At the A1 level, 'Jonub' is introduced as one of the four basic directions. Learners should be able to identify it on a map of Iran and use it in simple sentences like 'I am going to the south' or 'The south is hot'. The focus is on the literal meaning of direction and basic geography.
At A2, students learn to use 'Jonub' with the Ezafe construction to describe locations (e.g., 'Jonub-e Teheran'). They also start using the adjectival form 'Jonubi' to describe food or people. They can understand simple travel instructions involving the word.
B1 learners use 'Jonub' to discuss climate, regional differences, and travel experiences in more detail. They understand the cultural contrast between the North and South of Iran and can use the word in compound directions like 'Jonub-e Gharbi' (Southwest).
At the B2 level, 'Jonub' appears in contexts related to the economy (oil industry), history (the Iran-Iraq war which mostly took place in the south), and sociology. Learners can discuss the nuances of southern dialects and the strategic importance of the Persian Gulf.
C1 students encounter 'Jonub' in literature and academic texts. They understand its symbolic use in poetry and its role in geopolitical discussions. They are familiar with idiomatic expressions and the subtle social connotations of 'Jonub-e Shahr' (South of the city).
At the C2 level, the learner masters the word in all its complexity, including archaic synonyms like 'Nimruz', its etymological roots, and its use in complex political and philosophical discourse. They can appreciate the stylistic choice of using 'Jonub' in various registers of Persian.

جنوب in 30 Sekunden

  • Jonub means South in Persian.
  • It is the opposite of Shomal (North).
  • In Iran, it refers to the warm, oil-rich coastal regions.
  • It is used both as a direction and a cultural identifier.

The word جنوب (Jonub) is the primary Persian term for the cardinal direction 'South'. Derived from Arabic, it is deeply embedded in the Persian language, serving not just as a geographical marker but as a cultural and emotional anchor for Iranians. In the Iranian psyche, 'Jonub' immediately evokes images of the Persian Gulf, the warm and humid climate of Khuzestan, Hormozgan, and Bushehr, and the resilient, hospitable people known for their unique music and traditions.

Geographical Essence
In a literal sense, جنوب refers to the direction pointing towards the South Pole. When navigating Iran, moving 'Jonub' means heading away from the Alborz mountains and the Caspian Sea towards the strategic waters of the South.

اهواز در جنوب ایران قرار دارد. (Ahvaz is located in the south of Iran.)

Climatic Association
The term is synonymous with heat. In Persian literature and daily conversation, 'Jonub' often implies a sun-drenched landscape, palm groves (nakhlestan), and the intense humidity of the coastal regions.

مردم جنوب بسیار خون‌گرم هستند. (The people of the south are very warm-hearted.)

Economic Significance
The South is the heart of Iran's oil and gas industry. Terms like 'Jonub' are frequently heard in news reports regarding energy production and maritime trade in the Persian Gulf ports.

بندرعباس یکی از مهم‌ترین بنادر جنوب است. (Bandar Abbas is one of the most important ports of the south.)

او در جنوب شهر بزرگ شده است. (He grew up in the south of the city.)

کشتی‌ها به سمت جنوب حرکت کردند. (The ships moved towards the south.)

Using 'Jonub' effectively requires understanding its role as a noun and its transformation into an adjective. In Persian, directions are often used with the Ezafe construction (-e) to indicate 'South of...'. For example, 'Jonub-e Iran' (South of Iran). It is also used in compound nouns and phrases to describe specific regions or cultural phenomena.

Syntactic Function
'Jonub' acts as a standard noun. It can be the subject, object, or part of a prepositional phrase. When you want to say 'to the south', you use 'be samat-e jonub'.

ما به جنوب سفر می‌کنیم. (We are traveling to the south.)

Adjectival Form
By adding 'i', you get 'Jonubi'. This is used to describe things or people from the south. 'Musiqi-ye Jonubi' (Southern music) or 'Lebas-e Jonubi' (Southern clothing).

