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Perpignan

Perpignan (Perpinyà in Catalan) is the capital of the department of Pyrénées-Orientales, the Northern Catalonia part of France, and about 15 km from the sea. Perpignan is home to about 120,000 people, and has two rivers flowing through it; with the Têt to the north, and the Basse through the centre. Once the continental capital of the Kingdom of Majorca, Perpignan has been an economical and educational centre for centuries, and this is evident in its architecture.

Understand
Perpignan sits on the crossroads of the French and Spanish, Catalan and Languedocian cultural spheres. It was the "mainland" capital of the Kingdom of Mallorca for a while and gained further fame as a connection point between France and Spain when the first high-speed standard gauge rail line between the two countries opened from Figueres in 2010 with the missing section onwards via Girona to Barcelona and thence all of Spain opening in 2013. Perpignan gained some questionable fame in the 2020 municipal elections when a member of the far-right RN and former partner of its leader Marine Le Pen, won the mayoral election, making Perpignan the biggest city with a far-right mayor in France.

Perpignan is in the heart of the Roussillon plain, about 10-15 km from the beaches of Côte d'Améthyste (Amethyst coast) on the Mediterranean. It sits between the Corbières region and the Albères Massif, foothills of the Pyrenees and the emblematic mountain Pic du Canigou is visible to the southwest.

The historical centre has narrow streets with brick houses and one of the highlights here is the quartier Saint-Jacques with the Medieval Jewish quartier. The citadel with the royal palace, the Castillet and ramparts are monuments to the time when the city was the capital of the Kingdom of Mallorca. There's more to the old town than history, it also has many bars and a vibrant nightlife.

The outskirts of the city show a sharp contrast to the old town. In the latter half of the 20th century Perpignan grew rapidly, one of the reasons was that people moving from independent Algeria settled here. During this time many suburbs emerged, being built quickly and in a disorderly manner.

This article also covers Argelès-sur-Mer, one of the major seaside resorts in the south of France (300 days of sunshine per year). That old and lively Catalan village is built around its church and museum.

Climate
The climate is Mediterranean with hot summers and mild winters, which is evident in the vegetation. Trees include olive trees, palms, green oaks, cork oaks and pines, together with fruit trees (peach, apricot, cherry, almond and orange). In the arid higher locations grows garrigue, thymes and wild lavender.

Rain is relatively rare, though when it falls it's sometimes torrential. Such rains usually occur during late summer or early autumn. Perpignan gets a lot of sun, on average 2506 hours a year - much thanks to the Pyrenees that block rainy weather coming in from the Atlantic.

Wind patterns have names; usually it blows from the northwest, and the wind is called tramontane. The wind from Spain (southwest) is known as alber, from southeast marinada and south migjorn are rarer but these too help clear the sky from clouds.

History
The oldest traces of human habitation are from the 7th century BCE, discovered through archaeological diggings around Château-Roussillon. Made up of the remains of a home and a grave, it is known as the Ruscino site. In pre-Christian times Perpignan was an important town, first the capital of the Sordones (an Iberic people) and during Roman times a prosperous city with a forum, basilicas, thermal baths and patricians residences. The Roman name for the town was Ruscino, which has evolved into Roussillon. However, the Romans decided to move the regional administration to nearby Elne, meaning the decline of Ruscino. In Elne an episcopal seat was established.

In the early 8th century the Muslims marching northwards from Spain returned the regional capital status to Ruscino. The first reference of the city's present name was in a charter from 927, where a place named Villa Perpiniani had been established outside Ruscino. This modest village was chosen as the capital by the counts of Roussillon who had a castle built here in the 11th century. In 1172 it became part of the crown of Aragon, and the city received privileges including a local government with a great degree of autonomy.

The 13th and 14th centuries were known as the golden age of Perpignan. Christians reconquered the Balearic Islands, and together with areas in present-day northeastern Spain and south coastal France they were made into a separate kingdom, the Kingdom of Majorca, with Perpignan as its capital. Many of the grand buildings such as the cathedral, royal palace, ramparts and a sea court are from this time. In 1344 the kingdom was reincorporated into the Crown of Aragon.

Roussillon including Perpignan was annexed by France in 1463, and this was followed by 30 years of local revolt against the French. In 1493 Aragon gained control again and the city became known as Fidelissima Vila de Perpinyà - the faithful city of Perpignan. Aragon and later Spain built fortifications around the Perpignan, but in 1642 the French Army returned and in 1659 the region became part of France as part of the Treaty of the Pyrenees. The fortifications were improved again, this time by the famous architect Vauban, and also the city was modernized.

Perpignan saw warfare again during the Napoleonic Wars. As a city near the border of two European powers, many buildings were converted into military use and many others were destroyed to make the city less cramped. In theh 19th century, Perpignan was industrialized and became an economic center. In the 20th century, the town was under German occupation during WWII and received a large influx of pieds noirs, French North Africans, when Morocco, Tunisia and especially Algeria became independent in the 1960s. The resulting population growth meant that suburbs were created around Perpignan. Perpignan today remains an important economic center in southern France, as well as a popular transport hub for tourists.

By bus
Flixbus runs daily direct from Paris, taking 12 hr 30 min and continuing to Barcelona. Other services from Paris involve changing in Lyon.

Blablabus ride-shares are often the most convenient way to Girona, Barcelona and cities in southern France.

Local buses run to Argelès-sur-Mer, Thuir, Ille-sur-Têt, Le Boulou and Quillan.

Central Bus Station is west side of the railway station.

By road
Autoroute A9 (La Catalane, toll) follows the coast. From the north join it off A7 near Orange, and follow it past Nîmes, Montpellier, Béziers and Narbonne.

From Bordeaux and Toulouse follow A62 / A61 to Narbonne to join A9.

From Spain follow AP-7 past Barcelona and Girona.

D900 is the old north-south road replaced by A9. It's toll-free and goes through Perpignan city centre. It's often congested.

D117 follows the north edge of the Pyrenees, so from the west it's an alternative to A64 / A61.

N20 / N116 is the route from Andorra.

Get around
Walk: town centre is compact, and much is pedestrianised.

Buses are operated by Sankeo: their website has a route planner, timetables and maps. The network extends to nearby towns.

Taxis wait at the airport and railway station. Firms in town are Accueil Perpignan (+33 468 351515) and Alternative Taxi (+33 652 664318).

Driving: not if you can avoid it. Especially in summer, the streets are congested and central car parks are full.

Quartier Saint-Jean
Established south of the Basse River, Saint-Jean is the historic part of Perpignan. In the 11th century the counts of Roussillon established a fortress around the small church of Saint-Jean le Vieux. It's a lively part of the city largely composed of brick buildings with or without coating and small alleys and squares between them. Many streets are pedestrianized and lined by shops and restaurants.

Place de la Loge is the most famous square, and was known in the Middle Ages as Plaça dels Richs Homens (the square of the rich people in Catalan). It's surrounded by buildings of great importance during the time; Loge de Mer (court and commercial exchange), Palais de la Députation, and the city hall. In the middle stands "La Vénus au collier", a statue by painter and sculptor Aristide Maillol (1861-1944). Nearby Place de Verdun sits right next to the Castillet and around the corner is the Basse, surrounded by greenery.

In addition to walking around on your own, in the warmer half of the year there are guided walking tours departing from the tourist office, a tourist train going around the historical centre, and a boat with electric motor plying the Basse.

 * Loge de Mer next to city hall was the medieval stock exchange and commercial chambers. It's now the Tourist Office.
 * is the lively plaza at the heart of this district, lined with cafes.

Quartier de La Réal
This was the seat of royal power during the Kingdom of Majorca, and the district is also known by the name Castell Real. It's made up of the Royal Palace and the impressive citadel surrounding it and is a calm part of the city compared to the commercial parts. Some cultural institutions can be found here as well.

Quartier Saint-Jacques
Jacques I d'Aragon ordered this eastern extension of the city in the 1260s, centred on the church of Saint-Jacques. For the next 250 years it was the Jewish quarter or "Call", but almost nothing remains of that. Nowadays it has many Roma and Maghrebi residents: on a good day it's raffish and cosmopolitan, but often it feels seedy and unsafe.
 * Monument aux Morts de Perpignan 100 m east of Saint-Jacques was erected in 1924. It marks the south tip of Miranda Gardens, a ribbon of green along the line of the former city walls, arcing west towards the cathedral.
 * Monument aux Morts de Perpignan 100 m east of Saint-Jacques was erected in 1924. It marks the south tip of Miranda Gardens, a ribbon of green along the line of the former city walls, arcing west towards the cathedral.
 * Monument aux Morts de Perpignan 100 m east of Saint-Jacques was erected in 1924. It marks the south tip of Miranda Gardens, a ribbon of green along the line of the former city walls, arcing west towards the cathedral.

