Podgap provides engaging Persian conversations for learners from beginner to advanced levels. In each episode, you’ll expand your vocabulary, improve your grammar, explore Persian literature, and enjoy interviews with interesting guests. You’ll also get familiar with colloquial Persian, Iranian c
In this episode of Podgap, you'll learn real-life Persian through an authentic story about a car accident in Iran. We present the same situation in two different styles: Telling the story to spouse (friendly, intimate Persian) A short news report from a newspaper (journalistic Persian) This episode is perfect for Persian learners who want to: Expand their Persian vocabulary with practical, everyday words Understand the difference between spoken and formal Persian Learn how to adapt their language based on context and situation Whether you're planning to travel to Iran, live there, or simply…
In this episode of Podgap, you'll learn real-life Persian through an authentic story about a car accident in Iran. We present the same situation in two different styles: Casual conversation between two drivers after a crash (colloquial Persian) Formal conversation with police at the accident scene (official Persian) This episode is perfect for Persian learners who want to: Expand their Persian vocabulary with practical, everyday words Understand the difference between spoken and formal Persian Learn how to adapt their language based on context and situation Whether you're planning to travel…
In this episode of Podgap, we explore one of Iran’s most beloved accompaniments: Shirazi salad. Hanieh and Mohsen guide you through the basics in a clear, practical way, making Persian language learning tasty and approachable. From ingredients to preparation steps and flavor tips, follow along with simple language and actionable guidance. You’ll also find practical exercises and a quick review of key verbs to boost your Persian skills. Looking for the transcription, glossary, and worksheet? You can find them on our Patreon page: patreon.com/podgap If Podgap makes your Persian learning…
In this episode of Podgap, join Bahrām and Behnoush as they go to the supermarket to buy some things for their home. You’ll first listen to their conversation slowly, learn the most important new words and phrases, and then listen to the dialogue again at a faster pace. Finally, we’ll test your understanding with a few questions about the conversation. In this episode, you’ll learn useful everyday Persian words and expressions such as: • یخچال — fridge • خالی — empty • جدی میگی؟ — Are you serious? • یه کم کار دارم — I have a few things to do • چی لازم داریم؟ — What do we need? • یادم رفت — I…
In this episode of Podgap, we talk about Iraj Khajeh Amiri, one of the most iconic and memorable voices in Iranian music. Known as the “Pahlavan-e Avaz” (Master of Singing), Iraj had a remarkable career spanning more than seven decades. We talk about his life, his powerful and distinctive voice, his connection with traditional Iranian music, and his memorable performances in classic Iranian films. We also listen to a short part of one of his well-known songs and take a look at how his voice became part of the memories of several generations of Iranians.For Persian learners, we also explain…
Have you ever had a small disagreement that suddenly turned into a serious argument? In this episode of Podgap, Behnoush and Bahram have a little argument after Bahram forgets an important plan they made for Friday lunch! Through their conversation, you'll learn several natural and commonly used Persian expressions that you can hear in everyday conversations, especially when people are arguing or getting annoyed. In this episode, we explain expressions such as: • کارها رو جمع و جور کردن • درست و حسابی • باز شروع کردی • سرت تو گوشیه • آدمو عصبی میکنی • حق با توئه • مسخره بازی درآوردن • از…
How good is your Persian vocabulary? Let’s put it to the test! Welcome to Podgap, the podcast that helps you learn Persian (Farsi) through real, simple, and engaging conversations. In today’s episode, we’re doing something a little different. Instead of simply listening and learning new words, you’re going to play along with us! We’re playing Twenty Questions, a fun and easy guessing game that gives you a chance to practice Persian vocabulary, listening, and simple questions at the same time. You’ll learn useful Persian words related to animals, objects, food, and everyday life, while…
