المعنى
To ask for a selection from a group of items.
خلفية ثقافية
In Iranian bazaars, asking 'کدام یک؟' is the start of a negotiation. Sellers will often praise all items to avoid making the choice for you, forcing you to use your judgment. In modern Tehran, the informal 'کدوم' is ubiquitous in texting and social media. Using the formal 'کدام یک' in a DM might seem overly serious or sarcastic. In Persian literature, 'کدام' is often used to pose philosophical dilemmas. It is a key word in the 'Monazereh' (debate) style of poetry where two objects argue which one is better. When offered multiple food items, if you ask 'کدام یک؟', the host might say 'همه رو امتحان کنید' (Try them all!) as a sign of generosity.
The 'Az' Rule
Always use 'از' (az) after 'کدام یک' if you are mentioning the group you are choosing from (e.g., کدام یک از ما؟).
Avoid 'Chi' for choices
English speakers often say 'What one?' but in Persian, 'Chi yek' is completely wrong. Always use 'Kodām'.
المعنى
To ask for a selection from a group of items.
The 'Az' Rule
Always use 'از' (az) after 'کدام یک' if you are mentioning the group you are choosing from (e.g., کدام یک از ما؟).
Avoid 'Chi' for choices
English speakers often say 'What one?' but in Persian, 'Chi yek' is completely wrong. Always use 'Kodām'.
Informal is King
If you want to sound like a local in Tehran, say 'Kodum' instead of 'Kodām'.
Pointing helps
If you forget the full sentence, just saying 'کدام یک؟' while pointing is perfectly acceptable and polite.
اختبر نفسك
Choose the correct phrase to complete the question: '______ از این سیبها شیرینتر است؟'
Which one of these apples is sweeter?
Since we are choosing from a group of apples, 'کدام یک' (which one) is the correct interrogative.
Fill in the blank with the informal version of 'کدام یک'.
من دو تا پیرهن دارم، ______ رو میخوای؟
In informal speech, 'کدوم' or 'کدوم یکی' is used instead of 'کدام یک'.
Match the Persian phrase with its English meaning.
Matching exercise
Correctly matching formal and informal variants with their English counterparts.
Complete the dialogue.
فروشنده: این دو مدل گوشی موجود است. خریدار: ________________؟ فروشنده: گوشی سامسونگ ارزانتر است.
The buyer is asking for a comparison between the two models mentioned by the seller.
🎉 النتيجة: /4
وسائل تعلم بصرية
Formal vs Informal
بنك التمارين
4 تمارينWhich one of these apples is sweeter?
Since we are choosing from a group of apples, 'کدام یک' (which one) is the correct interrogative.
من دو تا پیرهن دارم، ______ رو میخوای؟
In informal speech, 'کدوم' or 'کدوم یکی' is used instead of 'کدام یک'.
طابق كل عنصر على اليسار مع زوجه على اليمين:
Correctly matching formal and informal variants with their English counterparts.
فروشنده: این دو مدل گوشی موجود است. خریدار: ________________؟ فروشنده: گوشی سامسونگ ارزانتر است.
The buyer is asking for a comparison between the two models mentioned by the seller.
🎉 النتيجة: /4
الأسئلة الشائعة
12 أسئلةNo, it can be used for any number of items as long as you are picking one from the group.
Yes, 'کدام' alone also means 'which', but 'کدام یک' is more specific for 'which one'.
Use 'کدامها؟' (Kodām-hā).
It's not necessarily rude, but it might sound too casual. Stick to 'کدام یک' in writing or formal speeches.
'کدام یک' is formal/neutral, while 'کدام یکی' is informal/spoken.
No, Persian has no grammatical gender, so it stays the same for everything.
Say 'کدام یک از شما؟' (Kodām yek az shomā?).
Yes, it is perfectly fine to use for people when selecting from a group.
Using 'What' (Chi) instead of 'Which' (Kodām).
Yes, 'کدومش؟' (Kodumesh?) is very casual and means 'Which of it/them?'.
Usually by pointing and saying 'این' (This) or 'آن' (That), or naming the item.
Yes, though the pronunciation might vary slightly (e.g., 'Kudom' in Dari).
عبارات ذات صلة
هر کدام
similarEach one / Whichever
هیچ کدام
contrastNone of them / Neither
کدامها
specialized formWhich ones (plural)
یک کدام
similarOne of them
کدوم یکی
synonymWhich one (informal)
