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A2 noun #9,500 most common 6 min read

سردبیر

sardabir
Practice it Examples Notes & Tips سردبیر in 30 Seconds
Explanation سردبیر in your Level:
At the A1 level, you only need to know that 'Sardabir' means a 'big boss' in a newspaper. Imagine you are visiting a news office; the Sardabir is the person in the large office. You can use it in simple sentences like 'He is a Sardabir' (U yek sardabir ast). It is a noun. You don't need to worry about complex grammar yet. Just remember that 'Sar' means head, like the head on your body. So, 'Head of writers'. This makes it easier to memorize. You might see this word on a business card or a sign on a door. It is a good word to know if you are talking about jobs. Most A1 students will focus on words like 'teacher' or 'doctor', but 'Sardabir' is a common professional title in Iran.
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At the A2 level, you should be able to use 'Sardabir' in sentences about work and daily routines. You might say, 'I have a meeting with the Sardabir' (Man ba sardabir jalaseh daram). You should understand that this person makes decisions. You can start using adjectives with it, like 'Sardabir-e mehraban' (the kind editor-in-chief) or 'Sardabir-e sakhtgir' (the strict editor-in-chief). You should also know the plural form 'Sardabir-ha'. At this level, you are beginning to understand that Persian uses compound words, and 'Sar-dabir' is a perfect example of two small words coming together to make a new meaning. You might read this word in a simple news headline or a social media bio.
At the B1 level, you should understand the functional role of a Sardabir in a media organization. You can describe their responsibilities using more complex verbs. For example, 'The Sardabir manages the journalists' (Sardabir khabarnegaran ra modiriyat mikonad). You should also be able to distinguish between a Sardabir and a regular writer (nevisandeh). You might encounter this word in intermediate reading passages about the history of the press or famous Iranian magazines. You should be comfortable using the 'Ezafe' construction to link the word to other nouns, such as 'Sardabir-e ruznameh-ye Shargh' (The editor-in-chief of Shargh newspaper). Your vocabulary is expanding to include related terms like 'maghaleh' (article) and 'chap' (print).
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At the B2 level, you are expected to understand the nuances of editorial policy and the pressures a Sardabir faces. You can discuss topics like 'editorial independence' or 'censorship' in relation to this role. You should know that 'Sardabir' is not just a job title but a position of intellectual leadership. You might hear this word in interviews on BBC Persian or VOA Persian, where former editors-in-chief discuss political events. You should be able to use the word in hypothetical sentences, such as 'If I were the Sardabir, I would change the headline.' You also understand the legal distinction between the Sardabir and the 'Modir-e Mas'ul' (Managing Director).
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At the C1 level, you have a deep understanding of the etymological and historical weight of the word 'Dabir' and how it evolved into 'Sardabir'. You can analyze the writing style of famous Persian editors-in-chief like Ali-Akbar Dehkhoda or Ahmad Shamlou. You understand the subtle differences between 'Sardabir-e Ejra-yi' (Executive Editor), 'Sardabir-e Mo'aven' (Deputy Editor), and 'Sardabir-e Kol' (Editor-in-Chief of a large group). You can write formal letters to an editorial board using the correct honorifics. You are also aware of the 'Sardabir's' role in shaping the Persian language itself through the choice of terminology used in their publications.
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At the C2 level, you possess a native-like grasp of the word's placement in the socio-political fabric of Iran. You can engage in high-level debates about the ethics of a Sardabir's decisions during times of crisis. You understand the literary metaphors involving the 'Dabir' in classical Persian poetry and how they contrast with the modern 'Sardabir'. You can critique editorial manifestos and understand the 'Sardabir's' role in 'Jaryan-sazi' (trend-setting or creating movements) in Persian literature and politics. Your use of the word is flawless, including its use in complex idiomatic expressions or as part of specialized legal and journalistic jargon.
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Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