Are you a football fan and learning Persian? Then this episode of Podgap is for you! In this episode, Mohsen and Hanieh talk about an exciting match between England and Argentina while introducing useful and everyday football vocabulary in Persian. You’ll learn words and expressions such as striker, defender, midfielder, winger, cross, assist, possession, counterattack, one-on-one, stoppage time, comeback, and final whistle — all explained in both Persian and English, with practical examples. This episode is perfect for Persian learners who: ⚽ love football 📚 want to expand their Persian…
Ever wondered why Persian food is considered a global culinary treasure? In this episode of Podgap, we travel back over a thousand years to the heart of the Silk Road to uncover the legendary secrets of three iconic Iranian ingredients: Saffron, Barberry, and Rose Water. Join your hosts, Hanieh and Mohsen, as we blend history, science, and linguistics. Discover how these ingredients didn't just flavor the world—they powered ancient caravans, revolutionized global perfumery, and shaped medicinal history. [What You’ll Learn] The fascinating history of "Red Gold" (Saffron) and its journey from…
Have you ever been invited to an Iranian home? In this episode, James visits Bahram and Behnoush for the first time You'll learn useful Persian expressions, practice a simple conversation, and discover some interesting facts about Iranian culture.In this episode, you'll learn: • Useful expressions such as "Befarmaayin too", "Chera zahmat keshidin?", and "Ghabel-e shomaa ro nadaare" • Three cultural tips about visiting an Iranian home, including taking off your shoes, Iranian hospitality, and taarof. 🎧 Perfect for A2 Persian learners. 📚 Patreon members can access the transcript,…
In this episode of Podgap, we explore one of the most colorful corners of spoken Persian: dog-related idioms and expressions. You'll learn 10 common expressions that native speakers use in real conversations, including: 🐾 Sag-joon (سگجون) – someone incredibly tough and resilient 🐾 Sag-do zadan (سگدو زدن) – working hard with little result 🐾 Mahall-e sag nazaashtan (محل سگ نذاشتن) – completely ignoring someone 🐾 Sag sahebesh ro nemishnase (سگ صاحبش رو نمیشناسه) – a place that is total chaos But this episode is more than vocabulary.You'll also discover: 🔹 Why animals play such a big role in…
Did you know that “checkmate” comes from the Persian phrase “Shah Mat”? It means the king is helpless — and it’s one of the many ways Persian has left its mark on the world of chess. In this episode of Podgap, we explore the fascinating story of chess: where it began, how it entered Iran during the Sasanian era, and how Persian culture helped shape the game the world knows today. We also talk about the chess pieces in Persian — shah / king, vazir / queen, rokh / rook, fil / bishop, asb / knight, and piyadeh or sarbaz / pawn — and discover which words and expressions traveled from Persian…
Are you struggling with the Persian /q/ sound? You’re not alone! This episode of Podgap focuses on the Persian sound /q/ — one of the most unique and tricky sounds in the language. Join Hanieh and Mohsen for an easy, guided practice that will help you master this Persian sound with confidence. Follow along, repeat with your hosts, and strengthen your pronunciation skills. If Podgap makes your Persian learning journey easier and more enjoyable, share it with your friends — it truly means the world to us!We’d also love to hear from you: drop us a message anytime at [email protected] Want to…
Do you know the spoken form of “want” and “come” in the present tense in Persian? In this episode, we break down two of the most essential verbs — khaastan (to want) and aamadan (to come) — and show you how they’re actually used in everyday conversation. Forget the formal textbook versions — you’ll learn the real spoken forms like mikhaam and miyaam, practice them step by step, and hear them in natural dialogues. Perfect for learners who want to sound more natural and understand native speakers with ease. 🎁 Bonus: Get your free conjugation poster for these two verbs on our Patreon page. If…
In this episode of Podgap, we explore the concept of “home” — not merely as a physical space, but as a source of identity, memory, and emotional connection. While many of us experience a sense of comfort when returning home after a short trip, this feeling takes on deeper meaning for those who have lived abroad for many years. Today, we examine why some individuals choose to return to their homeland even in challenging or uncertain times and what drives this enduring attachment to the place where their roots lie. Through conversation and personal stories, we seek to understand how the idea…
