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ناکارآمد

B1 adjective 11 min read

ناکارآمد

nākār-āmad

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips ناکارآمد in 30 Seconds

Explanation ناکارآمد in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'nākārāmad' might be a bit difficult because it is a long, formal word. However, you can think of it as 'not good' (khub nist) for systems or tools. Imagine you have a pen that barely writes. You could say it is 'nākārāmad'. It is a way to say 'This doesn't work well' without saying it is broken. At this stage, focus on the 'nā-' part, which means 'no' or 'not'. Just like 'nā-khosh' (not well/sick), 'nā-kārāmad' means 'not working well'. You don't need to use it in complex sentences yet. Just remember: it is for things that are slow or waste time.

At the A2 level, you can start using 'nākārāmad' to describe simple processes. For example, if you are learning about directions and the map is wrong, you can say the map is 'nākārāmad'. You should know that 'kār' means 'work', so 'nākārāmad' literally means 'no work comes from it'. You can use it with the verb 'ast' (is). Example: 'In rāh nākārāmad ast' (This way/method is inefficient). It is a step up from using 'bad' or 'kharāb'. It shows you are starting to understand how to talk about the quality of how things function, not just their physical appearance.

At the B1 level, 'nākārāmad' is a key vocabulary word. You are now expected to discuss topics like work, society, and technology. You should use 'nākārāmad' to critique things. Instead of saying a plan is 'bad', say 'In barnāmeh nākārāmad ast'. This sounds more professional. You should also be comfortable using the 'ezafe' to link it to nouns: 'sistam-e nākārāmad' (inefficient system). At this level, you can also start using the comparative form: 'nākārāmad-tar' (more inefficient). You should be able to explain *why* something is nākārāmad—for example, because it takes too much time (vaght-gir) or too much money (por-hazineh).

At the B2 level, you should be able to use 'nākārāmad' in debates and written essays. You should understand its nuance compared to 'ghayr-e mo'asser' (ineffective). You might use it to discuss 'nākārāmadi-ye dowlati' (government inefficiency) or 'nākārāmadi-ye eghtesādi' (economic inefficiency). You should be able to use it in complex sentences with conjunctions like 'chon' (because) or 'agarche' (although). For example: 'Although the new system was expensive, it proved to be inefficient' (Agarche sistam-e jadid gerān bud, nākārāmad az āb dar āmad). You are moving from just using the word to analyzing systems with it.

At the C1 level, 'nākārāmad' is a tool for precision. you should use it to describe systemic failures. You will encounter it in academic texts and high-level journalism. You should also be familiar with its noun form 'nākārāmadi' and how it functions as a subject in a sentence. You can use it to discuss abstract concepts like 'the inefficiency of the legal framework'. You should also know related formal terms like 'nā-bahre-vari' (unproductivity) and be able to choose between them based on the specific context of your analysis. Your usage should reflect a deep understanding of Persian administrative and technical registers.

At the C2 level, 'nākārāmad' is part of your mastery of nuance. You can use it rhetorically to critique philosophical or socio-political structures. You understand the historical and morphological roots of the word and can use it in highly sophisticated ways, such as describing 'the inherent inefficiency of centralized power'. You can pair it with advanced vocabulary and idiomatic expressions to create a compelling argument. At this level, you are not just using the word; you are using it to build complex, nuanced critiques of reality, often within the context of 'Goftmān' (discourse).

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

ناکارآمد in 30 Seconds

Inefficient or unproductive in a formal/systemic context.
Comes from 'nā-' (not) + 'kār' (work) + 'āmad' (result).
Used for systems, methods, bureaucracy, and tools.
Implies wasting resources rather than being physically broken.

The Persian word ناکارآمد (nākārāmad) is a sophisticated adjective used to describe systems, methods, tools, or individuals that fail to produce the desired effect or that waste significant resources in the process. At its core, it is a compound word formed from the negative prefix 'nā-' (meaning 'not'), the noun 'kār' (meaning 'work' or 'function'), and the verbal root 'āmad' (derived from 'āmadan', meaning 'to come' or 'to result in'). Therefore, etymologically, it refers to something from which no useful work or result 'comes out'. This word is a staple in Persian discourse regarding administration, economics, and technology. It carries a more formal and analytical tone than simple words like 'bad' or 'broken'. When a Persian speaker calls a policy nākārāmad, they are not just saying they dislike it; they are making a specific critique of its utility and efficiency.

Morphological Breakdown: The prefix 'nā-' is the standard negation in Persian, akin to 'un-' or 'in-' in English. 'Kārāmad' on its own means efficient or effective. Thus, the word is a direct negation of efficiency.

مدیریت ناکارآمد باعث شکست پروژه شد.
(Inefficient management caused the project to fail.)

