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Vocabulary
متولد شدن

A2 verb 8 min read

متولد شدن

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips متولد شدن in 30 Seconds

Explanation متولد شدن in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know how to state your own birth year or place using a very simple version of this verb. Usually, students learn the phrase 'من در [شهر] متولد شدم' (I was born in [city]). You don't need to worry about complex conjugations yet. Just focus on the past tense for 'I' (shodam) and 'You' (shodi). It is one of the first verbs you learn because it is essential for introducing yourself. You might also see it on simple forms where you have to write your birth date. At this stage, think of 'motavalled shodam' as a single unit meaning 'I was born'. Don't worry about the Arabic roots or the auxiliary verb mechanics too much. Just practice saying where you are from and when you were born using the solar or Gregorian calendar. For example: 'من در لندن متولد شدم' (I was born in London). This is enough to get you through basic social interactions.

At the A2 level, you should be able to conjugate 'متولد شدن' for different people: he, she, they, and we. You will use it to talk about your family members and friends. For example, 'برادرم در سال ۱۹۹۵ متولد شد' (My brother was born in 1995). You should also be able to ask others where they were born using 'کجا متولد شدی؟'. You will start to notice that in spoken Persian, people often shorten the phrase to just 'متولدِ [place/time] هستم'. You should understand that this verb is used for biological birth and is the standard way to fill out paperwork. You are expected to know the difference between 'tavalod' (the noun) and 'motavalled shodan' (the verb). You will also begin to see this verb in simple reading passages about famous people's lives, like a short biography of a scientist or a king. It's a key verb for narrating life events in the past tense.

At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using 'متولد شدن' in various tenses, including the present perfect (e.g., 'بسیاری از نوزادان امروز متولد شده‌اند' - Many babies have been born today). You will also start using the verb in more complex sentences with conjunctions like 'قبل از اینکه' (before) or 'بعد از اینکه' (after). For example: 'او قبل از انقلاب متولد شد' (He was born before the revolution). You should also be aware of the more informal alternative 'به دنیا آمدن' and know when to switch between them based on the person you are talking to. You will encounter this verb in news articles and more detailed biographies. You should also be able to use the word 'متولد' as a noun/adjective to describe a group, like 'متولدین دهه شصت' (those born in the 60s). Your understanding of the verb's structure as a compound verb should be solid, allowing you to move the auxiliary 'shodan' into different moods like the subjunctive if needed.

At the B2 level, you can use 'متولد شدن' metaphorically. You might say 'یک ایده جدید در ذهن او متولد شد' (A new idea was born in his mind). You understand the nuance of using this verb versus 'زاده شدن' or 'تولد یافتن' in written essays. You can discuss social issues like birth rates or demographic shifts using this vocabulary. You should also be able to handle the passive voice and more advanced grammatical structures. For instance, you might use it in a conditional sentence: 'اگر او در کشور دیگری متولد شده بود، زندگی متفاوتی داشت' (If he had been born in another country, he would have had a different life). You are also expected to recognize the word in literary contexts where it might represent a spiritual awakening. Your vocabulary around birth (midwife, hospital, certificate, generation) should be well-integrated with this verb.

At the C1 level, you have a deep appreciation for the etymology and the subtle registers of 'متولد شدن'. You can use it in academic writing to describe the 'birth' of a civilization or a philosophical movement with precision. You are comfortable with the Arabic root (W-L-D) and can recognize related words like 'والدین' (parents), 'تولید' (production), and 'میلاد' (birth/nativity). You can engage in high-level debates about 'nature vs nurture', using the verb to describe innate vs acquired traits. In literature, you can analyze how authors use the concept of being born to symbolize hope or tragedy. You can also use the most formal versions, such as 'پا به عرصه وجود گذاشتن', in public speaking or formal letters. Your usage is indistinguishable from a native speaker's in terms of choosing the correct synonym for the specific context, whether it's legal, poetic, or scientific.

