خواهش میکنم
khahesh mikonam
In Persian, "my pleasure" is expressed as خواهش میکنم (khahesh mikonam).
While the phrase is used idiomatically to mean "my pleasure" or "you're welcome" in response to receiving thanks, its literal meaning is quite different.
Meaning: a polite reaction to receiving thanks (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the noun khahesh (request/pleading) and the verb mikonam (I do), which literally translates to "I am requesting/begging".
How do you pronounce it?
khahesh mikonam
Did you know?
- While خواهش میکنم is a standard response to thanks, in very formal settings, a person might instead use قابلی ندارم, which literally means 'I have no value' to suggest the favor was so small it is worthless.
- The phrase is a common example of 'Ta'arof', the intricate Persian system of etiquette where one must often appear to be much more humble or subservient than one actually feels.
- The phrase خواهش میکنم can be used as a polite way to tell someone to 'please go ahead' or 'after you' when entering a door or starting a meal.
Examples in context
- «سپاسگزارم.» «خواهش میکنم.»"Thank you." "My pleasure."This example shows how to use خواهش میکنم as a polite response to being thanked.Tatoeba #11113847 by sinakd, translation #7496045 by Ricardo14
- خواهش میکنم، کاری نکردم.khāhesh mikonam, kāri nakardam.My pleasure, it was nothing.
- خواهش میکنم، خوشحال شدم.khāhesh mikonam, khosh-hāl shodam.My pleasure, I was happy to help.
Example conversation
Sara thanks Reza for helping her with a heavy bag.
- سارا Saraرضا، خیلی ممنونم که کمک کردی.Reza, kheyli mamnoonam ke komak kardi.Reza, thank you so much for helping.
- رضا Rezaخواهش میکنم سارا، خواهش میکنم.Khaahesh mikonam Sara, khaahesh mikonam.My pleasure Sara, my pleasure.
- سارا Saraواقعاً لطف کردی.Vaaghe'an lotf kardi.You were really kind.
- رضا Rezaقابلی نداشت.Ghabeli nadaasht.It was nothing.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
