At the A1 level, you should think of 'do barābar kardan' as a simple mathematical action. 'Do' means two, and 'barābar' means equal or times. When you put them with 'kardan' (to do/make), you are saying 'to make two times'. Imagine you have one apple and you want two. You 'double' it. At this stage, just focus on the present and past simple tenses. For example: 'Man seeb rā do barābar kardam' (I doubled the apples). It is a useful phrase for basic shopping and counting. You don't need to worry about complex grammar yet; just remember that 'do barābar' stays as a single unit before the verb 'kardan'. This will help you build a foundation for more complex sentences later on.
At the A2 level, you can start using 'do barābar kardan' in more varied contexts, such as describing changes in your daily life or hobbies. You should be able to conjugate the verb in the present continuous tense (mi-konam) and use it with common nouns like 'pool' (money), 'vaqt' (time), or 'ghazā' (food). You should also notice the use of the object marker 'rā'. For instance, 'Man vaqt-e motāle'e-am rā do barābar mi-konam' (I am doubling my study time). This level also introduces the difference between 'kardan' (active) and 'shodan' (passive), though you should primarily focus on 'kardan' when you are the one performing the action. It's a great verb for expressing progress in your Persian studies!
As a B1 learner, you should be comfortable using 'do barābar kardan' in professional and social settings. You can use it to talk about economic trends, such as 'The company doubled its sales', or personal achievements. You should also be able to use it in the subjunctive mood, which is common after verbs like 'want' or 'must'. For example: 'Mā bāyad kār-e khod rā do barābar bokonim' (We must double our work). You are now expected to understand that this is a transitive compound verb. You should also start to recognize its synonyms like 'do chandān kardan' in reading materials, even if you don't use them in speech yet. This verb is key for describing growth and expansion in more detailed conversations.
At the B2 level, you should use 'do barābar kardan' with precision and nuance. You can incorporate it into complex sentence structures involving relative clauses and conditional statements. For example: 'Agar sarmāye-gozāri konim, mi-tavānim darāmad-e khod rā do barābar konim' (If we invest, we can double our income). You should also be aware of the stylistic difference between this phrase and 'mozā'af kardan', choosing the latter for formal reports or academic writing. At this stage, you should also be able to use the verb metaphorically to describe intensifying efforts or emotions. Your understanding of the passive form 'do barābar shodan' should be solid, allowing you to describe market fluctuations or natural phenomena fluently.
For C1 learners, 'do barābar kardan' is a tool for sophisticated discourse. You should be able to use it in debates about policy, economics, and philosophy. You will encounter it in classical and modern literature, often used to create emphasis. You should understand how it fits into the broader system of Persian word formation and be able to use related forms like 'do barābar-e' (twice as much as) as a prepositional phrase. Your usage should reflect an understanding of Persian register—knowing when to use the common 'do barābar kardan' versus the more eloquent 'do chandān kardan' to achieve a specific rhetorical effect. You should also be able to explain the nuances of this verb to lower-level learners.
At the C2 level, you have complete mastery over 'do barābar kardan' and its place in the Persian linguistic landscape. You can use it effortlessly in high-level academic research, legal drafting, or creative writing. You understand its historical development and how it compares to similar structures in other Iranian languages or dialects. You can manipulate the verb in all its forms, including archaic or highly literary variations, to suit any context. You also recognize the subtle cultural implications of 'doubling' in Persian folklore or traditional commerce. Your use of the verb is indistinguishable from that of an educated native speaker, characterized by perfect timing, register, and grammatical accuracy.

دو برابر کردن in 30 Seconds

  • A compound verb meaning 'to double' or 'multiply by two'.
  • Used for physical quantities, money, and abstract efforts.
  • Transitive; requires an actor and an object.
  • Essential for B1 level communication in financial and daily contexts.

The Persian verb دو برابر کردن (do barābar kardan) is a foundational compound verb used to describe the act of doubling, duplicating, or increasing something by a factor of two. In its most literal sense, it is used in mathematics and commerce to indicate a numerical increase. For example, if a merchant says he wants to do barābar kardan his stock, he is planning to have twice as many items as before. However, the utility of this phrase extends far beyond simple arithmetic. It is deeply embedded in the Persian psyche as a way to express growth, intensification, and expansion in various facets of life, from personal wealth to emotional states. When we look at the structure, 'do' means 'two', 'barābar' means 'equal' or 'times', and 'kardan' is the ubiquitous 'to do/make'. Together, they literally translate to 'to make two-fold'.

Economic Context
In the Iranian marketplace or 'Bazaar', this term is frequently heard when discussing inflation, profits, or investments. If a property value doubles, speakers will use this verb to highlight the significant gain.
Scientific Application
In laboratory settings, researchers use it to describe the replication of cells or the doubling of a dosage in an experiment.

دولت تصمیم دارد بودجه آموزش و پرورش را دو برابر کند.

