Lesson One

Vocabulary
Learn the following words:

gol
drxt
em
gu
ketab
main
eraq
ja
in
an
pesr
doxtr
pedr
madr
telefon
miz
dr
televiziyon
hotel
bank
bnm
reza
slam
slam 'lykom
hal
oma
hal-e oma
e-towr
st
bd
nist-m
motkker
motkker-m
mn
hm

flower
tree
ca
eye

ear
f
book
[
car

lamp
lZ
place

this
Z
that
r
boy; son

girl; daughter
a
father
c
mother
ca
telephone

table; desk

door
ca
television
r
hotel

bank

Shabnam (girl's name)

Reza (boy's name)

c
hello (person beginning a conversation)
q
hello (the other person)
q
condition; health
p
you (pl. or sing., polite)

your health
I p
how (question word)

is
Z
bad

I am not

thankful
N
thank you
qN
I

also; too

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xub
xub-m1
mrsi
xoda
hafez
xoda hafez
be-slamt

[
I am fine (lit., I am good)

thank you

God
Z
protector

bye (said by the person leaving)

Z
goodbye (said by the person staying)
good

Nouns
1. Objects
Persian does not have an equivalent for the English "the". Thus the word ca
'drxt' means both "tree" and "the tree," but not "that tree".

gol
drxt
ketab
main
eraq
ja

flower [the flower]

tree [the tree]
book [the book]
car [the car]
lamp [the lamp]
place [the place]

ca
[

lZ

Where more than one object is concerned, add '-ha' to the noun to make it plural:

gol-ha
drxt-ha
ketab-ha
main-ha
eraq-ha
ja-ha2

flowers
trees
books
cars
lamps
places

ca
[

lZ

2. People
Persian does not distinguish gender. Gender is reflected in the inherent content of
the noun. Example:

pesr
doxtr
pedr
madr

boy
girl
father
mother

a
c
ca

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Demonstrative Adjectives
in
this (pointing to an object close to you)
an
that (pointing to an object away from you)

Z
r

To form a demonstrative phrase, place a demonstrative adjective before the

singular or the plural form of the noun. Note that only the noun, not the demonstrative
adjective, assumes a plural form. Example:
singular:

in ja
in em
an drxt
in ketab
an main
in eraq

here, this place

this eye
that tree
this book
that car
this lamp

an ja-ha
in drxt-ha
an ketab-ha
in main-ha
an eraq-ha
an em-an

those places
these trees
those books
these cars
those lamps
those eyes

Z
Z
ca r
[ Z
r
lZ Z

plural:

r
ca Z
r
Z
Z r
r r

Learn the following sample phrases:

in ketab
in ketab-ha
an drxt-an
in main-ha
an gol

this book
these books
those trees
these cars
that flower

[ Z
Z
rca r
Z
r

Summary
So far in this lesson we have learned that:
(a) Like English nouns, Persian nouns have a singular and a plural form--the
plural is derived from the singular by adding '-ha'.
(b) Persian does not distinguish gender.
(c) Demonstrative adjectives precede the noun. The demonstrative adjective
does not have a plural form.

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Dialog
Learn the following dialog between Reza and Shabnam:

/ c q :
/ q : c
? Z c I p :
? Z c I p / qN / : c
/ / :
/ Z : c
/ :
Transcription
Shabnam:
slam reza.
slam 'lykom bnm.
Reza:
hal-e oma e-towr st?
Shabnam:
bd nist-m. motkker-m. hal-e oma e-towr
Reza:
st?
Shabnam:
mn hm xub-m. mrsi.
xoda hafez.
Reza:
be-slamt.
Shabnam:
Translation
Shabnam:
Reza:
Shabnam:
Reza:
Shabnam:
Reza:
Shabnam:

Hello Reza.
Hello Shabnam.
How are you?
I am fine (lit., I am not bad), thank you. How are you?
I am fine, too. Thank you.
Bye.
Goodbye.

Homework
1. Translate the following phrases into Persian and hand in to your instructor.
Make sure that your answers are in the Persian script!
this book
that book
these flowers
the television
these trees (two forms)
those fathers (two forms)

those telephones
these hotels
these girls (two forms)
that bank
that door
this television

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those lamps
the doors
those mothers (two forms)

those tables.
these places
those eyes

2. Translate the following from Persian into English:

an mizha
an drha
in madran
in gol
golha
an hotel
an ketab
an pesran
in bankha
in drxtha
televiziyon
an eraq
in emha
eraqha
an jaha
in doxtran
3. (in class) Practice the dialog using students' names.
4. Write out the dialog using other names.

r
ca r
rZca Z
Z

r
[ r
rZ r
Z
ca Z
r
lZ r
Z
Z
r
rZa Z

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Lesson Two
Vocabulary
Learn the following words:

jeld
nfr
mrd
kaqz
vrq
qaleb 3
sabun
sasan
b-bx-id
aqa
ki
ale 4
amuzgar 5
esm
i
e
aqa-ye jvad 6
mi-dan-id
sa't
dqiqe(h)
ble(h)
xyli
xahe mi-kon-m 7
minu
mina
hsn
mehrdad
ptu

volume (book)
individual
man
paper
sheet (of paper)
bar (of soap)
soap
Sasan (boy's name)
excuse me!
mister; gentleman
who (question word)
Zhaleh (girl's name)
teacher
name
what (question word)
what (literary form)
Mr. Javadi
do you know?
time; clock; hour; watch
minute
yes
very; much; a lot
you are welcome!
Minu (girl's name)
Mina (girl's name)
Hassan (boy's name)
Mehrdad (boy's name)
blanket

nct

r
r

fiZ
cd
Z

fi
waZI w
?Z

fia
fi

aZa

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Nouns
Objects (cont.)
As mentioned, Persian does not have a definite article. Persian nouns, therefore, are
inherently definite unless otherwise marked:
gol
bank

flower [the flower]

bank [the bank]

