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دلتنگ کردن

B1 verb #7,000 most common 8 min read

دلتنگ کردن

deltang kardan Top 7,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips دلتنگ کردن in 30 Seconds

Explanation دلتنگ کردن in your Level:

At the A1 level, you can think of 'دلتنگ کردن' (deltang kardan) as a way to say 'to make someone miss.' Since you are just starting, focus on the basic parts: 'del' means heart, 'tang' means tight, and 'kardan' means to do. When you put them together, it's like saying 'to make the heart tight.' You can use it for simple things like 'You make me miss you' or 'This photo makes me miss home.' Just remember to put the person who is missing someone before the word 'ra.' For example: 'To mara deltang mikoni' (You make me miss you). It is a very sweet and common thing to say to friends and family when you are away from them.

At the A2 level, you should start using 'دلتنگ کردن' to describe why you feel homesick or nostalgic. You know that 'kardan' changes based on the person (man mikonam, to mikoni, etc.). Use this verb to explain causes. For example, instead of just saying 'I miss my mom,' you can say 'This food makes me miss my mom' (این غذا مرا دلتنگِ مادرم می‌کند). Notice the small 'e' sound (ezafe) after 'deltang' when you name the person you miss. This level is about connecting your feelings to the things around you, like songs, smells, or places that trigger memories.

At the B1 level, you should be comfortable with the transitive nature of 'دلتنگ کردن.' You understand that it is a causative verb. You can use it in various tenses, like the past (دلتنگ کرد) or the present perfect (دلتنگ کرده است). You might hear this in Iranian pop songs or see it in social media posts. It's a key word for discussing travel, moving to a new city, or looking back at old times. You should also be able to distinguish it from 'دلتنگ شدن' (to become homesick). At this level, you can use it to express more complex thoughts, like 'Living in a big city makes me miss the quiet of the village.'

At the B2 level, you can use 'دلتنگ کردن' to discuss more abstract concepts and literary themes. You might analyze a poem or a movie and explain how the director uses certain imagery to 'make the audience miss' a bygone era. You are familiar with the emotional weight the word carries in Persian culture—it's not just a simple 'I miss you,' but a deep, often poetic, longing. You can also use it in the subjunctive mood, like 'I don't want to make you miss me' (نمی‌خواهم تو را دلتنگ کنم). Your usage should show an understanding of the 'ezafe' construction and the correct placement of the object marker 'ra'.

At the C1 level, 'دلتنگ کردن' becomes a tool for nuanced emotional expression in formal and creative writing. You can use it to describe the 'collective nostalgia' of a generation or the way history 'makes us miss' certain values. You might replace 'kardan' with more formal verbs like 'نمودن' (namoodan) or 'ساختن' (sakhtan) in academic or high-literary contexts (e.g., 'دلتنگ ساختن'). You understand the philosophical implications of 'deltangi' in Persian mysticism and literature, where the soul is 'made to miss' its divine origin. You can use the verb in complex compound sentences with multiple clauses.

At the C2 level, you have mastered the full range of 'دلتنگ کردن.' You can use it with effortless precision, capturing the exact degree of longing in any context. You understand its use in classical Persian prose and contemporary high-art cinema. You can discuss the etymology and the evolution of 'del' compounds in the Persian language. Whether you are writing a psychological analysis of nostalgia or a piece of literary fiction, you use 'دلتنگ کردن' to evoke specific emotional responses in your reader. You are also aware of regional variations and how this concept is expressed differently across the Persian-speaking world (Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan).

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

دلتنگ کردن in 30 Seconds

A causative verb meaning 'to make someone miss/long for'.
Formed from 'del' (heart) + 'tang' (tight) + 'kardan' (to do).
Used with the object marker 'ra' for the person who feels the longing.
Common in music, poetry, and emotional daily conversations.

The Persian compound verb دلتنگ کردن (deltang kardan) is a profound emotional expression that translates literally to 'to make the heart tight.' In Persian culture, the 'heart' (del) is the seat of all emotions, and 'tightness' (tang) represents a state of constriction caused by longing, sadness, or the absence of a loved one. Unlike the English 'to make someone miss you,' which can sometimes feel light or casual, the Persian version carries a weight of poetic melancholy and deep affection. It is used when an action, a memory, or a person’s absence triggers a painful yet beautiful longing in another person.

Core Concept: The act of evoking nostalgia or longing in someone else, often through distance or by reminding them of shared memories.

دوری تو من را خیلی دلتنگ می‌کند.
(Your absence makes me very homesick/makes me miss you a lot.)

