خیلی
xeyli/ˈxaj.leː/
In Persian, 'very' can be expressed as خیلی (xeyli) or بسیار.
Meaning: to a high degree (adv)
Ways to say it
| Persian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| خیلی | xeyli | /ˈxaj.leː/ (Classical Persian) |
| بسیار | besyâr | /bis.ˈjaːr/ (Classical Persian) |
Both forms are adverbs used to indicate that something is occurring to a high degree. You can also create the phrase خیلی زیاد by adding the word for 'much' or 'a lot' to خیلی to further emphasize a large quantity or degree.
Which one should you use?
بسیار is a more formal and literary version of 'very' compared to خیلی.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adverb خیلی typically precedes the adjective it modifies, behaving the same way as it does in English.
How do you pronounce it?
خیلی is pronounced /ˈxaj.leː/. The first of the two syllables is stressed.
Did you know?
- The word خیلی has an unexpected military origin, having evolved from the word خیل, which refers to a 'squadron of cavalry' or an 'army'.
- In spoken Persian, خیلی is often used as an intensifier for both positive and negative emotions without changing its form.
Examples in context
- تیغه خیلی تیز بود.The blade was very sharp.This sentence shows how to use خیلی to describe the sharpness of a blade.Tatoeba #12699614 by manelie, translation #2267967 by _undertoad
- من خیلی صادق بودم.I was very frank.This sentence shows how to use خیلی to describe being frank.Tatoeba #12743336 by manelie, translation #5858124 by CK
- تام خیلی زیرک است.Tom is very ingenious.This sentence shows how to use خیلی to describe being ingenious.Tatoeba #12850849 by manelie, translation #3436790 by CK
- این کتاب، خیلی سودمند است.This book is very useful.
- او عصبانی نیست، فقط خیلی داغونه.He's not angry, just really upset.
- تو واقعاً دوست داشتنی هستی.You're really likable.
- 102 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Amir and Maryam are discussing a meal they just ate.
- امیر Amirغذا خیلی خوشمزه بود.Ghazā kheyli khoshmaze bud.The food was very delicious.
- مریم Maryamبله، من هم خیلی خوشم آمد.Bale, man ham kheyli khosham āmad.Yes, I liked it very much too.
- امیر Amirرستوران خیلی شلوغ بود، نه؟Resturān kheyli sholugh bud, na?The restaurant was very crowded, wasn't it?
- مریم Maryamآره، ولی سرویس‌دهی خیلی سریع بود.Āre, vali servis-dehi kheyli sari bud.Yeah, but the service was very fast.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “very” translations and entries خیلی, بسیار, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries بسیار, خیلی, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
