3omoman عموما
Algerian Darja · adverb
“3omoman” (عموما) is an adverb in Algerian Darja meaning in general, overall.
Meanings
- in general, overall
- anyway, in short
Usage
3omoman comes from Standard Arabic but is commonly heard in Darja, especially in somewhat formal speech or in online comments. It is often used to close a digression or move to the conclusion, like "anyway" or "in any case": 3omoman, rabbi ywaf9ek. It can also qualify an overall judgment ("overall, it was good"). In very casual conversation, ga3 or bessah are often preferred to move things along, but 3omoman is not out of place. It generally goes at the start of a sentence.
Example
عموما، الخدمة مليحة بصح الخلصة قليلة.
3omoman, lkhedma mli7a bessah lkhalsa 9lila.
“In general, the job is good, but the pay is low.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “3omoman” but also “3moman”, “omoman” and “3oumouman”. 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 “3omoman” on the Arabic keyboard
In Moroccan Darija
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Moroccan Darija, where it means “generally, overall”; “most of the time”: 3omoman in Moroccan.