غیرفعال
غیرفعال in 30 Seconds
- Gheyr-e-fa'aal means 'inactive' or 'disabled'.
- It is composed of 'Gheyr' (non) and 'Fa'aal' (active).
- Commonly used in tech (accounts), health (lifestyle), and science (volcanoes).
- It is the formal opposite of 'active' (fa'aal).
The Persian word غیرفعال (pronounced gheyr-e-fa'aal) is a versatile adjective that essentially means "inactive," "passive," or "deactivated." Morphologically, it is a compound of the Arabic-origin prefix غیر (meaning non-, un-, or anti-) and the word فعال (meaning active). In the modern Persian landscape, its usage has exploded due to technology, where it serves as the standard translation for 'disabled' or 'deactivated' in software interfaces. Beyond the digital realm, it describes people who are not physically active, volcanoes that are dormant, or chemical substances that are inert. Understanding this word is crucial for CEFR B1 learners because it marks the transition from simple descriptors like "quiet" or "stopped" to more formal, technical, and precise vocabulary.
- Digital Context
- Used to describe accounts, buttons, or features that are turned off. For example, 'حساب غیرفعال' (Inactive account).
- Medical/Lifestyle
- Refers to a sedentary lifestyle or a lack of physical exercise. 'سبک زندگی غیرفعال' (Inactive lifestyle).
- Geology/Science
- Describes natural phenomena that are no longer erupting or reacting. 'آتشفشان غیرفعال' (Dormant volcano).
اگر رمز عبور را پنج بار اشتباه وارد کنید، حساب شما به طور موقت غیرفعال میشود.
In formal Persian, especially in administrative and official documents, you will encounter this word frequently to denote status. If a company is no longer operating but has not been officially dissolved, it is referred to as 'غیرفعال'. In chemistry, a noble gas might be described as 'شیمیایی غیرفعال' (chemically inactive/inert). It is important to note that while it can describe a person, it is more about their state of activity rather than their personality. To call someone 'lazy,' you would use 'تنبل' (tanbal), but to say they are currently 'inactive' in a project, you use 'غیرفعال'.
بسیاری از مردم به دلیل کارهای اداری، سبک زندگی غیرفعال دارند.
Using غیرفعال correctly requires understanding its role as an adjective that follows the noun it modifies via the Ezafe construction (the short '-e' sound). For example, 'حسابِ غیرفعال' (Hesab-e gheyr-e-fa'aal). However, when it acts as a predicate (the 'is' part of the sentence), the Ezafe is dropped: 'این حساب غیرفعال است' (This account is inactive). Learners often struggle with the placement of the prefix 'gheyr', but in Persian, it is treated as a single unit with the following adjective.
- As a Predicate
- Noun + Is + Gheyr-e-fa'aal. Example: 'دکمه غیرفعال است' (The button is disabled).
- As an Attribute
- Noun-e + Gheyr-e-fa'aal. Example: 'کاربران غیرفعال' (Inactive users).
او در جلسات همیشه غیرفعال میماند و نظری نمیدهد.
In more advanced contexts, you can use the verb 'کردن' (to do/make) to form a compound verb: 'غیرفعال کردن' (to deactivate/disable). This is extremely common in technical instructions. 'لطفاً آنتیویروس خود را غیرفعال کنید' (Please disable your antivirus). Conversely, 'غیرفعال شدن' is the passive form, meaning 'to become deactivated.' This distinction is vital for B1 students who are moving into expressing cause and effect.
دولت تلاش میکند کدهای اقتصادی غیرفعال را شناسایی کند.
You will encounter غیرفعال in several specific domains of modern Iranian life. The most frequent is the technology sector. If you are using a Persian interface on Instagram, Telegram, or Windows, any setting that is 'Off' is labeled as such. In banks, if you haven't used your card for a year, the teller will tell you: 'کارت شما غیرفعال شده است' (Your card has become inactive). This is a very practical word for anyone living or traveling in Iran who needs to deal with services.
- News & Media
- Used when discussing political groups, dormant cells, or paused projects. 'گروههای غیرفعال' (Inactive groups).
- Science Documentaries
- Often heard in the context of space (inactive satellites) or nature (dormant seeds/animals).
این ایستگاه مترو در روزهای جمعه غیرفعال است.
