Navigating the fine print of insurance (بیمه) often involves looking for exceptions. In Farsi, when you want to express "unless," you use the subordinating conjunction مگر اینکه.
Conditions and the Subjunctive
Just like in English, "unless" introduces a condition that hasn't happened or is hypothetical. Because of this uncertainty, the verb that follows مگر اینکه must be in the Present Subjunctive.
[Main Clause] + مگر اینکه + [Present Subjunctive Clause]
| The company does not pay compensation, unless you prove the theft. | شرکت غرامت پرداخت نمیکند، مگر اینکه سرقت را ثابت کنید.sherkat gharâmat pardâkht nemikonad, magar inke sergat râ sâbet konid. |
| The insurance covers the total amount, unless the accident is intentional. | بیمه تمام مبلغ را پوشش میدهد، مگر اینکه حادثه عمدی باشد.bime tamâm-e mablagh râ pushesh midahad, magar in-ke hâdese amdi bâshad. |
Setting Boundaries
You will frequently hear this structure when discussing rules, validity, or boundaries—such as what an insurance policy covers or when it might be canceled. The main clause states the default rule, and the مگر اینکه clause provides the exception.
| We cover the cost, unless the amount is very high. | ما هزینه را پوشش میدهیم، مگر اینکه مبلغ خیلی زیاد باشد.mâ hazine râ pushesh midahim, magar inke mablagh kheyli ziyâd bâshad. |
| The insurance policy is not valid, unless you renew it. | بیمهنامه معتبر نیست، مگر اینکه آن را تمدید کنید.bime-nâme mo'tabar nist, magar inke ân râ tamdid konid. |
| I will cancel your insurance policy, unless you pay the amount. | من بیمهنامهی شما را لغو میکنم، مگر اینکه مبلغ را پرداخت کنید.man bime-nâme-ye shomâ râ laghv mikonam, magar inke mablagh râ pardâkht konid. |
| The insurance does not cover theft, unless you have a lock. | بیمه سرقت را پوشش نمیدهد، مگر اینکه قفل داشته باشید.bime sareghat râ pushesh nemidahad, magar inke ghofl dâshte bâshid. |
Notice how the default rule in the first half of the sentence uses the normal indicative tense, while the hypothetical condition following مگر اینکه triggers the subjunctive.