شمار
شمار in 30 Sekunden
- Shomār means 'count' or 'total number' of items or people in a group.
- It is a formal word, often used in news, books, and statistics instead of 'te'dād'.
- It is related to the verb 'shomordan' (to count) and the word 'shomāre' (ID number).
- Common phrases include 'bi-shomār' (countless) and 'be shomār raftan' (to be considered).
The Persian word شمار (shomār) is a fundamental noun that primarily translates to 'count', 'number', or 'calculation'. While beginners often encounter the word تعداد (te'dād) for 'number', شمار carries a more formal, literary, and sometimes abstract weight. It stems from the infinitive شمردن (shomordan), meaning 'to count'. Understanding شمار is essential for moving beyond basic Persian into more sophisticated discourse, especially in journalism, literature, and formal reporting. It describes the total quantity of things or people in a group, but it also appears in various idiomatic constructions that define how things are perceived or categorized.
- Core Concept
- At its heart, شمار refers to the act of tallying or the resulting sum. Unlike شماره (shomāre), which refers to a specific identifier like a phone number or a house number, شمار is about the volume or the aggregate total. For example, when discussing the 'number of participants', you would use شمار to sound professional.
شمار شرکتکنندگان در همایش امسال بسیار زیاد بود.
In formal Persian media, you will frequently hear phrases like شمار قربانیان (the number of victims) or شمار بیکاران (the number of unemployed). It provides a sense of clinical or objective measurement. Furthermore, the word is indispensable in the phrase به شمار رفتن (to be counted as / to be considered), which is used to classify something within a specific group. For instance, 'This city is counted among the oldest in the world' would use this structure. This versatility makes it a high-frequency word in academic and news contexts, distinguishing it from the more colloquial تعداد.
- Usage in Literature
- In classical Persian poetry, شمار often relates to the 'day of reckoning' or 'calculation of deeds'. It evokes a sense of order and cosmic balance. Poets might speak of 'stars beyond count' using the derivative بیشمار (bi-shomār), emphasizing the vastness of the universe compared to human capacity to calculate.
او از جمله بهترین نویسندگان ایران به شمار میآید.
Finally, the word is used in modern technical contexts such as شمارش معکوس (countdown) before a launch or a significant event. This highlights its role in temporal calculations as well as spatial ones. Whether you are reading a history book or listening to the evening news, شمار is the bridge between simple arithmetic and complex societal analysis.
Using شمار correctly requires an understanding of Persian Ezafe (the linking -e sound). Typically, شمار is the first part of a possessive or descriptive construction. You say شمارِ چیزی (the count of something). This structure is almost universal when using the word as a noun meaning 'total number'. It is also crucial to note that شمار is singular in form but refers to a plurality of items. Even though the count might be in the thousands, the word شمار remains singular unless you are specifically talking about different 'counts' or 'tallies' in a very specific technical context.
- Subject-Verb Agreement
- When شمار is the subject of a sentence, the verb should generally be singular to agree with it, although in informal speech or when the focus is on the individuals within the count, plural verbs are sometimes used. However, for a learner, sticking to the singular verb is the safest and most grammatically correct approach in formal writing. For example: شمار گردشگران افزایش یافت (The number of tourists increased - singular verb).
شمار روزهای باقیمانده تا عید کم است.
Another common usage is with the preposition در (in) to create the phrase در شمارِ ... بودن/آمدن. This is a sophisticated way to say 'to be among' or 'to be categorized as'. It is much more elegant than simply saying یکی از ... است. For instance, instead of saying 'He is one of the poets', you might say او در شمار شاعران بزرگ است. This elevates your Persian from basic communication to a more refined level of expression. It suggests that the person or thing has been evaluated and placed within a specific tally or category of excellence or importance.
او شمار زیادی کتاب در کتابخانهاش دارد.
In negative sentences, شمار can be used to indicate that something is beyond calculation. قابل شمارش نیست (It is not countable) uses the related word شمارش, but the root remains the same. When writing, remember that شمار is more likely to appear in a newspaper headline than in a text message to a friend about how many apples you bought. For the latter, تعداد or simply the number itself is preferred. Using شمار correctly signals to native speakers that you have a command of the formal register of the language.
To hear شمار used naturally, one should turn to Persian news broadcasts like BBC Persian, Iran International, or VOA Persian. It is the standard term for reporting statistics. When a news anchor reports on election results, they will refer to شمارش آرا (the counting of votes) and the شمار کل آرا (the total count of votes). It provides a level of formality and precision required for journalistic integrity. You will also encounter it in historical documentaries where the narrator discusses the 'count' of soldiers in an army or the 'count' of years in an era. It feels grander and more historical than the mundane تعداد.
