Learn Farsi: امروز ستاره‌ها نمی‌درخشد.

This is exactly what this lesson is about! In Farsi, when the subject is made of plural inanimate objects (things that are not alive, like stars, trees, or cars), the verb is usually conjugated in the third-person singular. So, Farsi literally says the stars it does not shine.

How is the negative present tense verb نمی‌درخشد put together?

It is built using the present stem of the verb to shine, which is درخش. We add the negative prefix نـ and the present tense prefix می to the front, making نمی‌درخش. Finally, we add the third-person singular ending ـَد to the very end.

How do you pronounce the negative prefix block at the start of نمی‌درخشد?

When the negative prefix is attached to a verb starting with می, its pronunciation changes slightly. Instead of saying na-mi, Farsi speakers say ne-mi. So the whole verb sounds like ne-mi-derakhshad.

Could I use the plural verb ending and say نمی‌درخشند instead?

In everyday speech, you should always use the singular verb for inanimate objects. However, in Farsi poetry and literature, if non-living things are being personified to act like humans, they are sometimes given a plural verb. For normal conversation, always stick to the singular!

Is it mandatory to put امروز at the very beginning of the sentence?