برو به جهنم
boro be jahannam
The English phrase "go to hell" is translated into Persian as برو به جهنم (boro be jahannam).
This phrase is used as a harsh, direct insult to express extreme anger or dismissal toward someone.
Meaning: interjection (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the imperative verb boro (go), the preposition be (to) and the noun jahannam (hell).
Which one should you use?
You may also encounter به جهنم برو, which is an informal way to say 'go to hell' in Persian.
How do you pronounce it?
boro be jahannam
Did you know?
- The word be is a homograph in Persian, meaning it can translate to 'to' but also to 'quince' or 'better'.
- While boro be jahannam is a harsh insult, Persian culture emphasizes ta'arof, a complex system of etiquette and courtesy that makes such directness very rare in polite society.
- Rather than using the word for 'hell', Persians sometimes use a milder, more poetic expression involving 'going to the wind' to dismiss someone.
Examples in context
- از رو چشمم بیفته، برو به جهنم.az roo chesham biyofte, boro be jahannom.I'm done with you, go to hell.
Example conversation
A heated argument between two people over a mistake.
- محمد Mohammadمن هیچوقت اشتباه نمیکنم، تو مقصری!Man hich-vaght eshtebah nemikonam, to moghassari!I never make mistakes, you are the one to blame!
- مریم Maryamواقعاً؟ تو همیشه همینطور هستی.Vaghean? To hamishe hamintor hasti.Really? You are always like this.
- محمد Mohammadبرو به جهنم، مریم!Boro be jahannam, Maryam!Go to hell, Maryam!
- مریم Maryamمن دیگر با تو بحث نمیکنم.Man digar ba to bahs nemikonam.I am not arguing with you anymore.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries به, جهنم, CC BY-SA 4.0.