- Academic Environment
- In university lectures, particularly in the social sciences or humanities, professors use شمار to discuss demographics. A sociology professor might talk about the شمار خانوارهای کمدرآمد (the number of low-income households). In this context, it isn't just a number; it is a data point in a larger calculation or 'shomār'.
طبق گزارشها، شمار مبتلایان به این بیماری کاهش یافته است.
Another common setting is in formal ceremonies. During a launch event or a New Year's Eve celebration, the crowd might participate in a شمارش معکوس (countdown). Hearing the numbers ten to one followed by 'Happy New Year' is a universal experience, and in Persian, that process is defined by the word شمارش. In the legal world, lawyers might refer to the شمار دفعات (the number of times) an event occurred to establish a pattern of behavior. It is a word that suggests that someone is keeping track, that there is a record or a tally being maintained.
با پایان یافتن شمارش معکوس، موشک به فضا پرتاب شد.
Lastly, in the realm of literature and philosophy, شمار is used to discuss the 'count' of life's breaths or the 'count' of one's days. It carries a poetic weight that suggests the finiteness of time. When you hear a poet say نفسهایم به شمار افتاده (my breaths have fallen to a count), they are describing the feeling of being out of breath or near the end of life, where every single breath is now being counted because they are so few. This emotional and metaphorical usage is what truly separates شمار from a simple mathematical 'number'.
The most frequent mistake English speakers make when learning Persian is confusing شمار (shomār) with شماره (shomāre). While they look nearly identical and share the same root, their usage is strictly distinct. شمار is the aggregate 'count' or 'total quantity'. شماره is a specific 'identifier' or 'label'. If you want to ask for someone's phone number, you must say شماره تلفن. If you say شمار تلفن, it sounds like you are asking how many telephones they own in total. This distinction is vital for basic communication.
- Mistake 1: Confusing Count with ID
- Incorrect: شمار خانه من پنج است (The count of my house is five). Correct: شماره خانه من پنج است (My house number is five). Use شمار only when you are talking about the total amount of a group of things.
اشتباه: شمار موبایل شما چیست؟ (غلط)
Another common error is using شمار in very casual, everyday situations where it feels too stiff. For example, if you are asking 'How many people are coming to dinner?', using شمار would make you sound like a census worker. In these cases, use چند نفر (how many people) or تعداد. Native speakers use شمار when the subject is serious, large-scale, or formal. Using it for three apples on a table is technically correct but pragmatically awkward.
- Mistake 2: Pluralization
- Learners often try to pluralize شمار into شمارها when talking about large numbers. This is usually unnecessary. The word itself represents a collective total. Unless you are comparing different sets of statistics (e.g., 'The counts from different regions'), keep it singular.
درست: شمار زیادی از مردم در میدان جمع شدند.
Finally, beware of the spelling. Because Persian has several letters for the 's' sound, some beginners might confuse it with other roots. شمار starts with 'Shin' (ش). It is purely Persian in origin, so it follows standard Persian phonology. Avoid confusing it with Arabic-rooted words that might sound similar but have different meanings. Mastery of شمار involves knowing not just its definition, but its 'vibe'—formal, statistical, and slightly poetic.
Persian has several words for 'number' or 'count', and choosing the right one is the hallmark of an advanced speaker. The most direct competitor to شمار is تعداد (te'dād). While they are often interchangeable, تعداد is of Arabic origin and is the 'workhorse' word for daily life. If you are counting objects, people in a room, or items on a list, تعداد is the most natural choice. شمار is its more formal, Persian-rooted sibling, preferred in literature and high-level journalism.
- Comparison: Shomār vs. Te'dād
- شمار: Formal, Persian root, used for large statistics, literature, and compound verbs like 'to be considered'.
- تعداد: Neutral/Casual, Arabic root, used for general counting of any quantity.
تعداد سیبها (Casual) vs. شمار تلفات (Formal/News)
Another related word is رقم (raqam). This specifically refers to a 'digit' or a 'figure', especially in financial or mathematical contexts. You use رقم when talking about a 'six-figure salary' or the 'digits' in a code. It focuses on the symbols used to represent the number rather than the count itself. Then there is عدد (adad), which is the mathematical term for 'number' as an abstract concept (e.g., 'The number seven is lucky').
- Summary of Alternatives
- شماره (Shomāre)
- An identifier/ID (phone number, house number).
- شمارش (Shomarsh)
- The act of counting (the process).
- بیشمار (Bishomār)
- Innumerable/Countless.
این خانه در شمار بناهای تاریخی است.
In summary, use شمار when you want to sound precise, formal, or literary. Use تعداد for everyday counting. Use شماره for IDs. Use رقم for digits and money. And use عدد for the abstract concept of a number. This nuanced understanding will prevent you from sounding like a robot and help you express yourself with the elegance of a native speaker.
