Showing Respect: The Plural of Deference
To show respect to a single individual—such as an elder, manager, or VIP—Farsi uses plural pronouns and plural verbs.
Instead of the intimate singular "you," use the plural pronoun شما alongside a second-person plural verb. For a respected third person ("he" or "she"), use the plural pronoun ایشان with a third-person plural verb.
| He is our respected guest. | ایشان مهمان محترم ما هستند.ishân mehmân-e mohtarame mâ hastand |
Deferential Verbs: Elevating the Other Person
To show high respect, standard everyday verbs for the other person's actions are replaced with deferential alternatives. You will also use formal titles like جناب (Sir / Excellency) for men and سرکار (Madam) for women.
For example, instead of standard verbs for coming, going, and being present, use تشریف آوردن، تشریف بردن, and تشریف داشتن.
| Mr. Manager, when are you coming? | جناب مدیر، شما کی تشریف میآورید؟janâb-e modir, shomâ key tashrif miyâvarid? |
| He is the doctor and he is leaving tomorrow. | ایشان دکتر هستند و فردا تشریف میبرند.ishân doktor hastand va fardâ tashrif mibarand. |
| Madam, you must be here. | سرکار خانم، شما باید اینجا تشریف داشته باشید.sarkâr khânom, shomâ bâyad injâ tashrif dâshte bâshid. |
Speaking: Deferential vs. Humble
When a respected person speaks, their action is elevated using the deferential verb فرمودن (to say / to command).
| Mr. Minister, what did you say yesterday? | جناب وزیر، شما دیروز چه فرمودید؟jenâb vazir, shomâ diruz che farmudid? |
To balance this dynamic, you lower your own actions using humble verbs. When you speak to a respected person, use عرض کردن (to say / to state humbly).
| I told him that you are tired. | من به ایشان عرض کردم که شما خسته هستید.man be ishân arz kardam ke shomâ khaste hastid. |
Entering Their Presence and Making Requests
When approaching, visiting, or giving something to a respected person, use the noun خدمت (presence / service) rather than a simple preposition like "to."
| I will come see you tomorrow. | من فردا خدمت شما میرسم.man fardâ khedmat-e shomâ miresam. |
Finally, when you need to formally ask something of them or make a polite plea, use خواهش کردن (to request).
| I ask you to look into this problem. | از شما خواهش میکنم که به این مشکل رسیدگی کنید.az shomâ khâhesh mikonam ke be in moshkel rasidegi konid. |
