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60+ Essential Farsi Phrases — Greetings, Everyday Life & Travel
Whether you are visiting Iran, connecting with Persian-speaking family, or simply starting to learn Farsi — these are the phrases you will use most. Each entry includes the Persian script, pronunciation, and the cultural context that textbooks usually miss.
Farsi phrases do not exist in isolation. The way you greet someone, thank them, or say goodbye carries layers of social meaning that shift depending on context, relationship, and formality. This guide teaches you not just what to say — but when, and why.
Hello, Goodbye & Basic Greetings in Farsi
Greetings are the first thing you need and the last thing you forget. These are the phrases Iranians use every single day — in person, on the phone, and in messages.
The universal Farsi greeting — used at any time of day, with anyone, in any context. Formal enough for a shopkeeper, warm enough for a friend. Always the safest choice if you are unsure what to say. When entering a room, a shop, or someone’s home, سلام is always the right opening.
Literally “God be your guardian.” The standard formal goodbye. In informal speech you will often hear the shortened خداحافظ or even just فعلاً (fe’lan — “for now”) between friends. On the phone, Iranians often say مرسی، خداحافظ (mersi, khodāhāfez — “thanks, bye”) in rapid succession.
| Farsi | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| صبح بخیر sobh bekheyr | Good morning Used until late morning | |
| عصر بخیر asr bekheyr | Good afternoon From noon until sunset | |
| شب بخیر shab bekheyr | Good night / Good evening Both greeting and farewell after dark | |
| خوش آمدید khosh āmadid | Welcome Formal — said to guests and visitors | |
| خوش اومدی khosh omadi | Welcome Informal — to a close friend or family member | |
| بفرمایید befarmaeed | Please come in / Please, go ahead One of the most versatile ta’ārof phrases | |
| فعلاً fe’lan | See you / For now (informal goodbye) Casual — only with friends |
Cultural note — بفرمایید (befarmaeed): This phrase has no direct English equivalent. It is used when welcoming someone in, offering a seat, presenting food, inviting someone to go first, or handing something over. You will hear it constantly in Iran. It is essentially the verbal expression of hospitality — offering everything with grace and generosity.
How Are You in Farsi — Formal and Informal
This is one of the first things learners want to know — and there are multiple versions depending on how well you know the person.
The respectful form — used with older people, strangers, or in professional contexts. The informal version, حالت چطوره؟ (hālet chetore?) or simply چطوری؟ (chetori?), is used between friends and equals. The most common response is خوبم، ممنون (khubam, mamnun — “I’m well, thank you”).
| Farsi | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| چطوری؟ chetori? | How are you? (informal) | |
| خوبی؟ khubi? | Are you well? (casual check-in) Very common between friends | |
| خوبم، ممنون khubam, mamnun | I’m well, thank you | |
| بد نیستم bad nistam | Not bad | |
| شما چطورید؟ shomā chetourid? | And you? (polite return question) |
Thank You, Sorry & Polite Expressions in Farsi
Persian politeness — ta’ārof — runs deep. Knowing when to thank, when to apologise, and how to do both correctly marks you immediately as someone who respects Iranian culture.
The most common way to say thank you in everyday speech. ممنونم (mamnunam) is slightly more emphatic — “I am grateful.” For a warmer, more formal thank you, use متشکرم (motashakkeram). And informally, especially among younger Iranians, you will hear the borrowed French word مرسی (mersi) constantly.
| Farsi | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| مرسی mersi | Thanks (informal) Borrowed from French — very common in everyday speech | |
| متشکرم motashakkeram | Thank you (formal) | |
| خواهش میکنم khāhesh mikonam | You’re welcome / Please Used both as “you’re welcome” and “please” depending on context | |
| ببخشید bebakhshid | Sorry / Excuse me Used for both apologies and getting attention | |
| معذرت میخوام ma’zerat mikhām | I apologise (more formal sorry) | |
| مشکلی نیست moshkeli nist | No problem / It’s fine | |
| خوشوقتم khoshvaqtam | Nice to meet you |
ببخشید (bebakhshid) does double duty in Farsi — it is both “sorry” (for an apology) and “excuse me” (to get someone’s attention). Context makes it clear. Use it confidently in both situations. Iranians will appreciate the effort regardless of context.
Basic Farsi Phrases for Everyday Use
| Farsi | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| بلهbale | Yes (formal) | |
| آرهāre | Yes (informal) | |
| نهna | No | |
| شایدshāyad | Maybe / Perhaps | |
| نمیدانمnemidānam | I don’t know | |
| نمیفهممnemifahmam | I don’t understand | |
| آهستهتر بگوییدāhesteh-tar beguyid | Please speak more slowly | |
| میتوانید تکرار کنید؟mitavānid tekrār konid? | Can you repeat that? | |
| اسمم … استasmam … ast | My name is … | |
| اسم شما چیست؟esm-e shomā chist? | What is your name? (formal) | |
| انگلیسی بلدید؟engelisi baladid? | Do you speak English? | |
| فارسی بلد نیستمfārsi balad nistam | I don’t speak Farsi | |
| دارم فارسی یاد میگیرمdāram fārsi yād migiram | I am learning FarsiSay this — Iranians love to hear it |
Go beyond phrases — speak Farsi
Phrases get you started. Lessons with a native tutor teach you to think and speak naturally. Danaa School connects you with native Persian tutors for 1-on-1 online lessons.
