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- How to say leisure, free time, and hobby in Farsi
- 60+ hobbies and activities in Persian — with the verb structures you need
- Weekend and free time vocabulary in Farsi
- How to talk about what you enjoy in Persian conversation
- Entertainment vocabulary — films, music, reading, dining out
- Iranian leisure culture — how Iranians spend their free time
Leisure, Hobbies and Free Time in Farsi: Complete Persian Vocabulary Guide
Talking about what you enjoy doing in your free time is one of the most common conversation topics when getting to know someone — in any language. In Persian, hobbies and leisure activities come with their own verb structures, cultural context, and vocabulary that goes well beyond a simple word list.
| Farsi Script | Pronunciation | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| اوقات فراغت | Owghāt-e farāghat | Leisure time / Free time | Formal — owghāt = times; farāghat = free/vacant |
| وقت آزاد | Vaght-e āzād | Free time | More colloquial — āzād = free |
| سرگرمی | Sargarmi | Hobby / Pastime | Literally “head-warmth/occupation” — the most common word for hobby |
| تفریح | Tafri | Recreation / Fun | زنگ تفریح = break time at school |
| استراحت | Estirāhat | Rest / Relaxation | — |
| آخر هفته | Ākhare hafte | Weekend | In Iran: Thursday evening + Friday — not Saturday/Sunday |
| تعطیلات | Ta’tilāt | Holidays / Vacation | — |
| Farsi Script | Pronunciation | English | Verb to use |
|---|---|---|---|
| کتاب خواندن | Ketāb khāndan | Reading books | کتاب میخوانم = I read/am reading |
| موسیقی گوش دادن | Musighi gush dādan | Listening to music | — |
| نقاشی کردن | Naghāshi kardan | Painting / Drawing | — |
| عکاسی | Akkāsi | Photography | — |
| آشپزی کردن | Āshpazi kardan | Cooking | Very popular hobby in Iran — food culture is central |
| باغبانی | Bāghbāni | Gardening | Persian gardens (باغ ایرانی) are a UNESCO heritage — gardening has ancient roots |
| سفر کردن | Safar kardan | Travelling | Iranians love domestic travel — Shiraz, Isfahan, Yazd are popular |
| کوهنوردی | Kuh-navardi | Hiking / Mountaineering | Very popular in Iran — Tehran is surrounded by Alborz mountains |
| شنا کردن | Shenā kardan | Swimming | — |
| نوشتن | Neveshtan | Writing | Diary, poetry, stories — writing culture is strong in Iran |
| خیاطی | Khiyāti | Sewing / Dressmaking | — |
| موسیقی نواختن | Musighi navākhtan | Playing music | سهتار نواختن = playing the setar |
| فیلم دیدن | Film didan | Watching films | — |
| بازی رایانهای | Bāzi-ye rāyāne’i | Video games / Computer games | Extremely popular among young Iranians |
Persian leisure culture note — Dorhami (دورهمی): One of the most important leisure activities in Iranian culture is not on any hobby list: دورهمی (dorhami — gathering together). Spending time with extended family, hosting dinner parties, going to a friend’s house for tea and conversation — socialising in the home is considered one of the most valuable uses of free time. The phrase “بریم خونهشون” (berim khuneshun — let’s go to their house) is a complete leisure plan in Iranian culture. Understanding this context makes the vocabulary more meaningful.
Learn to Discuss Hobbies and Free Time with a Native Tutor
Leisure vocabulary comes naturally in conversation about real life. Danaa School tutors help you use it fluently in real Persian interactions. Book a free trial lesson.
Book a Free Trial →The most common word is سرگرمی (sargarmi) — literally “head-occupation” — which covers both hobby and pastime. “What is your hobby?” = سرگرمیات چیه؟ (sargarmi’at chiye? — informal). For leisure time more broadly: وقت آزاد (vaght-e āzād — free time) or the more formal اوقات فراغت (owghāt-e farāghat).
“I like” = دوست دارم (dust dāram — literally “I have as a friend”). “I love doing X” = عاشق X هستم (āshegh-e X hastam). “I enjoy” = لذت میبرم از (lazzat miboram az — literally “I take pleasure from”). To say you like a hobby: کتاب خواندن رو دوست دارم (Ketāb khāndan ro dust dāram — I love reading, colloquial).
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