طلاق دادن
At the A1 level, you only need to know that طلاق دادن means 'to divorce someone.' Think of it as a person doing an action to another person. In Persian, we say 'A [person] B [person] را طلاق داد.' The word 'talāq' is the noun for divorce, and 'dādan' is the verb 'to give.' Even though it sounds like 'giving divorce,' it just means the marriage is over. You might hear this in simple stories or news headlines. Don't worry about the complex grammar yet; just remember that it ends a marriage. For example: 'Ali Maryam rā talāq dād' (Ali divorced Maryam). It is a compound verb, which is very common in Persian. You will see many verbs like this where a noun is combined with a simple verb like 'dādan' (to give), 'kardan' (to do), or 'shodan' (to become). At this stage, focus on the past tense 'talāq dād' and the present tense 'talāq midehad'. Imagine a king in a story saying 'I divorce you!'—that is the active energy of this verb.
At the A2 level, you should start noticing the difference between طلاق دادن and طلاق گرفتن. Remember that dādan is active. If a husband decides to end the marriage, he 'gives' (dādan) the divorce. If a wife or a husband goes through the process to receive the status of being divorced, they 'take' (gereftan) the divorce. You can use this word in simple sentences to describe family situations. 'He divorced her because they were unhappy.' You should also be able to use it with 'rā' correctly. Man hamsaram rā talāq nadādam (I did not divorce my spouse). At this level, you can also use it in the future tense: ū ū rā talāq khāhad dād. Understanding this verb helps you understand basic social structures in Persian-speaking countries. You might also encounter the word jodā shodan (to separate), which is a softer way to talk about the same thing. Try to practice by making sentences about famous people or characters in books who have ended their marriages.
As a B1 learner, you are expected to use طلاق دادن in more complex contexts, such as discussing social issues or legal basics. You should understand that this verb is transitive and requires an object. You can now use it with modal verbs: ū namitavānad hamsarash rā talāq dehad (He cannot divorce his wife). You should also be aware of the cultural context in Iran, where طلاق دادن often involves the family court (dādgāh-e khānevādeh). At this level, you can describe reasons for divorce using this verb, such as 'He divorced her due to lack of compatibility.' You are also moving beyond just the past and present; you can use the subjunctive form: shāyad ū rā talāq dehad (Maybe he will divorce her). This verb is essential for following Iranian movies or reading news articles about social trends. Pay attention to how the 'rā' marker is used when the object is a specific person. Also, start noticing how 'talāq' is used as a noun in phrases like 'darkhāst-e talāq' (request for divorce).
At the B2 level, you should be comfortable using طلاق دادن to discuss legal rights and societal impacts. You should understand the nuance that in traditional Iranian law, the right to طلاق دادن primarily belongs to the man, and how women navigate this through 'vekālat dar talāq' (power of attorney for divorce). You can use the verb in the passive voice: zan talāq dāde shod (The woman was divorced). You should also be able to use it in conditional sentences: agar ū rā talāq dāde bud, aknun tanhā bud (If he had divorced her, he would be alone now). Your vocabulary should expand to include synonyms like metāreke kardan and the difference between talāq and faskh-e nekāh (annulment). You can participate in debates about whether طلاق دادن should be easier or harder, and use the verb to describe statistical trends in society. Your pronunciation should be clear, especially the 'q' sound, and you should be able to identify the verb even when it is used with object clitics like talāqash dād (he divorced her).
At the C1 level, you are exploring the legal and literary depths of طلاق دادن. You should be able to read legal texts or high-level journalism that discusses the 'unilateral right to divorce' (hagh-e yek-jānebe-ye talāq dādan). You understand the historical evolution of this verb from Sharia law to the modern Civil Code of Iran. You can use the verb metaphorically, such as 'divorcing one's past' or 'divorcing an ideology.' You are familiar with the 'triple talaq' concept in a historical or religious context and how the verb functions in those specific sentences. You can analyze the rhetoric in a court case where the justification for طلاق دادن is being challenged. Your usage should be flawless, including the correct use of the causative or passive forms if necessary. You also recognize the social stigma or lack thereof associated with the verb in different urban vs. rural contexts in Iran. You can discuss the 'Mahrieh' and how it acts as a deterrent to طلاق دادن using sophisticated grammatical structures.
At the C2 level, you have a near-native grasp of طلاق دادن. You can appreciate the word's appearance in classical Persian prose or modern philosophical essays where the concept of 'separation' is explored. You understand the intricate legal debates regarding the 'right to divorce' and can use the verb to explain complex legal theories in Persian. You are aware of the subtle differences in meaning when the verb is used in different Persian-speaking regions (Iran vs. Afghanistan vs. Tajikistan), though the core meaning remains the same. You can write a formal legal brief or a screenplay where the act of طلاق دادن is a central plot point, using all the associated legal terminology like 'idda' (waiting period) and 'ruju' (revocation). You can also identify and use the verb in highly idiomatic or archaic ways found in old texts. Your understanding includes the psychological nuances of the verb—how it differs from 'abandoning' or 'leaving'—and you can articulate these differences in a nuanced, academic manner. You are effectively a master of the verb's social, legal, and linguistic dimensions.
