خاک تو سرت (Khāk tu saret)
What does خاک تو سرت (Khāk tu saret) mean? خاک تو سرت (Khāk tu saret) is a Farsi (Persian) moderate that translates to “shame on you, you should be embarrassed” in English.
Literal Translation
dirt in your head / may dirt be on your head
Meaning & Usage
"shame on you, you should be embarrassed"
A variation of 'khāk bar saret' (already in database) — wishing dirt/earth on someone's head, invoking the burial imagery of death and shame. 'Tu' (in) instead of 'bar' (on) is slightly less formal but equally devastating. The image is of someone so shameful they should be buried.
Examples in the Wild
'Khāk tu saret, in che kāri-e kardi?' — shame on you, what have you done? Said by parents, spouses, and friends about deeply embarrassing behavior.
When to Use It
Context
- Casual conversations with friends
- Informal settings where profanity is accepted
- As a spontaneous exclamation
Avoid
- Professional or formal settings
- Job interviews, meetings, or customer-facing situations
Cultural Context
In Persian mourning tradition, the bereaved literally throw dirt on their heads as a sign of grief. Wishing this on someone means they should be in mourning — either for their own dignity or as a death wish. The gesture of throwing dirt is viscerally understood by every Iranian, giving this phrase physical weight beyond its words.
More in Farsi (Persian) 🇮🇷
View all →کس (Kos)
“cunt, pussy”
The vulgar Persian word for vagina — the root of an enormous profanity family. 'Kos' by itself is crude but it's the derivatives that make it devastating: koskesh (pimp), kos-e naneh (mother's cunt), kos nagu (don't talk shit), kos khol (vagina-brained/idiot). Understanding 'kos' unlocks half of Persian profanity.
بیناموس (Bi nāmus)
“dishonorable, scumbag”
'Nāmus' is one of Persian's most loaded concepts — it means honor, specifically family honor tied to female relatives' chastity and reputation. 'Bi nāmus' (without nāmus) is therefore one of the worst things you can call someone: a man who has failed to protect his family's honor, or worse, doesn't care about it.
کیری (Kiri)
“shitty, dickish, crappy”
The all-purpose adjective form of 'kir' (penis). Anything terrible, worthless, or pathetic can be 'kiri' — a kiri car, a kiri movie, a kiri day. It transforms the penis from a body part into a quality rating system where everything associated with it is garbage. One of the most frequently used adjectives in vulgar Persian.
کون (Kun)
“ass, butt”
The standard vulgar word for buttocks/anus. It's the root of 'kuni' (gay, already in the database) and dozens of compound expressions. On its own it's crude but not devastating — more like English 'ass' than anything nuclear. 'Kun' generates much of Persian's anal-themed insult vocabulary.
کسکش (Koskesh)
“pimp, motherfucker, piece of shit”
One of Persian's nuclear insults — literally 'one who drags kos (vagina),' meaning a pimp. But nobody processes the literal meaning; it functions as a general-purpose extreme insult equivalent to 'motherfucker' or 'piece of shit.' Calling someone 'koskesh' is declaring them beneath contempt.
شاشیدن (Shāshidan)
“to piss, to pee”
The vulgar verb for urination. Figuratively, 'shāshidam be X' (I pissed on X) means extreme contempt or disrespect. Less harsh than 'ridan' (shitting) but in the same contempt family. 'Shāsh' (piss) as a noun also means something worthless.
بیشرف (Bi sharaf)
“dishonorable, lowlife, scum”
Literally 'without sharaf' (nobility/honor). While similar to 'bi nāmus,' this targets general moral character rather than specifically family-sexual honor. A 'bi sharaf' person is a liar, a cheat, someone who breaks promises — dishonorable in the broader sense. It's a serious insult but less explosive than 'bi nāmus.'
لاشی (Lāshi)
“scumbag, lowlife, piece of trash”
From 'lāsh' (carcass/corpse), calling someone 'lāshi' means they're morally dead — a worthless, contemptible lowlife. It implies someone who does disgusting things without conscience. In Tehran street slang, 'lāshi' has become one of the most common character insults, covering everyone from petty cheaters to serious criminals.