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شنیدن

A1 verb #2,000 most common 6 min read

شنیدن

Top 2,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips شنیدن in 30 Seconds

Explanation شنیدن in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'شنیدن' (to hear) is introduced as a basic sensory verb. Learners focus on simple present and past tense conjugations to describe everyday sounds. You learn to say 'I hear a sound' (صدا می‌شنوم) or 'I heard your voice' (صدایت را شنیدم). The focus is on the physical act of hearing and using it in simple sentences about family, home, and immediate surroundings. It is often taught alongside other senses like 'دیدن' (to see). At this stage, the distinction between hearing and listening is kept simple, and the primary goal is recognizing the word in basic conversations, such as on the phone when someone asks 'Do you hear me?'.

At the A2 level, the use of 'شنیدن' expands to include hearing news or information. You start using it with 'که' (that) to report what you've heard: 'شنیدم که تو مریضی' (I heard that you are sick). Learners also begin to encounter the word in the context of media, such as 'شنیدن اخبار' (hearing the news). You learn the imperative 'بشنو' (hear/listen) and start to understand the difference between 'شنیدن' and 'گوش دادن' in more practical contexts. The vocabulary around the verb grows to include 'شنونده' (listener) and basic collocations like 'صدای بلند' (loud sound).

By B1, you are expected to use 'شنیدن' in more complex grammatical structures, including the subjunctive and perfect tenses. You might say 'باید بشنوم' (I must hear) or 'شنیده‌ام' (I have heard). The verb is used to discuss rumors, reputations, and social information. You start to understand the cultural importance of 'hearing' in Persian society—how news travels and the etiquette of 'hearing' advice. You can describe auditory experiences in more detail, using adverbs like 'به‌وضوح' (clearly) or 'به‌سختی' (hardly). The verb also appears in more common idioms and proverbs used in daily conversation.

At the B2 level, 'شنیدن' is used in abstract and metaphorical ways. You understand its role in expressing obedience or agreement (e.g., 'حرف‌شنوی'). You can handle the passive voice 'شنیده شدن' comfortably to discuss what 'is said' in society or politics. You start to encounter the verb in more formal texts, including editorials and literature, where it might describe 'hearing' the voice of the people or 'hearing' a call to action. Your ability to distinguish between 'شنیدن' and its formal synonym 'استماع' becomes more refined, and you can use the verb to participate in debates about media and communication.

At the C1 level, you master the nuances of 'شنیدن' in classical and contemporary literature. You can analyze how poets like Rumi use 'شنیدن' as a metaphor for spiritual awakening. You are comfortable with archaic forms like 'نیوشیدن' and can recognize them in poetry. You use 'شنیدن' to discuss complex social phenomena, such as the 'unheard' voices of marginalized groups. Your usage includes sophisticated collocations and rare idioms. You can also use the verb in academic writing to describe auditory perception or the reception of theories and ideas in a historical context.

At the C2 level, your command of 'شنیدن' is indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native speaker. You can use the verb in all its historical, poetic, and technical dimensions. You understand the subtle differences in meaning across various Persian dialects and historical periods. You can write essays on the 'aesthetics of hearing' in Persian culture or translate complex auditory metaphors from other languages into Persian with ease. You are familiar with the most obscure proverbs involving 'شنیدن' and can use them with perfect timing and irony in high-level discourse.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

شنیدن in 30 Seconds

A1-C2 core verb for hearing sounds and news.
Past stem: شنید (shenid); Present stem: شنو (shenav).
Distinguished from 'listening' (گوش دادن) by its passive nature.
Essential for phone calls, news, and daily gossip.

The Persian verb شنیدن (Shenidan) is a fundamental pillar of the Persian language, primarily representing the physiological act of hearing. At its core, it describes the process where sound waves reach the ear and are perceived by the brain. However, in the rich tapestry of Persian linguistics, it extends far beyond simple acoustics. It encompasses the act of receiving news, being informed, and even the passive reception of wisdom or gossip. Unlike 'listening' (گوش دادن), which implies an active, intentional focus, shenidan often occurs whether the subject intends it or not. It is the difference between hearing a bird chirp in the background and listening to a lecture. In classical literature, it is often paired with 'seeing' (دیدن) to contrast sensory experiences.

Grammatical Root: The past stem is شنید and the present stem is شنو.

صدای باران را می‌شنوم.

I hear the sound of rain.

