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استماع کردن

A2 verb #9,000 most common 9 min read

استماع کردن

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Practice it Examples Notes & Tips استماع کردن in 30 Seconds

Explanation استماع کردن in your Level:

At the A1 level, you usually learn 'گوش دادن' for listening. However, you might see 'استماع' on a simple button in a Persian app or website, especially if it's for listening to a holy text or a formal recording. At this stage, just recognize that it means 'to listen' in a very polite way. You don't need to use it in your own speech yet, but knowing it helps you navigate formal environments like a bank or a library where signs might use this word. Think of it like the difference between 'hear' and 'attend a hearing.' Even at A1, knowing that Persian has different words for different levels of politeness is a great start. You can remember it by its connection to 'audio' in formal settings.

At the A2 level, you are beginning to understand the difference between formal (رسمی) and informal (غیررسمی) Persian. 'استماع کردن' is a key word for your formal vocabulary. You should know that it is a compound verb. You might use it in a sentence about a formal event, like 'من به سخنرانی استماع کردم' (I listened to the speech). It's important to notice that it often appears in news headlines. For an A2 learner, the goal is to distinguish this from the everyday 'گوش دادن'. If you are writing a formal email to a teacher, using 'استماع' shows you are trying to be respectful. You should also be able to conjugate it in the simple past and present tenses correctly.

By B1, you should be comfortable seeing 'استماع کردن' in various contexts, especially in media and official announcements. You should understand phrases like 'استماع صوتی' (audio listening) and 'جلسه استماع' (hearing session). At this level, you start to see the Arabic roots in Persian more clearly; 'استماع' comes from the same root as 'سمع' (hearing). You should be able to use it in essays about social issues or formal reports. For example, 'دولت باید به نظرات مردم استماع کند' (The government must listen to the people's opinions). You are also expected to know the passive form 'استماع شدن' and how it is used in news reporting to sound objective.

At the B2 level, you should master the nuances of 'استماع' in professional and legal contexts. You should know that it's the standard word for legal hearings. You will encounter it in academic papers and high-level journalism. You should be able to discuss the 'حق استماع' (right to be heard) in a debate about human rights or law. At this stage, you should also recognize the related noun 'مستمع' (listener). You can use 'استماع' to vary your vocabulary in formal writing, avoiding the repetition of 'گوش دادن'. You should also be aware of the subtle difference between 'استماع' and 'گوش فرا دادن' (the latter being more poetic/literary).

At the C1 level, you are exploring the deeper etymological and philosophical aspects of the word. You understand how 'استماع' functions in classical Persian literature and Sufi texts, where it often refers to 'Sama' (spiritual listening to music and poetry). You can analyze how the choice of this verb over others changes the tone of a text from 'instructional' to 'authoritative' or 'ceremonial'. You should be able to use it fluently in complex legal or administrative documents. Your understanding of the word should include its collocations with words like 'ادله' (evidence) or 'شهادت' (testimony) in a judicial sense.

At the C2 level, you have a native-like grasp of 'استماع کردن'. You can use it with precision in any context, including high-level legal drafting, philosophical discourse, or literary criticism. You understand the historical evolution of the word from its Arabic origins into the Persian administrative lexicon. You can distinguish between its use in the Iranian civil code versus its use in modern media theory. You are also familiar with rare and archaic forms related to the root and can appreciate the rhythmic quality it adds to formal oratory. You might even use it in a pun or a sophisticated rhetorical device in a speech.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

استماع کردن in 30 Seconds

A formal Persian verb for 'to listen' or 'to hear'.
Commonly used in legal, media, and academic contexts.
A compound verb consisting of the Arabic 'estemā' and the Persian 'kardan'.
Higher register alternative to the common word 'gush dādan'.

The Persian compound verb استماع کردن (estemā' kardan) is a sophisticated and formal way to express the act of listening or hearing. While the common, everyday word for listening is گوش دادن (gush dādan), استماع کردن carries a weight of officialdom, legal precision, and academic rigor. Derived from the Arabic root 's-m-a' (س م ع), which pertains to the sense of hearing, this verb is not something you would typically use when asking a friend to listen to a new song. Instead, you encounter it in the halls of justice, within the scripts of national news broadcasts, and in the formal proceedings of a university lecture or a diplomatic summit.

