Language/Iranian-persian/Vocabulary/Lesson-12:-Ordering-food-and-drink

Iranian Persian Vocabulary → Unit 6: Food and drink → Lesson 12: Ordering food and drink

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

• Persian cuisine
• Restaurant

Table of Contents - Iranian Persian Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

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Unit 1: Basic greetings and introductions

• Lesson 1: Saying "Hello" and "Goodbye"
• Lesson 2: Introducing yourself and others

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Unit 2: Sentence structure and basic verb conjugation

• Lesson 3: Word order in Persian sentences
• Lesson 4: Present tense conjugation of the verb "to be"
• Lesson 5: Present tense conjugation of regular verbs

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Unit 3: Talking about daily routines

• Lesson 6: Talking about your daily routine
• Lesson 7: Talking about others' daily routines

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Unit 4: Object pronouns and possessive pronouns

• Lesson 8: Direct object pronouns
• Lesson 9: Possessive pronouns

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Unit 5: Persian culture and customs

• Lesson 10: Persian etiquette and hospitality
• Lesson 11: Persian holidays and celebrations

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Unit 6: Food and drink

• Lesson 12: Ordering food and drink
• Lesson 13: Talking about food and drink

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Unit 7: Past tense and regular verbs conjugation

• Lesson 14: Past tense of regular verbs
• Lesson 15: Word order in past tense sentences

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Unit 8: Persian literature and arts

• Lesson 16: Persian poetry and classical literature
• Lesson 17: Persian cinema and music

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Unit 9: Travel and transportation

• Lesson 18: Means of transportation
• Lesson 19: Travel preparations and bookings

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Unit 10: Imperative mood, infinitives and complex sentences

• Lesson 20: Using the imperative mood
• Lesson 21: Using infinitives
• Lesson 22: Complex sentences and conjunctions

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Unit 11: Persian history and geography

• Lesson 23: Persian civilization and ancient history
• Lesson 24: Modern history and contemporary issues

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Unit 12: Leisure and entertainment

• Lesson 25: Sports and active recreation
• Lesson 26: Entertainment and leisure activities

Related Lessons

• Meat
• Bedroom
• Eastern Numerals
• Asking Directions
• Camping
• Halloween
• Telephone
• Lesson 7: Talking about others' daily routines
• Celebrations
• Countries and Continents