Indefinite References and the Subjunctive
When making flexible plans, we often use words like "whoever," "whatever," and "wherever." Because these words refer to open-ended possibilities rather than specific, known realities, Farsi pairs them with the Present Subjunctive.
The general formula is: هر (every) + noun/pronoun + که (that) + Present Subjunctive verb
"Whoever": هر کس که
To say "whoever" or "anyone who," use هر کس که. The verb describing what this unknown person does must be in the subjunctive. Notice how the main action or consequence in the sentence usually remains in a standard indicative tense.
| Whoever likes adventure can join us. | هر کس که ماجراجویی را دوست داشته باشد، میتواند به ما بپیوندد.har kas ke mâjarâju'i râ dust dâshte bâshad, mitavânad be mâ bepeyvandad. |
| Whoever comes to this guesthouse eats food for free. | هر کس که به این مسافرخانه بیاید، رایگان غذا میخورد.har kas ke be in mosâferkhâne biâyad, râygân ghazâ mikhorad. |
"Whatever": هر چه که
To say "whatever" or "anything that," use هر چه که, followed once again by the subjunctive.
If "whatever" acts as the direct object of the verb in its clause, you will typically see the specific object marker را placed right before که, forming هر چه را که.
| We will buy whatever you want for this adventure. | ما برای این ماجراجویی هر چه که بخواهی میخریم.mâ barâye in mâjarâjuyi har che ke bekhâhi mikharim. |
| We eat whatever the hospitable locals cook. | ما هر چه را که بومیهای مهماننواز بپزند میخوریم.mâ har che râ ke bumi-hâ-ye mehmân-navâz bepazand mikhorim. |
"Wherever": هر جا که
When a backpacker (کولهگرد) travels, they might not have a fixed itinerary. To talk about going "wherever" or "any place that," use هر جا که.
The same rules apply: the verb happening at this indefinite location takes the subjunctive.
| Wherever you want to pitch a tent, I will join you. | هر جا که بخواهی چادر بزنی، من به تو میپیوندم.har jâ ke bekhâhi châdor bezani, man be to mipeyvandam. |
| We can pitch a tent for free wherever there is a pristine forest. | ما میتوانیم هر جا که یک جنگل بکر باشد، رایگان چادر بزنیم.mâ mitavânim har jâ ke yek jangal bekr bâshad, râygân châdor bezanim. |