Basic Verbs

1. راح

   Rāḥ

   To go

   Usage

   The bare stem is "rūḥ", as in "biddi rūḥ" (I want to go).

   Grammar Note

   Colloquial Arabic has no infinitive, so the dictionary citation form (3rd person masculine singular past, "he did") is shown.

2. إجا

   Ija

   To come

   Usage

   The stem is "iji"; the imperative is the separate word "taʿā" (come!).

   Grammar Note

   Colloquial Arabic has no infinitive, so the dictionary citation form (3rd person masculine singular past, "he did") is shown. The imperative uses a different word.

3. أكل

   Akal

   To eat

   Usage

   The present stem is "ākol". "akl" is also the noun "food".

   Grammar Note

   Colloquial Arabic has no infinitive, so the dictionary citation form (3rd person masculine singular past, "he did") is shown.

4. شرب

   Shirib

   To drink

   Usage

   The present stem is "ishrab".

   Grammar Note

   Colloquial Arabic has no infinitive, so the dictionary citation form (3rd person masculine singular past, "he did") is shown.

5. اشترى

   Ishtara

   To buy

   Usage

   The present stem is "ishtri", as in "biddi ishtri" (I want to buy).

   Grammar Note

   Colloquial Arabic has no infinitive, so the dictionary citation form (3rd person masculine singular past, "he did") is shown.

6. شاف

   Shāf

   To see

   Usage

   The imperative is "shūf" (look!); "shift" means "I saw".

   Grammar Note

   Colloquial Arabic has no infinitive, so the dictionary citation form (3rd person masculine singular past, "he did") is shown.

7. استنى

   Istanna

   To wait

   Usage

   The imperative is "stanna" (m.) / "stanni" (f.).

   Grammar Note

   Colloquial Arabic has no infinitive, so the dictionary citation form (3rd person masculine singular past, "he did") is shown.

8. بدي روح

   Biddi rūḥ

   I want to go

   Usage

   Add the destination: "biddi rūḥ ʿal-maṭār" (I want to go to the airport). "biddi" is the same for men and women.

   Grammar Note

   "biddi + bare verb" means "I want to ...". The person changes with the suffix (biddak, biddo...).

9. بدي آكل

   Biddi ākol

   I want to eat

   Usage

   When hungry. "ana jūʿān" (I'm hungry, m.) also works.

   Grammar Note

   The verb after "biddi" is bare, without b-.

10. بدي هاد

    Biddi hāda

    I want this

    Usage

    For ordering or buying while pointing.

    Grammar Note

    "biddi + noun" means "I want ...".

11. ما بحتاجو

    Mā baḥtājo

    I don't need it

    Usage

    For refusing a hard sell; pairing it with "lā, shukran" softens it.

    Grammar Note

    Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar. The suffix -o means "it".

12. عم دور عليه

    ʿAm dawwer ʿalē

    I'm looking for it

    Usage

    For asking about something you cannot find. For a feminine noun: "ʿalēha".

    Grammar Note

    Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar. The progressive is "ʿam + verb".

13. عندي

    ʿIndi

    I have it

    Usage

    A reply when asked whether you have something.

    Grammar Note

    There is no verb "to have"; the preposition "ʿind" plus a suffix is used.

14. ما عندي

    Mā ʿindi

    I don't have it

    Usage

    Says that you do not have something.

    Grammar Note

    Negation puts "mā" in front.

15. بدي اسحب مصاري

    Biddi asḥab maṣāri

    I want to withdraw money

    Usage

    At a bank or ATM. "maṣāri" means money; the currency name (lira, dinar) depends on the country.

    Grammar Note

    Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar. "biddi + bare verb".

16. بدي احجز

    Biddi aḥjez

    I want to make a reservation

    Usage

    At a hotel or restaurant; then give the date or number of people.

    Grammar Note

    Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar. "biddi + bare verb".

17. ساعدني بهاد لو سمحت

    Sāʿidni bhāda law samaḥt

    Please help me with it

    Usage

    The form for a man; to a woman: "sāʿidīni bhāda law samaḥt".

    Grammar Note

    Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar. The preposition "b-" attaches to the demonstrative.

18. قلي لو سمحت

    ʾUlli law samaḥt

    Please tell me

    Usage

    For asking for directions or prices. To a woman: "ʾūlīli".

    Grammar Note

    The imperative of "ʾāl" with "li" ("to me").

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