This page in your language

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

Français

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

A1 noun #1,800 most common 8 min read

ضرر

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

You can say 'بدون ضرر' (without harm) or 'بیضرر' (harmless). In conversation, people often just say 'ضرر ندارد' (it has no harm).

zarar Top 1,800

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips ضرر in 30 Seconds

Explanation ضرر in your Level:

At the A1 level, the word ضرر (zarar) is introduced as a simple noun to express that something is bad or harmful. Beginners learn to use it primarily with the verb داشتن (to have) to form the phrase 'ضرر دارد' (it is harmful / it has harm). This is crucial for understanding basic warnings and health advice. For example, a learner might hear a doctor or a friend say 'سیگار ضرر دارد' (Smoking is harmful). The focus at this stage is on memorizing the word as a chunk with its most common verb and recognizing its negative connotation. It is often taught alongside its direct opposite, سود (profit/benefit), or in contrast to words like خوب (good). Students at this level are not expected to use complex prepositions, but they should be able to identify that when someone says 'ضرر', they mean something negative or disadvantageous is happening. Simple sentences like 'این کار ضرر دارد' (This action has harm) are the cornerstone of A1 usage. The pronunciation is straightforward, and learners are encouraged to practice saying it in the context of daily habits, such as eating too much sugar or staying up late, to build a foundational understanding of cause and effect in Persian.

Moving into the A2 level, learners begin to construct more detailed sentences using ضرر. They are introduced to the preposition 'برای' (for) to specify who or what is being harmed. The structure 'برای [noun] ضرر دارد' becomes a staple in their vocabulary. For instance, they can now say 'نوشابه برای سلامتی ضرر دارد' (Soda is harmful to health). This allows for much more expressive and targeted communication regarding health, diet, and daily routines. Additionally, A2 students start to encounter the financial application of the word through the compound verb 'ضرر کردن' (to suffer a loss). They learn to use this in the past tense to describe simple personal experiences, such as 'من در این کار ضرر کردم' (I lost money/suffered a loss in this work). The concept of 'ضرر ندارد' (it has no harm) is also introduced as a polite way to encourage someone to try something new, like 'خوردن این غذا ضرر ندارد' (Eating this food has no harm). By mastering these slightly more complex structures, A2 learners can participate in basic conversations about choices, consequences, and simple financial transactions, making their Persian sound much more natural and contextually appropriate.

At the B1 level, the usage of ضرر expands significantly into broader social, professional, and abstract contexts. Learners are expected to comfortably use both 'ضرر داشتن' (to be harmful) and 'ضرر کردن' (to suffer a loss) across various tenses, including the future and subjunctive. They begin to use it to discuss hypothetical situations and give nuanced advice. For example, 'اگر الان نخوابی، فردا ضرر می‌کنی' (If you don't sleep now, you will suffer for it tomorrow). The vocabulary surrounding ضرر also grows; students learn to pair it with adjectives to specify the type of harm, such as 'ضرر مالی' (financial loss) and 'ضرر جانی' (loss of life/physical harm). Furthermore, B1 learners are introduced to the active causative form 'ضرر زدن' or 'ضرر رساندن' (to cause harm/damage to something else), using the preposition 'به' (to). For instance, 'این تصمیم به شرکت ضرر زد' (This decision harmed the company). This level also introduces common idiomatic expressions and proverbs involving the word, enhancing cultural fluency. Students learn to debate the pros and cons of a situation using 'سود و ضرر' (profit and loss), allowing them to express opinions on more complex topics like business decisions, environmental issues, and personal relationships with greater accuracy and confidence.

