The Persian verb رفتن (raftan) meaning "to go" is one of the most fundamental and frequently used verbs in the Persian language. This verb expresses movement from one place to another and appears in numerous idiomatic expressions and daily conversations. As an irregular verb, رفتن presents unique conjugation patterns that differ from regular Persian verbs, making it essential for learners to master its various forms.
رفتن (raftan) is an intransitive verb meaning "to go," "to leave," or "to depart." It indicates movement away from the speaker's location or a specified point of reference.
Question: What does رفتن (raftan) mean in Persian? Answer: رفتن (raftan) means "to go" in Persian. It is used to express movement from one place to another, departure, or the act of leaving. The verb is irregular and has various conjugated forms depending on tense and person.
In this lesson, we will explore 15 varied examples of رفتن in different contexts, tenses, and sentence positions. You'll encounter the verb in present, past, and future tenses, as well as in compound verbs and idiomatic expressions. The examples progress from simple statements to more complex constructions, helping you understand how native Persian speakers naturally use this essential verb.
Course: Persian for English Speakers Level: Beginner to Intermediate Lesson Number: 31 Topic: The verb رفتن (raftan) - "to go" Language of Instruction: English Target Language: Persian (Farsi) Lesson Type: Reading comprehension with interlinear translation
-
رفتن is an irregular verb with unique conjugation patterns -
The present stem is رو (rav/row) while the past stem is رفت (raft) -
This verb appears in many compound verbs and idiomatic expressions -
Word order in Persian differs from English, with the verb typically appearing at the end of the sentence -
Understanding رفتن is crucial for basic communication in Persian
31.1 من I (man) به to (be) مدرسه school (madrese) میروم go (mi-ravam)
31.2 آنها they (ānhā) دیروز yesterday (diruz) به to (be) پارک park (pārk) رفتند went (raftand)
31.3 آیا do (āyā) تو you (to) فردا tomorrow (fardā) خواهی will (khāhi) رفت go (raft)?
31.4 برادرم my brother (barādaram) هر every (har) روز day (ruz) به to (be) دانشگاه university (dāneshgāh) میرود goes (mi-ravad)
31.5 ما we (mā) باید must (bāyad) زود early (zud) برویم go (beravim)
31.6 او she/he (u) نمیخواهد doesn't want (nemi-khāhad) به to (be) مهمانی party (mehmāni) برود go (beravad)
31.7 بچهها children (bachche-hā) به to (be) سینما cinema (sinamā) رفتهاند have gone (rafte-and)
31.8 پدرم my father (pedaram) به to (be) سفر journey (safar) کاری business (kāri) رفته has gone (rafte) است is (ast)
31.9 کجا where (kojā) میروی are going (mi-ravi)?
31.10 دوستم my friend (dustam) به to (be) ایران Iran (irān) خواهد will (khāhad) رفت go (raft)
31.11 مادربزرگم my grandmother (mādar-bozorgam) به to (be) بازار bazaar (bāzār) رفته gone (rafte) بود had (bud)
31.12 آنها they (ānhā) نرفتند didn't go (naraftand) چون because (chon) باران rain (bārān) میآمد was coming (mi-āmad)
31.13 با with (bā) هم together (ham) میرویم we go (mi-ravim) یا or (yā) جدا separate (jodā)?
31.14 او she/he (u) زود early (zud) از from (az) خانه house (khāne) رفت left/went (raft)
31.15 بروید go (beravid) و and (va) زود soon (zud) برگردید return (bargardid)!
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
31.1 من به مدرسه میروم. I go to school.
31.2 آنها دیروز به پارک رفتند. They went to the park yesterday.
31.3 آیا تو فردا خواهی رفت؟ Will you go tomorrow?
31.4 برادرم هر روز به دانشگاه میرود. My brother goes to university every day.
31.5 ما باید زود برویم. We must go early.
31.6 او نمیخواهد به مهمانی برود. She/He doesn't want to go to the party.
31.7 بچهها به سینما رفتهاند. The children have gone to the cinema.
31.8 پدرم به سفر کاری رفته است. My father has gone on a business trip.
31.9 کجا میروی؟ Where are you going?
31.10 دوستم به ایران خواهد رفت. My friend will go to Iran.
31.11 مادربزرگم به بازار رفته بود. My grandmother had gone to the bazaar.
31.12 آنها نرفتند چون باران میآمد. They didn't go because it was raining.
