Language/Iranian-persian/Grammar/Formal-and-informal

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Hello everyone!

I'm MJ Mahdizadeh and I'm back with another language lesson.

Today, we will review some of the differences between the formal and informal forms of the Farsi language.

As you may know, Farsi has two basic forms of conversation: the first is the official and formal form used by media, books, TV announcers, government leaders, and others in positions of authority. However, the most important form used in daily life among people is the second form, which is informal Farsi.

So, what are the differences between them?

  1. The informal form is much easier in terms of pronunciation and grammar rules. You do not have the same problems as you do with formal Farsi.
  2. In the informal form, you can use many types of words that are not allowed in the formal form, for various reasons.
  3. There are always many abbreviations in the informal form, while you are supposed to use the full words in formal Farsi.
  4. There are many idioms used in informal form that are not used in the formal form because they have a totally different meaning from a word-by-word translation.

Let's look at some examples:

  • Formal: من نمی دانم چگونه باید بروم به آنجا! (I don't know how to get there!)
  • Informal: من نمی‌دونم چجوری باس برم اونجا! (I don't know how to go there!)
  • Both have the same meaning but are in different styles.
  • Formal: تو دیگر چه می گویی؟! (What are you saying?!)
  • Informal: تو دیگه چی میگی؟! (What are you saying?!)
  • Formal: این فرد کیست؟! (Who is this person?!)
  • Informal: این یارو کیه؟! این آدم کیه؟! (Who is this guy?!)
  • Formal: به ما که هیچ چیزی نشان نداده اند! (They haven't shown us anything!)
  • Informal: به ما که هیچی نشون ندادن! (They haven't shown us anything!)
  • Formal: آن کتاب قرمز را بده به من! (Give me that red book!)
  • Informal: اون کتاب قرمزه رو بده به من! (Give me that red book!)

As you can see, the phrases have the same meaning but are in different styles.

I will discuss this important issue of learning Farsi in more detail in future lessons.

Good luck!

MJ Mahdizadeh

Having finished this lesson, you may be keen to explore these associated subjects: Lesson 22: Complex sentences and ..., Conditional Mood, Dis & Less.

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