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تهوع آور

B1 adjective #7,500 most common 11 min read

تهوع آور

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Practice it Examples Notes & Tips تهوع آور in 30 Seconds

Explanation تهوع آور in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't need to use 'tahavvo'-āvar' yet, but it is good to recognize it. Think of it as a very strong way to say 'bad' (bad). If you see a picture of something very dirty or smelly, this is the word a Persian speaker would use. It's a long word, so just focus on the 'tahavvo'' part, which means 'nausea.' If you feel like you want to vomit, that's 'tahavvo'.' The word 'āvar' at the end just means 'bringing.' So, it is a 'vomit-bringing' thing. At this stage, stick to simpler words like 'bad' (bad) or 'kasif' (dirty), but remember that 'tahavvo'-āvar' is the 'super' version of those words for things that are really, really gross.

At the A2 level, you are starting to learn more complex adjectives. 'Tahavvo'-āvar' is a great word to add to your list of 'strong' adjectives. You can use it to describe things that have a very bad smell or taste. For example, 'booy-e tahavvo'-āvar' (nauseating smell). You might hear this word in a doctor's office or in a story about someone who is sick. It's important to notice the 'Ezafe' (the 'e' sound) that connects the noun to this word. Even though it's a long word, it's just one adjective. Try to use it once or twice when you are talking about something very disgusting to show you have a better vocabulary than just using 'bad' all the time.

At the B1 level, you should be able to use 'tahavvo'-āvar' comfortably in both literal and figurative contexts. This means you can use it for physical things (like a messy room or bad food) and for social things (like a lie or a mean person). You should understand that this word is more formal than 'hal-be-ham-zan.' In your writing, use 'tahavvo'-āvar' to express strong disapproval. For example, if you are writing a review of a movie and you hated a violent scene, you can say 'The scene was tahavvo'-āvar.' You should also be able to recognize the word in news reports or simple articles. It's a 'bridge' word that moves you from basic conversation to more expressive, adult Persian.

At the B2 level, you should use 'tahavvo'-āvar' with precision. You know the difference between this word and its synonyms like 'moshma'ez-konandeh' (disgusting) or 'nefrat-angiz' (hateful). You can use intensifiers like 'be-shaddat' (extremely) or 'vāqe'an' (truly) to modify it. You should also be familiar with the noun 'tahavvo'' and the verb 'dāshtan' (to have) to say 'I feel nauseous' (tahavvo' dāram). In discussions about society, politics, or literature, 'tahavvo'-āvar' is a powerful tool to show your moral stance. You can use it to describe hypocrisy, corruption, or injustice. Your ability to use such a visceral word correctly shows a deep understanding of Persian emotional expression.

At the C1 level, you are exploring the nuances of 'tahavvo'-āvar' in literary and philosophical contexts. You might encounter it in the works of modern Persian writers who use it to describe the 'absurdity' or 'nausea' of modern life, similar to existentialist themes. You understand that the word carries a weight of 'existential disgust' in certain contexts. You can use it in high-level academic or journalistic writing to critique complex social phenomena. You are also aware of its etymology (the Arabic root and Persian suffix) and how this structure is mirrored in other words. Your usage is native-like, meaning you know exactly when it's too much and when it's the only word that will suffice to describe a truly revolting situation.

At the C2 level, 'tahavvo'-āvar' is a word you use with complete mastery, often employing it with irony or within complex metaphorical structures. You can appreciate its use in classical-style modern poetry or in dense political theory. You understand how the word's intensity can be modulated through sentence structure and tone. You might use it to describe a 'nauseating' level of detail in a book or the 'sickening' sweetness of a person's fake politeness (ta'arof). At this level, you don't just know the word; you know the entire 'field' of disgust in the Persian language, and you can navigate between 'tahavvo'-āvar,' 'enzejār-āvar,' and 'shani'' (vile) with perfect accuracy based on the subtle requirements of the text or conversation.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

تهوع آور in 30 Seconds

Tahavvo'-āvar means 'nauseating' or 'revolting' in Persian.
It is a compound of 'tahavvo'' (nausea) and 'āvar' (causing).
Used for bad smells, tastes, and morally disgusting behaviors.
It is a formal word, suitable for B1 level and above.

The Persian word تهوع آور (tahavvo'-āvar) is a sophisticated adjective used to describe something that causes a physical or metaphorical sense of nausea. At its core, it is a compound word formed from the Arabic-derived noun تهوع (tahavvo'), meaning 'nausea' or 'vomiting,' and the Persian present stem آور (āvar), from the verb آوردن (āvardan), meaning 'to bring' or 'to cause.' Therefore, the literal translation is 'nausea-bringer.' In everyday Persian, it is used exactly like the English words 'nauseating,' 'sickening,' or 'revolting.' While it can certainly describe a physical sensation—such as the smell of rotting food or the motion of a rocky boat—it is frequently employed in a figurative sense to describe behavior, corruption, or scenes that are morally or aesthetically repulsive.