31.13 با هم میرویم یا جدا؟ Are we going together or separately?
31.14 او زود از خانه رفت. She/He left home early.
31.15 بروید و زود برگردید! Go and come back soon!
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
31.1 من به مدرسه میروم.
31.2 آنها دیروز به پارک رفتند.
31.3 آیا تو فردا خواهی رفت؟
31.4 برادرم هر روز به دانشگاه میرود.
31.5 ما باید زود برویم.
31.6 او نمیخواهد به مهمانی برود.
31.7 بچهها به سینما رفتهاند.
31.8 پدرم به سفر کاری رفته است.
31.9 کجا میروی؟
31.10 دوستم به ایران خواهد رفت.
31.11 مادربزرگم به بازار رفته بود.
31.12 آنها نرفتند چون باران میآمد.
31.13 با هم میرویم یا جدا؟
31.14 او زود از خانه رفت.
31.15 بروید و زود برگردید!
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
The verb رفتن is irregular in Persian, meaning it doesn't follow the standard conjugation patterns of regular verbs. Understanding its conjugation is essential for proper Persian communication.
-
Infinitive: رفتن (raftan) -
Past stem: رفت (raft) -
Present stem: رو (rav/row) - note the irregular present stem
The present tense uses the prefix می (mi-) + present stem + personal endings: -
من میروم (man mi-ravam) - I go -
تو میروی (to mi-ravi) - you go (singular informal) -
او میرود (u mi-ravad) - he/she goes -
ما میرویم (mā mi-ravim) - we go -
شما میروید (shomā mi-ravid) - you go (plural/formal) -
آنها میروند (ānhā mi-ravand) - they go
The simple past uses the past stem + personal endings: -
من رفتم (man raftam) - I went -
تو رفتی (to rafti) - you went -
او رفت (u raft) - he/she went -
ما رفتیم (mā raftim) - we went -
شما رفتید (shomā raftid) - you went -
آنها رفتند (ānhā raftand) - they went
Future tense uses خواهد/خواهم (will) + past stem: -
من خواهم رفت (man khāham raft) - I will go -
او خواهد رفت (u khāhad raft) - he/she will go
Uses past stem + ه (e) + present tense of "to be": -
من رفتهام (man rafte-am) - I have gone -
او رفته است (u rafte ast) - he/she has gone
Used after که (that), تا (until), باید (must): -
بروم (beravam) - (that) I go -
بروی (beravi) - (that) you go -
برود (beravad) - (that) he/she go
-
Using regular present stem: Many learners mistakenly use "رفت" as the present stem instead of "رو" -
Incorrect: میرفتم -
Correct: میروم -
Forgetting the stress in present tense: The stress falls on the prefix می -
Correct pronunciation: mí-ravam (not mi-ráwam) -
Confusing subjunctive with imperative: The subjunctive برود looks similar to the imperative برو but serves different functions -
Word order errors: Persian typically places the verb at the end of the sentence -
English: I go to school -
Persian: من به مدرسه میروم (literally: I to school go) -
Omitting preposition به: Movement towards a place requires به -
Incorrect: من خانه میروم -
Correct: من به خانه میروم
Unlike English, where "go" remains largely unchanged except for third person singular "goes," Persian رفتن changes significantly based on person, number, and tense. English uses auxiliary verbs (will, have) for future and perfect tenses, while Persian integrates these meanings into the verb conjugation itself. The Persian verb also appears at the end of the sentence, whereas English places it after the subject.
-
Identify the tense needed (present, past, future, etc.) -
Select the appropriate stem (رو for present, رفت for past) -
Add any necessary prefixes (می for present, ب for subjunctive) -
Attach the personal ending matching the subject -
Place the verb at the end of the clause
The verb رفتن is essential for expressing movement and departure in Persian. Its irregular present stem رو must be memorized, as it cannot be derived from the infinitive. The verb follows SOV (Subject-Object-Verb) word order, contrasting with English SVO pattern. Mastery of this verb opens doors to numerous compound verbs and idiomatic expressions in Persian.
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
The verb رفتن extends far beyond its literal meaning of "to go" in Persian culture. It appears in numerous social expressions, polite formulas, and idiomatic phrases that reflect Iranian values of hospitality, respect, and social harmony.
