بدهی

The Persian word بدهی (pronounced 'bedahi') is a fundamental noun in the Persian language, primarily used to describe the concept of debt, financial obligation, or money owed to another party. At its most basic level, it refers to a sum of money that is due to be paid. However, its usage extends far beyond simple monetary transactions, touching upon moral obligations and social responsibilities. In Iranian culture, the concept of being 'indebted' to someone is not just a matter of balance sheets; it carries a weight of honor and reciprocal duty. When you borrow money from a bank, you have a بدهی بانکی (bank debt). When you owe a friend for a meal, it is a بدهی کوچک (small debt). The word is derived from the root دادن (to give), specifically the present stem ده, combined with the prefix بـ and the suffix ـی, literally suggesting 'that which must be given'.

Financial Context

In business and accounting, 'بدهی' is the standard term for liabilities. It appears on balance sheets and in legal contracts to define the exact amount one entity owes another.

Beyond the literal exchange of currency, 'بدهی' can be used metaphorically. For instance, a citizen might feel a 'بدهی' to their country, or a student might feel a 'بدهی معنوی' (spiritual/moral debt) to a teacher who changed their life. This nuance is crucial for English speakers to understand because while 'debt' in English can sometimes feel purely clinical, in Persian, it often retains a shadow of the interpersonal connection that created the obligation in the first place. Whether you are dealing with a mortgage, a credit card bill, or a favor that needs returning, this word is your primary tool for expressing that state of owing. It is a common word in news reports discussing national deficits, in family arguments about spending, and in the quiet internal monologues of anyone trying to manage their finances in a complex world.

Social Nuance

Iranians often view 'بدهی' as a burden that should be cleared quickly to maintain one's reputation and peace of mind.

In everyday life, you will hear this word at the supermarket when someone asks about their 'باقی‌مانده بدهی' (remaining debt/balance), or in a formal letter from a utility company. It is a versatile word that bridges the gap between the formal economy and personal relationships. It is also important to note that the word is often used in the plural form, 'بدهی‌ها', to refer to the sum total of various different debts one might have. Understanding this word is a key step for any learner moving into the A2 level, as it allows for discussions about work, shopping, and life planning.

Grammatical Connection

The word is often paired with verbs like 'داشتن' (to have), 'پرداختن' (to pay), or 'تسویه کردن' (to settle).

Using 'بدهی' correctly requires understanding how it fits into the Persian sentence structure. As a noun, it typically functions as the direct object of a verb or as part of an 'Ezafe' construction. One of the most common ways to use it is with the verb 'داشتن' (to have). For example, 'من به تو بدهی دارم' (I have a debt to you / I owe you). Notice how the preposition 'به' (to) is used to indicate the person to whom the debt is owed. This is a very standard pattern. If you want to discuss paying off that debt, you would use the verb 'پرداختن' (to pay) or 'دادن' (to give). 'من بدهی‌ام را پرداختم' (I paid my debt). In more formal or business contexts, you might use 'تسویه کردن' (to settle/clear), as in 'شرکت بدهی‌های خود را تسویه کرد' (The company settled its debts).

Possessive Usage

You can attach possessive pronouns to 'بدهی' to indicate whose debt it is. بدهیِ من (my debt), بدهیِ شما (your debt).

Another interesting usage is in the context of 'بدهی معوقه' (overdue debt). This is a common phrase in banking and legal documents. If someone is unable to pay, they might be described as 'غرق در بدهی' (drowning in debt), a vivid idiom that mirrors the English equivalent. In academic or political discussions, you will often hear about 'بدهی عمومی' (public debt) or 'بدهی ملی' (national debt). These terms are essential for anyone reading Persian newspapers or watching news broadcasts. The word also appears in compound adjectives like 'بدهکار' (indebted/debtor), which is formed by adding the suffix '-kar' to the root 'bedeh'. While 'بدهی' is the thing itself, 'بدهکار' is the person who has it.

Negation

To say you are debt-free, you can say 'بدون بدهی' (without debt) or 'بی‌بدهی'.

