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B1 verb #3,000 most common 3 min read

تفسیر کردن

tafsir kardan
At the A1 level, you don't need to use 'tafsir kardan' often. Just know that it means 'to explain' in a very big, important way. If you see it in a book, think of it as a fancy way of saying 'to tell what something means'. You might hear it when people talk about the Quran or very difficult books.
For A2 learners, 'tafsir kardan' is a word you start to recognize in news or school. It's used when someone is not just giving a simple answer, but is talking about the meaning of a story or a picture. You can use 'tozih dadan' for most things, but 'tafsir kardan' is for when you want to sound more serious about a topic.
At B1, you should start using this verb. Use it when you are discussing a movie's meaning, a poem, or why a friend acted a certain way. It shows you understand that some things have 'hidden' meanings. You should be able to conjugate it in past, present, and future tenses comfortably.
B2 learners use 'tafsir kardan' in academic or professional settings. You might 'tafsir' a contract, a set of statistics, or a political event. You should also be familiar with the noun form 'tafsir' (interpretation) and the person who does it, the 'mufassir' (interpreter/commentator).
At C1, you use this verb to discuss hermeneutics and complex philosophical theories. You can distinguish between 'tafsir-e taht-ol-lafzi' (literal interpretation) and 'tafsir-e manavi' (spiritual/semantic interpretation). You use it to critique how others have explained a text.
For C2 mastery, 'tafsir kardan' is a tool for deep intellectual deconstruction. You use it in legal arguments, high-level literary criticism, and theological debates. You understand the historical weight of the word in Persian literature and its nuances compared to 'ta'vil' (esoteric interpretation).
Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

تفسیر کردن in 30 Seconds

  • A formal verb for interpreting deep meanings.
  • Commonly used for literature, laws, and dreams.
  • More analytical than simple explanation (tozih).
  • Essential for academic and professional Persian.

The Persian verb تفسیر کردن (Tafsir kardan) is a sophisticated compound verb that transcends simple explanation. At its core, it refers to the act of uncovering hidden meanings, providing a detailed commentary, or translating complex symbols into understandable language. While a beginner might use 'tozih dadan' (to explain) for simple tasks, a B1 learner uses tafsir kardan when dealing with literature, data, dreams, or legal texts. It implies a level of intellectual rigor and analysis.

Primary Meaning
To provide an exegesis or a deep, analytical explanation of a text or phenomenon.
Academic Context
Used extensively in religious studies (Quranic interpretation) and legal frameworks.
Psychological Context
The act of interpreting dreams (tafsir-e khab) or human behavior.

منتقد ادبی سعی کرد اشعار حافظ را به شیوه‌ای نو تفسیر کند.

— The literary critic tried to interpret Hafez's poems in a new way.

In modern Persian, this word is essential for anyone wishing to participate in intellectual discourse. It suggests that the subject is not immediately obvious and requires a 'mufassir' (interpreter) to bridge the gap between the signifier and the signified. Whether you are looking at a complex graph in a business meeting or discussing the nuances of a film, this verb elevates your register from basic communication to analytical observation.

قاضی باید قوانین را بر اساس عدالت تفسیر کند.

The judge must interpret the laws based on justice.
Etymological Root
Derived from the Arabic root F-S-R, which relates to discovery and clarification.

او سکوت مرا به اشتباه تفسیر کرد.

He misinterpreted my silence (interpreted it wrongly).

Using تفسیر کردن correctly requires understanding its status as a compound verb. It consists of the noun 'tafsir' (interpretation) and the auxiliary verb 'kardan' (to do/make). In formal writing, you might see 'nemoodan' substituted for 'kardan', but for B1 learners, sticking to 'kardan' is most practical.

  • Subject + Object + را + تفسیر کردن: The standard transitive structure.
  • Passive Voice: تفسیر شدن (to be interpreted).
  • Causative: تفسیر کدرن (to make someone interpret - rare).

When you use this verb, you are signaling that you are looking beneath the surface. For example, if you say 'I explained the book,' you might just be summarizing the plot. But if you say 'I interpreted the book,' you are discussing its themes, symbols, and underlying messages.

