Meaning
A request for someone to repeat what they have said.
Cultural Background
Using 'Jānam?' (My soul?) is a very common and polite way to ask someone to repeat themselves. It shows warmth and intimacy. In fast-paced urban settings, people might just say 'Bebakhshid?' with a rising intonation, which implicitly means 'Say it again'. In universities, students always use 'Mishavad tekrār konid' to show high respect to the professor. In a business meeting, asking someone to repeat is often prefaced with 'Just to be sure' (Barāye inke motmaen besham).
The 'Bebakhshid' Sandwich
Always put 'Bebakhshid' before and 'Lotfan' after for maximum politeness: 'Bebakhshid, dobāre begid lotfan'.
Intonation Matters
Use a rising intonation at the end to make it a polite question rather than a command.
Meaning
A request for someone to repeat what they have said.
The 'Bebakhshid' Sandwich
Always put 'Bebakhshid' before and 'Lotfan' after for maximum politeness: 'Bebakhshid, dobāre begid lotfan'.
Intonation Matters
Use a rising intonation at the end to make it a polite question rather than a command.
The Power of 'Jānam'
If someone says 'Jānam?' to you when you ask them to repeat, they are being very friendly. Don't be surprised!
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank to ask a stranger to repeat themselves politely.
ببخشید، میشه لطفاً _______ بگید؟
'Dobāre' means again, making the sentence 'Can you please say it again?'.
Which form is most appropriate for a student talking to a professor?
استاد، نشنیدم...
The plural/formal 'begid' is necessary for respect (Ta'arof).
Complete the phone conversation.
A: فردا ساعت ۵ میای؟ B: چی؟ صدات قطع شد. _________؟
When the voice cuts out, you ask the person to say it again.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You are in a noisy bazaar and didn't hear the price.
You need the seller to repeat the price.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesببخشید، میشه لطفاً _______ بگید؟
'Dobāre' means again, making the sentence 'Can you please say it again?'.
استاد، نشنیدم...
The plural/formal 'begid' is necessary for respect (Ta'arof).
A: فردا ساعت ۵ میای؟ B: چی؟ صدات قطع شد. _________؟
When the voice cuts out, you ask the person to say it again.
You are in a noisy bazaar and didn't hear the price.
You need the seller to repeat the price.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, it's neutral. However, adding 'Bebakhshid' makes it much more natural and polite.
Yes, but 'Mishavad tekrār konid' is safer in a very formal office.
'Begid' is the spoken form; 'begūyid' is the written/formal form.
You can say 'Yavāsh-tar begid' (Say it more slowly).
'Jānam' is a warmer, more idiomatic way to say 'Pardon?'. It's very common in Iranian culture.
Only with close friends. To anyone else, it sounds like 'What?!' and can be aggressive.
Say 'Mishavad hej-je konid?' after they repeat it.
Say 'Bebakhshid, bāzam motevajjeh nashodam' (Sorry, I still didn't understand).
Yes, it just means 'again'. You can say 'dobāre raftam' (I went again).
Yes, it is the plural form, but in Persian, we use the plural for one person to show respect.
Related Phrases
تکرار کنید
synonymRepeat (it).
جانم؟
similarMy soul? / Yes?
چی؟
informalWhat?
ببخشید؟
similarExcuse me?
میشه دوباره بگید؟
builds onCan you say it again?