How Formal Is It?
Wusstest du?
The root of 'shomār' is actually related to the English word 'memory'. In ancient times, counting was seen as a way of 'remembering' or 'keeping track' of things in one's mind.
Aussprachehilfe
- Pronouncing it like 'shummer' (English 'summer'). The 'ā' must be long and deep.
- Confusing it with 'shomā' (you). Don't forget the final 'r'.
- Pronouncing the 'o' as a long 'u' (shoo-mār). It should be a short 'o'.
- Missing the tapped 'r' at the end.
- Confusing the stress and putting it on the first syllable.
Schwierigkeitsgrad
Easy to recognize in texts, usually followed by an Ezafe.
Requires knowledge of when to use it vs. 'te'dād' or 'shomāre'.
Sounds very formal; learners must practice the 'ā' sound.
Common in news; easy to hear once you know the 'sh-m-r' root.
Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest
Voraussetzungen
Als Nächstes lernen
Fortgeschritten
Wichtige Grammatik
Ezafe Construction
شمارِ (shomār-e) + Noun. The 'e' sound links 'count' to the object.
Singular Subject, Singular Verb
شمارِ مردم زیاد است. (The count of people IS many.) Even though people are many, 'shomār' is singular.
Prefix 'Bi-' for Negation
بی + شمار = بیشمار (Without + count = countless).
Suffix '-esh' for Gerund
شمار + ش = شمارش (The act of counting).
Compound Verb with 'Be'
به شمار رفتن (To be considered). Always requires 'be'.
Beispiele nach Niveau
شمار این کتابها پنج است.
The count of these books is five.
Basic use of 'shomār' with a number.
شمار دانشآموزان کم است.
The number of students is low.
'shomār' as the subject followed by an adjective.
شمار سیبها را میدانی؟
Do you know the count of the apples?
Using 'shomār' in a simple question.
شمار مدادهای من زیاد است.
The count of my pencils is many.
Possessive construction with 'shomār'.
او شمار گربهها را نوشت.
He wrote the count of the cats.
'shomār' as a direct object.
شمار مرغها در مزرعه ده است.
The count of chickens on the farm is ten.
Locative phrase with 'shomār'.
شمار گلها در باغ زیباست.
The count of flowers in the garden is beautiful.
Using 'shomār' to describe a group.
شمار برادران او دو نفر است.
The count of his brothers is two people.
Using 'nafar' as a counting unit with 'shomār'.
شمار زیادی از مردم به پارک رفتند.
A large number of people went to the park.
'shomār-e ziyādi az...' is a common A2 pattern.
شمار گردشگران در تابستان بیشتر میشود.
The number of tourists increases in the summer.
Using 'shomār' in a sentence about trends.
او ستارههای بیشمار را در آسمان دید.
He saw countless stars in the sky.
Introduction of the adjective 'bi-shomār'.
شمار روزهای تعطیل در این ماه کم است.
The number of holidays in this month is few.
Abstract count (days).
شمار شرکتکنندگان در کلاس افزایش یافت.
The number of participants in the class increased.
Formal vocabulary like 'sherkat-konandegān'.
شمار صندلیها برای همه کافی نیست.
The count of chairs is not enough for everyone.
Negative sentence with 'shomār'.
شمار درختان این جنگل بسیار است.
The count of trees in this forest is a lot.
Descriptive use of 'shomār'.
شمار صفحات این کتاب دویست است.
The number of pages of this book is two hundred.
Using 'shomār' for page counts.
این نویسنده در شمار بهترینهای ایران است.
This writer is among (counted as) the best of Iran.
The phrase 'dar shomār-e ... budan' (to be among).
شمارش معکوس برای پرتاب موشک آغاز شد.
The countdown for the rocket launch began.
Using 'shomarsh-e ma'kus' (countdown).
شمار قربانیان زلزله هنوز مشخص نیست.
The number of earthquake victims is not yet clear.
Formal news context usage.
او کتابهای بیشماری در طول زندگیاش خوانده است.
He has read countless books during his life.
Using 'bi-shomār' as a post-nominal adjective.
شمار آرا در حال بررسی است.
The count of votes is under investigation/review.
Political/Administrative context.
این قطعه موسیقی در شمار آثار ماندگار اوست.
This musical piece is among his lasting works.
Categorizing art using 'shomār'.
شمار بیکاران در سال گذشته کاهش یافت.
The number of unemployed people decreased last year.
Economic reporting context.
شمار دفعات تکرار این خطا زیاد است.
The number of times this error is repeated is high.
Using 'shomār-e dafe'āt' (number of times).
شمار قابل توجهی از جوانان به ورزش علاقه دارند.
A significant number of youths are interested in sports.
Using 'shomār-e ghābel-e tavajohi' (a significant number).
او از جمله کسانی است که در شمار نوابغ میآیند.
He is among those who are counted as geniuses.
The complex verb 'dar shomār āmadan'.
شمار معترضان به سیاستهای جدید افزایش یافته است.
The number of protesters against the new policies has increased.
Social/Political discourse.
این بنای تاریخی در شمار میراث جهانی یونسکو است.
This historical building is among the UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Official classification usage.
شمارش آرا با دقت بسیاری انجام شد.
The counting of votes was performed with great precision.
Using 'shomarsh' as the act of counting.
شمار روزهای آفتابی در این منطقه بیسابقه است.
The number of sunny days in this region is unprecedented.
Using 'bi-sābegh-e' (unprecedented) with 'shomār'.
او با مشکلات بیشماری در مسیر خود روبرو شد.
He faced countless problems on his path.
Abstract use of 'bi-shomār' for difficulties.
شمار فارغالتحصیلان این دانشگاه هر سال بیشتر میشود.
The number of graduates from this university increases every year.
Educational statistics.
شمارِ نفسهای او به شماره افتاده بود.
The count of his breaths had fallen to a (final) count.
Idiomatic expression for being near death or very tired.
این مسئله در شمار اولویتهای استراتژیک کشور قرار دارد.
This issue is among the country's strategic priorities.
High-level administrative/political jargon.
شمارِ معتنابهی از آثار باستانی در این موزه نگهداری میشود.
A substantial number of ancient artifacts are kept in this museum.
Using the formal adjective 'mo'tanābeh' (substantial).
او را باید در شمارِ صاحبنظران این حوزه دانست.
One must consider him among the experts in this field.
The modal construction 'bayad ... dānest'.
شمارشِ معکوس برای تغییرات بزرگ اجتماعی آغاز شده است.
The countdown for major social changes has begun.
Metaphorical use of 'shomarsh-e ma'kus'.
شمارِ تلفات ناشی از جنگ به شکلی فاجعهبار افزایش یافت.
The number of casualties resulting from the war increased catastrophically.
Using 'fāje'eh-bār' (catastrophic) for intensity.
این نظریه در شمارِ بحثبرانگیزترین دیدگاههای قرن اخیر است.
This theory is among the most controversial viewpoints of the last century.
Academic classification of ideas.
شمارِ ستارگان در کهکشان فراتر از تصور بشر است.
The count of stars in the galaxy is beyond human imagination.
Philosophical/Scientific scale.
در شمارِ مفاخرِ ادبیِ این مرز و بوم، نام او همواره میدرخشد.
Among the literary glories of this land, his name always shines.
Highly literary/poetic register.
شمارشِ دقیقِ دقایقِ عمر، آدمی را به تامل وامیدارد.
The precise counting of the minutes of life compels a person to reflect.
Philosophical reflection using 'shomarsh'.
آنچه در شمارِ فضایلِ اخلاقی است، در این کتاب گردآوری شده است.
Whatever is counted among moral virtues has been gathered in this book.
Using 'shomār' for abstract moral categories.
شمارِ کثیری از پژوهشگران بر این باورند که تاریخ تکرار میشود.
A vast number of researchers believe that history repeats itself.
Using 'shomār-e kasiri' (a vast number).
او بی آنکه به شمارِ دشمنان بیندیشد، به راه خود ادامه داد.
Without thinking of the count of his enemies, he continued his path.
Literary narrative style.
شمارِ روزهایِ خوشِ ما در این جهان، اندک و گذراست.
The count of our happy days in this world is few and fleeting.
Poetic use of 'shomār' with 'andak' (few).
در شمارشِ نهایی، مشخص شد که ارادهی ملت بر تغییر استوار است.
In the final tally, it became clear that the nation's will is set on change.
Political rhetoric.
شمارِ بیپایانِ احتمالات، تصمیمگیری را دشوار میسازد.
The endless count of possibilities makes decision-making difficult.
Abstract philosophical usage.
Synonyme
Gegenteile
Häufige Kollokationen
Häufige Phrasen
— The process of counting backwards to zero before an event. It is used for rocket launches and festivals.
شمارش معکوس برای شروع کنسرت آغاز شد.
— To be regarded or considered as something. It is a very formal and elegant way to categorize.
این اثر در شمار شاهکارهای او به شمار میرود.
— A large number of. This is the standard formal equivalent of 'a lot of people/things'.
شمار زیادی از پرندگان به جنوب مهاجرت کردند.
— Countless or innumerable. Used to describe things that are too many to count easily.
او تجربههای بیشماری در سفر دارد.
