The English preposition "by" presents unique challenges for learners of Persian because it translates into several different Persian words depending on context. The three main Persian equivalents are: -
توسط (tavassot) - used for agency (done by someone) -
با (bā) - used for means/instrument (by means of) -
کنار (kenār) - used for location (beside/next to)
"By" in Persian requires careful attention to context. When expressing agency (the action was done BY someone), use توسط (tavassot). When expressing means or instrument (traveling BY car), use با (bā). When expressing proximity (sitting BY the window), use کنار (kenār) or other location words.
Q: What does "by" mean in Persian? A: The English word "by" has three main Persian translations: توسط (tavassot) for agency, با (bā) for means/instrument, and کنار (kenār) for location/proximity. The correct translation depends entirely on the context and meaning of the sentence.
In this lesson, you'll encounter "by" in various contexts showing all three major Persian equivalents. Examples include passive constructions with agents, expressions of means and methods, and spatial relationships. Each example demonstrates authentic Persian usage patterns.
Subject: Persian Language Learning Level: Beginner to Intermediate Topic: Preposition "by" and its Persian equivalents Learning Objectives: -
Distinguish between توسط، با، and کنار -
Use the correct Persian equivalent based on context -
Understand Persian prepositional phrases
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"By" has no single Persian equivalent -
توسط (tavassot) = agency (by someone) -
با (bā) = means/method (by way of) -
کنار (kenār) = location (beside) -
Context determines correct translation -
Persian prepositions often differ from English patterns
33.1 The این (in) letter نامه (nāme) was بود (bud) written نوشتهشده (neveshte-shode) by توسط (tavassot) my من (man) friend دوست (dust)
33.2 She او (u) sits مینشیند (mi-neshinad) by کنار (kenār) the آن (ān) window پنجره (panjare) every هر (har) morning صبح (sobh)
33.3 We ما (mā) traveled سفرکردیم (safar-kardim) by با (bā) train قطار (qatār) to به (be) Isfahan اصفهان (Esfahān)
33.4 This این (in) book کتاب (ketāb) was بود (bud) translated ترجمهشده (tarjome-shode) by توسط (tavassot) a یک (yek) famous مشهور (mashhur) scholar دانشمند (dāneshmand)
33.5 The آن (ān) children بچهها (bache-hā) play بازیمیکنند (bāzi-mi-konand) by کنار (kenār) the آن (ān) river رودخانه (rudkhāne)
33.6 By با (bā) working کارکردن (kār-kardan) hard سخت (sakht) she او (u) achieved رسید (resid) success موفقیت (movaffaqiyat)
33.7 The آن (ān) poem شعر (she'r) was بود (bud) recited خواندهشده (khānde-shode) by توسط (tavassot) Hafez حافظ (Hāfez) himself خودش (khodash)
33.8 He او (u) learns یادمیگیرد (yād-mi-girad) Persian فارسی (Fārsi) by با (bā) listening گوشدادن (gush-dādan) to به (be) music موسیقی (musiqi)
33.9 Stand بایست (bāyest) by کنار (kenār) the آن (ān) door در (dar) please لطفاً (lotfan)
33.10 The آن (ān) decision تصمیم (tasmim) was بود (bud) made گرفتهشده (gerefte-shode) by توسط (tavassot) the آن (ān) committee کمیته (komite)
33.11 By تا (tā) tomorrow فردا (fardā) we ما (mā) must باید (bāyad) finish تمامکنیم (tamām-konim) this این (in) work کار (kār)
33.12 She او (u) lives زندگیمیکند (zendegi-mi-konad) by نزدیک (nazdik) the آن (ān) mosque مسجد (masjed)
33.13 The آن (ān) carpet فرش (farsh) was بود (bud) woven بافتهشده (bāfte-shode) by توسط (tavassot) skilled ماهر (māher) artisans صنعتگران (san'atgarān)
33.14 By با (bā) reading خواندن (khāndan) daily روزانه (ruzāne) his او (u) Persian فارسی (Fārsi) improved بهترشد (behtar-shod)
33.15 The آن (ān) garden باغ (bāgh) by کنار (kenār) our ما (mā) house خانه (khāne) is است (ast) beautiful زیبا (zibā)
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33.1 این نامه توسط دوست من نوشته شده بود. This letter was written by my friend.
33.2 او هر صبح کنار پنجره مینشیند. She sits by the window every morning.
33.3 ما با قطار به اصفهان سفر کردیم. We traveled to Isfahan by train.
33.4 این کتاب توسط یک دانشمند مشهور ترجمه شده بود. This book was translated by a famous scholar.
33.5 بچهها کنار رودخانه بازی میکنند. The children play by the river.
33.6 با کار کردن سخت او به موفقیت رسید. By working hard, she achieved success.
