ÿþ<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"> <html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> <head> <meta http-equiv="Content-type" content="text/html;charset=UTF-8" /> <title>Verb tenses in Egyptian Arabic</title> <link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="style.css" /> <meta name="description" content="The past, simple present, present continuous, and future tenses in Egyptian Arabic: how to use them and negate them, with examples." /> </head> <body> <div id="content"> <div id="head"> <span class="title">Arabic learning resources</span> <ul id="menu"> <li><a href="index.html">home</a></li> <li><a href="vocab.html">vocabulary</a></li> <li><a href="grammar.html">grammar</a></li> <li><a href="faq.html">faq</a></li> <li><a href="about.html">about</a></li> <li><a href="links.html">links</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="body"> <h1>Verb tenses in Egyptian Arabic</h1><br /> <ul> <li><span class="bold"><a href="#past">The past tense</a></span> <ul> <li>Uses the perfect (<span class="arabic">'DE'6J</span>) conjugation</li> <li>Negated with the prefix-suffix combination <span class="arabic">E'...@4</span></li> </ul> </li> <li><span class="bold"><a href="#pres">The simple present tense</a></span> <ul> <li>Uses the imperfect (<span class="arabic">'DE6'19</span>) conjugation</li> <li>Rarely used outside a few situations</li> </ul> </li> <li><span class="bold"><a href="#presc">The present continuous tense</a></span>* <ul> <li>Uses the prefix b- attached to imperfect (<span class="arabic">'DE6'19</span>) verb</li> <li>Frequently used for habitual actions, permanent conditions, and present continuous actions</li> <li>Negated with the prefix-suffix combination <span class="arabic">E'...@4</span></li> </ul> </li> <li><span class="bold"><a href="#fut">The future tense</a></span> <ul> <li>Uses the prefix ha- attached to imperfect (<span class="arabic">'DE6'19</span>) verb</li> <li>Negated with <span class="arabic">E4</span></li> </ul> </li> </ul> <p>* 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.</p> <br /><br /><hr /> <br /><h2><a name="past"></a>The past tense</h2><br /> <p>For the appropriate verb conjugations, see the perfect (<span class="arabic">'DE'6J</span>) conjugations <a href="g_conj.html">here</a>. Usage of the past tense in Egyptian Arabic is fairly simple; you use it much as you would in English.</p> <div class="example"> <span class="arabic">'D3F) 'DDJ A'** 1-F' '3CF/1J) HB9/F' GF'C 4G1</span> (is-sana lli faatit <span class="bold">roHna</span> skenderiyya wa-<span class="bold">'a3adna</span> hnaak aahr)<br /> Last year we <span class="bold">went</span> to Alexandria and <span class="bold">stayed</span> there for a month.<br /><br /> <span class="arabic">'E('1- CDE* ('('J' AJ 'D*DJAHF</span> (imbaariH <span class="bold">kallemte</span> babaaya fet-telefoon)<br /> Yesterday I <span class="bold">talked</span> to my dad on the phone.</div> <br /><p>The past tense is negated by adding the prefix <span class="arabic">E'</span> and the suffix <span class="arabic">@4</span> to the beginning and end of the verb. Here's an example, using the verb <span class="arabic">9ED - J9ED</span> <span dir="ltr">(3amal - yi3mel), "to do/make."