BERBER STUDIES

ISSN 1618-1425

Volume 1

Edited by

Harry Stroomer
University of Leiden / The Netherlands
 David Sudlow

The Tamasheq of North-East Burkina Faso

Notes on Grammar and Syntax
including a Key Vocabulary

2nd, revised edition

RÜDIGER KÖPPE VERLAG · KÖLN

The series Berber Studies is a linguistic and text oriented series set up to enrich
our knowledge of Berber languages and dialects in general. It is a forum for
data-oriented studies of Berber languages, which may include lexical studies,
grammatical descriptions, text collections, diachronic and comparative studies,
language contact studies as well as studies on specific aspects of the structure
of Berber languages. The series will appear at irregular intervals and will com-
prise monographs and collections of papers.

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ISSN 1618-1425

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 Acknowledgements............................................................................................ vi
Abbreviations and symbols .............................................................................vii
1 INTRODUCTION ................................................................
.................................................................................
.................................................1
................. 1
1.1 Background .......................................................................................................... 2
1.2 Using the grammar ............................................................................................. 6
1.3 Using a dictionary ............................................................................................... 8
1.4 Changes from the first edition .......................................................................... 8
2 USEFUL PHRASES ................................................................
..............................................................................
..............................................9
.............. 9
2.1 Greetings and leavetakings.............................................................................. 10
2.2 Language learning............................................................................................. 11
2.3 Coming and going ............................................................................................. 12
2.4 Interjections and common phrases................................................................ 13
2.5 Days and times ................................................................................................... 15
2.6 Numbers.............................................................................................................. 16
2.7 Personal questions ............................................................................................ 17
2.8 The market ......................................................................................................... 18
2.9 There is / there are ........................................................................................... 20
2.10 Location............................................................................................................... 20
2.11 Sample drills....................................................................................................... 21
3 GRAMMATICAL NOTES ................................................................
...................................................................
...................................23
... 23
3.1 Pronunciation .................................................................................................... 24
3.2 Writing systems................................................................................................. 31
3.3 Nouns................................................................................................................... 34
3.4 The possessive preposition n........................................................................... 41
3.5 Remarks on syntax............................................................................................ 42
3.6 The supporting pronoun a............................................................................... 45
3.7 Directional particles (dd / in) .......................................................................... 47
3.8 Demonstrative pronouns ................................................................................. 49
3.9 Verbal system – introductory comments ..................................................... 52
3.10 Introduction to aspects .................................................................................... 53
3.11 Questions ............................................................................................................ 56
3.12 Negatives ............................................................................................................ 60
3.13 Qualifiers............................................................................................................. 63
3.14 Participles ........................................................................................................... 65
3.15 Pronouns............................................................................................................. 68
3.16 Orders, prohibitions and injunctions............................................................. 74
3.17 Verbal nouns ...................................................................................................... 76
3.18 Derived verbs ..................................................................................................... 79
3.19 Uses of the perfective ....................................................................................... 82
3.20 Uses of the stative ............................................................................................. 84
3.21 Uses of the imperfective .................................................................................. 86
3.22 Uses of the cursive ............................................................................................ 90
3.23 Uses of the preposition i (e / y) ....................................................................... 93

iii
iii
 3.24 Uses of the conjunction as and the preposition s ........................................ 95
3.25 Uses of the particles etc. based on d / dǝr...................................................... 98
3.26 Uses of the preposition / suffix dăɣ ............................................................. 100
3.27 Uses of the preposition / conjunction har .................................................. 102
3.28 Uses of the preposition făl ............................................................................. 103
4 VERB GROUPS................................
GROUPS ................................................................
................................................................................
................................................ 105
4.1 Classification .................................................................................................... 106
4.2 Group IA1 .......................................................................................................... 112
4.3 Group IA2 .......................................................................................................... 123
4.4 Group IA3 .......................................................................................................... 127
4.5 Group IA5 .......................................................................................................... 132
4.6 Group IA7 (Tamaghit) ..................................................................................... 136
4.7 Group IA8 (Tamaghit) ..................................................................................... 139
4.8 Group IA7 (Tudalt) .......................................................................................... 141
4.9 Group IA10........................................................................................................ 144
4.10 Group II ............................................................................................................. 147
4.11 Group III ............................................................................................................ 156
4.12 Group IV – qualitative verbs.......................................................................... 168
4.13 Group V ............................................................................................................. 175
4.14 Group XII........................................................................................................... 192
4.15 Group XVII........................................................................................................ 202
4.16 Group XVIII ...................................................................................................... 206
4.17 Group IA1 causative (includes IA5 and group III) ...................................... 208
4.18 Group IA2 causative ........................................................................................ 216
4.19 Group IA3 causative ........................................................................................ 218
4.20 Group IA7 causative (Tamaghit) ................................................................... 220
4.21 Group IA7 causative (Tudalt)......................................................................... 222
4.22 Group V causative ........................................................................................... 224
4.23 Group XII / XVII causative............................................................................. 225
4.24 Group XVIII causative..................................................................................... 227
4.25 Seventy very useful verbs.............................................................................. 228
5 KEY VOCABULARY ................................................................
........................................................................
........................................ 240
5.1 Basic people words.......................................................................................... 242
5.2 Family................................................................................................................ 243
5.3 People groups................................................................................................... 245
5.4 Other people words......................................................................................... 247
5.5 Adjectival nouns .............................................................................................. 248
5.6 Domestic animals ............................................................................................ 251
5.7 Wild animals..................................................................................................... 254
5.8 Parts of the body.............................................................................................. 259
5.9 Health and disease .......................................................................................... 265
5.10 Food ................................................................................................................... 268
5.11 Food preparation and storage....................................................................... 271
5.12 Craftsmen and their products....................................................................... 273
5.13 Miscellaneous objects ..................................................................................... 277
5.14 Things in the street......................................................................................... 279

iv
 5.15 Clothing and jewellery ................................................................................... 280
5.16 Trees, plants and nature ................................................................................ 282
5.17 Materials ........................................................................................................... 290
5.18 Religion and the supernatural ...................................................................... 292
5.19 Money, trade and gifts.................................................................................... 299
5.20 Games and sport .............................................................................................. 300
5.21 Abstract terms ................................................................................................. 301
5.22 Directions and descriptions........................................................................... 308
5.23 Words borrowed from French....................................................................... 310
5.24 Grammatical words......................................................................................... 312
5.25 Time words....................................................................................................... 316
5.26 Indefinite terms............................................................................................... 318
5.27 Idiomatic phrases ............................................................................................ 320
5.28 Proverbs ............................................................................................................ 327
6 APPENDIX I – OVERVIEW OF DIALECTS ......................................
...................................... 330
6.1 Differences between Tamaghit (Ša) and Tudalt (Za) ................................. 330
6.2 Western Tawellemmet (Meneka dialect) .................................................... 331
6.3 (Eastern) Tawellemmet (Tahoua dialect) .................................................... 333
6.4 Tayert (Agadez region dialect)...................................................................... 334
6.5 Tadghaq (Kidal dialect) .................................................................................. 335
6.6 Timbuktoo dialect (N) also known as Tanǝslǝmt ....................................... 338
7 APPENDIX II – SHORT BIBLIOGRAPHY ........................................
........................................ 340

v
 Acknowledgements
I would like to express my gratitude to the many people who have helped in
various ways in the completion of this book. Karl-G. Prasse, emeritus professor of
Berber languages and Arabic dialects at the University of Copenhagen, who
proofread the first edition and made many valuable suggestions; Professor Graham
Furniss of SOAS who first encouraged me to publish this material and Prof. Dr.
Harry Stroomer of Leiden and Dr. Maarten Kossmann for their input. In Burkina,
Ɣusman wa-n ănhăḍ wa-n Gorăn Gorăn, my language informant, Inazăb wa-n
ămănokal wa-n Udalan, the Tuareg chief, Tǝdwăl, Ǝššǝmrer, Mănafi, Adas, Idwăl,
Abdullahi and many others helped me to grasp the Tamasheq language. I
acknowledge also the contributions of Maurice Glover who first introduced me to
the Tamasheq, Bob Loader who helped with special fonts, Viv and Chris Newman
for their hospitality and my wife Nikki for her patience and support.

vi
Abbreviations and symbols
The following abbreviations and symbols have been used:
<Language loan word with significant change in pronunciation or meaning
+ verb takes direct object
++ verb takes two direct objects
# verb takes indirect object
<> intransitive verb (takes no object)
& reciprocal verb (takes ‘ǝd’ + object)
… indicates content not supplied
/ separates alternative shades of meaning
// separates alternative meanings
(…) in Tamasheq phrases indicates optional words
(…) in English translations indicates words added to aid understanding
(/…) in Tamasheq phrases indicates alternative words
(/…) in English translations indicates an alternative translation
1 1st person
2 2nd person
3 3rd person
an. animal
(ad) in verb tables, the relative marker ad which is usually but not always
used with the imperfective (see Section 3.21 Uses of the
Imperfective)
Ar. Arabic loan word
C consonant
c(neg) common negative. The negative participle in Tudalt, which doesn’t
vary with gender or number
D Tadghaq dialect (Gao / Kidal)
e.g. for example
euph. euphemism
f feminine
fig. figuratively
Fr. French loan word
Fu. Fulfulde loan word
H Hoggar dialect (rarely referred to)
Ha. Hausa loan word
lit. literally
m masculine
N Taneslemt dialect (Timbuktu)
pl plural
sg singular
So. Songhay loan word
s.o. someone
sth. something
Ša forms and meanings thus marked belong to the ‘sha’ dialect of
Oudalan (also called Tamaghit)
V vowel
vn Verbal noun
W Tawellemmet dialect (Tahoua)

vii
WW Western Tawellemmet dialect (Meneka)
Y Tayert dialect (Agadez)
Za forms and meanings thus marked belong to the ‘za’ dialect of
Oudalan (also called Tudalt)

Where a verb is shown in summary form the following pattern is used:

Imperative Meaning Verbal Noun
3msg imperfective cursive neg. cursive
3msg perfective stative neg. perfective
E.g.:
iynay <> be new vn tinya
3msg (ad) iynay itiynay wǝr itiynay
3msg ăynay ăynây wăr ăynay

viii
1 Introduction
 1.1 Background

Scope and methodology

This book is based on several years living and working among Tamasheq (also
called Tuareg) people in N.E. Burkina Faso (Oudalan province). The data has been
gathered in semi-formal language lessons with a language informant in Gorom
Gorom and Markoye, and through hundreds of conversations in Tamasheq in
Markoye, Gorom Gorom, Beyga, Darkoy, Zigeberi, Tin Akof and elsewhere. I have
also been able to visit Tessit, Gao and Meneka in Mali and Niamey, Tahoua, Tchin
Tabaraden and Agadez in Niger. This grammar presents a comprehensive
overview of the workings of the Tamasheq language along with a full working
vocabulary. Both the dialects (Tamaghit and Tudalt) spoken in Oudalan are
covered, and the varieties of pronunciation and grammar that are found among
different groups and individuals are given consideration. The Tamasheq people of
Oudalan have migrated there in various waves from Mali over the last 250 years.
Therefore, the Oudalan dialects also broadly represent the dialects spoken in Mali,
especially in the Gourma area (under the bend of the Niger River). The data
presented here would be a useful reference for anyone interested in the Tamasheq
language of neighbouring regions. It most closely applies to the Gossi-Gao-
Meneka-Filinge-Niamey-Bankalari-Gorom-Tessit region, but is extremely close to
the Tamasheq of Timbuktu-Kidal too. The Tamasheq of Tahoua-Tchin Tabaraden is
relatively close to Tudalt, and the Tamasheq of Agadez-Madaoua is reasonably
similar. Only the Tamasheq of Hoggar-Ajjer is so different as to make this work of
little interest for its study.

What is Tamasheq?
Tamasheq is the language spoken by the Tamasheq people. There are Tamasheq
speakers in large numbers in Mali, Niger, Algeria and Burkina Faso and lesser
numbers in Libya and Mauritania. There are migrant Tamasheq speakers in
Europe, Ivory Coast, Nigeria and other places. There are between one and two
million Tamasheq speakers in total, divided between several main dialects and
sub-dialects. This grammar focuses on the two Tamasheq dialects spoken in
N.E.Burkina Faso, which are very similar to the Tamasheq dialects of Mali.
The Tamasheq people are descendants of Berber populations (herders, traders and
warriors) who crossed and settled in the Sahara from the tenth century, and of the
black African peoples enslaved by them who adopted their language and customs.
Thus although Tamasheq speakers are mainly found in sub-Saharan Africa, the
language is not at all related to the neighbouring sub-Saharan African languages.
Rather it is closely related to Kabyle, Tashelhit and the other Berber languages of
the Maghreb.

Origins of the Tamasheq people

The North African ancestors of the Tamasheq people were probably living in Libya
at the time of the Arab conquest in the late seventh century. They would have had
some contact with the Phoenicean, Greek and Roman colonies of the North African
coast over the centuries. Evidence for contact between the Tamasheq and pre-
Islamic North African Christianity is sparse but their use of the cross in traditional

2
craft and their use of the Greek word ănǵălos for angel are pointers. They seem to
have resisted Islam for quite some time and, possibly, their movement into the
Sahara was a consequence of this. They were given the name Tuareg (sg Targui) by
the Arabs, which some believe to mean ‘forsaken by God’ because of their refusal
of Islam, but which probably refers to ‘Targa’ the name of the area of Libya they
inhabited. By the early Middle Ages they were to be at least nominally Muslim and
were later to be instrumental in bringing the message of Islam into the Sahel. The
Tamasheq had moved into the Sahara by the tenth century and certainly by the
fourteenth or fifteenth were in Adrar and Ayr. The Adrar group split in the late
seventeenth century, with the group that was to become the ‘Iwellemmeden’
moving south. It is known that the ‘kal ataram’ conquered Timbuktu in 1787. Not
long after this the ‘kal denneg’ an offshoot of ‘Iwellemmeden’ moved out of the
Ansongo / Meneka region towards Tahoua, and the Oudalan crossed to the West
side of the River Niger (known as the Gourma). The divergence of the language
into ‘sha’ and ‘za’ dialects must be dated after the split of the late seventeenth
century, but otherwise very little is known about it.

History of the Tamasheq language

Tamasheq is a Berber language, Berber being one of the branches of the Afro-
Asiatic (also called Hamito-Semitic) family. Current scholarship suggests that the
members of this language family derive from a common parent tongue spoken in
the Sahara or Upper Nile region of Africa about 8-14,000 years ago (scholars
propose differing views as to time and place). This separated into six major groups,
Berber, Semitic, Egyptian, Chadic, Cushitic and Omotic. The spread of people
speaking each of the branch languages took Afro-Asiatic into the horn of Africa,
North Africa, the lake Chad region and the Middle East. Over time the languages
developed in their own ways. The common theme of many of these languages is
their consonantal root system; most words being derived from a three-consonant
verbal root. The root is inflected by infixed vowels, prefixes and suffixes.
This timescale, although disputed, suggests that Berber was already the language
of the North African coast West of Egypt by 4,000BC. As different Berber groups
settled in various mountainous and desert areas from Mauritania to Western Egypt
their dialects diversified. Following the Arab invasions of the seventh century
Berber has been in close contact with the Arabic language and has adopted many
Arabic terms into its vocabulary. Tamasheq is the Berber language the least
influenced by later contact with Arabic. An informal comparison with Tashelhit
shows a very similar underlying grammatical structure and a 30-40%
correspondence of vocabulary. Where they differ, it is frequently because
Tashelhit has adopted an Arabic term.
Tamasheq has split into three major dialects which the Tamasheq themselves refer
to as ‘sha’, ‘za’ and ‘ha’, or Tamasheq, Tamajeq, and Tamahaq. The Tamahaq dialect
is spoken in Algeria and Libya. The two main groups are those of Hoggar and of
Ajjer. These dialects are not discussed in this grammar but have been studied more
than the others. The reader is referred to the work of Prasse (1972, 1973) and the
famous Dictionnaire Touareg-Francais of Charles de Foucauld. Tamajeq refers to
the dialects spoken in Niger, as well as the dialect of Meneka, Mali of which Tudalt
is an offshoot. The Niger dialects are Tayert (Y) of the region around Agadez and
Tawellemmet (W) of the region around Tahoua. The Meneka dialect is called

3
Western Tawellemmet (WW). I have designated the ‘za’ dialect of Oudalan Tudalt
(Za). Tudalt has undergone a certain degree of recent assimilation to Tamaghit.
The remaining dialects of Mali are both ‘sha’ dialects. There is a certain amount of
difference between the dialect of Timbuktu and that of the Kidal–Gao–Oudalan
corridor. The Timbuktu dialect is called Taneslemt (N) and shows a greater degree
of Arabic influence. The Kidal dialect is called Tadghaq (D). I have used the term
Tamaghit (Ša) to describe the ‘sha’ dialect of Oudalan, which is very similar to
Tadghaq. The differences are discussed in Appendix I. Tamasheq people in
Oudalan tend to speak either the Tamaghit or the Tudalt dialect, but many
(especially in towns) now speak a jumbled fusion of the two. There are also
differences within the two dialects between different clans as to minor details of
pronunciation and grammatical structure and especially as to choice between
synonyms for various things. These vary so much between individual speakers
depending on their life history that they have not been analysed in detail here,
rather what is presented is a broad overview of how most people speak Tamasheq
in the region. Examples are given of the extremes of Tamaghit and Tudalt
pronunciation, whereas an individual speaker might combine elements of both in
the same phrase or even in the same word.

Lifestyle
We know little of the lifestyle of the ancestors of the Tamasheq in Libya. The move
into the desert defined many elements of Tamasheq lifestyle and culture that are
relevant today. The tent became the preferred dwelling, as mobility is important
in a harsh environment. The turban – indispensable in the desert – became
culturally indispensable as well. Camels became the most important domestic
animal. A simplicity of lifestyle essential to desert living became the norm, with
Arab tea being one of the few luxuries. In the oasis, hartanis were made to grow
crops. As Islam became established, teachers and clans of teachers emerged. As
household items, tools and weapons were needed, craftsmen joined the group,
often from neighbouring peoples.
As the Tamasheq crossed the desert into the Sahel, sheep and goats became
important alongside the camel. Slaves were more easily procured in this more
populated zone, and these retained their traditional farming skills, if not their
original languages.

The class / caste system

Tamasheq society is divided into several classes or castes. At the top are imažăɣăn
‘the nobles’, who were the rulers and owners. They made their living by raiding
and by exacting tribute from subordinate groups. Next come the ălfăqqităn
‘religious teachers’ also known as kǝl ǝssuk or inǝslǝmăn. These too did no manual
work, but lived by the tithes and offerings of those they taught. Next in status are
the imɣad ‘the herders / vassals’, owning their own herds of camels, sheep and
goats and looking after those of the nobles and the religious class. These clans
were subject to the nobles, not having the right to bear arms, and paid tribute to
them, but could look to them for protection from other clans. Among each of the
other groups lived inhăḍăn ‘the craftsmen’, working metal, wood and leather. The
mysteries of their profession were passed from father to son and mother to
daughter. Finally eklan ‘the slaves’, known as ‘Bellah’ in French (from the Songhay

4
term for them), raided from neighbouring peoples or inherited; these did all the
heavy work, gathering wood and water, and growing crops. Each of these groups
only married within itself. In reality this classification represents an idealised state
of affairs and there is significant evidence of movements of status over time. There
are many groups of independent eklan for instance, some of whom are close to
imɣad in social position.

The modern world

There have been major changes to Tamasheq society in the last 100 years. The
colonisation by the French brought the nobles for the first time into subjection to
a foreign power. Independence divided the Tamasheq into several states, ruled by
Arabs or black Africans. The abolition of slavery fundamentally changed the fabric
of Tamasheq society.
The great droughts of the 70’s and 80’s decimated the herds and flocks and for
many spelt an end to the traditional lifestyle. Economic migration (both short-
term and long-term), to Abidjan (all groups), Mecca (mainly, but not exclusively
noble groups), other cities and artisanal gold mines such as Essakan near Markoye
(mainly Bellah) has become a fact of life. This has brought about a great deal of
social upheaval. The spread of AIDS is now a major issue in Tamasheq society.

History of Oudalan
The Tamasheq first came into what is now Burkina Faso about 250 years ago. The
first arrivals were two weak imɣad groups, the Iberzaz and the Kel Ewel who came
to the area to escape from an imažăɣăn group who had attacked in the Niger delta
region and chased them beyond Hombori. These groups settled around Aribinda,
and are now found in the West of Oudalan province around Deou. They have
mixed somewhat with the sedentary Fulani of the area. The Oudalan allied with
other noble clans (Alkasseybaten, Zinge, and Idamosan) themselves arrived
towards the end of the XVIIIth century. In 1827, they defeated the Fulani Empire of
Liptako in their struggle for what is now the province of Oudalan, the province
being named after the leading Tuareg clan. The chief installed his tent at Beyga,
which is still the centre for the traditional Tuareg chiefdom. Since then several
other Tamasheq clans have migrated into the region from Mali, mainly imɣad
groups and eklan groups who had fled harsh conditions in Mali to come under the
more benign sovereignty of the Oudalan. These eklan lived as independent farmers
and herders but paid tribute to the Oudalan and could be called on to fight in times
of war. These clans all speak the ‘Tamaghit’ dialect. There are now about 60,000
Tamasheq speakers in Oudalan province (25,000 elsewhere in Burkina). The
majority of these (80-90%) speak the Tamaghit dialect. Most of the rest speak the
Tudalt dialect also described in the following pages. The Alkasseybaten speak
Tamaghit, but also their own language that seems to be an amalgam of Tamasheq
and Songhay. It is very possible that they are related to the Dawsahak of Mali.

Oudalan
Oudalan Today
The province of Oudalan has a population of about 140,000, roughly half of which
are Tamasheq. The rest are mainly Fulani or Songhay with a few Arabs, Hausa and
Mossi. The French made Gorom Gorom the administrative capital and it remains
the major town. Other towns include Markoye, traditionally the most important

5
market, and Tin Akof, originally a nomadic encampment near what is now the Mali
border. The other languages of the region have an influence on the Tamasheq and
there are a number of borrowed words.

Bilingualism
Only a small percentage of Tamasheqs speak Tamasheq exclusively. The vast
majority speaks at least one other language with varying degrees of proficiency.
The other languages spoken vary a great deal between areas. In Algeria, Northern
Mali and Northern Niger it is Arabic that dominates. Elsewhere in Niger, it is
Hausa. Elsewhere in Mali it is Songhay. French is spoken by many who live in
towns. In Oudalan Tamasheqs may speak Fulfulde, Songhay, Hausa, Arabic (from
Quranic education or through links with Hassaniya clans), French (from school),
Dioula (from Abidjan), Moore (from Ouaga), even English (from Ghana / Nigeria)
depending on where they have lived within the province and outside. In the West
of Oudalan Fulfulde is very widely spoken, whereas in Markoye many Tamasheqs
speak Hausa. Religious clans often speak Arabic.

The Tamasheq language and Arabic

Tamasheq has a complex relationship with Arabic. Berber and Semitic stem from a
common parent tongue but separated at least 6,000 years ago. Tamasheq and
Arabic came into contact again after the Islamic conquest of North Africa in the
seventh century, and so have had more than a thousand years of recent contact.
The primitive link is seen in the similarity of their phonetic systems and in the
verbal system based on (usually three) root consonants, modified by vocalisation
and auxiliary consonants. The preferred word order of ‘verb-subject-object’ is also
part of their shared inheritance.
However, Tamasheq differs from Arabic in many fundamental ways. The details of
the verbal systems are very different. Tamasheq does not have a definite article
and forms the genitive by use of a preposition ‘n’. Only a small number of words
can be thought of as being cognate due to common ancient origin (e.g. aman
‘water’ cf Arabic al-mâ). The vast majority of Tamasheq words are based on a
different root than the equivalent Arabic term – notably basic vocabulary words
such as numbers and parts of the body.
The large number of Tamasheq words that are related to Arabic terms are recent
(last 1,000 years) borrowings. They fall into three main groups: 1) Religious
vocabulary 2) Technology 3) Specialist and abstract terms. Often Tamasheq has
created for itself an abstract or specialist term by taking a rather concrete Arabic
term and using it in a restricted way. This is similar to the way English has
borrowed technical vocabulary from Latin and Greek. There is no evidence of a
slowing down of this tendency and the number of Arabic words in everyday use in
Tamasheq is increasing. However, of all Berber languages, Tamasheq remains the
least influenced.
1.2 Using the grammar
This grammar is aimed at two groups of people:
a) Linguists, seeking an description of Tamasheq as spoken in NE Burkina
which they can compare with descriptions of other dialects in other works.

6
 b) Those aiming to learn Tamasheq in order to speak with Tamasheq
people. This group includes anthropologists and development workers.
For the first group Sections 3 and 4 are most important, as is Appendix I. Some of
the simplifying terminology does a disservice to this group as it deviates from
standard (and more precise linguistic terms). These simplifications make the work
more accessible to the non-specialist, while the specialist can easily mentally
substitute the technical terms. On the other hand, the grammatical material is not
presented in a specifically pedagogical manner as this approach generally leads to
an incomplete description (or a very long work) and would be much less useful to
linguists.
For language learners who are able to find a Tamasheq-speaking language
helper, the grammar will be used in a different way. It is primarily a reference tool
which will help you understand the expressions you come across in your language
lessons and in day to day life and learn to use them confidently. For this group,
Section 2 is of special interest initially, as it will help you to get started. It is
recommended that this grammar be used in conjunction with some kind of
structured system of language learning. The grammatical notes and especially the
verb groups will help you to understand what you learn in your lessons and to
construct drills. The verb lists in Section 4 group together verbs that conjugate in
the same way to facilitate learning the patterns. Section 5 presents the vocabulary
of everyday life according to context. It is very important to use what you learn.
Practice and visiting are the keys to this. It is in spending time with Tamasheq
people that you will practise what you know and become aware of what you want
to learn. For effective communication, good pronunciation is vital. Accurate
pronunciation (including ‘natural’ rhythm and stress) is more important than
accurate grammar for effective communication. Cassette exercises – taping useful
phrases and repeating them over and over – are a key to good pronunciation.

Semantic overlap
English translations are given for many Tamasheq words and phrases. Care must
be taken in using these. The English equivalents are only an approximation to the
Tamasheq, especially where single words or short phrases are concerned. For
many terms the semantic overlap is far from complete. The Tamasheq term may
need to be translated by other English terms depending on the context in which it
is used, and similarly may not be a suitable equivalent to the English term in its
full width of usage. For the language learner time and practice in hearing
Tamasheq used will help to establish the semantic range of each term.
Special care should be taken with prepositions where Tamasheq and English
function very differently. Qualifiers too work very differently in Tamasheq than
the English system of adjectives and adverbs. Idiomatic translation one way or the
other will often require a reordering of thought pattern to get the correct syntax.
Similarly, with the verbal system it will often be necessary to think differently to
express an English time-oriented verbal construction where context and auxiliary
words express the quality of the action, to a Tamasheq quality-of-action
orientated construction where time is indicated by context.

7
 1.3 Using a dictionary
Like Semitic languages (Arabic, Hebrew …) Tamasheq is based on root consonants.
Dictionaries, such as the three editions of Prasse’s dictionary of Niger Tamajeq, list
words under their root consonants rather than simply alphabetically. Thus ǝlmǝd
‘learn’ is listed under LMD along with all other words based on this root, e.g.:
ǝlmǝd Learn
sǝlmǝd Cause to learn / teach
enăsselmǝd Teacher
alămad Learning
When looking for a word it is important to see the root consonants, stripping away
the prefixes and suffixes and ignoring the vowels. Once the set has been found you
can then look in it for the particular word. Note that verbs are always listed as the
singular imperative.
The best dictionary currently available is Prasse’s two volume 2003 edition. This
covers the ‘za’ dialects. For Tamaghit it is less useful. However, it can still be used
to good effect if certain rules of thumb are tried. A Tamaghit word with ‘š’ in it
may be found listed with ‘z’ or ‘ž’ in its place. If the Tamaghit word had a ‘h’, this
may be omitted in the Tudalt equivalent. The vocalisation may vary. Tamaghit ‘ǵ’
is equivalent to Tudalt ‘g’. With these rules, it will be found that equivalent terms
to 90% of Tamaghit words are listed. About 60% of words are identical. For
Tamaghit it is better to use Heath’s 2006 dictionary of Malian Tamasheq.

1.4 Changes from the first edition

The most striking change from the first edition of this grammar is that the ‘sha’
dialect of Oudalan is no longer referred to as Tadghaq (D) but as Tamaghit (Ša).
While Tamaghit is very close to Tadghaq, there are sufficient differences to
warrant making the distinction. These are dealt with in Appendix I.
The other major change is the more detailed separation of Tamaghit and Tudalt. In
many cases where there was only a small difference of pronunciation, the first
edition gave only the Tamaghit form. Here both forms are given in all cases. It
should, however, be borne in mind that Tamaghit and Tudalt as given here
represent to some extent the ‘extremes’ of pronunciation in Oudalan and that
many speakers (especially in towns) will use elements of both.
A number of corrections have been made to the material presented in the first
edition. The ‘short form of the cursive’, which exists in Tamaghit but not in Tudalt,
has been more extensively noted. Some vocabulary has been removed as being
uncommon or belonging to other dialects, while other terms common locally have
been added. Various minor errors have been corrected and a section on common
interjections and short set phrases has been added.

8
2 Useful Phrases

9
 2.1 Greetings and leavetakings
Section 3.1 ‘pronunciation’ should be read before using these texts. Ideally, a
native speaker should be consulted for the exact pronunciation.

Greetings
When a man joins a group of men, he will begin with the Arabic greeting:
Ša Za ăssălam ăɣlekum ! (or sǝlam ăɣlekum !)
To which the reply is:
Ša Za ăɣlekum ăssălam !
After that, he begins Tamasheq greetings. (With women, one begins with these.)
Here are a few examples, there are many others:
Ša ma dăr tǝnsed ? How did you sleep?
Za ma dǝr tǝnsed ? How did you sleep?
Ša ma dăr tolăhăd ? How are you?
Za ma dǝr toled ? How are you?
Ša ma tăxlâkăd ? How are you?
Za ma tǝxallăkăd ? How are you?
Za man-ăwen-nak ? How are you doing?
Ša tăgoḍăyăm ? Are you (pl) thankful?
Za tǝggoḍăyăm ? Are you (pl) thankful?
Ša ălɣăyal ma dăr olăh ? How is the family?
Za ăytedăm-năwăn ma dǝr olăn ? How are your people?
Ša aratăn-năk ma dăr olăhăn ? How are your children? (to a man)
Za bărarăn-năk ma dǝr olăn ? How are your children? (to a man)
Ša aratăn-năm ma dăr olăhăn ? How are your children? (to a woman)
Za bărarăn-năm ma dăr olăn ? How are your children? (to a woman)
Ša Za kăyy d-ăsămeḍ ? You and the cold? (to a man)
Ša kăyy d-ălmăẓ ? You and the sunset? (to a man)
Za kăy d-ǝlmǝẓ ? You and the sunset? (to a man)
To all these, and any others, the reply is always:
Ša Za ălxer ɣas ! Peace only! / Fine!
You may also hear:
Ša Za ălxer ɣas tǝbarăk aḷḷah Fine, thanks!
Ša Za ălxămdǝllillay Praise to God!
Ša nămôy e-Măssinăɣ We thank God!

Leavetakings
Ša Za bismilla In the name of God
(This is said before doing any new thing.)
Ša Za ǝgleɣ I am leaving
Ša Za nǝkla bani (May) we pass the day in peace
Ša Za nǝkla (dăɣ) ălxer (May) we pass the day in peace
Ša Za nǝnsa bani (May) we pass the night in peace
Ša Za nǝnsa (dăɣ) ălxer (May) we pass the night in peace
Ša tăhulăd-in ălɣăyal Greet the family
Za tǝhulăd-in ăytedăm-năwăn Greet the family

10
 2.2 Language learning
The following phrases will be useful in beginning to talk to people.

Basic phrases
Ša lammădăɣ Tămašăq I’m learning Tamasheq
Za lammădăɣ Tǝmažǝq I’m learning Tamajeq
Ša Za iket ǝssǝntăɣ I’ve just started
Ša iket ǝssǝntăɣ alămad-ǝnnes I’ve just started learning it
Za iket ǝssǝntăɣ alămad-nes I’ve just started learning it
Ša ărhêɣ ad ǝlmǝdăɣ Tămašăq hullen I want to learn Tamasheq well
Za ǝrêɣ ad ǝlmǝdăɣ Tǝmažǝq hullen I want to learn Tamajeq well
Ša măǵrăd sollan sollan Speak slowly
Za măgrăd sollan sollan Speak slowly

Building vocabulary
Ša ma-môs awa ? What is it?
(From: ma ămôs awa ?)
Za ma-ymôs awa ? What is it?
(From: ma imôs awa ?)
Ša m-isǝm-ǝnnes awa ? What is that called?
(From: ma isǝm-ǝnnes awa ?)
Za m-isǝm-nes awa ? What is that called?
(From: ma isǝm-nes awa ?)
Ša m-isǝm-ǝnnes dăɣ Tămašăq ? What is it called in Tamasheq?
Za m-isǝm-nes dăɣ Tǝmažǝq ? What is it called in Tamajeq?
Ša ma tǝǵed ? What are you doing?
Za ma tǝged ? What are you doing?
Ša m-isǝm-ǝnnăk ? What is your name?
Za m-isǝm-năk ? What is your name?
Ša ma tăšăɣalăd ? What work do you do?
Za ma tašăɣalăd ? What work do you do?

Advanced
Ša as ǝmtăllăɣ sǝsseɣǝdăd-ahi If I make a mistake correct me
Za as mătăllăɣ sǝssiɣǝdăd-i If I make a mistake correct me
Ša Za wǝr ǝsleɣ awa tǝnned I didn’t hear what you said
Ša Za wǝr ǝsleɣ hullen I didn’t hear well
Ša Za wǝr ǝfhemăɣ I didn’t / don’t understand
Ša wǝr ǝǵrehăɣ I didn’t / don’t understand
Za wǝr ǝgreɣ I didn’t / don’t understand
Ša wǝr ǝǵrewăɣ făhăm I didn’t / don’t understand
Za wǝr ǝgrewăɣ făhăm I didn’t / don’t understand
Ša lăɣăt-ahi ma tăǵǵăd s-awa Tell me what you do with that
Za lăɣăt-i ma taggăd s-awa Tell me what you do with that
Ša lăɣăt-ahi ǝššǝɣǝl-ǝnnăk Explain to me your work
Za lăɣăt-i ǝššǝɣǝl-năk Explain to me your work

11
 2.3 Coming and going
These questions form a big part of daily life:
Ša Za mi tǝkkêd ? Where are you going?
Ša Za ǝkkêɣ hebu I’m going to market
Ša mi tǝkked dăɣ tifawt-i ? Where did you go this morning?
Za mi tǝkked dăɣ tufat-a ? Where did you go this morning?
Ša ǝkkeɣ tiwgas I went to the fields
Za ǝkkeɣ tiwǝgas I went to the fields
Ša Za mi dǝt-tǝfălăd? Where have you come from?
Ša ǝfălăɣ-id ehăn I’ve come from home
Za ǝfălăɣ-dǝd ehăn I’ve come from home
Ša ǝfălăɣ-id Onlăter I come from England
Ša mǝnǵǝdu dǝt-tosed ? When did you come here?
Za ǝmme dǝt-tosed ? When did you come here?
Ša ašăl wa-n hebu a dd-oseɣ I came on market day
Za azǝl wa-n hebu a dd-oseɣ I came on market day
Ša Dăwda os-id meɣ ? Has Dawda come?
Za Dăwda os-ăddǝd meɣ ? Has Dawda come?
Ša harwa ! Not yet!
Za hărwa ! Not yet!
Ša wăr d-osa harwa He has not come yet
Za wǝr d-osa hărwa He has not come yet
Ša os-îd He has already come
Za os-âddǝd He has already come
Ša ašǝkka a-dd-as Tomorrow he will come
Za ažăkka a-dd-asu Tomorrow he will come
Ša Za inšăḷḷah God willing
Ša inăftăɣăn-năwăn osăn-id meɣ ? Have your visitors come?
Za inăftăɣăn-năwăn osăn-dǝd meɣ ? Have your visitors come?
Ša făw wăr d-osen harwa No, they haven’t come yet
Za făw wǝr d-osen hărwa No, they haven’t come yet
Ša mǝnǵǝdu ma-dd-asăn When will they come?
Za ǝmme za-dd-asin When will they come?
Ša Za wǝr ǝssenăɣ I don’t know
Ša Za ad ăkkăɣ Gorăn Gorăn I’m going to go to Gorom
Ša mǝnǵǝdu ma-dǝt-tăqqǝlăd ? When will you come back
Za ǝmme za-dǝt-tǝqqǝlăd ? When will you come back
Ša ihâ miši ašǝkka Maybe tomorrow
Za ihâ miži ažăkka Maybe tomorrow
Ša meɣ ašăl wann ǝlitni Or Monday
Za meɣ azǝl wann ǝlitni Or Monday

12
 2.4 Interjections and common phrases
Ša Za iyya Yes
Ša Za ewăḷḷa Yes
Ša Za kăla kăla No
Ša Za făw / few No
Za ăbo / băbo No
Ša Za băriš OK / alright
(Expresses weak agreement.)
Ša Za inšaḷḷa God willing
Ša Za bismilla Welcome / begin …
(lit. ‘In the name of God …’, said to welcome someone, to invite someone to
begin eating, before starting anything new and before leaving.)
Ša Za amina Amen / may it be so
(Said in response to blessings.)
Ša ălxer ăǵǵên Thank you
Za ălxer ăggên Thank you
Za tanǝmmert Thank you
(This last is Tawellemmet and is understood but rarely used in Oudalan.)
Ša ăhûskăt That is good
Za ihôṣṣăy That is good
Ša Za iknâ That is good
Ša wăr ăhuskăt That is not good
Za wǝr ihoṣṣăy That is not good
Ša Za wǝr ikna That is not good
Ša ibrâr That is not good
Za iǵâr That is not good
Ša Za tidǝt It is true / that is right
Ša tidǝt-ǝnnăk You are right
Za tidǝt-năk You are right
Ša Za wăḷḷahi In God’s name (it is true)
Ša Za bahu That is not true
Ša Za bahu-nnăk You are wrong / lying
Ša ănš-ahi-d Forgive me
Za surǝf-i-dǝd Forgive me
Ša ănš-ahi-dd ălxăqq-ǝnnăk Forgive me
Za surǝf-i-dǝd ălxăq-năk Forgive me
Ša Za i măqqărăn You are forgiven
(lit. ‘He is great’)
Ša Za ăḷḷahu ăkbar God is great
(Said in response to hearing of a death, and other shocking events.)
Ša Za aywa So / well then
Ša Za iyyăw Come

13
Ša iyyăw diha Come here
Za iyyăw da Come here
Ša ɣăym Sit down
Za ɣam Sit down
Ša šǝnkǝš-in Move up
Za zǝnkǝz-in Move up
Ša Za alkăs da Here is a glass (of tea)
Ša ărmǝs-ti Take it
Za abǝẓ-tăy Take it
Ša ăẓêd It is good (tastes nice)
Za iẓôḍ it is good (tastes nice)
Ša ăkkûs It is (too) hot
Za ikkûs It is (too) hot
Ša Za ǝyyǝwănăɣ I’m full
Ša Za iket ǝkšeɣ I’ve just eaten
Ša ǝndek-ki ăhalǝs-ǝnnăm ? Where is your husband?
Za ǝndek-ke alǝs-năm ? Where is your husband?
Ša Za izgâr He has gone out / he is out
Ša Za igla He (just) left
Ša imâl-id He is just coming
Za izây-dǝd He is just coming
Ša ǝgǝl Go away
Za ăglu Go away
Ša săkn-ahi Show me
Za săkn-i Show me
Ša Za ăyy-e Leave it alone
Ša soɣǝl-ti (edăgg-ǝnnes) Put it back (in it’s place)
Za suɣǝl-tăy (edăg-nes) Put it back (in it’s place)
Ša Za awi-dd Bring (it) here
Ša zubbǝt Get down
Za zăbbăt Get down
Ša Za eɣăf I can’t believe it
Ša Za iqqăn eɣăf-in I can’t believe it
Ša Za xăy Ouch
Ša Za xay Ah (of pleasure / relief)
Ša Za xa Humph
Ša Za eqq Rubbish

14
 2.5 Days and times

Days of the week

Tamaghit Tudalt
Monday ašăl wann ǝlitni azǝl wann ǝlitni
Tuesday ašăl wann ăttălata azǝl wann ăttănata
Wednesday ašăl wann ăllarba azǝl wann ănarba
Thursday ašăl wann ălxămis azǝl wann ǝlxǝmis
Friday ašăl wann ălžumaɣăt azǝl wann ǝlžămaɣăt
Saturday ašăl wann ǝssǝbǝt azǝl wann ǝssǝbǝt
Sunday ašăl wann ălxăd azǝl wann ălxăd

Months
The names of the months (French or Islamic) are rarely used, but reference is
often made to the moon, e.g.:
Ša ăyor wa dd-imâlăn ad ăkkăɣ Waɣa Next month I will go to Ouaga
Za tallit ta tǝzâyăt ad ăkkăɣ Waɣa Next month I will go to Ouaga
Ša ăyor wa okâyăn ǝkkeɣ Nyăme Last month I went to Niamey
Za tallit ta tokâyat ǝkkeɣ Nyăme Last month I went to Niamey
Ša as ăyor-i ămmut ad ăsakălăɣ At the end of this month I’ll travel
Za as tallit-a tǝmmut ad ǝššikǝlăɣ At the end of this month I’ll travel
(lit. ‘When this moon dies I will travel’)

Seasons
Ša Za ɣarat Harvest
Ša Za ǝs-ɣarat At harvest time
Ša Za tagrǝst Cold season
Ša Za ǝs-tǝgrǝst In cold season
Ša Za ăwelăn Hot season
Ša Za s-ăwelăn In hot season
Ša Za akăsa Wet season
Ša Za s-ăkăsa In rainy season

Other times
Ša ašăl-i ad ăkkăɣ hebu Today, I will go to market
Za azǝl-a ad ăkkăɣ hebu Today, I will go to market
Ša ănḍǝšel, ǝkkeɣ Gorăn Gorăn Yesterday, I went to Gorom
Za ǝnḍazǝl, ǝkkeɣ Gorăn Gorăn Yesterday, I went to Gorom
Ša ašǝkka, ad ăkkăɣ hebu Tomorrow, I will go to market
Za ažăkka, ad ăkkăɣ hebu Tomorrow, I will go to market
Ša ašăl-ăndin The day before yesterday
Za azǝl-ǝndin The day before yesterday

Weeks are expressed by counting markets, e.g.:

Ša dăɣ ǝssin hebutăn ad ăkkăɣ Waɣa In two weeks (markets) I’m
going to Ouaga
Za dăɣ ǝššin hebutăn ad ăkkăɣ Waɣa In two weeks (markets) I’m
going to Ouaga

15
 2.6 Numbers
Numbers up to nineteen vary with gender in Tamasheq:
masculine feminine
Ša Za ǝyyăn ǝyyăt One
Ša ǝssin sănatăt Two
Za ǝššin sănatăt Two
Ša Za kăraḍ kăraḍăt Three
Ša Za ǝkkoẓ ǝkkoẓăt Four
Ša Za sǝmmos sǝmmosăt Five
Ša săḍis săḍisăt Six
Za sǝḍis sǝḍisăt Six
Ša Za ǝssa ǝssayăt Seven
Ša Za ǝttam ǝttamăt Eight
Ša Za tăẓa tăẓayăt Nine
Ša Za măraw mărawăt Ten
E.g.
Ša Za măraw meddăn ǝd-tăẓa Nineteen men
Ša Za mărawăt taraben d-ǝkkoẓăt Fourteen arab women
Ša sănatăt tǝmărwen Twenty
Za sănatăt tǝmǝrwen Twenty
(lit. ‘Two tens’)
Ša kăraḍăt tǝmărwen ǝd sǝmmos Thirty-five
Za kăraḍăt tǝmǝrwen ǝd sǝmmos Thirty-five
Ša Za temeḍe One hundred
Ša Za sănatăt tǝmaḍ Two hundred
Ša Za efăḍ One thousand
Ša Za kăraḍ afḍăn Three thousand
Up to ten the number usually follows the noun, e.g.:
Ša Za imnas ǝkkoẓ Four camels
The number ten can precede the noun with any units following, e.g.
Ša Za măraw ǝmnas d-ǝttam Eighteen camels
Ša Za imnas măraw d-ǝttam Eighteen camels
Numbers over twenty are expressed using ‘n’ and the singular noun, with any part
below twenty following, e.g.:
Ša Za kăraḍăt tǝmărwen n-ǝmnǝs Thirty camels
(lit. ‘Three tens of camel’)
Ša kăraḍăt tǝmaḍ ǝd Three hundred and
sǝmmosăt tǝmărwen n-ǝmnas d-ǝssa fifty-seven camels
Za kăraḍăt tǝmaḍ ǝd Three hundred and
sǝmmosăt tǝmǝrwen n-ǝmnas d-ǝssa fifty-seven camels
Ša Za sǝmmosăt tǝmaḍ n-ǝmnǝs Five hundred
ǝd măraw d-ǝyyăn and eleven camels
(lit. ‘Five hundreds of camel and ten and one’)

16
 2.7 Personal questions
Ša m-isǝm-ǝnnăk ? What is your name? (to a man)
Ša m-isǝm-ǝnnăm ? What is your name? (to a woman)
Ša m-isǝm-ǝnnes ? What is his / her / it’s name?
Ša isǝm-in Dăwda My name is David
Ša isǝm ǝn-ta Măryama The name of that one is Maryama
Za m-isǝm-năk ? What is your name? (to a man)
Za m-isǝm-năm ? What is your name? (to a woman)
Za m-isǝm-nes ? What is his / her / it’s name?
Za isǝm-in Dăwda My name is David
Za isǝm ǝn-ta Măryama The name of that one is Maryama
(In Tudalt the Tawellemmet form eṣǝm may also be heard.)
Ša man-iket elăn-nes ? How old is he / she / it?
Za man-iket elan-nes ? How old is he / she / it?
Ša ila kăraḍ elăn He is three
Za ila kăraḍ elan He is three
(lit. ‘He has three years’)
Ša tădôbănăd meɣ ? Are you married / engaged?
Ša iyya, ădôbănăɣ Yes, I am married
Ša făw, wăr ădobănăɣ harwa No, I am not yet married
Za tǝzlâfăd meɣ ? Are you married / engaged?
Za iyya, ǝzlâfăɣ Yes, I am married
Za făw, wǝr ǝzlefăɣ hărwa No, I am not yet married
Ša man-iket aratăn-năk ? How many children do you have?
Za man-iket bărarăn-năk ? How many children do you have?
Ša Za ǝlêɣ ǝkkoẓ I have four
(It is not good to ask a woman this, as it is tantamount to asking how many
have died – you can see the living ones.)
Ša m-isǝm-ǝnnes tawset-năwăn ? What is your clan called?
Za m-isǝm-nes tawšet-năwăn ? What is your clan called?
Ša ǝndek diha tǝzzăɣăd ? Where do you live?
Za ǝndek da tǝzzăɣăd ? Where do you live?
Ša ǝzzăɣăɣ siha I live over there
Za ǝzzăɣăɣ sa I live over there
(It is correct to indicate with one’s chin not to point.)
Ša Za ti-k ǝd ma-k ǝddârăn meɣ? Are your father and mother alive?
(In Tudalt ti-k is occasionally replaced by ši-k.)
Ša abba ăba-ti My father has died
Za abba-nin ăba-tăy My father has died
(lit. ‘Father, it lacks him’)
Ša anna tǝddâr harwa My mother is still alive
Za anna-nin tǝddâr hărwa My mother is still alive
Ša ǝndek diha tǝzzăɣ ? Where does she live?
Za ǝndek da tǝzzăɣ ? Where does she live?

17
Ša Za tǝhâ Onlăter She is in England
Ša ma-mos ǝššǝɣǝl-ǝnnăk ? What is your work?
Za ma-ymos ǝššǝɣǝl-năk ? What is your work?
Ša tamăḍint a tăǵǵăɣ I’m a shepherd
Za tamǝḍint a taggăɣ I’m a shepherd
(lit. ‘Shepherding, that I do’)
Ša tăhôǵăd dăɣ Mărkoy meɣ ? Have you been in Markoye long?
Za tǝhôgăd dăɣ Mărkoy meɣ ? Have you been in Markoye long?
Ša ǝweɣ diha-dăɣ I was born here
Za ǝhǝwăɣ da-dăɣ I was born here
Ša ǝǵeɣ kăraḍ orăn I have been here three months
Za ǝgeɣ kăraḍăt tǝlil I have been here three months
Ša ad tăhaǵăd diha meɣ ? Are you going to stay here long?
Za ad tihagăd da meɣ ? Are you going to stay here long?
Ša Za wǝr ǝssenăɣ ! I don’t know!

2.8 The market

Ša tosed-id făl hebu meɣ ? Have you come for the market?
Ša ma tǝwwăyăd-id ǝs-hebu ? What have you brought to market?
Ša tisǝd-id hebu kul meɣ ? Do you come every week?
Za tosed-dǝd făl hebu meɣ ? Have you come for the market?
Za ma tewăyăd-dǝd ǝs-hebu ? What have you brought to market?
Za tasăd-dǝd hebu kul meɣ ? Do you come every week?
Ša ma tărhed ? What do you want?
Ša ărhêɣ ad šănšăɣ ătay d-ăssukăr I want to buy tea and sugar
Za ma tǝred ? What do you want?
Za ǝrêɣ ad ăzzănzăɣ ătay d-ǝssukǝr I want to buy tea and sugar
Ša ma-s tămmăɣăd ? What are you looking for?
Ša ǝmmâɣăɣ e-tafăɣăt I’m looking for rice
Za ma (tǝ)gammăyăd ? What are you looking for?
Za ǝgmâyăɣ tafăɣăt I’m looking for rice
Ša ma šănšed ? What are you buying / selling?
Ša šanšeɣ-in enăle I’m selling millet
Za ma zanzăd? What are you buying / selling?
Za zanzăɣ-in enăle I’m selling millet
Ša šănš-e ! Buy it!
Ša kăla kăla wăr t-ărheɣ ! No I don’t want it
Ša wăr hiy-igreẓ I don’t like it
Za zănz-e ! Buy it!
Za kăla kăla wǝr t-ǝreɣ ! No I don’t want it
Za wǝr diy-igreẓ I don’t like it
(lit. ‘It doesn’t please me’)
Prices are always given in multiples of 5 CFA, which is the smallest coin in general
use in the local currency, e.g.:

18
Ša Za awa man-iket ? How much is that?
Ša Za katǝbi ǝyyăn One 5 CFA piece
Ša sănatăt tǝmărwen (ǝn-katǝbităn) Twenty (5 CFA pieces) i.e. 100 CFA
Za sănatăt tǝmǝrwen (ǝn-katǝbităn) Twenty (5 CFA pieces) i.e. 100 CFA
Ša Za măraw 50 CFA
Ša Za efăḍ 5,000 CFA
Ša Za kăraḍ 15,000 CFA (afḍăn is implied)
Ša Za sănatăt 100 CFA or 1,000 CFA
(The value depends on whether tǝmărwen or tǝmaḍ is implied.)
Ša Za kăraḍăt tǝmaḍ ǝd sănatăt (tǝmărwen) 1,600 CFA
Repetition indicates price per item, e.g.:
Ša Za man-iket man-iket ? How much are they each?
Ša Za katǝbi katǝbi awa They are 5 CFA each
Ša Za sǝmmos sǝmmos 25 CFA each
Ša Za kăraḍăt kăraḍăt 150 (or 1,500) CFA each
Ša Za ălbarăka No thanks!
Ša ǝfnăẓ aẓrǝf-ǝnnes Reduce the amount!
Za ǝfnǝẓ aẓrǝf-nes Reduce the amount!
Ša ăṣṣôhăt hullen ! It is very expensive (hard)!
Za iṣṣôhăt hullen ! It is very expensive (hard)!
Ša ăẓẓûwwăt ! It is expensive!
Za iẓẓîwăt ! It is expensive!
Ša igdâh ! Enough!
Za igdâ ! Enough!
Ša wǝr iwweḍ That’s not enough
Za wǝr eweḍ That’s not enough
(lit. ‘It doesn’t arrive’)
Ša siwăḍ aẓrǝf Add money!
Za šiwǝḍ aẓrǝf Add money!
Ša ălxer ăǵǵên ! Thanks very much
Za ălxer ǝggên ! Thanks very much
Ša Za iyya Yes
Ša Za făw / few No
Ša Za kăla kăla No
Ša ăkf-ahi sǝmmos ! Give me 25 CFA!
Za ăkf-i sǝmmos ! Give me 25 CFA!
Ša ănš-ahi ! Forgive me!
Za surǝf-i-dǝd ! Forgive me!
Ša Za wǝr ǝleɣ aẓrǝf I have no money
Ša Za wǝr ǝleɣ ǝmbǝtša I have no change
Ša Za wǝr ǝleɣ tšenǵi I have no change

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 2.9 There is / there are
This construction is formed by the verb ăll/ăllu ‘to exist / be present’ + the direct
object pronoun, e.g.:
Ša Za ill-ê ǝmnǝs There is a camel
Ša Za wăr t-illa There isn’t one
Ša Za wăr t-illa ǝmnǝs dăɣ ăɣalla There isn’t a camel in the yard
Ša tǝll-ê tămăṭṭ ? Are you married?
(lit. ‘Is there a woman?’)
Ša wăr ti-tǝlla There isn’t one
Ša wăr ti-tǝlla tămăṭṭ dăɣ torǝft There isn’t a woman in the car
Za tǝll-ê tǝnṭuṭ ? Are you married?
(lit. ‘Is there a woman?’)
Za wǝr te-tǝlla There isn’t one
Za wǝr te-tǝlla tǝnṭuṭ dăɣ torǝft There isn’t a woman in the car
Ša ǝllân-ti san ? Is there meat? (isan is plural)
Ša wăr t-ǝllen ašăl-i There is none today.
Za ǝllân-tăy san Is there meat? (isan is plural)
Za wǝr t-ǝllen azǝl-a There is none today.
Ša ǝllânăt-ti wan dăɣ hebu ? Are there cows in the market?
Ša ǝllânăt-ti There are!
Ša wăr t-ǝllenăt There aren’t any
Za ǝllânăt-tăy šitan dăɣ hebu ? Are there cows in the market?
Za ǝllânăt-tăy There are!
Za wǝr t-ǝllenăt There aren’t any
Note the difference between illa ‘it exists / is present’ and ila ‘he owns’, e.g.:
Ša Adamu illâ diha Adamu is there
Za Adamu illâ da Adamu is there
Ša Adamu ilâ tas Adamu has a cow
Za Adamu ilâ tast Adamu has a cow

2.10 Location
Several different verbs are used when describing location, e.g.:
Ša Măryama tǝllâ diha meɣ ? Is Mary there?
Ša făw, wăr tǝlla diha No, she is not there
Za Măryama tǝllâ da meɣ ? Is Mary there?
Za făw, wǝr tǝlla da No, she is not there
Ša Za Măryama tǝhâ ehăn Mary is in the house
Ša Za ǝlkǝttab iwâr (făl) ṭabǝl The book is on the table
Ša Za ǝlkǝttab illâ daw ṭabǝl The book is under the table
Ša Za tanda tǝllâ dat ăhăn The lean-to is in front of the house
Ša tanda tohâẓ ehăn The lean-to is close to the house
Za tanda tǝhôẓ ehăn The lean-to is close to the house

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 2.11 Sample drills
Drills are the substitution of words within a phrase to produce a new one. By
practising changing Tamasheq phrases you will become familiar with the patterns
of the language. The simplest level is to change the noun that is the object of a
verb, e.g.:
Ša Za ǝkkêɣ hebu I am going to market
Ša Za ǝkkêɣ anu I am going to the well
Ša Za ǝkkêɣ ehăn I am going home
Ša ǝkkêɣ ɣor ǝmidi-nin I am going to my friend’s
Za ǝkkêɣ ɣur ǝmidi-nin I am going to my friend’s
Ša ǝkkêɣ siha I am going over there
Za ǝkkêɣ sa I am going over there
Ša ărhêɣ aman I want water
Ša ărhêɣ enăle I want millet
Ša ărhêɣ ătay I want tea
Za ǝrêɣ aman I want water
Za ǝrêɣ enăle I want millet
Za ǝrêɣ ătay I want tea
You can then try more complex phrases, e.g.:
Ša ărhêɣ ad šănšăɣ ătay I want to buy tea
Ša ărhêɣ ad šănšăɣ ătay ǝn-măraw I want to buy 50 CFA of tea
d-ăssukăr ǝn-măraw and 50 CFA of sugar
Ša ărhêɣ ad ăkkăɣ hebu I want to go to market
Ša ărhêɣ ad ǝlmǝdăɣ Tămašăq I want to learn Tamasheq
Za ǝrêɣ ad ăzzănzăɣ ătay I want to buy tea
Za ǝrêɣ ad ăzzănzăɣ ătay ǝn-măraw I want to buy 50 CFAof tea
d-ǝssukǝr ǝn-măraw and 50 CFA of sugar
Za ǝrêɣ ad ăkkăɣ hebu I want to go to market
Za ǝrêɣ ad ǝlmǝdăɣ Tǝmažǝq I want to learn Tamajeq
Try using the verb awi-d ‘bring here’ with different objects, e.g.:
Ša Za awi-dd aman Bring water (here)!
Ša Za awi-dd aẓrǝf Bring money!
Ša awi-dd tetăte Bring food!
Za awi-dd teṭṭe Bring food!
The next level is to change the person of the verb, e.g.:
Ša ǝnhăyăɣ ăhalǝs ǝyyăn I saw a man
Ša tǝnhăyăd ăhalǝs ǝyyăn You (sg) saw a man
Ša inhăy ăhalǝs ǝyyăn He saw a man
Ša tǝnhăy ăhalǝs ǝyyăn She saw a man
Ša nǝnhăy ăhalǝs ǝyyăn We saw a man
Ša tǝnhăyăm ăhalǝs ǝyyăn You (mpl) saw a man
Ša tǝnhăymăt ăhalǝs ǝyyăn You (fpl) saw a man
Ša ǝnhăyăn ăhalǝs ǝyyăn They (m) saw a man
Ša ǝnhăynăt ăhalǝs ǝyyăn They (f) saw a man
Za ǝnăyăɣ alǝs ǝyyăn I saw a man
Za tǝnăyăd alǝs ǝyyăn you saw a man

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Za inăy alǝs ǝyyăn He saw a man
Za tǝnăy alǝs ǝyyăn She saw a man
Za nǝnăy alǝs ǝyyăn We saw a man
Za tǝnăyăm alǝs ǝyyăn You (mpl) saw a man
Za tǝnăymăt alǝs ǝyyăn You (fpl) saw a man
Za ǝnăyăn alǝs ǝyyăn They (m) saw a man
Za ǝnăynăt alǝs ǝyyăn They (f) saw a man
Ša Za ǝktăbăɣ tăkarḍe I wrote a letter
Ša Za tǝktăbăd tăkarḍe You wrote a letter
Ša Za ǝlmădăɣ ismawăn ăynaynen I learned new words
Ša Za tǝlmădăd ismawăn ăynaynen You learned new words
Ša ǝnhăyăɣ amnǝs I saw a camel
Ša inhăy amnǝs He saw a camel
Ša tǝnhăy amnǝs She saw a camel
Za ǝnăyăɣ amnǝs I saw (or rode!) a camel
Za inăy amnǝs He saw (or rode!) a camel
Za tǝnăy amnǝs She saw (or rode!) a camel
Next try negatives, e.g.:
Ša ǝnhăyăɣ tas I saw a cow
Ša wǝr ǝnheyăɣ tas I didn’t see a cow
Za ǝnăyăɣ tast I saw a cow
Za wǝr ǝneyăɣ tast I didn’t see a cow
Try answering questions, e.g.:
Ša Za tǝktăbăd tăkarḍe meɣ ? Have you written the letter?
Ša Za iyya, ǝktăbăɣ tăkarḍe Yes, I wrote the letter
Ša Za făw, wǝr ǝktebăɣ tăkarḍe No, I haven’t written a letter
Don’t rush into using pronouns, but as you progress use them, e.g.:
Ša Za iyya, ǝktăbăq-qăt Yes, I have written it
Ša Za făw, wăr tăt-ǝktebăɣ No, I haven’t written it
Move on to using different aspects, e.g.:
Ša mǝnǵǝdu m-a-dd-as ? When will he come?
Ša a-dd-as ašǝkka He will come tomorrow
Ša wăr ma-dd-as He will not come
Za ǝmme za-dd-asu ? When will he come?
Za a-dd-asu ažăkka He will come tomorrow
Za wǝr za-dd-asu He will not come
Za ǝmba-dd-asu He will not come
(The last form is considered ‘ugly’ Tamajeq by some.)
Then try changing between aspects, e.g.:
Ša ǝnhăyăɣ Măryama I saw Mary
Ša ašăl kul hannăyăɣ Măryama Every day I see Mary
Za ǝnăyăɣ Măryama I saw Mary
Za azǝl kul hannăyăɣ Măryama Every day I see Mary
Practise verbs from each verb group to get used to how the different ones work.

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3 Grammatical notes

23
 3.1 Pronunciation
Tamasheq phonology has affinities with Arabic. As such, it is generally considered
difficult for native speakers of European or Sub-Saharan African languages. However,
there are only a limited number of unfamiliar sounds, and with practice anyone can
master them. The language learner should not be intimidated by these notes, rather
take them as a reference to compare with what you hear and write down. In the
descriptions that follow it is assumed that the reader is familiar with the sounds of
English and French. IPA symbols are given in square brackets.

The vowels
Tamasheq has only two short vowel sounds:
ă [æ] as in English ‘cat’
ǝ [ǝ] as in French ‘je’
Tamasheq has five long vowel phonemes giving seven long vowel sounds:
a [a] as in English ‘hard’ or ‘father’
e [e] as in French ‘né’
e + emphatic [ɛ] as in French ‘père’
i [i] as in French ‘ni’
o [o] as in French ‘eau’
o + emphatic [ɔ] as in English ‘odd’ or French ‘corps’
u [u] as in French ‘tout’
In the stative aspect of the verb, a vowel can be heavily stressed. It is longer than a
standard long vowel and heavily accented. These are written:
â, î, ê, û, ô (even ǝ̂ although this is rare).

Semi vowels
These are much the same as the English semi-vowels:
w [w] as in English ‘win’ or ‘we’
y [j] as in English ‘you’

Vowel + semi vowels

These combinations are worth noting:
ǝw = u [u] as in French ‘tout’
ăw [æʊ] almost as English ‘low’ but shorter
aw [aʊ] as in English ‘now’
ew [ew] the two sounds follow as in French ‘néo-’
iw [iw] the two sounds follow as in English ‘seaward’
ow [ow] as in English ‘know’ or ‘low’
uw [u or uw] similar to English ‘food’
ǝy = i [i] as in French ‘ni’
ăy [æi] similar to English ‘day’
ay [ai] as in English ‘eye’
ey [ej] the sounds follow as in French ‘déisme’
iy [ij] the sounds follow as in English ‘piano’ or ‘need’
oy [oj] as in English ‘boy’
uy [uj] similar to English ‘boy’ but less open

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In Tawellemmet, final ‘o’ and ‘e’ become ‘-ăw’ and ‘-ăy’ pronounced almost as in
English ‘low’ and ‘day’ respectively (i.e. as diphthongs). In Tamaghit and Tudalt
equivalent words will be spelled with final ‘-o’ and ‘-e’ and pronounced as a pure
vowel, although in Tudalt the Tawellemmet pronunciation may also be heard, e.g.:
Ša Za takute, cf Za: takutăy

Consonants
b [b] as in English ‘bat’
d [d] as in English ‘day’
ḍ [dˁ] emphatic ‘d’
f [f] as in English ‘fed’
g [ɡ] as in English ‘get’
ɣ [ɣ] as in Parisian French ‘rue’
h [h] as in English ‘hat’
ǵ [ɡʲ] palatalised ‘g’, similar to English ‘due’
(‘ǵ’ is absent in Tudalt, ‘g’ takes its place)
k [k] as in English ‘kit’
l [l] as in English ‘leg’
ḷ [lˁ] emphatic ‘l’ (only in a few words borrowed from Arabic)
m [m] as in English ‘mat’
n [n] as in English ‘net’
ŋ [ŋ] (rare) like English ‘bang’ without pronouncing ‘g’
q [q] a ‘k’ further back in the throat as in Arabic ‘qaf’
r [r] rolled ‘r’ as in Scots ‘red’ or West African French ‘rue’
s [s] as in English ‘sat’
š [ʃ ] as in English ‘ship’
ṣ [sˁ] emphatic ‘s’ (only in words borrowed from Arabic)
t [t] as in English ‘tap’
ṭ [tˁ] emphatic ‘t’
x [x] as in Scots ‘loch’ or German ‘Bach’
z [z] as in English ‘zoo’
ž [ʒ] as in English ‘vision’ or French ‘je’
(rare in Tamaghit)
ẓ [zˁ] emphatic ‘z’

Emphatic sounds
The sounds ḍ, ḷ, ṣ, ṭ, ẓ are emphatic. They are produced by tightening the muscles
of the pharynx as the sound is produced. As well as these five sounds, the sounds ɣ,
h, q, r, x, ŋ are considered emphatic in Tamasheq. Their main effect is the opening
of any vowel which immediately precedes them. The effect is much stronger in
Tamaghit than in Tudalt, i.e.:
‘ǝ’ becomes ‘ă’ (but only in Tamaghit)
‘e’ or ‘i’ become ‘e’, pronounced ‘è’ as in French ‘père’
(although ‘i’ may be less open)
‘o’ or ‘u’ become ‘o’, pronounced as in English ‘ought’
(although ‘u’ may be less open)

25
Glottal stop
The glottal stop exists in Tamasheq but is unwritten. Unlike in Arabic, the glottal
stop is not an independent phoneme and it cannot appear in the middle of a word.
There are two situations where it occurs in Tamasheq:
a) When a word beginning with a vowel is not preceded by a word with
which it can make a liaison. Speakers of English tend to do this as well so
for Anglophones no effort is needed. Those whose first language is not
English may need to take care with this, e.g.:
ikka hebu There is a glottal stop before the ‘i’.
Musa os-id There is a glottal stop between ‘a’ and ‘o’.
edăgg ǝyyăn There is a glottal stop before the ‘e’ but
the ‘ǝ’ forms a liaison with the second ‘g’
and so there is no glottal stop before the ‘ǝ’.
b) A final long ‘a’ ending a phrase is made very short, cut off abruptly by a
glottal stop, e.g.:
kăla kăla ! (pronounced: kăla kălă’) No! / no way! / never!
iknâ (pronounced: ’iknă’) It is good / sorted out

Syllables
Only three types of syllable exist in Tamasheq:
a) Open CV
b) Closed CVC
c) Closed with extra consonant CVCC
(only in special circumstances)
Notes:
i) The first consonant may be an unwritten glottal stop, e.g. ăkos ‘bowl’ is CV-CVC.
ii) In Tudalt the extra consonant can only be ‘t’ at the end of feminine nouns, e.g.
tăkost ‘small bowl’, which is CV-CVCC.
iii) In Tamaghit it can be a ‘t’ as in Tudalt or, only in the case of Group IA7 verbs,
any consonant except ‘l’ or ‘n’, e.g. ăns ‘lie down’ which is CVCC.
iv) Tamasheq words in a phrase frequently form liaisons so as to form the correct
syllable structure (avoiding too many glottal stops).

Further sounds
The following exist in Arabic words and are used in Maraboutic dialects in Mali
and Niger. I have not heard them used in Burkina. The roman script symbols are
those used by DNAFLA, the Malian government literacy agency.
ḥ [ħ] pharyngeal ‘h’ as in Moḥămmăd
(most Tamasheq use ‘x’ instead)
ç [ʕ] pharyngeal voiced counterpart as in çisa
(most Tamasheq use ‘ɣ’ instead)

Doubled Consonants
In Tamasheq, consonants may be single or doubled (geminated). The doubled
consonant is longer, pronounced at the end of one sylable and the beginning of the
next. This is very important and can convey a total difference in meaning, e.g.:
idăl (i.e. ’i-dăl) He begged
iddăl (i.e. ’id-dăl) He played

26
Note that normally, double ‘ɣ’ becomes: ‘qq’
Note that normally, double ‘ḍ’ becomes: ‘ṭṭ’
Note that normally, double ‘w’ becomes: ‘gg’ (never ‘ǵǵ’)
E.g.:
iwăt He hit
itǝggat (from itǝwwat) He hits
eḍǝs Sleep
iṭṭâs (from iḍḍâs) He is sleeping
oɣǝl Returning
iqqăl He returned
Normally ‘q’ and ‘ṭ’ only occur doubled, although there are a few exceptions.

Merging of consonants
When two consonants come together in a word or a phrase, they may partially
assimilate.
When a voiced consonant is followed by a voiceless one it also becomes voiceless,
e.g.:
eḍkăr becomes eṭkăr
eɣšăd becomes exšăd
eɣtăs becomes extăs
ad tǝnǝyăd becomes at tǝnǝyăd
Certain other sounds also merge with ‘t’ or ‘k’ when these follow them because
they are considered hard to say together, e.g.:
-ɣt becomes -qq
-ɣk becomes -qq
-kt becomes -kk
-ǵt becomes -kk
-gt becomes -kk
This is especially noticeable at feminine endings (the effect of the doubling is lost
at the end of a word, at least in Tudalt, unless followed by a vowel), e.g.:
Ša tămašăɣt becomes tămašăqq Tamasheq
Za tǝmažǝɣt becomes tǝmažǝq Tamajeq
Ša tamăẓẓugt becomes tamăẓẓukk ear
Za tamǝẓẓugt becomes tamǝẓẓuk ear
Ša Za ǝndek-tăt ? becomes ǝndek-kăt ? which one? (f) /
where is she?
Ša ǝnhăyăɣ-kăy becomes ǝnhăyăq-qăy I saw you
Za ǝnăyăɣ-kăy becomes ǝnăyăq-qăy I saw you
Ša išăǵ-tăt becomes išăk-kăt he chased her
Za izăg-tăt becomes izăk-kăt he chased her
Ša ǝkkeɣ ɣor-ǝs becomes ǝkkeq-qor-ǝs I went to his place
Za ǝkkeɣ ɣur-ǝs becomes ǝkkeq-qur-ǝs I went to his place

This kind of merging does not occur in the middle of words (e.g. iktăb, eɣtăs).

27
Swallowed vowels
When a phrase gives consecutive vowels the first or the shorter is often lost,
especially in frequently said formulae or rapid speech, e.g.:
Ša ma isǝm-ǝnnes ? is pronounced:
m-isǝm-ǝnnes ? What is his name?
Ša mi ărhăn ? may be pronounced:
mi-rhăn ? Who do they want?
Ša ma ămôs awa ? is pronounced:
ma-môs awa ? What is that?
Ša aǵǝnna ikna ewet may be pronounced:
aǵǝnna ikn-ewet It rained hard
Za ma isǝm-nes ? is pronounced:
m-isǝm-nes ? What is his name?
Za mi ǝrăn ? may be pronounced:
mi-răn ? Who do they want?
Za ma ǝrăn? may be pronounced:
ma-răn? What do they want?
Za ăkonak ikna ewet may be pronounced:
ăkonak ikn-ewet It rained hard

Fleeting ‘y’ sound

Note that the 3msg verb and the msg participle begin with ‘y’, but this is dropped
or contracted to ‘i’ in Tudalt and Tamaghit. If it is preceded by a vowel the ‘y’ may
re-appear in the pronunciation at least as a fleeting sound especially in Tudalt,
e.g.:
Ša Za wa okărăn may be pronounced:
wa-yokărăn The one who stole
Za ma imôs awa ? is pronounced:
ma-ymôs awa ? What is that?

Difficult sounds
Anglophones tend to find the following sounds difficult: ḍ, ɣ, q, r, ṣ, ṭ, x, ẓ
(although Scots should have no trouble with ‘r’ or ‘x’).
Certain distinctions can give difficulties, e.g.:
ǝ from ă
ă from a
e from i
o from u
q from k
d from ḍ
t from ṭ
s from ṣ
z from ẓ
ɣ from x
ɣ from r

28
 ɣ from q (at the end of a word)
x from h
single from doubled
Here are a few pitfalls for English speakers when it comes to writing the language
down (these are based on my own early mistakes and those I have observed others
making):
a) Mistakenly hearing the short English vowels ‘i’ (pit), ‘u’ (duck), ‘e’ (pen),
‘o’ (cot) ‘u’. All of these tend to be heard when ‘ǝ’ or ‘ă’ are used in certain
contexts. If ‘i’, ‘e’, ‘o’ or ‘u’ is written these may then be confused with the
long Tamasheq vowels.
b) Writing ‘ay’ instead of ‘ey’ (by analogy with English ‘day’), and conversely
reading ‘ay’ as if it rhymes with ‘day’, (it rhymes with ‘die’).
c) Mistakenly writing ‘ar’ for a long ‘a’ by analogy with English ‘cart’ etc.
Similarly with ‘o’ and ‘e’ before emphatics, e.g. writing oḍa ‘he fell’, as orda
‘he thought’.
d) Failing to hear doubled consonants and writing them as single or vice
versa.
e) Failing to hear emphatics – especially after ‘a’ where they do not change
the vowel sound.
f) Mixing up similar sounds (see examples below).
g) Missing ‘h’ at the end of a word in Tamaghit, e.g. igdăh ‘it is enough’,
nolăh ‘we resemble each other’.

Examples of similar sounds

These examples are drawn largely from Tamaghit:

ḍ vs d
E.g.:
After ḍarăt dat Before
And women ǝd-ḍeḍen d-edes Alongside
Wind aḍu adi That
He wronged eḍlăm idlăl He danced
He fell oḍa orda He thinks
He will accept ad ărḍu ad erdu He will suppose
He hated ikyăḍ ikyăd He inspects
He scrapes ikrăḍ ikrăd He ties
He arrived iwwăḍ iwwăd He is gentle
It isn’t soft wăr lǝmmeḍ wǝr ilmed He hasn’t learned
(Note that ‘ḍḍ’ is extremely rare, e.g. teḍḍant ‘a census’, ăḍḍǝkoḍ ‘approximately’.)

d vs dd
E.g.:
He begs idăl iddăl He plays
He stopped ibdăd ibaddăd He is stopping
Deer edăm ăddinăt People

29
Someone măndam meddăn Men
A seed ădom ăddăbara A solution
Place edăgg iddăr He lives

ḍ vs dd
E.g.:
Leg aḍăr iddăr He lives
Six săḍis seddeɣ Yet (=harwa)
Wind aḍu ăddunya World
They are naughty ǝššâḍăn šăddîǵăn They are clean

tt vs ṭṭ
E.g.:
He sought ittăr eṭṭăs He slept
He was arrested ittărmăs eṭṭăf He held
They sought ǝttărăn ăṭṭăsăn They slept
He eats itatt teṭṭ Eye
(Single ‘ṭ’ is quite rare, except where it formed from a ‘ḍ’ in contact with an unvoiced
consonant, e.g. tekăṭkăṭṭ, iṭkăr, but note ăššeṭan and a few other exceptions.)

z vs ẓ
E.g.:
Cock ekăz ogăẓ He protects
First ăzzârăn aẓarăn Arteries
Season ăzzăman tăẓẓăǵ It is milked
Divorce amǝzzi ămaẓla A cold
Adultery ǝzzǝna aẓǝkka Tomb
He lived izzăɣ eẓẓăl He reaches out

x vs ɣ
E.g.:
Milk axx ohăɣ He pillaged
(Man’s name) Moxammăd ɣor ‘Chez’
(Woman’s name) Răxmatu Tăɣlǝs (Woman’s name)
It is spoiled exšâd eɣaššăd He spoils
He cut down extăs eɣattăs He cuts down

x vs h
E.g.:
Peace ălxer ălhăm Anger
Creating axălak ahălak Destroying
Creation axluk ahluk Destruction
Authority ălxǝkum alăhas Massacre
(Man’s name) Exya ohâẓ It is near

q vs ɣ (final)
E.g.:
Cloth tabdoqq lammădăɣ I learn

30
Time ălwăqq ămašăɣ Tuareg
Guest (f) tănaftaqq ănaftaɣ Guest (m)
Tuareg (f) Tămašăqq imušaɣ Tuaregs

single vs double consonants

E.g.:
Be able! dubǝt zubbǝt Get down!
Lack iba abba My father
He hired ifăr iffăr He hid
Entry ugǝš iggăš He entered
You did tǝǵed taǵǵăd You do
Heat tăkusse ăkkûs It is hot
He made ikna ikka He went
He has ila illa He exists
He is coming imâl-id tǝmmal Praise
He rode inăy inna He said
Well anu anna My mother

3.2 Writing systems

Roman script
The alphabet used in this grammar is the one used by Prasse in the latest edition of
his Lexique. It is very similar to that of the Malian government’s national literacy
program DNAFLA. (The differences being the use of ‘ǵ’ rather than DNAFLA’s ‘j’ for
the palatalised ‘g’ sound and the use of ‘ ̂’ above the stressed vowels of the stative
aspect rather than writing the vowels twice e.g. ăkûs ‘it is hot’ rather than ăkuus ‘it
is hot’.) The government literacy programme in Burkina uses the DNAFLA system
except for the emphatics ḍ, ḷ, ṣ, ṭ, ẓ, where Burkina currently uses ‘hooked’ letters
(a small diacritic is attached to the top right hand corner of the letter as in
Fulfulde, e.g. ‘ɗ ’). In Niger a different system was used until recently and this is the
system used in the earlier works mentioned in the bibliography.
The following characters differ between the first and second editions of Prasse’s
lexique:
ɣ replaces former gh
ǵ replaces former gy (only to note words of other dialects)
š replaces former sh
x replaces former kh
ž replaces former j
Note that ‘j’ represents different sounds in the DNAFLA and old Niger systems. The
Prasse system avoids this potential cause of confusion.
The DNAFLA system conserves the ‘dictionary’ form of words, not showing even
obligatory contractions or assimilations, and so does not correspond to actual
pronunciation. For example, initial vowel shortening in the annexed state (see
Section 3.3) is not shown and the directional particle ‘dd’ is always shown as ‘dd’
(see Section 3.7). I have preferred to write down what is said, e.g.:

31
 DNAFLA Pronounced
Tămašăɣt Tămašăqq Tamasheq
tamăẓẓujt tamăẓẓukk Ear
a-dd-tas a-dǝt-tas She will come
hebu wa-n iwan hebu wa-n wan The cattle market

Tifinagh script
Tifinagh is the traditional Tamasheq alphabet. It is a consonantal script possibly
derived from Phoenician and dating back over 2,000 years as represented in the
Libyco-Berber alphabets. It is known in Oudalan, but not widely used for
communication. For more information on Tifinagh see:
Prasse (1972, p. 152-157)
Claudot-Hawad (1993, p. 139)
Pichler (2007)

Arabic script
The sounds of Tamasheq are very similar to those of Arabic, and it is relatively
easy for those who have become literate in Arabic through Quranic education to
write Tamasheq in Arabic script. In Burkina this is probably more common than
the use of Tifinagh.

The consonants in the three alphabets

Only the ‘free’ form of each Arabic character is shown. Some of these vary slightly
from standard orthography, but rather represent the way Arabic is written by
hand in the Sahel. To vocalise the Arabic the standard vowel markings are used
with several different systems for coping with the extra vowel sounds in
Tamasheq. For example, ‘ǝ’ may be marked as a short ‘ă’ (fatḥa) or a short ‘i’
(kasra). The distinctions o / u and e / i are generally not made. Whether long or
short Arabic vowels are used to represent these varies. Tifinagh does not show
vowels except for a final ‘a’ represented by a point ‘A’, although final e/i are
sometimes represented by y and final o/u by w. Ligatures, important elsewhere,
are little used locally and not given here.

Roman Tifinagh Arabic

b b L
d d e
ḍ æ |
f F ¶
g g T
ǵ g \
32
 Roman Tifinagh Arabic

ɣ c ®
h h Ê
k k º
l l ¾
m m Â
n n Æ
q q ‹
r r i
s s p
ṣ s w
š H t
t t P
ṭ t (or X) ¢
w w Ë
x x d
y y Ô
z z or  k
ẓ j (or Ÿ) ¦
ž Z or z X
For these last three, the first Tifinagh form is Tamaghit. The alternative form is
Tudalt, although many Tudalt speaking users of Tifinagh have assimilated to using
the Tamaghit forms.

33
A typical greeting at the beginning of a letter in Tamasheq would be ‘This is me
Dawda, I greet Maryama a lot’. This is rendered in the three systems below. In the
Tifinagh note the punctuation mark (used for all kinds of pause) and the raised
form of the ‘n’ of hullen; both ‘n’ and ‘l’ use this raised form after another ‘n’ or ‘l’
to prevent the ambiguity of a series of vertical strokes. The Tifinagh here is
written left-to-right but it can also be written right-to-left or preferably bottom-
to-top. The side-opening letters (such as ‘m’) always open in the direction of
writing. The vocalisation of the Arabic is typical for Oudalan but is not the only
system used.

awa năkk Dăwda, ăhulăɣ-in Măryama hullen

wA nk dwdA. hlcn mrymA hlN.

„ÅÎê÷»Ì‚Ç gÁgÍ„jg¿ „ÅÎê¬ò»ÌƒÇAò eä „Ëeä é¸gà gËAò

3.3 Nouns
Tamasheq nouns have gender; they are either masculine or feminine. Most
masculine nouns begin with an ‘a’ (or another vowel) in the singular and an ‘i’ in
the plural. Most feminine nouns begin with ‘t’. Words that begin with other letters
are usually foreign words and can be either gender.

Regular nouns
Singular Plural
Masculine a-…- i-…-ăn
e.g. amɣar imɣarăn
Feminine ta-…-t ti-…-en
e.g. tamɣart timɣaren
Many common nouns follow this pattern, e.g.:
Ša Za amɣar Elder / old man imɣarăn Elders / old men
Ša Za tamɣart Elder / old woman timɣaren Old women
Ša Za amăḍray Younger brother imăḍrayăn Younger brothers
Ša Za tamăḍrayt Younger sister timăḍrayen Younger sisters
Ša Za amăqqar Older brother imăqqarăn Older brothers
Ša Za tamăqqart Older sister timăqqaren Older sisters
Ša Za abroɣ Blanket ibroɣăn Blankets
Ša Za abuyǝs Injury ibuyǝsăn Injuries
Za amǝnokal Chief imǝnokalăn Chiefs
Ša Za amăḍan Shepherd imăḍanăn Shepherds
Ša tamăẓẓukk Ear timăẓẓuǵen Ears
(ǵt=kk)
Za tamǝẓẓuk Ear timǝẓẓugen Ears
(gt=kk)

34
Others have intial short ‘ă’ rather than ‘a’. This is common where a long vowel
follows the first consonant, e.g.:
Ša Za ămaraw Parent imarawăn Parents
Ša Za ănaftaɣ Guest inaftaɣăn Guests
Ša Za tănaftaq(q) Guest (f) tinaftaɣen Guests (f)
(ɣt=qq)
Ša Za ămawaḍ Adolescent imawaḍăn Adolescents
Ša Za tămawaṭ(ṭ) Adolescent (f) timawaḍen Adolescents (f)
Ša tăsokalt Spoon tisokalen Spoons
Za tăšokalt Spoon tišokalen Spoons
Ša ămănokal Chief imănokalăn Chiefs
Za ămažǝɣ Tuareg imažǝɣăn Tuaregs
A few have replaced the initial long ‘a’ with ‘e’, e.g.:
Ša esen Tooth isenăn Teeth
Za ešen Tooth išenăn Teeth
Ša enhăḍ Craftsman inhăḍăn Craftsmen
Za enăḍ Craftsman inăḍăn Craftsmen
Ša ešeḍ Donkey išeḍăn Donkeys

Other plurals
Some nouns have a constant initial vowel that does not change and form the plural
simply by adding the ending ‘-ăn’ (or ‘-en’ if feminine), e.g.:
Ša Za arab Arab arabăn Arabs
Ša Za alkăs Glass alkăsăn Glasses

Ša taylalt Guinea fowl taylalen Guinea fowl

Za tăylalt Guinea fowl tăylalen Guinea fowl
Ša terǵit Contribution terǵiten Contributions
Za tirgit Contribution tirgiten Contributions
Ša Za tulat Species / type tulaten Species / types
In many nouns where the singular ends in a vowel the plural takes ‘-tăn’ (feminine
‘-ten’). Many, but not all, words like this are of ‘foreign’ origin, e.g.:
Ša ălfăqqi (Religous) teacher ălfăqqităn Teachers
Za ǝlfǝqqi (Religous) teacher ǝlfǝqqităn Teachers
Ša Za bokǝti Bucket bokǝtităn Buckets
Ša Za hebu Market hebutăn Markets
Ša Za zăbo Road zăbotăn Roads
Ša Za tanda Lean-to tandaten Lean-tos
Ša Za aḍu Wind / odour aḍutăn Winds / odours
Ša Za bahu Lie bahutăn Lies
Verbal nouns of weak ‘t’ ending verbs are similar, e.g.:
Ša alǝnǵi Carrying (on head) ilǝnǵităn Carryings / loads
Za alǝngi Carrying (on head) ilǝnităn Carryings / loads
Ša afrǝšši Madness ifrǝššităn Kinds of madness
Za afǝrǝšši Madness ifǝrǝššităn Kinds of madness
Ša atkǝntǝki Sifting itkǝntǝkităn Siftings
Za atǝkǝntǝki Sifting itǝkǝntǝkităn Siftings

35
Another group of nouns takes ‘-awăn’ (feminine ‘-awen’) with or without initial
vowel change, e.g.:
Ša Za elăm Skin ilămawăn Skins /hides
Ša Za amidi Friend imidawăn Friends
Ša Za tamidit Friend (f) timidawen Friends (f)
Ša talăqqe Dependent tilăqqewen Dependents
Za talǝqqe Dependent tilǝqqawen Dependents
Ša Za isǝm Name ismawăn Names
Ša ulh Heart ulhawăn Hearts
Ša teṭṭ Eye teṭṭawen Eyes
Za šăṭṭ Eye šiṭṭawen Eyes
Za tǝẓoli Iron tiẓolǝyawen Iron things
Many nouns have changes to the internal vowels between singular and plural.
There are many types of change. Many nouns fall into one of the groups listed
below, those that don’t are best treated as if irregular, e.g.:
Ša amăɣid Herder class man imɣad Herder class men
Za amǝɣid Herder class man imǝɣad Herder class men
Ša tamăɣitt Herder woman timɣad Herder women
Za tamǝɣit Herder woman timǝɣad Herder women
Ša egăḍeḍ Bird igḍaḍ Birds
Za agǝḍiḍ Bird igǝḍaḍ Birds
Ša afăḍis Hammer ifḍas Hammers
Za afǝḍis Hammer ifǝḍas Hammers
Ša adăfor Cushion idfar Cushions
Za adăfor Cushion idǝfar Cushions
Ša tawăgost Field tiwgas Fields
Za tawăgost Field tiwǝgas Fields
Ša ăkal Homeland / earth ikallăn Lands / countries
Ša ăfud Knee ifaddăn Knees
Ša ăgeẓ Cheek igaẓẓăn Cheeks
Ša ămud Prayer imaddăn Prayers / fete
Za ăkal Homeloand ikăllăn Lands / countries
Za ăfud Knee ifăddăn Knees
Za ǝgiẓ Cheek igăẓẓăn Cheeks
Za ǝmud Prayer imăddăn Prayers / fete
Many instrumental nouns form their plurals as follows, e.g.:
Ša Za asǝdwǝl Plant isǝdwal Plants
Ša Za asǝksǝl Dustpan / shovel isǝksal Shovels
Ša Za asǝkbǝl Support isǝkbal Supports
Ša Za asǝfrǝs Chopper isǝfras Choppers
Ša asǝfrăḍ Brush isǝfraḍ Brushes
Za asǝfrǝḍ Brush isǝfraḍ Brushes
Ša tasǝǵbǝst Wrap skirt tisǝǵbas Wrap skirts
Za tasǝgbǝst Wrap skirt tisǝgbas Wrap skirts
Ša tasăɣnǝst Melouf tisăɣnas Meloufs
Za tasǝɣnǝst Melouf tisǝɣnas Meloufs

36
Ša tasfǝlt Roof tisfal Roofs
Za tasǝfǝlt Roof tisǝfal Roofs
Ša ashăr Lid / door ishar Lids / doors
Za asǝhǝr Lid / door isǝhar Lids / doors
Many verbal nouns from groups III, V and causatives insert an ‘i’ in the plural, e.g.:
Ša Za ahǝwhǝw Bark (of dog) ihǝwhiwăn Barks
Ša Za abǝkbǝk Shaking out ibǝkbikăn Shakings out
A somewhat diverse set has ‘-an’ as a plural ending, e.g.:
Ša Za anu Well enwan Wells
Ša Za ašǝk Tree eškan Trees
Ša Za elu Elephant elwan Elephants
Ša Za akli Slave eklan Slaves
Ša Za eɣăs Bone iɣăsan Bones
Ša eǵăr Toad iǵăran Toads
Za egǝru Toad igăran Toads
Ša ehăḍ Nights ihăḍan Nights
Other nouns follow various patterns of internal vowel change, e.g.:
Ša ašănǵo Enemy išǝnǵa Enemies
Za azăngo Enemy izǝnga Enemies
Ša Za anăsbahu Liar inǝsbuha Liars
Ša Za asăssamu Cushion isǝssuma Cushions
Ša Za tafăṣkot Grave tifǝṣka Graves
Ša ăkafăr European ikufar Europeans
Za ăkafǝr European ikufar Europeans
Ša Za tenălle Thread tinǝlwa Threads
Za tallit Moon / Month tilil Moons / Months
Prasse (1985, p. 18) classifies plurals into seven groups. These are of interest to
grammarians but are not regular enough to be of much use to language learners.
Plurals are best learned as if irregular, while keeping an eye out for groups of
patterns as shown above.

Irregular Plurals
A few nouns also have changes to their consonants in the plural, e.g.:
Ša tas Cow iwan Cows
Za tast Cow šitan Cows
Ša ăhalǝs Man meddăn Men
Za alǝs Man meddăn Men
Ša edi Dog iyăḍan Dogs
Za idi Dog iḍan Dogs
Ša esu Bull aswanăn Bulls
Ša ăyor Moon / Month orăn Moons / Months
Ša tehăle Ewe tihatten Sheep / Ewes
Za ažăḍ Donkey ăẓẓan Donkeys
Za ehăḍ Night ăḍan Nights

37
Annexed form
form
In situations where they are considered ‘annexed’ to a verb, preposition or
number, many nouns shorten or even lose their initial vowel. This is a feature of
Tamasheq with which language learners must take great care.
The noun is in the annexed state (and many shorten or lose their initial vowel):
a) when it is a subject, following the verb.
b) after numbers.
c) after prepositions (except har).
E.g.:
Ša amnǝs ikša tetăte The camel ate food
Za amnǝs ikša teṭṭe The camel ate food
(subject before verb)
Ša ikša ǝmnǝs tetăte The camel ate food
Za ikša ǝmnǝs teṭṭe The camel ate food
(subject follows verb)
Ša Za imnas Camels
Ša Za ilâ kăraḍ ǝmnas He owns three camels
Ša iwan ǝswănăt aman The cows drank water
Ša ǝswănăt wan aman The cows drank water
Ša hebu wa-n wan The cattle market
Ša Za tifinaɣ
ti akătab ǝn-kăl Tămašăq Tifinagh is the writing of
Tamasheq people
Ša Za iktăb dăɣ tǝfinaɣ It is written in Tifinagh
There are some fairly consistent rules of thumb about what happens. For example,
the ‘i’ of the masculine plural is dropped if followed by a single consonant, e.g.:
Ša Za imawăn Mouths
Ša Za dăɣ mawăn In the mouths
Ša Za ibǝkran Rams
Ša Za ǝssuk wa-n bǝkran The price of rams
If followed by a pair of consonants it becomes ‘ǝ’, e.g.:
Ša Za imnas Camels
Ša Za hebu wan ǝmnas Camel market
Ša Za imɣarăn Old men
Ša ǝssin ǝmɣarăn Two old men
Za ǝššin ǝmɣarăn Two old men
The ‘ti’ of the feminine plural becomes ‘tǝ’ in both cases, e.g.:
Ša Za timawaḍen Adolescent girls
Ša Za imălsan win tǝmawaḍen Adolescent girl’s clothes
Ša Za timăššăɣălen Servant women
Ša Za ǝššǝɣǝl wan tǝmăššăɣălen Servant women’s work
In the singular ‘e’ becomes ‘ă’, e.g.:
Ša Za edăgg Place
Ša Za dăɣ ădăgg ǝyyăn In a (certain) place
Ša Za eɣăf Head
Ša Za s-ăɣăf-in With my head

38
Initial ‘a’ becomes ‘ă’ unless the word contains ‘ǝ’ elsewhere when it becomes ‘ǝ’
(‘ta’ becomes ‘tă’ or ‘tǝ’), e.g.:
Ša Za amɣar Old man
Ša Za y-ămɣar For the old man
Ša alǝggǝs Brother in law
Ša y-ǝlǝggǝs-in For my brother in law
Za alǝggus Brother in law
Za y-ǝlǝggus-in For my brother in law
Za amǝnokal Chief
Za y-ǝmǝnokal For the chief
Initial ‘ă’ generally becomes ‘ǝ’ (‘tă’ becomes ‘tǝ’), e.g.:
Ša ămănokal Chief
Ša ehăn wann ǝmănokal The chief’s house
Unfortunately, many nouns break these latter rules (see vocabulary section for a
listing of nouns and their contracted endings). Some may vary between groups of
Tamasheq speakers. In general, Tudalt speakers are more likely to contract to ‘ǝ’
and Tamaghit speakers to retain ‘ă’.

Non-
Non-declinable nouns
Some nouns have ‘strong’ initial vowels that never shorten. In general all nouns
where the singular and plural begin with the same vowel (or ‘t’ + the same vowel)
are like this, plus one or two others. Common nouns like this include:
Ša ara Child aratăn Children
Ša Za aman (pl) Water / liquid amanatăn Liquids
Ša Za ašǝk Tree eškan Trees
Ša Za abba Father abbatăn Fathers
Ša Za anna Mother annatăn Mothers
Ša Za assa Coming assatăn Comings
Za alǝs Man
Ša taššalt Snake taššalen Snakes
Za taššelt Snake taššelen Snakes
Ša Za taɣma Thigh taɣmiwen Thighs
Ša takna Co-wife takniwen Co-wives
Za takna Co-wife taknaten Co-wives
Ša Za idǝm Face idmawăn Faces
Ša Za ilǝs Tongue ilsawăn Tongues
Ša Za tihay Darkness
Ša tifawt Morning tifawen Mornings
Ša tefărt Hobbling rope tefren Hobbling ropes
Za teffart Hobbling rope tifren Hobbling ropes
Ša Za tidǝt Truth tidǝten Truths
Ša Za tide Sweat
Za tufat Morning tufaten Mornings
Ša Za ukǝs Removal uksawăn Removals
(and all other nouns that begin with ‘u’)

39
Nouns formed from verbs
Verbal nouns
The most common and important set of nouns derived from verbs are those called
‘verbal nouns’. These express the abstract concept of the verb. Verbal nouns are
discussed more fully in Section 3.17, e.g.:
Ša Za ǝlmǝd Learn gives alămad Learning
Ša Za ǝkkǝs Take out gives ukǝs Taking out
Ša Za akǝr Steal gives tikra Theft / stealing

Instrumental nouns
The instrumental form is akin to the causative of the verb. Not all verbs have an
instrumental noun associated with them. These are often formed from the verb by
adding ‘as-’ to the beginning of the singular imperative, e.g.:
From verb group IA1:
Ša ǝfrăḍ Sweep gives asǝfrăḍ Brush
Za ǝfrǝḍ Sweep gives asǝfrǝḍ Brush
Ša ăɣnǝs Cover gives tasăɣnǝst Melouf
Za ǝɣnǝs Cover gives tasǝɣnǝst Melouf
Ša Za ǝkbǝl Catch / hold gives tasǝkbǝlt Support
These all have the plural form ‘isǝBCaD’: e.g.: isǝfraḍ, tisǝkbal.
Other verb groups give similar forms, e.g.:
Ša ǝsǝl Put on shoes gives assǝl Sandal strap
Za ǝsǝl Put on shoes gives asǝsǝl Sandal strap
Ša ǝfǝl Cover gives tasfǝlt Roof
Za ǝfǝl Cover gives tasǝfǝlt Roof
Ša ǝwăr Be upon gives aswăr Headscarf
Za ǝwǝr Be upon gives asǝwǝr Headscarf
Ša Za ăɣmu Dye gives asăɣmo Dye
Ša ɣăym Sit gives tasăqqaymut Chair
Za ɣam Sit gives tasǝqqimit Chair
(double ‘ɣ’ = ‘qq’)

Adjectival nouns
These nouns express the person or thing that does the action or possesses the
quality of the corresponding verb. These are often formed from the verb by adding
‘an-’, ‘am-’, ‘anăs-’, or ‘enăs-’ to the beginning. They may be used independently as
substantives (i.e. nouns), but most commonly are used to qualify a noun, e.g.:
Ša ăḍǝn Herd (vb) gives amăḍan Herd
Za ǝḍǝn Herd (vb) gives amăḍan Herd
Ša Za šăɣăl Work gives emăššăɣăl Worker
Ša sǝlmǝd Teach gives enăsselmǝd Teacher
Za sǝlmǝd Teach gives anǝsselmǝd Teacher
Ša Za uksaḍ Be afraid gives ămaksaḍ Fearful (person)
Ša Za ǝkfǝr Be violent gives anăkfor Violent (person)

E.g.:
Ša enăsselmǝd os-id A teacher came here
Za anǝsselmǝd os-id A teacher came here

40
Ša ăhalǝs wan ănăsselmǝd os-id A / the teacher came here
Za alǝs wan ǝnǝsselmǝd os-ăddǝd A / the teacher came here
ăwadǝm wan ănăkfor A / the violent person
temăššăɣălt-in My worker(f)
Ša tamăṭṭ tan tămăššăɣălt-in The woman who works for me
Za tanṭuṭ tan tămăššăɣălt-in The woman who works for me

3.4 The possessive preposition n

The preposition ‘n’ is extremely useful in Tamasheq. Its field of meaning is similar
to English ‘of’ in that it expresses the genitive. As such its semantic value is that of
restriction or specification. It links a noun to a qualifying noun, pronoun or clause
that narrows the possible range of meaning of the noun so qualified. Its form
changes slightly depending on its position in the phrase. When preceded or
followed by a vowel it attaches ‘-n’ or ‘n-’. When between two vowels it lengthens
‘-nn-’. When between two consonants it becomes ‘ǝn-’.

Genitive marker (expressing belonging or purpose)

Used without the demonstrative pronoun, it expresses ‘an X of / for Y’, or ‘Y’s X’,
e.g.:
Ša ărhêɣ băkita-nn-ăssukăr I want a packet of sugar
Za ǝrêɣ băkita-nn-ǝssukǝr I want a packet of sugar
Ša Za alkăs n-ătay A cup of tea / a tea-cup
Ša Za ti-s ǝn-Dăwda David’s father
Ša hănn-is n-Adămu Adamu’s wife
Za hănn-es n-Adămu Adamu’s wife
Used with the demonstrative pronoun, it expresses ‘the X of Y’. The difference
between this construction and the above is small, the construction with the
demonstrative pronoun is more definite or a little more emphatic, e.g.:
Ša Za ti-s wan Dăwda David’s father
Ša hebu wan wan The cattle market
Za hebu wan šitan The cattle market
Ša ašăl wan hebu Market day
Za azǝl wan hebu Market day
(lit. ‘The day of the market’)
Ša ăddinăt win diha People from here / local people
Za ăytedăm win da People from here / local people

Following a verbal noun

Used to join a verbal noun to an object which specifies its applicability, e.g.:
Ša tamăḍint a tăǵǵăn They herd
Za tamǝḍint a taggin They herd
(lit. ‘Herding is what they do’)
Ša ifullanăn, tamăḍint ǝn-wan a tăǵǵăn Fulani herd cows
Za ifollanăn, tamǝḍint ǝn-šitan a taggin Fulani herd cows
(lit. ‘Fulani, herding of cows is what they do’)
Ša ărhêɣ musnăt ǝn-Tămašăq I want to know Tamasheq
Za ǝrêɣ măsnăt ǝn-Tǝmažǝq I want to know Tamajeq

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Ša olăs iǵi n-ătay He made tea again
Za olăs igi n-ătay He made tea again
(lit. ‘He repeated making of tea’)

Expressing possession
The supporting pronouns ‘i’, masculine, ‘ti’ feminine meaning ‘the one’ or ‘those’
are used with ‘n’ to express what we would express in English by ‘X belongs to Y’
or ‘that X is Y’s’, e.g.:
Ša Za bătbăt ta ti-nn Adămu That motorbike belongs to Adamu
(lit. ‘That motorbike (is) the one of Adamu’)
Ša Za ikărbănăn wi i-n Ɣusman These huts belong to Rousman
(lit. ‘These huts (are) those of Rousman’)

For (a period of time)

The restriction / specification of a time period is expressed using ‘n’ when it is a noun
that is qualified. (If the verb were qualified the preposition ‘y’ would be used), e.g.:
Ša ăhalǝs wa ărhin ǝs-tăsa That man has had a bad stomach
ǝn-măraw hăḍan for ten days
Za alǝs wa irin ǝs-tǝdist That man has had a bad stomach
ǝn-măraw ăḍan for ten days
Ša ăhalǝs wa ăšfărăššen-ti nǝzgam That man has been worried
n-ǝssin hăḍan crazy for two days
Za alǝs wa šăfărăššen-tăy nǝzgam That man has been worried
n-ǝššin ăḍan crazy for two days
(lit. ‘That man, they drove him mad, worries for two nights’)

Qualifying a verbal noun with a verbal clause

Where a verbal clause (in the imperfective aspect) qualifies a verbal noun the
preposition ‘n’ is used as the link expressing that the clause restricts or specifies
the applicability of the verbal noun, e.g.:
Ša Za wǝr ila ăṣṣahăt He isn’t strong
(lit. ‘He doesn’t possess strength’)
Ša Za wǝr ila ăṣṣahăt n-ad adwu He isn’t strong enough to travel
ǝs-Mărkoy to Markoye this afternoon
Ša ămănokal ikf-e torhaǵăt The chief gave him permission
n-ad ăkk Tera to go to Tera
Za amǝnokal iff-e turagăt The chief gave him permission
n-ad ăkku Tera to go to Tera

3.5 Remarks on syntax

The syntax (word order) of Tamasheq sentences is often very different from the
English equivalent. In this section some of the main differences are considered.
Further examples can be found in Section 5.27 Idiomatic phrases.

