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B2 verb 10 min read

شبیه ساختن

shabih sakhtan
Practice it Examples Notes & Tips شبیه ساختن in 30 Seconds
Explanation شبیه ساختن in your Level:
At the A1 level, you don't need to use 'shabih sākhtan' yet, as it is quite formal and complex. Instead, you usually use the word 'shabih' (similar) with the verb 'budan' (to be). For example, 'In sib shabih-e ān sib ast' (This apple is like that apple). You might also use 'mesl-e' (like). The concept of 'making something similar' is usually expressed very simply: 'Man in rā mesl-e ān mi-konam' (I make this like that). Focus on learning 'shabih' as an adjective first. Think of it as 'looking like' something else. At this stage, just remember that 'shabih' helps you compare things. If you want to say 'I make my drawing like yours,' you would use 'shabih' + 'kardan' in its simplest form. Total word count for A1 is kept simple to avoid confusion with the complex 'sākhtan' auxiliary.
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At the A2 level, you start to see compound verbs using 'kardan'. You might encounter 'shabih kardan' in simple stories or instructions. 'Shabih sākhtan' is still a bit advanced, but you should recognize that 'sākhtan' means 'to make' or 'to build'. You might use it in a sentence like: 'Anhā otāq rā shabih-e madrese sākhtand' (They made the room look like a school). You are beginning to understand the 'rā' and 'be' structure. You know that 'rā' marks the thing you are changing, and 'be' marks what you are comparing it to. This level is about building the foundation of the 'Subject + Object + Preposition + Verb' structure which is vital for using this word later on.
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At the B1 level, you are becoming more comfortable with formal Persian. You might start using 'shabih sākhtan' in your writing to sound more professional. You understand the difference between 'kardan' (do/make) and 'sākhtan' (build/construct/make). You can use this verb to describe hobbies or simple creative tasks. For instance, 'Man sa'y mi-konam sedāyam rā be xānandeye mored-e alāqe-am shabih sāzam' (I try to make my voice resemble my favorite singer). You also begin to use different tenses, like the past continuous or the future tense. You are aware that 'shabih sākhtan' is a more 'elegant' way to express imitation than the words you used at A1 and A2.
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At the B2 level (your current level), 'shabih sākhtan' is a key part of your vocabulary. You use it to discuss abstract ideas, technical processes, and artistic endeavors. You understand the nuance it carries—that it implies a deliberate, crafted action. You can use it in the passive voice ('shabih sākhte shode') and in complex sentences with multiple clauses. You are also able to distinguish it from related words like 'shabih-sāzi' (simulation) or 'mānand kardan' (likening). You use it accurately with the 'be' preposition and the 'rā' marker without thinking twice. This word allows you to explain *how* things are modeled after one another in professional settings.
At the C1 level, you use 'shabih sākhtan' with stylistic precision. You might use it in literary analysis or high-level political discourse. You are aware of its historical roots and how 'sākhtan' functions as a light verb in classical Persian. You can use it metaphorically, such as 'making one's heart resemble a mirror' in a spiritual context. Your usage is indistinguishable from a native speaker's in formal environments. You also know when *not* to use it, opting for even more specific verbs like 'motābeq kardan' (to make consistent) or 'tatbiq dādan' (to adapt) when the context requires a different nuance of 'making similar'.
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At the C2 level, you have a masterly command of 'shabih sākhtan'. You can use it in archival research, complex legal documents, or high-level philosophical debates. You understand its role in the evolution of the Persian language and can identify its use in 19th-century prose versus modern academic writing. You can play with the word in poetry or creative writing, perhaps using it in wordplay with 'sākhtan' (to tolerate/to get along). You use the verb to discuss the fine line between 'asālat' (authenticity) and 'shabih-sāzi' (imitation) in post-modern critiques. The word is no longer just a vocabulary item; it is a precise tool for conceptualizing the nature of reality and representation.
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Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

شبیه ساختن in 30 Seconds

  • A formal verb meaning 'to make similar' or 'to resemble'.
  • Requires a direct object (marked with 'rā') and the preposition 'be'.
  • Common in art, technology, and formal writing contexts.
  • Implies a deliberate action of transformation or creation.

The Persian compound verb شبیه ساختن (shabih sākhtan) is a sophisticated and versatile term used to describe the intentional act of making one thing resemble another. At its core, it combines the adjective شبیه (similar/resembling) with the auxiliary verb ساختن (to make/to build). While in basic Persian, one might simply say something 'is like' something else using مثل ... است, the verb شبیه ساختن implies an active process of transformation or creation. It is most commonly found in literary, artistic, technical, and academic contexts where an agent is deliberately altering an object, a concept, or even a person to mirror the characteristics of another entity.

Artistic Context
In the world of art and restoration, this verb is used when a painter tries to make a new canvas look like an antique masterpiece. It involves the meticulous application of techniques to bridge the visual gap between the original and the copy.

هنرمند سعی کرد فضای نقاشی را به دوران رنسانس شبیه سازد.
(The artist tried to make the atmosphere of the painting resemble the Renaissance era.)

