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B1 adjective 9 min read

شنوا

Examples Notes & Tips شنوا in 30 Seconds
Explanation شنوا in your Level:
At the A1 level, you don't need to worry about the complex philosophical meanings of 'شنوا'. You should focus on it as a simple adjective that means 'hearing' or 'can hear.' It is the opposite of 'ناشنوا' (deaf). At this stage, you might encounter it in basic sentences about the five senses. For example, 'من شنوا هستم' (I am hearing/I can hear). You might also see it in very simple medical contexts or when learning about body parts and their functions. Think of it as a basic building block for describing a person's physical state. You won't use it as much as the verb 'شنیدن' (to hear), but it's good to recognize it as a word related to the ear (گوش). Just remember that it describes a person's ability, not just a one-time action.
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At the A2 level, you can begin to use 'شنوا' in more descriptive sentences. You might describe a family member or a pet. For example, 'سگ من خیلی شنوا است' (My dog is very hearing/has sharp hearing). You also start to see the word in compound forms or basic idioms. The most important phrase to learn at this level is 'گوش شنوا' (a listening ear). Even if you don't use it in complex metaphors, knowing that 'شنوا' goes with 'گوش' (ear) is a great step. You can use it to say 'او به من گوش نمی‌دهد، او گوش شنوا ندارد' (He doesn't listen to me; he doesn't have a listening ear). This level is about moving from purely physical descriptions to basic behavioral descriptions. You should also be able to distinguish between 'شنوا' and 'ناشنوا' in simple texts or signs.
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At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using 'شنوا' in both its literal and metaphorical senses. You understand that 'شنوا' is often used to describe someone who is receptive to advice or ideas. This is the level where you can participate in discussions about social issues or personal relationships. For example, you might say, 'برای حل این مشکل، ما به یک مدیر شنوا نیاز داریم' (To solve this problem, we need a hearing/receptive manager). You also begin to notice the word in more formal contexts, such as news reports or health articles. You understand the difference between the noun 'شنوایی' (hearing sense) and the adjective 'شنوا'. You can also use the word to describe God in a spiritual context, reflecting the cultural depth of the term in Persian-speaking societies.
At the B2 level, you can use 'شنوا' with nuance and precision. You are aware of its synonyms like 'حرف‌شنو' (obedient) and 'نیوشا' (poetic listener) and can choose the right word for the right register. You can use 'شنوا' in formal writing, such as an essay about education for the hearing-impaired or a critique of a public speech. You understand that 'شنوا' can be used ironically—for example, describing someone who 'hears' but chooses not to 'listen.' You are also familiar with the word's appearance in classical literature and can explain its significance in a poem or a proverb. Your usage of the idiom 'گوش شنوا' becomes more sophisticated, and you can integrate it into complex sentence structures to express subtle emotional states.
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At the C1 level, 'شنوا' becomes a tool for deep philosophical and rhetorical expression. You can discuss the etymology of the word and its connection to the Middle Persian roots. You are capable of analyzing how 'شنوا' is used in the works of Rumi or Hafez to represent a soul's readiness for divine revelation. In professional contexts, you can use the word in specialized fields like audiology, law, or sociology with perfect accuracy. You can distinguish between the subtle shades of meaning when 'شنوا' is used in a legal definition of 'competency' versus a mystical definition of 'enlightenment.' You can also use the word to create your own metaphors in creative writing, playing with its sounds and historical connotations to evoke specific feelings in your audience.
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At the C2 level, you have a near-native command of 'شنوا'. You can use it in any register, from the most colloquial slang to the most archaic courtly Persian. You understand the word's role in the development of the Persian language and its interaction with Arabic theological terms like 'Sami'. You can engage in high-level academic debates about the 'phenomenology of the hearing ear' in Persian thought. You can spot the word in the most obscure classical texts and interpret its meaning based on the historical context. For you, 'شنوا' is not just a vocabulary word; it is a cultural concept that encapsulates Iranian values of empathy, receptivity, and spiritual attunement. You use it effortlessly, with perfect stress and intonation, reflecting its deep-seated resonance in the Persian psyche.
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Examples Notes & Tips

