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Vocabulary
کوفته

A2 adjective #4,000 most common 7 min read

کوفته

koofteh Top 4,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips کوفته in 30 Seconds

Explanation کوفته in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should focus on the most basic meaning of 'koofteh'. Think of it as a stronger version of 'tired' (khasteh). At this stage, you only need to know how to say 'I am koofteh' (Man koofteh am) or 'I am not koofteh' (Man koofteh nistam). You might hear it from a teacher or a friend after a long day of class. Don't worry too much about the verb 'koobidan' yet; just associate the sound 'koofteh' with the feeling of needing a nap because your body hurts a little. It's a useful word to express your feelings simply. You can also remember it by thinking of the meatball food, but remember that when you use it with 'am' (I am), it means you are tired, not that you are a meatball!

At the A2 level, you begin to use 'koofteh' to explain *why* you are tired. You can start connecting it to activities. For example, 'I walked a lot, so I am koofteh.' You should also learn the difference between 'khasteh' (general tired) and 'koofteh' (physically sore/exhausted). You will start using the verb 'shodan' (to become) with it, such as 'Koofteh shodam' (I became exhausted). This level is about building simple stories around the word. You might also encounter it in simple reading passages about sports or travel. Understanding that it describes a physical state of the body is the goal here.

At the B1 level, you should understand the etymology of the word from the verb 'koobidan' (to pound). This helps you understand why it feels more intense than 'khasteh'. You can use it in more complex sentences with conjunctions like 'chon' (because) or 'agar' (if). You will also learn the noun form 'kooftegi', which means 'exhaustion' or 'soreness'. At this stage, you can use the word to describe specific body parts, like 'My legs are koofteh'. You should also be able to distinguish between the food 'koofteh' and the adjective in more rapid conversation, relying on the context of the sentence and the verbs being used.

At the B2 level, you are expected to use 'koofteh' in idiomatic ways and understand its nuances in different registers. You might use it in a workplace setting to describe the toll of a project or in a medical context to describe symptoms to a doctor. You should be familiar with related words like 'koobandeh' (crushing/pounding) and how the root 'koob' appears in other words. You can also start using it metaphorically to describe a situation that is 'crushing' or 'exhausting' for the spirit. Your pronunciation should be natural, and you should be able to use it in the 'mi-shavam' (I am becoming) continuous present tense to describe a developing state of fatigue.

At the C1 level, you will encounter 'koofteh' in literature, poetry, and advanced journalism. It might be used to describe the state of a nation after a war or a person's soul after a long period of grief. You should understand the historical development of the word and its cognates in other Indo-European languages if applicable. You can use the word to add flavor to your writing, choosing it over 'khasteh' to create a specific physical imagery of being 'pounded' by circumstances. You should also be aware of regional variations in how the word is used across the Persian-speaking world (Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan).

At the C2 level, you have a masterly command of 'koofteh'. You can discuss its use in classical Persian texts where it might have slightly different connotations or be used in complex compound adjectives. You understand the subtle phonological shifts in colloquial dialects that might affect the word's sound. You can use it in high-level academic discussions about linguistics or cultural studies, perhaps analyzing the 'pounding' metaphor in Persian conceptualizations of fatigue. You can effortlessly switch between the literal, physical meaning and the highly abstract, metaphorical meanings in any formal or informal setting.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

کوفته in 30 Seconds

Koofteh means extremely tired and physically sore, often compared to feeling 'beaten' or 'pounded' after hard work.
It is different from 'khasteh' (tired) because it emphasizes the physical ache and deep exhaustion of the muscles.
The word is also the name of a meatball dish, so check the verb to know the meaning.
Commonly used after exercise, long trips, or a very busy day of manual or mental labor.

