Learn Farsi: شما کی به دانشگاه می‌روید؟

In Farsi, question words do not have to jump to the front of the sentence. Instead, they usually sit in the exact same spot where the answer will go! Since a time or day normally comes right after the subject in a statement (like "You tomorrow go to university"), the question word کی (when) simply takes that spot: شما کی به دانشگاه می‌روید؟ (Literally: You when to university go?).

Wait, doesn't کی mean "who"?

It can! The Farsi word for "who" (ki) and the word for "when" (key) are spelled exactly the same way in the Persian alphabet: کی. You have to tell them apart by context and pronunciation. In this sentence, since we already have the subject شما (you), asking "who" wouldn't make sense. So, it is pronounced key and means "when".

How does the verb می‌روید (miravid) match the "you" subject?

In Farsi, verbs always change their endings to match the person doing the action. The verb می‌روید ends with the suffix -ید (-id), which is the ending for شما (shomâ - you, formal or plural). The می‌ (mi-) at the front simply shows that it is a present tense action.

Do I have to use به (be) before the word for university?

Yes, به means "to" and it points to your destination: به دانشگاه (to the university). In very fast, casual street Farsi, people sometimes drop it, but in correct written or polite spoken Farsi like this sentence, you should always include it.