An indefinite noun, however, is marked by an unstressed w '-i':

gl-i
ketb-i
man-i
j-'i
pt-'i 8

a flower
a book
a car
a place
a blanket

When w '-i' is used with the plural form of the noun, it is the equivalent of "some" in
English:

miz-h-'i
ja-h-'i
em-h-'i

some tables
some places
some eyes

0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

Numbers
The Persian numbers 0 -12 are: 9

sefr
yek
do
se
har
pnj
e
hft
ht
noh
dh

zero
one
two
three
four
five
six
seven
eight
nine
ten

ta
fi

fi
sa

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yazdh
dvazdh

eleven
twelve

11
12

sad
sadZta

Numbers appear before the singular form of the noun to indicate one or more of a
thing. Example:

yek drxt
se miz
hft televiziyon
do hotel

one tree
three tables
seven televisions
two hotels

ca
fi
r
ta

The indefinite article w '-i' does not replace the numeral 'yek' "one"; rather it
introduces a degree of uncertainty about the number. In other words, w and are not
mutually exclusive. Compare:

yek miz
yek miz-i

one table; a table

a certain table

Classifiers
For counting things which come in volumes (books), bars (soap), or sheets (paper),
like English, Persian uses classifiers. These classifiers follow the numeral and precede
the noun. Example:

har jeld ketab

do nfr mrd
pnj vrq kaqz
do qaleb sabun

four volumes of books

two individual men
five sheets of paper
two bars of soap

[ c
a ta
nct
r ta

Most classifiers, however, can be replaced by the unspecified unitizer 'ta'. This
form is not used with 'yek'. Compare:

yek eraq
har ta ketab
do ta sabun

one lamp
four books (lit,, four [units of] book)
two soaps (lit., two [units of] soap)

lZ
[ c
r ta

In translating into English, 'ta' is usually left out of the translation. Example:

se ta miz
pnj ta dr
hft ta eraq 1 0

three tables
five doors
seven lamps

fi
ca
lZ

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The word 'nd ' is interesting in that it can be used as a numeral meaning
"several" or, it can be used as a question word to ask "how many". Compare:

nd ta ketab
nd ta ptu
nd ta ketab?
nd ta ptu?

several books
several blankets
how many books?
how many blankets?

? [
?

When 'nd' is used as a question word, the intonation pattern of the

sentence must be a question intonation, i.e., there must be a steady rise and a sharp
fall. (See the Tape Manual)
Combining the points in Lesson One about the noun and the demonstrative
adjectives with the information provided in this lesson about the numerals, we are now
able to generate phrases of the type presented below:

in do ta ketab
an e ta dr
in hft ta miz
an dh ta eraq

these two books

those six doors
these seven tables
those ten lamps

[ ta Z
ca r
Z
lZ sa r

The use of the unitizer 'ta' is optional, i.e., fi 'se' is just as good as fi 'se
ta' and 'hft' does the same thing as 'hft ta'. In speaking with
Persians, however, you will find that they use 'ta' quite often.
Finally, the combination of a number and the indefinite marker w '-i' imparts a
sense of vagueness and uncertainty to the phrase. In English this sense is expressed by
using words like "certain" and "about" or by using forms like "several," i.e., forms
which are inherently vague. Example:

yek mrd-i
pnj ta drxt-i
nd ta sabn-i

a certain man
about five trees
several bars of soap

wa
ca

Summary
So far we have learned that:
(a) Persian does not have a counterpart for the English definite article "the".
But it has an equivalent for the English "a".
(b) Numerals precede the singular form of the noun.
(c) Demonstrative adjectives are used before the numerals.
(d) Nouns may be classified in specific terms by using a classifier or they may
be classified in vague terms by adding 'ta'.

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The following chart demonstrates the order in which the elements of the noun
phrase occur:
Phrase

noun

ta

miz

table(s)

num
ta

fi

se

three

dem adj

in

these

Dialog
Learn the following dialog between Sasan and Zhaleh:

? Z r -
/ Z Icd r
? Z IcdI Z
/ Z waZ Iw IcdI Z
? Z M Z
/ Z I - fi
/ qN
/ Z
Transcription
Sasan: be-bx-id, an aqa ki st?
Zhale: an aqa amuzgar-e mn st.
Sasan: esm-e amuzgar-e oma i st?
Zhale: esm-e amuzgar-e mn aqa-ye
jvadi st.
Sasan: oma mi-dan-id sa't nd st?
Zhale: ble, sa't-e hft st.
Sasan: xeyli motkker-m.
Zhale: xahe mi-kon-m.

:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:

r
fiZ
r
fiZ
r
fiZ
r
fiZ

Translation
Sasan: Excuse me, who is that man?
Zhale: That gentleman is my teacher.
Sasan: What is your teacher's name?
Zhale: My teacher's name is Mr. Javadi.
Sasan: Do you know what time it is? 1 1
Zhale: Yes. It is seven o'clock.
Sasan: Thank you very much.
Zhale: You are welcome.

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Homework
1. Translate the following phrases into Persian. Write your answers in the
Persian script and hand in to your instructor :
these nine trees
those ten cars
that one lamp
this one television
those several doors

a bank
these five hotels
these books
the telephone
those eyes

2. Translate the following into English and hand in to your instructor :

ptu'i
an e ta main
in nd ta drxt
an ketabha
drxtha

r
ca Z
[ r
ca

an ht ta hotel
in har ta dr
se ta bank
nd ta drxti
hft ta ptu'i

r
ca c Z
fi
ca

3. Answer the following questions by using the numbers provided. Write your
full answers in the Persian script. Example:

7
3
9
12
1
5
11
10
6
4

? Z
M
? Z
I
((((
? Z
? Z
? Z
? Z
? Z
? Z
? Z
? Z
? Z

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4. Answer the following questions by using the names in parantheses. Write

your answers in the Persian script. Example:

) c *

? Z Z
/ Z c Z
((((
) * ? Z Z
) * ? Z Z
) * ? Z Z
) * ? Z Z
) r * ? Z Z
) aZa * ? Z Z
) fiZ * ? Z Z
5. (in class) Practice the dialog using your own names.
6. Combine the dialog in this lesson with the dialog in Lesson One. Write out
the new dialog.

