Language/Kabyle/Grammar/Future-tense

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The Future Tense in Kabyle Language

In the Kabyle language, actions occurring in the future are expressed using the future tense. This tense is constructed by appending a specific suffix to the verb's base form. The choice of suffix relies on whether the verb concludes with a vowel or a consonant.

For verbs that end in a vowel, the future tense is formed by adding the suffix -ε (pronounced /ɛ/) to the verb stem. For example:

• afus (to sleep) -> afulε (I will sleep)
• iyi-s (to drink) -> iyi-sε (he/she/it will drink)
• werεε (to come back) -> werεεlε (we will come back)

For verbs that end in a consonant, the future tense is formed by adding the suffix -i (pronounced /i/) to the verb stem. For example:

• ara (to see) -> ara-i (I will see)
• ccetwa (to talk) -> ccetwa-i (you will talk)
• tettkem (to work) -> tettkem-i (he/she/it will work)

It's important to note that there are some irregular verbs that have their own unique future tense forms. Here are a few examples:

• yella (to go) -> yelli (he/she/it will go)
• yewwi (to say) -> yewwi (he/she/it will say)
• yejri (to run) -> yejri (he/she/it will run)

To make a negative sentence in the future tense, the word "ur" (meaning "not") is placed before the verb. For example:

• Ur yefkaγ (he/she/it will not find)
• Ur tettidir (we will not succeed)
• Ur tettkem-i (he/she/it will not work)

To form a question in the future tense, the word "yiwen" (meaning "will") is placed at the beginning of the sentence. For example:

• Yiwen tettγa-d si lehna? (Will you come to the party?)
• Yiwen yellaγ-t-id? (Will they go?)
• Yiwen tekka-yasen-t? (Will he/she/it call you?)

It's also important to note that in Kabyle, the future tense is sometimes used to express a command or a request in a polite manner. For example:

• Nεellaγ (Let's go)
• Tett-id-γ (Please come)
• Yellaγ-d (Go ahead)

Table of Contents - Kabyle Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

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Introduction to Kabyle

• Alphabet and pronunciation
• Basic sentence structure

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Greetings and introductions

• Common greetings
• Introducing yourself

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Nouns and pronouns

• Nouns and gender
• Pronouns

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Numbers and time

• Numbers
• Telling time

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Verbs and tenses

• Regular verbs
• Irregular verbs
• Present tense
• Past tense
• Future tense

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Family and relationships

• Family members
• Relationships

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Adjectives and adverbs

• Adjectives
• Adverbs

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Travel and transportation

• Modes of transportation
• Travel essentials

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Prepositions and conjunctions

• Prepositions
• Conjunctions

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Food and dining

• Food items
• Dining out

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Kabyle customs and traditions

• Holidays and celebrations
• Traditional clothing

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Kabyle music and dance

• Traditional music
• Traditional dance

Other Lessons

• Past tense
• Negation
• Exam 2 Kabyle Noun Correction
• How to Use Have
• Kabyle verb
• Noun Gender
• Plural
• Prepositions
• Future Tense

◀️ Past tense — Previous Lesson

Next Lesson — Family members ▶️