If you’re learning the Persian language or want to travel to a Persian-speaking country for a while, you must learn how to tell time in Persian and how to ask others for the time. For this, you need to know the key vocabulary and the important rules about hours, minutes, and days. In this article, we’ll guide you through everything you need to know about the time in Persian grammar so you can talk just like a native Persian speaker!

Are you ready? Let’s start!
For talking about the time in Farsi, first of all, you need to learn the numbers. After that, you need to learn and practice the basics, such as Persian vocabulary keywords related to time. In the table below, you’ll learn just a few of them:

Time	زمان (zamaan)
Morning	صبح (sobh)
Night	شب (shab)
Hour	ساعت (saa’at)
Minute	دقیقه (daqiqe)
Second	ثانیه (saanie)
Day	روز (rooz)
Noon	ظهر (zohr)

Table of Contents

1. How to Ask for the Time in Persian
2. What Time is the Event/Meeting/Appointment?
3. How to Say the Hour in Persian
4. How to Say the Minutes in Persian
5. Hours Divided into Minutes
6. General Time Reference of the Day in Persian
7. Time Adverbs
8. Time Proverbs and Sayings in Persian
9. How PersianPod101 Can Help You Master Persian

1. How to Ask for the Time in Persian

If you want to ask for the time in Persian, you only need to remember this formula:

• ببخشید، ساعت چند است؟ (bebakhshid, saa’at chand ast?), which means “Excuse me, what time is it?” in Persian.

To say this sentence in its colloquial form, you only need to change است (ast), which means “is” in English, to ه (e):

ببخشید، ساعت چنده؟ (bebakhshid, saa’at chande?)

To answer this question and tell the time in Persian, you have to learn this formula:

• (Cardinal number) + ساعت (saa’at, which means “hour”) + و ([va – formal / o – informal] which means “and”) + (number of minutes) + دقیقه (daqiqe, which means “minutes”) + و  (va / o) + (number of seconds) + ثانیه (saanie, which means “second.”) 

For example, imagine you’re in Iran and you want to ask a stranger what time it is in Persian. The answer is “It’s two ten.” This conversation would look like:

A: ببخشید، ساعت چنده؟

A: bebakhshid, saa’at chande?

A: Excuse me, what time is it?

B: ساعت دو و ده دقیقه است.

B: saa’at do o dah daqiqe ast.

B: It’s two ten.

The word ساعت (saa’at) means “time” / “hour” / “clock” / “watch.” 

دو (do) means “two,” و (o) means “and” (it could be read as [va] in formal speech), ده (dah) means “ten,” دقیقه (daqiqe) means “minute,” and  است (ast) means “is.”

2. What Time is the Event/Meeting/Appointment?

There’s another form you can use when you want to ask for the time of a specific event, such as a meeting. For example, if you want to check the time of an event you’ve been invited to with your friend, you would ask “What time is the (Event/Meeting/Appointment/etc.)?” in Persian. 

This is an example of a formula you can use:

ساعت + چند + است؟ + (Event/Meeting/Appointment/etc.)

For example:

A: مهمانی} ساعت چند است؟}

A: {mehmaani} saa’ate chand ast?

A: What time is the {party}?

B: مهمانی} ساعت پنج است}

B: {mehmaani} saa’ate panj ast.

B: The party is at six.

So you only need to remember the order of this sentence: { ساعت + چند + است؟ + (The Event) }, and replace the word in parentheses with the event, meeting, or appointment you want to ask about.

 3. How to Say the Hour in Persian

The twelve-hour format is typically used for telling the time in Farsi. The twenty-four-hour format is used in formal situations, such as TV programs, the news, etc. The word for the hour / o’clock in Persian is ساعت (saa’at). To say “[number] hour/o’clock,” you only need to memorize this formula:

• ساعت + [number] 

For example: Two o’clock is  ساعت دو (saa’ate do) and seven o’clock is ساعت هفت (saa’ate haft).By memorizing the table below, you’ll learn how to say the time in Persian from one o’clock/hour until twelve o’clock/hour in Persian, using both the twelve- and twenty-four-hour formats.

12-hour set	24-hour set
1 o’clock: ساعت یک (saa’ate yek)	ساعت سیزده (saa’ate sizdah)
2 o’clock: ساعت دو (saa’ate do)	ساعت چهارده (saa’ate chaahaardah)
3 o’clock: ساعت سه (saa’ate se)	ساعت پانزده (saa’ate paanzdah)
4 o’clock: ساعت چهار (saa’ate chaahaar)	ساعت شانزده (saa’ate shaanzdah)
5 o’clock: ساعت پنج (saa’ate panj)	ساعت هفده (saa’ate hefdah)
6 o’clock: ساعت شش (saa’ate shesh)	ساعت هجده (saa’ate hejdah)
7 o’clock: ساعت هفت (saa’ate haft)	ساعت نوزده (saa’ate noozdah)
8 o’clock: ساعت هشت (saa’ate hasht)	ساعت بیست (saa’ate bist)
9 o’clock: ساعت نه (saa’ate noh)	ساعت بیست و یک (saa’ate bist o yek)
10 o’clock: ساعت ده (saa’ate dah)	ساعت بیست و دو (saa’ate bist o do)
11 o’clock: ساعت یازده (saa’ate yazdah)	ساعت بیست و سه (saa’ate bist o se)
12 o’clock: ساعت دوازده (saa’ate davazdah)	ساعت بیست و چهار (saa’ate bist o chaahaar)

Examples:

• It’s 2 o’clock. ساعت دو است (saa’at do ast.)
• It’s 7 o’clock. ساعت هفت است (saa’at haft ast.)
• It’s 16 o’clock. ساعت شانزده است (saa’at shaanzdah ast.)
• It’s 18 o’clock. ساعت هجده است (saa’at hejdah ast.)

4. How to Say the Minutes in Persian

The word for “minute” in the Persian language is دقیقه (daqiqe). To say the minutes in Persian, you simply need to remember this formula:

• دقیقه + Number

For example, “one minute” will be:  یک دقیقه (yek daqiqe).

“Ten minutes” will be: ده دقیقه (dah daqiqe).

Now imagine someone asks you what time it is, and the time is 3:45. In Persian, this would be: 

سه و چهل و پنج دقیقه (se o chehel o panj daqiqe).

Let’s see more examples:

• 2:10 : دو و ده دقیقه (do o dah daqiqe)
• 8:50 : هشت و پنجاه دقیقه (hasht o panjaah daqiqe)
• 3:25 : سه و بیست و پنج دقیقه (se o bist o panj daqiqe)

So after learning how to say the minutes in Persian, it’s time to learn how you can use this in sentences.

For example, imagine you’re at the bus station and someone asks you:

A: ببخشید، ساعت چند است؟

A: bebakhshid, saa’at chand as

A: Excuse me, what time is it?    

If the time is 9:15, you can use the following formula:

• است. + دقیقه + number + و + number + ساعت

So it would be: ساعت نه  و پانزده دقیقه است (saa’at noh o paanzdah daqiqe ast).

Here are more examples:

• It is 6:45.  ساعت شش و چهل و پنج دقیقه است (saa’at shesh o chehel o panj daqiqe ast.)
• It is 7:25 o’clock. ساعت هفت و بیست و پنج دقیقه است (saa’at haft o bist o panj daqiqe ast.)
• It is 1:36 o’clock.  ساعت یک و سی و شش دقیقه است (saa’at yek o si o shesh daqiqe ast.)

5. Hours Divided into Minutes

After learning how to say the hours and minutes in the Persian language, let’s talk about dividing hours into minutes.

First of all, let’s learn the words for “half” and “quarter” in Farsi:

• Half — informal: نیم (nim), formal: سی دقیقه (si daqiqe)
• Quarter — informal: ربع (rob), formal: پانزده دقیقه (paanzdah daqiqe)

For example, if you want to say: “It is half past ten,” you can use this formula:

• Formal: ساعت ده و سی دقیقه است (saa’at dah o si daqiqe ast.)
• Informal: ساعت ده و نیم است (saa’at dah o nim ast.)

Or, to say “It’s a quarter to seven”:

• ساعت یک ربع به هفت است. (saa’at yek rob be haft ast)
• ساعت پانزده دقیقه به هفت است. (saa’at paanzdah daqiqe be haft ast)

6. General Time Reference of the Day in Persian

Now let’s learn the words related to general time of day. We can use them to say what part of the day it is, with or without the exact time. Note that many of these are common greeting phrases in Persian.

English	Persian
Sunrise	طلوع خورشید (toloo’e khorshid)
Early morning	صبح زود (sobhe zood)
Morning	صبح (sobh)
Noon	ظهر (zohr)
Afternoon	بعد از ظهر (ba’d az zohr)
Evening	عصر (asr)
Sunset	غروب خورشید (ghoroobe khorshid)
Night	شب (shab)
Midnight	نیمه شب (nimeh shab)
Today	امروز (emrooz)
Tomorrow	فردا (fardaa)

For example, if you want to say “tomorrow morning” in Persian, it would be like:

صبح فردا (sobhe fardaa)

To say “I will call you at night”:

من شب به شما زنگ خواهم زد (man shab be shomaa zang khaaham zad.)

7. Time Adverbs

After learning the basics about how to tell time in Persian, let’s talk about the time adverbs. Here are some examples:

Right now — همین الان (hamin al’aan)

Currently — در حال حاضر (dar haale haazer)

Meanwhile/at the same time — در همین حال (dar hamin haal)

Before — قبل (ghabl)

After — بعد (ba’d)

Soon — بزودی (bezoodi)

Almost — تقریبا (taghriban)

For a long time — برای مدت طولانی (baraaye moddate toolaani)

Anytime — هر زمان (har zamaan)

As soon as possible — در اسرع وقت (dar asra’e vaqt)

For example, if you want to say “Come right now,” in Persian, it would be:

.همین الان بیا (hamin al’aan biaa.)

Here are more examples:

• I will see you soon. من شما را بزودی خواهم دید (man shomaa raa be zoodi khaaham did.)
• I’ll try to come as soon as possible.  من سعی میکنم که در اسرع وقت بیایم (man sa’y mikonam ke dar asra’e vaght biaayam.)

8. Time Proverbs and Sayings in Persian

Now that you’ve learned about telling the time in Persian, as a conclusion let’s learn together a few time proverbs in Persian.

Time is money. وقت طلاست (vaqt talaast.)

Time flies. زمان میگذرد  (zamaan migozarad.)

Time heals all wounds. زمان همه زخم ها را بهبود می بخشد (zamaan hameye zakhm haa raa behbood mibakhshad.)

9. How PersianPod101 Can Help You Master Persian

Congratulations on making it through this article on telling time in Persian! We hope you enjoyed learning about this essential topic with us. 

How do you feel about telling time in Persian now? More confident, or is there still something you’re not quite sure about? Drop us a comment to let us know your thoughts!

To continue learning about Persian culture and the language, explore PersianPod101.com. We provide an array of learning tools for every learner, at every level:

• Insightful blog posts
• Free vocabulary lists
• Podcasts and videos
• Mobile apps
• Much, much more! 

Persian can be a difficult language to master, but know that you’re in the right place! Your hard work will pay off in the long run, and PersianPod101 will be here with help and guidance on each step of your language-learning journey!

What is the most defining moment you will face this year? From memories that you immortalize in a million photographs, to days you never wish to remember, one thing’s for certain: big life events change you. The great poet, Bukowski, said, “We are here to laugh at the odds and live our lives so well, that death will tremble to take us.” The older I get, the more I agree with him!

Talking about significant events in our lives is part of every person’s journey, regardless of creed or culture. If you’re planning to stay in Iran for more than a quick visit, you’re sure to need at least a few ‘life events’ phrases that you can use. After all, many of these are shared experiences, and it’s generally expected that we will show up with good manners and warm wishes.

Table of Contents

1. Life Events
2. Marriage Proposal Lines
3. Talking About Age
4. Conclusion

1. Life Events

Do you know how to say “Happy New Year” in Persian? Well, the New Year is a pretty big deal that the whole world is in on! We celebrate until midnight, make mindful resolutions, and fill the night sky with the same happy words in hundreds of languages. No doubt, then, that you’ll want to know how to say it like a local!

Big life events are not all about fun times, though. Real life happens even when you’re traveling, and certain terminology will be very helpful to know. From talking about your new job to wishing your neighbors “Merry Christmas” in Persian, here at PersianPod101, we’ve put together just the right vocabulary and phrases for you.

1- Birthday – روز تولد (rooz-e tavallod)

If you’re like me, any excuse to bring out a pen and scribble a note is a good one. When there’s a birthday, even better: hello, handwriting!

Your Iranian friend will love hearing you wish them a “Happy birthday” in Persian, but how much more will they appreciate a thoughtful written message? Whether you write it on their Facebook wall or buy a cute card, your effort in Persian is sure to get them smiling! Write it like this:

تولدت مبارک (tavallodat mobaarak)

Now that you know the words, I challenge you to put them to music and sing your own “Happy birthday” song in Persian! It’s not impossible to figure out even more lyrics, once you start discovering the language from scratch.

2- Buy – خرید کردن (Kharid kardan)

If there’s a special occasion, you might want to buy somebody a gift. As long as you’ve checked out Persian etiquette on gift-giving (do a Google search for this!), it will be a lovely gesture. If you’re not sure what to buy, how about the awesome and universally-appealing gift of language? That’s a gift that won’t stop giving!

3- Retire – بازنشسته شدن (baazneshaste shodan)

If you’re planning to expand your mind and retire in Iran, you can use this word to tell people why you seem to be on a perpetual vacation!

Retirement is also a great time to learn a new language, don’t you think? And you don’t have to do it alone! These days it’s possible to connect to a vibrant learning community at the click of a button. The added benefit of a Daily Dose of Language is that it keeps your brain cells alive and curious about the world. After all, it’s never too late to realize those long-ignored dreams of traveling the globe…

4- Graduation – فارغ التحصیلی (faareqottahsili)

When attending a graduation ceremony in Iran, be prepared for a lot of formal language! It will be a great opportunity to listen carefully and see if you can pick up differences from the everyday Persian you hear.

5- Promotion – ترفیع (tarfi’)

Next to vacation time, receiving a promotion is the one career highlight almost everyone looks forward to. And why wouldn’t you? Sure, it means more responsibility, but it also means more money and benefits and – the part I love most – a change of scenery! Even something as simple as looking out a new office window would boost my mood.

6- Anniversary – سالگرد ازدواج (saalgard-e ezdevaaj)

Some anniversaries we anticipate with excitement, others with apprehension. They are days marking significant events in our lives that can be shared with just one person, or with a whole nation. Whether it’s a special day for you and a loved one, or for someone else you know, this word is crucial to know if you want to wish them a happy anniversary in Persian.

7- Funeral – مراسم تشییع جنازه (maraasem-e tashyi’-e jenaaze)

We tend to be uncomfortable talking about funerals in the west, but it’s an important conversation for families to have. Around the world, there are many different customs and rituals for saying goodbye to deceased loved ones – some vastly different to our own. When traveling in Iran, if you happen to find yourself the unwitting observer of a funeral, take a quiet moment to appreciate the cultural ethos; even this can be an enriching experience for you.

8- Travel – سفر (safar)

Travel – my favorite thing to do! Everything about the experience is thrilling and the best cure for boredom, depression, and uncertainty about your future. You will surely be forever changed, fellow traveler! But you already know this, don’t you? Well, now that you’re on the road to total Persian immersion, I hope you’ve downloaded our IOS apps and have your Nook Book handy to keep yourself entertained on those long bus rides.

9- Graduate – فارغ التحصیل شدن (faareqottahsil shodan)

If you have yet to graduate from university, will you be job-hunting in Iran afterward? Forward-looking companies sometimes recruit talented students who are still in their final year. Of course, you could also do your final year abroad as an international student – an amazing experience if you’d love to be intellectually challenged and make a rainbow of foreign friends!

10- Wedding – عروسی (aroosi)

One of the most-loved traditions that humans have thought up, which you’ll encounter anywhere in the world, is a wedding. With all that romance in the air and months spent on preparations, a wedding is typically a feel-good affair. Two people pledge their eternal love to each other, ladies cry, single men look around for potential partners, and everybody has a happy day of merrymaking.

Ah, but how diverse we are in our expression of love! You will find more wedding traditions around the world than you can possibly imagine. From reciting love quotes to marrying a tree, the options leave no excuse to be boring!

11- Move – نقل مکان کردن (naql-e makaan kardan)

I love Iran, but I’m a nomad and tend to move around a lot, even within one country. What are the biggest emotions you typically feel when moving house? The experts say moving is a highly stressful event, but I think that depends on the circumstances. Transitional periods in our lives are physically and mentally demanding, but changing your environment is also an exciting adventure that promises new tomorrows!

12- Be born – متولد (motavalled)

I was not born in 1993, nor was I born in Asia. I was born in the same year as Aishwarya Rai, Akon, and Monica Lewinsky, and on the same continent as Freddy Mercury. When and where were you born? More importantly – can you say it in Persian?

13- Get a job – کارپیدا کردن (kaar peydaa kardan)

The thought of looking for a job in a new country can be daunting, but English speakers are in great demand in Iran – you just have to do some research, make a few friends and get out there! Also, arming yourself with a few Persian introductions that you can both say and write will give you a confidence boost. For example, can you write your name in Persian?

14- Die – مردن (mordan)

Death is a universal experience and the final curtain on all other life events. How important is it, then, to fully live before we die? If all you have is a passport, a bucket list, and a willingness to learn some lingo, you can manifest those dreams!

15- Home – خانه (Khaane)

If home is where the heart is, then my home is on a jungle island completely surrounded by the turquoise ocean. Right now, though, home is an isolation room with a view of half a dry palm tree and a tangle of telephone wires.

If you’re traveling to Iran for an extended stay, you’ll soon be moving into a new home quite unlike anything you’ve experienced before!

16- Job – شغل (shoql)

What job do you do? Does it allow you much time for travel, or for working on this fascinating language that has (so rightfully) grabbed your attention? Whatever your job, you are no doubt contributing to society in a unique way. If you’re doing what you love, you’re already on the road to your dream. If not, just remember that every single task is one more skill to add to your arsenal. With that attitude, your dream job is coming!

