Meaning
A significant function or contribution in a situation or project.
Cultural Background
In Iranian cinema, which is world-renowned, critics often discuss the 'نقش مهم' of minor characters in building the social realism of the film. Classical Persian poetry often speaks of the 'نقش' (design) of the beloved on the heart of the lover, which is the poetic ancestor of this phrase. There is a huge cultural emphasis on the 'نقش مهم' of the teacher (Mo'allem), who is often viewed as a second parent. In the Iranian family, the eldest sibling often has a 'نقش مهم' in decision-making, even after the parents have passed.
The 'i' factor
Always add the 'yee' sound (ی) to 'mohem' when saying 'an important role' (نقش مهمی). It makes you sound much more native.
Don't say 'be'
Avoid saying 'Man naghsh-e mohem hastam'. Instead, say 'Man naghsh-e mohem-i daram' (I HAVE an important role).
Meaning
A significant function or contribution in a situation or project.
The 'i' factor
Always add the 'yee' sound (ی) to 'mohem' when saying 'an important role' (نقش مهمی). It makes you sound much more native.
Don't say 'be'
Avoid saying 'Man naghsh-e mohem hastam'. Instead, say 'Man naghsh-e mohem-i daram' (I HAVE an important role).
Formalize it
In a formal essay, use 'نقش بسزایی' (naghsh-e besaza-yi) instead of 'نقش مهمی' to impress your readers.
Humility
When someone says you had a 'نقش مهم', it's polite to reply by saying others helped too.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'نقش مهم'.
ورزش ________ در سلامتی انسان دارد.
We use 'نقش مهمی' (with the indefinite 'i') because we are saying 'AN important role'.
Which verb is most formal when paired with 'نقش مهم'?
او در این سازمان نقش مهمی ________.
'ایفا کردن' is the formal/literary verb for playing a role.
Match the adjective with the type of role.
Match the following:
These are common variations of the phrase.
Complete the dialogue.
A: آیا فکر میکنی شانس در موفقیت اثر دارد؟ B: بله، اما تلاش ________.
The speaker is comparing luck and effort, so 'has a more important role' is the best fit.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Levels of Importance
Practice Bank
4 exercisesورزش ________ در سلامتی انسان دارد.
We use 'نقش مهمی' (with the indefinite 'i') because we are saying 'AN important role'.
او در این سازمان نقش مهمی ________.
'ایفا کردن' is the formal/literary verb for playing a role.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are common variations of the phrase.
A: آیا فکر میکنی شانس در موفقیت اثر دارد؟ B: بله، اما تلاش ________.
The speaker is comparing luck and effort, so 'has a more important role' is the best fit.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
12 questionsYes! You can say 'The rain played an important role in the accident' (باران نقش مهمی در تصادف داشت).
Mostly, yes. But 'part' can also mean a physical piece (ghat'eh), while 'naghsh' is specifically a functional role.
You say 'مهمترین نقش' (mohem-tarin naghsh).
Yes, it's fine, though it might sound a bit serious. For a casual text, you might just say 'خیلی تاثیر داشت'.
The plural is 'نقشها' (naghsh-ha) or the Arabic plural 'نقوش' (noqush), but 'noqush' is only for artistic designs.
You can, but 'نقش مهم' is much more common and natural in Persian.
The word for map is 'naghsheh' (نقشه), which is related but different. Don't confuse them!
No, it's used in politics, business, and science to describe any entity 'performing' a function.
Absolutely. 'Vitamin C plays an important role in health.'
'Naghsh' is who you are in a system; 'vazifeh' is the task you are forced to do.
Yes, it is widely understood and used in Dari and Tajik as well.
Use 'نقش بسیار مهمی' (a very important role).
Related Phrases
نقش کلیدی
similarKey role
تأثیرگذار بودن
synonymTo be influential
نقش داشتن
builds onTo have a role
نقشآفرینی
specialized formRole-playing / Performance
