GRAMMAR GUIDE

Common Darija Verbs and Conjugation Patterns

Darija verbs change with the speaker and tense. Begin with a small group of useful verbs, learn them inside complete phrases, and notice the prefixes used with different people.

Darija Lingo

Latin + Arabic script

Updated Jul 13, 2026

High-frequency verbs

Darija LatinArabic scriptMeaningUsage note
bghaبغىto wantBghit means “I want.”
mshaمشىto goMshit means “I went.”
jaجاto comeJit means “I came.”
klaكلاto eat
shrebشربto drink
shafشافto see
3refعرفto know
fhemفهمto understand

A useful present-tense pattern

Darija LatinArabic scriptMeaningUsage note
kanmshiكنمشيI go / I am going
katmshiكتمشيyou go / she goesContext identifies the subject.
kaymshiكيمشيhe goes
kanmshiwكنمشيوwe go
  • Learn one verb through several complete sentences.
  • Do not assume every verb follows exactly the same pattern.
  • Listen for shortened forms in fast conversation.

Try it yourself

Read each Darija example aloud, then recall its meaning before opening the answer. Repeat without looking at the table above.

  1. 1. bgha

    بغى

    Show meaning and usage

    to want

    Bghit means “I want.”

  2. 2. msha

    مشى

    Show meaning and usage

    to go

    Mshit means “I went.”

  3. 3. ja

    جا

    Show meaning and usage

    to come

    Jit means “I came.”

Continue with related Darija guides

Use the next guides to connect this topic with vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, and real conversation.

Sources and editorial note

These references offer further reading on Moroccan Arabic. Their inclusion does not imply endorsement or individual review of this guide. Spelling and pronunciation vary by region and speaker.

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