Breakdown of این انبار خصوصی است، مگر اینکه کارگر باشید.
است
is
این
this
بودنbudan
to be
کارگرkârgar
worker
اینکهin-ke
that (conjunction)
مگرmagar
unless / perhaps (used in tags)
انبارanbâr
warehouse
خصوصیkhosusi
private
Questions & Answers about این انبار خصوصی است، مگر اینکه کارگر باشید.
Why is bashid used here instead of the normal present tense hastid?
Because the phrase magar inke (unless) sets up a condition or hypothetical exception. In Farsi, verbs following magar inke must be in the present subjunctive form. Therefore, the indicative hastid (you are) changes to the subjunctive bashid (you be).
Why doesn't the subjunctive verb bashid have the usual be- prefix at the beginning?
The verb for 'to be' is irregular in the present subjunctive. Instead of adding a be- prefix to a stem, it uses a special stem: bash-. When you add the formal or plural 'you' ending -id, it becomes bashid. You never say bebashid.
What is the difference between using just magar and magar inke in a sentence like this?
The phrase magar inke specifically means 'unless' or 'except if' and introduces a new clause with a verb. While magar alone can sometimes imply 'except', it is much more commonly used as a question word meaning 'by any chance?'. Using magar inke avoids any confusion and clearly sets up the 'unless' condition.
Can I include the pronoun shoma (you) before kargar?
It is perfectly fine to say magar inke shoma kargar bashid. Adding shoma just gives a bit of extra emphasis. However, because the ending of bashid already tells the listener exactly who is doing the action, dropping the pronoun makes the sentence sound more concise and natural.
Learn این انبار خصوصی است، مگر اینکه کارگر باشید 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