Meaning
Information or news being passed from person to person verbally.
Cultural Background
In the traditional bazaar, news travels faster than the internet. Merchants use word-of-mouth to check the credit-worthiness of new traders. Even on platforms like Telegram and Instagram, Iranians use this phrase to describe 'viral' content that people are discussing in their private groups. Classical poets often used the 'mouth' as a symbol of breath and life, and 'mouth to mouth' can sometimes appear in older poetry to signify a shared breath or secret.
Use with 'Charkhidan'
If you want to sound more native, use 'Dahan be dahan charkhid' (rotated) instead of 'shod'.
The 'Gozashtan' Trap
Never use 'shodan' when you mean you had an argument. You will confuse your listener!
Meaning
Information or news being passed from person to person verbally.
Use with 'Charkhidan'
If you want to sound more native, use 'Dahan be dahan charkhid' (rotated) instead of 'shod'.
The 'Gozashtan' Trap
Never use 'shodan' when you mean you had an argument. You will confuse your listener!
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the idiom.
شایعه ازدواج آنها خیلی زود در شهر _________.
The standard idiom is 'Dahan be dahan shodan'.
Which sentence means 'The news spread by word of mouth'?
کدام جمله صحیح است؟
'Shodan' is the correct helper verb for this idiom.
Match the situation to the idiom usage.
A restaurant becomes famous because people tell their friends.
Word-of-mouth is the primary way businesses grow without ads.
Fill in the dialogue.
علی: چطور همه از راز من باخبر شدند؟ سارا: متأسفم، انگار _________.
This explains how a secret became public knowledge.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesشایعه ازدواج آنها خیلی زود در شهر _________.
The standard idiom is 'Dahan be dahan shodan'.
کدام جمله صحیح است؟
'Shodan' is the correct helper verb for this idiom.
A restaurant becomes famous because people tell their friends.
Word-of-mouth is the primary way businesses grow without ads.
علی: چطور همه از راز من باخبر شدند؟ سارا: متأسفم، انگار _________.
This explains how a secret became public knowledge.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
3 questionsYes, it is neutral and can be used in polite company.
Absolutely. It is used for both good news (a good restaurant) and bad news (a rumor).
Not necessarily. It just describes the method of spreading, though it is often used for rumors.
Related Phrases
ورد زبانها شدن
similarTo be on everyone's tongue
شایعه پراکنی
specialized formSpreading rumors
پیچیدن خبر
synonymThe news wrapping around (spreading)
