Question 1

Why do we use az in ba'zi az mive-ha, and can we use an Ezafe instead?

Accepted Answer

ba'zi az translates literally to "some of". When you want to say "some [plural noun]", you can use ba'zi az followed by the plural noun, like ba'zi az mive-ha (some of the fruits). You can also use the Ezafe instead of az, which would be ba'zi-ye mive-ha. Both are completely correct and mean the same thing.

Question 2

Why is there a ra after ba'zi az mive-ha? Isn't "some" indefinite?

Accepted Answer

While "some" feels indefinite, in Farsi, phrases built with ba'zi az (some of) are generally treated as specific objects. Because you are talking about "some of the fruits" (a specific sub-group) rather than just "any fruits" in general, the phrase takes the specific direct object marker ra.

Question 3

Why is the verb نخوریم (nakhorim) in the subjunctive form here?

Accepted Answer

The phrase behtar ast (it is better) is an expression that triggers the subjunctive mood. It sets up a recommendation or desire ("it is better that..."), so the verb that follows must be subjunctive. Here, we need the negative subjunctive, so we use the negative prefix na- instead of the usual be- to make nakhorim (that we do not eat).

Question 4

Could we add the word ke (that) after behtar ast?

Accepted Answer

Yes, absolutely! You will often see it written fully as behtar ast ke (it is better that). In both spoken and written Farsi, ke is frequently dropped when it connects these kinds of phrases, which is very similar to how we drop the word "that" in English ("It is better we don't eat...").

بهتر است بعضی از میوه‌ها را نخوریم.

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