Which? (kodām?) — Making Choices in Persian
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use 'kodām' (کدام) to ask 'which' when selecting from a specific group of items.
- Use 'kodām' before a noun: 'Kodām ketāb?' (Which book?)
- Use 'kodām' alone as a pronoun: 'Kodām-ešān?' (Which of them?)
- It always precedes the noun it modifies in a question.
Overview
Learning to ask questions effectively is fundamental to communication in any language. In Persian, when you need to inquire about a specific item or person from a defined group, you use the interrogative determiner and pronoun kodām (کدام). This word directly translates to "which" in English and serves as your primary tool for making selections.
Unlike open-ended questions that use words like "what" (che / chi), kodām implies a finite set of options, guiding the listener to choose from what is available or understood. Mastering kodām at the A1 level provides you with the crucial ability to navigate everyday choices, from ordering food to identifying specific objects or individuals. It is an indispensable part of building descriptive and interactive sentences, enabling you to narrow down possibilities and solicit precise information.
Its importance lies in its directness and specificity, making your questions clear and unambiguous in contexts demanding choice.
How This Grammar Works
kodām functions primarily as an interrogative determiner (also known as an interrogative adjective) when it precedes a noun, and as an interrogative pronoun when it stands alone or refers back to an implied noun. The core linguistic principle governing kodām is its invariance: it does not change its form based on gender, number, or case, as Persian lacks grammatical gender and robust case marking for interrogatives. This simplifies its usage significantly for learners.kodām directly precedes the noun it modifies, forming a close-knit unit. Crucially, it does not require the Ezafe construction (-e or -ye) to link it to the following noun. This sets it apart from many descriptive adjectives in Persian.kodām functions as a direct identifier, much like a demonstrative adjective ("this" or "that"), rather than a descriptive adjective that requires a relational Ezafe. While kodām is the formal, written form, the pronunciation almost universally shifts to kodum (کدوم) in spoken and informal written Persian. This colloquial variant is pervasive in everyday conversation, social media, and casual texts.kodum far more frequently than kodām in practical communication. Understanding this formal-informal distinction is vital for both comprehension and sounding natural.- As a determiner:
kodām ketāb ra khândi?(کدام کتاب را خواندی؟ - Which book did you read? - Formal) - As a determiner (informal):
kodum ketāb-o khândi?(کدوم کتابو خوندی؟ - Which book did you read? - Colloquial) - As a pronoun:
kodām ra mikhâhi?(کدام را میخواهی؟ - Which one do you want? - Formal) - As a pronoun (informal):
kodum-o mikhây?(کدومو میخوای؟ - Which one do you want? - Colloquial)
kodām / kodum points to a specific selection without any grammatical alteration to itself.Formation Pattern
kodām is straightforward, relying on consistent patterns that are easy to internalize. The fundamental structure places kodām before the noun you are asking about, or uses a pronominal form when the noun is implicit. The noun following kodām typically remains in its singular form, even when the choice is from multiple items, as kodām inherently implies selecting one or a specific instance from a group.
kodām + singular noun | Which [noun]? | کدام کتاب؟ (kodām ketāb?) | کدوم کتاب؟ (kodum ketāb?) |
kodām-aš / kodum-esh (pronoun) | Which one? | کدامش؟ (kodām-aš?) | کدومش؟ (kodum-esh?) |
kodām-hâ / kodum-hâ (pronoun) | Which ones? | کدامها؟ (kodām-hâ?) | کدومها؟ (kodum-hâ?) |
kodām kas? / kodum shakhs? | Which person? | کدام کس؟ (kodām kas?) | کدوم شخص؟ (kodum shakhs?) |
kodum-eshun? (pronoun, for people) | Which of them? | (Less common in formal for people) | کدومشون؟ (kodum-eshun?) |
kodām + noun + rā + verb | Which [noun]...? | کدام ماشین را خریدی؟ (kodām mâshin râ kharidi?) | کدوم ماشینو خریدی؟ (kodum mâshin-o kharidi?) |
kodām and the noun it modifies do not use the Ezafe linker (-e / -ye). For instance, you say kodām dâneshju? (کدام دانشجو؟ - Which student?), not kodām-e dâneshju?. This is a very common beginner error.
kodām (or kodum) remains singular, even if there are multiple options from which to choose. For example, kodum rang? (کدوم رنگ؟ - Which color?), even if you are looking at several colors.
