Farsi Lesson 100 - Some Colloquial / Slang Phrases in Persian

Before we start today, I want to introduce a new link to you. I have just set up a new Persian message board for you to enjoy. It can be used in both Persian and English. To use this message board, you need to take a couple of steps:

1- I guess you need to have a Persian software installed on your computer so that you can write Persian. You may download and install this free Persian Word. The installation instructions are available on that site. Please read it carefully. It is not a difficult job. You may contact this Persian Word webmaster (not me) in the case of troubles. He is a nice guy and I am sure he will be helpful.

2- Once you load the message board, you have to register your name. Like our English message board, the registration is completely free. After registration, you need to click on Profile. Then scroll down a bit and you will find Board Language. Choose Farsi in the drop down list and click Submit. That’s it.

Any suggestions to improve this message board will be warmly appreciated.

Today, we are going to learn something different. It is just because of changing the mood a bit.

We are going to learn some expressions, or slang, or whatever you may call it. These are some phrases that the Iranians (mostly men) use very often. They do not follow a special grammatical rule. Therefore, feel free to just memorize them!

Some of them might not be very formal if used by a native speaker. They seem sweet, however, if you as a foreigner use them. So, watch out if you are young (and preferably beautiful!!) and saying these phrases to native Persians! You may attract their attention and they may like to spend more time with you!!

To teach you what these phrases mean, I am going to explain each phrase a bit to put you in the picture. Then, you will be able to find their closest equivalents in either English or in your native language, if not satisfied with my explanations.

NOTE 1: I will also appreciate if you send me your suggestions on their English equivalents.

NOTE 2: Please let me know if you like such phrases. I will try to post more phrases of this kind if your answer is ‘YES’!

All right, here are some of them.

1- /dæs khosh/! In word for word translation, it means ‘hand is happy/good!’

Das khosh

Interpretation: when somebody does a great job and you want to offer your compliments or praise. It means something like ‘Great job!’ or ‘Well-done!’

You may also use this phrase when somebody does a job that disappoints you. For example, you do not expect such and such person do such a bad job. You have paid too much attention to your child, for instance, but he/she has failed in the exam. In this case, you may also say ‘Great job’ to your child. However, it is used here ironically.

2- /ei væl.la:h/! In word for word translation, it means ‘O God!’ – Or ‘Swear to God’.

Ey valah

Interpretation: It is used almost exactly in the same way as number 1 above.

Note: You may use the combination of both as well. You may say, /ei væl.la:h, dæs khosh/!

3- /kheili mokhlesim/! In word for word translation, it means ‘We are very pure! (For you)’ – or ‘We are very honest! (With you)’.

Kheili mokhlesim

Interpretation: As I have probably told you before, sometimes we use plural form of a verb for a singular subject. Numbers 3-6 are good examples for this. You could say the same phrase in this way: /kheili mokhlesæm/! (With singular subject), which means ‘I am very pure/honest with you’.

This phrase can be used in a couple of ways.

A- In response to somebody who is thanking you. Here, it means ‘you are welcome’. In this case, a better phrase to use is /mokhlesetæm/.

Mokhlesetam

B- To start a conversation with your close friend who seems silent.

C- To just break the silence and make your friends smile.

D- To tell your friends that you are not that kind of official or formal person and that you welcome funny talks.

E- In response to somebody’s greetings.

4- /kheili cha:kerim/! In word for word translation, it means ‘we are very servant/obedient to you’!

Kheili chakerim

Interpretation: see number 3 above.

Note: For ‘A’ above (In response to somebody who is thanking you), you may better use /cha:keretæm/!

Chakeretam

5- /kheili ku:chikim/! In word for word translation, it means ‘We are very small’! OR ‘We are younger than you are and, therefore, obedient to you’!

Kheili kuchikim

Interpretation: See 3 above.

Note: For ‘A’ above (In response to somebody who is thanking you), you may better use /ku:chiketæm/!

Kuchiketam

6- /ma: bish tær/! In word for word translation, it means ‘We are more (than you are)’! OR ‘We too’ – ‘Me too’!

Ma bishtar

Interpretation: again using plural for singular. We usually say ‘we too’ for ‘me too’ in Persian. This is a phrase that comes in response to numbers 3- 4- 5 above. So, in response to each sentence above, you may say /ma: bish tær/! (Which means ‘me too’).

7- /kheili ba: ha:li/! In word for word translation, it means ‘You are very nice/cool/interesting/gorgeous and so on.

Kheili bahali

Interpretation:

A- You may use this phrase to praise somebody when he/she does something interesting (or is interesting).

B- You may use this phrase to criticize somebody in a very friendly and funny way. Example: Your friend is saying or doing something that is not interesting at all. But, he/she tries to give more feeling to his/her words or action to convince you that it was interesting while, in reality, it is not. You may watch or listen to your friend patiently (if you have time!!) and use this phrase at the end to convey an ironical message.

Note: You cannot use /ma: bish tær/ as a response to /kheili ba: ha:li/. If you do, people may take it as just a joke and will laugh.

All right,

I hope you enjoyed today’s lesson.

Please do the Quiz first. Then do not go to Useful Drills page! We have no drills for today!

Quiz:

1- Listen to the audio files first (preferably once). Repeat it for a couple of times. Write it down on a paper. Find their English equivalents. (Seen)

One

Two

Three

2- Find the Persian equivalent for the following words and make four sentences with each of them (in different tenses).

Landlord

Teeth

Finger

To brush (one’s teeth)

3- Say these numbers in Persian:

66 – 616 – 661 – 606 – 660 – 6006 – 6600 – 60

4- Follow the examples, combine the letters, and make words using the given letters. You’ll have to change the big letters into the small ones whenever needed.

Friend <= /du:st/ < ==