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A2 pronoun #1,200 más común 12 min de lectura

چیست

chist Top 1,200

Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos چیست en 30 segundos

Explicación چیست in your Level:

At the A1 level, learners are introduced to the most basic building blocks of the Persian language. The word چیست is one of the very first interrogative pronouns you will encounter. It is essential for forming simple questions about the world around you. At this stage, you learn it as a fixed formula to ask 'What is this?' (این چیست؟) or 'What is that?' (آن چیست؟). You are taught that it is a combination of 'what' and 'is', and that it must always be placed at the end of the sentence. While you might not yet fully grasp the nuances of formal versus informal registers, you learn that this is the 'book word' for asking questions. You practice using it to point at objects in the classroom—like a book, a pen, or a desk—and asking your teacher to identify them. This foundational usage helps you build your vocabulary by constantly asking for the names of new things. It is a tool for survival and basic communication in a formal learning environment. You also learn to recognize it in simple reading texts, where it is used to introduce new concepts or characters. The focus is entirely on concrete, visible objects rather than abstract ideas. Mastery at this level means you can confidently point to an item and ask what it is using the correct word order and basic pronunciation.

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Moving into the A2 level, your understanding of چیست expands beyond simple point-and-ask scenarios. You begin to use it to ask about slightly more complex or less tangible things. For example, you might ask 'What is your name?' (نام شما چیست؟) or 'What is your job?' (شغل شما چیست؟) in a formal context. At this stage, the distinction between formal written Persian and informal spoken Persian becomes much clearer. You learn that while you read and write this word in your textbook exercises, you should use 'chiye' when doing speaking practice with a partner in a casual setting. You start to see this word in short reading passages, such as simple news briefs or formal letters. You also learn how to combine it with the ezafe connector to ask about specific attributes of an object, like 'What is the color of this car?' (رنگ این ماشین چیست؟). The sentences become slightly longer, but the interrogative remains firmly at the end. You practice writing short paragraphs where you pose a question using this word and then answer it. This level solidifies your grammatical understanding of the word as a contracted copula and ensures you do not make the mistake of adding an extra verb to the sentence.

At the B1 level, you are becoming an independent user of the Persian language. Your use of چیست becomes much more sophisticated. You are no longer just asking about concrete objects; you are using it to inquire about abstract concepts, reasons, and definitions. You might ask 'What is the reason for this?' (دلیل این چیست؟) or 'What is the difference between these two?' (تفاوت این دو چیست؟). You encounter this word frequently in intermediate reading materials, such as opinion pieces, essays, and formal emails. You are expected to use it correctly in your own formal writing, ensuring that your tone matches the context. At this level, you also learn to navigate indirect questions, such as 'I asked him what the problem is' (از او پرسیدم مشکل چیست). This requires a deeper understanding of Persian syntax and clause structure. You become acutely aware of the stylistic choices between using this contracted form versus the expanded 'چه چیزی است' for emphasis. Your listening skills improve to the point where you can easily pick out this word in news broadcasts and formal speeches, recognizing the rising intonation that accompanies it. The word becomes a versatile tool for gathering detailed information and expressing intellectual curiosity.

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Reaching the B2 level means you have a strong command of the language and can handle complex, abstract discussions. The word چیست is now a natural part of your formal vocabulary. You use it effortlessly in academic and professional contexts. You might participate in a debate and ask rhetorical questions like 'What is the ultimate goal of this policy?' (هدف نهایی این سیاست چیست؟). You read advanced texts, including literature and journalistic analyses, where this word is used to probe deep societal or philosophical issues. You understand the subtle rhetorical power of placing this word at the end of a long, complex sentence to deliver a punchy inquiry. You are also comfortable with idiomatic expressions or fixed phrases that incorporate this word. In writing, you use it to structure essays, posing a thesis question in the introduction. You are completely immune to the common beginner mistakes, such as the double copula or confusing it with 'kist'. Your pronunciation is precise, and your intonation sounds native-like when delivering formal questions. You appreciate the elegance of the contraction and use it to elevate the register of your spoken and written Persian when the situation demands a high level of professionalism or respect.