17- Birth – تولد (tavallod)

Random question: do you know the birth rate of Iran?

If you’re lucky enough to be invited to see a friend’s baby just after they are born, you’ll have all my respect and all my envy. There is nothing cuter! Depending on which part of the country you’re in, you may find yourself bearing witness to some pretty unexpected birth customs. Enjoy this privilege!

18- Engaged – نامزدی (naamzadi)

EE Cummings said, “Lovers alone wear sunlight,” and I think that’s most true at the moment she says “yes.” Getting engaged is something young girls dream of with stars in their eyes, and it truly is a magical experience – from the proposal, to wearing an engagement ring, to the big reveal!

In the world of Instagram, there’s no end to the antics as imaginative couples try more and more outrageous ways to share their engagement with the world. I love an airport flashmob, myself, but I’d rather be proposed to on a secluded beach – salt, sand, and all!

Engagement customs around the world vary greatly, and Iran is no exception when it comes to interesting traditions. Learning their unique romantic ways will inspire you for when your turn comes.

Speaking of romance, do you know how to say “Happy Valentine’s Day” in Persian?

19- Marry – ازدواج کردن (ezdevaaj kardan)

The one you marry will be the gem on a shore full of pebbles. They will be the one who truly mirrors your affection, shares your visions for the future, and wants all of you – the good, the bad and the inexplicable.

From thinking up a one-of-a-kind wedding, to having children, to growing old together, finding a twin flame to share life with is quite an accomplishment! Speaking of which…

2. Marriage Proposal Lines

Ah, that heart-stopping moment when your true love gets down on one knee to ask for your hand in marriage, breathlessly hoping that you’ll say “Yes!” If you haven’t experienced that – well, it feels pretty darn good, is all I can say! If you’re the one doing the asking, though, you’ve probably had weeks of insomnia agonizing over the perfect time, location and words to use.

How much more care should be taken if your love is from a different culture to yours? Well, by now you know her so well, that most of it should be easy to figure out. As long as you’ve considered her personal commitment to tradition, all you really need is a few words from the heart. Are you brave enough to say them in Persian?

3. Talking About Age

Part of the wonder of learning a new language is having the ability to strike up simple conversations with strangers. Asking about age in this context feels natural, as your intention is to practice friendly phrases – just be mindful of their point of view!

When I was 22, I loved being asked my age. Nowadays, if someone asks, I say, “Well, I’ve just started my fifth cat life.” Let them ponder that for a while.

In Iran, it’s generally not desirable to ask an older woman her age for no good reason, but chatting about age with your peers is perfectly normal. Besides, you have to mention your birthday if you want to be thrown a birthday party!

4. Conclusion

Well, there you have it! With so many great new Persian phrases to wish people with, can you think of someone who has a big event coming up? If you want to get even more creative, PersianPod101 has much to inspire you with – come and check it out! Here’s just some of what we have on offer at PersianPod101:

• Free Resources: Sharing is caring, and for this reason, we share many free resources with our students. For instance, start learning Persian with our basic online course by creating a lifetime account – for free! Also get free daily and iTunes lessons, free eBooks, free mobile apps, and free access to our blog and online community. Or how about free Vocabulary Lists? The Persian dictionary is for exclusive use by our students, also for free. There’s so much to love about PersianPod101…!
• Innovative Learning Tools and Apps: We make it our priority to offer you the best learning tools! These include apps for iPhone, iPad, Android and Mac OSX; eBooks for Kindle, Nook, and iPad; audiobooks; Roku TV and so many more. This means that we took diverse lifestyles into account when we developed our courses, so you can learn anywhere, anytime on a device of your choice. How innovative!
• Live Hosts and One-on-One Learning: Knowledgeable, energetic hosts present recorded video lessons, and are available for live teaching experiences if you upgrade. This means that in the videos, you get to watch them pronounce those tongue-twisters, as if you’re learning live! Add octane to your learning by upgrading to Premium Plus, and learn two times faster. You can have your very own Persian teacher always with you, ensuring that you learn what you need, when you need to – what a wonderful opportunity to master a new language in record time!
• Start Where You Are: You don’t know a single Persian word? Not to worry, we’ve absolutely got this. Simply enroll in our Absolute Beginner Pathway and start speaking from Lesson 1! As your learning progresses, you can enroll in other pathways to match your Persian level, at your own pace, in your own time, in your own place!

Learning a new language can only enrich your life, and could even open doors towards great opportunities! So don’t wonder if you’ll regret enrolling in PersianPod101. It’s the most fun, easy way to learn Persian.

Did you know that every minute of the day, one billion tons of rain falls on the earth? Hard to believe, considering the climate crisis! Of course, all that rain is not equally shared across the planet.

So, would you mention this fascinating fact to your new Iranian acquaintance? Well, small talk about local weather is actually a great conversation-starter. Everyone cares about the weather and you’re sure to hear a few interesting opinions! Seasons can be quite unpredictable these days and nobody knows the peculiarities of a region better than the locals.

PersianPod101 will equip you with all the weather vocabulary you need to plan your next adventure. The weather can even be an important discussion that influences your adventure plans. After all, you wouldn’t want to get caught on an inflatable boat with a two-horsepower motor in Hurricane Horrendous!

Table of Contents

1. Talking about the weather in Iran
2. Words for the first day of spring
3. Do You Know the Essential Summer Vocabulary?
4. Must-Know Autumn vocabulary
5. Winter
6. PersianPod101 can prepare you for any season.

1. Talking about the weather in Iran

If you’re like me, your day’s activity plan is likely to begin with a strong local coffee and a chat about what the sky is doing. After all, being prepared could be the difference between an amazing day and a miserable one! Luckily, it’s not difficult to comment on Iranian weather – just start with these simple words and phrases.

1- The rain is falling on the street – باران در خیابان می بارد (baaraan dar khiaabaan mibaarad).

Watercolor artists, take out your paints! You might not be able to venture out on foot today, but just embrace the rain as part of your Iranian experience. When the rain stops, the air will be clean and colours vibrant.

2- The snow has covered everything – برف همه چیز را پوشانده است (barf hame chiz raa pooshaande ast).

A fresh blanket of snow is irresistibly beautiful. Pull on your boots and beanie, and leave your tracks in this foreign landscape. Don’t resist the urge to build a snowman – you need this!

3- Fluffy cloud – ابر کرکی ابر کرکی (abr-e korki)

When you’re waiting for a warm beach day, fluffy white clouds in a blue sky are a good sign. Don’t forget your sunscreen, as clouds will intensify the UV rays hitting your skin.

4- The water froze on the glass – آب روی شیشه یخ زد (aab rooye shishe yakh zad)

Night temperatures can get chilly and might freeze the condensation on your windows. A good way to clear them up is with warm salt water.

5- The heavy rain could cause flash flooding – این باران سنگین ممکن است به جاری شدن سیل ناگهانی تبدیل شود (in baaraan-e sangin momken ast be jaari shodan-e seyl-e naagahaani tabdil shavad).

If you’re visiting Iran in the wet season, it’s important to stay informed when heavy rain sets in, so keep an eye on the weather radar. Avoid river activities and rather spend this time making a home-cooked meal and brushing up on your Persian weather words.

6- Flood – سیل (seyl)

If you do get caught in a flood, your destination should no longer be ‘home’, but the nearest high ground.

7- The typhoon has hit – طوفان صدمه زده است (toofaan sadame zade ast).

Not all countries experience typhoons, but you need to know when to prepare for one! It will be very scary if you’ve never experienced one before. Your local neighbours are the best people to advise you on where to take shelter, as they’ve been doing it for generations. Be sure to get the low-down at the first sign of rough weather!

8- Check the weather report before going sailing – قبل از رفتن به قایقرانی گزارش هواشناسی را چک کنید (qabl az raftan be qaayeqraani be gozaaresh-e ahavaashenaasi raa check konid).

When planning an outdoor activity, especially on a body of water, always be prepared for a change in the weather. Ask your hotel receptionist or neighbour where you can get a reliable daily weather report, and don’t forget your sweater!

9- Today’s weather is sunny with occasional clouds – آب و هوای امروز آفتابی همراه با ابرهای پراکنده است (aab o havaaye emrooz aaftaabi hamraah baa abrhaa-ye paraakande ast).

Sunny weather is the dream when traveling in Iran! Wake up early, pack the hats and sunblock and go and experience the terrain, sights and beautiful spots. You’ll be rewarded with happy vibes all around.

10- A rainy day – یک روز بارانی (yek rooz-e baaraani)

Remember when you said you’d save the Persian podcasts for a rainy day? Now’s that day!

11- Scenic rainbow – منظره رنگین کمان (manzareye rangin kamaan)

The best part about the rain is that you can look forward to your first rainbow in Iran. There’s magic in that!

12- Flashes of lightning can be beautiful, but are very dangerous – نور رعد و برق می تواند زیبا باشد ولی بسیار خطرناک است (noor-e ra’d o barq mitavaanad zibaa baashad vali besyaar khatarnaak ast).

Lightning is one of the most fascinating weather phenomena you can witness without really being in danger – at least if you’re sensible and stay indoors! Did you know that lightning strikes the earth 40-50 times per second? Fortunately, not all countries experience heavy electric storms!

13- Today’s temperature is 30 degrees Celsius – دمای هوا امروز ۳۰ درجه سانتیگراد است (damaaye havaa emrooz 30 darajeye saantigeraad ast).

Asking a local what the outside temperature will be is another useful question for planning your day. It’s easy if you know the Persian term for ‘degrees Celsius’.

14- His body temperature was far above the usual 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit – دمای بدن او بسیار بالاتر از نرمال ۹۸/۶ درجه فارنهایت است (damaaye badan-e oo besiaar baalaatar az normaal-e 98.6 faarenhaayt ast).

Although the Fahrenheit system has been replaced by Celsius in almost all countries, it’s still used in the US and a few other places. Learn this phrase in Persian in case one of your companions develops a raging fever.

15- Today the sky is clear – امروز آسمان صاف است (emrooz aasemaan saaf ast).

Clear skies mean you’ll probably want to get the camera out and capture some nature shots – not to mention the great sunsets you’ll have later on. Twilight can lend an especially magical quality to a landscape on a clear sky day, when the light is not filtered through clouds.

16- Light drizzle – نم نم باران نم نم باران (namnam-e baaraan)

Days when it’s drizzling are perfect for taking in the cultural offerings of Iran. You could go to the mall and watch a Iranian film, visit museums and art galleries, explore indoor markets or even find the nearest climbing wall. Bring an umbrella!

17- Temperature – دما (damaa)

Because of the coronavirus, many airports are conducting temperature screening on passengers. Don’t worry though – it’s just a precaution. Your temperature might be taken with a no-touch thermometer, which measures infrared energy coming off the body.

18- Humid – مرطوب (martoob)

I love humid days, but then I’m also a water baby and I think the two go
together like summer and rain. Find a pool or a stream to cool off in – preferably in the shade!

19- With low humidity the air feels dry – هوا با رطوبت کم، حالت خشکی دارد (havaa baa rotoobat-e kam, haalat-e khoshki daarad).

These are the best days to go walking the hills and vales. Just take at least one Iranian friend with you so you don’t get lost!

20- The wind is really strong – باد واقعا قوی است (baad vaaqean qavi ast).

A strong wind blows away the air pollution and is very healthy in that respect. Just avoid the mountain trails today, unless you fancy being blown across the continent like a hot air balloon.

21- It’s very windy outside – بیرون باد می آید (biroon baad mi aayad).

Wind! My least favourite weather condition. Of course, if you’re a kitesurfer, a windy day is what you’ve been waiting for!

22- Wet roads can ice over when the temperature falls below freezing – جاده های مرطوب زمانی که درجه حرارت کمتر از دمای انجماد می شود ممکن است یخ بزنند (jaaddehaaye martoob zamaani ke darajeye haraarat kamtar az damaaye enjemaad mishavad momken ast yakh bezanand).

The roads will be dangerous in these conditions, so please don’t take chances. The ice will thaw as soon as the sun comes out, so be patient!

23- Today is very muggy – هوا امروز بسیار گرفته است (havaa emrooz besyaar gerefte ast).

Muggy days make your skin feel sticky and sap your energy. They’re particular to high humidity. Cold shower, anyone? Ice vest? Whatever it takes to feel relief from the humidity!

24- Fog – مه (meh)

Not a great time to be driving, especially in unknown territory, but keep your fog lights on and drive slowly.

25- Hurricane – تند باد تند باد (tondbaad)

Your new Iranian friends will know the signs, so grab some food and candles and prepare for a night of staying warm and chatting about wild weather in Iran.

26- Big tornado – گردباد بزرگ (gerbdaad-e bozorg)

If you hear these words, it will probably be obvious already that everyone is preparing for the worst! Definitely do whatever your accommodation hosts tell you to do when a tornado is expected.

27- It’s cloudy today – هوا امروز ابری است (havaa emrooz abri ast)

While there won’t be any stargazing tonight, the magnificent clouds over Iran will make impressive photographs. Caption them in Persian to impress your friends back home!

28- Below freezing temperatures – کمتر از دمای انجماد (kamtar az damaaye enjemaad)

When the temperature is below freezing, why not take an Uber and go shopping for some gorgeous Iranian winter gear?

29- Wind chill is how cold it really feels outside – سرمایش باد نشان می دهد که بیرون واقعا چقدر احساس سرما می کنید (sarmaayesh-e baad neshaan midahad ke biroon vaaqean cheqadr ehsaas-e sarmaa mikondid).

Wind doesn’t change the ambient temperature of the air, it just changes your body temperature, so the air will feel colder to you than it actually is. Not all your Iranian friends will know that, though, so learn this Persian phrase to sound really smart!

30- Water will freeze when the temperature falls below zero degrees celsius – آب هنگامی که دما به زیر صفر درجه سانتیگراد می رسد یخ می زند (aab hengaami ke damaa be zir-e sefr daraje saantigeraad miresad yakh mizanad).

If you’re near a lake, frozen water is good news! Forgot your ice skates? Don’t despair – find out where you can hire some. Be cautious, though: the ice needs to be at least four inches thick for safe skating. Personally, I just slide around on frozen lakes in my boots!

31- Waiting to clear up – در انتظار صاف شدن (dar entezaar-e saaf shodan)

Waiting for the weather to clear up so you can go exploring is frustrating, let’s be honest. That’s why you should always travel with two things: a scintillating novel and your Persian Nook Book.

32- Avoid the extreme heat – از هوای خیلی گرم بپرهیزید (az havaaye kheili garm beparhizid).

Is the heat trying to kill you? Unless you’re a hardened heatwave hero, definitely avoid activity, stay hydrated and drink electrolytes. Loose cotton or linen garb is the way to go!

33- Morning frost – مه صبحگاهی (meh-e sobhgaahi)

Frost is water vapour that has turned to ice crystals and it happens when the earth cools so much in the night, that it gets colder than the air above it. Winter is coming!

34- Rain shower – باریدن باران (baaridan-e baaraan)

Rain showers are typically brief downpours that drench the earth with a good drink of water.

35- In the evening it will become cloudy and cold – عصر هوا ابری و سرد می شود (asr havaa abri va sard mishavad)

When I hear this on the Persian weather channel, I buy a bottle of wine (red, of course) and wood for the fireplace. A cold and cloudy evening needs its comforts!

36- Severe thunderstorm – طوفان و رعد و برق شدید (toofaan va ra’d o barq shadid)

Keep an eye on the Iranian weather maps if it looks like a big storm is coming, so you’ll be well-informed.

37- Ice has formed on the window – روی پنجره یخ بسته است (rooye panjere yakh baste ast).

You could try this phrase out on the hotel’s helpful cleaning staff, or fix the problem yourself. Just add a scoop or two of salt to a spray bottle of water – that should work!

38- Large hailstones – سنگ های بزرگ تگرگ (sanghaaye bozorg-e tagarg)

As a kid, I found hail crazy exciting. Not so much now – especially if I’m on the road and large hailstones start pummeling my windscreen!

39- Rolling thunder – تندر در حال چرخیدن (tondar dar haal-e charkhidan)

The rumble of rolling thunder is that low-volume, ominous background sound that goes on for some time. It’s strangely exciting if you’re safely in your hotel room; it could either suddenly clear up, or escalate to a storm.

40- Sleet – بوران‌ (booran)

Sleet is tiny hard pieces of ice made from a mixture of rain and melted snow that froze. It can be messy, but doesn’t cause major damage the way hail does. Pretty cool to know this word in Persian!

2. Words for the first day of spring

You know the feeling: your heart skips a beat when you wake up and spring has sprung! Spring will reward you with new blossoms everywhere, birdsong in the air, kittens being born in the neighborhood and lovely views when you hit the trails. Pack a picnic and ask a new Iranian friend to show you the more natural sights. Don’t forget a light sweater and a big smile. This is the perfect time to practice some Persian spring words!

3. Do You Know the Essential Summer Vocabulary?

Summer! Who doesn’t love that word? It conjures up images of blue skies, tan skin, vacations at the beach and cruising down the coast in an Alfa Romeo, sunglasses on and the breeze in your hair. Of course, in Iran there are many ways to enjoy the summer – it all depends on what you love to do. One thing’s for sure: you will have opportunities to make friends, go on picnics, sample delicious local ice-cream and maybe even learn to sing some Persian songs. It’s up to you! Sail into Iranian summer with this summer vocab list, and you’ll blend in with ease.

4. Must-Know Autumn vocabulary

Victoria Ericksen said, “If a year was tucked inside of a clock, then autumn would be the magic hour,” and I agree. Who can resist the beauty of fall foliage coloring the Iranian landscape? Birds prepare to migrate; travelers prepare to arrive for the best weather in Iran.

The autumnal equinox marks the moment the Sun crosses the celestial equator, making day and night almost equal in length. The cool thing about this event is that the moon gets really bright – the ‘harvest moon’, as it’s traditionally known.

