Persian Location Words: In, On, Under (dar, rū, zīr)
dar for general location, but remember to link rū and zīr to their nouns using the Ezafe sound.
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Persian uses 'dar' as a preposition (in) and 'ru'/'zir' as postpositions (on/under) to describe location.
- Use 'dar' before the noun: 'dar ketāb' (in the book).
- Use 'ru' after the noun: 'mīz-e ru' (on the table).
- Use 'zir' after the noun: 'sandali-e zir' (under the chair).
Overview
Spatial prepositions are fundamental building blocks in any language, allowing us to describe the location of objects, people, and events. In Persian, three core words establish these relationships: dar (در) for "in" or "at," rū-ye (روی) for "on," and zīr-e (زیر) for "under." Mastering these terms is crucial for A2 learners, as they enable clear communication about everyday locations and spatial arrangements. While dar functions as a straightforward preposition, rū-ye and zīr-e employ the grammatical mechanism of Ezafe (اضافه), making their structure distinct and linguistically significant.
This article will delve into the precise usage, formation patterns, and common pitfalls associated with these essential Persian location markers. Understanding their underlying grammatical principles, particularly the role of Ezafe, will provide a solid foundation for more complex spatial expressions in Persian. We will explore how these terms function in both formal and colloquial contexts, preparing you to use them naturally and accurately in your daily conversations.
How This Grammar Works
dar, rū-ye, and zīr-e follow predictable, grammatically driven patterns. The key to understanding their structure lies in distinguishing between true prepositions and nominal elements that function prepositionally through the Ezafe construction.dar (در): The True Prepositiondar (در) functions as a primary preposition, meaning "in" or "at." It is an invariant particle that directly precedes the noun it governs, much like English prepositions. Its grammatical role is to introduce a prepositional phrase indicating location or state. Because it is a true preposition and not a noun, dar does not take the Ezafe connector.dar in these examples:man dar khāne hastam.(من در خانه هستم.) – "I am in the house / at home."kitāb dar kīf-ast.(کتاب در کیف است.) – "The book is in the bag."
rū (روی) and zīr (زیر): Nominal Prepositional Constructs with Ezaferū (روی) and zīr (زیر) are fundamentally different from dar. Etymologically, rū is a noun meaning "face," "surface," or "top," while zīr is a noun meaning "bottom" or "underneath part." When these nouns are used to express spatial relationships like "on" or "under," they require a grammatical linker to connect them to the object they refer to. This linker is the Ezafe (اضافه) construction.rū or zīr) to a modifying noun or adjective. It literally means "addition" or "annexation." When rū or zīr take Ezafe, they form a phrase that translates idiomatically as "on" or "under." The structure is akin to saying "the surface of the table" or "the bottom of the chair."-e(-ه): Used after a noun ending in a consonant sound.-ye(-ی): Used after a noun ending in a vowel sound.
rū (روی) ends with the vowel sound /u/ (written with و), it always takes -ye to become rū-ye. zīr (زیر) ends with the consonant sound /r/, so it takes -e to become zīr-e. This Ezafe is non-negotiable in formal and grammatically correct Persian when rū and zīr function prepositionally.rū-ye and zīr-e with Ezafe:ghalam rū-ye mīz ast.(قلم روی میز است.) – "The pen is on the table." (Literally: "pen surface-of table is.")gorbe zīr-e sandali-st.(گربه زیر صندلی است.) – "The cat is under the chair." (Literally: "cat bottom-of chair is.")
dar, rū-ye, and zīr-e—are placed before the noun they modify, establishing their function as prepositions or prepositional phrases in the sentence structure.Formation Pattern
dar, rū-ye, and zīr-e requires strict adherence to their respective grammatical patterns, especially regarding the Ezafe. Here are the precise formulas and examples:
dar):
dar is the simplest of the three, as it does not involve the Ezafe connector. It directly precedes the noun it governs.
dar + Noun | در + اسم | dar + noun | in / at + noun |
man dar tehrān zendegī mīkonam. (من در تهران زندگی میکنم.)
