عالی
'âli/ʔaː.ˈliː/
The English word "perfect" can be translated into Persian as عالی ('âli), meaning excellent and delightful in all respects.
While it can mean 'perfect' in the sense of 'flawless', it is most commonly used as an exclamation to mean 'great' or 'excellent' in response to good news or a job well done.
Meaning: excellent and delightful in all respects (adj)
Which one should you use?
If you want to emphasize that something is 'perfect' because it lacks any errors or defects (flawless), use بی‌نقص instead of عالی. Additionally, مناسب works as a viable formal alternative for conveying the idea of suitability and perfection for a specific purpose.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ʔaː.ˈliː/. It has 2 syllables, with the stress on the 2nd syllable.
Did you know?
- In formal Persian poetry, the concept of perfection is often linked to the word کمال, which describes a spiritual or intellectual state rather than just a 'flawless' object.
- When someone says عالی, a common cultural response to maintain modesty is to deflect the praise with a phrase like لطف دارید, meaning 'you are being kind'.
- In casual conversation, Iranians often repeat the word as عالی عالی to express an even higher level of enthusiasm or excitement.
Examples in context
- او یک دانشمند کامل است.He is a perfect scientist.
- آن تقدیر کاملی بود.That was a perfect destiny.
- نمایش بی‌نقصی بود.The performance was perfect.
- شام عالی بود.The dinner was perfect.
- این غذا عالی است.in ghazā āli ast.This food is excellent.
- یک روز عالی داشتیم.yek ruz-e āli dāshtim.We had a wonderful day.
- ایده‌ی تو عالی بود.ide-ye to āli bud.Your idea was excellent.
Example conversation
Reza and Maryam are discussing a movie they just watched.
- رضا Rezaفیلم چطور بود، مریم؟Film chetor bud, Maryam?How was the movie, Maryam?
- مریم Maryamواقعاً عالی بود!Vāghean āli bud!It was really perfect!
- رضا Rezaمن هم همین‌طور فکر می‌کنم.Man ham hamin-tor fekr mikonam.I think so too.
- مریم Maryamپایانش عالی بود.Pāyānesh āli bud.The ending was perfect.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry عالی, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
