This page in your language

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

Français

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

Home
Learn
Persian
Vocabulary
غصه خوردن

B1 verb #4,000 most common 6 min read

غصه خوردن

ghosse khordan Top 4,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips غصه خوردن in 30 Seconds

Explanation غصه خوردن in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should learn 'ghosse khordan' primarily as a set phrase to express simple sadness or to tell someone 'don't worry.' In Persian, we don't just 'are' sad; we often 'eat' our sadness. Think of it as a way to say 'I am very sad' or 'I am worried.' The most important form for you to remember is 'ghosse nakhor,' which means 'don't be sad' or 'don't worry.' You can use this when a friend loses their pen or fails a small quiz. At this stage, focus on the present tense: 'man ghosse mikhoram' (I am sad/worrying) and 'to ghosse mikhori' (you are sad/worrying). Don't worry too much about the deep philosophical meaning; just treat it as a more emotional version of 'sad.'

By A2, you can start using 'ghosse khordan' in the past tense and with simple reasons. For example, 'I grieved because my friend left' (man barāye raftane dustam ghosse khordam). You should also notice that it is a compound verb. This means the word 'ghosse' stays the same, and only the 'khordan' part changes. You can use it to talk about common life events like exams, family health, or missing home. It's a very 'human' verb that helps you connect with Persian speakers on an emotional level. Start using the preposition 'barāye' (for) to explain why someone is 'eating grief.'

At the B1 level, you should understand the distinction between 'ghosse khordan' and 'negarān budan' (to be worried). While they overlap, 'ghosse khordan' has a more melancholic, heavy feeling. You can use it in the subjunctive mood to give advice: 'nabāyad ghosse bokhori' (you shouldn't grieve). At this level, you can also use it to describe characters in stories or movies. You are expected to understand that this verb implies a process of internalizing pain. It is often used for situations where there isn't an easy fix, and all one can do is feel the sorrow. You can also start using it in the future tense: 'ghosse nakhāham khord' (I will not grieve).

For B2 learners, 'ghosse khordan' becomes a tool for nuanced expression. You should be able to use it in complex sentences involving relative clauses. For example: 'The grief that I ate for years finally came to an end' (ghosse-i ke sālhā khordam belakhare tamām shod). You should also recognize its use in common idioms and more abstract contexts, such as grieving for the state of the world or for lost time. Your conjugation should be flawless, including the perfect tenses like 'ghosse khorde-am' (I have grieved). You should also be able to distinguish between the informal 'ghosse khordan' and the more formal 'anduh khordan' found in literature.

At the C1 level, you should appreciate the metaphorical richness of 'eating' emotions in Persian. You can use 'ghosse khordan' to discuss complex psychological states or literary themes. You should be able to analyze how this verb functions in classical and modern poetry. For instance, how poets use the 'eating' of grief as a symbol of the lover's devotion. You should also be comfortable using it in formal essays or academic discussions about Iranian culture and the 'language of emotions.' You might explore how 'ghosse' (of Arabic origin) and 'khordan' (of Persian origin) represent the linguistic synthesis of the Persian language.

At the C2 level, you have a masterly grasp of 'ghosse khordan' and its place within the vast landscape of Persian affective verbs. You can use it with subtle irony, sarcasm, or deep philosophical intent. You understand its relationship to the concept of 'Gham' (sorrow) in Sufi literature, where grieving is sometimes seen as a path to spiritual purification. You can effortlessly switch between 'ghosse khordan' and its numerous synonyms (anduh gozidn, malul shodan, etc.) to match the exact register and tone of your discourse. You are also aware of the sociolinguistic implications of using this verb in different Iranian dialects or social classes.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

غصه خوردن in 30 Seconds

A compound verb meaning to grieve or worry deeply.
Literally translates to 'eating grief' in Persian.
Used commonly as 'ghosse nakhor' to comfort others.
Implies an internal, heavy, and persistent emotional state.

The Persian verb غصه خوردن (ghosse khordan) is a profound and evocative compound verb that translates literally to "eating grief" or "eating sorrow." In the Persian linguistic worldview, emotions are often described as substances that one consumes or is consumed by. When an English speaker says they are "worrying" or "grieving," a Persian speaker describes the process of internalizing that pain, as if it were a bitter meal that stays within the soul. This verb is ubiquitous in Iranian culture, used to describe everything from the deep mourning after a significant loss to the chronic, nagging anxiety about the future or the well-being of a loved one.

