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B1 verb 8 min read

زخمی کردن

zakhmi kardan
Examples Notes & Tips زخمی کردن in 30 Seconds
Explanation زخمی کردن in your Level:
At the A1 level, you only need to know that 'zakhm' means a 'hurt' or 'wound' and 'zakhmī kardan' means 'to hurt someone or an animal so they bleed.' Think of it as 'to make a wound.' You might use it simply: 'The cat hurt my hand' (Gorbe dastam ra zakhmī kard). Focus on the fact that it is a physical action. Don't worry about complex grammar yet; just remember 'zakhmī' + 'kardam/kardī/kard'.
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At A2, you should start using this verb to describe accidents or small incidents. You can use it with animals and people. You should also learn the opposite: 'zakhmī shodan' (to get hurt). For example, 'I fell and wounded my knee.' You should be able to use 'ra' correctly with the object. 'Man sag ra zakhmī kardam' (I wounded the dog). You are beginning to see how compound verbs work in the past tense.
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At the B1 level, you are expected to use 'زخمی کردن' in more detailed narratives. You can describe how something happened: 'The sharp wire wounded the cow's leg.' You should understand the difference between this and 'āshib zadan' (general harm). You can also use it in the future tense and with modal verbs: 'Mova-zeb bash, momken ast khodat ra zakhmī konī' (Be careful, you might wound yourself). This level focuses on precision in describing physical states.
At B2, you should be comfortable using 'زخمی کردن' in various registers. You can distinguish between the informal 'zakhmī kardan' and the more formal 'majruh kardan' in writing. You might use it metaphorically in specific idioms, though you know its primary use is physical. You can use complex structures like 'Having wounded the animal, the hunter felt regret' (Shekarchi ba zakhmī kardan-e heyvan, ehsas-e pashimani kard). You understand the nuance of intent versus accident.
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At C1, you use this verb with full native-like nuance. You might use it in literary analysis or discussing veterinary ethics. You understand how it functions in classical poetry compared to modern news. You can use the noun 'jara-hat' alongside the verb to create sophisticated descriptions. You are aware of the rare slang uses and can identify when the verb is used to create a specific visceral effect in a story or news piece.
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At the C2 level, you have a masterly command. You can discuss the etymology of 'zakhm' (from Middle Persian 'zakhm') and its cognates in other Indo-European languages. You can use the verb in highly abstract or legalistic contexts, such as 'inflicting bodily harm' in a court setting. You can manipulate the verb in complex poetic meters or use it to create subtle irony in sophisticated social commentary.
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Examples Notes & Tips

زخمی کردن in 30 Seconds

  • A compound verb meaning 'to wound' or 'to injure' physically.
  • Commonly used in contexts of accidents, hunting, and medical reports.
  • Formed by 'zakhmī' (wounded) + 'kardan' (to do/make).
  • Requires the object marker 'ra' when the victim is specific.

The Persian compound verb زخمی کردن (zakhmī kardan) is a fundamental expression used to describe the act of inflicting a physical wound or injury. Rooted in the noun zakhm (wound), the addition of the suffix -i transforms it into an adjective meaning 'wounded,' which is then combined with the light verb kardan (to do/to make). While its literal application is most common in medical, accidental, or hunting contexts, it carries a weight of physical trauma that distinguishes it from more general terms for 'hurting' or 'damaging.'

Literal Application
In its most direct sense, this verb is used when a person or an animal sustains a cut, a puncture, or a laceration. For instance, if a hunter shoots an animal but does not kill it, the animal is described as having been 'wounded' (زخمی شده). In a kitchen setting, if a knife slips and cuts your finger, you have 'wounded' yourself.
Hunting Contexts
Historically, in Persian literature and traditional hunting narratives, wounding an animal without a clean kill was often seen as a moment of tension or ethical dilemma. The term captures the transition from a state of health to a state of vulnerability.

پلنگ گرسنه توانست آهو را قبل از فرار زخمی کند.

— The hungry leopard managed to wound the deer before it escaped.

Beyond the physical, 'zakhmī kardan' occasionally finds its way into metaphorical speech, though less frequently than in English. One might 'wound' someone's pride or feelings, but in Persian, this is more commonly expressed as jarihe-dar kardan (to make sore/lacerated) or ranjundan (to offend/hurt). Therefore, when you use zakhmī kardan, the listener's first instinct will be to look for blood or a physical mark. It is a visceral verb that demands attention to the physical state of the subject.

