The Verb “bġa” — To Want and To Like

Lesson objective

In this lesson, you will learn the different meanings of bġa in the past and present forms — it can mean to want, to like, or to love.

Past-tense forms with present meaning

When bġa uses past-tense conjugation, it means to want.

English	Darija
I want	bġit
You want	bġiti
He wants	bġa
She wants	bġat
We want	bġina
You want — plural	bġitu
They want	bġau

Present-tense forms

When bġa is conjugated in the present tense, it means to like.

kan-bġi atay b n-n3na3. — I like mint tea.

With object pronouns

When the present-tense form is followed by an object pronoun, it means to love or like a person.

kan-bġik. — I love / like you.
kan-bġih. — I love / like him.
kan-bġiha. — I love / like her.

Followed by another verb

The second verb uses the present-tense form without ka-.

kan-bġi n-šrb l-qhwa f ṣ-ṣbaн. — I like to drink coffee in the morning.

kay-bġi y-qra b l-lil. — He likes to read at night.