سردبیر in 30 Seconds

  • The top leader of a newsroom or publication.
  • A compound word from 'Sar' (head) and 'Dabir' (writer).
  • Responsible for editorial policy and final content approval.
  • Distinct from a copy editor (Virastar) or publisher (Modir-e Mas'ul).
The Persian word سردبیر (Sardabir) is a compound noun that serves as the cornerstone of the journalism and publishing industry in Iran and the broader Persian-speaking world. To understand this word, one must first look at its two components: 'Sar' meaning head or top, and 'Dabir' which historically referred to a scribe, secretary, or writer. Therefore, a Sardabir is literally the 'Head Scribe' or, in modern parlance, the Editor-in-Chief. This individual holds the highest editorial authority within a newspaper, magazine, or digital news outlet. They are responsible for the overall tone, direction, and content of the publication. Unlike a regular editor (Virastar) who might focus on grammar and style, or a section editor (Dabir-e Sorush) who manages a specific beat, the سردبیر oversees the entire operation. This role is both creative and administrative, requiring the person to balance the artistic vision of the writers with the practical constraints of the publishing house. In the context of Iranian media history, the position of سردبیر has often been a point of significant cultural and political influence.
Professional Hierarchy
The Sardabir typically reports to the 'Modir-e Mas'ul' (Managing Director or Publisher) and manages several 'Dabiran' (Section Editors).

آقای محمدی به عنوان سردبیر جدید روزنامه انتخاب شد. (Mr. Mohammadi was chosen as the new editor-in-chief of the newspaper.)

Cultural Nuance
In Persian culture, the Sardabir is often viewed as an intellectual figurehead, someone who shapes public discourse through the selection of stories and editorials.

او سال‌ها سردبیر یک مجله ادبی بود. (He was the editor-in-chief of a literary magazine for years.)

Usage in Media
When watching Iranian news, you will often see the name of the Sardabir in the credits at the end of the broadcast or on the masthead of a newspaper.

سردبیر باید تمام مقالات را قبل از چاپ تایید کند. (The editor-in-chief must approve all articles before printing.)

جلسه با سردبیر ساعت ده صبح است. (The meeting with the editor-in-chief is at ten in the morning.)

آیا می‌توانی مرا به سردبیر معرفی کنی؟ (Can you introduce me to the editor-in-chief?)

Using سردبیر in a sentence requires an understanding of its role as a subject or an object in the context of professional interactions. Because it is a title, it often appears at the beginning of sentences describing actions taken by a newsroom leader. For example, 'Sardabir tasmim gereft' (The editor-in-chief decided). It is also frequently used in the possessive form, such as 'daftar-e sardabir' (the editor-in-chief's office). In Persian grammar, when you are talking about a specific editor-in-chief that both the speaker and listener know, you might add the suffix '-e' to link it to a name, or use it with 'ra' if it is the direct object of a verb. For instance, 'Sardabir-ra didam' (I saw the editor-in-chief).
Verbal Pairings
Common verbs used with Sardabir include 'entekhab kardan' (to elect/select), 'estefa dadan' (to resign), and 'nazar dadan' (to give an opinion).

سردبیر از عملکرد خبرنگاران راضی نبود. (The editor-in-chief was not satisfied with the journalists' performance.)

Pluralization
The plural is 'Sardabiran' (formal) or 'Sardabir-ha' (informal). 'Sardabiran-e ruznameh-ha-ye keshvar' refers to the editors-in-chief of the country's newspapers.

او به عنوان سردبیر مهمان دعوت شد. (He was invited as a guest editor-in-chief.)

نام سردبیر در صفحه اول درج شده است. (The editor-in-chief's name is printed on the first page.)

سردبیر پیشنهاد مرا رد کرد. (The editor-in-chief rejected my proposal.)

ما به یک سردبیر با تجربه نیاز داریم. (We need an experienced editor-in-chief.)

You will encounter the word سردبیر primarily in professional environments related to media, literature, and academia. If you walk into the office of a major Iranian news agency like Fars News or Tasnim, the 'Sardabir' is the person everyone is trying to impress or get approval from. In television, specifically news broadcasts, the 'Sardabir-e Khabar' (News Editor-in-Chief) is the one who chooses which stories lead the program. Beyond the newsroom, you will hear this word in universities during journalism classes or at book fairs where editors-in-chief of literary journals often give speeches. In movies or TV dramas set in the world of journalism (like the famous Iranian series 'Gando' or various social dramas), the character of the Sardabir is often portrayed as a stressful, coffee-drinking individual constantly under pressure from deadlines or political censors.
Daily Life
While not used in a grocery store, you might hear it in a conversation between students: 'I want to become the Sardabir of our student magazine.'

