The Arabic verb forms Arabic desert sky netMost Arabic words are derived from a three-letter (trilateral) root. And each trilateral Arabic root can theoretically be transformed into one of fifteen possible verb forms (الأوزان, al-awzaan). (Forms 11 through 15 are very rare, so people usually just focus on forms 1 through 10, although 9 is also pretty rare). Each form has a basic meaning associated with the general meaning of the root being used. Here's a more detailed breakdown, using فعل (fa3ala, to do) as an example. (This is all taken from old handouts I got at the AUC, so it's not my original work.)Form 1 - فعل (fa3ala) Expresses the general verbal meaning of the root in question RootForm 1 verbخ ر ج (x-r-j) - leaving, departingخرج (xaraja) - to leave, go outج م ع (j-m-3) - joining, unitingجمع (jama3a) - to gather, collectع م ل (3-m-l) - doing, makingعمل (3amala) - to work, to do, to makeق ط ع (q-T-3) - cuttingقطع (qaTa3a) - to cut, cut offب ع د (b-3-d) - separating, distanceبعد (ba3ada) - to be far fromForm 2 - فعّل (fa33ala) Built on form 1 by doubling the middle radical of the form 1 verb (adding a shadda to it) Often is a causative version of the form 1 verb خرج (xaraja) means "to go out"; خرّج (xarraja) means "to make (s.o.) go out; to graduate (s.o.)"Often an intensive version of the form 1 verb (especially if the form 1 verb is transitive) جمع (jama3a) means "to collect, gather"; جمّع (jamma3a) means "to amass, to accummulate"Form 3 - فاعل (faa3ala) Built on form 1 by adding an alif between the first and second radicals of the form 1 verb Usually gives an associative meaning to the form 1 verb; describes someone doing the act in question to or with someone else عمل (3amala) means "to work"; عامل (3aamala) means "to treat or deal with (s.o.)"Form 4 - أفعل (af3ala) Built on form 1 by prefixing an alif to the form 1 verb and putting a sukuun over the first radical Similar to form 2 in that it is usually a causative version of the form 1 verb خرج (xaraja) means "to go out"; خرّج (xarraja) means "to graduate (s.o.)"; أخرج (axraja) means "to expel, to evict; to produce"Form 5 - تفعّل (tafa33ala) Built on form 2 by adding the prefix تـ to the form 2 verb Often a reflexive version of the form 2 verb خرّج (xarraja) means "to graduate (s.o.)"; تخرج (taxarraja) means "to graduate" (Note: form 5 is usually intransitive)Sometimes an intensive version of a form 1 verbجمع (jama3a) means "to collect, gather"; تجمّع (tajamma3a) means "to congregate, to flock together"Form 6 - تفاعل (tafaa3ala) Built on form 3 by adding the prefix تـ to the form 3 verb Usually a reflexive version of the form 3 verb عامل (3aamala) means "to treat or deal with (s.o.)"; تعامل (ta3aamala) means "to deal with each other" (Form 6 is usually intransitive)Form 7 - انفعل (infa3ala) Built on form 1 by adding the prefix انـ to the form 1 verb Usually a reflexive and/or passive version of the form 1 verb قطع (qaTa3a) means "to cut, to cut off"; انقطع (inqaTa3a) means "to be cut off (from); to abstain (from)"Form 8 - افتعل (ifta3ala) Built on form 1 by adding the prefix ا to the form 1 verb and placing a sukuun must be placed over its first radical Often a reflexive version of the form 1 verb جمع (jama3a) means "to collect, gather"; اجتمع (ijtama3a) means "to meet; to agree (on)"Sometimes has a specially derived meaning relative to a form 1 verb بعد (ba3ada) means "to be far away"; ابتعد (ibta3ada) means "to avoid"Form 9 - افعلّ (if3alla) Built on form 1 by adding the prefix ا to the form 1 verb, placing a sukuun over its first radical, and adding a shadda to the last radical Relates to colors ح م ر (H-m-r) relates to "redness"; احمرّ (iHmarra) means "to become or turn red"Form 10 - استفعل (istaf3ala) Built on form 1 by adding the prefix استـ to the form 1 verb and inserting a ت between the first and second radicals; a sukuun must be placed over the first radical Often a considerative version of the form 1 verb; means "to consider or to deem someone to have the quality" of the form 1 verb in question بعد (ba3ada) means "to be far away"; استبعد (istab3ada) means "to consider s.o. or s.t. remote or unlikely"Often a requestive version of a form 1 verb; means "to request or to seek something" for oneself عمل (3amala) means "to make; to do"; استعمل (ista3mala) means "to use, to put into operation" (that is, to seek to make something work for oneself)And here's a table of all the verb forms, including their perfect and imperfect conjugations (الماضي والمضارع), active and passive participles (اسم الفاعل واسم المفعول), and verbal nouns (المصدر). Because they're all regular and predictable (with the exception of form 1 - the second vowel in the imperfect and perfect conjugations, and the verbal noun), if you just memorize them, you'll know them for almost every verb there is. So if you're learning Arabic, I suggest you memorize all the verb forms along with their associated meanings as soon as you can; it'll really come in handy.