Meaning
To clear one's heart of resentment and make peace with someone.
Cultural Background
During the last Tuesday night of the year (Chaharshanbe Suri) and the days leading to Nowruz, 'del sâf kardan' is considered a spiritual duty to ensure the new year begins with positive energy. The heart is seen as the 'House of God.' Keeping it 'sâf' (clear) is necessary for divine presence. The phrase is also widely used in Afghanistan with the same meaning, often in the context of tribal or family mediation (Jirga). In Tajik Persian, 'dil-ro saf kardan' is used, though 'ashti kardan' is more common in urban areas.
The Power of Nowruz
If you are in Iran during March, you will hear this phrase constantly. It is the 'magic word' to fix old friendships.
Use with Possessives
To sound more native, say 'Del-am ro sâf kardam' instead of just 'Del sâf kardam'.
Meaning
To clear one's heart of resentment and make peace with someone.
The Power of Nowruz
If you are in Iran during March, you will hear this phrase constantly. It is the 'magic word' to fix old friendships.
Use with Possessives
To sound more native, say 'Del-am ro sâf kardam' instead of just 'Del sâf kardam'.
Don't over-use
If you use it for small things, it loses its emotional weight. Save it for real conflicts.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the idiom.
بعد از دعوا، من و برادرم بالاخره با هم ______ ______.
The correct idiom is 'del sâf kardan'.
Which preposition is used with 'del sâf kardan'?
من میخواهم ___ تو دل صاف کنم.
The idiom always takes the preposition 'bâ' (with).
In which situation is it MOST appropriate to use 'del sâf kardan'?
Situation: You just signed a contract with a new company.
This idiom is for emotional reconciliation, not business transactions.
Complete the dialogue.
A: چرا هنوز با سارا حرف نمیزنی؟ B: چون هنوز نتوانستهام با او ______.
The speaker is saying they haven't been able to clear their heart (forgive) yet.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesبعد از دعوا، من و برادرم بالاخره با هم ______ ______.
The correct idiom is 'del sâf kardan'.
من میخواهم ___ تو دل صاف کنم.
The idiom always takes the preposition 'bâ' (with).
Situation: You just signed a contract with a new company.
This idiom is for emotional reconciliation, not business transactions.
A: چرا هنوز با سارا حرف نمیزنی؟ B: چون هنوز نتوانستهام با او ______.
The speaker is saying they haven't been able to clear their heart (forgive) yet.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsNo, it's the result of an apology. It means the resentment is gone.
Yes, you can say 'bâ khodam del sâf kardam' (I made peace with myself).
It has spiritual roots but is used by everyone regardless of religion today.
'Del-chirkini' (having a dirty/polluted heart) or 'Kodoreth dâshtan'.
Related Phrases
آشتی کردن
synonymTo make up / reconcile
از دل در آوردن
builds onTo make amends
کدورت داشتن
contrastTo have resentment
یکدله شدن
similarTo be of one heart