مراقب باش! لبه‌های تیز کاغذ ممکن است دستت را زخمی کند.

Register and Tone
The verb is neutral in register. It is used by children playing in the park, doctors in a clinic, and authors in classical prose. Its versatility comes from the simplicity of its components.

In the context of animals specifically, this verb is crucial for veterinary discussions or wildlife conservation. If a bird hits a window, a witness might say 'parandeh zakhmī shodeh' (the bird has become wounded) or 'barkhord ba shisheh parandeh ra zakhmī kard' (hitting the glass wounded the bird). It implies a level of severity that requires care but hasn't yet resulted in death.

Using زخمی کردن correctly requires an understanding of the Persian transitive sentence structure. Since 'to wound' requires an object (the one being wounded), the direct object marker rā (را) is almost always present when the object is definite. This verb follows the standard pattern of compound verbs where the non-verbal element (zakhmī) provides the meaning and the verbal element (kardan) provides the tense, person, and number.

Past Tense Construction
To say 'I wounded,' you use the past stem of kardan, which is kard-. For example: 'Man ghazal ra zakhmī kardam' (I wounded the gazelle). Note how the object 'ghazal' is followed by 'ra'.
Present Tense Construction
The present stem of kardan is kon-. To say 'It wounds,' you use the prefix mi-. For example: 'Khar-e-gol dastam ra zakhmī mikonad' (The flower's thorn wounds my hand).

سگ ولگرد گربه کوچک را زخمی کرد و گریخت.

— The stray dog wounded the small cat and fled.

When dealing with animals, the verb often appears in the passive voice to describe the state of the animal. While the active 'zakhmī kardan' is about the perpetrator, 'zakhmī shodan' (to become wounded) is about the victim. This is a vital distinction for B1 learners. If you see a wounded animal, you use shodan; if you are describing what caused the wound, you use kardan.

آیا ممکن است این قلاده گردن سگ را زخمی کند؟

Negation
To negate the verb, add the prefix na- or ne- to the verbal part. 'Dandanhaye gorbe dastam ra zakhmī nakard' (The cat's teeth did not wound my hand).

In complex sentences, you might use the subjunctive mood. For example: 'Mova-zeb bash kasee ra zakhmī nakonī' (Be careful not to wound anyone/anything). Here, nakonī is the negative subjunctive. This is common when giving warnings about sharp objects or dangerous animals.

In everyday Iranian life, زخمی کردن is heard in a variety of settings ranging from the mundane to the dramatic. If you are walking in a bazaar and accidentally bump into a cart with sharp edges, the vendor might shout a warning to prevent you from wounding yourself. It is a word of caution and description.

News and Media
On the evening news (Akhbar), you will hear this verb frequently in reports about accidents or conflicts. 'Dar in tasadof, panj nafar zakhmī shodand' (In this accident, five people were wounded). While the news often uses the passive 'shodan', the active 'kardan' is used when identifying a cause: 'In hamleh dah-ha nafar ra zakhmī kard' (This attack wounded dozens).
Nature Documentaries
Persian-dubbed nature shows (like those on IRIB or BBC Persian) use this verb to describe predator-prey interactions. Narrators often describe how a predator's claws 'zakhmī mikonad' the prey to weaken it.

گزارش‌ها حاکی است که خرس عصبانی دو کوهنورد را زخمی کرده است.

— Reports indicate that the angry bear has wounded two hikers.

In a domestic setting, you'll hear it regarding pets. If a cat is being playful but gets too rough, a parent might tell a child: 'Mova-zeb bash, gorbeh dastat ra zakhmī mikonad' (Be careful, the cat will wound/scratch your hand). It is the standard way to describe the result of claws or teeth meeting skin.

تیزی سیم خاردار پوست اسب را زخمی کرد.

Literature and Poetry
Classical Persian poetry often speaks of the 'wounds' of love. While 'zakhm' is the noun used, the action of the 'beloved's eyelashes' acting like arrows to 'zakhmī kardan' the lover's heart is a common trope.

Learning زخمی کردن involves navigating a few linguistic pitfalls that even intermediate students often encounter. The most frequent errors involve confusing the active and passive forms, misapplying the object marker, or choosing the wrong synonym for the specific type of injury.

