baya3 بياع

Algerian Darja · noun

“baya3” (بياع) is a noun in Algerian Darja meaning snitch, informer.

Meanings

1. snitch, informer
2. traitor, one who betrays his own
3. seller

Usage

Baya3, from the root meaning "to sell", mainly refers to someone who reports secrets or denounces others: a snitch or an informer. By extension, it also refers to someone who betrays those close to him. The word is pejorative and is often used as a reproach or as teasing between friends. Its colloquial synonyms are chekkam and qibou. The neutral sense of "seller" exists, but bayé3 or tajer is generally preferred. The feminine is baya3a. Note: calling someone a baya3 in earnest is a serious accusation.

Example

How to write it in Latin letters

In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “baya3” but also “bia3” and “beya3”. 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.

Type “baya3” on the Arabic keyboard

In Moroccan Darija

Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Moroccan Darija, where it means “seller, vendor”; “traitor, snitch”: beyya3 in Moroccan.

In Tunisian Derja

Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Tunisian Derja, where it means “seller, vendor”; “traitor, snitch (slang)”: bayya3 in Tunisian.