The concept of "be/to be" in Arabic differs fundamentally from English. While English requires a form of "to be" in every complete sentence, Arabic often omits it entirely in the present tense. This lesson explores three main ways Arabic expresses "being": -
Nominal sentences (الجملة الاسمية) - Present tense sentences without a verb -
كان (kāna) - The verb "to be" in past tense -
يكون (yakūnu) - The verb "to be" in present/future tenses
Definition: In Arabic, "to be" is expressed through the verb كان (kāna) and its conjugations, though present-tense "being" is often implied rather than stated.
FAQ Schema Question: What does "be/to be" mean in Arabic? Answer: In Arabic, "be/to be" is expressed differently than in English. In the present tense, Arabic often uses no verb at all (nominal sentences). For past tense, the verb كان (kāna) is used. For future tense, forms like سيكون (sa-yakūnu) are employed. The concept encompasses existence, states of being, and copular relationships.
How this topic word will be used: This lesson presents 15 examples showing various ways Arabic expresses "being" - from verbless present-tense sentences to past and future forms of كان, demonstrating how Arabic conceptualizes existence and states differently from English.
Educational Schema Subject: Arabic Language Learning Level: Beginner to Intermediate Topic: Verb "to be" (كان and related concepts) Learning Objective: Students will understand how Arabic expresses "being" in different tenses Material Type: Self-study reading lesson with interlinear glossing
Key Takeaways: -
Arabic often omits "to be" in present tense -
كان (kāna) expresses "was/were" -
يكون (yakūnu) expresses "will be" -
Nominal sentences are complete without a verb -
Context determines when to use or omit forms of "be"
2.1a هُوَ (hu-wa) he طَبِيبٌ (ṭa-bī-bun) doctor 2.1b He is a doctor
2.2a كَانَ (kā-na) was الطَّقْسُ (aṭ-ṭaq-su) the-weather جَمِيلاً (ja-mī-lan) beautiful أَمْسِ (am-si) yesterday 2.2b The weather was beautiful yesterday
2.3a الْكِتَابُ (al-ki-tā-bu) the-book عَلَى (ʿa-lā) on الطَّاوِلَةِ (aṭ-ṭā-wi-la-ti) the-table 2.3b The book is on the table
2.4a سَيَكُونُ (sa-ya-kū-nu) will-be هُنَاكَ (hu-nā-ka) there غَداً (ġa-dan) tomorrow 2.4b He will be there tomorrow
2.5a كُنْتُ (kun-tu) I-was فِي (fī) in الْمَدْرَسَةِ (al-mad-ra-sa-ti) the-school 2.5b I was at school
2.6a هِيَ (hi-ya) she مُعَلِّمَةٌ (mu-ʿal-li-ma-tun) teacher مُمْتَازَةٌ (mum-tā-za-tun) excellent 2.6b She is an excellent teacher
2.7a كَانُوا (kā-nū) they-were سُعَدَاءَ (su-ʿa-dāʾ) happy جِدّاً (jid-dan) very 2.7b They were very happy
2.8a الطُّلَّابُ (aṭ-ṭul-lā-bu) the-students فِي (fī) in الصَّفِّ (aṣ-ṣaf-fi) the-class 2.8b The students are in the class
2.9a سَتَكُونُ (sa-ta-kū-nu) she-will-be طَبِيبَةً (ṭa-bī-ba-tan) doctor-female 2.9b She will be a doctor
2.10a كُنَّا (kun-nā) we-were أَصْدِقَاءَ (aṣ-di-qāʾ) friends مُنْذُ (mun-ḏu) since الطُّفُولَةِ (aṭ-ṭu-fū-la-ti) the-childhood 2.10b We were friends since childhood
