At the A1 level, 'سردرد' (sardard) is a vital 'survival' word. You learn it as a single unit meaning 'headache'. At this stage, you should focus on the simple phrase 'Sardard daram' (I have a headache). You don't need to worry about complex grammar or metaphors yet. Just know that 'sar' is head and 'dard' is pain. This word helps you communicate basic physical needs to a teacher, a friend, or a pharmacist. You might also learn 'ghors' (pill) to go with it. The goal is to be able to say you are unwell in the simplest way possible. You should also recognize the word when a doctor asks you if you have one. It's one of the most concrete nouns you'll encounter in your first few weeks of Persian study. Focus on the pronunciation: 'sar' like the beginning of 'sorry' and 'dard' like 'dart' but with a 'd' at the end.
At the A2 level, you begin to expand your use of 'سردرد' by adding simple adjectives. You can now say 'sardard-e shadid' (severe headache) or 'sardard-e kam' (a little headache). You also start using the past tense: 'Sardard dashtam' (I had a headache). You might also learn the verb 'gereftan' (to get), as in 'Sardard gereftam' (I got a headache). At this level, you can describe the cause of the headache using 'be khater-e' (because of), such as 'be khater-e sar-o-seda' (because of the noise). You are moving from just stating a fact to providing a bit of context. You should also be able to understand simple advice like 'estrahat kon' (rest) or 'ab bekhor' (drink water) given in response to your headache.
By B1, you can use 'سردرد' in more complex sentences and understand its metaphorical applications. You can use conjunctions like 'chon' (because) and 'agar' (if). For example: 'If I don't drink coffee, I get a headache' (Agar ghahve nakhoram, sardard migiram). You also start to recognize 'dard-e sar' as a synonym for 'trouble'. You can describe the frequency of your headaches using adverbs like 'mamoolan' (usually) or 'gahi oghat' (sometimes). In a medical context, you can explain where the pain is located (front, back, or temples). You are also becoming aware of the cultural context—how Iranians use a headache as a polite excuse. You can now handle a basic conversation with a pharmacist about which medicine is better for your specific type of headache.
At the B2 level, your vocabulary around 'سردرد' becomes more technical and nuanced. You can discuss different types of headaches like 'migraine' or 'tension headaches' (sardard-haye teshoni). You can use the passive voice or more formal verbs like 'dochar-e sardard shodan' (to be afflicted by a headache). You understand the nuances between 'sardard' and 'dard-e sar' and can use them correctly in professional settings. You can write a short paragraph about the impact of stress on physical health, using 'sardard' as a primary example. You are also comfortable with idiomatic expressions like 'maye-ye sardard' (a source of headache/annoyance) and can use them in social commentary or when complaining about a difficult task at work. Your pronunciation is more natural, including the correct use of the Ezafe.
At the C1 level, you can engage in deep discussions about the physiological and psychological aspects of 'سردرد'. You can read medical articles in Persian about the causes of chronic headaches and summarize them. You understand the historical and literary references to 'soda' (the old word for headache) in classical texts. You can use 'sardard' in sophisticated metaphors to describe political or social issues (e.g., 'The economic crisis is a major headache for the government'). You are sensitive to the register of the word, knowing when to use 'sardard' versus more formal medical terminology. You can also discuss traditional Iranian medicine (Teb-e Sonati) and the various herbal 'aragh' (distillates) used to treat headaches, showing a high level of cultural and linguistic integration.
At the C2 level, you have complete mastery over 'سردرد' and its entire semantic field. You can distinguish between the subtlest shades of meaning in literature, where a headache might be used as a motif for intellectual burden or spiritual malaise. You can participate in high-level medical seminars or debates in Persian. You can use the word in puns, complex jokes, and high-level rhetoric. You understand the etymological roots of the word and its cognates in other Indo-European languages. Your use of the word is indistinguishable from a highly educated native speaker, including the perfect use of intonation to convey sarcasm, empathy, or urgency when mentioning a headache. You can effortlessly switch between the literal medical term and the most abstract metaphorical uses in any context.