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Lesson Three
Vocabulary
Learn the following words:

keyvan
qali
mal
mal-e
v
xeyr
bha
z
hezar
tuman
aya
kerman
kerman-
kaan
kaan-
ne-mi-dan-m
vli
tbriz
tbriz-
prm
prm-e iran

Kayvan, first name (male)

carpet
property
property of; belonging to
and
no
price; worth
from; than
thousand
unit of money equal to ten rials
marker for question sentences
Kerman, city in SE Iran
from (or made in) Kerman
Kashan, city in central Iran
from (or made in) Kashan
I don't know
but
Tabriz, city in NW Iran
from (or made in) Tabriz
flag
the flag of Iran

rZ

p
I p
t

dZ
cZ
r

Z
t

rZZI

Some names of countries

emrika
rusiyye
italiya
fqanestan
hend
kanada
iran
kore

America
Russia
Italy
Afghanistan
India
Canada
Iran
Korea

Z
fiNtc
Z
rZ

Za
rZZ
s

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The suffix w '-' (always stressed) is used to indicate belonging to a place or being
native of a town or a country. Often it also means made in a place or a country:

iran-
hend-

Iranian; made in Iran

ZZ
Indian; made in India
w
If the form ends in a vowel, such as in Za 'kanada' (Canada), a hamza precedes
the w , i.e., . Example:

kanada'
emrika'

Canadian; made in Canada

American; made in the US

Za
Z

Adjectives
Adjectives qualify nouns. Here are some Persian adjectives:

xub
bd
bozorg
kuek
qng
ziba
xo
xo-gel
xo-tip
xo-qiyafe
bd-qiyafe
zet
geran
rzan
bolnd
kutah

good; nice
bad
big; large
small
beautiful
beautiful; elegant
pleasant
pretty; beautiful
handsome
handsome; good looking
ugly; bad looking
ugly
expensive
inexpensive; cheap
tall; loud (sound)
short

d
f

f
fi
fi
d
rZ
rZdcZ

As a rule, Persian adjectives follow their noun and are not declined, i.e., there exists
no concordance between a noun in the plural and its modifying adjectives. The
adjectives themselves, however, may be modified by an intensifier like 'xeyli'
(very). Examples:

ziba
zn-e ziba
zn-ha-ye ziba
xeyli ziba

beautiful
beautiful woman
beautiful women
very beautiful

d
dI rd
d I wd
d

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The number of adjectives qualifying a noun is not limited; more than one adjective
may qualify a single noun. Example:

ketab-e xub
main-e kuek-e rzan

good book
inexpensive, small car

[ [
I
rZdcZI I

Comparison of Adjectives
The Comparative degree
Two degrees of comparison, comparative and superlative, are distinguished. To
indicate the comparative degree, add the suffix '-tr' "more, -er" to the adjective.
Example:

bozorg
bozorg-tr
xub
xub-tr
beh-tr
xo-qiyafe
xo-qiyafe-tr 1 2
geran
geran-tr

c
c
[

fi
fi
rZ
rZ

big
bigger
good
better
better
handsome
more handsome
expensive
more expensive

When two nouns are compared, the comparison marker dZ

before the second noun. Example:

pesr z doxtr bozorg-tr st

'z' "than" is used

/ Z c a dZ

The boy

is bigger than the girl.

The Superlative Degree

To indicate the superlative degree, add the suffix '-trin' "most, -est" to the
adjective. Example:

bozorg-trin
xub-trin
beh-trin
xo-qiyafe-trin

the biggest
the best
the best
the most handsome

c
[

fi

Unlike the demonstratives and the numerals which were simply added,
adjectives are attached to the noun (and to each other), with an ezafe (see Lesson

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Four). This attachment may be written out as a kasra ( ) below the last consonant
letter of the noun qualified. If the noun ends in an Z 'lef,' or a t 'vav,' a w 'ye' carries
the ezafe kasra. Compare:

televiziyon-e geran

expensive television

rZI

hotel-ha-ye bozorg

big hotels

cI

ptu-ye geran 1 3

expensive blanket

r
w

rZI w

The same procedure applies, if the noun ends in a s 'he' that is pronounced '-e,' but
not if the s 'he' is pronounced 'h'. Compare:

re'is-e xo-qiyafe-ye reza

dr-e kutah-e hotel

Reza's handsome boss

short door of the hotel

cI w fi fI c
I sI ca

When the indefinite marker w '-i' (not stressed) is to be added to a phrase, it will be
added to the last noun or adjective in that phrase. Example:

ketab-e xb-i
main-e kuek-e rzn-i

a good book
a small, inexpensive car

I [
ZdcZI I

It should be noted that like the plain adjective, the comparative degree follows
the noun qualified while the superlative degree precedes it.
Compare:

hotel-e bozorg-tr
drxt-ha-ye bolnd-tr

bigger hotel
taller trees

cI
I wca

But

bozorg-trin hotel
bolnd-trin drxt-ha

the biggest hotel

the tallest trees

c
ca

In general, however, the adjective does not interfere with the basic structure
summarized at the end of Lesson Two. Instead, it fits right in--after the noun:

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phrase

ezafe

adj

rZ

noun

ta

num

Using this model we can generate a large number of simple phrases: 1 4

Adj

sI

d
[

rZ
RZdcZ

noun

ca
lZ

r
ca

ta

num

ta
fi

fi
sa
sad
sadZta

dem

dem adj
Z

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Similarly, many simple phrases in the plural can be generated using the following:

Adj

sI

d
[

ezafe

ha

noun

rZ

ca
lZ

ca

dem

Colors may be used as adjectives. Learn the following words for color:

rng
xo-rng
bd-rng
sefid
siyah
sbz
zrd
surt-
bnf
narnj-
sorx
gol-
qermez
ab-
qhve'-
xakestr-

color
of pretty color
of ugly color
white
black
green
yellow
pink
purple
orange
red
red (rose color)
red
blue
brown
gray

c
c f
c

acd
c

c
`

wZ s
w

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Abstract Nouns and Adjectives