2.11a أَنْتَ (an-ta) you-masculine ذَكِيٌّ (ḏa-kiy-yun) intelligent 2.11b You are intelligent
2.12a كَانَتِ (kā-na-ti) was-feminine الْمَدِينَةُ (al-ma-dī-na-tu) the-city هَادِئَةً (hā-diʾ-a-tan) quiet 2.12b The city was quiet
2.13a سَوْفَ (saw-fa) will يَكُونُ (ya-kū-nu) be الِاجْتِمَاعُ (al-ij-ti-mā-ʿu) the-meeting مُفِيداً (mu-fī-dan) useful 2.13b The meeting will be useful
2.14a أَنَا (a-nā) I مُهَنْدِسٌ (mu-han-di-sun) engineer 2.14b I am an engineer
2.15a كُنْتُمْ (kun-tum) you-were-plural نَشِيطِينَ (na-ši-ṭī-na) active فِي (fī) in الْعَمَلِ (al-ʿa-ma-li) the-work 2.15b You (plural) were active at work
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2.1 هُوَ طَبِيبٌ He is a doctor
2.2 كَانَ الطَّقْسُ جَمِيلاً أَمْسِ The weather was beautiful yesterday
2.3 الْكِتَابُ عَلَى الطَّاوِلَةِ The book is on the table
2.4 سَيَكُونُ هُنَاكَ غَداً He will be there tomorrow
2.5 كُنْتُ فِي الْمَدْرَسَةِ I was at school
2.6 هِيَ مُعَلِّمَةٌ مُمْتَازَةٌ She is an excellent teacher
2.7 كَانُوا سُعَدَاءَ جِدّاً They were very happy
2.8 الطُّلَّابُ فِي الصَّفِّ The students are in the class
2.9 سَتَكُونُ طَبِيبَةً She will be a doctor
2.10 كُنَّا أَصْدِقَاءَ مُنْذُ الطُّفُولَةِ We were friends since childhood
2.11 أَنْتَ ذَكِيٌّ You are intelligent
2.12 كَانَتِ الْمَدِينَةُ هَادِئَةً The city was quiet
2.13 سَوْفَ يَكُونُ الِاجْتِمَاعُ مُفِيداً The meeting will be useful
2.14 أَنَا مُهَنْدِسٌ I am an engineer
2.15 كُنْتُمْ نَشِيطِينَ فِي الْعَمَلِ You (plural) were active at work
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2.1 هُوَ طَبِيبٌ
2.2 كَانَ الطَّقْسُ جَمِيلاً أَمْسِ
2.3 الْكِتَابُ عَلَى الطَّاوِلَةِ
2.4 سَيَكُونُ هُنَاكَ غَداً
2.5 كُنْتُ فِي الْمَدْرَسَةِ
2.6 هِيَ مُعَلِّمَةٌ مُمْتَازَةٌ
2.7 كَانُوا سُعَدَاءَ جِدّاً
2.8 الطُّلَّابُ فِي الصَّفِّ
2.9 سَتَكُونُ طَبِيبَةً
2.10 كُنَّا أَصْدِقَاءَ مُنْذُ الطُّفُولَةِ
2.11 أَنْتَ ذَكِيٌّ
2.12 كَانَتِ الْمَدِينَةُ هَادِئَةً
2.13 سَوْفَ يَكُونُ الِاجْتِمَاعُ مُفِيداً
2.14 أَنَا مُهَنْدِسٌ
2.15 كُنْتُمْ نَشِيطِينَ فِي الْعَمَلِ
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1. Present Tense - The Nominal Sentence In Arabic, present-tense "being" uses no verb. These are called nominal sentences (جملة اسمية): -
Subject + Predicate (no verb needed) -
Example: هُوَ طَبِيبٌ (huwa ṭabībun) = "He (is) doctor" -
The "is" is understood, not written
2. Past Tense - Using كان (kāna) For past tense, Arabic uses the verb كان: -
كُنْتُ (kuntu) - I was -
كُنْتَ (kunta) - You (m) were -
كُنْتِ (kunti) - You (f) were -
كَانَ (kāna) - He was -
كَانَتْ (kānat) - She was -
كُنَّا (kunnā) - We were -
كُنْتُمْ (kuntum) - You (plural) were -
كَانُوا (kānū) - They (m) were -
كُنَّ (kunna) - They (f) were
3. Future Tense - Using سيكون (sa-yakūnu) Future uses the prefix سـ (sa-) or سوف (sawfa) + present form: -
سَأَكُونُ (sa-akūnu) - I will be -
سَتَكُونُ (sa-takūnu) - You/She will be -
سَيَكُونُ (sa-yakūnu) - He/It will be
Common Mistakes: -
Adding unnecessary verbs: English speakers often try to translate "is" directly -
