The Verb “To Want”

Lesson objective

In this lesson, you will learn how to say what someone wants.

The verb “to want”

The Darija verb is bġa. This verb uses past-tense forms but has a present meaning when it means to want. When it is conjugated in the present tense, it means to like.

Conjugation

Using “to want” with a noun

The structure is: conjugated form of bġa + noun

bġit atay. — I want tea.

weš bġiti l-qhwa b skkar? — Do you want coffee with sugar?

Ali bġa kas d l-ma. — Ali wants a glass of water.

Driss u Fatima ma-bġau-š l-monada. — Driss and Fatima do not want soda.

Sentence-building exercise

Create sentences by matching a subject, the correct verb form, and an item.

Hicham bġa kuka. — Hicham wants Coca-Cola.

Listening dialogue

English meaning: The waiter greets the group and asks what they’d like. Jack orders orange juice, Chris orders half-coffee-half-milk, and Amy orders black coffee.

Listening questions

• šnu bġa Jack? — What does Jack want?
• weš Amy bġat нlib sxun? — Does Amy want hot milk?
• šnu bġa Chris? — What does Chris want?