This page in your language
فارسی العربية Deutsch Español Français 日本語 한국어 Português 中文 हिन्दी
A2 noun 13 min read

سود

sud
Examples
Explanation سود in your Level:
At the A1 beginner level, you only need to know that 'سود' (sood) means something good, specifically 'profit' or 'benefit'. When you buy something for a low price and sell it for a higher price, the extra money you get is called 'سود'. It is the opposite of 'ضرر' (zarar), which means loss. You will often hear people say 'این کار سود دارد' (This work has profit/is good) or 'سود ندارد' (It has no profit/is not good). It is a very simple and common word used in shops and markets. If you are learning basic Persian to travel or shop in Iran, knowing 'سود' will help you understand when shopkeepers talk about their prices and why they cannot give you a bigger discount. They might say 'سود من کم است' (My profit is little). Remember that it is a noun, and you use it with the verb 'داشتن' (to have) to say something is profitable.
Sign up free to read full explanation
At the A2 elementary level, your understanding of 'سود' expands to include basic sentence structures and common verbs associated with it. You should know that 'سود کردن' means 'to make a profit'. For example, 'من در فروش ماشین سود کردم' (I made a profit selling the car). You also learn that 'سود' is used for bank interest. If you put money in an Iranian bank, the money they pay you every month is called 'سود بانکی'. This is very important for everyday life in Iran. You will also start using it to mean 'benefit' in a general sense, not just for money. For instance, 'خوردن میوه سود دارد' (Eating fruit has a benefit). You should be able to recognize its opposite, 'زیان' (ziyan) or 'ضرر' (zarar), and understand the phrase 'سود و زیان' (profit and loss). At this stage, you can confidently use 'سود' to talk about simple business transactions, banking, and the usefulness of everyday actions.
At the B1 intermediate level, you begin to use 'سود' in more complex sentences and understand its various collocations. You will learn terms like 'سود خالص' (net profit) and 'سود ناخالص' (gross profit). You will understand the subtle difference between 'سود بردن از' (to benefit from something) and 'سود کردن' (to make a financial profit). For example, 'من از این کلاس سود بردم' (I benefited from this class). You will also encounter 'سود' in news broadcasts and newspaper headlines discussing the economy, inflation, and business. You should be comfortable discussing the profitability of different jobs or investments using phrases like 'سوددهی بالایی دارد' (It has high profitability). At this level, you recognize that 'سود' is deeply embedded in Iranian culture, especially regarding the stock market (بورس) and real estate, where everyone is looking for the best 'سود'. You can also differentiate it from 'درآمد' (income).
Sign up free to read full explanation
At the B2 upper-intermediate level, your grasp of 'سود' becomes much more nuanced and formal. You can easily navigate business terminology, discussing 'حاشیه سود' (profit margin), 'سود سهام' (dividends), and 'نرخ سود بانکی' (bank interest rates) in detail. You understand the cultural context of Islamic banking in Iran, where traditional interest is forbidden, and therefore the return on deposits is legally and culturally framed as 'سود' (shared profit). You can use 'سود' metaphorically and in abstract arguments, such as debating the 'سود و زیان' of a political policy or a social change. You are comfortable using prepositional phrases like 'به سود کسی بودن' (to be to someone's advantage) in complex sentences. For example, 'این قانون به سود کارگران نیست' (This law is not to the advantage of the workers). You can seamlessly switch between 'سود', 'منفعت', and 'فایده' depending on the exact shade of meaning and the formality of the situation.
Sign up free to read full explanation
At the C1 advanced level, you wield the word 'سود' with native-like precision across all domains: academic, economic, literary, and colloquial. You understand complex financial jargon such as 'سود مرکب' (compound interest), 'سود انباشته' (retained earnings), and 'سوداگر' (speculator/profiteer - derived from the concept of trading for profit). You can read advanced economic analyses in Persian media and fully comprehend discussions about the Central Bank's manipulation of 'نرخ سود' to control inflation. In literature and formal rhetoric, you appreciate how 'سود' is contrasted with 'زیان' in philosophical contexts about the ultimate value of human endeavors. You are aware of idiomatic expressions and older poetic usages where 'سود' might blend with 'سودا' (trade/passion). Your vocabulary is broad enough that you rarely overuse 'سود' for abstract benefits, naturally opting for 'مزایا', 'منافع', or 'فواید' when appropriate, reserving 'سود' for its most impactful financial and direct advantage contexts.
Sign up free to read full explanation
At the C2 mastery level, your understanding of 'سود' is indistinguishable from an educated native speaker. You can engage in deep, technical debates about macroeconomics, Islamic finance jurisprudence (Fiqh), and corporate accounting, utilizing the precise terminology surrounding 'سود'. You understand the historical evolution of the word and its etymological roots. You can effortlessly deploy proverbs, poetry, and cultural idioms that feature 'سود', understanding the subtle irony or cultural weight behind them. For instance, you understand the societal critique implied when someone is called 'سودجو' (profit-seeking/opportunistic) in different political climates. You can write academic papers or professional business contracts in Persian, accurately defining the terms of 'تقسیم سود' (profit sharing) and liability. Your use of the word is fluid, contextually perfect, and deeply integrated with your comprehensive knowledge of Iranian society, history, and economic philosophy.
Sign up free to read full explanation
Examples
The Persian word 'سود' (sood) is a fundamental and highly versatile noun that primarily translates to 'profit', 'gain', 'benefit', or 'interest' in English. It is an essential vocabulary word for anyone learning Persian, especially those interested in business, economics, daily commerce, or even general conversations about the usefulness of an action. Understanding 'سود' requires looking at its three main contexts: commercial profit, banking interest, and general benefit. In the commercial world, 'سود' refers to the financial gain achieved when the revenue from a business activity exceeds the expenses, costs, and taxes involved. Whether you are bargaining in the historic Grand Bazaar of Tehran or discussing international trade, this word is ubiquitous. Shopkeepers calculate their 'سود', companies publish their 'سود و زیان' (profit and loss) statements, and investors seek the highest possible 'سود'. Beyond the simple buying and selling of goods, 'سود' has a very specific and critical meaning in the Iranian banking system. Due to Islamic banking principles, which prohibit 'usury' or traditional interest (often referred to as 'بهره' or 'bahreh'), the return on investment or the money paid by a bank on a savings account is officially and colloquially called 'سود' (profit). Therefore, when an Iranian talks about the 'interest rate' of their bank account, they will say 'نرخ سود بانکی' (bank profit rate). This cultural and economic nuance is crucial for learners to grasp, as using the word 'bahreh' might imply something different or carry a negative connotation in formal financial contexts. Thirdly, 'سود' is frequently used in a non-financial, abstract sense to mean 'benefit', 'use', or 'advantage'. If a mother tells her child to eat vegetables because they have 'سود' for the body, she is talking about health benefits, not financial gain. Similarly, if an action is described as 'بی‌سود' (bi-sood), it means it is useless or futile.
Commercial Profit
Used to describe the net or gross financial gain from business transactions, sales, and corporate revenues. It is the cornerstone of economic vocabulary in Persian.

این معامله برای ما سود زیادی داشت.

This transaction had a lot of profit for us.
Banking Interest
In Iran, the money you earn from keeping your savings in a bank is called 'sood', aligning with Islamic finance laws that frame it as a shared profit rather than a fixed interest charge.

بانک‌ها امسال سود سپرده‌ها را افزایش دادند.

The banks increased the interest (profit) on deposits this year.
General Benefit
Refers to the usefulness, advantage, or positive outcome of any action, habit, or object, entirely separate from money.

ورزش کردن برای سلامتی سود دارد.

Exercising has a benefit for health.

بحث کردن با او هیچ سودی ندارد.

Arguing with him has no benefit (is useless).

شرکت ما به سود خالص رسید.

Our company reached a net profit.
In everyday conversations, you will hear people using 'سود' to evaluate their choices. For instance, when deciding whether to buy a car now or wait, someone might say 'الان خریدن سود بیشتری دارد' (buying now has more profit/benefit). This dual nature of the word—bridging the gap between cold, hard cash and abstract personal advantage—makes it incredibly powerful. Learning to navigate the subtle shifts in meaning based on context will significantly elevate your Persian comprehension and fluency. Whether you are reading a financial newspaper like 'Donya-e-Eqtesad', listening to the news, or just chatting with a friend about the best way to spend your time, 'سود' is a word you cannot avoid. It encapsulates the human desire for progress, gain, and positive outcomes in all aspects of life.
Using the word 'سود' correctly in Persian sentences involves mastering a few specific compound verbs and collocations. Because Persian heavily relies on compound verbs (a noun or adjective paired with a light verb), you cannot simply use 'سود' as a verb on its own. It must be combined with verbs like 'کردن' (kardan - to do), 'بردن' (bordan - to take/carry), 'دادن' (dadan - to give), or 'داشتن' (dashtan - to have). Each combination creates a slightly different shade of meaning and is used in different contexts. The most common verb is 'سود کردن' (sood kardan), which literally means 'to do profit'. This is the standard way to say 'to make a profit' in a business or financial sense. If you buy a house and sell it for a higher price, you would say 'من سود کردم' (I made a profit). Another very common verb is 'سود بردن' (sood bordan), which translates to 'to take profit' or 'to benefit from'. This is often used when someone gains an advantage from a situation, not necessarily financial. For example, 'او از این موقعیت سود برد' (He benefited from this situation). When you want to describe an investment, a business, or an action as being profitable or beneficial, you use 'سود داشتن' (sood dashtan - to have profit). For instance, 'این کار سود دارد' means 'This work is profitable/beneficial'. Finally, if an entity like a bank or a company pays out profits or interest to its clients or shareholders, the verb 'سود دادن' (sood dadan - to give profit) is used.
سود کردن (To make a profit)
Used primarily for financial gains achieved by an individual or a business entity through transactions, sales, or investments.

ما در فروش ماشین سود کردیم.

We made a profit in selling the car.
سود بردن (To benefit/gain advantage)
Used when someone extracts a benefit, advantage, or financial gain from a specific situation, person, or resource. It takes the preposition 'از' (az - from).

دانش‌آموزان از این کلاس سود می‌برند.

The students benefit from this class.
سود داشتن (To be profitable/beneficial)
Used to describe the nature of a business, action, or item as possessing inherent value, profit, or usefulness.

سرمایه‌گذاری در بورس سود دارد.

Investing in the stock market is profitable.

این پروژه برای ما سودی نداشت.

This project had no profit/benefit for us.

بانک ملی چقدر سود می‌دهد؟

How much interest does Bank Melli give?
You can also use 'سود' in prepositional phrases like 'به سود...' (be sood-e...), which means 'in favor of...' or 'to the advantage of...'. For example, in a sports match or a legal dispute, you might hear 'داور به سود تیم ما سوت زد' (The referee blew the whistle in favor of our team). This shows how the concept of financial profit extends metaphorically into the realm of general advantage and bias. When structuring sentences with 'سود', pay close attention to adjectives. You will frequently encounter 'سود خالص' (net profit), 'سود ناخالص' (gross profit), 'سود کلان' (huge profit), and 'سود بانکی' (bank interest). These adjectives always follow the noun, adhering to the standard Persian noun-adjective structure linked by the Ezafe vowel (e.g., sood-e khales). Mastering these sentence patterns will allow you to discuss a wide range of topics, from personal finance to abstract philosophy, with native-like fluency.
The word 'سود' is incredibly common in Persian and permeates various aspects of daily life, media, and specialized fields. You will hear it most frequently in commercial environments, banking institutions, news broadcasts, and everyday conversations about decision-making. If you walk through any bazaar in Iran, from the historic Grand Bazaar in Tehran to modern shopping malls, the concept of 'سود' is the driving force behind every transaction. Shopkeepers discuss their profit margins, wholesalers negotiate prices to maximize their 'سود', and buyers might even playfully argue that a seller is making too much 'سود' on a particular item. In the banking sector, the word is absolutely inescapable. Every advertisement for a new savings account, every consultation with a bank teller, and every financial news report will prominently feature the term 'سود بانکی' (bank interest/profit). Because the Iranian economy experiences significant inflation, discussions about where to invest money to get the highest 'سود' are a national pastime. People constantly compare the 'سود' offered by different banks, the stock market (بورس), or the real estate market.
The Stock Market (Bourse)
In financial news and among investors, 'sood' is used to describe dividends (سود سهام) and capital gains. It is the ultimate metric of success in the Tehran Stock Exchange.

امسال شرکت ما سود سهام خوبی پرداخت کرد.

This year our company paid a good dividend (stock profit).
News and Media
Economic news bulletins constantly report on the 'sood' of national industries, the 'sood' rates set by the Central Bank, and the profitability of exports.

اخبار اعلام کرد که سود بانکی کاهش می‌یابد.

The news announced that bank interest will decrease.
Everyday Advice and Philosophy
Beyond money, 'sood' is heavily used in giving advice. Parents tell children about the 'sood' of education, and friends discuss the 'sood' of learning a new language.

یادگیری زبان جدید همیشه سود دارد.

Learning a new language always has benefits.

این دارو برای بیمار هیچ سودی نداشت.

This medicine had no benefit for the patient.

تلاش‌های او بالاخره سود داد.

His efforts finally paid off (yielded profit/benefit).
You will also encounter 'سود' in legal and formal documents. Contracts often stipulate how 'سود' will be divided among partners (تقسیم سود). In literature and poetry, while older words like 'منفعت' (manfa'at) might be more common, 'سود' is still used to contrast with 'زیان' (ziyan - loss) as a metaphor for the gains and losses of life, love, and spiritual endeavors. The word's simplicity and profound impact make it one of the most frequently spoken nouns in the Persian language, bridging the gap between the material concerns of the bazaar and the practical wisdom of everyday life.
When learning the Persian word 'سود', English speakers often make a few predictable mistakes, usually stemming from direct translation issues or confusion with similar Persian words. The most significant trap involves the translation of the English word 'interest' in a financial context. In English, we use 'interest' for both the money a bank pays you for your savings and the money you pay the bank for a loan. In Persian, however, there is a distinct and culturally important difference. The money you earn from a bank is 'سود' (profit), aligning with Islamic banking principles. However, the money you are charged for borrowing a loan is technically 'بهره' (bahreh) or 'کارمزد' (karmozd - service fee). Using 'سود' to describe the interest you owe on a loan is technically incorrect and can lead to confusion, though colloquially some people might loosely refer to the bank's profit from the loan as 'سود'. Another common mistake is confusing 'سود' with words like 'فایده' (faydeh) or 'منفعت' (manfa'at) when talking about abstract benefits. While they are often interchangeable in the sense of 'usefulness', 'سود' has a much stronger financial connotation.
Confusing Bank Interest vs. Loan Interest
Learners often say they have to pay 'sood' on their loan. While understandable, the correct financial term for loan interest is 'bahreh' or 'karmozd'. 'Sood' is what you *earn*.

من از بانک سود می‌گیرم، اما برای وام بهره می‌دهم.

I receive interest (profit) from the bank, but I pay interest (bahreh) for the loan.
Incorrect Verb Pairing
English speakers might try to translate 'to make a profit' directly by using 'sakhtan' (to make). 'Sood sakhtan' is incorrect. You must use 'sood kardan' (to do profit).

اشتباه: من در این کار سود ساختم. | درست: من در این کار سود کردم.

Wrong: I made (built) profit. | Correct: I made (did) profit.
Preposition Errors with 'Sood Bordan'
When saying 'to benefit from', learners sometimes use 'baraye' (for) instead of the correct preposition 'az' (from).

او از این فرصت سود برد.

He benefited from this opportunity. (Not 'baraye in forsat')

این کتاب برای من سود داشت.

This book was beneficial for me. (Using 'dashtan' correctly with 'baraye')

آیا این سرمایه‌گذاری سوددهی دارد؟

Does this investment have profitability?
Another subtle mistake is overusing 'سود' in highly emotional or romantic contexts where 'فایده' would be more natural. If you are complaining that a relationship is pointless, saying 'این رابطه سود ندارد' sounds a bit cold and calculating, as if you are evaluating a business merger. It is much more natural to say 'این رابطه فایده ندارد' (This relationship has no use/point). By paying attention to these nuances, you will sound much more like a native speaker and avoid awkward financial implications in your personal conversations.
The Persian language is rich with vocabulary related to gain, benefit, and advantage. While 'سود' is the most common and versatile word for 'profit', there are several alternatives that native speakers use to add nuance, formality, or specific context to their speech. Understanding these synonyms will greatly enrich your vocabulary and allow you to express yourself more precisely. The most common alternative is 'فایده' (faydeh), an Arabic loanword that translates to 'benefit', 'use', or 'advantage'. While 'سود' strongly implies financial gain, 'فایده' is much more frequently used for abstract, practical, or health benefits. For example, you would say 'ورزش فایده دارد' (exercise has benefits) rather than 'ورزش سود دارد', though both are understood. Another closely related word is 'منفعت' (manfa'at), also an Arabic loanword. 'منفعت' is a more formal and slightly broader term than 'سود'. It encompasses financial profit, personal gain, and general advantage. It is often used in political or formal contexts, such as 'منافع ملی' (national interests).
فایده (Faydeh - Benefit/Use)
Best used for non-financial benefits, usefulness, and practical advantages. It is the go-to word when saying 'there is no point/use' (faydeh nadarad).

گریه کردن دیگر فایده‌ای ندارد.

Crying has no use/benefit anymore.
منفعت (Manfa'at - Interest/Advantage)
A formal alternative that covers both financial profit and strategic advantage. Often used in plural form (manaafe') for 'interests'.

این قرارداد برای هر دو کشور منفعت دارد.

This contract has an advantage/benefit for both countries.
درآمد (Daramad - Income/Revenue)
Often confused with profit. 'Daramad' is the total money coming in (revenue or salary), whereas 'sood' is what is left after deducting costs.

درآمد من بالاست، اما هزینه‌ها هم زیاد است.

My income is high, but the expenses are also a lot.

این دستگاه بازده بالایی دارد.

This machine has a high yield/efficiency (bazdeh).

او فقط به فکر نفع خودش است.

He only thinks about his own benefit (naf').
Other related words include 'بهره' (bahreh), which can mean interest on a loan, exploitation, or sharing in a benefit. 'بازده' (bazdeh) is used for 'yield' or 'return on investment', especially in technical or agricultural contexts. 'ثمره' (samareh) literally means 'fruit' but is used metaphorically for the 'fruit of one's labor' or the result/benefit of hard work. By choosing the right alternative, you can convey exact nuances: use 'سود' for the cash in your pocket, 'فایده' for the health in your body, 'درآمد' for your monthly salary, and 'منفعت' for your long-term strategic goals. This level of vocabulary discrimination marks the transition from a beginner to an advanced speaker of Persian.
Sign up free to read full explanation

Examples by Level

1

این کار سود دارد.

This work has profit.

Subject + Object + Verb (dashtan).

2

سود من خیلی کم است.

My profit is very little.

Possessive pronoun attached: sood-e man.

3

آیا این کتاب سود دارد؟

Does this book have a benefit?

Question structure with 'Aya'.

4

ما سود کردیم.

We made a profit.

Compound verb 'sood kardan' in past tense.

5

این مغازه سود ندارد.

This shop has no profit.

Negative verb 'nadarad'.

6

سود و ضرر.

Profit and loss.

Common noun conjunction.

7

من سود می‌خواهم.

I want profit.

Direct object before the verb.

8

سود خوب است.

Profit is good.

Simple copula sentence.

1

من در فروش ماشین سود کردم.

I made a profit in selling the car.

Preposition 'dar' (in) used for the context of the profit.

2

بانک به ما سود می‌دهد.

The bank gives us interest (profit).

Compound verb 'sood dadan' (to give profit).

3

ورزش برای بدن سود دارد.

Exercise has a benefit for the body.

Using 'baraye' (for) to show who/what benefits.

4

آنها سود زیادی بردند.

They took a lot of profit/benefit.

Compound verb 'sood bordan' in past tense.

5

این معامله سود خوبی داشت.

This transaction had a good profit.

Adjective 'khoobi' modifying 'sood'.

6

بدون سود نمی‌توان کار کرد.

Without profit, one cannot work.

Preposition 'bedoon-e' (without).

7

سود این کار چقدر است؟

How much is the profit of this work?

Question word 'cheghadr' (how much).

8

او فقط به سود خودش فکر می‌کند.

He only thinks about his own profit.

Reflexive pronoun 'khodash'.

1

سود خالص شرکت امسال افزایش یافت.

The company's net profit increased this year.

Adjective 'khales' (net) following the noun.

2

دانش‌آموزان از این روش جدید سود می‌برند.

Students benefit from this new method.

'az ... sood bordan' (to benefit from).

Sign up free to see all examples

Related Content

Was this helpful?

Comments (0)

Login to Comment
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!