Medical Context: In a clinical setting, a doctor might ask if a specific medication is 'tahavvo'-āvar' (nauseating) to warn a patient about side effects. It is a formal yet common way to discuss physical discomfort.

این بوی تهوع آور از کجا می‌آید؟ (Where is this nauseating smell coming from?)

Beyond the physical, Iranians use this word to express deep disdain for social or political issues. If someone witnesses an act of extreme cruelty or blatant hypocrisy, they might describe the situation as 'tahavvo'-āvar.' It suggests that the act is so bad it makes them feel physically ill. This usage elevates the disgust from a mere dislike to a visceral reaction. It is a powerful word, often found in literature, news editorials, and serious conversations. Because it is a formal/literary term, using it in casual slang might sound a bit dramatic, where a younger person might instead say 'hal-be-ham-zan' (stomach-turning).

Metaphorical Disgust: Used to describe corruption, lies, or betrayal. For example: 'His lies were nauseating' (دروغ‌های او تهوع‌آور بود).

رفتار او با زیردستانش واقعاً تهوع آور است. (His behavior with his subordinates is truly nauseating.)

In terms of register, 'tahavvo'-āvar' sits comfortably in the middle-to-high range. You will hear it on the news (e.g., describing the state of a landfill) or in a movie review (e.g., describing a particularly violent or gross scene). It is less common in very informal 'street' Persian, but every native speaker knows it and uses it when they want to be taken seriously. It is a 'Level B1' word because while the concept is simple, the word itself requires an understanding of compound adjectives and the ability to distinguish between physical and emotional reactions.

صحنه‌های خشونت‌آمیز فیلم برای من تهوع آور بود. (The violent scenes of the movie were nauseating for me.)

Intensifiers: You can use 'besyār' (very) or 'vāqe'an' (truly) to add weight. 'In booy-e besyār tahavvo'-āvar...' (This very nauseating smell...).

Using تهوع آور in a sentence is grammatically straightforward because it functions as a standard Persian adjective. In Persian, adjectives typically follow the noun they modify, connected by the 'Ezafe' (the short 'e' sound). For example, to say 'a nauseating smell,' you take the noun بو (boo - smell) and add the adjective: بوی تهوع‌آور (boo-ye tahavvo'-āvar). Note that because 'boo' ends in a vowel, we add a 'ye' sound for the Ezafe. If the noun ends in a consonant, like غذا (ghazā - food), it becomes غذای تهوع‌آور (ghazā-ye tahavvo'-āvar).

As a Predicate Adjective: When you want to say 'Something IS nauseating,' you place the word at the end of the sentence before the verb 'to be' (ast/hast). Example: 'این وضعیت تهوع‌آور است' (This situation is nauseating).

طعم این دارو واقعاً تهوع آور است. (The taste of this medicine is truly nauseating.)

You can also use it to describe abstract concepts. In political or social discourse, it often modifies nouns like فساد (fesād - corruption), تبعیض (tab'iz - discrimination), or ریاکاری (riyākāri - hypocrisy). When used this way, it signals a high level of moral indignation. It is not just that the corruption is 'bad'; it is 'tahavvo'-āvar,' meaning it is so extreme that it causes a visceral reaction of disgust. This is a common trope in Iranian journalism when criticizing societal ills.

With Intensifiers: To emphasize just how disgusting something is, use words like 'be-shaddat' (extremely) or 'kāmelan' (completely). 'In yek ettefāq-e kāmelan tahavvo'-āvar bood' (This was a completely nauseating incident).

تبعیض نژادی در هر شکلی تهوع آور است. (Racial discrimination in any form is nauseating.)

In terms of sentence placement, if you are using multiple adjectives, 'tahavvo'-āvar' usually comes after more general adjectives. For example, 'yek booy-e tond o tahavvo'-āvar' (a sharp and nauseating smell). The word 'tahavvo'-āvar' carries so much weight that it often serves as the 'punchline' of a description. It is the final word on how bad something is. If you use it too early in a sentence, you might have nowhere else to go in terms of intensity!

او با لحنی تهوع آور شروع به تعریف از خودش کرد. (He began praising himself in a nauseating tone.)

In the real world, you are likely to encounter تهوع آور in several specific contexts. One of the most common is in the news and media. When reporting on environmental disasters, such as a massive oil spill or the accumulation of waste in a city, journalists will use 'tahavvo'-āvar' to describe the physical state of the environment. It paints a vivid picture for the audience of just how dire the situation is. You might hear a news anchor say: 'The smell in the affected area is tahavvo'-āvar,' immediately conveying a sense of urgency and health risk.

Social Media and Reviews: On platforms like Twitter or in restaurant reviews, users might use this word to express extreme dissatisfaction. A bad experience at a restaurant involving hygiene issues would almost certainly be described as 'tahavvo'-āvar'.

