Unavoidable Alternatives
To express "whether ... or ...", Farsi uses the disjunctive correlative pair خواه ... خواه .... This structure connects two alternatives, emphasizing that the main action of the sentence will happen regardless of which condition applies.
When the alternatives are states of being (like day or night), they are often followed by the subjunctive verb باشد.
| The determined team advances toward the summit, whether it is day or night. | تیم مصمم به سمت قله پیشروی میکند، خواه روز باشد خواه شب.tim-e mosammam be samt-e qolle pishravi mikonad, khâh ruz bâshad khâh shab. |
Linking Nouns and Adjectives
You can use this structure to contrast simple nouns, such as different extreme weather events, or opposing adjectives. The main verb of the correlative clause is usually placed at the end of the phrase or right after the first condition.
| Whether we face a deadly freeze or a storm, we do not retreat. | خواه با یخبندان مرگبار مواجه شویم خواه با طوفان، عقبنشینی نمیکنیم.khâh bâ yakhbandân margbâr movâjeh shavim khâh bâ tufân, aghab-neshini nemi-konim. |
| Whether the weather is good or bad, we do not sacrifice the team's safety. | خواه هوا خوب باشد خواه بد، ایمنی تیم را فدا نمیکنیم.khâh havâ khub bâshad khâh bad, imeni tim râ fedâ nemikonim. |
Whether or Not
To express "whether [action] or not," you do not need a separate word for "not". Instead, simply place the positive subjunctive verb after the first خواه and its negative counterpart after the second خواه.
| Whether they face frostbite or not, they advance in the ruthless mountains. | خواه با سرمازدگی مواجه شوند خواه نشوند، در کوهستان بیرحم پیشروی میکنند.khâh bâ sarmâzadegi movâjeh shavand khâh nashavand, dar kuhestân-e birahm pishravi mikonand. |
Highlighting Complex Hazards
When detailing the severe hazards of an extreme mountaineering expedition, خواه ... خواه ... can seamlessly link complex noun phrases, emphasizing the team's determination against all odds.
| Whether there is a ruthless blizzard or a deadly frost, we advance towards the summit. | خواه کولاک بیرحم باشد خواه یخبندان مرگبار، ما به سمت قله پیشروی میکنیم.khâh kolâk birahm bâshad khâh yakhbandân margbâr, mâ be samt qolle pishravi mikonim. |