A1 · Débutant Chapitre 6

Asking Questions

5 Règles totales
53 exemples
6 min
Règles dans ce chapitre Pratique rapide

Chapter in 30 Seconds

Master the art of curiosity and gather information effortlessly using Persian's intuitive question words and structures.

  • Identify people and things using 'Ki' and 'Chi'.
  • Inquire about time, place, and quantity with 'Key', 'Kojā', and 'Chand'.
  • Offer choices and select options using 'Kodām' and the connector 'yā'.
Unlock the world around you by simply asking why.

Ce que tu vas apprendre

Hey there! Ready to dive into one of the most essential skills in Persian? Asking questions! Don't worry, it's easier than you think and super useful. In this chapter, you'll learn how to ask anything on your mind using magic words like Ki (Who), Chi (What), Kojā (Where), Key (When), Chand? (How many/much?), and Kodām? (Which?). You'll see exactly how to place these words in a sentence without messing up the natural flow (remember, the verb always comes at the end!). For example, you don't need to move the question word to the front; just swap out the noun you're asking about with Ki or Chi, and you're good to go! Imagine you're at the bazaar and want to ask,

How many is this?
or
Which one do you want?
Or when you're making new friends, you'll want to know, "What's your name? or Where do you live?
Even for making plans, you can ask,
When should we go?" We'll teach you how to use Chand? to inquire about quantity or price (and remember, always follow it with a singular noun). You'll also master Kodām? for making choices between options. Plus, there's a cool little word: «yā» (or)! With «yā,» you can offer choices, like This or that? By the end of this chapter, you'll be able to confidently ask about people, things, places, times, and quantities, gathering all the information you need. Nothing will slip past you now! Ready? Let's go!

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:

  1. 1
    By the end you will be able to ask for someone's identity or the name of an object.
  2. 2
    By the end you will be able to schedule meetings and find locations using time and place interrogatives.
  3. 3
    By the end you will be able to shop and compare items using quantity and choice markers.

Guide du chapitre

Overview

Welcome, language adventurers, to a truly essential chapter in your journey to mastering Persian grammar A1! Asking questions is the key to unlocking conversations, understanding the world around you, and connecting with native speakers. Think about it: how often do you ask "What's this? or Where is...?" in your daily life?
This guide will equip you with the fundamental tools to do just that in Persian, making your interactions richer and more meaningful right from the start. We're focusing on core interrogative words that are perfect for A1 Persian learners.
You'll quickly discover that asking questions in Persian is far more intuitive than in many other languages. There's no complex sentence restructuring or auxiliary verbs to worry about. Instead, you'll learn to use magic words like Ki (Who), Chi (What), Kojā (Where), Key (When), Chand? (How many/much?), and Kodām? (Which?) by simply slotting them into your sentences where the answer would normally be.
This natural placement, combined with the consistent Persian sentence structure where the verb always comes at the end, makes question formation surprisingly straightforward.
By the end of this chapter, you'll be able to confidently inquire about people, objects, locations, times, quantities, and choices. Whether you're navigating a bazaar, making new friends, or simply exploring, these question words are your best allies. Get ready to transform from a passive listener to an active participant in Persian conversations!

