Significado
To result in financial gain or provide a significant advantage.
Contexto cultural
Bread is the most respected food item. Wasting bread is considered a sin ('gonāh'). This idiom elevates a job to the level of a sacred necessity. In the traditional bazaar, merchants use this to evaluate trade deals. It's a sign of a 'shrewd' businessman to know what will become bread and water. Parents often use this to push children toward STEM fields, reflecting a societal anxiety about economic stability. Offering 'Nān o Āb' to a guest is the bare minimum of hospitality. If a job can't even provide this, it's seen as a failure.
Use the Negative
You will hear 'نان و آب نمیشود' much more often than the positive. It's a common way to give realistic advice.
The 'V' sound
Remember to pronounce the 'و' as 'o' in this idiom to sound like a native. 'Nan va ab' sounds like a textbook.
Significado
To result in financial gain or provide a significant advantage.
Use the Negative
You will hear 'نان و آب نمیشود' much more often than the positive. It's a common way to give realistic advice.
The 'V' sound
Remember to pronounce the 'و' as 'o' in this idiom to sound like a native. 'Nan va ab' sounds like a textbook.
Don't use for people
Don't say 'You are bread and water for me' unless you want to sound like you are using them for money!
Ponte a prueba
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the idiom.
من فکر نمیکنم این مغازه برای ما _______ و _______ بشود.
The standard idiom uses 'nan' (bread) and 'ab' (water).
Which sentence means 'This job is not profitable'?
کدام جمله درست است؟
The negative form 'nemishavad' indicates a lack of profit.
Choose the best response for Speaker B.
Speaker A: میخواهم تمام وقتم را روی این نقاشیها بگذارم. Speaker B: ________
This is a natural cautionary use of the idiom.
Match the situation to the use of the idiom.
A person finally gets their first paycheck from a new YouTube channel.
The 'shod' (became) indicates the transition to profitability.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Positive vs Negative Usage
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosمن فکر نمیکنم این مغازه برای ما _______ و _______ بشود.
The standard idiom uses 'nan' (bread) and 'ab' (water).
کدام جمله درست است؟
The negative form 'nemishavad' indicates a lack of profit.
Speaker A: میخواهم تمام وقتم را روی این نقاشیها بگذارم. Speaker B: ________
This is a natural cautionary use of the idiom.
A person finally gets their first paycheck from a new YouTube channel.
The 'shod' (became) indicates the transition to profitability.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasYes, usually to say that the hobby *isn't* making money. 'این سرگرمی نان و آب نمیشود.'
It's a bit too informal for a first interview. Use 'درآمدزا' (income-generating) instead.
'Pool' is the currency itself. 'Nan o ab' is the *sustenance* and *stability* that money provides.
In writing, it's 'va'. In speaking, it's always 'o'.
No, that's not a standard idiom. Stick with 'shodan' or 'dashtan'.
Not at all. It's used daily by all ages in Iran.
Only if you are talking about the financial side of it, but it's a bit cold to do so.
On its own, it just means bread and water. You need the verb to make it an idiom.
Yes, 'نون و آب' (Noon o Ab) is the colloquial pronunciation.
Yes, to say their policies won't help the people's economy.
Frases relacionadas
نانش تو روغن است
builds onTo be very wealthy/successful.
نانبُر
contrastSomeone who ruins another's livelihood.
دنبال یک لقمه نان
similarStruggling to make a basic living.
آب از سر گذشتن
specialized formTo be in deep trouble.
