The Persian verb دانستن (dānestan) means "to know" in English. This essential verb is one of the most frequently used in Persian and encompasses knowing facts, information, or having knowledge about something. Unlike English, which has two main verbs for knowing ("know" for facts/information and "be acquainted with" for people), Persian uses دانستن primarily for factual knowledge, while شناختن (shenākhtan) is used for knowing people or being familiar with things.
Q: What does دانستن (dānestan) mean in Persian? A: دانستن (dānestan) means "to know" in the sense of having knowledge or information about something. It is used for knowing facts, understanding concepts, or being aware of information.
In this lesson, دانستن appears in various forms and tenses throughout 15 example sentences. You'll encounter its present stem دان (dān), its past stem دانست (dānest), and various conjugated forms. The examples demonstrate practical, everyday usage ranging from simple statements to more complex sentences involving knowledge about various subjects.
Subject: Persian Language Learning Level: Beginner to Intermediate Topic: Essential Verb - دانستن (to know) Lesson Type: Comprehensive Grammar and Vocabulary Target Audience: English-speaking autodidacts
-
دانستن is the infinitive form meaning "to know" -
Present stem: دان (dān) -
Past stem: دانست (dānest) -
Used for factual knowledge, not personal acquaintance -
Conjugates regularly with standard Persian verb endings -
Essential for everyday communication
39.1 من I (man) فارسی Persian (fārsi) میدانم know (midānam)
39.2 آیا whether (āyā) تو you (to) پاسخ answer (pāsokh) را (object marker) (rā) میدانی know (midāni)?
39.3 او he/she (u) همه all (hame) چیز thing (chiz) را (object marker) (rā) درباره about (darbāre-ye) تاریخ history (tārikh) میداند knows (midānad)
39.4 ما we (mā) نمیدانیم don't-know (nemidānim) که that (ke) فردا tomorrow (fardā) چه what (che) خواهد will (khāhad) شد become (shod)
39.5 دانستن knowing (dānestan) زبان language (zabān) جدید new (jadid) مفید useful (mofid) است is (ast)
39.6 آنها they (ānhā) نمیدانستند didn't-know (nemidānestand) که that (ke) کجا where (kojā) بروند go (beravand)
39.7 پدرم my-father (pedaram) همیشه always (hamishé) میگفت used-to-say (migoft) که that (ke) دانش knowledge (dānesh) قدرت power (qodrat) است is (ast)
39.8 بچهها children (bache-hā) هنوز still (hanuz) نمیدانند don't-know (nemidānand) چگونه how (chegune) بخوانند read (bekhānand)
39.9 اگر if (agar) میدانستم I-knew (midānestam) زودتر earlier (zudtar) میآمدم would-come (miāmadam)
39.10 معلم teacher (moallem) میخواهد wants (mikhāhad) بداند to-know (bedānad) چرا why (cherā) دیر late (dir) کردی you-did (kardi)
39.11 هیچکس nobody (hichkas) نمیداند doesn't-know (nemidānad) راز secret (rāz) او his/her (u) را (object marker) (rā)
39.12 کاش I-wish (kāsh) میدانستم I-knew (midānestam) که that (ke) چطور how (chetor) به to (be) تو you (to) کمک help (komak) کنم do (konam)
39.13 خواهرم my-sister (khāharam) خوب well (khub) میداند knows (midānad) که that (ke) من I (man) شیرینی sweets (shirini) دوست friend/like (dust) دارم have (dāram)
39.14 دانستن knowing (dānestan) حقیقت truth (haqiqat) گاهی sometimes (gāhi) دردناک painful (dardnāk) است is (ast)
39.15 آنچه that-which (ānche) نمیدانید you-don't-know (nemidānid) نمیتواند cannot (nemitavānad) به to (be) شما you (shomā) آسیب harm (āsib) برساند deliver (beresānad)
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
39.1 من فارسی میدانم. I know Persian.
39.2 آیا تو پاسخ را میدانی؟ Do you know the answer?
39.3 او همه چیز را درباره تاریخ میداند. He/She knows everything about history.
39.4 ما نمیدانیم که فردا چه خواهد شد. We don't know what will happen tomorrow.
39.5 دانستن زبان جدید مفید است. Knowing a new language is useful.
39.6 آنها نمیدانستند که کجا بروند. They didn't know where to go.
