Meaning
To make a quick, informal visit to a location or person.
Cultural Background
The concept of 'Sil-e Rahm' (connecting with kin) makes 'sar zadan' a moral duty. Even a 5-minute visit is highly valued over a long phone call. In the busy life of Tehran, 'ye sar zadan' is often used as an excuse to leave early. It sets the expectation that the visit is brief due to traffic or work. In poetry, 'sar zadan' can describe the first appearance of the moon or sun, or a flower budding. It carries a sense of 'emergence'. The phrase is equally common in Afghanistan, often used in the same social contexts of checking in on neighbors and family.
Use 'Ye'
Always add 'ye' (یه) before 'sar' in conversation to sound like a native. 'Ye sar bezan' sounds much more natural than just 'Sar bezan'.
Preposition Check
Never forget the 'be' (به). Without it, the sentence will sound broken or mean something else entirely.
Meaning
To make a quick, informal visit to a location or person.
Use 'Ye'
Always add 'ye' (یه) before 'sar' in conversation to sound like a native. 'Ye sar bezan' sounds much more natural than just 'Sar bezan'.
Preposition Check
Never forget the 'be' (به). Without it, the sentence will sound broken or mean something else entirely.
Ta'arof Alert
If someone says 'Be ma sar bezanid' at the end of a party, it's often a polite closing. Don't necessarily show up the next morning!
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'sar zadan' in the past tense.
من دیروز به دوست قدیمیام ________.
The sentence specifies 'yesterday' (diruz), so the simple past 'sar zadam' is required.
Which sentence is the most natural way to say 'I'll check the food'?
کدام جمله درست است؟
'Sar zadan' with the preposition 'be' is the standard way to check on something like food.
Match the Persian phrase with its English equivalent.
Match the following:
All pairs are correctly matched to show the variety of 'sar zadan' uses.
Complete the dialogue.
علی: خیلی وقته ندیدمت! سارا: ببخشید، سرم شلوغ بود. حتماً هفته دیگه ________.
Sara is promising a future informal visit to Ali, making 'behet sar mizanam' the most natural fit.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Sar Zadan vs. Didan Kardan
Practice Bank
4 exercisesمن دیروز به دوست قدیمیام ________.
The sentence specifies 'yesterday' (diruz), so the simple past 'sar zadam' is required.
کدام جمله درست است؟
'Sar zadan' with the preposition 'be' is the standard way to check on something like food.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
All pairs are correctly matched to show the variety of 'sar zadan' uses.
علی: خیلی وقته ندیدمت! سارا: ببخشید، سرم شلوغ بود. حتماً هفته دیگه ________.
Sara is promising a future informal visit to Ali, making 'behet sar mizanam' the most natural fit.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
14 questionsIt's better to use 'pish-e doctor raftan' (going to the doctor). 'Sar zadan' sounds like you're just visiting the doctor as a friend.
'Sari zadan' is just a more informal, colloquial version. The 'i' adds a sense of 'a little bit' or 'one time'.
In traditional Iranian culture, yes. In modern urban life, it's safer to send a quick text first, but the phrase itself implies that unannounced nature.
Yes, if you are just popping in for a quick look. If you are spending the whole day there, 'didan kardan' is better.
You can say: 'Be imailam sar mizanam.'
No, it can be digital (websites) or mental (checking on a project/thought).
There isn't a direct opposite, but 'sar nazadan' (not visiting) is used to complain about someone being distant.
Yes, it follows all standard Persian verb rules for past, present, and future.
No, it specifically implies a short duration.
It's neutral. In a very formal email, use 'bazdid kardan' or 'moraje'e kardan'.
Use 'saram khord be...' (my head hit...). 'Sar zadan' is almost always figurative now.
Yes, 'be sagam sar mizanam' (I'm checking on my dog).
Yes, it is standard in Farsi, Dari, and Tajik.
It comes from the idea of 'poking your head' into a space to see what's happening.
Related Phrases
دیدار کردن
synonymTo visit/meet formally
سرک کشیدن
similarTo peek/snoop
عیادت کردن
specialized formTo visit the sick
ملاقات کردن
synonymTo meet
سر زدن (طلوع)
specialized formTo rise (sun)
