Using “hadi” to Express Duration

Lesson objective

In this lesson, you will learn how hadi can be used to say that an activity or situation started in the past and is still continuing.

The structure

hadi + time expression + u + rest of the sentence

The word u means and. This structure can be used with a present-tense verb, an active participle describing a current activity, or a sentence that describes a current situation.

Example 1

hadi sa3tayn u ana kan-tsnak. — I have been waiting for you for two hours.

The literal meaning is: This is two hours, and I am waiting for you. (hadi = this is, sa3tayn = two hours, u = and, ana kan-tsnak = I am waiting for you)

Example 2

hadi muda u huwa na3s. — He has been asleep for a long time.

The literal meaning is: This is a long time, and he is sleeping. (muda = a period or a long time, huwa = he, na3s = sleeping)

Example 3

hadi tlt snin u huwa f l-maġrib. — He has been in Morocco for three years.

The literal meaning is: This is three years, and he is in Morocco. (tlt snin = three years, f l-maġrib = in Morocco)