In daily life, you might use this word to describe a slow computer, a convoluted bureaucratic process at a government office, or a kitchen tool that doesn't actually help you cook faster. It is particularly common in the news when discussing government departments or economic sanctions. Unlike the word 'kharāb' (broken), which implies physical damage, nākārāmad implies a failure of design or logic. A car can be perfectly functional but still be nākārāmad if it consumes an excessive amount of fuel for a very short distance. This distinction is crucial for learners: use nākārāmad when discussing performance and productivity rather than physical state.

Contextual Nuance: In professional settings, calling someone 'nākārāmad' is a serious professional critique, suggesting they lack the skills or methods to perform their duties effectively. In political science, it describes 'failed' or 'clumsy' institutions.

Furthermore, the word is often paired with nouns like 'system' (sistam), 'structure' (sākhtār), and 'method' (revesh). It highlights a gap between the input (effort, money, time) and the output (results, products, services). In a culture that values hospitality and meticulousness, calling a service nākārāmad is a way of expressing frustration with a lack of organized effort. It is a word that bridges the gap between everyday frustration and academic criticism.

Social Usage: It is frequently used in editorials and op-eds in Iranian newspapers to criticize public transportation, educational systems, or urban planning.

ما باید از روش‌های قدیمی و ناکارآمد دست بکشیم.
(We must abandon old and inefficient methods.)

Using ناکارآمد (nākārāmad) correctly requires understanding its role as an attributive and predicative adjective. In Persian, adjectives usually follow the noun they modify, connected by the 'ezafe' (the short -e sound). For example, 'an inefficient system' becomes 'sistam-e nākārāmad'. When used as a predicate (e.g., 'The system is inefficient'), it appears at the end of the sentence before the verb 'ast' (is). Because it is a formal word, it rarely changes in colloquial speech, though the 'd' at the end might be softened. It is important to note that this word does not have a plural form when describing multiple things; the noun it modifies takes the plural, but the adjective remains the same.

این قوانین برای جامعه امروز ناکارآمد هستند.
(These laws are inefficient for today's society.)

Common Noun Pairings: 1. بوروکراسی ناکارآمد (Inefficient bureaucracy)
2. ابزار ناکارآمد (Ineffective tool)
3. نیروی کار ناکارآمد (Inefficient workforce)
4. استراتژی ناکارآمد (Ineffective strategy)

When comparing two things, you can add 'tar' to make it 'nākārāmad-tar' (more inefficient). For instance, 'This method is more inefficient than the previous one' would be 'In revesh az revesh-e ghabli nākārāmad-tar ast'. This comparative usage is very common in business reports and academic evaluations. It is also worth noting that the word can be used to describe abstract concepts like 'thought' (fekr) or 'logic' (mantegh) if they fail to solve a problem. It implies a lack of utility in solving the specific problem at hand.

چرا از این نرم‌افزار ناکارآمد استفاده می‌کنی؟
(Why are you using this inefficient software?)

In more advanced Persian, you might encounter the noun form 'nākārāmadi' (inefficiency). For example, 'The inefficiency of the system' is 'nākārāmadi-ye sistam'. This is a common way to start a sentence in a formal report. By mastering both the adjective and the noun form, you can express complex ideas about productivity and failure with precision. Remember that this word is neutral in its emotional weight; it is a technical judgment rather than a personal insult, which makes it very useful in professional environments where you need to be critical but polite.

Formal vs Informal: Formal: 'Sāzmān nākārāmad ast.' (The organization is inefficient.)
Informal: 'In dastoogāh nākārāmade.' (This device is inefficient - using the colloquial 'e' ending for 'ast'.)

You will encounter ناکارآمد (nākārāmad) most frequently in intellectual and professional spheres. If you watch the Persian evening news (like BBC Persian, VOA Farsi, or Iran's national TV), you will hear economic analysts using it to describe the banking system or energy consumption patterns. It is a 'buzzword' in Iranian political discourse, often used by reformers and critics to describe the state of the bureaucracy. In a university setting, a professor might use it to describe an outdated scientific theory or a research methodology that no longer yields valid results. It is the language of the 'expert'.

کارشناسان معتقدند که این ساختار مالی ناکارآمد است.
(Experts believe that this financial structure is inefficient.)

Media Frequency: This word appears almost daily in the economic sections of newspapers like 'Donya-e-Eqtesad' or 'Etelaat'. It is a key term for anyone following Iranian market trends.

In the corporate world in Tehran or Mashhad, during a 'jalaseh' (meeting), a manager might point to a specific workflow and call it nākārāmad to justify a change in policy. It is also common in the tech world; developers use it to describe 'legacy code' or algorithms that take up too much memory. If you are a student in Iran, you might hear your classmates complaining about a nākārāmad registration system that crashed during the sign-up period. It captures the specific frustration of something that *should* work but doesn't do so effectively.

Everyday Scenarios: 1. At a bank when the queue doesn't move.
2. In a tech support call discussing an old router.
3. In a classroom discussing historical governance.

