غذا دادن in 30 Seconds
- Common Persian compound verb meaning 'to feed'.
- Used primarily for animals, babies, and charitable acts.
- Requires the preposition 'be' (to) for the recipient.
- Essential for daily chores, pet care, and social interactions.
The Persian compound verb غذا دادن (ghazā dādan) is a fundamental expression used to describe the act of providing nourishment to another living being. While its literal translation is 'to give food,' it most accurately maps to the English verb 'to feed.' This term is predominantly used in the context of animals, infants, or individuals who cannot feed themselves. In the landscape of Iranian culture, the act of feeding others carries a weight of hospitality and compassion, extending from the domestic sphere of caring for a pet to the communal sphere of charity. When you use this verb, you are describing a transitive action where the subject (the giver) provides sustenance to an object (the receiver). It is distinct from غذا خوردن (ghazā khordan), which means 'to eat.' Understanding the nuance of this verb requires recognizing that it implies a sense of responsibility and caretaking.
- Daily Life Context
- In a typical Iranian household, you might hear a parent asking a child if they have remembered to feed the goldfish or the family cat. It is a mundane but essential part of the daily routine. The verb is used in the present continuous to describe an ongoing action, such as 'I am feeding the birds.'
- Charitable Context
- The term is often elevated in formal or religious contexts to describe 'Nazri' (charitable food offerings). While the formal word might be اطعام (et'ām), in common parlance, people speak of 'giving food' to the poor or to neighbors during religious festivals like Ashura.
- Prohibitive Context
- In public spaces like zoos or national parks, you will frequently see signs stating 'لطفاً به حیوانات غذا ندهید' (Please do not feed the animals). Here, the verb serves as a clear instruction or command.
مادر در حال غذا دادن به نوزاد است.
آیا امروز به ماهیها غذا دادی؟
Furthermore, the verb can be used metaphorically in literature, though this is less common than its literal usage. One might 'feed' a flame or 'feed' a passion, though Persian often uses more specific verbs like سوخت رساندن or پرورش دادن for those concepts. In the most common B1-level usage, stick to the physical act of providing meals. Whether it's a farmer feeding livestock or a volunteer feeding the homeless, غذا دادن is the go-to phrase. It bridges the gap between simple vocabulary and functional communication in real-world Persian-speaking environments.
Using غذا دادن correctly involves mastering the sentence structure: [Subject] + [Indirect Object with 'به'] + [غذا] + [Conjugated form of دادن]. Because it is a compound verb, the 'ghazā' part stays near the end, but the 'dādan' part changes. For example, in the past tense, 'I fed' becomes 'ghazā dādam'. In the present tense, 'I feed' becomes 'ghazā midaham'. This structure is very consistent across Persian grammar, making it an excellent verb for intermediate learners to practice their conjugation skills.
- Past Tense Usage
- To describe a completed action: 'من دیروز به گربههای خیابانی غذا دادم' (I fed the street cats yesterday). Note how the preposition 'به' (to) is essential for identifying the recipient.
- Imperative Mood
- When giving an order or request: 'به سگ غذا بده!' (Feed the dog!). The prefix 'be-' is added to the root 'deh', but since 'ghazā' is already there, it often sounds like 'ghazā bede'.
او همیشه قبل از رفتن به سر کار، به پرندگان غذا میدهد.
In more complex sentences, you can use infinitives. For instance, 'غذا دادن به حیوانات وحشی خطرناک است' (Feeding wild animals is dangerous). Here, 'غذا دادن' acts as a gerund or verbal noun. You can also use it with modal verbs like 'must' or 'can': 'شما باید به اسبها غذا بدهید' (You must feed the horses). Pay attention to the fact that 'ghazā' is a noun meaning 'food,' so you are literally saying 'to give food to.' This logic helps English speakers remember the structure, as it mirrors the English phrase 'to give food to someone.'
You will encounter غذا دادن in a variety of real-life settings across the Persian-speaking world. From the bustling streets of Tehran where people feed pigeons in 'Meydan-e Azadi' to quiet rural villages where farmers tend to their livestock, this verb is ubiquitous. It is not just a vocabulary word; it's a reflection of daily life and social responsibility. If you watch Iranian cinema, you'll often see scenes of families gathering for meals, and the act of 'feeding' a guest or a child is a central theme of care. In documentaries about Iran's diverse wildlife, such as the Persian leopard or the Asiatic cheetah, conservationists will use this term when discussing supplementary feeding programs.