طلاق دادن in 30 Seconds
- To legally terminate a marriage contract.
- An active, transitive verb meaning 'to divorce someone'.
- Requires the object marker 'ra' for the spouse.
- Commonly used in legal, social, and cinematic contexts.
The Persian verb طلاق دادن (talāq dādan) is a compound verb that serves as the primary legal and social descriptor for the act of terminating a marriage. In the Persian language, compound verbs are formed by combining a noun or adjective with a 'light verb'—in this case, طلاق (divorce/repudiation) and دادن (to give). Literally translated as 'to give divorce,' this term specifically refers to the active role of one party initiating or executing the legal separation. Historically and legally, this term has deep roots in Islamic jurisprudence (Sharia), where the right to initiate divorce was traditionally more accessible to the husband, though modern Iranian law and social practices have evolved to include complex procedures for mutual or wife-initiated separations. When an English speaker says 'he divorced her,' the direct Persian equivalent is او او را طلاق داد. It is important to distinguish this from طلاق گرفتن (talāq gereftan), which means 'to get a divorce' or 'to be divorced,' often used from the perspective of the person receiving the divorce or describing the mutual outcome. Using طلاق دادن implies an action taken by a subject upon an object. In contemporary Iranian society, while the word remains legally precise, it carries significant social weight, reflecting the complexities of family life, legal contracts, and the emotional transition from a unified household to separate lives.
- Legal Context
- In the Iranian judiciary, طلاق دادن is the formal term used in court documents when a husband exercises his legal prerogative to end the marriage contract. It involves specific religious and civil steps, including the presence of witnesses and the registration of the act in a notary office.
مرد تصمیم گرفت همسرش را طلاق دهد چون دیگر با هم تفاهم نداشتند. (The man decided to divorce his wife because they no longer had a mutual understanding.)
- Social Nuance
- Socially, the phrase can sometimes sound harsh or unilateral. In polite conversation, people might prefer more neutral terms like جدا شدن (to separate), but when discussing the legal finality of the situation, طلاق دادن is unavoidable. It signifies the definitive end of the 'aqd' or marriage contract.
Furthermore, the usage of طلاق دادن extends beyond simple domestic disputes into the realm of literature and media. In Persian cinema, particularly the 'social realism' genre, the process of طلاق دادن is a frequent theme used to explore the clash between tradition and modernity. It is not just a verb; it is a gateway to understanding the structure of the Iranian family. When learning this word, one must also be aware of the 'Mahrieh' (dowry), as the act of طلاق دادن often triggers the legal obligation for the husband to pay the full dowry to the wife. Thus, the verb is intertwined with financial, legal, and emotional consequences that define its gravity in Persian discourse.
وکیل به او گفت که طلاق دادن بدون دلیل موجه، هزینههای زیادی خواهد داشت. (The lawyer told him that divorcing without a justified reason would incur high costs.)
- Colloquial Usage
- In some informal contexts, you might hear people use it metaphorically to mean 'getting rid of' something burdensome, though this is rare compared to its literal use. Usually, it remains strictly within the domain of marital law.
Using طلاق دادن correctly requires an understanding of Persian sentence structure, specifically the use of the direct object marker را (rā). Since 'to divorce' is a transitive action in this form, the person being divorced must be followed by را. For example, 'Ali divorced Maryam' translates to علی مریم را طلاق داد. The verb follows the standard conjugation for دادن. In the present continuous, it would be دارد طلاق میدهد (he is divorcing), and in the future, طلاق خواهد داد (he will divorce). One common error for English speakers is forgetting that the 'subject' is the one initiating the action. If you want to say 'they are getting divorced' (mutually), you would use از هم جدا میشوند or طلاق میگیرند, rather than طلاق میدهند, which implies one is doing it to the other.
- Past Tense Examples
- 1. او همسرش را سال گذشته طلاق داد. (He divorced his wife last year.)
2. چرا او را طلاق دادی؟ (Why did you divorce her?)
3. آنها بالاخره یکدیگر را طلاق دادند. (They finally divorced each other - note: used here to emphasize the active completion of the process).
اگر او بخواهد زنش را طلاق دهد، باید به دادگاه خانواده برود. (If he wants to divorce his wife, he must go to the family court.)
The verb is also used in complex sentences involving conditions. For instance, in a pre-nuptial agreement (shart-e zemn-e 'aqd), a wife might be given the 'right' to divorce herself on behalf of the husband (vekālat dar talāq). Even in this legal loophole, the verb used is often خود را طلاق دادن (to divorce oneself), though the legal mechanism is acting as the husband's proxy. In formal writing, such as news reports or legal briefs, you will see the passive form طلاق داده شد (was divorced), though this is less common in speech. For example: زن توسط شوهرش طلاق داده شد (The woman was divorced by her husband). This passive construction is quite formal and emphasizes the legal state change of the object.