In a social sense, the word is used in academic or professional settings to describe a lack of participation. A professor might note that a student is 'غیرفعال' in class discussions. This is more formal than saying the student is 'silent' (ساکت). It implies a failure to fulfill an expected role of activity. In the business world, 'شرکتهای غیرفعال' (inactive companies) are those that exist on paper but do not have transactions, often discussed in tax and legal contexts.
One of the most common mistakes English speakers make is using غیرفعال when they should use خاموش (khamoush - off/extinguished). While both can mean 'off,' khamoush is used for lights, electronics, and engines that are physically powered down. Gheyr-e-fa'aal is used for the *status* of a system or account. You 'turn off' (khamoush kardan) a lamp, but you 'deactivate' (gheyr-e-fa'aal kardan) a subscription.
- Mistake: Using it for 'Lazy'
- Don't say 'من امروز غیرفعال هستم' to mean 'I am feeling lazy.' Use 'بیحوصله' or 'تنبل'.
- Mistake: Pronunciation of 'Gheyr'
- Many learners pronounce it like 'Ghir'. It should be 'Gheyr' (rhymes with 'player' without the 'r').
اشتباه: لامپ را غیرفعال کن. (Correct: خاموش کن)
Another error is confusing it with راکد (raked - stagnant). Raked is specifically used for water or economies that aren't moving. Gheyr-e-fa'aal is broader. Also, remember that 'غیر' is not a prefix you can attach to every word; it's a specific set of Arabic loanwords and some Persian ones. For 'unhappy,' you don't say 'غیرخوشحال,' you say 'ناخوشحال'. Stick to gheyr-e-fa'aal for its established meanings.
Depending on the context, you might want to use a word that is more specific than غیرفعال. Persian is rich in synonyms that carry slightly different weights and registers. Here is a comparison of common alternatives to help you sound more like a native speaker.
- راکد (Raked)
- Used for stagnant water or a sluggish market. It implies a lack of flow rather than a toggle status.
- خاموش (Khamoush)
- Literally 'silent' or 'off'. Used for devices, lights, or fire. A volcano can be both 'khamoush' and 'gheyr-e-fa'aal'.
- معلق (Mo'allaq)
- Meaning 'suspended.' Used for accounts or contracts that are temporarily stopped but not fully deactivated.
- منفعل (Monfa'el)
- Meaning 'passive.' Used in psychology or grammar to describe someone who is acted upon rather than acting.
به جای غیرفعال، برای آب از واژه 'راکد' استفاده کنید.
In formal writing, you might see 'تعطیل' (ta'til) for businesses that are closed, or 'از کار افتاده' (az kar oftade) for machinery that is broken or out of service. Choosing 'غیرفعال' is usually the safest bet for software, medical status, and general non-activity, but keep these nuances in mind for C1 and C2 level mastery.
How Formal Is It?
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Fun Fact
The word 'Fa'aal' comes from the root F-'-L, which is the standard root used in Arabic grammar to demonstrate all verb patterns.
Pronunciation Guide
- Pronouncing 'Gheyr' as 'Ghir' (like gear).
- Missing the glottal stop in 'Fa'aal'.
- Putting stress on the first syllable.
Difficulty Rating
Easy to recognize once you know 'Gheyr' and 'Fa'aal'.
Requires correct spelling of the 'ayn' in 'Fa'aal'.
The glottal stop in the middle can be tricky for English speakers.
Distinctive sound makes it easy to pick out in tech contexts.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Prefix 'Gheyr'
غیرممکن (impossible), غیرعادی (unusual)
Ezafe Construction
حسابِ غیرفعال
Compound Verbs with Kardan/Shodan
غیرفعال کردن / غیرفعال شدن
Adjective placement
Always after the noun it modifies.
Glottal stop (Ayn)
The 'a' in Fa'aal is a distinct break.
Examples by Level
این دکمه غیرفعال است.
This button is inactive.
Simple predicate adjective.
حساب من غیرفعال شد.
My account became inactive.
Passive change of state.
تلفن غیرفعال است.
The phone is inactive.
Subject + Adjective + Is.
او غیرفعال است.
He is inactive.
Describing a state.
کارت غیرفعال است.
The card is inactive.
Common banking phrase.
لینک غیرفعال است.
The link is inactive.
Tech vocabulary.
بازی غیرفعال شد.
The game became inactive.
Verb 'shodan' (to become).
من غیرفعال هستم.
I am inactive.
First person singular.
او سبک زندگی غیرفعالی دارد.
He has an inactive lifestyle.
Adjective modifying a noun.
چرا حساب کاربری شما غیرفعال است؟
Why is your user account inactive?
