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B1 verb #3,000 most common 4 min read

تحمل کردن

tahamol kardan
Practice it Examples Notes & Tips تحمل کردن in 30 Seconds
Explanation تحمل کردن in your Level:
At the A1 level, you can think of 'تحمل کردن' as 'to put up with' something simple that you don't like. Imagine you are in a room that is too hot or too cold. You can say 'I endure the heat.' At this stage, you only need to know the basic present tense: 'تحمل می‌کنم' (I endure) and the negative 'تحمل نمی‌کنم' (I don't endure). It is a compound verb, which means it has two parts. Don't worry about the complex history of the word yet; just use it for physical feelings like hunger, cold, or noise. For example, 'Noise is bad, but I endure it.'
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At the A2 level, you start using 'تحمل کردن' for daily life situations and people. You might say you are 'enduring' a long work day or a noisy neighbor. You should practice the past tense: 'تحمل کردم' (I endured). You also learn that this verb is used for things that are 'unpleasant' (ناخوشایند). It's a great word to use when you want to express that you are being strong in a difficult situation. You can also start using it with the word 'خیلی' (very/a lot) to say 'I endure a lot.'
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At the B1 level (Intermediate), you should understand the nuance between 'تحمل کردن' and 'صبر کردن'. You are now able to talk about more abstract things like 'pressure' (فشار) or 'behavior' (رفتار). You can use it in the subjunctive mood: 'باید تحمل کنی' (You must endure). You also start to see this word in news headlines or short stories. You understand that 'تحمل' is a noun meaning 'tolerance' or 'endurance,' and you can use it in phrases like 'ظرفیت تحمل' (tolerance capacity). This level is where you begin to use the word to describe your emotional state more accurately.
At the B2 level, you can use 'تحمل کردن' in complex sentences with conjunctions. You understand its role in social and political contexts. You can discuss 'social tolerance' (تحمل اجتماعی) and use the verb to describe how societies handle diversity. You are also familiar with the formal alternative 'متحمل شدن' (to incur/suffer) and know when to use it instead of 'تحمل کردن'. You can express subtle differences, such as the difference between 'tolerating a person' and 'tolerating a situation'. Your vocabulary includes related words like 'بردباری' (forbearance).
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At the C1 level, you use 'تحمل کردن' with a high degree of precision. You can appreciate its use in classical Persian literature and how it relates to the concept of the 'long-suffering lover'. You can use the verb in academic or professional writing to discuss 'stress tolerance' in psychology or 'load-bearing' in engineering (metaphorically or literally). You are comfortable with idiomatic expressions and can use the word to debate philosophical topics like the limits of tolerance in a free society. You understand the rhythmic and stylistic impact of using 'تاب آوردن' versus 'تحمل کردن' in a speech.
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At the C2 level, you have a near-native grasp of the word's etymology, its Arabic roots, and its various morphological derivations in Persian. You can analyze the use of 'تحمل' in the works of Rumi or Hafez, explaining how it functions as a spiritual virtue. You can use the word in the most formal diplomatic or legal contexts, understanding every subtle connotation. You can switch between 'تحمل کردن', 'مدارا کردن', and 'استقامت ورزیدن' to achieve specific rhetorical effects. You understand the socio-linguistic implications of the word in contemporary Iranian discourse regarding resilience and 'resistance economy'.
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Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

تحمل کردن in 30 Seconds

  • Core meaning: To endure, bear, or tolerate.
  • Grammar: Compound verb using 'kardan'.
  • Usage: Physical pain, emotional stress, social tolerance.
  • Nuance: Implies active strength, not just passive waiting.

The Persian verb تحمل کردن (Tahamol kardan) is a cornerstone of emotional and physical expression in the Iranian linguistic landscape. At its core, it signifies the act of bearing a burden, whether that burden is a physical weight, an emotional hardship, or a social nuisance. Derived from the Arabic root H-M-L (ح-م-ل), which literally relates to carrying or transporting, the Persian usage has evolved into a sophisticated compound verb that encompasses endurance, tolerance, and fortitude. In a cultural context where sabr (patience) is highly valued, تحمل کردن represents the active, often difficult process of maintaining that patience under duress.