This verb is causative. While دلتنگ شدن means 'to become homesick' or 'to miss someone,' دلتنگ کردن focuses on the cause of that feeling. It is frequently heard in Iranian music (pop and traditional), where the singer describes how the beloved's coldness or distance makes them suffer from longing. In daily life, you might use it to tell a friend that their travel plans are going to make you miss them. It is not just about the physical absence but the emotional vacuum left behind. Iranians use this to express deep bonds; saying someone 'makes you miss them' is a high compliment of their importance in your life.

Nuance: It is more emotional than 'yad-avari' (reminding). It specifically targets the 'del' (heart).

این آهنگ قدیمی همیشه مرا دلتنگ می‌کند.
(This old song always makes me feel nostalgic/miss the past.)

In a romantic context, one might say 'Don't go, because your absence makes me miss you' (نرو، چون دوری‌ات مرا دلتنگ می‌کند). This highlights that the state of 'deltangi' is something inflicted upon the lover by the beloved's actions. It is also common in literature to see inanimate objects or places 'making one miss' a certain era. For example, the smell of rain on sun-baked earth (kahgel) might 'make one miss' their childhood home in a village. This versatility—from romantic longing to general nostalgia—makes it a cornerstone of Persian emotional vocabulary.

Grammatical Structure: Subject (Cause) + Object + 'را' + دلتنگ + Conjugated form of 'کردن'.

Using دلتنگ کردن requires understanding its transitive nature. You are identifying a 'subject' (the person or thing causing the feeling) and an 'object' (the person who feels the longing). In Persian, the object is followed by the post-position 'را' (ra). For example, if 'The city makes me miss home,' the city is the subject, and 'me' (man) is the object.

غروب‌های جمعه آدم را دلتنگ می‌کند.
(Friday sunsets make a person feel lonely/miss things.)

In the sentence above, 'Friday sunsets' is a famous cultural trope in Iran, often associated with a specific type of melancholy. Here, 'adam' (person) is the object. The verb 'kardan' is conjugated in the third person singular to match 'ghoroob' (sunset). When talking about people, the structure remains the same: 'Your behavior made me miss the old you' (رفتارت مرا دلتنگِ خودِ قدیمی‌ات کرد). Note how you can add a prepositional phrase using 'ezafe' to specify *what* or *who* is being missed.

Formal Usage: In formal writing, you might see 'دلتنگ ساختن' (deltang sakhtan) as a more literary alternative, though 'kardan' is perfectly acceptable in all registers.

Negating the verb is simple: add the prefix 'na' to 'kardan'. 'Don't make me miss you more than this' (مرا بیشتر از این دلتنگ نکن). This is often said playfully or with deep emotion. In the past tense, 'kardan' becomes 'kard'. 'The smell of the food made me miss my mother' (بوی غذا مرا دلتنگِ مادرم کرد). This demonstrates the causative power of the verb—the food is the agent of the emotion.

عکس‌های قدیمی ما را دلتنگ کردند.
(The old photos made us miss [those times].)

Common Pattern: [Cause] + [Person] + را + دلتنگ + [کردن]. Example: 'In dori mara deltang mikonad' (This distance makes me miss [you]).

You will encounter دلتنگ کردن in several key domains of Iranian life. The most prominent is in Persian Music. Whether it's the classical poetry of Hafez and Rumi or modern pop stars like Googoosh or Shadmehr, the concept of being 'made to long' for a beloved is central. Lyrics often describe how the moon, the night, or a scent 'makes the heart tight' (deltang mikonad).

صدای تو مرا دلتنگ می‌کند.
(Your voice makes me miss you/long for you.)

Another common place is in Cinema and TV Dramas. Iranian cinema is known for its emotional depth and focus on human relationships. In a scene where a character is leaving for abroad (a common theme in Iranian films), a family member might say, 'Don't make us miss you too much' (ما را زیاد دلتنگ نکن). It serves as both a plea and an expression of love. In Literature, writers use it to personify cities or seasons. A writer might describe how the autumn leaves in Tehran 'make the traveler miss home.'

Social Media: On Instagram or Telegram, you'll see captions on travel photos like 'این منظره مرا دلتنگِ خانه کرد' (This view made me miss home).

In Daily Conversations, it is used more frequently than its English counterpart. While an English speaker might say 'I miss you,' a Persian speaker might say 'Your absence made me miss you' (دوری‌ات مرا دلتنگ کرد), placing the emphasis on the cause of the feeling. It’s also used when looking at old family albums or visiting a childhood neighborhood. It’s a word of connection, bridging the gap between the present moment and a cherished past or an absent loved one.

