A1 Nouns & Pronouns 11 min read Easy

Persian Family Vocabulary: From 'Maman' to 'Amu'

To talk about family naturally, add possessive suffixes like -am (my) directly to specific family nouns like برادرم (my brother).
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Persian family terms distinguish between maternal and paternal sides, using specific words for each relative.

  • Use 'Maman' for mother and 'Baba' for father.
  • Distinguish paternal uncle ('Amu') from maternal uncle ('Daei').
  • Distinguish paternal aunt ('Ammeh') from maternal aunt ('Khaleh').
Side (Paternal/Maternal) + Role (Uncle/Aunt) = Specific Persian Term

Overview

Persian family vocabulary operates on a principle of specificity that often surprises learners. Unlike the general-purpose English terms 'uncle' or 'cousin', Persian requires you to identify a relative's lineage: are they from your mother's side or your father's side? This distinction is not optional; it is a fundamental feature of the language that reflects the cultural importance of the extended family (خانواده, khānevādeh).

Mastering these terms is a significant step towards sounding natural and showing cultural awareness.

This system divides your family into two distinct lines: paternal (پدری, pedari) and maternal (مادری, mādari). Your father's brother is an عمو ('amu), while your mother's brother is a دایی (dā'i). This precision extends to aunts, uncles, cousins, and even grandparents.

Beyond this structural logic, you'll also navigate the difference between formal terms like پدر (pedar, father) and the colloquial, affectionate terms used in daily life, such as بابا (bābā, dad). Understanding this dual system of lineage and formality is key.

How This Grammar Works

To express possession in Persian—to say "my mother" or "your brother"—you have two primary methods. The choice between them is a matter of context, formality, and fluency.
  1. 1Possessive Suffixes (Enclitics): This is the most common, natural, and efficient method, especially in spoken Persian. A short suffix is attached directly to the end of the noun, merging the owner and the object into a single word. For example, برادر (barādar, brother) becomes برادرم (barādar-am, my brother). These suffixes are a type of clitic—a particle that is phonologically dependent on the word it precedes or follows. Their use makes speech faster and more fluid, and is characteristic of everyday conversation.
  1. 1The Ezafe (اضافه) Construction: This method links the noun to a standalone possessive pronoun using the ezafe marker, which is an unstressed -e or -ye sound. Using the same example, "my brother" becomes برادرِ من (barādar-e man, literally "brother of me"). This construction is more deliberate and slightly more formal. It is primarily used for emphasis or in formal written contexts. For a beginner, mastering the possessive suffixes is the more urgent task for achieving conversational ability.
Think of the suffixes as the default for 95% of daily interactions. They are the linguistic equivalent of a shortcut, and using them correctly is a clear signal that you have moved beyond basic, textbook Persian.

Formation Pattern

1
Attaching possessive suffixes is a straightforward pattern. The suffix you use depends on the pronoun (my, your, his/her, etc.), and a minor spelling adjustment is needed if the noun ends in a vowel.
2
The Core Rule: Take the family noun and append the appropriate suffix from the table below.
3
| Person | Pronoun | Suffix (after consonant) | Suffix (after vowel) | Example (with خواهر, khāhar - sister) |
4
|---|---|---|---|---|
5
| 1st Singular | من (man) | -am | -yam | خواهرم (khāhar-am) - my sister |
6
| 2nd Singular | تو (to) | -at | -yat | خواهرت (khāhar-at) - your sister (informal) |
7
| 3rd Singular | او (u) | -aš | -yaš | خواهرش (khāhar-aš) - his/her sister |
8
| 1st Plural | ما (mā) | -emān | -yemān | خواهرمان (khāhar-emān) - our sister |
9
| 2nd Plural | شما (šomā) | -etān | -yetān | خواهرتان (khāhar-etān) - your sister (formal/plural) |
10
| 3rd Plural | آنها (ānhā) | -ešān | -yešān | خواهرشان (khāhar-ešān) - their sister |
11
If the Noun Ends in a Consonant:
12
This is the simplest case. The suffix is attached directly. The word پسر (pesar, son) ends in 'r', a consonant.
13
پسرم (pesar-am) - my son
14
پسرتان (pesar-etān) - your son (formal)
15
If the Noun Ends in a Vowel:
16
When a noun ends in a vowel like ـه (-e/a) or و (-u) or ا (-ā), a silent letter ی (y) is inserted before the suffix to prevent two vowels from clashing and to ensure smooth pronunciation. Consider the word خانواده (khānevādeh, family), which ends in a non-pronounced 'h' but a phonetic vowel 'e'.
17
خانواده‌ام (khānevāde-yam) - my family
18
خانواده‌اش (khānevāde-yaš) - his/her family
19
Similarly, for عمو ('amu, paternal uncle), which ends in a 'u' vowel sound:
20
عمویم ('amu-yam) - my paternal uncle
21
عمویتان ('amu-yetān) - your paternal uncle (formal)
22
For nouns ending in the vowel ی (i/y), like دایی (dā'i, maternal uncle), the y is already present, so you simply add the suffix. However, in colloquial speech, the vowel is often shortened, and the 'y' feels more pronounced. So دایی + ام becomes داییم (dā'i-am). This is a natural phonetic adjustment.

