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به نظر می‌رسد

B1 noun #1,300 most common 11 min read

به نظر می‌رسد

Q: Can I use 'به نظر میرسد' for people? Like 'He seems nice'?

Yes, absolutely. You can say 'او آدم خوبی به نظر میرسد' (He seems like a good person). Just remember that if you put the subject first, the verb 'میرسد' must conjugate to match the subject if it's a pronoun like 'you' or 'they'.

Q: How do I say 'It seemed' in the past tense?

You change the verb 'میرسد' (present) to 'میرسید' (past continuous). So, 'به نظر میرسید' means 'it seemed'. Example: 'به نظر میرسید که او ناراحت است' (It seemed that he was upset).

Q: Can I use it to mean 'I think'?

Not exactly. 'به نظر میرسد' is an objective observation ('it seems'). If you want to say 'I think' or 'in my opinion', you should use 'به نظرم' (be nazaram) or 'فکر میکنم' (fekr mikonam).

It appears to be the case; it seems.

be nazar miresad Top 1,300

At the A1 level, learners are introduced to very basic vocabulary. While 'به نظر می‌رسد' is technically a bit complex grammatically for absolute beginners, it is taught as a fixed, set phrase. You do not need to understand the grammar behind it yet. Just memorize it as a single chunk of sound that means 'it seems' or 'it looks like'. If you want to say 'It seems good', you can simply say 'خوب به نظر می‌رسد' (Khoob be nazar miresad). It is a highly useful phrase to recognize when native speakers are talking to you, as they will use it frequently to express their thoughts on the weather, food, or general situations. Focus on recognizing the sound 'be nazar mirese' in spoken Persian.

At the A2 level, you start to use 'به نظر می‌رسد' to express your own simple opinions and observations. You learn that it can be placed at the beginning of a sentence followed by 'که' (that) to introduce an idea. For example, 'به نظر می‌رسد که هوا سرد است' (It seems that the weather is cold). You also begin to understand that it is made of three words: 'به' (to), 'نظر' (view), and 'می‌رسد' (arrives). You can start using it to describe people or things: 'او خسته به نظر می‌رسد' (He seems tired). This helps you move beyond just stating facts ('He is tired') to expressing your perception, which makes your Persian sound much more natural and polite.

At the B1 level, 'به نظر می‌رسد' becomes a core part of your active vocabulary. You now fully understand its grammatical structure as an impersonal verb phrase. You learn how to conjugate the verb 'رسیدن' when it is used to describe a specific subject (e.g., 'شما خسته به نظر می‌رسید' - You seem tired). You also learn how to use it in the past tense: 'به نظر می‌رسید' (It seemed). You start using it in more complex sentences to express doubt, probability, or to soften your statements in social situations. You also begin to recognize its colloquial abbreviation 'به نظر می‌رسه' and can switch between the formal written form and the spoken form depending on the context.

At the B2 level, you are using 'به نظر می‌رسد' fluidly in discussions, debates, and professional settings. You understand how to pair it with different adverbs to nuance your statements, such as 'کاملاً به نظر می‌رسد' (It completely seems) or 'عجیب به نظر می‌رسد' (It seems strange). You are comfortable using the negative form 'به نظر نمی‌رسد' (It does not seem). Furthermore, you understand the subtle difference between using the indicative and subjunctive moods in the subordinate clause following 'که', depending on the level of certainty or the nature of the action being described. You also seamlessly integrate synonyms like 'انگار' and 'گویا' into your speech to avoid repetition.

At the C1 level, your use of 'به نظر می‌رسد' is indistinguishable from a native speaker. You use it not just for simple observations, but as a rhetorical device in complex arguments or academic writing. You understand its role in epistemic modality—how it frames the truth value of a proposition based on the speaker's evidence. You can use it to hedge your claims in formal essays or professional presentations. You are also acutely aware of the cultural pragmatics (Ta'arof) surrounding the phrase, using it strategically to maintain social harmony, show humility, or disagree politely without causing offense. You effortlessly navigate complex sentence structures where this phrase is embedded within multiple clauses.

At the C2 level, you possess a master's understanding of 'به نظر می‌رسد' and its place within the broader spectrum of Persian literature and historical linguistics. You can analyze its usage in classical texts compared to modern prose. You understand the subtle semantic shifts between 'به نظر می‌رسد', 'به نظر می‌آید', 'می‌نماید', and other archaic or highly literary equivalents. You can play with the structure for poetic or rhetorical effect. Your command of the phrase is so complete that you can use it to convey irony, sarcasm, or profound philosophical doubt, manipulating the tone and rhythm of your speech to add layers of meaning beyond the literal translation.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

به نظر می‌رسد in 30 Seconds

Expresses probability or appearance.
Translates to 'it seems' or 'it appears'.
Literally means 'it arrives to the view'.
Used to soften statements politely.

The Persian phrase به نظر می‌رسد (be nazar miresad) is one of the most fundamental expressions in the language for conveying probability, appearance, or an educated guess. Translating directly to 'it arrives to the view' or 'it reaches the opinion', it functions perfectly as the English equivalents 'it seems', 'it appears', or 'it looks like'. Persian speakers use this phrase constantly in daily life, from casual conversations about the weather to highly formal academic discourse regarding complex theories. It is an impersonal verb phrase, meaning it does not conjugate to match a specific person (like 'I' or 'you') in its standard usage, but rather stands independently to introduce a subordinate clause, usually connected by the conjunction 'که' (ke - that).

