Meaning
Checking if something is incorrect or mistaken.
Cultural Background
Iranians often use this phrase to be humble. Even if they are sure they are right, they might ask 'Is this wrong?' to avoid sounding overconfident. In Iranian universities, questioning a professor must be done with extreme politeness. This phrase is the standard 'safe' way to point out a professor's error. In business, 'Eshtebah' is preferred over 'Ghalat' because it implies a lapse in judgment or a simple mix-up rather than a lack of knowledge. On Persian Twitter/Instagram, users often post 'آیا این اشتباه است که...' followed by a controversial opinion to start a debate.
Drop the 'Aya'
If you want to sound more like a local, drop the 'Aya' and just use a questioning tone. 'In eshtebāhe?' is 90% of what you'll hear.
The 'Ghalat' Trap
Be careful with 'Ghalat'. In some contexts, it can mean 'rude' or 'improper' behavior, not just a mistake.
Meaning
Checking if something is incorrect or mistaken.
Drop the 'Aya'
If you want to sound more like a local, drop the 'Aya' and just use a questioning tone. 'In eshtebāhe?' is 90% of what you'll hear.
The 'Ghalat' Trap
Be careful with 'Ghalat'. In some contexts, it can mean 'rude' or 'improper' behavior, not just a mistake.
Softening the Blow
Add 'Fekr mikonam' (I think) before the phrase to sound even more polite: 'Fekr mikonam in eshtebah bashe'.
Test Yourself
Complete the formal question.
آیا این ______ است؟
In formal Persian, we use the base noun 'اشتباه' with 'است'.
Which one is the informal (spoken) version?
How do you say 'Is this wrong?' to a friend?
The suffix '-e' replaces 'ast' in casual speech.
Fill in the student's part.
Student: ببخشید استاد، ______؟ Teacher: بله، باید از فعل گذشته استفاده کنی.
The teacher's response 'Yes, you should use the past tense' implies the student asked if something was wrong.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You are at a bank and think the teller made a mistake.
A bank is a formal setting, so 'Aya... ast' is most appropriate.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesآیا این ______ است؟
In formal Persian, we use the base noun 'اشتباه' with 'است'.
How do you say 'Is this wrong?' to a friend?
The suffix '-e' replaces 'ast' in casual speech.
Student: ببخشید استاد، ______؟ Teacher: بله، باید از فعل گذشته استفاده کنی.
The teacher's response 'Yes, you should use the past tense' implies the student asked if something was wrong.
You are at a bank and think the teller made a mistake.
A bank is a formal setting, so 'Aya... ast' is most appropriate.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsNo, you don't say 'Aya in fard eshtebah ast?'. You would say 'Aya u eshtebah mikonad?' (Is he making a mistake?).
It is an Arabic loanword that is fully integrated into Persian and used much more frequently in Persian than in modern Arabic.
The opposite is 'Dorost' (درست), which means correct or right.
You say 'Man eshtebah mikonam' or 'Man eshtebah kardam' (I made a mistake).
Related Phrases
اشتباه کردم
builds onI made a mistake
اشتباه نگیر
similarDon't get it wrong / Don't mistake (one for another)
حق با شماست
contrastYou are right
سوءتفاهم
specialized formMisunderstanding
