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Vocabulary
نقطه سر به سر

B1 noun 8 min read

نقطه سر به سر

noghte sar be sar

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips نقطه سر به سر in 30 Seconds

Explanation نقطه سر به سر in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't need to worry about the complex math of a break-even point. Instead, think of this word as a way to say 'the same.' Imagine you have 10 tomans. You buy a candy for 10 tomans. Now you have 0. You didn't lose money, and you didn't make money. You are 'even.' In Persian, 'noghte' means 'point' (like a dot on a map). 'Sar-be-sar' means 'head to head.' So, this 'point' is where your money in and money out are the same. You can use it when talking about simple games or small trades with friends. It is a big word, but the idea is simple: No profit, no loss. Just zero. Learning this word early helps you understand how Persian speakers talk about fairness in trading.

For A2 learners, 'noghte-ye sar-be-sar' is a useful phrase when discussing shopping or basic work tasks. You might use it when you sell something on a site like Divar (the Iranian Craigslist). If you bought a phone for 5 million tomans and sold it for 5 million tomans, you reached the 'noghte-ye sar-be-sar.' You will often see this word in basic news headlines about the economy. It is a compound noun, which means it is made of two parts. Remember to use the 'e' sound (Ezafe) between 'noghte' and 'sar-be-sar'. This level is about recognizing the word when you hear it in the bazaar or on the news and knowing it relates to 'even' money.

At the B1 level, you are expected to use this term in more professional or academic contexts. You should be able to describe a business situation using 'noghte-ye sar-be-sar.' For example, 'Our company needs to sell 100 shirts to reach the break-even point.' You should also understand the difference between this and 'profit' (sood). At this level, you can start using verbs like 'mohasebe kardan' (to calculate) or 'residan' (to reach) with this phrase. It is a key vocabulary item for the 'Work and Business' topic in CEFR. You should also be aware that 'sar-be-sar' on its own can mean 'even,' but with 'noghte,' it is specifically the 'point' of equilibrium.

B2 learners should understand the strategic importance of the 'noghte-ye sar-be-sar.' You can use it to discuss market entry, risk management, and financial forecasting. You should be able to explain how factors like 'hazine-haye sabet' (fixed costs) and 'hazine-haye moteghayyer' (variable costs) affect this point. At this level, you can use the term in complex sentences with conditional clauses, such as 'If the price of raw materials increases, our break-even point will shift to a higher volume of sales.' You should also be comfortable using it in formal writing, such as business proposals or economic essays, and understand its nuances compared to 'yer-be-yer' (colloquial) or 'taraz' (balance).

At the C1 level, 'noghte-ye sar-be-sar' is used within the context of advanced economic theory and corporate finance. You should be able to lead a discussion on 'Break-Even Analysis' (Tajzi-ye o tahlil-e noghte-ye sar-be-sar) and its role in determining the 'Margin of Safety' (Hamsh-e amniat). You should recognize the term in high-level financial reporting and legal documents. Furthermore, you should be able to use it metaphorically in social or political discussions—for instance, discussing the point at which a policy's social costs are balanced by its benefits. Your usage should be fluid, incorporating appropriate technical jargon and formal sentence structures common in Iranian professional circles.

For C2 mastery, you should treat 'noghte-ye sar-be-sar' as a versatile tool in your linguistic arsenal. You can analyze its etymological roots in Persian literature or compare its usage across different Persian-speaking regions (though it is most common in Iran). You should be able to critique financial models that rely on this point, discussing its limitations in volatile markets or inflationary environments like Iran's. You can participate in high-level debates about macroeconomic 'noghat-e sar-be-sar' for national industries like oil and gas. Your understanding should include the subtle psychological impact this 'point' has on investors and its representation in complex data visualizations in Persian-language business media.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

نقطه سر به سر in 30 Seconds

The break-even point where costs and revenue are exactly equal.
A vital business term used to identify financial stability and zero profit.
Formed from 'noghte' (point) and 'sar-be-sar' (even/quits).
Essential for startups and financial planning in the Persian-speaking world.

The Persian term نقطه سر به سر (noghte-ye sar-be-sar) is a fundamental concept in the worlds of business, accounting, and personal finance. At its most basic level, it refers to the 'break-even point'—that precise moment when your total revenue perfectly matches your total costs. In this state, you are neither making a profit nor suffering a loss. The phrase is a compound of noghte (point) and sar-be-sar (even/quits). Understanding this term is crucial for anyone looking to navigate the Iranian marketplace or discuss financial stability in Persian.

Literal Meaning: The word 'sar' means head. 'Sar-be-sar' literally translates to 'head-to-head,' implying a confrontation where both sides are equal, or a trade where no one comes out ahead of the other. Thus, the 'head-to-head point' is where the money coming in meets the money going out face-to-face.
Business Context: Entrepreneurs in Iran use this term constantly when discussing the viability of a startup. If a business hasn't reached its نقطه سر به سر, it is still 'burning' capital. Once it hits this point, it is considered self-sustaining.
Personal Finance: In everyday life, if you lend someone money and they pay you back exactly that amount without interest, or if you sell a car for exactly what you paid for it after repairs, you might say the transaction was 'sar-be-sar'.