So, as much as the change of season brings more windy and rainy days, it also brings celebration. Whether you honor Thanksgiving, Halloween or the Moon Festival, take some time to color your vocabulary with these Persian autumn words.

5. Winter

Winter is the time the natural world slows down to rest and regroup. I’m a summer girl, but there are fabulous things about winter that I really look forward to. For one, it’s the only season I get to accessorize with my gorgeous winter gloves and snug down coat!

Then, of course, there’s ice skating, holiday decorations and bonfires. As John Steinbeck said, “What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness?” Get ready for the cold season with our list of essential Winter words!

6. PersianPod101 can prepare you for any season.

Now that you know how to inquire and comment on the weather in Iran, you
can confidently plan your weather-ready travel itinerary. How about this for an idea: the next
time you’re sitting in a Iranian street café, try asking someone local this question:

“Do you think the weather will stay like this for a few days?” If you loved learning these cool Persian weather phrases with us, why not take it a step further and add to your repertoire? PersianPod101 is here to help!

Did you know there are many different types of calendars?

As you probably know – a calendar is a system of organizing days in weeks and months for specific purposes, according to Wikipedia.

Worldwide, most countries use the Gregorian calendar. Some just work on the same framework, meaning that time is divided into units based on the earth’s movement around the sun – the “solar calendar”. Other calendars keep time by observing the moon’s movements, a combination of the moon and the sun’s movements, and seasons.

Through PersianPod101, you can learn all about this and so much more! Our themed, culturally relevant lessons are skillfully designed so you can do your planning perfectly for a holiday or a date.

Having a good plan for a visit or a trip is like studying well for an exam. You’re just so much better prepared! For that, you could well need specific phrases to plan around appointments and such, especially on business trips. Make sure to use the charts we provide here with the days of the week in Persian, as well as the months in Persian to navigate your way as you plan. Great resources!

Also – always remember to have fun!

Table of Contents

1. Why Will It Help To Know How To Talk About Dates in Persian?
2. Talking About your Plans
3. Can PersianPod101 Help You In Other Ways Too?

1. Why Will It Help To Know How To Talk About Dates in Persian?

Well, that’s not a difficult question to answer. No matter why you’re travelling, it would be best to at least know the names of days and months in Persian. You don’t want to miss your flight or an appointment because you confused “جمعه” (“jome,” Friday) with “شنبه” (“shanbe,” Saturday)! Or maybe you planned a holiday for “جولای” (“joolaay,” July), but you booked a flight for “ژوئن” (“zhooan,” June) by accident!

Avoid this confusion by learning the Persian calendar before you leave.

Now, as promised, the 15 phrases to help you make and discuss plans.

2. Talking About your Plans

Perhaps you’re working in Iran, or maybe you’re enjoying a prolonged holiday. Fabulous! Memorize these phrases so you can be sure to successfully negotiate meetings, appointments, dates, events, the list goes on!

1. این آخر هفته چه کار می کنید؟

in aakhar-e hafte che-kaar mikonid?
“What are you doing this weekend?”

This question is usually a preamble to inviting someone somewhere. Given that it’s over the weekend, it probably means a casual get-together or another social event. (But not necessarily! A manager or boss could also ask this for entirely different reasons.)

It’s a handy phrase to know when you’ve made Iranian or expat friends in the country. Or, be the one doing the inviting. Then train your ear to learn the following phrases so you can understand the response.

2. این آخر هفته سفر می‎کنم.

in aakhar-e hafte safar mikonam.
“I am traveling this weekend.”

This could be a reply if you’re not available because you’re doing other fun stuff.

No matter why you are visiting Iran, do take the time to explore the country! It’s beautiful and it has so many wonderful, interesting spots ready to be visited.

3. برنامه دارم در خانه بمانم.

barnaame daaram dar khaane bemaanam.
“I am planning to stay at home.”

Maybe you feel unwell, but don’t want to give too much information? Or maybe you have work to do? Perhaps you just need some quiet gardening time…it doesn’t matter. This response is polite and honest without oversharing.

It could also be a slightly open-ended response, depending on how you deliver it. Because hey, being home could still mean your plans are flexible, right?

That said – depending on your relationship with the inviter, nuances like these will probably not be so apparent in a foreign culture. So, best to use this excuse for declining an invitation only if you are truly set on staying in.

4. این هفته مشغول هستم.

in hafte mashghool hastam.
“This week I am busy.”

Another polite phrase that gives a reason for declining an invitation but without oversharing details.

Don’t decline too many invitations, though! You don’t want people to think that you’re too busy to hang out with them. They will stop inviting you out, and you know how the saying goes – all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy…! Being social is good for the soul.

5. فردا آزاد هستم.

fardaa aazaad hastam.
“I am free tomorrow.”

Yay! Perhaps you were approached by that person and they asked about your availability for a date. This would be a fine reply. Not too eager, but still indicating that you’re interested.

Or maybe you’re just replying to a colleague or manager’s request for a meeting. Polite, honest and clear.

Alternatively, you’re just busy right now, and plans are not going the way they were…well, planned. Compromise is a lovely thing! And this phrase sounds just like that.

Use it to indicate that you want to accommodate an invitation or the inviter’s plans, despite your current unavailability. Only if you are really free, of course.

6. آیا می‎توانیم این را دوباره برنامه‎ریزی کنیم؟

aayaa mitavaanim in raa dobaare barnaame-rizi konim?
“Can we reschedule this?”

So, life happened and you are unable to meet obligations or attend a planned meeting. This is a suitable question to ask if you wish to indicate your willingness to still engage with whatever is on the table.

Obviously you should (ideally) not ask to reschedule a party or big meeting! (Unless you’re the boss or it’s your own party, of course.) But if there’s reasonable wiggle room regarding arrangements, then this one’s your question.

7. من در پایان ماه وقت کافی خواهم داشت.

man dar paayaan-e maah vaqt-e kaafi khaaham daasht.
“I will have enough time at the end of the month.”

A go-to phrase when events or activities are likely to take up a lot of your time, such as going away for a weekend, spending the day at a local market, or writing your manager’s quarterly report (with 20 flow-charts in Powerpoint) – anything that won’t only take an hour or two.

8. بهترین زمانی که برای شما مناسب باشد چه وقتی است؟

behtarin zamaani ke baraaye shomaa monaaseb baashad che vaqti ast?
“When is the best time that suits you?”

Remember phrase #5? That was a possible reply to this question. Asked by your crush, very possibly! Or, it could be asked by any other person for any other reason, doesn’t matter.

If this is addressed to you, it usually means that the person respects your time and schedule, which is a good thing. It probably also means that their own schedule is flexible, another good thing.

This is also a polite question to ask when a manager or senior colleague wants to meet with you. Let them decide on the time, and be as accommodating as possible. This attitude shows respect for seniority – good for career building. (Within reason, of course. You don’t need to postpone your wedding or your paid-up holiday to Australia because your manager wants to see you.)

9. آیا این تاریخ برای شما مناسب است؟

aayaa in taarikh baraaye shomaa monaaseb ast?
“Is this date OK with you?”

But – if the other party insists that you choose a time for a meeting, appointment, or date etc., then do so! Respond with this nice, somewhat casual question that leaves space for negotiation, but only needs a simple reply.

Suitable for friends, and casual acquaintances and colleagues.

10. آیا در آن روز در دسترس هستید؟

aayaa dar aan rooz dar dastras hastid?
“Are you available on that day?”

This is the a-bit-more-formal version of the previous question. Again, it has room for negotiation, but only needs a simple response – nice and neat!

Maybe this is the go-to question when you’re addressing your seniors at work, or a person much older than you.

11. آیا می‎توانیم این کار را در اسرع وقت انجام دهیم؟

aayaa mitavaanim in kaar raa dar asra’e vaqt anjaam dahim?
“Can we do it as soon as possible?”

This question has an urgency to it that should preferably be responded to with the same. A simple reply will be good – yes or no. Less negotiable, this is still polite because it’s a question that gives you a choice.

But stand ready with one of the phrases in this article to help tie down a time and date!

12. من هر روز عصر در دسترس هستم.

man har rooz asr dar dastras hastam.
“I’m available every evening”

If you’re going to reply with this phrase, context is everything.

– If it’s your manager asking you to put in a bit of overtime, and you are available to – great reply! When deadlines are tight and everybody is stressing, your willingness to go the extra mile can only improve your relationship with your boss.

(Still, no need to be a doormat! If you get asked to work overtime too often, or if everyone else is goofing around while you have to graft, then re-evaluate the situation. And if you feel you’re being exploited a bit, don’t stress! Equip yourself with the diplomatic, yet assertive responses right in this article.)

– If it’s an old friend or longtime significant other asking to hang out – good reply. You know one another and appearances don’t matter any longer.

– If it’s a new crush who just asked when you’d be available for a date – stop. Not such a great reply. Tone down a bit! “Interested but not overly eager” is what you’re going for here.

Refer back to response #5, or use a counter-question, such as #1. Whatever suits you.

But if they – or anyone else – invite you to scale the Himalayas with them, then the next phrase will probably be the only sane response!

13. لازم است این را پیشاپیش به خوبی برنامه‎ریزی کنم.

laazem ast in raa pishaapish be khoobi barnaame-rizi konam.
“I need to plan this well in advance.”

So, as said under #9, perhaps you’re invited to join someone conquer the Himalayas.

Or your company manager wants you to plan the Party that Tops All Year-End Parties Forever.

Simply – if you get asked to do something that you know will need a lot of thorough planning, this is a good phrase to respond with.

It’s an assertive phrase that demonstrates two things regarding your attitude:

a) That you know your own abilities, and respect your own schedule.
b) That your respect other people’s time and schedule too.

Then just be sure to actually do that planning well in advance!

14. لازم است یک تاریخ دیگر پیدا کنیم.

laazem ast yek taarikh-e digar peydaa konim.
“We need to find another date.”

So, you’re in negotiations regarding a date.

This is an assertive statement that should probably not be used with a “My way or the highway” attitude.

That stuff only works in the movies – think sharp-tongued Samuel L. Jackson. Or fierce Kristen Stewart. Yea, they can be scary, so tone down that tone.

Also, be mindful that fickle people who change plans all the time don’t keep friends! Taking others’ needs into consideration, while simultaneously having your way is a delicate art that takes proper cultivation. Use this phrase sparingly – we have better ones here to negotiate with.

Of course, if your planned trip to the dentist falls on the same day as the only Billie Eilish concert close by…well, priorities are priorities. Feel free to call the dentist with this phrase. Or even better, use the next one.

15. نمی‎توانم این کار را در آن روز انجام دهم.

nemitavaanam in kaar raa dar aan rooz anjaam daham.
“I cannot do it on that day.”

This is the low-key-but-still-firm cousin of the previous phrase. You’re stating a personal fact, and depending on your tone, this can be as non-negotiable as you prefer.

Again, only use this when you really mean it, if you’re visiting Iran or any other foreign country.

So, that’s it, folks! Which phrase did you find the most helpful? Let us know in the comments!

3. Can PersianPod101 Help You In Other Ways Too?

Well yes, of course!

We think you will find these phrases easy to use when talking about dates and months in Persian. But knowing how to employ them properly could help you avoid sticky situations!

PersianPod101 is uniquely geared to help you with this and so much more.

This InnovativeLanguage.com initiative is one of many online language-learning courses. With us, you’ll find it easy and fun to learn a new language, and here are a few reasons why:

• Immediately upon enrollment, you’ll receive hundreds of well-designed lessons to get you going.
• Watch superb recordings of native Persian speakers in cool slide-shows – the easy way to practice till you sound just like a native speaker yourself!
• Also immediately upon enrollment, you’ll get access to a huge library of free resources! These include extensive, theme-based Vocabulary Lists and a Word of the Day List (For free, hot bargains!) These alone are sure to give your vocab-learning boxing gloves.
• You’ll also immediately be able to use an excellent and free Persian online dictionary. Necessary for quick, handy translations, no matter where you find yourself.
• For the serious learner, there are numerous enrollment upgrades available, one of which offers you a personal, online Iranian host. Allow us to hold your hand and support you in your learning!

If you’re serious about mastering Persian easily yet correctly, PersianPod101 is definitely one of, if not the best, online language learning platforms available. Talking about your plans or dates in Persian need not ever spoil your stay.

So, hurry up—enroll today!

Did you know that only some reptiles and birds don’t parent their offspring? Except for crocodiles, all reptiles (and one family of bird species called megapodes) hatch from eggs and grow up alone, without any family.

The rest of us need family if we are to survive and thrive – humans and animals alike!

At PersianPod101, we know how important family is. Therefore, we take care to teach you all the important vocabulary and phrases pertaining to family.

Table of Contents

1. Why Is It Important to Know Persian Vocabulary about Family?
2. Learn a New Culture? Learn its Family Vocab first
3. How PersianPod101 Can Help You Learn Persian Family Terms

1. Why Is It Important to Know Persian Vocabulary about Family?

Well, if you’re serious about studying any new language, then learning about the most important social unit in Iranian culture would be a crucial part of your education.

What is family, though? Strictly speaking, it’s a group of people who live together and are supposed to take care of one another. Some of them are genetically linked.

Family isn’t just about who we’re related to by blood, of course. It’s also one of the main influences in shaping every child’s life.

Family is Important for Children’s Healthy Development

Family is the single most important influence in a child’s life. Children depend on parents and family to protect them and provide for their needs from the day they were born.

Primary caregivers, which usually comprise parents and family, form a child’s first relationships. They are a child’s first teachers and are role models that show kids how to act and experience the world around them.

By nurturing and teaching children during their early years, families play an important role in making sure children are ready to learn when they enter school.

Families Can Take All Shapes and Sizes

However, the way families are put together is by no means standard.

Single-parent and same-gender households have become a new norm the past few decades, and there’s no shame in this. When there is love, connection and proper care, a child can thrive anywhere.

Everyone also knows that sometimes friends can become like family and remain with us for life, because it’s all about human connection.

After all, we share many commonalities simply because we’re human, and we are programmed to connect with one another and belong to a group. This is very important for our well-being and survival.

It’s All About Feeling Connected

As John Northman, a psychologist from Buffalo, NY, told WebMD – feeling connected to others contributes to mental as well as physical health.

He pointed out that when people feel connected, they feel better physically, and they’re also less likely to feel depressed.

Or, if they do feel depressed, they’d be in a better position to get out of it when they feel they are connecting with others. This is because they would be psychologically supported too, Northman said.

There has even been some links drawn between addiction and feeling disconnected from others. According to an article in Psychology Today, research indicates that addiction is not solely a substance disorder, but also affected by people feeling insecurely attached to others.

It showed that securely attached individuals tend to feel comfortable in and enjoy life, while insecurely attached people typically struggle to fit in and connect.

2. Learn a New Culture? Learn its Family Vocab first

So, it’s clear that for most of us, family is our entry point into connection and belonging. This is true of every culture, so in every country, family takes prominence.

For this reason, PersianPod101 offers culturally-relevant lessons that will equip you well to understand families in Iran.

Here are some of the most important Persian vocabulary and quotes about family and parenting!

A) Persian Family Vocabulary

Let’s start with the basic vocabulary. Without this collection of words, you’ll have a hard time describing any member of your family at all.

Family Terms
Family خانواده (Khaanevaade)	Great grandfather پدر پدربزرگ (pedar-e pedar bozorg)
Mother مادر (Maadar)	Grandmother مادر مادربزرگ (maadar-e maadar bozorg)
Father پدر (Pedar)	Grandfather پدر بزرگ (pedar bozorg)
Wife همسر (hamsar)	Grandchild نوه (naveh)
Husband شوهر (Shohar)	Granddaughter نوه دختری (naveye dokhtari)
Parent والد (vaaled)	Grandson نوه پسری (naveye pesari)
Child بچه (bache)	Aunt عمه‌ ، خاله‌ (ameh, sister of father; khaaleh, sister of mother)
Daughter دختر (dokhtar)	Uncle عمو، دايي (amoo, brother of father; daai, brother of mother)
Sister خواهر (Khaahar)	Niece دختر برادر يا خواهر (dokhtar-e baraadar yaa khaahar)
Brother برادر (baraadar)	Nephew پسر خواهر یا برادر (pesar-e khaahar yaa baraadar)
Younger sister خواهر کوچکتر (khaahare koochektar)	Younger brother برادر کوچکتر (baraadar-e koochektar)
Older brother برادر بزرگتر (baraadar-e bozorgtar)	Great grandmother مادر مادربزرگ (maadar-e maadar bozorg)
Cousin پسر دایی/خاله‌ ,دختر دایی/خاله‌ ,دختر عمو/عمه ,پسر عمو/عمه (pesar-daai/khaaleh, son of mother’s sibling; dokhtar-daai/khaaleh, daughter of mother’s sibling; dokhtar-amoo/ameh, son of father’s sibling; pesar-amoo/ameh, daughter of father’s sibling)	Mother-in-law مادر زن یا مادر شوهر (maadar zan yaa maadar showhar)
Father-in-law پدر زن یا پدر شوهر (pedar zan yaa pedar showhar)	Sister-in-law خواهر زن یا خواهر شوهر (khaahar zan yaa khaahar showhar)
Brother-in-law برادر زن یا برادر شوهر (baraadar zan yaa baraadar showhar)	Partner والد (vaaled)

B) Quotes About Family

One of the ways to improve your Persian language skills is by memorizing quotes from books, or poems.

Either source some from Persian literature, or make use of ours!