</span></p> <table class="zebra"> <colgroup class="column"></colgroup> <colgroup class="column"></colgroup> <tr class="odd bottombordersolid"><td>&nbsp;</td><td><span class="bold">Past tense</span></td><td><span class="bold">Negated past tense</span></td></tr> <tr><td class="odd"><span class="arabic">#F'</span> (ana) I</td><td><span class="arabic">9ED*</span> <span dir="ltr">(3amalt)</span></td><td><span class="arabic">E'9ED*4</span> (ma3amaltea)</td></tr> <tr><td class="odd"><span class="arabic">'F*</span> (enta) you masc.</td><td><span class="arabic">9ED*</span> <span dir="ltr">(3amalt)</span></td><td><span class="arabic">E'9ED*4</span> (ma3amaltea)</td></tr> <tr><td class="odd"><span class="arabic">'F*J</span> (enti) you fem.</td><td><span class="arabic">9ED*J</span> <span dir="ltr">(3amalti)</span></td><td><span class="arabic">E'9ED*J4</span> (ma3amaltiia)</td></tr> <tr><td class="odd"><span class="arabic">GH</span> (howwa) he</td><td><span class="arabic">9ED</span> <span dir="ltr">(3amal)</span></td><td><span class="arabic">E'9ED3</span> (ma3amala)</td></tr> <tr><td class="odd"><span class="arabic">GJ</span> (heyya) she</td><td><span class="arabic">9ED*</span> <span dir="ltr">(3amlit)</span></td><td><span class="arabic">E'9ED*4</span> (ma3amlita)</td></tr> <tr><td class="odd"><span class="arabic">'-F'</span> (eHna) we</td><td><span class="arabic">9EDF'</span> <span dir="ltr">(3amalna)</span></td><td><span class="arabic">E'9EDF'4</span> (ma3amalnaaa)</td></tr> <tr><td class="odd"><span class="arabic">'F*H</span> (entu) you pl.</td><td><span class="arabic">9ED*H'</span> <span dir="ltr">(3amaltu)</span></td><td><span class="arabic">E'9ED*H4</span> (ma3amaltuua)</td></tr> <tr><td class="odd"><span class="arabic">GE</span> (homma) they</td><td><span class="arabic">9EDH'</span> <span dir="ltr">(3amalu)</span></td><td><span class="arabic">E'9EDH4</span> (ma3amaluua)</td></tr> </table> <br /><p>Note that with the first-person and second-person masculine conjugations, a "helping vowel" is added before the final <span class="arabic">@4</span>. A three-consonant cluster (like "ma3ama<span class="bold">lta</span>") is not allowed in Egyptian Arabic, so a vowel is added to make "ma3ama<span class="bold">lt<u>e</u>a</span>." 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. See the following example for the verb <span class="arabic">F3J - JF3I</span> (nisi - yinsa), "to forget."</p> <table class="zebra"> <colgroup class="column"></colgroup> <colgroup class="column"></colgroup> <tr class="odd bottombordersolid"><td>&nbsp;</td><td><span class="bold">Past tense</span></td><td><span class="bold">Negated past tense</span></td></tr> <tr><td class="odd"><span class="arabic">#F'</span> (ana) I</td><td><span class="arabic">F3J*</span> (niseit)</td><td><span class="arabic">E'F3J*4</span> (mansita)</td></tr> <tr><td class="odd"><span class="arabic">'F*</span> (enta) you masc.</td><td><span class="arabic">F3J*</span> (niseit)</td><td><span class="arabic">E'F3J*4</span> (mansita)</td></tr> <tr><td class="odd"><span class="arabic">'F*J</span> (enti) you fem.</td><td><span class="arabic">F3J*J</span> (niseiti)</td><td><span class="arabic">E'F3J*J4</span> (mansitiia)</td></tr> <tr><td class="odd"><span class="arabic">GH</span> (howwa) he</td><td><span class="arabic">F3J</span> (nisi)</td><td><span class="arabic">E'F3'4</span> (manasaaa)</td></tr> <tr><td class="odd"><span class="arabic">GJ</span> (heyya) she</td><td><span class="arabic">F3J*</span> (nisyit)</td><td><span class="arabic">E'F3J*4</span> (manisyita/manasata)</td></tr> <tr><td class="odd"><span class="arabic">'-F'</span> (eHna) we</td><td><span class="arabic">F3JF'</span> (niseina)</td><td><span class="arabic">E'F3F'4</span> (mansinaaa)</td></tr> <tr><td class="odd"><span class="arabic">'F*H</span> (entu) you pl.