نامه‌هایت مرا دلتنگ کردند.
(Your letters made me miss you.)

The most frequent mistake learners make is confusing دلتنگ کردن (transitive: to make miss) with دلتنگ شدن (intransitive: to become miss/to miss). Because English uses the verb 'to miss' for both, learners often use 'kardan' when they mean 'shodan'. Remember: if you are the one feeling the emotion without an external cause being emphasized, use 'shodan'. If something else is causing you to feel that way, use 'kardan'.

Incorrect: من تو را دلتنگ کردم (When you mean 'I missed you'). This actually means 'I made you miss [me/someone].'
Correct: من دلتنگِ تو شدم (I missed you / I became miss-ing of you).

Another mistake involves the use of the object marker 'را'. Since 'deltang kardan' is transitive, the person who is being made to miss must have a 'ra' if they are a specific noun or pronoun. Forgetting 'ra' makes the sentence grammatically incomplete. For example, 'In film man deltang mikonad' is wrong; it must be 'In film mara deltang mikonad'.

اشتباه: این آهنگ من دلتنگ کرد.
درست: این آهنگ مرا دلتنگ کرد.
(Mistake: This song I made miss. Correct: This song made me miss.)

Finally, learners sometimes struggle with the word order when specifying who they miss. The structure is 'Subject + Object + را + دلتنگِ [Person/Thing] + کرد'. The 'ezafe' (the short 'e' sound) attaches 'deltang' to the target of the longing. Example: 'In aks mara deltang-e madaram kard' (This photo made me miss my mother). If you leave out the ezafe, the sentence implies a general feeling of homesickness rather than missing a specific person.

While دلتنگ کردن is the most common way to express causing longing, Persian offers several synonyms and related terms depending on the intensity and context. Understanding these helps you choose the right 'flavor' of emotion.

مشتاق کردن (Mushtaq kardan): To make someone eager or longing for something. This is more positive and 'forward-looking' than deltang kardan. It implies a desire to see or do something soon.
بی‌قرار کردن (Bi-gharar kardan): To make someone restless. This is a higher intensity of longing where the person literally cannot stay still because they miss someone so much.

دوری‌ات مرا بی‌قرار کرده است.
(Your absence has made me restless [with longing].)

In formal or poetic contexts, you might use یاد کسی را زنده کردن (to bring someone's memory to life). This is used when an object or event reminds you of someone who is gone, effectively 'making you miss' them by making their memory vivid. Another alternative is غمگین کردن (to make sad), but it lacks the specific 'missing' component that 'deltang' provides. 'Deltangi' is a specific blend of sadness and love.

For a more colloquial feel, Iranians might say جای کسی را خالی کردن (to make someone's place empty). While this is usually used as 'Jayat khali' (your place was empty/we missed you), the concept of 'emptiness' is the social equivalent of 'deltangi'. If you want to say 'That movie made me miss my childhood,' you could say 'An film mara be yada-e doran-e kudaki andakht' (That film threw me into the memory of childhood), which is a common alternative to 'deltang kard'.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"این واقعه ملت را دلتنگِ شکوهِ باستان نمود."

Neutral

"این عکس مرا دلتنگِ خانه‌مان کرد."

Informal

"نرو دیگه، منو دلتنگ نکن."

Child friendly

"دوری از مامان، کوچولو رو دلتنگ می‌کنه."

Slang

"دوری‌ت داره بدجوری منو دلتنگ می‌کنه."

Fun Fact

In Persian, the heart is not just the center of love, but the center of all psychological states. Therefore, 'tightness of heart' is the standard way to describe the physical sensation of missing someone.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /del.tæŋ kær.dæn/

US /del.tæŋ kær.dæn/

Stress is typically on the second syllable of the compound verb's first part (del-TANG) and the last syllable of the conjugated verb (kar-DAN).

Rhymes With

رنگ کردن (rang kardan) جنگ کردن (jang kardan) هنگ کردن (hang kardan) سنگ کردن (sang kardan) تنگ کردن (tang kardan) آهنگ کردن (ahang kardan) فرهنگ کردن (farhang kardan) ننگ کردن (nang kardan)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'tang' like the English word 'tongue' (it should be 't-ang' as in 'bang').
Stress on 'del' instead of 'tang'.
Merging 'deltang' and 'kardan' without a slight pause in the compound structure.
Over-emphasizing the 'r' in 'kardan' (it should be a light tap).
Mispronouncing 'del' as 'deel' (it should be a short 'e' like 'bed').

