Time, days and hours in Persian

138 words on the topic

• ساعت

  sâât

  hour / clock / time

  One word for the hour, the clock and o’clock: saat-e che? — what time? The word came from Arabic, like the practice of counting hours itself
• امروز

  emruz

  today

  Today — em the now + ruz the day. The day root ruz repeats in farda and diruz
• فردا

  fardâ

  tomorrow

  Tomorrow — the word of every promise. Farda bazaar mirim: tomorrow we go to the bazaar
• دیروز

  diruz

  yesterday

  Yesterday, the di- an old mark of the past. Diruz dar khane budam: yesterday I was at home
• صبح

  sâbh

  morning

  The morning that runs to noon. Sobh bekheyr wishes it well; sobh-ha makes it a habit — every morning
• عصر

  asr

  late afternoon

  The slot between noon work and evening rest — the park hour. Asr bekheyr greets it
• شب

  shab

  night

  Night, and the same word runs through shab bekheyr and emshab. Shab-ha: nights, as a routine
• روز

  ruz

  day

  The day — and the sun itself, one word for both. Har ruz, every day, is the most common phrase it makes
• حالا

  hâlâ

  now

  Now — of time and of concession: hala ke, now that. Hala vaqt nist: there is no time now
• امشب

  emshab

  tonight

  Em, the now, pressed against shab: tonight. One word where English needs three
• صبحانه

  sâbhâne

  breakfast

  Literally "the morning-thing": sobh + ane. Bread and cheese is the breakfast, says the course
• ناهار

  nâhâr

  lunch

  The midday meal — the same root as zohr, noon. Nahar saat-e yek: lunch at one
• شام

  shâm

  dinner

  Dinner — sham, the shortest meal name. Shaam saat-e hasht: dinner at eight
• روزی دو بار

  ruzi dâ bar

  twice a day

  Literally "a-day two-times": roozi do baar. The instructions of every pill box, in four words
• ساعت چند؟

  sâât chand؟

  at what time?

  The hour — how many? saa'at chand? — at five, says the answer. The arranging half of every plan
• دیگر دیر است

  digar dir ast

  it is already late

  Already late — digar dir ast. Already late, good night, says the example
• ابتدا

  ebteda

  first, at the start

  Literally "into the beginning": the beginning, the first item of any list. Opens a story in order and waits for what follows. First fill in the form — says the example
• بعد

  ba'd

  then, after

  Literally "after": stands as the first word of its half. Add "after this" — and you get the linker for a list of tasks. Then we drink tea — says the example
• بعدش

  ba'desh

  after that, afterwards

  The same after with a pronoun tail: "after him, after it". A step-word: instructions are led by it from point to point. After that I went home — says the example
• بالاخره

  bâlâgâre

  finally, at last

  Literally "at the end at last": the relief after waiting, like "at last" at home. About the order of events they say otherwise — the end word. Finally I arrived — says the example
• وقتی که

  vaghti ke

  when, while

  The time word — the same as in the watch: when plus what. The comma before it is obligatory, the verb after the that-word is ordinary, without a future. When it rains I am home — says the example
• همزمان

  hamzemân

  at the same time, simultaneously

  Literally "together-time": the together, as in "me too". Two tasks in one pair of hands are built with this word, no conjunctions. I do two things at once — says the example
• قبل از اینکه

  gabl az inke

  before (doing)

  Literally "before the that": the before — the same as "until". The verb after it stands without a future, even if the deed is tomorrow. Before you go, fasten the belt — says the example
• بعد از اینکه

  ba'd az inke

  after (doing)

