Business Farsi — Essential Persian Vocabulary, Expressions & Writing Guide for Professionals

Whether you are negotiating a contract with an Iranian company, corresponding with a Persian-speaking partner, or building relationships across Iran, Afghanistan, or the wider Persian-speaking world — knowing Business Farsi gives you a decisive advantage. Persian business culture is relationship-driven, formal, and deeply rooted in cultural etiquette that goes far beyond vocabulary lists. This guide covers everything: essential business vocabulary, formal email and letter writing, negotiation phrases, meeting etiquette, and the cultural intelligence that makes the difference between a transaction and a genuine business relationship.

Meeting & Greeting Phrases in Business Farsi

In Iranian business culture, the opening of a meeting is not a formality — it is a ritual of relationship-building that sets the tone for everything that follows. Rushing past greetings to get to business is considered disrespectful and will undermine trust from the first minute.

Core Business Farsi Vocabulary — 80 Essential Terms

Business Persian draws heavily on Arabic loanwords in formal contexts, but everyday business conversation uses a mix of Persian, Arabic-origin, and increasingly English-borrowed terms. This reference table covers the most essential vocabulary across all business domains.

Company & Organisation

Finance & Transactions

Trade & Logistics

Writing Business Letters in Farsi — مکاتبات رسمی

Formal Persian business letters (نامه‌های رسمی — nāmeh-hāye rasmi) follow a strict structure that differs significantly from English conventions. The language is more elevated, more deferential, and contains phrases that have no direct English equivalent. Getting this right signals professionalism and cultural respect.

The Structure of a Formal Farsi Business Letter

Farsi Business Email — Complete Template & Phrases

Email etiquette in Persian business is far more formal than in English. Never begin with "Hi [first name]" — this is considered too casual and will undermine your professional credibility. Here is a complete email template with annotations.

Banking & Finance in Farsi — Critical Details

Financial dealings in Iran have a unique challenge that trips up many international professionals: the Rial vs Toman problem.

Contracts & Legal Farsi — قرارداد

Legal Persian — زبان حقوقی (zabān-e hoghughi) — uses elevated Arabic-origin vocabulary and passive sentence structures. Never sign what you cannot read. Here are the essential contract terms.

Business Culture in Iran — What No Vocabulary List Tells You

Job Titles in Farsi — Persian Business Hierarchy

Learn Business Farsi with Danaa School

At Danaa School, we offer specialised business Persian courses designed for professionals, executives, and entrepreneurs who need more than everyday conversation. Our native tutors teach formal letter writing, meeting etiquette, negotiation phrases, and contract vocabulary — with real-world practice that prepares you for actual Persian-speaking business environments.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you write a formal business letter in Farsi?

A formal Persian business letter follows this structure: date (in Solar Hijri calendar) top right → formal salutation (جناب آقای / سرکار خانم + surname) → opening line (با سلام و احترام) → body using formal phrases like خواهشمند است and به اطلاع می‌رساند → closing (با تشکر و احترام / ارادتمند) → name, title, company. Never use first names in formal Persian correspondence. Always include professional titles (دکتر, مهندس).

What is the difference between Toman and Rial in business?

The official currency is the Rial (ریال), used in all banking documents and contracts. However, all spoken business communication uses Toman (تومان) — 1 Toman = 10 Rials. When someone says "5,000 Toman," a contract will read "50,000 Rials." Always clarify: منظورتان تومان است یا ریال؟ (Manzuretān Tomān ast yā Riāl?)

How do you say "contract" in Farsi?

Contract in Farsi is قرارداد (Gharārdād). Related terms: طرفین (the parties), مدت (duration), مبلغ (amount), فسخ (termination), امضا (signature). Legal Persian uses many Arabic-origin words and passive constructions — always have a bilingual lawyer review contracts before signing.

How do you address someone formally in Farsi business emails?

Address men as جناب آقای [surname] (Janāb-e Āghāy-e) and women as سرکار خانم [surname]. Always include professional titles: جناب آقای دکتر [name] or جناب آقای مهندس [name]. Open with با سلام و احترام (with greetings and respect) and close with با تشکر و احترام (with thanks and respect) or ارادتمند (yours sincerely).

Is English used in Iranian business?

English is increasingly used in international trade, tech startups, and correspondence with foreign companies — particularly in Tehran. However, any formal document, government communication, or domestic business dealing must be in Persian. Demonstrating even basic Farsi in a business context builds immediate trust and respect that no English-only approach can replicate.