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to recognize in texts once 'del' and 'tang' are known.

Writing 4/5

Requires correct use of 'ra' and 'ezafe'.

Speaking 4/5

Needs practice to avoid confusing with 'deltang shodan'.

Listening 3/5

Commonly heard in songs and movies.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

دل (heart) تنگ (tight) کردن (to do) شدن (to become) را (object marker)

Learn Next

مشتاق (eager) بی‌قرار (restless) خاطره (memory) یاد (remembrance) سفر (travel)

Advanced

هجران (separation) فراق (parting) نوستالژی (nostalgia) انزوا (isolation) غربت (exile)

Grammar to Know

Compound Verb Conjugation

دلتنگ می‌کنم، دلتنگ می‌کنی، دلتنگ می‌کند...

Object Marker 'Ra'

او *مرا* دلتنگ کرد.

Ezafe after 'Deltang'

دلتنگِ *مادرم* شدم.

Causative vs. Intransitive

دلتنگ کردن (to make miss) vs. دلتنگ شدن (to miss).

Negative Imperative

دلتنگ نکن!

Examples by Level

تو مرا دلتنگ می‌کنی.

You make me miss you.

Direct object 'mara' (me) + deltang + present tense of 'kardan'.

این عکس مرا دلتنگ کرد.

This photo made me miss [home/you].

Past tense 'kard'.

نرو، مرا دلتنگ نکن.

Don't go, don't make me miss you.

Imperative negative 'nakon'.

دوری مرا دلتنگ می‌کند.

Distance makes me miss [you].

Subject 'dori' (distance) is singular.

آیا من تو را دلتنگ می‌کنم؟

Do I make you miss me?

Question form with 'aya'.

مادرم مرا دلتنگ می‌کند.

My mother makes me miss [her].

Subject is 'madaram'.

این شهر مرا دلتنگ کرد.

This city made me miss [my home].

Simple past tense.

او ما را دلتنگ می‌کند.

He/She makes us miss [him/her].

Object is 'ma ra' (us).

بوی نان مرا دلتنگِ خانه می‌کند.

The smell of bread makes me miss home.

Ezafe '-e' connects deltang to 'khane'.

صدای تو مرا دلتنگِ گذشته کرد.

Your voice made me miss the past.

Ezafe connects deltang to 'gozashte'.

این آهنگ مرا دلتنگِ شیراز می‌کند.

This song makes me miss Shiraz.

Proper noun 'Shiraz' used with ezafe.

نامه‌هایت مرا دلتنگ می‌کنند.

Your letters make me miss you.

Plural subject 'namehayat' leads to plural verb 'mikonand'.

فیلم‌های قدیمی مرا دلتنگ می‌کنند.

Old movies make me miss [those times].

Plural verb 'mikonand'.

دوریِ از تو مرا دلتنگ کرده است.

Being away from you has made me miss you.

Present perfect 'karde ast'.

چرا می‌خواهی مرا دلتنگ کنی؟

Why do you want to make me miss you?

Infinitive construction 'daltang koni'.

هوای بارانی مرا دلتنگِ شمال می‌کند.

Rainy weather makes me miss the North (of Iran).

Ezafe used with 'shomal'.

غروب‌های جمعه همیشه مرا دلتنگ می‌کند.

Friday sunsets always make me feel nostalgic/miss things.

Cultural context: Friday sunset is a time of melancholy.

او با رفتنش همه را دلتنگ کرد.

By leaving, he made everyone miss him.

Object is 'hame' (everyone).

این عکس‌های قدیمی ما را دلتنگِ دورانِ مدرسه کرد.

These old photos made us miss our school days.

Complex ezafe chain: deltang-e doran-e madrese.

نمی‌خواستم تو را دلتنگ کنم، اما مجبور بودم بروم.

I didn't want to make you miss me, but I had to go.

Subjunctive 'daltang konam' after 'khastan'.

غربت آدم را دلتنگِ وطن می‌کند.

Living abroad makes a person miss their homeland.

Use of 'ghorbat' (living away from home).

صدای باران مرا دلتنگِ کودکی‌هایم کرد.

The sound of rain made me miss my childhood.

Plural 'koodaki-hayam'.

او سعی کرد مرا دلتنگ نکند.

He tried not to make me miss him.

Negative subjunctive.

خاطراتِ خوب همیشه آدم را دلتنگ می‌کنند.

Good memories always make a person feel longing.

Plural subject 'khaterat'.

نویسنده با توصیفاتش خواننده را دلتنگِ آن فضا می‌کند.