Technical Application
In engineering or computer science, although 'shabih-sāzi' (simulation) is the noun, the verbal form 'shabih sākhtan' is used when describing the act of creating a model that mimics real-world physics or behaviors. It suggests a high degree of accuracy and intentionality.

Furthermore, the word carries a nuance of 'modeling after.' When a writer models their prose after a famous poet, they are 'shabih sākh-tan' their style to that poet. It is a verb of agency. You will hear it in documentaries discussing how set designers make a modern city look like a 1920s street, or in psychology when discussing how children model their behavior after their parents. It is a bridge between reality and representation. In formal speeches, it might be used to describe policy changes intended to make one institution function similarly to a more successful one. The breadth of this word covers everything from physical appearance to abstract structural similarities, making it an essential tool for B2-level learners who wish to express complex ideas of imitation and equivalence.

معمار ساختمان جدید را به سبک کلاسیک شبیه ساخت.
(The architect made the new building resemble the classical style.)

Sociological Use
When discussing cultural assimilation, scholars might use this verb to describe the process of making one's lifestyle resemble the dominant culture's norms.

Using شبیه ساختن correctly requires understanding its grammatical structure. It is a transitive compound verb. The standard formula is: [Subject] + [Object] + [Preposition 'be'] + [Target of Resemblance] + [shabih sākhtan]. Because it is transitive, the direct object is often followed by the postposition را (rā). This structure allows you to clearly define what is being changed and what it is being changed to look like. For example, 'Man in otāq rā be qasr shabih sākhtam' (I made this room resemble a palace).

او چهره‌اش را به بازیگران قدیمی شبیه ساخت.
(She made her face resemble old actors - referring to makeup or surgery.)

The Passive Voice
In formal writing, you might encounter the passive form 'shabih sākhte shodan'. This is common in academic papers: 'In model be vāqe'iyat shabih sākhte shode ast' (This model has been made to resemble reality).

One of the most important aspects of using this verb is the choice of the preposition به (be). Without this preposition, the sentence becomes grammatically incomplete because the listener needs to know the point of comparison. However, in some poetic or highly condensed contexts, the 'be' might be implied, though this is rare in modern standard Persian. Another common pattern involves using adverbs of degree, such as کاملاً (completely) or اندکی (slightly), to modify the extent of the resemblance. 'They slightly made the replica resemble the original' (آن‌ها نسخه کپی را اندکی به اصل شبیه ساختند).

تکنولوژی جدید صداها را کاملاً به صدای انسان شبیه ساخته است.
(New technology has made voices completely resemble human voices.)

Imperative Usage
In instructions (like for a designer), you might say: 'In tarh rā be logoye asli shabih besāz' (Make this design resemble the original logo).

Finally, consider the tense. In the present continuous, you use the prefix 'mi-': 'Dārand faza rā shabih mi-sāzand' (They are making the atmosphere resemble...). In the subjunctive (after 'bayad' or 'mi-khāham'), it becomes 'shabih besāzam'. Mastering these conjugations alongside the 'be' prepositional phrase will allow you to describe complex creative processes with precision. Whether you are talking about digital avatars, historical reenactments, or metaphorical comparisons, 'shabih sākhtan' provides the formal structure needed for high-level communication.

You are unlikely to hear شبیه ساختن in a casual conversation at a fruit market, but you will encounter it frequently in specific professional and intellectual spheres. One of the primary places is in Art and Design Criticism. When critics discuss how a director has recreated a historical period on film, they will use this verb to describe the intentionality behind the set and costume design. It highlights the craft involved in the resemblance. Similarly, in Museums and Galleries, descriptions of replicas or restored artifacts often use 'shabih sākhtan' to explain how the restoration team worked to match the piece's original appearance.

در این مستند، آن‌ها تلاش می‌کنند زندگی قرون وسطی را به واقعیت شبیه سازند.
(In this documentary, they try to make medieval life resemble reality.)

News and Media
In news reports about AI or deepfakes, journalists use this verb to explain how algorithms make synthetic images or voices resemble real people. It conveys the idea of technical manipulation.

Another common venue is Academic Lectures. In fields like sociology or biology, professors use it to describe processes of mimicry. For instance, in biology, how one species might 'shabih sākhtan' its appearance to another for protection (though 'shabih kardan' is also common here). In Literary Analysis, a teacher might point out how a modern writer 'shabih sākh-te' their narrative structure to that of the 'Shahnameh' or other classical texts. It emphasizes a deliberate stylistic choice rather than an accidental similarity.

برنامه‌نویسان محیط بازی را به جنگل‌های آمازون شبیه ساخته‌اند.
(The programmers have made the game environment resemble the Amazon jungles.)

Legal and Forensic Discussions
In cases of forgery or counterfeit goods, investigators use this verb to describe how the counterfeiters made their product look like the genuine brand.