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At the C1 level, your proficiency is advanced, and your use of چیست reflects a deep, nuanced understanding of Persian rhetoric and style. You encounter this word in classical and modern literature, where it is often used not just to ask for information, but to provoke thought or express existential doubt. You might read a poem where the poet asks 'What is life?' (زندگی چیست؟) and understand the profound cultural and literary connotations behind the question. You use it in your own advanced writing to create a specific tone, perhaps an authoritative or contemplative one. You can effortlessly switch between this formal word and its colloquial counterparts depending on the exact social dynamic of the conversation, demonstrating absolute mastery of register. You understand how the word interacts with complex grammatical structures, such as multiple subordinate clauses, without losing the thread of the sentence. You can analyze texts and discuss why an author chose this specific interrogative over an alternative. In professional settings, such as giving a formal presentation or writing a comprehensive report, you use this word to guide your audience through complex arguments, posing questions and systematically answering them. It is a seamless part of your advanced linguistic repertoire.

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At the C2 level, you possess near-native mastery of the Persian language. Your relationship with the word چیست is entirely intuitive. You understand its historical evolution, how the contraction formed over centuries of literary development, and its exact place in the pantheon of Persian vocabulary. You can engage in deep philosophical, theological, or academic discourse, using this word to question the very nature of reality, truth, or existence, much like a native scholar would. You appreciate the aesthetic quality of the word in poetry, how its single syllable provides a sharp, definitive end to a metrical line. You can write highly sophisticated prose, using rhetorical questions featuring this word to manipulate the pacing and emotional impact of your text. You are aware of regional or historical variations in its usage, though you adhere to the standard modern formal usage in your own production. There is no context, no matter how complex or obscure, where you would misuse or misunderstand this word. It is a fundamental element of your ability to express the highest levels of intellectual inquiry in the Persian language, demonstrating your complete and total command of its grammar, syntax, and cultural resonance.

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Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos

چیست en 30 segundos

Means 'What is?'
Used for things, not people.
Highly formal register.
Placed at the end of sentences.

The Persian word چیست is a fundamental interrogative pronoun combined with a copula, translating directly to 'What is?' in English. To truly understand this word, we must break down its morphological components. It is a contraction of two distinct words: چی (chi), meaning 'what', and است (ast), meaning 'is'. When these two words are brought together in formal or written Persian, the alef (ا) in است is dropped, and the two words merge to form چیست (chist). This contraction is not merely a shorthand; it is the standard, grammatically correct way to ask 'what is' in formal Persian literature, news broadcasts, academic writing, and polite conversation. Understanding when and how to use this word is crucial for any learner aiming to achieve proficiency in the Persian language. The usage of this word is predominantly formal. In everyday spoken Persian, native speakers almost exclusively use the colloquial equivalent چیه (chiye). Therefore, when you encounter or use چیست, you are operating in a register that commands respect, indicates a formal setting, or reflects written text.

Morphological Breakdown: The word consists of 'chi' (what) and 'ast' (is). The fusion eliminates the glottal stop of the alef, creating a smooth, single-syllable transition.

این کتاب چیست.

When people use this word, they are typically asking for the definition, identity, or nature of an inanimate object, an abstract concept, or a situation. It is strictly used for non-human subjects. If you want to ask 'who is', you must use a completely different word, کیست (kist). Mixing these two up is a common error for beginners but one that is easily corrected with practice.

Semantic Scope: Used exclusively for things, ideas, animals, and abstract nouns. Never used for human beings.

مشکل شما چیست.

The philosophical and literary weight of this word cannot be overstated. In classical Persian poetry, such as the works of Rumi, Hafez, and Saadi, this word frequently appears in profound rhetorical questions. For instance, a poet might ask 'Love, what is it?' using this exact term to prompt deep reflection.

عشق چیست.

Literary Usage: Serves as a powerful tool for rhetorical inquiry in poetry, often placed at the end of a hemistich for rhythmic emphasis.

In modern contexts, you will hear this word in university lectures, read it in newspapers, and see it on official forms. For example, a form might ask 'What is your occupation?' using this formal structure.

شغل شما چیست.

To master Persian, one must become comfortable navigating the dual nature of the language: the formal (ketabi) and the informal (mohaverei). This word is the quintessential example of the formal register. It is precise, elegant, and historically rich. By learning to recognize and use it appropriately, you bridge the gap between merely speaking the language and truly understanding its literary and cultural foundations.

هدف از این پروژه چیست.

Whether you are asking about the meaning of a new vocabulary word, inquiring about the purpose of a tool, or delving into the mysteries of the universe, this word provides the necessary linguistic framework to pose your question with clarity and dignity.

Using the word چیست correctly in a sentence requires an understanding of Persian syntax, specifically the typical Subject-Object-Verb (SOV) word order. Because this word inherently contains the verb 'is' (است), it almost always appears at the very end of the sentence. This is a crucial rule for English speakers to grasp, as in English, the interrogative 'what' typically appears at the beginning of the sentence (e.g., 'What is this?'). In Persian, the structure is inverted to 'This what is?' (این چیست).

