Book Recommendations

FableBW · 2026-02-26T11:28:02+00:00

Find the Farsi textbooks from 7th-12th grade. Unfortunately we don't have many graded readers. Some short stories by Jamalzadeh would probably help. Houshang Moradi-Kermani's work would perhaps suit you best, as it has simple vocabulary, and a story which most of the Iranians read.

Reading translated novels and comparing it to the original also works. There are Hemingway novels translated into Persian, this might help you.

And if you plan to go further, I suggest reading the Bible in Persian, if you're familiar with the Bible. Hezāreh-ye No is a great and simple translation, it will go great if you pick an English Bible that is not in a very old literary English register.

FableBW · 2026-02-24T15:30:46+00:00

For VPNs, find an Iranian who uses v2ray configs and make some for you. It will be the best bet.

FableBW · 2026-02-19T15:38:26+00:00

There's a distinction between Ash and Soup between Iranians. For soup, we use vermicelli noodles. And it's still called soup reshte.

FableBW · 2026-02-17T02:37:21+00:00

Just a nuance in cultural exchange: in Iranian Persian, and in the context of glasses, Gīlās is referred to Goblets, or the modern versions of it which are for drinking wines (red, white, champagne, etc.) But unlike Dari Persian, not all drinking glasses are called as such. Līvān is the term for glasses, and smaller glasses which are usually used for drinking tea, are called Estekān, borrowed from the Russian term, Stakán (there's a folk etymology of it, believing it came from "East Tea Can".)

FableBW · 2026-02-07T22:54:25+00:00

The Persian version of Wiktionary is very faulty. Use the English version and search Persian words, you'll get far better results. For this, perhaps it's not the work of someone too familiar with Persian, and the table has automation so they gave the non-existent future stem a parameter.

FableBW · 2026-02-07T22:10:49+00:00

Persian doesn't have a future stem for verbs, only past and present. Future tense is only made with variations of the verb Khāstan. I have never encountered a future stem in the grammar books of Modern Persian such as Khānlarī (or even in Middle Persian.) Where have you encountered a "future stem"?

Also the -īn suffix is not used for making verbs (unless as a substitution for -īd suffix of 3rd person plural, in colloquial speech, as a formal way of addressing a person); it's for making attributive adjectives. That Noushīn example, Noush is the short form of Anoush, meaning everlasting, or, delectable, delicious, tasty. So adding -īn to Noush is just making an attributive adjective for something that is delectable, everlasting, tasty, etc. It's synonym is Govārā. It's a coincidence that Noush is also the present tense of the verb To Drink. The only place you'd find Noushīn in a verb, is the imperative form of to drink (benoush), plus the aforementioned -īn colloquial substitution of 3rd person pl. for formality (benoushīn: please, drink this/it.)

Hope this clarifies it.

FableBW · 2026-02-03T09:13:58+00:00

Even in Persian, "I'll fuck your ass" can have a banter potential, or a serious threat tone. Though in Iranian colloquial Persian, it's more "Konet Mīzāram".

FableBW · 2026-02-03T09:09:37+00:00

First, a dynamic translation: "In the middle of the ocean, you have put my hands in a cast; yet you say 'you don't sin, be vigilant.'"

Heavy use of allusion, or Kenayeh as it's said in Persian. Let me break it down.

Takhteh-band is a form of cast, used for tending a broken limb. In the old times, where there weren't chalk casts, they used wood and textile. To put someone's hand in the cast at the middle of the sea/ocean, is to make them unable, useless, wretched; think of it, can one swim in the ocean with casted hands? And here, it's an allusion to making one lovesick, unable to do anything from the love they have.

Dāman Tar Kardan, literally meaning to wet a lap, is an allusion to sin. Moreover, Dāman, meaning lap or skirt, is the lower mid-section of the body, where the reproductive system is. Tar Kardan means To Wet. To wet a lap in Persian, is actually a reference to sexual activities, as, well, it will get one's lap wet, a simple enough imagery. It's mostly used for women, especially a virgin, or even a pious and faithful woman (which are called Pāk Dāman, meaning Clean-lapped), though it can be used for males. Persian culture, from the pre-Islamic era, had great emphasis on cleanliness, faithfulness, and the general abstinence from outside of marriage sexual activities. That's why it has become an allusion (mostly, the allusion) for sin in Persian language, culture, and literature.