ما پس از شش ماه فعالیت، بالاخره به نقطه سر به سر رسیدیم.
After six months of activity, we finally reached the break-even point.

Beyond the technical accounting definition, the concept of 'sar-be-sar' carries a cultural weight of fairness. In the Iranian bazaar, 'sar-be-sar' is often the goal of a fair trade where neither party feels cheated. However, it is important to distinguish this from the idiomatic verb 'sar-be-sar gozashtan,' which means to tease or bother someone. While they share the same root of 'head-to-head,' the context of 'noghte' (point) always anchors the phrase in mathematics and finance.

محاسبه نقطه سر به سر برای هر کسب و کار جدیدی حیاتی است.
Calculating the break-even point is vital for every new business.

اگر قیمت فروش را کاهش دهیم، نقطه سر به سر ما تغییر خواهد کرد.
If we decrease the selling price, our break-even point will change.

فروش شرکت باید به ده هزار واحد برسد تا به نقطه سر به سر برسیم.
The company's sales must reach ten thousand units for us to reach the break-even point.

در این پروژه، نقطه سر به سر بسیار دور از دسترس به نظر می‌رسد.
In this project, the break-even point seems very far out of reach.

Economic Importance: Economists use this term to analyze the efficiency of a market. If the average break-even point for an industry is too high, it indicates a high barrier to entry.
Usage in Reporting: In annual financial reports of Iranian companies, you will see 'Noghte-ye Sar-be-sar' listed in the risk assessment section to show shareholders the minimum performance required to avoid debt.

Using نقطه سر به سر correctly requires an understanding of its role as a noun phrase. It is almost always the subject of a sentence or the object of verbs like 'reaching' (residan), 'calculating' (mohasebe kardan), or 'passing' (radd kardan). Because it is a technical term, it maintains a formal to semi-formal register, though it is used colloquially among business owners.

With the verb 'Residan' (To Reach): This is the most common pairing. 'Be noghte-ye sar-be-sar residan' means to finally achieve balance. It implies a journey or a process of growth that has culminated in stability.
With the verb 'Mohasebe Kardan' (To Calculate): Used in the planning phase. Before starting a business, you must 'mohasebe' (calculate) this point to know how much capital you need to survive.

آیا می‌توانی نقطه سر به سر را در نمودار نشان دهی؟
Can you show the break-even point on the chart?

When constructing sentences, remember that 'sar-be-sar' is an invariable phrase. It doesn't change based on gender or number (as Persian doesn't have gendered nouns). However, the word 'noghte' can be pluralized to 'noghat' (points) if you are discussing multiple scenarios or different product lines, such as 'noghat-e sar-be-sar-e kala-ha' (the break-even points of the goods).

تحلیل نقطه سر به سر به ما کمک می‌کند تا هزینه‌های ثابت را مدیریت کنیم.
Break-even analysis helps us manage fixed costs.

بدون رسیدن به نقطه سر به سر، سرمایه‌گذاری جدید غیرممکن است.
Without reaching the break-even point, new investment is impossible.

مدیر مالی نقطه سر به سر را برای سال آینده پیش‌بینی کرد.
The CFO predicted the break-even point for next year.

Negative Usage: You can say a project is 'zire noghte-ye sar-be-sar' (below the break-even point) to indicate it is losing money.
Comparative Usage: Comparing two businesses: 'Noghte-ye sar-be-sar-e in sherket payin-tar ast' (The break-even point of this company is lower).

You are most likely to encounter نقطه سر به سر in environments where money is the primary topic of conversation. This includes formal news broadcasts, financial podcasts, and business meetings. In Iran, economic news is a staple of daily life due to currency fluctuations, so even non-experts will hear this term on television programs like 'Pāyesh' (an Iranian economic talk show).

In the News: News anchors often use it when discussing the national budget or the oil industry. For instance, 'The break-even point for oil prices in the budget is 70 dollars.'
In Startups: Tehran's tech scene (like 'Azadi Innovation Factory') is filled with young entrepreneurs pitching to VCs. Reaching the 'noghte-ye sar-be-sar' is the first major milestone they discuss.

گزارش‌ها نشان می‌دهد که اکثر تولیدکنندگان به نقطه سر به سر نزدیک شده‌اند.
Reports show that most manufacturers have approached the break-even point.

Interestingly, you might also hear it in academic settings. Iranian universities have strong engineering and management departments where 'Break-Even Analysis' (Tajzi-ye o tahlil-e noghte-ye sar-be-sar) is a core subject. Students often shorten it in casual conversation to just 'sar-be-sar,' though 'noghte' is required for clarity in formal writing.

در رادیو اقتصاد، کارشناس درباره اهمیت نقطه سر به سر صحبت کرد.
On Economy Radio, the expert spoke about the importance of the break-even point.

