bernous برنوس
Algerian Darja · noun
“bernous” (برنوس) is a noun in Algerian Darja meaning sleeveless hooded wool cloak.
Meanings
- sleeveless hooded wool cloak
- symbol of marriage, protection
Usage
The bernous is the large hooded wool cloak worn by men, especially in winter and at ceremonies: weddings, religious festivals, the reception of a notable. It remains associated with dignity and tradition. In wishes, the word takes on a figurative sense: wishing a young girl "bernous ستر", a "burnous of protection", amounts to wishing her a good marriage, as the groom traditionally puts on the burnous. The common plural is branes. The French word "burnous" comes from this term, which makes it easy to recognize.
Example
جدي يلبس البرنوس كي يخرج للجامع في الشتا
jeddi yelbes el bernous ki yekhrej lel jame3 fe chta
“My grandfather puts on his burnous when he goes out to the mosque in winter.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “bernous” but also “burnous”, “barnous”, “bornous” and “bernousse”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.
Type “bernous” on the Arabic keyboard
In Tunisian Derja
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Tunisian Derja, where it means “burnous, hooded wool cloak”: barnous in Tunisian.