شنوا in 30 Seconds

  • Shenavā means 'hearing' or 'having the sense of hearing,' derived from the verb 'shenidan.'
  • It is the direct opposite of 'nāshenavā' (deaf) and 'kor' (deaf).
  • Metaphorically, it describes a person who is receptive, empathetic, and willing to listen to advice.
  • The phrase 'goosh-e shenavā' (listening ear) is a common idiom for receptivity and empathy.

The Persian word شنوا (shenavā) is a fundamental adjective derived from the infinitive شنیدن (shenidan), which means 'to hear.' At its most literal level, it describes the biological capability of perceiving sound. If a person is described as شنوا, it signifies that their auditory system is functional. However, in Persian culture and linguistics, the word transcends simple biology. It carries a heavy weight of 'receptivity' and 'understanding.' Being شنوا often implies that one is not just hearing noise, but is actively processing and accepting information, advice, or truth. This duality makes it a powerful word in both medical contexts and deep philosophical or poetic discussions. For instance, in a medical setting, you might discuss a child's hearing health using this term, but in a family dispute, you might lament the lack of a 'listening ear' using the exact same root.

Biological State
In clinical or descriptive terms, it refers to the opposite of being deaf (ناشنوا). It is used to categorize individuals who possess the sense of hearing. For example, in educational policy, distinguishing between 'hearing' and 'hearing-impaired' students uses this specific adjective to define the former group's physiological status.

نوزاد کاملاً شنوا است و به صداها واکنش نشان می‌دهد.
(The newborn is perfectly hearing and reacts to sounds.)

Metaphorical Receptivity
Metaphorically, it describes a person who is willing to listen to reason, advice, or the needs of others. To have a 'hearing ear' (گوش شنوا) is a common Persian idiom meaning to be open-minded and empathetic. It suggests that the listener is not just physically hearing the words, but is emotionally and intellectually present to receive the message being delivered.

Furthermore, the word has significant religious and spiritual connotations. In the Islamic tradition, which has deeply influenced the Persian language, one of the names of God is As-Sami, which translates to 'The All-Hearing.' In Persian, this is often expressed through the concept of God being the ultimate شنوا to the prayers and whispers of the heart. This adds a layer of sanctity to the word, suggesting that true 'hearing' is an attribute of the divine and those who seek truth. Whether you are reading a medical report, a Rumi poem, or a modern psychological blog, شنوا serves as the bridge between the physical act of hearing and the spiritual act of listening.

Using شنوا correctly requires understanding its role as an adjective. It typically follows the noun it modifies via the Ezafe construction (e.g., کودکِ شنوا - the hearing child) or functions as a predicate adjective after a linking verb like بودن (to be). Because it is a formal and precise word, it is often found in literature, formal speeches, and medical contexts, though its idiomatic forms are very common in daily conversation. When you use it, you are emphasizing the *capacity* or *state* of hearing rather than the *action* of listening. For instance, if you say 'او شنوا است,' you are stating a fact about their senses. If you say 'او می‌شنود,' you are describing an action occurring right now.

The 'Listening Ear' Idiom
The most common way you will use this word in daily life is in the phrase 'گوش شنوا' (goosh-e shenavā). This is used to describe a person or an audience that is receptive. For example: 'در این شهر هیچ گوش شنوایی برای دردهای من نیست' (In this city, there is no hearing ear for my pains). This is a powerful way to express frustration with a lack of empathy or attention.

او همیشه برای دوستانش یک گوش شنوا دارد.
(He always has a listening ear for his friends.)