33.7 آن شعر توسط خود حافظ خوانده شده بود. The poem was recited by Hafez himself.
33.8 او با گوش دادن به موسیقی فارسی یاد میگیرد. He learns Persian by listening to music.
33.9 لطفاً کنار در بایست. Stand by the door, please.
33.10 آن تصمیم توسط کمیته گرفته شده بود. The decision was made by the committee.
33.11 تا فردا باید این کار را تمام کنیم. By tomorrow we must finish this work.
33.12 او نزدیک مسجد زندگی میکند. She lives by the mosque.
33.13 آن فرش توسط صنعتگران ماهر بافته شده بود. The carpet was woven by skilled artisans.
33.14 با خواندن روزانه فارسی او بهتر شد. By reading daily, his Persian improved.
33.15 باغ کنار خانه ما زیبا است. The garden by our house is beautiful.
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33.1 این نامه توسط دوست من نوشته شده بود.
33.2 او هر صبح کنار پنجره مینشیند.
33.3 ما با قطار به اصفهان سفر کردیم.
33.4 این کتاب توسط یک دانشمند مشهور ترجمه شده بود.
33.5 بچهها کنار رودخانه بازی میکنند.
33.6 با کار کردن سخت او به موفقیت رسید.
33.7 آن شعر توسط خود حافظ خوانده شده بود.
33.8 او با گوش دادن به موسیقی فارسی یاد میگیرد.
33.9 لطفاً کنار در بایست.
33.10 آن تصمیم توسط کمیته گرفته شده بود.
33.11 تا فردا باید این کار را تمام کنیم.
33.12 او نزدیک مسجد زندگی میکند.
33.13 آن فرش توسط صنعتگران ماهر بافته شده بود.
33.14 با خواندن روزانه فارسی او بهتر شد.
33.15 باغ کنار خانه ما زیبا است.
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The English preposition "by" corresponds to several Persian prepositions and constructions, each with specific uses:
Used when indicating the agent performing an action, especially in passive constructions. -
Formation: توسط + noun/pronoun -
Example: توسط معلم (by the teacher) -
Always indicates WHO performed the action
Used when indicating the means, method, or instrument by which something is done. -
Formation: با + noun/gerund -
Example: با ماشین (by car) -
Indicates HOW something is done
Used when indicating proximity or position beside something. -
Formation: کنار + noun -
Example: کنار دریا (by the sea) -
Indicates WHERE (beside/next to)
Used for deadlines or time limits ("by tomorrow"). -
Formation: تا + time expression -
Example: تا فردا (by tomorrow) -
Indicates WHEN (deadline)
-
Using توسط for instruments -
Wrong: توسط قطار رفتیم -
Correct: با قطار رفتیم (We went by train) -
Using با for agents in passive -
Wrong: با معلم نوشته شد -
Correct: توسط معلم نوشته شد (It was written by the teacher) -
Forgetting ezāfe with کنار -
Wrong: کنار خانه -
Correct: کنارِ خانه (by the house) -
Direct translation without context -
English: "by the book" (according to rules) -
Persian: طبق قانون (not کنار کتاب)
English uses one word "by" for multiple meanings, while Persian distinguishes: -
Agent (who) = توسط -
Means (how) = با -
Location (where) = کنار -
Time limit (when) = تا
-
Identify the meaning of "by" in your English sentence -
Ask yourself: -
Is it showing WHO did something? → Use توسط -
Is it showing HOW something is done? → Use با -
Is it showing WHERE (beside)? → Use کنار -
Is it showing WHEN (deadline)? → Use تا -
Apply the appropriate Persian preposition -
Remember ezāfe connections where needed
Persian "by" equivalents: -
توسط (tavassot): agent marker, formal register -
با (bā): instrumental/comitative marker -
کنار (kenār): locative marker (beside) -
نزدیک (nazdik): locative marker (near) -
تا (tā): temporal limit marker -
از طریق (az tariq): "by way of" (route) -
به وسیله (be vasile-ye): "by means of" (formal)
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In Persian culture, the choice between different equivalents of "by" often reflects levels of formality and social relationships. توسط (tavassot) is more formal and often used in written Persian, news reports, and official documents. In everyday conversation, Persians might use simpler constructions or even omit the agent entirely.
The preposition با (bā) carries cultural significance beyond its grammatical function. It implies companionship and togetherness, reflecting the communal nature of Persian society. When saying "I went by car" (با ماشین رفتم), there's an implicit sense of the car as a companion in the journey.
Spatial relationships using کنار (kenār) are important in Persian hospitality. Being "by someone's side" (کنار کسی) implies support and solidarity. The phrase کنار هم (kenār-e ham, "by each other") represents unity and togetherness, central values in Persian culture.
Time expressions with تا (tā) reflect a more flexible approach to deadlines than in Western cultures. While "by tomorrow" exists as a concept, Persian culture often allows for more negotiation and understanding around time constraints.
