ذوب کردن
ذوب کردن in 30 Seconds
- Zob kardan means 'to melt' (transitive).
- It requires an object (e.g., melting ice, melting gold).
- Used in cooking, science, industry, and metaphors.
- Contrasts with 'zob shodan' (to melt - intransitive).
The Persian verb ذوب کردن (zob kardan) is a compound verb that primarily means 'to melt' in a transitive sense. This means it describes the action of an external agent—be it heat, a person, or a chemical process—causing a solid substance to turn into a liquid state. Derived from the Arabic root 'dh-w-b' (ذوب) combined with the Persian auxiliary verb 'kardan' (to do/make), it carries a sense of active transformation. In everyday life, you might use it when cooking, discussing the environment, or even in romantic or emotional contexts. Understanding this word is crucial for B1 learners because it bridges the gap between basic physical descriptions and more complex scientific or metaphorical expressions.
- Scientific Context
- In physics and chemistry, ذوب کردن refers to the process of reaching a substance's melting point through the application of thermal energy. It is used when discussing metallurgy, such as melting iron in a furnace, or laboratory experiments involving wax or lead.
آشپز برای تهیه سس، ابتدا کره را در ماهیتابه ذوب کرد.
The chef first melted the butter in the pan to prepare the sauce.
Beyond the physical, the word is frequently employed in literature and daily speech to describe the softening of one's heart or the breaking down of emotional barriers. When a person's anger disappears because of a kind gesture, we say that gesture 'melted' their heart. This metaphorical usage is very common in Persian poetry and modern Iranian cinema. It suggests a complete change of state, from cold and hard to warm and fluid.
- Industrial Usage
- In the context of the steel industry (صنایع فولاد), this verb is foundational. Factories 'melt' scrap metal to create new products. The term 'Zob-e Ahan' (ذوب آهن) refers to iron smelting works, a major industrial sector in Iran, particularly in Isfahan.
گرما بالاخره توانست یخهای ضخیم قطبی را ذوب کند.
The heat was finally able to melt the thick polar ice.
In the kitchen, you will see this word in recipes. Whether it is melting chocolate for a cake or melting cheese on a pizza, zob kardan is the go-to verb. It implies a deliberate action. If you leave ice cream out and it turns to liquid, that is zob shodan, but if you put it in a bowl over a flame, you are zob kardan it. This distinction is vital for accuracy in Persian grammar.
- Metaphorical Warmth
- In Persian literature, a lover's gaze or a kind word is said to melt the 'ice of estrangement' (یخ بیگانگی). This uses the verb to describe the restoration of intimacy and friendship.
لبخند مهربان او، کوه یخی غرور مرا ذوب کرد.
Her kind smile melted the iceberg of my pride.
Finally, consider the environmental impact. Discussions about climate change (تغییر اقلیم) frequently use this verb. Scientists warn that human activities are melting the glaciers (یخچالهای طبیعی). Here, the verb takes on a serious, global significance, moving from the kitchen to the international stage of environmental activism.
Using ذوب کردن correctly requires an understanding of Persian sentence structure, particularly the placement of the direct object. Since this is a transitive verb, the object being melted usually takes the 'ra' (را) marker if it is definite. The verb itself is a compound, meaning the 'kardan' part will be conjugated according to the tense and the subject, while 'zob' remains unchanged as the nominal part of the verb. This section explores the grammatical nuances through various tenses and contexts.
- Present Continuous
- When describing an action currently in progress, use the present continuous form: دارم/داری/دارد ... ذوب میکنم/میکنی/میکند.
خورشید دارد به آرامی برفهای روی سقف را ذوب میکند.
The sun is slowly melting the snow on the roof.
In the simple past tense, the verb indicates a completed action. This is common in narrating events or giving reports. For example, 'I melted the silver' would be 'Man noghre ra zob kardam'. Notice how the object 'noghre' (silver) is followed by 'ra' because it is a specific object of the action. This structure is the backbone of transitive communication in Persian.
- Imperative Form
- To give a command, use the prefix 'be-' with the root of 'kardan', resulting in ذوب کن (zob kon) for singular or ذوب کنید (zob konid) for plural/formal.