Wrong: هُوَ يَكُونُ طَبِيبٌ -
Correct: هُوَ طَبِيبٌ -
Incorrect agreement: The predicate must agree in gender and number -
Wrong: هِيَ طَبِيبٌ (masculine form with feminine subject) -
Correct: هِيَ طَبِيبَةٌ -
Case endings: Predicates in nominal sentences take nominative case -
The predicate usually has tanwīn (ـٌ)
Step-by-Step Guide: -
Identify the tense needed -
For present: Use nominal sentence (no verb) -
For past: Conjugate كان appropriately -
For future: Add سـ or سوف to the present form -
Ensure gender/number agreement
Grammatical Summary: -
Present: Subject + Predicate (no verb) -
Past: كان + Subject + Predicate (accusative) -
Future: س/سوف + يكون + Predicate -
Negative: Use ليس (laysa) for present, لم يكن (lam yakun) for past
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Understanding "be/to be" in Arabic requires appreciating fundamental differences in how Arabic and English conceptualize existence and states of being.
Philosophical Perspective: The Arabic nominal sentence reflects a worldview where states of being are inherent rather than requiring verbal assertion. When an Arab says "أنا سعيد" (anā saʿīd - "I happy"), the happiness is presented as an essential quality, not a temporary state requiring a copula.
Classical Arabic Heritage: The Quran frequently uses nominal sentences for eternal truths: "اللهُ رَحِيمٌ" (Allāhu raḥīmun - "God (is) Merciful"). This structure emphasizes the permanence and inherent nature of divine attributes.
Modern Usage: Contemporary Arabic maintains this distinction. News headlines often use nominal sentences for immediate relevance: "الرئيس في باريس" (ar-raʾīs fī bārīs - "The president (is) in Paris").
Regional Variations: While Modern Standard Arabic follows these rules strictly, dialects vary. Egyptian Arabic uses "في" (fī) as a pseudo-copula in some contexts, while Levantine dialects might use different structures entirely.
Educational Implications: Arabic-speaking children learn to distinguish between temporary states (using كان) and inherent qualities (using nominal sentences) from an early age, shaping their linguistic worldview differently from English speakers.
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From the Muqaddimah of Ibn Khaldun (14th century):
إِنَّ (in-na) indeed الْإِنْسَانَ (al-in-sā-na) the-human مَدَنِيٌّ (ma-da-niy-yun) social بِالطَّبْعِ (biṭ-ṭab-ʿi) by-nature . وَ (wa) and كَانَ (kā-na) was الِاجْتِمَاعُ (al-ij-ti-mā-ʿu) the-gathering ضَرُورِيّاً (ḍa-rū-riy-yan) necessary لَهُ (la-hu) for-him . فَـ (fa) so هُوَ (hu-wa) he مُحْتَاجٌ (muḥ-tā-jun) needing إِلَى (i-lā) to التَّعَاوُنِ (at-ta-ʿā-wu-ni) the-cooperation مَعَ (ma-ʿa) with بَنِي (ba-nī) sons جِنْسِهِ (jin-si-hi) his-species
إِنَّ الْإِنْسَانَ مَدَنِيٌّ بِالطَّبْعِ. وَكَانَ الِاجْتِمَاعُ ضَرُورِيّاً لَهُ. فَهُوَ مُحْتَاجٌ إِلَى التَّعَاوُنِ مَعَ بَنِي جِنْسِهِ.
"Indeed, the human being is social by nature. And gathering was necessary for him. So he is in need of cooperation with the members of his species."
