This page in your language
فارسی العربية Deutsch Español Français 日本語 한국어 Português 中文 हिन्दी
A2 verb 9 min read

مطمئن بودن

Examples مطمئن بودن in 30 Seconds
Explanation مطمئن بودن in your Level:
At the A1 level, learners are introduced to مطمئن بودن as a basic way to express certainty. At this stage, you don't need to worry about complex grammar. You simply learn the phrase Motma'en hastam (I am sure) and its negative Motma'en nistam (I am not sure). These are extremely useful for basic survival Persian, such as confirming you understand a direction or agreeing with a statement. You will mostly use it in the present tense to talk about yourself or ask a simple question like Motma'en hasti? (Are you sure?). The goal at A1 is to recognize the word and use it in one-word or two-word responses. You might also see it in very simple sentences like 'I am sure about the time'. The focus is on the auxiliary verb 'budan' (to be) and how it attaches to the adjective 'motma'en'. Even at this early stage, try to remember that it often goes with the preposition 'az', although at A1, teachers often overlook the missing preposition if the meaning is clear. It is a 'power word' because it allows you to communicate confidence without needing a large vocabulary.
Sign up free to read full explanation
At the A2 level, you begin to use مطمئن بودن in more complete sentences. This is where the preposition از (az) becomes mandatory. You should be able to say things like Man az in mozu motma'en hastam (I am sure about this matter). You also learn to connect this verb to other thoughts using که (ke - that). For example, Motma'enam ke u mi-ayad (I am sure that he is coming). Learners at this level should also be comfortable with the colloquial contractions, such as motma'enam instead of motma'en hastam. You will use this verb to describe your daily routines, your plans, and your basic opinions. You are moving from simply 'being sure' to 'being sure about specific things'. This level also introduces the past tense: Motma'en budam (I was sure). This allows you to explain changes in your mind, like 'I was sure, but now I have doubt'. Mastery at A2 means using the verb accurately in simple past and present contexts with the correct prepositions.
At the B1 level, مطمئن بودن becomes a tool for nuanced discussion and debate. You will start using it to express degrees of certainty and to support your arguments. You might combine it with adverbs like kamalan (completely) or nesbatan (relatively). For example, Man kamalan motma'en hastam ke in ravesh kar mikonad (I am completely sure that this method works). At this intermediate stage, you also learn related verbs like motma'en shodan (to become sure/to make sure). This is vital for describing processes, such as 'I checked the map to make sure of the way'. You will also encounter the verb in more complex grammatical structures, such as the conditional: Agar motma'en budam, be shoma migoftam (If I were sure, I would have told you). B1 learners should be able to use the verb to participate in conversations about work, news, and personal experiences, providing reasons for their certainty. You also begin to distinguish between motma'en budan and etminan dashtan (having trust/confidence), using the latter for people and the former for facts.
Sign up free to read full explanation
At the B2 level, your use of مطمئن بودن should reflect a sophisticated understanding of register and context. You will use the verb in formal writing and professional settings. You might use the more formal plural forms or the third-person singular in a general sense. You will also start using synonyms like ghate'iyat dashtan or yaghin dashtan to avoid repetition and to add weight to your statements. At B2, you should be able to handle complex subordinate clauses where motma'en budan is part of a larger speculative or argumentative structure. For example, 'Despite the lack of evidence, the investigators were sure that...'. You will also encounter the word in idiomatic expressions and proverbs. Your ability to use the verb in the subjunctive mood and in various compound tenses (like the past perfect) should be solid. You are no longer just 'sure'; you are expressing certainty as part of a complex logical framework. You also understand the cultural implications of the word, knowing when to use it to sound assertive versus when to use a softer alternative to remain polite in a delicate social situation.
Sign up free to read full explanation
At the C1 level, مطمئن بودن is used with academic and literary precision. You will explore the philosophical and psychological depths of the word. In C1 level texts, you might find discussions on the nature of 'itminan' (certainty) in classical Persian literature or modern psychology. You should be able to use the verb to express subtle differences in conviction, perhaps using it ironically or in a highly formal diplomatic context. You will understand how the verb interacts with complex literary structures and how it can be replaced by more evocative, poetic alternatives like khater-jam' budan in a way that signals a high level of cultural literacy. Your writing will use this verb to build persuasive cases, often contrasting it with concepts like shak-e dekar-ti (Cartesian doubt) or yaghin-e shohudi (intuitive certainty). At this stage, you are expected to have a near-native grasp of the verb's collocations, knowing exactly which adjectives and adverbs pair with it to create a specific rhetorical effect. You can also analyze the use of the verb in legal documents or high-level political speeches.
Sign up free to read full explanation
At the C2 level, you have a complete, native-like mastery of مطمئن بودن and its entire semantic field. You can use the word in all its historical, literary, and contemporary nuances. You are comfortable using it in highly abstract philosophical discourse or in the most rapid-fire, slang-heavy street talk. You understand the subtle shift in meaning when the stress is placed on different parts of the sentence. You can use the verb to convey sarcasm, deep empathy, or absolute authority. You are also familiar with the etymological roots and how they influence the word's resonance in religious and mystical Persian poetry (like that of Rumi or Hafez). At C2, you don't just use the word; you play with it. You might use archaic forms of the verb for stylistic effect or invent new ways to express certainty that are grammatically correct but creatively fresh. You are capable of translating complex English concepts of certainty into Persian without losing any of the emotional or logical weight, choosing between motma'en budan, yaghin dashtan, or vaghef budan with instinctive accuracy.
Sign up free to read full explanation
Examples