Interrogative sentence.
لطفاً بلوتوث را غیرفعال کنید.
Please deactivate the Bluetooth.
Imperative compound verb.
این آتشفشان غیرفعال است.
This volcano is inactive.
Scientific usage.
برنامه به طور خودکار غیرفعال میشود.
The program deactivates automatically.
Adverbial phrase 'be towr-e khodkar'.
او در ورزش غیرفعال است.
He is inactive in sports.
Prepositional phrase 'dar varzesh'.
اشتراک شما غیرفعال شده است.
Your subscription has been deactivated.
Present perfect passive.
ما باید این گزینه را غیرفعال کنیم.
We must deactivate this option.
Modal verb 'bayad'.
بسیاری از کارخانهها در این شهر غیرفعال هستند.
Many factories in this city are inactive.
Plural subject.
او به دلیل بیماری، مدتی غیرفعال بود.
He was inactive for a while due to illness.
Past tense.
برای امنیت بیشتر، حسابهای قدیمی غیرفعال میشوند.
For more security, old accounts are deactivated.
Passive voice.
او در گروههای اجتماعی فردی غیرفعال است.
In social groups, he is an inactive person.
Formal description of personality.
چگونه میتوانم این ویژگی را غیرفعال کنم؟
How can I deactivate this feature?
Complex question structure.
این دارو باعث میشود سلولهای سرطانی غیرفعال شوند.
This medicine causes cancer cells to become inactive.
Subjunctive mood after 'ba'es shodan'.
او سالهاست که در سیاست غیرفعال است.
He has been inactive in politics for years.
Duration with 'sal-ha-st'.
بخش غیرفعال مغز دوباره فعال شد.
The inactive part of the brain became active again.
Contrast between antonyms.
سرمایههای غیرفعال باید به چرخه تولید بازگردند.
Inactive capital must return to the production cycle.
Economic terminology.
دولت کدهای ملی غیرفعال را مسدود کرد.
The government blocked inactive national IDs.
Administrative context.
این گاز از نظر شیمیایی کاملاً غیرفعال است.
This gas is chemically completely inactive (inert).
Scientific adverb 'az nazar-e shimiyayi'.
او در جلسات هیئت مدیره نقشی غیرفعال داشت.
He had an inactive role in board meetings.
Nuanced professional description.
نرمافزار به دلیل عدم استفاده، غیرفعال شد.
The software was deactivated due to lack of use.
Causal phrase 'be dalil-e'.
بسیاری از معادن کشور به حالت غیرفعال درآمدهاند.
Many of the country's mines have entered an inactive state.
Compound verb 'dar amadan' (to enter a state).
این ویروس در دمای پایین غیرفعال میشود.
This virus becomes inactive at low temperatures.
Scientific observation.
او از یک عضو فعال به یک عضو غیرفعال تبدیل شد.
He turned from an active member into an inactive one.
Verb 'tabdil shodan' (to transform).
رکود اقتصادی باعث افزایش بنگاههای غیرفعال شده است.
The economic recession has caused an increase in inactive enterprises.
Advanced economic analysis.
این پروتئین در غیاب آنزیم، غیرفعال باقی میماند.
This protein remains inactive in the absence of the enzyme.
Academic biology context.
او با رویکردی غیرفعال، اجازه داد بحران تشدید شود.
With a passive approach, he allowed the crisis to escalate.
Criticism using formal register.
بندهای غیرفعال قرارداد باید بازنگری شوند.
The inactive clauses of the contract must be reviewed.
Legal terminology.
جامعهای که در آن نخبگان غیرفعال باشند، رو به زوال میرود.
A society in which the elite are inactive tends toward decline.
Sociological discourse.
ویژگیهای غیرفعال در نسخه جدید نرمافزار حذف شدهاند.
Inactive features have been removed in the new software version.
Technical documentation.
او سالها در یک وضعیت غیرفعال و انتظار به سر برد.
He spent years in a state of inactivity and waiting.
Literary expression 'be sar bordan'.
نیروهای ذخیره در زمان صلح غیرفعال هستند.
Reserve forces are inactive during peacetime.
Military context.
تحلیل آماری نشاندهنده حجم عظیمی از نقدینگی غیرفعال در بازار است.
Statistical analysis indicates a massive volume of inactive liquidity in the market.
High-level financial Persian.
این مکتب فکری اکنون در عرصههای فلسفی غیرفعال تلقی میشود.