Everyday Observation: When you look outside and see dark clouds, you use this phrase to state that rain is likely, without claiming absolute certainty.
Polite Disagreement: In Persian culture (Ta'arof), direct disagreement can be seen as rude. Using this phrase softens your counter-argument.
Academic Writing: Scholars use it to present hypotheses or interpret data without making dogmatic claims, similar to 'the data suggests'.

Sentence: به نظر می‌رسد که امروز باران ببارد.

Translation: It seems that it will rain today.

Understanding the nuance of this phrase is key to mastering Persian modality. It allows the speaker to distance themselves slightly from the absolute truth of the statement. If you say 'He is angry' (او عصبانی است), you state a fact. If you say 'It seems he is angry' (به نظر می‌رسد او عصبانی است), you are interpreting his behavior, leaving room for the possibility that you might be wrong. This is crucial in a culture that values humility and indirectness.

Sentence: این ماشین خیلی گران به نظر می‌رسد.

Translation: This car appears to be very expensive.

The structure is highly versatile. It can be placed at the beginning of a sentence to introduce a whole new idea, or it can be placed at the end of a sentence when describing the appearance of a specific noun. For example, 'It seems that the food is ready' versus 'The food seems ready'. Both are easily expressed using this exact same phrase, making it an incredibly high-yield vocabulary item for B1 learners.

Sentence: او آدم خوبی به نظر می‌رسد.

Translation: He seems like a good person.

Sentence: به نظر می‌رسد که راه را گم کرده‌ایم.

Translation: It appears that we have lost our way.

By mastering this phrase, you instantly elevate your Persian from basic factual statements to nuanced, expressive communication. It is the bridge between A2 level certainty and B1/B2 level speculation and opinion sharing.

Sentence: شرایط رو به بهبود به نظر می‌رسد.

Translation: The conditions appear to be improving.

Using به نظر می‌رسد correctly requires an understanding of Persian sentence structure, specifically how subordinate clauses work. The phrase can function in two primary ways: as an introductory clause followed by 'که' (that), or as the main verb at the end of a sentence describing a subject's state or appearance. Let us break down these two distinct syntactic patterns so you can use them flawlessly in your own conversations and writing.

Pattern 1: Introductory Phrase: Structure: به نظر می‌رسد + (که) + Subject + Verb. This is used when you are making a general observation about a situation. The 'که' is optional in spoken Persian but preferred in writing.
Pattern 2: Descriptive Verb: Structure: Subject + Adjective/Noun + به نظر می‌رسد. This is used when you are describing how a specific person or thing looks or feels. For example, 'The house seems old'.
Pattern 3: Past Tense Usage: To say 'it seemed', you change the verb to the past continuous: به نظر می‌رسید (be nazar miresid). The rest of the sentence structure remains exactly the same.

Sentence: به نظر می‌رسد که او فردا نمی‌آید.

Translation: It seems that he is not coming tomorrow. (Pattern 1)

Let's look closer at Pattern 2. In English, we say 'You seem tired'. In Persian, the literal translation is 'You tired to the view arrive'. The subject 'you' (تو) comes first, then the adjective 'tired' (خسته), and finally the verb phrase. 'تو خسته به نظر می‌رسی'. Notice that when used this way, the verb 'رسیدن' actually conjugates to match the subject! This is a critical grammatical point. If the subject is plural, the verb becomes plural: 'آنها خسته به نظر می‌رسند' (They seem tired).

Sentence: این کتاب بسیار جالب به نظر می‌رسد.

Translation: This book seems very interesting. (Pattern 2)

Sentence: پروژه‌ی سختی به نظر می‌رسد.

Translation: It seems like a difficult project.

Another advanced but common usage is combining it with adverbs to indicate the degree of certainty. For instance, 'کاملاً به نظر می‌رسد' (It completely seems) or 'عجیب به نظر می‌رسد' (It seems strange). You can also make it negative: 'به نظر نمی‌رسد' (It does not seem). The negative prefix 'ن' (na) is attached to the verb 'می‌رسد', replacing the 'می' prefix's initial sound slightly in pronunciation, but written as 'نمی‌رسد'.

Sentence: به نظر نمی‌رسد که او خوشحال باشد.

Translation: It does not seem that he is happy.

Sentence: همه چیز عادی به نظر می‌رسید.

Translation: Everything seemed normal. (Past Tense)

You will encounter به نظر می‌رسد in virtually every domain of the Persian language, from the most informal street chats in Tehran to the highly structured news broadcasts on Iranian television. Its ubiquity stems from its core function: expressing an observation without committing to it as an absolute, undeniable fact. This makes it an essential tool for diplomacy, journalism, everyday gossip, and scientific reporting alike.

News and Journalism: News anchors use it constantly when reporting on developing stories where all facts are not yet verified. 'It appears the earthquake caused significant damage...'
Workplace and Business: In professional settings, it is used to suggest ideas or point out issues politely. 'It seems our budget is running low' is much softer than 'We are out of money'.
Casual Gossip: Friends use it to speculate about others. 'It seems Ali and Sara are dating' allows for sharing rumors without claiming them as truth.

Sentence: در اخبار گفتند که به نظر می‌رسد طوفان در راه است.

Translation: They said on the news that it appears a storm is on the way.

