At the table
| Persian | Say it | English |
|---|---|---|
| یه میز برای دو نفر | ye miz barâye do nafar | a table for two |
| منو لطفاً | menu lotfan | the menu, please |
| چی پیشنهاد میکنید؟ | chi pishnahâd mikonid? | what do you recommend? |
| من گیاهخوارم | man giâhkhâram | I’m vegetarian |
| گوشت نمیخورم | gusht nemikhoram | I don’t eat meat |
| خیلی خوشمزه بود | kheyli khoshmaze bud | it was delicious |
| صورتحساب لطفاً | surat-hesâb lotfan | the bill, please |
On the menu
| Persian | Say it | English |
|---|---|---|
| کباب | kabâb | kebab |
| جوجه کباب | juje kabâb | chicken kebab |
| خورش | khoresh | stew |
| برنج / پلو | berenj / polo | rice / rice dish |
| نان / نون | nân / nun | bread |
| ماست | mâst | yoghurt |
| سبزی | sabzi | fresh herbs |
| مرغ | morgh | chicken |
| ماهی | mâhi | fish |
| گوشت | gusht | meat |
| دوغ | dugh | yoghurt drink |
| چای | châi | tea |
| قهوه | ghahve | coffee |
| آب | âb | water |
Saying thank you for food
| Persian | Say it | English |
|---|---|---|
| دستتون درد نکنه | dastetun dard nakone | thank you (literally “may your hand not hurt”), said to whoever cooked or paid |
| نوش جان | nush-e jân | enjoy your meal; the reply when someone thanks you for food |
Tehran tip: If you are invited to an Iranian home, expect to be offered seconds and thirds. Saying dastetun dard nakone, kheyli khoshmaze bud is the best compliment you can pay the cook.
Practise
- Ask for a table for three and the menu.
- Tell the waiter you are vegetarian and ask what they recommend.
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