6.1: Explanation of "كان" in Present and Past Tense

Learning Objectives

In this section, you will be able to:

• Students will be able to conjugate and correctly use the verb "كان" in both the present and past tenses to describe states, conditions, and habitual actions, demonstrating their understanding through written and spoken exercises.
• Students will construct sentences and short narratives using "كان" to compare past and present events, set scenes in storytelling, and express habits or ongoing actions in the past.

Introduction to the Verb "كان"

The verb كان is one of the most important and frequently used verbs in Arabic. It plays a key role in forming sentences that describe states, actions, and conditions in both the present and past. Understanding how to conjugate and use كان is essential for expressing ideas across time in Arabic.

In this lesson, we will:

1. Learn how to conjugate كان in the present tense (يكون) and its meaning.
2. Explore its use in the past tense to describe states, habitual actions, and ongoing events.
3. Practice applying كان in various contexts to create meaningful sentences.

By mastering كان, you will be able to:

• Describe how things "are" or "were."
• Talk about habits or actions that used to happen.
• Compare the past to the present.

This lesson will serve as the foundation for confidently using كان in real-life conversations and written texts.

Explanation of the Verb "كان" in Present and Past Tense

1. Using "كان" in the Present Tense

• Meaning in Present Tense:
  In Modern Standard Arabic, the verb كان is rarely used in its present tense form (يكون) in everyday language. When it is used, it generally means "is" or "becomes," emphasizing continuity or conditionality.

• Examples:
  • الطالب يكون مشغولاً في وقت الامتحانات
    (The student is busy during exams.)
  • إذا كان الطقس جميلاً، سنذهب إلى الحديقة
    (If the weather is beautiful, we will go to the park.)
• Conjugating "كان" in the Present Tense

Although كان in the present tense (يكون) is less common in conversational Modern Standard Arabic, it is used in formal writing and specific contexts to mean "is" or "becomes." Here's how to conjugate it with subject pronouns:

Conjugating "كان" in the Present Tense

Example Sentences	Verb Form in present tense	Subject Pronoun
أنا أكون سعيداً عندما أنجح	أَكونُ	أنا
نحن نكون مع الأصدقاء يوم الجمعة	نَكونُ	نحن
أنتَ تكون جاهزاً دائماً	تَكونُ	أنتَ
أنتِ تكونين نشيطة في الصباح	تَكونين	أنتِ
أنتما تكونان نشيطين في الصباح يا محمد وآدم	تكونان	أنتُما
أنتما تكونان مع الأسرة يوم الجمعة يامها ورنا	تكونان	أنتُما
أنتم تكونون مهتمين بالدراسة	تكونون	أنتم
هل تكونُنَّ في المدرسة بعد الظهرِ، يا بنات؟	تكونُنَّ	أنتُنَّ
هو يكون في المكتبة غالباً	يكونُ	هو
هي تكون متحمسة للعمل	تكونُ	هي
هما يكونان في البيت أثناء العطلة	يكونان	هما
هما يكونان جاهزين للاجتماع	تكونان	هما
هم يكونون في البيت أثناء العطلة	يكونون	هم
هُنَّ يكنَّ مشغولات بالعمل طوال الأسبوع	يَكُنَّ	هُنَّ

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2. Using "كان" in the Past Tense

Meaning in Past Tense:
The verb كان in the past tense describes actions, states, or conditions that were true or occurred in the past.

• Examples:
  • الجو كان بارداً أمس
    (The weather was cold yesterday.)
  • كنتُ طالباً مجتهداً في المدرسة
    (I was a diligent student in school.)
• Past Tense Conjugation Table:

Here's how it is conjugated with subject pronouns:

Conjugating "كان" in the Past Tense

Example Sentences	Verb Form in past tense	Subject Pronoun
كنتُ في المكتبة بعد الظهر	كُنتُ	أنا
كنّا في المدرسة صباحاً	كُنّا	نحن
هل كنتَ سعيداً بالنتيجة يا جون؟	كُنْتَ	أنتَ
كنتِ متعبة بعد المشي الطويل	كُنْتِ	أنتِ
أنتما كنتما سعيدين بالرحلة	كُنْتُما	أنتُما
أنتما كنتما في المكتبة أمس	كُنْتُما	أنتُما
كنتم مشغولين طوال اليوم	كُنْتُمْ	أنتم
أنتنَّ كنتنَّ في الصف أمس	كُنتُنَّ	أنتُنَّ
هو كان مريضاً الأسبوع الماضي	كانَ	هو
هي كانت مهتمة بالرياضة	كانَتْ	هي
هما كانا يلعبان في الحديقة	كانا	هما
هما كانتا تدرسان معاً في المكتبة	كانَتا	هما
هم كانوا في السوق يوم الجمعة	كانوا	هم
هنَّ كنَّ يعملنَ في المستشفى الجديد	كُنَّ	هُنَّ

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Understanding "كان" in the Past Tense

The verb كان is one of the most versatile and important verbs in Arabic. Imagine trying to describe what your life was like yesterday, last year, or even in childhood—you’d need كان! It helps us talk about what was, what we used to do, and how things used to be. Let’s explore how this powerful verb works and how you can use it to bring the past to life in your conversations.