سردبیر بخش ورزشی تغییر کرد. (The editor-in-chief of the sports section changed.)

Social Media
On Twitter (X) or LinkedIn, many Iranian professionals list 'Sardabir' in their bios to indicate their high-level editorial role.

او با سردبیر در مورد تیتر خبر بحث کرد. (He argued with the editor-in-chief about the news headline.)

سردبیر اجرایی مسئول هماهنگی تیم است. (The executive editor-in-chief is responsible for team coordination.)

بیانیه توسط سردبیر قرائت شد. (The statement was read by the editor-in-chief.)

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make is confusing سردبیر (Sardabir) with ویراستار (Virastar). While both are translated as 'editor' in English, their roles are vastly different. A Virastar is a copy editor who fixes typos, grammar, and sentence structure. If you tell a Sardabir that they are a good 'Virastar', they might find it slightly insulting as it downplays their leadership role. Another common error is using 'Modir-e Mas'ul' (Managing Director) interchangeably with Sardabir. In the Iranian legal system, the 'Modir-e Mas'ul' is the person legally responsible for the content in court, whereas the Sardabir is the one who handles the day-to-day editorial content.
Translation Trap
Don't translate 'Head Editor' as 'Editor-e Sar'. Always use the proper Persian term 'Sardabir'.

اشتباه: من ویراستار کل هستم. درست: من سردبیر هستم.

Pronunciation Error
Avoid pronouncing it as 'Ser-dabir'. The first syllable is 'Sar', like the word for 'head'.

او سردبیر است، نه یک نویسنده ساده. (He is the editor-in-chief, not just a simple writer.)

نباید سردبیر را با حروف‌چین اشتباه گرفت. (One should not mistake the editor-in-chief for a typesetter.)

In the world of Persian publishing, several words orbit the term سردبیر. Understanding the distinctions between them is key to professional fluency.
Sardabir vs. Virastar
Sardabir is the boss of content; Virastar is the guardian of language and grammar. A Sardabir might not even touch the grammar of a text, focusing instead on whether the story should be published at all.
Sardabir vs. Modir-e Mas'ul
The Modir-e Mas'ul is the license holder and legal representative. The Sardabir is the creative lead. In many small magazines, one person might hold both roles, but in large newspapers, they are distinct.
Sardabir vs. Dabir-e Sorush
A 'Dabir' (without the 'Sar') often refers to a desk editor or section head (e.g., Dabir-e Siyasi - Political Editor). The Sardabir is the boss of all these section editors.

آیا شما سردبیر هستید یا ویراستار؟ (Are you the editor-in-chief or the copy editor?)

سردبیر اجرایی (Executive Editor) کارهای عملیاتی را انجام می‌دهد. (The executive editor-in-chief handles operational tasks.)

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"جناب آقای سردبیر، احترماً به استحضار می‌رساند..."

Neutral

"سردبیر مقاله شما را تایید کرد."

Informal

"سردبیر امروز حالش خوب نیست."

Child friendly

"سردبیر مثل معلمی است که به نوشته‌های دیگران نمره می‌دهد."

Slang

"سردبیر باز هم گیر داد به تیتر."

Fun Fact

In the Sassanid Empire, the 'Dabiran' were one of the four major social classes, holding immense power as the civil bureaucracy.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /sæɾdæˈbiːɾ/
US /særdæˈbir/
The stress is on the last syllable: 'bir'.
Rhymes With
Dabir (Secretary) Safir (Ambassador) Nazir (Observer) Pazir (Accepting) Kavir (Desert) Amir (Prince) Sir (Full/Satiated) Pir (Old)
Common Errors
  • Pronouncing 'Sar' as 'Ser'. It is an open 'a' sound.
  • Stressing the first syllable 'Sar' instead of the last syllable 'bir'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize in texts once the 'Sar-' prefix is known.

