Adjectives

1. بزرگ

   bozorg

   Big

   Usage

   For stating a size — clothes or rooms

2. کوچک

   kuchak

   Small

   Usage

   The opposite of big — for asking for a smaller size

3. سنگین

   sangin

   Heavy

   Usage

   For the weight of luggage, and as a lead-in to asking for help

4. سبک

   sabok

   Light (weight)

   Usage

   Light in weight — a different word from light meaning bright

5. گران

   gerān

   Expensive

   Usage

   High in price — the opening move when haggling

6. ارزان

   arzān

   Cheap

   Usage

   The opposite of expensive — for asking for something cheaper

7. داغ

   dāgh

   Hot

   Usage

   Hot to the touch — kept separate from hot weather

   Grammar Note

   داغ (daagh) is hot to the touch; hot weather is گرم (garm). Persian keeps the two apart.

8. خنک

   khonak

   Cold

   Usage

   Cold to the touch — kept separate from cold weather

   Grammar Note

   خنک (khonak) is a cold drink or object; cold weather is سرد (sard).

9. نو

   no

   New

   Usage

   Brand new — also used when asking for a replacement

10. کهنه

    kohne

    Old (thing)

    Usage

    Old as in worn — never the word to use about a person

    Grammar Note

    کهنه (kohne) is for objects; for people use مسن (mosenn).

11. جوان

    javān

    Young

    Usage

    About a person's age — a small-talk staple

12. مسن

    mosenn

    Old (person)

    Usage

    Elderly, about people — a different word from old things

13. تمیز

    tamiz

    Clean

    Usage

    For praising cleanliness, and for praising a view

14. کثیف

    kasif

    Dirty

    Usage

    Unclean — the reason you give when asking for a change of room or dishes

15. خوب

    khub

    Good

    Usage

    A positive verdict, also usable to signal agreement

16. بد

    bad

    Bad

    Usage

    A negative verdict — also used of health and weather

17. نزدیک

    nazdik

    Near

    Usage

    Close by — for checking whether you can walk

18. دور

    dur

    Far

    Usage

    Far away — your cue to look for transport

19. زود

    zud

    Early

    Usage

    Early in time — for first departures and opening hours

    Grammar Note

    زود (zood) is early in time; fast in speed is تند (tond).

20. دیر

    dir

    Late

    Usage

    Late in time — for last departures and closing hours

    Grammar Note

    دیر (dir) is late in time; slow in speed is آهسته (aaheste).

21. زیاد

    ziyād

    Many

    Usage

    A large amount or number — also used to describe crowds

22. کم

    kam

    Few

    Usage

    A small amount or number — for asking for less of something

23. گرم

    garm

    Hot (weather)

    Usage

    Hot weather — learn it separately from hot objects

    Grammar Note

    Hot weather: هوا گرم است ("the weather is hot"). For objects use داغ instead.

24. سرد

    sard

    Cold (weather)

    Usage

    Cold weather — learn it separately from cold objects

    Grammar Note

    Cold weather: هوا سرد است ("the weather is cold"). For drinks use خنک instead.

25. خوشگل

    khoshgel

    Cute

    Usage

    Used broadly for people, objects, and animals

26. شیک

    shik

    Cool

    Usage

    Mainly for praising the look of a person or thing

27. خوشمزه

    khoshmaze

    Delicious

    Usage

    The most common compliment at a meal

28. عالی!

    āli!

    Amazing

    Usage

    Used to express surprise or admiration

29. باحال

    bāhāl

    Fun

    Usage

    For reacting to an experience itself; colloquial

30. بیشتر

    bishtar

    More

    Usage

    Ask for more of something; add a number on your fingers to be sure

31. فقط کمی

    faqat kami

    Just a little

    Usage

    Show this to cap the portion or the amount of spice

32. نصف

    nesf

    Half

    Usage

    Ask for half the amount; nim is the same idea placed before a quantity

33. همه‌اش

    hame-ash

    All of it

    Usage

    Means all of the thing in front of you; bare hame can also mean "everybody"

34. کافی است

    kāfi ast

    That's enough

    Usage

    Show this to stop someone mid-pour or mid-serve; spoken form is kaafiye

35. همین الان

    hamin alān

    Right now

    Usage

    Signals urgency — for medical or transport situations where you cannot wait

36. یک نفر

    yek nafar

    One person

    Usage

    Give the head count at a restaurant or ticket window; nafar is the counter for people

37. دو نفر

    do nafar

    Two people

    Usage

    Give the head count at a restaurant or ticket window

38. سه نفر

    se nafar

    Three people

    Usage

    Give the head count at a restaurant or ticket window

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