Language/Standard-moroccan-tamazight/Grammar/Present-Tense-Verbs

Standard Moroccan Tamazight Grammar → Introduction to Tamazight → Present Tense Verbs

As a beginner in Standard Moroccan Tamazight, one of the most important aspects of the language to learn is present tense verbs. In this lesson, we will cover how to conjugate and use present tense verbs in Tamazight.

Conjugating Present Tense Verbs

In Tamazight, present tense verbs are formed by changing the ending of the verb based on the subject pronoun. Here is an example using the verb "to speak" (izri):

Subject	Verb	Conjugation
I	izri	izrin
You (masculine)	tizri	tizrith
You (feminine)	tizri	tizrit
He/She/It	yizri	yizr
We	nezriw	nezriwin
You (plural)	tezriw	tezriwin
They	yizru	yizrunt

Note that the subject pronouns are not necessary in Tamazight because the verb form already indicates the subject. However, they may be used for emphasis or clarity.

It's also important to remember that Tamazight has two different pronouns for "you". The masculine form is used when addressing a man or a group of men, while the feminine form is used when addressing a woman or a group of women. Addressing a mixed group of men and women, it's common to use the masculine form.

Using Present Tense Verbs

Present tense verbs are used to describe actions that are currently happening or habits.

Here are a few examples:

• I speak Tamazight. - Izrin Tamazight.
• She eats breakfast every day. - Tifawt ttef deg wayeḍ.
• We study in the library. - Nettafqen di teɣdemt.

One important thing to note is that in Tamazight, adverbs of frequency generally come before the verb, while in English they come after the verb. For example,

• Every day I go to work. - Deg wakal kra necteq d lɛemal.
• Sometimes he plays football. - D imal-aɣ lmɛiqar ur yezmir sɛa.

Keep practicing present tense verb conjugations and usage to improve your Tamazight skills!

Table of Contents - Standard Moroccan Tamazight Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

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Introduction to Tamazight

• Alphabet and Pronunciation
• Basic Sentence Structure
• Present Tense Verbs
• Possessive Adjectives
• Plural Nouns

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Greetings and Polite Expressions

• Common Phrases
• Numbers
• Days of the Week
• Months of the Year
• Family Members

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Traditional Tamazight Culture

• History and Origins of Tamazight
• Traditional Tamazight Clothing
• Traditional Tamazight Music
• Tamazight Cuisine

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Past Tense Verbs

• Regular Past Tense Verbs
• Irregular Past Tense Verbs

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Travel and Directions

• Asking for Directions
• Transportation
• Places in Town
• Travel Dialogue Practice

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Tamazight Festivals and Holidays

• Eid al-Adha
• Imilchil Marriage Festival
• Ait Lakhder Cherry Festival

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Future Tense Verbs

• Regular Future Tense Verbs
• Irregular Future Tense Verbs

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Food and Drink

• Food Vocabulary
• At the Restaurant
• At the Market

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Amazigh Activism and Language Preservation

• Tamazight Advocacy and Activism
• Tamazight Literature and Media

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Adjectives and Adverbs

• Adjectives and Agreement
• Adverbs of Time and Frequency

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Weather

• Weather Vocabulary
• Describing Weather Conditions

Related Lessons

• How to Use Have
• Irregular Past Tense Verbs
• Basic Sentence Structure
• Adverbs of Time and Frequency
• Possessive Adjectives
• Plurals
• Masculine and feminine nouns
• Future Tense
• Irregular Future Tense Verbs
• Possessive pronouns