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A1 adjective #2,000 most common 7 min read

مریض

mariz
Practice it Examples Notes & Tips مریض in 30 Seconds
Explanation مریض in your Level:
At the A1 level, 'مریض' (mariz) is one of the first adjectives you learn. It is used in simple 'Subject + Adjective + Verb' structures. Learners focus on saying 'I am sick' (من مریض هستم) or 'He is sick' (او مریض است). The goal is to communicate basic needs, such as explaining why you can't attend a class or why you need to see a doctor. You learn it alongside basic body parts and the verb 'to have' (داشتن) to describe symptoms like 'I have a headache' (سردرد دارم).
At the A2 level, you start using 'مریض' with the past tense and with 'شدن' (to become). You can describe when you got sick (دیروز مریض شدم) and for how long. You also begin to use simple adverbs like 'خیلی' (very) or 'کمی' (a little). You might use it in basic compound sentences: 'I was sick, so I didn't go to work.' You also learn the noun form 'مریضی' (sickness) in simple contexts.
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At the B1 level, you use 'مریض' in more complex social situations. You can discuss symptoms in detail and use the word in the context of medical appointments. You start to distinguish between 'مریض' and 'بیمار' based on the setting (informal vs. formal). You also learn common collocations like 'مریضِ احوال' (inquiring about health) and can use the word in the subjunctive mood: 'امیدوارم مریض نشوی' (I hope you don't get sick).
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At the B2 level, you understand the metaphorical and idiomatic uses of 'مریض'. You can use it to describe social issues or psychological states. You are comfortable using it in various registers, including news reports or literature. You understand the nuances of 'مریض' versus 'ناخوش' or 'کسل'. You can also form complex sentences using 'مریض' as a noun or adjective in subordinate clauses.
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At the C1 level, you recognize 'مریض' in classical Persian poetry and advanced prose, where it might carry deeper philosophical meanings. You can discuss the etymology (Arabic origin) and its relationship with other Arabic-derived terms in Persian. You use the word with high precision, choosing it or its synonyms to convey specific tones of empathy, clinical distance, or social commentary.
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At the C2 level, you have a native-like grasp of 'مریض'. You can use it in puns, sophisticated irony, or academic discourse about the history of medicine in Iran. You understand its role in the 'Teb-e Sonnati' (Traditional Medicine) discourse and can navigate complex cultural sensitivities surrounding illness and the word 'mariz' in various Iranian dialects and social strata.
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Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

مریض in 30 Seconds

  • Mariz means 'sick' or 'ill' in Persian.
  • It is used for physical and mental health issues.
  • It is more common in speech than the formal 'bimār'.
  • Pair it with 'shodan' (to become) to say 'to get sick'.

The Persian word مریض (Mariz) is a fundamental adjective used to describe a state of physical or mental illness. While its primary translation is "sick" or "ill," its application in Persian culture and language is multifaceted, ranging from a simple cold to complex psychological states. Derived from the Arabic root (m-r-ḍ), it has become one of the most common words in the Persian lexicon, often preferred in colloquial speech over its more formal synonym, بیمار (Bimār).

Primary Meaning
Describing a person, animal, or even a plant that is not in good health.
Colloquial Usage
Frequently used in daily conversation to explain absence from work or school.
Metaphorical Meaning
Used to describe something dysfunctional, like a 'sick' society or a 'sick' mind.

"امروز نمی‌توانم به مدرسه بیایم، چون خیلی مریض هستم."

(Today I cannot come to school because I am very sick.)

Understanding مریض requires looking at the Persian concept of health. In traditional Persian medicine (Teb-e Sonnati), being 'mariz' is often seen as an imbalance of humors. Thus, when someone says they are مریض, they might be referring to a specific symptom or a general feeling of being 'unbalanced'. Unlike the English word 'patient' (which is بیمار), مریض focuses on the state of being rather than the role within a medical system.

او یک هفته است که مریض است و در تختخواب مانده.

