ImmersiveIran > Travel Guide > Common Farsi Phrases for Tourists in Iran (Essential Farsi For Travel In Iran)
Welcome to Farsi/Persian—a language as rich as Iran itself. Knowing a few basic Farsi phrases can greatly enhance your time in Iran, connecting you to the hospitable locals and making each encounter more memorable. Each word opens doors to memorable experiences and heartfelt exchanges, from greetings to market phrases.
Greetings are a warm invitation to connect, and a simple “Salām”, meaning peace, is your gateway to a friendly exchange with Iranians of all backgrounds. Here are a few basics:
Hello:
Salām / or the less common Doroud
Goodbye:
Khoda Hafez / or the less common Bedroud
Good Morning:
Sobh Bekheyr
My name is...
Esme man [Your Name] hast.
What’s your name?
Esme shoma chie?
Iranian culture values gratitude, and expressing thanks will be warmly appreciated:
Thank you:
Mamnoon or Mersi
Thank you very much:
Kheyli mamnoon
Please:
Lotfan
Excuse me / Sorry:
Bebakhshid
Yes:
Aré / Balé
No:
Na / Kheyr
Where is...?
[Location] kojast?
"Where is the hotel?" → Hotel kojast?
How much is this?
chand?
Can you help me?
Mitooni komakam koni?
If you have specific dietary needs, these phrases will come in handy:
I am vegetarian:
Man vegetarian hastam.
No meat, please:
Lotfan ghoosht nadin.
As you walk through the lively streets of Iran, greeting customs offer a glimpse into Iran’s warmth and respect for others. Here are a few more specific greetings:
Salām be hamegi:
An informal greeting often used among groups.
Ruz xoš:
“Good day,” used more formally, often on radio or in the workplace.
Xaste nabashid:
A considerate phrase meaning "May you not be tired," commonly used at the end of a workday to acknowledge someone’s effort.
Being able to count from zero to ten is helpful for shopping, navigation, and other basic exchanges:
To enhance your Farsi learning journey, here is a list of reliable online resources covering multiple aspects of the language.
Joy of Persian:
Offers beginner and intermediate Farsi courses, grammar guides, and vocabulary lessons.
Easy Persian:
Great for self-study, covering basic to advanced grammar, vocabulary, and script.
Linguanaut:
Provides essential phrases and vocabulary lists for travelers.
Memrise:
Interactive courses that cover essential vocabulary and basic phrases, with an option for Farsi-specific lessons: Memrise Farsi Courses.
My Languages and iLanguages:
Cover basic grammar, vocabulary, and common expressions with simple language tips.
PersianDee:
Provides phrases, expressions, and vocabulary lists that are useful for beginners.
Chai and Conversation:
An engaging podcast and course with lessons on conversation and cultural insights, ideal for travelers.
Loecsen - Learn Persian:
Provides travel-focused phrases with audio and visuals, making it easier to pick up essential words.
Mango Languages:
A practical app for learning conversational Farsi with a travel-focused curriculum.
Having a dictionary handy is essential for learning new vocabulary, and these options provide English-to-Farsi translations:
Vajehyab:
A comprehensive Farsi-English dictionary for quick translations.
FastDic:
Available as an app and website, it’s a popular dictionary for Farsi learners.
Google Translate:
Useful for basic translations, with audio playback for pronunciation.
