A1 Expression Neutral 1 min read

سرد است.

sard ast.

It is cold.

Practice it

Phrase in 30 Seconds

Use 'سرد است' to describe the weather or the temperature of an object.

  • Means: It is cold.
  • Used in: Describing the weather, a room, or a drink.
  • Don't confuse: 'سرد' (cold) with 'سرم' (my head - a common typo).
Thermometer icon + cold face emoji = سرد است

Explanation at your level:

This phrase means 'it is cold'. You use it to talk about the weather or your drink.
Used to describe low temperatures. It is a fundamental adjective-verb construction in Persian. You can add 'خیلی' (very) to emphasize the intensity of the cold.
This expression functions as a predicative adjective. It is highly versatile, applicable to both meteorological conditions and the physical state of objects, reflecting the Persian tendency to use simple, direct descriptors for sensory experiences.
The phrase demonstrates the Persian copula 'است' (is) attached to the adjective 'سرد'. In discourse, it serves as a primary tool for environmental assessment, often functioning as a phatic expression to initiate social interaction.
Linguistically, 'سرد است' represents a stative construction. Its usage extends beyond the literal to metaphorical domains, such as describing 'cold' interpersonal dynamics, where the adjective retains its semantic core of lack of warmth.
The phrase is a quintessential example of Persian predicative morphology. It highlights the language's reliance on the enclitic 'است' for state-of-being assertions. Its semantic flexibility allows it to bridge the gap between physical sensory input and abstract emotional states, illustrating the cognitive mapping of 'cold' as a negative or distancing force.

Meaning

Describing low temperature.

🌍

Cultural Background

Iranians are very sensitive to temperature changes and often keep homes very warm in winter. Hospitality often involves serving hot tea regardless of the weather.

💡

Drop the verb

In casual conversation, just say 'سرده'.

💡

Drop the verb

In casual conversation, just say 'سرده'.

Test Yourself

Complete the sentence.

امروز هوا ____ است.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: سرد

Sard fits the context of weather.

🎉 Score: /1

Practice Bank

2 exercises
Choose the correct answer Fill Blank

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer:
Complete the sentence. Fill Blank A1

امروز هوا ____ است.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: سرد

Sard fits the context of weather.

🎉 Score: /2

Frequently Asked Questions

1 questions

Yes, it means they are distant.

Related Phrases

🔗

سرمای شدید

specialized form

Extreme cold

Where to Use It

❄️

Walking outside

Friend: امروز هوا چطور است؟

You: سرد است!

neutral
☕

At a cafe

Waiter: چای چطور است؟

Customer: سرد است، لطفا عوض کنید.

neutral

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'Sardine' in the fridge—it's 'Sard' (cold).

Visual Association

Imagine a shivering person standing next to a giant ice cube.

Rhyme

هوا سرده، دلم پر درده (The weather is cold, my heart is full of pain - poetic rhyme).

Story

Ali walked outside. He shivered. He said, 'Sard ast!' He went back inside to get tea. The tea was also 'Sard'.

In Other Languages

Most languages have a direct equivalent like 'It is cold'.

Word Web

هوا (weather)یخ (ice)زمستان (winter)گرم (warm)دما (temperature)یخ‌زدگی (freezing)

Challenge

Say 'سرد است' every time you touch something cold today.

Review in 1, 3, 7, 14, and 30 days.

Pronunciation

Stress Stress on the first syllable.

The 'a' is like 'cat'.

Formality Spectrum

Formal
هوا سرد است.

هوا سرد است. (Describing weather)

Neutral
هوا سرده.

هوا سرده. (Describing weather)

Informal
سرده!

سرده! (Describing weather)

Slang
یخ‌بندونه!

یخ‌بندونه! (Describing weather)

From Middle Persian 'sard'. It is a cognate of the Avestan 'sarəta'.

Ancient:

Fun Fact

The word is related to the English word 'smart' in some distant etymological theories regarding 'sharpness' or 'biting' cold.

Cultural Notes

Iranians are very sensitive to temperature changes and often keep homes very warm in winter.

“خانه خیلی گرم است.”

Hospitality often involves serving hot tea regardless of the weather.

“چای داغ بنوشید.”

Conversation Starters

“

هوا چطور است؟

Common Mistakes

✗

سرد دارم

✓

سردم است

literal translation
You don't 'have' cold, you 'are' cold. Use the possessive suffix.

L1 Interference

0 1

In Other Languages

Spanish moderate

Hace frío

Persian uses 'to be' (است), Spanish uses 'to make' (hacer).

French moderate

Il fait froid

French uses 'faire' while Persian uses 'بودن' (to be).

German Very Similar

Es ist kalt

Both use the 'to be' verb structure.

Japanese Very Similar

寒いです (Samui desu)

Japanese adjectives conjugate; Persian adjectives do not.

Arabic Very Similar

الجو بارد (Al-jaww barid)

Persian requires the copula 'است', Arabic often omits it.

Spotted in the Real World

🎬

(2011)

“هوا سرد است”

Discussing the weather in Tehran.

Easily Confused

سرد است. vs سرم

Sounds like 'sard' but means 'my head'.

Check the spelling: سرد (cold) vs سرم (my head).

Frequently Asked Questions (1)

Yes, it means they are distant.

usage contexts
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