Suffixes

In Modern Persian the most frequent suffixes for forming nouns are ش, -ی- and نده-.

The suffix ش- is added to the present stem, forming verbal nouns:

The stressed ی- is often added to nouns and adjectives mostly creating abstracts. After the final ه-, the glide -گ- is inserted: Also, adjectives may be formed by adding the suffix ی- to a noun. In Arabic words ending in ات- this final syllable drops out: The suffix ی- can also imply one option out of several.

The suffix نده- is added to the present stem and forms nouns of the agent in most cases: The suffix انه- is one of the most productive suffixes in Modern Persian. It is added to nouns and adjectives. Among the various functions of this suffix, the following are most common. Notice that انه- cannot be analogically added to a word in all cases. One should consult reference works to make sure whether a construction is allowed or not. As always, if a word ends in ه-, the glide -گ- is added before the suffix.

درآمد ماهانه = Monthly income .روزانه فقط یک بار به ما غذای گرم می دهند = We only get one hot meal a day / per day.

.خوشبختانه در آن نزدیکی یک تعمیرگاه اتومبیل بود = Fortunately there was a car repair shop nearby.

In this case, the difference is that the constructions without انه- qualify objects or persons, whereas the constructions with انه- qualify verbal nouns. The latter may often be used as an adverb as well. Compare:

The original adjectives in this case express human qualities and are only used in connection with persons. Many of these adjectives may also be used as nouns relating to human beings. Notice that only by adding انه- you get adjectives that qualify an object, an act, a behaviour, etc. These adjectives are usually used as adverbs as well. Compare: