Future in the Past: 'I was going to...' (میخواستم بروم)
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use 'میخواستم' (I wanted to) followed by an infinitive to express an intention that existed in the past.
- Use 'میخواستم' + infinitive for 'I was going to': میخواستم بروم (I was going to go).
- Use 'نمیخواستم' + infinitive for 'I wasn't going to': نمیخواستم بخرم (I wasn't going to buy).
- The main verb remains in the infinitive form regardless of the subject.
Overview
In Persian, expressing a past intention or a plan that was in motion but ultimately did not materialize is crucial for nuanced communication. This grammatical construction, often termed the Future in the Past or the Past Intention, allows speakers to convey what they were going to do or intended to do. It bridges the gap between a past desire and a non-actualized outcome.
This pattern is foundational for storytelling, explaining changed plans, or even offering polite excuses. Its mastery marks a significant step for B2-level learners, as it requires a sophisticated understanding of both verbal tenses and moods.
This structure isn't merely about conjugating verbs; it delves into the speaker's mental state at a specific past moment. It highlights the potential or impending nature of an action from a past perspective, irrespective of whether the action occurred. Understanding this requires moving beyond literal translations and grasping the idiomatic use of خواستن (to want) as a modal-like auxiliary verb.
Unlike simple past desire (خواستم - I wanted), the Future in the Past specifically denotes an unfulfilled intention or an action that was on the brink of happening but was subsequently interrupted or abandoned. The ability to articulate such non-actualized past events is a hallmark of upper-intermediate proficiency, reflecting a deeper command over the temporal and modal dimensions of Persian.
How This Grammar Works
خواستن (to want/to desire) in its imperfect (past continuous) form, followed by the main action verb in the present subjunctive mood. This combination is not arbitrary; each component plays a critical semantic role. The imperfect خواستن (میخواستم, میخواستی, etc.) establishes the intention as an ongoing process in the past – a state of "was wanting" or "was intending." This sets the temporal context, indicating that the desire or plan existed over a period in the past.بروم, بخرم, بنویسم) is equally significant. The subjunctive mood in Persian typically expresses non-factual, hypothetical, or desired actions. In this construction, it signals that the action referred to by the main verb remained in the realm of possibility or intention and did not transition into factual execution.میخواستم بروم (mi-khāstam be-ravam) literally translates to "I was wanting that I go," which idiomatically conveys "I was going to go." This subtle yet powerful interplay between the past continuous خواستن and the present subjunctive verb is what distinguishes the Future in the Past from other past tenses in Persian, emphasizing the non-occurrence of the intended action. The structure میخواستم بروم explicitly implies that, despite the intention, the 'going' did not happen.خواستم بروم (I wanted to go) suggests a simple past desire, which might have been fulfilled or simply stated. However, میخواستم بروم (I was going to go) strongly implies that the intention was present, but something intervened, preventing the action from taking place. The continuous aspect of میخواستم underscores the duration or persistence of the intention, making the subsequent non-fulfillment more pronounced.او میخواست با شما صحبت کند، اما شما رفتید (U mi-khāst bā shomā sohbat konad, ammā shomā raftid) – “He was going to talk to you, but you left.” Here, the intention was clear, but the opportunity was missed, a nuance precisely captured by this grammatical construction.Formation Pattern
خواستن into the imperfect (past continuous) and then conjugating the main verb into the present subjunctive. Let's break down each part systematically, ensuring precise application of prefixes and endings.
خواستن (to want) in the Imperfect (Past Continuous)
خواستن is constructed by adding the prefix میـ (mi-) to the past stem of خواستن (خواست-, khāst-), followed by the appropriate personal endings. The imperfect of خواستن explicitly conveys an ongoing or habitual desire/intention in the past, setting the stage for the non-actualized action.
