ـها

Persian

Etymology

Inherited from Middle Persian 𐭩𐭧𐭠 (-īhā).

Pronunciation

 
 

Readings
Classical reading? -hā
Dari reading? -hā
Iranian reading? -hâ
Tajik reading? -ho

Suffix

ـها • (-hā / -hâ)

  1. a suffix forming the plural of a noun; used for most nouns in colloquial language and inanimate nouns in formal language
    Synonyms: ـان (-ân), ـگان (-gân), ـیان (-yân); ـات (-ât); ـین (-in); ـون (-un)
  2. a suffix used to form certain mass noun, often figurative; plenty of, all kinds of
    آب (āb / âb, water) + ‎ـها → ‎آب‌ها (āb-hā / âb-hâ, the waters, plenty of water)
    من آبجوها می‌خورم. (Iranian romanization)
    man âbjow mi-xoram.
    I drink all kinds of beer.
  3. a suffix used to form certain adverbs
    Synonym: ـا ( / )
    بالا (bālā / bâlâ, top) + ‎ـها → ‎بالاها (bālāhā / bâlâhâ, up)

Usage notes

Although not reflected in all writing, this suffix should not attach the ه to the preceding character, though neither should any space should be written. In computing, this is accomplished with a zero-width non-joiner. For example, while some may write the plural of شب (šab, night) as شبها or شب ها (typically for convenience, as many Persian keyboards do not have a ZWNJ), the preferred normal form would be شب‌ها (šab-hâ), with the ب and ه separated, but without a substantial amount of intermediary space. Though this rule is not compulsory in general, and the suffix may be joined to the preceding word or separated, if the preceding word ends in a silent ه, it must be separated.