In the B2 level, learners refine their use of ضرر, integrating it into complex, compound sentences and professional discourse. The distinction between ضرر and its synonyms like زیان (ziyan), خسارت (khesarat), and آسیب (asib) becomes crucial. B2 students can articulate why one word is more appropriate than another in a given context. They comfortably use expressions like 'جبران ضرر' (compensating for a loss) and 'جلوگیری از ضرر' (preventing a loss) in discussions about economics, business management, or risk assessment. The abstract usage of the word becomes second nature; they can express that a certain policy or societal trend is 'به ضرر جامعه' (to the detriment of society). At this stage, learners also master the passive constructions, understanding how to describe situations where harm was inflicted without necessarily stating the actor. They engage with authentic materials—such as news reports, opinion pieces, and podcasts—where ضرر is used to analyze political decisions or market fluctuations. The ability to use the word metaphorically, such as describing an emotional loss or a waste of time as a 'ضرر بزرگ' (a great loss), demonstrates a high level of linguistic maturity and a deep understanding of Persian conversational nuances.

At the C1 level, the word ضرر is utilized with academic and professional precision. Learners encounter and produce the word in highly formal contexts, such as legal documents, economic analyses, and academic papers. They are expected to master binomial expressions like 'ضرر و زیان' (loss and damage), which are standard in legal terminology. A C1 user can effortlessly discuss complex concepts like 'مطالبه ضرر و زیان ناشی از جرم' (claiming damages resulting from a crime) or analyze the 'ضرر و منفعت' (cost-benefit) of a macroeconomic policy. The grammatical structures surrounding the word become sophisticated, involving complex relative clauses and advanced subjunctive forms. For example, 'اقداماتی که ممکن است منجر به ضررهای جبران‌ناپذیری شود' (actions that might lead to irreparable damages). At this level, the focus is not just on correct usage, but on stylistic appropriateness and register. C1 learners understand the subtle rhetorical power of the word in persuasion and debate, using it to forcefully argue a point or to diplomatically point out the flaws in a proposal. They can seamlessly transition between the colloquial 'ضرر کردم' in a casual chat and the highly formal 'متحمل ضرر و زیان گردید' in a written report.

For a C2 learner, the mastery of ضرر represents a near-native intuition regarding its cultural, literary, and historical resonance. At this pinnacle of proficiency, the word is understood not just as a vocabulary item, but as a concept deeply embedded in Persian philosophy, poetry, and jurisprudence. C2 users can effortlessly navigate classical texts where the concept of worldly loss (ضرر) is contrasted with spiritual gain. They are adept at using and inventing sophisticated metaphors involving the word. In contemporary usage, they can engage in high-level debates on law, economics, and ethics, using terms like 'قاعده لاضرر' (the Islamic legal maxim of 'no harm') with full comprehension of its implications. The vocabulary is deployed with absolute precision; a C2 speaker knows exactly when a situation calls for ضرر versus خسران (a more profound, often spiritual loss) or غرامت (indemnity). They can critique texts based on the author's choice of these words and can manipulate the language to evoke specific emotional or intellectual responses. At this level, using ضرر is about commanding the language to reflect complex thought processes, demonstrating an absolute command over the subtleties of Persian semantics and cultural context.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

ضرر in 30 Seconds

Means harm, damage, or financial loss.
Opposite of سود (sood) which means profit.
Used with verbs داشتن (to have) and کردن (to do).
Common in health advice and business talks.

The Persian word ضرر (zarar) is an essential noun that translates to harm, damage, loss, or disadvantage in English. Understanding this word is crucial for anyone learning Persian, as it appears frequently in everyday conversations, business contexts, medical advice, and legal discussions. At its core, ضرر represents a negative impact or a deficit, whether physical, financial, or abstract. When we explore the depth of this word, we see it functions not just as a standalone noun but as the foundation for numerous compound verbs and expressions.

Literal Meaning: The literal translation refers to a direct loss or injury, often used in the context of health or wealth.

سیگار کشیدن برای سلامتی ضرر دارد.

In this context, the word highlights the physical detriment caused by an action. It is a straightforward, universally understood application of the term. Furthermore, the concept extends into the financial realm.