المصدراسم المفعولاسم الفاعلالمضارعالماضي ؟مَفْعُولفاعِليَفْعلُفَعلَ1تَفْعِيلمُفَعَّلمُفَعِّليُفَعِّلُفَعَّلَ2مُفاعَلَة or فِعالمُفاعَلمُفاعِليُفاعِلُفاعَلَ3إفْعالمُفْعَلمُفْعِليُفْعِلُأفْعَلَ4تَفَعُّلمُتَفَعَّلمُتَفَعِّليَتَفَعَّلُتَفَعَّلَ5تَفاعُلمُتَفاعَلمُتَفاعِليَتَفاعَلُتَفاعَلَ6اِنْفِعالمُنْفَعَلمُنْفَعِليَنْفَعِلُاِنْفَعَلَ7اِفْتِعالمُفْتَعَلمُفْتَعِليَفْتَعِلُاِفْتَعَلَ8اِفْعِلال-مُفْعَلّيَفْعَلُّاِفْعَلَّ9اِسْتِفْعالمُسْتَفْعَلمُسْتَفْعِليَسْتَفْعِلُاِسْتَفْعَلَ10← Main grammar page Verb conjugations → Contacthttp://arabic.desert-sky.net/g_vforms.html Verb conjugations for standard and Egyptian ArabicThis page contains information about the different kinds of verbs in Arabic and conjugation tables for each kind in both standard and Egyptian Arabic.First of all, there are two moods/tenses in Arabic: the perfect/past (الماضي al-maaDi) - used to indicate actions that have been completed.the imperfect/present (المضارع al-muDaari3) - used to indicate actions that have not been completed yet.There are two main classes of verbs in Arabic: sound (صحيح SaHiiH) and weak (معتل mu3tall). Here's an outline of the types of verbs:الفعل الصحيح (al-fi3l aS-SaHiiH) Sound verbs - don't have a و or ي as one of the three root letters الفعل الصحيح السالم (al-fi3l aS-SaHiiH as-saalim) Regular sound verbsIrregular sound verbs: الفعل المضعف (al-fi3l al-muDa33af) Geminate/doubled verbs - where the second and third radicals of the root are the same دقّ daqqa - يدقّ yadiqqu (to knock) ردّ radda - يردّ yaruddu (to reply) الفعل المهموز (al-fi3l al-mahmuuz) Hamzated verbs - where ء is one of the consonants أكل akala - يأكل ya'kulu (to eat)سأل sa'ala - يسأل yas'alu (to ask) بدأ bada'a - يبدأ yabda'u (to begin) الفعل المعتل (al-fi3l al-mu3tall) Weak verbs - have a و or ي as one or more of the root radicals الفعل المثال (al-fi3l al-mitaal) Assimilated verbs - begin with و or ي (usually و); in the imperfect and in other situations the و often disappears وضع waDa3a - يضع yaDa3u (to put)وصل waSala - يصل yaSilu (to arrive)الفعل الأجوف (al-fi3l al-ajwaf) Hollow verbs - the second radical is either a و or ي; in the perfect, the و or ي is replaced by an alif باع baa3a - يبيع yabii3u (to sell)عاد 3aada - يعود ya3uudu (to return)الفعل الناقص (al-fi3l al-naaqiS) Defective verbs - where the final root radical is either و or ي a نسى nasiya - ينسى yansa (to forget)بدا bada - يبدو yabdu (to appear, seem)Sound verbs الفعل الصحيح (al-fi3l aS-SaHiiH)Sound verbs don't have a و or ي as one of the three root letters.Regular sound verbs الفعل الصحيح السالم (al-fi3l aS-SaHiiH as-saalim) This is the first type of sound verb. Regular sound verbs - perfect mood كتب (to write) EnglishStandard ArabicEgyptian ArabicSingularI wroteكتبتُ (katabtu)كتبت (katabt)you (masc.) wroteكتبتَ (katabta)كتبت (katabt)you (fem.) wroteكتبتِ (katabti)كتبتي (katabti)he wroteكتبَ (kataba)كتب (katab)she wroteكتبت (katabat)كتبت (katabit)Dualwe wroteكتبنا (katabna) you wroteكتبتما (katabtuma) they (masc.) wroteكتبا (katabaa) they (fem.) wroteكتبتا (katabataa) Pluralwe wroteكتبنا (katabna)كتبنا (katabna)you (masc.) wroteكتبتم (katabtum)كتبتوا (katabtuu)you (fem.) wroteكتبتن (katabtunna)they (masc.) wroteكتبوا (katabuu)كتبوا (katabuu)they (fem.) wroteكبتن (katabna)Regular sound verbs - imperfect mood كتب (to write) EnglishStandard ArabicEgyptian ArabicSingularI writeأكتب (aktubu)أكتب (aktib)you (masc.) writeتكتب (taktubu)تكتب (tiktib)you (fem.) writeتكتبين (taktubiina)تكتبي (tiktibi)he writesيكتب (yaktubu)يكتب (yiktib)she writesتكتب (taktubu)تكتب (tiktib)Dualwe writeنكتب (naktubu) you writeتكتبان (taktubaani) they (masc.) writeيكتبان (yaktubaani) they (fem.) writeتكتبان (taktubaani) Pluralwe writeنكتب (naktubu)نكتب (niktib)you (masc.) writeتكتبون (taktubuuna)تكتبوا (tiktibuu)you (fem.) writeتكتبن (taktubna)they (masc.) writeيكتبون (yaktubuuna)يكتبوا (yiktibuu)they (fem.) writeيكتبن (yaktubna)Sound verbs الفعل الصحيح (al-fi3l aS-SaHiiH)There are two types of irregular sound verbs. The first is: Geminate/doubled verbs الفعل المضعف (al-fi3l