خواستن (Past Stem خواست-) | Transcription | Translation |
mi-khāstam | I was wanting/intending |
mi-khāsti | You were wanting/intending |
mi-khāst | He/She/It was wanting/intending |
mi-khāstim | We were wanting/intending |
mi-khāstid | You (pl.) were wanting/intending |
mi-khāstand | They were wanting/intending |
بـ (be-) to the present stem of the verb, followed by the appropriate personal endings. Some verbs have irregular present stems or do not take the بـ prefix (e.g., داشتن (to have) in subjunctive becomes داشته باشم). For transitive verbs, an object might precede the subjunctive verb.
بـ (be-) + Present Stem + Personal Ending
رفتن (to go, present stem رو-, row-) as an example, showcasing the common pattern:
رفتن (Present Stem رو-) | Transcription | Translation |
be-ravam | (that) I go |
be-ravi | (that) You go |
be-ravad | (that) He/She/It go |
be-ravim | (that) We go |
be-ravid | (that) You (pl.) go |
be-ravand | (that) They go |
خواستن (Imperfect) with Main Verb (Present Subjunctive)
خواستن followed by the present subjunctive form of the main verb, with the subject implied by the verb endings. It's crucial that the personal endings of میخواستم and the subjunctive verb match for coherence, as they refer to the same implicit subject.
[میخواستن (Imperfect)] + [Main Verb (Present Subjunctive)]
من میخواستم بروم. (man mi-khāstam be-ravam.) - I was going to go.
آنها میخواستند غذا بخورند. (ānhā mi-khāstand ghazā be-khorand.) - They were going to eat food.
او میخواست کتاب بخواند. (u mi-khāst ketāb be-khānad.) - He/She was going to read a book.
تماس گرفتن - to call, صحبت کردن - to talk), the structure remains consistent, but the بـ prefix is only added to the verbal component of the compound, not the nominal part. The nominal part precedes خواستن and the verbal part, with the verbal component taking the subjunctive form.
من میخواستم تماس بگیرم. (man mi-khāstam tamās be-giram.) - I was going to call.
ما میخواستیم صحبت کنیم. (mā mi-khāstim sohbat konim.) - We were going to talk.
میـ or بـ prefixes on the nominal part (e.g., تماس میخواستم بگیرم or تماس به بگیرم). The structure is precisely [Nominal Part] + [میخواستم] + [Verbal Part (Subjunctive)].
بـ prefix of the subjunctive verb in compound verbs (and sometimes even simple verbs) is frequently dropped. For instance, تماس بگیرم might colloquially be pronounced more like تماس بگیرم (though grammatically the بـ is still understood to be present). While this is a common informal variation, learners should primarily adhere to the formal بـ prefix in written and more formal spoken contexts to maintain grammatical correctness and clarity. The standard forms, میخواستم تماس بگیرم and میخواستم صحبت کنم, are always grammatically preferred.
When To Use It
دیروز میخواستم به بازار بروم، اما کار پیش آمد و نتوانستم.(diruz mi-khāstam be bāzār be-ravam, ammā kār pish āmad va na-tavānestam.) - Yesterday I was going to go to the market, but something came up and I couldn't.ما میخواستیم تعطیلات به شمال برویم، ولی بلیط گیرمان نیامد و برنامهمان عوض شد.(mā mi-khāstim ta'tilāt be shomāl be-ravim, vali bilit giramān na-yāmad va barnāme-mān avaz shod.) - We were going to go north for the holidays, but we couldn't get tickets, so our plan changed.او میخواست حقیقت را بگوید، اما در لحظه آخر پشیمان شد و سکوت کرد.(u mi-khāst haghighat rā be-guyad, ammā dar lahze-ye ākhar pashimān shod va sokut kard.) - He was going to tell the truth, but at the last moment he changed his mind and remained silent.
