Meaning
To express a desire for information or understanding.
Cultural Background
Using 'میخواهم بدانم' is often a way to initiate 'Ta'arof'. By expressing a desire to know rather than demanding an answer, you show humility. In Tehran, the shift from 'ā' to 'oo' is almost universal in speech. Saying 'bedānam' in a cafe might mark you as a foreigner or very formal. In Iranian universities, students use 'میخواهم بدانم' to show respect for the professor's expertise. It signals that the student is a seeker of knowledge. On Persian Twitter, 'میخوام بدونم' is often used to start 'threads' (رشته توئیت) where someone explains a complex topic.
The 'ā' to 'oo' trick
Mastering the shift from 'bedānam' to 'bedoonam' will instantly make you sound more like a native speaker in Tehran.
Don't forget the 'be-'
Leaving out the 'be-' prefix makes the sentence grammatically broken. It's the most common error for B1 learners.
Meaning
To express a desire for information or understanding.
The 'ā' to 'oo' trick
Mastering the shift from 'bedānam' to 'bedoonam' will instantly make you sound more like a native speaker in Tehran.
Don't forget the 'be-'
Leaving out the 'be-' prefix makes the sentence grammatically broken. It's the most common error for B1 learners.
Softening the blow
If you are asking something personal, start with 'ببخشید، فضولی نباشه ولی میخوام بدونم...' (Sorry, let it not be nosiness, but I want to know...)
Writing vs Speaking
Always use the full 'میخواهم بدانم' in written essays or formal letters.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'to know' in the subjunctive.
من میخواهم ________ (دانستن) چرا او نیامد.
After 'میخواهم', the verb 'دانستن' must be in the first-person singular subjunctive form: 'بدانم'.
Which sentence is the most appropriate for a formal email to a professor?
Asking for a grade result:
The full formal form 'میخواهم بدانم' and the formal 'است' are required for academic correspondence.
Match the Persian phrase to its English equivalent.
Phrases:
Each variation carries a different nuance of politeness or intensity.
Complete the dialogue with the correct phrase.
A: ببخشید، ________ قیمت این فرش چقدر است؟ B: بله، این فرش دو میلیون تومان است.
The speaker is inquiring about the price, so 'I want to know' is the correct fit.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesمن میخواهم ________ (دانستن) چرا او نیامد.
After 'میخواهم', the verb 'دانستن' must be in the first-person singular subjunctive form: 'بدانم'.
Asking for a grade result:
The full formal form 'میخواهم بدانم' and the formal 'است' are required for academic correspondence.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Each variation carries a different nuance of politeness or intensity.
A: ببخشید، ________ قیمت این فرش چقدر است؟ B: بله، این فرش دو میلیون تومان است.
The speaker is inquiring about the price, so 'I want to know' is the correct fit.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, but it sounds a bit redundant. Most natives drop the 'ke'.
Not inherently, but tone matters. Use a rising, curious intonation to keep it polite.
'Bedānam' is about knowing a fact. 'Befahmam' is about understanding a concept or logic.
You say 'میخواستم بدانم' (Mikhāstam bedānam).
Yes, but 'مایلم بدانم' (māyelam bedānam) is slightly more professional.
No, for languages we use 'balad boodan'. E.g., 'Fārsi baladam'.
نمیخواهم بدانم (Nemikhāham bedānam).
باید بدانم (Bāyad bedānam).
Constantly. It often refers to the soul's desire to know God or the Beloved.
Yes, it's the most common way to ask 'why' in a full sentence.
Related Phrases
میخواهم بفهمم
similarI want to understand
میخواهم بپرسم
builds onI want to ask
خبر داری؟
informalDo you have news? / Do you know?
در جریان هستی؟
similarAre you in the loop?
میخواهم یاد بگیرم
builds onI want to learn