How This Grammar Works

The beauty of asking questions in Persian, especially at the A1 Persian level, lies in its simplicity. Generally, you replace the piece of information you want to know with the appropriate question word, and the sentence structure remains largely the same, with the verb at the end.
Let's break down the Persian question words:
* Ki (Who): Used for people.
* In ki ast? (This who is? / Who is this?)
* U ki ast? (He/She who is? / Who is he/she?)
* Chi (What): Used for things or concepts.
* In chi ast? (This what is? / What is this?)
* Shomā chi mikhāhid? (You what want? / What do you want?)
For asking about places and times:
* Kojā (Where):
* Ketāb kojā ast? (Book where is? / Where is the book?)
* Shomā kojā hastid? (You where are? / Where are you?)
* Key (When):
* Mehmāni key ast? (Party when is? / When is the party?)
* Shomā key miāyid? (You when come? / When will you come?)
To inquire about quantity or price, we use Chand? (How many/much?):
A crucial Persian grammar point here is that Chand? is *always* followed by a singular noun, even if the English translation implies plurality.
* Chand ketāb? (How many book? / How many books?)
* In chand ast? (This how much is? / How much is this?) – Used for price.
When you need to make a choice, Kodām? (Which?) comes in handy:
* Kodām ketāb? (Which book? / Which book?)
* Kodām rang rā dust dārid? (Which color (object marker) like you have? / Which color do you like?)
Finally, the conjunction yā (or) allows you to present options in your questions:
* Chāy yā ghahve? (Tea or coffee?)
* In yā ān? (This or that?)
Remember, the verb usually stays at the end of the sentence, making these Persian question words easy to integrate.

Common Mistakes

  1. 1✗ Wrong: Chi in ast? (What this is?)
✓ Correct: In chi ast? (This what is? / What is this?)
*Explanation:* In Persian, the question word generally replaces the noun or phrase you're asking about, keeping the natural sentence flow. You don't usually move the question word to the very beginning of the sentence as you might in English. The verb still goes at the end.
  1. 1✗ Wrong: Chand ketābhā? (How many books?)
✓ Correct: Chand ketāb? (How many book? / How many books?)
*Explanation:* When using Chand? to ask how many?, the noun that follows it must always be in its singular form in Persian. The plurality is understood from the question word itself.
  1. 1✗ Wrong: In ast yā ān? (This is or that?)
✓ Correct: In yā ān ast? (This or that is? / Is it this or that?)
*Explanation:* The conjunction yā (or) connects the two choices. The verb ast (is) correctly comes after the combined phrase, maintaining the verb-at-the-end rule for the entire question.

Real Conversations

A

A

In ki ast? (Who is this?)
B

B

In Ali ast. (This is Ali.)
A

A

Shomā kojā hastid? (Where are you?)
B

B

Man dar bāzār hastam. (I am at the bazaar.)
A

A

In chand ast? (How much is this?)
B

B

Panj toman ast. (It is five tomans.)
A

A

Kodām rang rā dust dārid, ābi yā sabz? (Which color do you like, blue or green?)
B

B

Man ābi rā dust dāram. (I like blue.)

Quick FAQ

Q

Do I always put the Persian question word at the end of the sentence?

Not necessarily at the very end, but usually where the *answer* to the question would naturally sit within the sentence structure, often *before* the verb which remains at the end.

Q

Is there a difference between asking how much for price versus quantity in Persian?

For price, you typically use In chand ast? (How much is this?). For quantity, you use Chand followed by the singular noun, like Chand ketāb? (How many books?).

Q

Can I just use intonation to ask a question without a question word?

Yes, in simple yes/no questions, rising intonation can indicate a question (e.g., Shomā Irāni hastid? - You are Iranian?). However, for specific information, you'll need the appropriate question word.

Q

Are these A1 Persian question words used in both formal and informal contexts?

Yes, Ki, Chi, Kojā, Key, Chand, Kodām, and yā are fundamental and used across both formal and informal speech. Politeness, however, might involve using formal you (shomā) or other polite phrases.

Cultural Context

In Persian culture, even with direct questions using these A1 Persian question words, politeness (known as taarof) is often appreciated, though not strictly required for these basic inquiries. These simple questions are the building blocks of initial interactions and are used universally. There are no significant regional differences in the usage of these core interrogative words; they are understood and used consistently across all Persian-speaking regions.
Mastering them is a crucial step towards engaging respectfully and effectively in everyday conversations.

Exemples clés (8)

1

In chiye?

Qu'est-ce que c'est ?

Mots interrogatifs persans : Qui (Ki) et Quoi (Chi)
2

Un kiye?

