What it means
به چشم (be cheshm) literally translates as “to the eye” but functions as a warm, willing affirmation: “with pleasure,” “of course,” or “gladly.” Both words are native Persian: be is the preposition “to” or “with,” and cheshm means “eye.” The phrase implies that you place the other person’s request directly before your eyes and will carry it out without hesitation. A close synonym is چشم (cheshm) alone, which is even more concise and equally common in spoken Tehran Persian.
How to use it
- مادرم گفت غذا بیار، منم گفتم به چشم. (mâdaram goft ghazâ beyâr, manam goftam be cheshm.) “My mum said to bring the food, and I said ‘with pleasure.'”
- به چشم، همین الان برات میارم. (be cheshm, hamin alân barât miyâram.) “Of course, I’ll bring it for you right now.”
- میتونی در رو ببندی؟ به چشم! (mituni dar ro bebandi? Be cheshm!) “Can you close the door? Gladly!”
- استاد خواست گزارش بنویسم، گفتم به چشم. (ostâd khâst gozâresh benevisam, goftam be cheshm.) “The professor asked me to write a report and I said ‘certainly.'”
Cultural note
به چشم sits at the heart of taarof, the Iranian system of ritual politeness. Saying it signals not just agreement but a cheerful, self-effacing willingness to serve. In traditional households, children are expected to respond to a parent’s request with به چشم rather than a plain yes, and the same courtesy applies between younger and older colleagues or between a guest and a host. Refusing or hesitating when به چشم is expected can read as disrespectful.