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Vocabulary
لک دار

B1 adjective #7,000 most common 9 min read

لک دار

lak daar Top 7,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips لک دار in 30 Seconds

Explanation لک دار in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know that 'lak-dar' means 'stained' or 'has a spot'. You can use it for simple things like food and clothes. For example, if you see a spot of juice on your shirt, you can say 'My shirt is lak-dar'. It is a useful word when you are shopping for fruit and you want to say 'This apple has a spot' or 'I don't want this one'. Think of it as 'spot + having'. It's an easy way to describe something that isn't perfectly clean without using the word 'dirty'. You will mostly use it with simple verbs like 'is' (ast) or 'has' (darad). Focus on the physical meaning first.

At the A2 level, you should start using 'lak-dar' in more complete sentences with the Ezafe construction. Instead of just saying 'The shirt is lak-dar', you can say 'The stained shirt' (pirahan-e lak-dar). You can also use it to describe common household problems. For example, 'The window is lak-dar' or 'The carpet is lak-dar'. You might hear this word at a restaurant if a plate isn't clean. It's also helpful for describing fruit more accurately: 'miveh-ye lak-dar' (spotted fruit). At this stage, you should also understand that 'lak' is the noun (stain) and adding '-dar' makes it an adjective (stained).

At the B1 level, you can use 'lak-dar' to describe more specific situations, such as skin conditions or laundry issues. You should be able to explain *why* something is lak-dar, for example, 'This shirt is lak-dar because of the coffee'. You will also encounter the word in more formal contexts, like at a dry cleaner or a doctor's office. You should understand the difference between 'lak-dar' (specifically spotted) and 'kathif' (generally dirty). This is also the level where you might start to see the word used in simple metaphors, like a 'stained reputation', although the physical meaning remains the most common.

At the B2 level, you should be comfortable using 'lak-dar' in both physical and abstract contexts. You can use it to talk about social issues, politics, or history. For instance, you might discuss a 'stained record' (kar-nameh-ye lak-dar) of a company or a person. You should also be able to use various intensifiers and adverbs with the word, like 'be-shoddat lak-dar' (severely stained). You should understand the cultural implications of the word in Iran, where cleanliness and 'Aberoo' (honor) are very important, and how a 'stain' can be seen as a significant flaw in character or hospitality.

At the C1 level, you should have a nuanced understanding of 'lak-dar' and its synonyms. You can distinguish between 'lak-dar', 'aludeh', 'molavvas', and 'cherk' based on the specific context and register. You will see 'lak-dar' used in sophisticated literature and journalism to describe complex moral states or intricate visual details. You should be able to use the word in formal debates or essays, perhaps discussing the 'stained legacy' of a historical figure. Your usage should be precise, reflecting an understanding of the word's etymology and its place within the broader Persian vocabulary of purity and impurity.

At the C2 level, you have mastered the full range of 'lak-dar', including its most archaic and poetic applications. You can interpret the word in classical Persian poetry, where a 'stain' on the heart or the soul is a common motif. You understand how the concept of 'lak' has evolved over centuries of Persian linguistic history. You can use the word with absolute precision in legal, medical, or artistic contexts. You are also aware of regional variations and how different Persian-speaking cultures might use the term slightly differently in their local dialects. Your use of 'lak-dar' is indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native speaker.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

لک دار in 30 Seconds

Lak-dar means 'stained' or 'spotted' in Persian, used for physical marks.
It is a compound of 'lak' (stain) and '-dar' (having/possessing).
It applies to clothes, fruit, skin, and even a person's reputation.
It is different from 'kathif' (dirty) as it refers to specific spots.

The Persian adjective لک دار (pronounced lak-dār) is a compound word formed from the noun لک (lak), meaning 'stain', 'spot', or 'blemish', and the suffix دار (dār), which is the present stem of the verb داشتن (dāshtan, to have). Therefore, it literally translates to 'having a stain' or 'possessing a spot'. In everyday Persian, it is the primary way to describe something that is no longer pristine, whether it be a piece of clothing, a piece of fruit, or even a person's reputation. It is a highly versatile term that spans from the domestic sphere of laundry and cleaning to the medical sphere of dermatology and the abstract sphere of ethics and social standing.

