را

Marking a Specific Object with را

Level 2

را goes after the whole phrase, adjective and owner included.

How It Works

را follows a specific object, one the speaker means in particular. Often the listener knows it already: کتاب را خواندم (I read the book). Say it rā.

ObjectSayMeaning
specificکتاب را خواندمI read the book
not specificکتابی خواندمI read a book
a nameمریم را دیدمI saw Maryam
a pronounاو را دیدمI saw him or her

را goes after the whole phrase: کتاب نو را خواندم, موتر نوی احمد را دیدم. Then comes the verb.

A name, a pronoun and a noun with این or آن always take را. The pronouns are مرا (me), تو را (you) and او را (him or her).

People in Iran say رو, and people in Kabul say ره. Written Dari always uses را.

Examples (5)

  1. کتاب را خواندم.

    I read the book.

    را follows the specific object کتاب.

  2. مریم را در بازار دیدم.

    I saw Maryam in the market.

    A name always takes را.

  3. او مرا در کابل دید.

    He saw me in Kabul.

    مرا is the object form of من.

  4. موتر نوی احمد را دیدم.

    I saw Ahmad's new car.

    را goes after the whole phrase.

  5. قابلی پلو را خوردم.

    I ate the qabuli palaw.

    را shows that one particular dish is meant.

Common Mistakes

  • Writing the Iranian رو.

    کتاب رو خواندم.
    کتاب را خواندم.

    Dari writes را.

  • Putting را inside the phrase.

    کتاب را نو خواندم.
    کتاب نو را خواندم.

    را goes after the whole phrase, adjective included.

How It Connects

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

راLevel 2Marking a Specific Object with را

Learn This First

را goes after an object, before the verb, and often follows a specific noun.

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Patterns that build on this one.

Words in This Pattern

را