How to Learn Key Phrases in Persian

Last Updated: July 1, 2021 Approved

Even if you don't speak a word of Persian, it will only take a few minutes to learn some basic phrases that will help you communicate.

Persian, also known as either Farsi, Dari, or Tajiki, is spoken natively in Iran, Northern Afghanistan, and Tajikistan. Learning the following will open your doors into an endless treasure trove of history, culture, soul, and civilization.

Steps

1
Use "salaam" and "rooz bekheyr" for "hello" and "khodahafez" for "goodbye."
2
Introduce yourself by saying "man [Your name] hastam" (Like "man Jack hastam") .

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3
Use "khaheshan" or "lotfan" and "merci" or "mamnon" to say "please" and "thank you."
4
Say "baleh" or "areh" for "yes," and "na" for "no." Or just nod or shake your head.
5
Say "Koja" , which means "where," if you're looking for something.
6
Say "chand misheh"and "gheimate in chande?" for "How much it costs".
7
Say "Kay" (Like the English "okay" without the first "o" sound) for "when"
8
Say "Hale shoma chetore" for "How are you?"
9
Use "Man" for "I" ,"To" (without saying the "h") for "You"(Only one person/informal),"Oo" for "He,She,It" ,"Ma" for "we","Shoma" for "You"(plural/formal), and "Anha" for "They"
10
Say "mikham" when you want something for example "Ab mikham" means I want water
11
Say "Khoob hastam" in answer to "are you okay?"
12
If you want to say where are you from say "man (your country name)ee hastam " or " man ahle ( country name) hastam"

Community Q&A

Question

How do I say: how are you?

Community Answer

You can say 'chetori '(informal), or 'shomā chetor hastid (informal), or 'chetorid' . The 'd' makes it a little formal and shows your respect for whom you are talking to. If that person is older than you, you should say 'chetorid' or 'shomā chetor hastid'.
Question

How do I say diary in Persian?

Community Answer

The translation would be "daftarcheye khāterāt" where daftarche means notebook, khāterāt is the originally Arabic word for memories, and -ye suffix points out that memories is an adjective for notebook.
Question

How do I say, "I am fine"?

Community Answer

"Man khoob hastam," which means "I am well." For "I am not well," say, ''Man khoob nistam."

Warnings

If you are in Afghanistan, keep it in mind that Dari only works in central and northern Afghanistan. So if you are in southern Afghanistan do not put yourself in trouble trying to speak in a language that is unfamiliar for both you and audience. Try to stay safe there as the country is still going through a war.

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Iranian government is highly sensitive about cultural affairs. So when you are there try to avoid doing things and wearing clothes that is banned by the government and Islamic laws. It’s wise to not talk about politics.Otherwise you may end up in jail.

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