B2 Script & Writing 15 min read Easy

Writing Loanwords in Persian Script

To write foreign words in Persian, ignore the English spelling and write the sounds you hear using the closest Persian letters.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Persian adapts foreign words by mapping sounds to the nearest Persian letters, often using 'ی' for 'i' and 'و' for 'o/u' sounds.

  • Use 'ک' for hard 'k' sounds (e.g., 'کیک' for cake).
  • Use 'گ' for 'g' sounds (e.g., 'گیتار' for guitar).
  • Use 'ژ' for 'zh' or 'j' sounds in French/English loanwords (e.g., 'ژورنال' for journal).
Foreign Sound ➔ Closest Persian Phoneme ➔ Standardized Script

Overview

Persian, a vibrant and dynamic language, has a remarkable capacity to integrate foreign vocabulary, particularly from English, into its lexicon. This process, known as loanword adaptation, is not arbitrary but follows a consistent set of phonological and orthographic principles. Understanding these conventions is crucial for any B2-level learner aiming to comprehend and produce contemporary Persian, especially in informal contexts, digital communication, and technical domains.

The primary principle governing the transcription of European loanwords into Persian script is phonetic representation: words are written as they are heard, not as they are spelled in their original language. This contrasts sharply with the often irregular orthography of English and distinguishes European loanwords from older Arabic loanwords, which typically retain their original Arabic spellings. This phonetic approach ensures that new vocabulary is immediately accessible to Persian speakers, integrating seamlessly into the existing sound system.

Historically, Persian has served as a linguistic bridge, borrowing extensively from Arabic and, more recently, from European languages. This adaptability reflects a cultural pragmatism, allowing the language to evolve and remain relevant in an interconnected world. By mastering the rules of loanword transcription, you gain insight into the dynamic nature of Persian itself, moving beyond rote memorization to a deeper understanding of its phonetic core.

For instance, the English word computer is rendered as کامپیوتر (kāmpīuter), directly reflecting its pronunciation rather than its English visual form.

How This Grammar Works

Persian script, derived from the Arabic alphabet, is fundamentally an abjad, meaning it primarily represents consonants, with long vowels explicitly written and short vowels often inferred or marked with diacritics (harakāt). When adapting foreign words, Persian utilizes its 32-letter alphabet to approximate the sounds of the source language. This process prioritizes audible phonemes over etymological or original orthographic fidelity.
The key to this system lies in mapping English sounds to their closest Persian phonetic equivalents. Persian possesses several letters (پ /p/, چ /tʃ/, ژ /ʒ/, گ /g/) that do not exist in the classical Arabic alphabet but are indispensable for accurately representing sounds found in European languages. These specific letters are frequently employed in loanwords, facilitating a more precise phonetic match.
For consonants, the most straightforward match is chosen. For instance, the English /f/ sound consistently maps to ف (fe), as in فکس (faks, fax). However, the representation of vowels, especially short ones, presents a subtle challenge.
Short vowels in Persian are typically implied or marked with diacritics like ـَ (fatḥe /a/), ـِ (kasre /e/), and ـُ (ẓamme /o/). In everyday writing, these diacritics are usually omitted, requiring the reader to infer the vowel sounds from context, much as they do for native Persian words.
Long vowels are always explicitly written using ا (ā), و (ū/ō), and ی (ī/ē). For example, the oo in shampoo becomes و in شامپو (shāmpū), and the ee in jeep becomes ی in جیپ (jīp). This explicit representation of long vowels helps maintain phonetic clarity, especially for polysyllabic loanwords.
The word تلفن (telefon, telephone) exemplifies this; the initial تـَ (ta) uses an implied short a, while the ـُ (o) in ـفـُن (fon) is typically pronounced without explicit marking in casual writing. The system aims for a consistent, sound-based representation that makes the word pronounceable to a native Persian speaker, even if it deviates from the original spelling.

