bordj برج
Algerian Darja · noun
“bordj” (برج) is a noun in Algerian Darja meaning tower (building).
Meanings
- tower (building)
- fort, fortress
Usage
Borj means a tower or tall structure, as in "borj Pisa" (the Tower of Pisa). In Algeria, it is mostly familiar from place names, where it keeps the old sense of fort or bastion: Bordj Bou Arreridj, Bordj El Kiffan, Bordj Badji Mokhtar. This is why the official and most widespread Latin spelling is "bordj". In everyday language, for a tall building, "l'immeuble" or "3imara" is also used. The plural is bruj or bwaj depending on the region.
Example
طلعنا للبرج وشفنا البلاد كاملة
tla3na l-borj w chefna lblad kamla
“We went up the tower and saw the whole town.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “bordj” but also “borj”, “burj” and “berj”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.
Type “bordj” on the Arabic keyboard
In Moroccan Darija
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Moroccan Darija, where it means “tower (tall structure)”; “zodiac sign”: borj in Moroccan.
In Tunisian Derja
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Tunisian Derja, where it means “tower (tall building)”; “zodiac sign”: borj in Tunisian.