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Vocabulary
ضرر کردن

B1 verb 7 min read

ضرر کردن

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips ضرر کردن in 30 Seconds

Explanation ضرر کردن in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know that 'ضرر کردن' (zarar kardan) means 'to lose money' or 'to have a bad result' in a simple way. Think of it as the opposite of 'making money'. You might use it when talking about buying something that was too expensive or not good. In simple sentences, we say 'من ضرر کردم' (I lost). It is a compound verb, so 'zarar' stays the same and 'kardan' changes like 'می‌کنم' (I do) or 'کردم' (I did). Don't worry about complex meanings yet; just remember it for money and business.

At the A2 level, you should start using 'ضرر کردن' in more varied sentences. You can use it to describe a bad deal or a mistake. For example, 'این ماشین را نخر، ضرر می‌کنی' (Don't buy this car, you will lose money). You should also know the noun 'ضرر' (loss/harm) on its own. For example, 'این برای تو ضرر دارد' (This is harmful for you). You are starting to see that it’s not just about money, but also about things that are 'bad for you' like unhealthy food. Remember the difference between 'ضرر' (loss) and 'گم کردن' (losing an object like keys).

At the B1 level, you are expected to use 'ضرر کردن' in abstract contexts and understand its nuances. You can use it to talk about time, opportunities, and investments. You should be comfortable with the past, present, and future forms. You will hear it in news reports about the economy or in advice from friends. You should also recognize the related word 'ضرر زدن' (to cause harm to someone else). At this level, you can use the proverb 'Stopping a loss at any point is a profit' (جلوی ضرر را از هر جا بگیری، منفعت است) to sound more like a native speaker.

At the B2 level, you should understand the register differences between 'ضرر کردن' and its synonyms like 'زیان دیدن' (formal) or 'خسارت خوردن' (physical damage). You can discuss economic trends, the impact of policies on businesses, and the philosophical concept of loss. You should be able to use it in conditional sentences like 'If the government hadn't intervened, many people would have suffered losses' (اگر دولت دخالت نکرده بود، خیلی‌ها ضرر می‌کردند). You also understand the cultural nuance of 'ضرر نکردن' as a persuasive tool in social negotiations.

At the C1 level, you have a deep understanding of 'ضرر کردن' in literary and highly technical contexts. You can use it to describe the erosion of reputation or the long-term societal harm of a policy. You are familiar with classical Persian literature where 'ضرر' might appear in ethical debates. You can distinguish between 'ضرر' as a financial loss, 'خسارت' as legal damages, and 'لطمه' as a blow to one's prestige. Your usage is precise, and you can use the verb in complex passive or causative structures without hesitation.

At the C2 level, 'ضرر کردن' is a tool you use with total mastery. You can use it to analyze complex economic theories in Persian or to write academic papers on the concept of 'Harm' in Islamic law (Rule of Zarar). You understand the etymological roots and how they have shifted over centuries. You can play with the word in poetry or sophisticated rhetoric, using it to create metaphors for the human condition. You recognize the most obscure idioms involving this word and can use them to convey subtle shades of meaning that only a native speaker with high education would understand.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

ضرر کردن in 30 Seconds

A common Persian compound verb meaning to lose money or suffer harm.
Used in business, health, and social contexts to express negative outcomes.
The direct opposite of 'sood kardan' (to profit) and 'manfeat bordan' (to benefit).
Essential for bargaining and understanding economic discussions in Iranian culture.

The Persian verb ضرر کردن (zarar kardan) is a fundamental compound verb used to describe the act of incurring a loss, suffering a disadvantage, or experiencing harm. At its core, it is most frequently associated with financial transactions, where an individual or business sells something for less than its cost or loses capital in an investment. However, its utility extends far beyond the marketplace. In Persian culture, the concept of 'loss' is applied to time, health, and even moral standing. When you say someone has 'suffered loss,' you are often commenting on a failed endeavor or a poor decision that resulted in a negative outcome. The word zarar itself is of Arabic origin, meaning 'harm' or 'damage,' and when paired with the Persian light verb kardan (to do/make), it creates a versatile tool for expressing regret or warning others about potential pitfalls.

