Notes:

1. In Iran, we buy fruits, vegetables, herbs and dates (even packed ones) in kilos, so we usually ask their prices in kilos.
2. In colloquial Farsi, there are two words that we add to numbers as quantity makers: dune(h) (singular) and “tâ” (plural). For instance:

– čand-tâ sib dâri?: do-tâ. (Instead of “čand sib dâri?:-do”) which means: how many breads do you have? – two.

– čand-tâ nun mixây?: ye(h)-dune(h). (Instead of saying yek) which means: how many breads do you want? – one.

3. In Iran, when you are paying by card, the shopkeepers/cashiers may ask for your card’s pin code. Do not get surprised, and if you do not feel saying it aloud, just say “mishe xodam vâred konam” which means “can I enter it myself”. It does not mean that the sentence works everywhere, but you can give it a try. You practice some Farsi at least.
4. We have a politeness formula to ask for something or to request: using “miše(h)” (is it possible) or “mitunid” (can you) at a beginning of a sentence. But we need present subjunctive in this kind of sentences. However, you can keep your request simple and still polite by adding “lotfan” (please) to simple present structure. For instance you can say both following sentences to ask for a glass of water:

– miše(h) ye livân âb bedi. = ye livân âb midi lotfan.

5. In Farsi, there are frequent quantifiers such as “baste(h)” (package), “ja’be(h)” (box). But for some elements, we use a particular word. For instance, for a pack of cigarettes, we say “yek pâkat sigâr” but if you want to buy just one cigarette, you need to say “yek nax sigâr”. But don’t worry, they are not many.

If you want to know more about Shopping in Farsi,  you can see more phrases here.

To help you learn Persian, our experienced Farsi tutors in Farsimonde provide you with the best online Farsi classes and offer you the best Farsi learning methods.