Past Intention and Past Progressive Action

The structure kan ġadi can express two different ideas — the context shows the intended meaning.

Past intention

kan ġadi y-safr l mirikan, welakin ma-kan-š 3ndu l-viza. — He was going to travel to America, but he did not have a visa. (he intended to travel)

Past progressive action

kan ġadi l s-suq mlli šaf ṣaнbu. — He was going to the market when he saw his friend. (he was physically on his way)

Negative past intention

ma-knt-š ġadi n-kdb 3lik! — I was not going to lie to you!

Negative past progressive action

ma-knt-š ġadi l s-suq! — I was not going to the market!