100 Persian Idioms That Make You Sound Native

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My cousin in Tehran once told me I speak Farsi like a well-trained parrot. technically correct but missing the flavor. She wasn’t wrong. I could conjugate verbs, nail the ezafe, even handle the subjunctive. But every time I tried to express frustration, humor, or sarcasm, I’d reach for a literal translation of an English idiom and get blank stares. Persian idioms are what separate "speaks Farsi" from "sounds Iranian." These 100 expressions. organized by theme. are the ones that actually come up in conversation, not dusty proverbs your textbook pretends people still use.

How Persian Idioms Work

Farsi idioms follow patterns. Once you see the logic, memorizing them gets easier. Most fall into a few categories: body parts doing weird things, animals behaving badly, food metaphors, and water/nature imagery. The literal translations are often hilarious. that’s part of what makes them stick.

A note on register: most of these idioms are used in spoken, casual Farsi. A few cross into formal writing. I’ll flag the ones that are more literary.

Water and Nature Idioms

1. آب از سر گذشته

آب از سر گذشته. âb az sar gozashte. "the water has passed over the head"

Meaning: It’s too late, the damage is done, nothing left to lose.

Usage: When someone has already passed the point of no return. A guy who’s already lost his savings gambling might say this before placing another bet.

دیگه آب از سرم گذشته، چه فرقی می‌کنه؟. dige âb az saram gozashte, che farghi mikone?. "The water’s already over my head, what difference does it make?"

2. آب در هاون کوبیدن

آب در هاون کوبیدن. âb dar hâvan kubidan. "pounding water in a mortar"

Meaning: Doing something completely pointless.

بهش نصیحت نکن، آب در هاون می‌کوبی.. behesh nasihat nakon, âb dar hâvan mikubi.. "Don’t give him advice, you’re pounding water in a mortar."

3. آب که از سرچشمه گل‌آلود باشه

آب که از سرچشمه گل‌آلود باشه. âb ke az sarcheshme gel-âlud bâshe. "when the water is muddy from the source"

Meaning: When corruption or problems start from the top.

4. از آب گل‌آلود ماهی گرفتن

از آب گل‌آلود ماهی گرفتن. az âb-e gel-âlud mâhi gereftan. "fishing in muddy water"

Meaning: Taking advantage of chaos or confusion for personal gain.

5. سنگ بزرگ علامت نزدن است

سنگ بزرگ علامت نزدن است. sang-e bozorg alâmat-e nazadan ast. "a big stone is a sign of not hitting"

Meaning: Big promises, no action. When someone talks a huge game but never delivers.

گفت یه هفته‌ای تمومش می‌کنم. سنگ بزرگ علامت نزدنه.. goft ye hafte-i tamumesh mikonam. sang-e bozorg alâmat-e nazadane.. "He said he’d finish it in a week. big stone, no throw."

6. آب از آب تکان نخوردن

آب از آب تکان نخوردن. âb az âb tekân nakhordan. "the water didn’t move from the water"

Meaning: Nothing happened. Everything stayed calm. Often used when someone expected drama.

7. آب زیر کاه

آب زیر کاه. âb zir-e kâh. "water under the straw"

Meaning: Someone sneaky who appears harmless. A wolf in sheep’s clothing.

8. باد آورده را باد می‌بره

باد آورده را باد می‌بره. bâd âvorde râ bâd mibare. "what the wind brought, the wind takes"

Meaning: Easy come, easy go.

9. از کوه کاه ساختن

از کوه کاه ساختن. az kuh kâh sâkhtan. "making straw from a mountain"

Meaning: Making something big seem trivial. The reverse of making a mountain out of a molehill.

10. تا تنور داغه نون رو بچسبون

تا تنور داغه نون رو بچسبون. tâ tannur dâghe nun ro bechesbun. "stick the bread while the oven is hot"

Meaning: Strike while the iron is hot. Seize the opportunity.

Deception and Trust Idioms

11. دو دوزه بازی

دو دوزه بازی. do-duze bâzi. "double playing"

Meaning: Playing both sides. Being two-faced or deceitful.

