Ezafe construction: the linking -e/-ye between noun+adjective and noun+noun
I can use ezafe to link words.
Look at these examples. Can you spot the grammar pattern?
کتابِ بزرگ روی میز است.
The big book is on the table.
اسمِ من علی است.
My name is Ali.
خانهیِ ما بزرگ است.
Our house is big.
چایِ ایرانی خیلی خوشمزه است.
Iranian tea is very tasty.
Pay attention to the highlighted parts. What do they have in common?
The ezafe is a short unstressed -e (or -ye after vowels) that links words together. It's usually NOT written, but always spoken!
The ezafe is spoken but rarely written. You just have to know it's there!
Apply this grammar in A1 course exercises
Practice ExercisesNot pronouncing the ezafe (it's invisible but must be spoken!). Putting adjective before noun. Forgetting -ye after vowels.
Not pronouncing the invisible ezafe
Always say the -e/-ye between linked words, even though it's not written.
Putting adjective before noun (English habit)
Persian: noun + ezafe + adjective. کتابِ بزرگ (book-e big), NOT بزرگ کتاب.
کتابِ بزرگ روی میز است.
The big book is on the table.
کتابِ بزرگ (ketâb-e bozorg): ezafe -e links noun to adjective. Adjective AFTER noun!
اسمِ من علی است.
My name is Ali.
اسمِ من (esm-e man) = name of me = my name. Ezafe shows possession.
خانهیِ ما بزرگ است.
Our house is big.
خانهیِ (xâne-ye): after vowel ه, ezafe becomes -ye. ما = our (possession via ezafe).
چایِ ایرانی خیلی خوشمزه است.
Iranian tea is very tasty.
چایِ ایرانی: two ezafes possible — چای-e irâni (Iranian tea). Chain of ezafes is common!
Practice in course
Apply this grammar in A1 course exercises