Literal Meaning: The word ghosse comes from Arabic roots referring to something stuck in the throat, while khordan is the Persian infinitive for 'to eat.' Together, they imply a sorrow that is swallowed and kept inside.
Emotional Depth: It suggests a more active and internal process than simply 'being sad' (غمگین بودن). It implies a preoccupation with sadness that affects one's mental state over a period of time.

"مادرم همیشه برای آینده‌ی ما غصه می‌خورد."
(My mother was always grieving/worrying for our future.)

You will hear this expression most frequently in domestic settings. It is the hallmark of the 'caring' Iranian persona—someone who cares so much that they 'eat' the sorrows of others. It is also used as a command of comfort: "غصه نخور" (Ghosse nakhor), meaning "Don't worry" or "Don't be sad." This is perhaps the most common way to offer sympathy in the Persian language, suggesting that the person should stop consuming the pain that is hurting them.

"نباید برای گذشته غصه خورد؛ زندگی ادامه دارد."
(One should not grieve for the past; life goes on.)

Understanding this verb requires understanding the Iranian concept of 'del' (heart/stomach). Since the heart and stomach are often linguistically linked in classical Persian thought, 'eating' an emotion means it has settled into the core of your being. It is a visceral experience, not just a mental one.

Using غصه خوردن requires mastering the conjugation of the auxiliary verb khordan (to eat). Because it is a compound verb, only the second part changes to reflect tense, person, and number. The word ghosse remains static. This verb is almost always paired with the preposition برای (barāye - for) or به خاطر (be khātere - because of) to indicate the cause of the sorrow.

Present Continuous: To describe someone currently in a state of grief: dāram ghosse mikhoram (I am grieving/worrying).
Imperative (Negative): The most common form: ghosse nakhor! (Don't worry! / Don't be sad!).

"او ساعت‌ها در اتاقش نشست و غصه خورد."
(He sat in his room for hours and grieved.)

In formal Persian, you might encounter the synonym anduhgin shodan, but in daily speech, ghosse khordan is the standard. It carries a weight that other verbs lack. If you say "man ghamgin hastam" (I am sad), it sounds like a state of being. If you say "man ghosse mikhoram," it sounds like you are actively suffering or worrying about a specific problem. It is often used when discussing financial problems, family issues, or missed opportunities.

"ما نباید برای چیزهای کوچک غصه بخوریم."
(We should not grieve/worry over small things.)

If you step into an Iranian household where a drama is playing on the television, or if you are listening to a soulful Persian pop song, you will undoubtedly hear غصه خوردن. It is a pillar of the Persian emotional vocabulary. In Iranian cinema, particularly in the works of directors like Asghar Farhadi, characters often spend significant time 'eating grief' over moral dilemmas or family secrets. It captures the 'melancholic' streak that is sometimes attributed to Iranian culture—a deep appreciation for the gravity of life's struggles.

In Music: Lyrics often revolve around 'ghosse khordan' for a lost love or the distance from one's homeland. It is the 'blues' of the Persian world.
In Parenting: Iranian parents are famous for saying 'ghosse-ye to ro mikhoram' (I eat your grief), which means 'I worry about you so much it hurts me.'

"فیلم خیلی غمگینی بود؛ همه‌اش داشتند غصه می‌خوردند."
(It was a very sad movie; they were grieving the whole time.)

Beyond media, you'll hear it in everyday psychotherapy or heart-to-heart talks. A friend might ask, "Cherā dāri ghosse mikhori?" (Why are you worrying/grieving?), offering a space for the other to vent. It is also used ironically or dismissively in some contexts, such as "Ghosse-ye pul-o nakhor!" (Don't worry about the money!), implying that the material loss is not worth the emotional consumption.

For English speakers, the biggest challenge is not the grammar, but the scope of the word. Because it covers both 'worry' and 'grief,' learners often use it too narrowly or confuse it with other 'sad' words. Here are the most common pitfalls:

Confusing with 'Sadness': Learners often say 'ghosse dāram' (I have grief). While understandable, 'ghosse mikhoram' (I am eating grief) is the idiomatic way to express the active state of being troubled.
Literal Translation: Do not use 'ghosse khordan' to mean literally eating something bad. It is strictly an emotional metaphor.

