The English word "that" serves multiple grammatical functions and has two primary Persian equivalents: که (ke) and آن (ān). Understanding when to use each is crucial for mastering Persian grammar.
Definition: In Persian, "that" as a conjunction is که (ke), meaning "which/that/who," while as a demonstrative pronoun or adjective, it is آن (ān), meaning "that one/that thing."
Q: What does "that" mean in Persian? A: "That" has two main translations in Persian: -
که (ke) - used as a conjunction to connect clauses -
آن (ān) - used as a demonstrative pronoun/adjective to point to something
In this lesson, we'll explore both uses of "that" through 15 varied examples showing different grammatical contexts, word placements, and real-world applications. You'll learn to distinguish when Persian uses که versus آن, a distinction that doesn't exist in English.
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Subject: Persian Language Learning -
Level: Beginner to Intermediate -
Topic: Conjunctions and Demonstratives -
Focus: The word "that" (که/آن) -
Audience: English-speaking autodidacts
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که (ke) connects clauses and introduces subordinate clauses -
آن (ān) points to specific objects or people -
Word order differs significantly from English -
که cannot be omitted in Persian as "that" sometimes can be in English -
آن changes form when combined with prepositions
22.1 I من (man) know میدانم (mī-dānam) that که (ke) she او (u) is است (ast) happy خوشحال (khosh-hāl)
22.2 That آن (ān) book کتاب (ketāb) is است (ast) very خیلی (kheyli) interesting جالب (jāleb)
22.3 He او (u) said گفت (goft) that که (ke) tomorrow فردا (fardā) will be خواهد بود (khāhad bud) sunny آفتابی (āftābī)
22.4 Give بده (bedeh) me به من (be man) that آن (ān) pen خودکار (khodkār)
22.5 The آن (ān) house خانهای (khāne-ī) that که (ke) we ما (mā) saw دیدیم (dīdīm) was بود (bud) beautiful زیبا (zībā)
22.6 She او (u) believes باور دارد (bāvar dārad) that که (ke) education تحصیل (tahsīl) is است (ast) important مهم (mohem)
22.7 That آن (ān) man مرد (mard) over there آنجا (ānjā) is است (ast) my من (man) teacher معلم (mo'allem)
22.8 Did آیا (āyā) you تو (to) hear شنیدی (shenīdī) that که (ke) they آنها (ānhā) arrived رسیدند (resīdand)?
22.9 Everything هر چیزی (har chīzī) that که (ke) glitters میدرخشد (mī-derakhshad) is است (ast) not نیست (nīst) gold طلا (talā)
22.10 At در (dar) that آن (ān) moment لحظه (lahze), the آن (ān) door در (dar) opened باز شد (bāz shod)
22.11 The آن (ān) story داستانی (dāstānī) that که (ke) grandmother مادربزرگ (mādar-bozorg) told تعریف کرد (ta'rīf kard) was بود (bud) amazing شگفتانگیز (shegeft-angīz)
22.12 I من (man) think فکر میکنم (fekr mī-konam) that که (ke) Persian فارسی (fārsī) is است (ast) a یک (yek) beautiful زیبا (zībā) language زبان (zabān)
22.13 Look نگاه کن (negāh kon) at به (be) that آن (ān) bird پرنده (parande) in در (dar) the آن (ān) tree درخت (derakht)!
22.14 After بعد از (ba'd az) that آن (ān), we ما (mā) went رفتیم (raftīm) home خانه (khāne)
22.15 The آن (ān) food غذایی (ghazāyī) that که (ke) mother مادر (mādar) cooks میپزد (mī-pazad) is است (ast) always همیشه (hamīshe) delicious خوشمزه (khosh-maze)
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22.1 من میدانم که او خوشحال است. I know that she is happy.
22.2 آن کتاب خیلی جالب است. That book is very interesting.
22.3 او گفت که فردا آفتابی خواهد بود. He said that tomorrow will be sunny.
22.4 آن خودکار را به من بده. Give me that pen.