Physical Objects: The most common usage is for textiles. If you spill tea on your white shirt, that shirt becomes لک دار. It implies a localized discoloration rather than the object being entirely dirty (which would be کثیف).
Produce and Nature: When shopping for fruit in an Iranian bazaar, you look for apples or pears that are not لک دار. In this context, it refers to bruising, rot spots, or insect marks that indicate the fruit is not fresh or of high quality.

Understanding the nuance of this word requires recognizing that Persian culture places a high premium on cleanliness and outward appearance. An item that is لک دار is often seen as a sign of neglect. In a formal setting, appearing with a stained garment is a significant social faux pas. The word carries a weight of 'imperfection' that goes beyond just the physical presence of a mark.

این پیراهن سفید من بعد از مهمانی کاملاً لک دار شده است و باید آن را به خشکشویی ببرم.

Translation: This white shirt of mine has become completely stained after the party and I must take it to the dry cleaner.

Furthermore, in a medical context, a dermatologist might use this term to describe skin conditions. If a patient has hyperpigmentation or freckles that they are concerned about, they might describe their skin as being لک دار. This highlights the word's ability to transition from a temporary state (like a coffee stain) to a more permanent physical characteristic (like a birthmark or skin condition).

پوست صورتش به دلیل آفتاب سوختگی کمی لک دار شده بود.

Translation: The skin of his face had become slightly spotted due to sunburn.

Finally, the figurative usage is perhaps the most potent. To have a 'stained' name or reputation (نام لک دار) is a serious matter in Iranian society, where 'Aberoo' (honor/reputation) is paramount. In this sense, the word moves from the physical world to the moral world, indicating a loss of purity or integrity. It is used in political discourse, family disputes, and classic storytelling to denote a fall from grace or a history of questionable actions.

Metaphorical Usage: It describes a tarnished history or a compromised character. If a record is 'lak-dar', it means it is not clean or transparent.

Using لک دار correctly in Persian involves understanding its role as an adjective and how it interacts with nouns and verbs. In Persian grammar, adjectives typically follow the noun they modify, connected by the 'Ezafe' construction (a short 'e' sound). For example, to say 'a stained carpet', you would say farsh-e lak-dar. This is the most fundamental way to use the word in descriptive phrases.

من هرگز یک فرش لک دار را در اتاق پذیرایی نمی‌گذارم.

Translation: I would never put a stained carpet in the living room.

When used with the verb shodan (to become), it describes the process of getting stained. This is incredibly common in daily life. You might say, 'My trousers became stained' (shalvar-am lak-dar shod). Conversely, when used with budan (to be), it describes a state: 'The window is stained' (panjereh lak-dar ast). It is important to note that لک دار does not change for gender or number, as Persian adjectives are generally invariant.

Common Verb Pairings: 1. شدن (Shodan): To become stained. 2. بودن (Budan): To be stained. 3. کردن (Kardan): To make something stained (though 'lak kardan' is more common for the action).

To intensify the meaning, you can use adverbs like kheyli (very) or kam-i (a little). For instance, kheyli lak-dar means 'very stained' or 'heavily spotted'. This is useful when describing the extent of damage to a surface or fabric. In a more formal or literary context, you might see it paired with words like molavvas (polluted) or aludeh (contaminated), though لک دار remains the most common term for visual spots.

این میوه‌ها کمی لک دار هستند، آیا تخفیف می‌دهید؟

Translation: These fruits are a little spotted; do you give a discount?

In negative sentences, you can say something is 'not stained' (lak-dar nist), but a more natural way to express pristineness is to use words like pak (clean/pure) or tamiz (clean). If you are specifically talking about removing a stain, you would use the phrase lak-bori (stain removal). Using لک دار in a question is also straightforward: 'Is this plate stained?' (Aya in boshghab lak-dar ast?).

Negation and Alternatives: While 'bi-lak' (without stain) exists, it is rare. Most speakers use 'tamiz' or 'bedun-e lak'.