Gender & Agreement

One of the most relieving aspects of Persian grammar for learners is its complete lack of grammatical gender. Nouns, pronouns, and adjectives are not classified as masculine, feminine, or neuter. This simplifies family vocabulary immensely.
The word برادر (barādar, brother) is not grammatically masculine; it simply refers to a male person. Likewise, مادر (mādar, mother) is not grammatically feminine. The third-person singular pronoun او (u) means "he" or "she" indiscriminately, and the possessive suffix -aš means "his" or "her".
Context is the only thing that clarifies the gender of the person being discussed.
  • برادرش در تهران زندگی می‌کند. (Barādar-aš dar Tehrān zendegi mikonad.) - His brother or Her brother lives in Tehran.
  • دخترخاله‌ام مهندس است. (Dokhtar-khāle-yam mohandes ast.) - My female maternal cousin is an engineer.
This lack of gender agreement stands in stark contrast to languages like French, Spanish, or German. You never have to worry about changing an adjective to match the gender of your پسرعمو (pesar-'amu, male paternal cousin) or دخترعمه (dokhtar-'amme, female paternal cousin). The focus remains entirely on the relationship itself.

When To Use It

Understanding when to use possessive suffixes versus the ezafe construction is key to sounding natural.
Use Possessive Suffixes (e.g., پدرم, pedar-am) for:
  • Everyday Conversation: This is the default, unmarked choice for speaking and informal writing. It's faster and more fluid. مامانم زنگ زد. (Māmān-am zang zad.) - "My mom called."
  • Texting and Social Media: In any casual digital communication, suffixes are standard. A photo caption might read: با برادرم (Bā barādar-am) - "With my brother."
  • When Possession is Uncontested: For unique relatives like your mother or father, the suffix is almost always sufficient. The identity of the owner is obvious. پدرت حالش خوبه؟ (Pedar-at hāleš khube?) - "Is your dad well?" (informal 'your').
Use the Ezafe + Pronoun Construction (e.g., پدرِ من, pedar-e man) for:
  • Emphasis and Contrast: When you need to stress whose relative it is, ezafe puts a spotlight on the owner. این ماشینِ پدرِ من است، نه پدرِ او. (In māšin-e pedar-e man ast, na pedar-e u.) - "This is my father's car, not his father's."
  • Formal Writing: In academic papers, official documents, or very formal speeches, the ezafe construction can sound more deliberate and proper. It is less common in modern prose but still appears.
  • Clarity with Complex Nouns: When a noun already has other adjectives attached with ezafe, adding another ezafe for possession can be clearer than a suffix. دوستِ صمیمیِ برادرِ من (dust-e samimi-ye barādar-e man) - "My brother's close friend." Appending a suffix here (دوستِ صمیمیِ برادرم, dust-e samimi-ye barādar-am) is also correct and very common.