Do

 * Théâtre municipal is on Plaza de la República, Box Office +33 468 663354.
 * Cinéma le Castillet is at 1 Bvd Wilson next to Le Castillet.
 * Rugby Union:
 * Rugby League:
 * Saint-Estève XIII Catalan are a semi-pro rugby league team in Elite 1, the top French domestic tier. Their home ground is Stade Municipal (capacity 6000) 3 km northwest of town centre. The playing season is September-April.
 * Espace Aquatique du Moulin à Vent is a 50 m indoor swimming pool northeast corner of Parc ds Sports.
 * Espace Aquatique Arlette Franco is a 25 m pool next to Dragons Catalans stadium, at 2 Rue du Méridien.
 * Football: only amateur soccer is played hereabouts. Canet Roussillon FC play in the minor leagues at Stade Saint-Michel 10 km east of town.
 * Golf: the nearest course is Montescot 10 km south of town.
 * Football: only amateur soccer is played hereabouts. Canet Roussillon FC play in the minor leagues at Stade Saint-Michel 10 km east of town.
 * Golf: the nearest course is Montescot 10 km south of town.

Events

 * Sanch procession has taken place every Good Friday since 1461. Penitents in caperutxas - pointy hoods - march the streets of the old town, starting from Saint-Jacques church, some of them barefoot. They carry life-size statues showing scenes of the passion of Christ.
 * Sant Joan festival is a midsummer festival on St John's eve (23 June), with bonfires, fireworks and parades.
 * Visa pour l'image is a photo exhibition in September for 15 days. The main venue is at Couvent des Minimes; several other venues are historic places not routinely open to the public.
 * Jazzèbre jazz concerts are year-round, but the main festival is late Sept to early Oct.

Buy

 * Marché de la Place de la République is a food and farmers market in the main plaza, Tu-Su 7:30-13:30.
 * Marché de la Place Cassanyes has a bit of everything. It's 100 m south of Église Saint-Jacques, daily 07:30-13:00.
 * Leclerc have a hypermarket south on Ave Victor Dalbiez and another north at the Poligon on Ave du Languedoc.
 * Carrefour have five stores around town. The closest are north at 40 Ave Maréchal Joffre, and south at 16 Ave Pierre Cambres.
 * Lidl have four supermarkets in town. One is 200 m north of the station (open M-Sa 09:00-20:00), the others are further out.
 * Aldi have three branches, all edge of town.
 * Leclerc have a hypermarket south on Ave Victor Dalbiez and another north at the Poligon on Ave du Languedoc.
 * Carrefour have five stores around town. The closest are north at 40 Ave Maréchal Joffre, and south at 16 Ave Pierre Cambres.
 * Lidl have four supermarkets in town. One is 200 m north of the station (open M-Sa 09:00-20:00), the others are further out.
 * Aldi have three branches, all edge of town.

Eat

The Roussillon cuisine is a variant of the Catalan cuisine, with ingredients from mar i muntanya - the sea and the mountains. Common ingredients include fish and seafood (the "fruits of the sea"), charcuteries, the "fruits of the land" like tomatoes, peppers, peaches, apricots, cherries and of course aioli (known as all i oli here).

Classics of the local cuisine include suquet (fish stew with saffron and tomatoes), esesxaida (red salad with peppers), llagosta i pollastre (dish based on lobster and chicken), bullinada (fish and seafood pot), llagostada (lobster simmered in olive oil with sofregit - sauce), or cargollada (barbecued snails).

Iconic products include botifarras (sausage) and fuet (dry sausages) but also anxoves (anchovies), a specialty of the city of Collioure, mongetes (white beans) and olives. For dessert there are bunyetes (beignets), coques or cocas (fruit pastries sometimes with ), crema catalana, le bras de gitan (Genoese cake filled with pastry cream), rousquille (cookies with anise) and mel i mato (goat or sheep's cheese with honey).

On the wine side, the region is famous for sweet wines including Banyuls, Rivesaltes, Muscat de Rivesaltes and Maury, and high quality table wines like Côte du Roussillon and Collioure.

Drink

 * Wine: the lowlands around Perpignan produce Roussilon and Rivesaltes red, white and fortified (muscat) wines.
 * Nitos Distillery makes rum and gin.
 * Wine: the lowlands around Perpignan produce Roussilon and Rivesaltes red, white and fortified (muscat) wines.
 * Nitos Distillery makes rum and gin.
 * Nitos Distillery makes rum and gin.

Mid-range

 * Ibis Budget Perpignan Centre is a block north of the Mondial at 34 Ave Général Leclerc.
 * Hotel de la Loge is a clean simple place at 1 Rue Fabriqués d'en Nabot, 50 m south of Hôtel de France
 * Ibis Budget Perpignan North is next to the Campanile Aéroport.
 * Novotel Perpignan Rivesaltes is behind the Campanile and Ibis.
 * Hotel de la Loge is a clean simple place at 1 Rue Fabriqués d'en Nabot, 50 m south of Hôtel de France
 * Ibis Budget Perpignan North is next to the Campanile Aéroport.
 * Novotel Perpignan Rivesaltes is behind the Campanile and Ibis.
 * Ibis Budget Perpignan North is next to the Campanile Aéroport.
 * Novotel Perpignan Rivesaltes is behind the Campanile and Ibis.
 * Ibis Budget Perpignan North is next to the Campanile Aéroport.
 * Novotel Perpignan Rivesaltes is behind the Campanile and Ibis.

Connect
As of Jan 2024, Perpignan and its approach highways have 5G from all French carriers.

Stay safe
Perpignan is a reasonably safe city compared to larger and more populous ones. Being street smart and taking basic precautions should be enough to avoid problems.

However, some parts of the city, namely the district of Saint-Jacques, should be visited with caution, and ideally never on your own. No matter where you go in town, never wear jewellery or other signs of wealth. Also, don't leave valuables in parked cars.

Go next

 * Salses-le-Château 15 km north has a stonking great 15th century fortress.
 * Canet-en-Roussillon 9 km east is mostly suburbs, but has a seaside strip with fine sand beaches, a port, arboretum and aquarium.
 * Elne 12 km south has an 11th century Romanesque cathedral and the poignant Maternité Suisse site in Château d’En Bardou.
 * Collioure 25 km southeast on the Côte Vermeille is an attractive small port immortalised by Fauvist painters.
 * Banyuls and Cerbère southeast are on the old route across the border to Spanish Catalonia.
 * Eus 35 km west is a small fortified village clinging to the rocks in the middle of scrubland and orchards.
 * Abbaye Saint-Martin du Canigou teeters on a crag 55 km west.

title: Perpignan


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Perrysburg (Ohio)

Perrysburg is a city in Northwest Ohio, and an affluent suburb of Toledo.

By car
Perrysburg is located off of I-75 and is easily accessible by car.

By mass transit
Nearby Toledo is served by daily Amtrak trains. There is however no bus service from Toledo.

Get around
While Perrysburg is car centric, it is also very bikable. Some areas such as Downtown and Levis Commons are walkable.

Go next

 * Toledo - Perrysburg is a suburb of Toledo.
 * Rossford - A nearby gambling suburb.
 * Bowling Green - A nearby college town, and the county seat of Wood County.
 * Findlay - An industrial town a county south.

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Perrysburg (Ohio)


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Perryton

Perryton, the county seat of Ochiltree County, is on the High Plains of the Texas Panhandle.

Get in

 * On Texas Route 70, about 65 miles north of Pampa.
 * US 83 also goes through town, connecting to Canadian to the southeast and Liberal, Kansas to the north.

Get around
As anywhere on the High Plains, a car will be indispensable.

Go next

 * Lake Fryer, near Perryton. A small but scenic lake good for fishing. Take Texas highway 70 north about 50 miles and turn right at the Texas 83 junction.

title: Perryton


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Perryville

Perryville is a city in Maryland.

Get in
Getting in from points southwest like Baltimore and Havre de Grace on the Millard E. Tydings Memorial Bridge on Interstate 95 or the Thomas J. Hatem Memorial Bridge on U.S. Route 40 requires a toll of US$8.00 per car or motorcycle across the Susquehanna River. Bicyclists aged at least 18 or with valid driver license may also pay $8.00 to cross the eastbound Thomas J. Hatem Memorial Bridge only within some strict conditions on weekends and local holidays.