میخواستم از خانه خارج شوم که تلفنم زنگ خورد و مجبور شدم بمانم.(mi-khāstam az khāne khārej shavam ke telefonam zang khord va majbur shodam be-mānam.) - I was just about to leave the house when my phone rang, and I had to stay.آنها میخواستند قرارداد را امضا کنند که خبر بدی از وکیلشان رسید و متوقف شدند.(ānhā mi-khāstand gharārdād rā emzā konand ke khabar-e badi az vakil-e-shān rasid va motavaghef shodand.) - They were just about to sign the contract when bad news arrived from their lawyer, and they stopped.کودک میخواست گریه کند، اما مادرش او را بغل کرد و آرام شد.(kudak mi-khāst gerye konad, ammā mādarash u rā baghal kard va āram shod.) - The child was about to cry, but his mother hugged him, and he calmed down.
میخواستم) instead of the present intention (میخواهم) can soften a request or statement, making it more polite, indirect, and less demanding. This strategy is an integral part of Persian politeness (تعارف, ta'arof), creating a linguistic distance that respects the listener's autonomy.میخواستم یک سؤال بپرسم، اگر وقت داشته باشید.(mi-khāstam yek su'āl be-porsam, agar vaght dāshte bāshid.) - I wanted (was intending) to ask a question, if you have time. (This is significantly more polite thanمیخواهم یک سؤال بپرسم- I want to ask a question, which can sound abrupt).میخواستیم از شما خواهش کنیم که به ما کمک کنید، در صورت امکان.(mi-khāstim az shomā khāhesh konim ke be mā komak konid, dar surat-e emkān.) - We wanted (were intending) to ask you to help us, if possible. (A softer, less demanding request, showing consideration).او میخواست این موضوع را با مدیر در میان بگذارد، اما هنوز فرصت نکرده است.(u mi-khāst in mowzu' rā bā modir dar miyān be-gozārad, ammā hanuz forsat na-karde ast.) - He was intending to discuss this matter with the manager, but hasn't had the chance yet. (A gentle way to state a planned action, perhaps indicating it's not urgent or he's still considering it, without making it sound like a current demand).
اگر پول کافی داشتم، میخواستم آن ماشین را بخرم.(agar pul-e kāfi dāshtam, mi-khāstam ān māshin rā be-kharam.) - If I had had enough money, I was going to buy that car. (Implies the intention was present, but the condition wasn't met, and thus the purchase didn't happen).اگر هوا بهتر بود، ما میخواستیم به پارک برویم.(agar havā behtar bud, mā mi-khāstim be pārk be-ravim.) - If the weather had been better, we were going to go to the park. (The intention to go was there, contingent on better weather, which did not occur).
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect:
میخواستم رفتم.(mi-khāstam raftam.) - (Literal: I was wanting I went.) This creates a semantic conflict, as an ongoing past intention (میخواستم) is immediately followed by a completed past action (رفتم), which logically makes no sense in this context for expressing unfulfilled intent. - Correct:
میخواستم بروم.(mi-khāstam be-ravam.) - I was going to go (implying I did not).
میـ Prefix from خواستن:میـ (mi-) with خواستن fundamentally changes the meaning. خواستم (simple past of خواستن) means "I wanted," indicating a one-time desire that may or may not have been fulfilled. It lacks the continuous or impending sense conveyed by میخواستم, which is essential for the Future in the Past.- Incorrect:
خواستم بروم.(khāstam be-ravam.) - I wanted to go (this expresses a simple past desire, and doesn't necessarily imply non-fulfillment). - Correct:
میخواستم بروم.(mi-khāstam be-ravam.) - I was going to go (explicitly implying the intention was there but was not realized).
میـ is what signals the ongoing nature of the intention in the past, a critical element of the Future in the Past. Without it, the sentence merely states a past desire.میـ or بـ in Compound Verbs:میـ prefix always attaches to خواستن only. The بـ prefix, where applicable, attaches to the verbal component of the compound verb. Confusing this can lead to awkward or incorrect phrasing.- Incorrect:
تماس میخواستم بگیرم.(Theمیـprefix is wrongly split or applied to the nominal part, which is incorrect). - Correct:
من میخواستم تماس بگیرم.(man mi-khāstam tamās be-giram.) - I was going to call.