Furthermore, the word can be used as a noun in certain contexts to mean "a sick person," though بیمار is more standard for "patient." If you go to a clinic, the doctor might ask, "مریض بعدی کیست؟" (Who is the next sick person/patient?). This demonstrates the word's versatility across different registers of the language.

Grammatical Role
It functions as an adjective and can take the 'ezafe' construction when describing a noun.
Intensity
Can be modified by 'خیلی' (very) or 'سخت' (severely).

بچه‌ی مریض نیاز به استراحت و سوپ گرم دارد.

In summary, مریض is the bread and butter of health-related vocabulary in Persian. Whether you are dealing with a flu, a chronic condition, or just feeling 'off,' this is the word that will bridge the gap between your feeling and the listener's understanding. It carries a sense of vulnerability and a need for care that is deeply rooted in Persian social dynamics.

Using مریض correctly involves understanding its placement in a sentence and its interaction with Persian verbs. Most commonly, it is paired with the linking verb بودن (to be) or the becoming verb شدن (to become). For example, "من مریض هستم" (I am sick) or "او مریض شد" (He became sick/got sick).

هوا سرد شد و من فورا مریض شدم.

When you want to describe someone else, you use it as an attributive adjective. In Persian, adjectives usually follow the noun they modify, connected by the ezafe (the short 'e' sound). For instance, "آدمِ مریض" (the sick person). However, when used as a predicate adjective (after the verb), no ezafe is needed.

With Verbs of Action
Pair with 'کردن' (to make) to say 'to make someone sick'. Example: 'این غذا مرا مریض کرد' (This food made me sick).
With Verbs of Appearance
Pair with 'به نظر رسیدن' (to look/seem). Example: 'تو مریض به نظر می‌رسی' (You look sick).

In formal writing, you might encounter the plural form مریضان (marizān) or مرضی (marzā), although the latter is quite archaic and mostly found in classical texts. In modern Persian, the plural is usually formed by adding 'ها' (mariz-hā) or by using the synonym 'بیماران'.

پرستار به مریض‌ها دارو می‌دهد.

Another important aspect is the degree of illness. Persian speakers use specific adverbs to qualify 'mariz'. If someone is slightly ill, they might say یک‌ذره مریض or ناخوش. If they are deathly ill, they use سخت مریض or بدجور مریض.

او بدجور مریض است و باید به بیمارستان برود.

Finally, remember that 'mariz' can also describe a mental state in a derogatory or clinical way. "مریضِ روانی" means someone with a mental illness. In slang, calling someone 'mariz' can mean they have a 'sick' or twisted sense of humor or behavior, similar to English.

You will encounter the word مریض in almost every corner of Iranian life. Its most frequent home is in the domestic sphere. Parents use it to describe their children's health, and neighbors use it when inquiring about each other's well-being. It is a word of empathy and concern.

At the Doctor's Office
While the doctor might use 'bimar' in reports, they will ask you: 'کجای بدنت مریض است؟' (Which part of your body is sick/hurting?).
In Schools
Teachers ask: 'چرا علی غایب است؟' Answer: 'چون مریض است.'
In News Reports
During flu seasons or pandemics, news anchors discuss the number of 'mariz-hā' (the sick).

در اخبار گفتند که تعداد مریض‌های آنفولانزا زیاد شده است.

In Persian cinema and soap operas (Serial-hā), 'mariz' is a central plot device. Melodramas often revolve around a مریضِ لاعلاج (terminally ill patient), leading to emotional hospital scenes. Listening to these shows is a great way to hear the word used with various emotional intonations—from despair to hope.

مادربزرگ همیشه می‌گوید: «خدا هیچ‌کس را مریض نکند.»

You will also hear it in marketplaces or workplaces as an excuse. If someone is late or misses a deadline, 'marizi' (sickness) is the most socially acceptable excuse. It invokes immediate sympathy and usually halts further questioning, reflecting the high value placed on health in Persian culture.

ببخشید دیر آمدم، بچه‌ام مریض بود.

