Language/Iranian-persian/Grammar/Lesson-3:-Word-order-in-Persian-sentences

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Iranian Persian → Grammar → 0 to A1 Course → Unit 2: Sentence structure and basic verb conjugation → Lesson 3: Word order in Persian sentences

In this lesson, we will learn about the basic rules of syntax in Persian. Specifically, we will focus on the word order in Persian sentences, including the order of subject, object, and verb. Understanding the correct word order is essential for effective communication in Persian. By the end of this lesson, you will be able to construct simple sentences with the correct word order and convey your thoughts more accurately.

Sentence structure in Persian

Before we dive into the word order, let's briefly discuss the general sentence structure in Persian. Persian follows a Subject-Object-Verb (SOV) order, which means that the subject comes first, followed by the object, and finally the verb. This is different from English, which typically follows a Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) order. Understanding this fundamental difference is crucial for constructing grammatically correct sentences in Persian.

Let's take a look at an example sentence in Persian:

Iranian Persian	Pronunciation	English
مادر	mādar	mother
سیب	sib	apple
می‌خورد	mikhord	eats

Translation: The mother eats an apple.

As you can see, the subject "مادر" (mother) comes first, followed by the object "سیب" (apple), and finally the verb "می‌خورد" (eats).

Word order in simple sentences

Now that we understand the general sentence structure in Persian, let's explore the word order in different types of simple sentences.

Subject-Object-Verb (SOV) order

As mentioned earlier, Persian follows an SOV order. In this word order, the subject is followed by the object and then the verb. Let's look at some examples:

Example 1

Iranian Persian	Pronunciation	English
من	man	I
کتاب	ketāb	book
می‌خوانم	mikhanam	read

Translation: I read a book.

In this example, the subject "من" (I) comes first, followed by the object "کتاب" (book), and finally the verb "می‌خوانم" (read).

Example 2

Iranian Persian	Pronunciation	English
تو	to	you
ماشین	māshin	car
می‌خری	mikhari	buy

Translation: You buy a car.

Here, the subject "تو" (you) precedes the object "ماشین" (car), and then the verb "می‌خری" (buy).

Object-Subject-Verb (OSV) order

Although the most common word order in Persian is SOV, there are instances where the object comes before the subject. This is known as the OSV order. Let's see some examples:

Example 1

Iranian Persian	Pronunciation	English
ماشین	māshin	car
تو	to	you
می‌خرم	mikharam	buy

Translation: I buy a car for you.

In this example, the object "ماشین" (car) is placed before the subject "تو" (you), and then the verb "می‌خرم" (buy).

Example 2

Iranian Persian	Pronunciation	English
مرد	mard	man
گل	gol	flower
می‌دهد	midehad	gives

Translation: The man gives a flower.

Here, the object "گل" (flower) is followed by the subject "مرد" (man), and then the verb "می‌دهد" (gives).

Word order with modifiers

In addition to the basic word order, Persian allows for the inclusion of modifiers such as adjectives and adverbs. Let's see how the word order is affected when modifiers are added to the sentence.

Modifier before the noun

When an adjective or an adverb is used to modify a noun, it usually comes before the noun in Persian. Let's look at some examples:

Example 1

Iranian Persian	Pronunciation	English
خانه	khāne	house
بزرگ	bozorg	big
است	ast	is

Translation: The house is big.

In this example, the adjective "بزرگ" (big) comes before the noun "خانه" (house), and then the verb "است" (is).

Example 2

Iranian Persian	Pronunciation	English
ماشین	māshin	car
سریع	sari'	fast
می‌راند	mirānd	drives

Translation: The car drives fast.

Here, the adverb "سریع" (fast) precedes the noun "ماشین" (car), and then the verb "می‌راند" (drives).

Modifier after the noun

In some cases, modifiers can be placed after the noun they modify. This is common with certain adjectives and adverbs. Let's see some examples:

Example 1

Iranian Persian	Pronunciation	English
ماشین	māshin	car
قرمز	ghermez	red
است	ast	is

Translation: The car is red.

In this example, the adjective "قرمز" (red) comes after the noun "ماشین" (car), and then the verb "است" (is).

