The past tense suffix
There are four types of verbs in Moroccan Arabic (Darija) and they are each conjugated using the basic past tense suffix (but each in a different way - see below):
| Person (English) | Person (Darija) | Past Tense Suffix |
|---|---|---|
| I | 'anaa | -t |
| you (s) | ntaa/ntee | -tee |
| he | howa | - |
| she | heeya | -aat |
| we | hnaa | -naa |
| you (pl) | ntoomaa | -too |
| they | homaa | -oo |
The CCC Verbs
Most verbs in Moroccan Arabic (Darija) fall into the category of CCC verbs (Consonant, Consonant, Consonant), for example:
qt3
(to cut)n3s
(to sleep)shrb
(to drink - sh is one consonant in arabic script)qllb
(to look for - "ll" is one letter with a shedda on it, in arabic script)ftr
(have breakfast)lbs
(get dressed)gls
(sit down)khrj
(go out)- etc.
To conjugate CCC verbs, all you need to do is add the past tense suffix:
| Person (English) | Person (Darija) | Conjugation of the verb "shrb" |
|---|---|---|
| I | 'anaa | shrbt |
| you (s) | ntaa/ntee | shrbtee |
| he | howa | shrb |
| she | heeya | shrbaat |
| we | hnaa | shrbnaa |
| you (pl) | ntoomaa | shrbtoo |
| they | homaa | shrboo |
The CC verbs
Some verbs have the CC form (Consonant, Consonant), for example:
chdd
(to take)Hll
(to open)sdd
(to close)kbb
(to pour)- etc.
Note: all of these are written with just two letters (two consonants) in Arabic script - with a shedda on the second consonant.
To conjugate CC verbs, we add an "ee" sound before adding the past tense suffix for the first and second person:
| Person (Engish) | Personne (Darija) | Conjugation of the verb "Hll" |
|---|---|---|
| I | 'anaa | Hlleet |
| you (s) | ntaa/ntee | Hlleetee |
| he | howa | Hll |
| she | heeya | Hllaat |
| we | hnaa | Hlleenaa |
| you (pl) | ntoomaa | Hlleetou |
| they | homaa | Hlloo |
CCV Verbs
There are also CCV verbs (Consonant, Consonant, Vowel), for example:
mshaa
(to go)shraa
(to buy)tlqaa
(to meet)nqaa
(to clean)- etc.
To conjugate CCV verbs, we remove the “aa” vowel and add an "ee" sound for the first and second persons, before adding the past tense suffix:
| Person (English) | Person (Darija) | Conjugation of the verb "mshaa" |
|---|---|---|
| I | 'anaa | msheet |
| you (s) | ntaa/ntee | msheetee |
| he | howa | mshaa |
| she | heeya | mshaat |
| we | hnaa | msheenaa |
| you (pl) | ntoomaa | mcheetoo |
| they | homaa | mshaaoo |
CVC verbs
There are also CVC verbs (Consonant, Vowel, Consonant), for example:
gaal
(to say)kaan
(to bee)baan
(to appear)taar
(to fly)- etc.
To conjugate CVC verbs, we remove the “aa” vowel from the middle of the verb and then add the past tense suffix at the end. For "heeya" (she), we just add a "t" at the end.:
| Person (English) | Person (Darija) | Conjugation of the verb "kaan" |
|---|---|---|
| I | 'anaa | knt |
| you (s) | ntaa/ntee | kntee |
| he | howa | kaan |
| she | heeya | kaant |
| we | hnaa | knnaa |
| you (pl) | ntoomaa | kntoo |
| they | homaa | kaanoo |
Summary - all the types of verbs in the past tense
The rules:
| CCC | + past tense suffix |
|---|---|
| CC | + ee,+ past tense suffix |
| CCV | remove the vowel, + ee,+ past tense suffix |
| CVC | remove the vowel,+ past tense suffix |
In our dictionary entries, all the verbs are lablled CCC, CC, CCV or CVC, so you know how to conjugate them.