Syntactic Position: The word functions as both the interrogative pronoun and the main verb of the clause, dictating its final position in standard declarative-turned-interrogative sentences.

نام این خیابان چیست.

Let us examine more complex sentence structures. When you want to ask about the nature of a specific noun, you place the noun phrase first, followed by the interrogative. For example, 'What is the capital of Iran?' becomes 'Capital of Iran what is?' (پایتخت ایران چیست). The possessive construction (ezafe) links 'capital' and 'Iran', and the entire noun phrase acts as the subject.

Interaction with Ezafe: The interrogative naturally follows complex noun phrases connected by the ezafe particle, questioning the entirety of the preceding phrase.

دلیل این اتفاق چیست.

Intonation also plays a vital role when using this word. Even though the word itself clearly marks the sentence as a question, spoken formal Persian still utilizes a rising intonation toward the end of the sentence to emphasize the inquiry. The stress usually falls on the 'chi' part of the word, highlighting the 'what' aspect of the question.

معنی این واژه چیست.

Intonation Pattern: A rising pitch contour is applied to the final syllable or the interrogative word itself to signal a request for information.

In poetry and highly stylized prose, you might occasionally see this word placed earlier in the sentence for rhythmic or metrical reasons, but this is an exception to the rule and should not be imitated in standard writing or speech by learners. For example, a poet might write 'What is life but a fleeting dream?' and place the interrogative at the beginning, but in standard prose, it remains at the end.

برنامه شما برای فردا چیست.

Furthermore, this word can be used in indirect questions, though it is less common than in direct questions. For instance, 'I do not know what the problem is' translates to 'I do not know the problem what is' (من نمی‌دانم مشکل چیست). Notice how the interrogative remains at the end of the subordinate clause.

بگو ببینم نظر تو چیست.

Mastering the placement and usage of this word is a significant milestone in achieving fluency in formal Persian. It demonstrates a clear understanding of Persian sentence mechanics and the ability to formulate inquiries correctly.

The environment in which you encounter the word چیست is highly indicative of its formal register. Unlike English, where 'what is' is used universally across all levels of formality, Persian draws a sharp line between written/formal language and spoken/informal language. You will primarily hear and see this word in formal, academic, journalistic, and literary contexts. It is the language of the news anchor, the university professor, the author, and the poet.

Journalistic Context: News anchors and journalists use this word to maintain a professional and objective tone when asking questions during interviews or presenting information.

واکنش دولت به این بحران چیست.

If you turn on an Iranian news channel, such as IRINN or BBC Persian, you will frequently hear reporters asking politicians, 'What is your plan?' using this exact formal phrasing. Similarly, in an academic setting, a professor might write on the board, 'What is the theory of relativity?' utilizing this word to convey academic rigor.

Academic Context: Textbooks, exams, and lectures employ this term to pose questions clearly and unambiguously to students.

پاسخ صحیح به این سوال چیست.

Beyond the news and the classroom, this word is ubiquitous in literature. Whether you are reading a modern novel by Sadegh Hedayat or classical poetry by Ferdowsi, the formal interrogative is the standard. It provides a timeless quality to the text. In poetry, the brevity of the word (one syllable compared to the two syllables of 'che ast') makes it highly useful for maintaining meter and rhythm.

سرانجام این داستان چیست.

Customer Service Context: Formal customer service interactions, especially in writing (emails, official letters), will use this word to maintain politeness and professional distance.

You will also encounter this word in official correspondence, legal documents, and bureaucratic forms. If you go to a bank in Tehran to open an account, the form will ask for your details using formal language. However, it is equally important to know where you will *not* hear this word. You will rarely hear it in a casual conversation at a cafe, among friends, or in a bustling bazaar. In those settings, using such a formal word would sound stiff, unnatural, or overly dramatic.

مبلغ قابل پرداخت چیست.

Understanding the contextual boundaries of this word is a key part of cultural fluency. It shows that you not only know the grammar but also understand the social dynamics of the Persian language. By observing where native speakers use this word, you can calibrate your own language use to match the appropriate level of formality in any given situation.

شرایط ثبت نام چیست.

In summary, this word is the cornerstone of formal inquiry in Persian, essential for navigating the professional, academic, and literary spheres of the language.

When learning the word چیست, English speakers and other non-native learners often fall into several predictable traps. These mistakes generally stem from direct translation habits, a misunderstanding of the word's internal structure, or confusion regarding the strict formal/informal divide in the Persian language. By analyzing these common errors, learners can accelerate their mastery of Persian interrogatives.