In Persian culture, the way one speaks about coming and going carries social weight. When visiting someone's home, Persians often use elaborate expressions involving رفتن to show respect. For instance, "قربانت بروم" (ghorbānat beravam - literally "may I go as your sacrifice") is a common expression of deep affection or respect, though it has nothing to do with actually going anywhere.
Persians often use رفتن metaphorically to discuss the passage of time. "زمان میرود" (zamān mi-ravad - time goes) reflects a cultural understanding of time as something that moves away from us, rather than something we move through. This differs from English expressions like "time flies" or "time passes."
When guests prepare to leave, Iranian hosts traditionally engage in elaborate rituals of persuading them to stay longer. The phrase "کجا میروید؟" (kojā mi-ravid? - where are you going?) is often not a genuine question but a polite way of expressing that the guest's departure is premature. Understanding these cultural nuances helps English speakers navigate Persian social situations appropriately.
In Persian poetry and religious texts, رفتن often carries metaphysical meanings. Sufi poets use it to describe spiritual journeys, the soul's departure from the body, or movement toward divine truth. This elevated usage appears in the works of Hafez, Rumi, and other classical Persian poets, where "going" becomes a metaphor for spiritual transformation.
Contemporary Persian has adapted رفتن into many compound verbs that would surprise English speakers. "از دست رفتن" (az dast raftan - to go from hand) means "to be lost" or "to die," while "پیش رفتن" (pish raftan - to go forward) means "to progress." These compounds demonstrate how Persian creates new meanings by combining simple verbs with prepositions and nouns.
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
From "The Conference of the Birds" (منطقالطیر) by Farid ud-Din Attar, 12th century
همه all (hame) مرغان birds (morghān) جمع gathered (jam') شدند became (shodand) تا until/to (tā) بروند they go (beravand) به to (be) سوی direction (su-ye) سیمرغ Simorgh (simorgh). راه path (rāh) دراز long (derāz) بود was (bud) و and (va) هر every (har) مرغی bird (morghi) که that (ke) میرفت was going (mi-raft) باید must (bāyad) از from (az) خود self (khod) بگذرد pass beyond (begozarad).
همه مرغان جمع شدند تا بروند به سوی سیمرغ. راه دراز بود و هر مرغی که میرفت باید از خود بگذرد.
All the birds gathered to go towards the Simorgh. The path was long and every bird that went had to transcend itself.
همه مرغان جمع شدند تا بروند به سوی سیمرغ. راه دراز بود و هر مرغی که میرفت باید از خود بگذرد.
This passage from Attar's mystical epic demonstrates the spiritual dimension of رفتن in classical Persian literature. The verb appears twice - first in the subjunctive "بروند" (that they go) expressing collective purpose, and then in the imperfect "میرفت" (was going) describing individual journey.
The construction "تا بروند" (in order to go) shows the subjunctive mood following تا, a crucial grammar point for learners. The phrase "که میرفت" (that was going) introduces a relative clause, demonstrating how رفتن functions in complex sentence structures.
Attar uses the physical act of going as a metaphor for spiritual journey. The birds' movement toward the mythical Simorgh represents the soul's journey toward divine truth, a common theme in Sufi literature. The additional requirement that each bird "must transcend itself" (باید از خود بگذرد) shows how physical movement intertwines with spiritual transformation in Persian mystical thought.
For language learners, this passage illustrates how رفتن operates in elevated literary discourse while maintaining its essential grammatical patterns. The subjunctive and imperfect forms shown here appear frequently in both classical and modern Persian texts.
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
31.16 من I (man) و and (va) خانوادهام my family (khānevāde-am) تصمیم decision (tasmim) گرفتیم took (gereftim) به to (be) شیراز Shiraz (shirāz) برویم go (beravim).
31.17 صبح morning (sobh) زود early (zud) از from (az) تهران Tehran (tehrān) حرکت movement (harekat) کردیم made (kardim) و and (va) به to (be) سمت direction (samt-e) جنوب south (jonub) رفتیم went (raftim).
31.18 در in (dar) راه road (rāh) به to (be) اصفهان Isfahan (esfahān) رفتیم went (raftim) تا to (tā) کمی a little (kami) استراحت rest (esterāhat) کنیم do (konim).
31.19 بچهها children (bachche-hā) میخواستند wanted (mi-khāstand) به to (be) میدان square (meydān-e) نقش Naqsh (naghsh-e) جهان Jahan (jahān) بروند go (beravand).
31.20 من I (man) گفتم said (goftam) بهتر better (behtar) است is (ast) اول first (avval) به to (be) هتل hotel (hotel) برویم go (beravim).