In Persian poetry and literature, these prepositions take on metaphorical meanings. Hafez and other poets use کنار (beside) to express spiritual proximity, and با (with/by) to indicate divine accompaniment in mystical experiences.
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From "The Conference of the Birds" (منطق الطیر) by Attar of Nishapur (عطار نیشابوری), 12th century
Thousands هزاران (hezārān) of از (az) birds پرندگان (parandegān) gathered جمعشدند (jam'-shodand) by کنار (kenār) the آن (ān) lake دریاچه (daryāche), and و (va) by با (bā) their خود (khod) unity اتحاد (ettehād) they آنها (ānhā) found یافتند (yāftand) strength قدرت (qodrat). The آن (ān) journey سفر (safar) was بود (bud) ordained مقررشده (moqarrar-shode) by توسط (tavassot) the آن (ān) wise دانا (dānā) hoopoe هدهد (hodhod).
هزاران پرنده کنار دریاچه جمع شدند، و با اتحاد خود قدرت یافتند. آن سفر توسط هدهد دانا مقرر شده بود.
"Thousands of birds gathered by the lake, and by their unity they found strength. The journey was ordained by the wise hoopoe."
هزاران پرنده کنار دریاچه جمع شدند، و با اتحاد خود قدرت یافتند. آن سفر توسط هدهد دانا مقرر شده بود.
This passage demonstrates all three main uses of "by" in Persian: -
کنار دریاچه (kenār-e daryāche): "by the lake" - locative use -
با اتحاد خود (bā ettehād-e khod): "by their unity" - instrumental use -
توسط هدهد (tavassot-e hodhod): "by the hoopoe" - agentive use
The ezāfe construction (-e) connects the prepositions to their objects. Note how Persian word order differs from English, with the verb often coming at the end of the clause. The passive construction مقرر شده بود (was ordained) requires توسط to mark the agent.
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33.16 Begin شروعکنید (shoru'-konid) by با (bā) washing شستن (shostan) the آن (ān) rice برنج (berenj) three سه (se) times بار (bār)
33.17 The آن (ān) saffron زعفران (za'ferān) should باید (bāyad) be باشد (bāshad) ground آسیابشده (āsiyāb-shode) by با (bā) a یک (yek) mortar هاون (hāvan)
33.18 Stand بایستید (bāystid) by کنار (kenār) the آن (ān) stove اجاق (ojāq) while وقتی (vaqti) cooking پخت (pokht)
33.19 The آن (ān) onions پیازها (piyāz-hā) are هستند (hastand) fried سرخشده (sorkh-shode) by توسط (tavassot) the آن (ān) chef آشپز (āshpaz) first اول (avval)
33.20 Mix مخلوطکنید (makhlut-konid) by با (bā) hand دست (dast) gently آرام (ārām) the آن (ān) yogurt ماست (māst)
33.21 By تا (tā) noon ظهر (zohr) the آن (ān) bread نان (nān) must باید (bāyad) rise وربیاید (var-biyāyad)
33.22 The آن (ān) herbs سبزیها (sabzi-hā) grown پرورشیافته (parvaresh-yāfte) by کنار (kenār) the آن (ān) garden باغ (bāgh) are هستند (hastand) fresh تازه (tāze)
33.23 Season چاشنیبزنید (chāshni-bezanid) by با (bā) adding اضافهکردن (ezāfe-kardan) salt نمک (namak) gradually تدریجاً (tadrijan)
33.24 The آن (ān) sauce سس (sos) prepared آمادهشده (āmāde-shode) by توسط (tavassot) grandmother مادربزرگ (mādar-bozorg) is است (ast) delicious خوشمزه (khosh-maze)
33.25 Cook بپزید (bepazid) by با (bā) low کم (kam) heat حرارت (harārat) for برای (barāye) hours ساعتها (sā'at-hā)
33.26 Place بگذارید (begozārid) the آن (ān) pot دیگ (dig) by کنار (kenār) the آن (ān) window پنجره (panjare) to تا (tā) cool خنکشود (khonak-shavad)
33.27 The آن (ān) dough خمیر (khamir) is است (ast) kneaded ورزدادهشده (varz-dāde-shode) by توسط (tavassot) experienced باتجربه (bā-tajrobe) hands دستها (dast-hā)
33.28 By با (bā) using استفاده (estefāde) fresh تازه (tāze) ingredients مواد (mavādd) the آن (ān) taste طعم (ta'm) improves بهترمیشود (behtar-mi-shavad)
33.29 Serve سروکنید (serv-konid) by کنار (kenār) the آن (ān) main اصلی (asli) dish غذا (ghazā) always همیشه (hamishe)
33.30 By تا (tā) evening عصر (asr) the آن (ān) stew خورش (khoresh) will خواهد (khāhad) be بود (bud) ready آماده (āmāde)
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33.16 با شستن برنج سه بار شروع کنید. Begin by washing the rice three times.
