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- 80 essential Farsi school vocabulary words across 6 categories
- Classroom objects — every item a student needs to name in Persian
- School subjects in Farsi — from maths to literature to physical education
- People at school — teacher, student, principal, classmate
- School life phrases — asking for help, talking about grades, school routines
- Example sentences showing vocabulary in real school context
Farsi School Vocabulary: 80 Essential Words for Students and Families
Whether you are a child learning Persian for the first time, a diaspora student navigating Persian-language schooling, or a parent wanting to talk to your children about school in Farsi, this vocabulary guide covers everything you need.
School is one of the most vocabulary-rich environments in a child’s life — and one of the most motivating contexts for language learning. Children who can talk about their school day in Persian build fluency faster because the vocabulary is immediately relevant to real daily experience.
This guide covers 80 essential Farsi school words across six categories: classroom objects, school subjects, people, school life phrases, grading vocabulary, and common school sentences.
Note on script: All words below are shown in Persian script alongside transliteration. If your child is learning the Persian alphabet alongside vocabulary, use the script column as reading practice. See our Persian alphabet guide for structured script learning.
| Farsi Script | Pronunciation | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| کلاس | Kelās | Classroom | Borrowed from French classe |
| تخته سیاه | Takhte siyāh | Blackboard / Whiteboard | Literally “black board” — used for any board |
| گچ | Gach | Chalk | — |
| ماژیک | Māzhik | Marker pen | From French Magic Marker |
| میز | Miz | Desk / Table | One of the most common furniture words |
| صندلی | Sandali | Chair | — |
| کتاب | Ketāb | Book | Among the most important words in Persian culture |
| دفتر | Daftar | Notebook / Exercise book | Also means “office” in formal contexts |
| مداد | Madād | Pencil | — |
| خودکار | Khodkār | Pen (ballpoint) | Literally “self-working” — an elegant compound word |
| پاککن | Pāk-kon | Eraser | Literally “eraser/cleaner” — from پاک (clean) |
| مداد رنگی | Madād-e rangi | Coloured pencil / Crayon | Literally “colour pencil” |
| خطکش | Khatt-kesh | Ruler | Literally “line-puller” |
| قیچی | Gheychi | Scissors | — |
| چسب | Chasb | Glue / Tape | Used for both adhesive glue and sticky tape |
| کولهپشتی | Kule-poshti | Backpack | Literally “back-carrier” |
| جامدادی | Jāmedādi | Pencil case | Literally “pen/pencil holder” |
| نقشه | Naghshe | Map | Also means “plan” or “design” |
| ماشین حساب | Māshin-e hesāb | Calculator | Literally “counting machine” |
| رایانه | Rāyāne | Computer | Formal Persian term; kompiyutar also used colloquially |
| Farsi Script | Pronunciation | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ریاضی | Riyāzi | Mathematics | One of the most important subjects in Iranian schools |
| علوم | Olum | Science | From Arabic — also means “knowledge” broadly |
| ادبیات فارسی | Adabiyāt-e Fārsi | Persian Literature | Core subject in all Iranian schools; includes Rumi, Hafez, Saadi |
| انگلیسی | Engelisi | English (language) | — |
| تاریخ | Tārikh | History | — |
| جغرافیا | Joghrāfiyā | Geography | From Greek via Arabic |
| هنر | Honar | Art | Also means “skill” or “craft” — deeply valued in Persian culture |
| موسیقی | Musighi | Music | — |
| ورزش | Varzesh | Physical Education / Sport | Also used for exercise and athletics generally |
| دین و زندگی | Din va Zandegi | Religious Studies / Life and Religion | Core subject in Iranian curriculum — literally “Religion and Life” |
| فیزیک | Fizik | Physics | — |
| شیمی | Shimi | Chemistry | — |
| زیستشناسی | Zist-shenāsi | Biology | Literally “life science” — a beautiful compound |
| فلسفه | Falsafe | Philosophy | — |
| اقتصاد | Eghtesād | Economics | — |
| Farsi Script | Pronunciation | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| معلم | Mo’allem | Teacher (general) | From Arabic — most common term for any teacher |
| استاد | Ostād | Professor / Teacher (senior) | Used for university professors and respected teachers |
| دانشآموز | Dānesh-āmuz | Student (school age) | Literally “one who learns knowledge” — school students specifically |
| دانشجو | Dāneshjoo | University student | Distinct from دانشآموز — university level only |
| مدیر | Modir | Principal / Director | School principal — also used for manager in other contexts |
| ناظم | Nāzem | School disciplinary supervisor | Role unique to Iranian school system — monitors behaviour |
| همکلاسی | Ham-kelāsi | Classmate | Literally “same-class one” |
| دوست مدرسه | Dust-e madrese | School friend | — |
| سرایدار | Sarāydār | School caretaker / Janitor | — |
Help Your Child Use This Vocabulary in Real Conversations
Danaa School’s native tutors teach Farsi to children through storytelling, games, and school-relevant vocabulary. Book a free trial lesson — your child’s first session is at no cost.
