This page in your language

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

Français

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

A1 noun #3,500 most common 9 min read

تب

tab Top 3,500

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips تب in 30 Seconds

Explanation تب in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'تب' (tab) is a vital word for basic survival and health. You should learn it alongside 'man' (I) and 'daram' (I have). At this stage, you only need to know that 'tab' means 'fever' and how to say 'I have a fever' (Man tab daram). It's one of the first words you'll use if you feel unwell in a Persian-speaking environment. You might also hear it in simple questions like 'Tab dari?' (Do you have a fever?). Focus on the short 'a' sound to make sure you aren't saying 'swing' (taab). This word helps you communicate a primary symptom to others so they can help you. It's a simple, one-syllable word that is easy to memorize and pronounce, making it perfect for absolute beginners.

At the A2 level, you start to expand how you use 'تب'. You move beyond just 'having' a fever to describing its intensity. You will learn to use adjectives like 'tond' (sharp/fast) or 'balaa' (high). You'll also learn the verb 'tab kardan', which means 'to get a fever'. For example, 'Bache tab kard' (The child got a fever). You might also encounter the word 'dama-sanj' (thermometer). At this level, you should be able to tell a doctor when the fever started: 'Az di-shab tab daram' (I've had a fever since last night). You are starting to build small stories around the word, connecting it to time and severity.

By B1, you can use 'تب' in more complex sentences and understand its role in common illnesses. You'll learn the compound 'tab-o-larz' (fever and chills) and how to describe the process of a fever breaking ('tab-ash ghat shod'). You might also start to notice 'tab' used in metaphorical ways in everyday conversation, like 'tab-e kharid' (shopping fever). Your vocabulary expands to include 'tab-bor' (fever-reducer). You can now discuss health in more detail, perhaps explaining that you couldn't go to work because of a 'tab-e shadeed' (severe fever). You understand the ezafe construction in phrases like 'tab-e bache' (the child's fever).

At the B2 level, you should be comfortable with the metaphorical and social uses of 'تب'. You'll hear it in the news to describe social trends or 'fevers' for certain products or events. You can use it in more sophisticated grammatical structures, such as 'Ba vojood-e tab...' (Despite the fever...). You also begin to learn specific names of fevers like 'tab-e malkoora' (Malta fever). You can distinguish between the clinical 'dama' (temperature) and the symptomatic 'tab'. Your ability to use 'tab' in a variety of registers—from talking to a child to reading a newspaper—becomes much sharper. You understand that 'tab' can signify excitement as much as illness.

At the C1 level, you explore the use of 'تب' in Persian literature and advanced rhetoric. You'll see it in classical poetry (like Rumi or Hafez) where 'tab' represents the burning desire of the soul. You can analyze how 'tab' functions as a symbol of agitation or transformation in modern Persian prose. You'll understand subtle idioms like 'tab-e tond' and how they apply to political movements or economic bubbles. Your understanding is no longer just about the word itself, but about its cultural weight. You can use 'tab' to describe a 'feverish' atmosphere in a room or a 'feverish' pace of work. You are sensitive to the nuances of its use in academic medical texts versus colloquial street talk.

At the C2 level, you have a complete mastery of 'تب' and its entire semantic field. You can use it with precision in any context, from high-level medical discourse to the most abstract philosophical discussions. You understand its etymological roots and how it relates to other Indo-European languages. You can play with the word in creative writing, using it to create complex metaphors. You are aware of rare medical terms and historical uses of the word in ancient Persian medical texts (like those of Avicenna). You can effortlessly switch between the literal, metaphorical, and symbolic meanings of 'tab', using it to add depth and 'color' to your Persian speech and writing.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

تب in 30 Seconds

Tab means fever in Persian. It is a very common A1 level noun used to describe being sick.
It is primarily used with the verb 'dashtan' (to have) or 'kardan' (to get/develop).
Metaphorically, it describes intense social interest, passion, or a 'craze' for something like a trend.
Commonly paired with 'larz' (chills) as 'tab-o-larz' to describe flu-like symptoms.