Common Mistakes

Learners often make a few predictable errors with Persian family terms. Being aware of them is the first step to avoiding them.
  1. 1Confusing Paternal (عمو, 'amu) and Maternal (دایی, dā'i) Uncles: This is the most classic mistake. Calling your mother's brother عمو ('amu) is incorrect. Remember: 'amu is the brother of your pedar (father), and dā'i is the brother of your mādar (mother). A good mnemonic is that دایی (dā'i) and مادر (mādar) do not share any primary consonants with پدر (pedar).
  1. 1Redundancy: Never use a possessive suffix and a possessive pronoun for the same noun. Saying خواهرم من (khāhar-am man) is like saying "my sister me." It's grammatically incorrect. Choose one: خواهرم (khāhar-am) or خواهرِ من (khāhar-e man).
  1. 1Formal/Informal Mismatch (-at vs. -etān): Using the informal 'your' suffix (-at) when speaking to an elder, a superior, or someone you don't know well is a social error. It can be perceived as overly familiar or even disrespectful. Always default to the formal/plural شما (šomā) and its corresponding suffix -etān. For example, asking your boss: حالِ پسرتان چطور است؟ (Hāl-e pesar-etān četor ast?) - "How is your son?" (formal), not پسرت (pesar-at).
  1. 1Forgetting the Linking ی (y) for Vowel-Ending Nouns: Learners often forget to add the 'y' connector after a vowel, leading to awkward pronunciations. Forgetting it with بچه (bačče, child) and saying بچه‌ام as (bačče-am) instead of the correct بچه‌یَم (bačče-yam) is a common phonetic slip-up. The mouth naturally wants to bridge the two vowels, and the ی formalizes that bridge in writing.

Common Collocations

Family terms are frequently combined with words of affection or used in broader social contexts. These collocations are essential for sounding natural.
  • Terms of Endearment: It is extremely common to attach جان (jān, soul/life) or عزیز ('aziz, dear) to a family term. The ezafe is used here. پسرِ عزیزم (pesar-e 'aziz-am) means "my dear son." More colloquially, people combine the suffix directly with jān: مادرجون (mādar-jun) is an affectionate term for 'mom' or 'grandma'. پسرم can become پسر گلم (pesar-e gol-am), "my flower son."
  • Calling Strangers by Family Titles: In Iran, it is a sign of respect to address elders or familiar shopkeepers with family titles. An older man you don't know might be called عمو ('amu) or پدر (pedar). An older woman might be called خاله (khāle) or مادر (mādar). آقا (āqā) and خانم (khānom) are more neutral, but family terms show a friendly, respectful familiarity.
  • The Suffix -jān: Appending -jān to a name or title is a ubiquitous sign of affection. علی (Ali) becomes علی جان (Ali jān). You can say مامان جان (māmān jān) or بابا جان (bābā jān) when speaking to your parents. It adds a layer of warmth and love to the interaction.
  • The Word اهل (ahl): To say where your family is from, you use this word. خانواده‌ام اهلِ شیراز هستند. (Khānevāde-yam ahl-e Širāz hastand.) - "My family is from Shiraz."

Real Conversations

This dialogue between two friends, Sara and Kian, shows how these terms are used naturally in a casual chat.

S

Sara

سلام کیان! خوبی؟ چه خبر؟

(Salām Kiyān! Khubi? Če khabar?)

Hi Kian! Are you well? What's new?

K

Kian

سلام سارا، ممنون. خودت خوبی؟ خانواده‌ات خوبن؟

(Salām Sārā, mamnun. Khodet khubi? Khānevāde-yat khuban?)

Hi Sara, thanks. Are you good? Is your family well? (Note the informal -at suffix)

S

Sara

مرسی، همه خوبن. راستی، هفته پیش پسرعموم رو دیدم. از آلمان اومده بود.

(Mersi, hame khuban. Rāsti, hafte-ye piš pesar-'amu-m ro didam. Az Ālmān umade bud.)

Thanks, everyone's fine. By the way, I saw my paternal male cousin last week. He had come from Germany.