al-muDa33af) Verbs where the second and third radicals of the root are the same. Geminate verbs - perfect mood ردّ (to reply) EnglishStandard ArabicEgyptian ArabicSingularI repliedرددتُ (radadtu)ردّيت (raddeit)you (masc.) repliedرددتَ (radadta)ردّيت (raddeit)you (fem.) repliedرددتِ (radadti)ردّيتي (raddeiti)he repliedردّ (radda)ردّ (radd)she repliedردّت (raddat)ردّت (raddit)Dualwe repliedرددنا (radadna) you repliedرددتما (radadtuma) they (masc.) repliedردّا (raddaa) they (fem.) repliedردّتا (raddataa) Pluralwe repliedرددنا (radadna)ردّينا (raddeina)you (masc.) repliedرددتم (radadtum)ردّيتوا (raddeituu)you (fem.) repliedرددتن (radadtunna)they (masc.) repliedردّوا (radduu)ردّوا (radduu)they (fem.) repliedرددن (radadna)Note that in fuSHa, the doubled consonant is separated into two consonants for all the conjugations except the highlighted ones. In 3ammiyya, though, the doubled consonant stays doubled. Geminate verbs - imperfect mood ردّ (to reply) EnglishStandard ArabicEgyptian ArabicSingularI replyأردّ (aruddu)أردّ (arodd)you (masc.) replyتردّ (taruddu)تردّ (tirodd)you (fem.) replyتردّين (taruddiina)تردّي (tiroddi)he repliesيردّ (yaruddu)يردّ (yirodd)she repliesتردّ (taruddu)تردّ (tirodd)Dualwe replyنردّ (naruddu) you replyتردّان (taruddani) they (masc.) replyيردّان (yaruddaani) they (fem.) replyتردّان (taruddaani) Pluralwe replyنردّ (naruddu)نردّ (nirodd)you (masc.) replyتردّون (tarudduuna)تردّوا (tirodduu)you (fem.) replyترددن (tardudna)they (masc.) replyيردّون (yarudduuna)يردّوا (yirodduu)they (fem.) replyيرددن (yardudna)In fuSHa, the doubled consonant remains doubled for the imperfect conjugations, with the exception of the second- and third-person feminine plural conjugations. In 3ammiyya, the doubled consonant again remains doubled for everything. Sound verbs الفعل الصحيح (al-fi3l aS-SaHiiH)The second type of irregular sound verb is: Hamzated verbs الفعل المهموز (al-fi3l al-mahmuuz) Verbs where ء is one of the root consonants. Hamzated verbs - perfect mood أكل (to eat) EnglishStandard ArabicEgyptian ArabicSingularI ateأكلتُ (akaltu)اكلت (akalt)you (masc.) ateأكلتَ (akalta)اكلت (akalt)you (fem.) ateأكلتِ (akalti)اكلتي (akalti)he ateأكل (akala)اكل (akal)she ateأكلت (akalat)اكلت (aklit)Dualwe ateأكلنا (akalna) you ateأكلتما (akaltuma) they (masc.) ateأكلا (akalaa) they (fem.) ateأكلتا (akalataa) Pluralwe ateأكلنا (akalna)اكلنا (akalna)you (masc.) ateأكلتم (akaltum)اكلتوا (akaltuu)you (fem.) ateأكلتن (akaltunna)they (masc.) ateأكلوا (akaluu)اكلوا (akaluu)they (fem.) ateأكلن (akalna)Note that in 3ammiyya, people usually say كل (kal) rather than اكل (akal). However, for the sake of direct comparison with fuSHa, I went with the latter variation for this table. Hamzated verbs - imperfect mood أكل (to eat) EnglishStandard ArabicEgyptian ArabicSingularI eatأكل (akulu)اكل (aakul)you (masc.) eatتأكل (ta'kulu)تاكل (taakul)you (fem.) eatتأكلين (ta'kuliina)تاكلي (takli)he eatsيأكل (ya'kulu)ياكل (yaakul)she eatsتأكل (ta'kulu)تاكل (taakul)Dualwe eatنأكل (na'kulu) you eatتأكلان (ta'kulaani) they (masc.) eatيأكلان (ya'kulaani) they (fem.) eatتأكلان (ta'kulaani) Pluralwe eatنأكل (na'kulu)ناكل (naakul)you (masc.) eatتأكلون (ta'kuluuna)تاكلوا (taklu)you (fem.) eatتأكلن (ta'kulna)they (masc.) eatيأكلون (ya'kuluuna)ياكلوا (yaklu)they (fem.) eatيأكلن (ya'kulna)Note that while in fuSHa the hamza is kept in the imperfect conjugations, in 3ammiyya it is elided into a long alif. Hamzated verbs 2 - perfect mood سأل (to ask) EnglishStandard ArabicEgyptian ArabicSingularI askedسألتُ (sa'altu)سألت (sa'alt)you (masc.) askedسألتَ (sa'alta)سألت (sa'alt)you (fem.) askedسألتِ (sa'alti)سألتي (sa'alti)he askedسأل (sa'ala)سأل (sa'al)she askedسألت (sa'alat)سألت (sa'alit)Dualwe askedسألنا (sa'alna) you askedسألتما (sa'altuma) they (masc.) askedسألا (sa'alaa) they (fem.) askedسألتا (sa'alataa) Pluralwe askedسألنا (sa'alna)سألنا (sa'alna)you (masc.) askedسألتم (sa'altum)سألتوا (sa'altuu)you (fem.) askedسألتن (sa'altunna)they (masc.) askedسألوا (sa'aluu)سألوا (sa'aluu)they (fem.) askedسألن (sa'alna)Hamzated verbs 2 - imperfect mood سأل (to ask) EnglishStandard ArabicEgyptian ArabicSingularI askأسأل (as'alu)أسأل (as'al)you (masc.) askتسأل (tas'alu)تسأل (tis'al)you (fem.) askتسألين (tas'aliina)تسألي (tis'ali)he asksيسأل (yas'alu)يسأل (yis'al)she asksتسأل (tas'alu)تسأل (tis'al)Dualwe askنسأل (nas'alu) you askتسألان (tas'alaani) they (masc.) askيسألان (yas'alaani) they (fem.) askتسألان (tas'alaani) Pluralwe askنسأل (nas'alu)نسأل (nis'al)you (masc.) askتسألون (tas'aluuna)تسألوا (tis'aluu)you (fem.) askتسألن (tas'alna)they (masc.) askيسألون (yas'aluuna)يسألوا (yis'aluu)they (fem.) askيسألن (yas'alna)Hamzated verbs 3 - perfect mood قرأ (to read) EnglishStandard ArabicEgyptian ArabicSingularI readقرأتُ (qara'tu)قريت ('areit)you (masc.) readقرأتَ (qara'ta)قريت ('areit)you (fem.) readقرأتِ (qara'ti)قريتي ('areiti)he readقرأ (qara'a)قرا ('ara)she readقرأت (qara'at)قرت ('arit)Dualwe readقرأنا (qara'na) you readقرأتما (qara'tuma) they (masc.) readقرآ (qar'aa) they (fem.) readقرأتا (qara'taa) Pluralwe readقرأنا (qara'na)قرينا ('areina)you (masc.) readقرأتم (qara'tum)قريتوا ('areituu)you (fem.) readقرأتن (qara'tunna)they (masc.) readقرأوا (qara'uu)قروا ('aruu)they (fem.) readقرأن (qara'na)Again, note that while the hamza is kept in the fuSHa conjugations, it is elided in 3ammiyya. Hamzated verbs 3 - imperfect mood قرأ (to read) EnglishStandard ArabicEgyptian ArabicSingularI readأقرأ (aqra'u)أقرا (a'ra)you (masc.) readتقرأ (taqra'u)تقرا (ti'ra)you (fem.) readتقرئين (taqra'iina)تقري (ti'ri)he readsيقرأ (yaqra'u)يقرا (yi'ra)she readsتقرأ (taqra'u)تقرا (ti'ra)Dualwe readنقرأ (naqra'u) you readتقرآن (taqra'aani) they (masc.) readيقرآن (yaqra'aani) they (fem.) readتقرآن (taqra'aani) Pluralwe readنقرأ (naqra'u)نقرا (ni'ra)you (masc.) readتقرأون (taqra'uuna)تقروا (ti'ru)you (fem.) readتقرأن (taqra'na)they (masc.) readيقرأون (yaqra'uuna)يقروا (yi'ru)they (fem.) readيقرأن (yaqra'na)Weak verbs الفعل المعتلّ (al-fi3l al-mu3tall)A verb is "weak" if one of the letters from the verb's three root letters is ا, و, or ي. There are three different classes of weak verbs; let's begin with: Assimilated verbs الفعل المثال (al-fi3l al-mitaal) Verbs where the first radical is a long vowel (usually و). Assimilated verbs - perfect mood وصل (to arrive) EnglishStandard ArabicEgyptian ArabicSingularI arrivedوصلتُ (waSaltu)وصلت (wiSilt)you (masc.) arrivedوصلتَ (waSalta)وصلت (wiSilt)you (fem.) arrivedوصلتِ (waSalti)وصلتي (wiSilti)he arrivedوصل (waSala)وصل (wiSil)she arrivedوصلت (waSalat)وصلت (wiSlit)Dualwe arrivedوصلنا (waSalna) you arrivedوصلتما (waSaltuma) they (masc.) arrivedوصلا (waSalaa) they (fem.) arrivedوصلتا (waSalataa) Pluralwe arrivedوصلنا (waSalna)وصلنا (wiSilna)you (masc.) arrivedوصلتم (waSaltum)وصلتوا (wiSiltuu)you (fem.) arrivedوصلتن (waSaltunna)they (masc.) arrivedوصلوا (waSaluu)وصلوا (wiSiluu)they (fem.) arrivedوصلن (waSalna)Note that weak verbs beginning with a و are just like regular verbs regarding perfect conjugations.Assimilated verbs - imperfect mood وصل (to arrive) EnglishStandard ArabicEgyptian ArabicSingularI arriveأصل (aSilu)أوصل (awSil)you (masc.) arriveتصل (taSilu)توصل (tiwSil)you (fem.) arriveتصلين (taSiliina)توصلي (tiwSili)he arrivesيصل (yaSilu)يوصل (yiwSil)she arrivesتصل (taSilu)توصل (tiwSil)Dualwe arriveنصل (naSilu) you arriveتصلان (taSilaani) they (masc.) arriveيصلان (yaSilaani) they (fem.) arriveتصلان (taSilaani) Pluralwe arriveنصل (naSilu)نوصل (niwSil)you (masc.) arriveتصلون (taSiluuna)توصلوا (tiwSilu)you (fem.) arriveتصلن (taSilna)they (masc.) arriveيصلون (yaSiluuna)يوصلوا (yiwSilu)they (fem.) arriveيصلن (yaSilna)Note that in the imperfect mood, an assimilated verb drops its first letter in fuSHa. In 3ammiyya, however, the initial letter remains. Weak verbs الفعل المعتلّ (al-fi3l al-mu3tall)The second kind of weak verb is: Hollow verbs الفعل الأجوف (al-fi3l al-ajwaf) Verbs where the second radical is either a و (as with قال - يقول) or ي (as with باع - يبيع); in the perfect, the و or ي is replaced by an alif. Hollow verbs - perfect mood زار (to visit) EnglishStandard ArabicEgyptian ArabicSingularI visitedزرتُ (zurtu)زرت (zurt)you (masc.) visitedزرتَ (zurta)زرت (zurt)you (fem.) visitedزرتِ (zurti)زرتي (zurti)he visitedزار (zaara)زار (zaar)she visitedزارت (zaarat)زارت (zaarit)Dualwe visitedزرنا (zurna) you visitedزرتما (zurtuma) they (masc.) visitedزارا (zaaraa) they (fem.) visitedزارتا (zaarataa) Pluralwe visitedزرنا (zurna)زرنا (zurna)you (masc.) visitedزرتم (zurtum)زرتوا (zurtuu)you (fem.) visitedزرتن (zurtunna)they (masc.) visitedزاروا (zaaruu)زاروا (zaaru)they (fem.) visitedزرن (zurna)Note that the long vowel is dropped in all conjugations but those for the third-person singular, dual, and plural masculine. When the long vowel is dropped, it is replaced by a short version of the long consonant used in the imperfect conjugation. For example, the imperfect conjugation of زار zaara is يزور yazuuru, so a short "u" is used. Other examples: the imperfect conjugation of كان kaana is يكون