وضعیت بهداشتی آن رستوران واقعاً تهوع آور بود. (The hygienic condition of that restaurant was truly nauseating.)

Another major context is political and social commentary. In Iran, where the language of poetry and metaphor is deeply embedded in public discourse, 'tahavvo'-āvar' is a favorite for critics. It is used to describe the 'bad taste' of a piece of propaganda, the 'nauseating' nature of a betrayal, or the 'sickening' hypocrisy of a public figure. When a celebrity or politician does something that the public finds morally reprehensible, the comments sections will be filled with this word. It acts as a collective groan of disgust.

Literature and Cinema: In novels, especially those with a realist or dark theme, 'tahavvo'-āvar' is used to set the mood. A character might find their surroundings or the society they live in to be 'tahavvo'-āvar'. Think of it as the Persian equivalent of Jean-Paul Sartre's 'Nausea'.

او از این همه ریاکاری در جامعه احساس تهوع آوری داشت. (He had a nauseating feeling from all this hypocrisy in society.)

Lastly, you will hear it in medical or pharmaceutical contexts. If you read the side effects on a box of Persian medicine, 'tahavvo'-āvar' might be listed if the drug causes nausea. In this case, it is purely descriptive and lacks the emotional weight found in social commentary. However, in most everyday situations, if someone uses this word, they are expressing a strong, negative opinion. It is a word that demands attention because of its intensity.

گزارش‌ها از وضعیت زندان بسیار تهوع آور است. (Reports of the prison conditions are very nauseating.)

One of the most common mistakes learners make with تهوع آور is using it too lightly. Because it is a strong word, using it to describe something that is merely 'unpleasant' or 'boring' can sound strange. For instance, if a movie is just a bit slow, calling it 'tahavvo'-āvar' is an exaggeration that might confuse native speakers. It should be reserved for things that are genuinely disgusting or revolting. Another mistake is confusing it with the noun تهوع (nausea). Remember: 'tahavvo'' is the feeling, while 'tahavvo'-āvar' is the thing that CAUSES the feeling.

Confusing with 'Bad': Don't use it as a general synonym for 'bad' (bad). Use 'bad' for a bad grade, but 'tahavvo'-āvar' for a pile of trash.

Incorrect: نمره من تهوع‌آور بود. (My grade was nauseating - Too dramatic). Correct: نمره من بد بود. (My grade was bad.)

A subtle mistake occurs with the suffix '-āvar.' Some learners try to attach it to any noun to mean 'causing X,' but Persian has specific rules for which nouns can take which suffixes. While 'tahavvo'-āvar' is correct, you cannot say 'shadi-āvar' as easily as 'shadi-bakhsh' (joy-giving). Stick to established compound adjectives. Furthermore, ensure you are using the Ezafe correctly. A common error is saying 'tahavvo'-āvar boo' instead of 'booy-e tahavvo'-āvar.' The adjective must follow the noun with the connecting 'e' sound.

Register Mismatch: Using this word in a very casual setting with close friends might seem like you're trying too hard to be formal. In those cases, 'hal-be-ham-zan' is the more natural choice.

ریاکاری‌های او برای من تهوع آور است. (His hypocrisies are nauseating to me - Good usage of formal word for a serious topic.)

Finally, be careful not to confuse 'tahavvo'-āvar' with 'nefrat-angiz' (hateful/abominable). While they are similar, 'tahavvo'-āvar' has a stronger physical connotation (it makes you feel sick), whereas 'nefrat-angiz' is more about the emotion of hatred. If something is so bad it makes your stomach turn, use 'tahavvo'-āvar.' If it just makes you very angry, 'nefrat-angiz' or 'enzejār-āvar' (disgusting/repulsive) might be better. Choosing the right level of disgust is key to sounding like a native speaker.

این هوای آلوده واقعاً تهوع آور شده است. (This polluted air has truly become nauseating.)

When you want to express disgust in Persian, you have a variety of words to choose from, depending on the intensity and the context. تهوع آور is just one tool in your vocabulary. A very common synonym is مشمئزکننده (moshma'ez-konandeh), which also means 'disgusting' or 'revolting.' While 'tahavvo'-āvar' focuses on the feeling of nausea, 'moshma'ez-konandeh' focuses on the general sense of being repulsed. They are often interchangeable, but 'moshma'ez-konandeh' is slightly more formal and frequently used in written criticism.

Tahavvo'-āvar vs. Hal-be-ham-zan: 'Hal-be-ham-zan' is the colloquial version. Use it with friends. Use 'tahavvo'-āvar' in a presentation or a formal letter.

این وضعیت مشمئزکننده است. (This situation is disgusting/revolting.)