</td><td><span class="arabic">F3J*H'</span> (niseitu)</td><td><span class="arabic">E'F3*H4</span> (mansituua)</td></tr> <tr><td class="odd"><span class="arabic">GE</span> (homma) they</td><td><span class="arabic">F3JH'</span> (nisyu)</td><td><span class="arabic">E'F3JH4</span> (manisyuua)</td></tr> </table> <br />Another example, with <span class="arabic">E4J - JE4J</span> (miai - yimai), "to go/leave": <br /><table class="zebra"> <colgroup class="column"></colgroup> <colgroup class="column"></colgroup> <tr class="odd bottombordersolid"><td>&nbsp;</td><td><span class="bold">Past tense</span></td><td><span class="bold">Negated past tense</span></td></tr> <tr><td class="odd"><span class="arabic">#F'</span> (ana) I</td><td><span class="arabic">E4J*</span> (miaeit)</td><td><span class="arabic">E'E4J*4</span> (mamaita)</td></tr> <tr><td class="odd"><span class="arabic">'F*</span> (enta) you masc.</td><td><span class="arabic">E4J*</span> (miaeit)</td><td><span class="arabic">E'E4J*4</span> (mamaita)</td></tr> <tr><td class="odd"><span class="arabic">'F*J</span> (enti) you fem.</td><td><span class="arabic">E4J*J</span> (miaeiti)</td><td><span class="arabic">E'E4J*J4</span> (mamaitiia)</td></tr> <tr><td class="odd"><span class="arabic">GH</span> (howwa) he</td><td><span class="arabic">E4J</span> (miai)</td><td><span class="arabic">E'E4J4</span> (mamaia)</td></tr> <tr><td class="odd"><span class="arabic">GJ</span> (heyya) she</td><td><span class="arabic">E4J*</span> (miayit)</td><td><span class="arabic">E'E4J*4</span> (mamiayita)</td></tr> <tr><td class="odd"><span class="arabic">'-F'</span> (eHna) we</td><td><span class="arabic">E4JF'</span> (miaeina)</td><td><span class="arabic">E'E4JF'4</span> (mamainaaa)</td></tr> <tr><td class="odd"><span class="arabic">'F*H</span> (entu) you pl.</td><td><span class="arabic">E4J*H'</span> (miaeitu)</td><td><span class="arabic">E'E4J*H4</span> (mamaituua)</td></tr> <tr><td class="odd"><span class="arabic">GE</span> (homma) they</td><td><span class="arabic">E4JH'</span> (miayu)</td><td><span class="arabic">E'E4JH4</span> (mamiayuua)</td></tr> </table> <br /><p>A simple example of negated past tense:</p> <div class="example"><span class="arabic">DD#3A E'B/1*4 ",J 94'F CF* 9J'F)</span> (lil-asaf <span class="bold">ma'dirtea</span> aagi 3aaaan kunte 3ayyaana)<br /> Unfortunately, I <span class="bold">couldn't</span> come because I was sick.</div> <br /><p>You can also say <span class="arabic">9E1J E'</span> followed by the perfect (<span class="arabic">'DE'6J</span>) conjugation of a verb to say that you've never done that in your life.</p> <div class="example"><span class="arabic">9E1J E'B1J* -',) 2J C/G</span> <span dir="ltr">(<span class="bold">3omri ma'areit</span> Haaga zayye kida)</span><br /> I've <span class="bold">never read</span> anything like this.<br /><br /> <span class="arabic">9E1G E'9ED HD' GJ9ED -',) EAJ/) DDF'3</span> <span dir="ltr">(<span class="bold">3omru ma3amal</span> wala haya3mel Haaga mufiida lin-naas)</span><br /> He <span class="bold">never has done</span> anything useful for people, and he never will.