Formation Pattern

1
Transcribing a foreign word into Persian script systematically follows a sound-based methodology. The process involves isolating the phonemes of the source word and then selecting the most appropriate Persian graphemes to represent those sounds. This method prioritizes auditory fidelity over visual correspondence with the original spelling.
2
To effectively transcribe a loanword, follow these steps:
3
Identify the Pronunciation: Mentally, or audibly, pronounce the English word as a native speaker would, focusing exclusively on the sounds. Disregard its English spelling entirely, as silent letters or irregular vowel combinations are irrelevant here.
4
Example: Internet – Pronounced /ɪntərˈnɛt/
5
Map Consonants: For each consonant sound, select the most common and phonetically closest Persian consonant letter. Persian generally has one primary letter for most common consonant sounds found in European languages.
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I (initial vowel sound) -> Not a consonant.
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n -> ن
8
t -> ت
9
r -> ر
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n -> ن
11
t -> ت
12
Map Vowels: This is often the most nuanced step. Short vowels (such as /æ/, /ɪ/, /ɛ/, /ʌ/, /ɒ/, /ʊ/) are typically represented by short vowel markers (diacritics: ـَ, ـِ, ـُ) or are simply omitted in written form, relying on context and reader familiarity. Long vowels (such as /iː/, /uː/, /ɑː/, /eɪ/, /oʊ/, /aɪ/, /ɔɪ/, /aʊ/) are explicitly written using ی, و, or ا.
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/ɪ/ (as in in) -> Implied ـِ (kasre) or omitted.
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/ə/ (schwa in ter) -> Implied ـَ (fatḥe) or omitted.
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/ɛ/ (as in net) -> Implied ـِ (kasre) or omitted.
16
Assemble and Refine: Combine the chosen Persian letters. Read the resulting Persian word aloud to confirm that it phonetically approximates the original English pronunciation. Adjustments may be necessary, particularly for subtle vowel sounds or specific consonant clusters.
17
Combining letters for Internet: اینترنت (īntternet). Notice the use of ی for the long ee sound in in from the actual spoken word (not the English spelling i). The e sounds are often rendered as ـِ or simply implied.
18
Here is a table outlining common English sounds and their typical Persian transcription:
19
| English Sound | IPA | Persian Letter(s) | Example (English) | Persian Transcription | Notes |
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| :------------ | :-- | :---------------- | :---------------- | :-------------------- | :---- |
21
| p | /p/ | پ | Pizza | پیتزا (pītzā) | Distinct Persian letter |
22
| b | /b/ | ب | Bank | بانک (bānk) | |
23
| t | /t/ | ت | Telephone | تلفن (telefon) | Never ط for European loanwords |
24
| d | /d/ | د | Data | داده (dāde) | |
25
| k | /k/ | ک | Camera | دوربین (dūrbīn) | کمره is also common, ک |
26
| g | /g/ | گ | Google | گوگل (gūgel) | Distinct Persian letter |
27
| f | /f/ | ف | Film | فیلم (fīlm) | |
28
| v | /v/ | و | Video | ویدئو (vīdeō) | Also represents /u/ and /o/ |
29
| s | /s/ | س | Service | سرویس (servīs) | Never ص, ث for European loanwords |
30
| z | /z/ | ز | Zoom | زوم (zūm) | |
31
| ʃ (sh) | /ʃ/ | ش | Shop | شاپ (shāp) | |
32
| tʃ (ch) | /tʃ/| چ | Chat | چت (chat) | Distinct Persian letter |
33
| ʒ (zh) | /ʒ/ | ژ | Garage | گاراژ (gārāzh) | Distinct Persian letter |
34
| m | /m/ | م | Mobile | موبایل (mōbāyel) | |
35
| n | /n/ | ن | Net | نت (net) | |
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| l | /l/ | ل | Laptop | لپ‌تاپ (laptāp) | |
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| r | /r/ | ر | Radio | رادیو (rādīō) | |
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| h | /h/ | ه | Hotel | هتل (hotel) | |
39
| j (y) | /j/ | ی | Yogurt | ماست (māst) | Rarely used for initial y if Persian equivalent exists; ی at end for /i/ sound |
40
| w | /w/ | و | Web | وب (web) | |
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| a (short) | /æ/ | ـَ (fatḥe) | App | اپ (ap) | Often unwritten |
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| e (short) | /ɛ/ | ـِ (kasre) | Pen | پِن (pen) | Often unwritten |
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| o (short) | /ɒ/ | ـُ (ẓamme) | Call | کال (kāl) | Often unwritten |
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| ee (long) | /iː/| ی | Credit | کردیت (kredīt) | |
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| oo (long) | /uː/| و | Turbo | توربو (tūrbō) | |
46
| ay/ai | /eɪ/| ی | Email | ایمیل (īmīl) | Can be ای or ایـ |
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| ow/ou | /oʊ/| و | Show | شو (shō) | |
48
Crucially, the 'h' in technology or photo is often dropped (تکنولوژی, فوتو) because it is phonetically silent or weak in the context of Persian pronunciation, reflecting the principle of writing only what is audibly present. Similarly, double letters in English (e.g., comment, message) are almost always reduced to a single letter in Persian (کامنت, مسیج) unless there's a distinct phonetic reason for duplication in Persian, which is rare for loanwords.

