Iran Language: What Do They Speak in Iran?
The official language of Iran is Persian (Farsi). In Persian (Farsi), the country is called ایران. Persian (Farsi) is used in government, education, media and everyday life across the country.
🗣️ Language at a Glance
About the Persian (Farsi) Language
Persian has three recorded eras spanning 2,500 years: Old Persian carved in cuneiform for the Achaemenid kings, Middle Persian of the Sasanians, and the New Persian that flowered from the 9th century. For centuries it was the prestige language of courts from the Ottoman Empire to Mughal India, and its poets, Ferdowsi, Rumi, Hafez and Omar Khayyam, remain household names. The modern language has changed so little that Iranians can still read thousand-year-old poetry, and it is official in Iran, Afghanistan (as Dari) and Tajikistan (as Tajik). Persian is an Indo-Iranian language, related to Kurdish and Pashto and, deep down the Indo-European tree, a distant cousin of English: madar is mother, dokhtar is daughter, do is two. Despite borrowing the Arabic script and many Arabic words, it is structurally unrelated to Arabic.
The Perso-Arabic script: How Persian (Farsi) is Written
Persian is written right to left in the Perso-Arabic script: the Arabic alphabet extended with four extra letters for the sounds p, ch, zh and g, which Arabic lacks. Short vowels are normally unwritten, so readers supply them from context. The Tajik variety in Tajikistan is the exception, written in Cyrillic since Soviet times.
Is Persian (Farsi) a Tonal Language?
No, Persian is not a tonal language. Pronunciation is generally smooth and open, with stress usually on the final syllable of a word.
🗨️ Useful Persian (Farsi) Phrases
A few everyday phrases in Persian (Farsi), written in a simple romanized pronunciation so you can read them aloud. Tones and exact sounds vary by region, so treat these as a starting point.
How Hard is Persian (Farsi) to Learn?
Persian grammar is one of the gentlest surprises in the region: no grammatical gender, no noun cases and highly regular verbs. The US Foreign Service Institute allots it around 1,100 class hours, with the script, its unwritten vowels, and the gap between formal and colloquial speech doing most of the damage.
Language Tips for Visitors to Iran
The official language of Iran is Persian (Farsi), which may be unfamiliar to many international travellers. While English speakers can often be found in larger cities and tourist-heavy areas, it is advisable to learn a few basic phrases before your trip. Locals greatly appreciate any effort to use the local language, even if imperfect. Simple greetings, thank-yous and asking for directions in Persian (Farsi) will go a long way. The country is officially known as ایران in Persian (Farsi), and the international dialling code is +98.
Frequently Asked Questions about Language in Iran
What language do they speak in Iran?
The official language of Iran is Persian (Farsi).
Is English spoken in Iran?
English is not an official language in Iran. The main language is Persian (Farsi). English may be spoken in tourist areas.
What is Iran called in its own language?
Iran is called "ایران" in Persian (Farsi).
What writing system does Persian (Farsi) use?
Persian (Farsi) is written in the Perso-Arabic script. Persian is written right to left in the Perso-Arabic script: the Arabic alphabet extended with four extra letters for the sounds p, ch, zh and g, which Arabic lacks. Short vowels are normally unwritten, so readers supply them from context. The Tajik variety in Tajikistan is the exception, written in Cyrillic since Soviet times.
Is Persian (Farsi) a tonal language?
No, Persian is not a tonal language. Pronunciation is generally smooth and open, with stress usually on the final syllable of a word.
How do you say hello in Persian (Farsi)?
"Hello" in Persian (Farsi) is "salaam".
Is Persian (Farsi) hard to learn?
Persian grammar is one of the gentlest surprises in the region: no grammatical gender, no noun cases and highly regular verbs. The US Foreign Service Institute allots it around 1,100 class hours, with the script, its unwritten vowels, and the gap between formal and colloquial speech doing most of the damage.
How many official languages does Iran have?
Iran has one official language: Persian (Farsi).
Do I need to speak Persian (Farsi) to visit Iran?
It is not required but learning basic phrases in Persian (Farsi) is strongly recommended and appreciated.
What is the calling code for Iran?
The international dialling code for Iran is +98.
What is the population of Iran?
Iran has a population of approximately 87.9M, all of whom use Persian (Farsi) as the official language.