"اشتباه: من برای گربه ام غمگین می‌خورم."
(Incorrect: I 'sad eat' for my cat. You must use the noun 'ghosse'.)

Another mistake is using it for very light, fleeting boredom. If you are just a little bored, use 'hosele-am sar rafte.' 'Ghosse khordan' implies a certain weight or anxiety. If you use it for a triviality, like missing a bus when the next one is in 5 minutes, it might sound overly dramatic unless you are being sarcastic.

Persian is a language rich in emotional nuances. Depending on the intensity and the context, you might want to choose a different word than غصه خوردن.

غمگین بودن (Ghamgin budan): To be sad. This is a state of being. 'Ghosse khordan' is more of an internal struggle or worry.
نگران بودن (Negarān budan): To be worried. While 'ghosse khordan' includes worry, 'negarān budan' is more focused on future uncertainty and anxiety.
ماتم گرفتن (Mātam gereftan): To mourn. This is very formal and usually reserved for the death of a person or a national tragedy.

"او به جای غصه خوردن، تصمیم گرفت مشکل را حل کند."
(Instead of grieving/worrying, he decided to solve the problem.)

In literary contexts, you might see anduh khordan (to eat sorrow), which is almost identical to ghosse khordan but sounds more poetic and classical. For extreme, visible distress, one might use zāri kardan (to wail/lament), which is much louder and more external than the internal 'eating' of grief.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The use of 'khordan' (to eat) as a light verb is a hallmark of Persian. You don't just 'eat' food; you 'eat' blows (kotak khordan - to be beaten), 'eat' oaths (ghasam khordan - to swear), and 'eat' grief.

Pronunciation Guide

UK ɣos.se xor.dæn

US ɣos.se xɔːr.dæn

In 'ghosse', the stress is on the first syllable. In 'khordan', the stress is on the second syllable '-dan'.

Rhymes With

خوردن (khordan) مردن (mordan - to die) بردن (bordan - to carry) آزردن (āzordan - to annoy) فشردن (feshordan - to squeeze) سپردن (sepordan - to entrust) شمردن (shemordan - to count) پژمردن (pezhmordan - to wither)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'gh' as a hard 'g' (like 'go'). It should be deeper in the throat.
Pronouncing 'kh' as a simple 'k'. It should be raspy.
Ignoring the double 's' in 'ghosse'. It should be held slightly longer.
Misplacing the stress on the first syllable of 'khordan'.
Pronouncing 'e' at the end of 'ghosse' as an 'ee' sound.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

The words are common, but the compound nature requires recognizing the 'khordan' conjugation.

Writing 3/5

Requires correct spelling of the Arabic-rooted 'ghosse' (with 'sad' and 'te-marbuta').

Speaking 2/5

The pronunciation of 'gh' and 'kh' can be tricky for beginners.

Listening 2/5

Very easy to hear in daily speech once you know the 'ghosse nakhor' phrase.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

خوردن (to eat) غم (sadness) برای (for) خوشحال (happy) دل (heart)

Learn Next

نگران بودن (to be worried) حسرت خوردن (to regret/long for) فریب خوردن (to be deceived) شکست خوردن (to be defeated) غبطه خوردن (to envy/admire)

Advanced

ملال (boredom/melancholy) حزن (sorrow - Arabic) کرب (distress) استیصال (desperation) فغان (lamentation)

Grammar to Know

Compound Verbs with 'Khordan'

In 'ghosse khordan', only 'khordan' conjugates (e.g., mi-khor-am).

Negative Imperative with 'Na-'

The 'na-' prefix goes before 'khor' -> 'ghosse nakhor'.

Subjunctive Mood with 'Be-'

After 'bāyad' (must), use 'bokhori' -> 'bāyad غصه بخوری'.

Prepositional Objects

Use 'barāye' (for) to indicate the cause of grief.

Infinitive as Noun

'Ghosse khordan' (grieving) can be the subject of a sentence.

Examples by Level

من غصه می‌خورم.

I am grieving/worrying.

Present continuous tense.

غصه نخور!

Don't worry!