  The same after, but with a conjunction: it introduces a whole clause, not a single word. The pair of the before — the two sides of one medal. After the matter ended, I went — says the example
• همین که

  hamin ke

  as soon as

  Literally "the same as": it coincided — and the action goes at once. Faster than "after": here the instant matters, not the order. As soon as I arrived, I drank water — says the example
• از اون موقع

  az un mavge'

  since then

  Literally "from that moment": the moment, the instant. Stands first and pulls the past behind it: the story after the point. Since then I drink tea every day — says the example
• همیشه

  hamishe

  always

  Literally "all the time": the all, familiar from "everything". Its usual place is before the verb: "I always eat breakfast". I always eat breakfast — says the example
• زیاد

  ziyod

  often, a lot

  Literally "much": frequency is measured by quantity here. "I travel often" is literally "I travel much"; the degree is added by the comparative tail. I often travel — says the example
• کم

  kam

  rarely, seldom

  Literally "little": the pair of much, and both behave alike. Doubled — "little by little"; the single one is rare and few at once. I rarely travel — says the example
• بعضی وقتا

  bâzi vaghtân

  sometimes

  Literally "some times": some. Always the plural of times; the singular does not live here. Sometimes I am late — says the example
• هیچ‌وقت

  hich-vaght

  never

  Literally "no time": the nothing. It demands the not at the verb, as at home: "I never am late". I am never late — says the example
• معمولاً

  mamulan

  usually

  From the habit: usually is "by the common". The spoken pair beside — "as a rule" — is said more often than the bookish one. Usually I am home — says the example
• طولانی

  tâlâni

  long, lengthy

  Literally "long": length here is length, as of a road. "A long road" — and a wait of the same length. The road was long, says the example
• هر بار

  har bâr

  every time

  Literally "every load": the time and the cargo at once — the carrier grew from it. Add the that-word — and you get "every time that". Every time I come late, says the example
• گاهی

  gâhi

  from time to time, at times

  One short word: now and then, once in a while. Finer than "sometimes" and fit for letters; in speech they also say it doubled. From time to time I watch TV, says the example
• هنوز

  hânuz

  still, yet

  One word holding two of ours: "still" and "not yet". "I am still home"; with a not — not yet. Until now I am home, says the example
• یهو

  yehu

  suddenly, all of a sudden

  Spoken and instant: bam! — and everything happened. The bookish pair exists, but in a story the short one wins. Suddenly the rain began, says the example
• از قبل

  az gabl

  in advance, beforehand

  Literally "from before": the before — the same as in "before doing". A ticket, a table and apologies are taken in advance here — all of it by the same word. In advance buy the ticket, says the example
• سر وقت

  sare vaght

  on time

  Literally "at the head of the time": the head and the start, the moment over the time. A compliment to the one who came exactly: "you came on time!". I arrived on time, says the example
• فوری

  fâri

  urgent, immediately

  Literally "instant": from the right-now. The word of envelopes and signs — and the whole queue is already looking at you. Urgently call the doctor, says the example
• بلافاصله

  bâlâfâsele

  immediately, right away

  Literally "without distance": the gap, the pause. An action without pause or break — remember it so. I went at once, says the example
• کم‌کم

  kam-kam

  gradually, little by little

  Literally "little-little": the doubling itself makes the gradualness. The same move in "one by one": the language loves an honest count. Gradually I learned, says the example
• تو آخرین لحظه

  tâ âkhârin lâmze

  at the last moment

  Literally "in the last instant": the instant, a share of a second. Usually stands at the end of the phrase, and the whole description is ready. At the last moment I arrived, says the example
• دیر یا زود

  dir yo zud

  sooner or later

  Literally "late or early" — the count here starts from the lateness. The word order is fixed: to swap it is to give yourself away as a stranger. Sooner or later it will get better, says the example
• یک روز

  yek ruz

  once, one day

  Literally "one day": so the local tale begins. It looks into the past and the future — the verb will show the time. Once I went to the north, says the example
• در کودکی

  dar kudaki

  in childhood

  The time form of the childhood: "in childhood". So too "in youth" — life divides into epochs easily. In childhood we went to the village, says the example
• در آن زمان‌ها

  dar ân zamânhâ

  back then, in those days

  the half-break inside makes one word: zamaanhaa
• خیلی وقت‌ها بود

  kheyli vâgtghâ bud

  it was long ago

  Literally "a lot of time it has been": long ago is "much time" back. Vaqt is time — you already know it from "I have time". This photograph was very long ago, says the example
• بار اول

  bâre avval

  the first time

  The time, the attempt: "the time the first". The same time counts attempts — as at home. It was the first time I rode the metro, says the example
• آینده

