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A2 verb #700 am häufigsten 11 Min. Lesezeit

يَمشي

yamshi Top 700

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Erklärung يَمشي in your Level:

At the A1 level, learners focus on the most basic use of 'yamshī' (to walk) in the present tense. You will learn to describe your daily routine, such as 'I walk to school' or 'He walks to the park.' The focus is on the 1st person (amshī) and 3rd person (yamshī/tamshī) singular forms. You will use it with simple prepositions like 'ilā' (to) and 'fī' (in). At this stage, the goal is simply to distinguish walking from other forms of transport like taking a bus or a car. You might also learn the word for 'walking' as a noun/gerund (al-mashy) to express likes and dislikes, such as 'I like walking.' The vocabulary is kept concrete, focusing on physical movement in immediate surroundings.

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At the A2 level, you begin to expand your use of 'yamshī' to include the past tense (mashā) and simple future (sa-yamshī). You will learn to describe past events, such as 'Yesterday, I walked five kilometers.' This level introduces more variety in subjects, including 'we' (namshī) and 'you' (plural). You will also start using adverbs of manner, such as 'walking quickly' (bi-sur'a) or 'walking slowly' (bi-buṭ'). You might encounter the verb in simple directions, like 'walk to the end of the street.' The focus shifts from just 'who is walking' to 'how and when they are walking.' You will also become more comfortable with the 'ya' ending and how it behaves in different simple sentences.

At the B1 level, you start to use 'yamshī' in more complex sentence structures, such as those involving 'kāna' (was walking) to describe ongoing actions in the past. You will also learn the Form V variation 'yatamashshā' (to stroll), which adds nuance to your descriptions of leisure activities. This level introduces the concept of the active participle 'māshī' (walking/walker) and how it can be used to describe a person's state. You will begin to understand some common idiomatic uses in dialects, such as 'māshī' meaning 'okay.' You can now talk about walking in the context of health, travel, and social habits, using a wider range of connectors and subordinate clauses.

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At the B2 level, you explore the metaphorical and idiomatic reaches of 'yamshī.' You will use it to describe how projects or plans are 'proceeding' or 'moving along.' You will understand the difference between 'yamshī' and more formal synonyms like 'yasīru' (to proceed) or 'yakhṭū' (to step). This level involves using the verb in conditional sentences (e.g., 'If you walk every day, you will feel better') and passive-like structures. You will also be exposed to the verb in various media contexts, such as news reports about marches or protests. Your understanding of the root m-sh-y will expand to include related nouns like 'mashiyya' (gait/way of walking) and 'māshiya' (livestock/cattle).

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At the C1 level, you use 'yamshī' with stylistic precision in both writing and formal speech. You will encounter the verb in classical and modern literature, where it might be used to describe the passage of time, the flow of water, or the movement of celestial bodies. You will master the nuances of the jussive and subjunctive moods, ensuring perfect grammatical accuracy in complex rhetorical structures. You will be able to discuss the cultural and historical significance of walking in Arab society, from the nomadic traditions of the Bedouins to modern urban planning. Your vocabulary will include rare synonyms and archaic forms, allowing you to appreciate the depth of the Arabic linguistic heritage.

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At the C2 level, your mastery of 'yamshī' is near-native. You can use the verb and its derivatives to express subtle philosophical concepts, such as the 'path' of existence or the 'rhythm' of thought. You are comfortable with the most obscure idiomatic expressions and can play with the word's multiple meanings for humorous or poetic effect. You can analyze the use of the root m-sh-y in the Quran and classical poetry, understanding how the verb contributes to the overall tone and meter of a text. Whether engaging in a high-level academic debate or writing a sophisticated piece of literature, you use 'yamshī' as a versatile tool to convey complex ideas with elegance and precision.

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يَمشي in 30 Sekunden

Yamshī is the standard Arabic verb for 'to walk,' focusing on the physical act of moving on foot.
It is a 'weak' verb (root m-sh-y), requiring special attention during conjugation in the past and imperative.
Beyond literal walking, it is used metaphorically to describe progress, time passing, or things 'working out.'
In many Arabic dialects, the active participle 'māshī' is a very common way to say 'OK' or 'agreed.'

The Arabic verb يَمشي (yamshī) is a fundamental action verb that every learner must master early in their journey. At its core, it describes the physical act of moving one's legs to travel from one point to another—specifically, walking. Derived from the root م-ش-ي (m-sh-y), this verb encompasses everything from a casual stroll in a park to a purposeful walk to work. Unlike the verb dhahaba (to go), which focuses on the destination or the act of leaving, yamshī focuses on the physical modality of the movement. It is the difference between saying 'I am going to the market' and 'I am walking to the market.'

Physical Movement: This is the primary usage. It describes the gait of humans and animals alike. When you see a child taking their first steps, you use this verb. When you describe your morning exercise routine, you use this verb.

الرَّجُلُ يَمشي في الشَّارِعِ بِهُدوءٍ.
(The man walks in the street quietly.)

Beyond the literal sense, yamshī is frequently used in idiomatic expressions across various Arabic dialects. In many Levantine and Egyptian contexts, it can mean 'to go along with' or 'to follow a plan.' For instance, 'yamshī al-ḥāl' (literally: the situation walks) is a very common way to say 'it works' or 'it is okay.' This versatility makes it one of the most hardworking verbs in the Arabic lexicon. It transitions seamlessly from formal Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) literature to the grit of daily street conversation.

