9atta3 قطع

Algerian Darja · verb

“9atta3” (قطع) is a verb in Algerian Darja meaning to cut into pieces, chop.

Meanings

1. to cut into pieces, chop
2. to tear up

Usage

Qatta3, with the middle consonant doubled, means to cut into several pieces: vegetables, meat, paper. It is distinct from qta3 (the simple form), which means "to cut" in the general sense but also "to cross" (a road) or "to interrupt". In cooking, one commonly says "qatta3 el btata", "cut up the potatoes". It can also mean to tear a fabric or a paper. In the West and in some regions, it is often pronounced gatta3. Common register. The participle mqatta3 means "cut into pieces" or "torn".

Example

How to write it in Latin letters

In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “9atta3” but also “qatta3”, “gatta3”, “kata3” and “9ata3”. 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; 9 is qaf (ق), a k pronounced at the back of the throat.

Type “9atta3” on the Arabic keyboard

In Moroccan Darija

Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Moroccan Darija, where it means “to cut, cut into pieces”; “to cut off, interrupt (power, contact)”: 9tte3 in Moroccan.

In Tunisian Derja

Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Tunisian Derja, where it means “to cut”; “to cross (a street, a road)”: 9ta3 in Tunisian.