لطفاً شکلات را در مایکروویو ذوب کن.
Please melt the chocolate in the microwave.
For future actions, the auxiliary 'khâhad' (خواهد) is used. 'The factory will melt the iron' translates to 'Kârkhâne âhan râ zob khâhad kard'. This is common in news reports or industrial planning. The future tense adds a layer of certainty and planning to the action of melting, which is often a heavy industrial process requiring significant energy.
- Subjunctive Mood
- Used after verbs of wanting or necessity. For example, 'I want to melt the wax' is 'Mikhâham mum râ zob konam'.
باید یخ را ذوب کنیم تا بتوانیم وارد اتاق شویم.
We must melt the ice so we can enter the room.
In summary, zob kardan is versatile. Whether you are narrating a past event, describing a current scientific process, or issuing a culinary instruction, the conjugation follows the standard rules for Persian compound verbs with 'kardan'. The key is to keep the object of the 'melting' clear and to ensure the 'kardan' reflects the correct person and tense.
In the real world, ذوب کردن is not just a vocabulary word; it is part of the soundscape of Iranian life. From the clatter of a kitchen to the hum of a television news broadcast, this verb appears in specific, high-frequency contexts. Understanding these environments will help you recognize the word instantly when you hear it spoken by native Persians.
- News and Media
- You will frequently hear this on the news (اخبار) when reporters discuss global warming (گرمایش جهانی). Phrases like 'melting of polar ice' (ذوب کردن/شدن یخهای قطبی) are staples of environmental reporting.
گزارشها نشان میدهند که فعالیتهای انسانی در حال ذوب کردن تودههای یخی هستند.
Reports show that human activities are melting ice masses.
In Isfahan, one of Iran's major industrial hubs, the word 'Zob' is synonymous with the massive steel mill 'Zob-e Ahan'. If you are traveling through central Iran or talking to someone about the economy, you will hear about 'zob-e felezzât' (melting of metals). This industry is a source of national pride and a major employer, making the terminology common in economic discourse.
- Cooking Shows
- On popular Iranian cooking channels or YouTube, the host will often say, 'Hâlâ nubat-e zob kardan-e chocolate ast' (Now it's time to melt the chocolate).
برای این دسر، باید کره را با حرارت غیرمستقیم ذوب کنید.
For this dessert, you should melt the butter using indirect heat.
In academic settings, such as university chemistry or physics lectures, professors use zob kardan to describe phase changes. Students learn about 'noghte-ye zob' (melting point). If you are studying in Iran or reading Persian textbooks, this is the standard terminology for the transition from solid to liquid.
- Jewelry Stores
- If you take old gold to a jeweler (zargar) in the bazaar, they might talk about 'zob kardan-e talâ' (melting the gold) to create a new piece or to check its purity.
زرگر طلاهای قدیمی را ذوب کرد تا انگشتر جدیدی بسازد.
The jeweler melted the old gold to make a new ring.
Whether in the high-stakes world of industrial steel, the precise environment of a jewelry workshop, or the creative space of a kitchen, zob kardan is the essential verb for active liquefaction. Hearing it in these diverse contexts will solidify your understanding of its breadth and utility.
For English speakers learning Persian, the most common pitfall with ذوب کردن lies in the distinction between transitive and intransitive forms, as well as choosing the right word for 'melting' or 'dissolving' in different contexts. Persian is very specific about who is doing what, and using the wrong helper verb can change the meaning of your sentence entirely.
- Transitive vs. Intransitive
- Mistake: Saying 'Yakh zob kard' (The ice melted). Correct: 'Yakh zob shod'. You use kardan only when someone or something else is melting the object.
اشتباه: خورشید یخ را ذوب شد.
درست: خورشید یخ را ذوب کرد.
The sun melted the ice. (The sun is the agent, so use 'kardan').
Another frequent error is confusing 'melting' with 'dissolving'. In English, we might loosely say 'melt the sugar in the tea', but in Persian, this is strictly حل کردن (hal kardan - to dissolve). Zob kardan is reserved for changes of state due to heat, not mixing into a liquid. Using zob kardan for sugar in tea would sound very strange to a native speaker, implying you are using a blowtorch on the sugar cubes!
