Question 1

Why is there an -اً at the end of قانوناً?

Accepted Answer

This is the Arabic suffix -اً (pronounced "-an"), which turns a noun or adjective into an adverb of manner. Here, it is added to the noun قانون (law) to create قانوناً (legally). The double-dash symbol on top of the alef is called tanvin, and it tells you to pronounce the ending as "-an".

Question 2

Will I always see the double dashes written on adverbs like قانوناً?

Accepted Answer

Not always. In everyday handwriting or casual typing, Farsi speakers often leave out the double dashes and just write the bare alef (قانونا). Even when the dashes are missing, you must still pronounce the word as "qanunan".

Question 3

Can I say "legally" using native Farsi words instead of the Arabic -اً ending?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Instead of using the Arabic adverb form, Farsi speakers frequently use phrases like از نظر (from the perspective of) or به طور (in a manner). For example, you could replace قانوناً with از نظر قانونی (from a legal perspective) or به طور قانونی (in a legal manner). All are perfectly natural here.

Question 4

Is there a hidden ezafe connecting مقصر (at fault) and این مشکل (this problem)?

Accepted Answer

Yes! In English we say someone is to blame "for" a problem, but Farsi connects the adjective مقصر directly to the problem using an ezafe (the hidden "-e" sound). You pronounce it مقصرِ این مشکل (moqasser-e in moshkel), which translates literally to "the guilty [of] this problem."

شرکت قانوناً مقصر این مشکل است.

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