Sports have been vital to human culture, transcending borders, languages, and generations. If you’re learning Farsi, knowing sports vocabulary will help you connect with Persian speakers, whether discussing your favorite game, cheering for a team, or enjoying a friendly match. 

This guide will cover phrases and body parts related to sports and introduce you to valuable terms for various physical activities.

What Are Sports in Farsi?

In Farsi, the word for “sports” is ورزش (varzesh). Sports are versatile terms that apply to recreational activities, competitive games, and fitness-related exercises. They occupy a cherished place in Persian culture, with traditional games like zurkhaneh and modern sports like soccer being highly popular.

Persian Phrases for Sports and Activities

When discussing sports in Farsi, having conversational phrases at your fingertips is helpful. Here are some examples:

• • Do you play sports?
    آیا ورزش می‌کنید؟
    (Aya varzesh mikonid?)

• • What is your favorite sport?
    ورزش مورد علاقه شما چیست؟
    (Varzesh-e mored-e alaghe-ye shoma chist?)

• • I like to play soccer.
    من دوست دارم فوتبال بازی کنم.
    (Man doost daram football bazi konam.)

• • She is very good at tennis.
    او در تنیس خیلی خوب است.
    (Oo dar tennis kheili khoob ast.)

Learning these phrases will enable smooth communication about sports activities in everyday life.

Top 10 Words for Sports in Persian

1. Soccer/Football – فوتبال (football)
2. Basketball – بسکتبال (basketball)
3. Tennis – تنیس (tennis)
4. Swimming – شنا (shena)
5. Running – دویدن (davidan)
6. Cycling – دوچرخه‌سواری (docharkhe-savari)
7. Wrestling – کشتی (koshti)
8. Gymnastics – ژیمناستیک (zhimnastik)
9. Volleyball – والیبال (volleyball)
10. Weightlifting – وزنه‌برداری (vazne-bardari)

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These words form a foundational vocabulary set for discussing popular sports in Persian.

Physical Sports in Farsi

Sports that emphasize physical activity play a key role in Persian society. Some traditional and contemporary examples include:

• • Zurkhaneh: Known as “The House of Strength,” zurkhaneh is a UNESCO-recognized sport combining elements of martial arts, wrestling, and gymnastics.

• • Soccer: With a dedicated fanbase, soccer is arguably the most followed sport in Iran, often discussed using phrases like:
    
    • • تیم ملی فوتبال (Tim-e melli football) – National football team

• • Wrestling: Wrestling, or koshti, has historical significance in Iranian culture, with champions revered as national heroes.

Body Parts in Persian for Sports Enthusiasts

Understanding the names of body parts in Farsi is crucial when discussing sports injuries, fitness routines, or techniques. Here’s a handy list:

• • Head – سر (sar)

• • Arm – بازو (bazu)

• • Leg – پا (pa)

• • Hand – دست (dast)

• • Foot – پا (pa)

• • Shoulder – شانه (shaneh)

• • Knee – زانو (zanu)

• • Back – کمر (kamar)

For example:

• • My leg hurts after running.
    پای من بعد از دویدن درد می‌کند.
    (Pay-e man ba’d az davidan dard mikonad.)

Learn Farsi with Danaa School

The Danaa School offers an immersive way to learn Farsi while exploring topics like sports and everyday activities. Here’s how they integrate practical applications of language learning:

• • Interactive Vocabulary Lessons: In context, words like football, swimming, and cycling are practiced.

• • Cultural Insights: Lessons include cultural nuances, such as the popularity of zurkhaneh or the history of wrestling in Iran.

• • Conversational Skills: Real-world dialogues about sports help learners gain confidence.

Engaging with a school like Danaa offers a structured path to mastering Farsi vocabulary and phrases.