The Preposition “l”

The preposition l often means to or for. It is also required after certain verbs even when no English preposition appears in the translation.

Forms with pronouns

English	Darija
To / for me	liya / li
To / for you — singular	lik
To / for him	lih / lu
To / for her	liha
To / for us	lina
To / for you — plural	likum
To / for them	lihum

Verbs commonly used with “l”

smн l (to excuse), fssr l (to explain to), gal l (to say to), ṣifṭ l (to send to), jab l (to bring to), ymkn l (to be possible for)

Examples

Kristin ṣifṭat bra l Chad. — Kristin sent a letter to Chad.
Kristin ṣifṭat bra lih. — Kristin sent a letter to him.

Thomas šra waнd l-kadu l Jessica f 3id l-milad dyalha. — Thomas bought a present for Jessica on her birthday.
Thomas šrah liha. — Thomas bought it for her.

smн liya. — Excuse me.

weš ymkn liya n-hḍr m3ak? — Is it possible for me to speak with you?
ma-ymkn-š liya n-xrj deba. — It is not possible for me to go out now.

Some Darija verbs require l, even when the English translation does not contain “to” or “for.”