K

Kian

جدی؟ همون که اسمش سیامکه؟ حالِ عموت چطوره؟

(Jeddi? Hamun ke esmeš Siyāmak-e? Hāl-e 'amu-t četore?)

Really? The one whose name is Siyamak? How is your (paternal) uncle?

S

Sara

آره خودشه. عموم هم خوبه، سلام رسوند. تو چه خبر؟ داداشت کجاست؟

(Āre, khodeše. 'Amu-m ham khube, salām resund. To če khabar? Dādāš-et kojāst?)

Yes, that's him. My uncle is also well, he said hello. What about you? Where's your bro? (Uses informal داداش)

K

Kian

داداشم با مامانم رفتن شمال پیشِ داییم. آخر هفته برمی‌گردن.

(Dādāš-am bā māmān-am raftan šomāl piš-e dā'i-am. Ākhar-e hafte bar-mi-gardan.)

My brother went with my mom to the north to visit my (maternal) uncle. They'll be back at the end of the week.

Quick FAQ

Q: What's the difference between مادر (mādar) and مامان (māmān)?

مادر (mādar) is the formal word for "mother." مامان (māmān) is "mom" and is used colloquially and affectionately. The same applies to پدر (pedar, father) and بابا (bābā, dad). In everyday speech, مامان and بابا are far more common.

Q: How do I say "cousin" again? It's so confusing.

There is no single word for "cousin." You must specify the gender of the cousin and the lineage. It's a compound word:

  • پسرعمو (pesar-'amu): son of paternal uncle
  • دخترعمو (dokhtar-'amu): daughter of paternal uncle
  • پسرعمه (pesar-'amme): son of paternal aunt
  • دخترعمه (dokhtar-'amme): daughter of paternal aunt
  • پسرخاله (pesar-khāle): son of maternal aunt
  • دخترخاله (dokhtar-khāle): daughter of maternal aunt
  • پسر‌دایی (pesar-dā'i): son of maternal uncle
  • دختردایی (dokhtar-dā'i): daughter of maternal uncle
Q: Can I use داداش (dādāš) instead of برادر (barādar)?

برادر (barādar) is the general, more formal word for "brother." داداش (dādāš) is a very common informal term, similar to "bro." You would use it for your own brother and close male friends. The same relationship exists between خواهر (khāhar, sister) and the less common, informal آبجی (ābji).

Q: How do you say "in-laws"?

In-laws also follow a specific naming pattern, often involving the words for husband (شوهر, šohar) and wife (زن, zan).

  • Mother-in-law: مادرشوهر (mādar-šohar) or مادرزن (mādar-zan)
  • Father-in-law: پدرشوهر (pedar-šohar) or پدرزن (pedar-zan)
  • Brother-in-law: برادرشوهر (barādar-šohar) or برادرزن (barādar-zan)
  • Sister-in-law: خواهرشوهر (khāhar-šohar) or خواهرزن (khāhar-zan)
Q: Is it really rude if I mix up عمو ('amu) and دایی (dā'i)?

It's not considered rude, just incorrect—a very typical learner's mistake. Most Iranians will find it endearing and will gently correct you. Don't be afraid to make the mistake; it's a part of the learning process.

Possessive Suffixes for Family Terms

Pronoun Suffix Example (Mother) Meaning
I
-am
Madaram
My mother
You
-at
Madarat
Your mother
He/She
-ash
Madarash
His/Her mother
We
-eman
Madareman
Our mother
You (pl)
-etan
Madaretan
Your mother
They
-eshan
Madareshan
Their mother

Common Informal Variations

Formal Informal
Madar
Maman
Pedar
Baba
Baradar
Dadash
Khahar
Abji

Meanings

Persian kinship terms are highly specific, requiring the speaker to identify the side of the family (paternal vs. maternal) for aunts and uncles.

1

Nuclear Family

Immediate family members.

“مادر (Mother)”

“پدر (Father)”

2

Paternal Relatives

Relatives on the father's side.

