چی بودیم، چی شدیم
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Persian[edit]
Alternative forms[edit]
- چه بودیم، چه شدیم (če budim, če šodim) (more formal, but uncommon)
Etymology[edit]
Literally: “What were we and what have we become!”
Phrase[edit]
چی بودیم، چی شدیم • (či budim, či šodim)
- whatever happened to us!; expression of melancholy for a glorious past or of general cultural pessimism
Usage notes[edit]
- In contemporary discourse most often referring to a comparison of contemporary Iran with pre-revolutionary (or even pre-Islamic) times. Hence associated with those critical of the Islamic Revolution. However, supporters of the latter have also tried to reclaim the expression in a positive sense.