Metaphorical Progress: In professional settings, you might hear this verb used to describe how a project is 'moving' or 'proceeding.' If things are going according to plan, one might say the work is 'walking' well.

كُلُّ شَيءٍ يَمشي حَسَبَ الخُطَّةِ.
(Everything is walking [going] according to the plan.)

In literature, walking is often a meditative act. Poets use yamshī to describe the passage of time or the journey of the soul. Because the verb implies a steady, rhythmic pace, it carries a connotation of persistence and continuity that faster verbs like 'running' lack. It is the verb of the traveler, the thinker, and the everyday person navigating the world.

Social Context: In Arab culture, walking together (al-mashy) is a significant social activity. It is common to see friends walking arm-in-arm or side-by-side for long periods while conversing. The verb thus evokes a sense of companionship.

نُحِبُّ أَن نَمشيَ مَعاً بَعدَ العَشاءِ.
(We like to walk together after dinner.)

الطِّفْلُ بَدَأَ يَمشي لأَوَّلِ مَرَّةٍ.
(The child started walking for the first time.)

لا تَمشِ عَلى العُشْبِ.
(Do not walk on the grass.)

Using يَمشي (yamshī) correctly requires an understanding of Arabic verb conjugation, particularly for verbs that end in a weak letter (waw, alif, or ya). In the present tense, the verb follows a predictable pattern for the most part, but the ending changes depending on the subject. For example, 'I walk' is amshī, 'you (masculine) walk' is tamshī, and 'she walks' is also tamshī. The 3rd person masculine singular form, yamshī, serves as the dictionary headword for the present tense.

Prepositions: This verb is often followed by the preposition 'ilā' (to) to indicate a destination, or 'fī' (in) to indicate the location of the walk. You can also use 'ma'a' (with) to specify a companion.

أَنا أَمشي إِلى المَدْرَسَةِ كُلَّ يَومٍ.
(I walk to school every day.)

When describing the manner of walking, Arabic uses adverbs or prepositional phrases. To say someone walks 'quickly,' you would say yamshī bi-sur'a. To say they walk 'slowly,' you would say yamshī bi-buṭ'. These additions help paint a more vivid picture of the action. Furthermore, the verb can be used in the imperative form to give commands. 'Walk!' to a male is imshi (note the shortening of the final vowel in the jussive/imperative mood).

Negation: To negate the verb in the present tense, simply add 'lā' before it. For example, 'lā yamshī' means 'he does not walk.' To negate it in the past, you can use 'lam yamshi' (he did not walk) or 'mā mashā'.

هُوَ لا يَمشي كَثيراً بِسَبَبِ الإِصابَةِ.
(He does not walk much because of the injury.)

In complex sentences, yamshī can be part of a 'ḥāl' (circumstantial) clause. For example, 'He came to me walking' would be atānī yamshī or atānī māshiyan (using the active participle). This highlights the state or manner in which the main action occurred. Understanding these structures allows for more sophisticated expression beyond simple subject-verb-object sentences.

Future Tense: To indicate a future action, add the prefix 'sa-' or the word 'sawfa' before the present tense verb. 'Sa-yamshī' means 'he will walk.'

سَوْفَ نَمشي في الحَديقَةِ غَداً.
(We will walk in the park tomorrow.)

هَل تَمشينَ إِلى العَمَلِ يا لَيْلَى؟
(Do you [feminine] walk to work, Layla?)

كانَ يَمشي وَهُوَ يَقْرَأُ كِتاباً.
(He was walking while reading a book.)

The verb يَمشي (yamshī) is ubiquitous in the Arab world, echoing through bustling city streets, quiet village paths, and modern office corridors. In the morning, you will hear parents telling their children to 'walk quickly' (imshi bi-sur'a) so they aren't late for school. In the evenings, especially in Mediterranean Arab cities like Beirut, Alexandria, or Tunis, the concept of the 'evening walk' or 'al-mashy' is a cultural staple. People don't just walk for transportation; they walk to see and be seen, to breathe the fresh air, and to socialize.

The Marketplace (Souq): In a traditional souq, you'll hear vendors calling out to people 'walking' by. You might also hear shoppers discussing how much they've had to walk to find a specific item. The verb here is associated with the physical effort of navigation.

لَقَد مَشَينا طَويلاً في السُّوقِ اليَوْمَ.
(We walked for a long time in the market today.)

In the context of health and fitness, which is becoming increasingly popular in urban centers like Dubai, Riyadh, and Amman, yamshī is the go-to verb for exercise. Doctors advise patients to 'walk for thirty minutes a day' (an yamshū li-thalāthīn daqīqa). You'll see signs in parks encouraging walking as a healthy lifestyle choice. Here, the verb takes on a tone of discipline and self-care.

Professional Life: In an office, if a manager asks 'How is the project going?', an employee might respond 'māshī al-ḥāl' (it's going okay) or 'yamshī bi-shakl jayyid' (it's going well). This metaphorical use is very common in professional updates.

العَمَلُ يَمشي بِبُطْءٍ هَذِهِ الأَيَّامِ.
(Work is moving [walking] slowly these days.)

On the news or in documentaries, you might hear about 'marches' or 'protests' where people 'walk' for a cause. The verb yamshī is used to describe the movement of the masses. It carries a sense of collective action and shared purpose. Whether it's a religious pilgrimage (like the Hajj or walks to local shrines) or a political demonstration, the act of walking is a powerful symbol of presence and intent.

Public Transport: When asking for directions, you'll often be told: 'Walk straight, then turn right.' (imshi dugrī... in Egyptian or imshi sīdah... in Gulf). The verb is essential for navigating any Arabic-speaking city.

اِمشِ إِلى نِهايَةِ الشَّارِعِ ثُمَّ لِفّ يَميناً.
(Walk to the end of the street, then turn right.)

- نَلْتَقي السَّاعَةَ الخامِسَةَ؟ - مَاشِي.
(- Shall we meet at five? - OK.)

لا تَمشِ وَحْدَكَ في اللَّيْلِ.
(Do not walk alone at night.)

One of the most frequent hurdles for English speakers learning يَمشي (yamshī) is the confusion between 'walking' and 'going.' In English, we often use 'go' as a catch-all verb for movement. However, in Arabic, dhahaba (to go) and yamshī (to walk) are distinct. If you say 'I am walking to the airport' (amshī ilā al-maṭār), an Arabic speaker will literally imagine you on foot with your suitcase. If you are taking a car or plane, you must use adhhabu.

Conjugation of Weak Verbs: Because the root ends in a 'ya' (a weak letter), the conjugation changes in the past tense can be tricky. Many students mistakenly say 'mashaytu' correctly but then fail on 'mashā' (he walked) or 'mashat' (she walked), forgetting how the weak letter interacts with gender suffixes.

خَطَأ: هُوَ مَشِيَ (Incorrect: He walked)
صَح: هُوَ مَشَى (Correct: He walked)

Another common error involves the use of prepositions. English speakers might try to translate 'walk through' or 'walk across' literally. While 'fī' (in) works for 'through' in many contexts, 'across' usually requires the verb ya'buru (to cross) or the preposition 'abra'. Using yamshī alone might not convey the full meaning of crossing a boundary.

The Imperative Mood: In formal Arabic, the imperative for 'walk' is 'imshi' with a short 'i' sound (اِمشِ). Students often extend this to a long 'ī' (اِمشي), which is correct in dialect but technically a grammatical error in Modern Standard Arabic for a male subject.

خَطَأ: يَمشي إِلى البَيْتِ (Incorrect for 'Go to the house')
صَح: اِذْهَبْ إِلى البَيْتِ (Correct: Go to the house)

Confusion also arises with the active participle māshī. In dialects, māshī is used as an adjective/adverb meaning 'okay.' However, in formal Arabic, māshī literally means 'a walker' or 'walking.' Using māshī to mean 'okay' in a formal essay would be considered too informal or incorrect.

Plural Conjugation: When conjugating for 'they' (masculine), the 'ya' of the root is dropped: 'yamshūna'. Students often try to keep the 'ya', resulting in the incorrect 'yamshiyūna'.

خَطَأ: هُم يَمْشِيُونَ (Incorrect plural)
صَح: هُم يَمْشُونَ (Correct plural)

لا تَمشِ حافي القَدَمَيْنِ.
(Do not walk barefoot.)

البِنْتُ تَمشي مَعَ أُمِّها.
(The girl walks with her mother.)

While يَمشي (yamshī) is the standard verb for walking, Arabic offers a rich palette of synonyms that convey specific speeds, styles, and contexts. Choosing the right word can elevate your Arabic from functional to expressive. For example, if you want to describe a more formal or steady movement, you might use yasīru. If the movement is fast, yarkuḍu (to run) is the obvious choice, but there are intermediate steps like jogging or marching.

Yamshī vs. Yasīru: While 'yamshī' is the physical act of walking, 'yasīru' (from the root s-y-r) often implies proceeding, traveling, or marching. It is more formal and is frequently used for vehicles, parades, or the 'path' of one's life.

القافِلَةُ تَسيرُ في الصَّحْراءِ.
(The caravan proceeds [marches] in the desert.)

For those who enjoy a brisk walk or a light jog, the verb yahrulu (to jog/trot) is used. This is often heard in the context of the Hajj pilgrimage, where pilgrims perform 'al-harwala' between the hills of Safa and Marwa. It denotes a pace faster than walking but slower than running. On the other end of the spectrum, yatamashshā (Form V) means to stroll or take a leisurely walk for pleasure, much like the French 'flâner'.

Yamshī vs. Yadhhabu: As mentioned before, 'yadhhabu' is 'to go' (general), whereas 'yamshī' is 'to walk' (specific mode). If you are in a car, you cannot say you are 'walking' to the city unless you mean the car is physically moving at a walking pace.

نَحْنُ نَتَمَشَّى عَلى الشَّاطِئِ.
(We are strolling on the beach.)

In more poetic or classical contexts, you might encounter yakhṭū (to take steps). This focuses on the individual steps (khaṭwa) rather than the continuous act of walking. It is often used metaphorically for 'taking steps' toward a goal. Another alternative is yadlifu, which means to walk with short, quick steps, often used to describe the gait of an elderly person or someone carrying a heavy load.

Summary of Alternatives: 1. Yarkuḍu (Run), 2. Yahrulu (Jog), 3. Yatamashshā (Stroll), 4. Yasīru (Proceed/March), 5. Yakhṭū (Step).

هُوَ يَخْطو نَحْوَ النَّجاحِ.
(He is stepping toward success.)

الرِّياضِيُّ يَهْرُلُ كُلَّ صَباحٍ.
(The athlete jogs every morning.)

لا تَمشِ بِتَفاخُرٍ.
(Do not walk boastfully.)

