Meaning
To assure that an activity or process will be quick.
Cultural Background
In Iranian culture, 'Ziyād vaqt nemibare' is a key phrase in Ta'arof. It is used to make guests feel that their presence is not a burden, or to encourage someone to stay for a meal. In the capital, the 'd' at the end of 'nemibarad' is almost always dropped, becoming 'nemibare'. Using the full 'd' sounds very formal or like you are reading from a book. When starting a meeting or a presentation in Iran, it is polite to say 'I won't take much of your time' (Ziyād vaqt-etun ro nemigiram) as a sign of respect for the audience's schedule. If you are a guest and you say you must leave, the host will use this phrase to try and keep you longer, often implying that the next activity (like having fruit) is very quick.
Sound like a Native
Use 'nemibare' instead of 'nemibarad' in 99% of spoken situations.
Don't over-Ta'arof
If something will take 2 hours, don't say it won't take long, or you'll frustrate people!
Meaning
To assure that an activity or process will be quick.
Sound like a Native
Use 'nemibare' instead of 'nemibarad' in 99% of spoken situations.
Don't over-Ta'arof
If something will take 2 hours, don't say it won't take long, or you'll frustrate people!
The 'One Minute' Rule
Iranians often say 'yek laze' (one moment) along with this phrase, even if it takes five minutes.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the verb 'bordan'.
نگران نباشید، این کار زیاد وقت __________.
The phrase requires the negative present continuous form to mean 'it doesn't take'.
Which phrase is the most natural way to say 'It won't take long' in a friendly conversation?
دوستت از تو میپرسد: 'چقدر طول میکشه؟' تو جواب میدهی:
Option A is the natural spoken variation of the phrase.
Match the response to the situation.
Situation: A colleague is hesitant to help you because they are busy.
This phrase is used to minimize the perceived effort of a request.
Fill in the missing line.
A: میشه این فرم رو پر کنید؟ B: الان عجله دارم. A: _________.
The speaker is trying to persuade the other person by promising it will be quick.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesنگران نباشید، این کار زیاد وقت __________.
The phrase requires the negative present continuous form to mean 'it doesn't take'.
دوستت از تو میپرسد: 'چقدر طول میکشه؟' تو جواب میدهی:
Option A is the natural spoken variation of the phrase.
Situation: A colleague is hesitant to help you because they are busy.
This phrase is used to minimize the perceived effort of a request.
A: میشه این فرم رو پر کنید؟ B: الان عجله دارم. A: _________.
The speaker is trying to persuade the other person by promising it will be quick.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questionsNo, this phrase is for tasks or processes. To say a person is fast, use 'sari' or 'ferz'.
Yes, it is very polite and commonly used in professional and social settings.
The past tense is 'Ziyād vaqt nabord' (It didn't take much time).
You can, but it sounds very formal and less natural than using 'vaqt'.
It's not slang, it's just the standard colloquial (spoken) pronunciation.
Related Phrases
طول کشیدن
similarTo take long / duration
وقتگیر
specialized formTime-consuming
در یک چشم به هم زدن
builds onIn the blink of an eye
عجله داشتن
contrastTo be in a hurry
فرصت کردن
relatedTo find the time
