Language/Egyptian-arabic/Grammar/Present-continuous
The present continuous tense in Egyptian Arabic is used to describe an action that is currently in progress or happening at the moment of speaking. In this lesson, we will cover the basic structure and usage of the present continuous tense in Egyptian Arabic and provide examples to help you understand and apply this tense in practice.
Once you've mastered this lesson, take a look at these related pages: Egyptian-arabic Grammar, Adjectives, Personal Pronouns & Object Pronouns.
Structure[edit | edit source]
The present continuous tense in Egyptian Arabic is formed by combining the present tense form of the verb "to be" (habe) with the present participle form of the verb. The present participle form of the verb is typically formed by adding "een" to the end of the root verb. For example:
- "sallem" (to greet) becomes "sallameen" (greeting) - سَلَّم becomes سَلَّمِين
- "rakib" (to drive) becomes "rakbeen" (driving) - راكب becomes راكبِين
Usage[edit | edit source]
The present continuous tense in Egyptian Arabic is used to describe an action that is taking place at the moment of speaking, or a temporary situation that exists now. For example:
- "Ana rakbeen fi el qahira" (I am driving in Cairo) - أنا راكبين في القاهرة
- "Wahid sallemeena bi yomen" (Someone is greeting us today) - واحد سَلَّمِينا بِيومِين
It is important to note that the present continuous tense in Egyptian Arabic is not used to describe a permanent or long-term situation. For these cases, the present tense is used instead.
Practice[edit | edit source]
To practice using the present continuous tense in Egyptian Arabic, try constructing sentences using the examples provided, or make up your own sentences describing actions happening at the moment of speaking. It is also helpful to listen to native speakers using this tense in conversation and pay attention to how they use it in different contexts.
With practice and exposure, using the present continuous tense in Egyptian Arabic will become second nature and you will be able to communicate effectively and confidently in the language.
Examples[edit | edit source]
Arabic | Transliteration | English |
---|---|---|
انا بشوف | ana bachuuf | I am seeing |
انت بتشوف | inta bitichuuf | You are seeing |
هي بتشوفي | Héia biichuuf | She is seeing |
احنا بنشوف | eHna binichuuf | We are seeing |
انتو بتشوفوا | intuu bitichuufu | You are seeing (pl) |
هم بيشوفوا | Húma biichuufu | They are seeing |
انا ما بشوفش | ana maa bachuufch | I am not seeing |
انت ما بتشوفش | inta maa bitichuufch | You are not seeing |
هي ما بتشوفيش | Héia maa biichuufiich | She is not seeing |
احنا ما بنشوفش | eHna maa binichuufich | We are not seeing |
انتو ما بتشوفوش | intuu maa bitichuufuuch | You are not seeing (pl) |
هم ما بيشوفوش | Héia maa biichuufuuch | They are not seeing |
Other Lessons[edit | edit source]
- Verbs to speak
- How to Use Be
- Comparatives and Superlatives
- Phrases for everyday life
- Use "بقدر" (can)
- Adjectives
- Indefinite and definite articles
- Genitive Case
- Future Tense
- How to use the modal verb Must