چشمم آب نشد
Cheshmam âb nashod literally means “my eye didn’t melt.” Figuratively it means “I’m not impressed.” A dry, dismissive Tehrani idiom for an attempt that fell flat.
Glossary
هر درختی که میوه میدهد
Har derakhti ke mive midahad sang mikhorad is a Persian proverb: “every fruitful tree gets stoned.” The productive get harassed, the visible attract envy and pressure.
حمام به پاکیزگی است نه به جای
Hammâm be pâkizegi ast na be jây is a Persian proverb meaning “the bath is for cleanliness, not for the place.” Substance over appearance, outcome over setting.
صدای طبل از دور خوش است
Sedâ-ye tabl az dur khosh ast is a Persian proverb: “the drum sounds nicer from far away.” The Persian cousin of “the grass is greener,” with a different image and a sharper edge.
حیوان
حیوان (heyvân) is “animal.” Arabic loanword, A1 priority. Generic noun in normal use, low-tier curse when shouted.
پرنده
پرنده (parande) is “bird.” Pure Persian, A1 priority. The generic word for any winged creature, and the noun behind classical Persian poetry’s most-used metaphor for the soul.
سیب چرخید و سرخ افتاد
Sib charkhid o sorkh oftâd is a Persian folk proverb: “the apple turned and fell red side up.” Things sort themselves out, the right outcome arrives in the end.
ماهی
ماهی (mâhi) means “fish.” Pure Persian, A1 priority. Caspian sturgeon supplies the world’s caviar, and mahi-sefid is the fish on the Nowruz table.
بد را در محضر خوب نشانده
Bad râ dar mahzar-e khub neshânde-and is a Persian proverb meaning “they have seated the bad person in the company of the good.” Good company shames bad behavior into stillness.
اسب
اسب (asb) is “horse.” Pure Persian, A1 priority. Iran has its own ancient breed (the Caspian horse) and a literary tradition where the horse is nearly a character.