Physical Endurance
Refers to the body's ability to withstand pain, extreme temperatures, or exhaustion. For example, 'تحمل گرمای شدید' (enduring intense heat).
Emotional Resilience
The capacity to deal with grief, disappointment, or psychological pressure without breaking. 'تحمل دوری' (bearing the distance/separation).
Social Tolerance
Putting up with people or situations that are annoying or contrary to one's beliefs. 'تحمل عقاید مخالف' (tolerating opposing views).

"من دیگر نمی‌توانم این وضعیت را تحمل کنم؛ باید تغییری ایجاد شود."

— Translation: I can no longer endure this situation; a change must be made.

Historically, the concept of تحمل is deeply rooted in Persian literature. Poets like Saadi and Hafez often speak of the lover's need to تحمل کردن the cruelty of the beloved or the hardships of the spiritual path. This gives the word a layer of nobility; it is not just about being a victim, but about having the strength of character to stand firm. In modern Iranian society, it is frequently used in political and economic contexts, describing the people's resilience in the face of sanctions or inflation. The word is versatile, appearing in formal speeches, legal documents, and casual kitchen-table conversations alike.

"تحمل درد بخشی از فرآیند درمان است."

— Enduring pain is part of the healing process.

Using تحمل کردن correctly requires understanding its structure as a compound verb. It consists of the noun tahamol and the light verb kardan. This means that all conjugations happen on the kardan part, while tahamol remains static.

Conjugation Basics

  • Present Continuous: دارم تحمل می‌کنم (I am enduring)
  • Past Simple: تحمل کردم (I endured)
  • Future: تحمل خواهم کرد (I will endure)
  • Subjunctive: باید تحمل کنم (I must endure)

Grammar Tip: Direct Objects

The thing being endured is usually the direct object. You can use the particle را (ra) after the object. For example:
گرما را تحمل می‌کنم (I endure the heat).

In formal contexts, you might see variations like متحمل شدن (motahamal shodan), which is more passive and means 'to incur' or 'to be subjected to' (e.g., incurring losses). However, for daily communication, تحمل کردن is the standard choice. It is also important to note the negative form: تحمل نکردن. Iranians often use this to express that they have reached their limit: "دیگه تحمل ندارم!" (I don't have [the capacity for] endurance anymore!).

You will encounter تحمل کردن in a variety of settings, ranging from the highly emotional to the strictly professional. In Iranian households, parents might tell their children to تحمل a bitter medicine or a long car ride. In the workplace, a manager might discuss the team's ability to تحمل the pressure of a deadline.

In Media

News reports often use it regarding economic sanctions: "مردم فشارهای اقتصادی را تحمل می‌کنند." (People are enduring economic pressures.)

In Movies/Drama

Characters in Iranian cinema often use it during climactic arguments: "چطور توانستی او را تحمل کنی؟" (How were you able to put up with him?)

Medical professionals use it to ask about pain thresholds: "آیا می‌توانید این درد را تحمل کنید؟" (Can you tolerate this pain?). It is also a key term in psychology and self-help literature in Iran, focusing on tahamol-paziri (tolerance/resilience).

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make is confusing تحمل کردن with صبر کردن (sabr kardan - to wait). While both involve patience, sabr is about the passage of time, whereas tahamol is about the weight of the experience. You wait (sabr) for the bus, but you endure (tahamol) the cold while waiting.

  • ❌

    Incorrect: من ترافیک را صبر می‌کنم.

    Reason: You don't 'wait' the traffic; you endure it.

  • ✅

    Correct: من ترافیک را تحمل می‌کنم.

    Usage: I am putting up with the traffic.

Another mistake is using the wrong preposition. Unlike English 'put up with', Persian doesn't always require a preposition before the object; it uses the direct object marker ra. Saying "با درد تحمل می‌کنم" is often a literal translation of "I endure with pain" and sounds unnatural compared to "درد را تحمل می‌کنم".

Persian is rich with synonyms for endurance, each with a specific flavor. Understanding these nuances will make your Persian sound more authentic and precise.

