Imperfect Tense: Second Person Feminine

Think of Arabic verbs like a delicious sandwich. The root of the verb is the filling. The prefixes and suffixes are the bread. For the second person feminine, we use a specific set of bread. We add a ta- at the start. Then we add an -ina at the end. This double-ended change is unique. Most languages only change one end of the word. Arabic likes to be thorough! This pattern applies to the "Imperfect" tense. This tense covers things happening right now. It also covers things that happen habitually. If she is writing a letter now, use this. If she writes letters every Tuesday, use this too. It is a very versatile tool for your linguistic belt. Just remember: if she is the subject, the verb needs these two specific parts. Without the suffix, she might think you are talking to her brother!

1. 1Creating this form is a simple three-step process. Let's use the verb darasa (to study) as our example.
2. 2Find the three-letter root of the verb. For study, it is d-r-s.
3. 3Add the prefix ta- to the beginning of the root. This gives us tadru-.
4. 4Add the suffix -ina to the end of the root. This gives us tadrusiina.
5. 5Notice how the middle vowel might change slightly. This depends on the specific verb. However, the ta- and -ina are your constants. They are like the North Star for feminine address. Let's try another one: kataba (to write). Start with k-t-b. Add the prefix: taktu-. Add the suffix: taktubiina. Congratulations! You just told someone she is writing. It is like a Lego set for words. You just snap the pieces together. If you get stuck, just remember the sound "ina" at the end. It rhymes with "ballerina," which is a helpful way to remember it is feminine!

Use this form whenever you are speaking directly to one woman. It is perfect for real-world scenarios.

• Ordering Food: Ask a waitress maadha tashrabiina? (What are you drinking?).
• Asking Directions: Ask a woman on the street ayna tadh-habiina? (Where are you going?).
• Job Interviews: Ask a female candidate maadha ta'maliina? (What do you do/work?).
• Daily Habits: Ask your sister mataa tanamiina? (When do you sleep?).

It is also great for checking in on friends. "Are you feeling okay?" or "Are you coming to the party?" both use this form. It covers the present continuous ("are doing") and the simple present ("do"). It is a two-for-one deal! Arabic is efficient like that. You don't need a separate word for "am/is/are." The verb form does all the heavy lifting for you.

Do not use this form for the past tense. If she *did* something yesterday, this is the wrong tool. Also, do not use it for groups of women. This is strictly for one-on-one conversations. If you are talking to a man, drop the -ina suffix immediately. Using the feminine form for a man is a classic beginner mistake. It might lead to some funny looks or a polite correction. Finally, do not use it when talking *about* a woman. If you are telling a friend about what Sarah does, use the third person. This form is only for when you are looking her in the eye. Think of it like a grammar traffic light. It only turns green when you are addressing a single female directly.

Even native speakers might slip up in fast speech, but you should aim for accuracy. The most common mistake is forgetting the -ina suffix. Learners often stop at the ta- prefix. This makes the verb masculine. It’s like calling a "she" a "he." Another mistake is forgetting the ta- prefix and only using the suffix. You need both for the sandwich to be complete! Some people also struggle with the vowel before the suffix. Don't stress too much about that yet. As long as you have the ta- and the -ina, people will understand you perfectly. Yes, even native speakers mess this up sometimes when they are tired! Just keep practicing the rhythm. The "ta...ina" sound should become second nature to you.

Let's compare this to the masculine form. For a man, you say tadrusu (you study). For a woman, you say tadrusiina. See the difference? The woman's version is longer and more melodic. It is also different from the "she" form. "She studies" is tadrusu. Wait, that's the same as the masculine "you"! This is why the -ina suffix is so important. It is the only thing that clearly marks the second person feminine. Without it, the sentence could mean "you (m)" or "she." The suffix is your clarity insurance. It ensures your message gets to the right person without any confusion.