-aš (ـَش) in formal contexts or -esh (ـِش) in colloquial speech: kodām-aš? (کدامش؟) / kodum-esh? (کدومش؟). For "which ones?" the plural marker hâ (ها) is added: kodām-hâ? (کدامها؟) / kodum-hâ? (کدومها؟). When referring to people in a group, the common colloquial phrase is kodum-eshun? (کدومشون؟ - Which of them?), where -eshun (ـِشون) is the colloquial equivalent of the plural third-person possessive suffix.
kodām is the direct object of the verb, you must use the direct object marker rā (را) in formal Persian, which becomes ro (رو / و) in colloquial speech. This marker comes after the kodām + noun phrase, or after the pronominal kodām-aš / kodum-esh.
kodum lebâs-o mipooshi? (کدوم لباسو میپوشی؟ - Which dress will you wear?)
kodum-esh-o entekhâb kardi? (کدومشو انتخاب کردی؟ - Which one did you choose?)
kodām question is essential to convey its interrogative nature.
When To Use It
kodām is employed in situations where a choice or selection must be made from a pre-existing or implicitly understood set of options. Think of it as a filter that narrows down possibilities, prompting the listener to identify a specific item or individual. Its utility spans a wide array of everyday scenarios, making it an essential word for practical communication.- Choosing Objects: When you need to select a particular item from a group of similar things.
az in gol-hâ, kodum rang-o doost dâri?(از این گلها، کدوم رنگو دوست داری؟ - From these flowers, which color do you like?)kodām sândali khâli ast?(کدام صندلی خالی است؟ - Which chair is empty?)
- Identifying People: To ask about a specific person within a known group.
kodum doost-et miyâd?(کدوم دوستت میاد؟ - Which friend of yours is coming?)az in dâneshju-hâ, kodum shakhs behtar javâb dâd?(از این دانشجوها، کدوم شخص بهتر جواب داد؟ - From these students, which person answered better?)
- Making Decisions (Abstract or Concrete): Applicable to choices involving ideas, plans, or actions.
barâye safar, kodum shahr-o pishnahâd mikoni?(برای سفر، کدوم شهرو پیشنهاد میکنی؟ - For the trip, which city do you recommend?)kodām râh-e hal monâseb-tar ast?(کدام راهحل مناسبتر است؟ - Which solution is more suitable?)
- Time and Schedule: When referring to specific days, times, or periods from a defined range.
jome' hâ, kodum sâ'at miri bâzâr?(جمعهها، کدوم ساعت میری بازار؟ - On Fridays, which time do you go to the market?)kodâm mah tâ'tilât dârid?(کدام ماه تعطیلات دارید؟ - Which month do you have holidays?)
kodām is the correct interrogative to use. It inherently carries the implication of selection, distinguishing it from general "what" questions that seek broad information.When Not To Use It
kodām is as important as knowing when to use it, as it prevents common errors and helps you distinguish it from other Persian interrogatives, particularly che (چه) or chi (چی). The fundamental rule is: do not use kodām when you are asking for an open-ended identification or definition, rather than a selection from a specific set.- Asking for General Identity or Definition: If you want to know what something is, or its nature, you should use
che(formal) orchi(colloquial).kodāmis for choosing from known options, not for defining something unknown. - Incorrect:
kodām esm-e to ast?(Implies: Which of your names is your name? - Grammatically awkward and rarely used) - Correct:
esm-e to chi ast?(اسم تو چی است؟ - What is your name?) - Incorrect:
kodum in chiz-e?(Implies: Which one is this thing? - If you don't know what the thing is at all) - Correct:
in chi-e?(این چیه؟ - What is this?)