— The act of counting votes after an election. A common phrase in political news.
شمارش آرا تا صبح ادامه داشت.
— To be included in a certain group or list. Similar to 'be shomār raftan'.
نام او در شمار برندگان آمد.
— The number of victims or casualties. Used in news reports about accidents or disasters.
شمار قربانیان سیل به ده نفر رسید.
— The number of days left until a certain deadline or event.
شمار روزهای باقیمانده تا امتحان کم است.
— A substantial or considerable number. A very formal academic phrase.
شمار معتنابهی از داوطلبان پذیرفته شدند.
— The total count or grand total. Used in administrative or accounting contexts.
شمار کل اعضای گروه پنجاه نفر است.
Wird oft verwechselt mit
This means a specific ID or label (phone number, house number). 'Shomār' is the total count.
This means 'you' (plural/formal). It sounds similar but lacks the final 'r'.
This means 'North'. Be careful with the 'r' vs 'l' at the end.
Redewendungen & Ausdrücke
— Literally 'his breaths have fallen to a count'. It means someone is dying or extremely exhausted.
بیمار بیچاره نفسهایش به شمار افتاده بود.
Literary/Poetic— To not be worthy of being counted; to be insignificant or ignored.
این اشتباهات کوچک در شمار نمیآیند.
Formal— Without limit or calculation; often used to describe immense wealth or kindness.
او ثروتی بیحساب و شمار دارد.
Literary— To take something into account or to consider it important.
باید تلاشهای او را به شمار آورد.
Neutral/Formal— To keep track of someone or to be aware of their actions (rare, mostly literary).
روزگار شمارِ تمام کارهای ما را دارد.
Archaic— To be beyond counting; to be so many that they cannot be tallied.
نعمتهای خدا از شمار بیرون است.
Religious/Literary— The countdown of life; a metaphor for aging or the approach of death.
با هر تولد، شمارش معکوس زندگی تندتر میشود.
Philosophical— To be among the prides/glories of a nation or field.
حافظ در شمار مفاخر ایران است.
Formal— An older way of saying 'to count' or 'to calculate'.
او ستارهها را شمار میکرد.
Archaic/Poetic— According to the number of...; in proportion to.
به شمارِ هر نفر، یک هدیه بدهید.
FormalLeicht verwechselbar
Both mean 'number'.
Te'dād is Arabic-rooted and common in daily speech. Shomār is Persian-rooted and more formal.
تعدادِ سیبها (Daily) vs. شمارِ آرا (Formal).
Both relate to numbers.
Raqam refers to a digit (0-9) or a financial figure. Shomār is the count of items.
یک رقمِ بزرگ (A large digit) vs. شمارِ مردم (Count of people).
Both mean 'number'.
Adad is the abstract concept of a number. Shomār is the tally of specific things.
عددِ ده (The number ten) vs. شمارِ روزها (The count of days).
Both relate to counting.
Āmār means 'statistics' (the whole data set). Shomār is just the 'count' (one data point).
آمارِ ایران (Iran's statistics) vs. شمارِ جمعیت (Population count).
Very close in meaning.
Shomarsh is the act or process of counting. Shomār is the resulting total or the concept of count.
شمارشِ آرا (Counting the votes) vs. شمارِ آرا (The number of votes).
Satzmuster
شمارِ [Noun] [Number] است.
شمارِ گربهها دو است.
شمارِ زیادی از [Noun] [Verb].
شمارِ زیادی از مردم آمدند.
[Subject] در شمارِ [Group] است.
او در شمارِ بهترینها است.
شمارِ [Noun] رو به افزایش/کاهش است.
شمارِ گردشگران رو به افزایش است.
شمارِ معتنابهی از [Noun] ...
شمارِ معتنابهی از آثار کشف شد.
[Noun] از شمار بیرون است.
ستارگان از شمار بیرون هستند.
شمارشِ معکوس برای [Event] آغاز شد.
شمارشِ معکوس برای سفر آغاز شد.
[Noun]های بیشمار
گلهای بیشمار در دشت بود.
Wortfamilie
Substantive
Verben
Adjektive
Verwandt
So verwendest du es
High in news, medium in daily speech.
-
Asking 'Shomār-e telefon-e shomā chist?'
→
Shomāre-ye telefon-e shomā chist?
You are asking for an identifier, not a total count of phones. Use 'shomāre'.
-
Using 'shomār' for water or sand.
→
Meghdār-e āb / Mizān-e shen.
'Shomār' is only for discrete, countable items. Water is uncountable.
-
Forgetting the 'be' in 'be shomār raftan'.
→
In asar be shomār mi-ravad.
The phrase 'to be considered' requires the preposition 'be'.
-
Saying 'Shomār-e mardom ziyād hastand'.