Another alternative is انزجارآور (enzejār-āvar). This word comes from 'enzejār,' meaning 'disgust' or 'aversion.' It is very similar in structure to 'tahavvo'-āvar' but sounds even more formal and literary. You might find this in high-level political speeches. If you want to describe something as 'hateful' or 'abominable,' use نفرت‌انگیز (nefrat-angiz). This shifts the focus from physical nausea to the emotion of hate. For example, a war crime would be 'nefrat-angiz,' while the smell of the battlefield would be 'tahavvo'-āvar.'

Literal vs. Figurative Alternatives: Literal: 'Bad-boo' (bad-smelling). Figurative: 'Past' (lowly/vile) or 'Kasif' (dirty/filthy - often used for dirty politics).

جنایات جنگی واقعاً نفرت‌انگیز هستند. (War crimes are truly abominable/hateful.)

Finally, in very informal Persian, people often use the phrase افتضاح (eftezāh), which means 'disastrous' or 'terrible.' While it doesn't mean 'nauseating' specifically, it's a catch-all word for anything that is very bad. If a meal is 'eftezāh,' it means it was terrible. If it was 'tahavvo'-āvar,' it means it was so bad it made you sick. Understanding these nuances helps you express exactly how much you dislike something without sounding repetitive or using the wrong register for the situation.

غذای این سلف‌سرویس افتضاح است. (The food at this cafeteria is terrible/disastrous.)

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"فساد اداری در این منطقه به مرحله‌ای تهوع آور رسیده است."

Neutral

"بوی زباله‌ها در این کوچه تهوع آور است."

Informal

"واای، این بو چقدر تهوع آوره!"

Child friendly

"این جوراب‌ها بوی خیلی بدی دارند، انگار تهوع آورند!"

Slang

"خیلی تهوع آوره که هنوز داره خالی می‌بنده."

Fun Fact

The suffix '-āvar' is incredibly productive in Persian. It can be attached to almost any noun representing an emotion or physical state to create an adjective meaning 'inducing that state.'

Pronunciation Guide

UK /tæhævvoʔ ɒːvɒːr/

US /təhævvoʊ ɑːvɑːr/

The primary stress is on the final syllable '-var', with a secondary stress on the second syllable '-hav-'.

Rhymes With

گریه‌آور (gerye-āvar) خنده‌آور (khande-āvar) دردآور (dard-āvar) شادی‌آور (shādi-āvar) حیرت‌آور (heyrat-āvar) شگفت‌آور (shegeft-āvar) ملال‌آور (malāl-āvar) رقت‌آور (reqqat-āvar)

Common Errors

Pronouncing it as 'tahavo-avar' without the double 'v'.
Missing the glottal stop (hamza) after 'tahavvo'.
Making the 'h' too harsh like a German 'ch'.
Shortening the long 'ā' sounds.
Confusing the 'v' with a 'w' sound.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

The word is long but the components are common in B1 texts.

Writing 4/5

Requires correct spelling of the 'hamza' and compound structure.

Speaking 4/5

The double 'v' and 'ā' sounds require practice for fluency.

Listening 3/5

Distinctive sound makes it easy to spot once learned.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

بو (smell) غذا (food) بد (bad) آوردن (to bring) احساس (feeling)

Learn Next

مشمئزکننده (disgusting) نفرت‌انگیز (hateful) انزجار (aversion) مسمومیت (poisoning) بهداشت (hygiene)

Advanced

اگزیستانسیالیسم (Existentialism) ریاکاری (Hypocrisy) تعفن (Stench) قساوت (Atrocity) شنیع (Vile)

Grammar to Know

Ezafe Construction

بویِ تهوع‌آور (The 'e' sound connecting noun and adjective).

Compound Adjectives with -āvar

غم‌آور (sadness-bringing), نشاط‌آور (joy-bringing).

Present Stem Usage

آور is the present stem of آوردن used in compounds.

Adjective Placement

Adjectives follow the noun in Persian.

Intensifier Placement

Intensifiers like 'besyār' come before the adjective: بسیار تهوع‌آور.

Examples by Level

این غذا بوی تهوع آور دارد.

This food has a nauseating smell.

Uses 'dārad' (has) with the noun phrase.

آیا این دارو تهوع آور است؟

Is this medicine nauseating?

Simple question with 'ast' (is).

آن سطل زباله تهوع آور است.

That trash can is nauseating.

Subject + Adjective + Verb.

من از بوی تهوع آور بدم می‌آید.

I dislike nauseating smells.

Uses 'az ... bad-am mi-āyad' (I dislike).

این میوه تهوع آور شده است.

This fruit has become nauseating.

Uses 'shodeh ast' (has become).

او یک فیلم تهوع آور دید.

He saw a nauseating movie.

Adjective follows the noun 'film' with Ezafe.

بوی ماهی مانده تهوع آور است.

The smell of old fish is nauseating.

Compound subject with multiple Ezafes.

این اتاق بوی تهوع آوری می‌دهد.