- When the Answer is Not a Selection: If the expected answer is a description, an explanation, or an affirmation/negation,
kodāmis inappropriate.kodāmanticipates an answer that picks one item from a group. - Incorrect:
kodām kâr mikoni?(Implies: Which work do you do? - If asking about your profession in general) - Correct:
che kâr mikoni?(چه کار میکنی؟ - What do you do? / What work are you doing?) - However,
kodām kârcould be correct if you have a list of tasks and are asking which specific one. For example,az in list, kodām kâr-o emruz mikoni?(از این لیست، کدوم کارو امروز میکنی؟ - From this list, which task are you doing today?)
- In Rhetorical Questions or Exclamations:
kodāmis a direct interrogative. It is not typically used for rhetorical questions or exclamatory phrases that don't genuinely seek a selection.
kodām. If your question requires an explanation, a definition, or is broadly seeking information about identity or nature, use che / chi. This distinction is crucial for both clarity and idiomatic Persian.Common Mistakes
kodām. Being aware of these pitfalls, and understanding the linguistic reasons behind them, will significantly improve your accuracy and naturalness in speaking and writing.- 1Using Ezafe with
kodām: This is arguably the most prevalent mistake. New learners, accustomed to linking adjectives and nouns with the Ezafe (-e/-ye), incorrectly apply it tokodām.
- Incorrect:
kodām-e qalam?(کدامِ قلم؟) - Correct:
kodām qalam?(کدام قلم؟ - Which pen?) - Why it's wrong:
kodāmacts as a direct determiner, similar to demonstratives likein(این - this) orân(آن - that), which also do not take Ezafe. It functions as part of the noun phrase, not as an adjective describing the noun through a relational linker.
- 1Pluralizing the Noun After
kodām: Learners sometimes pluralize the noun that followskodām, thinking that if they are choosing from many, the noun itself should be plural.
- Incorrect:
kodum ketâbhâ?(کدوم کتابها؟) - Correct:
kodum ketāb?(کدوم کتاب؟ - Which book?) - Why it's wrong:
kodāmalready implies a selection from a group. The singular noun refers to the specific type of item you are choosing, not the entire plural collection. You are asking to identify one specific book (even if there are many) or one specific type of book. Whenkodāmitself is pluralized (e.g.,kodum-hâ?), then it stands alone as a pronoun referring to multiple items.
- 1Confusing
kodāmwithche/chi: This is a conceptual error, mistaking selection for general inquiry.
- Incorrect:
kodum esm-e in?(Asking for the name of something unknown) - Correct:
esm-e in chi-e?(اسم این چیه؟ - What is this's name?) - Why it's wrong:
kodāmis for choice from options;che/chiis for identity or definition. If you don't know anything about the item, you usechi. If you know it's a book but need to pick which one, you usekodām.
- 1Forgetting the Object Marker
rā/ro: When thekodām+ noun phrase (or pronominalkodām-aš/kodum-esh) acts as the direct object of a transitive verb, the object marker is mandatory.
- Incorrect:
kodum filme didi?(Which film you saw?) - Correct:
kodum film-o didi?(کدوم فیلمو دیدی؟ - Which film did you see?) - Why it's wrong: Persian grammar requires the direct object marker for definite direct objects. The
kodāmphrase identifies a specific, definite item, thus requiringroin spoken language orrāin formal writing.
- 1Using Formal
kodāmin Casual Spoken Contexts: While not a grammatical error, it can sound unnatural or overly formal.
- Context: Chatting with friends.