The Persian word تب (tab) is a foundational noun in the Persian language, primarily used to describe a physiological state where the body temperature rises above the normal range, typically as a response to infection or illness. In a clinical and everyday sense, it is the direct equivalent of the English word 'fever'. For a beginner (A1) learner, mastering this word is essential for basic communication regarding health and well-being. However, its utility extends far beyond the doctor's office. In Persian culture and literature, tab is often used metaphorically to describe intense passion, agitation, or a state of high excitement.

Medical Context: In a medical setting, 'tab' is the standard term used by patients and doctors alike. It is often paired with the verb 'dashtan' (to have). For example, 'Man tab daram' means 'I have a fever.' It is a symptom that triggers immediate concern in Iranian households, often leading to traditional remedies like drinking 'shatareh' or 'kasni' (herbal waters) to cool the body down.

کودک از دیشب تب دارد و باید به پزشک مراجعه کنیم.
(The child has had a fever since last night and we must visit a doctor.)

Beyond health, 'tab' appears in various social and psychological contexts. You might hear about 'tab-e kharid' (shopping fever) during the Persian New Year (Nowruz) preparations, or 'tab-e entekhabat' (election fever) when political excitement is high. This versatility makes it a rich word for learners to understand how Persians bridge the gap between physical sensations and social phenomena. The word itself is short, punchy, and easy to pronounce, making it an ideal entry point into Persian medical and metaphorical vocabulary. In historical Persian poetry, 'tab' is frequently used to describe the 'burning' desire of a lover, where the physical heat of a fever is equated with the emotional heat of longing. This dual nature—clinical and emotional—is a hallmark of Persian linguistic expression.

Metaphorical Use: When a trend becomes extremely popular, Persians call it a 'tab'. For instance, 'tab-e tond-e seryal-e jadid' refers to the intense 'fever' or craze for a new TV series. It implies a temporary but very intense state of interest.

این روزها تب یادگیری زبان فارسی در جهان بالا گرفته است.
(These days, the fever for learning the Persian language has risen globally.)

In terms of grammar, 'tab' is a simple noun. It doesn't change based on gender (as Persian lacks grammatical gender) and follows standard pluralization rules (tab-ha), though the plural is rarely used in a medical context unless referring to different instances or types of fevers. Understanding 'tab' is the first step toward discussing more complex medical issues like 'tab-o-larz' (fever and chills) or 'tab-e shadeed' (severe fever). It is a word that connects the body, the heart, and the society in a single syllable.

Using the word تب (tab) correctly requires understanding its primary collocations and the verbs that typically follow it. In Persian, you don't just 'be' feverish; you 'have' fever, 'do' fever, or 'catch' fever depending on the nuance you want to convey. The most common construction is with the auxiliary verb dashtan (to have). This is the standard way to report a symptom to a pharmacist or a friend. If you say 'Man tab daram,' you are stating a current fact about your physical state.

Common Verb Pairings: 1. Tab dashtan: To have a fever (Current state).
2. Tab kardan: To develop/get a fever (The process of getting sick).
3. Tab-ash ghat shod: His/her fever broke (Recovery).

دیشب خیلی تب کردم و نتوانستم بخوابم.
(I got a lot of fever last night and couldn't sleep.)

When describing the intensity of the fever, Persian speakers use adjectives like 'shadeed' (intense/severe), 'balaa' (high), or 'khafif' (mild). 'Tab-e balaa' is a common phrase used when a situation is urgent. For example, a mother might tell a doctor, 'Bache-am tab-e balaa-ee darad' (My child has a very high fever). Note the use of the 'ee' suffix (ye-e-nesbat) which adds emphasis or specifies the type of fever.

In formal writing, such as a medical report or a news article, you might encounter 'tab' in more complex structures. For instance, 'Tab-e malkoora' (Malta fever/Brucellosis) or 'Tab-e ghermez' (Scarlet fever). Here, 'tab' acts as the head of an Ezafe construction, linking the general symptom to a specific disease name. Even in these formal settings, the word remains the same simple monosyllabic 'tab'.

