Obligation and Permission

Overview

In this chapter you learn how to express obligation and permission in Persian at an intermediate level. You already know the basics of present tense and simple requests. Now you will see how Persian shows that something is necessary, required, allowed, or forbidden, and how these ideas change between formal and informal speech.

Basic obligation with «باید»

The most common way to express obligation in Persian is with the word «باید» /bâyad/, which corresponds to “must,” “have to,” or “should” in English, depending on context.

Structure:

Subject + «باید» + verb (in present stem or subjunctive form, depending on pattern)

In everyday standard speech, the most frequent and neutral pattern is:

Subject + «باید» + simple present verb

Examples:

من باید برم.
/ man bâyad beram. /
I must go. / I have to go.

تو باید بیشتر بخونی.
/ to bâyad bishtar bekhuni. /
You must / should study more.

او باید زود برگرده.
/ u bâyad zud bargarde. /
He / she has to come back early.

Notice that in informal spoken Persian, speakers often “hear” a subjunctive after «باید», but the common written form reflects the same conjugation you already know from the simple present or present subjunctive.

Degrees of obligation with «باید»

«باید» covers a wide range, from very strong “must” to softer “should.” The exact strength depends on context, intonation, and words around it.

Strong obligation (rules, laws, strict orders):

همه باید ماسک بزنن.
/ hame bâyad mâsk bezanan. /
Everyone must wear a mask.

دانش‌آموزها باید سرِ کلاس ساکت باشن.
/ dâneshâmuzhâ bâyad sare kelâs sâket bâshan. /
Students must be quiet in class.

Softer obligation (advice, recommendation):

تو باید بیشتر استراحت کنی.
/ to bâyad bishtar esterâhat koni. /
You should rest more.

فکر می‌کنم باید باهاش حرف بزنی.
/ fekr mikonam bâyad bâhâsh harf bezani. /
I think you should talk to him / her.

Adding words such as «واقعاً» (really), «حتماً» (definitely), «شاید» (maybe) changes the strength:

تو واقعاً باید بری دکتر.
/ to vâqe’an bâyad beri doktor. /
You really must go to the doctor.

شاید باید یه کم صبر کنیم.
/ shâyad bâyad ye kam sabr konim. /
Maybe we should wait a bit.

Negative obligation: “must not” and “do not have to”

There is an important distinction between two ideas:

1. Something is forbidden (“must not” / “may not”).
2. Something is not necessary (“do not have to”).

Forbidden: «نباید»

To say that something is not allowed or is forbidden, use «نباید» /nabâyad/ before the verb.

Structure:

Subject + «نباید» + verb

Examples:

تو نباید دروغ بگی.
/ to nabâyad doroqh begi. /
You must not lie. / You should not lie.

اینجا نباید سیگار بکشی.
/ injâ nabâyad sigâr bekeshi. /
You must not smoke here.

اون‌ها نباید دیر بیان.
/ un-hâ nabâyad dir biyân. /
They must not come late.

Not necessary: “do not have to”

Persian does not usually use «نباید» for “do not have to.” Instead, speakers say that something “is not necessary,” often with «لازم نیست» / lâzem nist / or «ضرورت نداره» / zarurat nadâre /.

Common expression:

Subject + «لازم نیست» + verb (often in subjunctive-like form)
or
«لازم نیست که» + clause

Examples:

لازم نیست بیای.
/ lâzem nist biyâi. /
You do not have to come.

لازم نیست همه‌چیزو الان بگی.
/ lâzem nist hamechizo alân begi. /
You do not have to say everything now.

بهش گفتم لازم نیست صبر کنه.
/ behesh goftam lâzem nist sabr kone. /
I told him / her he / she does not have to wait.

For more formal or written style:

حضور شما ضروری نیست.
/ hozur-e shomâ zaruri nist. /
Your presence is not necessary.

Notice that «نباید بیای» means “you must not come / you should not come,” which is very different from «لازم نیست بیای» “you do not have to come (if you do not want).”

Internal vs external obligation

Persian uses «باید» both for rules coming from outside (law, other people) and for internal sense of duty or moral obligation. Context clarifies the type:

External obligation:

اینجا باید کفش‌هات رو دربیاری.
/ injâ bâyad kafsh-hât ro darbiâri. /
Here you must take off your shoes.
(rule of a place)

باید فرم رو پر کنید.
/ bâyad form ro por konid. /
You must fill out the form.
(administration requirement, formal “you”)

Internal or moral obligation:

من باید عذرخواهی کنم.
/ man bâyad ozrkhâhi konam. /
I must apologize. / I should apologize.

باید بیشتر به سلامتیت فکر کنی.
/ bâyad bishtar be salâmati-t fekr koni. /
You should think more about your health.

Intonation can show whether the speaker is simply reporting a rule or expressing personal feeling.

Expressions of duty and responsibility

Besides «باید», Persian often uses specific expressions to talk about duty and responsibility. These are useful when you want to sound more precise or formal.