33.17 زعفران باید با هاون آسیاب شده باشد. The saffron should be ground by a mortar.
33.18 وقتی پخت، کنار اجاق بایستید. Stand by the stove while cooking.
33.19 پیازها اول توسط آشپز سرخ شده هستند. The onions are fried by the chef first.
33.20 ماست را آرام با دست مخلوط کنید. Mix the yogurt gently by hand.
33.21 تا ظهر نان باید ور بیاید. By noon the bread must rise.
33.22 سبزیهای پرورش یافته کنار باغ تازه هستند. The herbs grown by the garden are fresh.
33.23 با اضافه کردن نمک تدریجاً چاشنی بزنید. Season by adding salt gradually.
33.24 سس آماده شده توسط مادربزرگ خوشمزه است. The sauce prepared by grandmother is delicious.
33.25 با حرارت کم برای ساعتها بپزید. Cook by low heat for hours.
33.26 دیگ را کنار پنجره بگذارید تا خنک شود. Place the pot by the window to cool.
33.27 خمیر توسط دستهای باتجربه ورز داده شده است. The dough is kneaded by experienced hands.
33.28 با استفاده از مواد تازه طعم بهتر میشود. By using fresh ingredients the taste improves.
33.29 همیشه کنار غذای اصلی سرو کنید. Serve by the main dish always.
33.30 تا عصر خورش آماده خواهد بود. By evening the stew will be ready.
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33.16 با شستن برنج سه بار شروع کنید.
33.17 زعفران باید با هاون آسیاب شده باشد.
33.18 وقتی پخت، کنار اجاق بایستید.
33.19 پیازها اول توسط آشپز سرخ شده هستند.
33.20 ماست را آرام با دست مخلوط کنید.
33.21 تا ظهر نان باید ور بیاید.
33.22 سبزیهای پرورش یافته کنار باغ تازه هستند.
33.23 با اضافه کردن نمک تدریجاً چاشنی بزنید.
33.24 سس آماده شده توسط مادربزرگ خوشمزه است.
33.25 با حرارت کم برای ساعتها بپزید.
33.26 دیگ را کنار پنجره بگذارید تا خنک شود.
33.27 خمیر توسط دستهای باتجربه ورز داده شده است.
33.28 با استفاده از مواد تازه طعم بهتر میشود.
33.29 همیشه کنار غذای اصلی سرو کنید.
33.30 تا عصر خورش آماده خواهد بود.
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In Persian cooking instructions, the various equivalents of "by" appear frequently with specific patterns:
-
Used for cooking methods: با حرارت کم (by low heat) -
Used for tools: با دست (by hand), با هاون (by mortar) -
Common pattern: با + tool/method + verb
-
Less common in instructions (imperative mood) -
Used when crediting preparation: توسط آشپز (by the chef) -
Often appears in passive descriptions
-
Indicates cooking positions: کنار اجاق (by the stove) -
Serving suggestions: کنار غذای اصلی (by the main dish) -
Storage locations: کنار پنجره (by the window)
-
Critical for timing: تا ظهر (by noon) -
Indicates readiness: تا عصر آماده است (ready by evening) -
Sets cooking deadlines
-
Start instructions with با + gerund: با شستن شروع کنید -
Passive voice uses توسط sparingly in recipes -
Time limits always use تا -
Location during cooking uses کنار
Persian recipes often emphasize process over precision, reflected in the flexible use of these prepositions. The phrase "by hand" (با دست) carries cultural weight, suggesting traditional methods and care in preparation.
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This lesson is part of a comprehensive language learning series developed using the Latinum Method, created by Evan der Millner BA MA (Cantab. NZ, London). Since 2006, the Latinum Institute has been pioneering online language learning materials designed specifically for autodidacts.
The method employed in these lessons follows the "construed text" approach, where each word is glossed individually in the target language, allowing learners to build vocabulary systematically while understanding grammatical structures in context. This approach has proven particularly effective for self-directed learners who want to gain reading proficiency quickly.
Key features of the Latinum Method include: -
Granular word-by-word analysis in Section A -
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Authentic literary texts with detailed grammatical analysis -
Genre-specific vocabulary development -
Cultural context integrated throughout
These lessons are designed to be complete and self-contained, allowing learners to progress at their own pace without requiring additional resources. The interlinear format helps bridge the gap between languages, making complex grammatical concepts accessible to beginners while providing enough depth for intermediate learners.
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For more information about the method and additional lessons, visit: -
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The Latinum Institute continues to develop materials for various languages, maintaining the same rigorous approach to grammatical analysis and cultural integration that has made these lessons effective for independent learners globally.
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