برای پایین آوردن تب، از پاشویه استفاده کنید.
(To bring down the fever, use a footbath/sponge bath.)

Finally, consider the word order. In a typical Persian sentence (Subject-Object-Verb), 'tab' usually sits in the object position. 'Ali (Subject) tab (Object) darad (Verb).' However, in colloquial speech, the subject is often dropped if it's clear from the verb ending: 'Tab dari?' (Do you have a fever?). This makes the word 'tab' the primary focus of the question, emphasizing its importance in daily health checks.

You will encounter the word تب (tab) in a variety of real-world settings in Iran and Persian-speaking communities. The most immediate location is the pharmacy (darookhaneh) or the clinic (darman-gah). Iranians are very health-conscious and often discuss symptoms in detail. You'll hear parents in parks or schools asking each other, 'Bache-toon tab nadareh?' (Doesn't your child have a fever?), as a way of monitoring communal health. It's a word of concern, care, and caution.

In the Media: During the flu season or health crises, news anchors frequently use 'tab' to describe symptoms to watch out for. You will hear phrases like 'Tab-e khon-rizi-dahandeh' (Hemorrhagic fever) in health reports. It is also common in sports commentary to describe the 'fever' of the fans before a big match (darby).

با نزدیک شدن به دربی، تب فوتبال در شهر بالا گرفته است.
(As the derby approaches, football fever has risen in the city.)

Another place you'll hear 'tab' is in the kitchen or home. Iranian traditional medicine (Teb-e Sonnati) classifies illnesses as 'hot' or 'cold'. A fever is the ultimate 'hot' condition. You might hear an elder say, 'Tab dari, hendevaneh bokhor' (You have a fever, eat watermelon), because watermelon is considered a 'cold' food that balances the 'heat' of the fever. In this context, 'tab' is not just a biological measurement but a sign of systemic imbalance.

In literature and music, 'tab' is a staple. Persian pop songs and classical ghazals use 'tab' to signify the restlessness of love. A singer might lament their 'tab-e tanhayee' (the fever of loneliness). When you hear it in a song, it's rarely about a virus; it's about the soul's agitation. This makes 'tab' a versatile word that moves from the cold sterility of a hospital to the warm, emotional depths of a Persian poem.

در تب عشق تو سوختم و دم نزدم.
(I burned in the fever of your love and did not utter a word.)

For English speakers learning Persian, the word تب (tab) seems simple, but there are several pitfalls to avoid. The most common mistake is a phonetic one. The Persian 'tab' is pronounced with a short 'a' sound (like the 'a' in 'cat' or 'bat'). Learners often confuse it with 'taab' (with a long 'aa' sound), which means 'swing' or 'endurance'. Saying 'Man taab daram' instead of 'Man tab daram' could mean you have a swing or you have patience, which would be very confusing in a medical context.

Confusion with Similar Sounds: 1. Tab (Short a): Fever.
2. Taab (Long aa): Swing / Endurance / Twist.
3. Tap (Short a): The sound of a heartbeat (usually 'tap-tap').

اشتباه: من تاب دارم. (I have a swing/endurance.)
درست: من تب دارم. (I have a fever.)

Another mistake involves the verb 'kardan' vs 'dashtan'. While 'tab dashtan' means you currently have a fever, 'tab kardan' is the action of getting one. English speakers might try to use 'shodan' (to become) like 'I became feverish,' but 'tab shodan' is incorrect in Persian. You must use 'tab kardan' for the transition into illness. Similarly, don't use 'gereftan' (to take/catch) with 'tab' as you would with 'cold' (sar-ma khordan). You 'catch' a cold, but you 'do' (kardan) a fever.

Finally, be careful with the word 'garm' (hot). While a person with a fever is 'garm', saying 'Man garm hastam' usually means 'I am feeling hot' (due to the weather) or can sometimes have other connotations. To specifically mean you are sick, 'tab' is the only appropriate word. Avoid literal translations of English idioms like 'running a fever'. In Persian, fevers don't run; they either 'are' (dashtan) or they 'rise' (baalaa raftan).

