3amma عامة
Algerian Darja · adverb
“3amma” (عامة) is an adverb in Algerian Darja meaning in general, overall.
Meanings
- in general, overall
- all without exception, as a whole
Usage
3amma generally comes after the noun or sentence it qualifies, to broaden the statement: "nass Biskra 3amma" means "the people of Biskra in general". It is also used for an overall judgment: "the film is good overall". This word, from Standard Arabic, is well integrated into conversation and very frequent in online writing. The more formal form 3amatan also exists. Do not confuse it with the adjective 3am ("public", "general"), nor with the noun 3am, which means "year".
Example
الماكلة عندهم مليحة عامّة
el makla 3andhom mliha 3amma
“Their food is good in general.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “3amma” but also “3ama”, “3amatan” and “aamma”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.
Digits stand in for Arabic letters that have no Latin equivalent: 3 is ayn (ع), a voiced sound from deep in the throat with no English equivalent.
Type “3amma” on the Arabic keyboard
In Moroccan Darija
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Moroccan Darija, where it means “in general, generally”; “general (feminine, l3amma)”: 3ammatan in Moroccan.