Greetings and politeness in Persian
Hello, please, thank you, sorry: the ten openers everything else builds on. Play the ten Persian words against the clock, with a note on how locals really use each one after every answer. All ten are written out below.
All 11 Persian phrases in this lesson
- سلامsa-LAWM
- Hello
- صبح بخیرsobh beh-KHEYR
- Good morning
- عصر بخیرasr be-KHEIR
- Good evening
- خداحافظkho-da-HA-fez
- Goodbye
- فعلاًFE-lan
- See you
- لطفاًlot-FAN
- Please
- ممنونmam-NOON
- Thank you
- خواهش میکنمKHA-hesh MEE-ko-nam
- You're welcome
- متأسفمmo-ta-AS-se-fam
- Sorry
- ببخشیدbeh-bakh-SHEED
- Excuse me
- از آشنایی با شما خوشوقتمaz aash-naa-YEE baa sho-MAA khosh-vagh-TAM
- Nice to meet you
The universal greeting, works in all contexts from formal to casual. Response: same "salam" or the warmer "salamati" (health upon you). Used when arriving anywhere, any time of day, to anyone.
Literally "morning with goodness". The response is "sobh shomā ham beh-kheyr" (your morning too with goodness). Used until around mid-morning, after which regular greetings suffice.
Used from late afternoon into the evening. Salaam works at any hour.
Literally "God protect you". Formal and warm. Casual alternatives: "bye" (borrowed), "besho meh" (see you, very informal), or repeat greetings: "سلام" back to someone leaving. Always said as the person departs, never as the person staying.
Literally "for now", the casual goodbye between friends. خداحافظ (kho-DA-ha-fez) is the standard one.
Formal please. In casual speech Iranians add it to statements as softening: "یک چای، لطفاً" (one tea, please). The most natural pattern is stating what you want with "لطفاً" attached, not as a standalone opener.
The standard thank you, used constantly. To a woman: "mamnuna" (mam-NOO-na), though modern Persian often skips gender. Saying it with genuine warmth goes far; Iranians notice and appreciate authentic gratitude.
Literally "I make a request" (as in, your thanks are a request I fulfill). Also means "please" in polite contexts. Casual alternative: "hey" (just a brush-off) or repeat the thanks back: "ممنون" in response to being thanked.
Literally "I am sorry", for a real apology. For a small bump, ببخشید (be-bakh-SHEED) is enough.
Covers pardon and excuse me: to get attention, to pass, or for a small bump.
Literally "I am glad to be acquainted with you".