In English, when referring to a specific object or place that we have in mind but don't explicitly identify, we often say "a certain" or "some." Farsi handles this "specific indefiniteness" using a circumfix around the noun.
The Circumfix یک ... ـی
To refer to a specific but unidentified object, place the word یک before the noun and attach the indefinite enclitic ـی to the end.
- If the noun ends in a consonant, attach ی.
- If the noun ends in a vowel, attach ای.
This structure indicates that the speaker has a specific item in mind, even if it's unidentified to the listener.
| I was looking for a certain antique shop in the market. | داشتم در بازار دنبال یک عتیقهفروشیای میگشتم.dâshtam dar bâzâr donbâl-e yek atiqe-forushi-i migashtam. |
| We saw an old clock in a certain junk shop. | در یک سمساریای یک ساعت قدیمی دیدیم.dar yek semsâri-yi yek sâ'at ghadimi didim |
| My father has a certain collection of ancient coins. | پدر من یک کلکسیونی از سکههای باستانی دارد.pedar-e man yek koleksiyoni az sekke-hâ-ye bâstâni dârad |
Antique Hunting and Haggling
When browsing for rare finds, you will often encounter second-hand (دستدوم) items. Inspect them carefully to determine if they are authentic (اصلی) or fake (تقلبی).
| Where did you find this second-hand camera? | این دوربین دستدوم را کجا پیدا کردی؟in durbin-e dast-dovom râ kojâ peydâ kardi? |
| Is this statue authentic or fake? | این مجسمه اصلی است یا تقلبی؟in mojassame asli ast yâ taghallobi? |
Whether you are buying from an auction (حراج) or a street vendor (دستفروش), a key part of the experience is bargaining (چانه زدن) for a good price.
| While he was bargaining, I went out. | در حالی که او داشت چانه میزد، من بیرون رفتم.dar hâli ke u dâsht châne mizad, man birun raftam. |
| You should have bargained with that seller! | باید با آن فروشنده چانه میزدی!bâyad bâ ân forushande châne mizadi! |