Subject following verb

The English word order ‘subject-verb-object’ is acceptable in Tamasheq, but
generally the order ‘verb-subject-object’ is preferred, e.g.:
Ša ăhalǝs extăs ašǝk The man cut down the tree

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Za alǝs ixtăs ašǝk The man cut down the tree
(subject-verb-object)
Ša extăs ăhalǝs ašǝk The man cut down the tree
Za ixtăs alǝs ašǝk The man cut down the tree
(verb-subject-object)
Note that in this order the subject noun takes its annexed form (see Section 3.3
Nouns), e.g.:
Ša tihatten tattănăt alǝmmoẓ Sheep eat grass
Za tihatten tattinăt alǝmmuẓ Sheep eat grass
(subject-verb-object)
Ša tattănăt tǝhatten alǝmmoẓ Sheep eat grass
Za tattinăt tǝhatten alǝmmuẓ Sheep eat grass
(verb-subject-object)

Object before verb

To stress the object it may be placed before the verb (in many cases this is
equivalent to the English passive), e.g.:
Ša ašǝk extăs-ti ăhalǝs The tree was cut down by the man
Za ašǝk ixtăs-te alǝs The tree was cut down by the man
(lit. ‘The tree, he cut it, the man’)
Ša iwan ufân-tănăt ǝmnas Camels are better than cows
Za šitan ofân-tănăt ǝmnas Camels are better than cows
(lit. ‘Cows, they are better than them, camels’)
Ša Za taɣmărt n-ăɣalla ih-êt sălănga In the corner of the courtyard
there is a latrine
(lit. ‘Corner of the yard, it is in it, latrine’)

Differences in grammatical form

Sometimes an active phrase in English is translated by a passive one in Tamasheq
or vice versa. English adverbs are often translated by active verbs in Tamasheq
generally changing the word order, e.g.:
Ša Măryama, tǝǵrăw-tăt tănăde Mary has got a fever
Za Măryama, tǝgrăw-tăt tănăde Mary has got a fever
(lit. ‘Mary, it has got her, a fever’)
Ša Za itrâb dăɣ ǝššǝɣǝl He works quickly
(lit. ‘He is quick in work’)
Ša Za eɣewǝd wa igrâẓ y-Adămu Adamu likes that turban
(lit. ‘The turban is pleasing to Adamu’)

Syntax and stress

The same idea can be expressed in many ways with varying emphasis, e.g.: ‘Men
don’t cook (millet) porridge’
Ša meddăn wăr sǝkǝdiwăn ăsink (subject-verb-object)
Ša wăr sǝkǝdiwăn meddăn ăsink (verb-subject-object)
Ša ăsink wăr ti-sǝkǝdiwăn meddăn Porridge, men don’t cook it
Ša wădde meddăn a isăkădawăn ăsink It isn’t men who cook porridge
Ša wădde meddăn a săkădawnen ăsink It isn’t men who cook porridge

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Ša meddăn a wăren isǝkǝdiw ăsink Men are not the ones who cook
porridge
(ḍeḍen a ti-săkădawnen) (it is women who cook it)
Ša ăsink, meddăn a wăren t-isǝkǝdiw Porridge, men are not the ones
who cook it
(ḍeḍen a ti-săkădawnen) (it is women who cook it)
Za meddăn wǝr sǝkǝdiwăn ǝšink (subject-verb-object)
Za wǝr sǝkǝdiwăn meddăn ǝšink (verb-subject-object)
Za ǝšink wǝr te-sǝkǝdiwăn meddăn Porridge, men don’t cook it
Za wǝrge meddăn a isakădawăn ǝšink It isn’t men who cook porridge
Za wǝrge meddăn a sakădawnen ǝšink It isn’t men who cook porridge
Za meddăn a wǝr nǝsǝkǝdiw ǝšink Men are not the ones who cook
porridge
(tiḍoḍen a te-sakădawnen) (it is women who cook it)
Za ǝšink, meddăn a tăy wǝr nǝsǝkǝdiw Porridge, men are not the ones
who cook it
(tiḍoḍen a te-sakădawnen) (it is women who cook it)

Position
Position of prepositions
In relative clauses such as ‘from which’, ‘with whom’, ‘in which’, the preposition
follows the demonstrative pronoun (a / wa etc.) in Tamasheq, e.g.:
Ša awa ṭabǝl ta făl nǝtatt That is the table from which we eat
Za awa ṭabǝl ta fǝl nǝtattu That is the table from which we eat
Ša aw’ abălboḍ wa dăɣ This is the bag in which
tăwwărăɣ eɣnab I keep my pens
Za awa abălboḍ wa dăɣ This is the bag in which
tawwărăɣ iɣunab I keep my pens
Ša ihâ abălboḍ wa-s ǝmmăɣăɣ It is in the bag for which
I am looking
Za ihâ abălboḍ wa ǝgmăyăɣ It is in the bag for which
I am looking
Ša tende ašǝk a dăɣ ităǵǵ A mortar, wood is what
it is made from
Za tende ašǝk a dăɣ itaggu A mortar, wood is what
it is made from
Ša ǝnhăyăɣ amidi-nnăk. I saw your friend
Za ǝnăyăɣ amidi-nnăk. I saw your friend
Ša Za ǝndek wa ? Which one?
Ša wa ɣor taɣaymed The one you stay with /
with whom you stay
Za wa ɣur taɣamăd The one you stay with /
with whom you stay
Ša ǝtkălăɣ absăr I took a knife
Za ǝtkălăɣ absǝr I took a knife
Ša Za ǝndek wa ? Which one?

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Ša wa-s tǝfrăsăd isan ihǝnnin The one with which you
cut meat just now
Za wa-s tǝfrăsăd isan ǝngom The one with which you
cut meat just now

Series of verbs
Tamasheq has no joining word (like English ‘and’) between consecutive verbs in a
phrase, e.g.:
Ša awi-dd aman, tǝǵǝt-tăn dăɣ ǝlǝkkin Bring water (and) put it in the pot
Za awi-dd aman, tăgăt-tăn dăɣ tayǝnt Bring water (and) put it in the pot
Ša dăɣ tifawt-i ǝnkărăɣ-id, This morning I got up
ǝlseɣ imălsan-in and put on my clothes
Za dăɣ tufat-a ǝnkărăɣ-dǝd, This morning I got up
ǝlseɣ imălsan-in and put on my clothes

3.6 The supporting pronoun a

This pronoun / particle is used with a following relative clause to bring a noun in a
phrase to the beginning for emphasis. It is especially used in questions and
answers. Note that this can lead to a syntax that is unfamiliar to Europeans. It can
be thought of as meaning ‘(it is / was) … that …’, e.g.:
Ša ǝššǝnšăɣ enăle I bought millet
Ša enăle a ǝššǝnšăɣ It was millet that I bought
Za ǝzzǝnzăɣ enăle I bought millet
Za enăle a ǝzzǝnzăɣ It was millet that I bought
Ša Za tǝkkêd hebu meɣ ? Are you going to market?
Ša Za hebu a tǝkked meɣ ? Is it to market that you are going?
Ša oseɣ-id ašăl wa-n hebu I arrived here on market day
Ša mǝnǵǝdu a dǝt-tosed ? When did you arrive here?
Ša ašăl wa-n hebu a dd-oseɣ It was on market day that I arrived
Za oseɣ-dǝd azǝl wa-n hebu I arrived here on market day
Za ǝmme a dǝt-tosed ? When did you arrive here?
Za azǝl wa-n hebu a dd-oseɣ It was on market day that I arrived

To emphasise the subject

To emphasise the subject ‘a’ is used with a participle (see Section 3.14 Participles),
e.g.:
Ša Za ǝkneɣ bătbăt-in I fixed my motorbike
Ša Za năkku a iknăn bătbăt-in It was me who fixed my motorbike
Ša Za mi iknăn absăr wa ? Who made this knife?
Ša Za Ɣusman a tt-iknăn It was Rousman who made it
Ša iǵa awa făl-as awen-dăɣ He did that because that
a ităwăǵǵen is what is done
Za iga awa fǝl-as awen-dăɣ He did that because that
a itawăggin is what is done

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With prepositions
To emphasise a word which follows a preposition, the word is brought to the
initial position in the sentence and the preposition then follows the supporting
pronoun ‘a’, e.g.:
Ša ăḍkărăɣ alǝkkin dăɣ aman I filled the pot with water
Ša ma dăɣ tăḍkărăd alǝkkin ? What did you fill the pot with?
Ša aman a dăɣ ăḍkărăɣ alǝkkin It was with water that I filled the pot
Za ǝḍkǝrăɣ tayǝnt dăɣ aman I filled the pot with water
Za ma dăɣ tǝḍkǝrăd tayǝnt? What did you fill the pot with?
Za aman a dăɣ ǝḍkǝrăɣ tayǝnt It was with water that I filled the pot

Ša taǵǵănăt tikba dăɣ akof They make baskets with straw

Ša ma dăɣ taǵǵănăt tikba ? What do they make baskets with?
Ša akof a dăɣ tăǵǵănăt tikba It’s with straw that they make
baskets
Za tagginăt tikăboten dăɣ akof They make baskets with straw
Za ma dăɣ tagginăt tikăboten ? What do they make baskets with?
Za akof a dăɣ tagginăt tikăboten It’s with straw that they make
baskets

Ša mi dăr tǝmmǝǵrădăd ? Who did you speak to?

Ša amidi-nin a dăr ǝmmǝǵrădăɣ It was with my friend that I spoke
Za mi dǝr tǝmmǝgrădăd ? Who did you speak to?
Za amidi-nin a dǝr ǝmmǝgrădăɣ It was with my friend that I spoke

Ša extăs ašǝk ǝs tutǝla He felled the tree with an axe

Ša ma-s extăs ašǝk ? What did he fell the tree with?
Ša tutǝla a-s t-extăs It was with an axe that he felled it
Za ixtăs ašǝk ǝs taḍǝft He felled the tree with an axe
Za ma-s ixtăs ašǝk ? What did he fell the tree with?
Za taḍǝft a-s t-ixtăs It was with an axe that he felled it

Note: In this kind of phrase, the preposition ‘y’ meaning ‘to / for’ becomes ‘s’, e.g.:
Ša ăsgădăɣ y-ăradyo I listened to the radio
Ša ma-ss tăsgădăd ? What did you listen to?
Ša ăradyo a-ss ăsgădăɣ It was the radio that I listened to

Za ăsdărgănăɣ y-ăradyo I listened to the radio

Za ma-ss tăsdărgănăd ? What did you listen to?
Za ăradyo a-ss ăsdărgănăɣ It was the radio that I listened to

Meaning ‘since / for/ ago’

Used before a verbal clause expressing a time reference, ‘a’ expresses the passage
of time which we would express in English by ‘since’, ‘for’ or ‘ago’ depending on
context, e.g.:

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Ša a dd-oseɣ dăɣ, wǝr ǝnheyăɣ Musa Since I arrived I haven’t seen Musa
Ša a ilân ǝssin elăn, ǝkkeɣ Nyăme Two years ago I went to Niamey
Ša a iǵa ănḍǝšel, wăr oseɣ hebu I haven’t been to market since
yesterday
Ša kăla wăr t-ǝnheyăɣ, a ikka Makăt I haven’t seen him since he
went to Mecca
Ša wǝr ǝkkeɣ Waɣa a iǵa ǝssin orăn I haven’t been to Ouaga for
two months
Za a dd-oseɣ dăɣ, wǝr ǝneyăɣ Musa Since I arrived I haven’t seen Musa
Za a ilân ǝššin elan, ǝkkeɣ Nyăme Two years ago I went to Niamey
Za a iga ǝnḍazǝl, wǝr oseɣ hebu I haven’t been to market since
yesterday
Za kăla wǝr t-ǝneyăɣ, a ikka Makăt I haven’t seen him since he
went to Mecca
Za wǝr ǝkkeɣ Waɣa a iga sănatăt tǝlil I haven’t been to Ouaga for
two months

Meaning ‘something’
Used with the participle it may be translated ‘something’ in the sense of ‘… that
which is …’, e.g.:
Ša ǝnhăyăɣ a dd-išrăyăn I saw something new
Ša ǝnhăyăɣ a ăssuksăḍăn I saw something frightening
Za ǝnăyăɣ a dd-izrăyăn I saw something new
Za ǝnăyăɣ a issǝksăḍăn I saw something frightening

3.7 (dd / in)

Directional particles (dd in)
These particles attach to verbs and give a sense of direction / motion:
dd = here / towards here
in = there / away from here
However, the idea of physical direction is not always evident.

Forms of ‘dd’ following the verb

The directional particle follows the verb, unless the sentence structure brings it to
the front.
In Tamaghit it takes the form -id (ǝd or -ăd among certain clans) when postverbal,
e.g.:
Ša os-id He has arrived (here)
Ša ǝnkărăɣ-id I got up
Ša ikf-ahi-t-id He gave it to me
Ša kittoɣ-id isǝm-ǝnnes I remember his name
Note, however, the following exceptions:
Ša awi-dd aman Bring water
(contracted from ‘awǝy-id’)
The form ‘-hid’ is rarely encountered. It is only used following the contracted
masculine singular pronoun -e-, e.g.:

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Ša nos-e-hid We came to him
Ša tǝkt-e-hid She remembered him
In Tudalt the forms vary depending on whether the verb ends in a vowel or a
consonant and whether or not a 3msg direct object pronoun is present, e.g.:
Za os-ăddǝd He has arrived (here)
Za oseɣ-dǝd I arrived
Za nos-e-dǝd We came to him
Za ǝnkărăɣ-dǝd I got up
Za ikf-i-te-dǝd He gave it to me
Za kattăɣ-dǝd isǝm-nes I remember his name
Summary of Tudalt postverbal forms:
Weak vowel (dropped) = ăddǝd os-ăddǝd
Vowel (of pronoun) = dǝd nos-e-dǝd
Consonant = dǝd oseɣ-dǝd

Note: In Tawellemmet -dǝd is pronounced -du. This form is occasionally heard

among Tudalt speakers in Oudalan.

Preverbal forms of ‘dd’

Negatives, question markers, relative markers (e.g. as) and the imperfective
marker a(d) move it to the front of the verb. In this position, its form varies to
facilitate pronunciation, e.g.:
Ša Za wăr d-osa He hasn’t arrived
Za wǝr ǝdd-osa He hasn’t arrived
Ša Za wăr dǝt-tosa She hasn’t arrived
Ša wăr ma-dd-as He isn’t coming
Za wǝr za-dd-asu He isn’t coming
Ša Za mi dd-osăn ? Who came?
Ša Za as d-osa, ăkf-e aman When he arrives give him water

Below is a summary of the possible preverbal contexts and the form of dd in each:
Ša Za V-V = dd a-dd-asăɣ
Ša V-C = dǝd a-dǝd-nas
Za V-C = dǝd a-dǝd-nasu
Ša Za V-t = dǝt a-dǝt-tasăd
Ša Za C-V = d wăr d-osa
Za C-V = ǝdd wǝr ǝdd-osa
Ša Za C-C = dǝd wăr dǝd-nosa
Ša Za C-t = dǝt wăr dǝt-tosa

Forms of ‘in’
In simple phrases it follows the verb taking the form -in, e.g.:
Ša ǝttǝwăɣ-in isǝm-ǝnnes I have forgotten its name
Za ǝttǝwăɣ-in isǝm-nes I have forgotten its name
Ša os-in ănḍǝšel He arrived there yesterday
Za os-in ǝnḍazǝl He arrived there yesterday

48
Ša eqqăl-in He went back there
Za iqqăl-in He went back there
In Tamaghit, the form -hin is used after the contracted 3msg pronoun. Tudalt
makes the pronoun into a diphthong, e.g.:
Ša nos-e-hin We came to him (over there)
Ša tǝttǝw-e-hin She forgot him (/ it)
Za nos-ăy-in We came to him (over there)
Za tǝttǝw-ăy-in She forgot him (/ it)
Negatives, questions markers etc. bring it in front of the verb where it takes the
form hin- in Tamaghit, din- in Tudalt, e.g.:
Ša wăr hin-tǝttǝwăd Don’t forget
Za wǝr din-tǝttǝwăd Don’t forget
Ša a-hin-tăqqǝlăd meɣ ? Will you go back there?
Za a-din-tǝqqǝlăd meɣ ? Will you go back there?
If it is preceded by a pronoun, it takes the form -in-, e.g.:
Ša Za wăr t-in-tǝttǝwăd Don’t forget it

3.8 Demonstrative pronouns

Tamasheq doesn’t have words for the definite article (the) as such, but does have
demonstrative pronouns. It also has words for the indefinite article (a / some).
Context often dictates whether a Tamasheq phrase without a demonstrative is
translated with the definite, indefinite or without the article in English, basically
depending on what has been said previously, e.g.:
Ša Za ǝglăn meddăn Some men left / the men left /
men left
Ša osănăt-id ḍeḍen Some women came / the
women came / women came
Za osănăt-dǝd tǝḍoḍen Some women came / the
women came / women came
A qualified noun without a demonstrative is usually understood as indefinite, e.g.:
Ša ăhalǝs ǝn-Băyga os-id A man from Beyga came here
Za alǝs ǝn-Băyga os-ăddǝd A man from Beyga came here
Ša ǝnhăyăɣ ăhalǝs n-ănăsbăɣor I saw a rich man
Za ǝnăyăɣ alǝs n-ănăsbăɣor I saw a rich man
Ša Za amnǝs măqqărăn ihâ hebu There is a big camel in the market
Ša ǝǵrăwăɣ tihun ămmutnen I got / found some dead batteries
Za ǝgrăwăɣ tihun ǝmmutnen I got / found some dead batteries

Indefinite article
Like many other languages, Tamasheq simply uses the number one to express the
singular indefinite. For the indefinite plural the word ǝyyăḍ ‘some / other’ is used.
These articles are used to stress that the noun referred to is indefinite, e.g.:
Ša ăhalǝs ǝyyăn os-id A man came / one man came
Ša tamăṭṭ ǝyyăt tos-id A woman / one woman came
Za alǝs ǝyyăn os-ăddǝd A man came / one man came
Za tanṭuṭ ǝyyăt tos-ăddǝd A woman / one woman came

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Ša meddăn ǝyyăḍ osăn-id Some (other) men came
Ša ḍeḍen tǝyyăḍ osănăt-id Some (other) women came
Za meddăn ǝyyăḍ osăn-dǝd Some (other) men came
Za tiḍoḍen tǝyyăḍ osănăt-dǝd Some (other) women came

Demonstrative pronouns
These are used to stress that the noun referred to is definite usually referring back
to what has already been mentioned in the conversation. If the person / object has
not just been mentioned there is usually sufficient precision that the listener
should understand who or what is specifically being referred to.
The most common demonstrative pronouns are:
singular plural
masculine wa wi
feminine ta ti
E.g.:
Ša ma tărhêd wa meɣ wa ? What do you want this or that?
Za ma tǝrêd wa meɣ wa ? What do you want this or that?
Ša Za wa This one / that one
Ša Za ti These ones(f) / those ones(f)
Ša wa inna a-dd-as That one said he would come
Za wa inna a-dd-asu That one said he would come
Ša ăhalǝs wa inn-ahi … This / that / the man said to me
Za alǝs wa inn-i … This / that / the man said to me
Ša Za meddăn wi These men
Ša tas ta wăššâr This / that / the cow is old
Za tast ta wăššâr This / that / the cow is old
The demonstrative is usually used with participles and has the strength of the
definite article. A second demonstrative is used to give demonstrative strength to
the phrase, e.g.:
Ša ăkf-e e-wa ităǵǵăn ătay Give it to the one who is making tea
Za ăkf-e i-wa itaggin ătay Give it to the one who is making tea
Ša Za wa ingăḍăn igla The turbaned one left
Ša Za amnǝs wa măqqărăn iha hebu The big camel is in the market
Ša Za amnǝs wa măqqărăn wa iha hebu That big camel is in the market
The suffix -dăɣ adds emphasis, e.g.:
Ša Za amnǝs wa-dăɣ This camel here / that camel there /
this same camel / that very camel /
the same camel / the very camel
The demonstrative combines with the preposition n to form qualifiers, e.g.:
Ša Za wan Gorăn Gorăn ikka hebu The one from Gorom went to
market
Ša tamăṭṭ ta-n Săydu tos-id Saidou’s wife came
Za tanṭuṭ ta-n Săydu tos-ăddǝd Saidou’s wife came
Ša ǝnhăyăɣ ăhalǝs wann ănăsbăɣor I saw the rich man
Za ǝnăyăɣ alǝs wann ănăsbăɣor I saw the rich man
Another common set of demonstrative pronouns expresses distance.

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 singular plural
masculine wen win
feminine ten tin
E.g.:
Ša ăhalǝs wen That man (over there)
Za alǝs wen That man (over there)
Ša Za meddăn win Those men (over there)
Ša teɣǝšmen tin-dăɣ Those very buildings (over there)
Za tiɣǝzmen tin-dăɣ Those very buildings (over there)
Ša Za wen ingâḍăn The one over there wearing
a turban
In a story or account both sets can be used to mean the one just mentioned or
described, e.g.:
Ša Za dăɣ ăzzăman wa In that time …
Ša Za dăɣ ăzzăman wen In those days …
There are also extended forms of the demonstrative pronouns that add slight
degrees of emphasis, e.g.:
Ša Za dăɣ ăzzăman wǝnnin In that time
Ša Za dăɣ ăzzăman innin In that time
Another common demonstrative, especially with time words, is ‘-i’ in Tamaghit, ‘-
a’ in Tudalt, e.g.:
Ša ašăl Day
Ša ašăl-i Today
Ša ašăl-i-dăɣ Today / this very day
Ša dăɣ tifawt-i-dăɣ This (very) morning
Za azǝl Day
Za azǝl-a Today
Za azǝl-a-dăɣ Today / this very day
Za dăɣ tufat-a-dăɣ This (very) morning
All of the following simply refer back to someone / something already mentioned
but with varying degrees of stress, e.g.:
Ša ăhalǝs wa / ăhalǝs-en / ăhalǝs wen / The man (just referred to)
ăhalǝs-innin / ăhalǝs wǝnnin
Za alǝs wa / alǝs-en / alǝs wen / The man (just referred to)
alǝs-ǝngom / alǝs wǝngom
In Tamaghit, wa etc. can sometimes be replaced by the invariable demonstrative di,
e.g.:
Ša Măssinăɣ di hannăyăn dăɣ ǝtunkǝl
God the one who sees in secret (i.e. what is hidden)
Another useful demonstrative is awa meaning ‘what / that’, e.g.:
Ša Za awa tǝnned tidǝt What you said is true
Ša Za wǝr ǝsleɣ y-awa tǝnned I didn’t hear what you said
Ša ma-mos awa ? What is that?
Za ma-ymos awa ? What is that?

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Supporting pronouns
These mean ‘one’ or ‘of those’. They are used with participles in a special kind of
descriptive construction. The syntax here is very different from English so care
must be taken.
Masculine sg and pl i Feminine sg and pl ti
E.g.:
Ša ăhalǝs wa i wăššârăn That man is old
Za alǝs wa i wăššârăn That man is old
(lit. ‘Man that one who is old’)
Ša Za meddăn wi i wăššârnen Those men are old
(lit. ‘Men those of those who are old’)
Ša tamăṭṭ ta ti wăššârăt That woman is old
Za tanṭuṭ ta ti wăššârăt That woman is old
Ša ḍeḍen ti ti wăššârnen Those women are old
Za tiḍoḍen ti ti wăššârnen Those women are old

3.9 Verbal system

system – introductory comments
The Tamasheq verbal system is very different from the English system and it takes
time and effort to get to grips with it. Compared with neighbouring Sub-Saharan
African languages, or even Arabic, Tamasheq verbs are complex and take time to
figure out. The difficulties lie in two areas:
a) a system of ‘aspects’ that is very different to English tenses.
b) the relatively large number of different verb groups (see ‘Verb groups’
Section 4).
However Tamasheq verbs have some simplifying features. There is basically only
one set of declensions for person / number / gender which apply (with slight
modifications) to all verbs in all aspects. Also Tamasheq has no periphrastic tenses,
the four aspects essentially cover all contexts.

The concept
concept of aspects
Tamasheq verbs are not particularly time orientated, unlike English verbs where
time is the main frame of reference for choice of tense. Tamasheq has verbal
‘aspects’ rather than tenses. In choosing the aspect to use, it is the quality of the
action rather than the time that it occurred that is important. Generally, it is the
context, or supporting words that give the time reference. Like in Semitic
languages the primary distinction is between actions viewed as completed
(perfective aspect) and those considered ongoing (imperfective aspect). Tamasheq
has developed two forms of each, one more ‘constative’ and the other more
‘descriptive’ giving a total of four aspects. It is better to learn to use Tamasheq
phrases before trying to find ways of translating English tenses.

Forms of the Tamasheq verb

The notes below give a concise overview of the various forms of the Tamasheq
verb which you will encounter in the verb tables and which are described and
explained in more detail later.

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The perfective aspect (or simple perfect) most frequently refers to actions
considered as complete (or considered as instantaneous) regardless of time
reference, e.g. ‘he hit me’, ‘I left’, ‘When he arrives …’.
The stative aspect (or intensive perfect) generally refers to lasting states as the
ongoing results of a completed action, e.g. ‘it is hot’, ‘he has gone out’, ‘the apples
had been eaten’, ‘he is asleep / he has fallen asleep’.
The imperfective aspect (or simple imperfect) most frequently refers to the future
or to possible action (i.e. ‘projected’ in the mind). It is often used following a verb
expressing emotion, decision or thought (in which case it often translated an
English infinitive), e.g. ‘he will arrive today’, ‘I want to eat’, ‘I thought that I would
win’, ‘he refused to come’.
The cursive aspect (or intensive imperfect) refers to ongoing actions regardless of
time reference and often to habitual actions, e.g. ‘I drink milk’, ‘he was eating’, ‘I
used to work here’, ‘water is dripping in the lean-to’.
The imperative mood is used to express commands. As it refers to what has not yet
happened it is a kind of imperfect. It is usually a form of the imperfective, but the
cursive imperative is also used to express something to be done repeatedly or an
action to be begun and continued in.
All aspects have participles used in relative clauses, e.g. ‘the one who left’.
All verbs have a verbal noun which may be translated by an English infinitive,
participle or noun depending on context, e.g. ‘to eat’, ‘eating’, ‘food’.

3.10 Introduction to aspects

Tamasheq verbs have just four aspects (plus the imperative). Different grammar
books give them different names. I have attempted to give them names that
describe their most common usage as an aid to the language learner. In brackets
are English translations of the names given by Karl Prasse, which might be
considered as the standard names for the aspects. Galand’s terms in their original
French follow in italics. Some older Berber grammars use the term ‘habitual’ for
the ‘intensive imperfect’.
Imperfective Cursive
(Simple imperfect / aoriste) (Intensive imperfect /inaccompli)

Perfective Stative
(Simple perfect /accompli) (Intensive perfect /résultatif)
The notes that follow describe the most frequent usage of each aspect in
conversational Tamasheq. For further details of the range of usage of each aspect
see Sections 3.19–3.22 ‘Uses of Perfective’ etc.

The perfective
Perfective is best thought of as an abbreviation of ‘simple perfective aspect’. This
is the most frequently used, and may be thought of as the default aspect used
when nothing else is being stressed. Most often it is used as the simple past tense
(e.g. I ate …) but it may be used for any action which is considered complete in

53
itself or instantaneous regardless of time. Generally, the context governs the
temporal location, e.g.:
Ša ikf-ahi temeḍe He gave me 500CFA
Za ikf-i temeḍe He gave me 500CFA
Ša Za inna ‘kăla kăla’ He said ‘no way’
Ša Za izgăr He went out
Ša Za ibdăd He stood up
Ša mi tǝkked ănḍǝšel ? Where did you go yesterday?
Za mi tǝkked ǝnḍazǝl ? Where did you go yesterday?
Ša Za ǝkkeɣ hebu I went to market

The stative
Stative is best thought of as an abbreviation of ‘stative perfective aspect’, or
‘intensive perfect’ in Prasse’s system. This aspect usually describes a state (as the
ongoing consequences of a completed action. It often translates the English
perfect or pluperfect (e.g. I have eaten … / I had eaten …), or the present
continuous where this refers to a state (e.g. He is standing up). It is often used in
response to the question ‘are you going to … / have you …’ giving the meaning ‘I
have already …’ or ‘It is already …’. (See also notes below on translating the English
present continuous), e.g.:
Ša ăkkûs It has become hot
(and so it is hot)
Za ikkûs It has become hot
(and so it is hot)
Ša Za ibdâd He has stood up
(and so he is standing up)
Ša Za iglâ He has left
(hence he is no longer here)
Ša Za izgâr He’s gone out
(hence he is out)
Ša eṭṭâs He has fallen asleep
(so he is asleep)
Za iṭṭâs He has fallen asleep
(so he is asleep)
Ša ǝbsăr ikăršăyăn (imperative) Hang out the clothes!
Ša Za ǝbsârăn They are already hanging out
Ša Za mi tǝkkêd ? Where are you going?
Ša Za ǝkkêɣ hebu I am going to market
Ša ărḍêɣ I agree
Za ǝrḍêɣ I agree

The imperfective
Imperfective is best thought of as an abbreviation of ‘simple imperfective aspect’.
In everyday speech this aspect is most often used to describe actions that have not
yet happened (or had not yet happened). It often translates the English future (e.g.
I will eat …) but has wider uses, especially following verbs of emotion, thought,
obligation or decision where it acts like a subjunctive (e.g. (that) I would eat …). In
such cases it often replaces the English infinitive in translation. In certain
circumstances it can be used like the cursive for refering to habitual actions but

54
unlike the cursive it can never translate the present / past continuous. The marker
‘ad’ is frequently used to introduce the imperfective, e.g.:
Ša ad ǝlmǝdăɣ Tămašăq I will learn Tamasheq
Za ad ǝlmǝdăɣ Tǝmažǝq I will learn Tamajeq
Ša ărhêɣ ad ǝlmǝdăɣ Tămašăq I want to learn Tamasheq
Za ǝrêɣ ad ǝlmǝdăɣ Tǝmažǝq I want to learn Tamasheq
Ša Za ordêɣ a-tăt-ǝlmǝdăɣ I think / hope that I will learn it
With pronouns and particles the marker ‘ad’ shortens to ‘a-’, e.g.:
Ša a-dd-as ašǝkka He will arrive (here) tomorrow
Ša a-ti-ăkfăɣ ătay I will give him tea
Za a-dd-asu ažăkka He will arrive (here) tomorrow
Za a-te-ăkfăɣ ătay I will give him tea

The cursive
Cursive is best thought of as an abbreviation of ‘cursive imperfective aspect’, or
‘intensive imperfect’ in Prasse’s system. It expresses ongoing action. It is used for
the present and past continious (I am eating … / I was eating …), also it is
frequently used when describing habitual actions or repetitive ones (I eat … / I
used to eat …). In this second sense you will often use it when asking cultural
questions about what is usually done, e.g.:
Ša lammădăɣ Tămašăq I am learning Tamasheq
Ša iwan tattănăt alǝmmoẓ Cows eat straw
Ša tisǝd-id hebu kul meɣ ? Do you come for every market?
Ša ăru tašăɣalăɣ siha I used to work over there
Za lammădăɣ Tǝmažǝq I am learning Tamajeq
Za šitan tattinăt alǝmmuẓ Cows eat straw
Za tasăd-dǝd hebu kul meɣ ? Do you come for every market?
Za oho tašăɣalăɣ sa I used to work over there

Translating the English present / past continuous

The English continuous tenses, which refer to ongoing actions or states in the past
or present (‘He was sleeping’, ‘He is eating’), can be translated either by the stative,
or the cursive. Usually the cursive is used. This is the main aspect for referring to
ongoing actions whether past or present, e.g.:
Ša Za tattăɣ as d-osa I was eating when he arrived
Ša ara itaggăd The child is jumping (up and down)
Za bărar itaggăd The child is jumping (up and down)
Ša Dăwda isarad Dawda is washing / was washing
Za Dăwda išarad Dawda is washing / was washing
Ša itamăǵrad dăɣ Tămašăq He is / was speaking in Tamasheq
Za itamăgrad dăɣ Tǝmažǝq He is / was speaking in Tamajeq
Ša aman taddămăn dăɣ tanda Water is dripping in the lean-to
Za aman taṭṭăbăn dăɣ tanda Water is dripping in the lean-to
Ša lakkăwăɣ harwa I am still drawing water
Za lakkăwăɣ hărwa I am still drawing water
Ša aratăn tišǝlăn dăɣ taberăt Children are running in the street
Za bărarăn tazălăn dăɣ taberăt Children are running in the street

55
If the action is considered a state that has been entered into (rather than an action
that is being continually renewed or repeated) then the stative is used. Some are
‘obviously’ states others less so. Carrying a bucket is a state in that it follows the
single action of putting the bucket on the head – one could translate ‘the woman
has a bucket on her head’ which brings it out more clearly, e.g.:
Ša eṭṭâs as d-oseɣ He was sleeping when I arrived
Za iṭṭâs as d-oseɣ He was sleeping when I arrived
Ša ara ănnîd The child has a fever
Za bărar innîd The child has a fever
Ša ăššêɣălăɣ ămăr-a I am working at the moment
Za ǝššîɣălăɣ ămăr-a I am working at the moment
Ša as d-osa, ăššêɣălăɣ When he arrived, I was working
Za as d-osa, ǝššîɣălăɣ When he arrived, I was working
Ša tamăṭṭ tăllînǵăt bokǝti The woman is carrying the
bucket on her head
Za tanṭuṭ tǝllîngăt bokǝti The woman is carrying the
bucket on her head
Ša ămmînkădăɣ I am tired / I was tired
Za ǝlwâgăɣ I am tired / I was tired
Ša aratăn ošâlăn dăɣ taberăt Children are running in the street
Za bărarăn ozâlăn dăɣ taberăt Children are running in the street

An unstressed stative is often indistinguishable from the perfective and so in

certain common phrases the perfective appears to be used (but these are probably
best considered stative), e.g.:
Ša Za ǝkkêɣ hebu I am going to market (now)
Ša Za ǝglêɣ I am leaving (now)
Note that a few verbs can use either the stative or the cursive with the same
meaning.

3.11 Questions
You can ask questions in Tamasheq by using a statement form with an
interrogative intonation (i.e. rising at the end as in English), e.g.:
Ša Za tǝkked hebu You are going to market
Ša Za tǝkked hebu ? Are you going to market?
Ša Za hebu a tǝkked It’s to market (that) you are going
Ša Za hebu a tǝkked ? Is it to market (that) you are going?
To make it clearer that it is a question add meɣ ‘or’, e.g.:
Ša Za hebu a tǝkked meɣ ? Is it to market you are going (or …)?
Ša Za tǝkked hebu meɣ ? Are you going to market (or …)?
Alternatively ak, which is purely a question marker, e.g.:
Ša Za ak, tǝkked hebu? Are you going to market?
Commonly, ak can be replaced with Yăllah, but this is quite ugly Tamasheq.

Direct object (‘who’ / ‘what’) questions

These are made using the interrogative pronouns mi ‘who’ or ma ‘what’, e.g.:

56
Ša mi tǝnhăyăd ? Who did you see?
Za mi tǝnăyăd ? Who did you see?
Ša ma tǝnhăyăd ? What did you see?
Za ma tǝnăyăd ? What did you see? /
What did you ride?
Ša Za ma tǝkned ? What are you making / repairing?
Ša ǝkneɣ absăr I am making a knife
Za ǝkneɣ absǝr I am making a knife
Ša ma tǝǵed ? What are you doing?
Za ma tǝged ? What are you doing?
Ša ma tăǵǵăd ašăl kul ? What do you do every day?
Za ma taggăd azǝl kul ? What do you do every day?
Ša ma-môs awa ? What is that?
Za ma-ymôs awa ? What is that?
The interrogative marker ǝndek ‘which’ can also be used for precision in direct
object questions.
Ša ǝndek ašǝk wa extăs Săydu ? Which tree did Saidou cut down?
Ša ašǝk wa-n tǝboraqq a extăs He cut down the ‘taborak’
Za ǝndek ašǝk wa ixtăs Săydu ? Which tree did Saidou cut down?
Za ašǝk wa-n tǝboraq a ixtăs He cut down the ‘taborak’

Indirect object questions

These are questions regarding the indirect object of the verb (i.e. related to the
verb by the indirect object marker i / e / y ‘to / for’). If the indirect object is a
person the question marker is mi-s ‘who to / for?’, in the rarer case that it is a
thing the question marker is ma-s ‘what to / for?’, e.g.:
Ša Za mi-s tǝkned adăfor wa ? For whom are you making
that cushion?
Ša ǝkneq-qi e-Săydu I am making it for Saidou
Za ǝkneq-qe i-Săydu I am making it for Saidou
Ša ma-s tăqqâlăd ? What are you waiting for?
Ša ăqqâlăɣ e-torǝft I’m waiting for a vehicle
Za ma-s tǝqqâlăd ? What are you waiting for?
Za ǝqqâlăɣ i-turǝft I’m waiting for a vehicle
Objects governed by prepositions are similar to this, e.g.:
Ša mi ɣor tăqqîmăd ? With whom are you staying?
Za mi ɣur tǝqqîmăd ? With whom are you staying?
Ša ăqqîmăq-qor ǝmidi-nin I am staying with my friend
Za ǝqqîmăq-qur ǝmidi-nin I am staying with my friend
Ša amidi-nin a ɣor ăqqîmăɣ It is with my friend that I stay
Za amidi-nin a ɣur ǝqqîmăɣ It is with my friend that I stay
Ša mi dăr tămăǵradăd s-ălmăẓ ? Who do you talk with in the
evenings?
Za mi dǝr tamăgradăd s-ǝlmǝẓ ? Who do you talk with in the
evenings?
Ša tamăǵradăɣ d-ǝmidi-nin I talk with my friend
Za tamăgradăɣ d-ǝmidi-nin I talk with my friend

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Ša amidi-nin a-dăr-tămăǵradăɣ It is with my friend that I talk
Za amidi-nin a-dǝr-tamăgradăɣ It is with my friend that I talk
Ša ma dăɣ iǵâ ? What was it made from?
Za ma dăɣ igâ ? What was it made from?
Ša iǵâ dăɣ ašǝk It was made from wood
Za igâ dăɣ ašǝk It was made from wood
Ša ma-s t-extăs ? What did he cut it down with?
Za ma-s t-ixtăs ? What did he cut it down with?
Ša tutǝla a-s t-extăs He cut it down with an axe
Za taḍǝft a-s t-ixtăs He cut it down with an axe

Subject (‘who’ / ‘what’) questions

Where the answer to the question is the subject of the verb. These questions are
expressed in Tamasheq by use of the question marker mi ‘who?’, or ma ‘what?’ plus
the participle (see ‘Participles’ Section 3.14), e.g.:
Ša mi ošălăn ? Who ran?
Za mi ozălăn ? Who ran?
Ša mi extăsăn ašǝk ? Who cut down the tree?
Za mi ixtăsăn ašǝk ? Who cut down the tree?
Ša mi itaǵǵăn ătay ? Who makes tea?
Za mi itaggăn ătay ? Who makes tea?
Ša ma kăy-iǵrâwăn ? What’s up?
Za ma kăy-igrâwăn ? What’s up?
(lit. ‘What has got you?’)
Alternatively the question may be asked using ǝndek ‘which?’, e.g.:
Ša ǝndek ara wa ošălăn ? Which child ran?
Za ǝndek bărar wa ozălăn ? Which child ran?
Ša ara wa-n Săydu a ošălăn It was Saidou’s child who ran
Za bărar wa-n Săydu a ozălăn It was Saidou’s child who ran

‘Why’ questions
These are made using the phrase mafălŠa / măfelZa ‘what on / why’, e.g.:
Ša mafăl tǝǵed awa ? Why did you do that /
why are you doing that?
Ša făl-as igrâẓ-ahi Because it pleases me
Ša mafăl tǝkked Gorăn ? Why did you go to Gorom?
Ša mafăl takkăd Gorăn Why do you go to Gorom
ašăl wa-n ălxămis ? on Thursday?
Ša făl-as awen-dăɣ ašăl wa-n hebu Because that is market day
Za măfel tǝged awa ? Why did you do that /
why are you doing that?
Za fǝl-as igrâẓ-i Because it pleases me
Za măfel tǝkked Gorăn ? Why did you go to Gorom?
Za măfel takkăd Gorăn Why do you go to Gorom
azǝl wa-n ălxǝmis ? on Thursday?
Za fǝl-as awen-dăɣ azǝl wa-n hebu Because that is market day

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‘When’ questions
In Tamaghit mǝnǵǝdu ‘when’, in Tudalt ǝmme ‘when’, e.g.:
Ša mǝnǵǝdu a tǝkked Gorăn ? When did you go to Gorom?
Ša mǝnǵǝdu a dǝt-tosed ? When did you arrive here?
Ša mǝnǵǝdu mad-tǝkkǝd Waɣa ? When will you go to Ouaga?
Za ǝmme a tǝkked Gorăn ? When did you go to Gorom?
Za ǝmme a dǝt-tosed ? When did you arrive here?
Za ǝmme za-tăkkăd Waɣa ? When will you go to Ouaga?

How many
These questions use the phrase man-iket ‘what (of) measure / how many / how
much?’. In Tudalt mǝn-ǝket may occasionally be heard, e.g.:
Ša man-iket eškan extăs ? How many trees did he fell?
Za man-iket eškan ixtăs ? How many trees did he fell?
Ša man-iket aẓrǝf-ǝnnes ? How much (money) is it?
Za man-iket aẓrǝf-nes ? How much (money) is it?
Ša man-iket elăn-nes ? How old is he?
Za man-iket elan-nes ? How old is he?
(lit. ‘How many his years?’)

‘Where’ questions
These use ǝndek ‘which’ plus dihaŠa / daZa which express being in a place or sihaŠa /
saZa which express motion towards a place, e.g.:
Ša ǝndek diha-d tašăɣalăd ? Where do you work?
Ša ǝndek siha-s ošălăn ? Where did they run to?
Ša ǝndek diha-d illâ ? Where is he?
Za ǝndek da-d tašăɣalăd ? Where do you work?
Za ǝndek sa-s ozălăn ? Where did they run to?
Za ǝndek diha-d illâ ? Where is he?
In Tudalt the Tawellemmet form may also be heard:
Za mǝni-d illâ ? Where is he?
Note: the following two common verbs that use mi ‘who?’ in the sense of ‘where?’.
These verbs take a place as their direct object, and the use of mi rather than ma
probably expresses choice between a more limited number of options.
Ša Za mi tǝkked ? Where are you going?
Ša Za mi dǝt-tǝfălăd ? Where have you come from?
These verbs can take ǝndek ‘which’ when selecting more precisely, e.g.:
Ša Za ǝndek edăgg wa tǝkked ? Which place are you going to?
Ša Za ǝndek-ki hebu wa dǝt-tǝfălăd ? Which market have you come from?

‘How’ questions
There are several ways of expressing this, with slight nuances of meaning:
ma … har ‘what … so that / how’
ǝndek awa ‘which that / how’
ǝndek ǝmmǝk wa-s ‘(in) what manner that’

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Depending on whether the reference is to the past ‘how did you …’, habitual ‘how
do you …’ or future ‘ how will you …’ the perfective, cursive or imperfective will be
used respectively, e.g.:
Ša ǝndek awa nǝtăǵǵ năǵ ătay ? How do we make tea?
Za ǝndek awa nǝtaggu năgu ătay ? How do we make tea?
(lit. ‘Which that we do, that we should make tea?’)
Ša ǝndek ǝmmǝk wa-s mad năǵ ătay ? How are we going to make tea?
Za ǝndek ǝmmǝk wa-s za năgu ătay ? How are we going to make tea?
(lit. ‘In what manner will we make tea?’)
Ša ma mad năǵ har năǵ ătay ? How are we going to make tea?
Za ma za năgu har năgu ătay ? How are we going to make tea?
(lit. ‘What are we going to do so as to make tea?’)
Ša ǝndek awa ǵed har tărẓed aḍăr-ǝnnăk ? How did you break your leg?
(N.B. ‘ǵed’ is a contraction of ‘tǝǵed’)
Za ǝndek awa tǝged har tǝrẓed aḍăr-năk ? How did you break your leg?
(lit. ‘What did you do so that you broke your leg?’)
Ša ma tǝǵed har toḍed făl How did you fall off your
bătbăt-ǝnnăk ? motorbike?
Za ma tăged har tuḍed fǝl How did you fall off your
bătbăt-năk ? motorbike?
Among Tudalt speakers the Tawellemmet form may be heard, e.g.:
Za man ǝmmǝk wa-s tǝkned bătbăt ? How did you fix the motorbike?

3.12 Negatives
The negative in Tamasheq is formed by using the marker wǝr (in Tamaghit
pronounced wăr before consonants, ‘ă’, ‘a’, ‘e’, and ‘o’). Some people contract these
to ur or even u in rapid speech. Sometimes there is a change in the verb as well.

Perfective
The negative perfective is the same in form as the positive, except for group I
verbs where there is often a vowel change, e.g.:
Ša Za ǝkkân hebu They are going to market
Ša Za wǝr ǝkken hebu They are not going to market
Ša Za ǝkkêɣ anu I’m going to the well
Ša Za wǝr ǝkkeɣ anu I’m not going to the well
Ša Za tǝzzâyăd Musa meɣ ? Do you know Musa?
Ša Za wăr t-ǝzzeyăɣ făw I don’t know him at all
Ša os-id / os-ǝd / os-ăd He came
Za os-ăddǝd He came
Ša Za wăr d-osa He didn’t come
Ša ǝssǝnta ǝššǝɣǝl He started work
Za issǝnta ǝššǝɣǝl He started work
Ša wǝr ǝssǝnta ǝššǝɣǝl harwa He hasn’t started work yet
Za wǝr issǝnta ǝššǝɣǝl hărwa He hasn’t started work yet

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Stative
The negative of the stative is always identical to the negative of the perfective, e.g.:
Ša ăkkûs It is hot
Ša wăr ăkkus It isn’t hot
Ša ămmînda It is finished
Ša wǝr ǝmmǝnda It isn’t finished
Ša issân Tămašăq He knows Tamasheq
Ša wǝr issen Tămašăq He doesn’t know Tamasheq
Za ikkûs It is hot
Za wǝr ikkus It isn’t hot
Za immînda It is finished
Za wǝr immǝnda It isn’t finished
Za issân Tǝmažǝq He knows Tamajeq
Za wǝr issen Tǝmažǝq He doesn’t know Tamajǝq

Imperfective
The verb form doesn’t change but special marker words are added in place of ad, e.g.:
Ša Za ad ăkkăɣ hebu I will go to market
Ša wăr mad ăkkăɣ hebu I will not go to market
Za wǝr z-ăkkăɣ hebu I will not go to market
(See Section 3.21 Uses of Imperfective for more details)

Cursive
For nearly all verbs, the negative cursive is slightly different from the cursive, e.g.:
Ša itatt enăle He eats millet
Ša wǝr itǝtt enăle He doesn’t eat millet
Ša ilammăd Tămašăq He is learning Tamasheq
Ša wǝr ilǝmmǝd Tămašăq He isn’t learning Tamasheq
Za itattu enăle He eats millet
Za wǝr itǝttu enăle He doesn’t eat millet
Za ilammăd Tǝmažǝq He is learning Tamajeq
Za wǝr ilǝmmǝd Tǝmažǝq He isn’t learning Tamajeq

Negatives of participles
Participles have their own negative forms see Section 3.14 Participles and Section
4 Verb Tables for further details, e.g.:
Ša ǝnta a wăren ikka Tin-Akof It was he who didn’t go to Tin Akof
Za ǝnta a wǝr nǝkka Tin-Akof It was he who didn’t go to Tin Akof
Ša ăhalǝs wa wăren ilmed Tarabt The man who hasn’t learned Arabic
Za alǝs wa wǝr nǝlmed Tarabt The man who hasn’t learned Arabic

Nothing
This is expressed by wăla ‘nothing’, or by ‘something’ with the negative verb. The
double negative ‘nothing’ with the negative verb is emphatic, e.g.:
Ša ma tǝnhăyăd ? What did you see?
Ša wăla! Nothing!
Ša wǝr ǝnheyăɣ wăla I saw nothing (at all)
Ša wǝr ǝnheyăɣ hărăt I didn’t see anything
Za ma tǝnăyăd ? What did you see?

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Za wăla! Nothing!
Za wǝr ǝneyăɣ wăla I saw nothing
Za wǝr ǝneyăɣ ărăt I didn’t see anything

No-
No-one
Similar to the above, e.g.:
Ša wǝr ǝnheyăɣ wǝlǝyyăn I saw no-one
Ša wǝr ǝnheyăɣ ăwadǝm I didn’t see anyone
Ša wǝr ǝnheyăɣ ăwadǝm wǝlǝyyăn I didn’t see anyone at all
Za wǝr ǝneyăɣ wǝlǝyyăn I saw no-one
Za wǝr ǝneyăɣ ăwadǝm I didn’t see anyone
Za wǝr ǝneyăɣ ăwadǝm wǝlǝyyăn I didn’t see anyone at all

Never
The adverb kăla ‘ever / never / beforehand’ with the negative expresses ‘never’,
e.g.:
Ša Za kăla wǝr ǝkkeɣ Abiǵa I have never been to Abidjan
Ša kăla wăr tăt-eḍes iǵi n-ăhăn She has never been married
Za kăla wǝr tăt-iḍes igi n-ăhăn She has never been married
(lit. ‘It has never touched her, doing of home’)

Nowhere
The noun edăgg ‘place’ with the adverb kul ‘all / any’ or wǝlǝyyăn ‘not one’ and the
negative verb expresses ‘nowhere’ or ‘not … anywhere’, e.g.:
Ša wăr tăt-ǝǵrewăɣ dăɣ ădăgg kul I didn’t find her anywhere
Za wăr tăt-ǝgrewăɣ dăɣ ădăgg kul I didn’t find her anywhere
Ša wǝr ǝkkeɣ edăgg wăliyyăn I didn’t go anywhere
Za wǝr ǝkkeɣ edăgg wǝliyyăn I didn’t go anywhere

It isn’t
This is expressed by a useful little negative word that has a variety of forms as
shown below, e.g.:
Ša wădden aɣănib It isn’t a pen
Ša udde aɣănib It isn’t a pen
Za wǝrgin ǝɣanib It isn’t a pen
Za ugge ǝɣanib It isn’t a pen
Ša năkku, wădde ămănokal, talăqqe ɣas I’m not a chief, (I’m) just a poor man
Za năkku, wǝrgeɣ amǝnokal, talǝqqe ɣas I’m not a chief, (I’m) just a poor man
Ša mi iǵăn awa ? wădde năk ! Who did that? Not me!
Za mi igăn awa ? wǝgge năk ! Who did that? Not me!

Multiple negatives
Adverbial markers can be strung together in a negative phrase to generate
multiple negatives, e.g.:
Ša ăwadǝm kul wǝr inna hărăt Nobody at all said anything
Za ăwadǝm kul wǝr inna ărăt Nobody at all said anything
Ša ăwadǝm wăliyyăn wǝr inna wăla Nobody at all said anything
Za ăwadǝm wǝliyyăn wǝr inna wăla Nobody at all said anything

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Never again
Two constructions are equivalent, both using verbs to express the negative idea,
e.g.:
Ša Za wǝr ilkem lit. ‘It will not follow’
Ša wăr mad alǝsăɣ I will not repeat
Za wǝr z-alǝsăɣ I will not repeat
Ša wǝr ilkem a-dd-ăqqǝlăɣ diha I will never come back here again
Ša wăr ma-dd-alǝsăɣ oɣǝl ǝn-diha I will never come back here again
Ša wǝr ilkem ad ăkkăɣ dihen I will never go there again
Ša wăr mad alǝsăɣ iki ǝn-dihen I will never go there again
Za wǝr ilkem a-dd-ǝqqǝlăɣ da I will never come back here again
Za wǝr za-dd-alǝsăɣ uɣǝl ǝn-da I will never come back here again
Za wǝr ilkem ad ăkkăɣ den I will never go there again
Za wǝr z-alǝsăɣ iki ǝn-den I will never go there again

No more
This is expressed by ib-as ‘no longer’ (from iba as ‘[there is] cessation [of] that …’)
with a positive verb in the cursive (Tudalt may also use ăb-as), e.g.:
Ša ib-as šanšeɣ kăfe I no longer buy coffee
Za ib-as zanzăɣ kăfe I no longer buy coffee

3.13 Qualifiers
There are no adjectives as such in Tamasheq, instead verbs and nouns are used as
qualifiers. Often, descriptions are done by verbs in the stative aspect. Many verbs
in all groups have an qualitative meaning and in addition Group IV is composed
entirely of qualitative verbs, e.g.:
Ša ăkkûs It is hot
Za ikkûs It is hot
Ša ǝbdâǵăn They are wet
Za ǝbdâgăn They are wet
Ša Za wăššâr He / she is old
Note: such verbs used in the perfective would means ‘to get …’ or ‘to become …’,
e.g.:
Ša ăkkus It became hot
Za ikkus It became hot
Ša ǝbdăǵăɣ I got wet
Za ǝbdăgăɣ I got wet
Ša Za as wăššăr … When he / she became old …
The imperfective of such verbs is occassionally used, e.g.:
Ša as tǝǵed tăẓoli dăɣ ăfew, ad tukas If you put metal in fire it
will become hot
Za as tǝged tǝẓoli dăɣ tămse, ad tukas If you put metal in fire it
will become hot
Ša ad ăqqaymăɣ har toɣar taberăt I will wait until the road dries
Za ad ăqqamăɣ har tuɣar taberăt I will wait until the road dries

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The cursive is very rare, e.g.:
Ša Za efew ǝn-tămse wǝr itǝmǝttit The fire of Hell never dies

Participles (see next section)

These form subordinate clauses qualifying a noun, which thus act like adjectives.
When definite (taking ‘the’ or ‘that’ etc. in English) they are preceded by the
demonstrative pronoun wa, the stress is more on the noun and the perfective
participle is used. If the qualified noun is indefinite (preceded by ‘a’ or ‘some’ in
English) the stress is more on the qualifier and the stative participle is used, e.g.:
Ša ăhalǝs wa inhăyăn Măryama, os-id The man who saw Mary, came
Za alǝs wa inăyăn Măryama, os-ăddǝd The man who saw Mary, came
Ša ăhalǝs wa wăššărăn os-id The man who was old came
Za alǝs wa wăššărăn os-ăddǝd The man who was old came
(i.e. The old man came)
Ša ǝnhăyăɣ amnǝs šăggâɣăn I saw a camel which was red
Za ǝnăyăɣ amnǝs zăggâɣăn I saw a camel which was red
(i.e. I saw a red camel)
Ša ǝngăḍăɣ eɣewǝd wa ibdăǵăn I wore the turban which was wet
Za ǝngăḍăɣ eɣewǝd wa ibdăgăn I wore the turban which was wet
(i.e. I wore the wet turban)

Nouns as qualifiers
As in English nouns may be used as qualifiers. The preposition ‘n’ links the qualfier
to the noun qualified. ‘n’ is usually preceded by one of the forms of the
demonstrative pronoun wa, e.g.:
Ša Ɣusman wan ănhăḍ Rousman the blacksmith
Za Ɣusman wan ănăḍ Rousman the blacksmith
Ša Ɣusman wan ǝfullan Ousman the Fulani
Za Ɣusman wan ǝfollan Ousman the Fulani
Ša ašăl wan hebu Market day
Za azǝl wan hebu Market day
Ša Za hebu wann ǝmnas The camel market
Ša ašăl wan hebu wann ǝmnas Tin Akof camel market day
wan Tin-Akof
Za azǝl wan hebu wann ǝmnas Tin Akof camel market day
wan Tin-Akof
Ša tamăṭṭ tan Ɣusman Rousman’s wife
Za tanṭuṭ tan Ɣusman Rousman’s wife
Ša Za ell-es tan Săydu Saidou’s daughter
A large number of Tamasheq nouns are ‘adjectival’ and frequently used in this
type of construction, e.g.:
Ša Za ăwadǝm wann ănăsbăɣor A / the rich person
Ša ara wann ăhalǝs A / the male child
Za bărar wann alǝs A / the male child
Ša tarat tan tămăṭṭ A / the female child
Za tabărart tan tǝnṭuṭ A / the female child

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Ša Za ǝn-kufar Western / modern / state
(lit. ‘Of the infidel’)
Ša Za ǝššǝɣǝl wan kufar Formal employment /
administrative work
Ša Za asǝyar wan kufar A spanner
(lit. ‘An infidel key’)
Ša Za ǝn-bănnan Useless / free / spontaneous etc.
Ša Za ăwadǝm ǝn-bănnan A worthless person
Ša Za enăle ǝn-bănnan Spontaneous (wild) millet
Ša Za ǝššǝɣǝl ǝn-bănnan Worthless (or fruitless) labour

Expressing ‘belonging to’

The supporting pronoun ‘i’ followed by the preposition ‘n’ expressed belonging,
e.g.:
Ša aɣănib wa i-n Măryama That pen belongs to Maryama
Za ǝɣanib wa i-n Măryama That pen belongs to Maryama
Ša Za bătbăt ta ti-n Musa That motorbike belongs to Musa
Ša iwan ti ti-n Dăwda Those cows belong to David
Za šitan ti ti-n Dăwda Those cows belong to David

The prefix erk

erk is an adjectival prefix meaning ‘bad’, its feminine form is ter, e.g.:
Ša Za erk-nǝzgam Wrong thoughts
Ša Za erk-ăwadǝm A bad person
Ša Za ter-taberăt The wrong path
Ša Za ter-tǝmudre A bad life(style) // suffering
In Tudalt the Tawellemmet forms ărăk / tăr may be heard.

3.14 Participles
Participles are used exclusively in relative clauses in Tamasheq. They qualify (or
occasionally replace) a noun. In this way often fulfil the role of the English
adjective. They are preceded by the demonstrative pronoun wa if they are definite
(take ‘the’ in English). When definite they are generally in the perfective aspect
(less stressed than the stative). To have demonstrative strength they can take a
second demonstrative pronoun either after the noun or after the participle. If
there is no demonstrative pronoun before the participle the clause is considered
indefinite (takes ‘a’ in English). In this case they are generally in the stative aspect,
e.g.:
Ša ăhalǝs gǝzzǝ̂lăn, os-id A short man came here
Ša ăhalǝs wa gǝzzǝlăn, os-id The short man came here
Ša ăhalǝs wa gǝzzǝlăn wa, os-id That short man came here
Ša ăhalǝs wa, wa gǝzzǝlăn, os-id That man, the short one,
came here
Ša ta gǝzzǝlăt, tos-id The short (woman) came here
Ša ǝnhăyăɣ amnǝs wa măqqărăn I saw the camel which was big
(i.e. I saw the big camel)

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Ša ăhalǝs wa ibdădăn daw ašǝk, The man who is standing under
ǝmmǝǵrăd-ahi the tree, spoke to me
Ša tamăṭṭ ta tǝddăhăt enăle, tǝǵa tǝdda The woman who pounded the
millet, made the millet drink
Ša ǝmmăɣăɣ y-ăbălboḍ-in I am looking for my bag
wa ămekărăn which has been stolen
Za alǝs gǝzzûlăn, os-id A short man came here
Za alǝs wa gǝzzulăn, os-ăddǝd The short man came here
Za alǝs wa gǝzzulăn wa, os-id That short man came here
Za alǝs wa, wa gǝzzulăn, os-id That man, the short one, came here
Za ta gǝzzulăt, tos-ăddǝd The short (woman) came here
Za ǝnăyăɣ amnǝs wa măqqărăn I saw the camel which was big
(i.e. I saw the big camel)
Za alǝs wa ibdădăn daw ašǝk, The man who is standing under
immǝgrăd-i the tree, spoke to me
Za tanṭuṭ ta tǝddăt enăle, tǝga tǝdda The woman who pounded the
millet, made the millet drink
Za ǝgmăyăɣ abălboḍ-in I am looking for my bag
wa immokărăn which has been stolen

Forms of participles
participles
Participles may be masculine singular, feminine singular or plural. They have a
regular formation as follows:
msg i- -ăn
fsg tǝ- -ăt
pl - -nen
Note that the msg form is like the form of a plural masculine noun. This can be a
source of confusion so care should be taken. These prefixes and suffixes can be
modified depending on the exact verbal form they are attached to. See Verb
groups in Section 4 for details of their formation for each type of verb in each
aspect.
Participles are a part of the verbal system, existing in all four aspects. (What the
person or thing they are qualifying is doing may be perceived as an instantaneous
action, an enduring state, a possible action or a recurrent one), e.g.:
Ša ǝnhăyăɣ ăhalǝs wa ilmădăn I saw the man who has learned
Tǝfollant Fulfulde
Ša ǝnhăyăɣ ăhalǝs wa ilămmădăn I saw the man who is learning
Tămašăq Tamasheq
Ša ǝnhăyăɣ ḍeḍen ti lămmădnen I saw the women who are learning
Tămašăq Tamasheq
Ša ǝnhăyăɣ tamăṭṭ ta maden tăkk I saw the woman who will go
Makăt to Mecca
Za ǝnăyăɣ alǝs wa ilmădăn I saw the man who has learned
Tǝfollant Fulfulde
Za ǝnăyăɣ ăhalǝs wa ilammădăn I saw the man who is learning
Tǝmažǝq Tamajeq

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Za ǝnăyăɣ ḍeḍen ti lammădnen I saw the women who are
Tămašăq learning Tamajeq
Za ǝnăyăɣ tanṭuṭ ta za-tăkkăt I saw the woman who will go
Makăt to Mecca

Questions
The masculine singular of the participle is used for all questions where the subject
is being sought, e.g.:
Ša mi isăkădawăn ăsink ? Who prepares millet porridge?
Za mi isakădawăn ǝšink ? Who prepares millet porridge?
Ša mi dd-osăn ănḍ-ăhăḍ ? Who arrived last night?
Za mi dd-osăn ǝnḍ-ahăḍ ? Who arrived last night?
Ša Za mi ikkăn Waɣa ? Who went to Ouaga?
The appropriate gender / number participle is used in the reply, e.g.:
Ša tamăṭṭ a săkădawăt ăsink It is the woman who prepares
millet porridge
Za tanṭuṭ a tǝsakădawăt ǝšink It is the woman who prepares
millet porridge
Ša Za inaftaɣăn-nănăɣ a dd-osănen It was our guests who arrived
Ša Za năkku a ikkăn Waɣa It was I who went to Ouaga

Participles with the imperfective

In Tamaghit the imperfective participle takes maden and loses the usual suffixes, e.g.:
Ša ǝndek-ki ăhalǝs wa maden ăǵ Where is the man who will
ătay ? make the tea?
Ša tamăṭ ta maden dǝt-tas The woman who will come
Ša ǝmmăɣăɣ e-meddăn wi maden I’m looking for the man who
ăqqǝn tanda-nin will build my lean-to
In Tudalt the imperfective participle takes z(a)- and retains the usual suffixes, e.g.:
Za ǝndek-ke alǝs wa z-ăgin ătay ? Where is the man who will
make the tea?
Za tanṭut ta za-dǝt-tasu The woman who will come
Za ǝgmăyăɣ meddăn wi z-ǝqqǝnnen I’m looking for the man who
tanda-nin will build my lean-to

Negative participles
In Tamaghit the negative participle loses the usual suffixes and is preceded by
wăren (the Tadghaq form wărăn may also be heard), e.g.:
Ša ăhalǝs wa wăren ilmed Tămašăq The man who hasn’t learned
Tamasheq
Ša tamăṭṭ ta wăren tǝssen Tafrănsit The woman who doesn’t know
French
Ša meddăn wi wăren igla The men who didn’t go
In Tudalt the negative participle takes wǝr n- and loses the usual prefixes and
suffixes, e.g.:
Za alǝs wa wǝr nǝlmed Tǝmažǝq The man who hasn’t learned
Tamajeq

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Za tanṭuṭ ta wǝr nǝssen Tafrănsit The woman who doesn’t know
French
Za meddăn wi wǝr nǝgla The men who didn’t go

Note
Phrases such as ‘the man whom I saw in the market’ are not translated using the
participle. In such cases ‘the man’ is the object not the subject of the verb, e.g.:
Ša ăhalǝs wa ǝnhăyăɣ dăɣ hebu The man whom I saw in the
os-id market has come
Za alǝs wa ǝnăyăɣ dăɣ hebu The man whom I saw in the
os-ăddǝd market has come
Similary phrases such as ‘the man for whom I looked in the market’ are not
translated using the participle either. Here ‘the man’ is the indirect object of the
verb. Note that the indirect object marker ‘y’ becomes ‘s’ when moved to before
the verb, e.g.:
Ša ǝmmăɣăɣ y-ăhalǝs dăɣ hebu I looked for the man in the market
Ša ăhalǝs wa-s ǝmmăɣăɣ dăɣ hebu The man for whom I looked in
os-id the market came here
Finally, phrases such as ‘the bag in which I left my things’ do not use the
participle. Here ‘the bag’ is an object governed by a pronoun, e.g.:
Ša Za oyyeɣ ilalăn-in dăɣ ăbălboḍ I left my things in a bag
Ša Za okăr abălboḍ wa dăɣ oyyeɣ He stole the bag in which I left
ilalăn-in my things
Ša ǝmmăɣăɣ y-ăbălboḍ wa dăɣ I am looking for the bag in which
oyyeɣ ilalăn-in I left my things
Za ǝgmăyăɣ abălboḍ wa dăɣ I am looking for the bag in which
oyyeɣ ilalăn-in I left my things
In English ‘which’ can be a marker for both subject and object and this can be a
source of confusion. Only when it is subject is the participle used, e.g.:
Ša Za amnǝs wa ǝnăyăɣ The camel which I rode
(direct object)
Ša amnǝs wa oḍăn The camel which fell
Za amnǝs wa uḍăn The camel which fell
(subject)
Ša amnǝs wa făl oḍeɣ The camel from which I fell
Za amnǝs wa fǝl uḍeɣ The camel from which I fell
(adverbial complement)

3.15 Pronouns
Pronouns in Tamasheq are straightforward in outline and a little tricky in detail.
They vary somewhat in different contexts as to their precise pronunciation.

Independent personal pronouns

These are not obligatory before the verb and are used only for emphasis, or before
imperatives and participles to denote or emphasise who is referred to.

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Ša Za I năk / năkku (năkk before a vowel)
Ša Za You (msg) kăy / kăyyu (kăyy before a vowel)
Ša Za You (fsg) kăm / kămmu (kămm before a vowel)
Ša Za He / she ǝnta
Ša We năkkăneḍ
Ša We (fpl) năkkănăteḍ
Ša You (pl) kăwăneḍ
Ša You (fpl) kămăteḍ
Ša They ǝntăneḍ
Ša They (f) ǝntănăteḍ
Za We năkkăned
Za We (fpl) năkkănăted
Za You (pl) kăwăned
Za You (fpl) kămăted
Za They ǝntăned
Za They (f) ǝntănăted
E.g.:
Ša Za năkku, ad ăkkăɣ Gorăn Myself, I will go to Gorom
Ša Za kăyy, awi-dd aman You, bring water!
Ša Za ǝnta, a innăn adi It was him (/ her) who said that

Possessive pronouns
These are suffixed to the noun possessed (or to the demonstrative pronoun for
emphasis). Depending on the ending of that noun the form varies slightly to
facilitate pronunciation. Tamaghit and Tudalt differ somewhat in the details.
Za (after Ša Za (after Ša (after any
any C) any V) other C)
Ša (after ‘n’)
My -in -nin -in
Your (msg) -năk -nnăk -ǝnnăk
Your (fsg) -năm -nnăm -ǝnnăm
His / her -nes -nnes -ǝnnes
Our -nănăɣ -nănăɣ -nănăɣ
Your (mpl) -năwăn -năwăn -năwăn
Your (fpl) -năkmăt -năkmăt -năkmăt
Their (mpl) -năsăn -năsăn -năsăn
Their (fpl) -năsnăt -năsnăt -năsnăt
(The DWY form for ‘his/her’ -net etc., does not occur in Oudalan.)
E.g.:
Ša Za ehăn-in My home
Ša Za ehăn-năk Your home
Ša Za amidi-nin My friend
Ša Za amnǝs-in My camel
Ša Za amnǝs wa-nin My camel (emphatic)
Ša amnǝs-ǝnnăk Your camel
Za amnǝs-năk Your camel

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Ša Za amidi-nnăk Your friend
Ša Za awa i-nnăk That is yours
Ša Za i-nnu It is mine
(Alternative to ‘i-nin’)

Reflexive pronouns
Reflexive pronouns are expressed using iman ‘self’ plus the possessive, e.g.:
Ša Za ǝngăḍăɣ eɣewǝd-in iman-in I put on my turban myself
Ša Za mi iknăn tăkoba-nnăk ? Who made your sword?
Ša Za ǝkneq-qăt iman-in I made it myself
Ša Za năkku a tăt-iknăn It was I that made it
Ša Za năkk iman-in a tăt-iknăn (It was) I myself that made it
Ša Za ǝnta iman-nes a tăt-iknăn He himself made it
As with English ‘self’ the construction with iman is also used in order to put
emphasis on a preceding noun or pronoun, e.g.:
Ša mi ăsserădăn ilalăn n-ătay ? Who washed the tea things?
Ša năkku iman-in a tăn-ăsserădăn I washed them myself
Za mi iššorădăn ilalăn n-ătay ? Who washed the tea things?
Za năkku iman-in a tăn-iššorădăn I washed them myself

Possessive pronouns special forms

Several important nouns take special shorter versions of the possessive suffixes,
e.g.:
Ša ror-es His son
Za rur-es His son
Ša ti-k Your(msg) father
Ša mǝddan-ǝs His sons
Za măddan-ǝs His sons
These fall into a small number of sets of suffixes as listed below.
set ‘a’ ‘aa’ ‘b’ ‘bb’ ‘c’
My -i -ɣ -e / -eɣ -i / -iɣ -i
Your (msg) -ǝk -k -ek -ik -ak
Your (fsg) -ǝm -m -em -im -am
His / her -ǝs -s -es -is -as
Our -năɣ -năɣ -enăɣ -inăɣ -anăɣ
Your (mpl) -wăn -wwăn -ewwăn -iwwăn -awăn
Your (fpl) -kmăt -kmăt -ekmăt -ikmăt -akmăt
Their (m) -săn -ssăn -essăn -issăn -asăn
Their (f) -snăt -snăt -esnăt -isnăt -asnăt
Set ‘a’ includes Ša Za tăy- Fathers
Ša mǝddan- Sons
Za măddan- Sons
Ša Za mǝssaw- Masters
The following nouns take set ‘aa’: Ša Za măssa- Owner /
boss (fsg)
Ša Za ma- Mother

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 Ša ti- Father
Za ši- Father
Ša Za ăŋŋa- Brother
Ša wălăt-ma- Sister
Za wǝlǝt-ma- Sister
Ša Za ayǝt-ma- Brothers
Ša šăt-ma- Sisters
Za ăššet-ma- Sisters
Ša Za ăŋŋăt-ma- (Maternal)
uncle
These take set ‘b’: Ša ǝssin- Both of /
two of
Za ǝššin- Both of /
two of
Ša Za kăraḍ- (All) three
(and all 4-9 too) of
Ša Za măraw- (All) ten of
Za hănn- Wife
Ša Za ell- Daughter
Ša ror- Son
Za rur- Son
Ša iss- Daughters
Za ešš- Daughters
Ša Za mǝssawăt- Owners /
bosses (fpl)
As does this preposition: Ša ǵer- between
Za gǝr- between
These take set ‘bb’: Ša Za măss- Master /
owner (msg)
Ša hănn- Wife
Set ‘c’ is used in Malian dialects: măssaw- Masters
măddan- Sons

Prepositions with pronouns

Prepositions also take the shortened forms of the possessive pronouns. Besides
ǵer/gǝr in set ‘b’ above there are two sets as listed below.
Ša Za dăɣ-, dǝr-, sǝr- Ša Za făll-
Ša ɣor-, ǵǝnnǝǵ- Ša dat-
Za ɣur-, gǝnnǝg- Ša ḍar- (< ḍarăt)
Za dǝffǝr- Ša daw-
Za dat-, daw-
Ša daw- (optionally)
Me -i -i
You (msg) -ǝk -ak
You (fsg) -ǝm -am
Him / her -ǝs -as
Us -năɣ -anăɣ

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 You (mpl) -wăn -awwăn
You (fpl) -ǝkmăt -akmăt
Them (m) -săn -assăn
Them (f) -ǝsnăt -asnăt
In Tamaghit both dăɣ and dăr may shorten to d(ǝ)- in all forms except 1sg, e.g.:
Ša iwăn ṭabǝl, oḍa făll-as He got on the table, he fell off it
Za iwăn ṭabǝl, uḍa făll-as He got on the table, he fell off it
Ša Za ad idawăɣ dăr-săn I will go with them
Ša ad idawăɣ dǝ-săn I will go with them
Ša eqqǝyma ɣor-i He stayed with me
Za iqqima ɣur-i He stayed with me

Direct object pronouns

These follow the verb except in questions, negatives and a few other cases where
they are drawn to the front. The forms differ slightly depending on whether they
are before or after the verb and when following vowel-ending verb forms, there is
a distinctive set.
After a After a vowel Before verb
consonant (vowel dropped)
Ša Me -ahi -ahi hi-
Za Me -i -i di-
Ša Za You (msg) -kăy -ik kăy-
Ša Za You (fsg) -kăm -im kăm-
Ša Him -ti -e tt- / ti-
Za Him -te /-tăy -e / -ăy tt- / te-
Ša Za Her -tăt -et tăt-
Ša Us -anăɣ -anăɣ hanăɣ-
Za Us -anăɣ -anăɣ danăɣ-
Ša Za You (mpl) -kăwăn -iwăn kăwăn-
Ša Za You (fpl) -kămăt -ikmăt kămăt-
Ša Za Them (m) -tăn -en tăn-
Ša Za Them (f) -tănăt -enăt tănăt-
E.g.:
Ša inhăy-ti He saw him
Za inăy-tăy He saw him
Ša Za ikf-e amidi-nnes He gave it to his friend
Ša Za iwăt-anăɣ He hit us
Ša Za ikš-ik He ate (defeated) you
Ša a-hanăɣ-ǝnhǝy He will see us
Za a-danăɣ-ǝnǝy He will see us
Ša ǝnhăyăq-qăy I saw you (ɣ + k = q-q)
Za ǝnăyăq-qăy I saw you (ɣ + k = q-q)
Ša ǝnhăyăq-qi I saw him (ɣ + t = q-q)
Za ǝnăyăq-qe I saw him (ɣ + t = q-q)
Ša wăr t-ǝnheyăɣ I didn’t see him
Ša wăr ti-ǝnheyăɣ I didn’t see him

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Za wǝr t-ǝneyăɣ I didn’t see him
Za wǝr tăy-ǝneyăɣ I didn’t see him

Indirect object pronouns

Like the direct object pronouns these follow the verb except in questions,
negatives and a few other cases where they are drawn to the front. The forms
differ slightly depending on whether they are before or after the verb. Unlike the
direct object pronouns there is no distinctive set when following a vowel-ending
verb, the verb simply loses its final vowel and the standard set is used.
After verb Ša before verb Za before verb
Ša Me -ahi hi-
Za Me -i di-
You (msg) -ak hak- dak-
You (fsg) -am ham- dam-
Him/her -as has- das-
Us -anăɣ hanăɣ- danăɣ-
You (mpl) -awăn hawăn- dawăn-
You (fpl) -akmăt hakmăt- dakmăt-
Them (m) -asăn hasăn- dasăn-
Them (f) -asnăt hasnăt- dasnăt-
E.g.:
Ša Za ǝnneɣ-as I said to him
Ša a-has-ănnăɣ I will tell him
Ša inn-ahi He said to me
Ša wăr hak-ǝnneɣ wăla I didn’t say anything to you
Za a-das-ănnăɣ I will tell him
Za inn-i He said to me
Za wǝr dak-ǝnneɣ wăla I didn’t say anything to you
In Tamaghit occasionally the preverbal form is used following a vowel-ending or
independantly. This form is used for stress, e.g.:
Ša inna-hak He said to you
Ša a-has-eɣrǝs hak He will slaughter it for you

Note
The verb ăkf ‘give’ normally takes two direct objects, e.g.:
Ša Za ǝkfeɣ amidi-nin tăkoba I gave my friend a sword
Ša Za ǝkfeq-qăt amidi-nin I gave it to my friend
Ša ǝkfeq-qi tăkoba I gave him a sword
Za ǝkfeq-qe tăkoba I gave him a sword
But if both objects are pronouns the receiver becomes an indirect object, e.g.:
Ša Za ǝkfeɣ-as-tăt I gave it to him
Similarly the verb ǝdǝl ‘ask for/ beg’, e.g.:
Ša Za ăwadǝm idăl amidi-nnes taḷǝmt Someone asked his friend for
a (female) camel
Ša idăl-ti taḷǝmt He asked him for the camel
Za idăl-tăy taḷǝmt He asked him for the camel

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Ša Za idăl-tăt amidi-nnes He asked his friend for it
but:
Ša Za idăl-as-tăt He asked him for it
(lit. ‘He asked of him it’)

Word order
Pronouns usually follow the verb. They are brought to the front by the negative
marker wǝr, the future marker a(d), the conjunctions as / afăl / id etc., and the
demonstrative pronouns a, wa etc., e.g.:
Ša ǝnhăyăq-qi I saw him
Ša wăr t-ǝnheyăɣ I didn’t see him
Ša ǝnneɣ-as … I said to him …
Ša wăr has-ǝnneɣ wăla I didn’t say anything to him
Ša ma hi-tǝnned ? What did you say to me?
Ša ǝnhăyăɣ ăhalǝs wa tăt-okărăn I saw the man who stole it
Ša ǝnhăyăɣ ăhalǝs wa hak-ǝmmǝǵrădăn I saw the man who spoke to you
Ša ilkăm, a-hak-ti-ăkfăɣ Afterwards I will give it to you
Ša as ti-tǝnhăyăd … If you see him …
Za ǝnăyăq-qe I saw him
Za wǝr t-ǝneyăɣ I didn’t see him
Za ǝnneɣ-as … I said to him …
Za wǝr das-ǝnneɣ wăla I didn’t say anything to him
Za ma di-tǝnned ? What did you say to me?
Za ǝnăyăɣ alǝs wa tăt-okărăn I saw the man who stole it
Za ǝnăyăɣ alǝs wa dak-immǝgrădăn I saw the man who spoke to you
Za ilkăm, a-dak-tăy-ăkfăɣ Afterwards I will give it to you
Za as te-tǝnăyăd … If you see him …

3.16 Orders, prohibitions and injunctions

The imperative
The imperative is a form of the imperfective, usually the simple imperfective, e.g.:
Ša ăkf ! Give!
Za ăff ! Give!
Ša Za awi-dd ! Bring (here)!
Ša Za awi-dd aman ! Bring water (here)!
Ša lăɣăt-ahi ma tămos tende Explain to me what a ‘tende’ is
Za lăɣăt-i ma tǝmos tende Explain to me what a ‘tende’ is
Ša măǵrăd s-ăfălla, wăr hak-ǝsleɣ Speak up, I can’t hear you
Za măgrăd s-ăfălla, wǝr dak-ǝsleɣ Speak up, I can’t hear you
It has one singular form and two plural forms (masculine and feminine), e.g.:
Ša ǝgǝl ! Go away! (sg)
Ša ăglăt ! Go away! (mpl)
Ša ǝglǝmăt ! Go away! (fpl)
Za ăglu ! Go away! (sg)
Za ăglăt ! Go away! (mpl)
Za ăglimăt ! Go away! (fpl)

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In a series of commands the imperfective (omitting ‘ad’) is used for second and
subsequent instructions, e.g.:
Ša awi-dd aman, tǝǵǝd-tăn dăɣ Bring water, put it in the
ălbărrad, sǝwărăd-ti efew tea-pot, put it on the fire
Za awi-dd aman, tăgăd-tăn dăɣ Bring water, put it in the
ǝlbǝrrad, sǝwǝrăd-tăy temse tea-pot, put it on the fire

The cursive imperative (quite rare)

This uses the stem of the cursive (identical in form to the 3fsg) with the imperative
suffixes in the plural, and refers to general or repeated actions, e.g.:
Ša tatt hullen ! Eat well!
Za tattu hullen ! Eat well!
Ša sassăt axx ! Drink milk! (to a group of people)
Za sassăt ax ! / sassiwăt ax ! Drink milk! (to a group of people)

Prohibition
Normally, the negative perfective is used in Oudalan (especially by Tamaghit
speakers), the context gives the sense, e.g.:
Ša Za wǝr tǝkked hebu ! Don’t go to market ! /
You didn’t go to market /
You are not going to market
Ša Za wăr tokerăd ! Don’t steal ! / You didn’t steal
The negative cursive imperative is possible in Tamaghit. This uses the short form
of the cursive (which is sometimes the same as the negative cursive), e.g.:
Ša wăr tikǝr ! Do not steal!
Ša wăr tikǝrăt ! Do not steal! (to a group of people)
Ša wăr săssăt ax ! Do not drink milk!
(to a group of people)
An alternative form of prohibition (used by Tudalt speakers) uses the imperfective,
e.g.:
Za ad-wǝr-takǝrăd ! Do not steal!
Za ad-wǝr-tikǝrăd ! Do not steal! (cursive)
Za ad-wǝr sassim ax ! Do not drink milk!
(to a group of people)

The injunctive
This uses the imperfective (or cursive) + ‘et’. It expresses desire or permission. It is
never used in the second person where the imperative is used, e.g.:
Ša Za ăglet ! Let him leave! / He should leave
(Like the French ‘qu’il parte!’)
Ša ǝnneɣ-as aset-id I told him to come (here)
Za ǝnneɣ-as aset-dǝd I told him to come (here)
The third person plural has an unusual form. The same form is used for both
masculine and feminine, omitting the vowel of the 3mpl ending, e.g. :
Ša Za ǝlkǝmnet-as ! They should follow him!
Ša asǝnet-id iman-năsăn ! They should come here themselves!
Za asǝnet-dǝd iman-năsăn ! They should come here themselves!

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Negative injunctive
In Tamaghit this uses the short form of the cursive, in Tudalt the negative cursive.
These cursive forms are used even when referring to a single event, e.g.:
Ša Za ǝnneɣ-as wăr d-itiset I told him not to come
Ša ti-s inna wǝr ităkket hebu His father told him not to go to
market
Za ti-s inna wǝr itǝkket hebu His father told him not to go to
market
Again the third person plural has the special condensed form mentioned above, e.g.:
Ša wăr-kăwăn-ǵărrăwnet nǝzgam ! Don’t worry!
Za wǝr-kăwăn-gǝrrǝwnet nǝzgam ! Don’t worry!
(lit. ‘Let not worries get you’)

Let us …
In Tamaghit (and Tudalt), this is expressed using the injunctive, e.g.:
Ša Za năglet ! Let’s leave!
Ša Za năkket hebu ! Let’s go to market!
In Tudalt, it is also expressed by the plural imperative plus pronoun, e.g.:
Za ăglăt-anăɣ ! Let’s leave!
Za ăkkăt-anăɣ hebu ! Let’s go to market!

3.17 Verbal nouns

All verbs have verbal nouns. They perform similar functions to the infinitive (and
participles) of English. They are widely used in Tamasheq.

Occupations
Verbal nouns are frequently used when talking about occupations / activities, e.g.:
Ša tamăḍint Shepherding
Za tamǝḍint Shepherding
Ša aǵăyak Cultivation / weeding
Za agăyak Cultivation / weeding
Ša Za asǝkkǝdǝw Food preparation / cooking
Ša asikǝl Travelling / a journey
Za ašikǝl Travelling / a journey
They can replace a finite verb, e.g.:
Ša eklan ǵayyăkăn Bellah cultivate
Ša eklan, aǵăyak a tăǵǵăn Bellah, cultivation is what they do
Za eklan gayyăkăn Bellah cultivate
Za eklan, agăyak a taggin Bellah, cultivation is what they do

This second form is prefered, especially in answer to a question, e.g.:

Ša ma tăǵǵăn fullanăn ? What do Fulani do?
Ša tamăḍint ǝn-wan a tăǵǵăn Herding of cows is what they do
Za ma taggin follanăn ? What do Fulani do?
Za tamǝḍint ǝn-šitan a taggin Herding of cows is what they do

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This is a more common way of phrasing the answer than the simple reply:
Ša tǝḍḍanăn iwan They are herding cows
Za iḍḍanăn šitan They are herding cows

Following a ‘modal’ verb or other controlling verb

Many verbs can take either the imperfective or the verbal noun, e.g.:
Ša ărhêɣ ad ǝswăɣ aman I want to drink water
Ša ărhêɣ tesăse n-aman I want to drink (of) water
Ša tesăse n-aman a ărheɣ Drinking of water (is) what I want
Za ǝrêɣ ad ǝswăɣ aman I want to drink water
Za ǝrêɣ teṣṣe n-aman I want to drink (of) water
Za teṣṣe n-aman a ǝreɣ Drinking of water (is) what I want
Ša wăr ăddobăt ad ărgǝš He cannot walk
Ša wăr ăddobăt tekle He cannot walk
Za wǝr iddobăt ad ižǝwǝnkǝt He cannot walk
Za wǝr iddobăt tekle He cannot walk
Ša orăm a-dd-as ănḍǝšel He tried to come here yesterday
Ša orăm-id tassawt ănḍǝšel He tried to come here yesterday
Za orăm a-dd-asu ǝnḍazǝl He tried to come here yesterday
Za orăm-dǝd assa ǝnḍazǝl He tried to come here yesterday
(Note that the directional particle ‘dǝd’ cannot be attached to a verbal noun
and so is attached to the verb which governs the verbal noun.)

Emphatics
The verb ǝkǝn ‘sort out / make / fix’ plus the verbal noun of the quality referred to
is used to express emphasis. hullen ‘well, greatly’ may be added for more stress,
e.g.:
Ša ăhalǝs wa iknâ tǝwšăre That man is very old
Za alǝs wa iknâ tǝwšăre That man is very old
Ša tǝknâ tihussay hullen ! She is really beautiful!
Za tǝknâ tihussay hullen ! She is really beautiful!
Ša wǝr ikna musnăt ǝn-Tămašăq harwa He doesn’t speak Tamasheq well yet
Za wǝr ikna măsnăt ǝn-Tǝmažǝq hărwa He doesn’t speak Tamajeq well yet
(lit. ‘He hasn’t fixed knowing Tamajeq yet’)

Comparatives
These use the verb aǵăr ‘surpass / be greater than’ plus the verbal noun of the
quality being compared, e.g.:
Ša oǵăr-ahi tărna He is stronger than me
Za ogăr-i tărna He is stronger than me
Ša Adămu oǵâr-ahi tǝššǝgrǝt Adamu is taller than me
Za Adămu ogâr-i tǝzzǝgrǝt Adamu is taller than me
Ša taẓǝkk ǝn-tăs toǵâr taẓǝkk Milking a cow is easier than
ǝn-tăḷămt tărɣǝse milking a camel
Za taẓǝk ǝn-tăst togâr taẓǝk Milking a cow is easier than
ǝn-tăḷămt tǝrǝɣse milking a camel
(lit. ‘… is greater than … in easyness’)

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The word order can be varied, e.g.:
Ša taẓǝkk ǝn-tăḷămt toǵâr-tăt taẓǝkk ǝn-tăs tărɣǝse
Za taẓǝk ǝn-tăḷămt togâr-tăt taẓǝk ǝn-tăst tǝrǝɣse

Superlatives
The verb aǵăr + noun or pronoun + kul ‘all’ + the verbal noun of the quality being
compared is used to express superlatives, i.e. ‘He surpasses them all in age’, e.g.:
Ša ăhalǝs wa oǵăr-tăn kul tǝwšăre That man is the oldest (of all)
Ša tamăṭṭ ta toǵăr-tănăt kul tihussay That woman is the most
beautiful (of all)
Za alǝs wa ogăr-tăn kul tǝwšăre That man is the oldest (of all)
Za tanṭuṭ ta togăr-tănăt kul tihussay That woman is the most
beautiful (of all)

Excess / inadequacy
To express that a quality impedes an action the quality is followed by y ‘for’ and
the verbal noun of the action impeded, i.e. ‘He is short for taking of things off the
lean-to’, e.g.:
Ša ăhalǝs wa, gǝzzǝl y-ukǝs That man is too short to take
ǝn-hărătăn făl tanda things off the lean-to
Za alǝs wa, gǝzzul y-ukǝs n-ărătăn That man is too short to take
făl tanda things off the lean-to
Ša torka ta, hărûw y-ugǝš n-ăɣalla That cart is too wide to enter
the yard
Za torka ta, hărûw y-ugǝz n-ăɣalla That cart is too wide to enter
the yard
Ša absăr wa, wǝr imsed y-illuy That knife isn’t sharp enough
ǝn-san to cut meat
Za absǝr wa, wǝr iwel y-allay That knife isn’t sharp enough
ǝn-san to cut meat

Before / after
These are frequently expressed using verbal nouns, e.g.:
Ša ḍărăt tănăkra-nin, ǝkkeɣ hebu After getting up I went to market
Ša dat iki-nin e-hebu, ăsserădăɣ Before going to market, I washed
Ša dat tassawt-ǝnnăk e-diha, Before you arrived here, I was
taǵǵăɣ ătay making tea
Za dǝffǝr tănăkra-nin, ǝkkeɣ hebu After getting up I went to market
Za dat iki-nin i-hebu, ăššorădăɣ Before going to market, I washed
Za dat assa-nnăk i-da, taggăɣ ătay Before you arrived here, I was
making tea
However, there is another common way of expressing ‘before’ by using a negative.
This is used most often to refer to future, whereas dat + verbal noun is used most
often when referring to the past, e.g.:
Ša a-dd-ăqqǝlăɣ harwa wăr d-osa ăkăsa I will return before rainy season
Za a-dd-ǝqqǝlăɣ hărwa wǝr ǝdd-osa ăkăsa I will return before rainy season

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Restart, continue, carry on
These ideas are expressed using the verb alǝs ‘repeat, begin again’ plus a verbal
noun, e.g.:
Ša ǝǵeɣ ătay, ǝkšeɣ, olăsăɣ iǵi n-ătay I made tea, I ate, I made tea again
Za ǝgeɣ ătay, ǝkšeɣ, olăsăɣ igi n-ătay I made tea, I ate, I made tea again
(or ‘I carried on making tea’)
Ša ad alǝsăɣ iǵi n-ătay I will make tea again
Za ad alǝsăɣ igi n-ătay I will make tea again
Ša olăs-in oɣǝl He went back there again
Za olăs-in uɣǝl He went back there again

Formation of verbal nouns

Verbal nouns form in a wide variety of ways. Each verb group has a standard way
that its verbal nouns are formed, but many otherwise completely regular verbs
have a uniquely formed verbal noun. See the lists of verbs at the end of each group
for examples of both the tendency to a pattern and the number of exceptions. All
verbal nouns can have plurals like other nouns but in practice, the plural is rare in
all but a few cases. They are mainly used in phrases expressing that something was
done so many times, e.g.:
Ša tǝǵa kăraḍ lăkawăn n-aman She did three drawings of water
Za tǝga kăraḍ lăkawăn n-aman She did three drawings of water
Plurals that are commonly used are noted in the vocabulary section.

3.18 Derived verbs

Tamasheq verbs may take prefixes before the root consonants. These change both
the meaning of the verb and the group to which it belongs. There are only a few
types of prefix.

Causatives
These are formed by the addition of the prefix ‘s’, e.g.:
Ša Za sǝlmǝd ‘cause to learn / teach’
If the root verb contains one of the characters ‘š’, ‘ž’, ‘ṣ’, ‘ẓ’, ‘z’ the prefix copies
this, e.g. :
Ša šǝšdǝǵ ‘cause to be clean / cleanse’
Za zǝzdǝg ‘cause to be clean / cleanse’
In a few verbs, the prefix is double ‘ss’ (or other sibilant as above), e.g.:
Ša Za sǝssiwǝy ‘cause to carry / send’
Very rarely, the repeated prefix ‘ss’ is replaced by ‘sw’, e.g.:
Ša sǝwǝǵǵ ‘have (sth.) done’
Za sǝwǝggu ‘have (sth.) done’
The meaning of the verb becomes ‘to cause to …’, ‘to have … done’, e.g.:
Ša Za ǝlmǝd ‘learn’ causative sǝlmǝd ‘cause to learn / teach’
Ša ăṭkăr ‘fill / be filled’ causative săṭkăr ‘have (sth.) filled’
Za ǝṭkǝr ‘fill / be filled’ causative sǝṭkǝr ‘have (sth.) filled’
Ša Za ǝktǝb ‘write’ causative sǝktǝb ‘have (sth.) written’

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Some verbs have a causative form without being obviously derived from a simple
verb, e.g.:
Ša Za sǝstǝn ‘ask (a question)’
Ša Za sǝmrǝw ‘be pregnant’
Ša Za ẓǝẓgǝn ‘believe’
Causatives decline like normal verbs and have their own verb groups.
The major groups (detailed in Section 4) are:
Group IA1 causative (includes IA5/6 and Group III)
Group IA2 / 1B1 causative
Group IA3 / 4 causative
Group IA7 / 8 causative
Group V causative
Group XII / XVII causative
Group XVIII causative

Reflexives
Here the prefix is ‘m’ or ‘n’. This form is usually described as ‘reflexive’in Berber
grammars although in practice the resultant derived verb is often identifiable as
passive or reciprocal in meaning. These verbs fall into the existing verb groups
(e.g. the reflexives of group IA1 work like normal group III verbs), e.g.:
Ša ǝnhǝy ‘see’ reflexive mănhăy ‘see each other /
bump into s.o.’
Za ǝnǝy ‘see’ reflexive mănăy ‘see each other /
bump into s.o.’

Reciprocals
Here the prefix is ‘nm’. Usually the English equivalent involves the phrase ‘each
other / one another’. These verbs fall into the existing verb groups (e.g. the
reciprocals of group IA1 work like normal group V verbs), e.g.:
Ša Za ǝksǝn ‘hate’ reciprocal nǝmǝksǝn ‘hate each other’

Passives
In English the passive is used in two ways:
a) for a change in emphasis, e.g.:
‘The dog bit the man’ becomes ‘The man was bitten by the dog’
b) when the doer of the action is unknown or unstated, e.g.:
‘The well was dug last year’ or ‘Your sins have been forgiven’
In Tamasheq, the first type is expressed by putting the object first and repeating it
as a pronoun (the subject then follows). e.g.:
Ša edi idăd ăhalǝs The dog bit the man
Za idi idăd alǝs The dog bit the man
Ša ăhalǝs idăd-ti edi The man was bitten by the dog
Za alǝs idăd-tăy idi The man was bitten by the dog
(lit. ‘The man, it bit him, the dog’)
The true passive (doer unknown or unstated) is expressed either by a derived verb
or by being inherent in the verb. Some verbs are automatically passive if the
context demands it. For example with the verb ‘to dig’ below, when ‘the man’ is

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the subject the verb is active ‘the man dug’, but when ‘the well’ is the subject the
verb is passive ‘the well was dug’. In such cases the passive verb is intransitive (it
has no actual or implied direct object). Many active transitive verbs in Tamasheq
become passive if used intransitively. Often the intransitive usage is in the stative
aspect. This simple passive refers to spontaneous action or action where the doer
is unknown or unthought of, e.g.:
Ša ăhalǝs eɣăš anu The man dug the well
Za alǝs eɣăz anu The man dug the well
Ša anu eɣăš ănhaḍ-i The well was dug last year
Za anu eɣăz ănaḍ-a The well was dug last year
Ša tăɣšăd bătbăt-in She broke my motorbike
Za tǝɣšăd bătbăt-in She broke my motorbike
Ša bătbăt tăɣšâd The motorbike is broken
Za bătbăt tǝɣšâd The motorbike is broken
Ša ǝbsăr ikăršăyăn Hang out the clothes
Za ǝbsǝr ikăršăyăn Hang out the clothes
Ša Za ǝbsârăn They are already hanging out /
they have already been hung out
Otherwise, the passive is formed by adding the prefix ‘tw’, or occassionally ‘tt’ or
‘m’. The derived passive implies an understood, but unstated, agent.

Passive with ‘tw’

Many verbs have a passive formed by the addition of the prefix ‘tw’. These verbs
fall into the existing verb groups (e.g. the passives with ‘tw’ of group IA1 work like
normal group V verbs), e.g.:
ǝnhǝy ‘see’ passive tǝwǝnhǝy ‘be seen’
Ša ătwănhăyăɣ I was seen
Za tăwănăyăɣ I was seen

Passive with ‘tt’

A few verbs form their passive with the prefix ‘tt’ instead of ‘tw’. These verbs fall
into the existing verb groups (e.g. the passives with ‘tt’ of group IA1 work like
normal group III verbs), e.g.:
Ša Za ǝrmǝs ‘seize’ passive tărmăs ‘be seized / be arrested’
Ša ăwadǝm ǝttărmăs Someone was arrested
Za ăwadǝm ittǝrmăs Someone was arrested

Passive with ‘m’

Many group IA3 verbs form their passive with the prefix ‘m’ resulting in group
XVIII verbs. A few important group IA7 /8 verbs also form their passive with the
prefix ‘m’ resulting in group III – vowel ending verbs, e.g.:
Ša iwan ămekărnăt The cows were stolen
Za šitan ǝmmokărnăt The cows were stolen
Ša enăle ămelăy The millet was harvested
Za enăle immolăy The millet was harvested
Ša axx ămmîswa The milk has (already) been drunk
Za ax immîswa The milk has (already) been drunk

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Multiple derivatives
These are quite common and occur when two modifications are made to the verb.
A reflexive verb may be made causative or passive for instance (see examples
below).
The causative of the reflexive of group IA1 verbs is a group III causative, e.g.:
Ša Za sǝmmǝkrǝs Knot / attach / join in marriage
Ša Za sǝnnǝfrǝn Choose
Most other mutliple derivative verbs are group V or group V causative, e.g.:
Ša Za tǝwǝsǝnǝfrǝn Be chosen
Ša Za tǝwǝsǝxrǝk Be led astray
Ša Za sǝnnǝmǝksǝn Make (people) hate each other

3.19 Uses of the perfective

This aspect (the simple form of the perfect) expresses an action perceived as
complete and so is often used of past actions. The perfective is the most used
aspect in Tamasheq. In certain circumstances it can refer to present or even future
acts (see below). Often the context determines the time frame / sense.

Simple
Simple past
Most frequently the perfective corresponds to the English simple past tense, e.g.:
Ša inn-ahi … He said to me …
Ša ašăl wa-n hebu a dd-oseɣ I arrived on market day
Ša wăr hak-ǝsleɣ I didn’t hear you
Ša ǝktăbăɣ tăkarḍe ănḍǝšel I wrote a letter yesterday
Ša ănš-ahi, wǝr ǝǵrehăɣ awa tǝnned Forgive me, I didn’t understand
what you said
Za inn-i … He said to me …
Za azǝl wa-n hebu a dd-oseɣ I arrived on market day
Za wǝr dak-ǝsleɣ I didn’t hear you
Za ǝktăbăɣ tăkarḍe ǝnḍazǝl I wrote a letter yesterday
Za surǝf-i-dǝd, wǝr ǝgreɣ awa tǝnned Forgive me, I didn’t understand
what you said

Adjectival verbs
With adjectival verbs the stative aspect is usually used. If the perfective is used it
expresses the act (or fact) of entering into the state. This usually occurs in a longer
unit of speech, e.g.:
Ša Za ofrăy He became seriously ill
Ša ohăẓ-id He came near
Za ihoẓ-dǝd He came near

Immediate future
The perfective is used after conjunctions meaning if / when, e.g.:
Ša as ăqqălăɣ ehăn, ad ăǵăɣ ătay When I return home I will make tea
Za as ǝqqălăɣ ehăn, ad ăgăɣ ătay When I return home I will make tea
Ša as d-osa, ad năkš When he arrives we will eat

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Za as d-osa, ad năkšu When he arrives we will eat
Ša Za afăl d-osa, ad nǝsu tǝdda If / When he arrives, we will
drink millet gruel
The perfective is also used in the following unusual construction. As in ‘blessings
and curses’ below, the use of the perfective where an imperfective might be
expected perhaps lends an air of certainty to what would otherwise be open to
doubt, e.g.:
Ša awi-dd ǝlkǝttab tăɣred ! Bring a book which you can read!
Za awi-dd ǝlkǝttab tǝɣred ! Bring a book which you can read!
Ša Za ǝktǝb tăkarḍe tăssawăyăd ! Write a letter which you will send!

Blessings and curses

The perfective may have optative meaning, e.g.:
Ša Za ogăẓ-kăy Măssinăɣ ! May God protect you!
(/ God protected you)
Ša ikf-ik Măssinăɣ aǵǝnna ! May God give you rain!
Za ikf-ik Măssinăɣ ăkonak ! May God give you rain!
Ša ǝssǝkn-anăɣ Yăḷḷa ašǝkka ! May God show us tomorrow!
Za issǝkn-anăɣ Yăḷḷa ažăkka ! May God show us tomorrow!
Ša Za iẓăl-awăn Măssinăɣ ! May God reward you!
Ša tănɣ-ik tănăde ! May fever smite you!
Za tǝnɣ-ik tănăde ! May fever smite you!
Ša ǝssǝsnăn-kăy Măssinăɣ ! May God cause you pain!
Za issǝsnăn-kăy Măssinăɣ May God cause you pain!

Negative
Group I verbs (see Sections 4.2–4.9) have a special form for the negative perfective.
Note especially verbs of group IA7 / 8 / 10, e.g.:
Ša wăr d-osen harwa They haven’t come yet
Za wǝr d-osen hărwa They haven’t come yet
Ša ăssôfăɣ ad wǝr iggeš ehăn I prefer that he doesn’t enter
the house
Za ǝssôfăɣ ad wǝr iggez ehăn I prefer that he doesn’t enter
the house
Ša Za wǝr ǝkkeɣ hebu I haven’t been to market /
I didn’t go to market /
I’m (certainly) not going to
market (now)
Prasse notes that (as in the last translation of the above example) the negative
perfective future has an energetic meaning in contrast to the negative
imperfective (e.g. wăr-mad-ăkkăɣ hebu) which has simple constative meaning.

Prohibition
In Tamaghit this also takes the negative perfective in the second person only (for
prohibition in Tudalt see Section 3.21), e.g.:
Ša wăr tǝkked hebu ! Don’t go to market!
Ša wăr tokerăd ! Don’t steal!

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Expressing ‘Whenever’
With the conjunction id meaning ‘whenever’, we might expect to use an
imperfective or cursive to denote cursive action. However, the conjunction holds
the idea of ‘each time that …’ and so Tamasheq stresses the individual action in a
series. So usually people will use id with the perfective, e.g.:
Ša id ărhăn ad ǝǵǝn ăddăl, Whenever they want to play
ad ǝmsǝdǝwăn they will get together
Za id ărăn ad ăgin ăddăl, Whenever they want to play
ad mǝšidǝwăn they will get together
Ša id ikša, ăns Whenever he has eaten, he lies down
Za id ikša, ănsu Whenever he has eaten, he lies down

Negative future
The negative perfective may be used as an alternative to the negative imperfective
in phrases like the following, e.g.:
Ša orda ad wăr oḍa He hopes that he won’t fall
Za orda ad wǝr uḍa He hopes that he won’t fall
Ša orda ad wăr mad eḍu (neg. imperfective)
Za orda ad wǝr z-iḍu (neg. imperfective)
Ša ihăl as wăr d-osa He might not come
Za ihăl as wǝr d-osa He might not come
Ša ihăl as wăr ma-dd-as (neg. imperfective)
Za ihăl as wǝr za-dd-asu (neg. imperfective)

3.20 Uses of the stative

This aspect (the intensive form of the perfect) describes an ongoing state as the
continuing result of a completed action. It is frequently used with adjectival verbs.
The stative differs from the perfective only by the one vowel (or by the stress
placed on one vowel). When this vowel is highly stressed the stative is easy to
recognise but, in conversational Tamasheq, the amount of stress put on the vowel
will vary depending on what the speaker is or isn’t emphasising. It can then be
difficult to distinguish between a perfective and a stative that is not heavily
stressed (although their meanings are so close this hardly matters).
I have noticed in DNAFLA texts a tendency to write some statives with a simple
long vowel (e.g. ohaẓ ‘it is near’ rather than ohâẓ or ohaaẓ, ătiwănna ‘it is said’ etc.),
however this seems to be merely an orthographic preference in cases where there
is no ambiguity with the perfective.

Present state
E.g.:
Ša ǝššǝɣǝl ămmînda The work is finished
Za ǝššǝɣǝl immînda The work is finished
Ša Za ǝzzâɣăɣ Mărkoy I live in Markoye
Ša tǝkyăd Măryama dăɣ ăhalǝs Mary looked at the man
wa has-ămmîǵrădăn who was talking to her
Za tǝswăḍ Măryama dăɣ alǝs Mary looked at the man
wa das-immîgrădăn who was talking to her

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Ša aratăn ošâlăn dăɣ taberăt Children are running in the street
Za bărarăn ozâlăn dăɣ taberăt Children are running in the street
Ša Za mi tt-ilân awa ? Who owns that?
Ša Za tǝlêd imnas meɣ ? Do you own any camels?