<br /><br /> <span class="arabic">9E1J E'4A* #:(I EF C/G</span> <span dir="ltr">(<span class="bold">3omri maaoft</span> a!ba min kida)</span><br /> I've <span class="bold">never seen</span> anything stupider than this.</div> <br /><br /><hr /> <br /><h2><a name="pres">The simple present tense</a></h2><br /> <p>For the appropriate verb conjugations, see the imperfect (<span class="arabic">'DE6'19</span>) conjugations <a href="g_conj.html">here</a>. The simple present tense is rarely used in Egyptian Arabic outside a few set situations.</p> <p>It is used to ask somebody if they would like to do something.</p> <div class="example"><span class="arabic">*41( 'JG</span> (<span class="bold">tiarab</span> eih?)<br /> What would you like <span class="bold">to drink</span>?</div> <br /><p>It is used with modals and words like <span class="arabic">94'F</span> and <span class="arabic">9'J2</span>.</p> <div class="example"> <span class="arabic">EECF *BHD DJ AJF EJ/'F 'D*-1J1</span> (mumkin <span class="bold">ti'olli</span> fein midaan it-taHriir?)<br /> Can you <span class="bold">tell me</span> where Tahrir Square is?<br /><br /> <span class="arabic">JECF #4*1J 91(J) (9/ E' '(*/I 4:DJ 'D,/J/</span> (yemkin <span class="bold">aateri</span> 3arabiyya ba3de ma <span class="bold">abtidi</span> ao!li g-gediid)<br /> I might <span class="bold">buy</span> a car after I <span class="bold">start</span> my new job.<br /><br /> <span class="arabic">9'J2) #*9DE 91(J 9D4'F #B/1 #*CDE E9 ,/J</span> <span dir="ltr">(3ayza <span class="bold">at3allem</span> 3arabi 3alaaaan <span class="bold">a'dar atkallem</span> ma3a giddi)</span><br /> I want to <span class="bold">learn</span> Arabic so I <span class="bold">can talk</span> with my grandfather.</div> <br /><br /><hr /> <br /><h2><a name="presc"></a>The present continuous tense</h2><br /> <p>In 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 <span class="arabic">9ED - J9ED</span>.</p> <table class="zebra"> <colgroup class="column"></colgroup> <colgroup class="column"></colgroup> <tr class="odd bottombordersolid"><td>&nbsp;</td><td><span class="bold">Imperfect verb</span></td><td><span class="bold">Present continuous tense</span></td></tr> <tr><td class="odd"><span class="arabic">#F'</span> (ana) I</td><td><span class="arabic">#9ED</span> (a3mel)</td><td><span class="arabic">(9ED</span> (ba3mel)</td></tr> <tr><td class="odd"><span class="arabic">'F*</span> (enta) you masc.</td><td><span class="arabic">*9ED</span> (ti3mel)</td><td><span class="arabic">(*9ED</span> (biti3mel)</td></tr> <tr><td class="odd"><span class="arabic">'F*J</span> (enti) you fem.</td><td><span class="arabic">*9EDJ</span> (ti3meli)</td><td><span class="arabic">(*9EDJ</span> (biti3meli)</td></tr> <tr><td class="odd"><span class="arabic">GH</span> (howwa) he</td><td><span class="arabic">J9ED</span> (yi3mel)</td><td><span class="arabic">(J9ED</span> (biyi3mel)</td></tr> <tr><td class="odd"><span class="arabic">GJ</span> (heyya) she</td><td><span class="arabic">*9ED</span> (ti3mel)</td><td><span class="arabic">(*9ED</span> (biti3mel)</td></tr> <tr><td class="odd"><span class="arabic">'-F'</span> (eHna) we</td><td><span class="arabic">F9ED</span> (ni3mel)</td><td><span class="arabic">(F9ED</span> (bini3mel)</td></tr> <tr><td class="odd"><span class="arabic">'F*H</span> (entu) you pl.