The Double Copula Error: Because the word translates to 'what is', learners sometimes forget that 'is' is already included and add another 'ast' at the end.

موضوع جلسه چیست.

One of the most frequent mistakes is the 'double copula'. A learner might write 'این چیست است؟' (In chist ast?). This literally translates to 'This what is is?'. Because the 'ast' is hidden within the contraction, it is easy to forget it is there. Always remember that the word is self-contained; it requires no additional verb to form a complete sentence.

Human vs. Non-Human Confusion: Applying this word to ask about a person's identity instead of using the correct human-specific interrogative.

تفاوت این دو چیست.

Another major hurdle is register mismatch. A learner might walk into a casual grocery store and ask the shopkeeper, 'قیمت این چیست؟' (What is the price of this?). While grammatically flawless, it sounds extremely robotic and overly formal for the setting. The shopkeeper will understand, but it immediately marks the speaker as a foreigner who learned Persian exclusively from a textbook. In such a scenario, 'gheymatesh chiye?' is the natural choice.

نتیجه آزمایش چیست.

Pronunciation Errors: Mispronouncing the vowel sound. It should be a clear 'ee' sound as in 'cheese', not a short 'i' as in 'chip'.

Pronunciation can also be a stumbling block. The vowel in 'chi' is a long 'ee' sound (i:). Sometimes learners shorten it, making it sound ambiguous. Ensuring the vowel is fully articulated helps maintain the clarity of the question. Additionally, failing to use rising intonation at the end of the sentence can make the question sound like a flat statement, causing confusion for the listener.

دلیل غیبت شما چیست.

Finally, learners sometimes try to separate the contraction back into its original parts in modern writing, writing 'چی است' instead of the contracted form. While technically not wrong historically, in modern standard Persian, the contracted form is universally preferred and expected in formal writing. Writing them separately looks archaic or unpolished.

پیام این فیلم چیست.

By being aware of these common pitfalls—avoiding the double copula, matching the register to the context, using it only for non-humans, and maintaining correct pronunciation and spelling—learners can use this essential interrogative with confidence and accuracy.

The Persian language offers several ways to ask 'what is', each carrying a slightly different nuance, level of formality, or structural purpose. While چیست is the standard formal contraction, understanding its alternatives is essential for a well-rounded vocabulary. The most common alternative, and the one you will hear most frequently in daily life, is چیه (chiye). This is the colloquial, spoken equivalent. It serves the exact same grammatical function but is used exclusively in informal settings, such as talking with friends, family, or in casual public interactions.

Colloquial Equivalent: چیه (chiye) is the everyday spoken version. It is relaxed, friendly, and universally understood, but inappropriate for formal writing.

این چیست.

Another highly formal alternative is چه چیزی است (che chizi ast), which translates literally to 'what thing is it?'. This phrase is more emphatic and is often used when the speaker wants to stress the nature of the object being questioned. It is slightly more verbose and is frequently found in philosophical or highly analytical texts where precision is paramount.

Emphatic Formal Alternative: چه چیزی است (che chizi ast) adds the word 'thing' (chiz) to make the inquiry more specific and weighty.

هدف نهایی چیست.

Sometimes, learners confuse this word with کدام است (kodam ast), which means 'which is'. While both are interrogatives ending in the copula, 'kodam' asks for a selection from a known set, whereas 'chi' asks for identification of an unknown entity. For example, 'Which is your car?' requires 'kodam', while 'What is a car?' requires 'chi'.

Selection vs. Identification: کدام است (kodam ast) is used for choosing among options, whereas the target word is used for defining or identifying something new.

راه حل چیست.

In specific contexts, you might also hear منظور چیست (manzoor chist), meaning 'what is the meaning/intention?'. This is a very common collocation used when asking for clarification. While it still uses the base word, it functions as a specific phrase to dig deeper into someone's statement.

علت اصلی چیست.

Understanding these alternatives allows a learner to express themselves with greater precision. Knowing when to use the formal contraction, when to switch to the colloquial form, when to add emphasis with 'che chizi', and when to ask for a selection with 'kodam' demonstrates a high level of linguistic competence and cultural awareness in Persian.

How Formal Is It?

Dato curioso

Because 'ast' (is) shares the exact same ancient root as the English word 'is', when you say 'chist', you are using a distant cousin of the English language!

Guía de pronunciación

UK /tʃiːst/

US /tʃist/

The stress falls entirely on the single syllable, with slight emphasis on the vowel.