Immediate present
These are all stative aspect, but if unstressed (or spoken quickly) it is easy to hear
them as a perfective, e.g.:
Ša Za ǝglêɣ I’m leaving (now)
Ša Za mi tǝkkêd ? Where are you going?
Ša Za ǝkkêɣ hebu I’m going to market
Ša ma tǝǵêd ? What are you doing?
Za ma tǝgêd ? What are you doing?
Ša Za ǝktâbăɣ tăkarḍe I’m writing a letter
Ša ărḍêɣ I accept / I agree (to your terms)
Za ǝrḍêɣ I accept / I agree (to your terms)
Ša unǵây a-dd-as He refuses to come /
He has refused to come
Za ungây a-dd-asu He refuses to come /
He has refused to come
Ša mâlăɣ--id I’m coming (right now)
Za ǝzâyăɣ--dǝd I’m coming (right now)

Present consequence of past action

E.g.:
Ša axx ămmîswa The milk has (already) been drunk
Za ax immîswa The milk has (already) been drunk
(hence there is no milk)
Ša Za ilmâd Tarabt He has (already) learned Arabic
(i.e. he can speak it)
Ša anu eɣâš ănhaḍ The well was dug last year
Za anu iɣâz ănaḍ The well was dug last year
(hence it is there)
Ša alǝkkin ăssîsmăḍ aman The clay pot has cooled the water
Za teyǝnt tǝssîsmăḍ aman The clay pot has cooled the water
Ša Za ǝktâbăɣ-as tăkarḍe I have written him a letter

In response to a question
The stative is often used in response to a question to reply that something has
already happened, e.g.:
Ša Za ǝndek-kăt Tǝdwăl ? Where is Tidwal?
Ša Za tǝzgâr He has gone out / he is out
Ša ăkf-ahi-d tehăyne Give me the dates
Za ăkf-i-d tăyne (or tehăyne) Give me the dates
Ša tehăyne tămmîkša The dates have already been eaten
Za tăyne tǝmmîkša The dates have already been eaten

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Ša ǝbsăr ikăršăyăn Hang out the clothes
Za ǝbsǝr ikăršăyăn Hang out the clothes
Ša Za ǝbsârăn They are already hanging out /
they have already been hung out

With adjectival
adjectival verbs
Many verbs refer to a state and so usually use the stative. Extra stress on the long
vowel emphasises the quality referred to, e.g.:
Ša ăddinăt ăǵǵôtnen Lots of people
Ša ăhûskăt It is beautiful / good
Ša ašăl-i ăkkûs Today, it is hot
Ša ănḍǝšel ămmînkădăɣ, wǝr ǝššăɣălăɣ Yesterday I was tired, I didn’t work
Za ăytedăm ăggôtnen Lots of people
Za ihôssăy It is beautiful / good
Za azǝl-a ikkûs Today, it is hot
Za ǝnḍazǝl ǝlwâgăɣ, wǝr ǝššǝɣălăɣ Yesterday I was tired, I didn’t work

Pluperfect
The stative often pushes what is referred to a step back in the past, e.g.:
Ša ǝndăr ǝssânăɣ s-ad ărẓu šik, If I had known it would break quickly
wăr ti-šǝnšeɣ I would not have bought it
Za ǝndar ǝssânăɣ s-ad ărẓu žik, If I had known it would break quickly
wǝr te-zǝnzăɣ I would not have bought it

3.21 Uses of the imperfective

This aspect (the simple form of the imperfect) is used for events which are
perceived as not yet accomplished or uncertain. It has a distinctive form and is
often preceded by a marker ‘ad’. This may be abridged to ‘a-’ or may be absent
altogether in certain circumstances.

Future
When referring to the future the imperfective is used, e.g.:
Ša ad ăkkăɣ Waɣa ašǝkka I will go to Ouaga tomorrow
Ša ašăl wa-n hebu ad šănšăɣ tafăɣăt On market day I will buy rice
Ša a-dd-as šik He will come soon / quickly
Za ad ăkkăɣ Waɣa ažăkka I will go to Ouaga tomorrow
Za azǝl wa-n hebu ad ăzzănzăɣ tafăɣăt On market day I will buy rice
Za a-dd-asu žik He will come soon / quickly
In a series of statements about the future ad is usually dropped after the first, e.g.:
Ša ad ăkkăɣ Waɣa, akǝyăɣ I will go to Ouaga, continue
ǝs-Nyăme, ǝzzar ăqqǝlăɣ-id to Niamey, then come back
Za ad ăkkăɣ Waɣa, akǝyăɣ I will go to Ouaga, continue
ǝs-Nyăme, ǝzzar ǝqqǝlăɣ-dǝd to Niamey, then come back
Ša ad ăxtǝs ašǝk, ăkn-e, He will cut wood, work it,
ăqqǝl tende it will become a mortar
Za ad ixtǝs ašǝk, ikn-e, He will cut wood, work it,
iqqǝl tende it will become a mortar

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For an action dependent on another verb
The imperfective is used for ‘projected’ actions whether they are a purpose, a
possibility or a hypothesis, e.g.:
Ša ărhêɣ ad šănšăɣ ătay d-ăssukăr I want to buy tea and sugar
Za ǝrêɣ ad ăzzănzăɣ ătay d-ǝssukǝr I want to buy tea and sugar
Ša Za orămăɣ ad ăkkăɣ Mărkoy I tried to go to Markoye
Ša ǝs-takkăṣt zaggărăɣ ad In the afternoons I go out to
ămmăǵrădăɣ d-ăddinăt talk with people
Za ǝs-takǝst zaggărăɣ ad In the afternoons I go out to
ămmăgrădăɣ d-ăytedăm talk with people
Sometimes ad is omitted, e.g.:
Ša ǝndek awa nǝtăǵǵ năǵ ătay ? What do we do to make tea?
Ša ma ităǵǵ ăwadǝm ăqqǝl What does someone do to
ašănǵo n-ǝyyăn ? become someone’s enemy?
Za ǝndek awa nǝtaggu năgu ătay ? What do we do to make tea?
Za ma itaggu ăwadǝm iqqǝl What does someone do to
azăngo n-ǝyyăn ? become someone’s enemy?

Expressing ‘until / when / so that’

This uses the construction har ‘until’ plus the imperfective, e.g.:
Ša ad iẓăẓẓǝrǝwrǝw ătay dăɣ alkăsăn He will pour tea into glasses
har ismaḍ, oẓan-ti ăddinăt until it is cool then pass it to people
Za ad iẓǝẓẓǝrǝwrǝw ătay dăɣ alkăsăn He will pour tea into glasses
har ismaḍ, uẓan-tăy ăytedăm until it is cool then pass it to people
Ša ma tăǵǵăn măkrăḍăn har akărăn ? What do thieves do to steal?
Za ma taggin băydăgăn har akǝrăn ? What do thieves do to steal?
Ša ăyy-e har ăhaǵ Leave it for a while
Za ăyy-e har ihag Leave it for a while
Ša ašăl kul tašăɣalăɣ har ămmănkădăɣ Every day I work until I am tired
Za azǝl kul tašăɣalăɣ har ǝlwǝgăɣ Every day I work until I am tired

After id ‘whenever’
In the second part of a ‘whenever A, then B …’ sentence, a cursive may be used, but
it is redundant as repetition is already implied by id. Often the imperfective is
used, e.g.:
Ša id ikša, ăns Whenever he has eaten, he lies down
Za id ikša, ănsu Whenever he has eaten, he lies down
Ša id eɣăš anu ad ǝǵrǝw aman When he digs a well he finds water
Za id iɣăz anu ad igrǝw aman When he digs a well he finds water

Other cursive uses

The imperfective may be used to express unstressed habitual meaning in other
instances too. Compared with the use of the cursive aspect usage of the
imperfective in a habitual sense tends to imply talking about a hypothetical
situation, or about what is generally done rather than what a specific subject does,
e.g.:
Ša taskomt at-tǝkǝn dăɣ tăẓoli A pruning hook is (/ would be)
made of iron

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Za taskomt at-tăknu dăɣ tǝẓoli A pruning hook is (/ would be)
made of iron
Ša as iwa ara, a-tt-ăkfănăt When a child is born, they will give it
e-ma-s a-ti-tǝsǝnkǝs to its mother and she will nurse it
Za as ihǝw bărar, a-tt-ăkfinăt When a child is born, they will give it
i-ma-s a-te-tǝsǝnkǝs to its mother and she will nurse it

Conditional tense
The equivalent to the conditional tense is expressed by using the imperfective
with the conjunction ǝndăr ‘if (unfulfilled)’, e.g.:
Ša ǝndăr ǝleɣ aẓrǝf, šănšăɣ torǝft If I had money I’d buy a car
Za ǝndar ǝleɣ aẓrǝf, ăzzănzăɣ torǝft If I had money I’d buy a car
Ša ǝndăr ǝnhăyăɣ tesǝmt, ǝktoɣ-id If I had seen salt I would have
a-tăt-šănšăɣ remembered to buy it
Za ǝndar ǝnăyăɣ tesǝmt, ăktăɣ-dǝd If I had seen salt I would have
a-tăt-ăzzănzăɣ remembered to buy it
Ša ǝndăr ǝssănăɣ s-ad ărẓu šik, If I had known it would break
šănšăɣ ǝyyăn ifrânăn quickly, I would have bought a
good quality one
Za ǝndar ǝssănăɣ s-ad ărẓu žik, If I had known it would break
ăzzănzăɣ ǝyyăn ifrânăn quickly, I would have bought a
good quality one

Injunctions
Two forms give the same meaning (direct + indirect reporting), e.g.:
Ša tis inna ǝǵyǝket His father told him to weed
Ša tis inna ad ǝǵyǝk His father told him to weed
Ša amăqqar-in inn-ahi ad ăkkăɣ Dori My big brother told me to go to Dori
Ša amăqqar-in inn-ahi ăkkăɣet Dori My big brother told me to go to Dori
Za tis inna igyǝket His father told him to weed
Za tis inna ad igyǝk His father told him to weed
Za amăqqar-in inn-i ad ăkkăɣ Dori My big brother told me to go to Dori
Za amăqqar-in inn-i ăkkăɣet Dori My big brother told me to go to Dori

Future questions
The marker ad changes to mad in Tamaghit, za in Tudalt, e.g.:
Ša ma mad năǵ ? What are we going to do?
Za ma za năgu ? What are we going to do?
Ša ma ma-hi-tawǝyăd dăɣ Mărkoy What are you going to bring
me from Markoye?
Za ma za-di-tawǝyăd dăɣ Mărkoy What are you going to bring
me from Markoye?

Future participles
These take the prefix maden in Tamaghit, za n- in Tudalt (see verb tables in Section
4), e.g.:
Ša mi maden ăǵ ătay ? Who is going to make tea?
Ša Măryama a maden tăǵ ătay Mary is going to make tea
Ša Măssinăɣ a hanăɣ-maden agăẓ It is God who will protect us

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Za mi za năgu ătay ? Who is going to make tea?
Za Măryama a za năgu ătay Mary is going to make tea
Za Mǝssinăɣ a danăɣ za nagǝẓ It is God who will protect us

Negative Imperfective
The negative is expressed by the construction wăr mad in Tamaghit, wǝr za in
Tudalt. This is often contracted in rapid speech to umăr, ǝmma(d), ǝmba(d), wăla(d),
although some of these forms may be dialect variants rather than true
contractions. These other forms are considered ugly locally, e.g.:
Ša wăr mad ăɣšǝd It will not spoil
Za wǝr z-iɣšǝd It will not spoil
Ša wăr ma-dd-as šik He will not come soon
Za wǝr za-dd-asu žik He will not come soon
Ša wăr ma-dd-as He will not come
Za wǝr za-dd-asu He will not come
Ša ǝmba-dd-as He will not come
Za ǝmba-dd-asu He will not come
Ša ǝmma-dd-as He will not come
Za ǝmma-dd-asu He will not come
Za wăla-dd-asu He will not come

Negative conditional
The negative imperfective also expresses the negative conditional, e.g.:
Ša ǝndăr ǝkkeɣ hebu daɣ, Even if I had gone to market,
wăr mad šănšăɣ enăle I would not have bought millet
Za ǝndar ǝkkeɣ hebu dăɣ, Even if I had gone to market,
wǝr z-ăzzănzăɣ enăle I would not have bought millet
Ša ǝndăr ǝnhăyăɣ tesǝmt, wăr If I had seen salt I would not
ma-hin-tăt-ăttawăɣ have forgotten it
Za ǝndar ǝnăyăɣ tesǝmt, wǝr If I had seen salt I would not
za-din-tăt-ăttawăɣ have forgotten it
Ša bahu-nnăk kud tăt-tǝnhăyăd daɣ, Liar, even if you had seen it
wăr ma-dǝt-tǝktud a-tăt-šǝnšǝd you would not have
remembered to buy it
Za bahu-nnăk kud tăt-tǝnăyăd dăɣ, Liar, even if you had seen it
wǝr za-dǝt-tăktăd a-tăt-tăzzănzăd you would not have
remembered to buy it

Negative imperfective participles

These are identical in form to the positive imperfective participles with wǝr
expressing the negative, e.g.:
Ša kăyyu a wăr maden ăsu ătay It is you who is not going to drink tea
Za kăyyu a wǝr za năsu ătay It is you who is not going to drink tea
Ša mi wăr maden ăkk hebu ? Who is not going to go to market?
Za mi wǝr za năkku hebu ? Who is not going to go to market?

Prohibition / negative injunction

injunction
In Tudalt the negative imperative / injunctive also uses the imperfective (for
Tamaghit prohibition see Section 3.19, for negative injuction see Section 3.22), e.g.:

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Za ad wǝr takǝrăd ! Do not steal!
Za inn-as ad wǝr akǝr He told him not to steal

Rapid transition
I have not attested the following usage in spoken Tamasheq in Oudalan, although
it is likely that it is acceptable if uncommon. In relating a series of past events the
imperfective (without ‘ad’) may be used in place of a perfective to mark the rapid
transition from one action to another. Prasse (1986) cites the example on p. 157
line 22 of Histoire des Kel Denneg, where three perfectives are followed by four
imperfectives in the narration of an historical incident. The use of imperfectives
following a perfect in narration of a sequence of past events is common in North
African Berber languages but probably rare in Tamasheq.

3.22 Uses of the cursive

This aspect (the intensive form of the imperfect) is used to express actions that are
perceived as ongoing. Thus it is frequently used to describe habitual or repetitive
actions regardless of time reference. It is the aspect used when asking general
questions about lifestyle and culture.

Short form of the cursive

In Tudalt the cursive has positive and negative forms. In Tamaghit it has a third
form, the short form. This is sometimes identical to the negative and sometimes
similar to the positive but with a short ‘ă’ in the place of a long ‘a’. In the verb
tables the short form is given only where it differs from the negative. The short
form is used in place of the positive cursive in relative clauses (following ‘a’, ‘as’,
‘ma’, ‘mi’ , ‘awa’ etc.) and in some negative constructions as noted below and in
Section 3.16. In this section [sh] is used to mark the short form, e.g.:
Ša ma tăǵǵăd [sh] ? What are you doing?
Ša ǝššǝɣǝl-in a tăǵǵăɣ [sh] I’m doing my work
Ša mi ilămmădăn [sh] Tarabt? Who is learning Arabic?

Ongoing actions
Where an action is viewed as ongoing or repetitive over a period of time (whether
in the past or present) the cursive aspect is used. However some actions that
English speakers would perceive as on going (e.g. ‘she is carrying a bucket’) are
considered by Tamasheqs as a state that has been entered into and take the stative
aspect, e.g.:
Ša ara itaggăd The child is (/ was) jumping
(up and down)
Ša ăhalǝs eɣarr The man is (/ was) reading
Ša ănḍǝšel ǝnhăyăɣ Ăkafăr dăɣ Yesterday I saw a European in the
hebu itamăǵradăn Tămašăq market who was speaking Tamasheq
Ša isastan d-ălqim ǝn-lalăn He was asking the price of things
Ša itamăǵrad ǝs-Tămašăq măšan He was speaking in Tamasheq
wǝr ikna musnăt ǝn-Tămašăq but he hadn’t perfected it
Za bărar itaggăd The child is (/ was) jumping
(up and down)
Za alǝs iɣarru The man is (/ was) reading

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Za ǝnḍazǝl ǝnăyăɣ Ăkafǝr dăɣ hebu Yesterday I saw a European in the
itamăgradăn Tǝmažǝq market who was speaking Tamajeq
Za isastan d-ǝlqim ǝn-lalăn He was asking the price of things
Za itamăgrad ǝs-Tǝmažǝq măšen He was speaking in Tamasheq
wǝr ikna măsnăt ǝn-Tǝmažǝq but he hadn’t perfected it

Habitual or repeated actions

E.g.:
Ša ma tăttăm [sh] ? What do you eat?
Ša ăddinăt wi-n diha tattăn enăle meɣ ? Do people here eat millet?
Ša ma lăssăn [sh] kăl Tămašăq ? What do Tamasheq people wear?
Ša ḍeḍen tǝnnaynăt imnas meɣ ? Do women ride camels?
Ša ma tăšăɣalăd [sh] ? What work do you do?
Ša ǝs-tifawt lammădăɣ hărătăn ăynâynen In the morning I learn new things
Ša ǝs-takkăṣt zaggărăɣ ad In the afternoon I go out to talk
ămmăǵrădăɣ d-ăddinăt with people
Ša ărû tašăɣalăɣ dăɣ Gorăn Gorăn I used to work in Gorom
Za ma tattim ? What do you eat?
Za ăytedăm wi-n da tattin enăle meɣ ? Do people here eat millet?
Za ma lassin kǝl Tǝmažǝq ? What do Tamasheq people wear?
Za tiḍoḍen tǝnnaynăt imnas meɣ ? Do women ride camels?
Za ma tašăɣalăd ? What work do you do?
Za ǝs-tufat lammădăɣ ărătăn ăynâynen In the morning I learn new things
Za ǝs-takǝst zaggărăɣ ad In the afternoon I go out to talk
ămmăgrădăɣ d-ăytedăm with people
Za ohô tašăɣalăɣ dăɣ Gorăn Gorăn I used to work in Gorom

Cursive participle
The cursive participle is frequently used when asking about the usual doer of an
action, e.g.:
Ša mi isăkădawăn [sh] ăsink Who prepares millet porridge?
Za mi isakădawăn ǝšink Who prepares millet porridge?
Ša mi wăren itoẓam ? Who doesn’t fast? (at Ramadan)
Za mi wǝr nǝtuẓam ? Who doesn’t fast? (at Ramadan)

Cursive imperative
This is infrequent, but is used when exhorting someone to make a habit of
something, e.g.:
Ša tatt hullen ! Eat well!
Za tattu hullen ! Eat well!
Ša sass axx ! Drink milk!
Za sassu ax ! Drink milk!

Cursive injunction
Also quite rare, e.g.:
Ša Za ilammădet Tămašăq ! He should be learning Tamasheq!

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To start to …
In the context of narrating a story the construction ‘ad plus the cursive’ means
that an action (often perceived as repetitive) started to happen, e.g.:
Ša ad tamăǵradăn They started talking
Za ad tamăgradăn They started talking
Ša Za ad itaggăd He started jumping (up and down)

Unfulfilled if (cursive)
The following type of conditional sentence uses the cursive on both sides. Note the
use of the word ăqqǝym ‘it remains’ in the sense of ‘it follows that …’ in the first
example, e.g.:
Ša ǝndăr takkăɣ hebu, If I were to go to market (habitually),
ăqqǝym šanšeɣ enăle I would buy millet (but I don’t)
Za ǝndar takkăɣ hebu, If I were to go to market (habitually),
iqqǝym zanzăɣ enăle I would buy millet (but I don’t)
Ša ǝndăr sassăɣ ax, šanšeq-qi If I were to drink milk, I would buy it
Za ǝndar sassăɣ ax, zanzăq-qe If I were to drink milk, I would buy it

Negative cursive
For most verbs the negative is slighty different in form (see verb tables Section 4),
e.g.:
Ša Za Dăwda ilammăd Tarabt Dăwda is learning Arabic
Ša Za Adămu wǝr ilǝmmǝd Tarabt Adamu isn’t learning Arabic

Prohibition
In Tamaghit, this uses the short form of the cursive in a negated imperative, e.g.:
Ša wăr lămmăd [sh] Tămašăq ! Do not learn Tamasheq!
Ša wăr săssăt asmăd ! Do not drink alcohol! (plural)
In Tudalt ad wǝr plus the normal positive cursive is used, e.g.:
Za ad wǝr lammădăd Tǝmažǝq ! Do not learn Tamajeq!
Za ad wǝr sassim asmăd ! Do not drink alcohol! (plural)
Alternatively the negative cursive is used and the context gives the meaning, e.g.:
Za wǝr sǝssim asmăd ! Do not drink alcohol! (plural) /
You (pl) do not drink alcohol

Negative conditional
The cursive is used for negative conditional statements following ǝndăr. Note that
in this case the cursive is used even when referring to a one off event. (The
imperfective is used following kud and for positive conditional statements
generally.) E.g.:
Ša ǝndăr ǝssănăɣ s-ad ărẓu šik, If I had known that it would break
wăr ti-šǝnšeɣ quickly, I would not have bought it
Za ǝndar ǝssănăɣ s-ad ărẓu žik, If I had known that it would break
wǝr te-zǝnzăɣ quickly, I would not have bought it
Ša ǝndăr ăxsud Măssinăɣ, If he feared God, he would not have
wǝr izǝnnu committed adultery
Za ǝndar iksuḍ Mǝssinăɣ, If he feared God, he would not have
wǝr izǝnnu committed adultery

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Ša ǝndăr takkăɣ hebu daɣ, Even if I were to go to market
wăr šǝnšeɣ enăle (habitually), I would not buy millet
Za ǝndar takkăɣ hebu dăɣ, Even if I were to go to market
wǝr zǝnzăɣ enăle (habitually), I would not buy millet

Negative injunction
Here again in the Tamaghit of Oudalan the cursive is always used even when
referring to a single event. As in prohibition it is the ‘short’ positive cursive rather
than the negative, e.g.:
Ša ănḍǝšel tis inna Yesterday his father told him
wăr ităkket [sh] hebu not to go to market
Ša ănḍǝšel amăqqar-in inn-ahi Yesterday my big brother told
wăr tăkkăɣet [sh] hebu me not to go to market
In Tudalt, the negative injunction has different forms for simple and cursive. The
simple form being listed under ‘Uses of the imperfective’. The cursive negative
injunctive has two forms, one of which uses the positive cursive the other the
negative, e.g.:
Za inn-as tis, ad wǝr ilammăd tarabt His father told him not to learn
Arabic
Za inn-as tis, wǝr ilǝmmǝdet tarabt His father told him not to learn
Arabic

Negative statements of whenever

The negative cursive is always used in this construction. The following two
constructions are equivalent, e.g.:
Ša id ǝkkeɣ Waɣa, wăr tǝǵǵăɣ ătay When I go to Ouaga I don’t make tea
Za id ǝkkeɣ Waɣa, wǝr tǝggăɣ ătay When I go to Ouaga I don’t make tea
Ša id takkăɣ Waɣa, wăr tǝǵǵăɣ ătay When I go to Ouaga I don’t make tea
Za id takkăɣ Waɣa, wǝr tǝggăɣ ătay When I go to Ouaga I don’t make tea

3.23 Uses of the preposition i (e

(e / y)
This preposition serves to introduce an indirect object noun. Thus, it is often
equivalent to English ‘to / for’. In Tudalt it has the form i before a consonant and y
before a vowel. In Tamaghit it has the form e before a consonant and y before a vowel.

Introducing an indirect object

Often Tamasheq usage corresponds with English and i is used where we would use
‘to’ or ‘for’, e.g.:
Ša iǵa ătay y-ǝmidi-nnes He made tea for his friend
Ša ǝnneɣ e-Măryama ‘ălxer ăǵǵên’ I said ‘thanks’ to Maryama
Ša ǝmmăɣăɣ y-ăɣewǝd ăhûsken I’m looking for a nice turban
Ša eqqăl y-ǝmidi-nnes He waited for his friend
Za iga ătay y-ǝmidi-nnes He made tea for his friend
Za ǝnneɣ i-Măryama ‘ălxer ǝggên’ I said ‘thanks’ to Maryama
Za iqqăl y-ǝmidi-nnes He waited for his friend

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With some verbs an indirect object is taken where English speakers might not
expect it. The verb lists in Section 4 mark those verbs that take an indirect object
with ‘#’, e.g.:
Ša ăhalǝs eɣrăs e-tăɣat The man slaughtered the goat
Ša Za ǝlkămăɣ y-ǝmidi-nin I followed my friend
Ša Ɣusman ăllil e-Dăwda Rousman helped David with
ǝs-Tămašăq Tamasheq
Za Ɣusman illil i-Dăwda Rousman helped David with
ǝs-Tǝmažǝq Tamajeq
With the verb ‘to hear’ the meaning is different depending on whether a direct or
indirect object is used.
Ša ǝsleɣ e-tăkalt I heard a noise
Za ǝsleɣ i-tăkalt I heard a noise
Ša Za ǝsleɣ-as I heard him
Ša ǝsleq-qi I have heard of him
Za ǝsleq-qe I have heard of him
In other Tamasheq verbs the preposition absent where English speakers might
expect it as its meaning is contained in the verb, e.g. ‘to go to …’, e.g.:
Ša ǝkkeɣ hebu I’m going to market
Ša ǝfălăɣ-id Onlăter I come from England
Za ǝkkeɣ hebu I’m going to market
Za ǝfălăɣ-dǝd Onlăter I come from England
Za ǝgmăyăɣ eɣewǝd ihôssăyăn I’m looking for a nice turban
Some verbs take two direct objects, e.g.:
Ša Za ikfa amidi-nnes aẓrǝf He gave some money to his friend
Ša Za idăl amidi-nnes aẓrǝf He asked his friend for money

With a verbal phrase

The preposition i can link to a final clause rather than a noun, e.g.:
Ša ǝmmăɣăɣ y-ad ăkk Mărkoy I sought (tried to persuade) that
he would go to Markoye

Expressing ‘in order to’

Here again the preposition i introduces a final clause, e.g.:
Ša oseɣ-id y-ad ǝnhǝyăɣ amidi-nin I came to see my friend
Ša tiwǝyăn hărătăn y-a-tăn-šǝnšǝn They bring things to sell in
dăɣ hebu the market
Ša ǝššǝnšăɣ torǝft y-ad tasakalăɣ I bought a car in order to travel
Za oseɣ-dǝd y-ad ǝnǝyăɣ amidi-nin I came to see my friend
Za tawăyăn ărătăn y-a-tăn-ăzzănzin They bring things to sell in
dăɣ hebu the market
Za ǝzzǝnzăɣ torǝft y-ad tašakalăɣ I bought a car in order to travel

Following verbal nouns – meaning ‘to / from / at’

In certain phrases i links a verbal noun and an ‘indirect’ qualifying noun, e.g.:
Ša dat ăfel-in e-Mărkoy, ǝššǝnšăɣ Before leaving for Markoye
tafăɣăt I bought rice

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Ša dat iki-nin e-hebu, ăserădăɣ Before going to market I washed
Za dat ăfel-in i-Mărkoy, ǝzzǝnzăɣ Before leaving for Markoye
tafăɣăt I bought rice
Za dat iki-nin i-hebu, ăššorădăɣ Before going to market I washed
Note also the following useful constructions:
Ša Dămbam tǝllâ-hin e-Mărkoy sihen Dembam is beyond Markoye
Ša Sălmossi tǝllâ-hid e-Mărkoy siha-dăɣ Salmossi is this side of Markoye
Za Dămbam tǝll-în i-Mărkoy sen Dembam is beyond Markoye
Za Sălmossi tǝll-îd i-Mărkoy sa-dăɣ Salmossi is this side of Markoye

Preverbial form
In certain constructions, notably following the supporting pronoun a, the indirect
object preposition is brought in front of the verb. In this position it is replaced by s,
e.g.:
Ša eles inašš e-wan Cotton seed is sold for cows
Ša eles, iwan a-s inašš Cotton seed, it’s for cows that it is sold
Za eles inazz i-šitan Cotton seed is sold for cows
Za eles, šitan a-s inazzu Cotton seed, it’s for cows that it is sold
Ša ǝmmăɣăɣ y-ăhalǝs wa I was looking for that man
Ša ăhalǝs wa, a-s ǝmmăɣăɣ It is that man I am looking for

3.24 Uses of the conjunction as and the preposition s

This section includes notes on both the preposition s ‘towards / in / about / by
means of’ and the conjunction as ‘if / when / that’. The conjunction as in Berber
was formed by the fusion of the supporting pronoun a and the preposition s, hence
its inclusion here.

Uses of as
The conjunction as is frequently used to express ‘if’ or ‘when’, e.g.:
Ša as ăqqălăɣ ehăn-in ad sǝgǝdăɣ When I get home, I will listen
y-ăradyo to the radio
Ša as ămtăllăɣ, sǝsseɣǝdăd-ahi If I make a mistake, correct me
Za as ǝqqălăɣ ehăn-in ad sǝddǝrgǝnăɣ When I get home, I will listen
y-ăradyo to the radio
Za as mătăllăɣ, sǝssiɣǝdăd-i If I make a mistake, correct me
It also frequently expresses ‘that’ although this may not pass over into an
idiomatic English translation, e.g.:
Ša ḍarăt as ǝnkărăɣ, ǝkkeɣ hebu After I got up, I went to market
Ša dat as ǝkkeɣ hebu, ăserădăɣ Before I went to market, I washed
Ša ǝndăr ǝssânăɣ as wăr tăynay, If I had known that it wasn’t
wăr tăt-šǝnšeɣ new, I wouldn’t have bought it
Za dǝffǝr as ǝnkărăɣ, ǝkkeɣ hebu After I got up, I went to market
Za dat as ǝkkeɣ hebu, ǝššorădăɣ Before I went to market, I washed
Za ǝndar ǝssânăɣ as wǝr tăynay, If I had known that it wasn’t
wǝr tăt-zǝnzăɣ new, I wouldn’t have bought it

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When followed by the imperfective aspect marker a(d) it may contract to s, e.g.:
Ša erḍa s-a-dd-as He agreed that he would come
Za irḍa s-a-dd-asu He agreed that he would come
Ša unǵăy s-a-dd-as He refused to come
Za ungăy s-a-dd-asu He refused to come
Ša ilâ s-a-dd-as He has to come
Za ilâ s-a-dd-asu He has to come

Uses of the preposition s

All of the uses listed below are essentially adverbial in nature. Note that with a
pronoun ‘s’ takes the form ‘sǝr-’.
The preposition s frequently means ‘towards’, e.g.:
Ša Za ad ăkkăɣ Waɣa ǝzzar I will go to Ouaga then
akǝyăɣ ǝs Nyăme continue to (towards) Niamey
Ša ikka s-iǵǝǵ He went far away
Za ikka s-igǝg He went far away
Ša ǝndek siha-s tǝššărgăšăd ? Where are you visiting?
Ša mi-s tăsekălăd ? Where are you travelling to?
Za mi-s tǝššokălăd ? Where are you travelling to?
It can also express position or direction (in time or space), e.g.:
Ša ikka s-ider He went underneath
Za ikka s-ăder He went underneath
Ša ăǵ-e s-ăfălla Put it on top
Za ăg-e s-ăfălla Put it on top
Ša Za Waɣa tǝhâ s-ăgăla Ouaga is in the south
Ša ǝs-takkăṣt ad ăkkăɣ Mărkoy In the evening I will go to Markoye
Ša ǝnhăyăq-qi s-iǵǝǵ I saw him in the distance
Ša ǝs-tifawt In the morning
Ša s-ăkăsa tahanem s-ădăgg ǝyyăn Do you move elsewhere in
meɣ ? rainy season?
Za ǝs-takǝst ad ăkkăɣ Mărkoy In the evening I will go to Markoye
Za ǝnăyăq-qe s-igǝg I saw him in the distance
Za ǝs-tufat In the morning
Za s-ăkăsa tagălem s-ădăgg ǝyyăn Do you move elsewhere in
meɣ ? rainy season?
It is used with verbal nouns to express manner. In this usage it is often equivalent
to an English adverb, e.g.:
Ša Za ǝrkǝb s-ăṣṣahăt ! Pull hard!
Ša s-iǵǝt Greatly / in quantity
Za s-igǝt Greatly / in quantity
Ša Adămu oǵăr-ti Musa tăyǝtte s-a-nḍărrăn Musa is a bit clever than Adamu
Za Adămu ogăr-tăy Musa tăyǝtte s-a-nḍărrăn Musa is a bit clever than Adamu
Ša ǝs-tăɣdărt Deceitfully / treacherously /
by surprise
Za ǝs-tǝɣdǝrt Deceitfully / treacherously /
by surprise

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Another important usage is expressing instrument or means (English ‘with’ or
‘by’), e.g.:
Ša ifrăs isan s-ăbsăr He cut the meat with a knife
Ša ma-s extăs ašǝk ? What did he cut the tree down with?
Ša tutǝla a-s ti-extăs He cut it down with an axe
Ša orămăɣ ad ǝkneɣ bătbăt s-ad I tried to fix the bike by
sirǝdăɣ buži cleaning the plug
Za ifrăs isan s-ǝbsǝr He cut the meat with a knife
Za ma-s ixtăs ašǝk ? What did he cut the tree down with?
Za taḍǝft a-s t-ixtăs He cut it down with an axe
Za orămăɣ ad ǝkneɣ bătbăt s-ad I tried to fix the bike by
ǝššurǝdăɣ buži cleaning the plug
It can also express the equivalent to the English ‘about (a topic)’, e.g.:
Ša harkuk imawaḍăn tamăǵradăn ǝs-ḍeḍen Young men always talk about women
Za harkuk imawaḍăn tamăgradăn ǝs-tǝḍoḍen Young men always talk about women
Ša Dăwda iǵlăy s-ălămad ǝn-Tămašăqq Dave is serious about learning
Tamasheq
Za Dăwda iglăy s-ălămad ǝn-Tǝmažǝq Dave is serious about learning
Tamajeq

Cardinal
Cardinal Numbers
In Tamaghit these are expressed by s, but in Tudalt also by n, e.g.:
Ša wa-s ǝssin The second
Za wa-s ǝššin / wa-n ǝššin The second

Verbal phrase qualifiers

Where a verbal phrase qualifies a noun it is introduced by the preposition s. Often
the demonstrative pronoun wa precedes it.. Such phrases are equivalent to the
English ‘whose / of whom / for whom’. (s ‘takes the place’ of the indirect object
marker y and the genitive marker y when a verbal phrase containing them is
rearranged to be a qualifier), e.g.:
Ša ǝkneɣ tărik y-ăhalǝs wa I made a camel saddle for that man
Ša ăhalǝs wa-s ǝkneɣ tărik, os-id The man for whom I made a camel
saddle, came
Za ǝkneɣ tǝrik y-alǝs wa I made a camel saddle for that man
Za alǝs wa-s ǝkneɣ tǝrik, os-ăddǝd The man for whom I made a camel
saddle, came
Ša ǝnhăyăɣ ehăn ǝn-tămăṭṭ ta I saw that woman’s home
Ša tamăṭṭ ta-s ǝnhăyăɣ ehăn-nes tos-id The woman whose home I saw, came
Za ǝnăyăɣ ehăn ǝn-tǝnṭuṭ ta I saw that woman’s home
Za tanṭuṭ ta-s ǝnăyăɣ ehăn-nes tos-ăddǝd The woman whose home I saw, came
Ša ǝššǝɣǝl ǝn-Mosa tamăḍint Mosa’s work is shepherding
Za ǝššǝɣǝl ǝn-Mosa tamǝḍint Mosa’s work is shepherding
Ša Mosa ăhalǝs wa-s ǝššǝɣǝl-ǝnnes Mosa is a man whose work is
tamăḍint shepherding
Za Mosa alǝs wa-s ǝššǝɣǝl-nes Mosa is a man whose work is
tamǝḍint shepherding

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Ša mi-s săkădaw ? Who is she cooking for?
Za mi-s tǝsakădaw ? Who is she cooking for?
Ša ămmoqqăsăɣ meddăn ǝssin I met two men
s-ămêkărnăt wan-năsăn whose cows had been stolen
Za ǝmmoqqăsăɣ meddăn ǝššin I met two men
s-ǝmmôkărnăt šitan-năsăn whose cows had been stolen
Participles are a kind of verbal qualifier. Unlike verbs they cannot be themselves
qualified by an adverb. If a qualifying adverb is needed then the phrase is
rearranged with a finite verb following wa-s the demonstrative pronoun wa plus
the preposition s, e.g.:
Ša ǝmmǝnhăyăɣ d-ăhalǝs wa ikkăn Abiǵa I met a man who had been to Abidjan
Ša ǝmmǝnhăyăɣ d-ăhalǝs I met a man who went to Abidjan
wa-s kăla ikka Abiǵa a long time ago
Za ǝmmǝnăyăɣ d-alǝs wa ikkăn Abiǵa I met a man who had been to Abidjan
Za ǝmmǝnăyăɣ d-alǝs I met a man who went to Abidjan
wa-s kăla ikka Abiǵa a long time ago
Ša ǝmmǝnhăyăɣ d-ăhalǝs wa wăren I met a man who hadn’t been to
ikka Makăt Mecca
Ša ǝmmǝnhăyăɣ d-ăhalǝs I met a man who had never been
wa-s kăla wǝr ikka Makăt to Mecca
Za ǝmmǝnăyăɣ d-alǝs wa wǝr nǝkka I met a man who hadn’t been to
Makăt Mecca
Za ǝmmǝnăyăɣ d-alǝs I met a man who had never been
wa-s kăla wǝr ikka Makăt to Mecca
Ša ǝnhăyăɣ amnǝs ăhûsken I saw a beautiful camel
Ša ǝnhăyăɣ amnǝs wa-s kăla ăhuskăt I saw a camel which used to be
beautiful
Za ǝnăyăɣ amnǝs ihôṣṣăyăn I saw a beautiful camel
Za ǝnăyăɣ amnǝs wa-s kăla ihoṣṣăy I saw a camel which used to be
beautiful
Ša ărhêɣ tabdoq ta-s kăla wăr tǝbdeǵ I want some cloth that has
never been wet
Ša ǝnhăyăɣ ara wa-s iket iwa I saw a child which had just
been born
Za ǝrêɣ tabdoq ta-s kăla wǝr tǝbdeg I want some cloth that has
never been wet
Za ǝnăyăɣ bărar wa-s iket ihu I saw a child which had just
been born

3.25 Uses of the particles etc. based on d / dǝr

dǝr
This section includes the use of various conjunctions / prepositions based on d.

ad – imperfective particle
Often this aspect is preceded by ad (which shortens to a- before pronouns etc.),
e.g.:

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Ša ad ǝlmǝdăɣ Tămašăq I will learn Tamasheq
Ša ărhêɣ ad ǝlmǝdăɣ Tămašăq I want to learn Tamasheq
Ša ărhêɣ a-tăt-ǝlmǝdăɣ I want to learn it
Za ad ǝlmǝdăɣ Tǝmažǝq I will learn Tamasheq
Za ǝrêɣ ad ǝlmǝdăɣ Tǝmažǝq I want to learn Tamasheq
Za ǝrêɣ a-tăt-ǝlmǝdăɣ I want to learn it
When used with the cursive ad is inceptive meaning ‘start to …’, e.g.:
Ša ad eḍaẓẓ He started laughing
Za ad iḍaẓẓu He started laughing
Ša as toyya ara, ad ihall If she leaves the child it will
(start to) cry
Za as toyya bărar, ad ihallu If she leaves the child it will
(start to) cry

Linking clauses
Often a-d means ‘that’ and links two clauses. I have written it a-d here to help
distinguish it from the imperfective particle ad, but often the two will be written
identically. In a few constructions its use is necessary, e.g.:
Ša orăm a-d wăr eṣṭa He tried not to laugh
Za orăm a-d wǝr iṣṭa He tried not to laugh
(lit. ‘He tried that he didn’t laugh’)
In others it is optional and is put in for emphasis, e.g.:
Ša ašăl-i-dăɣ a-d ǝssǝntăɣ Tămašăq Today I started Tamasheq
Za azǝl-a-dăɣ a-d ǝssǝntăɣ Tǝmažǝq Today I started Tamasheq
The contracted form d is used in the sense of ‘that’ following ‘when’ questions, e.g.:
Ša mǝnǵǝdu-d irihhu ăwadǝm absăr ? When does someone need a knife?
Za ǝmme-d itiru ăwadǝm absǝr ? When does someone need a knife?
It is also used meaning ‘that’ following diha ‘where / when’ (Tudalt da), e.g.:
Ša diha-dăɣ-d ǝsleɣ e-torǝft When (as soon as) I heard the car,
a-d ǝbdădăɣ I stood up
Ša diha-dăɣ-d ǝsleɣ e-măǵrăd-ǝnnăk, When (as soon as) I heard your
a kăy-ǝzzăyăɣ voice, I recognised you
Za da-dăɣ-d ǝsleɣ i-turǝft When (as soon as) I heard the car,
a-d ǝbdădăɣ I stood up
Za da-dăɣ-d ǝsleɣ i-măgrăd-năk, When (as soon as) I heard your
a kăy-ǝzzăyăɣ voice, I recognised you
Ša ǝndek diha-d illâ ăkal-ǝnnăk ? Where is your homeland?
Za ǝndek da-d illâ ăkal-năk ? Where is your homeland?
In Tudalt the Tawellemmet version of this last phrase may occasionally be heard,
e.g.:
Za mǝni-d illâ ăkal-năk ? Where is your homeland?

dd etc. – directional particles

See Section 3.7 Directional particles.

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Whenever / wherever / because
The conjunction id can express all of these depending on context, e.g.:
Ša id eɣăš anu, ǝǵrǝw aman Wherever he digs a well he finds
water
Ša id ǝwwăḍăɣ Goron kul, saradăɣ Whenever I reach Gorom, I wash
Ša ikna ilalăn-nes id He arranged his things because
ašǝkka a mad ăsakăl it’s tomorrow that he’ll travel
Za id eɣăz anu, igrǝw aman Wherever he digs a well he finds
water
Za id ewăḍăɣ Goron kul, šaradăɣ Whenever I reach Gorom, I wash
Za ikna ilalăn-nes id He arranged his things because
ažăkka a z-ǝssikǝl it’s tomorrow that he’ll travel

The preposition d meaning ‘with’

The preposition d means ‘with’ in the sense of accompanying, often it is equivalent
to ‘and’ when linking nouns. It never means ‘with’ in the sense of ‘by means of’.
When linked to a pronoun it takes the form dǝr-, e.g.:
Ša Za ad idaw ǝd-Măryama He will accompany Maryama
Ša ǝmmǝǵrădăɣ ǝd-Săydu I spoke with Saidou
Za ǝmmǝgrădăɣ ǝd-Săydu I spoke with Saidou
Ša ărhêɣ ad ămmăǵrădăɣ dǝr-ǝk I want to talk with you
Ša ărhêɣ ătay d-ăssukăr I want tea and sugar
Za ǝrêɣ ad ămmăgrădăɣ dǝr-ǝk I want to talk with you
Za ǝrêɣ ătay d-ǝssukǝr I want tea and sugar
With the verb sǝstǝn ‘ask’ it means ‘about / for’, e.g.:
Ša Za isastan d-ǝlqim ǝn-lalăn He was asking the price of things
Ša ǝssǝstăn d-ismawăn ǝn-hărătăn He asked about the names of things
Za issǝstăn d-ismawăn n-ărătăn He asked about the names of things

Note that ǝd is never used as a conjunction to link two or more verbal phrases, e.g.:
Ša ǝsweɣ ătay, ǝkšeɣ tehăyne I drank tea and ate dates
Za ǝsweɣ ătay, ǝkšeɣ tăyne I drank tea and ate dates
It is used as a linking word meaning ‘as’ following the verb alăh ‘resemble’, e.g.:
Ša ăhalǝs wa olâh ǝd ti-s That man looks like his father
Ša ălɣăyal ma dǝr olâh ? How is the family?
Ša wa olâh ǝd wa That is the same as that
Za alǝs wa olâ ǝd ti-s That man looks like his father
Za ăytedăm-năwăn ma dǝr olâ ? How is the family?
Za wa olâ ǝd wa That is the same as that

3.26 Uses of the preposition / suffix dăɣ

dăɣ

suffix dăɣ
The suffix dăɣ
Used as a suffix to a noun or demonstrative pronoun -dăɣ means ‘this very / this
same’, e.g.:
Ša ašăl-i Today
Ša ašăl-i-dăɣ Today, this very day

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Ša ăhalǝs wa That man
Ša ăhalǝs wa-dăɣ That same man / that very man
Za azǝl-a Today
Za azǝl-a-dăɣ Today, this very day
Za alǝs wa That man
Za alǝs wa-dăɣ That same man / that very man
Ša awen-dăɣ a făl … That is (the reason) why …
Za awen-dăɣ a fǝl/fel … That is (the reason) why …

Uses of the preposition dăɣ

dăɣ
Its primary meaning is locative (in time or space), ‘in’, ‘at’ or directional ‘into’, e.g.:
Ša ǝǵeɣ ilalăn-in dăɣ ăɣrǝǵ I put my things into the sack
Za ǝgeɣ ilalăn-in dăɣ ǝɣrǝg I put my things into the sack
Ša m-isǝm-ǝnnes dăɣ Tămašăq ? What is its name in Tamasheq?
Za m-isǝm-nes dăɣ Tǝmažǝq ? What is its name in Tamasheq?
Ša ăhalǝs ikyăd dăɣ tiset The man looked into the mirror
Za alǝs ikyăd dăɣ tišet The man looked into the mirror
Ša ăhalǝs ikyăd dăɣ midawăn-nes The man looked at his friends
Za alǝs ikyăd dăɣ midawăn-nes The man looked at his friends
Ša Za dăɣ ăkăsa In (last) rainy season
Ša dăɣ tifawt-i This morning
Za dăɣ tufat-a This morning
Ša Ibrahim iwa dăɣ Băyga Ibrahim was born in Beyga
Za Ibrahim ihu dăɣ Băyga Ibrahim was born in Beyga
Ša iwa dăɣ ăzzăman wa-n tămăɣatert He was born during the famine
Za ihu dăɣ ăzzăman wa-n tămăɣatert He was born during the famine
(lit. ‘He was born in the season of difficulty’)
Note that following the demonstrative wa, d may replace dăɣ, e.g.:
Ša ăzzăman wa-d ămos Ibrahim It was during the time that Ibrahim
ămănokal ad iwa Sidi was chief that Sidi was born
Ša amidi-nin os-id ălwăq wa-d My friend arrived while I was
ăserădăɣ washing
Za ăzzăman wa-d imos Ibrahim It was during the time that Ibrahim
amǝnokal ad ihu Sidi was chief that Sidi was born
Za amidi-nin osa-dǝd ălwăq wa-d My friend arrived while I was
ǝššorădăɣ washing
Tamasheq has no separate preposition meaning ‘from’. All prepositions can have a
partitive meaning. So dăɣ can mean ‘starting from in’ and hence ‘out of’, ‘from’,
‘away from’. The verb used gives the context and fixes the meaning, e.g.:
Ša ǝkkăsăɣ ilalăn-in dăɣ ăɣrǝǵ I took my things out of the sack
Ša ma dǝt-tǝwwăyăd dăɣ Dori ? What have you brought from Dori?
Ša ăhalǝs inkăḍ dăɣ san The man cut off some meat
Ša tende ašǝk a dăɣ tăǵǵ A mortar is made from wood
Za ǝkkăsăɣ ilalăn-in dăɣ ǝɣrǝg I took my things out of the sack
Za ma dǝt-tewăyăd dăɣ Dori ? What have you brought from Dori?

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Za alǝs inkăḍ dăɣ san The man cut off some meat
Za tende ašǝk a dăɣ taggu/tǝtaggu A mortar is made from wood
Ša ora ešeḍ dăɣ ašǝk He untied the donkey from the tree
Ša Măssinăɣ ad issăɣlǝs ăddinăt-ǝnnes God will save his people from
dăɣ băkkaḍăn-năsăn their sins
Ša Măssinăɣ a hanăɣ-maden agăẓ dăɣ It is God who will save us from
šǝnǵa-nănăɣ our enemies
Za ora ažăḍ dăɣ ašǝk He untied the donkey from the tree
Za Mǝssinăɣ ad issǝɣlǝs ăytedăm-nes God will save his people from
dăɣ băkkaḍăn-năsăn their sins
Za Mǝssinăɣ a danăɣ-z-agǝẓăn dăɣ It is God who will save us from
zǝnga-nănăɣ our enemies
It can also be used with verbal nouns to form a class of verbal qualifiers (often
translated by English adverbs). Note: many verbal nouns only take s ‘by means of’,
some may take either, e.g.:
Ša iǵa awa dăɣ ufăr He did that secretly (in secret)
Za iga awa dăɣ ufǝr He did that secretly (in secret)
In a few cases it can mean ‘by means of’, e.g.:
Ša Za talăqqe wǝr itǝtt ar dăɣ garibu A poor man only eats by
receiving alms
It can also be used with a verbal noun to mean ‘at (an activity)’, e.g.:
Ša ḍeḍen ărnânăt meddăn dăɣ eqqas Women are better at clapping
than men
Za tiḍoḍen ornânăt meddăn dăɣ eqqas Women are better at clapping
than men

3.27 Uses of the preposition / conjunction har

har ‘until’ (‘to / for / so that’)

As a preposition har is unusual in that it is followed by a noun in the free state.
Like the English ‘until’ it can also be a conjunction, followed by a verb (in the
perfective).
It may be used in reference to time (English ‘until’, ‘for’ or ‘by’), e.g.:
Ša har ašǝkka Until tomorrow
Za har ažăkka Until tomorrow
Ša har ăssaɣăt See you soon
Za har ăssăɣăt See you soon
(lit. ‘Until an hour’)
Ša ăhalǝs ăssîhăḍ efew har erɣa The man blew the fire until it burned
Za alǝs issîhăḍ temse har tǝrɣa The man blew the fire until it burned
Ša ikka Waɣa, a-hin-ăqqaym He’s gone to Ouaga, he’ll stay there
har ǝssin orăn ǝzzar ăqqǝl-id for two months then come back
Za ikka Waɣa a-din-iqqam He’s gone to Ouaga, he’ll stay there
har sănatăt tǝlil tǝzzar iqqǝl-dǝd for two months then come back

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Ša diha-dăɣ har awătăy ad šănšăɣ By a year from now I will have
torǝft bought a car
Za da-dăɣ har awătăy ad ăzzănzăɣ By a year from now I will have
turǝft bought a car
It may be used in reference to place (English ‘until’, ‘to’), e.g.:
Ša ara ošăl ɣor ăɣrǝm har anu The child ran from the town to
the well
Za bărar ozăl ɣur ǝɣrǝm har anu The child ran from the town to
the well
Ša ilalăn-nes ămewăyăn har Mărkoy His things were taken to Markoye
Za ilalăn-nes ǝmmewăyăn har Mărkoy His things were taken to Markoye
It can express result (English ‘so that’, ‘and then’), e.g.:
Ša ǝndek awa ǵed har tărẓed aḍăr-ǝnnăk ? How did you break your leg?
(Note: ǵed is a contraction of tǝǵed)
Za ǝndek awa tǝged har tǝrẓed aḍăr-năk ? How did you break your leg?
(lit. ‘What did you do so that you broke your leg?’)
Ša inăy Dăwda amnǝs har oḍa Dawda rode a camel and then fell off
Za inăy Dăwda amnǝs har uḍa Dawda rode a camel and then fell off

It is also used in the sense of ‘as many as’, e.g.:

Ša oseɣ-id har kăraḍ dăggan I came here (as many as) three
wăr kăy-d-ogeẓăɣ times but I didn’t find you here
Za oseɣ-dǝd har kăraḍ dăggăn I came here (as many as) three
wǝr kăy-d-ogeẓăɣ times but I didn’t find you here

3.28 Uses of the preposition făl

The preposition făl (pronounced fǝl by Tudalt speakers) has the basic spatial
meaning of ‘on’ or ‘upon’ or ‘at’ and also ‘from upon’ or ‘off’, e.g.:
Ša ǝǵeɣ ǝlkǝttab făl ṭabǝl I put the book on the table
Za ǝgeɣ ǝlkǝttab fǝl ṭabǝl I put the book on the table
Ša ǝssǝswăɣ ulli făl anu I watered the goats at the well
Za ǝssǝswăɣ wǝlli fǝl anu I watered the goats at the well
Ša oḍa făl ǝmnǝs He fell off a camel
Za uḍa fǝl ǝmnǝs He fell off a camel
Ša ǝnhăyăɣ amnǝs I saw a camel
Ša ǝndek wa ? Which one?
Ša wa făl toḍed ănḍǝšel The one you fell off yesterday
Za ǝnăyăɣ amnǝs I saw a camel
Za ǝndek wa ? Which one?
Za wa fǝl tuḍed ǝnḍazǝl The one you fell off yesterday

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This then extends to time as well as space taking the meaning ‘during’, ‘while’ or
‘from here’, e.g.:
Ša ǝyyăḍ wăr ărhen măǵrăd făl tătăte Others don’t like talking while eating
Za ǝyyaḍ wǝr ǝren măgrăd fǝl tăṭṭe Others don’t like talking while eating
Ša man-iket hăḍan făl ma-dd-asǝn ? In how many nights are they coming?
Za man-iket ăḍan fǝl za-dd-asin ? In how many nights are they coming?
It can also mean ‘about’ a subject matter, e.g.:
Ša ma torded făl šumar ? What do you think about the rebels?
Za ma torded fǝl šumar ? What do you think about the rebels?
Or ‘because of’, e.g.:
Ša tosed-id făl hebu meɣ ? Have you come for the market?
Za tosed-dǝd fǝl hebu meɣ ? Have you come for the market?
Ša mafăl ? Why (lit. ‘What on … ?’)
Za mafǝl ? Why (lit. ‘What on … ?’)
Za măfel ? Why (lit. ‘What on … ?’)
Ša awen-dăɣ a făl d-oseɣ That is why I came
Za awen-dăɣ a fǝl d-oseɣ That is why I came
Or ‘compared with’, e.g.:
Ša ăkal lămmeḍ făl tǝhun Earth is soft compared with stones
Za amăḍal lǝmmuḍ fǝl tǝhun Earth is soft compared with stones
Ša ara i-nḍărrăn făl ere wăššărăn A child is small compared to a
grown up
Za bărar i-nḍărrăn fǝl iri wăššărăn A child is small compared to a
grown up
Ša ăloki i-nḍărrăn făl tas A calf is small compared to a cow
Za ebărkăw i-nḍărrăn fǝl tast A calf is small compared to a cow

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4 Verb Groups

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 4.1 Classification
Tamasheq is an Afro-asiatic language, specifically a Berber language. Like other
languages in these groups, it is based on consonant roots. These are groups of
(usually three) consonants that hold a meaning. For example, LMD holds the
meaning ‘learn’. The vowels are added to this root to produce nouns and verb
forms. Often auxilliary consonants are added as prefixes or suffixes as well to
produce the full range of possible forms. For example LMD gives the idea of
learning. By adding vowels we get forms such as alămad ‘to learn / learning’, ǝlmǝd
‘learn!’, ilmăd ‘he learned’, and with auxilliary consonants as well tǝlmăd ‘she
learned’, sălmăd ‘cause to learn / teach’, issǝlmăd ‘he taught’, ǝssǝlmădăn ‘they
taught’.
Tamasheq verbs are very regular in the way they form the person. The suffixes
and prefixes stay the same for every verb in every aspect with few variations.
These suffixes and prefixes are added to a stem, which is formed from the root
consonants of the verb combined with a set of vowels. The form of this varies with
the aspect of the verb. Different verb groups form in different ways as shall be
seen further on.
1sg I -ăɣ e.g. ǝlmădăɣ I learned
2sg you t-- -ăd tǝlmădăd You learned
3msg he y-- (yǝ becomes i) ilmăd He learned
3fsg she t-- tǝlmăd She learned
1pl we n-- nǝlmăd We learned
2mpl you t-- -ăm tǝlmădăm You learned
2fpl you t-- -măt tǝlmădmăt You learned
3mpl they -ăn ǝlmădăn They learned
3fpl they -năt ǝlmădnăt They learned
Participles
msg who y-- -ăn (yǝ becomes i) ilmădăn Who learned
fsg who t-- -ăt tǝlmădăt Who learned
cpl who -nen ǝlmădnen Who learned

Notes
i) The y of the 3msg and msg participle combines with the initial ǝ of the verb to
give i in the dialects of Burkina. If the first vowel of the verb is not ǝ the y is
dropped, e.g. okăr ‘he stole’. If the verb is preceded by a word ending in a vowel,
the y (or a fleeting remnant of it) may be heard. So, wa okărăn ‘the one who stole’
may be heard as wa-yokărăn.
ii) In the ‘sha’ dialects of Oudalan the yǝ becomes i only if the verb does not have
another ǝ in it. Whenever another ǝ is present the y is dropped giving assimilation
of vowel sounds. So ‘he will learn’ is ad ǝlmǝd rather than ad ilmǝd as found in ‘za’
dialects and many Malian ‘sha’ dialects. (Group IA8 Imperfective does not have ǝ
in the stem but also drops the y for similar reasons.)
iii) If the stem begins with a consonant, it does not take a prefixed t. Such stems
include all forms of the cursive, many forms of the imperfective in the causative
and all perfectives of group IV. In these cases, the only prefixes are i (in place of y)
for the 3msg and msg participle and nǝ for the 1pl, e.g.:

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 ilammăd He is learning
lammăd She is learning (rather than tǝlammăd)
lammădăd You are learning (rather than tǝlammădăd)
nǝlammăd We are learning
iv) In Tudalt, this rule is only strictly applied to Group IV perfectives. In other
forms the tǝ prefix may be heard but its use is optional.

Varieties of suffixes.
The endings shown above are true for all verbs which end in a normal (‘strong’)
consonant. There are a number of groups however, with ‘weak’ or ‘vowel’ endings.
The suffixes merge with the final vowel or weak ending to produce a variety of
slightly different forms. Tudalt has nine such variants, Tamaghit thirteen. The full
listing of each of these sets of suffixes will be found in the relevant verb groups.

Vowel endings
(where the final consonant of the verb has been lost).
Ša Za ‘-a’ ending of groups IA7-11 perfective.
Ša Za ‘-a’ ending of groups IA7-11 stative.
Ša Za ‘-a’ ending of groups IA7-11 negative.
Ša Za ‘-a’ ending of perfective of group III onwards,
(for Tamaghit also IA7/8 causative cursive).
Za ‘-u’ ending of imperfective and cursive for all vowel endings.
Tamaghit has five variants for these vowel endings:
Ša ‘-’ ending where ‘ǝ’ has been dropped (IA7 imperfective, IA7 negative
cursive, group V, XII and XVII imperfectives, all causative imperfectives).
Ša ‘-u’ ending of group IA8 imperfective and cursive.
Ša ‘-’ ending where ‘ă’ has been dropped (group IA7 cursive, group III
imperfective, group XVIII imperfective).
Ša ‘-a’ ending of cursive group III onwards (except IA7/8 causative).
Ša ‘-i’ ending of cursive group V on and negative cursive of group III.

Weak ‘t’ endings

(where the final consonant of the verb has been replaced by t).
Ša Za ‘-ăt’ ending.
Ša ‘-ǝt’ ending.
Za ‘-ǝt’ ending.
Ša Za ‘-it’ ending.
Ša Za ‘-ut’ ending.

Verb groups
It is in the way that they change between the aspects that Tamasheq verbs vary
greatly. Prasse has classified all but a few very irregular verbs into a long series of
verb groups. These are rather unwieldy for language learning purposes so I have
simplified the Prasse system, choosing a number of important groups that need to
be learned and listing other verbs with the groups they most closely resemble.
This provides a useful overview of the Tamasheq verb system and also, combined

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with the lists of verbs given each section, a way of practicing and mastering the
various conjugations. The major groups are listed below:

GROUP I:
IA1 IA1 CAUSATIVE
IA2 IA2 CAUSATIVE
IA3/4 IA3/4 CAUSATIVE
IA5/6 IA5/6 CAUSATIVE
IA7 (includes IA9 / IA11) IA7/8 CAUSATIVE
IA8 (Tamaghit only)
IA10
GROUP II
GROUP III GROUP III CAUSATIVE
GROUP IV
GROUP V GROUP V CAUSATIVE
GROUP XII GROUP XII CAUSATIVE
GROUP XVII
GROUP XVIII GROUP XVIII CAUSATIVE

Layout of verb lists and tables

The verb tables give a sample verb for each group listing the declension for each
aspect under the aspect name. Other verbs in the same group have the same
prefixes, suffixes and vowel structure but with their own root consonants
substituted in.
Where a verb is shown in summary form the following pattern is used:
Imperative Meaning Verbal Noun
3msg (ad) imperfective 3msg cursive 3msg neg. cursive
3msg perfective 3msg stative 3msg neg. perf.
E.g.:
iynay <> be new N.V. tinya
3msg (ad) iynay itiynay wǝr itiynay
3msg ăynay ăynây wăr ăynay
In the verb lists the following symbols are used:
+ Verb takes direct object
++ Verb takes two direct objects
# Verb takes indirect object
<> Intransitive verb (takes no object)
& Reciprocal verb (takes ‘ǝd’ + object)

Overview of Group I
Many common verbs fall into one of the Group I conjugations. The superficial
unifying characteristic of this group is the vowel change between the perfective
and its negative (e.g. ilmăd ‘he learned’, but wǝr--ilmed ‘he did not learn’). However,
there is a deeper unity identified by Prasse (1973). All these verbs originally had a
three consonant stem (ǝBCǝD) like Group IA1. A number of verbs borrowed from
Arabic also fall into this pattern, especially into IA1. Some of the complexities of

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Berber verbs (and Tamasheq in particular) come from the loss of certain
consonants and the subsequent diversification of verb groups.

Group IA
According to Prasse, all Group IA verbs were originally of type IA1. Loss of certain
consonants has caused the diversification into the current eleven groups. These
verbs tend to express voluntary activity. Prasse suggests that originally they all
expressed this and that apparent exceptions are due to a sliding of meaning over
time or assimilation from another group. (e.g. ǝbdǝǵ originally meant ‘to wet
something or oneself’, but has also come to mean the passive ‘be wet’. ǝbrǝr ‘be no
good’ was probably originally ibrar and in Group IV or perhaps Group II)

Group IB
Prasse notes the affinities of this group with Group II. The sense is generally
descriptive or expresses the involuntary. A number of verbs denoting mental or
sensory functions fall in this group.

Group by Group details of group I

Group IA1
This is the largest set of verbs in Tamasheq; each verb in the group has a three
consonant stem ‘ǝBCǝD’. More than half of all verbs fall into this group. The most
striking thing about the conjugation of this group is the formation of the cursive.
Virtually all verbs outside this group form the cursive beginning with ‘t + long
vowel’, (causatives being the other exception). Group IA1, however, forms it by
separating the first two stem consonants, placing a long ‘a’ between them and
doubling the second ‘BaCCăD’, e.g. ilmăd ‘he learned’, becomes ilammăd ‘he is
learning’. This doubling has a predictable but at first surprising effect on verbs in
which the second vowel is ‘ɣ’, ’w’ or ‘ḍ’ which become ‘qq’,’gg’ and ‘ṭṭ’ respectively.
Hence ilɣăs ‘he hid’ becomes ilaqqăs ‘he hides’, idwăl ‘he / it grew up’ becomes
idaggăl ‘he / it grows’ (although idawwăl is also said) and inḍăb ‘he shot’ becomes
inaṭṭăb ‘he shoots’. The verbal noun most commonly has the form ‘aBăCad’, e.g.
alămad ‘learning’, although a number of verbs have an irregular formation or more
than one form. Tudalt often has the alternative form ‘aBCuD’, e.g. almud ‘learning’.

Group IA2
This group of verbs is very similar to IA1. Prasse proposes an original form
‘ǝwCǝD’. In time, the ‘w’ was dropped and the second consonant doubled to make
up for it. This theory might seem unlikely and irrelevant until you consider the
unusual form of the causative (see Section 4.18). The group now has the form
‘ǝCCǝD’ and forms the cursive with ‘ta-’, e.g. ǝkkǝs ‘take out’, ikkăs ‘he took out’,
itakkăs ‘he takes out’. The verbal noun most commonly has the form ‘uCǝD’, e.g.
ukǝs ‘taking out’, although there are many irregular formations too. In Tudalt
another fairly common form of the verbal noun that preserves the original ‘w’ is
e.g. tewăɣle ‘return’.

Group IA3
Prasse proposes that this group was originally of the form ‘ǝhCǝD’ where ‘h’ could
also be another guttural. The loss of this consonant led to the lengthening of the

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initial vowel giving the form ‘aCǝD’. In the perfective / stative this vowel becomes
‘o’, e.g. alǝy ‘cut’, olăy ‘he cut’. The cursive has somewhat different forms in
Tamaghit and Tudalt, itilǝyŠa ‘he cuts’, italăyZa ‘he cuts’. The verbal noun most
commonly has the form ‘iCCuD’, e.g. illuy ‘cutting’. Tudalt sometimes has the
Tawellemmet form ‘aCCaD’, e.g. allay ‘cutting’. Many verbs form the verbal noun in
a less regular manner.

Group IA4
This small group is essentially a variant of group IA3 and is listed with it in the
verb tables. Originally of the form ‘ǝhwǝD’ the modern form is ‘awǝD’. The ‘w’
modifies the pronunciation of the initial vowel in the perfective / stative.
Tamaghit and Tudalt have different forms, e.g. awǝyŠa Za ‘carry’, iwwăyŠa ‘he carried’,
ewăyZa ‘he carried’, itiwǝyŠa ‘he carries’, itawăyZa ‘he carries’. The verbal noun is of
the form ‘aggaD’, e.g. aggay ‘carrying’.

Group IA5
Originally ‘ǝBhǝD’ this group has the form ‘ǝBǝD’. The formation of the cursive is
slightly different in Oudalan and neighbouring areas of Mali / Niger than in the
rest of the Tamasheq world, e.g. ǝdǝd ‘bite’, idăd ‘he bit’, itǝddad ‘he bites’.
Elsewhere this last form would be iddad ‘he bites’, which is also heard in Oudalan
among Tudalt speakers. The verbal noun is most commonly of the form ‘eBeD’, e.g.
eded ‘biting’, but there are many exceptions.

Group IA6
Originally ‘ǝwhǝD’ this small group has the form ‘ǝwǝD’. It can be considered as a
special case of group IA5 and is listed with it. In the cursive the ‘w’ is doubled and
becomes ‘gg’. Again the local form is different from that of the rest of the
Tamasheq world, and Tudalt speakers use both, e.g. ǝwǝt ‘hit’, iwăt ‘he hit’, itǝggat
‘he hits’. Elsewhere and Tudalt iggat ‘he hits’. The verbal noun may be ‘eweD’ as
group 1A5 but irregular forms are common, e.g. tewete ‘hitting’.

Group IA7 (Tamaghit)

Originally ‘ǝBCǝh’ this group has lost the final consonant and now has the form
‘ǝBC’. In Tamaghit the imperative has two forms depending on the second
consonant. Usually the form is ‘ăBC’, e.g. ăns ‘lie down’, but if the second
consonant is ‘l’, ‘m’, ‘n’ or ‘r’ this is hard to pronounce and the secondary form
‘ǝBǝD’ is adopted, e.g. ǝkǝn ‘arrange’. The cursive forms like group IA1 without the
final vowel and consonant, e.g. ăns ‘lie down’, insa ‘he lay down’, inass ‘he lies
down’. The verbal noun varies quite a bit in formation, e.g. tenăsse ‘lying down’.

Group IA8 (Tamaghit)

Originally ‘ǝBCǝh’, this group differs from IA7 in that a final vowel is retained
giving the form ‘ǝBCu’. The cursive forms in a slightly different way too, e.g. ărḍu
‘agree’, erḍa ‘he agreed’, iriḍḍu ‘he agrees (habitually)’. The verbal noun varies in
formation, e.g. tărăḍḍawt ‘agreement / acceptance’.

Group IA7/8 (Tudalt)

These two groups are essentially indistinguishable in Tudalt. They are both of the
form ‘ăBCu’, e.g. ănsu ‘lie down’, insa ‘he lay down’, inassu ‘he lies down’, and ărḍu

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‘agree’, irḍa ‘he agreed’, iraḍḍu ‘he agrees (habitually)’. The verbal noun varies in
formation and is generally the same as or similar to the Tamaghit, e.g. tenăsse
‘lying down’, tarǝḍḍăwt ‘agreement / acceptance’. A number of verbs that in
Tamaghit fall into IA1 and have preserved a final ‘h’, fall into this group in Tudalt,
e.g. ǝlkăhŠa, ǝǵrăhŠa, ǝgdăhŠa become ălkuZa, ăgruZa, ăgduZa respectively.

Group IA9
Originally ‘ǝwCǝh’ this tiny group shares characteristics of groups IA2 and IA7. It is
listed as a variant of IA7, of the form ‘ăCC’Ša, ‘ăCCu’Ša. The cursive forms in a
manner analogous to group IA2, e.g. ăkkŠa ‘go to’, ikkaŠa ‘he went to’, itakkŠa ‘he goes
to’, ăkkuZa ‘go to’, ikkaZa ‘he went to’, itakkuZa ‘he goes to’.

Group IA10
Originally ‘ǝhCǝh’ this small group combines characteristics of groups IA3 and IA7.
Tamaghit and Tudalt forms differ somewhat. In Tamaghit the form is ‘aC’, e.g. ar
‘open’, ora ‘he opened’, itir ‘he opens’. In Tudalt the form is ‘aCu’, e.g. aru ‘open’, ora
‘he opened’, itaru ‘he opens’.

Group IA11
This very small group was originally ‘ǝBhǝh’ combining groups IA5 and IA7. There
is no single verb that is an ideal example of this group as ăǵ ‘do’ is probably a
contraction of ăǵǵ (IA9), whilst ăl ‘own’ is not used in the cursive. The Tamaghit
form is ‘ăB’, e.g. ăǵ ‘do’, iǵa ‘he did’, itaǵǵ ‘he does’. The Tudalt form is ‘ăBu’, e.g. ăgu
‘do’, iga ‘he did’, itaggu ‘he does’.

Group IB1
This small group is listed as a variant of group IA3 which it resembles. It is of the
form ‘aBCǝD’, afrǝy ‘be ill’, ofrăy ‘he became ill’, itifrǝyŠa ‘he is (frequently) ill’,
itafrăyZa ‘he is (frequently) ill’.
The handful of remaining group IB verbs are treated as variants of the groups they
most resemble. For example group IB4 (originally ‘aBCǝh’ now ‘aBCu’) combining
elements of group IA3 and IA8 is found under group IA8. Groups IB5 and IB7 are
found under group IA10 which they closely resemble.

Verb formation
To form another verb of the group simply swap its stem consonants for those of
ǝlmǝd in the table. The vowels, prefixes and suffixes remain the same, e.g.:
ǝktǝb ‘write’
K replaces L
T replaces M
B replaces D
kattăbăɣ Tămašăq I am writing Tamasheq
ǝktăbăɣ tăkarḍe I wrote a letter
tǝktăbăd tăkarḍe You wrote a letter

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 4.2 Group IA1

Tamaghit
ǝlmǝd ‘learn’ Imperative sg ǝlmǝd
mpl ǝlmǝdăt
fpl ǝlmǝdmăt

Imperfective Cursive Negative cursive

1sg (ad) ǝlmǝdăɣ lammădăɣ wăr lǝmmǝdăɣ
2sg (ad) tǝlmǝdăd lammădăd wăr lǝmmǝdăd
3msg (ad) ǝlmǝd ilammăd wǝr ilǝmmǝd
3fsg (ad) tǝlmǝd lammăd wăr lǝmmǝd
1pl (ad) nǝlmǝd nǝlammăd wăr nǝlǝmmǝd
2mpl (ad) tǝlmǝdăm lammădăm wăr lǝmmǝdăm
2fpl (ad) tǝlmǝdmăt lammădmăt wăr lǝmmǝdmăt
3mpl (ad) ǝlmǝdăn lammădăn wăr lǝmmǝdăn
3fpl (ad) ǝlmǝdnăt lammădnăt wăr lǝmmǝdnăt
(short form: ilămmăd etc.)

Participles
Participles
msg maden ǝlmǝd ilammădăn wăren ilǝmmǝd
fsg maden tǝlmǝd lammădăt wăren lǝmmǝd
pl maden ǝlmǝd lammădnen wăren ilǝmmǝd

Perfective Stative Negative

1sg ǝlmădăɣ ǝlmâdăɣ wǝr ǝlmedăɣ
2sg tǝlmădăd tǝlmâdăd wăr tǝlmedăd
3msg ilmăd ilmâd wǝr ilmed
3fsg tǝlmăd tǝlmâd wăr tǝlmed
1pl nǝlmăd nǝlmâd wăr nǝlmed
2mpl tǝlmădăm tǝlmâdăm wăr tǝlmedăm
2fpl tǝlmădmăt tǝlmâdmăt wăr tǝlmedmăt
3mpl ǝlmădăn ǝlmâdăn wǝr ǝlmedăn
3fpl ǝlmădnăt ǝlmâdnăt wǝr ǝlmednăt

Participles
msg ilmădăn ilmâdăn wăren ilmed
fsg tǝlmădăt tǝlmâdăt wăren tǝlmed
pl ǝlmădnen ǝlmâdnen wăren ilmed

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 Group IA1

Tudalt
ǝlmǝd ‘learn’ Imperative sg ǝlmǝd
mpl ǝlmǝdăt
fpl ǝlmǝdmăt

Imperfective Cursive Negative cursive

1sg (ad) ǝlmǝdăɣ lammădăɣ wǝr lǝmmǝdăɣ
2sg (ad) tǝlmǝdăd lammădăd wǝr lǝmmǝdăd
3msg (ad) ilmǝd ilammăd wǝr ilǝmmǝd
3fsg (ad) tǝlmǝd lammăd wǝr lǝmmǝd
1pl (ad) nǝlmǝd nǝlammăd wǝr nǝlǝmmǝd
2mpl (ad) tǝlmǝdăm lammădăm wǝr lǝmmǝdăm
2fpl (ad) tǝlmǝdmăt lammădmăt wǝr lǝmmǝdmăt
3mpl (ad) ǝlmǝdăn lammădăn wǝr lǝmmǝdăn
3fpl (ad) ǝlmǝdnăt lammădnăt wǝr lǝmmǝdnăt

Participles
msg z-ilmǝdăn ilammădăn wǝr nǝlǝmmǝd
fsg za-tǝlmǝd lammădăt wǝr nǝlǝmmǝd
pl z-ǝlmǝdnen lammădnen wǝr nǝlǝmmǝd
c(neg) wǝr za-nǝlmǝd

Perfective Stative Negative

1sg ǝlmădăɣ ǝlmâdăɣ wǝr ǝlmedăɣ
2sg tǝlmădăd tǝlmâdăd wǝr tǝlmedăd
3msg ilmăd ilmâd wǝr ilmed
3fsg tǝlmăd tǝlmâd wǝr tǝlmed
1pl nǝlmăd nǝlmâd wǝr nǝlmed
2mpl tǝlmădăm tǝlmâdăm wǝr tǝlmedăm
2fpl tǝlmădmăt tǝlmâdmăt wǝr tǝlmedmăt
3mpl ǝlmădăn ǝlmâdăn wǝr ǝlmedăn
3fpl ǝlmădnăt ǝlmâdnăt wǝr ǝlmednăt

Participles
msg ilmădăn ilmâdăn wǝr nǝlmed
fsg tǝlmădăt tǝlmâdăt wǝr nǝlmed
pl ǝlmădnen ǝlmâdnen wǝr nǝlmed

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Examples of simple verb
Ša Za lammădăɣ Tămašăq I am learning Tamasheq
Ša Zǝnnǝba wăr lǝmmǝd Tămašăq Zenneba isn’t learning Tamasheq
Za Zǝnnǝba wǝr tǝlǝmmǝd Tǝmažǝq Zenneba isn’t learning Tamajeq
Ša Za ad ǝlmǝdăɣ Tămašăq I will learn Tamasheq
Ša ărhêɣ ad ǝlmǝdăɣ Tămašăq I want to learn Tamasheq
Za ǝrêɣ ad ǝlmǝdăɣ Tǝmažǝq I want to learn Tamajeq
Ša ǝlmădăɣ ismawăn ăynâynen ănḍǝšel I learned new words yesterday
Za ǝlmădăɣ ismawăn ăynâynen ǝnḍazǝl I learned new words yesterday
Ša Za Măryama ad tǝlmǝd Tesăwăq meɣ ? Will Mary learn Hausa?
Ša Za Măryama tǝlmâd Tesăwăq Mary has already learned Hausa
Ša Za Adămu wǝr ilmed Tămašăq Adamu has not learned Tamasheq

Examples of participles
participles
Ša mi ilămmădăn [sh] Tămašăq ? Who is learning Tamasheq?
Za mi ilammădăn Tǝmažǝq ? Who is learning Tamajeq?
Ša Dăwda a ilămmădăn [sh] Tămašăq It’s Dave who is learning Tamasheq
Za Dăwda a ilammădăn Tǝmažǝq It’s Dave who is learning Tamajeq
Ša tamăṭṭ ta lămmădăt [sh] Tămašăq The woman who is learning
Tamasheq
Za tanṭuṭ ta (tǝ)lammădăt Tǝmažǝq The woman who is learning
Tamajeq
Ša Măryama a ilămmădăn Tămašăq It’s Mary who’s learning Tamasheq
Za Măryama a ilammădăn Tǝmažǝq It is Mary who’s learning Tamajeq

Ša ǝndek-ki ăhalǝs wa ilmădăn Which is the man who has

Tăfollant ? learned Fulfulde?
Za ǝndek-ke alǝs wa ilmădăn Which is the man who has
Tǝfollant ? learned Fulfulde?
Ša ara wa wăren ilmed teɣăre The child who hasn’t learned
to read
Za bărar wa wǝr nǝlmed teɣăre The child who hasn’t learned
to read

Example of verbal noun

Ša ma tăǵǵăd [sh] ? What do you do?
Za ma taggăd ? What do you do?
Ša alămad ǝn-Tămašăq a tăǵǵăɣ [sh] Learning Tamasheq is what I do
Za alămad ǝn-Tǝmažǝq a taggăɣ Learning Tamajeq is what I do

Note: the Tamaghit short form of the cursive is marked [sh] above.

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A selection of the most common group IA1 verbs
Imperative Meaning Verbal Noun
Ša Za ǝbdǝd <> stand up / stop tebădde
Ša ǝbrăr <> be no good abror
Za ǝbrǝr <> be no good abrur
Ša ăḍkăr <> be full // + fill aḍkor
Za ǝḍkǝr <> be full // + fill aḍkur
Ša Za ǝdlǝl <> dance adălal / adlul
Ša Za ǝfhǝm + (Ar.) understand făhăm
Ša Za ǝfrǝs + cut / slice // <> be cut / sliced afăras
Ša ǝgdăh <> be enough agădah / migdăhăw
Za ǝgmǝy + try / look for agămay
Ša ǝǵrăh + understand uǵreh / aǵărah
Ša ǝǵrǝw + get / earn / attain aǵăraw
Za ǝgrǝw + get / earn / attain agăraw
Ša ǝgrăẓ # be pleasing / please agăraẓ / ǝggǝroẓăt
Za ǝgrǝẓ # be pleasing / please agăraẓ / ǝggǝruẓăt
Ša ǝǵyǝk + farm / weed / cultivate aǵăyak
Za ǝgyǝk + farm / weed / cultivate agăyak
Ša ăɣšǝd + spoil // <> be spoiled / broken aɣăšad / oɣšed
Za ǝɣšǝd + spoil // <> be spoiled / broken aɣăšad / uɣšed
Ša Za ǝknǝs + fight akǝnnas
Ša Za ǝktǝb + (Ar.) write akătab
Ša Za ǝlkǝm # follow // <> be inevitable alăkam / lǝkkum
Ša Za ǝlmǝd + (Ar.) learn alămad
Za ǝlwǝg <> be tired alăwag
Ša ǝnhǝy + see (cursive: ihannăy etc.) ahănay
Ša Za ǝnkǝl <> be messy / dirty ǝnnikăl
Ša ǝnkăr <> get up / wake up // ‘nomadise’ tanăkra
Za ǝnkǝr <> get up / wake up // ‘nomadise’ tanăkra
Ša ǝnkǝš <> move (oneself) // <> be moved anăkaš
(With directional particles this can also mean be near / be far away.)
Za ǝnkǝz <> move (oneself) // <> be moved anăkaz
(With directional particles this can also mean be near / be far away.)
Ša ǝnšǝy <> travel in the morning tanšit
Za ǝnzǝy <> travel in the morning tanzit
Ša ărgǝš <> walk // prowl arăgaš / tekle
(Narrower usage than English, can imply seeking sexual partner.)
Ša ărmǝs + grab / seize / catch fire arămas
Za ǝrmǝs + catch fire // grab / seize arămas
Ša ǝšwăr + precede / almost (do sth.) ašăwar
(cursive išawwăr etc.)
Ša ǝzgăr + go out // pass by // # be set aside for azăgar
Za ǝzgǝr + go out // pass by // # be set aside for azăgar
Za ǝzlǝf + (or <>) be / get married / betrothed azălaf
Za ǝžwǝr + precede / almost (do sth.) ažăwar
(cursive: ižaggăr etc.)

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These are the IA1 verbs a language learner should learn first; a fuller listing follows.

Other common group IA1 verbs

Ša ǝbdǝǵ <> be wet abduǵ / ubdaǵ
Za ǝbdǝg <> be wet abdug / ubdag

Za ǝbdǝɣ + kick / push (with foot) abădaɣ

Ša ǝbdăr + receive a ‘souvenir’ abădar / tibǝddar
Za ǝbdǝr + receive a ‘souvenir’ abădar / tibǝddar
(Gifts are often given on the return from a journey.)
Ša Za ǝbhǝl + push abăhal
Ša ǝbrǝš + clear (field) of old roots / trees abăraš
Za ǝbrǝz + clear (field) of old roots / trees abăraz
Ša ǝbsăr + hang out (clothes) // <> be hanging out abăsar
Za ǝbsǝr + hang out (clothes) // <> be hanging out abăsar
Ša Za ǝbsǝy <> melt / fall apart //+ melt / pull apart abăsay
Ša Za ǝdbǝl + carry in arms // stitch a border adăbal
Ša Za ǝdhǝl + help tadhǝlt
Ša ǝdhǝn + spill grease on / grease (sth.) adăhan
Ša Za ǝtkǝl + pick up / take / lift up // adăkal / adkul
<> be lifted / be high
Ša ǝdlǝǵ + decorate // <> be decorated adălaǵ / adluǵ
Za ǝdlǝg + decorate // <> be decorated adălag / adlug
Ša ǝdrǝǵ + not know / be ignorant of ăddăraǵ
Za ǝdrǝg + not know / be ignorant of ăddărag
Ša ǝdnǝs <> be calm / calm (oneself) down adănas
Ša ǝdrăr <> be calm adror
Za ǝdrǝr <> be calm adrur
Ša Za ǝdrǝw + share adăraw
Ša Za ǝdwǝl <> grow / grow up adăwal
(cursive: idawwălŠa, idaggălZa etc.)
Ša ăḍgăẓ + disturb / oppress / occupy ăḍḍăgaẓăt
Za ǝḍgǝẓ + disturb / oppress / occupy ăḍḍăgaẓăt
Ša ăḍkăḍ + (Ar.) estimate // <> be estimated aḍăkaḍ / ăḍḍǝkoḍ
Za ǝḍkǝḍ + (Ar.) estimate // <> be estimated aḍăkaḍ / ǝḍḍǝkuḍ
Ša ăḍlǝm + (Ar.) wrong (s.o.) / provoke (s.o.) taḍlǝmt
Za ǝḍlǝm + (Ar.) wrong (s.o.) / provoke (s.o.) taḍlǝmt
Ša ăḍnǝy + fill // <> be full aḍni / aḍănay
Za ǝḍnǝy + fill // <> be full aḍni / aḍănay
Ša ăḍrăẓ + put sauce on food // aḍăraẓ
<> have had sauce put on (food)
Za ǝḍrǝẓ + put sauce on food // aḍăraẓ
<> have had sauce put on (food)
Ša Za ǝfhǝm + (Ar.) understand făhăm
Ša Za ǝflǝs + trust taflǝst
Ša ǝfnăẓ + reduce / subtract // <> be reduced afănaẓ
Za ǝfnǝẓ + reduce / subtract // <> be reduced afănaẓ
Ša Za ǝfrǝd + gather (in bush) tafrǝtt
Ša ǝfrăḍ + sweep // <> be swept //<> (Ar.) be obligatory afăraḍ

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Za ǝfrǝḍ + sweep // <> be swept //<> (Ar.) be obligatory afăraḍ
Ša ǝfrăɣ <> be bent / curved afăraɣ / afroɣ
Za ǝfrǝɣ <> be bent / curved afăraɣ / fǝrruɣ
Ša Za ǝfrǝn + choose // <> be excellent tafrǝnt
Ša ǝftăɣ + spread out (mat) // be spread out afătaɣ
Za ǝftăɣ + spread out (mat) // be spread out afătaɣ
Ša Za ǝftǝn + climb afătan
Ša Za ǝftǝy + dismantle afătay
Ša ǝǵbǝs + tie (around waist) aǵăbas
Za ǝgbǝs + tie (around waist) agăbas
Ša Za ǝgdǝl + prevent agădal
Ša ǝǵlǝk <> be hungry / starving ǵǝlǝk
Za ǝglǝk <> be hungry / starving gǝlǝk
Ša ǝǵlǝy <> be serious / conscientious aǵălay / ăǵǵǝluyăt
Za ǝglǝy <> be serious / conscientious agălay / ăggǝluyăt
Ša ǝgmăḍ + flee / go out agămaḍ / agmoḍ
Za ǝgmǝḍ + flee / go out agămaḍ / agmuḍ
Ša ǝǵmǝm + chew (tobacco) aǵămam
Za ǝgmǝm + chew (tobacco) agămam
Ša ǝǵmăr + store up / conserve aǵămar
Za ǝgmǝr + hunt // store up / conserve agămar / tagmǝrt
Za ǝgžǝm + slaughter agăžam
Ša ǝgzăr + oppose agăzar
Za ǝgzǝr + oppose agăzar
Ša ăɣbǝd + (Ar.) worship / adore aɣăbad
Za ǝɣbǝd + (Ar.) worship / adore aɣăbad
Ša ăqbǝl + (Ar.) accept / welcome aqăbal
Za ǝqbǝl + (Ar.) accept / welcome aqăbal
Ša ăɣdǝl + (Ar.) be honest / righteous ălɣădala
Za ǝɣdǝl + (Ar.) be honest / righteous ălɣădala
Ša ăɣdăr + (Ar.) betray / deceive taɣdărt
Za ǝɣdǝr + (Ar.) betray / deceive taɣdǝrt
Ša ăɣfǝl + (Ar.) lock aɣăfal
Za ǝɣfǝl + (Ar.) lock aɣăfal
Ša ăɣlǝb + (Ar.) defeat / overcome aɣălab
Za ǝɣlǝb + (Ar.) defeat / overcome aɣălab
Ša ăɣlǝf + (Ar.) be entrusted (with) aɣălaf / taɣlift
Za ǝɣlǝf + (Ar.) be entrusted (with) aɣălaf / taɣlift
Ša ăɣlǝl <> be eternal / durable aɣlul
Za ǝɣlǝl <> be eternal / durable aɣlul
Ša ăɣlǝs <> (Ar.) be protected / be OK / be saved ǝlɣǝllas
Za ǝɣlǝs <> (Ar.) be protected / be OK / be saved ǝlɣǝllas
Ša ăɣlǝy + go round aɣălay
Za ǝɣlǝy + go round aɣălay
Ša ăɣmăr + (Ar.) prepare (tea etc.) aɣămar
Za ǝɣmǝr + (Ar.) prepare (tea etc.) aɣămar
Ša ăɣmǝs + cover / envelop aɣămas
Za ǝɣmǝs + cover / envelop aɣămas
Ša ăɣnǝs + cover completely aɣănas

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Za ǝɣnǝs + cover completely aɣănas
Ša ăɣrǝf + assemble // <> be assembled (group / item) aɣăraf
Za ǝɣrǝf + assemble // <> be assembled (group / item) aɣăraf
Ša ăɣrǝs # slaughter // + cut / cross aɣăras
Za ǝɣrǝs + cut / cross aɣăras
Ša ăɣsăr + land (in) aɣăsar
Za ǝɣsǝr + land (in) aɣăsar
Ša ăɣtǝf + (Ar.) lie in wait / ambush aɣătaf
Za ǝɣtǝf + (Ar.) lie in wait / ambush aɣătaf
Ša ăɣtǝl + (Ar.) advise / exhort / rebuke aɣătal
Za ǝɣtǝl + (Ar.) advise / exhort / rebuke aɣătal
Ša ăɣtǝm + (Ar.) complete reading of Quran / aɣătam
<> read Quran on ‘night of power’ /
+ give alms on the ‘night of power’
Za ǝɣtǝm + (Ar.) complete reading of Quran / aɣătam
<> read Quran on ‘night of power’ /
+ give alms on the ‘night of power’
Ša ăɣtǝs + chop / cut down // <> be cut down aɣătas
Za ǝɣtǝs + chop / cut down // <> be cut down aɣătas
Ša ăɣwǝd + cut to shape // read aloud aɣăwad / ăttăɣwid
Za ǝɣwǝd + cut to shape // read aloud aɣăwad / ăttăɣwid
Ša ăɣyǝb <> (Ar.) be faulty / deficient / disabled ălɣib
Za ǝɣyǝb <> (Ar.) be faulty / deficient / disabled ălɣib
Ša ăɣyǝl <> be well brought up / proper taɣyǝlt
Za ǝɣyǝl <> be well brought up / proper taɣyǝlt
Ša ăhlǝk + (Ar.) destroy // <> be destroyed / ruined ahălak / ǝlhǝllak
Za ǝhlǝk + (Ar.) destroy // <> be destroyed / ruined ahălak / ǝlhǝllak
Ša ăhyǝǵ + injure // <> be injured ahăyaǵ / ahăyoǵ
Za ǝhyǝg + injure // <> be injured ahăyag / ahăyog
Ša Za ǝkbǝl + catch / hold / support akăbal
Ša Za ǝkfǝl + take as captives // <> be taken captive akăfal
Ša ǝkfăr <> (Ar.) be pagan // be violent ukfar / akfor
Za ǝkfǝr <> (Ar.) be pagan // be violent ukfar / akfur
Ša Za ǝklǝs + cut (meat) into strips for drying akălas
Ša Za ǝkmǝl <> (Ar.) be perfect akămal
Ša Za ǝkmǝm <> be mean / refuse to give akămam
Ša Za ǝkmǝs + knot into cloth // <> be knotted into cloth akămas
Ša Za ǝkrǝd + tie up / bind akărad
Ša ǝkrăḍ + scratch akăraḍ
Za ǝkrǝḍ + scratch akăraḍ
Ša Za ǝkrǝf + hobble (an animal) akăraf / takrǝft
Ša Za ǝkrǝm + fold // <> be folded / curved / sit (of goat etc.)akăram
Ša Za ǝkrǝs + tie / attach / build // <> be built akăras
Ša ǝkrǝš + own / acquire akăraš
Za ǝkrǝz + own / acquire akăraz
Ša Za ǝksǝl + scoop up (‘lift up loose bits with flat object’) akăsal
Ša Za ǝksǝn + hate akăsan
Ša ǝkwăr + insult (cursive: iǵaǵǵăr etc.) tiǵǝǵǵar
Za ǝkwǝr + insult (cursive: ikaggăr etc.) tikǝggar

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Ša Za ǝkwǝy + grill / burn // <> be grilled akăway
Ša Za ǝkyǝd + look at / examine akăyad
Ša ǝkyăḍ + hate / misjudge ukyaḍ / akyoḍ
Za ǝkyǝḍ + hate / misjudge ukyaḍ / akyuḍ
Ša Za ǝlbǝk <> be thin / starved lǝbǝk / alăbak
Ša Za ǝlbǝy + uproot alăbay
Ša ălḍǝš <> be tired alăḍaš
Za ǝlḍǝz <> be tired alăḍaz
Ša Za ǝlfǝs + smooth off // <> be smoothed off alăfas
Ša Za ǝlgǝm # punch alăgam
Ša Za ǝlɣǝd + (Ar.) persuade alăɣad
Ša Za ǝlɣǝn + (Ar.) insult (cursive: ilaqqăn etc.) tulɣant / tilɣant
Ša Za ǝlɣǝs <> hide (oneself) / be hidden alăɣas
Ša Za ǝlhǝm <> (Ar.) be angry ălhăm
Ša Za ǝlhǝy + stuff / penetrate // <> be stuffed alăhay
Ša ǝlkăḍ # go to meet alăkaḍ
Za ǝlkǝḍ # go to meet alăkaḍ
Ša ǝlkăh + despise / reject mǝlkăhăw
Ša Za ǝlkǝw + draw (water) / fetch (water) alăkăw
Ša ǝlmăɣ + dive // <> be dipped alămaɣ
Za ǝlmǝɣ + dive // <> be dipped alămaɣ
Ša Za ǝlmǝm + suck (silently) // <> be sucked alămam
Ša ǝlmăẓ + swallow alămaẓ
Za ǝlmǝẓ + swallow alămaẓ
Ša ǝltăɣ + adhere to / be stuck to alătaɣ
Za ǝltǝɣ + adhere to / be stuck to alătaɣ
Ša Za ǝlwǝy + lead (cursive: ilawwăyŠa ilaggăyZa etc.) alăway
Ša Za ǝlxǝm + (Ar.) solder / weld //<> be welded alăxam
Ša Za ǝlyǝm <> dissolve / disintegrate alăyam
Ša Za ǝlyǝs + criticise alăyas
Ša Za ǝlzǝm + (Ar.) be obligatory alăzăm
Ša Za ǝmdǝy + tie (animal to stick) amăday
Ša Za ǝmsǝd <> be sharp amsud
Ša Za ǝmsǝl + dye blue / make (sth.) blue by amăsal
wiping it with something indigo
Ša ǝmbǝǵ + pierce / be pierced / cross anăbaǵ
Za ǝmbǝg + pierce / be pierced / cross anăbag
Ša ăŋbǝl + bury anăbal
Za ǝnbǝl + bury anăbal
Ša Za ǝmbăr + do (work / a journey) at night anăbar
Ša Za ǝnbǝs + throw (powder / grit) anăbas
Ša ǝnbǝš <> be broadcast / dispersed anăbaš
Ša Za ǝnbǝy + have sex (crude term) anăbay
Za ǝnbǝz <> be broadcast / dispersed anăbaz
Ša Za ǝndǝm <> (Ar.) lower head (in fatigue / grief) anădam
Ša Za ǝndǝw <> become creamy (milk / butter) anădaw
Ša ănḍǝb + shoot (arrow / gun) anăḍab
Za ǝnḍǝb + shoot (arrow / gun) anăḍab
Ša ănḍăr <> die suddenly / do (sth.) suddenly anăḍar

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Za ǝnḍǝr <> die suddenly / do (sth.) suddenly anăḍar
Ša ănḍǝw + throw // <> be thrown anăḍaw
Za ǝnḍǝw + throw // <> be thrown anăḍaw
Ša ǝnfăr <> be spacious / spaced out anăfar
Za ǝnfǝr <> be spacious / spaced out anăfar
Ša ǝnfǝš + sprinkle // <> be sprinkled anăfaš
Za ǝnfǝz + sprinkle // <> be sprinkled anăfaz
Ša ǝnfăẓ # punch in the face anăfaẓ
Za ǝnfǝẓ # punch in the face anăfaẓ
Ša ăngăḍ + put on (turban) // <> be turbaned anăgaḍ
Za ǝngǝḍ + put on (turban) // <> be turbaned anăgaḍ
Ša ǝnǵăr + be in the shelter of / hide behind anăǵar
Za ǝngǝr + be in the shelter of / hide behind anăgar
Ša ǝnǵǝy <> flow anăǵay
Za ǝngǝy <> flow anăgay
Ša ăŋɣǝl + pour / spill // <> be poured / spilled tanăɣla / ănăɣal
Za ǝŋɣǝl + pour / spill // <> be poured / spilled tanăɣla / ănăɣal
(cursive: inaqqălŠa Za etc.)
Ša ǝnhǝǵ <> be naive // be uninhibited anăhoǵ / anhuǵ
Za ǝnhǝg <> be naive // be uninhibited anăhog / anhug
Ša ǝnkăḍ + cut off anăkaḍ
Za ǝnkǝḍ + cut off / harvest / circumcise anăkaḍ
Ša Za ǝnkǝf # bump into / knock against anăkaf
Ša Za ǝnkǝs + suckle // <> be suckled anăkas
Ša ǝnsǝǵ + smell / sniff anăsaǵ
Za ǝnsǝg + sniff / take snuff anăsag
Ša ǝnsăr <> be ripped away / torn off anăsar
Za ǝnsǝr <> be ripped away / torn off anăsar
Ša Za ǝnsǝs <> dry up (well,spring) anăsas
Ša ǝnšăr <> bear new leaves // bud anăšar
Ša ǝnšǝš <> be sieved anăšaš
Ša Za ǝntǝg + push anătag
Ša Za ǝntǝm <> be stuck / be firm antum
Ša Za ǝntǝs + set fire to anătas
Ša ǝntǝš + snatch anătaš
Za ǝntǝz + snatch anătaz
Ša Za ǝnxǝs <> (Ar.) be discouraged / saddened anăxas
Ša ǝnzăɣ <> be peeled / stripped (e.g. bark) anăzaɣ
Za ǝnzǝɣ <> be peeled / stripped (e.g. bark) anăzaɣ
Za ǝnzǝr <> bear new leaves // bud anăzar
Za ǝnzǝz <> be sieved anăzaz
Ša ănẓǝǵ <> blink / be half closed (eye) //+ wink (eye) anăẓaǵ
Za ǝnẓǝg <> blink / be half closed (eye) //+ wink (eye) anăẓag
Ša ănẓăr + sing // pose an enigma anăẓar
Za ǝnẓǝr + sing // pose an enigma anăẓar
Ša ărbǝb + hold (sth.) in arms // <> be armed arăbab
Za ǝrbǝb + hold (sth.) in arms // <> be armed arăbab
Ša ărbăḍ + insult someone’s parents erăbḍan
Za ǝrbǝḍ + insult someone’s parents ǝrrǝbḍan

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Ša ărbăẓ + knead // <> be kneaded arăbaẓ
Za ǝrbǝẓ + knead // <> be kneaded arăbaẓ
Ša ărḍǝl + (Ar.) recite // <> be loaned arăḍal
Za ǝrḍǝl + (Ar.) recite arăḍal
Ša ărɣǝm + (Ar.) warn / forbid // threaten arăɣam
Za ǝrɣǝm + (Ar.) warn / forbid // threaten arăɣam
Ša ărhǝǵ <> be saved / delivered arăhaǵ
Ša ărkǝb + pull arăkab
Za ǝrkǝb + pull arăkab
Ša ărkăḍ <> (<Ar.) be at ease / play / run around arăkaḍ
Ša ărkăh <> be rotten / smell bad arăkah
Ša ărkǝn <> stop abruptly arăkan
Za ǝrkǝn <> stop abruptly arăkan
Ša ărmăɣ <> be afraid tarǝmmeqq
Za ǝrmǝɣ <> be afraid tarǝmmeq
Ša ărmǝm <> be stuck / attached to arămam
Za ǝrmǝm <> be stuck / attached to arămam
Ša ărsǝk + wipe (with solid object) /+ kick (an.) arăsak
Za ǝrsǝk + wipe (with solid object) /+ kick (an.) arăsak
Ša ărsǝl + knock out from underneath arăsal
Za ǝrsǝl + knock out from underneath arăsal
Ša ărsǝm + tighten (a slip knot) arăsam
Za ǝrsǝm + tighten (a slip knot) arăsam
Ša ăršǝf <> have a dislocated hoof arăšaf
Ša ăršǝm + pass (watery diarrhoea) arăšam
Ša ărtǝy <> be mixed / be together tartit / arătay
Za ǝrtǝy <> be mixed / be together tartit / arătay
Ša ărwǝl <> run away arăwal
Za ǝrwǝl <> run away arăwal
Ša ărwǝy + mix / stir arăway
Za ǝrwǝy + mix / stir arăway
Za ǝrzǝf <> have a dislocated hoof arăzaf
Ša ărzăɣ <> (Ar.) prosper / be rich // + protect arăzaɣ / ărrǝzăɣ
Za ǝrzǝɣ <> (Ar.) prosper / be rich // + protect arăzaɣ / ǝrrǝzǝɣ
Ša ărẓǝm + fasten belt arăẓam
Za ǝrẓǝm + fasten belt arăẓam
Ša Za ǝskǝr <> sit (on base) / stand (on base) asăkar
Ša Za ǝslǝl <> be smooth tislalt / tǝsǝlle
Ša Za ǝslǝy <> curdle / go sour (milk) asălay
Ša Za ǝsrǝd + lay out / stretch // asărad
<> lie down (not curled up)
Ša Za ǝsrǝy <> be unmarried // + fornicate asăray / asri
Ša ǝstăɣ + slap // expel asătaɣ
Za ǝstǝɣ + slap // expel asătaɣ
Ša Za ǝstǝk <> be empty / dry asătak
Ša Za ǝswǝd <> be inattentive asăwad
Za ǝswǝḍ + look at (cursive: isaggăḍ etc.) asăwaḍ
Ša ăṣlǝb + (Ar.) crucify aṣălab
Za ǝṣlǝb + (Ar.) crucify aṣălab

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Ša ǝškǝy + stain with red ochre (also: ǝkšǝy) ašăkay
Ša ǝšlǝǵ + carry (on back) ašălaǵ
Ša ǝšlǝm + see at a glance ašălam
Ša ǝšlǝy + get lost / miss (road / target) ašălay
Ša ǝšmăr # put up with / tolerate ăššămmarăt
Ša ǝšrǝǵ + go for water ašăroǵ
Ša ǝšrăɣ # (Ar.) judge (# s.o. / + the punishment) ăššăreɣa
Za ǝšrǝɣ # (Ar.) judge (# s.o. / + the punishment) ǝššǝriɣa
Ša ǝšrǝy <> be new / be last // + replace ašăray
Ša ǝšwǝy + anoint / wipe with oil ašăway
(cursive: išawwăy etc.)
Ša Za ǝtrǝb <> hurry / be quick atrub / atărab
Ša ǝtwăr + store / hide (things) away atăwar
(cursive itawwăr etc.)
Za ǝtwǝr + store / hide (things) away atăwar
(cursive: itaggăr etc.)
Ša ăxkǝm + (Ar.) rule ălxǝkum
Za ǝxkǝm + (Ar.) rule ǝlxǝkum
Ša ăxlǝd <> be greedy taxălett
Za ǝxlǝd <> be greedy axălad
Ša ăxlǝk + (Ar.) create // <> be created axălak / axluk
Za ǝxlǝk + (Ar.) create // <> be created axălak / axluk
Ša ăxsǝb + (Ar.) count / calculate / count as ălxisab
Za ǝxsǝb + (Ar.) count / calculate / count as ălxisab
Ša ăxsǝl <> reach the end of one’s rescources axăsal
Za ǝxsǝl <> reach the end of one’s rescources axăsal
Za ǝzlǝg + carry (on back) azălag
Za ǝzlǝm + see at a glance azălam
Za ǝzlǝy + get lost / miss (road / target) azălay
Za ǝzrǝg + go for water azărog / tazrek
Za ǝzrǝy + be new / be last / replace azăray
Ša ăẓlǝy + separate / distinguish // aẓli / aẓălay
<> be taken in marriage
Za ǝẓlǝy + separate / distinguish // aẓli / aẓălay
<> be taken in marriage
Ša ăẓmǝy + sew aẓămay
Za ǝẓmǝy + sew aẓămay
Ša ăẓwǝy + lift // <> be high aẓăway
Za ǝẓwǝy + lift // <> be high aẓăway
Za ǝžmǝr # put up with / tolerate žǝmmerăt
Za ǝžwǝy + anoint / wipe with oil ažăway
(cursive: ižaggăy etc.)

122
 4.3 Group IA2

Tamaghit
ǝkkǝs ‘take out’ Imperative sg ǝkkǝs
mpl ǝkkǝsăt
fpl ǝkkǝsmăt

Imperfective Cursive Negative Cursive

Cursive
1sg (ad) ǝkkǝsăɣ takkăsăɣ wăr tǝkkǝsăɣ
2sg (ad) tǝkkǝsăd takkăsăd wăr tǝkkǝsăd
3msg (ad) ǝkkǝs itakkăs wǝr itǝkkǝs
3fsg (ad) tǝkkǝs takkăs wăr tǝkkǝs
1pl (ad) nǝkkǝs nǝtakkăs wăr nǝtǝkkǝs
2mpl (ad) tǝkkǝsăm takkăsăm wăr tǝkkǝsăm
2fpl (ad) tǝkkǝsmăt takkăsmăt wăr tǝkkǝsmăt
3mpl (ad) ǝkkǝsăn takkăsăn wăr tǝkkǝsăn
3fpl (ad) ǝkkǝsnăt takkăsnăt wăr tǝkkǝsnăt
(short form: ităkkăs etc.)