سهامداران منتظر رسیدن شرکت به نقطه سر به سر هستند.
Shareholders are waiting for the company to reach the break-even point.

با توجه به تورم، نقطه سر به سر هر ماه تغییر می‌کند.
Due to inflation, the break-even point changes every month.

In the Bazaar: Older merchants might use 'sar-be-sar' to mean 'at cost.' If they say, 'I'm selling this to you sar-be-sar,' they mean they aren't making a profit on the deal.

Even though it seems straightforward, learners often make a few key mistakes when using نقطه سر به سر. These mistakes usually stem from confusing the financial term with the idiomatic expression or using the wrong preposition.

Confusing with 'Teasing': The phrase 'sar-be-sar gozashtan' (to tease) is very common. Don't say 'Ba noghte-ye sar-be-sar gozashtam' thinking you are talking about finance. The word 'noghte' is the shield that keeps this phrase in the business world.
Wrong Preposition: Learners often use 'dar' (in) instead of 'be' (to) with the verb 'residan'. It should always be 'be noghte-ye sar-be-sar residan'. Using 'dar' makes it sound like you reached it while inside something else, which is grammatically awkward.

Mistake: ما در نقطه سر به سر رسیدیم.
Correct: ما به نقطه سر به سر رسیدیم.

Another common error is forgetting the 'Ezafe' connecting 'noghte' and 'sar-be-sar'. Without that link, the words just sit next to each other without a grammatical relationship. It must be pronounced 'noghtey-e'.

اشتباه در محاسبه نقطه سر به سر می‌تواند باعث ورشکستگی شود.
An error in calculating the break-even point can cause bankruptcy.

او فکر کرد نقطه سر به سر همان سود خالص است.
He thought the break-even point is the same as net profit.

نباید نقطه سر به سر را با نقطه اوج فروش اشتباه گرفت.
The break-even point should not be confused with the peak sales point.

Spelling Note: Sometimes people write 'sar-be-sar' as one word 'sarbasar', but standard Persian orthography keeps them separate with spaces or half-spaces (nim-fasele).

If you want to vary your vocabulary or find a more formal or informal way to express 'breaking even,' there are several alternatives in Persian. Each has a slightly different nuance.

یر به یر (Yer-be-yer): This is a very colloquial alternative. You'll hear it in the bazaar or during a friendly bet. It means 'even' or 'quits.' It is less formal than 'sar-be-sar' and is rarely used in written accounting reports.
بی‌سود و بی‌زیان (Bi-sood o Bi-zian): Literally 'without profit and without loss.' This is a descriptive way to explain the break-even point. It is very clear and often used in explanatory texts for those who might not know the technical term.
تراز (Taraz): Meaning 'balance' or 'equilibrium.' While 'noghte-ye sar-be-sar' is a specific point, 'taraz' refers to the state of being balanced. You might hear 'taraz-e mali' (financial balance).

معامله ما یر به یر شد.
Our deal became even (quits).

When choosing between these, consider your audience. Use نقطه سر به سر for professional reports, یر به یر when talking to a shopkeeper, and بی‌سود و بی‌زیان when you want to be extremely explicit about the financial outcome.

وضعیت مالی شرکت در حالت بی‌سود و بی‌زیان قرار دارد.
The company's financial status is in a no-profit, no-loss state.

رسیدن به تراز مالی هدف اصلی ماست.
Reaching financial balance is our main goal.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

While 'sar-be-sar' is used for financial balance, the exact same phrase 'sar-be-sar gozashtan' is one of the most common ways to say 'teasing' in Iran. If you tell a banker 'Don't sar-be-sar me,' they might think you're accusing them of playing a prank rather than asking about the break-even point!

Pronunciation Guide

UK /noɢ.te.je sæɾ.be.sæɾ/

US /noʊk.teɪ.jeɪ sær.beɪ.sær/

The primary stress is on the last syllable of 'noghté' and the last syllable of the final 'sár'.

Rhymes With

تخته (Takhte) سخت (Sakht) بشر (Bashar) سفر (Safar) خبر (Khabar) اثر (Asar) کمر (Kamar) ضرر (Zarar)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'gh' as a hard 'g' like in 'go'.
Omitting the 'e' (Ezafe) between 'noghte' and 'sar-be-sar'.
Confusing 'sar' (head) with 'ser' (secret).
Putting stress on the first syllable of 'noghte'.
Pronouncing 'be' as 'bee' instead of a short 'e' sound.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to read if you know the two base words, but requires understanding of the Ezafe.

Writing 4/5

Writing 'sar-be-sar' with correct spacing can be tricky for beginners.

Speaking 3/5

The rhythm of 'sar-be-sar' is quite natural once practiced.

