Breakdown of در اختتامیه، آنها ریاضیدان، یک پیشگام پیر، را ملاقات کردند.
آنها
they
پیر
old
یکyek
one / a, an
درdar
in
Questions & Answers about در اختتامیه، آنها ریاضیدان، یک پیشگام پیر، را ملاقات کردند.
Why isn't there an Ezafe connecting ریاضیدان to یک پیشگام پیر?
Because this is a noun apposition (called Badal). The phrase یک پیشگام پیر (an old pioneer) is simply an alternative name or extra description for the ریاضیدان (mathematician). Instead of linking them with an Ezafe, Farsi separates them with commas or pauses, just like in English.
Why is the object marker را placed after پیر instead of right after ریاضیدان?
The word را must follow the entire direct object phrase. Since the appositive یک پیشگام پیر is treated as a restatement of the direct object (ریاضیدان), they function together as one big unit. Therefore, را waits until the very end of this combined phrase to appear.
Why is there an unseen Ezafe inside the appositive phrase (پیشگامِ پیر) but not before the phrase?
The Ezafe is used inside the appositive because پیر (old) is an adjective directly modifying the noun پیشگام (pioneer). However, because the entire phrase یک پیشگام پیر is an apposition to the main noun, the phrase itself is separated from the rest of the sentence by commas rather than by another Ezafe.
How does the suffix دان work in the word ریاضیدان?
The suffix دان comes from the verb root for knowing and indicates an expert or someone who knows. When attached to a subject like ریاضی (mathematics), it creates a profession. You will spot this in other words like (historian) or (physicist).