Question 1

Why doesn't this sentence use the "ast ke" duration structure we are learning in this lesson?

Accepted Answer

The "ast ke" structure (like do sâl ast ke) is used for an action that started in the past and is still happening now. This sentence focuses on a completed past moment: the specific time we started knowing each other. Therefore, it uses zamâni ke (the time when) alongside the simple past verbs shoru' kardim and bud.

Question 2

Why does the sentence use khod instead of the suffix -mân for "our" acquaintance?

Accepted Answer

The word khod is a reflexive pronoun that points back to the subject of the sentence. Since the subject of shoru' kardim is "we", khod automatically translates to "our" in this context. You could perfectly well say âshnâyi-ye mân, but using khod is very natural and sounds a bit more polished.

Question 3

Why is the direct object marker râ placed after khod instead of right after âshnâyi?

Accepted Answer

The object marker râ must always go at the very end of the complete noun phrase. Because "our acquaintance" acts as one connected phrase linked by the Ezafe (âshnâyi-ye khod), the râ sits at the end of the entire group.

Question 4

Can I say vaghti ke instead of zamâni ke here?

Accepted Answer

Yes, absolutely. Both vaghti ke and zamâni ke mean "when" or "at the time that" and trigger the same grammar. zamâni ke comes from the word zamân (time) and sounds just a little more formal or literary, whereas vaghti ke is the standard choice for everyday conversation.

زمانی که آشنایی خود را شروع کردیم، عالی بود.

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