How Formal Is It?

Wusstest du?

The word for livestock in Arabic, 'māshiya,' comes from this same root because these animals are characterized by their walking and grazing on foot.

Aussprachehilfe

UK /jam.ʃiː/

US /jæm.ʃi/

Primary stress on the first syllable: YAM-shī.

Reimt sich auf

يَحْكي (yaḥkī) يَبْكي (yabkī) يَرْمِي (yarmī) يَجْري (yajrī) يَشْري (yashrī) يَكْفي (yakfī) يَحْمي (yaḥmī) يَمْضي (yamḍī)

Häufige Fehler

Pronouncing the 'sh' as 's'.
Shortening the final long 'ī' vowel in the present tense.
Adding an extra vowel between 'm' and 'sh' (e.g., yam-a-shī).
Confusing the 'ya' prefix with 'ta' for masculine subjects.
Misplacing the stress on the final syllable.

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 2/5

Easy to recognize, but the weak ending can be confused with other verbs.

Schreiben 3/5

Conjugating the past tense and imperative requires knowledge of weak verb rules.

Sprechen 2/5

The present tense is easy to use, and the dialectal 'māshī' is very helpful.

Hören 2/5

Clear 'sh' and 'ī' sounds make it easy to identify in speech.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

أَنا (I) هُوَ (He) إِلى (To) في (In) ذَهَبَ (Went)

Als Nächstes lernen

يَجْري (Runs) يَقْفِز (Jumps) يَقِف (Stands) يَجْلِس (Sits) يَرْكَب (Rides)

Fortgeschritten

يَتَمَشَّى (Stroll) يَهْرُل (Jog) يَسير (Proceed) يَخْطو (Step) يَتَسَكَّع (Loiter)

Wichtige Grammatik

Defective Verbs (Verba Tertiae Infirmae)

In 'yamshī', the final radical is 'ya'. It stays as 'ī' in the present but changes to 'ā' (alif maqsura) in the past 3rd person masculine: 'mashā'.

Jussive Mood with Defective Verbs

When negated with 'lam' or used in the imperative, the final weak letter is dropped: 'lam yamshi' (لم يمشِ) and 'imshi' (امشِ).

Subject-Verb Agreement

If the verb comes before a plural subject, it stays singular: 'yamshī al-rijāl' (the men walk). If it comes after, it becomes plural: 'al-rijāl yamshūna'.

Form V Verbs (Reflexive/Intensive)

Adding 'ta-' and doubling the middle radical creates 'yatamashshā' (to stroll), which implies a more leisurely action.

The Active Participle (Ism al-Fa'il)

For Form I verbs like 'mashā', the pattern is 'fā'il', resulting in 'māshin' (a walker/walking).

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Beispiele nach Niveau

أَنا أَمشي إِلى المَدْرَسَةِ.

I walk to school.

Present tense, 1st person singular.

هُوَ يَمشي في الحَديقَةِ.

He walks in the park.

Present tense, 3rd person masculine singular.

هَل تَمشي كُلَّ يَوْمٍ؟

Do you walk every day?

Question form, 2nd person masculine singular.

البِنْتُ تَمشي مَعَ الأُمِّ.

The girl walks with the mother.

Present tense, 3rd person feminine singular.

نَحْنُ نَمشي إِلى البَيْتِ.

We walk to the house.

Present tense, 1st person plural.

القِطُّ يَمشي عَلى السُّورِ.

The cat walks on the wall.

Subject-verb agreement with an animal.

أَمشي بِبُطْءٍ.

I walk slowly.

Use of adverbial phrase 'bi-buṭ'.

أُحِبُّ المَشْيَ.

I like walking.

Using the masdar (verbal noun) 'al-mashy'.

مَشَيْتُ طَويلاً أَمْسِ.

I walked for a long time yesterday.

Past tense, 1st person singular.

هَل مَشَيْتَ إِلى المَكْتَبِ؟

Did you walk to the office?

Past tense question, 2nd person masculine singular.

سَأَمشي إِلى الدُّكّانِ بَعْدَ قَليلٍ.

I will walk to the shop in a little while.

Future tense with prefix 'sa-'.

مَشَتْ فاطِمَةُ في الشَّارِعِ.

Fatima walked in the street.

Past tense, 3rd person feminine singular.

اِمشِ بِسُرْعَةٍ، نَحْنُ مُتَأَخِّرون!

Walk quickly, we are late!

Imperative mood (command).

لَم يَمشِ الوَلَدُ إِلى المَلْعَبِ.

The boy did not walk to the playground.

Negation in the past using 'lam' + jussive.

كُنّا نَمشي عِنْدَما هَطَلَ المَطَرُ.

We were walking when it rained.

Past continuous using 'kāna' + present tense.

يَمشي الطُّلّابُ إِلى الجامِعَةِ مَعاً.

The students walk to the university together.

Verb-subject agreement (verb stays singular if it precedes plural subject).

يُفَضِّلُ جَدّي أَنْ يَمشيَ في الصَّباحِ الباكِرِ.

My grandfather prefers to walk in the early morning.

Subjunctive mood after 'an'.

كانَ يَمشي وَهُوَ يُفَكِّرُ في المُشْكِلَةِ.

He was walking while thinking about the problem.

Circumstantial clause (ḥāl).

نَتَمَشَّى كُلَّ مَساءٍ عَلى الكورنيشِ.

We stroll every evening on the corniche.

