Breakdown of من برادرت را نمیشناسم.
من
I
برادرbarâdar
brother
راrâ
definite direct object marker
شناختنshenâkhtan
to know (someone) / to recognize
Questions & Answers about من برادرت را نمیشناسم.
Why is the word ra (را) used right after barâdar-at?
The word ra marks the definite direct object in a sentence. The direct object is who or what receives the action of the verb (in this case, who is not known). Because barâdar-at refers to a specific, known person (your brother), it is a definite object and must be followed by ra.
How does barâdar-at (برادرت) mean your brother if there is no separate word for your?
Instead of using a separate word, Farsi often uses possessive suffixes attached to the end of nouns. The suffix -at is the informal singular ending for your. When attached to barâdar (brother), it becomes barâdar-at (your brother).
Why does the verb nemi-shenâsam (نمیشناسم) start with nemi-?
To make a present tense verb negative, Farsi adds the negative prefix ne- directly to the present continuous prefix mi-. So, mi-shenâsam (I know) becomes nemi-shenâsam (I do not know).
Could I use nemi-shenâsam to say I do not know the time or I do not know the answer?
No, you would need a different verb! The verb used here is specifically for knowing, recognizing, or being familiar with people, places, or objects. To talk about knowing facts or information, Farsi uses a completely different verb.