Listening 4/5

Can be confused with 'sar-be-sar gozashtan' (teasing) in fast speech.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

نقطه (Point) سر (Head) هزینه (Cost) سود (Profit) پول (Money)

Learn Next

حاشیه سود (Profit Margin) جریان نقدی (Cash Flow) سرمایه‌گذاری (Investment) بازده (Yield/Return) تورم (Inflation)

Advanced

ارزش افزوده (Value Added) بهره‌وری (Productivity) ترازنامه (Balance Sheet) استهلاک (Depreciation)

Grammar to Know

Ezafe Construction

نقطهِ سر به سر (The dot of head-to-head)

Compound Nouns

سر + به + سر (Head + to + head)

Preposition 'Be' with 'Residan'

به نقطه رسیدن (To reach the point)

Subjunctive in Financial 'If' Clauses

اگر برسیم (If we reach)

Direct Object Marker 'Ra'

نقطه را حساب کن (Calculate the point)

Examples by Level

پول من و تو سر به سر است.

My money and yours are even.

Simple sentence using 'sar-be-sar' as an adjective.

این نقطه سر به سر است.

This is the break-even point.

Demonstrative pronoun with the noun phrase.

ما سود نکردیم، سر به سر هستیم.

We didn't make a profit; we are even.

Negative verb followed by 'sar-be-sar'.

آیا این معامله سر به سر است؟

Is this deal even?

Interrogative sentence.

پنج به علاوه پنج، سر به سر می‌شود.

Five plus five becomes even (in a trade context).

Using 'shodan' (to become).

نقطه سر به سر کجاست؟

Where is the break-even point?

Question word 'koja' (where).

من فقط نقطه سر به سر را می‌خواهم.

I only want the break-even point.

Using the direct object marker 'ra'.

این بازی سر به سر تمام شد.

This game ended even (in a draw/tie).

Using 'tamam shodan' (to end).

فروش ما به نقطه سر به سر رسید.

Our sales reached the break-even point.

Past tense of 'residan'.

من باید نقطه سر به سر را پیدا کنم.

I must find the break-even point.

Modal verb 'bayad' (must).

هزینه‌ها و درآمدها در نقطه سر به سر برابر هستند.

Costs and incomes are equal at the break-even point.

Plural nouns with 'hastand'.

امروز معامله ما سر به سر شد.

Today our deal became even.

Adverb of time 'emrooz'.

نقطه سر به سر برای این مغازه کوچک است.

The break-even point for this shop is small.

Adjective 'koochek' modifying the concept.

ما هنوز به نقطه سر به سر نرسیده‌ایم.

We haven't reached the break-even point yet.

Present perfect negative.

چگونه نقطه سر به سر را حساب کنیم؟

How do we calculate the break-even point?

Subjunctive mood for 'hesab kardan'.

این پروژه در نقطه سر به سر قرار دارد.

This project is at the break-even point.

Prepositional phrase 'dar... gharar darad'.

محاسبه دقیق نقطه سر به سر برای شروع تجارت الزامی است.

Accurate calculation of the break-even point is mandatory for starting a business.

Gerund 'mohasebe' as the subject.

اگر هزینه‌های ثابت افزایش یابد، نقطه سر به سر بالاتر می‌رود.

If fixed costs increase, the break-even point goes higher.

Conditional 'agar' with the subjunctive.

مدیر عامل از رسیدن به نقطه سر به سر ابراز خوشحالی کرد.

The CEO expressed happiness about reaching the break-even point.

Preposition 'az' followed by a gerund.

ما باید استراتژی خود را برای عبور از نقطه سر به سر تغییر دهیم.

We must change our strategy to pass the break-even point.

Compound verb 'taghyir dadan'.

در این نمودار، نقطه سر به سر با رنگ قرمز مشخص شده است.

In this chart, the break-even point is marked in red.

Passive voice 'moshakhas shode ast'.

آیا نقطه سر به سر شامل هزینه‌های تبلیغات هم می‌شود؟

Does the break-even point also include advertising costs?

Verb 'shamel shodan' (to include).

بدون دانستن نقطه سر به سر، ریسک سرمایه‌گذاری بالا است.

Without knowing the break-even point, the investment risk is high.

Preposition 'bedoon-e' (without).

شرکت ما ماه گذشته از نقطه سر به سر عبور کرد.

Our company passed the break-even point last month.

Past tense with time adverb 'mah-e gozashte'.

تحلیل نقطه سر به سر به ما اجازه می‌دهد تا حجم فروش مورد نیاز را تعیین کنیم.

Break-even analysis allows us to determine the required sales volume.

Complex sentence with 'ejaze dadan'.

کاهش هزینه‌های متغیر می‌تواند نقطه سر به سر را به نفع ما جابجا کند.

Reducing variable costs can shift the break-even point in our favor.

Modal 'tavanestan' with a compound verb.

بسیاری از استارتاپ‌ها در سال اول به نقطه سر به سر نمی‌رسند.

Many startups do not reach the break-even point in their first year.

Plural subject with negative present tense.

نقطه سر به سر در بازارهای رقابتی معمولاً دیرتر حاصل می‌شود.

The break-even point is usually achieved later in competitive markets.