Form V verb 'yatamashshā' for strolling.

رَأَيْتُهُ ماشِياً في طَريقِهِ إِلى العَمَلِ.

I saw him walking on his way to work.

Use of the active participle 'māshiyan'.

يَمشي المَشْروعُ بِشَكْلٍ جَيِّدٍ حَتَّى الآنَ.

The project is going well so far.

Metaphorical use of 'yamshī'.

عَلَيْكَ أَنْ تَمشيَ ثَلاثينَ دَقيقَةً لِصِحَّتِكَ.

You should walk for thirty minutes for your health.

Modal expression 'alayka an'.

مَشَينا مَسافَةً طَويلَةً في الجِبالِ.

We walked a long distance in the mountains.

Past tense, 1st person plural.

لا تَمشِ عَلى هَذا الطَّريقِ، إِنَّهُ خَطِرٌ.

Do not walk on this road; it is dangerous.

Negative imperative.

تَمشي الأُمورُ حَسَبَ ما خَطَّطْنا لَهُ.

Things are going according to what we planned.

Abstract subject 'al-umūr'.

يَمشي هَذا القانُونُ عَلى الجَميعِ دونَ اسْتِثْناءٍ.

This law applies to [walks on] everyone without exception.

Idiomatic use meaning 'to apply to'.

مَشَتِ السِّنينُ وَتَغَيَّرَ كُلُّ شَيءٍ.

The years passed [walked] and everything changed.

Metaphorical use for the passage of time.

يَجِبُ أَنْ نَمشيَ بِحَذَرٍ في هَذِهِ الظُّروفِ.

We must proceed [walk] with caution in these circumstances.

Metaphorical use for cautious behavior.

يَمشي بَيْنَ النّاسِ بِالنَّميمَةِ.

He goes around [walks] among people with gossip.

Idiomatic expression for spreading rumors.

لَقَد مَشَوْا في جَنازَةِ الرَّجُلِ العَظيمِ.

They walked in the funeral of the great man.

Plural past tense 'mashaw'.

يَمشي الطِّفْلُ الهُوَيْنى في الحَديقَةِ.

The child walks slowly and gently in the garden.

Use of the classical adverb 'al-huwaynā'.

هَل تَمشي هَذِهِ الفِكْرَةُ مَعَ سِياسَةِ الشَّرِكَةِ؟

Does this idea go [walk] with the company policy?

Metaphorical use for compatibility.

يَمشي الهُوَيْنى كَأَنَّهُ مَلِكٌ يَتَفَقَّدُ رَعِيَّتَهُ.

He walks slowly as if he were a king inspecting his subjects.

Simile with 'ka-annahu'.

تَمشي الحَياةُ في عُروقِ هَذِهِ المَدينَةِ القَديمَةِ.

Life flows [walks] in the veins of this ancient city.

Personification of life.

لَم يَمشِ أَحَدٌ في هَذا الدَّرْبِ مِنْ قَبْلُ.

No one has walked this path before.

Metaphor for a pioneering effort.

يَمشي الوَقْتُ وِئيداً في لَحَظاتِ الانْتِظارِ.

Time moves [walks] slowly in moments of waiting.

Poetic description of time.

مَشَتِ الإِشاعَةُ كَالنّارِ في الهَشيمِ.

The rumor spread [walked] like wildfire.

Common Arabic simile.

يَمشي عَلى خُطى والِدِهِ في عَالَمِ الأَدَبِ.

He follows [walks on] his father's footsteps in the world of literature.

Idiom 'mashā 'alā khuṭā'.

إِنَّهُ يَمشي في رِكابِ العُلَماءِ.

He follows [walks in the retinue of] the scholars.

Classical idiom for following someone's lead.

تَمشي القَصيدَةُ بِإيقاعٍ هادِئٍ وَمُتَّزِنٍ.

The poem moves [walks] with a calm and balanced rhythm.

Literary criticism context.

يَمشي الفِكْرُ الفَلْسَفِيُّ في دُروبٍ مُتَشَعِّبَةٍ.

Philosophical thought wanders [walks] through branching paths.

Highly abstract subject.

مَشَتِ المَقاديرُ بِما لا تَشْتَهيهِ الأَنْفُسُ.

Destiny proceeded [walked] in a way that souls did not desire.

Classical literary expression regarding fate.

يَمشي الوُجودُ نَحْوَ غايَتِهِ الأَسْمى.

Existence moves [walks] toward its supreme goal.

Metaphysical usage.

تَمشي الحَقيقَةُ عارِيَةً بَيْنَ زَيْفِ المَظاهِرِ.

Truth walks naked amidst the falsehood of appearances.

Philosophical personification.

يَمشي النَّصُّ عَلى حَبْلٍ مَشدودٍ بَيْنَ الواقِعِ وَالخَيالِ.

The text walks on a tightrope between reality and imagination.

Sophisticated literary metaphor.

مَشَتِ القُرونُ وَبَقِيَتْ هَذِهِ الآثارُ شاهِدَةً.

Centuries passed [walked] and these ruins remained as witnesses.

Historical personification.

يَمشي المَرْءُ في ظِلِّ أَعْمالِهِ.

A person walks in the shadow of their deeds.

Moral/Ethical metaphor.

تَمشي الرُّوحُ في مَعارِجِ القُدْسِ.

The soul walks in the ascents of holiness.

Sufi/Spiritual terminology.

