Question 1

How does bist si translate to 'twenty or thirty' without a word for 'or'?

Accepted Answer

To estimate a number in Farsi, you simply place two related numbers side-by-side. You do not need the word yâ (or). It is perfectly natural to just say bist si to mean twenty to thirty.

Question 2

Since 20 and 30 are not consecutive digits like 2 and 3, what rule dictates which numbers can be paired like this?

Accepted Answer

You pair numbers based on the logical counting interval. For single digits, you use consecutive numbers like do se (two or three). For tens, you pair consecutive tens like bist si or panjâh shast. You wouldn't pair unrelated jumps like bist panjâh (twenty fifty) using this structure.

Question 3

Why is the word shâkhe used here instead of the general counter tâ?

Accepted Answer

shâkhe literally means branch or stem. While the generic counter tâ is very common, Farsi uses specific measure words for certain noun categories. Using shâkhe is the most precise and natural counter for cut flowers like mikhak (carnation).

Question 4

Should the noun be plural since 20 or 30 stems are being ordered?

Accepted Answer

No, in Farsi, nouns following any number always remain in the singular form. This rule still applies to estimated ranges like bist si. Therefore, we use the singular shâkhe instead of the plural shâkhehâ.

Question 5

Is there a connecting sound between shâkhe and mikhak?

Accepted Answer

Yes, they are linked by the ezafe, so it is pronounced shâkhe-ye mikhak. A measure word and the noun it quantifies are always connected by an ezafe. Since shâkhe ends in a spoken 'e' vowel, the ezafe takes the -ye form.

آنها بیست سی شاخه میخک سفارش دادند.

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