Language/Algerian-arabic/Grammar/Negation
Hi Algerian Arabic learners! 😊
In this lesson, we are going to focus on negation in Algerian Arabic grammar. To understand negation, it's important first to understand two types of sentences in Arabic: affirmative and negative sentences.
Finish this lesson and explore these related pages: Alphabet and Pronunciation in Algerian ..., Numbers in Algerian Arabic, Past Participle in Algerian Arabic & Imperative Mood.
Affirmative Sentences[edit | edit source]
In affirmative sentences, we affirm a fact or an action. Here are some examples:
Algerian Arabic | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
نَديرو | nādīro | We do |
تَحيا الجَزاير | taḥyā l-jazāir | Long live Algeria |
طِلعَة بيرْ | ṭilʿa bīr | A trip to Bir |
سَلَام | salām | Hello |
In Algerian Arabic, affirmative sentences generally have a positive particle called "nāʿam" (yes) or its synonym "aywa" (also pronounced "iwa"). For instance:
Algerian Arabic | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
نَديرو نَعَم | nādīro naʿam | Yes, we do |
تَحيا الجَزاير آيوة | taḥyā l-jazāir aywa | Yes, Long live Algeria |
هَو طِلعَة بيرْ آيوة | huwa ṭilʿa bīr aywa | Yes, He / She is going for a trip to Bir |
إِيوة سَلَام | īwa salām | Yes, Hello |
Negative Sentences[edit | edit source]
In negative sentences, we negate a fact or an action. The negative particle used in Algerian Arabic is "مَا" (ma). Here are some examples:
Algerian Arabic | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
ما نَديروش | mā nādīrūš | We don't do |
ما تَحياش الجَزاير | mā taḥyāš l-jazāir | Don't live Algeria |
ما ياشطح بيرْش | mā yāšṭaḥḥa bīrš | Don't Make fun of Bir |
ما تُوليش | mā tūlīš | Don't turn away |
To negate a sentence in Algerian Arabic, we generally start the sentence with the negative particle "ma" followed by the verb. For instance:
Algerian Arabic | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
ما نَديروش | mā nādīrūš | We don't |
Using "ما" as a Negation Particle[edit | edit source]
In Algerian Arabic, "ما" (ma) is often used to negate verbs in the present tense. It is placed before the verb, which is then conjugated in the imperfect form. Here is an example:
Algerian Arabic | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
ما تِشْرا | mā tišra | Don't buy |
Using "ماشي" as a Negation Particle[edit | edit source]
Algerian Arabic also uses "ماشي" (māshī) as a negation particle, It is more commonly used as an alternative to "ما" (ma) in certain cases. Here is an example:
Algerian Arabic | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
مَاشي يَشرِي | māshī yašri | Not buying |
Using "الا" as a Negation Particle[edit | edit source]
"الا" (illā) is used to negate verbs and nouns in the present and past. It is used as an alternative to "ما" (ma) in some cases. Here's an example:
Algerian Arabic | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
الا نتَكَلَموا خَطُوم | illā nta kalāmu khaṭum | Not all of us are fluent in dialect |
Negation with Pronouns[edit | edit source]
In Algerian Arabic, negation with pronouns is also common. It is used to negate pronouns such as "everyone," "something," "anything," and "nothing". Here are some examples:
Algerian Arabic | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
والو ما يَعرِفُوش | wallū mā yaʿrifuš | They don't know anything [lit. and If they don't know] |
مايَكول لا شيئ | mayakūl lā shayʾ | He doesn't say anything |
ما بَان شيء | mā bāne shīʾ | Nothing appears |
Dialogue[edit | edit source]
Here's a dialogue that includes negation:
- Person 1: مَا نَصوميش بُكرا (mā naṣūmīš bukra) (We are not fasting tomorrow)
- Person 2: علاش ما تَصومُوش ؟ (ʿlāš mā tnaṣūmūš?) (Why aren't you fasting?)
Practice[edit | edit source]
Here are some exercises to practice negation in Algerian Arabic:
1. Translate these sentences to Algerian Arabic: a. I don't want to eat. b. They don't understand anything. c. She doesn't like spicy food.
2. Translate these sentences to English: a. ماشي نَشريوش؟ (māshī našrīwūš?) b. تَوا ما تَكلَمْش؟ (tawwa mā taklamš?) c. ما ياكُلُوش لَحم بُقر (mā yākuluš laḥm buqr)
➡ If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments section below.
➡ Feel free to edit this wiki page if you think it can be improved. 😎
Sources[edit | edit source]
Other Lessons[edit | edit source]
- Past Tense
- How to Use Have
- Possessive Cases in Algerian Arabic
- Questions
- Future Tense
- Alphabet and Pronunciation in Algerian Arabic
- Conditional Tense
- Plurals
- Give your Opinion