طاقت آوردن (Taqat Avardan)
This implies having the physical or mental strength to not collapse. It's often used in extreme situations. "He couldn't hold out (taqat avardan) any longer."
مدارا کردن (Modara Kardan)
This is closer to 'compromise' or 'getting along with' someone difficult. It implies a social strategy rather than just internal suffering.
تاب آوردن (Tab Avardan)
A more literary and poetic version of endurance. You'll find this in classical poetry and formal literature.
شکیبایی کردن (Shekibayi Kardan)
A very formal and beautiful way to say 'to be patient'. It suggests a calm, dignified endurance.

How Formal Is It?

Difficulty Rating

Grammar to Know

Compound verb formation

Direct object marker 'ra'

Subjunctive mood with 'bayad'

Present perfect for long-term endurance

Negative prefix 'na-'

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Examples by Level

1

من گرمای هوا را تحمل می‌کنم.

I endure the hot weather.

Present tense of a compound verb.

2

او صدای بلند را تحمل نمی‌کند.

He does not tolerate loud noise.

Negative present tense.

3

آیا تو گرسنگی را تحمل می‌کنی؟

Do you endure hunger?

Question form.

4

ما سرما را تحمل کردیم.

We endured the cold.

Past simple tense.

5

این کفش را تحمل کن.

Endure (put up with) this shoe.

Imperative mood.

6

بچه‌ها باید تحمل کنند.

Children must endure.

Subjunctive with 'must'.

7

من ترافیک را تحمل می‌کنم.

I endure the traffic.

Direct object with 'ra'.

8

او درد را تحمل کرد.

He endured the pain.

Past simple.

1

من دیگر نمی‌توانم این بو را تحمل کنم.

I can't tolerate this smell anymore.

Modal verb 'can' + subjunctive.

2

سارا رفتارهای بد او را تحمل کرد.

Sara endured his bad behaviors.

Plural object.

3

ما برای موفقیت باید سختی‌ها را تحمل کنیم.

We must endure hardships for success.

Subjunctive plural.

4

او همیشه مشکلات را با لبخند تحمل می‌کند.

He always endures problems with a smile.

Adverbial phrase 'with a smile'.

5

آیا می‌توانی تنهایی را تحمل کنی؟

Can you endure loneliness?

Question with 'can'.

6

آنها گرسنگی زیادی را تحمل کردند.

They endured a lot of hunger.

Adjective 'lot of' modifying the object.

7

تحمل کردن این وضعیت سخت است.

Enduring this situation is hard.

Infinitive as a subject.

8

او درد دندان را تحمل کرد و به دکتر نرفت.

He endured the toothache and didn't go to the doctor.

Compound sentence.

1

مدیر شرکت فشارهای کاری را به خوبی تحمل می‌کند.

The company manager endures work pressures well.

Adverb 'well' (be khoobi).

2

باید یاد بگیریم نظرات مخالف را تحمل کنیم.

We must learn to tolerate opposing opinions.

Infinitive phrase.

3

او سال‌ها دوری از خانواده را تحمل کرده است.

He has endured years of being away from family.

Present perfect tense.

4

تحمل این همه بی‌عدالتی برای من ممکن نیست.

Enduring all this injustice is not possible for me.

Gerund/Infinitive as subject.

5

اگر تحمل کنی، بالاخره پیروز می‌شوی.

If you endure, you will eventually be victorious.

Conditional sentence.

6

او به خاطر فرزندانش همه چیز را تحمل می‌کرد.

He used to endure everything for the sake of his children.

Past continuous/habitual.

7

آیا این پل می‌تواند وزن زیادی را تحمل کند؟

Can this bridge endure (bear) a lot of weight?

Physical usage of the verb.

8

ما باید در برابر مشکلات صبور باشیم و تحمل کنیم.

We must be patient and endure in the face of problems.

Coordinated verbs.

1

جامعه باید ظرفیت تحمل خود را در برابر تنوع فرهنگی بالا ببرد.

Society must increase its tolerance capacity for cultural diversity.

Noun form 'tahamol' in a compound noun.

2

او به جای اعتراض، ترجیح داد شرایط را تحمل کند.

Instead of protesting, he preferred to endure the conditions.

Complex sentence with 'instead of'.

3

تحمل شکست برای ورزشکاران حرفه‌ای بسیار دشوار است.

Enduring defeat is very difficult for professional athletes.

Subjective infinitive.

4

او چنان صبور بود که حتی توهین‌ها را هم تحمل می‌کرد.