While تب (tab) is the most common word for fever, there are several related terms and alternatives depending on the context. Understanding these will help you sound more natural and precise. For instance, if you want to sound more formal or scientific, you might use 'hararat-e badan' (body heat). This is often used in medical journals or by health professionals when discussing temperature readings.

Comparisons: Tab: The general, everyday word for fever.
Hararat: Literally 'heat'. Used for body temperature in a slightly more formal way.
Dama: The technical word for 'temperature'. You would use this to ask 'What is the body temperature?' (Dama-ye badan chand ast?).

حرارت بدن بیمار بسیار بالاست.
(The patient's body heat/temperature is very high.)

In a colloquial setting, you might hear the word 'daagh' (boiling/very hot). If someone touches your forehead and says 'Daaghi!' it means 'You're burning up!' This is more descriptive of the physical sensation than the clinical state of having a 'tab'. Another related term is 'larz' (shivering/chills). As mentioned before, they are often paired as 'tab-o-larz'. If you have the flu, you usually have both.

If you are looking for an antonym or a way to describe the opposite state, you would use 'khonak' (cool) or 'tab-e ghat-shodeh' (broken fever). When a doctor gives medicine, they might say it is 'tab-bor' (fever-cutter/fever-reducer). This is a very useful compound word to know when looking for aspirin or acetaminophen at a pharmacy. Understanding these nuances—from the clinical 'dama' to the colloquial 'daagh'—allows you to navigate Persian social and medical situations with much greater ease.

این قرص یک تب‌بر قوی است.
(This pill is a strong fever-reducer.)

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"بیمار دارای تب مالت می‌باشد."

Neutral

"او تب دارد و باید استراحت کند."

Informal

"خیلی تب کرده، ببرش دکتر."

Child friendly

"پیشانیت داغه، فکر کنم تب داری عزیزم."

Slang

"ترکوندیم! تبِ این آهنگ همه رو گرفته."

Fun Fact

The word 'tab' is a cognate of the English word 'tepid' (lukewarm), both tracing back to the Proto-Indo-European root *tep-.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /tæb/

US /tæb/

Single syllable word; stress is on the entire word.

Rhymes With

Lab (Lip) Shab (Night) Asab (Nerve) Adab (Politeness) Nasab (Lineage) Talab (Request) Gharb (West - partial) Ghalb (Heart - partial)

Common Errors

Pronouncing it as 'taab' (long aa), which means 'swing'.
Pronouncing the 't' too harshly like a Russian 't'.
Confusing it with 'tap' (heartbeat sound).
Adding an extra vowel at the end (e.g., 'tabeh').
Nasalizing the 'a' sound.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 1/5

Very easy to read; only two letters.

Writing 1/5

Simple to write; connects 't' and 'b'.

Speaking 2/5

Easy, but must distinguish from 'taab'.

Listening 2/5

Clear sound, but watch for context.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

من (I) دارم (I have) بدن (Body) مریض (Sick) داغ (Hot)

Learn Next

لرز (Chills) دارو (Medicine) دکتر (Doctor) سرفه (Cough) درد (Pain)

Advanced

پیرکسی (Pyrexia) عفونی (Infectious) مزمن (Chronic) هذیان (Delirium) التهاب (Inflammation)

Grammar to Know

Ezafe Construction

تبِ شدید (Severe fever) - The 'e' sound links the noun and adjective.

Compound Verbs

تب کردن (To get a fever) - Noun + Kardan.

Possessive Suffixes

تبم (My fever), تبش (His/Her fever).

Negation of Dashtan

تب ندارم (I don't have a fever).

Question Intonation

تب داری؟ (Rising intonation at the end).

Examples by Level

من تب دارم.

I have a fever.

Subject + Noun + Verb (dashtan)

آیا تو تب داری؟

Do you have a fever?

Question form of dashtan

او تب ندارد.

He/She does not have a fever.