31.21 بعد after (ba'd) از from (az) ناهار lunch (nāhār) همه everyone (hame) با with (bā) هم together (ham) به to (be) بازار bazaar (bāzār) رفتیم went (raftim).
31.22 فردا tomorrow (fardā) صبح morning (sobh) باید must (bāyad) زود early (zud) از from (az) اصفهان Isfahan (esfahān) برویم go (beravim) تا so that (tā) شب night (shab) به to (be) شیراز Shiraz (shirāz) برسیم arrive (beresim).
31.23 راننده driver (rānande) گفت said (goft) اگر if (agar) الان now (al'ān) نرویم don't go (naravim) ترافیک traffic (terāfik) میشود becomes (mi-shavad).
31.24 مادرم my mother (mādaram) نمیخواست didn't want (nemi-khāst) شب night (shab) در in (dar) جاده road (jādde) برود go (beravad).
31.25 بالاخره finally (belākhare) تصمیم decision (tasmim) گرفتیم took (gereftim) فردا tomorrow (fardā) برویم go (beravim).
31.26 وقتی when (vaghti) به to (be) شیراز Shiraz (shirāz) رفتیم went (raftim) اول first (avval) به to (be) حافظیه Hafeziyeh (hāfeziye) رفتیم went (raftim).
31.27 از from (az) آنجا there (ānjā) به to (be) باغ garden (bāgh-e) ارم Eram (eram) رفتیم went (raftim) که which (ke) بسیار very (besyār) زیبا beautiful (zibā) بود was (bud).
31.28 فردایش next day (fardā-yash) میخواستیم wanted (mi-khāstim) به to (be) تخت Takht (takht-e) جمشید Jamshid (jamshid) برویم go (beravim).
31.29 گفتند they said (goftand) بهتر better (behtar) است is (ast) صبح morning (sobh) زود early (zud) بروید go (beravid) تا so that (tā) خلوت quiet (khalvat) باشد be (bāshad).
31.30 بعد after (ba'd) از from (az) سه three (se) روز day (ruz) به to (be) تهران Tehran (tehrān) برگشتیم returned (bargashtim) ولی but (vali) دلمان our heart (delemān) میخواست wanted (mi-khāst) دوباره again (dobāre) برویم go (beravim).
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
31.16 من و خانوادهام تصمیم گرفتیم به شیراز برویم. My family and I decided to go to Shiraz.
31.17 صبح زود از تهران حرکت کردیم و به سمت جنوب رفتیم. We left Tehran early in the morning and went south.
31.18 در راه به اصفهان رفتیم تا کمی استراحت کنیم. On the way, we went to Isfahan to rest a little.
31.19 بچهها میخواستند به میدان نقش جهان بروند. The children wanted to go to Naqsh-e Jahan Square.
31.20 من گفتم بهتر است اول به هتل برویم. I said it's better to go to the hotel first.
31.21 بعد از ناهار همه با هم به بازار رفتیم. After lunch, we all went to the bazaar together.
31.22 فردا صبح باید زود از اصفهان برویم تا شب به شیراز برسیم. Tomorrow morning we must leave Isfahan early to reach Shiraz by night.
31.23 راننده گفت اگر الان نرویم ترافیک میشود. The driver said if we don't go now, there will be traffic.
31.24 مادرم نمیخواست شب در جاده برود. My mother didn't want to travel on the road at night.
31.25 بالاخره تصمیم گرفتیم فردا برویم. Finally, we decided to go tomorrow.
31.26 وقتی به شیراز رفتیم اول به حافظیه رفتیم. When we went to Shiraz, we first went to Hafeziyeh.
31.27 از آنجا به باغ ارم رفتیم که بسیار زیبا بود. From there we went to Eram Garden, which was very beautiful.
31.28 فردایش میخواستیم به تخت جمشید برویم. The next day we wanted to go to Persepolis.
31.29 گفتند بهتر است صبح زود بروید تا خلوت باشد. They said it's better to go early in the morning so it will be quiet.
31.30 بعد از سه روز به تهران برگشتیم ولی دلمان میخواست دوباره برویم. After three days we returned to Tehran, but our hearts wanted to go again.
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
31.16 من و خانوادهام تصمیم گرفتیم به شیراز برویم.
31.17 صبح زود از تهران حرکت کردیم و به سمت جنوب رفتیم.
