Persian ( Farsi ) Language Lessons - Quiz and Explanations

Note: - I often receive e-mails telling me that the sayings do not use proper written grammar. All of these sayings are colloquial (slang) expressions. I present these more of a way to help people get used to the Persian characters and to learn some interesting slang expressions.

I am in no way attempting to present a formal class in Persian grammar. For more resources for learning Persian on the Internet see the Persian Language Learning Site at http://www.arizonapersian.com/learnpersian. For books on learning Persian, see the Arizona Persian bookstore in the Arizona Persian Book List.

Pronunciation
(read right to left)

dadeh

beh

gol

dast

Explanation

Dast gol beh ob dadeh - literally means - "He/she handed flowers to the water." This is a colloquial expression meaning "He or she messed up."

Note:
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Pronunciation
(read right to left)

hast

hava

beh

sar

khayli

Explanation

Khayli sar beh hava hast - literally means - "He/she is very head in the air." This is a colloquial expression meaning "He or she is not very smart" or "He or she is a real air head."

Pronunciation
(read right to left)

girefti

kam

dast

man

Explanation

Man ra dast kam gerifti - literally means - "You took me less hand." This is a colloquial expression meaning "You took me for granted."

Pronunciation
(read right to left)

bud

khali

khayli

jayet

Explanation

Jayet khayli khali bud - literally means - "Your place was very empty" This is a colloquial expression meaning "Everyone really missed you."

Pronunciation
(read right to left)

kardam

del

dard

Explanation

Ba ou dard del kardam - literally means - "With her/him I pain stomached" This is a colloquial expression meaning "I had a heart-to-heart talk with him or her."

Pronunciation
(read right to left)

behrakhsam

saz-e

beh

Explanation

Beh saz-e ki behrakhsam - literally means - "Whose music shall I dance to?" This is a colloquial expression meaning that everything I've heard is different, "Which story should I listen to?"

Pronunciation
(read right to left)

payeen

bia

sheytoon

khar-e

Explanation

Az khar-e sheytoon bia payeen - literally means - "Come down off the devil's donkey" This is a colloquial expression meaning 'Don't be so stubborn', much like the American expression "Come down off your high horse."

Pronunciation
(read right to left)

maleed

Iran

beh

raftanam

Explanation

Raftanam beh Iran maleed - literally means - "My going to Iran was rubbed" This is a colloquial expression meaning that my plans for going to Iran were messed up.

Letters used

coming soon!

Pronunciation
(read right to left)

omad

dar

man

pedar-e

Explanation

Pedar-e man dar omad - literally means - "My father came out" This is a colloquial expression meaning I'm in deep trouble. Note: The word dar actually means door - dar omad means came out.

Letters used

coming soon!

Pronunciation
(read right to left)

bgzar

jigar

ru-ye

dandoon

Explanation

Dandoon ru-ye jigar bgzar - literally means - "Put your tooth on your liver" This is a colloquial expression used to tell someone to have patience. It is similar to the American saying "Hold your horses."

Letters used

coming soon!

Pronunciation
(read right to left)

nakoneh

dard

shoma

dast-e

Explanation

Dast-e shoma dard nakoneh - literally means - "May your hand not hurt you." This is a colloquial expression used when thanking someone for a good meal. I don't know where it originates - But, my guess is that it was from before the time of automatic kitchen utilities. Perhaps people were suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome from chopping vegetables for those wonderful gourmet Persian food recipes. (BTW - Be sure to check out the Persian Cook Books in the Arizona Persian Book Store).

Letters used

coming soon!

Pronunciation
(read right to left)

mishkaneh

gerdoo

domesh

Explanation

Ba domesh gerdoo mishkaneh - literally means - "He or she breaks the walnut with his or her tail." This is a colloquial expression for saying that someone is very very happy.

Letters used

coming soon!

Pronunciation
(read right to left)

nadareh

posht

Gol

Explanation

Gol posht o ru nadareh literally means - "The flower has no front or back." This is used most commonly when someone apologizes for turning his or her back to you. It is a polite way of excusing the person for not facing you.

Letters used

coming soon!

Pronunciation
(read right to left)

gozasht

pol

man

Khar-e

Explanation

Khar-e man az pol gosasht is literally - "My donkey crossed the bridge." This is a colloquial expression meaning I just overcame a great obstacle, usually something that represents a milestone.

Letters used

coming soon!