To recount local mythology, rumors, or ancient folklore without attributing them to a specific source, Farsi uses the impersonal passive. The most common expressions are built using the third-person singular passive of communication verbs:
- گفته میشود که (It is said that...)
- شنیده میشود که (It is heard / it is rumored that...)
These phrases are formed by taking the past participle of a verb (like گفته from گفتن, to say) and pairing it with میشود (the third-person singular present of شدن, to become).
Unlike English, which often shifts the subject (e.g., "That island is said to be mysterious"), Farsi keeps the structure strictly impersonal: "It is said that" + [full indicative clause]. The clause following که remains exactly as it would be if stated as a standalone fact.
| In this legend, it is said that a massive dragon is in the mountain. | در این افسانه، گفته میشود که یک اژدهای عظیم در کوه است.dar in afsâne, gofte mishavad ke yek azhdehâyi azim dar kuh ast. |
| That island is said to be mysterious. | گفته میشود که آن جزیره مرموز است.gofte mishavad ke ân jazire marmuz ast. |
Rumors and Hearsay
To express rumors or things heard through the grapevine, use شنیده میشود که. The grammatical structure is exactly the same.
| It is rumored that this historical legend is not true. | شنیده میشود که این افسانهی تاریخی حقیقت ندارد.shenide mishavad ke in afsâne-ye târikhi haqiqat nadârad. |
| It is rumored that a mysterious sorcerer has deceived the king. | شنیده میشود که یک جادوگر مرموز پادشاه را فریب داده است.shenide mishavad ke yek jâdugar marmuz pâdeshâh râ farib dâde ast. |
Tense Flexibility
The clause introduced by که can be in any indicative tense depending on the legend being told. It can use the present tense for an ongoing habit, or the present perfect for a completed past action.
| In stories, the monster is said to guard the treasure. | در داستانها گفته میشود که هیولا از گنج نگهبانی میدهد.dar dâstân-hâ gofte mishavad ke heyulâ az ganj negahbâni midahad. |
| That fairy is rumored to have broken the curse. | شنیده میشود که آن پری نفرین را باطل کرده است.shenide mishavad ke ân pari nefrin râ bâtel karde ast. |