سردرد em 30 segundos

  • Sardard means headache in Persian, combining 'sar' (head) and 'dard' (pain).
  • It is used with the verbs 'dashtan' (to have) and 'gereftan' (to get).
  • Metaphorically, it describes a source of trouble or a very annoying situation.
  • Common adjectives used with it include 'shadid' (severe) and 'khafif' (mild).

The Persian word سردرد (pronounced 'sar-dard') is a compound noun that literally translates to 'head-pain'. In its most basic sense, it refers to the physical sensation of discomfort or pain in the head or neck region. However, its linguistic footprint in Persian culture extends far beyond a simple medical symptom. It is a word that bridges the gap between physical biology and social metaphor. When you say you have a سردرد, you are communicating a state of being that requires empathy and often a pause in activity. In the Persian language, compound words are the backbone of vocabulary, and 'sar-dard' is a perfect example of how two simple roots—'sar' (head) and 'dard' (pain)—combine to create a universally understood concept. This word is essential for daily survival, medical interactions, and expressing frustration in a metaphorical sense.

Literal Meaning
Head (Sar) + Pain (Dard). It is the most direct way to describe a headache in Persian.
Metaphorical Meaning
A source of annoyance, trouble, or a complicated problem that causes mental distress.
Grammatical Role
It functions as a simple noun and can be used with the verb 'dashtan' (to have) or 'gereftan' (to get).

من امروز یک سردرد شدید دارم و نمی‌توانم به مهمانی بیایم.

Translation: I have a severe headache today and cannot come to the party.

Understanding سردرد also involves recognizing its intensity. In Persian, we often add adjectives to specify the type of pain. For instance, 'sardard-e nesfi' refers to a migraine (literally 'half-headache'), and 'sardard-e asabi' refers to a tension or nervous headache. The word is so ingrained in the language that it appears in classical poetry and modern medical journals alike. It is one of the first twenty nouns a student of Persian should learn because of its high frequency in conversational Iranian Persian (Farsi). Whether you are talking to a doctor in Tehran or explaining to a friend why you are turning down the volume on the music, this word is your primary tool.

این ترافیک واقعاً به من سردرد می‌دهد.

Translation: This traffic really gives me a headache (metaphorical).
Synonymic Nuance
While 'dard-e sar' is often used interchangeably, 'sardard' is the standard medical and formal term.
Phonetic Breakdown
Sar (rhymes with 'car' but shorter) + Dard (rhymes with 'card').

Using سردرد correctly requires understanding the verbs that accompany it. The most common verb is داشتن (dashtan), meaning 'to have'. If you want to say 'I have a headache', you say 'Sardard daram'. However, if the headache is just starting, you might use گرفتن (gereftan), meaning 'to get' or 'to catch'. For example, 'Sardard gereftam' means 'I got a headache'. In more formal or medical contexts, you might hear the verb دچار شدن (dochar shodan), which means 'to be afflicted with'.

With Adjectives
Severe: شدید (shadid), Mild: خفیف (khafif), Chronic: مزمن (mozmen).
With Verbs
To cause: باعث شدن (ba'es shodan), To relieve: تسکین دادن (taskin dadan).

In a metaphorical sense, سردرد is used to describe a situation that is 'a headache'. For example, 'In proje baraye man sardard ast' (This project is a headache for me). It implies that the task is tedious, difficult, and mentally draining. This usage is identical to the English metaphorical use, making it very easy for English speakers to adopt. However, be careful with the word order. In Persian, the noun usually comes before the verb, and the adjective follows the noun with an 'Ezafe' (the -e sound). So, 'severe headache' is 'sardard-e shadid'.

آیا دارویی برای سردرد دارید؟

Translation: Do you have any medicine for a headache?

When talking to a doctor, you might be asked: 'Koja-ye saret dard mikonad?' (Which part of your head hurts?). While 'sardard' is the general term, Persian speakers often specify the location—front (pishani), back (posht-e sar), or sides (gij-gah). Learning these specific locations alongside 'sardard' will elevate your fluency. Additionally, the word is often used in the plural 'sardard-ha' when discussing medical history or recurring issues. In the workplace, 'sardard' is a common excuse for taking a sick day, and it is generally accepted without further questioning, reflecting the high value placed on physical comfort in Iranian social etiquette.