Negative imperative.

او غصه خورد.

He/she grieved.

Simple past tense.

چرا غصه می‌خوری؟

Why are you grieving/worrying?

Interrogative present tense.

ما غصه نمی‌خوریم.

We are not grieving.

Negative present tense.

برای سگم غصه می‌خورم.

I am grieving for my dog.

Use of preposition 'barāye'.

مادرم غصه می‌خورد.

My mother is grieving/worrying.

Third person singular present.

بچه‌ها غصه خوردند.

The children grieved.

Plural past tense.

دیروز برای امتحان غصه خوردم.

Yesterday, I worried/grieved for the exam.

Past tense with time adverb.

نباید برای این چیزها غصه بخوری.

You shouldn't worry about these things.

Modal verb 'nabāyad' with subjunctive.

او همیشه برای برادرش غصه می‌خورد.

He always worries for his brother.

Use of 'hamishe' (always).

چرا برای او غصه خوردی؟

Why did you grieve for him?

Past tense question.

ما برای خانه‌ی قدیمی‌مان غصه خوردیم.

We grieved for our old house.

Compound noun object.

او برای گربه‌اش خیلی غصه خورد.

She grieved a lot for her cat.

Adverb 'kheyli' (very/a lot).

غصه نخور، همه چیز درست می‌شود.

Don't worry, everything will be fine.

Two-part sentence with reassurance.

آن‌ها برای پول غصه نمی‌خورند.

They don't worry about money.

Negative present plural.

اگر غصه بخوری، مریض می‌شوی.

If you grieve/worry, you will get sick.

Conditional sentence Type 1.

او برای از دست دادن شغلش غصه می‌خورد.

He is grieving for losing his job.

Gerund-like phrase 'az dast dādan'.

فکر نمی‌کردم اینقدر غصه بخوری.

I didn't think you would grieve this much.

Subjunctive mood after 'fekr nemikardam'.

بسیاری از مردم برای فقر غصه می‌خورند.

Many people grieve for poverty.

Generic subject 'basyāri az mardom'.

او مدت‌ها برای مرگ پدرش غصه خورد.

He grieved for his father's death for a long time.

Duration phrase 'modathā'.

به جای غصه خوردن، باید کاری انجام دهیم.

Instead of grieving, we must do something.

Infinitive as a noun phrase.

او طوری غصه می‌خورد که انگار دنیا به آخر رسیده است.

He grieves as if the world has come to an end.

Comparative clause with 'engār'.

آیا تا به حال برای کسی غصه خورده‌ای؟

Have you ever grieved for someone?

Present perfect question.

او تمام شب را بیدار ماند و غصه خورد.

He stayed awake all night and grieved.

Compound sentence with 'bidār māndan'.

غصه خوردن برای گذشته سودی ندارد.

Grieving for the past has no benefit.

Infinitive as a subject.

او چنان غصه می‌خورد که اشتهایش را از دست داده بود.

He was grieving so much that he had lost his appetite.

Result clause with 'chonān... ke'.

نباید اجازه دهی غصه خوردن زندگی‌ات را خراب کند.

You shouldn't let grieving ruin your life.

Causative structure with 'ejāze dādan'.

او برای آرزوهای بر باد رفته‌اش غصه می‌خورد.

He grieves for his shattered dreams.

Idiomatic phrase 'ārezuhāye bar bād rafte'.

با غصه خوردن هیچ مشکلی حل نمی‌شود.

No problem is solved by grieving.

Passive voice with 'hal nemishavad'.

او مدام غصه می‌خورد که چرا آن حرف را زد.

He constantly worries about why he said that.

Noun clause object.

او برای غربت و دوری از وطن غصه می‌خورد.

He grieves for the exile and distance from his homeland.

Thematic vocabulary 'ghorbat'.

غصه خوردن برای سرنوشت بشریت، ویژگی فیلسوفان است.

Grieving for the fate of humanity is a trait of philosophers.

Abstract subject matter.

او در خلوت خویش، برای سال‌های از دست رفته غصه می‌خورد.

In his solitude, he grieved for the wasted years.

Literary phrasing 'khalvate khish'.

شاعر در این قصیده، برای زوال تمدن غصه می‌خورد.

The poet, in this ode, grieves for the decline of civilization.

