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B1 adjective 7 دقيقة للقراءة

زیر صفر

zir sefr

تدرّب عليها أمثلة ملاحظات ونصائح زیر صفر في 30 ثانية

الشرح زیر صفر in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know that 'zir-e sefr' means it is very, very cold. Imagine the number 0 on a thermometer. In Persian, 'zir' means under. So, 'zir-e sefr' is 'under zero'. You can use this to talk about the weather in winter. For example, if you see snow, you can say 'Hava zir-e sefr ast' (The weather is below zero). It is a simple compound phrase. Remember to pronounce the 'e' at the end of 'zir'. It sounds like 'zeer-eh sefr'. You don't need to know exact numbers yet, just that this phrase means it's freezing. You might hear this in a basic weather report or when someone is shivering and complaining about the cold. It is one of the first weather terms you learn because it is so descriptive.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

At the A2 level, you can begin to use 'zir-e sefr' with numbers. You should learn the pattern: [Number] + [Darajeh] + [Zir-e sefr]. For example, 'do darajeh zir-e sefr' (two degrees below zero). You can use this to describe your city's weather or to talk about why you are wearing a big coat. You should also understand that this is the opposite of 'balay-e sefr' (above zero). At this level, you might encounter it in simple reading passages about winter or travel. You should be able to answer questions like 'Is the water frozen?' by saying 'Yes, because the temperature is below zero'. It is also helpful to know that in Iran, this always refers to Celsius. You don't need to specify 'Celsius' in casual conversation.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using 'zir-e sefr' in various contexts, including more complex sentences with conjunctions. You can use it to explain cause and effect, such as 'Because the temperature was below zero, the car didn't start'. You should also be able to distinguish between 'zir-e sefr' and its more formal alternative 'manfi'. While 'manfi' is used in news broadcasts (e.g., 'manfi-ye panj darajeh'), 'zir-e sefr' is more common in everyday speech. You can also start using it in metaphorical ways, such as describing someone's knowledge of a topic as 'below zero', meaning they know absolutely nothing. This adds flavor to your Persian and shows you understand idiomatic usage. You should also be familiar with related words like 'yakh-bandan' (frost) which often accompanies sub-zero temperatures.

At the B2 level, you are expected to use 'zir-e sefr' with precision in debates or detailed descriptions. You might discuss climate change and how many days per year the temperature drops below zero in certain provinces. You should understand the nuances of the Ezafe construction here and how it functions as a compound adjective. You can use it to describe technical requirements, like 'This equipment only works in temperatures below zero'. You should also be able to understand more complex news reports that use this term alongside meteorological jargon like 'jebhe-ye havaye sard' (cold front). Your ability to use it metaphorically should be more refined, perhaps in a business context to describe a project that is starting from a point of failure or extreme deficit.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

At the C1 level, 'zir-e sefr' becomes a tool for sophisticated expression. You should be able to use it in academic or literary contexts. For instance, in a literature essay, you might describe a character's emotional state as being 'below zero', indicating total numbness or lack of hope. In scientific discussions, you would use it to describe the physical properties of materials at cryogenic temperatures, though you might also use 'manfi' for exactness. You should understand the historical and geographical context of the term in Iran—how it shapes the architecture (like 'badgirs' or thick walls) in cities that experience extreme sub-zero winters. You can also analyze the linguistic structure of the compound and how prepositions like 'zir' function in Persian compared to other Indo-European languages.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

At the C2 level, you possess a native-like grasp of 'zir-e sefr'. You can use it with perfect timing in humor, sarcasm, or high-level professional discourse. You understand the subtle difference in tone between 'dah darajeh zir-e sefr' and 'manfi-ye dah darajeh'—the former being more visceral and descriptive, the latter more clinical. You can use the phrase to discuss complex socioeconomic issues, like the 'zir-e sefr' level of infrastructure in remote villages during winter. You are also aware of how this term appears in Persian poetry or modern film to set a mood of isolation or harsh reality. Your usage is flawless, including the correct application of the Ezafe and the ability to weave the phrase into complex, multi-clause sentences without hesitation.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

تدرّب عليها أمثلة ملاحظات ونصائح

زیر صفر في 30 ثانية

Means 'below zero' in temperature.
Used with the Celsius scale in Iran.
Always comes after the number of degrees.
Can be used metaphorically for extreme lack.