- Present Tense and Imperative
- In the present tense: من دارم او را طلاق میدهم (I am in the process of divorcing her). In the imperative: او را طلاق بده! (Divorce her!). Note that the imperative is rarely used except in heated drama or legal advice contexts.
هیچکس دوست ندارد همسرش را طلاق دهد مگر اینکه چارهای نباشد. (No one likes to divorce their spouse unless there is no other choice.)
You will encounter طلاق دادن in a variety of settings, ranging from the highly formal to the painfully personal. The most common place is in the Iranian legal system. If you ever visit a 'Dādgāh-e Khānevādeh' (Family Court) in Tehran or any other city, you will hear judges, lawyers, and litigants using this term constantly. It is the 'bread and butter' of family law. Legal professionals discuss the 'conditions for divorcing' (شرایط طلاق دادن) or the 'rights of the husband to divorce' (حق مرد برای طلاق دادن). In this context, the word is clinical and carries the weight of the law. You will also see it written in 'Sanjesh' (notary) offices where marriages and divorces are officially registered in the 'Shenāsnāmeh' (identity booklet).
- Media and Cinema
- Iranian cinema is world-renowned for its focus on family dynamics. In masterpieces like Asghar Farhadi's 'A Separation' (Jodāyi-ye Nāder az Simin), while the title uses 'separation,' the dialogue frequently revolves around the mechanics of طلاق دادن. Characters argue about who has the right to divorce whom and what the consequences will be for their children.
در اخبار شنیدم که آمار طلاق دادن در شهرهای بزرگ افزایش یافته است. (I heard in the news that the rate of divorcing in big cities has increased.)
Another common venue is news broadcasts and talk shows. Social pundits often debate the 'causes of divorce' (علل طلاق دادن), citing economic pressure, lack of communication, or cultural shifts. In these discussions, the verb is used as a sociological marker. On the more informal side, you might hear it in 'Gheybat' (gossip) among friends or relatives. When someone says, 'Did you hear? He divorced her!' (شنیدی؟ طلاقش داد!), they are using the short form where the object 'her' is attached as a suffix (-ash) to the noun 'طلاق'. This is a very common way to hear the word in spoken Tehrani Persian.
- Literature and Poetry
- While modern literature uses it literally, classical poetry sometimes uses the concept of 'divorcing the world' (دنیا را طلاق دادن) to signify an ascetic turning away from material pleasures. For example, a Sufi might 'divorce the world' three times (a reference to the 'triple talaq') to show total detachment.
او در فیلم گفت: «من هرگز تو را طلاق نمیدهم!» (He said in the movie: "I will never divorce you!")
One of the most frequent mistakes learners make is confusing طلاق دادن (to divorce someone) with طلاق گرفتن (to get a divorce). In English, 'to divorce' can be both active and passive/resultative. You can say 'I divorced him' or 'We got divorced.' In Persian, these are strictly separated. If you say ما طلاق دادیم (We divorced), it sounds like you and your spouse together divorced a third person! To say 'We got divorced,' you must use ما از هم طلاق گرفتیم or ما از هم جدا شدیم. Another mistake is the misuse of prepositions. طلاق دادن takes a direct object with را, while طلاق گرفتن usually takes the preposition از (from). For example: او زنش را طلاق داد (He divorced his wife) vs. او از زنش طلاق گرفت (He got a divorce from his wife).
- Subject-Verb Agreement
- Learners often forget that in a traditional legal sense, the subject of طلاق دادن is usually the husband. While this is changing socially, using it with a female subject without proper context (او شوهرش را طلاق داد) might sound technically incorrect to a strict grammarian or lawyer, as the woman 'takes' a divorce (طلاق میگیرد) rather than 'gives' it, unless she has the specific legal right (vekālat).
اشتباه: ما دیروز طلاق دادیم. (Wrong: We divorced [someone] yesterday.)
درست: ما دیروز طلاق گرفتیم. (Right: We got divorced yesterday.)
A third mistake involves the auxiliary verb. Some learners try to use کردن (to do) instead of دادن (to give), saying طلاق کردن. While 'divorce' is a noun, it does not pair with 'kardan' in standard Persian. It is always 'dādan' for the act of initiating it. Additionally, be careful with the word جدا (separate). While جدا کردن means to separate two objects, جدا شدن is the common way to say 'to get separated' in a marital sense. Confusing طلاق دادن with جدا کردن can lead to very strange sentences, like saying you are 'sorting' your spouse rather than divorcing them.
- Pronunciation Pitfall
- The 'q' in talāq is a deep 'gh' sound (voiced uvular stop/fricative). If pronounced like a soft 'k' or 'g', it might be misunderstood. Ensure the 'q' is distinct before moving into the 'd' of 'dādan'.
اشتباه: او میخواهد شوهرش را طلاق کند.
