Meaning
Referring to an amount or degree smaller than what is currently present.
Cultural Background
In the bazaar, 'کمتر از این' is not just a request; it's the start of a social ritual. Never accept the first price; always ask if it can be 'less than this'. When someone praises your skills, saying you are 'less than this' is a way to show you are not arrogant. Hosts will often try to give you more food. Using 'کمتر از این' is a polite way to insist on a smaller portion without offending the cook. Due to high inflation, Iranians often use this phrase to compare current prices to the 'good old days'.
The Bargaining Secret
When bargaining, say 'کمتر از این راه نداره؟' with a slight smile. It shows you know the local customs.
Don't be Rude
Using 'کمتر از این' for a person's value is very offensive. Keep it to prices and quantities.
Meaning
Referring to an amount or degree smaller than what is currently present.
The Bargaining Secret
When bargaining, say 'کمتر از این راه نداره؟' with a slight smile. It shows you know the local customs.
Don't be Rude
Using 'کمتر از این' for a person's value is very offensive. Keep it to prices and quantities.
Ta'arof Power
If someone offers you a gift, saying 'من کمتر از این حرفها هستم' is a high-level way to show gratitude and humility.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the phrase.
قیمت این پیراهن ۱۰۰ هزار تومان است، اما من _________ میخواهم.
You need the comparative 'kamtar' and the preposition 'az' to compare with the price mentioned.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Which one means 'I have less time than this'?
While 'کمتر از این' is standard, 'از این کمتر' is a valid and common variation.
Complete the dialogue between a shopkeeper and a customer.
فروشنده: قیمت این قالی ۱۰ میلیون است. مشتری: خیلی گران است! آیا _________ هم دارید؟
The customer is complaining about the high price, so they would ask for something 'less than this'.
Match the phrase to the correct situation.
When would you say 'کمتر از این راه ندارد'?
This is a fixed idiomatic response in bargaining.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Kam vs Kamtar vs Kamtarin
Practice Bank
4 exercisesقیمت این پیراهن ۱۰۰ هزار تومان است، اما من _________ میخواهم.
You need the comparative 'kamtar' and the preposition 'az' to compare with the price mentioned.
Which one means 'I have less time than this'?
While 'کمتر از این' is standard, 'از این کمتر' is a valid and common variation.
فروشنده: قیمت این قالی ۱۰ میلیون است. مشتری: خیلی گران است! آیا _________ هم دارید؟
The customer is complaining about the high price, so they would ask for something 'less than this'.
When would you say 'کمتر از این راه ندارد'?
This is a fixed idiomatic response in bargaining.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsOnly in a very humble way about yourself. Never use it to describe someone else's worth as 'less'.
'In' means this, 'An' means that. Use 'in' for things close to you or just mentioned.
The '-ha' makes it more general, like 'less than all of this'. It's very common in spoken Persian.
Yes! 'Kamtar az in zaman' means 'less time than this'.
The opposite is 'بیشتر از این' (Bish-tar az in), meaning 'more than this'.
It is neutral. You can use it in a book or at a fruit stand.
Yes, it works for both 'less' and 'fewer'.
Yes, that is a very common and natural variation in speech.
You say 'نه کمتر از این' or 'کمتر از این نباشد'.
In a comparison, yes. 'Az' is the word for 'than'.
Related Phrases
بیشتر از این
contrastMore than this
کمترین
specialized formThe least
بهکمتر از
builds onTo less than
کم و بیش
similarMore or less
