Introduction
If you’re learning Farsi, one of the first things you’ll want to get familiar with is the months in Persian. Just like learning the days of the week or numbers, knowing how to say and understand the months helps you connect better with the language—and the culture. In this quick guide, we’ll introduce you to all twelve Persian months, along with their English approximate equivalence and pronunciation tips, so you can start using them in real conversations.
The Persian Calendar: A Quick Overview
The Persian calendar, also known as the Solar Hijri calendar, is one of the most accurate calendars in the world. It’s based on the actual movement of the sun, not just mathematical calculations. This calendar is used for daily life in Iran and some other countries like Afghanistan. If you’re learning Persian, getting familiar with the Persian months is an important step, it helps you connect better with Iranian culture, from celebrating Nowruz (the Persian New Year) to remembering your Persian friend’s birthday!
Persian Months with English approximate equivalence and Pronunciation
Here’s a helpful table to show the names of the months in Persian, how to pronounce them, their English equivalents, and the approximate dates they match in the Gregorian calendar.
| Persian Month | English Spelling | Pronunciation | Gregorian Date Range (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| فروردین | Farvardin | far-var-din | March 21 – April 20 |
| اردیبهشت | Ordibehesht | or-di-be-hešt | April 21 – May 21 |
| خرداد | Khordad | xor-dād | May 22 – June 21 |
| تیر | Tir | tir | June 22 – July 22 |
| مرداد | Mordad | mor-dād | July 23 – August 22 |
| شهریور | Shahrivar | šah-ri-var | August 23 – September 22 |
| مهر | Mehr | mehr | September 23 – October 22 |
| آبان | Aban | Ɂā-bān | October 23 – November 21 |
| آذر | Azar | Ɂā-zar | November 22 – December 21 |
| دی | Dey | dei | December 22 – January 20 |
| بهمن | Bahman | bah-man | January 21 – February 19 |
| اسفند | Esfand | es-fand | February 20 – March 20 |
Notes on Pronunciation and Usage
Persian month names might sound a bit tricky at first, but with a little practice, you’ll get the hang of them! Here are a few tips:
- Stress usually falls on the last syllable of each month’s name. For example, Mordād is pronounced as mor-DĀD, not MOR-dad.
- These months are used in Iran’s official calendar, also known as the Solar Hijri calendar. It’s widely used for everyday life in Iran, including school, work, and government.
- The calendar starts with Farvardin, which usually begins on March 21st, aligning with Nowruz (Persian New Year).
- In Persian, days and months are often written in Persian script, so learning how they look in both Persian and English can be helpful if you’re planning to travel to Iran or read Persian dates.
- Some month names like Azar or Bahman are also used as names for people in Persian culture, so don’t be surprised if you meet someone named after a month!
Learning the months is a small but meaningful step toward getting more comfortable with Persian and it opens a window into the rhythms of Iranian life and traditions.
What Happens on Persian Calendar Days? Discover Holidays, Birthdays & More!
Ever wondered what happens on a certain day in the Persian calendar? Whether you’re curious about public holidays, looking to calculate someone’s exact age, or want to convert dates between Persian and Gregorian calendars—there’s a super handy tool for that!
You can use Bahesab Calendar Tool to:
- 🗓️ Check public holidays in Iran, including official and religious ones.
- 🎂 Calculate age based on Persian or Gregorian dates.
- 🔁 Convert dates from Persian to Gregorian (and vice versa) in seconds.
It’s a great resource for Farsi learners who want to better understand how dates and cultural events align with the calendar. Plus, it’s all in one place and easy to use so next time you’re planning something around a Persian date, you know where to go!
Conclusion
Learning the months in Persian is more than just memorizing names, it’s a way to connect with Persian culture, history, and daily life. Whether you’re a beginner or teaching your kids Persian, understanding the calendar helps make the language feel more alive and meaningful.
If you know a child who’s learning Persian, check out our Learn Persian for Kids program.
And for adults, we offer practical and engaging lessons too: Learn Persian for Adults.
Happy learning!
Thanks for this! My grandparents always used these month names, and I never learned them properly. Side note: “Aban” always reminds me of rain poems. Do Iranians associate moods/seasons with specific months?
You’re welcome! Actually, Aban isn’t really associated with rain as much as people might think, although it can be a part of the autumn season. However, Bahman is definitely linked to cold weather and snow, often evoking a more wintery atmosphere. These connections do pop up in Persian poetry and culture, especially in relation to the seasons.
I’m planning a trip to Iran next year and had NO idea about the calendar difference. Does this mean hotel bookings/etc. use Solar Hijri dates? Or is Gregorian also accepted?
Great question! Yes, in Iran, the official calendar is the Solar Hijri calendar, so most local services, including hotel bookings, will primarily use these dates. However, many places, especially in more touristy areas, also recognize the Gregorian calendar, so you can expect to see both being used. It’s a good idea to double-check your reservations to make sure everything is clear!
Wait, so Nowruz starts on Farvardin 1st? That’s March 21st? I thought it was a fixed date! Also, why do some months have 31 days and others don’t? The solar calendar sounds so precise compared to the Gregorian one.
Yes, you’re right, Nowruz starts on Farvardin 1st, which usually falls on March 21st. The exact date can vary slightly each year due to the Solar Hijri calendar’s alignment with the sun, but it typically marks the start of the Persian New Year.
As for the months, some have 31 days because the Solar Hijri calendar is based on the actual position of the Earth in relation to the sun. Each month is either 31, 30, or 29 days long to keep the calendar in sync with the solar year. The length of the months helps maintain this precision, unlike the Gregorian calendar, which has months of varying lengths and is based on a fixed system.