The English word "that" corresponds to two primary words in Persian: که (ke) and آن (ān). Understanding when to use each one is crucial for mastering Persian sentence structure. که functions as a conjunction meaning "that" in sentences like "I know that he is coming," while آن serves as a demonstrative pronoun or adjective meaning "that" when pointing to something, as in "that book."
Definition: In Persian, "that" is expressed through: -
که (ke) - conjunction used to connect clauses -
آن (ān) - demonstrative pronoun/adjective used to indicate distance or specificity
Q: What does "that" mean in Persian? A: "That" in Persian is expressed as که (ke) when used as a conjunction to connect clauses, and as آن (ān) when used as a demonstrative to point to something specific or distant.
In this lesson, we will explore both uses of "that" in Persian through 15 varied examples showing different grammatical contexts. You'll learn to distinguish between که as a subordinating conjunction and آن as a demonstrative, understanding their placement and function in natural Persian sentences.
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Subject: Persian Language Learning -
Level: Beginner to Intermediate -
Topic: Conjunctions and Demonstratives -
Focus Word: که/آن (that) -
Lesson Type: Reading comprehension with grammatical analysis
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Persian uses two different words for English "that": که (ke) and آن (ān) -
که connects clauses and introduces subordinate statements -
آن points to specific objects or concepts with distance or emphasis -
Word order in Persian differs significantly from English when using these words -
Both words are essential for forming complex sentences in Persian
13.1 I من (man) know میدانم (mi-dānam) that که (ke) he او (u) is است (ast) tired خسته (khaste)
13.2 That آن (ān) book کتاب (ketāb) on روی (ru-ye) the table میز (miz) is است (ast) mine مال من (māl-e man)
13.3 She او (u) said گفت (goft) that که (ke) the weather هوا (havā) tomorrow فردا (fardā) will be خواهد بود (khāhad bud) cold سرد (sard)
13.4 Give بده (bedeh) me به من (be man) that آن (ān) pen قلم (ghalam) please لطفاً (lotfan)
13.5 We ما (mā) believe معتقدیم (mo'taghedim) that که (ke) education تحصیل (tahsil) is است (ast) important مهم (mohem)
13.6 That آن (ān) man مرد (mard) who که (ke) is standing ایستاده است (istāde ast) there آنجا (ānjā) is است (ast) my من (man) teacher معلم (mo'allem)
13.7 Did آیا (āyā) you تو (to) hear شنیدی (shenidi) that که (ke) they آنها (ānhā) arrived رسیدند (residand)?
13.8 The house خانهای (khāne-i) that که (ke) we ما (mā) bought خریدیم (kharidim) is است (ast) very خیلی (kheyli) beautiful زیبا (zibā)
13.9 That آن (ān) is است (ast) exactly دقیقاً (daghighan) what چیزی که (chizi ke) I من (man) wanted میخواستم (mi-khāstam)
13.10 They آنها (ānhā) think فکر میکنند (fekr mi-konand) that که (ke) learning یادگیری (yādgiri) Persian فارسی (fārsi) is است (ast) difficult سخت (sakht)
13.11 Look at نگاه کن به (negāh kon be) that آن (ān) beautiful زیبا (zibā) garden باغ (bāgh) over there آن طرف (ān taraf)
13.12 The fact واقعیت (vāghe'iyat) that که (ke) he او (u) came آمد (āmad) surprised متعجب کرد (mota'ajjeb kard) everyone همه را (hame rā)
13.13 That آن (ān) which چیزی که (chizi ke) you تو (to) see میبینی (mi-bini) is است (ast) not نیست (nist) real واقعی (vāghe'i)
13.14 She او (u) forgot فراموش کرد (farāmush kard) that که (ke) today امروز (emruz) is است (ast) Friday جمعه (jom'e)
13.15 After بعد از (ba'd az) that آن (ān) day روز (ruz) everything همه چیز (hame chiz) changed تغییر کرد (taghyir kard)
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13.1 من میدانم که او خسته است. I know that he is tired.
13.2 آن کتاب روی میز مال من است. That book on the table is mine.
13.3 او گفت که هوا فردا سرد خواهد بود. She said that the weather tomorrow will be cold.
13.4 آن قلم را لطفاً به من بده. Give me that pen please.
13.5 ما معتقدیم که تحصیل مهم است. We believe that education is important.