- Colloquialism Overuse
- Mistake: Using 'zob kardan' for everything. While technically correct, in casual conversation, 'ab kardan' (آب کردن) is often preferred for simple things like ice or butter. Using 'zob kardan' for a small piece of butter might sound overly formal or scientific.
در آشپزخانه معمولی:
کره را آب کن.
Melt the butter (Colloquial).
The spelling of 'zob' (ذوب) is also a point of confusion. There are four 'z' sounds in Persian (ز، ذ، ض، ظ). Using the wrong 'z' (like زوب or ضوب) is a common spelling mistake for learners. Always remember that 'zob' uses 'Zâl' (ذ), which is historically linked to the Arabic root for flowing or melting. Practice writing the word to fix the visual image of the 'Zâl' in your mind.
- Incorrect Prepositions
- Learners sometimes try to use 'ba' (with) when they should use 'ra' (object marker). Remember: [Object] + [ra] + zob kardan. Not 'ba yakh zob kardan'.
اشتباه: من با شمع ذوب کردم.
درست: من شمع را ذوب کردم.
I melted the candle.
Avoiding these mistakes—confusing transitivity, mixing up melting with dissolving, over-formalizing colloquial situations, and spelling errors—will make your Persian sound much more natural and precise. Take your time to practice the 'ra' marker and the 'kardan/shodan' distinction, as these are fundamental to mastering Persian verbs.
Persian is a rich language with many synonyms that vary based on the level of formality and the specific context of the action. While ذوب کردن is the standard term for melting, you might encounter other words that describe similar processes. Knowing when to use each will elevate your Persian from functional to fluent.
- آب کردن (Ab Kardan)
- Literal: 'To make into water'. This is the most common colloquial alternative. It is used for ice, snow, butter, and fat. It sounds more natural in a home or kitchen setting than the technical 'zob kardan'.
مادرم مقداری دنبه را برای غذا آب کرد.
My mother melted some fat for the food.
For metals and high-temperature processes, you might see the verb گداختن (Godaxtan). This is a more literary and industrial word. It implies not just melting, but bringing a metal to a glowing, white-hot liquid state. You will find this in classical poetry or technical metallurgical manuals. It carries a sense of intense heat and power.
- حل کردن (Hal Kardan)
- Meaning: 'To dissolve'. As discussed in the common mistakes section, this is for solids disappearing into liquids (like salt in water). It is often confused with melting by English speakers, but the physical process is different.
قرص جوشان را در یک لیوان آب حل کنید.
Dissolve the effervescent tablet in a glass of water.
In metaphorical contexts, نرم کردن (Narm kardan - to soften) is sometimes used as an alternative to 'melting' someone's heart. While zob kardan implies a complete change of state, narm kardan implies making someone more flexible or less stubborn. 'He softened his stance' would use narm kardan, whereas 'His heart melted with pity' would use zob kardan.
- گدازه (Godaaze)
- While not a verb, this related noun means 'lava' or 'molten material'. It comes from the same root as godaxtan and helps you understand the family of words related to extreme melting.
آتشفشان صخرهها را ذوب کرد و به گدازه تبدیل نمود.
The volcano melted the rocks and turned them into lava.
By mastering these alternatives, you gain a deeper appreciation for the precision of the Persian language. You won't just 'melt' things; you will know when to 'liquefy', 'dissolve', 'smelt', or 'soften'. This level of nuance is what separates a student from a true speaker of the language.
How Formal Is It?
Fun Fact
The city of Isfahan is famous for 'Zob-e Ahan', the first and largest steel plant in Iran. The word is so iconic there that it is part of the local identity.
Pronunciation Guide
- Pronouncing 'zob' like 'zub' (rhyming with tube).
- Using a hard 'dh' sound for 'ذ' (it should be a simple 'z').
- Stress on the 'zob' part instead of 'kardan'.
- Mixing up 'zob' with 'joob' (stream).
- Shortening the 'o' sound too much.
Difficulty Rating
Easy to recognize in text once you know the 'zob' root.
Spelling 'zob' with 'ذ' is the main challenge.
Pronunciation is straightforward for English speakers.