</td><td><span class="arabic">*9EDH'</span> (ti3melu)</td><td><span class="arabic">(*9EDH'</span> (biti3melu)</td></tr> <tr><td class="odd"><span class="arabic">GE</span> (homma) they</td><td><span class="arabic">J9EDH'</span> (yi3melu)</td><td><span class="arabic">(J9EDH'</span> (biyi3melu)</td></tr> </table> <br /><p>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 <a href="g_act.html">active participle</a> instead.</p> <div class="example"><span class="arabic">(-( #3G1 E9 #5-'(J</span> (<span class="bold">baHebb</span> ashar ma3 aSHaabi)<br /> I <span class="bold">like</span> staying up late with my friends.</div> <p>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.</p> <div class="example"><span class="arabic">CD JHE ('./ *'C3J DD4:D</span> (kulle yoom <span class="bold">baaxod</span> taksi lia-ao!l)<br /> Every day I <span class="bold">take</span> a taxi to work.</div> <p>This is a habit, something the person does regularly. The b- prefix is also always used for this.</p> <div class="example"><span class="arabic">(*9ED 'JG - (*A1, 9'D*DJA2JHF</span> (<span class="bold">biti3mel</span> eih? - <span class="bold">batfarrag</span> 3at-televizyoon)<br /> What are you <span class="bold">doing</span>? I'm <span class="bold">watching</span> TV.</div> <p>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 <a href="g_act.html">here</a>.</p> <p>Negation of this tense is exactly the same as negation of the past tense: add the prefix <span class="arabic">E'</span> and the suffix <span class="arabic">@4</span> to the beginning and end of the verb. (It is also possible to simply use <span class="arabic">E4</span> before the verb, as in <span class="arabic">E4 (9ED</span>, but it's pretty uncommon.)</p> <table class="zebra"> <colgroup class="column"></colgroup> <colgroup class="column"></colgroup> <tr class="odd bottombordersolid"><td>&nbsp;</td><td><span class="bold">Present continuous tense</span></td><td><span class="bold">Negated present continuous tense</span></td></tr> <tr><td class="odd"><span class="arabic">#F'</span> (ana) I</td><td><span class="arabic">(9ED</span> (ba3mel)</td><td><span class="arabic">E'(9ED4</span> (maba3mela)</td></tr> <tr><td class="odd"><span class="arabic">'F*</span> (enta) you masc.</td><td><span class="arabic">(*9ED</span> (biti3mel)</td><td><span class="arabic">E'(*9ED4</span> (mabiti3mela)</td></tr> <tr><td class="odd"><span class="arabic">'F*J</span> (enti) you fem.</td><td><span class="arabic">(*9EDJ</span> (biti3meli)</td><td><span class="arabic">E'(*9EDJ4</span> (mabiti3meliia)</td></tr> <tr><td class="odd"><span class="arabic">GH</span> (howwa) he</td><td><span class="arabic">(J9ED</span> (biyi3mel)</td><td><span class="arabic">E'(J9ED4</span> (mabiyi3mela)</td></tr> <tr><td class="odd"><span class="arabic">GJ</span> (heyya) she</td><td><span class="arabic">(*9ED</span> (biti3mel)</td><td><span class="arabic">E'(*9ED4</span> (mabiti3mela)</td></tr> <tr><td class="odd"><span class="arabic">'-F'</span> (eHna) we</td><td><span class="arabic">(F9ED</span> (bini3mel)</td><td><span class="arabic">E'(F9ED4</span> (mabini3mela)</td></tr> <tr><td class="odd"><span class="arabic">'F*H</span> (entu) you pl.</td><td><span class="arabic">(*9EDH'</span> (biti3melu)</td><td><span class="arabic">E'(*9EDH4</span> (mabiti3meluua)</td></tr> <tr><td class="odd"><span class="arabic">GE</span> (homma) they</td><td><span class="arabic">(J9EDH'</span> (biyi3melu)</td><td><span class="arabic">E'(J9EDH4</span> (mabiyi3meluua)</td></tr> </table> <br /><p>A few examples of usage:</p> <div class="example"> <span class="arabic">E'(-(4 #1H- DD/C*H1</span> (<span class="bold">mabaHebbea</span> aruuH lid-doktoor)<br /> I <span class="bold">don't like</span> going to the doctor.<br /><br /> <span class="arabic">'D#J'E /J E'(F'E4 CHJ3</span> (il-ayyaam di <span class="bold">mabanaamae</span> kwayyis)<br /> These days I <span class="bold">don't sleep</span> well.</div> <br /><br /><hr /> <br /><h2><a name="fut"></a>The future tense</h2><br /> <p>To form the future tense, you add the prefix ha- to the imperfect verb conjugation. Here's an example of this conjugation, again using <span class="arabic">9ED - J9ED</span>.</p> <table class="zebra"> <colgroup class="column"></colgroup> <colgroup class="column"></colgroup> <tr class="odd bottombordersolid"><td>&nbsp;</td><td><span class="bold">Imperfect verb</span></td><td><span class="bold">Future tense</span></td></tr> <tr><td class="odd"><span class="arabic">#F'</span> (ana) I</td><td><span class="arabic">#9ED</span> (a3mel)</td><td><span class="arabic">G9ED</span> (ha3mel)</td></tr> <tr><td class="odd"><span class="arabic">'F*</span> (enta) you masc.</td><td><span class="arabic">*9ED</span> (ti3mel)</td><td><span class="arabic">G*9ED</span> (hati3mel)</td></tr> <tr><td class="odd"><span class="arabic">'F*J</span> (enti) you fem.</td><td><span class="arabic">*9EDJ</span> (ti3meli)</td><td><span class="arabic">G*9EDJ</span> (hati3meli)</td></tr> <tr><td class="odd"><span class="arabic">GH</span> (howwa) he</td><td><span class="arabic">J9ED</span> (yi3mel)</td><td><span class="arabic">GJ9ED</span> (hayi3mel)</td></tr> <tr><td class="odd"><span class="arabic">GJ</span> (heyya) she</td><td><span class="arabic">*9ED</span> (ti3mel)</td><td><span class="arabic">G*9ED</span> (hati3mel)</td></tr> <tr><td class="odd"><span class="arabic">'-F'</span> (eHna) we</td><td><span class="arabic">F9ED</span> (ni3mel)</td><td><span class="arabic">GF9ED</span> (hani3mel)</td></tr> <tr><td class="odd"><span class="arabic">'F*H</span> (entu) you pl.</td><td><span class="arabic">*9EDH'</span> (ti3melu)</td><td><span class="arabic">G*9EDH'</span> (hati3melu)</td></tr> <tr><td class="odd"><span class="arabic">GE</span> (homma) they</td><td><span class="arabic">J9EDH'</span> (yi3melu)</td><td><span class="arabic">GJ9EDH'</span> (hayi3melu)</td></tr> </table> <br /><p>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.</p> <div class="example"> <span class="arabic">G*J,J E9'F' DD3JFE'</span> (<span class="bold">hatiigi</span> ma3aana lis-senema?)<br /> Are you <span class="bold">going to come</span> with us to the movie theater?</div> <p>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?"</p> <div class="example"><span class="arabic">'D3F) 'DDJ ,'J) G1,9 E51 'F 4'! 'DDG</span> (is-sana lli gaaya <span class="bold">harga3</span> maSr in shaa' allaah)<br /> Next year <span class="bold">I'll return</span> to Egypt, God willing.</div> <br /><p>To negate this tense, you simply put <span class="arabic">E4</span> before the verb:</p> <table class="zebra"> <colgroup class="column"></colgroup> <colgroup class="column"></colgroup> <tr class="odd bottombordersolid"><td>&nbsp;</td><td><span class="bold">Future tense</span></td><td><span class="bold">Negated future tense</span></td></tr> <tr><td class="odd"><span class="arabic">#F'</span> (ana) I</td><td><span class="arabic">G9ED</span> (ha3mel)</td><td><span class="arabic">E4 G9ED</span> (mia ha3mel)</td></tr> <tr><td class="odd"><span class="arabic">'F*</span> (enta) you masc.