از سوی

§ What does "از سوی" mean and when do people use it?

Hello, Persian learners! Today we're diving into a very useful phrase: "از سوی" (az su-ye). This might look a bit tricky at first, but don't worry, it's quite straightforward once you get the hang of it. Think of "از سوی" as meaning "from the side of" or "by (someone/something)". It's often used in slightly more formal or official contexts, or when you want to specify the origin or agent of an action or message.

Let's break it down. "از" (az) means "from", and "سوی" (su-ye) means "side" or "direction of". So, literally, it's "from the side of". This makes sense when you think about how we use it. When something comes "from the side of" an organization, a person, or a group, it means it originates with them, or they are responsible for it.

You'll often see "از سوی" used with abstract nouns or collective entities. For example, a decision might come "از سوی دولت" (az su-ye doulat - from the side of the government), or a message might be sent "از سوی شرکت" (az su-ye sherkat - by the company).

DEFINITION

From the side of; by (someone or something).

Let's look at some examples to make this super clear:

(This news was published by the organization.)

(The proposal was rejected by him/her.)

When using "از سوی", it's usually followed by a noun or a pronoun that indicates the agent. This agent is the source or origin of the action. It's a great way to introduce the passive voice, or simply to state who is responsible for something without making them the direct subject of an active sentence.

Here are some common scenarios where you'll encounter "از سوی":

• Official announcements: News reports, government statements, company policies.
• Reports and studies: When attributing findings or conclusions to a specific group or institution.
• Formal correspondence: Letters, emails, or messages from a representative.
• Indicating origin of actions: When an action is taken by a person or entity, especially when the focus is on the action itself rather than the actor.

Let's practice with a few more:

(A message was sent by the manager.)

(This action was supported by the members of parliament.)

As you can see, "از سوی" helps clarify who or what is behind an action or piece of information. It's a powerful tool for precision in your Persian communication, especially when you want to sound more official or simply be very clear about the source. Keep an eye out for it in your reading and listening, and try to incorporate it into your own sentences to really master it!

§ Understanding 'از سوی'

Let's break down 'از سوی' (az su-ye). This phrase is super useful in Persian for showing origin or who is responsible for an action. Think of it like saying 'from the side of' or simply 'by' in English.

Meaning

From the side of; by (someone or something).

It's often used in formal contexts, but you'll hear it in everyday speech too. It helps clarify who initiated something or where something came from.

§ How to Use It in a Sentence

'از سوی' usually comes after the noun or pronoun it's referring to, and it's followed by a noun or pronoun that indicates the source or agent. Here's the basic structure:

• Subject + Verb + از سوی + Noun/Pronoun

Let's look at some practical examples to make it clear.

This news was announced by the government. (Literally: This news was announced from the side of the government.)

The aid was sent by the people. (Literally: The aid was sent from the side of the people.)

You can also use it to talk about direction or origin in a more abstract sense.

The order was issued by the manager. (Literally: The order was issued from the side of the manager.)

§ Common Uses and Contexts

You'll frequently encounter 'از سوی' in news reports, official statements, and more formal discussions. It's excellent for clearly attributing actions or messages.

Financial support was provided by the international organization. (Literally: Financial support was carried out from the side of the international organization.)

A new proposal was presented by our company. (Literally: A new proposal was presented from the side of our company.)

It can also be used to express a perspective or point of view.

This issue was examined by many experts. (Literally: This issue was placed under examination from the side of many experts.)

§ Putting It All Together

Mastering 'از سوی' will significantly boost your ability to express who or what is behind an action in Persian. Practice using it in different sentences, and you'll find it becomes second nature.

The letter was sent by the embassy.

This decision was made by the board of directors.

Keep practicing these examples, and try to create your own sentences. The more you use it, the more natural it will feel!

§ Understanding 'از سوی' in Context

When you're learning Persian, some words might seem tricky at first because their direct translation doesn't always capture their full meaning in different contexts. 'از سوی' is a great example of this. While it literally translates to 'from the side of,' it's used much more broadly to mean 'by' or 'on behalf of' someone or something. Let's break down where you're likely to encounter this word in everyday Persian.

