Persian Simple Past: I Did, He Went (-am, -i, -)
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
The simple past describes completed actions; just add the correct personal ending to the past stem of the verb.
- Find the past stem by removing '-an' from the infinitive (e.g., raftan -> raft).
- Add the personal ending: -am, -i, - (none), -im, -id, -and.
- For negatives, add the prefix 'na-' to the beginning of the verb.
Overview
How This Grammar Works
an (ـن). To get to the past tense, we just need to chop off that ending. What is left is the "past stem." For example, raftan (to go) becomes raft. This stem is your golden ticket. Unlike English, where "go" becomes "went," Persian keeps the stem consistent for every single person. Whether it is "I went," "you went," or "they went," the word raft stays exactly the same. You just add a tiny suffix to the end to show who did the action. It is predictable, logical, and honestly, a bit of a relief for language learners.
Formation Pattern
khordan (to eat).
an (ـن) to get the past stem: khord (خورد).
-am (ـَم) -> khordam (خوردم)
-i (ـی) -> khordi (خوردی)
khord (خورد)
-im (ـیم) -> khordim (خوردیم)
-id (ـید) -> khordid (خوردید)
-and (ـَند) -> khordand (خوردند)
When To Use It
- Social Media: "I posted a story" (
estori gozashtam). - Daily Tasks: "I bought bread" (
nan kharidam). - Travel Vlogging: "We arrived in Tehran" (
be Tehran residim). - Netflix Binging: "I watched the whole season" (
tamam-e fasl-o didam).
Common Mistakes
raft-esh or raft-e, but stop right there. In the simple past, "He went" is just raft. Adding an ending makes it sound like you are trying to invent a new language. Another slip-up is mixing up the present stem and the past stem. For now, just remember: if it comes from the infinitive minus an, it is for the past. Also, don't forget the plural "you" (-id). Even if you are talking to one person, use -id to be polite. Using the singular -i with your Persian grandmother might get you a very confused look (and maybe less saffron rice).Contrast With Similar Patterns
raftam) is for a specific time in the past. The Present Perfect (rafte-am) is for things that still matter now. If you are just starting out, stick to the Simple Past. It is the workhorse of the language. Also, don't confuse this with the "Imperfect" (I was going). That requires a prefix mi-. For now, if the action is finished, keep it simple. No mi-, no extra helper verbs, just the stem and the ending.Quick FAQ
Is the past stem always regular?
Yes! Always drop the an from the infinitive. The stem itself never changes.
How do I make it negative?
Just add na- to the front. raftam (I went) becomes naraftam (I didn't go).
Do I need to use pronouns like man (I) or to (you)?
Usually, no. The verb ending tells us who is speaking. It is like Spanish or Italian.
What about irregular verbs?
In the past tense, there are no irregular endings. The stem is always the infinitive minus an. The "irregularity" only happens in the present tense. Lucky you!
Meanings
The simple past is used to describe actions that were completed at a specific time in the past.
Completed Action
An action that happened and finished in the past.
“او کتاب را خواند”
“ما ناهار خوردیم”
Narrative Past
Used in storytelling to sequence events.
“او وارد شد، سلام کرد و نشست”
“خورشید طلوع کرد”
Negative Past
Denying an action occurred.
“من نرفتم”
“او نخورد”
Conjugation of 'Raftan' (To Go)
| Pronoun | Ending | Conjugated Form |
|---|---|---|
| Man (I) | -am | Raftam |
| To (You) | -i | Rafti |
| Ou (He/She) | none | Raft |
| Ma (We) | -im | Raftim |
| Shoma (You pl.) | -id | Raftid |
| Anha (They) | -and | Raftand |
Reference Table
| Person | Suffix | Example (Raftan - to go) |
|---|---|---|
| I (Man) | -am | raftam (I went) |
| You (To) | -i | rafti (You went) |
| He/She (U) | (none) | raft (He/She went) |
| We (Mā) | -im | raftim (We went) |
| You pl. (Shomā) | -id | raftid (You went) |
| They (Anhā) | -and | raftand (They went) |
Formality Spectrum
من به فروشگاه رفتم. (Daily errand)
من به مغازه رفتم. (Daily errand)
رفتم مغازه. (Daily errand)
زدم تو کار مغازه. (Daily errand)
Anatomy of a Past Tense Verb
The Base
- Past Stem Infinitive minus -an
The Suffixes
- -am, -i, -im Personal endings
Formal vs. Informal 'You'
How to Conjugate
Is the subject He/She/It?
Is it negative?
Essential Past Stems
Movement
- • raft (went)
- • āmad (came)
- • resid (arrived)
Actions
- • khord (ate)
- • did (saw)
- • nevesht (wrote)
Examples by Level
من دیروز غذا خوردم
I ate food yesterday
او به خانه رفت
He went home
ما فیلم دیدیم
We watched a movie
تو کتاب خواندی
You read a book
من دیروز به مدرسه نرفتم
I didn't go to school yesterday
آیا تو دیروز کار کردی؟
Did you work yesterday?
آنها دیر رسیدند
They arrived late
شما چه چیزی خریدید؟
What did you buy?