Negative form of dashtan

تب بد است.

Fever is bad.

Simple Subject + Adjective + Verb (to be)

بچه تب دارد.

The child has a fever.

Noun as subject

تب من بالاست.

My fever is high.

Possessive Ezafe

آب برای تب خوب است.

Water is good for fever.

Preposition 'baraye'

دماسنج تب را نشان می‌دهد.

The thermometer shows the fever.

Direct object marker 'ra'

او دیشب خیلی تب کرد.

He got a lot of fever last night.

Past tense of 'tab kardan'

باید برای تب او دارو بخریم.

We must buy medicine for his fever.

Modal verb 'bayad'

تبش کمی پایین آمد.

His fever came down a little.

Compound verb 'payeen amadan'

آیا هنوز تب داری؟

Do you still have a fever?

Adverb 'hanooz' (still)

مادرم نگران تب من است.

My mother is worried about my fever.

Adjective 'negaran' (worried)

تب و لرز دارم.

I have fever and chills.

Compound noun 'tab-o-larz'

دکتر گفت تب خطرناک نیست.

The doctor said the fever is not dangerous.

Reported speech with 'goft'

صورتش از تب قرمز شده است.

His face has become red from fever.

Preposition 'az' (from)

بعد از واکسن، کمی تب کردم.

After the vaccine, I got a little fever.

Time preposition 'ba'd az'

تب بالا می‌تواند نشانه عفونت باشد.

High fever can be a sign of infection.

Potential mood 'mitavanad bashad'

او با وجود تب، به کارش ادامه داد.

Despite the fever, he continued his work.

Complex preposition 'ba vojoode'

تب خرید شب عید همه جا را گرفته است.

The fever of New Year's shopping has taken over everywhere.

Metaphorical use of 'tab'

او برای پایین آوردن تب، قرص خورد.

He took a pill to bring down the fever.

Purpose clause with 'baraye'

تبش قطع نمی‌شود.

His fever won't break (stop).

Negative continuous present

پزشک از من پرسید که آیا تب دارم یا نه.

The doctor asked me whether I have a fever or not.

Indirect question

تب شدید باعث بی‌خوابی او شد.

Severe fever caused his insomnia.

Causative structure

تبِ تندِ این مدِ جدید زود فروکش خواهد کرد.

The sharp fever of this new fashion will soon subside.

Future tense with 'khahad'

علائم بیماری شامل تب، سرفه و خستگی است.

Symptoms of the illness include fever, cough, and fatigue.

Formal listing

تب مالت یکی از بیماری‌های مشترک بین انسان و دام است.

Malta fever is one of the diseases shared between humans and livestock.

Scientific terminology

او در تب و تابِ آماده شدن برای امتحان بود.

He was in the fever and heat of preparing for the exam.

Idiom 'tab-o-tab'

تبِ شدیدِ او با هیچ دارویی پایین نیامد.

His severe fever did not come down with any medicine.

Negative past with 'hich'

این روزها تبِ ارزهای دیجیتال بسیار داغ است.

These days, the fever for digital currencies is very hot.

Metaphorical social trend

او به دلیل تبِ بالا در بیمارستان بستری شد.

He was hospitalized due to high fever.

Passive voice 'bastari shod'

تب می‌تواند واکنش طبیعی سیستم ایمنی باشد.

Fever can be a natural reaction of the immune system.

Scientific explanation

شاعر در این بیت، تب را نمادی از اشتیاق سوزان می‌داند.

The poet considers fever a symbol of burning longing in this verse.

Literary analysis

تبِ سیاسی جامعه با نزدیک شدن به انتخابات به اوج رسیده است.

The political fever of society has reached its peak as elections approach.

Sociological metaphor

او در تبِ هذیان‌گویِ خود، نام‌های عجیبی را صدا می‌زد.

In his delirious fever, he was calling out strange names.

Complex adjective 'hazyan-gooy'

فروکش کردنِ تبِ طلا باعث سقوط بازار شد.

The subsiding of the gold fever caused the market to crash.