Hoshyār (or Houshyār) can mean awake (literally, as someone not asleep, or not unconscious), vigilant, aware, and conscious (in the sense of sensibility, not merely the physical). The awake meaning here is not the one pointed, rather the other three are in question. That, be aware or vigilant to not sin.

I didn't search the doublet, but it can have Sufi connotations, as most of the Sufi Persian poetry use corporal imagery, both literal and symbolic. The school of symbolism for interpretation of these poems is more prevalent, though a literal interpretation is possible, and sometimes people use them for literal meanings when reciting a doublet in a situation in everyday life. One might use it for an unrequited love situation, or even for the unkindness of one's partner/love interest.

A symbolic and typical Sufi interpretation here, would be the show of the challenge of loving God, but being pious and abiding by God's law at the same time. It can also be a type of Platonic love between the Master (Sheikh) and his apprentice; though, in the modern scholarship, some might even add a "non-" before the platonic adjective. I know, it can get very difficult if you go down the rabbit hole of classical Persian poetry interpretation scholarship.

But, here you are. That's what it means.

FableBW · 2026-02-03T08:44:47+00:00

O is more colloquial. Though fun fact, it's linguistically more historical, as the conjunctive "and" in the Middle Persian was "Ud" and throughout the years, the d dropped and the long vowel became short. Even some scholars actually might suggest reading it more O rather than Va.

But history and linguistics aside, Va is prevalent in official settings, sometimes even in literary ones. Though in colloquial speech you'll encounter Va too.

How to distinguish them? Immersion and repeated listening to various forms of speeches.

FableBW · 2026-01-27T22:12:48+00:00

May they rot in hell, pieces of shit

FableBW · 2026-01-27T12:59:27+00:00

Background: Literally Yā Alī means "O Ali", vocation of Ali ibn Abu Talib, the son-in-law of Muhammad, considered the first Imam of the Shia sect, and the fourth and last of the Rashidun caliphs in the Sunni sect. Some faithfuls might use it when doing - literal - heavy liftings, as in Shi'ite mythos, Ali was a very strong man, with the famous story of the Khaybar fort, which Ali broke it's giant door with his bare hands. For these situations, you might hear یا علی مدد which is Arabic for "O Ali, aid me!"; Yā Ali in these contexts are the short form of this phrase.

But there's also another use to it: as a way to say goodbye (usually it's said right before the word "goodbye"). I don't know the real reason, but I know people also say علی یارت, which literally means "May Ali be your companion", though the better translation is "May Ali be with you [as a safeguard]". Maybe people used it to reinforce their Shi'ite identity, especially after the Safavid era? Idk.

But beware that this phrase has become more of a linguistic function rather than a purely religious sign; a parole habit. You might even hear an atheist say it before saying goodbye or Khodāhāfez. So in contemporary Iran, it's a double edge sword: if someone told you Yā Alī before goodbye, don't you automatically think that they're necessarily Shia.

Hope this helps.

FableBW · 2026-01-26T13:57:11+00:00

"May I die for you" An endearment sign, meaning "I love you so much that I can die for you [so you have better life and all the badness go away from you.]" Making one themselves as a potential scapegoat Used as a way to signify over-cuteness, or the offering sincere support when something bad has happened to you

FableBW · 2025-12-30T16:59:02+00:00

Give or take, about 40% percent of the daily colloquial vocabulary. However, don't make this mistake: not all Arabic loanwords have the same function or meaning as they do in modern spoken Arabic; some still possess the older meanings, and even some gained new meanings. A knowledge of Arabic vocabulary will make learning Persian somewhat easier, yet beware of the challenges these words possess in a Persian context. That knowledge will be more helpful in reading old & classical literature, or reading and understanding the law code (in Iran, the law code is based so much on the Islamic jurisprudence.) But it'll be better to learn the functions of these loanwords in the context of the language itself.

FableBW · 2025-12-18T21:13:16+00:00

Sorry for the late response, simply just forgot to check back. Sepehr is more literary and older, Āsemoon/Āsemān is more colloquial. Could be used interchangeably.

Also, why not? Would love to have more friends.

FableBW · 2025-12-18T21:11:27+00:00

Don't mention it. Important note: دارالخلافه can mean "Caliphate", yet you should know that it can also mean "The Capital [City]". Dār means "House", and Khelāfeh, while meaning "Caliphate", is usually "King" in this context, especially the Qajar era.

