The Persian verb گفتن (goftan) means "to say" or "to tell" and is one of the most fundamental verbs in the Persian language. As an essential communication verb, گفتن appears in countless daily conversations, literary texts, and formal writings. For English speakers learning Persian, mastering this verb opens doors to expressing thoughts, reporting speech, and engaging in meaningful dialogue.
Definition: گفتن (goftan) is an infinitive verb meaning "to say," "to tell," or "to speak." It belongs to the regular verb conjugation pattern in Persian and follows predictable rules for tense formation.
Q: What does گفتن (goftan) mean in Persian? A: گفتن (goftan) means "to say" or "to tell" in English. It is used to express verbal communication, report speech, or convey information through words.
In this lesson, you'll encounter گفتن in various contexts and sentence positions. The examples demonstrate its conjugation across different tenses, its use with different subjects, and its appearance in both formal and colloquial Persian. You'll see how Persian word order differs from English, with the verb typically appearing at the end of the sentence.
Subject: Persian Language Learning Level: Beginner to Intermediate Focus: Verb Usage - گفتن (to say) Language of Instruction: English Target Audience: English-speaking autodidacts
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گفتن (goftan) is conjugated differently for each person and tense -
The verb typically appears at the end of Persian sentences -
The present stem is گو (gu) and past stem is گفت (goft) -
Persian uses compound verbs and auxiliary constructions frequently -
Formal and informal registers affect verb conjugation
26.1 او he (u) به to (be) من me (man) گفت said (goft) که that (ke) فردا tomorrow (fardā) میآید comes (mi-āyad)
26.2 آیا whether (āyā) تو you (to) میگویی say (mi-guyi) که that (ke) این this (in) درست correct (dorost) است is (ast)?
26.3 معلم teacher (mo'allem) همیشه always (hamisheh) میگوید says (mi-guyad) که that (ke) باید must (bāyad) مطالعه study (motāle'e) کنیم do-we (konim)
26.4 او she (u) نمیگوید not-says (ne-mi-guyad) که that (ke) چرا why (cherā) دیر late (dir) آمده has-come (āmadeh) است is (ast)
26.5 پدرم my-father (pedaram) گفت said (goft) که that (ke) باید must (bāyad) زود early (zud) برگردم I-return (bar-gardam)
26.6 چه what (che) گفتی you-said (gofti)? من I (man) نشنیدم not-heard (na-shanidam)
26.7 دوستم my-friend (dustam) به to (be) او him (u) گفته has-said (gofteh) که that (ke) من I (man) مریض sick (mariz) هستم am (hastam)
26.8 مادر mother (mādar) با with (bā) صدای voice (sedā-ye) آرام calm (ārām) گفت said (goft): "بخواب sleep (bekhāb) عزیزم" my-dear (azizam)
26.9 آنها they (ānhā) میگویند say (mi-guyand) که that (ke) هوا weather (havā) فردا tomorrow (fardā) بارانی rainy (bārāni) است is (ast)
26.10 بگو say! (begu) که that (ke) چه what (che) اتفاقی incident (ettefāqi) افتاده has-happened (oftādeh) است is (ast)
26.11 او he (u) هرگز never (hargez) دروغ lie (dorugh) نمیگوید not-says (ne-mi-guyad)
26.12 میخواهم I-want (mi-khāham) چیزی something (chizi) به to (be) تو you (to) بگویم I-say (be-guyam)
26.13 کی who (ki) گفته has-said (gofteh) که that (ke) من I (man) نمیتوانم not-can (ne-mi-tavānam) این this (in) کار work (kār) را (rā) بکنم I-do (be-konam)?
26.14 راست truth (rāst) میگویی you-say (mi-guyi) یا or (yā) شوخی joke (shukhi) میکنی you-do (mi-koni)?
26.15 پزشک doctor (pezeshk) گفت said (goft) که that (ke) باید must (bāyad) استراحت rest (esterāhat) کنم I-do (konam)
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26.1 او به من گفت که فردا میآید. He told me that he will come tomorrow.
26.2 آیا تو میگویی که این درست است؟ Are you saying that this is correct?
26.3 معلم همیشه میگوید که باید مطالعه کنیم. The teacher always says that we must study.
26.4 او نمیگوید که چرا دیر آمده است. She doesn't say why she has come late.
