Imperfect Tense: First Person

Arabic verbs are built on a system of three-letter roots. Think of these three letters as the "DNA" of the word. To make these roots move and act in the present tense, we add a prefix. For the first person ("I"), that prefix is always an Alif with a Hamza: أ. When you see that أ at the start of a verb, it’s like a neon sign flashing "I am the one doing this!" Because the prefix already tells us who is talking, you don’t even have to say the word for "I" (أنا) every time. Arabic is efficient like that. It saves you breath so you can focus on more important things, like ordering another shawarma. The imperfect tense also handles the flow of time. It describes actions that aren't finished yet. They are ongoing, repeated, or about to happen.

1. 1Creating this form is like following a simple recipe. Let's use the root ك-ت-ب (k-t-b), which means "writing."
2. 2Start with your three-letter root: كتب.
3. 3Add the "I" prefix أ (a) to the very beginning.
4. 4Put a ـْ (Sukun) on the first letter of the root. This creates a short pause: أكْـ.
5. 5Add a vowel to the second letter. For this verb, it’s a ـُ (u): أكْتُـ.
6. 6Finish with a ـُ (u) on the last letter: أكْتُبُ.
7. 7So, أكْتُبُ means "I write" or "I am writing." Most verbs follow this "Prefix + Root + Vowels" logic. The middle vowel can change depending on the verb, but the prefix أ is your constant North Star. If you get the prefix right, people will understand you're talking about yourself, even if your vowels are a bit shaky at first. Even native speakers might slip up on a vowel in a fast conversation, so don't sweat the small stuff.

Use this tense whenever you are the star of the sentence.

• Daily Habits: Use it to describe your routine. "I drink coffee every morning" is أشرب القهوة كل صباح.
• Current Actions: If someone calls you and asks what you’re doing, use this form. "I am studying" is أدرس.
• General Truths: Use it to state facts about yourself. "I live in Cairo" is أسكن في القاهرة.
• The Immediate Future: In Arabic, the present tense often doubles as the near future. If you say "I go to the market," it can mean you are going right now.
• Ordering Food: This is the most practical use! "I want..." or "I take..." uses this tense. When you’re at a restaurant, you’ll be using أطلب (I order) or آكل (I eat) constantly. It makes you sound much more confident than just pointing at a menu.

Don't use this tense if the action is already finished and in the past. If you finished your homework yesterday, the imperfect tense is the wrong tool for the job. Use it only for things that are "incomplete" or ongoing. Also, avoid using it for commands. If you want someone else to do something, that’s a different form entirely. Think of the imperfect tense as a movie that is still playing. If the credits have already rolled, you need the past tense. If you try to use it for the past, it sounds like you’re stuck in a time loop, which is great for sci-fi movies but confusing for your Arabic teacher.

• Forgetting the Hamza: Some people write ا instead of أ. That little hat on the Alif is important!
• Overusing "Ana": Beginner learners often say أنا أشرب (I, I drink). You can just say أشرب. Adding أنا is for extra emphasis, like saying "*I* am the one drinking, not him!"
• Mixing up prefixes: Don’t confuse أ (I) with ي (He) or ت (You/She). If you use ي, you’re talking about someone else, which might lead to some very awkward dinner invitations.
• Translating "am" literally: There is no word for "am" in this context. Don't try to find a separate word for "am" or "is." The prefix أ does all that heavy lifting for you. It’s a multitasker.

Compare the first person أشرب (I drink) with the past tense شربتُ (I drank). In the past tense, the indicator comes at the end (ـتُ). In the present/imperfect, the indicator is at the beginning (أـ). It’s like a mirror image. Also, contrast it with the third person يشرب (He drinks). Notice how only the first letter changes? The core of the verb stays the same. Once you realize that Arabic verbs are just roots wearing different "outfits" (prefixes and suffixes), the whole language starts to feel like a puzzle you can actually solve.