B1 Nouns & Pronouns 15 min read Easy

Persian Indefinite Words: Some, Every, and No (بعضی, هر, هیچ)

Use هر for totals, هیچ for zeros (with negative verbs), and بعضی for specific parts of a group.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Use 'بعضی' for some, 'هر' for every, and 'هیچ' for no/none to quantify your nouns effectively.

  • بعضی (ba'zi) means 'some' and is followed by a plural noun: بعضی کتاب‌ها (some books).
  • هر (har) means 'every' or 'each' and is followed by a singular noun: هر روز (every day).
  • هیچ (hich) means 'no' or 'none' and requires a negative verb: هیچ‌کس نیامد (nobody came).
بعضی + [Plural Noun] | هر + [Singular Noun] | هیچ + [Noun] + [Negative Verb]

Overview

Persian indefinite words—هَر (har), هیچ (hich), and بَعضی (ba'zi)—are essential for expressing non-specificity regarding nouns. They function similarly to 'every', 'no/any', and 'some' in English, respectively. Mastering their usage allows you to communicate with nuance, distinguishing between universal statements, complete absence, or partial quantities.

These words are fundamental at the B1 CEFR level, enabling more complex and natural conversational abilities.

Their proper application moves your Persian beyond simple declarative sentences, allowing for a richer expression of quantity and scope. They are not merely vocabulary items but grammatical tools that dictate the number and sometimes the polarity of the verb. Understanding their interplay with surrounding words reveals core principles of Persian sentence structure.

How This Grammar Works

These three indefinite words primarily function as determiners or indefinite adjectives, preceding the noun they modify. Their impact extends beyond simple modification, often influencing the grammatical number of the noun and, crucially, the positivity or negativity of the verb in the sentence. This relationship is a cornerstone of expressing indefinite quantities in Persian.
هَر (har) - 'Every', 'Each', 'Any': This word signifies universality or inclusiveness among individual items. Grammatically, هَر always requires a singular noun. This is a critical distinction from English, where 'every' typically precedes a singular noun, but 'all' precedes a plural.
In Persian, هَر singles out each item within a group, even when referring to the entire group.
هیچ (hich) - 'No', 'None', 'Any': هیچ expresses complete absence or non-existence. Its most defining characteristic is its requirement for a negative verb in the sentence. This creates a "double negative" structure from an English perspective (e.g., I didn't see no one), which is grammatically correct and emphatic in Persian.
Like هَر, هیچ also typically precedes a singular noun. The ی (Yā-ye Nakare or indefinite ی) often appended to the noun after هیچ further emphasizes the indefiniteness and non-existence.
بَعضی (ba'zi) - 'Some', 'Certain': بَعضی denotes a part of a larger group without specifying which part or how many. It is used for partial quantification. Unlike هَر and هیچ, بَعضی usually precedes a plural noun.
It can also function as an indefinite pronoun, referring to 'some people' or 'some of them' when used alone or with the plural marker ‌ها. The option to use اَز (az) after بَعضی allows for a specific subset to be referenced.