Must distinguish from 'zob shodan' in fast speech.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Compound Verb Conjugation
Only 'kardan' changes: zob mikonam, zob kardi, zob kard.
Transitive Object Marker 'ra'
Yax RA zob kardam (I melted THE ice).
Subjunctive with 'mikhâham'
Mikhâham yakh râ zob konam.
Negative 'na-' prefix
Zob na-kardam.
Passive Voice
Yax zob shode ast (The ice has been melted).
Examples by Level
خورشید یخ را ذوب میکند.
The sun melts the ice.
Simple present tense: Subject + Object + ra + Verb.
من برف را ذوب کردم.
I melted the snow.
Simple past tense for a completed action.
آیا گرما موم را ذوب میکند؟
Does heat melt wax?
Question form using the simple present.
او میخواهد شکلات را ذوب کند.
He wants to melt the chocolate.
Subjunctive mood after the verb 'wanting'.
آتش چوب را ذوب نمیکند.
Fire does not melt wood.
Negative form of the present tense.
لطفاً این یخ را ذوب کن.
Please melt this ice.
Imperative (command) form.
ما باید یخچک را ذوب کنیم.
We must melt the icicle.
Use of 'must' (bâyad) with subjunctive.
بستنی در دستم ذوب شد.
The ice cream melted in my hand.
Note: This uses 'zob shodan' (intransitive) for comparison.
کره را در تابه ذوب کن تا داغ شود.
Melt the butter in the pan until it gets hot.
Imperative with a purpose clause.
او دارد پنیر را روی پیتزا ذوب میکند.
He is melting the cheese on the pizza.
Present continuous tense.
ما دیروز تمام شمعها را ذوب کردیم.
We melted all the candles yesterday.
Past tense with a time adverb 'dieruz'.
میتوانی این شکلات را برای من ذوب کنی؟
Can you melt this chocolate for me?
Question with the auxiliary 'can' (mitavâni).
آشپزخانه گرم بود و شکلات را ذوب کرد.
The kitchen was hot and it melted the chocolate.
Compound sentence with 'and'.
آنها میخواهند فلزات قدیمی را ذوب کنند.
They want to melt old metals.
Third person plural subjunctive.
اگر یخ را ذوب کنی، آب میشود.
If you melt the ice, it becomes water.
Conditional sentence Type 1.
من هیچوقت پلاستیک را ذوب نمیکنم.
I never melt plastic.
Present tense with 'hich-vaqt' (never).
تغییرات اقلیمی در حال ذوب کردن یخچالهای طبیعی است.
Climate changes are melting the natural glaciers.
Present continuous describing a global process.
داستان غمانگیز او، قلب سنگ من را ذوب کرد.
His sad story melted my heart of stone.
Metaphorical use of the verb.
کارخانه باید آهنقراضهها را در دمای بالا ذوب کند.
The factory must melt the scrap iron at high temperatures.
Technical context with 'must'.
برای ساختن این مجسمه، باید برنز را ذوب کنیم.
To make this statue, we must melt the bronze.
Infinitive purpose clause 'barâye sâxtan'.
خورشید تابستانی به سرعت برفهای کوهستان را ذوب کرد.
The summer sun quickly melted the mountain snow.
Use of adverb 'be sor'at' (quickly).
آیا این دستگاه میتواند سنگهای سخت را ذوب کند؟
Can this device melt hard rocks?
Interrogative with potentiality.
او با مهربانیاش توانست یخهای رابطه را ذوب کند.
With her kindness, she was able to melt the ice of the relationship.
Idiomatic expression 'yax-hâye râbete'.
ما نباید اجازه دهیم گرما این قطعات حساس را ذوب کند.
We should not let the heat melt these sensitive parts.
Negative obligation 'nabâyad' with permission 'ejâze dâdan'.
زرگر با دقت طلا را ذوب کرد تا ناخالصیها را جدا کند.
The jeweler carefully melted the gold to separate the impurities.
Transitive use in a professional context.
گرمای شدید موتور، سیمهای پلاستیکی را ذوب کرده بود.
The engine's intense heat had melted the plastic wires.
Past perfect tense 'zob karde bud'.
او سعی داشت با منطق خود، مقاومت طرف مقابل را ذوب کند.
