Meaning
To direct one's gaze.
Cultural Background
Direct eye contact is valued as a sign of honesty, but when receiving a command like 'negāh konid' from an elder, a brief look followed by a slight lowering of the gaze is a sign of respect. In the fast-paced life of Tehran, 'negāh konid' is often shortened in pronunciation to 'negāh konid' but the 'id' is still clearly audible to maintain politeness in shops. The 'gaze' (negāh) is a central theme in Sufi poetry, representing the transmission of spiritual knowledge from master to pupil. In Dari, 'negāh kardan' is also used, but 'sayl kardan' (سیل کردن) is a very common alternative for 'looking' or 'watching'.
The 'Be' Rule
Always remember to put 'be' before the object. It's the most common mistake for beginners.
Don't Stare
While 'negāh konid' is an invitation, staring (khireh shodan) can be rude in Iranian culture.
Meaning
To direct one's gaze.
The 'Be' Rule
Always remember to put 'be' before the object. It's the most common mistake for beginners.
Don't Stare
While 'negāh konid' is an invitation, staring (khireh shodan) can be rude in Iranian culture.
Use it as a filler
In presentations, use 'به این نمودار نگاه کنید' (Look at this chart) to sound more professional.
Ta'arof and Looking
If someone shows you something and says 'negāh konid', it's polite to give a small compliment after looking.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing preposition and verb ending for a formal 'Look at the map'.
لطفاً ... نقشه نگاه کن...
The preposition 'be' (به) is required, and the formal ending is '-id' (ید).
Which sentence is the most polite way to ask a group of tourists to look at a building?
کدام جمله مودبانهتر است؟
The use of 'be' and the '-id' ending makes it the most polite and grammatically correct option.
Complete the dialogue between a teacher and a student.
استاد: به صفحه ده کتاب ... . شاگرد: بله، دارم نگاه میکنم.
The teacher uses the formal imperative 'negāh konid'.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Match 'به من نگاه کنید' with the correct context.
A doctor uses formal language with a patient.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Negāh vs. Tamāshā
Practice Bank
4 exercisesلطفاً ... نقشه نگاه کن...
The preposition 'be' (به) is required, and the formal ending is '-id' (ید).
کدام جمله مودبانهتر است؟
The use of 'be' and the '-id' ending makes it the most polite and grammatically correct option.
استاد: به صفحه ده کتاب ... . شاگرد: بله، دارم نگاه میکنم.
The teacher uses the formal imperative 'negāh konid'.
Match 'به من نگاه کنید' with the correct context.
A doctor uses formal language with a patient.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
14 questionsYes, if you want to be formal or respectful. It is like using 'vous' in French.
'Negāh' is the act of looking; 'nazar' is often an opinion or a more formal 'glance'.
Yes, but often shortened to 'negāh kon' or 'bebin' in casual chats.
Say 'negāh nakonid' (نگاه نکنید).
No, for 'Watch out!' use 'movāzeb bāshid' (مواظب باشید).
Yes, 'negāh konid' is perfectly appropriate for a professional setting.
'Bebin' is used like 'Look...' or 'Listen...' to start a sentence in casual Persian.
No, 'eye' is 'chashm'. 'Negāh' is the 'look' or 'gaze'.
It's better to say 'Watch the movie' (film tamāshā konid).
Be man negāh konid.
In formal speech, yes. In very fast casual speech, it might be dropped.
Negāh kardam (I looked).
No, 'looking for' is 'donbāl-e ... gashtan'.
Constantly! It's a very romantic word in Persian lyrics.
Related Phrases
تماشا کردن
similarTo watch (a show, movie, or scenery)
دیدن
builds onTo see
خیره شدن
specialized formTo stare
چشم دوختن
specialized formTo fix one's eyes on
نظر انداختن
synonymTo cast a glance