Financial Context: This is the primary usage. Whether it is the stock market (بورس), selling a car, or running a grocery store, if the expenses exceed the income, you are in a state of ضرر کردن. It is the direct opposite of sood kardan (to profit).
Health and Well-being: If a habit like smoking or lack of sleep causes damage to your body, Iranians might say you are 'harming yourself' using this verb. It implies a self-inflicted or avoidable negative impact on your physical state.
Abstract and Time Loss: When you spend hours on a useless task, you might feel you have 'lost out' on life or opportunities. In this sense, it describes the opportunity cost of bad decisions.

اگر الان این خانه را بفروشی، خیلی ضرر می‌کنی.
(If you sell this house now, you will lose a lot.)

In the bustling bazaars of Tehran or Isfahan, you will hear this word constantly. Merchants use it to negotiate, claiming that selling at a lower price would cause them to ضرر کردن. It is also a staple in the vocabulary of Iranian parents advising their children; studying is seen as a way to avoid 'losing' in the future. The verb is conjugated regularly as a compound verb, where the 'zarar' part remains stable and the 'kardan' part changes according to tense, person, and mood. Understanding this word is essential for navigating social and economic life in Iran because it touches upon the deeply ingrained cultural value of prudence and the fear of being 'maghboon' (cheated or at a loss).

Using ضرر کردن correctly requires understanding how compound verbs function in Persian. The noun 'ضرر' (loss) is combined with the auxiliary verb 'کردن' (to do). In the present tense, you use the stem 'کن' (kon), and in the past, you use 'کرد' (kard). It is important to note that the loss is usually personal; you are the one experiencing the loss. If you want to say you caused loss to someone else, you would use ضرر زدن (to hit/inflict loss). This distinction is vital for intermediate learners to master.

من در معامله‌ی ماشین ضرر کردم.
(I lost money in the car deal.)

Present Continuous: دارم ضرر می‌کنم (I am losing money/suffering harm right now). This is common when watching a failing investment in real-time.
Future Tense: ضرر خواهی کرد (You will suffer loss). This is formal. In daily speech, we use the present simple for future: 'ضرر می‌کنی'.

او از سیگار کشیدن ضرر کرد.
(He suffered harm from smoking.)

When we talk about the amount of loss, we place the number or adjective before the verb. For example, 'خیلی ضرر کردم' (I lost a lot) or 'ده میلیون ضرر کردم' (I lost ten million). Interestingly, in colloquial Persian, if someone doesn't take a good opportunity, friends might say, 'ضرر کردی که نیامدی' (You lost out/missed out by not coming). This shows the verb's flexibility in social contexts. It is also used in the negative to reassure someone: 'ضرر نمی‌کنی، امتحان کن!' (You won't regret it, try it!). This 'you won't lose' construction is a very common persuasive technique in Iranian social interactions.

The most common place to hear ضرر کردن is in the world of Persian commerce. If you walk through the Grand Bazaar of Tehran, you will hear shopkeepers lamenting about the economy, saying 'داریم ضرر می‌دهیم' (We are giving/suffering loss) or 'امسال خیلی ضرر کردیم' (We lost a lot this year). It is a word that carries a heavy emotional weight in a culture where economic stability has often been precarious. Beyond the market, it is a staple of news broadcasts. Financial reporters use it to describe the performance of the 'Bourse' (Stock Market) or the decline in the value of the 'Rial'.

سهامداران در بورس ضرر کردند.
(The shareholders in the stock market suffered losses.)