Writing 3/5

Requires correct spelling of the 'b-i-r' ending.

Speaking 2/5

Pronunciation is straightforward.

Listening 3/5

Can be confused with 'Dabir' (teacher/secretary) in fast speech.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

سر (Head) دبیر (Secretary/Teacher) نویسنده (Writer) روزنامه (Newspaper) کتاب (Book)

Learn Next

تحریریه (Editorial Board) ویراستار (Editor/Proofreader) خبرنگار (Reporter) گزارش (Report) انتشار (Publication)

Advanced

سانسور (Censorship) آزادی بیان (Freedom of speech) حق امتیاز (Copyright/License) تیراژ (Circulation) سرمقاله (Editorial)

Grammar to Know

Compound Nouns

سردبیر (Sar + Dabir)

Ezafe Construction

سردبیرِ مجله (The editor of the magazine)

Plural with -an

سردبیران (Editors-in-chief)

Indefinite -i

سردبیری (An editor-in-chief)

Direct Object Marker 'ra'

سردبیر را دیدم (I saw the editor-in-chief)

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Examples by Level

1

او سردبیر است.

He is an editor-in-chief.

Simple subject-complement sentence.

2

سردبیر کجاست؟

Where is the editor-in-chief?

Interrogative sentence.

3

من سردبیر را دوست دارم.

I like the editor-in-chief.

Direct object with 'ra'.

4

سردبیر در دفتر است.

The editor-in-chief is in the office.

Prepositional phrase 'dar daftar'.

5

این کتاب سردبیر است.

This is the editor-in-chief's book.

Possessive Ezafe.

6

سردبیر جوان است.

The editor-in-chief is young.

Adjective usage.

7

او سردبیر خوبی است.

He is a good editor-in-chief.

Adjective with 'i' of indefiniteness.

8

سردبیر چای می‌خورد.

The editor-in-chief is drinking tea.

Present continuous/habitual.

1

سردبیر امروز به اداره نیامد.

The editor-in-chief did not come to the office today.

Past negative verb.

2

من باید با سردبیر صحبت کنم.

I must speak with the editor-in-chief.

Modal verb 'bayad' + subjunctive.

3

سردبیر مقاله مرا خواند.

The editor-in-chief read my article.

Simple past tense.

4

سردبیر جدید خیلی باهوش است.

The new editor-in-chief is very smart.

Compound subject.

5

آیا سردبیر را در جلسه دیدی؟

Did you see the editor-in-chief in the meeting?

Question in past tense.

6

سردبیر به من کمک کرد.

The editor-in-chief helped me.

Compound verb 'komak kardan'.

7

نامه را برای سردبیر بفرست.

Send the letter to the editor-in-chief.

Imperative mood.

8

سردبیر هر روز روزنامه می‌خواند.

The editor-in-chief reads the newspaper every day.

Habitual present.

1

سردبیر تصمیم گرفت که خبر را منتشر کند.

The editor-in-chief decided to publish the news.

Complex sentence with 'ke'.

2

او به عنوان سردبیر مجله انتخاب شد.

He was selected as the editor-in-chief of the magazine.

Passive construction 'entekhab shod'.

3

سردبیر از خبرنگار خواست که گزارش را اصلاح کند.

The editor-in-chief asked the journalist to correct the report.

Verb 'khastan' with subjunctive.

4

بدون اجازه سردبیر نباید چیزی چاپ شود.

Nothing should be printed without the editor-in-chief's permission.

Prepositional phrase 'bedun-e ejazeh'.

5

سردبیر با تجربه می‌تواند مشکلات را حل کند.

An experienced editor-in-chief can solve the problems.

Adjective phrase.

6

او سال‌ها سردبیر این روزنامه بوده است.

He has been the editor-in-chief of this newspaper for years.

Present perfect tense.

7

سردبیر مسئولیت تمام مطالب را بر عهده دارد.

The editor-in-chief is responsible for all the content.

Idiomatic expression 'bar ohdeh dashtan'.

8

وقتی سردبیر آمد، همه ساکت شدند.

When the editor-in-chief arrived, everyone became silent.

Temporal clause with 'vaghti'.