Register and Tone: This verb is strictly formal (رسمی). Using it in a casual conversation with family might sound overly stiff or even humorous, as if you are treating a kitchen conversation like a court hearing. It implies a level of focused attention that is often mandated by law or professional protocol.

قاضی پرونده با دقت به اظهارات متهم استماع کرد.

Translation: The presiding judge listened carefully to the defendant's statements.

In the context of the Iranian legal system, استماع is a technical term. For instance, 'استماع دعوی' refers to the hearing of a lawsuit. It suggests that the act of listening is not just passive but is a procedural requirement. Furthermore, in the realm of media, especially traditional radio or high-level podcasts, the audience is often referred to as 'استماع‌کنندگان' (listeners). This elevates the status of the audience from mere 'hearers' to 'attentive participants' in a formal discourse.

Etymological Depth: The word comes from the Arabic 'Istima'', the tenth form of the root 'Sama'a'. In Arabic grammar, this form often denotes seeking or requesting the action of the root. Thus, it implies an active 'seeking to hear' rather than just a reflexive hearing of sound.

When analyzing the word's usage in Persian literature, one finds it in classical texts where kings or deities 'listen' to the pleas of the people. It bridges the gap between the physical act of sound hitting the eardrum and the cognitive act of processing and acknowledging that sound within a hierarchical or structured environment. It is also frequently used in religious contexts, such as 'استماع تلاوت قرآن' (listening to the recitation of the Quran), where the act of listening is considered a form of worship or profound respect.

امکان استماع زنده سخنرانی از طریق وب‌سایت فراهم شده است.

Translation: The possibility of listening live to the speech has been provided via the website.

Using استماع کردن correctly requires an understanding of Persian compound verb conjugation and the appropriate prepositional context. Unlike the English 'to listen to,' which requires the preposition 'to,' in Persian, this verb often takes the preposition 'به' (be), but in many formal legal documents, it can appear with direct objects depending on the specific legal phrasing.

Grammar Structure: Subject + [به (optional)] + Object + استماع کردن. Example: 'ما به رادیو استماع کردیم' (We listened to the radio). Note that in modern formal Persian, the direct object marker 'را' is rarely used with this verb unless the object is very specific and definite.

شورای امنیت گزارش بازرسان را استماع کرد.

Translation: The Security Council heard (listened to) the inspectors' report.

In the present tense, the stem is 'استماع کن'. For example, 'او استماع می‌کند' (He/she listens). In the past tense, it becomes 'استماع کرد'. Because it is a compound verb, the 'می' (mi) prefix for continuous aspect attaches to the 'کردن' part, not the 'استماع' part. This is a common point of confusion for learners who might try to say 'می‌استماع کند', which is incorrect.

Let's look at more complex sentence structures. When used in the passive voice, which is common in news reporting, it becomes 'استماع شد' (was heard). For example, 'نظرات کارشناسان در جلسه استماع شد' (The experts' opinions were heard in the meeting). This focus on the action rather than the actor is a hallmark of bureaucratic Persian. Furthermore, the verb can be used in the imperative form 'استماع کنید' (Listen!), though this sounds like a command from a judge or a high-ranking official rather than a friendly request.

Prepositional Nuance: While 'به' is the standard preposition, in some legal contexts, the verb is used transitively without a preposition. For example: 'دادگاه شهادت شهود را استماع کرد' (The court heard the witnesses' testimony). Here, 'شهادت' is the direct object marked by 'را'.

خواهشمند است جهت استماع پیام‌های صوتی خود، عدد یک را فشار دهید.

Translation: Please press one to listen to your voice messages (Common automated phone system phrase).

The word استماع کردن is pervasive in specific professional and institutional domains in Iran and other Persian-speaking regions. If you are watching the evening news on IRIB (Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting), you will frequently hear the news anchor use this verb when referring to parliamentary sessions or international summits. For example, 'مجلس شورای اسلامی سخنان وزیر را استماع کرد' (The Islamic Consultative Assembly heard the minister's words).