The author makes the reader miss that atmosphere with his descriptions.

Abstract usage in literary criticism.

این موسیقیِ سنتی هر ایرانی‌ای را دلتنگِ اصلش می‌کند.

This traditional music makes every Iranian miss their roots.

Use of 'asl' (roots/origin).

نباید اجازه دهی دوری تو را این‌قدر دلتنگ کند.

You shouldn't let the distance make you this homesick.

Modal verb 'nabayad' + 'ejaze dahi'.

تغییراتِ شهر مرا دلتنگِ تهرانِ قدیم کرد.

The changes in the city made me miss old Tehran.

Social context: Urban change and nostalgia.

او با حرف‌هایش مرا دلتنگِ روزهای بی‌خیالی کرد.

With his words, he made me miss the carefree days.

Compound adjective 'bi-khiali'.

این فیلم مخاطب را دلتنگِ ارزش‌های فراموش‌شده می‌کند.

This film makes the audience miss forgotten values.

Formal register 'mokhateb' (audience).

هر بار که می‌رود، مرا بیشتر دلتنگ می‌کند.

Every time he leaves, he makes me miss him more.

Use of 'har bar ke' (every time that).

آیا غربت تو را دلتنگِ خانواده‌ات کرده است؟

Has living abroad made you miss your family?

Present perfect question.

شعرِ او چنان قدرتمند است که حتی غریبه‌ها را هم دلتنگِ وطنش می‌کند.

His poetry is so powerful that it even makes strangers miss his homeland.

Use of 'chonan... ke' (so... that) construction.

این بنای تاریخی مرا دلتنگِ شکوهِ از دست رفته نمود.

This historical monument made me miss the lost glory.

Formal verb 'namood' instead of 'kard'.

گاهی سکوتِ شب آدم را دلتنگِ نشنیده‌ها می‌کند.

Sometimes the silence of the night makes one miss the unheard things.

Philosophical/Abstract usage.

او با بازخوانیِ آن ترانه، نسلی را دلتنگِ خاطراتِ مشترکشان کرد.

By re-singing that song, he made a generation miss their shared memories.

Gerund-like use of 'ba bazkhani' (by re-reading/re-singing).

نبودِ عدالت در جامعه، مردم را دلتنگِ دورانِ ثبات می‌کند.

The lack of justice in society makes people miss the era of stability.

Sociopolitical usage.

این عطرِ خاص مرا به شدت دلتنگِ مادربزرگم می‌کند.

This specific perfume makes me intensely miss my grandmother.

Adverbial phrase 'be sheddat' (intensely).

تکنولوژیِ مدرن گاهی ما را دلتنگِ سادگیِ گذشته می‌سازد.

Modern technology sometimes makes us miss the simplicity of the past.

Formal verb 'misazad' (makes).

او چنان از سفرش گفت که مرا دلتنگِ جاهایی کرد که هرگز ندیده‌ام.

He spoke of his trip in such a way that he made me miss places I've never seen.

Complex relative clause 'jahayi ke hargez nadide-am'.

دیالکتیکِ میانِ حضور و غیاب در آثارِ او، مخاطب را مدام دلتنگِ معنای غایب می‌کند.

The dialectic between presence and absence in his works constantly makes the audience miss the absent meaning.

Highly academic/philosophical register.

این نثرِ مسجع مرا دلتنگِ فصاحتِ ادبیاتِ کلاسیک کرد.

This rhyming prose made me miss the eloquence of classical literature.

Technical literary term 'nasr-e mosajja'.

او با ظرافتی بی‌نظیر، غمِ غربت را در دلِ شنونده بیدار و او را دلتنگِ ریشه‌هایش می‌کند.

With unparalleled subtlety, he awakens the grief of exile in the listener's heart and makes them miss their roots.

Sophisticated compound sentence structure.

تجربه‌ی زیسته‌ی او در تبعید، هر واژه‌اش را به عاملی برای دلتنگ کردنِ هم‌وطنانش بدل کرده است.

His lived experience in exile has turned his every word into a factor for making his compatriots miss [their home].

Use of 'badal kardan' (to turn into) and gerund 'deltang kardan'.

معماریِ بی‌روحِ مدرن، شهروندان را دلتنگِ هویتِ بصریِ سنتی کرده است.

Soulless modern architecture has made citizens miss their traditional visual identity.

Abstract social commentary.

او در نامه‌هایش چنان از وطن می‌گفت که گویی می‌خواست تمامِ جهان را دلتنگِ آن خاک کند.

