صبر کردن in 30 Seconds
- A fundamental Persian compound verb meaning 'to wait' or 'to be patient', essential for daily communication and social etiquette.
- Consists of the noun 'Sabr' (patience) and the auxiliary 'kardan' (to do), following standard Persian compound verb conjugation rules.
- Used in diverse contexts ranging from waiting for public transport to the spiritual endurance described in classical Persian poetry.
- Key distinction: 'Sabr kardan' focuses on the act/virtue of waiting, while 'montazer budan' focuses on the object being waited for.
The Persian verb صبر کردن (Sabr kardan) is a fundamental compound verb that translates to 'to wait' or 'to be patient.' It is composed of the noun 'صبر' (patience), which has Arabic roots, and the auxiliary verb 'کردن' (to do/make). In the Persian linguistic landscape, this word carries a weight that transcends mere time-passing; it often implies a moral or spiritual endurance. When you tell someone to 'sabr kon,' you are not just asking for a chronological delay, but often inviting them to maintain composure. This verb is ubiquitous in daily life, from the bustling bazaars of Tehran to formal literary texts. It functions as the primary way to express the act of waiting for a person, an event, or a result. Unlike the English 'wait,' which can sometimes feel passive, 'sabr kardan' often carries an active connotation of exercising self-control.
- Grammatical Structure
- A compound verb (Fe'l-e Morakkab) consisting of a non-verbal element and a light verb.
- Core Essence
- The internal state of remaining calm while time passes or during hardship.
- Transitivity
- Intransitive in its basic form, though it often takes a prepositional object with 'baraye' (for).
من برای اتوبوس ده دقیقه صبر کردم تا بالاخره رسید.
باید کمی صبر کنی تا غذا خنک شود.
او همیشه با صبر کردن به خواستههایش میرسد.
- Root Origin
- Arabic 'S-B-R' meaning to bind or restrain.
- Synonym Note
- Often interchangeable with 'montazer mandan' in physical waiting contexts.
لطفاً یک لحظه صبر کنید، گوشی را نگه دارید.
ما برای دیدن تو خیلی صبر کردیم.
Using صبر کردن correctly requires an understanding of compound verb conjugation in Persian. The word 'صبر' remains static, while the auxiliary 'کردن' changes to reflect tense, person, and mood. For example, in the present continuous, one would say 'daram sabr mikonam' (I am waiting). It is important to note that when waiting *for* someone or something, the preposition 'baraye' (for) or 'montazer-e' (waiting for) is often used in conjunction with the sentiment of patience. However, 'sabr kardan' is most frequently used as a standalone verb or followed by a 'ta' (until) clause.
- Imperative: To tell someone to wait, use 'Sabr kon' (singular/informal) or 'Sabr konid' (plural/formal).
- Past Tense: 'Sabr kardam' (I waited), 'Sabr kardi' (You waited), etc.
- Future: 'Sabr khaham kard' (I will wait - formal) or 'Sabr mikonam' (I will wait - informal/future intent).
In formal writing, you might encounter 'ta'amol kardan' or 'shakiba'i kardan', but 'sabr kardan' remains the most versatile choice for all registers. When expressing the duration of waiting, the time duration usually precedes the verb: 'do saat sabr kardam' (I waited for two hours).
You will encounter صبر کردن in almost every social interaction in Iran. In a Taxi, a driver might say 'Sabr konid ta mosafer-e ba'di biyayad' (Wait until the next passenger comes). In a Doctor's Office, the receptionist will likely tell you 'Lotfan dar otagh-e entezar sabr konid' (Please wait in the waiting room). On the Phone, 'Sabr konid' is the standard way to ask someone to stay on the line. Beyond physical waiting, it is heard in Moral Advice; parents often tell children 'Sabr dashte bash' (Have patience) or 'Sabr kon, hame chiz dorost mishavad' (Wait/Be patient, everything will be fixed). It is also a staple in Persian Poetry and Music, where the pain of waiting for a beloved is a recurring theme, symbolizing the spiritual journey of the soul.