Finally, you will find it in Formal Literature and Poetry. Modern Persian prose, which often strives for a balance between clarity and elegance, uses 'shabih sākhtan' to avoid the more colloquial 'shabih kardan'. It adds a layer of 'making' or 'constructing' that fits well with the themes of creation in literature. If you read a biography of a famous person, the author might describe how the subject 'shabih sākh-te' their life to their idols. In all these contexts, the word signals a higher register of Persian, marking the speaker as someone with a refined vocabulary.

The most frequent mistake learners make with شبیه ساختن is confusing it with the intransitive version: شبیه شدن (shabih shodan). While 'shabih shodan' means 'to become similar' (a natural or passive process), 'shabih sākhtan' means 'to make [something] similar' (an active process requiring an agent). For example, saying 'Man shabih sākhtam' to mean 'I became similar' is incorrect; it would imply you made something else similar, but you left out what that thing was.

Incorrect: او به پدرش شبیه ساخت.
(He made resemble to his father - incomplete/nonsensical.)

Correct: او خودش را به پدرش شبیه ساخت.
(He made himself resemble his father.)

The 'Rā' Postposition
Because this is a transitive verb, the object usually needs 'rā'. Forgetting 'rā' when the object is definite is a common error. 'Man in otāq be qasr shabih sākhtam' is wrong; it must be 'Man in otāq **rā**...'.

Another mistake is using the wrong preposition. Learners sometimes use با (bā - with) instead of به (be - to). In Persian, you make something similar *to* something else, just like in English. Using 'bā' might be understood, but it sounds unnatural and grammatically 'off' to a native speaker's ear. Furthermore, be careful with the present stem. Some learners confuse 'sākhtan' (to make) with 'suxtan' (to burn), leading to the incorrect present stem 'suz' instead of 'sāz'. Saying 'shabih mi-suzam' would mean 'I am burning similar,' which is a confusing and humorous mistake.

Incorrect: من نقاشی را با عکس شبیه ساختم.
(I made the painting similar with the photo.)

Correct: من نقاشی را **به** عکس شبیه ساختم.
(I made the painting resemble the photo.)

Register Confusion
Using 'shabih sākhtan' in a very casual text message to a friend about a haircut might seem overly stiff. In those cases, 'shabih kardan' is much more appropriate.

Finally, avoid overusing this verb for simple comparisons. If you just want to say 'This looks like that,' use 'In shabih-e ān ast.' Only use 'shabih sākhtan' when there is an action of *making* involved. If there is no agent doing the making, the verb is likely incorrect. For example, 'The clouds make a shape resemble a sheep' (ابرها شکلی را به گوسفند شبیه می‌سازند) is correct because the clouds are the 'agent' creating the resemblance in your eyes.

Persian has several ways to express the idea of similarity and imitation. Understanding the subtle differences between شبیه ساختن and its alternatives will greatly enhance your fluency. The most direct synonym is شبیه کردن (shabih kardan). While they mean the same thing, 'shabih kardan' is the neutral/informal choice, whereas 'shabih sākhtan' is formal and literary. If you are writing an essay or a formal letter, choose 'sākhtan'. In a conversation, choose 'kardan'.

مانند کردن (mānand kardan)
This is a very formal, almost poetic alternative. It is often used in literature and classical texts. It carries a sense of 'likening' or 'comparing' as well as 'making similar'.
همانند کردن (hamānand kardan)
Similar to 'mānand kardan', but often used in academic or technical contexts to mean 'to standardize' or 'to make identical/uniform'.

او داستانش را به اسطوره‌های قدیمی مانند کرد.
(He likened/made his story resemble old myths.)

In technical fields, you will often see شبیه‌سازی کردن (shabih-sāzi kardan). This specifically means 'to simulate'. While 'shabih sākhtan' is general, 'shabih-sāzi' is reserved for scientific models, computer simulations, and pilot training. For example, 'They simulated the flight conditions' would use 'shabih-sāzi kardan'. Another related verb is تقلید کردن (taqlid kardan), which means 'to imitate' or 'to mimic'. This focuses more on the person doing the copying rather than the result of the resemblance. You 'taqlid' someone's voice, but you 'shabih mi-sāzi' your voice to theirs.

Comparison Table
  • شبیه ساختن: Formal, emphasis on the act of construction.
  • شبیه کردن: Neutral, everyday use.
  • شبیه‌سازی کردن: Technical, 'to simulate'.
  • تقلید کردن: To mimic/copy behavior.

Choosing the right word depends on the context and the 'weight' you want to give the action. 'Sākhtan' implies effort and craftsmanship. If a child draws a picture to look like a cat, you might say 'shabih-e gorbe kashid' (drew like a cat). But if a professional sculptor creates a wax figure of a celebrity, 'shabih sākhtan' is much more respectful of the skill involved. By using these synonyms correctly, you show that you understand not just the meaning of the words, but the cultural and social nuances of the Persian language.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The verb 'sākhtan' is one of the oldest and most productive verbs in Persian. It is used as a 'light verb' in hundreds of compound constructions, from 'building a house' to 'getting along with someone'.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ʃæˈbiːh sɒːxˈtæn/
US /ʃæˈbiːh sɑːxˈtæn/
The primary stress is on the last syllable of the second word: 'shabih sākhtÁN'. There is a secondary stress on the last syllable of the first word: 'shabÍH'.
Rhymes With
پرداختن (pardākhtan) گداختن (godākhtan) شناختن (shenākhtan) تاختن (tākhtan) انداختن (andākhtan) باختن (bākhtan) نواختن (navākhtan) فراختن (farākhtan)
Common Errors
  • Pronouncing 'kh' as a simple 'k'. It must be a raspy sound from the throat.
  • Shortening the long 'ā' in 'sākhtan' to a short 'a' as in 'apple'.
  • Stress on the first syllable 'shā-'.
  • Confusing the 'i' in 'shabih' with a short 'i' like 'bit'. It should be 'ee' like 'beet'.
  • Merging the two words into one without a slight pause.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 7/5

