Questions & Answers about آیا کلید روی میز است؟
Does the word âyâ mean "is" in this sentence?
No, the word for "is" is actually ast at the very end of the sentence! Âyâ is a question marker placed at the beginning to signal that a yes/no question is coming. While English moves the verb to the front to make a question ("Is the key..."), Farsi just adds âyâ and keeps the normal word order.
Do I always have to use âyâ to ask a yes/no question?
Not at all! In everyday spoken Farsi, people usually drop âyâ completely. Instead, they just say the normal statement (kelid ruy-e miz ast) but raise the pitch of their voice at the end to show it's a question. Âyâ is mostly used in writing, reading, or formal speech.
Why is the verb ast at the very end of the question?
Farsi keeps its standard word order even when asking a question. Because Farsi puts verbs at the end of the sentence, ast stays at the end here, unlike in English where the verb jumps to the beginning.
Is there a hidden linking sound between ruy (on) and miz (table)?
Yes! This is a great example of the ezafe rule. To connect a preposition like ruy to the noun it describes, you add an "e" or "ye" sound. Here, it is pronounced ruy-e miz. This linking sound usually isn't written in the Farsi alphabet, but you must say it.
Why is there no word for "the" before key or table?