When something spreads, it goes from one place to many places, or from one person to many people. Imagine a small fire growing bigger and covering a larger area; that's spreading. Or, think about a funny story that everyone starts telling; that's also spreading.
When we talk about a disease, contagious means it can easily go from one person to another. If one person has a cold and then others around them get sick too, the cold is contagious. So, سرایت کردن is often used when a sickness moves from person to person.
§ Understanding the Nuances of سرایت کردن
When you're learning Persian, especially at the B1 level, you start encountering words that have specific uses and common pitfalls for English speakers. The verb سرایت کردن (sarāyat kardan) is one such word. While its core meaning is 'to spread' or 'to be contagious,' there are nuances and common mistakes that can trip you up.
The biggest mistake people make is using it too broadly, like they would use 'spread' in English. In Persian, سرایت کردن almost exclusively refers to the spread of diseases, infections, or sometimes abstract concepts like ideas or emotions, but even then, it carries a strong connotation of something 'catching' or 'infectious.' It's not for general physical spreading.
§ Mistake 1: Using it for physical spreading (e.g., butter, jam)
Imagine you want to say 'I spread butter on my toast.' You absolutely cannot use سرایت کردن here. This is a common error because 'spread' is a direct translation. For physical spreading of substances, you would use verbs like مالیدن (mālidan) which means 'to rub' or 'to spread' (like butter or cream), or پخش کردن (pakhsh kardan) which means 'to distribute' or 'to spread out' (like news or items).
- Wrong:
- من کره را روی نان تست سرایت کردم.
This sentence would sound completely wrong to a native speaker. It implies the butter is contagious!
- Correct:
- من کره را روی نان تست مالیدم.
I spread butter on the toast.
§ Mistake 2: Using it for news or information spreading
While you might 'spread' news in English, سرایت کردن isn't the right choice for information. For news or rumors, you'd use پخش شدن (pakhsh shodan - to be distributed/spread) or منتشر شدن (montasher shodan - to be published/spread).
- Wrong:
- این خبر به سرعت سرایت کرد.
Again, this implies the news is a disease!
- Correct:
- این خبر به سرعت پخش شد.
This news spread quickly.
§ When to use سرایت کردن correctly
Remember, the primary use of سرایت کردن is for health-related contexts:
- Diseases: The most common use.
- Infections: Similar to diseases.
- Viruses/Bacteria: How they spread.
این ویروس به راحتی سرایت می کند.
This virus spreads easily.
It can also be used for abstract things that 'catch on' or 'infect' in a metaphorical sense, but be careful:
شادی او به همه سرایت کرد.
His joy spread to everyone (everyone 'caught' his joy).
§ Summary of common mistakes
To avoid sounding unnatural, always consider the context. سرایت کردن is a powerful verb specifically linked to contagions. Misusing it can lead to amusing (but incorrect) sentences. Keep practicing, and you'll get the hang of it!
Fun Fact
The root 'سَرَى' (sarā) in Arabic has a broad semantic range, including concepts of traveling by night, flowing, and penetrating, which gives insight into how 'سرایت کردن' came to mean spreading or being contagious.
Difficulty Rating
Common verb, but the full infinitive might be slightly longer for beginners.
Standard verb conjugation, but requires knowledge of 'kardan'.
Pronunciation is straightforward once familiar with 'سرایت'.
Often heard in contexts of health and news.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Past Stem: To form the past stem of 'سرایت کردن' (sarâyat kardan), you drop the infinitive ending '-an' from 'کردن' (kardan) and are left with 'کرد' (kard). The verb 'سرایت' (sarâyat) remains unchanged. So, the past stem is 'سرایت کرد' (sarâyat kard).
بیماری به سرعت سرایت کرد. (The disease spread quickly.)
Present Stem: To form the present stem, you take the root of 'کردن' (kardan) which is 'کن' (kon). The verb 'سرایت' (sarâyat) remains unchanged. So, the present stem is 'سرایت کن' (sarâyat kon).
این بیماری خیلی سریع سرایت میکند. (This disease spreads very quickly.)
Transitivity: 'سرایت کردن' is an intransitive verb, meaning it does not take a direct object. The thing that spreads is the subject of the sentence.
شادی او به همه سرایت کرد. (His joy spread to everyone.)
Usage with Prepositions: When referring to something spreading 'to' a place or person, you often use the preposition 'به' (be).
ویروس به شهرهای دیگر سرایت کرد. (The virus spread to other cities.)
Figurative Use: This verb can also be used figuratively to describe the spread of emotions, ideas, or trends, not just diseases.
روحیه مثبت به همه سرایت کرد. (The positive spirit spread to everyone.)
Examples by Level
ویروس سرایت می کند.
The virus spreads.
Simple present tense.
بیماری به سرعت سرایت می کند.
The disease spreads quickly.
Adverb 'quickly' (به سرعت) before the verb.
عفونت سرایت کرد.
The infection spread.
Simple past tense.
سرماخوردگی سرایت کننده است.
A cold is contagious.
Using the present participle as an adjective.
این بیماری واگیردار سرایت می کند.
This contagious disease spreads.
Adjective 'contagious' (واگیردار) before the noun.
سرایت بیماری را متوقف کنید.
Stop the spread of the disease.
Imperative verb 'stop' (متوقف کنید).
ترس می تواند سرایت کند.
Fear can spread.
Modal verb 'can' (می تواند) before the main verb.
این حرف به دیگران سرایت کرد.
This word (rumor) spread to others.
Preposition 'to' (به) with the indirect object.
How to Use It
Use سرایت کردن (sarāyat kardan) when talking about something spreading, especially diseases. It implies contagion or transmission. For example, a flu can سرایت کردن (spread). You wouldn't use this for something like butter spreading on toast.
A common mistake is using this verb for general spreading where there is no sense of contagion or transmission. For instance, do not use it for 'the news spread quickly.' Instead, you would use verbs like پخش شدن (pakhsh shodan) or منتشر شدن (montasher shodan) for news spreading.
Tips
Basic Meaning
The core meaning of سرایت کردن (serâyat kardan) is 'to spread' or 'to be contagious.' Think of a virus spreading.
Usage with Illness
This verb is most commonly used when talking about diseases or illnesses spreading. For example: 'بیماری سرایت میکند' (bimâri serâyat mikonad) means 'the disease spreads.'
Transitive or Intransitive?
سرایت کردن is generally intransitive, meaning it doesn't take a direct object. The disease itself spreads.
Past Tense Example
To say 'it spread,' you would use: 'سرایت کرد' (serâyat kard). For instance: 'آنفولانزا به سرعت سرایت کرد' (ânfolânzâ be sor'at serâyat kard) - 'The flu spread quickly.'
Present Tense Example
For 'it spreads': 'سرایت میکند' (serâyat mikonad). Example: 'این ویروس به راحتی سرایت میکند' (in virûs be râhati serâyat mikonad) - 'This virus spreads easily.'
Associated Noun
The noun form is سرایت (serâyat), meaning 'contagion' or 'transmission.' You might hear 'خطر سرایت' (khatar-e serâyat) which means 'risk of contagion.'
Formal Context
While common, سرایت کردن is more often heard in formal or news contexts when discussing health. In casual speech, you might hear simpler phrases like 'پخش شدن' (pakhsh shodan) for general spreading.
Don't Use for Physical Spreading
Don't use سرایت کردن for things like butter spreading on bread or paint spreading on a wall. It's specifically for disease/influence. Use 'پخش شدن' (pakhsh shodan) for general physical spreading.
Figurative Use (Less Common)
Less commonly, it can be used figuratively for abstract things like emotions or rumors spreading, but its primary association is with disease. For example: 'شایعه سرایت کرد' (shâye'e serâyat kard) - 'The rumor spread.'
Root Meaning
The root of سرایت (serâyat) comes from Arabic, meaning 'to move from one place to another,' which helps explain its meaning of transmission.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Imagine a 'sir' (سر) with a 'yeti' (یت) who 'spreads' a contagious giggle across the whole class! The 'sir' is contagious with his 'yeti' laugh.
Visual Association
Picture a droplet of water (representing a disease or idea) hitting a surface and rapidly expanding, 'spreading' outwards. You can also visualize a chain reaction, like dominoes falling, where the 'spread' is visible from one to the next. The word itself, سرایت کردن, looks a bit like 'sir-aye-it kardan'. Imagine 'Sir Ayyat' who has a contagious yawn that 'spreads' to everyone around him.
Word Web
Challenge
Try to describe a situation where something spread. For example, 'The news of the concert quickly spread throughout the city.' (خبر کنسرت به سرعت در شهر سرایت کرد.) Or, 'The flu virus spread among the students.' (ویروس آنفلوآنزا بین دانش آموزان سرایت کرد.) Now, try to use it in a sentence about a non-physical spread, like an idea. 'His enthusiasm spread to the whole team.' (شور و اشتیاق او به کل تیم سرایت کرد.)
Word Origin
Arabic
Original meaning: to flow, to run (as in water), to penetrate, to spread
Afro-Asiatic (Semitic branch)Cultural Context
While 'سرایت کردن' primarily refers to the spread of illness, it can also be used metaphorically in Persian to describe the spread of ideas, emotions, or even habits within a community. For example, one might say 'شادی سرایت می کند' (happiness spreads) to mean that joy is contagious among people.
Test Yourself 54 questions
Which word means 'to spread' or 'to be contagious'?
'سرایت کردن' is the Persian verb for 'to spread' or 'to be contagious'.
The flu can easily ___ from one person to another. Which Persian word fits best?
To say 'the flu can spread', you would use 'سرایت کند'.
If a disease is 'contagious', it means it can...
'سرایت کردن' means 'to be contagious', so 'سرایت کند' fits the meaning.
The word 'سرایت کردن' (serāyat kardan) means 'to eat'.
No, 'سرایت کردن' means 'to spread' or 'to be contagious'. 'To eat' is 'خوردن'.
If a sickness can 'سرایت کند' (serāyat konad), it means it can spread to other people.
Yes, 'سرایت کردن' means 'to spread' or 'to be contagious', so if a sickness can 'سرایت کند', it can spread.
You can use 'سرایت کردن' when talking about a rumor that spreads quickly.
Yes, 'سرایت کردن' can also be used for non-physical things that spread, like rumors or ideas.
Write a short sentence about how a cold can spread.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
سرماخوردگی به راحتی سرایت می کند. (A cold spreads easily.)
Imagine you have a cough. Write a simple sentence about how you can stop it from spreading.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
من دستم را جلوی دهانم می گیرم تا سرفه سرایت نکند. (I put my hand in front of my mouth so the cough doesn't spread.)
Write a sentence saying that a disease can spread from one person to another.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
بیماری از یک نفر به نفر دیگر سرایت می کند. (A disease spreads from one person to another.)
چه چیزی به راحتی سرایت می کند؟ (What spreads easily?)
Read this passage:
این بیماری به راحتی سرایت می کند. همه باید ماسک بزنند. (This disease spreads easily. Everyone should wear a mask.)
چه چیزی به راحتی سرایت می کند؟ (What spreads easily?)
متن می گوید 'این بیماری به راحتی سرایت می کند'. (The text says 'This disease spreads easily'.)
متن می گوید 'این بیماری به راحتی سرایت می کند'. (The text says 'This disease spreads easily'.)
چرا باید در خانه بمانم وقتی سرماخوردگی دارم؟ (Why should I stay home when I have a cold?)
Read this passage:
وقتی سرماخوردگی دارم، باید در خانه بمانم تا به کسی سرایت نکند. (When I have a cold, I should stay home so it doesn't spread to anyone.)
چرا باید در خانه بمانم وقتی سرماخوردگی دارم؟ (Why should I stay home when I have a cold?)
متن می گوید 'تا به کسی سرایت نکند'. (The text says 'so it doesn't spread to anyone'.)
متن می گوید 'تا به کسی سرایت نکند'. (The text says 'so it doesn't spread to anyone'.)
چه چیزی از سرایت میکروب ها جلوگیری می کند؟ (What prevents the spread of germs?)
Read this passage:
تمیز نگه داشتن دست ها از سرایت میکروب ها جلوگیری می کند. (Keeping hands clean prevents the spread of germs.)
چه چیزی از سرایت میکروب ها جلوگیری می کند؟ (What prevents the spread of germs?)
متن می گوید 'تمیز نگه داشتن دست ها از سرایت میکروب ها جلوگیری می کند'. (The text says 'Keeping hands clean prevents the spread of germs'.)
متن می گوید 'تمیز نگه داشتن دست ها از سرایت میکروب ها جلوگیری می کند'. (The text says 'Keeping hands clean prevents the spread of germs'.)
آنفولانزا به سرعت در مدرسه ___.
The sentence talks about the flu spreading quickly in school, so 'پخش شد' (spread) is the correct fit.
این بیماری میتواند از طریق لمس ___.
The sentence discusses a disease being transmitted by touch, so 'سرایت کند' (can transmit/spread) is appropriate.
احتیاط کنید تا بیماری به دیگران ___.
The sentence advises caution to prevent the disease from spreading to others, making 'سرایت نکند' (doesn't spread) the correct choice.
اخبار بد به سرعت در شهر ___.
News, especially bad news, 'spreads' quickly. 'سرایت کرد' (spread) is the most fitting verb here.
این ویروس خیلی ___ است و به راحتی پخش میشود.
The sentence says the virus spreads easily, so it is 'مسری' (contagious).
برای جلوگیری از ___ بیماری، دستهایتان را بشویید.
Washing hands helps prevent the 'spread' or 'transmission' of disease. So 'سرایت' (spread/transmission) is correct.
The virus spreads quickly.
This disease spreads easily.
His laughter spread to everyone.
Read this aloud:
سرایت بیماری را کنترل کنیم.
Focus: سرایت (serayat)
You said:
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Read this aloud:
خبر خوب به سرعت سرایت کرد.
Focus: سرعت (sor'at)
You said:
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Read this aloud:
عطسه کردن می تواند بیماری را سرایت دهد.
Focus: سرایت (serayat)
You said:
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این بیماری به سرعت در جامعه ___ کرد. (This disease spread rapidly in the community.)
The verb 'سرایت کردن' means 'to spread' or 'to be contagious'. In this context, 'سرایت' is the correct form to complete the sentence, indicating that the disease spread.
آنها نگران بودند که سرماخوردگی به بقیه اعضای خانواده ___ کند. (They were worried that the cold would spread to the rest of the family.)
Here, 'سرایت کند' is the correct phrase to express the concern that the cold might spread to other family members.
اخبار بد مثل آتش به سرعت ___ میکند. (Bad news spreads like fire quickly.)
In this metaphorical usage, 'سرایت میکند' effectively conveys that bad news spreads rapidly, similar to how a fire spreads.
ویروس جدید به سرعت در سراسر جهان ___ کرده است. (The new virus has spread rapidly all over the world.)
The phrase 'سرایت کرده است' is used to describe the rapid global spread of a new virus, which is a common context for this verb.
اهمیت دارد که نگذاریم این فکر منفی ___ کند. (It is important not to let this negative thought spread.)
Figuratively, 'سرایت کند' is used here to mean the spread of a negative thought, emphasizing the importance of preventing it.
با رعایت بهداشت میتوانیم از ___ بیماریها جلوگیری کنیم. (By observing hygiene, we can prevent the spread of diseases.)
In this sentence, 'سرایت بیماریها' refers to the spread of diseases, highlighting the preventative measure of hygiene.
Imagine you are talking about the flu season. Write two sentences explaining how the flu can spread from one person to another, using the verb "سرایت کردن".
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
آنفلوآنزا میتواند از یک فرد به فرد دیگر سرایت کند. این بیماری به سرعت سرایت میکند. (Influenza can spread from one person to another. This disease spreads quickly.)
Write a short sentence in Persian about how a rumor can spread quickly, using the verb "سرایت کردن".
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
این شایعه به سرعت در شهر سرایت کرد. (This rumor spread quickly in the city.)
Your friend is sick. Write one sentence advising them to be careful not to spread their illness to others, using "سرایت کردن".
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
مراقب باش که بیماریات به دیگران سرایت نکند. (Be careful not to spread your illness to others.)
چرا مردم باید ماسک بزنند؟ (Why should people wear masks?)
Read this passage:
ویروس جدیدی در شهر سرایت کرده است. مردم باید ماسک بزنند تا از سرایت آن جلوگیری کنند. (A new virus has spread in the city. People should wear masks to prevent its spread.)
چرا مردم باید ماسک بزنند؟ (Why should people wear masks?)
متن بیان میکند که مردم باید ماسک بزنند تا از سرایت ویروس جلوگیری کنند. (The text states that people should wear masks to prevent the spread of the virus.)
متن بیان میکند که مردم باید ماسک بزنند تا از سرایت ویروس جلوگیری کنند. (The text states that people should wear masks to prevent the spread of the virus.)
چه چیزی به سرعت سرایت میکند؟ (What spreads quickly?)
Read this passage:
خبر بد به سرعت سرایت میکند. این خبر در کمتر از یک ساعت به همه رسید. (Bad news spreads quickly. This news reached everyone in less than an hour.)
چه چیزی به سرعت سرایت میکند؟ (What spreads quickly?)
جمله اول متن میگوید که 'خبر بد به سرعت سرایت میکند'. (The first sentence of the text says 'Bad news spreads quickly'.)
جمله اول متن میگوید که 'خبر بد به سرعت سرایت میکند'. (The first sentence of the text says 'Bad news spreads quickly'.)
اگر بیمار هستید، چه کاری باید انجام دهید؟ (If you are sick, what should you do?)
Read this passage:
اگر بیمار هستید، باید در خانه بمانید تا بیماریتان به دیگران سرایت نکند. (If you are sick, you should stay home so your illness does not spread to others.)
اگر بیمار هستید، چه کاری باید انجام دهید؟ (If you are sick, what should you do?)
متن به صراحت میگوید که 'باید در خانه بمانید تا بیماریتان به دیگران سرایت نکند'. (The text explicitly states 'you should stay home so your illness does not spread to others'.)
متن به صراحت میگوید که 'باید در خانه بمانید تا بیماریتان به دیگران سرایت نکند'. (The text explicitly states 'you should stay home so your illness does not spread to others'.)
این بیماری به سرعت در جامعه در حال ___ است.
The word 'سرایت' (sarāyat) correctly completes the sentence to mean 'This disease is quickly spreading in the community.' The other options don't fit the context.
برای جلوگیری از ___ ویروس، باید پروتکلهای بهداشتی را رعایت کرد.
The sentence implies preventing the 'spread' of the virus. 'سرایت' (sarāyat) is the most appropriate word here.
خندهاش به سرعت به بقیه ___ کرد و همه شروع به خندیدن کردند.
Here, 'سرایت کردن' (sarāyat kardan) is used metaphorically for laughter 'spreading' or 'being contagious' among others.
این ویروس جدید قابلیت ___ بالایی دارد.
The sentence indicates that the new virus has a high capacity for 'spreading' or 'transmission'. 'سرایت' (sarāyat) is the correct fit.
اخبار بد به سرعت در بین مردم ___ میکرد و باعث نگرانی شد.
Similar to a disease, bad news can 'spread' or 'be transmitted' quickly among people. 'سرایت' (sarāyat) works well here.
برای جلوگیری از ___ بیماری، لازم است که بیماران قرنطینه شوند.
Quarantining patients is done to prevent the 'spread' or 'transmission' of the disease. 'سرایت' (sarāyat) is the correct word.
Which of the following best describes a situation where a disease can 'سرایت کردن'?
The phrase 'سرایت کردن' specifically refers to the spreading or transmission of a disease, often by being contagious.
If an idea 'سرایت کردن' among a group of people, what does it mean?
While 'سرایت کردن' is commonly used for diseases, it can also metaphorically describe the spreading of ideas or trends.
Which sentence uses 'سرایت کردن' correctly?
'سرایت کردن' refers to spreading, and in this context, the news is spreading.
The phrase 'سرایت کردن' can be used to describe the spread of a cold or flu.
'سرایت کردن' is precisely used to describe the transmission of contagious diseases like colds or the flu.
If a fire 'سرایت کردن' to a nearby building, it means the fire was extinguished.
If a fire 'سرایت کردن' to a nearby building, it means the fire spread to that building, not that it was extinguished.
It is incorrect to use 'سرایت کردن' when talking about the spread of rumors.
'سرایت کردن' can be used metaphorically to describe the rapid spread of rumors or information.
This sentence discusses the necessity of measures to control a disease and prevent its spread.
This sentence describes how a virus rapidly spread in the community, affecting many people.
This sentence uses 'spread' metaphorically, comparing the spread of misinformation to a virus in the virtual space.
/ 54 correct
Perfect score!
Basic Meaning
The core meaning of سرایت کردن (serâyat kardan) is 'to spread' or 'to be contagious.' Think of a virus spreading.
Usage with Illness
This verb is most commonly used when talking about diseases or illnesses spreading. For example: 'بیماری سرایت میکند' (bimâri serâyat mikonad) means 'the disease spreads.'
Transitive or Intransitive?
سرایت کردن is generally intransitive, meaning it doesn't take a direct object. The disease itself spreads.
Past Tense Example
To say 'it spread,' you would use: 'سرایت کرد' (serâyat kard). For instance: 'آنفولانزا به سرعت سرایت کرد' (ânfolânzâ be sor'at serâyat kard) - 'The flu spread quickly.'
Related Content
More health words
عارضه
B1A secondary, typically undesirable, effect of a drug or medical treatment.
اعصاب
B1Fibers or bundles of fibers that transmit impulses of sensation and motion.
عضلات
A2Tissues in the body that can contract to produce movement.
عضله
A2Muscle.
عفونت
A2The invasion of an organism's body tissues by disease-causing agents.
علائم
A2A sign or indication of something; symptoms.
عمل
A1A surgical procedure; an operation.
عمل جراحی
A2A medical procedure involving incision into the body.
عموماً
B1In most cases; usually; generally.
عمیقاً
B1Deeply; to a great extent or degree.