22.5 خانهای که دیدیم زیبا بود. The house that we saw was beautiful.
22.6 او باور دارد که تحصیل مهم است. She believes that education is important.
22.7 آن مرد آنجا معلم من است. That man over there is my teacher.
22.8 آیا شنیدی که آنها رسیدند؟ Did you hear that they arrived?
22.9 هر چیزی که میدرخشد طلا نیست. Everything that glitters is not gold.
22.10 در آن لحظه، در باز شد. At that moment, the door opened.
22.11 داستانی که مادربزرگ تعریف کرد شگفتانگیز بود. The story that grandmother told was amazing.
22.12 من فکر میکنم که فارسی یک زبان زیبا است. I think that Persian is a beautiful language.
22.13 به آن پرنده در درخت نگاه کن! Look at that bird in the tree!
22.14 بعد از آن، ما به خانه رفتیم. After that, we went home.
22.15 غذایی که مادر میپزد همیشه خوشمزه است. The food that mother cooks is always delicious.
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22.1 من میدانم که او خوشحال است.
22.2 آن کتاب خیلی جالب است.
22.3 او گفت که فردا آفتابی خواهد بود.
22.4 آن خودکار را به من بده.
22.5 خانهای که دیدیم زیبا بود.
22.6 او باور دارد که تحصیل مهم است.
22.7 آن مرد آنجا معلم من است.
22.8 آیا شنیدی که آنها رسیدند؟
22.9 هر چیزی که میدرخشد طلا نیست.
22.10 در آن لحظه، در باز شد.
22.11 داستانی که مادربزرگ تعریف کرد شگفتانگیز بود.
22.12 من فکر میکنم که فارسی یک زبان زیبا است.
22.13 به آن پرنده در درخت نگاه کن!
22.14 بعد از آن، ما به خانه رفتیم.
22.15 غذایی که مادر میپزد همیشه خوشمزه است.
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1. که (ke) as a Conjunction: -
Connects two clauses -
Introduces reported speech after verbs like "say," "think," "know" -
Cannot be omitted (unlike English where "that" is sometimes optional) -
Always follows the main clause
2. آن (ān) as a Demonstrative: -
Points to specific objects or people -
Can stand alone as a pronoun or modify a noun -
Changes form with ezāfe: آن + noun becomes آن [noun] -
For emphasis or distance: آن ... آنجا (that ... over there)
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Omitting که: English speakers often try to drop که because "that" can be omitted in English. This is incorrect in Persian. -
Wrong: من میدانم او خوشحال است -
Correct: من میدانم که او خوشحال است -
Confusing که and آن: Using که when pointing to objects -
Wrong: که کتاب را بده -
Correct: آن کتاب را بده -
Word Order: Placing که in the wrong position -
Wrong: که من میدانم او خوشحال است -
Correct: من میدانم که او خوشحال است
When to use که: Step 1: Identify if you're connecting two complete thoughts Step 2: Check if there's a verb of thinking/saying/knowing Step 3: Place که after the main verb Step 4: Continue with the subordinate clause
When to use آن: Step 1: Determine if you're pointing to something Step 2: Check if it's visible or previously mentioned Step 3: Use آن before the noun or alone as a pronoun Step 4: Add را if it's a direct object
که (ke): -
Type: Subordinating conjunction -
Position: Between main and subordinate clause -
Function: Links clauses, introduces indirect speech -
Cannot be declined or conjugated
آن (ān): -
Type: Demonstrative pronoun/adjective -
Forms: -
آن (singular) -
آنها (plural) -
آنجا (there) -
آن وقت (then/at that time) -
With prepositions: -
از آن (from that) -
به آن (to that) -
در آن (in that)
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Understanding the distinction between که and آن reflects deeper cultural patterns in Persian communication. Persian tends to be more explicit in its connections between ideas, which is why که cannot be omitted as "that" often is in English.
In formal Persian, especially in literature and poetry, که takes on additional meanings and can express purpose ("so that"), time ("when"), and even concession ("although"). This multifunctionality makes it one of the most important words in Persian.