The Persian term زیر صفر (Zir-e Sefr) is a compound adjective and adverbial phrase primarily used to describe temperatures that have fallen below the freezing point of water on the Celsius scale. In the context of Iranian geography, where mountainous regions experience harsh winters, this phrase is a staple of daily weather reports and casual conversation from November through March. It is formed by the preposition zir meaning 'under' or 'below' and the noun sefr meaning 'zero'. Together, they create a precise descriptor for freezing conditions.

Meteorological Context: When the thermometer drops, Iranians use this phrase to warn others about icy roads or the need for heavy clothing. It is almost exclusively used with the Celsius system, as Iran does not use Fahrenheit.

دیشب دمای هوا در تبریز به ده درجه زیر صفر رسید.

Translation: Last night, the temperature in Tabriz reached ten degrees below zero.

Beyond the literal temperature, the phrase can occasionally be used in technical or mathematical contexts to describe negative integers, though منفی (manfi) is more common for pure math. However, in the realm of physical sensations, زیر صفر evokes a specific type of 'dry cold' common in the Iranian plateau. It suggests a threshold where water freezes and the environment becomes potentially hazardous without proper heating.

Social Usage: You will hear this in news broadcasts, from taxi drivers complaining about the engine not starting, and in domestic settings when deciding whether to leave the house.

مواظب باش، زمین یخ زده چون دما زیر صفر است.

The linguistic structure is very logical for English speakers. Unlike some Persian idioms that require deep cultural knowledge, this is a literal translation of 'below zero'. Its frequency increases significantly during the 'Chelleh' (the first forty days of winter), which is the coldest period in the Iranian calendar. Understanding this term is essential for anyone traveling to Iran's northern or western provinces during the winter months, as it dictates everything from fashion to transportation logistics.

Synonym Note: While 'manfi' (negative) is used in weather reports (e.g., negative five degrees), 'zir-e sefr' is more common in descriptive speech and provides a clearer mental image of the mercury falling below the zero line.

Using زیر صفر in a sentence is relatively straightforward because it functions as an adjective or a prepositional phrase describing the state of the temperature. It usually follows the noun dama (temperature) or darajeh (degree). In Persian grammar, when you specify the exact number of degrees, you place the number before the word darajeh and then add zir-e sefr at the end of the phrase.

امروز هوا پنج درجه زیر صفر است.

Translation: Today the weather is five degrees below zero.

Grammar Rule: Placement: Notice that 'zir-e sefr' comes after the numeric value. It acts as a modifier for the entire temperature expression. You cannot say 'zir-e sefr panj darajeh'; it must be 'panj darajeh zir-e sefr'.

In more formal or scientific writing, you might encounter the word منفی (manfi) before the number, but in spoken Persian, زیر صفر is the preferred way to emphasize the severity of the cold. If the temperature is exactly zero, you simply say sefr darajeh. Once it drops even slightly, it becomes zir-e sefr.

وقتی دما به زیر صفر می‌رسد، باید لوله‌های آب را پوشاند.

Translation: When the temperature reaches below zero, one must cover the water pipes.

Another common usage is in the context of sports, specifically skiing or mountaineering. Since Iran has several high-altitude ski resorts like Dizin and Tochal, checking if the snow is 'zir-e sefr' is crucial for determining the quality of the powder. If the temperature rises above zero, the snow becomes slushy (shol).

Comparison with 'Sard': While 'sard' means cold, 'zir-e sefr' is a technical threshold. Something can be 'sard' at 5 degrees, but it is only 'zir-e sefr' once it hits the freezing point.

در این ارتفاع، هوا همیشه زیر صفر است.

You will encounter زیر صفر in several specific environments. The most common is the nightly news. The weather segment (gozaresh-e hava-shenasi) will list major cities, and for those in the north or west, the presenter will frequently say 'zir-e sefr'. It is also a very 'social' phrase used in small talk.

The Newsroom: Broadcasters use a formal tone: 'Damaye hava dar mantagheye kohestani be bist darajeh zir-e sefr resid' (The temperature in the mountainous region reached twenty degrees below zero).

