Basic Sentence Order

Level 1

The verb commonly comes at the end. Begin with that pattern, and use the verb ending and object marker to follow other orders.

How It Works

Start with the verb at the end. In سارا چای می‌نوشد., سارا is the subject, چای is what she drinks, and می‌نوشد is the verb. English puts “drinks” before “tea”; neutral Persian commonly puts the verb after it.

Place phrases before the verb too. In ما امروز به مدرسه می‌رویم., the subject, time phrase and destination appear before the verb. This gives a useful beginner pattern, not the only possible sentence.

Roles have other clues. Person endings show who acts, and را can mark a specific direct object. Writers and speakers can change order for contrast, emphasis or a later-added phrase. In everyday دیشب رفتم سینما., the destination follows the verb.

Build a clear neutral clause first. When you meet another order, identify the verb and the roles rather than labeling the sentence wrong.

Examples (4)

  1. سارا چای می‌نوشد.

    Sara drinks tea.

    Subject سارا, object چای, then verb می‌نوشد.

  2. ما امروز به مدرسه می‌رویم.

    We are going to school today.

    The time and destination phrases precede the verb.

  3. من کتاب را خواندم.

    I read the book.

    را marks the specific object کتاب before the past verb.

  4. دیشب رفتم سینما.

    I went to the cinema last night.

    The destination follows the verb in this common everyday order.

How It Connects

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

Basic Sentence OrderLevel 1

Learn Next

Patterns that build on this one.