Learn Farsi: آیا تو می‌توانی این کتاب را بخوانی؟

In Farsi, when you combine two verbs like 'can' and 'read', the second verb must be in the subjunctive form. That means it takes the prefix بـ (be-) instead of میـ (mi-). Literally, this sentence translates to 'Are you able that you read this book?'

How exactly is the subjunctive verb بخوانی built here?

It follows the rule for the present subjunctive: the prefix بـ (be-) + the present stem of the verb + the personal ending. The present stem of 'to read' is خوان (khân). Since the subject is 'you' (تو), we add the ending ی (-i). So: بـ + خوان + ی = بخوانی.

Why do both می‌توانی and بخوانی end in ی (-i)?

In English, we say 'Can you read', changing only the first verb to match the subject. In Farsi, every verb in the sentence must match the subject. Since the subject is تو (you), both 'can' and 'read' must take the 'you' ending ی (-i).

What is the purpose of را (râ) in this sentence?

را (râ) is the specific direct object marker. Because we are talking about a specific book—this book (این کتاب)—Farsi requires را to show that it is the direct target of the verb 'read'. If it were just 'a book' (not specific), we wouldn't use .