You will encounter تفسیر کردن in several distinct environments:

  1. The News: Political analysts often 'tafsir' the latest government decisions or international treaties.
  2. Religious Circles: 'Tafsir-e Quran' is a major field of study involving the line-by-line explanation of the holy book.
  3. Art and Literature: At a gallery or a poetry reading, people will 'tafsir' the artist's intent.
  4. Scientific Research: Researchers 'tafsir' data and results in the 'Discussion' section of their papers.

The most common error for learners is using تفسیر کردن when they simply mean 'to tell' or 'to describe'.

  • Incorrect: من راه خانه را تفسیر کردم. (I interpreted the way to the house.)
  • Correct: من راه خانه را توضیح دادم. (I explained the way to the house.)

Another mistake is confusing it with تعبیر کردن (Ta'bir kardan). While similar, 'Ta'bir' is almost exclusively used for dreams or mystical signs, whereas 'Tafsir' is more academic and logical.

To enrich your vocabulary, compare تفسیر کردن with these synonyms:

تحلیل کردن (Tahlil kardan)
To analyze. Focuses on breaking something down into parts.
توضیح دادن (Tozih dadan)
To explain. The most general and common term.
تعبیر کردن (Ta'bir kardan)
To interpret (usually dreams or omens).
شرح دادن (Sharh dadan)
To elaborate or describe in detail.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

""

Informal

""

Difficulty Rating

Grammar to Know

Examples by Level

1

او کتاب را تفسیر می‌کند.

He interprets the book.

Present continuous usage.

2

معلم درس را تفسیر کرد.

The teacher interpreted the lesson.

Simple past tense.

3

آیا می‌توانی این عکس را تفسیر کنی؟

Can you interpret this photo?

Question with 'tavanestan'.

4

من تفسیر کردن را دوست دارم.

I like interpreting.

Infinitive as an object.

5

او حرف مرا بد تفسیر کرد.

He interpreted my words badly.

Adverb 'bad' modifying the verb.

6

ما باید این قانون را تفسیر کنیم.

We must interpret this law.

Modal 'bayad' + subjunctive.

7

تفسیر کردن سخت است.

Interpreting is hard.

Gerundial use.

8

آنها خواب را تفسیر می‌کنند.

They interpret the dream.

Third person plural.

1

او سعی می‌کند نقاشی را تفسیر کند.

He tries to interpret the painting.

Verb 'sa'y kardan' + subjunctive.

2

چرا این جمله را این‌طور تفسیر کردی؟

Why did you interpret this sentence like this?

Interrogative 'chera'.

3

او همیشه رفتار مردم را تفسیر می‌کند.

He always interprets people's behavior.

Use of frequency adverb 'hamisheh'.

4

این خواب چگونه تفسیر می‌شود؟

How is this dream interpreted?

Passive voice.

5

من نمی‌توانم این کد را تفسیر کنم.

I cannot decipher (interpret) this code.

Negative modal.

6

او به زیبایی شعر را تفسیر کرد.

He interpreted the poem beautifully.

Adverbial phrase 'be zibaayi'.

7

تفسیر کردن این متن زمان می‌برد.

Interpreting this text takes time.

Subject phrase.

8

آنها نتایج آزمایش را تفسیر کردند.

They interpreted the test results.

Past tense plural.

1

منتقد ادبی فیلم را به صورت متفاوتی تفسیر کرد.

The literary critic interpreted the film differently.

Compound adverbial phrase.

2

او سکوت او را به عنوان رضایت تفسیر کرد.

He interpreted her silence as consent.

Prepositional phrase 'be onvan-e'.

3

ما باید داده‌های آماری را با دقت تفسیر کنیم.

We must interpret the statistical data carefully.

Adverbial 'ba deghat'.

4

این آیه به روش‌های مختلفی تفسیر شده است.

This verse has been interpreted in various ways.

Present perfect passive.

5

او مهارت خاصی در تفسیر کردن متون قدیمی دارد.

He has a special skill in interpreting ancient texts.

Preposition 'dar' + infinitive.

6

نباید حرف‌های او را اشتباه تفسیر کرد.

One should not misinterpret his words.

Impersonal 'nabayad'.

7

او سعی داشت حرکات دست او را تفسیر کند.

He was trying to interpret her hand gestures.

Past progressive attempt.

8

تفسیر کردن هنر، یک امر شخصی است.

Interpreting art is a personal matter.

Noun clause as subject.

1

اقتصاددانان نوسانات بازار را تفسیر می‌کنند.