In his letters, he spoke of his homeland as if he wanted to make the whole world miss that soil.

Irrealis mood 'gooyi mikhasat'.

این تراژدی، تماشاگر را دلتنگِ عدالتی می‌کند که در جهانِ واقعی دست‌نیافتنی می‌نماید.

This tragedy makes the spectator miss a justice that seems unattainable in the real world.

Complex philosophical reflection.

واکاویِ خاطراتِ جمعی، ملت را دلتنگِ آرمان‌های فراموش‌شده‌ی انقلاب نمود.

The analysis of collective memories made the nation miss the forgotten ideals of the revolution.

Academic verb 'vakavi' (analysis).

Common Collocations

شدیداً دلتنگ کردن

دلتنگِ خانه کردن

دلتنگِ گذشته کردن

همیشه دلتنگ کردن

بی‌دلیل دلتنگ کردن

دلتنگِ عزیزان کردن

بیشتر دلتنگ کردن

زود دلتنگ کردن

دلتنگِ رفیق کردن

دلتنگِ وطن کردن

Common Phrases

مرا دلتنگ نکن

— Don't make me miss you (often said when someone is leaving).

زود برگرد، مرا دلتنگ نکن.

دوری‌ات مرا دلتنگ می‌کند

— Your absence makes me miss you.

می‌دانی که دوری‌ات مرا دلتنگ می‌کند؟

این آهنگ آدم را دلتنگ می‌کند

— This song makes one feel nostalgic.

گوش نده، این آهنگ آدم را دلتنگ می‌کند.

خاطراتت مرا دلتنگ کرد

— Your memories made me miss you.

امروز خاطراتت مرا دلتنگ کرد.

مرا دلتنگِ خودت کردی

— You made me miss you (the version of you I knew).

با این کار، مرا دلتنگِ خودت کردی.

بیش از این مرا دلتنگ نکن

— Don't make me miss you more than this.

خواهش می‌کنم بیش از این مرا دلتنگ نکن.

این شهر مرا دلتنگ می‌کند

— This city makes me feel homesick.

تهران همیشه مرا دلتنگ می‌کند.

صدای باران مرا دلتنگ کرد

— The sound of rain made me miss [someone/the past].

باز هم صدای باران مرا دلتنگ کرد.

جای خالی‌ات مرا دلتنگ کرد

— Your empty place (absence) made me miss you.

امروز جای خالی‌ات مرا دلتنگ کرد.

عکس‌هایت مرا دلتنگ کردند

— Your photos made me miss you.

نگاه کردن به عکس‌هایت مرا دلتنگ کردند.

Often Confused With

دلتنگ کردن vs دلتنگ شدن

This means 'to become homesick' (you feel it yourself), while 'kardan' means something else is making you feel it.

دلتنگ کردن vs تنگ کردن

This means simply 'to tighten' (like a belt), without the emotional 'del' (heart).

دلتنگ کردن vs دلخور کردن

This means 'to offend' or 'to make someone upset', not to make them miss you.

Idioms & Expressions

"دل کسی را تنگ کردن"

— To make someone miss someone or feel sad/constricted.

با رفتنت دلِ ما را تنگ کردی.

Neutral

"جای کسی را خالی کردن"

— Literally 'to make someone's place empty', used to say you missed someone.

در مهمانی جایت را خالی کردیم.

Informal

"دلت برای کسی پر کشیدن"

— To have one's heart fly (long) for someone.

دلم برای دیدنت پر می‌کشد.

Informal/Poetic

"یاد کسی بخیر"

— May their memory be well (used when missing someone).

یادِ آن روزها بخیر، چقدر ما را دلتنگ می‌کند.

Neutral

"دل به دریا زدن"

— To hit the heart to the sea (to take a risk), often used when the longing becomes unbearable.

دلتنگی مرا مجبور کرد دل به دریا بزنم و برگردم.

Informal

"دلشوره داشتن"

— To have 'salt in the heart' (anxiety), often accompanying the feeling of making someone miss you.

دوری‌ات به من دلشوره می‌دهد و دلتنگم می‌کند.

Informal

"یک دل نه صد دل عاشق شدن"

— To fall in love with a hundred hearts, leading to intense 'deltangi'.

او یک دل نه صد دل عاشق شد و دوری او را دلتنگ کرد.

Poetic

"دل از کسی کندن"

— To dig the heart out of someone (to stop loving/missing), the opposite of 'deltang kardan'.

نمی‌توانم دل بکنم، چون خاطراتت مرا دلتنگ می‌کند.

