Persian prefix هم (ham-) is cognate with Old English “sama” and Greek “homos” (same). The Greek prefix is found in English words that begin with “homo-”. Words that derive from هم are adjective and mean “of the same”, “having the same”, “sharing the same”. Its function is similar to English “homo-” (homograph), “co-” (co-worker), “fellow-” (fellow workers) and “-mate” (workmate). This prefix is very productive and helps you guess the meaning of many Persian words.
| Derivation | Meaning | Literally |
|---|---|---|
| همرنگ hamrang | of the same color | of the same color |
| همکار hamkâr | co-worker, colleague | having the same work |
| همسن hamsenn | of the same age | of the same age |
| هماهنگ hamâhang | harmonious | having the same tune |
| همبازی hambâzi | playmate | sharing the same play |
| همخانه hamxâne | housemate | sharing the same house |
| همدست hamdast | accomplice | sharing the same hand |
| همسایه hamsâye | neighbor | sharing the same shadow |
| همسر hamsar | spouse | sharing the same end |
| هممیهن hammihan | compatriot | sharing the same homeland |
| همنام hamnâm | namesake | of the same name |
| همدم hamdam | companion | sharing the same breath |
| همراه hamrâh | companion, accompanying | sharing the same way |
| همسفر hamsafar | traveling companion | sharing the same trip |
| همنشین hamnešin | companion | one sitting with another |
Deriving Nouns
We can derive nouns from the words made with هم using the suffix ی (-i).
| Derivation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| همکاری hamkâri | cooperation |
| هماهنگی hamâhangi | harmony |
| همدستی hamdasti | complicity |
| همسایگی hamsâyegi | neighborhood |
Deriving verbs
We can derive compound verbs from the words made with هم using verbs like کردن (kardan) and شدن (šodan).
| Derivation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| همکاری کردن hamkâri kardan | to cooperate |
| هماهنگ کردن hamâhang kardan | to harmonize |
| هماهنگی کردن hamâhangi kardan | to coordinate |
| همدستی کردن hamdasti kardan | to collude; to connive |
| همراهی کردن hamrâhi kardan | to accompany |