Lastly, in religious contexts, prayers are often offered for the shifā (healing) of the 'mariz'. During the month of Ramadan or at shrines, you will hear the phrase "التماس دعا برای همه‌ی مریض‌ها" (Please pray for all the sick).

One of the most frequent mistakes for English speakers is confusing مریض with خسته (khasteh). In English, we sometimes say "I'm sick of this" to mean tired or bored. In Persian, مریض is almost always physical or clinical. If you are 'sick' of a situation, use 'خسته' or 'بیزار'.

Confusing Mariz and Bimar
While interchangeable, using 'mariz' in a very formal medical thesis might seem too casual. Use 'bimar' there.
The 'Sick' Object Mistake
Don't say 'ماشینم مریض است' (My car is sick). Use 'خراب' (broken).

اشتباه: من از این کار مریض شدم. (Incorrect if you mean bored/tired)

درست: من از این کار خسته شدم. (Correct)

Another mistake involves the verb 'to get sick'. Many learners try to translate 'get' literally. In Persian, you 'become' sick (مریض شدن). Using 'گرفتن' (to take/get) is only for specific contagious diseases, like 'سرماخوردگی گرفتن' (to catch a cold), but not for the general state of 'mariz'.

Pronunciation can also be a pitfall. The 'z' at the end is a soft Persian 'z' (ذ/ز/ض/ظ all sound the same in Persian). Ensure you don't over-emphasize the 'i' sound; it should be a long 'ee' like in 'meet'.

اشتباه: او مریض است را به معنی «او بیمارستان است» نگیرید.

Finally, be careful with the word مریضی (marizi). While it means 'sickness,' in some contexts, it can sound slightly less professional than بیماری (bimāri). If you are describing a complex medical condition, بیماری is the safer, more accurate choice.

To truly master مریض, you must understand its neighbors in the semantic field of health. The most prominent is بیمار (Bimār). While both mean sick, بیمار is the standard term in medical, literary, and formal contexts. A hospital is a بیمارستان, not a 'mariz-khāneh' (though that term existed historically).

ناخوش (Nākhosh)
Literally 'not happy/well'. Used for a general sense of malaise or being slightly under the weather.
علیل (Alil)
A more severe term, often implying a chronic disability or infirmity.
کسل (Kesel)
Means lethargic or slightly unwell, often used when one lacks energy but isn't necessarily 'diseased'.

امروز کمی ناخوش هستم، شاید سرما خورده‌ام.

In the realm of mental health, مریض is often replaced by بیمارِ روانی or اختلال (disorder). However, in poetic Persian, you might find خسته used to mean 'sick' or 'wounded' (as in 'khast-e-ye-eshgh' - sick with love), though this is rare in modern daily speech.

Comparing مریض to سالم (healthy) and تندرست (fit/healthy) helps define its boundaries. مریض is the absence of salāmat (health). In many Persian greetings, the wish for health is the opposite of the state of being mariz.

او از یک آدم علیل به یک ورزشکار تندرست تبدیل شد.

Lastly, consider the word مسموم (masmum), which means 'poisoned' or 'food poisoned'. People often say 'mariz' when they have food poisoning, but 'masmum' is the specific term you would use at a clinic.

How Formal Is It?

Difficulty Rating

Grammar to Know

Ezafe construction with adjectives

Compound verbs with 'shodan' and 'kardan'

Subjunctive mood after 'omidvāram'

Pluralization of human nouns with '-ān'

Adverbial placement

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Examples by Level

1

من مریض هستم.

I am sick.

Simple present tense with 'hastam'.

2

آیا تو مریض هستی؟

Are you sick?

Question form.

3

او مریض نیست.

He/she is not sick.

Negative form.

4

گربه مریض است.

The cat is sick.

Subject is an animal.

5

مادرم مریض است.

My mother is sick.

Possessive 'am' attached to 'mādar'.

6

من امروز مریض هستم.

I am sick today.

Adverb 'emruz' (today).

7

چرا مریض هستی؟

Why are you sick?

Interrogative 'cherā'.

