In Farsi, you can add spatial or directional prefixes to simple verbs to create entirely new meanings. These are known as separable prefix verbs or preverbs.
When conjugating these verbs, the inflectional prefixes that indicate tense or mood—such as the continuous می-, the subjunctive ب-, and the negative ن-—do not go at the very beginning of the word. Instead, they are placed between the spatial prefix and the verb stem.
Down and Into: فرو
The prefix فرو typically implies downward or inward movement. When forming the present continuous, place می- between فرو and the verb stem. For the negative, the ن- also slips in exactly after the spatial prefix.
| The illusionist thrusts the swords into the box and everyone is amazed. | شعبدهباز شمشیرها را در جعبه فرو میبرد و همه متحیر میشوند.sho'badebâz shamshirhâ râ dar ja'be foru mibarad va hame motahayyer mishavand. |
| The swords sink into the box, but the assistant is not hurt. | شمشیرها در جعبه فرو میروند، ولی دستیار آسیب نمیبیند.shamshirhâ dar ja'be foru mi-ravand, vali dastyâr âsib nemi-binad. |
| I wish the assistant had not sunk into the box! | ای کاش دستیار در جعبه فرو نرفته بود!ey kâsh dastyâr dar ja'be foru narafte bud! |
Forward and Away: پیش and در
The prefix پیش implies forward motion, while در often implies moving away, slipping out, or entering a state.
When forming the subjunctive (used after phrases like "must" or "before"), the subjunctive prefix ب- is inserted right after the spatial prefix.
| Before he thrusts the sword, he must bring the box forward. | قبل از اینکه شمشیر را فرو ببرد، باید جعبه را پیش بکشد.qabl az in-ke shamshir râ foru bebarad, bâyad ja'be râ pish bekashad. |
| He must bring the pigeon forward by himself before it escapes! | او باید خودش کبوتر را پیش بکشد، قبل از اینکه در برود!u bâyad khodash kabutar râ pish bekeshad, qabl az inke dar beravad! |
Up and Away: بر
The prefix بر generally means up, upon, or away.
When making a separable verb negative in the continuous tense, both the negative ن- and the continuous می- sit between the spatial prefix and the stem.
| Not only does the pigeon not escape, but it also removes the cards! | نه تنها کبوتر درنمیرود، بلکه کارتها را هم برمیچیند!na tanhâ kabutar dar nemiravad, balke kârt-hâ râ ham bar-michinad! |
| Not only does the woman rise, but she also remains suspended. | نه تنها زن برمیخیزد، بلکه معلق هم میماند.na tanhâ zan bar-mikhizad, balke mo'allaq ham mimânad. |
| The amazed spectators see that the table does not rise. | تماشاگران متحیر میبینند که میز برنمیخیزد.tamâshâgarân-e motehayyer mibinand ke miz bar-nemikhizad. |
Towards and Back: فرا and باز
The prefix فرا indicates upward or forward motion (often metaphorical, like calling someone forth), and باز means back or again.
These follow the exact same rule: whether you need the continuous می- or the subjunctive ب-, the inflectional prefix is always safely sandwiched between the directional prefix and the core verb.
| The illusionist removes the curtain and summons his assistant. | شعبدهباز پرده را برمیچیند و دستیارش را فرا میخواند.sho'bade-bâz parde râ bar-mi-chinad va dastyârash râ farâ mikhânad. |
| He must summon the rabbit so that it does not escape. | او باید خرگوش را فرا بخواند تا در نرود.u bâyad khargush râ farâ bekhânad tâ dar naravad. |
| Suddenly, the illusionist brings the car back. | ناگهان شعبدهباز ماشین را بازمیگرداند.nâgahân sho'bade-bâz mâshin râ bâz mi-gardânad. |
| He brings back the bird and keeps it suspended. | او پرنده را بازمیگرداند و آن را معلق نگه میدارد.u parande râ bâzmigardânad va ân râ mo'allaq negah midârad. |