Legal and Judicial Settings: In a courtroom (دادگاه), 'استماع' is the standard term for the formal hearing of evidence, testimony, or defense arguments. Law students spend a significant amount of time studying the 'حق استماع' (the right to be heard), which is a fundamental principle of fair trial in Iranian law.

جلسه استماع علنی فردا برگزار می‌شود.

Translation: The public hearing session will be held tomorrow.

Another common place to encounter this word is in automated telecommunication systems. When you call a bank or a service provider, the IVR (Interactive Voice Response) system will often say, 'برای استماع صورت‌حساب...' (To hear your statement...). This usage highlights the word's role in providing a professional and polite interface for the public. Similarly, in religious circles, during the month of Ramadan or at Friday prayers, the act of listening to the sermon (خطبه) or the Quran is described using this verb to emphasize the spiritual attention required.

Radio and Podcasts: While younger podcasters might use 'گوش دادن', traditional radio hosts still address their audience as 'شنوندگان و استماع‌کنندگان عزیز' (Dear listeners and hearers), using the synonym pairing to sound more poetic and formal.

In academic settings, a professor might say, 'پس از استماع این بخش از درس، به سوالات پاسخ خواهم داد' (After [you] listen to this part of the lesson, I will answer questions). This establishes a clear boundary between the delivery of information and the subsequent interaction. It is also found in the titles of official documents, such as 'صورت‌جلسه استماع' (Minutes of the hearing).

این موسیقی برای استماع در محیط‌های آرام طراحی شده است.

Translation: This music is designed for listening in quiet environments.

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make with استماع کردن is using it in the wrong social register. Because it is so formal, using it in an informal setting can make you sound like a robot or a lawyer in a grocery store. For example, saying 'می‌خواهم به حرف‌های تو استماع کنم' (I want to listen to your words) to a friend sounds very strange; 'می‌خواهم به حرف‌هایت گوش بدهم' is the correct choice there.

Confusion with 'شنیدن': Learners often confuse 'شنیدن' (to hear - passive/accidental) with 'استماع کردن' (to listen - active/formal). 'شنیدن' is something that happens to you (e.g., hearing a noise in the street), whereas 'استماع کردن' is a deliberate, formal act. You wouldn't 'استماع' a sudden explosion; you would 'شنیدن' it.

اشتباه: من صدای پرندگان را استماع کردم.

Correction: Use 'شنیدم' because hearing birds is usually a natural, non-formal occurrence.

Another grammatical pitfall is the incorrect placement of the 'می' prefix. As a compound verb, the 'می' must always precede the auxiliary verb 'کردن'. Learners sometimes try to treat 'استماع' as a prefix, leading to errors like 'می‌استماع کنم'. The correct form is 'استماع می‌کنم'. Similarly, in the negative form, the 'ن' prefix goes on the auxiliary: 'استماع نمی‌کنم'.

Preposition Errors: Sometimes students forget the preposition 'به'. While in legal shorthand it might be omitted, for general formal writing, it is better to include it. Writing 'رادیو استماع کردم' is less standard than 'به رادیو استماع کردم'. However, never use 'را' and 'به' together for the same object.

Finally, there is the confusion between 'استماع' (listening) and 'امتناع' (refusal). They look similar in Persian script (استماع vs امتناع). A student might accidentally write 'او از استماع غذا خودداری کرد', which makes no sense, instead of 'او از خوردن غذا امتناع کرد' (He refused to eat). Paying close attention to the dots and the letters 'س' vs 'م' is crucial.

غلط: او به موسیقی استماع کرد (در جمع دوستان).

Correct: Use 'گوش داد' for casual settings with friends.

To truly master Persian, you need to know when to use استماع کردن and when to opt for one of its many cousins. The most common alternative is گوش دادن. While 'استماع' is formal, 'گوش دادن' is the universal verb for 'to listen'. It is used in 95% of daily interactions, from 'listen to me' to 'listening to music'.

Comparison: استماع vs شنیدن: 'شنیدن' (Shenidan) means 'to hear'. It is often unintentional. You hear a bird, you hear a shout. 'استماع کردن' is intentional and formal. You can hear (شنیدن) a speech without really listening (استماع) to it.