26.5 پدرم گفت که باید زود برگردم. My father said that I must return early.
26.6 چه گفتی؟ من نشنیدم. What did you say? I didn't hear.
26.7 دوستم به او گفته که من مریض هستم. My friend has told him that I am sick.
26.8 مادر با صدای آرام گفت: "بخواب عزیزم" Mother said with a calm voice: "Sleep, my dear."
26.9 آنها میگویند که هوا فردا بارانی است. They say that the weather will be rainy tomorrow.
26.10 بگو که چه اتفاقی افتاده است. Say what has happened.
26.11 او هرگز دروغ نمیگوید. He never tells lies.
26.12 میخواهم چیزی به تو بگویم. I want to say something to you.
26.13 کی گفته که من نمیتوانم این کار را بکنم؟ Who said that I cannot do this work?
26.14 راست میگویی یا شوخی میکنی؟ Are you telling the truth or are you joking?
26.15 پزشک گفت که باید استراحت کنم. The doctor said that I must rest.
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26.1 او به من گفت که فردا میآید.
26.2 آیا تو میگویی که این درست است؟
26.3 معلم همیشه میگوید که باید مطالعه کنیم.
26.4 او نمیگوید که چرا دیر آمده است.
26.5 پدرم گفت که باید زود برگردم.
26.6 چه گفتی؟ من نشنیدم.
26.7 دوستم به او گفته که من مریض هستم.
26.8 مادر با صدای آرام گفت: "بخواب عزیزم"
26.9 آنها میگویند که هوا فردا بارانی است.
26.10 بگو که چه اتفاقی افتاده است.
26.11 او هرگز دروغ نمیگوید.
26.12 میخواهم چیزی به تو بگویم.
26.13 کی گفته که من نمیتوانم این کار را بکنم؟
26.14 راست میگویی یا شوخی میکنی؟
26.15 پزشک گفت که باید استراحت کنم.
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The verb گفتن follows regular Persian verb conjugation patterns. Understanding its structure is crucial for proper usage.
Infinitive: گفتن (goftan) Present Stem: گو (gu) Past Stem: گفت (goft)
Person | Singular | Plural -
1st: میگویم (mi-guyam) - I say | میگوییم (mi-guyim) - we say -
2nd: میگویی (mi-guyi) - you say | میگویید (mi-guyid) - you say -
3rd: میگوید (mi-guyad) - he/she says | میگویند (mi-guyand) - they say
Person | Singular | Plural -
1st: گفتم (goftam) - I said | گفتیم (goftim) - we said -
2nd: گفتی (gofti) - you said | گفتید (goftid) - you said -
3rd: گفت (goft) - he/she said | گفتند (goftand) - they said
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Word Order: English speakers often place the verb in the middle of the sentence. In Persian, verbs typically come at the end. -
Wrong: من گفتم به او که... (man goftam be u ke...) -
Correct: من به او گفتم که... (man be u goftam ke...) -
Present Stem Confusion: Using گفت instead of گو for present tense. -
Wrong: میگفتم (mi-goftam) for "I say" -
Correct: میگویم (mi-guyam) for "I say" -
Forgetting می: The present tense marker می is essential. -
Wrong: گویم (guyam) -
Correct: میگویم (mi-guyam) -
Subjunctive Confusion: The subjunctive uses ب instead of می. -
Present: میگویم (I say) -
Subjunctive: بگویم (that I say)
Unlike English, which uses auxiliary verbs (do, does, did) for questions and negatives, Persian adds prefixes: -
Negative: ن (na-/ne-) prefix: نمیگویم (I don't say) -
Question: آیا at the beginning or rising intonation
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Identify the tense needed (present or past) -
Select the appropriate stem (گو for present, گفت for past) -
Add tense markers (می for present indicative) -
Add personal endings (-م، -ی، -د، etc.) -
For negatives, add ن before the tense marker
گفتن is a transitive verb requiring a direct object. It often appears with: -
که (ke) - "that" introducing reported speech -
به (be) - "to" indicating the recipient -
با (bā) - "with" indicating manner
The verb can form compound structures: -
دروغ گفتن (dorugh goftan) - to lie -
راست گفتن (rāst goftan) - to tell the truth
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In Persian culture, the act of speaking carries profound weight. The concept of "حرف زدن" (harf zadan) encompasses not just saying words but engaging in meaningful discourse. Persian speakers often distinguish between different levels of speech formality, and گفتن plays a crucial role in this hierarchy.