Formation Pattern

1
The placement and agreement of هَر, هیچ, and بَعضی are remarkably consistent, generally appearing directly before the noun they modify. However, their interaction with the noun's number and the verb's polarity is specific to each word.
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For هَر (har) - Every/Each/Any:
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Rule: هَر + Singular Noun.
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Function: Refers to every single item in a category or group. Can also mean 'any' in general or conditional contexts.
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Examples:
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هَر روز (har ruz) - Every day
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هَر دانش‌آموز (har dānesh-āmouz) - Every student (Each student)
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هَر کِتابی (har ketābi) - Any book (emphasizing 'any one specific book')
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Combinations: هَر frequently combines with interrogative pronouns to form indefinite pronouns.
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| Persian Form | Meaning | Example Use |
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| :---------- | :------ | :---------- |
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| هَر کَس (har kas) | Everyone/Anyone | هَر کَس میتونه بیاد. (har kas mitoune biyād.) - Everyone can come. |
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| هَر چی (har chi) | Everything/Anything | هَر چی بگی قبول دارم. (har chi begi ghaboul dāram.) - I accept whatever you say. |
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| هَر جا (har jā) | Everywhere/Anywhere | هَر جا برم، تو یادم میای. (har jā beram, to yādam miyāy.) - Wherever I go, I remember you. |
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Note: هَر کَس can be informally shortened to هَرکی (harki).
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For هیچ (hich) - No/None/Any:
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Rule: هیچ + Singular Noun (often with ی) + Negative Verb.
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Function: Expresses the complete absence of the noun, requiring the verb to be in its negative form. The ی (Yā-ye Nakare) often added to the noun emphasizes the indefiniteness of the non-existent item.
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Examples:
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هیچ کِتابی نَدارَم. (hich ketābi nadāram.) - I don't have any book. (Lit: I have no book.)
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هیچ کَس نَیامَد. (hich kas nayāmad.) - No one came. (Lit: No one didn't come.)
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اون هیچ پولی نَداشت. (oun hich pouli nadāsht.) - He had no money. (Lit: He didn't have any money.)
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Combinations: هیچ also combines with interrogative pronouns.
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| Persian Form | Meaning | Example Use |
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| :---------- | :------ | :---------- |
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| هیچ کَس (hich kas) | No one/Nobody | هیچ کَس جواب نداد. (hich kas javāb nadād.) - No one answered. |
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| هیچ چی (hich chi) | Nothing | هیچ چی نَخوردَم. (hich chi nakhordam.) - I ate nothing. (Lit: I didn't eat anything.) |
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| هیچ جا (hich jā) | Nowhere | هیچ جا نَرفتیم. (hich jā naraftim.) - We went nowhere. (Lit: We didn't go anywhere.) |
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Note: هیچ کَس can be informally shortened to هیچکی (hichki).
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For بَعضی (ba'zi) - Some/Certain:
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Rule 1: بَعضی + Plural Noun.
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Function: Refers to an unspecified subset of a larger group.
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Examples:
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بَعضی فیلم‌ها جالبَن. (ba'zi filmhā jāleban.) - Some movies are interesting.
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بَعضی از دانشجوها غایب بودن. (ba'zi az dāneshjouhā ghāyeb boudan.) - Some of the students were absent.
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Rule 2: بَعضی از + Plural Noun/Pronoun.
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Function: Specifies that the "some" refers to a subset from a larger identified group. This is often more explicit than Rule 1.
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Examples:
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بَعضی از دوستام مسافرت رفتن. (ba'zi az doustām mosāferat raftan.) - Some of my friends went on a trip.
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بَعضی از اونا دیر اومدن. (ba'zi az ounā dir oumadan.) - Some of them came late.
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Pronoun Form: بَعضی‌ها (ba'zihā) - Some people/Some of them. This form acts as a standalone pronoun.
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بَعضی‌ها میگن سخته. (ba'zihā migan sakhte.) - Some people say it's difficult.

Gender & Agreement

A significant advantage for Persian learners is the absence of grammatical gender for nouns. Unlike languages such as French, Spanish, or German, Persian nouns are not inherently masculine or feminine, eliminating a complex layer of agreement rules. Therefore, these indefinite words—هَر, هیچ, and بَعضی—do not change form based on the gender of the noun they modify, because such a concept does not exist in Persian grammar.
However, agreement in number is crucial and follows specific patterns for each word, which we discussed in Formation Pattern:
  • هَر always demands a singular noun, e.g., هَر کِتاب (every book), not هَر کِتاب‌ها.
  • هیچ also typically takes a singular noun, often with the indefinite ی, e.g., هیچ پولی (no money), even if conceptually referring to a general absence.
  • بَعضی typically requires a plural noun or refers to a group that is implicitly plural, e.g., بَعضی دانشجوها (some students).
This simplicity in gender but strictness in number is a key characteristic to remember. Focus on the noun's plurality, not its gender.