Adverb 'mamoolan' (usually).

سرمایه‌گذاران به دقت زمان رسیدن به نقطه سر به سر را بررسی می‌کنند.

Investors carefully examine the time to reach the break-even point.

Adverb 'be deghat' (carefully).

تغییر در ساختار قیمت‌گذاری مستقیماً بر نقطه سر به سر تأثیر می‌گذارد.

A change in the pricing structure directly affects the break-even point.

Preposition 'bar' with 'ta'sir gozashtan'.

مدل‌های مالی پیچیده برای تخمین نقطه سر به سر استفاده می‌شوند.

Complex financial models are used to estimate the break-even point.

Passive voice in formal register.

او مقاله‌ای درباره رابطه تورم و نقطه سر به سر نوشت.

He wrote an article about the relationship between inflation and the break-even point.

Noun 'rabete' (relationship).

در شرایط رکود اقتصادی، حفظ عملیات در نقطه سر به سر یک موفقیت محسوب می‌شود.

In economic recession conditions, maintaining operations at the break-even point is considered a success.

Formal verb 'mahsoob shodan'.

تعدیل نیروها با هدف پایین آوردن نقطه سر به سر انجام گرفت.

Staff downsizing was carried out with the aim of lowering the break-even point.

Purpose clause 'ba hadaf-e'.

نقطه سر به سر نقدی با نقطه سر به سر حسابداری تفاوت‌های اساسی دارد.

The cash break-even point has fundamental differences from the accounting break-even point.

Comparative structure 'ba... tafavot dashtan'.

نوسانات نرخ ارز به شدت بر محاسبات نقطه سر به سر واحدهای تولیدی اثرگذار است.

Exchange rate fluctuations strongly impact the break-even calculations of manufacturing units.

Adjective 'asar-gozar' (impactful).

پایداری مالی شرکت در گرو عبور سریع از نقطه سر به سر است.

The company's financial stability depends on passing the break-even point quickly.

Idiomatic 'dar gerov-e' (dependent on).

تحلیل حساسیت نقطه سر به سر به مدیران کمک می‌کند تا ریسک‌ها را پیش‌بینی کنند.

Sensitivity analysis of the break-even point helps managers predict risks.

Technical term 'tahlil-e hassasiat'.

این گزارش به بررسی علل عدم تحقق نقطه سر به سر در بازه زمانی مقرر می‌پردازد.

This report examines the reasons for failing to achieve the break-even point within the stipulated period.

Formal verb 'be... pardakhtan'.

بهینه‌سازی زنجیره تأمین منجر به بهبود نقطه سر به سر شد.

Supply chain optimization led to an improvement in the break-even point.

Verb 'monjar shodan' (to lead to).

تبیین دقیق نقطه سر به سر در مدل‌های اقتصاد خرد، مستلزم درک عمیق از منحنی‌های هزینه است.

Accurate explanation of the break-even point in microeconomic models requires a deep understanding of cost curves.

Formal gerund 'tabyin' and 'mostalzem' (requiring).

در بازارهای انحصاری، نقطه سر به سر اهمیت کمتری نسبت به بازارهای رقابت کامل دارد.

In monopolistic markets, the break-even point is less important than in perfect competition markets.

Comparative 'kam-tar az'.

نقطه سر به سر به عنوان یک شاخص کلیدی عملکرد در ارزیابی طرح‌های توجیهی به کار می‌رود.

The break-even point is used as a key performance indicator in evaluating feasibility studies.

Passive 'be kar miravad'.

عدم انطباق درآمدهای واقعی با نقطه سر به سر پیش‌بینی شده، چالش‌های نقدینگی ایجاد کرد.

The mismatch between actual revenues and the predicted break-even point created liquidity challenges.

Complex subject with 'adam-e entebagh'.

رویکرد استراتژیک به نقطه سر به سر فراتر از محاسبات صرفاً حسابداری است.

A strategic approach to the break-even point goes beyond purely accounting calculations.

Preposition 'faratar az' (beyond).

تحلیل‌های آماری نشان‌دهنده همبستگی مثبت بین بهره‌وری و کاهش فاصله تا نقطه سر به سر است.

Statistical analyses indicate a positive correlation between productivity and reducing the distance to the break-even point.

Technical 'hambastegi-ye mosbat'.

در پارادایم‌های نوین مدیریت، نقطه سر به سر پویا جایگزین مدل‌های ایستا شده است.

In modern management paradigms, the dynamic break-even point has replaced static models.

Present perfect 'jaygozin shode ast'.

فشار تورمی باعث شده است که بسیاری از صنایع تولیدی در حفظ نقطه سر به سر خود با دشواری مواجه شوند.

Inflationary pressure has caused many manufacturing industries to face difficulties in maintaining their break-even point.

Causative 'ba'es shode ast' with subjunctive.