ū dar kār-ast. (او در کار است.)
barāye jalase dar otāq hastam. (برای جلسه در اتاق هستم.)
rū-ye):
rū-ye combines the noun rū (surface) with the Ezafe connector -ye, followed by the object noun. rū always takes -ye because it ends in a vowel sound.
rū + -ye + Noun | روی + ـِ + اسم | rū-ye + noun | on + noun |
madād rū-ye kitāb ast. (مداد روی کتاب است.)
axhā rū-ye dīvār-and. (عکسها روی دیوارند.)
sā'at rū-ye dast-am nīst. (ساعت روی دستم نیست.)
zīr-e):
zīr-e combines the noun zīr (bottom) with the Ezafe connector -e, followed by the object noun. zīr takes -e because it ends in a consonant sound.
zīr + -e + Noun | زیر + ـِ + اسم | zīr-e + noun | under + noun |
ōpāl zīr-e mīz khābīde ast. (اوپال زیر میز خوابیده است.)
kelīd zīr-e guldān-e. (کلید زیر گلدان است.)
harf-e shomā zīr-e so'āl ast. (حرف شما زیر سؤال است.)
When To Use It
dar, rū-ye, and zīr-e hinges on understanding the specific spatial relationship each term conveys. While dar is highly versatile, rū-ye and zīr-e denote more precise surface and subordinate positions.dar (در): "In" or "At"dar is used for general location, containment, and presence. Its scope is broad, encompassing both physical interiors and abstract contexts.- Physical Containment / Being Inside: Use
darwhen something is physically enclosed within a space, a container, or a larger entity. gol dar guldān ast.(گل در گلدان است.) – "The flower is in the vase."man dar otāq hastam.(من در اتاق هستم.) – "I am in the room."āvāz-e parandegān dar bāgh shnīde mīshavad.(آواز پرندگان در باغ شنیده میشود.) – "The birds' song is heard in the garden."
- General Location / At a Place:
daralso conveys being at a specific location, an address, or a general area, similar to English "at." mā dar dāneshgāh dars mīkhānīm.(ما در دانشگاه درس میخوانیم.) – "We study at the university."jelase dar sālūn-e konferāns bargozār shod.(جلسه در سالن کنفرانس برگزار شد.) – "The meeting was held at the conference hall."pedar-am dar Tehran ast.(پدرم در تهران است.) – "My father is in Tehran."
- Within Abstract Contexts:
darextends to non-physical, conceptual spaces or states. ū dar fikr-ast.(او در فکر است.) – "He/She is in thought."dar īn mavred hīch shakī nīst.(در این مورد هیچ شکی نیست.) – "There is no doubt in this matter."dar zamān-e sāsāniān.(در زمان ساسانیان.) – "In the Sassanian era."
rū-ye (روی): "On"rū-ye is specifically used when one object is resting directly upon the surface of another. It implies contact.- Surface Contact: This is the primary use. Anything physically positioned directly on top of or touching the surface of something else uses
rū-ye. lebās-hā rū-ye sandali hastand.(لباسها روی صندلی هستند.) – "The clothes are on the chair."mīve-hā rū-ye mīz-and.(میوهها روی میز هستند.) – "The fruits are on the table."baran rū-ye shīshe-ye panjere mībārad.(باران روی شیشه پنجره میبارد.) – "Rain is falling on the window pane."
- Digital or Abstract Surfaces: In modern Persian,
rū-yehas expanded to describe things on digital platforms or conceptual "surfaces." in khabar-rā rū-ye Instagram dīdam.(این خبر را روی اینستاگرام دیدم.) – "I saw this news on Instagram."fāyl-hā rū-ye dīsk-e sakht zakhīre shode-and.(فایلها روی دیسک سخت ذخیره شدهاند.) – "The files are stored on the hard disk."
zīr-e (زیر): "Under"zīr-e indicates that an object is positioned directly beneath another, implying a subordinate or covered position.- Directly Beneath: Use
zīr-efor physical objects located immediately below something else. gorbe zīr-e mīz khābīde ast.(گربه زیر میز خوابیده است.) – "The cat is sleeping under the table."pul-rā zīr-e bālesh gozāshtam.(پول را زیر بالش گذاشتم.) – "I put the money under the pillow."rīshe-ye derakht zīr-e zamīn ast.(ریشه درخت زیر زمین است.) – "The tree's root is under the ground."