When To Use It

The choice between هَر, هیچ, and بَعضی is dictated by the scope of your statement—universal, null, or partial—and whether you intend to emphasize individual items or a collective.
Using هَر (har):
  • Universal Statements/Habitual Actions: When you refer to every single instance or a recurring event.
  • هَر سال برای سفر برنامه ریزی میکنیم. (har sāl barāye safar barname rizi mikonim.) - Every year we plan for a trip.
  • اون هَر روز ورزش میکنه. (oun har ruz varzesh mikone.) - He exercises every day.
  • General 'Any' (Positive Contexts): To indicate that any choice from a group is acceptable or applies. Often implies flexibility or non-discrimination.
  • هَر رنگی بخوای موجود داریم. (har rangi bekhāy mojoud dārim.) - We have any color you want.
  • هَر کس میتونه این کارو انجام بده. (har kas mitoune in kāro anjām bede.) - Anyone can do this.
  • Emphasizing Individuality: While referring to an entire group, هَر keeps the focus on each member.
  • هَر دانش آموزی باید کتاب بخونه. (har dānesh-āmouzi bāyad ketāb bekhoune.) - Every student must read a book. (Emphasizes individual responsibility).
Using هیچ (hich):
  • Absolute Negation/Denial: To strongly state the complete absence of something or someone. This is where the mandatory negative verb comes in.
  • من هیچ گُلی نَخَریدم. (man hich goli nakharidam.) - I didn't buy any flower. (I bought no flowers.)
  • اون هیچ نظری نَداشت. (oun hich nazari nadāsht.) - He had no opinion.
  • Expressing 'No one/Nothing/Nowhere': When combined with pronouns.
  • هیچ کَس به من کمک نَکرد. (hich kas be man komak nakard.) - No one helped me.
  • امروز هیچ کاری نَدارم. (emrouz hich kāri nadāram.) - I have nothing to do today.
  • Emphatic Indefiniteness: The addition of ی (Yā-ye Nakare) after the noun with هیچ adds a layer of emphasis, making the non-existence even stronger, akin to 'not a single X'.
  • هیچ صدایی نَشنیدم. (hich sedāyi nashnidam.) - I didn't hear any sound. (Not a single sound.)
Using بَعضی (ba'zi):
  • Partial Quantification: To indicate that a portion of a group possesses a certain characteristic or is involved in an action, but not the entirety.
  • بَعضی وقت‌ها هوا آلوده است. (ba'zi vaght-hā havā āloude ast.) - Sometimes (some times) the air is polluted.
  • بَعضی از غذاها خیلی تند بودن. (ba'zi az ghazāhā kheyli tond boudan.) - Some of the foods were very spicy.
  • Contrasting with 'All' or 'None': بَعضی inherently creates a distinction within a set, implying that others do not share the described attribute.
  • بَعضی دانشجوها درس میخونن ولی بَعضی‌ها نه. (ba'zi dāneshjouhā dars mikhounan vali ba'zihā na.) - Some students study, but others don't.
  • Referring to 'Some People' as a Pronoun: When used as بَعضی‌ها.
  • بَعضی‌ها فکر میکنن کار راحتیه. (ba'zihā fekr mikonan kār rāhatie.) - Some people think it's an easy job.

Common Mistakes

Learners often make predictable errors with هَر, هیچ, and بَعضی, primarily due to direct translation from English or a misunderstanding of their inherent grammatical requirements. Recognizing these patterns is key to fluent and correct usage.
  1. 1Using هَر with Plural Nouns:
  • Error: *هَر کِتاب‌ها (har ketābhā) for "every book".
  • Correction: هَر always precedes a singular noun. Even when the intended meaning is "all books," هَر individualizes, hence the singular form. The correct phrase is هَر کِتاب (har ketāb). If you want "all books," use هَمِه کِتاب‌ها (hame ketābhā).
  • Why: هَر semantically distributes the action or quality to each member individually, rather than treating the group as a whole. This distributive nature necessitates a singular noun in Persian.
  1. 1Forgetting the Negative Verb with هیچ:
  • Error: *من هیچ پول دارم. (man hich poul dāram.) for "I have no money."
  • Correction: هیچ is a negative polarity item (NPI). It requires the main verb of the sentence to be in the negative form. The correct phrase is من هیچ پولی نَدارَم. (man hich pouli nadāram.)
  • Why: Persian constructs negation with هیچ by reinforcing the absence through the negative verb. This double negation, common in many languages, intensifies the statement. The English "I don't have any money" translates literally to "I don't have no money" in this Persian structure, which is critical to internalize.
  1. 1Misusing بَعضی for General 'Some' or 'Any' in Questions:
  • Error: *بَعضی آب داری؟ (ba'zi āb dāri?) for "Do you have some water?"
  • Correction: بَعضی implies 'some out of many' or 'certain ones'. For a general, unspecified quantity of 'some' or 'any' in a question, use کَمی (kami - a little) or مقداری (meghdāri - some quantity). The correct question would be کَمی آب داری؟
  • Why: بَعضی carries the connotation of selection or distinction from a larger group. When simply asking about the existence of any amount, کَمی or مقداری are more appropriate and less restrictive.
  1. 1Omitting the Indefinite ی (Yā-ye Nakare) with هیچ:
  • Error: *هیچ کِتاب نَداشتَم. (hich ketāb nadāshtam.) for "I had no book."
  • Correction: While not always strictly grammatically incorrect to omit, the indefinite ی (یِ نکره - e.g., کتابی) after a noun modified by هیچ is highly idiomatic and common. It strengthens the sense of "not a single X." The preferred form is هیچ کِتابی نَداشتَم. (hich ketābi nadāshtam.)
  • Why: The ی here serves to emphasize the indefiniteness and singular nature of the non-existent item. It literally translates closer to "not even a book."

Common Collocations

Understanding common phrases and fixed expressions where هَر, هیچ, and بَعضی appear naturally enhances fluency. These collocations are frequently encountered in everyday Persian.
Collocations with هَر:
  • هَر روز (har ruz): Every day
  • هَر روز صبح زود بیدار میشم. (har ruz sobh zud bidār misham.) - I wake up early every day.
  • هَر سال (har sāl): Every year
  • هَر سال به مسافرت میریم. (har sāl be mosāferat mirim.) - We go on a trip every year.
  • هَر وقت (har vaght): Whenever, every time
  • هَر وقت بخوای میتونی بیای. (har vaght bekhāy mitouni biyāy.) - You can come whenever you want.
  • هَر جا (har jā): Everywhere, anywhere
  • هَر جا میره، دوست پیدا میکنه. (har jā mire, doust peydā mikone.) - Wherever he goes, he makes friends.
  • هَر طور (har tor): However, in any way
  • هَر طور که دوست داری عمل کن. (har tor ke doust dāri amal kon.) - Act however you like.
  • هَرگز (hargez): Never (a more emphatic and formal way to say هیچ وقت)
  • هَرگز دروغ نگو. (hargez dorouq nagou.) - Never lie.
Collocations with هیچ:
  • هیچ وقت (hich vaght): Never (less formal than هَرگز)
  • اون هیچ وقت دیر نمیاد. (oun hich vaght dir nemiyād.) - He never comes late.
  • هیچ کَس (hich kas) / هیچکی (hichki - colloquial): No one, nobody
  • هیچ کَس جواب تلفنمو نداد. (hich kas javāb telephono nadād.) - No one answered my phone.
  • هیچ جا (hich jā): Nowhere
  • امروز هیچ جا نرفتیم. (emrouz hich jā naraftim.) - We went nowhere today.
  • هیچ چیز (hich chiz) / هیچ چی (hich chi - colloquial): Nothing
  • هیچ چیز برای گفتن نَدارَم. (hich chiz barāye goftan nadāram.) - I have nothing to say.
  • هیچ کدام (hich kodām): None (of them)
  • از این سیب‌ها، هیچ کدام شیرین نَبودَن. (az in sibhā, hich kodām shirin naboudan.) - Of these apples, none were sweet.
Collocations with بَعضی:
  • بَعضی وقت‌ها (ba'zi vaght-hā): Sometimes
  • بَعضی وقت‌ها دلم برای ایران تنگ میشه. (ba'zi vaght-hā delam barāye Irān tang mishe.) - Sometimes I miss Iran.
  • بَعضی از مردم (ba'zi az mardom): Some people
  • بَعضی از مردم به قوانین احترام میذارن. (ba'zi az mardom be ghawānin ehterām mizāran.) - Some people respect the laws.
  • بَعضی جاها (ba'zi jāhā): Some places
  • بَعضی جاها برای زندگی بهترن. (ba'zi jāhā barāye zendegi behtaran.) - Some places are better for living.

Real Conversations

These indefinite words are ubiquitous in daily Persian communication, spanning formal, informal, and written contexts. Observing their use in authentic scenarios helps solidify understanding and promotes natural expression.

Formal Context (e.g., Work Email, News Report):

- هَر شرکت باید از مقررات پیروی کند. (har sherkat bāyad az moghararāt peyravi konad.) - Every company must comply with regulations. (Formal konad for می‌کند)

- هیچ گزارشی مبنی بر اختلال دریافت نشده است. (hich gozāreshi mabni bar ekhtelāl daryāft nashode ast.) - No report of disruption has been received. (Formal verb structure)

- بعضی از تحلیلگران معتقدند که بازار بهبود خواهد یافت. (ba'zi az tahlilgarān mo'taghedand ke bāzār behboud khāhad yāft.) - Some analysts believe the market will improve.

Informal Context (e.g., Casual Chat, Texting):

- Friend 1: کِی میای؟ (key miyāy?) - When are you coming?

F

Friend 2

هَر وقت بتونم میام. (har vaght betounam miyām.) - I'll come whenever I can. (Relaxed tone, simple verb)

- Friend 1: چیزی برای خوردن داری؟ (chizi barāye khordan dāri?) - Do you have anything to eat?