This room gives off a nauseating smell.

Uses 'boo dādan' (to smell/give off a smell).

من نمی‌توانم این بوی تهوع آور را تحمل کنم.

I cannot tolerate this nauseating smell.

Uses 'tahammol kardan' (to tolerate).

او به خاطر غذای تهوع آور مریض شد.

He got sick because of the nauseating food.

Uses 'be khāter-e' (because of).

این جوراب‌ها بوی تهوع آوری دارند.

These socks have a nauseating smell.

Plural subject 'joorāb-hā'.

صحنه تصادف خیلی تهوع آور بود.

The accident scene was very nauseating.

Uses 'kheyli' (very) as an intensifier.

چرا این شیر بوی تهوع آور می‌دهد؟

Why does this milk smell nauseating?

Question with 'cherā' (why).

او از رفتارهای تهوع آور دیگران خسته است.

He is tired of others' nauseating behaviors.

Plural noun 'raftār-hā'.

این منطقه به دلیل زباله‌ها تهوع آور شده.

This area has become nauseating due to the trash.

Uses 'be dalil-e' (due to).

من هرگز چنین بوی تهوع آوری نشنیده بودم.

I had never smelled such a nauseating smell.

Uses 'shenidan' (to hear) which is colloquially used for 'to smell'.

فساد مالی در این شرکت واقعاً تهوع آور است.

Financial corruption in this company is truly nauseating.

Figurative use with 'fesād' (corruption).

دروغ‌های او درباره زندگی‌اش تهوع آور بود.

His lies about his life were nauseating.

Plural subject 'dorugh-hā'.

من از این همه ریاکاری در سیاست احساس تهوع آوری دارم.

I have a nauseating feeling from all this hypocrisy in politics.

Uses 'ehsās' (feeling).

تبعیض علیه اقلیت‌ها یک عمل تهوع آور است.

Discrimination against minorities is a nauseating act.

Noun 'amal' (act) modified by adjective.

او با لحنی تهوع آور از ثروتش تعریف می‌کرد.

He was praising his wealth in a nauseating tone.

Uses 'lahn' (tone).

دیدن آن همه خون در فیلم برایم تهوع آور بود.

Seeing all that blood in the movie was nauseating for me.

Gerund phrase 'did-an-e...' as subject.

رفتار او با حیوانات واقعاً تهوع آور است.

His behavior with animals is truly nauseating.

Focus on moral disgust.

این بوی شیمیایی تهوع آور باعث سردرد من شد.

This nauseating chemical smell caused my headache.

Subject 'boo' causes 'sardard' (headache).

خیانت او به بهترین دوستش، داستانی تهوع آور است.

His betrayal of his best friend is a nauseating story.

Abstract noun 'dāstān' (story).

چاپلوسی‌های بی حد و مرز او واقعاً تهوع آور شده است.

His limitless flattery has truly become nauseating.

Uses 'chāploosi' (flattery).

وضعیت بهداشتی محله‌های فقیرنشین تهوع آور و نگران‌کننده است.

The hygienic condition of poor neighborhoods is nauseating and worrying.

Two adjectives joined by 'o' (and).

او از تماشای صحنه‌های شکنجه در مستند احساس تهوع آوری داشت.

He had a nauseating feeling from watching the torture scenes in the documentary.

Compound sentence with 'tamāshā' (watching).

این سطح از بی‌عدالتی در جامعه برای هر کسی تهوع آور است.

This level of injustice in society is nauseating for anyone.

Uses 'bi-edālati' (injustice).

او با وقاحت تمام، دروغ‌های تهوع آوری می‌گفت.

With total audacity, he was telling nauseating lies.

Uses 'veqāhat' (audacity/shamelessness).

بوی تعفن از فاضلاب شهر واقعاً تهوع آور بود.

The stench from the city's sewage was truly nauseating.

Uses 'ta'affon' (stench).

تبلیغات سیاسی این حزب به شکلی تهوع آور اغراق‌آمیز است.

This party's political propaganda is nauseatingly exaggerated.

Adverbial usage 'be shekli tahavvo'-āvar'.

نویسنده با جزئیاتی تهوع آور، صحنه قتل را توصیف کرده است.

The author has described the murder scene with nauseating details.

Literary context.

ریاکاری نهادینه شده در این سازمان، فضایی تهوع آور ایجاد کرده است.

The institutionalized hypocrisy in this organization has created a nauseating atmosphere.

Complex abstract subject.

او از پوچی و بیهودگی زندگی روزمره، حسی تهوع آور داشت.

He had a nauseating sense from the absurdity and futility of everyday life.

Existentialist usage.

گزارش‌های مستند از قساوت‌های جنگ، واقعاً تهوع آور و تکان‌دهنده بودند.

Documentary reports of war atrocities were truly nauseating and shocking.

Uses 'qasāvat' (cruelty/atrocity).

