chi3a الشيعة
Algerian Darja · noun
“chi3a” (الشيعة) is a noun in Algerian Darja meaning reputation, renown.
Meanings
- reputation, renown
- the Shia, Shiites
- reputation, renown (often overrated)
Usage
Ech-chi3a has two uses in Algeria. In everyday language, the word refers to the reputation or the buzz around someone or something, often with the idea that this renown exceeds reality. This is the meaning in the saying chi3a bla chab3a: "reputation without substance", said of something overrated. In a religious context, ech-chi3a refers to the Shia. Context is usually enough to tell the two meanings apart. Note that the "reputation" sense is often mocking.
Example
الشيعة كبيرة والماكلة ما عندها والو
ech-chi3a kbira w el-makla ma 3andha walou
“The reputation is big, but the food has nothing to it.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “chi3a” but also “elchi3a”, “echi3a” and “she3a”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.
Its Arabic spelling is not fixed either: you will find الشيعة and شيعة, all the same word.
Digits stand in for Arabic letters that have no Latin equivalent: 3 is ayn (ع), a voiced sound from deep in the throat with no English equivalent.