Financial Context: In business, it signifies a monetary loss, the opposite of profit (سود).

شرکت ما امسال ضرر زیادی کرد.

Here, the compound verb ضرر کردن (to suffer a loss) is employed. This is a vital structure for learners to master. Beyond physical and financial aspects, ضرر can also denote a general disadvantage or a bad idea.

Abstract Usage: Used to express that an action will not yield good results or is simply a waste of time and energy.

رفتن به آنجا فقط ضرر است.

This flexibility makes the word highly versatile. When discussing consequences, native speakers frequently rely on this term to warn others. The cultural weight of the word is also significant; avoiding harm is a common theme in Persian proverbs and daily advice.

جلوی ضرر را از هر جا بگیری منفعت است.

This famous proverb translates to 'Whenever you stop a loss, it is a benefit,' emphasizing the value of recognizing and halting negative situations promptly.

این دارو هیچ ضرری ندارد.

In medical or dietary contexts, assuring someone that something has 'no harm' (هیچ ضرری ندارد) is a standard phrase. By mastering the various dimensions of this word, learners unlock a significant portion of expressive capability in Persian, allowing them to navigate warnings, financial discussions, and general evaluations of situations with confidence and accuracy. The repetition of these patterns in daily life ensures that once learned, the word will be encountered and utilized constantly.

Using the word ضرر (zarar) correctly in Persian requires an understanding of its common collocations and the specific verbs it pairs with to create meaning. Because Persian relies heavily on compound verbs, knowing the noun alone is insufficient; you must know its verbal partners. The most fundamental construction is ضرر داشتن (to have harm / to be harmful).

Describing Harmfulness: Use 'ضرر دارد' to state that something is bad for someone or something, often preceded by 'برای' (for).

خوردن شیرینی زیاد برای دندان ضرر دارد.

This structure is ubiquitous in giving advice. Another critical compound is ضرر کردن (to suffer a loss). This is an active verb indicating that the subject has experienced a disadvantage, usually financial.

Experiencing Loss: Use 'ضرر کردم' when you have lost money in a transaction or made a bad deal.

من در فروش ماشینم ضرر کردم.

To express causing harm to someone else, the verb رساندن (to deliver/reach) or زدن (to hit) is used, forming ضرر رساندن or ضرر زدن.

طوفان به محصولات کشاورزی ضرر زد.

You will also frequently hear the phrase 'ضرر ندارد' (it has no harm) used as an encouragement to try something.

Encouragement: When someone is hesitant, saying 'امتحانش ضرر ندارد' means 'there is no harm in trying'.

یک بار امتحان کن، ضرر که ندارد.

In formal writing, adjectives are often added to specify the type of harm, such as ضرر مالی (financial loss) or ضرر جانی (loss of life/physical harm).

باید ضرر مالی او را جبران کنیم.

Understanding these nuances allows a learner to shift from merely recognizing the word to actively deploying it in a variety of social, professional, and casual situations. The grammatical flexibility of pairing it with different light verbs makes it a powerhouse vocabulary item. Practice forming sentences with 'ضرر دارد' for health, 'ضرر کردم' for money, and 'ضرر زد' for damage to master its full spectrum of use.

The word ضرر (zarar) is ubiquitous in Persian-speaking environments, echoing through bazaars, doctors' offices, news broadcasts, and casual living room conversations. Its versatility means you will encounter it in highly diverse contexts.

Medical & Health Contexts: Doctors and parents frequently use it to warn against unhealthy habits.

فست فود برای بدن ضرر دارد.

In a clinic, a physician might explain the side effects of a medication by discussing its potential 'ضرر'. In the bustling markets and business districts, the term takes on a purely financial tone.

Business & Trade: Merchants use it to discuss profit margins, bad investments, or bargaining outcomes.

اگر با این قیمت بفروشم، ضرر می‌کنم.

You will hear shopkeepers claim they are selling at a loss just to please the customer, a common negotiation tactic. In everyday social interactions, it is used to give friendly advice or to encourage someone to take a small risk.