The demonstrative آن carries cultural weight in Persian poetry and philosophy. In Sufi literature, آن often refers to the ineffable divine presence - "That which cannot be named." This mystical usage appears frequently in the works of Hafez and Rumi.
In everyday conversation, Persians often use آن with a gesture, pointing with an open hand rather than a single finger, which is considered rude. This cultural norm affects how the word is used in social contexts.
The phrase "آن روزها" (those days) carries nostalgic connotations in Persian culture, often evoking memories of better times or youth. This emotional resonance makes آن more than just a grammatical tool - it's a carrier of cultural memory.
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From Hafez's Ghazal 1:
Come بیا (biyā), so that که (ke) we ما (mā) may scatter بیفشانیم (biyafshānīm) flowers گل (gol) and و (va) pour بریزیم (berīzīm) wine می (mey) in در (dar) the آن (ān) goblet جام (jām), and و (va) split بشکنیم (beshkanīm) open باز (bāz) the آن (ān) ceiling سقف (saqf) of از (az) the آن (ān) sky آسمان (āsemān) and و (va) devise طرحی (tarhī) a یک (yek) new نو (now) plan بیندازیم (biyandāzīm).
الا یا ایها الساقی ادر کاسا و ناولها که عشق آسان نمود اول ولی افتاد مشکلها
"O Cupbearer, pass round and offer the cup, For love seemed easy at first, but difficulties have occurred."
This famous opening couplet from Hafez demonstrates the sophisticated use of که in classical Persian poetry. Here, که introduces a causal clause explaining why the speaker requests wine - because love, which seemed simple, has become complicated.
The که in this verse functions as a causal conjunction meaning "for/because." This usage extends beyond the simple "that" translation, showing the word's versatility in Persian. The structure "verb + که" creates a purpose or reason clause, essential in Persian poetic expression. Note how Hafez uses که to link the request for wine with the philosophical observation about love's complexity - a technique that exemplifies Persian literary style where practical and mystical meanings intertwine.
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22.16 The آن (ān) minister وزیر (vazīr) announced اعلام کرد (e'lām kard) that که (ke) new جدید (jadīd) hospitals بیمارستانها (bīmārestān-hā) will be خواهند (khāhand) built ساخته شد (sākhte shod) next سال (sāl) year آینده (āyande).
22.17 Reports گزارشها (gozāresh-hā) indicate نشان میدهند (neshān mī-dahand) that که (ke) unemployment بیکاری (bīkārī) has است (ast) decreased کاهش یافته (kāhesh yāfte) this این (īn) month ماه (māh).
22.18 That آن (ān) earthquake زلزله (zelzele) which که (ke) struck رخ داد (rokh dād) yesterday دیروز (dīrūz) caused باعث (bā'es) significant قابل توجه (qābel-e tavajjoh) damage خسارت (khesārat) became شد (shod).
22.19 Scientists دانشمندان (dāneshmandān) discovered کشف کردند (kashf kardand) that که (ke) the این (īn) vaccine واکسن (vāksan) is است (ast) effective مؤثر (mo'asser) against علیه (alayhe) new جدید (jadīd) variants گونهها (gūne-hā).
22.20 After پس از (pas az) that آن (ān) meeting جلسه (jalase), officials مقامات (maqāmāt) confirmed تأیید کردند (ta'yīd kardand) the آن (ān) agreement توافق (tavāfoq).
22.21 Citizens شهروندان (shahrvandān) complained شکایت کردند (shekāyat kardand) that که (ke) prices قیمتها (qeymat-hā) have اند (and) risen افزایش یافته (afzāyesh yāfte) dramatically به شدت (be sheddat).
22.22 That آن (ān) law قانون (qānūn) that که (ke) parliament مجلس (majles) passed تصویب کرد (tasvīb kard) will خواهد (khāhad) take effect اجرا شد (ejrā shod) immediately فوراً (fowran).