At the C2 level, you master the full expressive range of 'متولد شدن'. You can use it in highly abstract philosophical discourses, perhaps discussing the 'birth' of the universe or the ontological implications of existence. You are familiar with archaic and rare forms of the verb found in classical Persian texts. You can play with the word in creative writing, using puns or complex metaphors involving its Arabic roots. You understand the historical shift in how birth was recorded and discussed in Persian culture across centuries. You can translate complex English texts involving the concept of birth (e.g., 'a star is born', 'born of necessity', 'born under a bad sign') into the most appropriate Persian equivalents, whether using this verb or a more idiomatic expression. Your command of the verb includes all its derivative forms and its role in the broader semantic field of creation and existence.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

متولد شدن in 30 Seconds

The standard Persian verb for 'to be born'.
A compound verb using 'motavalled' + 'shodan'.
Used in both formal (legal) and informal contexts.
Can be used metaphorically for ideas and movements.

The Persian verb متولد شدن (motavalled shodan) is a compound verb that translates literally to "to become born." It is the standard, most common way to express the act of entering the world across all registers of the Persian language, from formal documents to casual conversations. Linguistically, it is composed of the Arabic passive participle متولد (motavalled), meaning "born," and the Persian auxiliary verb شدن (shodan), which means "to become." This structure is typical of many Persian verbs where an Arabic loanword provides the core meaning while a Persian verb provides the grammatical function.

Formal Usage: In legal contexts, such as birth certificates (shenasnameh) or passports, you will always see this verb. For example, 'Born in Tehran' is written as 'متولد تهران'. It carries a sense of official record and biological fact.
Metaphorical Usage: Beyond biological birth, this verb is used to describe the inception of movements, ideas, or even stars in astronomy. When a new political party is formed or a revolutionary concept emerges, Persians say it was 'born' using this exact phrase.

من در فصل بهار متولد شدم، وقتی که درختان شکوفه می‌دهند.

Translation: I was born in spring, when the trees are blossoming.

In daily life, you will hear this word most frequently when people discuss their age or background. In Iran, knowing someone's birth year is often the first step in establishing their social cohort or 'dahe' (decade). For instance, someone born in the 1360s (Solar Hijri) is called a 'dahe-shasti'. This verb is the gateway to understanding a person's history. It is also used in hospital settings when a baby arrives. While there is a more colloquial alternative, به دنیا آمدن (be donya amadan - to come into the world), متولد شدن remains the most versatile and respected form.

نوزاد در ساعت پنج صبح متولد شد.

Furthermore, the verb is used in literature to signify a rebirth. Iranian poets often speak of being 'born again' through love or spiritual enlightenment. In these cases, متولد شدن takes on a mystical quality. It isn't just about the physical act; it's about the transition from non-existence to existence. Whether you are filling out a visa application or reading a modern Persian novel, this verb is indispensable for describing the beginning of any journey, literal or figurative.

Using متولد شدن correctly requires an understanding of Persian verb conjugation, specifically for compound verbs. Since it ends with شدن (shodan), it follows the pattern of intransitive passive-style verbs. It never takes a direct object because you cannot 'born' something; you can only 'be born'.

Past Tense Construction: To say 'I was born', you use the past stem of shodan (shod) plus the personal ending (-am). Example: متولد شدم (motavalled shodam).
Future Tense Construction: To say 'will be born', you use the future auxiliary 'khaham' followed by the short infinitive. Example: متولد خواهد شد (motavalled khahad shod).

خواهرزاده‌ام در بیمارستان متولد شد.

Translation: My niece/nephew was born in the hospital.

When asking someone where or when they were born, you often use the preposition در (dar - in). For example: 'کجا متولد شدی؟' (Koja motavalled shodi? - Where were you born?). Note that in spoken Persian, the 'dar' is often dropped, and the question becomes 'کجا متولد شدی؟'.

بسیاری از شاعران بزرگ در شیراز متولد شده‌اند.

In more complex sentences, such as those using the present perfect tense (متولد شده‌ام), the verb indicates a state that began in the past and has relevance now, though for 'being born', the simple past is much more frequent. If you are writing a biography, you might use the past continuous to describe the circumstances surrounding a birth: 'زمانی که جنگ شروع شد، او متولد می‌شد' (He was being born just as the war began), though this is rare. Mastery of this verb involves getting the auxiliary endings right for each pronoun: -am (I), -i (you), - (s/he), -im (we), -id (you pl.), -and (they).