لهجه‌ی جنوبی بسیار شیرین است. (The southern accent is very sweet.)

Compound Directions
You can combine 'Jonub' with 'Sharq' (East) or 'Gharb' (West) to get 'Jonub-e Sharqi' (Southeast) or 'Jonub-e Gharbi' (Southwest).

سیستان در جنوب شرقی ایران است. (Sistan is in the southeast of Iran.)

باد از سمت جنوب می‌وزد. (The wind is blowing from the south.)

نقشه را به سمت جنوب بچرخان. (Turn the map towards the south.)

'Jonub' is a high-frequency word appearing in various domains from weather forecasts to classical poetry. Understanding its context helps in grasping the underlying tone of the conversation. In news, it's formal; in songs, it's often nostalgic or rhythmic.

Weather and News
Every evening, Iranians hear 'Jonub' in weather reports discussing the humidity of the Persian Gulf or the temperatures in Khuzestan.

دمای هوا در جنوب افزایش می‌یابد. (Air temperature in the south will increase.)

Music and Folklore
Southern music (Bandari) is famous across Iran. Songs often mention the 'Jonub' as a place of longing, sea, and sun.

آهنگ‌های جنوبی شاد هستند. (Southern songs are happy/upbeat.)

بازار بزرگ در جنوب تهران است. (The Grand Bazaar is in the south of Tehran.)

او به لهجه‌ی جنوب صحبت می‌کند. (He speaks with a southern accent.)

ماهی‌های جنوب بسیار خوشمزه هستند. (Southern fish are very delicious.)

While 'Jonub' is straightforward, learners often struggle with the Ezafe construction or confuse it with other directions. Another common mistake is misusing the adjectival form 'Jonubi' in place of the noun 'Jonub'.

The Ezafe Error
Incorrect: 'Jonub Iran'. Correct: 'Jonub-e Iran'. You must use the short 'e' sound to link 'South' to 'Iran'.

اشتباه: من به جنوب کشور رفتم. (Correct, but ensure the 'e' is pronounced: Jonub-e keshvar.)

Noun vs Adjective
Don't say 'Keshvar-e Jonub' when you mean 'Southern country'. It should be 'Keshvar-e Jonubi'.

غذاهای جنوبی تند هستند. (Southern foods are spicy.)

خورشید در جنوب آسمان است. (The sun is in the south of the sky.)

او از جنوب آمده است. (He has come from the south.)

To master 'Jonub', it's helpful to compare it with other directional terms and related geographical concepts. Persian directions are often paired in speech.

Shomal (North)
The direct antonym. While 'Jonub' is hot and dry/humid, 'Shomal' is green, rainy, and forested.

تفاوت شمال و جنوب زیاد است. (The difference between north and south is great.)

Sharq (East) & Gharb (West)
These complete the cardinal directions. They are often used together in the phrase 'Shomal, Jonub, Sharq, Gharb'.

باد جنوبی می‌وزد. (The southern wind is blowing.)

قطب جنوب بسیار سرد است. (The South Pole is very cold.)

How Formal Is It?

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Wichtige Grammatik

Ezafe construction

Adjective formation with -i

Prepositions of direction

Compound nouns

Pluralization

Beispiele nach Niveau

1

جنوب کجاست؟

Where is the south?

Simple question with 'kojas' (where is).

2

من جنوب را دوست دارم.

I like the south.

Direct object with 'ra'.

3

هوا در جنوب گرم است.

The weather is hot in the south.

Simple subject-predicate sentence.

4

او به جنوب رفت.

He went to the south.

Past tense of 'raftan' (to go).

5

این نقشه جنوب است.

This is the map of the south.

Demonstrative pronoun 'in'.

6

جنوب دریا دارد.

The south has a sea.

Verb 'dashtan' (to have).

7

خانه ما در جنوب است.