When To Use It

The application of phonetic transcription for loanwords is pervasive in modern Persian, permeating virtually every aspect of daily communication, from informal digital exchanges to formal technical discourse. As a B2 learner, recognizing and employing these loanwords correctly is essential for genuine fluency and cultural integration. You will encounter them continuously in contemporary media, technology, popular culture, and even everyday conversations.
Digital Communication: The internet and social media have been primary drivers for the adoption of English loanwords. You will frequently see terms like پست (post, post), لایک (lāyk, like), کامنت (kāment, comment), فالو (fālō, follow), and هشتگ (hashteg, hashtag). These are not merely borrowed but have become integral to the vocabulary of online interactions.
For example, a young professional might say: این پست رو لایک کردم و کامنت گذاشتم. (Īn post ro lāyk kardam va kāment gozāshtam., "I liked this post and left a comment.")
Technology and Media: In sectors closely tied to global innovation, loanwords are often the default terminology. موبایل (mōbāyel, mobile), لپ‌تاپ (laptāp, laptop), اینترنت (īntternet, internet), سایت (sāyt, site), اپلیکیشن (aplīkeyshan, application), and فایل (fāyl, file) are standard. Even established media platforms are referred to by their transliterated names, such as نتفلیکس (netflīks, Netflix) or یوتیوب (yūtūb, YouTube).
Informal and Colloquial Speech: Many loanwords have transitioned from technical jargon into common colloquial usage. Discussing a پروژه (prozhe, project), going to a کنسرت (konsert, concert), or needing a شارژر (shārjer, charger) are all instances where loanwords are naturally integrated. A common casual exchange might be: رفتم کافه، یه اسپرسو سفارش دادم. (Raftam kāfe, ye esprēsō sefāresh dādam., "I went to the cafe, ordered an espresso.") This shows how foreign food items and places of leisure are also absorbed.
Professional and Academic Contexts: While more formal settings might prefer native Persian equivalents, many technical and scientific terms are still used as loanwords. Concepts like اقتصاد (eqtesād, economy, an Arabic loanword, but European loanwords like تکنولوژی (teknolojī, technology), استراتژی (estrātezhi, strategy), or پروتوکل (protokol, protocol) are widely accepted and used in professional documentation and discussions. The word سمینار (semīnār, seminar) is a staple in academic discourse.
Recognizing that these words are not merely borrowed but have undergone a specific phonetic transformation is crucial. This practice allows Persian to remain agile and expressive in a constantly evolving linguistic landscape, facilitating communication on global trends and innovations without requiring extensive neologism creation for every new concept. It underscores Persian's status as a living language, responsive to both internal and external pressures.