داشتم میرفتم):داشتم میرفتم - I was going) emphasizes an action physically in progress at a specific past moment. The Future in the Past (میخواستم بروم) emphasizes a past intention or plan that was interrupted or not carried out. This distinction is crucial for conveying the precise state of affairs.میخواستم بروم) | Past Continuous (داشتم میرفتم) |خواستن + Present Subjunctive | Imperfect داشتن + Imperfect Main Verb |میخواستم بخوابم، اما نشد. (I was going to sleep, but it didn't happen.) | داشتم میخوابیدم که زلزله آمد. (I was sleeping when the earthquake came.) |داشتم میرفتم. If you were just thinking about leaving, use میخواستم بروم to highlight the intention over the physical act.میخواستم بروم is an idiomatic expression that serves a specific function in Persian grammar. Understanding its semantic role (unfulfilled past intention) rather than its word-for-word equivalent is key to appropriate usage. Resist the urge to construct parallel forms without considering the grammatical principles of Persian.Real Conversations
Understanding how native Persian speakers deploy the Future in the Past in diverse contexts is crucial for achieving fluency and cultural nuance. This section illustrates its application across formal, informal, and written communication, reflecting its versatility and social implications.
1. Explaining a Missed Appointment or Changed Plan (Informal/Semi-Formal):
This is perhaps the most common daily use, often accompanied by an explanation for the non-fulfillment. It's a polite and clear way to convey regret or a legitimate reason for a change, allowing the speaker to maintain social harmony.
- Dialogue Example (Friends discussing a missed meetup):
دوست A: چرا دیروز به کافه نیامدی؟ منتظرت بودیم. (Cherā diruz be kāfe na-yāmadi? Montazeret budim.) - Why didn't you come to the cafe yesterday? We were waiting for you.
دوست B: ببخشید، واقعاً میخواستم بیایم ولی ناگهان کار فوری پیش آمد و نتوانستم خودم را برسانم. (Be-bakhshid, vāghe'an mi-khāstam bi-yāyam vali nāgahān kār-e fouri pish āmad va na-tavānestam khodam rā be-rasānam.) - Sorry, I really was going to come, but suddenly something urgent came up and I couldn't make it.
2. Softening a Request or Expression of Intent (Polite/Formal):
As previously discussed, using میخواستم can add a layer of politeness and indirectness, which is highly valued in Persian social interactions (تعارف, ta'arof). This subtle distancing makes requests less imposing.
- Office Scenario (Employee to Manager):
کارمند: آقای مدیر، با عرض معذرت، میخواستم بپرسم آیا گزارش من را دیدید و نظر خاصی دارید؟ (Āghā-ye Modir, bā arz-e ma'zerat, mi-khāstam be-porsam āyā gozāresh-e man rā didid va nazar-e khāssi dārid?) - Mr. Manager, with apologies, I wanted (was intending) to ask if you saw my report and have any specific feedback? (This is far more polite than میخواهم بپرسم - I want to ask, which might sound too direct or demanding).
3. In Narrative Storytelling or Recounting Events:
When describing a sequence of events, especially those involving near-misses, unexpected interruptions, or moments of decision, the Future in the Past is indispensable for conveying the unfolding narrative with accuracy.
- Story Example (Recounting an almost-mishap):
وقتی در را باز کردم، میخواستم وارد شوم که ناگهان صدای وحشتناکی شنیدم و از ترس عقب پریدم. بعد فهمیدم یک گربه از دیوار پریده بود. (Vaghti dar rā bāz kardam, mi-khāstam vāred shavam ke nāgahān sedā-ye vahshatnāki shenidam va az tars aghab paridam. Ba'd fahmidam yek gorbe az divār paride bud.) - When I opened the door, I was about to enter when suddenly I heard a terrifying sound and jumped back in fear. Then I realized a cat had jumped from the wall.