Friendly Advice: Used to suggest that an action has no negative consequences.

پرسیدن که ضرر ندارد.

This phrase, 'asking has no harm', is a staple in Persian conversation. On the news, the word is often paired with formal adjectives to report on disasters or economic downturns.

زلزله ضرر مالی فراوانی به جا گذاشت.

Furthermore, in educational settings, teachers might tell students that not studying will result in their own 'ضرر'.

درس نخواندن فقط به ضرر خودت است.

This demonstrates the word's capacity to express abstract, future disadvantages. Whether you are watching a dramatic Iranian film, listening to a podcast about economics, or simply chatting with a friend about what to eat for dinner, the concept of 'zarar' will inevitably surface, making it an indispensable part of your active vocabulary.

When learning the word ضرر (zarar), students often encounter a few specific pitfalls, primarily related to verb pairing and preposition usage. Because English uses verbs like 'to harm' or 'to damage' directly, English speakers often try to use ضرر as a standalone verb, which is incorrect in Persian.

Mistake: Using as a standalone verb: Learners might say 'آن ضرر می‌کند من را' instead of the correct compound structure.

Correct: آن به من ضرر می‌زند.

It is crucial to remember that ضرر is a noun and must be paired with a light verb like زدن, رساندن, or داشتن. Another frequent error involves the choice of preposition.

Mistake: Wrong Preposition: Using 'از' (from) instead of 'برای' (for) or 'به' (to) when describing what is being harmed.

Correct: این برای تو ضرر دارد.

Additionally, learners sometimes confuse ضرر کردن (to suffer a loss) with ضرر زدن (to cause a loss/harm).

Mistake: Confusing the direction of harm: Saying 'من ضرر زدم' when you mean 'I lost money' (من ضرر کردم).

Correct: من در این معامله ضرر کردم.

Pronunciation can also be a minor stumbling block. The letter 'ض' (zad) is pronounced exactly like 'ز' (ze) in modern Persian, so it sounds like 'zarar', not with a heavy Arabic emphatic 'd'.

Pronunciation: za-rar

Finally, overusing the word in highly formal written contexts where a synonym like خسارت (khesarat) or زیان (ziyan) would be more appropriate is a stylistic error.

Formal Alternative: جبران خسارت الزامی است.

By paying attention to the light verbs, the prepositions, the directionality of the action, and the register of the conversation, learners can easily overcome these common mistakes and use ضرر with native-like accuracy.

The Persian language is rich in vocabulary related to loss, damage, and harm. While ضرر (zarar) is the most common and versatile term, several synonyms exist, each carrying its own nuance and preferred context. Understanding these alternatives helps in comprehending more advanced texts and expressing oneself with greater precision.

زیان (Ziyan): This is the closest synonym to ضرر. It is slightly more formal and is often used in written Persian, literature, and official financial contexts.

شرکت دچار زیان شد.

In fact, the two words are frequently paired together in the binomial expression 'ضرر و زیان' (loss and damage) for emphasis, especially in legal jargon.

خسارت (Khesarat): This word specifically refers to physical damage or financial damages that require compensation. It is heavily used in insurance and law.

بیمه خسارت تصادف را پرداخت کرد.

Another related concept is صدمه (sadmeh), which translates more closely to 'injury' or 'trauma'.

صدمه (Sadmeh): Used primarily for physical injury to a person or severe damage to an object or abstract concept (like reputation).

او در تصادف صدمه دید.

Finally, the word آسیب (asib) is also very common, meaning harm, injury, or vulnerability.

آفتاب شدید به پوست آسیب می‌رساند.

While آسیب and ضرر can sometimes overlap (e.g., smoking harms the body), آسیب leans more towards structural or biological damage, whereas ضرر is a broader concept encompassing disadvantage and loss.

مقایسه: ضرر مالی vs آسیب جسمی.