  âyânde

  future

  From the coming: the future is "what is to come". The future tense of the verb is built rarely here: the present plus tomorrow replaces it. The future is bright, says the example
• گذشته

  gâzashte

  past

  The participle of the passing: the past is "the passed". The pair past — future holds on the same verbs as at home. The past cannot be changed, says the example
• برنامه‌های نزدیک

  barnâmehâye nazdik

  near-term plans

  The plan and the program at once — the same word as the TV guide. The near you already know: near plans are "neighbor plans". What are yours? says the example
• سال دیگر

  sâle digar

  in a year, next year

  Literally "a year other": "in" here is told by the word "other". So too "a week other" and "an hour other". In a year I will speak the language well, says the example
• دائم

  dâem

  permanent, constantly

  A word about the standing: what stands forever. A permanent job — two words worth holding on to. I am constantly busy, says the example
• موقتاً

  mâvaggatân

  temporarily

  the doubled gg stretches: movagghatan
• وقت مناسب

  vâgte mânaseb

  a convenient time

  Suitable: the same word about fitting clothes and a fitting price. To ask for a convenient time — "what time suits you?" Find a convenient time, says the example
• قرار بگذار

  garâr begâzâr

  to set a time, arrange

  The arrangement: a meeting here is "laid", like a bookmark: lay it. The same word lives in the date. Set it for tomorrow at five, says the example
• بعدازظهر

  bâdaz-zâhr

  in the afternoon

  Written as one word, read in two: literally "after midday". The noon — and after it comes the familiar afternoon. In the afternoon I have a class, says the example
• نزدیک غروب

  nazdike gârub

  toward evening

  The sunset: the same word as in the sunset of the sun. Near — close: "toward evening" is "close to sunset" — time here is measured by the sun. Toward evening it gets cool, says the example
• هر ساعتی

  har sââti

  at any time, anytime

  Every plus any hour: one says "at any hour". The same every — in every day. Call anytime, says the example
• قبل از پنج نه

  gâbl az pandzh ne

  not before five

  Before — "earlier than": our "not before" is unfolded into "before five — no". The negation stands at the very end, and that is the normal order. Not before five, I am at work — says the example
• سر وقت هستم

  sâre vâgt hastam

  I will be on time

  Literally "on the time": a punctual person "stands on the time". A short promise — and it is firmer than it seems. Do not worry, I will be on time, says the example
• تا وقتی که

  ta vâgti ke

  until (before it happens)

  Our "not" hides in the verb here: "until I return" — no negation outside at all. Until I return, wait, says the example
• قرن

  garn

  century

  The count goes by centuries: "the nineteenth century" — the linking vowel glues it to the number. The year here is its own short word, and the two are told apart only by ear: this one is short and muffled. This house is from the nineteenth century, says the example
• دوران

  dârân

  epoch, era

  A great stretch of time: "the golden epoch". Beside it lives the course word — a period of study; this one is wider and sounds in stories of the past. That epoch passed, says the example
• دهه

  dâhe

  decade

  Literally "a ten of years": "the seventies". So too the sixties — the number stands simply, without any endings. In the seventies the life of the city changed, says the example
• بازه

  bâze

  period, interval

  A stretch with a beginning and an end: "the period of the exams". The course word is taken already, so the stretch of time here goes by this. In that period everything grew dearer, says the example
• لحظه

  lâhze

  instant, moment

  The shortest stretch: "wait an instant". A longer moment takes the time word — and this one is about a single beat of the heart. Wait an instant, says the example
• دراز

  dârâz

  long-lasting, prolonged

  Long about a road and about time alike: "a long night", "a long illness". The familiar length is the length; the long-lasting adverb is taken already. This year we had a prolonged trip, says the example
• این روزها

  in ruzhâ

  recently, these days

  Literally "these days": about the past and the very freshest alike. About the past one says "the days past" — it comes later in this lesson. The weather is cold these days, says the example
• امروزه

  emruze

  nowadays

  One word from the familiar today: now, in our time. In notices and discourses exactly it stands, not the plain today. Nowadays everybody has a phone, says the example
• از قدیم