Active vs. Passive Confusion
Many learners say 'Man zakhmī shodam' when they mean they wounded someone else. Remember: shodan is for what happens to you (passive); kardan is for what you do to others (active). To say 'I wounded the bird,' you must use kardam.
Overusing for Non-Physical Pain
While you can 'wound' someone's feelings in English, using 'zakhmī kardan' for emotional hurt in Persian can sound a bit clunky or overly dramatic in everyday speech. It’s better to use nārāhat kardan (to make upset) or del-shekastan (to break the heart).

اشتباه: من دستم را زخمی شدم. (غلط)
درست: من دستم را زخمی کردم. (صحیح)

Another mistake is confusing 'zakhmī kardan' with 'asib zadan' (to damage/harm). While 'zakhmī kardan' specifically implies a wound (blood, cut, etc.), 'asib zadan' is much broader. You can 'asib zadan' to a car or a reputation, but you can only 'zakhmī kardan' a living thing with skin.

او به اشتباه سگ همسایه را با تیرکمان زخمی کرد.

Spelling and Pronunciation
Ensure you don't confuse zakhm (wound) with zakhim (thick). Pronouncing it 'zakhimī kardan' would mean 'to make thick,' which is nonsensical in this context. The 'kh' sound is a voiceless velar fricative, like the 'ch' in 'Bach'.

Persian is rich with verbs describing various types of harm. Understanding the nuances between زخمی کردن and its alternatives will elevate your fluency from B1 to B2 and beyond. Depending on the severity, the cause, and the formality of the situation, you might choose a different term.

مجروح کردن (Majruh Kardan)
Comparison: This is the formal sibling of 'zakhmī kardan'. It is used in legal documents, news reports, and formal writing. While 'zakhmī' feels more everyday, 'majruh' feels more official. You 'majruh' a soldier in a war report.
آسیب زدن (Āsib Zadan)
Comparison: This means 'to harm' or 'to damage'. It is much broader. If you hit an animal with a car and it has internal injuries but no external wounds, 'asib zadan' is more accurate than 'zakhmī kardan'.
جریحه دار کردن (Jarihe-dar Kardan)
Comparison: This is almost exclusively used for feelings or public sentiment. 'Ehsasat-e mardom ra jarihe-dar kard' (He wounded/offended the people's feelings). It is very poetic and high-register.

به جای زخمی کردن، می‌توان از واژه «خراش دادن» برای جراحت‌های سطحی استفاده کرد.

In a medical context, a doctor might use the term jarāhat vāred kardan (to inflict an injury), which is the most clinical way to describe the act. However, for a learner, mastering 'zakhmī kardan' first is essential as it is the most versatile and understood across all dialects of Persian, including Dari and Tajiki.

لطمه زدن (Latme Zadan)
Comparison: This is often used for 'blows' or 'detriment'. 'Be eghtesad latme zad' (It wounded/hurt the economy). It is not used for physical wounds on animals.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The word 'zakhm' is related to the root of 'hitting' or 'striking' in several ancient Iranian dialects. In the Shahnameh, it often refers to the wounds inflicted by famous swords like Zulfiqar.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /zæxmiː kæɾdæn/
US /zæxmi kərdæn/
Stress is on the second syllable of 'zakhmī' and the last syllable of 'kardan'.
Rhymes With
رسمی کردن (rasmī kardan) نرمی کردن (narmī kardan) گرمی کردن (garmī kardan) سرمی کردن (sarmī kardan) بزمی کردن (bazmī kardan) رزمی کردن (razmī kardan) هضمی کردن (hazmī kardan) نظمی کردن (nazmī kardan)
Common Errors
  • Pronouncing 'kh' as 'k' (e.g., 'zak-mi'). It must be the fricative 'kh'.
  • Confusing 'zakhmī' with 'zakhīm' (thick).
  • Putting stress on the first syllable of 'zakhmī'.
  • Pronouncing 'kardan' like 'garden' with a 'g'.
  • Shortening the 'ī' in 'zakhmī' too much.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

The word is easy to recognize once the root 'zakhm' is known.

Writing 3/5

Requires knowledge of compound verb conjugation.

Speaking 3/5

The 'kh' sound can be tricky for English speakers.

Listening 2/5

Distinct sound, usually clear in context.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

زخم کردن دست پا حیوان

Learn Next

مجروح کردن آسیب زدن پانسمان کردن خونریزی

Advanced

جریحه دار کردن خستن جرح و تعدیل
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Examples by Level

1

گربه دست مرا زخمی کرد.

