How to start a conversation in Iran
Meeting strangers in other countries to start a conversation or hook up goes against every safety guideline, but many people continue to struggle with balancing physical health and social health.
Iranians are some of the most warm-hearted people I ever met, when it comes to speaking with a native Persian speaker, they’ll not only cheer you on the attempt you are putting on this but also they start teaching you the easiest phrases you can use in your conversation and their pronunciation. So Don’t be shy! Here are some easy conversations you can use to in your daily talks:
Salam- Hello
Salam as hello can be the best ice breakers to start a conversation with local Persian girls or boys. Salam is the most routine way of hello, however, the elder ones use “Salam-Alaykum” to be more polite.
Some Persians prefer to use the word “Dorood”
For example, if you need to ask a question for direction, it is not enough to say” excuse me, do you know…” a native Persian speaker will find it rude! Instead, It is a small touch that makes a huge difference. Need to practice? You can use it while walking into any shop or restaurant.
Salam, Hajagha.( meaning hello sir, mostly used to addressing an old guy)
Salam, Khanom.( meaning hello, Ma’am)
Salam, Mohandes..( in a situation you don’t want to refer the person sir or mam you can just call them Mohandes or engineer)
Merci / Kheily mamnoon/ Sepâs
No matter where you travel around the world, politeness should always be the top of your list. Saying Merci or Mamnoon in appropriate social settings is a small way to show a local that you are enjoying your time in Iran and that you took the time to learn Persian words.
The word Mamnon can be added to Am and makes the word “Mamnoonam” meaning I thank you.
Similar to “ Hello” above, some prefer to use Sepas as Thank you.
Merci azizam. ( meaning Thank you, dear)
Kheily Mamnoon, Salamat bahsid ( Meaning Thank you, God bless you)
Mohabbat darid, Sepasgozaram ( meaning you are really kind, Sincerely)
Merci, Jigar( Thank you, sweetheart)
Kojast?- where is it?
The word “Koja” will help you out most with directions and places. Koja means “where” in Farsi, and you can combine it with names of people or streets while traveling, such as “ Sam Kojast?” to ask where is Sam? Or “ Restaurant Kojast?” to ask where the nearest restaurant is located.
Agha, WC kojast? (meaning where is the restroom?)
Bebakhshid,Metro kojast? ( Excuse me, where is the subway?)
Englisi Baladin?
If you have limited Persian words memorized, odds are you have to switch to English with locals at some point as some are really fluent and can guide you too. To show you’ve put in a little effort, try starting the conversation with one of the most helpful phrases” English Baldin?” Before following up in English in Iran, most people working in cafes, restaurants, and tourist locations usually speak English. However, this might not always be the case, especially if you travel to a smaller city outside of the central Province. This is why you’d better have a local guide with you.
While the following information is free, you can also find tours around Iran for a reasonable price, ranging from a sunset tour in the desert to hiking to Damavand mountain. just click on the link here and let TAPPersia handle the nitty-gritty details of booking your skip the line tickets, transportation, and navigation for the right accommodation.
Mikham — I’d like…
Ordering in a Persian restaurant doesn’t have to be that hard. Why? Most stuff is speaking English. If you want to try, just remember to use simple words to make the sentence, which helps you to order easily off the menu. It’s as simple as that! This word can also be used in other situations, such as asking for a some soup at the restaurant “Soup, mikham!”
and trying to start the conversation with “Taxi, mikham” meaning I want a taxi . Viola!
Bebakhshid, Man mashin mikham” (meaning I was a car/taxi)
Man Chai mikham. (meaning I was some tea)
Servees behdâshti kojâs? — Where is the bathroom?
Take advantage of bathrooms in any restaurant or attraction by saying “Servees behdâshti kojâst?”. don’t freak out darling. If remembering is hard go for the puppy eyes and the word “WC?”
Salam, Servees behdâshti kojâst? (hello, where is the bathroom?)
Agha Servees behdâshti kojâst? ( Sir, where is the bathroom?
Nooshe Jan- Bon appétit!
Though you are more likely to hear Nooshe Jan from locals, it would be better to know what it means, because it’s so common. It’s used by the cook or the provider of the food before a meal or after saying thank you meaning, Bon appétit.
So if you haven’t heard it just say “Mamnoon” after finishing your plate and for sure one will respond’ Nooshe Jan, Azizam” to express the delight that you had after the meal.
”Nooshe joonet, bazam mikhai?” (menaing Bon appétit, do you want more?)
bokhor azizam Nooshe jonet , Taroof nakon ” (meaning have more dear,Bon appétit, don’t Taroof” click here to get familiar with the term Taroof in Persian culture.
Seer Shodam- I’m full
Having a meal as a guest in a Persian house you may hear “ Na befarmaeed”, “have more” or “Bokhor bazam”. Iranians will constantly try to feed you and won’t be content unless you leave the country with some extra pounds. Don’t hesitate to tell them you have enough of what they are asking you to have by saying “Seer shodam”
Merci, man seer Shodam. ( meaning thank you, I am full)
Kheili khordam , Seer shodam ( menaing i had a lot, i am full)
Man Seeram, Nooshe jan. ( meaning I am full, go ahead, Bon appétit)
Een chande?- how much does it cost?
It’s not likely that you’ll take a trip to Iran without stopping by to shop. Since prices aren’t often listed, you’ll need this if you plan to do any shopping. So go ahead and start the conversation with “Salam” and then jump into the negotiation with “Een chande?” point out the items and ask the price.
Don’t hesitate to talk money with the seller as they might ask for dollars or euros or the nicer ones who goes with The Rials( the countries official currency)
Khaste nabashid, Een goldona chande? (meaning literally Don’t be tired, how much do these vases cost?”
Salam haji,Een Minakari chande? (menaing hello sir, how much this Minakari cost?)
To find out what is Minakari check out this video in here.
Keep in your mind if your daily conversation consists of a girl or boy you want to empress or make conversation with, my latest article on Smooth Persian word that makes you fall in love. Just add the words to the conversation and enjoy the Miracle of the excitement of hearing sweet-talking in the local language.
With this in mind, it’s important to learn the word before traveling or even talking to locals over the interne, otherwise you can google all the words or hope English could go where you want to go.
Chetori?/ khobi ?— How are you? ( same as in english you can raise your voice up too?
Khobam — I’m fine
Man ahle____ . — hastam. I’m from _____.
Khosh bakhtam — It’s nice o see you
Felan — for now
Khodahafez- good bye
Bye bye — same as Bye bye
Khahesh mikonam- your very welcome
Befarmaeed- here you are
Khosh amadid -Welcome
Esmeton chie? — what’s your name?
Bebakhshid — Excuse me