Interestingly, you might also hear it in environmental discussions. An 'inefficient' use of water (masraf-e nākārāmad-e āb) is a major topic in Iran due to the ongoing drought. In this context, the word carries an ethical weight, suggesting that wasting resources is not just a technical error but a societal problem. Whether you are reading a high-level policy paper or listening to a podcast about productivity, nākārāmad will be there to describe the obstacles to progress.

استفاده ناکارآمد از منابع طبیعی نگران‌کننده است.
(Inefficient use of natural resources is worrying.)

One of the most common mistakes learners make is confusing ناکارآمد (nākārāmad) with 'bi-kār' (unemployed). While both contain the word 'kār' (work), 'bi-kār' refers specifically to a person who does not have a job, whereas nākārāmad refers to something (or someone) that performs poorly. You would never say a 'bi-kār' system; you must say a 'nākārāmad' system. Another frequent error is using it as a synonym for 'kharāb' (broken). If your phone's screen is shattered, it is 'kharāb'. If your phone is perfectly fine but the software is so slow that you can't get anything done, it is nākārāmad. Understanding this distinction between 'physical state' and 'functional efficiency' is key.

Mistake 1: Confusion with 'Unemployed': Don't say: 'In mard bi-kār ast' when you mean he is inefficient. Say: 'In mard nākārāmad ast.' (Wait, actually, calling a person 'nākārāmad' is very harsh; usually, you'd say their *work* is nākārāmad.)

اشتباه: این ماشین ناکارآمد است (چون روشن نمی‌شود).
(Wrong: This car is inefficient (because it won't start). Correct: This car is broken/kharāb.)

Another subtle mistake is the placement of the word. English speakers might try to put the adjective before the noun, as in 'nākārāmad sistam'. In Persian, this is grammatically incorrect. It must be 'sistam-e nākārāmad'. Furthermore, learners often forget that nākārāmad is a formal word. Using it in a very casual setting, like complaining about a spoon being 'inefficient' at a family dinner, might sound a bit too dramatic or overly academic. In such cases, 'be dard nakhor' (useless) is more natural. Use nākārāmad for systems, processes, and professional tools.

Mistake 2: Over-Formalization: Using 'nākārāmad' for simple household items can sound funny. For a blunt knife, say 'kond' (dull) or 'bi-masraf' (useless), not 'nākārāmad'.

Lastly, avoid confusing it with 'bi-fāyedeh' (useless/pointless). While similar, 'bi-fāyedeh' often implies that an action has no benefit at all, whereas nākārāmad implies that the action *might* have a benefit, but the way it's being done is wasteful. For example, 'Studying while tired is bi-fāyedeh' (it gives no result), but 'A study plan that takes 10 hours for 1 chapter is nākārāmad' (it gives a result, but very slowly and wastefully). Mastering these distinctions will make your Persian sound much more authentic and precise.

To truly master the concept of inefficiency in Persian, it is helpful to look at synonyms and related terms that offer different shades of meaning. While ناکارآمد (nākārāmad) is the standard term for 'inefficient', several other words can be used depending on the register and the specific type of failure you are describing. For instance, بی‌کفایت (bi-kefāyat) specifically refers to 'incompetence' and is usually applied to people or leadership. If a manager is nākārāmad, their methods are bad; if they are bi-kefāyat, they personally lack the ability to lead.

Comparison: nākārāmad vs. ghayr-e mo'asser: 'Nākārāmad' focuses on the waste of resources and poor productivity. 'Ghayr-e mo'asser' (ineffective) simply means it doesn't work or doesn't produce the intended effect, regardless of resources.

این دارو برای درمان این بیماری غیرموثر است.
(This medicine is ineffective for treating this disease.)

Another alternative is نالایق (nālāyegh), which means 'unworthy' or 'unfit'. This is more judgmental and often used in a moral or social context. If a politician is nālāyegh, it suggests they shouldn't have been in that position in the first place. On the other hand, بی‌ثمر (bi-samar) means 'fruitless' or 'unproductive', often used for efforts or negotiations that lead nowhere. You might say a meeting was bi-samar if no decisions were made. Nākārāmad is more technical, while bi-samar is more poetic or descriptive of the outcome.

Register Differences: Academic: نابهره‌ور (nā-bahre-var) - specifically 'unproductive' in economic terms.
Colloquial: پرت (part) - slang for something that is 'off' or 'useless'.
Common: به درد نخور (be dard nakhor) - 'doesn't help with any pain', i.e., useless.

Finally, consider the word هدردهنده (hadar-dahande), which means 'wasteful'. While nākārāmad describes the state of being inefficient, hadar-dahande describes the action of wasting. An nākārāmad engine is hadar-dahande-ye (wasteful of) fuel. By understanding these nuances, you can choose the exact word that fits your situation, whether you're critiquing a government policy, a business strategy, or a household gadget.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"ساختار بوروکراتیک فعلی ناکارآمد ارزیابی شده است."

Neutral

"این روش برای حل این مسئله ناکارآمد است."