- Unnatural:
kodām ghadâ mikhâhid?(کدام غذا میخواهید؟) - Natural:
kodum ghadâ mikhây?(کدوم غذا میخوای؟ - Which food do you want?) - Why it's awkward: Spoken Persian strongly favors
kodum. Usingkodāmin casual settings can make you sound like you're reading from a textbook, or even mildly condescending, by breaking the expected social register.
kodām with confidence and sound much more like a native Persian speaker.Real Conversations
To truly grasp kodām and its colloquial variant kodum, observe how native speakers integrate it into various communicative contexts. Its usage reflects the dynamic nature of Persian, shifting formality based on the relationship and setting. The following examples illustrate its authentic application in modern Persian conversations, from casual texts to more formal interactions.
1. Casual Texting/Messaging (informal, kodum):
- Scenario: Friends planning to watch a movie.
- A: ye film-e khub peydâ kardam, emshab bebinim? (یه فیلم خوب پیدا کردم، امشب ببینیم؟ - I found a good movie, shall we watch it tonight?)
- B: kodum-e? (کدومه؟ - Which one is it?)
- Scenario: Deciding on a coffee order.
- A: chi mixây berât begiram? (چی میخوای برات بگیرم؟ - What do you want me to get for you?)
- B: Espresso. Kodum no'? Doble yâ single? (اسپرسو. کدوم نوع؟ دابل یا سینگل؟ - Espresso. Which type? Double or single?)
2. Social Media Comments/Posts (informal, kodum):
- Scenario: A friend posts a picture of several items for sale.
- Comment: vây che qashang! kodum rang-esh hâlâ mâjerâ-t mâjerâ-e? (وای چه قشنگ! کدوم رنگش حالا ماجراش ماجراعه؟ - Oh, how beautiful! Which color is the real story now? [idiom for 'which one is the best/most interesting?'])
- Scenario: Polling followers for an opinion.
- Post: be nazaretun kodum ahang-o upload konam? 1. Ahang-e jadid 2. Cover (به نظرتون کدوم آهنگو آپلود کنم؟ ۱. آهنگ جدید ۲. کاور - In your opinion, which song should I upload? 1. New song 2. Cover)
3. Casual Spoken Conversation (informal, kodum):
- Scenario: At a restaurant with friends, looking at the menu.
- Friend 1: man bâqâli polo mixoram. (من باقالیپلو میخورم. - I'm having baghali polo.)
- You: kodum-o? bâ morgh yâ bâ gûsht? (کدومو؟ با مرغ یا با گوشت؟ - Which one? With chicken or with meat?)
- Scenario: Discussing a shared experience.
- A: to ham didi, na? (تو هم دیدی، نه؟ - You saw it too, right?)
- B: kodum qesmat-o migi? (کدوم قسمتو میگی؟ - Which part are you talking about?)
4. More Formal/Slightly Formal Contexts (often kodām, but kodum is also acceptable and common):
- Scenario: A customer service interaction (e.g., in person or on the phone, depending on the formality of the service).
- Agent: lotfan kodām khadâmât-e mâ râ entekhâb mikonid? (لطفاً کدام خدمات ما را انتخاب میکنید؟ - Please, which of our services do you choose?)
- Agent (less formal): lotfan kodum khadâmât-e mâ-ro entekhâb mikonid? (لطفاً کدوم خدمات ما رو انتخاب میکنید؟ - Please, which of our services do you choose?)
These examples illustrate that kodum is the dominant form in almost all everyday interactions. The formal kodām is mostly reserved for written academic texts, official documents, news broadcasts, or highly formal speeches. As an A1 learner, prioritizing kodum for active use will enable you to engage in most conversations naturally.
Progressive Practice
Integrating kodām (or kodum) into your active Persian vocabulary requires consistent, structured practice. Beyond simply memorizing the rule, you need to develop an intuitive feel for when and how to apply it. The following progressive practice strategies will help you move from recognition to confident, natural usage.
Observational Practice (Passive):
- Listen Actively: Pay close attention to native Persian speakers in movies, TV shows, podcasts, or conversations. Notice every instance of kodum or kodām. Identify what noun it refers to, if it's a determiner or pronoun, and whether the ro object marker is used. This trains your ear to the correct context and intonation.