مطمئن بودن in 30 Seconds

  • Expresses certainty and confidence in Persian, equivalent to 'to be sure' in English.
  • A compound verb made of 'motma'en' (sure) and 'budan' (to be).
  • Requires the preposition 'az' when referring to a specific object or topic.
  • Used in everyday conversation, formal news, and legal contexts to establish truth.

The Persian compound verb مطمئن بودن (motma’en budan) is a foundational expression used to convey a state of certainty, confidence, or assurance. In the linguistic landscape of Iran and the Persian-speaking world, this phrase transcends mere factual knowledge; it touches upon a psychological state of tranquility where doubt is absent. The word motma’en itself is derived from the Arabic root T-M-N, which signifies stillness and being at peace. When you say you are motma’en, you are effectively saying that your heart is at rest regarding a particular piece of information or a future outcome. This is why the word is so frequently used in both high-stakes negotiations and the simplest of daily interactions. For instance, if someone asks if you locked the door, answering with motma’enam (I am sure) provides a level of comfort that goes beyond a simple 'yes'. It suggests a lack of anxiety about the possibility of being wrong. In a culture where social harmony and reliability are highly valued, being able to express certainty—or conversely, to express a lack of it politely—is crucial for effective communication.

Everyday Assertion
Used when you are 100% positive about a fact or a memory. For example, confirming the time of an appointment or the location of an object.
Expressing Confidence in Others
Used to describe your trust in a person's character or ability. It often takes the preposition az (from/about) when directed at a subject.
The Rhetorical Question
In the form of Motma’eni? (Are you sure?), it is used to challenge someone's claim or to ask them to double-check their facts before proceeding.

من مطمئن هستم که کلیدها روی میز هستند.

— Translation: I am sure that the keys are on the table.

Furthermore, مطمئن بودن is often contrasted with shak dashtan (to have doubt). In formal literature and religious texts, the state of itminan (certainty/tranquility) is considered an advanced spiritual state where the soul is no longer agitated by worldly anxieties. Thus, the verb carries a historical and philosophical depth that goes back centuries. Whether you are a student taking an exam or a businessman signing a contract, this verb is your primary tool for establishing the ground of truth upon which you stand. It is versatile, appearing in various tenses and moods, and is essential for moving beyond the basic A1 level of Persian into more nuanced, confident conversation.

Using مطمئن بودن correctly requires understanding its relationship with prepositions and subordinate clauses. The most important thing to remember is that this verb almost always pairs with the preposition از (az), which translates to 'of' or 'about' in this context. If you are sure about something, that thing must be preceded by az. For example, Man az harfam motma'enam (I am sure of my word). Without the 'az', the sentence feels incomplete to a native speaker's ear. This structure is consistent across all levels of formality.