Literary analysis context.

او هرگز برای مال دنیا غصه نخورده است.

He has never grieved for worldly possessions.

Present perfect negative.

غصه خوردن‌های مداوم او، نشان از روحی حساس داشت.

His constant grieving indicated a sensitive soul.

Pluralized infinitive (gerund).

او چنان در غصه خوردن غرق شده بود که دیگران را نمی‌دید.

He was so drowned in grieving that he didn't see others.

Metaphorical use of 'gharq shodan'.

نباید برای آنچه از اختیارت خارج است غصه بخوری.

You shouldn't grieve for what is out of your control.

Complex relative clause.

او برای بی‌عدالتی‌های جامعه غصه می‌خورد.

He grieves for the injustices of society.

Sociopolitical context.

غصه خوردن برای فانی بودن جهان، مضمونی مکرر در ادبیات کلاسیک است.

Grieving for the transience of the world is a recurring theme in classical literature.

Academic/Literary register.

او تمام هستی‌اش را در غصه خوردن برای معشوق ذوب کرد.

He melted his entire existence in grieving for the beloved.

Mystical/Sufi metaphor.

آیا غصه خوردن برای گناهان، راهی به سوی رستگاری است؟

Is grieving for sins a path toward salvation?

Theological inquiry.

او با غصه خوردن‌های بی‌پایانش، فضایی مسموم در خانه ایجاد کرده بود.

With his endless grieving, he had created a toxic atmosphere in the house.

Adjectival modification of the gerund.

او برای فقدان ارزش‌های اخلاقی در عصر مدرن غصه می‌خورد.

He grieves for the lack of moral values in the modern age.

High-level vocabulary 'feqdān'.

او چنان غصه می‌خورد که گویی بار تمام جهان بر شانه‌های اوست.

He grieves as if the weight of the entire world is on his shoulders.

Advanced simile.

غصه خوردن برای هنر از دست رفته، مرثیه‌ای برای زیبایی است.

Grieving for lost art is an elegy for beauty.

Metaphorical definition.

او در غصه‌ خوردن‌هایش، نوعی لذت مازوخیستی می‌یافت.

In his grieving, he found a kind of masochistic pleasure.

Psychological analysis.

Common Collocations

غصه خوردن برای آینده

بی‌دلیل غصه خوردن

غصه خوردن به خاطر کسی

کمتر غصه خوردن

غصه خوردن و گریه کردن

غصه نخوردن برای مال دنیا

غصه خوردن از تنهایی

غصه خوردن برای گذشته

غصه خوردن برای مرگ کسی

یک عمر غصه خوردن

Common Phrases

غصه نخور، درست میشه

— Don't worry, it will be fixed. A very common phrase of reassurance.

غصه نخور، درست میشه، نگران نباش.

غصه خوردن نداره

— It's not worth grieving/worrying about. Used to minimize a problem.

این موضوع اصلاً غصه خوردن نداره.

چرا اینقدر غصه می‌خوری؟

— Why are you grieving/worrying so much? A question of concern or mild reproach.

چرا اینقدر برای یک امتحان غصه می‌خوری؟

غصه خوردن فایده‌ای ندارد

— Grieving/worrying is useless. A pragmatic advice.

غصه خوردن فایده‌ای ندارد، باید حرکت کنیم.

غصه منو نخور

— Don't worry about me. Often said when someone feels they are a burden.

من خوبم، تو غصه منو نخور.

غصه کسی را خوردن

— To worry about someone else deeply. Shows empathy.

مادرها همیشه غصه بچه‌هاشون رو می‌خورن.

غصه دنیا را خوردن

— To worry about the whole world or everything. Used for over-thinkers.

تو انگار داری غصه کل دنیا رو می‌خوری!

با غصه خوردن چیزی درست نمی‌شود

— Nothing gets fixed by grieving. Similar to 'it's no use crying over spilled milk.'

با غصه خوردن چیزی درست نمی‌شود، پاشو یک کاری بکن.

غصه به دل راه ندادن

— To not let grief enter one's heart. To stay positive.

سعی کن غصه به دلت راه ندی.

غصه خوردن برای هیچ و پوچ

— Grieving/worrying for absolutely nothing.

داری برای هیچ و پوچ غصه می‌خوری.