او صدای باران را شنید اما به اخبار استماع کرد.

Translation: He heard the sound of rain but listened (formally) to the news.

For an even higher level of literary elegance, one might use گوش فرا دادن (Gush farā dādan). This implies 'listening with one's whole being' or 'hearkening'. It is common in poetry and high literature. For example, 'به پند پیران گوش فرا ده' (Hearken to the advice of the elders). Unlike 'استماع', which is bureaucratic/formal, 'گوش فرا دادن' is artistic/formal.

Comparison: استماع vs توجه کردن: 'توجه کردن' means 'to pay attention'. While 'استماع' involves attention through the ears, 'توجه' is broader and can involve the eyes or the mind. Often, 'استماع' is the physical/formal act that enables 'توجه'.

In a legal context, another related term is رسیدگی کردن (to investigate/handle). While a judge 'استماع' (hears) the case, the court 'رسیدگی' (processes/investigates) the matter. Understanding these distinctions helps you navigate professional Persian environments with confidence. If you are in a meeting and want to say 'I'm listening,' but want to sound professional without being overly legalistic, you might say 'بنده سراپا گوش هستم' (I am all ears), which is a polite idiom.

تفاوت استماع و گوش دادن در میزان رسمیت است.

Translation: The difference between 'estemā' and 'gush dādan' lies in the level of formality.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"شورای امنیت گزارش را استماع کرد."

Neutral

"او به رادیو استماع می‌کند."

Informal

"N/A"

Child friendly

"بچه‌ها، به داستان استماع کنید."

Slang

"N/A"

Fun Fact

The root 'S-M-A' is the same one found in the Hebrew word 'Shema', one of the most important prayers in Judaism, which also starts with the command to 'Hear' or 'Listen'.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /esteˈmɒː kærˈdæn/

US /esteˈmɑː kɑːrˈdæn/

The primary stress is on the last syllable of the noun part 'mā' and the last syllable of the verb part 'dän'.

Rhymes With

اجتماع کردن (ejtemā' kardan) اختراع کردن (ekhterā' kardan) ارتفاع کردن (ertefā' kardan) امتناع کردن (emtenā' kardan) وداع کردن (vedā' kardan) نزاع کردن (nezā' kardan) دفاع کردن (defā' kardan) اطلاع کردن (ettelā' kardan)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'es' as 'is'.
Failing to elongate the 'ā' in 'mā'.
Stress on the first syllable.
Treating it as a single word instead of a compound verb.
Confusing the 's' sound with 'sh'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to recognize in formal texts once the root is known.

Writing 4/5

Requires knowledge of compound verb rules and formal register.

Speaking 5/5

Hard to use naturally without sounding overly stiff.

Listening 3/5

Frequently heard in news and announcements.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

گوش دادن کردن شنیدن به دادگاه

Learn Next

قرائت کردن مشاهده کردن اظهار داشتن صادر کردن

Advanced

سماع انصات اصغاء صلاحیت

Grammar to Know

Compound Verbs

استماع (Noun) + کردن (Auxiliary) = To listen.

Subjunctive with Modal Verbs

باید استماع کنید (You must listen).

Passive Construction

استماع شد (It was heard).

Prepositional Objects

به رادیو استماع کرد (He listened to the radio).

Negative Imperative

استماع نکنید (Do not listen).

Examples by Level

من به رادیو استماع می‌کنم.

I listen to the radio (formal).

Present continuous: Subject + به + Object + استماع می‌کند.

لطفاً به این پیام استماع کنید.

Please listen to this message.

Imperative form: استماع کنید.

او به درس استماع کرد.

He/she listened to the lesson.

Simple past: استماع کرد.

ما استماع می‌کنیم.

We are listening.

First person plural present.

آن‌ها استماع کردند.

They listened.

Third person plural past.

استماع موسیقی خوب است.

Listening to music is good.

Gerund/Noun usage: استماع.

شما استماع کردید؟

Did you listen?

Question form in past tense.

من استماع نمی‌کنم.

I do not listen.

Negative present: استماع نمی‌کنم.

قاضی به حرف‌های من استماع کرد.