Häufige Kollokationen

يَمشي بِسُرْعَة

يَمشي بِبُطْء

يَمشي حافِياً

يَمشي وَحْدَهُ

يَمشي مَسافَة

يَمشي عَلى الأَقْدام

يَمشي في نَوْمِهِ

يَمشي حَسَبَ الخُطَّة

يَمشي جَنْباً إِلى جَنْب

يَمشي في الجِنازَة

Häufige Phrasen

مَاشِي الحال

— It's going okay; things are fine.

كَيْفَ أُمورُكَ؟ - مَاشِي الحال.

خَلّينا نَمشي

— Let's go; let's get moving.

تَأَخَّرَ الوَقْتُ، خَلّينا نَمشي.

يَمشي الحال

— It works; it's acceptable.

هَل هَذا القَلَمُ جَيِّدٌ؟ - نَعَم، يَمشي الحال.

مَاشِي يا سَيِّدي

— Okay, sir (often used in agreement).

سَأَفْعَلُ ذَلِكَ غَداً. - مَاشِي يا سَيِّدي.

يَمشي مِثْلَ السَّاعَة

— To run like clockwork; very smoothly.

النِّظامُ الجَديدُ يَمشي مِثْلَ السَّاعَةِ.

مَاشِي عَلى بَيْض

— Walking on eggs (walking very carefully/slowly).

لِماذا تَمشي عَلى بَيْض؟ أَسْرِع!

يَمشي في دَمِهِ

— It runs in his blood (a habit or trait).

حُبُّ المُغامَرَةِ يَمشي في دَمِهِ.

مَاشِي سِيدَة

— Walking straight (being honest/direct).

هُوَ رَجُلٌ مَاشِي سِيدَة.

يَمشي بِالنَّيَّة

— To act with good intentions/simplicity.

هُوَ يَمشي بِنِيَّتِهِ وَلا يَخافُ أَحَداً.

مَاشِي الحال بِالقُوَّة

— Barely getting by; struggling to manage.

كَيْفَ العَمَلُ؟ - مَاشِي الحال بِالقُوَّة.

Wird oft verwechselt mit

يَمشي vs يَذْهَب

Yadhhabu means 'to go' (general), while yamshī means 'to walk' (specific mode).

يَمشي vs يَجْري

Yajrī means 'to run' or 'to flow'. It is much faster than yamshī.

يَمشي vs يَسير

Yasīru is more formal and often used for vehicles or processions, not just casual walking.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"يَمشي عَلى خُطى فُلان"

— To follow in someone's footsteps.

يَمشي الِابْنُ عَلى خُطى أَبيهِ.

Formal

"يَمشي في رِكابِهِ"

— To follow someone blindly or be in their service.

يَمشي بَعْضُ الصَّحَفِيّينَ في رِكابِ السِّياسِيّينَ.

Formal

"مَشَّى أُمورَهُ"

— To manage one's affairs or get things done (often through influence).

اسْتَطاعَ أَنْ يُمَشِّيَ أُمورَهُ في المَحْكَمَةِ.

Informal

"يَمشي مَعَ التَّيّار"

— To go with the flow; to follow the crowd.

لا يَمشي مَعَ التَّيّارِ، بَل لَهُ رَأْيٌ مُسْتَقِلٌّ.

Neutral

"يَمشي عَلى الحَبْل"

— To walk a tightrope (be in a delicate situation).

المُديرُ يَمشي عَلى الحَبْلِ بَيْنَ الموظفينَ وَالإِدارَةِ.

Neutral

"يَمشي في جِنازَةِ شَيء"

— To witness the end or failure of something.

مَشَوْا في جِنازَةِ السَّلامِ بَعْدَ الحَرْبِ.

Literary

"يَمشي مِثْلَ الأَعْمى"

— To walk blindly (without a plan or awareness).

لا تَمشِ مِثْلَ الأَعْمى، خَطِّط لِمُسْتَقْبَلِكَ.

Neutral

"مَشَّى السُّوق"

— To stimulate the market or sales.

التَّخْفيضاتُ مَشَّتِ السُّوقَ هَذا الشَّهْرَ.

Informal

"يَمشي عَلى رُؤوسِ أَصابِعِهِ"

— To walk on tiptoes (be very quiet or cautious).

دَخَلَ البَيْتَ يَمشي عَلى رُؤوسِ أَصابِعِهِ.

Neutral

"يَمشي في طَريقٍ مَسْدود"

— To walk into a dead end (a hopeless situation).

هَذِهِ المَفاوَضاتُ تَمشي في طَريقٍ مَسْدودٍ.

Neutral

Leicht verwechselbar

يَمشي vs مَشى

Past tense form

Mashā is 'he walked' (past), while yamshī is 'he walks' (present).

مَشى إِلى البَيْتِ أَمْسِ.

يَمشي vs مَشَّى

Form II verb

Mashshā means 'to make someone walk' or 'to speed something up.'

مَشَّى الأُمورَ العالِقَةَ.

يَمشي vs تَمَشَّى

Form V verb

Tamashshā means 'to stroll' or 'to take a walk for pleasure.'

تَمَشَّيْتُ في الحَديقَةِ.

يَمشي vs مَشْي

Verbal noun

Mashy is the noun 'walking,' while yamshī is the verb 'he walks.'

المَشْيُ رِياضَةٌ جَيِّدَةٌ.

يَمشي vs مَاشِيَة

Related noun

Māshiya means 'livestock' or 'cattle,' not the act of walking.