Often Confused With

غصه خوردن vs قصه خوردن

Mistaking 'ghosse' (grief) with 'ghesse' (story). You can't 'eat a story' in this sense.

غصه خوردن vs غذا خوردن

Mistaking 'ghosse' for 'ghazā' (food). One is emotional, one is physical.

غصه خوردن vs غصه دادن

Means 'to cause grief' to someone else, whereas 'khordan' is for yourself.

Idioms & Expressions

"غصه‌خور بودن"

— To be a person who habitually worries or is melancholic.

او آدم غصه‌خوری است، همیشه یک چیزی برای ناراحتی پیدا می‌کند.

Informal

"غصه‌اش را خوردن"

— To take on the burden of a specific problem or person's sorrow.

من غصه‌اش را خوردم تا او راحت باشد.

Neutral

"خونِ دل خوردن"

— To suffer greatly, to 'eat heart-blood.' A more intense version of 'ghosse khordan'.

برای بزرگ کردن این بچه‌ها خونِ دل خوردم.

Literary/Emphatic

"غصه روی غصه"

— Grief upon grief. Used when problems accumulate.

این هم غصه روی غصه‌های قبلی‌مان.

Neutral

"غصه را قورت دادن"

— To swallow one's grief, to hide it from others.

غصه‌اش را قورت داد و لبخند زد.

Informal

"از غصه دق کردن"

— To die from grief (usually hyperbolic).

نزدیک بود از غصه دق کنم.

Informal/Emphatic

"غصه خوردن برای نان شب"

— To worry about basic survival/money.

مردم نباید برای نان شب غصه بخورند.

Social/Political

"غم و غصه"

— A pair of words meaning 'sorrow and grief' used together for emphasis.

زندگی پر از غم و غصه است.

Neutral

"غصه خوردن برای حرف مردم"

— To worry about what people say (reputation).

چرا اینقدر برای حرف مردم غصه می‌خوری؟

Informal

"غصه به ریش کسی بستن"

— To cause someone else a lot of grief/worry.

با این کارهایت فقط غصه به ریش من می‌بندی.

Informal/Old-fashioned

Easily Confused

غصه خوردن vs غمگین

Both mean sad.

'Ghamgin' is an adjective (sad), while 'ghosse khordan' is the verb (to grieve/worry).

من غمگین هستم (I am sad) vs من غصه می‌خورم (I am grieving).

غصه خوردن vs نگران

Both involve anxiety.

'Negarān' is specifically about future worry; 'ghosse' can be about past, present, or future sorrow.

من نگران فردا هستم vs من برای گذشته غصه می‌خورم.

غصه خوردن vs ناراحت

General word for unhappy.

'Nārāhat' can mean upset, uncomfortable, or sad. 'Ghosse khordan' is deeper and more specific to grief.

او از حرف من ناراحت شد vs او برای مرگ سگش غصه خورد.

غصه خوردن vs ماتم

Both mean grieving.

'Mātam' is very formal and usually related to death or mourning rituals.

او لباس ماتم پوشید vs او در تنهایی غصه خورد.

غصه خوردن vs حسرت

Both involve 'eating' an emotion (hasrat khordan).

'Hasrat' is specifically about regret or longing for something you don't have.

او حسرت روزهای جوانی را می‌خورد.

Sentence Patterns

[Subject] غصه می‌خورد.

او غصه می‌خورد.

[Subject] برای [Noun] غصه می‌خورد.

من برای دوستم غصه می‌خورم.

نباید برای [Noun/Phrase] غصه بخوری.

نباید برای امتحان غصه بخوری.

غصه خوردن برای [Noun] سودی ندارد.

غصه خوردن برای گذشته سودی ندارد.

[Subject] چنان غصه می‌خورد که [Result Clause].

او چنان غصه می‌خورد که مریض شد.

غصه خوردن بر [Noun]، مرثیه‌ای بر [Noun] است.

غصه خوردن بر جوانی، مرثیه‌ای بر عمر است.

Informal

اینقدر غصه [Noun] رو نخور!

اینقدر غصه پول رو نخور!

Formal

موجبات غصه خوردن فراهم گشت.

با این خبر، موجبات غصه خوردن ما فراهم گشت.

Word Family

Nouns

غصه (ghosse - grief/sorrow)

غصه‌خوار (ghosse-khār - sympathizer/someone who shares grief)

غم (gham - sadness)

Verbs

غصه دادن (ghosse dādan - to cause grief)

غمگین کردن (ghamgin kardan - to make sad)

Adjectives

غصه‌دار (ghosse-dār - sorrowful/grieving)

غمگین (ghamgin - sad)

مغموم (maghmum - dejected)

اندوه (anduh - sorrow)

حسرت (hasrat - regret)

دلتنگی (deltangi - homesickness/missing someone)

ناراحتی (nārāhati - discomfort/sadness)

اشک (ashk - tear)

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high in daily conversation and media.

Common Mistakes

من غصه هستم → من غصه می‌خورم / من غمگین هستم
You cannot 'be' grief (the noun). You either 'eat' grief or 'are' sad (adjective).
برای او غصه نکن → برای او غصه نخور
The auxiliary verb is 'khordan' (eat), not 'kardan' (do).
من از امتحان غصه می‌خورم → من برای امتحان غصه می‌خورم
The standard preposition is 'barāye' (for), not 'az' (from).
او غصه را خورد → او غصه خورد
In compound verbs, you don't usually use the object marker 'rā' unless you are emphasizing a specific, previously mentioned grief.
غصه نخورید برای من → برای من غصه نخورید
The prepositional phrase usually comes before the verb in Persian.

Tips

Consolation Culture

In Iran, if someone tells you their problems, saying 'ghosse nakhor' is almost mandatory. It shows you are listening and you care.

Light Verbs

Mastering 'khordan' as a light verb will help you learn dozens of other Persian expressions. It's one of the most productive verbs in the language.

Sad vs. Sin

Remember the spelling: غصه (ghosse) with 'sad'. If you write آن قصه (ghesse), you are talking about a story!

The 'Gh' Sound

Practice the 'gh' in 'ghosse' by gargling water. It's the same position in the throat.

Poetic Context

When you see 'ghosse' in poetry, it often represents the suffering of the lover. It's a noble emotion in that context.

TV Dramas

Watch any Iranian 'Serial' (soap opera). You will hear 'ghosse khordan' in almost every episode during family arguments or sad scenes.

Adverb Placement

Place adverbs like 'خیلی' (very) before 'ghosse'. Example: 'خیلی غصه خوردم'.

Don't Overuse

While common, don't use it for trivial things like 'I'm sad I ran out of milk' unless you want to sound funny or dramatic.

Ghost in the Throat

Remember 'ghosse' sounds like 'ghost'. A ghost in your throat makes you choke with grief.

Empathy

Using 'ghosse-to mikhoram' (I worry for you) is a very strong way to show love to a family member or close friend.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine you have a 'ghost' (sounds like ghosse) of sadness in your stomach because you 'ate' it. Ghosse + Khordan = Eating the ghost of grief.

Visual Association

Picture a person sitting at a dinner table with a bowl full of dark, heavy clouds. Instead of food, they are slowly spooning the clouds into their mouth.

Word Web

Ghosse (Grief) Khordan (To Eat) Barāye (For) Gham (Sadness) Negarāni (Worry) Deltangi (Longing) Gerye (Crying) Ghosse-khār (Sympathizer)

Challenge

Try to spend one whole day without saying 'ghosse khordan' or feeling it. If you see someone looking sad, tell them 'ghosse nakhor' and see how they react.

Word Origin

The word 'ghosse' (غصة) is of Arabic origin, where it literally means 'something that chokes' or 'a lump in the throat.' It was borrowed into Persian and paired with the native Persian light verb 'khordan' (to eat).

Original meaning: In Arabic, 'ghussa' refers to the physical sensation of being unable to swallow due to an obstruction. Metaphorically, this became the 'lump in the throat' caused by grief.

Semitic (Arabic root) + Indo-European (Persian verb).

Cultural Context

Be careful not to tell someone 'ghosse nakhor' if they have suffered a truly devastating loss (like a death) too early, as it might seem like you are dismissing their pain. In those cases, just listening is better.

In English, we 'dwell' on things or 'worry ourselves sick.' 'Ghosse khordan' is the Persian equivalent of this internal emotional consumption.