در اخبار شنیدم که داوطلبان به پناهندگان غذا میدهند.
- In Public Parks
- Signs often read: 'از غذا دادن به حیوانات خودداری کنید' (Refrain from feeding the animals). This is a very common sight in Mellat Park or Jamshidieh Park.
- At the Vet
- A veterinarian might ask: 'چند بار در روز به سگتان غذا میدهید؟' (How many times a day do you feed your dog?). This is essential for medical history taking.
Social media also plays a role. Iranian pet influencers or rescue organizations frequently use hashtags like #غذا_دادن to share videos of their activities. In these contexts, the word is associated with empathy (hamdardi) and kindness (mehrabāni). Whether you are reading a children's book about a farm or listening to a podcast about social issues, 'ghazā dādan' will be your primary tool for expressing the act of providing food to others.
One of the most frequent errors for English speakers learning Persian is confusing غذا دادن (to give food/feed) with غذا خوردن (to eat food). Because both contain the word 'ghazā', beginners often swap the auxiliary verbs. Remember: 'dādan' is an outward action (giving), while 'khordan' is an inward action (consuming). Another common pitfall is the omission of the preposition 'به'. In English, we say 'I feed the dog,' but in Persian, you must say 'I give food TO the dog.' Without the 'be', the sentence becomes grammatically incomplete and confusing.
❌ من سگ غذا میدهم. (Incorrect - missing 'be')
✅ من به سگ غذا میدهم. (Correct)
- Confusing with 'Feeding' Humans
- While you can use 'ghazā dādan' for babies or sick people, using it for a healthy adult friend might sound a bit strange or patronizing, as if you are treating them like a child or a pet. In those cases, use 'پذیرایی کردن' (to host/serve) or 'غذا آوردن' (to bring food).
- Tense Confusion
- Learners often forget that 'dādan' is an irregular verb in the present tense. Its present stem is 'deh', not 'dād'. So, 'I feed' is 'midaham', not 'midādam' (which would mean 'I was giving').
Lastly, be careful with the word 'ghazā' itself. In some dialects or very informal speech, people might use 'noon' (bread) as a generic term for food, but 'ghazā dādan' remains the standard, clear, and most versatile choice for learners at the B1 level. Avoid overcomplicating the sentence; keep the 'ghazā' and 'dādan' close together to maintain the compound verb's integrity.
While غذا دادن is the most common way to say 'to feed,' Persian offers several synonyms and related terms that carry different shades of meaning. Depending on whether you are in a formal setting, a poetic mood, or a technical environment, you might choose a different word. Understanding these alternatives will help you reach a B2 or C1 level of fluency, where you can choose the precise word for the right context.
- خوراک دادن (Khorāk dādan)
- This is very similar to 'ghazā dādan' but uses 'khorāk' (feed/fodder). It is more frequently used in agricultural contexts for livestock or in technical discussions about nutrition.
- اطعام کردن (Et'ām kardan)
- An Arabic-rooted, highly formal, and often religious term. It specifically refers to feeding the poor or providing a feast for a large group of people as an act of piety.
- سیر کردن (Sir kardan)
- Literally 'to make full' or 'to satiate.' While 'ghazā dādan' describes the act, 'sir kardan' focuses on the result—ensuring the person or animal is no longer hungry.
او با مهربانی گرسنگان را سیر کرد.
There is also تغذیه کردن (taghziyeh kardan), which means 'to nourish' or 'to provide nutrition.' This is used in medical, biological, or highly formal educational contexts. For example, 'نوزاد باید با شیر مادر تغذیه شود' (The infant must be nourished with breast milk). As a B1 student, you will primarily use 'ghazā dādan,' but being aware of these alternatives allows you to understand more complex texts and conversations.
How Formal Is It?
"لطفاً از غذا دادن به جانوران وحشی خودداری فرمایید."
"من هر روز به ماهیها غذا میدهم."
"بیا بریم به این گربهه غذا بدیم."
"ببین چطوری به جوجهها غذا میدم!"
"طرف رو خوب غذا دادیم (metaphorical)."