The 'That' Clause (Ke)
When you are sure that an event is happening or has happened, you use the conjunction که (ke). For example: Motma'enam ke u mi-ayad (I am sure that he is coming).
Negative Form
To express uncertainty, you simply negate the auxiliary verb: Motma'en nistam (I am not sure). This is the most common way to politely decline a request or avoid giving wrong information.

آیا مطمئن هستی که او حقیقت را می‌گوید؟

— Translation: Are you sure that he is telling the truth?

Another common usage is in the imperative or pseudo-imperative form to reassure someone else. While you wouldn't usually command someone to 'be sure' (which would be motma'en bash), you might say khaterat jam' bashad (let your mind be gathered/rest assured) as a more idiomatic alternative. However, in modern Persian, motma'en bash is increasingly common, especially when followed by a promise: Motma'en bash komakat mikonam (Be sure/Rest assured I will help you). This shows the verb's evolution from a simple state of being into a tool for social bonding and reassurance. Mastering this verb allows you to navigate the complexities of Persian social etiquette, where providing certainty is often a form of hospitality.

If you walk through a bustling bazaar in Tehran or Isfahan, you will hear مطمئن بودن used as a tool for negotiation and quality assurance. A shopkeeper might say, Az keifiyatesh motma'en bashid (Be sure of its quality), as a way to close a deal. In this context, the word acts as a guarantee. Conversely, a customer might ask, Motma'eni ke in asle? (Are you sure this is original?), expressing the natural skepticism of a savvy shopper. This interplay of certainty and doubt is the heartbeat of Persian commerce.

فروشنده گفت: «از خرید خود مطمئن باشید، این بهترین جنس بازار است.»

— Translation: The seller said, "Be sure of your purchase; this is the best quality in the market."
In News and Media
News anchors use it when reporting confirmed reports: Manabe'e movasagh motma'en hastand ke... (Reliable sources are certain that...). It adds an air of authority and professional verification.
In Academic Settings
Professors might ask students if they are sure about their answers during an oral exam to test their conviction and depth of knowledge.

Beyond the bazaar and the classroom, you will hear this word in every household. It is used when discussing family plans, checking if the stove is off, or confirming if a relative is coming for dinner. It is a word of the home. When a mother asks her child, Motma'eni dars-hat ro khondi? (Are you sure you read your lessons?), the word carries a weight of responsibility. In movies and TV dramas (especially the popular Iranian 'Serials'), characters use this verb during moments of intense revelation or confrontation: Man motma'enam ke u dorough miguyad! (I am certain that he is lying!). This dramatic usage highlights the word's power to define the boundary between truth and deception.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make when learning مطمئن بودن is misusing the preposition. In English, we are 'sure of' or 'sure about' something. In Persian, you must use از (az). A common error is using darbare-ye (about) or be (to/at). For example, saying Man darbare-ye in motma'enam is technically understandable but sounds very non-native. The correct form is Man az in motma'enam.

Confusing with 'Etminan Dashtan'
While motma'en budan means 'to be sure', etminan dashtan means 'to have confidence/trust'. They are related but not always interchangeable. Use motma'en budan for factual certainty and etminan dashtan for trust in people or systems.
Incorrect Conjugation of 'Budan'
Beginners often forget that motma'en is an adjective and budan is the verb. You must conjugate budan according to the subject: hastam, hasti, ast, hastim, hastid, hastand. In colloquial speech, this becomes motma'enam, motma'eni, motma'ene, etc.

اشتباه: من به این موضوع مطمئن هستم. (غلط)
درست: من از این موضوع مطمئن هستم. (صحیح)

Another mistake is using motma'en kardan when you mean motma'en budan. Motma'en kardan means 'to make someone else sure' or 'to assure/convince someone'. If you want to say 'I made sure the door was locked', you would use motma'en shodam (I became sure) or a different verb like check kardan. Finally, remember that motma'en is a formal word that is perfectly acceptable in informal speech, but in very slangy contexts, people might use sad dar sad (one hundred percent) as an adverb instead of the full verb phrase. For example: Sad dar sad miyam (I'm coming 100%) instead of Motma'enam ke miyam.

