Language/Standard-moroccan-tamazight/Grammar/Negation
Hi Standard Moroccan Tamazight learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will learn about negation in Standard Moroccan Tamazight. Negation is an important aspect of any language, as it allows us to express negation or denial. We will learn different ways to negate in Standard Moroccan Tamazight, and how to use them in everyday conversations. So, let's get started!
Finish this lesson and explore these related pages: Verb to be, Plurals, Regular Future Tense Verbs & Irregular Future Tense Verbs.
Simple Negation[edit | edit source]
The most basic way to negate in Standard Moroccan Tamazight is to use the word "ma" before the verb. For example:
| Standard Moroccan Tamazight | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| ما كنتاش نديرو العمل | ma kentash ndiro l3amal | We did not do the work |
| ما تاكلش | ma taklsh | You do not eat |
| ما كنتاش سامحيني | ma kentash samhini | We did not forgive you |
As you can see in the examples above, "ma" is placed before the verb to negate it. This is the simplest form of negation in Standard Moroccan Tamazight.
Double Negation[edit | edit source]
In Standard Moroccan Tamazight, we can also use double negatives to emphasize negation. To do this, we use the words "ma" and "wash" together. For example:
| Standard Moroccan Tamazight | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| ما كنتاش نديرو العمل واش في غير هاد الشي | ma kentash ndiro l3amal wash fi ghayr hadash shi | We did not do the work, and there is nothing else to it |
| ما كانتش كاتعجبنيش واش ما تكرهنيش | ma kanetch kat3jbniwash wach ma tkarhniwash | She did not please me, and she does not hate me either |
In the examples above, we used "ma" and "wash" together to emphasize the negation. This is a common practice in Standard Moroccan Tamazight.
Other Ways to Negate[edit | edit source]
There are other ways to negate in Standard Moroccan Tamazight. One way is to use the word "bghiti" (I want) and put it in the negative form "ma bghitish" (I do not want). For example:
| Standard Moroccan Tamazight | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| ما بغيتش ندير هاد الشي | ma bghitsh ndir hadash shi | I do not want to do this |
| ما بغيتسوليش هاد السؤال | ma bghietswlish hadash sual | I do not want you to ask me this question |
Another way to negate in Standard Moroccan Tamazight is to use the word "lhaja" (the thing) and the word "ma" after it. For example:
| Standard Moroccan Tamazight | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| لحاجة ما عندكش قيمة | lhaja ma 3ndksh qima | That thing is worthless to you |
| لحاجة ما كانش حدي يعرف | lhaja ma kanch hadi y3rf | That thing, nobody knew |
Dialogue[edit | edit source]
- Person 1: واش كنتيكليش نهارديك ؟ (wash kentiklish nahardik?) (Did you eat today?)
- Person 2: ما تاكلتش ، ما كانش معنديش اليوم وقت (ma takltsh, ma kanch ma3ndish lyum wqt) (I did not eat, I did not have time today)
Cultural Insights[edit | edit source]
In Standard Moroccan Tamazight, negation is an important aspect of any conversation. It allows you to express denial or negation in various ways. The double negative is common practice in Standard Moroccan Tamazight and is used to emphasize the negation.
Tips[edit | edit source]
To improve your Standard Moroccan Tamazight Grammar, you can also use the Polyglot Club website. Find native speakers and ask them any questions!
Sources[edit | edit source]
➡ 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. 😎
Other Lessons[edit | edit source]
- Adjectives
- How to Use Have
- Masculine and feminine nouns
- Conditional Mood
- How to Use Be
- Possessive pronouns
- Verb to be
- Pronouns
- Questions