Meaning
A polite way to offer something or ask about someone's preference.
Cultural Background
Offering food is a sacred duty. If you visit an Iranian home, you will be asked 'Meyl dārid?' for everything from tea to fruit to sweets. Refusing the first time is expected (Ta'arof), but eventually, you should accept to make the host happy. In modern Tehran cafes, 'Meyl dārid?' is used by baristas to sound sophisticated and 'ba-kelās' (high class). It distinguishes a specialty coffee shop from a traditional tea house. Shirazis are known for their extreme hospitality and poetic speech. They might use 'Meyl dārid' followed by a compliment about your presence. In a Persian boardroom, offering tea with 'Meyl dārid?' is the first step of any negotiation. It softens the atmosphere before hard numbers are discussed.
The Ta'arof Rule
If someone says 'No' to 'Meyl dārid?', ask at least one more time. It's expected!
Don't use for yourself
Saying 'Man meyl dāram' to mean 'I want' sounds a bit arrogant or weirdly formal.
Meaning
A polite way to offer something or ask about someone's preference.
The Ta'arof Rule
If someone says 'No' to 'Meyl dārid?', ask at least one more time. It's expected!
Don't use for yourself
Saying 'Man meyl dāram' to mean 'I want' sounds a bit arrogant or weirdly formal.
Add 'Befarmāyid'
Start with 'Befarmāyid' (Please/Here you go) before 'Meyl dārid?' to sound like a native pro.
Eye Contact
When asking 'Meyl dārid?', a slight nod and a smile are essential parts of the gesture.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence to politely offer tea to a guest.
ببخشید، شما چای _______؟
'میل دارید' is the correct polite form for 'Would you like?'.
Which of these is the MOST formal way to offer something?
How do you say 'Would you like?' very formally?
Using 'mifarmāyid' (the honorific for 'to do/to have') makes it extremely formal.
Complete the dialogue between a host and a guest.
میزبان: بفرمایید بنشینید. میوه _______؟ مهمان: خیلی ممنون، بله حتماً.
The host is offering fruit, so 'Meyl dārid' is the natural choice.
Match the phrase to the correct person.
Match 'Meyl dāri?' and 'Meyl dārid?'
The singular/informal form is for friends and family.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Politeness Levels
Practice Bank
4 exercisesببخشید، شما چای _______؟
'میل دارید' is the correct polite form for 'Would you like?'.
How do you say 'Would you like?' very formally?
Using 'mifarmāyid' (the honorific for 'to do/to have') makes it extremely formal.
میزبان: بفرمایید بنشینید. میوه _______؟ مهمان: خیلی ممنون، بله حتماً.
The host is offering fruit, so 'Meyl dārid' is the natural choice.
Match 'Meyl dāri?' and 'Meyl dārid?'
The singular/informal form is for friends and family.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsMostly yes, but it can be used for any polite offer, like 'Would you like to sit?' or 'Would you like to see the garden?'.
Yes, it's a very respectful way to speak to parents, especially if you are serving them.
'Meyl dārid' is an offer ('Would you like some now?'), while 'Dūst dārid' is about general taste ('Do you like tea in general?').
Say 'Mamnun, meyl nadāram' (Thanks, I don't have an inclination) or 'Kheyli mamnun, sir hastam' (Thank you, I am full).
Yes, Dari speakers also use 'Meyl dāred', though they might have different local variations for hospitality.
No, it's originally Arabic, but it has been used in Persian for over a thousand years.
No, the waiter asks you. You would say 'Lotfan... be-dahid' (Please give...).
Technically yes, but it's more 'Persian' to hesitate for a split second before saying 'Bale, lotfan'.
Yes, 'Meyl dāri?' is the informal version, but slangy people might just say 'Mizani?' (Will you hit/have some?).
Not at all. It's a timeless part of Persian speech that is still used every day.
Related Phrases
میل داشتن
synonymTo like/want (polite)
بفرمایید
similarPlease/Here you go
نوش جان
builds onBon appétit
خواهش میکنم
similarI beg/Please
دوست داشتن
similarTo love/like
اشتها داشتن
specialized formTo have an appetite