وقتی رسیدم، او رفته بود
When I arrived, he had gone
او گفت که دیروز به بازار رفت
He said he went to the market yesterday
اگر میدانستم، میآمدم
If I had known, I would have come
او تصمیم گرفت که برود
He decided to go
او با دقت نامه را نوشت و امضا کرد
He carefully wrote and signed the letter
در آن سال، تغییرات زیادی رخ داد
In that year, many changes occurred
او نتوانست حقیقت را بگوید
He could not tell the truth
ما به نتیجه نرسیدیم
We did not reach a conclusion
او چنان با مهارت سخن گفت که همه تحت تأثیر قرار گرفتند
He spoke with such skill that everyone was impressed
او از فرصت استفاده کرد و پیشنهاد داد
He took the opportunity and made a proposal
این واقعه مسیر تاریخ را تغییر داد
This event changed the course of history
او به ندرت در جلسات شرکت کرد
He rarely participated in the meetings
او در آن لحظه به یاد آورد که چه چیزی را فراموش کرده بود
At that moment, he remembered what he had forgotten
او با وجود مشکلات، به راه خود ادامه داد
Despite the problems, he continued on his way
این تصمیم، سرنوشت او را رقم زد
This decision determined his fate
او در نهایت به حقیقت پی برد
He finally realized the truth
Easily Confused
Learners often use the simple past for habitual actions.
Learners use simple past when the time is not specified.
Mixing up completed actions with ongoing past actions.
Common Mistakes
Raftam-am
Raftam
Na-raft
Naraft
Raft-i-am
Raftam
Raftan-i
Rafti
Man rafti
Man raftam
Raftam diruz
Diruz raftam
Naraftam-i
Naraftam
Raftam-e
Raftam
Raftam-im
Raftim
Naraft-am
Naraftam
Raftam-e-bud
Raftam
Raft-e
Raft
Naraft-e
Naraft
Sentence Patterns
من دیروز ___ کردم.
آیا تو ___ رفتی؟
ما ___ را ندیدیم.
او گفت که ___ کرد.
Real World Usage
کجا رفتی؟
من در آن پروژه کار کردم.
من بلیط را خریدم.
امروز خیلی خوش گذشت!
من پیتزا سفارش دادم.
رئیس جمهور سخنرانی کرد.
Drop the Pronoun
The Silent 3rd Person
Politeness Matters
Smart Tips
Always learn the infinitive and past stem together.
The 'na-' prefix is always attached.
Focus on the ending sound.
Use time markers to clarify.
Pronunciation
Stress
Stress usually falls on the last syllable of the stem.
Question
Rafti? ↑
Rising pitch at the end indicates a question.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Remember 'Past is a Blast': Take the stem, add the ending, and you're done!
Visual Association
Imagine a train (the verb) arriving at a station (the past). The passengers (the endings) hop on at the end of the train.
Rhyme
Take the stem and add the bit, now you've made the past of it!
Story
Yesterday, I (raftam) to the store. I (kharidam) bread. I (khordam) lunch. It was a good day.
Word Web
Challenge
Write 5 sentences about what you did this morning in 5 minutes.
Cultural Notes
In casual speech, the final 'd' in 'raftand' is often dropped.
Always use the full 'd' ending in writing.
The simple past is the primary tense for historical narration.
The Persian simple past is derived from the Old Persian past participle.
Conversation Starters
دیروز چه کار کردی؟
آخر هفته کجا رفتی؟
اولین باری که به ایران آمدی چه حسی داشتی؟
در دوران کودکی چه بازیهایی انجام دادی؟
Journal Prompts
Test Yourself
Man film rā ____. (I watched the movie)
Choose the right option:
Find and fix the mistake:
Mā ghazā khord.
Score: /3
Practice Exercises
8 exercisesمن به خانه ___.
Find and fix the mistake:
او نرفتم.
من غذا ___.
دیروز / رفتم / من / بازار
They arrived.
Match: Man, To, Ma
Infinitive: 'Khandan'
ما فیلم ___.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
10 exercisesShomā be Tehrān ____.
They read the book. (to read = khāndan, book = ketāb)
kharidam / man / nān
Match them:
To ketāb khāndam.
Choose the negative form:
Man emruz dars ____.
We ate.
didid / shomā / rā / film
Past stem of neveshtan:
Score: /10
FAQ (8)
Remove the '-an' from the infinitive verb. For example, 'raftan' becomes 'raft'.
Yes, the endings are consistent for almost every verb in Persian.
Add 'na-' to the beginning of the verb. 'Raftam' becomes 'naraftam'.
Most Persian verbs are regular in the past tense. Only a few have irregular stems.
No, this is only for past actions.
No, Persian verbs do not change based on the gender of the subject.
Use the same structure as a statement but raise your intonation at the end.
Confusing the past stem with the present stem.
In Other Languages
Pretérito indefinido
Spanish has more irregular stems.
Passé composé
Persian uses suffixes, not auxiliaries.
Präteritum
German has strong/weak verb classes.
Ta-form
Persian conjugates for person.
Madi
Arabic has gendered endings.
Le particle
Persian is inflectional.
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