31.18 در راه به اصفهان رفتیم تا کمی استراحت کنیم.
31.19 بچهها میخواستند به میدان نقش جهان بروند.
31.20 من گفتم بهتر است اول به هتل برویم.
31.21 بعد از ناهار همه با هم به بازار رفتیم.
31.22 فردا صبح باید زود از اصفهان برویم تا شب به شیراز برسیم.
31.23 راننده گفت اگر الان نرویم ترافیک میشود.
31.24 مادرم نمیخواست شب در جاده برود.
31.25 بالاخره تصمیم گرفتیم فردا برویم.
31.26 وقتی به شیراز رفتیم اول به حافظیه رفتیم.
31.27 از آنجا به باغ ارم رفتیم که بسیار زیبا بود.
31.28 فردایش میخواستیم به تخت جمشید برویم.
31.29 گفتند بهتر است صبح زود بروید تا خلوت باشد.
31.30 بعد از سه روز به تهران برگشتیم ولی دلمان میخواست دوباره برویم.
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
The travel narrative demonstrates several important grammatical patterns specific to journey descriptions in Persian:
Travel narratives often combine رفتن with other verbs: -
حرکت کردیم و رفتیم (we departed and went) - showing sequential actions -
تصمیم گرفتیم برویم (we decided to go) - رفتن in subjunctive after decision verbs
Persian uses specific prepositions with رفتن for directions: -
به سمت جنوب رفتیم (we went towards the south) - به سمت for general direction -
از تهران... به شیراز (from Tehran... to Shiraz) - از...به for origin and destination
The conjunction تا (so that/in order to) requires subjunctive: -
رفتیم تا استراحت کنیم (we went to rest) -
زود برویم تا شب برسیم (leave early to arrive by night)
Travel narratives employ specific time markers: -
صبح زود (early morning) - time expressions usually precede the verb -
فردایش (the next day) - possessive suffix ش added to فردا -
بعد از (after) - requires an action or time reference
Various modals appear with رفتن in travel contexts: -
میخواستند بروند (they wanted to go) - desire + subjunctive -
باید برویم (we must go) - necessity + subjunctive -
بهتر است برویم (it's better to go) - preference + subjunctive
Travel planning often involves conditions: -
اگر الان نرویم (if we don't go now) - present conditional The negative نرویم shows the combination of ن (negative prefix) + subjunctive
Certain nouns consistently appear with رفتن in travel contexts: -
به هتل رفتن (go to hotel) -
به بازار رفتن (go to bazaar) -
در جاده رفتن (travel on the road)
Persian travel narratives use specific devices for chronological order: -
اول (first), بعد (after), بالاخره (finally) -
وقتی (when) + past tense for temporal clauses
This genre showcases how رفتن functions as a narrative backbone, connecting locations, times, and purposes in travel storytelling.
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
This lesson is part of a comprehensive language learning series developed by the Latinum Institute, utilizing the innovative construed text method that has proven effective for autodidactic learners since 2006. The method, refined by curator Evan der Millner BA MA (Cantab. NZ, London), combines interlinear translation with progressive difficulty to enable independent study without formal instruction.
The Latinum Institute's approach, detailed at latinum.substack.com and latinum.org.uk, emphasizes: -
Granular word-by-word analysis for complete beginners -
Natural progression from literal to idiomatic understanding -
Cultural and literary context integrated into language learning -
Self-paced study suitable for motivated independent learners
Each lesson includes: -
Detailed interlinear translations with phonetic guides -
Complete sentences progressing in complexity -
Grammar explanations tailored for English speakers -
Cultural insights essential for authentic communication -
Literary excerpts connecting learners to Persian heritage -
Genre-specific sections for practical application
Evan der Millner has been pioneering online language education since 2006, creating resources that have helped thousands of students worldwide master classical and modern languages independently. His work combines traditional philological methods with modern pedagogical insights, making challenging languages accessible to dedicated self-learners.
The Latinum Institute has received consistent praise for its methodology, as evidenced by reviews at https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/latinum.org.uk, where students highlight the clarity, completeness, and effectiveness of the lessons for independent study.
For the complete course index and additional languages, visit: https://latinum.substack.com/p/index
The Latinum Institute continues to expand its offerings, bringing rigorous yet accessible language instruction to autodidacts worldwide, maintaining the highest standards of pedagogical excellence established over nearly two decades of online education.
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
---