One of the most frequent errors for English speakers is confusing صبر کردن with منتظر بودن (montazer budan). While both translate to 'waiting,' 'montazer budan' specifically focuses on the state of expectation for a specific person or event, whereas 'sabr kardan' emphasizes the act of waiting or the virtue of patience itself. For instance, if you are at a bus stop, you are 'montazer-e otobus' (waiting for the bus), but the act of staying there for an hour is 'sabr kardan'. Another mistake is using the wrong preposition; learners often try to use 'baraye' (for) when 'montazer-e' (waiting for [ezafe]) is more natural for specific objects. Additionally, forgetting that 'sabr' is a noun and 'kardan' is the verb part can lead to incorrect conjugation patterns in complex tenses like the subjunctive ('sabr bokonam' instead of 'sabr konam').
Several words share semantic space with صبر کردن. منتظر ماندن (Montazer mandan) is perhaps the closest synonym, specifically meaning 'to remain waiting.' تحمل کردن (Tahamol kardan) means 'to endure' or 'to tolerate,' which overlaps with the 'patience' aspect of sabr but focuses more on hardship. تأمل کردن (Ta'amol kardan) means 'to pause and reflect' or 'to hesitate,' often used in intellectual or formal contexts. شکیبایی کردن (Shakiba'i kardan) is a more literary and poetic way to say 'to be patient.' درنگ کردن (Derang kardan) means 'to delay' or 'to tarry.' Understanding the nuances between these allows for more precise expression; use 'sabr' for general waiting, 'tahamol' for suffering, and 'ta'amol' for thinking before acting.
How Formal Is It?
Difficulty Rating
Grammar to Know
Compound verb conjugation
Subjunctive mood after 'bayad'
Prepositional phrases with 'baraye'
Ezafe construction in 'montazer-e'
Past continuous formation
Examples by Level
لطفاً اینجا صبر کنید.
Please wait here.
Imperative formal form of 'kardan'.
من پنج دقیقه صبر کردم.
I waited for five minutes.
Simple past tense, first person singular.
کمی صبر کن!
Wait a little!
Imperative informal.
او صبر نمیکند.
He/She does not wait.
Negative present simple.
آیا صبر میکنی؟
Do you wait? / Will you wait?
Interrogative present simple.
ما صبر کردیم.
We waited.
Simple past, first person plural.
صبر کن تا بیایم.
Wait until I come.
Imperative + 'ta' + Subjunctive.
یک لحظه صبر!
One moment wait!
Shortened colloquial imperative.
باید برای جواب صبر کنیم.
We must wait for the answer.
Modal 'bayad' + Subjunctive.
دیروز خیلی صبر کردم.
I waited a lot yesterday.
Adverb 'kheyli' modifying the verb.
چرا صبر نمیکنی؟
Why don't you wait?
Interrogative negative.
او داشت صبر میکرد تا باران تمام شود.
He was waiting for the rain to stop.
Past continuous tense.
میتوانید کمی صبر کنید؟
Can you wait a little?
Modal 'tavanestan' + Subjunctive.
آنها برای اتوبوس صبر میکنند.
They are waiting for the bus.
Present continuous (habitual/current).
اگر صبر کنی، او میآید.
If you wait, he will come.
Conditional Type 1.
من همیشه صبر میکنم.
I always wait.
Use of frequency adverb 'hamishe'.
صبر کردن در صف طولانی سخت است.
Waiting in a long line is difficult.
Gerund (Infinitive) used as a subject.
او با صبر کردن به موفقیت رسید.
He reached success by being patient.
Preposition 'ba' + Infinitive.
باید یاد بگیریم که صبر کنیم.
We must learn to wait.
Infinitive phrase as object.
اگر صبر نکرده بودم، او را نمیدیدم.
If I hadn't waited, I wouldn't have seen him.
Past conditional (Type 3).
صبر کردن کلید حل مشکلات است.
Waiting/Patience is the key to solving problems.
Metaphorical usage.
او از صبر کردن خسته شده است.
He is tired of waiting.
Preposition 'az' + Infinitive.
