دانستن
دانستن in 30 Seconds
- Dānestan is the primary Persian verb for 'to know' facts, information, and languages, distinct from knowing people.
- It is irregular in the present tense (stem: dān) and regular in the past tense (stem: dānest).
- Commonly used with 'ke' (that) to introduce clauses and in the negative 'nemīdānam' (I don't know).
- In formal contexts, it can also mean 'to consider' or 'to deem' something as a certain quality.
The Persian verb دانستن (Dānestan) is a foundational pillar of the Persian language, primarily translating to 'to know' or 'to be aware of' in English. At its core, it represents the possession of information, facts, or intellectual data. Unlike some languages that use the same word for knowing a person and knowing a fact, Persian makes a sharp distinction. Dānestan is strictly for information. If you know that the capital of Iran is Tehran, you use دانستن. If you know a person, you would use 'shenākhtan'. This distinction is crucial for learners at the A1 level to master early on to avoid common semantic errors.
- Semantic Range
- It covers everything from simple facts (knowing a name) to complex philosophical truths (knowing the meaning of life).
من آدرس را میدانم. (I know the address.)
In classical literature, دانستن often carried a weight of wisdom and discernment. It wasn't just about data; it was about the realization of truth. In modern conversational Persian, it is used ubiquitously. Whether you are asking if someone knows the time or if they know why a certain event happened, this verb is your primary tool. It is an irregular verb in the present tense, which adds a layer of complexity for beginners, but its frequency makes it easy to memorize through repetition.
- Grammatical Stem
- The past stem is 'dānest' and the present stem is 'dān'.
آیا تو حقیقت را میدانی؟ (Do you know the truth?)
Furthermore, the verb is often used in the negative form 'nemīdānam' (I don't know), which is perhaps one of the most useful phrases for any traveler or student. Understanding the nuance of this verb involves recognizing that it deals with the 'what' rather than the 'who'. When you say you 'know' a book, if you mean you know of its existence or the facts within it, you use دانستن. If you mean you are familiar with the book as a whole, 'shenākhtan' might be more appropriate, though دانستن is often safer for specific content.
ما همه چیز را میدانستیم. (We knew everything.)
- Cognitive Process
- It represents the state of having information stored in the mind ready for retrieval.
او میخواست بداند چرا. (He wanted to know why.)
هیچکس نمیتواند آینده را بداند. (No one can know the future.)
Using دانستن correctly requires an understanding of its conjugation patterns in various tenses. In the present tense, it follows the pattern: 'mi' + present stem (dān) + personal ending. For example, 'I know' is 'mi-dān-am' (میدانم). It is important to note that the 'mi-' prefix is mandatory for the indicative present. In the past tense, it uses the past stem 'dānest'. 'I knew' is 'dānest-am' (دانستم). This verb is highly regular in the past but requires attention in the present due to the stem change from 'dānest' to 'dān'.
- Present Tense Conjugation
- میدانم، میدانی، میداند، میدانیم، میدانید، میدانند.
آیا میتوانی به من بگویی چه میدانی؟ (Can you tell me what you know?)
When used with a 'that' clause (که), the verb functions similarly to English. 'I know that he is coming' translates to 'میدانم که او میآید'. In formal writing, the full forms are used, but in colloquial speech, the 'ā' sound in 'dān' often shifts to 'ū', resulting in 'midūnam', 'midūni', etc. This is a hallmark of the Tehrani accent and is widely understood across Iran. Another important usage is the subjunctive mood, used after verbs like 'want' or 'must'. The subjunctive stem is 'bedān'. 'I want to know' is 'میخواهم بدانم'.
- Past Tense Conjugation
- دانستم، دانستی، دانست، دانستیم، دانستید، دانستند.
او از قبل همه چیز را میدانست. (He already knew everything.)
In the future tense, it follows the standard Persian construction: 'khāham' + short infinitive (dānest). 'I will know' is 'خواهم دانست'. However, in daily speech, the present continuous or simple present is often used to imply future knowledge. For example, 'فردا میفهمم' (I'll find out tomorrow) is more common than the formal future of دانستن. Mastery of دانستن also involves understanding its role in compound verbs and idiomatic expressions, where it can sometimes take on the meaning of 'to consider' or 'to deem'. For instance, 'او را قهرمان دانستند' (They considered him a hero).