The judge listened to my words.

Formal register usage.

ما باید به اخبار استماع کنیم.

We must listen to the news.

Modal verb 'باید' with subjunctive (though often simple present is used in formal speech).

آیا شما به سخنرانی استماع کردید؟

Did you listen to the speech?

Formal question.

او با دقت استماع می‌کند.

He listens carefully.

Adverbial phrase 'با دقت'.

لطفاً جهت استماع پیام منتظر بمانید.

Please wait to listen to the message.

Compound sentence with 'جهت' (for/in order to).

آن‌ها به گزارش استماع نکردند.

They did not listen to the report.

Negative past.

من می‌خواهم به این نوار استماع کنم.

I want to listen to this tape.

Infinitive construction.

استماع این پادکست مفید است.

Listening to this podcast is useful.

Noun as subject.

مجلس سخنان رئیس‌جمهور را استماع کرد.

The parliament heard the president's speech.

Transitive usage with 'را'.

امکان استماع زنده فراهم شده است.

The possibility of live listening has been provided.

Passive construction 'فراهم شده است'.

شاهدان در حال استماع دستورات بودند.

The witnesses were listening to the orders.

Past continuous: در حال ... بودند.

او از استماع نظرات مخالف خودداری کرد.

He refrained from listening to opposing views.

Preposition 'از' with the noun form.

استماع تلاوت قرآن آرامش‌بخش است.

Listening to the recitation of the Quran is peaceful.

Religious context.

گزارش نهایی در جلسه استماع شد.

The final report was heard in the meeting.

Passive voice: استماع شد.

ما به استماع نظرات شما نیاز داریم.

We need to listen to your opinions.

Formal request for feedback.

او تمام شب به رادیو استماع می‌کرد.

He was listening to the radio all night.

Past habitual aspect.

دادگاه برای استماع شهادت شهود وقت تعیین کرد.

The court set a time for hearing the witnesses' testimony.

Legal terminology.

حق استماع یکی از اصول دادرسی عادلانه است.

The right to be heard is one of the principles of a fair trial.

Legal concept: حق استماع.

پس از استماع دفاعیات، قاضی رای را صادر کرد.

After hearing the defense, the judge issued the verdict.

Temporal clause with 'پس از'.

این سمینار فرصتی برای استماع ایده‌های نو است.

This seminar is an opportunity to hear new ideas.

Academic context.

او به دقت به جزئیات استماع می‌کرد تا خطایی نیابد.

He listened carefully to details to find no errors.

Subjunctive 'نیابد'.

استماع عمومی پرونده جنجال‌برانگیز بود.

The public hearing of the case was controversial.

Adjective 'جنجال‌برانگیز'.

مدیران به شکایات کارکنان استماع نمودند.

The managers listened to the employees' complaints.

Use of 'نمودند' for extra formality.

فناوری‌های جدید استماع را برای ناشنوایان ممکن کرده است.

New technologies have made hearing possible for the deaf.

Scientific context.

استماع در تصوف به معنای درک حقایق از طریق سماع است.

Listening in Sufism means perceiving truths through 'Sama'.

Mystical/Philosophical context.

وی با استماع به موسیقی کلاسیک، به آرامش می‌رسید.

By listening to classical music, he reached peace.

Gerund phrase with 'با'.

عدم استماع به هشدارهای زیست‌محیطی فاجعه‌بار خواهد بود.

Failure to listen to environmental warnings will be disastrous.

Negative noun form: عدم استماع.

او در مقام استماع، سکوتی معنادار پیشه کرد.

In the position of listening, he adopted a meaningful silence.

Literary phrasing: پیشه کرد.

استماع دقیق متن، کلید فهم هرمنوتیک آن است.

Careful listening to the text is the key to its hermeneutic understanding.

Academic/Philosophical register.

وزارت امور خارجه بیانیه را برای استماع سفرا قرائت کرد.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs read the statement for the ambassadors to hear.

Diplomatic context.

او توانایی استماع لایه‌های پنهان صدا را دارد.

He has the ability to hear the hidden layers of sound.

Abstract usage.

استماع آراء مختلف، غنای اندیشه را در پی دارد.