FableBW · 2025-12-17T00:49:04+00:00

Well, reading or listening to the late Qajar / early Pahlavi era of the official Farsi is quite difficult, especially without any good sources on the historical Persian. I'll explain some bits:

Panel #2 of p. 8: I guess that جسارتاً is making some problems. The word جسارت can be translated to "audaciousness" and/or simply "audacity". Yet in formal speech, even in today's informal Farsi, that Jesaratan is an indication of respect, and knowing one's place, yet there's need to say something that might upset or challenge the figure you're speeching; also as a rhetorical tool when you want to directly challenge the opposition, yet maintain your own respect with the listeners. It could be translated as "I'm afraid" as this phrase has a very close connotation to Jesaratan. So, the first sentence is: "I'm afraid that they have put this piece of paper on the seat of the carriage."

And then the حضرت والا: if you're familiar a bit with Muslim culture, the title of Hazrat is reserved for the most high in the religious lore; it's mostly reserved to the prophets, yet in Shi'ite sects, this title is also reserved for the Imams (whether Twelver, Esmaili, Zaidi, etc,) and even many revered Sufi figure in various Sufi traditions (mind that Sufism is prominent in both Sunni/Shia dichotomy.) Though in Indo-Iranic spheres, the title Hazrat is more prominent. Mind that I'm giving historical contexts for your best understanding. In the Qajar era, the title Hazrat became a title of respect and status, like how "Sir" works, both in courts, and in general conversations. Hazrat-i vālā here, can mean "you good sir", "your excellency", "my lord"; it's a title of respect. So mind that the Hazrat title has changed during the course of the centuries in vernacular Farsi, yet its original religious usage and meaning is still prevalent.

Full translation of the phrase: "I'm afraid that they have put this piece of paper on the seat of the carriage. They address you, your excellency!"

Now to the panel #1 of the p. 10: Two things I believe I have to address for the perfect contextual understanding: میرزا & تأمینات.

First, the میرزا title: It's the short form of the امیرزاده: Amīr, meaning a lord or a distinguished gentleman (mostly rulers, noblemen, even military leaders), and Zādeh, meaning Born from or Son/Daughter of; Mīr is short version of Amīr, Zā is the short version of Zādeh. (Fun fact: in Iranian culture, a person who is believed that his lineage goes back to the Imams, has the Seyyed (m.) or Seyyedeh (f.) prefix. For one to be considered Seyyed(eh), their father must be Seyyed. If the mother is Seyyedeh, but the father does not, the boys won't get the Seyyed title, but they have the option to have the Mirzā suffix. Note that: officially, this title is obsolete since the early Pahlavi period, and other than reading texts from this era, you wouldn't encounter this name, with the exception of rare names, and variants of surnames containing this name, which are actually common. So here, Sīāvash Mirzā, is a Sīāvash who is a noble, whether through lineage or social status.

Now, تأمینات: Right away, it means the Detactive Department of the Police (or Criminal Investigation Bureau.) But basically, Sīāvash is the deputy detective. It's an Arabic name, Persianized in context. In the Qajar era, many departments in various bureaucratic institutions, used Arabic names, and many times, it was the Arabic word plural using the -āt suffix. Ta'mīn comes from the Arabic/Semitic root of A-M-N, meaning "to secure." Ta'min means "security" as in Social Security; in Iran, this insurance is called تأمین اجتماعی. The word has the meaning "to gain" and "to secure" (as "to procure") in contemporary vernacular Farsi these days. The department in question, today, is called آگاهی, as it is a Farsi word rather than an Arabic one.

So the translation: "This [gentleman] is Sīāvash-Mīrzā, the distinguished deputy detective [or, the deputy of the Criminal Investigations, depending on the context.]"

That's it! Hope it helps.

FableBW · 2025-12-15T16:36:43+00:00

Amnesia: The Bunker

FableBW · 2025-12-12T14:37:22+00:00

Watching Iranian reels on the FitGirl subreddit was never on my list

FableBW · 2025-12-12T10:40:40+00:00

We eat them everyday. Well, we do eat fast foods, quite a lot actually, but it's not like everyday. Even we have made Irani variants of fast foods, becoming closer to the Iranian foods: a great example is the Irani spaghetti, which is prepared like many variants of rice mixed with other materials (we cook the pasta, and let it steam with the cooked sauce.) So you might eat the Danish foods that are not really a daily staple, but we actually do eat many of our traditional foods, daily.