رادیو اعلام کرد که امشب دما به زیر صفر می‌رود.

In the workplace, colleagues might use it to discuss the commute. If the temperature was 'zir-e sefr', it implies there was frost on car windshields, leading to delays. In the kitchen, it might be used when discussing food storage or the settings of a freezer, though 'damaye enjemad' (freezing point) is the more technical term used for appliances.

Daily Conversation: 'Emshab kheli sarde, hatman zir-e sefre.' (Tonight is very cold, it's definitely below zero.) This is a very common way to express that it's freezing outside without checking a thermometer.

اطلاعات من در این مورد زیر صفر است.

Translation: My knowledge on this subject is below zero (metaphorical).

Finally, in the context of the Iranian 'Zare' (agriculture), farmers use this term to discuss the risks of frostbite for their crops. A night that is 'zir-e sefr' can ruin a season's harvest of pomegranates or pistachios if it occurs too early or late in the season.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make when learning زیر صفر is the word order. In English, we say 'below zero' or 'minus five'. In Persian, while you can say 'manfi-ye panj' (minus five), when using 'zir-e sefr', it must always come after the number and the word for degree.

Mistake: Incorrect Order: Incorrect: *Zir-e sefr dah darajeh. Correct: Dah darajeh zir-e sefr.

اشتباه: هوا زیر صفر ده درجه است.

Another mistake is confusing zir-e sefr with paeen-e sefr. While 'paeen' also means 'down' or 'below', it is not the standard idiomatic way to describe temperature. Stick to 'zir' for meteorological contexts. Additionally, learners often forget the 'Ezafe' (the short 'e' sound) connecting 'zir' and 'sefr'. It is pronounced Zir-e, not just Zir.

Confusing with 'Manfi': While 'manfi' (negative) and 'zir-e sefr' describe the same physical state, 'manfi' is used as a prefix (manfi-ye dah) while 'zir-e sefr' is a suffix (dah darajeh zir-e sefr). Mixing these structures is a common error.

درست: منفی ده درجه | درست: ده درجه زیر صفر

Finally, avoid using this phrase for non-temperature scales unless you are using it metaphorically. For example, in a bank account, you would use 'manfi' or 'bedehkar' (in debt), not 'zir-e sefr', unless you are trying to be very dramatic about having no money at all.

While زیر صفر is the standard for freezing weather, there are several related terms you should know to sound more like a native speaker. The most direct alternative is منفی (manfi), which means 'negative'. This is used in more technical or rapid speech.

Manfi (Negative): Usage: 'Dama manfi-ye dah ast.' (The temperature is minus ten.) This is slightly more formal than 'zir-e sefr'.

دما به منفی پنج درجه رسید.

Another related term is نقطه انجماد (noghteye enjemad), which means 'freezing point'. This is used in scientific contexts or when discussing the properties of liquids. If you want to describe the sensation of extreme cold caused by sub-zero temperatures, you might use the word یخبندان (yakh-bandan), which refers to a period of frost or a deep freeze where everything is covered in ice.

Comparison Table

Zir-e Sefr: General/Descriptive (Below zero)
Manfi: Mathematical/Technical (Minus)
Yakh-zadan: Verb (To freeze)
Sard: General (Cold)

آب در دمای صفر درجه یخ می‌زند.

Translation: Water freezes at zero degrees.

If you are talking about someone's performance or level of skill being extremely low, you might use zir-e haddeaghal (below minimum) or zaeef (weak), but zir-e sefr remains the most powerful way to emphasize that something is non-existent or starting from a deficit.

How Formal Is It?

رسمي

"دمای هوا به بیست درجه زیر صفر تقلیل یافت."

محايد

"امروز هوا پنج درجه زیر صفر است."

غير رسمي

"وای، هوا زیر صفره، دارم یخ می‌زنم!"

Child friendly

"آدم‌برفی دوست داره هوا زیر صفر باشه."

عامية

"مغزم زیر صفره، هیچی نمی‌فهمم."

حقيقة ممتعة

The word 'zero' in English and 'sefr' in Persian both share the same Arabic root 'sifr'. So 'zir-e sefr' and 'below zero' are linguistic cousins!

