Meaning
To be gullible or swayed by others' opinions.
Cultural Background
In extended Persian families, 'dahan-bini' is often the root of 'Khale-zanak-bazi' (auntie-games/gossip). It is a major theme in family disputes. Classical poets like Saadi often warned against 'Sokhan-chin' (the one who brings the word) and the 'Dahan-bin' (the one who accepts it). With the rise of Telegram and Instagram in Iran, 'dahan-bini' has moved online, where fake news spreads rapidly among gullible users. A manager being called 'dahan-bin' is a serious insult to their professional integrity in Iran, implying they are puppet-like.
It's an insult
Never call your Iranian father-in-law 'dahan-bin' unless you want to be disowned. It's very disrespectful to elders.
Use the noun
Using 'دهنبینی' (the noun) makes you sound more sophisticated in debates. E.g., 'دهنبینی آفتِ روابط است' (Gullibility is the plague of relationships).
Meaning
To be gullible or swayed by others' opinions.
It's an insult
Never call your Iranian father-in-law 'dahan-bin' unless you want to be disowned. It's very disrespectful to elders.
Use the noun
Using 'دهنبینی' (the noun) makes you sound more sophisticated in debates. E.g., 'دهنبینی آفتِ روابط است' (Gullibility is the plague of relationships).
The 'Ear' connection
If you forget 'Dahan-bin', you can use 'زودباور' (zood-bavar), which everyone understands and is slightly less 'stinging'.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the idiom.
او خیلی _______ است؛ هر چه پشت سر من گفتند باور کرد.
The context of believing what is said behind someone's back requires 'دهنبین' (gullible).
Which sentence uses the idiom correctly?
کدام جمله درست است؟
The idiom means believing rumors easily.
Match the situation to the response.
Situation: Your friend wants to break up with their partner because a stranger sent an anonymous text about them.
You are advising them not to be gullible.
Complete the dialogue.
علی: شنیدی که میگن شرکت داره ورشکست میشه؟ رضا: کی گفته؟ باز دوباره _______ شدی؟
Reza is accusing Ali of believing rumors again.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesاو خیلی _______ است؛ هر چه پشت سر من گفتند باور کرد.
The context of believing what is said behind someone's back requires 'دهنبین' (gullible).
کدام جمله درست است؟
The idiom means believing rumors easily.
Situation: Your friend wants to break up with their partner because a stranger sent an anonymous text about them.
You are advising them not to be gullible.
علی: شنیدی که میگن شرکت داره ورشکست میشه؟ رضا: کی گفته؟ باز دوباره _______ شدی؟
Reza is accusing Ali of believing rumors again.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questionsYes, it is 100% negative. It always implies a lack of character and intelligence.
Only if you are being self-deprecating or admitting a past mistake. 'من قدیما خیلی دهنبین بودم' (I used to be very gullible).
There isn't a single word, but 'مستقل' (independent) or 'صاحبنظر' (having one's own opinion) are good antonyms.
Yes, especially if the news is 'hearsay' or unverified social media posts.
It's acceptable in journalism and literature, but in a legal or scientific paper, you'd use 'تأثیرپذیری'.
Related Phrases
زودباور
synonymGullible
سخنچین
contrastGossip-monger
یکدنده
contrastStubborn
تحت تأثیر
similarUnder the influence
بچه حرف
slangSomeone who follows words like a child