Example 2

Iranian Persian	Pronunciation	English
مرد	mard	man
باهوش	bāhush	intelligent
است	ast	is

Translation: The man is intelligent.

Here, the adjective "باهوش" (intelligent) follows the noun "مرد" (man), and then the verb "است" (is).

Negation in Persian sentences

To form negative sentences in Persian, the word "نه" (næ) is typically used before the verb. Let's see some examples:

Example 1

Iranian Persian	Pronunciation	English
من	man	I
نه	næ	not
می‌خوانم	mikhanam	read

Translation: I do not read.

In this example, the word "نه" (næ) is placed before the verb "می‌خوانم" (read) to indicate negation.

Example 2

Iranian Persian	Pronunciation	English
تو	to	you
نه	næ	not
می‌فهمی	mifahmi	understand

Translation: You do not understand.

Here, the word "نه" (næ) precedes the verb "می‌فهمی" (understand) to express negation.

Interrogative sentences in Persian

To form interrogative sentences in Persian, the word order remains the same as in affirmative sentences. However, a question mark is added at the end of the sentence to indicate a question. Let's see some examples:

Example 1

Iranian Persian	Pronunciation	English
آیا	āyā	Do
تو	to	you
می‌خوانی	mikhani	read

Translation: Do you read?

In this example, the word "آیا" (āyā) is used at the beginning of the sentence to form a question, and the question mark is added at the end.

Example 2

Iranian Persian	Pronunciation	English
چرا	chera	Why
می‌آیی	miāyi	come

Translation: Why do you come?

Here, the word "چرا" (chera) is placed at the beginning of the sentence to indicate a question, and the question mark is added at the end.

Conclusion

In this lesson, we have learned about the word order in Persian sentences. We explored the Subject-Object-Verb (SOV) order and the Object-Subject-Verb (OSV) order in different types of sentences. We also discussed the placement of modifiers and the formation of negative and interrogative sentences in Persian. Understanding the correct word order is essential for constructing grammatically correct sentences and effectively communicating in Persian. Keep practicing and applying these rules in your conversations to become more proficient in Persian.

Table of Contents - Iranian Persian Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

Unit 1: Basic greetings and introductions

• Lesson 1: Saying "Hello" and "Goodbye"
• Lesson 2: Introducing yourself and others

  ---

Unit 2: Sentence structure and basic verb conjugation

• Lesson 3: Word order in Persian sentences
• Lesson 4: Present tense conjugation of the verb "to be"
• Lesson 5: Present tense conjugation of regular verbs

  ---

Unit 3: Talking about daily routines

• Lesson 6: Talking about your daily routine
• Lesson 7: Talking about others' daily routines

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Unit 4: Object pronouns and possessive pronouns

• Lesson 8: Direct object pronouns
• Lesson 9: Possessive pronouns

  ---

Unit 5: Persian culture and customs

• Lesson 10: Persian etiquette and hospitality
• Lesson 11: Persian holidays and celebrations

  ---

Unit 6: Food and drink

• Lesson 12: Ordering food and drink
• Lesson 13: Talking about food and drink

  ---

Unit 7: Past tense and regular verbs conjugation

• Lesson 14: Past tense of regular verbs
• Lesson 15: Word order in past tense sentences

  ---

Unit 8: Persian literature and arts

• Lesson 16: Persian poetry and classical literature
• Lesson 17: Persian cinema and music

  ---

Unit 9: Travel and transportation

• Lesson 18: Means of transportation
• Lesson 19: Travel preparations and bookings

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Unit 10: Imperative mood, infinitives and complex sentences

• Lesson 20: Using the imperative mood
• Lesson 21: Using infinitives
• Lesson 22: Complex sentences and conjunctions

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Unit 11: Persian history and geography

• Lesson 23: Persian civilization and ancient history
• Lesson 24: Modern history and contemporary issues

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Unit 12: Leisure and entertainment

• Lesson 25: Sports and active recreation
• Lesson 26: Entertainment and leisure activities

Other Lessons

• Conditional Mood
• Past Tense
• Official and informal differences
• Pronouns
• Lesson 8: Direct object pronouns
• Adjectives
• How to Use Have
• How to say thank you
• Gender

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Next Lesson — Lesson 4: Present tense conjugation of the verb "to be" ▶️