9 (More) Persian Phrases That Will Make Your Heart Melt

My students were doing a reading activity the other day when one of them was reading out loud to himself. The other whispered, “Read in your heart.” Then she looked at me and asked, “Is that how you say it in English?” I had to smile because it always happens that when I’m writing a language post, I start to hear the target language everywhere. Or maybe I’m just laser-focused on finding examples of it, so I do. The Baader-Meinhof phenomenon perhaps. Regardless, I thought it was a good example and one that I hadn’t thought of. “In English, we just say ‘Read silently’ or “Read it to yourself,'” I told her. “But the Persian tu delet bekhun is so much more beautiful.” When it comes to Persian phrases with del, there is no shortage. So here’s the second part of some of these expressions which are nothing short of poetic.

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Iranians don’t want something, but it’s their heart that desires it. 

The verb khâstan (to want) can be used alone, but it’s often paired with del to make it literally what the heart wants/wishes/desires. And while in English we can talk about “your heart’s desire,” it’s far more commonly used in Persian and even for the most seemingly trivial things.

.دلم میخواهد برم سفر

Delam mikhâd beram safar.

My heart wants to go on a trip. (I want to go on a trip.)

Iranians don’t get angry, upset, or bear grudges, but they have brimming hearts.

.با اینکه دلم ازش پر است اما آدم بدی نیست

Bâ inke delam azash por-e amâ âdam-e badi nist.

Even though my heart is brimming because of him/her [I’m really mad at him/her], s/he’s not a bad person.

Which means that when Iranians are angry, they don’t vent but rather empty their hearts.

.من همیشه پیش مامانم دلم را خالی میکنم

Man hamishe pish-e mâmânam delam-o khâli mikonam.

I always empty my heart [vent] to my mom.

Iranians don’t abandon or let someone/thing go, but rip off their hearts.

I really like this one because when your heart is attached to something, it does feel like you have to rip it off in order to take it with you and move on. 

.نمی توانم از اینجا دل بکنم

Nemitunam az injâ del bekanam.

I can’t rip my heart from [leave] here.

Iranians don’t fall head over heels in love, but fall in love with not one but one hundred hearts. 

And the fact that it’s made crystal clear that it’s not merely with one heart but rather 100 is quite interesting sweet humourous (insert your adjective here). You can hear this phrase in the lyrics of the old song Engâr na Engâr by Mansour.

Iranians don’t take a risk, but fling their hearts into the sea. 

.دیگه دل به دریا زدم و بهش گفتم

Digeh del beh daryâ zadam va behesh goftam.

I flung my heart into the sea [took a chance/a leap of faith] and told him/her.

Iranians don’t chat or commune, but talk about the pain in their hearts.

.با کسی درد دل کنید که شما را قضاوت نکند

Bâ kesi dard-e del konid ke shomâ ro ghezâvat nakone.

Talk about the pain in your heart [commune/chat with] someone who won’t judge you.

Iranians don’t say something is pleasant or soothing but it sits on/caresses their heart.

In a similar vein to delnavâz, we also have gushnavâz [caresses the ear], or “melodious.” And ruhnavâz [soul-caressing]. These all have similar meanings of something being pleasant or soothing.

.این آهنگ بسیار دلنشین / دلنواز است

In âhang besyâr delneshin / delnavâz ast.

This song sits on/caresses the heart very much [is very pleasant/beautiful].

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