Basic words in Persian
316 words in Persian on the topic “basic words”: بله — yes, نه — no, خوب — well, بد — bad, عالی — great.
316 words on the topic
- بلهbaleyesShort and firm. Conversation loves to double it — bale, bale — the way English says "yes, yes, of course"
- نهnenoOne syllable, said with a falling tone. The soft refusal is na, mersi — the same shrug as "no, thanks"
- خوبkhubwellOne syllable that answers half the small talk of the course. Khubam — I am well — is khub with the ending -am stuck on
- بدbadbadThree letters, the plain opposite of khub. On "how are you?" people rarely say it flat out — politeness answers bad nist, not bad
- عالیâligreatFrom a root meaning height and loftiness. As an answer it outbids khubam: everything is top-notch — food, views, mood
- خوبمkhubamI am wellLiterally "well-I": the link verb -am glues straight onto the word, no separate "am" needed. The full answer runs khubam, mamnun
- همhamtooThe quiet "also" that follows the word it copies: man ham — me too. Never stands first in the sentence
- بایدbâyadmustObligation with no personal ending at all: bayad beram — [it is necessary that] I go. Whoever must, the verb ending says it
- باbawithThe companion preposition: cha ba shir — tea with milk. Before a word starting with a vowel it wears down to bo
- درdarin / atThe preposition of being inside: dar Tehran — in Tehran. It also opens the door, dar-e khane — the house door
- بهbeto / intoThe preposition of movement and of purpose: be bazaar miram — I go to the bazaar. One letter, constantly on duty
- میتونمmi-tunamI can / may IThe spoken face of "I am able": mitunam beporsam? — may I ask? The bookish form is mitavanam
- وvaandOne short conjunctive that clips nouns together: nan o panir — spoken often as o, not va
- ولیvalibutThe but of small objections: khub ast, vali geran — it is good, but pricey. Alaa is the street sibling
- بسیارbesiârvery (formal)The bookish intensifier — besyar khoshmazze on a menu, kheili khoshmazze at the table. Same meaning, different register
- کیلوkilâkiloThe metric word, said short. Orders are weighed in kilos: do kilo sib — two kilos of apples
- نصفnesfhalfThe exact half, the word of scales and hours. Nesf-e kilo — half a kilo — is how cheese is sold
- لازم ندارمlâzem nadârâmI do not need itNecessity you do not hold: lazem nadaram. Resid lazem nadaram — no receipt needed, thanks
- یکی دیگرyeki digaranother oneOne + other: yeki digar. Yeki digar, lotfan — another one, please — for the second cup or the second kilo
- کافی استkâfi astthat is enoughKafi is sufficiency — the same root as the name of the jurist’s book, "the Sufficient". Mamnoon, kafi ast: thanks, that is enough
- همهاشhameshin allSpoken for hame-ash, "all of it": hame'ash. Hame'ash panj toman — five tomans in all, the vendor’s verdict
- صفsaffqueueThe line of people — saf. Two f’s in the spelling, one long sound in speech: saf-e bozorg
- سایزsâyzsizeThe English size in local dress. Sayz-e bozorg darid? — do you have a bigger size?
- بیشترbishtarmoreThe comparative of besyar, much: more. Chay-e bishtar, lotfan — more tea, please
- کمترkamtarlessThe comparative of kam, little: less. Shekar-e kamtar — less sugar — the tea-maker’s note
- سنگینsanginheavyHeavy — the bag, the heart. Kise sangin ast: the bag is heavy; the root sits in sang, stone
- سبکsabâklight (weight)Light, weightless — sabad-e sabook, the light basket. The opposite pair the scales teach
- نوnânewNew — one syllable, and the answer about apartments: aparteman-e no. Jadid is the fancier sibling
- کهنهkâhneold (worn)Old as in worn, aged — khane-ye kohne. Qadimi is old with honor; kohne is old with scratches
- خرابkharâbbrokenBroken, out of order — the bus, the metro, the watch. Otoboos kharab ast: the bus is broken
- آدمâdâmpersonThe human being of the old stories — Adam. U aadam-e khoobi ast: he is a good person
- دیدنdidanto seeTo see — and to visit: did-o bazdid, seeing and revisiting. Khane mibinam: I see the house
- شنیدنshânidanto hearTo hear — mishnavi? do you hear? The same root sits in shenidani-ha, hearsay, things heard
- خوابیدنkhâbidanto sleepFrom khab, sleep: shab mikhabam — at night I sleep. The verb and its noun differ by one letter
- بردنbârdanto carryTo carry away — kise mibaram: I am carrying the bag. The same verb wins games: bordan, to win
- گذاشتنgâzâshtanto putTo place, to let pass — chay inja migozaram: I put the tea here. The past stem gozasht also means "last (week)"
- شکستنshekestanto breakTo break — a watch, a record, a promise. Bache saat mishkanad: the child breaks the clock
- ساختنsâkhtanto buildTo build, to make — pedar khane misazad: father builds a house. The built thing is the sakhteman you know
- زیادziyodmuchMuch, many — the word of crowds and prices. Kar ziad ast: there is a lot of work
- کمkamlittleLittle, few — vaqt kam ast: there is little time. Its comparatives bishtar and kamtar steer every order
- همهچیز مرتب استhamechiz mârteb asteverything is in orderMoratab is tidy, ordered — everything is in its order. The answer that calms the landlord
- نرمnarmsoftSoft — the bed, the voice, the bread. Takht narm ast: the bed is soft
- سفتseftfirmFirm, dense — the bread of yesterday, the mattress of the guest room. Nan seft ast: the bread is firm
- خیسkhiswetWet — khis. Hovle khis ast: the towel is wet. One syllable, endlessly useful in a bathroom
- خشکkhâshkdryDry — khoshk, the same root as the dryer. Hovle khoshk ast: the towel is dry again
- نازکnazâkthinThin — naazok, of bread, paper, people. Nan-e nazok: the thin bread — which here is a compliment
- عمیقâmigdeepDeep — omigh, of water, of thought. Aab omigh ast: the water is deep — the swimmer’s warning
- گردgerdroundRound — gerd. Miz-e gerd: a round table. The same word gathers the crowd: gerd-hamayee, a gathering
- به کجا؟be kâdzhâ؟where to?To where — be + koja: the movement question. Be koja miravi? — where are you going?