The Persian word کوفته (koofteh) is a multifaceted adjective that primarily describes a state of extreme physical exhaustion or bodily soreness. While many English speakers first encounter this word in the context of the delicious Middle Eastern meatball dish, its usage as an adjective is vital for everyday communication in Iran. Etymologically, it is the past participle of the verb koobidan (کوبیدن), which means 'to pound', 'to beat', or 'to crush'. Therefore, when a person says they are koofteh, they are literally saying they feel 'pounded' or 'beaten down' by fatigue. This is remarkably similar to the English informal expression 'I am beat' or 'I am shattered'.

Physical Sensation: It specifically refers to that heavy, aching feeling in the muscles after intense labor, a long hike, or a sleepless night spent traveling. It is less about being 'sleepy' and more about the body feeling physically crushed.

بعد از ده ساعت رانندگی، تمام بدنم کوفته شده است. (After ten hours of driving, my whole body has become exhausted/sore.)

In social contexts, using this word conveys a higher degree of tiredness than the standard word خسته (khasteh). If you tell a friend you are khasteh, you might just need a short break. If you say you are koofteh, you are signaling that your physical reserves are completely depleted and you likely need a long rest or even a massage. It is a very expressive word that evokes a sense of physical struggle and the toll that hard work takes on the human frame.

Metaphorical Use: Occasionally used to describe a spirit or heart that has been 'crushed' by life's difficulties, though this is more poetic and less common in daily speech than the physical meaning.

از این همه فشار زندگی، روحم کوفته است. (From all this pressure of life, my soul is crushed.)

Using کوفته correctly requires understanding its role as a predicate adjective following a subject. It is most frequently paired with the auxiliary verbs budan (to be) or shodan (to become). Because it describes a state of the body, it often appears in sentences where the subject is 'body' (badan) or specific limbs, rather than just the person as a whole, although both are grammatically correct and common.

With 'Budan' (To Be): Used to describe the current state of feeling worn out. 'Emrooz kheili koofteh am' (I am very exhausted today).

چرا اینقدر کوفته به نظر می‌رسی؟ (Why do you look so exhausted?)

When you want to describe the process of becoming tired, you use shodan. This is common after activities. For instance, 'After the gym, I became exhausted.' In Persian: 'Ba'd az bashgah, koofteh shodam.' This highlights the transition from energy to fatigue. Another common construction involves using the word to describe a 'beaten' or 'bruised' feeling, which is the more literal side of the word.

Emphasis: To emphasize the severity, you can add adverbs like 'hesabi' (thoroughly) or 'shadid' (severely). 'Hesabi koofteh shodam' means 'I got thoroughly beaten/exhausted'.

پاهایم از پیاده‌روی زیاد کوفته شده‌اند. (My legs have become sore/exhausted from too much walking.)

You will encounter کوفته in a variety of real-life scenarios in Iran, ranging from the domestic sphere to the workplace. It is a staple of 'complaint-based' small talk, which is quite common in Persian culture. After a long day of work, it is very natural for a father or mother to come home and say to the family, 'Badanam koofteh ast' (My body is sore). It signals a need for care, tea, or quiet time.

Post-Activity Contexts: At the gym (bashgah) or after a sports match, athletes often use this word to describe muscle fatigue. It is the standard way to describe 'DOMS' (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness) in Persian.

فردا صبح حتماً بدنت کوفته خواهد بود. (Tomorrow morning, your body will definitely be sore/exhausted.)

Another frequent setting is during travel. Iran is a large country, and long bus or car rides are common. Passengers getting off a 12-hour bus ride from Tehran to Shiraz will almost certainly use this word. It captures the stiffness of the joints and the general malaise of being cramped in a seat for too long. Furthermore, in traditional medicine (Teb-e Sonati) discussions, people might use kooftegi (the noun form) to describe a lack of 'humoral balance' that leads to feeling heavy and beaten.

In Literature and Media: In Iranian cinema or TV dramas, a character who has been through a traumatic or physically taxing event will often use this word to emphasize their vulnerability and need for recovery.