F

Friend 2

نه، هیچ چی نَدارَم. (na, hich chi nadāram.) - No, I have nothing. (Colloquial hich chi, informal negation)

- Colleague: امروز چند نفر اومدن؟ (emrouz chand nafar oumadan?) - How many people came today?

C

Colleague

بَعضی‌ها اومدن، بَعضی‌ها هنوز نیومدن. (ba'zihā oumadan, ba'zihā hanouz nayoumadan.) - Some came, some haven't come yet. (Using بَعضی‌ها as a pronoun)

Social Media/Online Forums:

- هَر کی این فیلمو دیده نظرشو بگه. (har ki in filmo dide nazarasho bege.) - Anyone who has seen this movie should share their opinion. (Informal har ki)

- هیچ کس به زیبایی طبیعت نمیرسه. (hich kas be zibāyiye tabiat nemirese.) - No one can compare to the beauty of nature. (General statement, poetic)

- بَعضی وقتا کپشن‌ها از عکس قشنگ‌ترن. (ba'zi vaghtā caption-hā az aks ghashang-taran.) - Sometimes captions are more beautiful than the picture. (Colloquial vaghtā)

C

Cultural Insight

The Persian emphasis on politeness often influences how these words are used. For instance, when politely declining an offer or stating a lack of something, instead of a direct هیچ چیز نَدارَم (I have nothing), one might soften it with چندان چیزی نَدارَم (I don't have much of anything) or چیزی در دسترس نیست (Nothing is available) to avoid sounding too blunt or ungracious.

Quick FAQ

Q1: Can I use هیچ in a positive sentence?
A1: No, absolutely not. هیچ is a negative polarity item. It fundamentally requires the main verb of the sentence to be in a negative form (e.g., starting with نَـ or نِـ). A sentence like *هیچ کَس آمد (No one came) is grammatically incorrect; it must be هیچ کَس نَیامَد (No one didn't come).
This is a non-negotiable rule in Persian grammar.
Q2: What's the difference between هَر کَس and هَرکی?
A2: Both mean "everyone" or "anyone". هَر کَس (har kas) is the standard and more formal form, suitable for writing and formal speech. هَرکی (harki) is its colloquial and informal equivalent, very common in everyday conversation, texting, and informal writing.
You will hear هَرکی much more frequently in spoken Persian.
Q3: Does بَعضی always need a plural noun?
A3: Generally, yes. بَعضی (ba'zi) is typically used with plural nouns (e.g., بَعضی دانشجوها - some students) or as a standalone plural pronoun (بَعضی‌ها - some people/some of them). Using it with a singular noun is highly unusual and often grammatically incorrect, as its meaning implies a selection from a group. If you mean "a certain X," other constructions would be more appropriate.
Q4: Can هَر mean 'any'?
A4: Yes, it often does, especially in contexts implying choice or condition. For example, هَر کِتابی رو بخون (har ketābi ro bekhoun) means "Read any book (you like)." Similarly, هَر وقت دوست داری بیا (har vaght doust dāri biyā) translates to "Come any time you like." It signifies an unrestricted choice or application.
Q5: Why is there often a ی at the end of nouns after هیچ? (یِ نکره)
A5: This ی is called یِ نکره (yā-ye nakare), or the indefinite ی. When used with هیچ (e.g., هیچ کِتابی), it further emphasizes the indefiniteness and non-existence of even a single item. It makes the negation stronger, akin to saying "not a single book" or "not any book at all." While sometimes optional in very casual speech, its presence is very idiomatic and makes the Persian sound more natural and grammatically robust.
Q6: How does هَر differ from هَمِه (hame)?
A6: While both relate to 'all' or 'every', they have distinct nuances.
  • هَر (har) is distributive, focusing on each individual member within a group, and takes a singular noun. (e.g., هَر دانش‌آموز - every student, implying each student individually).
  • هَمِه (hame) is collective, referring to the entire group as a whole, and takes a plural noun or refers to a plural concept. (e.g., هَمِه دانش‌آموزان - all students, referring to the group as a unit).
Q7: Is هیچ the same as اصلاً (aslan)?
A7: They both convey negativity, but they are grammatically distinct. هیچ is an indefinite determiner/pronoun (no/none/any) that modifies a noun and requires a negative verb. اصلاً is an adverb meaning "at all" or "absolutely not." It modifies a verb or an entire clause to add emphasis to a negative statement.
You can use them together for strong emphasis: اصلاً هیچ پولی نَدارَم. (aslan hich pouli nadāram.) - I absolutely have no money at all.

