Farsi CEFR Levels Explained: A1 to C2 With Examples

At A1 you can do the basics. Greet someone, introduce yourself, ask simple questions, and understand slow, clear speech.

Typical Farsi at this level:

• سلام، اسم من تام است. (salaam, esme man Tom ast.), Hello, my name is Tom.
• من از هلند هستم. (man az Holland hastam.), I'm from the Netherlands.

A1 covers roughly the first 30 to 60 hours of focused study. Numbers, greetings, family words, and core verbs.

At A2 you handle routine information. Talk about family, shopping, daily life, hobbies, and the area you live in.

Typical Farsi at this level:

• من یک خواهر و دو برادر دارم. (man yek khaahar va do baraadar daaram.), I have one sister and two brothers.
• آخر هفته به بازار می‌روم. (aakhare hafte be baazaar miravam.), On the weekend I go to the market.

A2 needs around 100 to 200 hours. Past tense starts to appear. You can hold short conversations as long as people speak slowly.

B1 is where things get useful. You can travel through a Persian-speaking country, talk about familiar topics, and explain your plans or opinions.

Typical Farsi at this level:

• اگر هوا خوب باشد، فردا به پارک می‌رویم. (agar havaa khub baashad, fardaa be paark miravim.), If the weather is good, tomorrow we'll go to the park.
• پارسال در ایران تعطیلات گذراندم. (paarsaal dar Iran ta'tilaat gozaraandam.), I spent my holidays in Iran last year.

B1 is the level most self-learners aim for in their first year. Around 350 to 500 hours of study.

B2 means you can have detailed conversations on a wide range of topics. You express opinions, argue a point, and follow most TV shows or podcasts.

Typical Farsi at this level:

• به نظر من، یادگیری زبان جدید مغز را قوی‌تر می‌کند. (be nazare man, yaadgiri-ye zaban-e jadid maghz raa qavi-tar mikonad.), In my opinion, learning a new language strengthens the brain.

B2 takes 600 to 800 hours of study for most learners. You can read newspapers with a dictionary nearby.

C1 means fluent, spontaneous use. You barely search for words, you can argue your case, and you can use Farsi for academic or professional work.

Typical Farsi at this level:

• اگر سیاست‌های اقتصادی تغییر کند، احتمال رشد بازار وجود دارد. (agar siyaasat-haaye eqtesaadi taqir konad, ehtemaale roshde baazaar vojud daarad.), If economic policies change, there's a chance the market will grow.

C1 sits around 1,000 hours of study, often combined with time in country.

C2 is near-native ability. You understand virtually anything you read or hear. You write essays, follow rapid native conversation, and pick up nuance and humour.

Typical Farsi at this level:

• این رمان با ظرافتی شاعرانه وضعیت بشری را به تصویر می‌کشد. (in romaan baa zaraafati shaa'eraane vaz'iate bashari raa be tasvir mikeshad.), This novel portrays the human condition with poetic delicacy.

Few non-native speakers ever reach C2. It usually takes years of immersion plus serious reading.

Most adult learners who study Farsi in their free time reach A2 in 6 to 9 months. With consistent daily practice, B1 is realistic in the first 12 to 18 months.

B2 and beyond require active speaking practice, exposure to native content, and ideally time in Iran or another Persian-speaking country.

For a deeper look at study time, see our guide on how long it takes to learn Farsi.

Right now Learn Farsi covers A1 fully and is filling out A2. The grammar lessons go further, into B1 territory, with topics like the subjunctive and conditional sentences.

We are working on labelling every lesson with its CEFR level so you can see your progress at a glance. That update will land in the next few weeks.

For a broader walkthrough of the language, read our complete Farsi language guide.