درست: او میخواهد از شوهرش طلاق بگیرد.
While طلاق دادن is the most direct legal term, Persian offers several alternatives depending on the register and the specific nature of the separation. The most common alternative is جدا شدن (to separate/get separated). This is often used in social settings to avoid the harsh legalistic tone of 'divorce.' If you say آنها از هم جدا شدند (They separated from each other), it covers everything from a trial separation to a finalized divorce without being overly specific about the legal paperwork. Another term is متارکه کردن (to leave/abandon/separate), which is more formal and often used in written reports to describe a long-term separation that hasn't necessarily reached the final 'talaq' stage yet.
- Comparison: طلاق دادن vs. فسخ نکاح
- طلاق دادن: The standard legal ending of a marriage contract.
فسخ نکاح: Annulment of the marriage. This is used in specific legal cases where the marriage is declared void from the beginning due to hidden defects or fraud, rather than being 'ended' mid-way.
بسیاری از زوجها ترجیح میدهند به جای طلاق دادن، مدتی از هم جدا زندگی کنند. (Many couples prefer to live separately for a while instead of divorcing.)
In a religious context, you might hear خُلع (Khol') or مبارات (Mobārāt). These are specific types of divorce where the wife gives up her dowry to be released from the marriage. While طلاق دادن is the general verb, these terms specify the financial arrangement. For poetic or very high-literary registers, one might use گسستن پیوند (breaking the bond) or بریدن (cutting). However, in 99% of modern Persian conversations and texts, طلاق دادن and جدا شدن are the two pillars you need to know.
- Comparison: طلاق دادن vs. طلاق گرفتن
- طلاق دادن (Active): Subject A divorces Object B. Focuses on the initiator.
طلاق گرفتن (Passive/Reflexive): Subject A gets a divorce (from B). Focuses on the state change or the person receiving/requesting it.
در حقوق ایران، طلاق دادن ایقاع محسوب میشود، یعنی به اراده یک طرف انجام میگردد. (In Iranian law, divorcing is considered a unilateral legal act, meaning it is performed by the will of one party.)
How Formal Is It?
Fun Fact
The 'triple talaq' (saying it three times) is a famous historical/legal concept where the third time makes the divorce irrevocable. This has influenced literature and idioms across the Muslim world.
Pronunciation Guide
- Pronouncing 'q' as 'k'.
- Using a hard English 'r' if one were present (none here).
- Stress on the first syllable of 'talāq'.
- Failing to distinguish the 'ā' in 'dādan' from the 'a' in 'talāq'.
- Merging the two words into one without a clear break.
Difficulty Rating
Easy to recognize in texts once the compound verb structure is known.
Requires correct use of 'ra' and conjugation of 'dadan'.
The 'q' sound can be tricky for beginners.
Common enough to be heard in many movies and news.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Compound Verb Conjugation
من طلاق میدهم، تو طلاق میدهی...
Object Marker 'ra'
او مریم را طلاق داد.
Subjunctive Mood
او میخواهد طلاق دهد.
Passive Voice
او طلاق داده شد.
Object Clitics
طلاقش داد (He divorced her).
Examples by Level
او همسرش را طلاق داد.
He divorced his wife.
Simple past tense of 'dādan'.
چرا علی مریم را طلاق داد؟
Why did Ali divorce Maryam?
Question form with 'cherā'.
من او را طلاق نمیدهم.
I will not divorce her/him.
Negative present tense.
آن مرد زنش را طلاق میدهد.
That man is divorcing his wife.
Present tense.
او میخواهد مرا طلاق دهد.
He wants to divorce me.
Subjunctive after 'mikhāhad'.
آنها یکدیگر را طلاق دادند.
They divorced each other.
Using 'yekdigar' as the object.
پدرم مادرم را طلاق نداد.
My father did not divorce my mother.
Negative past tense.
آیا او تو را طلاق داد؟
Did he divorce you?
Question with 'āyā'.
او سال گذشته همسرش را طلاق داد و تنها شد.
He divorced his wife last year and became alone.
Compound sentence with 'va'.
من نمیتوانم او را به این راحتی طلاق دهم.
I cannot divorce her/him so easily.
Modal 'namitavānam' + subjunctive.
اگر مرا طلاق دهی، کجا بروم؟
If you divorce me, where should I go?
Conditional 'agar'.
او به خاطر پول همسرش را طلاق داد.
He divorced his wife because of money.
Prepositional phrase 'be khāter-e'.
وکیل گفت که او باید همسرش را طلاق دهد.
The lawyer said that he must divorce his wife.
Reported speech with 'ke'.
او هرگز قصد نداشت زنش را طلاق دهد.
He never intended to divorce his wife.
Past intention with 'ghasd dāsht'.
آیا میخواهی او را طلاق دهی؟
Do you want to divorce her/him?
Present desire question.
او بعد از ده سال زندگی، همسرش را طلاق داد.