Qui est-ce ?

Mots interrogatifs persans : Qui (Ki) et Quoi (Chi)
3

کجا هستی؟

Où es-tu ?

Demander Où et Quand en persan : kojā et key
4

پیک کِی می‌رسد؟

Quand le coursier arrive-t-il ?

Demander Où et Quand en persan : kojā et key
5

In chand ast?

Combien coûte ceci ?

Demander 'combien' en persan (chand?)
6

In chande?

C'est combien ?

Demander 'combien' en persan (chand?)
7

Kodām ketāb rā mikhānid?

Quel livre lisez-vous ?

Quel ? (kodām ?) — Faire des choix en persan
8

Kodum film ro bebinim?

Quel film devrions-nous regarder ?

Quel ? (kodām ?) — Faire des choix en persan

Conseils et astuces (4)

⚠️

Le piège visuel

Ne panique pas si tu vois 'کی' écrit. Ça peut être 'Qui' (Ki) OU 'Quand' (Key). Tu dois lire le reste de la phrase pour savoir ! «کی اومد؟»
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Mots interrogatifs persans : Qui (Ki) et Quoi (Chi)
💬

Raccourci SMS

Les jeunes Iraniens ne tapent presque jamais 'کجا هستی؟' (Où es-tu ?). Ils envoient juste un SMS : «کجایی؟» C'est plus rapide et ça sonne très naturel.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Demander Où et Quand en persan : kojā et key
⚠️

Singulier seulement !

Ne mets jamais de marqueur de pluriel après chand. C'est chand tâ sib, pas chand tâ sibhâ.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Demander 'combien' en persan (chand?)
⚠️

Le piège de l'Ezafe

Attention, ne dis jamais 'کدامِ کتاب'. C'est toujours 'کدام کتاب' directement, sans 'e' entre les deux.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Quel ? (kodām ?) — Faire des choix en persan

Vocabulaire clé (8)

کی(ki) who چی(chi) what کجا(kojā) where کی(key) when چند(chand) how many / how much کدام(kodām) which یا(yā) or قیمت(gheymat) price

Real-World Preview

shopping-bag

At the Grand Bazaar

Review Summary

  • [Subject] + کی/چی (ki/chi) + [Verb]?
  • [Subject] + کجا/کی (kojā/key) + [Verb]?
  • چند (chand) + [Singular Noun] + [Verb]?
  • کدام (kodām) + [Noun] + [Verb]?
  • [Option A] + یا (yā) + [Option B]?

Erreurs courantes

After 'Chand' (How many), the noun must always be singular, even if you are asking about many items.

Wrong: چند کتاب‌ها؟ (chand ketāb-hā?)
Correct: چند کتاب؟ (chand ketāb?)

While 'key' can sometimes start a sentence, it is more natural to keep the subject first and the question word before the verb.

Wrong: کی تو می‌آیی؟ (key to mi-āyi?)
Correct: تو کی می‌آیی؟ (to key mi-āyi?)

The question word 'Kodām' must come directly before the noun it is describing.

Wrong: کدام است کتاب؟ (kodām ast ketāb?)
Correct: کدام کتاب است؟ (kodām ketāb ast?)

Next Steps

You're doing amazing! Asking questions is the key to unlocking the Persian language. Keep being curious!

Walk around your room and ask 'In chie?' (What is this?) for every object.

Write 5 questions you would ask a shopkeeper in Tehran.

Continue to: Prepositions and Connectors

Pratique rapide (10)

Complète le blanc avec le mot informel pour 'Lequel'.

___ ماشین مال توئه؟

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: کدوم
'Kodum' est la version informelle de 'kodām' (lequel) et est utilisé avant le nom 'māshin' (voiture).

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Quel ? (kodām ?) — Faire des choix en persan

Remplis le blanc avec le bon mot interrogatif (Qui/Quoi).