The word لک دار is ubiquitous in Iranian daily life, appearing in various settings from the domestic to the professional. If you spend time in an Iranian household, you will inevitably hear it during cleaning routines. A mother might tell her child, 'Don't sit on the sofa with those hands, you'll make it لک دار!' It is a word associated with the constant battle against the dust and spills of everyday living.

مراقب باش! لباس‌هایت را لک دار نکنی.

Translation: Be careful! Don't get your clothes stained.

In the commercial world, specifically in the textile and carpet industries—which are central to Iranian culture—لک دار is a technical and economic term. A 'lak-dar' silk carpet loses a significant portion of its value. When inspecting a rug, a buyer will look closely at the pile to ensure it isn't لک دار from old water damage or dye bleeding. Similarly, in clothing stores, a customer might point out a lebas-e lak-dar on the rack to ask for a fresh one or a lower price.

At the Dry Cleaners (Khoshk-shooyi): This is perhaps the most common place to hear the word. You tell the clerk, 'This suit is stained here' (In kot inja lak-dar ast), and they will assess if the stain can be removed.
At the Fruit Market (Miveh-forushi): Sellers might separate the 'lak-dar' fruits into a cheaper bin, often used for making jam or juice where the visual appearance doesn't matter as much.

In the realm of health and beauty, you will see this word in advertisements for skincare products. Creams that promise to fix 'spotted skin' (poost-e lak-dar) or remove 'sun spots' (lak-haye khorshidi) are very popular. Beauty influencers and dermatologists frequently use the term when discussing acne scars or age spots, making it a key vocabulary word for anyone interested in Persian health and wellness media.

Finally, you will encounter the word in news reports or political commentary, though usually in its metaphorical sense. A journalist might write about a 'stained record' of a politician or a 'stained history' of a particular institution. In these cases, it functions much like the English word 'tarnished' or 'marred', suggesting that a single event has ruined an otherwise clean reputation.

For English speakers learning Persian, the most common mistake with لک دار is confusing it with the general word for 'dirty' (kathif). While all stained things might be considered dirty, not all dirty things are stained. لک دار refers to a specific spot or mark that is often difficult to remove, whereas kathif is a general state of uncleanness. Using kathif when you mean lak-dar can lead to a lack of precision in your speech.

Wrong: این لیوان کثیف است (This glass is dirty - when referring to a specific water spot).
Better: این لیوان لک دار است (This glass is stained/spotted).

Another frequent error is the omission of the suffix dar. Students often just use the noun lak as an adjective. For example, saying pirahan-e lak instead of pirahan-e lak-dar. In Persian, the noun lak refers to the stain itself, while lak-dar describes the object that has the stain. Without the suffix, the sentence becomes grammatically incomplete or nonsensical.

Suffix Confusion: Don't forget the 'dar'. It's the difference between saying 'the shirt stain' and 'the stained shirt'.

There is also a subtle confusion between لک دار and khal-khal (spotted/polka-dotted). If a fabric has a deliberate pattern of spots, it is khal-khal. If it has accidental, unwanted spots, it is لک دار. Calling someone's polka-dot dress lak-dar would be an insult, as it implies the dots are accidental stains rather than a fashion choice!

Lastly, learners sometimes struggle with the 'Ezafe' when using this word in complex sentences. Remember that the 'e' sound attaches to the noun, not the adjective. It is miveh-ye lak-dar (stained fruit), not miveh lak-dar-e. Practicing the flow of the Ezafe with compound adjectives like لک دار is essential for achieving a natural-sounding Persian accent.

To truly master Persian, it is helpful to know the synonyms and related terms for لک دار and how they differ in nuance. While لک دار is the most common and neutral term, other words can provide more specific descriptions of 'stained' or 'dirty' states.

کثیف (Kathif): The general word for 'dirty'. Use this when an object is covered in dust, mud, or general grime. It doesn't necessarily imply a specific spot like 'lak-dar' does.
آلوده (Aludeh): Means 'contaminated' or 'polluted'. This is used in more serious contexts, such as 'aludeh-ye hava' (air pollution) or 'ghaza-ye aludeh' (contaminated food). It's more about hygiene and safety than visual spots.
چرک (Cherk): Refers to deep-seated grime or filth, often the kind that accumulates on shirt collars over time. It can also mean 'pus' in a medical context.

