Question 1

Where is the ezafe in this sentence?

Accepted Answer

Even though it is not written, there is a linking sound called the ezafe (pronounced as "-e") connecting the noun varzesh (sport) to its adjective sakht (hard). When speaking, you say varzesh-e sakht.

Question 2

Why does yek come before the noun when adjectives come after?

Accepted Answer

In Farsi, adjectives come after the noun they describe. However, yek (a/one) acts as a number or article here, and numbers always come before the noun. That is why the phrase is ordered as yek varzesh-e sakht.

Question 3

Does sakht mean difficult, or physically hard and solid?

Accepted Answer

The word sakht can actually mean both, depending on the context! It can mean "difficult" (like a hard exam) or "solid" (like a hard rock). In this sentence, it means tennis is a physically demanding or difficult sport.

Question 4

How would a native speaker pronounce است at the end of this sentence in casual speech?

Accepted Answer

In everyday spoken Farsi, the "is" verb است (ast) is usually shortened to an "-e" sound attached to the word before it. Instead of saying sakht ast, you will usually hear native speakers say sakht-e.

تنیس یک ورزش سخت است.

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