Breakdown of سلام.
سلام
hello
Elon.io is an online learning platform
We have an entire course teaching Farsi grammar and vocabulary.
Questions & Answers about سلام.
How do you pronounce سلام?
It’s pronounced sa-LAAM (IPA: /sæˈlɒːm/ in Iranian Persian). The second syllable is long: lām.
What does سلام literally mean, and is it just “hi”?
Literally it relates to peace / well-being (from the same Semitic root as Arabic salām). In everyday Persian, it functions as a standard greeting: hi / hello.
Is سلام formal or informal?
It’s neutral and very widely usable—fine with friends, strangers, and in many professional contexts. If you want to be more formal, you can add something like سلام علیکم or follow with polite phrases, but سلام alone is already acceptable in most situations.
Can سلام be used at any time of day?
Yes. It works like hello and is not tied to morning/afternoon/evening.
How do you respond to سلام?
Common responses include:
- سلام (same word back)
- سلام، خوبی؟ = Hi, how are you?
- سلام علیکم (more formal/traditional)
- درود (a more literary/“Persian-purist” alternative)