Rima con

نیست بیست کیست زیست ایست لیست گریست نگریست

Errores comunes

Pronouncing it with a short 'i' like in 'chip'. It must be a long 'ee'.
Adding an extra syllable at the end, like 'chee-ste'.
Forgetting to pronounce the 't' at the very end.
Confusing the 'ch' sound with a 'sh' sound.
Using falling intonation when asking a question.

Nivel de dificultad

Lectura 2/5

Very easy to read, common in all texts.

Escritura 2/5

Easy to write, just remember not to add an extra 'ast'.

Expresión oral 4/5

Harder to know *when* to use it without sounding unnatural.

Escucha 3/5

Easy to hear, but learners must catch the intonation.

Qué aprender después

Requisitos previos

چی است این آن نام

Aprende después

کیست کجاست چرا چگونه کدام

Avanzado

چیستی ماهیت ذات مفهوم منظور

Gramática que debes saber

Subject-Object-Verb (SOV) Word Order

Persian sentences end with the verb. Since this word contains the verb 'is', it goes at the end.

Ezafe Construction

When asking about an attribute of a noun, link them with ezafe before the interrogative: رنگِ ماشین چیست؟

Contractions in Persian

Persian often drops the alef in 'ast' when combining it with preceding vowels, e.g., چی + است = چیست.

Intonation in Questions

Even with a question word, formal Persian uses a rising pitch at the end of the sentence.

Human vs Non-Human Pronouns

Use 'ki' for humans and 'chi' for non-humans.

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Ejemplos por nivel

این چیست؟

What is this?

Basic usage of the interrogative at the end of the sentence.

آن چیست؟

What is that?

Used with the demonstrative pronoun 'that'.

نام شما چیست؟

What is your name?

Formal way to ask for someone's name.

شغل او چیست؟

What is his/her job?

Asking about an occupation.

رنگ این ماشین چیست؟

What is the color of this car?

Using ezafe to link 'color' and 'car'.

مشکل چیست؟

What is the problem?

A very common, simple inquiry.

آدرس شما چیست؟

What is your address?

Used in formal or official situations.

شماره تلفن شما چیست؟

What is your phone number?

Standard formal question for contact info.

دلیل این کار چیست؟

What is the reason for this action?

Expanding vocabulary to ask about reasons.

برنامه شما برای فردا چیست؟

What is your plan for tomorrow?

Asking about future intentions.

غذای مورد علاقه شما چیست؟

What is your favorite food?

Using complex noun phrases with the interrogative.

پایتخت ایران چیست؟

What is the capital of Iran?

Asking for geographical facts.

معنی این کلمه چیست؟

What is the meaning of this word?

Essential phrase for language learners.

تفاوت این دو کتاب چیست؟

What is the difference between these two books?

Asking for comparisons.

موضوع این فیلم چیست؟

What is the subject of this movie?

Inquiring about themes or subjects.

قیمت این لباس چیست؟

What is the price of this dress?

Formal way to ask for a price.

هدف شما از یادگیری زبان فارسی چیست؟

What is your goal in learning the Persian language?

Handling longer, more complex sentences.

من نمی‌دانم مشکل اصلی چیست.

I do not know what the main problem is.

Using the word in an indirect question.

نظر شما در مورد این مقاله چیست؟

What is your opinion about this article?

Asking for opinions formally.

نتیجه این آزمایش چیست؟

What is the result of this experiment?

Scientific or academic context.

پیام نویسنده در این داستان چیست؟

What is the author's message in this story?

Literary analysis context.

علت اصلی این بیماری چیست؟

What is the main cause of this disease?

Medical or formal inquiry.

شرایط ثبت نام در این دانشگاه چیست؟

What are the conditions for registration at this university?

Bureaucratic context.

راه حل این بحران اقتصادی چیست؟

What is the solution to this economic crisis?

Discussing abstract societal issues.

مهم‌ترین چالش پیش روی ما چیست؟

What is the most important challenge facing us?

Using superlatives with the interrogative.

تعریف دقیق این اصطلاح حقوقی چیست؟

What is the exact definition of this legal term?

Highly specific academic/professional inquiry.

نقش دولت در توسعه پایدار چیست؟

What is the role of the government in sustainable development?

Discussing complex political concepts.

عواقب این تصمیم برای آینده شرکت چیست؟

What are the consequences of this decision for the company's future?

Inquiring about future implications.

معیار شما برای انتخاب بهترین نامزد چیست؟

What is your criterion for choosing the best candidate?

