Meaning
Expressing strong approval or admiration for something.
Cultural Background
In Iran, 'بسیار عالی' is often the first step in a Ta'arof exchange. If you praise someone's home with this phrase, they might respond with 'Chashmātun āli mibine' (Your eyes see excellently). In Dari (Afghan Persian), 'بسیار عالی' is also widely used, though you might also hear 'بسیار خوب' used with the same level of intensity in formal settings. Tajik speakers use 'بسیار عالی', but due to Russian influence, they might also use 'خیلی خوب' in ways that mirror the Russian 'Ochen khorosho'. In the diaspora (Tehrangeles, London, etc.), 'بسیار عالی' is a way for second-generation speakers to maintain a connection to formal, 'proper' Persian, often used when speaking to parents or grandparents.
The 'Is' Suffix
In spoken Persian, say 'besyār āli-ye' instead of 'besyār āli ast' to sound more natural.
Don't Overuse
If everything is 'بسیار عالی', it loses its meaning. Save it for things that are actually better than average.
Meaning
Expressing strong approval or admiration for something.
The 'Is' Suffix
In spoken Persian, say 'besyār āli-ye' instead of 'besyār āli ast' to sound more natural.
Don't Overuse
If everything is 'بسیار عالی', it loses its meaning. Save it for things that are actually better than average.
Accepting Praise
If someone says this to you, a simple 'Mamnun' (Thank you) or 'Lotf dārid' (You are kind) is the perfect response.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct formal intensifier.
این گزارش ________ عالی است.
'بسیار' is the correct formal intensifier for 'عالی'.
Which response is most appropriate for a boss praising your work?
Boss: 'کارتان عالی بود.' You:
Acknowledging the praise with 'بسیار عالی' and 'ممنونم' is polite and professional.
Complete the dialogue in a restaurant.
گارسون: غذا چطور بود؟ مشتری: ________ عالی بود، دست شما درد نکند.
The customer is giving high praise for the food.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Situation: You just heard that your friend passed a difficult exam.
'بسیار عالی' is used to react to good news.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Formal vs Informal Intensifiers
Practice Bank
4 exercisesاین گزارش ________ عالی است.
'بسیار' is the correct formal intensifier for 'عالی'.
Boss: 'کارتان عالی بود.' You:
Acknowledging the praise with 'بسیار عالی' and 'ممنونم' is polite and professional.
گارسون: غذا چطور بود؟ مشتری: ________ عالی بود، دست شما درد نکند.
The customer is giving high praise for the food.
Situation: You just heard that your friend passed a difficult exam.
'بسیار عالی' is used to react to good news.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt's slightly formal, but not weird. It just makes you sound very polite. 'خیلی عالی' is the more common 'friend' version.
Yes, you can say 'او معلم بسیار عالیای است' (He is a very excellent teacher).
'Khoob' is good. 'Ali' is excellent. It's the difference between a 7/10 and a 10/10.
It is written as 'بسیار عالی'. Note the 'Ayin' (ع) at the beginning of 'Ali'.
Yes, it is one of the most common phrases in Iranian business culture to show agreement or satisfaction.
No, the phrase itself doesn't change, but the verb after it might (e.g., 'عالی هستند').
Yes, with a specific downward intonation, it can mean 'Oh, great (sarcastic)', but be careful with this.
'بسیار بد' (very bad) or 'افتضاح' (terrible).
No, it's a deep 'Ah' sound, like in 'Caught' or 'Father'.
Yes! 'حالم بسیار عالی است' means 'I feel very excellent/great'.
Related Phrases
خیلی خوب
similarVery good
فوقالعاده
specialized formExtraordinary
آفرین
similarBravo / Well done
بینظیر
specialized formUnique / Peerless
خوب
builds onGood
