 'to catch fire' (intransitive). 'The house caught fire' vs 'He set the house on fire'.

آتش زدن vs آتش روشن کردن

This means 'to light a fire' for a purpose (warmth, cooking). 'Atash zadan' is more destructive.

آتش زدن vs سوزاندن

General 'to burn'. 'Atash zadan' is the specific act of igniting.

Idioms & Expressions

"به مال خود آتش زدن"

— To sell one's goods at a very low price, usually out of desperation or for a quick sale.

حراج واقعی! به مالم آتش زدم.

Colloquial/Market

"پل‌های پشت سر را آتش زدن"

— To do something that makes it impossible to return to a previous situation.

او با استعفا، پل‌های پشت سرش را آتش زد.

Neutral

"آتش زدن به خرمن هستی"

— To destroy everything one has achieved in life.

اعتیاد به خرمن هستی‌اش آتش زد.

Literary

"آتش به جان کسی زدن"

— To cause someone great suffering or to make them fall passionately in love.

نگاهش به جان من آتش زد.

Poetic

"آتش زدن و رفتن"

— To cause trouble and then leave without taking responsibility.

او دعوا را شروع کرد، آتش زد و رفت.

Informal

"آتش زدن به بنزین"

— To make a bad situation much worse (similar to 'adding fuel to the fire').

حرف‌های او مثل آتش زدن به بنزین بود.

Informal

"آتش زدن به ریشه‌ی خود"

— To sabotage oneself or one's own foundations.

با این تنبلی، داری به ریشه‌ات آتش می‌زنی.

Neutral

"آتش زدن به بازار"

— To disrupt the market by selling at extremely low prices.

این شرکت چینی به بازار آتش زده است.

Business

"آتش زدن به کوه و بیابان"

— To wander aimlessly in distress or passion (often in folklore).

مجنون به کوه و بیابان آتش زد.

Literary

"آتش زدن به گناه"

— To destroy one's sins through repentance (religious context).

توبه به گناهان آتش می‌زند.

Religious

Easily Confused

آتش زدن vs آتش گرفتن

Both involve fire and the root 'Atash'.

'Atash gereftan' is something that happens to an object. 'Atash zadan' is something someone does to an object.

بنزین آتش گرفت (The gas caught fire). او بنزین را آتش زد (He set the gas on fire).

آتش زدن vs آتش افروختن

Both mean starting a fire.

'Afruxtan' is more positive/kindling. 'Zadan' is more neutral/destructive.

او آتش افروخت تا گرم شود. او مدارک را آتش زد.

آتش زدن vs روشن کردن

Both mean making something burn/light up.

'Roshan kardan' is used for lamps, candles, and purposeful fires. 'Atash zadan' is for things not meant to be burned.

لامپ را روشن کن. او خانه را آتش زد.

آتش زدن vs سوزاندن

Both result in fire damage.

'Sozandan' is the general process. 'Atash zadan' is the moment of ignition.

خورشید پوستم را سوزاند. او علف‌ها را آتش زد.

آتش زدن vs آتش کشیدن

Very similar meaning.

'Atash kashidan' is more poetic or describes fire spreading across an area.

غروب به آسمان آتش کشید.

Sentence Patterns

[Subject] [Object] را آتش زد.

علی کاغذ را آتش زد.

نباید [Object] را آتش بزنی.

نباید درخت را آتش بزنی.

اگر [Object] را آتش بزنی، [Consequence].

اگر نامه را آتش بزنی، پشیمان می‌شوی.

او با [Action] به [Object] آتش زد.

او با حرف‌هایش به دل من آتش زد.

[Abstract Concept] به خرمن [Object] آتش زد.

جنگ به خرمن تمدن آتش زد.

گویی [Agent] قصد دارد به کل [System/Region] آتش بزند.

گویی او قصد دارد به کل نظام اداری آتش بزند.

[Agent] عمداً [Object] را آتش زد.

دزد عمداً مغازه را آتش زد.

چرا [Object] را آتش زدی؟

چرا عکس‌ها را آتش زدی؟

Word Family

Nouns

آتش (Fire)

آتش‌سوزی (Fire-burning/Conflagration)

آتش‌نشان (Firefighter)

آتش‌افروز (Arsonist/Fire-starter)

آتش‌کده (Fire temple)

Verbs

آتش گرفتن (To catch fire)

آتش افروختن (To kindle fire)

آتش کشیدن (To set ablaze - poetic)

سوختن (To burn - intransitive)

سوزاندن (To burn - transitive)

Adjectives

آتشین (Fiery)

آتش‌زا (Flammable/Incendiary)

سوخته (Burnt)

نسوز (Fireproof)

دود (Smoke)

خاکستر (Ash)

شعله (Flame)

جرقه (Spark)

هیزم (Firewood)

How to Use It

frequency

Very common in news, literature, and metaphorical speech.

Common Mistakes

خانه آتش زد. → خانه آتش گرفت.
The house caught fire (it didn't perform the act of setting fire).
من آتش کردم. → من آتش روشن کردم / آتش زدم.
You don't 'do' fire in Persian; you 'strike' or 'light' it.
او به کتاب را آتش زد. → او کتاب را آتش زد.
Don't use 'be' and 'ra' for the same object in this context.
او سیگار را سوزاند. → او سیگار را آتش زد / روشن کرد.
'Sozandan' means to burn it completely; 'Atash zadan' is to light it.
آتش‌سوزی زدم. → آتش زدم.
'Atash-sozi' is the noun (the event), not the action you 'strike'.

