اشکالی نداشتن

What it means

اشکالی نداشتن (eshkâli nadâshtan) means to be fine, to have no problem, or to be permissible. The noun اشکال (eshkâl) comes from Arabic, where it relates to shapes and forms, and in Persian it settled onto the meaning of a flaw, a problem, or a defect. Adding the indefinite -i suffix and the negative of داشتن (dâshtan, to have) gives you “to have no flaw,” which is how Iranians say “it’s okay” or “that’s fine” or “I don’t mind.” The question form اشکالی داره؟ (eshkâli dâre?) means “Is there a problem?” or “Is that okay?” and the reassuring answer اشکالی نداره (eshkâli nadâre) means “It’s fine, no problem.” A close synonym in colloquial speech is مشکلی نیست (moshkeli nist), meaning “there’s no issue.”

How to use it

• اشکالی نداره بیام؟ (eshkâli nadâre biâm?) “Is it okay if I come?”
• اشکالی نداره، نگران نباش (eshkâli nadâre, nagarân nabâsh) “It’s fine, don’t worry.”
• اشکالی داره اگه یکم دیر بیام؟ (eshkâli dâre age yekam dir biâm?) “Is it a problem if I come a little late?”
• برای من اشکالی نداره (barâye man eshkâli nadâre) “It doesn’t matter to me” or “I’m fine with it.”

Cultural note

اشکالی نداره is a key phrase in Iranian politeness and the art of ta’arof. Iranians often use it to smooth over awkwardness, accept inconvenient situations graciously, or grant permission in a way that feels generous rather than transactional. Saying اشکالی نداره when someone apologizes for being late is not just acknowledgment but a social signal that the relationship is more important than the inconvenience.

References

• Dehkhoda
• Vajehyab