- همهجاhamedzhâeverywhereEvery-place in one word: hame-ja. Hameja sholough ast — everywhere is crowded
- هیچجاhichdzhânowhereNo-place: hich-ja. Kelid hichja nist — the key is nowhere; look again
- همهچیز خوب استhamechiz khub asteverything is fineEverything is good — hamechiz khoob ast. The calm answer to every worried question
- یازدهyâzdeelevenLiterally "one-ten" — yaz is the old word for one. From here to nineteen the teens all end in -dah, ten
- دوازدهdâvâzdetwelveLiterally "two-ten". The only teen whose first half looks unlike do, two — it is a fossil of an older counting word
- سیزدهsizdethirteenThree-ten. The unlucky number of the thirteenth day of the New Year, which people spend outdoors on a picnic — sizdah bedar
- چهاردهchâhârdefourteenFour-ten, built transparently: chahar four, dah ten. Nothing to memorize
- پانزدهpunzdefifteenFive-ten, with panz instead of panj — the j softens before d. Everyday small change counts in these numbers
- شانزدهshânzdesixteenSix-ten, with shanz for shesh — same softening as in fifteen. Say it fast and the -an- nearly disappears
- هفدهhâfdeseventeenSeven-ten, haft + dah with the t worn down. The same haft opens hafta, the week — seven days
- هجدهhâdzhdeeighteenEight-ten with both consonants worn: hejdah from hasht + dah. Say the d clearly or it blurs into seventeen
- نوزدهnunzdenineteenNine-ten, nu for noh. The last of the teens — after this the twenties start building regularly
- بیستbisttwentyA word of its own, no trace of "two-ten". The tens take the unit straight after: bist-o-se, twenty-three
- سیsithirtyThirty, the plain plural-face of se, three. The twenties built on bist; from here the tens echo their units again
- چهلchelfortyForty — a sacred round number of tales: chehel shab, forty nights, chehel sotoon, forty columns
- پنجاهpandzhâhfiftyFifty, panj with the j softened into jh. Half a hundred, the price of a good bread a few years back
- شصتshâstsixtySixty — shesh with the ending worn smooth. One syllable, easy to mishear as six; the -ast of context settles it
- هفتادhâftâdseventySeventy, haft plus -ad. The same seven that named the week now counts the years of a lifetime
- هشتادhâshtâdeightyEighty, hasht plus -ad. One syllable longer than eight, and the d at the end is the mark of the tens
- نودnââdninetyNinety, noh plus -ad with the h dropped. The last ten before the hundreds take over
- صدsadhundredHundred — short and flat. Divist is two hundred, sisad three hundred: sad simply takes the unit before it
- هزارhezârthousandThousand, the unit of every real price. Do hezar — two thousand — is said as one breath
- میلیونmiliânmillionThe million of big money and big cities: yek milyon nafar — a million people. Written just like in Europe
- صفرsefrzeroZero — and the word behind "cipher": the empty circle left arithmetic and walked west with the caravans
- اولavvalfirstFirst — of order and of time: aval-e hafte, the start of the week. Irregular: no -om ending here
- دومduvvâmsecondSecond — from do, two, with the long oo. Bar-e dovom: the second time around
- سومsevvâmthirdThird — se with a double v breathed into the ending. Tabaghe-ye sevvom: the third floor
- آخرâkharlastLast — the end of the line and the end of the week. Otobus-e akhar saat-e noh: the last bus at nine
- چند تا؟chand tâ؟how many?Chand, how much, + ta the piece-word: how many pieces? The -ta makes numbers count things
- جفتdzhâftpairA pair — of shoes, of gloves. Yek joft, lotfan: one pair, please — the shoe-shop sentence
- تاtâpiece (counter)The counter that turns numbers into objects: panj ta — five pieces of whatever you are holding. Numbers without it feel bare
- درصدdarsadpercentLiterally "of hundred": dar in + sad. Dah darsad takhfif — ten percent off — the phrase of sale season
- هرharevery / eachThe every-word that stands right before its noun: har ruz, every day; har kas, each person
- کیkeywhoWho — one syllable with a rising edge: ki chay mikhahad? — who wants tea?
- چراcherâwhyChera asks the reason; the answer often opens with chon — because. Chera metro kharab ast?
- برای چهbârâye chewhat forLiterally "for what": baraye for + che what. The purpose question — baraye che? baraye kar: for work
- کدومkâdâmwhichWhich one of a visible set: kodom chay? — which tea? The bookish twin is kodam
- مال کیmâle keywhoseOwnership plus the who-word: mal-e ki — property of whom? The whole question is two words
- هیچکسhichkasnobodyHich, nothing, + kas, a person: no one. The verb takes no extra not — hichkas nist, there is nobody
- یه چیزیye chizisomethingSpoken for "one thing-ish": ye chizi. Yechizi mikhaham — I want something, unnamed on purpose
- هر دوhar dâbothLiterally "both two": har each + do two. Har do kar mikonand — both work
- نمیدانمnemi-dânamI do not knowThe not sits inside the verb as -e-: na + midanam. Danestan, to know, is the root of danesh — knowledge, and a university
- وسایلvâsâyelthings / belongingsVasaayel is the stuff, the implements. Mine are in the suitcase, says the example
- خطرkhatarrisk, dangerDanger and risk in one word: it covers both of ours. The warning on the plate reads as "dangerous!". The risk is big, says the example
- پلن بplane Bplan B, backup planExactly the plan B of other alphabets, only in local spelling: "do we have a plan B?" No second word for the backup plan is even sought in speech. Do we have one? says the example
- دردسرdardesarhassle, headache (trouble)Literally "a pain of the head": a bother, a fuss, what makes the head ache. The small thing excused in announcements: for the hassle, sorry. This matter is one, says the example
- دلیلdâlilreason, causeA reason and an argument at once: what one grounds things with. The ready answer in talk: "I have no reasons". I have none, says the example
- نتیجهnâtidzheresult, outcomeThe same word as the outcome of the neighboring tongues: the upshot, the conclusion — in one. After the exam the results are announced as a list. What is it for this matter? says the example
- برای همینbarâe haminthereforeLiterally "for the sake of this": the for- and the this. Stands in the second half after the comma and answers "what came of it", not "why". Expensive, so I do not buy — says the example
- چونchânbecauseA short conjunction of cause, standing before its own half: "because I was tired". A comma before it, as at home. I will not come, because I am tired — says the example
- بهخاطر همینbe-hâtere haminbecause of thisThe regard word: "for the regard of this". Colder than "therefore": it points not at the consequence but at the culprit. Because of this I was late, says the example
- بستگی داره بهbâstegi dâre beto depend onLiterally "has an attachment to": dependence here is a tie, not subordination. The short answer sounds so: it depends on you. On you it depends, says the example
- دلیل رو توضیح دادنdâlil ru tâvzih dâdanto explain the reasonTo give an explanation — the formula of any written explanation. A reason is explained, a task is spelled out: the word is about circumstances. Explain the reason, says the example
