Persian · Adjectives

عالی

āli

Excellent; great

Beginneradjective

Definition

Excellent — the enthusiastic compliment Iranians reach for constantly.

Example

غذا عالی بود، دستت درد نکنه!

The food was excellent, thank you!

Etymology

'عالی' (āli), meaning 'excellent' or 'great,' traces its roots back to Middle Persian, where it was used to denote high quality.

How & Where It’s Used

This adjective is formal and seen in written texts as well as spoken language, often used to express admiration.

Literary Heritage

Common in poetic expressions and praises.

Watch “Excellent; great” pronunciation on YouTube
adjectivecultureessential

Related Terms