Common in formal texts and literature, requiring knowledge of compound verbs.

Writing 8/5

Requires correct use of 'rā' and 'be' prepositions.

Speaking 7/5

Formal register might sound stiff in casual talk, but useful for presentations.

Listening 6/5

Easy to recognize if you know 'shabih' and 'sākhtan'.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

شبیه ساختن مثل مانند را

Learn Next

شبیه‌سازی تشبیه تمثیل الگوبرداری بازسازی

Advanced

شبیه‌خوانی همانندسازی تطبیق قرینه تندیس

Grammar to Know

Compound Verbs with 'Sākhtan'

تمیز ساختن (to make clean), آماده ساختن (to prepare).

The Object Marker 'Rā'

او مدل را شبیه ساخت.

Preposition 'Be' for Comparison

او را به برادرش شبیه ساخت.

Subjunctive Mood in Compound Verbs

باید آن را شبیه بسازی.

Passive Construction with 'Shodan'

این مدل به واقعیت شبیه ساخته شد.

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Examples by Level

1

من این نقاشی را شبیه گل می‌سازم.

I make this painting resemble a flower.

Simple present tense.

2

او اتاق را شبیه باغ ساخت.

He made the room look like a garden.

Simple past tense.

3

ما کیک را شبیه قلب می‌سازیم.

We make the cake resemble a heart.

Present tense with 'mi-'.

4

آن‌ها خانه را شبیه قصر ساختند.

They made the house resemble a palace.

Plural subject.

5

آیا می‌توانی این را شبیه عکس بسازی؟

Can you make this resemble the photo?

Question with 'mi-tavāni'.

6

او لباسش را شبیه لباس من ساخت.

She made her dress resemble my dress.

Possessive 'man'.

7

من صورتک را شبیه خرس می‌سازم.

I make the mask resemble a bear.

Direct object with 'rā'.

8

بیا این را شبیه خورشید بسازیم.

Let's make this resemble the sun.

Imperative 'biyā'.

1

او سعی کرد صدایش را به صدای مادرش شبیه سازد.

He tried to make his voice resemble his mother's.

Infinitive 'sa'y kardan' + subjunctive.

2

ما باید این مدل را به واقعیت شبیه سازیم.

We must make this model resemble reality.

Modal 'bāyad'.

3

نقاش آسمان را به دریای آبی شبیه ساخت.

The painter made the sky resemble the blue sea.

Preposition 'be'.

4

آن‌ها مجسمه را به قهرمان ملی شبیه ساختند.

They made the statue resemble the national hero.

Compound verb 'shabih sākhtan'.

5

او می‌خواهد خانه‌اش را به هتل شبیه سازد.

He wants to make his house resemble a hotel.

Present desire 'mi-khāhad'.

6

آشپز غذا را به یک اثر هنری شبیه ساخت.

The chef made the food resemble a work of art.

Indefinite 'yek'.

7

ما فضای کلاس را به جنگل شبیه ساختیم.

We made the classroom atmosphere resemble a forest.

Past tense 'sākhtim'.

8

او سعی می‌کند رفتارش را به بزرگترها شبیه سازد.

He tries to make his behavior resemble adults.

Present continuous sense.

1

نویسنده فضای داستان را به دوران جنگ شبیه ساخته است.

The author has made the story's atmosphere resemble the war era.

Present perfect 'sākhte ast'.

2

تکنولوژی جدید می‌تواند تصاویر را به واقعیت شبیه سازد.

New technology can make images resemble reality.

Modal 'mi-tavānad'.

3

او با آرایش، چهره‌اش را به یک شخصیت خیالی شبیه ساخت.

With makeup, she made her face resemble a fictional character.

Instrumental 'bā'.

4

آن‌ها قصد دارند این شهر را به پاریس شبیه سازند.

They intend to make this city resemble Paris.

Noun phrase 'qasd dārand'.

5

معمار تلاش کرد نمای ساختمان را به بناهای قدیمی شبیه سازد.

The architect tried to make the building's facade resemble old structures.

Past stem 'sākht'.

6

ما محیط کار را به خانه شبیه ساختیم تا راحت باشیم.

We made the work environment resemble home to be comfortable.

Conjunction 'tā'.

7

او همیشه سعی می‌کند سبک زندگی‌اش را به ثروتمندان شبیه سازد.