Go next

 * Havre de Grace is to the west. Crossing the Millard E. Tydings Memorial Bridge on Interstate 95 or the Thomas J. Hatem Memorial Bridge on U.S. Route 40 in this direction requires no toll. Bicyclists aged at least 18 or with valid driver license may also cross the westbound Thomas J. Hatem Memorial Bridge only within some strict conditions on weekends and local holidays.

title: Perryville


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Persepolis

Persepolis  is a historical site 60 km north of Shiraz, in Fars province. It was the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire (550–330 BC), inscribed in the UNESCO list in 1979.

Understand
The World Heritage Listed centre of the great Persian Empire, ceremonial capital of the Achaemenians and the showpiece of Achaemenian art, Persepolis (Capital of Persia in Greek) is a historic site in Fars Province, 60 km to the northeast of Shiraz. Iranians call it Takht-e Jamshid (throne of Jamshid), Jamshid being the first, probably mythical, ruler of Iran. This magnificent court was the summer residence of the Achaemenian emperors and their official reception quarters. It must be by some strange accident of history that Persepolis was never mentioned in foreign records, for it was here that representatives of all the varied peoples of the empire gathered to pay homage, and bring tribute, to the King of Kings, probably each spring, at the time of the ancient Nowruz festival. Although set on fire and destroyed by Alexander the Great in a gesture symbolizing the destruction of Persian imperial power, its still impressive ruins permit a fairly complete reconstruction of its original appearance.

Get in
There is no public transport going to Persepolis. The closest city reachable by public bus is Marvdasht, 14 km away from Persepolis, from there one needs to charter a taxi to the site. The main highway bypasses Marvdasht and Persepolis and thus all long-distance buses go past them.

By bus
Minibuses (45000 rials) or a shared taxi (80000 rials) going to Marvdasht can be found at Ali Ibn Hamze Terminal in Shiraz. Besides, almost all of them make a stop or start their way from the bus stop near Qur'an Gate in Shiraz.

There is an anecdotal information that buses stop going from Marvdasht to Shiraz somewhere in the afternoon.

See & do

You can hire a guide for 400,000 - 600,000 rials. Ask for the licence. The guide will take you around for 2-3 hr and will give you a great value of information (there are almost no descriptions).

Buy
Souvenirs can be bought at the ticket office building, and also in kiosks near fast food stalls before the entrance to the sight.

Eat & drink
Apart from the cafes mentioned below there is a restaurant in Apadana Hotel. Other eating options are located in the nearest Mahdieh town (4 km away) and Marvdasht city (14 km away). Note that you will leave your bags at the entrance and that food is not allowed inside.

Go next

 * Pasargad was a Persian capital built by Cyrus the Great in the 6th century BC 50 km away from Persepolis. It's listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List
 * Shiraz — the closest big city

title: Persepolis


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Persian phrasebook

Persian (فارسی, Farsi) is a language in the Indo-Iranian branch of the Indo-European family. It is a direct descendant of Middle Persian, which is derived from Old Persian. You can find many grammatical similarities between Persian and the other languages of this family. However, Persian is more similar to its contemporary languages like Sanskrit, Greek or Latin than to relatively newer languages. For instance, both Latin and Persian have a subject-object-verb (SOV) basic word order - though both also use other orders sometimes - which is uncommon among modern European languages. Today, Persian is mainly spoken in Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Bahrain. It has official status in the first three countries but was once the official, court, or literary language of many more places ranging from Turkey through India. At this time, many Persian poets emerged from the Indian subcontinent, Central Asia and the regions under the control of the Ottoman Empire. It is still appreciated as a literary and prestigious language among the educated elite. Many people in Iran and neighboring countries know Persian fluently even if it's not their mother tongue. The Persian Empire was historically much bigger than today's Iran before losing many territories, especially to its neighbor Russia. After the 1979 revolution, many Iranians migrated to the West and as a result, there are numerous Persian-speaking communities throughout the world, particularly in the USA. Persian is the second language of Islam so in many Islamic countries you can find someone knowing Persian.

The native name of the language is Farsi (فارسی). The word Farsi has also entered English mainly because Iranian immigrants in the West didn't know about the native English name of their language (i.e. Persian) and began to use Farsi, which still prevails although somewhat decreased. Persian has three standard dialects: Iranian Persian (Farsi), Afghan Persian (Dari) and Tajik Persian (Tajik). They are all mutually intelligible. The written form is the same for Farsi and Dari, both using the Arabic alphabet; Tajik is generally written with the Cyrillic alphabet.

Note - The contents of this page are written in literary Persian (though pronunciations are based on the Iranian Standard) so phrases written here will be understood not only in Iran but also in Afghanistan, Tajikistan and other countries. However, standard pronunciations may differ in those countries, generally due to those varieties differentiating certain vowels which do not exist in Iranian Persian. Since vowels are not commonly written in Iranian Persian or Dari, this has little effect on writing. See Dari phrasebook for Afghan Persian and Tajik phrasebook for information on those varieties.

Pronunciation guide
The Persian writing system derives from that of Arabic, extended with four letters to denote the sounds not found in Arabic. The Persian writing system is not an alphabet but an abjad. An abjad has only characters for denoting consonant sounds. Vowels have no specific character; they may be indicated either by certain diacritics or by certain consonant characters, but are usually left out altogether. Additionally, most letters change shape when they are followed by another letter.

Vowels and diphthongs
Regarding their indication in the Persian script:
 * The sounds a, e, o can be indicated with certain diacritics but they are practically only used in elementary-school books. The vowel o is sometimes denoted with the consonant و (v).
 * The sounds â is always indicated: with آ at word initial and with ا elsewhere.
 * The sounds i and ey are indicated with ای at word initial and with the consonant ی (y) elsewhere.
 * The sounds u and ow are indicated with او at word initial and with the consonant و (v) elsewhere.

Consonants
As you may note, there are characters that denote identical sounds e.g. ظ ,ض, ز are all pronounced z. It's because Persian has preserved the spelling of Arabic loanwords. Each of these characters has distinguished sounds in Arabic but they are all pronounced the same in Persian.

Syllable
Persian has the following syllable patterns (C = Consonant, V = Vowel):

These patterns can be encapsulated in CV(C)(C). According to the patterns:
 * A syllable always begins with a consonant sound. Please note that syllables which visually begin with a vowel sound, have a preceding glottal stop merged with their sound. For instance, u (he, she) is actually said øu and ârd (flour) is actually said øârd.
 * The second component of any syllable is a vowel sound.
 * Each syllable can only have one vowel sound. Therefore, each vowel indicates a syllable.

As opposed to English and many other languages, Persian does not allow two or more consonants to begin a syllable. Therefore, loanwords with such a characteristic are always Persianized:

To help you understand it better, here are some basic words along with their syllabification:

Stress
The stress is on the last syllable. However, a few adverbs do not follow this regularity. In addition, Persian has a number of enclitics, which simply put, are unstressed endings (English example: 's in Peter's book). Enclitics do not change the stress position of the word to which they attach. Therefore, the stress position does not shift to the last syllable e.g. pedaram (my father): pe.dar + enclitic -am = pe.da.ram (rather than expected pe.da.ram)

Note: As an aid to beginners, the grave accent can be placed on the first vowel of enclitics to make them distinguishable from suffixes and final letters of words. This method is used here for the genitive enclitic (è / yè), indefinite enclitic (ì / yì) and enclitic form of "and" (ò).

Basic grammar
Persian has a relatively easy and mostly regular grammar. Therefore, reading this grammar primer would help you learn much about Persian grammar and understand phrases better. You should also be able to memorize phrases easier.

Gender
Persian is a gender-neutral language. Such languages don't differentiate different grammatical genders (masculine, feminine and neuter) and have identical pronouns, adjectives, etc. for all of them. For example, Persian has one word for both English "he" and "she", "him" and "her", "his" and "her".

Articles
There is no definite article in Persian. A bare noun indicates a definite noun (which includes common and generic nouns) e.g. mâšin dar pârking ast: the car is in the garage (literally: car, in garage, is); az mâr mitarsam: I'm afraid of snakes (literally: from snake fear-I)

Indefiniteness is expressed with the enclitic -ì (or -yì after vowels). It is for both singular and plural nouns. English does not have an exact equivalent for the Persian's plural indefinite article. It's often translated as "some" or "a few" or is simply omitted. The indefinite enclitic is added to the end of the noun phrase: mâšinì (a car, some car), mâšinhâyì (some cars)

Plural
Nouns are pluralized with the suffix -hâ. It's the only plural suffix used in spoken Persian. In written Persian, there's another plural suffix -ân (-gân after the vowel e and -yân after other vowels) which can only be used for animates and human beings in particular. It is especially useful to restrict the meaning to human beings. For example:

 * sar means "head", sarhâ means "heads" and sarân means "chiefs, heads, leaders"
 * gozašte means "past", gozaštehâ means "the past (events, etc.)" and gozaštegân means "the people of the past"

Arabic loanwords have usually brought their irregular plural forms (technically referred to as "broken plurals") into Persian but they can be avoided and you can use -hâ to pluralize them. In spoken Persian, broken plurals are never used except for very few cases where the broken plural has found an extended meaning. Regarding written Persian of today, the use of broken plurals has greatly decreased and it's prevalent to pluralize words with -hâ.