</td><td><span class="arabic">G*9ED</span> (mia hati3mel)</td><td><span class="arabic">E4 G*9ED</span> (mia hati3mel)</td></tr> <tr><td class="odd"><span class="arabic">'F*J</span> (enti) you fem.</td><td><span class="arabic">G*9EDJ</span> (hati3meli)</td><td><span class="arabic">E4 G*9EDJ</span> (mia hati3meli)</td></tr> <tr><td class="odd"><span class="arabic">GH</span> (howwa) he</td><td><span class="arabic">GJ9ED</span> (hayi3mel)</td><td><span class="arabic">E4 GJ9ED</span> (mia hayi3mel)</td></tr> <tr><td class="odd"><span class="arabic">GJ</span> (heyya) she</td><td><span class="arabic">G*9ED</span> (hati3mel)</td><td><span class="arabic">E4 G*9ED</span> (mia hati3mel)</td></tr> <tr><td class="odd"><span class="arabic">'-F'</span> (eHna) we</td><td><span class="arabic">GF9ED</span> (hani3mel)</td><td><span class="arabic">E4 GF9ED</span> (mia hani3mel)</td></tr> <tr><td class="odd"><span class="arabic">'F*H</span> (entu) you pl.</td><td><span class="arabic">G*9EDH'</span> (hati3melu)</td><td><span class="arabic">E4 G*9EDH'</span> (mia hati3melu)</td></tr> <tr><td class="odd"><span class="arabic">GE</span> (homma) they</td><td><span class="arabic">GJ9EDH'</span> (hayi3melu)</td><td><span class="arabic">E4 GJ9EDH'</span> (mia hayi3melu)</td></tr> </table> <br /><p>A quick example of usage:</p> <div class="example"><span class="arabic">E4 GCDE 'D-E'1 /G *'FJ #(/'</span> (<span class="bold">mia hakallem</span> il-Homaar da taani abadan)<br /> I'm <span class="bold">never going to speak to</span> that idiot (lit. donkey) again.</div> <br /><p><span class="emphasis">Note:</span> If you use a past-tense conjugation of <span class="arabic">C'F</span>, 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.</p> <div class="example"><span class="arabic">CF* GEH* EF 'D6-C DE' 4A*G</span> (<span class="bold">kunte hamuut</span> min iD-DiHk lamma aoftu)<br /> I <span class="bold">almost died</span> of laughter when I saw him.<br /><br /> <span class="arabic">CF* GE4I (3 'A*C1* 'FI D3G E3#D*4 'D#3&D) 'DDJ 9'J2) #3&DG'</span> (<span class="bold">kunt hamai</span> bass iftakart inni lissa masa'altea il-as'ila illi 3ayza as'alha)<br /> I <span class="bold">was going to leave</span>, but I remembered that I still hadn't asked the questions I wanted to ask.<br /><br /> <span class="arabic">DH CF* EC'FC CF* G1H- 'CDEG' H'DDJ J-5D J-5D</span> (law kunte makaanak, <span class="bold">kunt haruuH</span> akallimha, willi yiHsal yiHSal)<br /> If I were in your place, <span class="bold">I'd go</span> talk to her, and let whatever happens happen.</div> <br /><p>And you can also say <span class="arabic">9E1J E'</span> followed by a future-tense verb to say that you'll never do that.</p> <div class="example"><span class="arabic">J'E' 6-QI 94'FJ J'E' '3*-EDFJ H9E1J E' GD'BJ 2JG</span> (yaama DaHHa 3aaaani yaama staHmalni wa-<span class="bold">3omri ma halaa'i</span> zayyu)<br /> He's sacrified so much for me and put up with so much from me, I'll <span class="bold">never find</span> anyone else like him.</div> <br /> <br /><span class="back">&larr; <a href="grammar.html">Main grammar page</a></span> <span class="forward"><a href="g_modals.html">Modals</a> &rarr;</span> <br /> </div> <div id="footer"> <p><a href="mailto:webmaster%20(at)%20desert-sky%20(dot)%20net">Contact</a></p> </div> </div> </body> </html>