لطفاً تا فردا صبر کنید تا نتیجه مشخص شود.
Please wait until tomorrow so the result becomes clear.
Complex sentence with purpose clause.
من ترجیح میدهم صبر کنم.
I prefer to wait.
Verb 'tarjih dadan' + Subjunctive.
در این شرایط، چارهای جز صبر کردن نداریم.
In these circumstances, we have no choice but to wait.
Idiomatic 'chare-i joz... nadashan'.
او با صبر کردن زیاد، پاداش خود را گرفت.
With much patience, he received his reward.
Noun 'sabr' used as a concept.
صبر کردن در برابر ناملایمات شجاعت میخواهد.
Waiting/Enduring in the face of adversity requires courage.
Abstract subject.
او بدون هیچ شکایتی صبر کرد.
He waited without any complaint.
Adverbial phrase 'bedun-e hich shekayati'.
باید دید آیا او میتواند بیشتر صبر کند یا نه.
It remains to be seen whether he can wait longer or not.
Indirect question structure.
صبر کردن همیشه به معنای انفعال نیست.
Waiting is not always synonymous with passivity.
Philosophical negation.
او تمام عمرش را برای این لحظه صبر کرده بود.
He had waited his whole life for this moment.
Past perfect tense.
هر چقدر بیشتر صبر کنی، نتیجه بهتر میشود.
The more you wait, the better the result becomes.
Correlative 'har cheghadr... hamun ghadr'.
عارفان صبر کردن را راهی برای تزکیه نفس میدانند.
Mystics consider patience/waiting a way for self-purification.
Academic/Literary register.
او با صبر کردن استراتژیک، رقیب را شکست داد.
With strategic waiting, he defeated the rival.
Adjectival modification of the gerund.
صبر کردن در ادبیات کلاسیک ما جایگاه ویژهای دارد.
Patience holds a special place in our classical literature.
Subject-predicate agreement in formal style.
نباید صبر کردن را با سستی و تنبلی اشتباه گرفت.
One should not mistake waiting for weakness and laziness.
Passive construction 'nabayad... gereft'.
او در اوج بحران، با صبر کردن توانست اوضاع را مدیریت کند.
At the height of the crisis, he managed the situation by remaining patient.
Complex prepositional phrases.
صبر کردن بر مصائب، از ویژگیهای بارز او بود.
Enduring calamities was one of his prominent characteristics.
Use of 'bar' (upon) with 'sabr'.
آیا میتوان برای همیشه صبر کرد؟
Can one wait forever?
Rhetorical impersonal question.
او به جای عجله، راه صبر کردن را برگزید.
Instead of rushing, he chose the path of patience.
Formal verb 'bargozidan'.
صبر کردن در ساحتِ عشق، آزمونی دشوار برای سالک است.
Waiting in the realm of love is a difficult test for the seeker.
Highly formal 'sahat' and 'salek'.
او با صبر کردنی ایوبوار، تمام سختیها را پشت سر گذاشت.
With Job-like patience, he left all hardships behind.
Adjectival suffix '-var'.
مفهوم صبر کردن در فلسفه اخلاق، ابعاد گوناگونی دارد.
The concept of patience in moral philosophy has various dimensions.
Abstract academic discourse.
او نه از روی ناچاری، بلکه با ارادهای پولادین صبر کرد.
He waited not out of helplessness, but with a steely will.
Contrastive 'na az ruye... balke'.
صبر کردنِ مدبرانه، هنرِ سیاستمداران بزرگ است.
Prudent waiting is the art of great politicians.
Ezafe construction with gerund.
او در سکوت صبر کرد تا غبارِ فتنهها بنشیند.
He waited in silence until the dust of seditions settled.
Metaphorical literary language.
غایتِ صبر کردن، رسیدن به مقامِ رضاست.
The ultimate goal of patience is reaching the station of contentment.
Sufi terminology.
او با صبر کردن، زمان را به تسخیر خود درآورد.
By waiting, he brought time under his conquest.
Poetic hyperbole.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
Often Confused With
Focuses on the expectation of a specific object.