“عمو (Paternal Uncle)”

“عمه (Paternal Aunt)”

3

Maternal Relatives

Relatives on the mother's side.

“دایی (Maternal Uncle)”

“خاله (Maternal Aunt)”

Reference Table

Reference table for Persian Family Vocabulary: From 'Maman' to 'Amu'
Form Structure Example
Affirmative
Noun + Suffix
Madaram (My mother)
Negative
Nist + Noun
Madaram nist (It is not my mother)
Question
Aya + Noun
Aya madarat injast? (Is your mother here?)
Address
Title + Name
Amu Reza (Uncle Reza)
Plural
Noun + ha
Ammuha (Uncles)

Formality Spectrum

Formal
مادر من اینجا هستند.

مادر من اینجا هستند. (Family arrival)

Neutral
مادرم اینجاست.

مادرم اینجاست. (Family arrival)

Informal
مامانم اینجاست.

مامانم اینجاست. (Family arrival)

Slang
مامانم این وره.

مامانم این وره. (Family arrival)

Persian Family Tree

Me

Paternal

  • عمو Paternal Uncle
  • عمه Paternal Aunt

Maternal

  • دایی Maternal Uncle
  • خاله Maternal Aunt
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Examples by Level

1

مادر من خوب است

My mother is good.

2

پدر من کجاست؟

Where is my father?

3

این عموی من است

This is my paternal uncle.

4

خاله ی من مهربان است

My maternal aunt is kind.

1

آیا مادرت در خانه است؟

Is your mother at home?

2

دایی من در تهران زندگی می‌کند

My maternal uncle lives in Tehran.

3

عمه ی من خیلی باهوش است

My paternal aunt is very smart.

4

برادرم دانشجو است

My brother is a student.

1

من با عمویم به سفر رفتم

I went on a trip with my paternal uncle.

2

خاله ام همیشه به من کمک می‌کند

My maternal aunt always helps me.

3

آیا عمه ات را دیدی؟

Did you see your paternal aunt?

4

دایی ام یک پزشک است

My maternal uncle is a doctor.

1

خانواده ی پدری من در شیراز هستند

My paternal family is in Shiraz.

2

او مثل دایی ام با من رفتار می‌کند

He treats me like my maternal uncle.

3

عمه ام از سفر برگشت

My paternal aunt returned from the trip.

4

عمویم همیشه داستان های جالبی دارد

My paternal uncle always has interesting stories.

1

در فرهنگ ما، احترام به عمه و دایی بسیار مهم است

In our culture, respecting paternal aunts and maternal uncles is very important.

2

او با عمویش رابطه ی نزدیکی دارد

He has a close relationship with his paternal uncle.

3

خاله ام به عنوان یک بزرگتر، همیشه مشورت می دهد

My maternal aunt, as an elder, always gives advice.

4

این موضوع را با پدرم در میان می گذارم

I will discuss this matter with my father.

1

پیچیدگی اصطلاحات خویشاوندی در فارسی، بازتابی از ساختار اجتماعی است

The complexity of kinship terms in Persian is a reflection of the social structure.

2

او به عنوان عموی معنوی من شناخته می شود

He is known as my spiritual uncle.

3

تفاوت بین دایی و عمو در فارسی بسیار دقیق است

The difference between maternal and paternal uncles in Persian is very precise.

4

خاله ام در تمام مراحل زندگی حامی من بوده است

My maternal aunt has been my supporter throughout all stages of life.

Easily Confused

Persian Family Vocabulary: From 'Maman' to 'Amu' vs Amu vs Daei

Both mean uncle, but they apply to different sides.

Persian Family Vocabulary: From 'Maman' to 'Amu' vs Ammeh vs Khaleh

Both mean aunt, but they apply to different sides.

Persian Family Vocabulary: From 'Maman' to 'Amu' vs Possessive suffix vs 'man'

Learners often use both.