دليل النطق

UK /ziːɾe sefɾ/

US /ziːɾe sefɾ/

The stress is on the first syllable of 'Sefr'.

يتقافى مع

دیر (Dir) شیر (Shir) پیر (Pir) فکر (Fekr) ذکر (Zekr) بکر (Bekr) سحر (Sahar) مهر (Mehr)

أخطاء شائعة

Pronouncing 'zir' without the 'e' link.
Pronouncing 'sefr' as 'safar' (which means trip).
Using a hard 'z' like 'zephyr' instead of a soft Persian 'z'.
Missing the rolled 'r' at the end of 'sefr'.
Putting stress on 'zir' instead of 'sefr'.

مستوى الصعوبة

القراءة 2/5

The words are simple, but the Ezafe link is important for reading flow.

الكتابة 3/5

Remembering the order (Number + Degree + Zir-e Sefr) is key.

التحدث 2/5

Easy to say once you master the 'r' sound in 'sefr'.

الاستماع 2/5

Common in weather reports, so you will hear it often.

ماذا تتعلّم بعد ذلك

المتطلبات الأساسية

هوا (Weather) سرد (Cold) صفر (Zero) زیر (Under) درجه (Degree)

تعلّم لاحقاً

منفی (Negative) یخبندان (Frost) برف (Snow) دماسنج (Thermometer) زمستان (Winter)

متقدم

نقطه انجماد (Freezing point) ابررسانایی (Superconductivity) برودت (Coldness - formal) سرمای استخوان‌سوز (Bone-chilling cold)

قواعد يجب معرفتها

Ezafe Construction

Zir-e Sefr (The 'e' links the preposition to the noun).

Post-positional Modifiers

Dah darajeh zir-e sefr (The modifier follows the noun phrase).

Compound Adjectives

Hava-ye zir-e sefr (Treating the whole phrase as an adjective for 'weather').

Future Tense with Be-

Be zir-e sefr berasad (Reaching sub-zero).

Negative Verbs in Cold Contexts

Mashin roshan nashod (The car did not start).

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

أمثلة حسب المستوى

امروز هوا زیر صفر است.

Today the weather is below zero.

Simple subject + adverbial phrase + verb.

هوا خیلی سرد و زیر صفر است.

The weather is very cold and below zero.

Using 'and' to connect two adjectives.

آیا دما زیر صفر است؟

Is the temperature below zero?

Basic question structure.

بله، دما زیر صفر است.

Yes, the temperature is below zero.

Simple affirmative response.

آب زیر صفر یخ می‌زند.

Water freezes below zero.

General fact using present tense.

من زیر صفر را دوست ندارم.

I do not like below zero.

Expressing preference.

دما در زمستان زیر صفر می‌شود.

The temperature becomes below zero in winter.

Using the verb 'to become'.

اینجا همیشه زیر صفر است.

It is always below zero here.

Using the adverb 'always'.

دما دو درجه زیر صفر است.

The temperature is two degrees below zero.

Number + degree + phrase.

فردا هوا به زیر صفر می‌رود.

Tomorrow the weather goes below zero.

Future intent with 'miravad'.

لباس گرم بپوش چون هوا زیر صفر است.

Wear warm clothes because the weather is below zero.

Imperative + conjunction 'chon'.

دیشب دما پنج درجه زیر صفر بود.

Last night the temperature was five degrees below zero.

Past tense 'bud'.

در تبریز، هوا اغلب زیر صفر است.

In Tabriz, the weather is often below zero.

Using city names and adverbs of frequency.

وقتی هوا زیر صفر است، پیاده‌روی نکن.

When the weather is below zero, do not go for a walk.

Conditional 'vaghti' + negative imperative.

دما از زیر صفر به بالای صفر رسید.

The temperature went from below zero to above zero.

Using 'from... to...' construction.

ماشین در دمای زیر صفر روشن نشد.

The car did not start in sub-zero temperature.

Negative past tense.

اگر دما به زیر صفر برسد، مدرسه‌ها تعطیل می‌شوند.

If the temperature reaches below zero, schools will be closed.

Conditional type 1.