Obligation as “necessary”:

انجامِ این کار واجبه.
/ anjâm-e in kâr vâje-be. /
Doing this is obligatory.
(often religious or strong moral context)

دیدنِ دکتر برای تو لازمه.
/ didan-e doktor barâye to lâzeme. /
Seeing a doctor is necessary for you.

Responsibility:

این کارِ منه. باید انجامش بدم.
/ in kâr-e mane. bâyad anjâmesh bedam. /
This is my job. I must do it.

مسئولیتش با توئه.
/ mas’uliyat-esh bâ to-e. /
The responsibility is yours.

Duties (formal, institutional):

وظیفه‌ی ماست که کمک کنیم.
/ vazife-ye mâst ke komak konim. /
It is our duty to help.

Permission with «می‌شه» and «می‌تونم»

There are several common ways to ask and give permission. At B1 level, you should control at least the main spoken patterns.

Asking permission with «می‌شه»

A very common and polite everyday way to ask “May I …?” or “Is it possible to …?” is to use «می‌شه» / mish-e /.

Basic patterns:

«می‌شه …؟»
“Is it possible to … ? / May I … ?”

«می‌شه + (که) + clause؟»

Informal examples:

می‌شه پنجره رو باز کنم؟
/ mishe panjare ro bâz konam? /
May I open the window?

می‌شه یه سؤال بپرسم؟
/ mishe ye so’âl beporsem? /
May I ask a question?

می‌شه فردا نیام؟
/ mishe fardâ nayâm? /
Is it OK if I do not come tomorrow?

In more formal speech, you can expand:

ممکنه پنجره رو باز کنم؟
/ momkene panjare ro bâz konam? /
May I open the window?

امکانش هست که فردا بیام؟
/ emkân-esh hast ke fardâ biyâm? /
Is it possible that I come tomorrow?

Asking permission with «می‌تونم»

Another very common pattern is with the modal verb «توانستن» “can,” in spoken form «می‌تونم» / mitunam / “can I.”

Structure:

«می‌تونم + object + رو + verb؟»

Examples:

می‌تونم کتابتو بگیرم؟
/ mitunam ketâb-et-o begiram? /
Can I take your book? / May I borrow your book?

می‌تونم بشینم؟
/ mitunam beshinam? /
May I sit down?

می‌تونم از دستشویی استفاده کنم؟
/ mitunam az dastshui estefâde konam? /
May I use the bathroom?

Compared with «می‌شه», «می‌تونم» focuses more on the speaker’s ability or permission for the speaker personally, while «می‌شه» is more general “is it allowed, is it possible.”

Granting permission

To say “yes, you may” or “it is allowed,” Persian uses several short answers and phrases. The level of formality depends on context.

Informal and neutral:

آره، می‌تونی.
/ âre, mituni. /
Yes, you can.

بله، می‌تونید.
/ bale, mitunid. /
Yes, you can.
(polite “you”)

اشکالی نداره.
/ eshkâli nadâre. /
It is OK. / There is no problem.

بفرما. / بفرمایید.
/ befarma. / befarmâ-id. /
Please, go ahead. / Here you are.

بله، حتماً.
/ bale, hatman. /
Yes, of course.

Examples in context:

A: می‌شه پنجره رو باز کنم؟
B: آره، اشکالی نداره.

A: / mishe panjare ro bâz konam? /
B: / âre, eshkâli nadâre. /

A: May I open the window?
B: Yes, it is OK.

A: می‌تونم از گوشیت استفاده کنم؟
B: نه، ببخشید، شارژ ندارم.

A: / mitunam az gushit estefâde konam? /
B: / na, bebakhshid, shârj nadâram. /

A: May I use your phone?
B: No, sorry, I have no battery.

Refusing permission politely

Persian speakers often soften refusal. Instead of a direct “no,” they explain the reason or use apologetic phrases. This is important for polite interaction.

Common elements:

«نه، ببخشید …»
/ na, bebakhshid … /
No, sorry …

«متأسفم، ولی …»
/ mote’assefam, vali … /
I am sorry, but …

«فعلاً نمی‌شه.»
/ fa’lan nemishe. /
Right now it is not possible.

Examples:

نه، ببخشید، این‌جا نمی‌تونید سیگار بکشید.
/ na, bebakhshid, injâ nemitunid sigâr bekeshid. /
No, sorry, you cannot smoke here.

متأسفم، ولی نمی‌تونم اجازه بدم.
/ mote’assefam, vali nemitunam ejâze bedam. /
I am sorry, but I cannot allow it.

نه، متأسفانه جا نداریم.
/ na, mote’asefâne jâ nadârim. /
No, unfortunately we do not have space.

“Allowed” and “forbidden”

To talk in general about what is allowed or forbidden, Persian uses adjectives and phrases such as «آزاده», «ممنوعه», and noun phrases with «اجازه».

“Allowed”: «آزاد» and «اجازه»

«آزاد» means “free,” and in context it can mean “allowed.”

اینجا سیگار کشیدن آزاده؟
/ injâ sigâr keshidan âzâde? /
Is smoking allowed here?