Formal evaluative questions.

ارتباط بین این دو پدیده علمی چیست؟

What is the connection between these two scientific phenomena?

Scientific correlation inquiry.

موضع رسمی وزارت خارجه در این خصوص چیست؟

What is the official stance of the foreign ministry in this regard?

Journalistic and diplomatic language.

دستاورد اصلی این پروژه تحقیقاتی چیست؟

What is the main achievement of this research project?

Academic evaluation.

ماهیت حقیقی هنر در دنیای مدرن چیست؟

What is the true nature of art in the modern world?

Philosophical and abstract inquiry.

ریشه تاریخی این مناقشه طولانی‌مدت چیست؟

What is the historical root of this long-standing conflict?

Advanced historical analysis.

استدلال منطقی پشت این نظریه پیچیده چیست؟

What is the logical reasoning behind this complex theory?

Academic debate and logic.

مفهوم آزادی از دیدگاه این فیلسوف چیست؟

What is the concept of freedom from the perspective of this philosopher?

Philosophical discourse.

پیامدهای روان‌شناختی این انزوای اجتماعی چیست؟

What are the psychological consequences of this social isolation?

Advanced psychological terminology.

ساختار روایی این رمان پست‌مدرن چیست؟

What is the narrative structure of this postmodern novel?

Advanced literary critique.

راهبرد کلان کشور برای مقابله با تغییرات اقلیمی چیست؟

What is the country's macro-strategy for combating climate change?

High-level policy discussion.

توجیه اخلاقی چنین اقدامی در شرایط کنونی چیست؟

What is the moral justification for such an action in the current circumstances?

Ethical and moral debate.

هستی چیست و جایگاه انسان در آن کجاست؟

What is existence, and where is humanity's place within it?

Deep existential and philosophical questioning.

حقیقت غایی که عرفا به دنبال آن هستند، چیست؟

What is the ultimate truth that mystics seek?

Theological and mystical context.

آنچه ما را از ماشین‌های هوشمند متمایز می‌سازد، چیست؟

What is it that distinguishes us from intelligent machines?

Complex relative clauses preceding the interrogative.

جوهر اصلی این مکتب فکری، فراتر از شعارهای ظاهری، چیست؟

What is the core essence of this school of thought, beyond the superficial slogans?

Nuanced academic critique.

راز ماندگاری اشعار حافظ در طول قرون متمادی چیست؟

What is the secret to the endurance of Hafez's poetry over many centuries?

Advanced literary appreciation.

مبنای معرفت‌شناختی این ادعای علمی دقیقاً چیست؟

What exactly is the epistemological basis of this scientific claim?

Highly specialized academic jargon.

آن نیروی محرکه‌ای که تمدن‌ها را به پیش می‌راند، چیست؟

What is that driving force that propels civilizations forward?

Rhetorical questioning in historical analysis.

معنای زندگی، اگر از منظر پوچ‌گرایی به آن ننگریم، چیست؟

What is the meaning of life, if we do not look at it from the perspective of nihilism?

Complex conditional structure combined with existential inquiry.

Colocaciones comunes

دلیل چیست

معنی چیست

مشکل چیست

هدف چیست

تفاوت چیست

نتیجه چیست

نام چیست

علت چیست

راه حل چیست

پیام چیست

Frases Comunes

به نظر شما مشکل چیست؟

— In your opinion, what is the problem?

به نظر شما مشکل چیست؟ من نمی‌فهمم.

موضوع از چه قرار چیست؟

— What is the matter about? (A bit redundant but used).

موضوع از چه قرار چیست؟ لطفاً توضیح دهید.

حرف حساب شما چیست؟

— What is your actual point? (Formal confrontation).

حرف حساب شما چیست؟ واضح بگویید.

دلیل این همه تاخیر چیست؟

— What is the reason for all this delay?

دلیل این همه تاخیر چیست؟ ما منتظریم.

معنی این رفتار چیست؟

— What is the meaning of this behavior?

معنی این رفتار چیست؟ خیلی عجیب است.

برنامه بعدی چیست؟

— What is the next plan?

برنامه بعدی چیست؟ کجا می‌رویم؟

چاره کار چیست؟

— What is the solution/remedy?

چاره کار چیست؟ باید کاری کنیم.

حقیقت ماجرا چیست؟

— What is the truth of the story?

حقیقت ماجرا چیست؟ به من راستش را بگو.

نظر نهایی شما چیست؟

— What is your final opinion/decision?

نظر نهایی شما چیست؟ قبول می‌کنید؟

وظیفه ما در این شرایط چیست؟

— What is our duty in these circumstances?

