Language/Egyptian-arabic/Grammar/Past-Tense

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Egyptian ArabicGrammar0 to A1 Course → Verbs and Tenses → Past Tense

Introduction[edit | edit source]

In this lesson, we will dive into the fascinating world of the past tense in Egyptian Arabic. Understanding how to use the past tense is crucial for effective communication and expressing events that have already taken place. In this comprehensive lesson, we will explore the structure, conjugation, and usage of the past tense in Egyptian Arabic. Get ready to embark on a journey through time as we uncover the secrets of the past tense!

Structure of the Past Tense[edit | edit source]

The past tense in Egyptian Arabic is used to describe actions or events that have already happened. It is formed by adding specific suffixes to the base form of the verb. The suffixes vary depending on the subject pronoun and the gender of the subject. Let's take a closer look at the structure of the past tense.

Regular Verbs[edit | edit source]

Regular verbs in Egyptian Arabic follow a predictable pattern in the past tense. To form the past tense for regular verbs, simply add the appropriate suffixes to the base form of the verb. The suffixes differ based on the subject pronoun and the gender of the subject. Here is a table illustrating the suffixes for regular verbs in the past tense:

Subject Pronoun Masculine Suffix Feminine Suffix
أنا (ana) -ت (et) -ت (et)
أنتَ (anta) -ت (et) -تي (eti)
أنتِ (anti) -تي (eti) -تي (eti)
هو (huwa) - (sh) -ت (et)
هي (hiya) -ت (et) -ت (et)
نحن (nahnu) -نا (na) -نا (na)
أنتم (antum) -تم (etum) -تم (etum)
أنتن (antunna) -تن (etun) -تن (etun)
هم (hum) -وا (u) -ت (et)

Let's see these suffixes in action with some examples:

  • I ate an apple.

أكلت تفاحة. (akalt tuffaha)

  • You (masculine singular) went to the market.

ذهبت إلى السوق. (dhahabt ila as-suq)

  • She wrote a letter.

كتبت رسالة. (ktabt risala)

  • We studied Arabic.

درسنا العربية. (darasna il-ʿarabiya)

  • They (masculine plural) played soccer.

لعبوا كرة القدم. (laʿbu kora il-qadam)

Irregular Verbs[edit | edit source]

While regular verbs follow a predictable pattern, there are also irregular verbs in Egyptian Arabic that have unique conjugations in the past tense. These irregular verbs may undergo changes in the root letters or exhibit irregular patterns. It is essential to learn these irregularities individually as they do not follow a standard rule. Let's explore some common irregular verbs in the past tense:

  • To go: ذهب (dhahab)
Subject Pronoun Masculine Suffix Feminine Suffix
أنا (ana) ذهبت (dhahabt) ذهبت (dhahabt)
أنتَ (anta) ذهبت (dhahabt) ذهبتِ (dhahabti)
أنتِ (anti) ذهبتِ (dhahabti) ذهبتِ (dhahabti)
هو (huwa) ذهب (dhahab) ذهبت (dhahabt)
هي (hiya) ذهبت (dhahabt) ذهبت (dhahabt)
نحن (nahnu) ذهبنا (dhahabna) ذهبنا (dhahabna)
أنتم (antum) ذهبتم (dhahabtum) ذهبتم (dhahabtum)
أنتن (antunna) ذهبتن (dhahabtin) ذهبتن (dhahabtin)
هم (hum) ذهبوا (dhahabu) ذهبت (dhahabt)
  • To be: كان (kan)
Subject Pronoun Masculine Suffix Feminine Suffix
أنا (ana) كنت (kunt) كنت (kunt)
أنتَ (anta) كنت (kunt) كنتِ (kunti)
أنتِ (anti) كنتِ (kunti) كنتِ (kunti)
هو (huwa) كان (kan) كانت (kant)
هي (hiya) كانت (kant) كانت (kant)
نحن (nahnu) كنا (kuna) كنا (kuna)
أنتم (antum) كنتم (kuntum) كنتم (kuntum)
أنتن (antunna) كنتن (kuntun) كنتن (kuntun)
هم (hum) كانوا (kanu) كانت (kant)

Usage of the Past Tense[edit | edit source]

Now that we have learned the structure of the past tense, let's explore how it is used in different contexts in Egyptian Arabic.

Talking about Past Events[edit | edit source]

The most common usage of the past tense is to talk about events or actions that have already happened in the past. Whether you want to share your personal experiences or narrate a story, the past tense allows you to express past events with ease. Here are some examples:

  • Yesterday, I visited the pyramids.

أمس، زرت الأهرامات. (ams, zurt il-ahramat)

  • He traveled to Europe last summer.

سافر إلى أوروبا الصيف الماضي. (safar ila uruba il-sayf il-madi)

  • We watched a movie last night.

شاهدنا فيلمًا أمس في المساء. (shahadna filman ams fi il-masa)

Expressing Past Habits[edit | edit source]

In addition to narrating specific events, the past tense can also be used to describe past habits or repeated actions. This usage implies that the action was done regularly or frequently in the past. Take a look at the following examples:

  • Ahmed used to play soccer every weekend.