Participles
msg maden ǝkkǝs itakkăsăn wăren itǝkkǝs
fsg maden tǝkkǝs takkăsăt wăren tǝkkǝs
pl maden ǝkkǝs takkăsnen wăren itǝkkǝs

Perfective Stative Negative

1sg ǝkkăsăɣ ǝkkâsăɣ wǝr ǝkkesăɣ
2sg tǝkkăsăd tǝkkâsăd wăr tǝkkesăd
3msg ikkăs ikkâs wǝr ikkes
3fsg tǝkkăs tǝkkâs wăr tǝkkes
1pl nǝkkăs nǝkkâs wăr nǝkkes
2mpl tǝkkăsăm tǝkkâsăm wăr tǝkkesăm
2fpl tǝkkăsmăt tǝkkâsmăt wăr tǝkkesmăt
3mpl ǝkkăsăn ǝkkâsăn wǝr ǝkkesăn
3fpl ǝkkăsnăt ǝkkâsnăt wǝr ǝkkesnăt

Participles
msg ikkăsăn ikkâsăn wăren ikkes
fsg tǝkkăsăt tǝkkâsăt wăren tǝkkes
pl ǝkkăsnen ǝkkâsnen wăren ikkes

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 Group IA2

Tudalt
ǝkkǝs ‘take out’ Imperative sg ǝkkǝs
mpl ǝkkǝsăt
fpl ǝkkǝsmăt

Imperfective Cursive Negative Cursive

1sg (ad) ǝkkǝsăɣ takkăsăɣ wǝr tǝkkǝsăɣ
2sg (ad) tǝkkǝsăd takkăsăd wǝr tǝkkǝsăd
3msg (ad) ikkǝs itakkăs wǝr itǝkkǝs
3fsg (ad) tǝkkǝs takkăs wǝr tǝkkǝs
1pl (ad) nǝkkǝs nǝtakkăs wǝr nǝtǝkkǝs
2mpl (ad) tǝkkǝsăm takkăsăm wǝr tǝkkǝsăm
2fpl (ad) tǝkkǝsmăt takkăsmăt wǝr tǝkkǝsmăt
3mpl (ad) ǝkkǝsăn takkăsăn wǝr tǝkkǝsăn
3fpl (ad) ǝkkǝsnăt takkăsnăt wǝr tǝkkǝsnăt

Participles
msg z-ikkǝsăn itakkăsăn wǝr nǝtǝkkǝs
fsg za-tǝkkǝsăt takkăsăt wǝr nǝtǝkkǝs
pl z-ǝkkǝsnen takkăsnen wǝr nǝtǝkkǝs
c(neg) wǝr za-nǝkkǝs

Perfective Stative Negative

1sg ǝkkăsăɣ ǝkkâsăɣ wǝr ǝkkesăɣ
2sg tǝkkăsăd tǝkkâsăd wǝr tǝkkesăd
3msg ikkăs ikkâs wǝr ikkes
3fsg tǝkkăs tǝkkâs wǝr tǝkkes
1pl nǝkkăs nǝkkâs wǝr nǝkkes
2mpl tǝkkăsăm tǝkkâsăm wǝr tǝkkesăm
2fpl tǝkkăsmăt tǝkkâsmăt wǝr tǝkkesmăt
3mpl ǝkkăsăn ǝkkâsăn wǝr ǝkkesăn
3fpl ǝkkăsnăt ǝkkâsnăt wǝr ǝkkesnăt

Participles
msg ikkăsăn ikkâsăn wǝr nǝkkǝs
fsg tǝkkăsăt tǝkkâsăt wǝr nǝkkǝs
pl ǝkkăsnen ǝkkâsnen wǝr nǝkkǝs

124
Group IA2 Verbs
Imperative Meaning
Meaning Verbal Noun
Ša ǝddăh + pound tidhăwt
Ša Za ǝddǝk + move to / put up tent udǝk
Ša Za ǝddǝl <> play ăddăl
Ša ǝddǝm <> spot (with rain) teddemt
Ša ǝddăr <> live / be alive tămudre
Za ǝddǝr <> live / be alive tǝmudre
Za ǝṭṭǝb <> spot / drip (rain etc.) teṭṭebt
Ša ăṭṭǝf + hold / take hold oḍǝf
Za ǝṭṭǝf + hold / take hold uḍǝf
Ša ăṭṭǝs <> be asleep eḍǝs
Za ǝṭṭǝs <> be asleep eḍǝs
Ša ăḍḍǝš <> be weakened (by lack of food) oḍǝš
Za ǝḍḍǝz <> be weakened (by lack of food) uḍǝz
Ša Za ǝffǝd + lend / borrow (cf sufǝd) ufǝd
Ša ǝffăr + hide // <> hide (oneself) ufăr
Za ǝffǝr + hide // <> hide (oneself) ufǝr
Ša Za ǝffǝy + pour // <> have diarrhoea tufit / teffayt
Ša ǝffăẓ + chew / crunch ufăẓ
Ša ǝffǝẓ + chew / crunch ufǝẓ
Ša Za ǝggǝd + jump / fly teggett
Ša ǝggǝš + enter / go in ugǝš
Za ǝggǝz + enter / go in ugǝz
Ša ăqqăɣ <> explode / strike (lightning) teqqaqq
Za ǝqqǝɣ <> explode / strike (lightning) teqqaq
Ša ăqqǝl + become // return // # wait for oɣǝl
Za ǝqqǝl + become // return // # wait for uɣǝl / tewăɣle
Ša ăqqǝn + attach / construct // oɣǝn
+ hang / wear (jewellery)
Za ǝqqǝn + attach / construct // uɣǝn / tewăɣne
+ hang / wear (jewellery)
Ša ăqqǝs <> clap eqqas
Za ǝqqǝs <> clap eqqas
Ša Za ǝkkǝs + take out / take away ukǝs
Ša Za ǝllǝf # wave / signal ulǝf
Ša ǝllăɣ + lick ulăɣ
Za ǝllǝɣ + lick ulǝɣ
Ša Za ǝllǝm + pass quickly / twist ulǝm
Ša Za ǝllǝy <> hover / hang around ulǝyŠa / ellayZa
Ša ǝllăẓ <> sink / be pushed deep (into sth.) ulăẓ
Za ǝllǝẓ <> sink / be pushed deep (into sth.) ulǝẓ
Ša ǝmmăɣ # look for / search for // <> be soaked umăɣ
Za ǝmmǝɣ <> be soaked // (# look for / search for) umǝɣ
Ša ǝmmăr + pass by umăr
Za ǝmmǝr + pass by umǝr
Ša ǝnnăḍ + turn around //<> turn (oneself) around unăḍ
Za ǝnnǝḍ + turn around //<> turn (oneself) around unǝḍ

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Ša Za ǝssǝf <> be rigid usǝf
Ša ǝssǝn + know / be good for musnat / tămusne
Za ǝssǝn + know / be good for măsnat / tamusne
Ša ǝššăḍ <> be playful / giddy ušăḍ
Za ǝššǝḍ <> be playful / giddy ušǝḍ
Ša Za ǝššǝf <> swim eššaf
Ša Za ǝššǝk + doubt / be upset ăššăk
Ša Za ǝššǝm # be better mušmăt / tamušme
Ša Za ǝttǝl + wrap ettal
Ša ǝttăr + seek / pray / ask for // insult utăr / tǝwatre
Za ǝttǝr + seek / pray / ask for // insult utǝr / tǝwatre
Ša Za ǝzzǝf <> be naked / + strip uzǝf
Ša ǝzzăɣ + live (in) / abide tămuzɣe /
tamǝzzoqq
Za ǝzzǝɣ + live (in) / abide tamuzɣe /
tamǝzzuq
Ša Za ǝzzǝl <> be superseded / past / spent uzǝl
Ša ǝzzăh <> warm (oneself) up uzăh
Ša ǝzzǝy + know (s.o. / place) / recognise // muzyăt / tămuzye
<> be healed / tamǝzzuyt
Za ǝzzǝy + know (s.o. / place) / recognise // mǝzzǝyăt / tamuzye
<> be healed / tamǝzzit
Ša ăẓẓǝǵ + milk / <> be milked taẓǝkk
Za ǝẓẓǝg + milk / <> be milked taẓǝk
Ša ăẓẓǝl + stretch / reach out oẓǝl
Za ǝẓẓǝl + stretch / reach out uẓǝl
Ša ăẓẓǝm + mount (a horse) teẓẓemt
Za ǝẓẓǝm + mount (a horse) teẓẓemt

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 4.4 Group IA3

Tamaghit
ašǝl ‘run’ Imperative sg ašǝl
mpl ašǝlăt
fpl ašǝlmăt

Imperfective Cursive Negative cursive

1sg (ad) ašǝlăɣ tišlăɣ wăr tišlăɣ
2sg (ad) tašǝlăd tišlăd wăr tišlăd
3msg (ad) ašǝl itišǝl wǝr itišǝl
3fsg (ad) tašǝl tišǝl wăr tišǝl
1pl (ad) našǝl nǝtišǝl wăr nǝtišǝl
2mpl (ad) tašǝlăm tišlăm wăr tišlăm
2fpl (ad) tašǝlmăt tišǝlmăt wăr tišǝlmăt
3mpl (ad) ašǝlăn tišlăn wăr tišlăn
3fpl (ad) ašǝlnăt tišǝlnăt wăr tišǝlnăt

Participles
msg maden ašǝl itišlăn wăren itišǝl
fsg maden tašǝl tišlăt wăren tišǝl
pl maden ašǝl tišǝlnen wăren itišǝl

Perfective Stative Negative

1sg ošălăɣ ošâlăɣ wăr ošelăɣ
2sg tošălăd tošâlăd wăr tošelăd
3msg ošăl ošâl wăr ošel
3fsg tošăl tošâl wăr tošel
1pl nošăl nošâl wăr nošel
2mpl tošălăm tošâlăm wăr tošelăm
2fpl tošălmăt tošâlmăt wăr tošelmăt
3mpl ošălăn ošâlăn wăr ošelăn
3fpl ošălnăt ošâlnăt wăr ošelnăt

Participles
msg ošălăn ošâlăn wăren ošel
fsg tošălăt tošâlăt wăren tošel
pl ošălnen ošâlnen wăren ošel

127
 Group IA3

Tudalt
azǝl ‘run’ Imperative sg azǝl
mpl azǝlăt
fpl azǝlmăt

Imperfective Cursive Negative cursive

1sg (ad) azǝlăɣ tazălăɣ wǝr tizǝlăɣ
2sg (ad) tazǝlăd tazălăd wǝr tizǝlăd
3msg (ad) azǝl itazăl wǝr itizǝl
3fsg (ad) tazǝl tazăl wǝr tizǝl
1pl (ad) nazǝl nǝtazăl wǝr nǝtizǝl
2mpl (ad) tazǝlăm tazălăm wǝr tizǝlăm
2fpl (ad) tazǝlmăt tazălmăt wǝr tizǝlmăt
3mpl (ad) azǝlăn tazălăn wǝr tizǝlăn
3fpl (ad) azǝlnăt tazălnăt wǝr tizǝlnăt

Participles
msg z-azǝlăn itazălăn wǝr nǝtizǝl
fsg za-tazǝlăt tazălăt wǝr nǝtizǝl
pl z-azǝlnen tazălnen wǝr nǝtizǝl
c(neg) wǝr za-nazǝl

Perfective Stative Negative

1sg ozălăɣ ozâlăɣ wǝr ozelăɣ
2sg tozălăd tozâlăd wǝr tozelăd
3msg ozăl ozâl wǝr ozel
3fsg tozăl tozâl wǝr tozel
1pl nozăl nozâl wǝr nozel
2mpl tozălăm tozâlăm wǝr tozelăm
2fpl tozălmăt tozâlmăt wǝr tozelmăt
3mpl ozălăn ozâlăn wǝr ozelăn
3fpl ozălnăt ozâlnăt wǝr ozelnăt

Participles
msg ozălăn ozâlăn wǝr nozel
fsg tozălăt tozâlăt wǝr nozel
pl ozălnen ozâlnen wǝr nozel

128
Group IA3 verbs
Imperative Meaning Verbal Noun
Ša abăr + grasp ibbor
Za abǝr + grasp ibbur

Za abǝẓ + seize ibbuẓ / abbaẓ

Ša Za adǝd + lean on / press iddud
Ša aḍǝǵ + drive ahead / hit neck (of an.) teḍǵit
Za aḍǝg + drive ahead / hit neck (of an.) tiḍgit
Ša aḍǝn + feel (lack of) / want to eḍḍunŠa iḍḍunZa
Ša aḍăr + soak (a skin prior to removing hairs) eḍḍor
Za aḍǝr + soak (a skin prior to removing hairs) iḍḍur
Ša Za afǝl <> be tanned ifful
Ša agăẓ + protect / inherit / find iggoẓ
Za agǝẓ + protect / inherit / find igguẓ / aggaẓ
Ša aǵǝl + abstain iǵǵul
Za agǝl + abstain iggul
Ša aǵǝm + take (millet) out of pot iǵǵum
Za agǝm + take (millet) out of pot iggum
Ša Za aɣǝd <> be straight / righteous eqqudŠa iqqudZa
Ša Za aɣǝm <> be stored in a sealed container eqqumŠa iqqumZa
Ša Za aɣǝs + insist / persist eqqusŠa iqqusZa
Ša Za aɣǝy + choke / strangle eqquyŠa iqquyZa
Ša ahăɣ + raid / pillage teɣha
Ša ahăr + share / meet with tihra
Za ahǝr + share / meet with tihra
Ša ahăẓ + approach / be near ihaẓ
Ša aǵăr + surpass / be greater than tiǵra
Za agǝr + surpass / be greater than tigra
Ša aǵǝy + tie iǵǵuy
Za agǝy + tie igguy
Ša akăḍ & detest mikḍaw
Za akǝḍ & detest mikḍaw
Ša Za akǝl <> be hopeless ikkul
Ša akăr + steal tikra
Za akǝr + steal tikra
Ša Za akǝy + pass by / continue / watch ikkuy
Ša alăɣ <> be good milɣaw
Za alǝɣ <> be good milɣaw
Ša alăh & be the same as / resemble milhaw
Ša Za alǝl <> be caught (falling object) illul
Za alǝm + open / untie illum
Ša Za alǝs + start again / re-do illus
Ša Za alǝy + cut (harvest) // <> be hanging illuyŠa allayZa
Ša Za amǝd + gather (in the bush) immud
Ša Za amǝl + praise / confess / explain tǝmmal
Ša amăr + order / command immor
Za amǝr + order / command immure

129
Ša Za amǝs + wipe immus
Ša Za anǝn <> be trained / broken in (an.) innun
Ša Za anǝs + tie (front leg of an. to back leg) innus
Ša arǝǵ + contribute / help (financially) terǵit
Za arǝg + contribute / help (financially) tirgit
Ša Za arǝk + be near / be touching / approach errukŠa irrukZa
Ša arǝm + try termit / errum
Za arǝm + try tirmit / tarramt
Ša arǝw + give birth / beget / bear fruit terwe
Za arǝy + be near / be touching // approach irruy / array
Ša asăɣ + be united / joined tassaqq
Za asǝɣ + be united / joined tassaq
Ša Za asǝs + tighten // <> be tight issus
Ša Za aṣǝm <> be jealous tiṣmiten (pl)
Ša ašǝl <> run azzal
Ša Za atǝm + put (sth.) into (bottle / jar etc.) ittum
Ša Za atǝs + plan / do deliberately ittus
Ša Za ayǝs + sneak up on iyyus
Za azǝl <> run azzal
Ša aẓǝm + gossip about / slander teẓmitŠa tiẓimtZa
Ša aẓăr + hurt / be painful // <> suffer teẓẓort
Za aẓǝr + hurt / be painful // <> suffer tǝẓẓurt

Group IB1 (forms in exactly the same way as 1A3)

Ša Za afrǝy <> be seriously ill // + feel (sth.) ifri / tafrit
Ša agdăh <> be equal // agree on a price migdăhăw
Ša Za aɣsǝy <> perish / expire măɣsăy
Ša Za ansǝy + beg / ask greedily mansay
Ša arwǝs <> be a creditor // be owed (sth.) ămarwas
Ša Za askǝn <> get up on hind legs to eat (leaves) iskǝn
Ša ašwǝl <> be branded / marked ešwăl
Ša azɣăɣ <> be lying on (one’s) back tazɣăqq
Za azɣǝɣ <> be lying on (one’s) back tazɣǝq
Za ažwǝl <> be branded / marked ežwăl
Ša aẓẓǝy <> gang up on (s.o.) eẓẓi

Irregular
The following verb classed as IB3 is somewhat similar to Group IA3:
Ša unǵǝy + refuse vn tunǵit
Ša 3msg (ad) unǵǝy iniǵǵuy / wǝr iniǵǵuy /
Ša itunǵǝy wǝr itunǵǝy
Ša 3msg unǵăy unǵây wǝr unǵey
Za ungǝy + refuse vn tungit
Za 3msg (ad) ungǝy inigguy / wǝr inigguy /
Za itungǝy wǝr itungǝy
Za 3msg ungăy ungây wǝr ungey

130
Group IA4
In Tamaghit this group is identical to group IA3 except in the perfective / stative.
There are two almost equivalent ways of writing it. The first notation is better as it
allows the 3msg iwwăy etc. to be written accurately, the second is also noted as it
may be encountered (with the 3msg given as uwăy). Only the 1sg is shown below.
Perfective Stative Negative
Ša 1sg ǝwwăyăɣ ǝwwâyăɣ wǝr ǝwweyăɣ
Ša 1sg uwăyăɣ uwâyăɣ wǝr uweyăɣ

In Tudalt this group is identical to IA3 above except in the perfective / stative
where the initial vowel is ‘e’ rather than ‘o’. Generally the verbs in this group have
‘w’ for their first stem consonant but a few have ‘r’.
Perfective Stative Negative
Za 1sg ewăyăɣ ewâyăɣ wǝr eweyăɣ

Group IA4 verbs

Imperative Meaning Verbal Noun
Ša Za awǝd <> be gentle // + treat gently / watch over aggad
Ša awăḍ + arrive / attain / suffice aggaḍ
Za awǝḍ + arrive / attain / suffice aggaḍ
Ša awăɣ + dance // guard / oversee aggaɣ
Za awǝɣ + dance // guard / oversee aggaɣ
Za awǝl + observe / watch / guard aggal
Ša Za awǝs + pay tribute / tax tiwse
Ša Za awǝy + bring / carry // take (as wife) aggay

Za arǝw + give birth / beget / bear fruit ara

Za arwǝs <> be a creditor // be owed (sth.) ămarwas

131
 4.5 Group IA5

Tamaghit
ǝdǝl ‘ask for / beg’ Imperative sg ǝdǝl
mpl ǝdǝlăt
fpl ǝdǝlmăt

Imperfective Cursive Negative cursive

1sg (ad) ǝdǝlăɣ tǝddalăɣ wăr tǝddilăɣ
2sg (ad) tǝdǝlăd tǝddalăd wăr tǝddilăd
3msg (ad) ǝdǝl itǝddal wǝr itǝddil
3fsg (ad) tǝdǝl tǝddal wăr tǝddil
1pl (ad) nǝdǝl nǝtǝddal wăr nǝtǝddil
2mpl (ad) tǝdǝlăm tǝddalăm wăr tǝddilăm
2fpl (ad) tǝdǝlmăt tǝddalmăt wăr tǝddilmăt
3mpl (ad) ǝdǝlăn tǝddalăn wăr tǝddilăn
fpl (ad) ǝdǝlnăt tǝddalnăt wăr tǝddilnăt
(short form: itǝddăl etc.)

Participles
msg maden ǝdǝl itǝddalăn wăren itǝddil
fsg maden tǝdǝl tǝddalăt wăren tǝddil
pl maden ǝdǝl tǝddalnen wăren itǝddil

Perfective Stative Negative

1sg ǝdălăɣ ǝdâlăɣ wǝr ǝdelăɣ
2sg tǝdălăd tǝdâlăd wăr tǝdelăd
3msg idăl idâl wǝr idel
3fsg tǝdăl tǝdâl wăr tǝdel
1pl nǝdăl nǝdâl wăr nǝdel
2mpl tǝdălăm tǝdâlăm wăr tǝdelăm
2fpl tǝdălmăt tǝdâlmăt wăr tǝdelmă
3mpl ǝdălăn ǝdâlăn wǝr ǝdelăn
3fpl ǝdălnăt ǝdâlnăt wǝr ǝdelnăt

Participles
msg idălăn idâlăn wăren idel
fsg tǝdălăt tǝdâlăt wăren tǝdel
pl ǝdălnen ǝdâlnen wăren idel

Note:
Sometimes the initial ‘tǝ’ of the 2sg, 3fsg, and 2pl may be dropped.

132
 Group IA5

Tudalt
ǝdǝl ‘ask for / beg’ Imperative sg ǝdǝl
mpl ǝdǝlăt
fpl ǝdǝlmăt

Imperfective Cursive Negative cursive

1sg (ad) ǝdǝlăɣ ǝddalăɣ wǝr ǝddilăɣ
2sg (ad) tǝdǝlăd tǝddalăd wǝr tǝddilăd
3msg (ad) idǝl iddal wǝr iddil
3fsg (ad) tǝdǝl tǝddal wǝr tǝddil
1pl (ad) nǝdǝl nǝddal wǝr nǝddil
2mpl (ad) tǝdǝlăm tǝddalăm wǝr tǝddilăm
2fpl (ad) tǝdǝlmăt tǝddalmăt wǝr tǝddilmăt
3mpl (ad) ǝdǝlăn ǝddalăn wǝr ǝddilăn
fpl (ad) ǝdǝlnăt tǝddalnăt wǝr tǝddilnăt

Participles
msg z-ǝdǝlăn iddalăn wǝr nǝddil
fsg za-tǝdǝlăt tǝddalăt wǝr nǝddil
pl z-ǝdǝlnen ǝddalnen wǝr nǝddil
c(neg) wǝr za-nǝdǝl

Perfective Stative Negative

1sg ǝdălăɣ ǝdâlăɣ wǝr ǝdelăɣ
2sg tǝdălăd tǝdâlăd wǝr tǝdelăd
3msg idăl idâl wǝr idel
3fsg tǝdăl tǝdâl wǝr tǝdel
1pl nǝdăl nǝdâl wǝr nǝdel
2mpl tǝdălăm tǝdâlăm wǝr tǝdelăm
2fpl tǝdălmăt tǝdâlmăt wǝr tǝdelmăt
3mpl ǝdălăn ǝdâlăn wǝr ǝdelăn
3fpl ǝdălnăt ǝdâlnăt wǝr ǝdelnăt

Participles
msg idălăn idâlăn wǝr nǝdel
fsg tǝdălăt tǝdâlăt wǝr nǝdel
pl ǝdălnen ǝdâlnen wǝr nǝdel

Note:
The form given above for the cursive and its negative is the Tawellemmet form
(also found in some Malian ‘sha’ dialects). However, Tudalt speakers sometimes
use the Tamaghit form these days, e.g.:
Cursive Negative cursive
3msg itǝddal wǝr itǝddil

133
Group IA5 verbs
Imperative Meaning Verbal Noun
Za ǝbǝg + leave on a raid ebeg
Ša Za ǝbǝk + put grains / powder in mouth ebek
Ša Za ǝbǝt + carry (sth.) off ebet
Ša Za ǝdǝd + bite / sting eded
Ša ǝdǝǵ + stab / inject //+ make one’s way towards edeǵ / tedeǵe
Za ǝdǝg + stab / inject //+ make one’s way towards edeg / tedege
Ša ǝdǝl + ask for / beg tamădilt
Za ǝdǝl + ask for / beg tamǝdilt
Ša Za ǝdǝw + soak edew
Ša ǝdǝy + pitch (tent) / build edey
Ša ăḍǝǵ + leave on a raid tăḍaǵa

Ša ăḍǝn # shepherd / lead to pasture // <> graze tamăḍint

Za ǝḍǝn # shepherd / lead to pasture // <> graze tamǝḍint
Ša ăḍǝs + touch eḍes
Za ǝḍǝs + touch eḍes
Ša Za ǝfǝl + leave / come from feel
Ša ǝfăr + hire tefert
Za ǝfǝr + hire tefert
Ša Za ǝfǝs + enlarge / extend / increase efes
Ša ăɣǝf <> be annoyed tăɣafa
Za ǝɣǝf <> be annoyed eɣef / tăɣafa
Ša ăɣǝš + dig // <> be dug eɣeš
Za ǝɣǝz + dig // <> be dug eɣez
Ša ăhăḍ + swear (an oath) // <> be blown tăhoḍe
Za ǝhǝḍ + swear (an oath) // <> be blown tahuḍe
Ša Za ǝhǝl + dare / risk (might / may) taholăt
Ša ăhăr + close eher
Za ǝhǝr + close eher
Ša ǝǵǝn <> kneel tamăǵint
Za ǝgǝn <> kneel tamǝgint
Ša ǝǵăr + throw teǵere
Za ǝǵǝr <> be no good (seems to be a local usage) eǵer
Za ǝgǝr + throw tegere
Ša Za ǝkǝt + count / measure out // give alms takute / eket
Ša ǝlǝš <> be ugly / be bad (behaviour) tăluše
Za ǝlǝz <> be ugly / be bad (behaviour) tălaza
Ša ǝmăḍ <> be thick (leather) emeḍ
Za ǝmǝḍ <> be thick (leather) emeḍ
Ša ǝmǝl + arrive / be (in a place) emel
Za ǝmǝl + explain / say // arrive / be (in a place) emel
Ša Za ǝnǝy + rule / reign // ride tănaya
Za ǝnǝy + see (cursive: ihannăy etc. as IA1) ahănay
Ša ărǝs + enter / descend eres
Za ǝrǝs + enter / descend eres
Ša ărǝš + reward / compensate irošan / marušăt

134
Ša Za ǝrǝz <> cease erez
Za ǝrǝz + reward / compensate maruzăt
Ša ǝsǝl + put on (shoes) tamăsilt
Za ǝsǝl + put on (shoes) esel / tamǝsilt
Ša ǝsăr + annul / undo / change mind eser
Za ǝsǝr + annul / undo / change mind eser
Ša ǝšǝǵ + chase tăšaǵa
Za ǝzǝg + chase ezeg / tăzaga
Ša ăẓăḍ + grind / crush eẓeḍ
Za ǝẓǝḍ + grind / crush eẓeḍ
Ša ăẓǝl + pay (for) / repay tamăẓilt
Za ǝẓǝl + pay (for) / repay tamǝẓilt

Group IA6
Group IA6 verbs have ‘w’ as their first consonant. They decline like group IA5, but
in the cursive the ‘w’ being doubled becomes ‘gg’, e.g.:
Imperfective Cursive Negative cursive
Ša Za 3msg (ad) iwǝt itǝggat wǝr itǝggit
Among Tudalt speakers the Tawellemmet form is also common, e.g.:
Imperfective Cursive Negative cursive
Za 3msg (ad) iwǝt iggat wǝr iggit

IA6 Verbs
Imperative Meaning Verbal Noun
Ša Za ǝwǝf + be panicked by / panic tăwafa
Ša ǝwǝl <> turn / return ewel
Za ǝwǝl <> be sharp // turn / return ewel
Ša Za ǝwǝn + climb on / mount ewen
Ša ǝwăr + be on // be obligatory ewer
Za ǝwǝr + be on // be obligatory ewer
Ša Za ǝwǝs <> boil ewes
Ša Za ǝwǝt + hit / strike // tewete
+ perform / play (instrument)

135
 4.6 Group IA7 (Tamaghit)
ăls ‘be covered / wear’ Imperative sg ăls
mpl ălsăt
fpl ǝlsǝmăt

Imperfective Cursive Negative Cursive

1sg (ad) ălsăɣ lassăɣ wăr lǝssăɣ
2sg (ad) tǝlsǝd lassăd wăr lǝssǝd
3msg (ad) ăls ilass wǝr ilǝss
3fsg (ad) tăls lass wăr lǝss
1pl (ad) năls nǝlass wăr nǝlǝss
2mpl (ad) tǝlsǝm lassăm wăr lǝssǝm
2fpl (ad) tǝlsǝmăt lassămăt wăr lǝssǝmăt
3mpl (ad) ǝlsǝn lassăn wăr lǝssǝn
3fpl (ad) ǝlsǝnăt lassănăt wăr lǝssǝnăt
(short form: ilăss etc.)

Participles
msg maden ăls ilassăn wăren ilǝss
fsg maden tăls lassăt wăren lǝss
pl maden ăls lassănen wăren ilǝss

Perfective
Perfective Stative Negative
1sg ǝlseɣ ǝlsêɣ wǝr ǝlseɣ
2sg tǝlsed tǝlsêd wăr tǝlsed
3msg ilsa ilsâ wǝr ilsa
3fsg tǝlsa tǝlsâ wăr tǝlsa
1pl nǝlsa nǝlsâ wăr nǝlsa
2mpl tǝlsăm tǝlsâm wăr tǝlsem
2fpl tǝlsămăt tǝlsâmăt wăr tǝlsemăt
3mpl ǝlsăn ǝlsân wǝr ǝlsen
3fpl ǝlsănăt ǝlsânăt wǝr ǝlsenăt

Participles
msg ilsăn ilsân wăren ilsa
fsg tǝlsăt tǝlsât wăren tǝlsa
pl ǝlsănen ǝlsânen wăren ilsa

Notes
i) In the imperfective / cursive a ‘u’ may be added to the end of those forms which
end in the stem consonant (e.g. ilassu).
ii) Where the second stem consonant is ‘l’ or ‘n’ some forms change for ease of
pronunciation. e.g. ăkn becomes ǝkǝn, and ad năkn becomes ad nǝkǝn, but ăknăt is
unchanged.

136
Group IA7 verbs (Tamaghit)
Imperative Meaning Verbal Noun
ăbs + vomit ebsan (pl)
ǝgǝl <> leave tagǝllawt
ăɣǝn <> be started / be created eɣănni
ăɣăr + read / call (# s.o. / + sth.) teɣăre
ăɣǝw <> cry (an.) aɣăwi
ǝkǝl + pass the day (in) ekălli / takǝllawt
ǝkǝn + sort out / make / repair / be O.K. ekănni / ǝmukǝn
ǝks <> receive rainy season // akăsa
<> have good pasture
ălh <> cry (cursive: ihall etc.) tahăla
ăls + wear / put on (clothes) // telăsse
<> be covered
ăŋɣ + hit / smite / kill tenăɣe
ăŋŋ <> be ripe / be cooked tenăŋŋe
ăns + pass the night (in) // <> lie down // tenăsse
<> sleep // <> be in a place (object) //
<> be put aside
ănš + forgive // <> be bought / sold tenăšše
ănt <> be started / begun sănto / enătti
ărɣ <> catch fire / be burned terăɣe
ărẓ + break // <> be broken terăẓẓe
ǝsǝl # hear / + hear (of) măsălăt
ăṣṭ <> laugh (cursive: iḍaẓẓ etc.) taḍăẓẓa
ǝtăr + inherit (quality / defect) etărri
ăẓḍ + weave // embroider teẓăṭṭe

Several other important verbs have IA7 type endings:

IA9
This forms just like IA7 except for the cursive:
ăkk + go to vn iki / tikawt
3msg (ad) ăkk itakk wǝr itǝkk
(short form: ităkk)
3msg ikka ikkâ wǝr ikka
ăll <> exist / be present tǝlla
(Replaced by ǝqqǝl from group IA2 in the imperfective.)

IA11
ăǵ + do / make / put inside vn iǵi / tiǵawt
3msg (ad) ăǵ itaǵǵ wǝr itǝǵǵ
(short form: ităǵǵ)
3msg iǵa iǵâ wǝr iǵa
ăl + own / have tǝla
(Replaced by ǝkrǝš from group IA1 in the imperfective / cursive.)

137
 ăh + be in tihawt
(Replaced by ǝggǝš from group IA2 in the imperfective / cursive.)

Irregular verbs
These verbs are only irregular in the way they form the cursive stem, otherwise
they are perfectly regular as IA7 verbs, with short form of the cursive ‘itătt’ etc.
ăkš + eat (cursive itatt etc.) tetăte
ăšk + eat (cursive itatt etc.) tetăte
ǝsǝw + drink (cursive isass etc.) tesăse
ăkf + give (cursive ihakk etc.) ihuk
ăff + give (cursive ihakk etc.) ihuk

The following verb deviates notably from the standard IA7 pattern in the cursive
but is identical to it in the perfective / stative.
ănn + say / tell Imperative sg ănn
mpl ănnăt
fpl ǝnnǝmăt

Imperfective Cursive Negative cursive

1sg (ad) ănnăɣ ǵanneɣ wăr ǵǝnneɣ
2sg (ad) tǝnnǝd ǵanned wăr ǵǝnnǝd
3msg (ad) ănn iǵann wǝr iǵǝnn
3fsg (ad) tănn ǵann wăr ǵǝnn
1pl (ad) nănn nǝǵann wăr nǝǵǝnn
2mpl (ad) tǝnnǝm ǵannem wăr ǵǝnnǝm /
wăr ǵǝnnim
2fpl (ad) tǝnnǝmăt ǵannemăt wăr ǵǝnnǝmăt /
wăr ǵǝnnimăt
3mpl (ad) ǝnnǝn ǵannen wăr ǵǝnnǝn /
wăr ǵǝnnin
3fpl (ad) ǝnnǝnăt ǵannenăt wăr ǵǝnnǝnăt /
wăr ǵǝnninăt
(short form: iǵănn etc.)

Participles
msg maden ănn iǵannen wăren iǵǝnn
fsg maden tănn ǵannet wăren ǵǝnn
pl maden ănn ǵannănen wăren iǵǝnn

E.g.:
ǝnneɣ-as a-dd-as I told him to come here
ǝnneɣ-asăn ‘ălxer ăǵǵên’ I said to them ‘thanks very much’
ma tǝnned ? What did you say?
as ăwadǝm ăba-ti, If someone passes away,
ma ǵănnen ăddinăt e-hănn-is ? what do people say to his wife?

138
 4.7 Group IA8 (Tamaghit)
ǝnfu ‘be useful’ Imperative sg ǝnfu
mpl ǝnfuwăt
fpl ǝnfumăt

Imperfective Cursive Negative cursive

1sg (ad) ǝnfoɣ niffoɣ wăr nǝffoɣ
2sg (ad) tǝnfud niffud wăr nǝffud
3msg (ad) ǝnfu iniffu wǝr inǝffu
3fsg (ad) tǝnfu niffu wăr nǝffu
1pl (ad) nǝnfu nǝniffu wăr nǝnǝffu
2mpl (ad) tǝnfum niffum wăr nǝffum
2fpl (ad) tǝnfumăt niffumăt wăr nǝffumăt
3mpl (ad) ǝnfun niffun wăr nǝffun
3fpl (ad) ǝnfunăt niffunăt wăr nǝffunăt

Participles
msg maden ǝnfu iniffun wăren inǝffu
fsg maden tǝnfu niffut wăren nǝffu
pl maden ǝnfu niffunen wăren inǝffu

Perfective Stative Negative

1sg ǝnfeɣ ǝnfâɣ wǝr ǝnfeɣ
2sg tǝnfed tǝnfâd wăr tǝnfed
3msg infa infâ wǝr infa
3fsg tǝnfa tǝnfâ wăr tǝnfa
1pl nǝnfa nǝnfâ wǝr nǝnfa
2mpl tǝnfăm tǝnfâm wǝr tǝnfem
2fpl tǝnfămăt tǝnfâmăt wǝr tǝnfemăt
3mpl ǝnfăn ǝnfân wăr ǝnfen
3fpl ǝnfănăt ǝnfânăt wăr ǝnfenăt

Participles
msg infăn infân wăren infa
fsg tǝnfăt tǝnfât wăren tǝnfa
pl ǝnfănen ǝnfânen wăren infa

139
Group IA8 verbs (Tamaghit)
Imperative Meaning Verbal Noun
ăbḍu # (Ar.) be different / distinguish // ebăḍḍi
# separate
ǝbšu <> be widespread / be everywhere ebăšši
ǝkmu + hurt tăkmo
ǝktu + remember tǝkǝttawt
ǝmdu <> be finished / complete sămdo / tǝmǝddawt
ǝnfu # (Ar.) be useful (for) tănfo
ărḍu <> (Ar.) agree/ accept / receive tărăḍḍawt
ărhu + love / like / want / need / will tărha
ărnu + be stronger than / overcome tărna
ǝšlu + occupy // <> be busy / occupied ešălli
ăxlu <> (Ar.) be soiled with faeces exălli
ǝzgu <> be calm ezăggi
ǝznu # (Ar.) commit adultery ǝzzǝna
ǝzru <> be overworked / be exhausted ezărri
ăẓmu + wring out / squeeze out teẓămăwt

Variants
There are a few other verbs that follow a similar pattern but are slightly different.
(In each case only the 3msg is shown – suffixes and prefixes as IA8.)
erdu + hope / think / suppose vn tărǝddawt
3msg (ad) erdu iriddu wǝr iriddu
3msg orda ordâ wăr orda
ifu + be better than / be best vn tifut
3msg (ad) ifu itifu wǝr itifu
3msg ufa ufâ wǝr ufa
eḍu <> fall vn teḍut / eǵăḍăl
3msg (ad) eḍu iteḍu wǝr iteḍu
3msg oḍa oḍâ wăr oḍa
iwi <> be born vn tiwit
3msg (ad) iwi itiwi wǝr itiwi
3msg iwa iwâ wǝr iwa

140
 4.8 Group IA7 (Tudalt)
ălsu ‘be covered / wear Imperative sg ălsu
mpl ălsăt / ălsiwăt
fpl ălsimăt

Imperfective Cursive Negative Cursive

1sg (ad) ălsăɣ lassăɣ wǝr lǝssăɣ
2sg (ad) tălsăd lassăd wǝr lǝssǝd
3msg (ad) ălsu ilassu wǝr ilǝssu
3fsg (ad) tălsu lassu wǝr lǝssu
1pl (ad) nălsu nǝlassu wǝr nǝlǝssu
2mpl (ad) tălsim lassim wǝr lǝssim
2fpl (ad) tălsimăt lassimăt wǝr lǝssimăt
3mpl (ad) ălsin lassin wǝr lǝssin
3fpl (ad) ălsinăt lassinăt wǝr lǝssinăt

Participles
msg z-ălsin ilassin wǝr nǝlǝssu
fsg za-tălsit lassit wǝr nǝlǝssu
pl z-ălsinen lassinen wǝr nǝlǝssu
c(neg) wǝr za-nălsu

Perfective Stative Negative

1sg ǝlseɣ ǝlsêɣ wǝr ǝlseɣ
2sg tǝlsed tǝlsêd wǝr tǝlsed
3msg ilsa ilsâ wǝr ilsa
3fsg tǝlsa tǝlsâ wǝr tǝlsa
1pl nǝlsa nǝlsâ wǝr nǝlsa
2mpl tǝlsăm tǝlsâm wǝr tǝlsem
2fpl tǝlsămăt tǝlsâmăt wǝr tǝlsemăt
3mpl ǝlsăn ǝlsân wǝr ǝlsen
3fpl ǝlsănăt ǝlsânăt wǝr ǝlsenăt

Participles
msg ilsăn ilsân wǝr nǝlsa
fsg tǝlsăt tǝlsât wǝr nǝlsa
pl ǝlsănen ǝlsânen wǝr nǝlsa

Note

Group IA8 does not exist as a separate group in Tudalt. Occasionally, for a few
verbs, group IA8 forms of the cursive may also be heard, e.g. ikittu.

141
Group IA7 verbs (Tudalt)
Imperative Meaning Verbal Noun
ăbḍu # (Ar.) be different / distinguish // ebǝḍḍi
separate
ăbsu + vomit ebsan (pl)
ăbzu <> be widespread / be everywhere ebǝzzi
ăḍẓu <> laugh taḍăẓa
ăgdu <> be enough migdăw
ăglu <> leave egǝlli
ăgru + understand egǝrri
ăɣnu <> be created / be started taɣǝnnăwt
ăɣru + read / call teɣăre
ăɣwu <> cry / bleat (an.) taɣăwat
ăklu + pass the day (in) ekǝlli / takǝllăwt
ăkmu + hurt tǝkma
ăknu + sort out / make / repair // <> be O.K. ekǝnni / amukǝn
ăksu <> receive rainy season // akăsa
<> have good pasture
ăktu + remember takǝttăwt
ălku + despise / reject mǝlka
ălsu + wear / put on (clothes) // telăsse
<> be covered
ămdu <> be finished / complete tamǝddăwt
ănfu + (Ar.) be useful (for) tǝnfa / tănfo
ăŋɣu + hit / smite / kill tenăɣe
ăŋŋu <> be ripe / be cooked tenăŋŋe
ănsu <> lie down / sleep // tenăsse
+ pass the night (in)
ănzu # forgive // <> be bought / sold tenăzze
ăntu <> be started / begun sănto / enǝtti
ărḍu <> (Ar.) agree / accept / receive tarǝḍḍăwt
ărɣu <> catch fire / be burned terăɣe
ărẓu + break // <> be broken terăẓe
ăslu # hear // + hear (of) măsăllăt
ătru + inherit (quality / defect) etǝrri
ăxlu <> (Ar.) be soiled with faeces exǝlli
ǝzgu <> be calm ezǝggi
ăzlu + occupy // <> be busy / occupied ezǝlli
ǝznu # (Ar.) commit adultery ǝzzǝna
ăzru <> be overworked / exhausted ezǝrri
ăẓḍu + weave // embroider teẓăṭe
ăẓmu + wring out / squeeze out teẓămăwt

142
Several other important verbs have IA7 type endings.

IA9
This group forms just like IA7 except in the cursive:
ăkku + go to vn iki
3msg (ad) ăkku itakku wǝr itǝkku
3msg ikka ikkâ wǝr ikka
ăllu <> be present tǝlla
(Replaced by ǝqqǝl (IA2) in the imperfective / cursive.)
ăddu + pound tidăwt

IA11
ăgu + do / make / put inside vn igi
3msg (ad) ăgu itaggu wǝr itǝggu
3msg iga igâ wǝr iga
ălu + own / have tǝla
(Replaced by ǝkrǝz (IA1) in the imperfective / cursive.)
ălu <> cry (cursive: ihallu etc.) tala
ăhu + be in tihăwt
(Replaced by ǝggǝz (IA2) in the imperfective / cursive.)
ăru + love / like / want / need tăra

Irregular group IA7 verbs

These verbs are only irregular in the way they form the cursive stem, otherwise
they are perfectly regular as group IA7 verbs.
ăkšu + eat (cursive: itattu etc.) teṭṭe
ăšku + eat (cursive: itattu etc.) teṭṭe
ăsu + drink (cursive: isassu etc.) teṣṣe
ăkfu + give (cursive: ihakku etc.) tehăkkăwt
ăffu + give (cursive: ihakku etc.) tehăkkăwt
ănnu + say (cursive: igannu etc.) tǝnna

The following verb can be considered a variant of IA7:

iḍu <> fall vn tiḍut / egăḍăl
3msg (ad) iḍu itiḍu wǝr itiḍu
3msg uḍa uḍâ wǝr uḍa

143
 4.9 Group IA10

Tamaghit
as ‘come’ Imperative sg as
mpl asăt
fpl asǝmăt

Imperfective Cursive Negative cursive

1sg (ad) asăɣ tisăɣ wăr tisăɣ
2sg (ad) tasǝd tisǝd wăr tisǝd
3msg (ad) as itis wǝr itis
3fsg (ad) tas tis wăr tis
2mpl (ad) tasǝm tisǝm wăr tisǝm
2fpl (ad) tasǝmăt tisǝmăt wăr tisǝmăt
3mpl (ad) asǝn tisǝn wăr tisǝn
3fpl (ad) asǝnăt tisǝnăt wăr tisǝnăt

Participles
msg maden as itisǝn wăren itis
fsg maden tas tisǝt wăren tis
pl maden as tisnen wăren itis

Perfective Stative Negative

1sg oseɣ osêɣ wăr oseɣ
2sg tosed tosêd wăr tosed
3msg osa osâ wăr osa
3fsg tosa tosâ wăr tosa
1pl nosa nosâ wăr nosa
2mpl tosăm tosâm wăr tosem
2fpl tosămăt tosâmăt wăr tosemăt
3mpl osăn osân wăr osen
3fpl osănăt osânăt wăr osenăt

Participles
msg osăn osân wăren osa
fsg tosăt tosât wăren tosa
pl osănen osânen wăren osa

144
 Group IA10

Tudalt
asu ‘come’ Imperative sg asu
mpl asăt / asiwăt
fpl asimăt

Imperfective Cursive Negative cursive

1sg (ad) asăɣ tasăɣ wǝr tisăɣ
2sg (ad) tasăd tasăd wǝr tisăd
3msg (ad) asu itasu wǝr itisu
3fsg (ad) tasu tasu wǝr tisu
2mpl (ad) tasim tasim wǝr tisim
2fpl (ad) tasimăt tasimăt wǝr tisimăt
3mpl (ad) asin tasin wǝr tisin
3fpl (ad) asinăt tasinăt wǝr tisinăt

Participles
msg z-asin itasin wǝr nǝtisu
fsg za-tasit tasit wǝr nǝtisu
pl za-asinen tasinen wǝr nǝtisu
c(neg) wǝr za-nasu

Perfective Stative Negative

1sg oseɣ osêɣ wǝr oseɣ
2sg tosed tosêd wǝr tosed
3msg osa osâ wǝr osa
3fsg tosa tosâ wǝr tosa
1pl nosa nosâ wǝr nosa
2mpl tosăm tosâm wǝr tosem
2fpl tosămăt tosâmăt wǝr tosemăt
3mpl osăn osân wǝr osen
3fpl osănăt osânăt wǝr osenăt

Participles
msg osăn osân wǝr nosa
fsg tosăt tosât wǝr nosa
pl osănen osânen wǝr nosa

145
Group IA10 Verbs
Imperative Meaning Verbal Noun
Ša ak + light (a fire) / <> be lit tǝkkawt / takkawt
Ša ar + open / untie tarrawt
Ša as + come / arrive (at) tassawt
Ša aš + flay uš / taššawt
Za aḍu + fold // <> be folded aḍḍa
Za afu + be better than / be best tufut
Za aku + light (a fire) / <> be lit akka
Za alu & be the same as / resemble mila
Za aru + open / untie arra
Za asu + come assa
Za azu + flay azza
Note that the verb as / asu ‘come’ is most commonly used with the directional
particle ‘dd’ (see Section 3.7 Directional particles), e.g.:
Ša os-id meɣ ? Has he come?
Za os-ăddǝd meɣ ? Has he come?
Note that ăyăw ‘come (here)’ acts as the imperative of as, e.g.:
Ša ăyăw diha Come here!
Za ăyăw da Come here!

The following verbs follow the same pattern:

IB5
Ša aǵǵ + be above / see from above / afar tiǵǵawt / iǵǵ
Ša ăyy + leave alone tăyyăwt
Za aggu + be above / see from above / afar tiggăwt / iggi
Za ăyyu + leave alone tiyăwt
Note that the verb ăyy / ăyyu has a short ‘ă’ in the imperfectives.

IB4(b)
Ša adǝw + travel in the afternoon tadwit
Ša aḍh + fold / be folded taḍhit
Ša alǝw <> be wide // be content / happy tălawit
Ša ašk <> get lost taškit
Za adwu + travel in the afternoon tadwit
Za agdu <> be equal tugdat / mǝgda
Za alwu <> be wide // be content / happy ǝlwi
Za ardu + hope / think / suppose tarǝddăwt
Za arnu + be stronger than / overcome tărna
Za ašku <> get lost taškit

146
 4.10 Group II
Group II verbs are characterised by the alternance of vowels. The group generally
denotes unintentional states rather than deliberate actions. As with Group I these
were all originally three consonant verbs, but due to the loss of gutterals have
diversified into several sub-groups.

Group IIA
The group is vocalised ‘iBCaD’ in the imperative and ‘ăBCiD’ in the perfective. The
sub-groups have the following forms:
IIA1 Has three consonant verbs analogous to group IA1, of the form ‘iBCaD’.
IIA2 Has a doubled first consonant analogous to group IA2 of the form ‘iCCaD’
(derived from ‘iwCaD’ or ‘ihCaD’).
IIA3 Has two consonant verbs analogous to group IA5 of the form ‘iBaD’ (derived
from ‘iBhaD’).
IIA4 Is a combination of the last two with a single first consonant in the
imperfective / cursive but doubled in the perfective / stative. It is of the
form ‘iBaD’ (but with perfective ‘ăBBid’).

Group IIB
The group is vocalised ‘uBCaD’ in the imperative and ‘ăBCuD’ in the perfective. The
sub-groups have the following forms:
IIB1 Has three consonant verbs analogous to group IA1, of the form ‘uBCaD’.
IIB2 Has a doubled first consonant analogous to group IA2 of the form ‘uCCaD’
(derived from ‘uwCaD’ or ‘uhCaD’).
IIB3 Has two consonant verbs analogous to group IA5 of the form ‘uBaD’
(derived from ‘uBhaD’).
IIB4 Is a combination of the last two with a single first consonant in the
imperfective / cursive but doubled in the perfective / stative. It is of the
form ‘uBaD’ (but with perfective ‘ăBBud’).

Irregular
After the verbs of these groups are listed a number of other verbs that have similar
vocalisation, and may be considered part of group II.

147
 Group IIB

Tamaghit
ukan ‘be surprised’ Imperative sg ukan
mpl ukanăt
fpl ukanmăt

Projective Cursive Negative cursive

1sg (ad) ukanăɣ tukanăɣ wăr tukanăɣ
2sg (ad) tukanăd tukanăd wăr tukanăd
3msg (ad) ukan itukan wǝr itukan
3fsg (ad) tukan tukan wăr tukan
1pl (ad) nukan nǝtukan wăr nǝtukan
2mpl (ad) tukanăm tukanăm wăr tukanăm
2fpl (ad) tukanmăt tukanmăt wăr tukanmăt
3mpl (ad) ukanăn tukanăn wăr tukanăn
3fpl (ad) ukannăt tukannăt wăr tukannăt

Participles
msg maden ukan itukanăn wăren itukan
fsg maden tukan tukanăt wăren tukan
pl maden ukan tukannen wăren itukan

Perfective Stative Negative

1sg ăkunăɣ ăkûnăɣ wăr ăkunăɣ
2sg tăkunăd tăkûnăd wăr tăkunăd
3msg ăkun ăkûn wăr ăkun
3fsg tăkun tăkûn wăr tăkun
1pl năkun năkûn wăr năkun
2mpl tăkunăm tăkûnăm wăr tăkunăm
2fpl tăkunmăt tăkûnmăt wăr ăkunmăt
3mpl ăkunăn ăkûnăn wăr ăkunăn
3fpl ăkunnăt ăkûnnăt wăr ăkunnăt

Participles
msg ăkunăn ăkûnăn wăren ăkun
fsg tăkunăt tăkûnăt wăren tăkun
pl ăkunnen ăkûnnen wăren ăkun

148
 Group IIB

Tudalt
Tudalt
ukan ‘be surprised’ Imperative sg ukan
mpl ukanăt
fpl ukanmăt

Imperfective Cursive Negative cursive

1sg (ad) ukanăɣ tukanăɣ wǝr tukanăɣ
2sg (ad) tukanăd tukanăd wǝr tukanăd
3msg (ad) ukan itukan wǝr itukan
3fsg (ad) tukan tukan wǝr tukan
1pl (ad) nukan nǝtukan wǝr nǝtukan
2mpl (ad) tukanăm tukanăm wǝr tukanăm
2fpl (ad) tukanmăt tukanmăt wǝr tukanmăt
3mpl (ad) ukanăn tukanăn wǝr tukanăn
3fpl (ad) ukannăt tukannăt wǝr tukannăt

Participles
msg z-ukanăn itukanăn wǝr nǝtukan
fsg za-tukanăt tukanăt wǝr nǝtukan
pl z-ukannen tukannen wǝr nǝtukan
c(neg) wǝr za-nukan

Perfective Stative Negative

1sg ǝkunăɣ ǝkûnăɣ wǝr ǝkunăɣ
2sg tǝkunăd tǝkûnăd wǝr tǝkunăd
3msg ikun ikûn wǝr ikun
3fsg tǝkun tǝkûn wǝr tǝkun
1pl nǝkun nǝkûn wǝr nǝkun
2mpl tǝkunăm tǝkûnăm wǝr tǝkunăm
2fpl tǝkunmăt tǝkûnmăt wǝr ǝkunmăt
3mpl ǝkunăn ǝkûnăn wǝr ǝkunăn
3fpl ǝkunnăt ǝkûnnăt wǝr ǝkunnăt

Participles
msg ǝkunăn ǝkûnăn wǝr nǝkun
fsg tǝkunăt tǝkûnăt wǝr nǝkun
pl ǝkunnen ǝkûnnen wǝr nǝkun

149
 Group IIA

Tamaghit
irhan ‘be ill’ Imperative sg irhan
mpl irhanăt
fpl irhanmăt

Imperfective Cursive Negative cursive

1sg (ad) irhanăɣ tirhanăɣ wăr tirhanăɣ
2sg (ad) tirhanăd tirhanăd wăr tirhanăd
3msg (ad) irhan itirhan wǝr itirhan
3fsg (ad) tirhan tirhan wăr tirhan
1pl (ad) nirhan nǝtirhan wăr nǝtirhan
2mpl (ad) tirhanăm tirhanăm wăr tirhanăm
2fpl (ad) tirhanmăt tirhanmăt wăr tirhanmăt
3mpl (ad) irhanăn tirhanăn wăr tirhanăn
3fpl (ad) irhannăt tirhannăt wăr tirhannăt

Participles
msg maden irhan itirhanăn wăren itirhan
fsg maden tirhan tirhanăt wăren tirhan
pl maden irhan tirhannen wăren itirhan

Perfective Stative Negative

1sg ărhinăɣ ărhînăɣ wăr ărhinăɣ
2sg tărhinăd tărhînăd wăr tărhinăd
3msg ărhin ărhîn wăr ărhin
3fsg tărhin tărhîn wăr tărhin
1pl nărhin nărhîn wăr nărhin
2mpl tărhinăm tărhînăm wăr tărhinăm
2fpl tărhinmăt tărhînmăt wăr ărhinmăt
3mpl ărhinăn ărhînăn wăr ărhinăn
3fpl ărhinnăt ărhînnăt wăr ărhinnăt

Participles
msg ărhinăn ărhînăn wăren ărhin
fsg tărhinăt tărhînăt wăren tărhin
pl ărhinnen ărhînnen wăren ărhin

150
 Group IIA

Tudalt
iran ‘be ill’ Imperative
Imperative sg iran
mpl iranăt
fpl iranmăt

Imperfective Cursive Negative cursive

1sg (ad) iranăɣ tiranăɣ wǝr tiranăɣ
2sg (ad) tiranăd tiranăd wǝr tiranăd
3msg (ad) iran itiran wǝr itiran
3fsg (ad) tiran tiran wǝr tiran
1pl (ad) niran nǝtiran wǝr nǝtiran
2mpl (ad) tiranăm tiranăm wǝr tiranăm
2fpl (ad) tiranmăt tiranmăt wǝr tiranmăt
3mpl (ad) iranăn tiranăn wǝr tiranăn
3fpl (ad) irannăt tirannăt wǝr tirannăt

Participles
msg z-iranan itiranăn wǝr nǝtiran
fsg za-tiranan tiranăt wǝr nǝtiran
pl z-irannen tirannen wǝr nǝtiran
c(neg) wǝr za-niran

Perfective Stative Negative

1sg ǝrinăɣ ǝrînăɣ wǝr ǝrinăɣ
2sg tǝrinăd tǝrînăd wǝr tǝrinăd
3msg irin irîn wǝr irin
3fsg tǝrin tǝrîn wǝr tǝrin
1pl nǝrin nǝrîn wǝr nǝrin
2mpl tǝrinăm tǝrînăm wǝr tǝrinăm
2fpl tǝrinmăt tǝrînmăt wǝr ǝrinmăt
3mpl ǝrinăn ǝrînăn wǝr ǝrinăn
3fpl ǝrinnăt ǝrînnăt wǝr ǝrinnăt

Participles
msg ǝrinăn ǝrînăn wǝr nǝrin
fsg tǝrinăt tǝrînăt wǝr nǝrin
pl ǝrinnen ǝrînnen wǝr nǝrin

151
Group II verbs

IIB1
Imperative Meaning Verbal Noun
Ša uǵrak <> belch tuǵrekk / tagrǝkk
Za ugrak <> belch tugrek / tagrǝk
Ša ukmaš <> be scratched ukmaš
Za ukmaz <> be scratched ukmaz
Ša Za uksaḍ <> be afraid tǝksǝḍa
Ša uxsad <> be afraid (local pronunciation) tăxsǝda
Ša unsaǵ + sniff / smell tunsakk
Za unsag + sniff / smell tunsak
Ša urǵam <> be disappointed / unpleasantly surprised turǵamt
Za urgam <> be disappointed / unpleasantly surprised turgamt
Ša usraǵ <> sneeze tusrekk / tasrǝkk
Za ušrag <> sneeze tušrek / tašrǝk

IIB2
Imperative Meaning Verbal Noun
Za uḍḍan <> (Ar.) be counted tuḍḍant
Ša Za ukkal <> bother (about) tukkalt
Ša Za ullaẓ <> be hungry laẓ
Ša uttaǵ <> be for sale / be hawked tuttakk
Za uttag <> be for sale / be hawked tuttak
Ša Za uzzar <> be winnowed / be purified tuzzart

IIB3
Imperative Meaning Verbal Noun
Ša Za uhal + greet (someone not present) tǝhult / tuhalt
Za uhaẓ + approach / be near ihaẓi
Ša Za ukaf <> be swollen / be inflated tăkuftŠa tǝkuftZa
Ša Za ukan <> be astonished / surprised tǝkunt
Ša Za umad <> pray (Islamic prayers) ămudŠa ǝmudŠa

Ša Za umas + be tumastZa tǝmust

(In the perfective / stative the ‘u’ is replaced by ‘o’, e.g. ămosăɣ.)
Ša Za umay + give thanks (to God) tumayt
(In the perfective / stative the ‘u’ is replaced by ‘o’, e.g. ămoyăɣ.)
Ša utab <> (Ar.) repent tătubtŠa tǝtubtZa
Ša oẓam <> (Ar.) fast (Ramadan) ăẓum
Za uẓam <> (Ar.) fast (Ramadan) ǝẓum
Ša oẓan + distribute / share out tăẓunt / tăẓune
Za uẓan + distribute / share out tǝẓunt / tăẓune
Ša oẓay + welcome warmly tăẓuyt
Za uẓay + welcome warmly tăẓăyt
Ša oẓaẓ + be disgruntled / tăẓoẓt / toẓaẓt
+ complain about payment
Za uẓaẓ + be disgruntled / tǝẓuẓt / tuẓaẓt
+ complain about payment

152
IIB4
In IIB4 perfective and stative the first consonant is doubled, e.g. ăffudăɣ.
Imperative Meaning Verbal Noun
Ša Za ufad <> be thirsty fad
Za ugag + move away from / be a long way igǝg
Ša Za ukas <> be hot tăkusseŠa tukǝseZa
Ša uɣar <> be dry (pf. ‘ăqqor’ etc.) tăɣart
Za oɣar <> be dry (pf. ‘iqqur’ etc.) tăɣart
Za usaf <> prefer (cf ‘afu’ IA10) tăsafit
(In the perfective / stative the ‘u’ becomes ‘o’, thus ‘issof’ etc.)

Irregular
The following common verbs are similar to this group
Ša oẓad <> be sweet / be nice vn tăẓude
Ša 3msg (ad) oẓad itoẓad wǝr itoẓad
Ša 3msg ăẓed ăẓêd wǝr ăẓed

Ša oẓay <> be heavy vn taẓẓayt

Ša 3msg (ad) oẓay itoẓay wǝr itoẓay
Ša 3msg ăẓẓay ăẓẓây wǝr + perfective

Za uẓay <> be heavy vn taẓẓăyt

Za 3msg (ad) uẓay ituẓay wǝr ituẓay
Za 3msg iẓẓay iẓẓây wǝr + perfective

IIA1
Imperative Meaning Verbal Noun
Ša irhan <> be ill torhǝnna
Ša Za isnan + hurt // <> be in pain tisnant

IIA2
Imperative Meaning Verbal Noun
Ša Za irrad <> be washed tirrat
Ša eḍḍan <> (Ar.) be counted tăḍḍint
Ša eṭṭaḍ <> be battered (leather to soften it) ăṭṭeḍ
Za iṭṭaḍ <> be battered (leather to soften it) ǝṭṭiḍ
Ša Za iwwaḍ <> increase tiwwaṭṭ

IIA3
Imperative Meaning
Meaning Verbal Noun
Za iran <> be ill tărint
Ša Za iɣal + suppose / think (mistakenly) tăɣiltŠa tǝɣiltZa
(In the perfective / stative the ‘i’ is replaced by ‘e’, e.g. ăɣelăɣ.)

153
IIA4
In IIA4 perfective and stative the first consonant is doubled, e.g ‘ăllilăɣ’.
Imperative Meaning Verbal Noun
Ša Za ilal # help // + follow / cross tilalt / tălilt
Ša Za inad <> have a fever / be ill tenăde
Ša Za idaw & travel with / accompany tidawtŠa tidăwtZa
(In the perfective / stative the ‘i’ is replaced by ‘e’, e.g. ăddewăn.)

Irregular
The following verbs are similar to Group IIA:
Ša Za iynay <> be new vn tinnǝya / tinya
Ša Za 3msg (ad) iynay itiynay wǝr itiynay
Ša Za 3msg ăynay ăynây wǝr + perfective
Ša Za izar # precede // <> be first / be leader vn tizarăt
Ša Za 3msg (ad) izar itizar wǝr itizar
Ša 3msg ăzzar ăzzâr wǝr + perfective
Za 3msg izzar izzâr wǝr + perfective
Ša Za ifaw <> be day / be morning vn tifawt
Ša Za 3msg (ad) ifaw itifaw wǝr itifaw
Ša 3msg ăffew ăffêw wǝr + perfective
Za 3msg ăffăw ăffâw wǝr + perfective

Za iẓaḍ <> be sweet vn tiẓaḍa

Za 3msg (ad) iẓaḍ itiẓaḍ wǝr itiẓaḍ
Za 3msg iẓoḍ iẓôḍ wǝr + perfective
The following IIB verbs may sometimes be conjugated in a similar manner by
Tudalt speakers:
Impf. Cursive Perfective
Za iksaḍ itiksaḍ iksuḍ
Za ihaẓ itihaẓ ihoẓ
Za imad itimad immod
Za imas itimas imos
Za igag itigag iggug
Za iɣar itiɣar iqqur

This common verb is related to Group II (Prasse classes it as XVIII.A.2).

Ša aǵǝǵ <> be a long way / be far vn iǵǝǵ
Ša 3msg (ad) aǵǝǵ itiǵǝǵ wǝr itiǵǝǵ
Ša 3msg uǵǝǵ uǵǝ̂ǵ wǝr + perfective
Note ‘ǝ̂’ is a stressed ‘ǝ’ sound. This is extremely rare and this verb in Tamaghit is
the only place where it is commonly heard.

154
The following small set of similar verbs is related to group II, with a slightly
different form. In these groups the Tamaghit usually shortens the 2nd and 3rd
person plurals to ăsun etc. while the Tudalt tends to retain the full form ǝsǝwăn etc.
Remember that ‘ǝw’ becomes ‘u’ unless followed by a vowel. (Note ‘ûw’ = ‘ǝ̂w’, and
‘îy’ = ‘ǝ̂y’).
Ša Za irǝw <> be old / be long ago // <> bray vn tărut
Ša Za 3msg (ad) irǝw itirǝw wǝr itirǝw
Ša 3msg ărǝw ărûw wǝr + perfective
Za 3msg irǝw irûw wǝr + perfective
Ša Za isǝw <> cough vn tăsutŠa tǝsutZa
Ša Za 3msg (ad) isǝw itisǝw wǝr itisǝw
Ša 3msg ăsǝw ăsûw wǝr + perfective
Za 3msg isǝw isûw wǝr + perfective
Ša Za itǝy <> increase vn tătit
Ša Za 3msg (ad) itǝy ititǝy wǝr ititǝy
Ša 3msg ătǝy ătîy wǝr + perfective
Za 3msg itǝy itîy wǝr + perfective
(This verb is rarely used in Oudalan.)
Ša ǝnǵǝw <> bellow / moo / roar vn tǝnǝǵǵut
Ša 3msg (ad) inǵǝw iniǵǵǝw wǝr inǝǵǵǝw
Ša 3msg ănǵǝw ăngûw wăr ănǵǝw
Za ǝngǝw <> bellow / moo / roar vn tǝnǝggut
Za 3msg (ad) ingǝw iniggǝw wǝr inǝggǝw
Za 3msg ingǝw ingûw wǝr ingǝw
Ša Za ǝqqǝw <> vomit vn tǝqqǝwt
Ša Za 3msg (ad) iqqǝw itiqqǝw wǝr itǝqquw
Ša 3msg ăqqǝw ăqqûw wǝr + perfective
Za 3msg iqqǝw iqqûw wǝr + perfective
Za ǝhǝw <> be born vn tǝhut
Za 3msg (ad) ihǝw itihǝw wǝr itǝhǝw
Za 3msg ihǝw ihûw wǝr + perfective

155
 4.11 Group III
(Includes Prasse VI, VIII)
This set of groups have 3 or 4 stem consonants, with the following forms in the
imperative.
Group IIIA BăCăD Unique to Berber, but similar to
Semitic passive.
Group IIIB BăCDăF Unique to Berber, probably derived
from three consonant root by
addition of a consonant.
Group VI BăCCăD The meaning is ‘intensified’.
Group VIII BăCBăC Also in Semitic, the sense is iterative

Derived verbs e.g. măBăC

măBCăD
năBCăD
tăBCăD
The imperfective is vocalised ‘ă…ă…ă…’.
The cursive is vocalised ‘ta…ă…a…’.
The negative cursive is vocalised ‘tǝ…ǝ…i…’.
The perfective is vocalised ‘ǝ…ǝ…ă…’.
The stative is vocalised ‘ă…î…ă…’.
These groups generally express emphasis, and have a much greater proportion of
intransitive (descriptive) verbs than Group I. In each group the last consonant of
certain verbs (originally a guttural) may be lost and replaced with a weak ‘t’
ending or simply a vowel ending. This is a pattern which will be seen in all the
remaining verb groups. It has already been encountered in Groups IA7-11.
However, it should be noted that the vowel endings of the later groups differ
slightly from those of Group I.

156
 Group III

Tamaghit
kăwăn ‘reply’ Imperative sg kăwăn
mpl kăwănăt
fpl kăwănmat

Imperfective Cursive Negative cursive

1sg (ad) ăkkăwănăɣ takăwanăɣ wăr tǝkǝwinăɣ
2sg (ad) tăkkăwănăd takăwanăd wăr tǝkǝwinăd
3msg (ad) ăkkăwăn itakăwan wǝr itǝkǝwin
3fsg (ad) tăkkăwăn takăwan wăr tǝkǝwin
1pl (ad) năkkăwăn nǝtakăwan wăr nǝtǝkǝwin
2mpl (ad) tăkkăwănăm takăwanăm wăr tǝkǝwinăm
2fpl (ad) tăkkăwănmăt takăwanmăt wăr tǝkǝwinmăt
3mpl (ad) ăkkăwănăn takăwanăn wăr tǝkǝwinăn
3fpl (ad) ăkkăwănnăt takăwannăt wăr tǝkǝwinnăt
(short form: ităkăwan etc.)

Participles
msg maden ăkkăwăn itakăwanăn wăren itǝkǝwin
fsg maden tăkkăwăn takăwanăt wăren tǝkǝwin
pl maden ăkkăwăn takăwannen wăren itǝkǝwin

Perfective Stative Negative

1sg ǝkkǝwănăɣ ăkkîwănăɣ
2sg tǝkkǝwănăd tăkkîwănăd
3msg ǝkkǝwăn ăkkîwăn
3fsg tǝkkǝwăn tăkkîwăn
1pl nǝkkǝwăn năkkîwăn wǝr + perfective
2mpl tǝkkǝwănăm tăkkîwănăm
2fpl tǝkkǝwănmăt tăkkîwănmăt
3mpl ǝkkǝwănăn ăkkîwănăn
3fpl ǝkkǝwănnăt ăkkîwănnăt

Participles
msg ǝkkǝwănăn ăkkîwănăn wăren ǝkkǝwăn
fsg tǝkkǝwănăt tăkkîwănăt wăren tǝkkǝwăn
pl ǝkkǝwănnen ăkkîwănnen wăren ǝkkǝwăn

157
 Group III

Tudalt
kăwăn ‘reply’ Imperative sg kăwăn
mpl kăwănăt
fpl kăwănmat

Imperfective Cursive Negative cursive

1sg (ad) ăkkăwănăɣ takăwanăɣ wǝr tǝkǝwinăɣ
2sg (ad) tăkkăwănăd takăwanăd wǝr tǝkǝwinăd
3msg (ad) ăkkăwăn itakăwan wǝr itǝkǝwin
3fsg (ad) tăkkăwăn takăwan wǝr tǝkǝwin
1pl (ad) năkkăwăn nǝtakăwan wǝr nǝtǝkǝwin
2mpl (ad) tăkkăwănăm takăwanăm wǝr tǝkǝwinăm
2fpl (ad) tăkkăwănmăt takăwanmăt wǝr tǝkǝwinmăt
3mpl (ad) ăkkăwănăn takăwanăn wǝr tǝkǝwinăn
3fpl (ad) ăkkăwănnăt takăwannăt wǝr tǝkǝwinnăt

Participles
msg z-ăkkăwănăn itakăwanăn wǝr nǝtǝkǝwin
fsg za-tăkkăwănăt takăwanăt wǝr nǝtǝkǝwin
pl z-ăkkăwănnen takăwannen wǝr nǝtǝkǝwin
c(neg) wǝr za-năkkăwăn

Perfective Stative Negative

1sg ǝkkǝwănăɣ ǝkkîwănăɣ
2sg tǝkkǝwănăd tǝkkîwănăd
3msg ikkǝwăn ikkîwăn
3fsg tǝkkǝwăn tǝkkîwăn
1pl nǝkkǝwăn nǝkkîwăn wǝr + perfective
2mpl tǝkkǝwănăm tǝkkîwănăm
2fpl tǝkkǝwănmăt tǝkkîwănmăt
3mpl ǝkkǝwănăn ǝkkîwănăn
3fpl ǝkkǝwănnăt ǝkkîwănnăt

Participles
msg ikkǝwănăn ikkîwănăn wǝr nǝkkǝwăn
fsg tǝkkǝwănăt tǝkkîwănăt wǝr nǝkkǝwăn
pl ǝkkǝwănnen ǝkkîwănnen wǝr nǝkkǝwăn

158
Group III verbs

IIIA1
Imperative Meaning Verbal Noun
Ša Za băɣăr <> be lucky / rich / successful tabăɣort
Ša bărăḍ <> be brave ǝbbărăḍ / tǝbbărăḍa
Za bărăḍ <> be brave ǝbbǝrǝḍ
Ša bărăǵ + boast abăraǵ
Za bărăg + boast abărag
Ša ḍărăr + want / need ăḍḍăror
Za ḍărăr + want / need ǝḍḍǝrur
Ša ǵătăɣ <> limp aǵătăɣ
Za ɣărăs <> be frozen aɣǝris
Ša Za ɣătăs + cut off / <> be cut off // be valuable aɣǝtǝs
Ša Za kărăḍ + force (s.o.) // <> be forced akărăḍŠa akǝrǝḍZa
Za kăwăn # reply / answer / obey akǝwǝn
Ša mădăš & argue / discuss tamădašt
Za mădăz & argue / discuss tamădast
Ša Za măḍăs <> be ritually unclean // be touched ămmăḍas
Za măgăr & fight (a war) amǝgǝr
Ša Za măɣăd <> be a vassal ǝmmǝɣǝd
Ša Za mălăd <> be cursed/ afflicted // + curse mălad amǝlid
Za mănăy & see each other / meet amǝnǝy
Ša măšăg & race tammăšăga
Za măzăg & race tămmăzăga
Ša Za măzăɣ & argue / discuss tamăzaqq
Ša Za măẓăl + & make amends by payment amǝẓǝl
Ša Za năhăḍ # look after / rule over tanhaṭṭ
Ša Za năfăs <> be recounted (event) tanăfăs
Ša năwăl <> go around / wander anǝwǝl
Ša Za săbăb + (<Ar.) cause (sth.) to happen ǝssǝbab
Ša Za šăɣăl + (Ar.) work ǝššǝɣǝl
Ša Za yăwăn <> be satisfied / full tewănt
Ša Za ẓăfăw <> feel under the weather ăẓif

The following groups include a number of Tudalt verbs for which the Tamaghit
equivalents are in group XIV:

IIIB1
Imperative Meaning Verbal Noun
Za bănbăy <> be upside-down / back-to-front abǝnbǝy
Ša Za băytăl <> be disappointed // turn aside abǝytǝl
Ša Za dănkăy + pass by adǝnki
Ša ǵămšăk <> be triangular teǵămšăkk
Za gămšăk <> be triangular tegămšăk
Za găršăk + do ‘evil eye’ / curse by looking in envy tegăršăk
Ša Za lănkăm + ride pillion (camel / motorbike) alǝnkǝm
Ša măntăl + (Ar.) cause / make (sth.) happen timǝntal
Za tănkăl <> be hidden from view atǝnkǝl

159
VI,1
Imperative Meaning Verbal Noun
Ša băllăn <> wrestle tăbbillant
Za băllăn <> wrestle tabǝllant
Ša Za dăbbăr <> (Ar.) do what is needed / find a solution ăddăbara
Ša ḍărrăǵ <> escape / flee / desert aḍǝrrǝǵ
Za ḍărrăg <> escape / flee / desert aḍǝrrǝg
Za făkkăr <> be discovered / denounced afǝkkǝr
Ša Za făssăr + (Ar.) explain / interpret (text) afǝssǝr
Za găyyăt + witness / bear witness tagǝyya
Ša Za ɣăzzăb <> (Ar.) suffer (in hell) / be tortured ălɣăzab
Za ɣăssăr <> (Ar.) suffer loss(es) tăɣăssert
Za hăggăg <> (Ar.) do pilgrimage ahǝggǝg
Za hăššăl # be necessary / obligatory ahǝššǝl / ăššil
Za kărrăs + swindle / trick akǝrrǝs / takǝrrest
Ša Za lăffăẓ + (Ar.) pronounce talǝffeẓt / ăttălfeẓ
Ša Za lămmăẓ + get / find / obtain talǝmmeẓt
Ša Za lăqqăw <> be poor ǝllăqquŠa ǝllǝqquZa
Za lăyyăɣ <> be exhausted tălayyiq
Za măkkăn <> be possible amǝkkǝn
Za măttăy <> be changed amǝtti
Za săggăl <> stray / go missing (an.) asǝggǝl
Ša Za wăllăb + (Ar.) turn (a screw) awǝllǝb
Za wăžžăn <> be annoyed awǝžžǝn

VIII
Imperative Meaning Verbal Noun
Ša Za băkbăk + shake / shake out abǝkbǝk
Ša bărbăr + go out / leave abărbăr
Za bărbăr + go out / leave abǝrbǝr
Ša băšbăš <> be knocked off (fruit from tree) abǝšbǝš
Za băzbăz <> be knocked off (fruit from tree) abǝzbǝz
Ša Za dăgdăg + (Ar.) crush / <> be crushed adǝgdǝg
Ša dăɣdăɣ + stab / prod (repeatedly) adăɣdăɣ
Za dăɣdăɣ + stab / prod (repeatedly) adǝɣdǝɣ
Ša Za dămdăm <> be blunt (a point) adǝmdǝm
Ša Za fălfăl + give birth prematurely afǝlfǝl
Ša Za hăwhăw <> bark ahǝwhǝw
Ša Za kăwkăw + knock akǝwkǝw
Ša Za kăykăy <> be emptied / be empty akǝykǝy
Ša lăšlăš + shake out alǝšlǝš
Za lăzlăz + shake out alǝzlǝz
Ša năǵnăǵ + vibrate (sth.) // <> be vibrating anǝǵnǝǵ
Za năgnăg + vibrate (sth.) // <> be vibrating anǝgnǝg
Ša Za răyrăy + stretch out / recline // arǝyrǝy
<> be stretched out
Ša Za tăftăf + crush atǝftǝf

160
IA1 / 2 reflexive / passive
Reflexives (which may have a passive sense) form with ‘m’ or ‘n’:
Imperative Meaning Verbal Noun
Ša măǵrăd & speak / talk / discuss măǵrăd
Za măgrăd & speak / talk / discuss măgrăd
Za măgrăẓ + regret / change one’s mind tǝmagriẓt
Za măqqăs & meet / bump into amǝqqǝs
Za măkkăs <> be removed amǝkkǝs
Ša Za măklăw + eat (midday) meal amǝklǝw
Ša Za măkrăs & be joined together amǝkrǝs
Ša Za mălkăw <> be given away amǝlkǝw
Ša Za mănsăw + eat (evening meal) amǝnsi
Ša mănkăd <> be tired tămankit
Ša mănhăy & meet / bump into / see amǝnhi
Za mănžăɣ + envy / spoil through envy mănžaɣ
Ša Za mărwăs <> be loaned / bought on credit amǝrwǝs
Ša Za măskăl <> be mad / simple amăskăl
Ša Za mătkăl <> be taken up / exalted amǝtkǝl
Ša Za măzzăy & separate // be divorced (woman) amǝzzi
Ša Za măẓlăy <> be separated / distinguished amǝẓlǝy

Ša Za năbhăl & push against (each other) anǝbhǝl

Ša Za nădbăɣ <> be tight (breathing) anǝdbǝɣ
Ša Za năflăs & trust (each other) anǝflǝs
Za năflăy + abound anǝfli / tănaflit
Ša Za năfrăɣ & disagree anǝfrǝɣ
Ša Za năfrăn <> be chosen anǝfrǝn
Za năfrăy <> feel / smell (sth.) anǝfri
Za năftăɣ <> be a guest anǝftǝɣ
Ša Za năkmăm & be squashed together anǝkmǝm
Ša Za nălhăm & be angry (with each other) anǝlhǝm
Ša Za năntăf <> be re-opened (wound) anǝntǝf
A few passives are formed with ‘t’:
Imperative Meaning Verbal Noun
Ša Za tăllăm <> be turning // be dizzy atǝllǝm
Ša Za tălbăy <> be uprooted atǝlbǝy
Ša Za tălmăẓ <> be swallowed atǝlmǝẓ
Ša Za tălwăy <> be led atǝlwi
Ša Za tărmăs <> be seized // be arrested atǝrmǝs

161
 Group III – weak ‘t’ ending

Tamaghit
lănǵăt ‘carry on head’ Imperative sg lănǵăt
mpl lănǵătăt
fpl lănǵătmăt

Imperfective Cursive Negative cursive

1sg (ad) ăllănǵeɣ talănǵeɣ wăr tǝlǝnǵeɣ
2sg (ad) tăllănǵed talănǵed wăr tǝlǝnǵid
3msg (ad) ăllănǵăt italănǵat wǝr itǝlǝnǵit
3fsg (ad) tăllănǵăt talănǵat wăr tǝlǝnǵit
1pl (ad) năllănǵăt nǝtalănǵat wăr nǝtǝlǝnǵit
2mpl (ad) tăllănǵem talănǵem wăr tǝlǝnǵim
2fpl (ad) tăllănǵătmăt talănǵatmăt wăr tǝlǝnǵitmăt
3mpl (ad) ăllănǵen talănǵen wăr tǝlǝnǵin
3fpl (ad) ăllănǵătnăt talănǵatnăt wăr tǝlǝnǵitnăt
(short form: itălănǵat etc.)

Participles
msg maden ăllănǵăt italănǵen wăren itǝlǝnǵit
fsg maden tăllănǵăt talănǵet wăren tǝlǝnǵit
pl maden ăllănǵăt talănǵatnen wăren itǝlǝnǵit

Perfective Stative Negative

1sg ǝllǝnǵeɣ ăllînǵeɣ
2sg tǝllǝnǵed tăllînǵed
3msg ǝllǝnǵăt ăllînǵăt
3fsg tǝllǝnǵăt tăllînǵăt
1pl nǝllǝnǵăt năllînǵăt wǝr + perfective
2mpl tǝllǝnǵem tăllînǵem
2fpl tǝllǝnǵătmăt tăllînǵătmăt
3mpl ǝllǝnǵen ăllînǵen
3fpl ǝllǝnǵătnăt ăllînǵătnăt

Participles
msg ǝllǝnǵen ăllînǵen wăren ǝllǝnǵăt
fsg tǝllǝnǵet tǝllînǵet wăren tǝllǝnǵăt
pl ǝllǝnǵătnen ǝllînǵătnen wăren ǝllǝnǵăt

Note
There is a variant form for the cursive for the set listed as IIIA2 below, e.g.:
3msg itibkut itǝbkut
3mpl tibkun tǝbkun

This is only commonly encountered with the verb lăɣăt, where the form is
itilɣut or more usually itilăɣut.

162
 Group III – weak ‘t’ ending
Tudalt
lăngăt ‘carry on head’ Imperative sg lăngăt
mpl lăngătăt
fpl lăngătmăt

Imperfective Cursive Negative cursive

1sg (ad) ăllăngeɣ talăngeɣ wǝr tǝlǝngeɣ
2sg (ad) tăllănged talănged wǝr tǝlǝnged
3msg (ad) ăllăngăt italăngat wǝr itǝlǝngit
3fsg (ad) tăllăngăt talăngat wǝr tǝlǝngit
1pl (ad) năllăngăt nǝtalăngat wǝr nǝtǝlǝngit
2mpl (ad) tăllăngem talăngem wǝr tǝlǝngem
2fpl (ad) tăllăngătmăt talăngatmăt wǝr tǝlǝngitmăt
3mpl (ad) ăllăngen talăngen wǝr tǝlǝngen
3fpl (ad) ăllăngătnăt talăngatnăt wǝr tǝlǝngitnăt

Participles
msg z-ăllăngen italăngen wǝr nǝtǝlǝngit
fsg za-tăllănget talănget wǝr nǝtǝlǝngit
pl z-ăllăngătnen talăngatnen wǝr nǝtǝlǝngit
c(neg) wǝr za-năllăngăt

Perfective Stative Negative

Negative
1sg ǝllǝngeɣ ǝllîngeɣ
2sg tǝllǝnged tǝllînged
3msg illǝngăt illîngăt
3fsg tǝllǝngăt tǝllîngăt
1pl nǝllǝngăt nǝllîngăt wǝr + perfective
2mpl tǝllǝngem tǝllîngem
2fpl tǝllǝngătmăt tǝllîngătmăt
3mpl ǝllǝngen ǝllîngen
3fpl ǝllǝngătnăt ǝllîngătnăt

Participles
Participles
msg illǝngen illîngen wǝr nǝllǝngăt
fsg tǝllǝnget tǝllînget wǝr nǝllǝngăt
pl ǝllǝngătnen ǝllîngătnen wǝr nǝllǝngăt

163
Group III weak ‘t’ ending verbs

IIIA2
Imperative Meaning Verbal Noun
Ša Za dăwăt <> be happy tedăwitŠa tadǝwitZa
Ša Za dărăt <> be fat // be courageous ǝddǝri
Za gălăt <> move camp / house tagle
Ša Za kălăt <> be a slave ǝkkǝlu
Ša Za kărăt <> be coagulated (milk) akruŠa akǝriZa
Ša Za lăɣăt + (<Ar.) explain alăɣuŠa alǝɣuZa
Ša Za măkăt <> be extinguished / reduced to embers amǝki
Ša Za tăkăt + carve wood atǝki
Ša Za tănăt + polish atǝni
Ša Za wărăt <> be humid / damp awǝri
Ša Za zăfăt + plane (sth.) // <> be planed azǝfi
Za ẓăwăt <> be expensive / difficult aẓwiŠa aẓǝwiZa

IIIB2
Za bărgăt <> be detached / be opened abǝrgi
Za dănkăt <> duck / bow (head) adǝnki
Za făskăt <> be sacrificed (an.) afǝski
Za gănbăt + plait hair agǝnbi
Ša găršăt + do ‘evil eye’ / curse by looking in envy tegăršăt
Za hărgăt + dream ahǝrgi
Ša Za kălmăt + accuse akǝlmi
Ša lănǵăt + carry (on head) alǝnǵi
Za lăngăt + carry (on head) alǝngi
Za măgnăt <> be ready amǝgni
Ša Za măẓlăt <> have a cold ămaẓla
Ša răyhăt <> have a rope in mouth arǝyhi
Ša šăyhăt + gather isibăn (wild fonio) eššăyhe
Ša Za tărkăt + attach (baggage) / pack atărkiŠa atǝrkiZa
Ša Za wăɣsăt <> be savage / wild awăɣsiŠa awǝɣsiZa
Ša Za wănšăt <> have rabies awǝnši

VI2
Za băqqăt <> explode abǝqqi
Za dăttăt <> be certain (a fact) / be true adǝtti
Za făqqăt <> sprout up / burst out afǝqqi
Za gărrăt + drag // <> be dragged / possessed / mad agǝrri
Za kămmăt + gather up // <> be gathered up akǝmmi
Za lăllăt <> be a freeman / be honoured alǝlli
Za măllăt # kiss amǝlli
Ša Za tăbbăt + sprinkle powder / Za + wash clothes atǝbbi
Za zăbbăt + get down // stay with (s.o.) azǝbbi
Za zăkkăt <> stop abruptly / spectate azǝkki tǝzakkit

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 Group III – vowel ending

Tamaghit
făyk ‘be rummaged through’ Imperative sg făyk
mpl făykăt
fpl făykămăt

Imperfective Cursive Negative cursive

1sg (ad) ăffăykăɣ tafăykeɣ wăr tǝfǝykeɣ
2sg (ad) tăffăykăd tafăyked wăr tǝfǝykid
3msg (ad) ăffăyk itafăyka wǝr itǝfǝyki
3fsg (ad) tăffăyk tafăyka wăr tǝfǝyki
1pl (ad) năffăyk nǝtafăyka wăr nǝtǝfǝyki
2mpl (ad) tăffăykăm tafăykem wăr tǝfǝykim
2fpl (ad) tăffăykămăt tafăykemăt wăr tǝfǝykimăt
3mpl (ad) ăffăykăn tafăyken wăr tǝfǝykin
3fpl (ad) ăffăykănăt tafăykenăt wăr tǝfǝykinăt
(short form: ităfăyka etc.)

Participles
msg maden ăffăyk itafăyken wăren itǝfǝyki
fsg maden tăffăyk tafăyket wăren tǝfǝyki
pl maden ăffăyk tafăykenen wăren itǝfǝyki
(also tafăykanen)

Perfective Stative Negative

1sg ǝffǝykăɣ ăffîykăɣ
2sg tǝffǝykăd tăffîykăd
3msg ǝffǝyka ăffîyka
3fsg tǝffǝyka tăffîyka
1pl nǝffǝyka năffîyka wǝr + perfective
2msg tǝffǝykăm tăffîykăm
2fsg tǝffǝykămăt tăffîykămăt
3msg ǝffǝykăn ăffîykăn
3fsg ǝffǝykănăt ăffîykănăt

Participles
msg ǝffǝykăn ăffîykăn wăren ǝffǝyka
fsg tǝffǝykăt tăffîykăt wăren tǝffǝyka
pl ǝffǝykănen ăffîykănen wăren ǝffǝyka

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 Group III – vowel ending
Tudalt
făyku ‘be rummaged through’ Imperative sg făyku
mpl făykăt
fpl făykimăt

Imperfective Cursive Negative cursive

1sg (ad) ăffăykeɣ tafăykăɣ wǝr tǝfǝykăɣ
2sg (ad) tăffăyked tafăykăd wǝr tǝfǝykăd
3msg (ad) ăffăyku itafăyku wǝr itǝfǝyku
3fsg (ad) tăffăyku tafăyku wǝr tǝfǝyku
1pl (ad) năffăyku nǝtafăyku wǝr nǝtǝfǝyku
2mpl (ad) tăffăykim tafăykim wǝr tǝfǝykim
2fpl (ad) tăffăykimăt tafăykimăt wǝr tǝfǝykimăt
3mpl (ad) ăffăykin tafăykin wǝr tǝfǝykin
3fpl (ad) ăffăykinăt tafăykinăt wǝr tǝfǝykinăt

Participles
msg z-ăffăykin itafăykin wǝr nǝtǝfǝyku
fsg za-tăffăykit tafăykit wǝr nǝtǝfǝyku
pl z-ăffăykinen tafăykinen wǝr nǝtǝfǝyku
c(neg) wǝr za-năffăyku

Perfective Stative Negative

1sg ǝffǝykăɣ ǝffîykăɣ
2sg tǝffǝykăd tǝffîykăd
3msg iffǝyka iffîyka
3fsg tǝffǝyka tǝffîyka
1pl nǝffǝyka nǝffîyka wǝr + perfective
2msg tǝffǝykăm tǝffîykăm
2fsg tǝffǝykămăt tǝffîykămăt
3msg ǝffǝykăn ǝffîykăn
3fsg ǝffǝykănăt ǝffîykănăt

Participles
msg iffǝykăn iffîykăn wǝr nǝffǝyka
fsg tǝffǝykăt tǝffîykăt wǝr nǝffǝyka
pl ǝffǝykănen ǝffîykănen wǝr nǝffǝyka

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Group III vowel ending verbs
Imperative Meaning Verbal Noun
Za băbbu + carry on back (esp. baby) abǝbbi
Ša dăll + (Ar.) concern / be about ăddălil
Za dăllu + (Ar.) concern / be about ǝddǝlil
Ša dărf <> be set free (slave) tădarfit
Za dărfu <> be set free (slave) tǝdarfit
Za făggu <> have congestion / chest pain afǝggi
Za făllu + rely on / count on / entrust to afǝlli / fella
Ša făyk <> be rummaged through afǝyk
Za făyku <> be rummaged through afǝyki
Za făstu <> be quiet tǝfastit
Za găggu + charge / load up agǝggi
(vehicle or beast of burden)
Ša ǵăyh + witness / observe / testify taǵuhe
Ša ǵătt <> be sloped / inclined aǵǝtt
Za găttu <> be sloped / inclined agǝtti
Ša hădd + lean on (sth.) ahǝdd
Za hăddu + lean on (sth.) ahǝddi
Ša ɣăym <> sit / remain taɣimit
Ša taw + forget etăwi
Za tăw + forget tătăwt
E.g.
Ša ǝttǝwăɣ-in isǝm-ǝnnes I have forgotten his / its name
Za ǝttǝwăɣ-in isǝm-nes I have forgotten his / its name

Passives of group IA7/8 etc.

Ša măkš <> be eaten amǝkš
Za măkšu <> be eaten amǝkši
Ša măsw <> be drunk (consumed) amǝsǝw
Za măswu <> be drunk (consumed) amǝswi
Ša mănd <> be finished / complete // worn out amǝnd
Za măndu <> be finished / complete // worn out amǝndi

Similar is
Za ɣam <> sit / remain vn taɣimit
Za 3msg (ad) ăqqam itaɣam wǝr itǝɣim
Za 3msg (ad) ăqqamu itaɣamu wǝr itǝɣimu
Za 3msg iqqim iqqîm wǝr + perfective
Za 3msg iqqima iqqîma wǝr + perfective

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 4.12 Group IV – qualitative verbs
Tamasheq does not have adjectives. Instead it often uses verbs which have
qualitative meanings. Verbs such as ‘be hot’, ‘be big’, ‘be red’. Many verbs with
qualitative meanings fall into the ordinary verb classes, e.g. IA1 ǝbdǝǵ ‘be wet’.
These behave as any other verb and are used in one of the following ways:
As the simple verb (usually in the stative), e.g.:
Ša ăhalǝs wa ibdâǵ The man is wet
Za alǝs wa ibdâg The man is wet
(cf perfective: ăhalǝs wa ibdăǵ The man got wet)
As a participle
participle qualifying an indefinite noun, e.g.:
Ša ăkf-ahi tabdoqq tǝbdâǵăt Give me a wet cloth
Za ăkf-i tabdoq tǝbdâgăt Give me a wet cloth
(lit. ‘Give me a cloth which is wet’)
As a participle qualifying a definite noun.
In this case the participle is in the perfective rather than the stative, e.g.:
Ša ăkf-ahi tabdoqq ta tǝbdăǵăt Give me the wet cloth
Za ăkf-i tabdoq ta tǝbdăgăt Give me the wet cloth
(lit. ‘Give me the cloth which is wet’)
As the participle in the nominal phrase, e.g.:
Ša tabdoqq ta ti tǝbdâǵăt The cloth is wet
Za tabdoq ta ti tǝbdâgăt The cloth is wet
(lit. ‘The cloth, one that is wet’)
There is also a group of exclusively qualitative verbs which follows its own
pattern. These are described as ‘Group IV – qualitative verbs’ and this section deals
with them. These verbs are sometime used as the finite verb, but more often as the
participle. They are notable by the fact that they begin with a consonant rather
than a vowel in the perfective / stative and do not take prefixes. They are
commonly used in the stative participle form and the example below illustrates
the differences between this group and ordinary verbs, e.g.:
Ordinary verb Group IV verb
ǝbdǝn ‘be paralysed’ ikwal ‘be black’
msg ibdânăn kăwâlăn
fsg tǝbdânăt kăwâlăt
pl ǝbdânnen kăwâlnen
Group IV qualitative verbs may be used in the same ways as ‘ordinary’ qualitative
verbs just described:

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As the simple verb (usually in the stative), e.g.:
Ša ăhalǝs wa kăwâl The / this / that man is black
Ša tamăṭṭ ta kăwâl The / this / that woman is black
Ša meddăn wi kăwâlăn The / these / those men are black
Ša ḍeḍen ti kăwâlnăt The / these / those women are black
Za alǝs wa kăwâl The / this / that man is black
Za tanṭuṭ ta kăwâl The / this / that woman is black
Za meddăn wi kăwâlăn The / these / those men are black
Za tiḍoḍen ti kăwâlnăt The / these / those women are black
As a participle qualifying an indefinite noun, e.g.:
Ša ǝnhăyăɣ ăhalǝs kăwâlăn I saw a black man
Ša ǝnhăyăɣ tamăṭṭ kăwâlăt I saw a black woman
Ša ǝnhăyăɣ meddăn kăwâlnen I saw some black men
Ša ǝnhăyăɣ ḍeḍen kăwâlnen I saw some black women
Za ǝnăyăɣ alǝs kăwâlăn I saw a black man
Za ǝnăyăɣ tanṭuṭ kăwâlăt I saw a black woman
Za ǝnăyăɣ meddăn kăwâlnen I saw some black men
Za ǝnăyăɣ tiḍoḍen kăwâlnen I saw some black women
As a participle qualifying a definite noun.
In this case the participle is in the perfective rather than the stative, e.g.:
Ša ǝnhăyăɣ ăhalǝs wa kăwalăn I saw the black man
Ša ǝnhăyăɣ tamăṭṭ ta kăwalăt I saw the black woman
Ša ǝnhăyăɣ meddăn wi kăwalnen I saw the black men
Ša ǝnhăyăɣ ḍeḍen ti kăwalnen I saw the black women
Za ǝnăyăɣ alǝs wa kăwalăn I saw the black man
Za ǝnăyăɣ tanṭuṭ ta kăwalăt I saw the black woman
Za ǝnăyăɣ meddăn wi kăwalnen I saw the black men
Za ǝnăyăɣ tiḍoḍen ti kăwalnen I saw the black women
As a participle in the nominal phrase, e.g.:
Ša ăhalǝs wa i kăwâlăn That man is black
Ša tamăṭṭ ta ti kăwâlăt That woman is black
Ša meddăn wi i kăwâlnen Those men are black
Ša ḍeḍen ti ti kăwâlnen Those women are black
Za alǝs wa i kăwâlăn That man is black
Za tanṭuṭ ta ti kăwâlăt That woman is black
Za meddăn wi i kăwâlnen Those men are black
Za tiḍoḍen ti ti kăwâlnen Those women are black

Group IV verbs
The formation of the cursive has not been made explicit in the lists that follow as
it is rarely used with these verbs. it is formed regularly from the imperfective
following the pattern of Group II, III or XII as appropriate. For practical language
learning purposes it will suffice to learn the perfective forms and the verbal
nouns, and the imperfective of key verbs. For some of these verbs the plural
participle of the perfectives (simple and stative) has a special form (list 2). The
verbs are listed in the masculine singular form unless otherwise indicated.

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List 1

IVA,1
Stative Imperfective Meaning Verbal noun
(group II type)
Ša Za lăbâs ad ilbas evil / severe tăllăbăst
Ša Za kăwâl ad ikwal black tăkkăwălt
Ša Za xălâl ad ixlal lawful tăxǝlleŠa tǝxǝlleZa
Ša Za xărâm ad ixram unlawful tăxxărămt
Ša Za ărâɣ ad iwraɣ yellow tăroɣeŠa tǝruɣeZa
(group III type)
Ša Za bărâg ad ăbbărăg grey (an.) tăbbărăk
Ša Za hărây ad ăhhărăy raw / crude tăhhărăyt

IVA,4 (group II type)

Ša sădîd ad isdad thin tǝsǝdde
Za sǝdîd ad isdad thin tǝsǝdde
Za rǝɣîs ad irɣas easy / cheap tǝrǝɣse

IVA,5 (group II type)

Ša dărrûs ad idras few tǝdrǝse
Za dǝrûs ad idras few tǝdrǝse
Ša făsûs ad ifsas easy / light tǝfǝsse
Za fǝsûs ad ifsas easy / light tǝfǝsse
Ša kărôẓ ad ikraẓ narrow tǝkărẓe
Za kǝrûẓ ad ikraẓ narrow tǝkǝrẓe
Ša hărûw ad ihraw wide tǝhhǝrǝwt
Za hǝrûw ad ihraw wide tǝhhǝrǝwt
Ša fărôr ad ifrar important / good tǝfărre
Za fǝrûr ad ifrar important / good tǝfǝrre
Ša ɣăllûl ad eɣlal scruffy (clothes) taɣǝlle
Za ɣǝllûl ad iɣlal scruffy (clothes) taɣǝlle

IVB,1 (group III type)

Ša băydâǵ ad ăbbăydăǵ white (camel) tăbbăydăkk
Za băydâg ad ăbbăydăg white (camel) tăbbăydăk
Ša Za ẓăwẓâw ad ăẓẓăwẓăw beige / off-white tăẓẓăwẓăwt
Ša šărbây ad ăššărbăy black + white (an.) tăššărbăyt
Ša Za zărɣâf ad ăzzărɣăf blotchy tăzzărɣăft

IVB3 (group III like)

Ša Za fǝltâs ad ăffăltăs flat tǝffǝltǝst
Ša šǝmlâl ad ăššămlăl off-white tăššǝmlǝlt
Za zǝmlâl ad ăzzămlăl off-white tǝzzǝmlǝlt
Ša Za kǝrdâd ad ăkkărdăd mean / greedy tăkkǝrdǝtt
Ša šǝllâǵ ad ăššăllăǵ abnormal / tăššǝllǝkk
Za zǝllâg ad ăzzăllăg against custom tăzzǝllǝk
Note: the perfective and negative of this set may also take the form fǝltǝs etc.

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IVC1 (group II like)
Ša šăggâɣ ad išwaɣ red tǝšoɣe
Za zăggâɣ ad izwaɣ red tǝzuɣe
Ša Za wăššâr ad iwšar old tǝwšăre
Ša Za ɣăggâl ad iɣwal (dark) brown tăɣuleŠa tăɣwăltZa

IVC,4 (group II like)

Ša šăddîǵ ad išdaǵ clean tǝšdǝǵe
Za zǝddîg ad izdag clean tǝzdǝge
Ša sămmêḍ ad ismaḍ cold tǝsămḍe / esămeḍ
Za sǝmmîḍ ad ismaḍ cold tǝsămḍe / esămeḍ
Ša răqqîs ad erɣas easy / cheap tărɣǝse
Ša lămmêḍ ad ilmaḍ soft tǝlămḍe
Za lǝmmîḍ ad ilmaḍ soft tǝlmǝḍe
Za lǝmmûḍ ad ilmaḍ soft tǝlmǝḍe
(This variant also occurs with the other verbs in this group: zǝddôg, sǝmmûḍ.)

Group XIII,1 (group XII like)

Ša Za kukâs ad ikukǝs of small build tăkkukǝst
Ša šuhâr ad išuhǝr thick / fat tăššuhărt
Za zuwâr ad izuwǝr thick / fat tăzzuwărt
Note: the perfective and negative of this set may also take the form kukǝs etc.

List 2a (group II like)

These verbs have a special form for the plural participle, măqqôrnen etc.
Ša Za măqqâr ad imɣar big / important tǝmɣăreŠa tǝmɣǝreZa
Ša Za sǝmǝ̂m ad ismam bitter / sour tǝsǝmme
Ša mǝẓẓǝ̂ǵ ad imẓaǵ deaf tǝmmăẓẓǝkk
Za mǝẓẓǝ̂g ad imẓag deaf tǝmmǝẓẓǝk
Ša Za rǝkkǝ̂m ad irkam weak rǝkkǝm
Ša gǝzzǝ̂l ad igzal short tǝgǝzle
Za gǝzzûl ad igzal short tǝgǝzle

List 2b – ‘-
‘-ăt’ endings
The forms of the perfective / stative participle are given in full for the following
verbs as there are contractions and irregularities that need special attention.
Stative Imperfective Meaning Verbal
Verbal noun
Ša šǝǵrǝ̂t ad ăššăǵrăt tall / long tǝššǝǵrǝt
Participles: Perfective Stative Negative
Ša msg šǝǵren šǝǵrên wăren šǝǵrǝt
Ša fsg šǝǵret šǝǵrêt wăren šǝǵrǝt
Ša pl šǝǵrotnen šǝǵrôtnen wăren šǝǵrǝt
Stative Imperfective Meaning Verbal noun
Za zǝgrǝ̂t ad ăzzăgrăt tall / long tǝzzǝgrǝt
Participles: Perfective Stative Negative
Za msg zǝgren zǝgrên wǝr nǝzǝgrǝt
Za fsg zǝgret zǝgrêt wǝr nǝzǝgrǝt
Za pl zǝgrotnen zǝgrôtnen wǝr nǝzǝgrǝt

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 Stative Imperfective Meaning Verbal noun
Ša ǝǵǵǝ̂t ad uǵat many ăǵut
Participles:
Participles: Perfective Stative Negative
Ša msg ăǵǵen ăǵǵên wăren ǝǵǵǝt
Ša fsg tăǵǵet tăǵǵêt wăren tǝǵǵǝt
Ša pl ăǵǵotnen ăǵǵôtnen wăren ǝǵǵǝt
Stative Imperfective Meaning Verbal noun
Za iggǝ̂t ad igat many igǝt
Participles: Perfective Stative Negative
Za msg ăggen ăggên wǝr nǝggǝt
Za fsg tăgget tăggêt wǝr nǝggǝt
Za pl ăggotnen ăggôtnen wǝr nǝggǝt
Stative Imperfective Meaning Verbal noun
Ša Za dalât ad ăddalăt green tăddalăt
Participles: Perfective Stative Negative
Ša Za msg dalen dalên wăren dalatŠa
Ša Za fsg dalet dalêt wăren dalatŠa
Ša Za pl dalatnen dalâtnen wăren dalatŠa
Za c(neg) wǝr nǝdalatZa
Similar but with short ‘ă’ (e.g. kăšên) are:
Ša kăšăt be coloured tăkkăšăt
Ša Za dărăt be brown tăddărăt
(Not to be confused with dărăt ‘be fat’ which is in group IIIA2)

Other stative verbs

These verbs are very common. It should be noted that each has two forms for the
singular participle, the second of which is much more common.
Stative Imperfective Meaning Verbal noun
Ša măḍrî ad ămmăḍrăy small / young tǝmmăḍrit
Participles: Perfective Stative Negative
Ša msg măḍrǝyăn măḍrîyăn wăren măḍrǝy
Ša ănḍărrăn ănḍârrăn
Ša fsg măḍrǝyăt măḍrîyăt wăren măḍrǝy
Ša ănḍărrăt ănḍârrăt
Ša pl măḍroynen măḍrôynen wăren măḍrǝy
Stative Imperfective Meaning Verbal noun
Za mǝḍrî ad ămmăḍrăy small / young tǝmmǝḍrit
Participles: Perfective Stative Negative
Za msg mǝḍrǝyăn mǝḍrîyăn wǝr nǝmǝḍrǝy
Za ǝnḍǝrrăn ǝnḍǝ̂rrăn
Za fsg mǝḍrǝyăt mǝḍrîyăt wǝr nǝmǝḍrǝy
Za ǝnḍǝrrăt ǝnḍǝ̂rrăt
Za pl măḍroynen măḍrôynen wǝr nǝmǝḍrǝy
See section 4.25 for some examples of usage.

