همدیگر را دوست داشتن
همدیگر را دوست داشتن in 30 Seconds
- Expresses mutual love or strong liking.
- Requires a plural subject (we, you, they).
- Must include the object marker 'را' (rā).
- In spoken Persian, often pronounced 'hamdigeh ro'.
The Persian phrase 'همدیگر را دوست داشتن' (hamdigar rā dust dāshtan) translates directly to 'to love each other' or 'to like each other'. It is a compound reciprocal verb phrase used to express mutual affection, care, or romantic love between two or more individuals. Understanding this phrase requires breaking down its components. 'همدیگر' (hamdigar) is a reciprocal pronoun meaning 'each other' or 'one another'. 'را' (rā) is the definite direct object marker in Persian, indicating that 'each other' is the object of the verb. 'دوست داشتن' (dust dāshtan) is a compound verb meaning 'to love' or 'to like', formed by 'دوست' (friend/love) and 'داشتن' (to have). When combined, the phrase captures the essence of a two-way emotional connection. This connection can range from platonic friendship among peers to deep romantic involvement between partners, depending entirely on the context and the relationship of the subjects involved. In Persian culture, expressing mutual affection is a cornerstone of social harmony and familial bonds. The concept of loving one another is deeply embedded in Persian literature, poetry, and daily interactions. Whether you are talking about family members who support one another, friends who share a deep bond, or a couple in a romantic relationship, this phrase is the standard and most natural way to articulate that mutual feeling. The versatility of 'دوست داشتن' means it does not carry the exclusively heavy romantic weight of words like 'عشق ورزیدن' (to make love/to be passionately in love), making it suitable for a wide array of everyday situations. Furthermore, the grammatical structure highlights a key feature of Persian syntax: the placement of the object marker 'را' immediately following the direct object 'همدیگر', preceding the verb complex. Mastering this phrase is essential for intermediate learners (CEFR B1) as it bridges the gap between simple subject-verb-object sentences and more complex relational expressions.
- Morphological Breakdown
- همدیگر (hamdigar) - Reciprocal pronoun; را (rā) - Object marker; دوست (dust) - Noun (friend/affection); داشتن (dāshtan) - Verb (to have).
- Semantic Range
- Encompasses both platonic liking and romantic loving, heavily reliant on context and tone of voice.
- Syntactic Function
- Functions as a transitive verbal phrase requiring a plural subject to logically perform the reciprocal action.
آن دو برادر همدیگر را دوست داشتن را از پدرشان آموختند.
مهمترین چیز در یک خانواده، همدیگر را دوست داشتن است.
آنها با وجود اختلافات، همدیگر را دوست داشتن را فراموش نکردند.
راز یک ازدواج موفق، همدیگر را دوست داشتن و احترام متقابل است.
بچهها باید همدیگر را دوست داشتن را در مدرسه یاد بگیرند.
Using 'همدیگر را دوست داشتن' correctly in a sentence requires a solid grasp of Persian verb conjugation and sentence structure. Because the action is reciprocal, the subject of the sentence must inherently be plural. You cannot say 'I love each other'; you must say 'We love each other' (ما همدیگر را دوست داریم), 'You love each other' (شما همدیگر را دوست دارید), or 'They love each other' (آنها همدیگر را دوست دارند). The verb 'داشتن' (to have) is the only part of the phrase that changes its form to match the subject and the tense. The present stem of 'داشتن' is 'دار' (dār), and the past stem is 'داشت' (dāsht). In the present tense, unlike most Persian verbs, 'داشتن' does not take the 'می' (mi-) prefix. Therefore, 'we love each other' is 'ما همدیگر را دوست داریم' (mā hamdigar rā dust dārim), not 'میداریم'. In the past tense, it follows regular conjugation rules: 'آنها همدیگر را دوست داشتند' (ānhā hamdigar rā dust dāshtand - they loved each other). For the future tense, the auxiliary verb 'خواستن' (to want) is used before the main verb: 'آنها همدیگر را دوست خواهند داشت' (ānhā hamdigar rā dust khāhand dāsht). The negative form is created by adding the prefix 'ن' (na-) to the conjugated part of the verb: 'آنها همدیگر را دوست ندارند' (ānhā hamdigar rā dust nadārand - they do not love each other). Another crucial element is the object marker 'را' (rā). It must be placed immediately after 'همدیگر' because 'each other' is the specific, definite direct object receiving the action of love. Omitting 'را' makes the sentence grammatically incorrect and unnatural to native speakers. In spoken Persian, 'همدیگر' is often shortened to 'همدیگه' (hamdigeh), and 'را' is shortened to 'رو' (ro) or simply 'و' (o). Thus, in a casual conversation, you will frequently hear 'آنها همدیگه رو دوست دارن' (ānhā hamdigeh ro dust dāran). Mastering these conjugations and colloquial shifts is vital for achieving fluency and sounding natural in everyday Persian conversations.