By differentiating between ضرر (general harm/loss), زیان (formal loss), خسارت (compensable damage), صدمه (injury), and آسیب (structural harm), a learner can navigate the Persian language with the nuance and accuracy of a native speaker.

How Formal Is It?

Difficulty Rating

Grammar to Know

Compound Verbs in Persian

Prepositions with Verbs (برای vs به)

Conditional Sentences (If you do this, you will suffer loss)

Subjunctive Mood (I don't want to cause harm)

Infinitive as Subject (Smoking has harm)

Examples by Level

سیگار ضرر دارد.

Smoking has harm.

Uses the basic structure [Noun] + ضرر دارد.

این کار ضرر دارد.

This action is harmful.

Demonstrative pronoun 'این' with the core phrase.

شیرینی ضرر دارد.

Sweets are harmful.

Simple subject-verb agreement.

آیا این ضرر دارد؟

Does this have harm?

Question form using 'آیا'.

نه، ضرر ندارد.

No, it has no harm.

Negative form 'ندارد'.

پفک ضرر دارد.

Cheese puffs are harmful.

Vocabulary building with common junk food.

آن دارو ضرر دارد.

That medicine is harmful.

Using 'آن' (that).

استرس ضرر دارد.

Stress is harmful.

Abstract noun as subject.

نوشابه برای سلامتی ضرر دارد.

Soda is harmful to health.

Introduction of 'برای' (for).

من در این کار ضرر کردم.

I lost money in this job.

Past tense of compound verb ضرر کردن.

خوردن این میوه ضرر ندارد.

Eating this fruit has no harm.

Gerund 'خوردن' as subject.

هوای آلوده برای ما ضرر دارد.

Polluted air is harmful to us.

Adjective-noun phrase 'هوای آلوده'.

او دیروز خیلی ضرر کرد.

He suffered a big loss yesterday.

Adverb of time 'دیروز' and intensity 'خیلی'.

ورزش کردن ضرر ندارد.

Exercising has no harm.

Infinitive as subject.

این بازی برای چشم ضرر دارد.

This game is harmful to the eyes.

Specific body part with 'برای'.

ما نباید ضرر کنیم.

We must not suffer a loss.

Modal verb 'نباید' with subjunctive.

این تصمیم به شرکت ما ضرر زد.

This decision harmed our company.

Using ضرر زدن with preposition 'به'.

اگر دقت نکنی، ضرر مالی می‌کنی.

If you are not careful, you will suffer a financial loss.

Conditional sentence type 1.

سیگار کشیدن ضررهای زیادی برای بدن دارد.

Smoking has many harms for the body.

Plural form 'ضررها' with adjective.

من نمی‌خواهم به کسی ضرر برسانم.

I don't want to cause harm to anyone.

Using ضرر رساندن in subjunctive.

این معامله پر از سود و ضرر است.

This deal is full of profit and loss.

Binomial pair 'سود و ضرر'.

جلوی ضرر را گرفتن، خودش یک هنر است.

Stopping a loss is an art in itself.

Using 'جلوی ضرر را گرفتن'.

آنها از این قرارداد ضرر هنگفتی کردند.

They suffered a huge loss from this contract.

Advanced adjective 'هنگفت' (huge).

ترس از ضرر باعث شد سرمایه‌گذاری نکند.

The fear of loss caused him not to invest.

Noun phrase 'ترس از ضرر'.

دولت باید ضرر و زیان کشاورزان را جبران کند.

The government must compensate the farmers' loss and damage.

Formal binomial 'ضرر و زیان' and verb 'جبران کردن'.

این قانون جدید کاملاً به ضرر قشر ضعیف جامعه است.

This new law is completely to the detriment of the weaker class of society.

Expression 'به ضرر کسی بودن'.

متحمل شدن چنین ضرری برای کسب‌وکارهای کوچک ویرانگر است.