Another fascinating context is in the realm of advice and proverbs. There is a famous saying: 'جلوی ضرر را از هر جا بگیری، منفعت است' (Stopping a loss at any point is a profit). This highlights the pragmatic Iranian approach to failure—it’s better to cut your losses early than to continue a failing path. You will also hear it in the context of health. Doctors use it to warn patients about the 'ضرر' of certain foods or behaviors. In everyday conversation, if you miss a party or a great movie, your friends will jokingly say 'ضرر کردی' to mean 'You missed out on something great.' This versatility makes it one of the most useful verbs for an intermediate learner to recognize in the wild.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make is confusing ضرر کردن with the English verb 'to lose' in the sense of misplacing an object. In Persian, if you lose your keys, you use gom kardan (گم کردن). If you use ضرر کردن for your keys, an Iranian will think you suffered a financial or physical harm because of your keys, which sounds very strange! Always remember: zarar kardan is for value, health, or opportunity, while gom kardan is for physical objects.

Incorrect Usage: *من کلیدم را ضرر کردم (I 'lost' my key - Wrong!).
Correct Usage: من در این کار ضرر کردم (I suffered a loss in this job/task - Correct!).

Another mistake is the confusion between ضرر کردن and ضرر زدن. As mentioned, kardan is intransitive (it happens to you), whereas zadan is transitive (you do it to someone else). If you say 'من به تو ضرر کردم', it is grammatically awkward. You should say 'من به تو ضرر زدم' (I caused you harm/loss). Additionally, learners sometimes confuse zarar with zarrat (particles). While they sound slightly similar to a beginner's ear, they are unrelated. Finally, ensure you don't confuse it with 'baakhtan' (باختن), which specifically means losing a game or a match. You don't 'zarar kardan' in a football match; you 'baakhtan'.

While ضرر کردن is the most common way to express loss, Persian offers several synonyms depending on the register and the specific type of loss. For instance, in very formal or literary contexts, the word ziyaan (زیان) is often used instead of zarar. You will see ziyaan kardan or ziyaan didan in business contracts and formal news reports. It sounds more sophisticated and 'pure' Persian than the Arabic-rooted zarar.

زیان دیدن (Ziyaan Didan): Literally 'to see loss'. This is slightly more passive and very formal. Example: 'کشاورزان از خشکسالی زیان دیدند' (Farmers suffered/saw loss from the drought).
خسارت دیدن (Khesaarat Didan): This refers specifically to 'damage' or 'indemnity'. If your car is crashed, you use khesaarat, not just zarar.
باختن (Baakhtan): To lose in a competition, gambling, or a game. It implies a winner and a loser, which zarar does not necessarily imply.

On the flip side, the antonyms are equally important. The most direct opposite is sood kardan (سود کردن), meaning to profit. In a business context, you are either 'sood' or 'zarar'. Another antonym is nifa' bordan (نفع بردن), which means to benefit or gain an advantage. Understanding these alternatives allows you to adjust your speech from the casual 'I lost out' to the formal 'The corporation incurred significant damages,' making your Persian sound much more natural and precise.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The word 'ضرر' is used in one of the most famous legal maxims in the Middle East: 'La darar wa la dirar' (No harm shall be inflicted or reciprocated).

Pronunciation Guide

UK /zæˈrær kærˈdæn/

US /zəˈrɑːr kərˈdæn/

Stress is on the second syllable of 'zarar' and the last syllable of 'kardan'. In the conjugated form 'zarar mikonam', the stress is on the 'mi' prefix.

Rhymes With

safar kardan (to travel) khabar kardan (to inform) gozar kardan (to pass) asar kardan (to affect) nazar kardan (to look) hazar kardan (to avoid) shakar (sugar) pahar (watch)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'z' as 'j'.
Not rolling the 'r' at the end of 'zarar'.
Stress on the first syllable of 'zarar'.
Confusing the 'a' sound with 'o'.
Mixing up the auxiliary verb (e.g., saying zarar shodan instead of kardan).

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to recognize in texts as it's a common compound verb.

Writing 4/5

Requires knowledge of compound verb conjugation rules.

Speaking 3/5

Very common in speech, but must distinguish from 'gom kardan'.

Listening 3/5

Clearly pronounced, usually easy to hear in context.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

کردن پول بازار بد داشتن

Learn Next

سود کردن سرمایه‌گذاری معامله خسارت تجارت

Advanced

قاعده لاضرر مغبون تهاتر تعدیل

Grammar to Know

Compound Verb Conjugation

ضرر می‌کنم (Present), ضرر کردم (Past).