Informal

"این برنامه‌هه خیلی ناکارآمده، پاکش کن."

Child friendly

"این قیچی خوب نمی‌بره، ناکارآمده."

Slang

"سیستمشون کلاً پرته و ناکارآمد."

Fun Fact

The root 'kār' is related to the English word 'create' and 'karma' through Proto-Indo-European roots (*kwer-).

Pronunciation Guide

UK /nɑː.kɑːr.ɒː.mæd/

US /nɑː.kɑːr.ɑː.mæd/

The primary stress is on the final syllable '-mad'.

Rhymes With

درآمد (darāmad) سرآمد (sarāmad) برآمد (barāmad) پی‌آمد (pey-āmad) خوش‌آمد (khosh-āmad) گردآمد (gerd-āmad) کارآمد (kārāmad) یادآمد (yād-āmad)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'nā' as a short 'na'.
Putting the stress on 'nā' instead of the end.
Confusing the 'ā' (long) with 'a' (short) in 'kār'.
Muffling the 'd' at the end too much.
Pronouncing 'āmad' like the English word 'armad'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to recognize once you know 'kār' and 'āmad'.

Writing 4/5

Requires correct spelling of 'ā' and 'æ' sounds.

Speaking 3/5

Long word, but rhythm is predictable.

Listening 3/5

Distinctive prefix 'nā-' makes it easy to catch.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

کار (work) آمدن (to come) نه/نا (no/not) خوب (good) بد (bad)

Learn Next

بهره‌وری (productivity) اثربخشی (effectiveness) ساختار (structure) فرآیند (process) اصلاحات (reforms)

Advanced

نابهره‌وری عدم کفایت تصلب ساختاری فساد سیستماتیک بهینه‌سازی

Grammar to Know

The Negative Prefix 'nā-'

ناکارآمد (inefficient), ناخوش (unwell), نامید (hopeless - from nā-omid).

Ezafe Construction for Adjectives

سیستمِ ناکارآمد (Sistam-e nākārāmad). The '-e' connects noun to adjective.

Comparative Adjectives with '-tar'

این روش ناکارآمدتر از آن است. (This method is more inefficient than that.)

Noun formation with '-i'

ناکارآمد (adj) -> ناکارآمدی (noun: inefficiency).

Subjunctive with 'bāyad' (must)

ما باید سیستم‌های ناکارآمد را حذف کنیم. (We must eliminate inefficient systems.)

Examples by Level

این مداد ناکارآمد است.

This pencil is inefficient (doesn't work well).

Simple Subject + Adjective + Verb (ast).

روش او ناکارآمد بود.

His method was inefficient.

Past tense of 'to be' (bud).

چرا این ماشین ناکارآمد است؟

Why is this machine inefficient?

Question form with 'cherā'.

برنامه ناکارآمد را پاک کن.

Delete the inefficient program.

Imperative verb 'pāk kon'.

این راه خیلی ناکارآمد است.

This way is very inefficient.

Use of 'kheyli' (very) to modify the adjective.

او یک کارگر ناکارآمد است.

He is an inefficient worker.

Indefinite 'yek' + noun + adjective.

ساعت من ناکارآمد شده است.

My watch has become inefficient (not keeping time).

Present perfect 'shodeh ast'.

ما به ابزار ناکارآمد نیاز نداریم.

We don't need inefficient tools.

Negative verb 'niyāz nadārim'.

این سیستم بانکی بسیار ناکارآمد است.

This banking system is very inefficient.

Noun phrase 'sistam-e bānki'.

استفاده از کاغذ در اداره ناکارآمد است.

Using paper in the office is inefficient.

Gerund-like phrase 'estefādeh az...' as subject.

آیا این لامپ‌ها ناکارآمد هستند؟

Are these lamps inefficient?

Plural subject and verb 'hastand'.

روش‌های قدیمی اغلب ناکارآمد هستند.

Old methods are often inefficient.

Adverb 'aghalab' (often).

او به دلیل مدیریت ناکارآمد اخراج شد.

He was fired due to inefficient management.

Prepositional phrase 'be dalil-e'.

این نرم‌افزار برای گوشی من ناکارآمد است.

This software is inefficient for my phone.

Preposition 'barāye' (for).

ما باید سیستم‌های ناکارآمد را تغییر دهیم.

We must change the inefficient systems.

Modal 'bāyad' + subjunctive 'taghyir dahim'.

چرا دولت این‌قدر ناکارآمد عمل می‌کند؟

Why does the government act so inefficiently?

Adverbial usage with 'amal kardan'.

ساختار اداری فعلی بسیار پیچیده و ناکارآمد است.

The current administrative structure is very complex and inefficient.

Compound adjectives with 'va'.

بسیاری از پروژه‌ها به خاطر برنامه‌ریزی ناکارآمد شکست می‌خورند.

Many projects fail because of inefficient planning.

Cause and effect with 'be khāter-e'.

