What it means
سلام و درود (salâm o dorud) is a combined greeting meaning “greetings and salutations” and is used as a formal or ceremonial opener, particularly in written speech, speeches, and announcements. سلام (salâm) is borrowed from Arabic سلام (salâm), meaning peace, and is the everyday greeting used across the Persian-speaking world. درود (dorud) is a pure Persian and Avestan word for salutation or blessing, carrying a more archaic and literary flavor. Together with و (o), meaning “and,” the compound phrase creates a fuller, more emphatic greeting than either word alone. It is most at home in formal writing, public addresses, and literary contexts rather than everyday conversation.
How to use it
- سلام و درود بر همه دوستان عزیز. (salâm o dorud bar hame dustân-e aziz.) “Greetings and salutations to all dear friends.”
- نامه رو با سلام و درود شروع کرد. (nâme ro bâ salâm o dorud shoru’ kard.) “He began the letter with greetings and salutations.”
- سلام و درود به شما و خانوادهتون. (salâm o dorud be shomâ o khânevâde-tun.) “Greetings and salutations to you and your family.”
- در ابتدا سلام و درودی گرم تقدیم میکنم. (dar ebtedâ salâm o dorudi garm taqdim mikonam.) “At the outset I offer warm greetings and salutations.”
Cultural note
درود (dorud) on its own is strongly associated with pre-Islamic Persian heritage and is sometimes preferred by those who wish to use a greeting with Iranian roots rather than the Arabic-origin سلام. The pairing of سلام و درود bridges both traditions, making it a culturally inclusive formula that honors both the Islamic and the ancient Persian dimensions of Iranian identity. In formal speeches and official correspondence, this combined opener signals respect for the audience and a command of elevated registers. It is less common in spoken conversation, where سلام alone is the universal choice.