Have you ever dreamed of unlocking the secrets of an ancient language that has shaped history, poetry, and culture for centuries?

A panoramic view of Persepolis, the ancient capital of the Achaemenid Empire in Iran, with grand stone carvings.

Learning Farsi, with over 110 million speakers, connects you to a rich and diverse culture that has profoundly influenced the world.

Farsi, one of the oldest languages spoken today, is so well-preserved that modern speakers can easily read and understand texts from 1700 years ago. This means that by learning Farsi, you can understand and read the mesmerizing poets of Rumi, Hafez, and Ferdowsi in their original, lyrical Farsi.

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Discover how to learn Farsi! Let’s get started on this exciting adventure together.

How to Learn Farsi Part 1: Characteristics

Before we dive into learning Farsi, let's explore some fascinating features of this beautiful language!

  • Right to left writing: Farsi is written from right to left, which might be new for you.

  • Alphabet: Farsi uses a modified version of the Arabic alphabet, with 32 letters.

  • No gender in nouns: Unlike many languages, Farsi doesn't have gendered nouns.

  • Pronunciation: There are sounds in Farsi that might not exist in English, but they're fun to learn!

A man skillfully writing in Nastaliq, a traditional form of Persian calligraphy, using a reed pen and ink on white paper.

How to Learn Farsi Part 2: The Alphabet

The Farsi alphabet might look different from what you're used to, but don't worry, it's all part of the fun. Farsi uses a modified version of the Arabic alphabet with 32 letters. While it might seem challenging at first, many letters have sounds similar to English.

Check out the video below where we’ll go through the Farsi alphabet, letter by letter, and learn how to pronounce each one correctly.

If you prefer, you can also refer to this text-based Farsi alphabet chart to familiarize yourself with the Farsi alphabet.

Quiz

Identify the Farsi letter from the given sound: "M"

How to Learn Farsi Part 3: Essential Words

Ready to greet someone in Farsi? Learn how to say "Hello" (Salam), "How are you?" (Chetori?), and introduce yourself with "My name is..." (Esm-e man ... ast).

Check out the video below to see and hear these words in action!

Let's add more to your vocabulary with everyday phrases like "Thanks" (Merci), "Yes" (Bale), and "No" (Na).

English to Farsi translations: Yes (bale), No (na), Thanks (merci), Hello (salam), How are you? (Chetori?)

Quiz

Imagine you are preparing for a trip to Iran. Which of the following would help you get ready language-wise?

A. Learn basic words and phrases like "please," "thank you," "where is," and "how much?"

B. Buy a Farsi phrasebook and focus on common sentences for travelers.

C. Familiarize yourself with Farsi numbers to understand prices and addresses.

D. Memorize the names of famous Iranian poets in Farsi.

Quiz

Select the option(s) that would be the right way to learn Farsi language:

How to Learn Farsi Part 4: Numbers

Counting in Farsi is useful and a great way to build your vocabulary.

You'll find it handy whether you're shopping, telling time, or impressing your friends! Ready to start counting? Check out the image below to see the numbers from 1 to 10 in Farsi and their English equivalents.

You can also refer to this text-based Farsi number chart.

Numbers in English to Farsi: 1 (yek), 2 (do), 3 (se), 4 (chahar), 5 (panj), 6(shesh), 7(haft), 8(hasht), 9(noh), 10(dah).

How to Learn Farsi Part 5: Persian Culture

Let's discover the richness of Persian culture through these key aspects:

An image of a Persian cat in golden brown color Photo by Sergey Semin on Unsplash

Persian cat - گربه ایرانی

Famous for their long, luxurious fur and sweet temperaments, Persian cats are one of the world's oldest and most beloved cat breeds.

An image of a Persian carpet Photo by Lida Sahafzadeh on Unsplash

Persian carpet - فرش ایرانی

Known for their detailed designs and craftsmanship, Persian carpets are treasured as art pieces and symbols of Persian heritage.

An image of Photo by Fatane Rahimi on Unsplash

Nowruz - نوروز

Celebrated on the first day of spring, Nowruz is the Persian New Year, marked by family gatherings, special meals, and Haft-Seen displays.

An image of a glass of black tea placed on a Persian carpet Photo by Mehrshad Rajabi on Unsplash

Tea - چای

Essential to daily life, tea (chai) is enjoyed throughout the day in Iran, accompanied by pastries and sweets, and served as a gesture of hospitality.

Image of 'Zereshk Polo Ba Morgh', Persian cuisine featuring rice with chicken and barberry. Photo by Dad hotel on Unsplash

Persian food - غذای ایرانی

Delights with various flavorful dishes such as kebabs, stews (khoresht), and fragrant rice dishes (polo), reflecting Iran's diverse culinary traditions.

Image of a restaurant with a historical building. A waiter is serving food for guests Photo by Dad hotel on Unsplash

Hospitality - مهمان‌ نوازی

Iranians are renowned for their warm hospitality, welcoming guests with genuine kindness and often sharing delicious food.

Take Action

An animation displaying the Persian word

Great job, or as they say in Farsi, "Afarin!" آفرین!

You've taken the first steps into a rich and beautiful language, and there's so much more to explore. To continue your journey and become more fluent in Farsi, here's a handy checklist of next steps:

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