Collective nouns in Persian grammar, also known as “اسم جمع” (esm-e jam’), are the words used to describe a group or collection of similar items or people as a single entity. They play a pivotal role in the Persian language, just as in many other languages, helping to make your speech and writing clearer and more interesting. Unlike English, Persian uses different forms of collective nouns to differentiate between a small set, a limited set, and an unlimited set. They are usually straightforward to use and are an integral part of an advanced learning journey for Persian learners.
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blank with the Correct Form of Collective Nouns
1. من *مجموعه* عکسها را به دوستم نشان دادم. (I showed the group of photos to my friend.)
2. *دستگاه* چای ساز ما دیگر کار نمی کند. (Our set of tea maker doesn’t work anymore.)
3. مجلس کنونی ایران را *نمایندگان* می نامند. (The current assembly of Iran is called representatives.)
4. حیات *گروه* انواع مختلفی دارد. (The animal kingdom consists of various categories.)
5. محمد *مجموعه* ای از کتاب های کودکانه را چاپ کرد. (Mohammad published a collection of children’s books.)
2. *دستگاه* چای ساز ما دیگر کار نمی کند. (Our set of tea maker doesn’t work anymore.)
3. مجلس کنونی ایران را *نمایندگان* می نامند. (The current assembly of Iran is called representatives.)
4. حیات *گروه* انواع مختلفی دارد. (The animal kingdom consists of various categories.)
5. محمد *مجموعه* ای از کتاب های کودکانه را چاپ کرد. (Mohammad published a collection of children’s books.)
Exercise 2: Fill in the Blank with the Correct Form of Collective Nouns
1. *بسته* نامه ها را پست کردم. (I mailed the bundle of letters.)
2. *دسته* مردم به خیابانها آمدند تا اعتراض کنند. (A group of people came to the streets to protest.)
3. *جوجه* مرغ چند تا تخم دارد؟ (How many eggs does a batch of chicken have?)
4. مجموعه منظومه های حافظ را *دیوان* می نامند. (The collection of Hafez’s poems is called a book.)
5. *گروه* نظامیان در مراسم شرکت کردند. (A group of soldiers attended the ceremony.)
2. *دسته* مردم به خیابانها آمدند تا اعتراض کنند. (A group of people came to the streets to protest.)
3. *جوجه* مرغ چند تا تخم دارد؟ (How many eggs does a batch of chicken have?)
4. مجموعه منظومه های حافظ را *دیوان* می نامند. (The collection of Hafez’s poems is called a book.)
5. *گروه* نظامیان در مراسم شرکت کردند. (A group of soldiers attended the ceremony.)