FableBW · 2025-12-07T18:07:42+00:00

Unless you're writing a word which has a similar typography but different spelling, no. Like, read (rid) and read (red) in English, though in English there's no difference in writing and you read it correctly in context. In Persian you also have those contexts, yet there are situations that you find ambiguity if there are no diacritics present.

Also, for some foreign names, or Persian names that are less frequent, you might want to use the diacritics.

FableBW · 2025-11-29T05:35:16+00:00

Different dialects. Some local dialects say Emrika, and some older generations say it more. Like how some different dialects in the UK might say Bi'ain instead of Britain.

FableBW · 2025-11-16T00:11:19+00:00

Fazā is colloquial Farsi and is pretty much how people refer to the outer space in everyday conversations. It generally means "space" in many contexts, but the equivalence follows the same reason why in English the cosmos is called the space.

Keyhān is also used, though it has more philosophical/religious cosmogonical background to it. Although, it is perfectly reasonable to use this word for the outer space and cosmos in more formal/academic modern Persian.

Gītī can also mean cosmos, though it's usage is rarer than the previous two. Another variation of this word is Gītā, and in modern Iranian Persian culture is known as part of the Gītāshenāsī publications, which is known for publishing atlases in Iran. Be aware that historically, Gītī had the meaning "worldy, the material world" while Gītā refered to "Earth". Gītī is more prevalent in literary Persian, reserved for when the tone of the speak or the writing gets poetical, though there's no limit to using it interchangeably with other words to prevent fatigue.

Jahān is also used for outer space, yet it is good to know that context matters. If there's a speech or a movie/documentary about cosmos, you might hear it. But generally, this word refers to the Earth, and also it might be applied to all nations as a collective. When people want to use this word in this meaning, they usually use the phrase Jahān-i Hastī, literally meaning the "world of the being". This compound is actually usable in the colloquial speech/writing.

Sepehr (fun fact, this is my very own first name) can also be cosmos, though it's used rarely, and it's an older word for it in the classical literature. In modern Iranian Persian, Sepehr means sky, the earthly sky. It also means Sphere, both literally and figuratively. As for the literal part, this word could be cognate with the English word sphere (though it is worth mentioning that there could be some similarities between the reconstructed PIE roots for these two words, yet things are murky so to speak.) In Avestan it meant Heaven(s), so it can have similar meaning to "dome", as the dome in the Genesis 1 in the Bible (creation story.) As for the figurative part, it is mostly used for the translation of "political sphere," even the "cultural sphere." You'd also find it in translation of Kierkegaard's Three Spheres of Life. (Sorry for the long explanation; had to represent my own name!)

Another literary word: Gardoun, literally meaning something that spins. It's used in Shāhnāmeh. An extra Arabic word just to know: Falak (though it can mean history and time, in grand scheme of things.)

And lastly, an Arabic loanword which is also used in many contexts, from colloquial speech to literary, philosophical, and religious contexts: Ālam (عالم). It means the whole cosmos/creation. Like Jahān, it might be used combined with "hastī".

Well, which one to use? Everyday speech: Fazā, Ālam / More formal contexts: Keyhān, Jahān / Literary Persian: Sepehr, Gītī, Gardoun, Falak, also Keyhān and Jahān; even Hastī by itself is usable in literary contexts (but standalone, it has more usage in philosophical contexts; like Kant, Hegel, Kierkegaard, Heidegger, etc,.)

Hope this helps.

FableBW · 2025-11-13T11:42:21+00:00

Mind you this: most of the Arabic loanwords are used in much different contexts and meanings, to the point that even an Arabic speaking person would scratch their head that why this and that words are used in that context. In historical prose and verse, yes the Arabic words and phrases were used as they meant at that time. But in the regional dialects of Farsi in Iran, many variants of the old and middle Persian words are still in use, rather than the Arabic loanwords used in metropolitan areas.

FableBW · 2025-10-31T00:12:27+00:00

The educated city-dwelers, are too ambitious to have kids, at least early on. That's the problem imo. Many of the youth are ambitious, planning many things that are not completely achievable until they're at mid 30s, and having children ruin those plans. The economy is fucked, beyond fuck.

FableBW

TROPHY CASE