Meaning
Stating that one is occupied and unavailable.
Cultural Background
Saying 'I'm busy' can be a way to avoid Ta'arof commitments. If someone offers you something you don't want, saying you are busy with a task is a face-saving way to decline. In the fast-paced life of Tehran, 'saram sholooghe' is almost a greeting. It signals that you are a productive member of society. In Iranian offices, being 'mashghool' is respected. However, a boss will rarely say 'man mashghool hastam' to an employee; they will simply give an order or say 'alan vaght nadaram' (I don't have time now). On Instagram or Telegram, Iranians often use the emoji 🏃♂️ or 📚 alongside 'mashghool' to show they are working hard or studying.
The 'E' Link
Always use the 'ezāfe' (e) sound to connect 'mashghool' to the activity. e.g., 'mashghool-e kar'.
Not for Places
Never say a restaurant is 'mashghool'. Use 'sholoogh' for places.
Meaning
Stating that one is occupied and unavailable.
The 'E' Link
Always use the 'ezāfe' (e) sound to connect 'mashghool' to the activity. e.g., 'mashghool-e kar'.
Not for Places
Never say a restaurant is 'mashghool'. Use 'sholoogh' for places.
Softening the Blow
Add 'bebakhshid' (sorry) before the phrase to make it sound much more polite.
Ta'arof Check
If someone says they are busy, don't push. It's often a polite way to say 'no' in Iranian culture.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'to be' (hastan).
من امروز خیلی مشغول _______.
The subject is 'Man' (I), so the verb must be 'hastam'.
Which sentence is the most natural way to say 'I'm busy' to a close friend?
Select the best option:
'Saram sholooghe' is the most common informal idiom for being busy.
Match the Persian phrase with its English meaning.
Match the following:
Focus on the verb endings and negation.
Complete the dialogue politely.
A: هل میتونی به من کمک کنی؟ B: ببخشید، الان _______.
The context of 'sorry' (bebakhshid) implies a refusal due to being busy.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Mashghool vs Sholoogh
Practice Bank
4 exercisesمن امروز خیلی مشغول _______.
The subject is 'Man' (I), so the verb must be 'hastam'.
Select the best option:
'Saram sholooghe' is the most common informal idiom for being busy.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Focus on the verb endings and negation.
A: هل میتونی به من کمک کنی؟ B: ببخشید، الان _______.
The context of 'sorry' (bebakhshid) implies a refusal due to being busy.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt is neutral. It's fine for both a boss and a friend, though 'mashghoolam' is more common for friends.
Yes! 'Khat mashghool ast' means the line is busy.
'Mashghool' is just being busy. 'Gereftar' implies you are stuck or having a hard time with your tasks.
Use 'Man mashghool boodam'.
Yes, it's perfectly fine to describe your current activities.
It can. 'Mashghool-e be kar' means 'engaged in work/employed'.
Say 'Man mashghool nistam'.
No, use 'sholoogh' for streets and places.
ببخشید، در حالِ حاضر کمی مشغول هستم. (Excuse me, I'm a bit busy at the moment.)
Yes, it's used in Arabic, Urdu, and Turkish (as 'meşgul') with the same meaning.
Related Phrases
سرم شلوغه
similarMy head is crowded (I'm busy)
گرفتارم
similarI'm caught up/entangled
وقت ندارم
similarI don't have time
بیکارم
contrastI am free/unemployed
درگیرم
similarI'm involved/struggling with
