Q: Why is the second verb negative (نمیخورد) if هیچوقت already means "never"?

In Farsi, when you use a negative word like هیچوقت (never), the verb must also be negative. We literally say "never doesn't eat". English uses a single negative ("never eats"), but Farsi always requires this double negative.

Question 1

Why is the second verb negative (نمی‌خورد) if هیچ‌وقت already means "never"?

Accepted Answer

In Farsi, when you use a negative word like هیچ‌وقت (never), the verb must also be negative. We literally say "never doesn't eat". English uses a single negative ("never eats"), but Farsi always requires this double negative.

Question 2

What is the literal translation of هیچ‌وقت?

Accepted Answer

It is made of two words: هیچ (no/none) and وقت (time). So it literally means "no time" or "not at any time".

Question 3

Why do both verbs use the می prefix here?

Accepted Answer

The prefix می (mi-) shows that an action is continuous or habitual. Because drinking alcohol and eating nuts are general habits in this sentence ("she drinks", "she eats"), both می‌نوشد and نمی‌خورد need the می prefix.

Question 4

How does the negative prefix combine with the verb می‌خورد?

Accepted Answer

To make a present habitual verb negative, you add نـ (ne-) to the beginning. It attaches directly to the می prefix to form نمی (nemi-). So می‌خورد (she eats) becomes نمی‌خورد (she does not eat).

Question 5

Is آجیل the general word for any kind of nut?

Accepted Answer

آجیل (ajil) refers specifically to a traditional Persian mix of roasted nuts and seeds (like pistachios, almonds, and pumpkin seeds). It is much like the English concept of "mixed nuts". There are specific words for individual nuts, but آجیل is what you use when talking about snacking on nuts in general.

او الکل می‌نوشد، اما هیچ‌وقت آجیل نمی‌خورد.

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