Persian is a language rich in synonyms, and مطمئن بودن has several alternatives depending on the level of formality and the specific nuance you wish to convey. If you want to sound more formal or literary, you might use yaghin dashtan (to have certainty). This is a much stronger word, often used in religious, philosophical, or legal contexts where there is absolutely no room for error. While motma'en budan is common for daily facts, yaghin dashtan is for core beliefs.

Ghate'i (Definitive)
Use this when referring to a decision or a fact that cannot be changed. In tasmim ghate'i ast (This decision is final/certain).
Khater-jam' Budan (Rest Assured)
This is an idiomatic way to say you are sure and therefore not worried. It literally means your 'mind/memory is gathered'. Khaterat jam' bashad, hame chiz dorost mishavad (Rest assured, everything will be fine).
Bi-tardid (Without Doubt)
Often used as an adverb to reinforce certainty. Bi-tardid u behtarin ast (Without doubt, he is the best).

او یقین دارد که راه درست را انتخاب کرده است.

— Translation: He has certainty (is absolutely sure) that he has chosen the right path.

In modern, casual Persian, you might also hear fiks budan (from the English 'fixed') in very specific slang contexts, or ok budan, though these don't quite capture the same meaning as being 'sure'. A more native casual alternative is shak nakon (don't doubt it), which is used as an imperative to tell someone else to be sure. For example, if someone asks if a restaurant is good, you could say Shak nakon! (Don't even doubt it!). Understanding these alternatives helps you move from basic communication to a more nuanced command of the Persian language, allowing you to match your vocabulary to the social situation perfectly.

Sign up free to read full explanation

Examples by Level

1

من مطمئن هستم.

I am sure.

Subject + Adjective + Auxiliary Verb (Present)

2

آیا تو مطمئن هستی؟

Are you sure?

Question form using rising intonation.

3

او مطمئن نیست.

He/She is not sure.

Negative form 'nist' instead of 'ast'.

4

ما مطمئن هستیم.

We are sure.

First person plural conjugation.

5

آن‌ها مطمئن نیستند.

They are not sure.

Third person plural negative.

6

من از این مطمئن هستم.

I am sure of this.

Introduction of the preposition 'az'.

7

مطمئن باش!

Be sure! / Rest assured!

Imperative form of 'budan' (bash).

8

مطمئنم.

I'm sure.

Colloquial contraction of 'motma'en hastam'.

1

من مطمئن هستم که او می‌آید.

I am sure that he is coming.

Use of 'ke' to connect two clauses.

2

آیا از آدرس مطمئن هستی؟

Are you sure of the address?

Preposition 'az' used with a noun.

3

ما از نتیجه مطمئن بودیم.

We were sure of the result.

Simple past tense 'budim'.

4

او از حرفش مطمئن نیست.

He is not sure of his word.

Negative present with a possessive noun.

5

مطمئن بودم که کلید اینجاست.

I was sure the key was here.

Past tense with a subordinate clause.

6

باید از این موضوع مطمئن شویم.

We must become sure of this matter.

Use of 'shodan' (to become) with a modal verb.

7

آیا مطمئنی که ساعت ده است؟

Are you sure it's ten o'clock?

Colloquial 'i' suffix for 'hasti'.

8

من از انتخابم مطمئن هستم.

I am sure of my choice.

Preposition 'az' with a first-person possessive.

1

من کاملاً مطمئن هستم که او اشتباه می‌کند.

I am completely sure that he is making a mistake.

Use of the adverb 'kamalan' for emphasis.

2

قبل از رفتن، از بسته بودن درها مطمئن شو.

Before leaving, make sure the doors are closed.

Imperative 'shodan' used as 'to make sure'.

3

هیچ‌کس نمی‌تواند صد در صد مطمئن باشد.

No one can be one hundred percent sure.

Use of 'tavanestan' (can) with 'budan'.

4

او با لحنی مطمئن صحبت می‌کرد.

He was speaking with a confident tone.

Adjective 'motma'en' used to describe a manner.

5

آیا از درستی این خبر مطمئن هستید؟

Are you sure of the accuracy of this news?

Formal plural 'hastid' used for respect.