In a broader philosophical context, شنیدن is used to describe the acquisition of reputation. When someone says 'I have heard much of you,' they use this verb to signify that your name has reached their ears through the social ether. It is also the root of the word 'شنونده' (listener/audience), which is vital in media and broadcasting contexts. Understanding the nuance between the involuntary 'hearing' and the voluntary 'listening' is the first step toward Persian fluency.

Transitivity: It is a transitive verb, usually requiring the direct object marker 'را' (ra) for specific sounds or news.

خبر را از رادیو شنیدم.

Using شنیدن correctly requires mastering its two stems. For past tenses, we use شنید (shenid). For example, 'I heard' is 'شنیدم' (shenidam). For present and future tenses, we use شنو (shenav). For example, 'I hear' is 'می‌شنوم' (mi-shenavam). Note the 'v' sound at the end of the present stem, which often becomes a soft 'o' or is dropped in colloquial speech, but in standard written Persian, it is distinct.

Conjugation Pattern: Present: می‌شنوم، می‌شنوی، می‌شنود... Past: شنیدم، شنیدی، شنید...

آیا صدای من را می‌شنوی؟

Do you hear my voice? (Common on phone calls)

When you want to express that you have heard *about* something, you often use the preposition 'درباره' (about) or 'از' (from). For instance, 'I heard from Ali that...' (از علی شنیدم که...). This is a very common way to introduce information or rumors. In more advanced usage, the passive form 'شنیده شدن' (to be heard) is used to describe things that are rumored or commonly said: 'شنیده می‌شود که...' (It is heard/rumored that...).

Imperative Form: The imperative is 'بشنو' (Beshnav), meaning 'Hear!' or 'Listen up!'.

بشنو از نی چون حکایت می‌کند.

Hear from the reed as it tells its tale (Rumi's Masnavi).

You will encounter شنیدن in almost every auditory context in Iran and the Persian-speaking world. In the digital age, it is the standard verb used in telecommunications. If a connection is poor, the first thing you'll hear is 'صدات نمیاد' (Your voice isn't coming - colloquial) or 'صدای شما را نمی‌شنوم' (I don't hear your voice - formal). It is also the primary verb used in news broadcasts: 'شنوندگان عزیز...' (Dear listeners...).

Media Context: Radio hosts always address their audience as 'شنوندگان' (Listeners).

او به شنیدن موسیقی علاقه دارد.

He is interested in hearing/listening to music.

In social gatherings, shenidan is the gateway to storytelling. Phrases like 'شنیدی چی شده؟' (Did you hear what happened?) are the universal starters for gossip or sharing news. In legal or formal settings, the term 'استماع' (estema')—the Arabic-rooted synonym—is used for 'hearing' a case or a witness, but the judge will still use 'شنیدن' when speaking naturally. Furthermore, in Sufi and mystical Persian literature, 'hearing' is a spiritual act of receiving divine truth, often contrasted with the 'blindness' of the material world.

Social Context: Used to confirm understanding or receipt of information in a conversation.

حرف‌هایت را می‌شنوم اما باور نمی‌کنم.

The most frequent mistake for English speakers is confusing شنیدن (to hear) with گوش دادن (to listen). While English sometimes uses them interchangeably, Persian is more strict. If you are paying attention to a teacher, you must use 'گوش دادن'. If you simply hear the teacher's voice while daydreaming, you use 'شنیدن'. Using 'شنیدن' when you mean 'listening intently' can make you sound passive or uninterested.

The 'Ra' Marker: Forgetting 'را' after a specific sound. It's 'صدای تو را شنیدم', not 'صدای تو شنیدم'.

Incorrect: من موسیقی شنیدم (when you mean you listened to it).

Another common error involves the present stem. Many learners forget the 'v' sound in 'می‌شنوم' and try to conjugate it like 'می‌شنم', which is incorrect. Also, be careful with the passive form. Learners often try to use 'شنیده شدم' to mean 'I was heard,' but in Persian, this is often better expressed as 'صدایم شنیده شد' (My voice was heard). Finally, avoid using 'شنیدن' for 'smelling' or 'feeling'—though some archaic texts use 'شنیدن' for 'smelling' (بوییدن), in modern Persian, this is strictly incorrect and will confuse native speakers.

Stem Confusion: Confusing 'شنو' (present) with 'شناس' (present stem of 'to know/recognize').

Correct: من صدای او را می‌شنوم.

While شنیدن is the most common verb, several others occupy the same semantic space. گوش دادن (Gush dādan) is its closest relative, meaning 'to listen'. استماع کردن (Estemā' kardan) is the formal, Arabic-derived version used in legal, academic, or highly formal contexts. There is also نیوشیدن (Nyushidan), an archaic and highly poetic verb for 'listening' or 'drinking in' sounds, which you will only find in classical poetry like the Shahnameh.

Comparison: Shenidan vs. Gush Dadan: Shenidan = Passive (Hearing). Gush Dadan = Active (Listening).

او شنید، اما گوش نداد.

He heard, but he didn't listen.

Another related word is فهمیدن (Fahmidan - to understand). In Persian, 'Do you hear me?' can sometimes imply 'Do you understand me?'. Additionally, پذیرفتن (Paziroftan - to accept) is sometimes used metaphorically when someone 'hears' a request and agrees to it. In modern slang, 'شنیدن' is sometimes replaced by 'شنفتن' (Shenoftan) in certain dialects, though this is considered non-standard in Tehran. Understanding these synonyms allows for a more nuanced expression of auditory experiences.

Formal Alternative: استماع (Estemā') is used in phrases like 'جلسه استماع' (Hearing session).

پند پیران را بنیوش.

Listen to the advice of the elders (Poetic/Archaic).

How Formal Is It?

Difficulty Rating

Grammar to Know

Direct object marker 'ra'

Present continuous prefix 'mi-'

Passive construction with 'shodan'

Short infinitive usage

Subjunctive mood with 'bāyad'

Examples by Level

من صدای تو را می‌شنوم.

I hear your voice.

Present continuous (habitual) with 'ra' marker.

او صدای باران را شنید.

He/she heard the sound of rain.

Simple past tense.

ما چیزی نمی‌شنویم.

We don't hear anything.

Negative present tense.

آیا صدا را شنیدی؟

Did you hear the sound?

Question in simple past.

آن‌ها موسیقی می‌شنوند.

They hear music.

Third person plural present.

من صدای گربه را شنیدم.

I heard the cat's voice (meow).

Possessive construction with 'ra'.

بشنو!

Hear! / Listen!

Imperative form.

تو صدای من را نمی‌شنوی.

You don't hear my voice.

Negative present second person.

شنیدم که تو به ایران می‌روی.

I heard that you are going to Iran.

Reporting news with 'ke'.

او خبر را از رادیو شنید.

He heard the news from the radio.

Preposition 'az' (from).

ما داستان‌های زیادی شنیدیم.

We heard many stories.

Plural object.

آیا خبر جدید را شنیده‌اید؟

Have you heard the new news?

Present perfect tense.

من هرگز این آهنگ را نشنیده بودم.

I had never heard this song.

Past perfect tense.

او همیشه به حرف‌های مادرش می‌شنود.

He always listens to (hears) his mother's words.

Used here for obedience.

شنیدن این خبر سخت بود.

Hearing this news was hard.

Gerund/Infinitive as subject.

صدای پرندگان را در باغ می‌شنویم.

We hear the birds' voices in the garden.

Location preposition 'dar'.

امیدوارم صدای من را به خوبی بشنوید.

I hope you hear my voice well.

Subjunctive mood after 'omivāram'.

شنیده‌ام که در امتحان موفق شده‌ای.

I've heard that you succeeded in the exam.

Present perfect for rumors/news.

او طوری رفتار می‌کند که انگار چیزی نشنیده است.

He acts as if he hasn't heard anything.

Conditional 'engār' with perfect subjunctive.

باید حرف‌های هر دو طرف را شنید.

One must hear the words of both sides.

Impersonal 'bāyad' with short infinitive.

از دور صدای طبل شنیده می‌شد.

The sound of drums was being heard from afar.

Passive imperfect.

شنیدن کی بود مانند دیدن؟

When was hearing like seeing? (Proverb)

Rhetorical question/Proverb.

او از شنیدن این حرف‌ها خسته شده است.

He is tired of hearing these words.

Prepositional phrase with infinitive.

صدای خنده از اتاق کناری می‌شنویم.

We hear the sound of laughter from the next room.

Present continuous.

شنیده می‌شود که دولت قصد تغییر قوانین را دارد.

It is heard (rumored) that the government intends to change the laws.

Passive 'shenide mishavad' for rumors.

او با شنیدن نام او، رنگش پرید.

Upon hearing his name, he turned pale.

Gerund phrase as an adverbial of time.

باید به صدای قلبت بشنوی.

You must listen to (hear) the voice of your heart.

Metaphorical use.

این موسیقی ارزش چندین بار شنیدن را دارد.

This music is worth hearing several times.

Infinitive as a noun.

او هیچ‌گاه نصیحت‌های پدرش را نشنید.

He never 'heard' (heeded) his father's advice.

Metaphorical for obedience.

صدای فریاد او در کل ساختمان شنیده شد.

His shout was heard throughout the building.

Passive simple past.

آیا تا به حال چنین چیزی شنیده‌اید؟

Have you ever heard such a thing?

Present perfect with 'tā be hāl'.

شنیدن این سخنان برای او گران تمام شد.

Hearing these words cost him dearly.

Idiomatic expression 'gerān tamām shodan'.

عارفان معتقدند که باید با گوش جان شنید.

Mystics believe that one must hear with the ear of the soul.

Mystical/Formal vocabulary.

او در میان هیاهو، صدای حقیقت را می‌شنید.

Amidst the clamor, he heard the voice of truth.

Literary register.

این واژه در متون کهن به معنای بوییدن نیز شنیده شده است.

This word has also been 'heard' (recorded) in ancient texts with the meaning of smelling.

Technical linguistic usage.

او چنان در افکارش غرق بود که صدای زنگ را نشنید.

He was so immersed in his thoughts that he didn't hear the bell.

Result clause with 'chonān... ke'.

شنیدن ناله‌های مظلومان، وظیفه‌ی هر انسانی است.

Hearing the moans of the oppressed is the duty of every human.

Ethical/Formal context.

او از شنیدن این خبر، بهت‌زده شد.

He became stunned upon hearing this news.

Advanced adjective 'beht-zade'.

بشنو این نی چون شکایت می‌کند / از جدایی‌ها حکایت می‌کند.

Hear this reed as it complains / It tells the tale of separations.

Classical poetry (Rumi).

او هرگز نخواست که حقیقت را بشنود.

He never wanted to hear the truth.

Subjunctive after 'khāstan'.

طنین صدای او در تالار تاریخ همواره شنیده خواهد شد.

The resonance of his voice will always be heard in the halls of history.

Future passive, highly formal.

او با گوش فرادادن به کائنات، نغمه‌های پنهان را می‌شنید.

By listening to the universe, he heard hidden melodies.

Metaphysical context.

در این وادی، سکوت خود نوعی شنیدن است.

In this realm, silence itself is a type of hearing.

Philosophical paradox.

او از پسِ قرن‌ها، صدای نیاکانش را می‌شنید.

Across the centuries, he heard the voices of his ancestors.

Temporal metaphor.

شنیدنِ نانوشته‌ها، هنرِ نویسندگان بزرگ است.

Hearing the unwritten is the art of great writers.

Abstract noun construction.

او در محضر استاد، به استماعِ حقایق پرداخت.

In the presence of the master, he engaged in hearing (receiving) the truths.

Use of 'estemā' in a compound verb.

گوشِ نامحرم نباشد جای پیغامِ سروش.

The ear of the stranger is no place for the message of the angel.

Classical poetry (Hafez).

او چنان به نیوشیدنِ کلامِ حق معتاد بود که جز آن نمی‌شنید.

He was so addicted to hearing the word of Truth that he heard nothing else.

Archaic 'nyushidan' used for emphasis.

Common Collocations

صدای کسی را شنیدن

خبر شنیدن

موسیقی شنیدن

حرف شنیدن

بوی چیزی را شنیدن (archaic)

نام کسی را شنیدن

پند شنیدن

شایعه شنیدن

پاسخ شنیدن

دروغ شنیدن

Common Phrases

شنیدی چی شد؟

جایی نشنوم ها!

شنیدن کی بود مانند دیدن

حرف‌شنوی داشتن

گوشم نمی‌شنود

شنیده می‌شود که...

