An Egyptian present-tense verb has three parts: a person prefix that shows who is doing it, the verb stem, and usually a b- in front meaning "now" or "usually".
The bare present
Each person has a prefix, and some also have an ending. Here is katab (to write), stem -ktib:
| Person | Bare form | With b- |
|---|---|---|
| ana (I) | aktib | baktib |
| inta (you m) | tiktib | bitiktib |
| inti (you f) | tiktibi | bitiktibi |
| huwwa (he) | yiktib | biyiktib |
| hiyya (she) | tiktib | bitiktib |
| i7na (we) | niktib | biniktib |
| intu (you pl) | tiktibu | bitiktibu |
| humma (they) | yiktibu | biyiktibu |
Notice that "you (m)" and "she" are the same form. Context, or the pronoun, tells them apart.
When to use bi-
bi- is the normal present: things happening now, or habits.
- ุจูุชุจ ุฌูุงุจbaktib gawaabI'm writing a letter.
- ุจูุดุชุบู ูู ุจููbiyishtaghal fi bankHe works in a bank.
When to drop bi-
Use the bare form after words like "want", "must", "can" and "let's". English uses "to" + verb here; Arabic uses the bare present with the right person.
- ุนุงูุฒ ุฃูุชุจ3aayiz aktibI want to write.
- ูุงุฒู ุชูุฌูlaazim tiigiYou have to come.
- ู ู ูู ูุชููู ุmumkin nitkallim?Can we talk?
- ููุง ูุฑูุญyalla nruu7Let's go.
There is no separate infinitive ("to write") in Egyptian: the verb always carries a person.
Movement verbs use a participle
For "going", "coming" and similar, Egyptians usually use an adjective-like participle instead of bi-:
- ุฃูุง ุฑุงูุญ ุงูุดุบูana raayi7 ish-shughlI'm going to work.
- ูู ุฌุงูุฉ ุฏูููุชูhiyya gaaya dilwa2tiShe's coming now.