The Past Perfect

The Past Perfect tense, also known as the Pluperfect, or ماضی بعید in Persian, expresses phrases like "I had eaten before I came here" (.غذا خورده بودم قبل از این که بیاید).

To create the Past Perfect, you must first create the past participle of the verb you wish to use. To do this, simply remove ن- from the end of the infinitive (forming the Past stem) and replace it with ه-. For instance: Once you have formed the past participle, follow it with the appropriate conjugation of بودن in the Simple Past, as an auxiliary verb. Therefore: To negate the Past Perfect, add -ن before the past participle, with gliding -ی- where necessary.

Note that the verbs داشتن and بودن are only used extremely rarely in the Past Perfect. Normally, the preterite is used instead.

Additionally, bear in mind that the Past Perfect also has a subjunctive form. This can be created by using the subjunctive of بودن rather then the Past. For instance: