What it means
صبحانه (sobhâne) is the standard Persian word for breakfast. It is a mixed-origin formation: the base صبح (sobh, meaning morning) comes from Arabic, while the suffix ـانه is Persian, used to form nouns related to a time of day or occasion. The result is a word that feels completely native to Persian speakers even though it crosses two linguistic traditions. A close synonym is ناشتا (nâshtâ), which is pure Persian and still used in some regional dialects, but صبحانه is by far the more common word in daily speech across Iran.
How to use it
- صبحانه چی داری؟ (sobhâne chi dâri?) “What do you have for breakfast?”
- صبحانه داخل قیمت هتله؟ (sobhâne dâkhele qeymete hotele?) “Is breakfast included in the hotel price?”
- صبحانهمو نخوردم، دیرم شد. (sobhânemo nakhordam, diram shod.) “I didn’t eat breakfast, I was running late.”
- کجا میتونیم صبحانه بخوریم؟ (kojâ mitoonim sobhâne bekhoorim?) “Where can we eat breakfast?”
Cultural note
A traditional Iranian breakfast is a spread rather than a single dish: fresh bread (often lavash or sangak), white cheese, butter, jam, walnuts, and tea are the backbone. Hotels in Iran typically offer a buffet-style صبحانه that mirrors this spread, sometimes alongside eggs and cold cuts. The meal is considered important enough that many Iranians will ask explicitly whether a hotel rate includes صبحانه before booking.