او گفت که دمای کوهستان همیشه زیر صفر است.

He said that the mountain temperature is always below zero.

Reported speech.

با وجود اینکه هوا زیر صفر بود، ما به اسکی رفتیم.

Despite the weather being below zero, we went skiing.

Concession clause 'ba vojud-e inke'.

اطلاعات او درباره این موضوع زیر صفر است.

His information about this subject is below zero.

Metaphorical usage.

باید برای دمای زیر صفر آماده باشیم.

We must be prepared for sub-zero temperatures.

Modal verb 'bayad'.

دما به ده درجه زیر صفر سقوط کرد.

The temperature plummeted to ten degrees below zero.

Using the verb 'soghoot kardan' (to fall/plummet).

این گل‌ها در دمای زیر صفر خشک می‌شوند.

These flowers wither in sub-zero temperatures.

Passive/Intransitive usage.

آیا می‌توانی در هوای زیر صفر بدوی؟

Can you run in sub-zero weather?

Ability with 'tavanestan'.

تغییرات اقلیمی باعث شده تعداد روزهای زیر صفر کاهش یابد.

Climate change has caused the number of sub-zero days to decrease.

Causative structure.

در این آزمایشگاه، مواد را در دمای زیر صفر نگه می‌دارند.

In this laboratory, materials are kept at sub-zero temperatures.

Present continuous/habitual.

برخلاف پیش‌بینی‌ها، دما به زیر صفر نرسید.

Contrary to predictions, the temperature did not reach below zero.

Prepositional phrase 'bar khalafe'.

سیستم گرمایشی برای شرایط زیر صفر طراحی شده است.

The heating system is designed for sub-zero conditions.

Passive voice.

او از صفر شروع نکرد، بلکه از زیر صفر شروع کرد.

He didn't start from zero, but from below zero.

Metaphorical contrast.

بسیاری از حیوانات نمی‌توانند در دمای زیر صفر زنده بمانند.

Many animals cannot survive in sub-zero temperatures.

Negative ability.

لوله به دلیل دمای زیر صفر ترکید.

The pipe burst due to the sub-zero temperature.

Reasoning with 'be dalil-e'.

دما در شب به شدت به زیر صفر میل می‌کند.

The temperature tends sharply toward below zero at night.

Using 'meyl kardan' (to tend/incline).

بقای این گونه گیاهی مستلزم تحمل دمای زیر صفر به مدت طولانی است.

The survival of this plant species requires enduring sub-zero temperatures for a long time.

Formal academic vocabulary.

معماری سنتی این منطقه پاسخی به زمستان‌های زیر صفر است.

The traditional architecture of this region is a response to sub-zero winters.

Abstract noun usage.

سرمای زیر صفر باعث اختلال در شبکه ریلی کشور شد.

Sub-zero cold caused disruptions in the country's rail network.

Using 'ekhtelal' (disruption).

او با روحیه‌ای زیر صفر به جلسه آمد.

He came to the meeting with a spirit below zero (extremely low morale).

Advanced metaphorical usage.

دقت این دماسنج در محدوده‌ی زیر صفر کاهش می‌یابد.

The accuracy of this thermometer decreases in the sub-zero range.

Technical/Scientific Persian.

برف سنگین و دمای زیر صفر، زندگی شهری را فلج کرد.

Heavy snow and sub-zero temperatures paralyzed city life.

Using 'falaj kardan' (to paralyze).

در ارتفاعات البرز، دما حتی در تابستان ممکن است به زیر صفر برسد.

In the Alborz heights, the temperature might reach below zero even in summer.

Using 'hatte' (even).

اقتصاد کشور در وضعیتی زیر صفر قرار دارد.

The country's economy is in a state below zero.

Economic metaphor.

تبلور احساسات او در آن لحظه، گویی در دمای زیر صفر منجمد شده بود.

The crystallization of his emotions at that moment seemed frozen at sub-zero temperatures.

Literary/Poetic structure.

پژوهش‌های اخیر بر روی ابررسانایی در دماهای بسیار پایین‌تر از زیر صفر تمرکز دارند.

Recent research focuses on superconductivity at temperatures far below zero.

High-level scientific discourse.

