Persian as it is typed in chat rooms is a long way from the language of textbooks. It is fast, affectionate, full of short forms, and written half the time in Latin letters. This list covers the expressions you will meet in your first week.
Short forms
Like every language online, Persian drops vowels and borrows freely. Most short forms are typed in Latin letters, the informal spelling known as Finglish.
| You see | It stands for | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| slm | salâm سلام | Hello |
| mrc, mer30 | mersi مرسی | Thanks. "30" is si in Persian, so mer-30 reads "mer-si" |
| khb | khob خب | OK, well, so |
| pv | private پیوی | A private chat. "bia pv" means "come to private" |
| dc | disconnect دیسی | "dc shodam": I got disconnected |
| asl | age, sex, location | The old chat room question, also heard as "asl bede" |
| خخخ / khkhkh | laughter | The Persian "hahaha" |
| bb, bye | بای | Goodbye |
English short forms such as "ok", "plz" and "tnx" are used as well, usually without translation.
Everyday informal words
| Persian | Pronunciation | Meaning and use |
|---|---|---|
| آره | âre | Yeah. The polite "yes" is bale |
| باشه | bâshe | OK, fine, agreed |
| ایول | eyval | Nice one! Well done! |
| بیخیال | bikhiâl | Never mind, forget it, let it go |
| واقعاً؟ | vâghe'an? | Really? |
| عجب | ajab | Wow, how odd, well well |
| نه بابا | na bâbâ | No way! Come on! |
| آخی | âkhey | Aww (sympathy or tenderness) |
| ایشالا | ishâlâ | Hopefully, God willing |
| چه خبر؟ | che khabar? | What's up? |
Warm expressions that sound dramatic in translation
Persian is generous with affection, and many everyday phrases are, literally, offers of self-sacrifice. Nobody means them literally. They are used the way an English speaker says "you're a star" or "thanks a million".
| Persian | Pronunciation | Literally | Really means |
|---|---|---|---|
| دمت گرم | damet garm | May your breath be warm | Thanks, good for you, nicely done |
| فدات | fadât | I'd give myself for you | Thanks, you're welcome, bye (friendly) |
| قربونت | ghorbunet | I'd be your sacrifice | Thank you, that's kind, take care |
| دستت درد نکنه | dastet dard nakone | May your hand not hurt | Thanks for doing that |
| لطف داری | lotf dâri | You have kindness | That's kind of you (answer to a compliment) |
| چاکرم / مخلصم | châkeram / mokhlesam | I am your servant | Cheers, at your service (playful, mostly between men) |
These belong to the tradition of polite exaggeration known as taarof. A simple "mersi" or "lotf dâri" is always a safe reply.
What people call each other
- jun / joon (جون): "dear", added after a name. "Sara jun" is friendly, not romantic.
- azizam (عزیزم): "my dear". Common between friends and family; from a stranger it can feel too familiar.
- dâdâsh (داداش): "bro". âbji (آبجی): "sis".
- dust-e man (دوست من): "my friend", neutral and polite.
- âghâ / khânom (آقا / خانم): "Mr" / "Ms", used with a first name as a respectful form: "Ali âghâ", "Maryam khânom".
Spoken endings
Chat Persian uses spoken forms. Three patterns explain most of what looks unfamiliar to a learner:
- -e instead of "ast" ("is"): khube for khub ast, "it's good".
- u instead of â before n or m: nun for nân (bread), Tehrun for Tehrân, mikhunam for mikhânam (I read).
- ro instead of râ, the little word that marks a direct object: ino bede, "give me this".
A short exchange
- slm, khubi? — Hi, you good?
- mrc, to chetori? che khabar? — Thanks, how are you? What's new?
- salamati. dishab dc shodam, bebakhshid — All good. I got disconnected last night, sorry.
- bikhial, pish miad — Never mind, it happens.
- damet garm. felan — Thanks. Bye for now.
A word of caution
Slang is local and changes quickly. What sounds friendly in one group can sound cheeky in another, and terms of affection that are normal between friends may not be welcome from a stranger. When you are new to a room, listen first, keep to the neutral expressions, and pick up the rest from the people around you. The basics are in our list of Persian greetings and everyday phrases.