شما خانواده خود را انتخاب نمی‌کنید. آنها هدیه خداوند به شما هستند، همانطور که شما به آنها.

shomaa khaanevaadeye khod raa entekhaab nemikonid. aanhaa hediyeye khodaavand be shomaa hastand, hamaantor ke shomaa be aanhaa.
“You don’t choose your family. They are God’s gift to you, as you are to them.” – Desmond Tutu

خانواده یک چیز مهم نیست. همه چیز است.

khaanevaade yek chiz-e mohem nist. hame chiz ast.
“Family is not an important thing. It’s everything.” – Michael J. Fox

خانواده یعنی اينکه کسی از دیگری عقب نماند و کسی فراموش نشود.

khaanevaade ya’ni inke kasi az digari aqab namaanad va kasi faraamoosh nashavad.
“Family means no one gets left behind or forgotten.” – David Ogden Stiers

خانواده من قدرت من و ضعف من است.

khaanevaadeye man qodrat-e man va za’f-e man ast.
“My family is my strength and my weakness.” – Aishwarya Rai

خانواده یکی از شاهکارهای طبیعت است.

khaanevaade yeki az shaahkaarhaaye tabi’at ast.
“The family is one of nature’s masterpieces.” – George Santayana

هنگامی که مشکلی پیش می‌آید، خانواده شماست که از شما حمایت می‌کند.

hengaami ke moshkeli pish mi aayad, khaanevaadeye shomaast ke az shomaa hemaayat mikonad.
“When trouble comes, it’s your family that supports you.” – Guy Lafleur

خانواده اولین سلول ضروری جامعه بشری است.

khaanevaade avalin selool-e zarooriye jaame’e ast.
“The family is the first essential cell of human society.” – Pope John XXIII

تفريح واحدی برای همه اعضای خانواده وجود ندارد.

tafrih-e vaahedi baraaye hameye a’zaaye khaanevaade vojood nadaarad.
“There is no such thing as fun for the whole family.” – Jerry Seinfeld

شما باید از شرف خود دفاع کنید. و از خانواده خود.

shomaa baayad az sharaf-e khod defaa’ konid. va az khaanevaadeye khod.
“You have to defend your honor. And your family.” – Suzanne Vega

همه خانواده‌های شاد مثل هم هستند،هر خانواده ناراحتی به شیوه خودش ناراحت است.

hameye khaanevaadehaaye shaad mesl-e ham hastand, har khaanevaadeye naaraahati be shiveye khodash naaraahat ast.
“All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.” – Leo Tolstoy

C) Test Your Knowledge!

Do you feel you have learned a lot in this blog? Let’s quickly test that!

In the table below, match the Persian vocabulary on the left with the definition of the relative in the right column.

MY RELATIVES
Relative Name	Definition
1. خانواده	a. My male child
2. مادر	b. My older male sibling
3. پدر	c. My female sibling
4. همسر	d. My child’s child
5. شوهر	e. My child’s female child
6. والد	f. My female parent
7. بچه	g. My grandparent’s mother
8. دختر	h. Mother to one of my parents
9. پسر	i. Relatives
10. خواهر	j. My female child
11. برادر	k. My younger male sibling
12. خواهر کوچکتر	l. Male spouse
13. برادر کوچکتر	m. The father of one of my parents
14. برادر بزرگتر	n. My child’s male child
15. مادر مادربزرگ	o. My children’s father or mother
16. پدر پدربزرگ	p. The sister of one of my parents
17. مادربزرگ	q. The brother of one of my parents
18. پدر بزرگ	r. My male parent
19. نوه	s. My sibling’s female child
20. نوه دختری	t. My sibling’s male child
21. نوه پسری	u. My male sibling
22. خاله‌	v. My parents’ sibling’s child
23. عمو	w. Female spouse
24. دختر برادر يا خواهر	x. The grandfather of one of my parents
25. پسر خواهر یا برادر	y. The person I am a parent to
26. دختر دایی	z. My younger female sibling

How did it go? Don’t worry if you had trouble with it – you’ll get there! With a bit of practice, and our help at PersianPod101, you’ll soon have these family terms under the belt.

3. How PersianPod101 Can Help You Learn Persian Family Terms

We hope that we helped you expand your family in Persian vocabulary!

PersianPod101, with its innovative online learning system, stands out among online learning platforms to help you master Persian easily.

Our lessons are tailored not only to increase your language skills, but to also inform you of Iranian culture, including the Iranian family structure.

When you sign up, you will get instant access to tools like:

1 – An extensive vocabulary list, regularly updated
2 – A new Persian word to learn every day
3 – Quick access to the Persian Key Phrase List
4 – A free Persian online dictionary
5 – The excellent 100 Core Persian Word List
6 – An almost limitless Lesson Library for learners of all levels

Further speed up your learning with the help of a personal tutor, who will first assess your current Persian language abilities to personalize your training and tailor it to your needs.

Hard work always pays off, and to help you in this, PersianPod101 will be there every step of the way toward your Persian mastery!

Answers: 1.i. 2.f. 3.r. 4.w. 5.l. 6.o. 7.y. 8.j. 9.a. 10.c. 11.u. 12.z. 13.k. 14.b. 15.g 16.x. 17.h. 18.m. 19.d. 20.e. 21.n. 22.p. 23.q. 24.s. 25.t. 26.v.

Traveling to foreign countries is nearly always an exciting, enriching, and beneficial experience. Yet, some things can be real downers, such as boredom on a lengthy flight to Iran. Really, binge-watching onboard movies can only be interesting for so long! And jet lag – another huge downer. Did you know that jet lag is more severe when you travel from the West to the East?

Well, we won’t know how to beat that, but there are fortunately plenty of remedies around to investigate.

To beat flight boredom, though, we may have the answer for you at PersianPod101! Why don’t you take the time to study Persian travel phrases? We make this super easy and fun, with great downloadables, like our PDF Cheat Sheets. Quickly memorize these, and impress your Iranian friends or travel guide with your flawless Persian!

Table of Contents

1. Importance Of Learning Travel Phrases
2. 13 Must-Have Travel Phrases and Words
3. Good-To-Have Travel Phrases
4. Ways To Improve Communication in a Foreign Country
5. PersianPod101 Can Help You Master Travel Phrases Easily and Effortlessly!

1. Importance Of Learning Travel Phrases

Impressing Iranian people or your travel partners will be the least of the benefits you reap from learning these helpful phrases. These are greater ones:

1) Eliminate Travel Frustration: First of all, you’ll be able to cut out a good chunk of travel frustration and inconvenience due to language barriers.

Know how to pronounce and use at least the basic Persian phrases, and then just look foreign. This should go a long way to help you get by and win you friends, because locals would be more inclined to help someone who took the trouble to learn a smidgen of their language.

2) Emergency Readiness: In case of an emergency, you will be able to get help a lot quicker if you know how to ask for what in Persian. Imagine miming to a doctor or nurse that you have a sore ear but that you’re allergic to penicillin. Not so easy, right?

Rather, you should know basic emergency travel phrases, especially if you suffer from a serious condition. Also, information about life-threatening allergies you have should always be on your person in the language of the country you’re visiting.

3) Sight-Seeing Readiness: Hopefully, you also travel to learn more about a country’s culture. Visiting the main tourist sites in Iran will be more interesting if you know how to ask pertinent questions in Persian.

In this blog, we’ll also be giving you important travel phrases to consider – from the 13 essential must-have phrases to ones that are just generally useful and good to know.

Let’s get cracking!

2. 13 Must-Have Travel Phrases and Words

Seasoned explorers of multiple countries will tell you that certain words and phrases are absolute must-knows in anyone’s travel vocabulary. Learning from them, we collated some of the most essential ones here for you.

If you know these travel phrases and words by heart in Persian, you will be much better equipped for your visit than most of your movie-binging travel mates.

1) متشکرم / motshakeram (Thank you)

As a tourist, you will be relying on the kindness of strangers to get by. Repay them with a small acknowledgment of their friendly generosity – know how to say “thank you” in Persian.

2) شما انگلیسی صحبت می کنین؟ / shomaa engilisi sohbat mikonin? (Do you speak English?)

While it may be a bit of a cop-out, sometimes you just can’t figure out how to communicate. Maybe you’re blanking on one specific word you need, maybe they’re speaking with a heavy accent, or maybe it’s just really late and you really want to get to the hotel. In that case, try asking if they speak English, and hopefully you can make things a little bit simpler for yourself.

Don’t abuse this phrase, though! If you just try to get by without learning any of the local language, not only will you not learn anything – you’ll be out of luck if they can’t speak English!

3) از فرودگاه به شهر اتوبوس هست؟ / az fooroodgaah be shahr ootooboos hast? (Is there a bus from the airport to the city?)

Public transit is usually cheaper, if slower, than taking a taxi or rideshare. Use this phrase to see if you can get where you’re going when you’re strapped for cash, or just when you’d like to take the scenic route into town!

4) این اتوبوسی است که به فرودگاه می رود؟ / In ootooboosi ast keh beh fooroodgaah miravad? (Is this the right bus for the airport?)

Likewise, if you’re the kind of person who can get themselves moving early (or maybe you just have a late flight), maybe you want to take the bus to the airport rather than taking a cab. If that’s the case, you’ll want to be sure you’re actually heading the right way! You wouldn’t want to end up at a lookout point half an hour away, watching your flight take off in the distance, would you?

5) ببخشید، کرایه چقدره؟ / bebakhshid, keraayeh cheghadreh? (Excuse me, what’s the fare?)

If you are paying for a cab, you’ll want to know how much. Most legal taxis will have meters, but when dealing with a currency you’re not familiar with, it can be worth asking just to double check that you’re paying the right amount – especially if the currency has cents.

6) من یک رزرو دارم / man yek rezerv daaram (I have a reservation)

This one you can expect to use at least a few times throughout your trip, unless you’re the kind of person who travels by the seat of their pants and just goes to whatever hotel, motel, or hostel has rooms available.

7) امشب جای خالی دارید؟ / emshab jaay-e khaali darid? (Do you have any vacancies tonight?)

If that’s the case, you’ll definitely be using this phrase instead. Quite possibly a lot, depending on how lucky you are!

8 ) ایستگاه قطار کجاست؟ / istgaah-e ghataar kojast? (Where is the train station?)

If you’re in a country with an expansive commuter rail system (or maybe just a fan of other types of locomotives), you may want to know where the closest station is. Just don’t go looking for pennies on the rails!

9) من به بادوم زمینی حساسیت دارم / man beh baadoom zamini has-saasiyat daaram (I am allergic to peanuts)

Replace “peanuts” with whatever the word for your allergen may be. If your allergy is serious, you probably already know the importance of stating this very clearly in Persian.

If the condition is life-threatening, be sure to have a letter or prescription from a medical professional in Persian on your person at all times. Consider getting a medical alert bracelet specially made in Persian if your stay will be longer than a month or so.

10) غذای گیاهی دارین؟ / ghazaay-e giyaahi daarin? (Do you have any vegetarian dishes?)

If you dislike eating certain things, or you have certain dietary restrictions, it would be best if you knew how to convey this clearly in Persian.

Remember, though, that saying “I’m vegan” or “I’m diabetic” may not be enough to get you what you want. The rules for veganism and vegetarianism are not standard everywhere in the world. Also, your patron might not understand what “diabetic” means. If you have a medical condition, it would be best to research some in-depth vocabulary beforehand.

11) ممکنه یه نقشه به من بدین؟ / momkeneh yeh naghsheh beh man bedin? (Could I get a map?)

Planning on exploring your destination? Hopelessly lost? Maybe just an amateur cartographer? No matter the reason, this phrase is sure to come in handy. That said, you’re more likely to get use out of it at some sort of tourist or travel center than you are asking a random passerby on the street.

12) قیمت این چقدر است؟ / gheymat-e in che ghadr ast? (How much is this?)

Even if you’re not a big shopper, you’re probably going to need this phrase at some point. Knowing how to count in Persian will, of course, help a lot with purchases too.

13) کارت اعتباری قبول می کنین؟ / kaart-e e’tebaari ghabool mikonin? (Do you take credit card?)

This is another travel phrase that will smooth your monetary transactions considerably.

3. Good-To-Have Travel Phrases

Unlike the previous phrases, these are not really essential so much as they are useful. Yet, knowing these will still smooth over some bumps on your journey, more than just knowing the crucial phrases would.

1) وای فای رایگانه؟ / vaay faay raaygaaneh? (Is the Wi-Fi free?)

If you’re abroad, your normal cellular plans probably won’t have any service, and you’ll be totally reliant on publically available Wi-Fi while you’re out and about. Just ask a server, clerk, or attendant, and they’ll be happy to let you know. Just make sure you’re paying attention when they tell you the password!

2) میشه لطفا ازم یه عکس بگیرین؟ / misheh lotfan azam yeh aks begirin? (Could you take a picture of me please?)

What would a trip be with no photos to commemorate the event? Just be sure to ask this of someone who actually looks like they’d be willing to, unless you’re willing to risk being given the cold shoulder or worse. If you’re at a tourist attraction, you’ll find that most people are more than happy to take one for you, so long as you take one of them as well!

3) پیشنهادی دارید؟ / pishnehaadi darid? (Do you have any recommendations?)

Eating alone in a restaurant? Or going out with new Iranian friends or business colleagues? Let them help you decide what to have.

4) اگر ممکنه یه صندلی غیرسیگاری میخوام / agar momken-e yeh sandali-ye gheir-e sigaari mikhaam (I’d like to have a non-smoking seat, please)

Though smoking has gone out of fashion in some places, it’s still popular in others. In the event you’re at a restaurant where smoking is allowed on premises, you can always ask this question to the staff and be seated elsewhere.

5) آب، لطفا / aab, lotfan (Water, please)

If you’ve emptied your glass, or are cutting yourself off after a few drinks, you can always ask for some water. It can be especially useful if the restaurant is busy to the point you need to call out to someone to get service.

6) میشه صورتحسابو بیارین؟ / misheh soorat-hesaab-o biyaarin? (Could I have the check?)

To finish off the restaurant related phrases, if you’re eating with friends or really want to impress your colleagues, taking the bill can be a nice treat for them. Of course, this phrase could come in handy as well if you’re eating alone and you’re just impatient to leave.

7) برای سوغاتی چی پیشنهاد می کنین؟ / baraay-e soghaati chi pishnehaad mikonin? (What do you recommend for a souvenir?)

Now that your trip is over, what better way to cap it all off than a memento, or maybe a gift for friends and family at home? It’ll be nicer to have something recommended by the locals than a cheap bauble from the airport store, so go ahead and ask someone you’ve met what they think.

4. Ways To Improve Communication in a Foreign Country

When traveling, it’s possible to keep communication smooth when you don’t share a language.

Do so by keeping these five tips in mind. They are aimed to help you communicate with those who cannot speak English very well, and also to keep your traveling experience pleasant!

1. Keep your English simple and easy to understand.
If the person you are talking to speaks very little English, use basic verbs, adjectives, and nouns, and keep sentences short.

However, don’t patronize them by talking in pidgin or like you would address a child. Keep your speech simple but natural, and use the correct grammar.

For instance, don’t say: “You come when?”. If you say: “When will you come?”, you will very likely be understood, and may even help someone who wants to improve their English.

2. Ask someone to write information down.
Apply Rule 1 first at your hotel, where the staff is very likely to be able to speak some English. Get them to write down, in their native language, things like: “I would like to go to the airport, please,” “Please take me to the beach,” or “Where is the closest bathroom?”

These written questions are something you can then give to taxi drivers or any other people who are willing and able to help you. This simple step could make your life a lot easier when you travel to a foreign country!

3. Avoid asking leading questions!
If you want the correct information from a non-native English speaker, that is.

When you need directions, for instance, don’t ask: “To get to the bus stop, do I need to turn left here?” If the person didn’t really understand you, you will probably just get a smile and a “Yes,” which could possibly make you miss your bus.

Rather, you should ask: “Where is the bus stop?” If they understand you, you will get the correct directions.

4. Pick the right person to ask for help.
Time to look at people and think a bit about their appearance! A younger person who looks like they might be a student is more likely to have English skills than the friendly but ancient lady smiling at you from a fruit stall.

If you don’t see anyone like that, head into town to the nearest bank, hospital, pharmacy, or hotel. The staff at those places usually speak a bit of English.

5. Know when to quit.
If you stuck to the above rules, but the person you are talking to only stares at you blankly, say thank you and leave. Hanging around hoping someone will suddenly understand and respond is just wasting your time, and may irritate them as well. Go find someone else.

5. PersianPod101 Can Help You Master Travel Phrases Easily and Effortlessly!

So, reader, have you found this article helpful?

Do you feel comfortable enough to use some essential travel phrases in Persian? We’d also love to hear if you think we left out important travel phrases. Leave your suggestions and opinions in the comments!

PersianPod101 takes the lead with many free learning tools to help you master Persian reading and speaking easily, and in fun ways.

These tools include:

– An extensive vocabulary list, regularly updated
– A new Persian word to learn every day
– Quick access to the Persian Key Phrase List
– A free Persian online dictionary
– The excellent 100 Core Persian Word List
– An almost limitless Lesson Library for learners of all levels

You will also have access to topic-specific recordings like our Before You Travel: Survival Phrases lesson.

Learn even more efficiently with the help of a personal tutor, after taking an assessment test to personalize and tailor your training.

Getting a tutor is also a good option if you meet challenges in your learning, or need to fast-track correct pronunciation and diction. Your very own friendly, Persian-speaking teacher will be only a text away on a special app, anywhere, anytime – an excellent option for business persons!

Using a guided learning system that was developed by experts in language and online education, you’ll receive personal feedback and constant support to improve in no time. You’ll also be tasked with weekly assignments in reading, writing, and speaking to hone your Persian speaking skills.

Imagine how impressed your Iranian friends or colleagues will be when you display your excellent conversational skills! With PersianPod101, getting there will be easy and fun.

You’re learning to speak Persian, and it’s going well. Your confidence is growing! So much so that you feel ready to share your experiences on social media—in Persian.

At Learn Persian, we make this easy for you to get it right the first time. Post like a boss with these phrases and guidelines, and get to practice your Persian in the process.

1. Talking about Your Restaurant Visit in Persian

Eating out is fun, and often an experience you’d like to share. Take a pic, and start a conversation on social media in Persian. Your friend will be amazed by your language skills…and perhaps your taste in restaurants!

Bardiyaa eats at a restaurant with his friends, posts an image of the occasion, and leaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Bardiyaa’s post.

خیلی خوش گذشت! جای شما خالی! (kheyli khosh gozasht! jaay-e shomaa khaali)
“Had so much fun! You were missed.”

