The Persian pronoun "we" is expressed as ما (mā), which functions as the first-person plural pronoun in Persian. This essential word allows speakers to express collective actions, shared experiences, and group identity.
Definition: ما (mā) is the Persian first-person plural pronoun equivalent to the English "we" or "us." It remains unchanged regardless of its grammatical function in the sentence, unlike English which distinguishes between "we" (subject) and "us" (object).
FAQ Schema: Q: What does "we" mean in Persian? A: "We" in Persian is "ما" (mā). It serves as both the subject pronoun "we" and the object pronoun "us" in Persian sentences.
How this topic word will be used: In this lesson, you'll encounter ما (mā) in various sentence positions and contexts, from simple statements to complex expressions. The examples progress from basic usage to more sophisticated constructions, helping you understand how Persian speakers naturally incorporate this pronoun into their daily communication.
Educational Schema: -
Subject: Persian Language Learning -
Level: Beginner to Intermediate -
Topic: First-person plural pronoun (we/us) -
Language of Instruction: English -
Target Language: Persian (Farsi) -
Lesson Type: Grammar and Vocabulary
Key Takeaways: -
ما (mā) serves as both "we" and "us" in Persian -
The pronoun doesn't change form based on grammatical case -
Word order in Persian differs from English, with the verb typically coming at the end -
ما can be dropped in casual speech when context makes it clear -
Persian verbs conjugate to show person and number, making the pronoun sometimes redundant
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21.1 ما we (mā) کتاب book (ketāb) میخوانیم read-we (mi-khānim)
21.2 دیروز yesterday (diruz) ما we (mā) به to (be) بازار market (bāzār) رفتیم went-we (raftim)
21.3 آیا whether (āyā) ما we (mā) میتوانیم can-we (mi-tavānim) اینجا here (injā) بنشینیم sit-we (beneshinim)?
21.4 معلم teacher (mo'allem) به to (be) ما us (mā) فارسی Persian (fārsi) یاد teaching (yād) میدهد gives-he (mi-dahad)
21.5 فردا tomorrow (fardā) ما we (mā) با with (bā) دوستانمان friends-our (dustān-emān) غذا food (ghazā) میخوریم eat-we (mi-khorim)
21.6 ما we (mā) در in (dar) تهران Tehran (Tehrān) زندگی life (zendegi) میکنیم do-we (mi-konim)
21.7 این this (in) کار work (kār) را (object marker) (rā) ما we (mā) انجام completion (anjām) دادیم gave-we (dādim)
21.8 آنها they (ānhā) با with (bā) ما us (mā) صحبت conversation (sohbat) کردند did-they (kardand)
21.9 ما we (mā) همیشه always (hamisheh) به to (be) مدرسه school (madreseh) زود early (zud) میرسیم arrive-we (mi-resim)
21.10 پدرم father-my (pedar-am) برای for (barāye) ما us (mā) کتاب book (ketāb) خرید bought (kharid)
21.11 وقتی when (vaghti) ما we (mā) کوچک small (kuchak) بودیم were-we (budim) اینجا here (injā) بازی play (bāzi) میکردیم did-we (mi-kardim)
21.12 ما we (mā) باید must (bāyad) این this (in) مشکل problem (moshkel) را (object marker) (rā) حل solution (hal) کنیم do-we (konim)
21.13 دوست friend (dust) ما our (mā) را (object marker) (rā) به to (be) مهمانی party (mehmāni) دعوت invitation (da'vat) کرد did (kard)
21.14 آب water (āb) برای for (barāye) ما us (mā) خیلی very (kheyli) مهم important (mohem) است is (ast)
21.15 ما we (mā) نمیدانیم not-know-we (nemi-dānim) او he (u) کجا where (kojā) رفته gone (rafteh) است is (ast)
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21.1 ما کتاب میخوانیم. We are reading a book.
21.2 دیروز ما به بازار رفتیم. Yesterday we went to the market.
21.3 آیا ما میتوانیم اینجا بنشینیم؟ Can we sit here?
21.4 معلم به ما فارسی یاد میدهد. The teacher teaches us Persian.
21.5 فردا ما با دوستانمان غذا میخوریم. Tomorrow we will eat with our friends.
21.6 ما در تهران زندگی میکنیم. We live in Tehran.
21.7 این کار را ما انجام دادیم. We completed this task.
21.8 آنها با ما صحبت کردند. They spoke with us.
21.9 ما همیشه به مدرسه زود میرسیم. We always arrive at school early.