- Read Critically: When reading Persian texts (even simple A1 materials), highlight every kodām or kodum you encounter. Analyze the sentence structure and the choice being presented. This reinforces the written form and its usage patterns.
Repetitive Drills (Controlled Production):
- Flashcards: Create flashcards with pictures of multiple similar objects (e.g., different colored shirts, various types of fruit). On the back, write questions like kodum qâshq? (کدوم قاشق؟ - Which spoon?), kodum sib? (کدوم سیب؟ - Which apple?). Practice answering them.
- Sentence Completion: Take simple declarative sentences and transform them into kodām questions. For example: man in ketâb-o mikham. (من این کتابو میخوام. - I want this book.) -> kodum ketâb-o mixây? (کدوم کتابو میخوای؟ - Which book do you want?)
- Role-Play with Menus/Catalogs: Imagine you're at a restaurant or shopping online. Practice asking your imaginary companion questions like kodum ghadâ ro entekhâb kardi? (کدوم غذا رو انتخاب کردی؟ - Which food did you choose?), az in rang-hâ, kodum-o dust dâri? (از این رنگها، کدومو دوست داری؟ - From these colors, which one do you like?).
Contextualized Application (Active Production):
- Daily Object Questions: Look around your environment. Pick out groups of objects and spontaneously ask yourself kodum...? questions. kodum leybâng? (کدوم لیوان؟ - Which glass?), kodum penir? (کدوم پنیر؟ - Which cheese?). This helps to build automaticity.
- Conversational Practice: When speaking with a Persian-speaking friend or tutor, make a conscious effort to use kodum at least 3-5 times in the conversation. Ask for feedback on your usage. Don't be afraid to make mistakes; they are part of the learning process.
- Writing Exercises: Write short paragraphs or dialogues that necessitate choices. For instance, describe a situation where you need to choose between several options and then formulate kodum questions to make your decision.
Self-Correction Tip: When in doubt about using kodām vs. che, ask yourself: "Am I trying to select one item from a known group, or am I trying to identify/define something unknown?" If it's selection, use kodām. If it's identification, use che/chi.
Quick FAQ
- Q: Can
kodāmbe used for people?
Yes, absolutely. You can say kodum doost-et? (کدوم دوستت؟ - Which friend of yours?), or kodum shakhs? (کدوم شخص؟ - Which person?) in formal contexts, and colloquially kodum-eshun? (کدومشون؟ - Which of them?) for a group of people.
- Q: Does
kodāmchange for gender or number?
No. Persian does not have grammatical gender, and kodām itself is invariant. The noun it modifies remains singular. To ask "which ones?" you use the pronominal kodām-hâ? (کدامها؟) or kodum-hâ? (کدومها؟).
- Q: What's the main difference between
kodāmandche/chi?
kodām is used for selection from a known set (e.g., "Which book?"). che / chi is used for identification or definition of something unknown or general (e.g., "What is this?"). This distinction is fundamental.
- Q: Where should
kodāmbe placed in a sentence?
Generally, kodām (or kodum) comes directly before the noun it modifies. If it's a pronoun (kodum-esh), it usually occupies the position of the noun it replaces. It rarely appears at the very end of a sentence unless it's a very short, elliptical question like kodum? (Which one?).
- Q: Is it always necessary to use
rowithkodumwhen it's an object?
Yes, in spoken Persian, if the kodum phrase (e.g., kodum ketâb, kodum-esh) is the direct object of a transitive verb, the colloquial object marker ro (or o) is typically used to indicate its direct object function. Omitting it can make the sentence sound incomplete or ungrammatical.
- Q: Can
kodāmbe used in negative sentences?
Yes, it can. For example, nemidunam kodum-esh-o mikhâm. (نمیدونم کدومشو میخوام. - I don't know which one I want.). It maintains its function of referring to a selection, even within a negative clause.
- Q: Why is
kodumso much more common thankodām?
kodum is the result of natural phonetic changes in spoken Persian, where ām often reduces to ūm. It has become the standard colloquial form, while kodām is preserved for formal writing and highly structured speech due to historical and stylistic reasons, much like how many languages have formal and informal registers for specific words.
