The neighbor Mahmud
A short text in Persian at level A2. The translation sits next to it: reading with a dictionary is still too early at this level, and without support it will not happen at all. Our neighbor is mister Mahmud. He is of medium height and very well-mannered. Friends say he is stingy. But I know he…
Text
- همسایه ما آقای محمود است. او قدش متوسط است و بسیار باادب است. دوستان میگویند که او خسیس است. ولی من میدانم که او فروتن است. مادرم مریض بود و او کمک کرد. حالا میدانم که او سخاوتمند و قابل اعتماد است.hamsaye mâ âgâe Mahmud ast. u gâdesh mâtavasset ast va besiâr bââdâb ast. dustân mi-gânan ke u khesis ast. vali man midânam ke u fârutân ast. mâdaram mâriz bud va u kâmak kârd. hâlâ midânam ke u sakhâvatmand va gâbele e'temâd ast.Our neighbor is mister Mahmud. He is of medium height and very well-mannered. Friends say he is stingy. But I know he is modest. My mother was ill, and he helped. Now I know he is generous and reliable.
Comprehension questions
The questions are asked in Russian on purpose: we test your understanding of the text, not your ability to read the question.
- What is the neighbor’s height?
- What do the friends say of him?
- Whom did he help?
- What did he turn out to be in truth?
Frequently asked
What level do you need to read this text in Persian?
A2. That means: you know the letters and have a stock of everyday words — about two or three hundred.
How to read a text in an unfamiliar language usefully?
First all the way through without peeking at the translation — just to catch the familiar words. Then with the translation. Then all the way through again: the second pass brings noticeably more, and that feeling matters more than any rule.