Some nouns and adjectives can be made abstract. To form an abstract noun, add the
suffix w '-' (always stressed) to the noun or adjective. Example:

mrd-
xub-
bozorg-
sefid-

manhood
goodness
bigness; greatness
whiteness

wa

c
w

In fact, the following colors are formed by adding w '-' to concrete nouns.
Compare:

gol
surt
narnj
portqal
ab
qhve
xakestr

flower
face
orange (bitter)
orange (sweet)
water
coffee
ashes

\c
c
p
[
s

Learn the following simple phrases:

ketab-e abi
eraq-e sefid
dr-e kutah-e sorx
main-e bozorg
gol-ha-ye zrd
hotel-ha-ye xub
dr-e sefid
gol-e sorx-tr
drxt-e sbz
main-e qng-tr
hotel-e rzan-tr
eraq-ha-ye kutah-tr
bozorg-trin bank
kuek-trin televiziyon
rzan-trin gol
bnf-trin miz
zet-trin telefon
sbz-trin drxt

blue book
white lamp
short, red door
big car
yellow flowers
good hotels
white door
redder flower
green tree
more beautiful car
cheaper hotel
shorter lamps
biggest bank
smallest television
cheapest flower
most purple table
ugliest telephone
greenest tree

I [
I lZ
`I sI ca
cI
acdI w
[I w
I ca
`I
I ca
I
rZdcZI
sI wZ
c
r
rZdcZ

d
ca

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Learn the following complex phrases:

in se ta ketab-e abi-ye qng

I I [ fi Z

these three beautiful blue books

an nd ta eraq-e sefid-e geran

rZI I lZ r

those several white, expensive lamps

do ta dr-e kutah-e zet

two ugly, short, doors

yek main-e siyah-e bozorg

dI sI ca ta
cI sI

a large, black car

hotel-ha-ye rzan-e xub

[I rZdcZI w

good, inexpensive hotels

an e ta gol-e qng-e zrd

acdI I r

those six beautiful, yellow flowers

Phrase Juxtaposition
It is possible to combine two or more phrases with the help of an ezafe (for ezafe,
see Lesson Four). In such cases elements of one phrase follow those of the other. And
the ezafe establishes the link. Note that the individual members of these phrases are
optional and can be left out:

phrase 2

mrd ta

phrase 1

ta

do an

main-e an mrd
main-e an do (ta) mrd
in main-e an mrd
in pnj main-e an mrd
in pnj ta main-e an do mrd
in pnj ta main-e an do ta mrd

e main ta

pnj

in

a rI
a )* ta rI
a rI Z
a rI Z
a ta rI Z
a ta rI Z

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Translation
that man's car
the car belonging to those two men
this car belonging to that man
these five cars belonging to that man
these five cars belonging to those two men
these five cars belonging to those two men

Summary
So far, in this lesson, we have learned that:
(a) Adjectives are forms that qualify nouns.
(b) In Persian, the adjective follows the noun and is attached to it by an ezafe.
(c) More than one adjective may qualify a noun.
(d) The comparative degree of adjectives is formed by adding '-tr' to the adjective.
(e) The superlative degree is formed by adding '-trin'.
(f) The superlative degree precedes the noun it qualifies.
(g) Some nouns and adjectives can be made abstract by adding a stressed '-' to them.

Dialog
? Z I p I r
/ Z a rI p r
? Z rI w
/ Z r cZ rI w
? Z rI p r
/ Z rI p r /
? Z I dZ I
/ Z wI t / Z

:
: rZ
:
: rZ
:
: rZ
:
: rZ

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Transcription

Translation

Minu: an qali-ye qng mal-e ki st?

Kayvan: an qali mal-e an mrd st.
Minu: bha-ye an qali nd st?
Kayvan: bha-ye an hezar tuman st.
Minu: aya an qali mal-e kerman st?
Kayvan: xeyr. an qali mal-e kaan st.
Minu: qali-ye kerman- z qali-ye kaan- beh-tr st?
Kayvan: ne-mi-dan-m. vli beh-trin qali qali-ye
tbriz- st.

Minu: To whom does that beautiful

carpet belong?
Kayvan: That carpet belongs to that man.
Minu: How much is the price of that
carpet?
Kayvan: The price of that carpet is a
thousand tumans.
Minu: Is that carpet a Kermani carpet?
Kayvan: No. That carpet is a Kashani
carpet.
Minu: Are Kermani carpets better than
Kashani carpets?
Kayvan: I don't know. But the best carpet
is a Tabrizi carpet.

Homework
1. Translate the following into English:

maine xakestri
hotele rzan
eraqe zrd
televiziyone kuek
gole sorx
dre kutah
telefone sefid
ketabe abi
hotele geran
banke bozorg
2. Transform the items in (1) into their plural forms.
3. Transform the items in (1)
a. into their comparative forms
b. into their superlative forms

wI
rZdcZI
acdI lZ
I r
`I
sI ca
I
I [
rZI
cI

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4. Write out, in the Persian script, the comparative and the superlative degrees of the following
adjectives. Example:

:
((((
- rZdcZ - [ - fi - fi f - f - - d - - c
/ wZ s - w - c - - ` - - rZ - d - s
5. Transform the following comparative phrases into superlative phrases. Write your answers in the
Persian script. Example:

c : cI
((((
rZdcZI - I ca - I - I r - I ca
/ sI ca - cI - rZdcZI - dI ca - fI c
6. Answer the following questions using the words in parentheses. Example:

) *

) *
) aZa *
) r *
) fiZ *
) *
) *
) *
)rZ *

? Z I p I r
/ Z I p I r
((((
? Z I p I r
? Z I p rZI w r
? Z I p I r r
? Z I p `I Z
? Z I p I w ca Z
? Z I p I I [ fi r
? Z I p rZdcZI [I Z
? Z I p I r Z