Negative Formation

ضرر نمی‌کنم (I don't lose), ضرر نکردم (I didn't lose).

Subjunctive Mood

ممکن است ضرر کنم (I might lose).

Causative Form

او را به ضرر انداختن (To cause him to fall into loss).

Noun + Auxiliary

ضرر (Noun) + کردن (Verb).

Examples by Level

من در بازار ضرر کردم.

I lost money in the bazaar.

Simple past tense of 'ضرر کردن'.

این کار ضرر دارد.

This work/task is harmful/has loss.

Using 'ضرر' as a noun with 'داشتن'.

آیا تو ضرر کردی؟

Did you suffer a loss?

Question form in the past tense.

او خیلی ضرر کرد.

He lost a lot.

Adding the adverb 'خیلی' before the verb.

ما ضرر نمی‌کنیم.

We won't lose.

Negative present simple used for future certainty.

ضرر کردن بد است.

To lose money is bad.

Using the infinitive as a subject.

آنها کمی ضرر کردند.

They lost a little.

Using 'کمی' (a little) to modify the loss.

پولم را ضرر کردم.

I lost my money (as a loss, not misplaced).

Direct object 'پول' with the verb.

اگر گران بخری، ضرر می‌کنی.

If you buy it expensive, you will lose money.

Conditional sentence Type 1.

این میوه برای سلامتی ضرر ندارد.

This fruit is not harmful to health.

Using 'ضرر' for physical harm.

چرا در این معامله ضرر کردی؟

Why did you lose money in this deal?

Interrogative 'چرا' with past tense.

فکر می‌کنم او دارد ضرر می‌کند.

I think he is losing money (right now).

Present continuous tense.

ما نباید ضرر کنیم.

We must not lose.

Modal verb 'نباید' with subjunctive.

شکلات زیاد برای دندان ضرر دارد.

Too much chocolate is harmful for teeth.

Noun 'ضرر' + 'دارد' describing health.

او هیچ‌وقت ضرر نمی‌کند.

He never suffers a loss.

Negative 'هیچ‌وقت' with present tense.

من از این پیشنهاد ضرر نکردم.

I didn't lose out from this offer.

Past negative with preposition 'از'.

جلوی ضرر را از هر جا بگیری، منفعت است.

Stopping a loss at any point is a profit.

Famous Persian proverb.

او به خاطر اشتباهش در بورس ضرر کرد.

He lost money in the stock market because of his mistake.

Using 'به خاطر' to show cause.

ضرر کردن در تجارت طبیعی است.

Losing money in business is natural.

Infinitive phrase as a subject.

اگر زودتر می‌فروختم، ضرر نمی‌کردم.

If I had sold earlier, I wouldn't have lost money.

Past unreal conditional (Type 3).

او سعی می‌کند که دیگر ضرر نکند.

He tries not to lose money anymore.

Subjunctive mood after 'سعی کردن'.

این تصمیم ممکن است به شرکت ضرر بزند.

This decision might cause harm to the company.

Distinction: 'ضرر زدن' (inflict) vs 'ضرر کردن' (suffer).

آیا تا به حال در سرمایه‌گذاری ضرر کرده‌ای؟

Have you ever lost money in an investment?

Present perfect tense.

ضرر کردن همیشه مالی نیست؛ گاهی وقتمان را از دست می‌دهیم.

Losing isn't always financial; sometimes we lose our time.

Contrast between financial and abstract loss.

شرکت به دلیل نوسانات ارز به شدت ضرر کرد.

The company suffered heavily due to currency fluctuations.

Formal adverb 'به شدت' (severely).

او با لجاجت خود فقط به خودش ضرر می‌کند.

With his stubbornness, he is only harming himself.

Using the verb for self-inflicted abstract harm.

هیچ تاجری دوست ندارد در معامله ضرر کند.