The cat wounded my hand.

Subject (Gorbe) + Object (dast-e man) + ra + verb.

2

چاقو را بردار، خودت را زخمی می‌کنی.

Pick up the knife, you will wound yourself.

Present continuous used for near future.

3

آیا سگ تو را زخمی کرد؟

Did the dog wound you?

Simple past question.

4

من نمی‌خواهم گربه را زخمی کنم.

I don't want to wound the cat.

Negative construction with 'nemikhaham'.

5

او پرنده را زخمی کرد.

He wounded the bird.

Simple past third person.

6

گل سرخ دستم را زخمی کرد.

The red rose wounded my hand (with its thorn).

The rose is the subject.

7

بچه ها هم را زخمی کردند.

The children wounded each other.

'Ham ra' means each other.

8

مراقب باش! سنگ تیز پا را زخمی می‌کند.

Watch out! The sharp stone wounds the foot.

General truth in present tense.

1

شکارچی آهو را زخمی کرد اما آهو فرار کرد.

The hunter wounded the deer but the deer escaped.

Compound sentence with 'ama' (but).

2

چرا صورتت را زخمی کردی؟

Why did you wound your face?

Interrogative 'chera'.

3

تیغ اصلاح صورتم را زخمی کرد.

The razor wounded my face.

Instrumental subject.

4

او با قیچی کاغذبری دستش را زخمی کرد.

He wounded his hand with the paper scissors.

Use of 'ba' for instrument.

5

ما نباید حیوانات را زخمی کنیم.

We should not wound animals.

Modal 'nabayad'.

6

گرگ گوسفند را زخمی کرده است.

The wolf has wounded the sheep.

Present perfect tense.

7

سیم خاردار پوست اسب را زخمی کرد.

The barbed wire wounded the horse's skin.

Specific noun 'sim-khardar'.

8

آنها تصادف کردند و راننده را زخمی کردند.

They crashed and wounded the driver.

Sequential actions.

1

اگر مراقب نباشی، این طوطی ممکن است انگشتت را زخمی کند.

If you aren't careful, this parrot might wound your finger.

Conditional sentence Type 1.

2

او به اشتباه بال کبوتر را زخمی کرد.

He accidentally wounded the pigeon's wing.

Adverbial phrase 'be eshtebah'.

3

چگونه توانستی این حیوان بی‌آزار را زخمی کنی؟

How could you wound this harmless animal?

Emotive question.

4

لبه تیز میز پای کودک را زخمی کرد.

The sharp edge of the table wounded the child's leg.

Genitive construction 'labe-ye tiz-e miz'.

5

پزشک گفت که گلوله ریه را زخمی کرده است.

The doctor said the bullet has wounded the lung.

Reported speech.

6

او سعی کرد مار را بکشد اما فقط آن را زخمی کرد.

He tried to kill the snake but only wounded it.

Contrast between 'koshtan' and 'zakhmī kardan'.

7

خرده شیشه‌ها پای برهنه‌اش را زخمی کردند.

The glass shards wounded his bare feet.

Plural subject.

8

ببر گاو وحشی را به شدت زخمی کرد.

The tiger severely wounded the wild ox.

Adverb 'be sheddat' (severely).

1

شکارچی با زخمی کردن پلنگ، جان خود را به خطر انداخت.

By wounding the leopard, the hunter put his own life in danger.

Gerund-like use of 'zakhmī kardan'.

2

او مدعی شد که پلیس او را بی دلیل زخمی کرده است.

He claimed that the police wounded him without reason.

Complex reported speech.

3

خارهای بیابان پاهای شتر را زخمی کرده بودند.

The desert thorns had wounded the camel's feet.

Past perfect tense.

4

هرگونه اقدامی که باعث زخمی کردن حیوانات شود، ممنوع است.

Any action that results in wounding animals is forbidden.

Relative clause.

5

او با حرف‌هایش دل مرا زخمی کرد.

He wounded my heart with his words (Metaphorical).

Metaphorical use.

6

سگ نگهبان دزد را از ناحیه پا زخمی کرد.

The guard dog wounded the thief in the leg area.

Specific location 'az nahiye-ye pa'.

7

باید از زخمی کردن شاخه‌های درختان خودداری کنید.

