What it means
خوش آمدید (khosh âmadid) is the standard Persian “welcome,” said the moment a guest steps inside. It literally means “you have come well” or “may your coming be pleasant.” Pure Persian, A1 vocabulary, neutral register.
The word is built from خوش (khosh, “good, pleasant”) and آمدید (âmadid, “you have come,” plural/formal past tense of آمدن). The grammar is the same compound structure used in many Persian greetings.
How to use it
- خوش آمدید (khosh âmadid) “welcome” (formal, plural, or to a stranger)
- خوش آمدی (khosh âmadi) “welcome” (singular, informal, to a friend or child)
- به خانه ما خوش آمدید (be khâne-ye mâ khosh âmadid) “Welcome to our home”
- به ایران خوش آمدید (be irân khosh âmadid) “Welcome to Iran”
Cultural context
The standard reply is خوش باشید (khosh bâshid), “may you be well,” or the slightly warmer ممنون (mamnun, “thanks”). A host might also say صفا آوردید (safâ âvardid), literally “you brought purity/joy,” a more poetic acknowledgement.
The choice between خوش آمدید and خوش آمدی is the same plural-vs-singular distinction Persian uses everywhere. Use the plural form with anyone older, anyone you do not know well, or anyone you want to show respect to. Use the singular only with close friends, children, or family members at your level or younger.
You will see خوش آمدید written on welcome signs at airports, hotel lobbies, and shop entrances across Iran. Restaurants often have it on the front door in calligraphy. The word does not feel formal in writing, only neutral and warm. There is no Iranian situation where saying khosh âmadid would feel out of place.
One small note: in spoken Tehrani, the second آ sometimes gets reduced, so you hear something closer to khosh-umadid. The written form stays خوش آمدید.
Layered with خوش آمدید you will often hear قدم رنجه فرمودید (qadam ranje farmudid), a more elaborate phrase that literally means “you troubled your step.” It is older, more formal, and used by hosts who want to signal extra respect or warmth. Most Iranians today reach for the simpler خوش آمدید, but a grandmother might still greet you with the longer version.
The word also appears as a noun: خوشامد گویی (khosh-âmad-guyi) means “the act of welcoming.” An MC at an Iranian event will often start with a few minutes of khosh-âmad-guyi before the program begins. As a learner, you do not need to produce the noun form, but you will hear it.
Related words
- خوش باشید (khosh bâshid) “may you be well” (reply)
- صفا آوردید (safâ âvardid) “you brought joy” (warm reply)
- مهمان (mehmân) “guest”
- پذیرایی (pazirayî) “hosting, reception”
References
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