Kodām Usage Patterns
| Form | Usage | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Determiner
|
Before Noun
|
کدام کتاب؟
|
|
Pronoun
|
Standalone
|
کدام بهتر است؟
|
|
Partitive
|
With Ezafe
|
کدامِ شما؟
|
|
Plural
|
Rare/Formal
|
کدامها؟
|
|
Object
|
With 'rā'
|
کدام را میخواهی؟
|
|
Possessive
|
With Ezafe
|
کدامِ من؟
|
Colloquial Shortening
| Formal | Informal |
|---|---|
|
کدام است؟
|
کدومه؟
|
Meanings
The interrogative 'kodām' is used to identify a specific item from a defined set or group.
Selective Interrogative
Asking to choose one from a set.
“کدام رنگ را دوست داری؟”
“کدام دوستت آمد؟”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Question
|
Kodām + Noun
|
کدام ماشین؟
|
|
Choice
|
Kodām + rā
|
کدام را بردارم؟
|
|
Selection
|
Kodām-e + Pronoun
|
کدامِ ما؟
|
|
Comparison
|
Kodām + Adjective
|
کدام بزرگتر است؟
|
|
Negative
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
|
Short Answer
|
Kodām + Pronoun
|
کدامِ آن؟
|
Formality Spectrum
کدام کتاب را میخواهید؟ (Asking for a preference)
کدام کتاب را میخواهی؟ (Asking for a preference)
کدوم کتابو میخوای؟ (Asking for a preference)
کدوم کتابو میخوای؟ (Asking for a preference)
Kodām Concept Map
Function
- انتخاب Selection
Structure
- کدام + اسم Kodām + Noun
Examples by Level
کدام کتاب؟
Which book?
کدام ماشین؟
Which car?
کدام دوست؟
Which friend?
کدام غذا؟
Which food?
کدامِ شما میآیید؟
Which of you are coming?
کدام یک بهتر است؟
Which one is better?
کدام را انتخاب کردی؟
Which did you choose?
کدامِ آنها مال توست؟
Which of them is yours?
نمیدانم کدام را بخرم.
I don't know which to buy.
کدام مسیر سریعتر است؟
Which route is faster?
کدام پیشنهاد را قبول کرد؟
Which proposal did he accept?
کدامِ اینها را خواندهای؟
Which of these have you read?
مشخص نیست کدام گزینه ارجحیت دارد.
It is not clear which option has priority.
کدامِ این استدلالها منطقیتر است؟
Which of these arguments is more logical?
کدامِ ما مسئول این اتفاق هستیم؟
Which of us is responsible for this event?
کدامِ آن دو نقاشی را ترجیح میدهی؟
Which of those two paintings do you prefer?
کدامِ این رویکردها در عمل موفقتر بوده است؟
Which of these approaches has been more successful in practice?
کدامِ آن نظریات هنوز معتبر است؟
Which of those theories is still valid?
کدامِ این قوانین باید اصلاح شوند؟
Which of these laws must be amended?
کدامِ این مسیرها به حقیقت منتهی میشود؟
Which of these paths leads to the truth?
کدامِ این گویشها ریشه در فارسی باستان دارد؟
Which of these dialects has roots in Old Persian?
کدامِ این متون کهن قابل استناد است؟
Which of these ancient texts is citable?
کدامِ این روایات به واقعیت نزدیکتر است؟
Which of these narratives is closer to reality?
کدامِ این مفاهیم در فرهنگ ما جایگاه ویژهای دارد؟
Which of these concepts holds a special place in our culture?
Easily Confused
Both are interrogatives.
When to use Ezafe.
When to add 'yek'.
Common Mistakes
چه کتاب مال توست؟
کدام کتاب مال توست؟
کدام تو؟
کدامِ تو؟
کتاب کدام؟
کدام کتاب؟
کدام را میخواهی کتاب؟
کدام کتاب را میخواهی؟
کدامِ ماها؟
کدامِ ما؟
کدامِ آن؟
کدام یک؟
کدامِ اینا؟
کدامِ اینها؟
نمیدانم کدام کتاب را او میخواهد.