6

من هنوز از تصمیمم مطمئن نشده‌ام.

I have not yet become sure of my decision.

Present perfect negative of 'shodan'.

7

مطمئن باش که پشیمان نخواهی شد.

Be sure that you will not regret it.

Future tense in the subordinate clause.

8

او از موفقیت خود مطمئن به نظر می‌رسد.

He seems sure of his success.

Use of 'be nazar residan' (to seem).

1

پلیس از هویت مجرم مطمئن شده است.

The police have become certain of the criminal's identity.

Formal third person singular with 'shodan' in present perfect.

2

اگر از کیفیت کالا مطمئن نیستید، آن را نخرید.

If you are not sure of the quality of the goods, do not buy them.

Conditional 'if' clause with 'motma'en budan'.

3

او چنان مطمئن حرف می‌زد که همه باور کردند.

He spoke so confidently that everyone believed him.

Adverbial usage with 'chonan... ke' structure.

4

باید از رعایت تمام نکات ایمنی مطمئن باشیم.

We must be sure of observing all safety points.

Infinitive/Gerund phrase following 'az'.

5

من از نیت خیر او مطمئن هستم.

I am sure of his good intentions.

Abstract noun 'niyat' (intention) as the object of 'az'.

6

پزشک از تشخیص خود کاملاً مطمئن بود.

The doctor was completely sure of his diagnosis.

Professional context usage.

7

آیا می‌توان از آینده‌ی این پروژه مطمئن بود؟

Can one be sure of the future of this project?

Impersonal 'can' construction.

8

او از اینکه دعوت شده بود، مطمئن نبود.

He was not sure that he had been invited.

Subordinate clause starting with 'az inke'.

1

فلاسفه همواره در پی راهی برای مطمئن بودن از واقعیت بوده‌اند.

Philosophers have always been seeking a way to be certain of reality.

Infinitive 'motma'en budan' used as a noun phrase.

2

او با اطمینان خاطری وصف‌ناپذیر، وارد میدان شد.

With an indescribable peace of mind, he entered the field.

Use of the noun 'etminan-e khater' related to the verb.

3

نمی‌توان با قاطعیت از نتایج بلندمدت این طرح مطمئن بود.

One cannot be sure of the long-term results of this plan with certainty.

Combining 'ghate'iyat' and 'motma'en budan'.

4

او از اصالت این نسخه خطی کاملاً مطمئن است.

He is completely sure of the authenticity of this manuscript.

High-level vocabulary like 'esalat' and 'noskhe-ye khati'.

5

باید از صحت و سقم این ادعاها مطمئن شویم.

We must be sure of the truth or falsehood of these claims.

Idiomatic pair 'sehhat va soghm' (truth and falsehood).

6

او از اینکه مورد سوءظن قرار گرفته بود، مطمئن بود.

He was sure that he had come under suspicion.

Passive construction within a 'ke' clause.

7

هیچ دانشمندی از فرضیات خود به طور مطلق مطمئن نیست.

No scientist is absolutely sure of their hypotheses.

Adverbial phrase 'be tour-e motlagh' (absolutely).

8

او از وفاداری دوستانش مطمئن بود، اما نه در شرایط سخت.

He was sure of his friends' loyalty, but not in difficult circumstances.

Contrastive sentence structure.

1

در جهان هستی، تنها چیزی که می‌توان از آن مطمئن بود، تغییر است.

In the universe, the only thing one can be sure of is change.

Complex relative clause 'ke mitavan az an motma'en bud'.

2

او از اشراف خود بر موضوع چنان مطمئن بود که هیچ پرسشی را بی‌پاسخ نگذاشت.

He was so sure of his mastery over the subject that he left no question unanswered.

Use of 'ashraf' (mastery/dominance).

3

نمی‌توان به صرفِ مشاهده، از ماهیت اشیاء مطمئن بود.

One cannot be sure of the nature of objects merely through observation.

Formal philosophical 'be sarf-e' (merely/simply).

4

او از اینکه زمان به نفع اوست، اطمینان کامل داشت.

He had complete certainty that time was on his side.

Using 'etminan-e kamel dashtan' as a high-register variant.

