b9a بقى

Algerian Darja · verb

“b9a” (بقى) is a verb in Algerian Darja meaning to stay, remain.

Meanings

1. to stay, remain
2. to keep on doing
3. to be left over

Usage

The verb bqa is very common. It is conjugated bqit, bqa, yebqa. It first means "to stay" in a place: bqit fed-dar (I stayed at home). Followed by an imperfect verb, it expresses continuity: bqa yakoul (he kept on eating). It is also used to say what is left: ma bqa walou (there is nothing left). With 3and, it expresses a lingering feeling: bqa 3andi el fodoul (the curiosity stayed with me). The register is neutral and the verb is used throughout the country.

Example

How to write it in Latin letters

In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “b9a” but also “bqa”, “bka”, “b9aa”, “bga” and “baqa”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.

Its Arabic spelling is not fixed either: you will find بقى and بقا, all the same word.

Digits stand in for Arabic letters that have no Latin equivalent: 9 is qaf (ق), a k pronounced at the back of the throat.

Type “b9a” on the Arabic keyboard

In Moroccan Darija

The same word also exists in Moroccan Darija, written بقا, where it means “to stay, remain”; “to keep on doing”: b9a in Moroccan.

In Tunisian Derja

Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Tunisian Derja, where it means “to stay, to remain”; “to become, to end up”: b9a in Tunisian.