تو زشتی
to zeshti
The phrase "you're ugly" in Persian is تو زشتی (to zeshti).
This is a direct statement used to tell someone that they are not physically attractive. The core adjective can also describe an action or a word as being unpleasant or indecent.
How do you pronounce it?
to zeshti
Did you know?
- In some Persian dialects, calling a child زشت is occasionally done as a superstitious gesture to protect them from the 'evil eye' by pretending they are not attractive.
- The word تو descends from the Proto-Indo-European root 'túh₂', making it a very distant relative of the English word 'thou'.
- To soften the blow of this phrase, Iranians may use 'ta'arif' (the art of compliments), where they might paradoxically praise a person's spirit immediately after a criticism to maintain social harmony.
Examples in context
- قشنگ نیستی.You're not beautiful.
- چرا فکر میکنی تو زشتی؟cherā fekr mikoni to zeshti?Why do you think you're ugly?
Example conversation
Two people are arguing during a fight.
- نیلوفر Niloufarمن از تو خوشم نمیآید.Man az to khosham nemi-ayad.I don't like you.
- علی Aliچون من خوشتیپ هستم؟Chon man khosh-tip hastam?Because I am handsome?
- نیلوفر Niloufarنه، چون تو زشتی!Na, chon to zeshti!No, because you're ugly!
- علی Aliخیلی بدجنس هستی، نیلوفر.Kheyli bad-jens hasti, Niloufar.You are very mean, Niloufar.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries تو, زشتی, CC BY-SA 4.0.