باید بدانی که این کار خطرناک است. (You must know that this work is dangerous.)
- Negative Forms
- نمیدانم (I don't know), ندانستم (I didn't know), نباید بدانی (You shouldn't know).
کاش میدانستم کجاست. (I wish I knew where it is.)
آنها حقیقت را نمیدانند. (They do not know the truth.)
You will encounter دانستن in almost every facet of Iranian life. In educational settings, teachers use it to assess students' understanding. 'آیا جواب را میدانید؟' (Do you know the answer?) is a standard classroom question. In the news, it is used to report on what officials know or what the public needs to be aware of. For example, 'دولت میداند که مشکلات اقتصادی وجود دارد' (The government knows that economic problems exist). It is a verb of transparency and information flow.
- Academic Context
- Used in lectures and textbooks to discuss theories, facts, and historical data.
دانشمندان میدانند که زمین گرم میشود. (Scientists know that the earth is warming.)
In the realm of Persian poetry and classical literature, دانستن takes on a more profound, almost spiritual meaning. Rumi, Hafez, and Saadi often use it to contrast superficial knowledge with deep, inner knowing. In these contexts, 'knowing' is often the goal of the spiritual path. In modern pop culture, especially in Iranian cinema and music, the verb is used to express realization, secrets, and the pain of knowing too much. A common song lyric might be 'نمیدانی چقدر دوستت دارم' (You don't know how much I love you).
- Daily Social Interaction
- Used when asking for directions, time, or confirming shared information.
کسی نمیداند او کجاست. (No one knows where he is.)
In professional environments, دانستن is used to discuss expertise. 'او زبانهای زیادی میداند' (He knows many languages). Here, it implies proficiency and acquired skill. On social media, you'll see it in hashtags like #بدانیم (let's know) or #آیا_میدانستید (did you know?), which are used to share interesting facts or 'life hacks'. The verb is also central to legal and formal documents, where 'knowing' the law or 'knowing' the terms of a contract is a prerequisite for legal action.
ما باید حقوق خود را بدانیم. (We must know our rights.)
- Media and News
- Frequently used in headlines to announce new discoveries or intelligence reports.
همه دنیا این را میدانند. (The whole world knows this.)
آیا میدانستی که او رفته است؟ (Did you know that he has gone?)
The most frequent mistake learners make with دانستن is confusing it with شناختن (Shenākhtan). While both translate to 'to know' in English, they are not interchangeable. Use دانستن for facts, information, and abstract concepts. Use شناختن for people, places, and things you are familiar with. For example, saying 'من علی را میدانم' is incorrect; it should be 'من علی را میشناسم'. Similarly, 'من این شهر را میدانم' is wrong; it should be 'من این شهر را میشناسم'.
- The 'Mi-' Prefix Omission
- Beginners often forget the 'mi-' in the present tense, saying 'من دانم' instead of 'من میدانم'.
اشتباه: من او را میدانم. (Wrong: I know him.)
Another common error involves the conjugation of the present stem. Because the infinitive is دانستن, many learners assume the present stem is 'dānest' or 'dānes'. However, it is simply 'dān'. This leads to incorrect forms like 'میدانستم' when they mean 'I know'. Remember: 'میدانم' is present, 'دانستم' is past. Furthermore, learners sometimes struggle with the placement of the direct object marker 'rā'. If the thing you know is specific, you must use 'rā'. 'من حقیقت را میدانم' (I know the truth).
- Confusion with 'Fahmīdan'
- Fahmīdan means 'to understand' or 'to realize'. Use دانستن for the state of knowing, and fahmīdan for the process of understanding.
درست: من آدرس را میدانم. (Correct: I know the address.)
In the subjunctive mood, learners often forget to change the stem to 'bedān'. They might say 'میخواهم میدانم' which is grammatically impossible. The correct form is 'میخواهم بدانم'. Additionally, when using دانستن in the sense of 'to consider', the syntax changes slightly, and this can be a trap for advanced learners. For example, 'او را نادان دانستند' (They considered him ignorant). Here, the verb acts as a linking verb between the object and its attribute.