4. Email or Written Communication (Formal/Semi-Formal):
It can be used in written contexts to explain delays, offer apologies, state a prior intention that was overridden, or provide context for an action (or lack thereof).
- Email Snippet (Explaining a delay in sending information):
`با سلام و احترام،
میخواستم برای شما ایمیل بفرستم، اما به دلیل حجم کاری زیاد و بیماری ناگهانی، فرصت نشد. اطلاعات در اسرع وقت ارسال خواهد شد.`
(`Bā salām va ehtarām,
mi-khāstam barā-ye shomā email be-ferestam, ammā be dalil-e hajme kāri-ye ziyād va bimāri-ye nāgahāni, forsat na-shod. Ettelā'āt dar asra'-e vaght ersāl khāhad shod.`)
- With greetings and respect,
I was going to send an email to you, but due to a heavy workload and sudden illness, I didn't get the chance. The information will be sent as soon as possible.
5. Expressing Prior Intentions That Were Later Deemed Unwise (Reflective):
Sometimes, this structure reflects a past intention that the speaker is now glad did not happen, or acknowledges a poor past judgment, offering a reflective commentary on past plans.
- میخواستم آن خانه را بخرم، اما خوشبختانه منصرف شدم؛ بعداً فهمیدم مشکلات زیادی داشت. (mi-khāstam ān khāne rā be-kharam, ammā khoshbakhtāne monṣaref shodam; ba'dan fahmidam moshkelāt-e ziyādi dāsht.) - I was going to buy that house, but fortunately, I changed my mind; later I realized it had many problems.
These examples illustrate the pervasive nature of the Future in the Past in everyday Persian, serving both communicative and social functions, highlighting its role in articulating complex past scenarios.
Quick FAQ
- Q1: Does
میخواستمalways imply the action didn't happen?
میخواستم + subjunctive is to express an unfulfilled intention or an action that was on the verge of happening but was interrupted or prevented. If the action did happen, a different past tense (e.g., simple past, past progressive) would typically be used to directly state the completed action, often preceding or following the statement of intent.- Example (unfulfilled):
میخواستم بروم، اما نرفتم.(I was going to go, but I didn't go.) - Contrast (fulfilled past desire, without the 'impending' sense):
من خواستم بروم و رفتم.(I wanted to go and I went.) - Here,خواستمsimply expresses a past desire that was fulfilled, without the implication of an unmaterialized plan.
- Q2: How do I negate the Future in the Past?
خواستن in its imperfect form, by adding the negative prefix نـ (na-). The subjunctive verb remains affirmative, as the non-fulfillment is conveyed by the میخواستم form itself.نمیخواستم بروم.(na-mi-khāstam be-ravam.) - I wasn't going to go.آنها نمیخواستند به مهمانی بیایند.(ānhā na-mi-khāstand be mehmani be-yāyand.) - They weren't going to come to the party.
- Q3: Can I use this for things that were genuinely about to happen, but then stopped?
- Example:
میخواستم بخوابم که صدای عجیبی شنیدم و بیدار ماندم.(I was about to sleep when I heard a strange sound and stayed awake.)
- Q4: Is there a formal vs. informal difference in its use or conjugation?
بـ prefix for the subjunctive) should always be adhered to in written Persian and formal speech. In highly informal spoken Persian, particularly fast colloquial speech, the بـ prefix on the subjunctive verb (especially in compound verbs like تماس بگیرم becoming تماس بگیرم) might be somewhat reduced or pronounced very lightly. However, the underlying grammatical structure remains, and for learners, mastering the formal structure first is paramount.- Q5: How does this relate to the 'Past before the Past' (Past Perfect) or 'Past Progressive'?