___ amad? (Who came?)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ki
Nous demandons à propos d'une personne (Qui), donc nous utilisons 'Ki'. 'Chi' est pour les choses.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Mots interrogatifs persans : Qui (Ki) et Quoi (Chi)

Quelle phrase est correcte pour 'C'est combien ?'

Choisis la meilleure phrase informelle :

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: In chande?
In chande? est la façon informelle standard de demander un prix.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Demander 'combien' en persan (chand?)

Quelle phrase est grammaticalement correcte ?

Choisis la bonne façon de demander 'Quelle ville ?' :

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: کدام شهر؟
'Kodām' ne prend pas d'Ezafe (-e) lorsqu'il est suivi d'un nom.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Quel ? (kodām ?) — Faire des choix en persan

Remplis le blanc avec le mot-question correct.

تو ___ می‌روی؟ (Where are you going?)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: کجا
Pour demander 'où', utilise 'کجا' (kojā). Mets-le juste avant le verbe 'می‌روی' (tu vas).

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Demander Où et Quand en persan : kojā et key

Quelle phrase demande correctement 'Quand est le cours ?'

Choisis la phrase grammaticalement correcte :

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: کلاس کِی است؟
La structure standard est Sujet (کلاس) + Mot-question (کِی) + Verbe (است).

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Demander Où et Quand en persan : kojā et key

Trouve l'erreur dans cette phrase.

Find and fix the mistake:

To ki mikhari? (What are you buying?)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: To chi mikhari?
La phrase originale utilisait 'Ki' (Qui) mais voulait demander 'Quoi' (Chi). On achète des choses, pas des personnes !

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Mots interrogatifs persans : Qui (Ki) et Quoi (Chi)

Trouve et corrige l'erreur dans la phrase.

Find and fix the mistake:

کدوم فیلم‌ها رو دوست داری؟ (Correction pour demander un choix unique)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: کدوم فیلم رو دوست داری؟
Même en choisissant parmi plusieurs, le nom après 'kodum' est généralement singulier : 'kodum film'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Quel ? (kodām ?) — Faire des choix en persan

Trouve l'erreur dans cette phrase.

Find and fix the mistake:

Chand tâ ketâbhâ dâri?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Chand tâ ketâb dâri?
Le nom après chand doit être au singulier (ketâb et non ketâbhâ).

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Demander 'combien' en persan (chand?)

Remplis le blanc avec le mot correct.

شیر ___ آبمیوه؟ (Milk or juice?)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: یا
Tu utilises yā (یا) pour dire 'ou' quand tu proposes un choix entre deux choses.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Comment dire "ou" en persan : `yā` (یا)

Score: /10

Questions fréquentes (6)

Ils s'écrivent pareil (کی) mais se prononcent différemment. 'Ki' (comme 'qui') signifie Qui. 'Key' (comme 'clé') signifie Quand. Par exemple, «کی اومد؟» peut vouloir dire 'Qui est venu ?' ou 'Quand est-il venu ?'.
Non, ce serait impoli. Ça traite la personne comme un objet. Utilise 'Ki' pour les personnes et 'Chi' pour tout le reste. Par exemple, «اون کیه؟» (Qui est-ce ?) mais «این چیه؟» (Qu'est-ce que c'est ?).
Non ! Le persan n'utilise pas de verbes auxiliaires pour les questions simples. Tu utilises juste le verbe normal à la fin de la phrase.
Non, c'est grammaticalement incorrect et ça sonne très bizarre. Garde «کجا» et «کِی» juste avant le verbe.
Oui ! Dans une phrase normale comme
chand tâ ketâb dâram
, ça veut dire 'J'ai quelques livres'. Le contexte te dit si c'est une question ou une affirmation.
'tâ' est un classificateur. On l'ajoute presque toujours à l'oral pour que ça sonne plus fluide. Pense-y comme dire 'combien d'unités' de quelque chose.
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Prepositions and Connectors
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