Quantifier Usage Table

Quantifier Meaning Noun Type Verb Polarity
بعضی
Some
Plural
Affirmative
هر
Every
Singular
Affirmative
هیچ
No/None
Singular (+ی)
Negative

Meanings

These words function as indefinite determiners to specify the quantity or distribution of nouns within a sentence.

1

Partial Quantity

Referring to a subset of a group.

“بعضی از دوستانم اینجا هستند.”

“بعضی روزها هوا سرد است.”

2

Distributive

Referring to every individual member of a group.

“هر کسی حق دارد نظر بدهد.”

“هر دقیقه مهم است.”

3

Negative/Null

Denying the existence of any member of a group.

“هیچ‌کس در خانه نبود.”

“هیچ راهی وجود ندارد.”

Reference Table

Reference table for Persian Indefinite Words: Some, Every, and No (بعضی, هر, هیچ)
Form Structure Example
Affirmative
بعضی + Plural Noun
بعضی کتاب‌ها
Distributive
هر + Singular Noun
هر دانش‌آموز
Negative
هیچ + Noun + Negative Verb
هیچ‌کس نیامد
Pronoun
هیچ‌کدام + Verb
هیچ‌کدام نرفتند
Time
بعضی اوقات
بعضی اوقات می‌روم
Emphasis
هیچ‌گونه + Noun
هیچ‌گونه مشکلی

Formality Spectrum

Formal
هیچ‌کس حضور نیافت.

هیچ‌کس حضور نیافت. (Social event)

Neutral
هیچ‌کس نیامد.

هیچ‌کس نیامد. (Social event)

Informal
هیچ‌کی نیومد.

هیچ‌کی نیومد. (Social event)

Slang
هیشکی نیومد.

هیشکی نیومد. (Social event)

Quantifier Scope

Quantifiers

Partial

  • بعضی some

Universal

  • هر every

Null

  • هیچ no/none
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Examples by Level

1

بعضی سیب‌ها قرمز هستند.

Some apples are red.

2

هر روز کار می‌کنم.

I work every day.

3

هیچ‌کس اینجا نیست.

Nobody is here.

4

بعضی بچه‌ها بازی می‌کنند.

Some children are playing.

1

بعضی از دوستانم به ایران می‌روند.

Some of my friends are going to Iran.

2

هر کتابی که می‌خوانی خوب است.

Every book you read is good.

3

من هیچ پولی ندارم.

I have no money.

4

هر کسی باید بداند.

Everyone must know.

1

بعضی از مردم فکر می‌کنند که...

Some people think that...

2

او هیچ علاقه‌ای به این موضوع ندارد.

He has no interest in this topic.

3

هر چقدر تلاش کنی، بهتر می‌شوی.

The more you try, the better you get.

4

هیچ‌کدام از آن‌ها نیامدند.

None of them came.

1

بعضی از مسائل پیچیده‌تر از آن هستند که فکر می‌کنیم.

Some issues are more complex than we think.

2

هر آنچه که او گفت، حقیقت داشت.

Everything that he said was true.

3

هیچ راهی برای فرار وجود نداشت.

There was no way to escape.

4

بعضی اوقات باید ریسک کرد.

Sometimes one must take risks.

1

هیچ‌گونه تردیدی در تصمیم من وجود ندارد.

There is no doubt in my decision.

2

هر آینه که به آینه می‌نگرم، خود را می‌بینم.

Every time I look at the mirror, I see myself.

3

بعضی از نظریات علمی نیاز به بازنگری دارند.

Some scientific theories need revision.

4

هیچ‌کس را یارای مقابله با او نبود.

No one had the strength to oppose him.

1

هیچ‌یک از این ادعاها مستند نیست.

None of these claims are documented.

2

هر دم از این باغ بری می‌رسد.

Every moment a new fruit arrives from this garden.

3

بعضی از واژگان در گذر زمان مهجور شده‌اند.

Some words have become obsolete over time.

4

هیچ‌گاه نباید از یاد برد که...

One should never forget that...

Easily Confused

Persian Indefinite Words: Some, Every, and No (بعضی, هر, هیچ) vs بعضی vs چند

Learners mix up 'some' and 'a few'.

Persian Indefinite Words: Some, Every, and No (بعضی, هر, هیچ) vs هر vs همه

Learners mix up 'every' and 'all'.

Persian Indefinite Words: Some, Every, and No (بعضی, هر, هیچ) vs هیچ vs هیچ‌کدام

Learners mix up 'no' and 'none'.

