The Explanatory Ezafe: Adding Titles to Names
When using a formal title before a person's name in Farsi, connect the two words using the Explanatory Ezafe (اضافه بیانی). This is the same grammatical linking vowel used to attach adjectives to nouns or show possession.
For everyday titles like آقا (Mr.) and خانم (Ms. / Mrs.), the Ezafe bridges the title and the surname. Because آقا ends in a long vowel, the Ezafe is written with an explicit ی (آقای). Because خانم ends in a consonant, the Ezafe is only pronounced.
| Mr. Rezaei was speaking with the mayor. | آقای رضایی با شهردار صحبت میکرد.âghâ-ye rezâyi bâ shahrdâr sohbat mikard. |
| It seems that Ms. Rezaei is an expert in economics. | به نظر میرسد که خانم رضایی کارشناس اقتصاد است.be nazar miresad ke khânom rezâ'i kârshenâs eqtesâd ast. |
Professional and Academic Titles
This same rule applies to professional and academic titles like دکتر (Doctor), مهندس (Engineer), and پروفسور (Professor). Because these end in consonants, simply pronounce the Ezafe vowel right after the title to link it to the surname.
| I wish Dr. Mohammadi was working at the hospital. | کاش دکتر محمدی در بیمارستان کار میکرد.kâsh doktor mohammadi dar bimârestân kâr mikard |
| Engineer Mohammadi is the manager of this successful project. | مهندس محمدی مدیر این پروژهی موفق است.mohandes mohammadi modir-e in proje-ye movaffaq ast |
| Professor Rezaei teaches advanced mathematics at the university. | پروفسور رضایی در دانشگاه ریاضی پیشرفته آموزش میدهد.profesor rezâyi dar dâneshgâh riyâzi pishrafte âmuzesh midahad. |
Dignitaries and Officials
At a formal convention or gathering (گردهمایی), you will likely meet officials with governmental or diplomatic ranks.
Whether you are speaking with an ambassador (سفیر), a secretary general (دبیرکل), a consul general (سرکنسول), or an attaché (رایزن), the structure remains consistent: add the Ezafe to the title before their name.
| Ambassador Mousavi was signing the international treaty. | سفیر موسوی معاهدهی بینالمللی را امضا میکرد.safir mousavi mo'âhede-ye beynolmelali râ emzâ mikard |
| Secretary General Ahmadi was answering the reporters' questions. | دبیرکل احمدی به سوالات خبرنگاران پاسخ میداد.dabirkol ahmadi be so'âlât khabarnegârân pâsokh midâd |
| Consul General Mohammadi returned to the embassy yesterday. | سرکنسول محمدی دیروز به سفارت برگشت.sarkonsol mohammadi dirooz be sefârat bargasht. |
| Governor Ahmadi is present and Counselor Rezaei is absent. | فرماندار احمدی حاضر است و رایزن رضایی غایب است.farmândâr-e ahmadi hâzer ast o râyzan-e rezâyi ghâyeb ast. |