Economists interpret market fluctuations.

Specialized vocabulary.

2

او توانست مفاهیم پیچیده را به سادگی تفسیر کند.

He was able to interpret complex concepts simply.

Adverbial 'be sadegi'.

3

این قانون نباید به نفع یک گروه خاص تفسیر شود.

This law should not be interpreted in favor of a specific group.

Passive subjunctive.

4

او مقاله‌ای در مورد نحوه تفسیر کردن رویاها نوشت.

He wrote an article about how to interpret dreams.

Complex noun phrase.

5

مورخان وقایع گذشته را بر اساس شواهد تفسیر می‌کنند.

Historians interpret past events based on evidence.

Prepositional 'bar asas-e'.

6

تفسیر کردن این قرارداد نیاز به تخصص حقوقی دارد.

Interpreting this contract requires legal expertise.

Infinitive subject.

7

او هرگز نتوانست رفتار عجیب برادرش را تفسیر کند.

He could never interpret his brother's strange behavior.

Negative past potential.

8

فیلسوفان جهان را به شیوه‌های گوناگون تفسیر کرده‌اند.

Philosophers have interpreted the world in various ways.

Present perfect plural.

1

هرمنوتیک دانشِ مطالعه‌ی نحوه تفسیر کردن متون است.

Hermeneutics is the science of studying how to interpret texts.

Academic terminology.

2

او رویکرد ساختارگرایانه را برای تفسیر کردن رمان برگزید.

He chose a structuralist approach to interpret the novel.

Literary theory context.

3

تفسیر کردن بیش از حدِ یک اثر هنری ممکن است به آن آسیب بزند.

Over-interpreting a work of art might damage it.

Adverbial 'bish az had'.

4

قاضی دیوان عالی قانون اساسی را تفسیر کرد.

The Supreme Court justice interpreted the constitution.

Formal legal context.

5

او به نقدِ شیوه‌ی تفسیر کردن تاریخ توسط معاصران پرداخت.

He engaged in a critique of the way history is interpreted by contemporaries.

Auxiliary 'pardakhtan' for action.

6

این نظریه بر پایه‌ی تفسیر کردن نشانه‌های زبانی استوار است.

This theory is based on interpreting linguistic signs.

Passive construction 'ostovar ast'.

7

او مدعی است که می‌توان سکوت را به مثابه‌ی اعتراض تفسیر کرد.

He claims that silence can be interpreted as a protest.

Formal 'be masabe-ye'.

8

تفسیر کردن جهان کافی نیست، باید آن را تغییر داد.

Interpreting the world is not enough; one must change it.

Philosophical maxim.

1

او در رساله‌اش به واکاویِ پارادایم‌های تفسیر کردن متون مقدس پرداخت.

In his dissertation, he analyzed the paradigms of interpreting sacred texts.

High-level academic Persian.

2

تفسیر کردنِ پدیدارشناختی مستلزم تعلیقِ پیش‌فرض‌هاست.

Phenomenological interpretation requires the suspension of assumptions.

Technical terminology.

3

او از منظرِ پسااستعماری به تفسیر کردن ادبیات کلاسیک پرداخت.

He interpreted classical literature from a post-colonial perspective.

Theoretical framework.

4

پیچیدگیِ این اثر، هرگونه تلاش برای تفسیر کردنِ قطعی را ناکام می‌گذارد.

The complexity of this work thwarts any attempt at a definitive interpretation.

Sophisticated syntax.

5

او میانِ 'تفسیر کردن' و 'تأویل کردن' تمایزی بنیادین قائل است.

He makes a fundamental distinction between 'interpreting' and 'esoteric interpretation'.

Nuanced semantic distinction.

6

تفسیر کردنِ تاریخ همواره تحت تأثیرِ ایدئولوژی‌های حاکم بوده است.

The interpretation of history has always been influenced by dominant ideologies.

Passive perfect tense.

7

او با ظرافتی بی‌نظیر، استعاره‌های متن را تفسیر کرد.

With unparalleled subtlety, he interpreted the metaphors of the text.

Elevated literary style.

8

ضرورتِ تفسیر کردنِ مجددِ ارزش‌های اخلاقی در عصر مدرن احساس می‌شود.

The necessity of re-interpreting moral values in the modern era is felt.