→
Shomār-e mardom ziyād ast.
'Shomār' is the subject, and it is singular. The verb should be singular.
-
Spelling it with 'Sād' (صمار).
→
شمار (with Shin).
It is a Persian word and always uses 'Shin' and 'Mim'.
Tipps
The Ezafe is Key
Always remember to add the 'e' sound after 'shomār' when followed by another noun. It's 'shomār-e mardom', not 'shomār mardom'.
Use Bi-shomār
Instead of always saying 'kheyli' (very), use 'bi-shomār' (countless) to describe large quantities. It sounds much more sophisticated.
Elevate Your Register
In a job interview or a presentation, use 'shomār' instead of 'te'dād'. It shows you have a higher level of Persian education.
Phone Numbers
Never use 'shomār' for your phone number. Always use 'shomāre'. This is a classic learner mistake that native speakers immediately notice.
News Listening
Watch the news for 10 minutes. You will likely hear 'shomār' at least twice. It's the best way to hear the word in its natural, formal context.
Consideration
Learn the phrase 'be shomār āmadan'. It's a great way to say 'is considered' in a formal way. Example: 'In ketāb dar shomār-e behtarin-hāst'.
The Long Ā
Make sure the 'ā' in 'shomār' is long and deep, like in 'father'. A short 'a' will make the word sound wrong.
Headlines
If you are writing a title for a report, 'shomār' is almost always better than 'te'dād'.
Root Connection
Connect 'shomār' to 'shomordan' in your mind. If you know how to count (shomordan), you are finding the count (shomār).
Poetic Usage
Remember 'nafas-hā be shomār oftāde' for very dramatic or poetic situations. It’s a powerful idiom.
Einprägen
Eselsbrücke
Think of 'Show Me' (Sho-m) the 'Amount' (ār). SHOMĀR. When you ask someone to 'show me' the total, you are asking for the 'shomār'.
Visuelle Assoziation
Imagine a shepherd counting his sheep one by one. Each sheep he counts adds to the 'shomār'. Or imagine a digital countdown clock (shomarsh-e ma'kus) at a space station.
Word Web
Herausforderung
Try to use 'shomār' in three sentences today: once for a large number of people, once for something 'bi-shomār', and once using the phrase 'be shomār raftan'.
Wortherkunft
The word 'shomār' is of pure Iranian origin. it comes from the Middle Persian (Pahlavi) word 'šmār', which meant calculation or number. It is cognate with the Avestan 'mar-', meaning to remember or keep in mind (the same root as 'memory' in English via Indo-European roots).
Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: Calculation, account, or memory of a quantity.
Indo-European -> Indo-Iranian -> Iranian -> PersianKultureller Kontext
When discussing 'shomār-e ghorbāniān' (number of victims), maintain a somber and respectful tone, as this word is common in tragic news reporting.
English speakers often use 'number' for everything. Persian is more specific. 'Shomār' is like 'tally' or 'aggregate count'.
Im Alltag üben
Kontexte aus dem Alltag
News Reporting
- شمار قربانیان (Number of victims)
- شمار آرا (Number of votes)
- شمار بیکاران (Number of unemployed)
- شمار مبتلایان (Number of infected)
Academic Writing
- شمار معتنابهی (A substantial number)
- در شمارِ ... بودن (To be among...)
- شمار دانشجویان (Number of students)
- قابل شمارش (Countable)
Literature/Poetry
- بیشمار (Countless)
- از شمار بیرون (Beyond counting)
- شمارِ روزگار (The count of time)
- نفسهای به شمار افتاده (Final breaths)
Events/Festivals
- شمارش معکوس (Countdown)
- شمار شرکتکنندگان (Number of participants)
- شمار بلیتها (Number of tickets)
- شمار مهمانان (Number of guests)
Daily Planning
- شمار روزها (Number of days)
- شمار دفعات (Number of times)
- شمار وسایل (Number of items)
- شمار پول (Counting money - rare, usually 'shomordan')
Gesprächseinstiege
"آیا میدانی شمارِ کشورهای جهان چندتاست؟ (Do you know what the count of countries in the world is?)"
"شمارِ کتابهایی که امسال خواندی چقدر است؟ (What is the count of books you read this year?)"
"به نظر تو، شمارِ گردشگران در شهر ما زیاد است؟ (In your opinion, is the number of tourists in our city high?)"
"آیا شمارشِ معکوس برای سال نو را دوست داری؟ (Do you like the countdown for the New Year?)"
"کدام نویسنده در شمارِ محبوبترینهای توست؟ (Which writer is among your most favorite?)"
Tagebuch-Impulse
دربارهی نعمتهای بیشماری که در زندگی داری بنویس. (Write about the countless blessings you have in life.)