Listening to different views results in the richness of thought.

Idiomatic expression: در پی دارد.

استماع دعوی در صلاحیت دادگاه کیفری نیست.

Hearing the lawsuit is not within the jurisdiction of the criminal court.

Highly technical legal Persian.

تجلی استماع در ادبیات عرفانی، پیوندی میان جان و کلام است.

The manifestation of listening in mystical literature is a bond between soul and word.

Advanced literary analysis.

پروتکل‌های دیپلماتیک بر استماع متقابل تاکید دارند.

Diplomatic protocols emphasize mutual listening.

Political science terminology.

او با استماع به نجوای تاریخ، آینده را پیش‌بینی می‌کرد.

By listening to the whispers of history, he predicted the future.

Metaphorical usage.

استماع شهادت کذب، مجازات‌های سنگینی در پی دارد.

Hearing false testimony entails heavy penalties.

Legal warning.

ساختار زبانی این متن، استماع‌کننده را به تعمق وامی‌دارد.

The linguistic structure of this text compels the listener to reflect.

Causative verb: وامی‌دارد.

استماع به مثابه یک کنش معرفت‌شناختی در این رساله بررسی شده است.

Listening as an epistemological act has been examined in this treatise.

Epistemological terminology.

او در استماعِ بطنِ واژگان، مهارتی بی‌بدیل داشت.

He had an unparalleled skill in listening to the core of words.

Poetic/Abstract register.

Common Collocations

استماع شهادت

جلسه استماع

استماع دعوی

استماع موسیقی

استماع اخبار

حق استماع

استماع گزارش

استماع تلاوت

استماع سخنرانی

قابلیت استماع

Common Phrases

وقت استماع

— A scheduled time for a hearing in court.

وقت استماع پرونده شما فرداست.

استماع حضوری

— An in-person hearing or listening session.

استماع حضوری نظرات در دفتر مدیر انجام شد.

استماع غیابی

— Hearing a case or statement in the absence of a party.

دادگاه به صورت غیابی به استماع پرونده پرداخت.

عدم استماع

— Refusal to hear or legal inadmissibility of a hearing.

قرار عدم استماع دعوی صادر شد.

استماع مجدد

— Re-listening or a rehearing of a case.

نوار صوتی برای استماع مجدد پخش شد.

استماع متمرکز

— Focused listening, often used in educational settings.

استماع متمرکز بخشی از مهارت‌های زبانی است.

استماع عمومی

— A public hearing where anyone can attend.

استماع عمومی درباره لایحه جدید برگزار شد.

استماع غیررسمی

— An informal hearing or listening (rare but used in admin).

یک استماع غیررسمی برای حل مشکل انجام شد.

استماع انتخابی

— Selective listening.

استماع انتخابی باعث سوءتفاهم می‌شود.

آماده استماع

— Ready to listen (formal).

ما آماده استماع پیشنهادات شما هستیم.

Often Confused With

استماع کردن vs امتناع کردن

Means to refuse. Only one letter difference in Persian script.

استماع کردن vs اجتماع کردن

Means to gather or assemble. Sounds similar.

استماع کردن vs اطلاع کردن

Means to inform. Often confused by beginners.

Idioms & Expressions

"گوش شنوا داشتن"

— To be willing to listen/take advice. While 'estemā' is the verb, this is the idiom for the attitude.

او برای دردهای ما گوش شنوا دارد.

Neutral

"سراپا گوش بودن"

— To be all ears.

بنده سراپا گوش هستم تا استماع کنم.

Polite

"گوش شیطان کر"

— Knock on wood (lit: may the devil's ear be deaf). Relates to hearing.

گوش شیطان کر، همه چیز خوب است.

Informal

"از این گوش گرفتن و از آن گوش در کردن"

— In one ear and out the other.

او فقط استماع می‌کند اما از این گوش می‌گیرد و از آن گوش در می‌کند.

Informal

"گوش خواباندن"

— To keep an ear to the ground/wait for news.

برای شنیدن اخبار جدید گوش خوابانده‌ایم.

Informal

"گوش کسی را پیچاندن"

— To punish or warn someone.