اشتباه: من میخواهم میدانم. (Wrong: I want to know.)
- Spoken vs. Written
- Don't use 'midūnam' in formal essays; stick to 'میدانم'.
درست: من فارسی میدانم. (Correct: I know Persian.)
اشتباه: من میشناسم که او کجاست. (Wrong: I know [familiar] where he is.)
Understanding دانستن also means understanding its synonyms and how they differ. The most common related verb is فهمیدن (Fahmīdan), which means 'to understand' or 'to grasp'. While دانستن is about the state of having information, فهمیدن is about the mental process of comprehension. Another similar verb is آگاه بودن (Āgāh būdan), which means 'to be aware' or 'to be informed'. This is more formal and often used in official contexts.
- دانستن vs. شناختن
- دانستن: Facts, info, languages. شناختن: People, places, familiarity.
من این موضوع را میدانم. (I know this subject.)
For 'to find out' or 'to realize', Persian uses متوجه شدن (Motevajjeh shodan). This is different from دانستن because it implies a change in state—from not knowing to knowing. بلد بودن (Balad būdan) is another vital synonym, specifically used for skills and 'knowing how' to do something. For example, 'من رانندگی بلد هستم' (I know how to drive). While you could use دانستن for languages, بلد بودن is much more common in colloquial speech for skills like cooking, swimming, or fixing things.
- دانستن vs. بلد بودن
- دانستن: Intellectual knowledge. بلد بودن: Practical skills and abilities.
او شنا بلد است. (He knows how to swim.)
In more literary or formal Persian, you might encounter واقف بودن (Vāqef būdan), which means 'to be cognizant' or 'to be privy to'. This is often used in legal or high-level administrative language. Another literary term is ادراک کردن (Edrāk kardan), meaning 'to perceive' or 'to sense'. While دانستن is purely cognitive, ادراک involves the senses and intuition. Finally, خبر داشتن (Khabar dāshtan) means 'to have news' or 'to be aware of a situation', often used for current events or personal updates.
آیا از او خبر داری؟ (Do you have news of him? / Do you know where he is?)
- Summary of Nuances
- Dānestan is the broad umbrella for information; the others specify how that information was gained or applied.
من میدانم که او راست میگوید. (I know that he is telling the truth.)
هیچکس از غیب خبر ندارد. (No one has knowledge of the unseen.)
How Formal Is It?
Difficulty Rating
Grammar to Know
Present Indicative construction
Subjunctive mood after 'khāstan'
Direct object marker 'rā'
The 'mi-' prefix in Persian verbs
Compound verb structures
Examples by Level
من نام او را میدانم.
I know his/her name.
Present indicative: mi + dān + am
آیا تو آدرس را میدانی؟
Do you know the address?
Question form with 'āyā'
ما شماره تلفن را نمیدانیم.
We do not know the phone number.
Negative form: ne + mi + dān + im
او فارسی میداند.
He/She knows Persian.
Using 'dānestan' for language proficiency.
آنها میدانند که امروز جمعه است.
They know that today is Friday.
Using 'ke' (that) to introduce a fact.
من نمیدانم ساعت چند است.
I don't know what time it is.
Common daily usage for time.
آیا شما جواب را میدانید؟
Do you (plural/formal) know the answer?
Formal/plural second person ending '-id'.
علی همه چیز را میداند.
Ali knows everything.
Third person singular ending '-ad'.
من دانستم که او بیمار است.
I knew that he was sick.
Simple past tense: dānest + am
آیا میدانستی او کجاست؟
Did you know where he was?
Past continuous/imperfect: mi + dānest + i
نمیدانستم که تو اینجایی.
I didn't know you were here.
Negative past tense.
او میخواست بداند چرا دیر کردی.
He wanted to know why you were late.
Subjunctive mood: be + dān + ad
ما میدانیم که فردا باران میبارد.
We know that it will rain tomorrow.
Using 'ke' with a future-leaning present tense.
تو باید بدانی که این کار سخت است.
You must know that this work is hard.
Subjunctive after 'bāyad' (must).
آنها نمیدانستند چه بکنند.
They didn't know what to do.
Past tense with a question word.
من میدانم چطور به آنجا بروم.
I know how to go there.
Using 'chetor' (how) with 'dānestan'.
من همیشه میدانستهام که تو موفق میشوی.
I have always known that you would succeed.
Present perfect: dāneste + am
او را به عنوان یک نویسنده بزرگ میدانند.
They know (consider) him as a great writer.
Using 'dānestan' as 'to consider'.
کاش میدانستم حقیقت چیست.
I wish I knew what the truth is.
Wishful past continuous: kāsh + mi + dānest + am
خدا میداند که من چقدر تلاش کردم.
God knows how much I tried.
Idiomatic expression 'Khodā mīdānad'.
اگر میدانستم میآیی، کیک میپختم.
If I had known you were coming, I would have baked a cake.
Conditional sentence type 2.
ما باید بدانیم که حقوقمان چیست.
We must know what our rights are.
Subjunctive for necessity.
او نمیخواست کسی بداند که او پولدار است.
He didn't want anyone to know that he is rich.
Subjunctive after 'khāstan'.
آیا میدانی چرا این اتفاق افتاد؟
Do you know why this happened?
Inquiry into causality.
این موضوع را باید از قبل میدانستی.
You should have known this subject beforehand.
Past necessity: bāyad + mi + dānest + i
او خود را مسئول این شکست میداند.
He considers himself responsible for this failure.
Reflexive 'khod rā' with 'dānestan'.
دانستنِ این راز برای او گران تمام شد.
Knowing this secret cost him dearly.
Gerund/Infinitive as a subject.
آنها این قانون را ناعادلانه میدانند.
They consider this law unfair.
Object + Adjective + Dānestan (to deem).
تا آنجا که من میدانم، او هنوز در تهران است.
As far as I know, he is still in Tehran.
Idiomatic phrase 'tā ānjā ke...'
او با دانستنِ خطرات، باز هم به سفر رفت.
Knowing the dangers, he still went on the trip.
Prepositional phrase with infinitive.
نمیتوان دانست که در آینده چه میشود.
One cannot know what will happen in the future.
Impersonal construction 'nemitavān dānest'.
او را داناترین فرد شهر میدانستند.
They considered him the wisest person in the city.
Superlative adjective with 'dānestan'.
باید دانست که معرفت، پایه و اساس زندگی است.
It must be known that knowledge is the foundation of life.
Formal impersonal 'bāyad dānest'.
او تمام جزئیاتِ پرونده را به خوبی میدانست.
He knew all the details of the case very well.
Nuanced past knowledge.
دانستن، توانستن است.
To know is to be able (Knowledge is power).
Famous Persian proverb.
او حقیقت را از پیش میدانست اما سکوت کرد.
He knew the truth beforehand but remained silent.
Contrastive conjunction 'ammā'.
هیچکس از اسرارِ غیب آگاه نیست و نمیداند.
No one is aware of or knows the secrets of the unseen.
Literary usage.
او خود را مدیونِ دانستههای استادش میداند.
He considers himself indebted to his teacher's knowledge.
Complex 'consider' construction.
دانستنِ زبان، دریچهای به سوی فرهنگ است.
Knowing a language is a window to a culture.
Metaphorical usage.
آنها میدانستند که این مسیر به بنبست میرسد.
They knew that this path leads to a dead end.
Foresight in past tense.
در این وادی، دانستن همان ندانستن است.
In this realm, knowing is the same as not knowing.
Sufi philosophical paradox.
او به چنان مقامی رسید که غیب را میدانست.
He reached such a status that he knew the unseen.
Hagiographic literary style.
دانستنِ حقایقِ هستی، غایتِ آمالِ بشر است.
Knowing the truths of existence is the ultimate goal of humanity.
Formal academic/philosophical style.
او را مظهرِ دانستن و خرد میپنداشتند.
They regarded him as the manifestation of knowledge and wisdom.
Archaic synonym 'pendāshtan' context.
تا ندانی، نتوانی که به مقصد برسی.
Until you know, you cannot reach the destination.
