Formal vs. Conversational Persian with Examples

Persian, also known as Farsi, boasts a rich history and distinct variations. While learning the language, understanding the differences between formal and conversational speech is crucial. This article delves into these variations, providing numerous examples to help you navigate social situations with ease.

Video of formal vs. conversational Persian

Diglossia: A Distinctive Feature

Unlike English, Persian exhibits a unique phenomenon called diglossia. This means there are two distinct forms of the language – a written form used formally and a spoken form used in everyday conversations. The written form, heavily influenced by Arabic and Old Persian, is rarely spoken. Conversely, the spoken form has evolved over time, incorporating slang and regional influences.

Formal Persian: A High Note

Formal Persian reigns supreme in official settings like news broadcasts, academic lectures, etc. Here are some key characteristics, with examples for each:

Vocabulary: It employs a wider range of Persian vocabulary, including Arabic loanwords and archaic Persian terms.

• Formal: از شما بسیار متشکرم (az shoma: bes ya:r mo te shak keram) – Thank you so much.
• Conversational: مرسی (mer si:) – Thanks.

Slang and Colloquialisms

• Formal: بسیار خوب (besyār khūb) – “very good”
• Conversational: عالی (ālī) – “awesome”

Adjectives

• Formal: زیبا (zibā) – “beautiful”
• Conversational: قشنگ (qashang) – “beautiful” (more colloquial)

Pronunciation

• Formal: باران خیابان را خیس کرده بود (ba:ra:n khia:ba:n ra: khis kardeh bu:d) – Raining has made the street wet.
• Conversational: بارون خیابون رو خیس کرده بود (ba:ru:n khia:bu:n ro khis kardeh bu:d) – Raining has made the street wet.

Grammar: Persian sentences are typically more complex, utilizing past participial constructions and elaborate verb conjugations.

• Formal: بنده سخنرانی خود را با عرض سلام خدمت حضار گرامی آغاز می‌کنم (Bande sokhanrani-e khod ra ba arze salam khedmat-e hozar-e gerami a:gha:z mi ko nam) – I begin my speech by greeting the esteemed audience.
• Conversational: سلام به همه (Salam be hame) – Hi everyone.

Verb conjugation

• Formal: می روی (mi ravi) – You go.
• Conversational: میری (mirī) – “you go” (informal second person singular)

Questions

• Formal: آیا شما کتاب را خواندید؟ (āyā shomā ketāb rā khāndīd?) – “Did you read the book?”
• Conversational: کتاب خوندی؟ (ketāb khūndī?) – “Did you read the book?”

Pronouns: The second-person plural pronoun “شما” (Shoma) is used to show respect and distance.

• Formal: لطفاً سوالات خود را مطرح کنید (Lotfan soalat-e khod ra matrah konid) – Please ask your questions.
• Conversational: سوالهات رو بپرس (so a:lha:t ro bepors) – Ask your questions.
• Formal: شما (shomā) – “you” (plural or formal singular)
• Conversational: تو (to) – “you” (informal singular)

Tone: The overall tone is polite, respectful, and authoritative.

Honorific Titles

• Formal: جناب آقای (jenāb-e āghāye) – “Mr.”
• Conversational: آقا (āghā) – “Mr.” (more informal)

Conversational Persian: Keeping it Casual

Conversational Persian, used in everyday interactions with friends, family, and acquaintances, is more relaxed and dynamic. Here’s what sets it apart, with examples to illustrate:

Vocabulary: Everyday speech uses simpler words and expressions, often with regional variations.

• Formal: خوشحال می شویم اگر ما را قابل بدانید و به منزل ما تشریف بیاورید (khosh ha:l mi sha vi:m agar ma: ra: gha: bel beda:ni:d va be manzel-e ma: tashrif bia: varid) – We would be delighted if you give us this honor and come to our house.
• Conversational: خوشحال میشیم اگه بیاین خونه مون (khosh ha:l mishim age bia:yn khu: namu:n) – We would be happy if you visit us at home.
• Formal: سپاسگزارم (Sepa:s go za:ram) – Thank you!
• Conversational: دست شما درد نکنه (Daste shoma: dard nakone) – Thanks.

Grammar: Sentences tend to be shorter and more straightforward, with simpler verb conjugations.

• Formal: بنده به دانشگاه می روم (Bande be daneshgah mi ravam) – I am going to the university.
• Conversational: دارم میرم دانشگا (Da:ram miram da:neshga:) – I’m going to uni (shortened form)
• Formal: کتاب را خواندم. (ketāb rā khāndam) – “I read the book.”
• Conversational: کتاب خوندم. (ketāb khūndam) – “I read the book.”

Negation

• Formal: من کتاب را نمی‌خوانم. (man ketāb rā nemīkhānam) – “I don’t read the book.”
• Conversational: کتاب نمی‌خونم. (ketāb nemīkhūnam) – “I don’t read the book.”

Tenses

• Formal: می‌خواندم (mīkhāndam) – “I was reading”
• Conversational: می‌خوندم (mīkhūndam) – “I was reading” (more relaxed pronunciation)

Particle “ra“

• Formal: کتاب را بده. (ketāb rā bedeh) – “Give me the book.”
• Conversational: کتاب بده. (ketāb bedeh) – “Give me the book.” (often omitted in conversational speech)

Contractions: Contractions are commonplace, especially with verbs like “to be” (e.g., “هستم” (Hastam) becomes “م” (am)).

• Formal: او کجا است؟ (Ou koja ast?) – Where is he/she?
• Conversational: کجاست؟ (Koja:st?) – Where is he/she? (contraction of “است”)

Pronouns: The first-person singular pronoun “من” (Man) and the second-person singular pronoun “تو” (To) are used for close relationships. “شما” (Shoma) can still be used, but with a less formal connotation.

• Formal: حال شما چطور است؟ (Ha:l-e shoma chetor ast?) – How are you? (polite)
• Conversational: خوبی؟ (Khoobi?) – How are you? (informal)

Tone: The tone is friendly, informal, and can be humorous depending on the context.

Intonation and Tone

• Formal: A more measured and deliberate tone is often used.
• Conversational: A more relaxed and informal tone is common.

Mastering the Switch

Understanding these variations allows you to adapt your communication style to the situation. Here are some tips:

• Observe and adapt: Pay attention to how native speakers talk in different contexts. This helps you pick up on the nuances of formal and informal speech.
• Start simple: When unsure, begin with a more formal approach. You can always adjust your language as the conversation progresses.
• Practice makes perfect: Engage in conversations with native speakers, starting with basic greetings and introductions.

By mastering these variations, you’ll unlock a deeper understanding of Persian culture and enhance your ability to connect with native speakers. Remember that these are general guidelines, and there can be regional and individual variations within each category. You can use the comment form below to make sentences in Farsi or ask us your questions about the formal or conversations variations in the Persian language.