1- خیلی‌ خوش گذشت. (kheyli khosh gozasht,)

First is an expression meaning “It was a lot of fun..”
Usually when Iranians go out for any occasion or travel somewhere, they will use this sentence upon returning to describe their pleasure of the event or trip. They also use this phrase upon leaving someone’s house upon to describe their satisfaction with the host.

2- جای شما خالی‌. (jaay-e shomaa khaali.)

Then comes the phrase – “You were missed..”
This phrase is said to a friend or family member who was missed at a friend or family’s gathering.

COMMENTS

In response, Bardiyaa’s friends leave some comments.

1- دوستان به جای ما. (doostaan be jaay-e maa.)

His neighbor, Bahaar, uses an expression meaning – “I’m glad you had fun there.”
This is a warm-hearted, friendly comment.

2- چرا به من خبر ندادی؟ (cheraa be man khabar nadaadi?)

His college friend, Rezaa, uses an expression meaning – “Why didn’t you let me know?”
Rezaa is being playful and frivolous.

3- همیشه خوش باشید. (hamishe khosh baashid.)

His high school friend, Shaghaayegh, uses an expression meaning – “Always be happy.”
This friend is optimistic when he comments here.

4- فضای اونجا هم خیلی‌ رمانتیک بود. (fazaa-ye oonja ham kheyli romaantik bood.)

His girlfriend, Shabnam, uses an expression meaning – “The atmosphere was very romantic too. ”
Shabnam feels romantic and contributes to the conversation by showing her sensitivity to mood.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

خوش (khosh): “happy”

دوستان (doostaan): “friends”

چرا (cheraa): “why”

همیشه (hamishe): “always”

خالی (khaali): “empty”

رمانتیک (romaantik): “romantic”

فضا (fazaa): “space, atmosphere”

ما (maa): “we”

So, let’s practice a bit. If a friend posted something about having dinner with friends, which phrase would you use?

Now go visit a Persian restaurant, and wow the staff with your language skills!

2. Post about Your Mall Visit in Persian

Another super topic for social media is shopping—everybody does it, most everybody loves it, and your friends on social media are probably curious about your shopping sprees! Share these Persian phrases in posts when you visit a mall.

Shabnam shop with her sister at the mall, posts an image of it, and leaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Shabnam’s post.

یه سلفی با خواهرجان تو مرکز خرید! (ye selfi baa khaahar jaan too markaz-e kharid!)
“A selfie with my dear sister at the shopping mall!”

1- یه سلفی (ye selfi)

First is an expression meaning “A selfie.”
In Persian some words, like “selfi,” are borrowed from English.

2- با خواهرجان تو مرکز خرید (baa khaahar jaan too markaz-e kharid)

Then comes the phrase – “with my dear sister at the shopping mall.”
In Persian there are words with silent letters in them, just like the word “knight” in English. In the word خواهر, khaahar (“sister” ), the letter و, v isn’t pronounced.

COMMENTS

In response, Shabnam’s friends leave some comments.

1- چقدر آبی بهت میاد شبنم جون! (cheqadr aabi behet miyaad shabnam joon!)

Her neighbor, Bahaar, uses an expression meaning – “How good you look in blue, dear Shabnam.”
Use this expression to show you are feeling warmhearted, and compliments are always welcome!

2- چه خانومای زیبایی! (che khaanoomaa-ye zibaa-yi!)

Her boyfriend’s high school friend, Shaghaayegh, uses an expression meaning – “Very beautiful, ladies!”
He is optimistic and appreciative of the girls’ spree.

3- برای من چی گرفتی؟ (baraaye man chi gerefti?)

Her high school friend, Samiraa, uses an expression meaning – “What did you get for me? ”
This expression is humorous and Samira wants to joke around a bit.

4- یه عکس دسته جمعی‌ هم بگیریم. (ye aks-e dastejam’i ham begirim.)

Her boyfriend, Bardiyaa, uses an expression meaning – “Let’s take a picture all (of us) together.”
Perhaps Bardiyaa is there with them?…!

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

خواهر (khaahar): “sister”

آبی‌ (aabi): “blue”

زیبا (zibaa): “beautiful”

من (man): “I”

برای (baraay-e): “for “

چی (chi): “what”

چقدر (cheghadr): “how much, how many”

دسته جمعی‌ (daste jam’i): “all (of us) together”

So, if a friend posted something about going shopping, which phrase would you use?

3. Talking about a Sport Day in Persian

Sports events, whether you’re the spectator or the sports person, offer fantastic opportunity for great social media posts. Learn some handy phrases and vocabulary to start a sport-on-the-beach conversation in Persian.

Bardiyaa plays with his friends at the beach, posts an image of it, and leaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Bardiyaa’s post.

و بالاخره والیبال ساحلی! (va belakhare vaalibaal-e saaheli!)
“And finally, beach volleyball.”

1- و بالاخره (va belakhare)

First is an expression meaning “and finally.”
بالاخره, belakhare (“finally” ) is a borrowed word from Arabic.

2- والیبال ساحلی (vaalibal-e saaheli)

Then comes the phrase – “beach volleyball.”
The names of most Western sports in Iran are borrowed from English, with either the same or a slightly different pronunciation. والیبال, vaalibaal (“volleyball” ) is one of them.

COMMENTS

In response, Bardiyaa’s friends leave some comments.

1- بازم بی من! (Baazam bi man!)

His college friend, Rezaa, uses an expression meaning – “Again, without me!”
Rezaa is playfully complaining – he clearly wants to be part of the action!

2- خیلی خوش گذشت! (kheily khosh gozasht!)

His high school friend, Shaghaayegh, uses an expression meaning – “It was a lot of fun.”
This optimistic comment is a nice way to contribute to the conversation.

3- همه ی بدنم درد میکنه! (hame-ye badanam dard mikone.)

His girlfriend, Shabnam, uses an expression meaning – “My whole body is sore.”
Shabnam complains a bit – an apt comment after hard exercise!

4- یکی به من بگه اینجا چه خبره؟ (yeki be man bege injaa che khabare?)

His girlfriend’s high school friend, Samiraa, uses an expression meaning – “Someone tell me what’s going on in here?”
Perhaps Samiraa is upset because she wasn’t invited?…!

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

والیبال (vaalibaal): “volleyball”

بازم(باز هم) (baazam (baaz ham)): “again”

خیلی‌ (kheyli): “very”

درد (dard): “pain, soreness, sore”

خبر (khabar): “news”

اینجا (injaa): “here, in here”

گذشتن (gozashtan): “pass”

بدنم (badanam): “my body”

Which phrase would you use if a friend posted something about sports?

But sport is not the only thing you can play! Play some music, and share it on social media.

4. Share a Song on Social Media in Persian

Music is the language of the soul, they say. So, don’t hold back—share what touches your soul with your friends!

Shabnam shares a song she just heard at a party, posts an image of the artist, and leaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Shabnam’s post.

اینو گوش بدید. شگفت انگیزه. (in-o goosh bedid, shegeft angize.)
“Listen to this. It’s amazing.”

1- اینو[(این رو)/(این را)] گوش بدید(بدهید). (Ino[(in ro)/(in raa)] goosh bedid(goosh bedahid) )

First is an expression meaning “Listen to this.”
گوش بدید, goosh bedid, (“listen” ) literally means “give your ear.” This is similar to “listen” in English.

2- شگفت انگیزه ( شگفت انگیز است). (Shegeft angize (shegeft angiz ast).)

Then comes the phrase – “It’s amazing / It’s wonderful.”
شگفت , Shegeft, (“Surprise” ) + انگیز , angiz, (“Exciting,” “stimulating” ) = شگفت انگیز, shegeft angiz. Literally this means “exciting and surprising.” The closest translation in English would be “wonderful” or “amazing.”

COMMENTS

In response, Shabnam’s friends leave some comments.

1- این آهنگ عروسی عمه ام بود. (in aahang-e aroosi-ye amme-am bood.)

Her high school friend, Samiraa, uses an expression meaning – “It was my aunty’s wedding song.”
Samiraa is contributing to the conversation by sharing a personal detail.

2- مرسی شبنم جون! (mersi shabnam joon!)

Her boyfriend’s high school friend, Shaghaayegh, uses an expression meaning – “Thanks, dear Shabnam!”
This optimistic comment shows appreciation.

3- نمی تونم دانلودش کنم. (nemitoonam daanlodesh konam.)

Her college friend, Rezaa, uses an expression meaning – “I can’t download it.”
Rezaa is experiencing problems – perhaps someone can help her?

4- خیلی شاده. مرسی عزیزم! (kheyli shaade. mersi azizam!)

Her neighbor, Bahaar, uses an expression meaning – “So upbeat. Thanks, honey.”
This friendly, appreciative comment shows what Bahaar thinks of the song.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

شگفت انگیز (shegeft angiz): “amazing”

عروسی‌ (aroosi): “wedding”

مرسی‌ (mersi): “Thanks!”

توانستن (tavaanestan): “can, be able to”

عزیز (aziz): “dear, darling, babe”

این (in): “this”

آهنگ (aahang): “song”

عمه (amme): “aunt (father’s sister)”

Which song would you share? And what would you say to a friend who posted something about sharing music or videos?

Now you know how to start a conversation about a song or a video on social media!

5. Persian Social Media Comments about a Concert

Still on the theme of music—visiting live concerts and shows just have to be shared with your friends. Here are some handy phrases and vocab to wow your followers in Persian!

Bardiyaa goes to a concert, posts an image of it, and leaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Bardiyaa’s post.

بازهم پخش صدای سالن کنسرت خوب نبود. (baaz ham pakhsh-e sedaa-ye saalon-e konsert khoob nabood.)
“Again, the concert hall’s sound system wasn’t good.”

1- بازهم پخش صدای سالن (baaz ham pakhsh-e sedaay-e saalon)

First is an expression meaning “Again the concert hall’s sound system.”
Sound system can be translated to Persian as سیستم پخش صدا , system-e pakhsh-e sedaa, or just پخش صدا pakhshe sedaa, which is “sound distributing.”

2- خوب نبود. (khoob nabood)

Then comes the phrase – “was not good..”
خوب نبود, khoob nabood, (“was not good” ). It’s used the same way as in English.

COMMENTS

In response, Bardiyaa’s friends leave some comments.

1- خوب شد ما ردیف سوم بودیم. (khoob shod maa radif-e sevvom boodim.)

His college friend, Rezaa, uses an expression meaning – “It was good that we were in the third row.”
Rezaa agrees with Bardiyaa about the sound, but he looks for the silver lining around the dark cloud – at least they could hear the music!

2- حیف! (heif!)

His supervisor, Mohammad, uses an expression meaning – “What a pity!”
This is a slightly old-fashioned but still appropriate comment of commiseration with their plight.

3- البته من خیلی پشیمون نیستم چون بلیط کنسرت گرون نبود! (albate man kheyli pashimoon nistam chon belit-e konsert geroon nabood!)

His high school friend, Shaghaayegh, uses an expression meaning – “I don’t regret it much though, because the concert ticket wasn’t expensive!”
This is an optimistic expression.

4- دارم فکر می‌کنم کی‌ می‌‌خوان پخش صدای سالن کنسرت رو درست کنن. (daaram fekr mikonam key mikhaan pakhsh-e sedaa-ye saalon-e konsert ro dorost konan.)

His girlfriend’s nephew, Sinaa, uses an expression meaning – “I’m wondering when they’re going to fix the concert hall’s sound system.”
Sinaa is not feeling very positive here, is he?

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

سالن (saalon): “hall”

بازهم (baaz ham): “again”

پخش صدا (paksh-e sedaa): “sound distribution”

شدن (shodan): “become, get”

ردیف (radif): “row”

پشیمان بودن (pashimaan boodan): “regret”

جدید (jadid): “new”

درست کردن (dorost kardan): “fix”

If a friend posted something about a concert , which phrase would you use?

6. Talking about an Unfortunate Accident in Persian

Oh dear. You broke something by accident. Use these Persian phrases to start a thread on social media. Or maybe just to let your friends know why you are not contacting them!

Shabnam accidentally breaks her mobile phone, and leaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Shabnam’s post.

آیفونم افتاد و شکست. (aayfonam oftaad-o shekast.)
“My iPhone fell and broke.”

1- آیفونم افتاد (aayfonam oftaad)

First is an expression meaning “My iPhone fell.”
افتاد, oftaad, (“fell” ) is the past tense of the verb افتادن, oftaadan, (“to fall” ), conjugated in the third person singular.

2- و شکست. (va shekast.)

Then comes the phrase – “and broke..”
شکست, shekast, (“broke” ) is the past tense of the verb , شکستن, shekastan, (‘to break” ), conjugated in the third person singular.

COMMENTS

In response, Shabnam’s friends leave some comments.

1- وااااای، نه، کی اینجوری شد؟ (vaaaaay, na, key injoori shod?)

Her neighbor, Bahaar, uses an expression meaning – “Oh, no. When did it happen?”
Warm-hearted Bahaar is showing her empathy with Shabnam’s situation.

2- دختر بی‌ حواس! (dokhtar-e bi-havaas!)

Her high school friend, Samiraa, uses an expression meaning – “Careless girl!”
Samiraa chooses to lightly tease and make fun of her friend.

3- ناراحت نباش، آیفون ۷ می‌‌گیری! (naaraahat nabaash, aayfon-e seven migiri.)

Her boyfriend’s high school friend, Shaghaayegh, uses an expression meaning – “Don’t be upset; you’ll get an iPhone 7.”
Shaghaayegh is optimistic that this unfortunate accident could turn out well for Shabnam.

4- دفعه ی اولت نیست !(daf’e-ye avvalet nist!)

Her college friend, Rezaa, uses an expression meaning – “It’s not your first time!”
Rezaa needs to remind Shabnam of a previous accident – not sure how this makes anything easier on Shabnam! Perhaps she’s being frivolous?

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

آیفون (aayfon): “iPhone”

کی‌ (Kei): “when”

دختر (dokhtar): “girl”

ناراحت شدن (naaraahat shodan): “be upset”

گرفتن (gereftan): “get, buy”

بی‌ حواس (bihavaas): “careless, absent-minded”

وای (vaay): “ohhh, oops”

دفعه (daf’e): “time”

If a friend posted something about having broken something by accident, which phrase would you use?

So, now you know how to describe an accident in Persian. Well done!

7. Chat about Your Boredom on Social Media in Persian

Sometimes, we’re just bored with how life goes. And to alleviate the boredom, we write about it on social media. Add some excitement to your posts by addressing your friends and followers in Persian!

Bardiyaa gets bored at home, and leaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Bardiyaa’s post.

یه جمعهٔ بارونیه و من کسلم . (ye jom’e-ye baarooni-ye-o man keselam.)
“It’s a rainy Friday and I’m weary.”

1- یه (یک) جمعهٔ بارونیه (بارانی است) (ye (yek) jom’e-ye baarooniye (baaraani ast) )

First is an expression meaning “It’s a rainy Friday.”
جمعه , jom’e (“Friday” ) is an off day in Iran. On Fridays, people go out and spend time with friends, family, or join an activity. But if it rains, they prefer to stay at home. So جمعهٔ بارونی , jom’e-ye barooni, (‘rainy Friday’ ) is synonymous with “a boring day”.

2- و من کسلم (کسل هستم). (va man keselam(kesel hastam).)

Then comes the phrase – “and I’m weary..”
کسل بودن kesel boodan, (“to be weary”, “to be bored” ). کسل, kesel, is an Arabic word. كسالت داشتن, kesaalat daashtan, (“to have an illness,” “to be sick” ) is a fairly formal and honorific term. كسل, kesel, (“sick,” “weary,” “lazy,” “slothful” ) is an adjective, and كسالت, kesaalat, (“sickness,” “laziness,” “weariness,” “boredom” ) is the noun form of the adjective.

COMMENTS

In response, Bardiyaa’s friends leave some comments.

1- دوست داری بریم بیلیارد بازی کنیم؟ (doost dari berim bilyaard baazi konim?)

His college friend, Rezaa, uses an expression meaning – “Would you like to go play pool?”
Rezaa proposes a solution – well done!

2- صدای بارون رو خیلی‌ دوست دارم. (sedaa-ye baaroon ro kheyli doost daaram.)

His girlfriend, Shabnam, uses an expression meaning – “I love the sound of rain.”
Shabnam is sensitive to the mood again, pointing out something positive about the weather.

3- بارون بند اومد! (baaroon band oomad.)

His high school friend, Shaghaayegh, uses an expression meaning – “Rain, let up!”
This is not a negative statement, but an upbeat comment to order the weather!

4- وقت خوبیه برای انجام پروژه ی کلاسیتون! (vaqt-e khoobi-ye baraay-e anjaam-e prozhe-ye kelaasi-toon!)

His supervisor, Mohammad, uses an expression meaning – “It’s a good time to do your class project!”
The voice of authority, Mohammad feels the need to give advice with a slightly old-fashioned comment.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

بارونی‌ (بارانی) (baarooni (baaraani)): “rainy”

بیلیارد (bilyaard): “pool (the game)”

جمعه (jom’e): “Friday”

بند آمدن (band aamadan): “let up, stop”

وقت (vaqt): “time”

انجام (anjaam): “doing, carrying out”

بازی کردن (baazi kardan): “play”

پروژه (prozhe): “project”

If a friend posted something about being bored, which phrase would you use?

Still bored? Share another feeling and see if you can start a conversation!

8. Exhausted? Share It on Social Media in Persian

Sitting in public transport after work, feeling like chatting online? Well, converse in Persian about how you feel, and let your friends join in!

Shabnam feels exhausted after a long day at work, posts an image of herself looking tired, and leaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Shabnam’s post.

پایان یک روز شلوغ و خسته کننده! (paayaan-e yek rooz-e sholoogh va khaste konande!)
“The end of a busy and tiring day.”

1- پایان (paayaan-e)

First is an expression meaning “The end of.”
پایان , paayaan means “the end,” but when we use it in a phrase we add “e” at the end of it. پایان , Paayaan-e means “the end of ….”

