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 / بيكتبkatab / katabt / byiktobhe wrote / I wrote / he writes
Hollow verbs: w or y in the middle
The middle letter shows up as a long vowel, which shortens before endings that start with a consonant.
| Past (he) | Past (I) | Present (he) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| see | شاف shaaf | شفت shift | بيشوف bishuuf |
| sleep | نام naam | نمت nimt | بينام binaam |
| say | قال 2aal | قلت 2elt | بيقول bi2uul |
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 nsiit | بينسى byinsa |
| walk | مشي mishi | مشيت mshiit | بيمشي byimshi |
| speak | حكى 7aka | حكيت 7akeit | بيحكي bi7ki |
Doubled verbs: the same letter twice
The second and third root letters are the same. Before consonant endings, they add -ei-:
- حبّ / حبّيت / بيحبّ7abb / 7abbeit / bi7ebbhe loved / I loved / he loves
Irregular verbs
A few very common verbs don't fit any pattern:
- إجا / جيت / بيجيija / jiit / byijihe came / I came / he comes
- أكل / بياكلakal / byaakolhe ate / he eats
- أخد / باخدakhad / baakhodhe took / I take