He was so patient that he even endured insults.

Result clause (chonan... ke).

5

دولت باید هزینه‌های ناشی از بحران را تحمل کند.

The government must bear the costs resulting from the crisis.

Formal/Economic context.

6

او قادر نبود تحقیر را بیش از این تحمل کند.

He was not able to endure the humiliation any longer.

Adjective 'qader' (able).

7

تحمل تنهایی در غربت، آزمون سختی برای او بود.

Enduring loneliness in a foreign land was a hard test for him.

Abstract noun phrase.

8

ما باید با یکدیگر مدارا کرده و تفاوت‌ها را تحمل کنیم.

We must compromise with each other and tolerate differences.

Synonym usage (modara).

1

تاب‌آوری روانی به معنای توانایی تحمل تنش‌های شدید زندگی است.

Psychological resilience means the ability to endure intense life stresses.

Academic definition style.

2

نویسنده در این کتاب، رنج‌های بشری را که قهرمان داستان تحمل می‌کند، به تصویر می‌کشد.

In this book, the author depicts the human sufferings that the protagonist endures.

Relative clause.

3

او با متانت تمام، انتقادهای تند و تیز منتقدان را تحمل کرد.

With total poise, he endured the sharp criticisms of the critics.

Formal adverbial phrase.

4

تحمل ابهام یکی از ویژگی‌های کلیدی شخصیت‌های خلاق است.

Tolerance of ambiguity is one of the key traits of creative personalities.

Psychological terminology.

5

اقتصاد کشور لرزان است و نمی‌تواند شوک جدیدی را تحمل کند.

The country's economy is shaky and cannot endure a new shock.

Metaphorical usage.

6

عاشق در ادبیات کلاسیک، جفای معشوق را با کمال میل تحمل می‌کند.

In classical literature, the lover willingly endures the beloved's cruelty.

Literary context.

7

او برای رسیدن به هدفش، محرومیت‌های بسیاری را متحمل شد.

To reach his goal, he incurred (endured) many deprivations.

Use of formal 'motahamal shodan'.

8

ظرفیت تحمل اکوسیستم در برابر آلودگی‌های صنعتی رو به پایان است.

The ecosystem's tolerance capacity against industrial pollution is nearing its end.

Scientific/Environmental context.

1

استقامت و تحمل در برابر شداید، جوهره‌ی اصلی عرفان ایرانی است.

Perseverance and endurance in the face of hardships is the core essence of Iranian mysticism.

Highly formal/Philosophical.

2

او در برابر شکنجه‌های روحی، چنان تحملی از خود نشان داد که همگان را شگفت‌زده کرد.

He showed such endurance against mental torture that he amazed everyone.

Emphatic construction.

3

تحمل ناپذیری برخی شرایط، لزوماً به معنای ضعف نیست، بلکه واکنشی انسانی است.

The intolerability of certain conditions is not necessarily a sign of weakness, but a human reaction.

Noun 'tahamol-napaziri'.

4

سازه باید به گونه‌ای طراحی شود که بارهای دینامیکی را به خوبی تحمل کند.

The structure must be designed in a way that it endures dynamic loads well.

Technical engineering context.

5

در دیالوگ‌های این فیلم، سکوت‌ها بیش از کلمات بار تحمل را به دوش می‌کشند.

In this film's dialogues, the silences carry the burden of endurance more than the words.

Metaphorical/Artistic.

6

تحمل آراء مخالف، سنگ بنای دموکراسی و مدنیت در جوامع مدرن است.

Tolerating opposing views is the cornerstone of democracy and civility in modern societies.

Political philosophy.

7

او با صبوری زایدالوصفی، ناملایمات روزگار را تحمل می‌کرد.

With indescribable patience, he used to endure the vicissitudes of time.

Archaic/High-literary vocabulary.

8

آستانه‌ی تحمل افراد در مواجهه با دردهای مزمن متفاوت است.

The threshold of tolerance for individuals facing chronic pain varies.

Medical/Scientific terminology.

