Day 54, Part 2 gives two proverbs, including زبان سرخ، سر سبز میدهد بر باد (a red tongue loses a green head), phrases about time like ساعت من عقب است (sâ’at-e man aghab ast, my watch is slow), a couplet by Hafez and the word حضار (hozzâr, audience).
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Idiom of the day
زبان سرخ، سر سبز میدهد بر باد.
zabân-e sorkh, sar-e sabz midahad bar bâd.
Word for word: A red tongue gives a green (young, healthy) head to the wind.
Meaning in Persian: نسنجیده سخن گفتن، پشیمانی میآورد.
Meaning: Speaking without thinking brings regret.
English equivalent: Loose lips sink ships.
Idiom of the day
زمستان رفت، روسیاهی به زغال ماند.
zemestân raft, rusiyâhi be zoghâl mând.
Word for word: Winter is gone, and the black face stays with the charcoal.
Meaning in Persian: شرایط سخت میگذرد، ولی بدیها به یاد میماند.
Meaning: Hard times pass, but people remember who behaved badly.
Common phrases
| Persian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| ساعت من عقب است. | sâ’at-e man aghab ast. | My watch is slow. |
| زمان خیلی کند میگذرد. | zamân kheyli kond migozarad. | Time is passing very slowly. (Time lies heavy on my hands.) |
| ساعت من جلو است. | sâ’at-e man jelo ast. | My watch is fast. |
Poetry
A couplet by Hafez (حافظ, hâfez). The book’s English verse translation: “Musk-diffusing, the breath of the morning breeze shall be: Again the world old young shall be.”
| Persian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| نفس باد صبا مشکفشان خواهد شد | nafas-e bâd-e sabâ moshk-feshân khâhad shod | The breath of the morning breeze will spread the scent of musk; |
| عالم پیر دگرباره جوان خواهد شد | âlam-e pir degarbâre javân khâhad shod | the old world will become young again. |
Word of the day: حضار (hozzâr)
Meaning: audience, those present
The audience applauded his speech.
Quick check
- How do you say “My watch is slow” in Persian?
Show answer
ساعت من عقب است. (sâ’at-e man aghab ast.)
- What does زبان سرخ، سر سبز میدهد بر باد warn against?
Show answer
speaking without thinking, which brings regret
- What does حضار (hozzâr) mean?
Show answer
audience, the people present
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