Question 1

Why do we use the plural forms avâyel-e and avâset-e here instead of the singular avval-e and vasat-e?

Accepted Answer

Using the Arabic broken plurals avâyel and avâset stretches the time frame. While avval-e mâh might refer to the very first day, avâyel-e mâh means the early days of the month. It turns a single point in time into a general period.

Question 2

The word mâh is used three times in this sentence. How do we know which meaning is intended?

Accepted Answer

Context tells us which meaning of mâh (which translates to both moon and month) applies. In avâyel-e mâh and avâset-e mâh, it means month because we are dividing time. In mâh-e kâmel, it means moon because it pairs with kâmel (full) to describe the physical object in the sky.

Question 3

The sentence ends with mâh-e kâmel râ. Where is the verb for this second half?

Accepted Answer

The verb mi-binim (we see) is dropped from the second clause because it is identical to the verb in the first clause. This kind of verb omission is very common in Farsi to avoid sounding repetitive. The object marker râ helps signal that mâh-e kâmel is the direct object of that hidden verb.

Question 4

Why isn't there a preposition like dar (in) before avâyel-e at the beginning of the sentence?

Accepted Answer

Time expressions in Farsi, especially those using avâyel-e, avâset-e, and avâkher-e, often act directly as adverbs of time. You do not need to add dar (in) before them; the phrase stands perfectly well on its own.

اوایل ماه هلال را می‌بینیم و اواسط ماه، ماه کامل را.

Breakdown of اوایل ماه هلال را می‌بینیم و اواسط ماه، ماه کامل را.

Questions & Answers about اوایل ماه هلال را می‌بینیم و اواسط ماه، ماه کامل را.

Learn اوایل ماه هلال را می‌بینیم و اواسط ماه، ماه کامل را and more in Farsi