No merchant likes to suffer a loss in a trade.

Generalized statement with 'هیچ' and subjunctive.

این سیاست اقتصادی باعث ضرر کردن قشر ضعیف شد.

This economic policy caused the poor class to suffer losses.

Using the infinitive as a noun after 'باعث'.

او ترجیح می‌دهد سود کمتری ببرد تا اینکه ضرر کند.

He prefers to make less profit than to suffer a loss.

Comparison using 'ترجیح دادن'.

ضرر کردن در این مرحله غیرقابل جبران است.

Losing at this stage is irreparable.

Complex adjective 'غیرقابل جبران'.

بسیاری از کشاورزان از سرمازدگی محصولاتشان ضرر کردند.

Many farmers suffered losses due to the frostbite of their crops.

Passive-like experience of loss from environmental factors.

او با نیامدن به این جلسه، فرصت بزرگی را ضرر کرد.

By not coming to this meeting, he lost out on a great opportunity.

Abstract loss of opportunity.

تداوم این روند منجر به ضرر کردن گسترده در بخش خصوصی خواهد شد.

The continuation of this trend will lead to widespread losses in the private sector.

Formal future tense and academic vocabulary.

او بدون تحلیل بازار وارد شد و طبیعتاً ضرر کرد.

He entered without market analysis and naturally suffered a loss.

Use of 'طبیعتاً' (naturally) to show consequence.

ضرر کردن در فضای رقابتی امروز اجتناب‌ناپذیر به نظر می‌رسد.

Suffering losses in today's competitive environment seems inevitable.

Advanced adjective 'اجتناب‌ناپذیر' (inevitable).

او نه تنها سود نکرد، بلکه به شدت هم ضرر کرد.

Not only did he not profit, but he also suffered a severe loss.

Correlative conjunction 'نه تنها... بلکه'.

باید دید چه کسی از این آشفتگی ضرر می‌کند.

One must see who suffers from this chaos.

Indirect question in a formal structure.

او با انتشار آن مقاله به اعتبار علمی خود ضرر کرد.

By publishing that article, he harmed his scientific credibility.

Abstract harm to 'اعتبار' (credibility).

سرمایه‌گذاران خرد بیشترین ضرر را در سقوط بازار کردند.

Retail investors suffered the most loss in the market crash.

Superlative 'بیشترین ضرر'.

اگر احتیاط نکنیم، در درازمدت ضرر خواهیم کرد.

If we are not cautious, we will suffer in the long run.

Adverbial phrase 'در درازمدت' (in the long run).

تبعات این ورشکستگی تنها به ضرر کردن مالی محدود نمی‌شود.

The consequences of this bankruptcy are not limited only to financial loss.

Complex subject and negative limitation.

او در قمار زندگی، همه چیز را ضرر کرد.

In the gamble of life, he lost everything.

Metaphorical use in high literature/rhetoric.

قاعده‌ی 'لاضرر' در فقه اسلامی به معنای نفی ضرر کردن و ضرر زدن است.

The 'La-Zarar' rule in Islamic jurisprudence means the negation of suffering and inflicting harm.

Technical legal/religious terminology.

هرگونه تعلل در تصمیم‌گیری می‌تواند منجر به ضرر کردن جبران‌ناپذیری شود.

Any procrastination in decision-making can lead to an irreparable loss.

Formal noun 'تعلل' (procrastination).

او با این اقدام، آگاهانه به منافع ملی ضرر کرد.

With this action, he consciously harmed national interests.

Abstract political context.

ضرر کردن در این ابعاد، شوک بزرگی به بدنه اقتصاد وارد کرد.

Losses of these dimensions dealt a great shock to the body of the economy.

Metaphorical 'بدنه اقتصاد' (body of the economy).

او همواره از ضرر کردن دیگران برای پیشرفت خود استفاده می‌کرد.

He always used others' losses for his own advancement.

Ethical/sociological observation.

فلسفه وجودی بیمه، پوشش ریسک ضرر کردن است.

The raison d'être of insurance is to cover the risk of suffering loss.