إِنَّ الْإِنْسَانَ مَدَنِيٌّ بِالطَّبْعِ. وَكَانَ الِاجْتِمَاعُ ضَرُورِيّاً لَهُ. فَهُوَ مُحْتَاجٌ إِلَى التَّعَاوُنِ مَعَ بَنِي جِنْسِهِ.
This passage brilliantly demonstrates the three ways Arabic expresses "being": -
مَدَنِيٌّ بِالطَّبْعِ - A nominal sentence showing inherent human nature -
كَانَ... ضَرُورِيّاً - Past tense كان indicating historical necessity -
هُوَ مُحْتَاجٌ - Present nominal sentence showing ongoing need
Ibn Khaldun, the great historian and sociologist, uses these structures to build a philosophical argument about human nature. The use of إِنَّ (indeed) at the beginning emphasizes the truth of the statement, while the progression from inherent nature (nominal) to historical fact (كان) to present reality (nominal) creates a logical flow that would be impossible to replicate exactly in English.
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2.16a كَانَ (kā-na) was الصَّبَاحُ (aṣ-ṣa-bā-ḥu) the-morning بَارِداً (bā-ri-dan) cold عِنْدَمَا (ʿin-da-mā) when وَصَلْتُ (wa-ṣal-tu) I-arrived إِلَى (i-lā) to السُّوقِ (as-sū-qi) the-market 2.16b The morning was cold when I arrived at the market
2.17a البَائِعُونَ (al-bāʾ-i-ʿū-na) the-sellers كَانُوا (kā-nū) were يُحَضِّرُونَ (yu-ḥaḍ-ḍi-rū-na) preparing بَضَائِعَهُمْ (ba-ḍāʾ-i-ʿa-hum) their-goods 2.17b The sellers were preparing their goods
2.18a الفَوَاكِهُ (al-fa-wā-ki-hu) the-fruits طَازَجَةٌ (ṭā-zi-ja-tun) fresh وَ (wa) and الخُضَارُ (al-ḫu-ḍā-ru) the-vegetables خَضْرَاءُ (ḫaḍ-rāʾ-u) green 2.18b The fruits are fresh and the vegetables are green
2.19a كُنْتُ (kun-tu) I-was أَبْحَثُ (ab-ḥa-ṯu) searching عَنْ (ʿan) for التَّوَابِلِ (at-ta-wā-bi-li) the-spices الهِنْدِيَّةِ (al-hin-diy-ya-ti) the-Indian 2.19b I was searching for Indian spices
2.20a صَوْتُ (ṣaw-tu) voice البَائِعِ (al-bāʾ-i-ʿi) the-seller كَانَ (kā-na) was عَالِياً (ʿā-li-yan) loud جِدّاً (jid-dan) very 2.20b The seller's voice was very loud
2.21a الأَسْعَارُ (al-as-ʿā-ru) the-prices سَتَكُونُ (sa-ta-kū-nu) will-be أَغْلَى (aġ-lā) more-expensive غَداً (ġa-dan) tomorrow 2.21b The prices will be more expensive tomorrow
2.22a كَانَتِ (kā-na-ti) was رَائِحَةُ (rāʾ-i-ḥa-tu) smell الخُبْزِ (al-ḫub-zi) the-bread الطَّازَجِ (aṭ-ṭā-zi-ji) the-fresh شَهِيَّةً (ša-hiy-ya-tan) appetizing 2.22b The smell of fresh bread was appetizing
2.23a أَنَا (a-nā) I وَ (wa) and صَدِيقِي (ṣa-dī-qī) my-friend كُنَّا (kun-nā) we-were مُتْعَبَيْنِ (mut-ʿa-bay-ni) tired 2.23b My friend and I were tired
2.24a المَقْهَى (al-maq-hā) the-café قَرِيبٌ (qa-rī-bun) near مِنَ (mi-na) from السُّوقِ (as-sū-qi) the-market 2.24b The café is near the market
2.25a سَيَكُونُ (sa-ya-kū-nu) will-be الجَوُّ (al-jaw-wu) the-weather حَارّاً (ḥār-ran) hot بَعْدَ (baʿ-da) after الظُّهْرِ (aẓ-ẓuh-ri) the-noon 2.25b The weather will be hot after noon
2.26a كَانَ (kā-na) was هُنَاكَ (hu-nā-ka) there كَثِيرٌ (ka-ṯī-run) many مِنَ (mi-na) of السُّيَّاحِ (as-suy-yā-ḥi) the-tourists 2.26b There were many tourists