The poetry of Hafez often mentions 'gham khordan' (a synonym), advising readers when to grieve and when to be joyful. Numerous Iranian 'melodrama' films (known as 'film-farsi' in the past) centered on characters 'eating grief' for their families. The song 'Ghosse Nakhor' by various pop artists (like Mahasti or Ebi) offers comfort to the broken-hearted.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Bereavement

برای فوت او غصه می‌خورد.
خدا به شما صبر بدهد، غصه نخورید.
او هنوز غصه مرگ مادرش را می‌خورد.
غم آخرتان باشد.

Financial Stress

غصه پول را نخور.
برای بدهی‌هایش غصه می‌خورد.
غصه خوردن نان را گران نمی‌کند (Proverb).
همه دارند برای اقتصاد غصه می‌خورند.

Academic Anxiety

برای کنکور غصه می‌خورم.
غصه نخور، امتحان بعدی جبران می‌کنی.
او شب و روز برای درس‌هایش غصه می‌خورد.
بی‌خودی برای نمره غصه نخور.

Relationship Issues

او برای دوری از عشقش غصه می‌خورد.
برای کسی که دوستت ندارد غصه نخور.
غصه خوردن برای رابطه‌ای که تمام شده اشتباه است.
او غصه تنهایی‌اش را می‌خورد.

General Comforting

غصه نخور، دنیا دو روزه.
حیفِ تو نیست که غصه می‌خوری؟
غصه نخور، خدا بزرگه.
من هستم، غصه هیچی رو نخور.

Conversation Starters

"چرا این روزها اینقدر غصه می‌خوری؟ چیزی شده؟"

"آیا تا به حال برای چیزی که ارزشش را نداشت غصه خورده‌ای؟"

"به نظر تو غصه خوردن برای گذشته می‌تواند مفید باشد؟"

"وقتی غصه می‌خوری، معمولاً چه کاری انجام می‌دهی تا بهتر شوی؟"

"چطور می‌توانیم به دوستی که مدام غصه می‌خورد کمک کنیم؟"

Journal Prompts

امروز برای چه چیزی غصه خوردی؟ آیا واقعاً ارزشش را داشت؟

نامه‌ای به خودت بنویس و بگو چرا دیگر نباید برای اشتباهات گذشته غصه بخوری.

توصیف کن که در فرهنگ تو، مردم چطور 'غصه می‌خورند' و آیا با فرهنگ ایرانی متفاوت است؟

یک داستان کوتاه درباره کسی بنویس که تمام غصه‌هایش را در یک جعبه گذاشت و دیگر آن‌ها را نخورد.

فکر می‌کنی چرا در زبان فارسی از فعل 'خوردن' برای غصه استفاده می‌شود؟

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, it also encompasses worrying and being anxious. It's a broad term for internal emotional distress. For example, you can 'ghosse bokhori' about a future exam, which is more like worrying than being sad.

Yes, it is the most common way to say 'don't worry' in a sympathetic, emotional context. If you want to be more literal about anxiety, you could say 'negarān nabāsh,' but 'ghosse nakhor' is more warm.

It is acceptable, but in very high-level academic writing, you might prefer 'anduhgin shodan' or 'ta'asof khordan' (to regret). However, 'ghosse khordan' is not considered 'slang'.

'Gham' is a more general, often poetic word for sadness. 'Ghosse' often implies a more specific, nagging worry or a 'lump' of grief. They are often used together as 'gham-o-ghosse'.

You only change 'khordan'. For example: I grieved = غصه خوردم (ghosse khordam), You grieved = غصه خوردی (ghosse khordi), etc.

When you worry about something specific, you use the Ezafe: 'ghosse-ye pul' (the grief/worry of money). In the verb form, you usually use the preposition: 'barāye pul غصه می‌خورم'.

It's a metaphor common in Persian where emotions are internalized. Just as food stays in your body, these emotions are seen as staying inside you and affecting your well-being.

Yes, children use it and hear it from a very young age. It's a basic part of the emotional vocabulary.

Not really with the verb 'khordan'. Most 'eating' metaphors in Persian are for negative things (blows, grief, regrets, deceptions), though 'ghabte khordan' (to envy/admire) can be neutral or positive.

You say 'ghosse nemikhoram'. It's the negative present tense of the verb.