After ten years of life, he divorced his wife.
Time phrase 'ba'd az'.
او بدون هیچ دلیلی تصمیم گرفت همسرش را طلاق دهد.
Without any reason, he decided to divorce his wife.
Adverbial phrase 'bedun-e hich dalili'.
در بسیاری از کشورها، طلاق دادن همسر فرآیند پیچیدهای است.
In many countries, divorcing a spouse is a complex process.
Gerund-like use of the infinitive.
او میترسید که شوهرش او را طلاق دهد.
She was afraid that her husband would divorce her.
Verb of emotion 'mitarsid' + subjunctive.
اگر او را طلاق دهی، باید مهریهاش را بپردازی.
If you divorce her, you must pay her dowry.
Specific cultural/legal context.
او فکر میکرد که طلاق دادن بهترین راه حل است.
He thought that divorcing was the best solution.
Superlative 'behtarin'.
چرا مردان به راحتی میتوانند همسرانشان را طلاق دهند؟
Why can men easily divorce their wives?
Adverb 'be rāhati'.
او پس از طلاق دادن همسرش به خارج از کشور رفت.
After divorcing his wife, he went abroad.
Sequence of actions.
او را طلاق نده، چون هنوز دوستت دارد.
Don't divorce her/him, because they still love you.
Negative imperative.
قانون جدید، شرایط طلاق دادن را برای مردان سختتر کرده است.
The new law has made the conditions for divorcing harder for men.
Present perfect 'karde ast'.
او با طلاق دادن همسرش، تمام پلهای پشت سرش را خراب کرد.
By divorcing his wife, he destroyed all the bridges behind him (idiom).
Idiomatic usage.
دادگاه به او اجازه نداد که همسرش را طلاق دهد.
The court did not give him permission to divorce his wife.
Verb 'ejāze dādan' + subjunctive.
او مدعی بود که حق دارد همسرش را هر زمان که بخواهد طلاق دهد.
He claimed he had the right to divorce his wife whenever he wanted.
Complex relative clause.
طلاق دادن در جوامع سنتی هنوز هم با نگاهی منفی همراه است.
Divorcing in traditional societies is still accompanied by a negative view.
Abstract subject.
او از اینکه همسرش را طلاق داده بود، به شدت پشیمان شد.
He deeply regretted that he had divorced his wife.
Past perfect in a subordinate clause.
آیا طلاق دادن همیشه به معنای پایان مشکلات است؟
Is divorcing always meaning the end of problems?
Philosophical question.
او به جای طلاق دادن، پیشنهاد داد که به مشاوره بروند.
Instead of divorcing, he suggested they go to counseling.
Phrase 'be jāye'.
حق طلاق دادن در فقه اسلامی به طور سنتی در اختیار زوج است.
The right to divorce in Islamic jurisprudence is traditionally in the husband's possession.
Academic/Legal register.
او با طلاق دادن همسرش، در واقع خود را از یک رابطه سمی رها کرد.
By divorcing his wife, he actually freed himself from a toxic relationship.
Psychological nuance.
پیامدهای روانی طلاق دادن برای هر دو طرف میتواند ویرانگر باشد.
The psychological consequences of divorcing can be devastating for both parties.
Abstract noun phrase.
او به دلیل عدم تمکین، همسرش را طلاق داد.
He divorced his wife due to 'non-compliance' (legal term).
Specific legal terminology 'adam-e tamkin'.
دولت در پی اصلاح قوانینی است که طلاق دادن را تسهیل میکنند.
The government is seeking to reform laws that facilitate divorcing.
Political/Legal register.
او در وصیتنامهاش ذکر کرد که هرگز نمیخواسته همسرش را طلاق دهد.
He mentioned in his will that he never wanted to divorce his wife.
Formal past narrative.
طلاق دادن نباید به عنوان اولین گزینه در اختلافات زناشویی در نظر گرفته شود.
Divorcing should not be considered as the first option in marital disputes.
Passive modal 'dar nazar gerefte shavad'.
او با طلاق دادن همسرش، مسئولیت بزرگی را بر عهده گرفت.
By divorcing his wife, he took on a great responsibility.
Complex verb 'bar ohde gereftan'.
تحلیل جامعهشناختی پدیده طلاق دادن نشاندهنده تغییرات بنیادین در نهاد خانواده است.
Sociological analysis of the phenomenon of divorcing indicates fundamental changes in the institution of the family.
High academic register.
او در جستار خود، طلاق دادن را از منظر هستیشناختی مورد بررسی قرار داد.
In his essay, he examined divorcing from an ontological perspective.
Philosophical terminology.
محدود کردن حق طلاق دادن مردان، یکی از چالشهای اصلی حقوقدانان مدرن است.
Limiting the right of men to divorce is one of the main challenges for modern jurists.
Gerund subject 'mahdud kardan'.
او با طلاق دادن همسرش، در واقع به یک قرارداد اجتماعی پایان داد.
By divorcing his wife, he actually ended a social contract.
