Language/Iranian-persian/Grammar/Lesson-5:-Present-tense-conjugation-of-regular-verbs

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◀️ Lesson 4: Present tense conjugation of the verb "to be" — Previous Lesson	Next Lesson — Lesson 6: Talking about your daily routine ▶️

Iranian Persian → Grammar → 0 to A1 Course → Unit 2: Sentence structure and basic verb conjugation → Lesson 5: Present tense conjugation of regular verbs

Introduction

In this lesson, we will learn how to conjugate regular verbs in the present tense in Iranian Persian. We will also learn how to make simple statements in the affirmative, negative, and interrogative form using the present tense. This is an important aspect of Iranian Persian grammar and will greatly enhance your ability to communicate in Persian. By the end of this lesson, you will be able to form basic present tense sentences and engage in simple conversations with native Persian speakers. Let's get started!

Conjugation of Regular Verbs in the Present Tense

To conjugate regular verbs in the present tense, we need to identify the root of the verb and add the appropriate endings based on the subject of the sentence. In Iranian Persian, there are three types of regular verbs: verbs ending in -am, verbs ending in -im, and verbs ending in -am, -im, or -em. Let's take a look at each type and how they are conjugated in the present tense.

Verbs ending in -am

Verbs ending in -am are conjugated as follows:

Iranian Persian	Pronunciation	English
خواندَن	xândan	to read
خوردَن	xordan	to eat
نوشتَن	neveštan	to write
آمدَن	âmadan	to come
رفتَن	raftan	to go
بودَن	budan	to be

As you can see from the table above, the present tense conjugation of verbs ending in -am is formed by removing the -am ending and adding the appropriate endings based on the subject. Let's conjugate the verb "خواندَن" (to read) in the present tense:

I read: خوانْده اَم (xândeh am)
You read: خوانْده ای (xândeh i)
He/She reads: خوانْده است (xândeh ast)
We read: خوانْده ایم (xândeh im)
You read: خوانْده اید (xândeh id)
They read: خوانْده اند (xândeh and)

Please note that the pronouns "I" and "you" are not explicitly mentioned in Iranian Persian. The verb form itself indicates the subject of the sentence. For example, "خوانْده اَم" (xândeh am) can be translated as "I read" or "I am reading" depending on the context.

Verbs ending in -im

Verbs ending in -im are conjugated as follows:

Iranian Persian	Pronunciation	English
می‌خوانَم	mi-xândam	I am reading
می‌خورَم	mi-xoram	I am eating
می‌نویسَم	mi-nevisam	I am writing
می‌آیَم	mi-âyam	I am coming
می‌رَوَم	mi-rawam	I am going
هَسْتَم	hastam	I am

As you can see from the table above, the present tense conjugation of verbs ending in -im is formed by adding the prefix "می‌" (mi-) before the verb and the appropriate endings based on the subject. Let's conjugate the verb "خوانَم" (to read) in the present tense:

I read: می‌خوانَم (mi-xândam)
You read: می‌خوانی (mi-xândi)
He/She reads: می‌خوانَد (mi-xândad)
We read: می‌خوانیم (mi-xândim)
You read: می‌خوانید (mi-xândid)
They read: می‌خوانَند (mi-xândand)

The prefix "می‌" (mi-) is used to indicate the present continuous tense in Persian. It is similar to the English construction "I am [verb]ing."

Verbs ending in -am, -im, or -em

Verbs ending in -am, -im, or -em are conjugated as follows:

Iranian Persian	Pronunciation	English
می‌گویَم	mi-guyam	I am saying
می‌مانَم	mi-mânam	I am staying
می‌دهَم	mi-daham	I am giving
می‌مِیرَم	mi-miram	I am dying
می‌آمَدَم	mi-âmadam	I am coming
می‌رَفْتَم	mi-raftam	I am going

As you can see from the table above, the present tense conjugation of verbs ending in -am, -im, or -em is formed by adding the prefix "می‌" (mi-) before the verb and the appropriate endings based on the subject. Let's conjugate the verb "گویَم" (to say) in the present tense:

I say: می‌گویَم (mi-guyam)
You say: می‌گویی (mi-guyi)
He/She says: می‌گویَد (mi-guyad)
We say: می‌گوییم (mi-guyim)
You say: می‌گویید (mi-guyid)
They say: می‌گویَند (mi-guyand)

The prefix "می‌" (mi-) is used to indicate the present continuous tense in Persian. It is similar to the English construction "I am [verb]ing."