- Figurative or Subordinate Status: Occasionally,
zīr-ecan be used metaphorically to denote something being subjected to or subordinate to a condition or authority, though this is less common for A2 learners and often implies direct control or influence. īn kār zīr-e nazārat-e man ast.(این کار زیر نظارت من است.) – "This work is under my supervision."
Common Mistakes
rū mīz or zīr sandalirū and zīr. Saying rū mīz (instead of rū-ye mīz) or zīr sandali (instead of zīr-e sandali) is grammatically incorrect in formal Persian. While native speakers might understand your intent in casual conversation, it sounds distinctly unnatural and marks a non-native speaker. This error often stems from directly translating English "on table" or "under chair" without appreciating the nominal nature of rū and zīr in Persian.- Incorrect:
*ghalam rū mīz ast.(Incorrect: missing Ezafe) - Correct:
ghalam rū-ye mīz ast.(قلم روی میز است.) – "The pen is on the table."
- Incorrect:
*gorbe zīr sandali ast.(Incorrect: missing Ezafe) - Correct:
gorbe zīr-e sandali ast.(گربه زیر صندلی است.) – "The cat is under the chair."
dar in Persian, and vice versa.- Vehicles: In English, you are typically "on a bus" or "on a train." In Persian, for enclosed public transport, you are
dar(inside) the vehicle. - Incorrect:
*man rū-ye otōbūs hastam.(Literal translation from English) - Correct:
man dar otōbūs hastam.(من در اتوبوس هستم.) – "I am on the bus." - Similarly,
dar tāksī(در تاکسی - in a taxi),dar قطار(dar ghatār - on the train).
- Institutions/General Locations: For locations like school, work, or university, English often uses "at." Persian typically uses
darto denote being within the general confines or institution. man dar madrese hastam.(من در مدرسه هستم.) – "I am at school."ū dar bāzār ast.(او در بازار است.) – "He/She is at the market."
rū-ye (on, with contact) with bālā-ye (above, without contact)rū-ye implies physical contact with a surface, whereas bālā-ye signifies being above something without touching it.rū-ye: Contact with a surface.līvān rū-ye mīz ast.(لیوان روی میز است.) – "The glass is on the table." (Touching the table.)
bālā-ye: Above, overhead, without touching.bālā(بالا) is also a noun meaning "top" or "up," and thus requires Ezafe (-ye) when functioning prepositionally.cherāgh bālā-ye mīz ast.(چراغ بالای میز است.) – "The lamp is above the table." (Not touching the table, but suspended over it.)
rū and zīrrū(روی): Pronounced with a long 'ū' sound, similar to 'oo' in "moon" or "roo." Not a short 'u' as in "rug."/ruː/zīr(زیر): Pronounced with a long 'ī' sound, similar to 'ee' in "meet" or "deer." Not a short 'i' as in "sit."/ziːr/
dar vs. tu (تو) in Spoken Persiandar is grammatically standard and used in formal speech and writing, the informal equivalent tu (تو) is exceedingly common in everyday spoken Persian, especially for physical containment. It means "inside" or "in."- Formal/Written:
kelīd dar sandūq ast.(کلید در صندوق است.) – "The key is in the box." - Informal/Spoken:
kelīd tu sandūq-e.(کلید تو صندوقه.) – "The key is in the box."
dar in very casual settings might sound a little stiff, while using tu in formal writing is inappropriate. As an A2 learner, focus on mastering dar first, but be aware that you will frequently hear tu in natural conversation.Real Conversations
Observing how native speakers use dar, rū-ye, and zīr-e in various contexts highlights the nuances between formal and colloquial usage, and the natural flow of these spatial markers in dialogue.
Scenario 1
A
ghalam-am kojā-st? (قلمم کجاست؟) – "Where's my pen?"B
rū-ye mīz, kenār-e kitāb-e. (روی میز، کنار کتابه.) – "On the table, next to the book."- Here, rū-ye is used to specify surface contact. The Ezafe is essential.
