عالی
'âli/ʔaː.ˈliː/
The English word 'excellent' is translated into Persian as عالی ('âli).
عالی is an adjective used to describe something of the highest quality. It can also function as an interjection to express enthusiastic approval, similar to saying 'Great!' or 'Wonderful!' in response to good news.
Meaning: of the highest quality (adj)
Which one should you use?
While عالی is the standard form, you might encounter برتر, which conveys a sense of superiority or بسیار خوب, which literally means 'very good' but is used to express excellence in formal settings.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective عالی is invariant, meaning it does not change its form to agree with gender or number.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ʔaː.ˈliː/. It has 2 syllables, with the stress on the 2nd syllable.
When do people say it?
Using عالی! as an interjection is a common way to show enthusiastic approval of something someone has said or done.
Did you know?
- While عالی is a common way to express approval, a more casual, slangy way to say something is 'excellent' or 'cool' among youth is to use the word ایول.
- In Persian calligraphy, the letters forming عالی are often used by artists to demonstrate the elegant flow of the 'Naskh' or 'Nastaliq' styles.
- Even though عالی is used as an adjective in Persian, its Arabic roots actually stem from a word meaning 'high' or 'elevated' in height.
Examples in context
- عالی!Excellent!This example shows how to use عالی as a standalone exclamation.Tatoeba #4688906 by reto, translation #1613750 by zzxjoanw
- غارها در بالای تپه قرار دارند و یک مرصاد عالی فراهم می‌کنند.The caves are situated on a hilltop and provide an excellent vantage point.This sentence uses عالی to describe a vantage point.Tatoeba #13131932 by cojiluc, translation #11121373 by CM
- یک مرد عالی کسیست که هیچ دشمنی ندارد و هیچیک از دوستانش دوستش ندارند.An excellent man: he has no enemies, and none of his friends like him.This sentence uses عالی to describe a man.Tatoeba #9933148 by cojiluc, translation #1785930 by inastar
- این کتاب عالی است.This book is excellent.
- او یک هنرمند برتر است.He is an excellent artist.
- کارش بسیار خوب بود.His work was excellent.
- فیلم خیلی عالیه.The movie is excellent.
Example conversation
Ali and Sara are discussing a restaurant they visited.
- علی Aliغذای رستوران چطور بود؟ghazā-ye resturān chetor bud?How was the restaurant food?
- سارا Saraخیلی عالی بود، علی.kheyli āli bud, Ali.It was very excellent, Ali.
- علی Aliخوشحالم که خوشت آمد.khoshhālam ke khoshet āmad.I am glad you liked it.
- سارا Saraحتماً دوباره به آنجا می‌آیم.hatman dobāre be ānjā mi-āyam.I will definitely come there again.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “excellent” translations and entries عالی, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries عالی, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
