Learn Farsi: این پیوند فرخنده باد!

bâd is the historical optative (wishing) mood of the verb to be. While modern Persian often uses the subjunctive bâshad for wishes, bâd survives as a fixed, invariant form specifically for formal blessings, curses, and poetry. It is a defective verb, meaning it only exists in this 3rd-person form and does not conjugate for other pronouns.

Is this a phrase I would actually hear in everyday life, or is it strictly literary?

You will see and hear it frequently, but specifically as a formal congratulation at weddings. It is very common on wedding invitations, banners, or greeting cards. Outside of fixed, traditional phrases like this, the optative mood is rarely used in daily conversation.

Does the word peyvand always mean a marriage union?

No, its core meaning is a link, bond, or connection. For example, it is used in modern Farsi for an internet hyperlink, a joint in anatomy, or a graft in plants. However, in the context of this specific blessing, it universally refers to a marriage.

Could I replace farkhondeh with the more common word mobârak in this sentence?

Yes, you could say mobârak bâd and it would carry a similar meaning. However, farkhondeh is a Persian-origin word that sounds much more poetic, formal, and auspicious. Using farkhondeh elevates the phrase, which is why it is the standard, elegant choice for wedding blessings.