Meaning
To communicate verbally.
Cultural Background
In Ta'arof, 'goftan' is used to offer things repeatedly. A host might say 'Befarma'id' (Please say/have some) many times, and the guest is expected to say 'No' at first. Poets like Rumi and Hafez use 'goftam... goft...' (I said... he said...) as a structural device to create a dialogue between the lover and the Beloved. On Persian Twitter/X, users often start threads with 'میگم که...' (I'm saying that...) to introduce a hot take or a personal opinion. The phrase 'دروغ میگی!' (You're lying!) is often used as a friendly 'No way!' or 'Really?' in casual conversation.
The 'Ke' Connector
Always use 'ke' after 'goft' when you are about to say a full sentence. It's like the English word 'that'.
Don't forget 'Be'
If you don't use 'be' before the person you're talking to, the sentence will sound broken and confusing.
Meaning
To communicate verbally.
The 'Ke' Connector
Always use 'ke' after 'goft' when you are about to say a full sentence. It's like the English word 'that'.
Don't forget 'Be'
If you don't use 'be' before the person you're talking to, the sentence will sound broken and confusing.
Sound like a Native
Use 'migam' instead of 'miguyam' in 99% of spoken situations. 'Miguyam' sounds like you're reading a 13th-century poem!
Polite Listening
When someone is telling you something, say 'Gofti!' (You said it!) to show agreement and that you are listening.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'goftan' in the past tense (I said).
من به دوستم سلام ______.
The subject is 'man' (I), so the verb must end in '-am'.
Which sentence is correct for 'Tell me'?
Choose the correct translation:
The verb 'goftan' requires the preposition 'be' for the person being spoken to.
Complete the dialogue.
A: سارا کجاست؟ B: ______ که در کتابخانه است.
B is reporting what Sara (she) said, so the third person singular 'goft' is used.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Match 'به این چی میگید؟' to the correct context.
This phrase literally means 'What do you call this?'
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Goftan vs Harf Zadan
Practice Bank
4 exercisesمن به دوستم سلام ______.
The subject is 'man' (I), so the verb must end in '-am'.
Choose the correct translation:
The verb 'goftan' requires the preposition 'be' for the person being spoken to.
A: سارا کجاست؟ B: ______ که در کتابخانه است.
B is reporting what Sara (she) said, so the third person singular 'goft' is used.
Match 'به این چی میگید؟' to the correct context.
This phrase literally means 'What do you call this?'
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, you can say 'jok goftan', but 'jok ta'rif kardan' is more common.
'Goftam' is past tense (I said), and 'migam' is present/future (I say/I will say).
Usually 'esm gozashtan' (to put a name) is used for naming, but you can say 'behesh migan...' for what people call him.
It is neutral. It's used in both formal and informal settings, but the pronunciation changes.
Say: 'Be man goft ke beravam'.
No, 'to sing' is 'avaz khandan'. However, 'sher goftan' means 'to compose poetry'.
It's a natural phonetic reduction in the Tehrani dialect that has become standard for spoken Persian.
Yes, for example: 'Gorbe miyav miguye' (The cat says meow).
It's an archaic or dialectal form meaning 'to repeat' or 'to say back', but you won't need it for A1.
Say: 'Migun gharare baran biyad'.
Related Phrases
حرف زدن
similarTo talk/speak
بیان کردن
formalTo express/state
تعریف کردن
specialized formTo describe/tell a story
فرمودن
specialized formTo say (honorific)
نقل کردن
similarTo quote/narrate