39.7 پدرم همیشه میگفت که دانش قدرت است. My father always said that knowledge is power.
39.8 بچهها هنوز نمیدانند چگونه بخوانند. The children still don't know how to read.
39.9 اگر میدانستم زودتر میآمدم. If I had known, I would have come earlier.
39.10 معلم میخواهد بداند چرا دیر کردی. The teacher wants to know why you were late.
39.11 هیچکس نمیداند راز او را. Nobody knows his/her secret.
39.12 کاش میدانستم که چطور به تو کمک کنم. I wish I knew how to help you.
39.13 خواهرم خوب میداند که من شیرینی دوست دارم. My sister knows well that I like sweets.
39.14 دانستن حقیقت گاهی دردناک است. Knowing the truth is sometimes painful.
39.15 آنچه نمیدانید نمیتواند به شما آسیب برساند. What you don't know cannot harm you.
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
39.1 من فارسی میدانم.
39.2 آیا تو پاسخ را میدانی؟
39.3 او همه چیز را درباره تاریخ میداند.
39.4 ما نمیدانیم که فردا چه خواهد شد.
39.5 دانستن زبان جدید مفید است.
39.6 آنها نمیدانستند که کجا بروند.
39.7 پدرم همیشه میگفت که دانش قدرت است.
39.8 بچهها هنوز نمیدانند چگونه بخوانند.
39.9 اگر میدانستم زودتر میآمدم.
39.10 معلم میخواهد بداند چرا دیر کردی.
39.11 هیچکس نمیداند راز او را.
39.12 کاش میدانستم که چطور به تو کمک کنم.
39.13 خواهرم خوب میداند که من شیرینی دوست دارم.
39.14 دانستن حقیقت گاهی دردناک است.
39.15 آنچه نمیدانید نمیتواند به شما آسیب برساند.
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
دانستن is a regular compound verb in Persian, following standard conjugation patterns. Here are the essential grammar rules:
Infinitive: دانستن (dānestan) - to know Present Stem: دان (dān) Past Stem: دانست (dānest)
The present tense is formed by adding the prefix می (mi-) to the present stem, followed by personal endings:
Singular: -
من میدانم (man midānam) - I know -
تو میدانی (to midāni) - you know (informal) -
او میداند (u midānad) - he/she knows
Plural: -
ما میدانیم (mā midānim) - we know -
شما میدانید (shomā midānid) - you know (formal/plural) -
آنها میدانند (ānhā midānand) - they know
The simple past uses the past stem دانست plus personal endings:
Singular: -
من دانستم (man dānestam) - I knew -
تو دانستی (to dānesti) - you knew -
او دانست (u dānest) - he/she knew
Plural: -
ما دانستیم (mā dānestim) - we knew -
شما دانستید (shomā dānestid) - you knew -
آنها دانستند (ānhā dānestand) - they knew
To make negative forms, add ن (ne-) before the verb: -
نمیدانم (nemidānam) - I don't know -
نمیدانست (nemidānest) - he/she didn't know
The subjunctive uses ب (be-) prefix with the present stem: -
بدانم (bedānam) - that I know -
بداند (bedānad) - that he/she knows
-
Confusing دانستن with شناختن: English speakers often use دانستن for knowing people, but Persian uses شناختن (shenākhtan) for personal acquaintance. -
Forgetting the می prefix: The present tense requires می. Saying just "دانم" instead of "میدانم" is incorrect in standard Persian. -
Wrong word order with که: When using دانستن with a clause, که (that) must come between the verb and the clause: میدانم که... (I know that...) -
Incorrect object marker: Remember to use را (rā) after definite direct objects: پاسخ را میدانم (I know the answer)
Unlike English, which uses the same form "know" for all persons in present tense (except third person singular "knows"), Persian requires different endings for each person. Also, Persian doesn't have a present perfect form like "have known" - instead, it uses past tense or present tense depending on context.
-
Identify the subject and its person/number -
Choose the appropriate tense (present: می + stem, past: past stem) -
Add the correct personal ending -
Place any objects before the verb -
Use را for definite direct objects -
Add که for subordinate clauses
دانستن is a transitive verb that: -
Takes direct objects (often with را) -
Can be followed by که + subordinate clause -
Forms compound verbs with nouns (like دانش داشتن - to have knowledge) -
Has regular conjugation in all tenses -
Uses standard negation patterns
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
In Persian culture, the verb دانستن carries deep philosophical and cultural significance. The root دان appears in many important words: دانش (knowledge), دانشمند (scientist/scholar), and دانشگاه (university). This linguistic connection reflects the high value placed on learning and wisdom in Persian civilization.