Common Mistakes

✗

هیچ‌کس آمد

✓

هیچ‌کس نیامد

Negative verb required.
✗

هر کتاب‌ها

✓

هر کتاب

Singular noun required.
✗

بعضی کتاب

✓

بعضی کتاب‌ها

Plural noun required.
✗

هیچ کتاب

✓

هیچ کتابی

Need 'ی' suffix.
✗

بعضی از کتاب

✓

بعضی از کتاب‌ها

Plural required after 'از'.
✗

هر روزها

✓

هر روز

Singular required.
✗

هیچ‌چیز را ندیدم

✓

هیچ‌چیز ندیدم

Object marker 'را' is often omitted with 'هیچ'.
✗

بعضی مردم

✓

بعضی از مردم

Need 'از' for specific groups.
✗

هر کسی که آمدند

✓

هر کسی که آمد

Singular verb agreement.
✗

هیچ‌کدام از آن‌ها نیامد

✓

هیچ‌کدام از آن‌ها نیامدند

Plural verb agreement for 'none'.
✗

هیچ‌گونه مشکلی وجود نداشتند

✓

هیچ‌گونه مشکلی وجود نداشت

Singular verb for abstract nouns.
✗

بعضی از نظریه

✓

بعضی از نظریات

Plural required.
✗

هر آینه که می‌بینم

✓

هر بار که می‌بینم

Archaic usage.
✗

هیچ‌کس را ندیدم

✓

هیچ‌کس را ندیدم (optional 'را')

Stylistic choice.

Sentence Patterns

بعضی از ___ خیلی خوب هستند.

هر ___ که می‌بینم زیباست.

هیچ ___ در خانه نیست.

هیچ‌کدام از ___ نیامدند.

Real World Usage

Social Media constant

بعضی از عکس‌ها عالی هستند.

Texting very common

هیشکی نیومد.

Job Interview common

هیچ‌گونه مشکلی ندارم.

Travel common

هر روز به موزه می‌روم.

Food Delivery occasional

هر چیزی که تازه است.

Academic Writing common

بعضی از نظریات علمی.

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💡

The 'ی' suffix

Always add 'ی' to the noun after 'هیچ' to sound more natural.
⚠️

Negative Verbs

Never use 'هیچ' with an affirmative verb.
🎯

Pluralization

Don't forget that 'بعضی' needs a plural noun.
💬

Informal Speech

In casual speech, 'هیچ‌کس' often becomes 'هیشکی'.

Smart Tips

Always check your verb.

هیچ‌کس آمد. → هیچ‌کس نیامد.

Check for plural.

بعضی کتاب. → بعضی کتاب‌ها.

Check for singular.

هر روزها. → هر روز.

Use plural verb.

هیچ‌کدام نیامد. → هیچ‌کدام نیامدند.

Pronunciation

/hiːtʃ/

Hich

The 'ch' is like 'church'.

/bæʔziː/

Ba'zi

The 'ayn' (ع) is a glottal stop.

Emphasis

هیچ‌کس ↑ نیامد

Rising intonation on the negative verb for emphasis.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Remember: 'B' for 'Ba'zi' (Some), 'H' for 'Har' (Every), 'N' for 'No' (Hich).

Visual Association

Imagine a basket of apples. 'Ba'zi' is picking a few. 'Har' is picking every single one. 'Hich' is an empty basket.

Rhyme

بعضی چند تا، هر همه جا، هیچ‌کس نیست اینجا.

Story

Ali went to the market. He bought 'some' (بعضی) apples. He greeted 'every' (هر) vendor he saw. But he found 'no' (هیچ) oranges, so he left empty-handed.

Word Web

بعضیهرهیچهیچ‌کسهیچ‌چیزبعضی اوقاتهر روز

Challenge

Write 3 sentences describing your morning routine using these three words.

Cultural Notes

In Tehran, 'هیچ‌کس' often becomes 'هیشکی' in speech.

In formal writing, 'هیچ‌یک' is preferred over 'هیچ‌کدام'.

Poets often use 'هر' to create rhythmic patterns.

These words have roots in Middle Persian (Pahlavi).

Conversation Starters

“

بعضی از غذاهای ایرانی را دوست داری؟

“

هر روز چه کار می‌کنی؟

“

هیچ‌وقت به ایران سفر کرده‌ای؟

“

به نظر تو، هر کسی می‌تواند زبان یاد بگیرد؟

Journal Prompts

Describe your favorite food using 'بعضی'.
Write about your daily routine using 'هر'.
Write a short story about a mysterious empty room using 'هیچ'.
Discuss the importance of education using all three quantifiers.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

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Test Yourself

Fill in the blank with the correct quantifier.

