What it means
میگرن (migren) means migraine, the neurological condition characterized by intense, usually one-sided headaches often accompanied by nausea, sensitivity to light, and visual disturbances. The word comes directly from French “migraine,” which derived from the Greek “hemicrania” (hemi, half, and kranion, skull). It entered Persian through modern medical vocabulary in the 20th century. A close everyday synonym is سردرد شدید (sar-dard-e shadid, severe headache), though میگرن specifically implies the neurological pattern rather than just any bad headache.
How to use it
- دیشب میگرن گرفتم و نتونستم بخوابم. (Dishab migren gereftam o natunestam bekhâbam.) “Last night I got a migraine and couldn’t sleep.”
- برای میگرن چی مصرف میکنی؟ (Barâye migren chi masraf mikoni?) “What do you take for migraines?”
- نور زیاد میگرنمو بدتر میکنه. (Nur-e ziâd migren-am-o badtar mikone.) “Bright light makes my migraine worse.”
- دکتر گفت میگرنم مزمنه. (Doktor goft migren-am mozman-e.) “The doctor said my migraine is chronic.”
Cultural note
Migraine is widely recognized in Iran and میگرن is used freely in both clinical and informal settings. Traditional Persian remedies for headaches, such as applying vinegar-soaked cloths to the forehead or drinking herbal teas like چای آویشن (thyme tea), are still practiced alongside medical treatment. There is a cultural tendency to attribute میگرن to stress, fasting, or hormonal changes, which is broadly consistent with known medical triggers.