For describing patterns that look like stains but are intentional, you might use sayeh-roshan (shaded/gradient) or abr-o-bad (cloud and wind - a specific marbled pattern in Persian art). If a surface is just 'marked' or 'streaked', the word khat-khat-i (lined/scribbled) might be more appropriate.

دیوار به جای اینکه لک دار باشد، فقط کمی خط‌خطی شده بود.

Translation: Instead of being stained, the wall was just a little scribbled on.

In formal literature, you might encounter dagh-dar. While dagh can mean a brand or a hot mark, it is often used metaphorically for someone who is 'scarred' by grief or tragedy. This is a much heavier and more poetic word than the everyday لک دار. Understanding these distinctions allows you to choose the word that fits the emotional and physical reality of the situation perfectly.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"پرونده ایشان در آن دوره لک دار گشت."

Neutral

"این سیب لک دار است، آن را نخر."

Informal

"پیرهنم لک دار شد، ای بابا!"

Child friendly

"ببین! این هاپو گوشش لک دار است."

Slang

"سابقه طرف لک داره، باهاش نگرد."

Fun Fact

In some contexts, 'lak' can also refer to the number 100,000 in Indian numbering systems (Lakh), but in Persian, its primary meaning is a stain.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /læk dɑːr/

US /læk dɑːr/

The stress is typically on the second syllable: lak-DĀR.

Rhymes With

بیدار (bidar) دیوار (divar) بیمار (bimar) سوار (savar) بهار (bahar) انار (anar) ماندگار (mandegar) روزگار (roozegar)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'lak' as 'lake'. It should be a short 'a' sound.
Merging the 'k' and 'd' too much. Ensure the 'k' is audible.
Pronouncing 'dar' like 'door'. It should be an 'ah' sound as in 'father'.
Putting the stress on 'lak'. In Persian compound adjectives, the suffix usually carries the stress.
Ignoring the space or semi-space (Nim-fasele) between 'lak' and 'dar'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to recognize once you know 'lak' and 'dar'.

Writing 4/5

Need to remember the 'dar' suffix and the space.

Speaking 3/5

Pronunciation is straightforward.

Listening 3/5

Common in daily speech, easy to catch.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

لک داشتن تمیز کثیف لباس

Learn Next

آلوده پاک شستشو خشکشویی رنگ

Advanced

ملوث منزه عصمت بی‌شائبه غبارآلود

Grammar to Know

Ezafe Construction

پیراهنِ لک‌دار (Pirahan-e lak-dar)

Compound Adjectives with -dar

پول‌دار (Rich), ریش‌دار (Bearded)

Verb 'shodan' for state change

لک‌دار شد (It became stained)

Adjective Invariance

سیب‌های لک‌دار (Plural noun, singular adjective)

Negation of 'hastan'

لک‌دار نیست (It is not stained)

Examples by Level

این سیب لک دار است.

This apple is spotted.

Simple subject + adjective + verb 'to be'.

لباس من لک دار شد.

My clothes became stained.

Use of 'shodan' (to become) to show change of state.

آیا این قاشق لک دار است؟

Is this spoon stained?

Question form using 'aya'.

من موز لک دار نمی‌خورم.

I don't eat spotted bananas.

Negative verb 'nemikhoram'.

این کاغذ لک دار است.

This paper is stained.

Basic descriptive sentence.

کفش‌های او لک دار هستند.

His shoes are spotted.

Plural subject with plural verb 'hastand'.

یک پارچه لک دار بردار.

Pick up a stained cloth.

Imperative verb 'bardar'.

صورت گربه لک دار است.

The cat's face is spotted.

Possessive 'ezafe' (soorat-e gorbe).

پنجره‌های خانه لک دار شده‌اند.

The house windows have become stained/spotted.

Plural subject and verb.

این پیراهن لک دار را نشوی.

Don't wash this stained shirt.

Negative imperative.

فرش اتاق لک دار است.

The room's carpet is stained.

Noun + ezafe + noun.

