Meaning
To create a sound or disturbance.
Cultural Background
In densely populated cities like Tehran, 'Sar o seda' is a major source of neighbor disputes. Most apartments have 'quiet hours' from 2 PM to 4 PM and after 10 PM. A house with 'Sar o seda' is often considered 'Abad' (prosperous/lively). Silence in a home can sometimes be seen as a sign of sadness or lack of guests. During the Fire Festival (Chaharshanbe Suri), making noise with firecrackers is a tradition to scare away the 'bad luck' of the previous year. Iranians might not tell you directly to stop making noise due to Ta'arof (politeness). They might say 'It's a bit lively here, isn't it?' instead of 'You are too noisy.'
The 'O' Link
Always use 'o' instead of 'va' in speech to sound like a native.
Don't use 'Make'
Never use the verb 'Sakhtan'. It will sound very strange to Iranians.
Meaning
To create a sound or disturbance.
The 'O' Link
Always use 'o' instead of 'va' in speech to sound like a native.
Don't use 'Make'
Never use the verb 'Sakhtan'. It will sound very strange to Iranians.
Figurative Buzz
Use this to talk about trending topics on Twitter: 'In hashtagh kheyli sar o seda karde.'
Polite Shushing
If you need to be polite, say 'Momken-e lotfan kami arom-tar sohbat konid?' instead of 'Sar o seda nakonid!'
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the verb 'kardan'.
بچهها در پارک خیلی سر و صدا ....... .
In Persian, 'sar o seda' always pairs with 'kardan' (to do/make).
Which sentence is the most natural way to ask someone to be quiet?
Choose the best option:
'Nakonid' is the negative imperative of 'kardan', meaning 'don't do'.
Fill in the missing part of the dialogue.
A: همسایه خیلی دیروز شلوغ بود. B: بله، آنها تمام شب ....... .
The context of 'sholoogh' (busy/noisy) implies they were making noise.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Where would you most likely hear 'لطفاً سر و صدا نکنید'?
Libraries are quiet zones where noise is discouraged.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Noise vs. Sound
Practice Bank
4 exercisesبچهها در پارک خیلی سر و صدا ....... .
In Persian, 'sar o seda' always pairs with 'kardan' (to do/make).
Choose the best option:
'Nakonid' is the negative imperative of 'kardan', meaning 'don't do'.
A: همسایه خیلی دیروز شلوغ بود. B: بله، آنها تمام شب ....... .
The context of 'sholoogh' (busy/noisy) implies they were making noise.
Where would you most likely hear 'لطفاً سر و صدا نکنید'?
Libraries are quiet zones where noise is discouraged.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsUsually, yes, it implies a disturbance. However, it can be neutral when describing a lively atmosphere.
Yes, you can say 'Televiziyun sar o seda dare' (The TV is noisy/loud).
'Seda' is just 'sound' or 'voice'. 'Sar o seda' is 'noise' or 'commotion'.
You can say 'Sar o seda nakon!' (Informal).
It's better to use 'Seda' or 'Eteraz' (protest) in a formal meeting.
Not exactly. Shouting is 'Dad zadan'. 'Sar o seda' is the general noise resulting from shouting or other actions.
The noun part doesn't change, but you can say 'Sar o sedaha' to mean 'various noises'.
The opposite is 'Sokoot kardan' (to keep silent) or 'Aram boodan' (to be quiet/calm).
Yes, if the music is annoying or too loud, you can call it 'sar o seda'.
No, it's a standard collocation used by everyone, but it's informal in tone.
Related Phrases
شلوغ کردن
synonymTo make a place crowded or noisy
داد و بیداد کردن
similarTo shout and scream
ساکت بودن
contrastTo be quiet
همهمه کردن
specialized formTo murmur or buzz (like a crowd)
جنجال کردن
builds onTo create a scandal or huge uproar
