bta بطا

Algerian Darja · verb

“bta” (بطا) is a verb in Algerian Darja meaning to be late, take long.

Meanings

1. to be late, take long
2. to stay somewhere long

Usage

Bṭa means "to be late, to take time", especially in eastern Algeria (Sétif, Constantine and their regions). It is conjugated like a verb ending in a vowel: bṭit (I was late), bṭat (she was late), ma tebṭach (don't be late). The most frequent form is the reproachful question 3lach bṭit? (why were you late?). The register is everyday and informal. In other regions people say ṭewwel or t3eṭṭel for the same meaning. Not to be confused with baṭel (free, pointless), which is unrelated.

Example

How to write it in Latin letters

In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “bta” but also “bata”, “b6a”, “btit” and “betta”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.

Digits stand in for Arabic letters that have no Latin equivalent: 6 is emphatic ta (ط).

Type “bta” on the Arabic keyboard

In Tunisian Derja

The same word also exists in Tunisian Derja, written بطى, where it means “to take long, be late”; “to keep someone waiting”: bta in Tunisian.