Meaning
Used to express a preference or enjoyment for something.
Cultural Background
In Iranian hospitality, if you say 'In ra dust daram' about an object in someone's house, they might say 'Pishkesh!' (It's a gift for you!). You should politely decline several times. In Dari (Afghan Persian), the pronunciation is slightly more archaic. 'Dust' is pronounced with a clearer 'u' sound, and 'ra' is rarely contracted to 'o'. Tajik Persian uses the Cyrillic script. The phrase is written as 'Ман инро дӯст медоرم' (Man inro dūst medoram). On Persian Twitter and Instagram, 'Ino dust' is often used as shorthand for 'I like this post/vibe.'
Sound like a native
Always use 'Ino' instead of 'In ra' when talking to friends. It instantly makes you sound more fluent.
The 'Ra' Rule
Don't forget 'ra' in writing. Without it, the sentence feels incomplete to a native ear.
Meaning
Used to express a preference or enjoyment for something.
Sound like a native
Always use 'Ino' instead of 'In ra' when talking to friends. It instantly makes you sound more fluent.
The 'Ra' Rule
Don't forget 'ra' in writing. Without it, the sentence feels incomplete to a native ear.
Ta'arof Alert
If you like something in an Iranian home, follow it with 'Dastetun dard nakone' (May your hands not ache) to thank the host.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing object marker for a formal sentence.
من این کتاب ___ دوست دارم.
'Ra' is the formal object marker used after 'in ketab'.
Which one is the correct informal way to say 'I like this'?
How do you say 'I like this' to a friend?
'Ino' is the contraction of 'In ra', perfect for informal speech.
Match the Persian phrase to its English meaning.
Match the following:
Focus on the demonstrative pronouns (in/ān) and the intensity (kheyli).
Complete the dialogue.
A: این بستنی خوشمزه است؟ B: بله، من ___.
The speaker (B) is expressing their own preference.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Formal vs Informal
Practice Bank
4 exercisesمن این کتاب ___ دوست دارم.
'Ra' is the formal object marker used after 'in ketab'.
How do you say 'I like this' to a friend?
'Ino' is the contraction of 'In ra', perfect for informal speech.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Focus on the demonstrative pronouns (in/ān) and the intensity (kheyli).
A: این بستنی خوشمزه است؟ B: بله، من ___.
The speaker (B) is expressing their own preference.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, 'In ra dust daram' can mean 'I like this person' if you are pointing at them, but it's more polite to say 'U ra dust daram' (I like him/her).
'Dust daram' is 'I like/love' (general), while 'ashegham' is 'I am in love' (intense/romantic).
In formal writing, yes. In speech, it's replaced by the 'o' sound.
Use 'In ra dust dashtam'.
Only in very casual slang or social media captions. It's not a full sentence.
Yes, Persian doesn't have a separate common word for 'like' vs 'love' for objects. Context tells the difference.
Yes, it is perfectly polite for all situations.
Say 'In ra dust nadaram'.
Yes, e.g., 'In varzesh ra dust daram' (I like this sport).
Change 'In' to 'Ān'. 'Ān ra dust daram'.
Related Phrases
خیلی دوستش دارم
builds onI like it/him/her a lot
از این خوشم میآید
similarI like this / This pleases me
عاشق این هستم
specialized formI am in love with this
این را میپسندم
formalI approve of this
به این علاقه دارم
similarI have an interest in this