Persian poetry and literature frequently explore the theme of knowledge versus ignorance. The famous poet Hafez wrote: "دانستن دانستن است و ندانستن ندانستن" (To know is to know, and not to know is not to know), emphasizing the importance of recognizing both what we know and what we don't know.
In everyday Persian conversation, admitting that you don't know something (نمیدانم) is considered more honorable than pretending to know. This cultural value is reflected in the proverb: "نیمدانش خطرناک است" (Half-knowledge is dangerous).
The phrase "خدا میداند" (khodā midānad - God knows) is commonly used to express uncertainty about the future or to acknowledge the limits of human knowledge. This reflects the cultural blend of intellectual pursuit with spiritual humility.
In educational contexts, the relationship between استاد (master/professor) and شاگرد (student) traditionally involved not just transmitting information but cultivating دانش (knowledge) as a transformative force. The verb دانستن thus connects to a broader cultural framework of learning as a lifelong journey.
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
From the Gulistan of Sa'di (13th century):
هر every (har) که who (ke) بیشتر more (bishtar) داند knows (dānad) بیشتر more (bishtar) درد pain (dard) کشد draws/suffers (keshad). درخت tree (derakht) بیبار fruitless (bi-bār) را (object marker) (rā) کسی someone (kasi) سنگ stone (sang) نزند doesn't-throw (nazanad). علم knowledge (elm) چندان however-much (chandān) که that (ke) بیشتر more (bishtar) خوانی you-read (khāni) چون when (chon) عمل action (amal) در in (dar) تو you (to) نیست is-not (nist) نادانی ignorance (nādāni).
هر که بیشتر داند بیشتر درد کشد. درخت بیبار را کسی سنگ نزند. علم چندان که بیشتر خوانی چون عمل در تو نیست نادانی.
"He who knows more suffers more pain. No one throws stones at a fruitless tree. However much knowledge you read, when there is no action in you, it is ignorance."
هر که بیشتر داند بیشتر درد کشد. درخت بیبار را کسی سنگ نزند. علم چندان که بیشتر خوانی چون عمل در تو نیست نادانی.
This passage from Sa'di's Gulistan uses دانستن in its present tense form داند (dānad - he/she knows) to explore the relationship between knowledge and suffering. The construction "هر که" (whoever) creates a general statement about human nature.
Grammatical elements: -
داند: third person singular present tense of دانستن -
The verb appears without the می prefix because it's in a timeless, proverbial context -
The parallel structure "بیشتر داند، بیشتر درد کشد" creates a cause-effect relationship
Sa'di contrasts دانستن (knowing) with عمل (action), suggesting that knowledge without application is actually نادانی (ignorance). This reflects the Persian philosophical tradition that true knowledge must be embodied and practiced.
The metaphor of the fruitless tree illustrates that those who know more (like fruit-bearing trees) attract more challenges. This connects دانستن to responsibility and the burden of awareness in Persian literary tradition.
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
39.16 رئیسجمهور president (ra'is-jomhur) گفت said (goft) که that (ke) دولت government (dowlat) میداند knows (midānad) مردم people (mardom) نگران worried (negarān) هستند are (hastand)
39.17 کارشناسان experts (kārshenāsān) نمیدانند don't-know (nemidānand) آیا whether (āyā) بازار market (bāzār) فردا tomorrow (fardā) بهتر better (behtar) خواهد will (khāhad) شد become (shod)
39.18 وزیر minister (vazir) اعلام announcement (e'lām) کرد did (kard) که that (ke) هنوز still (hanuz) نمیداند doesn't-know (nemidānad) برنامه program (barnāme) جدید new (jadid) چه what (che) زمانی time (zamāni) شروع start (shoru') میشود becomes (mishavad)
39.19 گزارشگر reporter (gozāreshgar) گفت said (goft) شهروندان citizens (shahrvandān) میخواهند want (mikhāhand) بدانند to-know (bedānand) چرا why (cherā) قیمتها prices (qeymat-hā) افزایش increase (afzāyesh) یافته found/has (yāfte) است is (ast)
39.20 پلیس police (polis) اعلام announcement (e'lām) کرد did (kard) که that (ke) میداند knows (midānad) مظنون suspect (maznun) کجا where (kojā) پنهان hidden (penhān) شده become (shode) است is (ast)
39.21 مقامات officials (maqāmāt) میگویند say (miguyand) نمیدانند don't-know (nemidānand) چه what (che) کسی person (kasi) مسئول responsible (mas'ul) این this (in) اشتباه mistake (eshtebāh) است is (ast)
39.22 دانشمندان scientists (dāneshmandān) میدانند know (midānand) که that (ke) تغییرات changes (taghyirāt) آبوهوا climate (āb-o-havā) واقعی real (vāqe'i) است is (ast)
39.23 خبرنگار journalist (khabarnegār) پرسید asked (porsid) آیا whether (āyā) شما you (shomā) میدانستید knew (midānestid) که that (ke) این this (in) اتفاق event (ettefāq) خواهد will (khāhad) افتاد fall/happen (oftād)
39.24 کسی nobody (kasi) نمیداند doesn't-know (nemidānad) انتخابات elections (entekhābāt) چه what (che) نتیجهای result (natije-i) خواهد will (khāhad) داشت have (dāsht)
39.25 پزشکان doctors (pezeshkān) گفتند said (goftand) که that (ke) هنوز still (hanuz) نمیدانند don't-know (nemidānand) علت cause (ellat) بیماری illness (bimāri) چیست what-is (chist)
39.26 معلمان teachers (moallemān) میدانند know (midānand) که that (ke) دانشآموزان students (dānesh-āmuzān) نیاز need (niāz) به to (be) کمک help (komak) بیشتری more (bishtari) دارند have (dārand)
39.27 همه everyone (hame) میخواهند want (mikhāhand) بدانند to-know (bedānand) که that (ke) قانون law (qānun) جدید new (jadid) کی when (key) اجرا implementation (ejrā) میشود becomes (mishavad)
39.28 کارگران workers (kārgarān) نمیدانستند didn't-know (nemidānestand) که that (ke) کارخانه factory (kārkhāne) تعطیل closed (ta'til) خواهد will (khāhad) شد become (shod)
39.29 سخنگو spokesperson (sokhangu) گفت said (goft) دولت government (dowlat) میداند knows (midānad) که that (ke) باید must (bāyad) سریع fast (sari') عمل action (amal) کند do (konad)
39.30 والدین parents (vāledeyn) میخواهند want (mikhāhand) بدانند to-know (bedānand) مدارس schools (madāres) چه what (che) زمانی time (zamāni) باز open (bāz) میشوند become (mishavand)
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
39.16 رئیسجمهور گفت که دولت میداند مردم نگران هستند. The president said that the government knows people are worried.
39.17 کارشناسان نمیدانند آیا بازار فردا بهتر خواهد شد. Experts don't know whether the market will improve tomorrow.
39.18 وزیر اعلام کرد که هنوز نمیداند برنامه جدید چه زمانی شروع میشود. The minister announced that he still doesn't know when the new program will start.
39.19 گزارشگر گفت شهروندان میخواهند بدانند چرا قیمتها افزایش یافته است. The reporter said citizens want to know why prices have increased.
39.20 پلیس اعلام کرد که میداند مظنون کجا پنهان شده است. Police announced that they know where the suspect is hiding.
39.21 مقامات میگویند نمیدانند چه کسی مسئول این اشتباه است. Officials say they don't know who is responsible for this mistake.
39.22 دانشمندان میدانند که تغییرات آبوهوا واقعی است. Scientists know that climate change is real.
39.23 خبرنگار پرسید آیا شما میدانستید که این اتفاق خواهد افتاد. The journalist asked whether you knew this would happen.
39.24 کسی نمیداند انتخابات چه نتیجهای خواهد داشت. Nobody knows what result the elections will have.
39.25 پزشکان گفتند که هنوز نمیدانند علت بیماری چیست. Doctors said they still don't know what the cause of the illness is.
39.26 معلمان میدانند که دانشآموزان نیاز به کمک بیشتری دارند. Teachers know that students need more help.
39.27 همه میخواهند بدانند که قانون جدید کی اجرا میشود. Everyone wants to know when the new law will be implemented.