Common Mistakes

Even with a clear understanding of the phonetic principle, learners frequently make specific errors when writing loanwords. These mistakes often stem from an unconscious reliance on English orthography or an insufficient grasp of the subtle distinctions in Persian phonetic mapping. Avoiding these common pitfalls will significantly enhance the accuracy and naturalness of your written Persian.
  1. 1Over-reliance on English Spelling: The most pervasive error is attempting to transliterate English letters directly rather than English sounds. This leads to including silent English letters or using Persian letters that do not correspond to the actual pronunciation. For example, writing the silent 'e' in website results in وبسایته (websāyteh), which is incorrect. The correct form, وبسایت (websāyt), omits the superfluous ه (he). Similarly, ignoring the phonetic reduction of double letters in English (e.g., comment) and writing کاممِنت (kāmm_ent) instead of the correct کامنت (kāment) is a common error.
  1. 1Incorrect Choice of Sibilants and Plosives: Persian has multiple letters for similar sounds that often have distinct origins (Arabic vs. native Persian). For European loanwords, you should almost exclusively use the simpler, more common Persian letters for /s/, /t/, and /z/ sounds.
  • For the /s/ sound, always use س (sīn), never ص (ṣād) or ث (s̱e). For example, سرویس (servīs, service) is correct, not صرویس. ث is reserved for specific Arabic loanwords and rarely, if ever, appears in European loanwords.
  • For the /t/ sound, always use ت (te), never ط (ṭā). For instance, پارتی (pārtī, party) is correct, not پارطی. ط is an emphatic t sound found in Arabic loanwords and is phonetically distinct from the soft t in European words.
  • For the /z/ sound, almost always use ز (ze), rarely ذ (zāl), ض (ẓād), or ظ (ẓā). While ذ, ض, and ظ are present in Arabic loanwords, ز is the default for European sounds, as in ژورنال (zhūrnāl, journal – where ژ is for /ʒ/).
| English Sound | Correct Persian Letter(s) | Incorrect/Arabic-Specific Letter(s) | Example (English) | Correct Persian | Incorrect Example |
| :------------ | :------------------------ | :---------------------------------- | :---------------- | :-------------- | :---------------- |
| s | س | ص, ث | Service | سرویس | صرویس |
| t | ت | ط | Telephone | تلفن | طلفن |
| z | ز | ذ, ض, ظ | Zoom | زوم | ظوم |
  1. 1Misrepresenting Vowel Length and Diphthongs: Confusion often arises with the و (vāv) and ی (ye) letters, which can represent both consonants and long vowels. Pay close attention to how the sound is pronounced in English. و can be /v/, /uː/, or /oʊ/. ی can be /j/, /iː/, or /eɪ/.
  • In ویدئو (vīdeō, video), the first و is /v/, while the final ـئو (e-o) approximates the diphthong /ɪə/ or /iə/ as a final long vowel sound, not a consonant w.
  • In رادیو (rādīō, radio), the ی is /iː/ (long ee) and the و is /oʊ/ (long o). Distinguishing these uses requires careful listening.
  1. 1Ignoring Phonetic Assimilation/Reduction: English words, when borrowed into Persian, often undergo minor phonetic adjustments to fit Persian phonotactics (the rules governing sound sequences). For instance, consonant clusters might be simplified, or certain sounds might be altered slightly. The tendency to drop the 'h' sound when it is unstressed or silent in its original context (تکنولوژی from technology) is a prime example of this assimilation. Another example is فوتوشاپ (fōtoshāp, Photoshop), where the 'o' from 'photo' becomes a long و (ō).
In essence, the most significant contrast is with Arabic loanwords. While both are foreign in origin, their integration into Persian follows distinct orthographic paths. Arabic loanwords typically retain their original Arabic spelling, which often includes letters (ع, ح, ط, ص, ظ, ذ, ث) not found in native Persian vocabulary and not used for European loanwords. This is why عشق (eshq, love) uses ع and مخصوص (makhṣūṣ, special) uses ص, even if their pronunciations in Persian are different from classical Arabic. For European loanwords, these letters are almost never used; instead, the phonetic approximation uses the basic Persian alphabet. This distinction is a key indicator of a word's linguistic lineage and a critical element for correct spelling at the B2 level.

Real Conversations

Loanwords are not confined to formal texts; they are integral to the fabric of modern Persian communication, appearing naturally in both spoken and written exchanges. Observing their use in authentic contexts provides valuable insight into their pragmatic function and cultural integration. These examples illustrate how learners at your level can effectively incorporate them.

Social Media Exchange (WhatsApp/Telegram):

A: سلام! این پستی که گذاشتی خیلی وایرال شده! (Salām! Īn postī ke gozāshtī kheylī vāyrāl shode!, "Hi! This post you put up has gone really viral!")

B: آره، فکر نمی‌کردم انقدر لایک بگیره. کامنت‌ها هم باحاله. (Āre, fekr nemīkardam enqad be lāyk begīre. Kāmenthā ham bāhāle., "Yeah, I didn't think it would get so many likes. The comments are cool too.")

- پست (post): A clear example of direct phonetic transcription, widely used for social media updates.

- وایرال (vāyrāl): viral – illustrates the phonetic conversion of English v to و and a to ا.

- لایک (lāyk): like – note the ی for the long i sound.

- کامنت (kāment): comment – demonstrating the reduction of double m and phonetic representation of vowels.

Texting a Friend about Plans:

A: می‌خوایم بریم کافه، میای؟ (Mīkhāym berīm kāfe, mīyāy?, "We're going to a cafe, wanna come?")

B: آره حتماً. کدوم کافه؟ (Āre hatman. Kodūm kāfe?, "Yeah, for sure. Which cafe?")

A: همون کافه‌ای که کنار پارکِ. (Hamūn kāfe-ī ke kenār-e park-e., "That cafe next to the park.")