Philosophical/Technical definition.

Common Collocations

خیلی ضرر کردن

ضرر مالی کردن

در بورس ضرر کردن

ضرر سنگین کردن

جلوگیری از ضرر کردن

احتمال ضرر کردن

ضرر جانی کردن

ضرر هنگفت کردن

ضرر جبران‌ناپذیر کردن

باعث ضرر کردن شدن

Common Phrases

ضرر نمی‌کنی

— You won't regret it / You won't lose out.

بیا بریم، ضرر نمی‌کنی!

ضررش چیه؟

— What's the harm? / Why not?

یک بار امتحان کن، ضررش چیه؟

ضرر و زیان

— Losses and damages (legal/formal term).

او باید ضرر و زیان را پرداخت کند.

بدون ضرر

— Without any loss or harm.

این معامله بدون ضرر بود.

پر از ضرر

— Full of harm/losses.

این رژیم غذایی پر از ضرر است.

ضرر کردن بهتر از گناه کردن است

— Losing money is better than committing a sin (moral advice).

همیشه یادت باشد، ضرر کردن بهتر از...

فقط ضرر کردن

— Doing nothing but losing.

این مغازه فقط ضرر کردن است.

ضرر کردن به خاطر...

— Losing due to something.

او به خاطر تنبلی ضرر کرد.

یک قران ضرر نکردن

— Not losing even a single cent.

او در این کار یک قران ضرر نکرد.

ضررِ محض

— Pure loss.

این پروژه برای ما ضرر محض بود.

Often Confused With

ضرر کردن vs گم کردن

Means misplacing an object. Don't use 'zarar kardan' for lost keys.

ضرر کردن vs باختن

Means losing a game or competition. 'Zarar' is for value/harm.

ضرر کردن vs ضرر زدن

Means causing harm to others. 'Zarar kardan' is suffering it yourself.

Idioms & Expressions

"جلوی ضرر را از هر جا بگیری، منفعت است"

— It's never too late to stop a failing course of action.

سیگار را ترک کن؛ جلوی ضرر را...

Proverb

"ضرر به جان، نه به مال"

— Better to lose money than to lose your life/health.

اشکال ندارد پولت رفت، ضرر به جان...

Consolatory

"نه سیخ بسوزد نه کباب (ضرر نکردن دو طرف)"

— To act in a way that neither side suffers a loss.

کاری کن که نه سیخ بسوزد...

Metaphorical

"خود کرده را تدبیر نیست (در مورد ضرر)"

— There is no remedy for harm you caused yourself.

خودت این راه را رفتی و ضرر کردی...

Proverb

"پولش را ریخت دور (ضرر کردن)"

— He threw his money away (suffered a total loss).

با خرید آن ماشین، پولش را ریخت دور.

Informal

"کلاه سرش رفت (ضرر کردن در معامله)"

— He was cheated/suffered a loss in a deal.

در خرید خانه کلاه سرش رفت و ضرر کرد.

Slang/Informal

"آب در هاون کوبیدن (ضرر زمانی)"

— To beat water in a mortar (to waste time/suffer loss of effort).

تلاش برای متقاعد کردن او، آب در هاون کوبیدن است.

Literary

"دستش به دهانش نمی‌رسد (به خاطر ضرر)"

— He can't make ends meet (often after a loss).

بعد از آن ضرر بزرگ، دیگر دستش...

Informal

"دودش به چشم خودش می‌رود"

— The harm will eventually affect him personally.

اگر دروغ بگوید، دودش به چشم خودش می‌رود.

Common

"آب از سرش گذشته"

— He is in over his head (the loss is too much now).

دیگر نگران ضرر نیست، چون آب از سرش گذشته.

Informal

Easily Confused

ضرر کردن vs خسارت

Both mean loss.

Khesarat is specifically for damage to property or legal indemnity.

ماشین من خسارت دید.

ضرر کردن vs زیان

Synonyms.

Ziyan is formal and pure Persian; Zarar is common and Arabic-rooted.