(The government intends to double the education budget.)

The phrase is also used metaphorically. For instance, if someone’s happiness is doubled because of good news, though 'do chandan' might be more poetic, 'do barābar kardan' remains perfectly functional and common in daily speech. It represents a clear, measurable leap in quantity or quality. Unlike the English word 'double', which can be an adjective, a noun, or a verb, the Persian version is strictly a compound verb in this form. You cannot simply use 'do barābar' as a verb without the auxiliary 'kardan'. This distinction is crucial for learners to avoid grammatical errors. Furthermore, in the context of cooking, if a recipe calls for doubling the ingredients, this is the exact phrase a chef would use. It conveys precision and clarity, which are essential in both culinary and mathematical contexts. In the modern era, with the rise of digital technology, you might hear it in terms of 'doubling the speed' of an internet connection or 'doubling the storage' of a hard drive. It is a versatile, high-frequency verb that transitions seamlessly from the ancient bazaar to the modern tech startup.

او تلاش‌هایش را برای موفقیت دو برابر کرد.

(He doubled his efforts for success.)

Using دو برابر کردن correctly requires an understanding of Persian sentence structure, which is typically Subject-Object-Verb (SOV). Since this is a compound verb, the 'do barābar' part stays together, while 'kardan' is conjugated according to the subject and tense. For example, in the past tense, 'I doubled' becomes 'do barābar kardam'. In the future tense, 'I will double' becomes 'do barābar khāham kard'. It is important to note that the object being doubled usually takes the 'rā' (را) marker if it is specific. For instance, 'I doubled the money' is 'man pool rā do barābar kardam'. Without 'rā', the sentence sounds incomplete or implies a general, non-specific action.

Transitive Nature
This verb is transitive, meaning it requires a direct object. You are always doubling *something*. If you want to say 'The price doubled' (intransitive), you would use 'do barābar shodan' (to become double) instead.

آیا می‌توانی سرعت این ویدیو را دو برابر کنی؟

(Can you double the speed of this video?)

In formal writing, such as academic papers or financial reports, you might encounter the more formal synonym 'mozā'af kardan'. However, 'do barābar kardan' remains the standard for most contexts. When negating the verb, the 'na-' prefix is attached to the auxiliary verb: 'do barābar nakardam' (I did not double). In imperative forms, it becomes 'do barābar bokon' (double it!), though in spoken Persian it is often shortened to 'do barābar kon'. Learners should also be aware of the passive construction. If you want to say 'The production was doubled', you would say 'Tolid do barābar shod'. The transition from 'kardan' (to do) to 'shodan' (to become) is a standard pattern in Persian compound verbs to switch between active and passive or transitive and intransitive meanings. This flexibility allows speakers to describe various scenarios involving growth and duplication with precision.

ما باید ظرفیت سالن را دو برابر کنیم.

(We must double the hall's capacity.)

You will hear دو برابر کردن in a multitude of environments across Iran and Persian-speaking regions. In the news, it is a staple for economic reporting. Anchors frequently discuss how the price of gold or currency has doubled compared to the previous year. For example, 'gheymat-e arz do barābar shod' (the price of currency doubled). In educational settings, a math teacher explaining ratios and proportions will use it constantly. 'Agar in adad rā do barābar konim...' (If we double this number...). It is also prevalent in the sports world. A coach might tell his team that they need to 'do barābar kardan' their energy levels in the second half of a match to win. This usage highlights the verb's ability to describe not just physical quantities, but also abstract efforts and intensities.

Daily Shopping
When buying fabric or food, you might ask the vendor to double the amount: 'Lotfan meghdār-e brenj rā do barābar konid' (Please double the amount of rice).

او توانست سود شرکت را در یک سال دو برابر کند.

(He managed to double the company's profit in one year.)

In social gatherings, Iranians might use it when talking about hospitality. If a guest is very hungry, the host might jokingly say, 'Man ghazā-ye to rā do barābar mikonam' (I will double your food). It is also found in literature and poetry, though often replaced by more rhythmic synonyms like 'do chandān'. However, in contemporary Iranian cinema and television dramas, the phrase is ubiquitous. Characters use it when discussing business deals, family inheritance, or even when exaggerating a story. 'Ghesse rā do barābar bozorg kard!' (He made the story twice as big!). This versatility makes it one of the most useful verbs for an intermediate learner to master, as it bridges the gap between technical terminology and everyday colloquialism. Whether you are reading a financial newspaper like 'Donya-e-Eqtesad' or watching a cooking show on IRIB, you are guaranteed to encounter this phrase.

قیمت بلیت‌ها را برای روز جمعه دو برابر کردند.

(They doubled the ticket prices for Friday.)