5

عارف از فنای فی الله مطمئن است و ترسی از مرگ ندارد.

The mystic is certain of annihilation in God and has no fear of death.

Theological/Mystical context.

6

باید از انطباق این آیین‌نامه با قوانین بالادستی مطمئن شویم.

We must be sure of the compliance of this regulation with higher-level laws.

Administrative/Legal jargon.

7

او از اینکه ریشه‌های این بحران در گذشته است، مطمئن بود.

He was sure that the roots of this crisis lay in the past.

Metaphorical usage.

8

تنها زمانی که از سکوت خود مطمئن باشی، می‌توانی سخن بگویی.

Only when you are sure of your silence can you speak.

Paradoxical literary structure.

Common Collocations

کاملاً مطمئن
مطمئن از خود
لحن مطمئن
منبع مطمئن
راه مطمئن
سرمایه‌گذاری مطمئن
جای مطمئن
آدم مطمئن
مطمئن بودن که...
از همه چیز مطمئن بودن

Common Phrases

مطمئن باش

— Used to reassure someone that something will happen.

مطمئن باش کمکت می‌کنم.

از کجا مطمئنی؟

— A question asking for the source of someone's certainty.

از کجا مطمئنی که امروز تعطیل است؟

زیاد مطمئن نباش

— A warning not to be overconfident.

به حرف‌هایش زیاد مطمئن نباش.

تا مطمئن نشدی...

— Advice to wait for certainty before acting.

تا مطمئن نشدی، امضا نکن.

صد در صد مطمئنم

— Used to express absolute, 100% certainty.

صد در صد مطمئنم که او را دیدم.

خیلی مطمئن به نظر می‌رسی

— Observation that someone appears very confident.

خیلی مطمئن به نظر می‌رسی، خبری شده؟

مطمئن نیستم ولی...

— Used to give a cautious opinion.

مطمئن نیستم ولی فکر کنم ساعت پنج است.

باید مطمئن شوم

— Expressing the need to verify something.

باید مطمئن شوم که در را بستم.

از این بابت مطمئن باش

— Reassuring someone about a specific point.

از این بابت مطمئن باش، مشکلی پیش نمی‌آید.

هنوز مطمئن نشده‌ایم

— Stating that a conclusion hasn't been reached yet.

هنوز از نتایج آزمایش مطمئن نشده‌ایم.

Idioms & Expressions

"خاطرت جمع باشد"

— An idiom meaning 'don't worry' or 'rest assured'.

خاطرت جمع باشد، امانتت جایش امن است.

Colloquial
"خیالت تخت باشد"

— A very common informal idiom for 'be 100% sure/don't worry at all'.

خیالت تخت، کار را تمام کردم.

Informal
"مثل روز روشن بودن"

— Used when something is so certain it's as clear as daylight.

مثل روز روشن است که او دروغ می‌گوید.

General
"شک به دل راه ندادن"

— To not allow any doubt into one's heart; to stay certain.

شک به دلت راه نده، موفق می‌شوی.

Literary/Encouraging
"حرفش حرف است"

— Used to describe a person whose word is certain and reliable.

او مرد است و حرفش حرف است.

Idiomatic
"روی حرف کسی حساب کردن"

— To count on someone's word because you are sure of them.

می‌توانی روی حرف من حساب کنی.

General
"از هفت دولت آزاد بودن"

— Not directly certainty, but used when one is so sure of their path they are carefree.

او از هفت دولت آزاد است و به کسی جواب نمی‌دهد.

Literary
"کلاه خود را قاضی کردن"

— To judge for oneself to become sure of the truth.

کلاهت را قاضی کن، ببین حق با کیست.

Idiomatic
"آب پاکی روی دست کسی ریختن"

— To tell someone something so certain (usually negative) that they stop hoping.

رئیس آب پاکی را روی دستم ریخت و گفت استخدام نمی‌شوی.

Idiomatic
"به سیم آخر زدن"

— To act with the certainty of having nothing left to lose.

او به سیم آخر زد و تمام حقیقت را گفت.

Informal
Sign up free to see all examples

Related Content

Was this helpful?

Comments (0)

Login to Comment
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!