21.10 پدرم برای ما کتاب خرید. My father bought books for us.
21.11 وقتی ما کوچک بودیم اینجا بازی میکردیم. When we were small, we used to play here.
21.12 ما باید این مشکل را حل کنیم. We must solve this problem.
21.13 دوست ما را به مهمانی دعوت کرد. A friend invited us to the party.
21.14 آب برای ما خیلی مهم است. Water is very important for us.
21.15 ما نمیدانیم او کجا رفته است. We don't know where he has gone.
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21.1 ما کتاب میخوانیم.
21.2 دیروز ما به بازار رفتیم.
21.3 آیا ما میتوانیم اینجا بنشینیم؟
21.4 معلم به ما فارسی یاد میدهد.
21.5 فردا ما با دوستانمان غذا میخوریم.
21.6 ما در تهران زندگی میکنیم.
21.7 این کار را ما انجام دادیم.
21.8 آنها با ما صحبت کردند.
21.9 ما همیشه به مدرسه زود میرسیم.
21.10 پدرم برای ما کتاب خرید.
21.11 وقتی ما کوچک بودیم اینجا بازی میکردیم.
21.12 ما باید این مشکل را حل کنیم.
21.13 دوست ما را به مهمانی دعوت کرد.
21.14 آب برای ما خیلی مهم است.
21.15 ما نمیدانیم او کجا رفته است.
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Basic Function: ما (mā) is the first-person plural pronoun in Persian, serving as both the subject pronoun "we" and the object pronoun "us."
Key Characteristics: -
No Case Changes: Unlike English, which distinguishes between "we" (subject) and "us" (object), Persian uses ما for both functions. -
Position Flexibility: ما can appear at the beginning, middle, or be implied through verb conjugation. -
Verb Agreement: Persian verbs conjugate to match the person and number, often making the pronoun optional.
Common Mistakes: -
Overusing the pronoun: Persian often drops pronouns when the verb ending makes the subject clear. English speakers tend to include ما even when unnecessary. -
Word order confusion: Expecting English SVO order instead of Persian's more flexible, often SOV structure. -
Forgetting verb conjugation: Using the wrong verb ending with ما, especially in past tenses. -
Misplacing object marker را: When ما is a direct object, را comes after it, not before.
Comparison with English: -
English: Subject (we) vs. Object (us) - two different forms -
Persian: Subject (ما) vs. Object (ما) - same form -
English: Fixed word order (We read books) -
Persian: Flexible order (ما کتاب میخوانیم / کتاب میخوانیم ما)
Step-by-Step Guide to Using ما: -
As Subject: -
Place ما before the verb (common in formal writing) -
Or drop it entirely if context is clear (common in speech) -
Example: ما میرویم (we go) or just میرویم -
As Object: -
After prepositions: به ما (to us), با ما (with us), برای ما (for us) -
As direct object: ما را (us - direct object) -
Example: او ما را دید (He saw us) -
With Possessives: -
Our = ـمان (-emān) attached to nouns -
Example: کتابمان (our book), but دوست ما (our friend) is also possible
Verb Conjugation Summary with ما:
Present Tense: -
میخوانیم (mi-khānim) - we read -
میرویم (mi-ravim) - we go -
مینویسیم (mi-nevisim) - we write
Past Tense: -
خواندیم (khāndim) - we read -
رفتیم (raftim) - we went -
نوشتیم (neveshtim) - we wrote
Future/Subjunctive: -
خواهیم خواند (khāhim khānd) - we will read -
برویم (beravim) - let's go / we should go -
بنویسیم (benevisim) - let's write / we should write
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Understanding the use of ما in Persian culture reveals important social dynamics. Persian culture places great emphasis on collective identity and group harmony, which is reflected in language use.
Inclusive vs. Exclusive "We": While Persian doesn't grammatically distinguish between inclusive and exclusive "we" (unlike some languages), context and tone often clarify whether the speaker is including or excluding the listener. This ambiguity can be used diplomatically in Persian social interactions.
Modesty and Collectivism: Persian speakers often use ما instead of من (I) to appear more modest, especially when discussing achievements. This reflects the cultural value of humility and avoiding self-promotion. For example, a successful individual might say "ما توانستیم" (we were able to) rather than "من توانستم" (I was able to).
Family and Group Identity: The frequent use of ما in family contexts emphasizes the importance of family unity in Persian culture. Decisions are often presented as collective even when made individually, using phrases like "ما تصمیم گرفتیم" (we decided).