He was trying to melt the opponent's resistance with his logic.
Abstract object 'moqâvemat' (resistance).
صنایع پتروشیمی مواد اولیه را ذوب کرده و به پلیمر تبدیل میکنند.
Petrochemical industries melt raw materials and convert them into polymers.
Serial verbs 'zob karde va tabdil mikonand'.
اگر این فلز را در خلأ ذوب کنید، نتیجه بهتری خواهید گرفت.
If you melt this metal in a vacuum, you will get a better result.
Conditional Type 1 with technical detail.
صدای گرم خواننده، تمام تنشهای اتاق را ذوب کرد.
The singer's warm voice melted all the tensions in the room.
Metaphorical use for atmosphere.
آنها لولههای سربی را برای بازیافت ذوب کردند.
They melted the lead pipes for recycling.
Context of sustainability and recycling.
گرمای کوره به قدری بود که حتی سنگهای نسوز را ذوب میکرد.
The furnace heat was so much that it even melted the firebricks.
Result clause 'be qadri bud ke'.
پژوهشگران در تلاشند تا با استفاده از لیزر، الماس را ذوب کنند.
Researchers are trying to melt diamonds using lasers.
Scientific endeavor context.
عشق الهی در نگاه عارف، تمام تعلقات دنیوی را ذوب میکند.
In the mystic's view, divine love melts all worldly attachments.
Philosophical/Mystical register.
نویسنده با مهارتی خاص، مرز بین واقعیت و خیال را در داستانش ذوب کرد.
The author, with special skill, melted the boundary between reality and fantasy in his story.
Literary analysis register.
ذوب کردن این آلیاژ خاص نیازمند تجهیزات پیشرفته آزمایشگاهی است.
Melting this particular alloy requires advanced laboratory equipment.
Gerund-like use of the infinitive 'zob kardan'.
سیاستهای جدید اقتصادی درصدد ذوب کردن موانع تجاری هستند.
New economic policies aim to melt trade barriers.
Political/Economic metaphor.
او با کلام نافذش، یخِ تردید را در دل شنوندگان ذوب کرد.
With his piercing words, he melted the ice of doubt in the listeners' hearts.
High-level metaphorical usage.
فرایند ذوب کردن در این کارخانه به صورت کاملاً خودکار انجام میشود.
The melting process in this factory is performed entirely automatically.
Passive construction with 'anjâm shodan'.
او چنان در موسیقی غرق شد که گویی وجودش در نتها ذوب شده بود.
He was so immersed in the music as if his essence had melted into the notes.
Simile with 'guyi' (as if).
در این جستار، به بررسی توانایی آتش در ذوب کردن مفاهیم سنتی پرداختهایم.
In this essay, we have examined fire's ability to melt traditional concepts.
Academic introduction style.
او معتقد بود که هنر باید بتواند ساختارهای صلب جامعه را ذوب کند.
He believed that art should be able to melt the rigid structures of society.
Sociological/Art theory context.
گداختن و ذوب کردن فلزات در تمدنهای باستان، نشانهای از پیشرفت تکنولوژیک بود.
Smelting and melting metals in ancient civilizations was a sign of technological progress.
Historical/Archaeological register.
اشعههای کیهانی پتانسیل ذوب کردن لایههای محافظ ماهوارهها را دارند.
Cosmic rays have the potential to melt the protective layers of satellites.
Astrophysics context.
او در اشعارش، غم را به مثابه آتشی میبیند که روح را ذوب میکند.
In his poems, he sees grief as a fire that melts the soul.
Literary criticism style.
فرایند ذوب کردن هستهای در ستارهها، منبع اصلی انرژی در جهان است.
The process of nuclear melting (fusion) in stars is the primary source of energy in the universe.
Scientific fact in high register.
معمار با استفاده از شیشههای ذوب شده، فرمهای بدیعی خلق کرد.
The architect created novel forms using melted glass.
Architecture/Design context.
زبان تند او میتوانست هرگونه صمیمیتی را در نطفه ذوب کند و از بین ببرد.
His sharp tongue could melt and destroy any intimacy in its infancy.
Complex metaphorical destruction.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
Often Confused With
This is intransitive (it melts). 'Zob kardan' is transitive (I melt it).