In formal or legal Persian, شنوا might appear in definitions regarding disability rights. For example, laws might specify the rights of both 'شنوا' (hearing) and 'ناشنوا' (deaf) citizens to ensure equal access to information. In these contexts, the word is used with clinical neutrality. Contrast this with classical Persian poetry, where the 'hearing' ear is often contrasted with the 'blind' heart. The poet might ask the reader to be 'شنوا' to the secrets of the universe, suggesting that the physical ear is just the gateway to a deeper, spiritual understanding.

Combining with Adverbs
You can modify 'شنوا' with adverbs like 'کاملاً' (completely) or 'به‌سختی' (hardly/with difficulty) to specify the degree of hearing. 'او به‌سختی شنوا است' (He is hard of hearing) is a formal way to describe someone with auditory challenges without using the more colloquial 'سنگین‌گوش'.

The word شنوا is ubiquitous across various domains of Persian life, but its frequency and nuance change depending on the setting. In the modern world, one of the most common places you will encounter it is in **medical and educational environments**. If you visit an audiologist in Tehran, the forms will ask about 'وضعیت شنوا بودن' (the state of being hearing). Schools for the deaf are often called 'مدرسه ناشنوایان,' implicitly defining the standard as 'شنوا.' You will also hear it frequently in **social and political discourse**. Activists or citizens often complain that the government has no 'گوش شنوا' (listening ear) for their demands. This usage is so common in newspapers and televised debates that it has become a standard metaphor for political responsiveness or lack thereof.

جامعه باید برای شنیدن صدای اقلیت‌ها گوش شنوا داشته باشد.
(Society must have a listening ear to hear the voices of minorities.)

Another significant domain is **classical and contemporary literature**. Persian is a language of poetry, and the concept of 'hearing' the truth is a recurring theme. In the works of Rumi (Molana), the ear is often described as a 'shenavā' vessel that must be purified to hear the divine flute. If you attend a poetry reading or a 'Shab-e Sher' (Poetry Night), you will likely hear 'شنوا' used to describe a soul that is attuned to the deeper rhythms of existence. Furthermore, in **religious sermons or Quranic commentaries**, the attribute of being 'شنوا' is attributed to the Creator, emphasizing that no prayer goes unheard. This gives the word a sense of omnipresence and reliability.

In Modern Media
On Persian podcasts or talk shows, hosts often thank their 'شنوندگان' (listeners). While 'شنونده' is the noun, they might describe their audience as 'شنوا و آگاه' (hearing and aware), complimenting the audience's ability to not just listen but to understand the nuances of the discussion.

For English speakers learning Persian, the most common mistake is confusing the adjective شنوا (shenavā) with the noun شنونده (shenavandeh). While both come from the same root, they serve different functions. شنوا describes a *capability* or a *permanent trait* (e.g., being a hearing person), whereas شنونده describes a *role* or an *active participant* (e.g., a listener at a concert). You wouldn't call a radio listener a 'شنوا'; you would call them a 'شنونده.' Conversely, you wouldn't say a person with good hearing is a 'شنونده'; they are 'شنوا.' Confusing these two can make your Persian sound clunky or medically inaccurate.

Confusing 'شنوا' with 'شنوایی'
Another frequent error is using 'شنوا' when you mean 'شنوایی' (shenavāyi). 'شنوایی' is the noun meaning 'hearing' (the sense itself). For example, 'My hearing is weak' should be 'شنوایی من ضعیف است,' not 'شنوای من ضعیف است.' Remember: 'شنوا' is the person/ear that *has* the sense; 'شنوایی' is the sense *itself*.

Mistake: او یک شنوا خوب است.
Correct: او یک شنونده خوب است.
(He is a good listener.)

A third mistake involves the idiom 'گوش شنوا.' Learners often try to translate 'listening ear' literally as 'گوشِ در حالِ گوش دادن,' which is grammatically correct but idiomatically dead. In Persian, if you want to say someone is receptive, you *must* use 'شنوا.' Also, ensure you don't confuse شنوا with گویا (speaking/eloquent). While they rhyme and are often paired in literature (شنوا و گویا - hearing and speaking), they are opposites in terms of the direction of communication. Finally, be careful with the suffix '-vā'. In this word, it functions to create an adjective of capability, but in other words like 'پیشوا' (leader), it has a different historical derivation. Don't assume all '-vā' words are related to senses.