8

او خیلی مریض است.

He is very sick.

Intensifier 'kheyli'.

1

دیروز مریض شدم.

I got sick yesterday.

Past tense of 'mariz shodan'.

2

چون مریض بودم، نیامدم.

Because I was sick, I didn't come.

Conjunction 'chon' (because).

3

او یک هفته مریض بود.

He was sick for a week.

Duration with 'yek hafteh'.

4

نباید میوه‌ی کثیف بخوری، مریض می‌شوی.

You shouldn't eat dirty fruit, you'll get sick.

Future/Conditional sense with 'mishavi'.

5

وقتی مریض بودم، کتاب خواندم.

When I was sick, I read a book.

Time clause with 'vaghti'.

6

برادرم بعد از سفر مریض شد.

My brother got sick after the trip.

Prepositional phrase 'ba'd az safar'.

7

آیا هنوز مریض هستی؟

Are you still sick?

Adverb 'hanuz' (still).

8

مریض‌ها باید استراحت کنند.

Sick people must rest.

Plural 'mariz-hā'.

1

اگر مریض شدی، حتماً به دکتر برو.

If you get sick, definitely go to the doctor.

Conditional 'agar'.

2

او مریض‌احوال به نظر می‌رسد.

He looks somewhat unwell.

Compound adjective 'mariz-ahvāl'.

3

فکر می‌کنم او خودش را به مریضی زده است.

I think he is faking being sick.

Idiomatic 'khod rā be marizi zadan'.

4

پرستار از مریض‌های بخش مراقبت می‌کند.

The nurse takes care of the patients in the ward.

Preposition 'az' with 'morāghebat kardan'.

5

این مریضی واگیردار نیست.

This sickness is not contagious.

Noun 'marizi' with adjective 'vāgirdār'.

6

او از وقتی که مریض شده، خیلی لاغر شده است.

Since he got sick, he has become very thin.

Present perfect tense.

7

مریضِ بیچاره تمام شب بیدار بود.

The poor sick person was awake all night.

Adjective 'bichāreh' (poor/unfortunate).

8

دکتر گفت که مریض باید رژیم غذایی داشته باشد.

The doctor said the patient must have a diet.

Reported speech.

1

جامعه‌ای که در آن عدالت نباشد، مریض است.

A society in which there is no justice is sick.

Metaphorical usage.

2

او با وجود اینکه مریض بود، کارش را تمام کرد.

Despite being sick, he finished his work.

Conjunction 'bā vojud-e inke'.

3

این یک فکرِ مریض است که بخواهی به دیگران آسیب بزنی.

It's a sick thought to want to hurt others.

Describing an abstract noun 'fekr'.

4

او چنان مریض است که گویی رمقی در تن ندارد.

He is so sick as if he has no strength in his body.

Structure 'chonān... ke'.

5

بسیاری از مریض‌ها از هزینه‌های درمان شکایت دارند.

Many patients complain about treatment costs.

Verb 'shekāyat kardan'.

6

او به خاطر مریضیِ طولانی‌مدت، شغلش را از دست داد.

He lost his job due to long-term illness.

Compound noun 'tulāni-moddat'.

7

مریض‌خانه اصطلاحی قدیمی برای بیمارستان است.

'Mariz-khāneh' is an old term for hospital.

Etymological note.

8

او از لحاظ روانی مریض است و نیاز به روانپزشک دارد.

He is mentally ill and needs a psychiatrist.

Adverbial phrase 'az lehāz-e ravāni'.

1

در ادبیات کلاسیک، عاشق را غالباً مریض و رنجور توصیف می‌کنند.

In classical literature, the lover is often described as sick and suffering.

Literary register.

2

فساد اداری مانند یک غده‌ی سرطانی، بدنه‌ی دولت را مریض کرده است.

Administrative corruption, like a cancerous tumor, has made the body of government sick.

Advanced simile.

3

او با لحنی مریض و لرزان سخن می‌گفت.

He spoke with a sickly and trembling tone.