باید گوش او را بپیچانیم تا به حرف‌ها استماع کند.

Informal

"یک گوشش در است و یکی دروازه"

— To not pay attention (similar to in one ear out the other).

هر چه می‌گویم، یک گوشش در است و یکی دروازه.

Informal

"گوش‌به‌زنگ بودن"

— To be alert/waiting for a sound/call.

او گوش‌به‌زنگ است تا استماع کند.

Neutral

"گوش بری کردن"

— To overcharge or swindle (unrelated to hearing but uses 'ear').

او در بازار گوش‌بری می‌کند.

Slang

"گوشت با من است؟"

— Are you listening to me? (lit: is your ear with me?).

آهای! گوشت با من است؟

Informal

Easily Confused

استماع کردن vs شنیدن

Both relate to sound.

Shenidan is passive (to hear), while estemā' is active and formal (to listen/attend a hearing).

او صدا را شنید (He heard the noise) vs او به گزارش استماع کرد (He listened to the report).

استماع کردن vs گوش دادن

Both mean to listen.

Gush dādan is for everyday use, estemā' is for official use.

به آهنگ گوش بده vs به بیانیه استماع کنید.

استماع کردن vs رسیدگی

Used in courtrooms.

Estemā' is the act of listening to evidence; residagi is the broader act of investigating or handling the case.

استماع شهادت (hearing testimony) vs رسیدگی به پرونده (handling the case).

استماع کردن vs قرائت

Often happens at the same time as estemā'.

Qerā'at is the act of reading aloud; estemā' is the act of listening to that reading.

قرائت بیانیه (reading the statement) vs استماع بیانیه (listening to the statement).

استماع کردن vs سماع

Same Arabic root.

Sama' is a noun specifically for spiritual music/dance in Sufism; estemā' is the general formal verb for listening.

او در حال سماع بود vs او به موسیقی استماع کرد.

Sentence Patterns

من به [اسم] استماع می‌کنم.

من به اخبار استماع می‌کنم.

[شخص] در حال استماع [اسم] بود.

او در حال استماع موسیقی بود.

دادگاه به [اسم] استماع کرد.

دادگاه به شهادت شهود استماع کرد.

پس از استماع [اسم]، [جمله].

پس از استماع گزارش، جلسه تمام شد.

عدم استماع [اسم] منجر به [نتیجه] شد.

عدم استماع دعوی منجر به اعتراض شد.

لطفاً جهت استماع [اسم]، [فعل].

لطفاً جهت استماع پیام، صبر کنید.

حق استماع برای [شخص] محفوظ است.

حق استماع برای متهم محفوظ است.

آیا شما به [اسم] استماع کردید؟

آیا شما به سخنرانی استماع کردید؟

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Common in formal writing and media, rare in daily speech.

Common Mistakes

من به تو استماع می‌کنم (to a friend) → من به تو گوش می‌دهم
Using a very formal verb in a casual relationship sounds unnatural.
می‌استماع کنم → استماع می‌کنم
The 'mi' prefix must go on the auxiliary verb 'kardan', not the noun.
استماع کردن صدای انفجار → شنیدن صدای انفجار
You 'hear' (shenidan) an explosion; you don't 'formally listen' (estemā') to it.
او از استماع غذا خودداری کرد → او از خوردن غذا امتناع کرد
Confusing 'estemā' (listening) with 'emtenā' (refusing).
من استماع کردم به رادیو را → من به رادیو استماع کردم
Incorrect use of both 'be' and 'ra' together for the same object.

Tips

Compound Verb Logic

Remember that in compound verbs like this, only the auxiliary 'kardan' changes. 'Estemā' stays the same.

Politeness Matters

Using this word in a formal letter to a professor or official will make you sound much more educated.

Root Recognition

Recognizing the S-M-A root will help you understand other words like 'Sam' (hearing) and 'Sama' (mystical music).

News Practice

Watch 10 minutes of Persian news. You will almost certainly hear this word used for a government meeting.

Legal Terms

If writing about law, always use 'estemā' for hearings. 'Gush dādan' is never used in legal documents.

Tone Control

Lower your pitch slightly and speak slower when using formal verbs like this to match the register.