When looking for alternatives to شنوا, the choice depends heavily on whether you are speaking literally or metaphorically. In literal contexts, there aren't many direct synonyms for the biological state of hearing, but you can use descriptive phrases. In metaphorical contexts, however, Persian is rich with synonyms that describe someone who pays attention or follows advice. Understanding these nuances will help you move from a B1 level to more advanced fluency.

شنوا vs. نیوشا (Niyushā)
نیوشا is a beautiful, more poetic synonym. While 'شنوا' is functional and common, 'نیوشا' (from the verb 'نیوشیدن') implies a deeper, more intentional listening. It is often used as a girl's name in Iran, symbolizing someone who listens with their soul. Use 'شنوا' for general hearing and 'نیوشا' for literary or highly respectful contexts.
شنوا vs. سمیع (Sami')
سمیع is an Arabic loanword used primarily in religious or extremely formal contexts. As mentioned, it is one of the 99 names of God. You would rarely use 'سمیع' to describe a friend, but you would see it in the Quran or in high-level theology to describe the All-Hearing nature of the Divine.
شنوا vs. حرف‌شنو (Harf-sheno)
حرف‌شنو is a very common compound adjective used in daily life. It literally means 'word-hearing,' but it translates to 'obedient' or 'compliant.' While 'شنوا' means you *can* hear, 'حرف‌شنو' means you *do what you're told*. You might say a child is 'شنوا' (has good hearing) but not 'حرف‌شنو' (doesn't follow instructions).

Comparison:
1. او شنوا است (He can hear sounds).
2. او حرف‌شنو است (He is obedient/listens to advice).
3. او نیوشای کلام توست (He is a deep listener of your words - Poetic).

Fun Fact

The root of 'shenavā' is distantly related to the English word 'listen' and the Greek 'kleos' (glory), as both involve the concept of 'that which is heard.'

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ʃɛnɒːvɒː/
US /ʃɛnɑːvɑː/
The stress is heavily placed on the final syllable: she-na-VĀ.
Rhymes With
گویا (Gooyā - speaking) پویا (Pooyā - dynamic) جویا (Jooyā - seeking) روا (Ravā - permissible) نوا (Navā - melody) دوا (Davā - medicine) هوا (Havā - air) بی‌نوا (Bi-navā - poor/destitute)
Common Errors
  • Pronouncing the final 'ā' as a short 'a' (like 'apple'). It must be long.
  • Putting the stress on the first syllable (SHE-na-va).
  • Confusing the 'v' sound with a 'w' sound. In modern Persian, it is a 'v' (labiodental).
  • Swallowing the middle 'a' sound.
  • Pronouncing it like 'shenavandeh' by mistake.
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Examples by Level

1

او شنوا است.

He is hearing.

Simple subject + adjective + linking verb.

2

آیا گربه شما شنوا است؟

Is your cat hearing?

Question form using 'آیا'.

3

من شنوا هستم اما برادرم ناشنوا است.

I am hearing but my brother is deaf.

Contrast using 'اما'.

4

گوش‌های او شنوا هستند.

His ears are hearing.

Plural subject with plural verb.

5

بچه شنوا به صدا می‌خندد.

The hearing child laughs at the sound.

Adjective modifying a noun (Ezafe).

6

همه ما شنوا هستیم.

We are all hearing.

Collective subject.

7

این مرد شنوا نیست.

This man is not hearing.

Negative form 'نیست'.

8

گوش شنوا خوب است.

A hearing ear is good.

Basic noun phrase.

1

او برای حرف‌های من گوش شنوا دارد.

He has a listening ear for my words.