وظیفه ما در این شرایط چیست؟ باید کمک کنیم.

Se confunde a menudo con

چیست vs کیست

Means 'Who is?'. Used for people. Learners often mix them up.

چیست vs کجاست

Means 'Where is?'. Used for locations.

چیست vs چیه

The informal version. Learners often use the formal version in informal settings by mistake.

Modismos y expresiones

"این دیگر چیست"

— What on earth is this? Used to express surprise or disgust.

این دیگر چیست؟ خیلی بوی بدی می‌دهد.

Neutral

"درد تو چیست"

— What is your problem? (Literally: What is your pain?).

درد تو چیست که اینقدر غر می‌زنی؟

Informal/Confrontational

"حرف دلت چیست"

— What is truly in your heart? What do you really want?

بگو حرف دلت چیست، خجالت نکش.

Poetic/Intimate

"سر و ته این قضیه چیست"

— What is the beginning and end of this matter? (What is the whole story?).

سر و ته این قضیه چیست؟ من گیج شده‌ام.

Colloquial

"مگر مشکل چیست"

— What could possibly be the problem? (Dismissive).

مگر مشکل چیست؟ انجامش می‌دهیم.

Neutral

"عاقبت کار چیست"

— What is the ultimate outcome?

نمی‌دانم عاقبت کار چیست.

Formal/Literary

"گناه من چیست"

— What is my sin? (Why am I being blamed/punished?).

گناه من چیست که باید این را تحمل کنم؟

Dramatic

"حکمت این کار چیست"

— What is the hidden wisdom behind this?

حکمت این کار چیست؟ خدا می‌داند.

Religious/Philosophical

"اصل مطلب چیست"

— What is the main point? (Cut to the chase).

اصل مطلب چیست؟ وقت ندارم.

Direct

"قصه چیست"

— What is the story? (What is going on?).

قصه چیست؟ چرا همه اینجا جمع شده‌اند؟

Informal

Fácil de confundir

چیست vs کیست

Both are contractions ending in 'st' and are interrogatives.

'Ki' means who, 'Chi' means what. Use 'kist' for humans, 'chist' for things.

او کیست؟ (Who is he?) vs این چیست؟ (What is this?)

چیست vs کجاست

Ends in 'ast' and is a common question word.

Asks for location, not identity.

کتاب کجاست؟ (Where is the book?)

چیست vs چرا

Starts with 'ch' and is a question word.

Means 'why', does not contain the verb 'is'.

چرا رفتی؟ (Why did you go?)

چیست vs چطور

Starts with 'ch'.

Means 'how'.

حالت چطور است؟ (How are you?)

چیست vs چند

Starts with 'ch'.

Means 'how much/many'.

چند سال داری؟ (How old are you?)

Patrones de oraciones

[Demonstrative] + چیست؟

این چیست؟

نام + [Pronoun] + چیست؟

نام شما چیست؟

[Noun] + [Ezafe] + [Noun] + چیست؟

رنگ ماشین چیست؟

دلیل + [Demonstrative] + چیست؟

دلیل این چیست؟

تفاوت + [A] + و + [B] + چیست؟

تفاوت این و آن چیست؟

نمی‌دانم + [Subject] + چیست.

نمی‌دانم مشکل چیست.

هدف از + [Verbal Noun] + چیست؟

هدف از یادگیری چیست؟

[Abstract Noun] + ، + [Clause] + ، + چیست؟

حقیقت، اگر پنهان باشد، چیست؟

Familia de palabras

Relacionado

چی

است

چیه

کیست

کجاست

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Cómo usarlo

frequency

Extremely high in written texts, low in casual spoken conversation.

Errores comunes

این چیست است؟ → این چیست؟
Adding 'ast' at the end is redundant because 'chist' already means 'what is'.
چیست این؟ → این چیست؟
In Persian, the interrogative verb usually goes at the end of the sentence, unlike English.
آن مرد چیست؟ → آن مرد کیست؟
Using 'what is' for a person is incorrect and rude. Use 'who is' (kist) for humans.
Writing 'چی است' in a formal essay. → Writing 'چیست'
While technically the root words, writing them separately in modern Persian looks unpolished. The contraction is standard.
Using 'چیست' with friends at a cafe. → Using 'چیه'
It is a register error. 'Chist' is too formal for casual conversation.

Consejos

No Extra Verbs

Never add 'ast' or 'hast' after this word. It is a complete package.

Know Your Audience

Only use this word if you are wearing a suit, giving a presentation, or talking to a very formal official.