فهمیدم باهام دو دوزه بازی می‌کنه.. fahmidam bâham do-duze bâzi mikone.. "I figured out he was double-dealing me."

12. زیر آبی رفتن

زیر آبی رفتن. zir-âbi raftan. "going underwater"

Meaning: Secretly undermining someone. Backstabbing.

13. کلک زدن

کلک زدن. kalak zadan. "to strike a trick"

Meaning: To cheat, trick, or pull a fast one.

14. سر کسی کلاه گذاشتن

سر کسی کلاه گذاشتن. sar-e kasi kolâh gozâshtan. "putting a hat on someone’s head"

Meaning: To scam or deceive someone. One of the most common idioms in daily Farsi.

این فروشنده سرم کلاه گذاشت.. in forushande saram kolâh gozâsht.. "This seller scammed me."

15. خاک بر سر

خاک بر سر. khâk bar sar. "dirt on the head"

Meaning: An expression of shame or pity. Sometimes used as an insult ("shame on you"), sometimes self-deprecating.

16. پشت کسی را خالی کردن

پشت کسی را خالی کردن. posht-e kasi râ khâli kardan. "emptying someone’s back"

Meaning: To abandon someone who was counting on you. Leaving them without backup.

17. ماست‌مالی کردن

ماست‌مالی کردن. mâst-mâli kardan. "yogurt-rubbing"

Meaning: Covering something up, glossing over a problem. Pretending nothing happened.

18. آش نخورده و دهان سوخته

آش نخورده و دهان سوخته. âsh nakkhorde va dahân sukhte. "didn’t eat the soup but got a burned mouth"

Meaning: Getting blamed or punished for something you didn’t even do or benefit from.

19. مار از پونه بدش میاد، در خونه‌اش سبز میشه

مار از pune بدش میاد، در خونه‌اش سبز میشه. mâr az pune badesh miyâd, dar khuneash sabz mishe. "the snake hates pennyroyal, but it grows at its door"

Meaning: You keep encountering the thing you hate most.

20. دست کسی رو خوندن

دست کسی رو خوندن. dast-e kasi ro khundan. "reading someone’s hand"

Meaning: Seeing through someone’s game. Figuring out their trick.

Body Idioms

21. چشمش آب نمی‌خوره

چشمش آب نمی‌خوره. cheshmesh âb nemikkhore. "his eyes don’t drink water"

Meaning: Not having the guts. Being too scared to do something.

22. دست و پا چلفتی

دست و پا چلفتی. dast-o-pâ chelefti. "clumsy hands and feet"

Meaning: Clumsy, awkward, fumbling.

23. دهنش لق بودن

دهنش لق بودن. dahanesh laq budan. "having a loose mouth"

Meaning: Can’t keep a secret. Blabs everything.

24. زبونش مو در آورده

زبونش مو در آورده. zabunesh mu dar âvorde. "his tongue grew hair"

Meaning: He’s said it so many times his tongue is tired. Used when you’ve repeated something endlessly.

25. گوشش بدهکاره

گوشش بدهکاره. gushesh bedehkâre. "his ear is in debt"

Meaning: Doesn’t listen. Ignores advice.

26. از دماغ فیل افتاده

از دماغ فیل افتاده. az damâgh-e fil oftâde. "fallen from an elephant’s nose"

Meaning: Extremely arrogant. Thinks they’re better than everyone.

27. سرش را زیر برف کردن

سرش را زیر برف کردن. sarash râ zir-e barf kardan. "putting one’s head under the snow"

Meaning: Burying your head in the sand. Ignoring a problem.

28. پا روی دم کسی گذاشتن

پا روی دم کسی گذاشتن. pâ ruye dom-e kasi gozâshtan. "stepping on someone’s tail"

Meaning: Pissing someone off. Hitting a nerve.

29. دستش درد نکنه

دستش درد نکنه. dastesh dard nakone. "may their hand not hurt"

Meaning: Thank you (literally wishing no pain on the hand that helped). One of those beautiful Farsi expressions you’ll hear every day.