Idiomatic use of 'گوش شنوا'.

2

یک دانش‌آموز شنوا در کلاس ما است.

A hearing student is in our class.

Indefinite noun with adjective.

3

پدربزرگ هنوز کمی شنوا است.

Grandpa is still a bit hearing.

Use of 'هنوز' (still) and 'کمی' (a bit).

4

باید گوش شنوا داشته باشیم.

We must have a listening ear.

Modal verb 'باید'.

5

او شنوا به نصیحت‌های پدرش است.

He is hearing (receptive) to his father's advice.

Prepositional phrase 'به نصیحت‌های'.

6

آیا این کودک کاملاً شنوا است؟

Is this child completely hearing?

Adverb 'کاملاً' modifying 'شنوا'.

7

او به دنبال یک گوش شنوا می‌گردد.

She is looking for a listening ear.

Present progressive 'می‌گردد'.

8

شنوا بودن یک نعمت است.

Being hearing is a blessing.

Gerund form 'شنوا بودن'.

1

در این اداره، هیچ گوش شنوایی برای شکایات نیست.

In this office, there is no listening ear for complaints.

Use of 'هیچ' for emphasis.

2

خداوند شنوا و دانا است.

God is All-Hearing and All-Knowing.

Religious context, pairing adjectives.

3

هنرمند باید گوش شنوایی برای نقد داشته باشد.

An artist must have a listening ear for criticism.

Subjunctive 'داشته باشد'.

4

او فردی شنوا و با‌محبت است.

He is a hearing (receptive) and kind person.

Compound description.

5

تکنولوژی به افراد غیر‌شنوا کمک می‌کند تا شنوا شوند.

Technology helps non-hearing people to become hearing.

Verb 'شدن' (to become).

6

ما به یک جامعه شنوا نیاز داریم.

We need a hearing (receptive) society.

Abstract noun modification.

7

او همیشه شنوا به مشکلات دیگران است.

He is always hearing (attentive) to others' problems.

Adverb of frequency 'همیشه'.

8

آیا گوش شنوایی در این خانه هست؟

Is there a listening ear in this house?

Rhetorical question.

1

مدیر موفق کسی است که گوش شنوایی برای کارمندانش دارد.

A successful manager is someone who has a listening ear for their employees.

Relative clause 'کسی است که'.

2

او با وجود مشکلات، همچنان شنوا و صبور باقی ماند.

Despite the problems, he remained hearing (attentive) and patient.

Concessive phrase 'با وجود'.

3

این طرح برای آگاه‌سازی افراد شنوا درباره فرهنگ ناشنوایان است.

This plan is for raising awareness of hearing people about deaf culture.

Noun used as a group 'افراد شنوا'.

4

او گوشی شنوا برای موسیقی کلاسیک دارد.

He has a 'hearing ear' (keen ear) for classical music.

Specialized idiomatic use.

5

سیاستمداران باید گوش شنوای ملت باشند.

Politicians must be the hearing ear of the nation.

Metaphorical plural.

6

او به شکلی غیرمنتظره شنوا به پیشنهادات جدید بود.

He was unexpectedly hearing (receptive) to new suggestions.

Adverbial phrase 'به شکلی غیرمنتظره'.

7

در روانشناسی، داشتن گوش شنوا اولین قدم درمان است.

In psychology, having a listening ear is the first step of treatment.

Subject as a gerund phrase.

8

طبیعت برای کسانی که شنوا هستند، رازهای زیادی دارد.

Nature has many secrets for those who are hearing (attuned).

Philosophical usage.

1

عارفان معتقدند که تنها قلب شنوا می‌تواند حقیقت را درک کند.

Mystics believe that only a hearing heart can perceive the truth.

Complex subject 'قلب شنوا'.

2

نقد ادبی نیازمند ذهنی باز و گوشی شنوا است.

Literary criticism requires an open mind and a hearing ear.

Formal requirement structure.