Note: In Persian, nouns are not pluralized when preceded by numbers because the number itself indicates quantity e.g. yek ketâb (one/a book), do/se/panjâh ketâb (two/three/fifty books).

Genitive case
In Persian, the genitive case relates two or more words to each other. The genitive case is marked with the enclitic -è (or -yè after vowels). The genitive enclitic is added to all the words that are connected to the head word and complement it. Look at the following examples:

Accusative case
The accusative case is indicated with the enclitic râ, added to the end of the noun phrase. Despite being an enclitic, it is written apart from the host word in the Persian script. Examples: dar râ bastam (I closed the door), in filmè Hendi râ qablan dide budam (I had already seen this Indian film).

Adjective
Adjectives have only one form. They agree neither in gender nor in number with the noun they modify. They come after the noun and are related to it with the genitive enclitic: pesarè xub: good boy (template: boy-è good), doxtarhâyè xub: good girls (template: girl-hâ-yè good). As stated before, the indefinite article is added to the end of the noun phrase, so: pesarè xubì (a/some good boy), doxtarhâyè xubì ((some) good girls).

Comparative
The comparative form of an adjective is always made by adding the comparative suffix -tar to the end of the adjective: bad (bad), badtar (worse); kam (little), kamtar (less); zibâ (beautiful), zibâtar (more beautiful).

The common pattern to compare A with B is: A + comparative + az (from) + B + verb
 * [došmanè dânâ] [behtar] [az] [dustè nâdân] [ast] : a wise foe is better than a foolish friend (template: foe-yè wise, good-tar, from, friend-è foolish, is). It's a Persian proverb.

Superlative
The superlative form of an adjective is always made by adding the superlative suffix -in to the comparative: bad (bad), badtar (worse), badtarin (the worst). The superlative comes before the noun e.g. behtarin hotel (the best hotel), behtarin hotelè in šahr (the best hotel of this city)

Demonstratives
Demonstrative adjectives come before nouns and like other adjectives, they have only one form. In Persian, we don't say "these books" but "this books". The plural form itself indicates that we are pointing to a plural noun. Basic demonstrative adjectives are ân (distal: that, those) and in (proximal: this, these):
 * When combined with jâ (place), they make adverbs: injâ (here) and ânjâ (there)
 * When combined with chon (like), they make demonstratives: chonin (such, like this) and chonân (such, like that)
 * When combined with ham (also; even), they make demonstratives: hamin (this/the same/one/very) and hamân (that/the same/one/very)

A pronoun (pro-noun) substitutes a noun phrase therefore the quantity (singular or plural) must be indicated. Therefore, demonstrative pronouns agree in number with the noun phrase whose place they take: ân (that), ânhâ (those), in (this), inhâ (these).

Demonstrative pronouns are also used as subjective pronouns. For example, the Persian word for "they" is ânhâ. Distal pronouns (ân, ânhâ, hamân, hamânhâ) are either used neutrally (i.e. not denoting distance from the speaker) or natively (i.e. indicating remoteness); but proximal pronouns (in, inhâ, hamin, haminhâ) are always used natively and indicate proximity to the speaker. English doesn't have such a feature.

Personal pronouns
Personal pronouns have two forms. One is their normal form called free personal pronouns (free in the sense of "not bound, separate") and the other is their enclitic form called bound personal pronouns. Subjective pronouns of English: "I, you, he, she, etc." are analogous to free personal pronouns but English does not have any equivalent for Persian's bound personal pronouns.

Persian has formal and informal 2nd and 3rd person. In addition, people of higher ranks like kings usually use 1st person plural (we) rather than 1st person singular (I). So, plural forms can be considered as polite and formal forms of singulars.

Free
In spoken Persian, there is also šomâhâ used as the plural form of both informal and formal "you" (to and šomâ).

Bound
Bound personal pronouns have various functions depending on the word class to which they attach. For example, when they are added to the end of a noun (phrase), they express possession e.g. pedaram (my father). We'll learn more about their functions.

Direct object pronouns
Direct object pronouns are simply made by adding the accusative enclitic râ to subjective pronouns e.g. man râ (me), u râ (him, her). man râ has developed a truncated form marâ (omission of n from manrâ), which is usually preferred in bookish Persian.

Indirect object pronouns
Although Persian has lost the declination system of Old Persian but it does mark different cases with technically called ad-positions (post/pre-positions). That's why Persian has been able to preserve the free word order feature:
 * As we learned, the accusative case is marked with the enclitic râ (a post-position).
 * The dative case is marked with the pre-position be (to).
 * The ablative case is marked with the pre-position az (from).

English marks none of these cases. For example, if you change the word order of "the father kissed the daughter" (accusative) to e.g. "the daughter kissed the father", the meaning completely changes. The same applies to "the father helped the daughter" (dative) and "the father asked the daughter" (ablative). As with Latin, by changing the word order, just the emphasis changes and the basic meaning is preserved:
 * accusative: pedar doxtar râ busid, doxtar râ pedar busid
 * dative: pedar be doxtar komak kard, be doxtar pedar komak kard
 * ablative: pedar az doxtar porsid, az doxtar pedar porsid

Hence, Persian has three different sets of "object pronouns" as per the case. They are made from the adposition of the case and subjective pronouns e.g. mâ râ busid (s/he kised us, accusative), be mâ komak kard (s/he helped us, dative), az mâ porsid (s/he asked us, ablative).

Possessives
Persian does not have possessive adjectives as is found in English. In Persian, possession is expressed by adding "bound personal pronouns" to the end of the noun phrase (NP):
 * dustam: my friend (template: friend-am)
 * dustè xubam: my good friend (template: friend-è good-am). Please note that English's possessive adjectives also function on the whole NP. The difference is that in English, the possessive precedes NP. Compare [ dustè xub ] am with my [ good friend ].

Possession can also be expressed using the genitive case and subjective pronouns. This form is usually used for emphasis and doesn't have an equivalent in English:
 * dustè man: my friend (template: dust-è I)
 * dustè xubè man: my good friend (template: friend-è good-è I).

As for possessive pronouns, they are formed by relating mâl (property) to subjective pronouns with the genitive enclitic e.g. mâlè man (mine), in ketâb mâlè man ast, na mâlè to (this book is mine, not yours)

Verb
Learning verb conjugation of Persian is quite easy. The infinitive always ends in -an e.g. budan (to be), dâštan (to have). Each verb has two stems: past and present. The past stem always obtains regularly by removing -an from the infinitive e.g. raftan (to go) = raft. There isn't such a rule for obtaining the present stem of verbs but they can be classified into subgroups whose present stem is obtained according to a regular pattern with no or few exceptions. However, a verb whether regular or irregular has one and only one present stem for all persons. Therefore, as opposed to languages like French, Italian and Spanish, Persian does not have irregular verb conjugations. The past participle forms by replacing the infinitive suffix (-an) with -e. In other words, by adding -e to the past stem e.g. raftan = rafte.

Conjugative enclitics
To conjugate verbs in different tenses, conjugative enclitics attach to stems and participles. They only differ in 3rd person singular:

Note - Subjective pronouns (I, you, etc.) are not normally used in Persian because each person has a unique conjugative enclitic, which suffices to indicate the person of the verb. For example, in raftim it is evident that the person of the verb is 1st person plural and therefore, we do not normally say mâ raftim. So, Persian is a "pro-drop" language.

Past simple
Formula: past stem + past enclitic. Examples:
 * didan (to see): didam (I saw), didi (you /informal/ saw), did (s/he saw); didim, didid, didand
 * raftan (to go): raftam, rafti, raft; raftim (we went), raftid (you went), raftand (they went; s/he /formal/ went)
 * budan (to be): budam, budi, bud, budim, budid, budand
 * dâštan (to have): dâštam, dâšti, dâšt, dâštim, dâštid, dâštand

To negate verbs just add the negation prefix na to the stem: naraftam (I didn't go), nadid (s/he didn't see), nadâštand (they didn't have). The negation prefix take the primary stress.