Tips

Watch the 'Ra'

Always use 'ra' if you are setting fire to a specific object (e.g., *that* book).

Bazaar Wisdom

If you see a sign saying 'به مالم آتیش زدم', expect 50-70% discounts!

Intent Matters

Use 'Atash zadan' for 'I did it' and 'Atash gereftan' for 'It happened'.

Soul on Fire

In poems, 'Atash zadan' to the soul means divine longing.

Forest Safety

In Iran, 'آتش زدن' in protected forests is a serious crime.

The Strike

Link 'Zadan' (hit) with 'Striking' a match.

Colloquialism

In Tehrani accent, 'Atash' often becomes 'Atish'.

Avoid Redundancy

Don't say 'آتش را آتش زدم'. Just '[Object] را آتش زدم'.

Ancient Roots

Fire was the second most important element in Old Persian culture.

Bridges

Burning bridges is a universal metaphor, and 'Atash zadan' fits perfectly.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of an **A**cher (**Atash**) **Zapping** (**Zadan**) something with a fire arrow. Atash-Zadan: Archer-Zap-Fire.

Visual Association

Visualize a giant matchstick striking (hitting/zadan) a pile of wood and the fire (atash) immediately bursting out.

Word Web

Fire Match Strike Arson Burn Destroy Passion Bazaar sale

Challenge

Try to write three things you would 'Atash Zadan' if you wanted to start a new life, and three things you would NEVER 'Atash Zadan' because they are too precious.

Word Origin

The word 'آتش' (Atash) comes from Middle Persian 'ātaxš', which descends from Old Persian 'ātar-'. It is cognate with Avestan 'ātar-'. The verb 'زدن' (Zadan) comes from Middle Persian 'zadun', from Old Persian 'jan-', meaning to hit, strike, or kill.

Original meaning: The literal original meaning is 'to strike fire', referring to the ancient method of using flint or friction to produce sparks.

Indo-European > Indo-Iranian > Iranian > West Iranian > Persian

Cultural Context

Be careful when using this word in political or social contexts in Iran, as it can imply arson or violent protest.

In English, we say 'set on fire'. In Persian, we 'strike fire' to the object. The focus is on the impact.

The burning of Persepolis (historical) The Fire Temple of Yazd (cultural) Poem: 'Fire in the Reed-bed' by Rumi

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Camping

هیزم را آتش بزن
مراقب آتش باش
آتش را خاموش کن
کبریت داری؟

Bazaar

به مالم آتش زدم
حراج واقعی
ارزان‌تر از همه جا
قیمت‌ها را آتش زدم

News

آتش‌سوزی عمدی
عوامل ناشناخته
خسارات سنگین
مهار آتش

Relationships

پل‌ها را آتش زدی
به دلم آتش زدی
دیگر راه برگشتی نیست
خاطرات را سوزاندم

Safety

آتش نزن
خطر آتش‌سوزی
مواد اشتعال‌زا
کپسول آتش‌نشانی

Conversation Starters

"آیا تا به حال مجبور شده‌اید چیزی را آتش بزنید تا از شر آن خلاص شوید؟"

"فکر می‌کنید چرا بعضی افراد به اموال عمومی آتش می‌زنند؟"

"در فرهنگ شما، آتش زدن پل‌های پشت سر چه معنایی دارد؟"

"اگر ببینید کسی دارد جنگل را آتش می‌زند، چه کار می‌کنید؟"

"آیا تا به حال در حراجی‌ای بوده‌اید که فروشنده واقعاً به مالش آتش زده باشد؟"

Journal Prompts

درباره زمانی بنویسید که با یک تصمیم، تمام پل‌های پشت سرتان را آتش زدید.

اگر می‌توانستید یک خاطره بد را آتش بزنید و خاکستر کنید، آن کدام بود؟

توصیف کنید که چگونه یک خبر یا یک کتاب به جان شما آتش زد و انگیزه‌تان را بیدار کرد.

خطرات آتش زدن زباله‌ها در طبیعت را از دیدگاه یک محیط‌بان بنویسید.

داستانی کوتاه درباره کسی بنویسید که به اشتباه چیز مهمی را آتش زد.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, but it sounds a bit intense. Usually, people say 'سیگار روشن کردن' or just 'آتش زدن' in a very informal way.

Not always. You can 'آتش زدن' weeds or trash. However, it often implies destruction compared to 'آتش روشن کردن'.

'آتش زدم' means 'I set fire'. 'آتش زدمش' means 'I set fire to it' (using the object pronoun suffix -ash).

The act is 'آتش‌سوزی عمدی' (intentional fire-burning). The verb used is 'آتش زدن'.

Literally, yes (horrible act), but metaphorically it means causing them great pain or making them fall in love.

'آتیش' (Atish) is the colloquial/spoken pronunciation of 'آتش' (Atash).

The literal opposite is 'خاموش کردن' (to extinguish).

No, for digital burning, use 'رایت کردن' (from English 'write') or 'ضبط کردن'.

No, it usually means they are having a clearance sale in their shop.

It comes from the ancient practice of 'striking' flint to create a spark.