صورت سود و زیان شرکت.

ضرر کردن vs لطمه

Both mean harm.

Latme is usually for prestige, reputation, or a sudden blow.

به شهرت او لطمه خورد.

ضرر کردن vs آسیب

Both mean harm.

Asib is usually for physical or structural damage.

زلزله آسیب زیادی زد.

ضرر کردن vs مضر

It's the adjective form.

Mozerr means 'harmful', whereas zarar kardan is the action.

سیگار مضر است.

Sentence Patterns

[Subject] ضرر کرد.

من ضرر کردم.

[Noun] برای [Noun] ضرر دارد.

نمک برای بدن ضرر دارد.

اگر [Sentence], ضرر می‌کنی.

اگر نخری، ضرر می‌کنی.

در [Context] ضرر کردن.

در این کار ضرر کردم.

باعث ضرر کردنِ [Noun] شدن.

باعث ضرر کردنِ شرکت شد.

منجر به ضرر کردن شدن.

این کار منجر به ضرر کردن شد.

از لحاظ [Aspect] ضرر کردن.

از لحاظ مالی ضرر کردیم.

ضرر کردنِ جبران‌ناپذیر.

او دچار ضرر کردنِ جبران‌ناپذیری شد.

Word Family

Nouns

ضرر (loss/harm)

ضرری (harmful - rare)

تضرر (suffering loss - formal)

Verbs

ضرر کردن (to suffer loss)

ضرر زدن (to inflict harm)

ضرر رساندن (to cause harm - formal)

Adjectives

مضر (harmful/toxic)

ضروری (necessary - different root but often confused)

پرضرر (very harmful)

بی‌ضرر (harmless)

زیان

خسارت

لطمه

آسیب

فایده

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high in daily Persian life.

Common Mistakes

من کلیدم را ضرر کردم. → من کلیدم را گم کردم.
'Zarar kardan' is for value/harm, not misplacing items.
او به من ضرر کرد. → او به من ضرر زد.
Use 'zadan' when someone causes harm to another person.
من ضرر شدم. → من ضرر کردم.
The auxiliary verb is 'kardan', not 'shodan'.
این غذا ضرر است. → این غذا ضرر دارد.
Use the verb 'داشتن' (to have) with the noun 'ضرر' to describe something as harmful.
در مسابقه ضرر کردیم. → در مسابقه باختیم.
Use 'baakhtan' for losing a game or competition.

Tips

Compound Verb Rule

Remember that in negative forms, 'ne-' goes before 'mi-'. So it is 'zarar nemikonam'.

Bargaining

When bargaining in Iran, if a seller says 'zarar mikonam', it's often a tactic. Don't take it literally every time!

Synonym Choice

Use 'zarar' for daily life and 'ziyaan' for your Persian business exam or writing a formal letter.

The rolled R

The 'r' in zarar should be tapped or rolled slightly to sound authentic.

Health Context

When a doctor says something 'zarar darad', they mean it is contraindicated or harmful for your condition.

Proverb Power

Using 'Jolo-ye zarar ra...' in a conversation about a mistake will instantly make you sound like a C1 speaker.

Zarar vs Gom

Never say 'I zarar kard my keys'. Always use 'gom kardan' for physical objects.

Persuasion

Use 'zarar nemikoni' to encourage a friend to try a new Persian dish or watch a movie.

Spelling

The word 'zarar' is spelled with the letter 'Zad' (ض), not 'Zal' (ذ) or 'Ze' (ز).

News Reports

In economic news, listen for 'zarar-e khales' (net loss).

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Zarar' as 'Zero-Rial'. When you 'Zarar Kardan', you are heading towards 'Zero Rials' because you are losing money.

Visual Association

Imagine a big red 'X' over a pile of gold coins or a person crying over a broken piggy bank.

Word Web

Money Business Health Regret Bazaar Investment Harm Opposite of Profit

Challenge

Try to use 'ضرر کردن' in a sentence today when talking about something you regret doing or buying.

