Impersonal Constructions in Persian

Overview

Impersonal constructions express general rules, possibilities, and necessities without specifying a particular subject. In Persian, these are built using invariable expressions like باید (bāyad, must), نباید (nabāyad, must not), می‌شود (mishavad, it is possible), and لازم است (lāzem ast, it is necessary). At the B2 level, understanding these structures lets you express rules, advice, and generalizations with precision.

These constructions are "impersonal" because the modal word itself does not change for person — the person is carried entirely by the subjunctive verb that follows. This makes them grammatically simple but communicatively powerful. They appear frequently in signs, instructions, formal advice, and general statements about what is or is not permissible.

How It Works

Expression	Meaning	Example
باید + subjunctive	must/should	باید بروید (you must go)
نباید + subjunctive	must not	نباید اینجا سیگار کشید (one must not smoke here)
می‌شود + infinitive/subjunctive	it is possible/can	می‌شود پارک کرد؟ (can one park here?)
نمی‌شود + infinitive	it is not possible	نمی‌شود اینجا پارک کرد (one cannot park here)
لازم است + subjunctive	it is necessary	لازم است بروید (it is necessary that you go)
ممکن است + subjunctive	it is possible	ممکن است باران بیاید (it may rain)
شایسته است + subjunctive	it is appropriate	شایسته است احترام بگذاریم (it is appropriate to show respect)

Using infinitive for general impersonal:

• اینجا نباید سیگار کشید. (One must not smoke here. — infinitive, no specific person)
• می‌شود اینجا پارک کرد? (Is it possible to park here?)

Examples in Context

Persian	English	Note
اینجا نباید سیگار کشید.	One must not smoke here.	General prohibition
می‌شود اینجا پارک کرد؟	Can one park here?	General possibility
لازم است بروید.	It is necessary that you go.	Formal necessity
ممکن است باران بیاید.	It is possible it will rain.	Possibility
باید صبر کرد.	One must wait.	General necessity
نمی‌شود اینطوری رفتار کرد.	One cannot behave like this.	Prohibition
بهتر است زود بیایید.	It would be better if you come early.	Advice
قرار است جلسه برگزار شود.	The meeting is to be held.	Planned event
گفته می‌شود که...	It is said that...	Passive impersonal
واجب است نماز خواند.	It is obligatory to pray.	Religious/formal

Common Mistakes

Conjugating باید or می‌شود for person

• Wrong: بایدم بروم, می‌شوم بروم
• Right: باید بروم, می‌شود بروم
• Why: These expressions are invariable. Person is shown only in the following subjunctive verb.

Using indicative instead of subjunctive after impersonal expressions

• Wrong: لازم است می‌روید (indicative)
• Right: لازم است بروید (subjunctive)
• Why: Impersonal expressions of necessity, possibility, and obligation require the subjunctive.

Confusing می‌شود (possible) with می‌شود (becomes)

• Wrong: Interpreting می‌شود اینجا نشست as "it becomes sitting here"
• Right: "It is possible to sit here" (impersonal possibility)
• Why: می‌شود has two functions: as an impersonal modal (possible) and as the present of شدن (to become). Context distinguishes them.

Usage Notes

Impersonal constructions with infinitives (باید رفت, نباید کرد) are more formal and literary than those with subjunctives (باید بروم). The infinitive version sounds like a general rule; the subjunctive version addresses a specific person. Signs and regulations prefer the infinitive form.

Practice Tips

1. Translate signs and rules into Persian impersonal constructions: "No smoking" → اینجا نباید سیگار کشید, "Parking permitted" → می‌شود اینجا پارک کرد.
2. Practice giving advice using بهتر است: بهتر است زود بخوابید (it's better to sleep early), بهتر است ورزش کنید (it's better to exercise).
3. Express possibilities about weather and events: ممکن است فردا باران بیاید (it may rain tomorrow), قرار است فردا جلسه داشته باشیم (we are to have a meeting tomorrow).

Related Concepts

• Subjunctive Mood — the mood required in impersonal constructions