1

سردبیر به دلیل فشارهای سیاسی استعفا داد.

The editor-in-chief resigned due to political pressures.

Causal phrase 'be dalil-e'.

2

سیاست‌های سردبیر باعث پیشرفت مجله شده است.

The editor-in-chief's policies have caused the magazine's progress.

Causal verb 'ba'es shodan'.

3

سردبیر معتقد است که آزادی بیان ضروری است.

The editor-in-chief believes that freedom of speech is essential.

Reporting verb 'mo'taghed ast'.

4

او به عنوان سردبیر، نقش مهمی در آگاه‌سازی مردم دارد.

As an editor-in-chief, he has an important role in informing the people.

Appositive phrase.

5

سردبیر باید بین سرعت و دقت تعادل برقرار کند.

The editor-in-chief must establish a balance between speed and accuracy.

Compound verb 'ta'adol bargharar kardan'.

6

بسیاری از سردبیران با این قانون جدید مخالف هستند.

Many editors-in-chief are opposed to this new law.

Plural subject with 'mokhalef shodan'.

7

سردبیر در سرمقاله خود به مشکلات اقتصادی پرداخت.

The editor-in-chief addressed economic problems in his editorial.

Verb 'pardakhtan' meaning 'to address'.

8

نویسنده از سانسور اعمال شده توسط سردبیر شکایت کرد.

The writer complained about the censorship imposed by the editor-in-chief.

Passive participle 'em'al shodeh'.

1

سردبیر با درایت خود از بروز بحران جلوگیری کرد.

The editor-in-chief prevented a crisis with his wisdom.

Prepositional phrase with 'ba'.

2

نقش سردبیر در هدایت افکار عمومی غیرقابل انکار است.

The role of the editor-in-chief in guiding public opinion is undeniable.

Formal academic structure.

3

سردبیر به عنوان دیده‌بان جامعه عمل می‌کند.

The editor-in-chief acts as a watchdog of society.

Metaphorical usage.

4

اخلاق حرفه‌ای سردبیر مانع از انتشار اخبار کذب شد.

The editor-in-chief's professional ethics prevented the publication of false news.

Abstract subject.

5

سردبیر باید از استقلال تحریریه در برابر مالکان رسانه دفاع کند.

The editor-in-chief must defend editorial independence against media owners.

Formal vocabulary 'tahririyeh'.

6

تحلیل‌های سردبیر همواره مورد توجه نخبگان سیاسی بوده است.

The editor-in-chief's analyses have always been of interest to the political elite.

Passive-like structure 'mored-e tavajjoh budan'.

7

سردبیر با جسارت تمام، حقایق پشت پرده را فاش کرد.

With full courage, the editor-in-chief revealed the facts behind the scenes.

Adverbial phrase 'ba jesarat-e tamam'.

8

سردبیران برجسته تاریخ ایران، میراثی گرانبها از خود به جای گذاشتند.

The prominent editors-in-chief of Iranian history left behind a precious legacy.

Complex noun phrase.

1

سردبیر در تلاطم امواج سیاسی، کشتی نشریه را به ساحل آرامش رساند.

In the turbulence of political waves, the editor-in-chief brought the publication's ship to the shore of peace.

Highly metaphorical/literary.

2

رسالت سردبیر فراتر از اطلاع‌رسانی صرف، و در گرو تبیین حقایق است.

The mission of the editor-in-chief is beyond mere information-sharing and depends on the explanation of truths.

Philosophical sentence structure.

3

سردبیر با قلم سحار خود، جان تازه‌ای به کالبد مرده روزنامه‌نگاری دمید.

With his magical pen, the editor-in-chief breathed new life into the dead body of journalism.

Archaic/Poetic imagery.

4

عدم پایبندی سردبیر به اصول ژورنالیستی، فاجعه‌ای اخلاقی به بار آورد.

The editor-in-chief's lack of commitment to journalistic principles brought about an ethical disaster.

Nominalization of verbs.

5

سردبیر در مقام یک مصلح اجتماعی، به نقد ساختارهای قدرت پرداخت.

In the position of a social reformer, the editor-in-chief engaged in critiquing power structures.

