3wej عوج

Algerian Darja · verb

“3wej” (عوج) is a verb in Algerian Darja meaning to bend, twist.

Meanings

1. to bend, twist
2. to tilt, lean
3. crookedly (adverbial)

Usage

3wej (or 3awwej) means to make something crooked, to bend it or tilt it. It is used for an object, such as a rod, a bar or a frame set askew, but also for the mouth or the neck. The form 3wej is also used as an adverb: yemchi 3wej, "he walks crookedly". The common adjective is m3awwej, "crooked, tilted". Figuratively, this word can describe dishonest conduct or twisted reasoning, as in French. The register is colloquial and neutral. Note: arabizi often writes the initial consonant as 3, which is sometimes omitted (awaj).

Example

How to write it in Latin letters

In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “3wej” but also “3awej”, “3wadj” and “awaja”. 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 “3wej” on the Arabic keyboard

In Moroccan Darija

Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Moroccan Darija, where it means “crooked, askew”; “dishonest, not straight (person)”: 3wej in Moroccan.

In Tunisian Derja

Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Tunisian Derja, where it means “crooked, bent”; “dishonest, shady”: 3wej in Tunisian.