If you are traveling in Iran or speaking with Persian speakers, you will encounter متولد شدن in several distinct environments. The most immediate is during introductions. Iranians are very interested in age and generational identity. You might hear someone say, 'من متولد شصت و پنج هستم' (I was born in [13]65). Here, the verb 'shodan' is often omitted in favor of 'hastam' (to be), but the root concept remains the same.

News and Media: News reports about population statistics or the birth of quintuplets will use 'متولد شدند' (they were born) to maintain a formal and objective tone.
Biographical Documentaries: When watching a documentary about Hafez or Ferdowsi, the narrator will inevitably say 'او در قرن چهارم متولد شد' (He was born in the 4th century).

امروز یک نوزاد فیل در باغ‌وحش متولد شد.

Translation: Today a baby elephant was born at the zoo.

Another common place is at the doctor's office or hospital. A nurse might ask, 'کودک چه ساعتی متولد شد؟' (What time was the child born?). In these professional settings, the Arabic-derived 'motavalled' is preferred over the more poetic or colloquial 'be donya amadan'. You will also see it on every single identity document. If you look at an Iranian 'Shenasnameh', the field for 'Date of Birth' is labeled 'تاریخ تولد', and the confirmation of the event uses the verb form.

او در یک خانواده مذهبی متولد شد.

Social media bios often include birth dates using this verb. A typical Instagram bio might read: 'متولد مهر' (Born in [the month of] Mehr). This shorthand is extremely common. Even in scientific discussions about stars or galaxies, astronomers use the phrase 'ستاره‌های جدید متولد می‌شوند' (New stars are being born). This shows that the verb is not limited to biological life but extends to anything that begins its existence in the universe.

For English speakers learning Persian, the most frequent mistake when using متولد شدن is trying to use it transitively. In English, we say 'She bore a child' or 'She gave birth to a child'. However, متولد شدن only means 'to BE born'. You cannot say 'زن متولد شد یک بچه' (The woman born a child) – this is grammatically impossible in Persian.

The Active vs. Passive Confusion: To say 'to give birth', Persians use the verb 'زاییدن' (zayidan - biological) or 'به دنیا آوردن' (be donya avardan - more polite). 'متولد شدن' is strictly for the person or thing entering the world.
Confusing Noun and Verb: Students often say 'من تولد شدم' (I birthday-ed). This is wrong. 'Tavalod' is the noun (birth/birthday). You must use the adjective 'motavalled' with 'shodan'.

اشتباه: من در سال ۱۹۹۰ تولد شدم.
درست: من در سال ۱۹۹۰ متولد شدم.

Another mistake involves the preposition. While 'در' (dar) is correct for 'in', learners sometimes try to use 'به' (be) because they are thinking of 'to be born TO someone'. In Persian, we say 'از مادر متولد شد' (was born FROM the mother) or simply use 'فرزندِ [نام] است' (is the child of [name]).

او متولد یک خانواده ثروتمند نیست، او در آنجا بزرگ شده است.

Finally, remember the difference between 'motavalled' and 'motevalled'. The doubling of the 'l' (tashdid) is crucial in formal writing. Skipping the doubling sound in speech is okay, but in formal pronunciation, it should be slightly lengthened. Also, don't confuse 'motavalled shodan' with 'tavalod gereftan' (to hold a birthday party). One is the biological event; the other is the social celebration.

Persian is a rich language with several synonyms for 'being born', each with its own nuance and register. Choosing the right one depends on whether you are speaking to a friend, writing a poem, or filling out a form.

به دنیا آمدن (Be donya amadan): Literally 'to come to the world'. This is the most common informal alternative. It feels warmer and more poetic than the technical 'motavalled shodan'. It is used in stories and everyday talk.
زاده شدن (Zaade shodan): A pure Persian (Parsi) word. It is highly formal and literary. You will find this in epic poetry like the Shahnameh or in very formal historical texts. It sounds grand and timeless.
پا به عرصه وجود گذاشتن (Pa be arse-ye vojud gozashtan): An idiomatic, very formal expression meaning 'to step into the arena of existence'. Used in flowery prose or speeches to describe the birth of a great figure.