Formal 'dar magham-e'.

6

ظرافت‌های تصمیم‌گیری سردبیر در مواقع حساس، نمایانگر پختگی اوست.

The subtleties of the editor-in-chief's decision-making in critical moments represent his maturity.

Abstract noun focus.

7

سردبیر با بازنگری در خط‌مشی نشریه، افق‌های جدیدی را گشود.

By revising the publication's policy, the editor-in-chief opened new horizons.

Gerund-like usage 'ba baznegari'.

8

هژمونی فکری سردبیر بر فضای رسانه‌ای کشور سایه افکنده بود.

The intellectual hegemony of the editor-in-chief cast a shadow over the country's media space.

High-level academic vocabulary.

Common Collocations

سردبیر روزنامه
سردبیر مجله
انتخاب سردبیر
استعفای سردبیر
دفتر سردبیر
سردبیر مهمان
سردبیر خبر
نام سردبیر
جلسه سردبیر
سردبیر ارشد

Common Phrases

سردبیر محترم

— A respectful way to address an editor-in-chief in a letter.

سردبیر محترم، با سلام و احترام...

به دستور سردبیر

— By the order of the editor-in-chief.

این مقاله به دستور سردبیر حذف شد.

تاییدیه سردبیر

— The approval of the editor-in-chief.

ما منتظر تاییدیه سردبیر هستیم.

خط‌مشی سردبیر

— The policy or direction set by the editor.

خط‌مشی سردبیر بر استقلال فکری استوار است.

سردبیر باسابقه

— A veteran or experienced editor-in-chief.

او یک سردبیر باسابقه در حوزه سیاست است.

سردبیر فنی

— Technical editor-in-chief (rare, usually for journals).

سردبیر فنی فرمت مقالات را چک می‌کند.

سردبیر علمی

— Scientific editor-in-chief.

سردبیر علمی اعتبار داده‌ها را بررسی کرد.

سردبیر ادبی

— Literary editor-in-chief.

سردبیر ادبی به سبک نگارش اهمیت می‌دهد.

سردبیر هنری

— Artistic editor-in-chief.

سردبیر هنری طرح روی جلد را انتخاب کرد.

سردبیر بخش

— Section editor (often used for Dabir).

سردبیر بخش حوادث به محل اعزام شد.

Often Confused With

سردبیر vs ویراستار

Virastar edits the language; Sardabir leads the content.

سردبیر vs مدیر مسئول

Modir-e Mas'ul is the legal owner/publisher; Sardabir is the editorial lead.

سردبیر vs نویسنده

Nevisandeh writes the text; Sardabir approves/edits it.

Idioms & Expressions

"حرف سردبیر دوتا نمی‌شود"

— The editor-in-chief's word is final and unchangeable.

در این دفتر، حرف سردبیر دوتا نمی‌شود.

Informal/Proverbial
"زیر تیغ سردبیر"

— Subject to the editor's heavy editing or cutting.

مقاله من زیر تیغ سردبیر رفت.

Journalistic Slang
"سردبیری کردن"

— To act as a leader or to boss people around (metaphorical).

اینجا برای من سردبیری نکن!

Colloquial
"چشم سردبیر را دور دیدن"

— To do something when the boss is not looking.

تا چشم سردبیر را دور دیدند، کار را رها کردند.

Informal
"سردبیر شدن"

— To reach a position of high authority.

بالاخره پس از ده سال سردبیر شد.

General
"قلم سردبیر"

— Refers to the specific writing style or power of the editor.

قلم سردبیر بسیار تند و تیز است.

Literary
"صندلی سردبیری"

— The position of power in a publication.

او برای رسیدن به صندلی سردبیری تلاش زیادی کرد.

Journalistic
"سردبیر سایه"

— A person who actually runs the publication behind the scenes.

او سردبیر سایه این خبرگزاری است.

Political
"به سبک سردبیر"

— In the style of the editor.

همه چیز به سبک سردبیر انجام می‌شود.

Neutral
"سردبیر خود بودن"

— To be one's own boss or critic.

در نویسندگی باید سردبیر خود باشی.