30. چشم‌بادامی

چشم‌بادامی. cheshm-bâdâmi. "almond-eyed"

Meaning: East Asian features. Used casually in Persian, though be aware of context.

31. دل و جرئت داشتن

دل و جرئت داشتن. del-o jor’at dâshtan. "having heart and courage"

Meaning: Having guts. Being brave enough to do something.

32. سر کسی درد آوردن

سر کسی درد آوردن. sar-e kasi dard âvordan. "bringing pain to someone’s head"

Meaning: Bothering someone. Being a headache.

33. دندون روی جگر گذاشتن

دندون روی جگر گذاشتن. dandun ruye jegar gozâshtan. "putting tooth on liver"

Meaning: Being patient. Enduring something difficult without complaining.

34. خون کسی رو به جوش آوردن

خون کسی رو به جوش آوردن. khun-e kasi ro be josh âvordan. "making someone’s blood boil"

Meaning: Same as English. making someone furious.

35. سرش شلوغه

سرش شلوغه. sarash sholughe. "their head is crowded"

Meaning: They’re busy. Their mind is full.

Animal Idioms

36. مرغ کسی یه پا داره

مرغ کسی یه پا داره. morgh-e kasi ye pâ dâre. "someone’s chicken has one leg"

Meaning: Stubborn and insistent. Won’t budge from their position.

37. مرغ همسایه غازه

مرغ همسایه غازه. morgh-e hamsâye ghâze. "the neighbor’s chicken is a goose"

Meaning: The grass is always greener. Other people’s stuff always looks better.

38. گربه رو دم حجله کشته

گربه رو دم حجله کشته. gorbe ro dam-e hojle koshte. "killed the cat at the bridal chamber door"

Meaning: Someone who showed their true (aggressive) colors from day one. Often used about strict bosses or tough partners.

39. خر کسی رفته توی گل

خر کسی رفته توی گل. khar-e kasi rafte tuye gel. "someone’s donkey got stuck in the mud"

Meaning: Someone is in deep trouble with no easy way out.

40. خرمگس داشتن

خرمگس داشتن. kharmagas dâshtan. "having a horsefly"

Meaning: Being paranoid or suspicious without reason.

41. الاغ خودتی

الاغ خودتی. olâgh khodeti. "you’re the donkey yourself"

Meaning: A comeback when someone calls you stupid. Kids use this one constantly.

42. مثل سگ پشیمون

مثل سگ پشیمون. mesl-e sag pashimun. "regretful like a dog"

Meaning: Deeply regretting something. Used colloquially.

43. مار و پله

مار و پله. mâr-o-pelle. "snakes and ladders"

Meaning: A situation full of ups and downs, unpredictable twists.

44. ماهی رو هر وقت از آب بگیری تازه‌ست

ماهی رو هر وقت از آب بگیری تازه‌ست. mâhi ro har vaght az âb begiri tâzeast. "whenever you take a fish from water, it’s fresh"

Meaning: It’s never too late to start. The best time was yesterday; the second best is now.

45. جوجه رو آخر پاییز می‌شمرن

جوجه رو آخر پاییز می‌شمرن. juje ro âkher-e pâyiz mishomaran. "they count the chicks at the end of autumn"

Meaning: Don’t count your chickens before they hatch. Wait for the result before celebrating.

Food Idioms

46. نمک‌گیر شدن

نمک‌گیر شدن. namak-gir shodan. "to become salted"

Meaning: To become obligated to someone because they fed you or showed you hospitality. A deeply Iranian concept.

47. نون کسی رو بریدن

نون کسی رو بریدن. nun-e kasi ro boridan. "cutting someone’s bread"

Meaning: Taking away someone’s livelihood.

48. نون کسی تو روغن بودن

نون کسی تو روغن بودن. nun-e kasi tu roghan budan. "someone’s bread is in oil"

Meaning: Things are going well for them. They’re living the good life.

49. کاسه داغ‌تر از آش

کاسه داغ‌تر از آش. kâse dâgh-tar az âsh. "the bowl is hotter than the soup"

Meaning: Someone who’s more invested in something than the person it actually concerns. Like when your mom is more upset about your breakup than you are.