2- یک روز شلوغ و خسته کننده! (yek rooz-e shooloogh va khaste konande)

Then comes the phrase – “a busy and tiring day.”
خسته کننده, khaste konande, (“tiring,” “exhausting” ) can be caused by hard labor or mental work, or because of a slow and unproductive day.

COMMENTS

In response, Shabnam’s friends leave some comments.

1- خدا قوت! (khodaa ghov-vat!)

Her neighbor, Bahaar, uses an expression meaning – “God give you strength!”
A warm-hearted wish!

2- خسته نباشی! (khaste nabaashi!)

Her college friend, Rezaa, uses an expression meaning – “I hope you’re not tired/Hope you are well”
Another positive wish, Rezaa is being a good friend.

3- شبنم میام دنبالت بریم کافه. (shabnam miyaam donbaalet berim kaafe.)

Her boyfriend, Bardiyaa, uses an expression meaning – “Shabnam, I’ll pick you up (on my way) to the cafe.”
What a supportive boyfriend! Bardiyaa feels determined to help her.

4- امیدوارم امشب خوب بخوابی! (omidvaaram emshab khoob bekhaabi!)

Her boyfriend’s high school friend, Shaghaayegh, uses an expression meaning – “I hope you sleep well tonight!”
Another positive, optimistic wish for the tired lady.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

پایان (paayaan): “end”

خدا (khodaa): “God”

شلوغ (sholoogh): “busy, crowded”

کافه (kaafe): “cafe”

خسته کننده (khaste konande): “tiring, exhausting”

قوت (ghov-vat): “strength”

خوب خوابیدن (khoob khaabidan): “sleep well, sleep tight”

شب (shab): “night”

If a friend posted something about being exhausted, which phrase would you use?

Now you know how to say you’re exhausted in Persian! Well done.

9. Talking about an Injury in Persian

So life happens, and you manage to hurt yourself during a soccer game. Very Tweet-worthy! Here’s how to do it in Persian.

Bardiyaa suffers a painful injury, posts an image of his knee, and leaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Bardiyaa’s post.

زانوی راستم آسیب دیده. (zaanooy-e raastam aasib dide.)
“My right knee is injured. ”

1- زانوی راستم (zaanoo-ye raastam)

First is an expression meaning “My right knee.”
زانو, zaanoo, (“knee” ) +ی, ye + راست, raast, (“right” ) + م, am, (“my” ) = “my right knee.” In Persian, the adjective comes after the noun. And since the first word in this phrase ends in ‘و’, oo, we need a linking ی, ye, to ease the pronunciation.

2- آسیب دیده (دیده است). (aasib dide(dide ast). )

Then comes the phrase – “has been injured..”
آسیب , aasib, (“damage,” “injury” ) + دیده, dide, (“has seen” ) = آسیب دیده , aasib dide. Literally it means “has seen damage.” It can be translated to “has/have been injured,” “has/have been damaged.”

COMMENTS

In response, Bardiyaa’s friends leave some comments.

1- خیلی درد میکنه؟ (kheyli dard mikone?)

His neighbor, Bahaar, uses an expression meaning – “Does it hurt a lot?”
Warm-hearted Bahaar expresses concern.

2- پس برنامه کوه این هفته کنسله؟ (pas barnaame-ye kooh-e in hafte kansele?)

His college friend, Rezaa, uses an expression meaning – “So this week’s mountain climbing plans are cancelled?”
Rezaa points out an unfortunate consequence of this injury.

3- فکر کنم حالا حالاها خوب نشه. (fekr konam haalaa haalaa-haa khoob nashe.)

His girlfriend’s nephew, Sinaa, uses an expression meaning – “I suppose it’s not going to get well for a very long time.”
Sinaa is not feeling very optimistic about this, is he?

4- امیدوارم زود خوب شی! (omidvaaram zood khoob-shi!)

His high school friend, Shaghaayegh, uses an expression meaning – “I hope you get well soon!”
Shaghaayegh is leaves a friendly, optimistic wish.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

زانو (zaanoo): “knee”

هفته (hafte): “week”

آسیب (aasib): “injury, damage”

درد کردن (dard): “hurt, be painful”

برنامه (barnaame): “plan, program”

کنسل (kansel): “canceled”

حالا حالا ها (haalaa haalaa haa): “yet, still, long way to go”

خوب شدن (khoob shodan): “get well, recover”

If a friend posted something about being injured, which phrase would you use?

We love to share our fortunes and misfortunes; somehow that makes us feel connected to others.

10. Starting a Conversation Feeling Disappointed in Persian

Sometimes things don’t go the way we planned. Share your feelings about this with your friends!

Shabnam feels disappointed about today’s weather, posts an appropriate image of the rain, and leaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Shabnam’s post.

انگار این بارون نمی خواد بند بیاد. (engaar in baaroon nemikhaad band biaad.)
“Looks like this rain doesn’t want to let up.”

1- این بارون (باران) (in baraoon (baaraan))

First is an expression meaning “This rain.”
بارون , baaroon, (“rain” ) is the colloquial form of باران, baaraan. In spoken Persian, you see this pattern a lot.

2- انگار نمی خواد (نمی‌ خواهد) بند بیاد (بیاید). (engaar nemikhaad (nemikhaahad) band biyaad (biyaayad).)

Then comes the phrase – “Looks like it does not want to stop..”
انگار, engaar, (“looks like,” “it seems” ). گویا , gooyaa, is its formal synonym, which can be translated to “as if” in English. انگار, engaar, is the present tense of the verb انگاریدن, engaaridan, (“to imagine,” “to assume,” “to think” ).

COMMENTS

In response, Shabnam’s friends leave some comments.

1- دلم برای روز‌های آفتابی تنگ شده. (delam baraa-ye rooz-haa-ye aaftaabi tang shode.)

Her neighbor, Bahaar, uses an expression meaning – “I miss sunny days.”
Bahaar shares a personal detail – a great way to keep a conversation going!

Her nephew, Sinaa, uses an expression meaning – “A pity we can’t go shopping.”
Sinaa is feeling disappointed too but for a different reason.

3- پرده ها رو بکش، بشین، و یه فیلم تماشا کن. (parde-haa ro bekesh, beshin, va ye film tamaashaa kon.)

Her boyfriend, Bardiyaa, uses an expression meaning – “Close the curtains, sit down, and watch a movie!”
Bardiyaa gives advice to cheer up her spirit.

4- هواشناسی گفت از فردا هوا آفتابی میشه. (havaa shenaasi goft az fardaa havaa aaftaabi mishe.)

Her boyfriend’s high school friend, Shaghaayegh, uses an expression meaning – “Weather forecast said it’ll be sunny tomorrow.”
Shaghaayegh is optimistic that the weather will change!

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

این (in): “this”

دل کسی برای چیزی تنگ شدن (del-e kasi baraay-e chizi tang shodan): “miss something”

خرید (kharid): “shopping”

فیلم (film): “movie, film”

فردا (fardaa): “tomorrow”

هواشناسی (سازمان هواشناسی) (havaa shenaasi): “weather forecast (Meteorological Organization)”

هوا (havaa): “weather, air”

تماشا کردن (tamaashaa kardan): “watch, see”

How would you comment in Persian when a friend is disappointed?

Not all posts need to be about a negative feeling, though!

11.Talking about Your Relationship Status in Persian

Don’t just change your relationship status in Settings, talk about it!

Bardiyaa changes his status to “In a relationship”, posts an image of him and Shabnam together, and leaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Bardiyaa’s post.

با داشتن شبنم من خوشبخت‌ ترین مرد روی زمینم. (baa daashtan-e shabnam man khoshbakht tarin mard-e roo-ye zaminam.)
“Being with Shabnam makes me the most fortunate man on the earth.”

1- با داشتن شبنم (baa daashtan-e shabnam)

First is an expression meaning “Being with Shabnam.”
داشتن, daashtan, (“having” ) is the gerund form of the verb “to have.” Here داشتن means “Being with someone”.

2- من خوشبخت‌ ترین مرد روی زمینم (زمین هستم). (man khoshbakht tarin mard-e roo-ye zaminam (zamin hastam). )

Then comes the phrase – “I’m the most fortunate man on the earth.”
خوشبخت ترین, khoshbakht tarin, (“the most fortunate” ). خوشبخت , khoshbakht, (“fortunate” ) + ترین, tarin, (“the most…”/ “the…est” ). Making a superlative adjective is easy in Persian. Just add tarin to the adjective. شادترین, shaad tarin, (“the happiest” ), سردترین, sard tarin, (“the coldest” ).

COMMENTS

In response, Bardiyaa’s friends leave some comments.

1- چه خبر خوبی‌! (che khabar-e khoobi!)

His high school friend, Shaghaayegh, uses an expression meaning – “Such a good news!”
This is a positive, optimistic comment which is very appropriate for the occasion.

2- تو زندگی منی! (to zendegi-ye mani!)

His girlfriend, Shabnam, uses an expression meaning – “You’re my life!”
Shabnam expresses her deep devotion with this comment.

3- مبارک باشه! (mobaarak baashe!)

His college friend, Rezaa, uses an expression meaning – “Congratulations!”
Rezaa is feeling optimistic and happy for the couple.

4- شما دوتا برای همدیگه ساخته شدید! (shomaa do taa baraaye hamdige saakhte shodid.)

His neighbor, Bahaar, uses an expression meaning – “You two were made for each other!”
This is clearly a good match – everyone is happy about it!

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

زمین (zamin): “the earth”

داشتن (daashtan): “to have/ having”

زندگی (zendegi): “life”

شما (shomaa): “you (second person plural)”

مبارک بودن (mobaarak boodan): “(lit.) wish to be happy and blessed”

من (man): “my, I”

همدیگه (همدیگر) (hamdige (hamdigar)): “each other, one another”

ساخته شدن (saakhte shodan): “be made”

What would you say in Persian when a friend changes their relationship status?

Being in a good relationship with someone special is good news – don’t be shy to spread it!

12. Post about Getting Married in Persian

Wow, so things got serious, and you’re getting married. Congratulations! Or, your friend is getting married, so talk about this in Persian.

Shabnam is getting married today, so she leaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Shabnam’s post.

برای همهٔ شما عشق آرزو می کنم! (baraaye hame-ye shomaa eshgh aarezoo mikonam!)
“I wish love for all of you!”

1- برای همهٔ شما (baraaye hame-ye shomaa)

First is an expression meaning “For all of you.”
برای همهٔ شما , baraay-e hame-ye shomaa, (“for all of you” ). In this phrase, the word order is the same in Persian as it is in English. However, this clause comes before the verb clause in Persian.

2- عشق آرزو می کنم. (eshgh aarezoo mikonam)

Then comes the phrase – “I wish love.”
آرزو می کنم, aarezoo mikonam, (“I wish” ). The direct object, عشق, eshgh, (“love” ) comes before the verb.

COMMENTS

In response, Shabnam’s friends leave some comments.

1- مبارک باشه! براتون آرزوی خوشبختی‌ می‌کنم! (mobaarak baashe! baraatoon aarezoo-ye khosh bakhti mikonam!)

Her neighbor, Bahaar, uses an expression meaning – “Congratulations! I wish you happiness!”
This is a common, warmhearted wish.

2- من هنوز امیدوارم که عروس بعدی من هستم! (man hanooz omidvaaram ke aroos-e ba’di man hastam.)

Her high school friend, Samiraa, uses an expression meaning – “I still hope that I’m the next bride!”
Samiraa expresses a personal hope, always a good contribution to the conversation.

3- ازدواجتان مبارک! (ezdevaajetaan mobaarak!)

Her supervisor, Mohammad, uses an expression meaning – “Happy married life!”
A common and somewhat old-fashioned well-wish, this still serves its good purpose.

4- زیباترین عروس و شیک ترین داماد! (zibaa-tarin aroos va shik-tarin daamaad!)

Her husband’s high school friend, Shaghaayegh, uses an expression meaning – “The most beautiful bride and the most stylish groom!”
Shaghaayegh is feeling optimistic and happy for the couple, thinking they are looking gorgeous.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

عشق (eshgh): “love”

خوشبخت (khoshbakht): “fortunate, blessed, happy “

آرزو کردن (aarezoo kardan): “wish”

امیدوار (omidvaar): “hopeful”

عروس (aroos): “bride”

داماد (daamaad): “groom”

زیبا (zibaa): “beautiful”

شیک (shik): “stylish, dapper”

How would you respond in Persian to a friend’s post about getting married?

For the next topic, fast forward about a year into the future after the marriage…

13. Announcing Big News in Persian

Wow, huge stuff is happening in your life! Announce it in Persian.

Bardiyaa finds out he and his wife are going to have a baby, posts an image of them together, and leaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Bardiyaa’s post.

به زودی پدر میشم. (be zoodi pedar misham)
“I’ll become a father soon”

1- به زودی (be zoodi)

First is an expression meaning “Soon.”
به زودی, be zoodi, (“soon” ) is used exactly as it is used in English.

2- پدر میشم (میشوم) . (pedar misham(mishavam))

Then comes the phrase – “I’ll become a father.”
پدر میشم, pedar misham, (“I’ll become a father” ). میشم, misham, is the colloquial form of میشوم, mishavam. The v is dropped to ease the pronunciation.

COMMENTS

In response, Bardiyaa’s friends leave some comments.

1- اگردختر بود اسمشو بذارید سمیرا! (agar dokhtar bood esmesho bezaarid samiraa.)

His wife’s high school friend, Samiraa, uses an expression meaning – “If it’s a girl, name her Samiraa!”
Samiraa is in a mood to joke around a bit.

2- مبارک باشه! بچه‌ها زندگی تون رو شیرین تر می‌‌کنن. (mobaarak baashe bache-haa zendegi-toon ro shirin-tar mikonan.)

His high school friend, Shaghaayegh, uses an expression meaning – “Congratulations! Kids make your life sweeter.”
A solid congratulation with a lovely opinion about children.

3- الان خوب بخواب، شاید این آخرین شانست در چند سال آینده باشه! (alaan khoob bekhaab, shaayad in aakharin shaanset dar chand saal-e aayande baashe!)

His nephew, Sinaa, uses an expression meaning – “Sleep well now; it might be your last chance for the next few years!”
Sinaa is bringing reality to the conversation, which is nevertheless not inappropriate!

4- تبریک میگم! براتون سلامتی و شادی آرزو می‌کنم! (tabrik migam! baraatoon salaamati va shaadi aarezoo mikonam!)

His neighbor, Bahaar, uses an expression meaning – “Congratulations! I wish you health and happiness!”
A common, friendly wish.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

پدر (pedar): “father”

اسم گذاشتن (esm gozaashtan): “name”

شیرین (shirin): “sweet”

بچه (bach-che): “kid, baby”

آخر (aakhar): “last”

سلامتی (salaamati): “health”

به زودی (be zoodi): “soon”

شادی (shaadi): “happiness”

Which phrase would you choose when a friend announces their pregnancy on social media?

So, talking about a pregnancy will get you a lot of traction on social media. But wait till you see the responses to babies!

14. Posting Persian Comments about Your Baby

Your bundle of joy is here, and you cannot keep quiet about it! Share your thoughts in Persian.

Shabnam plays with her baby, posts an image of the cherub, and leaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Shabnam’s post.

فریبای زیبای ما! (faribaa-ye zibaa-ye maa!)
“Our beautiful Fariba!”

1- فریبای زیبای (faribaa-ye zibaa-ye)

First is an expression meaning “Beautiful Fariba.”
فریبای زیبا, Faribaa-ye zibaa, (“beautiful Fariba” ) . Because the first word ends in “ا”, aa, we need the linking ی, ye, to ease the pronunciation.

2- ما (maa)

Then comes the phrase – “we / our / us .”
maa, (“we” / “our”/ “us” ). Depending on the context it means we , our or us. Examples: ما می‌‌رویم, maa miravim, (“we go” ), کشور ما , keshvar-e maa, (“our country” ), برای ما , baraaye maa, (“for us” ).

COMMENTS

In response, Shabnam’s friends leave some comments.

1- قدم نورسیده مبارک! (ghadam-e noreside mobaarak!)

Her neighbor, Bahaar, uses an expression meaning – “May the arrival of your newborn be blessed!”
Bahaar pronounces a positive blessing over the newcomer.

2- امیدوارم قدش از بردیا بلندتر نشه! (omidvaaram ghad-desh az bardiyaa bolandtar nashe.)

Her nephew, Sinaa, uses an expression meaning – “I hope she won’t get taller than Bardia.”
Sinaa is hoping for a short addition to the family, which is just a way of making conversation.

3- تبریک! (Tabrik!)

Her supervisor, Mohammad, uses an expression meaning – “Congratulations!”
Old-fashioned but still a good comment to leave.

4- چه خوش خنده! ماشاالله! (che khosh khande! maashaa’al-laah!)

Her husband’s high school friend, Shaghaayegh, uses an expression meaning – “What a cheerful laugh! Masha Allah (“God has willed it!,” expression of amazement and admiration)!”
This is a positive comment on the baby’s laugh, and by announcing that (presumably) the baby’s birth was God’s will, Shaghaayegh shows his amazement and admiration.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

ما (maa): “we, our, us”

قدم (ghadam): “step, foot (here it means “the arrival” )”

نو رسیده (no reside): “newborn”

تبریک (tabrik): “Congratulations! “

خنده (khande): “laughter, laugh”

قد (ghad): “height”

بلند (boland): “tall, high”

ماشاالله (maashaa’allaah): “God has willed it! (expression of amazement and admiration)”

If your friend is the mother or father, which phrase would you use on social media?

Congratulations, you know the basics of chatting about a baby in Persian! But we’re not done with families yet…

15. Persian Comments about a Family Reunion

Family reunions – some you love, some you hate. Share about it on your feed.

Bardiyaa goes to a family gathering, posts an image of the event, and leaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Bardiyaa’s post.

مهمانی خانواد‌گی و غذاهای خوشمزه! (mehmaani-ye khaanevaadegi va ghazaa-haa-ye khoshmazze!)
“Family party and delicious dishes!”

1- مهمانی خانواد‌گی (mehmaani-ye khaanevaadegi)

First is an expression meaning “Family party.”
مهمانی خانواد‌گی , mehmaani-ye khaanevaadegi, (” family party” / “family reunion” ) are very common in Iran. Relatives are very important as well as the immediate family members. Family reunions always come with good food and talking about social and political issues.

