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. These follow the patterns with no surprises.
- كتب / كتبت / بيكتبkatab / katabt / biyiktibhe wrote / I wrote / he writes
Hollow verbs: w or y in the middle
The middle letter shows up as a long vowel. It shortens when the ending starts with a consonant (I, you, we).
| Past (he) | Past (I) | Present (he) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| see | شاف shaaf | شفت shuft | بيشوف biyshuuf |
| sleep | نام naam | نمت nimt | بينام biynaam |
| say | قال 2aal | قلت 2ult | بيقول biy2uul |
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 | نسي nisi | نسيت nisiit | بينسى biyinsa |
| walk | مشي mishi | مشيت mishiit | بيمشي biyimshi |
| read | قرا 2ara | قريت 2areet | بيقرا biyi2ra |
Doubled verbs: the same letter twice
The second and third root letters are the same. Before endings starting with a consonant, they add -ee-:
- حب / حبيت / بيحب7abb / 7abbeet / biy7ibbhe loved / I loved / he loves
Irregular verbs
A few very common verbs don't fit any pattern. Learn their full tables:
- جه / جيت / بييجيgeh / geet / biyiigihe came / I came / he comes
- أكل / بياكلakal / biyaakulhe ate / he eats
- أخد / باخدakhad / baakhudhe took / I take