چی میخوای؟
chi mikhāy?
The English phrase "what do you want?" is translated into Persian as چی میخوای؟ (chi mikhāy?).
This phrase is a question used to ask someone what they desire or what they need from you.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of چی (what) and میخوای (you want).
Which one should you use?
The default form چی میخوای؟ is informal and should be used with friends or children, whereas چی میخواهید؟ is used for strangers or superiors.
How does it change in a sentence?
In a polite or plural context, the verb changes to میخواهید (mikhāhid) instead of the informal میخوای (mikhāy). Additionally, using چی instead of چه is a colloquial variation.
How do you pronounce it?
chi mikhāy?
Did you know?
- Depending on the tone, چی میخوای؟ can be used as a sarcastic retort similar to the English 'What's your point?' or 'What are you getting at?'
- In Persian culture, asking چی میخوای؟ too directly can sound aggressive or impatient. To be softer, speakers often add the word لطفاً 'please' or use a more roundabout phrase to avoid sounding like they are demanding a reason for the visit.
- The word چی descends from the Middle Persian word čē, which was used in the Sasanian Empire over a millennium ago.
Examples in context
- چی میخوای؟chi mikhaayi?What do you want?
- واقعاً چی میخوای؟vaaghe'an chi mikhaayi?What do you actually want?
Example conversation
Amir is looking for something in the kitchen and Nilofat asks him what is wrong.
- نیلوفر Niloufarامیر، چی میخوای؟Amir, chi mikhaayi?Amir, what do you want?
- امیر Amirیه لیوان آب میخوام.ye livaan aab mikhaam.I want a glass of water.
- نیلوفر Niloufarباشه، الان برات میآرم.bashe, alan baraat miaram.Okay, I will bring it for you now.
- امیر Amirممنون نیلوفر.mamnoon Nilofar.Thanks, Nilofar.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries چی, CC BY-SA 4.0.