  az gadim

  since ancient times, from time immemorial

  Literally "from the ancient": it has always been so. The antique word you already have — and the phrase is assembled from it without a new word. Bread was baked at home from time immemorial, says the example
• در چند دقیقه

  dar chand dige

  within minutes, in no time

  Literally "in several minutes". The spoken minute is short and frequent: "five minutes" — a word you have already heard. The firefighters arrived within minutes, says the example
• مدرن

  mâdern

  modern

  A word from the same city as the notion itself: the glass facade, the lift, the open plan. The borrowed modern sounds here more often than the bookish nowadays word. This factory is very modern, says the example
• باستانی

  bâstâni

  ancient

  Literally "of the ancient": gates, a jug, a coin. A bonus: so is called the old lemonade — "the ancient water" of the capital’s childhood. The ancient gates of the city are beautiful, says the example
• روزهای گذشته

  ruzhâe gâzashte

  the old days, days gone by

  Literally "the days past". There is no separate word for the bygone: said exactly so, or "those days". He longs for the old days, says the example
• به‌ندرت

  be-nadrat

  rarely, seldom

  Literally "by the rarity": quite infrequently. The now-and-then is weaker — this one stresses: almost never. Rarely we drink coffee together, says the example
• روزانه

  ruzâne

  daily

  From the day: daily, as a daily quota or daily pay. In the timetables it stands; in talk — every day. The bus runs daily through this lane, says the example
• به‌طور منظم

  be-ture mântazam

  regularly

  Literally "in good order, without fails": so one speaks of sleep, pills and payments. One adjective — regular — also works alone. Take the medicine regularly, says the example
• برای اولین بار

  barâe âvvilin bâr

  for the first time

  Literally "for the first time": the beginning of any story about a first experience. The time word here means a time, not a load. For the first time I sat in a plane, says the example
• از اول

  az âvval

  anew, from the beginning

  Literally "from the beginning": "begin anew". Beside it the again — you already have it — but this one stresses: from a clean sheet. I began the lesson anew, says the example
• هر روز بیشتر

  har ruz bishtar

  more and more, day by day

  Literally "every day more": so the growing is described. The same move works with "every day less" — rarer and rarer. The pain grows stronger day by day, says the example
• روزهای کاری

  ruzhâe kâli

  on weekdays

  Literally "the working days": shop, bank and post live by them — and the days off apart. In the timetables and notices exactly this phrase stands. The shop is open on weekdays until nine, says the example
• یکی در میان

  yeki dar meyun

  every other one, alternately

  Literally "one in the middle": now yes, now no. The same build about people — one by one, in a string. The buses run every other one, says the example
• سالی یک بار

  sâli yek bâr

  once a year

  The frequency through the little tail on the year: "once a year", "once a month". The short tail at the end of the word turns "year" into "a year". Once a year we go to the north, says the example
• مدام

  mâdâm

  constantly, all the time

  Constantly, without pauses: "the phone rings without pause". The same word lives in "all the time". The clock rings all the time, says the example
• در همین حین

  dar hamin hin

  meanwhile, at the same time

  Literally "in this very while": two events go side by side. The while — a moment, an instant — and the phrase often stands between the two halves of the story, after the comma. I poured the tea, meanwhile he rang, says the example
• موازی

  mâvâzi

  in parallel, alongside

  Parallel lines and parallel deeds at once: set with the with — "parallel with the work". Geometry here is described by the same word. I worked and in parallel studied, says the example
• تا زمانی که

  tâ zamâni ke

  until such time as

  Literally "until the time that": "until he comes, we wait". The verb in the insert stands with the soft form. Until he comes, we wait, says the example
• بعداً

  ba'dan

  afterwards, subsequently

  From the familiar after: later, subsequently. In a story "afterwards I understood" — and everything falls into place. Afterwards I understood that he was right, says the example
• روز قبل

  ruze ghâbl

  the day before, on the eve

  Literally "the day before": the eve of the event. About the evening they say "the night before" — the same move. The day before everything was ready, says the example
• از این به بعد