- Present Tense
- Conjugate 'داشتن' without the 'می' prefix: داریم، دارید، دارند.
- Past Tense
- Use the past stem 'داشت': داشتیم، داشتید، داشتند.
- Colloquial Form
- همدیگر را becomes همدیگه رو (hamdigeh ro) in spoken Persian.
ما از کودکی همدیگر را دوست داشتیم.
شما باید همدیگر را دوست داشته باشید.
آیا آنها واقعاً همدیگر را دوست دارند؟
اگر همدیگر را دوست داشتند، دعوا نمیکردند.
آنها تصمیم گرفتند همیشه همدیگر را دوست داشته باشند.
The phrase 'همدیگر را دوست داشتن' is ubiquitous in Persian-speaking societies, echoing through various facets of daily life, media, and literature. You will hear it most frequently in everyday conversations among family members and friends. Parents often use it to encourage harmony among siblings, saying things like 'شما برادر هستید، باید همدیگر را دوست داشته باشید' (You are brothers, you must love each other). It is also a staple in romantic contexts. When friends are gossiping about a new couple, they might observe, 'معلوم است که خیلی همدیگر را دوست دارند' (It is obvious that they love each other very much). Beyond casual chatter, this phrase is heavily featured in Iranian cinema and television dramas, which often revolve around complex family dynamics, romantic entanglements, and social relationships. In these melodramas, the presence or absence of mutual love is a central plot device. Furthermore, the concept—if not the exact phrasing—is a foundational theme in classical and modern Persian poetry. While classical poets like Rumi or Hafez might use more elevated vocabulary like 'مهر ورزیدن' (to show affection) or 'عشق بازی' (to engage in love), modern poets and lyricists frequently rely on the accessible and universally understood 'همدیگر را دوست داشتن' to connect with contemporary audiences. You will hear it in pop music, where singers croon about couples who used to love each other but have since drifted apart. It is also common in formal settings like wedding ceremonies, where the officiant or family elders will bless the newlyweds by wishing that they will always love each other. In psychological and sociological discussions on Iranian talk shows, experts use the phrase when discussing healthy relationship dynamics, emphasizing that mutual affection is the bedrock of a stable society. Its widespread use across all registers of the language—from the most informal street slang to formal television broadcasts—makes it an indispensable phrase for any learner aiming to understand the emotional landscape of Persian culture.
- Family Settings
- Used by parents to encourage siblings to get along and show affection.
- Romantic Gossip
- Frequently used when discussing the relationship status and chemistry of couples.
- Media and Pop Culture
- A recurring theme in soap operas, movies, and contemporary pop songs.
در فیلم، دو شخصیت اصلی در نهایت همدیگر را دوست داشتن را یاد میگیرند.
مجری برنامه گفت: بیایید بیشتر همدیگر را دوست داشته باشیم.
در آهنگ جدیدش میخواند که چرا دیگر همدیگر را دوست نداریم.
پدربزرگ همیشه میگفت: رمز خوشبختی همدیگر را دوست داشتن است.