این استراتژی در درازمدت ناکارآمد خواهد بود.

This strategy will be inefficient in the long run.

Future tense 'khāhad bud'.

او به جای حل مشکل، از روش‌های ناکارآمد استفاده می‌کند.

Instead of solving the problem, he uses inefficient methods.

Phrase 'be jāye' (instead of).

ناکارآمد بودن این دستگاه ثابت شده است.

The inefficiency of this device has been proven.

Gerund 'nākārāmad budan' as subject.

تکنولوژی قدیمی در دنیای امروز ناکارآمد است.

Old technology is inefficient in today's world.

Temporal phrase 'dar donyā-ye emruz'.

اگر سیستم ناکارآمد باشد، منابع هدر می‌روند.

If the system is inefficient, resources are wasted.

Conditional 'agar' + subjunctive 'bāshad'.

او سعی کرد سیستم‌های ناکارآمد را اصلاح کند.

He tried to correct the inefficient systems.

Verb 'sa'y kardan' (to try).

بحران اقتصادی ناشی از سیاست‌های مالی ناکارآمد است.

The economic crisis is caused by inefficient financial policies.

Phrase 'nāshi az' (resulting from).

توزیع ناکارآمد منابع باعث افزایش فقر شده است.

Inefficient distribution of resources has caused an increase in poverty.

Subject 'towzi-e nākārāmad-e manābe'.

آموزش و پرورش نباید از الگوهای ناکارآمد پیروی کند.

Education should not follow inefficient patterns.

Negative modal 'nabāyad'.

این رویکرد نه تنها گران، بلکه کاملاً ناکارآمد است.

This approach is not only expensive but also completely inefficient.

Structure 'na tanhā... balke...' (not only... but...).

مدیران باید مسئولیت عملکردهای ناکارآمد خود را بپذیرند.

Managers must accept responsibility for their inefficient performances.

Possessive 'khod' (their own).

در یک بازار رقابتی، شرکت‌های ناکارآمد حذف می‌شوند.

In a competitive market, inefficient companies are eliminated.

Passive voice 'hazf mishavand'.

او مقاله‌ای درباره پیامدهای بوروکراسی ناکارآمد نوشت.

He wrote an article about the consequences of inefficient bureaucracy.

Preposition 'darbāreh-ye' (about).

بدون اصلاح این ساختار ناکارآمد، پیشرفتی حاصل نخواهد شد.

Without reforming this inefficient structure, no progress will be achieved.

Conditional 'bedun-e' (without).

تداوم این رویه‌های ناکارآمد به فروپاشی سازمان منجر خواهد شد.

The continuation of these inefficient procedures will lead to the collapse of the organization.

Verb 'monjar shodan' (to lead to/result in).

نقد او بر سیستم قضایی بر جنبه‌های ناکارآمد آن متمرکز بود.

His critique of the judicial system focused on its inefficient aspects.

Verb 'motamarkez budan' (to be focused).

ما با یک پارادوکس در استفاده از تکنولوژی‌های ناکارآمد روبرو هستیم.

We are facing a paradox in the use of inefficient technologies.

Phrase 'ru-be-ru hastim' (we are facing).

ناکارآمدی نهادینه شده مانع اصلی توسعه پایدار است.

Institutionalized inefficiency is the main obstacle to sustainable development.

Adjective 'nahādineh shodeh' (institutionalized).

تحلیلگران بر این باورند که این مدل اقتصادی ذاتا ناکارآمد است.

Analysts believe that this economic model is inherently inefficient.

Adverb 'zātan' (inherently/by nature).

تخصیص ناکارآمد بودجه منجر به اتلاف منابع ملی شد.

Inefficient allocation of the budget led to the waste of national resources.

Noun phrase 'takhsis-e nākārāmad-e budjeh'.

شفافیت می‌تواند به کاهش عملکردهای ناکارآمد کمک کند.

Transparency can help reduce inefficient performances.

Modal 'mitavānad' + infinitive.

این پژوهش به بررسی ریشه‌های تاریخی مدیریت ناکارآمد می‌پردازد.

This research examines the historical roots of inefficient management.

Verb 'be barresi... mipardāzad' (deals with/examines).

چالش‌های ژئوپلیتیک کنونی، معاهدات بین‌المللی قدیمی را ناکارآمد جلوه داده است.

Current geopolitical challenges have made old international treaties appear inefficient.

Structure '...rā nākārāmad jelveh dāde ast' (made ... look inefficient).

فلسفه اگزیستانسیالیسم گاهی منطق خطی را در تبیین رنج بشری ناکارآمد می‌داند.

Existentialist philosophy sometimes considers linear logic inefficient in explaining human suffering.

Usage of 'nākārāmad' in an abstract philosophical context.

تسلط این تفکر ناکارآمد بر فضای آکادمیک، مانع نوآوری شده است.

The dominance of this inefficient thinking in the academic space has hindered innovation.

