chitane شيطان
Algerian Darja · noun
“chitane” (شيطان) is a noun in Algerian Darja meaning devil, Satan, demon.
Meanings
- devil, Satan, demon
- mischievous child; cunning person
Usage
Chitane means the devil or a demon, in a religious sense, and appears in many formulas: a3oudhou billah men ech-chitane (I seek refuge in God from the devil), said to drive away a bad thought. The plural is chyatine. In everyday life, it is also used for an unruly child or a very cunning person: had ed-derri chitane (this kid is a little devil), often in an affectionate tone. To say that someone has chitane means that they are irritated or in a bad mood. Tone makes the difference between reproach and admiration.
Example
هاد الدري شيطان، ما يقعدش في بلاصتو.
had ed-derri chitane, ma yag3odch f blastou.
“This kid is a little devil, he can't stay in one place.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “chitane” but also “chitan”, “shitane”, “chaytane” and “shitan”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.
Type “chitane” on the Arabic keyboard
In Moroccan Darija
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Moroccan Darija, where it means “devil, demon”; “mischievous or cheeky person”: chitan in Moroccan.
In Tunisian Derja
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Tunisian Derja, where it means “devil, demon, Satan”; “rascal, unruly child”: chitan in Tunisian.