In astrophysics, there are many cosmic phenomena that scientists are researching but haven't completely figured out. To describe these ongoing quests, Arabic uses a specific structure for negative anticipation.
Expressing "Not Yet" with لَمّا
To express that an action has not occurred up to the present moment—but is expected to happen eventually—Arabic uses the particle لَمّا (not yet). It is always followed by a verb in the present tense.
Grammatically, لَمّا is a jussive particle. This means it forces the present tense verb that follows it into the jussive mood (المضارع المجزوم). For standard singular verbs, as well as the "we" form, you form the jussive by replacing the final short vowel with a vowelless pause (ْ).
| not yet | لماlammâ |
| Astronomy searches for the origin of the universe, but we have not yet found the answer. | يبحث علم الفلك عن نشأة الكون، لكننا لما نجد الجواب.yabhathu 'ilmu al-falaki 'an nash'ati al-kawni, lakinnana lammâ najidi al-jawâba. |
| The agency sent a probe to the planet, and it has not yet returned. | أرسلت الوكالة مسبارا إلى الكوكب، وهو لما يرجع.arsalati alwakâlatu misbâran ilâ alkawkabi, wahuwa lammâ yarji |
| The female scientist analyzed the radiation spectrum, but she has not yet published the result. | حللت العالمة طيف الإشعاع، لكنها لما تنشر النتيجة.hallalati al-'âlimatu tayfa al-ish'â'i, lâkinnahâ lammâ tanshuri an-natîjah |
The Plural Jussive
When tracking the progress of multiple scientists or research teams, you will need to use plural verbs. When a plural verb enters the jussive mood after لَمّا, it drops its final ن. For masculine plurals, this dropped ن is replaced by a silent ا. For example, يكتشفون (they discover) becomes يكتشفوا.
| This cosmic phenomenon baffled the scientists, and they have not yet written an explanation for it. | حيرت هذه الظاهرة الكونية العلماء، ولما يكتبوا تفسيرا لها.hayyarat hâdhihi z-zâhiratu l-kawniyyatu l-'ulamâ'a, wa lammâ yaktubû tafsîran lahâ. |
| The scientists cooperated according to the program, but they have not yet discovered the cosmic secret. | تعاون العلماء وفقا للبرنامج، لكنهم لما يكتشفوا السر الكوني.taâwana al-'ulamâ'u wafqan lilbarnâmaji, lâkinnahum lammâ yaktashifû as-sirra al-kawniyya. |