This means 'to dissolve' (like salt in water), not 'to melt' by heat.
This means 'to evaporate'. Melting is solid to liquid; evaporating is liquid to gas.
Idioms & Expressions
— To make someone feel deep pity or love.
گریه بچه دل سنگ را هم ذوب میکرد.
Metaphorical— To waste away from grief or illness (intransitive but related).
او از دوری پسرش مثل شمع ذوب شد.
Poetic— The coldness in a relationship disappeared.
بعد از سالها، بالاخره یخهای رابطه ذوب شد.
Informal— A political/religious term meaning total devotion to leadership.
او خود را ذوب در ولایت میدانست.
Political— To be extremely happy or excited (literal: sugar melted in the heart).
وقتی او را دید، قند در دلش ذوب شد.
Informal— To lose or waste all of one's capital/money.
او تمام سرمایهاش را در بورس ذوب کرد.
Economic— A gaze so intense it 'melts' the other person.
نگاهش گویی آهن را ذوب میکرد.
Literary— Total integration or removal of boundaries.
اینترنت مرزهای جغرافیایی را ذوب کرده است.
Modern— To do something impossible (like 'beating a dead horse' but more about effort).
تلاش برای تغییر او مثل ذوب کردن آهن سرد است.
ProverbialEasily Confused
Both mean melting.
'Ab kardan' is colloquial and literal (make into water). 'Zob kardan' is formal/technical.
کره را آب کن (Casual) vs. فلز را ذوب کن (Technical).
Both involve heat and melting.
'Godaxtan' is for very high heat (smelting) and is more literary.
آهن را گداختند.
In English, 'melting' can mean 'softening'.
'Narm kardan' is just making soft, not necessarily liquid.
گوشت را نرم کرد.
English speakers say 'melt sugar in tea'.
In Persian, sugar in tea is always 'hal kardan'.
شکر را حل کن.
Both involve fire/heat.
'Sookhtan' is burning to ash. 'Zob kardan' is turning to liquid.
هیزم سوخت اما سرب ذوب شد.
Sentence Patterns
من [Object] را ذوب میکنم.
من یخ را ذوب میکنم.
لطفاً [Object] را ذوب کن.
لطفاً کره را ذوب کن.
[Subject] در حال ذوب کردن [Object] است.
خورشید در حال ذوب کردن برف است.
باید [Object] را در [Location] ذوب کرد.
باید آهن را در کوره ذوب کرد.
فرایند ذوب کردن [Object] باعث [Result] میشود.
فرایند ذوب کردن یخها باعث بالا آمدن سطح دریا میشود.
گویی [Subject] میخواست [Abstract Object] را ذوب کند.
گویی نویسنده میخواست مرزهای واقعیت را ذوب کند.
اگر [Object] را ذوب کنی، [Result].
اگر شمع را ذوب کنی، مایع میشود.
[Object] به راحتی ذوب نمیشود.
این فلز به راحتی ذوب نمیشود.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
Very common in both physical and metaphorical contexts.
-
Yakh zob kard.
→
Yakh zob shod.
The ice can't melt itself; it melts (intransitive).
-
Shekar ra zob kon.
→
Shekar ra hal kon.
Sugar in a liquid dissolves, it doesn't melt.
-
Zob kardan ba kure.
→
Zob kardan dar kure.
You melt 'in' a furnace, not 'with' a furnace (usually).
-
Spelling it 'زوب'.
→
ذوب
The word uses the letter Zal (ذ).
-
Man ghalbam zob kardam.
→
Man ghalbash ra zob kardam.
If you melt your own heart, it's 'shodan'. If you melt *his* heart, it's 'kardan'.
Tips
Watch the Helper Verb
Always check if you need 'kardan' (active) or 'shodan' (passive/intransitive). This is the most common error.
Formal vs. Informal
Use 'zob kardan' in essays and 'ab kardan' when talking to your Persian mom in the kitchen.
The Long O
Make sure the 'o' in 'zob' is long and clear, like in the English word 'go'.
The Dot Matters
Remember the dot on the 'ذ' (Zal). Without it, it's not 'zob'.
