Moroccan Arabic Grammar: The Past Tense

The past tense suffix

There are four types of verbs in Moroccan Arabic (Darija) and they are each conjugated using the basic past tense suffix (but each in a different way – see below):

The CCC Verbs

Most verbs in Moroccan Arabic (Darija) fall into the category of CCC verbs (Consonant, Consonant, Consonant), for example:
qt3 (to cut)
n3s (to sleep)
shrb (to drink – sh is one consonant in arabic script)
qllb (to look for – “ll” is one letter with a shedda on it, in arabic script)
ftr (have breakfast)
lbs (get dressed)
gls (sit down)
khrj (go out)
etc.

To conjugate CCC verbs, all you need to do is add the past tense suffix:

If you click on an advert and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more >

The CC verbs

Some verbs have the CC form (Consonant, Consonant), for example:
chdd (to take)
Hll (to open)
sdd (to close)
kbb (to pour)
etc.
Note: all of these are written with just two letters (two consonants) in Arabic script – with a shedda on the second consonant.

To conjugate CC verbs, we add an “ee” sound before adding the past tense suffix for the first and second person:

CCV Verbs

There are also CCV verbs (Consonant, Consonant, Vowel), for example:
mshaa (to go)
shraa (to buy)
tlqaa (to meet)
nqaa (to clean)
etc.

To conjugate CCV verbs, we remove the “aa” vowel and add an “ee” sound for the first and second persons, before adding the past tense suffix:

CVC verbs

There are also CVC verbs (Consonant, Vowel, Consonant), for example:
gaal (to say)
kaan (to bee)
baan (to appear)
taar (to fly)
etc.

To conjugate CVC verbs, we remove the “aa” vowel from the middle of the verb and then add the past tense suffix at the end. For “heeya” (she), we just add a “t” at the end.:

Summary – all the types of verbs in the past tense

The rules:

In our dictionary entries, all the verbs are lablled CCC, CC, CCV or CVC, so you know how to conjugate them.