yakuunu, so a short "u" is used for the perfect conjugations where the long vowel is dropped. But the imperfect conjugation of سار saara is يسير yasiiru, so a short "i" would be used in those instances. Hollow verbs - imperfect mood زار (to visit) EnglishStandard ArabicEgyptian ArabicSingularI visitأزور (azuuru)أزور (azuur)you (masc.) visitتزور (tazuuru)تزور (tizuur)you (fem.) visitتزورين (tazuuriina)تزوري (tizuuri)he visitsيزور (yazuuru)يزور (yizuur)she visitsتزور (tazuuru)تزور (tizuur)Dualwe visitنزور (nazuuru) you visitتزوران (tazuuraani) they (masc.) visitيزوران (yazuuraani) they (fem.) visitتزوران (tazuuraani) Pluralwe visitنزور (nazuuru)نزور (nizuur)you (masc.) visitتزورون (tazuuruuna)تزوروا (tizuuru)you (fem.) visitتزرن (tazurna)they (masc.) visitيزورون (yazuuruuna)يزوروا (yizuuru)they (fem.) visitيزرن (yazurna)Note that here the long vowel is dropped only for the feminine second and third-person plurals. Weak verbs الفعل المعتلّ (al-fi3l al-mu3tall)The third kind of weak verb is: Defective verbs الفعل الناقص (al-fi3l an-naaqiS) Verbs where the final root radical is either a و (as with بدا - يبدو) or ي (as with بنى - يبني). Defective verbs - perfect mood نسي (to forget) EnglishStandard ArabicEgyptian ArabicSingularI forgotنسيتُ (nasiitu)نسيت (niseit)you (masc.) forgotنسيتَ (nasiita)نسيت (niseit)you (fem.) forgotنسيتِ (nasiiti)نسيتي (niseiti)he forgotنسي (nasiya)نسي (nisi)she forgotنسيت (nasiyat)نسيت (nisyit)Dualwe forgotنسينا (nasiina) you forgotنسيتما (nasiituma) they (masc.) forgotنسيا (nasiyaa) they (fem.) forgotنسيتا (nasiyataa) Pluralwe forgotنسينا (nasiina)نسينا (niseina)you (masc.) forgotنسيتم (nasiitum)نسيتوا (niseitu)you (fem.) forgotنسيتن (nasiitunna)they (masc.) forgotنسيوا (nasiyuu)نسيوا (nisyu)they (fem.) forgotنسين (nasiina)Defective verbs - imperfect mood نسي (to forget) EnglishStandard ArabicEgyptian ArabicSingularI forgetأنسى (ansa)انسى (ansa)you (masc.) forgetتنسى (tansa)تنسى (tinsa)you (fem.) forgetتنسين (tansiina)تنسي (tinsi)he forgetsينسى (yansa)ينسى (yinsa)she forgetsتنسى (tansa)تنسى (tinsa)Dualwe forgetننسى (nansa) you forgetتنسان (tansaani) they (masc.) forgetينسان (yansaani) they (fem.) forgetتنسان (tansaani) Pluralwe forgetننسى (nansa)ننسى (ninsa)you (masc.) forgetتنسون (tansuuna)تنسوا (tinsu)you (fem.) forgetتنسن (tansana)they (masc.) forgetينسون (yansuuna)ينسوا (yinsu)they (fem.) forgetينسن (yansuna)← Main grammar page Verb tenses → ContactVerb tenses in Egyptian ArabicThe past tense Uses the perfect (الماضي) conjugationNegated with the prefix-suffix combination ما...ـشThe simple present tense Uses the imperfect (المضارع) conjugationRarely used outside a few situationsThe present continuous tense* Uses the prefix b- attached to imperfect (المضارع) verbFrequently used for habitual actions, permanent conditions, and present continuous actionsNegated with the prefix-suffix combination ما...ـشThe future tense Uses the prefix ha- attached to imperfect (المضارع) verbNegated with مش* What I've labeled here as the present continuous tense is frequently used in the same way as the simple present tense in English; I've used the "simple present" and "present continuous" labels here merely for purposes of simplicity.The past tenseFor the appropriate verb conjugations, see the perfect (الماضي) conjugations here. Usage of the past tense in Egyptian Arabic is fairly simple; you use it much as you would in English.السنة اللي فاتت رحنا اسكندرية وقعدنا هناك شهر (is-sana lli faatit roHna skenderiyya wa-'a3adna hnaak šahr)Last year we went to Alexandria and stayed there for a month.امبارح كلمت بابايا في التليفون (imbaariH kallemte babaaya fet-telefoon)Yesterday I talked to my dad on the phone.The past tense is negated by adding the prefix ما and the suffix ـش to the beginning and end of the verb. Here's an example, using the verb عمل - يعمل (3amal - yi3mel), "to do/make." Past tenseNegated past tenseأنا (ana) Iعملت (3amalt)ماعملتش (ma3amalteš)انت (enta) you masc.عملت (3amalt)ماعملتش (ma3amalteš)انتي (enti) you fem.عملتي (3amalti)ماعملتيش (ma3amaltiiš)هو (howwa) heعمل (3amal)ماعملس (ma3amalš)هي (heyya) sheعملت (3amlit)ماعملتش (ma3amlitš)احنا (eHna) weعملنا (3amalna)ماعملناش (ma3amalnaaš)انتو (entu) you pl.عملتوا (3amaltu)ماعملتوش (ma3amaltuuš)هم (homma) theyعملوا (3amalu)ماعملوش (ma3amaluuš)Note that with the first-person and second-person masculine conjugations, a "helping vowel" is added before the final ـش. A three-consonant cluster (like "ma3ameltš") is not allowed in Egyptian Arabic, so a vowel is added to make "ma3amelteš." Also note that with weak and geminate/doubled verbs with a long -ei sound in the first- and second-person conjugations, the long -ei is shortened to a short -i sound for the negation: Past tenseNegated past tenseأنا (ana) Iنسيت (niseit)مانسيتش (mansitš)انت (enta) you masc.