- Future in the Past (
میخواستم بروم): Expresses a past intention or plan, usually unfulfilled. - Past Progressive (
داشتم میرفتم): Describes an action that was physically ongoing at a specific point in the past. - Past Perfect (
رفته بودم): Indicates an action completed before another past action or point in time.
میخواستم بروم:I was going to go (but didn't).داشتم میرفتم:I was (physically) in the process of going.رفته بودم:I had gone (before something else happened).
- Q6: Are there any specific verbs that are commonly used with this structure?
رفتن (to go), آمدن (to come), خوردن (to eat), نوشیدن (to drink), گفتن (to say), دیدن (to see), خواندن (to read), نوشتن (to write), صحبت کردن (to talk), تماس گرفتن (to call), انجام دادن (to do).- Q7: Can
میخواستمsometimes mean 'I used to want'?
خواستن functions as the main verb describing a habitual or extended desire in the past, میخواستم can indeed mean "I used to want" or "I was wanting." However, when it is immediately followed by a subjunctive verb, the meaning overwhelmingly shifts to "I was going to" or "I intended to" do something, implying the action was not realized. Context is key to distinguishing these two usages.- Example (habitual desire):
در بچگی، من همیشه میخواستم مهندس شوم.(As a child, I always wanted to become an engineer.) - Here,میخواستمacts as a straightforward imperfect ofخواستنdescribing a continuous past desire, not an unfulfilled impending action.
Conjugation of 'میخواستن' (Past Continuous)
| Subject | Affirmative | Negative |
|---|---|---|
|
Man (I)
|
میخواستم
|
نمیخواستم
|
|
To (You)
|
میخواستی
|
نمیخواستی
|
|
U (He/She)
|
میخواست
|
نمیخواست
|
|
Ma (We)
|
میخواستیم
|
نمیخواستیم
|
|
Shoma (You pl.)
|
میخواستید
|
نمیخواستید
|
|
Ishan (They)
|
میخواستند
|
نمیخواستند
|
Common Spoken Contractions
| Full Form | Spoken Form |
|---|---|
|
میخواستم
|
میخواستم (often sounds like 'mikhastam')
|
|
نمیخواستم
|
نمیخواستم (often sounds like 'nemikhastam')
|
Meanings
This construction expresses an intention or plan that was held in the past, regardless of whether it was completed.
Past Intention
Expressing a plan that existed in the past.
“میخواستم کتاب را بخوانم.”
“میخواستیم به سفر برویم.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
میخواستم + Inf
|
میخواستم بروم
|
|
Negative
|
نمیخواستم + Inf
|
نمیخواستم بروم
|
|
Question
|
میخواستی + Inf?
|
میخواستی بروی؟
|
|
Plural
|
میخواستیم + Inf
|
میخواستیم برویم
|
|
Third Person
|
میخواست + Inf
|
میخواست برود
|
Formality Spectrum
قصد داشتم با شما تماس بگیرم. (Calling someone)
میخواستم به شما زنگ بزنم. (Calling someone)
میخواستم بهت زنگ بزنم. (Calling someone)
میخواستم یه زنگ بهت بزنم. (Calling someone)
The Past Intention Map
Action
- رفتن to go
- خریدن to buy
Outcome
- تغییر کرد changed
- نشد didn't happen
Past Intention vs. Simple Past
Examples by Level
میخواستم بخوابم.
I was going to sleep.
میخواستم غذا بخورم.
I was going to eat food.
میخواستم بازی کنم.
I was going to play.
میخواستم بروم.
I was going to go.
نمیخواستم این را بگویم.
I wasn't going to say this.
میخواستی به خانه بروی؟
Were you going to go home?
میخواستیم فیلم ببینیم.
We were going to watch a movie.
نمیخواستند کار کنند.
They weren't going to work.
میخواستم به تو زنگ بزنم اما شارژ نداشتم.
I was going to call you but I didn't have charge.