در مراسم عروسی، همه برای همدیگر را دوست داشتن عروس و داماد دعا کردند.
When learning the phrase 'همدیگر را دوست داشتن', students frequently encounter several grammatical and syntactic pitfalls. The most common mistake is the omission of the direct object marker 'را' (rā). Because English does not have an equivalent particle, English speakers often translate 'we love each other' directly as 'ما همدیگر دوست داریم' (mā hamdigar dust dārim). This sounds broken and incorrect to a native Persian speaker; 'را' is absolutely necessary here because 'همدیگر' is a specific, definite object. Another frequent error involves the conjugation of the verb 'داشتن' (to have) in the present tense. Many learners apply the standard present tense prefix 'می' (mi-) and say 'ما همدیگر را دوست میداریم'. While 'دوست میداریم' exists in highly literary or archaic Persian, it is entirely unnatural in modern everyday speech. The correct modern present tense is simply 'دوست داریم'. A third mistake relates to subject-verb agreement regarding plurality. Since 'همدیگر' implies reciprocity, the subject must be plural. A learner might mistakenly try to construct a sentence like 'من همدیگر را دوست دارم' (I love each other), which is logically impossible. The subject must be 'ما' (we), 'شما' (you plural), or 'آنها' (they). Additionally, learners sometimes confuse 'همدیگر' with 'یکدیگر' (yekdigar). While both mean 'each other' and are grammatically interchangeable, 'یکدیگر' is significantly more formal and is usually reserved for written texts, news broadcasts, or formal speeches. Using 'یکدیگر' in a casual chat with a friend sounds overly stiff and unnatural. Finally, pronunciation errors occur when learners fail to blend the words naturally. In spoken Persian, 'همدیگر را' blends into 'همدیگه رو' (hamdigeh ro). Failing to use this colloquial contraction in informal settings can make the speaker sound robotic or like they are reading from a textbook. Recognizing and correcting these common mistakes will drastically improve the fluency and naturalness of your Persian.
- Omitting 'را'
- Incorrect: آنها همدیگر دوست دارند. Correct: آنها همدیگر را دوست دارند.
- Adding 'می' in Present Tense
- Incorrect: ما همدیگر را دوست میداریم. Correct: ما همدیگر را دوست داریم.
- Singular Subject
- Incorrect: او همدیگر را دوست دارد. Correct: آنها همدیگر را دوست دارند.
اشتباه رایج: ما همدیگر دوست داشتن را یاد گرفتیم. (نادرست به دلیل عدم تطابق فعل)
شکل صحیح: ما یاد گرفتیم که همدیگر را دوست داشته باشیم.
اشتباه رایج: علی همدیگر را دوست دارد. (نیاز به فاعل جمع دارد)
شکل صحیح: علی و مریم همدیگر را دوست دارند.
تفاوت لحن: یکدیگر را دوست داشتن (رسمی) در مقابل همدیگر را دوست داشتن (روزمره).
The Persian language is incredibly rich in vocabulary related to love, affection, and interpersonal relationships. While 'همدیگر را دوست داشتن' is the most common and versatile phrase, there are several similar words and expressions that carry nuanced differences in meaning, intensity, and formality. One of the most direct synonyms is 'به همدیگر علاقه داشتن' (be hamdigar alāgheh dāshtan), which translates to 'to have an interest in each other' or 'to be fond of each other'. This phrase is slightly less intense than 'دوست داشتن' and is often used in the early stages of a romantic relationship or to describe a strong platonic affinity. If the context is deeply romantic and passionate, the phrase 'عاشق همدیگر بودن' (āshegh-e hamdigar budan) is used, meaning 'to be in love with each other'. The word 'عشق' (eshgh) implies a profound, often overwhelming romantic love, making this phrase much stronger than simply 'دوست داشتن'. For formal or literary contexts, you might encounter 'به یکدیگر مهر ورزیدن' (be yekdigar mehr varzidan), which means 'to show affection to one another'. 'مهر' (mehr) is an ancient Persian word for love, kindness, and the sun, giving this phrase a poetic and elevated tone. Another related concept is 'با هم مهربان بودن' (bā ham mehrabān budan), meaning 'to be kind to each other'. While not a direct translation of loving each other, it describes the behavioral manifestation of mutual affection. In familial or community settings, 'هوای همدیگر را داشتن' (havā-ye hamdigar rā dāshtan) is a fantastic idiomatic expression meaning 'to look out for each other' or 'to have each other's backs'. This implies a love based on mutual support and protection rather than just emotional feeling. Understanding these variations allows a learner to express the exact shade of affection required by the situation, moving from basic liking to passionate love, and from casual slang to elevated poetry.
