Meaning
A polite request for repetition of something spoken.
Cultural Background
Using the plural 'you' (shomā) and plural verbs for one person is a core part of Ta'arof. It shows you are 'shrinking' your own ego to 'enlarge' the other person. In fast-paced Tehran, the phrase is often shortened to 'Lotfan dobāre begid'. The 'uy' sound in 'beguyid' is dropped in colloquial speech. In Dari Persian, 'Lotfan' is used, but you might also hear 'Meherbāni' (kindness). 'Lotfan dobāre beguyid' is perfectly understood in Kabul. Tajiki speakers use the same root but might spell it in Cyrillic: Лутфан дубора гӯед. The politeness level remains high.
The 'Bebakhshid' Sandwich
For maximum politeness, put 'Bebakhshid' at the start: 'Bebakhshid, lotfan dobāre beguyid?'
Avoid 'Chi?'
Never use 'Chi?' with people you don't know well. It sounds like you are annoyed.
Meaning
A polite request for repetition of something spoken.
The 'Bebakhshid' Sandwich
For maximum politeness, put 'Bebakhshid' at the start: 'Bebakhshid, lotfan dobāre beguyid?'
Avoid 'Chi?'
Never use 'Chi?' with people you don't know well. It sounds like you are annoyed.
Use 'Begid' for Natural Flow
If you want to sound more like a local in Tehran, use 'begid' instead of 'beguyid'.
Test Yourself
Complete the polite request for repetition.
ببخشید، لطفاً _______ بگویید؟
'Dobāre' means 'again', which is necessary for this phrase.
Which is the most polite way to ask a teacher to repeat something?
استاد، ...
This uses both 'Lotfan' and the formal verb ending '-id'.
Complete the dialogue in a noisy cafe.
گارسون: قهوه شما آماده است. مشتری: ببخشید، صدای موسیقی زیاد است. _________؟
The customer couldn't hear because of the music.
Match the phrase to the relationship.
Match 'Jān?' and 'Lotfan dobāre beguyid?'
'Jān' is used with friends/family; 'Lotfan...' is for formal/neutral settings.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Ways to ask for repetition
Formal
- • لطفاً دوباره بگویید
- • چی فرمودید؟
Informal
- • دوباره بگو
- • جان؟
Practice Bank
4 exercisesببخشید، لطفاً _______ بگویید؟
'Dobāre' means 'again', which is necessary for this phrase.
استاد، ...
This uses both 'Lotfan' and the formal verb ending '-id'.
گارسون: قهوه شما آماده است. مشتری: ببخشید، صدای موسیقی زیاد است. _________؟
The customer couldn't hear because of the music.
Match 'Jān?' and 'Lotfan dobāre beguyid?'
'Jān' is used with friends/family; 'Lotfan...' is for formal/neutral settings.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questionsNo, it's perfect. It shows you are a polite customer. You can also use 'Bebakhshid, dobāre migid?' for a slightly more relaxed but still polite vibe.
You can say: 'Bebakhshid, mishavad āram-tar beguyid?' (Sorry, can you say it more slowly?)
No, that sounds like a command to a dog. Always include the verb 'beguyid'.
'Jān' is very common among friends. It's like saying 'Yes, dear?' or 'What was that, honey?'. It's very warm.
Not really. 'Dobāre' is 'again', 'yek bāre dige' is 'one more time'. They are interchangeable.
Related Phrases
تکرار کنید
synonymRepeat (it).
جان؟
informalYes? / What?
ببخشید؟
similarExcuse me?
چی فرمودید؟
specialized formWhat did you (honorably) say?