2- و غذاهای خوشمزه (va ghazaahaa-ye khoshmazze)

Then comes the phrase – “and delicious dishes.”
خوشمزه, khoshmazze, (“delicious,” “yummy” ) is made up of two words. خوش , khosh (“good,” “pleasant” ) + مزه , mazze (“taste,” “flavor” ) = خوشمزه, khoshmazze, (“delicious” )

COMMENTS

In response, Bardiyaa’s friends leave some comments.

1- دستپخت شبنم عالیه! (dastpokht-e shabnam aaliye!)

His neighbor, Bahaar, uses an expression meaning – “Shabnam’s cooking is great!”
A warmhearted comment that’s also a compliment.

2- بهترین لحظه ها را با عزیزانم داشتم! (behtarin lahzeh haa raa baa azizanam daashtam!)

His wife, Shabnam, uses an expression meaning – “I had the best moments with my loved ones!”
Shabnam feels grateful and appreciative of her family.

3- هیچ چیز با ارزش تر از یک جمع گرم خانوادگی نیست! (hich chiz baa-arzesh-tar az yek jam’e garm-e khaanevaadegi nist!)

His high school friend, Shaghaayegh, uses an expression meaning – “There’s nothing more valuable than a warm family gathering!”
Another positive expression about the importance of family.

4- چیزی از غذاهای خوشمزه برای من نگه داشتین؟ (chizi az ghazaa-haa-ye khoshmazze baraaye man negah daashtin?)

His wife’s high school friend, Samiraa, uses an expression meaning – “Did you save any of those delicious dishes for me?”
Samiraa is joking around a bit with her friend, and in this way compliments the cooking!

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

مهمانی (mehmaani): “party”

غذا (ghazaa): “dish, food “

خانواده (khaanevaade): “family”

دستپخت (dastpokht): “cooking”

عالی‌ (aali): “great, excellent”

با ارزش (baa arzesh): “valuable”

هیچ چیز/چیزی (hich chiz/ chizi): “nothing, anything, something”

لحظه (lahze): “moment”

Which phrase is your favorite to comment on a friend’s photo about a family reunion?

16. Post about Your Travel Plans in Persian

So, the family are going on holiday. Do you know to post and leave comments in Persian about being at the airport, waiting for a flight?

Shabnam and her family wait at the airport for her flight, posts an image of it, and leaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Shabnam’s post.

سفری که بی صبرانه منتظرش بودیم. (safari ke bisabraane montazerash boodim.)
“The trip that we were impatiently looking forward to.”

1- سفری که (safari ke)

First is an expression meaning “The trip that.”
سفری , safari, (“a trip” ) = سفر , safar, (“trip’ ) + ی , y, (long “i” sound as in “seed” ). The article “a” in Persian is shown by adding ی, ye to the end of a noun. Examples: مردی , mardi, (“a man” ). کتابی, ketaabi, (“a book” ). کفشی , kafshi, (“a shoe” ).

2- بی صبرانه منتظرش بودیم (bi sabraane montazerash boodim. )

Then comes the phrase – “We were waiting for impatiently / We were waiting impatiently for .”
بی صبرانه منتظرش بودیم , bi sabraane montazerash boodim = بی, bi, (“without” ) + صبر , sabr, (“patience” ) + انه, aane, (a suffix that forms adverbs from adjectives) + منتظر , montazer, (“waiting for,” “expecting” ) + ش, ash, (pronoun “it” ) بودیم, boodim (“we were” ).

COMMENTS

In response, Shabnam’s friends leave some comments.

1- خوش بگذره! (khosh begzare!)

Her neighbor, Bahaar, uses an expression meaning – “Have fun!”
A common well-wish for this occasion.

2- سفر خوبی داشته باشید! (Safar-e khoobi daashte baashid.)

Her supervisor, Mohammad, uses an expression meaning – “Have a nice trip.”
Mohammad is using another common expression to wish the travellers well.

3- میگن اون طرفا طوفان زیاد میاد! (migan oon tarafaa toofaan ziyaad miyaad!)

Her nephew, Sinaa, uses an expression meaning – “They say it’s often stormy over there!”
Sinaa is clearly the realist, and not the most positive poster, is he?!

4- سوغاتی من یادتون نره! (soghaati-ye man yaadetoon nare.)

Her college friend, Rezaa, uses an expression meaning – “Don’t forget my souvenir.”
Rezaa contributes to the conversation with a fun reminder.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

بی‌ صبرانه (bi sabraane): “impatiently”

خوش گذشتن (khosh gozashtan): “have fun, have a ball (blast)”

سفر (safar): “trip”

طوفان (toofaan): “storm, typhoon, hurricane”

سوغاتی (soghaati): “souvenir”

زیاد (ziyaad): “much/a lot/ many/ very”

آن طرف ها (aan taraf-haa): “over there”

از یاد بردن (az yaad bordan): “forget”

Choose and memorize your best airport phrase in Persian!

Hopefully the trip is great!

17. Posting about an Interesting Find in Persian

So maybe you’re walking around, and find something interesting. Here are some handy Persian phrases!

Bardiyaa finds something unusual, posts an image of it, and leaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Bardiyaa’s post.

من عاشق شیرازم! (shishe-haa-ye rangi-ye zibaa dar shiraaz)
“Beautiful stained glass in Shiraz.”

1-

First is an expression meaning “beautiful stained glass.”
شیشه نقشینه, shishe-ye naghshine, or شیشه رنگین, shishe-ye rangin, are Persian terms for “stained glass.” This form of art can mainly be seen in mosques or palaces of the past. رنگین, rangin, or رنگی, rangi means “colorful.” رنگین, rangin, is more formal and is used in writing.

2-

Then comes the phrase – “in Shiraz.”
One of the most beautiful examples of stained glass work is in Nasir-ol-Molk Mosque (aka the Pink Mosque) in Shiraz.

COMMENTS

In response, Bardiyaa’s friends leave some comments.

1- من عاشق شیرازم! (man aashegh-e shiraazam.)

His neighbor, Bahaar, uses an expression meaning – “I love Shiraz.”
Bahaar keeps the conversation going by sharing a personal opinion.

2- این هنر بی نظیره! (in honar binazire!)

His wife, Shabnam, uses an expression meaning – “This art is matchless!”
This is an opinion that shows great appreciation.

3- چه فضای آرامش بخشی! (che fazaa-ye aaraamesh-bakhshi!)

His high school friend, Shaghaayegh, uses an expression meaning – “What a relaxing atmosphere!”
Shaghaayegh comment with a positive, optimistic remark – always a good addition on any feed!

4- این شیشه کاری‎ها بسیار چشم نواز هستند! (in shishekari-haa besyaar cheshmnavaaz hastand!)

His supervisor, Mohammad, uses an expression meaning – “These glassworks are very eye-catching!”
Mohammed reinforces the general opinion about the glasswork.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

شیشه (shishe): “glass”

عاشق بودن (aa’shegh boodan): “be in love, love”

هنر (honar): “art”

بی نظیر (binazir): “unique, unparalleled, matchless”

آرامش بخش (aaraamesh bakhsh): “relaxing, soothing”

چشم نواز (cheshm navaaz): “eye-catching”

شیشه کاری (shishekaari): “glasswork”

رنگی (rangi): “colorful”

Which phrase would you use to comment on a friend’s interesting find?

Perhaps you will even learn the identity of your find! Or perhaps you’re on holiday, and visiting interesting places…

18. Post about a Sightseeing Trip in Persian

Let your friends know what you’re up to in Persian, especially when visiting a remarkable place! Don’t forget the photo.

Shabnam visits a famous landmark, posts an image of it, and leaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Shabnam’s post.

بالاخره به آرزوم رسیدم! (belakhare be aarezoom residam!)
“Finally my dream came true!”

1- بالاخره (belakhare)

First is an expression meaning “finally.”
بالاخره , belakhare, (“finally” ) is derived from an Arabic word.

2- به آرزوم (آرزویم) رسیدم. (be aarezoom(aarezooyam) residam.)

Then comes the phrase – “My dream came true / I reached my dream.”
آرزو, aarezoo, (“wish” ) is also a name for girls in Iran. به, be, (“to” ), آرزو , aarezoo, (“wish” ), رسیدن, residan, (“get,” “achieve,” “reach” ).

COMMENTS

In response, Shabnam’s friends leave some comments.

1- خوشحالم برات عزیزم! (khoshhaalam baraat azizam!)

Her neighbor, Bahaar, uses an expression meaning – “Happy for you dear!”
Bahaar is happy for her neighbour.

2- شادی تو آرزوی منه! (shaadi-ye to aarezoo-ye mane!)

Her husband, Bardiyaa, uses an expression meaning – “Your happiness is my wish!”
What a husband! A positive expression to show his devotion to his wife.

3- شبنم داری دقیقاً از چی عکس می گیری؟ (shabnam daari daghighan az chi aks migiri?)

Her college friend, Rezaa, uses an expression meaning – “Shabnam, what exactly are you taking a picture of?”
Rezaa is being lighthearted but perhaps Shabnam’s post is not as clear as it can be!

4- ممنون از عکس های زیبایتان! (mamnoon az aks-haa-ye zibaa-ye-taan!)

Her supervisor, Mohammad, uses an expression meaning – “Thank you for your beautiful photos!”
Mohammed is clearly appreciating her photos.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

رسیدن (residan): “reach, get, achieve”

بالاخره (belakhare): “finally”

عکس (aks): “picture, photo”

دقیقاً (daghighan): “exactly”

عکس گرفتن (aks gereftan): “take a picture”

ممنون (mamnoon): “thank you”

برای (baraaye): “for”

از (az): “for, since, from”

Which phrase would you prefer when a friend posts about a famous landmark?

Share your special places with the world. Or simply post about your relaxing experiences.

19. Post about Relaxing Somewhere in Persian

So you’re doing nothing yet you enjoy that too? Tell your social media friends about it in Persian!

Bardiyaa relaxes at a beautiful place, posts an image of it, and leaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Bardiyaa’s post.

“Spending five relaxing days by the sea. ”

1- گذراندن پنج روز آرامش بخش (gozaraandan-e panj rooz-e aaraamesh bakhsh)

First is an expression meaning “Spending five relaxing days.”
,گذراندن , gozaraandan, (“to spend,” “spending” ) is used for time but not money. For money, we use خرج کردن, kharj kardan, (“to spend” ).

2- در کنار دریا (kenaar-e daryaa)

Then comes the phrase – “At the beach.”
کنار , kenaar (“next to”, “by”, “side” ) + دریا, daryaa, (“sea” ). However, ساحل , saahel, is the exact word for “beach.”

COMMENTS

In response, Bardiyaa’s friends leave some comments.

1- عاشق این ساحل شدم خیلی‌ زیباست. (aashegh-e in saahel shodam, kheyli zibaast.)

His wife, Shabnam, uses an expression meaning – “I fell in love with this beach; it is very beautiful.”
Shabnam agrees with her husband that the beach is ideal.

2- چه خوب شد تونستیم بیایم. (che khoob shod toonestim biyaym.)

His nephew, Sinaa, uses an expression meaning – “What a relief that we could come.”
Even Sinaa is feeling positive about the beach!

3- از این به بعد باید هر سال بیایم اینجا. (az in be ba’d baayad har saal biyaaym injaa.)

His high school friend, Shaghaayegh, uses an expression meaning – “From now on, we should go there every year.”
Shaghaayegh expresses a wish here to also go there every year.

4- از آسمون فیروزه ای کنار دریا لذت ببرین! (az aasemoon-e firooze-i-ye kenaar-e daryaa lezzat bebarin!)

His neighbor, Bahaar, uses an expression meaning – “Enjoy the turquoise sky by the sea!”
This is a positive instruction from Bahaar.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

آرامش بخش (aaraamesh bakhsh): “relaxing”

گذراندن (gozaraandan): “spend”

کنار دریا (kenar-e daryaa): “seaside”

پنج (panj): “five”

آسمون (آسمان) (aasemoon (aasemaan)): “sky”

باید (baayad): “should”

سال (saal): “year”

فیروزه ای (firooze-i): “turquoise “

Which phrase would you use to comment on a friend’s feed?

The break was great, but now it’s time to return home.

20. What to Say in Persian When You’re Home Again

And you’re back! What will you share with friends and followers?

Shabnam returns home after a vacation, posts an image of it, and leaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Shabnam’s post.

هیچ جا مثل خونه خود آدم نمیشه! (hich jaa mesl-e khoone-ye khod-e aadam nemishe!)
“There’s no place like home!”

1- هیچ جا (hich jaa)

First is an expression meaning “nowhere, no place.”
هیچ, hich, (“zero”, “nothing”, “none” ) + جا, jaa, (“place”, “space”, “room” ).

2- مثل خونه (خانه) خود آدم نمیشه (نمی‌شود)! (mesl-e khoone-ye khod-e aadam nemishe (nemishavad))

Then comes the phrase – “Not like home.”
مثل, mesle, (“like”, “such as” ) + خونه, khoone, (“house”, “home” ) [colloquial form of خانه, khaane] + خود آدم, khod-e aadam, (“own”, “oneself” ). This expression is used to emphasize the ownership of home, as opposed to “a hotel” or “someone else’s home.” نمیشه, nemishe, colloquial form of نمی شود, nemishavad, is the negative form of the verb شدن, shodan, (“to become”, “to get”, “to go” ), conjugated in the third person singular. Literally, it translates to “No place can become like one’s own home.”

COMMENTS

In response, Shabnam’s friends leave some comments.

1- برای همینه شما هیچ وقت خونه نیستی؟ (baraa-ye hamine shomaa hich vaght khoone nisti?)

Her college friend, Rezaa, uses an expression meaning – “Is this why you’re never home?”
Rezaa is being sarcastic here with her friend – if she loves her home so much, why is she always away?!

2- رسیدن بخیر! (residan bekheyr!)

Her neighbor, Bahaar, uses an expression meaning – “Welcome back!”
A warm-hearted, commonly-used comment.

3- امیدوارم حسابی خوش گذشته باشه! (omidvaaram hesaabi khosh gozashte baashe!)

Her husband’s high school friend, Shaghaayegh, uses an expression meaning – “Hope you had lots of fun!”
A positive, warmhearted comment from a friend.

4- چطوری مارکوپولو؟ (chetori marko polo?)

Her high school friend, Samiraa, uses an expression meaning – “How are you doing Marco Polo? [Marco Polo is used ironically for a person who travels a lot.]”
Samiraa is being playful and asks a question – always a good way to keep conversation going.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

خونه (خانه) (khoone (khaane)): “house, home”

هیچ وقت (hich vaght): “never”

رسیدن بخیر! (residan bekheyr!): “Welcome back!, Welcome!”

شما (shomaa): “you (second person plural – honorific language)”

حسابی (hesaabi): “a lot, much, tons of “

همین (hamin): “this”

مارکوپولو (marko polo): “Marco Polo”

خود آدم (khod-e aadam): “oneself, own”

How would you welcome a friend back from a trip?

What do you post on social media during a public commemoration day such as Sizdeh bedar?

21. It’s Time to Celebrate in Persian

It’s a holiday and you wish to post something about it on social media. What would you say?

Bardiyaa celebrates Sizdah Bedar or spring holiday with his family, posts an image of it, and leaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Bardiyaa’s post.

اولین بهارمان با هم! (avvalin bahaaremaan baa ham!)
“Our first spring together!”

1- اولین بهارمان (avvalin bahaaremaan)

First is an expression meaning “Our first spring.”
اولین, av-valin, (“the first” ) is made up of اول av-val, (“first” ) + ین, in (suffix). This works the same for دوم, dov-vom, (“second” ) + ین, in = دومین , dov-vomin (“the second” ); سوم, sev-vom, (“third” ) + ین, in = سومین, sev-vomin, (“the third” ), etc.

2- با هم (baa ham)

Then comes the phrase – “together.”
با هم , baa ham, (“together” ). This is made up of two words: با , baa, (“with” ) + هم, ham, (“each other” / “one another” ).

COMMENTS

In response, Bardiyaa’s friends leave some comments.

1- اولین بهارمان در ایران! (avvalin bahaaremaan dar iraan!)

His wife, Shabnam, uses an expression meaning – “Our first spring in Iran!”
Shabnam is clearly positive about this day!

2- اولین بهارتون بدون من! (avvalin bahaaretoon bedoon-e man!)

His wife’s high school friend, Samiraa, uses an expression meaning – “Your first spring without me!”
Samiraa feels a bit lonely, perhaps?

3- مشتاقانه منتظر دیدنتون هستم! (moshtaaghaane montazer-e didanetoon hastam.)

His high school friend, Shaghaayegh, uses an expression meaning – “Eagerly looking forward to seeing you.”
Shaghaayegh is feeling optimistic and expresses a wish.

4- سلام من رو به خانواده برسونید. (salaam-e man ro be khaanevaade beresoonid.)

His neighbor, Bahaar, uses an expression meaning – “Send my regards to your family.”
Bahaar makes a friendly comment.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

اولین (av-valin): “first”

بهار (bahaar): “spring”

بدون (bedoon-e): “without”

مشتاقانه (moshtaaghaane): “eagerly”

خانواده (khaanevaade): “family”

سلام رساندن (salaam resaandan): “to say hello or hi, to send greetings”

به (be): “to”

دیدن (didan): “see, visit”

If a friend posted something about a holiday, which phrase would you use?

Sizdah Bedar holiday and other public commemoration days are not the only special ones to remember!

22. Posting about a Birthday on Social Media in Persian

Your friend or you are celebrating your birthday in an unexpected way. Be sure to share this on social media!

Shabnam goes to her birthday party, posts an image of it, and leaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Shabnam’s post.

یک شب به یاد ماندنی! (Yek shab-e be yaad maandani!)
“A night to remember!”