- هدفhâdafgoal, aimA target and a goal at once: the thing aimed at — in sport and in life. "What is your aim?" is the question about the sense of all your moves. Yours is what? says the example
- معنیma'nimeaning, senseThe meaning of a word is this; the aim and the benefit are other words: ours is one, here there are three. "What does it mean?" is asked with it. What is its meaning? says the example
- نتیجهگیریnâtidzhe-giriconclusion, takeawayLiterally "the taking of a result": a conclusion is a result taken to oneself. A long word but a live one: any meeting ends with it. The conclusion is not correct, says the example
- امکانemkânpossibility, optionA possibility-variant: what one chooses from. "Is there a possibility?" — asked of the price, the dates and the free table. Is there one? says the example
- شایدshâyadmaybe, perhapsStands at the start and needs no comma: "maybe I will come". Weaker than "probably": this one is a guess, that one is with aim. Maybe, I do not know — says the example
- نمیشهnemisheit is not possible, will not workThe spoken "it does not come out": instead of the bookish impossible one says "today it will not come out". From the becoming verb. Today it will not, says the example
- ضرورتzâruratnecessityFrom the needy one: necessity here is the press of circumstances. Brushed off short: "there is no necessity". There is none, says the example
- حتماًhatmancertainly, definitely (promise)This is "I will come without fail", not "by obligation" — the order kind goes by another word. A promise with it is expected by the deadline. I will certainly come, says the example
- مجبورمmadzhburamI have to, I am forced toLiterally "I am compelled": the linking verb with an adjective, like "I am obliged" at home. There is no separate verb for "will have to" — the compelled changes by person. I will have to leave early, says the example
- مجازهmâdzhazeallowed, permittedThe spoken linking "it is allowed": from the permission word, familiar from the offices. About a person they say otherwise: "you may". Photographing is allowed, says the example
- ممنوعهmamnu'eforbidden, prohibitedThe word of the signs: "entry forbidden". Agrees with what is forbidden and sounds official — to a person one says "it will not work". Here the entry is forbidden, says the example
- انتخابentekhâbchoiceA choice and a selection at once: "a free choice". The elections grow from it too — literally "choosings", the plural. The choice is yours, says the example
- گزینهgâzineoption, alternativeLiterally "a chooser": an option is what waits for choice in a list. "We have two options" — said of a menu and of life alike. We have two, says the example
- تردیدtardiddoubtA swaying to and fro: a doubt and the pause-comma of speech alike. "Without doubt" is already confidence. I have none, says the example
- شک دارمshâk dâramI doubtLiterally "I have doubt" — and it sounds like "I am in shock": remembered at once. Governed by "to": I doubt the words. I do not believe his words to the end, says the example
- مطمئنمmâtmaenamI am sureThe sure one is the one whose soul is calm: confidence here is calmness. The little verb sticks to the end: I am sure, you are sure. Sure, he will come, says the example
- بعید میدونمbâid mi-dunamhardly, unlikelyLiterally "I consider it far": the event is judged far away. The polite way to say no without the no itself. He will come — hardly, says the example
- احتمالاًehtemâlanprobably, likelyFrom the probability: "probably" with a calculation, not a guess. In the news the most frequent word of weather and economy forecasts. Probably it will rain, says the example
- قطعاًgâtandefinitely, for sureDefinitely as certainty: "I will definitely come". But "exactly", minute by minute, goes by another word — do not mix them. I will definitely come, says the example
- به نظرمbe nazramit seems to me, I thinkLiterally "to my glance": an opinion here is where the glance fell. Continued by the that-word: "it seems to me, expensive". It seems to me, it is expensive — says the example
- راستشrâsteshactually, in factLiterally "by the truth": introduces a correction to what was said and stands first. The true is the same word as the right-hand side: truth and straightness side by side. Actually it is expensive, says the example
- حدس زدنhadâs zanto guess, supposeA guess: to suppose is "to strike a guess" — the same striking as in the accent. You recognize the guessing of home in the very sound. I guess it is late, says the example
- مطمئن نیستمmâtmaen nistamI am not sureThe ready polite formula of disagreement: instead of "no" one says "not sure". Continued by the that-word or the but — and the tone stays soft. I am not sure, but maybe — says the example
- تجربهtadzhrâbeexperienceCounted in pieces: one case is one experience, the gathered ones the plural. "Work experience" is the line from the resume. It was good, says the example
- موردmârdcase, instanceA case-item: "in this case", "on this occasion". An office word, but it lives in every talk. In this case I agree, says the example
- مثالmesâlexampleThe same word as the eastern tale-parables: an example here is a little story. "Give an example" is said with the striking verb. Give one, says the example
- مثلاًmesâlanfor exampleOne word grown from the example: set at the start of a clarification, and the comma after it lives by our custom. In letters it is shortened. For example, tea or coffee? says the example
- فرقfârgdifferenceA difference and a dividing line at once: what divides. The ready answer: "it makes no difference" — said of prices and of people alike. There is none, says the example
- مقایسهmâgâyesecomparisonComparison as an action: the ordinary doing verb stands beside it. "In comparison with" — the phrase worth learning whole. Compare and choose, says the example
- فرق کردنfârg kânto differ, to matterTo differ and to matter at once: "it makes a difference" — both "it is another" and "it is important". The question "does it make a difference?" is a frequent reproach. It differs from mine, says the example
- شبیهshebihsimilar, alikeSimilar to whom — through "to": similar to his father. Our "to" does not work here — remember the little word. These two are very alike, says the example
- شباهتshebâhâtsimilarity, resemblanceThe same family as the similar: resemblance as a quantity, measured. "Their resemblance is small". Theirs is small, says the example
- تغییرtagyirchangeA change in general: of the hour, of the work. The neighboring verb: change it. A change for the better, says the example
- اولavvalfirst of all, firstlyLiterally "first": opens a list and does not change places in it. The second sense is "at first" — only the order of the thoughts around it tells them apart. First tea, then the matter — says the example
- دومduvvâmsecondlyLiterally "second": hear the "two" and you will not err. The row continues the same way: third, fourth. First food, second fruit — says the example