Past imperfective
English does not have a grammatical form that corresponds exactly to this aspect. As an example, in languages having imperfective aspect, "I ran five miles yesterday" would use past simple form, whereas "I ran five miles every morning" would use past imperfective form. Romance languages like French, Spanish and Italian have only one imperfective tense, which from the viewpoint of Persian, is the counterpart of "past simple". In contrast, each "past simple", "present perfect", "past perfect", "present simple", etc. have an imperfective tense that are simply made by prefixing "mi" to the stem or participle (depending on the formation of the tense). None of these imperfective tenses has an equivalent in English, though and Romance languages have only an equivalent for the Persian's past imperfective.

Formula: mi + past simple (i.e. past stem + past enclitic).
 * raftan (to go): miraftam, mirafti, miraft; miraftim, miraftid, miraftand
 * xâstan (to want): mixâstam, mixâsti, mixâst; mixâstim, mixâstid, mixâstand

The past imperfective is also used in conditional tenses and as with "conditionnel" of French, it is used to make polite expressions (that's why this tense has been mentioned in the primer): yek livân âb mixâstam (French: je voudrais un verre d'eau, English: I'd like a glass of water).

Note - Because of a vowel harmony, the negation prefix "na" becomes "ne" before "mi". Therefore, we say nemiraftam rather than expected namiraftam. However, in Afghanistani and Tajikistani Persian, this change hasn't occurred and they still say namiraftam.

Present simple
Formula: present stem + present enclitic. Regarding usage, the present imperfective has taken the place of this tense. The only exception is dâštan (to have), which is not normally conjugated in the imperfective aspect due to its meaning ("having" something cannot be "imperfective"; you either "have" or "don't have" something). The present stem of dâštan is dâr. Now, its conjugation: dâram (I have), dâri (you /informal/ have), dârad (s/he has), dârim (we have), dârid (you have), dârand (they have; s/he /formal/ has).

The verb budan (to be) has two forms in present simple:
 * The full form (or free form) is: hastam (I am), hasti (you /informal/ are), (h)ast (he, she, it is); hastim (we are), hastid (you are), hastand (they are; s/he /formal/ is).
 * The enclitic form (or bound form) is: -am, -i, -ast; -im, -id, -and.

The free form is usually for emphasis and it is the bound form, which is normally used e.g. xubam (I am fine), xubi? (Are you fine?; used in greetings).

Present imperfective
Formula: imperfective prefix mi + present simple (present stem + present enclitic). Present stems are placed within slashes / /.
 * neveštan /nevis/ (to write): minevisam (I write), minevisi (you /informal/ write), minevisad (s/he writes); minevisim, minevisid, minevisand
 * didan /bin/ (to see): mibinam, mibini, mibinad; mibinim (we see), mibinid (you see), mibinand (they see; s/he /formal/ sees)
 * raftan /rav/ (to go): miravam, miravi, miravad; miravim, miravid, miravand

As you see, although the stem is irregular but the conjugation is still regular.

Persian has a "future simple" tense but it is not used in spoken Persian. In spoken Persian, "future simple" is expressed with present imperfective accompanied by a "future" adverb like fardâ (tomorrow), baødan (later). Example: fardâ sobh be muze miravim (We'll go to the museum tomorrow morning).

Present progressive
An imperfective tense can also express a progressive (continuous) action because a progressive action is incomplete (imperfect). Therefore, for example "minevisam", which is in "present imperfective", besides "I write", can also mean, "I am writing" depending on the context. On this very basis, there is no progressive tense in written Persian but spoken Persian has developed a full set of progressive tenses built upon the imperfetive tenses with the help of the auxiliary dâštan (to have).

Formula: auxiliary dâštan in present simple + verb in present imperfective. Examples: dâram minevisam (I am writing), dârad minevisad (s/he is writing).

Progressive tenses only appear in affirmative sentences and they have no negative form. For negation, the imperfective form of the verb is used. Example: "I'm writing" (dâram minevisam), "I'm not writing" (neminevisam, not: dâram neminevisam).

Present perfect
Formula: past participle + auxiliary budan (to be) in present simple and in its bound form. Examples:
 * didan (to see): dideam (I have seen), didei (you /informal/ have seen), dideast (s/he has seen); dideim, dideid, dideand
 * raftan (to go): rafteam, raftei, rafteast; rafteim (we have gone), rafteid (you have gone), rafteand (they have gone; s/he /formal/ has gone)

It'd be interesting to speakers of French (and other Romance languages) to know that rafteam is exactly equivalent to "je suis allé" (literally: I'm gone). The difference is that in Persian the auxiliary verb is always "être" (budan) and never "avoir" (dâštan).

As stated before, the negative conjugation is formed with the prefix na: narafteam (I haven't gone).

Past perfect
Formula: past participle + auxiliary budan (to be) in past simple. Examples:
 * didan (to see): dide budam (I had seen), dide budi (you /informal/ had seen), dide bud (s/he had seen); dide budim, dide budid, dide budand
 * raftan (to go): rafte budam, rafte budi, rafte bud; rafte budim (we had gone), rafte budid (you had gone), rafte budand (they have gone; s/he /formal/ had gone)

The negative conjugation is formed with the prefix na: narafte budam (I hadn't gone).

As with "present perfect", rafte budam literally means "I was gone". If you consider "gone" as an "adjective" rather than a "past participle", you should be able to understand this construction and its meaning.

Present subjunctive
Formula: subjunctive prefix be + present simple (present stem + present enclitic). English doesn't practically have any subjunctive tenses and therefore, Persian's subjunctive tenses cannot be exactly translated into English. Therefore, translations are given in French. Examples:
 * neveštan /nevis/ (to write): benevisam (que j'écrive), benevisi (que tu écrives), benevisad (qu'il/elle écrive); benevisim, benevisid, benevisand
 * didan /bin/ (to see): bebinam, bebini, bebinad; bebinim (que nous voyions), bebinid (que vous voyiez), bebinand (qu'ils/elles voient)
 * raftan /rav/ (to go): beravam, beravi, beravad; beravim, beravid, beravand

In English we say "I want to go" but in Persian "to go" does not appear in "infinitive" but in present subjunctive: mixâham beravam. We can assume that there is a relative pronoun ke (that) after "I want" that causes the second verb to appear in the subjunctive (similar to French que) i.e. mixâham [ke] beravam (French: je veux qu'aille). In any case, this construction is used very much and you should learn it well. Another example: mitavânam bebinam (I can see).

Wrapping up
Important note: Although kardan basically means "to do, to make" and is so useful, but be careful not to use it alone because when used alone, it has a very bad meaning (vulgar: to have sexual intercourse) in the common language. For "to do", we say "anjâm dâdan" and for "to make" we say "sâxtan". The present stem of dâdan is /deh/, and that of sâxtan is /sâz/.
 * Persian has a limited number of simple (single-word, light) verbs (about 100, in common use). The majority of Persian verbs are non-simple verbs made with these simple verbs. For example, kardan /kon/, which is equivalent to French "faire" both in usage (making new verbs: faire attention, faire un voyage, etc.) and in basic meaning (to do, to make), has been used to make thousands of verbs from nouns, adjectives and loanwords. Examples: rang kardan (to dye; rang: color), bâz kardan (to open; bâz: open), sefid kardan (to whiten; sefid: white), dânlod kardan (to download; dânlod: download). Therefore, by just knowing the present stem of kardan (/kon/) you can conjugate a countless ever-growing number of verbs. Some useful verbs: telefon kardan (to phone), kopi kardan (to copy), safar kardan (to travel), negâh kardan (to look, to watch), guš kardan (to listen), pârk kardan (to park), komak kardan (to help), tamiz kardan (to clean).

 * The non-verbal part of a non-simple verb is called preverb (e.g. "telefon" in "telefon kardan"). When conjugating non-simple verbs, the preverb sits aside and the conjugational elements are added to the verbal part (you should find it quite logical). Example: telefon mikonam (I phone), telefon nemikonam (I don't phone), telefon kardam (I phoned), telefon nakardam (I didn't phone).

 * Bound personal pronouns can substitute direct object pronouns. They attach to the end of the verb e.g. "I saw you": to râ didam versus didamat. In fact, it's the normal way and full (free) forms like to râ didam are used for emphasis.

 * To make a question, just change the tone of your voice e.g. didi (you saw), didi? (did you see?), raftei (you have gone), raftei? (have you gone?).

