Updated: 8 July 2019
Even though I’ve spoken Persian my whole life, there were some words and phrases that I never really used until I came to Iran. On some level, I knew they were the right thing to say but couldn’t seem to verbalize them. Since I’ve been immersed in the language environment, though, I’ve noticed a drastic change in my word choice. Now, these phrases come out more naturally, and I’ve even gotten compliments on how much my Persian has improved. So today, I want to share with you 11 easy Persian words and expressions that I think will instantly boost your vocabulary and make you sound more native and fluent.
Bah bah
There’s no translation for bah bah as it’s more of an auditory compliment. Iranians say bah bah when anything pleases the senses. When food smells or tastes good, you say bah bah! If you are enjoying a nice view, you say bah bah! When a guest arrives at your home and you open the door to welcome them, you say bah bah to show that you are happy to see them.
Ghâbel nadâre
The next time an Iranian compliments something of yours, tell them ghâbel nadâre.
Iranian: “I love your ring! It’s beautiful!”
You: “Ghâbel nadâre.”
I’ve written about this phrase so many times that by now I’m sure you know it means that the “thing” is unworthy of the person, and they can take it/don’t have to pay. (Similarly, when someone thanks you for a gift, you can say ghâbel nadâre, which implies that the gift is not worthy of them, but is really a way of saying “you’re welcome”.) By using this expression, you will do 2 things:
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- knock the socks off of any Iranian who hears it
- thoroughly impress them with your knowledge of Persian culture.
While it understandably may feel awkward to offer a stranger you met 20 minutes earlier your favorite ring, rest assured there is no chance that said Iranian stranger would ever take this literally and snatch your most prized possession. So go ahead and give this one a try.
Nooshe jân
Nooshe jân (literally “may it nourish your soul”) is the equivalent of “bon appétit”. When you thank someone for a meal, they will respond nooshe jân/jânet. (And while we’re at it, when you go to sit at the table and set your eyes on the Persian feast you are about to indulge in, it’s the perfect opportunity to say bah bah).
But here’s the version of nooshe jân I want you to try: say your friend buys an ice cream for herself. The rules of taarof say it would be rude to eat it without offering first, so she offers you some, but you really don’t want any. You can say [merci], nooshe jân, as in “[No, thanks.] I’m all good, but you enjoy it.” I use this one a lot at work where coworkers take a break with some tea and a cookie or something. They offer me some, but I say, nooshe jân. (It’s also possible to say nooshe joon/joonet.)
Azizam
You Persophiles out there probably already know that azizam (my dear) is a Persian term of endearment. But Iranians also use it when they see or hear something that they think is cute or sweet. Like when they watch a cute baby video on YouTube, they’ll squeal azizam! (although it comes out more like azizaaaaam). It’s the equivalent of “awwwww [how cute/sweet]”.
Mobârake
Mobârake is a general “congratulations,” like if you graduate from college or get a job. But Iranians also say this to a person who has just bought something. For example, I went shopping one morning and then to my cousin’s house for lunch. My cousin and aunt wanted to see what I bought, and after I showed them, they said, “Wow, you got some great stuff. Mobârake!”
Ghorbunet
Ghorbunet [beram] (I’ll sacrifice myself for you) is another Persian term of endearment, but try it as a “thank you” or “goodbye” instead. Here’s a typical greeting when I get to work:
Secretary: Salaam, chetori? (Hi, how are you?)
Pontia: Ghorbunet, merci, to chetori? (I’ll sacrifice myself for you [I’m fine], thanks. How are you?)
And whenever I buy produce from my local Azeri greengrocer, I say merci khodâ hâfez (thanks, bye), to which he always responds ghorbunet beram. Obviously, this isn’t remotely literal, nor should it be taken as creepy. I’m just a regular customer, and, well, Persian is a highly emotional language.
Khasteh nabâshid
Literally “don’t be tired,” khasteh nabâshid can be used as a greeting or a goodbye. Typically, when I sit in a taxi, I’ll say salaam, khasteh nabâshid. And between classes, us teachers are always telling each other khasteh nabâshi as we come in and out of the breakroom.
So ubiquitous is this phrase that my students can’t get over the fact that there is no English equivalent.
“So what did your students in the US say to you?” they ask.
“Nothing. At best they said, ‘Thanks, bye.'”
Now, some of my students tell me khasteh nabâshid after class while others tell me “Good job.” I’m not sure where they got that one from, but it’s cute. And who am I to pass up a compliment?
Here’s another typical exchange when I leave work:
Pontia: Khasteh nabâshi, Maryam joon [khodâ hâfez] (Don’t be tired, dear Maryam. = In this case, a form of “goodbye” since I’m leaving.)
Maryam: Ghorbunet beram azizam. (Literally, “I’ll sacrifice myself for you my dear” = Or more simply, “Bye.”)
Moshtâghe didâr
Moshtâghe didâr means “I’m eager to see you,” and it’s commonly used between friends and family who haven’t seen each other in a while or with someone you’ve heard about but haven’t met yet. For instance, the first time I met my cousin’s friends, they said moshtâghe didâr because they had heard about me but hadn’t met me yet.
In the case of another cousin, we don’t get a chance to see each other quite as often, so our text messages commonly consist of “What’s your schedule like? Let’s meet up sometime soon. Moshtâghe didâretam [I’m eager to see you.].”
Âfiat bâsheh
Âfiat bâsheh means “bless you” and is used after someone sneezes (although I’m always surprised by how infrequently Iranians use this compared to Americans). But you can also say this to a person who has just gotten out of the shower. And I have no idea why we do this. But during my childhood years when we spent the summers in Iran, every time I came out of the shower, my grandmother, aunt, cousin, or anyone else who was around would say âfiat bâsheh.
Eyval
Eyval (or eyvallâh, as it’s sometimes said) is an informal word that means “bravo” or “well done”, much like damet garm. In fact, it’s often combined with damet garm, as in [bâbâ] eyval, damet garm!
Felan
An informal “goodbye” that literally means “for now” or “for the time being”. In conversations or texts where I know I’m going to see that person shortly or perhaps get back to them about something, I’ll use felan.
These 11 Persian words and phrases are simple, widely used, and will definitely make you sound more native. But if you’re up for more challenging phrases to really blow away your Iranians friends or family, check out the post on 18 Poetic Persian Phrases You’ll Wish English Had.
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