This school of thought is now considered inactive in philosophical arenas.
Intellectual history register.
او با اتخاذ سیاستی غیرفعال، ابتکار عمل را به رقیب واگذار کرد.
By adopting a passive policy, he ceded the initiative to the rival.
Strategic and political nuance.
ژنهای غیرفعال میتوانند تحت شرایط خاصی دوباره بیان شوند.
Inactive genes can be re-expressed under certain conditions.
Specialized genetics terminology.
انباشت داراییهای غیرفعال بانکی، تهدیدی برای ثبات مالی است.
The accumulation of inactive bank assets is a threat to financial stability.
Macroeconomic policy language.
سکوت او نه از روی رضایت، بلکه ناشی از موضعی غیرفعال بود.
His silence was not out of consent, but stemmed from a passive stance.
Psychological depth.
ساختار غیرفعال جملات در متون کلاسیک کمتر دیده میشود.
The passive (inactive) structure of sentences is less seen in classical texts.
Linguistic analysis.
او در لایههای غیرفعال حافظهاش به دنبال آن خاطره میگشت.
He was searching for that memory in the inactive layers of his mind.
Poetic/Metaphorical usage.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
— Inactive workforce (those not seeking jobs).
بخش بزرگی از جامعه جزو نیروی کار غیرفعال هستند.
Often Confused With
Khamoush is for 'power off' (lights, TV), while Gheyr-e-fa'aal is for 'status' (accounts, buttons).
Tanbal is 'lazy' (personality), while Gheyr-e-fa'aal is 'inactive' (state).
Saket is 'silent', while Gheyr-e-fa'aal is 'not participating/active'.
Idioms & Expressions
— To be out of the loop or not involved in current events.
او سالهاست که در صحنه سیاست غیرفعال است.
Journalistic— To take a passive stance (letting things happen).
در برابر این ظلم نباید موضع غیرفعال گرفت.
Formal— Metaphor for being inactive for a long time like hibernation.
شرکت ما در یک خواب زمستانی غیرفعال فرو رفته است.
Literary— An inactive piece (chess metaphor for a useless person).
او در این پروژه یک مهره غیرفعال است.
Colloquial— On the sidelines and inactive.
بسیاری از نخبگان در حاشیه و غیرفعال ماندهاند.
Sociological— To defuse a bomb (technically 'khonsa kardan' is better, but this is used).
پلیس بمب را غیرفعال کرد.
News— System shutdown/deactivation.
غیرفعال سازی سیستم امنیتی خطرناک است.
TechnicalEasily Confused
Both translate to 'passive' in some contexts.
Monfa'el is psychological/grammatical (being acted upon), Gheyr-e-fa'aal is general lack of activity.
او در برابر تغییرات منفعل است.
Both mean not moving.
Raked is for fluids or abstract flows like money/economy. Gheyr-e-fa'aal is for systems/status.
آب راکد بو میگیرد.
Both mean a service isn't working.
Mo'allaq is 'suspended' (waiting for a decision), Gheyr-e-fa'aal is 'turned off'.
حساب شما معلق شده است.
Both mean no movement.
Bi-harekat is physical stillness (a statue), Gheyr-e-fa'aal is functional stillness (an account).
او بیحرکت ایستاد.
Both mean not operational.
Ta'til is for businesses or holidays. Gheyr-e-fa'aal is for specific components or statuses.
بانک امروز تعطیل است.
Sentence Patterns
[Noun] [Adjective] ast.
این دکمه غیرفعال است.
Lotfan [Noun] ra gheyr-e-fa'aal konid.
لطفاً حساب را غیرفعال کنید.
[Noun]-e gheyr-e-fa'aal [Verb].
حسابهای غیرفعال حذف میشوند.
Be dalil-e [Reason], [Noun] gheyr-e-fa'aal shod.
به دلیل امنیت، کارت غیرفعال شد.
Ba tavajoh be [Context], [Noun] dar halat-e gheyr-e-fa'aal ast.
با توجه به شرایط، پروژه در حالت غیرفعال است.
[Abstract Noun] nashi az mowze-e gheyr-e-fa'aal...
شکست ناشی از موضع غیرفعال مدیران بود.
Agar [Condition], [Noun] gheyr-e-fa'aal mishavad.
اگر پول ندهید، اشتراک غیرفعال میشود.
Man [Noun] am ra gheyr-e-fa'aal kardam.