فقدان زیرساخت‌های لازم، کارایی سیستم را به زیر صفر کشانده است.

The lack of necessary infrastructure has dragged the system's efficiency below zero.

Complex causative construction.

در آن برهه‌ی تاریخی، امید به تغییر در جامعه به زیر صفر رسیده بود.

At that historical juncture, hope for change in society had reached below zero.

Sociopolitical commentary.

نوسانات دمایی حول محور زیر صفر، فرسایش سنگ‌ها را تسریع می‌کند.

Temperature fluctuations around the sub-zero axis accelerate rock erosion.

Geological terminology.

او با دانشی زیر صفر، مدعی رهبری این پروژه‌ی عظیم بود.

With knowledge below zero, he claimed leadership of this massive project.

Sarcastic/Critical register.

مواجهه با سرمای زیر صفر بدون تجهیزات، یعنی استقبال از مرگ.

Facing sub-zero cold without equipment means welcoming death.

Philosophical/Absolute statement.

سیاست‌های انقباضی، قدرت خرید مردم را به زیر صفر سوق داده است.

Contractionary policies have driven people's purchasing power below zero.

Advanced economic analysis.

تلازمات شائعة

ده درجه زیر صفر

دمای زیر صفر

شرایط زیر صفر

یخبندان زیر صفر

سرمای زیر صفر

رسیدن به زیر صفر

ماندن زیر صفر

تجربه دمای زیر صفر

محدوده زیر صفر

نقطه زیر صفر

العبارات الشائعة

هوا زیر صفر است

— It's freezing outside.

پالتو بپوش، هوا زیر صفر است.

دما زیر صفر رفت

— The temperature dropped below zero.

دیروز دما زیر صفر رفت.

چند درجه زیر صفر؟

— How many degrees below zero?

پرسید: چند درجه زیر صفر است؟

همیشه زیر صفر

— Always freezing.

این یخچال همیشه زیر صفر است.

زیر صفر واقعی

— True sub-zero (extreme).

این یک سرمای زیر صفر واقعی است.

تا حد زیر صفر

— Down to sub-zero levels.

دما تا حد زیر صفر پایین آمد.

نزدیک زیر صفر

— Close to freezing.

دما نزدیک زیر صفر است، مواظب باش.

بسیار زیر صفر

— Far below zero.

دما بسیار زیر صفر است، بیرون نرو.

زیر صفر مطلق

— Absolute zero (scientific context).

رسیدن به زیر صفر مطلق غیرممکن است.

دوباره زیر صفر

— Below zero again.

دوباره زیر صفر شد، برف می‌آید.

يُخلط عادةً مع

زیر صفر vs منفی (Manfi)

Manfi is 'minus'. Use it before the number. Zir-e sefr is 'below zero'. Use it after.

زیر صفر vs پایین صفر (Payeen-e sefr)

Technically correct but not the common idiom.

زیر صفر vs صفر درجه (Sefr darajeh)

This is exactly zero, not below it.

تعبيرات اصطلاحية

"اخلاقش زیر صفر است"

— He has a terrible personality/attitude.

اصلاً با او حرف نزن، اخلاقش زیر صفر است.

Informal

"اطلاعاتش زیر صفر است"

— He knows absolutely nothing about the topic.

درباره کامپیوتر، اطلاعاتش زیر صفر است.

Informal

"امیدش زیر صفر است"

— He has lost all hope.

بعد از شکست، امیدش زیر صفر است.

Neutral

"شانسش زیر صفر است"

— He has no chance at all.

برای برنده شدن، شانسش زیر صفر است.

Informal

"موجودی حسابش زیر صفر است"

— His bank balance is negative (overdrawn).

نمی‌تواند خرید کند، موجودی حسابش زیر صفر است.

Neutral

"رتبه‌اش زیر صفر است"

— His rank is extremely low/bad.

در این مسابقه، رتبه‌اش زیر صفر است.

Informal

"کیفیتش زیر صفر است"

— The quality is abysmal.

این غذا را نخور، کیفیتش زیر صفر است.

Informal

"اعصابش زیر صفر است"

— He is extremely irritable or stressed.

امروز با او بحث نکن، اعصابش زیر صفر است.

