Meaning
A room in a school or college where lessons are taught.
Cultural Background
In Iranian schools, the classroom is often a place of strict discipline. Students usually sit in rows of three at long wooden benches (called 'nimkat') in older schools, though modern schools use individual desks. In Dari Persian, 'کلاس' is also used, but 'صنف' (Sinf) is the more common term for both the grade level and the classroom itself. Tajik Persian uses 'синф' (sinf), reflecting Russian influence and older Persian usage, rather than the French-derived 'kelās'. In modern private schools in Tehran, the 'کلاس درس' is becoming more interactive, with 'smart boards' (تخته هوشمند) replacing traditional chalkboards.
Shorten it
In daily speech, just say 'kelās'. Everyone will understand you mean the classroom.
Ezafe is key
Don't forget the 'e' sound between the two words. Without it, it sounds like two random words.
Meaning
A room in a school or college where lessons are taught.
Shorten it
In daily speech, just say 'kelās'. Everyone will understand you mean the classroom.
Ezafe is key
Don't forget the 'e' sound between the two words. Without it, it sounds like two random words.
Virtual context
Use 'کلاس آنلاین' for Zoom/Teams meetings; it's more common than 'کلاس درس مجازی' in casual tech talk.
Respect
Remember that in Iran, the classroom is a formal space. Use formal verbs when talking to a teacher there.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'classroom'.
دانشآموزان در ________ هستند.
The standard collocation is 'کلاس درس'.
Which sentence is correct?
How do you say 'The classrooms are big'?
The plural marker '-hā' goes on 'kelās'.
Complete the dialogue.
معلم: چرا دیر کردی؟ دانشآموز: ببخشید، نتوانستم ________ را پیدا کنم.
The student couldn't find the room.
Match the Persian to the English.
Match the following:
These are all related educational terms.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Inside the کلاس درس
Furniture
- • میز (Desk)
- • صندلی (Chair)
- • نیمکت (Bench)
Tools
- • تخته (Board)
- • گچ (Chalk)
- • ماژیک (Marker)
People
- • معلم (Teacher)
- • دانشآموز (Student)
Practice Bank
4 exercisesدانشآموزان در ________ هستند.
The standard collocation is 'کلاس درس'.
How do you say 'The classrooms are big'?
The plural marker '-hā' goes on 'kelās'.
معلم: چرا دیر کردی؟ دانشآموز: ببخشید، نتوانستم ________ را پیدا کنم.
The student couldn't find the room.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are all related educational terms.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, Persian has many French loanwords from the 19th century modernization period.
Yes, but it sounds a bit more like a 'study room' in a house rather than a school classroom.
The plural is 'کلاسهای درس' (kelās-hā-ye dars).
No, in casual conversation 'kelās' is enough. 'کلاس درس' is for clarity and formality.
It is called 'کلاس هوشمند' (kelās-e hūshmand).
Usually no, it's an invisible short vowel, but it's always pronounced.
It's 'میز معلم' (miz-e mo'allem).
You say 'کلاس دارم' (kelās dāram).
Yes, 'dars' and 'kelās' are used from kindergarten to PhD levels.
'Kelās' is the session or room; 'doreh' is the entire course or program.
Related Phrases
همکلاسی
builds onClassmate
تخته سیاه
similarBlackboard
زنگ تفریح
contrastRecess/Break time
مدیر مدرسه
specialized formSchool principal
برنامه درسی
similarCurriculum/Schedule