Sustaining such a loss is devastating for small businesses.

Formal verb 'متحمل شدن'.

او بدون در نظر گرفتن احتمالات، خودش را در معرض ضرر قرار داد.

Without considering the probabilities, he exposed himself to loss.

Expression 'در معرض ضرر قرار دادن'.

خسارت وارده فراتر از یک ضرر مالی ساده بود.

The inflicted damage was beyond a simple financial loss.

Comparing synonyms خسارت and ضرر.

باید استراتژی‌ای تدوین کنیم که حداقل ضرر را داشته باشد.

We must formulate a strategy that has the minimum harm.

Superlative concept 'حداقل ضرر'.

شایعات اخیر به اعتبار شرکت ضرر جبران‌ناپذیری وارد کرد.

Recent rumors inflicted irreparable harm to the company's reputation.

Adjective 'جبران‌ناپذیر' (irreparable).

آنها برای جلوگیری از ضرر بیشتر، پروژه را متوقف کردند.

They stopped the project to prevent further loss.

Phrase 'جلوگیری از ضرر'.

خواهان، دادخواستی مبنی بر مطالبه ضرر و زیان ناشی از نقض قرارداد تنظیم نمود.

The plaintiff filed a petition demanding damages arising from the breach of contract.

Highly formal legal phrasing 'مطالبه ضرر و زیان'.

تحلیل هزینه-فایده نشان می‌دهد که استمرار این روند متضمن ضررهای هنگفتی خواهد بود.

Cost-benefit analysis shows that the continuation of this trend will entail massive losses.

Academic vocabulary 'متضمن' and 'استمرار'.

قاعده فقهی «لاضرر» مبنای بسیاری از احکام حقوقی در ایران است.

The jurisprudential maxim of 'La Zarar' (no harm) is the basis of many legal rulings in Iran.

Reference to Islamic legal principles.

نوسانات شدید ارزی، ضررهای هنگفت و غیرمترقبه‌ای را به واردکنندگان تحمیل کرد.

Severe currency fluctuations imposed huge and unexpected losses on importers.

Advanced adjectives 'غیرمترقبه' (unexpected).

هرگونه تعلل در این مقطع حساس، به ضرر منافع ملی تمام خواهد شد.

Any hesitation at this critical juncture will end up to the detriment of national interests.

Expression 'به ضرر ... تمام شدن'.

بیمه‌گر موظف است کلیه ضررهای وارده به شخص ثالث را پوشش دهد.

The insurer is obliged to cover all damages inflicted on the third party.

Insurance terminology 'ضررهای وارده'.

تصمیمات شتاب‌زده مدیریت، شرکت را در سراشیبی ضرردهی قرار داد.

The management's hasty decisions put the company on the downward slope of loss-making.

Derived noun 'ضرردهی' (loss-making).

ارزیابی دقیق ریسک می‌تواند از بروز ضررهای احتمالی در آینده پیشگیری کند.

Accurate risk assessment can prevent the occurrence of potential losses in the future.

Formal phrasing 'بروز ضررهای احتمالی'.

در متون کلاسیک، گاه ضرر مادی در قیاس با خسران معنوی، ناچیز انگاشته شده است.

In classical texts, material loss is sometimes considered insignificant compared to spiritual perdition.

Literary contrast between ضرر and خسران.

تئوری‌های اقتصاد کلان نشان می‌دهند که مداخله دستوری دولت در قیمت‌گذاری، در نهایت به ضرر مصرف‌کننده نهایی منتج می‌گردد.

Macroeconomic theories indicate that the government's dictatorial intervention in pricing ultimately results in the detriment of the end consumer.

Academic economic discourse 'منتج می‌گردد'.

دیوان عالی کشور حکم به لزوم جبران عینی ضرر و زیان وارده صادر نمود.

The Supreme Court issued a ruling on the necessity of objective compensation for the inflicted loss and damage.

High-level legal terminology 'جبران عینی'.

