Persian vs Farsi

1.0

Is Persian the same as Farsi?

Yes, Persian and Farsi refer to the same language, but the usage of these terms differs depending on context. "Persian" is the English name for the language, while "Farsi" is what native speakers call it in Iran. The situation is similar to how "German" is used in English, but speakers of the language call it "Deutsch."

However, Persian has different regional varieties:

• Farsi (spoken in Iran)
Dari (spoken in Afghanistan)
Tajik (spoken in Tajikistan, written in Cyrillic script)

Linguistically, these varieties are mutually intelligible, meaning speakers can generally understand each other, though they have differences in pronunciation, vocabulary, and sometimes grammar.

2.0

The correct English term is Persian.

Persian is the internationally recognized name for the language, culture, and heritage, used in academic, formal, and diplomatic contexts. It refers to the language spoken in Iran (and parts of Afghanistan and Tajikistan, where it is known as Dari and Tajik, respectively).

Farsi is the endonym (the name used by native speakers) for the Persian language in Iran. While widely understood, its use in English is discouraged in formal contexts because it can create confusion and excludes dialects like Dari and Tajik. Organizations like the Academy of Persian Language and Literature and many linguists recommend using Persian in English.