Conceptual usage.
بازنمایی طلاق دادن در ادبیات معاصر، بازتابی از بحرانهای هویتی است.
The representation of divorcing in contemporary literature is a reflection of identity crises.
Literary analysis register.
او معتقد بود که طلاق دادن، آخرین سنگر برای حفظ کرامت انسانی است.
He believed that divorcing is the last bastion for preserving human dignity.
Metaphorical/Philosophical.
پیچیدگیهای فقهی طلاق دادن در غیاب زوج، موضوع پایاننامه او بود.
The jurisprudential complexities of divorcing in the husband's absence was the subject of his thesis.
Specialized legal terminology.
او با طلاق دادن همسرش، ناخواسته وارد یک مرافعه حقوقی طولانی شد.
By divorcing his wife, he unintentionally entered a long legal dispute.
Adverbial 'nākhāst-e'.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
Often Confused With
This means 'to get a divorce' (taking/receiving), whereas 'dādan' is 'to divorce someone' (giving/initiating).
This is a general term for 'separating' and is softer/less legal than 'talāq dādan'.
Means 'to leave' or 'let go' in a general sense, often used for abandoning, not necessarily legal divorce.
Idioms & Expressions
— To completely renounce the world and material life.
او دنیا را سه طلاقه کرد و درویش شد.
Literary/Sufi— A phrase used when a woman gives up her dowry just to get a divorce.
زن گفت: مهرش حلال، جونش آزاد، فقط مرا طلاق بده.
Colloquial— To divorce with full intent and no regret (rare).
او از ته دل همسرش را طلاق داد.
Emotional— To destroy all chances of returning (often used with divorce).
با طلاق دادن او، تمام پلها را خراب کردی.
General— To draw a red line (ending a relationship permanently).
او با طلاق دادن، روی زندگی گذشتهاش خط قرمز کشید.
General— To reach the end of one's rope and take a drastic action like divorce.
بالاخره به سیم آخر زد و او را طلاق داد.
Slang— To give up on someone/something entirely.
او عطای زندگی با او را به لقایش بخشید و طلاقش داد.
Literary/Proverbial— To finish the job/matter once and for all.
با طلاق دادن، کار را یکسره کرد.
General— To be destined for something (humorously used for frequent divorcees).
انگار نافش را با طلاق دادن بریدهاند!
Slang— To give a final negative answer/closure.
با طلاق دادن، آب پاکی روی دست خانوادهاش ریخت.
IdiomaticEasily Confused
Both relate to divorce.
'Dādan' is active (I divorce you), 'Gereftan' is passive or mutual (We got divorced).
او زنش را طلاق داد (He divorced her) vs او از زنش طلاق گرفت (He got a divorce from her).
Both mean separation.
'Jodā kardan' is for objects or separating two people/things, not a legal marital term.
او سیبها را جدا کرد (He separated the apples).
Both end a contract.
'Faskh' is annulment (voiding), 'Talāq' is termination (ending).
او نکاح را فسخ کرد.
Both mean leaving.
'Tark kardan' is just leaving/abandoning the house, not the legal end of marriage.
او خانه را ترک کرد.
Synonyms.
'Metāreke' is more formal and often implies a state of being separated rather than the act of divorcing.
آنها در حال متارکه هستند.
Sentence Patterns
[Subject] [Object] را طلاق داد.
او همسرش را طلاق داد.
[Subject] نمیخواهد [Object] را طلاق دهد.
من نمیخواهم تو را طلاق دهم.
اگر [Subject] [Object] را طلاق دهد، ...
اگر او را طلاق دهی، پشیمان میشوی.
حقِ طلاق دادن با [Person] است.
حق طلاق دادن با مرد است.
به دلیل [Reason]، او را طلاق داد.
به دلیل اعتیاد، همسرش را طلاق داد.
پیامدهای [Verb Phrase] بسیار است.
پیامدهای طلاق دادن همسر در این سن بسیار است.
تصمیم به [Verb Phrase] گرفتن.
او تصمیم به طلاق دادن گرفت.
وکالت در طلاق دادن داشتن.
زن وکالت در طلاق دادن داشت.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
High in legal and social news; moderate in daily life.
-
ما طلاق دادیم
→
ما طلاق گرفتیم
Using 'dādan' with 'we' implies you both divorced a third person. Use 'gereftan' for a mutual divorce.
-
او شوهرش را طلاق داد
→
او از شوهرش طلاق گرفت
In traditional grammar/law, women 'take' divorce. While changing, 'gereftan' is safer for female subjects.
-
او طلاق کرد
→
او طلاق داد
'Kardan' is not the correct auxiliary verb for 'talāq'.
-
من او طلاق دادم
→
من او را طلاق دادم
Missing the 'ra' marker for the direct object.
-
او طلاق گرفتن همسرش
→
او همسرش را طلاق داد
Confusing the two verbs 'dādan' and 'gereftan' in a transitive sentence.
