Signification
Expressing a lack of desire for something.
Contexte culturel
The concept of 'Ta'arof' means you should rarely say 'nemikhāham' the first time something is offered. You usually say 'merci' or 'zahmat nakeshid' (don't go to trouble) first. In Dari, the verb is similar but the pronunciation is 'namekhohum.' The social rules of hospitality are equally strong. Tajik uses the same verb but written in Cyrillic: 'Ман намехоҳам.' It sounds more like the classical Persian pronunciation. Second-generation Iranians in the West often use 'nemikhām' much more directly than their parents, reflecting a blend of Western directness and Persian vocabulary.
The 'Merci' Rule
Always add 'merci' or 'mamnūn' after 'nemikhāham' to avoid sounding rude.
Silent 'W'
In 'khāstan,' the 'vāv' (و) is silent. Don't pronounce it like 'kh-vā-ham.'
Signification
Expressing a lack of desire for something.
The 'Merci' Rule
Always add 'merci' or 'mamnūn' after 'nemikhāham' to avoid sounding rude.
Silent 'W'
In 'khāstan,' the 'vāv' (و) is silent. Don't pronounce it like 'kh-vā-ham.'
Subjunctive Shortcut
If you forget the subjunctive, just say the object. 'In-o nemikhām' is easier than 'Nemikhām in-o bekharam.'
Softening Refusal
Use 'fe'lan' (for now) to make your refusal sound less permanent and more polite.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'not want' (formal).
من امروز قهوه ________.
The formal written form is 'نمیخواهم'.
Which sentence correctly says 'I don't want to go'?
Choose the correct sentence:
After 'want,' the second verb must be in the subjunctive mood (beravam).
Complete the dialogue politely.
Host: چای میخورید؟ (Do you drink tea?) Guest: خیلی ممنون، ________.
'Meyl nadāram' is the most polite way to decline food or drink in a social setting.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Match 'این رو نمیخوام' to the correct context.
The informal 'nemikhām' is best suited for casual shopping.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Want vs. Like
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesمن امروز قهوه ________.
The formal written form is 'نمیخواهم'.
Choose the correct sentence:
After 'want,' the second verb must be in the subjunctive mood (beravam).
Host: چای میخورید؟ (Do you drink tea?) Guest: خیلی ممنون، ________.
'Meyl nadāram' is the most polite way to decline food or drink in a social setting.
Match 'این رو نمیخوام' to the correct context.
The informal 'nemikhām' is best suited for casual shopping.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsIt's better to use 'nemikhāham' (formal) or 'meyl nadāram' in very formal business settings.
Persian, like many languages, tends to drop internal glottal or fricative sounds in fast speech to save effort.
Yes, but 'lāzem nadāram' is more precise if you are talking about necessity.
You can just say 'nemikhāham' or 'nemikhām' on its own.
'Na' is just 'No.' 'Nemikhāham' is 'I don't want.' You often use them together: 'Na, nemikhāham.'
It can be. Use 'meyl nadāram' or 'ghasd nadāram' to be safer with elders.
Use the past tense: 'nemikhāstam' (نمیخواستم).
Yes, but it's very strong. 'Man ū rā nemikhāham' means 'I don't want him/her' (e.g., in a relationship).
In formal/literary Persian, yes. But in daily life, it almost always means 'to want.'
Say 'Hich chizi nemikhāham.'
Expressions liées
دوست ندارم
similarI don't like
میل ندارم
specialized formI have no inclination
لازم ندارم
similarI don't need
نمیتونم
contrastI can't
قصد ندارم
similarI don't intend to