Informal

"دل کسی را لرزاندن"

— To make someone's heart tremble, often a precursor to 'deltangi'.

صدای او دل مرا لرزاند و مرا دلتنگ کرد.

Poetic

"دل‌بسته بودن"

— To be heart-bound (attached), which causes one to be 'deltang'.

او به خانه‌اش دل‌بسته است و سفر او را دلتنگ می‌کند.

Neutral

Easily Confused

دلتنگ کردن vs دلتنگ شدن

Both involve 'deltang'.

Shodan is intransitive (I miss); Kardan is transitive (You make me miss).

من دلتنگ شدم (I missed) vs تو مرا دلتنگ کردی (You made me miss).

دلتنگ کردن vs مشتاق کردن

Both involve longing.

Mushtaq is positive eagerness; Deltang is often melancholic longing.

او مرا مشتاقِ سفر کرد.

دلتنگ کردن vs یادآوری

Both bring up the past.

Yad-avari is cognitive; Deltang is emotional/visceral.

این نکته را به من یادآوری کن.

دلتنگ کردن vs بی‌قرار کردن

Both involve intense feelings.

Bi-gharar is about restlessness and agitation; Deltang is about the 'tightness' of longing.

صدای گریه مرا بی‌قرار کرد.

دلتنگ کردن vs غمگین کردن

Deltangi is a type of sadness.

Ghamgin is broad; Deltang is specific to missing something/someone.

مرگِ او مرا غمگین کرد.

Sentence Patterns

[Subject] [Object] ra deltang mikonad.

To mara deltang mikoni.

[Something] mara deltang-e [Someone] kard.

In aks mara deltang-e pedaram kard.

Dori mara deltang-e [Place] karde ast.

Dori mara deltang-e Shiraz karde ast.

Nabayad ejaze dahi [Something] tora deltang konad.

Nabayad ejaze dahi ghorbat tora deltang konad.

[Abstract Subject] mara deltang-e [Abstract Concept] mikonad.

Sokoot mara deltang-e gofte-ha mikonad.

[Formal Subject] mokhateb ra deltang-e [Formal Object] misazad.

In nasr mara deltang-e fasahat-e gozashte misazad.

All

[Subject] ra deltang nakon.

Mara deltang nakon.

All

Chara mara deltang mikoni?

Why do you make me miss you?

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Very common in emotional contexts.

Common Mistakes

من تو را دلتنگ کردم → من دلتنگِ تو شدم
You said 'I made you miss [me]', but you meant 'I missed you'. Use 'shodan' for your own feelings.
این آهنگ من دلتنگ کرد → این آهنگ مرا دلتنگ کرد
Missing the object marker 'ra' (or 'mara').
دلتنگِ مادرم کرد → او مرا دلتنگِ مادرم کرد
Missing the subject or the object; the sentence needs to show who is feeling the emotion.
او مرا دلتنگِ تو شد → او مرا دلتنگِ تو کرد
Mixing 'shodan' and 'kardan'. If you use 'mara', you must use 'kardan'.
مرا دلتنگِ وطن شدی → مرا دلتنگِ وطن کردی
Incorrect verb ending for the intended person.

Tips

The Ra Rule

Always remember the object marker 'ra' after the person who is feeling the longing. 'Mara deltang kardan' is the standard pattern.

Friday Melancholy

In Iran, Friday afternoons are seen as inherently 'deltang konandeh' (making one miss/sad). Use this verb when talking about 'Ghoroob-e Jomeh'.

Compound Verbs

Remember that 'deltang' stays the same; only 'kardan' changes for tense and person. This makes it easier to conjugate once you know 'kardan'.

Causative Power

Use this verb when you want to emphasize that something external (a song, a photo) is the reason for your feelings.

Spoken Reduction

In Tehran, 'mara' often becomes 'mano'. Practice saying 'Mano deltang nakone' for a more native sound.

Song Lyrics

If you listen to Persian pop, you'll hear this verb constantly. It's a great way to learn the rhythm of the phrase.

Ezafe Connection

Don't forget the 'e' sound (ezafe) when saying *who* you were made to miss: 'deltang-e madaram'.

Warmth

Telling a friend 'Don't make me miss you' (Mara deltang nakon) is a very warm and common way to say goodbye.

The Squeeze

Associate 'tang' with 'tight'. Your heart feels tight. This physical association helps you remember the meaning.

Context Clues

If you hear 'ra' and 'deltang' together, look for 'kardan' or 'sakhtan' at the end of the sentence.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'TANG' (tight) 'DEL' (bell/heart) that you 'KARDAN' (make). When you make the heart tight like a bell that can't ring, you are making someone miss you.

