Significado
Used to make a polite request.
Contexto cultural
The concept of 'Lotf' is central to Iranian hospitality. To do someone a 'Lotf' is to do them a favor out of the goodness of your heart, without expecting anything in return. In the fast-paced life of Tehran, 'Lotfan' is often shortened in pronunciation, and the 'n' might be very soft, but it is never omitted in polite speech. The root L-T-F is one of the 99 names of God in Islam (Al-Latif), meaning 'The Subtle One' or 'The Most Kind.' This gives the word a deep, subconscious layer of spiritual grace. In Iranian business, 'Lotfan' is used to bridge the gap between hierarchy. A boss will use it with an employee to show they are a 'gentleman' or 'lady' (bā-shakhsiyat).
The 'Tanwin' Secret
Whenever you see an 'Alif' with two slanted lines at the end of a word, it's almost always an adverb ending in 'an.' Master this, and you'll read dozens of words correctly!
Don't be too stingy!
In Iran, you can't use 'Lotfan' too much. It's better to over-use it than to under-use it and sound rude.
Significado
Used to make a polite request.
The 'Tanwin' Secret
Whenever you see an 'Alif' with two slanted lines at the end of a word, it's almost always an adverb ending in 'an.' Master this, and you'll read dozens of words correctly!
Don't be too stingy!
In Iran, you can't use 'Lotfan' too much. It's better to over-use it than to under-use it and sound rude.
Not for 'Yes'
If someone asks 'Tea?', don't just say 'Lotfan.' Say 'Bale, lotfan' or better yet, 'Mamnun.'
Teste-se
Fill in the blank to make the request polite.
_______ یک لیوان آب بدهید.
'Lotfan' is the correct word to turn the command 'Give me a glass of water' into a polite request.
Which sentence is the most natural way to ask a taxi driver to stop?
How do you ask a driver to stop?
This uses 'Lotfan' and the polite plural form of the verb 'negah darid'.
Complete the dialogue at a cafe.
Waiter: چی میل دارید؟ (What would you like?) Customer: یک چای، _______.
When ordering, 'Lotfan' is the standard way to end your request.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You are at a friend's house and want them to pass the salt.
'Bi-zahmat' is the perfect informal 'please' for small favors among friends.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Recursos visuais
When to use Lotfan
Travel
- • Taxi stops
- • Asking directions
- • Hotel check-in
Dining
- • Ordering food
- • Asking for salt
- • Requesting the bill
Social
- • Meeting new people
- • Asking for help
- • Formal requests
Banco de exercicios
4 exercicios_______ یک لیوان آب بدهید.
'Lotfan' is the correct word to turn the command 'Give me a glass of water' into a polite request.
How do you ask a driver to stop?
This uses 'Lotfan' and the polite plural form of the verb 'negah darid'.
Waiter: چی میل دارید؟ (What would you like?) Customer: یک چای، _______.
When ordering, 'Lotfan' is the standard way to end your request.
You are at a friend's house and want them to pass the salt.
'Bi-zahmat' is the perfect informal 'please' for small favors among friends.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntasYes, it is very common and shows respect. However, with siblings, it might sound a bit formal unless you are asking for a big favor.
It is an Arabic loanword that has been fully integrated into Persian for over a thousand years.
Usually at the very beginning or the very end. Both are equally natural.
'Lotfan' is neutral/formal. 'Bi-zahmat' is informal and literally means 'without trouble.'
Absolutely. It is standard in both formal and informal texts.
In informal writing, people often omit the two strokes (اً) and just write 'لطفا'.
No, Persian has no grammatical gender. 'Lotfan' is the same for everyone.
Yes, but in that case, you would emphasize the second syllable and perhaps repeat it: 'Lotfan, lotfan!'
Not really a slang word, but 'Bi-zahmat' or just a polite tone of voice often replaces it in slang.
This is a way to double the politeness, often used when someone is being very insistent but polite.
Frases relacionadas
بیزحمت
similarWithout trouble / If you don't mind
خواهش میکنم
builds onI request / You're welcome
لطف کنید
specialized formDo a kindness
تمنا میکنم
specialized formI implore you
ببخشید
contrastExcuse me / Sorry