- عاشق همدیگر بودن (āshegh-e hamdigar budan)
- To be passionately in love with each other. Much stronger and exclusively romantic.
- به همدیگر علاقه داشتن (be hamdigar alāgheh dāshtan)
- To be fond of each other; to have a mutual interest. Slightly milder.
- هوای همدیگر را داشتن (havā-ye hamdigar rā dāshtan)
- To have each other's backs; to support each other mutually.
آنها فراتر از همدیگر را دوست داشتن، عاشق هم بودند.
به جای فقط همدیگر را دوست داشتن، باید هوای هم را داشته باشیم.
در ادبیات کهن، به جای همدیگر را دوست داشتن از مهر ورزیدن استفاده میشد.
معلم گفت: با هم مهربان باشید و همدیگر را دوست داشته باشید.
آنها به تازگی به همدیگر علاقه پیدا کردهاند و همدیگر را دوست دارند.
How Formal Is It?
""
""
""
Difficulty Rating
Grammar to Know
Examples by Level
ما همدیگر را دوست داریم.
We love each other.
Subject 'ما' (we) + همدیگر را + دوست داریم (present tense, 1st person plural).
آنها همدیگر را دوست دارند.
They love each other.
Subject 'آنها' (they) takes the 3rd person plural verb ending 'ند'.
شما همدیگر را دوست دارید.
You (plural) love each other.
Subject 'شما' (you plural) takes the 2nd person plural verb ending 'ید'.
علی و رضا همدیگر را دوست دارند.
Ali and Reza like each other.
Two singular subjects combined with 'و' (and) make a plural subject.
پدر و مادر همدیگر را دوست دارند.
Father and mother love each other.
Common family vocabulary used with the reciprocal verb.
ما خیلی همدیگر را دوست داریم.
We love each other very much.
Adverb 'خیلی' (very much) is placed before the object or verb.
آنها همدیگر را دوست ندارند.
They do not love each other.
Negative prefix 'ن' added to the verb: ندارند.
آیا شما همدیگر را دوست دارید؟
Do you love each other?
Question word 'آیا' placed at the beginning of the sentence.
ما در مدرسه همدیگر را دوست داشتیم.
We liked each other in school.
Past tense 'داشتیم' used for a completed action in the past.
آنها قبلاً همدیگر را دوست داشتند.
They used to love each other.
Adverb 'قبلاً' (previously/used to) indicates past state.
چرا آنها همدیگر را دوست ندارند؟
Why don't they love each other?
Question word 'چرا' (why) used with the negative present tense.
ما همیشه همدیگر را دوست داریم.
We always love each other.
Adverb 'همیشه' (always) shows continuous state.
آنها با هم کار میکنند و همدیگر را دوست دارند.
They work together and like each other.
Compound sentence joined by 'و' (and).
برادرها باید همدیگر را دوست داشته باشند.
Brothers must love each other.
Modal verb 'باید' (must) requires the subjunctive 'داشته باشند'.
ما همدیگر را خیلی دوست داشتیم.
We loved each other very much.
Past tense with the intensifier 'خیلی'.
آنها دیگر همدیگر را دوست ندارند.
They don't love each other anymore.
Adverb 'دیگر' (anymore) used with a negative verb.
مهم است که ما همدیگر را دوست داشته باشیم.
It is important that we love each other.