Classical poetic syntax 'tā nadāni'.
دانستنِ قدرِ وقت، هنری است که هر کسی ندارد.
Knowing the value of time is an art that not everyone has.
Abstract noun phrase as object.
او از دانستنِ حقیقت، هراسی به دل راه نداد.
He did not let fear into his heart from knowing the truth.
Literary idiom 'harās be del rāh dādan'.
باید دانست که هر دانستنی، مسئولیتی به همراه دارد.
It must be known that every piece of knowledge brings a responsibility.
Philosophical maxim.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
Often Confused With
Idioms & Expressions
Easily Confused
Sentence Patterns
How to Use It
Strictly for facts/info.
Present stem is 'dān'.
Can mean 'to consider' in formal Persian.
- Using dānestan for people (should be shenākhtan).
- Forgetting the 'mi-' prefix in the present tense.
- Using the past stem 'dānest' for the present tense.
- Omitting 'ke' in formal 'I know that...' sentences.
- Confusing 'dānestan' (to know) with 'fahmīdan' (to understand).
Tips
Stem Mastery
Always remember the present stem is 'dān'. Practice: mīdānam, mīdāni, mīdānd.
Person vs Fact
Draw a line in your notebook: Left side 'Dānestan' (Facts), Right side 'Shenākhtan' (People).
The 'U' Sound
Try saying 'midūnam' instead of 'midānam' to sound more like a local in Tehran.
Catch the 'Ke'
When you hear 'mīdānam ke...', get ready for a whole sentence of information.
Formal 'Consider'
In essays, use 'dānestan' to express an opinion about how something is viewed.
Poetic Knowledge
Read Rumi to see how 'dānestan' is used to describe spiritual enlightenment.
Data Connection
Associate 'Dān' with 'Data'. You have data, so you 'dān-estan'.
Skills
For skills like swimming or cooking, try using 'balad būdan' instead of 'dānestan'.
Daily Fact
Every day, say one thing you know in Persian: 'mīdānam ke...'
No 'Rā' for Clauses
Don't use 'rā' before a 'ke' clause. Just say 'mīdānam ke...', not 'mīdānam rā ke...'.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Dan knows the plan. (Dān-estan)
Word Origin
Proto-Indo-European *gnō- (to know)
Cultural Context
The adjective 'dānā' (wise) is a title of respect for elders and scholars.
Knowing is the key to all doors.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Conversation Starters
"آیا میدانی ساعت چند است؟"
"میدانی فردا چه اتفاقی میافتد؟"
"آیا میدانی بهترین رستوران اینجا کجاست؟"
"میخواهم بدانم نظر تو چیست."
"آیا میدانستی که او زبان فارسی بلد است؟"
Journal Prompts
امروز چه چیز جدیدی دانستی؟
سه چیزی که در مورد ایران میدانی بنویس.
آیا دانستنِ حقیقت همیشه خوب است؟ چرا؟
چه چیزی را آرزو میکردی زودتر میدانستی؟
در مورد اهمیت دانستن زبانهای مختلف بنویس.
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, for people you must use 'shenākhtan'. Dānestan is only for information and facts.
The present stem is 'dān'. So, 'I know' is 'mi-dān-am'.
Yes, 'midūnam' is the colloquial/spoken version of 'midānam'. It is very common in daily life.
You say 'nemīdānam' (formal) or 'nemīdūnam' (informal).
Yes, you can say 'fārsi mīdānam', though 'fārsi baladam' is also very common in speech.
It means 'God knows'. It's used when you really don't know something or to emphasize a point.
You use the subjunctive: 'mi-khāham be-dān-am'.
Yes, 'khāham dānest', but it's more common to use the present tense for future meaning in speech.
Dānestan is the state of knowing; fahmīdan is the act of understanding or realizing.
Yes, in formal Persian, e.g., 'They considered him a hero' (ū rā qahramān dānestand).
Test Yourself 190 questions
Write 'I know your name' in Persian.
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Write 'I don't know where he is' in Persian.
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Write 'He knew the truth' in Persian.
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Write 'We must know the answer' in Persian.
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Write 'I wish I knew' in Persian.