Synonyms

طاقت آوردن تاب آوردن مدارا کردن شکیبایی کردن بردباری کردن ساختن با پذیرفتن دم برنیاوردن

Antonyms

کم آوردن تسلیم شدن اعتراض کردن ناشکیبایی کردن

Common Collocations

تحمل درد
تحمل فشار
تحمل سختی
تحمل گرما
تحمل دوری
تحمل عقاید
ظرفیت تحمل
آستانه تحمل
قدرت تحمل
تحمل شکست

Common Phrases

دیگه تحمل ندارم
باید تحمل کنی
قابل تحمل نیست
با تمام وجود تحمل کرد
چطور تحمل می‌کنی؟
تحملش سخته
خدا بهت تحمل بده
تحمل این وضعیت
تحمل حرف‌های او
بیش از این تحمل نکن

Often Confused With

تحمل کردن vs صبر کردن (to wait)

تحمل کردن vs گذشت کردن (to forgive/pass over)

تحمل کردن vs مدارا کردن (to compromise)

Idioms & Expressions

"دندان روی جگر گذاشتن"
"خون دل خوردن"
"دم نزدن"
"ساختن و سوختن"
"خم به ابرو نیاوردن"
"تاب و توان نداشتن"
"صبر ایوب داشتن"
"کارد به استخوان رسیدن"
"طاقتش طاق شدن"
"لب فروبستن"

Easily Confused

تحمل کردن vs حمل کردن

Tahamol is metaphorical or internal endurance.

تحمل کردن vs تحمیل کردن

Tahamol is receiving the burden; Tahmil is giving it.

Sentence Patterns

Word Family

Related

حمل (Carrying)
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How to Use It

nuance

Tahamol is more about 'bearing' while Modara is about 'managing'.

formality

Neutral to formal.

Common Mistakes
  • Confusing with Sabr (waiting).
  • Using 'ba' instead of 'ra'.
  • Conjugating 'tahamol' instead of 'kardan'.
  • Confusing with 'tahmil kardan' (to impose).
  • Using it for positive things (you only endure negative things).

Tips

Use with 'ra'

Always try to place 'ra' after the thing you are enduring if it is a specific thing.

Learn 'Taqat'

Learn 'Taqat avardan' alongside it for extreme physical endurance.

Expressing Limits

Say 'Dige tahamol nadaram' to sound like a native when frustrated.

Conjugation

Only change the 'kardan' part. Never change 'tahamol'.

Stoicism

Understand that Iranians value 'tahamol' as a sign of maturity.

Formal Contexts

In very formal letters, use 'mutahamal shodan' for costs or losses.

News

Listen for this word in news about the economy or sanctions.

Root H-M-L

Remember 'Hamal' (porter) to remember 'Tahamol' (to carry/endure).

Modara

Use 'Modara' when talking about getting along with a difficult spouse or boss.

Daily Life

Try to label your daily frustrations (traffic, weather) with this verb.

Memorize It

Word Origin

Cultural Context

High tolerance is expected in social etiquette (Ta'arof).

Hafez uses it to describe the lover's path.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Conversation Starters

"چطور این همه ترافیک را تحمل می‌کنی؟"

"آیا فکر می‌کنی تحمل کردن همیشه خوب است؟"

"سخت‌ترین چیزی که تا حالا تحمل کردی چی بوده؟"

"چطور می‌توانیم آستانه تحمل خود را بالا ببریم؟"

"در فرهنگ شما، تحمل کردن نشانه قدرت است یا ضعف؟"

Journal Prompts

درباره زمانی بنویسید که مجبور بودید یک شرایط سخت را تحمل کنید.

آیا تحمل کردن نظرات مخالف در جامعه امروز راحت است؟

تفاوت بین تحمل کردن و تسلیم شدن چیست؟

چگونه تحمل کردن به رشد شخصیت کمک می‌کند؟

نقش تحمل در روابط دوستانه چیست؟

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Sabr is general patience/waiting. Tahamol is specifically bearing a burden or hardship.

Yes, 'tahamol kardan-e kasi' means putting up with someone.

It is neutral. It works in both daily speech and formal writing.

You say 'ghabel-e tahamol nist' (it is not bearable) or 'tahamol-napazir'.

It means 'tolerance threshold'.

Yes, like a bridge bearing weight.

Yes, it is the noun 'endurance/tolerance'.

Kam avardan (to give up/fail to endure).

Usually yes, if the object is specific.

Very frequently, especially regarding the pains of love.

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