The Present Subjunctive
In English, we often use the infinitive to connect verbs, like "I want to go". In Farsi, you cannot do this. Instead of saying "I want to go," you literally say "I want that I go," using the present subjunctive.
Forming the Present Subjunctive
To form the present subjunctive, attach the prefix بـ (the same one used for positive commands) to the present stem of the verb, followed by the regular present tense personal endings.
Here is how you conjugate the verb رفتن (to go), which has the present stem رو:
| Person | Prefix + Stem + Ending | Subjunctive | Literal Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | بـ + رو + م | بروم | that I go |
| You (informal) | بـ + رو + ی | بروی | that you go |
| He/She/It | بـ + رو + د | برود | that he/she/it goes |
| We | بـ + رو + یم | برویم | that we go |
| You (formal/plural) | بـ + رو + ید | بروید | that you go |
| They | بـ + رو + ند | بروند | that they go |
Desires and Abilities
When verbs like "to want" (خواستن) or "to be able to" (توانستن) are followed by a second action, that second verb must be in the subjunctive. Notice how the ending of the subjunctive verb matches the subject of the sentence.
| I want to go to the park. | من میخواهم به پارک بروم.man mikhâham be pârk beravam. |
| She wants to see the new film. | او میخواهد فیلم جدید را ببیند.u mikhâhad film jadid râ bebinad. |
| We can come to the university tomorrow. | ما میتوانیم فردا به دانشگاه بیاییم.mâ mitavânim fardâ be dâneshgâh biâyim. |
Necessity and Possibility
The words باید (must) and شاید (maybe) are fixed and do not conjugate. You simply place them before the main subject or verb, and the main verb takes the subjunctive form.
| You must go to the hospital. | شما باید به بیمارستان بروید.shomâ bâyad be bimârestân beravid. |
| Maybe the teacher will come to class. | شاید معلم به کلاس بیاید.shâyad mo'allem be kelâs biyâyad. |
Purpose and Impersonal Expressions
The subjunctive is also required when expressing intent or purpose, such as after the conjunction تا (so that / in order to). It is also used after impersonal phrases like "it is important that" (مهم است که) and "it is better that" (بهتر است که).
| I am going there to see the Iranian friend. | من به آنجا میروم تا دوست ایرانی را ببینم.man be ânjâ mi-ravam tâ dust-e irâni râ bebinam. |
| It is better for us to go to the hotel. | بهتر است که به هتل برویم.behtar ast ke be hotel beravim |
| It is important that you hear this news. | مهم است که شما این خبر را بشنوید.mohemm ast ke shomâ in khabar râ beshnavid. |