Impersonal construction 'مهم است که' followed by the subjunctive.
اگر همدیگر را دوست داشتند، ازدواج میکردند.
If they loved each other, they would marry.
Type 2 conditional sentence (unreal present/future).
آنها تظاهر میکنند که همدیگر را دوست دارند.
They pretend that they love each other.
Verb 'تظاهر کردن' (to pretend) followed by 'که' and indicative.
ما تصمیم گرفتیم همیشه همدیگر را دوست داشته باشیم.
We decided to always love each other.
Verb 'تصمیم گرفتن' (to decide) followed by the subjunctive.
با وجود مشکلات، آنها هنوز همدیگر را دوست دارند.
Despite the problems, they still love each other.
Prepositional phrase 'با وجود' (despite).
کاش آنها همدیگر را بیشتر دوست داشتند.
I wish they loved each other more.
'کاش' (I wish) followed by the past tense to express a present wish.
یاد گرفتنِ همدیگر را دوست داشتن زمان میبرد.
Learning to love each other takes time.
Using the infinitive phrase as a noun subject.
آنها به خاطر بچهها سعی میکنند همدیگر را دوست داشته باشند.
They try to love each other for the sake of the children.
'سعی کردن' (to try) followed by the subjunctive.
عشق واقعی یعنی در سختترین شرایط هم همدیگر را دوست داشتن.
True love means loving each other even in the hardest conditions.
Using the infinitive as a gerund to define a concept.
آنها چنان همدیگر را دوست داشتند که زبانزد همه شده بودند.
They loved each other so much that they became the talk of everyone.
Correlative conjunction 'چنان... که' (so... that).
برای بقای یک جامعه، افراد باید یکدیگر را دوست داشته باشند.
For the survival of a society, individuals must love one another.
Use of the more formal 'یکدیگر' instead of 'همدیگر'.
گمان نمیکنم آنها دیگر مثل گذشته همدیگر را دوست داشته باشند.
I don't think they love each other like in the past anymore.
Negative opinion 'گمان نمیکنم' triggering the subjunctive.
همدیگر را دوست داشتن به معنای نادیده گرفتن عیوب نیست.
Loving each other does not mean ignoring flaws.
Infinitive phrase acting as the subject of a complex sentence.
آنها به جای کینه توزی، تصمیم به همدیگر را دوست داشتن گرفتند.
Instead of holding grudges, they decided on loving each other.
Noun phrase construction 'تصمیم به... گرفتن'.
هرچه بیشتر یکدیگر را بشناسند، بیشتر همدیگر را دوست خواهند داشت.
The more they know one another, the more they will love each other.
Comparative structure 'هرچه بیشتر... بیشتر' with future tense.
مگر میشود سالها با هم زندگی کرد و همدیگر را دوست نداشت؟
Is it possible to live together for years and not love each other?
Rhetorical question using 'مگر میشود'.
در این رمان، نویسنده مفهومِ انتزاعیِ همدیگر را دوست داشتن را به چالش میکشد.
In this novel, the author challenges the abstract concept of loving each other.
Using the phrase as a defined abstract noun concept.
الزامِ اخلاقیِ یکدیگر را دوست داشتن، بنمایه بسیاری از مکاتب فلسفی است.
The moral obligation of loving one another is the foundation of many philosophical schools.
Highly formal academic register using 'یکدیگر'.
آنها در گردابی از سوءتفاهمها غرق شدند، حال آنکه در اعماق وجود، همدیگر را دوست داشتند.
They drowned in a whirlpool of misunderstandings, whereas deep down, they loved each other.
Complex sentence with literary metaphors and contrastive conjunction 'حال آنکه'.
همدیگر را دوست داشتن، هنری است که نیازمند ممارست و از خودگذشتگیِ مستمر است.
Loving each other is an art that requires continuous practice and self-sacrifice.
Metaphorical definition using advanced vocabulary ('ممارست', 'از خودگذشتگی').