Tips
Watch the 'ra'
Always remember the object marker 'ra' for the spouse. Without it, the sentence is grammatically incomplete.
Dādan vs Gereftan
Think of 'Dādan' as 'giving' the news or papers, and 'Gereftan' as 'taking' your freedom or a new status.
Politeness
When talking about friends, 'جدا شدند' is softer and less invasive than 'طلاق داد'.
Husband's Role
Remember that historically, this verb is associated with the husband's legal action in Persian culture.
The Deep 'Q'
Make sure to pronounce the 'q' in 'talāq' from the back of the throat to sound native.
Suffixes
In movies, listen for 'talāqesh dād' (divorced her/him)—the suffix replaces 'rā [person]'.
Formal Contexts
In essays, use 'انحلال نکاح' for a more academic feel, but 'طلاق دادن' for a direct legal action.
The Key
Imagine giving (dādan) a key to a lock (talaq) to open a door and leave.
Avoid Slang
While 'dādan' is common, avoid using slang terms for divorce in formal writing.
Conjugate!
Practice the irregular present root 'deh' (midehad, nadehad) frequently.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'Talaq' sounding like 'To-Lock' but instead you are 'Un-Locking' the marriage. 'Dadan' is 'to give', so you are 'giving' the key to unlock the marriage.
Visual Association
Imagine a man handing over a document (giving) that has a large broken heart or a broken chain on it representing 'Talaq'.
Word Web
Challenge
Try to use 'طلاق دادن' in three sentences: one about a movie, one about a law, and one about a hypothetical situation.
Word Origin
From the Arabic root 'T-L-Q' (ط-ل-ق), which relates to releasing, setting free, or letting go.
Original meaning: In pre-Islamic Arabic, it referred to releasing a camel from its tether. In law, it became the 'release' from the marriage bond.
Semitic root (Arabic) integrated into Indo-European (Persian) grammar as a compound verb.Cultural Context
Divorce is a sensitive and potentially painful topic. Use with care in personal conversations.
English speakers often use 'divorce' as both a noun and a verb. In Persian, you must choose between 'giving' (active) and 'taking' (passive/mutual) the divorce.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Legal Court
- دادخواست طلاق
- حکم طلاق
- اجرای صیغه طلاق
- ثبت طلاق
Social Gossip
- شنیدی طلاق دادن؟
- چرا طلاقش داد؟
- بیچاره طلاق گرفت
- راحت شد
News/Statistics
- افزایش آمار طلاق
- کاهش ازدواج
- علل طلاق
- بحران خانواده
Movies/Drama
- طلاق میخوام
- طلاق نمیدم
- برو طلاقتو بگیر
- مهریهمو بده
Religious Discourse
- حلال و حرام
- سه طلاقه
- رجوع در طلاق
- شاهدان
Conversation Starters
"آیا فکر میکنی طلاق دادن در ایران سخت است؟"
"چرا در سالهای اخیر آمار طلاق دادن بالا رفته است؟"
"اگر کسی بخواهد همسرش را طلاق دهد، اولین قدم چیست؟"
"نظر تو درباره حق طلاق دادن برای زنان چیست؟"
"آیا فیلمی دیدهای که موضوع آن طلاق دادن باشد؟"
Journal Prompts
درباره تفاوتهای فرهنگی طلاق دادن در کشور خودت و ایران بنویس.
اگر وکیل بودی، به کسی که میخواست همسرش را طلاق دهد چه میگفتی؟
تأثیر طلاق دادن بر فرزندان را از دیدگاه خودت شرح بده.
آیا طلاق دادن همیشه یک اتفاق منفی است؟ چرا؟
داستانی کوتاه درباره مردی بنویس که از طلاق دادن همسرش پشیمان شده است.
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIn traditional legal terms, no, because the right belongs to the man. However, if she has 'vekālat' (power of attorney), she can 'divorce' herself on behalf of the husband. Socially, people might say it, but it's less common than 'طلاق گرفتن'.
'طلاق دادن' is specifically the legal act of divorce. 'جدا شدن' is more general and means 'to separate,' which could be social, physical, or legal. 'جدا شدن' is considered more polite in social settings.
Rarely. Sometimes in literature, it's used metaphorically (e.g., divorcing the world), but in 99% of cases, it's about marriage.
You should use 'آنها از هم طلاق گرفتند' or 'آنها از هم جدا شدند'. Using 'آنها طلاق دادند' would mean they divorced someone else together.
No, it is an Arabic loanword, but it is the standard word used in Persian for divorce.
It is an idiom meaning to divorce someone three times, which in Sharia makes it irrevocable. Metaphorically, it means to give up on something forever.
Yes, if you are specifying who is being divorced. For example: 'او مریم را طلاق داد'.
It is neutral but leans towards formal/legal. In very informal speech, people often use 'جدا شدن'.
Usually, the husband must pay the full 'Mahrieh' unless the wife agrees otherwise or it's a specific type of divorce.
No, that is incorrect. It is always 'طلاق دادن' or 'طلاق گرفتن'.
Test Yourself 187 questions
Write a sentence: 'He divorced his wife last year.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write a sentence: 'Why do you want to divorce her?'
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Write a sentence: 'I will never divorce you.'
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Write a sentence: 'The lawyer told him to divorce his wife.'
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Write a sentence: 'Divorcing is a difficult decision.'
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Translate: 'If he divorces her, he must pay the dowry.'
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Translate: 'They decided to divorce each other.'
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Write a sentence about the increase of divorce in cities.
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Translate: 'He divorced her without any reason.'
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Write a sentence using 'حق طلاق'.
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Translate: 'I am in the process of divorcing her.'
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Translate: 'He regretted divorcing her.'
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Write a formal sentence about marriage dissolution.
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Translate: 'She wanted him to divorce her.'
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Write a sentence with 'سه طلاقه کردن'.
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Translate: 'Divorce is not the best way.'
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Translate: 'Who divorced whom?'
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Translate: 'They were divorced by the judge.'
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Translate: 'He is divorcing his past.'
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Translate: 'Why did they divorce?'
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Say 'I want to divorce her' in Persian.
Read this aloud:
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Say 'He divorced his wife' in Persian.
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Ask 'Why did you divorce her?'
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Say 'I will not divorce you' firmly.
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Explain the difference between 'طلاق دادن' and 'طلاق گرفتن' in Persian.
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Say 'The lawyer said I must divorce her.'
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Say 'Divorcing is not easy.'
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Ask 'Do you have the right to divorce?'
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Say 'He divorced her last year.'
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You said:
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Say 'They are divorcing each other.'
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Say 'Don't divorce me!'
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Say 'He has the intention to divorce.'
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Say 'She was divorced by him.'
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Say 'After divorcing, he felt free.'
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Ask 'Who is going to divorce whom?'
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Say 'He divorced her because of a misunderstanding.'
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Say 'I heard he divorced her.'
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Say 'Divorce is a social problem.'
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Say 'He will divorce her next month.'
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Say 'I never wanted to divorce her.'
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Listen to the sentence: 'او همسرش را طلاق داد.' What happened?
Listen: 'چرا میخوای طلاقش بدی؟' Is the speaker asking about the past or future?
Listen: 'وکیل گفت طلاق دادن سخته.' What is hard?
Listen: 'اونا از هم جدا شدن.' Did the speaker use 'talāq dādan'?
Listen: 'حق طلاق با کیه؟' What is the speaker asking?
Listen: 'طلاقش نداد چون دوسش داشت.' Why didn't he divorce her?
Listen: 'آمار طلاق بالا رفته.' What is increasing?
Listen: 'باید مهریه رو بدی اگه طلاق بدی.' What must be paid?
Listen: 'طلاق غیابی گرفت.' What kind of divorce was it?
Listen: 'من تو رو طلاق نمیدم!' Is the speaker agreeing to divorce?
Listen: 'سه طلاقهاش کرد.' What does this idiom imply?
Listen: 'طلاق دادن آخرین راهه.' Is there another way?
Listen: 'بعد از طلاق دادن تنها شد.' How was he after?
Listen: 'اونا دارن طلاق میگیرن.' Are they 'giving' or 'taking' divorce?
Listen: 'طلاق دادن تو این شرایط اشتباهه.' When is it a mistake?
/ 187 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
The verb 'طلاق دادن' (talāq dādan) is the standard Persian way to say 'to divorce someone.' Unlike the English 'to divorce,' which can be mutual, this Persian form specifically highlights the person initiating the action. Example: 'او همسرش را طلاق داد' (He divorced his wife).
- To legally terminate a marriage contract.
- An active, transitive verb meaning 'to divorce someone'.
- Requires the object marker 'ra' for the spouse.
- Commonly used in legal, social, and cinematic contexts.
Watch the 'ra'
Always remember the object marker 'ra' for the spouse. Without it, the sentence is grammatically incomplete.
Dādan vs Gereftan
Think of 'Dādan' as 'giving' the news or papers, and 'Gereftan' as 'taking' your freedom or a new status.
Politeness
When talking about friends, 'جدا شدند' is softer and less invasive than 'طلاق داد'.
Husband's Role
Remember that historically, this verb is associated with the husband's legal action in Persian culture.
Related Content
More family words
عاقد
B1Marriage officiant.
عضو بودن
B1To be a member (of a family).
عقد
B1Marriage contract; formal engagement ceremony.
عقد کردن
B1To get married; to formalize a marriage contract.
عمه
A1Paternal aunt; the sister of one's father.
عمه زاده
B1Paternal cousin (child of paternal aunt).
عمهزاده
B1Paternal aunt's child (cousin).
عمو
A1Paternal uncle; the brother of one's father.
عموزاده
A2A cousin (child of one's paternal uncle).
عنایت
B1Care; attention; favor; consideration.