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 Stative Imperfective Meaning Verbal noun
Ša mǝtkî ad ămmătkăy small / young tǝmmǝtkit
Participles: Perfective Stative Negative
Ša msg mǝtkǝyăn mǝtkîyăn wăren mǝtkǝy
Ša ǝntǝkkăn ǝntûkkăn
Ša fsg mǝtkǝyăt mǝtkîyăt wăren mǝtkǝy
Ša tǝntǝkkăt tǝntûkkăt
Ša pl mătkoynen mătkôynen wăren mǝtkǝy
The following verb contracts in the participle:
Stative Imperfective Meaning Verbal noun
Ša măllûl ad imlal white tǝmǝlle
Participles: Perfective Stative Negative
Ša msg măllăn măllăn wăren măllul
Ša fsg măllăt măllăt wăren măllul
Ša pl măllolnen măllôlnen wăren măllul
Stative Imperfective Meaning Verbal noun
Za mǝllûl ad imlal white tǝmǝlle
Participles: Perfective Stative Negative
Za msg măllăn măllăn wǝr nǝmǝllul
Za fsg măllăt măllăt wǝr nǝmǝllul
Za pl măllolnen măllôlnen wǝr nǝmǝllul
The verb ‘to die’ also contracts in the participle (optionally in Tudalt):
Stative Imperfective Meaning Verbal noun
Ša ămmût ad ămmăt dead tamăttant
Participles: Perfective Stative Negative
Ša msg ămmun ămmûn wăren ămmut
Ša fsg tămmut tămmût wăren tămmut
Ša pl ămmutnen ămmûtnen wăren ămmut
Stative Imperfective Meaning Verbal noun
Za immût ad ămmăt dead tamăttant
Participles: Perfective Stative Negative
Za msg immutăn / immûtăn / wǝr nǝmmut
ămmen ămmên
Za fsg tǝmmutăt / tǝmmûtăt / wǝr nǝmmut
tămmet tammêt
Za pl ămmutnen ămmûtnen wǝr nǝmmut
E.g.:
Ša ămmût He / it is dead
Za immût He / it is dead
Ša ămmûtăn They (m) are dead
Za ǝmmûtăn They (m) are dead
Ša ešeḍ-in ămmut My donkey died
Za ažăḍ-in immut My donkey died
Ša ešeḍ-in ămmût My donkey is dead
Za ažăḍ-in immût My donkey is dead
Ša ǝnhăyăɣ ešeḍ ămmûn I saw a dead donkey
Za ǝnăyăɣ ažăḍ immûtăn / ămmên I saw a dead donkey

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The cursive of this verb is also of unusual form. It is used in talking about
generalities of death or when death is used as a metaphor, e.g.:
Ša Za itamăttat He / it dies
Ša Za dăɣ ăzzămănăn win mănna In times of drought
irǝzzegăn tamătten herds die
Ša Za wǝr itǝmǝttit He / it does not die
Ša Za efew wan tămse wǝr itǝmǝttit The fire of hell does not die
The verbs meaning ‘other’ seem only to exist in the participle:
Ša wa yăḍăn The other one (m)
Za wa hăḍăn The other one (m)
Ša ta yăḍăt The other one (f)
Za ta hăḍăt The other one (f)
Ša wi / ti yăḍnen The others
Za wi / ti hăḍnen The others

E.g.:
Ša ḍeḍen sănatăt osănăt-id ǝyyăt Two women came, one
tokăy ǝs-Băyga, continued towards Beyga,
ta yăḍăt tokăy ǝs-Mărkoy the other towards Markoye
Za tiḍoḍen sănatăt osănăt-dǝd, ǝyyăt Two women came, one
tokăy ǝs-Băyga, continued towards Beyga,
ta hăḍăt tokăy ǝs-Mărkoy the other towards Markoye
The following verb was originally a group IV A1 verb of the form ihbah, hăbah etc.
Ša Za iba + be lacking, be lost vn iba
Ša Za 3msg (ad) iba itiba wǝr itiba
Ša Za 3msg ăba ăbâ wǝr + perfective
This verb is almost always used in the 3msg (impersonally), e.g.:
Ša abba ăbâ-ti My father is dead
Za abba ăbâ-tăy My father is dead
Ša ulli-nin ăbâ-tănăt My goats are missing
Za wǝlli-nin ăbâ-tănăt My goats are missing
Ša ti-s ăb-has-ti His father is dead
Za ti-s ăb-as-tăy His father is dead
(lit. ‘His father, it lacks for him him’)

Tudalt Plural Variant

There is a special form of the 3rd person plural perfect that is sometimes heard in
Tudalt. It affects verbs that have ‘i’, ‘u’, ‘o’ or ‘ǝ’ at the last vowel of the perfect, e.g.:
Za ăggota (= ǝggǝtăn/ǝggǝtnăt) They are numerous
Za sămmoḍa (= sǝmmuḍăn/sǝmmuḍnăt) They are cold
Za zăddoga (= zǝddigăn/zǝddignăt) They are clean
Za măllola (= măllolăn/măllolnăt) They are white
Za găzzola (= gǝzzulăn/gǝzzulnăt) They are short
Za măqqora (= măqqărăn/măqqărnăt) They are big
Za măḍroya (= măḍrǝyăn/măḍrǝynăt) They are small

174
 4.13 Group V
(Includes Prasse V, VII, IX, X, XI)
This set of groups contains verbs of four or more stem consonants, including the
following major forms in the imperative.
Group V BǝCǝDFǝG Probably formed by a combination of two
roots or the addition of extra consonants to
a triletter.
Group VII BǝCǝDBǝCǝD Unique to Berber, and no doubt increased in
frequency in Tamasheq by analogy with
neighbouring African languages, these
verbs indicate iterative action.
Group IX BǝCǝDCǝD Like the previous it has an
iterative sense.
Group XA BǝCǝDDǝF
Group XB BǝCDǝFFǝG Formed by the combination of two roots or
by repetition to give an intensive or iterative.
Derived verbs e.g. nǝmǝBǝC
nǝmǝBCǝD
tǝwǝBǝC
tǝwǝBCǝD
mǝsǝBCǝD
tǝwǝsǝBCǝD
The imperfective is vocalised ‘ǝ…ǝ…(ǝ)…ǝ…’.
The cursive is vocalised ‘ti…ǝ…ǝ…(ǝ)…i…’.
The negative cursive is vocalised ‘tǝ…ǝ…ǝ…(ǝ)…i…’.
The perfective is vocalised ‘ă…ă…(ă)…ă…’.
The stative is vocalised ‘ă…î…ă…(ă)…ă…’.
The group generally denotes a connotation of meaning or a stress. In general the
meanings are quite detailed giving an adverbial feel to the group. There are few
verbs here of interest to the language learner at the early stages, but many that
show a linguistic competence when used appropriately. Many of the ideas in these
verbs would be expressed by a phrase in English.

175
 Group V

Tamaghit
kǝlǝntǝf ‘rant / talk rubbish’ Imperative sg kǝlǝntǝf
mpl kǝlǝntǝfăt
fpl kǝlǝntǝfmăt

Imperfective
Imperfective Cursive Negative cursive
1sg (ad) ǝklǝntǝfăɣ tiklǝntifăɣ wăr tǝklǝntifăɣ
2sg (ad) tǝklǝntǝfăd tiklǝntifăd wăr tǝklǝntifăd
3msg (ad) ǝklǝntǝf itiklǝntif wǝr itǝklǝntif
3fsg (ad) tǝklǝntǝf tiklǝntif wăr tǝklǝntif
1pl (ad) nǝklǝntǝf nǝtiklǝntif wăr nǝtǝklǝntif
2mpl (ad) tǝklǝntǝfăm tiklǝntifăm wăr tǝklǝntifăm
2fpl (ad) tǝklǝntǝfmăt tiklǝntifmăt wăr tǝklǝntifmăt
3mpl (ad) ǝklǝntǝfăn tiklǝntifăn wăr tǝklǝntifăn
3fpl (ad) ǝklǝntǝfnăt tiklǝntifnăt wăr tǝklǝntifnăt

Participles
msg maden ǝklǝntǝf itiklǝntifăn wăren itǝklǝntif
fsg maden tǝklǝntǝf tiklǝntifăt wăren tǝklǝntif
pl maden ǝklǝntǝf tiklǝntifnen wăren itǝklǝntif

Perfective Stative Negative

1sg ăklăntăfăɣ ăkîlăntăfăɣ
2sg tăklăntăfăd tăkîlăntăfăd
3msg ăklăntăf ăkîlăntăf
3fsg tăklăntăf tăkîlăntăf
1pl năklăntăf năkîlăntăf wăr + perfective
2mpl tăklăntăfăm tăkîlăntăfăm
2fpl tăklăntăfmăt tăkîlăntăfmăt
3mpl ăklăntăfăn ăkîlăntăfăn
3fpl ăklăntăfnăt ăkîlăntăfnăt

Participles
msg ăklăntăfăn ăkîlăntăfăn wăren ăklăntăf
fsg tăklăntăfăt tăkîlăntăfăt wăren tăklăntăf
pl ăklăntăfnen ăkîlăntăfnen wăren ăklăntăf

176
 Group V

Tudalt
kǝlǝntǝf ‘rant / talk rubbish’ Imperative sg kǝlǝntǝf
mpl kǝlǝntǝfăt
fpl kǝlǝntǝfmăt

Imperfective Cursive Negative cursive

1sg (ad) ǝklǝntǝfăɣ tiklǝntifăɣ wǝr tǝklǝntifăɣ
2sg (ad) tǝklǝntǝfăd tiklǝntifăd wǝr tǝklǝntifăd
3msg (ad) iklǝntǝf itiklǝntif wǝr itǝklǝntif
3fsg (ad) tǝklǝntǝf tiklǝntif wǝr tǝklǝntif
1pl (ad) nǝklǝntǝf nǝtiklǝntif wǝr nǝtǝklǝntif
2mpl (ad) tǝklǝntǝfăm tiklǝntifăm wǝr tǝklǝntifăm
2fpl (ad) tǝklǝntǝfmăt tiklǝntifmăt wǝr tǝklǝntifmăt
3mpl (ad) ǝklǝntǝfăn tiklǝntifăn wǝr tǝklǝntifăn
3fpl (ad) ǝklǝntǝfnăt tiklǝntifnăt wǝr tǝklǝntifnăt

Participles
msg z-iklǝntǝfăn itiklǝntifăn wǝr nǝtǝklǝntif
fsg za-tǝklǝntǝfăt tiklǝntifăt wǝr nǝtǝklǝntif
pl z-ǝklǝntǝfnen tiklǝntifnen wǝr nǝtǝklǝntif
c(neg) wǝr za-nǝklǝntǝf

The non-condensed forms of the imperfective / cursive may also be heard:

3msg (ad) ikǝlǝntǝf itikǝlǝntif wǝr itǝkǝlǝntif

Perfective Stative Negative

1sg kălăntăfăɣ kîlăntăfăɣ
2sg tăkălăntăfăd tǝkîlăntăfăd
3msg ikălăntăf ikîlăntăf
3fsg tǝkălăntăf tǝkîlăntăf
1pl nǝkălăntăf nǝkîlăntăf wǝr+perfective
2mpl tǝkălăntăfăm tǝkîlăntăfăm
2fpl tǝkălăntăfmăt tǝkîlăntăfmăt
3mpl kălăntăfăn kîlăntăfăn
3fpl kălăntăfnăt kîlăntăfnăt

Participles
msg ikălăntăfăn ikîlăntăfăn wǝr nǝkălăntăf
fsg tǝkălăntăfăt tǝkîlăntăfăt wǝr nǝkălăntăf
pl kălăntăfnen kîlăntăfnen wǝr nǝkălăntăf

177
Group V verbs

V1
Imperative Meaning Verbal Noun
Ša bărǝǵwǝl <> be overturned / turn (oneself) around abrǝǵwǝl
Za bǝrǝgwǝl <> be overturned / turn (oneself) around abǝrǝgwǝl
Ša bărăɣwǝl <> be overturned / be turned toward abrăɣwǝl
Za bǝrǝɣwǝl <> be overturned / be turned toward abǝrǝɣwǝl
Ša dǝwǝylǝl <> be high / be balanced high up adwǝylǝl
Za dǝwǝylǝl <> be high / be balanced high up adǝwǝylǝl
Ša kǝlǝntǝf <> rant / talk rubbish aklǝntǝf
Za kǝlǝntǝf <> rant / talk rubbish akǝlǝntǝf
Ša kărǝnbǝy <> be curved akrǝnbǝy
Za kǝrǝnbǝy <> be curved akǝrǝnbǝy
Ša nǝhǝkwǝl <> feel nauseated ahnǝkwǝl
Ša mǝsǝndǝd <> be lazy / hesitate amsǝndǝd
Za mǝsǝndǝd <> be lazy / hesitate amǝsǝndǝd
Ša mǝšăršăr <> be scattered amšăršăr
Ša mǝšărwǝy <> be scattered amšărwǝy
Ša mǝtǝkwǝy <> move (oneself) // set off amtǝkwǝy
Za mǝtǝkwǝy <> move (oneself) // set off amǝtǝkwǝy
Ša mǝtărwăɣ <> shine brightly amtărwăɣ
Za mǝtǝrwǝɣ <> shine brightly amǝtǝrwǝɣ
Ša mǝtǝttǝy <> move (oneself) // change amtǝttǝy
Za mǝtǝttǝy <> move (oneself) // change amǝtǝttǝy
Ša šǝbǝrḍǝl <> convulse ašbǝrḍǝl
Ša šǝǵǝylǝl <> float // be stagnant (water) ašǵǝylǝl
Ša wǝlǝnkǝn <> dance awlǝnkǝn
Za wǝlǝnkǝn <> dance awǝlǝnkǝn
Ša wǝšǝnkǝl <> swarm awšǝnkǝl
Za wǝšǝnkǝl <> swarm awǝšǝnkǝl
Ša wǝšǝnšǝǵ <> emit odour / smell awšǝnšǝǵ
Za wǝžǝnžǝg <> emit odour / smell awǝžǝnžǝg
Za zǝgǝylǝl <> float // be stagnant (water) azǝgǝylǝl

VII,1
Ša dǝmărdǝmăr <> crawl admărdǝmăr
Za dǝmǝrdǝmǝr <> crawl adǝmǝrdǝmǝr
Ša făḍărfăḍăr <> bubble afḍărfăḍăr
Za fǝḍǝrfǝḍǝr <> bubble afǝḍǝrfǝḍǝr
Ša fărǝsfărǝs + slice up / chop up afrǝsfărǝs
Za fǝrǝsfǝrǝs + slice up / chop up afǝrǝsfǝrǝs
Ša ɣǝlǝwɣǝlǝw <> be agitated aɣlǝwɣǝlǝw
Za ɣǝlǝwɣǝlǝw <> be agitated aɣǝlǝwɣǝlǝw
Ša ɣǝlǝyɣǝlǝy + surround / go around aɣlǝyɣǝlǝy
Za ɣǝlǝyɣǝlǝy + surround / go around aɣǝlǝyɣǝlǝy
Ša hǝtǝghǝtǝg <> have palpitations / race (heart) ahtǝghǝtǝg
Za hǝtǝghǝtǝg <> have palpitations / race (heart) ahǝtǝghǝtǝg

178
Ša kǝlǝwkǝlǝw + gather everything together aklǝwkǝlǝw
Za kǝlǝwkǝlǝw + gather everything together akǝlǝwkǝlǝw
Ša lǝkǝslǝkǝs + pound (in a double beat) //
+ pound (sth. wet) alkǝslǝkǝs
Za lǝkǝslǝkǝs + pound (in a double beat) //
+ pound (sth. wet) alǝkǝslǝkǝs
Ša mǝgǝrmǝgǝr <> be discarded / be homeless and helpless amgǝrmǝgǝr
Za mǝgǝrmǝgǝr <> be discarded / be homeless and helpless amǝgǝrmǝgǝr
Za nǝgǝynǝgǝy <> run in all directions / tremble (earth) anǝgǝynǝgǝy
Ša nǝhǝynǝhǝy <> run in all directions / tremble (earth) anhǝynǝhǝy
Ša nǝtǝšnǝtǝš + devour / tear apart antǝšnǝtǝš
Za nǝtǝznǝtǝz + devour / tear apart anǝtǝznǝtǝz
Ša sǝrǝmsǝrǝm + trim / clean (stick / tree) asrǝmsǝrǝm
Za sǝrǝmsǝrǝm + trim / clean (stick / tree) asǝrǝmsǝrǝm
Ša wărăɣwărăɣ <> look around / be restless awrăɣwărăɣ
Za wǝrǝɣwǝrǝɣ <> look around / be restless awǝrǝɣwǝrǝɣ

IX,1
Imperative Meaning Verbal Noun
Ša bǝǵǝlǵǝl <> flare up abǵǝlǵǝl
Za bǝlǝglǝg <> flare up abǝlǝglǝg
Ša bǝlǝwlǝw <> be very runny (liquid) ablǝwlǝw
Za bǝlǝwlǝw <> be very runny (liquid) abǝlǝwlǝw
Ša bǝlǝzlǝz <> shine brightly ablǝzlǝz
Za bǝlǝzlǝz <> shine brightly abǝlǝzlǝz
Ša bǝrăɣrăɣ <> clatter / rumble / rattle abrăɣrăɣ
Za bǝrǝɣrǝɣ <> clatter / rumble / rattle abǝrǝɣrǝɣ
Ša fǝtǝktǝk <> fall vertically (rain / fruit etc.) aftǝktǝk
Za fǝtǝktǝk <> fall vertically (rain / fruit etc.) afǝtǝktǝk
Ša hǝdǝndǝn <> stutter ahdǝndǝn
Za hǝdǝwdǝw <> stutter ahǝdǝwdǝw
Ša hǝlǝylǝy <> rejoice ahlǝylǝy
Ša kǝlǝwlǝw + rebuke / reprimand / denounce aklǝwlǝw
Za kǝlǝwlǝw + rebuke / reprimand / denounce akǝlǝwlǝw
Ša kǝnǝynǝy <> ring / chime / clang (a bell) aknǝynǝy
Za kǝnǝynǝy <> ring / chime / clang (a bell) akǝnǝynǝy
Ša kǝrǝyrǝy <> dangle / hang down akrǝyrǝy
Za kǝrǝyrǝy <> dangle / hang down akǝrǝyrǝy
Ša lǝkǝnkǝn + pile up alkǝnkǝn
Za lǝkǝnkǝn + pile up alǝkǝnkǝn
Za mǝḍǝnḍǝn & grumble / mutter (together) amǝḍǝnḍǝn
Ša mǝǵǝnǵǝn & grumble / mutter (together) amǵǝnǵǝn
Ša mǝlǝwlǝw <> shine / be lit up amlǝwlǝw
Za mǝlǝwlǝw <> shine / be lit up amǝlǝwlǝw
Ša mǝtărtăr <> go too quickly amtărtăr
Za mǝtǝrtǝr <> go too quickly amǝtǝrtǝr
Ša sǝmăɣmăɣ <> shine / be shiny asmăɣmăɣ
Za sǝmǝɣmǝɣ <> shine / be shiny asǝmǝɣmǝɣ
Ša sǝrǝyrǝy <> slide / slip asrǝyrǝy

179
Za sǝrǝyrǝy <> slide / slip asǝrǝyrǝy
Ša šǝkăḍkăḍ <> tremble / shake (cold / fear etc.) aškăḍkăḍ
Za žǝgǝdgǝd <> tremble / shake (cold / fear etc.) ažǝgǝdgǝd
Ša ẓărǝwrǝw <> be poured (tea) aẓrǝwrǝw
Za ẓǝrǝwrǝw <> be poured (tea) aẓǝrǝwrǝw

IX,3
Ša hăḍăḍǝy <> be inflamed / be swollen // swell ahḍăḍǝy
Za hǝḍǝḍǝy <> be inflamed / be swollen // swell ahǝḍǝḍǝy

XA,1
XA,1
Ša bǝdǝyyǝk <> be piled up abdǝyyǝk
Za bǝdǝyyǝk <> be piled up abǝdǝyyǝk
Ša mǝdăqqǝs <> be sticky tămădăqqăst
Za mǝdǝqqǝs <> be sticky tămădăqqăst
Ša măɣǝnnǝn & argue / discuss tamɣǝnnant
Za mǝɣǝnnǝn & argue / discuss tamǝɣǝnnant
Ša mǝlǝllǝy <> be turned over // amlǝllǝy
<> turn around / over
Za mǝlǝllǝy <> be turned over // amǝlǝllǝy
<> turn around / over
Ša wǝlǝllǝǵ <> roam / wander (close to home) awlǝllǝǵ
Za wǝlǝllǝg <> roam / wander (close to home) awǝlǝllǝg

XB,1
Imperative Meaning Verbal Noun
Ša bǝlǝnbǝllǝs <> be round and smooth ablǝnbǝllǝs
Za bǝlǝnbǝllǝs <> be round and smooth abǝlǝnbǝllǝs
Ša ǵărtǝttǝf <> stumble aǵărtǝttǝf
(Perfective: iǵǝrtăttăf, stative: iǵîrtăttăf etc.)
Za gǝrtǝttǝf <> stumble agǝrtǝttǝf
Ša ǵărtăqqǝl <> stumble aǵărtăqqǝl
(Perfective: iǵǝrtăqqăl, stative: iǵîrtăqqăl etc.)
Za gǝrtǝqqǝl <> stumble agǝrtǝqqǝl
Ša ɣărwǝššǝn <> be annoyed aɣărwǝššǝn
(Perfective: iɣǝrwăššăn, stative: iɣîrwăššăn etc.)
Ša kăršǝššǝn <> be rough (object) // be irritable akăršǝššǝn
(Perfective: ikǝršăššăn, stative: ikîršăššăn etc.)
Za kǝršǝššǝn <> be rough (object) // be irritable akǝršǝššǝn

Derived verbs
Ša nǝmǝwǝt & hit each other anmǝwǝt
Za nǝmǝwǝt & hit each other anǝmǝwat
Za nǝmǝllǝl & help one another // be parallel anǝmǝllal
Ša nǝmǝḍgăẓ & oppress / crush each other anmăḍgăẓ
Za nǝmǝḍgǝẓ & oppress / crush each other anǝmăḍgaẓ
Ša nǝmǝdrǝǵ & not understand each other anmǝdrǝǵ
Za nǝmǝdrǝg & not understand each other anǝmǝdrag
Ša nǝmǝǵǵǝǵ & be a long way apart anmǝǵǵǝǵ

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Za nǝmǝggǝg & be a long way apart anǝmǝggag
Ša nǝmǝgzăr & oppose (each other) anmǝgzǝr
Za nǝmǝgzǝr & oppose (each other) anǝmǝgzar
Ša nǝmǝksǝn & hate (each other) anmǝksǝn
Za nǝmǝksǝn & hate (each other) anǝmǝksan
Ša nǝmǝkwăr & insult each other anmǝkwăr
Za nǝmǝkwǝr & insult each other anǝmǝkwar
Ša nǝmǝnkǝš & be / move apart anmǝmkaš
Za nǝmǝnkǝš & be / move apart anǝmǝmkaz
Ša nǝmǝnnǝk & be united / agree anmǝnnak
Za nǝmǝnnǝk & be united / agree anǝmǝnnak
Ša nǝmǝswăḍ & overlook each other (places) anmǝswǝḍ
Za nǝmǝswǝḍ & overlook each other (places) anǝmǝswaḍ
Ša nǝmǝšrǝy + transgress (God’s law) anmǝšrǝy
& miss (each other) // disagree
Za nǝmǝzrǝy + transgress (God’s law) anǝmǝzray
& miss (each other) // disagree
Most verbs that form the passive with ‘tw’ follow the group V pattern.
Ša tǝwǝkrǝs <> be tied atwǝkrǝs
Za tǝwǝkrǝs <> be tied atǝwǝkras
Ša tǝwǝnhǝy <> be seen atwǝnhǝy
Ša tǝwǝnǝy <> be ridden atwǝnǝy
Za tǝwǝnǝy <> be ridden // <> be seen atǝwǝnay
Ša tǝwǝkrǝš <> be owned atwǝkrǝš
Za tǝwǝkrǝz <> be owned atǝwǝkraz
Ša tǝwǝktǝb <> be written atwǝktǝb
Za tǝwǝktǝb <> be written atǝwǝktab
Ša tǝwǝggǝš <> be entered atwǝggǝš
Za tǝwǝggǝz <> be entered atǝwǝggǝz
Ša tǝwǝlkăh <> be despised atwǝlkăh
Ša tǝwǝḍgăẓ <> be oppressed atwǝḍgăẓ
Za tǝwǝḍgǝẓ <> be oppressed atǝwǝḍgaẓ
Ša tǝwǝzzǝy <> be known (person / place) // atwǝzzǝy
<> be healed
Za tǝwǝzzǝy <> be known (person / place) // atǝwǝzzay
<> be healed
Ša tǝwǝssǝn <> be known (fact / skill) atwǝssǝn
Za tǝwǝssǝn <> be known (fact / skill) atǝwǝssan
Ša tǝwǝksǝn <> be hated atwǝksǝn
Za tǝwǝksǝn <> be hated atǝwǝksan
Ša tǝwăṭṭǝf <> be held / be kept / be upheld atwăṭṭǝf
Za tǝwǝṭṭǝf <> be held / be kept / be upheld atǝwǝṭṭaf
Ša tǝwăqqǝn <> be attached / be hung atwăqqǝn
Za tǝwǝqqǝn <> be attached / be hung atǝwǝqqan
Ša tǝwăṣlǝb <> be crucified atwăṣlǝb
Za tǝwǝṣlǝb <> be crucified atǝwǝṣlab
Ša tǝwǝffăr <> be hidden atwǝffăr
Za tǝwǝffǝr <> be hidden atǝwǝffar

181
Multiple derivatives also follow this pattern.
The passive of the causative gives verbs like the following.
Ša tǝwǝsǝnkăr <> be raised up atwǝsǝnkăr
Za tǝwǝsǝnkǝr <> be raised up atǝwǝsǝnkar
Ša tǝwǝsǝstǝn <> be questioned atwǝsǝstǝn
Za tǝwǝsǝstǝn <> be questioned atǝwǝsǝstan
Ša tǝwǝsǝdwǝl <> be brought up atwǝsǝdwǝl
Za tǝwǝsǝdwǝl <> be brought up atǝwǝsǝdwal
Ša tǝwǝšǝšdǝǵ <> be cleansed / be purified atwǝšǝšdǝǵ
Za tǝwǝzǝzdǝg <> be cleansed / be purified atǝwǝzǝzdag
Ša tǝwǝzǝgzǝl <> be shortened atwǝzǝgzǝl
Za tǝwǝzǝgzǝl <> be shortened atǝwǝzǝgzal
Ša tǝwǝsăṭkăr <> be filled // be fulfilled atwǝsăṭkăr
Za tǝwǝsǝṭkǝr <> be filled // be fulfilled atǝwǝsǝṭkar
Ša tǝwǝsǝnǝfrǝn <> be chosen atwǝsǝnǝfrǝn
Za tǝwǝsǝnǝfrǝn <> be chosen atǝwǝsǝnǝfran
Ša tǝwǝsǝnǝmǝǵǵǝǵ & be moved apart atwǝsǝnǝmǝǵǵǝǵ
Za tǝwǝsǝnǝmǝggǝg & be moved apart atǝwǝsǝnǝmǝggag
Reciprocals of causatives also follow this pattern.
Ša nǝmǝsǝstǝn & ask each other anmǝsǝstǝn
Za nǝmǝsǝstǝn & ask each other anǝmǝsǝstan
Ša mǝsǝstǝn & ask (each other) amsǝstǝn
Za mǝsǝstǝn & ask (each other) amǝsǝstan
Ša mǝsǝwăr & be on top of each other amsǝwăr
Za mǝsǝwǝr & be on top of each other amǝsǝwar
Ša mǝsǝdăɣ & sit side by side amsǝdăɣ
Za mǝsǝdǝɣ & sit side by side amǝsǝdaɣ
Ša mǝsǝgdǝl & discuss / argue amsǝgdǝl
Za mǝsǝgdǝl & discuss / argue amǝsǝgdal
Ša mǝsǝqqǝd & burn (with fever / impatience) amsǝqqǝd
Za mǝsǝqqǝd & burn (with fever / impatience) amǝsǝqqad
Ša mǝšǝrǵǝš & visit (each other) amšǝrǵǝš
Ša mǝsǝssǝǵrǝh & make (each other) understand amsǝssǝǵrăh
Ša mǝsǝksǝḍ & frighten (each other) amsǝksăḍ
Za mǝsǝksǝḍ & frighten (each other) amǝsǝksaḍ
Ša mǝsǝdǝw & meet together amsǝdǝw
Ša mǝsǝnăhăḍ & consult / decide (together) amsǝnăhăḍ

182
 Group V weak ‘t’ ending

Tamaghit
dǝwǝnnǝt ‘chat’ Imperative sg dǝwǝnnǝt
mpl dǝwǝnnǝtăt
fpl dǝwǝnnǝtmăt

Imperfective Cursive Negative cursive

1sg (ad) ǝdwǝnneɣ tidwǝnneɣ wăr tǝdwǝnneɣ
2sg (ad) tǝdwǝnnid tidwǝnnid wăr tǝdwǝnnid
3msg (ad) ǝdwǝnnǝt itidwǝnnit wǝr itǝdwǝnnit
3fsg (ad) tǝdwǝnnǝt tidwǝnnit wăr tǝdwǝnnit
1pl (ad) nǝdwǝnnǝt nǝtidwǝnnit wăr nǝtǝdwǝnnit
2mpl (ad) tǝdwǝnnim tidwǝnnim wăr tǝdwǝnnim
2fpl (ad) tǝdwǝnnǝtmăt tidwǝnnitmăt wăr tǝdwǝnnitmăt
3mpl (ad) ǝdwǝnnin tidwǝnnin wăr tǝdwǝnnin
3fpl (ad) ǝdwǝnnǝtnăt tidwǝnnitnăt wăr tǝdwǝnnitnăt

Participles
msg maden ǝdwǝnnǝt itidwǝnnin wăren itǝdwǝnnit
fsg maden tǝdwǝnnǝt tidwǝnnit wăren tǝdwǝnnit
pl maden ǝdwǝnnǝt tidwǝnnitnen wăren itǝdwǝnnit

Perfective Stative Negative

Negative
1sg ădwănneɣ ădîwănneɣ
2sg tădwănned tădîwănned
3msg ădwănnăt ădîwănnăt
3fsg tădwănnăt tădîwănnăt
1pl nădwănnăt nădîwănnăt wăr + perfective
2mpl tădwănnem tădîwănnem
2fpl tădwănnătmăt tădîwănnătmăt
3mpl ădwănnen ădîwănnen
3fpl ădwănnătnăt ădîwănnătmăt

Participles
msg ădwănnen ădîwănnen wăren ădwănnăt
fsg tădwănnet tădîwănnet wăren tădwănnăt
pl ădwănnătnen ădîwănnătnen wăren ădwănnăt

183
 Group V weak ‘t’ ending

Tudalt
dǝwǝnnǝt ‘chat (in the evening)’ Imperative sg dǝwǝnnǝt
mpl dǝwǝnnǝtăt
fpl dǝwǝnnǝtmăt

Imperfective Cursive Negative cursive

1sg (ad) ǝdwǝnneɣ tidwǝnneɣ wǝr tǝdwǝnneɣ
2sg (ad) tǝdwǝnned tidwǝnned wǝr tǝdwǝnned
3msg (ad) idwǝnnǝt itidwǝnnit wǝr itǝdwǝnnit
3fsg (ad) tǝdwǝnnǝt tidwǝnnit wǝr tǝdwǝnnit
1pl (ad) nǝdwǝnnǝt nǝtidwǝnnit wǝr nǝtǝdwǝnnit
2mpl (ad) tǝdwǝnnem tidwǝnnem wǝr tǝdwǝnnem
2fpl (ad) tǝdwǝnnǝtmăt tidwǝnnitmăt wǝr tǝdwǝnnitmăt
3mpl (ad) ǝdwǝnnen tidwǝnnen wǝr tǝdwǝnnen
3fpl (ad) ǝdwǝnnǝtnăt tidwǝnnitnăt wǝr tǝdwǝnnitnăt

Participles
msg z-idwǝnnen itidwǝnnin wǝr nǝdwǝnnit
fsg za-tǝdwǝnnet tidwǝnnit wǝr nǝdwǝnnit
pl z-ǝdwǝnnǝtnen tidwǝnnitnen wǝr nǝdwǝnnit
c(neg) wǝr za-nǝdwǝnnǝt

The non-condensed forms of the imperfective / cursive may also be heard:

3msg (ad) idǝwǝnnǝt itidǝwǝnnit wǝr itǝdǝwǝnnit

Perfective Stative Negative

Negative
1sg dăwănneɣ dîwănneɣ
2sg tǝdăwănned tǝdîwănned
3msg idăwănnăt idîwănnăt
3fsg tǝdăwănnăt tǝdîwănnăt
1pl nǝdăwănnăt nǝdîwănnăt wǝr + perfective
2mpl tǝdăwănnem tǝdîwănnem
3fpl tǝdăwănnătmăt tǝdîwănnătmăt
3mpl dăwănnen dîwănnen
3fpl dăwănnătnăt dîwănnătnăt

Participles
msg idăwănnen idîwănnen wǝr nǝdăwănnăt
fsg tǝdăwănnet tǝdîwănnet wǝr nǝdăwănnăt
pl dăwănnătnen dîwănnătnen wǝr nǝdăwănnăt

184
Group V verbs with weak ‘t’ endings

Note
According to Prasse (private correspondance) some of these verbs have a ‘u’ in the
place of the final ‘i’ in the contracted forms of the imperfectives. I have not been
able to verify this for the Oudalan dialects and so have not noted which verbs it
may affect.

V,2
Imperative Meaning Verbal Noun
Ša dǝlǝnfǝt <> be viscous / sticky (liquid) adlǝnfi
Za dǝlǝnfǝt <> be viscous / sticky (liquid) adǝlǝnfi
Ša măɣǝlsǝt <> be upset / mourn amɣǝlsi
Za mǝɣǝlšǝt <> be upset / mourn amǝɣǝlši
Ša lǝkǝnsǝt <> be prostrate (dead or as if dead) alkǝnsi
Za lǝkǝnsǝt <> be prostrate (dead or as if dead) alǝkǝnsi
Za rǝkǝndǝt <> be dirty arǝkǝndi
Ša šǝlǝnkǝt + comb ašlǝnki
Za žǝlǝnkǝt + comb ažǝlǝnki

V,4 / IX,2
Ša fǝrǝrǝt <> fly off afrări
Ša wǝšăɣǝt <> be irritated awšăɣi
Ša ẓǝkǝkǝt <> creak / squeak / grind (noise) aẓkǝki
Za ẓǝkǝkǝt <> creak / squeak / grind (noise) aẓǝkǝki

VII,2
Ša dǝbǝndǝbǝt <> be thick (wood etc.) adbǝndǝbi
Za dǝbǝndǝbǝt <> be thick (wood etc.) adǝbǝndǝbi
Ša kǝbǝnkǝbǝt + cover completely // <> hide away akbǝnkǝbi
Za kǝbǝnkǝbǝt + cover completely // <> hide away akǝbǝnkǝbi
Ša kǝmǝnkǝmǝt <> be wrapped up (in a ball / roll) akmǝnkǝmi
Za kǝmǝnkǝmǝt <> be wrapped up (in a ball / roll) akǝmǝnkǝmi
Za ɣǝtǝnɣǝtǝt <> cough aɣǝtǝnɣǝti
Ša sǝkǝnsǝkǝt + sift / sieve (with a sieve) askǝnsǝki
Za sǝkǝnsǝkǝt + sift / sieve (with a sieve) asǝkǝnsǝki
Ša sǝlǝnsǝlǝt <> be smooth aslǝnsǝli
Za sǝlǝnsǝlǝt <> be smooth asǝlǝnsǝli
Ša tǝkǝntǝkǝt + sift / winnow (with a sifting plate) atkǝntǝki
Za tǝkǝntǝkǝt + sift / winnow (with a sifting plate) atǝkǝntǝki

X,2
Ša bǝlǝzzǝt <> shine brightly ablǝzzi
Za bǝlǝzzǝt <> shine brightly abǝlǝzzi
Ša bărǝttǝt <> shout / talk loudly abrǝtti
Za bǝrǝttǝt <> shout / talk loudly abǝrǝtti
Ša bărăqqǝt + pound to flour abrăqqi
Za bǝrǝqqǝt + pound to flour abǝrǝqqi

185
Ša bărǝzzǝt <> break apart / collapse / explode abrǝzzi
Za bǝrǝžžǝt <> break apart / collapse / explode abǝrǝžži
Ša bǝtăqqǝt <> stop dead // fall over abtăqqi
Za bǝtǝqqǝt <> stop dead // fall over abǝtǝqqi
Za dǝkǝyyǝt <> sink to the bottom (of liquid) adǝkǝyyi
Ša dǝwǝnnǝt + chat (in the evening) adwǝnni
Za dǝwǝnnǝt + chat (in the evening) adǝwǝnni
Ša fărǝššǝt <> be mad afrǝšši
Za fǝrǝššǝt <> be mad afǝrǝšši
Ša ǵărǝffǝt <> kneel aǵrǝffi
Za gǝrǝffǝt <> kneel agǝrǝffi
Ša ǵǝbărrǝt <> be hugged // have a cold aǵbărri
Za gǝbǝrrǝt <> be hugged // have a cold agǝbǝrri
Ša ǵǝtăqqǝt + sip aǵtăqqi
Za gǝtǝqqǝt + sip agǝtǝqqi
Za hǝdǝrrǝt <> calm down ahǝdǝrri
Ša hǝnǝffǝt <> grunt / groan tahnǝffet
Za hǝnǝffǝt <> grunt / groan tahǝnǝffet
Ša hǝnǝnnǝt <> neigh (horse) ahnǝnni
Za hǝnǝnnǝt <> neigh (horse) ahǝnǝnni
Ša kǝbăẓẓǝt + grab / grip akbăẓẓi
Za kǝbǝẓẓǝt + grab / grip akǝbǝẓẓi
Ša kǝdǝmmǝt + pinch akdǝmmi
Za kǝdǝmmǝt + pinch akǝdǝmmi
Ša kărǝbbǝt + taste // faint akrǝbbi
Za kǝrǝbbǝt + taste // faint akǝrǝbbi
Ša kărǝmmǝt + break / cut in two / cut off end akrǝmmi
Za kǝrǝmmǝt + break / cut in two / cut off end akǝrǝmmi
Ša kărǝššǝt <> be split / broken akrǝšši
Za kǝrǝššǝt <> be split / broken akǝrǝšši
Ša kărǝttǝt + scratch (s.o.’s palm as a warning) akrǝtti
Za kǝrǝttǝt + scratch (s.o.’s palm as a warning) akǝrǝtti
Ša kǝtǝyyǝt <> go away / pass away (die) // faint aktǝyyi
Za kǝtǝyyǝt <> go away / pass away (die) // faint akǝtǝyyi
Ša lǝkǝyyǝt <> sink to the bottom (of liquid) alkǝyyi
Ša mǝdăqqǝt & be stuck together amdăqqi
Za mǝdǝqqǝt & be stuck together amǝdǝqqi
Ša mǝšǝkkǝt & dispute / resist amšǝkki
Za mǝžǝkkǝt & dispute / resist amǝžǝkki
Ša mǝzǝyyǝt & coincide with each other amzǝyyi
Za mǝzǝyyǝt & coincide with each other amǝzǝyyi
Ša rǝbăqqǝt <> hide / duck / dip (terrain) arbăqqi
Za rǝbǝkkǝt <> hide / duck / dip (terrain) arǝbǝkki
Ša sǝbǝkkǝt <> defecate asbǝkki
Ša mǝzǝyyǝt & coincide with each other amzǝyyi
Ša sărǝmmǝt + sip asrǝmmi
Za sǝrǝmmǝt + sip asǝrǝmmi
Ša sǝwǝkkǝt <> squat aswǝkki
Za šǝbǝkkǝt <> defecate ašǝbǝkki

186
Ša šǝfǝllǝt <> blink / flash ašfǝlli
Ša šǝrǝkkǝt + dig (sth.) up / extract ašrǝkki
Za šǝwǝkkǝt <> squat ašǝwǝkki
Ša tǝlǝbbǝt <> sink (in mud, etc.) atlǝbbi
Za tǝlǝbbǝt <> sink (in mud, etc.) atǝlǝbbi
Ša tǝlǝkkǝt <> be deep (hole / well) atlǝkki
Za tǝlǝkkǝt <> be deep (hole / well) atǝlǝkki
Ša tǝrǝǵǵǝt <> jump down / fall vertically atrǝǵǵi
Za tǝrǝggǝt <> jump down / fall vertically atǝrǝggi
Ša tărǝkkǝt <> fall vertically atrǝkki
Za tǝrǝkkǝt <> fall vertically atǝrǝkki
Za zǝlǝbbǝt + undo (knot, etc.) azǝlǝbbi
Za zǝlǝmmǝt + embrace azǝlǝmmi
Za žǝrǝkkǝt + dig (sth.) up / extract ažǝrǝkki

XB,2
Ša dǝmǝndǝmmǝt <> hurry for admǝndǝmmi
Za dǝmǝndǝmmǝt <> hurry for adǝmǝndǝmmi
Ša hǝnǵǝmmǝt <> bellow (with mouth closed) ahǝnǵǝmmi
(Perfective: ihǝnǵămmăt, stative: ihînǵămmăt etc.)
Za hǝngǝmmǝt <> bellow (with mouth closed) ahǝngǝmmi

XIA
Za bǝbbǝgǝt + flame (sth.) / scorch the surface abǝbbǝgi
Ša Za lǝllǝwǝt + wash alǝllǝwi
Za nǝnnǝɣǝt + rub between hands anǝnnǝɣi
Ša Za zǝzzǝwǝt + file azǝzzǝwi
The two Tamaghit verbs also have a second form more like group III, e.g.: lăllăwăt,
cursive: italăllăwat etc. The perfective has only one form: illǝllăwăt etc.

XIB
Ša hǝlǝllǝmǝt + remove top or surface of (sth.) ahlǝllǝmi
Ša kărărrǝwǝt + fasten tightly inside a skin akrărrǝwi
Za kǝrǝrrǝwǝt + fasten tightly inside a skin akǝrǝrrǝwi
Ša šǝlǝllǝkǝt <> slide / slip ašlǝllǝki

Derived verbs
Ša tǝwǝšǝšǝǵrǝt <> be lengthened atwǝšǝšǝǵri
Za tǝwǝzǝzǝgrǝt <> be lengthened atǝwǝzǝzǝgri

187
 Group V – vowel ending

Tamaghit
mǝtǝll ‘make a mistake’ Imperative sg mǝtǝll
mpl mǝtǝllăt
fpl mǝtǝllǝmăt

Imperfective Cursive Negative

Negative cursive
1sg (ad) ǝmtǝllăɣ timtǝlleɣ wăr tǝmtǝlleɣ
2sg (ad) tǝmtǝllǝd timtǝllid wăr tǝmtǝllid
3msg (ad) ǝmtǝll itimtǝlli wǝr itǝmtǝlli
3fsg (ad) tǝmtǝll timtǝlli wăr tǝmtǝlli
1pl (ad) nǝmtǝll nǝtimtǝlli wăr nǝtǝmtǝlli
2mpl (ad) tǝmtǝllǝm timtǝllim wăr tǝmtǝllim
2fpl (ad) tǝmtǝllǝmăt timtǝllimăt wăr tǝmtǝllimăt
3mpl (ad) ǝmtǝllǝn timtǝllin wăr tǝmtǝllin
3fpl (ad) ǝmtǝllǝnăt timtǝllinăt wăr tǝmtǝllinăt

Participles
msg maden ǝmtǝll itimtǝllin wăren itǝmtǝlli
fsg maden tǝmtǝll timtǝllit wăren tǝmtǝlli
pl maden ǝmtǝll timtǝllinen wăren itǝmtǝlli

Perfective Stative Negative

1sg ămtăllăɣ ămîtăllăɣ
2sg tămtăllăd tămîtăllăd
3msg ămtălla ămîtălla
3fsg tămtălla tămîtălla
1pl nămtălla nămîtălla wǝr + perfective
2msg tămtăllăm tămîtăllăm
2fsg tămtăllămăt tămîtăllămăt
3msg ămtăllăn ămîtăllăn
3fsg ămtăllănăt ămîtăllănăt

Participles
msg ămtăllăn ămîtăllăn wăren ămtălla
fsg tămtăllăt tămîtăllăt wăren tămtălla
pl ămtăllănen ămîtăllănen wăren ămtălla

188
 Group V – vowel ending

Tudalt
mǝtǝll ‘make a mistake’ Imperative sg mǝtǝllu
mpl mǝtǝllăt
fpl mǝtǝllimăt

Imperfective Cursive Negative cursive

1sg (ad) ǝmtǝllăɣ timtǝllăɣ wǝr tǝmtǝllăɣ
2sg (ad) tǝmtǝllăd timtǝllăd wǝr tǝmtǝllăd
3msg (ad) imtǝllu itimtǝllu wǝr itǝmtǝllu
3fsg (ad) tǝmtǝllu timtǝllu wǝr tǝmtǝllu
1pl (ad) nǝmtǝllu nǝtimtǝllu wǝr nǝtǝmtǝllu
2mpl (ad) tǝmtǝllim timtǝllim wǝr tǝmtǝllim
2fpl (ad) tǝmtǝllimăt timtǝllimăt wǝr tǝmtǝllimăt
3mpl (ad) ǝmtǝllin timtǝllin wǝr tǝmtǝllin
3fpl (ad) ǝmtǝllinăt timtǝllinăt wǝr tǝmtǝllinăt

Participles
msg z-imtǝllin itimtǝllin wǝr nǝtǝmtǝllu
fsg za-tǝmtǝllit timtǝllit wǝr nǝtǝmtǝllu
pl z-ǝmtǝllinen timtǝllinen wǝr nǝtǝmtǝllu
c(neg) wǝr za-nǝmtǝllu

An alternative imperfective form is sometimes heard: imătăllu etc. Also the

non-condensed forms of the imperfective / cursive may be heard:
3msg (ad) imǝtǝllu itimǝtǝllu wǝr itǝmǝtǝllu

Perfective Stative Negative

1sg mătăllăɣ mîtăllăɣ
2sg tǝmătăllăd tǝmîtăllăd
3msg imătălla imîtălla
3fsg tǝmătălla tǝmîtălla
1pl nǝmătălla nǝmîtălla wǝr + perfective
2msg tǝmătăllăm tǝmîtăllăm
2fsg tǝmătăllămăt tǝmîtăllămăt
3msg mătăllăn mîtăllăn
3fsg mătăllănăt mîtăllănăt

Participles
msg imătăllăn mîtăllăn wǝr nǝmătălla
fsg tǝmătăllăt tǝmîtăllăt wǝr nǝmătălla
pl mătăllănen mîtăllănen wǝr nǝmătălla

189
Group V vowels ending verbs (mainly passives and reciprocals)
Imperative Meaning Verbal Noun
Ša mǝtǝll <> make a mistake (in speaking) amtǝll
Za mǝtǝllu <> make a mistake (in speaking) amǝtǝlla
Ša nǝhǝǵǵ <> be usual / be fitting // & be worthy of anhǝǵǵ
Za nǝhǝggu <> be usual / be fitting // & be worthy of anǝhǝgga
Ša nǝfăqq & resemble / be like ifăqqan
Za nǝfǝqqu & resemble / be like ifăqqan
Ša nǝbǝš <> fall apart / be scattered anbǝš
Ša nǝmăh & + be in (sth.) together anmăh
Za nǝmǝhu & + be in (sth.) together anǝmǝha
Ša nǝmărh & love each other anmărh(a)
Za nǝmǝru & love each other anǝmǝra
Ša nǝmărḍ & agree with each other anmărḍ
Za nǝmǝrḍu & agree with each other anǝmǝrḍa
Ša nǝmǝnf & be useful to each other anmǝnf
Za nǝmǝnfu & be useful to each other anǝmǝnfa
Ša nǝmǝns & pass the night together / anmǝns
& (euph) have sex with //
<> be placed together
Za nǝmǝnsu & pass the night together / anǝmǝnsa
& (euph) have sex with //
<> be placed together
Ša nǝmǝnš & forgive each other anmǝnša
Ša nǝmǝkš & eat each other (lit. or fig.) anmǝkš
Za nǝmǝkšu & eat each other (lit. or fig.) anǝmǝkša
Ša nǝmǝnn & say to each other anmǝnn
Za nǝmǝnnu & say to each other anǝmǝnna
Ša nǝmǝšǝkš & feed (each other) anmǝšǝkš
Za nǝmǝšǝkšu & feed (each other) anǝmǝšǝkša
Ša mǝsǝns & be put down together amsǝns
Za mǝsǝnsu & be put down together amǝsǝnsa
Ša nǝsǝb + lose (each others) things ansǝbi
Za nǝsǝbi + lose (each others) things anǝsǝba
Za mǝsǝssǝgru <> make (each other) understand amǝsǝssǝgra
Ša tǝwǝkf <> be given (away) atwǝkf
Za tǝwǝkfu <> be given (away) atǝwǝkfa
Ša tǝwǝšǝkš <> be fed atwǝšǝkš
Za tǝwǝšǝkšu <> be fed atǝwǝšǝkša
Ša tǝwǝsl <> be heard atwǝsǝl
Za tǝwǝslu <> be heard atǝwǝsla
Ša tǝwǝsǝsǝw <> be watered / given (sth.) to drink atwǝsǝswa
Za tǝwǝsǝswu <> be watered / given (sth.) to drink atǝwǝsǝswa
Ša tǝwăɣăr <> be called / be invited / be read atwăɣăr
Za tǝwǝɣru <> be called / be invited / be read atǝwǝɣra
Ša tǝwǝsǝns <> be put down / be put to bed atwǝsǝns
Za tǝwǝsǝnsu <> be put down / be put to bed atǝwǝsǝnsa

190
Ša tǝwǝls <> be worn (être porté) atwǝls
Za tǝwǝlsu <> be worn (être porté) atǝwǝlsa
Ša tǝwǝsǝls <> be dressed (by someone else) atwǝsǝls
Za tǝwǝsǝlsu <> be dressed (by someone else) atǝwǝsǝlsa
Ša tǝwǝnš <> be forgiven atwǝnš
Za tǝwǝsǝbu <> be mislaid / be lost atǝwǝsǝba
Ša tǝwǝmǝdd <> be oppressed / be ganged up on atwǝmǝdd
Za tǝwǝmǝdd <> be oppressed / be ganged up on atǝwǝmǝdda
Ša tǝwǝnn <> be said atwǝnn
Za tǝwǝnnu <> be said atǝwǝnna
Ša tǝwǝyy <> be left (alone) atwǝyy
Za tǝwǝyyu <> be left (alone) atǝwǝyya
Ša tǝwǝǵǵ <> be done atwǝǵǵ
Za tǝwǝggu <> be done atǝwǝgga
Ša tǝwǝl <> be owned ǝttǝwǝla / atwǝla
Za tǝwǝlu <> be owned ǝttǝwǝla / atǝwǝla

191
 4.14 Group XII
This set of groups (which includes Prasse XII, XIV, XV and XVI) have 3 or 4 stem
consonants. It is in many ways analogous to Group III but with vocalisation with a
long vowel (usually ‘u’). It has the following forms in the imperative:
Group XIIA BuCǝD
Group XIIB BuCDǝF Unique to Berber, probably derived
from three consonant root by addition
of a consonant.
Group XIV BuCCǝD Unique to Berber, this form is
perhaps derived from group VI
(cf Tudalt).
Group XV BuCBǝC Not attested in Oudalan.
Group XVI BuBBǝCǝD Rare. Derived from group IX.
Derived verbs e.g. muBCǝD
nuBCǝD
The imperfective is vocalised ‘ǝ…u…ǝ…’.
The cursive is vocalised ‘ti…u…u…’ or ‘ti…ǝ…u…’.
The negative cursive is vocalised ‘tǝ…u…u…’ or ‘tǝ…ǝ…u…’.
The perfective is vocalised ‘ǝ…o…ă…’ or ‘ǝ…u…ă…’.
The stative is vocalised ‘ǝ…ô…ă…’ or ‘ǝ…û…ă…’.
In each group the last consonant of certain verbs (originally a guttural) may be
lost and replaced with a weak ‘t’ ending or simply a vowel ending. The endings
encountered are similar to those in Group V.

192
 Group XIIA

Tamaghit
dubǝn ‘be married / marry’ Imperative sg duben
mpl dubǝnăt
fpl dubǝnmăt

Imperfective Cursive Negative cursive

1sg (ad) ǝdubǝnăɣ tidubunăɣ wăr tǝdubunăɣ
2sg (ad) tǝdubǝnăd tidubunăd wăr tǝdubunăd
3msg (ad) ǝdubǝn itidubun wǝr itǝdubun
3fsg (ad) tǝdubǝn tidubun wăr tǝdubun
1pl (ad) nǝdubǝn nǝtidubun wăr nǝtǝdubun
2mpl (ad) tǝdubǝnăm tidubunăm wăr tǝdubunăm
2fpl (ad) tǝdubǝnmăt tidubunmăt wăr tǝdubunmăt
3mpl (ad) ǝdubǝnăn tidubunăn wăr tǝdubunăn
3fpl (ad) ǝdubǝnnăt tidubunnăt wăr tǝdubunnăt

Participles
msg maden ǝdubǝn itidubunăn wăren itǝdubun
fsg maden tǝdubǝn tidubunăt wăren tǝdubun
pl maden ǝdubǝn tidubunnen wăren itǝdubun

Perfective Stative Negative

1sg ădobănăɣ ădôbănăɣ
2sg tădobănăd tădôbănăd
3msg ădobăn ădôbăn
3fsg tădobăn tădôbăn
1pl nădobăn nădôbăn wǝr + perfective
2mpl tădobănăm tădôbănăm
2fpl tădobănmăt tădôbănmăt
3mpl ădobănăn ădôbănăn
3fpl ădobănnăt ădôbănnăt

Participles
msg ădobănăn ădôbănăn wăren ădobăn
fsg tădobănăt tădôbănăt wăren tădobăn
pl ădobănnen ădôbănnen wăren ădobăn

Note : In Tamaghit the first consonant is generally not doubled but the
doubled form may be heard, ‘ad ǝddubǝn’, ‘ăddobăn’ etc.

193
 Group XIIA

Tudalt
dubǝn ‘be married / marry’ Imperative sg duben
mpl dubǝnăt
fpl dubǝnmăt

Imperfective Cursive Negative cursive

1sg (ad) ǝddubǝnăɣ tidubunăɣ wăr tǝdubunăɣ
2sg (ad) tǝddubǝnăd tidubunăd wăr tǝdubunăd
3msg (ad) iddubǝn itidubun wǝr itǝdubun
3fsg (ad) tǝddubǝn tidubun wăr tǝdubun
1pl (ad) nǝddubǝn nǝtidubun wăr nǝtǝdubun
2mpl (ad) tǝddubǝnăm tidubunăm wăr tǝdubunăm
2fpl (ad) tǝddubǝnmăt tidubunmăt wăr tǝdubunmăt
3mpl (ad) ǝddubǝnăn tidubunăn wăr tǝdubunăn
3fpl (ad) ǝddubǝnnăt tidubunnăt wăr tǝdubunnăt

Participles
msg z-iddubǝnăn itidubunăn wǝr nǝtǝdubun
fsg za-tǝddubǝnăt tidubunăt wǝr nǝtǝdubun
pl z-ǝddubǝnnen tidubunnen wǝr nǝtǝdubun
c(neg) wǝr za-nǝddubǝn

Perfective Stative Negative

1sg ǝddobănăɣ ǝddôbănăɣ
2sg tǝddobănăd tǝddôbănăd
3msg iddobăn iddôbăn
3fsg tǝddobăn tǝddôbăn
1pl nǝddobăn nǝddôbăn wǝr + perfective
2mpl tǝddobănăm tǝddôbănăm
2fpl tǝddobănmăt tǝddôbănmăt
3mpl ǝddobănăn ǝddôbănăn
3fpl ǝddobănnăt ǝddôbănnăt

Participles
msg iddobănăn iddôbănăn wǝr nǝddobăn
fsg tǝddobănăt tǝddôbănăt wǝr nǝddobăn
pl ǝddobănnen ǝddôbănnen wǝr nǝddobăn

194
Group XII verbs
Imperative Meaning Verbal Noun
Ša budăr + be disrespectful to a superior abudăr
Za budǝr + be disrespectful to a superior abudǝr
Ša Za buyǝn <> (Ar.) be evident / be clear abuyǝn
Ša Za buyǝs <> be injured abuyǝs
Ša dubǝn + marry adubǝn
Ša dukǝl <> have a blister on one’s foot adukǝl
Za dukǝl <> be high / be exalted adukǝl
Ša Za dumǝm + worship (an idol) adumǝm
Ša goḍǝl <> be lame tǝggoḍǝlt
Za guḍǝl <> be lame tǝgguḍǝlt
Ša goḍǝy # give thanks / thank (God) agoḍǝy
Za guḍǝy # give thanks / thank (God) aguḍǝy
Ša ǵuhǝl <> be an ‘orphan’ / be illegitimate aǵuhǝl
<> have only one functioning parent
Za guhǝl <> be an ‘orphan’ / be illegitimate aguhǝl
<> have only one functioning parent
Ša ǵulǝy <> be a step-(child / father / mother) aǵulǝy
Za gulǝy <> be a step-(child / father / mother) agulǝy
Ša ǵulǝš <> be left over / be a remnant aǵulǝš
Za gulǝz <> be left over / be a remnant agulǝz
Ša Za kukǝl + stand on akukǝl
Ša Za lulǝy <> (Ar.) speak inspired words (saint) alulǝy
Ša Za mumǝn <> (Ar.) believe (in God) amumǝn
Ša morǝd <> crawl on knees amorǝd
Za murǝd <> crawl on knees amurǝd
Ša mušăɣ <> be Tuareg / be noble tămmušăɣa
Za mužǝɣ <> be Tuareg / be noble tămmužăɣa
Ša Za nulǝm <> crawl (insect / reptile / rodent) anulǝm
Ša rorǝd <> hurry / be rushed arorǝd
Za rurǝd <> hurry / be rushed arurǝd
Ša toɣăr <> be salt deficient atoɣăr
Za tuɣǝr <> be salt deficient atuɣǝr
In the following verb ‘i’ replaces ‘u’ and ‘e’ replaces ‘o’:
Ša šiwǝǵ <> struggle to escape ašiwǝǵ
Za ziwǝg <> struggle to escape aziwǝg

Very similar is another set of verbs (Groups XIIB and XIV)

This group is almost entirely exclusive to Tamaghit. Tudalt places all of these
verbs in group III.
Ša tunkǝl <> be hidden from view
Ša 3msg (ad) ǝttunkǝl ititǝnkul wǝr itǝtǝnkul
Ša 3msg ăttunkăl ăttûnkăl wǝr + perfective

195
XIIB,1
Imperative Meaning Verbal Noun
Za bunbǝy <> be upside-down / back-to-front abunbǝy
Ša ɣorhǝs <> freeze / solidify aɣorhǝs
Ša hunšăr <> have a nosebleed (cf anžǝrZa IB1) ahunšăr
Ša sundǝd <> be lazy / feeble sendad
Ša tunǵăr <> be inflamed, sore and infected atunǵăr
Ša tunkǝl <> be hidden from view atunkǝl

XIV,1
Ša buddǝl <> be lazy abuddǝl
Ša bukkăḍ <> commit sin / + have illicit sex ăbăkkaḍ
Ša buššăr <> (Ar.) promise / preach tăbuššert
Ša boṭṭǝl <> (Ar.) give in // work uselessly aboṭṭǝl
Ša ḍoḍḍǝǵ <> be cowardly aḍoḍḍǝǵ
Ša dukkǝl + gather together / <> be gathered adukkǝl
Ša fukkăr <> be denounced / exposed afukkăr
Ša ɣuddăr <> (Ar.) have an accident ălɣǝddăr
Ša ɣussăr <> (Ar.) suffer loss(es) tăɣăssert
Ša kuddǝl + betray / deny tăkaddilt
Ša kurrǝs + swindle / trick takărrest
Ša koṭṭǝy <> be sloped / be tilted akoṭṭǝy
Ša huššǝl + be necessary / obligatory tăhaššilt
Ša luyyăɣ <> be exhausted tălayyeqq
Ša mukkǝn <> be possible amukkǝn
Ša muttǝy <> be changed tămottăyt
Ša suǵǵǝl <> stray / go missing (an.) asuǵǵǝl
Ša šoqqăɣ <> (Ar.) be related (distantly) asoqqăɣ
Ša zubbăr <> (Ar.) be adult / be large azubbăr
The only Tudalt verb in this group is:
Za huṣṣǝy <> be beautiful / good tihussay
In Tamaghit some reciprocals derived from Group I also fall into this pattern:
Ša moqqǝs & meet / bump into tamoqqest
Ša mugrăẓ + regret / change one’s mind tămagreẓt
Ša mukkǝs <> be removed amukkǝs
Ša munšăɣ + envy / spoil through envy munšăɣi /
tămanšeqq
Ša nuflǝy <> abound anuflǝy
Ša nufrǝy & smell (sth.) / feel / notice (sth.) anufri
Ša noṭṭǝf + support / maintain / look after tanǝṭṭuft
Ša noḍfǝs <> multiply anoḍfǝs
Ša nuftăɣ <> be a guest / lodge anuftăɣ

196
 Group XII – weak ‘t’ ending

Tamaghit
dubǝt ‘be able’ Imperative sg dubǝt
mpl dubǝtăt
fpl dubǝtmăt

Imperfective Cursive Negative cursive

1sg (ad) ǝdduboɣ tiduboɣ wăr tǝduboɣ
2sg (ad) tǝddubud tidubud wăr tǝdubud
3msg (ad) ǝddubǝt itidubut wǝr itǝdubut
3fsg (ad) tǝddubǝt tidubut wăr tǝddubut
1pl (ad) nǝddubǝt nǝtidubut wăr nǝtǝdubut
2mpl (ad) tǝddubum tidubum wăr tǝdubum
2fpl (ad) tǝddubǝtmăt tidubutmăt wăr tǝdubutmăt
3mpl (ad) ǝddubun tidubun wăr tǝdubun
3fpl (ad) ǝddubǝtnăt tidubutnăt wăr tǝdubutnăt

Participles
msg maden ǝddubǝt itidubun wăren itǝdubut
fsg maden tǝddubǝt tidubut wăren tǝdubut
pl maden ǝddubǝt tidubutnen wăren itǝdubut

Perfective Stative Negative

1sg ăddobeɣ ăddôbeɣ
2sg tăddobed tăddôbed
3msg ăddobăt ăddôbăt
3msg tăddobăt tăddôbăt
1pl năddobăt năddôbăt wǝr + perfective
2mpl tăddobem tăddôbem
2fpl tăddobătmăt tăddôbătmăt
3mpl ăddoben ăddôben
3fpl ăddobătnăt ăddôbătnăt
Participles
msg ăddoben ăddôben wăren ăddobăt
fsg tăddobet tăddôbet wăren tăddobăt
pl ăddobătnen ăddôbătnen wăren ăddobăt

197
 Group XII – weak ‘t’ ending

Tudalt
dubǝt ‘be able’ Imperative sg dubǝt
mpl dubǝtăt
fpl dubǝtmăt

Imperfective Cursive Negative cursive

1sg (ad) ǝddubeɣ tidubeɣ wǝr tǝdubeɣ
2sg (ad) tǝddubed tidubed wǝr tǝdubed
3msg (ad) iddubǝt itidubut wǝr itǝdubut
3fsg (ad) tǝddubǝt tidubut wăr tǝddubut
1pl (ad) nǝddubǝt nǝtidubut wăr nǝtǝdubut
2mpl (ad) tǝddubem tidubem wǝr tǝdubem
2fpl (ad) tǝddubǝtmăt tidubutmăt wăr tǝdubutmăt
3mpl (ad) ǝdduben tiduben wǝr tǝduben
3fpl (ad) ǝddubǝtnăt tidubutnăt wăr tǝdubutnăt

Participles
Participles
msg z-idduben itiduben wǝr nǝtǝdubut
fsg za-tǝddubet tidubut wǝr nǝtǝdubut
pl z-ǝddubǝtnen tidubutnen wǝr nǝtǝdubut
c(neg) wǝr za-nǝddubǝt

Perfective Stative Negative

1sg ǝddobeɣ ǝddôbeɣ
2sg tǝddobed tǝddôbed
3msg iddobăt iddôbăt
3fsg tǝddobăt tǝddôbăt
1pl nǝddobăt nǝddôbăt wǝr + perfective
2mpl tǝddobem tǝddôbem
2fpl tǝddobătmăt tǝddôbătmăt
3mpl ǝddoben ǝddôben
3fpl ǝddobătnăt ǝddôbătnăt

Participles
msg iddoben iddôben wǝr nǝddobăt
fsg tǝddobet tǝddôbet wǝr nǝddobăt
pl ǝddobătnen ǝddôbătnen wǝr nǝddobăt

198
Group XII verbs with weak ‘t’ endings
Imperative Meaning Verbal Noun
Ša bušǝt + grind / file (to sharpen blade) ăbašu
Za bužǝt + grind / file (to sharpen blade) ăbažu
Za dubǝt + be able ădabu / tudabăt
Ša Za dumǝt + sow ădamu
Ša forǝt + rub ăfaru
Za furǝt + rub ăfaru
Ša ǵufǝt + wrong (s.o.) / do wrong / <> be foolish ǵafa
Za gufǝt + wrong (s.o.) / do wrong / <> be foolish gafa
Ša Za hubǝt + drag / <> be dragged ăhabu
Ša hoɣǝt + grill ăhaɣu
Ša Za hukǝt <> get up and go ăhaku
Ša horǝt + imitate / follow ăharu
Za hurǝt + imitate / follow ăharu
Ša Za kulǝt + put rope in mouth ăkalu
Ša Za rubǝt + avoid / miss / pass by ărabu
Ša ṣohǝt <> (Ar.) be strong / difficult ăṣṣahăt
Za ṣuhǝt <> (Ar.) be strong / difficult ăṣṣahăt
Ša soxǝt <> (Ar.) be healthy ăssexăt
Za suxǝt <> (Ar.) be healthy ăssexăt
Ša šufǝt + pass by at speed ăšafu
Ša Za tulǝt + put (sth.) onto (sth.) ătalu
Ša zuyǝt + coincide / happen at same time ăzayu
Za žufǝt + pass by at speed ăžafu
Very similar to this is Group XIV weak ‘t’ endings. This group is almost entirely
exclusive to Tamaghit. Tudalt places all of these verbs in group III. Note that the
central ‘u’ is lost in the condensed forms of the imperfective as shown below.
Ša mullǝt # kiss
Ša 3msg (ad) ǝmmullǝt itimǝllut wǝr itǝmǝllut
Ša 3mpl (ad) ǝmmǝllun timǝllun wǝr tǝmǝllun
Ša 3msg ămmullăt ămmûllăt wǝr + perfective

XIIB,2
Imperative Meaning Verbal Noun
Ša dunkǝt <> duck / bow (head) adǝnku
Ša huskǝt <> be beautiful / good tihussay
Ša horǵǝt <> dream tahorǵit
Ša muǵnǝt <> be ready amǝǵnu

XIV,2
Ša boqqǝt <> explode abăqqu
Ša buzzǝt <> be thin abǝzzu
Ša duttǝt <> be certain / be true adǝttu / tidǝt
Ša foqqǝt <> sprout up / burst out afăqqu
Ša fukkǝt + remove husks (by pounding grain) afǝkku
Ša forrǝt <> fly afărru

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Ša gorrǝt <> be dragged // be possessed / be mad agărru
Ša huyyǝt + hunt ahǝyyu
Ša kummǝt + gather up akǝmmu
Ša lullǝt <> be a freeman / be honoured ǝllǝllu / ǝllǝlli
Ša mullǝt # kiss amǝllu
Ša ṣorrǝt <> be split / cracked aṣărru
Ša zubbǝt + get down / off // stay (with s.o.) azǝbbu
Ša zukkǝt <> stop abruptly // spectate azǝkku / tǝzakkit
Only one common Tudalt verb falls in this group:
Za fumbǝt <> smell rotten vn afǝmbi
Za 3msg (ad) iffumbǝt itifǝmbut wǝr itǝfǝmbut
Za 3msg iffumbăt iffûmbăt wǝr + perfective

Group XVI (Tamaghit

(Tamaghit only)
Ša fuffǝrǝt + rub vn afǝffǝru
Ša 3msg (ad) ǝffuffǝrǝt itifǝffǝrut wǝr itǝfǝffǝrut
Ša 3msg ăffuffărăt ăffûffărăt wǝr + perfective
Ša bubbǝgǝt + flame the surface abǝbbǝgu
Ša kukkǝrǝt + extract akǝkkǝru
Ša muttǝsǝt <> be afraid amǝttǝsu
Ša nunnǝɣǝt + rub between hands anǝnnǝɣu
Ša nusrǝfǝt <> be slightly worn / second-hand anǝsrǝfu
Ša ṣoṣṣǝbǝt + pound to remove bran aṣăṣṣǝbu

Group XII – vowel ending

These work just as group V vowel ending but in the cursive the final ‘i’ is replaced
by ‘u’.

XIIA,3
XIIA,3
Ša buy <> bud vn tăboyt
Ša 3msg (ad) ibuy itibuyu wǝr itǝbuyu
Ša 3msg ăboya ăbôya wǝr + perfective
Za buyu <> bud vn tăboyt
Za 3msg (ad) ibbuyu itibuyu wǝr itǝbuyu
Za 3msg ibboya ibbôya wǝr + perfective
Imperative Meaning Verbal Noun
Ša huh <> emit smoke / give off vapour ăho / ihohăn
Za huhu <> emit smoke / give off vapour ǝhu / ihohan
Ša lul <> be dry (well) / fail to find water ălul
Za lulu <> be dry (well) / fail to find water ălul
Ša kuk <> be weak / fragile ăkuk
Za kuku <> be weak / fragile ăkuk
Ša kus + inherit tăkasit
Za kusu + inherit tăkasit
Ša suf + prefer (cf usaf Za IIB4) tăsafit
Ša sut <> be pregnant (animal) ăsut
Za sutu <> be pregnant (animal) ăsut

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XIIB,3 and XIV,3
This group is exclusive to Tamaghit. Tudalt places all of these verbs in group III.
Ša full + rely on / count on / entrust to vn afull / fella
Ša 3msg (ad) iffull itifǝllu wǝr itǝfǝllu
Ša 3msg ăffulla ăffûlla wǝr + perfective
Imperative Meaning Verbal Noun
Ša bubb + carry on back (esp. baby) abubb
Ša borǵ <> be opened / be detached aborǵ
Ša fugg <> have congestion / chest pain afugg
Ša ǵuǵǵ + load up (beast of burden) // aǵuǵǵ
<> be burdened
Ša ǵuǵr <> be sterile / childless (person or an.) aǵuǵǝr
Ša ǵunf <> observe (get a good look at) aǵunf
Ša ǵuyy <> work but gain nothing tăǵayut
Ša mudd & + unite against / gang up on timudda
Ša sunf <> rest tăsonfat
(cursive alternatively: isinfu etc.)

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 4.15 Group XVII
This group is rather like a version of group V with a long vowel ‘u, i, a’ inserted
before the penultimate consonant. It has the following forms in the imperative:
XVIIA BǝCuDǝF
XVIIB BǝCiDǝF
XVIICa BǝCDuFǝG
XVIICb BǝCǝDBuCǝD
XVIID BǝCǝDBiCǝD
Derivatives of group XII also fall in this group.
e.g. nǝsǝBuCǝD
The imperfective has the vocalisation ‘ǝ…(ǝ)…u…ǝ…’ or
‘ǝ…(ǝ)…i…ǝ…’.
The cursive has the vocalisation ‘ti…(ǝ)…u…u…’ or
‘ti…(ǝ)…i…i…’.
The negative cursive has the vocalisation ‘tǝ…(ǝ)…u…u…’ or
‘tǝ…(ǝ)…i…i…’.
The perfective has the vocalisaton ‘ă…(ă)…a…ă…’.
The decriptive has the vocalisation ‘ă…î…(ă)…a…ă…’.

Group XVIII
This group is similar to group XII but with ‘a’ in the imperative giving the form:
XVIIIA BaCăD
Passives of group IA3 also fall in this group.
e.g. maBăC
The imperfective is vocalised ‘ă…a…a…’.
The cursive is vocalised ‘ta…a…a…’.
The negative cursive is vocalised ‘tǝ…i…i…’.
The perfective is vocalised ‘ă…e…ă…’ or
‘ă…o…ă…’.
The stative is vocalised ‘ă…ê…ă…’ or
‘ă…ô…â…’.

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Group XVII
This group is similar to group XII.
Ša Za mǝnukǝl <> be chief / rule
Ša 3msg (ad) ǝmnukǝl itimnukul wǝr itǝmnukul
Za 3msg (ad) imǝnukǝl itimǝnukul wǝr itǝmǝnukul
Ša 3msg ămnakăl ămînakăl wǝr + perfective
Za 3msg imănakăl imînakăl wǝr + perfective

Imperative Meaning Verbal Noun

Ša bǝlulăɣ <> be spherical // + follow (with eyes) ablulăɣ
Za bǝlulǝɣ <> be spherical // + follow (with eyes) abǝlulǝɣ
Ša dǝkukǝm <> tread carefully adkukǝm
Za dǝkukǝm <> tread carefully adǝkukǝm
Ša dărumǝs <> smile adrumǝs
Za dǝrumǝs <> smile adǝrumǝs
Ša ɣǝnunǝs <> hum / moan aɣnunǝs
Za ɣǝnunǝs <> hum / moan aɣǝnunǝs
Ša ɣărorǝd <> be rolled aɣrorǝd
Za ɣǝrurǝd <> be rolled aɣǝrurǝd
Ša hăruhăɣ <> flee in panic tihǝruhăɣ
Za hǝruhǝɣ <> flee in panic tihǝruhǝɣ
Ša kărukăḍ <> be ashamed tăkrakeṭṭ
Za kǝrukǝḍ <> be ashamed takărakeṭ
Ša lǝfufăɣ <> have blisters talfufăqq
Za lǝfufǝɣ <> have blisters talǝfufǝq
Ša lǝmumǝs <> be full to the brim // sneak almumǝs
Za lǝmumǝs <> be full to the brim // sneak alǝmumǝs
Ša mǝkukǝs <> be patched (clothing) amkukǝs
Za mǝkukǝs <> be patched (clothing) amǝkukǝs
Ša Za mǝnukǝl <> rule tamǝnukǝla
Ša mărumăr <> move / shake amrumăr
Za mǝrumǝr <> move / shake amǝrumǝr
Ša sǝlulǝm <> slide / slip / slither / sail aslulǝm
Za sǝlulǝm <> slide / slip / slither / sail asǝlulǝm
Ša šǝnunǝǵ <> slip away quietly / go quietly around ašnunǝǵ
Za ẓǝmumǝg <> slip away quietly aẓǝmumǝg
Derived verbs from group XII also follow this pattern:
Ša mǝsusǝn + teach each other amsusǝn
Za mǝsusǝn + teach each other amǝsusǝn
Ša nǝsǝdubǝn & intermarry ansǝdubǝn

In the following verbs ‘i’ replaces ‘u’ in each case:

Ša kǝnihăr + detest / abhor aknihăr
Ša măɣilǝd + be curious / confused amɣilǝd
Za mǝɣilǝd + be curious / confused amǝɣilǝd
Ša măɣităr <> (Ar.) be in need / difficulties tamăɣatert

203
Za mǝɣitǝr <> (Ar.) be in need / difficulties tamăɣatirt
Za mǝšidǝw & assemble / gather amǝšidǝw
Ša mǝzizăr & be in line / be in order of rank amzizăr
Za mǝzizǝr & be in line / be in order of rank amǝzizǝr
Ša nǝfilǝl <> appear anfilǝl
Za nǝfilǝl <> appear anǝfilǝl
Ša wǝšiwǝš <> be scattered awǝšiwǝš
Za wǝžiwǝž <> be scattered awǝžiwǝž
Passives and reciprocals of groups IA3, IA4 and XII, XIV etc. are also in this group.
Imperative Meaning Verbal Noun
Ša nǝmikăr & steal from each other anmikăr
Za nǝmikǝr & steal from each other anǝmikar
Ša nǝmiǵăr & be of different amounts / sizes anmiǵăr
Za nǝmigǝr & be of different amounts / sizes anǝmigar
Ša nǝmilǝl & help one another // be parallel anmilǝl
Ša nǝmirǝk & be close to one another anmirǝk
Za nǝmirǝk & be close to one another anǝmirak
Ša tǝwigăẓ <> be guarded / inherited / preserved atwigăẓ
Za tǝwigǝẓ <> be guarded / inherited / preserved atǝwigaẓ
Ša tǝwimǝd <> be gathered (fruits etc.) atwimǝd
Ša tǝwimǝl <> be praised atwimǝl
Za tǝwimǝl <> be praised atǝwimal
Ša tǝwimăr <> be ordered atwimăr
Za tǝwimǝr <> be ordered atǝwimar
Ša tǝwiḍǝn <> be missed / be felt to be lacking atwiḍǝn
Za tǝwiḍǝn <> be missed / be felt to be lacking atǝwiḍan
Ša tǝwiwǝḍ <> be arrived at (e.g. limit of patience) atwiwǝḍ
Za tǝwiwǝḍ <> be arrived at (e.g. limit of patience) atǝwiwaḍ
Ša tǝwiẓǝy <> be oppressed / ganged up on atwiẓi
Ša mǝsilǝy & be hanging in one place amsilǝy
Za mǝšilǝy & be hanging in one place amǝšilay
Ša mǝsinǝy & be new (to each other) amsini
Za mǝšinǝy & be new (to each other) amǝšinay
Ša mǝsiwǝy & send (things) to each other amsiwǝy
Za mǝšiwǝy & send (things) to each other amǝšiway
Ša tǝwǝsilǝy <> be hung atwǝsilǝy
Za tǝwǝšilǝy <> be hung atǝwǝšilay
Ša tǝwǝšǝmišǝl <> be sent atwǝšǝmišǝl
Za tǝwǝžǝmižǝl <> be sent atǝwǝzǝmizal
The passives of causatives of Group IA2 follow a group XVII pattern but sometimes
replace the ‘a’ of the perfective with an ‘o’:
Ša tǝwǝzuzǝy <> be healed / be made well vn atwǝzuzǝy
Ša 3msg (ad) ǝtwǝzuzǝy ititwǝzuzǝy wǝr itǝtwǝzuzǝy
Ša 3msg ătwăzazăy ătîwăzazăy wǝr + perfective
or 3msg ătwăzozăy ătîwăzozăy wǝr + perfective

204
Za tǝwǝzuzǝy <> be healed / be made well vn atǝwǝzuzay
Za 3msg (ad) itǝwǝzuzǝy ititwǝzuzǝy wǝr itǝtwǝzuzǝy
Za 3msg ităwăzazăy itîwăzazăy wǝr + perfective
or 3msg ităwăzozăy itîwăzozăy wǝr + perfective
Imperative Meaning Verbal Noun
Ša tǝwǝsusǝn <> be made known atwǝsusǝn
Za tǝwǝsusǝn <> be made known atǝwǝsusan
Ša tǝwǝšuǵǝš <> be put inside atwǝšuǵǝš
Za tǝwǝzugǝz <> be put inside atǝwǝzugaz
Ša tǝwǝsudăr <> be nourished atwǝsudăr
Za tǝwǝsudăr <> be nourished atǝwǝsudar
Ša tǝwǝsoɣǝl <> be returned atwǝsoɣǝl
Za tǝwǝsuɣǝl <> be returned atǝwǝsuɣal
Ša tǝwǝsumǝm <> be sucked atwǝsumǝm
Za tǝwǝsumǝm <> be sucked atǝwǝsumam
Za tǝwǝsurǝf <> be forgiven atǝwǝsurǝf

Group XVII weak ‘t’ ending

Ša mǝǵorǝt <> receive hospitality amǵoru
Za mǝgurǝt <> receive hospitality amǝguri
Ša ǵǝlubǝt + gather things in the bush aǵlubu
Ša kărurǝt <> be burned / suffer akruru / takărarit
Za kǝrurǝt <> be burned / suffer akǝruri / takărarit
Ša lǝmẓuyǝt <> be tepid / lukewarm alǝmẓuyu
Za lǝmẓuyǝt <> be tepid / lukewarm alǝmẓuyi
Ša ẓǝnbubǝt + suck aẓǝnbubu
Za sǝnbubǝt + suck asǝnbubi
Ša zărgutǝt <> get up abruptly // react quickly azărgutu
Za zǝrgutǝt <> get up abruptly // react quickly azǝrguti
Ša zǝngugǝt <> look up / stretch out to reach azǝngugu
Za zǝngugǝt <> look up / stretch out to reach azǝngugi
Ša šǝlǝnšulǝt + cut (with a sawing action) ašǝlǝnšulu
Ša kǝdǝnkudǝt + ask insistently akdǝnkudu
Za kǝdǝnkudǝt + ask insistently akǝdǝnkudi

The following are similar but with ‘i’ replacing ’u’.

Ša wǝnifǝt + desire intensly (to see s.o. / sth.) awnifi
Za wǝnifǝt + desire intensly (to see s.o. / sth.) awǝnifi
Ša šăriwǝt + search ašriwi
Za žǝriwǝt + search ažǝriwi
Ša ɣărriwǝt <> be torn aɣărriwi
Za ɣǝrriwǝt <> be torn aɣǝrriwi
Ša wǝlǝnwilǝt <> spin around awlǝnwǝli
Za wǝlǝnwilǝt <> spin around awǝlǝnwǝli

205
Group XVII vowel ending
Ša nǝyuf & be of different qualities vn anyuf
Ša 3msg (ad) inyuf itinyuf wǝr itǝnyuf
Ša 3msg ănyafa ănîyafa wǝr + perfective
Za nǝyufu & be of different qualities vn anǝyufa
Za 3msg (ad) inyufu itinyufu wǝr itǝnyufu
Za 3msg inăyafa inîyafa wǝr + perfective
Ša tăror + descend to atror
Ša nǝmišk & miss (each other) / disagree anmišk
Ša tǝwis <> be found / be arrived at atwis
Za tǝwisu <> be found / be arrived at atǝwisa
Ša tǝwǝsibi <> be mislaid / be lost atwǝsibi

4.16 Group XVIII

The simple verbs of this class (i.e. Prasse’s Group XVIIIA1) are almost entirely
resticted to Tamaghit, but the derived verbs belong to both dialects.
Ša sakăl <> travel
Ša 3msg (ad) ăsakăl itasakal wǝr itǝsikil
Ša 3msg ăsekăl ăsêkăl wǝr + perfective
Imperative Meaning Verbal Noun
Ša fadăy <> be chaffed afidi
Ša ǵawăḍ <> flee aǵiwăḍ
Ša harăǵ & be the neighbour of ahăroǵ
Ša hawăl <> speak / rant / # rebuke (s.o.) ahiwǝl
Ša kawăn <> reply / answer / obey akiwǝn
Ša sakăl <> travel asikǝl
Ša žawăb <> (Ar.) reply / preach ălžăwab
This verb has the weak ‘t’ ending:
Ša lawăt <> rejoice tălawit
This common verb has an irregular formation:
Ša dabăt + be able (to do) vn ădabu / tădabit
Ša 3msg udabăt itudabăt wǝr itudabăt
Ša 3msg ăddobăt ăddôbăt wǝr + perfective

Passives of 1A3
Both Tamaghit and Tudalt follow this pattern but with some differences:
Ša makăr <> be stolen
Ša 3msg (ad) ămakăr itamakar wǝr itǝmikir
Ša 3msg ămekăr ămêkăr wǝr + perfective
Za makăr <> be stolen
Za 3msg (ad) ămmakăr itamakar wǝr itǝmikir
Za 3msg immokăr immôkăr wǝr + perfective
(Sometimes Tudalt verbs have ‘e’ in place of ‘o’.)

206
 Imperative Meaning Verbal Noun
Ša madăw <> be / become (s.o.’s) friend tǝmmidwa
Za madăw <> be / become (s.o.’s) friend tǝmmidǝwa
Ša nahăẓ & be near to each other anehăẓ
Za nahăẓ & be near to each other anihǝẓ
Ša makăr <> be stolen amikăr
Za makăr <> be stolen amikǝr
Ša Za nalăm <> be open anilǝm
Ša Za nalăs <> be repeated anilǝs
Ša Za malăy <> be cut (with knife) / be harvested // amilǝy
<> be circumcised / be castrated
Ša mahăɣ <> be taken by force / pillaged amehăɣ
Ša nahăɣ <> be / get used to anehăɣ
Ša mašăl <> be sent / do (good) work ămašal
Ša mawăḍ <> arrive (at adulthood) ămmiwăḍ
Za mawăḍ <> arrive (at adulthood) ǝmmiwǝḍ
Ša Za mawăy <> be taken amiwǝy
Za mazăl <> be sent / do (good) work ămazal
The passives in ‘t’ form on the same pattern. Tudalt also has ‘e’ in the perfective
with all these.
Ša Za tarăw <> be parent of tǝttirǝwa
Ša Za talăm <> be open atilǝm
Ša Za tamăl <> be praised atimǝl

Vowel Endings
The following verbs have vowel endings (like group III vowel endings).
Ša Za fat <> be deprived / waste (time) ăfitŠa ăfitiZa
Ša mar <> be open amer
Za maru <> be open amiri
Ša naf <> yield a good harvest ănaf
Za nafu <> yield a good harvest ănaf
Za maɣu <> be taken by force / pillaged amiɣi

Irregular
The following verbs are similar to this group:
Ša haǵ + stay a long time vn tăhaǵit
Ša 3msg (ad) ăhaǵ itahaǵ(a) wǝr itǝhiǵ(i)
Ša 3msg ăhoǵa ăhôǵa wǝr + perfective
Ša han <> move house / move camp ihinan
This set is considered part of this group as it has similar vocalisation:
Ša ẓawwăt <> be expensive / difficult vn ăẓẓǝwi / aẓwi
Ša 3msg (ad) ăẓẓawwăt itaẓăwwat wǝr itǝẓǝwwit
Ša 3msg ăẓẓuwwăt ăẓẓûwwăt wǝr + perfective

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 4.17 Group IA1 causative (includes IA5 and group III)

Tamaghit
sǝlmǝd ‘teach’ Imperative sg sǝlmǝd
mpl sǝlmǝdăt
fpl sǝlmǝdmăt

Imperfective Cursive Negative cursive

1sg (ad) sǝlmǝdăɣ salmadăɣ wăr sǝlmidăɣ
2sg (ad) sǝlmǝdăd salmadăd wăr sǝlmidăd
3msg (ad) isǝlmǝd isalmad wǝr isǝlmid
3fsg (ad) sǝlmǝd salmad wăr sǝlmid
1pl (ad) nǝsǝlmǝd nǝsalmad wăr nǝsǝlmid
2mpl (ad) sǝlmǝdăm salmadăm wăr sǝlmidăm
2fpl (ad) sǝlmǝdmăt salmadmăt wăr sǝlmidmăt
3mpl (ad) sǝlmǝdăn salmadăn wăr sǝlmidăn
3fpl (ad) sǝlmǝdnăt salmadnăt wăr sǝlmidnăt
(short form: isălmad etc.)

Participles
msg maden isǝlmǝd isalmadăn wăren isǝlmid
fsg maden sǝlmǝd salmadăt wăren sǝlmid
pl maden isǝlmǝd salmadnen wăren isǝlmid

The perfective / stative forms just like group III, so only two examples are given
here:
Perfective Stative Negative
3msg ǝssǝlmăd ăssîlmăd wǝr ǝssǝlmăd
3mpl ǝssǝlmădăn ăssîlmădăn wǝr ǝssǝlmădăn

Note:
There is a second form used with a few verbs. Occasionally the two forms differ in
meaning. This form seems to be restricted to Tamaghit for IA1 verbs, I know of no
Tudalt examples, e.g.:
Ša sǝssǝlmǝd ‘teach’
Imperfective Cursive Negative Cursive
3msg (ad) isǝssǝlmǝd isasălmad wǝr isǝsǝlmid
3mpl (ad) sǝssǝlmǝdăn sasălmadăn wăr sǝsǝlmidăn
(short form: isăsălmad’ etc.)

Perfective Stative Negative

3msg ăssălmăd ăsîsălmăd
3mpl ăssălmădăn ăsîsălmădăn wǝr + perfective

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 Group IA1 causative (includes IA5 and group III)

Tudalt
sǝlmǝd ‘teach’ Imperative sg sǝlmǝd
mpl sǝlmǝdăt
fpl sǝlmǝdmăt

Imperfective Cursive Negative cursive

1sg (ad) ǝssǝlmǝdăɣ salmadăɣ wǝr sǝlmidăɣ
2sg (ad) tǝssǝlmǝdăd salmadăd wǝr sǝlmidăd
3msg (ad) issǝlmǝd isalmad wǝr isǝlmid
3fsg (ad) tǝssǝlmǝd salmad wǝr sǝlmid
1pl (ad) nǝssǝlmǝd nǝsalmad wǝr nǝsǝlmid
2mpl (ad) tǝssǝlmǝdăm salmadăm wǝr sǝlmidăm
2fpl (ad) tǝssǝlmǝdmăt salmadmăt wǝr sǝlmidmăt
3mpl (ad) ǝssǝlmǝdăn salmadăn wǝr sǝlmidăn
3fpl (ad) ǝssǝlmǝdnăt salmadnăt wǝr sǝlmidnăt

Participles
msg z-issǝlmǝdăn isalmadăn wǝr nǝsǝlmid
fsg za-tǝssǝlmǝdăt salmadăt wǝr nǝsǝlmid
pl z-ǝssǝlmǝdnen salmadnen wǝr nǝsǝlmid
c(neg) wǝr za-nǝssǝlmǝd

The perfective / stative forms just like group III, so only two examples are given
here:
Perfective Stative Negative
3msg issǝlmăd issîlmăd
3mpl ǝssǝlmădăn ǝssîlmădăn wǝr + perfective
etc.

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Group IA1 Causative verbs
Imperative Meaning Verbal Noun
Ša Za sǝbdǝd + make (s.o.) stand up / stop asǝbdǝd
Ša sǝbdǝǵ + wet / dampen (sth.) asǝbdǝǵ
Za sǝbdǝg + wet / dampen (sth.) asǝbdǝg
Ša Za sǝbdǝn + cause paralysis asǝbdǝn
Ša sǝbdăr + give a souvenir (gift after a journey) asǝbdăr
Za sǝbdǝr + give a souvenir (gift after a journey) asǝbdǝr
Ša sǝbrăr + disregard / disrespect asǝbrăr
Za sǝbrǝr + disregard / disrespect asǝbrǝr
Ša Za sǝbsǝy + melt (metal) / dismantle (sth.) asǝbsǝy
Ša sǝdnǝs + calm (s.o. / sth.) down asǝdnǝs
Ša sǝdrăr + calm (s.o. / sth.) down asǝdrăr
Za sǝdrǝr + calm (s.o. / sth.) down asǝdrǝr
Ša Za sǝdwǝl + bring up (children) / grow (plants) asǝdwǝl
Ša săṭkăr + have (sth.) filled asăṭkăr
Za sǝṭkǝr + have (sth.) filled asǝṭkǝr
Ša săḍlǝm + make (s.o.) do wrong // + accuse asăḍlǝm
Za sǝḍlǝm + make (s.o.) do wrong // + accuse as,ḍlǝm
Ša Za sǝfhǝm + make (s.o.) understand asǝfhǝm
Ša sǝfrăḍ + sweep asǝfrăḍ
Za sǝfrǝḍ + sweep asǝfrǝḍ
Ša sǝfrăɣ + bend (sth.) // slander (s.o.) asǝfrăɣ
Za sǝfrǝɣ + bend (sth.) // slander (s.o.) asǝfrǝɣ
Ša sǝfrăr + honour/ exalt // sweep asǝfrăr
Za sǝfrǝr + honour/ exalt // sweep asǝfrǝr
Ša Za sǝfsǝs + make (sth.) light / lighten asǝfsǝs
Ša sǝǵbăr + copy asǝǵbăr
Za sǝgbǝr + copy asǝgbǝr
Ša Za sǝgdǝl + retort / reply / parry / block asǝgdǝl
Ša sǝǵrăh + look at / consider / see to asǝǵrăh
Ša sǝssǝǵrăh + make (sth.) understood / clear asǝssǝǵrăh
Ša sǝǵrǝw + cause to get / give (illness etc.) asǝǵrǝw
Za sǝgrǝw + cause to get / give (illness etc.) asǝgrǝw
Ša šǝǵyǝš + immunise / inject / scar ašǝǵyǝš
Za zǝgyǝz + immunise / inject / scar azǝgyǝz
Ša Za zǝgzǝl + make (sth.) short / shorten azǝgzǝl
Ša Za ẓǝgẓǝn + believe (in God) / accept (fate) aẓǝgẓǝn
Ša săɣlǝf ++ entrust (sth. to s.o.) asăɣlǝf
Za sǝɣlǝf ++ entrust (sth. to s.o.) asǝɣlǝf
Ša săɣlǝs + save / rescue / protect asăɣlǝs
Za sǝɣlǝs + save / rescue / protect asǝɣlǝs
Ša săɣlǝy + take a detour / avoid asăɣlǝy
Za sǝɣlǝy + take a detour / avoid asǝɣlǝy
Ša šăɣšǝd + spoil (sth.) / discourage (s.o.) ašăɣšǝd
Za šǝɣšǝd + spoil (sth.) / discourage (s.o.) ašǝɣšǝd
Ša Za sǝktǝb + have (sth.) written / asǝktǝb
++ get (s.o.) to write (sth.)
Za zǝkmǝz + scratch (an itch) azǝkmǝz

210
Ša Za sǝknǝw + have twins asǝknǝw
Ša Za sǝkrǝs + have (sth.) built asǝkrǝs
Za sǝksǝḍ + scare / be dangerous asǝksǝḍ
Ša Za sǝkwǝl + blacken (sth.) / make (sth.) black asǝkwǝl
Ša sǝlkăḍ # go out to meet (s.o.) asǝlkăḍ
Za sǝlkǝḍ # go out to meet (s.o.) asǝlkǝḍ
Ša Za sǝlmǝd + teach asǝlmǝd
Ša sǝlmăḍ + soften asǝlmăḍ
Za sǝlmǝḍ + soften asǝlmǝḍ
Ša sǝlmăɣ + dip (in liquid) / baptise asǝlmăɣ
Za sǝlmǝɣ + dip (in liquid) / baptise asǝlmǝɣ
Ša Za zǝlzǝm + oblige (s.o. to do sth.) azǝlzǝm
Ša sǝmbăr + shepherd (animals) at night asǝmbăr
Za sǝmbǝr + shepherd (animals) at night asǝmbǝr
Ša sǝmɣăr + respect / honour s.o. asǝmɣăr
Za sǝmɣǝr + respect / honour s.o. asǝmɣǝr
Ša Za sǝmlǝl + whiten / bleach (sth.) / asǝmlǝl
+ make (sth.) white
Ša Za sǝmrǝw <> be pregnant (woman) asǝmrǝw
Ša Za sǝmsǝd + sharpen asǝmsǝd
Za sǝngǝy + make (s.o.) refuse asǝngǝy
Ša săŋɣǝl + pour / spill asăŋɣǝl
Za sǝnɣǝl + pour / spill asǝnɣǝl
Za zǝnɣǝz + cough up / spit out (phlegm) azǝnɣǝz
Ša Za sǝnkǝl + dirty / make (sth.) dirty asǝnkǝl
Ša sǝnkăr + get (s.o.) up / rouse / raise asǝnkăr
Za sǝnkǝr + get (s.o.) up / rouse / raise asǝnkǝr
Ša sǝssǝnkăr + get up / set off (for) before dawn asǝssǝnkăr
Za sǝssǝnkǝr + get up / set off (for) before dawn asǝssǝnkǝr
Ša sǝssǝnkǝy + send a gift (of food etc.) asǝssǝnkǝy
Ša šǝnkǝš + move (sth.) / <> move (oneself) ašǝnkǝš
Za zǝnkǝz + move (sth.) / <> move (oneself) azǝnkǝz
Ša Za sǝnkǝs + breast feed / give suck asǝnkǝs
Ša šǝnšǝš + sieve / strain ašǝnšǝš
Za zǝnzǝz + sieve / strain azǝnzǝz
Ša šărgǝš + make (s.o.) walk // # visit (lover or friend) ašărgǝš
Ša sărɣǝs + make (sth.) easy // + facilitate asărɣǝs
Za sǝrɣǝs + make (sth.) easy // + facilitate asǝrɣǝs
Ša sărhǝn + make (s.o.) ill asărhǝn
Ša Za sǝrkǝm + make (sth.) weak / brittle asǝrkǝm
Ša Za sǝrkǝn + stop (sth.) abruptly asǝrkǝn
Ša sărmăɣ + scare / shock (s.o.) asărmăɣ
Za sǝrmǝɣ + scare / shock (s.o.) asǝrmǝɣ
Ša Za sǝrmǝm + tighten, attach / fit (sth. into sth.) asǝrmǝm
Za sǝrwǝɣ + make (sth.) yellow asǝrwǝɣ
Ša Za sǝrtǝy + mix together / add (sth. to sth.) asǝrtǝy
Ša Za sǝsdǝd + make (sth.) thin asǝsdǝd
Ša sǝskăr + sit (sth.) on its base asǝskăr
Za sǝskǝr + sit (sth.) on its base asǝskǝr

211
Ša Za sǝslǝl + make (sth.) smooth asǝslǝl
Ša Za sǝslǝy + curdle (milk) / leave to curdle asǝslǝy
Ša Za sǝstǝn + ask (question) asǝstan
Ša sǝsmăḍ + cool asǝsmăḍ
Za sǝsmǝḍ + cool asǝsmǝḍ
Ša Za sǝsmǝm + make (sth.) bitter asǝsmǝm
Ša Za sǝsnǝn + cause pain / hurt (s.o.) asǝsnǝn
Ša šǝšdǝǵ + clean / cleanse ašǝšdǝǵ
Ša šǝšlǝy + miss (target etc.) ašǝšlǝy
Ša šǝšwăɣ + redden (sth.) / make (sth.) red ašǝšwăɣ
Ša Za sǝtbǝt + be sure / confirm asǝtbǝt
Ša sǝwrăɣ + make (sth.) yellow asǝwraɣ
Ša šǝwšăr + make (sth.) old / age (sth.) ašǝwšăr
Za šǝwšǝr + make (sth.) old / age (sth.) ašǝwšǝr
Ša săxrǝk + deceive / lead astray asăxrǝk
Za sǝxrǝk + deceive / lead astray asǝxrǝk
Ša săxsǝl + assure / ensure // put (s.o.) in extremis asăxsǝl
Za sǝxsǝl + assure / ensure // put (s.o.) in extremis asǝxsǝl
Za zǝzdǝg + clean / cleanse azǝzdǝg
Za zǝzlǝy + miss (target etc.) azǝzlǝy
Za zǝzwǝɣ + redden (sth.) / make (sth.) red azǝzwǝɣ
Za žǝžwǝl + brand (sth.) / mark (sth.) ažǝžwǝl
Ša ẓăẓlǝy + separate / distinguish / marry aẓăẓlǝy
Za ẓǝẓlǝy + separate / distinguish / marry aẓǝẓlǝy

In Tamaghit there is a second form of the verbal noun with ‘a’, asǝbdad etc. (which is
the usual form in Tadghaq). Note: asǝstan has this form for both Tamaghit and
Tudalt.