In conversation, 'بدهی' is often used to ask for a total: 'بدهی من چقدر می‌شود؟' (How much is my debt/total?). This is a polite way to ask for the bill in a shop where you have a running account. In more abstract terms, one might say 'بدهی تاریخی' (historical debt) to refer to obligations between nations or groups over time. The flexibility of the word allows it to move from the very concrete (a five-cent debt) to the highly philosophical (the debt of existence). As you practice, try to create sentences that vary the verb—don't just stick to 'داشتن'. Use 'دادن', 'گرفتن' (to take/incur debt), and 'فرار کردن از' (to run away from debt) to build a more natural and robust vocabulary.

Formal Contexts

In legal text, you might see 'بدهی مالیاتی' (tax debt) or 'بدهی ارزی' (foreign currency debt).

You will encounter the word 'بدهی' in a variety of real-world settings in Iran and the Persian-speaking world. Perhaps the most common place is at the bank. If you go to apply for a loan or check your account balance, the teller or the mobile app will display your 'بدهی'. In Iranian markets and traditional 'bazaars', many people have long-standing relationships with shopkeepers where they buy items on credit; this is called 'نسیه' (nesye), and the resulting balance is referred to as their 'بدهی'. You might hear a shopkeeper say, 'بدهی قبلی‌تان را هنوز نیاورده‌اید' (You haven't brought [paid] your previous debt yet). This reflects the trust-based economy that still exists alongside modern banking.

Media and News

In news broadcasts, 'بدهی' is a constant presence. Reporters discuss 'بدهی‌های خارجی' (foreign debts) or the 'بدهی سنگین تیم‌های فوتبال' (the heavy debt of football teams), which is a frequent topic in Iranian sports news.

In family life, the word comes up during discussions about the monthly budget. Parents might talk about 'بدهی قبض آب و برق' (the debt/balance of the water and electricity bills). It's also a common theme in Iranian cinema and television dramas, where the plot often revolves around a character struggling to pay off a 'بدهی' to a villain or a demanding creditor. These stories highlight the social stigma and personal stress associated with debt in Persian culture. In religious contexts, particularly during the month of Ramadan or before making the Hajj pilgrimage, individuals are encouraged to settle all their 'بدهی'—both financial and moral—to ensure they are in good standing with God and their community.

Legal and Official Documents

When renting a house, you might receive a 'گواهی عدم بدهی' (certificate of no debt) to prove that all previous utility bills have been paid by the former tenant.

Finally, you will hear the word in academic settings, specifically in economics and law classes. Professors will lecture on 'مدیریت بدهی' (debt management) or 'بدهی‌های جاری' (current liabilities). Even in literature, poets use 'بدهی' to describe the debt of gratitude we owe to nature or to our ancestors. This wide range of applications—from the bazaar to the university—makes 'بدهی' one of the most essential nouns to master for anyone seeking to understand the Persian-speaking world's social and economic fabric.

Everyday Phrases

'بدهی بالا آوردن' is an informal way to say 'to run up a debt'. You might hear this in casual conversations about someone's financial troubles.

For English speakers learning Persian, the word 'بدهی' presents a few common pitfalls. The first and most frequent mistake is confusing the noun 'بدهی' (debt) with the adjective/noun 'بدهکار' (debtor). While they are related, they cannot be used interchangeably. You 'have' a 'بدهی', but you 'are' a 'بدهکار'. For example, saying 'من بدهی هستم' (I am debt) is incorrect; you should say 'من بدهکار هستم' (I am a debtor) or 'من بدهی دارم' (I have a debt). This is a classic error that stems from the way 'to owe' is a single verb in English, whereas in Persian, it's often expressed through these noun/adjective combinations.

Pronunciation Pitfall

Learners sometimes mispronounce the word as 'bedehi' (three syllables) instead of 'bedahi' (three syllables but with a different vowel emphasis). Ensure the 'a' sound in the middle is clear.