7. Learn the pattern sentence, then replace the appropriate words with those in parentheses.
Write your answers in the Persian script. Example:

)`I * )I * / Z I dZ I
/ Z `I dZ I
((((
) I * ) acdI *
)I ca * ) sI ca *
) rZI * ) rZdcZI *
)I I w * ) I I w *

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) I r * ) I r *
) I rI cI ca * ) cI ZI cI ca *
) I wZ sI * ) I wI *
8. Translate the following into English:

hotele xube rzan

maine sefide qng
drxte bolnde sbz
televiziyone sorxe kuek
telefone siyahe rzan
golhaye kueke bnf
eraqe surtiye bozorg
in do maine xakestriye zet
an nd gole abi
dre narnjiye kueke in maine bozorg

rZdcZI [I ( 1
I I ( 2
I I ca ( 3
I `I r ( 4
rZdcZI sI ( 5
I I w ( 6
cI cI lZ ( 7
dI wI ta Z ( 8
I r ( 9
cI ZI I cI ca ( 10

9. Translate the following into Persian:

1. two beautiful, blue flowers
2. a big, expensive, ugly lamp
3. those several small tables
4. eight ugly, orange telephones
5. these nine bad trees

6. ten white cars

7. a small, purple flower
8. expensive televisions
9. those five inexpensive blankets
10. the big, purple door

10. Answer the following using the colors enclosed in parentheses. Example:

) ` ( ( * ? Z c fi rZZI
/ Z ` t - rZZI
((((
) ` ( ( * ? Z c fi ZI
) ( ` ( ( s * ? Z c fi rZI
) ( ` * ? Z c fi ZaI
) ( ( ( ` * ? Z c fi I
)acd ( ` * ? Z c fi fiNtcI
) ( ( * ? Z c fi ZI
) s ( ( ( ` * ? Z c fi sI

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Lesson Four
Vocabulary
Learn the following words:

a. General

aqa
mrd
zn
be
xanom
dust
xane
mu
gisu
pa
koja
nzdik
resturan
ruberu
ruberu-ye
sinema
sib
holu
hendvane
nan
qza
sndli
goftogu
n

man; gentleman
man; gentleman
woman; lady; wife
child
lady
friend
house
hair
hair (poetic)
foot
where (question word)
near
restaurant
opposite
opposite from
movie theater
apple
peach
watermelon
bread
food
chair
dialog; conversation
no

a
rd
fiN

ta
fi

a
rZcc
ttc
I wttc

fiZt
r
Z

fi

b. Family

bradr
xahr 1 5
pedr-bozorg
madr-bozorg
zn; xanom

brother
sister
grandfather
grandmother
wife

caZ
Z
cc
cca
rd -

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owhr
hmsr
'mu
'mme
da'i
xale

husband
spouse
uncle (paternal)
aunt (paternal)
uncle (maternal)
aunt (maternal)

fiN
Za
fi

c. Professionals

mo'llem
doktor
ners
prstar
posti
ostad
re'is
moni
ufer
rannde
agerd

teacher
doctor
nurse
nurse
mailman
university professor
director; boss; manager; head
secretary
driver
driver
student; apprentice; conductor (bus)

N
a
e
c

aZ
c

sZc
a

mister; sir
Khan (used after first name)
(fem. of r) Mrs.; Ms.
doctor (title)
engineer

a
e

Ali (boy's name)

Parvaneh (girl's name)
Hushang (boy's name)
Manizheh (girl's name)
Manuchehr (boy's name)
Farhad (boy's name)
Bizhan (boy's name)
Farkhondeh (girl's name)
Loghman (boy's name)
Parvin (girl's name)
Mariam (girl's name)

fiZt

a
r
s
r
t

d. Titles

aqa
xan
xanom
doktor
mohndes
e. Names

'li
prvane
hung
mnie
mnuehr
frhad
bin
frxonde
loqman
prvin
mrym

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Pronouns
A pronoun is a form used as a substitute for a noun or a noun equivalent. The
following are the independent personal pronouns of Persian:

mn
to
u
ma
oma
an-ha 1 6

I
you (sing., familiar)
he/she
we
you (pl., sing., polite)

tZ

they
We shall see these pronouns later where they will be used as subject, object, etc. of
the verb. In this lesson, however, we shall study them as members of ezafe
constructions. As such these pronouns assume a possessive meaning.

-e mn
-e to
-e u
-e ma
-e oma
-e an-ha

my
your
his/her
our
your
their

Examples:

ketab-e mn
main-e an-ha
televiziyon-e sefid-e u
miz-e bozorg-e to

my book
their car
his (her) white television
your (sing.) large table

I [
I
tZI I r
I cI

Possession
Possession is expressed in one of two ways:
a) by adding a set of possessive endings to the noun representing the thing
possessed.
b) by relating the possessor and the thing possessed by means of an ezafe.
This lesson deals with these two forms of expressing possession.

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Possession by adding possessive endings

To form the possessive form of the noun, add the following endings to it:

-m
-t
-
-eman
-etan
-ean

my
your (sing.)
his/her
our
your (pl. or sing., polite)
their

qG
\G
fG
r
r
r

These endings can be attached to any noun that ends in a consonant. Example:

ketab-m
ketab-t
ketab-
ketab-eman
ketab-etan
ketab-ean

my book

r
r
r

If the noun ends in a vowel, the situation is slightly different. Compare:

xane-m
sndli-m

qZ fi
qZ

my house
my chair

but

ptu-ym
pa-ym

my blanket
my foot

In these cases, the following rules apply. If the form ends in s '-e(h)' or w '-i', add
an Z 'lef' before the endings representing I, you (sing.), and he/she. Example:

xane-m

my house

qZ
\Z
fZ
r
r
r

fi
fi
fi
fi
fi
fi

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sndli-m

my chair

qZ
\Z
fZ
r
r
r

If the noun ends in t 'u' or Z 'a', add a w 'ye' before all the endings. Example:

ptu-ym

pa-ym

my blanket

my foot

r
r
r

r
r
r

Learn the following phrases.