22.23 Experts کارشناسان (kārshenāsān) warn هشدار میدهند (hoshdār mī-dahand) that که (ke) climate آب و هوا (āb-o-havā) change تغییر (taghyīr) threatens تهدید میکند (tahdīd mī-konad) agriculture کشاورزی (keshāvarzī).
22.24 The آن (ān) company شرکت (sherkat) denied تکذیب کرد (takzīb kard) that که (ke) it آن (ān) was بود (būd) responsible مسئول (mas'ūl) for برای (barāye) the آن (ān) pollution آلودگی (ālūdegī).
22.25 At در (dar) that آن (ān) press conference کنفرانس مطبوعاتی (konferāns-e matbū'ātī), journalists خبرنگاران (khabarnegārān) asked پرسیدند (porsīdand) difficult سخت (sakht) questions سؤالات (so'ālāt).
22.26 Research تحقیقات (tahqīqāt) shows نشان میدهد (neshān mī-dahad) that که (ke) education آموزش (āmūzesh) levels سطح (sath) are هستند (hastand) improving در حال بهبود (dar hāl-e behbūd).
22.27 That آن (ān) historic تاریخی (tārīkhī) building ساختمان (sākhtomān) that که (ke) was بود (būd) damaged آسیب دیده (āsīb dīde) will be خواهد شد (khāhad shod) restored بازسازی (bāzsāzī).
22.28 Witnesses شاهدان (shāhedān) reported گزارش دادند (gozāresh dādand) that که (ke) they آنها (ānhā) saw دیدند (dīdand) unusual غیرعادی (gheyr-e-ādī) activity فعالیت (fa'ālīyat).
22.29 Economists اقتصاددانان (eqtesād-dānān) predict پیشبینی میکنند (pīsh-bīnī mī-konand) that که (ke) inflation تورم (tavarrom) will خواهد (khāhad) continue ادامه یافت (edāme yāft).
22.30 After بعد از (ba'd az) that آن (ān) incident حادثه (hādese), security امنیت (amnīyat) measures اقدامات (eqdāmāt) were شدند (shodand) increased افزایش یافته (afzāyesh yāfte).
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22.16 وزیر اعلام کرد که بیمارستانهای جدید سال آینده ساخته خواهند شد. The minister announced that new hospitals will be built next year.
22.17 گزارشها نشان میدهند که بیکاری این ماه کاهش یافته است. Reports indicate that unemployment has decreased this month.
22.18 آن زلزله که دیروز رخ داد باعث خسارت قابل توجه شد. That earthquake which struck yesterday caused significant damage.
22.19 دانشمندان کشف کردند که این واکسن علیه گونههای جدید مؤثر است. Scientists discovered that the vaccine is effective against new variants.
22.20 پس از آن جلسه، مقامات توافق را تأیید کردند. After that meeting, officials confirmed the agreement.
22.21 شهروندان شکایت کردند که قیمتها به شدت افزایش یافتهاند. Citizens complained that prices have risen dramatically.
22.22 آن قانونی که مجلس تصویب کرد فوراً اجرا خواهد شد. That law that parliament passed will take effect immediately.
22.23 کارشناسان هشدار میدهند که تغییر آب و هوا کشاورزی را تهدید میکند. Experts warn that climate change threatens agriculture.
22.24 شرکت تکذیب کرد که مسئول آلودگی بود. The company denied that it was responsible for the pollution.
22.25 در آن کنفرانس مطبوعاتی، خبرنگاران سؤالات سخت پرسیدند. At that press conference, journalists asked difficult questions.
22.26 تحقیقات نشان میدهد که سطح آموزش در حال بهبود است. Research shows that education levels are improving.
22.27 آن ساختمان تاریخی که آسیب دیده بود بازسازی خواهد شد. That historic building that was damaged will be restored.
22.28 شاهدان گزارش دادند که فعالیت غیرعادی دیدند. Witnesses reported that they saw unusual activity.
22.29 اقتصاددانان پیشبینی میکنند که تورم ادامه خواهد یافت. Economists predict that inflation will continue.
