bach باش
Algerian Darja · conjunction
“bach” (باش) is a conjunction in Algerian Darja meaning to, in order to, so that.
Meanings
- to, in order to, so that
- with what?
Usage
Bach is one of the most frequent function words in Darja. It introduces purpose and goes directly before a verb conjugated in the imperfective: bach nrouh (so that I go), bach yfehmou (so that they understand). Where English or French often uses an infinitive, Darja keeps a conjugated verb, which throws learners off: one says bach nakoul, literally "so that I eat". Placed before a noun or in a question, it can also mean "with what": bach ktebt? (what did you write with?). The pronunciation varies by region, hence the spellings bach and bech.
Example
جيت باش نشوفك
jit bach nchoufek
“I came to see you.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “bach” but also “bech”, “bash”, “besh” and “bch”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.
Type “bach” on the Arabic keyboard
In Moroccan Darija
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Moroccan Darija, where it means “in order to, so that”; “with what, by what”: bach in Moroccan.
In Tunisian Derja
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Tunisian Derja, where it means “in order to, so as to”; “will, going to (future)”: bech in Tunisian.