Causative IA5/6
This is of the same form as as IA1:
Ša Za sǝgǝd # listen
Ša 3msg (ad) isǝgǝd isagad wǝr isǝgid
Ša 3msg ăsgăd ăsîgăd wǝr + perfective
Za 3msg (ad) issǝgǝd isagad wǝr isǝgid
Za 3msg issǝgăd issîgăd wǝr + perfective
Imperative Meaning Verbal Noun
Ša sǝdǝw + gather together / save up asǝdǝw
Ša săḍǝn + give pasture / shepherd asăḍǝn
Za sǝḍǝn + give pasture / shepherd asǝḍǝn
Ša sǝfǝl + put a roof on (sth.) asǝfǝl
Ša Za sǝgǝd # Ša listen / obey // Za # wait for asǝgǝd
Ša sǝǵǝn + cause to kneel (e.g. camel) asǝǵǝn
Za sǝgǝn + cause to kneel (e.g. camel) asǝgǝn
Ša săɣăr + dry (sth.) asăɣăr
Za sǝɣǝr + dry (sth.) asǝɣǝr
Ša săɣǝf + annoy (s.o.) asăɣǝf

212
Za sǝɣǝf + annoy (s.o.) asǝɣǝf
Ša săɣǝl <> yawn asăɣǝl
Za sǝɣǝl <> yawn asǝɣǝl
Ša săhăḍ + blow asăhăḍ
Za sǝhǝḍ + blow asǝhǝḍ
Za sǝrǝg + allow / <> be allowed asǝrǝg
Za sǝrǝn + make (s.o.) sick / cause illness asǝrǝn
Ša Za sǝrǝs + lower (sth.) / Ša put (sth.) inside asǝrǝs
Za sǝtǝg + hawk (goods) asǝtǝg
Ša Za sǝwǝl + chew (cud) // cause (sth.) to turn asǝwǝl
Ša sǝwăr + put (sth.) onto (sth.) / cover // asǝwăr
+ wear (headscarf) // ++ oblige (s.o.) to …
Za sǝwǝr + put (sth.) onto (sth.) / cover // asǝwǝr
+ wear (headscarf) // ++ oblige (s.o.) to …
Za sǝwǝs + boil (water) // exact tribute asǝwǝs
Ša zǝzăr + appoint as leader azǝzăr
Ša Za sǝžǝd <> (Ar.) worship / bow down asǝžǝd

Group III causative

This also follows the IA1 pattern:
Ša sǝbbǝlǝl + provide for (generously)
Ša 3msg (ad) isǝbbǝlǝl isabălal wǝr isǝbǝlil
Ša 3msg ăsbălăl ăsîbălăl wǝr + perfective
Za sǝbbǝlǝl + provide for (generously)
Za 3msg (ad) isǝbbǝlǝl isabălal wǝr isǝbǝlil
Za 3msg isăbbălăl isîbălăl wǝr + perfective
Za 3mpl săbbălălăn sîbălălăn wǝr + perfective
Imperative Meaning Verbal Noun
Ša sǝbbăhǝw + contradict (s.o.) / expose (s.o.’s) lies asǝbbăhǝw
Za sǝbbǝhǝw + contradict (s.o.) / expose (s.o.’s) lies asǝbbǝhǝw
Ša Za sǝbbǝlǝl + provide for (generously) asǝbbǝlǝl
Ša sǝbbărǝk + return a greeting asǝbbărǝk

Ša săqqǝsǝn + clean teeth (with stick) asăqqǝsǝn

Za sǝqqǝsǝn + clean teeth (with stick) asǝqqǝsǝn
Ša šăqqǝšǝm + clear throat (menacingly) ašăqqǝšǝm
Ša Za sǝkkǝdǝw + prepare food / cook asǝkkǝdǝw
Ša Za sǝkkǝlǝl <> cry / wail / bawl asǝkkǝlǝl
Ša Za sǝllǝkǝn # submit asǝllǝkǝn
Ša sǝmmăḍǝs + make (s.o.) ritually unclean asǝmmăḍǝs
Za sǝmmǝḍǝs + make (s.o.) ritually unclean asǝmmǝḍǝs
Ša Za sǝmmǝgǝl + look after / treat (with medicine) asǝmmǝgǝl
Ša sǝmmăhăḍ + vow // threaten asǝmmăhăḍ
Za sǝmmǝhǝḍ + vow // threaten asǝmmǝhǝḍ
Za sǝmmǝnǝy + & make (s.o.) meet (s.o.) asǝmmǝnǝy
Ša sǝmmǝtăr + counsel / order asǝmmǝtăr
Za sǝmmǝtǝr + counsel / order asǝmmǝtǝr

213
Ša Za sǝnnǝfǝs + recount (an event / story) asǝnnǝfǝs
Ša sǝnnăhǝl + make ones way towards / approach asǝnnăhǝl
Za sǝnnǝhǝl + make ones way towards / approach asǝnnǝhǝl
Ša Za sǝbbǝnnǝn + reject (s.o.) asǝbbǝnnǝn
Ša Za sǝbbǝytǝl + let (s.o.) down // disappoint (s.o.) asǝbbǝytǝl
Za sǝddǝrgǝn # listen to / obey asǝddǝrgǝn
Za sǝffǝkkǝr + expose / denounce asǝffǝkkǝr
Ša Za sǝffǝnnǝy + boast / exaggerate asǝffǝnnǝy
Za žǝqqǝžǝm <> clear throat (menacingly) ažǝqqǝžǝm
Za šǝhhǝššǝl ++ oblige (s.o.) to do (sth.) ašǝhhǝššǝl
Za šǝkkǝmbǝš <> be veiled // + put on headscarf ăšǝkkǝmbǝš
Ša ẓǝkkǝnẓăr <> be troubled / sad / upset aẓǝkkǝnẓăr
Za ẓǝkkǝnẓǝr <> be troubled / sad / upset aẓǝkkǝnẓǝr
Ša sǝllăqqǝw + make (s.o.) poor asǝllăqqǝw
Za sǝllǝqqǝw + make (s.o.) poor asǝllǝqqǝw
Ša sǝmmăḍrǝy + make (sth.) small // humiliate (s.o.) asǝmmăḍrǝy
Za sǝmmǝḍrǝy + make (sth.) small // humiliate (s.o.) asǝmmǝḍrǝy
Za sǝmmǝttǝy + change (sth.) asǝmmǝtti
Za sǝssǝggǝl + look for (missing an.) asǝssǝggǝl
Za sǝttǝnkǝl + hide (sth.) from view asǝttǝnkǝl
Ša ẓăẓẓǝydăr + be patient / calm aẓăẓẓǝydăr
Za ẓǝẓẓǝydǝr + be patient / calm aẓǝẓẓǝydǝr
Ša Za sǝrrǝwrǝw <> cry out (cry of alarm) asǝrrǝwrǝw

The causative of the reflexive of group IA1

These are also like group III causative:
Ša Za sǝmmǝkrǝs + join together/ knot // join in marriage asǝmmǝkrǝs
Ša sǝnnǝǵrăh + explain asǝnnǝǵrăh
Ša sǝmmǝǵrǝw + do magic asǝmmǝǵru
Za sǝmmǝgrǝw + do magic asǝmmǝgru
Ša Za sǝnnǝfrǝn + choose asǝnnǝfrǝn
Ša Za sǝmmǝlkǝw + give (sth.) away asǝmmǝlku
Ša sǝmmǝnhǝy + & make (s.o.) meet (s.o.) asǝmmǝnhi
Ša sǝmmǝnkǝd + make tired / punish asǝmmǝnkǝd
Ša sǝmmǝnkăḍ + circumcise / castrate asǝmmǝnkăḍ
Za sǝmmǝnkǝḍ + circumcise / castrate asǝmmǝnkǝḍ
Ša ẓǝmmăẓlǝy + separate / distinguish aẓǝmmăẓli
Za ẓǝmmǝẓlǝy + separate / distinguish aẓǝmmǝẓli
Ša Za zǝmmǝzzǝy + divorce azǝmmǝzzi
Ša sǝnnǝmmăr + give thanks / praise asǝnnǝmmăr
Za sǝnnǝmmǝr + give thanks / praise asǝnnǝmmǝr
Ša sǝmmărwǝs + give / take a loan // buy on credit asǝmmărwǝs
Za sǝmmǝrwǝs + give / take a loan // buy on credit asǝmmǝrwǝs
Ša Za sǝmmǝskǝl + exchange (e.g. money for goods) asǝmmǝskǝl
Ša sǝnnǝšlǝm <> glance behind ašǝnnǝšlǝm
Za zǝnnǝzlǝm <> glance behind azǝnnǝzlǝm
Ša Za sǝttǝrmǝs <> have (s.o.) arrested asǝttǝrmǝs

214
Group III verbs with weak ‘t’ endings
These follow the same pattern (see group III weak ‘t’ endings for details).
Ša Za sǝddǝwǝt + make (s.o.) happy
Ša Za 3msg (ad) isǝddǝwǝt isadăwat wǝr isǝdǝwit
Ša 3msg ăsdăwăt ăsîdăwăt wǝr + perfective
Za 3msg isăddăwăt isîdăwăt wǝr + perfective
Imperative Meaning Verbal Noun
Ša Za sǝddǝwǝt + make (s.o.) happy asǝddǝwi
Ša Za sǝmmǝkǝt + put out / extinguish (fire) asǝmmǝki
Ša săqqărǝt + shout / cry out asăqqări
Za sǝqqǝrǝt + shout / cry out asǝqqǝri
Ša Za sǝssǝllǝt + venerate asǝssǝlli

Ša sǝllǝnǵǝt ++ put (e.g. bucket) on (s.o.’s) head asǝllǝnǵi

Za sǝllǝngǝt ++ put (e.g. bucket) on (s.o.’s) head asǝllǝngi
Ša sǝwwǝyhǝt + marry (captive) / take a concubine asǝwwǝyhi
Ša šǝššǝǵrǝt + lengthen ašǝššǝǵri
Za zǝzzǝgrǝt + lengthen azǝzzǝgri
Za sǝbbǝrgǝt + lift (lid) / detach asǝbbǝrgi
Za sǝmmǝgnǝt + get (things) ready asǝmmǝgni
Za sǝbbǝqqǝt + burst (sth.) / make (sth.) explode asǝbbǝqqi
Za sǝddǝttǝt + be sure (of sth.) / ensure (sth.) asǝddǝtti
Za zǝzzǝbbǝt + unload / take things down azǝzzǝbbi
Za sǝllǝllǝt + honour (s.o.) asǝllǝlli

Group III causative vowel ending

The vowel ending works similarly (see group III vowel ending for details of endings).
Ša sǝddǝrf + set free (a slave) asǝddǝrf
Za sǝddǝrfu + set free (a slave) asǝddǝrfi
Ša sǝffǝyk + rummage through (sth.) asǝffǝyk
Za sǝffǝyku + rummage through (sth.) asǝffǝyki
Ša săqqǝym + make (s.o.) sit / make (s.o.) stay asăqqǝym
Za sǝqqǝymu + make (s.o.) sit / make (s.o.) stay asǝqqǝymi
Ša săhhǝdd + count on / lean on asăhhǝdd
Za sǝhhǝddu + count on / lean on asǝhhǝddi
Ša zǝggǝzz + examine (sth.) carefully azǝggǝzz
Za zǝggǝzzu + examine (sth.) carefully azǝggǝzzi
Za sănnăgru ++ make (s.o.) understand (sth.) asǝnnǝgri
Ša sǝmmǝkt + bring (sth.) to mind asǝmmǝkti
Za sǝmmǝktu + bring (sth.) to mind asǝmmǝkti
Za sǝggǝnfu ++ give (s.o.) a large share in (sth.) asǝggǝnfi
Ša sǝmmǝnd + finish / complete (sth.) // asmǝnd
+ wear (sth.) out
Za sǝmmǝndu + finish / complete (sth.) // asmǝndi
+ wear (sth.) out
Ša sǝnnǝbḍ + divide / separate asnǝbḍ
Za sǝnnǝbḍu + divide / separate asnǝbḍi

215
 4.18 Group IA2 causative
The unusual form of this group is best understood on the basis of Prasse’s
hypothesis that group IA2 verbs are derived from the form ‘ǝwBǝC’, e.g. ǝkkǝs was
originally ǝwkǝs from which its causative would be sǝwkǝs hence sukǝs.
Ša Za susǝm <> say nothing / shut up / be quiet
Ša 3msg (ad) isusǝm isisum wǝr isisum
Ša 3msg ăssosăm ăssôsăm wǝr + perfective
Za 3msg (ad) issusǝm isusum wǝr isusum
Za 3msg issosăm issôsăm wǝr + perfective
Imperative Meaning Verbal Noun
Ša sudăr + nourish / give life / look after asudăr
Za sudǝr + nourish / give life / look after asudǝr
Ša Za sufǝd + lend / borrow (an item) asufǝd
Ša šugǝš + put inside ašugǝš
Za zugǝz + put inside azugǝz
Ša soɣǝl + put back / repeat / report asoɣǝl
Za suɣǝl + put back / repeat / report asuɣǝl
Ša Za sukǝs ++ have (s.o.) remove (sth.) asukǝs
Ša Za sukǝs + heat (sth.) (Group II caus.) asukǝs
Ša Za sumǝm + suck asumǝm
Za surǝf # forgive asurǝf
Ša Za susǝn * + teach / make known / declare asusǝn
Ša Za susǝm <> say nothing / shut up / be quiet asusǝm
Ša Za sutǝf + spit asutǝf
Ša sutăr + ask in marriage asutăr
Za sutǝr + ask in marriage asutǝr
Ša Za zuzǝy * + heal azuzǝy
Za zuzǝr + winnow azuzǝr
Ša ẓoẓǝǵ * + milk aẓoẓǝǵ
Za ẓuẓǝg + milk aẓuẓǝg
Za ẓuẓǝr + cause pain / make (sth.) hurt aẓuẓǝr
The verbs marked * do not geminate the first consonant in the perfective / stative
forms in Tamaghit (and Tadghaq). Thus : ăsosăn, ăzozăy, ăẓoẓăǵ etc.
Rarely a doubled ‘s’ form may be encountered. Note the similarity between this
form and group XII causative:
Ša sǝssukǝs ++ make (s.o.) remove (sth.)
Ša 3msg (ad) isǝssukǝs isisukus wǝr isǝsukus
Ša 3msg ăssakăs ăsîsakăs wǝr+ perfective
Za sǝssukǝs ++ make (s.o.) remove (sth.)
Za 3msg (ad) isǝssukǝs isisukus wǝr isǝsukus
Za 3msg isăssakăs isîsakăs wǝr+ perfective

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Group IA9 verbs follow this pattern too but with vowel endings. In Tamaghit, they
form like group III vowel endings except in the cursive where they are like group
1A8. In Tudalt, they are like group IA7 causative.
Ša suk ++ send (s.o. or sth.) to
Ša 3msg (ad) isuk isiku wǝr isiku
Ša 3msg ăssoka ăssôka wăr ăssoka
Za suku ++ send (s.o. or sth.) to
Za 3msg (ad) isuku isuku wǝr isuku
Za 3msg issoka issôka wǝr issoka
Imperative Meaning Verbal Noun
Ša suk ++ send (s.o. or sth.) to asuk
Za suku ++ send (s.o. or sth.) to asuki
Ša sǝssuk ++ send (s.o or sth.) to asǝssuk
Ša suf + prefer (sth.) (# to sth. else) tăsafit
Ša sǝssuf ++ make (sth.) better // prefer (sth.) asǝssuf
Za sǝssufu ++ make (sth.) better // prefer (sth.) asǝssufi
Ša suǵ + look (down) into / look in on (s.o.) asuǵ
Za sugu + look (down) into / look in on (s.o.) asugi
Ša sord ++ cause (s.o.) to believe (sth.) asord
Ša šuš + have (sth.) flayed ašuš
Za zuzu + have (sth.) flayed azuzi
Ša šorš <> wail tăšoršat
These verbs follow the same pattern in the cursive and perfective:
Ša seḍu + throw down / make (s.o.) fall aseḍu
Za siḍu + throw down / make (s.o.) fall asiḍu
Ša siǵnu + rebuke / correct asiǵnu
Za šignu + rebuke / correct ašignu

IB1 causative
This group is all Tamaghit. Tudalt equivalents are in group IA1 causative.
Ša sunsǝǵ + sniff / smell (sth.)
Ša 3msg (ad) isunsǝǵ isinsuǵ wǝr isinsuǵ
Ša 3msg ăssunsăǵ ăssûnsăǵ wǝr + perfective
Ša sudmăr # reply asudmăr
Ša šukmǝš + scratch (an itch) ašukmǝš
Ša suksăḍ + scare / be dangerous asuksăḍ
Ša soxsǝd + scare / be dangerous asoxsǝd
Ša sunfǝs <> breathe asunfǝs
Ša šonɣǝš + cough up / spit out (phlegm) ašonɣǝš
Ša sunsǝǵ + sniff / smell (sth.) asunsǝǵ
Ša šunšăr + blow (nose) ašunšăr
Ša sorhǝǵ + allow // <> be allowed asorhǝǵ
Ša zuzzăr + winnow azuzzăr
Ša sunǵǝy + make (s.o.) refuse asunǵǝy

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 4.19 Group IA3 causative
The Tamaghit and Tudalt forms for this group are somewhat different.

Tamaghit
Ša silǝy + hang (sth.)
Ša 3msg (ad) isilǝy isalay wǝr isiliy
Ša 3msg ăsselăy ăssêlăy wǝr + perfective
Imperative Meaning Verbal Noun
Ša silǝy + hang (sth.) asilǝy
Ša šišǝl + draw (water) / make (s.o.) run ašišǝl
Ša ẓigăẓ + protect / look after aẓigăẓ
Ša siwǝs + exact / receive tribute / tax asiwǝs
Ša seḍǝn + count // settle accounts aseḍǝn
Ša silăh + compare asilăh
Ša sirǝd + wash asirǝd
Ša siwăḍ + increase asiwăḍ
Ša sifǝl + tan (leather) asifǝl
Ša silǝl + lob / put (sth.) on (sth. high) asilǝl
Ša ẓeẓăr + cause pain / make (sth.) hurt aẓeẓăr
In Tamaghit causatives of some group II verbs also follow this pattern:
Ša sigdăh + make equal asigdăh
Ša šišwǝl + brand (sth.) / mark (sth.) ašišwǝl
Ša seṭṭǝd + batter (leather) (to soften it) aseṭṭǝd
Ša sitǝǵ + hawk (goods) asitǝǵ

Tudalt
Za šilǝy hang (sth.)
Za 3msg (ad) iššilǝy išalay wǝr išiliy
Za 3msg iššolăy iššôlăy wǝr + perfective
Imperative Meaning Verbal Noun
Za šilǝy + hang (sth.) ašilǝy
Za žižǝl + draw (water) / make (s.o.) run ažižǝl
Za širǝd + wash aširǝd
Za šikǝl <> travel ašikǝl
Za šiḍǝn + count // settle accounts ašiḍǝn
Za šinǝn + train / break in (animal) ašinǝn
Za šifǝl + tan (leather) ašifǝl

Tudalt group IA4 verbs are similar but have ‘e’ in the place of ‘o’ in the perfective
(like Tamaghit), e.g. iššewăl.
Imperative Meaning Verbal Noun
Za šiwǝl <> speak ašiwǝl
Za šiwǝḍ + increase ašiwǝḍ
The following verb (group II causative) also has ‘e’ in the perfective:
Za šidǝw + gather together / assemble / ašidǝw
+ save up

218
In both dialects there is an alternative form with double ‘s’. Note the similarity
between this group and Group XVIII causative:
Ša sǝssiwǝl + play (radio)
Ša 3msg (ad) isǝssiwǝl isasawal wǝr isǝsiwil
Ša 3msg ăssawăl ăsîsawăl wăr + perfective
Za sǝssiwǝl + have (sth.) watched
Za 3msg (ad) isǝssiwǝl isasawal wǝr isǝsiwil
Za 3msg isăssawăl isîsawăl wǝr + perfective
Ša sǝssiwǝl + play (radio) / make (s.o.) speak asǝssiwǝl
Za sǝssiwǝl + have (sth.) guarded / asǝssiwǝl
+ have (an.) shepherded
Za šǝššiwǝl + play (radio) / make (s.o.) speak ašǝššiwǝl
Ša sǝsseɣǝd + correct / make straight asǝsseɣǝd
Za sǝssiɣǝd + correct / make straight asǝssiɣǝd
Ša sǝssilăh + compare asǝssilăh
Ša sǝssiwăḍ + cause to arrive asǝssiwăḍ
Za sǝssiwǝḍ + cause to arrive asǝssiwǝḍ
Ša Za sǝssiwǝy + send (something) asǝssiwǝy
Ša Za sǝssikǝy + boast / exagerate // asǝssikǝy
+ cause to pass by / exceed
Ša sǝssiǵǝl ++ cause (s.o.) to abstain asǝssiǵǝl
Za šǝššigǝl ++ cause (s.o.) to abstain ašǝššigǝl
Ša Za ẓǝẓẓihăẓ + bring near / approach aẓǝẓẓihăẓ
Causatives of group IA10 etc. are like the simple or double form of this group but
with vowel endings (like group III vowel endings):
Ša siǵǵ ++ place (sth.) above (sth.) asiǵǵ
Ša sǝssiǵǵ ++ place (sth.) above (sth.) asǝssiǵǵ
Za sǝssiggu ++ place (sth.) above (sth.) asǝssiggi
Ša šišk + lead astray ašišk
Za šišku + lead astray ašiški
Ša sis + make (s.o.) come asis
Za sisu + make (s.o.) come asisi
Ša sit + increase (sth.) asit
Za šitu + increase (sth.) ašiti
Ša sǝsser ++ make (s.o.) open (sth.) asǝsser
Za šǝšširu ++ make (s.o.) open (sth.) ašǝšširi
Za šǝššilu + compare // make equal ašǝššili

219
 4.20 Group IA7 causative (Tamaghit)

Tamaghit
šănš ‘buy / sell’ Imperative sg šănš
mpl šănšăt
fpl šǝnšǝmăt

Imperfective Cursive Negative cursive

1sg (ad) šănšăɣ šanšeɣ wăr šǝnšeɣ
2sg (ad) šǝnšǝd šanšed wăr šǝnšid
3msg (ad) išănš išanša wǝr išǝnši
3fsg (ad) šănš šanša wăr šǝnši
1pl (ad) nǝšănš nǝšanša wăr nǝšǝnši
2mpl (ad) šǝnšǝm šanšem wăr šǝnšim
2fpl (ad) šǝnšǝmăt šanšemăt wăr šǝnšimăt
3mpl (ad) šǝnšǝn šanšen wăr šǝnšin
3fpl (ad) šǝnšǝnăt šanšenăt wăr šǝnšinăt
(short form: išănša etc.)
Participles
msg maden išănš išanšen wăren išǝnši
fsg maden šănš šanšet wăren šǝnši
pl maden išănš šanšanen wăren išǝnši

Perfective Stative Negative

1sg ǝššǝnšăɣ ăššînšăɣ
2sg tǝššǝnšăd tăššînšăd
3msg ǝššǝnša ăššînša
3fsg tǝššǝnša tăššînša
1pl nǝššǝnša năššînša wǝr + perfective
2mpl tǝššǝnšăm tăššînšăm
2fpl tǝššǝnšămăt tăššînšămăt
3mpl ǝššǝnšăn ăššînšăn
3fpl ǝššǝnšănăt ăššînšănăt

Participles
msg ǝššǝnšăn ăššînšăn wăren ǝššǝnša
fsg tǝššǝnšăt tăššînšăt wăren tǝššǝnša
pl ǝššǝnšănen ăššînšănen wăren ǝššǝnša

Note
There is an alternative form with double ‘s’ etc.
sǝssǝls +clothe
3msg (ad) isǝssǝls isasălsa wǝr isǝsǝlsi
3msg ăssălsa ăsîsălsa wǝr + perfective

220
Useful IA7 causative verbs (Tamaghit)
Imperative
Imperative Meaning Verbal Noun
săns + put down / put to bed asǝns
šănš + buy / sell ašǝnš
săls + clothe asǝls
sǝssǝls + clothe asǝssǝls
sǝkǝn + show (sth.) (# s.o.) asǝkǝn
sǝssǝkǝn + have (sth.) made // have a hairdo asǝssǝkǝn
sărăɣ + set fire to / burn (sth.) asărăɣ
săɣăr ++ teach (s.o.) (sth.) asăɣăr
sǝssăɣăr ++ teach (s.o.) (sth.) asǝssăɣăr
sǝgǝl + send out / send away asǝgǝl
sǝssănɣ + have (sth. / s.o.) killed asǝssănɣ
săŋŋ + cook asǝŋŋ
sănt + begin sănto
ẓărẓ + shave (s.o. else) aẓărẓ
ṣăṣṭ + make (s.o.) laugh aṣăṣṭ
šǝkš ++ feed (s.o.)(sth.) ašǝkš
sǝsǝw + water / give to drink asǝsǝw
sǝsǝl + make (sth.) heard asǝsǝl
sălh + make (s.o.) cry asǝlh
săɣǝn + begin (sth.) asăɣǝn

Note
In the Tadghaq group IA8 causatives are have their own pattern (Prasse 1985,
p. 49) but in Tamaghit they follow the pattern of IA7:
sǝmd + finish sămdo
sǝkt + remind asǝkt
zǝzǝr + overwork / wear (s.o.) out azǝzǝr
sǝssǝrǝn + establish / make (sth.) strong asǝssǝrǝn
Similar to the ‘ss’ pattern is the rare ‘sw’ pattern:
sǝwǝnn + have (sth.) said / announced vn aswǝnn
3msg (ad) isǝwǝnn isawănna wǝr isǝwǝnni
3msg ăswănna ăsîwănna wǝr + perfective
sǝwǝnn + have (sth.) said / announced aswǝnn
sǝwǝǵǵ + have (sth.) done /++ make (s.o.) do (sth.) aswǝǵǵ

The causative of the reflexive of IA7/8 (SM) could also be included here but is
better classed as group III causative vowel ending.

221
 4.21 Group IA7 causative (Tudalt)

Tudalt
zănzu ‘buy / sell’ Imperative sg zănzu
mpl zănzăt
fpl zănzimăt

Imperfective Cursive Negative cursive

1sg (ad) ăzzănzăɣ zanzăɣ wǝr zǝnzăɣ
2sg (ad) tăzzănzăd zanzăd wǝr zǝnzăd
3msg (ad) ăzzănzu izanzu wǝr izǝnzu
3fsg (ad) tăzzănzu zanzu wǝr zǝnzu
1pl (ad) năzzănzu nǝzanzu wǝr nǝzǝnzu
2mpl (ad) tăzzănzim zanzim wǝr zǝnzim
2fpl (ad) tăzzănzimăt zanzimăt wǝr zǝnzimăt
3mpl (ad) ăzzănzin zanzin wǝr zǝnzin
3fpl (ad) ăzzănzinăt zanzinăt wǝr zǝnzinăt

Participles
msg z-ăzzănzin izanzin wǝr nǝzǝnzu
fsg za-tăzzănzit zanzit wǝr nǝzǝnzu
pl z-ăzzănzinen zanzinen wǝr nǝzǝnzu
c(neg) wǝr za-năzzănzu

Perfective Stative Negative

1sg ǝzzǝnzăɣ ǝzzînzăɣ
2sg tǝzzǝnzăd tǝzzînzăd
3msg izzǝnza izzînza
3fsg tǝzzǝnza tǝzzînza
1pl nǝzzǝnza nǝzzînza wǝr + perfective
2mpl tǝzzǝnzăm tǝzzînzăm
2fpl tǝzzǝnzămăt tǝzzînzămăt
3mpl ǝzzǝnzăn ǝzzînzăn
3fpl ǝzzǝnzănăt ǝzzînzănăt

Participles
msg izzǝnzăn ǝzzînzăn wǝr nǝzzǝnza
fsg tǝzzǝnzăt tǝzzînzăt wǝr nǝzzǝnza
pl ǝzzǝnzănen ǝzzînzănen wǝr nǝzzǝnza

Note: There is an alternative form with double ‘s’ etc.:

săssăknu + have (sth.) made
3msg (ad) isăssăknu isasăknu wǝr isǝsǝknu
3msg isăssăkna isîsăkna wǝr + perfective

222
Useful IA7
IA7 causative verbs (Tudalt)
Imperative Meaning Verbal Noun
sănsu + put down / put to bed asǝnsi
zănzu + buy / sell azǝnzi
sălsu + clothe asǝlsi
săknu ++ show (sth.) (to s.o.) asǝkni
săssăknu + have (sth.) made asǝssǝkni
sărɣu + set fire to / burn (sth.) asǝrɣi
săɣru + teach asǝɣri
săssăɣru + teach asǝssǝɣri
săglu + send out / send away asǝgli
săŋŋu + cook asǝŋŋi
săntu + begin sănto
ẓărẓu + shave (s.o. else) aẓǝrẓi
ẓăḍẓu + make (s.o.) laugh aẓǝḍẓi
šăkšu ++ feed (s.o.) (sth.) ašǝkši
săswu + water / give to drink asǝswi
săgru + look at / examine asǝgri
sănfu + rest tasănfăwt
sămdu + finish sămdo
săktu + remind asǝkt
zărzu + wail azǝrzi
zăzru + overwork / wear (s.o.) out azǝzri
săgdu + make equal asǝgdi
săssănnu + have (sth.) said / announced asǝssǝnni
săssănɣu + have (sth. or s.o.) killed asǝssǝnɣi
săssărdu ++ cause (s.o.) to believe (sth.) /+ promise asǝssǝrdi
săssărnu + strengthen / establish asǝssǝrni

Similar to the ‘ss’ pattern is the rare ‘sw’ pattern:

sǝwǝggu + have (sth.) said / announced vn asǝwǝggi
3msg (ad) isǝwǝggu isawăgga wǝr isǝwǝggi
3msg isăwăgga isîwăgga wǝr + perfective

The causative of the reflexive of IA7/8 (SM) could also be incuded here but is
better classed as group III causative vowel ending.

223
 4.22 Group V causative
The pattern is just like Group V except that ‘ti-’ in the cursive is replaced by ‘si-’.
Most causatives of derived verbs also follow this pattern.
Ša Za sǝmmǝtǝkwǝy+ move (sth.)
Ša 3msg (ad) isǝmmǝtǝkwǝy isimtǝkwiy wǝr isǝmtǝkwiy
Ša 3msg ăsmătăkwăy ăsîmătăkwăy wǝr + perfective
Za 3msg (ad) isǝmmǝtǝkwǝy isimǝtǝkwiy wǝr isǝmǝtǝkwiy
Za 3msg isămmătăkwăy isîmătăkwăy wǝr + perfective
Imperative Meaning Verbal Noun
Ša Za sǝddǝwǝylǝl + balance (sth.) high up asǝddǝwǝylǝl
Ša Za sǝmmǝlǝllǝy + turn (sth.) over asǝmmǝlǝllǝy
Ša sǝmmǝsǝwăr + put (things) on top of each other asǝmmǝsǝwăr
Za sǝmmǝsǝwǝr + put (things) on top of each other asǝmmǝsǝwǝr
Ša sǝmmǝtǝktǝk <> whisper asǝmmǝtǝktǝk
Ša ẓăẓẓărǝwrǝw + pour (tea) through a spout aẓăẓẓărǝwrǝw
Za ẓǝẓẓǝrǝwrǝw + pour (tea) through a spout aẓǝẓẓǝrǝwrǝw
Ša sǝnnǝmǝgzăr + cause to oppose (each other) asǝnnǝmǝgzăr
Za sǝnnǝmǝgzǝr + cause to oppose (each other) asǝnnǝmǝgzǝr
Ša Za sǝnnǝmǝksǝn + make (people) hate each other asǝnnǝmǝksǝn
Ša sǝnnǝmǝdrǝǵ + confound / ++ cause to misunderstand asǝnnǝmǝdrǝǵ
Za sǝnnǝmǝdrǝg + confound / ++ cause to misunderstand asǝnnǝmǝdrǝg
Ša Za sǝmmǝtǝkwǝy + move (sth.) asǝmmǝtǝkwǝy
Ša sǝnnǝmǝǵǵǝǵ + move apart / separate asǝnnǝmǝǵǵǝǵ
Za sǝnnǝmǝggǝg + move apart / separate asǝnnǝmǝggǝg
Ša Za sǝnnǝmǝnnǝk + unite / reunite / cause to agree asǝnnǝmǝnnǝk
Ša Za sǝmmǝlǝwlǝw + light (sth.) up / cause to shine asǝmmǝlǝwlǝw
Ša šǝmmǝšăršăr + scatter ašǝmmǝšăršăr
Ša šǝmmǝšărwǝy + scatter ašǝmmǝšărwǝy
Ša sǝmmǝsǝdǝw + get ready / pack bags asǝmmǝsǝdǝw
Ša sǝmmǝnǝnnăḍ + twist // make (s.o.) dizzy asǝmmǝnǝnnăḍ
Za sǝmmǝnǝnnǝḍ + twist // make (s.o.) dizzy asǝmmǝnǝnnǝḍ
Za sǝnnǝmǝswǝḍ + place facing each other asǝnnǝmǝswǝḍ
The following verbs are similar but with ‘-ăt’ ending:
Ša sǝssărăqqǝt + wash (clothes) asǝssărăqqi
Ša Za šǝffǝrǝššǝt + drive (s.o.) mad asǝffărǝšši
Ša sǝggǝdǝlsǝt <> lie in / sleep to mid-morning asǝggǝdǝlsi
Za šǝggǝdǝlšǝt <> lie in / sleep to mid-morning ašǝggǝdǝlši
Ša sǝmmǝdăqqǝt + stick (things) together asǝmmǝdăqqi
Za sǝmmǝdǝqqǝt + stick (things) together asǝmmǝdǝqqi
The next two are similar but have vowel endings:
Ša sǝnnǝmǝns + put down together asǝnnǝmǝns
Za sǝnnǝmǝnsu + put down together asǝnnǝmǝnsi
Ša sǝnnǝfăqq + compare asǝnnǝfăqq
Za sǝnnǝfǝqqu + compare asǝnnǝfǝqqi

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 4.23 Group XII / XVII causative
Group XII causatives follow a typical group XII pattern but ‘ti’ is replaced by ‘si’ in
the cursive. Group XVII causatives also follow this pattern.
Ša sǝddubǝn + cause to marry / marry (s.o.) off
Ša 3msg (ad) isǝddubǝn isidubun wǝr isǝdubun
Ša 3msg ăsdabăn ăsîdabăn wǝr + perfective
Za sǝddugǝn + signal (with hand)
Za 3msg (ad) isǝddugǝn isidugun wǝr isǝdugun
Za 3msg isăddagăn isîdagăn wǝr + perfective
Imperative Meaning Verbal Noun
Ša Za sǝbbuyǝn + prove (sth.) / make (sth.) clear asǝbbuyǝn
Ša Za sǝbbuyǝs + injure asǝbbuyǝs
Ša sǝddubǝn + marry (s.o.) off asǝddubǝn
Za sǝddugǝn + signal (with hand) asǝddugǝn
Ša sǝggoḍǝl + limp asǝggoḍǝl
Za sǝgguḍǝl + limp asǝgguḍǝl
Ša sǝǵǵulǝy + treat as a step-child // maltreat asǝǵǵulǝy
Za sǝggulǝy + treat as a step-child // maltreat asǝggulǝy
Ša Za sǝnnufǝy + mix (liquids) by pouring asǝnnufǝy
Ša sǝttufǝy + signal (with hand) asǝttufǝy
Ša Za sǝddǝkukǝm + handle (sth.) carefully asǝddǝkukǝm
Ša šăqqărušǝm + rinse mouth ašăqqărušǝm
Ša Za sǝkkǝlulǝf + feel around / grope asǝkkǝlulǝf
Ša sǝkkărukăḍ + put (s.o.) to shame asǝkkărukăḍ
Za sǝkkǝrukǝḍ + put (s.o.) to shame asǝkkǝrukǝḍ
Ša sǝllǝfufăɣ + cause blisters asǝllǝfufăɣ
Za sǝllǝfufǝɣ + cause blisters asǝllǝfufǝɣ
Ša Za sǝllǝmumǝs + sneak // <> be full to the brim asǝllǝmumǝs
Ša Za sǝmmǝkukǝs + patch (clothing) asǝmmǝkukǝs
Ša Za sǝddǝrumǝs + make (s.o.) smile asǝddǝrumǝs
Ša sǝmmǝsoɣǝl + remake // repeat (sth.) asǝmmǝsoɣǝl
Za sǝmmǝsuɣǝl + remake // repeat (sth.) asǝmmǝsuɣǝl
Za sǝddirǝn + want to (do sth.) / covet (sth.) asǝddirǝn
Ša šǝššiǵǝl <> dance (as part of possession cult) ašǝššiǵǝl
Za žǝžžigǝl <> dance (as part of possession cult) ažǝžžigǝl
Ša sǝmmăɣităr + cause difficulties asǝmmăɣităr
Za sǝmmǝɣitǝr + cause difficulties asǝmmǝɣitǝr
Ša Za sǝnnǝfilǝl + make (sth.) appear asǝnnǝfilǝl
Ša Za sǝwwǝliwǝl + spin (sth.) asǝwwǝliwǝl
Ša šǝwwǝšiwǝš + scatter (sth.) ažǝwwǝžiwǝž
Za žǝwwǝžiwǝž + scatter (sth.) ažǝwwǝžiwǝž

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The following verbs follow this pattern but with weak ‘t’ endings:
Ša sǝmmǝǵurǝt + give hospitality ăsǝmmǝǵuru
Za sǝmmǝgurǝt + give hospitality ăsǝmmǝguru
Ša ṣăṣṣohǝt + strengthen aṣăṣṣohu
Za ṣǝṣṣuhǝt + strengthen aṣǝṣṣuhu
Ša Za zǝnnǝzgumǝt+ worry (about sth.) / azǝnnǝzgumu
+ think (about sth.)
Ša Za ẓǝllǝmẓuyǝt + make tepid aẓǝllǝmẓuyu
Ša săqqărriwǝt + tear (sth.) asăqqărriwi
Za sǝqqǝrriwǝt + tear (sth.) asǝqqǝrriwi
And these follow the same pattern but with vowel endings:
Ša sǝnnǝyuf + compare qualities asǝnnǝyuf
Za sǝnnǝyufu + compare qualities asǝnnǝyufu
Ša sǝhhuh + burn (incense) / make smoke asǝhhuh
Za sǝhhuhu + burn (incense) / make smoke asǝhhuhu
Za sǝmmiɣu + have (sth.) raided / stolen asǝmmiɣi
Ša sǝttiw ++ cause (s.o.) to forget (sth.) asǝttiw
Za sǝttiwi ++ cause (s.o.) to forget (sth.) asǝttiwi
The ‘group XIV’ causatives are similar. Note that all these are Tamaghit, the Tudalt
equivalents fall into Group III causative.
Ša sǝttunkǝl + hide (sth.) from view
Ša 3msg (ad) isǝttunkǝl isitǝnkul wǝr isǝtǝnkul
Ša 3msg ăstănkăl ăsîtănkăl wǝr + perfective
Ša šăhhuššǝl ++ oblige (s.o.) to do (sth.) ašăhhuššǝl
Ša sǝbbunbǝy + turn (sth.) face down asǝbbunbǝy
Ša sǝffukkǝr + denounce / expose (s.o.) asǝffukkǝr
Ša sǝttunkǝl + hide (sth.) from view asǝttunkǝl
Ša sǝmmoqqǝl # wait for asǝmmoqqǝl
Ša sǝmmuttǝy + change (sth.) asǝmmutti
Ša šǝkkumbǝš <> be veiled // + put on headscarf ašǝkkumbǝš
Ša sǝssuǵǵǝl + look for (missing an.) asǝssuǵǵǝl
Ša sǝddorhǝn + want to (do sth.) / covet (sth.) asǝddorhǝn
The following are like this but with weak ‘t’ endings:
Ša sǝdduttǝt + be sure asǝddǝttu
Ša zǝzzubbǝt + unload / take things down azǝzzǝbbu
Ša sǝmmuǵnǝt + prepare (a meal etc.) asǝmmǝǵnu
Ša sǝllullǝt + honour (s.o.) asǝllǝllu
Ša sǝbboqqǝt + burst (sth.) asǝbbăqqu
And these verbs follow the same pattern but with the vowel endings:
Ša sǝbborǵ + open (container) / lift (sth.) off asǝbborǵ
Ša sǝǵǵunf ++ give (s.o.) a large share in (sth.) asǝǵǵunf

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 4.24 Group XVIII causative
This is a small group but with several important verbs.
Ša sǝmmidǝw + become allies / make friends (with s.o.)
Ša 3msg (ad) isǝmmidǝw isamadaw wǝr isǝmidiw
(short form: isămadaw)
Ša 3msg ăsmadăw ăsîmadăw wǝr + perfective
Za sǝmmidǝw + become allies / make friends (with s.o.)
Za 3msg (ad) isǝmmidǝw isamadaw wǝr isǝmidiw
Za 3msg isămmadăw isîmadăw wǝr + perfective
Imperative Meaning Verbal Noun
Ša Za sǝmmidǝw + become allies / make friends asǝmmidǝw
Ša sǝmmihăɣ + have (sth.) raided asǝmmihăɣ
Ša ẓǝnnihăẓ + approach (one another) aẓǝnnihăẓ
Za ẓǝnnihǝẓ + approach (one another) aẓǝnnihǝẓ
Ša sǝnnilǝs + repeat / recount (a story) asǝnnilǝs
Ša šǝmmišǝl + send (on errand) ašǝmmišǝl
Za žǝmmižǝl + send (on errand) ažǝmmižǝl
Za ẓǝnnibǝẓ + have (s.o.) arrested aẓǝnnibǝẓ
Za ẓǝttibǝẓ + have (s.o.) arrested aẓǝttibǝẓ

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 4.25 Seventy very useful verbs
This section gives examples of usage for what I consider to be the most frequently
used or most useful verbs in Tamasheq. The verbs are listed in their groups. Most,
but not all of the verb groups are represented.

Group IA1
Ša Za iktăb He wrote
Ša Za ad ǝktǝbăɣ awa tǝnned I will write down what you said
Ša akătab a ǝǵeɣ I am writing
Za akătab a ǝgeɣ I am writing
(lit. ‘Writing is what am doing’)
Ša Za ilmăd He learned
Ša ărhêɣ ad ǝlmǝdăɣ Tămašăq I want to learn Tamasheq
Za ǝrêɣ ad ǝlmǝdăɣ Tǝmažǝq I want to learn Tamajeq
Ša iǵyăk He farmed / weeded
Za igyăk He farmed / weeded
Ša s-ăkăsa eklan ǵayyăkăn In rainy season Bellah farm
Za s-ăkăsa eklan gayyăkăn In rainy season Bellah farm
Ša ǝššǝɣǝl n-eklan aǵăyak Bellah’s work is farming
Za ǝššǝɣǝl n-eklan agăyak Bellah’s work is farming
Ša Za ifnăẓ He (it) reduced
Ša ǝfnăẓ ălqim-ǝnnes ! Reduce its price!
Za ǝfnǝẓ ălqim-nes ! Reduce its price!
Ša iǵrăh He understood
Ša tǝǵrăhăd awa ǝnneɣ meɣ ? Did you understand what I said?
Ša Za ifhăm He understood
Ša Za tǝfhămăd awa inna ? Did you understand what he said?
Ša tǝǵrăwăd făhăm meɣ ? Have you understood?
Za tǝgrăwăd făhăm meɣ ? Have you understood?
(lit. ‘Have you got understanding?’)
Ša igrâẓ-ahi I like it
Za igrâẓ-i I like it
(lit. ‘It pleases me’)
Ša wăr tăt-igreẓ She didn’t like it / him
Za wǝr tăt-igreẓ She didn’t like it / him
(lit. ‘It / he didn’t please her’)
Ša Za itkăl-tăt He picked it (f) up
Ša Za ǝtkǝl tăkoba-nnăk Pick up your sword
Ša eɣšăd-tăt He spoiled / broke it (f)
Za iɣšăd-tăt He spoiled / broke it (f)
Ša ara wa eɣšâd That child is spoiled / ruined
Za bărar wa iɣšâd That child is spoiled / ruined
Ša taberăt tăɣšâd The road is bad (spoiled)
Za taberăt tǝɣšâd The road is bad (spoiled)

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Ša aǵǝnna eɣšăd taberăt The rain has ruined the road
Za ăkonak iɣšăd taberăt The rain has ruined the road
Ša tiwǝkkawen ɣaššădnăt tiwgas Worms spoil the fields
Za tiwǝkkawen ɣaššădnăt tiwǝgas Worms spoil the fields
Ša inhăy amidi-nnes He saw his friend
Ša tǝnhăyăd Hawa dăɣ hebu meɣ ? Did you see Hawa in the market?
Ša ma hănnăyăd ? What do you see?
Za ma hannăyăd ? What do you see?
Ša Za izgăr He went out
Ša Za Adămu izgâr Adamu is out (has gone out)
Ša Za iknăs He fought
Ša takniwen kannăsnăt harkuk Co-wives always fight (argue)
Za taknaten kannăsnăt harkuk Co-wives always fight (argue)
Za izlăf He got married (betrothed)
Za tǝzlâfăd meɣ ? Are you married (or engaged)?
Za ǝzlâfăɣ măšan wǝr ǝgeɣ aẓǝẓli hărwa I am engaged but not yet married
Za ilwăg He became tired
Za tǝlwâgăd mǝɣ ? Are you tired?
Za igmăy-tăt He looked for her / it
Za ma tǝgmâyăd ? What are you looking for?
Ša igdăh He / it is enough

Group IA2
Ša Za issăn He knows (fact / skill)
Ša Za tǝssânăd Tămašăq meɣ ? Do you speak Tamasheq?
Ša Za ǝssânăq-qăt hullen I speak (know) it well
Ša torǝft ta tǝssân aman That vehicle is good in water
Za turǝft ta tǝssân aman That vehicle is good in water
Ša Za izzăy He has got well //
He knows (person / place)
Ša tǝzzâyăd-ahi ? Do you know me?
Za tǝzzâyăd-i? Do you know me?
Ša Za făw wăr kăy-ǝzzeyăɣ No I don’t recognise you
Ša Za ǝzzâyăɣ Nyăme hullan I know Niamey well
Ša ara wa ănnidăn, izzây The child which had a fever is well
Za bărar wa ǝnnidăn, izzây The child which had a fever is well
Ša eqqăl-ak He waited for you
Za iqqăl-ak He waited for you
Ša eqqăl-in He went back
Za iqqăl-in He went back
Ša eqqăl-id He came back
Za iqqăl-dǝd He came back
Ša olăs oɣǝl He went back again
Za olăs uɣǝl / tewăɣle He went back again
(lit. ‘He repeated returning’)

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Ša Za ma-s tăqqâlăd ? Who / what are you waiting for?
Ša ăqqâlăɣ y-ǝmidi-nin I’m waiting for my friend
Za ǝqqâlăɣ y-ǝmidi-nin I’m waiting for my friend
Ša mǝnǵǝdu ma-dǝt-tăqqǝlăd When will you come back?
Za ǝmme za-dǝt-tǝqqǝlăd When will you come back?
Ša a-dd-ăqqǝlăɣ ašǝkka I will come back tomorrow
Za a-dd-ǝqqǝlăɣ ažǝkka I will come back tomorrow
Ša as idwăl ad ăqqǝl ălfăqqi When he grows up he will be
(become) a marabout
Za as idwăl ad iqqǝl ǝlfǝqqi When he grows up he will be
(become) a marabout
Ša Za iddâr He is alive
Ša Za ti-k ǝd ma-k ǝddârăn mǝɣ ? Are your father and mother alive?
Ša Za anna tǝddâr, abba ăba-ti My mother is alive, my father
has passed away
Ša Za izzâɣ Mărkoy He lives in Markoye
Ša ǝndek diha tǝzzâɣăd ? Where do you live?
Za mǝni / ǝndek da tǝzzâɣăd ? Where do you live?
Ša Za Mărkoy a ǝzzăɣăɣ I live in Markoy
Ša iggăš ehăn He went into the home
Za iggăz ehăn He went into the home
Ša iggăš-tăn ălhăm They got angry
Za iggăz-tăn ălhăm They got angry
(lit. ‘Anger entered them’)
Ša ikkăs aɣănib He took out a pen
Za ikkăs ǝɣanib He took out a pen
Ša Za ǝkkâsăɣ ăššăk as ǝnta awa I am sure that it is him
(lit. ‘I have taken out doubt’)
Ša Za wǝr ǝkkesăɣ ăššăk I am not sure

Group IA3
Ša Za okăy He passed by
Ša Za hebu wa okăyăn a dd-oseɣ I came last market day
Ša Za torfen kăraḍăt okăynăt Three cars went past
Ša Za okăr-tăt He stole it //
He slept with her (illicitly)
Ša imăkrăḍăn tikărăn Thieves steal
Za ibăydăgăn takărăn Thieves steal
Ša Za ăwadǝm wa oɣădăn wǝr itikǝr A righteous (straight) person
doesn’t steal
Ša olăs-ti He repeated it
Za olăs-tăy He repeated it
Ša olăsăɣ iǵi n-ătay I made tea again /
I carried on making tea
Za olăsăɣ igi n-ătay I made tea again /
I carried on making tea

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Ša olăs-id oɣǝl He came back here
Za olăs-dǝd uɣǝl / tewăɣle He came back here
Ša ohâẓ It is near
Ša Nyăme wăr toheẓ Niamey is not near
Ša wa ǝd wa olăhăn This and that are the same /
are similar
Ša wăr olehăn They are not the same
Ša Za ogăẓ-tăt He protected it / her //
He inherited it
Ša Za ǝkkeɣ hebu, wăr kăy-in-ogeẓăɣ I went to market (but) I didn’t
find you there
Ša Za ogâẓ-kăwăn Măssinăɣ May God protect you (pl)
Ša wa oǵâr wa This exceeds that
Za wa ogâr wa This exceeds that
Ša oǵâr-ti It was greater that him
Za ogâr-tăy It was greater that him
(i.e. he couldn’t do it)
Ša ǝnta oǵâr-ahi tǝššǝǵrǝt He is taller than me
Za ǝnta ogâr-i tǝzzǝgrǝt He is taller than me
(lit. ‘He exceeds me (in) length’)
Ša anǝlluǵ oǵâr kǝdǝdǝkkum tǝmmăḍrit A (normal) ant is smaller than
a biting ant
Za anǝllug ogâr kǝdǝdǝkkum tǝmmǝḍrit A (normal) ant is smaller than
a biting ant
(lit. ‘An ant exceeds a biting ant (in) smallness’)
Ša meddăn oǵârnăt-tăn ḍeḍen eqqas Women clap better / more often
than men
Za meddăn ogârnăt-tăn tǝḍoḍen eqqas Women clap better / more often
than men
(lit. ‘Men, they (f) exceed them (m) (in) clapping’)
Ša unǵăy He refused
Za ungăy He refused

Group IA4
Ša iwwăy tamăṭṭ ta He married (took) that woman
Za ewăy tanṭuṭ ta He married (took) that woman
Ša Za awi-dd aman Bring water (here)
Ša ma hi-dǝt-tǝwwăyăd dăɣ Nyăme What have you brought me
from Niamey?
Za ma di-dǝt-tewăyăd dăɣ Nyăme What have you brought me
from Niamey?

Group IA5 / IA6

Ša Za iwăt-tăt He hit her
Ša iwăt ǝǵǝnna Rain fell (struck)
Za iwăt ǝkonak Rain fell (struck)

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Ša mi itǝggatăn tehărḍant Who plays the (traditional) guitar?
Za mi iggatăn tahǝrḍant Who plays the (traditional) guitar?
Za inăy amidi-nnes He saw his friend
Za tǝnăyăd Tǝdwăl dăɣ hebu meɣ ? Did you see Tidwal in the market?
Ša Za inăy amnǝs He rode a camel
(in Za also – He saw a camel)
Ša Za idăl aẓrǝf He asked for money
Ša itǝddal harkuk He is always asking (for things)
Za iddal harkuk He is always asking (for things)
Ša ifăl-id Mărkoy He came from Markoye
Za ifăl-dǝd Mărkoy He came from Markoye
Ša Za mi dǝt-tǝfălăd? Where have you come from?
Ša ǝfălăɣ-id siha I’ve come from over there
Za ǝfălăɣ-dǝd sa I’ve come from over there
Ša Za iwăr tanda It (/ he) is on the lean-to
Ša iwăr-ahi ad ăkkăɣ Gorăn I must go to Gorom
Za iwăr-i ad ăkkăɣ Gorăn I must go to Gorom
(It is on me I will go to Gorom)

Group IA7
Ša Za insa He lay down
Ša Za insâ He is lying down / is asleep
Ša Za ma dǝr tǝnsed ? How did you pass the night?
(common greeting)
Ša Za ilsa tekăṭkăṭ He put on a ‘boubou’
Ša ma lăssăn kǝl Tămašăq ? What do Tamasheq people wear?
Za ma lassin kǝl Tǝmažǝq ? What do Tamajeq people wear?
Za igra He understood
Za tǝgred awa ǝnneɣ meɣ? Did you understand what I said?
Za igda He / it is enough
Ša Za igla He left
Ša Za iglâ He has left
Ša Za ǝgleɣ I left
Ša Za ǝglêɣ I am about to leave
(said before going)
Ša Za iknâ He is O.K. / It is O.K. //
it is sorted out
Ša ma kănnăd ? What are you making //
What do you make?
Za ma kannăd ? What are you making //
What do you make?
Ša Za iknâ tihussay It (/ he) is very beautiful
(lit. ‘It has sorted beauty’)

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Ša erẓa It (/ he) is broken
Za irẓa It (/ he) is broken
Ša ăhalǝs wa erẓăn ăfus-ǝnnes The man who has broken his
arm / hand
Za alǝs wa irẓăn ǝfus-nes The man who has broken his
arm / hand
Ša enɣa ašănǵo-nnes He killed (struck) his enemy
Za inɣa ažăngo-nnes He killed (struck) his enemy
Ša inaqq-ahi ǝsuf-ǝnnes I miss him
Za inaqq-i ǝsuf-nes I miss him
(lit. ‘It is smiting me, his absence’)
Ša tănɣ-e tăhanint-năsăn He had pity on them
Za tǝnɣ-e tǝhanint-năsăn He had pity on them
(lit. ‘It struck him, pity for them’)
Ša Za isla He heard
Ša isla y-ămăsli He heard a noise
Za isla y-ǝmǝsli He heard a noise
Ša Za ma tǝsled ? What have you heard? //
What did you hear?
Ša Za ǝslêɣ y-awa tǝnned I have heard what you said
Ša Za ǝsleɣ-asăn I heard them
Ša Za ǝsleq-qăn I have heard of them
Ša wăr hak-ǝsleɣ I didn’t hear you
Za wǝr dak-ǝsleɣ I didn’t hear you
Ša Za tǝsled meɣ ? Did you hear? //
Did you understand?
Ša Za ikša He ate
Ša Za ma tǝkšed ? What did you eat?
Ša ma tăttăn ? What do they eat?
Za ma tattin ? What do they eat?
Ša Za ikša aẓrǝf-năwăn He ate your money
(i.e. He ripped you off // He spent your money)
Ša Za iswa He drank
Ša Za sassăd ătay meɣ ? Do you drink tea?
Ša sassăq-qi hullen I drink it a lot
Za sassăq-qe hullen I drink it a lot
Ša wăr sǝssăɣ asmǝd I don’t drink alcohol
Za wǝr sǝssăɣ asmăd I don’t drink alcohol
Ša Za inna He said
Ša Za ma tǝnned ? What did you say?
Ša Za wǝr ǝnneɣ wăla I didn’t say anything
Ša ma ǵănnen ăddinăt făl awa ? What do people say about that?
Za ma gannin ăytedăm fǝl awa ? What do people say about that?
Ša Za ikfa / iffa He gave
Ša Za ma kăy-ikfa ? What did he give you?
Ša Za ǝkfeq-qăt aẓrǝf I gave her money

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Ša ma hăkkăn ăddinăt tilăqqiwen ? What do people give to the poor?
Za ma hakkin ăytedăm tilǝqqawen ? What do people give to the poor?

Group IA8 (for Tudalt identical to IA7)

Ša Za ikma It hurts
Ša Za ikm-ahi ăfus-in My hand / arm hurts (me)
Ša Za tǝkma taba taɣăssa Tobacco is bad for the body
Ša erḍa He agreed
Za irḍa He agreed
Ša erḍâ He agrees
Za orḍâ He agrees
Ša wăr ărḍen They don’t agree
Za wǝr ǝrḍen They don’t agree
Ša tărḍêd s-ad tăkkăd Mărkoy ? Do you agree to go to Markoye?
Za tǝrḍêd s-ad tăkkăd Mărkoy ? Do you agree to go to Markoye?
Ša erḍa s-a-dd-as He agreed to come (here)
Za irḍa s-a-dd-asu He agreed to come (here)
Ša erhâ amidi-nes He likes his friend
Ša erhâ aẓrǝf ɣas He just wants money
Ša ărhêɣ aman I want water
Ša ărhêɣ ad ăkkăɣ Băyga I want to go to Beyga
Ša ma tărhêd ? What do you want?
Ša ăbḍân They are different
Za ǝbḍân They are different
Ša wa ebḍâ ǝd-wa This is different from that
Za wa ibḍâ ǝd-wa This is different from that
Ša wăr ăbḍen They are not different
Za wǝr ǝbḍen They are not different

Group IA9
Ša Za ikka hebu He went to market
Ša ašǝkka ad ăkkăɣ Mărkoy Tomorrow I will go to Markoye
Za ažǝkka ad ăkkăɣ Mărkoy Tomorrow I will go to Markoye
Ša Za hebu kul takkăɣ Gorăn Every market I go to Gorom
Ša Za mi tǝkkêd ? Where are you going?
Ša illâ diha He is there
Za illâ da He is there
Ša ǝndek diha tǝllêd ? Where are you?
Za ǝndek da tǝllêd ? Where are you?
Za mǝni-d tǝllêd ? Where are you?
(Tawellemmet form, occasionally heard in Tudalt)
Ša wăr t-illa aẓrǝf There is no money
Za wǝr t-illa aẓrǝf There is no money
Ša tăfukk tǝll-ê It is (hot and) sunny
Za tǝfuk tǝll-ê It is (hot and) sunny
(lit. ‘There is sun’)

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Group IA10 (and IB5)
Ša os-id He arrived (here) / He came
Za os-ăddǝd He arrived (here) / He came
Ša mǝnǵǝdu ma-dd-as ? When will he come?
Za ǝmme za-dd-asu ? When will he come?
Ša tisăn-id hebu kul meɣ ? Do they come here every market?
Za tasin-dǝd hebu kul meɣ ? Do they come here every market?
Ša oyya šăkkoš-ǝnnes He left his bag
Za oyya šăkkoš-nes He left his bag
Ša Za ăyy-e ! Leave it (him) alone!
(i.e. drop the matter)
Za wa olâ ǝd-wa This and that are the same /
are similar
Za wǝr olen They are not the same

Group IA11
Ša Za ihâ hebu He is in the market
Ša Za ih-ê ălhăm He is angry (anger is in him)
Ša iǵa ătay He made tea
Za iga ătay He made tea
Ša ma tăǵǵăd ? What are you doing? //
What do you do?
Za ma taggăd ? What are you doing? //
What do you do?
Ša wǝr ǝǵeɣ wăla I didn’t do anything //
I’m not doing anything
Za wǝr ǝgeɣ wăla I didn’t do anything //
I’m not doing anything
Ša mamăla a ǝǵeɣ I do commerce
Za mamăla a ǝgeɣ I do commerce
Ša Za ilâ amnǝs He owns a camel
Ša Za wǝr ila wăla He has nothing

Group II
Ša ăkkûs It is hot
Za ikkûs It is hot
Ša itaǵǵ-e dăɣ ăfew y-ad ukas He puts it in the fire so that it
will get hot
Za itagg-e dăɣ tămse y-ad ukas He puts it in the fire so that it
will get hot
Ša ăksôḍ He is afraid
Za iksûḍ He is afraid
Ša ăxsûd He is afraid
(This last is a local form of pronunciation for this word.)
Ša wăr ăksoḍăɣ wăla I’m not afraid of anything
Za wǝr ǝksuḍăɣ wăla I’m not afraid of anything

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Ša ma-môs awa ? What is that?
Za ma-ymôs awa ? What is that?
Ša ăwadǝm wa, ămănokal a ămos That person is a chief
Za ăwadǝm wa, amǝnokal a imos That person is a chief
Ša ăsink wa ăẓêḍ That tô (millet porridge) is
sweet (pleasant to eat)
Za ǝšink wa iẓôḍ That tô (millet porridge) is
sweet (pleasant to eat)
Ša ăynây It is new
Ša ărǝ̂w It is old / was a long time ago
Za irǝ̂w It is old
Za ohô It was a long time ago
Ša uǵǝ̂ǵ It is a long way away
Za iggûg It is a long way away
Za ihôg He has been a long time
Za tǝhôgăd-in You were there a long time
Za ad ăkkăɣ Nyăme a-din-ihagăɣ I am going to Niamey for a
long time

Group III
Ša ăwadǝm wa ăššêɣăl That person is working
Za ăwadǝm wa iššîɣăl That person is working
Ša ma tăšăɣalăd ? What work do you do?
Za ma tašăɣalăd ? What work do you do?
Ša Za ǝššǝɣǝl-in tamăḍint My work (is) shepherding
Ša ăhalǝs wa ămmîǵrăd That man is speaking
Za alǝs wa immîgrăd That man is speaking
Ša ărhêɣ ad ămmăǵrădăɣ dǝr-wăn I want to speak with you (pl)
Za ǝrêɣ ad ămmăgrădăɣ dǝr-wăn I want to speak with you (pl)

Group III weak ‘t’ ending

Za iẓẓîwăt It is expensive
Za izzǝbbăt den He stayed over there
Za mi ɣur tǝzzîbbăt ? Who are you staying with?

Group III vowel ending

Ša ăqqǝym dăɣ ăɣalla He sat in the courtyard
Za iqqǝyma dăɣ ăɣalla He sat in the courtyard
Ša ɣăym diha ! Sit down here!
Za ɣam da ! Sit down here!
Ša ǝttǝwăɣ-in isǝm-ǝnnes I have forgotten his (its) name
Za ǝttǝwăɣ-in isǝm-nes I have forgotten his (its) name
Ša ǝššǝɣǝl ămmînda The work is finished / completed
Za ǝššǝɣǝl immînda The work is finished / completed

236
Group IV
Ša Za ăwadǝm wa wăššâr That person is old
Ša tamăṭṭ ta wăššărăt tǝnna … The old woman said …
Za tanṭuṭ ta wăššărăt tǝnna … The old woman said …
Ša wa răqqîs That is easy / cheap
Za wa rǝɣîs That is easy / cheap
Ša wăr răqqis It isn’t easy / cheap
Za wǝr rǝɣis It isn’t easy / cheap
Ša aẓrǝf-năsăn ǝǵǵǝ̂t They are expensive
Za aẓrǝf-năsăn iggǝ̂t They are expensive
(lit. ‘Their money is a lot’)
Ša iǵa ǝššǝɣǝl ăǵǵên He did a lot of work
Za iga ǝššǝɣǝl ăggên He did a lot of work
Ša ălxer ăǵǵên Thanks a lot
Za ălxer ăggên Thanks a lot
Ša ǝnhăyăɣ amnǝs šăggâɣăn I saw a red (/ brown) camel
Za ǝnăyăɣ amnǝs zăggâɣăn I saw a red (/ brown) camel
Ša ăddinăt wi šăggaɣnen ‘Red’ people
Za ăytedăm wi zăggaɣnen ‘Red’ people
(i.e. Arabs, Berbers and ‘Whites’)
Ša Za ehăḍ kăwâlăn A black (dark) night
Ša ăddinăt wi kăwalnen ‘Black’ people
Za ăytedăm wi kăwalnen ‘Black’ people
(i.e. Negroid Africans)
Ša Za amnǝs wa lăbâs That camel is nasty
Ša Za amnǝs wa i lăbâsăn That camel (is) a nasty one
Ša aykar wa măḍrî That puppy is small
Za ăykar wa mǝḍrî That puppy is small
Ša aykar wa măḍrǝyăn The small puppy
Za ăykar wa mǝḍrǝyăn The small puppy
Ša aykar wa-nḍărrăn The small puppy
Za ăykar wa-nḍǝrrăn The small puppy
Ša ilălan wi măḍrîyăn These items are small
Za ilălan wi mǝḍrîyăn These items are small
Ša Za ilălan wi măḍroynen Small items
Ša ǝlmădăq-qi dăɣ tǝmmăḍrit-in I learned it in my youth
Za ǝlmădăq-qe dăɣ tǝmmǝḍrit-in I learned it in my youth

Group V
Ša nădwănnăt We chatted into the night
Za nǝdăwănnăt We chatted into the night

Group XII
Ša ădobăn He got married (betrothed)
Ša tădôbănăd meɣ ? Are you married?

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Ša ădôbănăɣ măšan wǝr ǝǵeɣ I am engaged but not
aẓăẓli harwa yet married
Za ihôssăy It (/ he) is good / beautiful
Za wǝr ihossăy It (/ he) is not good / beautiful

Group XII weak ‘t’ ending

Ša ăddôbăt He is able / He can (do it)
Ša wăr ăddobeɣ I am not able
Za iddôbăt He is able / He can (do it)
Za wǝr ǝddobeɣ I am not able
Ša ăṣṣôhăt It (/ he) is strong / expensive /
difficult
Za iṣṣôhăt It (/ he) is strong / expensive /
difficult
Ša ăzzubbăt dihen He stayed over there
Ša mi ɣor tăzzûbbed ? Who are you staying with?
Ša ăhûskăt It (/ he) is good / beautiful
Ša wăr ăhuskăt It (/ he) is not good / beautiful

Group XVII
Ša ămîɣatărăɣ I am having difficulties
Za mîɣatărăɣ I am having difficulties

Group XVIII
Ša ăsekăl He travelled
Ša ăsêkăl He has travelled
(so he is not here)
Ša ad ăsakălăɣ ǝs-Nižer I am going to travel to Niger

Group XVIII weak ‘t’ ending

Ša ăẓẓûwwăt It is expensive

Group XVIII vowel ending

Ša ăhôǵa He has been a long time
Ša tăhôǵăd-in You were there a long time
Ša ad ăkkăɣ Nyăme a-hin-ăhaǵăɣ I am going to Niamey for a
long time

Group IA1 causative

Ša ǝssǝlmăd-kăy Tămašăq He taught you Tamasheq
Za issǝlmăd-kăy Tǝmažǝq He taught you Tamajeq
Ša Za isalmad-kăy Tămašăq He is teaching you Tamasheq
Ša šǝnkǝš-in ! Move over!
Za zǝnkǝz-in ! Move over!
Ša ǝssǝstănăɣ awa iǵa I asked what he was doing /
what he had done

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Za ǝssǝstănăɣ awa iga I asked what he was doing /
what he had done
Ša Za isastan harkuk He is always asking questions

Group IA5 causative

Ša ăsgădăɣ y-ărădyo I listened to the radio
Ša sagadăɣ y-ărădyo I listen to the radio

Group III causative

Ša tăskădăw amǝnsi She cooked the meal
Za tăskădăw ămense She cooked the meal
Ša tăskădăw amǝnsi She cooked the meal
Za sakădaw ămense She cooks the meal
Za săddărgănăɣ y-ărădyo I listened to the radio
Za sadărganăɣ y-ărădyo I listen to the radio

Group IA2 causative

Ša soɣǝl-tăt ! Put it(f) back!
Za suɣǝl-tăt ! Put it(f) back!

Group IA3 causative

Za iššokăl He travelled
Za iššôkăl He has travelled
(so he is not here)
Za ad ǝššikǝlăɣ ǝs-Nižer I am going to travel to Niger

Group IA7 causative

Ša ǝssǝnta ǝššǝɣǝl He started work
Za issǝnta ǝššǝɣǝl He started work
Ša Za iket ǝssǝntăɣ alămad ǝn-Tămašăq I have just started learning
Tamasheq
Ša Za tǝssǝnsa ilalăn-nes dăɣ tanda She put her things down in
the lean-to
Ša Za săns-e dăɣ ăhăn Put it down in the house / tent
Ša ǝššǝnšăɣ enăle I bought millet
Ša ărhêɣ ad šănšăɣ ătay I want to buy tea
Za ǝzzǝnzăɣ enăle I bought millet
Za ǝrêɣ ad ăzzănzăɣ ătay I want to buy tea

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5 Key Vocabulary

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Notes on the Key vocabulary
The following sections contain a wide range of Tamasheq vocabulary grouped
thematically, according to semantic fields. The format is:
Meaning – Singular – Plural – Short prefix
Where short prefix refers to the form of the initial vowel (or ‘t’ plus initial vowel
for the feminine) when the noun is in the annexed state (see Section 3.3 Nouns).
For some words further information or a short cultural note is given in
parenthesis below the entry.
The vocabulary is laid out in a loose hierarchical structure with synonyms, near
synonyms and words with highly overlapping semantic fields grouped together. A
half line separates words or groups of words on a theme or sub-theme. Sub-themes
are underlined as sub-headings over vocabulary blocks and themes serve as
section headings.
It should be noted that the English word(s) given as the meaning can only give a
general indication of the semantic field of the Tamasheq word in question. The
fields of meaning rarely overlap completely and the contexts in which each can be
employed will almost certainly vary. It is only by listening, practice and usage that
the true semantic range of each Tamasheq word can be appreciated. The idiom
notes attempt to give some guidance on particularly useful or difficult words.
This section along with the verbs in Section 4 gives a thorough working
vocabulary of Tamasheq as it is spoken in Oudalan. These are the terms most
frequently encountered in day to day village life plus a considerable numbe of
rarer terms that I consider useful or interesting. Countless more specialist terms
are not included.

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 5.1 Basic people words
Ša Man ăhalǝs meddăn (ă/-)
Za Man alǝs meddăn (a/-)
Ša Woman tamăṭṭ (ti)ḍeḍen (tă/-)
Za Woman tanṭuṭ tiḍoḍen (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Child (m) ara aratăn (a/a)
Ša Child (f) tarat taraten (ta/ta)
Za Child (m) bărar bărarăn (-/-)
Za Child (f) tabărart tibăraren (tă/tǝ)
Ša Za Noble child (m) alyaḍ ilyaḍăn (ă/ǝ)
Ša Za Noble child (f) talyaṭṭ tilyaḍen (tă/tǝ)
Za Noble child / youth (m) abăraḍ ibăraḍăn (ă/-)
Za Noble child / youth (f) tabăraṭ tibăraḍen (tă/tǝ)
Ša Slave child (m) askiw iskiwăn (ǝ/ǝ)
Ša Slave child (f) taskiwt tiskiwen (tǝ/tǝ)
Za Slave child (m) aškǝw iškiwăn (ǝ/ǝ)
Za Slave child (f) taškut tiškiwen (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Za Someone (m/f) ăwadǝm (ă)
Ša Za So and so (m) măndam (-)
Ša So and so (f) tamăndam (tă)
Za So and so (f) tamăndamt (tă)
Ša People ăddinăt (ă)
Za People ăytedăm (ă)
Ša Anyone / whoever ere (e)
Za Anyone / whoever ir(i) (i)
Ša Za Crowd / gathering ălžămaɣăt ălžămaɣăten (ă/ă)
Ša People / crowd tamǝtte timǝttawen (tǝ/tǝ)
Za People / crowd tamătte timăttiwen (tă/tǝ)
Ša Za Friend (m) amidi imidawăn (ǝ/-)
Ša Za Friend (f) tamidit timidawen (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Za Old man / elder (m) amɣar imɣarăn (ă/ǝ)
Za Old man / elder (m) aɣmar iɣmarăn (ă/ǝ)
Ša Za Old woman (f) tamɣart timɣaren (tă/tǝ)
Za Old woman (f) taɣmart tiɣmaren (tă/tǝ)
Ša Za Adolescent (m) ămawaḍ imawaḍăn (ă/-)
Ša Za Adolescent (f) tămawaṭ timawaḍen (tă/tǝ)
Ša Neighbour (m) anhăraǵ anhăraǵăn (a/a)
Ša Neighbour (f) tanhărakk tanhăraǵen (ta/ta)
Za Neighbour (m) anărag inăragăn (ă/ǝ)
Za Neighbour (f) tanărak tinăragen (tă/tǝ)
Ša Za Guest (m) ănaftaɣ inaftaɣăn (ǝ/-)
Ša Za Guest (f) tănaftaqq tinaftaɣen (tǝ/tǝ)

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Ša Guest (m) amăǵar imăǵarăn (ă/-)
Za Guest (m) amăgar imăgarăn (ă/-)
Ša Guest (f) tamăǵart timăǵaren (tă/tǝ)
Za Guest (f) tamăgart timăgaren (tă/tǝ)
Ša Enemy ašănǵo išǝnǵa (ă/-)
Za Enemy azăngo izǝnga (ă/-)
Ša Twin ekne aknewăn (e/a)
Ša Twin ekne iknewăn (e/ǝ)
Za Twin ekne eknewăn (e/e)

5.2 Family
Immediate Family
Ša Family (Ar.) ălɣăyal ălɣăyalăn (ă/ă)
Ša —’s people (Ar.) ăddinăt ǝn-
Za —’s people ăytedăm ǝn- (ă)
Ša Your family (Ar.) ălɣăyal-năwăn (ă)
Ša Your family (Ar.) ăddinăt-năwăn (ă)
Za Your family ăytedăm-năwăn (ă)
Ša Za (My) father abba abbatăn (a/a)
Ša Za (My) father ǝbba ǝbbatăn (ǝ/ǝ)
Ša Za (My) mother anna annaten (a/a)
Ša Za (My) mother ǝnna ǝnnaten (ǝ/ǝ)
Note: several of the terms below (shown followed by a ‘-’) are only used with an
attached possessive pronoun. See Section 3.15 Pronouns for details.
Ša Za Father ti- tăy- (-/-)
Za Father ši- tăy- (-/-)
Ša Mother ma- matt- (-/-)
Za Mother ma- mătt- (-/-)
Ša Za Your(msg) father ti-k (-)
Ša Za Your(mpl) fathers tăy-wăn (-)
Ša Za Saidou’s father ti-s ǝn-Săydu (-)
Ša Za Parent / ancestor ămaraw imarawăn (ă/-)
Ša Za Brother ăŋŋa ayǝt-ma (ă/ă)
Ša Sister wălăt-ma šăt-ma (-/-)
Za Sister wǝlǝt-ma ăššet-ma (-/ă)
Ša Za Older brother amăqqar imăqqarăn (ă/-)
Ša Za Younger brother amăḍray imăḍrayăn (ă/-)
Ša Za Older sister tamăqqart timăqqaren (tă/tǝ)
Ša Za Younger sister tamăḍrayt timăḍrayen (tă/tǝ)
Ša Husband / man ăhalǝs meddăn (ă/-)
Za Husband / man alǝs meddăn (a/-)
Ša Za Wife hănn- (-)
Ša Wife / woman tamăṭṭ (ti)ḍeḍen (tă/-)
Za Wife / woman tanṭuṭ tiḍoḍen (tǝ/tǝ)

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Ša ‘She who is with …’ ta ɣor … - (-)
Ša The ‘so and so’ of tamăndam ǝn- (tă)
Za The ‘so and so’ of tamăndamt ǝn- (tă)
E.g.:
Ša My wife hănn-i (-)
Za My wife hănn-e (-)
Ša Your wife hănn-ik (-)
Za Your wife hănn-ek (-)
Ša Saidou’s wife hănn-is ǝn-Săydu (-)
Za Saidou’s wife hănn-es ǝn-Săydu (-)
Ša Saidou’s wife tamăṭṭ tan Săydu (tă)
Za Saidou’s wife tanṭuṭ tan Săydu (tǝ)
Ša Za Their husbands meddăn-năsnăt (-)
Ša Son ror- mǝddan- (-/-)
Za Son rur- măddan- (-/-)
Ša Daughter ell- iss- (e/i)
Za Daughter ell- ešš- (e/e)
Ša Co-wife / rival takna takniwen (ta/ta)
Za Co-wife / rival takna taknaten (ta/ta)
Ša Concubine tawăyhăt tiwăyhăten (tă/tǝ)
Za Concubine tewăhăyt tiwăhăyen (tă/tǝ)
(Specifically a slave taken as ‘wife’. Simply living together unmarried is
refered to more euphemistically e.g. ‘She is his friend’.)

Wider Family
Note: in Tamasheq culture family relationships are viewed very differently than in
the West. Any older relative may be referred to as ‘father’ or ‘mother’ (especially
when using abba / anna). Parallel cousins may be referred to as ‘brother’ or ‘sister’,
nephews, nieces and grandchildren as ‘son’ or ‘daughter’.
Ša Crossed cousin ăbabaš ibubaš (ǝ/-)
Za Crossed cousin ăbobăz ibobazăn (ǝ/-)
(i.e. The child of a maternal uncle or a paternal aunt. A ‘joking relationship’
exists between crossed cousins who insult each other at every opportunity.)
Ša Za Maternal uncle ăŋŋăt-ma (ă)
Other uncles and aunts, grandparents etc. are referred to generically as abba
‘father’, anna ‘mother’ or specifically, e.g. amăqqar ǝn-ti-s ‘his father’s older
brother’.
Ša A man’s sister’s child teǵăše tiǵǝšš (tă/tǝ)
Za A man’s sister’s child tegăze tigǝzz (tă/tǝ)
Other nephews and nieces are referred to generically as sons and daughters or
specifically, e.g. ror-es n-ămaḍray-in ‘my younger brother’s son’.
In-laws of a different generation are refered to by generic terms (i.e. the same
word is used for father-in-law and son-in-law).
Ša Male ‘in-law’ aḍăggal iḍulan (ă/-)
Za Male ‘in-law’ ăḍaggal iḍulan (ă/-)

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Ša Female ‘in-law’ taḍăggalt tiḍulen (tă/tǝ)
Za Female ‘in-law’ tăḍaggalt tiḍulen (tă/tǝ)
(In Tamasheq culture a shame relationship operates between ‘in laws’: no
eating or showing emotion in front of them!)
Ša Brother-in-law alǝggǝs ilusan (ǝ/-)
Za Brother-in-law alǝggus ilusan (ǝ/-)
Ša Sister-in-law talǝggǝst tilusen (tǝ/tǝ)
Za Sister-in-law talǝggust tilusen (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Za ‘Father’ (old man) amɣar imɣarăn (ă/ǝ)
Ša Za ‘Mother’ (old woman) tamɣart timɣaren (tă/tǝ)
Ša Relative (distant) (Ar.) ašăqqaɣ išăqqaɣăn (ǝ/-)
Za Relative (distant) (Ar.) ašǝqqaɣ išǝqqaɣăn (ǝ/-)
Ša Za Kin temeṭṭ (tă)
(lit. ‘Umbilical cord’)
Ša ‘Orphan’ (lost a parent) aǵuhel iǵuhelăn (ǝ/-)
Za ‘Orphan’ (lost a parent) aguhel iguhelăn (ǝ/-)
Ša Stepson ăǵolăy iǵolăyăn (ă/-)
Za Stepson ăgola igolan (ă/-)
Ša Stepdaughter tăǵolăyt tiǵolăyen (tǝ/tǝ)
Za Stepdaughter tăgolăyt tigolăyen (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Za Descendant (m) ahăya ihăyawăn (ă/-)
Ša Descendant (f) tahăyawt tihăyawen (tă/tǝ)
Za Descendant (f) tahăyăwt tihăyăwen (tă/tǝ)
Ša Ancestor emătterǝw imătterǝwăn (ă/-)
Za Ancestor amǝttirǝw imǝttiraw (ǝ/-)

5.3 People groups

Tamasheq society is split into five main ‘castes’ . Although there is a loss of the
significance of these in the modern world, intermarriage between them is still rare
and social status / role is still highly stratified along class / caste lines.

Castes
Ša Za Bellah (slave) (m) akli eklan (ǝ/e)
Ša Bellah (f) taklit tiklaten (tǝ/tǝ)
Za Bellah (f) taklit taklaten (tǝ/ta)
Ša Craftsman (m) enhăḍ inhăḍăn (ă/ǝ)
Za Craftsman (m) enăḍ inăḍăn (ă/-)
Ša Craftswoman (f) tenhăṭ tinhăḍen (tă/tǝ)
Za Craftswoman (f) tenăṭ tinăḍen (tă/tǝ)
Ša Herder / vassal (m) amăɣid imɣad (ǝ/ǝ)
Za Herder / vassal (m) amǝɣid imǝɣad (ǝ/-)
Ša Herder / vassal (f) tamăɣitt timɣad (tǝ/tǝ)
Za Herder / vassal (f) tamǝɣit timǝɣad (tǝ/tǝ)

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Ša Za Religious (m) ăw ǝssuk kǝl ǝssuk (ă/-)
Ša Religious (f) tǝw ǝssuk šăt ǝssuk (tǝ/-)
Za Religious (f) wǝlǝt ǝssuk ăššet ǝssuk (-/ă)
Ša Noble (Tuareg) (m) ămašăɣ imušaɣ (ǝ/-)
Za Noble (m) ămažǝɣ imažǝɣăn (ǝ/-)
Ša Noble (f) tămašăq timušaɣ (tǝ/tǝ)
Za Noble (f) Tǝmažǝq timažǝɣen (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Free-born / noble (m) elăll ilăllan (ă/-)
Ša Free-born / noble (f) telăllit tilăllaten (tă/tǝ)
Za Free-born / noble (m) alǝlli ilăllan (ă/-)
Za Free-born / noble (m) talǝllit tilăllaten (tǝ/tǝ)
(This groups noble, religious and vassal classes.)
As well as being born a certain caste each person is born into a particular clan.
Listings of the clans of Oudalan can be found in Barral (1977).
Ša Za (A clan) awărăɣwăraɣ iwărăɣwăraɣăn (ă/-)
Ša Za (A clan) kǝl udalăn
Ša Clan tawset tiwsaten (tă/tǝ)
Za Clan tăwšet tăwšeten (tă/tă)

Other people groups

Note that in Tamasheq the name of the language a people speak is the f.sg person.
Ša Fulani (m) ăfullan ifullanăn (ǝ/-)
Za Fulani (m) ǝfollan ifollanăn (ǝ/-)
Ša Fulani / Fulfulde (f) tăfullant tifullanen (tǝ/tǝ)
Za Fulani / Fulfulde (f) tǝfollant tifollanen (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Songhay (m) ehăt ihătan (ă/-)
Za Songhay (m) ehǝti ihătan (ă/-)
Ša Songhay (f) tehătit tihătaten (tă/tǝ)
Za Songhay (f) tehǝtit tihătaten (tă/tǝ)
Ša Za Hausa (m) esăwăɣ isăwăɣăn (ă/-)
Ša Za Hausa (f) tesăwăqq tisăwăɣen (tă/tǝ)
(In Niger this term is generally applied to certain Songhay groups.)
Ša Za Arab (m) arab arabăn (a/a)
Ša Za Arab / Arabic (f) tarabt taraben (ta/ta)
Ša Mossi (m) ămosi imosităn (ă/-)
Za Mossi (m) ămoši imošităn (ă/-)
Ša Mossi (m) mosi mosităn (-/-)
Za Mossi (m) moši mošităn (-/-)
Ša Mossi (f) tămosit timositen (tǝ/tǝ)
Za Mossi (f) tămošit timošiten (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša European (m) ăkafăr ikufar (ǝ/-)
Za European (m) ăkafǝr ikufar (ǝ/-)
Ša (language =‘French’) tăkafărt tikufar (tǝ/tǝ)
Za (language =‘French’) tăkafǝrt tikufar (tǝ/tǝ)
(This is from the Arabic kâfir ‘pagan, non-Muslim’.)

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 5.4 Other people words
Son of … (figurative use)
Ša Son of … ăw / u kăl / kǝl (ă/-)
(In Tamaghit ‘u’ may be used before a consonant, kǝl is used before i / ǝ / u .)
Za Son of … ăw- kǝl- (ă/-)
Ša Daughter of … tǝw- / wălăt- šăt- (-/-)
Za Daughter of … wǝlǝt- ăššet- (-/ă)
Ša Tamasheq (m) ăw tămašăqq kăl tămašăqq (ă/-)
Ša Tamasheq (f) wălăt tămašăqq šăt tămašăqq (-/-)
Za Tamajeq (m) ăw Tǝmažǝq kǝl Tǝmažǝq (ă/-)
Za Tamajeq (f) wǝlǝt Tǝmažǝq ăššet Tǝmažǝq (-/-)
(I.e. someone of Tamasheq mother tongue regardless of class.)
Ša Za Tailor ăw măsin / ăw măšin (ă)
(lit. ‘Son of the machine’)
Note that the Tudalt plural is kǝl- in each of the following:
Ša Za Trader (<Ar.) ăw-mamăla kăl-mamăla (ă/-)
Ša Za Beggar (<Fu.) ăw-garibu kăl-garibu (ă/-)
Ša Za Water-carrier (<Ha.) ăw-gărwatăn kăl-gărwatăn (ă/-)
Ša Za Civil servant ăw-sărwis kăl-sărwis (ă/-)
Ša Za Clever person ăw-tăyǝtte kăl-tăyǝtte (ă/-)
Ša Za Wise / kind person ăw-sărho kăl-sărho (ă/-)
Ša Apprentice craftsman ăwănhăḍ ăwănhăḍăn (ă/ă)
Za Apprentice craftsman ăwnăḍ ăwnăḍăn (ă/ă)
Ša Za Oudalan (person of) udal kǝl-udalăn (u/-)

Other Professions
Ša Za Trader (Ar.) ăttažer ăttažerăn (ă/ă)
Ša Za Griot (musician) aggu aggutăn (a/a)
Ša Za Potter / ‘griot’ (Fu.) ămabbu ămabbutăn (ă/ă)
Ša Za Potter / ‘griot’ (Fu.) mabbu mabbutăn (-/-)
Ša Teacher (esp. religious) ălfăqqi ălfăqqităn (ă/ă)
Za Teacher (esp. religious) ǝlfǝqqi ǝlfǝqqităn (ǝ/ǝ)
Ša Za Doctor (western trained) lăxtor lăxtortăn (-/-)
Ša Za Doctor (western trained) lăqtor lăqtortăn (-/-)
Ša Za Doctor (western trained) lăktor lăktortăn (-/-)
Ša Za Rebels (neologism) ăšomăr / ăšamur išumar (ǝ/-)
Ša Za Expert / enthusiast (Ar.) ăššažeɣ ăššažeɣăn (ă/ă)
Ša Za Metal-worker (Fu.) atăga ităgatăn (ă/-)

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Ša Za Builder (Ar.) ălbănna ălbănnatăn (ă/ă)
Ša Za Sedentary people awǝnnan iwǝnnanăn (ǝ/-)
Ša Owner măss- mǝssaw- (-/-)
Za Owner măšš- mǝššaw- (-/-)
Ša Car (bush taxi) owner măss-is ǝn-torǝft (-)
Za Car (bush taxi) owner măšš-iš ǝn-turǝft (-)
Ša Shop owner măss-is ǝn-măngăza (-)
Za Shop owner măšš-iš ǝn-măngăza (-)
Ša Good-for-nothing erk-ăwadǝm erk-ăddinat (e/e)
Za Good-for-nothing erk-ăwadǝm erk-ăytedăm (e/e)
Ša Za Good-for-nothing ăwadǝm ǝn-bănnan (ă)
Ša Thief emăkrăḍ imăkrăḍăn (ă/-)
Za Thief ebăydăg ibăydăgăn (ă/-)
Ša Za Sorcerer emăššăɣăw imăššăɣăwăn (ă/-)
Ša Za Prostitute (So.) tawăykurut tiwăykuruten (tă/tǝ)
Ša Za Prostitute (Ar.) tălkăxbat tălkăxbaten (tă/tă)
Ša Soldier ăssărdasi ǝssărdusa (ă/ǝ)
Za Soldier ăssărdasi ăssărdasităn (ă/ă)
Ša Army / raiding party eǵhăn aǵhanăn (e/a)
Za Army / raiding party egăn igǝnăn (ă/-)

5.5 Adjectival
Adjectival nouns
Some of the nouns already met above fall into this category (e.g. ămawaḍ, ănaftaɣ).
Adjectival nouns are derived from verbal roots, almost every noun listed here
corresponds to a verb in the verb groups whose root is the consonants following
the ‘m’ or ‘n’ of the singular of the noun. These nouns may be used alone or as
qualifiers to another noun, e.g.:
Ša The chief left ămănokal igla
Za The chief left amǝnokal igla
Ša A (/the) chief arrived ăhalǝs wan ămănokăl os-id
Za A (/the) chief arrived alǝs wan ǝmǝnokal osa-dǝd
The stand-alone usage is best thought of as ellipsis, as in English usage, e.g.:
Blacks imikwălăn
is short for:
Ša Black people ăddinăt win mikwălăn /
ăddinăt wi kăwalnen
Za Black people ăytedăm win mikwălăn /
ăytedăm wi kăwalnen

Occupations
Occupations
Ša Chief ămănokal imănokalăn (ǝ/-)
Za Chief amǝnokal imǝnokalăn (ǝ/-)
Ša Owner / master emăli imălan (ă/-)

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Za Owner / master emǝli imălan (ǝ/-)
Ša Owner / master ămakraš imakrašăn (ă/-)
Ša Leader ămizăr imizărăn (ǝ/-)
Za Leader amizăr imizărăn (ǝ/-)
Ša Za Workman / servant emăššăɣăl imăššăɣălăn (ă/-)
Ša Za Shepherd / herder amăḍan imăḍanăn (ă/-)
Ša Farmer / peasant ămaǵyak imaǵyakăn (ǝ/-)
Za Farmer / peasant ămagyak imagyakăn (ǝ/-)
Ša Traveller/ tourist ămăssakul imǝssukal (ă/-)
Za Traveller/ tourist amăššakul imǝššukal (ă/-)
Ša Za Guard ămagaẓ imagaẓăn (ǝ/-)
Ša Boaster anăsbăraǵ inăsbăraǵăn (ă/-)
Za Boaster anăsbărag inăsbăragăn (ă/-)
Ša Hunter ămăhayyu imǝhuyya (ă/-)
Za Hunter ănagmar inagmarăn (ǝ/-)
Ša Teacher enăsselmǝd inăsselmǝdăn (ă/-)
Za Teacher anǝsselmǝd inǝsselmǝdăn (ă/-)
Ša Teacher emăsăɣăr imăsăɣran (ă/-)
Za Teacher amǝsseɣri imǝssǝɣra (ă/-)
Ša Za Judge ămašraɣ imašraɣăn (ǝ/-)
Ša Za Writer / secretary (<Ar.) ănaktib inaktibăn (ă/-)
Ša Healer enăssăfăr inăssăfărăn (ă/-)
Za Healer anăsmăgăl inăsmăgălăn (ă/-)
Ša Za Prostitute tenăxxărămt tinăxxărămen (tă/tǝ)

The ‘doer’ of a verb

Ša Doer emăǵǵ imăǵǵan (ă/-)
Za Doer amǝggi imăggan (ǝ/-)
Ša Killer / murderer emănɣ imănɣan (ă/-)
Za Killer / murderer amǝnɣi imănɣan (ǝ/-)
Ša Adulterer emăzni imăznan (ă/-)
Za Adulterer amǝzni imăznan (ǝ/-)
Ša Adulteress temăznit timăznaten (tă/tǝ)
Za Adulteress tamǝznit timăznaten (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Za Traitor ămaɣdar imaɣdarăn (ǝ/-)
Ša Za Wrong-doer ănaḍlam inaḍlamăn (ǝ/-)
Ša Evil(-doer) enăllăbăs inăllăbăsăn (ă/-)
Za Evil(-doer) anăllăbăs inăllăbăsăn (ă/-)
Ša Za Bridegroom ămaẓlay imaẓlayăn (ǝ/-)
Ša Za Worshipper ănaɣbad inaɣbadăn (ǝ/-)
Ša Za Fearer / fearful ămaksaḍ imaksaḍăn (ǝ/-)
Ša Za Fearer / fearful ămăksoḍ imăksoḍăn (ă/-)

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Ša Za Fearer / fearful ămiksăḍ imiksăḍăn (ǝ/-)
Ša Fearer / fearful ămaxsad imaxsadăn (ă/-)
Ša Servant / messenger ănămmašal inămmašalăn (ă/-)
Za Servant / messenger anămmazal inămmazalăn (ă/-)
Ša Za Gardener / sower anăsdamu inǝsduma (ă/-)
Ša Student / reader emăɣri imăɣran (ă/-)
Za Student / reader emǝɣri imăɣran (ă/-)
Ša Maker / repairer emăkni imăknan (ă/-)
Za Maker / repairer emǝkni imăknan (ǝ/-)
Ša Eater emăkš imăkšan (ă/-)
Za Eater amǝkši imăkšan (ǝ/-)
Ša Drinker emăsăw imăswan (ă/-)
Za Drinker emǝswi imăswan (ǝ/-)
Ša Rider ămănay imănayăn (ă/-)
Za Rider amăwan imăwanăn (ă/-)

States of sickness or disability

Ša Sick ămarhin imarhinăn (ă/-)
Za Sick ămirăn imirănăn (ǝ/-)
Ša Blind emădderɣǝl imǝddorɣal (ă/-)
Za Blind amǝdderɣǝl imǝddǝrɣal (ǝ/-)
Ša Deaf amẓaǵ imẓaǵăn (ă/ǝ)
Za Deaf amẓag imẓagăn (ă/ǝ)
Ša Za Cripple anăbdon inǝbdan (ă/-)
Ša Mad enăffărešše inǝffǝrušša (ă/-)
Za Mad enăffărăšše inǝffǝrǝšša (ă/-)
Ša Za Mad emeskel imeskelăn (ă/-)
(This term is often used of children with severe learning difficulties.)
Ša Possessed amăggaru imǝggora (ă/-)
Za Possessed amăggaru imǝggura (ă/-)
Ša Sterile (childless) (m) emăǵǵeǵri imǝǵǵuǵra (ă/-)
Za Sterile (childless) (m) amǝggegri imǝggǝgra (ǝ/-)
Ša Sterile (childless) (f) temăǵǵeǵrit timǝǵǵuǵra (tă/tǝ)
Za Sterile (childless) (f) tamǝggegrit timǝggǝgra (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Dead enămmettǝn inǝmmuttan (ă/-)
Za Dead anǝmmettǝn inǝmmǝttan (ǝ/-)

Colour or character
Ša Red (Pale skinned) ămišwăɣ imišwăɣăn (ă/-)
Za Red (Pale skinned) amizwăɣ imizwăɣăn (ǝ/-)
Ša Black (Dark skinned) ămikwăl imikwălăn (ă/-)
Za Black (Dark skinned) amikwăl imikwălăn (ǝ/-)

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Ša Liar ănăsbahu inǝsbuha (ă/-)
Za Liar anăsbahu inǝsbuha (ă/-)
Ša Strong emăṣṣehi imăṣṣuha (ă/-)
Za Strong emăṣṣehi imǝṣṣuha (ă/-)
Ša Za Greedy ămaxlad imaxladăn (ǝ/-)
Ša Za Profligate / destructive ămaxšad imaxšadăn (ǝ/-)
Ša Za Violent / pagan (<Ar.) anăkfor inǝkfar (ă/-)
Ša Rebellious enăbbedăr inǝbbudar (ă/-)
Za Rebellious anǝbbedǝr inǝbbudar (ǝ/-)
Ša Rich / lucky anăsbăɣor inǝsbăɣar (ă/-)
Za Rich / lucky anăsbăɣor inǝsbǝɣar (ă/-)
Ša Prosperous amărrǝzăɣ imărruzaɣ (ă/-)
Za Prosperous amǝrrǝzǝɣ imǝrrǝzǝɣăn (ă/-)
Ša Za Trusted / trustworthy ănaflis inǝflas (ǝ/-)
Ša Za Trustee ănaɣlaf inaɣlafăn (ǝ/-)
Ša Za Righteous / honest ămaɣdal imaɣdalăn (ǝ/-)
Ša Za Righteous / honest ămeɣăd imeɣădăn (ǝ/-)
Ša Honourable / noble emăssărhe imǝssărha (ă/-)
Za Honourable / noble amăssărhe imǝssǝrha (ă/-)

Special class
A few, originally verbal nouns, are grammatically feminine even when referring to
men, e.g.:
Ša Witness (m/f) taǵuhe tiǵuhawen (tǝ/tǝ)
Za Witness (m/f) tǝgǝyya tigǝyyawen (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Dependent / poor (m/f) talăqqe tilăqqewen (tǝ/tǝ)
Za Dependent / poor (m/f) talǝqqe tilǝqqawen (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Za Eminent / powerful tămara timariwen (tă/tǝ)
Ša Rich terše taršiwen (te/ta)
Ša Crafty / cunning termit termiten (te/te)
Za Crafty / cunning termit termiten (te/te)

5.6 Domestic animals

General terms
Ša Animal ămudăr imudărăn (ǝ/-)
Za Animal amudăr imudărăn (ǝ/-)
Ša Herds / flocks arǝzzeǵ irǝzzeǵăn (ǝ/-)
Za Herds / flocks arǝzzeg irǝzzegăn (ǝ/-)
Ša Wealth / flocks ehăre ihărawăn (ă/-)
Za Wealth / flocks ehăre ihǝrwan (ă/-)
Ša Flock / fold asǵǝn isǵan (ǝ/ǝ)
Za Flock / fold asǝgǝn isǝgan (ǝ/-)

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Ša Za ‘Whole’ male ămalǝy imulay (ǝ/-)
Ša Castrated male ăǵorh iǵorhawăn (ǝ/-)
Za Castrated male ăgur igurawăn / (ǝ/-)
Za igărrăn
(These may refer to all types of domestic mammals except sheep.)

Camels
Ša Za Camel (m) amnǝs imnas (ǝ/ǝ)
Ša Camel (f) taḷǝmt taḷmen (tăḷămt/ta)
Za Camel (f) taḷǝmt toḷmen (tăḷămt/to)
(The feminine form here is thought to be an ancient contraction of taɣlamt
in which case the ‘ḷ’ reflects the lost gutteral. It is the only ‘ḷ’ not in a word
borrowed from Arabic.)
Ša Za New-born camel (m) awăra iwăran (ă/-)
Ša New-born camel (f) tawărayt tiwărayen (tă/tǝ)
Za New-born camel (f) tawărăyt tiwărăyen (tă/tǝ)
Ša To 1 year alăgoḍ ilogaḍăn (ă/-)
Za To 1 year alăgoḍ ilǝgaḍ (ă/-)
Ša 1-2 years ămugăy imugăyăn (ǝ/-)
Za 1-2 years amugăy imugăyăn (ǝ/-)
Ša 2-3 years akărkor ikǝrkar (ǝ/-)
Za 2-3 years akǝrkur ikǝrkar (ǝ/-)
Ša Za 3-4 years ăsaka isakan (ă/-)
Ša Za Young adult aɣlam iɣlamăn (ă/ǝ)
Ša Za Old camel arǝggan irǝgganăn (ǝ/-)

Camel Tack
Ša Saddle tărik tiriken (tă/tǝ)
Za Saddle tǝrik tiriken (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Za Decorated saddle tamẓakk timẓagen (tă/tǝ)
Ša Za Cloth under saddle amăsloɣ imǝslaɣ (ǝ/-)
Ša Thong to tie saddle tăsasǝst tisusas (tǝ/tǝ)
Za Thong to tie saddle ăsasǝs isusas (ǝ/-)
Ša Za Strap under belly tattolt tattolen (ta/ta)
Ša Za Metal ring tawinǝst tiwinas (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Woman’s saddle (Ar.) tăxawit tixiwa (tǝ/tǝ)
Za Woman’s saddle (Ar.) tǝxawit tixiwa (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Hobbling rope tefărt tefren (te/te)
Za Hobbling rope teffart tifren (te/ti)
Ša Mouth rope tarihet tiriha (tă/tǝ)
Za Mouth rope ăkala ikalan (ă/-)

Cattle
Ša Cow tas (tă)
Ša Cattle / cows iwan (-)
(This word is generally treated as fpl even though its form is mpl.)
Za Cow tast šitan (tă/ši)
Ša Bull esu aswanăn (ă/a)
Za Bull esăw isăwwăn (ă/-)

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Ša Za Bull ămaka imakan (ǝ/-)
Ša Za Ox awdes iwdesăn (ă/ǝ)
Ša Calf (newborn) ehădăl ihădălăn (ă/-)
Za Calf (newborn) edăll idăllăn (ă/-)
Ša Calf ăloki ilokǝyăn (ǝ/-)
Za Calf ebărkăw ibărkăwăn (ă/-)
Ša Large bull calf ašǵăr išǵarăn (ă/-)
Za Large bull calf azgăr izǝgran (ă/-)
Ša Young bull ehări ihăran (ă/-)
Za Young bull ehǝri ihăran (ǝ/-)
Ša Heifer tăhaɣit tihaɣwen (tă/tă)
Za Heifer taɣit tiɣwen (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Za Old bull (f – cow) ebăɣăw ibǝɣwan (ă/-)
(Also a popular euphemism for ‘lion’.)

Other large domestic animals

Ša Donkey (m) ešeḍ išeḍăn (ă/-)
Ša Donkey (f) tešeṭṭ tišeḍen (tă/tǝ)
Za Donkey (m) ažăḍ ižăḍan (ă/-)
Za ǝẓẓan (ǝ)
Za Donkey (f) tažăṭṭ tižăḍen (tă/tǝ)
Za tǝẓẓen (tǝ)
Ša Za Young donkey ăhulel ihulelăn (ǝ/-)
Ša Young donkey ăẓa iẓatăn (ă/-)
Za Young donkey ăẓa iẓăwwăn (ă/-)
Ša Large donkey ahănɣărrăy ihănɣărrăyăn (ă/-)
Za Large donkey anɣer anɣerăn (a/a)
Ša Horse (m) ebăǵe ibăǵawăn (ă/-)
Ša Mare tebăǵăwt tibăǵawen (tă/tǝ)
Za Horse (m) ebăge ibǝgwan (ă/-)
Ša Mare tebăgăwt tibǝgwen (tă/tǝ)
Ša Foal ăhugg ihuggăn (ǝ/-)
Za Foal ăhug ihăggăn (ǝ/-)
Ša Good horse ayǝs iyyǝsan (ǝ/ǝ)
Za Good horse ăys ǝggǝsăn (ă/ǝ)
Ša Za Bad horse / nag efăkre ifăkrăwăn (ă/-)
Ša Za Red (chestnut) horse ahăras ihărasăn (ă/-)
(This is also a euphemism for a lion.)

Smaller domestic animals

Ša Sheep / ewe tehăle tihatten (tă/tǝ)
WZa Sheep / ewe tilăy (ti)
(The old irregular plural ăyfǝḍ has fallen into disuse among Tudalt speakers, most
would now misunderstand it as efăḍ, the Tamaghit tihatten is used instead.)
Ša Ram ekrăr akrarăn (e/a)
Za Ram ekrăr ekrarăn (e/e)
Ša Castrated male abăǵoǵ ibǝǵaǵ (ă/-)
Za Castrated male abăgog ibǝgag (ă/-)

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Ša Woolly sheep (Merinos) akǝndǝm ikǝndǝmăn (ǝ/-)
Za Woolly sheep (Merinos) akǝndǝm ikǝndam (ǝ/-)
Ša Lamb akrǝwat ikrǝwatăn (ǝ/ǝ)
Za Lamb akǝrwat ikǝrwatăn (ǝ/-)
Ša Za Young ram ebăkăr ibǝkran (ă/-)
Ša Goat (f) taɣat ulli (ta/u)
Za Goat (f) teɣse taɣsiwen / (te/ta)
wǝlli (-)
Ša Goat (m) ăšolăɣ išulaɣ (ǝ/-)
Ša Goat (m) ašăɣol išɣal (ă/-)
Za Goat (m) ăžolăɣ ižulaɣ (ǝ/-)
Za Goat (m) ažăɣol / ăžaɣul ižǝɣal (ă/-)
Ša Za Kid eɣăyd iɣăydăn (ă/-)
Ša Young goat (2-6 months) esăǵăy isăǵăyăn (ă/-)
Za Young goat (2-6 months) esăgăy isăgăyăn (ă/-)
Ša Za Young goat abăryom ibǝryam (ă/-)
Ša Za Old goat erădeɣ irǝdɣan (ă/-)
Ša Cock ekăz ikăzan (ă/-)
Ša Hen tekăzit tikăzaten (tă/tǝ)
Za Cock ekǝži ikăžan (ǝ/-)
Za Hen tekǝžit tikăžaten (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Za Chick aswet aswetăn (a/a)
Ša Guinea fowl taylalt taylalen (a/a)
Za Guinea fowl tăylalt tăylalen (ă/ă)
Ša Dog (m) edi iyăḍan (e/i)
Ša Dog (f) tedit tiyăḍen (e/ti)
Za Dog (m) idi iḍan (i/-)
Za Dog (f) tidit tiḍen (ti/tǝ)
Ša Puppy aykar aykarăn (a/a)
Za Puppy ăykar ăykarăn (ă/ă)
Ša Za Cat (m/f) muss mussăten (-/-)
Ša Za Pig (Ar.) ǝlxǝnžăr ǝlxǝnžărăn (ǝ/ǝ)
(Only found in towns where they are kept by non-Muslim outsiders.)

5.7 Wild animals

In Tamasheq, a masculine or feminine form is used depending on the gender of the
animal referred to. When talking about an animal in general terms, there is a
convention for each species as to whether the masculine or the feminine is
normally used. Where only one gender is shown in the list below this is the one
most commonly employed. For some creatures the masculine and feminine forms
are used to refer to a larger or smaller example rather than to strictly signal
gender. Some wild animals are most frequently referred to by euphemistic names
that allude to something in their colouring or character.

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General
Ša Wild animals imudărăn wi-n tăkoyt (-)
Za Wild animals imudărăn wi-n ǝsuf (-)
Ša Fierce wild animal awăqqas iwăɣsan (ă/-)
Za Fierce wild animal awăqqas iwǝɣsan (ă/-)
Ša Za Fierce wild animal ăxxu ăxxutăn (ă/ă)
Ša Za Fish emăn imănan (ă/-)
Ša Za Lair (of lion etc.) tăhala tihaliwen (tă/tǝ)

Larger animals still found in Oudalan

Ša Hyena (spotted) tăšori tišorǝyawǝnen (tǝ/tǝ)
Za Hyena (spotted) tǝžori tižorǝyawen (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Gazelle (rufifrons) edăm idăman (ă/-)
Za Gazelle (rufifrons) edǝmi idăman (ǝ/-)
Ša Za Young gazelle ăbugara ibugaratăn (ă/-)
Ša Fawn ašǝnkăḍ išǝnkaḍ (ǝ/-)
Za Fawn ažǝnkǝḍ ižǝnkaḍ (ǝ/-)
(This last term is also used elsewhere for the adult dorcas gazelle.)
Ša Monitor lizard ăbaǵǝn ibuǵan (ǝ/-)
Za Monitor lizard ăbagǝn ibugan (ǝ/-)
Ša Boar / wild pig agăngăra igăngăratăn (ă/-)
Za Boar / wild pig aẓebăra iẓebăratăn (ǝ/-)
Ša Za Monkey kăya kăyatăn (-/-)
Za Jackal ebǝggi ibăggan (ǝ/-)
Ša Jackal in-tănɣen ǝdd-in-tănɣen (i/ǝ)
(The Tamaghit name given here is a kind of nickname.)
Ša Za Wild cat taɣda taɣdiwen (a/a)
Ša Za (‘small wild beast’) bărwăqqas bărwăqqasăn (-/-)
Ša Za Tortoise efărɣăs ifărɣăsăn (ă/-)
Ša Aardvark adhǝǵ idhǝǵan (ǝ/ǝ)
Za Aardvark adhǝg idhǝgan (ǝ/ǝ)
Za Aardvark adbǝg idbǝgan (ǝ/ǝ)
Ša Grey fox // fennec ešăgăš išăgăšăn (ă/-)
Za Grey fox // fennec ezăgăz izăgăzăn (ă/-)
(The grey fox is common in Oudalan, the fennec is found further North.)
Ša Za Goblin in-tăbrăybărăy
(In Prasse’s Lexique abărăybăray is listed as ‘gorilla’ although there are no
gorillas in the Sahel or any of the areas visited by Tamasheqs. In Oudalan it
refers to a mythical creature – a kind of genie. The story is that if you meet
one in the bush you wrestle with it. If it throws you it kills you or drives you
mad, if you throw it, it gives you a ring that is the source of great fortune,
but whose power is lost if you respond to someone calling your name.)