Fun Fact
While 'ghazā' is now the standard word for food in Iran, in classical Persian, 'ta'ām' or 'خوراک' (khorāk) were more common. 'Ghazā' in Arabic can also mean 'battle' (spelled differently but sounding similar), but in Persian, it exclusively means food.
Pronunciation Guide
- Pronouncing 'gh' as a hard 'g' like 'goat'.
- Shortening the long 'ā' sounds to 'a' like 'cat'.
- Confusing the pronunciation with 'ghazā khordan'.
Difficulty Rating
The words are common and easy to recognize in text.
Requires correct conjugation of the irregular verb 'dādan'.
Remembering the 'be' preposition is the main challenge.
The phrase is distinct and usually clear in conversation.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Compound Verbs
In 'ghazā dādan', only 'dādan' changes.
Indirect Objects with 'be'
Always use 'be' before the receiver: 'be sag'.
Present Stem of 'dādan'
The stem is 'deh', so 'midaham' (I give).
Subjunctive Mood
میخواهم غذا بدهم (I want to feed).
Negation
غذا نده (Don't feed).
Examples by Level
من به گربه غذا میدهم.
I feed the cat.
Simple present tense: Subject + be + animal + ghazā midaham.
آیا به سگ غذا دادی؟
Did you feed the dog?
Simple past tense (2nd person singular).
او به ماهی غذا میدهد.
He/She feeds the fish.
3rd person singular present tense.
به پرنده غذا بده.
Feed the bird.
Imperative form (ghazā bede).
ما به اسب غذا میدهیم.
We feed the horse.
1st person plural present tense.
آنها به مرغها غذا میدهند.
They feed the chickens.
3rd person plural present tense.
من میخواهم به آهو غذا بدهم.
I want to feed the deer.
Use of 'want' (mikhāham) + subjunctive.
مادر به نوزاد غذا میدهد.
The mother feeds the baby.
Standard usage for infants.
من هر روز ساعت هشت به سگم غذا میدهم.
I feed my dog every day at eight o'clock.
Adding time adverbs to the sentence.
دیروز فراموش کردم به ماهیها غذا بدهم.
Yesterday I forgot to feed the fish.
Past tense 'forgot' + infinitive.
او در حال غذا دادن به کبوترها است.
He is currently feeding the pigeons.
Present continuous construction.
بچهها دوست دارند به حیوانات غذا بدهند.
Children like to feed animals.
Plural subject + 'like' + subjunctive.
نباید به حیوانات وحشی غذا بدهیم.
We should not feed wild animals.
Negative modal 'should not' (nabāyad).
وقتی به خانه رسیدم، به گربه غذا دادم.
When I arrived home, I fed the cat.
Time clause + simple past.
چه کسی به این پرنده غذا داده است؟
Who has fed this bird?
Present perfect tense (ghazā dādeh ast).
لطفاً قبل از رفتن، به گلها آب بده و به سگ غذا بده.
Please water the flowers and feed the dog before leaving.
Compound imperative sentence.
غذا دادن به حیوانات خیابانی در این شهر ممنوع است.
Feeding street animals is forbidden in this city.
Using the infinitive as a subject.
اگر به سگ زیاد غذا بدهی، چاق میشود.
If you feed the dog too much, it will get fat.
Conditional type 1 (agar + subjunctive).
من همیشه باقیمانده غذا را برای غذا دادن به پرندهها جمع میکنم.
I always collect leftover food to feed the birds.
Purpose clause with 'barāye'.
او به عنوان داوطلب، هر جمعه به افراد بیخانمان غذا میدهد.
As a volunteer, he feeds homeless people every Friday.
Context of social work and charity.
شما باید یاد بگیرید که چگونه به درستی به نوزاد غذا بدهید.
You must learn how to properly feed the baby.
Modal 'must' + 'learn' + 'how to' clause.
آیا اجازه دارم به این اسبها غذا بدهم؟
Am I allowed to feed these horses?
Asking for permission.
او ادعا میکند که به تمام گربههای محله غذا میدهد.
He claims that he feeds all the cats in the neighborhood.
Reported speech structure.
ما به جای غذا دادن به حیوانات، باید زیستگاه آنها را حفظ کنیم.
Instead of feeding animals, we should preserve their habitat.
Comparative structure 'be jāye' (instead of).