مقایسه: 'او متولد شد' (رسمی) vs 'او به دنیا آمد' (دوستانه).

When comparing متولد شدن and زاده شدن, the former is much more common in modern life. زاده شدن is often reserved for religious or mythical contexts, such as 'The birth of Mithra' (زاده شدن میترا). If you use زاده شدن in a casual conversation about your cousin, it might sound a bit too dramatic or archaic.

در آن سال، جنبش جدیدی تولد یافت.

In summary, while 'motavalled shodan' is your 'all-purpose' verb, keep 'be donya amadan' for your friends and 'zaade shodan' for your literature class. Understanding these distinctions will make your Persian sound much more natural and sophisticated. Remember that 'motavalled' is a loanword from Arabic, while 'zaade' is Indo-European in origin, sharing a root with the English word 'genetics' or 'generate'.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The root W-L-D is the same one used for 'Valedein' (parents) and 'Veled' (child). Even though 'motavalled' is Arabic, the way it combines with 'shodan' is uniquely Persian.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /mo.tæ.væl.led ʃo.dæn/

US /moʊ.tə.væl.led ʃoʊ.dæn/

On the last syllable of 'motavalled' (LED) and the last syllable of the conjugated form of 'shodan'.

Rhymes With

مبذول شدن (mabzul shodan) مشغول شدن (mashghul shodan) متحول شدن (motahavvel shodan) منتقل شدن (montaghel shodan) متصل شدن (mottasel shodan) منفصل شدن متبدل شدن مستأصل شدن

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'v' as 'w' (motawalled).
Not doubling the 'l' sound in formal speech.
Misplacing stress on the first syllable 'MO-tavalled'.
Pronouncing the final 'd' in 'shod' too softly.
Confusing the vowels 'a' and 'ae' in the middle syllables.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize in texts due to its frequent use in bios.

Writing 3/5

Requires correct spelling of the Arabic loanword 'motavalled'.

Speaking 2/5

Easy to say once the 'shodan' conjugation is mastered.

Listening 2/5

Very clear and distinct sound in most conversations.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

شدن در سال کجا من

Learn Next

بزرگ شدن زندگی کردن مدرسه رفتن ازدواج کردن فوت کردن

Advanced

تکوین پیدایش ظهور استحاله تجدید حیات

Grammar to Know

Compound Verbs with 'Shodan'

متولد شدن، خوشحال شدن، بیدار شدن.

Past Tense Conjugation

من شدم، تو شدی، او شد...

Subjunctive with 'Shodan'

باید متولد بشود.

Present Perfect with 'Shodan'

او متولد شده است.

Omission of Auxiliary in Informal Speech

من متولدِ تهرانم (instead of متولد شده‌ام).

Examples by Level

من در تهران متولد شدم.

I was born in Tehran.

Simple past tense, first person singular.

او کجا متولد شد؟

Where was he/she born?

Question form, third person singular.

دوستم در زمستان متولد شد.

My friend was born in winter.

Past tense with a time expression.

شما در چه سالی متولد شدید؟

In what year were you born?

Formal second person plural.

مادرم در شیراز متولد شد.

My mother was born in Shiraz.

Subject-Verb agreement (singular).

ما در ایران متولد شدیم.

We were born in Iran.

First person plural.

آن‌ها در تابستان متولد شدند.

They were born in summer.

Third person plural.

من متولد سال ۱۳۸۰ هستم.

I was born in the year 1380.

Using 'motavalled' as an adjective with 'hastam'.

برادرم دو سال پیش متولد شد.

My brother was born two years ago.

Using 'pish' (ago) with the past tense.

آیا می‌دانی او در کدام بیمارستان متولد شد؟

Do you know in which hospital he/she was born?

Embedded question.

بچه‌ها در ساعت‌های مختلف متولد شدند.

The children were born at different hours.

Plural subject and verb.

شاعر بزرگ در این خانه متولد شد.

The great poet was born in this house.

Specific location with a title.

او در خانواده‌ای مهربان متولد شد.

He was born into a kind family.

Indefinite noun 'khanvade-i'.