Subject 'tasallot-e in tafakkor-e nākārāmad'.

سیستم‌های توزیع متمرکز به دلیل لایه‌های بوروکراتیک، ذاتا ناکارآمد هستند.

Centralized distribution systems are inherently inefficient due to bureaucratic layers.

Causal phrase 'be dalil-e'.

تقلیل مسائل پیچیده به راه‌حل‌های ساده، رویکردی ناکارآمد و گمراه‌کننده است.

Reducing complex issues to simple solutions is an inefficient and misleading approach.

Gerund 'taghlil-e masā'el' as subject.

ناکارآمدی ساختاری، هرگونه تلاش برای اصلاحات جزئی را خنثی می‌کند.

Structural inefficiency neutralizes any attempt at minor reforms.

Verb 'khonsā kardan' (to neutralize).

جامعه‌شناسان از بازتولید روابط ناکارآمد در نهاد خانواده سخن می‌گویند.

Sociologists speak of the reproduction of inefficient relationships within the family institution.

Noun 'bāztolid' (reproduction).

این گفتمان سیاسی بر پایه فرضیات ناکارآمد بنا شده است.

This political discourse is built on inefficient assumptions.

Passive 'banā shodeh ast' (is built).

Common Collocations

مدیریت ناکارآمد

سیستم ناکارآمد

بوروکراسی ناکارآمد

روش ناکارآمد

ساختار ناکارآمد

توزیع ناکارآمد

قوانین ناکارآمد

نیروی کار ناکارآمد

ابزار ناکارآمد

سیاست ناکارآمد

Common Phrases

کاملاً ناکارآمد

— Completely inefficient. Used to emphasize total failure.

این طرح کاملاً ناکارآمد است.

نسبتاً ناکارآمد

— Relatively inefficient. Used for moderate criticism.

این روش در این شرایط نسبتاً ناکارآمد است.

ذاتا ناکارآمد

— Inherently inefficient. Suggesting the flaw is in the nature of the thing.

این مدل ذاتا ناکارآمد است.

ناکارآمد جلوه دادن

— To make something look inefficient.

آن‌ها می‌خواهند رقیب را ناکارآمد جلوه دهند.

به دلیل ناکارآمدی

— Due to inefficiency. A common way to state a cause.

پروژه به دلیل ناکارآمدی متوقف شد.

ناکارآمدی سیستماتیک

— Systemic inefficiency. A very formal, academic phrase.

ما با یک ناکارآمدی سیستماتیک روبرو هستیم.

اعتراف به ناکارآمدی

— Admitting to inefficiency.

وزیر به ناکارآمدی برنامه‌هایش اعتراف کرد.

رفع ناکارآمدی

— Eliminating/fixing inefficiency.

هدف ما رفع ناکارآمدی در بخش تولید است.

نشانه‌ای از ناکارآمدی

— A sign of inefficiency.

تأخیرهای زیاد نشانه‌ای از ناکارآمدی است.

میزان ناکارآمدی

— The level/amount of inefficiency.

میزان ناکارآمدی این دستگاه بسیار بالاست.

Often Confused With

ناکارآمد vs بی‌کار (bi-kār)

Bi-kār means 'unemployed' (a person without a job). Nākārāmad means 'inefficient' (a person or system that works poorly).

ناکارآمد vs خراب (kharāb)

Kharāb means 'broken' or 'out of order' physically. Nākārāmad means it works, but it's wasteful or slow.

ناکارآمد vs کم‌کار (kam-kār)

Kam-kār means 'lazy' or 'working little'. Nākārāmad can work a lot but still produce little result.

Idioms & Expressions

"آب در هاون کوبیدن"

— To pound water in a mortar. This is a classic idiom for an 'inefficient' or 'useless' task that yields no result.

تلاش برای راضی کردن او مثل آب در هاون کوبیدن است.

Informal/Poetic

"نرود میخ آهنین در سنگ"

— An iron nail will not go into stone. Used when a method or advice is 'inefficient' because the target is unchangeable.

نصیحت کردن او بی‌فایده است؛ نرود میخ آهنین در سنگ.

Literary

"درِ دیزی باز است، حیایِ گربه کجا رفته؟"

— The pot's lid is open, where has the cat's shame gone? Used when an 'inefficient' system allows for corruption or abuse.

این سیستم نظارتی ناکارآمد است؛ درِ دیزی باز است...

Proverbial

"خشت بر آب زدن"

— To build with bricks on water. Doing something fundamentally inefficient and doomed to fail.

این برنامه‌ریزی بدون بودجه، خشت بر آب زدن است.

Literary

"دسته گل به آب دادن"

— To give a bouquet of flowers to the water. Idiom for making a big, often 'inefficient' or clumsy mistake.

دوباره با این مدیریت ناکارآمد، دسته گل به آب دادند.

Informal

"از این ستون به آن ستون فرج است"

— From this pillar to that pillar there is relief. Used when an 'inefficient' person just moves a problem around instead of solving it.

