Meaning
To do something futile or transient; something that will not last.
Cultural Background
The concept of 'fana' (annihilation/transience) is central to Sufi poetry. Writing on ice is a physical manifestation of this spiritual concept. You will see this phrase in 'captions' or comments when people discuss failed government policies or celebrity scandals. In the traditional market, a man's word is his bond. If someone is said to 'write on ice', they are effectively blacklisted from serious business.
Use with 'Mesle'
It sounds most natural when you say 'Mesle ruy-e yakh neveshtan ast' (It is like writing on ice).
Don't use for 'Hard Work'
If a task is just difficult but will last, use 'Kūh kandan' (digging a mountain) instead.
Meaning
To do something futile or transient; something that will not last.
Use with 'Mesle'
It sounds most natural when you say 'Mesle ruy-e yakh neveshtan ast' (It is like writing on ice).
Don't use for 'Hard Work'
If a task is just difficult but will last, use 'Kūh kandan' (digging a mountain) instead.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence with the correct idiom.
تلاش برای قانع کردن او مثل _______ است.
To describe a futile effort, 'writing on ice' is the correct choice.
Which situation best fits the idiom 'روی یخ نوشتن'?
A situation where...
The idiom refers to transient or futile efforts.
What would Ali say?
Sara: 'I promise I will be on time tomorrow!' Ali: 'I don't believe you. Your promises are...'
Ali is expressing doubt about Sara's promise.
Match the Persian idiom to its English equivalent.
Match them:
These are the closest cultural equivalents.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesتلاش برای قانع کردن او مثل _______ است.
To describe a futile effort, 'writing on ice' is the correct choice.
A situation where...
The idiom refers to transient or futile efforts.
Sara: 'I promise I will be on time tomorrow!' Ali: 'I don't believe you. Your promises are...'
Ali is expressing doubt about Sara's promise.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are the closest cultural equivalents.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
2 questionsIt can be. If you say it to someone's face about their work, it's very dismissive. Use it carefully.
Not usually. You use it for their words, promises, or actions. You wouldn't say 'He is writing on ice' to mean he is a bad person, but that his *efforts* are useless.
Related Phrases
نقش بر آب
synonymA design on water
آب در هاون کوبیدن
similarPounding water in a mortar
باد در قفس کردن
similarPutting wind in a cage