In literature and poetry, while you might find more archaic or poetic synonyms like 'می‌نماید' (minamoyad), modern prose relies heavily on 'به نظر می‌رسد' to establish a narrator's perspective or a character's internal monologue. When reading modern Persian novels or short stories, you will frequently see this phrase used to describe a character's initial impression of a new setting or another person. It sets a tone of subjectivity.

Sentence: از دور، آن ساختمان شبیه یک قلعه به نظر می‌رسید.

Translation: From a distance, that building looked like a castle.

Furthermore, in the context of Iranian culture, which heavily features 'Ta'arof' (a complex system of politeness and social etiquette), directness is often avoided. If a host asks if you like the food, and it is slightly too salty, a guest might never say 'It is salty'. Instead, they might say something like 'It seems it has a lot of flavor', using the concept of 'seeming' to soften any potential harshness. The phrase acts as a linguistic cushion.

Sentence: به نظر می‌رسد که شما خیلی مشغول هستید، مزاحم نمی‌شوم.

Translation: It seems that you are very busy, I won't bother you. (A polite way to exit a conversation).

Sentence: بازار امروز خیلی شلوغ به نظر می‌رسد.

Translation: The market seems very crowded today.

Sentence: به نظر می‌رسد که اقتصاد در حال رشد است.

Translation: It appears that the economy is growing. (Common in financial news).

While به نظر می‌رسد is highly useful, English speakers learning Persian often stumble over its grammatical integration, particularly regarding verb conjugation, preposition usage, and the distinction between personal and impersonal forms. Because English uses a dummy subject 'it' (It seems), learners sometimes try to force a literal translation that sounds unnatural in Persian.

Mistake 1: Using 'این' (This/It) unnecessarily: English speakers often say 'این به نظر می‌رسد که...' (This it seems that...). In Persian, the 'it' is already baked into the third-person singular verb 'می‌رسد'. Adding 'این' at the beginning is redundant and marks you as a foreigner.
Mistake 2: Forgetting to conjugate in Pattern 2: When saying 'You seem happy', learners often say 'تو خوشحال به نظر می‌رسد'. This is incorrect. Because 'you' (تو) is the subject, the verb must match: 'تو خوشحال به نظر می‌رسی'.
Mistake 3: Confusing it with 'به نظرم' (In my opinion): 'به نظر می‌رسد' means 'it seems' (general observation). 'به نظرم' means 'in my opinion'. Saying 'به نظرم می‌رسد' is a hybrid that means 'it seems to me', which is fine, but learners often mix them up inappropriately.

Incorrect: این به نظر می‌رسد که باران می‌آید.

Correction: Remove 'این'. Just say: به نظر می‌رسد که باران می‌آید.

Another subtle mistake involves the mood of the verb in the following clause. When you say 'It seems that he is going', the verb 'is going' (می‌رود) is in the indicative mood because you are stating what appears to be a fact. However, if there is a strong element of doubt or future uncertainty, some speakers might use the subjunctive (برود). While both can be understood, using the indicative is generally safer for beginners when describing current states, while the subjunctive is better for potential future actions.

Incorrect: آنها خسته به نظر می‌رسد.

Correction: آنها خسته به نظر می‌رسند. (The verb must match the plural subject 'آنها').

Pronunciation also trips up some learners. The word 'نظر' is of Arabic origin, and the 'ظ' (za) is pronounced exactly like a 'z' in Persian. However, learners sometimes over-emphasize the syllables. The phrase should flow smoothly: be-na-zar mi-re-sad. In fast speech, the 'd' at the end of 'miresad' is often dropped or softened, becoming 'mirese'. Insisting on pronouncing the hard 'd' in informal settings can make you sound overly formal or robotic.

Sentence: من مریض به نظر می‌رسم.

Translation: I seem/look sick. (Notice the verb ends in 'م' to match 'من').

Sentence: ماشین خراب به نظر می‌رسد.

Translation: The car seems broken.

Sentence: به نظر می‌رسد که او در خانه نیست.

Translation: It seems that he is not at home.

Persian is a rich language with many ways to express nuance, doubt, and appearance. While به نظر می‌رسد is the most standard and versatile option, knowing its synonyms will greatly enhance your reading comprehension and make your speech sound more native and varied. Depending on the context—whether it is a casual chat, a poetic text, or a formal document—you might choose a different word to convey 'it seems'.

انگار (Engar): This is the most common colloquial alternative. It translates closely to 'as if' or 'it seems'. It is shorter and very popular in spoken Persian. Example: انگار باران می‌آید (It seems like it's raining).
گویا (Gooya): More formal and literary than 'انگار'. It means 'it is as though' or 'apparently'. You will see this often in news articles or formal writing. Example: گویا توافق حاصل شده است (Apparently, an agreement has been reached).
ظاهراً (Zaheran): Derived from Arabic, meaning 'apparently' or 'on the surface'. It is used when contrasting how something looks with how it might actually be. Example: ظاهراً او خواب است (Apparently, he is asleep).

Sentence: انگار کسی در می‌زند.

Translation: It seems (as if) someone is knocking on the door. (Colloquial alternative).

There is also a slight variation of our main phrase: 'به نظر می‌آید' (be nazar miayad). This uses the verb 'آمدن' (to come) instead of 'رسیدن' (to arrive). Literally, 'it comes to view'. In practice, 'به نظر می‌رسد' and 'به نظر می‌آید' are completely interchangeable in modern Persian, though 'می‌رسد' is slightly more common in formal writing, while 'می‌آید' is very frequent in everyday speech.

