Dari, also known as Afghan Persian, is one of the two official languages of Afghanistan, alongside Pashto. It is a member of the Northwestern Iranian language group and serves as a lingua franca among various ethnic groups in the country. Dari is spoken by approximately 50% of the Afghan population and is used in government, media, and education. The language has a rich literary tradition and shares many similarities with Persian spoken in Iran, although there are distinct regional variations.

Understanding Dari

Dari is written in a modified version of the Arabic script, which can be challenging for learners unfamiliar with it. The pronunciation of Dari can vary significantly based on dialects and regional accents. Mastering the sounds of Dari is crucial for effective communication, as mispronunciation can lead to misunderstandings. For instance, Dari has several sounds that do not exist in English, such as the guttural “kh” sound (خ) or the rolled “r” (ر).

To aid in learning, it’s beneficial to familiarize oneself with the Dari alphabet and pronunciation rules. Below is a table that outlines the Dari alphabet along with its English pronunciation equivalents:

Dari Letter	Sound	Pronunciation Example
ا	a	as in apple
ب	b	as in boat
پ	p	as in pool
ت	t	as in town
ث	th	as in think
ج	j	as in joke
چ	ch	as in chair
خ	kh	as in Bach
د	d	as in desk
ر	r	as in rabbit
ز	z	as in zebra
س	s	as in small
ش	sh	as in shadow
غ	gh	similar to French “r”
ف	f	as in fish
ق	q	sharp “k”
ک	k	as in kite
گ	g	as in golf

Language Learning Guide

Here’s a comprehensive guide to essential phrases and vocabulary for travelers to Afghanistan:

Numbers

Number	Dari	Pronunciation
1	یک	yak
2	دو	do
3	سه	se
4	چهار	chahar
5	پنج	panj

Days of the Week

Day	Dari	Pronunciation
Sunday	یکشنبه	yakshanbeh
Monday	دوشنبه	doshanbeh
Tuesday	سه‌شنبه	se-shanbeh
Wednesday	چهارشنبه	chahar-shanbeh
Thursday	پنج‌شنبه	panj-shanbeh

Months

Month	Dari	Pronunciation
January	جنوری	janwari
February	فوریه	fawriye
March	مارچ	march
April	اپریل	april
May	مه	meh

Greetings

• Hello: سلام (salaam)
• Goodbye: خداحافظ (khodaa haafez)
• How are you?: حال شما چطور است؟ (haal-e shoma chetor ast?)

Polite Expressions

• Please: لطفاً (lotfan)
• Thank you: متشکرم (moteshakkeram)
• Excuse me / Sorry: ببخشید (bebakhshid)

Basic Shopping Phrases

• How much is this?: این چقدر است؟ (in chandar ast?)
• I would like this: من این را می‌خواهم (man in ra mikhaaham)

Ordering Food

• Menu: منو (menu)
• I would like to order…: من می‌خواهم سفارش دهم… (man mikhaaham sefaresh daham…)

Transportation Terms

• Taxi: تاکسی (taxi)
• Bus: اتوبوس (otobus)

Directions

• Left: چپ (chap)
• Right: راست (raast)
• Straight ahead: مستقیم (mostaqim)

Hotel and Accommodation Vocabulary

• Room: اتاق (otaagh)
• Reservation: رزرو (rezerv)

Emergency Phrases

• Help!: کمک! (komak!)
• Call a doctor!: دکتر را صدا کنید! (doktor ra seda konid!)

Common Questions

• What is your name?: نام شما چیست؟ (naam-e shoma chist?)
• Where are you from?: شما از کجا هستید؟ (shoma az koja hastid?)

Weather Terms

• Hot: گرم (garm)
• Cold: سرد (sard)

Cultural Etiquette Phrases

• Respect elders: احترام به بزرگترها (ehteram be bozorgtarha)

Health and Medical Terms

• Doctor: دکتر (doktor)
• Medicine: دارو (daru)

Dining Etiquette

• Use your right hand for eating.

Local Attractions Vocabulary

• Museum: موزه (muzeh)

Currency and Payment Terms

• Afghan Afghani: افغانی (afghani)

Social Interactions

• Small talk about family or local events is common.

Compliments and Small Talk

• “You have a beautiful home”: خانه زیبایی دارید. (khaane zibaayi daarid.)

This guide provides foundational knowledge for navigating daily interactions while traveling in Afghanistan. Familiarity with these phrases will enhance communication and enrich your travel experience.