Indicative present imperfect

Formation

mi + present stem + present ending

Conjugation

Notes

When the present stem ends in a vowel, a y appears before the ending:

The imperfect form of the verb budan (to be) is made by taking bâsh as its present stem (instead of original bov). This form is only used in written Persian. It is a synthetic form, which is advised to be avoided and instead, the forms of present simple be used.

The verb dâshtan (to have) is not normally conjugated in the imperfect aspect and instead, its simple aspect is used. It also applies to compound verbs made from dâshtan, in which the compound verb retains the meaning of «to have». Compare bar dâshtan (to pick up) with dust dâshtan (to like, to love; literally: to have a feeling of liking or love):

Examples

This tense is not technically equivalent to English «present simple» but its usage covers it. For example, miravam can mean «I go», «I'm going» and even «I will go» depending on the context.

• Har ruz be piyâderavi miravim — We go walking everyday
• Pezeshki mikhwânam — I study medicine
• Bârân miâyad — It's raining

In spoken Persian, present tenses are used to express future. That is, none of future tenses are used:

• Fardâ be to zang mizanad — He calls (will call) you tomorrow
• Ân pul râ fardâ be to mideham — I give (will give) you that money tomorrow
• Mibinam-at — see you!
• Hodud-e yek mâh dar Irân mimânim — We remain (will remain) in Iran about a month