نسيت (niseit)مانسيتش (mansitš)انتي (enti) you fem.نسيتي (niseiti)مانسيتيش (mansitiiš)هو (howwa) heنسي (nisi)مانساش (manasaaš)هي (heyya) sheنسيت (nisyit)مانسيتش (manisyitš/manasatš)احنا (eHna) weنسينا (niseina)مانسناش (mansinaaš)انتو (entu) you pl.نسيتوا (niseitu)مانستوش (mansituuš)هم (homma) theyنسيوا (nisyu)مانسيوش (manisyuuš)A simple example of negated past tense:للأسف ماقدرتش آجي عشان كنت عيانة (lil-asaf ma'dirteš aagi 3ašaan kunte 3ayyaana)Unfortunately, I couldn't come because I was sick.You can also say عمري ما followed by the perfect (الماضي) conjugation of a verb to say that you've never done that in your life.عمري ماقريت حاجة زي كده (3omri ma'areit Haaga zayye kida)I've never read anything like this.عمره ماعمل ولا هيعمل حاجة مفيدة للناس (3omru ma3amal wala haya3mel Haaga mufiida lin-naas)He never has done anything useful for people, and he never will.عمري ماشفت أغبى من كده (3omri mašoft aġba min kida)I've never seen anything stupider than this.The simple present tenseFor the appropriate verb conjugations, see the imperfect (المضارع) conjugations here. The simple present tense is rarely used in Egyptian Arabic outside a few set situations.It is used to ask somebody if they would like to do something.تشرب ايه؟ (tišrab eih?)What would you like to drink?It is used with modals and words like عشان and عايز.ممكن تقول لي فين ميدان التحرير؟ (mumkin ti'olli fein midaan it-taHriir?)Can you tell me where Tahrir Square is?يمكن أشتري عربية بعد ما ابتدى شغلي الجديد (yemkin ašteri 3arabiyya ba3de ma abtidi šoġli g-gediid)I might buy a car after I start my new job.عايزة أتعلم عربي علشان أقدر أتكلم مع جدي (3ayza at3allem 3arabi 3alašaan a'dar atkallem ma3a giddi)I want to learn Arabic so I can talk with my grandfather.The present continuous tenseIn Egyptian Arabic, when you talk about anything happening in the present, you usually need to add a b- prefex to the imperfect verb conjugations. Here's an example, again using عمل - يعمل. Imperfect verbPresent continuous tenseأنا (ana) Iأعمل (a3mel)بعمل (ba3mel)انت (enta) you masc.تعمل (ti3mel)بتعمل (biti3mel)انتي (enti) you fem.تعملي (ti3meli)بتعملي (biti3meli)هو (howwa) heيعمل (yi3mel)بيعمل (biyi3mel)هي (heyya) sheتعمل (ti3mel)بتعمل (biti3mel)احنا (eHna) weنعمل (ni3mel)بنعمل (bini3mel)انتو (entu) you pl.تعملوا (ti3melu)بتعملوا (biti3melu)هم (homma) theyيعملوا (yi3melu)بيعملوا (biyi3melu)If you want to express a habitual meaning (that you do something regularly), you have to use this tense. And if you want to express a present continuous meaning (that you "are doing" something right now), you often use this tense, although sometimes you must use the active participle instead.بحب أسهر مع أصحابي (baHebb ashar ma3 aSHaabi)I like staying up late with my friends.This is a general statement referring to a permanent or constant condition (like a preference or favorite activity). The b- prefix is always used for this.كل يوم باخد تاكسي للشغل (kulle yoom baaxod taksi liš-šoġl)Every day I take a taxi to work.This is a habit, something the person does regularly. The b- prefix is also always used for this.بتعمل ايه؟ - بتفرج عالتليفزيون (biti3mel eih? - batfarrag 3at-televizyoon)What are you doing? I'm watching TV.Here a present continuous meaning is being expressed to describe something that is happening right now. However, for some verbs, the active participle must be used to express this meaning. More on this here.Negation of this tense is exactly the same as negation of the past tense: add the prefix ما and the suffix ـش to the beginning and end of the verb. (It is also possible to simply use مش before the verb, as in مش بعمل, but it's pretty uncommon.) Present continuous tenseNegated present continuous tenseأنا (ana) Iبعمل (ba3mel)مابعملش (maba3melš)انت (enta) you masc.بتعمل (biti3mel)مابتعملش (mabiti3melš)انتي (enti) you fem.بتعملي (biti3meli)مابعمليش (mabiti3meliiš)هو (howwa) heبيعمل (biyi3mel)مابيعملش (mabiyi3melš)هي (heyya) sheبتعمل (biti3mel)مابتعملش (mabiti3melš)احنا (eHna) weبنعمل (bini3mel)مابنعملش (mabini3melš)انتو (entu) you pl.بتعملوا (biti3melu)مابتعملوش (mabiti3meluuš)هم (homma) theyبيعملوا (biyi3melu)مابيعملوش (mabiyi3meluuš)A few examples of usage:مابحبش أروح للدكتور (mabaHebbeš aruuH lid-doktoor)I don't like going to the doctor.