In formal contexts like flight safety announcements or speaking to air traffic control, conditions are expressed differently. Instead of the everyday "if," Farsi uses a specific phrase for "in the event of" or "in case of":
| in case of | در صورتdar sûrat-e |
Using Abstract Nouns
To form a formal condition, pair در صورت with an abstract action noun, such as بروز (occurrence) or فرود (landing), connected by the Ezafe.
| In the event of a technical failure, one must return to the airport. | در صورت بروز نقص فنی، باید به فرودگاه برگشت.dar sûrat-e borûz-e naqs-e fannî, bâyad be forûdgâh bargasht |
| In the event of landing on the sea, you must put on a vest. | در صورت فرود روی دریا، باید جلیقه بپوشید.dar surat-e forud-e ruye daryâ, bâyad jelighe bepushid. |
The main clause carries on normally, often using باید (must) or a future outcome to state the regulation or consequence.
The Negative: "In the event of a lack of..."
You cannot simply add a negative prefix to an abstract noun. Instead, place the formal word عدم (lack of / non-) immediately after در صورت, linked by the Ezafe.
| lack of | عدمadam |
This creates an Ezafe chain meaning "in the event of the lack of [action]."
| In the event of inattention to the regulations, the flight attendant warns the passenger. | در صورت عدم توجه به مقررات، مهماندار به مسافر تذکر میدهد.dar surat-e adam-e tavajjoh be moqarrarât, mehmândâr be mosâfer tazakkor midahad. |
| In the event of no problems arising, the flight will take place on time. | در صورت عدم بروز مشکل، پرواز به موقع انجام میشود.dar sûrat-e adam-e borûz-e moshkel, parvâz be movqe' anjâm mishavad. |
Using Infinitives
You can also place a full infinitive directly after در صورت. This is particularly useful for negative actions; unlike abstract nouns, an infinitive can be negated directly with the prefix نـ.
| In the event of not seeing the runway, the pilot changes the flight route. | در صورت ندیدن باند، خلبان مسیر پرواز را تغییر میدهد.dar surat-e nadidan-e bând, khalabân masir-e parvâz râ taghyir midahad. |