  az in be ba'd

  from now on, henceforth

  Literally "from this after": from this moment and on. Often heard in instructions: "from now on sleep earlier". From now on sleep earlier, says the example
• این بار

  in bâr

  this time

  Literally "this time": "this time", and "last time" — the pair turns by one word. This time the bus came on time, says the example
• به موقع

  be mavge

  in due time, punctually

  Literally "at the moment": on time, exactly at term. The moment, the term — and the phrase lives about people and payments alike. Receive the salary in due time, says the example
• با تأخیر

  ba takhyir

  belatedly, with a delay

  Literally "with a delay": money and papers that come later than the term. The delay — and in the bills this word stands constantly. The salary came belatedly, says the example
• بدون معطلی

  bedune mâ'tâli

  without delay, promptly

  Literally "without the dawdling": the dragging, the red tape. A commanding tone: "come in without delay". Come in without delay, says the example
• فوریه

  fârie

  February

  The month names follow the international calendar, borrowed from French. In schoolbooks both calendars share the page
• مارس

  mârs

  March

  March — mars, said like the planet. The New Year itself lands here: the month of spring is Farvardin, not mars
• آوریل

  âvril

  April

  April — avril, the French shape kept. Rain is frequent in avril, the example promises
• مه

  meh

  May

  May — one syllable, spelled with the same letters as "hair-scent" meh. Everything is green in me, says the example
• ژوئن

  zhâen

  June

  June — zhven, the French j wearing the local zh. Heat arrives with it
• اوت

  ât

  August

  August — ot, the shortest month name on the calendar. The month of travel, says the example
• سپتامبر

  septâmbr

  September

  September — septambr, the p and m kept. School opens with it
• اکتبر

  âktâbr

  October

  October — oktobr. Cold rain arrives, and with it the pomegranates
• نوامبر

  nâvâmbr

  November

  November — novambr. The day grows short, says the example — kootah, short
• دسامبر

  desâmbr

  December

  December — desambr, the coldest name on the international half of the calendar
• سال

  sâl

  year

  Year, and the root of salamati-wishes at New Year: sale no mobarak, happy new year. A year has four seasons, says the example
• شبانه‌روز

  shâbâne-ruz

  around the clock

  Literally "night-and-day": shab + ruz with a linking -ane. The pharmacy sign that never sleeps
• قرن

  garn

  century

  A century — qarn. The same counting word as in qarn-e bistom, the twentieth century of the books
• دقیقه

  dige

  minute

  Daghigha in full — precise thing, a borrowed word of clocks. Dah daghighe sabr konid: wait ten minutes
• ثانیه

  sânie

  second

  The second of the clock — the same word that names the letter-book sign se. Ye sanie, lotfan: one second, please
• نیم ساعت

  nem sâât

  half an hour

  Nim is the half of anything — nim-saat, half a clock. The bus ride the example measures
• ظهر

  zâhr

  noon

  Noon, the middle of the day. Zohr-ha — at noons — is when the city naps
• نیمه‌شب

  nime-shab

  midnight

  Literally "the half of night": nime shab. Saat-e nime-shab ast — it is midnight
• الان

  âlân

  right now

  The spoken now, pressed from the bookish al-aan. Alan vaqt daram: right now I have time
• مهلت

  mahlat

  deadline

  The term, the window a task must fit. Mahlat-e in kar farda ast: the deadline is tomorrow
• بعدی

  ba'di

  next

  From baad, after, with the -i of "the coming one": istgah-e badi — the next stop. The word you shout on a bus
• پیش

  pish

  last (past)

  The adverb of "in front, earlier": hafte pish — last week. Time here faces the other way: what came before is in front
• تاخیر کردن

  tâkhir kân

  to be late

  Takhir is delay, and the colloquial form is "to have" it: emrooz takhir daram — today I am running late
• رسیدن

  residan

  to make it (arrive in time)