One of the most common mistakes English speakers make when using دو برابر کردن is confusing it with its intransitive counterpart, دو برابر شدن. In English, the word 'double' can be used in both ways: 'The price doubled' (intransitive) and 'I doubled the price' (transitive). In Persian, these require different auxiliary verbs. If you say 'Gheymat do barābar kard', it sounds like the price actively did something to double another thing, which is nonsensical. You must say 'Gheymat do barābar shod'. Conversely, if you are the one doing the action, you must use 'kardan'. Another frequent error is the omission of the preposition 'rā' when the object is definite. Saying 'Man pool do barābar kardam' is grammatically weak; it should be 'Man pool rā do barābar kardam'.

Confusion with 'Do Ta'
Beginners sometimes say 'do ta kardan', which literally means 'to make two pieces'. While this might work in very specific contexts (like cutting a sandwich in two), it does not mean 'to double' the value or size.

اشتباه: قیمت دو برابر کرد. (غلط)

(Wrong: The price doubled - using 'kardan' instead of 'shodan'.)

Furthermore, learners often struggle with the placement of the 'mi-' prefix in the continuous present or past tenses. Since it is a compound verb, the 'mi-' must be attached to the auxiliary verb 'kardan', not the adjective 'do barābar'. The correct form is 'do barābar mi-konam', not 'mi-do barābar konam'. Another subtle mistake is using 'do barābar' when 'dobāre' (again) is intended. While they sound slightly similar to a novice ear, their meanings are entirely different. 'Dobāre' means 'once more', whereas 'do barābar' means 'twice the amount'. Finally, avoid using 'do barābar kardan' for 'copying' a document. For that, the correct term is 'kopi kardan' or 'ronesht gereftan'. 'Do barābar kardan' implies an increase in magnitude or quantity, not just making a duplicate copy of a piece of paper. Understanding these nuances will help you sound more like a native speaker and avoid confusing your listeners.

While دو برابر کردن is the most common way to say 'to double', Persian offers several alternatives depending on the register and context. The most formal and academic synonym is مضاعف کردن (mozā'af kardan). This word is derived from Arabic and is frequently used in legal documents, high-level economic analysis, and formal literature. For example, 'tashdid-e mojāzāt-e mozā'af' (doubling/intensifying the punishment). Another beautiful and slightly more poetic alternative is دو چندان کردن (do chandān kardan). This is often used when talking about abstract concepts like beauty, effort, or joy. 'Zibāyi-ye bāgh rā do chandān kard' (It doubled the beauty of the garden). It suggests a more qualitative increase than a purely quantitative one.

Do Barābar vs. Mozā'af
'Do barābar' is neutral and mathematical. 'Mozā'af' is formal and often implies intensification rather than just a 2x increase.
Do Barābar vs. Do Chandān
'Do barābar' is precise. 'Do chandān' is more literary and can sometimes mean 'many times more' rather than strictly twice.

باران طراوت طبیعت را دو چندان کرد.

(The rain doubled the freshness of nature.)

In some colloquial contexts, you might hear 'doble kardan' (دوبله کردن), borrowed from French/English 'double'. However, be careful: in Persian, 'doble kardan' almost exclusively refers to 'dubbing' a film (replacing the voice track with another language). Only in very specific slang, like parking a car 'double' (pārk-e doble), does it retain its original meaning. Another related concept is 'takthir kardan' (to multiply/reproduce), which is used for biological reproduction or photocopying. While 'do barābar kardan' is a specific type of multiplication (by 2), 'takthir' is more general. Understanding these subtle differences allows you to choose the word that best fits the tone of your conversation or writing. For a B1 learner, mastering 'do barābar kardan' is the priority, but recognizing 'mozā'af' and 'do chandān' will significantly improve your reading comprehension of news and literature.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"شرکت موظف است تولیدات خود را دو برابر کند."

Neutral

"من می‌خواهم تلاشم را دو برابر کنم."

Informal

"پولمو دو برابر کردم!"

Child friendly

"بیا شکلات‌ها رو دو برابر کنیم!"

Slang

"دمت گرم، حالشو دو برابر کردی!"

Fun Fact

The word 'barābar' literally comes from 'bar' (breast) + 'ā' + 'bar' (breast), meaning standing breast-to-breast, which implies equality and facing each other.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /duː bæˈræːbær kærdæn/
US /du bəˈræbər kərdən/
The primary stress in the compound verb is on the last syllable of the non-verbal part: 'barā-BAR'.
Rhymes With
برابر (barābar) سراسر (sarāsar) دلاور (delāvar) شناور (shenāvar) تناور (tanāvar) نامور (nāmvar) باور (bāvar) یاور (yāvar)
Common Errors
  • Pronouncing 'do' like English 'do' (it should be like 'dough' but shorter).
  • Putting stress on 'kardan' instead of 'barābar'.
  • Merging the words into 'dobarābar' without a slight pause.
  • Mispronouncing the 'ā' in 'barābar' as a short 'a'.
  • Rolling the 'r' too heavily.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to recognize if you know 'do' and 'barābar'.