میوه‌های لک دار ارزان‌تر هستند.

Spotted fruits are cheaper.

Comparative adjective 'arzan-tar'.

او یک دستمال لک دار در دست داشت.

He had a stained handkerchief in his hand.

Past tense 'dasht'.

چرا این بشقاب لک دار است؟

Why is this plate stained?

Question word 'chera'.

من به دنبال میوه‌های لک دار نیستم.

I am not looking for spotted fruits.

Compound verb 'be donbal-e ... budan'.

آسمان کمی لک دار به نظر می‌رسد.

The sky looks a bit spotted (with clouds).

Adverb 'kami' (a little).

به دلیل ریختن چای، رومیزی لک دار شد.

Because of spilling tea, the tablecloth became stained.

Using 'be dalil-e' to show cause.

او پوست لک داری دارد و به دکتر رفت.

He has spotted skin and went to the doctor.

Indefinite 'i' on 'lak-dar-i'.

خشکشویی نتوانست لباس لک دار مرا تمیز کند.

The dry cleaner couldn't clean my stained dress.

Modal verb 'natavanest'.

این آینه لک دار است و خودم را خوب نمی‌بینم.

This mirror is spotted and I can't see myself well.

Compound sentence with 'va'.

میوه‌های لک دار را برای مربا سوا کن.

Separate the spotted fruits for jam.

Imperative 'sava kon'.

دیوارها بعد از باران لک دار شده بودند.

The walls had become stained after the rain.

Past perfect 'shodeh budand'.

او همیشه از پوشیدن لباس‌های لک دار دوری می‌کند.

He always avoids wearing stained clothes.

Gerund-like use of 'pushidan'.

این نامه قدیمی و لک دار است.

This letter is old and stained.

Two adjectives for one noun.

سابقه کاری او با این اشتباه لک دار شد.

His work record was stained by this mistake.

Metaphorical usage.

گزارش‌های لک دار اعتبار شرکت را زیر سوال برد.

The stained reports questioned the company's credibility.

Abstract noun 'etebar'.

پوست صورتش به خاطر آفتاب لک دار شده است.

His facial skin has become spotted because of the sun.

Present perfect 'shodeh ast'.

نباید اجازه دهیم نام خانوادگی ما لک دار شود.

We must not let our family name be stained.

Subjunctive 'shavad'.

این پارچه ابریشمی بسیار حساس و زود لک دار می‌شود.

This silk fabric is very sensitive and stains easily.

Adverbial phrase 'zood' (quickly/easily).

او با یک پرونده لک دار از سیاست کناره‌گیری کرد.

He retired from politics with a stained file/record.

Prepositional phrase 'ba yek parvandeh'.

آیا راهی برای پاک کردن این مبل لک دار وجود دارد؟

Is there a way to clean this stained sofa?

Infinitive 'pak kardan'.

تصویر او در ذهن مردم لک دار شده بود.

His image in people's minds had become stained.

Complex metaphorical context.

وجدان او از این عمل غیرانسانی لک دار گشت.

His conscience became stained by this inhumane act.

Formal verb 'gasht' instead of 'shod'.

تاریخ این سرزمین با خون‌های بی‌گناهان لک دار شده است.

The history of this land has been stained with the blood of the innocent.

Passive-like construction in a literary sense.

او سعی کرد دامن لک دار خود را پاک کند اما دیر شده بود.

He tried to clear his stained skirt (reputation), but it was too late.

Idiomatic use of 'daman' (skirt/reputation).

آثار لک دار بر روی نسخه‌های خطی نشان از قدمت آن‌ها دارد.

The stained marks on the manuscripts indicate their age.

Formal 'neshan az ... darad'.

سیاستمدار با چهره‌ای لک دار در انظار عمومی ظاهر شد.

The politician appeared in public with a tarnished face (reputation).

Prepositional phrase 'dar anzar-e omumi'.

هرگونه معامله لک دار می‌تواند منجر به ابطال قرارداد شود.

Any tainted deal can lead to the cancellation of the contract.

Conditional 'mitavanad monjar be ... shavad'.

