In conversational Farsi, the suffix ها is used to make almost any noun plural. However, formal and written Farsi often uses a special suffix to pluralize animate nouns (people and living things): ان.
The Standard Suffix: ان
For most words ending in a consonant, simply attach ان to the end of the noun. For example, محقق (researcher) becomes محققان (researchers).
| The greatest Iranian researchers had translated these important documents. | بزرگترین محققان ایرانی این سندهای مهم را ترجمه کرده بودند.bozorg-tarin mohaqqeqân irâni in sanadhâ-ye mohem râ tarjome karde budand |
| The most prominent philosophers of the world had gathered in this historical city. | برجستهترین فیلسوفان جهان در این شهر تاریخی جمع شده بودند.barjaste-tarin filsofâne jahân dar in shahre târikhi jam' shode budand. |
| The most famous composers and translators met the king. | معروفترین آهنگسازان و مترجمان با پادشاه ملاقات کردند.ma'ruf-tarin âhang-sâzân o motarjemân bâ pâdeshâh molâghât kardand. |
Words Ending in a Mute "e": گان
When an animate noun ends in a mute "e" (written as ه), we cannot simply add the suffix. Instead, the mute "e" is replaced with گ before adding the plural ending, creating the suffix گان.
For example, نخبه (elite) becomes نخبگان, and شاهزاده (prince/princess) becomes شاهزادگان.
| The elites of the country must build a better future. | نخبگان کشور باید آیندهی بهتری بسازند.nokhbegân-e keshvar bâyad âyande-ye behtari besâzand. |
| Princes and elites usually lived in big castles. | شاهزادگان و نخبگان معمولاً در قلعههای بزرگ زندگی میکردند.shâhzâdegân va nokhbegân ma'mûlan dar qal'e-hâye bozorg zendegi mikardand |
| Prominent writers and politicians are influential people. | نویسندگان و سیاستمداران برجسته، انسانهای تاثیرگذاری هستند.nevisandegân va siyâsatmadârân barjaste, ensân-hâye ta'sirgozâri hastand. |
Words Ending in Long Vowels: یان
If a noun ends in the long vowels ا or و, the letter ی is inserted as a bridge to make pronunciation easier. This results in the suffix یان.
For example, جنگجو (warrior) becomes جنگجویان.
| About one hundred brave warriors had defended the king. | حدود صد نفر از جنگجویان شجاع از پادشاه دفاع کرده بودند.hodud-e sad nafar az jang-juyân-e shojâ' az pâdeshâh defâ' karde budand. |
| Approximately one thousand university students had participated in the seminar. | تقریباً هزار نفر از دانشجویان در سمینار شرکت کرده بودند.taqriban hezâr nafar az dâneshjuyân dar seminâr sherkat karde budand. |