What it means
انتقاد (enteqâd) means criticism, critique, or critical comment. It comes from Arabic, from the root ن-ق-د, the same root as نقد (naghd, cash or critique), through the form VIII pattern (ifti’âl). In Persian the word covers a wide range: literary or academic criticism, political commentary, and everyday personal disapproval. The verb form is انتقاد کردن (enteqâd kardan, to criticize). A softer near-synonym is ایراد گرفتن (irâd gereftan, to find fault), which is more colloquial and milder in tone.
How to use it
- انتقاد سازنده همیشه مفیده. (enteqâd-e sâzande hamisheh mofide.) “Constructive criticism is always useful.”
- از سیاستهای دولت انتقاد کرد. (az siyâsat-hâye dowlat enteqâd kard.) “He criticized the government’s policies.”
- انتقادهایش بیانصافانه بود. (enteqâdhâyash bi-ensâfâne bud.) “His criticisms were unfair.”
- نباید از انتقاد ترسید. (nabâyad az enteqâd tarsid.) “One should not be afraid of criticism.”
Cultural note
انتقاد occupies a nuanced space in Iranian social life. Direct public criticism of authorities carries legal risk in Iran, so the language of انتقاد in public discourse is often carefully coded or delivered through indirect speech and humor. In contrast, within the family or among close friends, Iranians can be quite direct. Literary and cinematic criticism (نقد ادبی, نقد سینمایی) is a respected intellectual tradition, and the word carries positive weight when paired with سازنده (constructive).