Common Mistakes

✗

عمو برای مادر

✓

دایی

Amu is only for father's side.
✗

عمه برای مادر

✓

خاله

Ammeh is only for father's side.
✗

مادر من

✓

مادرم

Using the full phrase is okay but less natural than the suffix.
✗

دایی برای پدر

✓

عمو

Daei is only for mother's side.
✗

عموی من است

✓

این عموی من است

Need a subject pronoun or demonstrative.
✗

خاله ی من

✓

خاله ام

Suffix is preferred.
✗

آیا عمو تو است؟

✓

آیا این عموی تو است؟

Missing demonstrative and correct possessive suffix.
✗

عمه ی بزرگ

✓

عمه بزرگم

Adjective placement.
✗

دایی ها من

✓

دایی های من

Ezafe is needed.
✗

عمو من

✓

عمویم

Missing Ezafe/suffix.
✗

عموی محترم من

✓

عموی عزیزم

Register mismatch.
✗

خاله ی من که در تهران است

✓

خاله ام که در تهران است

Redundancy.
✗

پدر و مادر من

✓

والدینم

Using formal collective noun.

Sentence Patterns

این ___ من است.

___ من در ___ زندگی می کند.

من با ___ به ___ رفتم.

به نظر من، ___ من خیلی ___ است.

Real World Usage

Social Media constant

تولدت مبارک خاله جان!

Texting constant

مامان کجایی؟

Job Interview occasional

پدرم همیشه به من یاد داد...

Travel common

من با عمویم سفر می کنم.

Food Delivery occasional

این غذا برای مادرم است.

Family Dinner very common

دایی جان، بفرمایید غذا.

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💡

Use Suffixes

Always use '-am' for 'my' to sound natural.
⚠️

Check the Side

Always ask if the relative is from the father's or mother's side.
🎯

Honorifics

Add 'Jan' to family names for affection.
💬

Respect Elders

Always use polite forms for older relatives.

Smart Tips

Use the suffix '-am' instead of 'man' for a more natural flow.

مادر من → مادرم

Always add the side of the family to avoid confusion.

این عموی من است (when it's actually mother's brother) → این دایی من است

Add 'Jan' to the kinship term.

خاله → خاله جان

Use the full nouns like 'Madar' and 'Pedar'.

مامانم → مادرم

Pronunciation

Madar-e man

Ezafe

The 'e' sound connecting nouns to possessors.

Maa-man

Vowel length

Long vowels are held slightly longer.

Question

Madarat injast? ↑

Rising intonation for yes/no questions.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Remember: 'Amu' and 'Ammeh' start with 'A' for 'Abba' (Father). 'Daei' and 'Khaleh' are for the mother's side.

Visual Association

Imagine a tree. The left branch is the father's side (Amu/Ammeh), and the right branch is the mother's side (Daei/Khaleh).

Rhyme

Amu is Dad's brother, Daei is Mom's, remember the side or you'll be wrong!

Story

I went to a party. I saw my Amu (Dad's brother) and my Khaleh (Mom's sister). I introduced them to my Maman and Baba. It was a great family reunion.

Word Web

مادرپدرعموعمهداییخالهبرادرخواهر

Challenge

Draw your family tree and label every relative using the correct Persian term in 5 minutes.

Cultural Notes

Family is the center of social life. Respect for elders is paramount.

Informal terms like 'Maman' and 'Baba' are used even by adults.

Using formal titles like 'Amu' for non-relatives is common.

These terms are Indo-European, sharing roots with other languages.

Conversation Starters

“

خانواده ی تو چند نفر هستند؟

“

آیا دایی تو در تهران زندگی می کند؟

“

رابطه ی تو با عمه ات چطور است؟

“

به نظر تو، نقش خاله در خانواده چیست؟

Journal Prompts

Describe your mother in 5 sentences.
Write about a family gathering.
Compare your paternal and maternal sides.
Reflect on the importance of family in your culture vs Iran.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

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Test Yourself

Fill in the blank.