- مهمتر از همهmâmtar az hameabove all, most importantlyLiterally "more important than all": the comparative tail you know from "slower". Opens the phrase and marks the main thing, not the first by count. Above all — family, says the example
- علاوه بر اینâlâve bar inbesides, in additionLiterally "on top of this": an addition from above, like the second sugar in the tea. Stands first and gathers a new argument onto what was said. Besides, time is needed too — says the example
- راستیrâsteyby the wayLiterally "by the truth, though": remembered — say it. Distinguish from "actually": there the truth is argued, here a remark is slipped in from the side. By the way, what time is it? says the example
- خلاصهkhâlâsein short, in briefLiterally "an extract": what remains when everything superfluous is pressed out. A resume-word: a long talk is closed with it in one breath. In short, I agreed — says the example
- در یک کلامdâr yek kâlâmin a word, brieflyLiterally "in one word": the speech — the same word as in the beautiful writing. A strict formula: say the very essence. In a word, expensive — says the example
- به عبارت دیگهbe ebarate digein other wordsAn expression plus "the other". A retelling of what was said in one’s own words: heard at an office — it means they did not understand you. Said differently, no — says the example
- مهم اینه کهmâm ine kethe main thing is thatLiterally "important is it, that": the main thing here is not a noun but a whole formula. Always continued by a clause. The main thing is that you begin — says the example
- آخرشâkhâreshin the end, ultimatelyLiterally "its end": the end — of a story and of a street alike. Introduces the last argument, not the last event in time. In the end I agreed — says the example
- هرچندharchandalthough, thoughLiterally "however much": the every, as in "every day". A conjunction of concession: the first half yields, the second holds its own. Though tired, I will come — says the example
- ولی در عوضvali dar âvazbut in return, on the other handLiterally "but in exchange": the exchange — the same as in "change". The minus in the first half must be paid for by a plus in the second. Expensive, but close — says the example
- برعکسbârâkson the contraryLiterally "in the reverse side": against plus the snapshot. With it one argues with what was said — and everything turns over. On the contrary, I am glad — says the example
- با وجودba vudzhuddespite, in spite ofLiterally "with the presence": what hinders is admitted to exist — and the action goes anyway. After it a name, not a verb. Despite the rain we went — says the example
- اماammâhowever, neverthelessThe bookish pair of the familiar but: the same "no", only drier. In a letter and in an argument it sounds more solid, the sense unchanged. Expensive, however I buy — says the example
- یه طرفye tarafon the one handLiterally "one side": the side — and the side of an argument too. The weighing begun demands its second half — without it a break-off. On the one hand, expensive — says the example
- طرف دیگهtarafe digeon the other handThe pair of "on the one hand", standing as the first word of the second half. Scales on two sides: what is being pushed through is usually in the second. On the other hand, close — says the example
- با این حالba in hâlnevertheless, even soLiterally "with this state": the state of affairs. A paperclip for those who have weighed everything and still go. Nevertheless I went — says the example
- بهجاشbezhâshinstead of itThe spoken "in its place": the place — the same as in "where is it". The full form adds "of this"; in speech it is shorter. Instead of it I drank tea — says the example
- به هر حالbe har hâlanyway, in any caseLiterally "under every state": any spread of affairs. Stands first and closes the argument: the circumstances no longer matter. Anyway I will come — says the example
- اتفاقیettâfâgiby chance, accidentallyThe same event word, only in the role of "by chance": it came out by itself. The reverse is "on purpose"; a pair for life. I saw him by chance, says the example
- عمداًamdânon purpose, deliberatelyLiterally "with intent": on purpose and with a squint — said with a reproach. "Specially for you" is another thing entirely. I did not do this matter on purpose, says the example
- شکستshekastfailure, defeatThe same word as the rout: to shatter. Failure here is "a shattering" — and people say: failure is not the end of the world. Failure is not the end of the world, says the example
- قدم به قدمgadâm be gadâmstep by stepLiterally "a step to a step": the step. The same step in "the first step" — and so everything is taught: step by step. Step by step you are learning, says the example
- ترتیب کارهاtertibe kârhâorder of steps, procedureOrder, arrangedness: the same word about order in a room. The deeds: the order of actions is "the arrangedness of deeds". Write down the order of steps, says the example
- با جزئیاتba dzhâziyâtin detailThe particulars: in detail means "with the particulars". An explanation with them is long — but leaves no questions after. Explain in detail, says the example
- به زبان خودتbe zâbâne khâdetin your own wordsLiterally "in your own language": one says "say it in your own language" where at home one says "in your own words". Your own is the self word. Say it in your own words, says the example
- به زبان سادهbe zâbâne sâdesimply put, in plain languageLiterally "in the simple language": the simple, unadorned word. So begins an explanation a child would understand too. Simply put, this is what it means — says the example
- مثال بزنmesâl bezangive an exampleThe example: one does not "adduce" it but "strikes" it — the same striking as in play the guitar. I do not understand, give an example — says the example
- این چطوری انجام میشه؟in châtâri andzhâm mi-she؟show how it is doneThe performing, the carrying to the end: "how it is performed" is the same as our "how it is done". The becoming does not name the doer, and the question sounds softer. How is it done? says the example
- فهمیدی؟fahmidi؟understood? clear?Literally "did you understand?": the ending here is "you", the same as at the little verb. The teacher will ask — and the honest answer is "a little". Like this. Clear? says the example
- حالا فهمیدمhâlâ fahmidamnow I get it, I seeNow — from the very first lesson: "I see" is said as "now I understood". No little verb needed: the past said it all. Ah, now I get it! says the example
- گیج شدمgidzh shâdamI got confused, lostA dizziness and a tangle at once: the head "went round" from the numbers. Said honestly rather than "I did not understand" — and that is valued. From these calculations I got confused, says the example
- یادم آمدyâdam âmâdI remembered, it came back to meLiterally "into the memory it came": a memory "comes", like a guest. Its pair — "it left the memory" — means forgot. I remembered her name, says the example
- فراموش کردنfarâmâsh kânto forgetThe oblivion: the same word in the forgetful one. The spoken pair — "it left the memory". I forgot her name, says the example