Writing 4/5

Requires correct conjugation of 'kardan' and use of 'rā'.

Speaking 4/5

Must distinguish between 'kardan' and 'shodan' in real-time.

Listening 3/5

Clear pronunciation usually, but 'mi-' prefix can be fast.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

دو (two) برابر (equal) کردن (to do) شدن (to become) بیشتر (more)

Learn Next

سه برابر کردن (to triple) چند برابر کردن (to multiply) نصف کردن (to halve) تقسیم کردن (to divide) درصد (percent)

Advanced

مضاعف دوچندان تزاید افزون تکثیر

Grammar to Know

Compound Verb Conjugation

The prefix 'mi-' goes on 'kardan': 'do barābar mi-konam'.

Direct Object Marker 'rā'

Used when the thing being doubled is specific: 'Pool rā do barābar kardam'.

Subjunctive Mood

After 'bāyad': 'Bāyad do barābar bokonam'.

Transitive vs Intransitive

'Kardan' for active doubling, 'Shodan' for becoming double.

Future Tense

'Khāham' comes before the shortened infinitive: 'do barābar khāham kard'.

Examples by Level

1

من سیب‌ها را دو برابر کردم.

I doubled the apples.

Simple past tense of a compound verb.

2

پول خود را دو برابر کن.

Double your money.

Imperative form (informal).

3

او کتاب‌هایش را دو برابر کرد.

He doubled his books.

Subject 'He' (u) + Object 'books' + rā.

4

ما نان را دو برابر می‌کنیم.

We double the bread.

Present continuous tense.

5

آنها کلاس را دو برابر کردند.

They doubled the class.

Plural subject 'They' (ānhā).

6

آیا می‌توانی این را دو برابر کنی؟

Can you double this?

Question form with 'can' (tavānestan).

7

من تلاش می‌کنم تلاشم را دو برابر کنم.

I try to double my effort.

Subjunctive mood after 'try'.

8

او قدش را دو برابر کرد.

He doubled his height (metaphorical/fantasy).

Possessive suffix '-ash'.

1

او هر روز ورزش خود را دو برابر می‌کند.

He doubles his exercise every day.

Habitual present tense.

2

من باید مواد لازم را دو برابر کنم.

I must double the ingredients.

Modal verb 'bāyad' + subjunctive.

3

آنها قیمت‌ها را دو برابر کردند.

They doubled the prices.

Past tense with plural object.

4

ما می‌خواهیم تولید را دو برابر کنیم.

We want to double production.

Verb 'khāstan' (to want) + subjunctive.

5

آیا او سرعت ماشین را دو برابر کرد؟

Did he double the car's speed?

Interrogative past tense.

6

من تعداد دوستانم را دو برابر کردم.

I doubled the number of my friends.

Direct object with 'ezafe' construction.

7

او سعی کرد حافظه‌اش را دو برابر کند.

He tried to double his memory.

Compound verb in a subordinate clause.

8

لطفاً این مقدار را دو برابر کنید.

Please double this amount.

Polite imperative form.

1

شرکت توانست سود خالص خود را دو برابر کند.

The company managed to double its net profit.

Compound verb in a formal context.

2

اگر بیشتر تلاش کنی، موفقیتت را دو برابر می‌کنی.

If you try harder, you will double your success.

Conditional sentence type 1.

3

دولت قصد دارد مالیات‌ها را دو برابر کند.

The government intends to double the taxes.

Noun 'ghasd' (intention) + 'dārad' + subjunctive.

4

او با این کار، مشکلات ما را دو برابر کرد.

By doing this, he doubled our problems.

Prepositional phrase 'bā in kār'.

5

ما باید ظرفیت ورزشگاه را دو برابر کنیم.

We must double the stadium capacity.

Focus on capacity and infrastructure.

6

او توانست زمان مطالعه‌اش را دو برابر کند.

He was able to double his study time.

Past ability with 'tavānestan'.

7

این اختراع کارایی موتور را دو برابر می‌کند.

This invention doubles the engine's efficiency.

Scientific/Technical usage.

8

آنها می‌خواهند تعداد کارکنان را دو برابر کنند.

They want to double the number of employees.

Future planning.

1

سرمایه‌گذاری در بورس می‌تواند دارایی شما را دو برابر کند.

Investing in the stock market can double your assets.

Modal 'mi-tavānad' indicating possibility.

2

او با هوشمندی توانست خروجی کارخانه را دو برابر کند.

With intelligence, he managed to double the factory's output.

Adverbial usage 'bā hooshmandi'.

3

تکنولوژی جدید سرعت اینترنت را دو برابر کرده است.

New technology has doubled the internet speed.

Present perfect tense.

4

پیش‌بینی می‌شود که جمعیت شهر را دو برابر کنند.

It is predicted that they will double the city's population (capacity).

Passive introductory phrase 'pish-bini mi-shavad'.

