Meaning
Explaining something in an easy-to-understand manner.
Cultural Background
The concept of 'Sade-zi' (Simple living) is a Sufi and philosophical ideal. Speaking 'be zabane sade' is often seen as a reflection of a pure, unpretentious soul. In Dari, the phrase is also used identically. However, there is a strong emphasis on 'Farsi-ye Sharin' (Sweet Persian), where simplicity is equated with the 'sweetness' of the language. In Tajik Persian, while the phrase is understood, they might also use 'ba zaboni fahmo' (in understandable language). There is a famous saying: 'The sign of knowledge is the ability to explain it to your grandmother.' This is the essence of 'be zabane sade' in Iranian universities.
The Grandma Test
If you can't explain it 'be zabane sade', you probably don't understand it well enough yourself.
Don't over-simplify
In academic writing, use 'به بیانی روشن' (in clear expression) instead of 'be zabane sade' to sound more professional.
Meaning
Explaining something in an easy-to-understand manner.
The Grandma Test
If you can't explain it 'be zabane sade', you probably don't understand it well enough yourself.
Don't over-simplify
In academic writing, use 'به بیانی روشن' (in clear expression) instead of 'be zabane sade' to sound more professional.
Humility
Using this phrase shows you are 'Khaki' (humble), which is a very positive trait in Iranian culture.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct preposition and phrase.
استاد، لطفاً این موضوع را _______ توضیح دهید.
The standard idiom uses the preposition 'به' and the adjective 'ساده'.
Which sentence is the most natural way to start a summary?
How do you say 'To put it simply, we are lost'?
The first option is the grammatically correct and idiomatic way to start a sentence.
Match the register with the correct Persian phrase.
Registers: 1. Formal, 2. Informal, 3. Slang
Formal uses 'بیان', informal uses 'بخوام بگم', and slang uses 'خلاصه'.
🎉 Score: /3
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
3 exercisesاستاد، لطفاً این موضوع را _______ توضیح دهید.
The standard idiom uses the preposition 'به' and the adjective 'ساده'.
How do you say 'To put it simply, we are lost'?
The first option is the grammatically correct and idiomatic way to start a sentence.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Formal uses 'بیان', informal uses 'بخوام بگم', and slang uses 'خلاصه'.
🎉 Score: /3
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, it's generally helpful. However, don't use it with experts as it might seem like you are talking down to them.
Yes, but 'به عبارت سادهتر' or 'به بیانی دیگر' is slightly more formal for written Persian.
The opposite would be 'به زبان تخصصی' (in technical language) or 'با کلمات قلمبه سلمبه' (using big, fancy words).
It means 'simple' or 'plain'. 'Asan' means 'easy'. In this idiom, only 'sade' works.
Say: 'Mishe lotfan be zabane sade begid?'
Rarely in classical poetry, but very common in modern 'Sepid' poetry which values plain language.
No, for food we use 'sade' to mean 'plain' (e.g., plain rice), but not the whole phrase.
Yes, that is the informal, spoken version used with friends.
It's a funny, slightly rude way to say 'Speak like a human!', used when someone is being too technical.
That means 'simply' or 'with ease', but it doesn't carry the specific meaning of 'in plain language'.
Related Phrases
به عبارت دیگر
synonymIn other words
خلاصه کلام
similarIn short / The bottom line
رک و پوستکنده
similarFrankly and openly
به زبان آدمیزاد
informal alternativeIn human language