این حجم از خودپسندی در کلام او، برای مخاطب تهوع آور است.

This amount of narcissism in his speech is nauseating for the audience.

Uses 'khodpasandi' (narcissism/self-conceit).

او با لبخندی تهوع آور، سعی در فریب دادن مردم داشت.

With a nauseating smile, he was trying to deceive the people.

Metaphorical use of a physical trait.

فضای مسموم و تهوع آور رقابت‌های انتخاباتی، بسیاری را ناامید کرد.

The toxic and nauseating atmosphere of the election campaigns disappointed many.

Uses 'masmoom' (toxic).

بوی لجن‌زار در آن گرمای طاقت‌فرسا، به شدت تهوع آور بود.

The smell of the swamp in that unbearable heat was extremely nauseating.

Descriptive literary style.

در پس آن چهره بزک‌شده، حقیقتی تهوع آور نهفته بود.

Behind that made-up face lay a nauseating truth.

Highly metaphorical and literary.

او در لجن‌زارِ فسادی که خود ساخته بود، غرق در حسی تهوع آور بود.

In the swamp of corruption he had built himself, he was drowned in a nauseating sensation.

Complex metaphor.

این نمایشِ مضحک و تهوع آورِ قدرت، تنها نشان از ضعف داشت.

This ridiculous and nauseating display of power only signaled weakness.

Political critique.

نویسنده اگزیستانسیالیست، جهان را پدیده‌ای تهوع آور توصیف می‌کند.

The existentialist writer describes the world as a nauseating phenomenon.

Philosophical context.

تضاد طبقاتی در این شهر به شکلی تهوع آور خودنمایی می‌کند.

The class contrast in this city manifests itself in a nauseating way.

Sociological analysis.

او با وقاحتی تهوع آور، جنایات خود را توجیه می‌کرد.

With a nauseating audacity, he justified his crimes.

Advanced vocabulary 'toji' (justification).

آن سکوتِ سنگین و تهوع آور، خبر از فاجعه‌ای قریب‌الوقوع می‌داد.

That heavy and nauseating silence heralded an imminent disaster.

Atmospheric description.

رایحه تند و تهوع آورِ عطرهای ارزان‌قیمت، فضای اتاق را پر کرده بود.

The sharp and nauseating scent of cheap perfumes had filled the room.

Sensory detail in literature.

Common Collocations

بوی تهوع آور

طعم تهوع آور

رفتار تهوع آور

فساد تهوع آور

صحنه تهوع آور

دروغ تهوع آور

وضعیت تهوع آور

احساس تهوع آور

ریاکاری تهوع آور

تبعیض تهوع آور

Common Phrases

واقعاً تهوع آوره!

— It's truly nauseating! Used as an exclamation of disgust.

وقتی آشغال‌ها را دید گفت: واقعاً تهوع آوره!

به شکلی تهوع آور

— In a nauseating way. Used to describe how an action is performed.

او به شکلی تهوع آور چاپلوسی می‌کرد.

تا حد تهوع آور بودن

— To a nauseating degree.

غذا تا حد تهوع آور بودن شور بود.

حس تهوع آور

— A nauseating feeling.

یک حس تهوع آور به من دست داد.

چیز تهوع آوری نیست

— It's not a nauseating thing (often used as an understatement).

این فقط یک بوی ساده است، چیز تهوع آوری نیست.

خیلی تهوع آوره که...

— It's very nauseating that... (introducing a clause).

خیلی تهوع آوره که او هنوز دروغ می‌گوید.

یک تجربه تهوع آور

— A nauseating experience.

سفر با آن کشتی یک تجربه تهوع آور بود.

بوی تهوع آورِ مرگ

— The nauseating smell of death (literary/dramatic).

در میدان جنگ بوی تهوع آور مرگ می‌آمد.

لحن تهوع آور

— A nauseating tone (usually of voice).

او با لحنی تهوع آور صحبت می‌کرد.

یک صحنه تهوع آورِ دیگر

— Another nauseating scene.

در اخبار یک صحنه تهوع آور دیگر نشان دادند.

Often Confused With

تهوع آور vs تهوع

This is the noun (nausea). 'Tahavvo'-āvar' is the adjective (nauseating).

تهوع آور vs استفراغ

This means the actual act of vomiting, not the feeling of nausea.

تهوع آور vs بد

Too weak. Use 'tahavvo'-āvar' for extreme disgust.

Idioms & Expressions

"دل کسی را آشوب کردن"

— To make someone's stomach turn; to cause nausea.

این حرف‌ها دل آدم را آشوب می‌کند.

Informal

"حالم را به هم زد"

— It made me sick; it nauseated me.

رفتار او حالم را به هم زد.

Common

"بالا آوردن از چیزی"

— To want to vomit from something (figurative disgust).

از این همه دروغ دارم بالا می‌آورم.

Slang

"گلاب به رویتان"

— An apology used before mentioning something nauseating or gross.