Focuses on enduring pain or hardship.
Focuses on the physical act of stopping movement.
Idioms & Expressions
Easily Confused
Sentence Patterns
How to Use It
Use 'sabr kardan' when the focus is on your internal state of being patient.
Usually used with 'baraye' or 'ta'.
Tips
Auxiliary Verb
Remember that only 'kardan' changes. 'Sabr' stays the same in every tense. This is true for all compound verbs. Focus your study on 'kardan' conjugations.
Politeness
Always add 'lotfan' when using the imperative with strangers. 'Lotfan sabr konid' sounds much more professional. It shows respect for the other person's time. Tone of voice is also key.
Synonyms
Learn 'montazer mandan' alongside 'sabr kardan'. They are often used in the same sentence. Knowing both makes your Persian sound more natural. Use 'sabr' for the feeling, 'montazer' for the action.
The Sneeze
In some Iranian folk beliefs, a single sneeze means you should 'sabr' (wait) before acting. People might say 'Sabr amad' (Patience came). It's a quirky cultural detail to know. It shows how deep the word goes.
Spelling
The word 'Sabr' is spelled with 'Sad' (ص), not 'Sin' (س). Confusing them is a common spelling mistake. 'Sabr' with 'Sin' is not a word. Always look for the 'Sad'.
Context Clues
If you hear 'sabr' followed by 'ta', a reason is coming. 'Sabr kon ta...' (Wait until...). This helps you predict the rest of the sentence. It's a common sentence structure.
Root Linking
Link 'Sabr' to 'Sabur' (patient). If you know the noun, the adjective is easy. Most 'Fa'ul' patterns in Persian come from Arabic roots. This helps with expanding your vocabulary.
Time Expressions
Place the time duration right before 'sabr'. 'Do saat sabr kardam' (Two hours I waited). This is the standard word order. It sounds more native than putting time at the end.
Arabic Roots
Knowing that 'Sabr' is Arabic helps you recognize it in other languages like Urdu or Turkish. It's a 'bridge word' in the Islamic world. It carries similar meanings across these cultures. Very useful for polyglots.
The 'R' Sound
The final 'r' in 'sabr' is often very light in spoken Persian. Sometimes it almost sounds like it disappears into the 'k' of 'kardan'. Listen closely to native speakers. Don't over-pronounce the 'r'.
Memorize It
Word Origin
Arabic root S-B-R (صبر) combined with Persian 'kardan'.
Cultural Context
Sabr-e Ayub (The patience of Job) is a common reference for extreme endurance.
Asking someone to wait (Sabr konid) is usually done with a polite tone to avoid sounding demanding.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Conversation Starters
"چقدر برای اتوبوس صبر کردی؟"
"آیا تو آدم صبوری هستی؟"
"فکر میکنی صبر کردن همیشه خوب است؟"
"طولانیترین زمانی که صبر کردی کی بود؟"
"برای چه چیزی در زندگیات صبر میکنی؟"
Journal Prompts
امروز کجا مجبور شدی صبر کنی؟ چه حسی داشتی؟
درباره زمانی بنویس که صبر کردن نتیجه خوبی داشت.
آیا تکنولوژی باعث شده ما کمتر صبر کنیم؟
تفاوت صبر کردن و وقت تلف کردن چیست؟
یک ضربالمثل درباره صبر انتخاب کن و دربارهاش بنویس.
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsSabr refers to the virtue of patience and the act of waiting calmly. Entezar refers to the state of expectation or looking forward to something. You 'sabr' when the line is long, but you are in 'entezar' of your friend's arrival. Both are related but emphasize different aspects of waiting. Sabr is more about the 'how' and Entezar is more about the 'what'.
It depends on the tone and context. Between friends, it is perfectly normal. In a formal setting or with elders, adding 'lotfan' (please) or using 'sabr konid' is much better. Using 'yek lahze' (one moment) before it also softens the command. Generally, it is a neutral verb.