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Larger animals found elsewhere in the Sahel
During the twentieth century all of these were gradually wiped out in Oudalan due
to hunting or human encroachment on habitats.
Ša Lion ăhăr ehran (ă/ă)
Za Lion ăhăr ihărrăn (ă/-)
(Lions are usually referred to by a euphemistic term e.g. awăqqas ‘wild beast’,
ebăɣăw ‘old bull’, ahăras ‘chestnut horse’, edări ‘golden yellow antelope’.)
Ša Lion cub ăleḍas ileḍasăn (ǝ/-)
Za Lion cub ǝliḍas iliḍasăn (ǝ/-)
Ša Za Elephant elu elwan (e/e)
Ša Giraffe amdăɣ imdăɣan (ă/ǝ)
Za Giraffe amdǝɣ imdăɣan (ǝ/ǝ)
Ša Hippotrague (antelope) ašămol išmal (ă/ǝ)
Za Hippotrague (antelope) ažămol ižmal (ă/ǝ)
Ša Dama gazelle enher inherăn (ă/ǝ)
Za Dama gazelle ener inerăn (ă/-)
Ša Fawn alămom ilmam (ă/ǝ)
Za Fawn alămom ilǝmam (ă/ǝ)
(Also refers to the Mhorr gazelle now extinct in the wild.)
Ša Antelope (damalisk) edăr idăran (ă/-)
Za Antelope (damalisk) edǝri idăran (ǝ/-)
Ša Oryx ešămm išămmăn (ă/-)
Za Oryx ezăm izămmăn (ă/-)
(The skin was used to make shields; only found much further North.)
Ša Za Crocodile ăɣata iɣatan (ă/-)
Ša Hippopotamus ăǵamba iǵamban (ă/-)
Za Hippopotamus ăgamba igamban (ă/-)
Ša Striped hyena ăridal iridalăn (ă/-)
Za Striped hyena aridal iridalăn (ǝ/-)
Ša Wild dog / wolf taɣǝssit teɣǝss (tă/tă)
Za Wild dog / wolf taɣǝst tiɣǝss (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Cheetah ahdal ihdalăn (ă/-)
Za Cheetah adal adalăn (a/a)
Ša Za Leopard / panther wašil wašilăn (-/-)
Ša Serval (wild cat) mayas mayasăn (-/-)
Za Serval (wild cat) ămayas imayasăn (ǝ/-)

Smaller mammals of Oudalan

Ša White mouse temăllelut timǝllula (tă/tǝ)
Ša Mouse ăkor ikarrăn (ă/-)
Za Mouse ǝkoṭăy ikoṭăyăn (ǝ/-)
Ša Za Rat ăkundăr ikundărăn (ǝ/-)

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Ša Za Squirrel (ground) ăkolăn ikolănăn (ǝ/-)
Ša Hedgehog tekănessit tikǝnessa (tă/tǝ)
Za Hedgehog tekǝneššit tikǝneššiten (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Za Porcupine temăɣăyt timăɣăyen (tă/tǝ)
Ša Za Hare / rabbit temărwălt timărwălen (tă/tǝ)
Ša Za Zorilla (like a skunk) fǝkǝdǝrru fǝkǝdǝrrutăn (-/-)
Ša Za Bat afărtătta ifărtăttan (ă/-)
Ša Za Gerbil eḍǝwi iḍăwan (ă/-)
(Found further north but probably not in Oudalan.)

Smaller reptiles and Amphibians

Ša Snake taššalt / taššălt taššalen (ta/ta)
Za Snake taššelt / taššolt taššelen (ta/ta)
Ša Za Python tanăɣwăt tanăɣwăten (ta/ta)
Ša Cobra (spitting) emăǵăl imăǵălăn (ă/-)
Za Cobra (spitting) emăgăl imăgălăn (ă/-)
(Other snakes include eḍu, tazăbdărat and tanăbălat.)
Ša Euphemism for snake aɣan n-ăkal (ă)
Za Euphemism for snake aɣan n-ămăḍal (ă)
(lit. ‘Rope of the earth’)
Ša Toad eǵăr iǵăran (ă/-)
Za Toad egǝru igăran (ǝ/-)
Ša Tadpole ašnăɣ išnăɣăn (ă/-)
Za Tadpole aznǝɣ iznǝɣăn (ǝ/-)
(Also used to refer to miscarried / premature babies.)
Ša Tadpole ešănăɣnăɣ išănăɣnăɣăn (ă/-)
Za Tadpole ezănăɣnăɣ izănăɣnăɣăn (ă/-)
Ša Lizard emăǵăydăr imăǵăydărăn (ă/-)
Za Lizard abǝgǝngǝnu ibǝgǝngǝnăn (ǝ/-)
Ša Za Slender striped lizard temăkălkălt timăkălkălen (tă/tǝ)
Ša Za Gecko emătăɣtăɣ imătăɣtăɣăn (ă/-)
Ša Chameleon tăhawt tihawen (tă/tă)
Za Chameleon tawǝt tawǝten (ta/ta)
Ša Za ‘Crawlies’ iškukareḍăn (ǝ)
Ša Za ‘Crawlies’ mǝlulăn (-)

Birds
Ša Bird (/ flying thing) egăḍeḍ igḍaḍ (ă/ǝ)
Za Bird (/ flying thing) agǝḍiḍ igǝḍaḍ (-/ǝ)
Ša Senegal fire finch takăbort tikbar (tă/tǝ)
Za Senegal fire finch takăbort tikǝbar (tă/tǝ)
Ša Millet-eater tošǝmba tošǝmbaten (to/to)
Za Millet-eater tuzǝnba tuzǝnbaten (tu/tu)

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Ša Za Pigeon tedăbert tidǝbren (tă/tǝ)
Ša Za White dove tedăbert măllăt tidǝbren măllôlnen (tă/tǝ)
Ša Ostrich anăhil inhal (ă/ǝ)
Za Ostrich anil inyal (ǝ/ǝ)
Ša Pied-crow ăẓayǝǵ eẓuyaǵ (ă/-)
Za Pied-crow aɣrut iɣrutăn (ǝ/ǝ)
Ša Za Egret ebelbel ibelbelăn (ǝ/-)
Ša Za Bustard ăgayǝs iguyas (ǝ/-)
Ša Za Bustard (small) takrewt takrewen (ta/ta)
Ša Za Owl bǝwwen bǝwwenăn (-/-)
Ša Owl agăžol igžal (ă/ǝ)
Za Owl agăžol igǝžal (ă/-)
Ša Duck / Egyptian goose takǝnšamǝnt tikǝnšuman (tǝ/tǝ)
Za Duck / Egyptian goose takǝnžamǝmt tikǝnžumam (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Za Pot bellied duck ekăk ikăkan (ă/-)
Ša Large billed duck tinn-ăkumkum (ti)
Za Large billed duck tinn-ǝkǝmkum (ti)
Ša Za Black kite ălollam ilollămăn (ǝ/-)
Ša Black kite ǵăbu ǵăbutăn (-/-)
Ša Vulture / eagle eǵădăr iǵǝdran (ă/-)
Za Vulture / eagle egădăr igǝdran (ă/-)
Ša Small white vulture tăɣălge tiɣălgiwen (tă/tă)
Za Small white vulture tăɣalge tiɣalgiwen (tă/tǝ)
Ša White stork aɣăllănǵom iɣǝllănǵam (ă/-)
Za White stork aɣăllăngom iɣǝllǝngam (ă/-)
Ša Za Sacred ibis in-tătăwt ǝdd-in-tătăwt (i/ǝ)
Ša Za Pelican taɣălbămbo tiɣălbămbotăn (tă/tǝ)
Ša Crane tenekk tineǵen (tă/tǝ)
Za Crane tenek tinegen (tă/tǝ)
Ša Hornbill (?) ămukăs imukăsăn (ă/-)
Ša Nest asăkok iskak (ă/ǝ)
Za Nest asăkok isǝkak (ă/-)

Bugs
Ša Fly ešš eššan (e/e)
Za Fly iži ižan (i/-)
Ša Za Mosquito tădast (sg=pl) (tă)
Ša Scorpion teẓerdǝmt teẓordam (tă/tă)
Za Scorpion tăẓardǝmt tiẓǝrdam (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Spider sawras sawrasăn (-/-)
Za Spider saras sarasăn (-/-)

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Ša Hunting spider eɣerdǝm iɣerdǝmăn (ă/-)
Za Hunting spider ǝɣardǝm iɣǝrdam (ǝ/-)
Ša Locust / grasshopper ămaggad imaggadăn (ă/-)
Za Locust / grasshopper ažwal ižwalăn (ă/ǝ)
Ša Za Worm / grub / caterpillar tawǝkke tiwǝkkawen (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Ants (small, black) anǝlluǵ inǝlǵan (ǝ/-)
Za Ants (small, black) anǝllug inǝlgan (ǝ/-)
Ša Za Ants (larger) tayǝṭṭuft tayṭǝfen (ta/ta)
Ša Za Ants (large, biting) kǝdǝdǝkkum (-)
Ša Termites temedhe (tă)
Za Termites tămade (tǝ)
Ša Lice tillik tilken (ti/ti)
Za Lice tillek tilken (ti/ti)
Ša Za Mite / weevil tukmat tukmaten (tu/tu)
(Infests stored skins. Also used for weevils in flour / grain / beans etc.)
Ša Za Tick tǝsǝlluft tisǝlfen (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Borer kǝsis kǝsisăn (-/-)
Za Borer kǝšiš kǝšišăn (-/-)
Ša Dung beetle ăɣšinšăr eɣšinšărăn (ă/ǝ)
Za Dung beetle ažǝnžǝr ižǝnžǝrăn (ǝ/-)
Ša Black beetle takinkărt tikinkăren (tă/tǝ)
Za Black beetle tekănkărt tikănkăren (tă/tǝ)
Ša Snail azărɣǝdu izărɣǝdutăn (ă/-)
Za Snail ažǝrɣǝdu ižǝrɣǝdutăn (ǝ/-)
Ša Za Butterfly / moth ǝw-ǝssuk kǝl-ǝssuk (ǝ/-)
(‘Marabout’ because it’s open wings resemble a big boubou.)
Ša Za Bee / hornet ezămbăw izămbăwăn (ă/-)
Ša Za Cricket / cicada waẓiẓ waẓiẓăn (-/-)
Ša Za Wasp taggǝmt taggǝmen (ta/ta)
Ša Dragonfly tašišwa tišišwaten (tǝ/tǝ)
Za Dragonfly / wasp tažǝžwa tižǝžwaten (tǝ/tǝ)
(Used especially for the ‘mouche maçon’ but also applied to other larger
flying insects.)
5.8 Parts of the body
General
Ša Body (general / skeleton) taɣǝssa tiɣǝswen (tă/tǝ)
Za Body (general / skeleton) taɣǝssa tiɣǝswen (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Body (corpse) tafǝkka tifǝkwen (tǝ/tǝ)
Za Body (corpse) tafǝkka tifǝkkawen (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Za Bone eɣăs iɣăsan (ă/-)
Ša Za Long bone (e.g. tibia) aduf idufăn (ǝ/-)

259
Ša Za Small bone taduft tidufen (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Muscle / member taslăṭṭ tisǝllaḍ (tǝ/tǝ)
Za Muscle / member taslǝṭ tisǝllaḍ (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Muscle tamǝnkeṭṭ timǝnkaḍ (tă/tǝ)
Za Muscle tamǝnkiṭ timǝnkaḍ (tă/tǝ)
Ša Joint ǝzǝmmaz izǝmmuz (ǝ/-)
Za Joint ǝžǝmmaž ižǝmmǝž (ǝ/-)
Ša Nerve / vein / tendon aẓar aẓarăn (a/a)
Za Nerve / vein / tendon aẓar iẓǝrwan (ă/-)

Head
Ša Za Head eɣăf iɣăfawăn (ă/-)
Ša Za Face idǝm idmawăn (i/i)
Ša Hair emẓăd amẓadăn (e/a)
Za Hair amžaḍ amžaḍăn (a/a)
Za Hair emžăḍ emžăḍăn (e/e)
Ša (Lock of) hair ašǝkkoḍ išǝkkaḍ (ǝ/-)
Za (Lock of) hair ažǝkkoḍ ižǝkkaḍ (ǝ/-)
Ša Long hair (not styled) ăšǝyyuf išuyyaf (ǝ/-)
Za Long hair (not styled) tažif tižifawen (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Eye teṭṭ teṭṭawen (te/te)
Za Eye šăṭṭ šeṭṭawen (-/-)
Ša Eyebrow enhăr anharăn (e/a)
Za Eyebrow anar anarăn (a/a)
Ša Eyelid ăbilhăṭṭ ibilhăḍăn (ă/-)
Za Eyelid ăbelăḍ ibelăḍăn (ă/-)
Ša Eyelash elew ilewăn (ă/-)
Za Eyelash alaw alawăn (a/a)
Za Eyelash ălag ilăggăn (ă/-)
Ša Ear tamăẓẓukk timăẓẓugen (tă/tǝ)
Za Ear tamǝẓẓuk timǝẓẓugen (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Nose (nostrils) tenšărt tinšar (te/ti)
Za Nose (nostrils) tenžărt tinžar (te/ti)
Ša Nose (bone) anǵor anǵorăn (a/a)
Za Nose (bone) angor angorăn (a/a)
Ša Mouth em imawăn (ă/-)
Za Mouth imi imawăn (i/-)
Ša Tooth esen isenăn (ă/-)
Za Tooth ešen išenăn (ă/-)
Ša Za Tongue ilǝs ilsawăn (i/i)
Ša Lip aḍăloy iḍlay (ă/ǝ)
Za Lip aḍăloy iḍǝlay (ă/-)
Ša Gums tihăyniwen (tă/tǝ)
Za Gums tăynawen (tă/tǝ)

260
Ša Neck er erawăn (e/-)
Za Neck iri irawăn (i/-)
Ša Throat aǵorš iǵoršawăn (ă/-)
Za Throat agurzăy igurzăyăn (ǝ/-)
Ša Adam’s apple tăkorsăyt tikorsăyen (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Za Cheek tăgomăst tigomăsen (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Za Cheek tazɣa tazɣiwen (ta/ta)
Ša Cheek ăgeẓ igaẓẓăn (ă/-)
Za Cheek ǝgiẓ igăẓẓăn (ǝ/-)
Ša Beard /chin tămart timarren (tă/tǝ)
Za Beard /chin tămart timărren (tă/tǝ)
Ša Za Sideburns / side of face akărar ikărarăn (ă/-)
Ša Za Forehead tekănnărt tikănnăren (tă/tǝ)
Ša Za Forehead tumme tummawen (tu/tu)
Ša Skull takărkort tikǝrkar (tă/tǝ)
Za Skull takărkort tikărkoren (tă/tǝ)
Ša Za Skull (top of) takǝyya tikǝyyawen (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Za Brain / bone marrow akǝlkǝl ikǝlkǝlăn (ǝ/-)
Ša Nape of neck egărăḍ igărḍan (ă/-)
Za Nape of neck egărăḍ igărăḍăn (ă/-)
Ša Za Palate anɣa anɣatăn (a/a)

Upper Body
Ša Za Chest admăr idmarăn (ă/ǝ)
Ša Chest - iǵǝrǵar (-)
Ša Za Sternum tadmărt tidmaren (tă/tǝ)
Ša Shoulder ăẓerh eẓerhan (ă/-)
Za Shoulder ăẓir iẓerăn (ǝ/-)
Ša Za Shoulder-blade tagǝrgist tigǝrgas (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Back ărori irorǝyawǝnăn (ă/-)
Za Back ăruru iroran (ă/-)
(Also refers to patrilineal relations.)
Ša Za Breast / nipple efăf ifăfan (ă/-)
Ša Za Breast / udder teẓe taẓiwen (te/ta)
(To express ‘breast’ in the general sense efăf is used.)
Ša Rib eɣărdes iɣărdăššăn (ă/-)
Za Rib eɣărdes iɣǝrdǝššăn (ă/-)
Ša Side tasăǵa tisǝǵwen (tă/tǝ)
Za Side tasăga tisǝgwen (tă/tǝ)
Ša Thorax tarăǵa tirǝǵwen (tă/tǝ)
Za Thorax tarăga tirǝgwen (tă/tǝ)

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Arms
Ša Arm / hand ăfus ifăssăn (ă/-)
Za Arm / hand ǝfus ifăssăn (ǝ/-)
Ša Finger assǝkăḍ issǝkaḍ (ǝ/ǝ)
Za Finger aḍaḍ iḍǝḍwan (ă/-)
Ša Thumb egmăš agmašăn (e/a)
Za Thumb egmăz igǝmzan (ă/-)
Ša (Finger)nail eskăr askarăn (e/a)
Za (Finger)nail eškăr iškarăn (ă/ǝ)
Ša Za Palm tedekǝlt tidukal (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Wrist taǵǝltǝmt tiǵultam (tǝ/tǝ)
Za Wrist tagǝltǝmt tigultam (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Wrist tasănḍărt tisănḍăren (tă/tǝ)
Za Wrist tasǝnḍǝrt tisǝnḍar (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Elbow / corner taɣmărt tiɣǝmmar (tă/tǝ)
Za Elbow / corner taɣmǝrt tiɣǝmmar (tǝ/tǝ)

Legs
Ša Za Leg / foot aḍăr iḍarăn (ă/-)
Ša Ankle (Achilles tendon) aǵoš aǵošăn (a/a)
Za Ankle (Achilles tendon) agoz agozăn (a/a)
Ša Ankle (bone) tamẓăẓẓǝt timẓăẓẓǝten (tǝ/tǝ)
Za Ankle (bone) tawǝẓǝẓẓut tiwǝẓǝẓẓuten (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Knee ăfud ifaddăn (ǝ/-)
Za Knee ǝfud ifăddăn (ǝ/-)
Ša Shin (bone) elăɣ elɣan (e/e)
Za Shin (bone) elǝɣ elɣan (e/e)
Ša Za Thigh (bone) taɣma taɣmiwen (ta/ta)
Ša Za Sole etăfăr itǝfran (ă/-)
Ša Toe (/ foot of quadruped) tinse tinsawen (ti/ti)
Za Toe (/ foot of quadruped) tinše tinšawen (ti/ti)

Lower body
Ša Belly (outer aspect) tăsa tisatten (tă/tǝ)
Za Belly tadist tidǝswen (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Waist teǵăše tiǵǝšwen (tă/tǝ)
Za Waist tegăze tigǝzwen (tă/tǝ)
Ša Belly-button tăbutut tibututen (tǝ/tǝ)
Za Belly-button tabutut tibututen (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Za Hip aɣǝbber iɣǝbberăn (ǝ/-)
Ša Pelvis tătoɣăst titoɣăsen (tǝ/tǝ)
Za Pelvis tǝtoɣăst titoɣăsen (tǝ/tǝ)

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Ša Buttock tabǝlloṭṭ tibǝlloḍen (tǝ/tǝ)
Za Buttock tǝzuk tizuken (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Lumber region isǝǵbas (-)
Za Lumber region isǝgbas (-)
Ša Za Stomach muscles (l+r) ălatum ilutam (ǝ/-)

Genitalia
The following words are sometimes heard but more frequently they will be
replaced with euphemistic phrases.
Ša Za Penis ăbada ibadan (ă/-)
Ša Penis arǵal arǵalăn (a/a)
Za Penis argal irgalăn (ă/ǝ)
Ša Penis ašamboḍ išǝmbaḍ (ă/-)
Za Penis ažambuḍ ižǝmbaḍ (ǝ/-)
Ša Penis tadǝmbut tidǝmba (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Penis ăẓiw ăẓiwăn (ă/ă)
Ša Foreskin aǵămbor iǵǝmbar (ă/-)
Za Foreskin agămbur igǝmbar (ǝ/-)
Ša Za Testicles tasădalt tisădalen (tă/tǝ)
Ša Za Vagina (birth canal) tasăssarut tisǝssiraw (tă/tǝ)
Ša Za Vagina akǝḍil ikăḍlan (ǝ/-)
Ša Vagina ăwahi iwahităn (ă/-)
(Possibly itself originally a euphemism ‘that thing’.)
Ša Pubic hair ăšinšăḍ išinšăḍăn (ă/-)
Za Pubic hair ažǝnžǝḍ ižǝnžaḍ (ǝ/-)
Ša Za Anus teẓẓ teẓẓawen (te/te)

Viscera
Ša Heart ulh ulhawăn (u/u)
Za Heart ǝwǝl iwăllăn (ǝ/-)
Ša Liver awsa awsatăn (a/a)
Za Liver tăsa tisătten (tă/tǝ)
Ša Za Kidney tagẓǝlt tigǝẓẓal (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Za Stomach (the bag) tarfa tarfiwen (ta/ta)
Ša Za Stomach (the bag) abărkot
(Also refers to matrilineal relations.)
Ša Za Intestine adan adanăn (a/a)
Ša Za Lung tarut taruten (ta/ta)
Ša Za Bladder tasăyast tisăyasen (tă/tǝ)
Ša Za Viscera isǝkwa (-)
Ša Womb // loins iǵǝllan (-)
Za Womb // loins igǝlla (-)

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Ša Za Umbilical cord temeṭṭ (tă)
Ša Za Placenta timeḍen (tǝ)

Animal Body Parts

Generally the same as the corresponding human part.
Ša Tail ašiwa išiwatăn (ă/-)
Za Tail telănkăwt tilănkăwen (tă/tǝ)
Ša Za Horn isǝk iskawăn (i/ǝ)
Ša Hump tašămamt tišămamen (tă/tǝ)
Za Hump tuhe tuhawen (tu/tu)
Ša Hoof / claw askar askarăn (a/a)
Za Hoof / claw eškăr aškarăn (e/a)
Ša Wing afrew afrewăn (a/a)
Za Wing afrut ifrutăn (ǝ/ǝ)
Za Wing tǝfakfak tifakfaken (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Za Feather tăsaggat tisaggaden (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Hair (removed from skin) iššar (ǝ)
Za Hair (removed from skin) izǝzar (-)
Ša Za Foreleg tahit tihiw (tă/tǝ)
Ša Mane ăẓagg eẓaggăn (ă/-)
Za Mane ăẓag iẓăggăn (ă/-)
Ša Carrion tamăɣsoyt timăɣsa (tă/tǝ)
Za Carrion tamăɣsoyt timǝɣsa (tă/tǝ)

Bodily fluids and functions

Ša Za Breath (<Ar.) unfas unfasăn (u/u)
Ša Za Breath (<Ar.) tunfast tunfasen (tu/tu)
Ša Blood ašni išnităn (ǝ/ǝ)
Za Blood azni iznităn (ǝ/ǝ)
Ša Za Sweat tide tidawen (ti/ti)
Ša Za Sweat tarraft tarrafen (ta/ta)
Ša Tears ameṭṭ imeṭṭawăn (ǝ/-)
Za Tears amǝṭṭ imǝṭṭawăn (ǝ/-)
Ša Za Urine ăwas iwăssăn (ă/-)
Ša Faeces (any) asbǝkki isbǝkkităn (ǝ/ǝ)
Za Faeces (any) ašbǝkki išbǝkkităn (ǝ/ǝ)
Ša Za (Infantile expression) (Fr.) kăkka (-)
Ša Za (Human or carnivore) eḍer iḍerăn (ă/-)
Ša Za Breaking wind (Ar.) taxădast tixădasen (tă/tǝ)
(To do this in public is extremely shameful in Tamasheq society.)
Ša Sneeze tusrek tusreken (tu/tu)
Za Sneeze tušrek tušreken (tu/tu)

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Ša Belch tuǵrekk tuǵreken (tu/tu)
Za Belch tugrek tugreken (tu/tu)
Ša Za Spittle / spit (tasuteft) tisutaf (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Za Saliva / flavour emătăm imǝtman (ă/-)
Ša Za Hiccups ahănăqqa ihǝnăqqa (ă/ǝ)
Ša Hiccups tahnăqqet tihnăqqa (tă/tǝ)
Za Hiccups tahǝnǝqqet tihǝnǝqqa (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Nosebleed ahunšăr ihǝnšorăn (ǝ/-)
Za Nosebleed enžăr enžărăn (e/e)
Ša Za Nasal mucus inšerăn (i)
Ša Bile / gall bladder ăgg-eẓe
Za Bile eẓăy iẓăyyăn (ă/-)
Ša Phlegm tašănɣešt tišănɣaš (tǝ/tǝ)
Za Phlegm tazǝnɣezt tizǝnɣaz (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Pus arǝssoḍ (ă)
Za Pus arǝssuḍ (ǝ)

Of animals
Ša Dung (general) asbǝkki ǝn- (ǝ)
Za Dung (general) ašǝbǝkki ǝn- (ǝ)
Ša Cow dung temărɣit timărɣ (tă/tǝ)
Za Cow dung tafǝrkit tifǝrkităn (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Pellets (sheep / camel) aɣǝrraǵ eɣǝrraǵăn (ă/-)
Za Pellets (sheep / camel) aɣǝrrag iɣǝrragăn (ǝ/-)
Ša Horse / donkey dung amǝzzor imǝzzorăn (ǝ/-)
Za Horse / donkey dung amǝzzur imǝzzurăn (ǝ/-)
Ša Cud aǵǝl iǵlităn (ǝ/ǝ)
Za Cud agli iglităn (ǝ/ǝ)
Ša Za Contents of ruminant’s esăk eskawăn (e/e)
stomach
Ša Venom erăhăynăn irăhăynănăn (ă/-)
Za Venom erăynăn irăynănăn (ă/-)

5.9 Health and disease

General terms
Ša Illness torhǝnna torhǝnnawen (to/to)
Za Illness tărint tirinen (tă/tǝ)
Ša Za Fever tenăde tinǝdd (tă/tǝ)
Ša Za Headache tewăte n-ăɣăf tiwit n-ăɣăf (tă/tǝ)
Ša Cough tăsut tăsuten (tă/tă)
Za Cough tǝsut tǝsuten (tǝ/tǝ)

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Ša Pain tăkmo tăkmoten (tă/tă)
Za Pain tǝkma tǝkmaten (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Za Pain tisnant tisnanen (ti/ti)
Ša Severe pain teẓẓort teẓẓoren (te/te)
Za Severe pain tǝẓẓurt tǝẓẓuren (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Za Injury / wound abuyǝs ibuyǝsăn (ǝ/-)
Ša Injury / wound ahăyoǵ ihăyoǵăn (ă/-)
Za Injury / wound ahăyog ihăyogăn (ă/-)
Ša Open sore / wound teqqest teqqas (te/te)
Za Open sore / wound tiqqest tiqqas (ti/ti)
Ša Za Boil ătaqqa itaqqan (ă/-)
Ša Hot (infected) area atunǵăr itunǵărăn (ă/-)
Za Hot (infected) area atăngăr ităngărăn (ă/-)
Ša Za Feeling unwell aẓif eẓǝffawăn (ă/-)
(In Tudalt this can mean ‘epidemic’.)
Ša Za Health (<Ar.) ălxer (ă)
Ša Za Health (<Ar.) ăssexăt (ă)
Ša Za Health (So.) bani (-)
Ša Medicine / treatment asăfar isǝfran (ă/-)
Za Medicine / treatment amăgal imǝglan (ă/-)
Ša Tablet tablalt tiblalen (tă/tǝ)
Za Tablet tamăɣwant timăɣwanen (tă/tǝ)
Ša Za Doctor / nurse / clinic lăxtor lăxtortăn (-/-)
Ša Za Doctor / nurse / clinic lăqtor lăqtortăn (-/-)
Ša Za Doctor / nurse / clinic lăktor lăktortăn (-/-)
Ša Healer enăssăfăr inăssăfărăn (ă/-)
Za Healer enăsmăgăl inăsmăgălăn (ă/-)
Ša Vaccination tagǝyyešt tigǝyyaš (tǝ/tǝ)
Za Vaccination tagǝyyezt tigǝyyaz (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Vaccination tedeǵe tidiǵ (tă/tǝ)
Za Vaccination tedege tidig (tă/tǝ)

Specific illnesses
Ša Za Malaria tenăde ta-n ăkăsa (tă)
(lit. ‘Fever of rainy season’)
Ša Jaundice tăhafnent tihăfnenen (tǝ/tǝ)
Za Jaundice tazǝfnent tizǝfnenen (tǝ/tǝ)
(Commonly caused by Falciparum malaria, yellow fever or hepatitis.)
Ša Diarrhoea tăsa (tă)
(lit. ‘Belly / tummy’)
Za Diarrhoea tadist (tǝ)
(lit. ‘Belly / tummy’)
Ša Za Diarrhoea tufit (tu)
(lit. ‘Pouring’)

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Ša Za Dysentery tanănnăɣat tinănnăɣaten (tă/tǝ)
Ša Za Common cold ămaẓla imaẓlan (ă/-)
Ša Common cold aǵăbarru (ă)
Ša Za Guinea worm atlǝb itǝlban (ă/-)
Ša Measles lumǝt / isibăn (pl) (-/-)
Za Measles lumǝt / išibăn (pl) (-/-)
Ša Syphilis amăšar imăšarăn (ă/-)
Za Syphilis amăžar imăžarăn (ă/-)
Za Syphilitic skin lesions anǝɣu inǝɣa (ǝ/-)
(This word is also used for headaches or discomfort through fasting, lack of
caffeine or other disruptions of habit.)
Ša Leprosy (So.) ǵǝri (-)
Za Leprosy (So.) gǝri (-)
Za Leprosy anǝɣu wan ǝkǝrǝmmi (ǝ)
Ša Leprosy ămaɣras (ă/-)
Ša Discomfort (of fasting etc.) ǝmmoɣrǝs (ǝ)
Ša Za Whooping cough săqqărnan (-)
Ša Intestinal worms imǝǵlan (-)
Za Intestinal worms aššelăn (-)
Ša Arthritis tanǝsmoṭṭ (tǝ)
Za Arthritis tanǝsmuṭ (tǝ)
(lit. ‘Cold’)
Ša Tight ‘chesty’ cough afugg (ă)
Za Tight ‘chesty’ cough afǝggi (ǝ)
Ša Za Tuberculosis sǝnbubăn (-)
Ša Za Rabies wănšăt (-)
Ša Za AIDS (Fr.) sida (-)
Ša Za AIDS (euphemism) tenăde tan Ăbiǵa (tă)
(This reflects the beginning of the AIDS epidemic locally where people
returned sick from migrant labour and died within a few months. It is
generally known that the disease is caught by sexual contact in places such
as Abidjan. It is not yet widely perceived that it is spread by sexual contact
in the local context, although perceptions are gradually changing.)

Ša Za Restricted breathing temăslăq (tă)

Ša Conjunctivitis ahǝnnǝǵ (ǝ)
Za Conjunctivitis awǝnnǝg (ǝ)
Ša Za Blindness tăddărɣălt (tǝ)
Ša Total deafness tǝmmăẓẓǝkk (tǝ)
Za Total deafness tǝmmǝẓẓǝk (tǝ)
Ša Partial deafness tăbbăšăwt (tă)

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In describing symptoms of illness Tamasheq people are often very vague and
euphemistic (relative to the expectations of a Western enquirer). The answer to
‘where does it hurt’ will often be ‘all my skin’ or ‘all my body’. Urethral pain will
often be indicated as stomach pain, male impotence described as fatigue. People
can be extremely vague or misleading in response to questions about how long a
fever, swelling, pain or diarrhoea has been going on for (whether refering to
themselves or their child).

5.10 Food
General terms
terms
Ša Food / eating tetăte titǝtt (tă/tǝ)
Za Food / eating teṭṭe titǝtt (tă/tǝ)
Ša Food / a meal amǝnsi imǝnsiwăn (ǝ/-)
Za Food / a meal ămense imensewăn (ǝ/-)
Ša Za Provisions ăsador isudar (ă/-)
Ša Provisions (for journey) ăzzad ăzzadăn (ă/ă)
Za Provisions (for journey) ăzza ăzzatăn (ă/ă)
Ša Food for guests amăǵaru imǵura (ă/ǝ)
Za Food for guests amăgaru imǝgura (ă/-)
Ša Za Water aman (a)
Ša Left-overs aǵlǝš iǵǝlšan (ǝ/ǝ)
Za Left-overs aglǝz igǝlzan (ǝ/ǝ)
Ša Za Odour of food teɣne taɣniwen (te/ta)
Ša Za Odour of cooked meat ăɣas (ă)
Ša Za Fruit ara n-ašǝk aratăn n-eškan (a/a)
Ša Za Cereals (Ar.) ăttăɣam ăttăɣamăn (ă/ă)

Staple foods
Ša Za Millet enăle inălawăn / inăletăn (ă/-)
(Staple cereal – planted in June/July, harvested in October. The plural is
rare but means ‘varieties of millet’, as with many other grains and plants.)
Ša Za Sorghum ăbora iboran (ă/-)
(Reserve staple, planted alongside millet, common further south.)
Ša Za Rice tafăɣăt tafăɣăten (ta/ta)
(Grown along the Niger river and more recently near dams.)
Ša Wild fonio isibăn (-)
Za Wild fonio išibăn (-)
Ša Za Wild fonio asɣal isɣalăn (ă/ǝ)
(Gathered in August / September to tide over to millet harvest.)
Ša Za Maize (Fu.) kămănări (-)
(Not grown locally but grown further south and brought to market.)
Ša Millet bran (fine) tălumt tilommen (tă/tǝ)

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Za Millet bran (fine) tǝlumt tilămmen (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Za Husk / coarse bran abǝtt ibǝttăn (ǝ/-)
Ša Flour / powder eǵel iǵelăn (ă/-)
Za Flour / powder egel igelăn (ă/-)
Ša Wheat flour eǵel n-ălkăma (ă)
Za Wheat flour egel n-ălkăma (ă)
Ša (Millet) porridge (tô) ăsink isinkawăn (ă/-)
Za (Millet) porridge (tô) ǝšink išinkawăn (ǝ/-)
Ša Sauce for ăsink aḍrăẓ iḍărẓan (ă/-)
Za Sauce for ǝšink aḍrǝẓ iḍǝrẓan (ǝ/-)
Ša Za ‘Town’ sauce (So.) hoy hoyatăn (-/-)
Ša Milk axx exxawăn (ă/ǝ)
Za Milk ax ixxawăn (ă/ǝ)
Ša Za Curdled milk ǝssǝlay ǝssǝlayăn (ǝ/ǝ)
Ša Butter (sauce) udi udǝyawăn (u/u)
Za Butter (sauce) widi widităn (-/-)
Ša Za Millet drink tǝdda tǝddaten (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Za Solids of tǝdda eɣăle eɣăletăn (ă/-)
Ša Za Gruel ăliwa iliwatăn (ă/-)
Ša Za Gruel (Fu.) bitta bittaten (-/-)
Ša Za Meat isan (-)
Ša Za Beans tanzant tanzanen (ta/ta)
Ša Salt tesǝmt tesmen (te/te)
Za Salt tesǝmt tesǝmen (te/te)
Ša Za Tea ătay ătayăn (a/a)
Ša (Tea) leaves ăla (n-ătay) ilattăn (ă/-)
Za (Tea) leaves ăla (n-ătay) ilăttăn (ă/-)
Ša Sugar ăssukăr ăssukărăn (ă/ă)
Za Sugar ǝssukǝr ǝssukǝrăn (ǝ/ǝ)
Ša Za Lump (of sugar etc.) esămb isămban (ă/-)
Ša Za Peanuts (Fu.) ǵiriǵe (-)
Ša Dates tehăyne tihăyniwen (tă/tǝ)
Za Dates tăyne tăynawen (tă/tǝ)

Other foods
Ša Onion (Ar.) ălbǝṣǝl ălbǝṣǝlăn (ă/ă)
Za Onion (Ar.) ǝlbǝṣǝl ǝlbǝṣǝlăn (ǝ/ǝ)
Ša Dried onion leaves taɣfărt taɣfăren (ta/ta)
Za Dried onion leaves teɣfǝrt tiɣfǝren (tă/tǝ)
Ša Za Leaves talăfast tilăfasen (tă/tǝ)
Ša Za Baobab leaves tăkudust tikudusen (tǝ/tǝ)

269
Ša Egg tasădalt tisădalen (tă/tǝ)
Za Egg takǝkit tikǝkiten (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Mint (Ar.) anăɣnăɣ anăɣnăɣităn (a/a)
Ša Mint (Ar.) anăɣnăɣ anăɣnăɣăn (a/a)
(Occasionally added to tea but this is considered an Arab practice.)
Ša Honey torawăt torawăten (to/to)
Za Honey turawăt turawăten (tu/tu)
(Not found in Oudalan, but known from elsewhere.)
Ša Cheese takămmart tikămmaren (tă/tǝ)
Za Cheese tǝkommart tikommaren (tǝ/tǝ)
(No longer made in Oudalan, probably due to shortage of milk. It is made in
Azawagh and other areas where at certain times of year milk production
greatly exceeds consumption.)
Ša Za Grilled grains amăyaɣ imăyaɣăn (ă/-)
(Eaten only when the first millet heads are harvested.)
Ša Boiled grains tǝwǝs (tǝ)
Za Boiled grains tewest tiwesen (tă/tǝ)
Ša Za Donuts / ‘cakes’ (Ha.) masa masatăn (-/-)
Ša Pounded meat moxfe moxfetăn (-/-)
Za Pounded meat măxfe măxfetăn (-/-)
Ša Za Cream afrar ifrarăn (ă/ǝ)
Ša Colostrum (cooked) edăɣăs idăɣsan (ă/-)
Za Colostrum (cooked) edăɣăs idǝɣsan (ă/-)
Ša Za Set butter tasǝndut tisǝnda (tǝ/tǝ)
Local fruits, e.g.:
Ša Za (wild ‘date’) ăboraɣ iboraɣăn (ǝ/-)
Ša Za (jujube) abăka ibăkatăn (ă/-)
Ša (wild ‘melon’) telăgăṣt tilăgăẓen (tă/tǝ)
Za (wild ‘melon’) alǝkăḍ ilǝkăḍăn (ǝ/ǝ)
Ša (tigernut sedge) ašer ašerăn (a/a)
Za (tigernut sedge) ažir ažirăn (a/a)
Ša (gum / resin) tanust tinusen (tă/tǝ)
Za (gum / resin) tanust tinusen (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Cake of ‘jujube’ flour ăhoffăr ihofran (ă/-)
Za Cake of ‘jujube’ flour uffǝr ofran (u/o)
Ša Za Beer (Moore) dăro dărotăn (-/-)
Ša Alcohol(ic drink) asmǝd asmǝdăn (a/a)
Za Alcohol(ic drink) asmăd asmădăn (a/a)
Ša Za Bread (Fu.) buru burutăn (-/-)
Ša ‘Bread’ (millet dough) taǵǝlla tiǵǝlwen (tǝ/tǝ)
Za ‘Bread’ (millet dough) tagǝlla tigǝlwen (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Grease/ fat tadhont - (tă)

270
Za Grease / fat tadǝnt - (tǝ)
Ša Za Sweet potato (Ha.) rogo rogotăn (-/-)
Ša Za Potato (Fr.) bombǝter bombǝtertăn (-/-)
Ša Za Tomato (Ha.) tămati tămatităn (-/-)
Ša Okra (Ha.) laǵi laǵităn (-/-)
Za Okra (Ha.) laži lažităn (-/-)
Ša Za Spice / chilli izǝkǝmba izǝkǝmbatăn (i/i)
Za Spice / chilli ižǝkǝmba ižǝkǝmbatăn (i/i)
Ša Za Kola nut (Ha.) goro gorotăn (-/-)
Ša Za Citrus fruit (<Ar.) limon limontăn (-/-)
Ša Za Mango (Ha.) măngoro măngorotăn (-/-)
Ša Za Cooking oil (Fr.) dilwil
Ša Za Coffee (Fr.) kăfe
Ša Za English tea libton
(From a brand of tea.)

5.11 Food preparation and storage

General
Ša Pestle ešăɣăn išăɣnan (ă/-)
Za Pestle ezăɣăn izǝɣnan (ă/-)
Ša Za Mortar tende tandiwen (te/ta)
Ša Bowl (wooden) ăkos ikassăn (ă/-)
(The plural also means ‘crockery/ pots + pans’ in general. The plural in this
sense is also used in Tudalt but is pronounced ikăssăn.)
Ša Wooden bowl aɣǝzu iɣǝzwan (ǝ/-)
Za Wooden bowl taɣǝžut tiɣǝžwen (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Za Large bowl (to eat from) aẓăwa iẓăwatăn (ă/-)
Ša Za Gourd alkas alkasăn (a/a)
Ša Za Small gourd talkast talkasen (ta/ta)
Ša Gourd ăgašu iguša (ă/-)
Ša Small gourd tăgašut tiguša (tă/tǝ)
Ša Za Milking bowl akăbar ikǝbran (ă/-)
Ša Spoon tăsokalt tisokalen (tă/tǝ)
Za Spoon tăšokalt tišokalen (tă/tǝ)
Ša Za Tea things ilalăn n-ătay (-)
Ša Teapot (Ar.) ălbărrad ălbărradatăn (ă/ă)
Za Teapot (Ar.) ǝlbǝrrad ǝlbǝrradatăn (ǝ/ǝ)
Ša Za Tea glass (Ar.) alkăs alkăsăn (a/a)
Brazier (Ar.) ălforna ălfornatăn (ă/ă)
Ša Basket (for tea things) takăbot tikăboten (tă/tǝ)

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Za Basket (for tea things) takăbot tikǝba (tă/tǝ)
Ša Za Measuring tin (Fu.) kǝnkuru kǝnkurutăn (-/-)
Ša Measuring tin askǝt iskat (ǝ/ǝ)
Za Measuring tin asǝkǝt isǝkat (ǝ/-)
Ša Za Tin / box takbat tikbaten (tă/tǝ)
Ša Za Plate / bowl teɣert tiɣeren (tă/tǝ)
Ša Za Large bowl eɣer iɣerăn (ă/-)
Ša Cooking pot (Ar.) ăṣṣabra ăṣṣabratăn (ă/ă)
Ša Za Small cooking pot abǝlbǝl ibǝlbǝlăn (ǝ/-)
Za Cooking pot alǝkin ilǝkan (ǝ/-)
(This last means clay pot, but is used by extension of metal ones.)
Ša Za Stirring stick asǝrwǝy isǝrway (ǝ/-)
Ša Cup / ladle / scoop ăsilkăw isilkăwăn (ă/-)
Za Cup / ladle / scoop ăšilkăw išilkăwăn (ă/-)
Ša Za Straw plate tesăyt tisăyyen (tă/tǝ)
(Used for winnowing and sifting.)
Ša Za Straw plate (used as lid) lefe lefetăn (-/-)
Ša Lid ashăr ishar (ă/ǝ)
Za Lid asǝhǝr isǝhar (ă/-)
Ša Za Sieve (<Fr.) tămăy tămăyen (tă/tă)
Ša Knife absăr ibsărăn (ă/ǝ)
Za Knife absǝr ibsǝrăn (ǝ/ǝ)
Ša Clay pot (for water) alǝkkin ilǝkkan (ǝ/-)
Za Clay pot (for water) tayǝnt tiyǝnen (ta/ti)
Ša Za Clay pot with 2 handles etǝkin itkan (ǝ/ǝ)
Ša Za Water skin ešker iškerăn (ă/ǝ)
Ša Za Water skin ekšer ikšerăn (ă/ǝ)
Ša Old water skin agădod igdad (ă/ǝ)
Za Old water skin agădod igǝdad (ă/-)
Ša Skin with hairs still on abăyoɣ ibyaɣ (ă/ǝ)
Za Skin with hairs still on abăyoɣ ibǝyaɣ (ă/-)
Ša Za Skin for curdled milk anwar inwarăn (ă/ǝ)
Ša Za Stopper (reed) ehăllăm ihăllămăn (ă/-)
Ša Well ‘bucket’ / scoop ăǵa iǵattăn (ă/-)
Za Well ‘bucket’ / scoop ăga igăggăn (ă/-)
(Once made from leather but now more commonly from old inner tubes.)
Ša Za Bucket (Ha.) bokǝti bokǝtităn (-/-)
Ša Za Bag (leather, cloth or plastic) abălboḍ ibǝlbaḍ (ă/-)
Ša Leather bag aɣrǝǵ eɣărǵan (ă/-)
Za Leather bag aɣrǝg iɣǝrgan (ǝ/-)

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Ša Za Sack (for millet etc.) šaku šakutăn (-/-)
Ša Za Bag / satchel šăkkoš šăkkoštăn (-/-)
Ša Za Bag of rennet tăẓẓa tăẓẓawen (tă/tă)
(A gazelle fawn's intestines in a bag made from its skin.)
Ša Za Funnel asǝggǝfi isǝggǝfităn (ǝ/-)
(From the verb ǝffǝy ‘to pour’, anciently ǝwfǝy, with ‘ww’ becoming ‘gg’.)
Ša Za Basket deka dekatăn (-/-)
Ša Za Basket (small) tedekat tidekaten (tă/tǝ)
Ša Za Glass bottle (<Ha.) butǝl(a) butǝlatăn (-/-)
Ša Za Glass bottle (<Ar.) lulu lulutăn (-/-)
Ša Box / bottle / jar ahǝttin ihǝttan (ǝ/-)
Za Box / bottle / jar attin ittan (a/i)
Ša Za Large metal bowl aɣlal iɣlalăn (ă/ǝ)
(This is generally used for feeding cows / giving them water.)

5.12 Craftsmen and their products

Tools
Ša Za Forge ahănsăwa ihănsăwatăn (ă/-)
Ša Za Tools ilalăn win ăhansăwa (-)
Ša Knife absăr ibsărăn (ă/ǝ)
Za Knife absǝr ibsǝrăn (ǝ/ǝ)
Ša Axe tutăla tutălawen (tu/tu)
Za Axe taḍǝft tiḍǝff (ta/ti)
Ša Adze takădimt tikdam (tă/tǝ)
Za Adze takǝdimt tikǝdam (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Hammer afăḍis ifḍas (ă/ǝ)
Za Hammer afǝḍis ifǝḍas (ǝ/ǝ)
Ša Punch asfăḍ isfaḍ (ă/ǝ)
Za Punch asǝfǝḍ isǝfaḍ (ǝ/-)
Ša Punch asbăḍ isbaḍ (ă/ǝ)
Za Punch asǝbǝḍ isǝbaḍ (ǝ/-)
Ša Cold chisel tasăɣrǝst tisăɣras (tǝ/tǝ)
Za Cold chisel tasǝɣrǝst tisǝɣras (tǝ/tǝ)
(Used for cutting sheet metal.)
Ša Scoring knife (wooden) tasărkǝnt tisărkan (tǝ/tǝ)
Za Scoring knife (wooden) tasǝrkǝnt tisǝrkan (tǝ/tǝ)
(Used for marking patterns on leatherwork before painting with dye.)
Ša Za Pliers / tongs / tweezers (aɣmǝd) iɣǝmdan (ǝ/-)
Ša Za File ăzăzzăwa izăzzăwan (ă/-)
Ša Awl / big needle tistant tistanen (ti/ti)
Za Awl / big needle tǝstant tǝstanen (tǝ/tǝ)

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Ša Za Awl endăl endălăn (e/e)
Ša Bellows tisăhaḍ (tǝ)
Za Bellows tisǝhaḍ (tǝ)
Ša Za Scriber (Ar.) ălbărrima ălbărrimatăn (ă/ă)
Ša Anvil tăhunt tihun (tă/tǝ)
Za Anvil tǝhunt tihun (tǝ/tǝ)
(lit. ‘stone’, refers to a flat headed metal stake driven into the ground.)
Ša Tool box tagărawt tigărawen (tă/tǝ)
Za Tool box tagărăwt tigărăwen (tă/tǝ)
Ša Za Dye (for leather) (Ha.) šărki šărkităn (-/-)

Musical Instruments
Music is largely restricted to a few settings: weddings, naming ceremonies, coming
of age parties and spirit-possession dances.
Ša 3 string wooden ‘guitar’ tehărḍant tihărḍanen (tă/tǝ)
Za 3 string wooden ‘guitar’ tahǝrḍant tihǝrḍanen (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Wooden body of guitar eǵăbeš iǵǝbšan (ă/ǝ)
Ša Violin (monochord) emẓăd amẓadăn (e/a)
Za Violin (monochord) emžaḍ imžaḍăn (ă/-)
Ša Flute taɣănibt teɣnab (tă/tǝ)
Za Flute tǝɣanibt tiɣunab (tă/tǝ)
Ša Za Flute tăsinsăqq tisinsăɣen (tă/tǝ)
Za Flute tasǝnsǝq tisǝnsaɣ (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Za Drum tende tandiwen (te/ta)
(A household mortar with a goatskin stretched tightly across it.)
Ša Gourd upturned in water tăgašut tiguša (tă/tǝ)
Ša Za Drum of command (<Ar.) ǝṭṭǝbil ǝṭṭǝbilăn (ǝ/ǝ)
(This is the traditional drum owned by the chief and used to call to war.)
Ša Drumstick atăkor itkar (ă/ǝ)
Za Drumstick atăkor itǝkar (ă/-)
Ša Za Bugle / trumpet (Ar.) ălgăyt ălgăytatăn (ă/ă)
Ša Za Rattle tebărăɣrăqq tibărăɣrăɣen (tă/tǝ)

Wooden household objects

See wooden objects listed under food preparation and storage.

Other wooden objects

Ša Za ‘Fulani’ bed (Fu.) hărgawa hărgawatăn (-/-)
Ša Slats ăsaltǝf isultaf (ă/-)
Za Slats ǝsaltǝf isǝltaf (ǝ/-)
Ša Tent pole emăɣt imăɣtan (ă/-)
Za Tent pole asǝdǝs isǝdas (ǝ/-)

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Ša Tent peg tasǝttǝytǝyt tisǝttuytay (tǝ/tǝ)
Za Tent peg tasǝttǝytǝyt tisǝttǝytay (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Za Handle / haft ăsaḍǝf isuḍaf (ǝ/-)
Ša Za Conical (bird)cage atɣam itɣamăn (ă/ǝ)
Ša Walking stick asăhhǝtǝl isăhhǝtal (ǝ/-)
Za Walking stick asǝhhǝtǝl isǝhhǝtal (ǝ/-)
Ša Stand (for bowl) tasǝskărt tisǝskăren (tǝ/tǝ)
Za Stand (for bowl) tasǝskǝrt tisǝskar (tǝ/tǝ)

Parts of ekărbăn ‘low-

‘low-roofed straw house’
Ša Za Frame iɣăsăn (-)
(lit. ‘Bones / skeleton’)
Ša Za Fork (support) tămankayt timankayen (tă/tǝ)
Ša Fork / pillar taǵǝttewt tiǵǝttewen (tǝ/tǝ)
Za Fork / pillar tagǝttăwt tigǝttăwen (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Za Support asǝkbǝl isǝkbal (ǝ/-)
Ša Za Thick supporting arc takăkkăwat tikăkkăwaten (tă/tǝ)
Za Thick supporting arc taqăqqăwat tiqăqqăwaten (tă/tǝ)
Ša Za Thin supporting arc alăllăwa ilăllăwan (ă/-)
Ša Cross woods aǵǝtt iǵǝttan (ǝ/-)
Za Cross woods arăgăyrăgay irăgăyrăgayen (ă/-)
(cf arăǵăyrăǵayŠa ‘hanging decoration’)

Parts of a bed
Ša Bed (complete) tešeǵit tišiǵa (tă/tǝ)
Za Bed (complete) tešegit tišiga (tă/tǝ)
Ša Fork (in ground) tasăkăysăkayt tisăkăysăkayen (tă/tǝ)
Za Fork (in ground) tasăkăysăkăyt tisăkăysăkăyen (tă/tǝ)
Ša Za Fork tašăbăqqat tišăbăqqaten (tă/tǝ)
(An alternative free standing support for hard ground.)
Ša Support pole tawăydărat tiwăydăraten (tă/tǝ)
Za Support pole tatǝngurt titǝnguren (tǝ/tǝ)
(Long poles that sit on the forks and support the cross poles.)
Ša Cross poles aǵǝtt iǵǝttan (ǝ/-)
Za Cross poles allaɣ allaɣăn (a/a)
(Several of these sit on the two support poles and support the mat.)
Ša Bed mat (Ar.) ăssărer ăssărerăn (ă/ă)
Za Bed mat (Ar.) ǝṣṣǝrir ǝṣṣǝrirăn (ǝ/ǝ)
Ša Za Pillow support (pole) ehel ihelăn (ă/-)

Weapons
Ša Weapon tăẓoli tiẓolǝyawǝnen (tă/tǝ)

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Za Weapon tǝẓoli tiẓolǝyawen (tǝ/tă)
(lit. ‘Iron thing’)
Ša Stick / staff tăborit tiboriyen (tă/tǝ)
Za Stick / staff tǝburǝk tiburǝgen (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Za Sword tăkoba tikobawen (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Spear (metal) aǵor aǵorăn (a/a)
Ša Za Spear (metal) allaɣ allaɣăn (a/a)
Ša Za Javelin / spear (wooden) akăsam ikăsamăn (ă/-)
Ša Dagger telăqq telɣen (te/te)
Za Dagger telǝq telɣen (te/te)
Ša Bow taɣăya tiɣǝywen (tă/tǝ)
Za Bow tăganze tiganziwen (tă/tǝ)
Ša Arrow (<Ar.) ăssăm ăssămăn (ă/ă)
Za Arrow ămor imărrăn (ă/-)

Other metal objects (see also jewellery)

jewellery)
Ša Hoe / head of hoe ălollam ilollamăn (ă/-)
(lit. ‘Falcon’ because of its shape)
Za Head (of hoe) tekănnărt tikănnăren (tă/tǝ)
(lit. ‘Forehead’)
Ša Za Hoe / shaft of hoe tămaya timaywen / (tă/tǝ)
timayawen (tǝ)
Ša Za Hoe (‘daba’) (Ha.) kălmi kălmităn (-/-)
(This is the hoe of sedentary peoples, in contrast to the Tamasheq ‘iler’.)
Ša Za Metal ‘bit’ aɣăba iɣăbatăn (ă/-)
Ša Za Nail / spring / bar ănattar inattarăn (ă/-)

Craft from Grasses

Ša Za Rope aɣan iɣunan (ă/-)
(Now most commonly twisted from thread from nylon sacks.)
Ša Guy rope tasdǝst tisdas (tǝ/tǝ)

Ša Za Tying strips (grass) takoft takofen (ta/ta)

Ša Za Tying strips (bark) ekăkkăb ikăkkăbăn (ă/-)
Ša Millet stalk ‘wall’ taɣărhit tiɣărhaten (tă/tă)
Za Millet stalk ‘wall’ taɣǝrt tiɣǝren (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Za Windbreak mat (cheap) tăsutit tisutay (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Za Windbreak mat (expensive) esăbăr isǝbran (ă/-)
Ša Mat (plastic or straw) teselat tiselaten (tă/tǝ)
Za Mat (plastic or straw) tăsalat tisalaten (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Za Mat (millet stalk) (Fu.) ǵămbewa ǵămbewatăn (-/-)
Ša Bed mat (Ar.) ăṣṣărer ăṣṣărerăn (ă/ă)

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Za Bed mat (Ar.) ǝṣṣǝrir ǝṣṣǝrirăn (ǝ/ǝ)
Ša Za Hanging decorative mat esăwsăw isăwsăwăn (ă/-)
Ša Za Hanging basket tăwana tiwaniwen (tă/tǝ)
Ša Panniers asǝstǝǵ isǝstaǵ (ǝ/-)
Za Panniers asǝstǝg isǝstag (ǝ/-)
Ša Za Straw hut ekărbăn ikărbănăn (ă/-)
Ša Za Grain store / round hut (So.) bǝgu bǝgutăn (-/-)
Ša Grain store eǵănd iǵăndan (ă/-)
Za Grain store agărid igrad (ă/ǝ)
Ša Za Temporary shelter ahănnăka ihănnăkatăn (ă/-)

Leather-
Leather-work
Ša Cushion adăfor idfar (ă/ǝ)
Za Cushion adăfor idǝfar (ă/-)
Ša Za Cushion asăssamu isǝssuma (ă/-)
Ša Za Strips for tying arăwa irăwatăn (ă/-)
Ša Sack tamšit timšiten (tă/tǝ)
Za Sack tezămmit tizămmaten (tǝ/tǝ)
(Millet was stored and transported in leather sacks until recently.)
Ša Bag / sack aɣrǝǵ eɣărǵan (ă/-)
Za Bag / sack aɣrǝg iɣǝrgan (ǝ/-)
Ša Za Bag / sack (decorated) tăbawǝnt tibiwan (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Za Camel bag ăzayya izayyan (ă/-)
Ša Za Saddle (horse) elăkef ilǝkfan (ă/-)
Ša Thong / sandal strap assǝl issal (ǝ/ǝ)
Za Thong / sandal strap asǝsǝl isǝsal (ǝ/-)
Ša Za Scabbard titar (ti)
Ša Za Tent ehăket ihǝktan (ă/-)
Ša Za Tent ehǝkkum ihǝkkam (ă/-)

5.13 Miscellaneous objects

General
Ša Pen aɣănib eɣnab (ă/ă)
Za Pen ǝɣanib iɣunab (ǝ/-)
Ša Za Paper (sheet of) (Ar.) ălkaḍ ălkaḍăn (ă/ă)
(Also used to mean banknote.)
Ša Za Letter / certificate tăkarḍe tikarḍiwen (tǝ/tǝ)
(Also amulet worn around neck containing Quranic verses.)
Ša Za Writing tablet asǝllum isǝllumăn (ǝ/-)
Ša Za Book (Ar.) ǝlkǝttab ǝlkǝttabăn (ǝ/ǝ)

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Ša Mirror / pane / spectacles tiset tiseten (ti/ti)
Za Mirror / pane / spectacles tišet tišeten (ti/ti)
Ša Za Soap (Ar.) ăṣṣabu ăṣṣabutăn (ă/ă)
Ša Za Kettle aɣălăla iɣălălatăn (ă/ă)
(Metal or plastic kettle used for hand-washing / ablutions.)
Ša Razor (Ar.) ălmosi ălmosităn (ă/ă)
Za Razor (Ar.) ălmoši ălmošităn (ă/ă)
Ša Lamp (<Ar.) tefătelt tiftǝl (tă/tǝ)
Za Lamp (<Ar.) tefătelt tifǝtlen (tă/tǝ)
Ša Trunk (Ar.) ǝssǝndoq ǝssǝndoqăn (ǝ/ǝ)
Za Trunk (Ar.) ǝssǝnduq ǝssǝnduqăn (ǝ/ǝ)
Ša Za Trunk (Ar.) ăddăka ăddăkatăn (ă/ă)
Ša Brush asǝfrăḍ isǝfraḍ (ǝ/-)
Za Brush asǝfrǝḍ isǝfraḍ (ǝ/-)
Ša Za Brush egesăn igusan (ă/-)
Ša Well ‘bucket’ / scoop ăǵa iǵattăn (ă/-)
Za Well ‘bucket’ / scoop ăga igăggăn (ă/-)
Ša Chair / bench / stool tasăqqaymut tisăqquyma (tǝ/tǝ)
Za Chair / bench / stool tasǝqqimit tisǝqqima (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Za Mosquito net (Ar.) ălɣăbb ălɣăbbatăn (ă/ă)
Ša Za Mosquito net (Ar.) ălkilla ălkillatăn (ă/ă)
Ša Bed roll asǝftăɣ isǝftaɣ (ǝ/ǝ)
Za Bed roll asǝftǝɣ isǝftaɣ (ǝ/ǝ)
Ša Za Blanket abroɣ ibroɣăn (ă/ǝ)
Ša Za Blanket (Ar.) ălxǝmbǝl ălxǝmbǝlăn (ă/ă)
Ša Trap (<Ar.) tănḍărbat tănḍărbaten (tă/tă)
Za Trap (<Ar.) tǝnḍǝrbat tǝnḍǝrbaten (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Gun (Ar.) ălbaroḍ ălbaroḍăn (ă/ă)
Za Gun (Ar.) ălbaruḍ ălbaruḍăn (ă/ă)
Ša Za Gun (Fu.) mălfa mălfatăn (-/-)
Ša Za Bullet tasăwat tisăwaten (tă/tǝ)
Ša Handcuffs / shackles tišǝm (ti)
Za Handcuffs / shackles tižǝm (ti)
Ša Padlock / lock tasăɣfǝlt tisăɣfal (tă/tǝ)
Za Padlock / lock tasǝɣfǝlt tisǝɣfal (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Za Key asǝyar isǝyor (ǝ/-)
Ša Umbrella / banner tulǝft tulǝfen (tu/tu)
Za Umbrella / banner tilǝft tilǝfen (ti/ti)
Ša Door / lid ashăr ishar (ă/ǝ)
Za Door / lid asǝhǝr isǝhar (ǝ/-)
Ša Za Straw lid / cassette (So.) lefe lefetăn (-/-)

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Ša Battery (‘stone’) tăhunt tihun (tă/tǝ)
Za Battery (‘stone’) tăhunt tihun (tǝ/tǝ)

5.14 Things in the street

General
Ša Town aɣrǝm eɣărman (ă/-)
Za Town aɣrǝm iɣǝrman (ǝ/-)
Ša Village / small town taɣrǝmt teɣărmaten (tă/tă)
Za Village / small town taɣrǝmt tiɣǝrmaten (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Village tadăbayt tidbǝy (tă/tǝ)
Ša Camp ămazzaɣ imazzaɣăn (ă/-)
Za Camp ǝmazzaɣ imazzaɣăn (ǝ/-)
Ša Za Camp / group of homes ihănan (-)
Ša Za Home / house / room ehăn ihănan (ă/-)
Ša Building taɣăšamt teɣǝšmen (tă/tǝ)
Za Building taɣăžamt tiɣǝžmen (tă/tǝ)
Ša Roof tasfǝlt tisfal (tǝ/tǝ)
Za Roof tasǝfǝlt tisǝfal (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Za Courtyard / wall ăɣalla iɣallan (ă/-)
Ša Za Straw house ekărbăn ikărbănăn (ă/-)
Ša Za Round mud house bămboru bămborutăn (-/-)
Ša Za Round straw house (So.) bǝgu bǝgutăn (-/-)
Ša Za Grain store (So.) bǝgu bǝgutăn (-/-)
Ša Grain store eǵănd iǵăndan (ă/-)
Za Grain store agǝrid igrad (ǝ/ǝ)
Ša Tower (Ha.) soro sorotăn (-/-)
Za Tower (Ha.) suru surutăn (-/-)
Ša Za Market (So.) hebu hebutăn (-/-)
Ša Za Market (Fu.) lumu lumutăn (-/-)
Ša Za Market / price (Ar.) ǝssuk ǝssukăn (ǝ/ǝ)
Ša Za Market (for animals) ewet iwetăn (ă/-)
(This is the only indigenous Tamasheq word for market, specifically an
animal market, alluding to ‘driving’ the animals there. It is rarely used.)
Ša Fence / enclosure afăraǵ ifărǵan (ă/-)
Za Fence / enclosure afărag ifǝrgan (ă/-)
Ša Barrier eff effatăn (e/e)
Za Barrier ifi ifawăn (ǝ/-)
Ša Za Lean-to tanda tandaten (ta/ta)
Ša Za Lean-to tăfala tifaliwen (tă/tǝ)
Ša Za Pit latrine (So.) sălănga sălăngatăn (-/-)
Ša Swept area tǝfărre tǝfărrawen (tǝ/tǝ)
Za Swept area tǝfǝrre tǝfǝrrawen (tǝ/tǝ)

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Ša Za Road / path taberăt taberăten (ta/ta)
Ša Za Road / path zăbo zăbotăn (-/-)
Ša Za Street / road (Ar.) tišarrit tišarriten (ti/ti)
Ša Beaten track ăšaɣǝš išuɣaš (ă/-)
Za Beaten track ǝzaɣǝz izuɣaz (ǝ/-)
Ša Za Bridge / ford (cemented) kădărka kădărkatăn (-/-)
Ša Za Ford (natural or man-made) tǝyyawǝnt tǝyyawǝnen (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Ford (natural) tasǝmbǝkk tisǝmbaǵ (tǝ/tǝ)
Za Ford (natural) tasǝmbǝk tisǝmbag (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Za Well / hole anu enwan (a/e)
Ša Mount / vehicle tasnit tisnay (tǝ/tǝ)
Za Mount / vehicle tasǝnit tisǝnay (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Car / lorry torǝft torfen (to/to)
Za Car / lorry turǝft torfen (tu/to)
Ša Za Moped / motorbike bătbăt bătbăten (-/-)
Ša Za Bicycle (Ha.) keke keketăn (-/-)
Ša Za Aeroplane (Ar.) ăṭṭǝyyara ăṭṭǝyyaratăn (ă/ă)
Ša Aeroplane torǝft tan šǝnnawăn (to)
Za Aeroplane turǝft tan žǝnnawăn (tu)
Ša Boat torǝft tan aman (to)
Za Boat turǝft tan aman (tu)
Ša Za Pirogue ekărănbăw ikărănbăwăn (ă/-)
Ša Pirogue eǵăbeš iǵǝbšan (ă/ǝ)
Ša Za Cemetery / grave tafăṣkot tifǝṣka (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Za Cemetery / grave taṣăṣkot tiṣǝṣka (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Za Grave / tomb aẓǝkka iẓǝkwan (ǝ/-)
Ša Abandoned camp amăšer imšar (ă/ǝ)
Za Abandoned camp amǝžir imižar (ǝ/-)
Ša Battlefield abătol-n-ăfud ibtal-n-ăfud (ă/ǝ)
Za Battlefield abătol-n-ăfud ibǝtal-n-ăfud (ă/ǝ)
Ša Za Football pitch eɣărɣăr wan băl (ă)
Ša Za Runway / airfield eɣărɣăr wan ăṭṭǝyyara (ă)

5.15 Clothing and jewellery

Clothing
Ša Za Material / cloth tabdoq tibǝddaɣ (tă/tǝ)
Ša Za Cloth / clothing ekăršăy ikăršăyăn (ă/-)
Ša Za Clothing emăls imălsan (ă/-)
Ša Za Clothing temălsit timălsaten (tă/tǝ)
Ša Za Clothing telăsse tilǝss (tă/tǝ)
Ša Za Boubou (general) erăswăy irăswăyăn (ă/-)

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Ša Za Boubou (man’s) tekăṭkăṭṭ tikăṭkăḍen (tă/tǝ)
Ša Za Boubou (small) tebărkăṭkăṭṭ tibărkăṭkăḍen (tă/tǝ)
Ša Za Undershirt / vest forgǝya forgǝyatăn (-/-)
Ša Shirt (arab style) (Ar.) ălǵǝbba ălǵǝbbatăn (ă/ă)
Za Shirt (arab style) (Ar.) ǝlgǝbba ǝlgǝbbatăn (ǝ/ǝ)
Ša Za Shirt / blouse (western) tăggo tăggoten (tă/tă)
Ša Za Trousers ekărbăy ikărbăyăn (ă/-)
Ša Za Trousers kărtǝba kărtǝbatăn (-/-)
Ša Trouser cord aẓărẓǝm iẓorẓam (ă/-)
Za Trouser cord aẓǝrẓǝm iẓǝrẓam (ǝ/-)
Ša Za Belt / ‘girdle’ (<Ar.) tamǝntǝka timǝntǝkawen (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Wrap skirt tasǝǵbǝst tisǝǵbas (tǝ/tǝ)
Za Wrap skirt tasǝgbǝst tisǝgbas (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Melouf tasăɣnǝst tisăɣnas (tǝ/tǝ)
Za Melouf tasǝɣnǝst tisǝɣnas (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Flip flop / sandal tefădelt tifădelen (tă/tǝ)
Ša Flip flop / sandal efăkel ifǝklan (ă/-)
Za Flip flop / sandal afăkol ifǝklan (ă/-)
Za Flip flop / sandal eɣătem iɣătemăn (ă/-)
Ša Za Turban eɣewǝd iɣiwad (ă/-)
Ša Za Indigo material in strips alăššo ilăššan (ă/-)
Ša Indigo turban eɣewǝd wa-nn ălăššo (ă)
Za Indigo turban tagǝlmust tigǝlmas (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Za Headscarf / veil (large) afărewal ifărewalăn (ă/-)
Ša Headscarf / veil ekăršăy wa-nn ǝšǝkkumbǝš (ă)
Za Headscarf / veil ekăršăy wa-nn ǝšǝkkǝmbǝš (ă)
Ša Headscarf / veil aswăr iswar (ǝ/ǝ)
Za Headscarf / veil asǝwăr isǝwar (ǝ/-)
Ša Za Small headscarf (Ha.) măsoro măsorotăn (-/-)
Ša Hat / helmet takǝmbut tikǝmbuten (tǝ/tǝ)
Za Hat / helmet takǝbbut tikǝbbuten (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Pocket (Ar.) ălšib ălšibawăn (ă/ă)
Za Pocket (Ar.) ălžib ălžibăn (ă/ă)
Ša Bazin material ăddini ăddinităn (ă/ă)
Za Bazin material ăddimi ăddimităn (ă/ă)
Ša Za Hem adăbal idăbalăn (ă/-)
Ša Za Tear taɣărrawit tiɣărriwa (tă/tǝ)
Ša Za Patch tikǝst tikǝsen (ti/ti)
Ša Tobacco pouch asǝǵrǝs isǝǵras (ǝ/-)
Za Tobacco pouch asǝgrǝs isǝgras (ǝ/-)
Ša Za Neck wallet enăfăd inǝfdan (ă/-)
Ša Za Waist bag ăsatǝm isutam (ă/-)
Ša Za Tube (for potash) făɣlo făɣlotăn (-/-)

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Ša Za Cloth for tying thing in tasǝkmǝst tisǝkmas (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Za Old clothes (cast offs) ăsakǝs isukas (ă/-)
Ša Za Old clothes (shabby) taɣǝlle (tǝ)

Jewellery and decoration

Ša Jewellery oɣnan (o)
Za Jewellery uɣǝnăn (u)
Ša Decoration adǝlluǵ adǝlluǵăn (a/a)
Za Decoration adǝllug adǝllugăn (a/a)
Ša Earring eẓăb iẓăban (ă/-)
Za Earring eẓǝbi iẓăban (ă/-)
Ša Ring taẓăbut teẓăbuten (tă/tǝ)
Za Ring teẓǝbit tiẓăbaten (tă/tǝ)
Ša Bracelet ašbǝǵ išǝǵban (ǝ/-)
Za Bracelet azbǝg izǝbgan (ǝ/-)
Ša Za Necklace tăkarḍe tikarḍiwen (tǝ/tǝ)
(Specifically a leather amulet containing Quranic verses.)
Ša Za Chain esăssăr isăssărăn (ă/-)
Ša Za Coin (worn in hair) (<Ha.) tămma tămmaten (tă/tă)
Ša Za Red / green ‘jewels’ zăkkăt zăkkătăn (-/-)
Ša Za White (bone) necklace xummăysa xummăysatăn (-/-)
Ša Za Perfume aḍu aḍutăn (a/a)
Ša Perfume (Ha.) torari torariten (to/to)
Za Perfume (Ha.) turari turariten (tu/tu)
Ša Za Perfume (Ar.) ălwărdi ălwărdităn (ă/ă)
Ša Henna (Ar.) ălhănna ălhănnatăn (ă/ă)
Ša Henna (<Ar.) ănhălla ănhăllatăn (ă/ă)
Za Henna (<Ar.) ănǝlla inǝllatăn (ǝ/-)

5.16 Trees, plants and nature

General Tree vocabulary
vocabulary
Ša Za Tree ašǝk eškan (a/e)
(The Tadghaq form ahǝšk / ihǝškan is occasionally heard in Oudalan.)
Ša Bush / small thorn tree absăɣ ibsăɣăn (ă/ǝ)
Za Bush / small thorn tree absǝɣ ibsǝɣăn (ǝ/ǝ)
Ša Small thorn bush tabsăqq tibsăɣen (tă/tǝ)
Za Small thorn bush tabsǝq tibsǝɣen (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Thorn asǝnnan isǝnnanăn (ǝ/-)
Za Thorn ašǝnnan išǝnnanăn (ǝ/-)
Ša Za Leaf talăfast tilăfasen (tă/tǝ)
Ša Leaf ăla ilattăn (ă/-)
Za Leaf ăla ilăttăn (ă/-)

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Ša Za Leaf efărket ifărketăn (ă/-)
Ša Za Root ekew ikewăn (ă/-)
Ša Branch elăkăt ilǝktan (ă/-)
Za Branch elăket ilǝktan (ă/-)
Ša Za Bud / blossom tăboyt tiboyyen (tă/tǝ)
Ša Za Bark tafrǝnke tifrǝnkawen (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Za Bark (for tanning) tuŋŋat tuŋŋaten (tu/tu)
Ša Za Trunk / stump tadra tadriwen (ta/ta)
Ša Za Fallen trunk tilǝlt tilǝlen (ti/ti)
Ša Shoot / budding branch anšăr inšărăn (ă/ǝ)
Za Shoot / budding branch enešăr inešărăn (ă/-)
Za Shoot / budding branch anzăr inzărăn (ă/ǝ)
Za Shoot / budding branch enezăr inezărăn (ă/-)
Ša Za Gum / resin tanust tinusen (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Flesh (of fruit) abălkay abălkayăn (a/a)
Za Flesh (of fruit) ebălke ibălketăn (ă/-)
Ša Hole (in tree) aɣăbob eɣbab (ă/ǝ)
Za Hole (in tree) aɣăbob iɣǝbab (ă/-)
Ša Za Pod (pea pod shaped) teɣărăggănt tiɣărăggănen (tă/tǝ)

Specific trees and bushes

Ša Za Jujube tree tabăkat tibăkaten (tă/tǝ)
(Ziziphus Mauritania / Lotus)
(Grows near water, bearing a sweet, edible fruit.)
Ša Za Jujube abăka ibăkatăn (ă/-)
Ša Za Wild date tree tăboraqq tiboraɣen (tǝ/tǝ)
(Balanites Aegyptica)
(Grows on dunes. Bears edible fruit. Its wood widely used.)
Ša Za Wild date ăboraɣ iboraɣăn (ǝ/-)
Ša Za Nut tetănɣe titănɣen (tă/tǝ)
Ša Gum tree (1) afăǵaǵ ifăǵaǵăn (ă/-)
Za Gum tree (1) afăgag ifăgagăn (ă/-)
(Acacia Raddianna / Tortilis)
(Common tree, wood often eaten by borers.)
Ša Za Pod amălăga imălăgan (ă/-)
Ša Za Resin (black / inedible) abălăɣlăɣ ibălăɣlăɣăn (ă/-)
Ša Za Large acacia ăbalul ibulal (ǝ/-)
Ša Gum tree (2) tahǝǵǵart tihǝǵren (tă/tă)
Za Gum tree (2) tǝggart tigren (tǝ/tǝ)
(Acacia Nilotica / Scorpioides / Arabica)
(Grows near water, pods used in tanning.)
Ša Pod ahǝǵǵar ihǝǵran (ă/-)

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Za Pod aggar aggarăn (a/a)
Ša Za Pod tarăḍa tirăḍawen (tă/tǝ)
Ša Za Gum tree (3) ewărwăr iwărwărăn (ă/-)
(Acacia Senegal)
(Less common, this tree is the source of ‘gum arabic’.)
Ša Gum tree (4) ahtǝs ahtǝsăn (a/a)
Za Gum tree (4) atǝs atǝsăn (a/a)
(Acacia Albida)
(Rarer, large tree found near water.)
Ša Gum tree (5) orǝf orfan (o/o)
Za Gum tree (5) urǝf orfan (u/o)
(Acacia Seyal)
(Only used as firewood.)
Ša Gum tree (6) tămat timatten (tă/tǝ)
Za Gum tree (6) tămat timătten (tă/tǝ)
(Acacia Ehrenbergiana / Acacia Flava)
(Large tree, fruit appreciated by goats.)
Ša Baobab tăkudust tikudusen (tǝ/tǝ)
Za Baobab tadɣǝmt tidɣǝmen (tǝ/tǝ)
(Adansonia Digitata)
(Huge wide tree. Source of ‘monkey bread’. Edible leaves.)
Ša Za Leaves tăkudust tikudusen (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Fruit (monkey bread) kohǝmna kohǝmnatăn (-/-)
Za Fruit (monkey bread) komǝnhi komǝnhităn (-/-)
Ša Za Neem milya milyatăn (-/-)
(This tree, native to India, has been planted as a shade tree in local towns.)
Ša ‘Doum’ palm tašdayt tan akof (tă)
Za ‘Doum’ palm tagăyt tigăyyen (tă/tǝ)
(Hyphaene Thebaica)
(The fronds are used to weave baskets etc.)
Ša Za Frond akof akofăn (a/a)
Ša Za Fruit ăkoka ikokan (ă/-)
Ša Za Stone tăkokăyt tikokăyen (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Date palm tašdayt (tan tăhăyne) tišdayen (tă/tǝ)
Za Date palm tazdăyt tizdăyen (tă/tǝ)
(Phoenix Dactylifera)
(Grows near water. Famous for its sweet fruit.)
Ša Date tehăyne tihăyniwen (tă/tǝ)
Za Date tăyne tăynawen (tă/tă)
Ša Spurge bush taɣhǝlt taɣhǝlen (ta/ta)
Za Spurge bush taɣǝlt taɣǝlen (ta/ta)
(Euphorbia Balsamifera)
(Produces milky liquid used to make medicines and gum.)
Ša Za Light wood afăsas ifăsasăn (ă/-)

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Ša Sodom apple torša toršawen (to/to)
Za Sodom apple tǝrza tǝrzawen (tǝ/tǝ)
(Calatropis Procera)
(Light wood similar to above. Grows on degraded land.)
Ša Myrrh tree adăras idărsan (ă/-)
Za Myrrh tree adăras idǝrsan (ă/-)
(Commifora Africana)
(Wood used by craftsmen. Resin used as incense.)
Ša Resin matălxer (‘Mother of peace’)
Za Resin (Ar.) ălmăsata
(This resin is burned to chase away evil spirits.)
Ša Za Broad leaf tree akălăfa ikălăfan (ă/-)
(Combretum Glutinosum)
(Wood used in construction. Threatened by overgrazing.)
Ša Leafy fruit tree tăfărăɣrăɣat tifărăɣrăɣaten (tǝ/tǝ)
Za Leafy fruit tree tǝwila tiwilawen (tǝ/tǝ)
(Sclerocaryn Birrea)
(Found near water.)
Ša Za Leafy tree tădăyne tidăynawen (tă/tǝ)
(Bauhina Rufescens)
(Found near water. Leaves used to treat sores.)
Ša Bushy tree tadhant tidhănnen (tă/tǝ)
Za Bushy tree tădant tidănnen (tă/tǝ)
(Boscia Senegalensis)
(Found near water. Edible fruit. Twigs chewed to clean teeth.)
Ša Za Ripe fruit tamǝnt tamǝnen (ta/ta)
Ša Green fruit anšan anšanăn (a/a)
Za Green fruit anzan anzanăn (a/a)
Ša Za Large tree tagălalt tiglal (tă/tǝ)
(Mitragyna Inermis)
(Found near water. Wood good for construction.)
Ša Bush (in tufts) ăna inattăn (ă/-)
Za Bush (in tufts) ănag inăggăn (ă/-)
(Leptadenia Pyrotechnica)
(Common on dunes. Used for tying.)
Ša Za Tamarind băsaso (-)
(Tamarindis Indica)
(There are few surviving examples of this tree in Oudalan.)
Other trees and shrubs include – ăǵar / aǵărsǝmǝm / ahkǝk / ăsanna (tšayki) /
akărkăraŠa akǝkuZa / asubăra / atăwas (deǵe) / ewăn / tešăqqŠa tezăqZa / abuǵăre /
tăhahistŠa tăystZa / lele / intălăɣăyt / tarăkaṭṭ / tătola / fǝni / tešehǝnt / bišu / ălibunǝsŠa
fintaZa. The latin names of most of these may be found in Ag Sidiyène (1996).

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This last tree does not grow in Oudalan but its product is used.
Ša Za Karite ašǝk ǝn-bulănga (a)
(Vitelloria paradoxa)
Ša Za Karite butter (So.) bulănga
(Used as a cheaper alternative to milk butter to oil wood and leather.)

Grasses and plants

Ša Za Plant tasǝdwǝlt tisǝdwal (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Za Sown plant / garden isǝdduma (ă/-)
Ša Za Planting tool asăddamu
Ša Za Planting tool sǝgǝbu
Ša Straw / grass / weeds alǝmmoẓ ilǝmmaẓ (ǝ/-)
Za Straw / grass / weeds alǝmmuẓ ilǝmẓan (ǝ/-)
(Aristida sp.)
Ša Za Greenery tăddalǝt tăddalǝten (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Greenery / weeds el elăn (e/e)
Za Greenery / weeds yel elan (-/e)
(Refers to new growth in the wet season. The plural means ‘years’.)
Ša Plants / weeds tehǝšše tihǝššawen (tă/tǝ)
Za Plants / weeds tešše teššawen (te/te)
Ša Za Millet enăle inăletăn (ă/-)
(Pennisetum Glaucum)
Ša (Millet) stalk aǵăbăl iǵǝblan (ă/-)
Za (Millet) stalk agăbăl agăbălăn (a/a)
Ša Shoots teḍǝken (tǝ)
Za Shoots tiḍǝken (tǝ)
Ša Bit of stalk teẓewt teẓewen (tă/tǝ)
Za Bit of stalk teẓăwt teẓăwen (tă/tǝ)
Ša Za Head (of cereal) teɣăɣănt tiɣăɣănen (tă/tǝ)
Ša Seed ădom idommăn (ă/-)
Za Seed esămb isămban (ă/-)
Ša Za Grain / seed temătăwt timătawen (tă/tǝ)
Ša Grain tablalt tiblalen (tă/tǝ)
Za Grain tamăɣwant timăɣwanen (tă/tǝ)
Ša Chaff (So.) du dutăn (-/-)
Za Chaff tašit tašiten (ta/ta)
Ša Za Bean tanzant tanzanen (ta/ta)
Ša Za Bean pods ilănɣan (-)
Ša Sorghum ăbora iboran (ă/-)
Za Sorghum ăbora iboratăn (ă/-)
(Sorghum Vulgare)
Ša Wild ‘fonio’ / panic grass isibăn (-)
Za (Panicum Laetum) išibăn (-)
Ša Za Wild ‘fonio’ asɣal isɣalăn (ă/ǝ)

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Ša Grass for making huts abărom ibram (ă/ǝ)
Za Grass for making huts abărom ibǝram (ă/-)
(Andropogon Gayanus)
Ša Grass afăẓǝw ifăẓwan (ă/-)
Za Grass afăẓăw ifǝẓwan (ă/-)
(Panicum Turgidum)
(Used for wall mats and hanging decorations.)
Ša Sandbur / ‘cram cram’ wăzzaǵ wăzzaǵăn (-/-)
Za (Cenchrus biflorus) wăžžag wăžžagăn (-/-)
(Good grazing. Its tiny grains give ‘famine food’ for people.)
Ša Reed abărǵu ibărǵutăn (ǝ/-)
Za Reed abǝrgu ibǝrgutăn (ǝ/-)
(Echinochloa Stagnine)
(Very good grazing.)
Ša Lotus / water-lily takǝndit tikǝnden (tǝ/tǝ)
Za Lotus / water-lily takǝndit tikǝnditen (tǝ/tǝ)
(Nymphaea lotus)
(Edible nodules harvested in rainy season.)
Ša Puncture vine aǵărof iǵărofăn (ă/-)
Za Puncture vine agărof igărofăn (ă/-)
(Tribulus Terrestris)
Ša Za Soft spiky seeds tefărkăst tifărkăsen (tă/tǝ)
Ša Plant (used for shampoo) adlǝnf (ǝ)
Za Plant (used for shampoo) adlǝf idǝlfan (ǝ/-)
Ša Mushroom tulǝft n-ălšinăn (tu)
Za Mushroom tilǝft n-ălžinăn (ti)
Ša Fungus bǝŋŋ (-)
Za Fungus bǝffen (-)

Weather
Ša Heat / hot(ness) tăkusse (tă)
Za Heat / hot(ness) tukǝse (tu)
Ša Za Cold esămeḍ (ă)
Ša Za Wind aḍu aḍutăn (a/a)
Ša Rain aǵǝnna iǵǝnnawăn (ǝ/-)
Za Rain ăkonak ikonakăn (ǝ/-)
Ša Cloud teǵărăk tiǵărăken (tă/tǝ)
Za Cloud tegărăk tigărăken (tă/tǝ)
Ša Thunder eǵǵaǵ eǵǵaǵăn (e/e)
Za Thunder eggag eggagăn (e/e)
Ša Za Lightning (fork) essam essamăn (e/e)
Ša Za Lightning (strike) teqqaqq teqqaɣen (te/te)
Ša Za Lightning (flash) teḍăfe tiḍǝf (tă/ti)

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Ša Dust storm (before a rain) tamăḍalt timăḍlen (tă/tǝ)
Za Dust storm (before a rain) tamăḍalt timǝḍlen (tă/tǝ)
Ša Za Sand storm ekărănkăr ikărănkărăn (ă/-)
Ša Dust devil / willy willy tăšikwălt tišikwălen (tă/tǝ)
Za Dust devil / willy willy taḍut taḍuten (ta/ta)
Ša Rainbow aǵǝǵu-nn-el aǵǝǵu-nn-elăn (a/a)
Za Rainbow agǝgu-n-yel agǝgu-nn-elan (a/a)
Za Rainbow tǝẓẓǝg-agǝgu (tǝ)
Za Rainbow tǝẓẓǝg-aɣăba (tǝ)
Ša Za Overcast edălegi idălegităn (ă/-)
Ša Za Cool, humid air (of rain) elăhe ilăhetăn (ă/-)
Ša Za Drought mănna mănnatăn (-/-)
Ša Hail agidrǝš igidrǝšan (ă/-)
Za Hail edăgrăz idăgrăzăn (ă/-)

Topology
Ša Land / earth / homeland ăkal ikallăn (ă/-)
Za Land / earth amăḍal imǝḍlan (ă/-)
Za Homeland ăkal ikăllăn (ă/-)
Ša The bush / countryside tăkoyt tikoyyen (tă/tǝ)
Ša The bush / countryside ăroǵǵ iraǵǵăn (ă/-)
Za Valley ǝrug irăggăn (ǝ/-)
Za The bush / countryside ǝsuf isăffăn (ǝ/-)
Ša Za Wilderness / desert tenere tinariwen (tă/tǝ)
Ša Rock / stone / small hill tăhunt tihun (tă/tǝ)
Za Rock / stone / small hill tăhunt tihun (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Mountain aḍaɣ iḍaɣăn (ă/-)
Za Mountain adɣaɣ idɣaɣăn (ă/ǝ)
Ša Hill tăkaswart tikaswaren (tă/tǝ)
Za Hill tăkašwart tikašwaren (tă/tǝ)
Ša Hill ahǝll ihǝllan (ă/-)
Ša Small hill esăwăl isulan (ă/-)
Ša Za Small hill ekărăf ikărăfăn (ă/-)
Ša Small hill adăbon idban (ă/ǝ)
Za Small hill adăbon idǝban (ă/-)
Ša Small hill (lit. ‘skull’) takărkort tikǝrkar (tă/tǝ)
Za Small hill (lit. ‘skull’) takărkort tikărkoren (tă/tǝ)
Ša Field (farmed) tawăgost tiwgas (tă/tǝ)
Za Field (farmed) tawăgost tiwǝgas (tă/tǝ)
Ša Field (farmed) ašǝkrǝš išǝkraš (ǝ/-)
Ša Sand dune eǵef iǵefăn (ă/-)
Za Sand dune egef igefăn (ă/-)
Ša Sand temăsăst timăsăsen (tă/tǝ)
Za Sand tamălălt timălălen (tǝ/tǝ)

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Ša Hot sand ešǝš ešǝšăn (e/e)
Za Hot sand ežǝž ežǝžăn (e/e)
Ša Za Flat clear ground eɣărɣăr iɣărɣărăn (ă/-)
Water courses are often tree lined. Therefore, low-ground, valley, water course
and forest have overlapping meanings:
Ša Wadi / ravine eǵărer iǵărerăn (ă/-)
Za Wadi / ravine agirer igirerăn (ǝ/-)
Ša Sandy wadi ăšašǝl išušal (ǝ/-)
Za Sandy wadi ăzazǝl izuzal (ǝ/-)
Ša River eǵărew iǵǝrwan (ă/-)
Za River egărew igǝrwan (ă/-)
Ša Za Lake (<So.) ebănɣ ibănɣăn (ă/-)
Ša Lake eǵănš iǵănšan (ă/-)
Ša Lake / valley eɣăšăr eɣǝšran (ă/-)
Za Lake / valley eɣăzăr eɣǝzran (ă/-)
Ša Valley / forest tăgorast tigorasen (tă/tǝ)
Za Valley / forest ăgora(s) igorasăn (ă/-)
Ša Za Valley / pasture ăsalwa isălwan (ă/-)
Ša Za Valley / pasture telămse tilămsawen (tă/tǝ)
Ša Pasture asămmăḍon isǝmmăḍan (ă/-)
Za Pasture asămmăḍon isǝmmǝḍan (ă/-)
Ša Pasture / shepherding tamăḍint timḍan (tă/tǝ)
Za Pasture / shepherding tamǝḍint timǝḍan (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Za Fresh pasture (Panicum) ănaf inaffatăn (ǝ/-)
Ša Puddle / low ground abătol ibtal (ă/ǝ)
Za Puddle / low ground abătol ibǝtal (ă/-)
Ša Low ground / dip arăbaqqu irăbaqqutăn (ă/-)
Za Low ground / dip arăbakku irăbakkutăn (ă/-)
Ša Water-hole temăsmăsit timăsmăsiten (tă/tǝ)
Za Water-hole temamăsit timamăsiten (tă/tǝ)
Ša Za Water-hole tebănɣăwt tibănɣăwen (tă/tǝ)
Ša Water-hole tekăšămt tikăšămen (tă/tǝ)
Ša River-bank / lake-side asălim isǝlman (ă/-)
Za River-bank / lake-side asǝlim isǝlimăn (ǝ/-)
Ša Za River-bank / lake-side tăgdămăyt tăgdămăyen (tă/tă)
Ša Flood plain / lake-side tarrayt tarrayen (ta/ta)
Za Flood plain / lake-side tarrăyt tarrăyen (ta/ta)
Ša Clean area by water tăsahăqq tisuhaɣ (tă/tǝ)
Ša Za Dried up lake ebăt ibăttăn (ă/-)
Ša Za Wave tenăzzămărt tinăzzămăren (tă/tǝ)
Ša Flood / flow anǵi inǵităn (ǝ/ǝ)
Za Flood / flow angi ingităn (ǝ/ǝ)

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Ša Tracks adăriš idraš (ă/ǝ)
Za Tracks adǝriz idǝrzan (ǝ/-)
Ša Termite mound aɣǝmmǝn iɣǝmm,năn (ă/-)
Za Termite mound aɣǝmmǝn iɣǝmman (ǝ/-)
Ša Za Salty earth ăhara iharan (ă/-)
Ša Za Soft earth / sand telămmeṭṭ tilămmeḍen (tă/tǝ)

Heavenly bodies
bodies
Ša Sun tăfuk (tă)
Ša Sun tăfukt (tă)
Za Sun tǝfuk (tǝ)
Ša Moon (month) ăyor orăn (ă/o)
Za Moon (month) tallit tilil (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Star atăr etran (ă/e)
Za Star atri etran (ǝ/e)
Ša Za Venus tatrit (tă)
Ša Za Planet ămaway-n-ăhăḍ (ă)
(lit. ‘Steward of the night’. Jupiter is usually the one meant, although
occasionally Mars is also prominent.)
Ša Pleiades šăt-ăhăḍ (-)
Za Pleiades ăššet-ăhăḍ (ă)
(lit. ‘Daughters of night’)
Ša Za Aldebaran kukăheḍ (-)
Ša Za Orion (‘guide’) amănar (ă)
Ša Scorpio teẓerdǝmt (tă)
Za Scorpio tăẓardǝmt (tǝ)
Ša Great bear taḷămt (tă)
Za Great bear taḷǝmt (tă)
(lit. ‘Female camel’)
Ša Milky Way mǝhǝlliw (-)
Za Milky Way taberăt (n-ăkăsa) (ta)

5.17 Materials
Fluids
Ša Za Liquid (‘water’) aman (pl) amanătăn (a/a)
Ša White liquid (‘milk’) axx exxawăn (ă/ă)
Za White liquid (‘milk’) ax ixxawăn (ă/ǝ)
Ša Oil (‘liquid butter’) udi udǝyawăn (u/u)
Za Oil (‘liquid butter’) widi widiwăn (u/u)
Ša Grease tadhont (ta)
Za Grease tadǝnt (ta)
Ša Paraffin kărănži (-)
Za Paraffin kărănžil (-)

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Solids
Ša Za Wood ašǝk eškan (a/e)
Ša Dry wood esăɣer isăɣerăn (ă/-)
Za Dry wood ešăɣer išăɣerăn (ă/-)
Ša Za Plank tafălwat tifălwaten (tă/tǝ)
Ša Iron / metal tăẓoli tiẓolǝyawǝnen (tă/tă)
Za Iron / metal tǝẓoli tiẓolǝyawen (tǝ/tǝ)
(May also mean ‘thing made from metal’ or weapon.)
Ša Gold orăɣ orɣawăn (o/o)
Za Gold urǝɣ urɣawăn (u/u)
Ša Silver / money aẓrǝf eẓărfan (ă/-)
Za Silver / money aẓrǝf iẓǝrfan (ǝ/-)
Ša Copper eɣer iɣerăn (ă/-)
Za Copper eɣǝri iɣăran (ǝ/-)
Ša Za Bronze / brass daroɣ daroɣăn (-/-)
Ša Za Aluminium boko bokotăn (-/-)
Ša Rust / oxidisation tenekk (tineken) (tă/tǝ)
Za Rust / oxidisation tǝnik tiniken (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Stone tăhunt tihun (tă/tǝ)
Za Stone tăhunt tihun (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Glass (broken) tăšoka tišokawen (tă/tǝ)
Za Glass (broken) tăžoka tižokawen (tă/tǝ)
Ša Glass / a mirror / spectacles tiset tiseten (ti/ti)
Za Glass / a mirror/ spectacles tišet tišeten (ti/ti)
Ša Za Plastic măna mănatăn (-/-)
Ša Za Cloth / material tabdoq tibǝddaɣ (tă/tǝ)
Ša Za Thread tenălle tinǝlwa (tă/tǝ)
Ša Za Cotton / cotton seed eles (ă)
Ša Wool tăḍuft tăḍufen (tă/tă)
Za Wool tǝḍuft tǝḍufen (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Za Hide (inc sheep / goat) elăm ilămawăn (ă/-)
Ša Za Leather (cow / camel) eɣăyt iɣăytăn (ă/-)
Ša Skin (with hairs still on) eǵăsek iǵǝskan (ă/-)
Za Skin (with hairs still on) egăšek igǝškan (ă/-)
Ša Za Charcoal tamăkat timăkaten (tă/tǝ)
Ša Burning coals tăẓoẓemt teẓoẓam (tă/tă)
Za Burning coals tăẓuẓemt tiẓuẓam (tă/tǝ)
Ša Ash eẓǝd eẓḍawăn (e/e)
Za Ash eẓǝd eẓǝḍăn (e/e)
Ša Za Potash toka tokaten (to/to)
Ša Za Potash ṣoṣo ṣoṣotăn (-/-)
Ša Za Potash tăɣiwa tăɣiwaten (tă/tă)
Ša Mud tălaqq tilaqqen (tă/tǝ)
Za Mud tălaq tilăqqen (tă/tǝ)
Ša Za Clay tălaqq tan tămădăqqăs

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Miscellaneous
Ša Dust ăǵoḍrar iǵoḍrarăn (ă/-)
Za Dust ǝgoḍrar igoḍrarăn (ǝ/-)
Ša Za Dust ekărănkăr ikărănkărăn (ă/-)

Za Dust ăboqqa iboqqan (ă/-)

Ša Dust ăbalăqq (ă)
Ša Za Darkness tihay (ti)
Za Darkness tǝyyay (tǝ)
Ša Light (Ar.) ănnor ănnorăn (ă/ă)
Za Light (Ar.) ǝnnur ǝnnurăn (ǝ/ǝ)
Ša Sunbeam tafawt tafawen (ta/ta)
Za Sunbeam tesăqsăq tisăqsăɣen (tă/tǝ)
Ša Fire efew ifewăn (ă/-)
Za Fire temse timǝss (tă/tǝ)
Ša Smoke ăho ihottăn (ă/-)
Za Smoke ǝhu ihăttăn (ǝ/-)
Ša Za Smoke / steam (ăhoha) ihohăn (ă/-)
Ša Za Flint (fire-stone) tafărast tifărasen (tă/tǝ)
Ša Za Metal for striking enăfăd n-ăfew (ă)
Ša Za Spark temăntăst timăntăsen (tă/tǝ)
Ša Ice ăɣorhǝs iɣărhusăn (ă/-)
Za Ice aɣǝris iɣǝrisăn (ǝ/-)
Ša Poison sunsǝǵ sunsǝǵăn (-/-)
Za Poison sǝnsǝg sǝnsǝgăn (-/-)
Ša Za Poison / sorcery (Ar.) ăssăxar ăssăxarăn (ă/ă)

5.18 Religion and the supernatural

supernatural
General
Ša Religion (Ar.) ăddin ăddinăn (ă/ă)
Za Religion (Ar.) ǝddin ǝddinăn (ǝ/ǝ)
Ša Prophet (Ar.) ănnăbi ănnăbităn (ă/ă)
Za Prophet (Ar.) ǝnnǝbi ǝnnǝbităn (ǝ/ǝ)
Ša Apostle / servant anămmašul inǝmmušal (ă/-)
Za Apostle / servant anămmazul inǝmmuzal (ă/-)
Ša Saint / holy man (Ar.) ălwăli ălwălităn (ă/ă)
Za Saint / holy man (Ar.) ǝlwǝli ǝlwǝlităn (ǝ/ǝ)
Ša Za Preaching (<Ar.) ălžăwab ălžăwabăn (ă/ă)
Ša Za Preaching (<Ar.) wăzo wăzotăn (-/-)
Ša Za Miracle (wonder) tǝkunt tǝkunen (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Miracle (sign) tamătert timtar (tă/tǝ)
Za Miracle (sign) tamǝtirt timǝtar (tǝ/tǝ)

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Spiritual beings
Ša God (Our master) Măssinăɣ (-)
Za God (Our master) Mǝssinăɣ (-)
Ša Za God (<Ar.) Yăḷḷah (-)
Ša Za The Creator (<Ar.) Ămaxlak (ă)
Ša (the Lord) Emăli (ă)
Za (the Lord) Emǝli (ǝ)
Ša Za (the Eternal) Ămaɣlal (ă)
Za (the Eternal) Ămaɣlol (ă)
(Many other names / euphemisms for God may be heard.)
Ša Za Satan (Ar.) Ăššeṭăn (ă)
Ša Za Devil / strong emotion (Ar.) Iblis (i)
(This word is used for the devil sometimes considered identical with Satan.
It is also used for any powerful emotion that threatens to lead to wrong
behaviour. In this context ǝlɣǝn Iblis ‘curse the devil’ means ‘calm down’.)
Ša Genie / spirit (<Ar.) ălšin ălšinăn (ă/ă)
Za Genie / spirit (<Ar.) ălžăyn ălžăynăn (ă/ă)
Ša Angel (<Greek) ănǵălos ănǵălosăn (ă/ă)
Za Angel (<Greek) ăngălos ăngălosăn (ă/ă)

Piety / religious acts

Ša Prayer (ritual) ămud imaddăn (ă/-)
Za Prayer (ritual) ǝmud imăddăn (ǝ/-)
(Also used for any religious holiday or even any ‘do’ with dancing.)
Ša Za Prayer (general) tǝwatre tiwatriwen (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Prayer (supplication) tamădilt (ǝn-Măssinăɣ) timdal (tǝ/tǝ)
Za Prayer (supplication) tamǝdilt (ǝn-Măssinăɣ) timdal (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Sacrifice / (pl) ‘tabaski’ tasǝbḍărt tisǝbḍar (tǝ/tǝ)
Za Sacrifice / ‘tabaski’ tăfaske tifaskiwen (tă/tǝ)
Ša Za Sacrifice for healing (<Ar.) sădaka sădaktăn (-/-)
Ša Za Almsgiving takute tikutawen (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Tithe tămukăst timukăsen (tǝ/tǝ)
Za Tithe tamukăst timukăsen (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Za Tithe (<Ar.) tamǝssǝdǝkk timǝssǝdak (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Fasting (Ramadan) (<Ar.) ăẓum eẓammăn (ă/-)
Za Fasting (Ramadan) (<Ar.) ǝẓum iẓămmăn (ǝ/-)
Ša Teacher (<Ar.) ălfăqqi ălfăqqităn (ă/ă)
Za Teacher (<Ar.) ǝlfǝqqi ǝlfǝqqităn (ǝ/ǝ)
Ša Za Of religious clan ăw-ǝssuk kǝl-ǝssuk (ǝ/-)
Ša Za Quranic student (Ar.) ăṭṭalib ăṭṭalibăn (ă/ă)
Ša Quranic school (<Ar.) taɣărbošt teɣărbaš (tă/tă)
Za Quranic school (<Ar.) taɣărbošt tiɣǝrbaš (tă/tǝ)
Ša Reading / study teɣăre teɣărr (tă/tă)
Za Reading / study teɣăre tiɣǝrr (tǝ/tǝ)

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Ša Pilgrim (‘haji’) (<Ar.) ălhaǵǵi ălhaǵǵităn (ă/ă)
Za Pilgrim (‘haji’) (<Ar.) ǝlhaži ǝlhažităn (ǝ/ǝ)
Ša Za Ritual ablutions (<Ar.) ălwăḷḷa ălwăḷḷatăn (ă/ă)
Ša Za Mosque (<Ar.) tamǝzgǝdda timǝzgǝddawen (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Za Place of worship (<Ar.) ălmasžid ălmasžidăn (ă/ă)
Ša Place of prayer edăgg n-ămud (ă)
Za Place of prayer edăgg n-ǝmud (ă)
(This is a marked off area in someone’s yard or in a village with no mosque.)
Ša Za Worshipper (<Ar.) ănaɣbad inaɣbadăn (ă/-)
Ša Rosary / prayer beads iseḍinăn (-)
Za Rosary / prayer beads išiḍinăn (-)

Law, Judgement and the Afterlife

Ša Law / judgement (Ar.) ăššăreɣa ăššăreɣatăn (ă/ă)
Za Law / judgement (Ar.) ǝššǝriɣa ǝššǝriɣatăn (ǝ/ǝ)
Ša Za Law / commandment (Ar.) ălămăr ălămărăn (ă/ă)
Ša Repentance (<Ar.) tătubt tătuben (tă/tă)
Za Repentance (<Ar.) tǝtubt tǝtuben (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Za Repentance (<Ar.) tutabt tutaben (tu/tu)
Ša Forgiveness tenăšše tinǝšš (tă/tǝ)
Za Forgiveness tenăzze tinǝzz (tă/tǝ)
Za Forgiveness tăsureft tisuraf (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Za Sin (<Latin) ăbăkkaḍ ibăkkaḍăn (ă/-)
Ša Za Sinner anăsbăkkaḍ inăsbăkkaḍăn (ă/-)
Ša Transgressor anămăšray inămăšrayăn (ă/-)
Za Transgressor anămăzray inămăzrayăn (ă/-)
Ša Za Apostate / illiterate (Ar.) ălžahil ălžuhal (ă/ă)
Ša Za Hypocrite (Ar.) ălfăsseq ălfussaq (ă/ă)
(Based on the Quranic arabic for one who pretends to believe, in local usage
it also means someone who is surly or ungrateful.)
Ša Za Recompense / justice (<Ar.) ălxăqq ălxăqqăn (ă/ă)
Ša Za Reward emărked imărkedăn (ă/-)
Ša Reward marušăt marušăten (-/-)
Za Reward maruzăt maruzăten (-/-)
Ša Good work ămašal imašalăn (ă/-)
Ša Good work tămašalt timašalen (tă/tǝ)
Za Good work ǝmažal imažalăn (ǝ/-)
Za Good work tǝmažalt timažalen (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Evil work ter-tămašalt ter-tǝmašalen (te/te)
Za Evil work ter-tǝmažalt ter-tǝmažalen (te/te)
Ša Za Balance / account (Ar.) ălxisab ălxisabăn (ă/ă)
(The balance of one’s good and evil acts.)