گلاب به رویتان، بوی فاضلاب می‌آمد.

Polite/Traditional

"مثل سم می‌ماند"

— It’s like poison (referring to something very bad/nauseating).

این غذا مثل سم می‌ماند.

Informal

"رنگ و روی کسی پریدن"

— To turn pale (often from seeing something nauseating).

با دیدن آن صحنه تهوع آور، رنگ و رویش پرید.

Neutral

"معده‌اش تاب نیاورد"

— His stomach couldn't take it (referring to something nauseating).

معده‌اش به خاطر بوی تهوع آور تاب نیاورد.

Neutral

"چشم آدم را زدن"

— To be visually offensive/revolting.

این همه کثیفی چشم آدم را می‌زند.

Informal

"دل و روده کسی به هم پیچیدن"

— To have one's guts twist (from nausea/disgust).

از دیدن آن فیلم دل و روده‌ام به هم پیچید.

Informal

"دماغ کسی را سوزاندن"

— To burn someone's nose (referring to a very sharp, nauseating smell).

بوی تهوع آور اسید دماغ آدم را می‌سوزاند.

Informal

Easily Confused

تهوع آور vs نفرت‌انگیز

Both mean 'disgusting' in a way.

Nefrat-angiz is about 'hate' (nefrat), while tahavvo'-āvar is about 'nausea' (tahavvo').

جنگ نفرت‌انگیز است، اما بوی جسد تهوع آور است.

تهوع آور vs انزجارآور

Both end in -āvar and mean revolting.

Enzejār-āvar is more about psychological aversion/disgust, tahavvo'-āvar is more visceral.

خیانت او انزجارآور بود.

تهوع آور vs مشمئزکننده

Very close synonyms.

Moshma'ez-konandeh is slightly more formal and covers a wider range of 'gross' things.

این حشره مشمئزکننده است.

تهوع آور vs زننده

Both describe something unpleasant.

Zanandeh is 'offensive' or 'sharp' (like a loud color), not necessarily sickening.

او رنگ زننده‌ای برای لباسش انتخاب کرد.

تهوع آور vs رکیک

Both describe something 'bad'.

Rakik is only for language/words (foul language).

او حرف‌های رکیکی زد.

Sentence Patterns

[Noun] [Adjective] ast.

این غذا تهوع آور است.

[Noun]-e [Adjective] dāram.

من یک جوراب تهوع آور دارم.

Az [Noun]-e [Adjective] متنفرم.

از این بوی تهوع آور متنفرم.

In [Abstract Noun] vāqe'an [Adjective] ast.

این فساد واقعاً تهوع آور است.

Be shekli [Adjective] [Verb].

او به شکلی تهوع آور دروغ می‌گفت.

Dar pas-e [Noun], [Abstract Noun]-e [Adjective] nahofteh ast.

در پس این ظاهر، حقیقتی تهوع آور نهفته است.

Any

Che [Noun]-e [Adjective]-i!

چه بوی تهوع آوری!

Any

[Noun] hālā [Adjective] shodeh.

هوا حالا تهوع آور شده.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Common in news, medical contexts, and serious social discussions.

Common Mistakes

Saying 'Man tahavvo'-āvar hastam'. → Saying 'Man tahavvo' dāram'.
The first one means 'I am nauseating' (I make others sick). The second means 'I feel nauseous'.
Using it for a boring book. → Using 'khasteh-konandeh'.
Tahavvo'-āvar is for disgust, not boredom. It's too extreme for a boring book.
Spelling it as تهو آور (missing the 'v'). → تهوع آور.
The 'v' (vāv) and the 'ayn' at the end of tahavvo' are essential for the word's identity.
Forgetting the Ezafe in 'booy-e tahavvo'-āvar'. → Always use the 'e' sound between the noun and adjective.
Adjectives in Persian require a connector to the noun they modify.
Using it to describe a sad movie. → Using 'gham-angiz' or 'gerye-āvar'.
Tahavvo'-āvar is for revulsion, not sadness. Don't confuse physical sickness with emotional sorrow.

Tips

Formal Writing

In essays, use this word to describe social ills like 'fesād' (corruption) to sound more professional.

The Double V

Make sure to linger on the 'v' sound. It's 'tahav-vo', not 'tahavo'. This is a common mistake for English speakers.

Suffix Power

Learn the '-āvar' suffix. Once you know it, you can understand many other Persian adjectives easily.

Politeness

If someone offers you food you don't like, NEVER use this word. It is far too strong and offensive in that context.

At the Doctor

If a medicine makes you sick, tell the doctor: 'In dāru tahavvo'-āvar ast.' They will understand perfectly.

News Watching

Watch for this word in news reports about pollution. It's a key vocabulary item for environmental topics.

Ezafe Linking

Always check if the noun before it needs a 'ye' or just an 'e' sound for the Ezafe. (e.g., ghazā-ye vs. booy-e).