تقلیل دادن این فاجعه زیست‌محیطی به یک ضرر اقتصادی صرف، تقلیلی نابخشودنی است.

Reducing this environmental disaster to a mere economic loss is an unforgivable reduction.

Philosophical/rhetorical structure 'تقلیل دادن ... به'.

مفهوم ضرر در فقه امامیه دارای گستره‌ای است که شامل عدم‌النفع مسلم نیز می‌گردد.

The concept of harm in Imami jurisprudence has a scope that also includes definitive loss of profit.

Specialized legal/religious term 'عدم‌النفع' (loss of profit).

سیاستمداران پوپولیست با وعده‌های کوتاه‌مدت، ضررهای ساختاری و بلندمدتی را به پیکره اقتصاد وارد می‌آورند.

Populist politicians, with short-term promises, inflict structural and long-term damages to the body of the economy.

Metaphorical use 'پیکره اقتصاد' (body of the economy).

در این معاهده، شرط عدم مسئولیت در قبال ضررهای غیرمستقیم به صراحت گنجانده شده است.

In this treaty, the exemption clause regarding indirect damages has been explicitly included.

Contractual terminology 'ضررهای غیرمستقیم'.

ادبیات عرفانی ما پر است از اشاراتی که در آن، ترک تعلقات دنیوی نه یک ضرر، بلکه غایت سودمندی تلقی می‌شود.

Our mystical literature is full of references in which abandoning worldly attachments is considered not a loss, but the ultimate usefulness.

Literary/mystical analysis phrasing.

Common Collocations

ضرر مالی

ضرر جانی

ضرر و زیان

جبران ضرر

ضرر رساندن

ضرر زدن

ضرر کردن

ضرر داشتن

بدون ضرر

جلوگیری از ضرر

Common Phrases

ضرر ندارد

به ضرر کسی تمام شدن

جلوی ضرر را گرفتن

سود و ضرر

ضرر هنگفت

ضرر جبران‌ناپذیر

امتحانش ضرر ندارد

ضرر خالص

ضرر زدن به خود

ضرر رساندن به دیگران

Often Confused With

ضرر vs درد (Pain)

ضرر vs خطر (Danger)

ضرر vs زهر (Poison)

Idioms & Expressions

"جلوی ضرر را از هر جا بگیری منفعت است"

"ضرر روی ضرر آوردن"

"سودای بی‌ضرر"

"ضرر را با جان خریدن"

"نه سود و نه ضرر"

"ضرر کردن در معامله"

"از کیسه خوردن (implies financial loss)"

"مایه گذاشتن و ضرر بردن"

"به قیمت ضرر"

"ضررش به چشم خودش می‌رود"

Easily Confused

ضرر vs

Sentence Patterns

How to Use It

note

Do not use 'ضرر' as a verb by itself. It must always be part of a compound verb. Also, distinguish between internal loss (ضرر کردن) and external harm (ضرر زدن).

Common Mistakes

Using ضرر as a standalone verb (e.g., من ضرر او). It must be من به او ضرر زدم.
Using the wrong preposition: saying ضرر از سلامتی instead of ضرر برای سلامتی.
Confusing ضرر کردن (losing money) with ضرر زدن (causing harm).
Pronouncing the 'ض' with a heavy Arabic emphasis instead of a simple Persian 'Z'.
Using ضرر to describe physical pain (like a headache) instead of using درد.

Tips

Compound Verbs are Key

Never use ضرر alone as an action. Always attach it to کردن (to lose), داشتن (to be harmful), or زدن (to cause harm).

Learn the Antonym

Always study ضرر alongside its opposite, سود (profit). Knowing them as a pair (سود و ضرر) makes them easier to remember.

Drop the 'D'

In casual speech, 'ضرر دارد' becomes 'ضرر داره' (zarar dareh). Use this to sound more natural in conversations.

