Meaning
To emphasize the significance or crucial nature of something.
Cultural Background
Iranians often use this phrase to signal the end of a 'Ta'arof' cycle. It means 'Let's get serious now.' In Iranian schools, students will often ask 'آیا این مهم است؟' to know if a topic will be on the national entrance exam (Konkur). Respect for elders means that when a parent says 'این خیلی مهمه,' the child is expected to stop and listen intently without interrupting. In the fast-paced bazaar or tech scene in Tehran, this phrase is used to cut through the noise and prioritize tasks.
The Spoken Shortcut
Always use 'moheme' in conversation. Using 'mohem ast' while talking to friends makes you sound like a robot or a textbook.
Word Order
Never put 'ast' before 'mohem'. It's a common English-speaker mistake. The verb is the anchor at the end.
Meaning
To emphasize the significance or crucial nature of something.
The Spoken Shortcut
Always use 'moheme' in conversation. Using 'mohem ast' while talking to friends makes you sound like a robot or a textbook.
Word Order
Never put 'ast' before 'mohem'. It's a common English-speaker mistake. The verb is the anchor at the end.
Intonation Matters
Stretch the 'kh' in 'kheyli' (kh-kh-kheyli) to show that something is *really* important.
Formal Writing
In an email to a boss, use 'بسیار مهم است' instead of 'خیلی مهم است' for a more professional tone.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing word to say 'This is very important.'
این خیلی ____ است.
'Mohem' means important. 'Khob' is good, 'Bozorg' is big, and 'Sard' is cold.
Which one is the correct spoken (informal) version?
Choose the informal form:
In spoken Persian, 'ast' becomes 'e' and attaches to the adjective.
Complete the dialogue with the most natural response.
A: فردا امتحان داریم. (We have an exam tomorrow.) B: پس درس خواندن ____.
Studying (dars khandan) is 'important' for an exam.
Match the Persian phrase to its formality level.
Match the following:
These represent the three main registers of the phrase.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Formal vs Informal
Practice Bank
4 exercisesاین خیلی ____ است.
'Mohem' means important. 'Khob' is good, 'Bozorg' is big, and 'Sard' is cold.
Choose the informal form:
In spoken Persian, 'ast' becomes 'e' and attaches to the adjective.
A: فردا امتحان داریم. (We have an exam tomorrow.) B: پس درس خواندن ____.
Studying (dars khandan) is 'important' for an exam.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These represent the three main registers of the phrase.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, but it's better to say 'Adam-e mohem' (important person) or 'Shakhsiyat-e mohem'. Just saying 'In mohem ast' about a person sounds like you are calling them an object.
'Mohem' means important (value), while 'zarouri' means necessary (requirement). You can have something important that isn't urgent/necessary right now.
You say 'In kheyli mohem nist' (این خیلی مهم نیست).
No, you can use 'besyar' (formal) or 'kheyli kheyli' (very very).
That's a common colloquial doubling of the consonant for emphasis in some dialects, but 'moheme' is standard.
Yes, it's very common. You would usually write it as 'این خیلی مهمه'.
Yes, it is a loanword from Arabic, but it is fully integrated into Persian.
Just change your tone: 'In moheme?'
'Bi-ahammiyat' (unimportant) or 'natchiz' (insignificant).
Yes, as in 'Mohem in ast ke...' (The important thing is that...).
Related Phrases
این حیاتی است
specialized formThis is vital/life-and-death.
این ضروری است
similarThis is necessary.
این حائز اهمیت است
synonymThis is of importance.
این کلیدی است
similarThis is key.
این واجب است
specialized formThis is obligatory.