Sentence: این لباس به تو بزرگ به نظر می‌آید.

Translation: This dress looks big on you. (Using the alternative verb).

If you want to express the opposite—that something is definite and not just 'seeming'—you would use phrases like 'قطعی است' (It is certain), 'مشخص است' (It is clear/obvious), or 'معلوم است' (It is known/evident). Understanding this spectrum from absolute doubt to absolute certainty helps you navigate the subtleties of Persian communication, allowing you to express exactly how confident you are in your statements.

Sentence: گویا رئیس امروز نمی‌آید.

Translation: Apparently, the boss is not coming today. (Formal alternative).

Sentence: ظاهراً مشکل حل شده است.

Translation: Apparently, the problem has been solved.

Sentence: از چهره‌اش پیداست که ناراحت است.

Translation: It is apparent from his face that he is upset.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"به نظر می‌رسد که مذاکرات به نتیجه رسیده است."

Neutral

"به نظر می‌رسد فردا باران بیاید."

Informal

"به نظر می‌رسه خیلی خسته‌ای."

Child friendly

"به نظر می‌رسه این اسباب‌بازی خراب شده."

Slang

"انگار یارو پیچونده. (Using 'انگار' instead of 'به نظر می‌رسد' for slang)"

Fun Fact

The root 'n-z-r' in Arabic is incredibly productive in Persian, giving us words for theory (نظریه), landscape (منظره), waiting (انتظار), and even the evil eye (چشم‌زخم/نظر). When something 'arrives to your nazar', it enters your field of perception, hence 'it seems'.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /be næzæɾ miːɾesæd/

US /be næzæɾ miːɾesæd/

be na-ZAR mi-re-SAD

Rhymes With

می‌کشد (mikeshad) می‌رود (miravad) می‌زند (mizanad) می‌خرد (mikharad) می‌برد (mibarad) می‌وزد (mivazad) می‌چشد (micheshad) می‌درد (midarad)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'نظر' (nazar) with a hard English 'z' and heavy emphasis. It should be light and quick.
Saying 'mi-re-sad' with a hard 'd' at the end in casual speech. Native speakers often drop the 'd' and say 'mi-re-se'.
Putting stress on 'به' (be). The preposition 'به' is unstressed.
Pronouncing the 'a' in 'nazar' like the 'u' in 'but'. It is a distinct short 'a' sound (/æ/).
Failing to link the words. It should flow as one continuous phrase: benazar-miresad.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to recognize, but learners must pay attention to whether it introduces a clause or acts as the main verb.

Writing 4/5

Requires understanding of subordinate clauses and when to use indicative vs. subjunctive moods.

Speaking 3/5

Pronunciation is straightforward, but remembering to drop the 'd' in casual speech takes practice.

Listening 3/5

Often spoken quickly as 'be nazar mirese', which can blend into other words.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

رسیدن (to arrive) نظر (view) که (that) خوب (good) بد (bad)

Learn Next

انگار (as if) گویا (apparently) احتمالاً (probably) ممکن است (it is possible) مطمئناً (certainly)

Advanced

محتمل (probable) بدیهی (obvious) مستدل (well-reasoned) ظواهر امر (appearances) استنباط (inference)

Grammar to Know

Subordinate Clauses with 'که'

به نظر می‌رسد که او می‌آید. (It seems that he is coming.)

Subjunctive Mood for Uncertainty

به نظر می‌رسد که فردا باران ببارد. (It seems that it might rain tomorrow.)

Verb Conjugation Agreement

شما خسته به نظر می‌رسید. (You seem tired. Verb matches 'you'.)

Impersonal Verbs

به نظر می‌رسد. (It seems. No specific subject 'it' is written.)

Negative Verb Prefixes

به نظر نمی‌رسد. (It does not seem. Prefix 'ن' replaces 'م' sound slightly.)

Examples by Level

خوب به نظر می‌رسد.

It seems good.

Used as a fixed phrase with an adjective.

بد به نظر می‌رسد.

It seems bad.

Simple adjective + phrase structure.

آسان به نظر می‌رسد.

It seems easy.

Adjective describing a task.

سخت به نظر می‌رسد.

It seems hard.

Common opposite of easy.

گرم به نظر می‌رسد.

It seems warm.

Describing physical state.

سرد به نظر می‌رسد.

It seems cold.

Describing weather.

نو به نظر می‌رسد.

It seems new.

Describing an object.

کهنه به نظر می‌رسد.

It seems old.

Describing age of an object.

به نظر می‌رسد که باران می‌آید.

It seems that it is raining.

Introducing a clause with 'که'.

او خیلی خسته به نظر می‌رسد.

He seems very tired.

Using an intensifier 'خیلی'.

این غذا خوشمزه به نظر می‌رسد.

This food seems delicious.

Describing a specific noun 'این غذا'.

به نظر می‌رسد که او خوشحال است.

It seems that he is happy.

Basic observation of emotion.

خانه شما بزرگ به نظر می‌رسد.

Your house seems big.

Describing possession.

به نظر می‌رسد که دیر کردیم.

It seems that we are late.

Using past tense in the subordinate clause.

این فیلم جالب به نظر می‌رسد.

This movie seems interesting.

Expressing an opinion on media.

به نظر می‌رسد که او خواب است.

It seems that he is asleep.

Stating a perceived fact.