You will encounter سردرد in a variety of environments, ranging from the most formal to the most casual. In a pharmacy (darookhaneh), it is perhaps the most frequently uttered word. Customers will walk in and say, 'Yek ghors baraye sardard mikham' (I want a pill for a headache). In hospitals and clinics, doctors use it as a primary diagnostic term. You will see it written on prescriptions and medical charts. It is also a staple of television advertisements for painkillers like Gelofen or Acetaminophen, which are ubiquitous in Iran.

In academic and scientific settings, the word is used in neurology and general medicine. Research papers might discuss 'Sardard-haye cluster-i' (cluster headaches) or 'Sardard-haye teshon-i' (tension headaches). On the other hand, in daily social life, you'll hear it in cafes, offices, and homes. If a room is too noisy, someone might say, 'Sar-am dard gereft!' (My head started hurting!), which is a direct derivative of the noun. It's also common in literature, where a headache might symbolize a character's internal conflict or the 'heavy head' of a poet burdened by existential thoughts.

صدای بلند موسیقی باعث سردرد من شد.

Translation: The loud sound of the music caused my headache.

Finally, in the digital world, on Persian social media or health forums, 'sardard' is a trending topic for home remedies (darman-haye khanegi). People share tips like drinking 'aragh-e nana' (mint water) or applying 'golab' (rosewater) to the forehead to cure a 'sardard'. This cultural layer adds a rich dimension to a seemingly simple medical term, connecting modern medicine with ancient Persian herbal traditions.

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make is confusing سردرد (sardard) with دردِ سر (dard-e sar). While they look and sound similar, their usage can differ slightly. 'Sardard' is almost always the physical ailment. 'Dard-e sar' is more frequently used for the metaphorical 'trouble' or 'hassle'. For example, 'In kar baraye man dard-e sar shod' (This job became a hassle for me). While you can use 'sardard' metaphorically, 'dard-e sar' is the idiomatic choice for trouble. Another mistake is the placement of the verb. Beginners often say 'Daram sardard' (following English word order), but the correct Persian structure is 'Sardard daram'.

Mistake 1
Using 'sardard' when you mean 'dizziness' (sar-gije). They are different symptoms!
Mistake 2
Forgetting the Ezafe when adding an adjective. It's 'sardard-e shadid', not 'sardard shadid'.

Another nuance involves the verb 'to hurt'. If you want to say 'My head hurts', you say 'Saram dard mikonad'. If you want to say 'I have a headache', you say 'Sardard daram'. Learners often mix these up and say 'Sardard-am dard mikonad', which is redundant (literally: 'My headache hurts'). Stick to one or the other. Also, be careful with the pronunciation of the 'd' at the end of 'sar'. It should be a soft, dental 'd', not a heavy English 'd'. Mispronouncing the vowels can also lead to confusion; 'sar' has a short 'a' (like in 'cat' in some accents), not a long 'aa'.

غلط: من سردرد شدید هستم. (I am a severe headache.)
درست: من سردرد شدید دارم. (I have a severe headache.)

To truly master سردرد, you should know its linguistic cousins. The most obvious is درد (dard), which means 'pain' in general. You can combine 'dard' with almost any body part: 'del-dard' (stomach ache), 'kamar-dard' (back pain), 'dandan-dard' (toothache). Understanding this pattern allows you to unlock dozens of medical terms instantly. Another related word is میگرن (migraine), which is a direct loanword from French/English and is used by doctors and patients alike for specific, severe headaches.

سرگیجه (Sar-gije)
Dizziness or vertigo. Often occurs with a headache but is a distinct feeling.
بی‌خوابی (Bi-khabi)
Insomnia. A common cause of 'sardard'.
خستگی (Khastegi)
Fatigue. Often mentioned alongside headache in a clinical setting.

There is also the word مایه سردرد (maye-ye sardard), which literally means 'the cause of the headache'. This is almost always used metaphorically to describe a person or a situation that is extremely annoying. For example, 'In bache maye-ye sardard-e man ast' (This child is the cause of my headache/is very annoying). Another synonym is صداع (soda'), which is the Arabic-rooted word for headache. While you won't hear 'soda' in daily conversation, you will definitely see it in classical Persian literature and old medical texts. Knowing it will help you if you ever study Rumi or Hafez.

او همیشه برای من دردسر درست می‌کند.

Translation: He always creates trouble (headache) for me.

Finally, consider the word تسکین (taskin), meaning relief or soothing. It is the word most associated with 'sardard' when looking for a cure. 'Taskin-e sardard' (headache relief) is a phrase you will see on many over-the-counter medications. By learning these related terms, you build a semantic web that makes the word 'sardard' much more than just a vocabulary entry—it becomes a part of a functional language system.

How Formal Is It?

Nível de dificuldade

Gramática essencial

Ezafe construction for adjectives

Compound nouns in Persian

Verb conjugation for 'dashtan'

Using 'be khater-e' for reasons

The 'ra' object marker (sometimes used with sardard)

Exemplos por nível

1

من سردرد دارم.

I have a headache.

Simple present tense with 'dashtan'.

2

آیا تو سردرد داری؟

Do you have a headache?

Question form using 'aya'.

3

او سردرد ندارد.

He/She does not have a headache.

Negative form of 'dashtan'.

4

سردرد بد است.

A headache is bad.

Simple subject-adjective sentence.

5

امروز سردرد دارم.

I have a headache today.

Use of time adverb 'emrouz'.

6

کمی سردرد دارم.

I have a little headache.

Adverb 'kami' modifying the noun.

7

آب برای سردرد خوب است.

Water is good for a headache.

Preposition 'baraye' (for).

8

من سردرد داشتم.

I had a headache.

Simple past tense of 'dashtan'.

1

من یک سردرد شدید گرفتم.

I got a severe headache.

Use of 'gereftan' (to get/catch).

2

چرا سردرد داری؟

Why do you have a headache?

Question word 'chera' (why).

3

به خاطر سردرد به مدرسه نرفتم.

I didn't go to school because of a headache.

Reasoning with 'be khater-e'.

4

این قرص برای سردرد عالی است.

This pill is excellent for headaches.

Adjective 'ali' (excellent).

5

بعد از کار سردرد می‌گیرم.

I get a headache after work.

Habitual present tense.

6

مادرم سردرد دارد و استراحت می‌کند.

My mother has a headache and is resting.

Compound sentence with 'va' (and).

7

آیا سردرد شما بهتر شد؟

Did your headache get better?

Polite 'shoma' and 'behtar shodan'.

8

من هیچ‌وقت سردرد نمی‌گیرم.

I never get a headache.

Negative with 'hich-vaqt' (never).

1

اگر زیاد با کامپیوتر کار کنی، سردرد می‌گیری.

If you work too much with the computer, you'll get a headache.

Conditional sentence (Type 1).

2

او گفت که تمام شب سردرد داشته است.

He said that he had a headache all night.

Reported speech with 'ke'.

3

این سردردها معمولاً عصرها شروع می‌شوند.

These headaches usually start in the evenings.

Plural noun and habitual verb.

4

من برای درمان سردردم به دکتر رفتم.

I went to the doctor to treat my headache.

Infinitive of purpose 'baraye darman'.

5

سردرد می‌تواند نشانه استرس باشد.

A headache can be a sign of stress.

Modal verb 'tavanestan' (can).

6

او از سردرد مزمن رنج می‌برد.

He suffers from chronic headaches.

Verb 'ranj bordan' (to suffer).

7

وقتی سردرد دارم، نمی‌توانم تمرکز کنم.

When I have a headache, I can't concentrate.

Temporal clause with 'vaqti'.

8

آیا این دارو سردرد را سریع خوب می‌کند؟

Does this medicine cure the headache quickly?

Adverb 'sari' (quickly).

1

سردرد او ناشی از کم‌آبی بدن بود.

His headache was due to dehydration.

Formal phrase 'nashi az' (stemming from).

