Question 1

Why does be jâ-ye have an -ye sound at the end?

Accepted Answer

The phrase for "instead of" is be jâ. When you connect it to the noun that follows it (in this case, čarm or leather), you must use the connecting -e sound, known as the Ezâfe. Because jâ ends in a vowel, the Ezâfe takes the form of -ye, making it be jâ-ye čarm.

Question 2

Why is the direct object marker râ only used after maxmal (velvet) and not čarm (leather)?

Accepted Answer

The word râ marks the specific direct object of the verb entexâb konim (we choose). What are we choosing? Velvet (maxmal). Leather (čarm) is not the direct object of the verb; it is attached to the preposition be jâ-ye (instead of) and therefore doesn't take râ.

Question 3

Why is the second verb entexâb konim (choose) in the present subjunctive form when the first verb is in the past tense?

Accepted Answer

In Farsi, when you use a verb like "to decide" followed by ke (that), the second verb is usually in the subjunctive mood. The sentence literally translates to "We decided that we choose velvet." The action of choosing is a potential outcome of the decision, which triggers the subjunctive.

Question 4

What is the literal translation of the first verb, tasmim gereftim?

Accepted Answer

It literally means "we took a decision." Tasmim means "decision" and gereftim is the "we" past tense form of gereftan (to take). Farsi uses this compound verb exactly where English uses "to decide" or "to make a decision."

ما تصمیم گرفتیم که به جای چرم، مخمل را انتخاب کنیم.

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