صبر کن
sabr kon
To wait in Persian, you use the phrase صبر کن (sabr kon).
The phrase is used to express the idea of delaying an action or exercising patience until a certain event occurs.
Meaning: delay until some event (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is a compound verb. It consists of the noun صبر (sabr), meaning 'patience' and the verb کن (kon), meaning 'do'. Literally, it translates to 'do patience'.
Which one should you use?
صبر کن emphasizes the act of exercising patience. In contrast, if you want to say 'be waiting' or 'stay expectant' (as in waiting for someone to arrive), you would use منتظر باش.
How does it change in a sentence?
صبر کن is the singular imperative form. To make the command polite or formal, you change صبر کن to صبر کنید. You can also use the informal phrase یه کم صبر کن to mean 'wait a little'.
How do you pronounce it?
sabr kon
Did you know?
- The word صبر is shared with the 'sabr' ritual in Islam, which refers to a state of spiritual patience and endurance during times of hardship.
- In Iranian culture, telling someone صبر کن can sometimes be a way of offering philosophical advice to endure a hardship, rather than just a request for a temporal pause.
- The noun in صبر کن is a direct loanword from Arabic, meaning 'patience' or 'endurance'.
Examples in context
- چیزهای خوب برای آنهایی اتفاق می‌افتند که صبر کنند.All things come to those who wait.This sentence uses صبر کن to illustrate a proverb about patience.Tatoeba #7495851 by cojiluc, translation #3501285 by CK
- قصد دارم صبر کنم.I've decided to wait.This sentence uses صبر کن to show a personal intention to wait.Tatoeba #10709091 by User103370, translation #5858531 by CK
- البته، صبر خواهم کرد.Of course, I will wait.
- بیست دقیقه صبر کن، در حال رسیدن هستم.Wait twenty minutes, I am on my way.
- حاضرم، منتظر تو خواهم بود.I am ready, I will be waiting for you.
- کمی صبر کن تا من بیایم.Kami sabr kon ta man biayam.Wait a little while until I come.
Example conversation
Mohammad and Zahra are leaving the house.
- محمد Mohammadزهرا، صبر کن! کفش‌هایم را پیدا نمی‌کنم.Zahra, sabr kon! Kafsh-hayam ra peyda nemikonam.Zahra, wait! I can't find my shoes.
- زهرا Zahraعجله کن محمد، دیرمان می‌شود.Ajale kon Mohammad, dirman mishavad.Hurry up Mohammad, we're going to be late.
- محمد Mohammadفقط یک لحظه صبر کن.Faghat yek lahze sabr kon.Just wait one moment.
- زهرا Zahraباشه، من دم در منتظرم.Bashe, man dame dar montazeram.Okay, I'm waiting by the door.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries صبر, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
