Elon.io is an online learning platform
We have an entire course teaching Farsi grammar and vocabulary.
Questions & Answers about الو، سلام!
Why are there two different words for "hello" here?
الو (alo) is used almost exclusively when answering the phone, just like saying "hello?" to check if someone is on the line. سلام (salam) is the actual everyday greeting. Farsi speakers often use them together when picking up a call: first confirming the connection, then greeting the caller.
Does الو come from English?
It actually comes from the French word "allô". Because of this, it is pronounced with an "o" sound at the end (alo), rather than like the English "hello". Remember to only use it on the phone, never when greeting someone face-to-face!
Why does the comma look like it is upside down?
That is the standard Persian comma (،). Because Farsi is written from right to left, the comma curls upwards and points in the opposite direction compared to the English comma. This also ensures it does not get confused with the Farsi letter د (d).
Can I just say سلام when answering the phone without using الو?
Yes, you can! Just saying سلام (salam) or بله (bale - meaning "yes") when picking up is perfectly fine and polite. However, saying الو، سلام (alo, salam) is an extremely natural and common habit in everyday phone conversations.