Scenario 2
A
shomā dar edāre hastīd? (شما در اداره هستید؟) – "Are you at the office?" (Formal)B
na, man tu-ye bāgh hastam. (نه، من تو باغ هستم.) – "No, I'm in the garden." (Colloquial tu-ye instead of dar).- Note the use of dar for formality in the question, and the common tu in the response for casual speech. tu-ye uses Ezafe here, as tu often acts nominally. Colloquially, tu can also be used without Ezafe like dar when directly preceding the noun, but tu-ye is also very common.
Scenario 3
A
gūshī-ro zīr-e pāye-ye televīziūn gozāshtam. (گوشی رو زیر پایه تلویزیون گذاشتم.) – "I put the phone under the TV stand."B
ōkē, pas ālān peydā-sh mīkonam. (اوکی، پس الان پیداش میکنم.) – "Okay, then I'll find it now."- zīr-e clearly indicates the phone's position directly beneath the stand.
Scenario 4
A
īn ax-ro rū-ye che sāytī dīdī? (این عکس رو روی چه سایتی دیدی؟) – "On which website did you see this photo?"B
rū-ye twitter dīdam, gushī-am ham tu-ye kīfam-e. (روی توییتر دیدم، گوشیام هم تو کیفم است.) – "I saw it on Twitter, and my phone is also in my bag."- This example shows rū-ye for a digital platform and tu-ye for physical containment in a casual setting.
These examples illustrate that while grammatical rules dictate the use of Ezafe for rū-ye and zīr-e in all contexts, the choice between dar and tu (or tu-ye) is often a matter of formality and conversational style.
Quick FAQ
dar be omitted in some contexts?Yes, for very common locations or when the context is clear, dar is often omitted, especially with khāne (خانه - home), madrese (مدرسه - school), or kār (کار - work). For instance, man khāne-am (من خانهام) translates to "I am at home" or "I am home," where dar is implied.
When rū and zīr combine with pronouns, the Ezafe is replaced by a pronominal suffix directly attached to rū or zīr. For example, "on me" becomes rū-yam (رویَم), "on you (sg.)" is rū-yat (رویَت), "under him/her" is zīr-ash (زیرَش). dar uses separate pronominal forms, like dar ān (در آن - in it). This is a more advanced topic but useful to know about.
Yes, Persian has other spatial terms, but dar, rū-ye, and zīr-e are the most fundamental for A2. Some examples include: meyān-e (میانِ - among/between, also takes Ezafe), darūn-e (درونِ - inside, more emphatic or literary than dar, also takes Ezafe), and bālā-ye (بالایِ - above, as discussed). Focus on mastering the main three before expanding.
rū-ye always imply literal physical contact?Primarily, yes. However, as noted, its use has expanded to abstract or digital "surfaces" like rū-ye internet (on the internet) or rū-ye safhe (on the page/screen). The core concept remains that of being situated on a defined surface, whether tangible or conceptual.
Location Word Structure
| Type | Persian Word | English | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Preposition
|
dar
|
in
|
Before noun
|
|
Postposition
|
ru
|
on
|
After noun + e
|
|
Postposition
|
zir
|
under
|
After noun + e
|
Meanings
These particles define the spatial relationship between an object and its environment.
In (dar)
Indicates containment or location within a space.
“در خانه (dar khāne - in the house)”
“در کیف (dar kīf - in the bag)”
On (ru)
Indicates surface contact.
“روی صندلی (ru-ye sandali - on the chair)”
“روی دیوار (ru-ye dīvār - on the wall)”
Under (zir)
Indicates position beneath something.
“زیر تخت (zīr-e takht - under the bed)”
“زیر ماشین (zīr-e māshīn - under the car)”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
In
|
dar + noun
|
dar ketāb
|
|
On
|
noun + e + ru
|
mīz-e ru
|
|
Under
|
noun + e + zir
|
sandali-e zir
|
|
Negative On
|
noun + e + ru + nist
|
mīz-e ru nist
|
|
Question
|
noun + e + ru + kojāst?
|
mīz-e ru kojāst?
|
Formality Spectrum
کتاب بر روی میز قرار دارد. (Describing location.)
