Handy Persian Phrases for an Iran bound Tourist

Iran is one of those holiday destinations where conversing in English is extremely difficult if you go outside of the tourist districts. However, if you know Hindi or Urdu, the Persian language is not that difficult to learn. I was thankful to learn the similarity between these languages while I stayed with a local family and this also helped me in picking up some very helpful Farsi phrases that came in super handy during my backpacking trip in Iran and I hope you will find them handy too.

And remember, keep your ear open for many Hindi or Urdu words. If you listen carefully, you will understand the context. After all, we have had such a rich past, that both languages (Hindi and Persian) have borrowed a lot from each other.

Farsi (Persian) Phrase	English Equivalent
Salaam	Hello or simply a salutation!
Halet Chetohrey  or Khoobay? or Chetohri?	How are you?
Man Khoobam!	I am good!
Merci or Mamnoon!	Thank you!
Kheyli Mamnoon!	Thank you very much!
Ahle Khojaeey?	Where are you from?
Balle or Arey	Yes
Nah Khair or Na	No
Beselamati	Cheers (to everyone’s good health)
Khahesh Mikonaam	You are welcome
Khoda Hafez	Good bye!
Bedoonay Goosht	Without Meat
Goosht	Meat
Sabzee	Vegetables
Bebaaksheet	Excuse me!
Agah	Sir
Khanoom	Madam
sefr	Zero
Yek	One
Do	Two
Se	Three
Chahar	Four
Panj	Five
Shesh	Six
Haft	Seven
Hasht	Eight
Noh	Nine
Dah	Ten
Sad	Hundred
Hezaar	Thousand
Sobh bekheir	Good Morning!
Shab Bekheir	Good Night!
Nooshe Jaan	Bon Apetit!
Be Salamat	Bon Voyage!
Man	I
Shoma	You
Doost	Friend
Haynd	India
Che Khabar?	Whats new?
Bozorg	Big
Khoocheek	Small