2.27a البِضَاعَةُ (al-bi-ḍā-ʿa-tu) the-merchandise المَصْرِيَّةُ (al-miṣ-riy-ya-tu) the-Egyptian مَشْهُورَةٌ (maš-hū-ra-tun) famous هُنَا (hu-nā) here 2.27b Egyptian merchandise is famous here
2.28a كُنَّا (kun-nā) we-were نَشْتَرِي (naš-ta-rī) buying الهَدَايَا (al-ha-dā-yā) the-gifts لِـ (li) for العَائِلَةِ (al-ʿāʾ-i-la-ti) the-family 2.28b We were buying gifts for the family
2.29a الشَّايُ (aš-šā-yu) the-tea كَانَ (kā-na) was سَاخِناً (sā-ḫi-nan) hot وَ (wa) and لَذِيذاً (la-ḏī-ḏan) delicious 2.29b The tea was hot and delicious
2.30a غَداً (ġa-dan) tomorrow سَأَكُونُ (sa-a-kū-nu) I-will-be فِي (fī) in السُّوقِ (as-sū-qi) the-market مُبَكِّراً (mu-bak-ki-ran) early 2.30b Tomorrow I will be at the market early
2.16 كَانَ الصَّبَاحُ بَارِداً عِنْدَمَا وَصَلْتُ إِلَى السُّوقِ The morning was cold when I arrived at the market
2.17 البَائِعُونَ كَانُوا يُحَضِّرُونَ بَضَائِعَهُمْ The sellers were preparing their goods
2.18 الفَوَاكِهُ طَازَجَةٌ وَالخُضَارُ خَضْرَاءُ The fruits are fresh and the vegetables are green
2.19 كُنْتُ أَبْحَثُ عَنْ التَّوَابِلِ الهِنْدِيَّةِ I was searching for Indian spices
2.20 صَوْتُ البَائِعِ كَانَ عَالِياً جِدّاً The seller's voice was very loud
2.21 الأَسْعَارُ سَتَكُونُ أَغْلَى غَداً The prices will be more expensive tomorrow
2.22 كَانَتْ رَائِحَةُ الخُبْزِ الطَّازَجِ شَهِيَّةً The smell of fresh bread was appetizing
2.23 أَنَا وَصَدِيقِي كُنَّا مُتْعَبَيْنِ My friend and I were tired
2.24 المَقْهَى قَرِيبٌ مِنَ السُّوقِ The café is near the market
2.25 سَيَكُونُ الجَوُّ حَارّاً بَعْدَ الظُّهْرِ The weather will be hot after noon
2.26 كَانَ هُنَاكَ كَثِيرٌ مِنَ السُّيَّاحِ There were many tourists
2.27 البِضَاعَةُ المَصْرِيَّةُ مَشْهُورَةٌ هُنَا Egyptian merchandise is famous here
2.28 كُنَّا نَشْتَرِي الهَدَايَا لِلْعَائِلَةِ We were buying gifts for the family
2.29 الشَّايُ كَانَ سَاخِناً وَلَذِيذاً The tea was hot and delicious
2.30 غَداً سَأَكُونُ فِي السُّوقِ مُبَكِّراً Tomorrow I will be at the market early
2.16 كَانَ الصَّبَاحُ بَارِداً عِنْدَمَا وَصَلْتُ إِلَى السُّوقِ
2.17 البَائِعُونَ كَانُوا يُحَضِّرُونَ بَضَائِعَهُمْ
2.18 الفَوَاكِهُ طَازَجَةٌ وَالخُضَارُ خَضْرَاءُ
2.19 كُنْتُ أَبْحَثُ عَنْ التَّوَابِلِ الهِنْدِيَّةِ
2.20 صَوْتُ البَائِعِ كَانَ عَالِياً جِدّاً
2.21 الأَسْعَارُ سَتَكُونُ أَغْلَى غَداً
2.22 كَانَتْ رَائِحَةُ الخُبْزِ الطَّازَجِ شَهِيَّةً
2.23 أَنَا وَصَدِيقِي كُنَّا مُتْعَبَيْنِ
2.24 المَقْهَى قَرِيبٌ مِنَ السُّوقِ
2.25 سَيَكُونُ الجَوُّ حَارّاً بَعْدَ الظُّهْرِ
2.26 كَانَ هُنَاكَ كَثِيرٌ مِنَ السُّيَّاحِ
2.27 البِضَاعَةُ المَصْرِيَّةُ مَشْهُورَةٌ هُنَا
2.28 كُنَّا نَشْتَرِي الهَدَايَا لِلْعَائِلَةِ
2.29 الشَّايُ كَانَ سَاخِناً وَلَذِيذاً
2.30 غَداً سَأَكُونُ فِي السُّوقِ مُبَكِّراً
Narrative-Specific Grammar Points: -
Past Continuous with كان: -
كَانُوا يُحَضِّرُونَ (they were preparing) - shows ongoing past action -
كُنَّا نَشْتَرِي (we were buying) - progressive aspect in past -
Existential "There was/were": -
كَانَ هُنَاكَ (kāna hunāka) - literally "was there" -
Used for introducing new elements in narrative -
Descriptive Past vs. Present: -
