Persian or Farsi?


Farsi is the 'Arabized' equivalent for 'Parsi'. Since there is no /p/ sound in Arabic language, the Arabs replaced /p/ of Parsi with /f/ after they invaded Iran. Parsi refers to Persia and means 'of Persia' or 'of Iran', the English version of which is Persian, while 'Farsi' conveys no message about the background of Iran (known as Persia in history). In this regard, 'Persian' is equal to 'Iranian'.
Today, the Iranians use the term Farsi for their language only. The English equivalent of 'Farsi' is 'Persian' (Like Deutsch and German). The Iranians prefer Persian to Farsi since Persian has a broader meaning and could be used for all Iran-related items (such as Persian language, Persian cat, Persian rug / carpet, Persian literature, Persian Gulf, and so on) while Farsi fails to do so.
In short, Persian language is the official language in Iran. The Iranians call this language 'Farsi'. There is one more thing to add to this short explanation and that is about 'Persian' and 'Iranian'. Remember that all native Persians are Iranian, or at least were Iranian at some point in history (like those in Tajikistan and Afghanistan), but not all Iranians are Persian! EX: All native New Yorkers are American, but not all Americans are New Yorkers! Iran today has wide variety of ethnic groups one of which is Persian. The contemporary ‘Persian', as an ethnic group, in Iran mostly refers to those whose native language is the language of the capital city named Tehran. Such ethnic groups like Kurd, Turk, Turkman, Balouch, Gilak, Mazan, even Arab and others who are originally from Iran are also Iranian. However, not all of them are Persian.
I know some of you maybe still not satisfied with this Persian or Farsi discussion. However, this is the shortest way I could present here and you'd better dive into the history to find more if interested (and if you think history is true)!!