سرطان
saratân/sa.ra.ˈtaːn/
The English word cancer is translated into Persian as سرطان (saratân). Wiktionary also lists خرچنگ (xarčang) and چنگار (čangâr).
Meaning: disease of uncontrolled cellular proliferation (noun)
Ways to say it
| Persian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| سرطان | saratân | /sa.ra.ˈtaːn/ (Classical Persian) |
| خرچنگ | xarčang | /xar.ˈt͡ʃanɡ/ (Classical Persian) |
| چنگار | čangâr | |
| کنسر | kanser |
The word refers to the medical disease characterized by uncontrolled cellular proliferation.
Which one should you use?
سرطان is the standard and most common term used for the medical disease. In contrast, خرچنگ is used to refer to the zodiac sign Cancer or the constellation.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
کنسر is a formal or technical loanword used in medical contexts, often seen in clinical or academic settings.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Adding the suffix –ی to the noun سرطان creates the adjective meaning cancerous.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of سرطان is /sa.ra.ˈtaːn/. It has three syllables, with the stress on the third syllable.
Did you know?
- The Persian word for crab, خرچنگ, is etymologically related to the English word 'scratch', as both stem from an ancient root meaning 'to cut' or 'to scratch'.
- While 'cancer' in English comes from Latin, the Persian word سرطان is a direct loanword from Arabic.
Examples in context
- دانشمندان هنوز برای سرطان واکسن پیدا نکرده‌اند.Scientists haven't found a vaccine for cancer yet.This sentence is useful for discussing the scientific search for a vaccine for سرطان.Tatoeba #12146479 by cojiluc, translation #682299 by Source_VOA
- او با سرطان مبارزه می کند.She's beating cancer.This sentence is useful for describing someone's struggle with سرطان.Tatoeba #1624232 by AsliAbbasi, translation #680472 by Source_VOA
- سلام، بر اساس آزمایش‌هایی که انجام دادید، شما مبتلا به سرطان هستید.Hello, based on the tests you've undergone, you have cancer.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a relative's health.
- امیر Amirمریم، شنیدم مادربزرگت مریض است.Maryam, shenidam mādarbozorg-at mariz ast.Maryam, I heard your grandmother is sick.
- مریم Maryamبله، متاسفانه او سرطان دارد.Bale, mote'assefāne oo saratān dārad.Yes, unfortunately she has cancer.
- امیر Amirخیلی متاسفم، حالش الان چطور است؟Kheyli mote'assefam, hālash alān chetor ast?I am very sorry, how is she doing now?
- مریم Maryamممنونم امیر، او دارد درمان می‌گیرد.Mamnoonam Amir, oo dārad darmān migirad.Thank you Amir, she is receiving treatment.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cancer” translations and entries سرطان, خرچنگ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries خرچنگ, سرطان, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
