Subjunctive in Superlative Relative Clauses
When talking about bizarre world records or the extreme limits of something, you often use superlative adjectives (words like "biggest," "fastest," or "most dangerous" ending in ترین).
In Farsi, when a relative clause (starting with که) modifies a noun phrase containing a superlative adjective, the verb inside that clause takes the subjunctive mood. This is because superlatives often set a theoretical limit—describing the maximum of what is possible rather than just stating an observed fact.
The noun modified by the superlative adjective typically takes the indefinite suffix ـی (or ـهای after vowels), linking to the relative clause.
| This is the most extraordinary record that a human could set. | این خارقالعادهترین رکوردی است که یک انسان بتواند ثبت کند.in khâreq-ol-âde-tarin rekordi ast ke yek ensân betavânad sabt konad. |
Notice that the modal verb for "can" (بتواند) is in the subjunctive. It is extremely common to use subjunctive modals like "can" or "want" in these clauses to express what someone "could" or "would want" to do. Both the modal and the main verb take the subjunctive.
| Swallowing a sword is the most dangerous stunt that anyone could do. | بلعیدن شمشیر خطرناکترین شیرینکاریای است که کسی بتواند انجام دهد.bal'idan-e shamshir khatarnâk-tarin shirin-kâri-i ast ke kasi betavânad anjâm dahad |
| This is the most exhausting thing that a record holder would want to do for three days consecutively. | این خستهکنندهترین کاری است که یک رکورددار بخواهد سه روز پشت سر هم انجام دهد.in khaste-konande-tarin kâri ast ke yek rekordâr bekhâhad se ruz posht-e sar ham anjâm dahad. |
You do not always need a modal verb. You can put the main action verb directly into the subjunctive mood to describe the most extraordinary person or thing "to ever do" an action.
| He is the most extraordinary athlete to lift weights in this club. | او خارقالعادهترین ورزشکاری است که در این باشگاه وزنه بزند.u khâreq-ol-âde-tarin varzeshkâri ast ke dar in bâshgâh vazne bezanad. |
Just like with all subjunctive forms, when speaking colloquially, the subjunctive prefix بـ remains, but the verb endings are softened and shortened (for example, بتواند becomes بتونه and بدهد becomes بده).
| Lifting weights with teeth is the most foolish thing that someone could do! | وزنه زدن با دندون، احمقانهترین کاریست که یه نفر بتونه انجام بده!vazne zadan bâ dandun, ahmaghâne-tarin kâri-st ke ye nafar betune anjâm bede! |