من و خواهرم در یک روز متولد شدیم.

My sister and I were born on the same day.

Compound subject (1st person plural).

نوزاد تازه متولد شده بسیار کوچک است.

The newborn baby is very small.

Using 'motavalled shode' as a participle/adjective.

پدرم در روستا متولد شد اما در شهر بزرگ شد.

My father was born in a village but grew up in the city.

Contrast between two verbs.

اگر در ایران متولد شده باشی، فارسی را خوب می‌فهمی.

If you were born in Iran, you understand Persian well.

Conditional sentence with past subjunctive.

او متولد شده بود تا کارهای بزرگی انجام دهد.

He had been born to do great things.

Past perfect tense.

در این کلینیک، هر روز ده نوزاد متولد می‌شوند.

In this clinic, ten babies are born every day.

Present simple/habitual.

گفته می‌شود که این ایده در یک جلسه متولد شد.

It is said that this idea was born in a meeting.

Passive reporting and metaphorical use.

قبل از اینکه برادرم متولد شود، ما در خانه کوچکتری زندگی می‌کردیم.

Before my brother was born, we lived in a smaller house.

Subjunctive after 'ghabl az inke'.

او در همان سالی متولد شد که جنگ تمام شد.

He was born in the same year that the war ended.

Relative clause.

بسیاری از هنرمندان در فقر متولد شده‌اند.

Many artists have been born in poverty.

Present perfect plural.

او به محض اینکه متولد شد، گریه کرد.

As soon as he was born, he cried.

Time conjunction 'be mahz-e inke'.

تمدن‌های بزرگ معمولاً در کنار رودخانه‌ها متولد می‌شوند.

Great civilizations are usually born alongside rivers.

General truth in present tense.

امیدی تازه در دل مردم متولد شده است.

A new hope has been born in the people's hearts.

Metaphorical present perfect.

او در عصری متولد شد که تکنولوژی هنوز پیشرفت نکرده بود.

He was born in an era when technology had not yet advanced.

Historical context with past perfect.

هر ستاره‌ای که متولد می‌شود، رازی در خود دارد.

Every star that is born carries a secret within it.

Scientific/poetic use.

او در خانواده‌ای متولد شد که علم و دانش ارزش زیادی داشت.

He was born into a family where science and knowledge were highly valued.

Complex relative clause.

با هر اختراع جدید، دنیای جدیدی متولد می‌شود.

With every new invention, a new world is born.

Abstract concept.

او آرزو می‌کرد که ای کاش در قرن دیگری متولد شده بود.

He wished he had been born in another century.

Wish/Counter-factual past.

این سبک موسیقی در جنوب کشور متولد شد.

This style of music was born in the south of the country.

Cultural origin.

نظریه نسبیت در ذهن انیشتین متولد شد.

The theory of relativity was born in Einstein's mind.

Intellectual history.

او از پدری ایرانی و مادری فرانسوی متولد شده است.

He is born of an Iranian father and a French mother.

Specifying parentage using 'az'.

در بطن آن بحران اقتصادی، جنبش‌های جدیدی متولد شدند.

In the heart of that economic crisis, new movements were born.

Sociopolitical analysis.

گویی او متولد شده بود تا نغمه‌های فراموش‌شده را دوباره بخواند.

It was as if he had been born to sing forgotten melodies again.

Literary 'gu-i' (as if).

تراژدی زمانی متولد می‌شود که قهرمان با سرنوشت خود روبرو می‌گردد.

Tragedy is born when the hero faces his destiny.

Philosophical definition.

او در شرایطی متولد شد که بقا یک چالش روزمره بود.

He was born in circumstances where survival was a daily challenge.

Describing social conditions.

جنبش مشروطه در پاسخ به استبداد متولد شد.

The Constitutional Movement was born in response to tyranny.

Historical causality.

هر اثری که از زیر دست این هنرمند متولد می‌شود، شاهکار است.

Every work born from the hands of this artist is a masterpiece.

Metaphor for artistic creation.

پارادایم‌های نوین علمی در خلأ متولد نمی‌شوند.

New scientific paradigms are not born in a vacuum.

Epistemological statement.