The most common pitfall for English speakers learning Persian is the confusion between the adjective کوفته (exhausted) and the noun کوفته (meatball). While they are spelled the same and pronounced the same, their grammatical roles are entirely different. You cannot 'eat' the adjective, and you cannot 'be' the meatball (unless in a very strange metaphor). Always look for the verb: khordan (to eat) implies the food, while budan/shodan implies the physical state.

Khasteh vs. Koofteh: Many learners use 'khasteh' (tired) for everything. While not wrong, using 'koofteh' when you are physically sore makes you sound much more like a native speaker. 'Khasteh' can be mental boredom; 'koofteh' is almost always physical.

اشتباه: من از این فیلم کوفته شدم. (Wrong: I became 'pounded' by this movie. Correct: I became 'khasteh' (bored/tired) of this movie.)

Another mistake is using koofteh to describe an object that is worn out. In English, we might say 'a beat-up car'. In Persian, koofteh is generally reserved for living beings or body parts. For a car, you would use laghnateh or da'ghoon. Also, be careful with the pronunciation of the 'oo' sound; it should be a long 'u' like in 'boot', not a short 'u' as in 'foot'.

The 'Beaten' Literalism: Sometimes learners use it to mean 'hit' in a violent sense. While it comes from 'to beat', it describes the *result* (soreness), not the *action* of hitting someone.

Persian has a rich vocabulary for states of being. Understanding the nuances between کوفته and its synonyms will elevate your fluency. The most basic alternative is خسته (khasteh), which is the general word for 'tired'. It is safe to use in any context but lacks the physical 'soreness' intensity of koofteh.

Comparison: Koofteh vs. Halak: Halak (هلاک): This means 'destroyed' or 'perished'. In slang, 'Halak-am' means 'I am dead tired'. It is more hyperbolic than 'koofteh'.
Comparison: Koofteh vs. Bi-ramagh: Bi-ramagh (بی‌رمق): This means 'without spark' or 'lifeless'. It describes a lack of energy or vitality, often after a long illness, whereas 'koofteh' is more about muscle pain and physical impact.

او از شدت کار از پا افتاده است. (He has 'fallen from his feet' [is exhausted] from the intensity of work.)

Another great alternative is مانده (māndeh), which literally means 'remained' but in certain dialects or older Persian, it means 'tired'. You often hear the phrase 'Khast-eh nabashi' (May you not be tired), and sometimes 'Māndeh nabashi'. These are essential social lubricants. If you want to describe a deep, internal exhaustion, you might use فرسوده (farsoodeh), which means 'worn out' or 'eroded', typically used for materials but sometimes for people in a psychological sense.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"جناب مدیر، به دلیل کوفتگی شدید قادر به حضور در جلسه نیستم."

Neutral

"بعد از پیاده‌روی، تمام بدنم کوفته شده است."

Informal

"وای، چقدر کوفته‌ام! دیشب اصلاً نخوابیدم."

Child friendly

"عروسک کوچولو کوفته شده و می‌خواد بخوابه."

Slang

"داداش، اصلاً داغون و کوفته‌ام، حسش نیست بیام بیرون."

Fun Fact

The dish 'Kofteh' is named so because the meat must be pounded extensively to achieve the right consistency. So, when you are 'koofteh', you feel exactly like the meat in the meatball!

Pronunciation Guide

UK /kuːf.te/

US /kuf.teɪ/

The stress is typically on the first syllable: KOOF-teh.

Rhymes With

Sookhte (burnt) Dookhte (sewn) Andookhte (accumulated) Afrookhte (ignited) Pookhte (cooked) Frookhte (sold) Amookhte (learned) Goosihte (broken)

Common Errors

Pronouncing it like 'coffee' (Kof-teh). It must be 'Koof'.
Making the 'h' at the end too strong. It is a silent or very soft breathy sound.
Confusing the 'oo' with the short 'u' in 'put'.
Stress on the last syllable.
Pronouncing the 't' as a heavy English 't' instead of the softer Persian dental 't'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize in text, but must be distinguished from the food noun.

Writing 3/5

Requires correct spelling of 'oo' (vav) and 'h' (he) at the end.

