What Language Do They Speak in Iran?
Facts last checked 9 October 2026.
The official language of Iran is Persian (Farsi).
Learn some Persian (Farsi) before you go
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Persian (Farsi) Phrasebook & Dictionary
The essentials for ordering food, asking directions and being polite.
Learn Persian (Farsi) for Beginners
A structured course book to go beyond the basics.
Languages of Iran at a glance
| Official language | Persian (Farsi) |
|---|---|
| Number of official languages | 1 |
| Countries on this site where Persian (Farsi) is official | 1 |
| People (demonym) | Iranian |
| Capital | Tehran |
| Internet domain | .ir |
Languages of neighbouring countries
| Afghanistan | Dari, Pashto, Turkmen |
|---|---|
| Armenia | Armenian |
| Azerbaijan | Azerbaijani |
| Iraq | Arabic, Aramaic, Sorani |
| Pakistan | Urdu, English |
| Turkey | Turkish |
| Turkmenistan | Turkmen, Russian |
Iran in context
- Iran covers 1,648,195 km², making it the 17th largest of the 196 countries on this site.
- Its population density of about 52 people per km² ranks 133rd of 196 (1st = most crowded).
- It shares a land border with 7 countries: Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iraq, Pakistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan.
- With 85,961,000 people, Iran holds about 4.3% of the population of Southern Asia.
- Traffic drives on the right, and calendars start the week on Saturday.
- Iran is a member state of the United Nations.
Useful phrases for visitors to Iran
Everyday Persian (Farsi) phrases you will hear and use in Iran:
| English | Persian (Farsi) |
|---|---|
| Hello | سلام (salâm) |
| Thank you | ممنون (mamnun) |
| Please | لطفاً (lotfan) |
| Goodbye | خداحافظ (khodâhâfez) |
| Yes | بله (bale) |
| No | نه (na) |
Spellings can vary by region, and some languages use different forms for formal or informal speech. Even a simple greeting in the local language is usually appreciated.
Languages in Iran — FAQ
What language do they speak in Iran?
The official language of Iran is Persian (Farsi).
How many official languages does Iran have?
Iran has 1 official language: Persian (Farsi).
Is Persian (Farsi) spoken anywhere else?
Iran is the only country on this site where Persian (Farsi) is an official language.
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