In formal written Persian, the verb "is" is است. However, in everyday spoken conversation, it shrinks down into a short suffix attached directly to the end of the preceding word.
After a Consonant: است becomes ـه
If the word before "is" ends in a consonant, است becomes the attached suffix ـه.
| Formal Written | Spoken Equivalent |
|---|---|
| زشت است | زشته |
| نرم است | نرمه |
| This couch is ugly. | این مبل زشته.in moble zeshte. |
| This towel is soft. | این حوله نرمه.in howle narme. |
| This bag is light and very comfortable. | این کیف سبک و خیلی راحته.in kif sabok o kheyli râhate. |
After a Vowel: است becomes ـست
If the preceding word ends in a vowel (such as ی, ا, or the vowel ه), است attaches directly as ـست.
| Formal Written | Spoken Equivalent |
|---|---|
| جدی است | جدیست |
| خجالتی است | خجالتیست |
| My brother is shy and serious. | برادر من خجالتی و جدیست.barâdar-e man khejâlati va jeddist. |
| No one laughed; the story is boring. | هیچکس نخندید، داستان خستهکنندهست.hich-kas nakhandid, dâstân khaste-konande-st. |
Putting It All Together
Notice how the spoken endings shift depending on whether the preceding word ends in a consonant or a vowel:
| The new teacher is very serious, but his bag is light. | معلم جدید خیلی جدیست اما کیف او سبکه.mo'allem-e jadid kheili jeddist ammâ kif-e u saboke. |
| That bed is firm, but this chair is soft. | آن تخت سفته، ولی این صندلی نرمه.ân takht sefte, vali in sandali narme. |
| My brother is very shy, but his friend is arrogant. | برادر من خیلی خجالتیست اما دوست او مغروره.barâdar-e man kheyli khejâlatist ammâ dust-e u maghrure. |
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