Find a Farsi TutorFarsi Phrases for Getting Around
These phrases are useful anywhere in Iran — asking for directions, navigating transport, or finding what you need.
| Farsi | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| … کجاست؟… kojāst? | Where is …? | |
| راستrāst | Right | |
| چپchap | Left | |
| مستقیمmostaqim | Straight ahead | |
| نزدیکnazdik | Near / Close | |
| دورdur | Far | |
| هتل کجاست؟hotel kojāst? | Where is the hotel? | |
| اتوبوس کجاست؟otobus kojāst? | Where is the bus? | |
| بلیط میخوامbelit mikhāham | I want a ticket | |
| گم شدمgom shodam | I’m lost |
Farsi Phrases for Eating Out and Shopping
| Farsi | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| قیمتش چنده؟qeymatash chande? | How much does it cost? | |
| گرونهgeruné | It’s expensive | |
| ارزونتر نمیشه؟arzun-tar nemishe? | Can you make it cheaper? | |
| این رو میخوامino mikhām | I want this one | |
| منو میآرید؟menu miārid? | Can I have the menu? | |
| نوش جانnush-e jān | Bon appétit / Enjoy your meal | |
| خوشمزهستkhoshmaze-st | It’s delicious | |
| حساب، لطفاًhesāb, lotfan | The bill, please | |
| آب لطفاًāb lotfan | Water, please | |
| چایchāy | TeaAlways offered in Iran — refusing gracefully is an art |
نوش جان (nush-e jān) — literally “may it be the pleasure of your soul.” Said before eating or to someone who is eating. It is one of the warmest expressions in everyday Persian and one that surprises and delights Iranians when a non-native speaker uses it correctly.
Farsi Phrases for Emergencies
| Farsi | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| کمک!komak! | Help! | |
| پزشک لازم دارمpezeshk lāzem dāram | I need a doctor | |
| مریضمmarizam | I am sick / I feel unwell | |
| با اورژانس تماس بگیریدbā urzhāns tamās begirid | Call an ambulance | |
| پاسپورتم گم شدهpāsportam gom shode | My passport is lost | |
| دزدیده شدمdozdide shodam | I have been robbed |
Farsi Phrases for Expressing Warmth
These are the phrases that build genuine connection — the ones diaspora families use, that Persian poetry celebrates, and that Iranians love to hear from non-native speakers.
| Farsi | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| دوستت دارمdustat dāram | I love you / I like youWorks for both romantic and non-romantic love | |
| دلم برات تنگ شدهdelam barāt tang shode | I miss youLiterally “my heart has become tight for you” | |
| مواظب خودت باشmovāzeb khodat bāsh | Take care of yourself | |
| قربانتqorbānat | May I be your sacrifice (term of deep affection) | |
| آفرین!āfarin! | Bravo! Well done! | |
| ایشالاishallā | God willing / HopefullyUsed for future hopes and plans | |
| ماشالاmāshallā | How wonderful / God has willed itExpressing admiration or praise | |
| نوروزتون مبارکnowruzetun mobārak | Happy Nowruz (Persian New Year) |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you say hello in Farsi?
The standard greeting is سلام (salām) — used at any time of day with anyone. For good morning specifically, use صبح بخیر (sobh bekheyr). For good evening or good night, use شب بخیر (shab bekheyr). Salām is always the safe, universally appropriate choice.
How do you say goodbye in Farsi?
The standard goodbye is خداحافظ (khodāhāfez) — literally “God be your guardian.” In informal speech between friends, Iranians often use فعلاً (fe’lan — “for now”) or simply wave with a smile. On the phone, a quick مرسی، خداحافظ (mersi, khodāhāfez) is the most common farewell.
How do you say thank you in Farsi?
There are three main options: مرسی (mersi) — casual and very common; ممنون (mamnun) — the standard everyday thank you; and متشکرم (motashakkeram) — more formal. All are correct. Mersi is borrowed from French and you will hear it constantly in modern Iranian speech.
How do you say sorry in Farsi?
ببخشید (bebakhshid) covers both “sorry” and “excuse me” — you can use it when apologising and when trying to get someone’s attention. For a more formal or sincere apology, use معذرت میخوام (ma’zerat mikhāham). Iranians will appreciate either.
How do you say welcome in Farsi?
The formal welcome is خوش آمدید (khosh āmadid) — said to guests or visitors. The informal version for friends is خوش اومدی (khosh omadi). You will also hear بفرمایید (befarmaeed) — “please come in / go ahead” — which is the gesture of welcome in action.
Is Farsi difficult to learn as an English speaker?
Not as difficult as it looks. Persian has no grammatical gender, no noun cases, and a very consistent verb system. The Persian script — the main initial barrier — typically takes 4–6 weeks to become comfortable reading. Most learners who work with a native tutor from the start progress significantly faster than those who rely on self-study alone.
Ready to speak Farsi, not just read it?
These phrases are the beginning. Danaa School’s native Farsi tutors teach you to use them naturally — with the right pronunciation, the right context, and the cultural fluency that makes the difference.
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