The 'E-S' Start

Many formal Persian words start with 'Es-' (from Arabic form X). Group them together to remember the formal tone.

Phone Systems

Listen to automated bank recordings in Persian; they always use 'estemā' for listening to account balances.

Formal vs. Informal

Always keep a mental list: Gush dādan (Friends) vs Estemā' kardan (Officials).

Arabic Connection

If you know Arabic 'Istima', this word is identical in meaning and usage.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Estimate'. You 'Estimate' the value of a 'Message' by 'Estema-ing' (listening) to it carefully in a formal meeting.

Visual Association

Imagine a judge with a giant ear (hearing/estemā) leaning over the bench to catch every word of a witness.

Word Web

Court Radio News Judge Audience Attention Formal Arabic Root

Challenge

Try to use 'استماع کردن' in a sentence about a podcast you like, but imagine you are writing a review for a prestigious academic journal.

Word Origin

The word is a loanword from Arabic. It is the tenth form (Istif'āl) of the triliteral root S-M-A (س-م-ع), which relates to hearing.

Original meaning: In Arabic, 'Istima' means the act of listening intently or seeking to hear.

Semitic root (Arabic) integrated into Indo-European (Persian) grammar as a compound verb.

Cultural Context

Be careful not to use it in casual settings as it can sound sarcastic or condescending if used with friends.

The closest English equivalent is 'to attend a hearing' or 'to grant an audience,' though 'estemā' is more versatile.

Rumi's poetry often refers to the 'ear of the soul' for listening to the divine. Iranian TV News (Akhbar) uses it daily. The Iranian Civil Procedure Code.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Courtroom

استماع شهادت
استماع دفاعیات
حق استماع
وقت استماع

News/Media

استماع اخبار
استماع سخنرانی
شنوندگان و استماع‌کنندگان
پخش جهت استماع

Academic

استماع درس
جلسه استماع پایان‌نامه
استماع نظرات اساتید
دقت در استماع

Religious

استماع قرآن
استماع خطبه
ثواب استماع
آداب استماع

Telecommunications

جهت استماع پیام
استماع صورت‌حساب
کلید استماع
منوی استماع

Conversation Starters

"آیا در کشور شما جلسات استماع پارلمان به صورت علنی پخش می‌شود؟"

"به نظر شما استماع موسیقی کلاسیک در حین کار به تمرکز کمک می‌کند؟"

"آخرین سخنرانی که به آن استماع کردید چه بود؟"

"چرا در دادگاه‌ها استماع شهادت شهود اینقدر مهم است؟"

"آیا ترجیح می‌دهید کتاب بخوانید یا به نسخه صوتی آن استماع کنید؟"

Journal Prompts

درباره تجربه‌ای بنویسید که در آن به یک سخنرانی بسیار مهم استماع کردید.

تفاوت بین 'شنیدن' و 'استماع کردن' را از دیدگاه خود توضیح دهید.

اگر قاضی بودید، چگونه به حرف‌های متهم استماع می‌کردید؟

اهمیت استماع نظرات مخالف در یک جامعه دموکراتیک چیست؟

یک گزارش کوتاه درباره یک جلسه استماع فرضی در مدرسه یا محل کار بنویسید.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

It is not recommended. It sounds very stiff and formal, like you are treating your friends like witnesses in a court. Use 'gush dādan' instead.

The word 'estemā' itself is a noun meaning 'listening' or 'hearing'. When you add 'kardan', it becomes a compound verb.

It translates to a 'hearing session', commonly used in legal or parliamentary contexts where evidence is presented.

In standard Persian, it usually takes 'be' (to). However, in legal jargon, it is often used transitively with 'ra'.

Yes. 'Shenidan' is the physical ability to hear. 'Estemā' is the formal, intentional act of listening.

You can say 'Bande dar hāl-e estemā' hastam' (I am in the process of listening/hearing).

Only if you are speaking formally, like in a radio announcement or a high-level discussion about music theory.

The present stem is 'estemā kon'.

It is an Arabic loanword from the root S-M-A (to hear).

Yes, it is used every day in news, law, and formal administrative communication.