A2 Expression Neutral

چیزی نیست

chizi nist

It's nothing

Significado

Used to dismiss a thank you or to indicate something is minor.

🌍

Contexto cultural

The phrase is a key part of Ta'arof. Even if you spent hours on a task, you say 'Chizi nist' to show that the person's friendship is worth more than your effort. In fast-paced Tehran, 'Chizi nis' is used rapidly to move past small social frictions like bumping into someone on the Metro. Family members often use 'Chizi nist' to comfort a sick relative, sometimes even when the situation is serious, to keep their spirits up (though this is changing). Second-generation Iranians often use 'Chizi nist' as a direct translation of 'It's nothing', maintaining the cultural habit of humility even when speaking English.

🎯

The 'Baba' Add-on

Add 'baba' at the end (Chizi nist baba) to sound like a local when talking to friends. It adds a layer of 'Oh, come on, don't mention it!'

⚠️

Don't be too dismissive

If someone is crying, 'Chizi nist' might sound like you don't care. Use 'Chi shode?' (What happened?) instead.

Significado

Used to dismiss a thank you or to indicate something is minor.

🎯

The 'Baba' Add-on

Add 'baba' at the end (Chizi nist baba) to sound like a local when talking to friends. It adds a layer of 'Oh, come on, don't mention it!'

⚠️

Don't be too dismissive

If someone is crying, 'Chizi nist' might sound like you don't care. Use 'Chi shode?' (What happened?) instead.

💬

Ta'arof Loop

If you say 'Chizi nist' and they thank you again, you can repeat it or switch to 'Khahesh mikonam'.

Ponte a prueba

Complete the dialogue with the correct phrase.

سارا: وای! لیوان از دستم افتاد. ببخشید! علی: ________، نشکست که.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: چیزی نیست

Ali is dismissing Sara's apology for dropping the glass.

Match the situation to the best use of 'چیزی نیست'.

You help an elderly lady carry her groceries and she says 'Dastet dard nakone'.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: Say 'Chizi nist' to be humble.

In this context, it functions as 'You're welcome/It was no trouble'.

Fill in the blank to say 'There is nothing in the fridge'.

توی یخچال ________.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: چیزی نیست

'Chizi nist' is used here in its literal sense of 'nothing'.

Which sentence is the most natural response to 'Mamnnoon' (Thanks)?

ممنون برای کمک!

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: چیزی نیست

'Chizi nist' is the idiomatic way to say 'It's nothing'.

🎉 Puntuación: /4

Ayudas visuales

When to say 'Chizi nist'

🙏

Gratitude

  • After a favor
  • After a gift
  • After a compliment
🩹

Accidents

  • Small trip
  • Spilling water
  • Dropping a pen
🙇

Apologies

  • Being late
  • Forgetting a name
  • Small mistake

Banco de ejercicios

4 ejercicios
Complete the dialogue with the correct phrase. dialogue_completion A2

سارا: وای! لیوان از دستم افتاد. ببخشید! علی: ________، نشکست که.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: چیزی نیست

Ali is dismissing Sara's apology for dropping the glass.

Match the situation to the best use of 'چیزی نیست'. situation_matching A2

You help an elderly lady carry her groceries and she says 'Dastet dard nakone'.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: Say 'Chizi nist' to be humble.

In this context, it functions as 'You're welcome/It was no trouble'.

Fill in the blank to say 'There is nothing in the fridge'. Fill Blank A1

توی یخچال ________.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: چیزی نیست

'Chizi nist' is used here in its literal sense of 'nothing'.

Which sentence is the most natural response to 'Mamnnoon' (Thanks)? Choose A2

ممنون برای کمک!

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: چیزی نیست

'Chizi nist' is the idiomatic way to say 'It's nothing'.

🎉 Puntuación: /4

Preguntas frecuentes

14 preguntas

It is neutral. You can use it with your boss (if they say thanks) or your best friend.

Yes, especially after a small physical accident like tripping.

'Khahesh mikonam' is the standard 'You're welcome'. 'Chizi nist' is more like 'It's nothing'.

Usually written as 'chizi nist' or 'chizi nis'.

No, that's a big deal! You'd say 'Badbakht shodam!' (I'm miserable/unlucky).

Literally, yes. Socially, it's a dismissal of concern or gratitude.

Yes, though they might have slight dialectal variations like 'Chize nest'.

Yes, it's a very polite way to say 'No worries'.

You say 'Chizi baraye khordan nist'.

Yes, but adding 'Ghabeli nadarad' before or after makes it more respectful.

It's a feature of the Tehrani accent to make speech faster and more fluid.

Yes. 'Chizi nist?' means 'Is nothing wrong?' or 'Is everything okay?'.

Extremely. It's one of the most used phrases in Iranian cinema.

'Chizi hast' (There is something) or 'Kheili moheme' (It's very important).

Frases relacionadas

🔄

خواهش می‌کنم

synonym

You're welcome / I beg of you

🔗

قابلی ندارد

similar

It has no value

🔗

فدای سرت

similar

May it be sacrificed for your head

🔄

مشکلی نیست

synonym

No problem

🔗

عیبی ندارد

similar

No fault/No harm

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