من فیسبوکم را غیرفعال کردم.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
Extremely high in digital and administrative contexts.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of a 'Gear' (Gheyr) that is 'Fail'ing (Fa'aal) to turn. It is inactive.
Visual Association
Imagine a greyed-out toggle switch on your phone. That is the visual definition of 'غیرفعال'.
Word Web
Challenge
Try to find three things in your room or on your computer that are 'غیرفعال' and name them out loud in Persian.
Word Origin
A compound of Arabic 'Ghayr' (other than/non) and 'Fa'aal' (active/doer). It entered Persian through Islamic scholarship and administrative language.
Original meaning: Not being the one who acts; non-active.
Afroasiatic (Arabic roots) adapted into Indo-European (Persian) structure.Cultural Context
Calling a person 'غیرفعال' in a clinical/professional sense is fine, but in a friendship it might sound cold.
Similar to 'disabled' in UI/UX, but in English we often use 'dormant' for volcanoes, which Persian uses 'غیرفعال' for.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Banking
- کارت غیرفعال
- حساب غیرفعال
- غیرفعال کردن رمز
- وضعیت حساب
Technology
- غیرفعال کردن اعلانها
- حساب کاربری غیرفعال
- دکمه غیرفعال
- غیرفعالسازی
Health
- سبک زندگی غیرفعال
- بیمار غیرفعال
- عضلات غیرفعال
- تحرک
Science
- آتشفشان غیرفعال
- گاز غیرفعال
- ژن غیرفعال
- ماده غیرفعال
Social/Work
- عضو غیرفعال
- نقش غیرفعال
- موضع غیرفعال
- حضور غیرفعال
Conversation Starters
"آیا تا به حال مجبور شدهاید حساب اینستاگرام خود را غیرفعال کنید؟"
"به نظر شما سبک زندگی غیرفعال چه خطراتی دارد؟"
"چرا بعضی از دکمهها در این سایت غیرفعال هستند؟"
"آیا در گروههای واتساپ عضو فعالی هستید یا غیرفعال؟"
"اگر کارتی غیرفعال شود، چه کار باید کرد؟"
Journal Prompts
در مورد زمانی بنویسید که تصمیم گرفتید در فضای مجازی غیرفعال شوید.
چگونه میتوانیم از یک سبک زندگی غیرفعال به یک زندگی فعال تغییر مسیر دهیم؟
تفاوت بین یک فرد ساکت و یک فرد غیرفعال در یک جلسه چیست؟
آیا تا به حال به دیدن یک آتشفشان غیرفعال رفتهاید؟ تجربه خود را توصیف کنید.
اهمیت غیرفعال کردن گزینههای غیرضروری در زندگی چیست؟
Frequently Asked Questions
7 questionsNot exactly. While it can describe a person who isn't doing anything, it's more formal and clinical. Use 'تنبل' (tanbal) for lazy.
No, for a light switch use 'خاموش' (khamoush) for off and 'روشن' (rowshan) for on.
In Persian, it is written as two parts (Gheyr + Fa'aal), often separated by a space or a zero-width non-joiner.
Use the compound verb 'غیرفعال کردن' (gheyr-e-fa'aal kardan).
The opposite is 'فعال' (fa'aal), which means active.
Yes, 'آتشفشان غیرفعال' is the standard term for a dormant or extinct volcano.
It is a Persian compound made from tw
Summary
Use 'غیرفعال' (gheyr-e-fa'aal) when you want to describe a system, account, or person that is not currently active or has been disabled. Example: 'حساب بانکی من غیرفعال است' (My bank account is inactive).
- Gheyr-e-fa'aal means 'inactive' or 'disabled'.
- It is composed of 'Gheyr' (non) and 'Fa'aal' (active).
- Commonly used in tech (accounts), health (lifestyle), and science (volcanoes).
- It is the formal opposite of 'active' (fa'aal).
Related Content
More general words
عادتوار
C1As a matter of habit; habitually.
عادی
A1Conforming to the usual or standard type; normal or ordinary.
عافیت
B2Well-being; the state of being comfortable, healthy, or happy.
عاجل
B2Requiring immediate attention or action; urgent.
عاقبت
C1The outcome or result of an action or event.
عاقل
A1Having or showing experience, knowledge, and good judgment; wise.
عالمگیر
C1Universal, worldwide, or affecting all parts of the world.
عالی
A1Excellent; extremely good or outstanding.
عام
B1General, common, public.
اعم از
B2Including; whether (used to introduce options).