به نظر می‌رسد که فردا هوا آفتابی باشد.

It seems that the weather will be sunny tomorrow.

Using subjunctive 'باشد' for future probability.

شما امروز خیلی خوشحال به نظر می‌رسید.

You seem very happy today.

Conjugating the verb to match 'شما' (you plural/formal).

به نظر نمی‌رسد که او قصد رفتن داشته باشد.

It does not seem that he intends to leave.

Negative form 'به نظر نمی‌رسد'.

همه چیز در اینجا عادی به نظر می‌رسید.

Everything seemed normal here.

Past tense 'به نظر می‌رسید'.

به نظر می‌رسد که این مشکل راه حلی ندارد.

It seems that this problem has no solution.

Complex sentence structure.

آنها از این تصمیم ناراضی به نظر می‌رسند.

They seem dissatisfied with this decision.

Conjugating for 'آنها' (they).

عجیب به نظر می‌رسد که او هنوز تماس نگرفته است.

It seems strange that he hasn't called yet.

Combining with adverb 'عجیب'.

به نظر می‌رسد که اقتصاد رو به بهبود است.

It appears that the economy is improving.

Vocabulary related to news/society.

با توجه به شواهد، به نظر می‌رسد که حق با اوست.

Given the evidence, it seems that he is right.

Introductory phrase 'با توجه به شواهد'.

کاملاً غیرممکن به نظر می‌رسد که بتوانیم تا فردا تمام کنیم.

It seems completely impossible that we can finish by tomorrow.

Using intensifier 'کاملاً' and subjunctive 'بتوانیم'.

به نظر می‌رسید که او از قبل جواب را می‌دانست.

It seemed that he already knew the answer.

Past continuous context.

هرچند سخت به نظر می‌رسد، اما باید تلاش کنیم.

Although it seems hard, we must try.

Contrastive clause with 'هرچند'.

به نظر نمی‌رسد که این دارو تأثیر چندانی داشته باشد.

It doesn't seem that this medicine has much effect.

Negative form with subjunctive.

از لحن صدایش اینطور به نظر می‌رسید که عصبانی است.

From the tone of his voice, it seemed this way that he was angry.

Using 'اینطور' (this way) for emphasis.

پروژه در مراحل پایانی خود به نظر می‌رسد.

The project appears to be in its final stages.

Formal phrasing.

به نظر می‌رسد که سوءتفاهمی پیش آمده است.

It seems that a misunderstanding has occurred.

Common phrase for conflict resolution.

بررسی‌های اولیه نشان می‌دهد که به نظر می‌رسد این نظریه دارای نقص‌های بنیادین است.

Initial reviews indicate that it appears this theory has fundamental flaws.

Embedded within a formal academic sentence.

اگرچه در نگاه اول ساده به نظر می‌رسد، اما پیچیدگی‌های خاص خود را دارد.

Although it seems simple at first glance, it has its own specific complexities.

Advanced contrastive structure.

بعید به نظر می‌رسد که در شرایط کنونی، تغییری در سیاست‌ها ایجاد شود.

It seems unlikely that in the current conditions, a change in policies will be created.

Using 'بعید' (unlikely) with subjunctive passive.

چنان به نظر می‌رسید که گویی سال‌هاست یکدیگر را می‌شناسند.

It seemed as if they had known each other for years.

Literary structure 'چنان... که گویی'.

به نظر می‌رسد که نویسنده در این فصل قصد دارد دیدگاه‌های سنتی را به چالش بکشد.

It appears that the author intends to challenge traditional views in this chapter.

Analytical phrasing for literature review.

این ادعا، با در نظر گرفتن سوابق تاریخی، بسیار دور از ذهن به نظر می‌رسد.

This claim, considering historical records, seems very far-fetched.

Complex syntax with participial phrase.

به نظر نمی‌رسد که راهکار پیشنهادی، پاسخگوی نیازهای بلندمدت سازمان باشد.

It does not appear that the proposed solution will answer the long-term needs of the organization.

Formal business register.

ظواهر امر اینگونه به نظر می‌رسد که بحران به طور موقت مهار شده است.

The appearances of the matter seem such that the crisis has been temporarily contained.

Highly formal idiomatic usage 'ظواهر امر'.

آنچه در بادی امر بدیهی به نظر می‌رسد، پس از تدقیق، سرشار از تناقضات است.

What seems obvious at first glance is, upon careful scrutiny, full of contradictions.

Classical vocabulary 'بادی امر' and 'تدقیق'.

محتمل به نظر می‌رسد که ریشه‌های این پدیده را باید در تحولات قرن نوزدهم جستجو کرد.

It seems probable that the roots of this phenomenon must be sought in the developments of the 19th century.

Academic historical discourse.

با وجود تمام تلاش‌ها برای پنهان‌کاری، به نظر می‌رسید که حقیقت در حال رخ نمودن است.

Despite all efforts at concealment, it seemed that the truth was revealing itself.

Poetic phrasing 'رخ نمودن'.

چنین به نظر می‌رسد که ساختار زبانی این متن، تحت تأثیر مستقیم ادبیات کلاسیک شکل گرفته است.

It appears thus that the linguistic structure of this text has been formed under the direct influence of classical literature.

Linguistic analysis register.

اگرچه ادعای وی در وهله نخست مستدل به نظر می‌رسید، اما با ارائه شواهد جدید رنگ باخت.

Although his claim seemed well-reasoned in the first instance, it lost its color (faded) with the presentation of new evidence.