او فقط کارها را عقب می‌اندازد؛ از این ستون به آن ستون...

Common

"کج‌دار و مریز"

— Hold it tilted but don't spill. Describes an 'inefficient' or precarious way of managing a situation just to get by.

با این بودجه کم، باید کج‌دار و مریز رفتار کنیم.

Common

"هفت شهر عشق را گشتیم، ما هنوز اندر خم یک کوچه‌ایم"

— We traveled the seven cities of love, yet we are still at the turn of one alley. Used for highly 'inefficient' progress despite great effort.

بعد از ده سال تحقیق، هنوز اندر خم یک کوچه‌ایم.

Poetic

"بزک نمیر بهار می‌آد"

— Don't die, little goat, spring is coming. Used to mock 'inefficient' promises that come too late to be useful.

وعده‌های دولت برای اصلاحات مثل بزک نمیر بهار می‌آد است.

Informal/Sarcastic

"دود از کنده بلند می‌شود"

— Smoke rises from the log. Usually positive (old is good), but can be used to contrast with 'nākārāmad' new things.

این سیستم قدیمی بهتر است؛ گاهی از کنده دود بلند می‌شود.

Proverbial

Easily Confused

ناکارآمد vs غیرموثر (ghayr-e mo'asser)

Both imply failure.

Ghayr-e mo'asser means it doesn't achieve the goal at all. Nākārāmad means it might achieve the goal, but it wastes too much to do so.

An ineffective key (ghayr-e mo'asser) won't open the door. An inefficient key (nākārāmad) might take ten minutes to turn.

ناکارآمد vs بی‌کفایت (bi-kefāyat)

Both are used for criticism.

Bi-kefāyat is about personal incompetence. Nākārāmad is about the efficiency of the method or system.

A bi-kefāyat pilot doesn't know how to fly. A nākārāmad flight route takes 5 hours for a 1-hour distance.

Sentence Patterns

[Noun] nākārāmad ast.

این قلم ناکارآمد است.

[Noun]-e nākārāmad rā [Verb].

ماشین ناکارآمد را بفروش.

Be dalil-e [Noun]-e nākārāmad, [Result].

به دلیل مدیریت ناکارآمد، پروژه شکست خورد.

Agarche [Subject] nākārāmad ast, ammā...

اگرچه این سیستم ناکارآمد است، اما ارزان است.

Nākārāmadi-ye [Noun] monjar be [Result] shod.

ناکارآمدی دولت منجر به تورم شد.

[Subject] rā nākārāmad jelveh dādan.

او می‌خواهد ما را ناکارآمد جلوه دهد.

Tafakkor-e nākārāmad-e [Noun] bar [Context] sāyeh afkandeh ast.

تفکر ناکارآمد قدیمی بر دانشگاه سایه افکنده است.

Bāztolid-e sākhtārhā-ye nākārāmad.

بازتولید ساختارهای ناکارآمد مانع پیشرفت است.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Highly frequent in professional, news, and academic contexts.

Common Mistakes

Using 'nākārāmad' for 'unemployed'. → bi-kār
A person without a job is 'bi-kār'. 'Nākārāmad' describes poor performance.
Saying 'nākārāmad sistam'. → sistam-e nākārāmad
Adjectives must follow the noun in Persian.
Using it for a physically broken item. → kharāb
Use 'kharāb' for things that don't turn on or are physically damaged.
Omitting the 'ezafe'. → revesh-e nākārāmad
The 'e' sound is mandatory to link the noun and adjective.
Pluralizing the adjective. → sistam-hā-ye nākārāmad
Adjectives usually don't take plural markers in Persian; the noun does.

Tips

Learn the Root

If you remember that 'kār' means work, you'll always recognize words related to jobs and efficiency.

The Ezafe

Always remember the '-e' sound when putting 'nākārāmad' after a noun. 'Sistam-e nākārāmad'.

Business Persian

This is a must-know word if you plan to work in a Persian-speaking environment.

Sound Smart

Using 'nākārāmad' instead of 'bad' immediately elevates your Persian level to intermediate/advanced.

News Keywords

When you hear 'nākārāmadi' on the news, you know they are criticizing a policy or system.

Comparative Form

Use 'nākārāmad-tar' to compare two systems in an essay.

Be Careful

Avoid calling your friends 'nākārāmad'; it sounds like you're firing them!

The 'Nā' Prefix

Collect other 'nā-' words like 'nā-pāk' (unclean) to see the pattern.

Economic Terms

Pair it with 'takhsis' (allocation) to talk about 'takhsis-e nākārāmad-e budjeh' (inefficient budget allocation).

Broken vs Inefficient

Remember: 'kharāb' is for a broken car; 'nākārāmad' is for a car that burns too much gas.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'No-Car-Mad'. A car that doesn't work (No-Car) makes you 'Mad' because it is 'Inefficient'.