Visual Association

Imagine a person's chest (heart) being squeezed by a tight ribbon. The ribbon represents the distance or memory that is making them 'deltang'.

Word Web

Del (Heart) Tang (Tight) Kardan (To do) Deltangi (Nostalgia) Ghorbat (Exile) Yad (Memory) Dori (Distance) Gham (Sadness)

Challenge

Try to write three sentences about things that 'make you miss' your childhood using 'deltang kardan'.

Word Origin

The phrase is a Persian compound verb. 'Del' comes from Middle Persian 'dil', meaning heart. 'Tang' comes from Middle Persian 'tang', meaning narrow or tight. 'Kardan' is the Old Persian 'karnauwan', meaning to do or make.

Original meaning: To make the heart narrow/tight.

Indo-European -> Indo-Iranian -> Iranian -> Western Iranian -> Persian.

Cultural Context

It is a safe, polite, and very warm expression. No specific sensitivities other than it being quite emotional.

English speakers say 'I miss you' (active). Persians often say 'Your absence makes me miss you' (causative/passive focus).

Numerous songs by Dariush Eghbali use this concept. The poetry of Sohrab Sepehri often evokes a sense of being made to miss nature. Iranian cinema classics like 'The Salesman' deal with the 'deltangi' of changing social spaces.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Leaving a friend

مرا دلتنگ نکن
زود برگرد
دلم برایت تنگ می‌شود
منتظرت هستم

Looking at old photos

این عکس مرا دلتنگ کرد
یادش بخیر
چه روزهایی بود
چقدر پیر شدیم

Living abroad

غربت مرا دلتنگ می‌کند
دلم برای ایران تنگ شده
بوی نان مرا دلتنگ کرد
صدای مادرم را می‌خواهم

Listening to music

این آهنگ مرا دلتنگ می‌کند
غمگین است
یادِ او افتادم
بسیار زیباست

Relationship talk

رفتارت مرا دلتنگ کرد
چرا دوری می‌کنی؟
مرا دلتنگِ خودت نکن
بمان

Conversation Starters

"آیا تا به حال آهنگی شنیده‌ای که تو را دلتنگِ کودکی‌ات کند؟"

"کدام شهر در دنیا تو را بیشتر دلتنگِ خانه می‌کند؟"

"وقتی کسی تو را دلتنگ می‌کند، چه کار می‌کنی؟"

"آیا عکس‌های قدیمی تو را دلتنگ می‌کنند یا خوشحال؟"

"چه چیزی در غربت تو را بیشتر دلتنگِ وطن می‌کند؟"

Journal Prompts

درباره‌ی زمانی بنویسید که یک بو یا صدا شما را دلتنگِ عزیزی کرد.

آیا فکر می‌کنید تکنولوژی ما را کمتر دلتنگِ هم می‌کند یا بیشتر؟ چرا؟

چیزهایی را لیست کنید که همیشه شما را دلتنگِ دورانِ مدرسه می‌کنند.

توصیف کنید که چگونه دوری از خانه می‌تواند یک نفر را دلتنگ کند.

نامه‌ای به خودِ قدیمی‌تان بنویسید و بگویید چرا دلتنگِ آن روزها هستید.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

'Deltang shodan' means 'to miss someone' (intransitive), while 'Deltang kardan' means 'to make someone miss someone' (transitive/causative). For example, 'I miss you' is 'Man deltang-e to shodam', but 'You make me miss you' is 'To mara deltang mikoni'.

Yes, you can. For example, 'This old house makes me miss my childhood' (این خانه‌ی قدیمی مرا دلتنگِ کودکی‌ام می‌کند). It is very common to use it for places and times.

It is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal settings. In very formal literature, you might see 'deltang sakhtan' or 'deltang namoodan'.

Yes, if the person being made to miss is a specific person or pronoun, you must use 'ra' (e.g., mara, to ra, Ali ra).

You would say: 'To mara deltang nemikoni'.

It literally means 'heart-tight' or 'narrow-heart', describing the feeling of constriction in the chest during longing.

Yes: 'Dori mara deltang khahad kard' (Distance will make me miss [you]).

Yes, though 'diq kardan' is also common in Dari, 'deltang kardan' is widely understood and used.

It implies a specific kind of sadness related to longing. For general sadness, use 'ghamgin kardan'.

There isn't a single word, but 'daldari dadan' (to comfort) or 'shad kardan' (to make happy) are contextual opposites.