Advanced idiomatic integration 'رنگ باخت'.

به نظر می‌رسد که پارادایم غالب در این حوزه علمی، در آستانه یک دگردیسی بنیادین قرار دارد.

It appears that the dominant paradigm in this scientific field is on the verge of a fundamental metamorphosis.

Highly specialized academic vocabulary.

مضحک به نظر می‌رسد که کسانی که خود مسبب بحران بوده‌اند، اکنون داعیه‌دار اصلاحات شده‌اند.

It seems ludicrous that those who were themselves the cause of the crisis have now become the claimants of reform.

Expressing strong irony and critique.

هر آنچه استوار و لایتغیر به نظر می‌رسد، در گذر زمان دستخوش زوال خواهد شد.

Whatever seems firm and immutable will be subject to decay in the passage of time.

Philosophical and existential register.

Common Collocations

عجیب به نظر می‌رسد

خوب به نظر می‌رسد

سخت به نظر می‌رسد

آسان به نظر می‌رسد

جالب به نظر می‌رسد

بعید به نظر می‌رسد

آشنا به نظر می‌رسد

خسته به نظر می‌رسد

اینطور به نظر می‌رسد

کاملاً به نظر می‌رسد

Common Phrases

به نظر می‌رسد که

اینطور به نظر می‌رسد

همانطور که به نظر می‌رسد

به نظر من می‌رسد

چه به نظر می‌رسد؟

بد به نظر نمی‌رسد

عالی به نظر می‌رسد

غیرممکن به نظر می‌رسد

منطقی به نظر می‌رسد

آشنا به نظر رسیدن

Often Confused With

به نظر می‌رسد vs به نظرم (be nazaram)

Means 'in my opinion'. Learners confuse 'it seems' (objective observation) with 'I think/in my opinion' (subjective belief).

به نظر می‌رسد vs نگاه کردن (negah kardan)

Means 'to look at' (action). Learners try to use it to mean 'looks like' (appearance). Never say 'او خسته نگاه می‌کند' for 'he looks tired'.

به نظر می‌رسد vs شبیه بودن (shabih boodan)

Means 'to resemble' or 'be similar to'. Used for comparing two things (He looks like his dad), whereas 'به نظر می‌رسد' is for states (He looks tired).

Idioms & Expressions

"به چشم آمدن"

To catch the eye / to be noticeable. Similar to seeming, but more about visual impact.

این رنگ خیلی به چشم می‌آید. (This color really catches the eye.)

Neutral

"به نظر رسیدن"

The infinitive form itself is often used as a noun phrase meaning 'appearance' or 'seeming'.

فقط به نظر رسیدن کافی نیست، باید عمل کرد. (Just seeming is not enough, one must act.)

Formal

"از ظواهر امر پیداست"

It is apparent from the appearances of the matter. A very formal way of saying 'it seems'.

از ظواهر امر پیداست که اوضاع رو به راه است. (It is apparent from appearances that things are fine.)

Highly Formal

"انگار نه انگار"

As if nothing happened. Used when someone ignores a situation.

او رفت، انگار نه انگار که اتفاقی افتاده است. (He left, as if nothing had happened.)

Colloquial

"بوی چیزی به مشام رسیدن"

To smell something (metaphorically). Meaning to suspect something is happening.

بوی خطر به مشام می‌رسد. (The smell of danger arrives / It seems dangerous.)

Literary/Idiomatic

"رنگ رخساره خبر می‌دهد از سر درون"

The color of the face gives news of the inner secret. A proverb meaning appearances reveal the truth.

نیازی به گفتن نیست، رنگ رخساره خبر می‌دهد از سر درون. (No need to say, your face shows it.)

Proverb

"به عقل جور در آمدن"

To fit with reason / to make sense. Used when something seems logical.

این حرف به عقل جور در نمی‌آید. (This statement doesn't make sense / doesn't seem logical.)

Colloquial

"به دل نشستن"

To sit on the heart. Means something seems pleasant or appealing.

این آهنگ خیلی به دل می‌نشیند. (This song is very appealing.)

Colloquial

"مثل اینکه"

Like that / It is as if. A direct colloquial synonym for 'it seems'.

مثل اینکه باران قطع شده. (It's as if the rain has stopped.)

Colloquial

"چشمم آب نمی‌خورد"

My eye doesn't drink water. An idiom meaning 'I doubt it' or 'It doesn't seem likely to me'.

چشمم آب نمی‌خورد که او بیاید. (I doubt that he will come.)

Colloquial Idiom

Easily Confused

به نظر می‌رسد vs به نظرم

Sounds almost identical and has a similar meaning.

'به نظرم' means 'in my opinion'. 'به نظر می‌رسد' means 'it seems'. One is personal, the other is impersonal.

به نظرم او خوب است (In my opinion he is good) vs. به نظر می‌رسد او خوب است (It seems he is good).

به نظر می‌رسد vs انگار

Used in the exact same contexts in spoken Persian.

'انگار' is a single word, highly colloquial, meaning 'as if'. 'به نظر می‌رسد' is a verb phrase, standard/formal.

انگار خسته‌ای (Seems you're tired) vs. به نظر می‌رسد خسته هستی.

به نظر می‌رسد vs شبیه

English uses 'looks like' for both 'seems' and 'resembles'.

Use 'شبیه' when comparing nouns (A looks like B). Use 'به نظر می‌رسد' for adjectives/states (A looks tired).

