Background
Najafi was born in Najaf, Iraq, into a family from Isfahan.
Najafi was born in Najaf, Iraq, into a family from Isfahan.
He began his literary activities in 1960s and translated several books from French into Persian. He co-published a successful literary periodical entitled Jong-e Isfahan (Persian: جُنگ اصفهان). After revolution he published a controversial book on Persian usage entitled Let"s Avoid Mistakes (غلط ننویسیم).
Najafi published over twenty books, among these a dictionary on Persian slang, elements of general linguistics and its application to the Persian language.
Najafi was a member of the Academy of Persian Language and Literature (1990–2016).