پنهان کردنِ این حقیقت که آنها دیوانهوار همدیگر را دوست دارند، دیگر غیرممکن بود.
Hiding the truth that they madly love each other was no longer possible.
Noun clause acting in apposition to 'این حقیقت'.
جامعهشناسان معتقدند که فقدانِ همدیگر را دوست داشتن، ریشه بسیاری از بزهکاریهاست.
Sociologists believe that the lack of loving each other is the root of many delinquencies.
Using 'فقدان' (lack of) with the infinitive phrase.
آنان به رغم تمام ناملایمات روزگار، عهد بستند که تا پای جان همدیگر را دوست بدارند.
Despite all the hardships of life, they vowed to love each other until the end of their lives.
Literary use of 'دوست بدارند' instead of 'دوست داشته باشند'.
تجلیِ غاییِ انسانیت، در بیقید و شرط همدیگر را دوست داشتن نهفته است.
The ultimate manifestation of humanity lies in loving each other unconditionally.
Advanced syntax placing the adverb 'بیقید و شرط' before the infinitive phrase.
در اندیشه عرفانی، یکدیگر را دوست داشتن، بازتابی از عشق کیهانی به ذات اقدس الهی است.
In mystical thought, loving one another is a reflection of cosmic love for the divine essence.
Philosophical/mystical register with highly specialized vocabulary.
شاعر با ظرافتی بینظیر، تناقضِ دردناکِ همدیگر را دوست داشتن و در عین حال به هم آسیب زدن را به تصویر میکشد.
The poet, with unparalleled elegance, depicts the painful paradox of loving each other while simultaneously hurting one another.
Complex parallel infinitive structures expressing paradox.
آیا تقلیل دادنِ مفهومِ غامضِ عشق به صرفِ 'همدیگر را دوست داشتن' جفایی در حق ادبیات کلاسیک نیست؟
Is reducing the complex concept of love to merely 'loving each other' not an injustice to classical literature?
Rhetorical, academic critique using advanced phrasing ('تقلیل دادن', 'جفا').
آنان در سکوتی سرشار از ناگفتهها، تنها با نگاه، همدیگر را دوست داشتنِ خویش را فریاد میزدند.
In a silence full of unsaid things, only with a look, they screamed their loving of each other.
Poetic imagery and nominalization of the verb phrase with 'خویش'.
رسالتِ غاییِ هنر، بیدار کردنِ وجدانِ خفتهی بشریت برای بازگشت به اصلِ یکدیگر را دوست داشتن است.
The ultimate mission of art is to awaken the dormant conscience of humanity to return to the principle of loving one another.
Elevated, formal discourse on the purpose of art.
وی در رسالهی خویش استدلال میکند که مدینه فاضله تنها در سایهی بیشائبه همدیگر را دوست داشتن محقق میگردد.
In his treatise, he argues that the utopia is realized only in the shadow of purely loving each other.
Classical academic vocabulary ('رساله', 'مدینه فاضله', 'بیشائبه').
تراژدی داستان در این نهفته بود که جبر زمانه، مجالِ همدیگر را دوست داشتن را از آنان ستانده بود.
The tragedy of the story lay in the fact that the determinism of the times had taken away the opportunity of loving each other from them.
Literary narrative style using 'ستانده بود' (pluperfect of to take).
در جهانی آکنده از عداوت، صِرفِ همدیگر را دوست داشتن، خود کنشی عمیقاً رادیکال و عصیانگرانه است.
In a world filled with enmity, the mere act of loving each other is itself a deeply radical and rebellious act.
Sociopolitical commentary using advanced abstract nouns and adjectives.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
آنها خیلی همدیگر را دوست دارند.
ما باید همدیگر را دوست داشته باشیم.
کاش همدیگر را دوست داشتند.
آیا همدیگر را دوست دارید؟
آنها دیگر همدیگر را دوست ندارند.
بیایید همدیگر را دوست داشته باشیم.
آنها وانمود میکنند همدیگر را دوست دارند.
شرط اول، همدیگر را دوست داشتن است.