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Write 'They consider him a teacher' in Persian.
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Write 'Do you know why?' in Persian.
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Write 'I know Persian' in Persian.
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Write 'Nobody knows' in Persian.
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Write 'I want to know your opinion' in Persian.
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Write 'As far as I know, it's raining' in Persian.
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Write 'Did you know she was here?' in Persian.
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Write 'Knowledge is power' in Persian.
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Write 'I have known him for years' (using dānestan contextually for info).
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Write 'God knows the secrets' in Persian.
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Write 'You should know this' in Persian.
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Write 'They didn't know the way' in Persian.
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Write 'I will know tomorrow' in Persian.
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Write 'Who knows?' in Persian.
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Write 'I know that you are tired' in Persian.
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Say 'I know' in Persian.
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Say 'I don't know' in Persian.
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Say 'Do you know?' to a friend.
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Say 'I knew' in Persian.
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Say 'I want to know' in Persian.
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Say 'God knows' in Persian.
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Say 'I know Persian' in Persian.
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Say 'We know' in Persian.
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Say 'They know' in Persian.
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Say 'I don't know why' in Persian.
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Say 'I didn't know' in Persian.
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Say 'You must know' in Persian.
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Say 'Who knows?' in Persian.
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Say 'I know that...' in Persian.
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Say 'As far as I know' in Persian.
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Say 'I have always known' in Persian.
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Say 'I will know tomorrow' in Persian.
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Say 'Do you know the address?' in Persian.
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Say 'Nobody knows' in Persian.
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Say 'I wish I knew' in Persian.
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Listen and identify the verb: 'من میدانم'.
Listen and identify the tense: 'دانستم'.
Listen and identify the subject: 'میدانیم'.
Listen and identify the meaning: 'نمیدانم'.
Listen and identify the mood: 'بدانم'.
Listen and identify the object: 'حقیقت را میدانم'.
Listen and identify the question: 'آیا میدانی؟'.
Listen and identify the formal version: 'میدانید'.
Listen and identify the idiom: 'خدا میداند'.
Listen and identify the colloquialism: 'میدونم'.
Listen and identify the negative past: 'ندانستیم'.
Listen and identify the future: 'خواهند دانست'.
Listen and identify the condition: 'اگر میدانستم'.
Listen and identify the frequency: 'همیشه میدانم'.
Listen and identify the reason: 'چون میدانم'.
/ 190 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
The verb دانستن (Dānestan) is essential for expressing factual knowledge. Remember: use it for information, not people. Example: 'من حقیقت را میدانم' (I know the truth). Its present stem is 'dān', used in 'میدانم'.
- Dānestan is the primary Persian verb for 'to know' facts, information, and languages, distinct from knowing people.
- It is irregular in the present tense (stem: dān) and regular in the past tense (stem: dānest).
- Commonly used with 'ke' (that) to introduce clauses and in the negative 'nemīdānam' (I don't know).
- In formal contexts, it can also mean 'to consider' or 'to deem' something as a certain quality.
Stem Mastery
Always remember the present stem is 'dān'. Practice: mīdānam, mīdāni, mīdānd.
Person vs Fact
Draw a line in your notebook: Left side 'Dānestan' (Facts), Right side 'Shenākhtan' (People).
The 'U' Sound
Try saying 'midūnam' instead of 'midānam' to sound more like a local in Tehran.
Catch the 'Ke'
When you hear 'mīdānam ke...', get ready for a whole sentence of information.
Example
دانستن زبانهای خارجی یک مزیت است.
Related Content
Related Phrases
More general words
عادتوار
C1As a matter of habit; habitually.
عادی
A1Conforming to the usual or standard type; normal or ordinary.
عافیت
B2Well-being; the state of being comfortable, healthy, or happy.
عاجل
B2Requiring immediate attention or action; urgent.
عاقبت
C1The outcome or result of an action or event.
عاقل
A1Having or showing experience, knowledge, and good judgment; wise.
عالمگیر
C1Universal, worldwide, or affecting all parts of the world.
عالی
A1Excellent; extremely good or outstanding.
عام
B1General, common, public.
اعم از
B2Including; whether (used to introduce options).