خاک بر سر

Persian

Etymology

خاک (xâk, “earth, dust”) +‎ بر (bar, “on”) +‎ سر (sar, “head”). Pouring dust on the head was traditionally a sign of extreme grief. In insults, it may also imply death and burial.

Pronunciation

• (Classical Persian) IPA^(key): [ˈxɑːk baɾ ˈsaɾ]

 

• (Dari, formal) IPA^(key): [xɑ́ːk bäɾ sǽɾ]

• (Dari, formal) IPA^(key): [xɑ́ːk bäɾ sǽɾ]
  • (Kabuli) IPA^(key): [xɑ́ːk bäɾ sǽɾ]
  • (Hazaragi) IPA^(key): [xɔ́ːk bäɾ sǽɾ]

• (Iran, formal) IPA^(key): [xɒ́ːkʲ bæɹ sǽɹ]

• (Tajik, formal) IPA^(key): [χɔ́k bäɾ sǽɾ]

Readings
Classical reading?	xāk bar sar
Dari reading?	xāk bar sar
Iranian reading?	xâk bar sar
Tajik reading?	xok bar sar

Adjective

خاک بر سر • (xâk bar sar)

1. (figurative) wretched; miserable; in extreme grief
2. (offensive) Used in strong insults.

   خاک بر سرم.

   xâk bar sar-am.

   I should go kill myself.

   (literally, “Dust on my head.”)

   (e.g. after making a serious mistake)

   خاک بر سر تو!

   xâk bar sar-e to!

   Go kill yourself!

   (literally, “Dust on your head!”)