او در آستانه تحولی بزرگ متولد شد که کل ساختار جامعه را دگرگون کرد.

He was born on the threshold of a great transformation that altered the entire social structure.

Complex historical narrative.

هویت ملی ما در کوران حوادث تاریخی متولد شده و صیقل یافته است.

Our national identity was born and polished in the heat of historical events.

High-level metaphorical prose.

آیا نبوغ امری ذاتی است یا در تعامل با محیط متولد می‌شود؟

Is genius innate or is it born in interaction with the environment?

Philosophical inquiry.

شعر مدرن فارسی از دل سنت‌های دیرینه متولد شد.

Modern Persian poetry was born from the heart of ancient traditions.

Literary history.

در هر شکست، بذر پیروزی‌های آینده متولد می‌شود.

In every defeat, the seeds of future victories are born.

Abstract wisdom.

او در خانواده‌ای اشرافی متولد شد اما تمام عمر را صرف مبارزه با طبقه خود کرد.

He was born into an aristocratic family but spent his whole life fighting his own class.

Biographical contrast.

جهان هستی در لحظه‌ای از انفجار بزرگ متولد شد.

The universe was born in a moment of the Big Bang.

Cosmological usage.

Common Collocations

در بیمارستان متولد شدن

در سال ... متولد شدن

در فقر متولد شدن

تازه متولد شده

از مادری ... متولد شدن

در غربت متولد شدن

زودهنگام متولد شدن

دوباره متولد شدن

در خانواده‌ای ... متولد شدن

ناگهانی متولد شدن

Common Phrases

تاریخ تولد

— Date of birth. Found on all forms.

تاریخ تولد شما چیست؟

محل تولد

— Place of birth. Required for IDs.

محل تولد من اصفهان است.

گواهی ولادت

— Birth certificate (official term).

باید گواهی ولادت را به اداره ببرید.

جشن تولد

— Birthday party.

فردا جشن تولد خواهرم است.

تولدت مبارک

— Happy Birthday.

تولدت مبارک، دوست من!

نوزاد تازه متولد

— Newborn baby.

بخش نوزادان تازه متولد شده کجاست؟

از بدو تولد

— From birth / since birth.

او از بدو تولد نابینا بود.

تولد دوباره

— Rebirth or renaissance.

این فیلم یک تولد دوباره برای کارگردان بود.

نرخ تولد

— Birth rate.

نرخ تولد در این کشور کاهش یافته است.

روز تولد

— Birthday (the day itself).

روز تولد من بهترین روز سال است.

Often Confused With

متولد شدن vs تولید شدن

Means 'to be produced' (for goods/items), not for biological birth.

متولد شدن vs تولد گرفتن

Means 'to celebrate a birthday', not to be born.

متولد شدن vs بزرگ شدن

Means 'to grow up', which happens after being born.

Idioms & Expressions

"دوباره متولد شدن"

— To feel like a new person after a major positive change.

بعد از عمل جراحی، حس می‌کنم دوباره متولد شده‌ام.

Common

"در پر قو متولد شدن"

— To be born into great wealth and comfort (similar to 'silver spoon').

او در پر قو متولد شده و سختی نکشیده است.

Informal

"از مادر زاییده نشده"

— Literally 'Not born of a mother'. Used to say no one is brave/strong enough to do something.

هنوز کسی از مادر زاییده نشده که بتواند مرا شکست دهد.

Slang/Strong

"مرده متولد شدن"

— To be born dead (literally) or an idea that was doomed from the start.

این طرح از همان اول مرده متولد شد.

Metaphorical

"تولد یک ستاره"

— When someone becomes famous quickly.

با این فیلم، شاهد تولد یک ستاره بودیم.

Journalistic

"بچه حلال‌زاده"

— Used when someone arrives just as they are being talked about (like 'speak of the devil').

چقدر حلال‌زاده‌ای! همین الان داشتیم درباره تو حرف می‌زدیم.

Informal

"بند ناف کسی را با چیزی بریدن"

— To be destined for something from birth.

انگار بند ناف او را با سیاست بریده‌اند.

Informal

"از نو متولد شدن"

— To start a completely new life.

او در کشوری جدید از نو متولد شد.

