کمی و زیاد

A Little and a Lot

Level 2

After زیاد the noun stays singular, so it is زیاد کتاب and never زیاد کتاب‌ها.

How It Works

Both words show an amount, and they usually come before the word they describe.

WordMeaningExample
کمیa little, a bitکمی نان، کمی سرد
زیادa lot, much, manyزیاد کتاب، زیاد کار می‌کند

With things you count, the noun stays singular after زیاد: زیاد کتاب دارم (I have many books). You can also put the plural noun first and زیاد after it: کتاب‌های زیاد دارم. The plural never goes right after زیاد.

With an adjective, کمی softens it: امروز هوا کمی سرد است (it is a bit cold today). With a verb, زیاد says how much, and a negative verb says not much: زیاد نمی‌خورم (I don't eat much).

The plain word for little is کم: کم گپ می‌زند (he or she talks little). Ask for a small amount with کمی.

Examples (5)

  1. کمی شکر می‌خواهم.

    I'd like a little sugar.

    کمی stands before شکر and asks for a small amount.

  2. من کمی دری می‌دانم.

    I know a little Dari.

    کمی before the verb phrase means a little.

  3. امروز هوا کمی سرد است.

    It is a bit cold today.

    کمی softens the adjective سرد.

  4. امروز در بازار زیاد مردم بود.

    There were many people at the market today.

    زیاد means many and stands before مردم; the verb بود stays singular.

  5. احمد زیاد گپ نمی‌زند.

    Ahmad doesn't talk much.

    زیاد with a negative verb means not much.

Common Mistakes

  • Making the noun plural right after زیاد.

    من زیاد کتاب‌ها دارم.
    من زیاد کتاب دارم.

    After زیاد the noun stays singular. You can also say کتاب‌های زیاد دارم.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

کمی و زیادLevel 2A Little and a Lot

Learn This First

کمی and زیاد say how much, the same job as بسیار and خیلی.

Words in This Pattern

کمیزیاد