What it means
ضدعفونی (zedd-e ofuni) means disinfection or sanitizing. Both components are Arabic in origin: zedd (ضد) means against or counter, and ofuni derives from ofunat (عفونت), meaning infection or putrefaction. Together the compound noun means literally that which works against infection. As a standalone noun it refers to the act or result of disinfection; paired with the light verb kardan it becomes the verb ضدعفونی کردن (zedd-e ofuni kardan), to disinfect. A related term is nazâfat (نظافت), which covers general cleanliness, while zedd-e ofuni specifically implies killing pathogens.
How to use it
- دستاتو ضدعفونی کن قبل از غذا. (Dastâto zedd-e ofuni kon qabl az ghazâ.) “Disinfect your hands before eating.”
- اتاق رو ضدعفونی کردن. (Otâq ro zedd-e ofuni kardan.) “They disinfected the room.”
- این اسپری برای ضدعفونی سطحه. (In esprey barâye zedd-e ofuni-ye sath-e.) “This spray is for surface disinfection.”
- بعد از عمل زخم رو ضدعفونی کردن. (Ba’d az amal zakhm ro zedd-e ofuni kardan.) “After the operation they disinfected the wound.”
Cultural note
The word entered widespread everyday use in Iran during the COVID-19 pandemic, when ضدعفونی کردن became a required step at the entrance of shops, offices, and hospitals. Before 2020 the term was largely confined to medical and laboratory settings. Health authorities broadcast daily instructions about zedd-e ofuni-ye dast (hand sanitizing) and zedd-e ofuni-ye faza (space disinfection), cementing the word in public vocabulary. Alcohol-based sanitizer gels are still commonly called mâyea-e zedd-e ofuni in pharmacies.