Getting around
مترو
کجا؟
Where to?
You hear this when the doors close or the next stop is called. It is written down too, so a missed word does not end the ride.
Tehran
Iran
Tehran is the capital of Iran. The Azadi tower stands at the west, and the bazaar sits in the old centre.
How the language is used
Persian is the language of the metro, the shop, and the city office.
In this city
- Language
- Persian
- Also heard
- Mostly Persian
- A local word
- ممنون — Thank you.
- Writing
- the Arabic script
What people say
Ordinary lines from this city: the ride, the counter, the food, and the greeting.
The counter
کافه
یک قهوه، لطفاً.
One coffee, please.
This line is a whole order. You do not need a longer sentence.
Food
بازار
چند؟
How much is it?
The order is built in short pieces like this one.
The street
خیابان
ممنون.
Thank you.
People keep this line short. It is enough for the moment.
The language through the day
Persian is the language of the ride, the shop, and the street.
A first day in Tehran can run on four lines: “کجا؟”, “یک قهوه، لطفاً.”, “چند؟”, and “ممنون.”. Each one is already a complete moment.
If you are new here
- Stops, prices, and shop signs are written in the Arabic script.
- One everyday you-form covers most shops. Please and thanks do the polite work.
- If a spoken line goes past you, read the screen or the board. In Tehran, the stop and the price are written down.
One local word: ممنون. It means Thank you..
Places you can see
- Azadi Tower — The white tower at the western approach to the city.
- Grand Bazaar — Covered lanes of shops in the old centre.
- Darband — The path up into the hills at the north of the city.
Food
Rice with kebab and a glass of tea are the ordinary order. You ask in Persian.
Getting around
The metro crosses the city. Station names and announcements are in Persian.
Daily life
A short question in Persian gets you through a shop. The script on the signs is Persian, not a Latin spelling.
A few everyday phrases
Persian
| Phrase | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| سلام | Salām | Hello |
| ممنون | Mamnun | Thank you |
| صبح بخیر | Sobh bekheyr | Good morning |
| اسم من… است | Esme man… ast | My name is… |
