What it means
ضعیف (za’if) describes something or someone that is weak, frail, feeble, or poor in quality. It is a direct loanword from Arabic, from the root ḍ-ʿ-f, and entered Persian so long ago that it feels completely native to speakers today. It applies to physical weakness, low academic grades, a weak argument, a faint sound, or poor food. Its natural opposite is قوی (ghavi), meaning strong or robust.
How to use it
- بعد از مریضی خیلی ضعیف شدم. (bad az marizi kheyli za’if shodam.) “After my illness I became very weak.”
- نمرهام ضعیفه. (nomre-am za’ife.) “My grade is poor.”
- این استدلال خیلی ضعیفه. (in estedelal kheyli za’ife.) “This argument is very weak.”
- صداش خیلی ضعیف بود. (sedash kheyli za’if bud.) “His voice was very faint.”
Cultural note
ضعیف is so deeply embedded in Persian that most speakers do not think of it as a foreign word. It appears in proverbs, classical poetry, and modern slang alike. In informal speech, Iranians often say “ضعیفه” or “خیلی ضعیفه” to dismiss something as substandard, whether a meal, a film, or a performance. The word can also carry a compassionate tone when used to describe a frail elderly person or a sick child.