Perfect Tense Introduction (الماضي)

Arabic is a language of roots. Most words come from a three-letter core. Imagine three Lego bricks that represent an idea. For example, k-t-b represents the idea of writing. To turn these bricks into a past tense verb, we use suffixes. A suffix is just a sound you stick to the end of the word. In English, we often add "-ed" to make things past tense. We say "walked" or "talked." Arabic does something very similar but more specific. The suffix tells you exactly who performed the action. It tells you if it was a man, a woman, or a group. You do not always need to say "I" or "You" separately. The verb itself carries that information. It is like a multi-tool in your pocket. One word does all the work. This makes your sentences shorter and punchier. It might feel like a puzzle at first, but the pieces always fit the same way.

1. 1To build a past tense verb, follow these simple steps. We will use the verb kataba (he wrote) as our model.
2. 2Start with the root. For "to write," the root is k-t-b (كتب).
3. 3The base form is always the "He" form. It usually has 'a' sounds: kataba.
4. 4To say "I wrote," remove the last 'a' and add tu. It becomes katabtu (كتبت).
5. 5To say "You (male) wrote," add ta. It becomes katabta (كتبت).
6. 6To say "You (female) wrote," add ti. It becomes katabti (كتبت).
7. 7To say "She wrote," add a silent 't' sound called ta marbuta or just a t. It becomes katabat (كتبت).
8. 8To say "We wrote," add na. It becomes katabna (كتبنا).
9. 9Notice how the first three letters stay the same? That is your anchor. The endings are your compass. They point to the person doing the action. It is like a grammar traffic light; the root says "go," and the suffix tells you "who."

Use the past tense for anything that is finished. If the action is over, Al-Maadi is your best friend.

• Use it for things that happened a moment ago. "I finished my coffee!"
• Use it for things that happened years ago. "I lived in Cairo in 2010."
• Use it in job interviews to list your achievements. "I studied marketing."
• Use it when ordering food to say you already paid. "I paid the bill."
• Use it when asking for directions to say where you came from. "I came from the station."

It is the tense of storytelling. If you are recounting your day to a friend, you will use this constantly. It feels active and completed. There is no lingering doubt. The action is done, dusted, and in the books.

Do not use the past tense for things you are doing right now. That is a different tense. If you are currently eating a falafel, do not use akala (ate). Also, avoid it for habits that are still true. If you drink coffee every single morning, the past tense might make it sound like you stopped forever. Do not use it for future plans. Even if you are 100% sure you will go to the beach tomorrow, the past tense is not the right tool. It is strictly for the "rear-view mirror" of life. If it is still happening or hasn't started, keep this tool in the box. Think of it like a finished book. You don't use the past tense for a chapter you are still reading.

One big mistake is mixing up the tu, ta, and ti endings. They look very similar in Arabic script without vowel marks. If you say katabta to your female boss, you just called her a man! She will understand, but it might be a bit awkward. Another mistake is trying to add the word "did" before the verb. In English, we say "I did write." In Arabic, you just say katabtu. Adding extra words makes it sound cluttered. Also, watch out for the "She" form. People often forget the t at the end of katabat. Without it, she becomes a he. Yes, even native speakers mess this up when they are tired, so don't sweat it too much. Just keep your endings sharp.

In English, we have "I wrote," "I have written," and "I was writing." Arabic simplifies this. The basic past tense katabtu covers both "I wrote" and "I have written." You don't need to choose between them! However, it is different from the present tense. In the present tense, we add sounds to the *beginning* of the word (like ak-tub for "I write"). In the past tense, we only add sounds to the *end*. Remember: Past is at the back. Present is at the front. If you see a prefix, you are likely not in the past anymore. It is a simple visual cue that helps you read faster.