Meaning
A standard response to "How are you?", indicating good health.
Cultural Background
In Iran, 'Khoob hastam' is often the first step in a long 'Ta'arof' sequence. It is polite to follow it with 'Shoma chetorid?' (How are you?). In Dari Persian, the pronunciation changes to 'hastum'. It is equally formal and used in similar contexts. Tajiks might use 'naghz' more often than 'khoob', but 'khoob hastam' is understood as a formal, Iranian-style response. In the diaspora (LA, London), 'Khoob hastam' is sometimes used as a way to maintain a connection to formal Persian roots, even if English is the dominant language.
The 'Ta'arof' Buffer
Always say 'Khoob hastam' first, even if you're about to complain. It's the social buffer.
Don't over-formalize
If you use this with your Persian best friend, they might think you're being 'classy' or 'snobby'.
Meaning
A standard response to "How are you?", indicating good health.
The 'Ta'arof' Buffer
Always say 'Khoob hastam' first, even if you're about to complain. It's the social buffer.
Don't over-formalize
If you use this with your Persian best friend, they might think you're being 'classy' or 'snobby'.
Add 'Mamnoon'
In Persian, 'Khoob hastam' is almost always followed by 'Mamnoon' (Thank you) or 'Mersi'.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence with the correct form of 'to be'.
من امروز خیلی خوب ______.
The subject is 'من' (I), so the verb must be 'هستم' (am).
Which response is most appropriate for a job interview?
Interviewer: حال شما چطور است؟
This is the most formal and polite option.
Match the Persian phrase to its register.
Match the following:
These represent the spectrum of Persian formality.
Fill in the missing line.
A: سلام استاد، صبح بخیر. B: سلام، صبح شما هم بخیر. چطور هستید؟ A: _________.
When speaking to a professor (استاد), the formal 'hastam' is required.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesمن امروز خیلی خوب ______.
The subject is 'من' (I), so the verb must be 'هستم' (am).
Interviewer: حال شما چطور است؟
This is the most formal and polite option.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These represent the spectrum of Persian formality.
A: سلام استاد، صبح بخیر. B: سلام، صبح شما هم بخیر. چطور هستید؟ A: _________.
When speaking to a professor (استاد), the formal 'hastam' is required.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsNo, it's perfectly fine and polite for a customer-staff interaction.
It's a bit abrupt. Better to say 'Khoobam' or 'Khoob hastam'.
'Khoobam' is the contraction (I'm good), 'Khoob hastam' is the full form (I am good).
No, the '-am' in 'hastam' already tells us the subject is 'I'.
Related Phrases
بد نیستم
similarI'm not bad.
عالی هستم
builds onI am excellent.
سلامت هستم
specialized formI am healthy.
خوبم
synonymI'm good (informal).
شکر، خوبم
similarThanks (to God), I'm good.