main-m
owhr-t
gisu-y
mu-y
gol-ha-yetan
pa-yt
dust-t
dust-ha-yt

my car
your husband
her hair
his/her hair
your flowers
your foot
your friend
your friends

ta
ta

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Possession by adding the ezafe

The ezafe construction is composed of two or more words related to each other in
either a possessor/possessed relationship or in a relationship of qualification. In both
cases the ezafe appears as a kasra ( I ) underneath the last letter of the noun
representing the thing possessed. Example:

ketab-e reza
ptu-ye u1 7

Reza's book
his/her blanket

c [
I
tZI w

The Possessor/Possessed Relationship

As can be seen, in the possessor/possessed case, the noun representing the thing
possessed appears first and is marked for ezafe with a kasra. The noun representing
the possessor follows. Here are some more examples:

miz-e amuzgar
sndli-ye oma
esm-e mn
dust-e to

cdI
I
I Z
I ta

the teacher's desk

your chair
my name
your friend

Relationship of Qualification
In this case, the noun being qualified appears first and is marked with a kasra. The
qualifying adjective follows. Example:

ketab-e xub
main-e sorx
sndli-ye kuek

good book
red car
small chair

[ [
I
`I
I

Other uses of the ezafe

In addition to possession and qualification, the ezafe is also employed for the
following purposes:
To relate the first name of an Iranian to his family name:

bnm-e jvadi

Shabnam Javadi 1 8

waZI

To relate a nonprofessional title to the family name of an Iranian:

aqa-ye jvadi
xanom-e jvadi

Mr. Javadi
Mrs. Javadi

waZI w
waZI

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To relate the possessive and qualitative members of an ezafe chain:

ketab-e xub-e pesr-e mn

I [
I [
I

my son's good book

eraq-e bozorg-e xane-ye doktor

aI w fi
I cI lZ

the large lamp of the doctor's house

In an ezafe construction, the head noun is the first member. Other nouns and adjectives are used after the head noun and all but the last must be marked with an ezafe.
The two ways of expressing possession, i.e., the use of the possessive endings on
nouns and the use of ezafe are interchangeable:

ketab-m
ketab-t
ketab-
ketab-eman
ketab-etan
ketab-ean

= ketab-e mn
= ketab-e to
= ketab-e u
= ketab-e ma
= ketab-e oma
= ketab-e an-ha

my book
your book
his/her book
our book
your book
their book

tZ

[
I
[
I
[
I
[
I
[
I
I[

r
r
r

The following rules govern the use of possessive endings and ezafe constructions:
1) If both the plural marker '-ha' and the possessive endings are to be
affixed to the same noun, the plural marker precedes the possessive ending:

ketab
ketab-ha
ketab-ha-yt

book
books
your books

2) If the possessive ending is to be added to an ezafe chain, it must be added to

the last member. The possessive endings do not take the ezafe:

eraq-e bozorg-e xane-ye doktor-m

the large lamp of my doctor's house

qaI w fi
I c I lZ

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Possession and the Noun Phrase

As you recall, the noun phrase has the following structure:

NP

noun

ta

num

dem. adj

When the possessive endings are added to this construction, they will necessarily
appear on the noun as follows:

NP

Noun

\Z fi
Z
r
r
r fiN

ta

num

fi

sad
sadZta
fi

dem adj
Z
r
Z
r
Z
r

Here are some more examples:

ketab-m
do ta bradr-t
in nd ta drxt-

my book

your two brothers

\caZ ta
these several trees belonging to him/her ca Z

In the case of possession through the use of the ezafe, the ezafe is added to the
noun indicating the thing possessed:

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NP

noun
tZ
a

waZ w

ezafe
I
I
I
I

noun

w fiN
w fi

ta

num
ta

sa

dem adj
Z
r
Z
r

Here are some more examples:

I aI r Z
I caZI a
I ca fi r
aI Z
I taI rZI r
Translation
These several televisions belonging to Mina's daughter.
Those three trees belonging to your brother's daughter.
Those eight expensive cars belonging to my professor's friend.
Finally, as you recall, the noun phrase can accommodate adjectives. The
adjective appears after the noun it qualifies. It is added to the noun by
means of an ezafe. Compare:

I caZI a [
I
I ca fi r
I caZ [
I I a
I ca fi r
[
I I caZI a
I ca fi r
Translation
Those three good trees belonging to your brother's daughter.
Those three trees belonging to your brother's good daughter.
Those three trees belonging to your good brother's daughter. 1 9
Finally, to conclude this section on possession, a word must be said about
the frequently used word p 'mal' "property; belonging" as an indicator of
ownership. 2 0 As such p is used at the beginning of the phrase and is
followed by an ezafe and the noun indicating possessor. The verb of the
sentence is usually "to be". Example:

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/ Z I p ca Z
/ I taI caZ I p fi r
/ Z f aI rI p Z
Translation
These several trees belong to us.
That house does not belong to my friend's brother.
This car belongs to that handsome man.
Learn the following ezafe constructions

pedr-e mn
'mu-ye u
xahr-e to
ketab-ha-ye an-ha
televiziyon-e to
main-ha-ye an-ha
sndli-ha-ye ma
eraq-ha-ye ma
ostad-e mn
ners-e u
mo'llem-ha-ye ma
moni-ye oma
re'is-e mn

my father
his/her uncle
your (sing.) sister
their books
your television
their cars
our chairs
our lamps
my professor
his/her nurse
our teachers
your secretary
my boss

I c
tZI w
I Z
I w
I r

I w
I w
I wZ
aI Z
tZI e
I wN
I
I c

Drill
Using the possessive endings, transform the following ezafe constructions into
possessive constructions. Example:

f
ta

[
I
waZI wI
aI I wta
///
I r
I w
tZI rZcc
a ZI cd
I lZ
fiZI wcaZ
I w fi
`I rI wZ

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rZI rI w
[I rZcc rI wZ
wI w rI w sZc
d aI rI w rd
I rd rI w fiN
I cI
aI cI
aI I w fiN
Learn the following phrases