22.30 بعد از آن حادثه، اقدامات امنیتی افزایش یافت. After that incident, security measures were increased.
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22.16 وزیر اعلام کرد که بیمارستانهای جدید سال آینده ساخته خواهند شد.
22.17 گزارشها نشان میدهند که بیکاری این ماه کاهش یافته است.
22.18 آن زلزله که دیروز رخ داد باعث خسارت قابل توجه شد.
22.19 دانشمندان کشف کردند که این واکسن علیه گونههای جدید مؤثر است.
22.20 پس از آن جلسه، مقامات توافق را تأیید کردند.
22.21 شهروندان شکایت کردند که قیمتها به شدت افزایش یافتهاند.
22.22 آن قانونی که مجلس تصویب کرد فوراً اجرا خواهد شد.
22.23 کارشناسان هشدار میدهند که تغییر آب و هوا کشاورزی را تهدید میکند.
22.24 شرکت تکذیب کرد که مسئول آلودگی بود.
22.25 در آن کنفرانس مطبوعاتی، خبرنگاران سؤالات سخت پرسیدند.
22.26 تحقیقات نشان میدهد که سطح آموزش در حال بهبود است.
22.27 آن ساختمان تاریخی که آسیب دیده بود بازسازی خواهد شد.
22.28 شاهدان گزارش دادند که فعالیت غیرعادی دیدند.
22.29 اقتصاددانان پیشبینی میکنند که تورم ادامه خواهد یافت.
22.30 بعد از آن حادثه، اقدامات امنیتی افزایش یافت.
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In Persian news reporting, که and آن follow specific patterns that differ from casual speech:
1. Reported Speech with که: News reports frequently use که after verbs of communication: -
اعلام کرد که (announced that) -
گزارش داد که (reported that) -
تأیید کرد که (confirmed that) -
تکذیب کرد که (denied that)
2. Double که Construction: Persian news often uses structures like "آن ... که" (that ... which): -
آن قانونی که مجلس تصویب کرد (that law which parliament passed) This creates more formal, precise language suitable for journalism.
3. Temporal Phrases with آن: -
پس از آن (after that) -
در آن زمان (at that time) -
در آن جلسه (in that meeting)
4. Formal Register Considerations: -
News Persian maintains all instances of که, never omitting it -
آن is often used instead of این (this) for objectivity -
Compound structures with که are preferred for clarity
Common Patterns in News Persian: -
[Authority] + [communication verb] + که + [statement] -
[Research/Report] + نشان میدهد که + [finding] -
آن + [event/thing] + که + [description] + [outcome]
These patterns create the formal, objective tone expected in Persian journalism while ensuring clarity and precision in conveying information.
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This lesson is part of a comprehensive language learning series designed for autodidacts, drawing from the pedagogical methods developed at the Latinum Institute. The approach emphasizes granular, word-by-word analysis combined with authentic literary texts and practical genre applications.
The method, refined since 2006 by Evan der Millner BA MA (Cantab. NZ, London), founder of the Latinum Institute, focuses on making complex grammatical concepts accessible through systematic presentation and extensive examples. Each lesson provides: -
Detailed interlinear translations with phonetic guidance -
Complete sentences in natural syntax -
Comprehensive grammar explanations tailored for English speakers -
Cultural context to deepen understanding -
Authentic literary excerpts with scholarly analysis -
Genre-specific applications for practical usage
This pedagogical approach has proven especially effective for self-directed learners who benefit from seeing languages broken down into their component parts while maintaining exposure to authentic, meaningful texts. The inclusion of multiple genres ensures learners encounter the target language in various registers and contexts.
For more information about the Latinum Institute's methodology and additional language learning resources, visit: - -
https://latinum.org.uk -
https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/latinum.org.uk
The consistent format across lessons - from basic word glossing to complex literary analysis - provides a reliable framework for systematic language acquisition, allowing learners to progress at their own pace while building solid foundations in grammar, vocabulary, and cultural understanding.
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