Formal vs. Informal Usage: In formal situations, ما is often retained even when the verb makes it redundant, while in casual speech, it's frequently dropped. This reflects the Persian distinction between formal and informal registers.
Literary Tradition: In Persian poetry and literature, ما often represents not just the speaker and others, but can symbolize humanity, a nation, or a spiritual community. This collective voice is a powerful rhetorical device in Persian literary tradition.
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From the works of Sohrab Sepehri (1928-1980), a prominent modern Persian poet:
ما we (mā) نگاه look (negāh) خواهیم will-we (khāhim) کرد do (kard) به to (be) باران rain (bārān), ما we (mā) خواهیم will-we (khāhim) شنید hear (shenid) صدای sound-of (sedā-ye) پرندگان birds (parandegān) را (object marker) (rā). ما we (mā) در in (dar) سادگی simplicity (sādegi) آب water (āb) زندگی life (zendegi) خواهیم will-we (khāhim) کرد do (kard).
ما نگاه خواهیم کرد به باران، ما خواهیم شنید صدای پرندگان را. ما در سادگی آب زندگی خواهیم کرد.
We will look at the rain, we will hear the sound of birds. We will live in the simplicity of water.
ما نگاه خواهیم کرد به باران، ما خواهیم شنید صدای پرندگان را. ما در سادگی آب زندگی خواهیم کرد.
This excerpt from Sohrab Sepehri demonstrates the poetic use of ما to create a sense of collective experience and shared humanity. The repetition of ما at the beginning of each clause creates a rhythmic pattern typical of modern Persian poetry. The future tense (خواهیم) combined with ما suggests hope and collective aspiration.
The imagery moves from observing nature (rain, birds) to living in harmony with it (simplicity of water). This reflects Sepehri's philosophy of unity between humanity and nature. The use of ما rather than من (I) invites readers to join this vision, making it a collective journey rather than an individual experience.
Note the word order: in Persian poetry, word order can be more flexible than in prose. Here, "نگاه خواهیم کرد" (literally "look will-we do") places the noun "look" first for emphasis, while in everyday speech one might say "خواهیم نگاه کرد."
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21.16 سال year (sāl) گذشته past (gozashteh) ما we (mā) به to (be) اصفهان Isfahan (Esfahān) سفر travel (safar) کردیم did-we (kardim)
21.17 وقتی when (vaghti) ما we (mā) به to (be) میدان square (meydān) نقش design (naghsh-e) جهان world (jahān) رسیدیم arrived-we (residim) خیلی very (kheyli) هیجانزده excited (hayajān-zadeh) شدیم became-we (shodim)
21.18 ما we (mā) از from (az) پل bridge (pol) سیوسه thirty-three (si-o-se) پل bridge (pol) عبور crossing (obur) کردیم did-we (kardim) و and (va) عکس photo (aks) گرفتیم took-we (gereftim)
21.19 صبح morning (sobh) زود early (zud) ما we (mā) برای for (barāye) دیدن seeing (didan) کاخ palace (kākh) چهلستون forty-columns (chehel-sotun) آماده ready (āmādeh) شدیم became-we (shodim)
21.20 راهنما guide (rāhnamā) به to (be) ما us (mā) تاریخ history (tārikh) این this (in) مکانها places (makān-hā) را (object marker) (rā) توضیح explanation (tozih) داد gave (dād)
21.21 ما we (mā) در in (dar) بازار bazaar (bāzār) قدیمی old (ghadimi) قدم step (ghadam) زدیم struck-we (zadim) و and (va) صنایع crafts (sanāye') دستی hand (dasti) خریدیم bought-we (kharidim)
21.22 ظهر noon (zohr) ما we (mā) در in (dar) یک one (yek) رستوران restaurant (resturān) سنتی traditional (sonnati) بریانی biryani (beryāni) خوردیم ate-we (khordim)
21.23 بعد after (ba'd) از from (az) ناهار lunch (nāhār) ما we (mā) به to (be) مسجد mosque (masjed) امام imam (emām) رفتیم went-we (raftim) که that (ke) بسیار very (besyār) زیبا beautiful (zibā) بود was (bud)