Descriptive adjective usage.

4

تشخیصِ دقیقِ مریضیِ او برای پزشکان دشوار بود.

Accurate diagnosis of his illness was difficult for the doctors.

Gerund 'tashkhis' (diagnosis).

5

او در تمام دوران مریضی، امیدش را از دست نداد.

Throughout the period of illness, he did not lose hope.

Prepositional phrase 'dar tamām-e dowrān-e'.

6

این رفتارِ مریض‌گونه نشان‌دهنده‌ی کمبودهای عاطفی اوست.

This sick-like behavior indicates his emotional deficiencies.

Suffix '-gouneh' (like/resembling).

7

مریضِ عشق را هیچ دارویی جز وصال بهبود نمی‌بخشد.

Nothing but union cures the one sick with love.

Classical poetic trope.

8

او به مریضیِ نادری مبتلا شده است که علم پزشکی هنوز پاسخی برای آن ندارد.

He has contracted a rare disease for which medical science has no answer yet.

Verb 'mobtalā shodan' (to contract/suffer from).

1

واکاویِ روان‌شناختیِ شخصیت‌های مریض در رمان‌های داستایوفسکی تخصص اوست.

The psychological analysis of sick characters in Dostoevsky's novels is his specialty.

Academic register.

2

او با نگاهی مریض و غرض‌آلود به موفقیت‌های دیگران می‌نگریست.

He looked at others' successes with a sick and biased gaze.

Abstract metaphorical usage.

3

در متون طب سنتی، مریض را بر اساس مزاج‌های چهارگانه درمان می‌کردند.

In traditional medicine texts, the sick were treated based on the four humors.

Historical context.

4

او از چنان مریضیِ مزمنی رنج می‌برد که تمام ابعاد زندگی‌اش را تحت‌الشعاع قرار داده است.

He suffers from such a chronic illness that it has overshadowed all aspects of his life.

Advanced verb 'taht-al-sho'ā gharār dādan'.

5

سیاست‌های غلط اقتصادی، بازار را مریض و بی‌ثبات کرده است.

Wrong economic policies have made the market sick and unstable.

Economic metaphor.

6

او در احتضار بود و چهره‌اش مریضیِ مفرطی را بازتاب می‌داد.

He was in the throes of death, and his face reflected extreme sickness.

High literary vocabulary ('ehtezār').

7

مریض‌انگاریِ خود (Hypochondria) یکی از اختلالات اضطرابی شایع است.

Self-sickness-imagining (Hypochondria) is one of the common anxiety disorders.

Technical term formation.

8

روحِ مریضِ او در کالبدی سالم اسیر شده بود.

His sick soul was imprisoned in a healthy body.

Philosophical/Dualistic theme.

Common Collocations

مریض شدن
مریض بودن
سخت مریض
مریضِ روانی
مریضِ احوال
مریض کردن
مریض به نظر رسیدن
عیادتِ مریض
داروی مریض
تختِ مریض

Common Phrases

مریض شدم
مریضی؟
خیلی مریضم
مریضِ بیچاره
بچه‌ام مریض است
مریضِ قندی (Diabetic)
مریضِ قلبی
صدای مریض
چهره‌ی مریض
مریضِ لاعلاج

Often Confused With

مریض vs خسته

مریض vs خراب

مریض vs ناراحت

Idioms & Expressions

"خود را به مریضی زدن (To fake illness)"
"مریضِ عشق (Lovesick)"
"فکرِ مریض (Sick/twisted mind)"
"مریض‌احوال بودن (To be under the weather)"
"دلِ مریض (A sick/unhappy heart)"
"چشمِ مریض (Languid/seductive eyes in poetry)"
"مریضیِ بدی گرفتن (To catch a nasty bug)"
"مریضِ کسی بودن (To be obsessed with someone - slang)"
"مریضی از سر و رویش می‌بارد (He looks extremely sick)"
"خدا نصیبِ هیچ‌کس نکند (God forbid anyone gets this sick)"

Easily Confused

مریض vs

مریض vs

مریض vs

مریض vs

مریض vs

Sentence Patterns

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How to Use It

animals

Perfectly acceptable to use for pets.

metaphorical

Can describe a 'sick' sense of humor or a 'sick' economy.

informal vs formal

'Mariz' is the standard informal word; 'Bimār' is the formal/clinical one.

