Some verbs follow the conjugation patterns exactly. Others change shape because their root has a weak letter: w, y or a hamza (ء). The verb's class tells you which kind it is.
Sound verbs
Three ordinary consonants, no surprises.
- كتب / كتبت / كيكتبkteb / ktebt / kayektebhe wrote / I wrote / he writes
Hollow verbs: w or y in the middle
The middle letter shows up as a long vowel, which shortens or disappears before endings that start with a consonant.
| Past (he) | Past (I) | Present (he) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| see | شاف shaf | شفت shft | كيشوف kayshuf |
| say | قال qal | قلت qolt | كيقول kayqul |
| sell | باع ba3 | بعت b3t | كيبيع kaybi3 |
Defective verbs: w or y at the end
The verb ends in a vowel, which merges with the endings:
| Past (he) | Past (I) | Present (he) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| forget | نسا nsa | نسيت nsit | كينسى kaynsa |
| walk, go | مشا msha | مشيت mshit | كيمشي kaymshi |
| buy | شرا shra | شريت shrit | كيشري kayshri |
Doubled verbs: the same letter twice
The second and third root letters are the same. Before consonant endings, they add -i-:
- حل / حليت / كيحل7ell / 7llit / kay7ellhe opened / I opened / he opens
Irregular verbs
A few very common verbs don't fit any pattern:
- جا / جيت / كيجيja / jit / kayjihe came / I came / he comes
- كلا / كليت / كياكلkla / klit / kayakulhe ate / I ate / he eats
- خدا / خديت / كياخدkhda / khdit / kayakhudhe took / I took / he takes