In this emotional and powerful episode of Podgap, Mohsen and Hanieh speak directly to their listeners during a difficult time, sharing heartfelt reflections on resilience, loss, and hope. As Iran faces the challenges of war, they honor the memory of innocent lives and express gratitude to their loyal audience who continue learning Persian despite the circumstances. Through the familiar storytelling of Bahram and Behnoosh, this episode also brings you a meaningful dialogue set on Sizdah Bedar (Nature Day). What begins as a simple plan for a day out turns into a deeper story about courage,…
In this episode of Podgap, Mohsen and Hanie explore one of Iran’s most fascinating archaeological treasures: the Hasanlu Golden Bowl. Discovered in 1958 in northwestern Iran, this remarkable artifact dates back more than 3,200 years and is covered with symbolic engravings that reflect ancient myths and beliefs. We talk about the discovery of the bowl, the ancient civilization that lived near Lake Urmia, and the stories behind the figures carved on its surface. In the episode, we explain each character and symbol on the bowl. To make it easier to follow, the images of these figures are…
This week on Podgap, we’re going to talk about ride-hailing services. We have a dialogue about how a woman requests an online taxi and the conversations that take place between her and the driver. You’ll also become familiar with the new vocabulary from this dialogue, along with some cultural tips. If Podgap makes your Persian learning journey easier and more enjoyable, share it with your friends — it truly means the world to us!We’d also love to hear from you: drop us a message anytime at [email protected] Want to dive deeper? By joining us on Patreon.com/podgap Full Persian transcriptions…
In this episode, you will learn how to talk about losing and finding things in Persian. We will teach you useful words and simple sentences to explain what you lost or where you left something behind.You will also learn the difference between gom kardan (to lose) and jā gozāshtan (to leave something behind), and hear a short conversation about real-life situations. At the end of the episode, you will learn cultural expressions that Iranians use when someone loses something.This episode is perfect for beginner Persian learners who want to speak more naturally in everyday situations. If Podgap…
The Shahnameh by Ferdowsi is one of the greatest epic poems in Persian literature It tells the story of Iran’s history, myths, and heroes. In this episode, we talk about 8 famous characters from Ferdowsi’s Shahnameh.You’ll get to know these characters, and in each section we’ve included a few selected verses from the Shahnameh to give you a feel for the book. Our goal is to introduce you to the world of the Shahnameh and hopefully inspire you to read more of this epic in the future. If Podgap makes your Persian learning journey easier and more enjoyable, share it with your friends — it truly…
Hello and welcome back to PadGap! In today’s episode, Hanieh and Mohsen dive into a very simple yet incredibly powerful Persian word—one you’ll hear everywhere. It’s a true magic word: short, polite, and surprisingly flexible. Through short, everyday dialogues—from cafés and homes to classrooms, shops, phone calls, and friendly conversations—you’ll learn eight different real-life uses of this essential word and how tone can completely change its meaning. If you want to sound more natural and confident in Persian, this episode is a must-listen. Let’s get started! If Podgap makes your Persian…
Welcome to Podgap. In this episode, Hanieh and Mohsen discuss the theme of friendship—what defines a true friend, how friendships change over time, and why maintaining them requires trust, communication, and healthy boundaries. The conversation also highlights cultural aspects of friendship in Iran and introduces useful Persian expressions related to relationships. Designed for Persian learners, this episode offers clear, natural dialogue, thoughtful questions, and practical language input to support listening comprehension and cultural understanding. Let’s begin. If Podgap makes your…
Hello and welcome to a new episode of Podgap! Today, we’re talking about a topic that affects millions of people in Iran and in many other countries around the world: air pollution.In this episode, Hanieh and Mohsen discuss why air pollution happens, how it affects daily life, and what factors—like traffic, old vehicles, factories, drought, and dust storms—make the situation worse. They also explain some useful vocabulary related to the environment and talk about how people and the government are trying to deal with this problem. And of course, they invite you to think about your own…