Speaking 2/5

Pronunciation is straightforward for English speakers.

Listening 3/5

Can be confused with 'khasteh' or 'kofteh' (food) in fast speech.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

خسته (tired) بدن (body) ورزش (exercise) کار (work) شدن (to become)

Learn Next

خرد و خمیر (smashed/exhausted) رمق (energy/spark) عضله (muscle) ماساژ (massage) استراحت (rest)

Advanced

کوبیدن (to pound) مقهور (subdued) فرسودگی (attrition/burnout) مضمحل (dissolved/ruined) منکوب (crushed/suppressed)

Grammar to Know

Adjective Agreement

بدن‌های کوفته (Exhausted bodies) - Adjectives don't change for plural in Persian, but the noun does.

Resultative Participles

کوفته (pounded) comes from کوبیدن. Similar to پخته (cooked) from پختن.

Linking Verbs

Use 'shodan' for 'to get/become' and 'budan' for 'to be'.

Colloquial Contractions

کوفته‌ام (Koofteh-am) instead of کوفته هستم (Koofteh hastam).

Intensifiers

Adding 'hesabi' or 'kheili' before 'koofteh'.

Examples by Level

من خیلی کوفته هستم.

I am very exhausted.

Simple subject + adjective + to be verb.

آیا تو کوفته هستی؟

Are you exhausted?

Question form using 'aya'.

او کوفته نیست.

He/she is not exhausted.

Negative form using 'nist'.

امروز بدنم کوفته است.

Today my body is sore/exhausted.

Possessive 'am' attached to 'badan'.

بعد از کلاس کوفته بودم.

I was exhausted after class.

Past tense of 'to be' (budam).

چرا کوفته‌ای؟

Why are you exhausted?

Shortened colloquial 'i' for 'hasti'.

کمی کوفته هستم.

I am a little exhausted.

Use of 'kami' (a little) as a modifier.

ما کوفته هستیم.

We are exhausted.

Plural subject and verb.

خیلی پیاده‌روی کردم و کوفته شدم.

I walked a lot and became exhausted.

Use of 'shodan' to show change of state.

بدنم بعد از ورزش کوفته می‌شود.

My body becomes sore after exercise.

Present continuous state of becoming.

او به خاطر کار زیاد کوفته است.

He is exhausted because of too much work.

Use of 'be khatere' (because of).

دیروز خیلی کوفته بودیم.

Yesterday we were very exhausted.

Past tense plural.

می‌خواهم استراحت کنم چون کوفته‌ام.

I want to rest because I am exhausted.

Compound sentence with 'chon'.

پاهایم خیلی کوفته شده‌اند.

My legs have become very sore/exhausted.

Plural subject 'pahayam' with plural verb.

آیا بعد از سفر کوفته شدی؟

Did you become exhausted after the trip?

Simple past question.

او همیشه بعد از کار کوفته است.

He is always exhausted after work.

Use of 'hamishe' (always).

تمام استخوان‌هایم از سرما کوفته شده است.

All my bones feel crushed/sore from the cold.

Metaphorical use of 'koofteh' with cold.

احساس کوفتگی شدیدی در بدنم دارم.

I have a feeling of severe exhaustion in my body.

Use of the noun 'kooftegi'.

اگر بیشتر بدوی، حسابی کوفته می‌شوی.

If you run more, you will get thoroughly exhausted.

Conditional sentence type 1.

صدایش خسته و کوفته به نظر می‌رسید.

His voice sounded tired and exhausted.

Using 'koofteh' to describe a voice.

با اینکه کوفته بودم، به میهمانی رفتم.

Even though I was exhausted, I went to the party.

Use of 'ba inke' (even though).

او از این همه دویدن کوفته و درمانده شده بود.

He had become exhausted and helpless from all that running.

Pairing synonyms for emphasis.

ورزش سنگین باعث شد بدنم کوفته شود.

Heavy exercise caused my body to become sore.