او با روحی لک دار به دنبال بخشش می‌گشت.

With a stained soul, he was seeking forgiveness.

Poetic subject 'rooh' (soul).

شفافیت سیستم با این رشوه‌ها لک دار گشته است.

The transparency of the system has been marred by these bribes.

Abstract noun 'shafafiyat'.

مصحف قدیمی به مرور زمان لک دار و فرسوده گشته بود.

The old manuscript had become stained and worn over time.

Archaic/Formal 'gashteh bud'.

عصمت آن پاکدامن با تهمت‌های ناروا لک دار نمی‌شود.

The chastity of that virtuous person is not stained by unjust accusations.

High literary register.

در آینه حقایق، هر پلیدی لک دار جلوه می‌کند.

In the mirror of truths, every evil appears stained.

Philosophical context.

شرافت انسانی نباید با طمع لک دار گردد.

Human honor must not be stained by greed.

Subjunctive 'gardad'.

او از هرگونه انتساب لک دار به خانواده‌اش بیزار بود.

He loathed any stained attribution to his family.

Complex noun phrase 'entesab-e lak-dar'.

زمین از لوث وجود ظالمان لک دار شده است.

The earth has been stained by the pollution of the existence of tyrants.

Use of 'lowth' (pollution/stain).

حتی خورشید نیز در نگاه او لک دار می‌نمود.

Even the sun seemed spotted in his eyes.

Literary verb 'minomood'.

او با قلمی لک دار به تحریف حقایق پرداخت.

With a stained pen, he set about distorting the truths.

Metaphor for dishonest writing.

Common Collocations

پوست لک دار

میوه لک دار

لباس لک دار

سابقه لک دار

آینه لک دار

رومیزی لک دار

فرش لک دار

شیشه لک دار

نام لک دار

ظرف لک دار

Common Phrases

لک دار شدن

— To become stained or spotted.

دیوارها در اثر رطوبت لک دار شدند.

لک دار کردن

— To make something stained (often used for reputation).

سعی نکن اعتبار مرا لک دار کنی.

میوه لک دار سوا کردن

— To sort out spotted fruits.

مادرم همیشه میوه‌های لک دار را برای لواشک سوا می‌کند.

پوست لک دار و جوش دار

— Skin that is spotted and has pimples.

این کرم برای پوست لک دار و جوش دار عالی است.

لک دار بودن

— The state of being stained.

بشقاب‌ها هنوز لک دار هستند.

پارچه لک دار

— Stained fabric.

با این پارچه لک دار نمی‌شود لباس دوخت.

کارنامه لک دار

— A stained record or transcript.

او با یک کارنامه لک دار فارغ‌التحصیل شد.

چهره لک دار

— A spotted face (physically or metaphorically).

او با چهره‌ای لک دار از خجالت به خانه آمد.

حافظه لک دار

— A flawed or 'spotted' memory (poetic).

او حافظه‌ای لک دار از آن دوران داشت.

دامان لک دار

— A stained reputation (literary).

او با دامانی لک دار از آن ماجرا گریخت.

Often Confused With

لک دار vs خال‌دار

Means 'polka-dotted' or 'spotted pattern', whereas 'lak-dar' is usually accidental stains.

لک دار vs کثیف

General dirtiness vs. specific localized stains.

لک دار vs رنگی

Means 'colorful' or 'colored', though sometimes a stain is a color, they are not the same.

Idioms & Expressions

"دامن کسی را لک دار کردن"

— To ruin someone's reputation or honor.

آن‌ها با دروغ‌هایشان دامن او را لک دار کردند.

Literary/Formal

"آینه لک دار"

— Used to describe something that should be pure but is flawed.

قلب او مانند یک آینه لک دار شده بود.

Poetic

"لک دار کردن نام"

— To tarnish a name.

این رسوایی نام خانوادگی ما را لک دار کرد.

Formal

"پرونده لک دار"

— A criminal record or a history of bad behavior.

پلیس فهمید که او پرونده لک داری دارد.

Legal/Informal

"میوه لک دار بازار"

— Something of lower quality or a person with flaws.

او خودش را مثل میوه لک دار بازار می‌دید.