- کافه (kāfe): cafe – a common loanword for coffee shops.

- پارک (pārk): park – an everyday term, demonstrating the direct use of پ and ک.

Work Email (Informal):

سلام تیم، (Salām tīm,, "Hello team,")

ممنون که تو جلسه آنلاین امروز شرکت کردید. فایل‌ها رو براتون ایمیل می‌کنم. (Mamnoon ke tū jalase-ye onlāyn emrūz sherkat kardīd. Fāylhā ro barātūn īmeyl mīkonam., "Thanks for participating in today's online meeting. I'll email the files to you.")

- تیم (tīm): team – simple phonetic transcription.

- آنلاین (onlāyn): online – uses ا for initial o and ی for y.

- فایل (fāyl): file – shows ا for a and ی for i.

- ایمیل (īmīl): email – another prevalent term, often used as ایمیل زدن (īmīl zadan, to email).

These examples illustrate that loanwords are not merely theoretical constructs but are woven into the practical, day-to-day communication of Persian speakers. Their correct usage demonstrates an advanced comprehension of contemporary Persian and its flexible nature, enabling you to communicate more naturally and effectively.

Quick FAQ

  • Q: Is there an official, standardized list of all Persian loanwords?
  • A: While the Academy of Persian Language and Literature (فرهنگستان زبان و ادب فارسی) issues guidelines and prefers native Persian equivalents where possible, the rapid pace of global communication means many loanwords gain common usage organically. For newer terms, a definitive official list might not exist immediately. The most common spelling in reputable online sources (e.g., Iranian news sites, popular encyclopedic sites like Wikipedia in Persian) often serves as a practical standard.
  • Q: What if I encounter a word with multiple spellings? Which one should I use?
  • A: For some newly adopted words, multiple phonetic transcriptions may coexist before one becomes dominant. In such cases, opt for the spelling that is most widely used in contemporary media or by native speakers. Consistency within your own writing is also valuable. As long as the pronunciation is clear, minor variations are often acceptable.
  • Q: Does this phonetic rule apply to all non-Arabic foreign words, or just English?
  • A: Primarily, this phonetic transcription rule applies to European loanwords, with English being the most significant source. Words from French, German, or other European languages (e.g., اتومبیل (otomobīl, automobile, from French)) follow similar phonetic adaptation principles. The key distinction remains between these and older Arabic loanwords, which follow their own orthographic conventions.
  • Q: How can I improve my ability to correctly write loanwords?
  • A: The most effective method is extensive exposure to authentic Persian content. Read Persian news articles, follow Persian social media accounts, and watch Iranian films and series. Pay close attention to how foreign concepts are written. Practicing by listening to English words and attempting to transcribe them phonetically into Persian, then checking your work against established usage, is also highly beneficial. Develop an ear for Persian phonology rather than relying on English visual cues.

Loanword Mapping Table

Foreign Sound Persian Letter Example
p
پ
پیتزا
g
گ
گیتار
zh
ژ
ژورنال
ch
چ
چک
v
و
ویدیو
k
ک
کیک

Meanings

The process of transcribing foreign vocabulary into the Persian alphabet based on phonetic approximation.

1

Phonetic Mapping

Direct sound-to-letter conversion.

“تلفن (Telephone)”

“کامپیوتر (Computer)”

Reference Table

Reference table for Writing Loanwords in Persian Script
Form Structure Example
Affirmative
Loanword + Verb
او پیتزا می‌خورد
Negative
Negative + Loanword
او پیتزا نمی‌خورد
Question
Loanword + Question
آیا پیتزا می‌خوری؟
Plural
Loanword + ها
پیتزاها
Adjective
Loanword + ی
پیتزایی
Possessive
Loanword + ام
پیتزایم

Formality Spectrum

Formal
رایانه

رایانه (Tech)

Neutral
کامپیوتر

کامپیوتر (Tech)

Informal
کامپیوتر

کامپیوتر (Tech)

Slang
سیستم

سیستم (Tech)

Loanword Categories

Loanwords

Tech

  • موبایل Mobile

Food

  • پیتزا Pizza
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Examples by Level

1

تاکسی کجاست؟

Where is the taxi?

2

من پیتزا دوست دارم.

I like pizza.

3

این یک هتل است.

This is a hotel.

4

او در بانک کار می‌کند.

He works at the bank.

1

اینترنت قطع است.

The internet is down.