50. آش دهنسوزی بودن

آش دهنسوزی بودن. âsh-e dahansuri budan. "being a mouth-burning soup"

Meaning: Not worth the trouble. Not worth getting involved.

51. سرکه نداره، سرکه نخوره

سرکه نداره، سرکه نخوره. serke nadâre, serke nakhore. "if there’s no vinegar, don’t eat vinegar"

Meaning: Mind your own business. If it’s not your concern, stay out.

52. آبگوشت خود رو هم نمی‌تونه بپزه

آبگوشت خود رو هم نمی‌تونه بپزه. âbgusht-e khod ro ham nemitune bepeze. "can’t even cook their own stew"

Meaning: Completely incompetent. Can’t handle even basic things.

53. توی ترشی خوابوندن

توی ترشی خوابوندن. tuye torshi khâbundan. "to marinate in pickles"

Meaning: To shelve something indefinitely. To put it aside and forget about it.

54. نمک‌نشناس

نمک‌نشناس. namak-nashnâs. "not knowing salt"

Meaning: Ungrateful. Someone who doesn’t appreciate what others have done for them.

55. زهر مار

زهر مار. zahr-e mâr. "snake venom"

Meaning: Used as an angry dismissal: "shut up" or "damn you." Very rude. use with caution.

Money and Work Idioms

56. پول علف خرس نیست

پول علف خرس نیست. pul alaf-e khers nist. "money isn’t bear food"

Meaning: Money doesn’t grow on trees.

57. کار از محکم‌کاری عیب نمی‌کنه

کار از mohkam-kâri عیب نمی‌کنه. kâr az mohkam-kâri eyb nemikone. "work doesn’t suffer from being solid"

Meaning: Better safe than sorry. There’s no harm in being thorough.

58. دزد ناشی سر بالین میره

دزد ناشی سر بالین میره. dozd-e nâshi sar-e bâlin mire. "the amateur thief goes to the pillow"

Meaning: An amateur makes obvious mistakes.

59. هر که بامش بیش برفش بیشتر

هر که بامش بیش برفش بیشتر. har ke bâmash bish barfash bishtar. "the bigger your roof, the more snow falls on it"

Meaning: With great power comes great responsibility. The more you have, the more problems you deal with.

60. یه دست صدا نداره

یه دست صدا نداره. ye dast sedâ nadâre. "one hand has no sound"

Meaning: One hand can’t clap. You need cooperation to get things done.

61. آستین بالا زدن

آستین بالا زدن. âstin bâlâ zadan. "rolling up sleeves"

Meaning: Same as English. getting ready to work hard.

62. از کیسه خلیفه بخشیدن

از کیسه خلیفه بخشیدن. az kise-ye khalife bakhshidan. "being generous from the caliph’s pocket"

Meaning: Being generous with other people’s money.

63. تا تونستی بدوش

تا تونستی بدوش. tâ tunesti bedush. "milk it as much as you can"

Meaning: Take advantage of the situation while you can.

64. پول رو دور ریختن

پول رو دور ریختن. pul ro dur rikhtan. "throwing money away"

Meaning: Wasting money.

65. کاسبی‌اش سکه‌ست

کاسبی‌اش سکه‌ست. kâsabi-ash sekkeast. "their business is gold coins"

Meaning: Business is booming. They’re making bank.

Relationship and Social Idioms

66. دل به دل راه داره

دل به دل راه داره. del be del râh dâre. "heart has a path to heart"

Meaning: Hearts are connected. When you feel something about someone, they might feel it too.

67. عشق پیری، گر بجنبد سر به رسوایی زند

عشق پیری، گر بجنبد سر به رسوایی زند. eshgh-e piri, gar bejonbad sar be rosvâyi zanad. "old age love, if it stirs, brings scandal"

Meaning: When older people fall in love, they go all in. and it shows.

68. با یک گل بهار نمیشه

با یک گل بهار نمیشه. bâ yek gol bahâr nemishe. "one flower doesn’t make spring"

Meaning: One example isn’t enough to prove a trend.