الفَلّاحُ يَمْلِكُ مَاشِيَةً كَثيرَةً.

Satzmuster

[Subject] + يَمشي + إِلى + [Destination]

أَنا أَمشي إِلى المَدْرَسَةِ.

[Subject] + مَشى + في + [Place]

هُوَ مَشى في الشّارِعِ.

كانَ + [Subject] + يَمشي + عِنْدَما + [Action]

كُنْتُ أَمشي عِنْدَما رَأَيْتُكَ.

[Subject] + يُريدُ + أَنْ + يَمشيَ

أُريدُ أَنْ أَمشيَ قَليلاً.

يَمشي + [Abstract Subject] + بِشَكْلٍ + [Adjective]

يَمشي العَمَلُ بِشَكْلٍ جَيِّدٍ.

يَمشي + [Subject] + عَلى خُطى + [Person]

يَمشي عَلى خُطى جَدِّهِ.

كُلَّما + [Action] + مَشى + [Subject] + نَحْوَ + [Goal]

كُلَّما تَعَلَّمَ أَكْثَرَ مَشى نَحْوَ الحِكْمَةِ.

لَم + يَمشِ + [Subject] + إِلّا + [Condition]

لَم يَمشِ إِلّا مُكْرَهاً.

Wortfamilie

Substantive

مَشْي Walking (gerund)

مَشْيَة Gait/Way of walking

مَشّاء Frequent walker/Pedestrian

ماشِيَة Livestock/Cattle (those that walk)

مَمْشى Walkway/Path

Verben

مَشى He walked (Past)

مَشَّى To make someone walk/To facilitate (Form II)

تَمَشَّى To stroll (Form V)

امْتَشى To walk along (Form VIII - rare)

Adjektive

ماشٍ Walking/On foot (Active Participle)

مَمْشِيّ Walked upon (Passive Participle)

Verwandt

خُطْوَة (step)

طَريق (path)

قَدَم (foot)

سَيْر (procession)

حِذاء (shoe)

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So verwendest du es

frequency

Extremely high. It is one of the top 100 most used verbs in Arabic.

Häufige Fehler

Using 'yamshī' for 'going' by car. → Using 'yadhhabu' or 'yarkabu'.
Yamshī specifically implies walking on foot. Using it for a car trip sounds like the car is walking.
Saying 'mashītu' instead of 'mashaytu'. → mashaytu (مَشَيْتُ)
The weak letter 'ya' takes a 'fatha' (a) sound before the suffix in the past tense for 'I' and 'you'.
Keeping the 'ya' in the masculine plural: 'yamshiyūna'. → yamshūna (يَمْشونَ)
In defective verbs ending in 'ya', the 'ya' is dropped when adding the masculine plural suffix 'ūna'.
Using 'māshī' in a formal academic essay to mean 'okay'. → Using 'muwāfiq' or 'jayyid'.
'Māshī' as 'okay' is dialectal/informal. Formal writing requires Modern Standard Arabic equivalents.
Confusing 'yamshī' (walks) with 'yumsī' (becomes/spends the evening). → yamshī (يَمشي)
The 'sh' (ش) and 's' (س) are different letters. 'Yumsī' is from a completely different root.

Tipps

Master the Past Tense

Remember the pattern: mashaytu (I), mashayta (you m), mashayti (you f), mashā (he), mashat (she). The 'ya' changes to an alif in the 3rd person masculine singular.

Stroll vs. Walk

Use 'yatamashshā' for leisure. It makes your Arabic sound more nuanced and shows you understand the different 'Forms' of Arabic verbs.

The Magic of Māshī

In Egypt, 'māshī' is your best friend. Use it to agree, to say 'okay,' or to acknowledge what someone said. It's the ultimate conversation filler.

Long Vowels Matter

Make sure to hold the final 'ī' in 'yamshī'. If you shorten it, it sounds like the jussive/imperative form 'imshi'.

Walking the Corniche

If you visit an Arab coastal city, join the 'mashy' on the Corniche in the evening. It's the best way to practice hearing the word in its natural habitat.

Adverbs of Manner

Enhance your sentences by adding 'bi-sur'a' (quickly) or 'bi-buṭ' (slowly) after 'yamshī'. It adds immediate detail to your writing.

Plural Pitfall

Don't say 'yamshiyūna'. The 'ya' disappears in the masculine plural. It's 'yamshūna'. This is a common mistake even for intermediate learners.

Negation Clues

If you hear 'lam' followed by 'yamshi' (short i), know that it's talking about a past action that didn't happen.

Metaphorical Progress

Use 'yamshī' to talk about your Arabic studies! 'Dirāsatī lil-arabiyya tamshī jayyidan' (My Arabic study is going well).

The Walking Shin

The letter 'Shin' (ش) has three legs (the three dots/peaks). Imagine those legs walking. This helps you remember 'yamshī' has a 'Shin' in the middle.

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Think of 'Yam' (like a sweet potato) and 'She' (the pronoun). Imagine a giant 'Yam' and a 'She' walking together in the park. Yam-She = Yamshī.

Visuelle Assoziation

Visualize a pair of shoes walking by themselves on a path. Inside the shoes, see the Arabic letters Mim, Shin, and Ya glowing.

Word Web

Walking Strolling Path Feet Shoes Exercise Progress Agreement

Herausforderung

Try to use 'yamshī' in three different ways today: once for a person, once for an animal, and once metaphorically for a project.