Economic context

این رمان، تب و تابِ سال‌های جنگ را به خوبی به تصویر می‌کشد.

This novel portrays the heat and fever of the war years well.

Idiomatic expression 'tasvir keshidan'

تبِ مزمن می‌تواند نشانه‌ای از یک بیماری زمینه‌ای باشد.

Chronic fever can be a sign of an underlying disease.

Medical formal register

او با تبی که داشت، تمام شب را در بیابان سرگردان بود.

With the fever he had, he wandered the desert all night.

Relative clause with 'ke'

تبِ تندِ عشقِ آن‌ها به سردی گرایید.

The sharp fever of their love turned to coldness.

Metaphorical transition

تبِ دگرگونی‌های بنیادین، ارکانِ سنتیِ جامعه را به لرزه درآورده است.

The fever of fundamental transformations has shaken the traditional foundations of society.

Advanced abstract metaphor

در متون کهن، تب را برآمده از غلبه‌ی صفرا بر مزاج می‌دانستند.

In ancient texts, fever was considered to arise from the dominance of bile over the temperament.

Historical medical discourse

تبِ سوزانِ بیابان، هر جنبنده‌ای را به پناهگاه می‌راند.

The burning fever of the desert drove every living creature to shelter.

Personification of nature

او در تبِ آفرینشِ هنری، روزها و شب‌ها را از یاد برده بود.

In the fever of artistic creation, he had forgotten days and nights.

Psychological state

تبِ واگیردارِ ایدئولوژی، توده‌ها را به خیابان‌ها کشاند.

The contagious fever of ideology drew the masses into the streets.

Political philosophy

پزشکان در تشخیصِ علتِ تبِ ناشناخته‌ی بیمار ناتوان بودند.

Doctors were unable to diagnose the cause of the patient's unknown fever.

Formal negative construction

تبِ تندِ مدرنیته، بسیاری از سنت‌های دیرینه را در خود بلعید.

The sharp fever of modernity swallowed many long-standing traditions.

Historical analysis

او با تبی که در جان داشت، نغمه‌های پرسوز می‌سرود.

With a fever in his soul, he composed burning melodies.

Poetic/Mystical register

Common Collocations

تب داشتن

تب کردن

تب بالا

تب خفیف

تب و لرز

قطع شدن تب

تبِ شدید

تب‌بر

تبِ خرید

تبِ تند

Common Phrases

تب داری؟

— Do you have a fever? Used to check on someone's health.

خیلی رنگت پریده، تب داری؟

تبش افتاد

— His/Her fever dropped. Used when someone is recovering.

بعد از دارو، تبش افتاد.

در تب سوختن

— To burn in fever. Used for very high temperatures or intense passion.

بیچاره تمام شب را در تب سوخت.

تبِ طلا

— Gold fever. Refers to a rush or craze for wealth.

تبِ طلا در قرن نوزدهم.

تبِ فوتبال

— Football fever. Intense excitement for the sport.

تبِ فوتبال در برزیل.

تب و تاب

— Agitation and heat. Used for busy or stressful situations.

تب و تابِ جابه‌جایی خانه.

تبِ مالت

— Malta fever. A specific bacterial infection.

پنیر غیرپاستوریزه باعث تب مالت می‌شود.

تبِ یونجه

— Hay fever. Seasonal allergies.

در بهار دچار تب یونجه می‌شوم.

تبِ لازم

— Necessary heat/excitement. (Rarely used, but possible in specific contexts).

این کار تبِ لازم را ندارد.

تبِ سنج

— Incorrect form of 'Damasanj' (Thermometer). Learners often say this, but it's understandable.

تب‌سنج کجاست؟

Often Confused With

تب vs تاب (Taab)

Means 'swing' or 'endurance'. Long 'aa' vs short 'a'.

تب vs تپ (Tap)

The sound of a heartbeat. 'p' vs 'b'.

تب vs طناب (Tanab)

Means 'rope'. Sounds vaguely similar to a beginner.

