Breakdown of قرار است که او یک نامه رسمی بنویسد.
است
is
او
he/she
یکyek
one / a, an
قرارgharâr
appointment
نامهnâme
letter
نوشتنneveshtan
to write
کهke
that (conjunction)
رسمیrasmi
official / formal
Questions & Answers about قرار است که او یک نامه رسمی بنویسد.
Why is the verb بنویسد in the subjunctive form here?
It follows the phrase قرار است که (it is planned that / is supposed to). Expressions showing expectation, intention, or obligation trigger the present subjunctive for the main action because that action hasn't actually happened yet—it is only a plan.
What does the word قرار literally mean in this phrase?
قرار by itself usually means arrangement, appointment, or agreement. So قرار است literally translates to "the arrangement is" or "it is established." When used with که and a subjunctive verb, it perfectly captures the English concept of being "supposed to" do something.
Can I move the subject او to the very beginning of the sentence?
Yes, you absolutely can. You could say او قرار است که یک نامه رسمی بنویسد. Even though قرار است is an impersonal phrase (literally "it is planned"), placing the logical subject at the start is very common in everyday Farsi and sounds just like "He is supposed to..." in English.
How do we connect نامه and رسمی when reading this sentence aloud?
You connect them using the ezafe vowel. Because نامه (letter) ends in a silent "h" that makes an "e" or "a" sound, you add a "ye" sound to link it to the adjective. It is pronounced nâmeh-ye rasmi. Notice that the number یک (a/one) sits before the noun and does not take an ezafe.
What is the present stem hidden inside the verb بنویسد?
The infinitive verb is نوشتن (to write), and its present stem is نویس. To make the present subjunctive form for "he/she", you add the subjunctive prefix بـ at the beginning and the third-person singular ending ـد at the end, creating بنویسد.
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