5

او تصمیم گرفت دوز دارو را دو برابر کند.

He decided to double the medication dose.

Medical context.

6

این سیاست اقتصادی تورم را دو برابر کرد.

This economic policy doubled the inflation.

Causal relationship in economics.

7

ما به دنبال راهی هستیم تا فروش را دو برابر کنیم.

We are looking for a way to double sales.

Relative clause with 'tā'.

8

او توانست با تمرین، قدرت خود را دو برابر کند.

He managed to double his strength with practice.

Physical development context.

1

این استراتژی نه تنها سود را افزایش داد، بلکه رضایت مشتری را نیز دو برابر کرد.

This strategy not only increased profit but also doubled customer satisfaction.

Correlative conjunction 'na tanhā... balke... niz'.

2

نویسنده با استفاده از استعاره، تأثیر کلامش را دو برابر کرد.

The author doubled the impact of his words by using metaphors.

Literary and abstract usage.

3

اعمال این قوانین ممکن است هزینه‌های تولید را دو برابر کند.

Implementing these laws might double production costs.

Possibility with 'momken ast'.

4

او با بازسازی خانه، ارزش آن را دو برابر کرد.

By renovating the house, he doubled its value.

Gerund-like construction 'bā bāzsāzi'.

5

تحقیقات نشان می‌دهد که این کود محصول را دو برابر می‌کند.

Research shows that this fertilizer doubles the crop yield.

Scientific reporting style.

6

او با سخنرانی پرشور خود، انگیزه تیم را دو برابر کرد.

With his passionate speech, he doubled the team's motivation.

Psychological/Emotional impact.

7

باید تدابیری اندیشید تا بهره‌وری نیروی کار را دو برابر کنیم.

Measures must be taken to double labor productivity.

Formal administrative language.

8

این کشف علمی پتانسیل انرژی‌های تجدیدپذیر را دو برابر کرد.

This scientific discovery doubled the potential of renewable energies.

High-level technical discourse.

1

اتخاذ چنین رویکردی می‌تواند مخاطرات پروژه را به طور ناگهانی دو برابر کند.

Adopting such an approach could suddenly double the project's risks.

Advanced vocabulary like 'atkhāz' and 'mokhāterāt'.

2

او با ظرافت تمام، عمق معنای شعر را دو برابر کرد.

With utter delicacy, he doubled the depth of the poem's meaning.

Nuanced adverbial 'bā zerāfat-e tamām'.

3

تحلیلگران معتقدند که ادغام این دو شرکت، سهم بازار آنها را دو برابر خواهد کرد.

Analysts believe that the merger of these two companies will double their market share.

Future tense in a formal report.

4

این اصلاحات ساختاری توانست کارآمدی نظام اداری را دو برابر کند.

These structural reforms managed to double the efficiency of the administrative system.

Political/Administrative terminology.

5

او با افزودن این بند به قرارداد، تعهدات طرف مقابل را دو برابر کرد.

By adding this clause to the contract, he doubled the other party's obligations.

Legal context.

6

تغییرات اقلیمی ممکن است بسامد وقوع سیلاب‌ها را دو برابر کند.

Climate change may double the frequency of flood occurrences.

Scientific/Environmental register.

7

او با بهره‌گیری از هوش مصنوعی، سرعت پردازش داده‌ها را دو برابر کرد.

By utilizing artificial intelligence, he doubled the data processing speed.

Tech-heavy formal Persian.

8

این رویداد فرهنگی توانست همبستگی اجتماعی را در منطقه دو برابر کند.

This cultural event managed to double social solidarity in the region.

Sociological terminology.

Common Collocations

سود را دو برابر کردن
تلاش را دو برابر کردن
سرعت را دو برابر کردن
قیمت را دو برابر کردن
ظرفیت را دو برابر کردن
بودجه را دو برابر کردن
تولید را دو برابر کردن
جمعیت را دو برابر کردن
دوز دارو را دو برابر کردن
نیرو را دو برابر کردن

Common Phrases

دو برابر کردن سرمایه

— To double one's capital or investment.

او راهی برای دو برابر کردن سرمایه‌اش پیدا کرد.

دو برابر کردن خروجی

— To double the output of a system or factory.

ما باید خروجی را دو برابر کنیم.

دو برابر کردن پهنای باند

— To double the bandwidth (internet).

شرکت پهنای باند را دو برابر کرد.

دو برابر کردن پاداش

— To double the reward or bonus.

رئیس پاداش کارمندان را دو برابر کرد.

دو برابر کردن جریمه

— To double the fine or penalty.

پلیس جریمه رانندگی را دو برابر کرد.

دو برابر کردن شانس

— To double the chance of something happening.

این کار شانس ما را دو برابر می‌کند.

دو برابر کردن حجم

— To double the volume of something.

آب در هنگام یخ زدن حجمش را دو برابر نمی‌کند (scientific fact check).