Idioms & Expressions

"تب تند زود به عرق می‌نشیند"

— An intense fever quickly leads to sweat. Used to say that intense passions or trends die out quickly.

زیاد عجله نکن، تب تند زود به عرق می‌نشیند.

Proverbial

"با تب و تاب"

— With great excitement or agitation.

او با تب و تاب ماجرا را تعریف کرد.

Neutral

"در تب و تاب چیزی بودن"

— To be in the heat/excitement of something.

در تب و تاب سفر بودیم.

Colloquial

"تبِ عشق"

— The fever of love; intense romantic longing.

تبِ عشق او را بیمار کرد.

Literary

"تب کردن برای کسی"

— To care deeply for someone (from the proverb: 'You should die for someone who has a fever for you').

برای کسی بمیر که برات تب کنه.

Proverbial/Colloquial

"تبِ نوبه"

— Intermittent fever; used metaphorically for someone who is inconsistent.

اخلاقش مثل تبِ نوبه است.

Old-fashioned

"تبِ کاذب"

— False fever; a trend or excitement that has no real basis.

این فقط یک تبِ کاذب در بازار است.

Economic/Social

"تبِ تند"

— Short-lived intensity.

این علاقه‌اش فقط یک تبِ تند است.

Colloquial

"تب و لرز انداختن به جان کسی"

— To make someone very nervous or fearful.

حرف‌هایش تب و لرز به جانم انداخت.

Colloquial

"تبِ انتخابات"

— Election fever; the heated atmosphere before voting.

تبِ انتخابات شهر را فرا گرفته است.

Journalistic

Easily Confused

تب vs تاب

Phonetic similarity.

Tab is fever (short a); Taab is a swing (long aa).

بچه روی تاب است (The child is on the swing) vs بچه تب دارد (The child has a fever).

تب vs تپش

Both related to body symptoms.

Tab is fever; Tapesh is palpitation/heartbeat.

تپش قلب دارم.

تب vs طب

Identical pronunciation in some dialects.

Tab (تب) is fever; Teb (طب) is medicine/medical science.

او در دانشکده طب درس می‌خواند.

تب vs تپ

Final consonant sounds similar.

Tab is fever; Tap is a thud or beat sound.

صدای تپ تپ.

تب vs تبخال

Contains the word 'tab'.

Tab is fever; Tabkhal is a cold sore (fever-blister).

روی لبم تبخال زده.

Sentence Patterns

[Subject] تب دارد.

علی تب دارد.

[Subject] خیلی تب کرد.

سارا خیلی تب کرد.

تبِ [Noun] بالا رفت.

تبِ مریض بالا رفت.

با وجودِ تب، [Clause].

با وجودِ تب، به مدرسه رفت.

تبِ [Social Trend] در جامعه...

تبِ مهاجرت در جامعه بالا گرفته است.

در تبِ [Abstract Noun] سوختن.

در تبِ حسرت سوختن.

آیا [Subject] تب دارد؟

آیا گربه تب دارد؟

تبِ من [Adjective] است.

تب من خفیف است.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high in health and social contexts.

Common Mistakes

Using 'shodan' instead of 'kardan'. → Tab kardan.
In Persian, you 'do' a fever, you don't 'become' a fever.
Pronouncing it as 'Taab'. → Tab (short a).
Taab means swing; Tab means fever.
Saying 'Man tab hastam'. → Man tab daram.
You cannot be a fever; you must possess it.
Using 'tab' for weather heat. → Garm.
'Tab' is only for body temperature or metaphorical excitement.
Using 'gereftan' like English 'catch a fever'. → Tab kardan.
While 'sar-ma khordan' (catch a cold) uses a different verb, 'tab' uses 'kardan'.

Tips

Pronunciation

Make sure to keep the 'a' short. If you say 'taab', people will think you are talking about a playground swing!

Remedies

If you tell an Iranian you have a 'tab', they might suggest 'khak-e-shir' or 'aragh-e-kasni' to cool you down.

Verb Choice

Use 'dashtan' for the state and 'kardan' for the start of the fever.

