Breakdown of دزد توپ من را دزدید، اما من دیدمش.
من
I
اماammâ
but
دیدنdidan
to see / to watch
راrâ
definite direct object marker
Questions & Answers about دزد توپ من را دزدید، اما من دیدمش.
How exactly does دیدمش (didamesh) mean 'I saw him'?
This single word combines the verb and the object. دیدم (didam) means 'I saw'. The ending ـش (-esh or -ash) is an attached pronoun meaning 'him', 'her', or 'it'. Attaching these endings directly to the end of a verb is a very common way to express a direct object in Farsi.
Are the words دزد (dozd) and دزدید (dozdid) related?
Yes, they share the exact same root! دزد (dozd) is the noun meaning 'thief', and the verb for 'to steal' is دزدیدن (dozdidan). In this sentence, دزدید (dozdid) is the simple past tense meaning 'he/she/it stole'.
Why do we need the word را (râ) after توپ من (tup-e man)?
را (râ) is the specific direct object marker. It tells us that an action is being done to a known, specific thing. Since the thief didn't just steal a random ball, but specifically 'my ball' (توپ من), we must put را right after it to show it is the specific target of the stealing.
Why does the second part say اما من دیدمش (ammâ man didamesh) instead of just اما دیدمش (ammâ didamesh)?