benna بنة

Algerian Darja · noun

“benna” (بنة) is a noun in Algerian Darja meaning flavor, good taste.

Meanings

1. flavor, good taste
2. charm, pleasant atmosphere

Usage

The word benna first refers to the good taste of a dish: had chorba fiha benna (this chorba tastes good). By extension, it refers to the charm or atmosphere that makes something pleasant: a party, a period of time, a series, a person. The expression raht el benna means "it has lost its flavor, it's not the same anymore". It is often heard about Ramadan or holidays of the past. The register is familiar and affectionate. The word does not apply to smell. It is often used with fih or fiha.

Example

How to write it in Latin letters

In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “benna” but also “bena”, “bnna” and “banna”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.

Type “benna” on the Arabic keyboard

In Moroccan Darija

Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Moroccan Darija, where it means “good taste, flavor”; “charm, appeal”: benna in Moroccan.