Khursand is a small rural-service city where standard Persian (Farsi) is the everyday language; you may encounter a slight southeastern accent and Kermani pronunciation of some vowels, but formal Tehrani Farsi will be understood. English is rarely spoken outside the occasional young person, so learning short Persian phrases dramatically improves arrivals, taxi rides, and visits to local date gardens and bazaars.
The phrases below are organized by traveler moment: arrival and transport, tea and dining etiquette, shopping in the small markets, polite refusal, and emergencies (police, medical, lost documents). Pair every request with the polite pronoun 'shomā' and the word 'lotfan' (please) — politeness and 'taarof' are central to daily life in Kerman Province.
Use 'Salam' (hello) with a slight nod; 'Sobh bekheir' / 'Asr bekheir' for morning/afternoon. Say 'Esm-e man ... ast' to introduce yourself, and 'Az koja mitoonam ... peyda konam?' (Where can I find ...?) for the hotel or a taxi.
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Always accept the first offer of tea with 'Bā moteāl' or 'Merci' (thank you). For food: 'Noosheh jān' (bon appétit), 'Sib sefid' for lamb stew, 'Tahdig' for crispy rice. 'Hesāb' means 'the bill'; 'Bā hamdigar' means 'together' (when splitting).
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For taxis and Snapp/Tap30 rides: 'Lotfan ... bebareem' (please take me to ...). Asking distance: 'Cheghadr rāh ast?' (how far?). Bus: 'Otubus ... kojāst?' (where is the ... bus?). Useful markers: 'dast rast' (right), 'dast chap' (left), 'mostaghim' (straight).
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In the local bazaar: 'Gheymat-e in chandeh?' (how much is this?). Polite reduction: 'Gheymat-e kām-tar?' (cheaper?). 'Tafavot dareh?' (is there a difference/discount?). Always hand money and receive change with the right hand, especially when buying dates or handwoven textiles.
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Use 'shomā' (formal you) rather than 'to'. 'Bebakhshid' (excuse me / pardon). 'Fekr mikonam' / 'Na' for gentle refusals. With elders, precede requests with 'Agha' (sir) or 'Khanom' (madam). 'Taarof' is expected — initial refusals of gifts or hospitality are polite and should be offered twice.
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Emergency number: 110 (police), 115 (ambulance), 112 (general). In Persian: 'Komak!' (help!), 'Polis!' (police!), 'Doctor!' or 'Bimārestān!' (hospital!). For lost documents: 'Madrak-e man gom shodeh ast, lotfan komak konid' (my documents are lost, please help). Kerman city has the nearest full hospital.
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