How do you say “I k![]()
now” in Persian (Farsi)?
English uses know in several ways. Persian often chooses a different verb depending on what—or whom—you know.
One English verb, three kinds of knowing
How do you say “I know Persian”?
من فارسی میدونم
man Fārsi midunam
That sentence may come to mind first—but there’s more to the story.
In English, you can say “I know how to cook,” “I know your doctor,” “I know the address,” “I know Persian,” or “I know Mowlana.” In Persian, the verb can change with the meaning.
| What do you mean by “know”? | Persian verb |
|---|---|
| Know how to do something | بلد بودن balad budan |
| Know or recognize a person; be familiar with them | شناختن šenāxtan |
| Know information, facts, or answers | دانستن dānestan |
بلد بودن balad budan
Use بلد بودن when you know how to do something—a skill, an ability, or something you have learned how to do.
Download the full conjugation tables here. (+) Format PDF
Think: “I know how to…”
بلد balad + a conjugated form of بودن budan (“to be”)
For example: بلدم baladam = I know how; بلدی baladi = you know how.
Try it: choose the verb
Complete each sentence with the best form: بلدم · میشناسم · میدونم
- “I know how to cook.” آشپزی ____.
- “I know how to drive.” رانندگی ____.
Check your answers
1. آشپزی بلدم. āšpazi baladam.
2. رانندگی بلدم. rānandegi baladam.
Both are abilities: you know how to do them.
You can find the full conjugation table and explanation on the Shirin School website, under Persian Language.
شناختن šenāxtan
Use شناختن when you know a person, recognize someone, or are familiar with them.
Download the full conjugation tables here. (+) Format PDF
Think: “I know that person” or “I recognize them.”
For the familiar pickup line “Do I know you?”, you can say:
Not for this meaning:
شما رو میدونم؟
šomā ro midunam?
This doesn’t work for “Do I know you?” Use میشناسم mišenāsam when you mean you know or recognize the person.
Try it: who or what do you know?
Choose the best verb: بلدم · میشناسم · میدونم
- “I know your physician.” پزشکتو ____.
- “Do I know you?” شما رو ____؟
Check your answers
1. پزشکتو میشناسم. pezešketo mišenāsam.
2. شما رو میشناسم؟ šomā ro mišenāsam?
Both are about knowing a person.
The Shirin School website has conjugations and full explanations for these verbs in the Persian Language section.
دانستن dānestan
Use دانستن when you know information, facts, or answers.
Download the full conjugation tables here. (+) Format PDF
Written Persian: میدانم midānam
Spoken Persian: میدونم midunam
Try it: spoken or written?
- Complete the written sentence: نشانی ات را ____.
- Complete the spoken sentence: نشانیتو ____.
- Complete the sentence: “I know where you are.” میدونم ____.
Check your answers
1. نشانیات را میدانم. nešāni-at rā midānam.
2. نشانیتو میدونم. nešānit-o midunam.
3. میدونم کجایی. midunam kojāyi.
Same address. Different kind of knowing.
I know your address.
I know how to get there / I know my way there.
میدونم is about knowing the information. بلدم suggests knowing how to get there.
Quick review
Download the full conjugation tables here. (+) Format PDF
بلد بودن
balad budan
شناختن
šenāxtan
دانستن
dānestan
Your turn: how would you say “I know Persian”?
Would you choose میدونم midunam, میشناسم mišenāsam, or بلدم baladam?
Which one would you choose? Tell me in the comments.
Reveal the most natural answer for “I know the Persian language”
فارسی بلدم.
Fārsi baladam.
I know Persian / I know how to speak Persian.