شمارِ اهدافی را که برای سال آینده داری بنویس و آنها را اولویتبندی کن. (Write the count of goals you have for next year and prioritize them.)
فکر میکنی شمارِ دوستان واقعی در زندگی چقدر باید باشد؟ (How many real friends do you think one should have in life?)
اگر میتوانستی شمارشِ معکوس برای یک اتفاق بزرگ را شروع کنی، آن چه بود؟ (If you could start a countdown for a big event, what would it be?)
دربارهی زمانی بنویس که نفسهایت به شمار افتاده بود (از خستگی یا هیجان). (Write about a time when your breaths were 'counted' - from exhaustion or excitement.)
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenUse 'shomār' in formal writing, news reports, or when you want to sound more literary. Use 'te'dād' for everyday conversations like counting fruits or friends. 'Shomār' is like 'the count' while 'te'dād' is like 'the number'.
Grammatically, 'shomār' is singular. Even if the count is one million, you say 'shomār-e mardom ziyād ast' (The count is high). You link it to plural nouns using the Ezafe.
'Shomār' is the total quantity (e.g., how many people). 'Shomāre' is a specific identifier (e.g., your phone number, house number, or a magazine issue). They are not interchangeable.
The word is 'bi-shomār'. It is formed by the prefix 'bi-' (without) and 'shomār' (count). Example: 'Setāre-hā-ye bi-shomār' (countless stars).
No. For uncountable things, use 'meghdār' (amount) or 'mizān' (level). 'Shomār' is strictly for things you can count one by one (people, days, books).
It means 'to be considered' or 'to be counted as'. It is a formal way to categorize something. 'He is considered a great poet' = 'Ou dar shomār-e shā'erān-e bozorg ast'.
The phrase is 'shomarsh-e ma'kus' (شمارش معکوس). 'Ma'kus' means reverse, so it's literally 'reverse counting'.
'Shomār' is a pure Persian word. Its Arabic equivalent is 'te'dād'. Using 'shomār' often gives a more 'pure' Persian feel to your speech.
You can say 'shomār-hā', but it is very rare. It would only be used if you are comparing different types of counts or tallies in a technical report.
The root verb is 'shomordan' (شمردن), which means 'to count'. Other related words include 'shomāre' and 'shomarsh'.
Teste dich selbst 200 Fragen
Write a sentence using 'shomār' and 'dāneshjuyān'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'Countless stars are in the sky'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Use the phrase 'به شمار میآید' in a sentence about a famous person.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write a sentence about a countdown.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'The number of victims is increasing'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Describe a forest using 'bi-shomār'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write a formal sentence about unemployment statistics.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'He is among my best friends'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write a sentence using 'shomār-e kol'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'The number of sunny days was few'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Explain the difference between 'shomār' and 'shomāre' in Persian.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write a sentence about counting votes.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'The number of participants was significant'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Use 'shomār' in a sentence about history.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write a sentence about the 'count of life'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'Countless people were in the park'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write a headline about a natural disaster using 'shomār'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'This city is counted among the oldest'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write a sentence about a 'countdown to Nowruz'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'The total count is not yet clear'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Say in Persian: 'The number of students is twenty'.
Read this aloud:
Du hast gesagt:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say in Persian: 'There are countless stars'.
Read this aloud:
Du hast gesagt:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say in Persian: 'The countdown has started'.
Read this aloud:
Du hast gesagt:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say in Persian: 'He is among the best'.
Read this aloud:
Du hast gesagt:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say in Persian: 'The number of tourists increased'.
Read this aloud:
Du hast gesagt:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say in Persian: 'What is the count of books?'
Read this aloud:
Du hast gesagt:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say in Persian: 'Countless people came'.
Read this aloud:
Du hast gesagt:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say in Persian: 'The number of victims is unknown'.
Read this aloud:
Du hast gesagt:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say in Persian: 'The total count is fifty'.
Read this aloud:
Du hast gesagt:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say in Persian: 'We are counting the votes'.
Read this aloud:
Du hast gesagt:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say in Persian: 'This city is among the oldest'.
Read this aloud:
Du hast gesagt:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say in Persian: 'The countdown to the New Year'.
Read this aloud:
Du hast gesagt:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say in Persian: 'The number of days is few'.
Read this aloud:
Du hast gesagt:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say in Persian: 'Countless blessings'.
Read this aloud:
Du hast gesagt:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say in Persian: 'The number of workers'.
Read this aloud:
Du hast gesagt:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say in Persian: 'He is considered a genius'.
Read this aloud:
Du hast gesagt:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say in Persian: 'The number of infected people'.
Read this aloud:
Du hast gesagt:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say in Persian: 'A substantial count'.
