What it means
فاکتور (fâktor) is borrowed from the French word facture, meaning invoice. It refers to an itemized bill listing the goods or services provided along with their unit prices and total. In Iranian commerce, a فاکتور is typically issued by a business before or at the time of payment, serving as the formal demand for payment. It is distinct from رسید (resid), which confirms that payment has already been received. When a shopkeeper or contractor says “فاکتور میخوای؟” they are asking whether you need an official itemized invoice, often implying a choice between a formal receipt with VAT and an informal one without.
How to use it
- فاکتور رسمی لازم دارم برای حسابداری. (Fâktor-e rasmi lâzem dâram barâye hesâbdâri.) “I need an official invoice for accounting.”
- فاکتور بزن رو اسم شرکتم. (Fâktor bezan ru esm-e sherkatam.) “Issue the invoice in my company’s name.”
- قیمت تو فاکتور با اون چیزی که گفتی فرق داره. (Qeymat tu fâktor bâ on chizi ke gofti farq dâre.) “The price on the invoice is different from what you said.”
- بدون فاکتور نمیتونم هزینه رو پس بگیرم. (Bedun-e fâktor nemitunam hazine ro pas begiram.) “Without an invoice I can’t get the expense reimbursed.”
Cultural note
In Iran, the distinction between a formal فاکتور and an informal transaction is practically significant because of value-added tax (VAT) rules and business expense reporting. Larger businesses are required to issue official فاکتور documents with tax ID numbers, while small shopkeepers may offer a simpler handwritten slip. Many Iranians working in companies or as freelancers need official فاکتورs to claim reimbursements. The question “با فاکتور یا بدون فاکتور؟” (with invoice or without?) is a routine part of business purchases in Iran.