He always tries to make his lifestyle resemble the wealthy.

Adverb 'hamishe'.

8

آیا می‌توان این پارچه را به ابریشم شبیه ساخت؟

Can this fabric be made to resemble silk?

Passive potential.

1

برنامه‌نویسان با استفاده از الگوریتم‌های پیچیده، هوش مصنوعی را به تفکر انسانی شبیه ساختند.

Programmers, using complex algorithms, made AI resemble human thinking.

Gerund 'bā estefāde az'.

2

او در بازسازی فیلم، تمام جزئیات را به نسخه اصلی شبیه ساخت.

In the film remake, he made all details resemble the original version.

Direct object 'tamām-e joz'iyāt rā'.

3

محققان تلاش می‌کنند شرایط مریخ را در آزمایشگاه به واقعیت شبیه سازند.

Researchers are trying to make Mars conditions in the lab resemble reality.

Present continuous 'mi-sāzand'.

4

این نرم‌افزار می‌تواند دست‌خط شما را به فونت‌های چاپی شبیه سازد.

This software can make your handwriting resemble printed fonts.

Compound noun 'dast-khat'.

5

او با مهارت بسیار، سنگ‌های ارزان را به الماس شبیه ساخت.

With great skill, he made cheap stones resemble diamonds.

Adverbial phrase 'bā mahārat-e besyār'.

6

دولت سعی دارد قوانین جدید را به استانداردهای جهانی شبیه سازد.

The government is trying to make the new laws resemble international standards.

Formal register.

7

آن‌ها با نورپردازی، فضای استودیو را به غروب آفتاب شبیه ساختند.

With lighting, they made the studio atmosphere resemble a sunset.

Compound verb with 'rā'.

8

چگونه می‌توان یک شهر مدرن را به یک روستای تاریخی شبیه ساخت؟

How can one make a modern city resemble a historical village?

Interrogative 'chegoune'.

1

شاعر با استفاده از استعاره‌های بدیع، معشوق را به ماه شبیه ساخته است.

The poet, using novel metaphors, has made the beloved resemble the moon.

Literary style.

2

فیلسوف می‌کوشد مفاهیم انتزاعی را به تجربیات روزمره شبیه سازد تا قابل فهم شوند.

The philosopher strives to make abstract concepts resemble everyday experiences to make them understandable.

Verb 'kushidan'.

3

در این پژوهش، ساختار مولکولی جدید به ساختار DNA شبیه ساخته شد.

In this research, the new molecular structure was made to resemble the DNA structure.

Passive voice 'sākhte shod'.

4

او با زیرکی تمام، امضای مدیر را به اصل آن شبیه ساخت و سند را جعل کرد.

With total cunning, he made the manager's signature resemble the original and forged the document.

Narrative past.

5

هنرمندان معاصر تلاش می‌کنند آثار خود را به هنرهای بدوی شبیه سازند تا معنایی عمیق‌تر بیابند.

Contemporary artists try to make their works resemble primitive arts to find a deeper meaning.

Plural subjunctive.

6

سیاست‌مدار سعی داشت سخنرانی‌اش را به بیانیه‌های انقلابی شبیه سازد.

The politician tried to make his speech resemble revolutionary manifestos.

Past continuous attempt.

7

تکنولوژی نانو به ما اجازه می‌دهد مواد مصنوعی را به بافت‌های زنده شبیه سازیم.

Nanotechnology allows us to make synthetic materials resemble living tissues.

Complex subject.

8

او با تغییر در دکوراسیون، آپارتمان کوچک خود را به یک عمارت بزرگ شبیه ساخت.

By changing the decoration, he made his small apartment resemble a large mansion.

Gerund phrase.

1

نظریه‌پرداز در صدد است که ساختار قدرت را به یک ارگانیسم زنده شبیه سازد و آن را تحلیل کند.

The theorist intends to make the power structure resemble a living organism and analyze it.

Phrase 'dar sadad ast'.

2

این اثر ادبی چنان با مهارت نوشته شده که تخیل را به واقعیت شبیه ساخته و مرز میان آن‌ها را از بین برده است.

This literary work is written with such skill that it has made imagination resemble reality and removed the boundary between them.

Resultative 'chonān... ke'.

3

در روان‌کاوی، گاهی بیمار تلاش می‌کند درمانگر را به یکی از والدین خود شبیه سازد.

In psychoanalysis, sometimes the patient tries to make the therapist resemble one of their parents.

Psychological terminology.

4

معماران پست‌مدرن با ترکیب سبک‌ها، بناهای جدید را به ویرانه‌های باستانی شبیه می‌سازند تا مفهوم زمان را به چالش بکشند.

Post-modern architects, by combining styles, make new buildings resemble ancient ruins to challenge the concept of time.

Purpose clause.

5

او با استفاده از هوش مصنوعی، سبک آهنگسازی خود را به بتهوون شبیه ساخت، به طوری که تشخیص آن برای کارشناسان دشوار بود.

Using AI, he made his composing style resemble Beethoven, such that it was difficult for experts to distinguish.