- قصدghasdintentionAn intention and an aim at once: "I intend to go" is said with it. The intention here is "held": "I hold the intention". I plan to go next year, says the example
- نظرم عوض شدnazrâm âvâz shâdI changed my mindLiterally "my opinion changed": the change — the same word as changing clothes. Changed one’s mind is not "changed the decision" but "changed the opinion". First I said I would come, but changed my mind — says the example
- همهچی طبق برنامهhâmechi tâbge barnâmeeverything is on plan, going as plannedthe half-break inside makes one word: hamechi
- اگر بشهâgar besheif it works outA becoming: the impersonal "if it comes to be". The same word answers a request: fine, it will be. If it works out, I will come tomorrow, says the example
- هنوز تصمیم نگرفتمhânuz tasmim nagereftamI have not decided yetThe decision: it is "taken", like the job. The negation — "I have not taken": the yet does the rest. I have not decided yet, wait — says the example
- همهچی عوض شدhâmechi âvâz shâdeverything changedThe same pair as changing jobs, only without hands: the changes "happened" — became. After a long absence it is the first phrase. After that day everything changed, says the example
- به سمت بهترbe samte behtarfor the betterA side, a direction: "for the better" is "into the direction of the better". The same side in road signs: direction here is a street. Everything went for the better, says the example
- به سمت بدترbe samte badtarfor the worseThe second half of the pair: worse, from the familiar bad. Weather, road and affairs "go into the direction of the worse" alike. The situation changed for the worse, says the example
- تعلق داشتنtallâg dâshtânto belong (to)Literally "to have an attachment": a thing is "attached" to its owner. The direction is set by the little to: "this house has attachment to me" — it is mine. To whom does this garden belong? says the example
- بیگانهbegânestrange, alien, outsider’sFrom the without: a stranger is "without-kind", one who is not one’s own. The farewell wish "may you not be a stranger" is said on the road. Do not take other people’s money, says the example
- مشترکmâshtarakshared, joint, commonLiterally "co-participating": the same root as in participation. A shared bill, a shared language and a shared road — all this word. We have a shared account, says the example
- هل دادنhâl dâdanto pushA push: to push is "to give a push". On the glass doors here exactly this word is written — "push", plural-polite. We pushed the car to the street, says the example
- کشیدنkeshidanto pullTo pull, to draw and to smoke — one verb: the pull. A drawing is "a pulled pattern" — the same logic as our "to draw a line". I pulled the rope up, says the example
- زدنzananto hit, strikeThe great doer verb: to hit, to play an instrument, to ring — all of it this word. "Strike the telephone" means to call. In volleyball the ball is struck with the hand, says the example
- مترmetrmeterAfter numbers the word does not change: two meter, five meter. The square one adds its word — on flat plans it is written with a little two. This room is four meters, says the example
- سانتیمترsanti-metrcentimeterLiterally "santi-meter", the half-break inside makes one word. The tailor will say "shorter by five" — centimeters fold onto the number. His height is a hundred seventy of them, says the example
- کیلومترkilâmetrkilometerSpeed is "a kilometer in the hour" — the sign writes it in Latin letters. A car’s mileage is counted just as at home. From home to work is ten of them, says the example
- لیترlitrliterOn the bottle stands the one with a Latin letter — and the decimal comma here is as at home. Half a liter goes by the half word. I bought two liters of milk, says the example
- گرمgârmgramOne deep g at the start. The kilogram you know — the kilo; at the market the weight is named in kilos, in recipes in these. Give me two hundred of cheese, says the example
- وزنvaznweightThe same word as in gaining weight, which you learned. The scales here go by their own word — and "how much it weighs" is literally "it holds weight". The weight of this box is two kilograms, says the example
- طولtâllengthOne letter from the word you know: "how long will it take" is literally "how much does it pull". Length and term here are one word. The length of the table is two meters, says the example
- پهناpahnâwidthThe same root as in wide. With the linking vowel it builds like the length: "the width of the door". The width of the door is eighty centimeters, says the example
- ارتفاعertefâheightOn the plates in the mountains stands "height above sea level". A person’s height is named by another word — the stature. The height of this building is twenty meters, says the example
- عمقâmgdepthAt the pool they write "the depth of the pool" — and the number stands on the side. Figuratively, "deep in the soul" is said through it too. The depth of the pool is two meters, says the example
- حدودhâdâdapproximately, aboutStands right before the number: "about a hundred people". The word itself also means "limits" — the context tells. Wait about ten minutes, says the example
- تقریباًtakribanalmost, nearlyFrom the approaching. "About" here is said with the other word, and this one is "almost" — the difference as at home between "around" and "nearly". The film is almost two hours, says the example
- دقیقاًdâgiganexactly, preciselyFrom the exact — the same word as in clarifying, which you already learned. "Exactly at seven" — the clock and the number together. Exactly a hundred tomans, says the example
- به طور متوسطbe ture mâtevâseton averageLiterally "by the manner of the average": the average — the same word as the mild climate. Stands at the start of the phrase. On average I drink two liters of tea a day, says the example
- دو برابرdâ bârâbertwice as much, doubledLiterally "two equals": barabar means "equal", so the double is two equal parts. More — "more by two equals"; less — "less by two equals". The price of the phone grew twice, says the example
- رقمrâgamdigit, numeralA sign from zero to nine. The number whole is the figure word, and the phone number — the number word: three words where ours manage with two. Write down this digit, says the example
- ربعrâbquarter (fraction)A quarter of an hour is "a quarter of the clock", a short form without the one. A share here is the same word as a share of an hour: "a quarter of the price". I waited a quarter of an hour, says the example
- وزن کردنvazn kânto weighFrom the weight: to make weight, that is, to weigh. To weigh oneself is said with the taking — "take one’s weight". Weigh the fruits, says the example
- اضافیezâfiextra, surplusFrom the addition you know from adding water. Here an adjective: what is above need. Extra weight takes the weight word. One extra chair remained, says the example
- خالیkhâliempty, vacantYou already saw this word in the free room and the dead battery: an empty place and a free one are one word here. The context tells. The room is empty, says the example
