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Mastery: Word Order
A2·ElementaryMaster Farsi word order in complex sentences
Lesson Overview
8 exercises · Level 3
Grammar Explanation
Mastery: Word Order
You already know the verb goes last. The question this lesson answers is what happens in between — where the time word, the object and the "to ..." phrase go.
The Full Order
Subject + Time + Object (with "ro") + Place / To whom + Verb
| Phonetic | Literal | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| man dirooz noon kharidam | I yesterday bread bought | I bought bread yesterday |
| man ketab ro be doostam dadam | I the-book to my-friend gave | I gave the book to my friend |
| man har rooz be madrese miram | I every day to school go | I go to school every day |
| madaram har rooz ghazaye khoob mipaze | my-mother every day good-food cooks | My mother cooks good food every day |
Key Points
- Time comes early, right after the subject: "man dirooz noon kharidam". It can also move to the very front for emphasis: "dirooz man noon kharidam".
- A definite object moves left. When the object takes "ro" it goes before the "be ..." phrase: "man ketab ro be doostam dadam".
- An indefinite object stays next to the verb, so it goes after the "be ..." phrase: "man be doostam ketab dadam" = I gave a book to my friend.
- Place and "to whom" sit just before the verb: "be madrese miram", "be doostam dadam".
- The verb is always last, however many parts come before it.
Compare
| Phonetic | Meaning |
|---|---|
| man be doostam ketab dadam | I gave a book to my friend |
| man ketab ro be doostam dadam | I gave the book to my friend |
The only difference is "ro" — and it is what moves the object to the left.