Resultative 'be touri ke'.

6

هدف نهایی این پروژه، شبیه ساختن کامل یک مغز مصنوعی به مغز بیولوژیک انسان است.

The ultimate goal of this project is to completely make an artificial brain resemble the human biological brain.

Infinitive as a noun phrase.

7

برخی منتقدان معتقدند که رسانه‌ها واقعیت را به نمایش‌های تلویزیونی شبیه ساخته‌اند.

Some critics believe that the media have made reality resemble television shows.

Subordinate clause with 'ke'.

8

او در نقاشی‌هایش، سکوت را به یک فضای خالی و سفید شبیه ساخته است.

In his paintings, he has made silence resemble an empty, white space.

Metaphorical usage.

Common Collocations

به واقعیت شبیه ساختن
کاملاً شبیه ساختن
به اصل شبیه ساختن
به طبیعت شبیه ساختن
به انسان شبیه ساختن
به تاریخ شبیه ساختن
اندکی شبیه ساختن
به الگو شبیه ساختن
به رویا شبیه ساختن
به هم شبیه ساختن

Common Phrases

شبیه ساختن به هر قیمتی

— To make similar at any cost, implying desperation in imitation.

او می‌خواست خود را به ستاره‌ها شبیه سازد به هر قیمتی.

تلاش برای شبیه ساختن

— The effort involved in making something resemble another.

تلاش برای شبیه ساختن این دو پروژه بیهوده است.

هنر شبیه ساختن

— The skill or art of creating resemblances.

او در هنر شبیه ساختن چهره‌ها استاد است.

دقت در شبیه ساختن

— Precision in the act of making similar.

دقت در شبیه ساختن جزئیات بسیار مهم است.

شبیه ساختن غیرممکن

— An impossible resemblance to create.

شبیه ساختن این سنگ به طلا غیرممکن است.

شبیه ساختن محیط

— Creating a specific atmosphere or environment.

شبیه ساختن محیط برای آزمایش لازم بود.

شبیه ساختن رفتار

— Modeling one's behavior after another.

شبیه ساختن رفتار به الگوهای اخلاقی کار دشواری است.

شبیه ساختن صدا

— Mimicking or synthesizing a voice.

شبیه ساختن صدا با کامپیوتر پیشرفت کرده است.

شبیه ساختن سبک

— Imitating a specific style (artistic or literary).

شبیه ساختن سبک حافظ در شعر امروز دیده می‌شود.

شبیه ساختن ساختار

— Making the structure of two things similar.

آن‌ها ساختار شرکت را به مدل‌های خارجی شبیه ساختند.

Often Confused With

شبیه ساختن vs شبیه شدن

This is intransitive (to become similar), while 'shabih sākhtan' is transitive (to make similar).

شبیه ساختن vs تشبیه کردن

This means to compare or use a metaphor in speech, rather than physically making something look like another.

شبیه ساختن vs شبیه‌سازی کردن

This is specifically for scientific or computer simulations.

Idioms & Expressions

"مو نمی‌زند"

— It doesn't differ by a hair (it's identical). Often used after someone has 'shabih sākh-te' something.

او نقاشی را چنان شبیه ساخت که با اصل مو نمی‌زند.

Informal
"کپی برابر اصل"

— Copy equal to the original. Used to describe the result of 'shabih sākhtan'.

این سند شبیه ساخته شده، کپی برابر اصل است.

Formal/Legal
"مثل سیبی که از وسط نصف کرده باشند"

— Like an apple cut in half (identical). Describes two things made to look the same.

او دو قلوها را چنان شبیه به هم ساخت که مثل سیبی هستند که از وسط نصف شده باشد.

Informal
"به گرد پای کسی نرسیدن"

— To not even reach the dust of someone's feet (to fail to be as good, even when trying to resemble them).

او سعی کرد خود را به استاد شبیه سازد، اما به گرد پای او هم نمی‌رسد.

Informal
"آینه تمام‌نمای کسی بودن"

— To be a full-length mirror of someone (to resemble them perfectly).

او پسرش را به خود شبیه ساخت تا آینه تمام‌نمای او باشد.

Literary
"نقش بر آب کردن"

— To ruin plans (sometimes used when an attempt to 'shabih sākhtan' fails).

تلاش او برای شبیه ساختن گزارش به واقعیت، نقش بر آب شد.

Literary
"خشت اول را کج نهادن"

— To lay the first brick crooked (to start an imitation/construction wrongly).

او در شبیه ساختن مدل خشت اول را کج نهاد.

Informal
"یک رو و یک جهت کردن"

— To make uniform or similar in direction/purpose.

او نظرات را به هم شبیه ساخت و همه را یک رو و یک جهت کرد.

Formal
"آب در هاون کوبیدن"

— To beat water in a mortar (useless effort, often said of poor attempts at 'shabih sākhtan').

شبیه ساختن این دو ایده به هم، آب در هاون کوبیدن است.

Informal
"در قالب کسی رفتن"

— To go into someone's mold (to act exactly like them).

