Learning Algerian Arabic

[Little_Mem]

1)Es 3alaamou 3laykoum

Bonjour

Hello (literally, Peace be upon you)

Reply- Wa 3alaykoum es salaam

Bonjour a vous, aussi

Hello to you too (literally, and Peace be upon you)

N.B. If unsure of reply you can say 'Sahha'

2) Ki ra-koum ?

Comment allez vous

How are you ?

Reply- Ghaya l-hamdou l-el-Lah

Tout va bien, merci

Everythings OK (literally Fine, thank's be to Allah)

3)Winta ghaya ?

Et toi, tu vas bien ?

And you, are you OK ?

Reply- Ghaya l-hamdou l-el-Lah (as above)

4)Ki ra-7oum ed- draari?

Comment vos les enfents ?

How are the children ?

Reply- La baass 3li-houm

Ils vont bien

They are fine

[Little_Mem]

0 sifr, ziro
1 waahed
2 zoudj
3 tlata
4 reb3a
5 khemsa
6 setta
7 seb3a
8 tmenya
9 tes3a
10 3echra

[Abdu23]

2) Kifaah ngoulou b-ed-Dzayriyya ?

Usually it sounds more like
- Kifah ykoulou bedziria.
ngoulou is too heavy

4) Ma-ni ch faahem

Usually we say:
- Mafhemtekch (I did not understand YOU)
or - Mafhemt fiha tren/haba (I did not get anything out of it)

5)3awed wachta goult/i, mene fedlek/ i3eych-k

Just say "wesh kolt?"

2) Ki ra-koum ?

usually we say
- Wesh rakom,, or Wesh, Ca va?
reply : Ca va intik (cool), hamdoullah.

3)Winta ghaya ?

Usually: Wenta ca va? or Wenta labess/ Hakma?

U should not take it seriously as an algerian would understand what u said, I don't however get how they call this "standard algerian" since by definition it is not standarized and updated If you don't go to Algeria for some time, your talking would look old fashion although understood

[Little_Mem]

Byed = Blanc/ Blond = White
Khel = Noir = Black
Sfer = Jaune = Yellow
Hmer = Rouge = Red
Zreq = Bleu = Blue
khder = Vert = Green
Qe7wi = Marron = Brown
Mdaadi = Violet = Violet
Nili = Indigo = Indigo
Fanidi = Rose = Pink
Limouni/ tchini = Orange = Orange
Rmadi = Gris = Grey

[Little_Mem]

Originally posted by Abdu23

2) Kifaah ngoulou b-ed-Dzayriyya ?

Usually it sounds more like
- Kifah ykoulou bedziria.
ngoulou is too heavy

4) Ma-ni ch faahem

Usually we say:
- Mafhemtekch (I did not understand YOU)
or - Mafhemt fiha tren/haba (I did not get anything out of it)

5)3awed wachta goult/i, mene fedlek/ i3eych-k

Just say "wesh kolt?"

2) Ki ra-koum ?

usually we say
- Wesh rakom,, or Wesh, Ca va?
reply : Ca va intik (cool), hamdoullah.

3)Winta ghaya ?

Usually: Wenta ca va? or Wenta labess/ Hakma?

U should not take it seriously as an algerian would understand what u said, I don't however get how they call this "standard algerian" since by definition it is not standarized and updated If you don't go to Algeria for some time, your talking would look old fashion although understood

Thanks, Abdu, this is what we want, input from Algerians

This is the problem, this book was probably written by a Frenchman in the 1920's (LOL!) and the lack of books on Derja means this is all we have. So, as I post, I hope you will all correct it, and update it.

Sahha!

[Amina-DZ]

There is no such thing as standard Algerian. There are different dialects in different regions of the country. When it comes to publishing such books, the writer has to use the Algerian s/he's accustomed to i.e. it has to be that of a specific part of Algeria.

Now in your case Lil_Mem, what you are learning is the Algerian they speak in West Algeria, which is different from what is spoken in Algiers or East Algeria!

[Little_Mem]

Originally posted by Amina-DZ
There is no such thing as standard Algerian. There are different dialects in different regions of the country. When it comes to publishing such books, the writer has to use the Algerian s/he's accustomed to i.e. it has to be that of a specific part of Algeria.

Now in your case Lil_Mem, what you are learning is the Algerian they speak in West Algeria, which is different from what is spoken in Algiers or East Algeria!

It's certainly complicated and I have two books on Algerian Arabic, and there is even a variation between the two books ! I think one of them is 'Algiers' Derja! and I take it, this one is the Western dialect ? This is gonna be fun!

....and I thought Colloquial 'Shire' English was complicated!

We'll see what comes of this thread