مسئولان باغوحش تأکید کردند که بازدیدکنندگان نباید به حیوانات غذا بدهند.
Zoo officials emphasized that visitors must not feed the animals.
Complex reported speech with emphasis.
غذا دادن دستی به خرسها باعث میشود آنها به انسانها نزدیک شوند.
Hand-feeding bears causes them to approach humans.
Gerund phrase as subject causing a result.
در بسیاری از فرهنگها، غذا دادن به همسایگان نشانهی دوستی است.
In many cultures, feeding neighbors is a sign of friendship.
Abstract cultural discussion.
او وقت زیادی را صرف غذا دادن و مراقبت از حیوانات آسیبدیده میکند.
He spends a lot of time feeding and caring for injured animals.
Verbal nouns as objects of 'spending time'.
اگر زودتر رسیده بودی، میتوانستی در غذا دادن به برهها کمک کنی.
If you had arrived earlier, you could have helped with feeding the lambs.
Conditional type 3 (past unreal).
این دستگاه به طور خودکار در ساعتهای مشخص به ماهیها غذا میدهد.
This device automatically feeds the fish at specific hours.
Technical description of an automated process.
دولت برنامهای برای غذا دادن به دانشآموزان در مناطق محروم دارد.
The government has a program for feeding students in underprivileged areas.
Formal policy context.
غذا دادن به روح به همان اندازهی غذا دادن به جسم اهمیت دارد.
Feeding the soul is as important as feeding the body.
Metaphorical comparison.
سنت دیرینهی اطعام و غذا دادن به مستمندان در ایام محرم تجلی مییابد.
The ancient tradition of feeding the needy is manifested during the days of Muharram.
High-level vocabulary and cultural reference.
غذا دادن بیرویه به پرندگان مهاجر میتواند چرخهی طبیعی مهاجرت را مختل کند.
Excessive feeding of migratory birds can disrupt the natural cycle of migration.
Scientific/Environmental terminology.
او با وسواس عجیبی به جزئیات غذا دادن به اسبهای مسابقهاش دقت میکرد.
He paid strange obsessive attention to the details of feeding his racehorses.
Descriptive literary style.
فیلسوفان معتقدند که آموزش، در واقع غذا دادن به قوهی تفکر انسان است.
Philosophers believe that education is, in fact, feeding the human faculty of thought.
Metaphorical/Philosophical usage.
ممنوعیت غذا دادن به حیوانات در پارکهای ملی به منظور حفظ غریزهی شکار آنهاست.
The ban on feeding animals in national parks is for the purpose of preserving their hunting instinct.
Complex sentence with 'be manzure' (for the purpose of).
سازمانهای بینالمللی بر ضرورت غذا دادن به پناهجویان در مناطق جنگزده تأکید دارند.
International organizations emphasize the necessity of feeding refugees in war-torn areas.
Diplomatic/Journalistic register.
او تمام ثروت خود را وقف غذا دادن به ایتام و ساختن مدرسه کرد.
He dedicated his entire wealth to feeding orphans and building schools.
Formal 'waqf' (endowment) context.
بررسیها نشان میدهد که نحوهی غذا دادن به نوزاد بر پیوند عاطفی او با مادر تأثیر میگذارد.
Studies show that the manner of feeding an infant affects their emotional bond with the mother.
Academic research register.
در بطن این رمان، عملِ غذا دادن به مثابهی ایثاری فراتر از نیازهای مادی ترسیم شده است.
At the heart of this novel, the act of feeding is depicted as a sacrifice beyond material needs.
Literary criticism register.
سیاستهای کلان اقتصادی باید به گونهای باشد که غذا دادن به جمعیت رو به رشد کشور تضمین شود.
Macroeconomic policies must be such that feeding the country's growing population is guaranteed.
Political science/Economic register.
غذا دادن به کبوتران حرم، نه تنها یک عمل خیریه، بلکه یک آیین معنوی محسوب میشود.
Feeding the pigeons of the shrine is considered not just a charitable act, but a spiritual ritual.
Sociocultural analysis.
پیچیدگیهای بیولوژیکی در فرآیند غذا دادن به سلولهای سرطانی، موضوع تحقیق او بود.
The biological complexities in the process of feeding cancer cells was the subject of his research.
Advanced scientific/Medical usage.