21.24 ما we (mā) با with (bā) مردم people (mardom) محلی local (mahalli) صحبت conversation (sohbat) کردیم did-we (kardim) و and (va) از from (az) مهربانی kindness (mehrabāni) آنها their (ānhā) لذت pleasure (lezzat) بردیم took-we (bordim)
21.25 عصر evening (asr) ما we (mā) کنار beside (kenār) زایندهرود Zayandeh-river (Zāyandeh-rud) نشستیم sat-we (neshastim) و and (va) چای tea (chāy) نوشیدیم drank-we (nushidim)
21.26 آن that (ān) شب night (shab) ما we (mā) در in (dar) هتل hotel (hotel) عباسی Abbasi (Abbāsi) اقامت residence (eghāmat) کردیم did-we (kardim) که which (ke) تجربهای experience-a (tajrobeh-i) فراموشنشدنی unforgettable (farāmush-nashodani) بود was (bud)
21.27 روز day (ruz) بعد next (ba'd) ما we (mā) به to (be) کاخ palace (kākh) عالیقاپو Ali-Qapu (Āli-Ghāpu) رفتیم went-we (raftim) و and (va) از from (az) منظره view (manzareh) شهر city (shahr) لذت pleasure (lezzat) بردیم took-we (bordim)
21.28 ما we (mā) همچنین also (hamchenin) کلیسای church (kelisā-ye) وانک Vank (Vānk) را (object marker) (rā) بازدید visit (bāzdid) کردیم did-we (kardim) و and (va) معماری architecture (me'māri) آن its (ān) ما us (mā) را (object marker) (rā) شگفتزده amazed (shegeft-zadeh) کرد made (kard)
21.29 قبل before (ghabl) از from (az) برگشت return (bargasht) ما we (mā) گز gaz (gaz) و and (va) پولکی poolaki (pulaki) برای for (barāye) خانواده family (khānevādeh) خریدیم bought-we (kharidim)
21.30 این this (in) سفر journey (safar) برای for (barāye) ما us (mā) خاطرات memories (khāterāt) زیبایی beautiful (zibā-yi) به to (be) یادگار memorial (yādegār) گذاشت left (gozāsht) که that (ke) ما we (mā) هرگز never (hargez) فراموش forget (farāmush) نخواهیم not-will-we (nakhāhim) کرد do (kard)
21.16 سال گذشته ما به اصفهان سفر کردیم. Last year we traveled to Isfahan.
21.17 وقتی ما به میدان نقش جهان رسیدیم خیلی هیجانزده شدیم. When we arrived at Naqsh-e Jahan Square, we became very excited.
21.18 ما از پل سیوسه پل عبور کردیم و عکس گرفتیم. We crossed the Si-o-se Pol bridge and took photos.
21.19 صبح زود ما برای دیدن کاخ چهلستون آماده شدیم. Early in the morning, we got ready to visit Chehel Sotoun Palace.
21.20 راهنما به ما تاریخ این مکانها را توضیح داد. The guide explained to us the history of these places.
21.21 ما در بازار قدیمی قدم زدیم و صنایع دستی خریدیم. We strolled through the old bazaar and bought handicrafts.
21.22 ظهر ما در یک رستوران سنتی بریانی خوردیم. At noon, we ate biryani in a traditional restaurant.
21.23 بعد از ناهار ما به مسجد امام رفتیم که بسیار زیبا بود. After lunch, we went to the Imam Mosque, which was very beautiful.
21.24 ما با مردم محلی صحبت کردیم و از مهربانی آنها لذت بردیم. We talked with local people and enjoyed their kindness.
21.25 عصر ما کنار زایندهرود نشستیم و چای نوشیدیم. In the evening, we sat beside the Zayandeh River and drank tea.
21.26 آن شب ما در هتل عباسی اقامت کردیم که تجربهای فراموشنشدنی بود. That night we stayed at the Abbasi Hotel, which was an unforgettable experience.
21.27 روز بعد ما به کاخ عالیقاپو رفتیم و از منظره شهر لذت بردیم. The next day we went to Ali Qapu Palace and enjoyed the city view.
21.28 ما همچنین کلیسای وانک را بازدید کردیم و معماری آن ما را شگفتزده کرد. We also visited Vank Cathedral and its architecture amazed us.
21.29 قبل از برگشت ما گز و پولکی برای خانواده خریدیم. Before returning, we bought gaz and poolaki for the family.
21.30 این سفر برای ما خاطرات زیبایی به یادگار گذاشت که ما هرگز فراموش نخواهیم کرد. This journey left us with beautiful memories that we will never forget.
21.16 سال گذشته ما به اصفهان سفر کردیم.
21.17 وقتی ما به میدان نقش جهان رسیدیم خیلی هیجانزده شدیم.