بشنو و باور نکن

از کسی شنیدن

صدایت نمی‌آید (colloquial for not hearing)

خوش‌خبر باشی (response to hearing good news)

Often Confused With

شنیدن vs گوش دادن (to listen)

شنیدن vs فهمیدن (to understand)

شنیدن vs شناختن (to recognize)

Idioms & Expressions

"شنیدن کی بود مانند دیدن (Hearing is not like seeing)"

"یک گوشش در است و یکی دروازه (In one ear, out the other)"

"حرف‌شنوی داشتن (To be obedient)"

"گوش خواباندن (To listen secretly/wait for news)"

"پنبه در گوش کردن (To refuse to hear)"

"دیوار موش دارد، موش هم گوش دارد (Walls have ears)"

"شنیدن از دهان کسی (To hear directly from someone)"

"گوش به زنگ بودن (To be on the lookout/listening for news)"

"صدایش بعداً در می‌آید (The consequences will be heard later)"

"گوش پر بودن (To be tired of hearing something)"

Easily Confused

شنیدن vs گوش دادن

Active attention vs. passive perception.

شنیدن vs شنفتن

Colloquial/Dialectal variant of shenidan.

شنیدن vs شناختن

To know/recognize someone, similar sound but different root.

Sentence Patterns

How to Use It

obedience

In a family context, 'حرف‌شنوی' is a virtue for children.

phone etiquette

Always confirm hearing with 'صداتون رو دارم' or 'می‌شنوم'.

Common Mistakes

Using 'شنیدن' for active listening (should be 'گوش دادن').
Forgetting the present stem 'v' (saying 'می‌شنم' instead of 'می‌شنوم').
Omitting 'ra' for specific sounds.
Using it for 'smelling' in modern conversation.
Confusing the past stem 'shenid' with 'shenākht'.

Tips

Stem Mastery

Always remember the 'v' in the present stem 'shenav'. It's the key to correct conjugation.

News vs. Sound

Use 'شنیدن' for both hearing a physical sound and hearing a piece of news.

Proverb Power

Memorize 'شنیدن کی بود مانند دیدن' to impress native speakers during debates.

Phone Calls

When the line is bad, say 'صداتون قطع و وصل می‌شه' (Your voice is cutting in and out) along with 'نمی‌شنوم'.

Radio Practice

Listen to Persian radio; you will hear the word 'شنوندگان' (listeners) constantly.

Passive Voice

Use 'شنیده شد' to describe sounds in a story to create a more atmospheric feel.

Root Link

Link 'Shenidan' with 'Sound'. Both start with an 'S' sound in English and Persian.

Gossip Intro

Start a juicy story with 'شنیدی چی شده؟' to immediately grab attention.

Rumi's Ney

Read the first line of the Masnavi to see 'Beshnav' in its most famous context.

Avoid 'Gush Shenidan'

Never combine 'gush' and 'shenidan'. It's either 'gush dādan' or just 'shenidan'.

Memorize It

Word Origin

Middle Persian (Pahlavi) 'ashnūdan', from Old Persian 'ā-sunu-'.

Cultural Context

Rumi's Masnavi begins with 'Beshnav' (Hear/Listen).

Interrupting someone while they are being 'heard' is considered very rude.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Conversation Starters

"آخرین خبرها را شنیده‌ای؟"

"صدای من را واضح می‌شنوی؟"

"درباره‌ی این رستوران چیزی شنیده‌ای؟"

"کدام موسیقی را بیشتر می‌شنوی؟"

"آیا صدای باران را دوست داری بشنوی؟"

Journal Prompts

امروز چه صداهای جالبی شنیدی؟

بهترین خبری که تا به حال شنیده‌ای چه بود؟

آیا ترجیح می‌دهی کتاب بخوانی یا به کتاب صوتی بشنوی؟

وقتی صدای دریا را می‌شنوی چه حسی داری؟

یک ضرب‌المثل درباره شنیدن بنویس.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

The present stem is 'شنو' (shenav). It is used for the present tense (می‌شنوم) and the imperative (بشنو).

You say 'شنیدم' (shenidam). It uses the past stem 'شنید' plus the personal ending '-am'.

No, 'شنیدن' is 'to hear' (passive). 'گوش دادن' is 'to listen' (active). Use 'شنیدن' for sounds that just happen.

In very old poetry, yes. In modern Persian, no. Use 'بوییدن' for smelling.

It means 'it is heard' or 'it is rumored'. It is a common way to report unconfirmed news.

The word for listener is 'شنونده' (shenavandeh).

Yes, it follows the standard rules for past and present stem formation for its class.

The imperative is 'بشنو' (beshnav), meaning 'Hear!'.

You can say 'خبر را شنیدم' (I heard the news) or 'شنیدم که...' (I heard that...).

Yes, 'استماع کردن' is the formal/Arabic-rooted version used in official contexts.