The Irregular Present Subjunctive of "To Have"
Normally, forming the present subjunctive in Farsi involves adding the prefix ب to a verb's present stem. However, the verb داشتن (to have) is an important exception.
To form the present subjunctive of possession, you combine the perfect stem داشته with the present subjunctive forms of the verb "to be" (بودن).
Here is the complete conjugation:
| Person | Farsi |
|---|---|
| I | داشته باشم |
| You (singular) | داشته باشی |
| He/She/It | داشته باشد |
| We | داشته باشیم |
| You (plural / formal) | داشته باشید |
| They | داشته باشند |
You will use these forms whenever the grammar requires a subjunctive—such as expressing necessity, desire, doubt, or obligation (like "must have," "want to have," or "it is important that we have").
Let's look at this structure in action by discussing the strict equipment and permit requirements for starting a mobile food business:
| To start a mobile restaurant, it is mandatory that you have a new van. | برای راهاندازی یک رستوران سیار، الزامی است که یک ون جدید داشته باشید.barâye râh-andâzi-ye yek resturân-e sayyâr, elzâmi ast ke yek van jadid dâshte bâshid. |
| In fact, the van must have a stainless steel counter. | در حقیقت، ون باید یک پیشخوان استیل داشته باشد.dar haghighat, van bâyad yek pishkhân estil dâshte bâshad. |
| It is important that we always have disposable gloves on the counter. | مهم است که ما همیشه روی پیشخوان دستکش یکبارمصرف داشته باشیم.mohem ast ke mâ hamishe ruye pishkhân dastkesh-e yekbârmasraf dâshte bâshim. |
| Despite my experience, I want to have a valid permit from the municipality for my truck. | علیرغم تجربهام، میخواهم برای کامیونم یک جواز معتبر از شهرداری داشته باشم.ali-raghm-e tajrobe-am, mikhâham barâye kâmyunam yek javâz-e mo'tabar az shahrdâri dâshte bâsham. |
Negating the Subjunctive of Possession
To make this negative (for phrases like "might not have" or "impossible that he does not have"), simply attach the negative prefix ن to the perfect stem, creating نداشته. The second part of the compound remains exactly the same.
For example, "I might not have" becomes شاید نداشته باشم.
| It is impossible that he does not have a mobile van for his work. | غیرممکن است که او برای کارش یک ون سیار نداشته باشد.gheyrmomken ast ke u barâye kârash yek van sayyâr nadâshte bâshad. |
| Perhaps we do not have an equipped car for this job. | شاید ما برای این کار یک ماشین مجهز نداشته باشیم.shâyad mâ barâye in kâr yek mâshin-e mojahhaz nadâshte bâshim. |