Persian Phrases for Daily Life — 50 Farsi Expressions With Meaning & Context

The most universal Persian greeting — used in all contexts from casual to semi-formal. From Arabic سَلَام (salām — peace). In very formal situations, سلام علیکم (salāmun alaykum) is used, though سلام alone works in almost all modern contexts. Text messages and phone calls almost always open with سلام.

عزیزم (azizam) means “my dear” or “my darling” — from عزیز (aziz, dear/precious). Iranians use this between family members, close friends, and romantic partners. It is also used between older people and younger people as a term of warmth. Not romantic by default — a grandmother says this to a grandchild, a friend says it to a friend. The specific warmth of عزیزم is difficult to translate: it signals genuine affection and closeness.

The most common informal greeting phrase — you say سلام, then immediately ask about their wellbeing. حال (hāl) means condition, state, or mood. چطوره (chetore) is a contraction of “چطور است” meaning “how is it.” The informal version uses ت- (singular informal “your”): حالت. The formal version uses ‌تون- (plural/formal): حالتون چطوره؟ For a full breakdown of how to say “how are you” in Persian, see our dedicated guide.

Even more casual than حالت چطوره. خوبی (khuби) is literally “are you good?” — a rapid colloquial greeting between friends. The expected response is خوبم، مرسی (khoobam, mersi — I’m good, thanks). This is the equivalent of the English “you good?” — quick and casual.

صبح (sobh) = morning; بخیر (bekheyr) = “in goodness” or “be well.” The response is صبح تو هم بخیر (sobh-e to ham bekheyr — your morning also in goodness) or simply صبح بخیر back. Used until around midday, then عصر بخیر (asr bekheyr — good afternoon) takes over.

Literally “you came pleasantly” — the warmest welcome phrase in everyday Persian. Said when a guest arrives at your home or when someone you were expecting appears. More personal and warm than the formal خوش آمدید (khosh āmadid — welcome, formal plural). The informal خوش اومدی is for people you know well; خوش آمدید is for formal occasions or groups.

خبر (khabar) means news or information. چه خبر (che khabar) is the Persian equivalent of “what’s up?” or “what’s new?” — used between friends. The typical response is هیچی، همیشگی (hichi, hamishagi — nothing, the usual). This phrase reveals something about Iranian conversational culture: asking about “news” signals interest in the other person’s life, not just current events.

The standard goodbye — literally “God guard you” (خدا = God + حافظ = guardian/protector). This is also why Hafez’s pen name carries such weight — he was named after this concept of divine protection. خداحافظ is universal: formal, informal, in person, on the phone. خداحافظی کردن (khodāhāfezi kardan) = to say goodbye.

شب (shab) = night; بخیر (bekheyr) = in goodness. Said when parting in the evening or before sleep. The response is شب تو هم بخیر (shab-e to ham bekheyr). شب بخیر is one of the most-searched Persian phrases because Iranians use it constantly at the end of phone calls and text conversations in the evening — it carries the same warmth as “goodnight” in English.

A warmer, more affectionate farewell than خداحافظ. سلامت (salāmat) means health or safety. Said to someone leaving on a journey, going home after a visit, or departing after a meaningful encounter. It implies genuine care for the person’s wellbeing on the way.

The most common word for “thank you” in everyday spoken Persian. From Arabic ممنون (mamnun — obliged/grateful). More casual than متشکرم (motashakkeram), which is the formal equivalent. خیلی ممنون (kheli mamnun) = thank you very much. In text messages, Iranians often write مرسی (mersi — borrowed from French merci) as the most casual form.

زحمت (zahmat) = trouble or effort; کشیدی (keshidi) = you pulled/bore. This phrase is said when someone has done something effortful for you — cooked a meal, helped you move, fixed something. It acknowledges not just the action but the effort behind it. A more culturally specific thank-you than ممنون — it shows you noticed how much they put in.

