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.

Reviewed learning guide

9 min read

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.

Continue with related Darija guides

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

Sources and editorial note

This guide was prepared from established Moroccan Arabic learning references and checked for practical beginner use. Darija is a living spoken language, so spelling, vocabulary, and pronunciation can vary by region and speaker.

Build real Moroccan conversations

Continue with structured lessons, native audio, dialogues, flashcards, and practice in Darija Lingo.

Get Darija Lingo