  Residan is to arrive — and reaching in time is the same verb: be ghatatr miresam, I make the train
• بازم

  bâzam

  again

  The spoken "again" — baz once more + am. Bazam chay mikhaham: tea again, gladly
• به زودی

  be zudi

  soon

  Literally "in hasteness": zood hurry. Be zoodi miresam — I will arrive soon
• قدیما

  gâdimâ

  long ago

  The once-upon-a-time word: qadima inja bazaar bood — long ago there was a bazaar here
• جدیدا

  dzhedidân

  recently

  From jadid, new — the adverb of news. Jadidan dar Tehran zendegi mikonam: I have recently moved to Tehran
• دیر

  dir

  late

  Late — dir, and the dir in diruz has no kinship to it. Emshab dir miresam: tonight I will be late
• زود

  zud

  early

  Early — zood, the same root as be-zoodi, soon. Farda zood miresam: tomorrow I will come early
• با سرعت

  ba sur'at

  quickly

  Literally "with speed": sorat is velocity. The train goes ba sorat — at speed
• همین الان

  hamin alân

  just now

  Literally "this very now": hamin + alan. Hamin alan residam — I have just arrived
• صبح‌ها

  sâbhhâ

  in the mornings

  Sobh, morning, plus -ha: mornings in general, a habit. The -ha on a time word means "every such time"
• ظهرها

  zâhrhâ

  at midday

  Zohr is the noon slot between morning and afternoon; -ha makes it "at noons". Rest hours live here
• عصرها

  asrhâ

  in the evenings

  Asr, the late afternoon, plus -ha. Park visits and long walks belong to asr-ha
• شب‌ها

  shabhâ

  at night

  Shab, night, with -ha: nights as a routine. Shab-ha mahtab — moonlit nights — is how a song puts it
• هر روز

  har ruz

  every day

  Har each + ruz day. Ruz is also the word for "sun", so the phrase is literally "every sun"
• تمام روز

  tamâm ruz

  all day

  Tamam means complete, whole — the same word closes a sale: tamam, done. Tamam-e ruz: the entire day
• لحظه

  lâhze

  moment

  The word of the waiting room: yek lahze, lotfan — one moment, please. A loanword said in half a breath
• ساعت دیواری

  sââte divâri

  wall clock

  Literally "wall clock": divar is wall. Saat alone serves for both the clock and the hour
• ساعت چنده؟

  sâât chande؟

  what time is it?

  Literally "the hour [is] how-many?" Chand asks an amount; the polite form is saat chand ast
• هر وقت

  har vagt

  whenever

  Every-time: har vaqt. Har vaqt biai, ghave dorost mikonam — whenever you come, I will make coffee

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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.

• ساعت چنده؟

  sâât chande؟

  What time is it?
• امروز خوب است

  emruz khub ast

  Today is good
• فردا بازار می‌رویم

  fardâ bâzâr mi-râvim

  Tomorrow we go to the bazaar
• دیروز در خانه بودم

  diruz dar khâne budam

  Yesterday I was at home
• صبح چای می‌خواهم

  sâbh chay mi-khâham

  In the morning I drink tea
• عصر در خانه‌ام

  asr dar khâneam

  In the afternoon I am at home

What is worth knowing about these words

ساعت (sâât) — hour / clock / time. One word for the hour, the clock and o’clock: saat-e che? — what time? The word came from Arabic, like the practice of counting hours itself.

امروز (emruz) — today. Today — em the now + ruz the day. The day root ruz repeats in farda and diruz.

فردا (fardâ) — tomorrow. Tomorrow — the word of every promise. Farda bazaar mirim: tomorrow we go to the bazaar.

دیروز (diruz) — yesterday. Yesterday, the di- an old mark of the past. Diruz dar khane budam: yesterday I was at home.

Test yourself

Recalling a spelling from meaning is harder than recognizing a familiar word — and therefore more useful.

How to learn the set instead of just reading it

Today, tomorrow, in the morning, at six. You cannot arrange to meet without these — let alone understand the answer.

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 times
  Adesope, 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 times
  Mawson & 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.

Next

• All topics of the Persian language4017 words by topic and letter
• Greetings and goodbyes8 words
• Polite words8 words
• Numbers and counting59 words
• Food and drink176 words
• Shopping and money82 words
• Pronunciation
• From scratch
• Why a word list doesn't sticka note