You can say 'Montazer-e to hastam' or 'Baraye to sabr mikonam'. The first is more common for 'waiting for someone'. The second implies you are being patient for their sake. In most daily cases, 'montazer budan' is preferred for people. 'Sabr kardan' is used when you are actually performing the act of waiting.
Yes, 'Saber' (the active participle) is a common male name in Iran. 'Sabri' is also used but less common. It carries the meaning of 'the patient one'. It is a name with strong positive connotations. Female versions like 'Sabureh' also exist.
Literally 'yellow patience', it is the Persian name for the Aloe Vera plant. This is because the plant is hardy and 'patient' in dry conditions. It is a common botanical term. You might see it in traditional medicine shops. It has nothing to do with waiting in a queue.
In very informal speech, people might just say 'Vaysa' (from istadan - to stand/stop). However, 'Sabr' is very short already. 'Ye lahze' (one moment) is also used as a functional equivalent. 'Sabr' is the most standard. 'Vaysa' is more like 'Stop'.
In formal Persian, use 'Sabr khaham kard'. In daily spoken Persian, just use the present tense 'Sabr mikonam' with a future context. For example: 'Farda sabr mikonam' (I will wait tomorrow). The context usually clarifies the timing. Future tense is rarely used in speech.
It means 'the bowl of patience'. It is a common metaphor. When someone says 'Kase-ye sabram labriz shod', it means 'My bowl of patience overflowed', or 'I have lost my patience'. It is a very common idiomatic expression. It describes reaching a breaking point.
Yes, the root is the Arabic S-B-R. It is one of the many thousands of Arabic loanwords in Persian. However, the way it is used with 'kardan' is purely Persian grammar. It has been part of the language for over a millennium. It is central to Persian literature.
The most direct opposite is 'ajale kardan' (to hurry/rush). You can also say 'bi-sabri kardan' (to act impatiently). 'Shetab kardan' is a more formal way to say rush. In a personality sense, 'ajul' is the opposite of 'sabur'.
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Summary
Mastering 'صبر کردن' is crucial for any Persian learner as it bridges the gap between simple functional language (waiting for a taxi) and deep cultural values (the virtue of patience). It is a versatile verb that appears in every register of the language.
- A fundamental Persian compound verb meaning 'to wait' or 'to be patient', essential for daily communication and social etiquette.
- Consists of the noun 'Sabr' (patience) and the auxiliary 'kardan' (to do), following standard Persian compound verb conjugation rules.
- Used in diverse contexts ranging from waiting for public transport to the spiritual endurance described in classical Persian poetry.
- Key distinction: 'Sabr kardan' focuses on the act/virtue of waiting, while 'montazer budan' focuses on the object being waited for.
Auxiliary Verb
Remember that only 'kardan' changes. 'Sabr' stays the same in every tense. This is true for all compound verbs. Focus your study on 'kardan' conjugations.
Politeness
Always add 'lotfan' when using the imperative with strangers. 'Lotfan sabr konid' sounds much more professional. It shows respect for the other person's time. Tone of voice is also key.
Synonyms
Learn 'montazer mandan' alongside 'sabr kardan'. They are often used in the same sentence. Knowing both makes your Persian sound more natural. Use 'sabr' for the feeling, 'montazer' for the action.
The Sneeze
In some Iranian folk beliefs, a single sneeze means you should 'sabr' (wait) before acting. People might say 'Sabr amad' (Patience came). It's a quirky cultural detail to know. It shows how deep the word goes.
Example
لطفا کمی صبر کنید.
Related Content
Related Phrases
More general words
عادتوار
C1As a matter of habit; habitually.
عادی
A1Conforming to the usual or standard type; normal or ordinary.
عافیت
B2Well-being; the state of being comfortable, healthy, or happy.
عاجل
B2Requiring immediate attention or action; urgent.
عاقبت
C1The outcome or result of an action or event.
عاقل
A1Having or showing experience, knowledge, and good judgment; wise.
عالمگیر
C1Universal, worldwide, or affecting all parts of the world.
عالی
A1Excellent; extremely good or outstanding.
عام
B1General, common, public.
اعم از
B2Including; whether (used to introduce options).