او در خاطراتش از لذت وصفناپذیر غذا دادن به گوزنها در جنگلهای شمالی میگوید.
In his memoirs, he speaks of the indescribable joy of feeding deer in the northern forests.
Evocative memoir style.
تحلیلگران بر این باورند که غذا دادن به توهمات سیاسی، جامعه را به بنبست میکشاند.
Analysts believe that feeding political illusions leads society to a dead end.
Highly abstract/Political metaphor.
اخلاق وظیفهگرا حکم میکند که غذا دادن به گرسنه، فارغ از نتایج آن، یک تکلیف مطلق است.
Deontological ethics dictates that feeding the hungry is an absolute duty, regardless of its outcomes.
Philosophical/Ethical discourse.
نحوه و زمانبندی غذا دادن به دامها، تأثیر مستقیمی بر کیفیت محصولات لبنی دارد.
The method and timing of feeding livestock has a direct impact on the quality of dairy products.
Industrial/Agricultural expertise.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
— Feeding animals is forbidden (signage).
روی تابلو نوشته بود: غذا دادن به حیوانات ممنوع.
— Feeding pigeons (common hobby).
پیرمرد هر روز برای غذا دادن به کبوترها به میدان میآید.
— Feeding orphans (charitable act).
او در وصیتنامهاش بر غذا دادن به یتیمان تأکید کرد.
Often Confused With
Means 'to eat'. Learners often swap 'dādan' (give) and 'khordan' (eat).
Means 'to cook food'. This is the preparation, not the act of giving it to someone.
Means 'to bring food'. Used when a waiter brings food to a table.
Idioms & Expressions
— To feed/nurture a snake in one's sleeve (to help someone who will eventually betray you).
من به او کمک کردم، اما او به من خیانت کرد؛ مثل این بود که به مار در آستینم غذا داده باشم.
Literary/Informal— To feed/fuel illusions or false hopes.
نباید با وعدههای دروغین به توهمات او غذا بدهی.
Metaphorical— To fuel the fire (to make a bad situation worse).
حرفهای تند تو فقط به آتش دعوا غذا میدهد.
Metaphorical— To feed someone until they are full (often used regarding providing for a family).
او سخت کار میکند تا شکم خانوادهاش را سیر کند.
Common— To provide someone's livelihood (lit: to give someone's bread).
این کارخانه نانِ صدها خانواده را میدهد.
Idiomatic— To spoon-feed someone (literally or metaphorically doing everything for them).
نمیتوانی همیشه لقمه در دهان او بگذاری؛ باید خودش یاد بگیرد.
Informal— To scatter seeds (often used metaphorically for enticing someone).
او با وعدههایش داشت برای جذب مشتری دانه میپاشید.
Metaphorical— To spread the tablecloth (to provide a feast/feed many people).
او برای فقرا سفره پهن کرد.
Cultural/Common— To feed on someone's blood (to exploit them - opposite of feeding them).
این صاحبکار خون کارگران را در شیشه کرده است.
Idiomatic— To provide water and seeds (to take full care of a bird or pet).
من به این قناری آب و دان میدهم.
CommonEasily Confused
Both relate to food.
'Taghziyeh' is a noun meaning 'nutrition' or a formal verb for 'nourishing'. 'Ghazā dādan' is the everyday act of feeding.
تغذیه صحیح برای رشد مهم است.
Both mean food/feed.
'Khorāk' is often used for animal feed or as a more general term for 'sustenance'.
خوراک دام گران شده است.
Sometimes used generally for food in idioms.
'Āsh' is specifically a thick soup, but 'ghazā' is any meal.
او برای ما آش پخت.
Relates to giving food.
'Nazri' is the specific type of food given for religious reasons, not the verb itself.
او نذری پخش کرد.
Often used with feeding.
'Sir' is an adjective (full), while 'ghazā dādan' is the action that makes one 'sir'.
من سیر هستم.
Sentence Patterns
من به [اسم] غذا میدهم.
من به سگ غذا میدهم.
باید به [اسم] غذا بدهی.
باید به ماهیها غذا بدهی.
او مشغولِ غذا دادن به [اسم] است.
او مشغولِ غذا دادن به کبوترها است.
غذا دادن به [اسم] [صفت] است.
غذا دادن به خرسها خطرناک است.
اگر به [اسم] غذا بدهی، [نتیجه].