Word Origin

The root 'ضرر' (Z-R-R) is Arabic, meaning harm, damage, or necessity. It entered Persian during the Islamic period and was combined with the Persian auxiliary verb 'kardan'.

Original meaning: In Arabic, 'darar' refers to any harm that affects an individual's rights, property, or body.

Semitic (root) + Indo-European (auxiliary verb).

Cultural Context

Be careful when using it with friends; don't tell someone they 'zarar kardand' (missed out) if the loss was actually very painful or serious, as it might sound insensitive.

In English, we say 'I lost money'. In Persian, we 'do loss' (zarar kardan). The structure is different.

The 'La-Zarar' Rule in Jurisprudence Proverbs in the Golestan of Saadi Economic news headlines in Hamshahri newspaper

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Shopping

قیمتش زیاده، ضرر می‌کنم.
ضرر نمی‌کنی، بخر!
تخفیف بده، ضرر نمی‌کنی.
این جنس ضرر دارد.

Investment

در بورس ضرر کردم.
سرمایه‌گذاری پرضرر.
ضرر سنگین.
پیش‌بینی ضرر.

Health

سیگار برای ریه ضرر دارد.
کم‌خوابی ضرر دارد.
غذای چرب ضرر دارد.
ضرر جانی.

Social

ضرر کردی نیامدی.
حیف شد، ضرر کردی.
ضررش چیه؟
بدون ضرر.

Legal

پرداخت ضرر و زیان.
ادعای ضرر.
اثبات ضرر.
جبران ضرر.

Conversation Starters

"آیا تا به حال در بورس یا سرمایه‌گذاری ضرر کرده‌ای؟ (Have you ever lost money in the stock market?)"

"فکر می‌کنی چه کارهایی برای سلامتی خیلی ضرر دارد؟ (What things do you think are very harmful for health?)"

"اگر در یک معامله ضرر کنی، چه کار می‌کنی؟ (What do you do if you suffer a loss in a deal?)"

"به نظر تو، دروغ گفتن همیشه ضرر دارد؟ (Do you think lying is always harmful?)"

"یک بار که در زندگی ضرر کردی را تعریف کن. (Describe a time you suffered a loss in life.)"

Journal Prompts

درباره زمانی بنویسید که در یک معامله ضرر کردید اما تجربه خوبی کسب کردید. (Write about a time you lost money but gained experience.)

آیا موافقید که 'جلوی ضرر را از هر جا بگیری، منفعت است'؟ چرا؟ (Do you agree with the proverb? Why?)

تفاوت ضرر مالی و ضرر معنوی از نظر شما چیست؟ (What is the difference between financial and spiritual loss to you?)

چگونه می‌توان در زندگی ریسک ضرر کردن را کاهش داد؟ (How can one reduce the risk of loss in life?)

درباره مضرات تکنولوژی برای کودکان بنویسید. (Write about the harms of technology for children.)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, for matches or games, use 'baakhtan' (باختن). 'Zarar kardan' is for financial loss or general harm.

The root 'zarar' is Arabic, but 'zarar kardan' is a Persian compound verb used by all Persian speakers.

'Zarar kardan' is more active (I did a deal and lost), while 'zarar didan' is more passive (I saw/suffered loss from an outside event). They are often interchangeable.

You say 'Negaran nabash, zarar nemikoni' (نگران نباش، ضرر نمی‌کنی).

Yes, you can say 'Vaghtam zarar shod' (colloquial) or 'Vaghtam ra az dast dadam', but 'zarar kardi' is often used to mean 'you missed out' on a time-based opportunity.

The opposite is 'sood' (profit) or 'manfeat' (benefit).

It is neutral and used in both formal and informal contexts. In very formal settings, 'ziyaan' is preferred.

Yes, but 'asib didan' or 'sadame didan' are more common for physical injuries. 'Zarar' is used more for the concept of harm to health (e.g., smoking).

It's a legal phrase meaning 'losses and damages'. You'll see it in contracts.

mikonam, mikoni, mikonad, mikonim, mikonid, mikonand.