Breakdown of اگر سگ دستور را بفهمد، به او تشویقی میدهم.
او
he/she
سگsag
dog
بهbe
to
دادنdâdan
to give
راrâ
definite direct object marker
فهمیدنfahmidan
to understand
اگرagar
if
دستورdastur
command / order
تشویقیtashvighi
treat (for animals)
Questions & Answers about اگر سگ دستور را بفهمد، به او تشویقی میدهم.
Why is the verb بفهمد (befahmad) in the subjunctive mood here instead of the normal present tense?
While you have been learning to use the subjunctive after verbs like 'to want' for indirect commands, it is also required after اگر (agar - if) in conditional sentences. Because 'if the dog understands' is a possible future condition that may or may not happen, we use the present subjunctive بفهمد.
How does the word تشویقی (tashviqi) translate to 'a treat'?
The base word is تشویق (tashviq), which means 'encouragement' or 'praise'. By adding the -ی suffix, it becomes a physical noun meaning 'something used for encouragement'. When talking about pets or training, تشویقی is the everyday Farsi word for an animal treat.
Why does دستور (dastur - command) take the object marker را (râ), but تشویقی (treat) does not?
The word را is only used for specific, definite direct objects. The dog is supposed to understand 'the' specific command, so دستور gets the marker. However, the speaker is just giving 'a' general treat, so تشویقی remains indefinite and does not take را.
Isn't the pronoun او (u) only used for humans? Why is it used for a dog here?
Traditionally, Farsi grammar uses او for humans and آن (it) for animals and objects. However, in modern everyday Farsi, people very frequently use او for animals, especially beloved pets or animals they are interacting with directly.
Learn اگر سگ دستور را بفهمد، به او تشویقی میدهم and more in Farsi
All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods, no signup needed.
- ✓ Practice with interactive exercises
- ✓ Track your progress with spaced repetition
- ✓Learn at your own pace — completely free