1- یک شب (Yek shab)

First is an expression meaning “a night, one night.”
یک شب , yek shab, (“a night” ). To link it to the adjective that proceeds the noun, we need ezaafe, which is an “e” sound. Like other vowels in Persian, it isn’t written. We learn these rules during the first grade of school, and you don’t see the “vowel marks” or ezaafe in the textbooks of higher grades.

2- به یاد ماندنی (Be yaad maandani)

Then comes the phrase – “to remember/ memorable.”
به یاد ماندنی , be yaad mandani, (“to remember,” “memorable” ). Other examples: یک جشن به یاد ماندنی , yek jashn-e be yaad maandani, (“a memorable feast” ), یک فیلم به یاد ماندنی, yek film-e be yaad maandani, (“a memorable movie,” “a movie to remember” ).

COMMENTS

In response, Shabnam’s friends leave some comments.

1- واقعاً خوش گذشت! (vaaghe’an khosh gozasht!)

Her husband’s high school friend, Shaghaayegh, uses an expression meaning – “Had a really great time!”
Shaghaayegh clearly enjoyed himself at the event and shares this with a positive comment.

2- ممنون از همه برای همه چیز! (mamnoon az hame baraaye hame chiz!)

Her husband, Bardiyaa, uses an expression meaning – “Thanks, everyone, for everything!”
This is a positive expression of gratitude.

3- همیشه شاد و سلامت باشید! (hamishe shaad va salaamat baashid!)

Her neighbor, Bahaar, uses an expression meaning – “May you always be happy and healthy!”
Warmhearted Bahaar leaves a positive wish for the birthday man!

4- تولدت مبارک شبنم عزیز! (tavallod-et mobaarak shabnam-e aziz!)

Her supervisor, Mohammad, uses an expression meaning – “Happy birthday, dear Shabnam!”
This is a commonly used phrase.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

شب (shab): “night”

واقعا (vaghe’an): “really”

ممنون (mamnoon): “thank you, thanks to”

سلامت (salaamat): “health”

تولد (taval-lod): “birth”

چیز (chiz): “thing, stuff”

همه (hame): “everyone, all”

شاد (shaad): “happy”

If a friend posted something about birthday greetings, which phrase would you use?

23. Talking about New Year on Social Media in Persian

Impress your friends with your Persian New Year’s wishes this year. Learn the phrases easily!

Bardiyaa celebrates the New Year, posts an image of it, and leaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Bardiyaa’s post.

نوروزتان پیروز! (noroozetaan pirooz!)
“Happy Nowruz!”

1- نوروز ( norooz)

First is an expression meaning “Nowruz.”
نو, now, (“new” ) + روز, rooz, (“day” ). Nowruz is the new year holiday in Iran and comes at the vernal equinox. Tajikistan, Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Albania, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Autonomous Region of Kurdistan (part of Iraq), and Georgia officially celebrate the Persian New Year. This holiday is on UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

2- پیروز (pirooz)

Then comes the phrase – “Happy.”
پیروز, pirooz, (“victorious,” “triumphant,” “successful,” “winsome” ). پیروز, pirooz, is an original Persian word. This is contrary to مبارک, mobaarak, which is derived from an Arabic word.

COMMENTS

In response, Bardiyaa’s friends leave some comments.

1- امسال نوروز سردی داریم! (emsaal norooz-e sardi daarim!)

His nephew, Sinaa, uses an expression meaning – “This year we have a cold Nowruz!”
Sinaa shares a fact, making conversation.

2- سال نوی همگی مبارک! (saal-e no-ye hamegi mobaarak!)

His wife, Shabnam, uses an expression meaning – “Happy New Year to everyone!”
This is a common well-wish for the occasion.

3- سال پر برکتی داشته باشین! (saal-e por barekati daashte baashin!)

His neighbor, Bahaar, uses an expression meaning – “May you have a year full of blessings!”
Bahaar shares another positive, common well wish for the year ahead.

4- براتون آرزوی موفقیت روز افزون دارم! (baraatoon arezoo-ye movaffaghiyat-e rooz afzoon daaram!)

His high school friend, Shaghaayegh, uses an expression meaning – “I wish you ever-increasing success!”
What a great wish for anyone!

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

نوروز (norooz): “Nowruz”

امسال (emsaal): “this year”

سرد (sard): “cold, chilly”

پربرکت (por barekat): “full of blessings”

موفقیت (movaffaghiyat): “success”

همگی (hamegi): “everyone, all”

روز افزون (rooz afzoon): “ever-increasing”

داشتن (daashtan): “have”

Which is your favorite phrase to post on social media during New Year?

But before New Year’s Day comes another important day…

24. At a wedding party

What will you say in Persian about a wedding party?

Shabnam celebrates his sister’s wedding with her family, posts an image of it, and leaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Shabnam’s post.

خواهر کوچولوی من چه زود بزرگ شد! (khaahar-e koochooloo-ye man che zood bozorg shod!)
“How fast my little sister grew up!”

1- خواهر کوچولوی (کوچک) من (khaahar-e koochooloo-ye (koochak-e ) man)

First is an expression meaning “my little sister.”
کوچولو, koochooloo, (“little”, “tiny” ) is the colloquial form of کوچک, koochak. Since کوچولو, koochooloo, ends in “و,” oo, we need the linking ی, ye to pronounce the phrase easier.

2- چه زود بزرگ شد! (che zood bozorg shod!)

Then comes the phrase – “how fast grew up.”
بزرگ شد, bozorg shod, (“grew up,” literally “became/got big” ) is the past tense of the verb بزرگ شدن, bozorg shodan, (“to grow up” ) conjugated in the third person singular.

COMMENTS

In response, Shabnam’s friends leave some comments.

1- چه عروس خوشگلی! (che aroos-e khoshgeli!)

Her husband’s high school friend, Shaghaayegh, uses an expression meaning – “What a beautiful bride!”
Shaghaayegh clearly has an appreciation for beautiful ladies! But compliments work anywhere…

2- خوشبخت باشن انشالله! (khoshbakht baashan ensha’al-laah!)

Her neighbor, Bahaar, uses an expression meaning – “May they be blessed, Inshallah! ”
Bahaar comments with a commonly-used blessing for the couple.

3- بدون من خوش گذشت؟ (bedoon-e man khosh gozasht?)

Her college friend, Rezaa, uses an expression meaning – “Did you have fun without me?”
Rezaa, the joker, wasn’t sure that the event could be much fun without her!

4- این بارم من دسته گل رو گرفتم! عروس بعدی کیه؟ (in baaram man dasteh gol ro gerftam! aroos-e ba’di ki-yeh? )

Her high school friend, Samiraa, uses an expression meaning – “This time I caught the bouquet again! Who’s the next bride?”
Samiraa shares something that happened at the event – clearly she is hoping that catching the bridal bouquet will bring her a husband, as is the common belief!

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

خواهر (khaahar): “sister”

زود (zood): “fast”

کوچک (koochak): “little, small”

خوشگل (khoshgel): “pretty”

دسته گل (daste gol): “bouquet”

کی، چه کسی (ki (colloquial), che kasi): “who”

بعد (ba’d): “next”

گرفتن (gerftan): “catch”

If a friend posted something about a family member’s wedding, which phrase would you use?

So, this celebration is over! Yet, there will always be other days, besides a birthday, to wish someone well.

25. Post about Your Anniversary in Persian

Some things deserve to be celebrated, like wedding anniversaries. Learn which Persian phrases are meaningful and best suited for this purpose!

Bardiyaa celebrates his wedding anniversary with his wife, posts an image of it, and leaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Bardiyaa’s post.

سالگرد عاشقانۀ ما! (saalgard-e aasheghaane-ye maa!)
“Our romantic anniversary.”

1- سالگرد (saalgard-e)

First is an expression meaning “anniversary.”
سالگرد, saalgard, (“anniversary” ). سالگرد, saalgard is celebrated on سالروز, saal rooz, (which also means “anniversary” ). سالروز استقلال, saalrooz-e esteghlaal, (“Independance Day” ).

2- عاشقانه ما! (aasheghaane-ye maa)

Then comes the phrase – “our loving.”
عاشقانه, aasheghaane, (“loving”, “romantic”, “amorously”, “with love”, “fondly” ) can be an adjective or an adverb depending on the context. آنها عاشقانه با هم زندگی می کردند. , aanhaa aasheghaane baa ham zendegi mikardand, (“They lived fondly together” ).

COMMENTS

In response, Bardiyaa’s friends leave some comments.

1- دوست دارم عزیزم! (dooset daaram azizam!)

His wife, Shabnam, uses an expression meaning – “I love you babe!”
Shabnam and Bardiyaah likes to show affection for each other on social media.

2- به پای هم پیر شین انشاالله! (be paa-ye ham pir shin enshaa’allaah!)

His neighbor, Bahaar, uses an expression meaning – “May you grow old together, Inshallah!”
This is a positive blessing for the couple.

3- انشاالله سال های سال در کنار هم جشن بگیرید! (enshaa’allaah saal-haa-ye saal dar kenaar-e ham jashn begirid!)

His high school friend, Shaghaayegh, uses an expression meaning – “May you celebrate years and years together, Inshallah!”
This friend also pronounces a blessing over the couple for a long and happy marriage!

4- سالگرد ازدواجتان را تبریک عرض می کنم! (saalgard-e ezdevaajetaan raa tabrik arz mikonam!)

His supervisor, Mohammad, uses an expression meaning – “I congratulate you on your wedding anniversary!”
A common expression of congratulations on a wedding anniversary.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

سالگرد (saalgard): “anniversary”

عاشقانه (aasheghaane): “romantic, loving, with love, fondly”

به پای هم پیرشدن (be paa-ye ham pir shodan): “grow old with each other”

سال های سال (saal-haa-ye saal): “years and years”

جشن گرفتن (jashn gerftan): “celebrate”

در کنار هم (dar kenaar-e ham): “together”

دوست داشتن (doost daashtan): “like, love”

عرض کردن (arz kardan): “say (honorific)”

If a friend posted something about Anniversary greetings, which phrase would you use?

Conclusion

Learning to speak a new language will always be easier once you know key phrases that everybody uses. These would include commonly used expressions for congratulations and best wishes, etc.

Master these in fun ways with Learn Persian! We offer a variety of tools to individualize your learning experience, including using cell phone apps, audiobooks, iBooks and many more. Never wonder again what to say on social media!

Learn how to apologize in Persian – fast and accurately! PersianPod101 makes it easy for you to make amends. Start with a bonus, and download your FREE cheat sheet – How to Improve Your Persian Skills! (Logged-In Member Only)

Table of Contents

1. Common Ways to Say Sorry in Persian
2. How To Refuse Something Politely in Persian
3. Audio Lesson – Survival Phrases “How to Say Sorry”
4. Why You Will NOT Be Sorry For Learning Persian through PersianPod101

1. Common Ways to Say Sorry in Persian

Nobody’s perfect, not anywhere in the world. Everybody makes mistakes, and does and says regrettable things. Then it’s time to apologize, as saying ‘I’m sorry’ is not in vain. It can be very healing! Did you know that hearing a sincerely-meant apology can have a noticeable effect on a person’s body? Research has shown that it slows down breathing and heart rate, and even causes a drop in blood pressure.

Sometimes we cannot fix what’s broken, but we can make the experience a bit easier for anyone who suffered on account of our thoughtless actions or words.

Here are a number of ways to say sorry in Persian. In any language, just make sure you really mean it! An insincere apology will not go down well with anyone.

متاسفم (mote’as-sefam).
I’m sorry

These words should precede anything else you have to say. Use them sincerely and whenever you are clearly in the wrong. Acknowledging your guilt and apologizing for any wrongdoing will lift your spirits too! Often, remorse can eat away at us, and a simple ‘I’m sorry’, in Persian or any other language, can open the door for forgiveness and resolution of a bad situation. It can be a true gift!

من می خواهم عذرخواهی کنم (man mikhaaham ozr khaahi konam).
I would like to apologize.

This is a slightly more formal way to say ‘I’m sorry’ in Persian. Use this phrase if you’re addressing your superiors and/or elders.

من صمیمانه عذرخواهی می کنیم (man samimaaneh ozr khaahi mikonam).
I sincerely apologize.

If you feel strongly about your apology, this is another slightly more formal phrase to use. Keep it handy for graver errors, or you might come across as insincere!

دیگر این کار را نمی کنم (digar in kaar raa nemikoanm).
I won’t do it again.

A promise you can only make if you intend to keep it! Few things feel as bad as having to hear repeated apologies from someone for the same behavior – it means the ‘sorry’ is not sincere. Don’t be that person!

مطمئنا دیگر این اشتباه را تکرار نخواهم کرد (motma’en-nan digar in eshtebaah raa tekraar nakhaaham kard).
I’ll make sure not to make this mistake again.

A beautifully strong phrase! Again, say this only if you mean it – not just in the moment, but always! A bit more formal, this is an especially good phrase to use when apologizing to superiors and/or elders. It will make an especially good impression at the workplace, where accountability is an excellent quality to display!

منظوری نداشتم (manzoori nadaashtam).
I didn’t mean that.

This is a tricky one… What did you mean, then?! Clear up any confusion with sincerity. Also, use this phrase only if the harm done or mistake made was due to an accident, and then admit to thoughtlessness on your part, if appropriate.

تقصیر من است (taghsir-e man ast).
It’s my fault.

If the fault is really yours, own up to it. You will gain respect in the eyes of others! However, don’t take the blame when it’s not truly yours. It won’t be good for you, and ultimately you will not be respected much for it.

معذرت می خواهم که خودخواه هستم (ma’zerat mikhaaham keh khod khaah hastam).
I’m sorry for being selfish.

This is a good phrase to keep handy, especially for your close relationships. It is difficult to admit you’re selfish, isn’t it?! However, it’s good to know when to be honest. We get used to our loved ones, which often means we forget that they need our good manners and unselfish behavior just as much as strangers do.

امیدوارم که من را ببخشید (omidvaaram keh man raa bebakhshid).
I hope you will forgive me.

This is a polite and gentle wish that can smooth over many harsh feelings. It also shows that the other person’s opinion and forgiveness are important to you.

من مسئولیت کامل را به عهده می گیرم (man mas’ooliyat-e kaamel raa beh ohdeh migiram).
I take full responsibility.

This strong statement is similar to admitting that an error or transgression was your fault. It speaks of courage and the willingness to take remedial action. Good one to use…if you mean it!

نباید آن را انجام می دادم (nabaayad aan raa anjaam midaadam).
I shouldn’t have done it.

This phrase is fine to use if you did or said something wrong. It shows, to an extent, your regret for having done or said what you did, and demonstrates that you understand your role in the mistake.

ببخشید که پولتان را دیر پس می دهم (bebakhshid keh pooletaan raa dir pas midaham).
Sorry for giving your money back late.

It’s rotten to have to loan money! Yet, it’s equally rotten to have to ask for the repayment of a loan. So, do your best not to pay late in the first place, but if it can’t be helped, this would be a good phrase to use!

لطفا از دست من عصبانی نباش (lotfan az dast-e man asabaani nabaash).
Please don’t be mad at me.

Well, this is not a very advisable phrase to use if you are clearly in the wrong. If someone is justifiably angry with you, asking them not to be mad at you would be an unfair expectation. However, if you did something wrong by accident, and if the consequences were not too serious, this request would be OK.

ببخشید که دیر کردم (bebakhshid keh dir kardam).
Sorry I’m late.

Punctuality is valued in most situations, but if you really cannot help being late, then apologize! This way you show respect for your host, and win their approval.

معذرت می خواهم که بدجنسی کردم (ma’zerat mikhaaham keh bad jensi kardam).
I apologize for being mean to you.

Acknowledging your own meanness towards someone is no small thing, so good for you! Use this apology only if your intention is to seriously address your mean tendencies, or these words could become meaningless over time.

2. How To Refuse Something Politely in Persian

Congratulations! Now you know how to apologize in Persian! After you have apologized for a mistake, focus on fixing whatever you can, and don’t punish yourself over something that cannot be taken back or reversed. That’s healthy for you! Regret can eat away at the soul, and even destroy it. It is ultimately a useless emotion if it consumes you.

However, in language, we use apologies not only when we’ve transgressed or made mistakes. They come in handy in other situations too, when there has been no wrongdoing. Sometimes we need to express regret for having to refuse a gift, an offer, or an invitation. This can be somewhat tricky. Learn from specialists at PersianPod101 about how to use the correct Persian words for this kind of ‘sorry’!

3. Survival Phrases “How to Say Sorry”

On the run and need a quick lesson on how to say sorry in Persian? Don’t fret, just listen and repeat! Click here for a recorded short lesson and learn how to give the perfect apology, with perfect pronunciation in Persian. A little can go a long way, and you will sound like a native!

4. Why You Will NOT Be Sorry For Learning Persian through PersianPod101

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• Free Resources: Sharing is caring, and for this reason, we share many free resources with our students. For instance, start learning Persian with our basic online course by creating a lifetime account – for free! Also get free daily and iTunes lessons, free eBooks, free mobile apps, and free access to our blog and online community. Or how about free Vocabulary Lists? The Persian dictionary is for exclusive use by our students, also for free. There’s so much to love about PersianPod101…!
• Live Hosts and One-on-One Learning: Knowledgeable, energetic hosts present recorded video lessons, and are available for live teaching experiences if you upgrade. This means that in the videos, you get to watch them pronounce those tongue-twisters, as if you’re learning live! Add octane to your learning by upgrading to Premium Plus, and learn two times faster. Your can have your very own Persian teacher always with you, ensuring that you learn what you need, when you need to – what a wonderful opportunity to master a new language in record time!
• Start Where You Are: You don’t know a single Persian word? Not to worry, we’ve absolutely got this. Simply enroll in our Absolute Beginner Pathway and start speaking from Lesson 1! As your learning progresses, you can enroll in other pathways to match your Persian level, at your own pace, in your own time, in your own place!

After this lesson, you will know almost every ‘sorry for’ in Persian, but don’t let it be that you’re sorry for missing a great opportunity. Learning a new language can only enrich your life, and could even open doors towards great opportunities! So don’t wonder if you’ll regret enrolling in PersianPod101. It’s the most fun, easy way to learn Persian!