Standard Spelling

Always write it as one connected word (چیست), not two separate words (چی است).

Long Vowel

Stretch the 'ee' sound slightly to sound more natural and clear.

Pair with Ezafe

Practice using it with ezafe phrases like 'Name-e in chist?' (What is the name of this?).

Respectful Inquiry

Using this word in official settings shows respect for the language and the person you are addressing.

News Practice

Watch BBC Persian or Iran International and count how many times you hear this word in a 10-minute segment.

Exam Prep

If you are taking a Persian test, expect all comprehension questions to end with this word.

Chi vs Ki

Memorize: Chi = Thing, Ki = Person. Chist = What is, Kist = Who is.

Sentence End

Train your brain to wait until the end of the sentence to ask 'what'.

Memorízalo

Mnemotecnia

Think of a mouse asking 'What is this CHEESE-T?' (sounds like chist).

Asociación visual

Imagine a formal gentleman in a suit pointing at an object with a cane, asking 'Chist?' with a very serious expression.

Word Web

چی (what) است (is) سوال (question) رسمی (formal) کیست (who is) کجاست (where is) چرا (why) چگونه (how)

Desafío

Write three formal questions you would ask a professor about a difficult concept using this word.

Origen de la palabra

The word is a direct contraction of two Middle Persian (Pahlavi) roots that have survived into Modern Persian. 'Chi' comes from the Old Persian interrogative stem 'ci-', and 'ast' comes from the Old Persian copula 'asti', which shares an Indo-European root with the English word 'is' and the Latin 'est'.

Significado original: Literally 'what is'.

Indo-European > Indo-Iranian > Iranian > Western Iranian > Persian.

Contexto cultural

Do not use this word to ask about a person's identity. Asking 'این چیست؟' while pointing at a human is highly insulting, akin to calling them an 'it'.

English speakers often struggle with the fact that Persian has a specific word for 'what is' that is different from everyday speech. In English, 'what is' is used everywhere.

Rumi's poetry often asks profound questions using this word. Sohrab Sepehri's modern poetry. Standard phrasing in Iranian national university entrance exams (Konkur).

Practica en la vida real

Contextos reales

Classroom

معنی این کلمه چیست؟
جواب سوال اول چیست؟
تکلیف فردا چیست؟
مشکل چیست؟

Official Forms

نام شما چیست؟
شغل شما چیست؟
آدرس شما چیست؟
دلیل درخواست چیست؟

News/Media

علت حادثه چیست؟
واکنش دولت چیست؟
برنامه آینده چیست؟
راه حل بحران چیست؟

Medical/Doctor

گروه خونی شما چیست؟
علت درد چیست؟
نتیجه آزمایش چیست؟
سابقه بیماری چیست؟

Literature/Philosophy

معنای زندگی چیست؟
عشق چیست؟
حقیقت چیست؟
سرانجام انسان چیست؟

Inicios de conversación

"به نظر شما بزرگترین مشکل جامعه امروز چیست؟"

"هدف اصلی شما در زندگی چیست؟"

"دلیل علاقه شما به زبان فارسی چیست؟"

"تفاوت بین فرهنگ شما و فرهنگ ایران چیست؟"

"معنی خوشبختی از دیدگاه شما چیست؟"

Temas para diario

Write about a time you had to ask 'What is this?' in a foreign country.

Describe your favorite object. Start by asking 'What is my favorite object?' in Persian.

Write a short philosophical paragraph answering the question: 'عشق چیست؟'

List five formal questions you would ask a famous person during an interview.

Explain the difference between 'chist' and 'chiye' in your own words.

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

It is highly recommended not to. Using it with friends sounds unnatural, like speaking Shakespearean English in a casual setting. Use 'chiye' instead.

No. It already contains the verb 'ast' (is). Adding another verb makes the sentence incorrect.

It almost always goes at the very end of the sentence, following the Persian Subject-Object-Verb structure.

No. It is strictly for non-human subjects. For people, use 'kist'.

Yes, absolutely. It is the standard word for 'what is' in all modern formal writing, news, and literature.

Pronounce it as a long 'ee' sound, like in the English word 'cheese'.

'Che chizi ast' means 'what thing is it'. It is slightly more emphatic and verbose, often used in philosophical or academic contexts.

Yes. For example, 'I don't know what it is' translates to 'Nemi-danam in chist'.

It is a contraction. The 'alef' is dropped to make pronunciation smoother when combining the two words.

Yes, in writing, you should always end the sentence with a Persian question mark (؟).

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