او شبیه پدرش است (He looks like his dad). او خسته به نظر می‌رسد (He looks tired).

به نظر می‌رسد vs رسیدن

It is the main verb in the phrase, meaning 'to arrive'.

On its own, 'رسیدن' means physical arrival. Combined with 'به نظر', it becomes a metaphor for perception.

او به خانه رسید (He arrived home). او خسته به نظر رسید (He seemed tired).

به نظر می‌رسد vs پیداست

Similar meaning of appearance.

'پیداست' implies something is clearly visible or obvious. 'به نظر می‌رسد' leaves more room for doubt.

پیداست که دروغ می‌گوید (It's obvious he's lying). به نظر می‌رسد دروغ می‌گوید (It seems he's lying).

Sentence Patterns

[Adjective] + به نظر می‌رسد

خوب به نظر می‌رسد. (It seems good.)

به نظر می‌رسد + که + [Subject] + [Verb]

به نظر می‌رسد که او می‌رود. (It seems that he is going.)

[Subject] + [Adjective] + به نظر می‌رسد/می‌رسند

آنها خسته به نظر می‌رسند. (They seem tired.)

به نظر می‌رسید + که + [Past Tense Verb]

به نظر می‌رسید که او رفت. (It seemed that he left.)

به نظر نمی‌رسد + که + [Subjunctive Verb]

به نظر نمی‌رسد که او بیاید. (It doesn't seem that he will come.)

[Adverb] + به نظر می‌رسد + که

عجیب به نظر می‌رسد که او اینجاست. (It seems strange that he is here.)

اینطور به نظر می‌رسد که...

اینطور به نظر می‌رسد که راه حلی نیست. (It seems this way that there is no solution.)

از ظواهر امر چنین به نظر می‌رسد که...

از ظواهر امر چنین به نظر می‌رسد که بحران جدی است. (From appearances it seems thus that the crisis is serious.)

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely High. Top 500 most used phrases in Persian.

Common Mistakes

این به نظر می‌رسد که باران می‌آید. → به نظر می‌رسد که باران می‌آید.
English speakers translate 'It seems' literally by adding 'این' (this/it). In Persian, the pronoun is built into the verb. Adding 'این' is redundant.
تو خسته به نظر می‌رسد. → تو خسته به نظر می‌رسی.
When the subject is 'تو' (you), the verb must conjugate to match it (می‌رسی), even though it's a compound phrase.
او خسته نگاه می‌کند. → او خسته به نظر می‌رسد.
Learners translate 'looks like' using the verb 'نگاه کردن' (to look/watch). This is wrong. 'نگاه کردن' is an active action. For appearance, use 'به نظر می‌رسد'.
به نظرم می‌رسد که او خوب است. → به نظر می‌رسد که او خوب است. (or: به نظرم او خوب است)
Mixing 'به نظرم' (in my opinion) with 'به نظر می‌رسد' (it seems). While 'به نظرم می‌رسد' exists (it seems to me), learners often use it clumsily when they just mean 'it seems'.
به نظر می‌رسد که او رفتن. → به نظر می‌رسد که او می‌رود.
Following 'که' with an infinitive (رفتن). Subordinate clauses require a conjugated verb (می‌رود or برود).

Tips

Conjugation Matters

When the subject comes before the adjective, conjugate the verb! 'شما خسته به نظر می‌رسید' (You seem tired). The verb matches 'شما'.

Drop the 'D'

Want to sound like a native? Say 'be nazar mirese' instead of 'miresad' when chatting with friends.

Mix it Up

Don't overuse it. Throw in an 'انگار' (engar) in casual chats to sound more natural and fluent.

Keep the 'Ke'

In formal emails or essays, always keep the 'که' (that) to connect your clauses properly.

Polite Disagreement

Use this phrase to soften criticism. 'It seems there is an error' is much better than 'You made an error'.

Listen for the Pronoun

Pay attention to the 'm' in 'be nazaram' vs the lack of it in 'be nazar miresad' to know if it's an opinion or an observation.

Past Tense Trick

Remember it's 'می‌رسید' (past continuous), not 'رسید' (simple past) for 'it seemed'.

Word Order

The adjective usually goes right before the verb phrase: [Subject] + [Adjective] + به نظر می‌رسد.

Indicative vs Subjunctive

Use indicative for what IS happening, subjunctive for what MIGHT happen after 'که'.

No 'This' Needed

Avoid starting with 'این' (This). Just start directly with 'به نظر می‌رسد'.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine a BIZARRE (be nazar) thing ARRIVING (miresad). 'It seems a bizarre thing is arriving.' Be-nazar-miresad = It seems.

Visual Association

Picture a pair of eyes (نظر - view) and a package arriving (می‌رسد - arrives) at those eyes. The package contains a thought bubble with a question mark, representing an assumption or appearance.

Word Web

به نظر می‌رسد (Center) انگار (Synonym) گویا (Synonym) نظر (Root: View) رسیدن (Root: Arrive) احتمال (Probability) ظاهر (Appearance) شک (Doubt)

Challenge

Next time you watch a movie, try to pause and say 'به نظر می‌رسد که...' (It seems that...) and guess what will happen next in the plot. Do this 5 times.

Word Origin

The phrase is a compound of the Persian preposition 'به' (to), the Arabic loanword 'نظر' (n-z-r, meaning sight, vision, or opinion), and the Persian verb 'می‌رسد' (third-person singular present of رسیدن, meaning to arrive or reach).