13.6 آن مردی که آنجا ایستاده است معلم من است. That man who is standing there is my teacher.
13.7 آیا شنیدی که آنها رسیدند؟ Did you hear that they arrived?
13.8 خانهای که ما خریدیم خیلی زیبا است. The house that we bought is very beautiful.
13.9 آن دقیقاً چیزی است که من میخواستم. That is exactly what I wanted.
13.10 آنها فکر میکنند که یادگیری فارسی سخت است. They think that learning Persian is difficult.
13.11 به آن باغ زیبای آن طرف نگاه کن. Look at that beautiful garden over there.
13.12 واقعیت که او آمد همه را متعجب کرد. The fact that he came surprised everyone.
13.13 آن چیزی که تو میبینی واقعی نیست. That which you see is not real.
13.14 او فراموش کرد که امروز جمعه است. She forgot that today is Friday.
13.15 بعد از آن روز همه چیز تغییر کرد. After that day everything changed.
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13.1 من میدانم که او خسته است.
13.2 آن کتاب روی میز مال من است.
13.3 او گفت که هوا فردا سرد خواهد بود.
13.4 آن قلم را لطفاً به من بده.
13.5 ما معتقدیم که تحصیل مهم است.
13.6 آن مردی که آنجا ایستاده است معلم من است.
13.7 آیا شنیدی که آنها رسیدند؟
13.8 خانهای که ما خریدیم خیلی زیبا است.
13.9 آن دقیقاً چیزی است که من میخواستم.
13.10 آنها فکر میکنند که یادگیری فارسی سخت است.
13.11 به آن باغ زیبای آن طرف نگاه کن.
13.12 واقعیت که او آمد همه را متعجب کرد.
13.13 آن چیزی که تو میبینی واقعی نیست.
13.14 او فراموش کرد که امروز جمعه است.
13.15 بعد از آن روز همه چیز تغییر کرد.
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The word "that" in Persian requires careful attention because it translates differently depending on its grammatical function:
1. که (ke) as a Conjunction -
Used to introduce subordinate clauses -
Equivalent to English "that" in sentences like "I think that..." -
Always connects two complete thoughts -
Cannot be omitted in Persian (unlike sometimes in English) -
Pronunciation: /ke/ - a short, crisp sound
2. آن (ān) as a Demonstrative -
Used to point to specific objects or concepts -
Equivalent to English "that" when indicating something distant -
Can function as both pronoun and adjective -
Pronunciation: /ɒːn/ - with a long 'a' sound
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Using آن instead of که for conjunctions -
Wrong: من میدانم آن او خسته است -
Correct: من میدانم که او خسته است -
Omitting که in complex sentences -
English allows: "I think he's coming" -
Persian requires: "I think that he's coming" (فکر میکنم که او میآید) -
Word order confusion with آن -
Persian typically places adjectives after nouns -
آن کتاب زیبا (that beautiful book) - literally "that book beautiful" -
Confusing که in relative clauses -
که can also mean "who/which" in relative clauses -
مردی که آمد (the man who came)
English "that" Functions: -
Demonstrative adjective: "that book" -
Demonstrative pronoun: "that is mine" -
Conjunction: "I know that..." -
Relative pronoun: "the book that I read"
Persian Equivalents: -
آن کتاب (ān ketāb) -
آن مال من است (ān māl-e man ast) -
میدانم که... (mi-dānam ke...) -
کتابی که خواندم (ketābi ke khāndam)
Step 1: Identify the function of "that" in your English sentence Step 2: If it connects two clauses, use که Step 3: If it points to something, use آن Step 4: For relative clauses, use که after the noun with ی (-i) suffix Step 5: Remember که cannot be omitted, even in casual speech
که (ke) -
Type: Conjunction/Relative pronoun -
Position: Between clauses -
Cannot be declined or conjugated -
Essential in formal and informal speech
آن (ān) -
Type: Demonstrative pronoun/adjective -
Can be combined with other words: آنجا (there), آنچه (that which) -
Plural form: آنها (ānhā) - those/they -
Can take ezāfe construction: آنِ من (ān-e man) - mine/that of mine
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Understanding the use of "that" in Persian provides insight into Persian communication patterns and cultural values. Persian speakers tend to use more elaborate and connected sentence structures than English speakers, making که particularly important in everyday conversation.