Use of 'ba'es shodan' (to cause).

چقدر کوفته به نظر می‌آیی، دیشب نخوابیدی؟

How exhausted you look; did you not sleep last night?

Exclamatory 'cheghadr'.

پس از حادثه، تمام عضلاتش کوفته و دردناک بود.

After the accident, all his muscles were sore and painful.

Descriptive medical context.

فشار روانی باعث شده روحم کوفته شود.

Psychological pressure has caused my soul to become crushed.

Metaphorical application.

او با لحنی کوفته از مشکلاتش گفت.

He spoke of his problems with an exhausted tone.

Using the adjective for 'tone' (lahn).

هر چه بیشتر تلاش می‌کرد، کوفته‌تر می‌شد.

The more he tried, the more exhausted he became.

Comparative 'koofteh-tar'.

بدن کوفته‌اش نیاز به یک ماساژ حسابی داشت.

His exhausted body needed a thorough massage.

Adjective modifying the noun 'badan'.

او از شدت خستگی، کوفته و بی‌حال روی تخت افتاد.

From extreme tiredness, he fell onto the bed exhausted and weak.

Descriptive adverbial phrase.

سفر طولانی با اتوبوس ما را حسابی کوفته کرد.

The long bus journey made us thoroughly exhausted.

Transitive use with 'kardan'.

این داروها ممکن است باعث احساس کوفتگی شوند.

These medicines might cause a feeling of exhaustion.

Formal medical warning.

در میان آوارهای خانه، پیکر کوفته‌اش پیدا شد.

Among the debris of the house, his crushed body was found.

Literal 'pounded/crushed' meaning in a tragic context.

تاریخ این سرزمین مملو از اراده‌های کوفته اما ایستاده است.

The history of this land is full of crushed yet standing wills.

High-level political/historical metaphor.

او با چهره‌ای کوفته از نبردهای زندگی به خانه بازگشت.

He returned home with a face worn out by the battles of life.

Literary imagery.

اشعار او بازتاب دهنده روح کوفته طبقه کارگر است.

His poems are a reflection of the crushed spirit of the working class.

Sociological/Literary analysis.

ضربات پتک، آهن را کوفته و شکل‌پذیر کرده بود.

The hammer blows had pounded the iron and made it malleable.

Technical/Literal use in metallurgy.

صدای کوفته طبل در دوردست به گوش می‌رسید.

The muffled/beaten sound of a drum was heard in the distance.

Acoustic description.

او از این همه بی‌عدالتی، قلبی کوفته و رنجور داشت.

From all this injustice, he had a crushed and suffering heart.

Emotional/Poetic usage.

ساختار کوفته و فرسوده ساختمان خبر از ریزش می‌داد.

The battered and worn-out structure of the building signaled a collapse.

Architectural description.

تحلیل هستی‌شناسانه از 'کوفته' بودن در آثار هدایت مشهود است.

An ontological analysis of being 'crushed' is evident in Hedayat's works.

Academic/Philosophical discourse.

واژه 'کوفته' در این متن به معنای مغلوب و مقهور به کار رفته است.

The word 'koofteh' in this text is used in the sense of defeated and subdued.

Linguistic analysis.

او در نثری مسجع، از پیکرهای کوفته در راه عشق سخن می‌گوید.

In rhymed prose, he speaks of bodies crushed in the path of love.

Classical literature reference.

استعاره 'کوفته' در ادبیات پایداری، دلالت بر تاب‌آوری دارد.

The metaphor of 'crushed' in resistance literature denotes resilience.

Literary theory.

این پارچه با تکنیک 'کوفته‌گری' تزیین شده است.

This fabric has been decorated with the 'pounding' (embossing) technique.

Art history/Technical term.

در گویش‌های محلی، 'کوفته' گاه به معنای فشرده نیز می‌آید.

In local dialects, 'koofteh' sometimes also means compressed.

Dialectology.

نظام سیاسی با سرکوب، جامعه‌ای کوفته و خاموش پدید آورده بود.