Switching Registers

Practice saying 'hal-be-ham-zan' for friends and 'tahavvo'-āvar' for teachers or bosses.

Expressing Disgust

Use this word when you want to show that something is so bad it affects you physically. It's very expressive!

Vomit Sound

Associate the 'vvo' in the middle of the word with the sound of someone gagging. It's a perfect match!

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Tahavvo'' as 'The-Heavy-Vomit.' It's the 'heavy' feeling in your stomach that 'brings' (āvar) you to the bathroom.

Visual Association

Imagine a green cloud (the 'āvar' or bringer) coming out of a trash can and hitting someone's stomach (the 'tahavvo').

Word Web

Nausea Vomit Smell Disgust Corruption Hypocrisy Sick Revolting

Challenge

Try to find three things today that you can describe as 'tahavvo'-āvar'—one smell, one news story, and one messy place.

Word Origin

A compound of Arabic 'tahavvo' (تهوع) and Persian 'āvar' (آور). The Arabic root is H-W-` (هوع), which relates to the act of vomiting or feeling sick. The Persian suffix '-āvar' comes from the Middle Persian 'āvar-,' the present stem of 'āvardan' (to bring).

Original meaning: Literally 'that which brings nausea.'

Indo-European (Persian) and Afro-Asiatic (Arabic).

Cultural Context

This is a strong word. Avoid using it in polite company unless the situation truly warrants it (e.g., a medical discussion or a clear case of gross injustice).

Equivalent to 'nauseating' or 'sickening'. In English, we use 'nauseous' to mean both 'causing nausea' and 'feeling nausea', but in Persian, 'tahavvo'-āvar' is strictly for 'causing' it.

Jean-Paul Sartre's 'Nausea' (translated as 'Tahavvo' in Persian). Modern Persian protest songs often use this word to describe social conditions. Medical brochures from the Iranian Ministry of Health.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Medical / Health

عوارض تهوع آور
حالت تهوع داشتن
داروی ضد تهوع
مایع تهوع آور

Environment / Hygiene

بوی تهوع آور فاضلاب
زباله‌های تهوع آور
هوای تهوع آور
آلودگی تهوع آور

Social Criticism

دروغ‌های تهوع آور
تبعیض تهوع آور
فساد تهوع آور
ریاکاری تهوع آور

Media / Reviews

فیلم تهوع آور
صحنه تهوع آور
داستان تهوع آور
گزارش تهوع آور

Daily Life Disgust

غذای تهوع آور
جوراب تهوع آور
اتاق تهوع آور
طعم تهوع آور

Conversation Starters

"آیا تا به حال بوی تهوع آوری در این شهر حس کرده‌اید؟"

"به نظر شما کدام رفتار اجتماعی واقعاً تهوع آور است؟"

"آیا این دارو برای شما تهوع آور بوده است؟"

"چرا بعضی از فیلم‌ها صحنه‌های تهوع آور زیادی دارند؟"

"چطور می‌توان با فساد تهوع آور در یک شرکت مبارزه کرد؟"

Journal Prompts

درباره زمانی بنویسید که با یک بوی تهوع آور مواجه شدید و چه واکنشی داشتید.

یک موقعیت اجتماعی یا سیاسی را توصیف کنید که به نظر شما تهوع آور است.

آیا هنر (فیلم یا نقاشی) باید اجازه داشته باشد صحنه‌های تهوع آور نشان دهد؟ چرا؟

تفاوت بین 'بد' بودن و 'تهوع آور' بودن یک چیز از نظر شما چیست؟

درباره یک تجربه سفر بنویسید که در آن شرایط تهوع آوری را تحمل کردید.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, but it's very insulting. It means the person's behavior or personality is so revolting it makes you feel sick. Use it with caution.

Yes, if the movie is extremely gross, violent, or morally offensive. If it's just boring, use 'khasteh-konandeh' instead.

Tahavvo' is the feeling (nausea). Tahavvo'-āvar is the cause (nauseating). For example: 'This food is tahavvo'-āvar, so I have tahavvo'.'

Only if you are making a serious complaint to the manager. Saying it loudly might be seen as very rude to other diners.

You say 'Hālat-e tahavvo' dāram' or simply 'Tahavvo' dāram'.

Yes! It's very common. Examples include 'dard-āvar' (painful), 'shādi-āvar' (joyful), and 'heyrat-āvar' (astonishing).

In daily speech, Iranians usually say 'hal-be-ham-zan' instead of 'tahavvo'-āvar'.

Yes, that is its most common literal use. 'Booy-e tahavvo'-āvar' is a very standard phrase.

It is a hybrid. 'Tahavvo'' is Arabic, and '-āvar' is Persian. This is very common in the Persian language.

Yes, you can say 'tahavvo'-āvar-tarin' (the most nauseating).