What it means
زودرنج (zud-ranj) is a compound adjective built from two pure Persian words: زود (zud), meaning quickly or soon, and رنج (ranj), meaning pain, suffering, or offense. Together they describe someone who takes offense easily or who feels hurt at the slightest thing. The word sits comfortably across registers, from neutral conversation to mild written prose, and carries no strong negative charge beyond gentle criticism. A related contrast is کلفتپوست (koloft-pust), meaning thick-skinned, which is its practical opposite.
How to use it
- اون خیلی زودرنجه، مراقب حرفت باش. (oon kheyli zud-ranje, morâqebe harfat bâsh.) “He is very touchy, be careful what you say.”
- دوست ندارم زودرنج به نظر برسم. (dust nadâram zud-ranj be nazar berasam.) “I don’t want to come across as easily offended.”
- بچهها تو این سن معمولا زودرنجن. (bachehâ tu in senn mamulan zud-ranjan.) “Children at this age are usually easily hurt.”
- یه کم زودرنج بودی، فکر نمیکردم ناراحت بشی. (ye kam zud-ranj budi, fekr nemikardam nârâhat beshi.) “You were a little sensitive there, I didn’t think you’d get upset.”
Cultural note
In Iranian social culture, being زودرنج is generally seen as a weakness in adults, though it may be excused in children or emotionally sensitive situations. The value placed on آبرو (âbru), meaning honor and face, means that Iranians are often attuned to how words land, which makes the concept of being easily offended both culturally recognizable and gently stigmatized. The word appears frequently in everyday conversation, advice columns, and relationship discussions in Persian-language media.