Making Simple Statements in the Present Tense

Now that we have learned how to conjugate regular verbs in the present tense, let's practice making simple statements in the affirmative form. To make a simple statement, we need to combine the present tense conjugation of a verb with the appropriate subject pronoun. Let's take a look at some examples:

I am reading a book.
من کتاب می‌خوانَم. (man ketâb mi-xândam)

You are eating an apple.
تو سیب می‌خوری. (to sib mi-xori)

He is writing a letter.
او نامه می‌نویسَد. (u nâme mi-nevisad)

She is coming to the party.
او به مهمانی می‌آیَد. (u be mehmâni mi-âyad)

We are going to the park.
ما به پارک می‌رَویم. (mâ be pârk mi-rawim)

They are studying for the exam.
آن‌ها برای امتحان می‌خوانَند. (ân-hâ barâye emtehân mi-xândand)

As you can see from the examples, the subject pronouns are added before the verb to indicate who is performing the action. The verb is then conjugated in the present tense according to the subject. It is important to note that the pronouns are optional in Iranian Persian as the verb form itself indicates the subject of the sentence. However, using the pronouns can provide clarity and emphasis in certain situations.

Making Negative Statements in the Present Tense

To make a negative statement in the present tense, we need to use the word "نَه" (na) before the verb. Let's take a look at some examples:

I am not reading a book.
من کتاب نمی‌خوانَم. (man ketâb nemixândam)

You are not eating an apple.
تو سیب نمی‌خوری. (to sib nemixori)

He is not writing a letter.
او نامه نمی‌نویسَد. (u nâme neminevisad)

She is not coming to the party.
او به مهمانی نمی‌آیَد. (u be mehmâni nemixândad)

We are not going to the park.
ما به پارک نمی‌رَویم. (mâ be pârk nemirawim)

They are not studying for the exam.
آن‌ها برای امتحان نمی‌خوانَند. (ân-hâ barâye emtehân nemixândand)

In the negative form, the word "نَه" (na) is placed before the verb to indicate negation. The verb itself remains in its base form without any conjugation. It is important to note that the word "نَه" (na) can also be written as "نیست" (nist) in certain contexts.

Making Interrogative Statements in the Present Tense

To make an interrogative statement in the present tense, we need to use the word "آیا" (âyâ) at the beginning of the sentence. Let's take a look at some examples:

Are you reading a book?
آیا تو کتاب می‌خوانی؟ (âyâ to ketâb mi-xândi)

Is he eating an apple?
آیا او سیب می‌خورَد؟ (âyâ u sib mi-xândad)

Is she coming to the party?
آیا او به مهمانی می‌آیَد؟ (âyâ u be mehmâni mi-âyad)

Are we going to the park?
آیا ما به پارک می‌رَویم؟ (âyâ mâ be pârk mi-rawim)

Are they studying for the exam?
آیا آن‌ها برای امتحان می‌خوانَند؟ (âyâ ân-hâ barâye emtehân mi-xândand)

In interrogative statements, the word "آیا" (âyâ) is placed at the beginning of the sentence to indicate a question. The verb and subject remain in their regular order without any changes. It is important to note that in Iranian Persian, questions can also be formed by changing the intonation of the sentence without using the word "آیا" (âyâ).

Practice Exercise

Now that we have learned how to conjugate regular verbs in the present tense and make simple statements in the affirmative, negative, and interrogative form, let's practice with some exercises. Complete the following sentences using the correct form of the verb in the present tense:

I __________ a book.
You __________ an apple.
He __________ a letter.
She __________ to the party.
We __________ to the park.
They __________ for the exam.

Once you have completed the exercise, you can check your answers below:

I am reading a book.
You are eating an apple.
He is writing a letter.
She is coming to the party.
We are going to the park.
They are studying for the exam.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have successfully learned how to conjugate regular verbs in the present tense and make simple statements in the affirmative, negative, and interrogative form. This is a crucial step in mastering Iranian Persian grammar and will greatly enhance your ability to communicate in Persian. Keep practicing and using these structures in everyday conversations to solidify your understanding. In the next lesson, we will continue to explore sentence structure and verb conjugation in Iranian Persian. Until then, khodâ hâféz (goodbye) and bedrud (good luck)!

Table of Contents - Iranian Persian Course - 0 to A1

Course Presentation

Unit 1: Basic greetings and introductions

Unit 2: Sentence structure and basic verb conjugation

Unit 3: Talking about daily routines

Unit 4: Object pronouns and possessive pronouns

Unit 5: Persian culture and customs

Unit 6: Food and drink

Unit 7: Past tense and regular verbs conjugation

Unit 8: Persian literature and arts

Unit 9: Travel and transportation

Unit 10: Imperative mood, infinitives and complex sentences

Unit 11: Persian history and geography

Unit 12: Leisure and entertainment

Other Lessons

◀️ Lesson 4: Present tense conjugation of the verb "to be" — Previous Lesson	Next Lesson — Lesson 6: Talking about your daily routine ▶️

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