Compounds

Learn 'tab-bor' (fever-reducer) early; it's very useful at the pharmacy.

Social Media

You'll see 'tab' used in hashtags for viral trends or 'fevers' for new gadgets.

Context Clues

If someone sounds worried, 'tab' is a fever. If they sound excited, it's likely a trend.

Spelling

The letters are Te (ت) and Be (ب). They connect simply: تب.

Memory

A 'Tab' of medicine for a 'Tab' of fever.

Medical

In Iran, 37 degrees Celsius is normal; anything above is 'tab'.

Proverbs

Remember: 'Tab-e tond zood be aragh mishineh' for things that start too fast.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'Tab' of medicine that you take when you have a 'Tab' (fever). Or think of a 'Tab' on your browser that is 'running hot' because you have too many open.

Visual Association

Visualize a red thermometer with the word 'TAB' written in bold letters across the mercury line.

Word Web

Fever Heat Sickness Thermometer Medicine Chills Passion Trend

Challenge

Try to use 'tab' in three different ways today: once for health, once for a trend, and once in a compound like 'tab-o-larz'.

Word Origin

Derived from Middle Persian (Pahlavi) 'tab'. It shares a root with Sanskrit 'tapas' (heat/penance) and Latin 'tepere' (to be warm).

Original meaning: Heat or warmth, specifically related to the body.

Indo-European (Indo-Iranian branch).

Cultural Context

No specific sensitivities, but be compassionate when someone says they have a 'tab'.

While English uses 'fever' mostly for illness, Persian uses 'tab' more frequently for social 'crazes'.

Poem by Rumi: 'In the fever of love, the soul finds its wings.' Modern Song: 'Tab-e Tond' by various pop artists. The film 'Tab' (Fever) - a psychological drama.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At the Doctor

تب دارم.
تبم چنده؟
از کی تب دارم؟
تب‌بر می‌خوام.

Social Trends

تبِ این مد.
تبِ فوتبال.
تبِ خرید.
تبِ انتخابات.

Parenting

بچه تب داره.
تبش بالاست.
پاشویه کن.
تبش قطع شد.

Literature/Poetry

تبِ عشق.
در تب سوختن.
تب و تابِ دل.
بی‌تابیِ روح.

Pharmacy

قرص تب‌بر.
دماسنج دارید؟
برای تب چی خوبه؟
شربت تب‌بر کودک.

Conversation Starters

"آیا تا به حال تبِ مالت گرفته‌اید؟ (Have you ever had Malta fever?)"

"وقتی تب دارید، چه غذایی می‌خورید؟ (When you have a fever, what food do you eat?)"

"به نظر شما تبِ ارزهای دیجیتال واقعی است؟ (Do you think the crypto fever is real?)"

"چگونه تبِ یک کودک را پایین می‌آورید؟ (How do you bring down a child's fever?)"

"آخرین باری که تب کردید کی بود؟ (When was the last time you got a fever?)"

Journal Prompts

Write about a time you had a very high fever and how you felt.

Describe a social 'fever' or trend in your country right now.

If love is like a fever, what are its symptoms? Write a short poem.

Discuss the importance of checking body temperature during a pandemic.

Write a dialogue between a mother and a doctor about a child's fever.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

You say 'Man tab-e bala-ee daram' (من تب بالایی دارم).

Yes, you can use it for any living creature that can have a fever, like 'Sag-am tab darad' (My dog has a fever).

There isn't a single word, but you can say 'dama-ye normal' (normal temperature) or 'khonak' (cool).

Yes, metaphorically. 'Tab-e football' means football craze/excitement.

Pronounce it like the English word 'tab' (as in a folder tab), with a short 'a'.

It is a medicine that reduces fever, like paracetamol.

No, usually you use 'tab kardan' (to get a fever) or 'tab dashtan' (to have a fever).

It means 'fever and chills', common when you have the flu.

It is neutral. It can be used in a doctor's office or with friends.

It is the Persian name for Brucellosis (Malta fever).