Our house is in the south.

Possessive 'ma'.

8

برو به سمت جنوب.

Go towards the south.

Imperative 'boro'.

1

جنوب ایران خیلی زیباست.

The south of Iran is very beautiful.

Ezafe construction 'Jonub-e Iran'.

2

او در جنوب تهران زندگی می‌کند.

He lives in the south of Tehran.

Present continuous 'zandegi mikonad'.

3

ما ماهی جنوبی خوردیم.

We ate southern fish.

Adjective 'Jonubi'.

4

آیا شما به جنوب سفر کردید؟

Did you travel to the south?

Simple past question.

5

جنوب از اینجا دور است.

The south is far from here.

Adjective 'dur' (far).

6

لباس‌های جنوبی رنگارنگ هستند.

Southern clothes are colorful.

Plural noun and adjective.

7

او لهجه جنوبی دارد.

He has a southern accent.

Noun-adjective pair.

8

خورشید به سمت جنوب می‌رود.

The sun goes towards the south.

Directional phrase.

1

اقتصاد جنوب به نفت وابسته است.

The economy of the south depends on oil.

Abstract noun 'eghtesad'.

2

مردم جنوب به مهمان‌نوازی معروفند.

The people of the south are famous for hospitality.

Passive-like construction 'marufand'.

3

در جنوب غربی ایران کوه‌های زیادی وجود دارد.

There are many mountains in southwestern Iran.

Compound direction 'Jonub-e Gharbi'.

4

او درباره فرهنگ جنوب تحقیق می‌کند.

He is researching southern culture.

Preposition 'darbare-ye'.

5

موسیقی جنوب ریتم تندی دارد.

Southern music has a fast rhythm.

Descriptive sentence.

6

بندرها در جنوب بسیار فعال هستند.

The ports in the south are very active.

Plural subject.

7

او از گرمای جنوب خسته شده بود.

He was tired of the southern heat.

Past perfect 'khaste shode bud'.

8

جنوب کشور پتانسیل گردشگری زیادی دارد.

The south of the country has a lot of tourism potential.

Complex noun phrase.

1

توسعه میادین گازی در جنوب اولویت دارد.

Developing gas fields in the south is a priority.

Formal vocabulary 'towse'e'.

2

ادبیات جنوب بازتاب‌دهنده رنج مردم است.

Southern literature reflects the suffering of the people.

Present participle 'baztab-dahandeh'.

3

او در جنوب شهر به کارهای خیریه می‌پردازد.

He engages in charity work in the south of the city.

Verb 'pardakhtan' with 'be'.

4

تاثیرات اقلیمی بر جنوب ایران نگران‌کننده است.

Climatic impacts on southern Iran are worrying.

Scientific context.

5

او خاطرات جنگ در جنوب را بازگو کرد.

He recounted memories of the war in the south.

Compound verb 'bazgu kardan'.

6

جنوب به عنوان دروازه تجاری ایران شناخته می‌شود.

The south is known as Iran's commercial gateway.

Passive voice.

7

تنوع زیستی در جنوب خلیج فارس بی‌نظیر است.

Biodiversity in the southern Persian Gulf is unique.

Academic terminology.

8

او به بررسی لهجه‌های مختلف جنوب پرداخت.

He proceeded to examine different southern accents.

Formal 'be barresi pardakht'.

1

جنوب در اشعار او نمادی از غربت است.

The south in his poems is a symbol of exile.

Symbolic usage.

2

شکاف طبقاتی بین شمال و جنوب شهر مشهود است.

The class gap between the north and south of the city is evident.

Sociological term 'shekaf-e tabaghati'.

3

او با نگاهی انتقادی به مسائل جنوب می‌نگرد.

He looks at southern issues with a critical eye.

Adverbial phrase.

4

جنوب همواره کانون تحولات سیاسی بوده است.

The south has always been a center of political developments.

Historical context.