2

موبایل من کجاست؟

Where is my mobile?

3

من یک لپ‌تاپ خریدم.

I bought a laptop.

4

او گیتار می‌زند.

He plays guitar.

1

این پروژه خیلی سخت است.

This project is very hard.

2

او یک ژورنالیست است.

He is a journalist.

3

من به موزیک گوش می‌دهم.

I am listening to music.

4

این یک استراتژی جدید است.

This is a new strategy.

1

تکنولوژی در حال تغییر است.

Technology is changing.

2

این یک دموکراسی واقعی است.

This is a real democracy.

3

او در این کنفرانس شرکت کرد.

He participated in this conference.

4

این یک پارادوکس است.

This is a paradox.

1

این پدیده بیولوژیکی است.

This is a biological phenomenon.

2

او یک تئوری جدید ارائه داد.

He presented a new theory.

3

این ساختار ایدئولوژیک است.

This structure is ideological.

4

او در یک محیط آکادمیک کار می‌کند.

He works in an academic environment.

1

این یک دیالکتیک پیچیده است.

This is a complex dialectic.

2

او به پارادایم جدیدی اشاره کرد.

He referred to a new paradigm.

3

این یک پروسه سیستماتیک است.

This is a systematic process.

4

او یک تحلیل متدولوژیک انجام داد.

He performed a methodological analysis.

Easily Confused

Writing Loanwords in Persian Script vs P vs B

Arabic speakers often confuse 'p' and 'b'.

Writing Loanwords in Persian Script vs G vs K

Confusing hard 'g' with 'k'.

Writing Loanwords in Persian Script vs Zh vs J

Confusing 'zh' with 'j'.

Common Mistakes

✗

فیتزا

✓

پیتزا

Using 'f' instead of 'p'.
✗

بیتزا

✓

پیتزا

Using 'b' instead of 'p'.
✗

کیتار

✓

گیتار

Using 'k' instead of 'g'.
✗

تکسی

✓

تاکسی

Missing the long vowel.
✗

اینترنت

✓

اینترنت

Missing the vowel.
✗

موبل

✓

موبایل

Missing the diphthong.
✗

لپتاپ

✓

لپ‌تاپ

Missing the ZWNJ.
✗

پروژه

✓

پروژه

Correct spelling is often confused with 'پروژه'.
✗

ژورنال

✓

ژورنال

Confusing 'ژ' with 'ج'.
✗

موزیک

✓

موزیک

Using 'س' instead of 'ز'.
✗

آکادمیک

✓

آکادمیک

Spelling variations.
✗

ایدئولوژیک

✓

ایدئولوژیک

Complex vowel usage.
✗

سیستماتیک

✓

سیستماتیک

Using 'س' vs 'ص'.

Sentence Patterns

من ___ دارم.

او ___ بازی می‌کند.

این ___ خیلی ___ است.

این ___ یک ___ است.

Real World Usage

Texting constant

موبایلم شارژ نداره.

Social Media very common

این پست خیلی جالبه.

Job Interview common

من در این پروژه کار کردم.

Ordering Food very common

یک پیتزا سفارش دادم.

Travel common

هتل کجاست؟

Tech Support common

اینترنت وصل نمیشه.

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💡

Listen carefully

Listen to how native speakers pronounce loanwords.
⚠️

Watch the dots

Dots change the sound completely.
🎯

Use ZWNJ

Use ZWNJ for compound loanwords.
💬

Don't over-translate

Sometimes the loanword is more common than the native word.

Smart Tips

Use 'پ' with three dots.

بیتزا → پیتزا

Use 'گ' with the extra line.

کیتار → گیتار

Use 'ژ' with three dots.

جورنال → ژورنال

Use 'چ' with three dots.

شک → چک

Pronunciation

Radio -> رادیو

Vowel mapping

Foreign 'o' sounds are almost always 'و'.

Stress

Stress usually falls on the last syllable of loanwords.

Emphasis

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of the Persian letters as sound-boxes; if the sound fits, put it in the box.

Visual Association

Imagine a pizza with Persian letters as toppings.

Rhyme

For sounds that are new, use the Persian letter that's true.

Story

Ali went to the cafe. He ordered a pizza and checked his mobile. He used his laptop to write a journal.

Word Web

پیتزاموبایللپ‌تاپگیتارژورنالتکنولوژی

Challenge

Find 5 items in your room and write their names in Persian script.

