Meaning
To go from one place to another, typically over a distance.
Cultural Background
During Nowruz (Persian New Year), millions of Iranians 'safar mikonand' to visit family or vacation in the north. The roads are famously packed. Travel to Mashhad or Karbala is a specific type of 'safar' called 'Ziarat'. It is a major part of the cultural fabric. When you travel in Iran, you are often seen as a 'Mehman-e Khoda' (Guest of God). Locals may invite you to their homes. The 'Safar-nameh' of Nasir Khusraw is one of the most important works of Persian prose, detailing a 7-year journey.
The 'Mi' Rule
Always remember to put 'mi-' before 'konam' for present tense. 'Safar konam' is subjunctive, 'Safar mikonam' is I travel.
Distance Matters
Don't use this for going to work. It makes you sound like you're going on a quest.
Meaning
To go from one place to another, typically over a distance.
The 'Mi' Rule
Always remember to put 'mi-' before 'konam' for present tense. 'Safar konam' is subjunctive, 'Safar mikonam' is I travel.
Distance Matters
Don't use this for going to work. It makes you sound like you're going on a quest.
Safe Travels
When someone is about to 'safar kardan', say 'Safar be kheyr!' (May your travel be with goodness).
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'safar kardan' in the present tense.
من هر سال به ایران ______.
The sentence says 'every year' (har sal), which requires the present habitual tense.
Which preposition is correctly used with 'safar kardan'?
او ___ ترکیه سفر کرد.
In Persian, we travel 'be' (to) a destination.
Complete the dialogue.
علی: تابستان کجا میروی؟ مریم: میخواهم به ایتالیا ______.
Maryam is talking about her own plan ('mi-khaham'), so the verb must be in the first-person singular subjunctive.
Match the sentence to the correct context.
سفر کردن انسان را پخته میکند.
This is a famous Persian saying about the maturity gained through travel.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Types of Safar
Leisure
- • تعطیلات
- • گردش
Business
- • ماموریت
- • جلسه
Practice Bank
4 exercisesمن هر سال به ایران ______.
The sentence says 'every year' (har sal), which requires the present habitual tense.
او ___ ترکیه سفر کرد.
In Persian, we travel 'be' (to) a destination.
علی: تابستان کجا میروی؟ مریم: میخواهم به ایتالیا ______.
Maryam is talking about her own plan ('mi-khaham'), so the verb must be in the first-person singular subjunctive.
سفر کردن انسان را پخته میکند.
This is a famous Persian saying about the maturity gained through travel.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt is neutral. You can use it with your boss or your best friend.
Yes, it means 'I am traveling' or 'I travel' as a general hobby.
'Safar' is the journey; 'mosaferat' is the act of being on a trip. They are 90% interchangeable.
Use 'ba mashin': 'Ba mashin safar kardam.'
'Safar kardan' is the standard verb. 'Safar raftan' is also used colloquially.
Safar mikonim (Present) or Safar kardim (Past).
Yes! 'Safar dar zaman' (سفر در زمان).
A traveler is a 'mosafer' (مسافر).
No, Persian doesn't use articles like 'a' or 'the' in this compound verb.
Safar kardan ra doust nadaram.
Related Phrases
مسافرت کردن
synonymTo go on a trip/vacation
راهی شدن
similarTo set off / To be on one's way
گردش کردن
specialized formTo stroll / To sightsee
مهاجرت کردن
contrastTo immigrate
سیاحت کردن
specialized formTo tour / To explore
