Q: What does خواهش میکنم literally mean?

The word خواهش means request, and میکنم means I do (from the verb to do or to make). So literally it means I make a request. When responding to a thank you, it acts like saying I beg you not to mention it, which is why it translates to you're welcome.

Q: Can I use خواهش میکنم in other situations?

Yes! Because it literally means I make a request, خواهش میکنم is also the most common way to say please when you are politely asking someone to do something or when offering them something, like Please, come in.

Question 1

What does خواهش می‌کنم literally mean?

Accepted Answer

The word خواهش means request, and می‌کنم means I do (from the verb to do or to make). So literally it means I make a request. When responding to a thank you, it acts like saying I beg you not to mention it, which is why it translates to you're welcome.

Question 2

Why is there a و (vav) in خواهش if we pronounce it khahesh?

Accepted Answer

In Farsi, whenever you see the letter combination خوا together, it is almost always pronounced kha. The و (vav) is completely silent. This spelling is a leftover from how the word was pronounced centuries ago, but today you just say khahesh.

Question 3

Can I use خواهش می‌کنم in other situations?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Because it literally means I make a request, خواهش می‌کنم is also the most common way to say please when you are politely asking someone to do something or when offering them something, like Please, come in.

Question 4

Is ممنون the only way to say thank you?

Accepted Answer

ممنون is one of the most common and natural ways to say thank you in everyday conversation. You will also often hear مرسی (mersi), which is borrowed from French, or the very common phrase دست شما درد نکنه (dast-e shoma dard nakone), which literally means may your hand not hurt!

ممنون! — خواهش می‌کنم.

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