Persian culture values indirect communication, especially in formal settings. Instead of direct commands or statements, speakers often use گفتن in conditional or subjunctive forms to soften their speech. For example, "میشود بگویید" (Would you say/Could you tell me) is preferred over direct imperatives.
The verb گفتن appears in numerous Persian proverbs: -
"گفتن نه گفتن است، شنیدن است" (Goftan na goftan ast, shenidan ast) - "Speaking is not speaking, it's being heard" -
"کم گوی و گزیده گوی" (Kam guy o gozideh guy) - "Speak little and speak well"
In Islamic Persian culture, what one says carries moral weight. The Quran and Hadith emphasize truthful speech, reflected in expressions like "راست گفتن" (to speak truthfully). Classical Persian poetry, particularly in works by Hafez and Saadi, explores the power of words through various uses of گفتن.
In contemporary Persian, گفتن has evolved to include colloquial forms. Young speakers might use shortened versions in casual speech, though formal situations still require full conjugation. Social media has introduced new contexts for the verb, with phrases like "بگو بینم" (begu binam - tell me/let me see) becoming common in informal digital communication.
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پادشاهی king (pādeshāhi) از from (az) حکیمی wise-man (hakimi) پرسید asked (porsid) که that (ke) از from (az) همه all (hameh) عبادتها worships (ebādat-hā) کدام which (kodām) افضل superior (afzal) است is (ast)؟ گفت said (goft): خواب sleep (khāb) نیمروز midday (nim-ruz)، که because (ke) در in (dar) آن that (ān) ساعت hour (sā'at) خلق people (khalq) را (rā) آزار harm (āzār) نرسانی not-cause (na-resāni).
پادشاهی از حکیمی پرسید که از همه عبادتها کدام افضل است؟ گفت: خواب نیمروز، که در آن ساعت خلق را آزار نرسانی.
A king asked a wise man: "Of all acts of worship, which is superior?" He said: "Midday sleep, because in that hour you cause no harm to people."
پادشاهی از حکیمی پرسید که از همه عبادتها کدام افضل است؟ گفت: خواب نیمروز، که در آن ساعت خلق را آزار نرسانی.
This passage demonstrates the literary use of گفت in classical Persian prose. Note: -
گفت appears alone without a subject pronoun, common in classical Persian when the subject is clear from context -
The verb comes after the question, introducing the wise man's response -
The structure "پرسید که" (asked that) followed later by "گفت" (said) shows the question-answer format -
Classical Persian often omits the present tense prefix می, using the simple past گفت where modern Persian might use میگوید
The passage illustrates Saadi's wit and the Persian literary tradition of using گفتن to convey wisdom through dialogue. The verb serves as a pivot between question and answer, a common rhetorical device in Persian didactic literature.
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26.16 وزیر minister (vazir) امور affairs (omur) خارجه foreign (khārejeh) گفت said (goft) که that (ke) مذاکرات negotiations (mozākerāt) ادامه continuation (edāmeh) خواهد will (khāhad) یافت find (yāft)
26.17 سخنگوی spokesperson (sokhan-gu-ye) دولت government (dowlat) در in (dar) نشست session (neshast) خبری news (khabari) گفت said (goft) که that (ke) لایحه bill (lāyeheh) جدید new (jadid) تصویب approved (tasvib) شده become (shodeh) است is (ast)
26.18 رئیس head (ra'is) جمهور republic (jomhur) میگوید says (mi-guyad) که that (ke) اقتصاد economy (eqtesād) کشور country (keshvar) در in (dar) حال state (hāl) بهبود improvement (behbud) است is (ast)
26.19 کارشناسان experts (kār-shenāsān) میگویند say (mi-guyand) که that (ke) قیمت price (qeymat) نفت oil (naft) افزایش increase (afzāyesh) خواهد will (khāhad) یافت find (yāft)
26.20 مقامات officials (maqāmāt) محلی local (mahalli) گفتهاند have-said (gofteh-and) که that (ke) پروژه project (porozheh) به to (be) زودی soon (zudi) آغاز beginning (āghāz) میشود becomes (mi-shavad)
26.21 گزارشگر reporter (gozāresh-gar) از from (az) تهران Tehran (Tehrān) میگوید says (mi-guyad) که that (ke) وضعیت situation (vaz'iyat) آرام calm (ārām) است is (ast)
26.22 منابع sources (manābe') آگاه informed (āgāh) میگویند say (mi-guyand) که that (ke) جلسه meeting (jalseh) مهمی important (mohemmi) برگزار held (bar-gozār) شد became (shod)
26.23 شاهدان witnesses (shāhedān) عینی eye (eyni) گفتند said (goftand) که that (ke) حادثه incident (hādeseh) در in (dar) ساعت hour (sā'at) ده ten (dah) رخ occurrence (rokh) داد gave (dād)
26.24 نماینده representative (namāyandeh) مجلس parliament (majles) گفت said (goft) که that (ke) این this (in) طرح plan (tarh) مورد case (mowred) بررسی review (barresi) قرار position (qarār) گرفت took (gereft)
26.25 پلیس police (polis) میگوید says (mi-guyad) که that (ke) تحقیقات investigations (tahqiqāt) همچنان still (ham-chenān) ادامه continuation (edāmeh) دارد has (dārad)
26.26 کارشناس expert (kār-shenās) هواشناسی meteorology (havā-shenāsi) گفت said (goft) که that (ke) باران rain (bārān) شدیدی severe (shadidi) در in (dar) راه way (rāh) است is (ast)
26.27 مدیر director (modir) بیمارستان hospital (bimārestān) گفته has-said (gofteh) که that (ke) وضعیت condition (vaz'iyat) مصدومان injured (masdomān) پایدار stable (pāydār) است is (ast)
26.28 سفیر ambassador (safir) در in (dar) مصاحبهای interview (mosāhebeh-i) گفت said (goft) که that (ke) روابط relations (ravābet) دو two (do) کشور country (keshvar) دوستانه friendly (dustāneh) است is (ast)
26.29 بانک bank (bānk) مرکزی central (markazi) اعلام announcement (e'lām) کرد did (kard) و and (va) گفت said (goft) که that (ke) نرخ rate (nerkh) بهره interest (bahreh) ثابت fixed (sābet) میماند remains (mi-mānad)
26.30 وزیر minister (vazir) بهداشت health (behdāsht) گفت said (goft) که that (ke) واکسن vaccine (vāksan) جدید new (jadid) در in (dar) دسترس access (dastres) همگان everyone (hamegān) است is (ast)
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26.16 وزیر امور خارجه گفت که مذاکرات ادامه خواهد یافت. The Foreign Minister said that negotiations will continue.
26.17 سخنگوی دولت در نشست خبری گفت که لایحه جدید تصویب شده است. The government spokesperson said in the press conference that the new bill has been approved.
26.18 رئیس جمهور میگوید که اقتصاد کشور در حال بهبود است. The President says that the country's economy is improving.
26.19 کارشناسان میگویند که قیمت نفت افزایش خواهد یافت. Experts say that oil prices will increase.
26.20 مقامات محلی گفتهاند که پروژه به زودی آغاز میشود. Local officials have said that the project will begin soon.
26.21 گزارشگر از تهران میگوید که وضعیت آرام است. The reporter from Tehran says that the situation is calm.
26.22 منابع آگاه میگویند که جلسه مهمی برگزار شد. Informed sources say that an important meeting was held.
26.23 شاهدان عینی گفتند که حادثه در ساعت ده رخ داد. Eyewitnesses said that the incident occurred at ten o'clock.
26.24 نماینده مجلس گفت که این طرح مورد بررسی قرار گرفت. The parliamentary representative said that this plan was reviewed.
26.25 پلیس میگوید که تحقیقات همچنان ادامه دارد. Police say that investigations are still ongoing.
26.26 کارشناس هواشناسی گفت که باران شدیدی در راه است. The meteorology expert said that heavy rain is on the way.
26.27 مدیر بیمارستان گفته که وضعیت مصدومان پایدار است. The hospital director has said that the condition of the injured is stable.
26.28 سفیر در مصاحبهای گفت که روابط دو کشور دوستانه است. The ambassador said in an interview that relations between the two countries are friendly.
26.29 بانک مرکزی اعلام کرد و گفت که نرخ بهره ثابت میماند. The Central Bank announced and said that the interest rate will remain fixed.