21.18 ما از پل سیوسه پل عبور کردیم و عکس گرفتیم.
21.19 صبح زود ما برای دیدن کاخ چهلستون آماده شدیم.
21.20 راهنما به ما تاریخ این مکانها را توضیح داد.
21.21 ما در بازار قدیمی قدم زدیم و صنایع دستی خریدیم.
21.22 ظهر ما در یک رستوران سنتی بریانی خوردیم.
21.23 بعد از ناهار ما به مسجد امام رفتیم که بسیار زیبا بود.
21.24 ما با مردم محلی صحبت کردیم و از مهربانی آنها لذت بردیم.
21.25 عصر ما کنار زایندهرود نشستیم و چای نوشیدیم.
21.26 آن شب ما در هتل عباسی اقامت کردیم که تجربهای فراموشنشدنی بود.
21.27 روز بعد ما به کاخ عالیقاپو رفتیم و از منظره شهر لذت بردیم.
21.28 ما همچنین کلیسای وانک را بازدید کردیم و معماری آن ما را شگفتزده کرد.
21.29 قبل از برگشت ما گز و پولکی برای خانواده خریدیم.
21.30 این سفر برای ما خاطرات زیبایی به یادگار گذاشت که ما هرگز فراموش نخواهیم کرد.
Narrative Past Tense with ما: In travel narratives, Persian frequently uses the simple past tense (گذشته ساده) with ما. The verb endings for first-person plural past tense are consistent: -یم (-im).
Examples from the narrative: -
کردیم (kardim) - we did -
رفتیم (raftim) - we went -
خریدیم (kharidim) - we bought -
نشستیم (neshastim) - we sat
Compound Verbs with ما: Persian uses many compound verbs (verb = noun/adjective + auxiliary verb). In narratives with ما, these follow the pattern: -
سفر کردیم (safar kardim) - we traveled (literally: journey did-we) -
عکس گرفتیم (aks gereftim) - we took photos (literally: photo took-we) -
لذت بردیم (lezzat bordim) - we enjoyed (literally: pleasure took-we)
Sequential Actions: Travel narratives often chain actions together. Persian uses و (va - and) to connect these, with ما sometimes repeated for emphasis or clarity, sometimes omitted: -
ما... قدم زدیم و صنایع دستی خریدیم (we strolled... and bought handicrafts)
Time Markers in Narratives: When telling travel stories, time expressions often begin sentences: -
سال گذشته (last year) -
صبح زود (early morning) -
روز بعد (next day)
These time markers establish the narrative framework before introducing ما and the action.
Descriptive Elements: Travel narratives include descriptions using که (ke - which/that): -
مسجد امام رفتیم که بسیار زیبا بود (we went to Imam Mosque, which was very beautiful)
This structure allows the narrative to flow while adding descriptive details about places and experiences.
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This lesson is part of a comprehensive language learning series developed using the Construe Method, an innovative approach to language acquisition created by the Latinum Institute. The method, refined since 2006, bridges ancient pedagogical wisdom with modern autodidactic needs.
The Construe Method, as employed in these lessons, features: -
Granular Interlinear Translation: Each word is glossed individually in Section A, allowing learners to build vocabulary systematically while understanding grammatical relationships -
Progressive Complexity: Moving from word-by-word analysis to natural sentences to authentic texts -
Cultural Integration: Language learning embedded within cultural and literary contexts -
Genre Diversity: Exposure to various text types from everyday conversation to literary excerpts
These lessons are specifically designed for autodidactic learners who prefer self-paced, thorough instruction without the need for a traditional classroom setting. The complete, untruncated format ensures that learners have all necessary information at their fingertips without needing to reference multiple sources.
About the Curator: Evan der Millner BA MA (Cantab. NZ, London) has been pioneering online language education since 2006. His work at the Latinum Institute has helped thousands of students worldwide master classical and modern languages through innovative digital pedagogy. The institute's approach combines rigorous academic standards with accessible, user-friendly materials.
For reviews and testimonials about the Latinum Institute's programs, visit: https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/latinum.org.uk
The method draws inspiration from Renaissance humanist pedagogical techniques, particularly the use of parallel texts and progressive reading methods employed by scholars like Erasmus and Comenius, adapted for the modern digital learner.
Course Index and Additional Resources: For a complete index of available lessons and languages, please visit: https://latinum.substack.com/p/index
Each lesson in this series maintains consistent formatting and pedagogical approach while adapting to the unique characteristics of each target language, ensuring a reliable learning experience across different linguistic traditions.
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