By suppression, the political system had created a crushed and silent society.

Political science context.

او با نگاهی نافذ، به بررسی ریشه‌های کوفتگی مزمن پرداخت.

With a penetrating gaze, he proceeded to examine the roots of chronic exhaustion.

Medical/Scientific register.

Common Collocations

بدن کوفته

حسابی کوفته

خسته و کوفته

کوفته و درمانده

کوفته شدن

احساس کوفتگی

کوفته و بی‌خواب

عضلات کوفته

کوفته و رنجور

کوفته از کار

Common Phrases

خسته و کوفته

— A very common pair meaning 'tired and beat'. Use it after a long day.

خسته و کوفته رسیدم خونه.

بدنم کوفته است

— My body is sore. This is the standard way to express muscle fatigue.

امروز اصلاً نمی‌تونم راه برم، بدنم کوفته است.

حسابی کوفته شدم

— I am thoroughly exhausted. 'Hesabi' adds a lot of emphasis.

بعد از اسباب‌کشی حسابی کوفته شدم.

کوفته نباشی

— A variation of 'Khasteh nabashi', though less common, it means 'may you not be sore/beat'.

کوفته نباشی دلاور!

تمام استخوان‌هایم کوفته است

— Every bone in my body is sore. Used for extreme fatigue.

انگار تریلی از روم رد شده، تمام استخوان‌هام کوفته است.

از خستگی کوفته شدن

— To become sore from tiredness.

او از خستگی کوفته شده بود.

کوفته و بی‌حال

— Sore and without energy.

بچه کوفته و بی‌حال در گوشه‌ای نشسته بود.

صدای کوفته

— A tired or muffled voice.

با صدایی کوفته جواب داد.

چهره کوفته

— A face that looks exhausted.

چهره کوفته‌اش نشان از بی‌خوابی داشت.

کوفته و داغون

— Exhausted and 'broken' (slang).

امروز واقعاً کوفته و داغونم.

Often Confused With

کوفته vs کوفته (Noun)

The meatball dish. Distinguished by the verb 'to eat' vs 'to be'.

کوفته vs خسته

General tiredness. 'Koofteh' is specifically physical and more intense.

کوفته vs کوفته (Verb form)

Past tense of pounding, used in technical contexts like blacksmithing.

Idioms & Expressions

"کوفته و قلقلی"

— This actually refers to types of meatballs, but is sometimes used playfully regarding children.

بچه کوفته قلقلی من!

Informal/Child-friendly

"مثل کوفته شدن"

— To be completely crushed or flattened.

ماشین زیر آوار مثل کوفته شد.

Informal

"از پا افتادن"

— To fall from one's feet due to being 'koofteh'.

دیگر نمی‌توانم راه بروم، از پا افتادم.

Neutral

"جان به لب رسیدن"

— To be so exhausted/stressed that your soul reaches your lips.

از این همه کار جانم به لب رسید.

Informal

"له و لورده شدن"

— To be completely crushed or smashed (similar to the feeling of koofteh).

توی مترو له و لورده شدیم.

Slang

"بریدن"

— Literally 'to cut'; means to suddenly run out of energy/give up from exhaustion.

وسط سربالایی بریدم.

Slang

"رمق نداشتن"

— To have no spark/energy left.

دیگر رمقی برای ادامه ندارم.

Neutral

"کوفته کردن"

— To ruin something or 'beat' the joy out of it (rare).

سفر را به کام ما کوفته کرد.

Literary

"استخوان خرد کردن"

— To work so hard that you 'crush bones'; implies becoming very koofteh over years.

او در این کار استخوان خرد کرده است.

Neutral

"از زور خستگی"

— By the force of tiredness (often leads to being koofteh).

از زور خستگی همانجا خوابش برد.

Neutral

Easily Confused

کوفته vs خسته

Both mean tired.

Khasteh is general; Koofteh is physical/sore.

