baghi باغي
Algerian Darja · verb
“baghi” (باغي) is a verb in Algerian Darja meaning wanting, I want (participle).
Meanings
- wanting, I want (participle)
- intending to, planning to
Usage
Baghi is the active participle of bgha, "to want". It is used like a present tense: rani baghi nrou7, "I want to leave". It agrees in gender and number: baghya in the feminine, baghyin in the plural. It is followed by an imperfect verb or a noun: baghi qahwa, "I want a coffee". It is especially characteristic of western Algeria. Elsewhere, notably in Algiers, 7ab or 7abb is more often used for "to want". It is understood everywhere. Pitfall: 7ab can also mean "to like", whereas baghi expresses above all will.
Example
راني باغي نروح للدار
rani baghi nrou7 l dar
“I want to go home.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “baghi” but also “baghy”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.
Type “baghi” on the Arabic keyboard
In Moroccan Darija
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Moroccan Darija, where it means “wanting, (I/you) want”; “about to, going to”: baghi in Moroccan.