Cultural Notes

Tehrani speakers use many English loanwords in daily speech.

Loanwords in Persian come from French, English, and Arabic.

Conversation Starters

“

پیتزا دوست داری؟

“

لپ‌تاپ داری؟

“

نظرت درباره این تکنولوژی چیست؟

“

آیا این پارادایم جدید است؟

Journal Prompts

Write about your favorite food.
Describe your daily tech usage.
Discuss a modern problem.
Analyze a scientific concept.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Sign up free to see all tips

Test Yourself

Fill in the missing letter.

پیت_ا

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
Pizza is spelled with 'ز'.
Which is correct? Multiple Choice

How to write 'Guitar'?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: b
Guitar starts with 'گ'.
Fix the word. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

فیتزا

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
P is 'پ'.
Order the words. Sentence Building

من / پیتزا / دوست / دارم

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
Standard SOV order.
Match the word. Match Pairs

Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: d
All are correct.
Is this true? True False Rule

Loanwords are written phonetically.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
Yes, they are.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: لپ‌تاپ داری؟ B: ___

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: d
All are valid.
Conjugate. Conjugation Drill

پروژه (plural)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
Plural is 'ها'.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Fill in the missing letter.

پیت_ا

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
Pizza is spelled with 'ز'.
Which is correct? Multiple Choice

How to write 'Guitar'?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: b
Guitar starts with 'گ'.
Fix the word. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

فیتزا

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
P is 'پ'.
Order the words. Sentence Building

من / پیتزا / دوست / دارم

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
Standard SOV order.
Match the word. Match Pairs

Match English to Persian.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: d
All are correct.
Is this true? True False Rule

Loanwords are written phonetically.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
Yes, they are.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: لپ‌تاپ داری؟ B: ___

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: d
All are valid.
Conjugate. Conjugation Drill

پروژه (plural)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
Plural is 'ها'.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

11 exercises
Complete the sentence with the correct loanword. Fill in the Blank

Can you please check the ___? (menu)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: منو
Find and fix the mistake. Error Correction

من یک طیکت برای کنسرت خریدم.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: من یک تیکت برای کنسرت خریدم.
Which sentence is grammatically correct? Multiple Choice

Choose the correct sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: من یک ویدئو دیدم.
Translate the following sentence into Persian. Translation

He sent a chat message.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: او یک چت مسیج فرستاد.
Reorder the words to form a correct sentence. Sentence Reorder

کامپیوتر / روشن / را / لطفاً / کنید

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: لطفاً کامپیوتر را روشن کنید.
Match the English word to its Persian spelling. Match Pairs

Match the pairs:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: [["Filter","\u0641\u06cc\u0644\u062a\u0631"],["Genre","\u0698\u0627\u0646\u0631"],["Project","\u067e\u0631\u0648\u0698\u0647"],["Service","\u0633\u0631\u0648\u06cc\u0633"]]
Fill in the blank. Fill in the Blank

My ___ is not working. (mouse)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ماوس
Correct the spelling of the loanword. Error Correction

این دیزاین خیلی زیباست.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: این دیزاین خیلی زیباست.
Which spelling for 'technology' is correct? Multiple Choice

Choose the correct spelling:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: تکنولوژی
How would you write 'classic' in Persian? Translation

'classic'

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: کلاسیک
Match the brand name to its Persian spelling. Match Pairs

Match the pairs:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: [["Netflix","\u0646\u062a\u0641\u0644\u06cc\u06a9\u0633"],["Google","\u06af\u0648\u06af\u0644"],["Zoom","\u0632\u0648\u0645"]]

Score: /11

FAQ (8)

To describe modern concepts.

Listen to the sound.

No, many are French.

It's not in Arabic.

Yes, but loanwords are common.

Depends on the word.

They are usually borrowed.

Practice writing them.

Scaffolded Practice

1

1

2

2

3

3

4

4

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

Sign up free to practice

In Other Languages

Arabic low

N/A

Arabic is less open to direct loanwords.

French moderate

N/A

Persian uses phonetic script.

German moderate

N/A

Persian uses direct borrowing.

Japanese high

Katakana

Persian uses the same alphabet.

Spanish moderate

N/A

Persian uses different script.

Chinese low

N/A

Persian is alphabetic.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
Beyond 'Very': Persian Intensifiers (Besyār, Kāmelan, Fogholāde)
Next
Persian Punctuation: Periods and Question Marks (نقطه‌گذاری)

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