Question 1

Why is the verb at the end dâshte bâshad instead of the normal present tense dârad?

Accepted Answer

Because the sentence starts with momken ast ke (it is possible that). In Farsi, phrases expressing possibility or necessity require the verb that follows to be in the present subjunctive form. So, the normal present tense dârad (it has) becomes the subjunctive dâshte bâshad (it may have).

Question 2

I thought the present subjunctive usually starts with the prefix be-. Why doesn't dâshte bâshad have it?

Accepted Answer

The verb "to have" (dâshtan) is a major exception in Farsi! It never takes the be- prefix in the subjunctive. Instead, it is formed using its past stem plus -e (dâshte) followed by the subjunctive forms of "to be" (bâsham, bâshi, bâshad, etc.).

Question 3

The English translation says "is a danger," but doesn't the verb come from "to have"?

Accepted Answer

Yes, literally this translates to "may have danger." In Farsi, instead of saying something "is dangerous" or "is a danger" using the verb "to be," it is much more natural to use the verb "to have" and say it "has danger" (khatar dârad or, in this case, khatar dâshte bâshad).

Question 4

Why do we use the word barâye (for) if the English translation says "to the environment"?

Accepted Answer

Prepositions often don't match up exactly between languages. In Farsi, when something is dangerous to a person or thing, you say it has danger for them. So, "a danger to the environment" naturally becomes "has danger for the environment" (barâye mohit khatar dâshte bâshad).

ممکن است که این دستگاه برای محیط خطر داشته باشد.

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