- دوری کردن ازdari kân azto avoid, stay away fromFrom the far: to keep at a distance. After it comes the from — and the thing: avoid the sweets. Avoid fatty food, says the example
- واقعیتvâgiyotfact, realityFrom the event: a fact as what happened. "The thing is that..." is said with it — a ready opener of any dispute. This is a fact, not words, says the example
- سؤالsâlâlquestionYou already can "may I ask?" — here is the word itself. "A matter of time" is said with it too. I have one, says the example
- مهمmâhemimportantYou already say "the main thing is that" — here is the adjective itself. "More important" takes the comparative tail, like every word. Health is important, says the example
- مثبتmâsbatpositiveAbout a test, a number and a person alike: a word of offices and laboratories. Its pair is the negative. The test result was positive, says the example
- منفیmanfinegativeThe pair of the positive: in a test and in mathematics alike. "A negative review" is said with the opinion from this same lesson. The test result was negative, says the example
- در مقایسه باdar mâgâyâse bacompared with, in comparison toThe comparison: literally "in comparison with". Then comes what one compares with, without any endings. Compared with last year it got more expensive, says the example
- مثل همmesle hamthe same, identicalLiterally "like each other": so alike they cannot be told apart. "That very one" is a separate word here — do not mix them. Our books are identical, says the example
- مزیتmaziyatadvantage, plusA word from the pro-and-con tables: advantages are listed one by one. "In favor of the house" is said with the opinion. This house’s advantage is the metro nearby, says the example
- عیبâybdrawback, flawOne word names both the flaw of a thing and a shame: "it has no flaw" means both "flawless" and "no disgrace". Drawbacks are counted as advantages are. This car has one, says the example
- پیامدpeyâmadconsequenceA singular with a plural of its own: consequences go in flocks. "To bear the consequences" is "to carry" them. Being late has consequences, says the example
- در نظر گرفتنdar nazar gereftanto take into account, considerLiterally "to take into the opinion": to take into account is to take into one’s glance. "Consider that..." is said with the take. Take the price into account too, says the example
- به احتمال زیادbe ehtâmâle ziyodmost likely, in all probabilityLiterally "by a great probability": the probability plus the much. Firmer than the "probably" you already say. Most likely it will snow tomorrow, says the example
- یقیناًyeginancertainly, for sureFrom the certain, the undoubted. Sounds surer than "maybe" — and, like "definitely", closes the doubt. He surely knows himself, says the example
- احتمالehtâmâlprobability, chanceFrom it comes the "probably" you already say. "The probability is small" is said with the little word. The chance of rain is small, says the example
- حدسhadsguess, suppositionTo guess — to say by the eye. "By my reckoning" is said with it too — a live phrase. My guess was correct, says the example
- به نظر میرسدbe nazar mi-resadit seems, apparentlyLiterally "it reaches the opinion": the conclusion walks to you by itself. Beside it "it seems to me" — there the opinion is yours. Apparently it is already late, says the example
- مثل اینکهmesle inkeit must be that, evidentlyLiterally "like it, that": a guess from the signs. "There is nobody home, evidently" is said with it. There must be nobody home, says the example
- نمیشودnemi-shâvadit cannot be, no wayOne word for "not allowed" and "it cannot be!": the place and the intonation tell them apart. At the end of the phrase it is a cry of disbelief. This price? No way! says the example
- دستکمdest-kamat least, at minimumLiterally "the hand is little" — even a hand will not feel that much, so no less. A whole phrase of ours in one hyphenated word. At least five times a week, says the example
- در هر صورتdar har suratin any case, at any rateLiterally "in any shape": the shape, the manner. "Anyway" is said with other words — do not pile them into one. In any case let me know, says the example
- برای احتیاطbarâe ehtiyotjust in caseLiterally "for the caution": the caution and the reserve at once. An umbrella is taken so even on a clear day. He took the umbrella just in case, says the example
- کاشkâshif only, I wishOne word for our whole turn: it plus the past equals a wish for what is not. "If only you were here". If only you were here, says the example
- به شرطی کهbe shârti keon condition that, providedLiterally "under the condition that": the condition — the word of contracts. After it the condition itself, and usually a negation. Provided the rain does not come, we will go, says the example
- حتی اگرhatta agareven ifEven — a concession about what may still happen. About what already is, the "though" word is said. Even if it snows, I will go, says the example
- پسpâsso, then, in that caseA short word with many jobs: so, thus, in that case. You know it from the giving-back — there it is another part. In that case we will come too, says the example
- وگرنهvgarneotherwise, or elseLiterally "and otherwise": the shrunken link after the first part. The middle of the phrase — a threat or a warning: go quick, otherwise... Go quick, otherwise the train will go, says the example
- آنوقتân-vâgtthen (at that time)Literally "that time": the time word you know from having no time. But "then" as a conclusion is said with the other word. Back then I was young, says the example
- برای اینکهbarâe inkeso that, in order toLiterally "for the that": the for you know. The bare that also works, if shorter. So as not to be late, go quick, says the example
- انگارengâras if, as though"As if" in one word, often with the past: "as if the rain had gone". The full variant adds the that. As if the rain had been, says the example
- به جای اینکهbe dzhâ-e inkeinstead of (doing)Literally "in the place of that": about a thing one says "in place of the tea", about an action — through the that. Instead of watching TV, sleep, says the example
- در کلdar kâlon the whole, in generalLiterally "in the whole": the whole — the spoken "all in all". On the whole I agree with you, says the example
- معمولاًmamulanas a rule, usually"Usually" and "as a rule" are one word here: the common order of things. In a letter it is shortened. As a rule I do not work on Saturday, says the example
- تقریباً همهtakriban hamealmost everyone, nearly allAssembled of two words you know: almost plus all. Of people the all, of things the other form. Almost everyone came, says the example
- استثناâstâsnâexceptionBookish but alive: "without exception" takes the without. The exception confirms the rule here too — the phrase is the same as at home. This rule has one, says the example
- و غیرهâ geyreand so on, etc.Literally "and not-that": the other, the different. So enumerations end when listing is tiresome: bread, cheese, and so on. Bread, cheese, fruit and so on I bought, says the example
