chnawa شناوة

Algerian Darja · noun

“chnawa” (شناوة) is a noun in Algerian Darja meaning the Chinese.

Meanings

1. the Chinese
2. Chinese goods, poor quality

Usage

Chnawa is the plural of chinwi (a Chinese person) and refers to the Chinese as a people, especially the Chinese workers and companies present in Algeria on construction sites. Contrary to what some definitions suggest, it does not refer to the country, which is called Chine or la Chine. The word is common and informal; depending on the tone, it can be neutral or slightly mocking. The adjective chinwi is also used for a product imported from China, often with the idea of poor quality: "hadi chinwiya" (it's Chinese junk).

Example

How to write it in Latin letters

In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “chnawa” but also “chnaoua”, “chinwa” and “chana”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.

Type “chnawa” on the Arabic keyboard