Breakdown of زنجیر را به لاستیک ببند مبادا در برف گیر کنیم.
درdar
in
بهbe
to
راrâ
definite direct object marker
بستنbastan
to close / to fasten/tie
برفbarf
snow
لاستیکlâstik
tire
مباداmabâdâ
lest / so that not
زنجیرzanjir
chain
گیر کردنgir kardan
to get stuck
Questions & Answers about زنجیر را به لاستیک ببند مبادا در برف گیر کنیم.
Why is the verb gir konim affirmative if the English translation says 'so that not'?
The word mabâdâ translates to 'lest' or 'so that... not'. Because the negative meaning is already packed into mabâdâ, the Farsi verb that follows it must be in the affirmative. Saying mabâdâ gir nakonim would be an incorrect double negative.
Why do we use the present subjunctive (gir konim) after mabâdâ?
Conjunctions that express purpose, intention, or a hypothetical outcome always take the present subjunctive in Farsi. Since getting stuck in the snow is a possibility we want to avoid, rather than an established fact, we must use the subjunctive form of gir kardan.
How is the command beband (fasten) formed here?
It comes from the infinitive bastan (to tie or fasten). Its present stem is band. To create an informal, singular command for 'you', you add the imperative prefix be- to the present stem, resulting in beband.
Why does zanjir (chain) have râ right after it?
râ is the postposition used to mark a definite direct object. The speaker isn't telling them to fasten 'a' chain, but rather 'the' specific chain for the tires. Because the object is specific, râ is required immediately after it.
How does the compound verb gir kardan literally translate?
The noun gir refers to a snag, catch, or hitch. When combined with the light verb kardan (to do / to make), the compound verb gir kardan takes on the meaning of 'to become caught' or 'to get stuck'.
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