Basics

 * Hello, Hi
 * Salâm (سَلام)

 * How are you?
 * Hâlè šomâ chetor ast? (حالِ شما چطور است)

 * How are you? (less formal)
 * chetorid? (چطورید)
 * xubid? (خوبید)

 * Fine, thank you.
 * xubam, xeyli mamnun (خوبم، خیلی ممنون)

 * What is your name?
 * esmetân chi'st? (نامتان چيست)

 * My name is ~.
 * esmam ~ ast (نام من ~ است)

 * Nice to meet you.
 * xošbaxtam (خوشبختم)

 * Please.
 * lotfan (لطفا)

 * Thank you.
 * xeyli mamnun (خیلی ممنون)
 * sepās (سپاس)
 * mersi (مرسی)
 * Note: xeyli mamnun literally means "many thanks" but it's the common way of saying "thank you"

 * You're welcome.
 * xâheš mikonam (خواهش می‌کنم)

 * Yes.
 * bale (بله), areh (آره)

 * No.
 * na (نَه)

 * Excuse me (getting attention or begging pardon)
 * bebaxšid (ببخشید), maøzerat mixâham (معذرت می‌خواهم)

 * I'm sorry.
 * bebaxšid (بِبَخشید), maøzerat mixâham (معذرت می‌خواهم)

 * Goodbye
 * xodâhâfez (خداحافظ)

 * See you
 * formal: mibinametân (می‌بینمتان), informal: mibinamet (می‌بینمت)

 * I can't speak Persian [well].
 * Nemitavânam [xub] Fârsi harf bezanam (نمی‌توانم خوب فارسی حرف بزنم)

 * Do you speak English?
 * Mitavânid Engelisi harf bezanid? (می‌توانید انگلیسی حرف بزنید؟)

 * Is there someone here who speaks English?
 * Injâ kasi Engelisi midânad? (اینجا کسی انگلیسی می‌داند)

 * Help!
 * komak! (کُمَک)

 * Look out
 * formal: Movâzeb bâšid (مواظب باشید), informal: Movâzeb bâš (مواظب باش)

 * Good morning.
 * sobh bexeyr (صبح بخیر)

 * Good evening.
 * asr bexeyr (عصر بخیر)

 * Good night.
 * šab bexeyr (شب بخیر)

 * I don't understand.
 * nemifahmam (نمی‌فهمم), motevajjeh nemišavam (متوجه نمی‌شوم)

 * Where is the toilet?
 * dastšuyi kojâ'st? (دستشویی کجاست)

Problems

 * Leave me alone. : Rahâyam konid (رهایم کنید), informal: Velam konid (ولم کنید)
 * Don't touch me! : Be man dast nazanid (به من دست نزنید)
 * I'll call the police. : Polis râ xabar mikonam (پلیس را خبر می‌کنم)
 * Police! : Polis (پلیس)
 * Stop! Thief! : Âhây dozd! (آهای دزد)
 * I need your help. : Be komaketân niyâz dâram (به کمکتان نیاز دارم)
 * It's an emergency. : Ezterâri'st (اضطراریست)
 * I'm lost. : Gom šodeam (گم شده‌ام)
 * Go away! : Boro kenâr! (برو کنار)
 * I lost my bag. : Sâkam râ gom kardeam (ساکم را گم کرده‌ام)
 * I lost my wallet. : Kifam râ gom kardeam (کیفم را گم کرده‌ام)
 * I'm sick. : Hâlam bad ast (حالم بد است)
 * I've been injured. : Zaxmi šodeam (زخمی شده‌ام)
 * I need a doctor. : Doktor mixâham (دکتر می‌خواهم)
 * Can I use your phone? : Mišavad az telefonetân estefâde konam (می‌شود از تلفنتان استفاده کنم)

Numbers
The Persian number system is very similar to that used in Arabic, exceptions being the symbols for four and five. Confusingly, the numerals used in Latin derived languages are called Arabic numerals and those used by in Arabic and Persian languages are called Indian numerals. Persian numerals are written from left to right unlike their alphabetic script.

Note - There are two ways to express "and" in Persian. One is with the enclitic ò (or yò after vowels) and the other is with the word va. The enclitic ò is the common way (and the sole way in spoken Persian).

 * number ~ (train, bus, etc.) : šomâreye ~ (شماره‌ی ~)
 * half : nesf (نصف)
 * less : kamtar (کمتر)
 * more : bištar (بیشتر)

Time

 * now : aløân (الآن)
 * later : baødan (بعدا)
 * before : qablan (قبلا)
 * morning : sobh (صبح)
 * afternoon : baød-az-zohr (بعدازظهر)
 * evening : qorub (غروب)
 * night : šab (شب)

Clock time

 * one o'clock AM : yekè sobh (یک صبح)
 * two o'clock AM : doè sobh (دو صبح)
 * noon : zohr (ظهر)
 * one o'clock PM : yekè baød-az-zohr (یک بعدازظهر)
 * two o'clock PM : doè baød-az-zohr (دو بعدازظهر)
 * midnight : nimešab (نیمه‌شب)

Duration

 * ~ minute(s) : daqiqe(hâ) (دقیقه‌ها))
 * ~ hour(s) : sâat(hâ) (ساعت‌ها)
 * ~ day(s) : ruz(hâ) (روزها)
 * ~ week(s) : hafte(hâ) (هفته‌ها)
 * ~ month(s) : mâh(hâ) (ماه‌ها)
 * ~ season(s) : fasl(hâ) (فصل‌ها)
 * ~ year(s) : sâl(hâ) (سال‌ها)

Tip - In Persian, nouns are not pluralized when a number precedes them. The plurality is clear from the "number". Therefore, we say, for example:
 * one/three/fifty day: yek/se/panjâh ruz (یک/سه/پنجاه روز)
 * three to five week: se tâ panj hafte (سه تا پنج هفته)

Days

 * today : emruz (امروز)
 * yesterday : diruz (دیروز)
 * tomorrow : fardâ (فردا)
 * this week : in hafte (این هفته)
 * last week : hafteyè gozašte (هفته‌ی گذشته)
 * next week : hafteyè âyande (هفته‌ی آینده)

 * Sunday : yekšanbe (یکشنبه)
 * Monday : došanbe (دوشنبه)
 * Tuesday : sešanbe (سه‌شنبه)
 * Wednesday : chahâršanbe (چهارشنبه)
 * Thursday : panjšanbe (پنجشنبه)
 * Friday : jomøe (جمعه)
 * Saturday : šanbe (شنبه)

Tip - In Iran, weeks begin with "Saturday" and end with "Friday". So, the holiday is "Friday" and the weekend starts from "Thursday".

Months
Iran uses a solar calendar with the New Year on the vernal equinox (March 21 on the Gregorian calendar). Years begin with "spring" and end with "winter". The first six months have 31 days, and the last five have 30 days each. The final month has 29 or 30 depending on whether or not it is a leap year. Leap years are not as simply calculated as in the Gregorian calendar, but typically there is a five year leap period after every 7 four-year cycles. Year 0 of the calendar corresponds to 621 in Gregorian.

Gregorian month names are borrowed from French.

 * January : Žânviye (ژانویه)
 * February : Fevriye (فوریه)
 * March : Mârs (مارس)
 * April : Âvril (آوریل)
 * May : Me (مه), also Mey (می)
 * June : Žuan (ژوئن)
 * July : Žuiye (ژوئیه), also Julây (جولای)
 * August : Ut (اوت), also Âgust (آگوست)
 * September : Septâm(b)r (سپتامبر)
 * October : Oktobr (اکتبر)
 * November : Novâm(b)r (نوامبر)
 * December : Desâm(b)r (دسامبر)

Writing time and date
The starting point of the Iranian solar calendar is Muhammad's flight from Mecca to Medina in 622 AD. Short date format is yyyy/mm/dd (or yy/mm/dd) and the long date format is dddd, dd MMMM yyyy. For example, today (Monday, August 11, 2008) is:
 * short date format: 1387/05/21 (or 87/05/21)
 * long date format: došanbe, 21 Mordâd 1387

Time is written like English e.g. 8:34 (۸:۳۴).

