Complete Guide with Lyrics and Tips
Dorood bar shoma! Welcome to this guide where we’ll dive into 'Negah Mikonam,' a romantic Persian song by the legendary Googoosh.
About the Movie
'Negah Mikonam' was first performed in the 1978 film در امتداد شب Dar Emtedād-e Shab (Throughout the Night). Googoosh sings it in a touching scene that captures the essence of longing and love.
Why idid I choose it for you??
- Timeless melody that’s easy to follow.
- Gender-neutral lyrics, making it accessible for everyone.
- Simple pronunciation, perfect for beginners learning Persian.
Origin of the Song
This short love song was performed by the legendary singer Googoosh in the 1978 film Dar Emtedad-e Shab (Throughout the Night), directed by Parviz Sayyad. The movie features Googoosh’s character, Parvaneh, singing the song for her lover Babak, played by Saeed Kangarani.
Though the film was considered controversial at the time due to its romantic and provocative themes, it became a milestone in Iranian cinema. At that time, it became the best-selling film in the history of Iranian cinema. (+)
Original Audio
For those who wish to listen to the original version of Negah Mikonam, you can download or listen to it here.
Singing Tips
When singing Persian songs, it’s important to focus not only on pronunciation but also on emotional expression. Here’s how:
💖Feel the lyrics: The more you understand the meaning, the more authentic your performance will feel.
🐾Pace yourself: This song has a gentle tempo, so don’t rush. Let each word flow naturally.
😍Add your style: While staying true to the original, don’t be afraid to add your personal touch.
👀Stress on syllables: Persian is a stress-timed language, so pay attention to which syllables are emphasized in each word.
Watch the full movie
Watch the full movie here on YouTube
📥
Download Printable Lyrics Breakdown
Some useful explanations:
1- cheshm-e marā
In this phrase, چشم مرا (cheshm-e man rā): [ā as a in car]
- چشم (cheshm): Means "eye."
- -e (connector): Links "eye" to the possessive pronoun "my" (man).
- من (man): Means "my."
- را (rā): An object marker that specifies what is being looked at or talked about.
Spoken vs. Written:
In spoken Persian, را (rā) often changes to o or ro, depending on the word it follows. For example:
- من را (man rā): Becomes mano in casual speech.
Poetic Form:
In poetry or formal language, من را (man rā) can become mar by dropping the ن (noon) for a smoother, more elegant flow.
If you're curious about how this works in spoken versus poetic forms, here's a comparison:
- Spoken: چشمو (cheshmo)
- Poetic: چشم مرا (cheshm-e marā)
This subtle linguistic variation adds beauty and rhythm to Persian poetry and songs!
Extra Mile: Vocabulary Boost
Exercise 1: Matching
Match the Persian words to their English meanings by drawing lines or writing the corresponding letters.
| Persian | English Meanings |
|---|---|
| نگاه میکنم (negāh mikonam) | a. Without |
| گوش (goosh) | g. Has filled |
| چشم (cheshm) | d. Always |
| بدون (bedoon) | e. Blind |
| پر کرده (por karde) | c. Ear |
| نابینا (nābinā) | f. Eye |
| همیشه (hamishe) | b. I look |
Exercise 2: Multiple Choice
Choose the correct word to complete each sentence:
-
Which word means "eye"?
a) گوش (goosh)
b) چشم (cheshm)
c) نابینا (nābinā) -
Which word is used to say "without"?
a) همیشه (hamishe)
b) بدون (bedoon)
c) نگاه میکنم (negāh mikonam) -
The word "پر کرده" (por karde) means:
a) Has filled
b) I look
c) Blind -
Which word means "always"?
a) گوش (goosh)
b) هوای (havāy)
c) همیشه (hamishe) -
Which word means "blind"?
a) نابینا (nābinā)
b) چشم (cheshm)
c) گوش (goosh)
Answer Key
Exercise 1: Matching
| Persian | English Meanings |
|---|
| نگاه میکنم (negāh mikonam) | b. I look |
| گوش (goosh) | c. Ear |
| چشم (cheshm) | f. Eye |
| بدون (bedoon) | a. Without |
| پر کرده (por karde) | g. Has filled |
| نابینا (nābinā) | e. Blind |
| همیشه (hamishe) | d. Always |
Exercise 2: Multiple Choice
- b
- b
- a
- c
- a
Bonus: For Persian Learners in Relationships
If you’re learning this song for someone special, you’ll love my e-handbook, Baraye To. It’s packed with over 250 real-life Persian expressions for relationships and comes with a 9-week support system to keep you on track.
If you’re learning this song for someone special, you’ll love my e-handbook.
Baraye To e-handbook, is your relationship cheat sheet that covers a comprehensive list of expressions to enrich your conversations with loved ones.
Click here:
Whether you're singing 'Negah Mikonam' for yourself, a loved one, or just for fun, this song is a beautiful way to connect with Persian culture and language. Don’t forget to watch the full video tutorial here and let me know how your practice goes!
