Sightseeing

1. آتشکده یزد

   Ātashkade-ye Yazd

   Yazd Fire Temple (Atashkadeh)

   Usage

   Zoroastrian fire temple housing a sacred flame burning for ~1,500 years. Non-Zoroastrians can view the flame through a window.

   Grammar Note

   "Atashkadeh" = "atash" (fire) + "-kadeh" (place suffix). Zoroastrianism is Iran's ancient religion; ~20,000 followers still live in Iran.

2. مسجد امام، اصفهان

   Masjed-e Emām, Esfahān

   Imam Mosque, Isfahan

   Usage

   Safavid masterpiece facing UNESCO Naqsh-e Jahan Square. Dress code required — women must wear headscarves.

   Grammar Note

   "Masjed" from Arabic means "place of prostration". Formerly "Masjed Shah" (Shah's Mosque), renamed after the 1979 revolution.

3. بازار وکیل، شیراز

   Bāzār-e Vakil, Shirāz

   Vakil Bazaar, Shiraz

   Usage

   18th century Zand dynasty bazaar. Features ceramics, silverwork, carpets, and spices. The heart of Shiraz tourism.

   Grammar Note

   "Vakil" from Arabic means "representative/guardian". The bazaar is named after Karim Khan Zand's title "Vakil" (regent).

4. آرامگاه حافظ، شیراز

   Ārāmgāh-e Hāfez, Shirāz

   Tomb of Hafez, Shiraz

   Usage

   Mausoleum of 14th-century poet Hafez. Iranians recite poetry while visiting. "Fal" (fortune-telling with Hafez verses) is practiced here.

   Grammar Note

   "Aramgah" = "aram" (peace/rest) + "-gah" (place). "Hafez" is a title meaning "one who has memorized the Quran".

5. ارگ بم

   Arg-e Bam

   Arg-e Bam (mud-brick citadel)

   Usage

   The world's largest mud-brick structure. Severely damaged by the 2003 earthquake but being restored. UNESCO World Heritage.

   Grammar Note

   "Arg" means citadel. "Bam" is a city in Kerman Province.

6. چغازنبیل

   Choghā Zanbil

   Chogha Zanbil (Elamite ziggurat)

   Usage

   13th-century BC Elamite ziggurat. One of Iran's oldest UNESCO World Heritage Sites (inscribed 1979).

   Grammar Note

   "Chogha" means "hill" in the Luri language; "zanbil" means "basket". Similar in form to Mesopotamian ziggurats.

7. تور راهنما

   Tur-e rāhnamā

   Guided tour

   Usage

   Signing up for a guided tour. English-speaking guides are available at major Iranian tourist sites.

   Grammar Note

   "Tur" is borrowed from English "tour". "Rahnama" = "rah" (path) + "nama" (show/guide).

8. عکاسی مجاز است؟

   Akkāsi mojāz ast?

   Is photography allowed?

   Usage

   Photography may be prohibited in mosques and religious sites. Always ask before shooting.

   Grammar Note

   "Akkasi" = "aks" (photo) + "-asi" (professional suffix). "Mojaz" from Arabic means "permitted/allowed".

9. ساعات بازدید چه وقت است؟

   Sā'āt-e bāzdid che vaqt ast?

   What are the opening hours?

   Usage

   Checking visiting hours. In Iran, Friday (jom'e) is the weekend — many attractions are closed.

   Grammar Note

   "Sa'aat" is the Arabic-style plural of "sa'at" (hour/time). "Bazdid kardan" = to visit/tour.

10. جمعه تعطیل است

    Jom'e tatil ast

    Closed on Fridays

    Usage

    Iran's weekend is Thursday afternoon through Friday. Many museums, government offices, and tourist sites close on Fridays.

    Grammar Note

    "Jom'e" from Arabic "jumu'ah" (gathering) — refers to Friday prayers (Jumu'ah). "Ta'til" from Arabic means "suspension/holiday".

11. راهنمای صوتی به انگلیسی

    Rāhnamā-ye sowti be engelisi

    Audio guide in English

    Usage

    Requesting an English audio guide. Major sites like Persepolis and Golestan Palace may offer English options.

    Grammar Note

    "Sowti" = adjective of "sowt" (sound/voice, from Arabic). "Be engelisi" = in English.

12. چطور به آنجا برویم؟

    Chetor be ānjā beravim?

    How do we get there?

    Usage

    Asking for directions to a tourist site. The Snapp app (Iran's Uber equivalent) is very convenient.

    Grammar Note

    "Beravim" is the subjunctive first-person plural of "raftan" (to go). "Be anja" = to there.

13. چقدر فاصله دارد؟

    Cheqadr fāsele dārad?

    How far is it?

    Usage

    Asking the distance to a destination. Iran uses kilometers for distance.

    Grammar Note

    "Fasele" from Arabic. "Cheqadr fasele darad?" = how much distance does it have? = how far is it?

14. بلیط ورودی چقدر است؟

    Belit-e vorudi cheqadr ast?

    How much is the entrance fee?

    Usage

    Asking the entrance fee. Major Iranian heritage sites sometimes have separate pricing for foreigners.

    Grammar Note

    "Belit" is borrowed from French "billet" and means ticket. "Vorudi" is the adjective form of "vorud" (entrance/entry).

15. راهنما دارید؟

    Rāhnamā dārid?

    Is a guide available?

    Usage

    Checking for guide availability. English-speaking guides are often available at major Iranian heritage sites.

    Grammar Note

    "Rahnama" = "rah" (road/path) + "nama" (shower/guide) — one who shows the way.

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