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Ša The day of judgement ašăl wan tăbădde (ă)
Za The day of judgement azǝl wan tăbădde (ǝ)
(lit. ‘The day of standing up’, a calque from Quranic arabic.)
Ša Za The afterlife (Ar.) ălaxărăt (ă)
Ša Heaven / sky ašǝnna išǝnnawăn (ǝ/-)
Za Heaven / sky ažǝnna ižǝnnawăn (ǝ/-)
Ša Za Paradise (Ar.) ălžănnăt (ă)
Ša Za Hell-fire temse (tă)
Ša Za Hell (Ar.) žohănnăma (-)
Ša Za Punishment (Ar.) ălɣăzab ălɣăzab (ă/ă)
Ša Za Punishment (Ar.) ălɣăzabăt ălɣăzabătăn (ă/ă)

Abstract terms
Ša Za Evil (Ar.) ăššăr ăššărăn (ă/ă)
Ša Za Evil (<Ar.) tăllăbăst tăllăbăsen (tă/tă)
Ša Crime / injustice (<Ar.) taḍlǝmt teḍǝllam (tă/tă)
Za Crime / injustice (<Ar.) taḍlǝmt tiḍǝllam (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Za Hypocricy (<Ar.) tǝlmunufăɣa (tǝ)
Ša Za Salvation (Ar.) ǝlɣǝllas ǝlɣǝllasăn (ǝ/ǝ)
Ša Za Saviour (<Ar.) ămaɣlas imaɣlasăn (ă/-)
Ša Za Salvation / protection taggaṣt taggaẓen (ta/ta)
Ša Protection / defence tinahăɣen (tǝ)
Za Protection / defence tinaɣen (tǝ)
Ša Za Righteous person (Ar.) ălɣadil ălɣadilăn (ă/ă)
Ša Za Righteousness (Ar.) ălɣădala ălɣădalatăn (ă/ă)
Ša Righteousness eqqud eqqudăn (e/e)
Za Righteousness iqqud iqqudăn (i/i)
Ša Za Mercy (Ar.) ărrăxmăt ărrăxmătăn (ă/ă)
Ša Mercy / pity / grace (<Ar.) tăhanint tihunan (tă/tǝ)
Za Mercy / pity / grace (<Ar.) tǝhanint tihunan (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Freedom / grace tădarfit tidarfiten (tă/tǝ)
Za Freedom / grace tǝdarfit tidarfiten (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Glory / grace (Ar.) ălxormăt ălxormatăn (ă/ă)
Za Glory / grace (Ar.) ălxurma ălxurmatăn (ă/ă)
Ša Grace (Ar.) ănneɣmăt ănneɣmătăn (ă/ă)
Za Grace (Ar.) ǝnniɣmăt ǝnniɣmătăn (ǝ/ǝ)
Ša Za Faith (trust) taflǝst tiflǝsen (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Za Faith (acceptance) aẓǝgẓan iẓǝgẓanăn (ǝ/-)
Ša Za Faith (fear of God) (Ar.) ăliman ălimanăn (ă/ă)
Ša Za Faith (fear of God) (<Ar.) ămumǝn imumǝnăn (ă/-)
Ša Blessing (Ar.) ălbărăka ălbărăkatăn (ă/ă)
Ša Blessing (Ar.) ălbarăka ălbarăkatăn (ă/ă)
Za Blessing (Ar.) ălbăraka ălbărakatăn (ă/ă)
Ša Za Peace (well-being) (Ar.) ălxer ălxerăn (ă/ă)
Ša Za Peace (well-being) (So.) bani (-)

295
Ša Peace (lack of war) (Ar.) ălɣafyăt ălɣafyătăn (ă/ă)
Za Peace (lack of war) (Ar.) ălɣafǝyăt ălɣafǝyătăn (ă/ă)
Ša Za Hope / value (Ar.) ăṭṭăma ăṭṭămatăn (ă/ă)
Ša Za Authority / power tǝmɣăr tǝmɣăren (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Za Authority / power tămɣăr tămɣăren (tă/tă)
Ša Rule / authority (Ar.) ălxǝkum ălxǝkumăn (ă/ă)
Za Rule / authority (Ar.) ǝlxǝkum ǝlxǝkumăn (ǝ/ǝ)
Ša Za Rule / power tănaya tinayawen (tă/tǝ)
Ša Power tădabit tidabiten (tă/tǝ)
Za Power tudabăt tudabăten (tu/tu)
Ša Za Truth tidǝt tidǝten (ti/ti)
Ša Za Lies bahu bahutăn (-/-)
Ša Za Doubt (Ar.) ăššăk ăššăkăn (ă/ă)
(This word also alludes to ‘reserve’ an important aspect of correct
behaviour especially among the noble clans.)
Ša Za Soul / spirit / life / self - iman (-)
Ša Za Breath / spirit / (<Ar.) unfas unfasăn (u/u)
life / soul
Ša Za Breath / spirit / (<Ar.) tunfast tunfasen (tu/tu)
life / soul

Other terms
Ša Oath tahoḍe tihoḍawen (tă/tǝ)
Za Oath tahuḍe tihuḍawen (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Za Vow ɣărro ɣărrotăn (-/-)
Ša Oath / vow / curse asǝmmǝhăḍ isǝmmǝheḍăn (ǝ/-)
Za Oath / vow / curse asǝmmǝhǝḍ isǝmmǝhiḍăn (ǝ/-)
Ša Za Custom (Ar.) ălɣăda ălɣădatăn (ă/ă)
Ša Custom / origin (Ar.) ălăṣăl ălăṣălăn (ă/ă)
Za Custom / origin (Ar.) ǝlǝṣǝl ǝlǝṣǝlăn (ǝ/ǝ)
Ša Za Tradition / hadith (Ar.) ăssunnăt (ă)
Ša Za Covenant / promise (<Ar.) ărkăwăl ărkăwălăn (ă/ă)
Ša 1st surah of Quran (Ar.) ălfatexăn (ă)
Za 1st surah of Quran (Ar.) ălfatixăn (ă)
Ša Za Prayer mat (skin) eglem iglemăn (ă/ǝ)

Prophets and other Names

Ša Adam (Ar.) Adǝm
Za Adam (Ar.) Adăm
Ša Za Eve (Ar.) Xawa
Ša Noah (Ar.) Nox
Za Noah (Ar.) Nux
Ša Za Abraham (Ar.) Ibrahim

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Ša Moses (Ar.) Mosa
Za Moses (Ar.) Musa
Ša Za Torah (Ar.) Ăṭṭăwrăt
Ša Za David (Ar.) Dawǝd / Dăwda
Ša Psalms (Ar.) ăzzăbor
Za Psalms (Ar.) ǝzzǝbur
Ša Za Solomon (Ar.) Sulăyman
Ša Za Mary (Ar.) Măryama
Ša Za John (Ar.) Exya
Ša Za Jesus (Ar.) Ɣisa
Ša Za Gospel (Ar.) ălǝnžil
Ša Messiah (Ar.) ălmasex
Za Messiah (Ar.) ǝlmǝsix
Ša Mohammed (Ar.) Moxămmăd
Za Mohammed (Ar.) Muxămmăd
Ša Quran (Ar.) ălqoran
Za Quran (Ar.) ǝlquran
Ša Za Mecca (Ar.) Makăt / Măkkăt
Ša Za Muslim (<Ar.) anǝslǝm inǝslǝmăn (ǝ/-)
(This term is sometimes used more narrowly of religious teachers.)
Ša Genealogy (Ar.) ăttarex ăttarexăn (ă/ă)
Za Genealogy (Ar.) ăttarix ăttarixăn (ă/ă)

Sorcery / magic / paganism

Ša Za Idol (Ar.) ăssănăm ăssănămăn (ă/ă)
Ša Za Idol ădamum idumam (ă/-)
Ša Za Curse / insult (Ar.) tilɣant tilɣanen (ti/ti)
Ša Magic asǝmmǝǵru isǝmmǝǵraw (ǝ/-)
Za Magic asǝmmǝgru isǝmmǝgraw (ǝ/-)
Ša Za Marabout’s ‘magic’ timălăllăyen (tǝ)
Ša Za Magic words tanăfalalt tinăfalalen (tă/tǝ)
(Specifically – words said to make a lost object come back.)
Ša Sorcery / curse ešăɣăw išăɣwan (ă/-)
Za Sorcery / curse ešăɣăw išăɣăwăn (ă/-)
Ša Za Sorcerer emăššăɣăw imăššăɣăwăn (ă/-)
Ša Za Witch (So.) akrikaw ikrikawăn (ă/ǝ)
Ša Za Witch (So.) takrikawt tikrikawen (tă/tǝ)
(One who causes children to get sick and die by looking at them.)
Ša Za Evil eye tegăršăt tegăršăten (te/te)
Za Evil eye tegăršăk tegăršăken (te/te)
Ša Evil eye tǝššoṭṭ tǝššoḍen (tǝ/tǝ)
Za Evil eye tǝššuṭṭ tǝššuḍen (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Divination (geomancy) iǵăšan (-)

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Za Divination (geomancy) igăžan (-)
Ša Diviner (geomancer) amǝsǵǝšu imǝsǵuša (ǝ/-)
Za Diviner (geomancer) amǝsgǝžu imăsgăžăn (ǝ/-)
Ša Za ‘Black magic’ (So.) toru torutăn (to/to)
Ša Possession-cult dancing ăddăl wa-n ălšinăn (ă)
Za Possession-cult dancing ăddăl wa-n ălžinăn (ă)
Za Possession-cult dancing ăddăl wa-n ălžăynăn (ă)
Ša Possession-cult dancing ašigal išigalăn (ǝ/-)
Za Possession-cult dancing ažigal ižigalăn (ǝ/-)
Ša Za Musician (of above) aggu aggutăn (a/a)
Ša Za Musician (of above) (So.) ăzimma izimmatăn (ă/-)
Ša Za Incense healing (So.) dugu dugutăn (-/-)
Ša Za Omen arid
Ša Za Omen (Ar.) ašărik
Ša Presage tăkubbert tikubberen (tǝ/tǝ)
Za Presage takǝbbert tikǝbberen (tǝ/tǝ)

Rites of passage
Ša Za Party / festivities / game ăddăl ăddălăn (ă/ă)
Ša Religious festival ămud imaddăn (ă/-)
Za Religious festival ǝmud imăddăn (ǝ/-)
Ša Za Dancing adălal idălalăn (ă/-)
Ša Za Dancing adlul idlulăn (ǝ/ǝ)
Ša Za Bride-price taggalt taggalen (ta/ta)
Ša Betrothal asǝmmǝkrǝs isǝmmǝkras (ǝ/-)
Za Betrothal asǝmmǝkrǝs isǝmmǝkrisăn (ǝ/-)
Ša Betrothal / marriage adubǝn idubnawăn (ǝ/-)
Za Betrothal / marriage adubăn idubănăn (ǝ/-)
Za Betrothal / marriage azălaf izălafăn (ă/-)
Ša Za Betrothal / marriage ehăn (ă)
(The act of betrothal and the state of being engaged or married.)
Ša Za Marriage aẓli iẓlǝyăn (ă/ǝ)
(The separation of a young bride from her parental home.)
Ša Za Marriage aẓǝẓli iẓǝẓlay (ă/-)
(What the man does – ‘separates’ the bride from her parental home.)
Ša Za Wedding ‘do’ ăddăl wan ăẓli (ă)
Ša Za Confinement (after birth) amẓur imẓurăn (ă/ǝ)
Ša Za Naming ceremony ăddăl wan isǝm (ă)
Ša Za Naming ceremony ikăsănkăsăn (-)
Ša Za Naming ceremony (Fu.) lămru lămrutăn (-/-)
Ša Circumcision amilǝy imilǝyăn (ǝ/-)
Za Circumcision amǝnkǝḍ imǝnkiḍăn (ǝ/-)

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Ša Za Putting on of turban anăgaḍ inăgaḍăn (ă/-)
(This ceremony marks passage from childhood to adulthood at 14-25 years.
There is an equivalent one for women usually done between marriage and
first child i.e. at 14-18 years old.)
Ša Za Divorce / separation amǝzzi imǝzzǝyăn (ǝ/-)
Ša Za Divorce / separation ebăḍḍi ibăḍḍităn (ă/-)
Ša Za Widow (recent) tinn-ăkăršăy (ti)
(A widow wears her headscarf knotted under chin and lives in semi-
confinement for four months after which she is free to re-marry.)
Ša Za Place of mourning edăgg n-iba (ă)

5.19 Money, trade and gifts

Ša Money / silver aẓrǝf eẓărfan (ă/-)
Za Money / silver aẓrǝf iẓǝrfan (ă/-)
Ša Goods / flocks ehăre ihărawăn (ă/-)
Za Goods / flocks ehăre ihǝrwan (ă/-)
Ša Wealth / luck tabăɣort tibɣar (tă/tǝ)
Za Wealth / luck tabăɣort tibǝɣar (tă/tǝ)
Ša Wealth / prosperity (<Ar.) ǝrǝzzăɣ ǝrǝzzăɣăn (ǝ/ǝ)
Za Wealth / prosperity (<Ar.) ǝrǝzzǝɣ ǝrǝzzǝɣăn (ǝ/ǝ)
Ša Za Gain / luck talemmeẓt tilǝmmaẓ (tă/tǝ)
Ša Za Price / value (Ar.) ălqim ălqimăn (ă/ă)
Ša Za Price / value (Ar.) ălqimăt (ă)
Ša Za Market (value) (<Ar.) ǝssuk ǝssukăn (ǝ/ǝ)
Ša Payment tamăẓilt timẓal (tă/tǝ)
Za Payment tamǝẓilt timǝẓal (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Za Trade (Ar.) mamăla mamălatăn (-/-)
Ša Business tăɣăwse tiɣăwsiwen (tă/tǝ)
Za Business tăɣăwše tiɣăwšawen (tă/tǝ)
Ša Za Middleman (-ing) tăyfa (tă)
Ša Za Hire / salary / rent tefert tiferen (tă/tǝ)
Ša Za Wage (<Ar.) ălhăk ălhăkăn (ă/ă)
Ša Profit (Ar.) ălfayda ălfaydatăn (ă/ă)
Za Profit (Ar.) ălfăyda ălfăydatăn (ă/ă)
Ša Za Profit (<Ar.) riba ribatăn (-/-)
Ša Loss / lost animal asǝǵǵel isǝǵǵelăn (ǝ/-)
Za Loss / lost animal asǝggel isǝggelăn (ǝ/-)
Ša Za Account / figure meḍan (-)
Ša Za Fine / penalty (Ar.) ăddăyyăt ăddăyyăten (ă/ă)
Ša Za Tribute / tax tiwse tiwsiwen (ti/ti)
Ša Za Colonial tax (Ha.) baya bayatăn (-/-)

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Ša Contribution terǵit terǵiten (te/te)
Za Contribution tirgit tirgiten (ti/ti)
Ša Gift / giving ihuk (-)
Ša Gift / giving tǝhǝkkut tihǝkk (tǝ/tǝ)
Za Gift / giving tehăkkăwt tihǝkk (tă/tǝ)
Ša Za Gift / giving tănafut tinufa (tă/tǝ)
Ša Za Gift from a journey tibǝddar (tǝ)
Ša Za Gift sent tasǝnkit tisǝnkay (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Gift to newborn ašǝyyuf išǝyyaf (ǝ/-)
Za Gift to newborn ažif ažifăn (a/a)
Ša Za Love gifts tisutar (tǝ)
Ša Friendship gifts iǵelhan (-)
Ša Gift for reconciliation taẓǝmmăẓǝlt tiẓǝmmăẓilen (tă/tă)
Za Gift for reconciliation taẓǝmmǝẓǝlt tiẓǝmmǝẓilen (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Za Gift for reconciliation tamǝknut (tǝ)
Ša Za Loan / debt ămarwas imarwasăn (ă/-)
Ša Loan / debt asărḍǝl isărḍilăn (ă/-)
Ša Za Repayment azǝbǝna izǝbǝnatăn (ǝ/-)
Ša Za Usufruct tǝyyǝt tǝyyǝten (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Za Forfeit (Ar.) ălman ălmanăn (ă/ă)
Ša Za Cow eaten at wedding taɣtǝst tiɣǝttas (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Cowries tamǵǝlǝt timǵǝl (tǝ/tǝ)
Za Cowries tamǝggǝlot timǝggǝla (tǝ/tǝ)
(These were used for exchange in the days before coinage.)
Ša Za Caravan erăkăf irǝkfan (ă/-)

5.20 Games and sport

Ša Za Game / play ăddăl ăddălăn (ă/ă)
Ša Amusements imešlan (-)
Za Amusements imăzlan (-)
Ša ‘Dice’ tisăɣeren (tǝ)
Za ‘Dice’ tišăɣeren (tǝ)
Ša Za Strategy game tiddas (ti)
Ša Hide and seek ufăr-ufăr (u)
Za Hide and seek ufǝr-ufǝr (u)
Ša Za ‘Jacks’ tikwa (ti)
Ša Za Mancala / awari tizgag (tǝ)

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Ša ‘Hockey’ kăray kărayetăn (-/-)
Za ‘Hockey’ kărăy kărăyen (-/-)
(Ancient game no longer played locally.)
Ša Za Hockey stick alănɣom ilǝnɣam (-)
Ša Ball tablulăqq tiblulăɣen (tǝ/tǝ)
Za Ball tabǝlulǝq tibǝlulǝɣen (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Za ‘Fencing’ / mock fight tedămit tidămaten (tă/tǝ)
Ša Racing / races tammăšăǵa timmăšăǵawen (tă/tǝ)
Za Racing / races tămmăzăga tămmăzăgawen (tă/tă)
Ša Za Speed azzal azzalăn (a/a)
Ša Wrestling tăbbillant tăbbillanen (tă/tă)
Za Wrestling tabǝllant tibǝllanen (tǝ/tǝ)

5.21 Abstract terms

Character / intelligence / behaviour / emotions
Ša Za State / character (Ar.) ălxal ălxalăn (ă/ă)
Ša Conduct / character tašne tašniwen (ta/ta)
Za Conduct / character tažne tažniwen (ta/ta)
Ša Character / state taɣărha tiɣărhiwen (tă/tǝ)
Za Character / state taɣăra tiɣărwen (tă/tǝ)
Ša Za Situation / subject talɣa talɣiwen (ta/ta)
Ša Za Habit / taste agna agnatăn (a/a)
Ša Za Intelligence tayǝtte tiyǝttawen (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Za Attention / intention (Ar.) ǝnnǝyăt ǝnnǝyăten (ǝ/ǝ)
Ša Za Understanding (Ar.) făhăm făhămatăn (-/-)
Ša Knowledge musnăt musnăten (-/-)
Za Knowledge măsnăt măsnăten (-/-)
Ša Recognition muzyăt muzyăten (-/-)
Za Recognition mǝzzǝyăt mǝzzǝyăten (-/-)
Ša Za Consciousness tǝnǝfruyt (tǝ)
Ša Consciousness tiǵya tiǵyawen (ti/ti)
Za Consciousness tigya tigyawen (ti/ti)
Ša Za Worry / sad thoughts anǝzgum inǝzgam (ǝ/-)
Ša Za Thought ămeḍrăn imeḍrănăn (ă/-)
Ša Za Anxiety (Ar.) ălwăswăsăt ălwăswăsăten (ă/ă)
Ša Za Patience taẓidert tiẓideren (tă/tǝ)
Za Patience taẓăydert tiẓăyderen (tă/tǝ)
Ša Za Wisdom / honour sărho sărhotăn (-/-)
Ša Za Honour / reserve (Ar.) ătteqal ătteqalăn (-/-)
Ša Za Reserve / doubt (Ar.) ăššăk ăššăkăn (-/-)
Ša Shame / reserve tăkrakeṭṭ tikrukaḍ (tă/tǝ)
Za Shame / reserve takărakiṭṭ tikǝrukaḍ (tă/tǝ)

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Ša Za Grief / depression (<Ar.) ahǝnšăqqi ihǝnšăqqităn (ă/ă)
Ša Nostalgia / loneliness ăsuf isaffăn (ǝ/-)
Za Nostalgia / loneliness ǝsuf isăffăn (ǝ/-)
Ša Za Nostalgia / loneliness alwa alwatăn (a/a)
Ša Za Anger (Ar.) ălhăm ălhămmăn (ă/ă)
Ša Wrath aḍkăr iḍǝkran (ă/-)
Za Wrath adkǝr idǝkran (ǝ/-)
Ša Za Fear / anxiety tarǝmmeqq tirǝmmaɣ (tă/tǝ)
Ša Za Fear tǝksǝḍa tǝksǝḍawen (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Fear tăxsǝda tăxsǝdawen (tă/tă)
Za Fear (lit. ‘liver’) tăsa tisătten (tă/tǝ)
Ša Fear ǝmmǝttǝsu ǝmmǝttǝsutăn (ǝ/ǝ)
Ša Joy tedăwit tidwa (tă/tǝ)
Za Joy tedǝwit tidwa (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Za Pain / suffering (<Ar.) aɣăna (ă)
Ša Za Health / strength (Ar.) ăssexăt (ă)
Ša Za Health / well-being (Ar.) ălxer (ă)
Ša Za Health / well-being (So.) bani (-)
Ša Za Health / well-being (Ar.) ălafu (ă)
Ša Trembling (fever / fear) tisǝst tissas (ti/ti)
Za Trembling (fever / fear) tăysǝst tăysas / tăysǝsen (tă/tă)
Ša Za Trembling (illness / age) tekăbăyt tikăbăyen (tă/tǝ)
Ša Za Trembling (cold) talăfa tilăfawen (tă/tǝ)

Words / speech
Ša Za Name / noun isǝm ismawăn (i/i)
Ša Za News - isălan (-)
Ša Za Question asǝstan isǝstinăn (ǝ/-)
Ša Za Greeting ăsafu isofan (ă/-)
Ša Za Greeting (sent by another) tǝhult tihulawen (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Leave-takings isǝnnăɣlifăn (-)
Za Leave-takings isǝnnǝɣlifăn (-)
Ša Speech / language măǵrăd imǝǵridăn (-/-)
Za Speech / language măgrăd imǝgridăn (-/-)
Ša Word / phrase tăfert tifer (tă/tǝ)
Za Word / phrase tǝfert tifir (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Za Word / saying tǝnna tǝnnawen (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Za Language / dialect tawalt tawalen (ta/ta)
Ša Za Conversation / chat batu batutăn (-/-)
Ša Conversation / chat (Ar.) ălžǝmayt ălžǝmayten (ă/ă)
Za Conversation / chat (Ar.) ǝlžǝmat ǝlžǝmaten (ǝ/ǝ)
Ša Conversation / chat adwǝnni idwǝnnităn (ǝ/ǝ)
Za Conversation / chat adǝwǝnni idǝwǝnnităn (ǝ/ǝ)
Ša Za Conversation / chat edăwănne idăwănnetăn (ă/-)

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Ša Za Story tanfust tinfusen (tă/tǝ)
Ša Za Story / poem tăsawit tisiway (tă/tǝ)
Ša Story / song / riddle tănẓort tinẓoren (tă/tǝ)
Za Story / song / riddle tǝnẓurt tinẓuren (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Song / poem ăsahăɣ isuhaɣ (ă/-)
Za Song / poem ǝsahǝɣ isuhaɣ (ǝ/-)
Ša Historical tales tišilen (tǝ)
Za Historical tales tižilen (tǝ)
Ša Proverb oẓẓ oẓẓawăn (o/o)
Za Proverb oẓẓ oẓẓătăn (o/o)
Ša Proverb / riddle enhi enhităn (e/e)
Za Proverb eni enităn (e/e)
Ša Za Parable tangalt tangalen (ta/ta)
(Generally a phrase with a hidden meaning rather than a story.)
Ša Za Argument / discussion tamăzaqq timăzaɣen (tă/tǝ)
Ša Argument / discussion tamɣǝnnant timɣǝnnanen (tǝ/tǝ)
Za Argument / discussion tamǝɣǝnnant timǝɣǝnnanen (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Argument / discussion tamădašt timădašen (tă/tǝ)
Za Argument / discussion tamădast timădazen (tă/tǝ)
Ša Argument / opposition amšǝkki imšǝkkităn (ǝ/ǝ)
Za Argument / opposition amžǝkki imžǝkkităn (ǝ/ǝ)
Ša Rant ahuwal ihuwalăn (ă/-)
Ša Rant aklulu ikluliwăn (ǝ/ǝ)
Ša Za Rebuke asǝnnǝrɣǝm isǝnnǝrɣimăn (ǝ/ǝ)
Ša Reproach / blame tuǵna tuǵnawen (tu/tu)
Za Reproach / blame tǝgna tǝgnawen (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Za Snub (Ar.) ălhuza ălhuzatăn (ă/ă)
Ša Za Praise tǝmmal tǝmmalen (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Za Renown / fame mawmaw (-)
Ša Za Prohibition / warning tarɣǝmt tirɣǝmen (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Warning cry ăkure ikoran (ă/-)
Za Warning cry ǝkure ikoran (ǝ/-)
Ša Alphabet teǵămke tiǵămkawen (tă/tǝ)
Za Alphabet tegămke tigămkawen (tă/tǝ)
Ša Za Berber alphabet tifinaɣ (tǝ)
Ša One letter in Tifinagh tafinăqq (tǝ)
Za One letter in Tifinagh tafinǝq (tǝ)
Ša Za Letter / amulet / map tăkarḍe tikarḍiwen (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Letter / amulet terot tira (te/ti)
Za Letter / amulet tirăwt tira (ti/ti)
Ša Voice / noise emăsli imăslan (ă/-)
Za Voice / noise emǝsli imăslan (ǝ/-)
Ša Za Noise tăkalt tikăllen (tă/tǝ)
Ša Noise ăšit išităn (ǝ/-)
Za Noise ǝžit ižităn (ǝ/-)

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Ša Shouting abrǝtti ibrǝttităn (ǝ/ǝ)
Za Shouting abǝrǝtti ibǝrǝttităn (ǝ/-)
Ša Za Comedy / loose talk tallafen (ta)
Ša Za Comedy / loose talk tărfofen (tă)
Ša Threats imǝssuksaḍ (-)
Za Threats imǝssǝksaḍ (-)
Ša Threats imǝssoxsad (-)
Za Threats tisǝksǝḍawen (tǝ)
Ša Za Wail / mourning cry takălelt tikălelen (tă/tǝ)
Ša Wail tăšoršat tišoršaten (tǝ/tǝ)
Za Wail tăzorzat tizorzaten (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Trill taɣlǝlet tiɣlǝla (tǝ/tǝ)
Za Trill taɣǝlǝlet tiɣǝlǝla (tǝ/tǝ)
(Also known as ‘ululating’, done mainly by women at weddings etc.)
Ša Za Exaggeration tisǝssiwaḍ (tǝ)
Ša Za Exaggeration tisǝssikay (tǝ)
Ša Za Delirium tisălăwlăwen (tǝ)
Ša Za Senility / delirium tirăzzăyen (tǝ)
Ša Hand signal tătofayt titofayen (tă/tǝ)
Za Hand signal tădogănt tidogănen (tǝ/tǝ)

Miscellaneous
Ša Thing hărăt hărătăn (-/-)
Za Thing ărăt ărătăn (ă/ă)
Ša Za Things / equipment ilalăn (-)
Ša Tools / utensils isuǵ (-)
Za Tools / utensils isug (-)
Ša A part / side / half ašrut išrutăn (ǝ/ǝ)
Za A part / side / half azrut izrutăn (ǝ/ǝ)
Ša Za Half / part tăẓune tiẓunawen (tă/tǝ)
Ša Share / portion tedăǵărt tidăǵăren (tă/tǝ)
Za Share / portion edăgăr idăgărăn (ă/-)
Ša Side (of body / object) tasăǵa tisǝǵwen (tă/tǝ)
Za Side (of body / object) tasăga tisǝgwen (tă/tǝ)
Ša Right aɣil iɣallăn (ă/-)
Za Right aɣil iɣăllăn (ǝ/-)
Ša Left tăšalǵe tišalǵiwen (tă/tǝ)
Za Left tǝzalge tizalgiwen (tǝ/tǝ)
Za Left zălgăt zălgăten (-/-)
Ša Za World (Ar.) ăddunya ăddunyatăn (ă/ă)
Ša Za Solution (Ar.) ăddăbara ăddăbaratăn (ă/ă)
Ša Za Cause / reason (<Ar.) tamǝntelt timǝntal (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Za Cause / reason (Ar.) ǝssǝbab ǝssǝbabăn (ǝ/ǝ)

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Ša Cause / reason (Ar.) ăddălil ăddălilăn (ă/ă)
Za Cause / reason (Ar.) ǝddǝlil ǝddǝlilăn (ǝ/ǝ)
Ša Za What is important (Ar.) ălɣaya ălɣayatăn (ă/ă)
(Often translates as ‘however …’ or ‘only …’ followed by an injunction.)
Ša Za Impossible (Ar.) muxal (-)
Ša Independence (Ar.) ǝlisteqlal (ǝ)
Za Independence (Ar.) ǝlistiqlal (ǝ)
Ša Za The necessary (Ar.) ălxažăt (ă)
Ša Opportunity taffawt taffawen (ta/ta)
Za Opportunity taffăwt taffăwen (ta/ta)
Ša Pretext asaru isoran (ă/-)
Za Pretext ăsaru isura (ă/-)
Ša Za Confidence (in s.o.’s help) fella fellatăn (-/-)
Ša Searching (for things) umăɣ-umăɣ (u)
Za Searching (for things) umǝɣ-umǝɣ (u)
Ša Za Act of hostility tasăkmot tisǝkma (tă/tǝ)
Ša Za Living together unmarried tăbabbit (tă)
Ša Fame / renown tamsusǝnt timsusǝnen (tǝ/tǝ)
Za Fame / renown tamǝsusǝnt timǝsusǝnen (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Fame / renown mosli moslităn (-/-)
Za Fame / renown măsăllăt măsăllăten (-/-)
Ša Za Coincidence tamăzăyyat timăzăyyen (tă/tǝ)
Ša Maintenance tanăṭṭuft tinăṭṭufen (tǝ/tǝ)
Za Maintenance tanǝṭṭuft tinǝṭṭaf (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Abuse / maltreatment ter-năṭṭuft ter-năṭṭufen (te/te)
Za Abuse / maltreatment ter-nǝṭṭuft ter-nǝṭṭaf (te/te)
Ša Za Support (e.g. of stick) tehătelt tihătelen (tă/tǝ)
Ša Za Alliance ehăf (ă)

Verbal Nouns
Verbal nouns take the role of abstract nouns. Some have already been listed above,
some other important ones are noted here. Verbal nouns are also found in the
verb listings but there the plurals are not given as most verbal nouns are very
rarely used in the plural. This list includes the ones that are commonly used in the
plural.
Ša Task / errand / work ămašal imašalăn (ă/-)
Za Task / errand / work ǝmažal imažalăn (ǝ/-)
Za Task / errand / work ǝmazal imazalăn (ǝ/-)
Ša Za Work (Ar.) ǝššǝɣǝl ǝššǝɣǝlăn (ǝ/ǝ)
Ša Doing / act tiǵawt tiǵawen (ti/ti)
Za Doing / act igi igităn (i/i)

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Ša Arrival tassawt tassawen (ta/ta)
Za Arrival assa assatăn (a/a)
Ša Departure tagǝllawt tigǝllawen (tǝ/tǝ)
Za Departure egǝlli igăllan (ǝ/-)
Ša Za Departure efel ifelăn (ă/-)
Ša Going tikawt tikawen (ti/ti)
Za Going iki ikităn (i/i)
Ša Za Walking tekle takliwen (te/ta)
Ša Za Beginning sănto săntotăn (-/-)
Ša Za End sămdo sămdotăn (-/-)
Ša Existence tǝlla tǝllaten (tǝ/tǝ)
Za Existence tǝlla tǝllawen (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Za Existence tumast tumasen (tu/tu)
Ša Za Possession(s) tǝla tǝlawen (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Za Perfection (Ar.) akămal ikămalăn (ă/-)
Ša Likeness milhaw milhawăn (-/-)
Za Likeness milaw milawăn (-/-)
Ša Za Preference tăsafit tisafiten (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Za Inheritance tăkasit tikasiten (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Crime (Ar.) taḍlǝmt teḍǝllam (tă/tă)
Za Crime (Ar.) taḍlǝmt tiḍǝllam (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Za Theft (/ fornication) tikra tikrawen (ti/ti)
Ša Surprise / betrayal (<Ar.) taɣdărt teɣǝddar (tă/tă)
Za Surprise / betrayal (<Ar.) taɣdǝrt tiɣdǝren (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Za Fighting akǝnnas ikǝnnasăn (ǝ/-)
Ša Za Lifting up adăkal idăkalăn (ă/-)
Ša Za Reduction afănaẓ ifănaẓăn (ă/-)
Ša Za Difference / (Ar.) ebăḍḍi ibăḍḍităn (ă/-)
separation
Ša Disappointment turǵamt turǵamen (tu/tu)
Za Disappointment turgamt turgamen (tu/tu)
Ša Itching ukmaš ukmašăn (u/u)
Za Itching ukmaz ukmazăn (u/u)
Ša Za Laziness / hesitation sendad sendadăn (-/-)
Ša Weeding aǵăyak iǵăyakăn (ă/-)
Za Weeding agăyak igăyakăn (ă/-)
Ša Getting / earning aǵăraw iǵărawăn (ă/-)
Za Getting / earning agăraw igărawăn (ă/-)
Ša Za Attempt agămay igămayăn (ă/-)

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Ša Za Bringing / aggay aggayăn (a/a)
load (of sth. brought)
Ša Za Drawing (of water) alăkaw ilăkawăn (ă/-)
Ša Weight taẓẓayt taẓẓayen (ta/ta)
Za Weight taẓẓăyt taẓẓăyen (ta/ta)
Ša Za Weight ăẓuk ăẓukăn (ă/ă)
Ša Importance / size tǝmɣăre (tǝ)
Za Importance / size tǝmɣǝre (tǝ)
Ša Ease / cheapness (<Ar.) tărɣǝse tărɣǝsawen (tă/tă)
Za Ease / cheapness (<Ar.) tǝrǝɣse tǝrǝɣsawen (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Agreement anmǝnnak inmǝnnikăn (ǝ/ǝ)
Za Agreement anǝmǝnnak inǝmǝnnikăn (ǝ/-)
Ša Agreement tarăḍḍawt tirăḍḍawen (tă/tă)
Za Agreement tarǝḍḍăwt tirǝḍḍăwen (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Za Help tadhǝlt tidhǝlen (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Za Help tilalt tilalen (ti/ti)
Ša Laughter taḍăẓẓa tiḍăẓẓ (tă/tǝ)
Za Laughter taḍăẓa tiḍǝẓwen (tă/tǝ)
Ša Bravery ǝbbărăḍ ǝbbărăḍăn (ǝ/ǝ)
Za Bravery ǝbbǝrǝḍ ǝbbǝrǝḍăn (ǝ/ǝ)
Ša Journey ăsikǝl isikilăn (ǝ/-)
Za Journey ašikǝl išikilăn (ǝ/-)
Ša Za Hunger laẓ laẓăn (-/-)
Ša Za Thirst fad (-)
Ša Za Lack / loss iba ibatăn (i/i)
Ša Rubbish ănnikăl ănnikălăn (ă/ă)
Za Rubbish ǝnnikăl ǝnnikălăn (ǝ/ǝ)
Ša Za Beauty tihussay (tǝ)
Ša Friendship tǝmmidwa (tǝ)
Za Friendship tǝmmidǝwa (tǝ)
Ša Love / will / need tărha tărhawen (tă/tă)
Za Love / will / need tăra tărawen (tă/tă)
Ša Za Tax / tribute tiwse tiwsiwen (ti/ti)
Ša Death tamăttănt timăttanen (tă/tǝ)
Za Death tamăttant timăttanen (tă/tǝ)
Ša Za Life tămudre timudrawen (tă/tǝ)
Za Life tamǝddurt timǝddar (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Za Chiefdom tamǝnukǝla timǝnukǝlawen (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Za Daring / cheekiness taholăt taholăten (ta/ta)

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Ša Jealousy teṣmiten (te)
Za Jealousy tiṣmiten (ti)
Ša Za Vomiting ebsan (e)
Ša Insult taǵǝǵǵert tiǵǝǵǵar (tǝ/tǝ)
Za Insult takǝggert tikǝggar (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Insult tettert tittar (te/ti)
Za Insult tittert tittar (ti/ti)
Ša Za Proof (<Ar.) asǝbbuyǝn isǝbbuyunăn (ǝ/-)

5.22 Directions and descriptions

descriptions
Directions
Ša Direction / bearing tasǝdǝkk tisǝdaǵ (tǝ/tǝ)
Direction tamduk timdaǵ (tă/tǝ)
Direction tehelt tihelen (te/te)
Ša Za North (lit. ‘up’) afălla (ă)
Ša North awẓa (ă)
Ša Za North atăram (ă)
(The word atăram means ‘West’ elsewhere but has come to refer to the
Tamasheqs of Mali, in relation to those of Niger, and thus the Gao area
which is North of Oudalan. Hence the adoption of atăram as the direction
North when starting from Oudalan. ‘Up’ is also used as most Tamasheqs in
Oudalan perceive themselves as having come ‘down’ from Mali.)
Ša Za South agăla (ă)
Za South emăynăg (ă)
(The use of emăynăg as South is rather obscure. It is used to refer to the
region just South of Gorom Gorom.)
Ša East emăynăǵ (ă)
Ša Za East (<Ar.) ălqablăt / ălqiblǝt (ă)
(The local usage of emăynăg to refer to a region South of Gorom Gorom has
brought in this alternative, meaning ‘direction of prayer’ for ‘East’.)
Ša West egăḍăl ǝn-tăfukk
Za West egăḍăl ǝn-tǝfuk
(Similarly the local usage of the term atăram has brought in the use of
‘sunset’ for ‘West’.)

Descriptions
Ša Za Colour / markings ini inităn (i/i)
Ša Male awtǝm iwtǝmăn (ǝ/ǝ)
Za Male ăwtǝm ăwtǝmăn (ă/ă)
Ša Masculinity ăhhulǝs (ă)
Ša Female tawtǝmt tiwtǝmen (tǝ/tǝ)
Za Female tăwtǝmt tăwtǝmen (tă/tă)

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Ša Clan / species / type tawset tiwsaten (tă/tǝ)
Za Clan / species / type tăwšet tăwšeten (tă/tă)
Ša Za Likeness / species / type tulat tulaten (tu/tu)
Ša Team / group / class taggayt taggayen (ta/ta)
Za Team / group / class taggăyt taggăyen (ta/ta)
Ša Za Top / surface / roof afălla ifallatăn (ă/-)
Ša Bottom / base ider iderăn (i/i)
Za Bottom / base eder iderăn (ă/-)
Ša Za Side edes idesăn (ă/-)
Ša Za Inside / centre ammas ammasăn (a/a)
Ša Outside aǵăma iǵămatăn (ă/-)
Za Outside agăma igămatăn (ă/-)
Ša Za Height tebădde tibaddiwen (tă/tǝ)
Ša Length tǝššǝǵrǝt tǝššǝǵrǝten (tǝ/tǝ)
Za Length tǝzzǝgrǝt tǝzzǝgrǝten (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Za Width tǝhhǝrǝwt tǝhhǝrǝwen (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Width tăkost tikăssen (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Depth atlǝkki itlǝkkităn (ǝ/ǝ)
Za Depth atǝlǝkki itǝlǝkkităn (ǝ/-)
Ša Za Span (measure of length) tardast tardasen (ta/ta)
Ša Cubit aɣil iɣallăn (ă/-)
Za Cubit aɣil iɣăllăn (ǝ/-)
Ša Za Line / row eṭăṭṭăr eṭăṭṭărăn (e/e)
Ša Length of life taɣrǝst teɣărras (tă/tǝ)
Za Length of life taɣrǝst tiɣǝrras (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Sign / symptom / ašămol išmal (ă/ǝ)
indication // antelope
Za Sign / symptom / ažămol ižǝmal (ă/-)
indication // antelope
Ša Za Sign nehal nehalăn (-/-)
Ša Za Meaning (Ar.) ălmăɣna ălmăɣnatăn (ă/ă)
Ša Za Photo / shadow tele taliwen (te/ta)
Ša Za Taste / flavour tembe tambiwen (te/ta)
Ša Za Odour / fragrance aḍu aḍutăn (a/a)
Ša Strong odour awšǝnšǝǵ iwšǝnšiǵăn (ǝ/ǝ)
Za Strong odour awǝžǝnžǝg iwǝžǝnžigăn (ǝ/ǝ)
Ša Za Dirt / dirtiness erdan (e)
Ša Triangle teǵămšăkk tiǵămšăkăn (tă/tǝ)
Za Triangle tegămšăk tigămšăkăn (tă/tǝ)
Ša Sphere / ball tablulăqq tiblulaɣ (tǝ/tǝ)
Za Sphere / ball tabǝlulǝq tibǝlulaɣ (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Circle taǵlǝlwayt tiǵlǝlwayen (tǝ/tǝ)

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Ša Circle taǵălăllăwat tiǵălăllăwaten (tă/tǝ)
Za Circle tagălăllăwăyt tigălăllăwăyen (tă/tǝ)
Ša Za Wheel / bearing tebălăwt tibălăwen (tă/tǝ)

5.23 Words borrowed from French

State structures
Ša Za Police chief komser komsertăn (-/-)
Ša Za Prefect (mayor) bǝreffe bǝreffetăn (-/-)
Ša Za Maire mer mertăn (-/-)
Ša Za Police bolis / folis bolistăn (-/-)
Ša Za Gendarme žăndărm žăndărmatăn (-/-)
Ša Soldier mǝnǝter mǝnǝtertăn (-/-)
Za Soldier mǝnǝtir mǝnǝtirtăn (-/-)
Ša Za Soldier militer militertăn (-/-)
Ša Za Customs dǝwan dǝwantăn (-/-)
Ša Za President fǝrezdan fǝrezdantăn (-/-)
Ša Schoolteacher muse musetăn (-/-)
Za Schoolteacher muše mušetăn (-/-)
Ša Za Quarter (of town) sekter sektertăn (-/-)
Ša Za School likol likoltăn (-/-)
Ša Za Pound (for animals) furye furyetăn (-/-)
Ša Za Prison kăso kăsotăn (-/-)
Ša Za Office biro birotăn (-/-)
Ša Za Role / function sărwis sărwistăn (-/-)
(Government employees are ‘kăl sărwis’.)
Ša Za Identity card kărtidănt kărtidăntăn (-/-)

Western ‘goods’
Ša Za Tobacco taba tabiwen (ta/ta)
Ša Za Wallet fartăma fartămatăn (-/-)
Ša Za Football băl băltăn (-/-)
Ša Za Table / market stall ṭabăl ṭabălen (ṭa/ṭa)
Ša Za Shop măngăza măngăzatăn (-/-)
Ša Za Radio / tape player ăradyo ăradyotăn (-/-)
Ša Za Cassette kăset kăsetăn (-/-)
(lefe is also used)
Ša Za Battery bil biltăn (-/-)
(tăhunt is also used)
Ša Za Razor blade lam lamtăn (-/-)
Ša Za Donkey cart šărrăt šărrătăn (-/-)
(torka is also used)
Ša Za Motorbike / moped moto mototăn (-/-)
(bătbăt is also used)

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Ša Za Mattress matăla matălatăn (-/-)
Ša Za Spade fello fellotăn (-/-)
(ašǝɣǝš is rarely used of a manufactured spade)
Ša Za Barrel (200 litre) tonno tonnoten (-/-)
Ša Za Barrel (200 litre) bărik băriktăn (-/-)
(bărgo is also used)
Ša Matches ălmayt ălmaytităn (-/-)
Za Matches ălmaytu ălmaytutăn (-/-)
Ša Za Cab (of vehicle) kăbin kăbintăn (-/-)
Ša Za Photograph / picture foto fototăn (-/-)
Ša Za Moving image sinǝma sinǝmatăn (-/-)
Ša Za Handpump bombi bombităn (-/-)
Ša Za Handpump fonfi fonfităn (-/-)
Ša Za Motorised pump foraž foražtăn (-/-)
Ša Za (Sewing) machine măsin măsintăn (-/-)
Ša Za (Sewing) machine măšin măšintăn (-/-)
Ša Za Plastic bottle bido bidotăn (-/-)
Ša Za Sheet metal tol toltăn (-/-)

Foods
Ša Za Tomato tomănti tomăntităn (-/-)
Ša Za Cabbage šu šutăn (-/-)
Ša Za Coffee kăfe kăfetăn (-/-)
Ša Za Citrus fruit limon limontăn (-/-)
Ša Za Potato bombăter bombătertăn (-/-)
Ša Za Lettuce ṣălat ṣălatităn (-/-)

Miscellaneous
Ša Za Metre metăr metărtăn (-/-)
Ša Za Kilometre kilometăr kilometrăn (-/-)
Ša Za Gram găram găramtăn (-/-)
Ša Za 100 grams (of tea) săngăram (-)
Ša Za Kilogram kilo kilotăn (-/-)
Ša Za Hour / time ur urtăn (u/u)
Ša Za Minute minet minetăn (-/-)
Ša Za Clock / watch montăr montărtăn (-/-)
Ša Za Original bǝrǝmye bǝrǝmyetăn (-/-)
(Often said when asserting priority in a novel line of work.)
Ša Za Lies (to cause a rift) fărfăgănda fărfăgăndatăn (-/-)
Ša Za Catholic (priest) momber mombertăn (-/-)

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Ša Za Flower fǝlǝr fǝlǝrtăn (-/-)

A few words have come from English (usually via Hausa)

Ša Za Lamp / torch layti laytităn (-/-)
Ša Za Bucket bokǝti bokǝtităn (-/-)
Ša Za Clinic / health worker lăktor / lăxtor lăxtortăn (-/-)
Ša Za Pick-axe fingas fingastăn (-/-)
Ša Za Carrot kăroti kărotităn (-/-)
Ša Za Cut wood kafinta kafintatăn (-/-)

5.24 Grammatical words

Prepositions
Ša Za Of / for ǝn (see Section 3.4)
Ša Za To / for … i, y, e (see Section 3.23)
Ša Za With / towards / in … ǝs, sǝr (see Section 3.24)
Ša Za With / and … ǝd, dǝr, dǝ (see Section 3.25)
Ša Za In / into / out of … dăɣ, dǝ (see Section 3.26)
Ša Za Until / when har (see Section 3.27)
Ša On / off / because … făl (see Section 3.28)
Za On / off / because … fǝl (see Section 3.28)
Ša With / ‘chez’ ɣor (see Section 5.27)
Za With / ‘chez’ ɣur (see Section 5.27)
Ša Among ǵer- / ǵăr
Za Among găr- / gǝr
Ša Za Before / in front of dat
Ša After / behind ḍarăt
Za After / behind dǝffǝr
Ša Za Under / below daw
Ša Above ǵǝnnǝǵ
Za Above gǝnnǝg
Note that Tamasheq has no unique prepostion meaning ‘from’ instead any of the
prepositions can be used in the partative sense. e.g. dăɣ can mean ‘from in / out
of’, făl / fǝl can mean ‘from upon / off’.

Conjunctions
Ša But măšan
Za But măšan / măšen
Ša Za Or meɣ
Ša Because făl-as

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Za Because fǝl-as
Ša Za Because awa-s
Ša Za Since / if / when id
Ša Za Afterwards ilkâm
Ša Firstly izzar
Za Firstly ǝzzar
Ša Firstly tizzar
Za Firstly tǝzzar
Ša Za That’s it awen-dăɣ
Ša That is why … awen-dăɣ a-făl
Za That is why … awen-dăɣ a-fǝl
Ša Za If / when as
Ša If / when a-făl
Za If / when a-fǝl
Ša Why … ? mafăl
Za Why … ? măfel / mafǝl
Ša Za If (hypothetical) kud
Ša Za Even if … kud…dăɣ
Ša Za Whether / even if kudǝnta
Ša If (unfulfilled) ǝndăr / ǝnnăr
Za If (unfulfilled) ǝndar / ǝnnar
Ša Since (seeing as …) šămad
Za Since (seeing as …) zămad
Ša Perhaps ihâ miši
Za Perhaps ihâ miži
Ša Isn’t it? / it is not wǝdden (contracted to: udde)
Ša Isn’t it? / it is not wǝddeɣ (contracted to: udde)
Za Isn’t it? / it is not wǝrgin (contracted to: ugge)
Ša Unless as wǝdden
Za Unless kundăba
Ša Za Therefore adiš
Za Therefore adi-za
Ša Za Question marker ak … ?
Ša Question marker ayǵǝn … ?
Za Question marker aygǝn … ?
Ša Za Question marker yălla … ? (This last is ugly Tamasheq.)

Adverbs
Ša Za All / every kul
Ša Za Only ɣas
Ša Za Also deɣ
Ša (Not) yet / again harwa

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Za (Not) yet / again hărwa
Ša Za Very / especially hullen
Ša Like šund
Za Like zund / žund
Ša No longer iba-s
Za No longer ăba-s
Ša Za Except / only ar
Ša Za Neither / nor wǝr … wăla
Ša Za All (of us) iket-(nănăɣ)
Ša Za Other than săled
Ša Rather than / and also … ohun / ohǝn
Za Rather than / and also … uhun / uhǝn
Ša Za As well as // despite hak-ǝd
Ša Za Always harkuk
Ša Za Permanently făw
Ša Because of dăɣ (/făl) ăddălil ǝn …
Za Because of dăɣ (/fǝl) ǝddǝlil ǝn …
Ša Za Because of dăɣ (/ făl) ǝssǝbab ǝn …
Ša Za How much more so băršeɣ
Ša Za It is certain (Ar.) … lab
Ša Za Never / ever / previously kăla

Directional adverbs
Ša Here (by me) diha / dăha
Za Here (by me) da
Ša There (close to me) dihen / dăhen
Za There (close to me) den
Ša There (from here) siha / săha
Ša Over there / from there sihen / săhen
Za There (from here) sa
Za Over there / from there sen
The following are formed by use of the prepositions d ‘with’, s ‘towards’ or dăɣ ‘in’
plus a noun:
Ša Za On top (of) / upwards s-ăfălla
Ša To the side / separately s-edes
Za To the side / separately s-ǝzrut
Ša By the side (of) d-edes (ǝn)
Za By the side of dăgma-n
(This is a contraction of d-ăgăma-n ‘with the outside of’)
Ša Below / downwards s-ider

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Za Below / downwards s-ăder
Ša To the outside s-ăǵăma
Za To the outside s-ăgăma
Ša In the direction of s-ibre-n
Ša In the direction of s-ibăre-n
Ša Za In the direction of s-eberet-ǝn
Za In the direction of s-et-ǝn
Ša Za On / to the front ǝs-dat
Ša Behind ǝs-ḍarăt
Za Behind ǝs-dǝffǝr
Ša Za On the inside / in the middle dăɣ ammas

Qualitative adverbs
Ša Quickly šik
Za Quickly žik
Za Quickly tărmâḍ
Ša With difficulty (/ rarely) šărnaš
Za With difficulty (/ rarely) zărnaz
Ša Za Loudly s-ăfălla
Ša Za Quietly / slowly sollan
Ša Za For no reason bănnan
Note that qualitative adverbs can be formed from many verbal noun using dăɣ or s-:
Ša Za Forcefully s-ăṣṣahăt
Ša Fearfully dăɣ tărǝmmeqq
Za Fearfully dăɣ tǝrǝmmeq
Ša Secretly dăɣ ufăr
Za Secretly dăɣ ufǝr
Ša A lot / abundantly s-iǵǝt
Za A lot / abundantly s-igǝt
Ša (From / to) a long way s-iǵǝǵ
Za (From / to) a long way s-igǝg
The following are formed similarly:
Ša Slightly s-a-ntǝkkăn
Za Slightly s-a-nḍărrăn
Ša Za Much s-a-măqqărăn

Intensifying adverbs
adverbs
In many local languages intensity is made by repeating an adjective or adverb.
This is frequently done in Tamasheq with a few adverbs, e.g.:
Ša Za Especially / very / really hullen hullen
Ša Za Each and every one kul kul

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Ša Za Carefully sollan sollan
Ša Little by little s-a-ntǝkkăn a-ntǝkkăn
Za Little by little s-a-nḍărrăn a-nḍărrăn
Ša Very quickly šik šik
Za Very quickly žik žik
Ša Za Right now ămăra-dăɣ ămăra-dăɣ

5.25 Time words

General
Ša Za Time (<Ar.) ălwăqq ălwăqqăn (ă/ă)
Ša Hour (Ar.) ăssaɣăt ăssaɣătăn (ă/ă)
Za Hour (Ar.) ăssăɣăt ăssăɣătăn (ă/ă)
Ša Za Season (Ar.) ăzzăman ăzzămanăn (ă/ă)
Ša Day ašăl išilan (ă/-)
Za Day azǝl ižilan (ă/-)
Ša Night ehăḍ ihăḍan (ă/-)
Za Night ehăḍ ăḍan (ă/ă)
Ša Morning (journey) tanšit tinšǝyen (tǝ/tǝ)
Za Morning (journey) tanzit tinzǝyen (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Za Afternoon (journey) tadwit tadwiten (ta/ta)
Ša Tomorrow ašǝkka (ă)
Za Tomorrow ažăkka (ă)
Ša Yesterday ănḍǝšel (ă)
Za Yesterday ǝnḍazǝl (ǝ)
Ša Last night ănḍăhăḍ (ă)
Za Last night ǝnḍohăḍ / ǝnḍoḍ (ă)
Ša Za Week (So.) hebu hebutăn (-/-)
(Literally ‘market’ as the means of counting weeks.)
Ša Month (moon) ăyor orăn (ă/o)
Za Month (moon) tallit tilil (tǝ/tǝ)
Ša Za Year awătay iwǝtyan (ă/-)
Ša Years elăn (e)
Za Years elan (e)
Ša Beforehand / ărû
in times gone by
Za Beforehand / uhu / oho
in times gone by
Ša Za Previously kăla
Delay / period / date tăqqăn tăqqănen (tă/tă)

Phrases
Ša Today ašăl-i

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Ša The day before yesterday ašăl ăndin
Ša The day after tomorrow ašăl wen
Ša This morning dăɣ tifawt-i
Za Today azǝl-a
Za The day before yesterday azǝl ǝndin
Za The day after tomorrow azǝl wen
Za This morning dăɣ tufatt-a
Ša Yesterday morning ănḍǝšel ǝs tifawt
Za Yesterday morning ǝnḍazǝl ǝs tufat
Ša This year tenǝy-i
Za This year tene-wa
Ša Za Next year awătay wa dd-imălăn
Ša Za Last market hebu wa okăyăn
Ša Za Market before last hebu wa săled wa okăyăn
Ša Za Market after next hebu wa săled wa dd-imălăn
Ša In three days time I will dăɣ kăraḍ šilan ad ăǵăɣ
spend three nights there kăraḍ hăḍan dihen
Za In three days time I will dăɣ kăraḍ žilan ad ăgăɣ
spend three nights there kăraḍ ăḍan den
(It is more usual to count nights than days.)
Ša After that ḍarăt awen
Za After that dǝffǝr awen
Ša After my return from Dori ḍarăt oɣǝl-in dăɣ Dori
Za After my return from Dori dǝffǝr tăwăɣle-nin dăɣ Dori
Ša After / since the famine ḍarăt tǝmɣutar
Za After / since the famine dǝffǝr tǝmǝɣutar
Ša Before I go to Ouaga dat tikawt-in ǝs-Waɣa
Za Before I go to Ouaga dat iki-nin ǝs-Waɣa
Ša Za Right now ămăr-a-dăɣ

Ša Za At that time ălwăqq wen dăɣ

Ša Tonight ehăḍ-i
Za Tonight ehăḍ-a
Ša Last year’s cold season tagrǝst tan anhaḍ
Za Last year’s cold season tagrǝst tan ănaḍ
Ša Za At first / in the beginning ǝs-tizarăt
Ša Za At dawn (first prayer call) s-ăɣora
Ša In the morning / ǝs-tifawt
tomorrow morning
Za In the morning / (ǝs-) tufat
tomorrow morning

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Ša Mid-morning s-agdǝlset
Za Mid-morning s-agǝdǝlšet
Za Mid-morning s-adǝgǝlšet
Ša Midday ǝs-tărăhut
Za Midday ǝs-tǝrut
Ša Za Early Afternoon ǝs-tezzar
Ša In the afternoon ǝs-takkăṣt
Za In the afternoon ǝs-takǝst
Ša At sunset s-ăgăḍăl ǝn-tăfukk
Za At sunset s-ăgăḍăl ǝn-tǝfuk
Ša In the evening s-ălmăẓ
Za In the evening s-ǝlmǝẓ
Ša At bedtime ǝs-tǝsoḍǝsen
Za At bedtime ǝs-tǝsuḍǝsen
(i.e. the time for the last of the 5 daily prayers)
Ša Za In the middle of the night dăɣ ammas n-ăhăḍ
Ša A few days hărăt ǝn-hăḍan
Za A few days ărăt n-ăḍan
Aside from the festivals of Ramadan and Tabaski the Islamic calendar is little
referred to. The Roman calendar is almost unknown. Climatic seasons are used to
locate in the year.

5.26 Indefinite terms

One/some
a / one some / other
Ša Za masculine ǝyyăn ǝyyaḍ
Ša Za feminine ǝyyăt tǝyyaḍ
E.g.:
Ša Two men came one continued to meddăn ǝssin osăn-id ǝyyăn okăy
Beyga, the other to Markoye ǝs-Băyga, wa hăḍăn ǝs-Mărkoy
Za Two men came one continued meddăn ǝššin osăn-dǝd ǝyyăn okăy
to Beyga, the other to Markoye ǝs-Băyga, wa hăḍăn ǝs-Mărkoy
Ša Some like cows, others ǝyyaḍ ărhân iwan, ǝyyaḍ
prefer camels ăssôfăn imnas
Za Some like cows, others ǝyyaḍ ǝrân šitan, ǝyyaḍ
prefer camels ǝssôfăn imnas

Whatever
There are several ways of expressing this, e.g.:
Ša Whatever bull you get, bring it esu tǝǵrăwăd a eqqăl, awǝy-ti-d
Za Whatever bull you get, bring it esăw tǝgrăwăd a iqqăl, awǝy-t-iddǝd
Ša Whatever bull you get, bring it esu tǝǵrăwăd kul, awǝy-ti-d
Za Whatever bull you get, bring it esăw tǝgrăwăd kul, awǝy-t-iddǝd

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Ša Whatever bull you get, bring it esu tǝǵrăwăd a ămos, awǝy-ti-d
Za Whatever bull you get, bring it esăw tǝgrăwăd a imos, awǝy-t-iddǝd
Ša Whatever bull you see, buy it i-tt-illân esu a tǝnhăyăd, šǝnšǝd-ti
Za Whatever bull you see, buy it a-tt-illân esăw a tǝnăyăd,
tăzzănzăd-tăy

All of it
Again several phrases are equivalent, e.g.:
Ša Bring all the milk awi-dd axx iket-ǝnnes
Ša Bring all the milk awi-dd axx kul-ǝnnes
Za Bring all the milk awi-dd ax iket-nes
Za Bring all the milk awi-dd ax kul-nes

All of them
E.g.:
Ša Za Bring all the camels awi-dd imnas iket-năsăn
Ša Za Bring all the camels awi-dd imnas kul-năsăn
Ša Bring all the camels awi-dd imnas a wăliyyăn
Za Bring all the camels awi-dd imnas a wǝliyyăn
Ša Za Bring all the camels awi-dd imnas ǝmdân

Each one
Uses the word hak meaning each, e.g.:
Ša Za Bring every camel awi-d hak-ǝmnǝs
Ša Give each one his share ăkf e-hak-ǝyyăn tăẓunt-ǝnnes
Za Give each one his share ăffu i-hak-ǝyyăn tǝẓunt-nes

‘Such a’
E.g.:
Ša Such a camel is better than two cows amnǝs măndam ufâ iwan sănatăt
Za Such a camel is better than two cows amnǝs măndam ofâ šitan sănatăt

A single
E.g.:
Ša I saw a single donkey ǝnhăyăɣ ešeḍ ǝyyăn dăɣ
Za I saw a single donkey ǝnăyăɣ ažăḍ ǝyyăn dăɣ

All alone
Tamasheq uses the phrase ‘only and itself’ to express all alone, e.g.:
Ša Za There is a lone camel ill-ê amnǝs ɣas ǝd man-nes

Himself / itself
E.g.:
Ša I saw the car owner himself ǝnhăyăɣ măss-is ǝn-torǝft iman-nes
Za I saw the car owner himself ǝnăyăɣ măšš-iš ǝn-turǝft iman-nes

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Most of it / them
Two phrases express this:
Ša Most of them tǝššǝm-năsăn
Za Most of them tăššăm-năsăn
Ša Most of them ăǵut-năsăn
Za Most of them igǝt-năsăn

A few
E.g.:
Ša A few people hărăt n-ăddinăt
Ša A few people a-ntǝkkăn dăɣ ăddinăt
Za A few people ărăt n-ăytedăm
Za A few people a-nḍărrăn dăɣ ăytedăm

… of them
This is expressed by the number (plus ‘-ăn’ if masculine) with the short possessive
prefix, e.g.:
Ša I saw two of them (m) ǝnhăyăɣ ǝssǝnăn-essăn
Za I saw two of them (m) ǝnăyăɣ ǝššǝnăn-essăn
Ša Za Two of them (f) sănatăt-esnăt
Ša Za Three of us kăraḍăn-enăɣ
Ša Za Four of you ǝkkoẓăn-ewwăn
Ša Za Seven of them ǝssayăn-essăn

5.27 Idiomatic phrases

A few examples are given here to illustrate idiom and syntax that are very
different from English usage.

Emotions and states

Many phrases referring to emotions and temporary or lasting states use the verb
‘to be in’ impersonally. To describe the inception of such a state the verb ‘to enter’
is used, e.g.:
Ša Za He is angry ih-ê ălhăm
(lit. ‘Anger is in him’)
Ša He became angry iggăš-ti ălhăm
Za He became angry iggăz-tăy ălhăm
(lit. ‘Anger entered him’)
Ša Za He / it is strong tǝh-ê ăṣṣahăt
(lit. ‘Strength is in him / it’)
Ša Za He just wants to sit around tǝh-ê tăɣimit
(lit. ‘Sitting is in him’)
Ša He became fearful iggăš-ti ǝmmǝttǝsu
Za He became fearful tǝggăz-tăy tăsa
(lit. ‘Fear entered him’)

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Ša He boasts a lot ǝhân-ti băraǵăn
Za He boasts a lot ǝhân-tăy băragăn
(lit. ‘Boasting is in him’)
Ša She is generous ǝhân-tăt huk
(lit. ‘Giving is in her’)
Ša I’ve got an itch ih-âhi ukmaš
Za I’ve got an itch ih-î ukmaz
(lit. ‘Itching is in me’)
Ša Za He is dirty ǝhân-ti erdan
(lit. ‘Dirtiness is in him’)
Ša Za You are tired ih-îk eḍǝs
(lit. ‘Sleep is in you’)
Ša He came to tǝggăš-ti tiǵya ǝn-man-nes
Za He came to tǝggăz-tăy tigya ǝn-man-nes
(lit. ‘Consciousness of himself entered him’)
Other states especially those of discomfort and illness ‘get’ a person, e.g.:
Ša You are sad / worried ǝǵrăwăn-kăy nǝzgam
Za You are sad / worried ǝgrăwăn-kăy nǝzgam
(lit. ‘Worries have got you’)
Ša You’ve got hiccups iǵrăw-kăy ăhănăqqa
Za You’ve got hiccups igrăw-kăy ăhănăqqa
(lit. ‘Hiccups have got you’)
Ša I’m sweaty tǝǵrăw-ahi tide
Za I’m sweaty tǝgrăw-i tarraft
(lit. ‘Sweat has got me’)
Ša She has a cold iǵrăw-tăt ămaẓla
Za She has a cold igrăw-tăt ămaẓla
(lit. ‘A cold has got her’)
Or they even ‘seize’, e.g.:
Ša He was ashamed tărmăs-ti tăkrakeṭṭ
Za He was ashamed tobăẓ-tăy tăkărakiṭṭ
Ša I have got a fever tărmăs-ahi tănăde
Za I have got a fever tobăẓ-i tănăde
Others ‘strike/smite’, e.g.:
Ša I’m cold inaqq-ahi ăsămeḍ
Za I’m cold inaqq-i ăsămeḍ
Ša Za She misses them inaqq-et ǝsuf-năsan
(lit. ‘Their absence strikes her’)
Only for a few things is the verb ‘possess / have’ used, e.g.:
Ša Za He is intelligent ilâ tayǝtte
(lit. ‘He posseses intelligence’)

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Ša Za He is foolish wǝr ila eɣăf
(lit. ‘He doesn’t have a head’)
A few things are ‘upon’ the bearer, e.g.:
Ša Za She is honourable / noble iwâr-tăt sărho
(lit. ‘Honour is on her’)

Other Phrases
Ša He was amazed / it was amazing eqqân eɣăf
Za He was amazed / it was amazing iqqân eɣăf
(lit. ‘He / it hung head’)
Ša That woman is beautiful tamăṭṭ ta tǝlâ ašni dăɣ asǝǵrăh
Za That woman is beautiful tanṭuṭ ta tǝlâ azni dăɣ asǝgri
(lit. ‘That woman has blood in contemplation’)
Ša You have had a hard time tǝnhăyăd aɣăna
Za You have had a hard time tǝnăyăd aɣăna
(lit. ‘You have seen suffering’)
Ša You must be exhausted kăyy ǝd-tălayyeqq
Za You must be exhausted kăyy ǝd-tǝlayyiq
(lit. ‘You and exhaustion?’)
Ša I saw three men including John ǝnhăyăɣ meddăn kăraḍ iha Exya
Za I saw three men including John ǝnăyăɣ meddăn kăraḍ iha Exya
Ša I have come from the fields right ǝfălăɣ-id tiwgas ămăra-dăɣ
now, I have not even been home yet wăr d-oseɣ wăl’-ehăn harwa
Za I have come from the fields right ǝfălăɣ-dǝd tiwǝgas ămăra-dăɣ
now, I have not even been home yet wǝr d-oseɣ wăl’-ehăn hărwa
Ša I have taken his place ǝggăšăɣ edăgg-ǝnnes
Za I have taken his place ǝggăzăɣ edăg-nes
Ša I have replaced him ǝšrăyăɣ-as
Za I have replaced him ǝzrăyăɣ-as
Ša Za Calm down (‘curse the devil’) ǝlɣǝn Iblis
Ša He was ill to the point of death ofrăy har išwăr ămmut
Za He was ill to the point of death ofrăy har ižwăr immut
Ša He was ill to the point of death ărhîn har hin-ăssuǵǵa
Za He was ill to the point of death ărîn har din-iššǝgga
(These last mean ‘until he was made to look down [into the grave]’.)
Ša They have had children together ohărăn aratăn
Za They have had children together ohărăn bărarăn
(lit. ‘They share children’)
Ša Za He works with me ohăr dǝr-i ǝššǝɣǝl
Ša She is past menopause iba-s tǝhâ ḍeḍen
Za She is past menopause ăba-s tǝhâ tǝḍoḍen
(lit. ‘She is no longer among women’)

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Ša I almost never drink tea šund kăla wǝr ǝsweɣ ătay
Za I almost never drink tea žund kăla wǝr ǝsweɣ ătay
Ša I think he will come tomorrow ordêɣ a-dd-as ašǝkka
Za I think he will come tomorrow ordêɣ a-dd-asu ažăkka
Ša Most people like tea tǝššǝm n-ăddinăt ărhân ătay
Za Most people like tea tăššăm n-ăytedăm ǝrân ătay
Ša Some people don’t like it ašrut n-ăddinăt wăr t-ărhen
Za Some people don’t like it azrut n-ăytedăm wǝr t-ǝren
Ša Za It seems like … / you would say that … ǝs-tǝnnǝd …
Ša Za Tidwal’s people ǝddǝd Tǝdwăl
The singular is often used when talking about classes of things, e.g.:
Ša Za Camels are nasty amnǝs i lăbâsăn
Ša It is women who cook ‘porridge’ tamăṭṭ a săkădawăt ăsink
Za It is women who cook ‘porridge’ tanṭuṭ a tǝsakădawăt ǝšink
Ša Millet stalks are expensive now aǵăbăl ăṣṣôhăt ămăr-a
never mind high quality stalks băršeɣ abărom
Za Millet stalks are expensive now agăbăl iṣṣôhăt ămăr-a
never mind high quality stalks băršeɣ abărom
(Abărom is the best quality grass for making huts.)

ɣor – meaning ‘chez’ / from / around

This preposition is used in a variety of ways, e.g.:
Ša Who are you (staying) with? mi ɣor tǝllêd ?
Ša I’m lodging at my friend’s place ăzzûbbeɣ ɣor ǝmidi-nin
Za Who are you (staying) with? mi ɣur tǝllêd ?
Za I’m lodging at my friend’s place ǝzzîbbeɣ ɣur ǝmidi-nin
Ša The child is running by the well ara ošâl ɣor anu
Za The child is running by the well bărar ozâl ɣur anu
Ša The child ran from the well to the town ara ošăl ɣor anu har aɣrǝm
Za The child ran from the well to the town bărar ozăl ɣur anu har aɣrǝm

Usage of certain verbs

Some verbs work in ways that are not self-evident to English speakers. They may
replace suffixes or prepositions in English usage for instance.
The verb idaw means ‘to accompany’ it often translates the English preposition
‘with’, e.g.:
Ša I went to market with Hawa ǝkkeɣ hebu, ăddêwăɣ ǝd Hawa
Za I went to market with Hawa ǝkkeɣ hebu, ǝddêwăɣ ǝd Hawa
(lit. ‘I went to market, I accompanied Hawa’)
The verb ǝwǝt means ‘to hit’,‘to perform’ or ‘to play (a musical instrument), e.g.:
Ša Exya the guitar player Exya wa itǝggatăn tehărḍant
Za Exya the guitar player Exya wa iggatăn tahǝrḍant
Ša Za He performed his ablutions iwăt ălwăḷḷa

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The verb alǝs means ‘to repeat’, it often translates the English prefix ‘re-’ or the
prepositions ‘back’ or ‘again’, e.g.:
Ša He came here again olăs-id tassawt
Za He came here again olăs-dǝd assa
(lit. ‘He repeated here coming’)
Ša He went back again olăs oɣǝl
Za He went back again olăs tewăɣle
(lit. ‘He repeated return’)
Ša At harvest children went back to school ǝs-ɣarat aratăn olăsăn iki ǝn-likol
Za At harvest children went back to school ǝs-ɣarat bărarăn olăsăn iki ǝn-likol
The verbs ǝnšǝy / ǝnzǝy and adwu mean ‘do in the morning’ and ‘do in the afternoon’
respectively and are frequently used about travelling arrangements, e.g.:
Ša Will you go there this afternoon? a-hin-tadwǝd ?
Za Will you go there this afternoon? a-din-tadwăd ?
Ša I will go to Markoye in the morning ad ǝnšǝyăɣ ǝs-Mărkoy
Za I will go to Markoye in the morning ad ǝnzǝyăɣ ǝs-Mărkoy
The verb ǝkkǝs meaning ‘to take out’ is used in the following type of phrase, e.g.:
Ša Za He gave up hope ikkăs ăṭṭăma
Ša Za I am convinced ǝkkâsăɣ ăššăk
(lit. ‘I have taken out doubt’)
Ša Za He is not convinced wǝr ikkes ăššăk

Impersonal Verbs
A number of verbs in Tamasheq are only used in the third person (usually the
masculine singular), and have an impersonal meaning. There are other verbs that
may be used impersonally in certain contexts.
Inability is expressed by indăr ‘it is / was impossible (for s.o.)’, e.g.:
Ša He wasn’t able to construct it indăr-as oɣǝn-nes
Za He wasn’t able to construct it indăr-as tewăɣne-nnes
Ša Za They were unable to stand up tǝndăr-asăn tăbădde
Often translated by ‘ought / should’, ănîhăǵǵa means ‘it is usual / proper’, e.g.:
Ša He should come tomorrow ănîhăǵǵa a-dd-as ašǝkka
Za He should come tomorrow inîhăgga a-dd-asu ažăkka
Similar are ănîmăhăl and ohâr (and the Tawellemmet ihôr), e.g.:
Ša He ought to bring money ănîmăhăl ad awǝy aẓrǝf
Za He ought to bring money ohâr ad awǝy aẓrǝf
Za He ought to bring money ihôr ad awǝy aẓrǝf
Obligation is also expressed by iwâr meaning ‘it is upon …’, e.g.:
Ša I must go to Tin Akof iwâr-ahi tikawt ǝn-Tin-Akof
Za I must go to Tin Akof iwâr-i iki ǝn-Tin-Akof
Also common is ăhhûššăl / ihhîššăl meaning ‘must / be obligatory’, e.g.:
Ša He must come here ăhhûššăl a-dd-as
Za He must come here ihhîššăl a-dd-asu

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The verb ăddûttăt / iddîttăt means ‘it is certain’, e.g.:
Ša It is certain that what he said, happened ăddûttăt as awa inna, iǵâ
Za It is certain that what he said, happened iddîttăt as awa inna, igâ
The verb iškăm means ‘it is unlikely’, e.g.:
Ša Za It is unlikely that an old man will dance iškâm amɣar ad idlǝl
The verb išla / izla means ‘to keep busy / occupy’, e.g.:
Ša She is busy with her work išl-êt ǝššǝɣǝl-ǝnnes
Za She is busy with her work izl-êt ǝššǝɣǝl-nes
(lit. ‘Her work occupies her’)
Ša What kept you? (f) ma kăm-in-išlân ?
Za What kept you? (f) ma kăm-in-izlân ?
The verb ‘to touch’ used impersonally carries the sense ‘to happen to’, e.g.:
Ša Za Have you ever been to Tin Akof? tǝḍăs-kăy tassawt ǝn-Tin-Akof ?
(lit. ‘Has arrival of Tin Akof touched you?’)
Ša Has he ever been married? kăla eḍăs-ti ǝdubǝn ?
Za Has he ever been married? kăla iḍăs-tăy ăzălaf ?
(lit. ‘Has marriage ever touched him?’)
In certain contexts the verb išwăr / ižwăr means ‘almost’, e.g.:
Ša It is almost finished išwăr ămmînda
Za It is almost finished ižwăr immînda
Ša I almost went to Abidjan išwăr ǝkkeɣ Abiǵa
Za I almost went to Abidjan ižwăr ǝkkeɣ Abiǵa
Ša They are almost the same išwăr olăhăn
Za They are almost the same ižwăr olăn
The verb ăba / ăbha means ‘to lose’, e.g.:
Ša I have lost my pen ăb-âhi aɣănib-in
Ša I have lost my pen ăbh-âhi aɣănib-in
Za I have lost my pen ăb-î ǝɣanib-in
Ša My camels are lost taḷmen-in ăbâ-tănăt
Za My camels are lost toḷmen-in ăbâ-tănăt
Ša Za (My) Father is dead abba ăbâ-ti
Ša We haven’t seen each other for ages iba n-ǝmsini
Za We haven’t seen each other for ages iba n-ǝmǝšinay
(lit. ‘Lack of doing each other recently’)

Usages of certain conjunctions / adverbs

adverbs
The word iket prefixed to a verbal phrase means ‘to have just …’, e.g.:
Ša Za He has just arrived iket d-osa
Ša Za I have just eaten iket ǝkšeɣ
Ša I saw a new-born child ǝnhăyăɣ ara was iket iwa
Za I saw a new-born child ǝnăyăɣ bărar was iket ihu
(lit. ‘I saw a child which had just been born’)

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The conjunction harwa / hărwa means ‘still’ and in the negative ‘not yet / before’,
e.g.:
Ša He came before I was up os-ahi-d harwa wăr d-ǝnkerăɣ
Za He came before I was up os-i-ddǝd hărwa wǝr d-ǝnkerăɣ
Ša I will come before the rains ad asăɣ harwa wăr d-osa ăkăsa
Za I will come before the rains ad asăɣ hărwa wǝr d-osa ăkăsa

Weather
Ša It is sunny tăfukk tǝǵâ
Za It is sunny tǝfuk tǝgâ
(lit. ‘Sun is doing’)
Ša It is windy aḍu iǵâ
Za It is windy aḍu igâ
(lit. ‘Wind is doing’)
Ša Za It is windy aḍu ill-ê
(lit. ‘There is wind’)
Ša It is hot today tăkusse tǝǵâ ašăl-i
Za It is hot today tukǝse tǝgâ azǝl-a
(lit. ‘Heat is doing this day’)
Ša It is cloudy edălegi a iǵa
Za It is cloudy edălegi a iga
(lit. ‘Cloudiness is what is doing’)

Superlatives
These are expressed by a number of idiomatic phrases, e.g.:
Ša Za She is very beautiful tǝknâ tihussay hullen
(lit. ‘She has made beauty well’)
Ša It is very deep iknâ atlǝkki hullen
Za It is very deep iknâ atǝlǝkki hullen
(lit. ‘It has made depth well’)
Ša I saw it, it is really big ǝnhăyăq-qi măšan i măqqărăn
Za I saw it, it is really big ǝnăyăq-qe măšen i măqqărăn
(lit. ‘I saw it, but it is one that is big’)

Irony
This can be used to express extremes, e.g.:
Ša It is extremely cold wǝdde esămeḍ
Za It is extremely cold wǝgge esămeḍ
(lit. ‘It is not cold’)
Ša That wind was unbelievably strong wǝdde aḍu
Za That wind was unbelievably strong wǝgge aḍu
(lit. ‘That was not wind’)
Ša It is more than just hot wǝdde tăkusse
Za It is more than just hot wǝgge tukǝse
(lit. ‘It is not heat’)

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This phrase describes someone who’s behaviour is beyond the limits of what is
reasonable:
Ša He is beyond the pale wǝdde ăwadǝm
Za He is beyond the pale wǝgge ăwadǝm
(lit. ‘He is not a person’)

Finding
The English word ‘find’ covers a variety of different concepts, e.g.:
Ša I found it (picked it up) in the bush ăkkummeq-qi dăɣ ăroǵǵ
Za I found it (picked it up) in the bush ǝkkǝmmeq-qe dăɣ ǝsuf
Ša I found it (got it) in the market ǝǵrăwăq-qi dăɣ hebu
Za I found it (got it) in the market ǝgrăwăq-qe dăɣ hebu
Ša I found him at home ogăẓăq-qi ɣor-ǝs
Za I found him at home ogăẓăq-qe ɣur-ǝs
Ša If he comes he will not find me here as d-osa wăr ma hi-dd-agăẓ
Za If he comes he will not find me here as d-osa wǝr za di-dd-agăẓ
Ša I found (coincided with) a ămzăyyeɣ-in ǝd torǝft
vehicle going to Djibo takkăt Ǵibo
Za I found (coincided with) a măzăyyeɣ-in ǝd turǝft
vehicle going to Djibo takkit Ǵibo

5.28 Proverbs
The Tamasheq use proverbs as a way of passing on traditional wisdom. The
meaning is not always straightforward. These proverbs are all given in the
Tamaghit form, although all of them exist also in Tudalt.
The first set of proverbs all mean ‘watch what you are saying as there is someone
present / coming who might betray you’. The same message is given silently by
scratching the palm of the other person’s hand with one finger:
allol olâl tebăremt The stalk of a cereal grass
holds the head
taylalt tǝhâ aɣrǝǵ The guinea fowl is in the sack
wăr toẓemăd tas tǝnâyăd awdes Don’t insult the cow while
riding the ox
tamăẓẓukk wăr tuǵǝǵ eɣăf The ear is not far from the head
Here follow more proverbs with literal translations and an idea of their meaning if
needed and known.
tidǝt tărras dăɣ man šund asǝnnan Truth enters the soul like a thorn
(Said when a reaction reveals guilt.)
i wăren ošel atwǝšǝǵ a wǝr iǵa The one who isn’t running isn’t
being chased
(Said when two people are together and only one is in a hurry.)
tas ta niǵǵut toǵăr-tăt ta wăren The cow that doesn’t moo gives
niǵǵu ax more milk than one that does
(A person who doesn’t draw attention to himself is more productive.)

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wăr mad ǝwăr ăwadǝm anu A person will not be at the well
ar ǝd tǝla-nnes except with what he has
(He will give / do what is in his means.)
ufâ oḍǝf ohun ădabu Possession is better than ability
(A bird in the hand …)
ayǝs măss-is ti-dd-ogăẓăn ɣor ti-s A good horse is inherited from
one’s father
(Like father, like son.)
tǝǵăr-tăt ḍar-ăk Throw it behind you,
a-tăt-hannăyăd dat-ăk you will see it before you
(Help people now, they will help you later.)
tăfukk wăr tăt-iher ădekǝl The palm of the hand doesn’t
close the sun
tas tǝswăt ǝd ta wăren tǝswa The cow that has watered and the
wăr tidawnăt one that hasn’t don’t travel
together
itaǵǵ ăfus dăɣ tăsa a wăr d-ǝs You can’t take things out of the
di-tǝkkǝs stomach by putting your hand in
anhăraǵ-ǝnnăk ohâẓăn Your neighbour who is nearby
ufa ror-es ǝn-ma-k uǵǝǵăn is better than a distant brother
sănatăt tǝsokalen wăr rǝttǝynăt dăɣ ăm Two spoons don’t mix in the mouth
(You can’t do two jobs at once.)
ikassăn as ǝggǝšăn edăgg ǝyyăn Pots in one place will bash
ad ǝmbărăqqǝsăn together
(People will argue under pressure.)
as tărɣa tămart ǝn-ti-k tărɣa If your father’s beard is on fire and
ta-nn-ăk sǝmmǝkid ta-nn-ăk tǝzzar yours is, put your own out first
ǝmmutăn enwan ǝnkărnăt tenwaten When wells die small ones arise
(Said on the death of a leader.)
ihannăy ămɣar iǵânăn a wǝr An old man on his knees sees
ihǝnnǝy ăbăraḍ ibdâdăn more than a youth standing up
as ămehăɣnăt wan ma ohăɣăn If your cows are pillaged
tayǝtte ? what can pillage intelligence?
(The intelligent can recover from disaster.)
aǵuǵǵ n-esu wǝr itǝwwer ehădăl A bull’s load isn’t put on a calf
awa hăkkăd taylalt tǝggǝd dǝr-ǝs What you give to a guinea fowl
ăkf-e tekăzit tǝǵǝn dǝr-ǝs it flies off with, give it to a
chicken it will sit on it
(Be careful who you entrust things to.)
wădde ašăl n-ăddălăn ad năššăn Good horses are not sold on
ǝyyǝsan feast days

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ilǝs n-ămăros wǝr itǝǵǵ ăhalǝs a A man who isn’t bad doesn’t
wăr ămos say bad things
These last two are sayings rather than proverbs:
(anăhil innăn) ăddăl wǝr ih’-er (It was the ostrich who said)
play is not in the neck
aman iman, axx isudar Milk nourishes, but water is life

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 6 Appendix I – Overview of Dialects
6.1 (Ša)
Differences between Tamaghit (Ša (Za)
Ša) and Tudalt (Za
Za)
The two dialects spoken in Oudalan differ in a number of ways. This can be seen
clearly in the examples given in the main text of this grammar. A summary of the
differences is given here.

Pronunciation
Tamaghit often has ‘š’ where Tudalt has ‘z’ or ‘ž’, e.g.:
Ša Za
Today ašăl-i-dăɣ azǝl-a-dăɣ
Enemy ašănǵo azăngo
He ran ošăl ozăl / ožăl
Donkey ešeḍ ažăḍ
A fly ešš iži
Tamaghit retains (or adds) a ‘h’ that Tudalt does not have, e.g.:
Man ăhalǝs alǝs
Sheep tehăle telăy
He saw inhăy inăy
Tamaghit has a palatalised ‘ǵ’ which is always hard ‘g’ in Tudalt, e.g.:
Talk măǵrăd măgrăd
Chewing (tobacco) aǵămam agămam
Fence afăraǵ afărag
Herds irǝzzeǵăn irǝzzegăn
It is far away uǵǝ̂ǵ iggûg
He did iǵa iga
An exception to this rule is the word ‘iǵăr’ meaning ‘he / it is bad’ in Tudalt.
Note that all Tamasheq dialects also have the hard ‘g’, especially in cases where its
origin is the ‘w’ doubled, e.g.:
Bride-price taggalt taggalt
Mother-in-law taḍăggalt tăḍăggalt
Load aggay aggay
Protection taggaṣt taggaṣt
Funnel asǝggǝfi asǝggǝfi
Place edăgg edăg(g)
He protected ogăẓ ogăẓ
Bird egăḍed agǝḍiḍ
They are equal ogdâhăn ogdân

In certain words Tamaghit has ‘s’ while Tudalt has ‘š’, e.g.:
He travelled ăssekăl iššokăl
Washing asirǝd aširǝd

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 Thorn asǝnnan ašǝnnan
Millet porridge ăsink ǝšink
Knife ălmosi ǝlmoši
Clan tawset tăwšet
Spoons tisokalen tišokalen
Sometimes the vocalisation varies as can be seen in the above examples.

Vocabulary
E.g.:
Woman tamăṭṭ tanṭuṭ
Moon ăyor tallit
He walked erǵăš ižăwănkăt
Shoes tifădelen iɣătemăn
They will move camp ad ăhanăn ad ăggălen
He married ădobăn izlăf

Grammar
Group IA3 positive cursive is different, e.g.:
He steals itikăr itakăr
In Tudalt groups IA7 and IA8 are combined into one group. See the verb tables for
the differences.
Verbs of the vowel ending variety often have a ‘u’ ending in Tudalt and none in
Tamaghit. See verb tables for details.
Directional particles vary in form, e.g.:
he arrived os-id os-ăddǝd
he won’t be long wăr hin-ăhaǵ wǝr din-ăhag
Where Tamaghit indirect object pronouns begin with ‘h’ it is Tudalt has ‘d’, e.g.:
What did you tell him? ma has-tǝnned ? ma das-tǝnned ?
Some verbs exist in both dialects but fall into different groups, e.g.:
It is certain ăddûttăt (group XII) ăddîttăt (group III)
It is like olâh (group IA3) olâ (group IA10)
The future marker for negatives and questions are different, e.g.:
He will not wăr mad ǝlmǝd wǝr z-ilmǝd
learn Tamasheq Tămašăq Tǝmažǝq

6.2 Western Tawellemmet (Meneka dialect)

The Meneka dialect (WW) is similar to Tudalt; indeed the Oudalan almost certainly
came from Meneka and are an offshoot of the Iwellemmedan of the west. The
Meneka dialect differs in that it has much less assimilation to Tamaghit. The
Tawellemmet form is sometimes heard in Oudalan especially among older
imažăɣăn.

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Key differences
Tudalt has ‘lost’ a number of Tawellemmet terms which are retained in the
Meneka dialect, e.g.:
Tawellemmet Tudalt
Word awal măgrăd
Also tolăs deɣ
Camp / home aɣiwăn ehăn
He was liberated ifsa eɣlăs
He is big / important zǝwwǝr măqqăr
(In Tudalt this means ‘thick/fat’.)
He is tired iḍḍăz ilḍăz
He hobbles (an animal) ikyăf ikrăf
Where is he? mǝni-d illâ ? ǝndek dad illâ ?
Thousand ăgim efăḍ
Name eṣǝm isǝm
This last pronunciation reflects the tendency in Tawellemmet to make words
‘emphatic’ even though they do not contain one of the emphatic consonants ‘ḍ, ṭṭ,
ẓ’ Prasse describes this phenomenon as ‘uvularisation’. It affects the vowel sounds
of those words which become emphasised (uvularised) such as isǝm which sounds
like iṣǝm hence eṣǝm. Prasse discusses briefly in the second edition of his Lexique
the problems of orthography that this raises. Western Tawellemmet (including the
most conservative Tudalt speakers) also has this ‘extended emphatisation’, e.g.
okăy ‘he passed’ is pronounced as if an emphatic follows the ‘o’. Among Tudalt
speakers this is common among those born before about 1950 and pretty much
absent in the younger generation who have somewhat assimilated to Tamaghit
pronuciation here.
There are also a number of words where Tudalt has assimilated to Tamaghit
pronunciation, at least in the younger generation, e.g.:
Person ăwedăm ăwadǝm
Back aruru ărori
He overcame orna erna
He knew izdăy izzăy
… him -tu -te (cf Ša ‘-ti’)
Elder aɣmar amɣar
The second person singular verb form.
You (sg) t…ɣ t…d
The Tudalt form of the directional particle in final position is the archaic form
probably preserved only in this dialect.
Towards here -du -dǝd
Tudalt has lost the palatalisation of the initial ‘ti’ of feminine plural words, e.g.:
Women šiḍoḍen tiḍoḍen
However, traces still remain in other words that begin ‘ti’ in Tamaghit, e.g.:
Eye šăṭṭ šăṭṭ
His father ši-s ši-s / ti-s

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The form of verbal nouns varies, there is a tendency for Tudalt to assimilate to
Tamaghit but it is incomplete, e.g.:
Entry iguz ugǝz
Seizure abbaẓ abbaẓ / ibboẓ

6.3 (Eastern) Tawellemmet (Tahoua dialect)

The Tawellemmet of Niger (W) is significantly more different from Tudalt than is
the Meneka dialect. There are a number of key differences. In all the things noted
above as differences between the Oudalan and Meneka dialects the Tahoua dialect
is like Meneka.

Pronunciation
Pronunciation
E.g.:
Tahoua Tudalt / WW
God Mǝššina Mǝssinăɣ
He refused ugăy ungăy
His -net -nes
We năkkănăy năkkăned
You (mpl) kăwănăy kăwăned
You (fpl) kămătăy kămăted
They (mpl) ǝntănăy ǝntăned
They (fpl) ǝntănătăy ǝntănăted

Grammar
The plural demonstrative pronouns are win and šin in Tahoua Tawellemmet as
compared with wi and ši in Meneka Tawellemmet and wi and ti in Tudalt.
Some verbs that are in group IA3 have lost their vocalisation and become IA5 in
Tawellemmet, e.g.:
He seized ibăẓ obăẓ
He tried irăm orăm
He contributed irăg orăg

Vocabulary
Vocabulary
The Tahoua dialect includes a number of words (generally shared with Tayert and
possibly borrowed therefrom) that are not used in the Meneka or Oudalan dialects,
e.g.:
He is able ifrăg iddobăt
He bowed his head inăz iddǝnkăt
He / it began ofăr issǝnta
He insisted igžăž oɣăs
He was careful inkăd iga ǝnnǝyăt
With difficulty gǝrriḍ zărnaz
Suffering ărk-ănay aɣăna
Or medăɣ meɣ
Bed teṣṣat ǝṣṣǝrir
There are numerous borrowings from Hausa, e.g.:
Fish kifi emăn

333
 Tax buda baya
Leprosy kǝtǝru gări /
anăɣu wa-n ǝkǝtǝmmi
Fault lefi taḍlǝmt
Soldier soži ăssărdasi

6.4 Tayert (Agadez region dialect)

Tayert (Y) is closer to the Tahoua dialect than either the Meneka or Oudalan
dialects. It is the furthest from the Oudalan dialect the differences below being in
addition to those between Oudalan and Tahoua. It has a number of unique
peculiarities.

Pronunciation
The plural pronouns are somewhat different:
We nǝkkǝni
You (mpl) kuni / kǝwǝni
You (fpl) kǝmǝti
They (mpl) ǝntǝni
They (fpl) ǝntǝnǝti
The most striking tendency is the palatalisation of the sounds t, ṭ, d, ḍ, s, z, ẓ
before i or y, e.g.:
Tayert Tudalt etc.
Truth tyidet tidǝt
(The group ‘ty’ sounds something like the ‘t’ in ‘tune’. It is a common sound
in Hausa and following the convention of Hausa Roman script literacy is
often written ‘c’, e.g. cidet ‘truth’.)
The final ‘-ăɣ’ of verbs (1st and 2nd person singular) become ‘-ă’, e.g.:
I learned ǝlmădă ǝlmădăɣ
The pronoun danăɣ ‘us’ undergoes the same contraction, e.g.:
Those who heard us wǝn dan-ǝslănen wi danăɣ-ǝslănen
Many other words are pronounced a bit differently, e.g.:
Friend emiži / emǝži amidi
Woman tamṭǝṭ tanṭuṭ
Name isǝn isǝm
Face udǝn idǝm (udǝmW)
Thirty kădewăt tǝmǝrwen kăraḍăt tǝmǝrwen
Six ṣăgis sǝḍis
All kǝllu kul
Day ǝžil azǝl
Conversation betu batu
Time ălăq ălwăq
He is healed ižžăy izzăy

Grammar
There are a number of peculiarities.

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The stative aspect of group I verbs has a special form in the first and second
person singular only, where the ‘â’ is replaced by ‘ê’, e.g.:
I (already) know ǝssênă ǝssânăɣ
The use of ma meaning ‘not / don’t’ (borrowed from Arabic). This is used with the
perfective rather than the imperfective to express prohibition, e.g.:
Do not go to Tahoua ma tǝkkăm Tawa ad wǝr tăkkim Tawa
The marker for the future negative / relative is he in place of za, e.g.:
He told you what they inn-ak ǝnken he-ăgin inn-ak awa z-ăgin
will do
The plural supporting pronouns are slightly different again.
Those (m) wǝn wi
Those (f) tyǝn ti

Vocabulary
Tayert has a special pronoun ǝnken, which replaces awa, ǝmmǝk or zund depending
on the context. Similarly ǝnki replaces adi.
Compassion tǝlefeq tǝhanint
He accepted osăb iqbăl
He entered oṭăf iggăz
He went out imbăɣ izgăr
He hoped odma orda
It / he exceeds ogla ogăr
He got lost ibbǝtwăy oška / ixrăk
It is expensive iẓgăr iẓẓǝwwăt
He fell imbăg uḍa
Bed tedǝbut ǝṣṣǝrir
Ears tinḍǝrgen timăẓẓugen
If ǝmmos kud
Tayert includes even more Hausa terms than the Tahoua dialect, e.g.:
Goods kayatăn ilalăn
Tradition gaḍo ălɣada
Effort kokări ǝnnǝyăt
Magic acts šafităn išăɣăwăn
Wall băngo ǝgadir
Darkness dǝfu tihay / tǝyyay

6.5 Tadghaq (Kidal dialect)

The Tadghaq of Kidal is very close to the Tamaghit of Oudalan. Kidal Tadghaq
tends to use Arabic terms more often than Tamaghit. There are a however a
number of differences as follows:
The third person singular possessive pronoun is -net rather than -nes, e.g.:
Tadghaq Tamaghit
His friend amidi-nnet amidi-nnes
The construction for the negative participle is slightly different – especially the
feminine, e.g.:

335
 A man who has not ăhalǝs wărăn ilmed ăhalǝs wăren
learned Arabic tarabt ilmed tarabt
A woman who has not tamăṭṭ wărăt tǝlmed tamăṭṭ wăren
learned Arabic tarabt tǝlmed tarabt
People who have not ăddinăt wărăn ilmed ăddinăt wăren
learned Arabic tarabt ilmed tarabt
The negative future is also different, where Oudalan Tamaghit has mad, Kidal
Tadghaq has e. This becomes he if it follows the subject, e.g.:
He will not learn Arabic wăr-e-ilmǝd tarabt wăr mad ilmǝd tarabt
The story she will learn tǝsawit ta he-tǝlmǝd tǝsawit ta mad tǝlmǝd
Note also the future participle, e.g.:
The woman who tamăṭṭ ta tamăṭṭ ta
will learn it tăt-e-tǝlmǝdăt maden-tăt-tǝlmǝd
The future participle can also use mad, but still differs slightly from Tamaghit, e.g.:
The woman who tamăṭṭ ta tamăṭṭ ta
will learn it madăt-tăt-tǝlmǝdăt maden-tăt-tǝlmǝd
Group IA4 has a slightly different form in the perfective /stative (for both dialects
there is are two possible orthographies as shown).
I brought ăwwăyăɣ ǝwwăyăɣ
I brought owăyăɣ uwăyăɣ

Group IA5 has a different form for the cursive.

He begs iddal itǝddal
He does not beg wǝr iddil wǝr itǝddil
Kidal Tamaghit distinguishes the passives and reciprocals of Groups IA7 and IA8.
(In practice all this means is that the cursive and imperfective take a ‘u’ ending if
they are from Group IA8.), e.g.:
It will be finished ad itwǝmdu ad itwǝmd
We are useful to nǝtinmǝnfu nǝtinmǝnfi
each other
Group XIV weak ‘t’ endings differ slightly in the condensed forms of the
imperfective, e.g.:
They will kiss ad ǝmmullun ad ǝmmǝllun
Group XIV causatives are slightly different in the imperative / imperfective, e.g.
He will get it down a-t-izǝzzǝbbǝt a-t-izǝzzubbǝt
There are a number of cases where Tamaghit shares the pronunciation of Tudalt
against that of Tadghaq, e.g.:
Especially hullan hullen
If (hypothetical) kunta kud-ǝnta
Since / when ed id
Until hundăɣ har har
Injustice / crime uḍlem taḍlǝmt
Basket deka deke
Fear tuksăḍa tǝksǝḍa

336
 Others ǝyyăḍ ǝyyaḍ
Always hărkuk harkuk
Key asăyar asǝyar
Jealousy tismiten tiṣmiten
Astonishment / shock tăkunt tǝkunt
It will be short ad ikšal ad igzal
He opposed her ikšăr-tăt igzăr-tăt
Law alămăr ălămăr
Origin / tradition alăṣăl ălăṣăl
Friends imidiwăn imidawăn
He lifted iṭkăl itkăl
However in some cases other Oudalan ‘sha’ speakers use the Tadghaq form.
Also daɣ deɣ
Noise tăkat tăkalt
Men meddǝn meddăn
Path tabarăt taberăt
Paths tibarăten taberăten
Tree ahǝšk ašǝk
Trees ihǝškan eškan

Tamaghit also has the hard ‘g’ in a number of words where Malian ‘sha’ dialects
have the palatalised ‘ǵ’, e.g.:
He entered iǵǵăš iggăš
He left izǵăr izgăr
He listened ăsǵăd ăsgăd
He escaped iǵmăḍ igmăḍ
Cold season taǵrǝst tagrǝst
Worries inǝzǵam inǝzgam
Brush eǵesǝn egesǝn
Cheek ăǵeẓ ăgeẓ
Sunset eǵăḍăl ǝn-tăfukk egăḍăl ǝn-tăfukk
There are very few examples the other way round:
Insults tigǝggar tiǵǝǵǵar
A few verbs are in different verb groups, e.g.:
Swim ǝšyǝf (IA1) ǝššǝf (IA2)
Work ǝšɣǝl (IA1) šăɣăl (III)
Climb on awǝn (IA4) ǝwǝn (IA6)
Lead astray šǝšk (IA7 caus.) šišk (IA3 caus.)
Make ill sirhǝn (IA3 caus.) sǝrhǝn (IA1 caus.)
Believe amǝn (IA3) mumǝn (XII)
Be calm azgu (IA10) ǝzgu (IA8)
Gather kămăt (III) kummǝt (XII)
Trick kărrăs (III) korrǝs (XII)
Accuse kulmǝt (XII) kălmăt (III)
A number of other words have small differences in prononciation, e.g.:
Is it not wădden wǝdden
Sell / buy žănš šănš

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 (Question marker) aǵăn ayǵǝn
Dream tăharǵit tăhorǵit
His sons măddan-as mǝddan-ǝs
His daughters ešš-es iss-es
He pushed imhăl ibhăl
He travelled ăsokăl ăsekăl
Genie alšin ălšin
He lost out ăfota ăfeta
It will be much ad iǵat ad uǵat
Times ihăndăggan idăggan
He refused uǵăy unǵăy

There are various differences of vocabulary, e.g.:

Moon ewăr ăyor
Giving isuf ihuk
Millet allon enăle
Chaff tibẓaẓ du
Prison takărmut kăso
Millet heads tiǵenen tiɣaɣănen
Boubou anăkăbba tekăṭkăṭṭ
Dawn emăɣăr ăɣora

6.6 (N) also known as Tanǝslǝmt

Timbuktoo dialect (N Tanǝslǝmt
The Timbuktoo dialect is somewhat different from the other ‘sha’ dialects. It
shares some elements of Oudalan Tamaghit but in other ways is more like the
Kidal Tadghaq. It has a number of its own particuliarities and in general a high
degree of Arabic influence.
There are a few minor variants in pronunciation, e.g.:
Tanǝslǝmt
Tanǝslǝmt Tadghaq
But mušam măšan
… him -t -ti
Path abǝriǵ abarid / tabarăt
Question marker aǵim aǵăn
He left iǵla igla
In terms of the negative and relative future Taneslemt is more like Oudalan
Tamaghit than Kidal Tadghaq. It does not use e / he but has mar where Oudalan
Tamaghit has mad. Indeed the future marker ad is very often replaced by ar.
A number of vocabulary items are different, e.g.:
Listen ărdăɣ sǝǵǝd
If / when edăɣ as / ifăl
Tree emăɣt ašǝk / ahǝšk
All fuk / ɣǝrǝdd kul
Also tolăs daɣ
Sow (seed) wăšăt dumǝt
Plant (sth.) sănǵăt săɣtu

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 Strain / filter ăẓrăh šǝnšǝš
Dawn emăɣăr ăɣora
Harvestime hăǵăy ɣarat
Evening ardǝl almăẓ
A number of Arabic words are in common use that are not well known in Oudalan,
e.g.:
He was preaching itawăɣaz itaǵǵ wazo /
ălžawăb
He confessed ăqqorrăt omăl
A merchant ălmusăbbib ăw mamăla
Famine ǝššidda mănna
Example ălmital
He denied ănekăr
Honour ašruf
Be innocent borr

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 7 Appendix II – Short Bibliography
Of the works listed below the ‘tableaux morphologiques’ and the two
‘lexique touareg-francais’ have been invaluable reference points in the
writing of this grammar.
Ag Khammad, Ekhya, M., Iwillimidan, Niamey: CELHTO, 1970, 1974.
Ag Sidiyène, Ehya, Des Arbres et des Arbustes Spontanés de l’Adrar des Iforas
(Mali), Paris: ORSTOM /CIRAD, 1996.
Akhmedou Khamidun, Contes et Récits Des Kel-Denneg, Copenhagen:
Akademisk Forlag, 1976.
Barral, H., Les Populations Nomades de l’Oudalan, Paris: ORSTOM, 1977.
Brett, M., Fentress, E., The Berbers, Oxford: Blackwell, 1996.
Claudot-Hawad, H., Les Touaregs, Aix-en-Provence: Edisud, 1993.
DNAFLA, Lexique Tamasheq Français, Bamako, 1986.
Ghoubeïd Alojaly, Histoire des Kel-Denneg, Copenhagen: Akademisk Forlag,
1975.
Ghoubeïd Alojaly, Lexique Touareg–Français, Copenhagen: Akademisk Forlag,
1980.
Guignard, E., Faits et Modèles de Parenté chez les Touareg Udalan, Paris:
L’Harmattan, 1984.
Heath, J., A Grammar of Tamashek, Berlin – New York: Walter de Gruyter,
2005.
Heath, J., Dictionnaire Touareg du Mali, Paris: Karthala, 2006.
Kélétigui Mariko, Les Touaregs Ouelleminden, Paris : Karthala, 1984.
Nicolas, F., Tamesna, Paris: Imprimérie Nationale, 1950.
Pichler, W., Origin and Development of the Libyco-Berber Script, Cologne: Köppe,
2007.
Prasse, K.G., Manuel de Grammaire Touaregue I-III, Copenhagen: Akademisk
Forlag, 1972.
Prasse, K.G., Manuel de Grammaire Touaregue VI-VII, Copenhagen: Akademisk
Forlag, 1973.
Prasse, K.G., Tableaux Morphologiques, Copenhagen: Akademisk Forlag, 1985.
Prasse, K.G., Ghoubeïd Alojaly, Ghabdouane Mohamed, Lexique Touareg–
Français, Copenhagen: Akademisk Forlag, 1998.
Prasse, K.G., Ghoubeïd Alojaly, Ghabdouane Mohamed, Dictionnaire Touareg-
Français, Copenhagen: Akademisk Forlag, 2003 (2 vol.).

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