Talking About Past States or Conditions

Think about a time when you were happy, tired, or even hungry. To describe those moments, we use كان to say how something was.

• Examples:
  • الجو كان بارداً أمس. (The weather was cold yesterday.)
  • كانت المدينة هادئة ليلاً. (The city was quiet at night.)
  • كنتُ جائعاً بعد التمارين الرياضية. (I was hungry after exercising.)

In these examples, كان introduces a statement and places it squarely in the past, helping us paint a vivid picture of what things were like.

Describing Habits or Things You "Used To" Do

Think back to childhood or a favorite routine you had. Maybe you used to play soccer every Friday, or you used to visit your grandmother in the summer. That’s where كان shines! It’s the Arabic way of saying "used to."

• Examples:
  • كان يلعب كرة القدم كل يوم جمعة. (He used to play soccer every Friday.)
  • كنّا نذهب إلى البحر في الصيف. (We used to go to the sea in the summer.)

This use of كان allows you to reminisce about routines and habits in a natural way.

Stating Simple Facts About the Past

Sometimes, you just need to state what happened, plain and simple. Whether it’s an exam, a trip, or a busy day, كان helps frame the facts.

• Examples:
  • كان لدينا امتحان صعب الأسبوع الماضي. (We had a difficult exam last week.)
  • كان أبي مسافراً في الخارج. (My father was traveling abroad.)

These statements are straightforward, but they wouldn’t feel complete without كان to anchor them in the past.

Painting a Bigger Picture with Time

Imagine telling a story about what was happening when something else interrupted it. In Arabic, كان sets the scene. It’s like the background music of your story, making everything flow smoothly.

• Examples:
  • كنتُ أدرس عندما وصلتَ. (I was studying when you arrived.)
  • كان الأطفال يلعبون في الحديقة قبل أن تمطر. (The children were playing in the garden before it rained.)

Here, كان teams up with another verb to create a vivid sequence of events.

Highlighting Change Over Time

Have you ever looked back and noticed how much things have changed? Maybe a house you lived in was small, but now it’s big. Or perhaps you didn’t like reading, but now you love it. كان lets you highlight those transformations.

• Examples:
  • كان البيت صغيراً، لكنه الآن كبير. (The house was small, but now it’s big.)
  • كنتُ لا أحب القراءة، ولكنني الآن أحبها. (I didn’t like reading, but now I do.)

This is where كان really connects the past to the present, helping you tell a fuller story.

What Makes the verb "كان" So Special?

• It’s Flexible: You can describe a moment, a habit, or even a feeling.
• It’s Easy to Use: Just conjugate it to match your subject, and you’re good to go!
  • Example:
    • الطالب ممتاز. (The student is excellent.)
    • الطالب كان ممتازاً. (The student was excellent.)
• It’s a Storyteller’s Best Friend: Whether reminiscing or narrating a story, the verb "كان" adds depth to your sentences.

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Check Your Understanding

• Write a paragraph about your childhood. Use كان to describe where you lived, what your school was like, and how you felt about your favorite activities.
  • Example Questions to Answer:
    • أين كنتَ تسكن؟ (Where did you live?)
    • كيف كان الجو في مدينتك؟ (What was the weather like in your city?)
    • ماذا كان شعورك تجاه المدرسة؟ (How did you feel about school?)
• Talking About Habits or Things You "Used To" Do
  • Reflect on a routine or habit you had in the past. Use كان with imperfect verbs to explain what you "used to do."
    • Example Scenario:
      • Describe your weekends as a child.
      • Example: كنّا نلعب كرة القدم في الحديقة كل يوم جمعة.
• Using "كان" in the Present Tense
  • Write sentences that use كان in the present tense (يكون) to describe conditions or possibilities.
    • Example Prompts:
      • عندما يكون لديك يوم عطلة، ماذا تفعل؟ (When you have a day off, what do you do?
• Setting a Scene in the Past
  • Imagine you are writing a story. Begin by using كان to set the scene for your narrative. Include details about the time, place, and characters.
    • Example Prompt:
      • Describe a day when you and your friends were preparing for a special event.
      • Example Sentence Starter: كان الجو بارداً، وكان الجميع ينتظر الباص
• Telling a Story with Overlapping Events
  • Write about a day when something unexpected happened. Use كان with imperfect verbs to describe what you were doing when the event occurred.
    • Example:
      • كنتُ أدرس في المكتبة عندما وَصَل صديقي من السفر. (I was studying in the library when the power went out.)