دو برابر کردن تمرین

— To double the amount of practice.

او تمریناتش را دو برابر کرد.

دو برابر کردن تمرکز

— To double one's focus.

باید تمرکزت را دو برابر کنی.

دو برابر کردن لذت

— To double the pleasure or enjoyment.

این موسیقی لذت سفر را دو برابر کرد.

Often Confused With

دو برابر کردن vs دوباره کردن

This is not a standard phrase. 'Dobāre' means 'again'. People often confuse 'do barābar' (double) with 'dobāre' (once more).

دو برابر کردن vs دو برابر شدن

This means 'to be doubled' or 'to become double' (intransitive). Use this when there is no clear actor.

دو برابر کردن vs دوبله کردن

This means 'to dub' a movie. Only in very specific slang like 'double parking' (pārk-e doble) is it similar.

Idioms & Expressions

"یک کلاغ چهل کلاغ کردن"

— To exaggerate something many times over (related to increasing size/quantity).

او داستان را یک کلاغ چهل کلاغ کرد.

Informal
"دو تا یکی کردن"

— To combine two into one (often used for steps or tasks).

پله‌ها را دو تا یکی کرد و بالا رفت.

Neutral
"صد برابر کردن"

— To increase a hundredfold (hyperbole for doubling).

او ارزش کار را صد برابر کرد.

Informal
"دو دو تا چهار تا"

— Something very obvious or logical (as simple as doubling 2).

این موضوع مثل دو دو تا چهار تا است.

Informal
"دو دل بودن"

— To be of two hearts (undecided), using 'do'.

برای رفتن دو دل هستم.

Neutral
"یک شبه ره صد ساله رفتن"

— To achieve a hundred years' progress in one night (extreme increase).

او می‌خواست یک شبه ره صد ساله برود.

Literary
"از کاه کوه ساختن"

— To make a mountain out of a molehill (exaggerating size).

او از کاه کوه می‌سازد.

Informal
"دو روی یک سکه"

— Two sides of the same coin.

این دو موضوع دو روی یک سکه هستند.

Neutral
"دو قبضه"

— Double-barreled or doubly secured.

او جای پایش را دو قبضه کرد.

Informal
"دو آتشه"

— Extremely passionate (literally double-fired).

او طرفدار دو آتشه فوتبال است.

Informal

Easily Confused

دو برابر کردن vs دو چندان

Both mean double.

'Do chandān' is more literary and qualitative, while 'do barābar' is quantitative and common.

Zibāyi-ash do chandān shod.

دو برابر کردن vs مضاعف

Synonyms.

'Mozā'af' is Arabic-rooted and used in formal/legal contexts.

Mojāzāt-e mozā'af.

دو برابر کردن vs تکثیر

Relates to increasing numbers.

'Takthir' means to multiply or reproduce (like cells or copies), not specifically by two.

Takthir-e selool-hā.

دو برابر کردن vs افزایش

General term for increase.

'Afzāyesh' is any increase, 'do barābar' is exactly 100% increase.

Afzāyesh-e gheymat.

دو برابر کردن vs تکرار

Relates to 'twice'.

'Tekrār' means repetition, not doubling the quantity.

Tekrār-e tamrin.

Sentence Patterns

A1

[Subject] [Object] rā do barābar kard.

Man pool rā do barābar kardam.

A2

[Subject] dārad [Object] rā do barābar mi-konad.

U dārad kār rā do barābar mi-konad.

B1

Bāyad [Object] rā do barābar bokonim.

Bāyad sur'at rā do barābar bokonim.

B2

Agar [Condition], [Object] rā do barābar mi-konam.

Agar be-khāham, poolam rā do barābar mi-konam.

C1

Ba' بعید ast be-tavānand [Object] rā do barābar konand.

Ba'id ast be-tavānand tolid rā do barābar konand.

C2

Zarurat-e do barābar kardan-e [Object] ehsās mi-shavad.

Zarurat-e do barābar kardan-e budje ehsās mi-shavad.

B1

Tavānest [Object] rā do barābar konad.

Tavānest darāmad rā do barābar konad.

A2

Lotfan [Object] rā do barābar konid.

Lotfan ghazā rā do barābar konid.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

Related

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high in news, business, and daily life.

Common Mistakes
  • Gheymat do barābar kard. Gheymat do barābar shod.

    Prices don't 'do' the doubling; they 'become' double. Use 'shodan' for intransitive actions.

  • Man mi-do barābar konam. Man do barābar mi-konam.

    The continuous prefix 'mi-' must be attached to the verbal part of the compound verb.

  • Man pool do barābar kardam. Man pool rā do barābar kardam.

    Specific objects need the 'rā' marker in Persian.

  • Do barābar kardan dars. Do barābar kardan-e dars.

    When using the infinitive as a noun phrase, you need the 'ezafe' (short -e) to connect it to the object.