Isfahan Connection
If you visit Isfahan, you'll see 'Zob-e Ahan' everywhere. It's a great conversation starter.
Heart Melting
Use 'zob kardi ghalbamo' (You melted my heart) in romantic contexts to sound very poetic.
Technical Accuracy
In a lab, always use 'zob kardan'. It sounds professional and precise.
Recipe Reading
Look for 'zob konid' in Persian recipes for chocolate or butter instructions.
Climate Talk
Use 'zob kardan-e yax-hâ' when discussing environmental issues with Iranians.
Smelting
Remember 'Zob' for anything related to metalwork or foundries.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of a 'Zob' (Job) where you have to melt things. In this 'Job', you 'Zob' the ice.
Visual Association
Imagine a giant letter 'Z' made of ice, and a 'K' (for Kardan) holding a torch to it until it drips.
Word Web
Challenge
Try to find three things in your house you can 'zob kardan' (like butter, ice, or chocolate) and say the sentence out loud.
Word Origin
The word 'Zob' (ذوب) is an Arabic loanword from the root 'dh-w-b', which means to melt, flow, or dissolve. It was integrated into Persian and paired with the native helper verb 'kardan'.
Original meaning: To flow or to become liquid through heat.
Arabic (Root) + Indo-European (Auxiliary Verb).Cultural Context
No specific sensitivities, but 'ذوب در ولایت' is a politically charged term in Iran.
Similar to 'melting' in English, it covers both physical and emotional softening.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Cooking
- ذوب کردن کره
- ذوب کردن پنیر
- ذوب کردن شکلات
- حرارت ملایم برای ذوب کردن
Science
- نقطه ذوب
- ذوب کردن در آزمایشگاه
- فرایند ذوب کردن
- ذوب کردن هستهای
Industry
- ذوب آهن
- ذوب فلزات
- کوره ذوب
- ذوب کردن ضایعات
Environment
- ذوب کردن یخهای قطبی
- گرمایش زمین و ذوب کردن برف
- تاثیر گرما بر ذوب کردن یخچالها
- سرعت ذوب کردن
Metaphorical
- ذوب کردن قلب
- ذوب کردن ترس
- ذوب کردن یخ رابطه
- ذوب کردن مقاومت
Conversation Starters
"چطور میتوانیم یخهای این رابطه را ذوب کنیم؟"
"آیا میدانی چطور باید شکلات را بدون سوختن ذوب کرد؟"
"به نظر تو گرمایش زمین چقدر سریع یخهای قطب را ذوب میکند؟"
"تا به حال به کارخانه ذوب آهن رفتهای؟"
"چه چیزی میتواند قلب سنگی یک آدم را ذوب کند؟"
Journal Prompts
درباره زمانی بنویسید که مهربانی کسی قلب شما را ذوب کرد.
اگر میتوانستید یک چیز را در جهان ذوب کنید و از بین ببرید، آن چه بود؟
توضیح دهید که چگونه گرمایش زمین در حال ذوب کردن یخچالهای طبیعی است.
یک دستور غذا بنویسید که در آن نیاز به ذوب کردن چیزی باشد.
تفاوت بین ذوب کردن فیزیکی و ذوب کردن احساسی را شرح دهید.
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, for sugar in tea, use 'hal kardan' (dissolve). 'Zob kardan' implies turning the sugar into a liquid syrup using direct heat.
'Ab kardan' is colloquial (literally 'to water-make'). Use it for ice or butter at home. 'Zob kardan' is the standard and technical term.
Use the intransitive form: 'Yakh zob shod'. 'Zob kard' would require a subject like 'The sun melted the ice' (Khorshid yakh ra zob kard).
Yes! It is very common to say 'zob kardan-e ghalb' (melting the heart) to describe something very touching.
It is called 'noghte-ye zob' (نقطه ذوب).
Yes, the root 'zob' is Arabic, but 'kardan' is Persian. This is a very common type of compound verb.
It is spelled with the letter 'Zâl' (ذ): ذوب.
Yes, in the context of weight loss, you can say 'zob kardan-e charbi-hâ'.
The opposite is 'monjamed kardan' (to freeze/solidify).
Absolutely. 'Zob-e Ahan' is the standard term for a steel or iron works.