Informal

"نمره‌اش زیر صفر است"

— His grade/score is effectively worthless.

با این امتحان، نمره‌اش زیر صفر است.

Informal

"کلاسش زیر صفر است"

— He has no class/style (insult).

رفتارش را ببین، کلاسش زیر صفر است.

Slang

سهل الخلط

زیر صفر vs سفر (Safar)

Sounds similar to 'Sefr'.

Safar means trip; Sefr means zero. Safar has 'a' sounds; Sefr has an 'e' sound.

سفر خوبی داشته باشید (Have a good trip) vs دما زیر صفر است (The temp is below zero).

زیر صفر vs زیر (Zir)

Can mean 'under' in many contexts.

In temperature, it specifically pairs with 'sefr'.

زیر میز (Under the table) vs زیر صفر (Below zero).

زیر صفر vs منفی (Manfi)

Both mean sub-zero.

Manfi is more mathematical; Zir-e sefr is more descriptive of weather.

عدد منفی (Negative number) vs هوای زیر صفر (Sub-zero weather).

زیر صفر vs یخبندان (Yakhbandan)

Related to cold.

Yakhbandan is the result (frost/ice); Zir-e sefr is the cause (temperature).

امشب یخبندان است چون دما زیر صفر است.

زیر صفر vs پایین (Payeen)

Means 'down/below'.

Payeen is used for physical location; Zir is used for scales like temperature.

طبقه پایین (Lower floor) vs زیر صفر (Below zero).

أنماط الجُمل

Hava [zir-e sefr] ast.

هوا زیر صفر است.

Dama [Number] darajeh [zir-e sefr] ast.

دما دو درجه زیر صفر است.

Agar dama be [zir-e sefr] berasad, [Result].

اگر دما به زیر صفر برسد، آب یخ می‌زند.

Ba vojud-e [zir-e sefr] budan, [Action].

با وجود زیر صفر بودن، بیرون رفتیم.

[Subject] dar damaye [zir-e sefr] [Verb].

این دستگاه در دمای زیر صفر کار نمی‌کند.

[Metaphorical Subject] be [zir-e sefr] soghoot kard.

امید او به زیر صفر سقوط کرد.

Dama be sheddat be [zir-e sefr] meyl darad.

دما به شدت به زیر صفر میل دارد.

Emshab [zir-e sefr] mishavad.

امشب زیر صفر می‌شود.

عائلة الكلمة

الأسماء

الأفعال

الصفات

مرتبط

سجّل مجاناً لرؤية جميع الأمثلة

كيفية الاستخدام

frequency

Extremely high during winter months in Iran.

أخطاء شائعة

زیر صفر ده درجه → ده درجه زیر صفر
The phrase 'zir-e sefr' must follow the number and unit.
هوا پایین صفر است → هوا زیر صفر است
While 'payeen' means below, 'zir-e sefr' is the set idiom for temperature.
منفی ده درجه زیر صفر → ده درجه زیر صفر
Don't use both 'manfi' and 'zir-e sefr' together; it's redundant (like saying 'minus ten below zero').
زیر صفر → زیرِ صفر
Missing the Ezafe (short 'e' sound) makes the phrase sound broken.
دما زیرِ سفر است → دما زیرِ صفر است
Confusing 'safar' (trip) with 'sefr' (zero) due to spelling/pronunciation similarity.

نصائح

Word Order

Always remember the order: Number -> Darajeh -> Zir-e Sefr. English speakers often try to put 'zir-e sefr' first, which is incorrect.

Winter in Iran

Iran is not just a desert! Many provinces have snow for months. Knowing 'zir-e sefr' is vital for winter survival there.

The Rolled R

Make sure to roll the 'r' at the end of both 'zir' and 'sefr' for a native sound.

Beyond Weather

Try using 'zir-e sefr' to describe someone who knows nothing about a topic. It makes you sound very fluent!

News Context

Listen for the word 'dama' (temperature) followed by a number; 'zir-e sefr' will likely follow if it's winter.

Persian Numerals

When writing 'zir-e sefr' with numbers, use Persian numerals (e.g., ۱۰ instead of 10).

Switching with Manfi

Practice switching between 'manfi' and 'zir-e sefr' to get comfortable with both structures.