___ من در شیراز است.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: هر دو
Both are correct.
Choose the correct term. Multiple Choice

Father's brother is:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: عمو
Amu is paternal uncle.
Correct the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

دایی من (father's brother) خوب است.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: عموی من
Paternal uncle is Amu.
Order the words. Sentence Building

من / است / عموی / این

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: این عموی من است
Standard word order.
Match the term. Match Pairs

Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: خاله
Khaleh is maternal aunt.
Choose the correct term. Multiple Choice

Mother's brother is:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: دایی
Daei is maternal uncle.
Fill in the suffix.

پدر + من = ___

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: پدرم
Suffix -am.
Make negative. Sentence Transformation

این مادرم است.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: این مادرم نیست
Nist for negation.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Fill in the blank.

___ من در شیراز است.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: هر دو
Both are correct.
Choose the correct term. Multiple Choice

Father's brother is:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: عمو
Amu is paternal uncle.
Correct the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

دایی من (father's brother) خوب است.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: عموی من
Paternal uncle is Amu.
Order the words. Sentence Building

من / است / عموی / این

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: این عموی من است
Standard word order.
Match the term. Match Pairs

Match: Mother's sister

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: خاله
Khaleh is maternal aunt.
Choose the correct term. Multiple Choice

Mother's brother is:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: دایی
Daei is maternal uncle.
Fill in the suffix.

پدر + من = ___

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: پدرم
Suffix -am.
Make negative. Sentence Transformation

این مادرم است.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: این مادرم نیست
Nist for negation.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

10 exercises
Complete the sentence with the word for 'your (informal) father'. Fill in the Blank

شغل ___ چیست؟

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: پدرت
Match the family member to the correct Persian term. Match Pairs

Match the pairs:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: [{"left":"Mother's Sister","right":"\u062e\u0627\u0644\u0647"},{"left":"Father's Brother","right":"\u0639\u0645\u0648"},{"left":"Mother's Brother","right":"\u062f\u0627\u06cc\u06cc"},{"left":"Father's Sister","right":"\u0639\u0645\u0647"}]
Translate the following sentence into Persian. Translation

My grandmother lives in Shiraz.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: مادربزرگم در شیراز زندگی می‌کند.
Put the words in the correct order. Sentence Reorder

است / معلم / مادرش

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: مادرش معلم است.
Choose the correct term for 'our daughter'. Multiple Choice

Which word means 'our daughter'?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: دخترمان
Find and fix the mistake. Error Correction

این پسرعمو ما است.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: این پسرعموی ما است.
Fill in the blank for 'their children'. Fill in the Blank

___ به مدرسه می‌روند.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: بچه‌هایشان
How would you say 'your (formal) wife'? Translation

Translate 'your (formal) wife'.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: همسرتان
Match the informal term to its formal equivalent. Match Pairs

Match the pairs:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: [{"left":"\u0628\u0627\u0628\u0627","right":"\u067e\u062f\u0631"},{"left":"\u0645\u0627\u0645\u0627\u0646","right":"\u0645\u0627\u062f\u0631"},{"left":"\u062f\u0627\u062f\u0627\u0634","right":"\u0628\u0631\u0627\u062f\u0631"},{"left":"\u0622\u0628\u062c\u06cc","right":"\u062e\u0648\u0627\u0647\u0631"}]
Which sentence is grammatically correct and most natural? Multiple Choice

Choose the best sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: شوهر خواهرم مهندس است.

Score: /10

FAQ (8)

Persian distinguishes between sides of the family for clarity.

No, that is incorrect. Use 'Daei'.

It is a term of endearment added to names.

No, it is informal but very common.

Madareman.

Yes, they are standard.

Ask! It's a good conversation starter.

Yes, as a sign of respect.

Scaffolded Practice

1

1

2

2

3

3

4

4

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

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In Other Languages

Spanish low

Tío/Tía

Persian is more specific.

French low

Oncle/Tante

Persian requires lineage.

German low

Onkel/Tante

Persian is more precise.

Japanese partial

Oji/Oba

Persian focuses on lineage.

Arabic high

Amm/Khal

Very similar structure.

Chinese high

Shushu/Jiujiu

Chinese is even more complex.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
Plural Nouns with -hā (-hā)
Next
Persian Days of the Week (Shanbe to Jome)

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