3

او در میان هیاهوی شهر، شنوای صدای سکوت بود.

Amidst the city's clamor, he was hearing the sound of silence.

Literary paradox.

4

دولت مدعی است که گوش شنوایی برای مطالبات مردمی دارد.

The government claims to have a listening ear for public demands.

Use of 'مدعی است' (claims).

5

این موسیقی برای هر گوش شنوایی، پیامی از عشق دارد.

This music has a message of love for every hearing ear.

Universal quantifier 'هر'.

6

او شنوایِ نغمه‌هایِ پنهانیِ هستی بود.

He was the hearer of the hidden melodies of existence.

Poetic Ezafe chain.

7

عدم وجود گوش شنوا در خانواده، ریشه بسیاری از بزهکاری‌هاست.

The lack of a listening ear in the family is the root of many delinquencies.

Sociological context.

8

او با دقتی فیلسوفانه، شنوایِ استدلال‌های مخالف بود.

With philosophical precision, he was hearing (attentive to) opposing arguments.

Adverbial 'با دقتی فیلسوفانه'.

1

در متون کلاسیک، شنوا بودن صفتِ ذاتیِ خردورزان شمرده می‌شود.

In classical texts, being hearing is considered an inherent attribute of the wise.

Passive voice 'شمرده می‌شود'.

2

او چنان در مراقبه غرق بود که تنها شنوایِ ترنمِ جان خویش گشت.

He was so immersed in meditation that he became only the hearer of his own soul's melody.

Archaic verb 'گشت' (became).

3

تبیینِ جایگاهِ فردِ شنوا در تقابل با جهانِ صامت، موضوعِ رساله او بود.

Explaining the position of the hearing individual in contrast to the silent world was the subject of his thesis.

Highly formal academic structure.

4

او با گوشی شنوا و چشمی بینا، به واکاویِ لایه‌هایِ زیرینِ اجتماع پرداخت.

With a hearing ear and a seeing eye, he proceeded to analyze the underlying layers of society.

Paired adjectives 'شنوا و بینا'.

5

فقدانِ گوشِ شنوا در ساحتِ سیاست، به انسدادِ گفتمان منجر شده است.

The absence of a listening ear in the political sphere has led to a discourse blockage.

Abstract political terminology.

6

او در وادیِ عرفان، شنوایِ ندایِ حق بود که از هر سو برمی‌خاست.

In the realm of mysticism, he was hearing the call of Truth rising from every direction.

Mystical terminology 'ندای حق'.

7

شاعر با بیانی استعاری، خود را گوشی شنوا برایِ واژگانِ ناگفته می‌داند.

The poet, with metaphorical expression, considers himself a hearing ear for unspoken words.

Reflexive 'خود را ... می‌داند'.

8

هر که را گوشِ شنوا نیست، از ادراکِ لطایفِ کلام محروم است.

Whoever lacks a hearing ear is deprived of perceiving the subtleties of speech.

Classical syntax 'هر که را ... نیست'.

Common Collocations

گوش شنوا
فرد شنوا
قلب شنوا
جامعه شنوا
گوشی شنوا برای موسیقی
قدرت شنوا
شنوا و بینا
کودک شنوا
ذهن شنوا
شنوا به حقیقت

Common Phrases

گوش شنوا داشتن

— To be willing to listen to advice or complaints. It implies empathy.

رئیس جدید گوش شنوایی برای مشکلات ما دارد.

گوش شنوا نبودن

— To be indifferent or stubborn; refusing to listen to reason.

متاسفانه در این مورد گوش شنوایی نیست.

دنبال گوش شنوا گشتن

— Searching for someone who will listen and understand one's feelings.

او فقط به دنبال یک گوش شنوا برای دردهایش است.

شنوا بودن به...

— To be attentive or responsive to a specific thing (advice, calls, etc.).

او همیشه به ندای وجدانش شنوا است.

شنوا و گویا

— A phrase describing someone who can both hear and speak, often used in literature.