Bargaining Tactic

If a shopkeeper in Iran says 'ضرر می‌کنم', it means you've negotiated well and hit their lowest acceptable price.

Preposition Alert

Remember: 'ضرر زدن به' (harm TO someone) but 'ضرر داشتن برای' (harmful FOR someone). Mixing these up is a common mistake.

No Harm in Trying

Memorize the phrase 'امتحانش ضرر نداره'. It is incredibly useful in daily life when suggesting a new restaurant or idea.

Formal Pairs

When writing an essay or formal email, use the binomial 'ضرر و زیان' instead of just ضرر to sound more educated and professional.

Context Clues

If you hear ضرر with words like 'سلامتی' (health) or 'بدن' (body), it's about physical harm. If you hear it with 'پول' (money) or 'معامله' (deal), it's financial.

Simple Z Sound

Don't overcomplicate the first letter. It's a simple 'Z' sound, exactly like the 'z' in 'zebra'.

Legal Usage

For advanced learners, familiarize yourself with 'جبران ضرر' (compensation for damages), a critical term in news and legal texts.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of the 'Z' sound in Zarar like the buzzing of a mosquito that causes HARM (Zzz-arar).

Word Origin

Arabic

Cultural Context

Sellers use 'ضرر می‌کنم' as a standard negotiation tactic to show they have reached their bottom price.

Used constantly by older generations to warn against eating incompatible foods (e.g., fish and yogurt).

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Conversation Starters

"به نظر شما فست فود چقدر ضرر دارد؟"

"تا حالا در معامله‌ای ضرر کرده‌اید؟"

"چه کارهایی برای محیط زیست ضرر دارد؟"

"آیا شبکه‌های اجتماعی ضرر دارند؟"

"چگونه می‌توانیم جلوی ضرر مالی را بگیریم؟"

Journal Prompts

Write about a time you made a bad decision and suffered a 'zarar'.

List five things that have 'zarar' for your health and how to avoid them.

Describe a business idea and analyze its potential 'sood' (profit) and 'zarar' (loss).

Write a dialogue between a doctor and a patient discussing the 'zarar' of smoking.

Explain the proverb 'جلوی ضرر را از هر جا بگیری منفعت است' in your own words.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, ضرر means harm or damage, not the physical sensation of pain. For pain, you should use the word درد (dard). For example, a broken leg causes درد, but the accident itself was a ضرر to your health.

They mean exactly the same thing (loss/harm), but زیان is more formal and literary. You will hear ضرر in everyday conversation and see زیان in books, news, and official documents. They are often used together as 'ضرر و زیان'.

You can say 'بدون ضرر' (without harm) or 'بی‌ضرر' (harmless). In conversation, people often just say 'ضرر ندارد' (it has no harm).

No, it is highly versatile. While 'ضرر کردن' usually means losing money, 'ضرر داشتن' is mostly used for health (like smoking is harmful). It can also be used abstractly for wasting time or making a bad life choice.

You use the compound verb 'ضرر رساندن' (to deliver harm) or 'ضرر زدن' (to hit with harm). For example: 'من به او ضرر زدم' (I harmed him).

This is a very common idiom that translates to 'its trial has no harm'. It is the exact equivalent of the English phrase 'there's no harm in trying'. It's used to encourage someone to take a small, risk-free chance.

Yes, the regular Persian plural is ضررها (zarar-ha). There is also an Arabic broken plural, اضرار (azrar), but this is extremely formal and mostly found in old texts or strict legal documents.

The preposition 'برای' (baraye), meaning 'for', is used. For example: 'این برای تو ضرر دارد' (This has harm for you / This is harmful to you).

The standard phrase is 'سود و ضرر' (sood o zarar). You will hear this frequently in business contexts and when weighing the pros and cons of a decision.

No, in modern standard Persian, the letter 'ض' (zad) is pronounced exactly like the English 'Z'. So the word is pronounced 'za-rar', not 'da-rar'.