Another common mistake involves the preposition. English speakers often want to use 'به' (to) correctly, but they might forget it entirely or use 'برای' (for). The standard way to say 'I owe you' is 'من به تو بدهی دارم'. Using 'برای' would change the meaning to 'I have a debt for you,' which sounds like you are holding a debt on their behalf. Furthermore, learners often confuse 'بدهی' (debt) with 'قرض' (loan). While a 'قرض' results in a 'بدهی', they are not the same. 'قرض' is the act of borrowing or the loan itself, while 'بدهی' is the state of owing or the amount owed. If you say 'من به تو قرض دارم', it sounds like you have a physical loan to give them, rather than owing them money.

Spelling Confusion

In written Persian, don't confuse 'بدهی' with 'بدهی' (the imperative form of 'to give' + suffix). While they look identical in some scripts, the context usually makes it clear.

A subtle mistake occurs in the pluralization. While 'بدهی‌ها' is correct, some learners try to use the Arabic plural 'دیون' (duyun) in casual conversation. 'دیون' is extremely formal and usually reserved for legal or religious texts. Using it with friends will make you sound like a lawyer from the 19th century. Stick to 'بدهی‌ها' for daily use. Lastly, be careful with the verb 'صاف کردن' (to level/clear). While common, it's informal. In a formal letter to a bank, you should use 'تسویه' or 'پرداخت'. Mixing registers (e.g., using 'صاف کردن' in a formal business email) is a common error for intermediate learners.

Word Order

Ensure that 'بدهی' comes after the amount if you are specifying a sum. 'پنجاه دلار بدهی' (50 dollars of debt), not 'بدهی پنجاه دلار'.

To truly master 'بدهی', it's helpful to look at its synonyms and related terms, as each carries a slightly different flavor. The most common alternative is 'قرض' (qarz). While often translated as 'debt', 'قرض' more specifically refers to the loan itself or the act of borrowing. You 'take' a 'قرض' and as a result, you 'have' a 'بدهی'. Another important word is 'وام' (vām), which specifically means a formal bank loan. You wouldn't usually use 'وام' for money borrowed from a friend; for that, 'قرض' or simply saying you have a 'بدهی' is more appropriate. Then there is 'دِین' (deyn), an Arabic-origin word that is very common in Persian. 'دین' often carries a stronger moral or religious connotation. For example, 'دین خود را به میهن ادا کردن' means 'to fulfill one's debt/duty to the homeland'.

Comparison: بدهی vs. قرض

'بدهی' is the balance or the state of owing. 'قرض' is the borrowed amount or the loan transaction.

In accounting, you might see 'بدهی' contrasted with 'طلب' (talab). 'طلب' is money owed to you (an asset/receivable), while 'بدهی' is money you owe (a liability). If you are a business owner, you are constantly balancing your 'بدهی‌ها' and 'طلب‌ها'. Another formal term is 'تعهدات' (ta'ahhodāt), which means 'obligations' or 'commitments'. This is broader than 'بدهی' and can include non-monetary duties. In legal contexts, you might hear 'مطبوعات' or 'دیون' (the plural of 'دین'). Understanding these nuances helps you choose the right word for the right situation. For instance, if you want to sound grateful, you might say 'من به شما مدیون هستم' (I am indebted to you), using the adjective 'مدیون' which is related to 'دین'.

Comparison: بدهی vs. صورت‌حساب

'صورت‌حساب' is the bill you receive (the paper). 'بدهی' is the amount written on that paper that you must pay.

For informal situations, Iranians might use the phrase 'پول لازم بودن' (to need money) or 'دست‌تنگی' (being tight-handed/broke), which are the conditions that often lead to 'بدهی'. If you are talking about a small, insignificant amount, you might call it a 'خرده بدهی' (petty debt). Conversely, a massive debt is a 'بدهی کلان'. By learning these synonyms and antonyms, you expand your ability to describe financial situations with precision. Instead of always saying 'بدهی دارم', you can say 'مقروضم' (I am indebted - formal) or 'بدهکارم' (I am a debtor - neutral). This variety makes your Persian sound more natural and sophisticated.

Antonyms

The opposite of 'بدهی' (liability) is 'دارایی' (asset) or 'طلب' (receivable).