آنها از بچگی همدیگر را دوست داشتند.
مهم این است که همدیگر را دوست دارند.
Often Confused With
Idioms & Expressions
""
""
""
""
""
""
""
""
""
""
Easily Confused
Sentence Patterns
How to Use It
While 'دوست داشتن' can mean 'to like' for objects (e.g., I like apples), when used with 'همدیگر' for people, it almost always implies a strong emotional bond, translating closer to 'love' or 'deep affection' rather than just casually 'liking' someone as an acquaintance.
- Saying 'آنها همدیگر دوست دارند' without 'را'.
- Saying 'ما همدیگر را دوست میداریم'.
- Using a singular subject like 'او همدیگر را دوست دارد'.
- Confusing it with 'عاشق هم بودن' in platonic contexts.
- Pronouncing it exactly as written in informal speech.
Tips
Plural Subjects Only
Always ensure your subject is plural. You cannot use 'من' (I) or 'او' (he/she) with 'همدیگر'. It must be 'ما', 'شما', or 'آنها'. This is a common logical error for beginners.
The 'Ro' Contraction
To sound natural, practice saying 'hamdigeh ro' instead of 'hamdigar rā'. Native speakers almost never say 'rā' in casual conversation. This small change makes a huge difference in your accent.
No 'Mi' in Present
Resist the urge to add 'می' to the present tense. It is 'دوست دارند', never 'دوست میدارند'. This is a specific exception for the verb 'داشتن'.
Formal Writing
If you are writing an essay or a formal letter, switch 'همدیگر' to 'یکدیگر'. It instantly elevates the tone of your writing and shows advanced vocabulary control.
Catching the Negative
Listen closely for the 'na' sound in 'nadārand'. In fast speech, the difference between 'dāran' (they love) and 'nadāran' (they don't love) can be subtle but completely changes the meaning.
Family Values
Use this phrase when talking to Iranian friends about their families. Saying 'خوشحالم که خانواده شما همدیگر را دوست دارند' (I'm glad your family loves each other) is a great compliment.
Using with 'Bāyad'
When giving advice, use 'باید' (must/should) followed by the subjunctive: 'شما باید همدیگر را دوست داشته باشید'. This is a very common sentence structure.
Intensifiers
To say 'love very much', place 'خیلی' (very) right before the verb: 'همدیگر را خیلی دوست دارند'. You can also place it before 'همدیگر' for emphasis.
Shortening to 'Ham'
For ultra-casual speech with close friends, you can shorten 'همدیگر را' to 'همو' (hamo). 'ما همو دوست داریم' is as casual as it gets.
Memorize It
Word Origin
Persian
Cultural Context
Discussing romantic love openly before marriage can be taboo in highly traditional families, but the phrase itself is not a bad word.
Can be used in both formal and informal settings, though 'یکدیگر' is preferred in highly formal writing.
Extremely common and stable in modern Persian.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Conversation Starters
"به نظر شما چرا آمار طلاق بالا رفته؟ آیا زوجها دیگر همدیگر را دوست ندارند؟"
"راز اینکه پدربزرگ و مادربزرگت اینقدر همدیگر را دوست دارند چیست؟"
"آیا فکر میکنی در نگاه اول میشود همدیگر را دوست داشت؟"
"چگونه میتوانیم به بچهها یاد بدهیم بیشتر همدیگر را دوست داشته باشند؟"
"به نظرت فلانی و همسرش واقعاً همدیگر را دوست دارند یا تظاهر میکنند؟"
Journal Prompts
Write about a time you realized two of your friends really loved each other.
Describe the importance of family members loving each other in your culture.
Write a short story about a couple who forgot how to love each other and then remembered.
Do you think it's possible for enemies to eventually love each other? Why or why not?
Reflect on a movie where the main theme was 'loving each other'.
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, you should not. The verb 'داشتن' (to have) is an exception in Persian grammar. In the present tense, it does not take the 'می' (mi-) prefix. Saying 'میدارند' sounds archaic or incorrect in modern Persian. Always say 'دوست دارند'.