Philosophical

Easily Confused

سردبیر vs دبیر

Same root.

Dabir can mean teacher or secretary; Sardabir is always the chief editor.

او دبیر ریاضی است (He is a math teacher) vs او سردبیر است (He is an editor-in-chief).

سردبیر vs مدیر

Both are leadership roles.

Modir is a general manager; Sardabir is specifically for editorial content.

مدیر عامل (CEO) vs سردبیر.

سردبیر vs ناشر

Both involve books/magazines.

Nasher (Publisher) handles the business/printing; Sardabir handles the words.

ناشر کتاب را چاپ کرد.

سردبیر vs گزارشگر

Both work in news.

Gozāreshgar (Reporter) is in the field; Sardabir is in the office.

گزارشگر خبر را فرستاد.

سردبیر vs مصحح

Both look at text.

Mosahheh only looks for typos; Sardabir looks at the big picture.

مصحح غلط‌ها را گرفت.

Sentence Patterns

A1

[Subject] سردبیر است.

او سردبیر است.

A2

من با [Name/Title] سردبیر صحبت کردم.

من با سردبیر صحبت کردم.

B1

سردبیر تصمیم گرفت که [Subjunctive Verb].

سردبیر تصمیم گرفت که مقاله را چاپ کند.

B2

به عنوان سردبیر، [Subject] باید [Verb].

به عنوان سردبیر، او باید دقت کند.

C1

[Noun] تحت نظارت سردبیر انجام شد.

این پروژه تحت نظارت سردبیر انجام شد.

C2

رسالت سردبیر در [Noun] نهفته است.

رسالت سردبیر در روشنگری نهفته است.

Any

آیا سردبیر [Verb]?

آیا سردبیر آمد؟

Any

این دفترِ سردبیر است.

این دفترِ سردبیر است.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

Related

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How to Use It

frequency

High in professional/media contexts.

Common Mistakes
  • Using 'Serdabir' instead of 'Sardabir'. → Sardabir

    The first vowel is 'a' (fatha), not 'e' (kasra).

  • Confusing Sardabir with teacher (Dabir). → Sardabir for editor.

    Dabir can be a teacher, but Sardabir is only an editor-in-chief.

  • Using 'Sardabir' for a simple book editor. → Virastar

    Sardabir is for publications with multiple issues or articles.

  • Omitting the Ezafe in 'Sardabir Ruznameh'. → Sardabir-e Ruznameh

    Possessive relationships in Persian require the Ezafe.

  • Thinking Sardabir is the owner. → Modir-e Mas'ul

    The owner/licensee is the Modir-e Mas'ul, not necessarily the Sardabir.

Tips

The Head Scribe

Think of the Sassanid scribes (Dabiran). The 'Sar' is the one leading them all.

Ezafe Connection

Always remember the 'e' sound when linking Sardabir to a publication: Sardabir-e Ruznameh.

Respect the Title

In Iran, people are proud of this title. Use it with respect in professional settings.

Not just News

Sardabir is also used for academic journals (Sardabir-e Faslnameh).

Compound Spelling

In modern Persian, it is usually written as one word 'سردبیر', not separate 'سر دبیر'.

Clear Vowels

Make sure the 'a' in 'Sar' is short and crisp.

Related Terms

Learn 'Tahririyeh' (Editorial Board) alongside Sardabir.

Hierarchy

Understand that the Sardabir reports to the Modir-e Mas'ul.

TV Credits

Watch the end of Iranian news to see the word 'Sardabir' on screen.

Historical Context

Research Ahmad Shamlou to see how a poet can also be a famous Sardabir.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'SAR' as the 'SAR-gent' (Sergeant) or 'Head', and 'DABIR' as 'The Bear' who writes. The Head Bear who writes is the Editor-in-Chief.

Visual Association

Imagine a person sitting at the 'Head' (Sar) of a long table, surrounded by 'Dabirs' (writers), wearing a crown made of pens.

Word Web

Newspaper Authority Headline Decision Journalism Editing Publishing Leadership

Challenge

Try to find the name of the 'Sardabir' on the website of an Iranian news agency like ISNA or IRNA.