2

بسیاری از مردم از سردردهای میگرنی شکایت دارند.

Many people complain about migraine headaches.

Verb 'shekayat dashtan' (to complain).

3

این مشکل اداری به یک سردرد بزرگ تبدیل شده است.

This administrative problem has turned into a big headache.

Metaphorical usage.

4

پزشک برای کاهش سردرد، آرام‌بخش تجویز کرد.

The doctor prescribed a sedative to reduce the headache.

Formal verb 'tajviz kardan'.

5

سردرد تنشی شایع‌ترین نوع سردرد است.

Tension headache is the most common type of headache.

Superlative adjective 'shayesta-tarin'.

6

او با وجود سردرد، به سخنرانی‌اش ادامه داد.

Despite the headache, he continued his speech.

Concession with 'ba vojud-e'.

7

علائم سردرد در بیماران مختلف، متفاوت است.

Headache symptoms vary in different patients.

Plural formal 'bimaran'.

8

اجتناب از نور زیاد می‌تواند به پیشگیری از سردرد کمک کند.

Avoiding bright light can help prevent headaches.

Gerund/Noun 'ejtenab' (avoiding).

1

پدیده سردرد در متون طب سنتی به تفصیل بررسی شده است.

The phenomenon of headache has been examined in detail in traditional medicine texts.

Passive voice and formal register.

2

تغییرات هورمونی یکی از عوامل کلیدی در بروز سردرد است.

Hormonal changes are one of the key factors in the occurrence of headaches.

Complex noun phrase 'boruz-e sardard'.

3

این بحران سیاسی برای دولت به یک سردرد مزمن بدل گشته است.

This political crisis has turned into a chronic headache for the government.

Literary verb 'badal gashtan'.

4

تشخیص دقیق منشأ سردرد نیازمند آزمایش‌های پیشرفته است.

Accurate diagnosis of the origin of the headache requires advanced tests.

Abstract noun 'mansha' (origin).

5

او از شدت سردرد به خود می‌پیچید.

He was writhing in pain from the intensity of the headache.

Idiomatic verb 'be khod pichidan'.

6

برخی مواد غذایی محرک‌هایی برای شروع سردرد هستند.

Some food items are triggers for the onset of headaches.

Technical term 'moharek' (trigger).

7

ارتباط مستقیمی بین آلودگی هوا و افزایش موارد سردرد وجود دارد.

There is a direct link between air pollution and the increase in headache cases.

Formal structure 'ertebat-e mostaghim'.

8

در ادبیات کلاسیک، سردرد گاه نمادی از سنگینی بار امانت است.

In classical literature, a headache is sometimes a symbol of the weight of a trust/burden.

Symbolic/Literary analysis.

1

تبیین سازوکارهای عصبی-شیمیایی سردرد، افق‌های جدیدی در درمان گشوده است.

Explaining the neurochemical mechanisms of headache has opened new horizons in treatment.

Highly academic vocabulary.

2

این مسئله حقوقی، سردردی است که هیچ وکیلی مایل به پذیرش آن نیست.

This legal issue is a headache that no lawyer is willing to accept.

Advanced metaphorical use.

3

پزشک با مداقه در تاریخچه بیمار، ریشه سردردهای خوش‌خیم را یافت.

By scrutinizing the patient's history, the doctor found the root of the benign headaches.

Archaic/Formal word 'modaqqe'.

4

تداخلات دارویی می‌تواند منجر به تشدید سردردهای خوشه‌ای گردد.

Drug interactions can lead to the intensification of cluster headaches.

Subjunctive/Formal 'gardad'.

5

ویژگی‌های بالینی این نوع سردرد با سایر اختلالات همپوشانی دارد.

The clinical features of this type of headache overlap with other disorders.

Technical term 'hampoushani' (overlap).

6

سردرد در این اثر داستانی، استعاره‌ای از زوال عقلانیت است.

The headache in this fictional work is a metaphor for the decay of rationality.

Literary criticism terminology.

7

مدیریت استرس، سنگ‌بنای پیشگیری از سردردهای مزمن در جوامع مدرن است.

