Signification
Asking the purpose or cause of something.
Contexte culturel
In Tehran, 'Baraye chi' is often shortened to 'Vase chi'. It's very common in the 'Tehrooni' accent. In Dari, 'Baraye che' is more common than 'Baraye chi', and 'Az baraye' is often used for emphasis. Tajik Persian uses 'Baroi chi' (Барои чӣ). It is very standard in both speech and writing. Younger Iranians might use 'Baraye chi' sarcastically to mean 'So what?' or 'Who cares?'.
The '-e' trick
Add a short 'e' sound at the end (Baraye chi-e?) to ask 'What is it for?'. It makes you sound very natural.
Tone matters
A sharp 'Baraye chi?!' can sound aggressive. Keep your voice soft to stay polite.
Signification
Asking the purpose or cause of something.
The '-e' trick
Add a short 'e' sound at the end (Baraye chi-e?) to ask 'What is it for?'. It makes you sound very natural.
Tone matters
A sharp 'Baraye chi?!' can sound aggressive. Keep your voice soft to stay polite.
Use 'Vase' with friends
Switching to 'Vase chi' instantly signals that you are comfortable with your Persian-speaking friends.
Ta'arof and Why
If someone offers you something and you ask 'Baraye chi?', they might think you're refusing. Better to say 'Dastetoon dard nakone' (Thank you) first.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct informal phrase for 'Why/What for'.
تو _______ داری گریه میکنی؟
The sentence asks 'Why are you crying?', so 'Baraye chi' is the correct fit.
Which of these is the most formal version of the phrase?
Which one would you use in a formal letter?
'Baraye che?' is the literary/formal version of 'Baraye chi?'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: من فردا نمیام سر کار. B: ________؟ مریضی؟
B is asking for the reason why A is not coming to work.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You see a new button on an app and don't know what it does.
You are asking about the purpose of an object (the button).
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Chera vs. Baraye Chi
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesتو _______ داری گریه میکنی؟
The sentence asks 'Why are you crying?', so 'Baraye chi' is the correct fit.
Which one would you use in a formal letter?
'Baraye che?' is the literary/formal version of 'Baraye chi?'.
A: من فردا نمیام سر کار. B: ________؟ مریضی؟
B is asking for the reason why A is not coming to work.
You see a new button on an app and don't know what it does.
You are asking about the purpose of an object (the button).
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsMostly, yes. In casual speech, they are interchangeable, but 'Baraye chi' specifically leans towards 'What for?'.
Only if the email is to a close friend. For business, use 'Be che dalil' or 'Baraye che'.
'Chi' is informal/spoken, 'Che' is formal/written.
You say 'Baraye chi na?' (برای چی نه؟).
Not inherently, but in Persian culture, direct questions can sometimes be blunt. Use a polite tone.
No, that is too informal. Stick to 'Baraye chi' or 'Chera'.
No, 'Baraye chi' remains the same regardless of the number of people or things.
It means 'What is it for?' (the '-e' is the verb 'is').
In some very slang contexts, people just say 'Chi?' with a specific 'why' intonation.
You ask 'Baraye chi?' and the answer starts with 'Chon...' (Because...).
Expressions liées
چرا؟
synonymWhy?
واسه چی؟
informalWhat for?
به چه دلیل؟
formalFor what reason?
که چی؟
similarSo what?
برای کی؟
builds onFor whom?
