Learn Farsi: این عضویت هم شامل ایاب و ذهاب می‌شود. - This membership also includes transportation.

It uses the compound structure شامل ... شدن (shâmel-e ... shodan). Even though it translates as a simple active verb in English ('includes'), Farsi uses the adjective شامل (inclusive) connected to its object by an invisible ezafe (pronounced 'shâmel-e'), followed by the verb می‌شود (becomes). Literally, it reads as 'becomes inclusive of'.

The lesson mentions we can use a 'to be' verb or 'shodan'. Could I use است instead of می‌شود here?

Yes! You could say این عضویت هم شامل ایاب و ذهاب است. Both forms mean exactly the same thing in this context. Using است literally means 'is inclusive of', while می‌شود means 'becomes/acts inclusive of'. Farsi speakers use both almost interchangeably for stating what something includes.

What is the literal meaning of ایاب و ذهاب, and is it common in everyday speech?

ایاب و ذهاب (ayâb o zahâb) is a formal, Arabic-derived phrase meaning 'transportation' or 'commuting'. Literally, ایاب means 'returning' and ذهاب means 'going'. You will see it mostly in formal contexts like contracts, workplace benefits, or official memberships. In everyday casual speech, Iranians usually say رفت و آمد (raft o âmad).

Why is هم placed before شامل instead of at the end of the sentence?

The word هم (ham) generally follows the specific word or phrase it emphasizes. Here, it immediately follows to mean ' also includes... (just like the other membership)'. If you wanted to say 'This membership includes too' (along with meals and lodging), you would place right after instead.