اگر به گربه غذا بدهی، اینجا میماند.
سنتِ غذا دادن به [گروه] در [زمان].
سنتِ غذا دادن به نیازمندان در رمضان.
مفهومِ غذا دادن در [متن/کتاب].
مفهومِ غذا دادن در اشعار مولوی.
پیامدهای زیستمحیطیِ غذا دادن به [حیوان].
پیامدهای زیستمحیطیِ غذا دادن به پرندگان مهاجر.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
Extremely high in daily conversation and social contexts.
-
من سگ غذا میدهم.
→
من به سگ غذا میدهم.
Missing the preposition 'be'. In Persian, you give food TO the animal.
-
من غذا خوردم به گربه.
→
من به گربه غذا دادم.
Using 'khordan' (eat) instead of 'dādan' (give).
-
من میخواهم غذا داد به پرنده.
→
من میخواهم به پرنده غذا بدهم.
Incorrect subjunctive form. 'Dād' is past, 'bedaham' is subjunctive.
-
او در حال غذا دادن سگ است.
→
او در حال غذا دادن به سگ است.
Missing 'be' in a continuous construction.
-
غذا دادن به مهمانان.
→
پذیرایی کردن از مهمانان.
Using 'ghazā dādan' for guests can be slightly informal or impolite.
Tips
Conjugation
Focus on the verb 'dādan'. If you know how to conjugate 'to give', you know how to say 'to feed'.
Related Nouns
Learn 'ghazā-ye sag' (dog food) and 'ghazā-ye māhi' (fish food) alongside the verb.
Nazri
If you are in Iran during Muharram, you will see 'ghazā dādan' on a massive scale as a religious act.
Don't swap verbs
Never say 'ghazā khordan' when you mean to give food to someone else.
The 'Be' Preposition
Always link the animal to the verb with 'be'. It makes your Persian sound natural.
Zoo Signs
Look for this verb on signs in parks and zoos to see it used in the real world.
Snake in Sleeve
Remember the idiom about feeding a snake in your sleeve to describe betrayal.
Subjunctive
Practice 'mikhāham ghazā bedaham' (I want to feed) to master the B1 level.
The 'Gh' sound
Don't let the 'gh' scare you. It's like the 'r' in the French word 'rouge'.
Babies
This is the perfect verb to use when talking about taking care of infants.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'Ghazā' as 'Gaza' (the place) and 'Dādan' as 'Dada' (father). Imagine a father (Dada) giving food (Ghazā) to a pet. 'Ghazā Dādan' = To feed.
Visual Association
Visualize a giant hand coming from the sky holding a giant plate of 'Ghazā' and 'Dādan' (giving) it to a small kitten.
Word Web
Challenge
Try to say 'I feed the...' for five different animals you know in Persian. For example: 'Man be asb ghazā midaham.'
Word Origin
The word 'ghazā' (غذا) is of Arabic origin, originally meaning 'nourishment' or 'sustenance'. The verb 'dādan' (دادن) is a pure Persian verb (Middle Persian 'dādan', Old Persian 'dā-') meaning 'to give'.
Original meaning: The combination literally means 'to give nourishment'.
Indo-European (for 'dādan') and Afroasiatic/Semitic (for 'ghazā').Cultural Context
Avoid using 'ghazā dādan' for honored guests; use 'pazirāyi kardan' to be more polite. 'Ghazā dādan' can imply the recipient is dependent (like a child or animal).
In English, we have specific words like 'feed', but we also say 'give food to'. Persian almost always uses the compound 'ghazā dādan'.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
At Home
- به گربه غذا دادی؟
- نوبت توست.
- غذای سگ کجاست؟
- باید به نوزاد غذا بدهم.
In the Park
- به مرغابیها غذا ندهید.
- کمی نان برای پرندهها دارم.
- آیا این کار قانونی است؟
- ببین چقدر گرسنهاند.
At the Zoo
- غذا دادن ممنوع است.
- حیوانات مریض میشوند.
- نگهبان به آنها غذا میدهد.
- فاصله را حفظ کنید.
Charity/Volunteering
- غذا دادن به فقرا.
- توزیع غذا.
- کمکهای مردمی.
- نذری دادن.
Farming
- غذا دادن به گاوها.
- انبار علوفه.
