Tourist & Resident Guide to Iran

Friday, November 25, 2005

Farsi: Many thanks

Farsi: Many thanks

The Farsi language has no shortage of phrases to express gratitude. Here are a few of the most common.

Farsi: Many thanks


“Khaste naboshi” – lit. “may you not be tired”

Said to those returning from work or having completed a task. Also used as a greeting to colleagues who begin their work before you.

“Dast-e shoma dard nakone” – lit. “may your hands not hurt”

A common expression of gratitude when someone provides you with something. Be it anything from a home-cooked meal to a ride in a taxi.

“Nushe Jahn” – lit. “drink that you live”(?)

A common response to “dast-e shoma dard nakone” when used in the context of complimenting and expressing gratitude for food.

“Gorbaned shoma” – lit. “I sacrifice myself for you”

Often said during the 3-kiss embrace when you greet or say goodbye to close friends or family. Also used to open and close telephone conversations.

“Gabel Nadore” – lit. “It has no value”

Said by shopkeepers before money changes hands as if to say that, since it’s you, you needn’t pay. Of course, this offer must be firmly refused, perhaps also coupled with a heartfelt “zende boshid” (lit. “that you may live.”)

“Dardet Bejahnam” – lit. “your pain to my life”

Said by the older generation to younger members of the family. A heartfelt wish that life’s troubles be borne on their own shoulders rather than be passed on to the young.

“Chak’kerim” – lit. “I am your slave”

A rough and ready expression of gratitude and general indebtedness. Not often heard in refined circles.

“Pish-kesh” – lit. “before-pull”(?)

On receiving a compliment about one’s home, it is usual to deflect it with this hard-to-translate phrase which is an offer of the complimented object to one who offers the compliment.

Farsi (Persian) @ Amazon.com

Farsi Phrases

Thursday, November 03, 2005

Book: Introducing Persian Architecture

Introducing Persian Architecture

By Arthur Upham Pope

With the history of Persia as long as the history of mankind itself, it is no surprise that its architectural legacy should be one of the richest in the world.
It is perhaps only the relative inaccessibility of Iran’s architectural treasures in recent years that has caused Persian architecture to be less well regarded in comparison with that of other great civilisations. However, what is clear from the rich yet concise tour offered by Arthur Pope’s “Introducing Persian Architecture”, is that Persian architecture can be compared to that of Ancient Greece and Egypt without any hint of inferiority.From the ziggurat of Chogha Zambil, through to the noble ruins of the pre-Islamic Persian Empire and all the way up to the mosques and palaces of Isfahan and Shiraz, Pope cuts a great sweep through 3,000 years of history without losing his focus on the finer points of construction and ornamentation that made up his life’s work.
It is in itself an achievement for such a learned and passionate scholar to condense his knowledge in a volume so well-organised and accessible for the newcomer. Numerous plates, including full colour photographs and architectural plans are conveniently cross-referenced with the text throughout the book.
Now more than 35 years old, "Introducing Persian Architecture" remains one of the best companions one could possibly have on an architectural tour of Iran. For even a short visit to Isfahan and Shiraz the cost and effort of obtaining a copy would be repaid many times over. Having picked an almost mint copy of the 1976 edition in a dusty Tehran bookshop for next to nothing, it seems likely that second-hand copies are widely available.

Introducing Persian Architecture

By Arthur Upham Pope

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