Tehran runs on taxis, from shared cars on fixed routes to app-booked rides. Drivers often know the main roads but not the side streets, so being able to give directions yourself is a real advantage. For the practical side, see our guides to Tehran’s taxis and the Tehran metro.
Directions
| Persian | Say it | English |
|---|---|---|
| مستقیم | mostaghim | straight on |
| چپ | chap | left |
| راست | râst | right |
| بپیچید | bepichid | turn |
| سر کوچه | sar-e kuche | at the end of the alley |
| اینجا | injâ | here |
| همینجا | haminjâ | right here |
| نزدیک | nazdik | near |
| دور | dur | far |
| بعد از چهارراه | ba’d az chahârrâh | after the crossroads |
| پل | pol | bridge, flyover |
In the taxi
| Persian | Say it | English |
|---|---|---|
| میخوام برم … | mikhâm beram … | I want to go to … |
| دربست | darbast | private hire (the whole car) |
| چقدر میشه؟ | cheghadr mishe? | how much will it be? |
| لطفاً اینجا نگه دارید | lotfan injâ negah dârid | please stop here |
| پیاده میشم | piâde misham | I’ll get out (here) |
| کولر رو روشن کنید لطفاً | kuler ro roshan konid lotfan | could you turn the air conditioning on, please? |
On the metro
| Persian | Say it | English |
|---|---|---|
| ایستگاه | istgâh | station |
| خط | khat | line |
| بلیت | belit | ticket |
| ایستگاه بعدی | istgâh-e ba’di | next station |
| کجا عوض کنم؟ | kojâ avaz konam? | where do I change? |
Tehran tip: If you get into a shared taxi and want the whole car to yourself, say darbast before you set off; it costs more but the driver will take you door to door.
Practise
- Tell a driver: straight on, then turn left, and stop here.
- Ask how much a private taxi to Azadi Square (meydân-e Âzâdi) will cost.
← Lesson 12: Verbs in the Present Tense | All lessons | Lesson 14: Shopping and the Bazaar →