- وقتِ خوراک دادن.
- سلامت دام.
Conversation Starters
"آیا شما در خانه به حیوان خانگیتان غذا میدهید؟"
"به نظر شما غذا دادن به حیوانات خیابانی کار درستی است؟"
"آخرین باری که به پرندهها در پارک غذا دادید کی بود؟"
"در فرهنگ شما، آیا غذا دادن به همسایهها مرسوم است؟"
"چگونه به یک نوزاد که نمیخواهد غذا بخورد، غذا میدهید؟"
Journal Prompts
امروز به چه موجوداتی غذا دادید یا شاهد غذا دادن به آنها بودید؟ توصیف کنید.
درباره مسئولیتهای غذا دادن به یک حیوان خانگی بنویسید.
چرا در برخی مکانها غذا دادن به حیوانات وحشی ممنوع است؟ نظر خود را بنویسید.
یک خاطره از دوران کودکی درباره غذا دادن به پرندگان یا حیوانات بنویسید.
اگر بخواهید به یک گروه بزرگ از مردم غذا بدهید، چه غذایی درست میکنید؟
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt's better to use 'pazirāyi kardan' (to entertain/serve) for guests. 'Ghazā dādan' can sound like you are feeding a child or an animal, which might be slightly impolite for adults.
'Ghazā dādan' is common and everyday. 'Et'ām' is very formal, Arabic-rooted, and almost always refers to charitable feeding of the poor or large groups in a religious context.
Use the present continuous: 'Dāram be sag ghazā midaham'.
Yes, in standard Persian, you must use 'be' to indicate the recipient of the food. 'Ghazā dādan' literally means 'giving food TO'.
Usually, for plants, we use 'kud dādan' (to give fertilizer) or 'āb dādan' (to water). 'Ghazā dādan' is for living beings that eat.
It is 'ghazā dādam' (I fed), 'ghazā dādi' (you fed), etc.
In a formal sign: 'Be heyvānāt ghazā nadehid'. Informally: 'Be heyvānāt ghazā nadeh'.
While 'ghazā dādan' is general, 'shir dādan' (giving milk) is the specific and more common term for breastfeeding.
'Ghazā' is an Arabic loanword, but it is the standard word for food in modern Persian.
It's a metaphor meaning 'to feed the mind,' usually through reading, learning, or new experiences.
Test Yourself 98 questions
Write 'I fed the birds yesterday' in Persian.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Explain why we shouldn't feed wild animals (in Persian).
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Describe a time you fed an animal.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Discuss the ethical implications of feeding stray animals in Persian.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write a short poem or sentence using 'ghazā dādan' metaphorically.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
/ 98 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
The verb 'غذا دادن' is the standard way to say 'to feed' in Persian. It is a compound verb where 'dādan' conjugates. Example: 'Man be sag ghazā midaham' (I feed the dog). Remember the 'be'!
- Common Persian compound verb meaning 'to feed'.
- Used primarily for animals, babies, and charitable acts.
- Requires the preposition 'be' (to) for the recipient.
- Essential for daily chores, pet care, and social interactions.
Conjugation
Focus on the verb 'dādan'. If you know how to conjugate 'to give', you know how to say 'to feed'.
Related Nouns
Learn 'ghazā-ye sag' (dog food) and 'ghazā-ye māhi' (fish food) alongside the verb.
Nazri
If you are in Iran during Muharram, you will see 'ghazā dādan' on a massive scale as a religious act.
Don't swap verbs
Never say 'ghazā khordan' when you mean to give food to someone else.
Example
هر روز به پرندگان در پارک غذا میدهد.
Related Content
More animals words
عادت کردن
B1To become accustomed or adapted to a new environment or situation.
عاج
B1A hard, white substance forming the main part of the tusks of an elephant.
علفخوار
B1An animal that feeds on plants.
علنی
B1Publicly or openly; in a way that is not secret.
عرعر کردن
B1To make the loud, harsh cry of a donkey.
عظیم الجثه
B1Extremely large; gigantic.
آبزی
B1Living in or near water.
آبزیان
B1Animals that live in water, such as fish, whales, and crabs.
افسار
B1A strap or rope used for leading or tying an animal, typically a horse or dog.
آغل
B1An enclosure where livestock, especially sheep or cattle, are kept.