Synonyms

یر به یر بی‌سود و بی‌زیان تراز برابری تعادل سربه سر اصلاحی صفر-صفر

Antonyms

سودآوری زیان‌دهی ورشکستگی اختلاف

Common Collocations

رسیدن به نقطه سر به سر

محاسبه نقطه سر به سر

تحلیل نقطه سر به سر

نمودار نقطه سر به سر

فراتر از نقطه سر به سر

پایین‌تر از نقطه سر به سر

فرمول نقطه سر به سر

زمان رسیدن به نقطه سر به سر

نقطه سر به سر نقدی

عبور از نقطه سر به سر

Common Phrases

حساب حساب است، کاکا برادر، سر به سر

— Business is business; even among brothers, accounts must be settled exactly.

بیا پول را تقسیم کنیم، سر به سر.

سر به سر شدن

— To become even or square in a transaction.

با این پرداخت، ما سر به سر شدیم.

در حد نقطه سر به سر

— Just barely making enough to cover costs.

درآمد ما در حد نقطه سر به سر است.

تلاش برای رسیدن به نقطه سر به سر

— The struggle to make a business viable.

تمام تلاش ما برای رسیدن به نقطه سر به سر است.

پیش‌بینی نقطه سر به سر

— Forecasting when a venture will stop losing money.

پیش‌بینی نقطه سر به سر برای ما مهم است.

فاصله تا نقطه سر به سر

— The amount of sales still needed to break even.

فاصله تا نقطه سر به سر زیاد است.

نقطه سر به سر عملیاتی

— The break-even point for daily business operations.

نقطه سر به سر عملیاتی تغییر کرده است.

نقطه سر به سر تولید

— The volume of production needed to cover manufacturing costs.

نقطه سر به سر تولید ده هزار قطعه است.

حفظ نقطه سر به سر

— Keeping a business from falling back into a loss.

حفظ نقطه سر به سر در این بازار سخت است.

نقطه سر به سر فروش

— The specific revenue target for breaking even.

نقطه سر به سر فروش را مشخص کنید.

Often Confused With

نقطه سر به سر vs سر به سر گذاشتن

Means to tease; lacks the word 'noghte' and uses a different verb.

نقطه سر به سر vs سود خالص

Means net profit; this is what you get AFTER passing the break-even point.

نقطه سر به سر vs ترازنامه

Means balance sheet; a document, not a specific point of zero profit.

Idioms & Expressions

"سر به سر گذاشتن"

— To tease or annoy someone (often playfully). Note: This uses the same words but a different meaning.

با من سر به سر نگذار!

Informal

"یر به یر شدن"

— To be quits; to have no debt to each other.

حالا دیگه یر به یر شدیم.

Slang

"حساب به دینار، بخشش به خروار"

— Be exact in accounting (like a break-even point), but generous in giving.

در کار جدی باش و حساب را سر به سر کن.

Literary

"بی‌کلاه ماندن"

— To be left with nothing (the opposite of reaching a break-even point).

اگر تلاش نکنی، بی‌کلاه می‌مانی.

Informal

"کلاه سر کسی گذاشتن"

— To cheat someone (making the trade not 'sar-be-sar').

او سر من کلاه گذاشت.

Informal

"بار خود را بستن"

— To make a huge profit (far beyond the break-even point).

او با آن معامله بار خود را بست.

Informal

"آب در هاون کوبیدن"

— To do something useless (like a business that never reaches break-even).

این کار فقط آب در هاون کوبیدن است.

Proverb

"دست به دهان بودن"

— Living hand to mouth (perpetually at the break-even point).

بسیاری از مردم دست به دهان هستند.

Informal

"به خاک سیاه نشستن"

— To go completely bankrupt.

او به خاک سیاه نشست.

Idiomatic

"دود از کنده بلند شدن"

— Experience matters (an experienced merchant knows the break-even point better).

نگران نباش، او می‌داند چه می‌کند.

Proverb

Easily Confused

نقطه سر به سر vs نقطه اوج

Both contain 'noghte'.

Noghte-ye owj is the peak/climax, while noghte-ye sar-be-sar is the balance point.

او در نقطه اوج موفقیت است، نه نقطه سر به سر.

نقطه سر به سر vs برابر

Both imply equality.

Barabar is a general adjective for 'equal', while sar-be-sar is specifically for balance in trade/finance.

قد آن‌ها برابر است، اما معامله سر به سر شد.

نقطه سر به سر vs میانه

Both can mean a middle point.

Miane is the geographic or statistical middle/median, not a financial balance.

او در میانه راه است.

نقطه سر به سر vs کف

Sometimes people think break-even is the 'floor'.

Kaf (floor) is the absolute minimum price, while break-even is where costs are covered.

قیمت کف بازار این است.

نقطه سر به سر vs مساوی

Mathematical equality.

Mosavi is used in math equations; sar-be-sar is used in business transactions.

دو به علاوه دو مساوی چهار است.

Sentence Patterns

[Subject] سر به سر است.

معامله سر به سر است.

ما به [نقطه سر به سر] رسیدیم.

ما به نقطه سر به سر رسیدیم.