  • U dobāre poolash rā kard. U poolash rā do barābar kard.

    Don't confuse 'dobāre' (again) with 'do barābar' (double).

Tips

The 'mi-' Placement

Always put the 'mi-' on the 'kardan' part. It's 'do barābar mi-konam', never 'mi-do barābar konam'.

Active vs Passive

Use 'kardan' when you are the boss of the action. Use 'shodan' when the action just happens (like inflation).

Formal Alternative

Impress your teachers by using 'mozā'af kardan' in your formal essays about economics or law.

Soft 'R'

The 'r' in 'barābar' is a single tap, like the 'tt' in the American English word 'better'.

The Bazaar Talk

When bargaining, you might hear 'do barābar' when someone thinks a price is twice as high as it should be.

The 2-Equal Rule

Think: Do (2) + Barābar (Equal) = Two Equals of the same thing.

Spacing

In modern Persian typing, use a half-space (z-vash) or a full space between 'do' and 'barābar'.

Cooking Tip

This is the most common verb used in recipes when you want to serve more guests.

Not 'Tekrār'

Don't say 'tekrār kardan' if you mean double the amount. 'Tekrār' is just doing the same thing again.

Poetic Flair

Use 'do chandān' when describing someone's beauty or the light of the moon for a more romantic feel.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Do' as two. 'Barābar' sounds like 'Bar-a-Bar' (Bar to Bar). Imagine two bars of chocolate that are equal. You 'kardan' (make) them. You just doubled your chocolate!

Visual Association

Visualize a scale where one side has one weight and you add another identical weight to make it 'two equals' (do barābar).

Word Web

Mathematics Economy Growth Multiplication Equality Two Compound Verb Transitive

Challenge

Try to find three things in your room that you would like to 'do barābar kardan' and say the sentences out loud in Persian.

Word Origin

Composed of 'do' (Middle Persian 'dw'), 'barābar' (Middle Persian 'bar-ā-bar' meaning 'breast to breast' or 'equal'), and 'kardan' (Old Persian 'karnuv-').

Original meaning: To place two things side by side so they are equal in measure.

Indo-European (Indo-Iranian branch).

Cultural Context

No specific sensitivities, but be careful using it with 'problems' or 'pain' as it can sound very negative.

Unlike English where 'double' is versatile, Persian learners must remember to use the compound verb form.

Used in Iranian financial news daily. Common in Persian translations of 'The Wealth of Nations'. Found in math textbooks from grade 1 onwards.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Cooking

  • مقدار شکر را دو برابر کن.
  • باید دستور غذا را دو برابر کنیم.
  • آرد را دو برابر کردی؟
  • دو برابر کردن نمک خطرناک است.

Finance

  • سودم را دو برابر کردم.
  • سرمایه را دو برابر کنید.
  • قیمت‌ها دو برابر شده است.
  • چگونه پولمان را دو برابر کنیم؟

Fitness

  • تعداد شناها را دو برابر کن.
  • تمرین را دو برابر کردیم.
  • سرعت دویدن را دو برابر کن.
  • قدرت بدنی‌اش را دو برابر کرد.

Education

  • زمان مطالعه را دو برابر کن.
  • تعداد کلمات را دو برابر کردیم.
  • نمراتش را دو برابر بهتر کرد (informal).
  • دقتت را دو برابر کن.

Technology

  • حافظه را دو برابر کردیم.
  • سرعت پردازش را دو برابر کن.
  • کیفیت تصویر را دو برابر کرد.
  • تعداد کاربران را دو برابر کردند.

Conversation Starters

"اگر می‌توانستی یک چیز را در زندگی‌ات دو برابر کنی، آن چه بود؟"

"آیا تا به حال توانسته‌ای پولت را در مدت کوتاهی دو برابر کنی؟"

"فکر می‌کنی اگر تلاشت را دو برابر کنی، به هدفت می‌رسی؟"

"چرا قیمت اجناس در این شهر دو برابر شده است؟"

"چگونه می‌توانیم بهره‌وری خود را در محیط کار دو برابر کنیم؟"

Journal Prompts

امروز تصمیم گرفتم زمان مطالعه زبان فارسی‌ام را دو برابر کنم چون...

اگر درآمد من ناگهان دو برابر شود، اولین کاری که انجام می‌دهم این است که...

درباره زمانی بنویسید که تلاش خود را برای رسیدن به یک هدف دو برابر کردید.

آیا دو برابر کردن سرعت زندگی همیشه خوب است؟ چرا؟

تاثیر دو برابر شدن قیمت‌ها بر زندگی مردم چیست؟

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

You conjugate the verb 'kardan' and keep 'do barābar' before it. For example: 'man do barābar mi-konam', 'to do barābar mi-koni', etc.

You can use it metaphorically for a person's effort or speed, but not for their physical body unless it's a fantasy context. For example: 'U talāshash rā do barābar kard.'