او خود را به قهرمان داستان شبیه ساخت و در قالب او رفت.

Literary

Easily Confused

شبیه ساختن vs ساختن vs سوختن

Similar spelling and sound in some forms.

Sākhtan means to make; Suxtan means to burn. Present stems are 'sāz' and 'suz'.

من مدل را می‌سازم (I make the model) vs من می‌سوزم (I am burning).

شبیه ساختن vs شبیه vs شیوه

Both start with 'shi/sha'.

Shabih means similar; Shive means method/style.

این شبیه آن است vs این شیوه درست است.

شبیه ساختن vs مانند vs مانی

Visual similarity.

Mānand means like/similar; Māni is a name or refers to Manichaeism.

مانند خورشید vs دین مانی.

شبیه ساختن vs تقلید vs تغییر

Both start with 'ta-'.

Taqlid is imitation; Taghyir is change.

تقلید کردن از کسی vs تغییر دادن چیزی.

شبیه ساختن vs یکسان vs یگانه

Both start with 'yek-'.

Yeksān means identical/uniform; Yegāne means unique/sole.

دو چیز یکسان vs خدای یگانه.

Sentence Patterns

A2

[Subject] [Object] rā be [Target] shabih sākht.

او خانه را به قصر شبیه ساخت.

B1

[Subject] sa'y mi-konad [Object] rā be [Target] shabih sāzad.

او سعی می‌کند صدایش را به بلبل شبیه سازد.

B2

Ba estefāde az [Tool], [Object] rā be [Target] shabih sākhtand.

با استفاده از نور، اتاق را به جنگل شبیه ساختند.

C1

[Object] be [Target] shabih sākhte shode ast.

این بنا به معابد قدیمی شبیه ساخته شده است.

C2

Hadaf, shabih sākhtan-e [X] be [Y] ast.

هدف، شبیه ساختن کامل ربات به انسان است.

B2

Agar [Subject] [Object] rā be [Target] shabih besāzad...

اگر او نقاشی را به عکس شبیه بسازد، برنده می‌شود.

B1

Nabāyad [Object] rā be [Target] shabih sākht.

نباید این گزارش را به داستان شبیه ساخت.

C1

Chonān [Object] rā be [Target] shabih sākht ke...

چنان مدل را به واقعیت شبیه ساخت که همه باور کردند.

Word Family

Nouns

شباهت (shabāhat - resemblance)
شبیه (shabih - like/similar)
شبیه‌سازی (shabih-sāzi - simulation)
مشابهت (moshābehat - similarity)

Verbs

شبیه شدن (shabih shodan - to become similar)
شبیه کردن (shabih kardan - to make similar)
تشبیه کردن (tashbih kardan - to compare/metaphorize)

Adjectives

شبیه (shabih - similar)
مشابه (moshābeh - analogous)
همانند (hamānand - identical)
مانند (mānand - like)

Related

ساختن (sākhtan - to make)
سازنده (sāzande - maker/creator)
ساختار (sākhtār - structure)
ساختگی (sākhtegi - artificial/fake)
بازسازی (bāzsāzi - reconstruction)
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How to Use It

frequency

Common in formal writing, rare in casual speech.

Common Mistakes
  • او به برادرش شبیه ساخت. → او خودش را به برادرش شبیه ساخت.

    The verb is transitive; it needs a direct object like 'khodash' (himself).

  • من مدل را با واقعیت شبیه ساختم. → من مدل را به واقعیت شبیه ساختم.

    Use the preposition 'be' (to), not 'bā' (with).

  • آن‌ها فضا را شبیه می‌سوزند. → آن‌ها فضا را شبیه می‌سازند.

    Confusing 'sākhtan' (to make) with 'suxtan' (to burn).

  • او شبیه ساخت به گربه. → او آن را به گربه شبیه ساخت.

    Incorrect word order and missing object.

  • این ساختمان شبیه ساخته است. → این ساختمان شبیه ساخته شده است.

    Using active voice instead of passive voice for a result.

Tips

Watch the Prepositions

Always remember 'rā' for the object and 'be' for the target. 'Man [Object] rā be [Target] shabih sākhtam'.

Use in Writing

When writing for a Persian class or a blog, 'shabih sākhtan' will make your writing sound much more professional than 'shabih kardan'.

Recognize the Root

Whenever you see 'sāz' or 'sākht', think of 'making' or 'constructing'. This will help you decode hundreds of Persian verbs.

The Guttural KH

Don't be afraid to make a strong 'kh' sound in 'sākhtan'. It's a key feature of the Persian accent.

Professional Settings

In meetings or technical discussions, use this verb to describe modeling, prototyping, or aligning projects.

The 'Similar-Make' Rule

Think of it as a literal translation: 'Similar Make'. It follows the exact logic of the English 'to make similar'.

Ta'ziyeh Connection

Remembering the religious plays (Shabih-khāni) can help you remember that 'shabih' involves playing a role or looking like someone else.

Passive Voice

In formal reports, use 'shabih sākhte shod' (was made similar) to sound objective.