26.30 وزیر بهداشت گفت که واکسن جدید در دسترس همگان است. The Health Minister said that the new vaccine is available to everyone.
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26.16 وزیر امور خارجه گفت که مذاکرات ادامه خواهد یافت.
26.17 سخنگوی دولت در نشست خبری گفت که لایحه جدید تصویب شده است.
26.18 رئیس جمهور میگوید که اقتصاد کشور در حال بهبود است.
26.19 کارشناسان میگویند که قیمت نفت افزایش خواهد یافت.
26.20 مقامات محلی گفتهاند که پروژه به زودی آغاز میشود.
26.21 گزارشگر از تهران میگوید که وضعیت آرام است.
26.22 منابع آگاه میگویند که جلسه مهمی برگزار شد.
26.23 شاهدان عینی گفتند که حادثه در ساعت ده رخ داد.
26.24 نماینده مجلس گفت که این طرح مورد بررسی قرار گرفت.
26.25 پلیس میگوید که تحقیقات همچنان ادامه دارد.
26.26 کارشناس هواشناسی گفت که باران شدیدی در راه است.
26.27 مدیر بیمارستان گفته که وضعیت مصدومان پایدار است.
26.28 سفیر در مصاحبهای گفت که روابط دو کشور دوستانه است.
26.29 بانک مرکزی اعلام کرد و گفت که نرخ بهره ثابت میماند.
26.30 وزیر بهداشت گفت که واکسن جدید در دسترس همگان است.
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News reporting in Persian employs specific conventions when using گفتن that differ from everyday speech.
News language uses formal conjugations: -
گفت instead of colloquial forms -
Full pronunciation of endings (گفتند not گفتن) -
Proper use of subjunctive and future tenses
Persian news frequently places the speaker identification before گفت: -
وزیر گفت (The minister said) -
منابع آگاه میگویند (Informed sources say)
This differs from English, which often uses "said the minister" constructions.
The pattern [Speaker + گفت + که + Statement] is standard: -
Always use که after گفت in formal news -
The reported clause maintains its own tense -
No backshift of tenses as in English
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Simple Past (گفت): For completed statements -
Present (میگوید): For ongoing situations or habitual statements -
Present Perfect (گفته است): For recent statements with current relevance -
Past Continuous (میگفت): For background information
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اعلام کرد و گفت (announced and said) -
در مصاحبهای گفت (said in an interview) -
به خبرنگاران گفت (told reporters) -
گفته میشود (it is said)
News often uses passive constructions: -
گفته شده است که (it has been said that) -
گفته میشود که (it is said that)
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Avoid repetition by varying attribution verbs -
Use full titles before names in first mention -
Maintain objectivity through proper attribution -
Present perfect (گفته است) suggests ongoing relevance
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This lesson is part of a comprehensive language learning series developed by the Latinum Institute, designed specifically for autodidacts seeking to master languages through systematic self-study. The method employed in these lessons draws on classical language pedagogy adapted for modern independent learners.
The Latinum Institute's approach, as detailed at latinum.substack.com and latinum.org.uk, emphasizes: -
Interlinear Translation: Each word is glossed individually, allowing learners to build vocabulary while understanding grammatical structures -
Progressive Complexity: Starting with word-by-word analysis and building to full authentic texts -
Multiple Perspectives: Each sentence is presented in various formats to reinforce learning -
Cultural Integration: Language learning includes cultural context essential for true comprehension -
Literary Engagement: Authentic texts provide real-world application of grammatical concepts
Evan der Millner BA MA (Cantab. NZ, London) has been creating online language learning materials since 2006. His work focuses on making classical pedagogical methods accessible to modern autodidacts through carefully structured lessons that require no prior knowledge or external instruction.
These lessons are specifically designed for self-directed learners by: -
Providing complete grammatical explanations without assuming prior knowledge -
Including pronunciation guides and transliterations -
Offering multiple representations of the same content for different learning styles -
Building systematically from basic to complex structures -
Incorporating authentic literary texts with detailed analysis
For more information about the Latinum Institute and its methods: -
Visit: https://latinum.substack.com/p/index -
Reviews: https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/latinum.org.uk
The complete course index and additional resources are available at the Latinum Substack site, where learners can access the full range of language learning materials developed using this proven methodology.
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