Literary

"تولدی دیگر"

— A reference to Forough Farrokhzad's famous poem, meaning a spiritual or artistic awakening.

این کتاب برای من یک تولدی دیگر بود.

Literary

"تازه از تخم درآمدن"

— Literally 'just hatched'. Used for someone very young or inexperienced.

او هنوز تازه از تخم درآمده و می‌خواهد به ما درس بدهد.

Slang

Easily Confused

متولد شدن vs تولد

Noun vs Verb.

'Tavalod' is the event/celebration; 'Motavalled shodan' is the action of being born.

تولد من مبارک! (Happy my birthday!) vs من متولد شدم. (I was born.)

متولد شدن vs میلاد

Synonym.

'Milad' is often used for religious figures (e.g., Milad-e Masih) or formal names.

میلاد پیامبر مبارک.

متولد شدن vs والد

Related root.

'Valed' means father/parent, 'Motavalled' means the one born.

او والد خوبی است.

متولد شدن vs تولید

Same root.

'Towlid' is industrial production.

تولید خودرو افزایش یافت.

متولد شدن vs زادگاه

Noun related to place.

'Zadgah' is the noun for 'birthplace'.

شیراز زادگاه من است.

Sentence Patterns

من در [شهر] متولد شدم.

من در لندن متولد شدم.

[اسم] در [سال] متولد شد.

علی در سال ۱۹۹۰ متولد شد.

او متولد شده است تا [فعل].

او متولد شده است تا کمک کند.

اگر در [مکان] متولد می‌شدم، [نتیجه].

اگر در پاریس متولد می‌شدم، فرانسوی بلد بودم.

در بطنِ [بحران/تغییر]، [پدیده] متولد شد.

در بطن جنگ، هنر جدیدی متولد شد.

هویت در تعامل با [محیط] متولد می‌گردد.

هویت در تعامل با فرهنگ متولد می‌گردد.

قبل از اینکه متولد شوم، ...

قبل از اینکه متولد شوم، پدرم به اینجا آمد.

کجا متولد شدی؟

Word Family

Nouns

تولد (tavalod - birth)

میلاد (milad - nativity)

مولود (mowlud - newborn/celebrated birth)

ولادت (veladat - birth/official)

Verbs

تولید کردن (towlid kardan - to produce)

زاده شدن (zaade shodan - to be born)

Adjectives

متولد (motavalled - born)

مادرزادی (madarzadi - congenital/from birth)

نوزاد (nowzad - newborn)

مادر (mother)

پدر (father)

فرزند (child)

نسل (generation)

اجداد (ancestors)

How to Use It

frequency

Very high; used daily.

Common Mistakes

من تولد شدم → من متولد شدم
Using the noun instead of the adjective part of the compound verb.
او یک بچه متولد شد → او یک بچه به دنیا آورد
Trying to use 'motavalled shodan' transitively (to give birth).
من متولد در تهران شدم → من در تهران متولد شدم
Incorrect word order; the prepositional phrase usually comes before the whole compound verb.
او متولد کرد → او متولد شد
Using 'kardan' (to do) instead of 'shodan' (to become).
من متولد سال ۱۹۹۰ هستم شد → من متولد سال ۱۹۹۰ هستم
Mixing the adjective 'hastam' structure with the verb 'shodan' structure.

Tips

Auxiliary Verb

Focus on the verb 'shodan'. If you know how to conjugate 'shodan' (to become), you can use 'motavalled shodan' in any tense.

Calendar conversion

Remember that Iranians use the Solar Hijri calendar. You might need to convert your birth year when talking to elders.

Informal Shortening

In casual settings, just say 'Motavalled-e [City] am'. It sounds very native.

Related Words

Learn 'Zadgah' (birthplace) and 'Tavalod' (birthday) at the same time to build a word cluster.

Spelling

The letter 'v' in 'motavalled' is written with 'vav' (و). Don't forget the 'tashdid' over the 'l' in formal contexts.

News Reports

Listen for this verb in news about population or famous people's anniversaries.

Arabic Root

Recognizing the W-L-D root will help you learn other words like 'valedein' (parents).

