Lesson 7: The False Verb - To Want

Here comes another must-know false verb – the verb for "to want" and "to need." Arabic is amazing, right? One verb that covers two meanings!

TO WANT / TO NEED - بدّ (bedd)

In Levantine Arabic, we often use بدّ (bedd) to mean both:

  • to want

  • to need

It’s used for desires, needs, or intentions — like saying “I want water” or “He needs to leave.” Just like with the word “ism” (name), we add personal endings to “bedd” to say I want, you want, they want, etc.

How to Say “I want / I need” with All Pronouns

English Arabic Pronoun "Bedd" form Example
I want أنا (ana) bedd-i بدّي ميّ – Beddi mai – I want water
You (m) want إنتَ (enta) bedd-ak بدّك الماما؟ – Beddak almama? – Do you need mom?
You (f) want إنتِ (ente) bedd-ek شو بدّك؟ – Shou beddek? – What do you want?
He wants هو (hue) bedd-o بدّو شوكولا؟ – Beddo shokola – He wants chocolate
She wants هي (hie) bedd-a بدّا أستاذة – Bedda ustaadha – She wants a teacher
We want نحنا (ne7na) bedd-na بدّنا مدرسة – Beddna madrasa – We need a school
You (pl) want إنتو (ento) bedd-kon بدّكن شي؟ – Beddkon shi? – Do you need anything?
They want هنّ (hine) bedd-on بدّن شي؟ – Beddon shi – They want something.

Remember that verbs are negated with ma (ما). Ma beddi (ما بدي) would mean then "I don't want".

What does "شي" (shi) mean?

"شي" generally means "thing" or "something". Its meaning depends on the context — whether it's being used with a negative or a positive verb.

ما بدّي شي

Ma beddi shi
I don’t want anything

  • Ma = not

  • Beddi = I want

  • Shi = anything (in negative sentences)

بدّي شي

Beddi shi
= I want something

  • No "ma", so it's a positive sentence

  • Shi means something

 كل شي تمام

Kil shi tamaam
= Everything is fine

  • Kil = all / every

  • Kil shi = everything

  • Tamaam = good / fine

Nice work! Learning something new isn't easy, but you're doing great. If you want to keep the momentum going, you can challenge yourself with these practice questions.

What does this mean: Beddna doctor بدنا دكتور ?

We want/need a doctor.

What does this mean: Beddkon shi? La, ma beddna shi! !بدكون شي؟ لا، ما بدنا شي

Do you need anything? No, we dont need anything.