You must avoid wounding (damaging) the tree branches.

Infinitive as object.

8

عقاب با چنگال‌هایش طعمه را زخمی کرد.

The eagle wounded the prey with its talons.

Instrumental plural.

1

نویسنده با توصیف صحنه زخمی کردن اسب، بی‌رحمی جنگ را نشان داد.

The author showed the cruelty of war by describing the scene of wounding the horse.

Literary analysis structure.

2

او متهم به جرح عمدی و زخمی کردن چندین نفر است.

He is accused of intentional battery and wounding several people.

Legal terminology 'jarh-e amdi'.

3

زخمی کردن عمدی گونه‌های در حال انقراض جرم سنگینی دارد.

Intentionally wounding endangered species carries a heavy penalty.

Formal administrative Persian.

4

تیرانداز ماهر هرگز شکار را فقط زخمی نمی‌کند.

A skilled marksman never merely wounds the prey.

Nuance of professional ethics.

5

این داروی شیمیایی ممکن است بافت‌های سالم را زخمی و تخریب کند.

This chemical drug might wound (damage) and destroy healthy tissues.

Scientific context.

6

او با زخمی کردن غرور ملی، خشم مردم را برانگیخت.

By wounding national pride, he provoked the people's anger.

High-level metaphorical use.

7

در این تراژدی، قهرمان داستان ناخواسته برادرش را زخمی می‌کند.

In this tragedy, the protagonist unintentionally wounds his brother.

Literary narrative.

8

زخمی کردن محیط زیست، زخمی کردن خودمان است.

Wounding the environment is wounding ourselves.

Philosophical parallel.

1

تبعات حقوقی زخمی کردن حیوانات بارکش در قوانین مدنی بررسی شده است.

The legal consequences of wounding draft animals have been examined in civil laws.

Academic/Legal register.

2

او در رساله‌اش به اخلاقیات زخمی کردن موجودات ذی‌شعور پرداخت.

In his treatise, he addressed the ethics of wounding sentient beings.

Highly abstract vocabulary.

3

زخمی کردن پیکره تاریخ با تحریف حقایق، خیانتی بزرگ است.

Wounding the body of history by distorting facts is a great betrayal.

Ornate metaphorical language.

4

ساختار فعل «زخمی کردن» نشان‌دهنده پویایی زبان در ترکیب مفاهیم است.

The structure of the verb 'zakhmī kardan' demonstrates the dynamism of language in combining concepts.

Linguistic meta-commentary.

5

وی با زخمی کردن وجدان عمومی، راه را برای استعفای خود هموار کرد.

By wounding the public conscience, he paved the way for his resignation.

Political journalism.

6

در متون کهن، زخمی کردن نمادی از شکستن پیمان‌های ایزدی بود.

In ancient texts, wounding was a symbol of breaking divine covenants.

Historical/Theological context.

7

او از زخمی کردن حقیقت ابایی نداشت تا به مقاصد خود برسد.

He had no qualms about wounding the truth to reach his goals.

Advanced idiom 'aba nadashtan'.

8

پدیده زخمی کردن خود در روان‌شناسی بالینی به دقت واکاوی می‌شود.

The phenomenon of self-harm (self-wounding) is carefully scrutinized in clinical psychology.

Clinical terminology.

Synonyms

مجروح کردن خستن آسیب زدن جراحت وارد کردن خراش دادن آزردن لطمه زدن جریحه دار کردن

Antonyms

درمان کردن بهبود بخشیدن شفا دادن تیمار کردن

Common Collocations

به شدت زخمی کردن
با چاقو زخمی کردن
از ناحیه سر زخمی کردن
به اشتباه زخمی کردن
حیوان را زخمی کردن
عمیقاً زخمی کردن
ناخواسته زخمی کردن
با گلوله زخمی کردن
پوست را زخمی کردن
خود را زخمی کردن

Common Phrases

زخمی و خسته

— Wounded and tired; often used to describe survivors.

سربازان زخمی و خسته بازگشتند.

زخمی از جنگ

— Wounded from war.

او یادگاری‌های زیادی، زخمی از جنگ، داشت.

زخمی کردن احساسات

— To wound feelings (Metaphorical).

این رفتار احساسات او را زخمی کرد.

زخمی کردن طعمه

— To wound the prey.

شیر ابتدا طعمه را زخمی می‌کند.