___ از دوستانم به مهمانی آمدند.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: بعضی
Used for a subset of friends.
Choose the correct sentence. Multiple Choice

Which sentence is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: هر روز کار می‌کنم.
'هر' takes a singular noun.
Correct the error. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

هیچ‌کس آمد.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: هیچ‌کس نیامد
Negative verb required.
Order the words. Sentence Building

کتابی / هیچ / ندارم / من

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: من هیچ کتابی ندارم
Standard SOV order.
Match the quantifier to its meaning. Match Pairs

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

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 1.Some 2.Every 3.No
Direct meanings.
Is the rule true? True False Rule

'بعضی' is followed by a singular noun.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: False
'بعضی' is followed by a plural noun.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: آیا کسی آمد؟ B: ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: هیچ‌کس نیامد
Negative response.
Conjugate the verb for the subject. Conjugation Drill

هیچ‌کدام از آن‌ها (رفتن) به مدرسه.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: نرفتند
Plural agreement.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Fill in the blank with the correct quantifier.

___ از دوستانم به مهمانی آمدند.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: بعضی
Used for a subset of friends.
Choose the correct sentence. Multiple Choice

Which sentence is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: هر روز کار می‌کنم.
'هر' takes a singular noun.
Correct the error. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

هیچ‌کس آمد.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: هیچ‌کس نیامد
Negative verb required.
Order the words. Sentence Building

کتابی / هیچ / ندارم / من

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: من هیچ کتابی ندارم
Standard SOV order.
Match the quantifier to its meaning. Match Pairs

Match: 1.بعضی 2.هر 3.هیچ

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 1.Some 2.Every 3.No
Direct meanings.
Is the rule true? True False Rule

'بعضی' is followed by a singular noun.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: False
'بعضی' is followed by a plural noun.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: آیا کسی آمد؟ B: ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: هیچ‌کس نیامد
Negative response.
Conjugate the verb for the subject. Conjugation Drill

هیچ‌کدام از آن‌ها (رفتن) به مدرسه.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: نرفتند
Plural agreement.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

10 exercises
Put the words in the correct order. Sentence Reorder

ندارم - هیچ - من - پولی

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: من هیچ پولی ندارم.
Translate to Persian. Translation

Some people like tea.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: بعضی‌ها چای دوست دارند.
Fill in the blank. Fill in the Blank

___ دانش‌آموزی در کلاس نیست.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: هیچ
Select the right option. Multiple Choice

Pick 'Every night':

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: هر شب
Match the Persian word to its English meaning. Match Pairs

Match the words:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: هر : Every, هیچ : No/None, بعضی : Some, هرکس : Everyone
Fix the sentence. Error Correction

هر بچه‌ها بازی می‌کنند.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: هر بچه بازی می‌کند.
Fill in the blank. Fill in the Blank

___ از دوستام به مهمونی نیومدن.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: بعضی
Which one means 'Anyone' in a positive choice? Multiple Choice

___ رو بخوای می‌تونی برداری.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: هرکدوم
Translate to Persian. Translation

I didn't say anything.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: هیچ‌چی نگفتم.
Reorder the sentence. Sentence Reorder

می‌روند - بعضی‌ها - به - سفر

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: بعضی‌ها به سفر می‌روند.

Score: /10

FAQ (8)

No, 'بعضی' must be followed by a plural noun.

In Persian, 'هیچ' acts as a negative polarity item, requiring the verb to match.

Yes, 'هر' is always followed by a singular noun.

'هیچ' is a determiner (no book), 'هیچ‌کدام' is a pronoun (none of them).

Use 'بعضی از'.

No, it is strictly for negative contexts.

Yes, it is used in all registers.

Using 'هیچ' with an affirmative verb.

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 high

algunos, cada, ninguno

Spanish has gender agreement, Persian does not.

French high

quelques, chaque, aucun

French uses double negation (ne...pas) while Persian uses single negation.

German moderate

einige, jeder, kein

German has complex case endings.

Japanese low

ikutsu ka, subete, nanimo

Japanese word order is SOV, but particles change everything.

Arabic high

ba'd, kull, la shay

Arabic has dual forms, Persian does not.

Chinese low

yixie, mei, meiyou

Chinese has no verb conjugation.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
Negating Perfect & Continuous Tenses (nemi-, na-)

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