39.28 کارگران نمیدانستند که کارخانه تعطیل خواهد شد. The workers didn't know that the factory would close.
39.29 سخنگو گفت دولت میداند که باید سریع عمل کند. The spokesperson said the government knows it must act quickly.
39.30 والدین میخواهند بدانند مدارس چه زمانی باز میشوند. Parents want to know when schools will open.
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
39.16 رئیسجمهور گفت که دولت میداند مردم نگران هستند.
39.17 کارشناسان نمیدانند آیا بازار فردا بهتر خواهد شد.
39.18 وزیر اعلام کرد که هنوز نمیداند برنامه جدید چه زمانی شروع میشود.
39.19 گزارشگر گفت شهروندان میخواهند بدانند چرا قیمتها افزایش یافته است.
39.20 پلیس اعلام کرد که میداند مظنون کجا پنهان شده است.
39.21 مقامات میگویند نمیدانند چه کسی مسئول این اشتباه است.
39.22 دانشمندان میدانند که تغییرات آبوهوا واقعی است.
39.23 خبرنگار پرسید آیا شما میدانستید که این اتفاق خواهد افتاد.
39.24 کسی نمیداند انتخابات چه نتیجهای خواهد داشت.
39.25 پزشکان گفتند که هنوز نمیدانند علت بیماری چیست.
39.26 معلمان میدانند که دانشآموزان نیاز به کمک بیشتری دارند.
39.27 همه میخواهند بدانند که قانون جدید کی اجرا میشود.
39.28 کارگران نمیدانستند که کارخانه تعطیل خواهد شد.
39.29 سخنگو گفت دولت میداند که باید سریع عمل کند.
39.30 والدین میخواهند بدانند مدارس چه زمانی باز میشوند.
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
In Persian news reporting, دانستن appears frequently in several distinctive patterns:
1. Reported Speech with که News reports often use: گفت که میداند (said that he/she knows) This structure requires که between the reporting verb and the دانستن clause.
2. Indirect Questions Common pattern: نمیدانند + question word + verb Example: نمیدانند چه زمانی شروع میشود (don't know when it will start)
3. Want to Know Construction میخواهند بدانند (they want to know) - uses subjunctive بدانند after میخواهند
4. Official Statements News often uses formal third person: دولت میداند (the government knows) Organizations are treated as singular entities taking third person singular verbs.
5. Temporal Markers -
هنوز نمیداند (still doesn't know) - ongoing uncertainty -
میدانستید (you knew) - past knowledge relevant to present
6. Common News Phrases with دانستن -
کسی نمیداند (nobody knows) - expressing general uncertainty -
همه میخواهند بدانند (everyone wants to know) - public interest -
مقامات میدانند (officials know) - authoritative knowledge
7. Question Formation in News آیا میدانستید که... (Did you know that...) - engaging reader interest
8. Negative Knowledge Statements News reports frequently use نمیدانند to indicate ongoing investigations or uncertainty about facts, which is professionally responsible reporting.
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
These language lessons follow the innovative interlinear method developed by the Latinum Institute, making authentic texts accessible to autodidact learners through careful scaffolding and detailed grammatical support. The method, refined since 2006, presents language learning through carefully constructed interlinear texts that allow students to read authentic materials from the very beginning of their studies.
The curator, Evan der Millner BA MA (Cantab., NZ, London), has been pioneering online language learning materials since 2006, focusing on making classical and modern languages accessible to independent learners worldwide. The Latinum Institute's approach emphasizes: -
Granular word-by-word analysis in Section A to build vocabulary systematically -
Natural target language syntax in Sections B and C -
Comprehensive grammar explanations tailored for English speakers -
Cultural context to deepen understanding -
Authentic literary excerpts with guided analysis -
Genre-specific examples to prepare learners for real-world language use
The interlinear method allows students to engage with authentic texts immediately, building confidence while developing systematic understanding of grammar and vocabulary. Each lesson is designed to be self-contained, allowing autodidacts to progress at their own pace without requiring external instruction.
For testimonials and reviews of the Latinum Institute's materials, see: https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/latinum.org.uk
To explore the complete course index and additional resources, visit: https://latinum.substack.com/p/index
The method's effectiveness lies in its respect for both the learner's intelligence and the target language's authentic expression, creating a bridge between languages that maintains the integrity of both.
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
---