1. pesr-e doktor
2. madr-e dust-e reza
3. bradr-e ners-e minu
4. pedr-bozorg-e mo'llem-e sasan
5. owhr-e ufer-e hsn
6. zn-e re'is-e bank
7. be-ye moni-ye loqman
8. ostad-e doxtr-e dust-e mina
9. madr-bozorg-e doxtr-e mrim
10. ufer-e pedr-e bin
11. agerd-e bradr-e keyvan
12. doxtr-e qng-tr-e doktor
13. bozorg-trin bank-e in-ja
14. bolnd-trin drxt-ha-ye in hotel
15. rzan-trin eraq-ha-ye an-ja
16. beh-trin agerd-e in mo'llem
17. sorx-trin gol-ha-ye oma

aI
c
I taI ca
I eI caZ
rI N
I cc
I I
I cI rd
rI I w fiN

I taI a aI Z
I a
I cca
rI cI
rZI caZ aI
aI I a
Z
I c
ZI wca
I wZ rZdcZ
N Z aI
I w `

Translation
1. the doctor's son
2. Reza's friend's mother
3. Minu's nurse's brother
4. Sasan's teacher's grandfather
5. Hassan's driver's husband
6. the bank director's wife
7. Loghman's secretary's child
teacher
8. Mina's friend's daughter's professor
9. Mariam's daughter's grandmother

10. Bizhan's father's driver

11. Kayvan's brother's student
12. the doctor's more beautiful girl
13. the biggest bank of this place
14. the tallest trees of this hotel
15. the cheapest lamps of that place
16. the best student of this
17. your reddest flowers

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Summary
So far we have learned that:
(a) Possession is expressed either by adding a set of possessive endings to the
noun or by using the ezafe.
(b) The ezafe is also used
1) for adding adjectives to nouns and other adjectives
2) for adding the last name of Iranians to their first name
3) to form ezafe chains
(c) In the main, possessive constructions are used after the demonstrative
adjectives, numbers and classifiers.

Dialog
? Z I Z - : a
/ Z I Z :
? Z I w fi Za / : a
/ Z rZcc Ia I w fi / fi :
? Z rZcc : a
/ Z I wttc rZcc :
? Z c rZcc rI wZ : a
/ Z rZdcZ t [ rZcc rI wZ :
/ qN : a
/ Z :
/ Z : a
/ :
Transcription
Farhad: b-bxid, esm-e oma i st?
Mariam: esm-e mn mrym st.
Farhad: mrym xanom. mi-dan-id xane-ye bnm koja st?
Mariam: ble. xane-ye bnm nzdik-e resturan st.
Farhad: resturan koja st?
Mariam: resturan ruberu-ye sinema st.
Farhad: qza-ye an resturan e-towr st?
Mariam: qza-ye an resturan xub v rzan st.
Farhad: xyli motkker-m.
Mariam: xahe mi-kon-m.
Farhad: xoda hafez.
Mariam: be-slamt.

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Translation
Farhad: Excuse me. What is your name?
Mariam: My name is Mariam.
Farhad: Mariam Khanom, Do you know where Shabnam lives
(lit., where Shabnam's house is)?
Mariam: Yes (I do). Shabnam's house is near the restaurant.
Farhad: Where is the restaurant?
Mariam: The restaurant is opposite from the movie theater.
Farhad: How is the food at that restaurant? 2 1
Mariam: The food of that restaurant is good and inexpensive.
Farhad: Thank you very much.
Mariam: You are welcome.
Farhad: Goodbye.
Mariam: Bye.

Practice Reading
lZ Z / Z r / Z Z / Z Z
r / Z Z / Z [ Z / Z r / Z
Z ? Z r ? Z Z / Z ca
a r / Z a r / [ r /
r - a r - fi / Z a r - fi ? Z
- cd rd r - fi ? Z cd rd r / Z rd
` Z - fi ? Z ` Z / Z ca rd r
r - fi ? [ Z / [ Z / Z
r / Z fiZt Z / Z r / [
r / Z r - fi ? Z r / Z
r - r - fi ? Z r / Z
/ Z r
lZ Z / Z lZ Z ? Z Z
r r / [ r Z / Z lZ r - fi ? Z
/ Z [ r r - fi ? Z [ r r / Z [

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Homework
1. Translate the following phrases into English:

behtrin duste hsn

madrhaye an do ta doxtr
zne doktore duste mn
ketabhaye rzantre to
golhaye sefidtre inja
telefone abiye hotel
xahre re'ise anha
ostade to
mo'lleme an agerd
doktore in beye kuek

I ta
a ta rI wca

I taI aI rd
I rZdcZI w [
ZI I w
I I
I cI Z
aI Z
a rI N
I w fiN ZI a

2. Use the words in parentheses to form sentences similar to the pattern provided in the example below.
Example:

) * ) *

/ Z I wttc rZcc
/ Z I wttc
((((
) fiZI w fi * ) I w fi *
) rZcc * ) rZZ *
) I w fi * ) I w fi *
) aI * ) tZI *
) I rZcc * ) I w fi *
) aI ZI w fi * )
I *
) I w sZc
I * ) I cI *

3. Answer the following questions. Use the words in parentheses in your answer
and make necessary changes.
Example:

) [ *

? Z c rZcc rI wZ
/ Z [ rZcc rI wZ
((((
) * ? Z c a rI p
) rZdcZ * ? Z c rI w

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) [ * ? Z c r
I c
) rZ * ? Z c I r rI w
) [ * ? Z c fiN r
I ta
) rZ * ? Z c rI w
) rZdcZ * ? Z c fi rI w

4. Use the words in parentheses in the basic sentence to form new sentences.
Write your answers in the Persian script.
Example:

) * ) rZZ * / Z rZcc
I a I w fi
/ Z
I a rZZ
((((
) * ) *
) * ) *
) * ) r *
) ca * ) lZ *
) * ) *
) * ) ca *
) * ) r *
) rZZ * ) fiNtc *
) rZ * ) *
) Z * ) Za *
5. Translate the following phrases into Persian:
1. your (sing.) teachers
2. our better students
3. my daughter's beautiful friends
4. their sons' bigger, blue cars
5. his nurse's two children

6. the most beautiful, purple flowers

7. these inexpensive, gray tables
8. several tall boys
9. seven more expensive doors
10. some five red lamps

6. Translate the following phrases into English:

1. e ta drxte sbz
2. noh ta hotele geran
3. nd ta doxtre qng
4. in telefonhaye rzane zrd
5. beye doktore u
6. mo'llemhaye xube minu
7. pesre re'ise bank

I ca
rZI fi
I a
acdI rZdcZI w Z
tZI aI w fiN
[
I I wN
I cI

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8. maine narnjiye zete to

9. ketabhaye rzane ma
10. dusthaye beye xahre u

I dI cI
I rZdcZI w [
tZI ZI w fiNI w ta

7. Translate the following phrases into Persian:

several green trees
those inexpensive grey telephones
his brother's friend's child
our ugly, expensive television
this hotel's handsome manager
Dr. Javadi's beautiful secretary
the best watermelon of those restaurants
Dr. Javadi's small foot
8. Write a "new" dialog by combining the four dialogs presented so far.

The hyphen (-) is used to separate meaningful grammatical segments known as

morphemes. It shows what the various components of a given word are. For instance,
'xub' means "good" and the suffix '-m' means "I am". The hyphen is not a break in the
word. Therefore, pronounce the words as complete entities as if there were no hyphens:
'xubm'. This hyphen is not used in exercises.

In writing,

'-ha' may be attached to nouns that end in a connecting letter: - Z

but c . There are also other plural markers borrowed from Arabic but used on Persian
words as well. We do not intend to teach these plural formations here in full, but we shall
provide a few examples for each. The student should not feel obliged to memorize all these
forms at this early stage. We shall return to these constructions later and discuss them in
detail.
The Arabic plural marker rZ '-an'. This suffix is usually restricted in use. It is used
with animate nouns and parts of the body that come in pairs:

em-an
gu-an
drxt-an
pesr-an
doxtr-an
pedr-an
madr-an

r
r
rca
rZ
rZa
rZc
rZca

eyes
ears
trees
boys
girls
fathers
mothers

Generally, words of Arabic origin may have either a regular or a broken plural. \Z
for instance, is a regular plural marker; it appears on words such as the following:
singular

'-at',

plural

nbat

nbat-at

plants

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l
sa

baq
deh

Where the word ends in a final fi '-e(h),' \

ruzname(h)

Another instance is the suffix

plural

\ fidtc

ruzname(h)-jat

newspapers

'-in' used on such words as:

singular

c
N

gardens
villages

'-jat' is used instead of \Z '-at' :

singular

fidtc

baq-at
deh-at

\
\a

plural

m'mur
mo'llem

c
N

m'mur-in
mo'llem-in

officials
teachers

For the broken plural, see Lesson Nine, p. 168.

Words such as nct 'vrq' "sheet (of paper)" and 'qaleb' "bar (of soap)" are
used here for explaining grammatical points. They are not considered vocabulary to be
memorized at this stage.

The final fi '-h' is usually written but, unless followed by a vowel, is not pronounced.

The pronunciation 'amuzegar' is also correct.

For the uses of the ezafe, see Lesson Four, pp. 54-57.

The word Z

'xahe' (written with a silent t 'vav' before Z 'lef') means "request."

'xahe mikonm,' however, is an idiomatic phrase meaning "don't

mention it!" or "please!". It is the short form of "I request that you do not..." .
Note that in writing, the definite article marker w '-i' is preceded by a 'hamza' when
following a t 'vav' indicating the sound 'u' or an Z 'lef ' indicating the sound 'a'.

For fractions and percentages, see the "Writing System," p. 28.

10

11

In writing, 'ta' is usually not attached to the preceding noun.

Note the uses of the sokun and the ezafe in the exchange. Furthermore, in telling time, the
words 'nim' "half", c 'rob' ' "quarter" and 'km' "to (in telling time only)" are
used as follows:

sa't-e yek v nim st

sa't-e do v rob' st
sa't-e hft rob' km st

/ Z t
I
/ Z c t ta
I
/ Z c
I

It is half past one.

It is a quarter past two.
It is a quarter to seven.

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sa't-e se v pnj dqiqe km st

/ Z fia t fi
I

It is five minutes to three.

Note also that in spoken Persian "v" is pronounced '-o', i.e., 'yek-o nim'. And,
furthermore, that when this '-o' is preceded by a vowel, a '-v-' is inserted between that
vowel and '-o':

sa't-e do-v-o rob'

sa't-e se-v-o pnj dqiqe km

After forms ending in a final fi '-eh', the comparative suffix '-tr' "more" is written
separately.

12

13

14

15

16

17

In writing, with some exceptions, both '-tr' and '-trin' "most" may be attached
to the preceding form.
The unitizer 'ta' is not used with .
Note that Z 'xahr' "sister," written with a silent t 'vav' before Z 'lef ', is pronounced
'xahr' and not 'xvahr' as expected.
Sometimes the word r Z 'ian ' "they" is used instead of 'an-ha '. This word can
be interpreted both as he/she and they.
Note that the w in this example carries the ezafe.

18

The ezafe added to the first name of Persians is not translated into English: Shabnam
Javadi as opposed to the expected Shabnam-e Javadi.

19

Note that in all these constructions the adjective defines the preceding noun and that
the possessive construction usually ends the noun phrase.

20

A literary equivalent of p 'mal' "property" is r dZ

used with the ezafe. Example:

'z an'. This form, too, is

in qali z an-e mn nist/ I r dZ Z This carpet does not belong to me.

21

Note that c
of...?"

'e-towr' "how" can also be used in the sense of "What do you think