Using “xṣṣ” in the Past

Lesson objective

In this lesson, you will learn how to say that someone needed or had to do something. Use the past tense of kan before xṣṣ.

Followed by another verb

When xṣṣ is followed by another verb, kan is not changed to agree with the second verb.

kan xṣṣni n-qra l-barн. — I had to study yesterday.

Followed by a noun

When xṣṣ is followed by a noun, kan agrees in gender and number with that noun.

English	Darija	Noun
I needed a book	kan xṣṣni ktab.	ktab — masc. sing.
I needed a ticket	kant xṣṣni wrqa.	wrqa — fem. sing.
I needed books	kanu xṣṣni ktub.	ktub — plural

Sign exercise

Use xṣṣ to write expressions connected to signs showing: stop, no smoking, no mobile phones, turn right, turn left, and no entry.

Question

šnu xṣṣk baš t-kun talib najн f Darija Academy? — What do you need in order to be a successful Darija Academy learner?