كان أحمد يلعب كرة القدم كل نهاية أسبوع. (kan ahmed yilʿab kora il-qadam kull nihaʾa asbuʿ)

  • She would always visit her grandparents during the summer holidays.

كانت دائمًا تزور جدتها وجدها خلال إجازة الصيف. (kanet daʾiman tazor gedtaha w gedaha khelal igaza il-sayf)

  • We used to go camping in the desert every year.

كنا نذهب للتخييم في الصحراء كل عام. (kuna nedhab lil-takhayyam fi il-sahraʾ kul ʿam)

Describing Past States[edit | edit source]

The past tense can also be used to describe past states or situations. This usage allows you to express how things were in the past. Here are some examples:

  • The weather was hot yesterday.

كان الطقس حارًا أمس. (kan il-taqs haran ams)

  • The house was big and beautiful.

كان المنزل كبيرًا وجميلًا. (kan il-manzil kabeeran w gamilan)

  • The children were excited about the trip.

كان الأطفال متحمسين للرحلة. (kan il-atfal muthammiseen lil-rahla)

Cultural Insights[edit | edit source]

The usage of the past tense in Egyptian Arabic is deeply ingrained in the cultural fabric of Egypt. Egyptians have a rich history and heritage that is often reflected in the language. When learning the past tense, it is essential to understand the cultural context in which it is used. Here are some cultural insights related to the past tense in Egyptian Arabic:

  • Historical Narratives: Egyptians have a deep appreciation for their history and are proud of their ancient civilization. The past tense is often used when narrating historical events or discussing ancient Egyptian culture. Learning the past tense allows you to engage in conversations about Egypt's fascinating history.
  • Storytelling: Egyptians are known for their vivid storytelling traditions. The past tense is frequently used in storytelling to transport listeners back in time and bring the narrative to life. By mastering the past tense, you can captivate your audience with enchanting tales.
  • Folklore and Proverbs: Egyptian folklore and proverbs are filled with wisdom and cultural insights. Many of these stories and sayings are expressed using the past tense. By understanding the past tense, you can delve into the rich world of Egyptian folklore and gain a deeper understanding of the culture.
  • Modern Egyptian History: In addition to ancient history, modern Egyptian history also plays a significant role in the usage of the past tense. Discussions about events like the Egyptian Revolution or the reign of President Gamal Abdel Nasser often involve the past tense. Learning about modern Egyptian history will enhance your understanding of the past tense in a contemporary context.

Practice Exercises[edit | edit source]

Now it's time to put your knowledge of the past tense into practice! Here are some exercises to help you reinforce what you've learned:

Exercise 1: Conjugation Conjugate the following verbs in the past tense according to the given subject pronoun:

1. أنا (ana) - to eat 2. هو (huwa) - to sleep 3. نحن (nahnu) - to study 4. أنتم (antum) - to write 5. هي (hiya) - to play

Exercise 2: Translate Translate the following sentences from English to Egyptian Arabic using the appropriate form of the past tense:

1. I visited my grandmother yesterday. 2. They traveled to Cairo last month. 3. We studied Arabic for two years. 4. She wrote a letter to her friend. 5. He played soccer with his friends.

Exercise 3: Fill in the Blanks Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb in the past tense:

1. أمس، نحن _______ (شاهد) فيلمًا رائعًا. 2. هي _______ (سافر) إلى القاهرة الشهر الماضي. 3. أنتم _______ (لعب) كرة القدم في الحديقة. 4. أنا _______ (زر) صديقي في المستشفى. 5. هو _______ (كتب) كتابًا ممتعًا.

Solutions[edit | edit source]

Exercise 1: Conjugation

1. أكلت (akalt) 2. نام (nam) 3. درسنا (darasna) 4. كتبتم (ktabtum) 5. لعبت (laʿbt)

Exercise 2: Translation

1. زرت جدتي أمس. (zurt gedti ams) 2. سافروا إلى القاهرة الشهر الماضي. (safaru ila il-qahira il-shahr il-madi) 3. درسنا العربية لمدة عامين. (darasna il-ʿarabiya limada ʿamayn) 4. كتبت رسالة لصديقتها. (ktabt risala l-sadiqtiha) 5. لعب مع أصدقائه. (laʿab maʿ asdiqaih)

Exercise 3: Fill in the Blanks

1. شاهدنا (shahadna) 2. سافرت (safart) 3. لعبتم (laʿbtum) 4. زرت (zurt) 5. كتب (ktab)

Congratulations on completing the exercises! You're well on your way to mastering the past tense in Egyptian Arabic.

Table of Contents - Egyptian Arabic Course - 0 to A1[edit source]


Greetings and Introductions


Pronouns and Verb To Be


Numbers and Time


Questions and Negation


Everyday Vocabulary


Present Tense


Egyptian Culture


Travel and Transportation


Prepositions and Conjunctions


Shopping and Services


Adjectives and Adverbs


Egyptian Music and Cinema



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