Stress management is the cornerstone of preventing chronic headaches in modern societies.

Metaphorical 'sang-e bana' (cornerstone).

8

پیچیدگی‌های ساختاری این پروژه، سردردی فراتر از تصور ایجاد کرده است.

The structural complexities of this project have created a headache beyond imagination.

Hyperbolic formal expression.

Colocações comuns

سردرد شدید
سردرد خفیف
سردرد مزمن
دچار سردرد شدن
رفع سردرد
داروی سردرد
علت سردرد
سردرد میگرنی
سردرد عصبی
تسکین سردرد

Frequentemente confundido com

سردرد vs دردسر

Usually means 'trouble' or 'hassle' rather than physical pain.

سردرد vs سرگیجه

Means 'dizziness', a different symptom.

سردرد vs سرسام

An older, more dramatic term for delirium or severe headache.

Fácil de confundir

سردرد vs

سردرد vs

سردرد vs

سردرد vs

سردرد vs

Padrões de frases

Como usar

social

Common polite excuse.

medical

Standard term for headache.

metaphorical

Commonly used for problems/hassles.

Erros comuns
  • Saying 'Man sardard hastam' (I am a headache) instead of 'daram' (I have).
  • Confusing 'sardard' with 'sargije' (dizziness).
  • Forgetting the Ezafe in 'sardard-e shadid'.
  • Using English word order: 'Daram sardard'.
  • Mispronouncing 'sar' as 'saar' (long vowel).

Dicas

Verb Choice

Use 'dashtan' for the state and 'gereftan' for the onset.

Polite Excuse

Use 'sardard' as a gentle way to leave a loud party early.

Adjectives

Learn 'shadid' (severe) and 'khafif' (mild) immediately.

The 'D'

Ensure the final 'd' is audible but soft.

Spelling

It is written as one word or with a small space (half-space).

Pharmacy

Say 'ghors-e sardard' to get the right medicine.

Trouble

Use 'dard-e sar' for life's little problems.

Context

If someone holds their head, they are likely saying 'sardard'.

Intonation

Rise at the end for a question: 'Sardard dari?'

Body Parts

Learn other '-dard' words like 'del-dard' (stomach ache).

Memorize

Origem da palavra

Middle Persian

Contexto cultural

If someone tells you they have a 'sardard', it is polite to lower your voice and offer help or suggest they rest.

Iranians often use 'Nabat-Dagh' or 'Aragh-e-Nana' for general pains, though 'sardard' specifically might lead to 'Golab' (rosewater) application.

Pratique na vida real

Contextos reais

Iniciadores de conversa

"آیا تا به حال سردرد میگرنی داشته‌اید؟"

"برای درمان سردرد چه پیشنهادی دارید؟"

"آیا سردرد شما بهتر شده است؟"

"چه چیزی باعث سردرد شما می‌شود؟"

"آیا در این اتاق کسی قرص سردرد دارد؟"

Temas para diário

آخرین باری که سردرد داشتید چه زمانی بود؟

توصیف کنید که یک سردرد شدید چه حسی دارد.

چگونه استرس بر سردردهای شما تأثیر می‌گذارد؟

درباره یک موقعیت که 'سردرد' (دردسر) بزرگی برایتان بود بنویسید.

آیا درمان‌های خانگی برای سردرد را ترجیح می‌دهید یا داروهای شیمیایی؟

Perguntas frequentes

10 perguntas

You say 'Sardard-e shadid daram'. 'Shadid' means intense or severe.

Yes, it is the standard word used in both formal and informal Persian.

Yes, it is very common to use it metaphorically for a difficult task.

The plural is 'sardard-ha'.

Ask: 'Ghors-e sardard darid?' (Do you have headache pills?)

'Sardard daram' is 'I have a headache'. 'Saram dard mikone' is 'My head hurts'. They are interchangeable.

Yes, Persians use the word 'Migraine' (میگرن).

Usually, 'dard-e sar' or 'maye-ye sardard' is used for an annoying person.

It is pronounced 'sar-dard' with short 'a' sounds.

Yes, it combines 'sar' (head) and 'dard' (pain).

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