من از درس خسته‌ام، اما از ورزش کوفته‌ام.

کوفته vs بی‌حال

Both describe low energy.

Bi-hal is lack of vigor/feeling faint; Koofteh is muscle pain/beat.

مریض هستم و بی‌حالم، اما چون زیاد راه رفتم کوفته‌ام.

کوفته vs له

Both mean crushed.

Leh is slang and often means physically squashed; Koofteh is the feeling of exhaustion.

توی شلوغی له شدم.

کوفته vs مانده

Both can mean tired.

Mande is more regional or used in specific greetings.

خسته و مانده از راه رسید.

کوفته vs دردناک

Both relate to pain.

Dardnak means painful; Koofteh is a specific type of 'beaten' pain.

زانویم دردناک است.

Sentence Patterns

من [Adjective] هستم.

من کوفته هستم.

[Body Part] + [Possessive] + کوفته است.

کمرم کوفته است.

بعد از [Activity]، کوفته شدم.

بعد از شنا، کوفته شدم.

چون [Reason]، کوفته‌ام.

چون دیشب نخوابیدم، کوفته‌ام.

احساس [Noun] می‌کنم.

احساس کوفتگی می‌کنم.

آنقدر [Activity] که کوفته شدم.

آنقدر دویدم که کوفته شدم.

[Noun] + کوفته و [Synonym].

پیکری کوفته و رنجور.

استعاره‌ی [Noun] در [Context].

استعاره‌ی روح کوفته در شعر نو.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

High in daily spoken Persian, especially among adults and workers.

Common Mistakes

Using 'koofteh' for being bored. → خسته (khasteh)
'Koofteh' is physical; 'khasteh' is for boredom or general tiredness.
Saying 'Man koofteh mikhoram' when you mean you are tired. → من کوفته هستم.
The first one means 'I am eating a meatball'.
Pronouncing it 'Kof-teh'. → Koof-teh
The 'vav' represents a long 'u/oo' sound.
Using 'koofteh' for a car that doesn't work. → خراب (kharab)
'Koofteh' is for people/bodies, not machines.
Adding an 's' for plural adjectives. → کوفته (remains the same)
Persian adjectives do not change for plural subjects.

Tips

Use after sports

This is the most common time to use the word. It perfectly describes muscle soreness.

Pair with 'Khasteh'

Saying 'Khasteh o Koofteh' makes you sound very fluent and natural.

Watch the verbs

Remember: 'Koofteh hastam' (I am tired), 'Koofteh mikhoram' (I eat a meatball).

The 'oo' sound

Make sure it's a long 'oo' as in 'moon', not a short one.

Social response

If someone says they are 'koofteh', offer them tea or a seat. It's the polite response.

Spelling

Don't forget the 'vav' (و) for the 'oo' sound.

Poetic use

Use it to describe a 'crushed heart' in your Persian poetry or love letters.

Context clues

If you hear it in a restaurant, it's food. If you hear it at a gym, it's exhaustion.

Level up

Switch from 'khasteh' to 'koofteh' to show you understand physical nuances.

Meatball memory

Think: 'I feel like a pounded meatball' to remember this word.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'Cough' (Koof) that you get when you are so 'Tired' (teh) that your whole body aches. Or imagine a 'Chef' pounding meat for a 'Kofteh' meatball; you feel like that pounded meat.

Visual Association

Imagine a large wooden mallet (like the one used for Dizi) pounding on a piece of dough. Now imagine your muscles are that dough after a long day at the gym.

Word Web

Sore Beat Pounded Meatball Muscles Exhausted Shodan Badan

Challenge

Try to use 'koofteh' instead of 'khasteh' next time you finish a workout or a long walk. Notice how native speakers react to your more precise vocabulary.

Word Origin

Derived from the Middle Persian word 'koftag', which is the past participle of 'koftan/koobidan'. The root is the Proto-Indo-European *kau- meaning to strike or beat.

Original meaning: The original meaning was literally 'struck', 'beaten', or 'pounded'. This applied to metals, grain, and eventually, the human body.