'Kardan' is transitive (I double the money), while 'shodan' is intransitive (The money doubled). Use 'kardan' when there is an agent.

Yes, in spoken Persian you can simply say 'Do barābaresh kon!' where '-esh' is the object pronoun.

Yes. For example: 'In pool do barābar-e ān pool ast' (This money is double that money).

Simply change 'do' to 'se' (three) or 'chahār' (four): 'se barābar kardan', 'chahār barābar kardan'.

Only in formal writing. In daily conversation, it sounds too stiff. Stick to 'do barābar kardan'.

Only if the object is definite. 'Man pool rā do barābar kardam' (I doubled THE money). If it's general, you can omit it, but it's rare for this verb.

It means 'equal', 'equivalent', or 'opposite/in front of'.

Yes, it is widely understood and used in all major Persian dialects, though Tajiki might use different scripts.

Test Yourself 200 questions

writing

Write a sentence in Persian: 'I doubled my money.'

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writing

Write a sentence in Persian: 'We must double our efforts.'

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writing

Write a sentence in Persian: 'The chef doubled the salt.'

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writing

Write a sentence in Persian: 'Can you double the speed?'

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writing

Write a sentence in Persian: 'The company will double the profit.'

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writing

Write a sentence in Persian using 'mozā'af kardan'.

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writing

Translate: 'He doubled his study time last week.'

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writing

Translate: 'Please double the amount of rice.'

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writing

Write a negative sentence: 'They did not double the price.'

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writing

Use 'do barābar kardan' in a conditional sentence (If...).

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writing

Describe a goal: 'I want to double my vocabulary.'

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writing

Write about a change: 'Technology doubled the speed.'

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writing

Translate: 'Double the sugar for the cake.'

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writing

Translate: 'The merger doubled their market share.'

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writing

Write a sentence with 'do barābar shodan' (passive).

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writing

Translate: 'I am doubling the capacity of the room.'

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writing

Translate: 'They doubled the number of students.'

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writing

Translate: 'You should double your focus.'

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writing

Translate: 'The rain doubled the freshness of the air.'

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writing

Translate: 'He doubled the dose of his medicine.'

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speaking

Describe a time you had to double your efforts for a goal.

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speaking

How would you tell a waiter to double your order?

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speaking

Explain how to double your money in the stock market (hypothetically).

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speaking

Talk about the inflation in your country using this verb.

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speaking

Tell your coach you will double your practice time.

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speaking

Ask a friend if they have doubled their vocabulary this month.

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speaking

Explain the difference between 'kardan' and 'shodan' with this phrase.

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speaking

Talk about a recipe where you doubled the ingredients.

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speaking

How would you express that a movie was twice as long as expected?

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speaking

Tell a technician to double the internet speed.

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speaking

Discuss the impact of doubling the minimum wage.

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speaking

Describe a scientific experiment involving doubling cells.

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speaking

Tell someone to double the volume of the music.

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speaking

How do you say 'I want to double my height' in a funny way?

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speaking

Discuss if doubling the population of a city is good or bad.

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speaking

Say: 'He doubled the fine for late payment.'

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speaking

Tell a story about a magical tree that doubles your gold.

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speaking

Ask: 'Why did you double the price?'

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speaking

Say: 'I will double my focus today.'

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speaking

Discuss the benefits of doubling the green space in cities.

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listening

Listen to the audio: 'Man poolam rā do barābar kardam.' What did the speaker do?

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listening

Listen: 'Āyā mi-tavāni sur'at rā do barābar koni?' What is the question asking?

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listening

Listen: 'Gheymat-e goosht do barābar shod.' Did someone double the price or did it just happen?

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listening

Listen: 'Bāyad talāsh-mān rā do barābar bokonim.' What must we do?

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listening

Listen: 'U darāmadash rā do barābar karde ast.' What tense is used?

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listening

Listen: 'Lotfan meghdār-e shekar rā do barābar nakonid.' What is the request?

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listening

Listen: 'Tolid-e kārkhāne do barābar shod.' What happened to the factory production?

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listening

Listen: 'U mikhāhad jam'iyat rā do barābar konad.' What is the goal?

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listening

Listen: 'Zibāyi-ye bahār do chandān shod.' What synonym was used?

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listening

Listen: 'Budje rā do barābar kardand.' Who did the action?

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listening

Listen: 'Doz-e dāru rā do barābar kon.' Is this a question or a command?

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listening

Listen: 'Mā sarmāye rā do barābar khāhim kard.' When will this happen?

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listening

Listen: 'Sur'at-e internet do barābar mi-shavad.' Is this happening now or habitually?

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listening

Listen: 'Hafte-ye pish kār rā do barābar kardim.' When did they double the work?

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listening

Listen: 'Agar talāsh koni, movaffaghiyat-at do barābar mi-shavad.' What is the condition?

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/ 200 correct

Perfect score!

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