69. نخود هر آشی بودن

نخود هر آشی بودن. nokhod-e har âshi budan. "being the chickpea of every soup"

Meaning: Sticking your nose in everything. Someone who has to be involved in every situation.

70. حساب حساب‌ه، کاکا برادر

حساب حساب‌ه، کاکا برادر. hesâb hesâbe, kâkâ barâdar. "accounting is accounting, brother"

Meaning: Keep money matters separate from friendship.

71. از ما بهترون

از ما بهترون. az mâ behtarun. "those better than us"

Meaning: A euphemism for jinns or supernatural beings. Used when people don’t want to say the word directly.

72. رو دست کسی بلند شدن

رو دست کسی بلند شدن. ru dast-e kasi boland shodan. "rising above someone’s hand"

Meaning: Surpassing someone, especially someone who taught you or was your superior.

73. آفتاب و مهتاب کسی بودن

آفتاب و مهتاب کسی بودن. âftâb-o-mahtâb-e kasi budan. "being someone’s sun and moon"

Meaning: Being the center of someone’s world. Used for beloved children or partners.

74. قربون صدقه رفتن

قربون صدقه رفتن. ghorbun sadaghe raftan. "going sacrifice and charity"

Meaning: Showering someone with affectionate phrases. Peak Iranian mom behavior.

75. هزار تا دوست کم‌ه، یه دشمن زیاده

هزار تا دوست کم‌ه، یه دشمن زیاده. hezâr tâ dust kame, ye doshman ziyâde. "a thousand friends is too few, one enemy is too many"

Meaning: Value friendships; even one enemy is problematic.

Wisdom and Life Idioms

76. هر گردی گردو نیست

هر گردی گردو نیست. har gerdi gerdu nist. "not every round thing is a walnut"

Meaning: Don’t judge by appearances. Things aren’t always what they seem.

77. عجله کار شیطانه

عجله کار شیطانه. ajale kâr-e sheytâne. "haste is the devil’s work"

Meaning: Don’t rush. Patience pays off.

78. ضرب‌المثل رو خدا گفته

ضرب‌المثل رو خدا گفته. zarbolmasal ro khodâ gofte. "God said the proverb"

Meaning: A humorous way to give extra authority to a proverb you just quoted.

79. یه بام و دو هوا

یه بام و دو هوا. ye bâm-o do havâ. "one roof and two weathers"

Meaning: Double standards. Applying different rules to the same situation.

80. هر چه پیش آد خوش آد

هر چه پیش آد خوش آد. har che pish âd khosh âd. "whatever comes, welcome it"

Meaning: Come what may. A fatalistic acceptance.

81. صبر تلخ است ولی ثمره شیرینی دارد

صبر تلخ است ولی ثمره شیرینی دارد. sabr talkh ast vali samare-ye shirini dârad. "patience is bitter but has a sweet fruit"

Meaning: Good things come to those who wait.

82. کوه به کوه نمی‌رسه ولی آدم به آدم می‌رسه

کوه به کوه نمی‌رسه ولی آدم به آدم می‌رسه. kuh be kuh nemirese vali âdam be âdam mirese. "mountain doesn’t reach mountain, but person reaches person"

Meaning: We’ll meet again. People’s paths cross even when it seems impossible.

83. هر که طاووس خواهد جور هندوستان کشد

هر که طاووس خواهد جور هندوستان کشد. har ke tâvus khâhad jour-e hendustân keshad. "whoever wants a peacock must endure India’s hardships"

Meaning: If you want something valuable, you have to work for it.

84. از تو حرکت، از خدا برکت

از تو حرکت، از خدا برکت. az to harekat, az khodâ barekat. "from you the action, from God the blessing"

Meaning: God helps those who help themselves. Do your part and trust the rest.

85. تا نباشد چیزکی مردم نگویند چیزها

تا نباشد چیزکی مردم نگویند چیزها. tâ nabâshad chizaki mardom naguyand chizhâ. "if there weren’t a little something, people wouldn’t say big things"

Meaning: Where there’s smoke, there’s fire.

