سرگرمی
sargarmī/sar.ɡar.ˈmiː/
The Persian word for hobby is سرگرمی (sargarmī).
سرگرمی is used to refer to a hobby or an activity done for enjoyment in one's spare time. It is also the standard term for general entertainment or amusement.
Meaning: activity done for enjoyment in spare time (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is a compound of sar (head) and garmī (warmth/heat), which literally translates to 'head-warming' or something that occupies the mind.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /sar.ɡar.ˈmiː/. It has three syllables, with the stress on the third syllable.
When do people say it?
To ask someone about their hobbies, you can use the phrase تو چه سرگرمی‌هایی داری؟ (What hobbies do you have?). Some common hobby-related terms include عکاسی (photography), باغبانی (gardening), پیاده‌روی (hiking), آشپزی (cooking), نواختن ساز (playing an instrument) and جمع‌آوری تمبر (collecting stamps).
Did you know?
- The word سرگرم (sargarm) is often used in classical Persian poetry to describe someone who is 'lost' in a state of distraction or intoxication, often by love or beauty.
- The word سر in سرگرمی means 'head', a common feature in Persian where the 'head' often represents the mind, the ego or the lead position in a sequence.
- While an English speaker might say they 'have' a hobby, a Persian speaker might say they are سرگرم (sargarm), which means they are 'occupied' or 'distracted' by it.
Examples in context
- من سرگرمی‌های مختلف دارم، از جمله کتابخوانی و نقاشی.I have various hobbies, including reading and painting.
- دوچرخه‌سواری را دوست دارم.I love cycling.
- نقاشی سرگرمی مورد علاقه من است.naghashi sargarmi-ye morede alaghe-ye man ast.Painting is my favorite hobby.
- او یک سرگرمی جدید پیدا کرده است.u yek sargarmi-ye jadid peyda karde ast.He has found a new hobby.
- آیا سرگرمی خاصی داری؟aya sargarmi-ye khasi dari?Do you have a specific hobby?
Example conversation
Zahra and Amir are talking about their free time.
- زهرا Zahraامیر، تو چه سرگرمی داری؟Amir, to che sargarmi dari?Amir, what hobby do you have?
- امیر Amirمن عاشق عکاسی هستم.Man ashegh-e akkasi hastam.I love photography.
- زهرا Zahraچه جالب! من هم دوست دارم.Che jaleb! Man ham doost daram.How interesting! I like it too.
- امیر Amirبیا با هم عکس بگیریم.Bia ba ham aks begirim.Let's take photos together.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry سرگرمی, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