باید [نقطه سر به سر] را حساب کنیم.

باید نقطه سر به سر را حساب کنیم.

اگر [Condition]، نقطه سر به سر تغییر می‌کند.

اگر قیمت بالا برود، نقطه سر به سر تغییر می‌کند.

تحلیل [نقطه سر به سر] نشان می‌دهد که...

تحلیل نقطه سر به سر نشان می‌دهد که هزینه‌ها زیاد است.

تبیین [نقطه سر به سر] در بازارهای پویا...

تبیین نقطه سر به سر در بازارهای پویا دشوار است.

بدون [نقطه سر به سر]، موفقیت ممکن نیست.

بدون نقطه سر به سر، موفقیت ممکن نیست.

این [نقطه سر به سر] است.

این نقطه سر به سر است.

Word Family

Nouns

نقطه (Point)

سر (Head)

برابری (Equality)

تراز (Balance)

Verbs

سر به سر گذاشتن (To tease)

رسیدن (To reach)

محاسبه کردن (To calculate)

Adjectives

سر به سر (Even/Quits)

برابر (Equal)

متعادل (Balanced)

سود (Profit)

زیان (Loss)

هزینه (Cost)

درآمد (Income)

سرمایه (Capital)

How to Use It

frequency

High in business, medium in daily life.

Common Mistakes

Using 'sar-ba-sar' instead of 'sar-be-sar'. → سر به سر
The preposition 'be' (to) is the correct one to use in this compound. 'Ba' (with) is not standard.
Saying 'dar noghte-ye sar-be-sar residan'. → به نقطه سر به سر رسیدن
The verb 'residan' (to reach) always takes the preposition 'be' (to).
Confusing it with 'sood' (profit). → نقطه سر به سر یعنی نه سود و نه زیان
Learners sometimes think reaching the break-even point means they are making money. It actually means they've just stopped losing it.
Omitting 'noghte' in formal reports. → نقطه سر به سر
In a formal accounting context, you must include the word 'noghte' (point). Just saying 'sar-be-sar' is too casual for a report.
Mispronouncing 'noghte' as 'nokte'. → نقطه (Noghte)
'Nokte' means 'point' as in a 'tip' or 'note'. 'Noghte' is a physical or mathematical point.

Tips

The Ezafe is Key

Don't forget the 'e' sound! It's 'noghte-ye'. Without it, you are just saying 'Point. Head to head.' It sounds like a broken robot. The Ezafe links them into one idea.

Use with 'Residan'

If you want to sound natural, use the verb 'residan' (to reach). 'Be noghte-ye sar-be-sar residim' is the most native way to express achieving the goal.

Don't Tease!

Remember that 'sar-be-sar gozashtan' is a verb for teasing. If you say 'I put the break-even point on him,' people will be very confused. Keep the financial terms separate from the idioms.

Nim-Fasele

In professional Persian typing, use a half-space (nim-fasele) between 'sar', 'be', and 'sar' if your keyboard allows it. It looks much cleaner and more modern.

Bazaar Wisdom

In the bazaar, 'sar-be-sar' is often a negotiation tactic. A seller might say 'I'm giving it to you sar-be-sar' to convince you they aren't overcharging. Take it with a grain of salt!

The 'Gh' Sound

Practice the 'gh' in 'noghte.' It's not a 'k' and not a 'g'. It's a gargling sound in the back of your throat. If you can't do it, a soft 'g' is better than a 'k'.

Visualize the Balance

Whenever you see this word, imagine a perfectly balanced scale. It helps cement the meaning of 'no profit, no loss' instantly.

Business Reports

If you are writing a business report in Persian, 'Noghte-ye sar-be-sar' should be one of your subheadings. It shows you understand Iranian business standards.

Head to Head

Just remember: Head (Sar) to (be) Head (Sar). If two heads are the same, they are even. That's the break-even point.

Radio Economy

Try listening to 'Radio Eghtesad' (Persian Economy Radio) for 10 minutes. You are almost guaranteed to hear this word at least once!

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of two people standing 'head to head' (sar-be-sar). They are the same height. Neither is taller (profit) and neither is shorter (loss). They are at the exact 'point' (noghte) of equality.

Visual Association

Imagine a seesaw with a 'dot' (noghte) in the middle. On one side is a bag of 'costs' and on the other is a bag of 'money.' When the seesaw is perfectly level, that dot is the 'noghte-ye sar-be-sar'.

Word Web

Finance Accounting Zero Balance Startup Cost Revenue Even

Challenge

Try to find a financial report for an Iranian company online and look for the phrase 'نقطه سر به سر'. Write down the number associated with it.

Word Origin

The phrase is a combination of the Arabic-rooted Persian word 'noghte' (point) and the pure Persian compound 'sar-be-sar'. 'Sar-be-sar' comes from the concept of two things being placed 'head to head' to compare their size or value. In Middle Persian (Pahlavi), 'sar' meant head or top. The use of 'noghte' in financial mathematics was influenced by French and English technical terminology in the late 19th and early 20th centuries during Iran's modernization.