Past descriptions use كان + accusative: كَانَ بَارِداً -
Present descriptions use nominal sentences: الفَوَاكِهُ طَازَجَةٌ -
Time Expressions: -
عِنْدَمَا (when) triggers past tense -
غَداً (tomorrow) triggers future tense -
Time markers help determine which form of "be" to use -
Agreement Patterns in Narrative: -
Feminine subjects: كَانَتْ رَائِحَةُ -
Plural agreement: البَائِعُونَ كَانُوا -
Dual forms: أَنَا وَصَدِيقِي كُنَّا
This narrative demonstrates how Arabic seamlessly shifts between tenses and uses different forms of "being" to create a vivid market scene, moving from past experiences to present observations to future plans.
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The Latinum Institute has been creating innovative online language learning materials since 2006, pioneering self-study methods that enable autodidacts to master classical and modern languages independently.
This Arabic course follows the Latinum Method, which emphasizes:
Interlinear Learning: Each lesson provides detailed word-by-word glossing, allowing students to understand grammatical structures naturally through exposure rather than abstract rules. This method, refined over nearly two decades, helps learners internalize patterns organically.
Progressive Complexity: Starting with simple constructions, lessons gradually introduce more complex grammatical concepts while maintaining comprehensibility. The construed text approach in Section A breaks down even sophisticated sentences into manageable components.
Authentic Texts: By Lesson 2, students encounter real Arabic from classical sources like Ibn Khaldun, making the transition from learning materials to actual Arabic literature smoother and more natural.
Cultural Integration: Language learning extends beyond grammar. Each lesson includes cultural context, helping students understand not just how to speak Arabic, but how Arabic speakers conceptualize and express ideas.
Genre Variety: The narrative sections expose learners to different registers and contexts - from daily conversation to classical literature to modern business communication.
The method has proven particularly effective for self-directed learners who prefer understanding the "why" behind language structures rather than memorizing rules. Students report that the interlinear approach helps them begin reading authentic texts much earlier than traditional methods allow.
For testimonials and reviews from thousands of satisfied learners worldwide, visit: https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/latinum.org.uk
Additional resources and supplementary materials are available at: -
latinum.substack.com (for method explanations and updates) -
latinum.org.uk (for course catalog and additional languages)
This systematic approach, developed through years of online teaching experience, provides the scaffolding necessary for independent language acquisition while respecting the learner's intelligence and autonomy.
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