Ways to say it
| Dari | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| آرام | ârâm | /ʔaː.ˈraːm/ (Classical Persian) |
| خاموش | xâmuš | /xaː.ˈmoːʃ/ (Classical Persian) |
| کم صدا | kam sedâ | /ˈkam sa.ˈdaː/ (Classical Persian, word by word) |
In Dari, there are different ways to express 'quiet' depending on whether you are describing a person's behavior, a peaceful atmosphere or the volume of a sound. Use آرام to describe a sense of calm or peace, خاموش when referring to silence and کم صدا when you specifically mean a low volume.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase کم صدا is a literal description meaning 'little sound', composed of کم (little or low) and صدا (sound).
Which one should you use?
The forms differ based on the specific type of quietness: آرام is the most common way to describe a general sense of being quiet or calm, often implying a peaceful atmosphere or a slow pace. خاموش is a more formal term that often implies a complete lack of sound or total silence. کم صدا is a descriptive phrase used specifically for things like a quiet voice or low volume.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To give the command 'be quiet', you use the phrase خاموش باش (khâmuš bâš).
How do you pronounce it?
آرام is pronounced /ʔaː.ˈraːm/. It has two syllables, with the stress on the second syllable.
Did you know?
- The word خاموش is also used as a verb خاموشیدن to describe the act of extinguishing a fire or a light.
- The word خاموش is strangely linked to the concept of forgetting through the Proto-Indo-European root *mers-. This suggests that, historically, being 'silent' was conceptually connected to the act of 'forgetting'.
- In Dari culture, the word آرام can describe not just a quiet sound, but a slow pace or a patient temperament.
Examples in context
- اگر اشتباه می‌کنی، آن را بپذیر. اگر حق با تو است، خاموش باش.If you're wrong, admit it. If you're right, be quiet.This sentence shows how to use the form خاموش in an imperative context.Tatoeba #7497205 by cojiluc, translation #2004523 by FlamingTofu
- کتابخانه سکوت الزامی داردThe library requires silence.
- ایا میتوانی خاموش باشی؟ سعی میکنم تمرکز کنمCan you keep it quiet? I'm trying to concentrate.
- بیا مکانی خلوت پیدا کنیم تا بتوانیم چت کنیمLet's find a quiet place to have a chat.
- من یک خانه آرام می‌خواهم.Man yak khāna-ye āram mekhwāham.I want a quiet house.
Example conversation
Ali and Fatima are in a library.
- علی Aliفاطمه، لطفاً آرام باش.Fatima, lutfan aram bash.Fatima, please be quiet.
- فاطمه Fatimaببخشید، من فراموش کردم.Bebakhshid, man faramosh kardam.Sorry, I forgot.
- علی Aliاینجا جای آرام است.Inja jay-e aram ast.This is a quiet place.
- فاطمه Fatimaحق با تو است، علی.Haq ba tu ast, Ali.You are right, Ali.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “quiet” translations and entries آرام, خاموش, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (کم, صدا) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries آرام, خاموش, صدا, کم, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