In today’s episode, we’re learning 10 useful Persian verbs that use zadan as an auxiliary verb — and we’ll show you how to use them naturally in a friendly conversation between two friends. Don’t miss this fun and practical lesson! For extra practice, write a short story using all ten verbs and send it to us at: [email protected]. We’d love to read your work! Want to dive deeper? By joining us on Patreon.com/podgap Full Persian transcriptions of every episode A glossary & worksheets to practice with Plus extra learning goodies like Persian news, proverbs, vocabulary challenges, videos, and…
In this episode, Bahram and Behnoush team up to teach you how to make a delicious Iranian dish. You’ll pick up new Persian words through a real conversation, and at the end, test yourself with a quiz! If Podgap makes your Persian learning journey easier and more enjoyable, share it with your friends — it truly means the world to us!We’d also love to hear from you: drop us a message anytime at [email protected] Want to dive deeper? By joining us on Patreon.com/podgap Full Persian transcriptions of every episode A glossary & worksheets to practice with Plus extra learning goodies like Persian…
In this episode, we’re going to explore a topic that’s a bit different and more emotional than usual. Life is full of happy moments, but also difficult ones—especially when we lose someone we love. In such times, just a few kind and heartfelt words can bring comfort to those who are grieving.That’s why, in this episode, we’ll learn how to offer condolences in Persian. We’ll look at different words used for “death” in various contexts, and we’ll also practice common phrases for expressing sympathy and responding to condolences. If Podgap makes your Persian learning journey easier and more…
Ever wondered how to introduce your country in Persian? In this episode, Mohsen and Hanieh walk you through everything you need—from talking about the flag and capital city to neighbors, geography, and population. By the end, you’ll be ready to confidently describe your own country in Persian! Listen now and try recording yourself talking about your homeland—we’d love to hear from you! If Podgap makes your Persian learning journey easier and more enjoyable, share it with your friends — it truly means the world to us!We’d also love to hear from you: drop us a message anytime at…
"In this episode of Podgap, Mohsen and Hanie sit down with a Turkish guest who shares her journey of learning Persian. From the challenges she faced to the joys of discovering a new culture, we ask her everything about her experience with the Persian language." This episode also comes with a free transcription—visit patreon.com/podgap to access it. If Podgap makes your Persian learning journey easier and more enjoyable, share it with your friends — it truly means the world to us!We’d also love to hear from you: drop us a message anytime at [email protected] Want to dive deeper? By joining us…
Welcome back to Podgap, the podcast that helps you explore the beauty and rhythm of the Persian language. In this episode, Hanieh and Mohsen take you on a journey into one of the most playful and musical parts of the Persian language: echo compounds—those catchy word pairs like rizé-mizé or āt o āshqāl that add rhythm, humor, and charm to everyday conversations. You’ll learn what makes these expressions special, how native speakers use them in real life, and how you can sprinkle them into your own Persian to sound more natural and fluent. With plenty of fun examples, a guessing game, and a…
In this beginner-friendly episode, you will learn how to talk about different tastes in Persian — like sweet, salty, sour, bitter, and spicy. First, we introduce the words one by one, and then we use them in short dialogues so you can understand and practice them in real conversations. If you’d like to go further, you can access extra learning materials on our Patreon page, www.patreon.com/podgap, including vocabulary lists, worksheets, and transcripts of this episode. These resources will help you review and practice the words more effectively. If Podgap helps you with learning the Persian…
About Learn Persian with Podgap
Podgap provides engaging Persian conversations for learners from beginner to advanced levels. In each episode, you’ll expand your vocabulary, improve your grammar, explore Persian literature, and enjoy interviews with interesting guests. You’ll also get familiar with colloquial Persian, Iranian c
Learn Persian with Podgap is a Persian learning podcast from Podgap. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.
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