Informal/Metaphorical

"لک دار شدن وجدان"

— To have a guilty conscience.

وجدانش از آن دزدی لک دار شد.

Ethical

"لک دار کردن سفره"

— To embarrass a host or ruin a gathering.

با این حرف‌ها سفره میزبان را لک دار نکن.

Cultural

"لک دار شدن خورشید"

— An impossible or highly tragic event.

گویی خورشید هم از این غم لک دار شده است.

High Poetic

"لک دار شدن شیشه عمر"

— To have one's life or health compromised.

با این بیماری، شیشه عمرش لک دار شد.

Archaic

"لک دار کردن بی گناه"

— To frame or falsely accuse an innocent person.

نباید بگذاری بی گناهان لک دار شوند.

Legal/Ethical

Easily Confused

لک دار vs خال‌دار

Both involve spots.

Khal-dar is a pattern (like a leopard); Lak-dar is a blemish (like a coffee stain).

پلنگ خال‌دار است، اما پیراهن من لک‌دار شده.

لک دار vs چرک

Both mean not clean.

Cherk is deep grime/filth; Lak-dar is a specific spot.

یقه چرک است، اما روی سینه لک‌دار شده.

لک دار vs آلوده

Both mean tainted.

Aludeh is for pollution/germs; Lak-dar is for visual marks.

آب آلوده است، اما لیوان لک‌دار است.

لک دار vs سیاه

Stains are often dark.

Siyah is the color black; Lak-dar is the state of being stained.

یک لک سیاه روی دیوار است.

لک دار vs نمناک

Wet spots look like stains.

Namnak is damp; Lak-dar is a permanent or semi-permanent mark.

دیوار نمناک است و لک‌دار شده.

Sentence Patterns

[Noun] [Adjective] ast.

این موز لک دار است.

[Noun]-e [Adjective] را [Verb].

سیب لک دار را نخور.

[Noun] به دلیل [Reason] لک دار شد.

فرش به دلیل قهوه لک دار شد.

[Abstract Noun]-e او لک دار شده است.

سابقه او لک دار شده است.

با [Adjective] [Noun] ظاهر شدن.

با پیرهنی لک دار ظاهر شد.

[Noun] از [Source] لک دار گشت.

عصمتش از تهمت لک دار گشت.

آیا راهی برای [Verb-ing] [Noun]-e لک دار هست؟

آیا راهی برای شستن مبل لک دار هست؟

[Noun] خیلی لک دار به نظر می‌رسد.

دیوار خیلی لک دار به نظر می‌رسد.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Very high in domestic and commercial contexts.

Common Mistakes

Using 'lak' as an adjective. → لک‌دار
Lak is a noun (stain). You need the -dar suffix to describe an object.
Confusing with 'khal-dar'. → لک‌دار
Khal-dar is for patterns (polka dots). Lak-dar is for accidental stains.
Saying 'lak-dar-e' with Ezafe at the end of a sentence. → لک‌دار است
Adjectives at the end of a sentence don't take the Ezafe.
Using 'lak-dar' for air pollution. → آلوده
Use 'aludeh' for environmental pollution, not 'lak-dar'.
Mispronouncing 'dar' as 'der'. → دار (dār)
It should be a long 'ah' sound like in 'star'.

Tips

Suffix Power

Remember that '-dar' is a very common suffix. Learning 'lak-dar' helps you understand 'pool-dar' (rich) and 'nam-dar' (famous).

Hospitality

In Iran, serving tea in a 'lak-dar' glass is a big no-no. Always check your glassware!

Fruit Selection

Use 'lak-dar' at the fruit stand to negotiate. 'Inha lak-darand, arzan-tar midid?' (These are spotted, will you give them cheaper?)

Digital Persian

When typing, use a Nim-fasele (Shift+Space on many keyboards) between 'lak' and 'dar' for correct formatting.

The 'K' sound

Don't swallow the 'k'. It's 'Lak-dar', not 'La-dar'. Clear consonants are key in Persian.

Metaphors

Don't be afraid to use it for reputations. It sounds very natural and sophisticated in Persian.