الأيام دي مابنامش كويس (il-ayyaam di mabanaamše kwayyis)These days I don't sleep well.The future tenseTo form the future tense, you add the prefix ha- to the imperfect verb conjugation. Here's an example of this conjugation, again using عمل - يعمل. Imperfect verbFuture tenseأنا (ana) Iأعمل (a3mel)هعمل (ha3mel)انت (enta) you masc.تعمل (ti3mel)هتعمل (hati3mel)انتي (enti) you fem.تعملي (ti3meli)هتعملي (hati3meli)هو (howwa) heيعمل (yi3mel)هيعمل (hayi3mel)هي (heyya) sheتعمل (ti3mel)هتعمل (hati3mel)احنا (eHna) weنعمل (ni3mel)هنعمل (hani3mel)انتو (entu) you pl.تعملوا (ti3melu)هتعملوا (hati3melu)هم (homma) theyيعملوا (yi3melu)هيعملوا (hayi3melu)The usage of this tense is fairly straightforward; as you might suppose, you use it to talk about something that will happen in the future.هتيجي معانا للسينما؟ (hatiigi ma3aana lis-senema?)Are you going to come with us to the movie theater?You could also use the active participle here (gayy instead of hatiigi) if you were about to go to the theater. This would translate as "Are you coming with us to the theater?"السنة اللي جاية هرجع مصر ان شاء الله (is-sana lli gaaya harga3 maSr in shaa' allaah)Next year I'll return to Egypt, God willing.To negate this tense, you simply put مش before the verb: Future tenseNegated future tenseأنا (ana) Iهعمل (ha3mel)مش هعمل (miš ha3mel)انت (enta) you masc.هتعمل (miš hati3mel)مش هتعمل (miš hati3mel)انتي (enti) you fem.هتعملي (hati3meli)مش هتعملي (miš hati3meli)هو (howwa) heهيعمل (hayi3mel)مش هيعمل (miš hayi3mel)هي (heyya) sheهتعمل (hati3mel)مش هتعمل (miš hati3mel)احنا (eHna) weهنعمل (hani3mel)مش هنعمل (miš hani3mel)انتو (entu) you pl.هتعملوا (hati3melu)مش هتعملوا (miš hati3melu)هم (homma) theyهيعملوا (hayi3melu)مش هيعملوا (miš hayi3melu)A quick example of usage:مش هكلم الحمار ده تاني أبدا (miš hakallem il-Homaar da taani abadan)I'm never going to speak to that idiot (lit. donkey) again.Note: If you use a past-tense conjugation of كان, followed by a future-tense verb, it means that the subject almost did ___, or was going to do ___ (but didn't). It can also express a "would" meaning.كنت هموت من الضحك لما شفته (kunte hamuut min iD-DiHk lamma šoftu)I almost died of laughter when I saw him.كنت همشى بس افتكرت انى لسه مسألتش الأسئلة اللي عايزة أسئلها (kunt hamši bass iftakart inni lissa masa'alteš il-as'ila illi 3ayza as'alha)I was going to leave, but I remembered that I still hadn't asked the questions I wanted to ask.لو كنت مكانك كنت هروح اكلمها واللي يحصل يحصل (law kunte makaanak, kunt haruuH akallimha, willi yiHsal yiHSal)If I were in your place, I'd go talk to her, and let whatever happens happen.← Main grammar page Modals → ContactModals in standard and Egyptian ArabicModals in standard ArabicModals in Egyptian ArabicModals in standard ArabicIn English, modal verbs include "can," "may," "might," "must," "should," and "would" — verbs that are not conjugated or negated in the same way as regular verbs. Standard Arabic doesn't have exact equivalents of these verbs, but it has words that are used in much the same way — including phrases beginning with من الـ. Here's a list (all of these are followed by imperfect-mood verbs, although if you remove the أن, you can follow them with a مصدر):يجب أن (yajib an)must, shouldعلى هـ أن (3ala + object + an)mustمن اللازم أن (min al-laazim an)have to, it is necessary toمن الواجب أن (min al-waajib an)it is necessary toمن الضروري أن (min aD-Daruuri an)it is necessary toينبغي أن (yanbaġi an)shouldمن المفروض أن (min al-mafruuD an)shouldمن المفترض أن (min al-muftaraD an)should, ought toيمكن أن (yumkin an)might, mayمن الممكن أن (min al-mumkin an)it is possible toمن المستحيل أن (min al-mustaHiil an)it is impossible toمن المتوقع أن (min al-mutawaqqa3 an)it is expected thatمن المنتظر أن (min al-muntaZar an)it is expected thatمن السهل أن (min as-sahl an)it is easy toمن اليسير أن (min al-yasiir an)it is easy toمن الصعب أن (min aS-Sa3b an)it is hard toمن الجدير بالذكر أن (min al-jadiir bid-dikr anna)it's worth mentioning thatمن الثابت أن (min at-taabit anna)it's well-established thatمن المعروف أن (min al-ma3ruuf anna)it's (well-)known thatمن الواضح أن (min al-waaDiH anna)it's clear thatمن المفهوم أن (min al-mafhuum anna)it's understood thatمن المرجع أن (min al-murajja3 an)it's most likely thatمن المحتمل أن (min al-muHtamal an)it's probable thatمن المقرر أن (min al-muqarrar an)it's been decided thatمن المتفق عليه أن (min al-muttafaq 3aleihi an)it's been agreed thatمن المعتاد أن (min al-mu3taad an)it's customary toمن المستحسن أن (min al-mustaHsan an)it's preferable thatمن الأحسن أن (min al-aHsan an)it's better thatمن الأجدر أن (min al-ajdar an)it's more suitable/proper toمن الطبيعي أن (min aT-Tabii3ii an)it's natural thatمن الممنوع أن (min al-mamnuu3 an)it's forbidden toمن المسموح أن (min al-masmuuH an)it's permitted toTo shift to the past, add كان (kaan) before the phrase. To shift to the future, add سيكون (sayakuun) beforehand. For negation, add ليس (laysa) before it.Examples: هل يجب مناقشة قضايا مثل الكارثة الإنسانية في بورما في مجلس الأمن؟ (hal yajib munaaqašat qaDaaya mitl al-kaarita l-insaaniyya fii burma fii majlis al-amn?)Should issues like the humanitarian disaster in Burma be discussed in the Security Council?فيلم ايراني عن "اغتيال السادات" من المتوقع أن يثير غضب المصريين (fiilm iiraani 3an iġtiyaal as-saadaat min al-mutawaqqa3 an yatiir ġaDab al-miSriyyiin)An Iranian movie about Sadat's assassination is expected to anger Egyptians (lit. excite Egyptians' anger).هذه المشكلة من الممكن أن تتحول إلى ظاهرة في المستقبل اذا لم توضع لها حلول مناسبة وجذرية (haadihi l-muškila min al-mumkin an tataHawwil ila Zaahira ida lam yuwDi3 liha Huluul munaasiba wa-jidriyya)This problem may turn into a phenomenon if appropriate and radical solutions for it are not found.من الطبيعي ان يفرح المواطن، اي مواطن، لدى رؤيته جيشاً غريباً ينسحب من ارضه (min aT-Tabii3i an yafraH al-muwaaTin, ayya muwaaTin, laday ru'yatu jeišan ġariiban yansaHib min arDu)It's natural for a citizen, any citizen, to rejoice at the sight of a foreign army withdrawing from his land.إذا لم نستطع تجاوز الانقسامات داخل المجتمع الفلسطيني فسيكون من الصعب جدا تحقيق تقدم في موضوعي غزة وعملية السلام في الوقت نفسه (ida lam nastaTi3 tajaawuz al-inqisaamaat daaxil al-mujtama3 al-filasTiini fa-sayakuun min aS-Sa3b jiddan taHqiiq taqaddum fi mawDuu3eiyy ġazza wa-3amaliyyat as-salaam fil-waqt nafsu)If we can't overcome the divisions within Palestinian society, then it will be very difficult to achieve progress in the issues of Gaza and the peace process at the same time.Modals in Egyptian ArabicEgyptian Arabic uses many of the same modals listed above, but without the من الـ...أن. Usually they are followed by an imperfect-tense verb.لازم (laazim)must, have toضروري (Daruuri)mustالمفروض (il-mafruuD)shouldممكن (mumkin)can, it's possibleمستحيل (mustaHiil)it's impossibleيمكن (yemkin)perhapsجايز (gaayiz)may, it is possible thatسهل (sahl)it's easy toصعب (Sa3b)it's hard toممنوع (mamnuu3)it's forbidden toمسموح (masmuuH)it's permitted toThere are also modals that are active participles. Remember that all active participles act as adjectives, and thus have masculine, feminine, and plural forms.عايز - عايزة - عايزين (3aayiz - 3ayza - 3ayziin)want toناوي - ناوية - ناويين (naawi - nawya - nawyiin)intending toقاعد - قاعدة - قاعدين ('aa3id - 'a3da - 'a3diin)continuing toعمال - عمالة - عمالين (3ammaal - 3ammaala - 3ammaaliin)continuing toThere are also modals that you attach a pronoun suffix to:نفس (nifs-)to feel likeقصد ('aSd-)to mean toزمان (zamaan-)must have - indicates something happening at the proper or expected timeتن (tann-)continuing toيا ريت (ya reit - suffix optional)wishAgain, to shift to the past, add كان (kaan) before the phrase. To shift to the future, add هيكون (haykuun) beforehand. For negation, add مش (miš) before it.Examples:كان لازم تفكر في الموضوع قبل ما تاخد قرار (kaan laazim tifakkar fel-mawDuu3 'abl ma taaxod qaraar)You should've thought about it before you made a decision.المفروض اننا كلنا نقضي وقت كويس (il-mafruuD innena kollena ni'Di wa't kwayyis)We should all spend our time well.ماكانش قصدي أدايقك (makanš 'aSdi adaayi'ak)I didn't mean to annoy you.يا ريتني مافتحت صدري واتكلمت بقلب جامد (ya reitni mafataHt sidri witkallemt bi-'alb gaamid)I wish I hadn't talked so openly and bravely.زمانها جاية (zamanha gayya)She ought to be coming (soon now).زمانك جعت (zamaanak gu3t)You must be hungry by now.كان زمان كل حاجة خلصت لو كنتي ساعدتيني (kaan zamaan kulle Haaga xilSit law kunti sa3idtiini)Everything would've been finished by now if you'd helped me.نفسي أسافر لبنان (nifsi asaafir libnaan)I'd like to travel to Lebanon.ناوية أصحي بدري (nawya aSHa badri)I intend to get up early.البلاوي عمالة تتحدف علينا (il-balaawi 3ammaala titHaddif 3aleina)Troubles keep on befalling us.العربية الكحيانة دي عمالة تكح في وسط الشارع (il-3arabiyya l-kaHyaana di 3ammaala tkoHH fi wesT iš-šaari3)This beat-up old car keeps coughing in the middle of the street.← Main grammar page The imperative → Contact