Wortherkunft

Derived from the Proto-Semitic root M-Sh-Y, which is associated with movement and walking. This root is consistently found across various Semitic languages with similar meanings.

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: The core meaning has always been the physical act of walking or moving on foot.

Afroasiatic -> Semitic -> Central Semitic -> Arabic.

Kultureller Kontext

Be careful using the imperative 'imshi' (Go/Walk) as it can sound very rude or dismissive if said with a harsh tone, similar to 'Get out!'

In English, 'walking' is often just transport or exercise. In Arabic, it carries a heavier social and metaphorical weight of 'proceeding' or 'agreeing.'

The Sa'y between Safa and Marwa (Religious ritual) The 'Walking' philosophers (Peripatetic school, often discussed in Arabic philosophy) Famous poem by Elia Abu Madi: 'I came, I know not from where, but I came... and I saw a path before me, so I walked (mashaytu).'

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Daily Routine

أَمشي إِلى المَدْرَسَة
أَمشي كُلَّ صَباح
أَمشي مَعَ الكَلْب
أَمشي لِمُدَّةِ ساعَة

Giving Directions

اِمشِ سِيدَة
اِمشِ لِنِهايَةِ الشَّارِع
اِمشِ مِئَةَ مِتْر
لا تَمشِ هُنا

Health and Fitness

المَشْيُ مُفيدٌ لِلصِّحَّة
أُحِبُّ رِياضَةَ المَشْي
يَمشي لِيَفْقِدَ الوَزْن
نادي المَشْي

Socializing

تَعالَ نَمشي
نَتَمَشَّى عَلى الشَّاطِئ
مَشَيْنا وَتَحَدَّثْنا
جَوْلَةُ مَشْيٍ مَعَ الأَصْدِقاء

Agreement (Dialect)

مَاشِي الحال
كُلُّ شَيءٍ مَاشِي
خَلاص مَاشِي
مَاشِي يا حَبيبي

Gesprächseinstiege

"هَل تُفَضِّلُ المَشْيَ أَمْ رُكوبَ الدَّرّاجَةِ؟ (Do you prefer walking or riding a bike?)"

"كَم مَسافَةً تَمشي كُلَّ يَوْمٍ؟ (How much distance do you walk every day?)"

"أَيْنَ تُحِبُّ أَنْ تَتَمَشَّى في هَذِهِ المَدينَةِ؟ (Where do you like to stroll in this city?)"

"هَل تَمشي إِلى العَمَلِ أَمْ تَأْخُذُ السَّيّارَةَ؟ (Do you walk to work or take the car?)"

"ما هِيَ فَوائِدُ المَشْيِ في رَأْيِكَ؟ (What are the benefits of walking in your opinion?)"

Tagebuch-Impulse

اكْتُبْ عَنْ جَوْلَةِ مَشْيٍ قُمْتَ بِها في مَكانٍ جَميلٍ. (Write about a walking tour you took in a beautiful place.)

صِفْ شُعورَكَ عِنْدَما تَمشي وَحْدَكَ في الطَّبيعَةِ. (Describe your feelings when you walk alone in nature.)

هَل تَعْتَقِدُ أَنَّ مُدُنَنا مُصَمَّمَةٌ لِلْمَشْيِ؟ لِماذا؟ (Do you think our cities are designed for walking? Why?)

تَحَدَّثْ عَنْ عادَةِ المَشْيِ في عائِلَتِكَ. (Talk about the habit of walking in your family.)

اكْتُبْ قِصَّةً قَصيرةً تَبْدَأُ بِـ 'كانَ يَمشي في لَيْلَةٍ مُمْطِرَةٍ...' (Write a short story starting with 'He was walking on a rainy night...')

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

In Modern Standard Arabic, yes, it primarily refers to bipedal movement. However, in metaphors, it can describe the 'walking' or progress of time, projects, or laws. In dialects, it is used much more broadly to mean 'going' or 'proceeding' regardless of the mode of transport.

You say 'mashaytu' (مَشَيْتُ). Note that the final 'ya' of the root appears as a regular 'y' sound before the 'tu' suffix.

'Yamshī' is the general verb for walking. 'Yatamashshā' is a Form V verb that specifically means to stroll, wander, or walk leisurely for enjoyment. Use 'yatamashshā' when you are at the beach or a park.

No, 'māshī' meaning 'OK' is highly informal and characteristic of dialects like Egyptian and Levantine. In a formal speech or essay, use 'ḥasanan' or 'muwāfiq'.

For 'they (masculine)', it is 'yamshūna' (يَمْشونَ). The 'ya' of the root is dropped, and the 'shīn' takes a ḍamma vowel.

Yes, it is used for any animal that walks on legs, such as a dog, cat, or horse. For birds, you would use 'yaṭīru' (flies) unless they are specifically walking on the ground.

For a male, it is 'imshi' (اِمشِ). For a female, it is 'imshī' (اِمشي). For a group, it is 'imshū' (اِمشوا).

You can say 'masāfat al-mashy' (مَسافَةُ المَشْيِ) or say 'al-makān qarīb, yumkinu al-mashy ilayhi' (the place is near, it is possible to walk to it).

Because 'yamshī' is a defective verb. In the jussive mood (after 'lam') and the imperative, the final weak letter is removed as a grammatical marker.

In formal Arabic, no; use 'tasīru'. In informal dialects, people sometimes say 'al-sayyāra tamshī' to mean the car is moving or running.

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