انسان موجودی شنوا و گویا است.

گوش شنوایی نیست

— A common complaint meaning 'no one is listening' or 'it's falling on deaf ears.'

هر چه می‌گویم، گوش شنوایی نیست.

شنوا به پند

— To be receptive to counsel or moral advice.

جوانان باید به پند پیران شنوا باشند.

شنوا به نقد

— To be open to criticism without being defensive.

یک نویسنده بزرگ همیشه شنوا به نقد است.

گوش شنوایِ روزگار

— A poetic way to say the world or fate is listening.

فریاد او به گوش شنوای روزگار نرسید.

شنوا به صدایِ دل

— To be in touch with one's inner feelings or intuition.

او همیشه شنوا به صدای دلش بود.

Idioms & Expressions

"گوش شنوا داشتن"

— To be receptive and empathetic. It's the most common idiom involving this word.

او برای همه گوش شنوا دارد.

Neutral/Common
"گوش اگر گوش تو و ناله اگر ناله من"

— A poetic idiom (from a famous verse) implying that if the listener is indifferent, the crying won't matter. It implies a lack of a 'hearing ear.'

گوش اگر گوش تو و ناله اگر ناله من، آنچه البته به جایی نرسد فریاد است.

Literary
"پنبه در گوش داشتن"

— Literally 'to have cotton in one's ears,' meaning to refuse to be 'شنوا' or listen to advice.

انگار پنبه در گوش دارد و هیچ نمی‌شنود.

Informal
"گوشش بدهکار نیست"

— Another way to say someone isn't 'شنوا' to advice; they don't care what you say.

هر چه نصیحتش می‌کنم، گوشش بدهکار نیست.

Informal
"شنوا به حق"

— To be receptive to the truth, often used in religious or ethical contexts.

او مردی شنوا به حق بود.

Formal
"گوشِ جان سپردن"

— To listen with one's soul; a more intense version of being 'شنوا'.

او به موسیقی با گوش جان سپرد.

Poetic
"گوش به زنگ بودن"

— To be alert and ready to hear something (like 'ears peeled').

برای خبرهای جدید گوش به زنگ باش.

Neutral
"یک گوشش در است و یکی دروازه"

— In one ear and out the other; describing someone who isn't effectively 'شنوا'.

نصیحت‌های من برای او یک گوشش در است و یکی دروازه.

Informal
"گوشِ تیز داشتن"

— To have very sharp hearing; to be 'شنوا' to even the smallest sounds.

او برای شنیدن غیبت گوش تیزی دارد.

Informal
"گوش به فرمان بودن"

— To be ready to hear and obey commands.

سربازان گوش به فرمان فرمانده بودند.

Formal

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

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Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'She knows' (She-na-va). 'She knows' because she is 'hearing' and 'listening' to everything you say. She is a 'Shenavā'.

Visual Association

Imagine a giant, golden ear that is open and glowing, representing a 'hearing ear' (goosh-e shenavā) that catches every word and understands it.

Word Web

گوش (Ear) شنیدن (To hear) صدا (Sound) حرف‌شنو (Obedient) ناشنوا (Deaf) سمیع (All-Hearing) شنونده (Listener) شنوایی (Hearing sense)

Challenge

Try to use 'گوش شنوا' in a sentence today when talking about a friend who helped you. For example: 'ممنون که گوش شنوای من بودی' (Thanks for being my listening ear).

Word Origin

Derived from the Middle Persian (Pahlavi) root 'ashnu-', which evolved into the modern Persian verb 'shenidan'. The suffix '-vā' is an ancient Iranian suffix used to form adjectives of capability or state.

Original meaning: The original root meant 'to hear' or 'to listen.' In ancient Indo-European roots, it is related to the concept of 'fame' or 'glory' (what is heard about someone).

Indo-European -> Indo-Iranian -> Iranian -> Western Iranian -> New Persian.
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