Breakdown of قبل از اینکه کیک را ببریم، عکس میگیریم.
عکسaks
picture
گرفتنgereftan
to take / to get
راrâ
definite direct object marker
کیکkeik
cake
بریدنboridan
to cut
قبل از اینکهghabl az inke
before (+ subjunctive)
Questions & Answers about قبل از اینکه کیک را ببریم، عکس میگیریم.
Why is the verb ببریم in the subjunctive form here?
In Farsi, the phrase قبل از اینکه (before) requires the verb that follows it to be in the present subjunctive. This is because the action of cutting the cake hasn't actually happened yet, making it a dependent, uncertain action.
What is the dictionary form of ببریم (we cut), and how is it built?
It comes from the infinitive بریدن (to cut). To make the present subjunctive for "we", you take the present stem بر, add the subjunctive prefix بـ, and attach the "we" ending ـیم. Note that it is spelled exactly the same as the subjunctive for "we carry" (from بردن), but the context of a cake makes the meaning clear!
Why is را used after کیک?
را is a marker that shows a direct object is specific. Because we are talking about cutting "the" cake (a specific one that we already know about) rather than just "a" cake, we must use را right after it.
Why is the second verb میگیریم (we take) in the regular present tense instead of the subjunctive?
میگیریم is the main, independent action of the sentence, so it stays in the normal present indicative tense (using the می prefix). The subjunctive rule only applies to the part of the sentence controlled by قبل از اینکه.
Learn قبل از اینکه کیک را ببریم، عکس میگیریم and more in Farsi
All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods, no signup needed.
- ✓ Practice with interactive exercises
- ✓ Track your progress with spaced repetition
- ✓Learn at your own pace — completely free