What it means
پیش غذا (pish-ghazâ) means appetizer or starter, the small dishes served before the main course. The compound joins پیش (pish), a Persian word meaning “before,” with غذا (ghazâ), which comes from Arabic غِذَاء (ghidhâ’) meaning “food” or “nourishment.” This makes پیش غذا a mixed-origin compound, a common pattern in Persian where native Persian prepositions attach to Arabic nouns. In restaurant contexts it contrasts with غذای اصلی (ghazâ-ye asli), the main course, and دسر (deser), dessert.
How to use it
- پیش غذا سفارش میدیم؟ (pish-ghazâ sefâresh midim?) “Shall we order appetizers?”
- پیش غذاهاشون خیلی خوبه. (pish-ghazâhâshun kheyli khube.) “Their appetizers are really good.”
- پیش غذا با غذای اصلی مییاد؟ (pish-ghazâ bâ ghazâ-ye asli miyâd?) “Does the appetizer come with the main course?”
- به عنوان پیش غذا ماست و خیار داریم. (be onvân-e pish-ghazâ mâst o khiyâr dârim.) “We have yogurt and cucumber as a starter.”
Cultural note
Iranian meals often begin with a spread of small dishes before a formal پیش غذا is ordered. Bread, fresh herbs (sabzi, سبزی), white cheese, and walnuts typically arrive at the table as complimentary accompaniments in traditional restaurants. Dedicated appetizer dishes such as kashk-e bâdemjân (كشك بادمجان, eggplant with whey) or mirza ghâsemi (میرزاقاسمی, smoked eggplant with eggs) are popular choices in northern Iranian and upscale Tehran restaurants.