Everyday Conversation Idioms

86. حالا حالاها

حالا حالاها. hâlâ hâlâhâ. "now, nows"

Meaning: Not anytime soon. It’ll be a while.

حالا حالاها کاره تموم نمیشه.. hâlâ hâlâhâ kâresh tamum nemishe.. "It won’t be done for a long time."

87. تعارف رو بذار کنار

تعارف رو بذار کنار. ta’ârof ro bezâr kenâr. "put the taarof aside"

Meaning: Cut the politeness. be real with me. Said when you want someone to drop the ceremonial niceties.

88. اینقدر سخته؟

اینقدر سخته؟. inqadr sakhte?. "is it that hard?"

Meaning: Used sarcastically when someone is making excuses for something simple.

89. حال و هوام عوض شد

حال و هوام عوض شد. hâl-o-havâm avaz shod. "my mood and atmosphere changed"

Meaning: Something shifted my mood. for better or worse.

90. بیخیالش

بیخیالش. bikhiyâlesh. "forget about it"

Meaning: Drop it. Let it go. One of the most used words in casual Tehrani Farsi.

91. حوصله‌ام سر رفت

حوصله‌ام سر رفت. howselam sar raft. "my patience went over the top"

Meaning: I’m bored. I’ve run out of patience.

92. قربونت برم

قربونت برم. ghorboonet beram. "may I be sacrificed for you"

Meaning: A term of deep affection. Every Iranian mom says this 47 times a day. Not as intense as it sounds. it’s basically "sweetheart."

93. تا دلت بخواد

تا دلت بخواد. tâ delet bekhâd. "until your heart wants"

Meaning: As much as you want. Plenty. "There was food. tâ delet bekhâd."

94. خسته نباشید

خسته نباشید. khaste nabâshid. "may you not be tired"

Meaning: A greeting used for anyone who’s been working. You say it to shopkeepers, coworkers, anyone. It’s uniquely Persian and has no English equivalent.

95. دست‌تون درد نکنه

دست‌تون درد نکنه. dastetun dard nakone. "may your hand not hurt"

Meaning: Thank you. specifically for something someone made or did with their hands.

Emotional Expression Idioms

96. دلم تنگ شده

دلم تنگ شده. delam tang shode. "my heart has become tight"

Meaning: I miss you/it. The Persian way of saying you miss someone involves your heart physically constricting. More poetic than English, as usual.

97. دلم شکست

دلم شکست. delam shekast. "my heart broke"

Meaning: Same as English. Heartbroken. Used for serious disappointment, not just romantic situations.

98. جیگرم

جیگرم. jigaram. "my liver"

Meaning: A term of endearment meaning "my darling" or "my everything." Yes, Iranians call loved ones their liver. The liver is the seat of emotion in Persian culture, not the heart.

99. کفرم در اومد

کفرم در اومد. kofram dar umad. "my blasphemy came out"

Meaning: I lost my mind with frustration. So angry I could curse.

100. دلم روشنه

دلم روشنه. delam rowshane. "my heart is bright"

Meaning: I have a good feeling about this. I’m optimistic. A beautiful way to end this list.

How to Actually Learn These

Memorizing 100 idioms from a list doesn’t work. Here’s what does:

Pick 5 per week. Use them in actual conversation or write example sentences. If you don’t use an idiom within 48 hours of learning it, it’s gone.

Watch Iranian content. Movies, TV shows, Instagram reels. idioms pop up constantly. When you hear one you recognize, that’s when it actually sticks.

Group them by emotion. When you’re frustrated, you need frustration idioms. When someone scams you, you need betrayal idioms. Learn them in emotional clusters, not alphabetical order.

If you’re using ZabanYar, you can practice idioms in context with spaced repetition. the app feeds you idioms matched to your level and quizzes you on real usage, not just definitions.

For more advanced Farsi resources, check out the Advanced Persian hub which covers everything from collocations to proverbs your grandmother uses.

FAQ

Want to practice Farsi with someone who actually uses these idioms? I teach conversational Persian on Preply. real Tehrani Farsi, not textbook phrases nobody says.
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