Meaning
An imperative to pay attention to sound.
Cultural Background
In Iranian culture, storytelling is an art form. 'Gush kon' is often the 'curtain raiser' for a long narrative. Listeners are expected to provide verbal cues like 'khob?' (well?) or 'ajab!' (wow!) to show they are actively 'doing the ear.' The ear is seen as a sacred vessel in Sufi poetry. Rumi's 'Masnavi' begins with the command to listen, emphasizing that the soul's ear must be open to hear divine truths. Iranian parents use 'Gush kon' as a firm but loving way to instill discipline. To 'not listen' (gush nadadan) is synonymous with being a 'bad' or 'disobedient' child. Even in listening, Ta'arof plays a role. One might say 'Man sapa-pa gusham' (I am all ears) to show extreme respect and readiness to hear what another has to say.
The 'Be' Rule
Always remember to put 'be' before the thing you are listening to. 'Gush kardan BE...'
Watch the Register
Don't use 'Gush kon' with your Persian in-laws unless you want to seem very bossy!
Meaning
An imperative to pay attention to sound.
The 'Be' Rule
Always remember to put 'be' before the thing you are listening to. 'Gush kardan BE...'
Watch the Register
Don't use 'Gush kon' with your Persian in-laws unless you want to seem very bossy!
Conversational Hook
Start your sentences with 'Gush kon...' to sound more like a native speaker when you're about to say something important.
Active Listening
In Iran, nodding and saying 'Ahan' or 'Bale' while listening is essential to show you are actually 'Gush kon'-ing.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing part of the compound verb.
به من گوش ____! (Listen to me!)
The informal imperative of 'kardan' is 'kon'.
Which sentence is the most polite way to ask a teacher to listen?
Which one is correct?
'Gush konid' with 'Lotfan' is the appropriate formal register.
Match the Persian phrase with its English meaning.
Match the following:
These are the basic conjugations of the verb.
Complete the dialogue.
Ali: In ahang kheyli khube. Sara: Bale, daram behesh ____ mikonam.
The phrase 'gush mikonam' means 'I am listening'.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You are telling a secret to your best friend.
'Gush kon' is the perfect informal attention-grabber.
🎉 Score: /5
Visual Learning Aids
Listen vs Hear
Practice Bank
5 exercisesبه من گوش ____! (Listen to me!)
The informal imperative of 'kardan' is 'kon'.
Which one is correct?
'Gush konid' with 'Lotfan' is the appropriate formal register.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are the basic conjugations of the verb.
Ali: In ahang kheyli khube. Sara: Bale, daram behesh ____ mikonam.
The phrase 'gush mikonam' means 'I am listening'.
You are telling a secret to your best friend.
'Gush kon' is the perfect informal attention-grabber.
🎉 Score: /5
Frequently Asked Questions
12 questionsIt depends on who you say it to. To a friend, it's normal. To an elder, it's rude. Use 'Gush konid' to be safe.
They are 99% the same. 'Gush dadan' is slightly more informal/colloquial.
Yes, 'Gush kardan' is an intransitive verb in Persian that requires the preposition 'be'.
Say 'Daram gush mikonam'.
Yes, 'Be harfam gush kon' can mean 'Obey me' or 'Follow my advice'.
The formal version is 'Gush konid' or 'Gush dehid'.
No, 'Gush' is related to the English word 'Ear'.
Say 'Gush nakon' or 'Gush nade'.
It's better to say 'Mishnavam' or 'Sedatun ro daram'.
Yes, 'Gush-et ba man bashe' is a cool way to say 'Listen to me'.
'Be-gush' is military slang for 'On the line' or 'Listening/Ready'.
The word 'Gush' means ear, but in this phrase, it's part of the verb 'to listen'.
Related Phrases
گوش بده
synonymGive ear / Listen
شنیدن
similarTo hear
گوش فرادادن
specialized formTo give ear (formal)
سراپا گوش بودن
builds onTo be all ears
گوشبهزنگ بودن
similarTo be on the lookout / alert