- برخلافbarkhilâfunlike, contrary toLiterally "contrary": then the one you compare with. The comparison is often with kin — unlike my sister. Unlike my sister, I do not love sweets, says the example
- بهجزbe-dzhâzexcept, apart fromLiterally "to the part": of all the parts one remains, without the excluded one. "Except you" — and do not forget the linking vowel. Everyone came except Ali, says the example
- نه کاملاًne kâmelânnot quiteLiterally "not completely": the full word. A polite disagreement: "it is right, not quite". Right, not quite, says the example
- نسبتاًnisbatânrelatively, more or lessFrom the relation: literally "relatively". "The road is relatively short" — said with it. The road was more or less short, says the example
- به سختیbe sakhtiwith difficulty, barelyFrom the hard: by the manner of the hard. "Barely" stronger is its own word — and "with ease" is this one with the without. I barely caught the train, says the example
- ارزش امتحان داردarzeshe emtehân dâradit is worth trying, worth itLiterally "it has the worth of a trial": the value plus the exam-and-trial at once. "Worth" here is about benefit, not price. This course is worth trying, says the example
- میبایستmi-bayestone should have, ought to haveA reproach after the fact: it plus the past continuous. "One should have called earlier". One should have called earlier, says the example
- بهتر از همهbehtar az hamebest of all, the best thingLiterally "better than all": the degree through the from — from all. The adjective takes the best-tail; the adverb lives in this link. Best of all is to wait, says the example
- بدتر از همهbâdtar az hameworst of allThe pair of the best-of-all: the same from-all link, the sign flipped. Bad, worse, worst — a whole ladder in one root. Worst of all is if you report late, says the example
- هرچه زودترharche zudtaras soon as possible, the soonerLiterally "whatever earlier": the whatever plus the comparative equals "the sooner". "The sooner the better" is said with the same pair. The sooner the better, says the example
- بیخودbekhâdin vain, for nothingLiterally "not in oneself": spent to no effect — "I paid in vain". Beside it stands the useless — a different weight. I paid in vain, says the example
- از پس برآمدنaz pâs barâmâdanto cope, manageLiterally "to come out from behind the back": the matter that stood behind the back is left behind. "I will manage" — said with the coming. This matter is hard to cope with, says the example
- تلاشtâlâshattempt, effortAn attempt and an effort at once: to try is "to do" it. "The second attempt" — counted with the linking vowel. The second attempt was better, says the example
- یعنیyonithat is, meaningFrom the meaning: a short word by which what was said is spelled out. "Late, that is after eight". I will come late, that is after eight, says the example
- معلوم شدmâulâm shâdit turned out, it transpiredLiterally "became known": the known — the same as in as-you-know. Then the that and what came to light. It turned out you were right, says the example
- در نتیجهdar natidzheas a result, consequentlyThe result: the same word as in the bottom line and in the diploma. Stands at the start of the conclusion. As a result sales grew, says the example
- منجر شدن بهmândzhar shâdan beto lead to, result inBookish but frequent: to end in something. What it leads to always comes with the to, no exceptions. Late bedtimes lead to tiredness, says the example
- به لطفbe lutfethanks to, owing to (good)Literally "by the grace": a grateful preposition — only for the good. "Because of" for the bad goes by the other word. Thanks to you the work ended, says the example
- همان بار اولhâmân bâre avvalon the first try, first timeLiterally "just the first time": the first time plus the just — at once, without retries. From the second — "the second time". He passed the exam on the first try, says the example
- دویستdivisttwo hundredLiterally "two-hundred": sad is hundred, and di- is the old face of two. Prices jump into the hundreds fast here
- سیصدsisadthree hundredThree + sad, built in the open. No "and", no plural on sad: sisad hezar, three hundred thousand
- چهارصدchâhârsadfour hundredFour + sad, as transparent as fourteen. Count money and distances in these all through the course
- پانصدpânsadfive hundredFive + sad, with the j of panj turning into s. A round sum and a common price word
- ششصدsheshsadsix hundredSix + sad, the sh pronounced twice: shesh-sad. Say it as two equal halves
- هفتصدhâftsadseven hundredSeven + sad. The bill for electricity and the number of a city bus route both start here
- هشتصدhâshtsadeight hundredEight + sad. In dates it counts centuries: an eight-hundred-year-old bridge says hashtsad sal
- نهصدnâhsadnine hundredNine + sad, with the h of noh kept. The last of the hundreds before the thousands begin
- چهارمchâhârâmfourthThe ordinal is -om glued to the number: chahar four, chaharom fourth. Tabaghe-ye chaharom — the fourth floor
- پنجمpandzhâmfifthFive with the ordinal ending: panjom. Ruz-e panjom-e safar — the fifth day of the trip
- ششمsheshâmsixthSix as an order: sheshom. Mah-e sheshom — the sixth month of the year — lands in high summer
- هفتمhâftâmseventhSeventh. Ruz-e haftom-e hafte is a tautology you will never say — the seventh day is jome, Friday
- هشتمhâshtâmeighthEighth. Otagh-e hashtom — room number eight — is how the hotel receptionist will call you
- نهمnâhâmninthNinth. Tabaghe-ye nohom — the ninth floor — and the lift button you press for it
- دهمdâhâmtenthTenth, dah plus -om. The last of the plain ordinals — after this they build straight on the tens
- صدمsadâmhundredthHundredth. Ruz-e sadom — the hundredth day — sounds like a milestone, and in diaries it is one
- یاyaorTwo bytes of conjunction that carry whole questions: cha ya ghave — tea or coffee? Never stressed
- همینطورhamin-târlikewiseLiterally "this same way". Ham means "same, also", so the word doubles down: just so, me too, ditto
- فقطfegatonlyThe limiter of every order: faghat cha, tea and nothing else. Put it right before the thing you want
- قبلاgablanbefore / alreadyAn adverb of the past: ghablan inja budam — I have been here before. From ghabl, the time before
- باز همbâz hammore / againLiterally "again even": baz repeats, ham adds. Baz-ham cha mikhaham asks for a second cup without apology
- بیش از حدbish az hadtoo muchLiterally "more than the limit" — had is the boundary. Kar bish-az-had ast: the work exceeds what a day should hold
- با همba hamtogetherLiterally "with each other" — ba is with, ham is each other. Bo because ba sheds its a before a word
- نمیشودnemi-shâvadnot allowedLiterally "it does not become". Spoken fast it sounds like nemishe — the ban you hear about smoking, parking and swimming
- لازمهlazemeit is necessaryFrom zarurat, necessity — the scholarly cousin of "laser" is elsewhere, but the need is the same. Lazeme beram: I need to go
- زندگیzendegilifeBuilt on zistan, to live. Zendegi dar Tehran — life in the capital — is the name a whole genre of films goes by