Common Mistakes
  • Using 'mariz' for 'tired'.
  • Using 'mariz' for 'broken machines'.
  • Saying 'mariz gereftan' instead of 'mariz shodan'.
  • Confusing 'mariz' (adj) with 'maraz' (noun).
  • Forgetting the ezafe when using it as an attributive adjective.

Tips

Verb Pairing

Always pair 'mariz' with 'shodan' for the process of getting ill. Using 'gereftan' is for specific diseases only.

Formal Alternative

Use 'bimār' when writing an essay or a formal report to sound more professional.

Visiting

If you visit a 'mariz', it's polite to say 'Enshā'allāh zudtar khub shavid' (Hopefully you get well sooner).

Twisted Mind

Calling a friend 'mariz' jokingly implies they have a weird or 'sick' sense of humor.

The 'Z' sound

Persian has four letters for 'z', but they all sound the same. Don't worry about the spelling of the 'z' in 'mariz' when speaking.

Compound Adjectives

Learn 'mariz-ahvāl' to describe someone who is generally not feeling well over a period of time.

Contractions

Listen for 'marize' instead of 'mariz ast' in fast speech.

Plants

You can use 'mariz' for a dying or diseased plant in your garden.

Root Connection

Connect 'mariz' with 'malady' (though they aren't etymologically related, the 'm' helps).

Excuses

Being 'mariz' is a very strong excuse in Iran; use it sparingly and honestly.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Mariz sounds like 'Morris'. Imagine Morris is sick in bed.

Word Origin

Arabic

Cultural Context

Sometimes sickness is attributed to 'Cheshm-zakhm' (the evil eye).

Soup-e Morgh (Chicken soup) and Keteh (Soft rice) are the go-to 'mariz' foods.

Eyādat is a highly valued social and religious duty.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Conversation Starters

"شنیدم مریض شدی، الان بهتری؟ (I heard you got sick, are you better now?)"

"چرا اینقدر مریض به نظر می‌رسی؟ (Why do you look so sick?)"

"برای مریض‌ها چه دعایی می‌کنی؟ (What prayer do you say for the sick?)"

"وقتی مریض هستی چه غذایی می‌خوری؟ (What food do you eat when you are sick?)"

"آیا در خانواده‌تان کسی مریض است؟ (Is anyone in your family sick?)"

Journal Prompts

آخرین باری که مریض شدی را توصیف کن. (Describe the last time you got sick.)

اگر مریض شوی، چه کسی از تو مراقبت می‌کند؟ (If you get sick, who takes care of you?)

آیا فکر می‌کنی جامعه‌ی امروز مریض است؟ چرا؟ (Do you think today's society is sick? Why?)

تفاوت مریض و بیمار در ذهن تو چیست؟ (What is the difference between 'mariz' and 'bimar' in your mind?)

یک داستان کوتاه درباره‌ی یک مریضِ خیالی بنویس. (Write a short story about an imaginary sick person.)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, you should use 'kharāb'. 'Mariz' is only for living things.

Yes, it is a standard word, but in very formal 'Ta'arof', 'kasalat' is more polite.

The most common plural is 'mariz-hā'. In formal contexts, 'marizān' is used.

You say 'Sarmā khordam', but you can follow it with 'va marizam' (and I am sick).

Yes, it comes from the Arabic root M-R-D.

In slang, yes, it can mean someone has a 'sick' or twisted mind.

The most common opposite is 'sālem' (healthy).

Dāram mariz misham.

Yes, often to describe the 'sick' state of a lover or 'languid' eyes.

No, use 'masmumiyat-e ghazāyi'.

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This Word in Other Languages

مريض Arabic مَرِيض Arabic
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