Visual Association

Imagine a giant factory where the chimney is blowing smoke, but no products are coming out of the door. That is 'nākārāmad'.

Word Web

System Waste Slow Old Bureaucracy Inefficient Method Failure

Challenge

Try to find three things in your house that are 'nākārāmad' and say 'In [thing] nākārāmad ast' out loud.

Word Origin

The word is a Persian compound. 'Nā-' is a Middle Persian prefix for negation. 'Kār' comes from Old Persian 'kāra' (people/army/work). 'Āmad' is the past stem of 'āmadan', from Old Persian 'ā-gam'.

Original meaning: Literally 'that from which no work comes'.

Indo-European (Indo-Iranian branch).

Cultural Context

Calling a person 'nākārāmad' directly is very insulting as it questions their basic utility. It's better to call their 'performance' (amalkard) nākārāmad.

English speakers use 'inefficient' mostly in business. In Persian, 'nākārāmad' is used in business, politics, and even when complaining about a slow website.

Frequent term in 'Donya-e-Eqtesad' editorials. Used in debates by Mohammad Khatami regarding institutional reform. A common theme in modern Iranian sociology books.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At the Office

این نرم‌افزار ناکارآمد است.
روش جلسات ما ناکارآمد است.
باید از ابزارهای ناکارآمد دوری کنیم.
گزارش درباره ناکارآمدی بخش فروش.

Politics/News

سیاست‌های ناکارآمد اقتصادی.
ناکارآمدی دولت در مهار تورم.
انتقاد از بوروکراسی ناکارآمد.
اصلاح قوانین ناکارآمد.

Technology

کد قدیمی و ناکارآمد.
الگوریتم ناکارآمد.
سخت‌افزار ناکارآمد.
بهینه‌سازی سیستم‌های ناکارآمد.

Education

شیوه تدریس ناکارآمد.
نظام آموزشی ناکارآمد.
کتاب‌های درسی ناکارآمد.
ارزیابی روش‌های ناکارآمد.

Environment

مصرف ناکارآمد انرژی.
مدیریت ناکارآمد منابع آب.
تکنولوژی‌های ناکارآمد و آلاینده.
کاهش الگوهای ناکارآمد مصرف.

Conversation Starters

"به نظر شما چرا سیستم حمل و نقل عمومی این‌قدر ناکارآمد است؟ (Why do you think the public transport system is so inefficient?)"

"آیا تا به حال با یک بوروکراسی ناکارآمد روبرو شده‌اید؟ (Have you ever faced an inefficient bureaucracy?)"

"چگونه می‌توانیم روش‌های ناکارآمد مطالعه را تغییر دهیم؟ (How can we change inefficient study methods?)"

"فکر می‌کنید کدام بخش از تکنولوژی امروز ناکارآمد است؟ (Which part of today's technology do you think is inefficient?)"

"آیا مدیریت ناکارآمد می‌تواند یک ایده خوب را نابود کند؟ (Can inefficient management destroy a good idea?)"

Journal Prompts

درباره زمانی بنویسید که مجبور بودید با یک سیستم ناکارآمد کار کنید. چه حسی داشتید؟ (Write about a time you had to work with an inefficient system. How did you feel?)

سه روش ناکارآمد در زندگی روزمره خود را پیدا کنید و برای اصلاح آن‌ها نقشه بکشید. (Find three inefficient methods in your daily life and plan to fix them.)

آیا فکر می‌کنید تکنولوژی همیشه کارآمد است یا گاهی ناکارآمد می‌شود؟ (Do you think technology is always efficient or does it sometimes become inefficient?)

تأثیر مدیریت ناکارآمد بر روحیه کارکنان را تحلیل کنید. (Analyze the impact of inefficient management on employee morale.)

اگر شما مسئول اصلاح یک سازمان ناکارآمد بودید، از کجا شروع می‌کردید؟ (If you were responsible for reforming an inefficient organization, where would you start?)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, but it's very formal and quite harsh. It sounds like a professional evaluation. If you want to say someone is lazy or bad at their job in a casual way, use other words like 'tanbal' or 'nābalad'.

The direct opposite is 'kārāmad' (efficient). You can also use 'mo'asser' (effective) or 'bahre-var' (productive).

Rarely. It is a modern, technical word. Classical poetry uses words like 'bi-samar' (fruitless) or 'bi-hāsel' to express similar ideas.

Usually written as 'nakaramad' or 'naakaaraamad'.

It is written as one word in Persian (ناکارآمد), though sometimes a half-space (z-f-j) is used between 'kār' and 'āmad'.

Yes. If a machine uses too much electricity for a small task, it is 'nākārāmad'.

Yes, very common in news, business, and any discussion about the state of the country.

The noun form is 'nākārāmadi' (inefficiency).

Not really. For a movie, you'd say 'bad' or 'za'if' (weak). 'Nākārāmad' is for functional things, not artistic ones.

Not directly, but inefficiency is often discussed alongside corruption in Persian media.