5

تاثیر استعمار بر بنادر جنوب غیرقابل انکار است.

The impact of colonialism on southern ports is undeniable.

Complex adjective 'gheyr-e ghabl-e enkar'.

6

او در رمان خود فضای وهم‌آلود جنوب را ترسیم می‌کند.

In his novel, he depicts the eerie atmosphere of the south.

Literary verb 'tarsim kardan'.

7

جنوب جغرافیایی با جنوب فرهنگی تفاوت دارد.

Geographical south differs from cultural south.

Philosophical distinction.

8

او به تبیین جایگاه جنوب در تاریخ معاصر پرداخت.

He set out to explain the position of the south in contemporary history.

High-level formal Persian.

1

جنوب در این متن استعاره‌ای از زوال است.

The south in this text is a metaphor for decline.

Metaphorical analysis.

2

او به واکاوی ریشه‌های زبانی واژه جنوب در متون کهن پرداخت.

He explored the linguistic roots of the word 'south' in ancient texts.

Etymological study.

3

تقابل شمال و جنوب در فلسفه سیاسی او برجسته است.

The North-South divide is prominent in his political philosophy.

Abstract concept.

4

او با ظرافتی خاص، اتمسفر جنوب را در فیلمش بازآفرینی کرد.

With special delicacy, he recreated the southern atmosphere in his film.

Artistic critique.

5

جنوب، فراتر از یک جهت، یک زیست‌جهان است.

South, beyond a direction, is a 'lifeworld'.

Phenomenological term.

6

او به نقد بازنمایی‌های کلیشه‌ای از جنوب در رسانه‌ها پرداخت.

He criticized the stereotypical representations of the south in the media.

Critical theory.

7

در متون کلاسیک، جنوب گاه با نام نیمروز پیوند می‌خورد.

In classical texts, the south is sometimes linked with the name 'Nimruz'.

Archaic reference.

8

او به تحلیل ساختاری روابط قدرت در جنوب ایران مبادرت ورزید.

He undertook a structural analysis of power relations in southern Iran.

Highly formal verb 'mobadarat varzidan'.

Häufige Kollokationen

جنوب ایران
جنوب شهر
قطب جنوب
سمت جنوب
باد جنوب
دریای جنوب
مردم جنوب
فرهنگ جنوب
اقتصاد جنوب
مرزهای جنوب

Wird oft verwechselt mit

جنوب vs شمال (North)

جنوب vs جوان (Young - sounds slightly similar)

جنوب vs جوب (Gutter - informal)

Leicht verwechselbar

جنوب vs

جنوب vs

جنوب vs

جنوب vs

Satzmuster

So verwendest du es

note

In Tehran, 'Jonub' usually refers to the southern districts which are culturally distinct.

Häufige Fehler
  • Saying 'Jonub Iran' instead of 'Jonub-e Iran'.
  • Confusing 'Jonub' with 'Shomal'.
  • Using 'Jonub' as an adjective without the 'i'.
  • Mispronouncing the 'u' as a short 'o'.
  • Thinking 'Jonub-e Shahr' only refers to one specific city.

Tipps

Direction Pairings

Learn directions in pairs: Shomal/Jonub, Sharq/Gharb.

Southern Hospitality

Mentioning 'Jonub' often brings up the topic of 'Khoon-garmi'.

The Ezafe

Never forget the 'e' sound in 'Jonub-e Iran'.

Long U

The 'u' in Jonub is like the 'oo' in 'boot'.

Best Time to Visit

The south is best visited in winter (Dey and Bahman).

Spices

Southern Persian food is the spiciest in the country.

The Gulf

The south is inseparable from the history of the Persian Gulf.

Map Reading

In Persian maps, Jonub is always at the bottom.

Bandari

Search for 'Bandari music' to hear the vibe of the south.

Palms

The south is famous for its 'Nakhl' (Palm) trees.