In Persian culture, indirect communication is often preferred, and که facilitates this by allowing speakers to introduce thoughts, opinions, and reported speech gracefully. The phrase "گفت که" (goft ke - said that) is extremely common in storytelling and conversation, as Persians often quote others or report conversations in detail.
The demonstrative آن carries cultural weight when used in poetry and formal speech. In classical Persian poetry, آن often appears in mystical contexts, pointing to divine or transcendent concepts. The phrase "آن که" (ān ke - that which/the one who) frequently introduces profound statements about love, spirituality, or wisdom.
Persian hospitality culture affects demonstrative usage. When offering something, Persians might use آن less directly than English speakers would use "that," preferring softer, more polite constructions. Instead of pointing directly with آن, they might use circumlocutions that show more respect.
In modern Persian, especially among younger speakers, there's a tendency to simplify complex که constructions in casual speech, though formal Persian maintains traditional patterns. Understanding both registers helps learners navigate different social contexts appropriately.
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From the Golestān of Sa'di (13th century):
Human beings بنیآدم (bani-ādam) are اعضای (a'zā-ye) members یکدیگرند (yekdigar-and) of each other که (ke) that در (dar) in آفرینش (āfarinesh) creation ز (ze) from یک (yek) one گوهرند (gohar-and) essence they are. چو (cho) When عضوی (ozvi) a member به (be) to درد (dard) pain آورد (āvarad) brings روزگار (ruzegār) time/fate دگر (degar) other عضوها (ozvhā) members را (rā) [object marker] نماند (namānad) not remains قرار (gharār) rest.
بنیآدم اعضای یکدیگرند که در آفرینش ز یک گوهرند چو عضوی به درد آورد روزگار دگر عضوها را نماند قرار
Human beings are members of each other, that in creation are from one essence. When fate brings pain to one member, the other members cannot remain at rest.
This famous couplet from Sa'di's Golestān demonstrates the sophisticated use of که in classical Persian poetry. Here, که functions as a relative pronoun meaning "that/who," connecting the statement about humanity's interconnectedness to their common origin. The grammatical structure shows how که creates flowing, philosophical statements that are characteristic of Persian literary style.
The که in this passage connects two ideas: humans are interconnected AND they share a common essence. This construction که در آفرینش (ke dar āfarinesh) demonstrates how که introduces explanatory clauses in formal Persian. The word order places the verb at the end (گوهرند), following classical Persian syntax. Note how the second line uses چو (cho) meaning "when," showing another conjunction pattern that works alongside که to create complex poetic meaning.
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13.16 The minister وزیر (vazir) announced اعلام کرد (e'lām kard) that که (ke) new جدید (jadid) economic اقتصادی (eghtesādi) reforms اصلاحات (eslāhāt) will begin شروع خواهد شد (shoru' khāhad shod) next آینده (āyande) month ماه (māh)
13.17 Reports گزارشها (gozāresh-hā) indicate نشان میدهند (neshān mi-dahand) that که (ke) unemployment بیکاری (bikāri) has decreased کاهش یافته است (kāhesh yāfte ast) by به میزان (be mizān-e) five پنج (panj) percent درصد (darsad)
13.18 That آن (ān) earthquake زلزله (zelzele) which که (ke) struck رخ داد (rokh dād) yesterday دیروز (diruz) damaged خسارت زد (khesārat zad) several چندین (chandin) buildings ساختمان (sākhtemān)
13.19 Scientists دانشمندان (dāneshmandān) believe معتقدند (mo'taghed-and) that که (ke) climate آب و هوا (āb-o-havā) change تغییر (taghyir) is accelerating در حال تسریع است (dar hāl-e tasri' ast)
13.20 The president رئیسجمهور (ra'is-jomhur) stated بیان کرد (bayān kard) that که (ke) international بینالمللی (beyn-ol-melali) cooperation همکاری (hamkāri) is است (ast) essential ضروری (zaruri)
13.21 That آن (ān) agreement توافق (tavāfogh) that که (ke) was signed امضا شد (emzā shod) last گذشته (gozashte) week هفته (hafte) will strengthen تقویت خواهد کرد (taghviyat khāhad kard) trade تجارت (tejārat) relations روابط (ravābet)
13.22 Witnesses شاهدان (shāhedān) reported گزارش دادند (gozāresh dādand) that که (ke) the accident تصادف (tasādof) occurred رخ داد (rokh dād) at در (dar) midnight نیمهشب (nime-shab)
13.23 Experts کارشناسان (kārshenāsān) warn هشدار میدهند (hoshdār mi-dahand) that که (ke) inflation تورم (tavarrom) may ممکن است (momken ast) rise افزایش یابد (afzāyesh yābad) significantly به طور قابل توجه (be tor-e ghābel-e tavajjoh)
13.24 That آن (ān) new جدید (jadid) law قانون (ghānun) regarding در مورد (dar mored-e) education آموزش (āmuzesh) will be خواهد بود (khāhad bud) implemented اجرا (ejrā) soon به زودی (be zudi)
13.25 Officials مقامات (maghāmāt) confirmed تأیید کردند (ta'yid kardand) that که (ke) the project پروژه (pozhe) is است (ast) on طبق (tebgh-e) schedule برنامه (barnāme)
13.26 The report گزارش (gozāresh) shows نشان میدهد (neshān mi-dahad) that که (ke) exports صادرات (sāderāt) have increased افزایش یافتهاند (afzāyesh yāfte-and) this این (in) year سال (sāl)
13.27 That آن (ān) decision تصمیم (tasmim) that که (ke) the government دولت (dowlat) made گرفت (gereft) has affected تأثیر گذاشته است (ta'sir gozāshte ast) many بسیاری (besyāri) citizens شهروندان (shahrvandān)
13.28 Analysts تحلیلگران (tahlilgarān) predict پیشبینی میکنند (pish-bini mi-konand) that که (ke) oil نفت (naft) prices قیمتها (gheymat-hā) will stabilize تثبیت خواهد شد (tasbit khāhad shod)
13.29 The investigation تحقیق (tahghigh) revealed آشکار کرد (āshkār kard) that که (ke) corruption فساد (fesād) was بود (bud) widespread گسترده (gostarde)
13.30 Sources منابع (manābe') claim ادعا میکنند (ede'ā mi-konand) that که (ke) negotiations مذاکرات (mozākerāt) will continue ادامه خواهد یافت (edāme khāhad yāft) tomorrow فردا (fardā)
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13.16 وزیر اعلام کرد که اصلاحات اقتصادی جدید ماه آینده شروع خواهد شد. The minister announced that new economic reforms will begin next month.
13.17 گزارشها نشان میدهند که بیکاری به میزان پنج درصد کاهش یافته است. Reports indicate that unemployment has decreased by five percent.
13.18 آن زلزلهای که دیروز رخ داد به چندین ساختمان خسارت زد. That earthquake which struck yesterday damaged several buildings.
13.19 دانشمندان معتقدند که تغییر آب و هوا در حال تسریع است. Scientists believe that climate change is accelerating.
13.20 رئیسجمهور بیان کرد که همکاری بینالمللی ضروری است. The president stated that international cooperation is essential.
13.21 آن توافقی که هفته گذشته امضا شد روابط تجاری را تقویت خواهد کرد. That agreement that was signed last week will strengthen trade relations.
13.22 شاهدان گزارش دادند که تصادف در نیمهشب رخ داد. Witnesses reported that the accident occurred at midnight.
13.23 کارشناسان هشدار میدهند که تورم ممکن است به طور قابل توجه افزایش یابد. Experts warn that inflation may rise significantly.
13.24 آن قانون جدید در مورد آموزش به زودی اجرا خواهد بود. That new law regarding education will be implemented soon.
13.25 مقامات تأیید کردند که پروژه طبق برنامه است. Officials confirmed that the project is on schedule.
13.26 گزارش نشان میدهد که صادرات این سال افزایش یافتهاند. The report shows that exports have increased this year.
13.27 آن تصمیمی که دولت گرفت بر بسیاری از شهروندان تأثیر گذاشته است. That decision that the government made has affected many citizens.
13.28 تحلیلگران پیشبینی میکنند که قیمتهای نفت تثبیت خواهد شد. Analysts predict that oil prices will stabilize.
13.29 تحقیق آشکار کرد که فساد گسترده بود. The investigation revealed that corruption was widespread.
13.30 منابع ادعا میکنند که مذاکرات فردا ادامه خواهد یافت. Sources claim that negotiations will continue tomorrow.
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13.16 وزیر اعلام کرد که اصلاحات اقتصادی جدید ماه آینده شروع خواهد شد.
13.17 گزارشها نشان میدهند که بیکاری به میزان پنج درصد کاهش یافته است.
13.18 آن زلزلهای که دیروز رخ داد به چندین ساختمان خسارت زد.
13.19 دانشمندان معتقدند که تغییر آب و هوا در حال تسریع است.
13.20 رئیسجمهور بیان کرد که همکاری بینالمللی ضروری است.
13.21 آن توافقی که هفته گذشته امضا شد روابط تجاری را تقویت خواهد کرد.
13.22 شاهدان گزارش دادند که تصادف در نیمهشب رخ داد.
13.23 کارشناسان هشدار میدهند که تورم ممکن است به طور قابل توجه افزایش یابد.
13.24 آن قانون جدید در مورد آموزش به زودی اجرا خواهد بود.
13.25 مقامات تأیید کردند که پروژه طبق برنامه است.
13.26 گزارش نشان میدهد که صادرات این سال افزایش یافتهاند.
13.27 آن تصمیمی که دولت گرفت بر بسیاری از شهروندان تأثیر گذاشته است.
13.28 تحلیلگران پیشبینی میکنند که قیمتهای نفت تثبیت خواهد شد.
13.29 تحقیق آشکار کرد که فساد گسترده بود.
13.30 منابع ادعا میکنند که مذاکرات فردا ادامه خواهد یافت.
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News reporting in Persian heavily relies on که to introduce reported speech, facts, and findings. This genre demonstrates several key patterns:
1. Reporting Verbs + که Common reporting verbs that require که: -
اعلام کردن (announce) + که -
گزارش دادن (report) + که -
بیان کردن (state) + که -
تأیید کردن (confirm) + که -
ادعا کردن (claim) + که
2. Complex Demonstrative Structures News often uses آن with که in relative clauses: -
آن زلزلهای که (that earthquake which) -
آن توافقی که (that agreement which) This structure emphasizes specific events or items being discussed.
3. Indirect Speech Patterns Persian news maintains که in all indirect speech: -
Direct: او گفت: "من میآیم" (He said: "I am coming") -
Indirect: او گفت که میآید (He said that he is coming)
4. Statistical and Factual Reporting When reporting data, که introduces the findings: -
نشان میدهد که (shows that) -
آشکار کرد که (revealed that)
5. Future Predictions and Analysis Analytical statements use که with future tense: -
پیشبینی میکنند که...خواهد شد (predict that...will be)
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منابع آگاه اعلام کردند که (informed sources announced that) -
بر اساس گزارشها (according to reports that) -
این در حالی است که (this is while/whereas) -
گفتنی است که (it should be mentioned that) -
قابل ذکر است که (it is worth noting that)
News Persian maintains formal register through: -
Complete که constructions (never omitted) -
Formal vocabulary choices -
Complex sentence structures with multiple که clauses -
Proper sequencing of tense in که clauses
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This lesson is part of a comprehensive language learning series developed by the Latinum Institute, drawing on methodologies refined since 2006. The approach, developed by Evan der Millner BA MA (Cantab. NZ, London), combines traditional philological methods with modern autodidactic learning principles.
The lesson structure follows the "construed text" method, where each word is glossed individually in Section A, allowing beginners to build vocabulary systematically while understanding grammatical relationships. This granular approach, combined with natural sentence progression in Sections B and C, helps learners transition from word-by-word comprehension to natural language flow.
The inclusion of authentic literary texts (Section F) connects learners to the rich Persian literary tradition, while the genre section provides practical, contemporary language use. This dual approach ensures both cultural literacy and practical communication skills.
Key features that make these lessons ideal for self-study: -
Complete, untruncated examples prevent frustration and allow immediate study -
Phonetic transliterations support proper pronunciation -
Cultural context sections bridge linguistic and cultural understanding -
Multiple genres expose learners to various registers and contexts -
Clear grammar explanations designed specifically for English speakers
The visual markers (✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾) ensure each section is complete, allowing learners to trust they have all necessary material for effective study.
For more lessons and resources, visit: -
Method explanation: https://latinum.substack.com/p/method -
Full course catalog: https://latinum.org.uk -
Reviews and testimonials: https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/latinum.org.uk -
Complete index: https://latinum.substack.com/p/index
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