Yes, absolutely. 'همدیگر' is a specific, definite direct object. In Persian, definite direct objects must be followed by 'را'. Omitting it makes the sentence grammatically incorrect and confusing to native speakers.
They mean exactly the same thing: 'each other' or 'one another'. The difference is entirely in the register. 'همدیگر' is used in everyday conversation and standard writing. 'یکدیگر' is highly formal, used in news, academic papers, and literature.
No, that is logically impossible. 'همدیگر' means 'each other', which requires reciprocity between at least two people. Therefore, the subject of your sentence must be plural: 'ما' (we), 'شما' (you plural), or 'آنها' (they).
In casual, spoken Persian, the phrase 'همدیگر را' is contracted. It becomes 'همدیگه رو' (hamdigeh ro). So, 'آنها همدیگر را دوست دارند' is pronounced as 'Oonhā hamdigeh ro doost dāran'.
It can mean both! The exact meaning depends heavily on the context. If you are talking about a married couple, it means romantic love. If you are talking about two brothers, it means familial love. If you want to specify passionate romantic love, use 'عاشق هم بودن'.
To make it negative, you add the negative prefix 'ن' (na-) to the conjugated part of the verb. So 'دوست دارند' (they love) becomes 'دوست ندارند' (they do not love). The rest of the phrase remains exactly the same.
You use the past stem of 'داشتن', which is 'داشت' (dāsht). Then add the plural personal endings. For example, 'ما همدیگر را دوست داشتیم' (We loved each other) or 'آنها همدیگر را دوست داشتند' (They loved each other).
Yes, in very informal spoken Persian, 'همدیگر' is sometimes shortened to just 'هم'. For example, you might hear 'ما همو دوست داریم' (Mā hamo doost dārim), where 'همو' is a contraction of 'هم' + 'رو' (the spoken form of را).
The subjunctive is formed by changing 'داشتن' to 'داشته باش-'. For example, 'باید همدیگر را دوست داشته باشیم' (We must love each other). This is used after modal verbs like 'باید' (must) or 'میخواهند' (they want).
Test Yourself 180 questions
/ 180 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
The phrase 'همدیگر را دوست داشتن' is the standard Persian way to say 'to love each other'. Remember that it requires a plural subject and the object marker 'را' after 'همدیگر' to be grammatically correct.
- Expresses mutual love or strong liking.
- Requires a plural subject (we, you, they).
- Must include the object marker 'را' (rā).
- In spoken Persian, often pronounced 'hamdigeh ro'.
Plural Subjects Only
Always ensure your subject is plural. You cannot use 'من' (I) or 'او' (he/she) with 'همدیگر'. It must be 'ما', 'شما', or 'آنها'. This is a common logical error for beginners.
The 'Ro' Contraction
To sound natural, practice saying 'hamdigeh ro' instead of 'hamdigar rā'. Native speakers almost never say 'rā' in casual conversation. This small change makes a huge difference in your accent.
Context is Key
Don't assume 'دوست داشتن' always means romantic love. It is the most general word for affection. Look at the relationship between the people to understand the depth of the feeling.
No 'Mi' in Present
Resist the urge to add 'می' to the present tense. It is 'دوست دارند', never 'دوست میدارند'. This is a specific exception for the verb 'داشتن'.
Related Content
Related Grammar Rules
More family words
عاقد
B1Marriage officiant.
عضو بودن
B1To be a member (of a family).
عقد
B1Marriage contract; formal engagement ceremony.
عقد کردن
B1To get married; to formalize a marriage contract.
عمه
A1Paternal aunt; the sister of one's father.
عمه زاده
B1Paternal cousin (child of paternal aunt).
عمهزاده
B1Paternal aunt's child (cousin).
عمو
A1Paternal uncle; the brother of one's father.
عموزاده
A2A cousin (child of one's paternal uncle).
عنایت
B1Care; attention; favor; consideration.