The verb 'be' (present plural)

The verb ‘be’ (present, plural)

If you look carefully at these sentences, you will see there are English equivalents for each Arabic word, except for are (form of the verb be).

For example, in the following sentences find the Arabic for: we, from Germany, you, new, at this school.

naHnu min almaaniya.	We are from Germany.

hal antum judud fi haadhihi-l-madrasa?	Are you (= male) new at this school?
hal antunna jadeedaat fi haadhihi-l-madrasa?	Are you (= female) new at this school?

hum Tulaab.	They (= male) are students.
hunna Taalibaat.	They (= female) are students.

This shows that in Arabic you do not use a form of be in positive sentences and in questions when you talk about the present or things that are valid all the time.

naHnu lasna min almaaniya.	We are not from Germany.

hal antum lastum min hunaak?	Are you (= male) not from there?
hal antunna lastuna min hunaak?	Are you (= female) not from there?

hum laysuu aSdiqaa’.	They (= male) are not friends.
hunna lasna Sadeeqaat.	They (= female) are not friends.

If you look carefully at these sentences, you will see that are not (form of the verb be) has different Arabic equivalents.

Remember: When addressing a female, you need a different form than for a male. Here you can see all the forms for the plural:

naHnu lasna	we are not
antum lastum	you (= male) are not
antunna lastunna	you (= female) are not
hum laysuu	they (= male) are not
hunna lasna	they (= female) are not