Don't Overthink

If you are in a rush, 'shabih kardan' is perfectly fine and 100% understood.

Identify the Agent

When you see 'shabih sākhtan', always look for the person or thing doing the making. It's an active verb.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Shabby' (shabih) and 'Sākhtan' (to make). If you make something that looks 'shabby' like the original, you have 'shabih sākh-te' it. (A bit of a stretch, but helps with the sound!)

Visual Association

Imagine a sculptor (sākhtan) looking at a model and carefully carving a statue (shabih) to look exactly like the person.

Word Web

Art Copy Model Simulation Forgery Mirror Twin Style

Challenge

Try to describe three things in your room that you could 'shabih sākhtan' to something else. For example, 'I can make my chair resemble a throne.'

Word Origin

The word 'shabih' comes from the Arabic root 'sh-b-h' (شبه), which relates to likeness or resemblance. The word 'sākhtan' is a pure Persian verb (Middle Persian 'sāxtan') meaning to prepare, arrange, or build.

Original meaning: To construct a likeness or to prepare a resemblance.

Persian (Indo-European) + Arabic (Semitic) loanword component.

Cultural Context

No specific sensitivities, but be careful when using it to describe people, as it might imply they are 'fake' or 'plastic' if used in the context of surgery (shabih sākhtan-e chehre).

In English, we often use 'modeling after' or 'mimicking'. 'Shabih sākhtan' covers both but sounds more formal, like 'recreating'.

Ta'ziyeh (Shabih-khāni) - Persian passion play. Kamāl-ol-Molk - Famous painter known for 'shabih sākhtan' reality on canvas. Modern Iranian cinema's use of hyper-realistic set design.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Art & Design

  • شبیه ساختن به سبک...
  • شبیه ساختن رنگ‌ها
  • شبیه ساختن بافت
  • شبیه ساختن جزئیات

Technology

  • شبیه ساختن محیط مجازی
  • شبیه ساختن پردازش
  • شبیه ساختن رفتار ربات
  • شبیه ساختن داده‌ها

Literature

  • شبیه ساختن به اسطوره
  • شبیه ساختن لحن
  • شبیه ساختن شخصیت
  • شبیه ساختن پایان داستان

Makeup & Fashion

  • شبیه ساختن چهره
  • شبیه ساختن استایل
  • شبیه ساختن مو
  • شبیه ساختن به مدل

Science

  • شبیه ساختن آزمایش
  • شبیه ساختن شرایط جوی
  • شبیه ساختن سلول
  • شبیه ساختن فرآیند

Conversation Starters

"چگونه می‌توانیم فضای این شهر را به دوران باستان شبیه سازیم؟"

"آیا فکر می‌کنی هوش مصنوعی می‌تواند احساسات را به انسان شبیه سازد؟"

"چرا نویسندگان سعی می‌کنند دنیای فانتزی را به واقعیت شبیه سازند؟"

"بهترین راه برای شبیه ساختن یک کپی به اصل چیست؟"

"آیا تا به حال سعی کرده‌اید دست‌خط خود را به کسی شبیه سازید؟"

Journal Prompts

درباره زمانی بنویسید که سعی کردید رفتار خود را به یک الگو شبیه سازید.

اگر می‌توانستید محیط کارتان را به هر جایی در دنیا شبیه سازید، کجا را انتخاب می‌کردید؟

تکنولوژی چگونه تلاش می‌کند دنیای دیجیتال را به دنیای فیزیکی شبیه سازد؟

آیا شبیه ساختن یک اثر هنری به اثر دیگر، از ارزش آن می‌کاهد یا به آن می‌افزاید؟

توصیف کنید که چگونه یک بازیگر خود را به یک شخصیت تاریخی شبیه می‌سازد.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, you can use it if someone is intentionally making themselves look like someone else, for example through makeup or acting. Example: 'او خودش را به مریلین مونرو شبیه ساخت' (She made herself resemble Marilyn Monroe).

The meaning is identical, but 'shabih sākhtan' is formal and literary, while 'shabih kardan' is neutral and used in everyday speech. In an academic paper, use 'sākhtan'.

'Shabih' is an Arabic loanword, but 'sākhtan' is a native Persian verb. This combination is very common in Persian compound verbs.

The noun for simulation is 'shabih-sāzi' (شبیه‌سازی). The verb 'to simulate' is 'shabih-sāzi kardan'.

Yes, almost always. You need 'be' to introduce the thing that is being imitated (the target). Without it, the sentence is usually incomplete.

Absolutely. You can make an idea resemble another idea, or a political system resemble another. Example: 'آن‌ها قانون را به مدل اروپایی شبیه ساختند'.

The present stem is 'sāz' (ساز). So 'I make' is 'mi-sāzam'.

In this compound verb, 'shabih' functions as the adjective part of the light verb construction.

Yes, this means 'to make similar to each other'. Example: 'او دو طرح را شبیه هم ساخت'.

The word 'shabih' is used, but classical poets often preferred 'mānand' or 'chūn'. 'Shabih sākhtan' is more common in modern formal Persian.

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