Icy Roads

If someone tells you 'Zamin zir-e sefre', they are warning you that the ground is icy. Walk carefully!

Moral/Mood

Use 'roohiyeh zir-e sefr' to describe a very bad mood or low morale.

Scale

Remember that 0°C is the freezing point. 'Zir-e sefr' literally means 'it is freezing'.

احفظها

وسيلة تذكّر

Think of a 'Zir'affe (giraffe) putting its head 'under' the 'Sefr' (zero) line because it's too cold up high.

ربط بصري

Imagine a big number 0 standing on a sheet of ice. Anything below that ice is 'Zir-e Sefr'.

Word Web

Cold Freezing Winter Snow Minus Celsius Ice Shivering

تحدٍّ

Try to find 3 cities in Iran that are 'zir-e sefr' right now and say their names in Persian.

أصل الكلمة

The term is a modern Persian compound. 'Zir' comes from Middle Persian 'az-er' (under). 'Sefr' is borrowed from Arabic 'sifr', which originally meant 'empty' or 'void'.

المعنى الأصلي: Under the void/nothingness.

Indo-European (Zir) and Afroasiatic/Arabic (Sefr).

السياق الثقافي

No specific sensitivities, but be aware that for people in warmer regions like Ahvaz, 'zir-e sefr' is a terrifying concept, while for those in Tabriz, it is a normal Tuesday.

English speakers use 'below zero' or 'sub-zero'. In the US, this often implies Fahrenheit, but in Persian, it is always Celsius.

Weather reports on IRIB (Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting). Modern Persian songs about winter and heartbreak. News articles about the 'Sarma-ye Siah' (Black Cold).

تدرّب في الحياة الواقعية

سياقات واقعية

Weather Forecast

دمای بیشینه
دمای کمینه
احتمال یخبندان
کاهش دما

Skiing/Sports

برف تازه
پیست اسکی
لباس گرم
عینک اسکی

Driving

جاده لغزنده
ضدیخ
زنجیر چرخ
احتیاط کنید

Cooking/Kitchen

فریزر
منجمد کردن
یخ‌زدایی
دمای نگهداری

Academic/Science

آزمایش علمی
تغییر حالت
تبخیر
میعان

بدايات محادثة

"شنیدی امشب هوا به ده درجه زیر صفر می‌رسه؟"

"توی شهر شما هم هوا زیر صفر می‌شه؟"

"بهترین لباس برای دمای زیر صفر چیه؟"

"تا حالا توی دمای بیست درجه زیر صفر بودی؟"

"وقتی هوا زیر صفر می‌شه، چه غذایی می‌چسبه؟"

مواضيع للكتابة اليومية

خاطره‌ای از سردترین روزی که تجربه کردی (زیر صفر) بنویس.

اگر مجبور باشی در جایی زندگی کنی که همیشه زیر صفر است، چه می‌کنی؟

توصیف کن که یک شهر زیر صفر چه شکلی است.

چرا بعضی‌ها دمای زیر صفر را به گرمای شدید ترجیح می‌دهند؟

تأثیر دمای زیر صفر بر روی طبیعت و حیوانات را بنویس.

الأسئلة الشائعة

10 أسئلة

In Iran and Persian-speaking countries, it always refers to Celsius. Fahrenheit is not used.

Yes, both are correct. 'Manfi-ye dah' is more common in technical weather reports, while 'dah darajeh zir-e sefr' is more common in daily speech.

No, it is an adverbial/adjectival phrase and does not change for plurality.

You can write it as ۱۰- or say 'dah darajeh zir-e sefr'.

The opposite is 'balay-e sefr' (above zero) or 'mosbat' (positive).

Yes, it is the Ezafe, which is grammatically required to link the preposition to the noun.

Metaphorically, yes, to show you are broke, but 'manfi' or 'bedehkar' is more standard.

Usually yes, but in very casual speech, you might hear people say 'dah darajeh zir' or just 'زیر صفر'.

Yes, though they might have local variations, the term is generally understood across the Persian-speaking world.

While the words are simple, using it correctly with numbers and understanding its metaphorical uses requires intermediate proficiency.

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