نمیدانم او کدام کتاب را میخواهد.
کدامِ آن دو تا؟
کدامِ آن دو؟
کدامِ اینها بهتر است؟
کدامِ اینها بهتر هستند؟
کدامِ آن نظریات که گفتی؟
کدامیک از آن نظریاتی که گفتی؟
کدامِ اینها را انتخاب کردی؟
کدامیک از اینها را انتخاب کردی؟
کدامِ اینها بهتر است؟
کدامیک از اینها بهتر است؟
Sentence Patterns
کدام ___ را میخواهی؟
کدامِ ___ بهتر است؟
نمیدانم کدام ___ را انتخاب کنم.
کدامیک از ___ را ترجیح میدهی؟
Real World Usage
کدام لباس بهتر است؟
کدوم فیلم؟
کدام پروژه را ترجیح میدهید؟
کدام مسیر نزدیکتر است؟
کدام پیتزا را سفارش دهیم؟
کدامیک از این منابع معتبر است؟
Use Ezafe
Don't use Che
Formal vs Informal
Politeness
Smart Tips
Always use Ezafe (-e) with pronouns.
Use Kodām, not Che.
Use Kodām-yek.
Use Kodūm.
Pronunciation
Kodām
The 'o' is short, 'ā' is long.
Rising
کدام؟ ↗
Standard question intonation.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Kodām is like a 'Code' to unlock the right choice.
Visual Association
Imagine a person standing in front of three doors, pointing at one and saying 'Kodām?'.
Rhyme
For a choice that you must name, use the question word Kodām.
Story
Ali went to the market. He saw many apples. He asked the seller, 'Kodām?' The seller pointed to the red one. Ali smiled and bought it.
Word Web
Challenge
Point to three items in your room and ask 'Kodām?' for each one.
Cultural Notes
In Tehran, 'kodām' is often shortened to 'kodūm' in speech.
In formal writing, 'kodām' is always used in full.
Used in classical poetry to emphasize choice.
Derived from Middle Persian 'kadām'.
Conversation Starters
کدام رنگ را دوست داری؟
کدامِ اینها مال توست؟
کدام مسیر برای رفتن به دانشگاه بهتر است؟
کدامیک از این نظریات را ترجیح میدهی؟
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
___ کتاب مال توست؟
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
چه ماشین را میخواهی؟
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
Which of them is yours?
Answer starts with: کدا...
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
___ از شما مسئول است؟
A: میخواهم یک کتاب بخرم. B: ___؟
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercises___ کتاب مال توست؟
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
چه ماشین را میخواهی؟
کتاب / کدام / میخواهی / را
Which of them is yours?
کدام کتاب؟
___ از شما مسئول است؟
A: میخواهم یک کتاب بخرم. B: ___؟
Score: /8
Practice Bank
10 exercises___ نویسنده را میشناسید؟
Which one?
Which color do you want?
Match the terms:
کدامیک از موارد زیر صحیح است؟
کدومِ غذا رو بخورم؟
Which day?
___ دانشجو هستند؟
Which is better? (Formal)
Which pizza do you like?
Score: /10
FAQ (8)
Yes, you can use it for people when selecting from a group.
No, it can stand alone as a pronoun.
It connects the interrogative to the pronoun.
Kodām is for selection, Che is for identification.
It is rare, usually 'Kodām-yek' is used.
It is neutral, but the pronunciation changes in informal speech.
Usually with a demonstrative like 'in' (this) or 'ān' (that).
Yes, but it is less common.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
cuál
Spanish has gender agreement; Persian does not.
quel
French has gender/number agreement.
welcher
Case declension.
dore
Particle usage.
ayyu
Arabic has complex case endings.
nǎ
Word order.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Related Grammar Rules
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