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A direct question asking for assistance.
Contexte culturel
In Iran, asking for help is often a social lubricant. People enjoy being helpful as it builds 'social capital'. Don't be surprised if someone goes out of their way to help you after you ask. In Dari Persian, you might hear 'komak me-koni?' with a slightly different vowel sound on the 'mi-' prefix. The sentiment of hospitality and helping remains identical. Tajik speakers use Cyrillic script (Ёрӣ медиҳед? - Yori medihed?). While 'komak' is understood, 'yori' is more common in some formal Tajik contexts. In the diaspora, 'komakam mikoni' is often used when navigating the mix of two cultures, such as asking a younger relative to help with an English document.
The 'Me' Suffix
Always remember to attach '-am' to 'komak'. Without it, you're just asking 'Will you help?' without saying who!
Stranger Danger
Don't use this with people you don't know. Use 'mikonid' instead to avoid sounding rude.
Signification
A direct question asking for assistance.
The 'Me' Suffix
Always remember to attach '-am' to 'komak'. Without it, you're just asking 'Will you help?' without saying who!
Stranger Danger
Don't use this with people you don't know. Use 'mikonid' instead to avoid sounding rude.
Add 'Lotfan'
Adding 'lotfan' (please) at the end makes you sound much more polite: 'Komakam mikoni, lotfan?'
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct form to ask a friend for help.
علی، من این درس رو نمیفهمم. ____ میکنی؟
You are asking for help for yourself, so you need the '-am' suffix.
Which phrase is most appropriate to use with your boss?
Asking a boss for help:
The plural/formal 'mikonid' is required for professional or formal settings.
Complete the dialogue.
سارا: این کیف خیلی سنگینه. ____؟ نیما: آره حتماً، بده به من.
The context of a heavy bag implies a request for help.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Situation: You are at a friend's house and can't open a jar.
'Komakam mikoni?' is the standard request for help.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesعلی، من این درس رو نمیفهمم. ____ میکنی؟
You are asking for help for yourself, so you need the '-am' suffix.
Asking a boss for help:
The plural/formal 'mikonid' is required for professional or formal settings.
سارا: این کیف خیلی سنگینه. ____؟ نیما: آره حتماً، بده به من.
The context of a heavy bag implies a request for help.
Situation: You are at a friend's house and can't open a jar.
'Komakam mikoni?' is the standard request for help.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, it's correct, but 'Komakam mikoni' is much more common and natural in conversation.
In Persian, the present continuous form is often used for the immediate future. So it means both 'Are you helping me?' and 'Will you help me?'.
You say 'Mituni komakam koni?'. It's slightly more polite.
Change it to 'Komakam mikonid?'.
It's originally Turkic but has been part of Persian for nearly a thousand years.
You can say 'Areh hatman' (Yes, definitely) or 'Ba kamal-e meyl' (With pleasure).
Yes, it's very common in SMS and WhatsApp.
'Komak' is everyday; 'yari' is formal, literary, or poetic.
No, the '-i' at the end of 'mikoni' already tells us you are talking to 'to'.
Yes, Iranians are generally very helpful, but use the formal 'mikonid'.
Expressions liées
کمکم کن
specialized formHelp me (Imperative)
یاریم میکنی؟
synonymWill you aid me?
میشه کمک کنی؟
similarIs it possible to help?
دستت رو میگیرم
contrastI will hold your hand / I will help you