بچه‌ها این‌جا آزادن بازی کنن.
/ bachchâ injâ âzâran bâzi konan. /
Children are free to play here.

The noun «اجازه» / ejâze / means “permission.” You can say:

من اجازه دارم برم؟
/ man ejâze dâram beram? /
Do I have permission to go?

اجازه داری استفاده کنی.
/ ejâze dâri estefâde koni. /
You have permission to use it.

“Forbidden”: «ممنوع»

«ممنوع» / mamnu’ / means “forbidden,” “prohibited.”

اینجا پارک‌کردن ممنوعه.
/ injâ pârk kardan mamnu’e. /
Parking here is forbidden.

ورودِ افرادِ متفرقه ممنوع است.
/ vorud-e afrâd-e motafarreqe mamnu’ ast. /
Entry of unauthorized persons is prohibited.
(formal sign style)

Often you will see a short form on signs:

ورود ممنوع
/ vorud mamnu’ /
No entry.

سیگارکشیدن ممنوع
/ sigâr keshidan mamnu’ /
No smoking.

Obligation and permission in formal vs informal speech

Persian has clear differences between spoken informal forms and more formal or written ones. Both use the same basic tools, but choice of words changes the tone.

Informal, spoken:

تو نباید انقدر کار کنی.
/ to nabâyad enghadr kâr koni. /
You should not work so much.

می‌شه یه کم بلندتر حرف بزنی؟
/ mishe ye kam boland-tar harf bezani? /
Could you speak a bit louder?

من باید برم، دیرم شده.
/ man bâyad beram, diram shode. /
I must go, I am late.

More formal, polite:

شما نباید این‌قدر کار کنید.
/ shomâ nabâyad inqadr kâr konid. /
You should not work so much.

ممکنه کمی بلندتر صحبت کنید؟
/ momkene kami boland-tar sohbat konid? /
Could you speak a bit louder?

من مجبورم بروم، دیر شده است.
/ man majburam beravam, dir shode ast. /
I am obliged to go, it is late.

Notice use of:

«شما» instead of «تو»
«ممکنه …؟» instead of bare «می‌شه …؟»
more complete verb forms and sometimes «مجبورم» (I am forced / obliged) to sound more formal.

Lexical verbs of obligation and permission

At B1 level, you should also recognize some verbs that express obligation and permission, beyond «باید».

Verbs of obligation

«مجبور بودن» / majbur budan / “to be forced, to have to”

من مجبورم امروز کار کنم.
/ man majburam emruz kâr konam. /
I am forced to work today. / I have to work today.

اون مجبور شد برگرده.
/ un majbur shod bargarde. /
He / she had to return.

«لازم بودن» / lâzem budan / “to be necessary”

لازمه استراحت کنی.
/ lâzeme esterâhat koni. /
It is necessary that you rest.

«ضرورت داشتن» / zarurat dâshtan / “to have necessity” (more formal)

سفرِ فوری شما ضرورت داره.
/ safar-e fori-ye shomâ zarurat dâre. /
Your urgent trip is necessary.

Verbs of permission

«اجازه دادن» / ejâze dâdan / “to give permission, to allow”

مدیر به من اجازه داد زودتر برم.
/ modir be man ejâze dâd zudtar beram. /
The manager allowed me to leave earlier.

«اجازه داشتن» / ejâze dâshtan / “to have permission”

من اجازه دارم این‌جا پارک کنم؟
/ man ejâze dâram injâ pârk konam? /
Do I have permission to park here?

«رخصت دادن / گرفتن» / roxsat dâdan / roxsat gereftan /
These are more literary or used in some dialects and formal contexts:

او رخصت داد که وارد شوم.
/ u roxsat dâd ke vâred shavam. /
He / she permitted me to enter.
(more literary)

At B1, the most useful everyday forms are «مجبور بودن», «لازم بودن», and «اجازه دادن / داشتن».

Combining obligation and permission in context

Often in real communication, speakers mix obligation and permission in a single situation. Look at this dialogue and notice how different expressions work together.

Example:

A: فردا باید بیام سرِ کار؟
/ fardâ bâyad biyâm sar-e kâr? /
Do I have to come to work tomorrow?

B: نه، لازم نیست بیای، ولی اگه می‌تونی، بهتره بیای.
/ na, lâzem nist biyâi, vali age mituni, behtare biyâi. /
No, you do not have to come, but if you can, it is better if you come.

A: می‌تونم دوشنبه مرخصی بگیرم؟
/ mitunam doshanbe moraxasi begiram? /
Can I take Monday off?

B: اگه کارِ خاصی نداری، آره، اشکالی نداره.
/ age kâr-e khâssi nadâri, âre, eshkâli nadâre. /
If you do not have any special work, yes, it is OK.

Here you see:

«باید» for obligation,
«لازم نیست» to remove obligation,
«می‌تونم» to ask for permission,
«اشکالی نداره» to grant permission,
and a softer suggestion with «بهتره» “it is better.”

Vocabulary list for this chapter