a7sen احسن
Algerian Darja · adjective
“a7sen” (احسن) is an adjective in Algerian Darja meaning better, the best.
Meanings
- better, the best
- better (adverb)
Usage
A7sen is the comparative and superlative form of "mli7" (good). It does not change for gender or number. Placed before a noun, it expresses the superlative: "a7sen mumathil" (the best actor). Followed by "men", it expresses the comparative: "a7sen men khouh" (better than his brother). Used alone, it means "it's better": "a7sen, rouh" (it's better, go ahead). It also serves as an exclamation of approval, sometimes ironic, meaning "so much the better!". "Khir" is also very common in the sense of "better".
Example
هذا أحسن واحد في الفرقة
hada a7sen wa7ed fel ferqa
“This is the best one in the team.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “a7sen” but also “ahsan”, “a7san”, “ahsen” and “ahssan”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.
Digits stand in for Arabic letters that have no Latin equivalent: 7 is ha (ح), a breathy h from the throat.
Type “a7sen” on the Arabic keyboard
In Moroccan Darija
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Moroccan Darija, where it means “best, better”; “better”: a7san in Moroccan.
In Tunisian Derja
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Tunisian Derja, where it means “better, best”; “better, it's better to”: a7sen in Tunisian.