Indo-European > Indo-Iranian > Iranian > Western Iranian > Persian.

Cultural Context

There are no major sensitivities, but avoid using it to describe someone's appearance in a way that might imply they look 'beaten up' unless you are close friends, as it can sound a bit harsh.

The closest English equivalents are 'beat', 'shattered', or 'sore'. However, English lacks a single word that perfectly combines 'meatball' and 'exhausted'.

Kofteh Tabrizi (the famous giant meatball from Tabriz) Classical poems describing 'del-e koofteh' (a crushed heart). Common dialogue in Iranian 'social' cinema.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

After the Gym

عضلاتم کوفته است
باید دوش آب گرم بگیرم
خیلی سنگین کار کردم
فردا کوفته می‌شم

After a Long Trip

سفر خیلی طولانی بود
توی هواپیما کوفته شدم
کمرم کوفته است
نیاز به خواب دارم

At Work

امروز خیلی کار داشتم
کوفته و خسته‌ام
تا دیروقت بیدار بودم
تمرکز ندارم

Illness (Flu/Cold)

تب دارم و بدنم کوفته است
استخوان‌هام درد می‌کنه
انگار کوفته شدم
بی‌حالم

Moving House

اسباب‌کشی خیلی سخت بود
تمام بدنم کوفته شده
دست‌هام کوفته است
فردا نمی‌تونم بلند شم

Conversation Starters

"چرا اینقدر کوفته به نظر می‌رسی؟ اتفاقی افتاده؟ (Why do you look so exhausted? Did something happen?)"

"بعد از این همه ورزش، بدنت کوفته نشده؟ (After all this exercise, isn't your body sore?)"

"من که حسابی کوفته‌ام، تو چطور؟ (I'm thoroughly beat, how about you?)"

"بهترین راه برای رفع کوفتگی بدن چیه؟ (What's the best way to get rid of body soreness?)"

"فکر می‌کنی فردا بعد از کوهنوردی کوفته بشیم؟ (Do you think we'll be sore after hiking tomorrow?)"

Journal Prompts

امروز خیلی کار کردم و الان احساس کوفتگی می‌کنم. (Today I worked a lot and now I feel exhausted. Describe your day.)

آخرین باری که بدنت خیلی کوفته بود کی بود؟ (When was the last time your body was very sore? What did you do?)

آیا ترجیح می‌دهی کوفته باشی اما کار مهمی انجام داده باشی؟ (Do you prefer to be exhausted but have done something important?)

یک روز سخت را توصیف کن که در پایان آن خسته و کوفته بودی. (Describe a hard day at the end of which you were tired and beat.)

چطور با کوفتگی بدن بعد از ورزش کنار می‌آیی؟ (How do you deal with body soreness after exercise?)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

While primarily physical, you can use it metaphorically for mental exhaustion if you feel like your brain has been 'pounded' by work. However, 'khasteh' is more common for mental fatigue.

Yes, it is perfectly polite and used in all levels of society. It's a standard way to describe feeling worn out.

In modern Tehrani Persian, the final 'h' is silent, turning the 'e' into a short vowel like the 'e' in 'bed'. In very formal or poetic reading, it might be a tiny bit breathy.

'Koofteh' is the adjective (I am exhausted), while 'kooftegi' is the noun (I have exhaustion/soreness).

Both are named after the action of 'pounding' (koobidan). The meat is pounded to make the meatball, and your body feels pounded when you are exhausted.

No, 'koofteh' is generally for living things. For objects, use 'shakasteh' (broken) or 'kharab' (damaged).

Yes, 'koofteh' is understood in Dari, though 'māndeh' is also very frequent in Afghanistan.

You can say 'Kheili koofteh nistam'.

'Da'ghoon-am' (I'm wrecked) or 'Lah-am' (I'm crushed) are common slang alternatives.

It can imply the feeling of a bruise, but the word for a visible bruise is 'kaboodi'.