Literally “may your hand not hurt” — said specifically when someone has cooked, made something, or done a physical task for you. One of the most distinctively Persian expressions of gratitude — there is no equivalent in English. The formality of this phrase comes through the physical acknowledgement of their labour.

موفق (movaffaq) = successful; باشی (bāshi) = may you be (subjunctive). Said before exams, job interviews, competitions, or any challenge someone is about to face. The formal version is موفق باشید (movaffaq bāshid). This is not simply “good luck” — it specifically wishes success rather than luck, implying the person has worked hard and deserves to succeed.

خدا (khodā) = God; شکر (shokr) = thanks/gratitude. Said when something goes well, when asked about health and one is fine, or when expressing relief. Equivalent to “thank God” or “alhamdulillah” — used by both religious and secular Iranians. Response to “how are you” is often: خوبم، خدا رو شکر (khoobam, khodā ro shokr — I’m well, thank God). The frequency of this phrase in everyday Persian reflects how deeply religious sentiment is woven into Iranian daily language even among non-practising Iranians.

یار (yār) = companion, friend, helper. This blessing is given when someone is about to face something difficult or when parting after a meaningful interaction. It implies that the speaker genuinely cares and is entrusting the person’s safety to God. More emotionally weighty than خداحافظ.

نوش (nush) = sweet/pleasant drink; جون (jon) = soul/life (colloquial form of جان). The full expression: “may it be a sweet drink for your soul” — said when someone is about to eat, drink, or enjoy something. Also said after someone eats, like “did you enjoy it?” The formal version نوش جانت is used for older people or in more formal settings.

The most versatile polite phrase in Persian — used to get someone’s attention (“excuse me”), to apologise for a minor thing (“sorry”), or to ask someone to repeat something (“pardon?”). From بخشیدن (bakhshidan — to forgive, to grant). The informal version is ببخش (bebakhsh). If you only learn one polite phrase in Persian, learn this one.

خواهش (khāhesh) = request, wish, please; میکنم (mikonam) = I do/make. Primarily used as “you’re welcome” in response to ممنون. Also used as “please” when making a polite request. One word doing two jobs — context determines which. The polite tone is set by میکنم (first person formal verb).

مشکل (mushkel) = problem; نیست (nist) = is not. Literally “there is no problem” — said in response to an apology or when someone asks if something is inconvenient. The casual dismissal of concern. خواهش می‌کنم is more formal; مشکلی نیست is more casual and reassuring.

آماده (āmāde) = ready, prepared; ام (am) = I am (first person singular verb suffix). Simple but essential — said before leaving the house, before starting something, or in response to “are you ready?” The question form: آماده‌ای؟ (āmāde-i? — are you ready? informal) or آماده هستید؟ (āmāde hastid? — are you ready? formal).

شوخی (shukhi) = joke, jest; کردم (kardam) = I did/made. Said immediately after a joke to clarify, or after saying something that could have been taken the wrong way. شوخی is also used in: شوخی نکن (shukhi nakon — don’t joke / you’re kidding me) as an expression of surprise. Iranians are famously fond of شوخی, and the ability to distinguish when someone is joking is an important cultural literacy skill.

The most versatile ta’arof phrase — from فرمودن (farmuden — to command/say, respectfully). Used to invite someone to enter a room (“please, come in”), to offer food (“please help yourself”), to indicate someone should go first (“after you”), or to answer a phone (“please go ahead/speak”). One word does everything an Iranian host needs to do. Mastering بفرمایید is mastering Iranian hospitality.

Said when giving someone a gift — literally “it doesn’t have the worth of you.” This is ritual modesty: the giver says the gift is unworthy, the receiver is expected to say it is wonderful. Neither person means what they literally say. Understanding this prevents English speakers from taking the statement at face value and wondering why you’re receiving something “unworthy.”

A shorter version of قابل شما رو نداره — said when giving something or when thanked for something. Literally “it is unworthy.” The social function is the same: ritual humility about one’s own gift or action. Saying ناقابله when thanked is the Persian equivalent of “don’t mention it” — but with an extra layer of humility built in.