Meaning
Expressing dissatisfaction or disapproval.
Cultural Background
In the bazaar, 'In khub nist' is the start of a negotiation. It doesn't mean you won't buy it; it means you want a better price or a better item. Younger generations might replace 'khub nist' with 'jaleb nist' (not interesting) to sound more detached and less like their parents. In Afghanistan, the phrase is identical, but the pronunciation of 'khub' might be more guttural. It is used with the same frequency and meaning. In Tajikistan, while the script is Cyrillic (Ин хуб нест), the phrase remains a cornerstone of daily communication, often used to critique administrative delays.
The 'Aslan' Boost
Add 'Aslan' (اصلاً) before 'khub' to sound more like a native when you are really disappointed.
Watch the Ta'arof
Be careful using this at someone's home. It can be seen as very rude to criticize anything provided by a host.
Meaning
Expressing dissatisfaction or disapproval.
The 'Aslan' Boost
Add 'Aslan' (اصلاً) before 'khub' to sound more like a native when you are really disappointed.
Watch the Ta'arof
Be careful using this at someone's home. It can be seen as very rude to criticize anything provided by a host.
Use for Intuition
Use this phrase when you have a 'bad feeling' about something. It's very common for expressing gut instincts.
Softening the Blow
If you want to be even softer, say 'زیاد خوب نیست' (Ziad khub nist - It's not very good).
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence with the correct negative verb.
این غذا اصلاً ______ . (This food is not good at all.)
The phrase requires the negative verb 'nist' to mean 'is not'.
Which sentence is the most natural way to say 'This behavior is not good'?
Select the correct Persian translation:
The standard word order is Subject (این رفتار) + Complement (خوب) + Verb (نیست).
What would you say if you saw a broken window in your new apartment?
شخص الف: پنجره شکسته است! شخص ب: _________ .
A broken window is a negative situation, so 'In khub nist' is the appropriate response.
Match the phrase to the most likely situation.
'این اصلاً برای سلامتی شما خوب نیست.'
This phrase expresses concern about health, making the doctor context the most likely.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Intensity of Disapproval
Practice Bank
4 exercisesاین غذا اصلاً ______ . (This food is not good at all.)
The phrase requires the negative verb 'nist' to mean 'is not'.
Select the correct Persian translation:
The standard word order is Subject (این رفتار) + Complement (خوب) + Verb (نیست).
شخص الف: پنجره شکسته است! شخص ب: _________ .
A broken window is a negative situation, so 'In khub nist' is the appropriate response.
'این اصلاً برای سلامتی شما خوب نیست.'
This phrase expresses concern about health, making the doctor context the most likely.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
14 questionsIt depends on the context. In a shop, it's normal. In a friend's house, it's rude. Generally, it's a neutral observation.
Yes, but it's very judgmental. 'In adam khub nist' means 'This person is not good/trustworthy'.
'Na-ast' is not used in modern Persian. 'Nist' is the only correct form.
Use 'In khub nabud' (این خوب نبود).
Yes, 'In jaleb nist' or 'In faza nist' (slang for 'not the vibe').
Usually, you say 'Halam khub nist' (I don't feel well) rather than 'In khub nist'.
Yes, but it can also mean 'well', 'fine', or 'okay' depending on the verb.
That is the informal/colloquial pronunciation common in Tehran.
It's a bit informal. Better to use 'In مورد (item) مورد تایید نیست'.
'In khub ast' (This is good) or 'In ali ast' (This is great).
Yes, often to describe the state of the world or the cruelty of a lover.
Yes, it's a very common way to give a movie review.
No, Persian has no grammatical gender. It stays the same for everything.
Say 'In VAGHE'AN khub nist' (This is REALLY not good).
Related Phrases
این بد است
similarThis is bad
این جالب نیست
similarThis is not interesting
این عالی است
contrastThis is excellent
این به درد نمیخورد
specialized formThis is useless
