To say that an action "must" or "might" happen, Farsi often uses impersonal modals. Instead of conjugating a modal verb for a specific person (like "I must" or "he might"), you use a fixed phrase meaning "It is necessary that..." or "It is possible that..."
These structures are formed by placing the impersonal phrase at the beginning of the sentence, optionally followed by که (that), and then conjugating the main verb in the Present Subjunctive.
It is necessary (لازم است)
لازم است (it is necessary) is frequently used to talk about rules, requirements, and needs. It is one of the most common ways to say "have to" or "must."
| It is necessary that we obey the safety rules in this factory. | لازم است که قانونهای ایمنی را در این کارخانه رعایت کنیم.lâzem ast ke qânun-hâ-ye imeni râ dar in kârkhâne re'âyat konim. |
| It is necessary that you use a mask in this environment. | لازم است که در این محیط از ماسک استفاده کنی.lâzem ast ke dar in mohit az mâsk estefâde koni. |
Notice how the first part of the sentence (لازم است) never changes, but the final verb is conjugated in the subjunctive to match the person actually performing the action (e.g., "we obey" vs. "you use").
| It is necessary that the worker pays attention to this danger. | لازم است که کارگر به این خطر دقت کند.lâzem ast ke kârgar be in khatar deghghat konad. |
It is possible (ممکن است)
To express probability, such as "might," "may," or "could," use ممکن است (it is possible). This is highly useful for talking about potential hazards and risks.
| It is possible that this machine is dangerous. | ممکن است که این دستگاه خطرناک باشد.momken ast ke in dastgâh khatarnâk bâshad. |
| Without safety, it is possible that an accident happens. | بدون ایمنی، ممکن است که یک حادثه رخ دهد.bedun-e imeni, momken ast ke yek hâdese rokh dahad. |
Just like with necessity, the final verb changes to match the subject of the clause:
| Fire is dangerous; it is possible that the workers get injured. | آتش خطرناک است؛ ممکن است که کارگرها آسیب ببینند.âtash khatarnâk ast; momken ast ke kârgarhâ âsib bebinand. |
Putting It Together
In safety protocols and everyday warnings, you will frequently hear both structures used together to explain what you must do, and why it might be dangerous if you don't.
| It is necessary that you pay attention, because it is possible that you get injured. | لازم است که دقت کنید، چون ممکن است که آسیب ببینید.lâzem ast ke deghghat konid, chon momken ast ke âsib bebinid. |
