Meaning
To mean something is highly unlikely or impossible to achieve.
Cultural Background
Among young Iranians, this phrase is often shortened to just 'خوابشو ببینی' (See the dream of it!) with a heavy sarcastic tone. In the Bazaar, merchants use this to shut down low-ball offers from customers. It signals that the price is non-negotiable. This idiom is a staple in 'Kolah-Makhmali' or 'Jaheli' films, used by tough-guy characters to show dominance. Even in academic settings, professors might use a more refined version to tell students that a deadline extension is impossible.
Use the Suffix
Always remember the '-ash' suffix. 'Khāb rā ham nadidan' sounds like a robot speaking. 'Khābash rā ham nadidan' sounds like a local.
Tone Matters
If you say this with a smile, it's a joke. If you say it with a flat face, it's a very cold rejection. Be careful with your facial expressions!
Meaning
To mean something is highly unlikely or impossible to achieve.
Use the Suffix
Always remember the '-ash' suffix. 'Khāb rā ham nadidan' sounds like a robot speaking. 'Khābash rā ham nadidan' sounds like a local.
Tone Matters
If you say this with a smile, it's a joke. If you say it with a flat face, it's a very cold rejection. Be careful with your facial expressions!
The Sarcastic Positive
Sometimes people say 'خوابشو ببینی' (See the dream of it!) which means exactly the same thing. It's like saying 'Keep dreaming!'
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the idiom.
من خیلی فقیر هستم. خریدن این ویلا را خوابش را هم ...
Since the speaker is talking about themselves ('Man'), the verb must be 1st person singular present continuous.
Which response is most appropriate for a friend asking to borrow your brand new car?
میتوانم ماشین جدیدت را قرض بگیرم؟
This is the classic informal way to dismiss an unrealistic or unwanted request.
Match the situation to the correct idiomatic response.
Situations: 1. Unrealistic Salary, 2. Strict Parent, 3. Sports Rivalry
Each response uses the idiom tailored to the specific context.
Fill in the missing part of the dialogue.
علی: فکر میکنی مریم با من ازدواج میکند؟ رضا: مریم؟ او دختر وزیر است! تو ...
Reza is giving advice/warning to Ali, so the imperative 'nabin' is most natural.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesمن خیلی فقیر هستم. خریدن این ویلا را خوابش را هم ...
Since the speaker is talking about themselves ('Man'), the verb must be 1st person singular present continuous.
میتوانم ماشین جدیدت را قرض بگیرم؟
This is the classic informal way to dismiss an unrealistic or unwanted request.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Each response uses the idiom tailored to the specific context.
علی: فکر میکنی مریم با من ازدواج میکند؟ رضا: مریم؟ او دختر وزیر است! تو ...
Reza is giving advice/warning to Ali, so the imperative 'nabin' is most natural.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt can be. It's very direct. Use it with friends, but avoid it with people you need to show respect to.
Not really. It's almost always used for things that are impossible in a negative or dismissive way.
'Omran' is more like 'Never!', while this idiom is more like 'In your dreams!'. This one is slightly more descriptive.
Yes, 'ham' (even) is what makes it an idiom. Without it, it's just a literal sentence about not dreaming.
In informal writing like texts or blogs, yes. In a formal essay, use 'غیرممکن' (impossible).
You say 'Khābash rā ham nemibinam.'
Yes, it is a universal Persian idiom understood in Iran, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan.
Yes, if you mean 'You'll never get to be with that person,' you can say 'Khābash rā ham nabin.'
Forgetting the 'rā' or the '-ash' suffix. It must be 'Khābash rā...'
Not specifically, but it relates to the general spiritual importance of dreams in Islamic and Persian culture.
Related Phrases
خواب دیدی خیر باشد
similarMay your dream be good (sarcastic).
عمراً
synonymNever in a lifetime!
مگر در خواب ببینی
variantUnless you see it in a dream.
به همین خیال باش
similarKeep dreaming / Keep that thought.