Colors

 * black : siyâh (سیاه), also meški (مشکی)
 * white : sefid (سفید)
 * gray : xâkestari (خاکستری)
 * red : qermez (قرمز), also sorx (سرخ)
 * blue : âbi (آبی)
 * yellow : zard (زرد)
 * green : sabz (سبز)
 * orange : nârenji (نارنجی)
 * purple : banafŝ(بنفش), arqavâni (ارغوانی)
 * brown : qahvei (قهوه‌ای)

Bus and train

 * How much is a ticket to ~? : belitè ~ cheqadr ast? (بلیط ~ چقدر است)
 * One ticket to ~, please. : lotfan yek belit barâye ~ (لطفا یک بلیط برای ~ )
 * Where does this train/bus go? : in qatâr/otobus kojấ miravad? (این قطار/اتوبوس کجا می‌رود)
 * Where is the train/bus to ~? : qatârè/otobusè ~ kodấm ast? (قطار/اتوبوس ~ کدام است)
 * Does this train/bus stop in ~? : in qatâr/otobus dar ~ míistad? (این قطار/اتوبوس در ~ می‌ایستد)
 * When does the train/bus for ~ leave? : qatârè/otobusè ~ kéy harekat mikonad? (قطار/اتوبوس ~ کی حرکت می‌کند)
 * When will this train/bus arrive in ~? : in qatâr/otobus kéy be ~ miresad? (این قطار/اتوبوس کی به ~ می‌رسد)

Directions

 * How do I get to ~ ? : chetór beravam be ~ (چطور بروم به)
 * ...the train station? : istgâhè qatâr (ایستگاه قطار)
 * ...the bus station? : istgâhè otobus (ایستگاه اتوبوس)
 * ...the airport? : forudgâh (فرودگاه)
 * ...downtown? : markazè šahr (مرکز شهر)
 * ...the youth hostel? : mehmânxâne (مهمان‌خانه)
 * ...the ~ hotel? : hotel (هتل)
 * ...the American/Canadian/Australian/British consulate? : sefâratè Âmrikâ/Kânâdâ/Ostorâliyâ/Engelestân (سفارت آمریکا/کانادا/استرالیا/انگلستان)
 * Where are there a lot of... : kojâ ~ ziyâd peydâ mišavad? (کجا ~ زیاد پیدا می‌شود)
 * ...hotels? : hotelhâ (هتل‌ها)
 * ...restaurants? : resturânhâ (رستوران‌ها)
 * ...bars? : NOT FOUND IN IRAN(Bar Ha(بارها))
 * ...sites to see? : jâyè didani (جای دیدنی)
 * Can you show me on the map? : mišavad ruyè naqše nešân bedahid? (می‌شود روی نقشه نشان بدهید)
 * street : xiyâbân (خیابان)
 * Turn left. : bepichid dastè chap (بپیچید دست چپ)
 * Turn right. : bepichid dastè râst (بپیچید دست راست)
 * left : chap (چپ)
 * right : râst (راست)
 * straight ahead : mostaqim (مستقیم)
 * towards the ~ : be tarafè (به طرف)
 * past the ~ : baød az (بعد از)
 * before the ~ : qabl az (قبل از)
 * Watch for the ~. : donbâlè ~ begardid (دنبال ~ بگردید)
 * intersection : chahârrâh (چهارراه)
 * north : šomâl (شمال)
 * south : jonub (جنوب)
 * east : šarq (شرق)
 * west : qarb (غرب)
 * uphill : sarbâlâyi (سربالایی)
 * downhill : sarpâyini (سرپایینی)

Taxi

 * Taxi! : tâksi (تاکسی)
 * Take me to ~, please. : lotfan marâ bebar ~ (لطفا مرا ببر ~)
 * How much does it cost to get to ~? : tâ ~ cheqadr mišavad? (تا ~ چقدر می‌شود)
 * Take me there, please. : lotfan marâ bebar ânjâ (لطفا مرا ببر آنجا)

Lodging

 * Do you have any rooms available? : otâqè xâli dârid? (اُتاقِ خالی دارید)
 * How much is a room for one person/two people? : otâq barâye yek/do nafar chand ast? (اُتاق برایِ یِک/دو نَفَر چَند است)
 * Does the room come with ~ : otâq ~ dârad? (اتاق ~ دارد)
 * ~ bedsheets? : malâfe (مَلافه)
 * ~ a bathroom? : hammâm (حَمام)
 * ~ a telephone? : telefon (تِلِفُن)
 * ~ a TV? : televizyun (تِلِویزیون)
 * May I see the room first? : mišavad avval otâq râ bebinam? (می‌شَوَد اول اتاق را ببینم)
 * Do you have anything quieter? : jâyè ârâmtarì dârid? (جای آرامتری دارید)
 * ~ bigger? : bozorgtar (بزرگتر)
 * ~ cleaner? : tamiztar (تمیزتَر)
 * ~ cheaper? : arzântar (ارزانتَر)
 * OK, I'll take it. : bâše, hamin râ migiram. (باشه، همین را می‌گیرَم)
 * I will stay for ~ night(s). : ~ šab mimânam (~ شب می‌مانم)
 * Can you suggest another hotel? : mišavad hotelè digarì râ pišnahâd konid? (می‌شود هتل دیگری را پیشنهاد کنید)
 * Do you have a safe? : sandoqè amânât dârid? (صندوق امانات دارید)
 * ~ lockers? : komodè qofldâr? (کمد قفلدار)
 * Is breakfast/supper included? : hazine šâmelè sobhâne/šâm ham mišavad? (هزینه شامل صبحانه/شام هم می‌شود)
 * What time is breakfast/supper? : sobhâne/šâm che sâatì ast? (صبحانه/شام چه ساعتی است)
 * Please clean my room. : lotfan otâqam râ tamiz konid (لطفا اتاقم را تمیز کنید)
 * Can you wake me at ~? : mišavad marâ sâatè ~ bidâr konid? (می‌شود مرا ساعت ~ بیدار کنید)
 * I want to check out. : mixâham tasviye konam (می‌خواهم تسویه کنم)

Money

 * Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars? : Dolârè Âmrikâ/Ostorâliyâ/Kânâdâ qabul mikonid? (دلار آمریکا/استرالیا/کانادا قبول می‌کنید)
 * Do you accept British pounds? : Pondè Engelis qabul mikonid? (پوند انگلیس قبول می‌کنید)
 * Do you accept credit cards? : kârtè eøtebâri qabul mikonid? (کارت اعتباری قبول می‌کنید)
 * Can you change money for me? : mitavânid pulam râ cheynj konid? (می‌توانید پولم را چینج کنید)
 * Where can I get money changed? : Kojâ mitavânam pulam râ cheynj konam? (کجا می‌توانم پولم را چینج کنم)
 * Can you change a traveler's check for me? : mitavânid terâvel râ barâyam naqd konid? (می‌توانید تراول را برایم نقد کنید)
 * Where can I get a traveler's check changed? : Kojâ mitavân terâvel naqd kard? (کجا می‌توان تراول نقد کرد)
 * What is the exchange rate? : nerxè arz cheqadr ast? (نرخ ارز چقدر است)
 * Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)? : âberbânk kojâ'st? (عابربانک کجاست)

Eating

 * A table for one person/two people, please. : Yek miz barâyè yek/do nafar, lotfan. (یک میز برای یک/دو نفر)
 * Can I look at the menu, please? : mitavânam menu râ bebinam? (می‌توانم منو را ببینم)
 * Can I look in the kitchen? : mitavânam âšpazxâne râ bebinam? (می‌شود آشپزخانه را ببینم)
 * Is there a house specialty? : qazâyè xânegi dârid? (غذای خانگی دارید)
 * Is there a local specialty? : qazâyè mahalli dârid? (غذای محلی دارید)
 * I'm a vegetarian. : giyâhxâr hastam. (گیاهخوار هستم)
 * I don't eat pork. : guštè xuk nemixoram. (گوشت خوک نمی‌خورم)
 * I don't eat beef. : guštè gâv nemixoram. (گوشت گاو نمی‌خورم)
 * I only eat halal food. : faqat guštè halâl mixoram. (فقط گوشت حلال می‌خورم)
 * Can you make it "lite", please? (less oil/butter/lard) : mišavad kamcharbaš konid? (می‌شود کم‌چربش کنید)
 * fixed-price meal : qazâ bâ qeymatè sâbet (غذا با قیمت ثابت)
 * à la carte : qazâ bâ qeymatè jodâ jodâ (غذا با قیمت جُدا جُدا)
 * breakfast : sobhâne (صُبحانه)
 * lunch : nâhâr (ناهار)
 * tea (meal) : asrâne (عصرانه)
 * supper : šâm (شام)
 * I want ~ . : ~ mixâham (می‌خواهم)
 * I want a dish containing ~ . : qazâyì mixâham ke ~ dâšte bâšad (غذایی می‌خواهم که ~ داشته باشد)
 * chicken : morq (مرغ)
 * beef : guštè gâv (گوشت گاو)
 * fish : mâhi (ماهی)
 * ham : žâmbonè xuk (ژامبون خوک)
 * sausage : sosis (سوسیس)
 * cheese : panir (پنیر)
 * eggs : toxmè morq (تخم مرغ)
 * salad : sâlâd (سالاد)
 * (fresh) vegetables : sabziyè tâze (سبزی تازه)
 * (fresh) fruit : miveyè tâze (میوه‌ی تازه)
 * bread : nân (نان)
 * toast : nânè tost (نان تست)
 * noodles : rešte (رشته)
 * rice : berenj (برنج)
 * beans : lubiyâ (لوبیا)
 * May I have a glass of ~ ? : yek livân ~ mixâstam. (یک لیوان ~ می‌خواستم)
 * May I have a cup of ~ ? : yek fenjân ~ mixâstam. (یک فنجان ~ می‌خواستم)
 * May I have a bottle of ~ ? : yek šiše ~ mixâstam. (یک شیشه ~ می‌خواستم)
 * coffee : qahve (قهوه)
 * tea (drink) : chây (چای)
 * juice : âbmive (آبمیوه)
 * (bubbly) water : âbè maødani(yè gâzdâr) (آب معدنی (گازدار))
 * water : âb (آب)
 * beer : âbjo (آبجو) (NOTE: There is no alcohol beer in restaurants)
 * red/white wine : šarâbè sorx/sefid (شراب سرخ/سفید) (NOTE: There is no alcohol wine in restaurants)
 * May I have some ~ ? : kamì ~ mixâstam. (کمی ~ می‌خواستم)
 * salt : namak (نمک)
 * black pepper : felfelè siyâh (فلفل سیاه)
 * butter : kare (کره)
 * Excuse me, waiter? (getting attention of server) : bebaxšid (ببخشید)
 * I'm finished. : xordanam tamâm šod. (خوردنم تمام شد)
 * It was delicious. : xošmazze bud. (خوشمزه بود)
 * Please clear the plates. : lotfan, bošqâbhâ râ tamiz konid. (لُطفاً بُشقابها را تمیز کُنید)
 * The check, please. : surat-hesâb, lotfan. (ًصورَت‌َحِساب لُطفا)