Test Yourself 180 questions
Write a simple sentence: 'The sun melts the ice.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write a command: 'Melt the chocolate.'
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Write about global warming using 'zob kardan'.
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Describe what a jeweler does with old gold.
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Use 'zob kardan' in a metaphorical sense about love.
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Translate: 'I melted the snow.'
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Translate: 'Please melt the butter.'
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Translate: 'The heat melted the plastic.'
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Translate: 'The factory melts iron every day.'
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Write a sentence about melting 'trade barriers'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write a question: 'Does the sun melt ice?'
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Write a sentence in present continuous: 'I am melting the cheese.'
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Write a sentence using 'must': 'We must melt the wax.'
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Write a sentence using 'because': 'The wire melted because of heat.'
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Write a sentence about a 'melting point'.
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Translate: 'Fire melts wax.'
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Translate: 'They melted the ice cream.'
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Translate: 'Kindness melts the heart.'
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Translate: 'Recycling involves melting plastic.'
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Translate: 'The artist melted the bronze.'
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Say: 'The sun melts the ice.'
Read this aloud:
You said:
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Tell your friend to melt the butter.
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Talk about why glaciers are melting.
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Explain how gold is recycled.
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Describe a moment that melted your heart.
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Say: 'I like melted cheese.'
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Ask: 'Can you melt this for me?'
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Say: 'We are melting the snow to get water.'
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Discuss the 'Zob-e Ahan' factory.
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Use 'zob kardan' in a poem-like sentence.
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Say: 'Fire is hot.'
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Say: 'Don't melt the plastic.'
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Say: 'The candle is melting.'
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Say: 'The melting point of iron is high.'
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Say: 'The boundaries are melting away.'
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Identify the verb in: 'Khorshid yakh ra zob mikonad.'
What is being melted in: 'Kare ra zob kon'?
Is the action finished in: 'Dâram zob mikonam'?
Who is the agent in: 'Zargar talâ ra zob kard'?
Is the meaning literal or metaphorical in: 'Ghalbam zob shod'?
Listen for the object: 'Barf ra zob kardam.'
Listen for the command: 'Chocolate ra zob nakon!'
Listen for the reason: 'Be dalil-e garmâ zob shod.'
Listen for the location: 'Dar kure zob kardand.'
Listen for the abstract noun: 'Moqâvemat ra zob kard.'
Does the speaker sound happy or sad?
How many things are melted: 'Kare va chocolate ra zob kon'?
Is it 'kardan' or 'shodan' in: 'Yakh zob shod'?
What is the material: 'Noghre ra zob kardim'?
Is the melting fast or slow: 'Be ârâmi zob kard'?
/ 180 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
The verb 'ذوب کردن' (zob kardan) is essential for describing the active process of turning solids into liquids using heat. Example: 'Kare ra zob kon' (Melt the butter). Remember it is transitive!
- Zob kardan means 'to melt' (transitive).
- It requires an object (e.g., melting ice, melting gold).
- Used in cooking, science, industry, and metaphors.
- Contrasts with 'zob shodan' (to melt - intransitive).
Watch the Helper Verb
Always check if you need 'kardan' (active) or 'shodan' (passive/intransitive). This is the most common error.
Formal vs. Informal
Use 'zob kardan' in essays and 'ab kardan' when talking to your Persian mom in the kitchen.
The Long O
Make sure the 'o' in 'zob' is long and clear, like in the English word 'go'.
The Dot Matters
Remember the dot on the 'ذ' (Zal). Without it, it's not 'zob'.
Example
شکلات را در مایکروویو ذوب کنید.
Related Content
More cooking words
عطشان
B2Thirsty, needing to drink.
آب دادن
B1To water or add water.
آب گرفتن
B1To extract juice or liquid from fruits or vegetables.
آب کردن
B1To melt, to turn from solid to liquid by heat.
آبدار
B1Juicy, full of juice.
آبگون
B2Watery or fluid, resembling water.
آبکش کردن
B1To drain with a colander, to remove liquid from food.
آبکشیدن
B1To rinse food under running water or drain it.
آبکی
B1Watery or diluted, lacking substance.
آبکی کردن
B1To make watery or dilute.