Einprägen

Wortherkunft

Kultureller Kontext

Southern food is famous for being spicy and using fish.

Bandari music is the soul of the south.

The south is the economic engine of Iran due to oil.

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Gesprächseinstiege

"تا حالا به جنوب ایران رفتی؟"

"غذای جنوبی دوست داری؟"

"هوای جنوب چطوره؟"

"کدوم شهر جنوب رو بیشتر دوست داری؟"

"نظرت درباره موسیقی جنوبی چیه؟"

Tagebuch-Impulse

سفری خیالی به جنوب ایران را توصیف کنید.

تفاوت‌های شمال و جنوب شهر خود را بنویسید.

چرا جنوب ایران از نظر اقتصادی مهم است؟

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

It is an Arabic loanword used universally in Persian.

Use the word 'Jonubi'.

The opposite is 'Shomal' (North).

Mostly yes, especially in summer, but winters are very pleasant.

Ahvaz, Bandar Abbas, Bushehr, and Abadan.

On a map, yes, but literally it means South.

No, use 'Jonubi' to describe a person from the south.

Not necessarily, but it carries socio-economic connotations.

Jonub-e Sharqi.

Ghotb-e Jonub.

Teste dich selbst 185 Fragen

writing

Write a sentence about the weather in the south.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'I am going to the south of Iran.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Describe southern people in one sentence.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

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writing

What is the importance of the south for Iran's economy?

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writing

Write a short paragraph about a trip to the south.

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writing

Compare the north and south of Iran.

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writing

Write about southern music.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

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writing

Explain 'Jonub-e Shahr'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

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writing

Translate: 'The South Pole is covered in ice.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

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writing

Write a sentence using 'Jonub-e Sharqi'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

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writing

Describe the southern sea.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write about southern food.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'The wind is blowing from the south.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a sentence about a southern port.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

What does 'Jonub' mean to you?

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writing

Write a formal sentence about the south.

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Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'Southern culture is rich.'

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Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a sentence using 'Jonubi'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Describe the sun in the south.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write about the history of the south.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say 'South' in Persian.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Say 'I like the south.'

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Say 'The south is hot.'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say 'Southern music.'

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Say 'South of Iran.'

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Say 'I am going to the south.'

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Describe the weather in the south.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Talk about southern people.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Say 'South Pole'.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Say 'South of the city'.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Say 'Southeast'.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Say 'Southwest'.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Talk about southern food.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Say 'Southern accent'.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Ask 'Where is the south?'

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Say 'The wind comes from the south.'

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Talk about the Persian Gulf.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Say 'Southern ports'.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Say 'I want to see the south.'

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Say 'Southern hospitality'.

Read this aloud:

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listening

Listen and identify the direction: 'جنوب'

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listening

Listen: 'هوا در جنوب گرم است.' What is the weather like?

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listening

Listen: 'او به جنوب رفت.' Where did he go?

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listening

Listen: 'موسیقی جنوبی شاد است.' What is southern music like?

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listening

Listen: 'جنوب ایران دریا دارد.' What does southern Iran have?

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listening

Listen: 'قطب جنوب سرد است.' Is the South Pole hot or cold?

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listening

Listen: 'من جنوب شهر زندگی می‌کنم.' Where does he live?

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listening

Listen: 'ماهی جنوبی بخور.' What should you eat?

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listening

Listen: 'برو به سمت جنوب.' Which way should you go?

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listening

Listen: 'جنوب شرقی ایران خشک است.' Which part is dry?

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listening

Listen: 'لهجه‌اش جنوبی است.' What is his accent?

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listening

Listen: 'نفت در جنوب است.' Where is the oil?

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen: 'بندرعباس در جنوب است.' Where is Bandar Abbas?

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen: 'مردم جنوب مهربانند.' How are the people?

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen: 'سفر به جنوب در زمستان.' When to travel to the south?

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:

/ 185 correct

Perfect score!

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