خاک بر سر

Persian

Etymology

(xâk, “earth, dust”) +‎ (bar, “on”) +‎ (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]
- (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)

(figurative) wretched; miserable; in extreme grief
(offensive) Used in strong insults.
xâk bar sar-am.
I should go kill myself.
(literally, “Dust on my head.”)
(e.g. after making a serious mistake)

xâk bar sar-e to!
Go kill yourself!
(literally, “Dust on your head!”)