Color Association

Associate 'Lak' with 'Lack of white'. A stain takes away the pure white of a shirt.

Dry Cleaners

If you go to a 'Khoshk-shooyi' in Iran, listen for this word. It's the most important word there!

Skin Care

If you see 'zed-e lak' (anti-stain) on a cream bottle, it's for removing skin spots.

Politeness

If you point out a stain on someone's clothes, do it privately. Iranians value 'Aberoo'.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'Lack' of cleanliness because of a 'Stain'. If you 'Lack' a clean shirt, it might be 'Lak-dar'.

Visual Association

Imagine a white shirt with a bright red 'L' shaped stain on it. The 'L' stands for 'Lak'.

Word Web

Stain Spot Dirty Fruit Shirt Reputation Skin Blemish

Challenge

Try to find five things in your house that are 'lak-dar' and name them in Persian.

Word Origin

The word 'lak' is of Persian origin, meaning a spot or mark. It has been used in Persian literature for centuries. The suffix '-dar' is from the Middle Persian 'dār', meaning 'possessing' or 'holding'.

Original meaning: The original meaning was literally 'possessing a mark'.

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

Cultural Context

Be careful when using 'lak-dar' to describe someone's skin; it can be sensitive if they are self-conscious about blemishes.

While English uses 'stained' for both physical and metaphorical contexts, Persian 'lak-dar' is slightly more common for physical spots on fruit and skin than 'stained' is in common US/UK English.

Used in various Persian poems to describe the moon's surface. Commonly used in Iranian detergent commercials. Appears in legal documents regarding property damage.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Laundry/Cleaning

این لک پاک نمی‌شود.
لباس لک دار است.
پودر لک‌بر
لک‌گیری کردن

Fruit Market

میوه لک دار نده.
این‌ها لک دارند.
قیمت لک‌دارها چنده؟
سیب‌های لک دار

Dermatology

پوست لک دار
لک صورت
درمان لک
جای جوش لک دار

Reputation/Social

نام لک دار
سابقه لک دار
شرف لک دار
لک دار کردن آبرو

Household/Interior

فرش لک دار
شیشه لک دار
دیوار لک دار
لک روی مبل

Conversation Starters

"ببخشید، فکر کنم لباس شما کمی لک دار شده است."

"آیا می‌دانید چطور می‌توان فرش لک دار را تمیز کرد؟"

"چرا این میوه‌ها اینقدر لک دار هستند؟"

"به نظر شما پوست لک دار نشانه چیست؟"

"آیا تا به حال برایتان پیش آمده که در یک مهمانی لباستان لک دار شود؟"

Journal Prompts

در مورد زمانی بنویسید که یک لباس لک دار باعث خجالت شما شد.

آیا ترجیح می‌دهید میوه لک دار ارزان بخرید یا میوه گران و بی لک؟ چرا؟

چگونه می‌توان یک سابقه لک دار را در محیط کار جبران کرد؟

توصیف کنید که یک آینه لک دار چگونه می‌تواند منظره اتاق را تغییر دهد.

در مورد اهمیت 'پاک بودن' در مقابل 'لک دار بودن' در فرهنگ خودتان بنویسید.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, for a leopard or a polka-dot dress, you should use 'khal-dar'. 'Lak-dar' implies an unwanted blemish.

It is descriptive but can be sensitive. It's better to use 'lak-haye poosti' (skin spots) in a medical context.

They are mostly interchangeable, but 'lakke' is often used for a specific, small physical spot, while 'lak' can be more general or metaphorical.

You say 'foulad-e zed-e zang' (rust-proof steel) or sometimes 'bi-lak', but 'zed-e zang' is the standard term.

Yes, metaphorically. You can say someone's heart is 'lak-dar' meaning it is no longer pure.

Yes, in a poetic sense, you can say the sky is 'lak-dar' if there are scattered, small clouds.

The best opposites are 'tamiz' (clean), 'pak' (pure), or 'bedun-e lak' (without stain).

It is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal settings.

In 99% of cases, yes, it refers to an unwanted imperfection.

You use the phrase 'lak-bori kardan' or 'lakke ra pak kardan'.