Original meaning: A physical point where two heads meet.

Indo-European (Persian) mixed with Semitic (Arabic loanword for 'noghte').

Cultural Context

No specific sensitivities; it is a neutral technical term.

Equivalent to 'Break-even point' or 'Breaking even.' Americans might say 'being in the black' once they pass this point.

Economic textbooks by Iranian authors like Dr. Tabibi. Business talk shows on IRIB TV4. Startup pitches in 'Karafarinan' (The Entrepreneurs).

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Business Meeting

نقطه سر به سر کجاست؟
چه زمانی به نقطه سر به سر می‌رسیم؟
گزارش نقطه سر به سر آماده است؟
باید هزینه را کم کنیم تا به نقطه سر به سر برسیم.

Accounting Class

فرمول نقطه سر به سر را بنویسید.
نقطه سر به سر در این مسئله چیست؟
تحلیل نقطه سر به سر را توضیح دهید.
تفاوت نقطه سر به سر نقدی و حسابداری چیست؟

Casual Trade/Bazaar

سر به سر معامله کنیم؟
برای من سر به سر می‌افتد.
سودی ندارد، سر به سر است.
بیا یر به یر شویم.

Personal Budgeting

این ماه سر به سر شدم.
درآمدم به نقطه سر به سر نرسید.
باید خرج را با دخل سر به سر کنم.
پس‌اندازی ندارم، فقط سر به سر هستم.

News/Media

نقطه سر به سر نفت در بودجه.
صنایع به نقطه سر به سر نزدیک شدند.
تأثیر تورم بر نقطه سر به سر.
بحران در نقطه سر به سر تولید.

Conversation Starters

"آیا بیزنس شما به نقطه سر به سر رسیده است؟ (Has your business reached the break-even point?)"

"فکر می‌کنی نقطه سر به سر این پروژه چقدر باشد؟ (How much do you think the break-even point for this project is?)"

"چطور می‌توانیم سریع‌تر به نقطه سر به سر برسیم؟ (How can we reach the break-even point faster?)"

"آیا نقطه سر به سر در ایران به خاطر تورم تغییر می‌کند؟ (Does the break-even point in Iran change because of inflation?)"

"در معامله قبلی، سود کردی یا سر به سر شدی؟ (In the previous deal, did you make a profit or did you break even?)"

Journal Prompts

درباره زمانی بنویسید که در یک معامله سر به سر شدید و چه حسی داشتید. (Write about a time you broke even in a deal and how you felt.)

اگر یک کافه باز کنید، نقطه سر به سر شما چگونه خواهد بود؟ (If you opened a cafe, what would your break-even point look like?)

اهمیت نقطه سر به سر در زندگی شخصی چیست؟ (What is the importance of the break-even point in personal life?)

چرا بسیاری از شرکت‌ها نمی‌توانند به نقطه سر به سر برسند؟ (Why can many companies not reach the break-even point?)

تفاوت بین سود کردن و فقط سر به سر شدن را شرح دهید. (Describe the difference between making a profit and just breaking even.)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Usually, yes. It is a financial and accounting term. However, it can be used metaphorically in politics or social science to describe a point where costs and benefits are equal. For example, a policy might reach a 'social break-even point' where its drawbacks are balanced by its advantages.

You can simply say 'Sar-be-sar shodam' or 'Yer-be-yer shodam.' You don't need to use the word 'noghte' (point) in casual conversation. 'Sar-be-sar shodam' is very common when talking about a day at the casino or a small sale.

It is definitely 'sar-be-sar.' The 'be' is the Persian preposition for 'to.' 'Sar-ba-sar' (with 'ba' meaning with) is incorrect and rarely used in this context.

There isn't a single word that is the direct 'opposite,' but you would talk about being in 'sood' (profit) or 'zian' (loss). If you are not at the break-even point, you are either above it or below it.

Generally, no. Unless you are jokingly talking about the 'costs and benefits' of your relationship! If you want to say you are 'even' with a partner in terms of favors, you might use 'yer-be-yer' jokingly.

Yes, but with local variations. In Dari (Afghanistan), 'noghte-ye sar-ba-sar' is sometimes heard, but the concept of break-even is universal. In Tajikistan, they might use Russian loanwords or different Persian constructions.

In many languages, 'head' represents the individual or the unit. In Persian, 'sar-be-sar' implies that for every 'head' (unit) of cost, there is a 'head' (unit) of income. It creates a visual of two things meeting exactly.

The formula is: 'Hazine-haye sabet' (Fixed costs) divided by ('Gheymat-e forush' (Selling price) minus 'Hazine-ye moteghayyer' (Variable cost)).

Yes. Investors often talk about their 'noghte-ye sar-be-sar' for a specific stock, which includes the purchase price plus brokerage fees. If the stock hits that price, they can sell without a loss.

With the word 'noghte,' it is formal and professional. Without 'noghte,' 'sar-be-sar' is neutral to informal.