Questions & Answers about دولت مرکزی ضعیف بود.
The word for 'central' is markazi. How is this word built?
It is formed by adding the suffix -i (ی) to the noun markaz (مرکز), which means 'center'. This -i suffix is a very common way to turn a noun into an adjective that means 'related to [noun]'. So, markaz (center) becomes markazi (central).
How are the words dovlat (government) and markazi (central) linked when speaking?
They are linked by the ezāfe. Even though it is not written, you pronounce an 'e' sound between them: dovlat-e markazi. In Farsi, the noun comes first, followed by the ezāfe sound, and then its adjective.
Why does za'if (weak) come right before the verb bud (was)?
Farsi sentences generally put the verb at the very end. In descriptive sentences like this one, the adjective describing the subject (here, za'if) goes immediately before the 'to be' verb. The literal word order is 'government-e central weak was'.
The word za'if (ضعیف) is spelled with some tricky letters. How do you pronounce it?
It is pronounced 'za-if'. The first letter is zād (ض), which simply sounds like a regular English 'z' in Farsi. The middle letter is eyn (ع), which creates a tiny pause or a slight catch in the throat before the 'i' sound.