می‌شود و نمی‌شود
Can and Can't with می‌شود
Use می‌توانم for what you are able to do, and می‌شود for what is allowed or possible.
How It Works
| Use | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| asking permission | می‌شود از تیلفون شما استفاده کنم؟ | May I use your phone? |
| polite request | می‌شود یک پیاله چای بیاورید؟ | Could you bring a cup of tea? |
| not possible | امشب نمی‌شود بیایم. | I can't come tonight. |
The person is in the subjunctive verb, not in می‌شود. In می‌شود بنشینم؟ the ending ـم shows that I am the one who sits. In می‌شود بنشینید؟ the ending ـید shows that you are.
Use می‌توانم for ability: من می‌توانم دری گپ بزنم (I can speak Dari). Use می‌شود for permission, a request or a possibility.
A question with می‌شود is more polite than a command, so use it with a stranger or an older person: می‌شود راه پغمان را بگویید؟ (Could you tell me the way to Paghman?)
Add a title or لطفاً to be more polite: داکتر صاحب، می‌شود فردا بیایم؟ (Doctor, may I come tomorrow?) A short answer is بلی، می‌شود (yes, you may) or نه، نمی‌شود (no, you may not).
Examples (5)
- می‌شود یک پیاله چای بیاورید؟
Could you bring a cup of tea?
می‌شود with بیاورید makes a polite request.
- می‌شود از تیلفون شما استفاده کنم؟
May I use your phone?
کنم is the subjunctive, and the ending ـم shows that I am the one asking.
- امشب نمی‌شود به خانهٔ شما بیایم.
I can't come to your house tonight.
نمی‌شود says that it is not possible.
- می‌شود فردا با شما به بازار بروم؟
May I go to the market with you tomorrow?
بروم is the subjunctive after می‌شود.
- می‌شود کمی آهسته‌تر گپ بزنید؟
Could you speak a little slower?
می‌شود makes a request, and بزنید is the subjunctive for شما.
Common Mistakes
Using the present tense after می‌شود.
می‌شود می‌نشینم؟می‌شود بنشینم؟The verb after می‌شود is the subjunctive بنشینم.
Using می‌شود for ability.
من می‌شود دری گپ بزنم.من می‌توانم دری گپ بزنم.For what you are able to do, use می‌توانم.
How It Connects
Learn This First
می‌شود comes from شدن and means being able.
Related Patterns
- The Present Subjunctive
This page builds the subjunctive that follows می‌شود.
Level 3 - بفرمایید و لطفاًPolite Requests and Offers
بفرمایید and لطفاً are other ways to be polite.
Level 3 - Must and Must Not
باید also takes the subjunctive.
Level 3 - مجبور و لازمHaving to with مجبور and لازم
مجبور and لازم say that you have to.
Level 4
Words in This Pattern
Practice می‌شود و نمی‌شود in Bubblegum
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