Universal Tense in Arabic (Present & Future)
Introduction to Universal Tense
In Arabic grammar, Universal Tense is used to describe actions that are happening now (present) or will happen in the future.
It shows that the action is not completed yet.
For example:
يَكْتُبُ
He writes / He will write
This can be used for both present and future meaning.
Definition of Universal Tense
Universal tense is a verb form that:
- Describes an ongoing or future action
- Is used for present and future
- Starts with special letters in most cases
Example
|
Word
|
Meaning
|
|---|---|
|
يَفْعَلُ
|
He does / will do
|
|
تَفْعَلُ
|
You do / will do
|
|
أَفْعَلُ
|
I do / will do
|
|
نَفْعَلُ
|
We do / will do
|
Understanding Verb Pattern
Most verbs in universal tense start with one of these letters:
|
Word
|
Meaning
|
|---|---|
|
ي
|
used for he / they
|
|
ت
|
used for you / she
|
|
أ
|
used for I
|
|
ن
|
used for we
|
Universal Tense – Third Person
Third person is used when talking about someone else.
Example
|
Word
|
Meaning
|
|---|---|
|
يَفْعَلُ
|
He does / will do
|
|
تَفْعَلُ
|
She does / will do
|
|
يَفْعَلَانِ
|
They two do
|
|
يَفْعَلُونَ
|
They two do
|
|
يَفْعَلُونَ
|
They do (male)
|
|
يَفْعَلْنَ
|
They do (female)
|
Example :
|
Word
|
Meaning
|
|---|---|
|
يَكْتُبُ
|
He writes
|
|
تَكْتُبُ
|
She writes
|
Universal Tense – Second Person
Second person is used when speaking directly to someone.
Example :
|
Word
|
Meaning
|
|---|---|
|
تَفْعَلُ
|
You do (male)
|
|
تَفْعَلِينَ
|
You do (female)
|
|
تَفْعَلَانِ
|
You two do
|
|
تَفْعَلُونَ
|
You all do (male)
|
|
تَفْعَلْنَ
|
You all do (female)
|
Example :
|
Word
|
Meaning
|
|---|---|
|
تَكْتُبُ
|
You write
|
|
تَكْتُبِينَ
|
You write (female)
|
First person refers to the speaker.
First person refers to the speaker.
|
Word
|
Meaning
|
|---|---|
|
أَفْعَلُ
|
I do / will do
|
|
نَفْعَلُ
|
We do / will do
|
Example :
|
Word
|
Meaning
|
|---|---|
|
أَكْتُبُ
|
I write
|
|
نَكْتُبُ
|
We write
|
Understanding Attached Pronouns
1. Universal tense shows present and future action.
2. Action is not completed.
3. Verbs usually start with ي، ت، أ، ن.
4. Verb changes according to person, number, and gender.