کتاب روی میز است. (Describing location.)
کتاب رو میزه. (Describing location.)
کتاب رو میزه دیگه. (Describing location.)
Location Map
Preposition
- dar in
Postposition
- ru on
- zir under
Examples by Level
در خانه هستم
I am in the house
کتاب روی میز است
The book is on the table
گربه زیر صندلی است
The cat is under the chair
در کیف است
It is in the bag
آیا کلیدها روی میز هستند؟
Are the keys on the table?
او در ماشین منتظر است
He is waiting in the car
کیف من زیر تخت نیست
My bag is not under the bed
در این شهر زندگی میکنم
I live in this city
نامه روی میزِ کارِ من است
The letter is on my desk
زیرِ این درخت سایه است
There is shade under this tree
درِ خانه باز است
The house door is open
او در فکرِ آینده است
He is thinking about the future
رویِ آن تپه، قلعهای قدیمی است
On that hill, there is an old castle
زیرِ فشارِ زیادی هستم
I am under a lot of pressure
درِ این موضوع را باز نکن
Don't open this subject (don't bring it up)
رویِ حرفِ خود بمان
Stick to your word
درِ باغ به رویِ مهمانان باز شد
The garden gate opened to the guests
زیرِ لوایِ قانون عمل میکنیم
We operate under the banner of the law
درِ این قضیه بحثهای زیادی وجود دارد
There are many debates on this matter
رویِ هم رفته، خوب بود
All in all, it was good
درِ بسته را با کلید باز کرد
He opened the closed door with a key
زیرِ سایهیِ درختان کهن
Under the shadow of ancient trees
رویِ سخنِ او با من بود
He was addressing me
درِ این خانه همیشه به رویِ تو باز است
The door of this house is always open to you
Easily Confused
Learners use 'dar' for surfaces.
Common Mistakes
ru mīz
ru-ye mīz
mīz dar
dar mīz
zir mīz
zir-e mīz
dar mīz
ru-ye mīz
ru-ye ān-e
ru-ye ān
dar-e mīz
ru-ye mīz
zir-e ān-e
zir-e ān
dar-e ru-ye mīz
ru-ye mīz
zir-e mīz-e
zir-e mīz
ru-ye mīz-e man
ru-ye mīz-e man
dar-e mīz
ru-ye mīz
zir-e mīz-e
zir-e mīz
ru-ye mīz-e
ru-ye mīz
Sentence Patterns
___ کجاست؟
Real World Usage
کجایی؟ در ماشینم.
The Ezafe Trick
Smart Tips
Always add -e.
Pronunciation
Ezafe (-e)
It is a short vowel sound added to the noun.
Statement
کتاب روی میز است ↘
Falling intonation for facts.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Dar is a door (in), Ru is a roof (on), Zir is a zipper (under).
Visual Association
Imagine a cat. If it's 'dar' the house, it's inside. If it's 'ru' the table, it's on top. If it's 'zir' the table, it's hiding underneath.
Rhyme
Dar is in, Ru is on, Zir is under, all day long.
Story
I put my book 'dar' (in) my bag. I put my coffee 'ru-ye' (on) the table. My cat is sleeping 'zir-e' (under) the table.
Word Web
Challenge
Label 5 items in your room using sticky notes with the correct Persian location word.
Cultural Notes
In spoken Tehrani, the Ezafe is often shortened to just an '-e' sound attached to the noun.
These words have ancient roots in Middle Persian.
Conversation Starters
کتاب کجاست؟
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
کتاب ___ میز است.
Score: /1
Practice Exercises
1 exercisesکتاب ___ میز است.
Score: /1
Practice Bank
10 exercisesAli is sleeping ___ the tree. (shade/bottom)
Match the location words:
mīz / ast / rū-ye / ketāb
The pen is in the bag.
Which implies the cat is being squished?
Gūshī rū mīz.
Link is ___ bio.
Which is the formal way to say 'in the house'?
We are ___ the party.
under the water
Score: /10
FAQ (1)
It is the Ezafe connector.
Scaffolded Practice
1
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
en
Persian distinguishes between in and on.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Related Grammar Rules
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