What language is spoken in Iran?
The official language of Iran is Persian (Farsi). English is widely used in business and tourism, facilitating exchanges with foreign travelers.
Persian, official language
The Persian language (called Farsi locally) is the national language of Iran, spoken by approximately 65% of the population. This Indo-European language is written from right to left using the Arabic-Persian alphabet.
Other languages spoken
- English: widely used in business, hospitality and tourism
- Azerbaijani: spoken by 16% of the population, mainly in the northwest
- Kurdish: in western regions
- Arabic: in some provinces of the southwest
Advice for travelers
At tourist sites, hotels and restaurants in major cities like Tehran, Isfahan or Shiraz, staff generally speak English. Learning a few basic words in Persian (thank you: motchakeram, hello: salam) is always appreciated by Iranians.