DEFINITION

From the side of; by (someone or something).

§ 'از سوی' in News and Formal Announcements

One of the most common places you'll hear 'از سوی' is in news reports, official statements, and formal announcements. This is where its meaning of 'by' or 'on behalf of' really shines. It clearly attributes an action or statement to a particular person, group, or entity.

Hint: This news was confirmed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Hint: Humanitarian aid was sent by the United Nations.

§ 'از سوی' in Work and Professional Settings

In a professional environment, 'از سوی' is used to convey who initiated a task, who is responsible for a decision, or who sent an official communication. It adds a layer of formality and clarity to the message.

• Imagine a colleague telling you about a new project:

  این پروژه جدید از سوی مدیر عامل تایید شده است.

  Hint: This new project has been approved by the CEO.

• Or an email about a company policy update:

  مقررات جدید از سوی بخش منابع انسانی اعلام شد.

  Hint: New regulations were announced by the HR department.

§ 'از سوی' in Academic and School Environments

In an academic context, 'از سوی' is useful for indicating the author of a theory, the source of research, or who assigned a particular task.

• You might hear about a study:

  این تحقیق از سوی دانشگاه تهران انجام شده است.

  Hint: This research has been conducted by Tehran University.

• Or an assignment from a teacher:

  تکالیف جدید از سوی استاد تعیین شد.

  Hint: New assignments were determined by the professor.

By observing how 'از سوی' is used in these different environments, you'll get a clearer picture of its function and how to use it correctly in your own Persian conversations. Keep an ear out for it when you're listening to news, watching interviews, or reading official documents in Persian. You'll be surprised how often it appears!

§ Don't Confuse with Az Taraf (از طرف)

Many learners, especially at the B1 level, tend to use از سوی and از طرف interchangeably. While they both can mean 'from the side of' or 'by', there's a subtle but important difference in their common usage. از سوی often implies a more formal or official origin, or a less direct, more conceptual source. از طرف is more general and can be used in almost any context where 'by' or 'on behalf of' is intended.

§ Overusing Az Sooy in Informal Contexts

Because از سوی carries a slightly more formal tone, using it in casual conversations can sound unnatural or overly formal. Imagine saying 'from the side of my friend' in a very formal way – it sounds a bit off. In most informal situations, از طرف or even simpler prepositions like از (az – from) would be more appropriate.

Using از سوی here, while grammatically not wrong, would sound too stiff.

§ Incorrect Placement in Sentences

Like many Persian prepositions and postpositions, the placement of از سوی is important. It typically precedes the noun or pronoun it refers to. Incorrect placement can lead to awkward phrasing or even change the meaning of the sentence. Learners sometimes place it after the verb or in other positions that disrupt the natural flow of Persian syntax.

The correct placement is before 'دولت' (dowlat - government).

§ Not Understanding the Nuance of 'Origin'

از سوی often highlights the origin or source of something, particularly when referring to decisions, actions, or communications from an entity or organization. If you're simply stating who performed an action without emphasizing the source, از طرف might be a better fit.

Correct Use

این بیانیه از سوی سازمان ملل منتشر شد. (This statement was issued by the United Nations.) - Here, the UN is the formal source.

Less Appropriate Use

کتاب از سوی نویسنده نوشته شد. (The book was written by the author.) - While grammatically correct, از طرف یا فقط 'توسط' (tavassot - by) would be more natural here.

The emphasis with از سوی is on the authority or official nature of the source, whereas از طرف is more about the agent performing the action.

§ Forgetting the Ezafe (کسره)

Although از سوی is a compound preposition, when it's used with a noun, that noun doesn't always take the Ezafe (کسره). However, in some constructions, particularly with possessive nouns or pronouns, the Ezafe might appear. This can confuse learners. The key is to remember that از سوی acts as a unit.

• Correct: از سوی دولت (az sooy-e dowlat - from the government)

• Incorrect (common mistake): از سویِ دولت (az sooy-e-e dowlat - double ezafe, sounds redundant)

The 'e' sound (Ezafe) is already inherent in how سوی connects to the following word, so adding another Ezafe marker is usually incorrect. Focus on the compound nature of از سوی.