- خواستنkhâstanto wantThe wanting verb whose present is irregular: mikham. The past is khastam — I wanted — and the polite request is khahesh
- توانستنtâvânestanto be ableThe can-verb. Present: mitunam, I can; the polite question mitunid komak konid? — can you help? — opens every favor
- کلمهkalâmewordA single word, countable: kalame-ha, words. In dictionaries it labels what harf, a letter, builds
- مسئلهmasalematter / problemThe matter at hand — masale in ast: the matter is this. Milder than moshkel, a question rather than a trouble
- روشraveshmethodThe way of doing something: ravesh-e khoobi — a good method. The word of recipes and textbooks
- راحتrâhâtcomfortable / easilyComfort and ease in one word — a chair is rahat and doing nothing is rahat too. Inja rahat ast: it is comfortable here
- مشکلmâshkelhard (difficult)The adjective of trouble: in kar moshkel ast — this job is hard. The noun moshkel is the problem itself
- کهkethat / so thatThe hinge of the language: it joins a purpose, quotes speech and explains a noun. Amadam ke komak konam — I came so as to help
- اگرâgarifThe if of conditions, and it needs no "will" after it: agar baran biyad — if rain comes. The second half stands in the present
- تاtâuntilOne letter that carries both "until" and "as long as": sabr mikonam ta biyai — I wait until you come
- حالا کهhâlâ kesince (given that)Literally "now that" — hala is now. It concedes a fact and draws the consequence in the same breath
- کاشkâshif onlyThe sigh of wishes: kash dir nashavim — if only we are not late. No verb of hoping needed around it
- بنابراینbânâbârânthereforeLiterally "on that basis": ban + bar + aanin. The connector of conclusions — late, therefore a taxi
- بینbeynbetweenA preposition with no endings: beyn-e bank o post — between the bank and the post office. The e after it is the "of" hook
- کنارkenârbesideLiterally "edge, side": kenar-e man — beside me. The same word sits in kenar-e darya, at the seaside
- به جایbe dzhâeinstead ofLiterally "in place of": ja is place. Be-jaye ghave cha mikhoram — in place of coffee I drink tea
- مخالفmâkhâlefagainstFrom khelaf, opposite: the word of opinions, not walls. Man mokhalef-e in karam — I am against this plan
- بدونbedunwithoutThe preposition of subtraction: cha bedun shekar — tea without sugar. On a menu it precedes whatever you are avoiding
- برایbârâyeforThe purpose preposition: in nan baraye to — this bread is for you. From an old root of passing something along
- دربارهdârbâreabout (a topic)Literally "around the outside": dar in + bar edge. Darbare-ye film — about the film — is how every review begins
- بعدba'dafterThe preposition and the time word: baad az sham — after dinner. Same root as badi, the next one
- در زمانdâr zamânduringLiterally "in the time of": zaman is time. Dar zamane nahar harf nemizanim — at lunch we do not talk
- به خاطرbe khâtârbecause ofLiterally "for the sake of": khater is memory and regard. Be-khatere baran — because of the rain — explains the missed trip
- دورduraroundThe same dur as "far" turned into a preposition: dur-e mez — around the table. Distance becomes a circle
- ازazvia / throughThe preposition of source — "from" — which also handles movement through: az pol obur kon — cross by way of the bridge
- از داخلaz dâkhelfrom insideDakhel is the interior; az supplies "from". Darb az dakhel ghofl ast — the door is locked from within
- نزدیکیnazdikinearFrom nazdik, close, with the -i of place: nazdik-e istgah — near the station. The -i turns a quality into a spot on the map
- مشکلmâshkelproblemDifficulty, trouble — and its adjective sense "difficult": a mashin-e moshkel is a car that does not behave
- خیلیkheyliveryThe intensity dial of the course: kheili khub, very good; kheili ziad, too much. It sits right before the word it boosts
- کمکkâmakhelpThe word itself is komak; it is the same appeal you hear shouted in films: komak! Komak mikhaham — I need help
- هستhastthere isThe "is" of existence, no subject needed: inja darookhane hast — there is a pharmacy here. Its negative nests inside: nist
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How it sounds in a sentence
A word list is a blank. Conversation is made of sentences, and these are the ones the words fit into most often.
What is worth knowing about these words
بله (bale) — yes. Short and firm. Conversation loves to double it — bale, bale — the way English says "yes, yes, of course".
نه (ne) — no. One syllable, said with a falling tone. The soft refusal is na, mersi — the same shrug as "no, thanks".
خوب (khub) — well. One syllable that answers half the small talk of the course. Khubam — I am well — is khub with the ending -am stuck on.
بد (bad) — bad. Three letters, the plain opposite of khub. On "how are you?" people rarely say it flat out — politeness answers bad nist, not bad.
Test yourself
Recalling a spelling from meaning is harder than recognizing a familiar word — and therefore more useful.
- How do you say “yes” in Persian?
Short and firm. Conversation loves to double it — bale, bale — the way English says "yes, yes, of course"
- How do you say “must” in Persian?
Obligation with no personal ending at all: bayad beram — [it is necessary that] I go. Whoever must, the verb ending says it
- How do you say “very (formal)” in Persian?
The bookish intensifier — besyar khoshmazze on a menu, kheili khoshmazze at the table. Same meaning, different register
- How do you say “queue” in Persian?
The line of people — saf. Two f’s in the spelling, one long sound in speech: saf-e bozorg
- How do you say “old (worn)” in Persian?
Old as in worn, aged — khane-ye kohne. Qadimi is old with honor; kohne is old with scratches
How to learn the set instead of just reading it
Yes, no, good, bad, very. The small change of a language — and no sentence assembles without it.
A list is read in a minute and forgotten in a day. What works: hide the translation, try to recall, get it wrong — and come back to the same words tomorrow.
- Recalling beats re-reading. Covering the translation and trying to remember it does more than reading it ten more times.checked many timesAdesope, Trevisan & Sundararajan, 2017, Review of Educational Research 87(3) · 188 experiments, 272 comparisons. g = 0.61; against plain re-reading 0.51, against passive review 0.93.
- Study spread over days wins not only in experiments but in ordinary classrooms, with real students.checked many timesMawson & Kang, 2025, Behavioral Sciences 15(6):771 · 22 studies, d = 0.54 (confidence interval 0.31–0.77). The authors warn that individual studies disagree widely.
Frequently asked
How do you say “yes” in Persian?
«بله», read “bale”. Short and firm. Conversation loves to double it — bale, bale — the way English says "yes, yes, of course". It is one of 316 words in the set “basic words” — the rest are in the table above.
How many basic words do you need to start?
The whole set on this page is 316 words, but there is no need to start with all of it: the words you will need in the next few days are enough. Take them a few at a time — five to seven new ones per session.