Read this aloud:
Du hast gesagt:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say in Persian: 'Beyond counting'.
Read this aloud:
Du hast gesagt:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say in Persian: 'The number of pages'.
Read this aloud:
Du hast gesagt:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Listen and write the word: (Audio of 'shomār')
Listen and write the phrase: (Audio of 'bi-shomār')
Listen and write the phrase: (Audio of 'shomarsh-e ma'kus')
Listen and write the sentence: (Audio of 'Shomār-e mardom ziyād ast')
Listen and identify the register: (Formal news clip using 'shomār')
Listen and write the word: (Audio of 'shomāre')
Listen and write the phrase: (Audio of 'shomār-e ghorbāniān')
Listen and write the phrase: (Audio of 'be shomār āmadan')
Listen and write the word: (Audio of 'shomarsh')
Listen and translate: (Audio of 'bi-shomār')
Listen and write the sentence: (Audio of 'Shomār-e ruz-hā kam ast')
Listen and identify the subject: (Audio of 'Shomār-e dāneshjuyān...')
Listen and translate: (Audio of 'shomarsh-e ma'kus')
Listen and write the phrase: (Audio of 'dar shomār-e ...')
Listen and write the word: (Audio of 'shomārande')
شمارِ موبایلِ شما چیست؟
Use 'shomāre' for identifiers like phone numbers.
شمارِ مردم زیاد هستند.
'Shomār' is singular.
او در شمارِ بهترینها میرود.
The phrase usually needs 'be' and 'raftan/āmadan'.
شمارِ آب در لیوان کم است.
'Shomār' is only for countable things.
شمارشِ معکوس برای نوروز شروع شد.
'Āghāz shod' is more formal and fits 'shomarsh' better.
او ستارههای بیشماری را دید.
'Bi-shomār' is often already enough without the 'i' suffix, though 'bi-shomāri' is acceptable.
شمارِ کتابها پنج نفر است.
'Nafar' is for people, 'adad' or 'jeld' is for books.
در شمارِ مفاخر است.
Add the verb to complete the formal structure.
شمارِ بیکاران افزایش یافتند.
The verb must be singular to match 'shomār'.
شمارِ من پنج است.
Identifiers (like a runner's number) use 'shomāre'.
/ 200 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
The word 'shomār' is the formal Persian way to say 'number' or 'count'. While 'te'dād' is more common in daily speech, 'shomār' is essential for formal writing and understanding media reports. Example: 'Shomār-e dāneshjuyān' (The number of students).
- Shomār means 'count' or 'total number' of items or people in a group.
- It is a formal word, often used in news, books, and statistics instead of 'te'dād'.
- It is related to the verb 'shomordan' (to count) and the word 'shomāre' (ID number).
- Common phrases include 'bi-shomār' (countless) and 'be shomār raftan' (to be considered).
The Ezafe is Key
Always remember to add the 'e' sound after 'shomār' when followed by another noun. It's 'shomār-e mardom', not 'shomār mardom'.
Use Bi-shomār
Instead of always saying 'kheyli' (very), use 'bi-shomār' (countless) to describe large quantities. It sounds much more sophisticated.
Elevate Your Register
In a job interview or a presentation, use 'shomār' instead of 'te'dād'. It shows you have a higher level of Persian education.
Phone Numbers
Never use 'shomār' for your phone number. Always use 'shomāre'. This is a classic learner mistake that native speakers immediately notice.
Verwandte Inhalte
Verwandte Redewendungen
Mehr general Wörter
عادتوار
C1As a matter of habit; habitually.
عادی
A1Das Wort 'عادی' bedeutet normal oder gewöhnlich. Zum Beispiel: 'Ein ganz normaler Tag' (یک روز کاملاً عادی).
عافیت
B2Wohlbefinden; ein Zustand von Gesundheit und Sicherheit. Wird oft als Segen nach dem Niesen verwendet.
عاجل
B2Dringend; sofortige Aufmerksamkeit oder Handlung erfordernd. Zum Beispiel: 'Dringende Nachricht' oder 'Schnelle Genesung'.
عاقبت
C1Das Endergebnis oder der Ausgang einer Handlung. 'عاقبت او به آرزویش رسید.' (Schließlich erreichte er seinen Wunsch.)
عاقل
A1Vernünftig, weise. Jemand, der kluge Entscheidungen trifft.
عالمگیر
C1Weltweit oder universell; etwas, das die ganze Welt umfasst.
عالی
A1'Aali' bedeutet auf Persisch exzellent oder hervorragend.
عام
B1Das Wort 'Am' bedeutet allgemein oder öffentlich.
اعم از
B2Einschließlich; ob... oder... (wird verwendet, um Optionen einzuführen).