Original meaning: Literally 'it arrives to the sight' or 'it reaches the view'.

Indo-European (Persian components) + Afroasiatic (Arabic loanword).

Cultural Context

There are no specific sensitivity issues with this phrase. It is universally polite and acceptable in all social contexts, from speaking to a child to addressing a king.

English speakers use 'it seems' frequently, but often as a filler. In Persian, 'به نظر می‌رسد' carries more weight as a deliberate softening tool for politeness.

Used frequently in the poetry of Sohrab Sepehri to describe nature's appearances. A common phrase in the dialogue of Asghar Farhadi's films, highlighting ambiguity. Often heard in classical Persian music when singing about the elusive nature of the beloved.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Weather forecasts

به نظر می‌رسد باران ببارد
هوا سرد به نظر می‌رسد
ابری به نظر می‌رسد
به نظر می‌رسد طوفان در راه است

Expressing concern

خسته به نظر می‌رسی
مریض به نظر می‌رسد
ناراحت به نظر می‌رسد
به نظر می‌رسد مشکلی هست

Giving opinions on objects

گران به نظر می‌رسد
قدیمی به نظر می‌رسد
خوشمزه به نظر می‌رسد
کوچک به نظر می‌رسد

Workplace/Meetings

به نظر می‌رسد بودجه کم است
پروژه سخت به نظر می‌رسد
به نظر می‌رسد موافق هستند
منطقی به نظر می‌رسد

Gossip/Speculation

به نظر می‌رسد دعوا کرده‌اند
عجیب به نظر می‌رسد
به نظر می‌رسد دروغ می‌گوید
اینطور به نظر می‌رسد

Conversation Starters

"به نظر می‌رسد که امروز هوا خیلی بهتر از دیروز است، موافقی؟ (It seems the weather is much better today than yesterday, agree?)"

"این رستوران جدید خیلی شلوغ به نظر می‌رسد، تا حالا اینجا غذا خورده‌ای؟ (This new restaurant seems very busy, have you eaten here?)"

"به نظر می‌رسد که این روزها همه سرشان شلوغ است. (It seems everyone is busy these days.)"

"فیلم جدیدی که دیدی چطور بود؟ جالب به نظر می‌رسد؟ (How was the new movie you saw? Does it seem interesting?)"

"به نظر می‌رسد یادگیری زبان فارسی کمی سخت باشد، تجربه تو چیست؟ (It seems learning Persian might be a bit hard, what is your experience?)"

Journal Prompts

Describe a situation where things seemed one way, but turned out to be completely different. Use 'به نظر می‌رسید' (it seemed).

Look out your window right now. Write three sentences starting with 'به نظر می‌رسد که...' describing what you think is happening outside.

Write about a person you met recently. How did they seem to you at first glance? (e.g., مهربان به نظر می‌رسید).

Think about your future goals. Does achieving them seem easy or difficult? Why? Use 'سخت/آسان به نظر می‌رسد'.

Describe a piece of art or a photograph. What does it seem to represent? Use 'به نظر می‌رسد'.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, absolutely. You can say 'او آدم خوبی به نظر می‌رسد' (He seems like a good person). Just remember that if you put the subject first, the verb 'می‌رسد' must conjugate to match the subject if it's a pronoun like 'you' or 'they'.

In formal writing, yes, it is highly recommended. In spoken Persian, it is very common to drop the 'که'. For example, 'به نظر می‌رسه بارون میاد' is perfectly natural in conversation.

You change the verb 'می‌رسد' (present) to 'می‌رسید' (past continuous). So, 'به نظر می‌رسید' means 'it seemed'. Example: 'به نظر می‌رسید که او ناراحت است' (It seemed that he was upset).

There is practically no difference in meaning. Both mean 'it seems'. 'می‌رسد' uses the verb 'to arrive', while 'می‌آید' uses the verb 'to come'. 'می‌رسد' is slightly more standard in formal writing, but both are used interchangeably in speech.

You add the negative prefix 'ن' (na/ne) to the verb. It becomes 'به نظر نمی‌رسد' (be nazar nemiresad). Example: 'به نظر نمی‌رسد که او بیاید' (It doesn't seem that he will come).

In colloquial Tehrani Persian (which is the standard spoken dialect), the 'ad' sound at the end of third-person singular verbs often changes to an 'e' sound. It's just a natural abbreviation in fast speech.

It is grammatically understandable but sounds unnatural. The 'it' or 'this' is usually implied in the verb itself. It's better to just say 'به نظر می‌رسد' or 'اینطور به نظر می‌رسد' (It seems this way).

Yes, it is very polite! In fact, it is often used specifically to be polite. By saying 'it seems' instead of stating a hard fact, you leave room for the other person's opinion, which is a key part of Iranian etiquette (Ta'arof).

It depends on certainty. If you are observing a current, factual state, use indicative: 'به نظر می‌رسد که او خواب است' (It seems he is asleep). If you are guessing about a future or uncertain event, use subjunctive: 'به نظر می‌رسد که فردا باران ببارد' (It seems it might rain tomorrow).

Not exactly. 'به نظر می‌رسد' is an objective observation ('it seems'). If you want to say 'I think' or 'in my opinion', you should use 'به نظرم' (be nazaram) or 'فکر می‌کنم' (fekr mikonam).