Verbal Prefixes in Persian

Overview

Persian has a set of verbal prefixes that modify the meaning of simple verbs, creating new verbs with related but distinct meanings. At the B1 level, the four main prefixes — بر (bar-, up/out), در (dar-, in/out), فرو (foru-, down), and باز (bāz-, re-/back) — expand your vocabulary significantly by letting you derive new verbs from ones you already know.

These prefixes attach to simple verbs and shift their meaning, often in spatial or metaphorical directions. For example, داشتن (to have) becomes برداشتن (to pick up) with the بر- prefix. Many of the resulting verbs have become standard vocabulary items that Persian speakers use without thinking about the prefix origin.

How It Works

Prefix	Direction	Base Verb	Result
بر bar-	up, out	داشتن (have)	برداشتن (pick up)
بر bar-	up, out	گشتن (turn)	برگشتن (return)
بر bar-	up, out	آمدن (come)	برآمدن (emerge)
در dar-	in, out	آوردن (bring)	درآوردن (take out/earn)
در dar-	in, out	آمدن (come)	درآمدن (come out)
فرو foru-	down	رفتن (go)	فرو رفتن (sink)
فرو foru-	down	ریختن (pour)	فرو ریختن (collapse)
باز bāz-	back, re-	گشتن (turn)	بازگشتن (return)
باز bāz-	back, re-	داشتن (have)	بازداشتن (arrest/detain)
باز bāz-	back, re-	کردن (do)	باز کردن (open)

Examples in Context

Persian	English	Note
کتاب را برداشت.	He picked up the book.	بر + داشتن
چقدر درآمد داری?	How much do you earn?	در + آمدن
در آب فرو رفت.	It sank into the water.	فرو + رفتن
به خانه بازگشت.	He returned home.	باز + گشتن
لباسش را درآورد.	He took off his clothes.	در + آوردن
ساختمان فرو ریخت.	The building collapsed.	فرو + ریختن
کی برمی‌گردی?	When are you coming back?	بر + گشتن
در را باز کن!	Open the door!	باز + کردن
لطفاً بردارید.	Please pick it up.	بر + داشتن
مجرم بازداشت شد.	The criminal was detained.	باز + داشتن

Common Mistakes

Treating prefixed verbs as separable

• Wrong: Thinking بر and داشتن are two separate words in برداشتن
• Right: Treat برداشتن as a single verb with its own conjugation pattern
• Why: While you can analyze the prefix, the verb functions as one unit. The present stem is also a unit: بردار (not بر + دار).

Confusing درآوردن meanings

• Wrong: Assuming درآوردن always means "take out"
• Right: درآوردن can mean "take out," "earn (income)," or "imitate" depending on context
• Why: Prefixed verbs often develop multiple meanings over time.

Practice Tips

1. Learn prefixed verbs alongside their base verbs: داشتن (have) → برداشتن (pick up) → بازداشتن (detain).
2. Notice the prefix when you encounter a new verb. If you know the base verb, the prefix often hints at the meaning.
3. Practice common prefixed verbs in daily sentences: کتاب را بردار (pick up the book), در را باز کن (open the door), کی برمی‌گردی (when are you coming back).

Related Concepts

• Basic Compound Verbs — the compound verb system these prefixes interact with