Bars
Please note that there are virtually no bars in Iran (that would be open to the casual foreign visitor)

Remember that the possession, sale and service of alcohol in Iran is illegal.
 * Do you serve alcohol? : mašrub serv mikonid? (مشروب سرو می‌کنید)
 * Is there table service? : lavâzemè miz (kârd, qâšoq, changâl, etc.) ham vojud dârad? (لوازم میز هم وجود دارد)
 * A beer/two beers, please. : yek/do tâ âbjo, lotfan. (یک/دو تا آبجو، لطفا)
 * A glass of red/white wine, please. : yek gilâs šarâbè sorx/sefid, lotfan. (یک گیلاس شراب سرخ/سفید، لطفا)
 * A pint, please. : yek livân, lotfan. (یک لیوان، لطفا)
 * A bottle, please. : yek šiše, lotafn. (یک شیشه، لطفا)
 * ~ (hard liquor) and ~ (mixer), please. : likorè ~ bâ ~, lotfan. (لیکور ~ با ~، لطفا)
 * whiskey : viski (ویسکی)
 * vodka : vodkâ (ودکا)
 * rum : râm (رام)
 * water : âb (آب)
 * club soda : limunâdè gâzdâr (لیموناد گازدار)
 * tonic water : sevenâp (سون‌آپ)
 * orange juice : âbporteqâl (آب‌پرتقال)
 * Coke (soda) : nušâbe (نوشابه)
 * Do you have any bar snacks? : mazze dârid? (مزه دارید)
 * One more, please. : yekì digar, lotfan. (یکی دیگر، لطفا)
 * Another round, please. : yek dorè digar, lofan. (یک دور دیگر، لطفا)
 * When is closing time? : sâatè chand mibandid? (ساعت چند می‌بندید)

Shopping

 * Do you have this in my size? : az in andâzeyè man dârid? (از این اندازه‌ی من دارید)
 * How much is this? : chand ast? (چند است)
 * That's too expensive. : xeyli gerân ast. (خیلی گران است)
 * Would you take ~? : ~ mipasandid?
 * expensive : gerân (گران)
 * cheap : arzân (ارزان)
 * I can't afford it. : pulaš râ nadâram. (پولش را ندارم)
 * I don't want it. : nemixâhamaš. (نمی‌خواهمش)
 * You're cheating me. : dârid be man kalak mizanid. (دارید به من کلک می‌زنید)
 * I'm not interested. : xošam nemiâyad. (خوشم نمی‌آید)
 * OK, I'll take it. : bâše, in râ barmidâram. (باشه، این را برمی‌دارم)
 * Can I have a bag? : kise dârid? (کیسه دارید)
 * Do you ship (overseas)? : be xârej post mikonid? (به خارج پست می‌کنید)
 * I need ~ : ~ mixâstam (~ می‌خواستم)
 * ~ toothpaste. : xamirdandân ~. (خمیردندان)
 * ~ a toothbrush. : mesvâk ~. (مسواک)
 * ~ tampons. : tâmpon ~. (تامپون), navârè behdâšti ~. (نوار بهداشتی)
 * ~ soap. : sâbun ~. (صابون)
 * ~ shampoo. : šâmpu ~. (شامپو)
 * ~ pain reliever. (e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen) : mosakken ~. (مسکن)
 * ~ cold medicine. : ~ dâruyè sarmâxordegi. (داروی سرماخوردگی)
 * ~ stomach medicine. : ~ dâruyè deldard. (داروی دل‌درد)
 * ~ a razor. : tiq ~. (تیغ)
 * ~ an umbrella. : chatr ~. (چتر)
 * ~ sunblock lotion. : zeddè âftâb ~. (ضدآفتاب)
 * ~ a postcard. : kârt-postâl ~. (کارت‌پستال)
 * ~ postage stamps. : tamr ~. (تمبر)
 * ~ batteries. : bâtri ~. (باتری)
 * ~ writing paper. : kâqaz ~. (کاغذ)
 * ~ a pen. : xodkâr ~. (خودکار)
 * ~ English-language books. : ketâbè Engelisi-zabân ~ (کتاب انگلیسی‌زبان)
 * ~ English-language magazines. : majalleyè Engelisi-zabân ~ (مجله‌ی انگلیسی‌زبان)
 * ~ an English-language newspaper. : ruznâmeyè Engelisi-zabân ~. (روزنامه‌ی انگلیسی‌زبان)
 * ~ an English-English dictionary. : Farhangè Engelisi be Engelisi ~. (فرهنگ انگلیسی به انگلیسی)

Driving
Notice - In Iran, there are no car rental agencies. Most of the time, you would need to rent a car with a driver from an "âžâns" (taxi agency) who will drive you around. The agencies often have set daily/weekly rental prices which you should make sure to ask for!

 * I want to rent a car. : mixâstam yek mâšin kerâye konam (می‌خواستم یک ماشین کرایه کنم)
 * Can I get insurance? : mitavânam bime begiram? (می‌توانم بیمه بگیرم)
 * stop (on a street sign) : ist (ایست)
 * one way : yektarafe (يک طرفه)
 * yield : râh bedahid (راه بدهید), ejâzeyè obur bedahid (اجازه‌ی عبور بدهید)
 * no parking : pârk mamnuø (پارک ممنوع)
 * speed limit : sorøatè mojâz (سرعت مجاز)
 * gas (petrol) station : pompè benzin (پمپ بنزين)
 * petrol : benzin (بنزين)
 * diesel : gâzoil (گازوئیل)

Authority

 * I haven't done anything wrong. : kârì nakardeam. (کاری نکرده‌ام)
 * It was a misunderstanding. : suè tafâhom bud. (سوء تفاهم بود)
 * Where are you taking me? : marâ kojâ mibarid? (مرا کجا می‌برید)
 * Am I under arrest? : bâzdâšt hastam? (بازداشت هستم)
 * I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen.
 * šahrvandè Âmrikâ/Ostorâliyâ/Engelis/Kânâdâ hastam. (شهروند آمریکا/استرالیا/انگلیس/کانادا هستم)

 * I want to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy/consulate.
 * mixâham bâ sefâratè/konsulgariyè Âmricâ/Ostorâliyâ/Engelis/Kânâdâ tamâs begiram. (می‌خواهم با سفارت/کنسولگری آمریکا/استرالیا/انگلیس/کانادا تماس بگیرم)

 * I want to talk to a lawyer. : mixâham bâ yek vakil harf bezanam. (می‌خواهم با یک وکیل حرف بزنم)
 * Can I just pay a fine now? : mišavad jarime râ naqdan pardâxt konam? (می‌شود جریمه را نقدا پرداخت کنم)

Learning more

 * Persian lessons at Wikiotics

title: Persian phrasebook