Meaning
Describes someone who is extremely tight-fisted and unwilling to spend or share anything.
Cultural Background
In Iranian culture, 'Sakhawat' (generosity) is a heroic trait, often celebrated in the 'Shahnameh'. Being called someone from whose hand water doesn't drip is a significant social insult. Modern Tehranis use this idiom frequently to navigate the complexities of 'Dong' (splitting the bill). It's a way to call out friends who don't pay their fair share. In the traditional Bazaar, reputation is everything. A merchant known for this trait will find it hard to get credit or build partnerships. Poets like Sa'di have written extensively about the 'Bakhil'. This idiom is a folk version of the high-literary critiques of parsimony found in the 'Gulistan'.
Use with 'طرف' (taraf)
In slang, people often start the sentence with 'Taraf...' (That guy/person...). e.g., 'طرف آب از دستش نمیچکه'.
Don't use for yourself
Unless you are being very self-deprecating or sarcastic, don't say this about yourself as it sounds very negative.
Meaning
Describes someone who is extremely tight-fisted and unwilling to spend or share anything.
Use with 'طرف' (taraf)
In slang, people often start the sentence with 'Taraf...' (That guy/person...). e.g., 'طرف آب از دستش نمیچکه'.
Don't use for yourself
Unless you are being very self-deprecating or sarcastic, don't say this about yourself as it sounds very negative.
The 'Nam' Variation
If you want to sound even more native, use 'Nam pas nemide' (نم پس نمیده). It's very common in modern Tehran.
Test Yourself
Complete the idiom with the correct verb.
او خیلی پولدار است اما یک ریال هم خرج نمیکند؛ انگار آب از دستش ....... .
The verb 'چکیدن' (to drip) is the essential part of this idiom.
Which situation best fits the idiom 'آب از دستش نمیچکد'?
In which case would you use this phrase?
The idiom describes someone who has resources but is unwilling to share even a tiny bit.
Match the Persian idiom with its English equivalent.
Match the following:
Both phrases use hand-related imagery to describe stinginess.
Complete the dialogue naturally.
سارا: 'چرا علی برای خیریه پول نداد؟' مریم: 'تعجب نکن، ....... .'
This explains why he didn't give money to charity despite being able to.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesاو خیلی پولدار است اما یک ریال هم خرج نمیکند؛ انگار آب از دستش ....... .
The verb 'چکیدن' (to drip) is the essential part of this idiom.
In which case would you use this phrase?
The idiom describes someone who has resources but is unwilling to share even a tiny bit.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Both phrases use hand-related imagery to describe stinginess.
سارا: 'چرا علی برای خیریه پول نداد؟' مریم: 'تعجب نکن، ....... .'
This explains why he didn't give money to charity despite being able to.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsYes, it is generally an insult. It's used to criticize someone's character behind their back or in a heated argument.
Yes, the suffix '-ash' is gender-neutral in Persian. It works for both 'him' and 'her'.
The opposite is 'Dast-o-delbaz' (دستودلباز), which means generous and open-handed.
It's common in novels and dialogue, but you won't find it in a formal news report or academic paper.
90% of the time, yes. Occasionally it refers to someone who won't share information or help.
You would say 'Ab az dastam nemichekad', but it's very rare to say this about yourself.
You can just call someone 'Khasis' (stingy), but the idiom is more descriptive and common in speech.
Yes, you can say 'In sherkat ab az dastash nemichekad' to mean the company is cheap with salaries.
Related Phrases
نم پس نمیدهد
synonymDoesn't even give back moisture.
ناخنخشک
similarDry-nailed.
دستودلباز
contrastOpen-handed and open-hearted.
گداصفت
specialized formHaving the nature of a beggar.
