AboutBehzad Expertise I can answer questions about the usage and meaning of Persian words, proverbs, and idioms asked in Persian or English. Controversial grammatical issues are beyond my knowledge. In addition, I cannot corroborate my answer to a question about newly coined slang words.
PLEASE do not ask me to translate more than 1 or 2 sentences.
Experience Persian language is my mother tongue; however, my knowledge is remarkably more than a mere native speaker.
Am I right in thinking that you have at least four ways of saying “although” in Persian?
To wit, حالانکه ,حالینکه ,اگرپه ,گرپه- but could you please show me how to make “although” clauses with two or three simple examples? English says, “Although X is the case, Y is the case” – am I right in thinking that Persian always says, “Although X is the case BUT Y is the case”?
All the best, and many thanks,
Simon
Answer Dear Simon,
There are some words for saying although: اگرچه، گرچه، با اینکه، با آنکه، هرچند (که) ، با وجود اینکه، علی رغم آنکه (اینکه)، به رغم آنکه (اینکه)
There may be more words that I cannot find or remember.
علی رغم is pronounced ala: raghm.
Examples:
علی رغم آنکه باران می بارید او از خانه بیرون رفت.
Translation: Although it was raining, she left the home.
او با اینکه می ترسید از عرض رودخانه عبور کرد.
Translation: Although he was afraid, he crossed the river.
او به میهمانی خواهد آمد، هرچند که نمی خواهد.
Translation: He will come to the party although he does not want to.
این بار شاید سر وقت بیا ید، گرچه معمولا دیر می کند.
Translation: This time she may come on time, even though she is usually late.
According to Abolhassan Najafi in his book “ghalat nanevi:si:m”, using the words meaning “but” should be avoided after Persian equivalents of although. However, it occasionally (and probably erroneously) happens that اما، ولی or other words are used in this occasion by Persian speakers. Example:
اگرچه زنده رود آب حیاتست
ولی شیراز ما از اصفهان به
(A part of a poem by Hafiz)
Translation:
Although the water of “Zende ro:d (Za:iande ro:d)” [a river going through the city of Esfahan] is elixir of life,
but our “Shiraz” [another city in Iran, hometown of Hafiz] is better than “Esfahan”.
