When discussing the rise and fall of empires, holding onto royal power depends on specific conditions. To say "as long as" or "so long as" a certain condition holds true, use the phrase تا زمانی که.
| as long as / so long as | تا زمانی کهtâ zamâni ke |
Conditions of Duration
Because تا زمانی که sets a condition of duration based on reality, it is paired with indicative tenses (like the simple present) rather than the subjunctive. The condition clause typically comes at the beginning of the sentence.
| As long as the king is alive, this dynasty rules. | تا زمانی که پادشاه زنده است، این سلسله حکومت میکند.tâ zamâni ke pâdeshâh zende ast, in selsele hokumat mikonad. |
| As long as the people are satisfied, a rebellion cannot happen. | تا زمانی که مردم راضی هستند، شورش نمیتواند اتفاق بیفتد.tâ zamâni ke mardom râzi hastand, shuresh nemitavânad ettefâgh biyoftad. |
It is frequently used in historical narratives to describe preserving dominance (تسلط) or maintaining an authoritative (مقتدر) reign.
| As long as the commander is authoritative, he has control over the territory. | تا زمانی که فرمانده مقتدر است، بر قلمرو تسلط دارد.tâ zamâni ke farmândeh moqtader ast, bar qalamrow tasallot dârad. |
Speaking About the Past
To talk about history, simply use past indicative tenses. Notice in the first example below that the تا زمانی که clause can also be placed in the middle of the sentence.
| As long as it was unified, this dynasty did not fall into decline. | این سلسله تا زمانی که یکپارچه بود، به زوال نرسید.in selsele tâ zamâni ke yekpârche bud, be zavâl naresid. |
| As long as they had an army, they preserved their control. | تا زمانی که سپاه داشتند، تسلط خود را حفظ کردند.tâ zamâni ke sepâh dâshtand, tasallot khod râ hefz kardand. |
Whether describing past triumphs or present alliances between a king and a crown prince (ولیعهد), this structure perfectly captures the precarious nature of royal power.
| As long as the crown prince and the king support each other, the throne is safe. | تا زمانی که ولیعهد و پادشاه از یکدیگر حمایت میکنند، تاجوتخت امن است.tâ zamâni ke valiahd va pâdeshâh az yekdigar hemâyat mikonand, tâj-o-takht amn ast. |