"Until": تا and تا اینکه
To talk about doing something until a future event happens, Farsi uses the conjunction تا or its slightly longer variant, تا اینکه. Both mean the same thing and can be used interchangeably.
Because you are waiting for a future boundary that has not yet become reality, the verb in the clause following تا or تا اینکه must be in the Present Subjunctive.
The main clause—which describes the action you are taking while you wait—usually stays in a standard indicative tense.
| We must stay in this emergency shelter until the storm ends. | باید در این پناهگاه اضطراری بمانیم تا طوفان تمام شود.bâyad dar in panâhgâh-e ezterâri bemânim tâ tufân tamâm shavad. |
| They will not go outside until the rain stops. | آنها بیرون نمیروند تا اینکه باران بند بیاید.ânhâ birun nemi-ravand tâ inke bârân band biyâyad. |
Waiting Out the Storm
When you are taking shelter in an emergency, you set boundaries on how long you will wait. Notice how the verbs in the limit clauses (like the weather calming down or becoming favorable) take the subjunctive form.
Remember that for compound verbs, the subjunctive marker بـ is attached to the light verb portion of the compound.
| I will sit here until the severe wind calms down. | من اینجا مینشینم تا باد شدید آرام بگیرد.man injâ mi-neshinam tâ bâd shadid ârâm begirad. |
| We must hold out until the situation becomes favorable. | ما باید مقاومت کنیم تا اینکه اوضاع مساعد شود.mâ bâyad moqâvemat konim tâ in ke owzâ' mosâ'ed shavad. |
Everyday Limits
This rule applies to any situation where a current action continues up to a specific, unrealized future boundary, whether it is waiting out a severe storm or simply waiting for a fire to catch.
| We will stay next to the fireplace until the firewood catches fire. | کنار شومینه میمانیم تا هیزم آتش بگیرد.kenâr-e shumine mimânim tâ hizom âtash begirad. |
| I will look at the flame until I fall asleep. | من به شعله نگاه میکنم تا اینکه بخوابم.man be sho'le negâh mikonam tâ inke bekhâbam. |