Book a Free Trial for Your Child →| Farsi Script | Pronunciation | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| مدرسه | Madrase | School | The fundamental word — memorise first |
| کلاس | Kelās | Class / Classroom | — |
| زنگ تفریح | Zang-e tafri | Break time / Recess | Literally “bell of fun” — one of children’s favourite Farsi phrases |
| تکلیف | Taklif | Homework | Also means “duty” or “obligation” in formal contexts |
| امتحان | Emtehān | Exam / Test | From Arabic — widely used in everyday speech |
| نمره | Namre | Grade / Mark | Iranian grading is typically out of 20, not 100 |
| قبول شدن | Ghabul shodan | To pass (an exam) | Literally “to be accepted” |
| رد شدن | Rad shodan | To fail (an exam) | Literally “to be rejected” |
| غیبت | Gheybat | Absence | Also means “gossip” in informal speech — interesting dual meaning |
| حضور | Hozur | Attendance / Presence | — |
| زنگ | Zang | Bell / School bell | Also means doorbell or telephone ring |
| کتابخانه | Ketābkhāne | Library | Literally “book house” — a beautiful compound word |
| آزمایشگاه | Āzmāyeshgāh | Laboratory | — |
| ورزشگاه | Varzeshgāh | Sports hall / Gym | Literally “sports place” |
| حیاط مدرسه | Havāt-e madrase | School playground / Yard | — |
The Iranian grading system scores out of 20, not 100 or the A–F letter system used in Western countries. This is important context for diaspora children moving between educational systems.
| Farsi Script | Pronunciation | English | Equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| بیست | Bist | 20 — Perfect score | A+ |
| عالی | Āli | Excellent | A |
| خوب | Khub | Good | B |
| متوسط | Motavasset | Average | C |
| ضعیف | Za’if | Weak / Poor | D |
| مردود | Mardud | Failed / Rejected | F — below 10/20 is failing in Iranian system |
| کارنامه | Kārnāme | Report card | Literally “work document” — sent home with grades each term |
Useful School Phrases for Parents
For Persian-speaking parents communicating with their children about school in Farsi — or for diaspora children who attend Persian school alongside their regular schooling — these parent-to-child phrases are particularly valuable:
- مدرسهات چطور بود؟ (Madrase’at chetor bud?) — How was school?
- تکلیفت را انجام دادی؟ (Taklifat rā anjām dādi?) — Did you do your homework?
- چه درسی داشتی؟ (Che darsi dāshti?) — What subjects did you have?
- با دوستات بازی کردی؟ (Bā dustāt bāzi kardi?) — Did you play with your friends?
- فردا امتحان داری؟ (Fardā emtehān dāri?) — Do you have an exam tomorrow?
- کیفت را آماده کردی؟ (Kifat rā āmāde kardi?) — Did you pack your bag?
For diaspora families: These parent-child school conversations are one of the most practical applications of Farsi vocabulary at home. Children who can talk about their school day in Persian naturally build vocabulary in a context that is immediately real and relevant. Combine this with weekly tutor sessions through Danaa’s Farsi for Kids programme for the most effective heritage language maintenance.
Frequently Asked Questions
School in Farsi is مدرسه (madrase). This is the word for primary and secondary school. University is دانشگاه (dāneshgāh) — literally “knowledge place” — and the word for classroom is کلاس (kelās), borrowed from French.
The most common word for teacher is معلم (mo’allem), used for school teachers. استاد (ostād) is used for university professors and respected senior teachers. In everyday conversation, children typically address teachers as Khānom (Mrs/Ms) or Āghā (Mr) followed by their surname.
Iranian schools grade out of 20. A score of 20 (bist) is perfect. Scores of 18–20 are excellent (āli). Scores below 10 are failing (mardud). This differs significantly from the percentage systems used in Western countries — diaspora children moving between systems sometimes find the conversion confusing until it becomes familiar.
Key differences include: the school week runs Saturday to Thursday (Friday is the day off); grading is out of 20; Persian literature (including classical poetry) is a core compulsory subject at all levels; and religious studies (din va zandegi) is integrated into the curriculum. The school year begins in September (Mehr in the Iranian calendar) and ends in June.
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