زخمی کردن با نیش زبان

— To wound with a sarcastic tongue (Idiomatic).

او همیشه دیگران را با نیش زبان زخمی می‌کند.

زخمی کردن غرور

— To wound pride.

شکست در مسابقه غرور او را زخمی کرد.

زخمی کردن در اثر تصادف

— To wound as a result of an accident.

تصادف زنجیره‌ای ده نفر را زخمی کرد.

زخمی کردن در دفاع از خود

— To wound in self-defense.

او مهاجم را در دفاع از خود زخمی کرد.

زخمی کردن سطحی

— To wound superficially.

خوشبختانه چاقو فقط او را سطحی زخمی کرد.

زخمی کردن کاری

— To inflict a fatal/serious wound.

شمشیر زخم کاری بر او زخمی کرد.

Idioms & Expressions

"زخم زبان زدن"

— To speak sarcastically or hurtfully to someone.

مادرشوهرش مدام به او زخم زبان می‌زد.

Informal/Common
"زخم خوردن"

— To be betrayed or hurt by someone you trusted.

من از نزدیک‌ترین دوستانم زخم خورده‌ام.

Emotional/Poetic
"نمک بر زخم پاشیدن"

— To rub salt in a wound; to make a bad situation worse.

با یادآوری شکستش، بر زخمش نمک نپاش.

Common
"زخم کاری"

— A deep, effective, or fatal wound (often used metaphorically).

این شکست یک زخم کاری برای تیم بود.

Neutral/Formal
"دهان زخم باز کردن"

— For a wound to gape open (can also mean to start complaining).

زخم پایش دوباره دهان باز کرد.

Neutral
"زخم کهنه"

— An old wound; a long-standing grievance.

این بحث دوباره زخم‌های کهنه را باز کرد.

Literary/Common
"زخمی از روزگار"

— Wounded by the times/life; having had a hard life.

او پیرمردی زخمی از روزگار بود.

Poetic
"زخم و زیلی"

— Covered in small wounds and bruises.

بچه با سر و صورت زخم و زیلی از فوتبال آمد.

Informal/Slang
"زخم برداشتن"

— To sustain a wound (alternative to zakhmī shodan).

در این نبرد، سردار زخم برداشت.

Formal/Literary
"زخم زدن به دل"

— To break someone's heart deeply.

رفتن تو به دل من زخم زد.

Poetic

Word Family

Nouns

زخم (zakhm) - wound
جراحت (jarāhat) - injury
زخم‌بندی (zakhm-bandī) - dressing a wound

Verbs

زخمی شدن (zakhmī shodan) - to be wounded
زخم خوردن (zakhm khordan) - to suffer a wound

Adjectives

زخمی (zakhmī) - wounded
زخم‌خورده (zakhm-khorde) - one who has been wounded

Related

خونریزی (khūn-rīzī) - bleeding
درد (dard) - pain
بخیه (bakhye) - stitch
پانسمان (pānsemān) - bandage
عفونت (ofūnat) - infection
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Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Zak' sounds like 'Zack' and 'hm' sounds like 'hum'. Zack hums while he treats a wound (zakhm). To make that wound, he has to 'zakhmī kardan'.

Visual Association

Imagine a jagged 'Z' shape being cut into a piece of leather. The 'Z' stands for 'Zakhm'.

Word Web

ZAKHM Kardan Shodan Bandaj Khun Dard Chaghu Tir

Challenge

Try to write three sentences about a cat that is 'zakhmī kardan' different household objects or people.

Word Origin

Derived from the Middle Persian (Pahlavi) word 'zakhm', which literally meant a hit, a blow, or a wound.

Original meaning: A physical blow or the mark left by a strike.

Indo-European -> Indo-Iranian -> Iranian -> Persian.

Cultural Context

Be careful when using this verb in medical settings; ensure you are not implying intentionality unless you mean to. Use 'shodan' (passive) for accidents.

English speakers might use 'hurt' for everything. In Persian, 'zakhmī kardan' is specifically for physical wounds. Don't use it for a stubbed toe (that's 'asib didan').

The movie 'Zakhm-e Kari' (The Mortal Wound), a popular Iranian neo-noir series. Sadegh Hedayat's 'The Blind Owl' mentions 'zakhm' (wound) as a central metaphor for life's pain. Poetry by Rumi often discusses the 'wound' as the place where the light enters you.
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