Significado
To show humility and reserve, often avoiding eye contact.
Contexto cultural
In Iran, 'sar be zir' is often linked to the concept of 'Najabat' (nobility/purity). It's not just about being quiet; it's about having a 'clean' character. In modern Tehran, while still a compliment, some younger people might use it slightly ironically to describe someone who is 'too' traditional or shy. Shirazi culture, influenced by poets like Hafez and Saadi, views 'sar be zir' as a form of spiritual wisdom—the 'dervish' mindset. In Afghanistan, the term is also widely used with the same meaning of modesty and good upbringing, often used by elders to praise youth.
The Ultimate Compliment
If you want to impress an Iranian mother-in-law, describe yourself or someone you like as 'sar be zir'.
Not for Leaders
Avoid using this in a CV for a high-level executive role; use 'motevaze' (humble) instead to sound more professional.
Significado
To show humility and reserve, often avoiding eye contact.
The Ultimate Compliment
If you want to impress an Iranian mother-in-law, describe yourself or someone you like as 'sar be zir'.
Not for Leaders
Avoid using this in a CV for a high-level executive role; use 'motevaze' (humble) instead to sound more professional.
Eye Contact
Remember that in Iran, prolonged eye contact can be seen as aggressive. Being 'sar be zir' is a way to show you are peaceful.
Ponte a prueba
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the idiom.
علی خیلی پسر خوبی است، او همیشه در مقابل بزرگترها ________ است.
The context of being a 'good boy' in front of elders requires the idiom for modesty: 'sar be zir'.
Which sentence is a compliment?
کدام جمله یک تعریف (compliment) است؟
'Sar be zir' is a positive trait meaning humble, while the others mean arrogant, distracted, or mean.
Match the person to the description.
A student who never breaks rules and respects the teacher.
A rule-following, respectful student is the definition of 'sar be zir'.
Complete the dialogue.
مادر: پسرم، چرا در مهمانی اصلاً حرف نمیزدی؟ پسر: مادر، خودت گفتی باید ________ باشم.
The mother likely told the son to be modest and well-behaved (sar be zir) at the party.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosعلی خیلی پسر خوبی است، او همیشه در مقابل بزرگترها ________ است.
The context of being a 'good boy' in front of elders requires the idiom for modesty: 'sar be zir'.
کدام جمله یک تعریف (compliment) است؟
'Sar be zir' is a positive trait meaning humble, while the others mean arrogant, distracted, or mean.
A student who never breaks rules and respects the teacher.
A rule-following, respectful student is the definition of 'sar be zir'.
مادر: پسرم، چرا در مهمانی اصلاً حرف نمیزدی؟ پسر: مادر، خودت گفتی باید ________ باشم.
The mother likely told the son to be modest and well-behaved (sar be zir) at the party.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasNot necessarily. A shy person (kam-ru) might be 'sar be zir', but a 'sar be zir' person is simply modest and respectful, even if they are confident.
Yes, it is gender-neutral. You can say 'u dokhtari sar be zir ast' (She is a humble girl).
It is neutral. You can use it in books, news, and daily conversation.
The most common opposite is 'por-ru' (cheeky/brazen) or 'maghrur' (arrogant).
Rarely. It's almost exclusively used for humans to describe their moral character.
While it has roots in religious modesty, today it is a general cultural term for anyone who is well-behaved.
Use the verb 'shodan': 'او سر به زیر شد'.
Yes, many classical and modern poems use this imagery to describe a virtuous person.
It might sound a bit like bragging about being humble! It's better to let others say it about you.
To some modern ears, it might imply someone is a bit 'plain', but the core meaning remains very positive.
Frases relacionadas
خاکی بودن
similarDown to earth
سر به هوا بودن
contrastTo be distracted/irresponsible
نجیب بودن
similarTo be noble/decent
متواضع بودن
synonymTo be humble
کمرو بودن
similarTo be shy
