Lesson 3 • Future • Modal Verbs
Future & Modal Verbs
The future in Darija is super simple: you use ghadi + verb. Add modal verbs like khasni (must) and naqder (can).
Remember
- ghadi = “will / going to / future intention”
- Modal verbs make you immediately useful in daily life
- Adjectives: feminine +a, plural often +in (or irregular)
Transcription style: ae = ع • H = ح
The Future in Darija
Examples
ghadi + verb
Darija uses ghadi + verb (base form or present stem).
Structure: ghadi + (n-)verb
Personal Forms
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| I | ghadi n-… |
| You (m/f) | ghadi t-… |
| He | ghadi y-… |
| She | ghadi t-… |
| We | ghadiyn n-… |
| You (plural) | ghadiyn t-… |
| They | ghadiyn y-… |
| English | Darija |
|---|---|
| I will go home | Ana ghadi nmshi l-dar |
| You will take a taxi | Nta ghadi tkhud(i) taxi |
| We will eat | Hna ghadiyn naklu |
| He will call me | Howa ghadi yaeayat lia |
Mini tip:
Depending on pronunciation, “you take” can be tkhud (m) / tkhdi (f).
In Bidarija we keep it simple: tkhud(i).
Modal Verbs — very important
Must • Can / May • Should
“must”
“must” = khasni / khassek / khassha …
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| I | khasni |
| You (m) | khassek |
| You (f) | khassek(i) |
| He | khasso |
| She | khassha |
| We | khassna |
Khasni nmshi.
I must go.
Khassek takul.
You must eat.
Khassha tdir wahed l-break.
She needs a break.
“can / may”
“should”
= naqder (also taqder / yqder depending on the person)
Ana naqder nmshi.
I can go.
Nta taqder tshrab hna.
You can drink here.
Hia taqder tji maeana.
She can / may come with us.
= darori / khasso
Darori tdirha.
You should do it.
Khasso yji bderja.
He should come soon.
Adjectives — feminine & plural
Very simple
Often: feminine → +a • plural → +in. Some adjectives have irregular plurals (see examples).
| English | Feminine | Masculine | Plural |
|---|---|---|---|
| big | kbira | kbir | kbar |
| small | sghira | sghir | sghar |
| beautiful | jmla | jmil | jmal |
| tasty | bnina | bnin | bnin |
Dar kbira.
The house is big.
Tbsil sghir.
The plate is small.
L-kayak jmal.
The clothes are beautiful.
Prepositions
Small but powerful
| English | Darija | Example |
|---|---|---|
| in | f | f-dar = in the house |
| with | m3a | maeak = with you |
| to | l | l-madrasa = to school |
| on | 3la | 3la t-tbla = on the table |
| by / with (instrument) | b | b-taxi = by taxi |
| from | men | men l-maghrib = from Morocco |
| next to | hda | Hda l-bab = next to the door |
Everyday sentences — useful & strong
6 Categories
Category 1
Planning & Future
| English | Darija |
|---|---|
| I will go to the sea | Ghadi nmshi l-bHar |
| I will come with you | Ghadi nji maeak |
| I can tell you later | Ghadi naqder naeawd lik |
| Tomorrow I will wake up early | Ghedwa ghadi nqum b-zwin |
| I will do sports | Ghadi n-dir sport |
Category 2
Obligation & Necessity
| English | Darija |
|---|---|
| I must work now | Khasni nkhdem daba |
| You must come quickly | Khassek tji b-zerba |
| We must finish | Khassna n-saliw |
| He must study a lot | Khasso yaqra bzzaf |
| They should come on time | Khasshom yjiw mae l-waqt |
Category 3
Requests & Polite Phrases
| English | Darija |
|---|---|
| Give me a glass of tea | aetini wahed l-kas dyal atay |
| Excuse me, where do you mean? | SmeHli, fin qliti? |
| Can you repeat? | Wach t9der taeawd? |
| I want to tell you something | Bghit nqolak wahed lhaja |
| Slower please | Bshwiya aeafak |
Category 4
Food & Daily Life
| English | Darija |
|---|---|
| I want to eat something | Bghit n'akul shwiya |
| The water tastes good | L-ma bnin |
| This is not tasty | Hadi ma hiya-sh bnina |
| Eat calmly | Koula aela raHt-k |
| We want to pay now | Bghina nkhalesso daba |
Category 5
Feelings & States
| English | Darija |
|---|---|
| I am happy | Ana ferHan |
| I am a bit stressed | Ana maeaSSab shwiya |
| I am sleepy | Fiya naeas |
| I am ready | Ana mstaaed |
| I am scared | Ana mkhlouae |
Category 6
Direction, Place & Movement
| English | Darija |
|---|---|
| I am on the way | Ana f-ttariq |
| Just wait | Ghir stanna |
| I’m coming now | Nji daba |
| It is here next to the door | Rah hna hda l-bab |
| It is not far | Mashi baeid |
Mini Dialog — Future + Modal Verbs
Short & Real
A: Fin ghadi ghedwa?
→ Where are you going tomorrow?
B: Ghadi nmshi l-madina.
→ I’m going to the city.
A: Khassek tji b-berya.
→ You must come early.
B: Mashi moshkil, nqder nji maeak.
→ No problem, I can come with you.
Exercises for you
Translate into Darija
- I will go to the sea tomorrow.
- You must come quickly.
- We can eat together today.
- She is tired, she should sleep.
- It is not far, I will come on foot.