Language/Iranian-persian/Vocabulary/Lesson-12:-Ordering-food-and-drink
![Armenian](/image/flag/lang/Language_7.gif)
![Bulgarian](/image/flag/lang/Language_22.gif)
![Chinese, Mandarin (simplified)](/image/flag/lang/Language_28.gif)
![Chinese, Mandarin (traditional)](/image/flag/lang/Language_171.gif)
![Croatian](/image/flag/lang/Language_31.gif)
![Czech](/image/flag/lang/Language_32.gif)
![Dutch](/image/flag/lang/Language_34.gif)
![English](/image/flag/lang/Language_36.gif)
![Finnish](/image/flag/lang/Language_41.gif)
![French](/image/flag/lang/Language_42.gif)
![German](/image/flag/lang/Language_47.gif)
![Hebrew](/image/flag/lang/Language_53.gif)
![Hindi](/image/flag/lang/Language_54.gif)
![Hungarian](/image/flag/lang/Language_55.gif)
![Indonesian](/image/flag/lang/Language_57.gif)
![Italian](/image/flag/lang/Language_61.gif)
![Japanese](/image/flag/lang/Language_62.gif)
![Kazakh](/image/flag/lang/Language_66.gif)
![Korean](/image/flag/lang/Language_70.gif)
![Lithuanian](/image/flag/lang/Language_76.gif)
![Modern Greek (1453-)](/image/flag/lang/Language_48.gif)
![North Azerbaijani](/image/flag/lang/Language_11.gif)
![Polish](/image/flag/lang/Language_96.gif)
![Portuguese](/image/flag/lang/Language_97.gif)
![Romanian](/image/flag/lang/Language_102.gif)
![Russian](/image/flag/lang/Language_103.gif)
![Serbian](/image/flag/lang/Language_107.gif)
![Spanish](/image/flag/lang/Language_119.gif)
![Standard Arabic](/image/flag/lang/Language_6.gif)
![Swedish](/image/flag/lang/Language_122.gif)
![Tagalog](/image/flag/lang/Language_123.gif)
![Tamil](/image/flag/lang/Language_125.gif)
![Thai](/image/flag/lang/Language_128.gif)
![Turkish](/image/flag/lang/Language_133.gif)
![Ukrainian](/image/flag/lang/Language_136.gif)
![Urdu](/image/flag/lang/Language_137.gif)
![Vietnamese](/image/flag/lang/Language_139.gif)
In this lesson, we will learn how to order food and drink in a restaurant or cafe in Iranian Persian. Restaurants are an important part of Iranian culture, as food is often seen as a way to bring people together and share hospitality. Learning how to order in Persian is not only practical but also a great opportunity to connect with people and make friends.
Useful expressions
Here are some of the most common expressions you will encounter when ordering food and drink in Persian:
Iranian Persian | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
سلام | "salam" | hello/greetings |
خوبی؟ | "khobi?" | how are you? |
خیلی خوب | "kheili khob" | very good |
میخواهم | "mikhaham" | I would like to... |
منو لطفاً به ... بیاورید | "mano lotfan be <food/drink item> biavarid" | please bring me... |
لطفاً | "lotfan" | please |
سپاس | "sepas" | thanks |
نوش جان | "nush-e jan" | bon appétit/enjoy your meal |
قراره چی بخورید؟ | "ghareh che bekhorid?" | what are you going to eat? |
من ... میخواهم | "man ... mikhaham" | I would like to have/ order... |
Food and drink items
Here are some of the most common food and drink items in Persian:
Food items
Iranian Persian | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
کباب | "kabab" | kebab |
خورشت | "khoresh" | stew |
پلو | "polo" | rice |
برنج | "berenj" | rice |
نان | "nan" | bread |
سوپ | "soup" | soup |
Drink items
Iranian Persian | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
چای | "chai" | tea |
آب | "ab" | water |
نوشابه | "noshabe" | soft drink/soda |
شراب | "sharab" | wine |
بیر | "bir" | beer |
Example conversation
Here is an example conversation of ordering food and drink in a cafe:
Customer: سلام Waiter: سلام. خوبی؟ Customer: خیلی خوب. منو لطفاً یک کباب و یک چای بیاورید. Waiter: البته. چای سیاه یا سبز؟ Customer: سبز لطفاً. Waiter: اینجاست. نوش جان. Customer: سپاس.
Translation: Customer: Hello. Waiter: Hello. How are you? Customer: Very good. Please bring me a kebab and a tea. Waiter: Of course. Black or green tea? Customer: Green, please. Waiter: Here it is. Bon appétit. Customer: Thanks.
Practice
Practice ordering food and drink in Persian with a friend or language partner. Try to use the useful expressions and food/drink items we have learned.
Cultural notes
In Iranian culture, it is common for guests to be offered food and drink as a sign of hospitality. Refusing politely and repeatedly is expected before accepting. Additionally, it is customary to share dishes and order a variety of food items to be shared among the group. It's also important to be patient as service may be slower than in other countries.
Sources