Word Origin

Derived from Middle Persian 'dipīr' (scribe). The prefix 'Sar' (head) was added in New Persian to denote hierarchy.

Original meaning: Head of the scribes or chief secretary.

Indo-European (Iranian branch).

Cultural Context

Be aware that 'Sardabir' is a professional title. Avoid using it jokingly unless you are in a very informal setting.

In the West, the Editor-in-Chief is often a corporate role. In Iran, it is traditionally more of an intellectual and ideological leadership role.

Ali-Akbar Dehkhoda (Sardabir of Sur-e Esrafil) Ahmad Shamlou (Sardabir of Ketab-e Jom'eh) Mohammad-Taqi Bahar (Sardabir of Daneshkadeh)

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Newsroom

  • سردبیر کجاست؟
  • جلسه با سردبیر
  • تاییدیه سردبیر
  • سردبیر خبر

Academic Journal

  • سردبیر علمی
  • ارسال به سردبیر
  • داوری سردبیر
  • سردبیر مهمان

Job Interview

  • سابقه سردبیری
  • مهارت‌های سردبیری
  • رزومه سردبیر
  • حقوق سردبیر

Court/Legal

  • احضار سردبیر
  • مسئولیت سردبیر
  • شکایت از سردبیر
  • دفاعیات سردبیر

Library/Archive

  • نام سردبیر وقت
  • سردبیر موسس
  • دوران سردبیری
  • فهرست سردبیران

Conversation Starters

"آیا می‌دانید سردبیر این روزنامه کیست؟ (Do you know who the editor of this newspaper is?)"

"دوست داری یک روز سردبیر شوی؟ (Would you like to be an editor-in-chief one day?)"

"سردبیر در مورد مقاله من چه گفت؟ (What did the editor say about my article?)"

"چگونه می‌توان با سردبیر تماس گرفت؟ (How can one contact the editor-in-chief?)"

"به نظر شما سخت‌ترین کار سردبیر چیست؟ (In your opinion, what is the hardest part of an editor's job?)"

Journal Prompts

If you were the Sardabir of a national newspaper, what would be your first headline?

Write a letter to a Sardabir complaining about a recent article.

Describe the qualities of a successful Sardabir.

Imagine a day in the life of a Sardabir in a busy city like Tehran.

Why is the role of Sardabir important for democracy?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, while 'Dabir' can mean teacher in Iran, 'Sardabir' specifically means Editor-in-Chief.

Yes, it is the standard professional term for the role.

You say 'Mo'aven-e Sardabir' (معاون سردبیر).

The formal plural is 'Sardabiran' and the informal is 'Sardabir-ha'.

Yes, the word is gender-neutral. You can say 'Khanoom-e Sardabir' if needed.

Yes, exactly. It denotes the 'head' or 'top' position.

Only if the Sardabir is the specific direct object of the sentence (e.g., I saw the editor).

Sardabir is the boss who makes decisions; Virastar fixes the grammar.

Usually, it's for newspapers, magazines, and journals. For books, we often say 'Modir-e Elmi' or just 'Virastar'.

Yes, though 'Sarmuharrir' is also very common in those regions.

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Test Yourself 180 questions

writing

Write a sentence: 'The editor is in the office.'

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writing

Write a sentence: 'I want to be an editor.'

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writing

Write a sentence: 'The editor-in-chief rejected the article.'

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speaking

Say 'Sardabir' out loud.

Read this aloud:

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listening

Listen and write the word: (Audio: Sardabir)

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writing

Explain the role of a Sardabir in one sentence.

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writing

Write 'Hello Editor'.

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writing

Write: 'The editor is busy.'

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writing

Write: 'Where is the editor?'

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writing

Write: 'The editor-in-chief's decision was final.'

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writing

Write 'Sardabir' in Persian.

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writing

Write: 'I saw the editor in the meeting.'

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writing

Write: 'The editor is a man.'

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writing

Write: 'The editor called me.'

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writing

Write: 'Good editor.'

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writing

Write: 'The editor is here.'

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writing

Write: 'The editor-in-chief is my friend.'

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writing

Write: 'I am an editor.'

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/ 180 correct

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