میخواستیم زودتر برسیم ولی ترافیک بود.
We were going to arrive earlier but there was traffic.
نمیخواستم مزاحم شوم.
I wasn't going to disturb you.
میخواستی چیزی بپرسی؟
Were you going to ask something?
میخواستم پروژه را تمام کنم، ولی وقت کم آوردم.
I was going to finish the project, but I ran out of time.
او میخواست استعفا بدهد، اما نظرش عوض شد.
He was going to resign, but he changed his mind.
نمیخواستیم در این بحث شرکت کنیم.
We weren't going to participate in this discussion.
میخواستند خانه را بازسازی کنند.
They were going to renovate the house.
میخواستم پیش از طلوع خورشید حرکت کنم.
I was going to set off before sunrise.
نمیخواستم این حقیقت تلخ را برملا کنم.
I wasn't going to reveal this bitter truth.
آیا واقعاً میخواستی چنین ریسک بزرگی بکنی؟
Were you really going to take such a big risk?
ما میخواستیم راه حل بهتری پیدا کنیم.
We were going to find a better solution.
میخواستم در آن برهه از زمان، مسیر زندگیام را تغییر دهم.
I was going to change the path of my life at that juncture.
نمیخواستم این میراث گرانبها به دست فراموشی سپرده شود.
I wasn't going to let this precious legacy be forgotten.
میخواستند با این اقدام، تغییری بنیادین ایجاد کنند.
They were going to create a fundamental change with this action.
میخواستی با این استدلال، مرا متقاعد کنی؟
Were you going to convince me with this argument?
Easily Confused
Learners confuse the simple past 'I wanted' with the past continuous 'I was going to'.
Learners use the past perfect when they mean simple past intention.
Learners use present tense for past intentions.
Common Mistakes
میخواستم رفتم
میخواستم بروم
خواستم رفتن
میخواستم بروم
میخواهم رفتم
میخواستم بروم
نمیخواهم رفتن
نمیخواستم بروم
میخواستیم که رفتیم
میخواستیم برویم
میخواستم که بخرمش
میخواستم بخرمش
نمیخواست برودش
نمیخواست برود
میخواستم رفته باشم
میخواستم بروم
میخواستم که رفته بودم
میخواستم بروم
میخواستم بروم بود
میخواستم بروم
میخواستم که رفته باشم
میخواستم بروم
میخواستم بروم میبود
میخواستم بروم
میخواستم رفته بودم
میخواستم بروم
Sentence Patterns
میخواستم ___ کنم، اما نشد.
آیا میخواستی ___ ؟
نمیخواستم ___ ، ولی مجبور شدم.
ما میخواستیم ___ ، اما وقت نداشتیم.
Real World Usage
میخواستم بیام ولی خواب موندم.
میخواستم در مورد تجربیاتم صحبت کنم.
میخواستم سفارشم را تغییر دهم.
میخواستم بلیط را کنسل کنم.
میخواستم این عکس را دیروز بگذارم.
میخواستم از شما بابت تاخیر عذرخواهی کنم.
Focus on the Infinitive
Don't conjugate twice
Use for excuses
Polite excuses
Smart Tips
Use 'میخواستم' + infinitive + 'ولی' (but).
Always check if the plan was ongoing or a single moment.
Consider using 'قصد داشتم' for a more professional tone.
Use the second person 'میخواستی'.
Pronunciation
Vowel reduction
In fast speech, 'میخواستم' often sounds like 'mikhastam'.
Falling intonation
میخواستم بروم. ↘
Declarative statement of fact.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'میخواستم' as a 'Past-Wish-Machine' that keeps the verb in its original, pure infinitive form.
Visual Association
Imagine a train that was supposed to leave (میخواستم) but stayed at the station (the infinitive verb).
Rhyme
میخواستم بروم، ولی نشد، / این کارِ من، خیلی ساده شد.
