Speak / Lesson 47
How to Discuss Breakfast
In this lesson, we learn to talk about one of the most important parts of Persian culture- breakfast. We learn how to talk about breakfast- including a list of breakfast foods and important breakfast drinks.
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Download lesson MP3GREETINGS:
hello
سَلام
how are you?
چِطوری؟
Note: In Persian, as in many other languages, there is a formal and an informal way of speaking. We will be covering this in more detail in later lessons. For now, however, chetor-ee is the informal way of asking someone how they are, so it should only be used with people that you are familiar with. hālé shomā chetor-é is the formal expression for ‘how are you.’
Spelling note: In written Persian, words are not capitalized. For this reason, we do not capitalize Persian words written in phonetic English in the guides.
ANSWERS:
I’m well
خوبَم
Pronunciation tip: kh is one of two unique sounds in the Persian language that is not used in the English language. It should be repeated daily until mastered, as it is essential to successfully speak Persian. Listen to the podcast for more information on how to make the sound.
| Persian | English |
|---|---|
| salām | hello |
| chetor-ee | how are you? |
| khoobam | I’m well |
| merci | thank you |
| khayli | very |
| khayli khoobam | I’m very well |
| khoob neestam | I’m not well |
| man | me/I |
| bad neestam | I’m not bad |
| ālee | great |
| chetor-een? | how are you? (formal) |
| hālé shomā chetor-é? | how are you? (formal) |
| hālet chetor-é? | how are you? (informal) |
| khoob-ee? | are you well? (informal) |
| mamnoonam | thank you |
| chetor peesh meeré? | how’s it going? |
| ché khabar? | what’s the news? (what’s up?) |
| testeeeee |
Leyla: Hello and welcome to Learn Persian with Chai and conversation!
Matt: As you know, we’re in Unit 5 of the program, and we are calling this our power series. We’re learning grammar and vocabulary that will help you to communicate like a pro!
Leyla: And the is the third episode in our ‘kitchen persian’ series. In this lesson, we’re going to literally take you into the kitchen and talk about one of my favorite topics, and that is, breakfast!
Matt: Breakfast is a very important part of any Iranian’s day, and a very consistent one at that. It’s not as heavy as an American breakfast, especially, but it’s a great time for family to come together and have a light, delicious meal and chai of course before everyone separates and goes about their days.
Leyla: So we are going to get right on with the program. Are you ready to being Matt?
Matt: Ready!
Leyla: Great, then let’s begin to learn Persian with Chai and Conversation.
Breakfast
sobhaneh
Ok, so in this lesson we’re actually going to begin with a conversation, and go over the words we learn in the conversation afterwards.
sobhaneh khordee?
na hanooz
chai bezaram dorost besheh
basheh. khordanee chee dareem?
noon o paneer, mesleh hameesheh.
aaliyeh.
gozasthan- to put.
So now let’s go over the most common breakfast foods.
noon o paneer o kareh
noon lavash
noon barbari
noon sangak
haleem
asal
tokhmeh morgh
kaleh pacheh
sheer berenj
moraba
This is, of course, by no means the only breakfast foods Iranians eat, but definitely the most common. Generally, Iranians like to have a nice spread of different things. They will always have a type of bread though, and paneer.
Now, let’s learn the drinks commonly served at breakfast
ab ba leemoo
sheer
ab portoghal
ghahveh
ghahveh ba kerem va sheekar
and last but not least:
chai
chai ba sheer
ghooree
too ghooree chai hast?
Leyla: And we’re going to keep this lesson short and sweet and end it there!
Matt: Hopefully you’ve enjoyed the lesson about Persian breakfast, and hopefully you’re listening either while not too hungry, or while you have quick access to a kitchen.
Leyla: We want to remind you if you haven’t already to like us on our facbeook page at www.chaiandconversation.com/learnpersian. That’s the best way to keep up with what we’re doing, and to join the conversation.
Matt: And until the next lesson, khodahafez from Matt.
Leyla: and beh omeedeh deedar from Leyla.