bezzour بالزور
Algerian Darja · expression
“bezzour” (بالزور) is an expression in Algerian Darja meaning by force, under compulsion.
Meanings
- by force, under compulsion
- reluctantly, against one's will
- necessarily, absolutely
Usage
Bezzour is very common. The expression means "by force" when talking about coercion exerted on someone: "dewwah bezzour", he was taken away by force. Applied to oneself, it means "reluctantly", "without wanting to": "klit bezzour", I ate by forcing myself. It can also express insistence or obligation: "lazem tji bezzour", you absolutely must come. The register is colloquial but neutral. The word zour on its own, in the sense of force, is rare in darja. It is almost always used in this phrase.
Example
داوه للطبيب بالزور
dawh l-tbib bezzour
“They took him to the doctor by force.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “bezzour” but also “bezour”, “bzour” and “bezzor”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.