Story
Yesterday, I was going to buy bread (میخواستم نان بخرم). But then it started raining. So, I wasn't going to go out anymore (نمیخواستم بیرون بروم). I stayed home and read a book.
Word Web
Challenge
Write 3 sentences about things you were going to do yesterday but didn't.
Cultural Notes
Very common in daily life to explain missed social obligations.
Often replaced by 'قصد داشتم' (I had the intention) in formal writing.
Uses similar structures but with distinct vowel shifts.
Derived from the verb 'خواستن' (to want) which has Proto-Indo-European roots related to desire.
Conversation Starters
دیروز میخواستی چه کار کنی؟
آیا میخواستی به سفر بروی؟
میخواستی در این مورد با من صحبت کنی؟
آیا میخواستی تغییری در برنامهات ایجاد کنی؟
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
دیروز میخواستم به بازار ___ (رفتن).
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
میخواستم رفتم.
میخواستم بروم.
میخواستم بروم -> ___ بروم.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
بروم / میخواستم / دیروز
___ به تو زنگ بزنم ولی فراموش کردم.
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercisesدیروز میخواستم به بازار ___ (رفتن).
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
میخواستم رفتم.
میخواستم بروم.
میخواستم بروم -> ___ بروم.
میخواستم بخوابم
بروم / میخواستم / دیروز
___ به تو زنگ بزنم ولی فراموش کردم.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
10 exercisesبخرم / میخواستم / را / کتاب / این
How do you say 'I was going to tell you'?
Match the pairs:
Choose the negative version:
آنها ____ (میخواستند/میخواهند) فردا بیایند اما برنامه عوض شد.
ما میخواستیم پیتزا بخورند.
او میخواست پیامی ____ (بفرستد/فرستاد).
ببینیم / فیلم / میخواستیم / را
How do you say 'You (all) were going to study'?
Which of these is the rule being discussed?
Score: /10
FAQ (8)
No, this is specifically for past intentions. For future, use 'قصد دارم' or 'میخواهم'.
No, it stays in the infinitive form (ending in -an).
Usually, yes. It implies an interrupted or unrealized plan.
'میخواستم' is a state of mind (plan), 'خواستم' is a specific act of wanting.
Yes, but 'قصد داشتم' is often preferred in very formal contexts.
Extremely common. It's a staple of daily conversation.
Yes, any verb can be used in the infinitive form.
It's common in speech, but the 'که' is technically redundant.
Scaffolded Practice
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2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
I was going to...
English uses 'was going to', Persian uses 'was wanting to'.
Iba a...
Spanish uses the verb 'ir' (to go) instead of 'querer' (to want).
J'allais...
French focuses on the movement aspect.
Ich wollte...
German doesn't distinguish between continuous/simple as clearly.
كنت أريد أن...
Requires the particle 'an' before the verb.
我本来想...
Chinese relies on adverbs rather than verb conjugation.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Related Grammar Rules
Formal Future Tense: I will go (khāham raft)
Overview The formal future tense in Persian, known as `زمان آینده مطلق` (`zamān-e āyande-ye motlaq`) or `زمان آینده ساده...
The 'Past before the Past' (Past Perfect / گذشته بعید)
Overview The Persian Past Perfect tense, known as **گذشته بعید (gozashteh-ye ba'id)**, is a compound tense essential fo...
The Rebel Verb: 'To Have' in Present Tense (No mi- prefix!)
Overview In Persian, the verb `داشتن` (`dāshtan`) meaning “to have” or “to possess” stands as a notable exception within...
Persian Ongoing Actions: The 'Having' Auxiliary (dāštan)
Overview The Persian verb system distinguishes between habitual actions and actions in progress. While the ubiquitous pr...
Persian Subjunctive: Doubt & Desire (مضارع التزامی)
Overview The Persian Subjunctive Mood, known as `مضارع التزامی` (`mozāre'-e eltezāmi`), is a cornerstone of advanced Per...