Abstract noun phrase.

Common Collocations

تفسیر اشتباه
تفسیر به رأی
تفسیر سیاسی
تفسیر ادبی
تفسیر حقوقی
تفسیر مذهبی
قدرت تفسیر
نحوه تفسیر
تفسیر داده‌ها
تفسیر رویا

Common Phrases

به غلط تفسیر کردن

به نفع خود تفسیر کردن

تفسیر تحت‌اللفظی

تفسیر معنوی

تفسیر آزاد

تفسیر دقیق

تفسیر نادرست

تفسیر جامع

تفسیر المیزان (famous book)

تفسیر و تحلیل

Often Confused With

تفسیر کردن vs توضیح دادن

Tozih is simple explanation; Tafsir is deep interpretation.

تفسیر کردن vs ترجمه کردن

Tarjomeh is changing language; Tafsir is explaining meaning.

تفسیر کردن vs تعبیر کردن

Ta'bir is specifically for dreams or symbols.

Idioms & Expressions

""

""

""

Easily Confused

تفسیر کردن vs

تفسیر کردن vs

تفسیر کردن vs

تفسیر کردن vs

تفسیر کردن vs

Sentence Patterns

How to Use It

nuance

Tafsir is logical/intellectual; Ta'bir is mystical/dream-related.

frequency

Very high in academic and formal Persian.

Common Mistakes
  • Using it for simple instructions.
  • Confusing it with 'ta'bir' for dreams in a formal context.
  • Forgetting the 'ra' marker for the object.
  • Mispronouncing 'tafsir' as 'tashkhis'.
  • Using 'nemoodan' in very casual speech.

Tips

Academic Edge

Use this word in university assignments to sound more professional.

Religious Context

Be respectful when using this word in religious discussions.

Compound Verb

Remember that 'tafsir' stays the same; only 'kardan' changes its form.

Art Talk

When at a gallery, ask: 'Shoma in asar ra chetor tafsir mikonid?'

Avoiding Conflict

Use it to clarify: 'Maybe I interpreted your words wrongly' (Shayad harf-e shoma ra eshtebah tafsir kardam).

Book Titles

Many famous Persian books start with the word 'Tafsir'.

Synonym Variety

Mix 'tafsir kardan' with 'tahlil kardan' to avoid repetition.

Confidence

Using this word correctly shows a high level of Persian fluency.

News Keywords

This is a frequent keyword in political analysis segments.

Visualizing

Imagine a detective interpreting clues to remember the word.

Memorize It

Word Origin

Arabic root F-S-R (ف-س-ر)

Cultural Context

Interpreting Hafez is a national pastime in Iran.

Tafsir al-Jalalayn and Tafsir al-Mizan are famous examples.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Conversation Starters

"شما این فیلم را چگونه تفسیر می‌کنید؟"

"آیا می‌توان این رفتار را به عنوان توهین تفسیر کرد؟"

"به نظر شما بهترین روش برای تفسیر شعر حافظ چیست؟"

"چگونه نتایج این تحقیق را تفسیر می‌کنید؟"

"آیا خواب‌هایتان را تفسیر می‌کنید؟"

Journal Prompts

یک اتفاق در زندگی‌تان را که دیگران اشتباه تفسیر کردند، توصیف کنید.

چرا تفسیر کردن هنر برای جامعه مهم است؟

اگر می‌توانستید یک کتاب را تفسیر کنید، کدام را انتخاب می‌کردید؟

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Usually no. Use 'hal kardan' (to solve) or 'tozih dadan' (to explain). Use 'tafsir' only if you are interpreting what the result means for a business or theory.

No, it is used for law, literature, art, and statistics, though it has a strong historical link to the Quran.

There isn't a single word, but 'poushandan' (to cover) or 'mobham gozashtan' (to leave ambiguous) are conceptual opposites.

Yes, it is more formal than 'tozih dadan', but common in daily educated speech.

No, that is 'tarjomeh kardan'. Use 'tafsir' if you are explaining the meaning behind the words.

A person who specializes in interpretation, usually a scholar.

Use 'eshtebah tafsir kardan' or 'tafsir-e nadorost'.

Yes, 'tafsir' is the noun meaning 'interpretation'.

Yes, you can interpret a musical piece's emotion or meaning.

Yes, for interpreting data and results.

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