Metaphors

Don't be afraid to use it for 'the birth of a new era' or 'a new project'.

Light L

Keep the 'L' sound light and crisp, not dark like in the English word 'full'.

Ice Breaker

Asking 'Where were you born?' is a great and polite way to start a conversation in Iran.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'MOTA' (like 'motor') and 'VAL' (like 'value'). A 'Motor' of 'Value' was 'Born' today. MOTA-VAL-LED.

Visual Association

Imagine a calendar with a baby's face on one of the dates, and the word 'MOTAVALLED' written in glowing letters above it.

Word Web

Birth Hospital Calendar Mother ID Card Age Generation Beginning

Challenge

Try to write down the birth dates and places of five famous people using the full sentence structure: '[Name] dar [Place] dar sal-e [Year] motavalled shod.'

Word Origin

Borrowed from Arabic 'mutawallid' (متولد), which is the active participle of the fifth form of the root W-L-D (و-ل-د). In Arabic, it means 'generated' or 'born'.

Original meaning: To be brought forth or generated from a source.

Semitic (root) + Indo-European (auxiliary).

Cultural Context

When asking for age/birth date, be mindful that like in many cultures, some people may be sensitive about their age, though Iranians are generally quite open about their 'Dahe'.

Unlike English, where 'born' is a past participle used with 'to be', Persian uses a compound verb 'born-becoming'.

Forough Farrokhzad's 'Tavalodi Digar' (Another Birth) The movie 'Motavalled-e Mah-e Mehr' (Born in the month of Mehr) The song 'Tavalodet Mobarak' by Anoushirvan Rohani

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Introductions

کجا متولد شدی؟
من متولد... هستم.
در کدام شهر متولد شدی؟
متولد چه ماهی هستی؟

Hospital/Medical

نوزاد متولد شد.
ساعت تولد.
وزن هنگام تولد.
گواهی ولادت.

History/Biographies

او در قرن دهم متولد شد.
محل تولد او نامعلوم است.
در خانواده‌ای فقیر متولد شد.
او متولد شد تا پادشاه شود.

Legal/Forms

تاریخ تولد را وارد کنید.
محل تولد مطابق شناسنامه.
کشور محل تولد.
متولدین خارج از کشور.

Metaphorical/Creative

ستاره‌ای متولد شد.
فکری در سرم متولد شد.
عشق در دلش متولد شد.
دنیای جدیدی متولد می‌شود.

Conversation Starters

"شما در کدام شهر متولد شده‌اید؟"

"آیا می‌دانید پدربزرگتان در چه سالی متولد شد؟"

"دوست داری در قرن دیگری متولد می‌شدی؟"

"به نظر شما شخصیت آدم در لحظه تولد شکل می‌گیرد؟"

"خاطره‌ای از روزی که برادر یا خواهرت متولد شد داری؟"

Journal Prompts

درباره روزی که متولد شدی و چیزهایی که شنیده‌ای بنویس.

اگر می‌توانستی انتخاب کنی، دوست داشتی در چه کشوری متولد شوی؟

تفاوت‌های نسل خودت با نسلی که امروز متولد می‌شود را بنویس.

یک داستان کوتاه درباره اختراعی که در ذهن یک دانشمند متولد شد بنویس.

معنای 'تولد دوباره' برای تو چیست؟

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

You say 'من متولد شدم' (Man motavalled shodam). In informal speech, you can say 'Man be donya amadam'.

'Tavalod' is a noun meaning 'birth' or 'birthday'. 'Motavalled' is an adjective meaning 'born' used in the verb 'motavalled shodan'.

Yes, it is very common to say an idea or a movement was 'born' using this verb.

The standard pronunciation is 'motavalled' with the stress on the last syllable.

You can ask 'متولد چه سالی هستی؟' (Motavalled-e che sali hasti?).

It means 'Happy Birthday'. It uses the noun 'Tavalod'.

Yes, it is used for humans and animals alike in a formal or neutral context.

The opposite is 'mordan' (to die) or 'fowt kardan' (to pass away).

Yes, it is an Arabic loanword, but it is fully integrated into Persian.

It is 'ما متولد شدیم' (Ma motavalled shodim).